JP2017088067A - Leaning vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a leaning vehicle which secures room of a space ahead of a head pipe and can prevent a rear portion of an upper part of a steering shaft from increasing in size.SOLUTION: A leaning vehicle 1 comprises a tie rod 50 which is connected to a steering shaft 14, a left front wheel support member 30L and a right front wheel support member rotatably around the axes extending in the vertical direction of a vehicle body frame 13, respectively. At least a part of the tie rod 50, in the vehicle side view when the vehicle body frame 13 is in an upright state and the steering shaft 14 is in a non-steering state, is arranged behind the front end of a head pipe 10 and below the lower end of the head pipe 10.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a leaning vehicle including a body frame that can tilt with respect to the ground and two front wheels.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a vehicle including a body frame that can tilt with respect to the ground, that is, a tilted vehicle is known. In addition, in a tilted vehicle, a vehicle is known that includes a steering shaft supported by a head pipe, and a left front wheel and a right front wheel that are steered by the steering shaft. In such a vehicle, when the steering shaft is steered, it is necessary to synchronize the turning of the left front wheel and the turning of the right front wheel. Therefore, the left front wheel and the right front wheel are coupled to the steering shaft via the tie rods.

  Patent Document 1 describes an inclined vehicle in which a tie rod is disposed in front of a central axis of a head pipe. However, since vehicle parts such as a suspension that supports the left front wheel, a suspension that supports the right front wheel, and a headlight are arranged in front of the central axis of the head pipe, there is little space. If the tie rod is located behind the central axis of the head pipe, a space is created in front of the central axis of the head pipe, and the degree of freedom of installation of vehicle parts arranged in front of the central axis of the head pipe is improved.

  Patent Document 2 describes an inclined vehicle in which a tie rod is disposed behind a central axis of a head pipe.

Japanese Patent No. 5536968 European Patent No. 1484239

  However, in the inclined vehicle described in Patent Document 2, the tie rod is attached to the upper part of the steering shaft. Specifically, the tie rod is attached to a portion of the steering shaft that is above the head pipe and to which the handle bar is attached. For this reason, the rear part of the upper part of the steering shaft of the inclined vehicle is enlarged.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a point, and an object of the present invention is to provide a steering shaft supported by a head pipe, and a left front wheel and a right front wheel that are steered by the steering shaft. An object is to provide a tilted vehicle capable of ensuring a margin and suppressing an increase in the size of the rear portion of the upper portion of the steering shaft.

  A lean vehicle according to the present invention includes a body frame, a steering shaft, a left front wheel, a right front wheel, a left front wheel support member, a right front wheel support member, a left side member, a right side member, a link mechanism, A tie rod. The vehicle body frame includes a head pipe and a main frame connected to the head pipe and extending rearward from the head pipe in a side view of the vehicle. The steering shaft is rotatably supported by the head pipe. The left front wheel is disposed on the left side of the vehicle center line. The right front wheel is disposed on the right side of the vehicle center line. The left front wheel is rotatably supported by the left front wheel support member. The right front wheel is rotatably supported by the right front wheel support member. The left side member supports the left front wheel support member rotatably around a left steering axis extending in the vertical direction of the body frame. The right side member supports the right front wheel support member rotatably around a right steering axis extending in the vertical direction of the body frame. The link mechanism is coupled to the vehicle body frame, the left side member, and the right side member so as to be rotatable around a link axis extending in a front-rear direction of the vehicle body frame, and the vehicle body according to an inclination of the vehicle body frame The relative position of the left front wheel and the right front wheel in the vertical direction of the frame is changed. The tie rod is connected to the steering shaft, the left front wheel support member, and the right front wheel support member so as to be rotatable around an axis extending in the vertical direction of the body frame. At least a part of the tie rod is disposed behind the front end of the head pipe and below the lower end of the head pipe in a side view of the vehicle when the body frame is upright and the steering shaft is in a non-steered state. Has been.

  According to the above inclined vehicle, since at least a part of the tie rod is disposed behind the front end of the head pipe and below the lower end of the head pipe, a margin of space is created in front of the central axis of the head pipe. For this reason, the degree of freedom of installation of the vehicle parts arranged in front of the central axis of the head pipe is improved. Moreover, it can suppress that the rear part of the upper part of a steering shaft enlarges.

  According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the tie rod is disposed at a position overlapping the head pipe in a plan view of the vehicle when the body frame is in an upright state and the steering shaft is in a non-steered state.

  According to the said aspect, at least one part of a tie rod is located ahead of the rear end of a head pipe. Therefore, it is possible to easily avoid interference between the main frame and the tie rod as compared with the case where the tie rod is disposed rearward.

  According to another preferred aspect of the present invention, the tie rod is disposed at a position overlapping the link mechanism in a plan view of the vehicle when the body frame is in an upright state and the steering shaft is in a non-steered state. .

  According to the said aspect, at least one part of a tie rod is located ahead of the rear end of a link mechanism. Therefore, it is possible to easily avoid interference between the main frame and the tie rod as compared with the case where the tie rod is disposed rearward.

  According to another preferred aspect of the present invention, the main frame is disposed on the left side of the vehicle center line, is connected to the head pipe, and extends rearward from the head pipe in a side view of the vehicle. A right frame disposed on the right side of the center line, connected to the head pipe, and extending rearward from the head pipe in a side view of the vehicle.

  According to the above aspect, the rigidity of the main frame can be increased.

  According to another preferred aspect of the present invention, the left frame is disposed on the left side of the vehicle center line, connected to the head pipe, and extends rearward from the head pipe in a side view of the vehicle, and the vehicle An upper left frame disposed on the left side of the center line, connected to a portion of the head pipe above the portion to which the lower left frame is connected, and extending rearward from the head pipe in a side view of the vehicle. Yes. The right frame is disposed on the right side of the vehicle center line, connected to the head pipe, and is disposed on the right side of the vehicle center line with the lower right frame extending rearward from the head pipe in a side view of the vehicle. An upper right frame that is connected to a portion of the pipe that is above the portion to which the lower right frame is connected, and extends rearward from the head pipe in a side view of the vehicle.

  According to the above aspect, the rigidity of the main frame can be further increased.

  According to another preferred aspect of the present invention, the left frame includes a left connection frame that connects the lower left frame and the upper left frame. The right frame includes a right connection frame that connects the lower right frame and the upper right frame.

  According to the above aspect, the rigidity of the main frame can be further increased.

  According to another preferred aspect of the present invention, the main frame is connected to the head pipe, and a lower frame extending rearward from the head pipe in a side view of the vehicle and the lower frame of the head pipe are connected. And an upper frame that extends rearward from the head pipe in a side view of the vehicle and a connection frame that connects the lower frame and the upper frame.

  According to the above aspect, the rigidity of the main frame can be increased.

  According to another preferred aspect of the present invention, the link mechanism includes a first cross member and a second cross member. The first cross member is connected to the body frame, the left side member, and the right side member so as to be rotatable around an upper link axis extending in the front-rear direction of the body frame. The second cross member is disposed below the first cross member in the vertical direction of the body frame, and the front and rear direction of the body frame with respect to the body frame, the left side member, and the right side member, respectively. Is connected to be rotatable around a lower link axis extending to.

  According to the above aspect, when the head pipe is inclined, the left side member and the right side member are inclined simultaneously with the head pipe via the first cross member and the second cross member. When the left side member and the right side member are inclined, the left front wheel support member and the right front wheel support member are inclined, and as a result, the left front wheel and the right front wheel are inclined. As a result, the left front wheel and the right front wheel are tilted in synchronization with the vehicle body frame.

  According to another preferred aspect of the present invention, the left front wheel support member is supported by the left front wheel support shaft rotatably supported by the left front wheel and the left side member rotatably by the left steering axis. And a left bracket that connects the left front wheel support shaft and the left shaft. The right front wheel support member includes a right front wheel support shaft on which the right front wheel is rotatably supported, a right shaft rotatably supported on the right side member around the right steering axis, and the right front wheel support shaft. And a right bracket connecting the right shaft. The tie rod and the left bracket are connected via a left joint member, and the tie rod and the right bracket are connected via a right joint member. The left bracket includes a left shaft fixing portion to which the left shaft is fixed, and a left connecting portion to which the left joint member is connected and located below the left shaft fixing portion in the vertical direction of the vehicle body frame. doing. The right bracket includes a right shaft fixing portion to which the right shaft is fixed, and a right connecting portion to which the right joint member is connected and located below the right shaft fixing portion in the vertical direction of the vehicle body frame. doing.

  According to the above aspect, the left connecting portion to which the left joint member is connected in the left bracket is positioned below the left shaft fixing portion to which the left shaft is fixed. Therefore, the left joint member can be arranged further downward. Similarly, the right connecting portion to which the right joint member is connected in the right bracket is positioned below the right shaft fixing portion to which the right shaft is fixed. Therefore, the right joint member can be arranged further downward. Therefore, the tie rod can be arranged further downward. Therefore, even when the body frame is inclined or the steering shaft is steered, interference between the tie rod and the body frame can be avoided more easily.

  According to another preferred aspect of the present invention, the left front wheel support shaft and the right front wheel support shaft include a telescopic shock absorber having an outer tube and an inner tube inserted into the outer tube.

  The telescopic shock absorber has a characteristic that a sufficient stroke can be secured and the size in the vehicle front-rear direction is small. According to the said aspect, riding comfort can be improved, avoiding interference with a tie rod and a buffer easily.

  According to another preferred aspect of the present invention, the left front wheel support shaft and the right front wheel support shaft are arranged in parallel with the telescopic shock absorber, and the outer tube and the inner tube of the telescopic shock absorber are provided. An anti-rotation member for preventing relative rotation is provided.

  According to the above aspect, since the relative rotation between the outer tube and the inner tube of the telescopic shock absorber is prevented, the turning operation of the left front wheel and the right front wheel favorably follows the steering shaft turning. Since there is a space in front of the center axis of the head pipe, such a rotation preventing member can be easily arranged.

  According to another preferable aspect of the present invention, the inclined vehicle includes a seat, a left footrest, a right footrest, and a vehicle body cover. The seat is disposed behind the head pipe and supported by the main frame. The left footrest is disposed on the left side of the vehicle center line, behind the head pipe, in front of at least a part of the seat, and below the head pipe and the seat. The right footrest is disposed on the right side of the vehicle center line, behind the head pipe, in front of at least a part of the seat, and below the head pipe and the seat. The center tunnel is located to the right of the left footrest, to the left of the right footrest, and above the left footrest and the right footrest.

  According to the above aspect, since the center tunnel is provided, the degree of freedom in designing the main frame is increased as compared with the case where the center tunnel is not provided. Since the design freedom of the main frame is high, it is possible to design the main frame relatively easily so as to avoid interference with the tie rod while ensuring rigidity.

  According to another preferred aspect of the present invention, the tie rod is disposed behind the left steering axis and the right steering axis in a vehicle plan view. The inclined vehicle includes an Ackermann-Jantho mechanism provided on the tie rod.

  According to the above aspect, the lateral dimension of the tie rod provided with the Ackermann-Jantho mechanism is reduced as compared with the case where the tie rod is disposed in front of the left steering axis and the right steering axis in the vehicle plan view. Can do.

  According to the present invention, the steering shaft supported by the head pipe, the left front wheel and the right front wheel that are steered by the steering shaft, a space is secured in front of the head pipe, and an upper portion of the steering shaft is provided. It is possible to provide an inclined vehicle that can suppress an increase in the size of the rear portion.

1 is a left side view of an inclined vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a front view of a part of the inclined vehicle when the body frame is in an upright state. It is a front view of a part of the inclined vehicle when the vehicle body frame is in an inclined state. It is a top view of a part of the inclined vehicle. It is a left view of a part of the body frame of the inclined vehicle. It is a left view of a part of the inclined vehicle. It is an enlarged left side view of a part of the inclined vehicle. It is an enlarged front view of a part of the inclined vehicle. It is a top view of a tie rod. (A) And (b) is explanatory drawing of the Ackermann-Jantho mechanism of the said inclination vehicle. (A) And (b) is explanatory drawing of the Ackermann-Jantho mechanism of a comparative example.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the inclined vehicle according to the present embodiment is a straddle-type three-wheeled vehicle (hereinafter simply referred to as a vehicle) 1 including two front wheels 20 </ b> L and 20 </ b> R and one rear wheel 21. . In the present specification, “inclined vehicle” means that the vehicle body frame 13 can be inclined with respect to the ground as shown in FIG. 3, and the left front wheel 20L and the right front wheel 20R are moved along with the inclination of the vehicle body frame 13. A vehicle in which the relative position in the vertical direction of the body frame 13 changes. Unless otherwise specified, “front”, “rear”, “left”, “right”, “upper”, and “lower” refer to the seat 3 when the vehicle 1 is stationary on a horizontal surface in a non-steered state. It means front, rear, left, right, upper and lower, respectively, as viewed from the occupant 4 seated in the seat. Reference numerals F, Re, L, R, U, and D in the drawings represent front, rear, left, right, upper, and lower, respectively. The “front-rear direction of the body frame”, “up-down direction of the body frame”, and “left-right direction of the body frame” mean the front-rear direction, the up-down direction, and the left-right direction with respect to the body frame. When the vehicle body 13 is not steered and the body frame 13 stands upright, the front-rear direction, the up-down direction, and the left-right direction of the body frame 13 coincide with the front-rear direction, the up-down direction, and the left-right direction of the vehicle 1, respectively. However, in a steered state or a state in which the vehicle body frame 13 is tilted, the front-rear direction, the vertical direction, and the left-right direction of the vehicle body frame 13 may be different from the front-rear direction, the vertical direction, and the left-right direction of the vehicle 1, respectively. The “axis extending in the front-rear direction” is not limited to an axis parallel to the front-rear direction, but also includes an axis inclined in the range of −45 ° to + 45 ° with respect to the front-rear direction. Similarly, the “axis extending in the vertical direction” and the “axis extending in the horizontal direction” include an axis inclined in a range of −45 ° to + 45 ° with respect to the vertical direction and −45 ° with respect to the horizontal direction, respectively. Included are axes that are inclined in a range of ~ + 45 °.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the vehicle 1 includes a vehicle body frame 13, a left front wheel 20L, a right front wheel 20R, a rear wheel 21, a steering mechanism 23 for steering the left front wheel 20L and the right front wheel 20R, A link mechanism 25 that inclines the left front wheel 20L and the right front wheel 20R according to the inclination of the frame 13, a seat 3 on which the occupant 4 sits, and a power unit 2 that generates a driving force for driving the rear wheel 21 are provided. Yes.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the vehicle body frame 13 includes a head pipe 10, a left side member 34 </ b> L disposed on the left side of the head pipe 10, and a right side member 34 </ b> R disposed on the right side of the head pipe 10. doing. As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle body frame 13 includes a main frame 12 that is connected to the head pipe 10 and extends rearward from the head pipe 10 in a side view of the vehicle.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the head pipe 10 extends rearward and obliquely upward in a vehicle side view. As shown in FIG. 2, the head pipe 10 extends in the vertical direction when the vehicle is viewed from the front.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the left side member 34 </ b> L and the right side member 34 </ b> R are formed in a pipe shape and are arranged in parallel with the head pipe 10.

  Although the configuration of the main frame 12 is not particularly limited, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the main frame 12 has a left frame 24L and a right frame 24R. The left frame 24L is disposed on the left side of the vehicle center line CL, and the right frame 24R is disposed on the right side of the vehicle center line CL. The “vehicle center line CL” is a line that intersects the center axis 10 c of the head pipe 10 and extends in the front-rear direction of the body frame 13. The left frame 24L and the right frame 24R are respectively connected to the head pipe 10 and extend rearward from the head pipe 10 in a vehicle side view.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the left frame 24L includes a lower left frame 18L, an upper left frame 16L, and a left connection frame 22L that connects the lower left frame 18L and the upper left frame 16L. The lower left frame 18L and the upper left frame 16L are each connected to the head pipe 10. However, the upper left frame 16L is connected to a portion of the head pipe 10 that is above the portion to which the lower left frame 18L is connected.

  The lower left frame 18L and the upper left frame 16L both extend rearward from the head pipe 10 in a vehicle side view. A part of the lower left frame 18L extends obliquely downward and forward in a vehicle side view. Specifically, the lower left frame 18L includes a first portion 181 that extends obliquely downward and rearward from the head pipe 10 in a side view of the vehicle, a second portion 182 that extends obliquely downward and forward from the lower end of the first portion 181 in a vehicle side view, And a third portion 183 extending rearward from the lower end of the second portion 182 in a side view. The first portion 181 and the second portion 182 form a recess 184 that is recessed rearward in a vehicle side view. The upper left frame 16L includes a first portion 161 that extends obliquely downward from the head pipe 10 in a side view of the vehicle, a second portion 162 that extends obliquely downward from the first portion 161 in a side view of the vehicle, and a second portion 162 in the side view of the vehicle. And a third portion 163 extending in the front-rear direction from the lower end of the portion 162. The first portion 161 and the second portion 162 form a recess 164 that is recessed forward in a side view of the vehicle. The first portion 161 of the upper left frame 16L is disposed behind the first portion 181 of the lower left frame 18L. The second portion 162 of the upper left frame 16L is disposed behind the second portion 182 of the lower left frame 18L. The third portion 163 of the upper left frame 16L is disposed above the third portion 183 of the lower left frame 18L. The left connection frame 22L connects the recess 184 of the lower left frame 18L and the recess 164 of the upper left frame 16L. The front end of the third portion 163 of the upper left frame 16L is connected to the second portion 182 of the lower left frame 18L.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the upper left frame 16L is disposed more inward in the vehicle width direction than the lower left frame 18L in the vehicle plan view. In addition, “inward in the vehicle width direction” refers to a direction approaching the vehicle center line CL. “Outward in the vehicle width direction” means a direction away from the vehicle center line CL. The first portion 161 and the second portion 162 of the upper left frame 16L extend outward in the vehicle width direction as going rearward. The third portion 163 of the upper left frame 16L is curved so as to go inward in the vehicle width direction and then outward in the vehicle width direction as it goes rearward in the vehicle plan view. The first portion 181 and the second portion 182 of the lower left frame 18L extend in the vehicle width direction in the vehicle plan view. The vehicle width direction is the left-right direction. The third portion 183 of the lower left frame 18L extends in the front-rear direction in the vehicle plan view.

  The right frame 24R has a symmetrical shape with respect to the left frame 24L with respect to the vehicle center line CL. Therefore, detailed description of the right frame 24R is omitted. The right frame 24R includes a lower right frame 18R, an upper right frame 16R, and a right connection frame 22R that connects the lower right frame 18R and the upper right frame 16R. The lower right frame 18R and the upper right frame 16R are connected to the head pipe 10, respectively. However, the upper right frame 16R is connected to a portion of the head pipe 10 above the portion to which the lower right frame 18R is connected.

  The upper left frame 16L and the upper right frame 16R are examples of an “upper frame”, and the lower left frame 18L and the lower right frame 18R are examples of a “lower frame”. The left connection frame 22L and the right connection frame 22R, respectively. Are examples of “connection frames”. The upper frame, the lower frame, and the connection frame may be provided one by one or may be provided by two as in the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 1 includes a left footrest base 70 </ b> L and a right footrest base 70 </ b> R on which a left foot and a right foot of a passenger sitting on the seat 3 are respectively placed. Since FIG. 1 is a left side view of the vehicle 1, the right footrest 70 </ b> R is not directly shown, but the left footrest 70 </ b> R is provided at the target position with the left footrest 70 </ b> L with the vehicle center line CL as a boundary. Yes. The left footrest 70L and the right footrest 70R are disposed on the left and right sides of the vehicle center line CL, respectively. Further, the left footrest 70L and the right footrest 70R are disposed behind the head pipe 10, ahead of at least a part of the seat 3, and below the head pipe 10 and the seat 3. The vehicle 1 includes a vehicle body cover 74 that covers at least a part of the vehicle body frame 13. The vehicle body cover 74 has a center tunnel 72 positioned to the right of the left footrest 70L, to the left of the right footrest 70R, and above the left footrest 70L and the right footrest 70R. Although not shown, the cross section perpendicular to the front-rear direction of the body frame 13 of the center tunnel 72 is formed in a shape that protrudes upward in the up-down direction of the body frame 13.

  The link mechanism 25 connects the head pipe 10, the left side member 34L, and the right side member 34R, and is configured to incline the left side member 34L and the right side member 34R in accordance with the inclination of the head pipe 10. Yes. As shown in FIG. 2, the link mechanism 25 includes a first cross member 41 and a second cross member 42 disposed below the first cross member 41 in the vertical direction of the vehicle body frame 13.

  The first cross member 41 extends in the left-right direction. The first cross member 41 is disposed in front of the head pipe 10. However, the first cross member 41 may be disposed behind the head pipe 10. The first cross member 41 is connected to the head pipe 10, the left side member 34L, and the right side member 34R so as to be rotatable around an upper link axis H1 extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body frame 13, respectively.

  The second cross member 42 extends in the left-right direction. In the present embodiment, the second cross member 42 includes a front cross member 42a disposed in front of the head pipe 10 and a rear cross member 42b disposed in the rear of the head pipe 10 (see FIG. 6). . However, the 2nd cross member 42 may be comprised only by the front cross member 42a, and may be comprised only by the back cross member 42b. The second cross member 42 is connected to the head pipe 10, the left side member 34 </ b> L, and the right side member 34 </ b> R so as to be rotatable around a lower link axis H <b> 2 that extends in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body frame 13. The lower link axis H2 is located below the upper link axis H1 in the vertical direction of the body frame 13.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the steering mechanism 23 includes a steering shaft 14, a handlebar 15, a left front wheel support member 30 </ b> L, a right front wheel support member 30 </ b> R, and a tie rod 50.

  The steering shaft 14 is inserted into the head pipe 10 and is rotatably supported by the head pipe 10. The steering shaft 14 is provided so as to be rotatable around the central steering axis V2C extending in the vertical direction of the body frame 13 with respect to the head pipe 10. Note that, when viewed from the front of the vehicle, the central steering axis V2C coincides with the vehicle central line CL. An upper portion 14 a of the steering shaft 14 is located above the head pipe 10, and a lower portion 14 b of the steering shaft 14 is located below the head pipe 10.

  The handle bar 15 is fixed to the upper portion 14 a of the steering shaft 14. The handle bar 15 extends in the left-right direction. The handle bar 15 has a right grip 15R gripped by the right hand of the occupant and a left grip 15L gripped by the left hand.

  The left front wheel support member 30L is provided to be rotatable about a left steering axis V2L extending in the vertical direction of the body frame 13 with respect to the left side member 34L. The left front wheel support member 30L supports the left front wheel 20L so as to be rotatable around a wheel axis H3 extending in the left-right direction of the body frame 13. The left front wheel support member 30L includes a left front wheel support shaft 32L in which the left front wheel 20L is rotatably supported around the wheel axis H3, and a left shaft 35L supported by the left side member 34L so as to be rotatable around the left steering axis V2L. And a left bracket 36L for connecting the left front wheel support shaft 32L and the left shaft 35L.

  The left shaft 35L is inserted into the left side member 34L so as to be rotatable around the left steering axis V2L. The left front wheel support shaft 32L is disposed more inward in the vehicle width direction than the left shaft 35L. As shown in FIG. 6, the left front wheel support shaft 32 </ b> L includes a telescopic shock absorber 48 and an anti-rotation member 60 disposed in parallel with the telescopic shock absorber 48. As shown in FIG. 7, the telescopic shock absorber 48 includes an outer tube 44 and an inner tube 46 that is slidably inserted into the outer tube 44. The rotation preventing member 60 is a member that prevents relative rotation between the outer tube 44 and the inner tube 46 of the telescopic shock absorber 48. The rotation preventing member 60 is disposed in front of the telescopic shock absorber 48. However, the rotation preventing member 60 may be disposed behind the telescopic shock absorber 48. Although the configuration of the rotation preventing member 60 is not particularly limited, in the present embodiment, the rotation preventing member 60 includes an outer tube 62 and an inner tube 64 that is slidably inserted into the outer tube 62.

  The inner tube 46 of the telescopic shock absorber 48 and the inner tube 64 of the rotation preventing member 60 are fixed to the left bracket 36L. The left bracket 36L includes a left shaft fixing portion 37L to which the left shaft 35L is fixed, a fixing portion 39L to which the left front wheel support shaft 32L (specifically, the inner tubes 46 and 64) is fixed, and a left to which the tie rod 50 is connected. A connecting portion 40L. The left connecting portion 40L is located below the vehicle body frame 13 in the vertical direction with respect to the left shaft fixing portion 37L. The fixing portion 39L is located below the left shaft fixing portion 37L in the vertical direction of the body frame 13. As shown in FIG. 8, the fixing portion 39L is located inward in the vehicle width direction with respect to the left shaft fixing portion 37L.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the right shaft 35R, the right front wheel support shaft 32R, and the right bracket 36R have symmetrical shapes with the left shaft 35L, the left front wheel support shaft 32L, and the left bracket 36L, respectively, with the vehicle center line CL as a boundary. However, they are arranged symmetrically. The configuration of the right shaft 35R is the same as the configuration of the left shaft 35L, the configuration of the right front wheel support shaft 32R is the same as the configuration of the left front wheel support shaft 32L, and the configuration of the right bracket 36R is the same as the configuration of the left bracket 36L. Therefore, detailed description thereof is omitted. The right front wheel support shaft 32R also includes a telescopic shock absorber 48 and a rotation preventing member 60.

  The tie rod 50 synchronizes the rotation of the steering shaft 14 around the central steering axis V2C, the rotation of the left front wheel support member 30L around the left steering axis V2L, and the rotation of the right front wheel support member 30R around the right steering axis V2R. It is. The tie rod 50 is connected to the steering shaft 14, the left front wheel support member 30 </ b> L, and the right front wheel support member 30 </ b> R so as to be rotatable around an axis V <b> 1 extending in the vertical direction of the vehicle body frame 13.

  As shown in FIG. 6, at least a part of the tie rod 50 is a head pipe in a vehicle side view when the vehicle body frame 13 is in an upright state and the steering shaft 14 is in a non-steering state (hereinafter referred to as an upright non-steering state). 10 is arranged behind the front end 10 f and below the lower end 10 b of the head pipe 10. Note that “the body frame 13 is in an upright state” refers to a state in which the central axis 10c of the head pipe 10 is perpendicular to the horizontal line when the vehicle is viewed from the front. The “steering shaft 14 is not steered” refers to a state in which the left front wheel 20L and the right front wheel 20R are parallel to the vehicle center line CL (see FIG. 4).

  As shown in FIG. 1, the tie rod 50 is disposed so as to be positioned in front of the concave portion 184 of the lower left frame 18 </ b> L in a side view of the vehicle in the upright no-steering state. When the vehicle is in an upright non-steering state, a part of the tie rod 50 and the recess 184 are located on the same horizontal line in a side view of the vehicle. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, at least a part of the tie rod 50 is disposed below the upper end 48t of the telescopic shock absorber 48 in a side view of the vehicle in the upright non-steering state. Further, at least a part of the tie rod 50 is disposed below the upper end 60t of the rotation preventing member 60 in a side view of the vehicle when in the upright non-steering state. The tie rod 50 is disposed above the outer tube 44 of the telescopic shock absorber 48 in a side view of the vehicle in the upright non-steering state. In addition, the tie rod 50 is disposed above the outer tube 62 of the rotation preventing member 60 in a side view of the vehicle when in the upright non-steering state.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the tie rod 50 is disposed at a position overlapping the head pipe 10 in a plan view of the vehicle when in the upright non-steering state. Further, the tie rod 50 is disposed at a position overlapping the link mechanism 25 in a vehicle plan view when in an upright non-steering state.

  FIG. 9 is a plan view of the tie rod 50. The tie rod 50 and the left bracket 36L are connected via a left joint member 38L, and the tie rod 50 and the right bracket 36R are connected via a right joint member 38R. A central bracket 40C is fixed to the lower portion 14b of the steering shaft 14, and the tie rod 50 and the central bracket 40C are connected via a central joint member 38C.

  Specifically, the left connecting portion 40L of the left bracket 36L and the right connecting portion 40R of the right bracket 36R are each formed by a plate extending rearward in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body frame 13. The left joint member 38L is supported to be rotatable about an axis V1 extending in the vertical direction of the vehicle body frame 13 with respect to the left connecting portion 40L. The right joint member 38R is supported so as to be rotatable about an axis V1 extending in the vertical direction of the body frame 13 with respect to the right connecting portion 40R. The central joint member 38C is supported so as to be rotatable about an axis V1 extending in the vertical direction of the vehicle body frame 13 with respect to the central bracket 40C.

  The tie rod 50 includes a left rod 51 having a connecting portion 51L to which the left joint member 38L is connected and a connecting portion 51C to which the central joint member 38C is connected, a connecting portion 52R to which the right joint member 38R is connected, and a central joint member. A right rod 52 having a connecting portion 52C to which 38C is connected. In the present embodiment, the left rod 51 and the right rod 52 are separate and separated. However, it is also possible to integrate the left rod 51 and the right rod 52 and provide one connecting portion instead of the two connecting portions 51C and 52C. The tie rod 50 may be configured by a single arm. The connecting portion 51L is supported by the left joint member 38L so as to be rotatable around an axis H4 extending in the front-rear direction of the body frame 13. The connecting portion 51C is supported by the central joint member 38C so as to be rotatable around an axis H4 extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body frame 13. The connecting portion 52C is supported by the central joint member 38C so as to be rotatable around an axis H4 extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body frame 13. The connecting portion 52R is supported by the right joint member 38R so as to be rotatable around an axis H4 extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body frame 13.

  The left joint member 38L, the central joint member 38C, and the right joint member 38R described above are coupled so that the tie rod 50 can rotate about the axis V1 and the axis H4 with respect to the left bracket 36L, the center bracket 40C, and the right bracket 36R, respectively. It is only an example of the joint member to perform, The structure is not necessarily limited to the said structure. Other joint members can also be used.

  As schematically shown in FIG. 10A, the vehicle 1 includes an Ackermann-Jeantaud scheme 80 provided on the tie rod 50. In the Ackerman-Jantho mechanism 80, the left rotation axis V1 of the tie rod 50 is positioned inward in the vehicle width direction from the left steering axis V2L, and the right rotation axis V1 of the tie rod 50 is in the vehicle width direction from the right steering axis V2R. It is comprised by being located inward. When the steering shaft 14 is rotated by the Ackermann-Jantho mechanism 80, a difference can be provided between the rotation angle of the left front wheel 20L and the rotation angle of the right front wheel 20R. For example, as shown in FIG. 10B, when the steering shaft 14 is rotated to the left, the rotation angle θa of the left front wheel 20L with respect to the front-rear direction of the body frame 13 is made larger than the rotation angle θb of the right front wheel 20R. be able to.

  FIGS. 11A and 11B are diagrams showing an example of the Ackermann-Jantho mechanism 80 when the tie rod 50 is disposed in front of the left steering axis V2L and the right steering axis V2R, respectively. , (B). As can be seen by comparing FIG. 10 (a) and FIG. 11 (a), according to the present embodiment in which the tie rod 50 is disposed behind the left steering axis V2L and the right steering axis V2R, the tie rod 50 is steered to the left. It can be seen that the length of the tie rod 50 can be made shorter than that of the comparative example arranged in front of the axis V2L and the right steering axis V2R. That is, when the lengths of the tie rods 50 and 50B according to the present embodiment and the comparative example are Lc and La, respectively, Lc <La. Lb is the distance between the left steering axis V2L and the right steering axis V2R.

  As described above, according to the vehicle 1 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, at least a part of the tie rod 50 is behind the front end 10 f of the head pipe 10 and below the lower end 10 b of the head pipe 10. Since it is arranged, a margin of space is created in front of the central axis 10 c of the head pipe 10. For this reason, the degree of freedom of installation of the vehicle parts arranged in front of the central axis 10c of the head pipe 10 is improved. Moreover, it can suppress that the rear part of the upper part 14a of the steering shaft 14 enlarges.

  Further, according to the vehicle 1 according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the tie rod 50 is disposed at a position overlapping the head pipe 10 in the vehicle plan view when in the upright non-steering state. Therefore, at least a part of the tie rod 50 is located in front of the rear end of the head pipe 10. Therefore, it is possible to easily avoid interference between the main frame 12 and the tie rod 50 as compared with the case where the tie rod 50 is disposed further rearward.

  Moreover, according to the vehicle 1 which concerns on this embodiment, the tie rod 50 is arrange | positioned in the position which overlaps with the link mechanism 25 in vehicle planar view at the time of an upright non-steering state. Therefore, at least a part of the tie rod 50 is located in front of the rear end of the link mechanism 25. Therefore, it is possible to easily avoid interference between the main frame 12 and the tie rod 50 as compared with the case where the tie rod 50 is disposed further rearward.

  The main frame 12 may be composed of one frame extending rearward from the head pipe 10 in a side view of the vehicle. However, according to the vehicle 1 according to the present embodiment, the main frame 12 is configured as shown in FIG. The left frame 24L and the right frame 24R are provided. Therefore, the rigidity of the main frame 12 can be increased.

  Further, each of the left frame 24L and the right frame 24R may be configured by one frame. However, according to the vehicle 1 according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the left frame 24L is a lower left frame 18L. The right frame 24R includes a lower right frame 18R and an upper right frame 16R. Therefore, the rigidity of the main frame 12 can be further increased.

  Although it is possible not to connect the lower left frame 18L and the upper left frame 16L and to connect the lower right frame 18R and the upper right frame 16R, according to the vehicle 1 according to the present embodiment, the lower left frame 18L and the upper left frame 16L. Are connected by a left connection frame 22L, and the lower right frame 18R and the upper right frame 16R are connected by a right connection frame 22R. Therefore, the rigidity of the main frame 12 can be further increased.

  Instead of the left frame 24L and the right frame 24R, a pair of upper and lower frames extending backward from the head pipe 10 along the vehicle center line CL may be provided. That is, the main frame 12 is connected to the head pipe 10 and extends downward from the head pipe 10 in a side view of the vehicle, and a portion above the portion of the head pipe 10 to which the lower frame is connected. And an upper frame extending rearward from the head pipe 10 in a side view of the vehicle. In that case, the lower frame and the upper frame may be connected by a connection frame. Thereby, the rigidity of the main frame 12 can be increased.

  According to the vehicle 1 according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the link mechanism 25 has the upper link axis H1 and the lower link axis H2 around the head pipe 10, the left side member 34L, and the right side member 34R, respectively. The first cross member 41 and the second cross member 42 are rotatably connected to each other. As shown in FIG. 3, when the head pipe 10 is inclined, the left side member 34 </ b> L and the right side member 34 </ b> R are inclined simultaneously with the head pipe 10 via the first cross member 41 and the second cross member 42. When the left side member 34L and the right side member 34R are inclined, the left front wheel support member 30L and the right front wheel support member 30R are inclined, and as a result, the left front wheel 20L and the right front wheel 20R are inclined. According to the vehicle 1 according to the present embodiment, the inclination of the vehicle body frame 13, the left front wheel 20L, and the right front wheel 20R is more reliably synchronized, and traveling during the inclination becomes smooth.

  According to the vehicle 1 according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the left bracket 36L to which the left shaft 35L is fixed is connected to the tie rod 50 via the left joint member 38L. The right bracket 36R to which the right shaft 35R is fixed is connected to the tie rod 50 via the right joint member 38R. The left connecting portion 40L to which the left joint member 38L is connected in the left bracket 36L is positioned below the left shaft fixing portion 37L to which the left shaft 35L is fixed. Therefore, the left joint member 38L can be disposed further downward. Similarly, the right connecting portion 40R to which the right joint member 38R is connected in the right bracket 36R is positioned below the right shaft fixing portion 37R to which the right shaft 35R is fixed. Therefore, the right joint member 38R can be arranged further downward. Therefore, the tie rod 50 can be arranged further downward. Therefore, even when the vehicle body frame 13 is inclined or the steering shaft 14 is steered, interference between the tie rod 50 and the vehicle body frame 13 can be more easily avoided.

  According to the vehicle 1 according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the left front wheel support shaft 32 </ b> L and the right front wheel support shaft 32 </ b> R include a telescopic shock absorber 48. The telescopic shock absorber 48 has a characteristic that a sufficient stroke can be secured and the size in the vehicle front-rear direction is small. According to the vehicle 1 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to improve riding comfort while easily avoiding interference between the tie rod 50 and the shock absorber.

  Further, according to the vehicle 1 according to the present embodiment, the left front wheel support shaft 32L and the right front wheel support shaft 32R include the rotation prevention member 60 disposed in parallel with the telescopic shock absorber 48. Since the rotation prevention member 60 prevents relative rotation between the outer tube 44 and the inner tube 46 of the telescopic shock absorber 48, the turning operation of the left front wheel 20 </ b> L and the right front wheel 20 </ b> R follows well with respect to the steering of the steering shaft 14. To do. According to the vehicle 1 according to the present embodiment, since there is a space in front of the central axis 10c of the head pipe 10, such an anti-rotation member 60 can be easily arranged.

  According to the vehicle 1 according to the present embodiment, the vehicle body cover 74 has a center tunnel 72 as shown in FIG. Therefore, when the vehicle body cover 74 does not have the center tunnel 72, in other words, the portion between the left footrest 70L and the right footrest 70R is flush with the left footrest 70L and the right footrest 70R. Compared to the case, the design freedom of the main frame 12 is increased. According to the present embodiment, since the design freedom of the main frame 12 is high, it is possible to design the main frame 12 relatively easily so as to avoid interference with the tie rod 50 while ensuring rigidity.

  The vehicle 1 according to the present embodiment includes the Ackermann-Jantho mechanism 80 (see FIGS. 10A and 10B). Since the tie rod 50 is arranged behind the left steering axis V2L and the right steering axis V2R in a plan view of the vehicle, the tie rod 50 is compared to the case where it is arranged ahead of the left steering axis V2L and the right steering axis V2R. Can be shortened.

  Further, according to the vehicle 1 according to the present embodiment, since the tie rod 50 is disposed relatively rearward, the mass of the vehicle 1 can be concentrated compared to the case where the tie rod 50 is disposed relatively forward. Can do. Therefore, the running performance of the vehicle 1 can be improved.

  Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention can be implemented in various forms and is of course not limited to the above embodiment.

  In the embodiment, the steering shaft 14 is configured by a single shaft, but the steering shaft 14 may be configured by a plurality of shafts. For example, the steering shaft 14 includes a first shaft to which the handlebar 15 is fixed, a second shaft disposed in front of the first shaft, and a connection member that connects the first shaft and the second shaft. May be.

  In the above embodiment, the vehicle body cover 74 has the center tunnel 72, but the center tunnel 72 is not necessarily required. The vehicle body cover 74 may not have the center tunnel 72.

  In the embodiment, the main frame 12 has the recess 184 that is recessed rearward of the tie rod 50 in a side view of the vehicle, but the recess 184 is not necessarily required. For example, the lower left frame 18L and the lower right frame 18R may not have a portion extending obliquely downward in the front direction.

  The configuration of the power unit 2 is not limited at all. The power unit 2 may include, for example, an internal combustion engine or an electric motor.

  The terms and expressions used herein are used for explanation and are not used for limited interpretation. It should be recognized that any equivalents of the features shown and described herein are not excluded and that various modifications within the claimed scope of the invention are permitted. The present invention can be embodied in many different forms. This disclosure should be regarded as providing embodiments of the principles of the invention. The embodiments are described herein with the understanding that the embodiments are not intended to limit the invention to the preferred embodiments described and / or illustrated herein. It is not limited to the embodiment described here. The present invention also encompasses any embodiment that includes equivalent elements, modifications, deletions, combinations, improvements and / or changes that may be recognized by those skilled in the art based on this disclosure. Claim limitations should be construed broadly based on the terms used in the claims and should not be limited to the embodiments described herein or in the process of this application.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Inclined vehicle 10 Head pipe 12 Main frame 14 Steering shaft 20L Left front wheel 20R Right front wheel 25 Link mechanism 30L Left front wheel support member 30R Right front wheel support member 34L Left side member 34R Right side member 50 Tie rod CL Vehicle center line H1 Upper link axis H2 Lower link axis V2L Left steering axis V2R Right steering axis

Claims (13)

A vehicle body frame having a head pipe and a main frame connected to the head pipe and extending rearward from the head pipe in a side view of the vehicle;
A steering shaft rotatably supported by the head pipe;
A left front wheel arranged on the left side of the vehicle center line;
A right front wheel located to the right of the vehicle center line,
A left front wheel support member in which the left front wheel is rotatably supported;
A right front wheel support member in which the right front wheel is rotatably supported;
A left side member that rotatably supports the left front wheel support member around a left steering axis extending in a vertical direction of the body frame;
A right side member that rotatably supports the right front wheel support member around a right steering axis extending in a vertical direction of the body frame;
The vehicle body frame, the left side member, and the right side member are rotatably connected around a link axis extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body frame, and in the vertical direction of the vehicle body frame according to the inclination of the vehicle body frame A link mechanism for changing the relative positions of the left front wheel and the right front wheel;
A tie rod connected to the steering shaft, the left front wheel support member, and the right front wheel support member so as to be rotatable about an axis extending in the vertical direction of the body frame, respectively.
At least a part of the tie rod is disposed behind the front end of the head pipe and below the lower end of the head pipe in a side view of the vehicle when the body frame is upright and the steering shaft is in a non-steered state. Being an inclined vehicle.   2. The inclined vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the tie rod is disposed at a position overlapping the head pipe in a plan view of the vehicle when the body frame is in an upright state and the steering shaft is in a non-steered state.   3. The inclined vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the tie rod is disposed at a position overlapping the link mechanism in a plan view of the vehicle when the body frame is in an upright state and the steering shaft is in a non-steered state. The mainframe is
A left frame disposed on the left side of the vehicle center line, connected to the head pipe and extending rearward from the head pipe in a side view of the vehicle;
A right frame disposed on the right side of the vehicle center line, connected to the head pipe, and extending rearward from the head pipe in a side view of the vehicle. Inclined vehicle. The left frame is
A left lower frame disposed on the left side of the vehicle center line, connected to the head pipe and extending rearward from the head pipe in a side view of the vehicle;
An upper left frame disposed on the left side of the vehicle center line, connected to a portion of the head pipe above the portion to which the lower left frame is connected, and extending rearward from the head pipe in a side view of the vehicle. ,
The right frame is
A right lower frame disposed on the right side of the vehicle center line, connected to the head pipe and extending rearward from the head pipe in a side view of the vehicle;
An upper right frame disposed on the right side of the vehicle center line, connected to a portion of the head pipe above the portion to which the lower right frame is connected, and extending rearward from the head pipe in a side view of the vehicle. The inclined vehicle according to claim 4. The left frame has a left connection frame that connects the lower left frame and the upper left frame;
The inclined vehicle according to claim 5, wherein the right frame includes a right connection frame that connects the lower right frame and the upper right frame. The mainframe is
A lower frame connected to the head pipe and extending rearward from the head pipe in a side view of the vehicle;
An upper frame that is connected to a portion of the head pipe that is higher than the portion to which the lower frame is connected, and extends rearward from the head pipe in a vehicle side view;
A connection frame connecting the lower frame and the upper frame;
The inclined vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: The link mechanism is
A first cross member coupled to the vehicle body frame, the left side member, and the right side member so as to be rotatable around an upper link axis extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body frame;
It is arranged below the first cross member in the vertical direction of the vehicle body frame, and extends around the lower link axis extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body frame with respect to the vehicle body frame, the left side member, and the right side member, respectively. The inclined vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a second cross member that is rotatably connected. The left front wheel support member includes a left front wheel support shaft on which the left front wheel is rotatably supported, a left shaft rotatably supported on the left side member around the left steering axis, and the left front wheel support shaft. A left bracket connecting the left shaft,
The right front wheel support member includes a right front wheel support shaft on which the right front wheel is rotatably supported, a right shaft rotatably supported on the right side member around the right steering axis, and the right front wheel support shaft. A right bracket connecting the right shaft,
The tie rod and the left bracket are connected via a left joint member,
The tie rod and the right bracket are connected via a right joint member,
The left bracket includes a left shaft fixing portion to which the left shaft is fixed, and a left connecting portion to which the left joint member is connected and located below the left shaft fixing portion in the vertical direction of the vehicle body frame. And
The right bracket includes a right shaft fixing portion to which the right shaft is fixed, and a right connecting portion to which the right joint member is connected and located below the right shaft fixing portion in the vertical direction of the vehicle body frame. The inclined vehicle according to claim 8.   The inclined vehicle according to claim 9, wherein the left front wheel support shaft and the right front wheel support shaft include a telescopic shock absorber having an outer tube and an inner tube inserted into the outer tube.   The left front wheel support shaft and the right front wheel support shaft are disposed in parallel with the telescopic shock absorber, and include a rotation preventing member that prevents relative rotation between the outer tube and the inner tube of the telescopic shock absorber. The inclined vehicle according to claim 10. A seat disposed behind the head pipe and supported by the main frame;
A left footrest placed on the left side of the vehicle center line, behind the head pipe, in front of at least a portion of the seat, and below the head pipe and the seat;
A right footrest placed on the right side of the vehicle center line, rearward of the head pipe, forward of at least a portion of the seat, and below the head pipe and the seat;
A vehicle body cover having a center tunnel located to the right of the left footrest, to the left of the right footrest, and above the left footrest and the right footrest;
The inclined vehicle according to claim 1, comprising: The tie rod is disposed behind the left steering axis and the right steering axis in a plan view of the vehicle,
The inclined vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 12, further comprising an Ackermann-Jantho mechanism provided on the tie rod.

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