JP2023182984A - Front cowl structure of saddle-riding type vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a front cowl structure of a saddle-riding type vehicle which enables increase of down force and reduction of aerodynamic drag.SOLUTION: In a front cowl 40 of a motor cycle 10, a first front cowl portion 50 and a second front cowl portion 52 are connected with each other via a recessed portion 54. The recessed portion 54 spreads in a lateral direction and inclines upward as the recessed portion 54 extends rearward. A left end 57 and a right end 59 of the first front cowl portion 50 have an inverted wing shape in a side view.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

The present invention relates to a front cowl structure for a saddle type vehicle.

Patent Document 1 discloses a straddle-type vehicle that includes a front cowl and a wing section. The front cowl covers the front part of the vehicle body from the front. The wing portions are provided at both ends of the front cowl in the vehicle width direction.

JP2022-47384A

The smaller the size (projected area) of the saddle type vehicle when viewed from the front, the smaller the aerodynamic resistance (air resistance) of the saddle type vehicle. However, as the projected area becomes smaller, the downforce acting on the straddle-type vehicle becomes smaller.

Therefore, as in Patent Document 1, if inverted wing-shaped wing portions are provided at both ends of the front cowl, the downforce increases. However, aerodynamic drag actually increases.

The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problems.

An aspect of the present invention is a front cowl structure for a straddle-type vehicle, wherein the front cowl structure includes a first front cowl portion that covers the vehicle body from the front, and a portion below the first front cowl portion that covers the vehicle body from the front. a second front cowl portion that covers the vehicle; and a recess portion that extends along the longitudinal direction of the straddle-type vehicle, connects the first front cowl portion and the second front cowl portion, and is recessed inward in the vehicle width direction. , the recessed portion expands outward in the vehicle width direction and slopes upward as it goes rearward, and both ends of the first front cowl portion are configured to include: It has an inverted wing shape.

In the present invention, downforce can be increased by forming the first front cowl portion into an inverted wing shape. Furthermore, since the wing portion is not required, aerodynamic drag can be reduced. As a result, the motion performance (maximum speed, acceleration performance) of the straddle-type vehicle can be improved, and as a result, the fuel efficiency can be improved. Furthermore, the wind flowing along the recesses flows upward and outward as it goes toward the rear. Thereby, it is possible to reduce the direct impact of the traveling wind on the occupant of the straddle-type vehicle, and it is also possible to further reduce aerodynamic drag. Further, if the present invention is applied to a super sports saddle type vehicle, it becomes possible to realize a radical design with a reduced vehicle width. Thereby, the design of the saddle type vehicle can be improved.

FIG. 1 is a right side view of the motorcycle. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the motorcycle. FIG. 3 is a front view of the motorcycle. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the front part of the motorcycle. FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. 4.

FIG. 1 is a right side view of a motorcycle 10 (straddle type vehicle). FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the motorcycle 10. FIG. 3 is a front view of the motorcycle 10. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the front part of the motorcycle 10. In the following description, the direction in which the motorcycle 10 moves forward is defined as the front, and the front-rear, left-right, and up-down directions will be described.

As shown in FIG. 1, the motorcycle 10 includes a front wheel 12, a rear wheel 14, a body frame 16 (vehicle body), and a cowl 18.

The vehicle body frame 16 includes a head pipe 20. The head pipe 20 is a part of the front end of the vehicle body frame 16. A steering shaft (not shown) is rotatably supported by the head pipe 20. A top bridge 22 (see FIG. 4) is fixed to the upper end of the steering shaft. The top bridge 22 connects the upper portions of a pair of left and right front forks 24 (see FIG. 3). A bottom bridge (not shown) is fixed to the lower end of the steering shaft. The bottom bridge connects a pair of left and right front forks 24. The front wheel 12 is rotatably supported at the lower ends of the pair of left and right front forks 24. The front wheel 12 is steerably supported at the front end of the vehicle body frame 16 via a pair of left and right front forks 24 . A handle 26 is fixed to the top of the top bridge 22. A front fender 28 is attached to the pair of left and right front forks 24. The front fender 28 covers the front wheel 12 from above.

As shown in FIG. 1, the rear wheel 14 is supported at the rear of the vehicle body frame 16. A seat 30 is supported on the upper part of the vehicle body frame 16. An occupant 32 of the motorcycle 10 sits on the seat 30. A step 34 is provided at the bottom of the vehicle body frame 16. An occupant 32 seated on the seat 30 can place his/her feet 36 on the step 34 .

The cowl 18 includes a front cowl 40 (front cowl structure), a pair of left and right middle cowls 42 and 44, and a lower cowl 46.

The front cowl 40 covers the front part of the vehicle body frame 16 from the front. The front portion of the vehicle body frame 16 includes a head pipe 20 and the like.

A pair of left and right middle cowls 42 and 44 are connected to both ends of the front cowl 40 in the left and right direction (vehicle width direction). As shown in FIG. 3, the pair of left and right middle cowls 42 and 44 cover the front part of the vehicle body frame 16 from both left and right sides.

Specifically, the left middle cowl 42 is connected to the left end portion of the front cowl 40. The left middle cowl 42 extends diagonally downward from the left end of the front cowl 40 toward the rear. The left middle cowl 42 covers the front part of the vehicle body frame 16 from the left side.

As shown in FIG. 1, the right middle cowl 44 is connected to the right end of the front cowl 40. The right middle cowl 44 extends obliquely downward from the right end of the front cowl 40 as it goes rearward. The right middle cowl 44 covers the front part of the vehicle body frame 16 from the right direction.

The lower cowl 46 is connected to the lower ends of the pair of left and right middle cowls 42 and 44. As shown in FIG. 2, the lower cowl 46 covers the lower part of the vehicle body frame 16 from below.

The front cowl 40 includes a first front cowl part 50, a second front cowl part 52, a recessed part 54, and a pair of left and right side panel parts 56 and 58.

The first front cowl portion 50 covers the front portion of the vehicle body frame 16 from the front. Specifically, the first front cowl portion 50 covers the head pipe 20, the center portion of the handlebar 26, the steering shaft, the top bridge 22, and the like from the front. As shown in FIG. 4, the first front cowl portion 50 widens in the left-right direction (outside in the vehicle width direction) as it goes rearward. As shown in FIG. 1, the first front cowl portion 50 slopes upward toward the rear. As shown in FIG. 2, a windscreen 60 is provided at the center of the first front cowl portion 50 in the left-right direction.

The second front cowl part 52 is below the first front cowl part 50 and covers the front part of the vehicle body frame 16 from the front. Specifically, the second front cowl portion 52 covers the upper portions of the pair of left and right front forks 24 from the front. The second front cowl portion 52 widens in the left-right direction as it goes rearward. The second front cowl portion 52 slopes upward toward the rear. As shown in FIG. 3, the left middle cowl 42 is connected to the left end portion of the second front cowl portion 52. As shown in FIG. A right middle cowl 44 is connected to the right end portion of the second front cowl portion 52.

As shown in FIG. 1, the recess 54 extends in the front-rear direction so as to connect the lower part of the first front cowl part 50 and the upper part of the second front cowl part 52. As shown in FIG. 3, the recessed portion 54 is recessed inward in the vehicle width direction with respect to the first front cowl portion 50 and the second front cowl portion 52.

As described above, the first front cowl part 50 and the second front cowl part 52 widen in the left-right direction as they go rearward, and are inclined upward. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, the recessed portion 54 widens in the left-right direction as it goes rearward. As shown in FIG. 1, the recess 54 slopes upward toward the rear.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. 4. FIG. 5 shows a state in which the side panel parts 56 and 58 (see FIG. 4) are removed from the first front cowl part 50. As shown in FIG. 5, the left end portion 57 and right end portion 59 of the first front cowl portion 50 have an inverted wing shape when viewed from the side. That is, the left end portion 57 and the right end portion 59 of the first front cowl portion 50 have the shape of a wing of an aircraft upside down when viewed from the side. Therefore, the lower portions of the left end portion 57 and the right end portion 59 of the first front cowl portion 50 are curved to be convex downward.

As shown in FIG. 1, side panel portions 56 and 58 are provided at the left end portion 57 and right end portion 59 of the first front cowl portion 50, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 3, the left side panel portion 56 extends downward from the left end portion 57 of the first front cowl portion 50. As shown in FIG. The left side panel portion 56 covers the left end portion 57 of the first front cowl portion 50 so as to partially cover the left side portion of the recessed portion 54 . As shown in FIG. 4, the left side panel section 56 widens to the left as it goes rearward. The left side panel portion 56 slopes upward as it goes toward the rear.

As shown in FIG. 2, the right side panel portion 58 extends downward from the right end portion 59 of the first front cowl portion 50. As shown in FIG. The right side panel portion 58 covers the right end portion 59 of the first front cowl portion 50 so as to partially cover the right side portion of the recessed portion 54 . As shown in FIG. 4, the right side panel portion 58 widens to the right as it goes rearward. As shown in FIG. 1, the right side panel section 58 slopes upward as it goes toward the rear.

First slit portions 62 and 64 are formed in each of the left and right pair of side panel portions 56 and 58. Two first slit portions 62 are formed in the left side panel portion 56. The two first slits 62 of the left side panel portion 56 communicate with the rear portion of the left side portion of the recess 54 . Two first slit portions 64 are formed in the right side panel portion 58. The two first slit portions 64 of the right side panel portion 58 communicate with the rear portion of the right side portion of the recess portion 54 .

As shown in FIG. 3, second slit portions 66 and 68 are formed on both left and right sides of the first front cowl portion 50, respectively. Each of the pair of left and right second slit portions 66 and 68 is formed in the front-rear direction in the first front cowl portion 50. The second slit portion 66 on the left side is formed at a location above the left side panel portion 56 in the first front cowl portion 50 . The second slit portion 68 on the right side is formed in the first front cowl portion 50 at a location above the side panel portion 58 on the right side.

Projections 70 and 72 are provided on both left and right sides of the front portion of the second front cowl portion 52. Each of the pair of left and right protrusions 70 and 72 extends upward from both left and right sides of the front part of the second front cowl part 52. The left protrusion 70 extends diagonally upward from the left front portion of the second front cowl portion 52 toward the rear. The left protrusion 70 widens to the left and slopes upward as it goes rearward. The right protrusion 72 extends diagonally upward from the front right portion of the second front cowl portion 52 toward the rear. The right protrusion 72 widens to the right and slopes upward as it goes rearward.

The operation of the front cowl 40 of the motorcycle 10 configured as described above will be explained. Here, a case will be described in which the motorcycle 10 is driven forward with the rider 32 seated on the seat 30 placing his or her feet 36 on the step 34.

As shown in FIG. 1, the occupant 32 seated on the seat 30 grips both ends of the handlebar 26 with left and right hands 74 and drives the motorcycle 10 while leaning forward. As shown by the arrow in FIG. 1, when the motorcycle 10 travels forward, wind flows from the front toward the motorcycle 10.

A portion of the traveling wind that has reached the first front cowl part 50 and the second front cowl part 52 flows into the recessed part 54. The traveling wind that has flowed into the recess 54 flows through a space 76 formed by the recess 54, the side panel parts 56, 58, and the protrusions 70, 72. Since the left end portion 57 and right end portion 59 of the first front cowl portion 50 have an inverted wing shape when viewed from the side, downforce is generated in the first front cowl portion 50 when the traveling wind flows into this space 76. Downforce acts as a force that presses the front portion of the motorcycle 10 downward (to the road surface). The traveling wind flowing through this space 76 is exhausted to the rear.

Since the space 76 is formed by the recessed part 54, the side panel parts 56, 58, and the protrusions 70, 72, it is possible to suppress the running wind flowing into the space 76 from diffusing outward in the vehicle width direction. can. This makes it possible to increase downforce.

Further, a portion of the traveling wind flowing through this space 76 is discharged to the outside in the vehicle width direction from the second slit portions 66 and 68. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the resistance to the turning direction of the motorcycle 10 from becoming too large and restricting the body motion of the motorcycle 10.

A part of the traveling wind that has reached the first front cowl part 50 flows along the surface of the first front cowl part 50. The wind flowing along the surface of the first front cowl part 50 is discharged rearward through the first slit parts 62 and 64. Further, the other part of the traveling wind that has reached the first front cowl part 50 flows rearward along the first front cowl part 50 and the windscreen 60. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the resistance to the turning direction of the motorcycle 10 from becoming too large and restricting the body motion of the motorcycle 10.

The running wind discharged rearward flows above the left and right shoulders 78 of the occupant 32 and outside of the occupant 32 in the vehicle width direction. Thereby, it is possible to avoid the wind from traveling directly hitting the occupant 32. That is, the traveling wind flows so as to envelop the occupant 32. Therefore, the running wind discharged rearward functions as an air curtain that envelops the occupant 32. As a result, aerodynamic drag acting on the occupant 32 can be reduced.

The invention that can be understood from the above embodiments will be described below.

An aspect of the present invention is a front cowl structure (40) for a straddle-type vehicle (10), wherein the front cowl structure (40) includes a first front cowl part (50) that covers the vehicle body (16) from the front. , a second front cowl part (52) that covers the vehicle body (16) from the front below the first front cowl part (50); A recessed portion (54) connecting the first front cowl portion (50) and the second front cowl portion (52) and recessed inward in the vehicle width direction, the recessed portion (54) being recessed toward the rear. As it goes, it expands outward in the vehicle width direction and slopes upward, and both ends (57, 59) of the first front cowl part (50), when viewed from the side of the saddle type vehicle (10), It has an inverted wing shape.

In the present invention, downforce can be increased by forming the first front cowl portion into an inverted wing shape. Furthermore, since the wing portion is not required, aerodynamic drag can be reduced. As a result, the motion performance (maximum speed, acceleration performance) of the straddle-type vehicle can be improved, and as a result, the fuel efficiency can be improved. Furthermore, the wind flowing along the recesses flows upward and outward as it goes toward the rear. Thereby, it is possible to reduce the direct impact of the traveling wind on the occupant of the straddle-type vehicle, and it is also possible to further reduce aerodynamic drag. Further, if the present invention is applied to a super sports saddle type vehicle, it becomes possible to realize a radical design with a reduced vehicle width. Thereby, the design of the saddle type vehicle can be improved.

In the aspect of the present invention, side panel portions (56, 58) that cover both ends (57, 59) of the first front cowl portion (50) are provided on the outside in the vehicle width direction at both ends (57, 59). ), and the side panel portions (56, 58) extend downward so as to cover a part of the recessed portion (54) from the outside in the vehicle width direction, and the side panel portions (56, 58) extend downward in the vehicle width direction as they go rearward. It expands outward and slopes upward.

Thereby, it is possible to suppress the traveling wind that has flowed into the recess from diffusing outward in the vehicle width direction. As a result, downforce can be increased.

In the aspect of the present invention, the side panel portions (56, 58) include first slit portions (62, 64) for discharging the traveling wind flowing into the recessed portion (54) from the front to the outside in the vehicle width direction. is formed.

Thereby, the running wind that has flowed into the recessed portion can be appropriately released to the outside in the vehicle width direction. As a result, it is possible to prevent the body motion of the straddle-type vehicle from being restricted due to the traveling wind. Further, it is possible to reduce the direct impact of the traveling wind on the occupant of the straddle-type vehicle. As a result, aerodynamic drag can be further reduced.

In an aspect of the present invention, protrusions (70, 72) extending upward are provided on the outside in the vehicle width direction of the second front cowl part (52), and the protrusions (70, 72) are arranged rearwardly. As it approaches, it expands outward in the vehicle width direction and slopes upward.

Thereby, the running wind can be efficiently caused to flow into the recessed portion. Further, it is possible to suppress the traveling wind that has flowed into the recessed portion from diffusing outward in the vehicle width direction. As a result, downforce can be increased. Further, by expanding the protruding portion outward in the vehicle width direction, the wind that does not flow into the recessed portion can be released outward in the vehicle width direction. As a result, it is possible to prevent the traveling wind that has not flowed into the recess from directly hitting the occupant of the saddle type vehicle.

In an aspect of the present invention, the first front cowl part (50) is formed with second slit parts (66, 68) for discharging the traveling wind flowing along the first front cowl part (50) rearward. ing.

As a result, it is possible to prevent the vehicle body motion of the straddle-type vehicle from being restricted due to the traveling wind. Further, the traveling wind discharged rearward from the second slit portion flows along the occupant of the saddle type vehicle. As a result, the running wind discharged rearward functions as an air curtain that envelops the occupant, making it possible to reduce the wind protection area for the occupant. As a result, aerodynamic drag can be further reduced.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the disclosure described above, and can take various configurations without departing from the gist of the present invention.

10...Motorcycle (straddle type vehicle) 16...Body frame (vehicle body)
40...Front cowl (front cowl structure)
50...First front cowl part 52...Second front cowl part 54...Recessed part

Claims (5)

A front cowl structure (40) of a straddle-type vehicle (10),
a first front cowl portion (50) that covers the vehicle body (16) from the front;
a second front cowl part (52) that covers the vehicle body (16) from the front below the first front cowl part (50);
a recessed portion extending along the longitudinal direction of the straddle-type vehicle (10), connecting the first front cowl portion (50) and the second front cowling portion (52), and recessed inward in the vehicle width direction; (54) and
Equipped with
The recessed portion (54) spreads outward in the vehicle width direction as it goes rearward and slopes upward,
Both end portions (57, 59) of the first front cowl portion (50) have a front cowl structure (57, 59) for a straddle-type vehicle (10) that has an inverted wing shape in a side view of the straddle-type vehicle (10). 40). A front cowl structure (40) for a straddle-type vehicle (10) according to claim 1,
Side panel portions (56, 58) are provided on the outer sides of both ends (57, 59) of the first front cowl portion (50) in the vehicle width direction, and cover the both ends (57, 59).
The side panel portions (56, 58) extend downward so as to cover a portion of the recessed portion (54) from the outside in the vehicle width direction, and widen toward the outside in the vehicle width direction toward the rear. A front cowl structure (40) of a straddle-type vehicle (10) is inclined upward. A front cowl structure (40) for a straddle-type vehicle (10) according to claim 2,
The side panel portions (56, 58) are formed with first slit portions (62, 64) that discharge the traveling wind that has flowed into the recessed portion (54) from the front to the outside in the vehicle width direction. A front cowl structure (40) for a straddle-type vehicle (10). A front cowl structure (40) for a straddle-type vehicle (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
Projections (70, 72) extending upward are provided on the outside of the second front cowl portion (52) in the vehicle width direction,
A front cowl structure (40) for a straddle-type vehicle (10), in which the protrusions (70, 72) widen outward in the vehicle width direction toward the rear and are inclined upward. A front cowl structure (40) for a straddle-type vehicle (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The first front cowl part (50) is formed with second slit parts (66, 68) for discharging the running wind flowing along the first front cowl part (50) rearward. A front cowl structure (40) of a vehicle (10).

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