JP7141299B2 - straddle-type vehicle - Google Patents

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a straddle-type vehicle provided with a cowling that covers a lateral region of the front portion of the vehicle body.

BACKGROUND ART Some straddle-type vehicles such as motorcycles are provided with a cowling that covers a lateral region of the front portion of the vehicle body (for example, Patent Document 1). Such a cowling mainly has a role of reducing air resistance during running and a role of protecting the driver from wind pressure.

Japanese Patent No. 5894898

In order to protect the driver's knees from wind pressure, the front part of the cowling needs to be formed wider on the outside in the vehicle width direction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a straddle-type vehicle capable of achieving a good balance between a windshield effect and an air resistance reduction effect.

In order to achieve the above object, the straddle-type vehicle of the present invention includes a seat on which the driver sits when getting on, a steering wheel which the driver grips when getting on, a headlight which irradiates light in front of the vehicle body, and a driving mechanism. A drive source for obtaining force, a vehicle body frame supporting the drive source, the seat and the handle, an inner side cowl member covering the vehicle body frame from the outside in the vehicle width direction, and upper and rear portions of the inner side cowl member. and an outer side cowl member that partially covers the front lower portion of the inner side cowl member from the outside in the vehicle width direction. The vehicle body frame has a wide change portion in which the vehicle width direction widens rearward from the front end and a narrow width change portion in which the vehicle width direction narrows rearward from the wide width change portion. The narrow change portion is located in a region forward and below the seat. The inner side cowl member extends in the front-rear direction from at least forward of the handle to the narrow width changing portion. The outer side cowl member protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction from the inner side cowl member.

According to this configuration, the outer side cowl member covers the front lower portion of the inner side cowl member from the outside in the vehicle width direction. This makes it easy to form a sharp step with a large bending angle at the boundary between the outer side cowl member and the inner side cowl member. By forming such a steep step, the outside side cowl member can effectively divert the running wind directed toward the driver's knees to the outside, and the windshield effect can be enhanced. The upper portion of the inner side cowl member extends from the front of the steering wheel to the narrow width changing portion of the vehicle body frame, and this portion is exposed to the outside in the vehicle width direction and is not covered with the outer side cowl member. As a result, the upper portion of the side cowl bulges more outward in the vehicle width direction toward the rear than the lower portion. In other words, compared to the lower region, the upper region of the side cowl can suppress the widening angle toward the rear in the vehicle width direction, thereby reducing air resistance during running. In this way, it is possible to achieve both an improvement in the windshield effect and a reduction in air resistance in a well-balanced manner.

The present invention further includes a front cowl covering a front portion of the vehicle body, wherein the inner side cowl member is connected to the front cowl or the headlight, and the inner side cowl member is adjacent to the headlight or the front cowl. One adjacent surface may extend substantially flush with the headlight or the front cowl. According to this configuration, the running wind flowing rearward along the headlights or the front cowl is guided to the vicinity of the seat along the inner side cowl member. As a result, the running wind can be smoothly guided rearward, and the air resistance can be further reduced.

In this case, the outer side cowl member is connected to the headlight or the front cowl, and the second adjacent surface of the outer side cowl member adjacent to the headlight or the front cowl is directed to the headlight or the front cowl. The first adjacent surface and the second adjacent surface may be formed so as to extend substantially flush with each other in the vertical direction. According to this configuration, it is possible to reduce unevenness caused by the overlapping of the inner side cowl member and the outer side cowl member, and to further reduce air resistance.

In this case, the front cowl has a lamp covering portion that encircles the outer circumference of the headlight, and a part of the lamp covering portion is covered by the inner side cowl member and the outer side cowl member in the vehicle width direction. At least one of the inner side cowl member and the outer side cowl member is fixed to the lamp cover portion at a fixed position, and the inner side cowl member and the outer side cowl member are positioned adjacent to the fixed position. The members may be connected. According to this configuration, since the lamp covering portion of the front cowl has a closed loop structure, the front cowl is prevented from opening in the vehicle width direction. Also, since the inner side cowl member and the outer side cowl member are connected in the vicinity of the fixed position, the gap between the members can be reduced.

In the present invention, the headlight has an inclined surface that inclines downward and inward in the vehicle width direction, and a lower edge of the inclined surface extends rearward and inclines outward in the vehicle width direction. A boundary line between the member and the outer side cowl member may extend in the front-rear direction along an extension line of the lower edge of the inclined surface. According to this configuration, running wind guided along the headlight is guided rearward along the boundary portion between the inner side cowl member and the outer side cowl member. As a result, it is possible to further reduce the air resistance by preventing the turbulence of the running wind flowing along the vehicle body.

In the present invention, the inner side cowl member has a support portion that supports the rear end portion of the outer side cowl member, and the support portion includes a lateral wall extending outward in the vehicle width direction and a lateral wall connected to the lateral wall in the vehicle width direction. and a fixed wall to which the outer side cowl member is fixed. According to this configuration, the support rigidity of the outer side cowl member can be increased by forming the lateral wall.

In this case, an opening directed in the vehicle width direction may be formed in the inner side cowl member behind the outer side cowl member, and the lateral wall may be arranged in a lower region of the opening. According to this configuration, hot air in the inner space of the cowl can be discharged to the outside by forming the opening. In addition, since the lateral wall is formed in the lower region of the opening, the area of the opening exposed upward can be reduced, and the amount of exposure of the opening to the driver in the riding posture can be reduced. This makes it difficult for the driver to see the vehicle body parts in the cowl inner space through the opening.

In this case, the outer side cowl member has, at its rear end portion, a flange portion that is arranged adjacent to the opening and extends inward in the vehicle width direction, and a side portion that extends from the flange portion in a direction orthogonal to the vehicle width direction. may have According to this configuration, by forming the flange portion, the outer surface of the outer side cowl member in the vehicle width direction can be arranged on the outer side in the vehicle width direction, and the windshield effect can be enhanced. Further, by arranging the flange portion adjacent to the opening, the portion of the outer surface of the outer side cowl member that bulges outward in the vehicle width direction can be arranged rearward, thereby enhancing the windshield effect.

According to the straddle-type vehicle of the present invention, it is possible to achieve both improved windshield effect and reduced air resistance in a well-balanced manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a side view showing a motorcycle which is a type of straddle-type vehicle according to a first embodiment of the present invention; It is a top view which shows the same two-wheeled motor vehicle. FIG. 2 is an internal view of the front cowl and side cowl of the same motorcycle as viewed from the inside of the vehicle body; It is the front view which looked at the same front cowl and the same side cowl from the front of the vehicle body. It is a side view which shows the same front cowl and the same side cowl. It is a side view which expands and shows a part of FIG. FIG. 3 is an internal view of the front cowl and the side cowl as seen from the inside in the vehicle width direction; It is the perspective view which looked at the opening of the same side cowl from back diagonally upper direction. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view along line IX-IX of FIG. 7; It is a perspective view which shows the headlamp of the same motorcycle.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In this specification, "left" and "right" refer to "left" and "right" as seen from the driver in the vehicle. Also, the forward direction of the vehicle is defined as "forward", and the backward direction is defined as "rearward".

FIG. 1 is a side view of a motorcycle, which is a kind of straddle-type vehicle, provided with a rear structure according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The body frame FR of the motorcycle of this embodiment has a main frame 1 and a rear frame 2 . The rear frame 2 is joined to the rear portion of the main frame 1 . The main frame 1 supports a drive source, a steering wheel, and a headlamp, which are vehicle body components.

As shown in FIG. 2, the main frame 1 has a pair of left and right main frame members 1a, 1a extending rearward from a head pipe 6 at the front end. The rear ends of the left and right main frame members 1a, 1a are connected by a cross member 1b extending in the vehicle width direction. In plan view, each main frame member 1a extends rearward from the head pipe 6 to the widest portion formed in the front-rear direction intermediate portion while gradually curving outward in the vehicle width direction. , gradually curving inward in the vehicle width direction toward the rear. That is, the main frame 1 has a wide changing portion Fh that widens in the vehicle width direction rearward from the front end and a narrow changing portion Rh that narrows in the vehicle width direction rearward from the rear end of the wide changing portion Fh. is doing. In this embodiment, the main frame 1 has a rear portion extending rearward or downward in continuation with the rear end of the narrow width changing portion Rh.

A front fork 8 is rotatably supported by a head pipe 6 at the front end of the main frame 1 shown in FIG. 1 via a steering shaft (not shown). A front wheel 10 is attached to the lower end of the front fork 8 . A handle 12 is attached to the upper end of the front fork 8 via an upper bracket 11 .

A swing arm bracket 14 is provided on the rear portion of the main frame 1 . A front end of a swing arm 16 is supported by the swing arm bracket 14 so as to be vertically swingable. A rear wheel 18 is attached to the rear end of the swing arm 16 . An engine E, which is a driving source, is mounted below the main frame 1 and in front of the swing arm bracket 14 . The engine E drives the rear wheels 18 via a power transmission member (not shown) such as a chain. The engine E of this embodiment is a water-cooled engine, and a radiator 19 is arranged in front of the engine E. As shown in FIG. The radiator 19 radiates the heat of the engine cooling water by running wind.

A fuel tank 20 is arranged above the main frame 1 . An operator seat 22 and a passenger seat 24 are attached to the rear frame 2 . These seats 22 and 24 are supported by the main frame 1 via the rear frame 2 . The fuel tank 20 is arranged behind the steering wheel 12 and in front of the operator's seat 22 . The fuel tank 20 is supported by the main frame 1 with its upper surface protruding above the upper surface of the main frame 1 . In this embodiment, the upper surface of the fuel tank 20 is positioned above the seating surface of the operator's seat 22 .

A front cowl 26 is attached to the front portion of the vehicle body to reduce running resistance. In this embodiment, the front cowl 26 is made of synthetic resin. The front cowl 26 covers the front portion of the handle 12 . A front cowl 26 is attached to a headlight 28 . The headlight 28 is supported by the main frame 1 via a front cowl 26, meter stays and the like. In this embodiment, the headlight 28 is formed with lens portions 28a that are spaced apart in the left-right direction. The lens portion 28a protects the built-in parts of the headlamp such as the light source and the reflector, and allows the light emitted from the light source provided in the headlamp 28 to pass therethrough.

FIG. 10 shows an example of the headlamp 28 of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10, the headlight 28 is substantially symmetrical and has two light sources (not shown). However, the number of light sources is not limited to this. The headlight 28 further has a body 28b supported by the front cowl 26 and the like, and the transparent lens portion 28a covering the front surface of the body 28b. A central portion of the lens portion 28a is formed with an inclined surface 29 that is inclined downward and inward in the vehicle width direction. A lower surface 31 below the inclined surface 29 is a reverse inclined surface that is downwardly inclined outward in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, the lower edge 29a of the inclined surface 29 is a curved valley line and extends rearward while being inclined outward in the vehicle width direction. However, the lower surface 31 may be a vertical surface instead of the reverse inclined surface.

The front cowl 26 shown in FIG. 5 is provided with a lamp opening 42 into which the lens portion 28a of the headlight 28 is fitted to expose the lens portion 28a. A pair of left and right lamp openings 42 are formed with a space therebetween according to the pair of left and right lens portions 28a. A lamp opening outer peripheral portion 43 defining the lamp opening 42 of the front cowl 28 is formed in a closed loop shape. That is, the front cowl 26 is formed with a circumferential (loop-shaped) portion that goes around the lens portion 28a without a break and covers the lens portion 28a. In this embodiment, each lamp opening 42 is formed in a substantially trapezoidal shape in which the vertical dimension increases toward the outside in the vehicle width direction when viewed from the front shown in FIG.

3, the lamp opening 42 is formed in a substantially triangular shape with an upper edge extending toward the rear while being inclined upward. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, the lamp opening outer peripheral portion 43 of the front cowl 26 is formed in a "horizontal figure 8" shape in which two closed loop shapes overlap at the center in the vehicle width direction. In other words, the lamp opening outer peripheral portion 43 of the front cowl 26 is formed as a lamp covering portion 44 that covers the outer peripheral portion of the headlight 28 excluding the lens portion 28a.

As shown in FIG. 1, the lens portion 28a has an inclined surface 29 inclined downward and inward in the vehicle width direction. The inclined surface 29 extends rearward from the front end toward the outside in the vehicle width direction. A lower edge 29a of the inclined surface 29 extends rearward while being inclined outward in the vehicle width direction.

Further, the portion adjacent to the bottom of the lower edge 29a is inclined in the opposite direction to the inclined surface 29, that is, downward and outward in the vehicle width direction. As a result, the lower edge 29a of the inclined surface 29 and the adjacent portion below the lower edge 29a form a concave portion 47 that curves inward in the vehicle width direction and extends in the front-rear direction. The adjoining part is formed by headlights 28 or front cowl 26 . By forming such a recess 47 , the running wind is guided along the inclined surface 29 and led to the recessed portion 47 located below the inclined surface 29 . The running wind collected in the recess 47 is guided rearward and outward in the vehicle width direction along the recess 47 .

A pair of left and right side cowls 30 are provided on the sides of the front cowl 26 in FIG. In this embodiment, the side cowl 30 is made of synthetic resin. The side cowl 30 is exposed to the outside in the vehicle width direction and covers the vehicle body from the outside in the vehicle width direction. In this embodiment, the side cowl 30 extends rearward in front of the upper end of the front fork 8 and covers the side portions of the front cowl 26 . Specifically, the side cowl 30 extends rearward from a position adjacent to the lens portion 28a of the headlight 28. As shown in FIG. The side cowl 30 covers the wide change portion Fh of the main frame 1 from the outside in the vehicle width direction, and also covers the area behind the front wheel 10 from the outside. Thus, the side cowl 30 covers the area from the front of the vehicle body to the side of the front part of the vehicle body. In other words, it covers the area above and behind the front wheel 10 from the outside in the vehicle width direction.

In this embodiment, the side cowl 30 is arranged so as to expose the rear portion of the engine E and the rear portion of the main frame 1 to the outside in the vehicle width direction. That is, parts of the engine E and the main frame 1, which are parts positioned in the middle part of the vehicle body in the front-rear direction, are exposed to the outside in the vehicle width direction. A lower cowl 32 is connected to the lower end of each side cowl 30 . The lower cowl 32 covers the lower part of the engine from the outside. The lower cowl 32 may be provided as a pair on the left and right, or may be a single piece in which the left and right parts are connected.

A pair of left and right tank covers 34 are provided above the rear portion of the side cowl 30 . In other words, the tank cover 34 is arranged between the side cowl 30 and the fuel tank 20 in the vertical direction, and covers the lower portion of the fuel tank 20 from the outside in the vehicle width direction. The tank cover 34 extends in the front-rear direction and covers a portion from below the fuel tank 20 to below the front portion of the rider seat 22 from the outside in the vehicle width direction. A rear cowl 36 that covers the rear portion of the vehicle body is provided adjacently to the rear of the tank cover 34 . The rear cowl 36 covers a portion from below the rider seat 22 to below the passenger seat 24 from the outside.

The side cowl 30 includes an inner side cowl member 38 forming an upper half and an outer side cowl member 40 forming a lower half. The inner side cowl member 38 and the outer side cowl member 40 are made of resin and configured as separate members. The inner side cowl member 38 covers part of the main frame 1 from the outside in the vehicle width direction. The outer side cowl member 40 partially covers the lower front portion of the inner side cowl member 38 from the outside in the vehicle width direction, except for the upper portion and rear portion of the inner side cowl member 38 .

Here, "the front portion of the inner side cowl member 38" refers to a region on the front side of the position of the handlebar 12, the front end of the fuel tank 20, or the discharge opening 45 in the longitudinal direction. Also, the “upper portion of the inner side cowl member 38 ” refers to a portion above the upper end portion of the outer side cowl member 40 . In this embodiment, the portion of the side cowl 30 positioned above the upper end of the outer side cowl member 40 and exposed outwardly extends in the longitudinal direction from the front end to the rear end of the inner side cowl member 38 . ing. Further, "the lower part of the inner side cowl member 38" refers to the area where the discharge opening 45 is formed. Therefore, the “lower front portion of the inner side cowl member 38 ” refers to the area in which the discharge opening 45 is formed and the portion forward of the discharge opening 45 .

As shown in FIG. 1 , the inner side cowl member 38 extends in the front-rear direction from a region forward of the handle 12 to a narrow width changing portion Rh of the main frame 1 . The narrow width changing portion Rh is located in the front and lower region of the rider seat 22 . In other words, the rear end of the inner side cowl member 38 is positioned forward of the rear ends of the operator's seat 22 or the fuel tank 20 . An upper edge of the inner side cowl member 38 extends longitudinally along the main frame 1 or the fuel tank cover 34 .

The outer side cowl member 40 bulges outward in the vehicle width direction from the inner side cowl member 38 . The outer side cowl member 40 overlaps the inner side cowl member 38 at its upper edge portion and extends downwardly from the inner side cowl member 38 . In this embodiment, the outer side cowl member 40 extends obliquely downward rearward from the front cowl 26 in a side view.

Front ends of the inner side cowl member 38 and the outer side cowl member 40 are connected to the front cowl 26 respectively. The upper end of the rear half of the inner side cowl member 38 behind the handle 12 is connected to the lower portion of the tank cover 34 . The width (dimension in the vehicle width direction) of the tank cover 34 is determined by the fuel tank 20, and the width of the inner side cowl member 38 connected thereto is also determined.

In particular, the rear portion of the tank cover 34 and the rear portion of the inner side cowl member 38 form a knee grip portion KG having a smaller dimension in the vehicle width direction. The knee grip portion KG is a portion held between the knees of the driver in the riding posture. The knee grip portion KG is a vehicle body region that is adjacent to the front of the vicinity of the operator's seat 22 that has the smallest dimension in the vehicle width direction as the vehicle body. The knee grip portion KG is a region having a smaller dimension in the vehicle width direction than its front portion, and is set in a region above the engine E in a region below the seat surfaces of the fuel tank 20 and the operator's seat 22. be.

A lower edge of the inner side cowl member 38 is formed along a line (lower edge) of the vehicle body cowl extending rearward from the tank cover 34 to the rear cowl 36 . Specifically, the tank cover 34 extends rearward of the rear end of the inner side cowl member 38 . In this embodiment, the lower edge of the operator's seat 22 and the lower edge of the rear end of the tank cover 34 extend along a common virtual line VL in the direction in which the longitudinal axis of the rear cowl 36 extends. The virtual line VL extends obliquely upward toward the rear. By extending the lower edge of the inner side cowl member 38 along the virtual line VL, the inner side cowl member 38 gives an impression of consistency with other parts exposed in a side view. can. Further, it can be formed as part of a vehicle body cowl extending from the front end to the rear end of the vehicle body to give a sharp and delicate impression.

A front end portion of the outer side cowl member 40 is connected to the front cowl 26 below the inner side cowl member 38 . A lower end of the outer side cowl member 40 is connected to the lower cowl 32 . The outer side cowl member 40 protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction from the inner side cowl member 38 to widen the width of the vehicle body. That is, the outer side cowl member 40 makes the vehicle body appear larger in front and below the inner side cowl member 38, giving a powerful and heavy impression.

As described above, the side cowl 30 of the present embodiment can give a contradictory impression between the delicate impression given by the inner side cowl member 38 and the solid impression given by the outer side cowl member 40. , the appearance design can be improved. Further, in order to give different impressions, the side cowl 30 is composed of separate members, that is, divided into inner and outer side cowl members 38 and 40, thereby facilitating manufacturing and making it easy to express the difference in impression. Become. The structures of the inner side cowl member 38 and the outer side cowl member 40 will be described in detail below.

The inner side cowl member 38 is forward of the front end of the fuel tank 20 and extends to the front cowl 26 in a side view. The inner side cowl member 38 extends rearward of the radiator 19, rearward of the front surface of the cylinder CY of the engine E, and further rearward of the rear surface of the cylinder CY. Specifically, the rear end of the inner side cowl member 38 is positioned forward of the rear end of the engine E. As shown in FIG. The upper portion of the inner side cowl member 38 extends along the main frame 1 to the narrow width change portion Rh of the main frame 1, and covers the lower portions of the wide width change portion Fh and the narrow width change portion Rh of the main frame 1 from the outer side. there is The inner side cowl member 38 extends further rearward than the outer cowl member 40 .

The outer side cowl member 40 has a function of guiding running wind to the radiator 19 in cooperation with its inner inner cowl (not shown). In other words, the outer side cowl member 40 extends forward in a region in front of the radiator 19 with respect to a position outside the radiator 19 in the vehicle width direction. A front edge of the outer side cowl member 40 extends obliquely downward toward the rear.

A discharge opening 45 is formed in the inner side cowl member 38 at a rear portion of the outer side cowl member 40 so as to penetrate in the vehicle width direction and open outward in the vehicle width direction. The discharge opening 45 is located behind the radiator 19 . In the present embodiment, the upper rear edge of the radiator 19 and part of the side surface of the cylinder CY of the engine E can be visually recognized from the discharge opening 45 in a side view. The running wind after cooling the radiator 19 passes from the inside of the side cowl 30 to the outside through the discharge opening 45 and is discharged to the outside of the vehicle body in the vehicle width direction.

In a front view seen from the front of the vehicle body shown in FIG. 4, the vehicle width direction outer edges of the inner side cowl member 38 and the outer side cowl member 40 appear as the outline of the vehicle body. A portion of the inner side cowl member 38 adjacent to the upper side of the outer side cowl member 40 is arranged inside the outer side cowl 40 in the vehicle width direction, and is formed to have a small size in the vehicle width direction. As a result, the front projected area of the upper portion of the side cowl 30 can be formed small. As a result, running resistance is reduced.

A portion of the inner side cowl member 38 adjacent to the upper side of the outer side cowl member 40 is narrower than the outer side cowl member 40 and extends longitudinally as shown in FIG. As a result, the turbulence of the running wind flowing along the vehicle body can be suppressed. Such an inner side cowl member 38 gives a design with a light and elegant impression.

On the other hand, the outer side cowl member 40 is arranged on the outer side of the inner side cowl member 38 in the vehicle width direction. formed large. As a result, the effect of shielding the legs of the driver in the riding posture from the wind can be enhanced. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the front projected area of the lower portion of the side cowl 30 can be formed large. As a result, the outer side cowl member 40 gives a heavy and intimidating impression, for example, like wearing armor.

Thus, in this embodiment, the inner side cowl member 38 and the outer side cowl member 40 can achieve both improved windshield effect and reduced air resistance in a well-balanced manner. In addition, it is possible to give the vehicle body a design that balances the contradictory impressions of elegance and coercion.

The inner side cover member 38 and the outer side cover member 40 may be formed with different appearances. For example, both may be colored with different colors, different materials may be used, or different surface treatments may be applied. In this manner, the inner side cover member 38 and the outer side cover member 40 are formed to have different appearances, thereby increasing the degree of design freedom.

As described above, the upper portion of the outer side cowl member 40 partially covers the lower portion of the inner side cowl member 38 from the outside in the vehicle width direction. Specifically, the lower portion of the inner side cowl member 38 overlaps the upper portion of the outer side cowl member 40 on the front side of the handle 12 . Further, the lower portion of the inner side cowl member 38 overlaps the rear portion of the outer side cowl member 40 on the rear side of the handle 12 .

In FIG. 5, a portion (overlapping portion) S1 where the inner side cowl member 38 and the outer side cowl member 40 overlap is indicated by oblique lines. In this way, by overlapping both side cowl members 38 and 40, a step ST (clearly shown in FIG. 4) can be formed, and a dignified appearance can be created. As shown in FIG. 6, the boundary line BL between the inner side cowl member 38 and the outer side cowl member 40 extends rearward from the front end, extends obliquely forward and downward above the front portion of the discharge opening 45, and then reaches the discharge opening. It extends obliquely downward to the rear along the front edge of 45 .

A portion of the rear end of the front cowl 26 overlaps the front end of the inner side cowl member 38 and the front end of the outer side cowl member 40 . Specifically, the inner side cowl member 38 and the outer side cowl member 40 are shaped so as to smoothly connect with the lens portion 28 a of the headlight 28 . In other words, a portion of the lamp covering portion 44 is covered from the outside in the vehicle width direction by the inner side cowl member 38 and the outer side cowl member 40, and the front ends of the inner side cowl member 38 and the outer side cowl member 40 extend from the lamp opening outer periphery. It constitutes a part of the part 43 .

In FIG. 6, the portion S2 where the inner side cowl member 38 and the front cowl 26 overlap is indicated by oblique lines, and the portion S3 where the outer side cowl member 40 and the front cowl 26 overlap is indicated by dots. The front cowl 26 is reinforced by providing such overlapping portions S2 and S3.

The inner side cowl member 38 has a first adjacent surface 46 adjacent to the lens portion 28a of the headlight 28, and the first adjacent surface 46 is substantially flush with the outer surface of the headlight 28, that is, the outer surface of the lens portion 28a. It extends flat. Similarly, the outer side cowl member 40 has a second adjacent surface 48 adjacent to the lens portion 28a of the headlight 28, and the second adjacent surface 48 extends substantially flush with the outer surface of the lens portion 28a. . In this embodiment, the first adjacent surface 46 and the second adjacent surface 48 refer to surfaces that continue to the headlight 28 . The first adjacent surface 46 and the second adjacent surface 48 are vertically adjacent to each other via the boundary line BL with the first adjacent surface 46 facing upward. The first adjacent surface 46 and the second adjacent surface 48 extend substantially flush with each other.

In this embodiment, the boundary line BL between the first adjacent surface 46 of the inner side cowl member 38 and the second adjacent surface 48 of the outer side cowl member 40 is an extension of the lower edge 29a of the inclined surface 29 of the headlight 28 . extends in the front-rear direction along the

As shown in FIG. 7, the inner side cowl member 38 and the outer side cowl member 40 are connected from the inside in the vehicle width direction by a fastening member 50 such as a plurality of bolts at the overlapping portion S1. In addition, the inner side cowl member 38 and the front cowl 26 are connected from behind by a fastening member 52 such as a plurality of bolts at the overlapping portion S2 (FIG. 6).

As shown in FIG. 3, the front cowl 26 and the outer side cowl member 40 are locked by a locking structure at the overlapping portion S3. Specifically, a locking piece 54 projecting rearward is formed at the front end of the outer side cowl member 40 . A locking hole 56 is formed in the rear edge of the front cowl 26 . A locking piece 54 is locked in the locking hole 56 by being inserted from the front. As a result, the front end portion of the outer side cowl member 40 is fixed to the front cowl 26 at the overlapping portion S3.

One of a plurality of fastening members 50 connecting the inner side cowl member 38 and the outer side cowl member 40 is provided at a position close to the locking piece 54 . In this embodiment, one fastening member 50 is arranged at a position close to the rear of the locking piece 54 . That is, the inner side cowl member 38 and the outer side cowl member 40 are connected at a position close to the fixed position F where the outer side cowl member 40 is fixed to the lamp covering portion 44 of the front cowl 26 .

Alternatively, the inner side cowl member 38 is fixed to the lamp covering portion 44 of the front cowl 26 at a fixed position, and the inner side cowl member 38 and the outer side cowl member 40 are connected at a position proximate the fixed position. may

A mounting portion 58 to which an in-vehicle component 59 is mounted is formed in a portion S1 of the outer surface of the inner side cowl member 38 that is covered with the outer side cowl member 40 . The mounting portion 58 of this embodiment is a cylindrical boss projecting from the outer surface of the inner side cowl member 38, and the boss 38 is formed with a screw hole (not shown). In this embodiment, two mounting portions 58 are provided side by side in the front-rear direction. The shape and number of the mounting portions 58 are not limited to this.

In this embodiment, the canister is attached to the attachment portion 58 of the right inner side cowl member 38, and the regulator is attached to the attachment portion 58 of the left inner side cowl member 38. As shown in FIG. The canister prevents gasoline vapors from being emitted from the fuel tank 20 to the atmosphere. A regulator controls the amount of current in an electrical circuit. However, the in-vehicle component 59 is not limited to these. The in-vehicle component 59 is attached to the attachment portion 58 via a bracket, for example. Since the mounting portion 58 is formed in the overlapping portion S1, the mounting portion 58 can be easily formed without affecting the appearance. In addition, since the inner and outer side cowl members 38 and 40 are composed of separate members, the side cowl 30 having a complicated shape can be easily formed. can be placed.

As shown in FIG. 7, the overlapping portion S1 of the inner side cowl member 38 and the outer side cowl member 40 constitutes a part (front portion) of the opening edge of the side discharge opening 45. As shown in FIG. The inner side cowl member 38 has a support portion 60 that supports the rear end portion of the outer side cowl member 40 . As shown in FIG. 9, the support portion 60 has a lateral wall 62 extending outward in the vehicle width direction, and a fixed wall 64 connected to the lateral wall 62 and extending in a direction perpendicular to the vehicle width direction. The fixed wall 64 constitutes part of the overlapping portion S1 of the inner side cowl member 38 shown in FIG.

The fixed wall 64 is formed with an engagement groove 64a facing in the vehicle width direction. The engaging groove 64a is an elongated slit-shaped groove, and is engaged with an engaging claw 69 shown in FIG. 7, which will be described later. In this embodiment, three engagement grooves 64a are formed along the overlapping portion S1. The shape and number of the engagement grooves 64a are not limited to this. The lateral wall 62 and the fixed wall 64 in this embodiment are arranged in the front and lower region of the discharge opening 45 .

The outer side cowl member 40 has, as shown in FIG. 9, an overlapping portion S1, which is a rear end portion, a flange portion 66 extending inward in the vehicle width direction, and side portions extending from the flange portion 66 in a direction perpendicular to the vehicle width direction. 68. A collar portion 66 is positioned adjacent the discharge opening 45 and the inner surface of the collar portion 66 extends in contact with or adjacent to the outer surface of the lateral wall 62 . The side portion 68 constitutes a part of the outer surface of the outer side cowl member 40 , and the inner surface of the side portion 68 extends in contact with the outer surface of the fixed wall 60 .

An engaging claw 69 protruding inward is formed on the inner surface of the side portion 68 of the outer side cowl member 40 shown in FIG. Three engaging claws 69 are provided at positions corresponding to the engaging grooves 64 a of the fixed wall 64 . Each engaging claw 69 of the side portion 68 is engaged with the engaging groove 64 a of the fixed wall 64 . Thereby, the outer side cowl member 40 is fixed to the fixed wall 64 .

A protrusion 70 is formed on the inner side cowl member 38 at a position spaced upward from the discharge opening 45 so as to protrude outward in the vehicle width direction and extend in the front-rear direction. The convex portion 70 is formed in a region above and behind the discharge opening 45 .

As shown in FIG. 8 , a portion (front portion) of the opening edge of the discharge opening 45 is formed by the inner side cowl member 38 and the outer side cowl member 40 . Moreover, the lateral wall 62 of the inner side cowl member 38 and the flange portion 66 of the outer side cowl member 40 form a step surface 74 extending in the vehicle width direction. As a result, the peripheral edge of the discharge opening 45 protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction, giving a solid feeling. In addition, since the width of the opening edge (the stepped surface 74) is increased, the stepped surface 74 can be seen from the rider's line of sight, making it difficult to see the engine E (FIG. 1). On the other hand, only the side portion 68 of the outer side cowl member 40 can be seen from the outside, and the step surface 74 cannot be seen. Furthermore, by wrapping the lateral wall 62 and the flange portion 66, the gap between the inner side cowl member 38 and the outer side cowl member 40 cannot be seen from the rider's line of sight.

In this embodiment, a flange portion 66 is formed above the lateral wall 62 and outside in the vehicle width direction. If the side cowl 30 is formed of a single member, the inclined surface of the lateral wall 62 is likely to be visible due to the relationship of the cutting die. By forming the stepped surface 74 that faces the inner side of the discharge opening 45 rather than the lateral wall 62 and is outside the lateral wall 62 in the vehicle width direction, the lateral wall 62 can be made invisible.

According to the above configuration, the outer side cowl member 40 shown in FIG. 1 covers the front lower portion of the inner side cowl member 38 from the outside in the vehicle width direction. As a result, a steep stepped surface 74 (FIG. 9) having a large bending angle .theta. By forming such a steep step surface 74, the outside side cowl member 40 can effectively deflect the running wind directed toward the driver's knees to the outside, and the windshield effect can be enhanced. Further, by forming the steep stepped surface 74, it is possible to improve the solid feeling of the vehicle body.

The upper portion of the inner side cowl member 38 extends from the front of the handle 12 to the narrow width changing portion Rh of the main frame 1 . An upper portion of the inner side cowl member 38 is exposed outward in the vehicle width direction and is not covered with the outer side cowl member 40 . As a result, in the region from the front of the handle 12 to the narrow width changing portion Rh of the main frame 1, the upper portion of the side cowl 30 can be restrained from bulging outward in the vehicle width direction compared to the lower portion. In other words, the upper region of the side cowl 30 can suppress the angle that widens rearward in the vehicle width direction compared to the lower region, thereby reducing air resistance during running. Thus, in the above-described embodiment, it is possible to achieve both an improvement in the windshield effect and a reduction in air resistance in a well-balanced manner.

As shown in FIG. 6 , the first adjacent surface 46 of the inner side cowl member 38 adjacent to the headlight 28 extends substantially flush with the outer surface of the headlight 28 without a step. As a result, the running wind flowing rearward along the headlight 28 is guided along the inner side cowl member 38 to the vicinity of the rider seat 22 . As a result, the running wind can be smoothly guided rearward, and the air resistance can be further reduced.

Further, the second adjacent surface 48 of the outer side cowl member 40 adjacent to the headlight 28 extends substantially flush with the outer surface of the headlight 28, and the first adjacent surface 46 and the second adjacent surface 48 are vertically aligned. are formed in the same direction. As a result, unevenness due to overlapping of the inner side cowl member 38 and the outer side cowl member 40 can be reduced, and air resistance can be further reduced.

Furthermore, the rear portion of the lamp covering portion 44 of the front cowl 26 shown in FIG. It is fixed at the position F, and the inner side cowl member 38 and the outer side cowl member 40 are connected at a position close to the fixed position. As a result, the front cowl 26 is prevented from opening in the vehicle width direction, and since the inner side cowl member and the outer side cowl member are connected near the fixed position, the front cowl 26 and the inner side cowl member are connected. The clearance between each member of 38 and the outer side cowl member 40 can be reduced.

A boundary line BL between the first adjacent surface 46 of the inner side cowl member 38 and the second adjacent surface 48 of the outer side cowl member 40 shown in FIG. and extends in the front-rear direction. As a result, the running wind guided along the headlight 28 is guided rearward along the boundary line BL between the inner side cowl member 38 and the outer side cowl member 40 . As a result, it is possible to further reduce the air resistance by preventing the turbulence of the running wind flowing along the vehicle body.

A support portion 60 of the inner side cowl member 38 shown in FIG. 9 has a lateral wall 62 extending outward in the vehicle width direction, and a fixed wall 64 connected to the lateral wall 62 and extending in a direction perpendicular to the vehicle width direction. Thereby, the support rigidity of the outer side cowl member 40 can be increased. Furthermore, the supporting rigidity of the side cowl 30 is further improved by forming the flange portion 66 .

Since the lateral wall 62 shown in FIG. 8 is arranged in the area below the discharge opening 45, the exposed area of the discharge opening 45 is reduced, and the amount of exposure of the discharge opening 45 to the driver in the riding posture is reduced. can be reduced. This makes it difficult for the driver to see the body parts in the space inside the side cowl 30 through the discharge opening 45 . Furthermore, by forming a convex portion 70 (shown in FIG. 9) above the discharge opening 45, the exposed area of the discharge opening 45 is further reduced, and the driver in the riding posture can easily see the discharge opening 45. You can reduce your exposure. Therefore, it is possible to hide the vehicle body parts in the inner space of the side cowl 30 and improve the appearance.

The outer side cowl member 40 shown in FIG. 9 includes a flange portion 66 arranged adjacent to the discharge opening 45 and extending outward in the vehicle width direction, and a side portion 68 extending from the flange portion 66 in a direction orthogonal to the vehicle width direction. have. According to this configuration, by forming the flange portion 66, the outer side surface (the side portion 68) of the outer side cowl member 40 in the vehicle width direction can be arranged on the outer side in the vehicle width direction, and the windshield effect can be enhanced. can. In addition, by arranging the flange portion 66 adjacent to the opening, the portion of the outer surface of the outer side cowl member 40 that bulges outward in the vehicle width direction can be arranged rearward, thereby enhancing the windshield effect. can.

A lateral wall 62 of the inner side cowl member 38 is covered with the outer side cowl member 40 . In the above-described embodiment, the inner side cowl member 38 and the outer side cowl member 40 are configured as separate members, so the stepped surface 74 is formed as an undercut, and the outer side cowl member 40 is positioned adjacent to the discharge opening 45. can be placed. As a result, the degree of design freedom can be improved.

Since the inner side cowl member 38 extends in the front-rear direction from the front cowl 26 to the vicinity of the operator's sort 22, the running resistance can be reduced by eliminating joints compared to connecting a plurality of cowl members. can be done. Further, by guiding the running wind from the lower edge 29a of the inclined surface 29 of the headlamp 28 along the groove 49 at the boundary between the inner and outer side cowl members 38, 40, the running wind can be smoothly guided rearward. can further reduce running resistance.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various additions, changes, or deletions are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, in the above embodiment, the tank cover 34 and the inner side cowl member 38 are formed separately, but the tank cover 34 and the inner side cowl member 38 may be formed as a single member. Although the front end of the inner side cowl member 38 and the front end of the outer side cowl member 40 are connected to the headlight 28 in the above embodiment, they may be connected to the front cowl 26 . In this case, the first adjacent surface and the second adjacent surface should be adjacent to the front cowl 26 and substantially flush with the front cowl 26 .

Further, in the above embodiment, the engine E is used as the drive source, but the drive source of the straddle-type vehicle of the present invention is not limited to the engine, and may be an electric motor, for example. In that case, a battery may be arranged in the corresponding position of the fuel tank 20 of the above embodiment. Further, in the above embodiment, the headlight 28 has a pair of left and right lens portions 28a, but the number of lens portions may be one. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a motorcycle has been described, but the present invention can also be applied to straddle-type vehicles other than motorcycles. Accordingly, such are also included within the scope of this invention.

1 Main frame (body frame)
2 Rear frame (body frame)
12 steering wheel 22 seat 26 front cowl 28 headlight 29 inclined surface 29a lower edge 30 of inclined surface side cowl 38 inner side cowl member 40 outer side cowl member 44 lamp covering portion 45 discharge opening 46 first adjacent surface 48 second adjacent surface 60 Supporting portion 62 Side wall 64 Fixed wall 66 Flange portion 68 Side portion 74 Step surface BL Boundary line E Engine (driving source)
F Fixed position FR Body frame Fh Wide change part (body frame)
Rh narrow change part (body frame)

Claims (7)

a seat on which the driver sits when riding;
a handle that the driver holds when riding;
Headlights that illuminate the front of the vehicle body,
a driving source for obtaining driving force;
a vehicle body frame that supports the drive source, the seat, and the steering wheel;
an inner side cowl member covering the vehicle body frame from the outside in the vehicle width direction;
an outer side cowl member that partially covers the front lower portion of the inner side cowl member from the outside in the vehicle width direction, except for the upper portion and the rear portion of the inner side cowl member;
The vehicle body frame has a wide change portion in which the vehicle width direction widens rearward from a front end and a narrow width change portion in which the vehicle width direction narrows rearward from the wide width change portion, and
The narrow width change portion is located in a region forward and below the seat,
The inner side cowl member extends in the front-rear direction from at least forward of the handlebar to the narrow width change portion,
The outer side cowl member bulges outward in the vehicle width direction from the inner side cowl member,
In addition, it has a front cowl that covers the front part of the car body,
The inner side cowl member is connected to the front cowl or the headlight,
A straddle-type vehicle , wherein a first adjacent surface of the inner side cowl member adjacent to the headlight or the front cowl extends substantially flush with the headlight or the front cowl . 2. The straddle-type vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the outer side cowl member is connected to the headlight or the front cowl,
a second adjacent surface of the outer side cowl member adjacent to the headlight or the front cowl extends substantially flush with the headlight or the front cowl;
A straddle-type vehicle, wherein the first adjacent surface and the second adjacent surface are arranged vertically. 3. The saddle-ride type vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the front cowl has a lamp cover portion that encircles the outer periphery of the headlight,
a portion of the lamp covering portion is covered from the outside in the vehicle width direction by the inner side cowl member and the outer side cowl member;
at least one of the inner side cowl member and the outer side cowl member is secured to the lamp cover portion at a fixed position;
A straddle-type vehicle in which the inner side cowl member and the outer side cowl member are connected at a position close to the fixed position. a seat on which the driver sits when riding;
a handle that the driver grips when riding;
Headlights that illuminate the front of the vehicle body,
a driving source for obtaining driving force;
a vehicle body frame that supports the drive source, the seat, and the steering wheel;
an inner side cowl member covering the vehicle body frame from the outside in the vehicle width direction;
an outer side cowl member that partially covers the front lower portion of the inner side cowl member from the outside in the vehicle width direction, except for the upper portion and the rear portion of the inner side cowl member;
The vehicle body frame has a wide change portion in which the vehicle width direction widens rearward from a front end and a narrow width change portion in which the vehicle width direction narrows rearward from the wide width change portion, and
The narrow width change portion is located in a region forward and below the seat,
The inner side cowl member extends in the front-rear direction from at least the front of the handle to the narrow width change portion,
The outer side cowl member bulges outward in the vehicle width direction from the inner side cowl member,
The headlight has an inclined surface that inclines downward in the vehicle width direction,
the lower edge of the inclined surface extends rearward and inclined outward in the vehicle width direction,
A straddle-type vehicle, wherein a boundary line between the inner side cowl member and the outer side cowl member extends in the front-rear direction along an extension line of the lower edge of the inclined surface. a seat on which the driver sits when riding;
a handle that the driver grips when riding;
Headlights that illuminate the front of the vehicle body,
a driving source for obtaining driving force;
a vehicle body frame that supports the drive source, the seat, and the steering wheel;
an inner side cowl member covering the vehicle body frame from the outside in the vehicle width direction;
an outer side cowl member that partially covers the front lower portion of the inner side cowl member from the outside in the vehicle width direction, except for the upper portion and the rear portion of the inner side cowl member;
The vehicle body frame has a wide change portion in which the vehicle width direction widens rearward from a front end and a narrow width change portion in which the vehicle width direction narrows rearward from the wide width change portion, and
The narrow width change portion is located in a region forward and below the seat,
The inner side cowl member extends in the front-rear direction from at least the front of the handle to the narrow width change portion,
The outer side cowl member bulges outward in the vehicle width direction from the inner side cowl member,
The inner side cowl member has a support portion that supports the rear end portion of the outer side cowl member,
The support portion has a lateral wall extending outward in a vehicle width direction, and a fixed wall connected to the lateral wall and extending in a direction perpendicular to the vehicle width direction to which an outer side cowl member is fixed. In the straddle-type vehicle according to claim 5 , an opening facing the vehicle width direction is formed behind the outer side cowl member in the inner side cowl member,
A straddle-type vehicle, wherein the lateral wall is arranged in the lower region of the opening. The straddle-type vehicle according to claim 6 , wherein the outer side cowl member includes, at the rear end portion, a flange portion disposed adjacent to the opening and extending inward in the vehicle width direction, and a flange portion extending inward in the vehicle width direction from the flange portion. a straddle-type vehicle having a side portion extending in a direction orthogonal to the

Images