WO2014158100A1

WO2014158100A1 - Electrical accessory socket mounting structure for small motorcycle

Info

Publication number: WO2014158100A1
Application number: PCT/TH2013/000011
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tawatchai AYDOUNG; Puntawee POONSAWAT; Ekkawit Boonsuk
Original assignee: Honda Motor Company Limited
Priority date: 2013-03-28
Filing date: 2013-03-28
Publication date: 2014-10-02
Also published as: WO2014158100A8; BR112015022700B1; BR112015022700A2; HK1214220A1; CN105073570A; CN105073570B

Abstract

In a small motorcycle having an engine mounted forward and beneath its seat, and a storage box mounted under the seat, a electrical accessory socket mounting structure includes a electrical accessory socket that is mounted to an arc-shaped side portion of a front surface of the storage box by way of a circular mounting hole within the storage box. The electrical accessory socket extends away from the storage box in a forward and sideward direction in a space efficient manner that avoids impacting the profile of motorcycle body covers. The electrical accessory socket is further disposed at an upward angle relative to a ground plane, such that an adapter opening of the electrical accessory socket is oriented upwards toward the motorcycle's seat.

Description

ELECTRICAL ACCESSORY SOCKET MOUNTING STRUCTURE

FOR SMALL MOTORCYCLE

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to an accessory socket structure for providing DC electrical signals to an electronic device that is placed within an under-seat storage compartment of a saddle-ride or straddle-ride type vehicle, particularly a small motorcycle such as a "cub" type motorcycle.

BACKGROUND ART

Various types of motorcycles provide a luggage compartment, storage compartment, or storage box beneath the motorcycle's seat in order to provide a predetermined amount of spatial volume in which items such as a rider's jacket or a helmet can be conveniently stored while the motorcycle is ridden or parked. In addition to providing a given amount of storage volume, certain motorcycle under-seat storage compartments can provide internal access to an electrical accessory socket or outlet (e.g., a 12 Volt DC socket or USB port). As described in laid open Japanese patent publication JP 2002019661, an under-seat storage compartment for a scooter type motorcycle includes an opening in an upper rear side wall of the storage compartment, at which an electrical accessory socket is mounted to the storage compartment. A battery powered electronic device such as a mobile telephone (e.g., a smartphone) can be placed in the storage compartment and plugged in to the electrical accessory socket, such that the electronic device's battery can be charged while the scooter's electrical power is turned on. DISCLOSURE / DESCRIPTION

Technical Problem

In the scooter under-seat storage compartment and electrical accessory socket configuration detailed in Japanese patent publication JP 2002019661 , the storage compartment includes an opening in its upper rear side wall of the compartment, at which the electrical accessory socket is physically coupled to the storage compartment. A main body or housing of the electrical accessory socket is disposed external to the storage compartment, such that the electrical accessory socket's main body protrudes away from the opening in the storage compartment's upper rear side wall, toward the rear of the scooter. Unfortunately, the scooter under-seat storage compartment and electrical accessory socket configuration is not well-suited to small motorcycles, such as "cub" type motorcycles. A cub motorcycle has larger tires than a scooter, and a cub motorcycle's engine is mounted forward of and below the motorcycle's seat. Additionally, a fuel tank is typically mounted close to the storage compartment, directly rearward of the storage compartment. The rear wall of the cub motorcycle's storage compartment is thus close to the fuel tank, as well as motorcycle's rear tire. Moreover, a battery generally resides in a lower rear portion of the storage compartment. Therefore, due to space constraints, it is difficult to design the rear wall of the storage compartment in a manner that can readily accommodate an electrical accessory socket.

Furthermore, because the rear wall of the storage compartment is proximate to the cub motorcycle's rear tire, an electrical accessory socket disposed at the storage compartment's rear wall can receive water and mud from the rear tire under wet riding conditions. To maintain electrical integrity and to ensure that water and mud cannot invade the storage box, an electrical accessory socket mounted to the rear wall of the storage compartment must be properly sealed, which undesirably requires a costly sealing structure.

Simply moving the electrical accessory socket from the rear portion of the storage compartment to a front portion of the storage compartment results in the electrical accessory socket protruding toward the front of the motorcycle, in a manner that disposes the socket directly forward, with no sideward or upward inclination. As a result, motorcycle body covers forward of the seat (e.g., a center cover disposed over portions of the motorcycle's frame directly forward of and below the seat) must be enlarged to have a profile that can accommodate the forward protruding electrical accessory socket. Unfortunately, such enlarged motorcycle body covers result in increased difficulty or awkwardness for a rider when the rider wants to step to the ground.

It is desired to provide a storage compartment and electrical accessory socket configuration for a small motorcycle in which the electrical accessory socket is disposed relative to the storage compartment in a compact and space efficient manner, which avoids adversely impacting the profile of motorcycle body covers, and which provides a low cost seal that isolates the storage compartment from water and mud. Technical Solution

This invention according to Claim 1 is a small motorcycle (e.g., a cub type motorcycle) having an engine mounted forward of and under a seat; a storage box mounted under the seat; and an electrical accessory socket (e.g., a DC socket) mounted to said storage box, characterized in that the electrical accessory socket is mounted to an arc-shaped side portion of a front surface of the storage box such that the electrical accessory socket is disposed at a predetermined inclination in sideward and upward directions with respect to the motorcycle (e.g., at a nonzero sideward angle relative to a motorcycle central axis defined to substantially bisect the motorcycle into a left half and a right half between a front and a rear of the motorcycle, and a nonzero upward angle relative to a ground plane along which the motorcycle can travel).

This invention according to Claim 2 has, in the small motorcycle of Claim 1 , a characteristic in that said storage box includes an upper portion proximate to said seat and a lower portion away from said seat, and a characteristic in that said electrical accessory socket is mounted to a lower portion of the storage box.

This invention according to Claim 3 has, in the small motorcycle of Claim 1 , a characteristic in that said storage box includes a battery storage portion facing the electrical accessory socket. This invention according to Claim 4 has, in the small motorcycle of Claim 3, a characteristic in that said disposition of the electrical accessory socket at a nonzero sideward angle directs an electrical accessory socket axis defined through an adapter opening of the electrical accessory socket toward a center of mass of a battery disposed within the battery storage portion.

This invention according to Claim 5 has, in the small motorcycle of Claim 3, a characteristic in that said electrical accessory socket is mounted below an upper surface of said battery that defines a battery height within said storage box.

This invention according to Claim 6 has, in the small motorcycle of Claim 3, a characteristic in that said storage box includes an electronic device mounting space between said battery storage portion and said electrical accessory socket, wherein the electronic device mounting space is below said electrical accessory socket and below at least a portion of said battery storage portion.

This invention according to Claim 7. has, in the small motorcycle of Claim 1 , a characteristic in that said storage box includes a mounting hole for said electrical accessory socket and a circular sealing lip portion around the mounting hole, and a characteristic in that a socket cover surrounds said electrical accessory socket and is connected to the sealing lip portion.

This invention according to Claim 8 has, in the small motorcycle of Claim 1 , a characteristic in that said electrical accessory socket includes an openable and closeable lid for selectively exposing an inner portion of said electrical accessory socket, and a characteristic in that said storage box includes a stopper surface configured for contacting an exterior surface of the lid when the lid is in a widely open position.

This invention according to Claim 9 has, in the small motorcycle of Claim 7, a characteristic in that said socket cover includes a harness connecting surrounding portion and a harness output surrounding portion, the harness connecting surrounding portion for covering a harness connector portion of a wire harness within the socket cover, and the harness output surrounding portion for covering a harness output portion of the wire harness that carries electrical wiring out of the socket cover, the socket cover harness output surrounding portion formed to direct the harness output portion toward a center line of the motorcycle and downward toward the ground plane.

This invention according to Claim 10 has, in the small motorcycle of Claim 3, a characteristic in that said storage box is mounted to said motorcycle at a first, a second, and a third floating mounting point, the first floating mounting point positioned at a front center and lower portion of the storage box, and each of the second and third floating mounting points positioned at a rear and upper side portion of the storage box, and a characteristic in that said electrical accessory socket is mounted next to said front and lower portion of the storage box. Advantageous Effects

According to the invention disclosed in Claim 1, the electrical accessory socket is mounted to a side portion of a front surface of the storage box, thereby reducing or minimizing the impact of water and mud upon the electrical accessory socket when the motorcycle is ridden. Furthermore, the portion of the front surface of the storage box to which the electrical accessory socket is mounted is arc shaped, and the electrical accessory socket protrudes away from this arc shaped surface at a sideward angle relative to the motorcycle's central axis, in a manner that significantly or substantially falls within the spatial extent of an enclosing rectangle defined for the storage box itself. Such positioning of the electrical accessory socket results in a compact contour along a front - rear direction of the motorcycle and provides a space efficient design, which avoids adversely affecting or significantly affecting normal motorcycle body panel profiles. Additionally, the upward or vertical offset angle of the electrical accessory socket relative to the ground plane orients the electrical accessory socket in a manner that projects an adapter opening of the electrical accessory socket toward an upper region of the storage box for aiding DC outlet access. According to the invention disclosed in Claim 2, the electrical accessory socket is mounted in a lower portion of the storage box, and thus the upward angle at which the electrical accessory socket is inclined can be sufficiently large to ensure ease of access to the electrical accessory socket, and ease of connecting an electronic device to the electrical accessory socket across a significant or long spatial distance.

According to the invention disclosed in Claim 3, the battery storage portion of the storage box faces the electrical accessory socket, that is, the battery storage portion is disposed on an opposite inner side of the storage box than the electrical accessory socket. Consequently, access to or use of the electrical accessory socket is not affected by the presence of a battery within the battery storage portion of the storage box.

According to the invention disclosed in Claim 4, the disposition of a electrical accessory socket axis defined through an adapter opening of the electrical accessory socket directs or orients the electrical accessory socket axis toward or to the center of mass of a battery that resides within the battery storage portion of the storage box. The motorcycle's battery can have a substantial mass. The orientation of the electrical accessory socket axis toward the battery's center of mass reduces moment arm effects around the electrical accessory socket axis caused by the battery's mass, thereby reducing mechanical forces exerted on the electrical accessory socket as the motorcycle is ridden.

According to the invention disclosed in Claim 5, the electrical accessory socket is mounted to the storage box below the height of the battery within the storage box. The electrical accessory socket therefore does intrude into the space within the storage box above the battery height, and thus the space within the storage box above the battery height is maximally available for storage purposes. Also, such mounting of the electrical accessory socket makes it possible to effectively utilize the space below the height of the battery for the electrical accessory socket and the coupling of an electronic device thereto. According to the invention disclosed in Claim 6, the electronic device mounting space is between and below each of the battery storage portion and the electrical accessory socket, which makes it easy to place an electronic device (e.g., a mobile telephone) in the electronic device mounting space, beneath the battery storage portion and the electrical accessory socket. Storage of an electronic device in this manner further aids maximum usability of portions of the storage box above the electronic device mounting space for storage purposes.

According to the invention disclosed in Claim 7, a storage box mounting hole for the electrical accessory socket has a circular sealing lip portion; and a socket cover that surrounds the electrical accessory socket is connected to this circular sealing lip portion. Such a socket cover is normally intended to provide protection to the electrical accessory socket. However, the connection of the socket cover to the circular sealing lip portion effectively prevents water and mud from intruding into the storage box, without the need for any special or costly sealing material.

According to the invention disclosed in Claim 8, the stopper surface provided by the storage box receives and limits the maximum extent to which the electrical accessory socket lid can be opened. As a result, damage to a resilient electrical accessory socket lid mechanism, such as a spring or hinge, can be avoided.

According to the invention disclosed in Claim 9, the socket cover includes a harness connector surrounding portion for covering a harness connector portion of a wire harness internal to the socket cover; and a harness output surrounding portion for covering a harness output portion of the wire harness that internally carries electrical wiring out of the socket cover. The socket cover's harness connector surrounding portion can protect from water impact, and also the socket cover's harness output surrounding portion directs the harness output portion, and hence the electrical wiring therein, toward a center line of the motorcycle and in a downward direction toward the ground plane. The manner in which the socket cover's harness output surrounding portion directs the harness output portion inward and downward reduces the likelihood that water or mud can intrude into the socket cover, and increases the likelihood that any water or mud that does intrude into the socket cover is readily discharged toward the ground plane.

According to the invention disclosed in Claim 10, the storage box is mounted to the motorcycle by way of floating mounting points, which reduces the amount of undesirable vibration imparted to the storage box and its contents. Furthermore, because the electrical accessory socket is mounted next to a front and lower portion of the storage box corresponding to a first floating mounting point. This positioning of the electrical accessory socket relative to the first floating mounting point reduces undesirable vibration imparted to the electrical accessory socket.

Brief Description of the Drawings

FIG. 1 is a side view of a representative small motorcycle having an electrical accessory socket mounted to an under-seat storage box by way of an electrical accessory socket mounting structure in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view showing portions of the small motorcycle of FIG. 1, including the under-seat storage box and the electrical accessory socket mounted to a front surface of the storage box in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3A is a side view and FIG. 3B is an elevated perspective view illustrating portions of a storage box; an orientation of a electrical accessory socket mounting structure relative to the storage box; and a representative manner in which a socket cover having a harness output surrounding portion guides or directs a wiring harness output portion in a predetermined direction.

FIG. 4 is a right side view of a storage box showing an electrical accessory socket mounting structure mounted thereto at an upward or vertically offset angle, such that an electrical accessory socket opening into which an adapter (e.g., a DC adapter) can be inserted is disposed at an upward angle within an interior of the storage box, and oriented or biased toward a motorcycle seat, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5A is a front view of a storage box illustrating a manner in which floating mounting structures are disposed relative to portions of the storage box and an electrical accessory socket mounting structure in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5B is a front view through the storage box of FIG. 5A, which illustrates a manner in which the floating mounting structures are disposed relative to rear frame members of the motorcycle.

FIG. 6 is a top view of a small motorcycle that includes an electrical accessory socket mounted to an under-seat storage box in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a top cutaway view showing interior portions of a storage box, an electrical accessory socket mounting structure coupled thereto, and a manner in which the storage box and the electrical accessory socket mounting structure are floatably supported by floating mounting structures in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a top view detailing further aspects of the electrical accessory socket mounting structure of FIG. 7, and a manner in which a maximum opening extent of a lid of the electrical accessory socket is limited in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional side view of an electrical accessory socket mounting structure illustrating internal portions of the electrical accessory socket mounting structure, and a manner in which an electrical accessory socket is mounted to a surface or wall of a storage box in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 10 is a front view showing representative text disposed on an exterior surface of an electrical accessory socket lid in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 1A is a top view showing interior portions of the storage box in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 I B is a side view of the storage box of FIG. 1 1A.

FIG. l l C illustrates aspects of a circular mounting hole provided by a storage box in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description of Example Embodiments

FIG. 1 is a left-side view and FIG. 6 is a top view of a small motorcycle such as a cub type motorcycle 10 that includes an electrical accessory socket mounted to an under-seat storage box 100 by way of an electrical accessory socket mounting structure 200 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a left side cross-sectional view showing portions of the motorcycle 10, the storage box 100, and the DC outlet mounting structure 200 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The motorcycle 10 has a set of frame elements including a main or central frame member 20 and a pair of rear frame members 22, which form the motorcycle's structural underpinnings for supporting or carrying various motorcycle components. The motorcycle 10 includes an engine 30 that is hung upon the main frame member 20, beneath and forward of a seat 12 for supporting a motorcycle rider and possibly a passenger. As indicated in FIG. 6, the seat 12 can accordingly include a forward or rider portion 12a, and a rearward or passenger portion 12b. The motorcycle includes left and right rider steps 14R,L for receiving the rider's left and right feet, respectively; and left and right passenger steps 16R,L for receiving the passenger's left and right feet, respectively. The motorcycle 10 also includes a kick starter 15 by which the rider can manually start the engine 30, and a shift pedal 18 by which the rider can select and shift gears using their left foot. The engine 30 includes a cylinder 32, a crank case 34, and a crank shaft 36. A fuel injection system 40 having an air cleaner 42, a throttle body 44, and an injector 46 is coupled to the engine's cylinder 32, in a manner understood by one of ordinary skill in the relevant art. The crank shaft 36 translates the linear reciprocating piston motion produced within the engine's cylinder 32 into rotational motion that is delivered to a rear wheel 50 by way of a chain 52. The rear wheel 50 is mounted on a rear axle "A," which is coupled to a pair of pivot plates of the body frame by way of a swing arm 54 that terminates at a swing pivot 56. The motorcycle 10 further includes a front wheel 60 that is mounted on a front axle, which supports a front disk brake rotor 62. A pair of front forks 64R,L extends along the left and right outer sides of the front wheel 60, and each front fork 64R,L is coupled to a steering stem. The steering stem is coupled to a handle bar, which is further coupled to a handle 70, which carries right and left handle grips 72R,L by which the rider can steer the motorcycle 10. Steering motion imparted to the handle bar in response to a rider's relative pivotal displacement of a right handle grip 72R and the left handle grip 72L about a steering axis causes the front wheel 60 to turn in a right or left direction. As shown in FIG. 6, a front brake lever 74 is disposed forward of a right handle grip 72R, such that the rider can access the front brake lever 74 while the right handle grip 72R remains is adjacent to or within the palm of their right hand. A front fender 66 is disposed directly above the front wheel 60. Tires mounted on the front wheel 60 and the rear wheel 50 contact a surface such as a ground plane 2 along which the motorcycle 10 can travel as it is ridden.

The luggage compartment or storage box 100 is disposed beneath the seat 12, such that a front surface 102 of the storage box 100 extends downward below a frontal region of the seat 12 toward the ground plane 2, and a rear surface 104 of the storage box extends downward below a rearward portion of the seat 12 toward the ground plane 2. An underside surface of the seat 12 provides a closure surface or lid for the storage box 100. A fuel tank 25 is disposed directly behind the storage box 100, and above the rear wheel 50. As indicated in FIG. 6 and further described below, the electrical accessory socket mounting structure 200 is coupled to a lower portion of the front surface 102 of the storage box 100 in accordance with a predetermined sideward or lateral offset angle "b" (e.g., approximately 20 degrees) relative to a central axis 5 of the motorcycle 10, which is defined to substantially bisect the motorcycle into a left half and a right half between a front of the motorcycle 10 and a rear of the motorcycle 10. The electrical accessory socket mounting structure 200 additionally meets, mates, or interfaces with the storage box 100 at an upward or vertical offset angle relative to the ground plane 2, as further detailed below.

The motorcycle 10 includes a number of cover members or elements that form portions of the motorcycle's exterior surfaces, including a seat cover 80 disposed directly below the seat 12; a pair of (i.e., right and left) rear covers 82 disposed directly below the seat cover 80, and which cover portions of the motorcycle's rear frame members 22 and the fuel tank 25; a pair of side covers 84 that extend downward and forward of the rear covers 82, and which cover lateral portions of the motorcycle below the seat 12 as well as portions of the motorcycle's cylinder 32; a pair of leg shields 86 that extend above and forward of the side covers 84, and which cover portions of the motorcycle's cylinder 32 and the fuel injection system 40, and which carries a set of winkers 94R,L; a center cover 88 that covers a central portion of the motorcycle 10, including upper portions of the main frame member 20, between the rider's legs; and a front cover 90 that forms a front face of the motorcycle 10. A handle cover 96, which carries a headlight 92, covers the motorcycle's handle 70, and a meter visor 98 that shields a meter such as a speedometer is disposed above the handle cover 96.

With further reference to FIG. 2, the storage box 100 is disposed beneath the seat 12, above the motorcycle's main frame member 20, and in between the motorcycle's rear frame members 22. Thus, with respect to the left side view provided by FIG. 2, a left rear frame member 22L of the motorcycle 10 extends along a left outer side 106L of the storage box 100, in an upward and rearward direction. The storage box 100 is indirectly mounted to or supported by each rear frame member 22 by way of a left rear floating mounting structure 300, as further detailed below. In various embodiments, the storage box 100 includes (a) a battery storage portion 1 10 configured for carrying a battery adjacent to its rear wall 104, in a lower portion or region (e.g., a lower half) of the storage box 100; and (b) a fuse box 130. The fuse box 130 can be disposed adjacent to the battery storage portion 1 10, for instance, on a left side of the battery storage portion 1 10, toward a bottom surface 1 12 of the battery storage portion 1 10. As indicated in FIG. 2, the electrical accessory socket mounting structure 200 includes an electrical accessory socket 210 that is mounted within a lower portion or region of the storage box 100 by way of the electrical accessory socket mounting structure 200. More particularly, a lower side portion of the front surface 102 of the storage box 100 includes a mounting opening or hole configured for receiving the electrical accessory socket 210 therein. The electrical accessory socket 210 can deliver DC electrical signals to an electrical device coupled thereto. The electrical accessory socket 210 includes a main body 212 that defines a receptacle that provides an adapter opening into which a DC adapter or plug (not shown) can be inserted to facilitate the transfer of DC electrical signals to an electronic device, in a manner readily understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. In various embodiments, the electrical accessory socket's main body 212 has a cylindrical or approximately cylindrical cross section or profile, and is configured for mating engagement with portions of a counterpart DC adapter that can deliver DC electrical signals to an electronic device. The electrical accessory socket mounting structure 200 additionally includes an openable and resiliently closeable lid 240 that is coupled to the electrical accessory socket 210, such as by way of a spring-based hinge.

The electrical accessory socket mounting structure 200 in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure interfaces with the storage box 100 such that the electrical accessory socket 210 projects away from or out of the storage box 100 in a sideward and forward direction, rather than projecting away from the storage box 100 in a rearward direction as in a conventional design. Furthermore, as detailed below with reference to FIG. 4, the electrical accessory socket mounting structure 200 interfaces with the storage box 100 such that within the interior of the storage box 100, the adapter opening of the electrical accessory socket 210 has an upward or vertical offset angle "a" (e.g., an upward tilt or bias of about 5 degrees) toward the motorcycle's seat 12. The electrical accessory socket 210 is disposed within and surrounded by a socket cover 220, which as further described below with reference to FIGs. 9 and 1 IB interfaces with or connects to the storage box 100 at a circular sealing lip portion of the storage box 100 that surrounds the storage box mounting hole. The electrical accessory socket 210 includes a positive terminal 214 and a negative terminal 216 that are respectively intended for electrically coupling to a positive electrical potential and a corresponding negative or ground electrical potential to thereby enable the delivery of DC power to an electronic device coupled to the electrical accessory socket 210. In multiple embodiments, the positive terminal 214 of the electrical accessory socket 210 is positioned above or higher than the negative terminal 216. Such positioning of the positive terminal 214 relative to the negative terminal 216 increases the likelihood that in the event that water invades the socket cover 220, the water will remain below the height of the positive terminal 214, contacting only the negative terminal 216, thereby reducing the likelihood of an electrical damage. The positive electrical potential and negative electrical potential can be provided by way of electrical wiring connectable to the electrical accessory socket's positive and negative terminals 214, 216, where such wiring is carried within a wiring harness 230. The harness 230 includes a connector portion 232 disposed within the socket cover 220, which has positive and negative connectors that are respectively configured for oriented mating engagement with the electrical accessory socket's positive and negative terminals 214, 216. The harness 230 therefore carries internal electrical wiring, as well as a set of connectors that plug into the electrical accessory socket's positive and negative terminals 214, 216. The harness 230 also includes a harness output portion 234 that carries or routes the harness wiring to a destination beyond or external to the socket cover 220. In several embodiments, the socket cover 220 includes a harness connector surrounding portion 222 for covering or surrounding the harness connector portion 232; and a harness output surrounding portion 224 for covering or surrounding as well as spatially guiding or directing the harness output portion 234 in a predetermined direction, as further described in detail hereafter. FIG. 3A is a side view and FIG. 3B is an elevated perspective view illustrating portions of the storage box 100; the orientation of the electrical accessory socket mounting structure 200 relative to the storage box 100; and a representative manner in which the socket cover's harness output surrounding portion 224 guides or directs the harness output portion 234 in a predetermined direction. The harness output portion 234 is bundled into a larger or large sub-harness with a power generator line 402 and a gear position switch line 404 near each such line's couplers 400, which are supported by a bracket 410 that is attached to the motorcycle's main frame 20. As indicated in FIG. 3B, the electrical accessory socket mounting structure 200 is mounted in a side (e.g., left side) portion 103 of a lower region of the front surface 102 of the storage box 100, and extends away from the storage box 100 in a sideward and forward direction, away from the motorcycle's central frame member 20. Stated in another manner, referring also to FIG. 6, the electrical accessory socket mounting structure 200 extends away from the storage box 100 in a forward direction, at a nonzero sideward angle relative to the motorcycle's center line 5.

As can be seen from FIGs. 3A and 3B, the socket cover's harness output surrounding portion 224 directs the output portion 234 of the harness 230 in a downward direction, toward the center frame 20 of the motorcycle 10, that is, toward the motorcycle's center line 5. Thus, the DC socket mounting structure 200 is mounted to the storage box 100 such that the DC socket 210 extends sideward, forward, and away from the motorcycle's center line 5; and the harness output surrounding portion 234 of the socket cover 220 directs the harness output portion 234 in a downward direction and toward the motorcycle's center line 5.

Referring also to FIG. 4, a right side cutaway view of the storage box 100 shows the electrical accessory socket mounting structure 200 mounted to the storage box 100 at an angle relative to the ground plane 2, such that an adapter opening 218 into which a DC adapter can be inserted is disposed at an upward angle within the interior of the storage box 100. Within the storage box 100, the cross sectional area of the adapter opening 218 is thus oriented or biased upward, toward the motorcycle's seat 12. An electrical accessory socket axis 202 can be defined parallel to and along a length of the electrical accessory socket mounting structure 200, and central or substantially central to the cross sectional area of the electrical accessory socket 210. More particularly, the electrical accessory socket axis 202 can be defined as a longitudinal axis that extends through a center of the adapter opening 218, and which is perpendicular to the adapter opening 218. The electrical accessory socket axis 202 thus extends through the adapter opening 218, along a length of the electrical accessory socket's main body 212 within the receptacle defined by the electrical accessory socket 210, and along a length of the socket cover's harness connector surrounding portion 222.

As indicated in FIG. 4, the electrical accessory socket mounting structure 200 is mounted to the storage box 100 such that the electrical accessory socket axis 200 is oriented at a nonzero upward angle "a," such as approximately 5 degrees, relative to the ground plane 2 as measured from the front of the motorcycle 10 to the rear of the motorcycle 10. The adapter opening 218 is therefore mounted to the storage box 100 at a nonzero upward angle with respect to the ground plane 2, and is thus oriented or biased upward within the interior of the storage box 100 toward the motorcycle's seat 12. FIG. 6 illustrates that the electrical accessory socket axis 202 is additionally offset with respect to the motorcycle's center line 5. More particularly, the electrical accessory socket axis 202 is disposed at a nonzero sideward or lateral offset angle "b," e.g., approximately 20 degrees, relative to the motorcycle's center line 5. The electrical accessory socket 210 thus projects away from the storage box 210 in a forward direction (i.e., toward the front of the motorcycle 10), at a nonzero sideward or lateral offset angle defined by an angle at which the electrical accessory socket axis 202 intersects the motorcycle's center line 5.

In view of the foregoing, the electrical accessory socket mounting structure 200 is mounted in the side portion 103 of the storage box front surface 102 such that the electrical accessory socket 210 and the socket cover's harness connector surrounding portion 232 are oriented in a common first set of directions, whereas the socket cover's harness output surrounding portion 224 orients the harness output portion 234 in a second set of directions, counter or contrary to the first set of directions. The manner in which the socket cover's harness output surrounding portion 224 directs the harness output portion 234 reduces the likelihood that water or mud can intrude into the socket cover 220, and increases the likelihood that any water or mud that has intruded into the socket cover 220 is effectively discharged from the socket cover 220 toward the ground plane 2.

Referring again to FIG. 4, the electrical accessory socket axis 202 extends through the battery storage portion 1 10 such that the electrical accessory socket axis 202 intersects or extends through a center of mass of a battery 1 15 that resides within the battery storage portion 1 10. Because the motorcycle's battery 1 15 can have a substantial mass, the orientation of the electrical accessory socket axis 202 toward the battery's center of mass reduces moment arm effects around the electrical accessory socket axis 202 caused by the battery's mass, which reduces mechanical forces exerted on the electrical accessory socket mounting structure 200 as the motorcycle is ridden.

The battery storage portion 1 10 includes a battery cover 120 that separates or isolates the battery 1 15 from interior portions of the storage box 1 10 that are intended for storing objects or articles that the rider or a passenger intends to easily access or retrieve. The battery cover

120 can extend along one or more inner surfaces of the storage box 100, and can include a tool holder 122 that clasps or retains a tool such as a screwdriver 124 by way of an elastic claw. The battery cover 120 can be coupled to a bottom interior portion of the storage box

121 by way of a fastener such as a bolt 121.

The battery cover 120 can provide an upper surface 1 1 1 of the battery storage portion 1 10 below which the battery 1 15 resides, and which corresponds to or defines a battery height 1 16 within the storage box 100. As shown in FIG. 4, the electrical accessory socket mounting structure 200 is mounted to the storage box 100 below the battery height 1 16. The electrical accessory socket 210 and its lid 240 therefore do not intrude into interior portions of the storage box 100 above the battery height 1 16, and hence the internal volume of the storage box 100 above the electrical accessory socket 210 and its lid 240 and/or above the battery height 1 16 is maximally available for storing rider or passenger items. The interior of the storage box 100 includes an electronic device mounting space 140 disposed below or beneath the electrical accessory socket mounting structure 200, between the electrical accessory socket mounting structure's lid 240 and/or the adapter opening 218 and the battery storage portion 1 10. In various embodiments, at least a portion of the electronic device mounting space 140 is below the battery 1 15, or below the lower surface 1 12 of the battery storage portion 1 10. The electronic device mounting space 140 is sufficiently large to accommodate the size and shape of various common types of electronic devices such as mobile telephones. Because the electronic device mounting space 140 occupies a bottom or lowest region or portion of the storage box 100, an electronic device that resides entirely within the electronic device mounting space 140 does not intrude into upper portions of the storage box interior, which remain maximally available for storing rider or passenger items.

Further referring to FIGs. 5A and 5B in association with FIG. 4, a set of floating mounting structures 300 for mounting the storage box 100 to the motorcycle's main frame member 20 and rear frame members 22 are shown in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 A provides a front view of the storage box 100 which shows a manner in which the floating mounting structures 300 are disposed relative to portions of the storage box 100 and the electrical accessory socket mounting structure 200 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5B provides a front view through the storage box 100 which illustrates a manner in which the floating mounting structures 300 are disposed relative to the motorcycle's rear frame members 22R,L.

Each floating mounting structure 300 supports or suspends the storage box 100 (and hence the electrical accessory socket 210) relative to the motorcycle's frame members 20, 22 at a floating mounting site or point, in a manner that facilitates the structural isolation of the storage box 100 from vibrations, shocks, or impact forces imparted to or carried by the motorcycle's frame members 20, 22. In various embodiments, a first floating mounting structure 300a is disposed above the motorcycle's main frame member 20 at a corresponding first floating mounting site or point; a second floating mounting structure 300b is disposed above the motorcycle's right rear frame member 22R at a corresponding second floating mounting site or point; and a third floating mounting structure 300c is disposed above the motorcycle's left rear frame member 22L at a corresponding third floating mounting site or point. As indicated in FIGs. 3A - 3B, 4, and 5A - 5B, each floating mounting structure 300a-c can include a grommet 310 that mates with or fits within a corresponding grommet receiving structure 150a-c of the storage box 100; a fastener 312 such as a bolt or screw that extends through a central opening of each grommet 310; and a support bracket 314 into which a fastener 312 can be inserted at a floating mounting site or point defined with respect to the support bracket 314 and/or a frame member 20, 22.

As indicated in FIGs. 4 and 5A, the first floating mounting structure 300a floatably supports or suspends a front lower portion of the storage box 100 relative to the first floating mounting point corresponding to the main frame member 20. The first floating mounting structure 300a can be disposed such that its fastener 312a is oriented along a vertical midline 105 of the storage box 100. Thus, the first floating mounting point corresponds to the vertical midline 105 of the storage box 100. The second floating mounting structure 300b floatably supports or suspends an upper right rear side portion of the storage box 100 relative to the second floating mounting point corresponding to the right rear frame member 22R. Similarly, the third floating mounting structure 300c floatably supports of suspends an upper left rear side portion of the storage box 100 relative to the third floating mounting point corresponding to the left rear frame member 22L.

Because the storage box 100 is floatably supported or suspended relative to the motorcycle's frame members 20, 22, the contents of the storage box 100 are at least partially isolated from vibration, shocks, or impact forces that the motorcycle's frame members 20, 22 would otherwise directly deliver to the storage box 100. Similarly, because the electrical accessory socket 210 is mounted to the storage box 100, the electrical accessory socket 210 itself is at least partially structurally isolated from such vibration, shocks, or impact forces, thereby facilitating prolonged electrical accessory socket 210 structural integrity over time. An electronic device such as a mobile telephone placed in the storage box electronic device mounting space 140 is therefore correspondingly at least partially isolated from motorcycle vibration, shocks, or impact forces, prolonging electronic device lifetime. FIG. 7 is a top cutaway view showing interior portions of the storage box 100, the electrical accessory socket mounting structure 200, and the manner in which the storage box 100 and electrical accessory socket mounting structure 200 are floatably supported by the floating mounting structures 300a-c in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In view of the foregoing and as indicated in FIG. 7, the first floating mounting structure 300a is disposed beneath a front lower portion of the storage box 100, and above the motorcycle's main frame member 20 at the first floating mounting point. The first floating mounting structure 300a, and hence the first floating mounting point, is centered with respect to the motorcycle's center line 5, and hence is correspondingly centered relative to the main frame member 20. The second floating mounting structure 300b is disposed above the motorcycle's right rear frame member 22R. The second floating mounting structure 300b floatably supports an upper right rear portion of the storage box 100. The third floating mounting structure 300c is disposed above the motorcycle's left rear frame member 22L, and floatably supports an upper left rear portion of the storage box 100. The motorcycle's battery 1 15 is disposed beneath the battery cover 120 on the lower surface 1 12 of the battery storage portion 1 10, and is aligned with the motorcycle's center line 5 such that the center line 5 divides the battery 1 15 into equal halves (or equal left - right mass portions). In an embodiment, a left side terminal of the battery 1 15 corresponds to positive electrical potential (+), and a right side terminal of the battery 1 15 corresponds to negative electrical potential ( - ). The electrical accessory socket 210 is mounted to a lower front side portion of the storage box 100, and is angularly or laterally offset away from the motorcycle's center line 5 along a curved or arc-shaped front surface or wall 102 of the storage box 100. More particularly, the electrical accessory socket axis 202 is oriented at a sideward, sideways, or lateral offset angle with respect to the motorcycle's center line 5, such that the electrical accessory socket axis 202 intersects the motorcycle's center line 5 within the spatial volume of the battery 1 15. The lateral offset angle between the electrical accessory socket axis 202 and the motorcycle's center line 5 reduces moment arm effects around the electrical accessory socket axis 202 that arise from the mass of the battery 1 15 as the motorcycle is ridden. As a result, mechanical forces or stresses exerted on the electrical accessory socket 210 corresponding to such moment arm effects are reduced or minimized, thereby preserving the electrical accessory socket's structural integrity over time.

A lower left portion of the storage box 100 adjacent to the battery 1 15 carries the fuse box 130, which in an embodiment includes first, second, and third fuses 132a-c connected to the negative terminal of the battery 1 15; and a lower right portion of the storage box 100 adjacent to the battery 1 15 carries a magnetic starter switch 1 1. One side of the magnetic starter switch 1 1 is connected to the positive terminal of the battery 1 15, and the other side of the magnetic starter switch 1 1 is connected to a starter motor configured for making the motorcycle's engine start. The electronic device mounting space 140 occupies a portion of the storage box internal volume, between the battery storage portion 1 10 and the electrical accessory socket's adapter opening 218 and lid 240. As shown in FIG. 4, the electronic device mounting space 140 extends below the electrical accessory socket 210, to a bottom inner surface of the storage box 100. Referring also to FIG. 8, a top view of interior portions of the storage box 100 details additional aspects of the electrical accessory socket mounting structure 200 of FIG. 7, and a manner in which a maximum opening extent of the electrical accessory socket's lid 240 is limited or restricted in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The electrical accessory socket's lid 240 is openable and biased closable, such as by way of a spring hinge 244 that couples a border of the lid 240 to the electrical accessory socket's main body 212. When closed, the lid 240 covers the electrical accessory socket's adapter opening 218, thereby covering inner portions of the electrical accessory socket 210 (i.e., covering or preventing direct access to the electrical accessory socket's receptacle). When the lid 240 is open, the electrical accessory socket's adapter opening 218 is exposed to interior portions of the storage box 100, and a DC adapter can be inserted into the electrical accessory socket's main body 212.

In an embodiment, the storage box 100 includes a stopper surface 160 that limits a maximum extent to which the electrical accessory socket's lid 240 can be opened. The stopper surface 160 is disposed on or protrudes from an interior wall of the storage box 100, at an angle greater than 90 degrees (e.g., approximately 120 - 135 degrees) relative to the cross sectional area or profile of the electrical accessory socket's adapter opening 218. Once the electrical accessory socket's lid 240 is opened to a predetermined extent, the lid 240 contacts the stopper surface 160 and is prevented from opening further. The stopper surface 160 thus prevents the lid 240 from opening beyond a predetermined maximum extent, which prevents damage to the spring hinge 234 that would be caused by opening the lid 240 to a position at which the spring hinge 234 is significantly stressed or likely to experience damage or failure. An end portion 160a of the stopper surface 160 can project a small distance away from the stopper surface 160 in a direction toward the interior of the storage box 100, in order to receive lid impact effectively.

In a number of embodiments, an interior surface or wall of the storage box 100 can include an electrical accessory socket support surface 162 against which a portions of the electrical accessory socket 210 is mounted, and above which the electrical accessory socket's lid 240 protrudes when the lid 240 is closed (i.e., when the lid 240 covers the electrical accessory socket's adapter opening 218). The DC socket support surface 162 can intersect or join (e.g., be integrally formed with) the stopper surface 160, for instance, in a manner shown in FIG. 8. FIG. 9 is a cross sectional side view of the electrical accessory socket mounting structure 200 illustrating internal portions of the electrical accessory socket mounting structure 200, and a manner in which the electrical accessory socket 210 is mounted to a surface or wall of the storage box 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Additionally, FIG. 1 1 A is a top view showing interior portions of the storage box 100; FIG. 1 IB is a side view of the storage box 100; and FIG. 1 1 C illustrates aspects of a circular mounting hole 170 provided by the storage box 100.

In an embodiment, the electrical accessory socket 210 is inserted into the storage box 100 by way of a circular mounting hole 170 as indicated by an arrow shown in FIG. 9. The circular mounting hole 170 is disposed on a front lower side region of an arc-shaped portion 103 (e.g., a lower left side portion) of the front surface 102 of the storage box 100, and can include a positioning slot 170a to facilitate insertion (e.g., oriented or keyed insertion) of the electrical accessory socket 210 into the circular mounting hole 170, as indicated in FIG. 1 1 C. The electrical accessory socket body 212 can include a set of flanges 213 that set the electrical accessory socket 210 in the mounting hole 170 while a plurality of rock claw members 270 (e.g., configured as 8 members or pieces circumferential ly disposed around the electrical accessory socket body 212) are in elastic deformation. Accordingly, the electrical accessory socket body 212 carries the plurality of rock claw members 270, which are disposed or biased against portions of the outer surface of the arc-shaped portion 103 of the storage box front surface 102, and which prevent removal or withdrawal of the electrical accessory socket 210 from the mounting hole 170 after the electrical accessory socket 210 has been inserted therein and mounted thereto. The arc-shaped portion 103 of the storage box front surface 102 includes a circular sealing lip portion 172 that surrounds the circular mounting hole 170. The electrical accessory socket's rock claw members 270 are carried by the electrical accessory socket body 212 such that they are disposed between an outer circumference of the electrical accessory socket body 212, and within an inner circumference or border of the circular sealing lip portion 172. A sealed connection is established between the socket cover 220 and the circular sealing lip portion 172 to seal the electrical accessory socket body 212, internal portions of the electrical accessory socket 210, and the circular mounting hole 170 from an environment external to the socket cover 220. More particularly, the socket cover's harness connector surrounding portion 222 is sealably connected to an outer circumference of the circular sealing lip portion 172. Such sealing of the socket cover 220 to the sealing lip portion 170 provides a simple, cost efficient, and functionally effective seal for preventing the incursion of water and mud into the storage box 100.

The electrical accessory socket 210 or socket body 212 includes an inner case or lining 246 that defines a receptacle 219 into which a DC adapter 500 can be inserted or plugged by way of insertion of the DC adapter 500 into the electrical accessory socket's adapter opening 218 and into the depth of the receptacle 219. The inner case 246 is electrically coupled to the electrical accessory socket's negative terminal 216, and thus the inner case 246 can be defined as an electrical ground. The inner case 246 is shaped and dimensioned to electrically contact a set of negative terminals of the DC adapter 500 when the DC adapter 500 is inserted into the receptacle 215. A positive connector element 244 is centrally disposed within the electrical accessory socket's receptacle 219, and is electrically coupled to the electrical accessory socket's positive terminal 214. The positive connector element 244 is shaped and dimensioned to receive and establish electrical contact with a counterpart positive terminal or pin of the DC adapter 500. The electrical accessory socket 210 further includes a thermo fuse 250 coupled to the negative terminal 216 and the receptacle 219, in a manner understood by one of ordinary skill in the relevant art.

FIG. 10 is a front view showing representative text disposed on an exterior surface 232 of the electrical accessory socket's lid 240 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, the exterior surface 242 of the electrical accessory socket's lid 240 can include text specifying that the lid 240 provides access to an auxiliary or DC power outlet or socket 210, and a power rating corresponding to the electrical accessory socket 210. The power rating can indicate a maximum or peak power level providable by the electrical accessory socket 210, and/or an average or continuous power level providable by the electrical accessory socket 210. When the electrical accessory socket 210 is mounted within the circular mounting hole 170, lid 240, and hence the text on the exterior surface of the lid 240, can be rotated 90 degrees in the manner in which the text is shown in FIG. 10.

Aspects of particular embodiments of the present disclosure address at least one aspect, problem, limitation, and/or disadvantage associated with existing electrical accessory socket mounting structures for small motorcycles such as cub motorcycles. While features, aspects, and/or advantages associated with certain embodiments have been described in the disclosure, other embodiments may also exhibit such features, aspects, and/or advantages, and not all embodiments need necessarily exhibit such features, aspects, and/or advantages to fall within the scope of the disclosure. It will be appreciated by a person of ordinary skill in the art that several of the above-disclosed structures, components, or alternatives thereof, can be desirably combined into alternative structures, components, and/or applications. In addition, various modifications, alterations, and/or improvements may be made to various embodiments that are disclosed by a person of ordinary skill in the art within the scope of the present disclosure, which is limited only by the following claims.

Claims

1. A small motorcycle comprising:

an engine mounted forward of and under a seat;

a storage box mounted under the seat; and

an electrical accessory socket mounted to said storage box,

characterized in that said electrical accessory socket is mounted to an arc-shaped side portion of a front surface of the storage box such that the electrical accessory socket is disposed at a predetermined inclination in sideward and upward directions with respect to the motorcycle.

2. The small motorcycle of claim 1 , wherein said storage box includes an upper portion proximate to said seat and a lower portion away from said seat, and wherein said electrical accessory socket is mounted to a lower portion of said storage box.

3. The small motorcycle of claim 1 , wherein said storage box includes a battery storage portion facing said electrical accessory socket.

4. The small motorcycle of claim 3, wherein said disposition of the electrical accessory socket at a nonzero sideward angle directs an electrical accessory socket axis defined through an adapter opening of the electrical accessory socket toward a center of mass of a battery disposed within the battery storage portion.

5. The small motorcycle of claim 3, wherein said electrical accessory socket is mounted below an upper surface of said battery that defines a battery height within the storage box.

6. The small motorcycle of claim 3, wherein said storage box includes an electronic device mounting space between said battery storage portion and said electrical accessory socket, and wherein the electronic device mounting space is below each of said battery storage portion and said electrical accessory socket.

7. The small motorcycle of claim 1 , wherein said storage box includes a mounting hole for said electrical accessory socket and a circular sealing lip portion around the mounting hole, and wherein a socket cover surrounds said electrical accessory socket and is connected to the sealing lip portion.

8. The small motorcycle of claim 1, wherein said electrical accessory socket includes an openable and closeable lid for selectively exposing an inner portion of said electrical accessory socket, and wherein said storage box includes a stopper surface configured for contacting an exterior surface of the lid when the lid is in a widely open position.

9. The small motorcycle of claim 7, wherein said socket cover includes a harness connecting surrounding portion and a harness output surrounding^" portion, the harness connecting surrounding portion for covering a harness connector portion of a wire harness within the socket cover, and the harness output surrounding portion for covering a harness output portion of the wire harness that carries electrical wiring out of the socket cover, the socket cover harness output surrounding portion formed to direct the harness output portion toward a center line of the motorcycle and downward toward the ground plane.

10. The small motorcycle of claim 3, wherein said storage box is mounted to said motorcycle at a first, a second, and a third floating mounting point, the first floating mounting point positioned at a front center and lower portion of the storage box, and each of the second and third floating mounting points positioned at a rear and upper side portion of the storage box, and wherein said electrical accessory socket is mounted next to said front and lower portion of the storage box.