SIDE-SEAT VEHICLE

Abstract

Straddle seat vehicle (1), characterized in that it comprises the following: a head tube (2); a steering stem (6) which is rotatably mounted in the steering tube (2); a front fork (7); an upper bracket (8) that connects an upper end section of the front fork (7) to the steering stem (6); a lower bracket (9) located below the upper bracket (8) and connecting an upper section of the front fork (7) to the steering stem (6); a front wheel (10) which is supported by a lower end section of the front wheel fork (7); a front fender (11) that covers the front wheel (10) from above; a front fairing (16) covering an upper front section of the straddle seat vehicle (1); a casing (21) located above the front fender (11) and covering a lower section of the front fairing (16); and a lower mounting cover (31) that lies above the front fender (11) and covers the lower mounting (9) from below, wherein the casing (21) has an opening (27) through which the front wheel fork (7) passes, and the lower mounting cover (31) is provided below the opening (27).

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

[0001] The present invention relates to a straddle-seat vehicle with a front fairing. GENERAL STATE OF THE ART

[0002] On a straddle-seat vehicle, the front fairing serves several functions: reducing drag while riding, reducing lift generated while riding, reducing wind blowing against the rider, and so on. The front fairing includes a fairing that covers only part of the headlight's circumference, a fairing that covers the circumference of the headlight up to the front of a fuel tank, a fairing that covers the circumference of the headlight up to the top of the radiator or the side of an engine's cylinder head, and so forth. The upper front portion of a complete fairing also qualifies as the front fairing.

[0003] When a straddle-seat vehicle with a front fairing is in motion, the airflow passes between the fairing and a front fender and blows against the radiator or oil cooler (or the engine in the case of an air-cooled engine), which are located behind a front wheel. The radiator or oil cooler (or the engine) is cooled by this airflow.

[0004] Generally, however, a lower section of the fairing is formed with a passage for the front fork. Specifically, on a straddle-seat vehicle of a type where the fairing is supported by a main frame or similar structure, a large space is provided in a lower section of the fairing to allow the front fork to rotate with the handlebars acting as a pivot point. Specifically, the front fork is supported by the handlebars via an upper and a lower bracket, but a section generally located below the lower bracket is not covered by the fairing.In a straddle-seat vehicle of this type, according to the prior art, some of the airflow can enter the interior of the front fairing through the space in the lower section of the fairing and flow upwards or upwards and rearwards within the fairing. As a result, the amount of airflow blowing against the radiator, oil cooler, or engine is reduced, and the cooling effect on these components is diminished. The airflow passing through the space in the lower section of the fairing and flowing upwards or upwards and rearwards within the fairing can blow against the frame or similar structure of the straddle-seat vehicle, increasing drag or generating frontal lift.

[0005] A motorcycle that was in Fig. The front cover section (20), shown in Figure 2 of patent literature 1 and described below, includes a front cover section (20) that covers the front of a front fork (2) and a steering tube (3). The front cover section (20) is supported by the steering tube (3) and a main frame (5) of struts (21, 22). A lower cover section (25) is provided beneath a nose (24) located at the front of the front cover section (20). The lower cover section (25) faces a front fender (13), extends substantially horizontally rearward over the fender (13), and reaches close to the front fork (2). A gap through which the front fork (2) passes is formed behind the lower cover section (25). The front fork (2) is connected to a steering shaft (29) by an upper bridge (27) and a lower bridge (28). A baffle plate (30) is attached to the lower bridge (28).A front section (31) of the baffle plate (30) overlaps an upper section of the lower cover section (25), and an intermediate section (32) of the baffle plate (30) rests against a lower surface of the lower bridge (28). A rear section (33) of the baffle plate (30) extends upward along a rear surface of the lower bridge (28), is curved substantially horizontally rearward near a lower surface of the main frame 5, extends to an upper section of the radiator (15), and covers a portion of the radiator (15) at the top. Paragraph 0036 of Patent Reference 1 discloses that the baffle plate (30) has a function for preventing the airflow from entering an interior of the front cover section (20) through the gap through which the front fork (2) passes. The reference numerals in parentheses described above are the reference numerals described in Patent Reference 1.

[0006] EP 0 751 288 A1 describes a drive unit for a motorcycle, focusing on a compact and efficient arrangement of the oil pump and the coolant pump. DE 10 2019 125 198 A1 describes a structural arrangement for the front of a saddle-seat vehicle, designed to efficiently utilize the space within the front fairing by placing an electrical component in a specific, otherwise unused dead space. LIST OF QUOTE PATENT LITERATURE

[0007] Patent literature 1: JP 2005 - 254 873 A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONAL PROBLEM

[0008] According to the description in patent literature 1, which is described above, it is considered that the baffle plate (30) in patent literature 1 has an effect of preventing the airflow from entering the interior of the front fairing section (20) through the gap through which the front fork (2) passes.

[0009] The baffle plate (30) is attached to the lower bridge (28) that connects the front fork (2) to the steering shaft (29) and is positioned between the lower bridge (28) and the underbody cover section (25). Therefore, if the distance between the lower bridge (28) and the underbody cover section (25) is large in the top-to-bottom direction, for example, due to the vehicle's design, the gap between the baffle plate (30) and the underbody cover section (25) will be correspondingly large in the top-to-bottom direction. Consequently, it is likely that the airflow will enter the interior of the front body section (20) through the gap between the baffle plate (30) and the underbody cover section (25), and the baffle plate (30)'s effect described above may not be sufficiently achieved.

[0010] On the other hand, if the distance between the lower bridge (28) and the under-cover section (25) is extremely small in the top-to-bottom direction due to the vehicle design or the like, it is difficult to secure space for arranging the impact plate (30) between the lower bridge (28) and the under-cover section (25). In this case, the impact plate (30) cannot be provided.

[0011] The present invention was developed, for example, in view of the problems described above, and one object of the present invention is to provide a straddle-seat vehicle capable of preventing airflow from entering the interior of a front fairing through a space through which a front fork passes, thereby improving the aerodynamic performance of the straddle-seat vehicle or increasing the amount of airflow blowing against a radiator, oil cooler, or the like. SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM

[0012] To solve the problem described above, a straddle-seat vehicle is provided, comprising: a head tube; a handlebar rotatably mounted in the head tube; a front fork; an upper bracket connecting an upper end section of the front fork to the handlebar; a lower bracket located beneath the upper bracket connecting an upper section of the front fork to the handlebar; a front wheel supported by a lower end section of the front fork; a front fender covering the front wheel from above; a front fairing covering an upper front section of the straddle-seat vehicle; a shroud located above the front fender covering a lower section of the front fairing; and a lower bracket cover located above the front fender covering the lower bracket from below.The casing has an opening through which the front fork passes. The lower mounting cover is provided below the opening. ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0013] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent airflow from entering the interior of the front fairing through the space through which the front fork passes, in order to improve the aerodynamic performance of the straddle-seat vehicle, or to increase the amount of airflow blowing against the radiator, oil cooler or the like. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Fig. Figure 1 is an explanatory view showing a state in which a front section of a straddle-seat vehicle according to the embodiment of the present invention is viewed from the left. Fig. Figure 2 is an explanatory view showing a front section of the straddle-seat vehicle according to the embodiment of the present invention, with a fairing superimposed; Fig. Figure 3 is an explanatory view showing a state in which the straddle-seat vehicle according to the embodiment of the present invention is viewed from the left. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the front section of the straddle-seat vehicle according to the embodiment of the present invention, along a section line IV-IV in Fig. 3 cut, shows. The Fig. Figures 5A to 5C are explanatory views showing a casing in the straddle seat vehicle according to the embodiment of the present invention, wherein Fig. 5A shows a state in which the cover plate is viewed from the front, Fig. 5B a cross-section of the casing, along a section line VV in Fig. 5A cut, shows, and Fig. 5C shows a state in which the casing is viewed from below; The Fig. Figures 6A to 6D are explanatory views showing a series mounting cover of the straddle seat vehicle according to the embodiment of the present invention, wherein Fig. 6A shows a state in which the lower mounting cover is viewed from the front, Fig. 6B a cross-section of the lower mounting cover, along a section line VI-VI in Fig. 6A cut, shows, Fig. 6C shows a state in which the lower mounting cover is viewed from above, and Fig. 6D shows a state in which the lower mounting cover is disassembled; Fig. Figure 7 shows a state in which a cross-section of a lower bracket and the lower bracket cover are shown, along a section line VII-VII in Fig. 4 cut, viewed from the front; and the Fig. 8A and Fig. Figure 8B are explanatory views showing the casing and the lower mounting cover in the straddle seat vehicle according to the embodiment of the present invention, wherein Fig. 8A shows a state in which the cover plate and lower mounting cover are viewed from above, and Fig. Figure 8B shows a state in which the casing and lower mounting cover are viewed from below. DESCRIPTION OF EXECUTION FORMS

[0014] A straddle-seat vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a steering tube, a steering bar rotatably supported in the steering tube, a front fork, an upper bracket connecting an upper end section of the front fork to the steering bar, a lower bracket located below the upper bracket connecting an upper section of the front fork to the steering bar, a front wheel supported by a lower end section of the front fork, and a front fender covering the front wheel from above.The straddle-seat vehicle according to the embodiment of the present invention further comprises a front fairing covering an upper front section of the vehicle, a casing located above the front fender and covering a lower section of the front fairing, and a lower mounting cover located above the front fender and covering the lower mounting bracket from below. The casing has an opening through which the front fork passes, and the lower mounting cover is provided below the opening.

[0015] In the straddle-seat vehicle according to the present disclosure, the lower mounting cover, which covers the lower bracket from below, is provided beneath the opening through which the front fork passes into the fairing. The fairing opening can therefore be covered from below by the lower mounting cover. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent airflow passing between the fairing and the front fender while riding the straddle-seat vehicle from entering the interior of the front fairing through the fairing opening. It is therefore possible to prevent an increase in drag or the generation of front lift caused by airflow entering the interior of the front fairing through the opening, and thus it is possible to improve the aerodynamic performance of the straddle-seat vehicle.Furthermore, it is possible to increase the amount of airflow blowing against a radiator or the like, and it is possible to improve the cooling effect of the radiator or the like.

[0016] Since, in the straddle-seat vehicle according to the present embodiment, the lower mounting cover is provided below the opening of the fairing, the lower mounting cover can be provided below the opening of the fairing in such a way that it is brought close to the fairing, even if the distance between the lower mounting and the fairing is increased in a top-to-bottom direction due to the design of the straddle-seat vehicle or the like, and the opening can be reliably covered by the lower mounting cover. Therefore, the effectiveness of the lower mounting cover in preventing airflow into the interior of the front fairing through the opening can be reduced by an increase in the top-to-bottom distance between the lower mounting and the fairing due to the design of the straddle-seat vehicle or the like.Since the lower bracket cover is provided below the opening of the casing, even if the distance between the lower bracket and the casing is extremely small in the top-to-bottom direction due to the design of the straddle-seat vehicle or the like, the lower bracket cover can be provided below the opening of the casing, and the opening can be covered by the lower bracket cover. [Version]

[0017] The embodiment of the straddle-seat vehicle according to the present invention is described with reference to the Fig. 1 to 8B are described. In this embodiment, directions from front (Fd), from back (Bd), from above (Ud), from below (Dd), from left (Ld) and from right (Rd) are described according to arrows drawn in the lower right of the drawings. (Straddle seat vehicle)

[0018] Fig. Figure 1 shows a state in which a front section of a straddle-seat vehicle 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention is viewed from the left. Fig. Figure 2 shows a front section of the straddle-seat vehicle 1, while a fairing 15 is shown in Fig. 1 is superimposed. Fig. Figure 3 shows a state in which the straddle-seat vehicle 1 is in Fig. 2 is viewed from the front. Fig. Figure 4 shows a state in which a cross-section of the front section of the straddle-seat vehicle 1, along a section line IV-IV in Fig. 3 cut, viewed from the left (in Fig. 3 from the right).

[0019] The straddle-seat vehicle 1 is, for example, a motorcycle. As in the Fig. 2 and Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the straddle-seat vehicle 1 comprises, as elements forming a vehicle body frame that constitutes the skeleton of the straddle-seat vehicle 1, a steering tube 2, and a pair of left and right main frames 5 extending rearward from the steering tube 2. A steering linkage 6, which is a steering shaft, is rotatably supported within the steering tube 2 about an X-axis. Specifically, as shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the steering shaft 6 is rotatably supported via a bearing 4 in an inner cylinder 3 which is provided in the steering tube 2.

[0020] As in the Fig. 2 and Fig. Figure 3 shows a front fork 7, which is a suspension connecting the vehicle body frame and a front wheel 10, an upper bracket 8, which connects an upper end section of the front fork 7 to the steering stem 6, and a lower bracket 9, which is located below the upper bracket 8 and connects an upper section of the front fork 7 to the steering stem 6, provided on a front section of the straddle-seat vehicle 1.

[0021] The upper bracket 8 extends in one direction from left to right, and a steering stem mounting hole is formed in the center of the upper bracket 8. An upper end section of the steering stem 6, extending upward from the head tube 2, is inserted into and secured to the steering stem mounting hole. A tube mounting section is provided at each of a left and a right end section of the upper bracket 8, and an upper end section of a left tube 7L of the front fork 7 is attached to the left tube mounting section. An upper end section of a right tube 7R of the front fork 7 is attached to the right tube mounting section.The lower bracket 9 extends in the direction from left to right, and a lower end section of the steering shaft 6, extending downwards from the steering tube 2, is inserted into and attached to a steering shaft mounting hole 9A formed in a center of the lower bracket 9 (see . Fig. 4) An upper section of the left tube 7L of the front fork 7 is attached to a tube mounting section provided at a left end section of the lower bracket 9, and an upper section of the right tube 7R of the front fork 7 is attached to a tube mounting section provided at a right end section of the lower bracket 9.

[0022] The front wheel 10 is rotatably mounted on a lower end section of the front fork 7. A front fender 11, which covers the front wheel 10 from above, is provided on a lower section of the front fork 7.

[0023] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, in the straddle-seat vehicle 1, for example, a water-cooled engine 12 is provided behind the front wheel 10, and a radiator 13, which cools the engine 12 by means of airflow, and the like, is provided between the front wheel 10 and the engine 12.

[0024] The straddle-seat vehicle 1 includes the fairing 15. In the present embodiment, the fairing 15 is also a so-called full fairing and includes a front fairing section 16, a pair consisting of a left and a right front fairing section 17, and a lower fairing section 18, as shown in Fig. Figure 1 shows the front fairing section 16 covering an upper front section of the straddle-seat vehicle 1. Specifically, the front fairing section 16 is located above the front wheel 10 and covers a portion of the upper part of the front fork 7 extending to the left of the front wheel and a front section of the left main frame 5, and a portion of the upper part of the front fork 7 extending to the right of the front section of the right main frame 5. The front fairing section 16 is a specific example of a 'front fairing'. The pair of side fairing sections 17 covers a left and a right section of the straddle-seat vehicle 1, specifically to the left and right of the radiator 13 and the engine 12. The lower fairing section 18 covers a lower part of the engine 12.Although not shown, the fairing 15 is supported by the head tube 2, the pair of main frame 5 and the like via struts or brackets.

[0025] Although not shown, a steering rod is attached to an upper section of the upper bracket 8. When a rider operates the steering rod to steer the straddle-seat vehicle 1, the steering shaft 6, the upper bracket 8, the lower bracket 9, the front fork 7, the front wheel 10, and the front fender 11 rotate about the X-axis within a predetermined angular range relative to the head tube 2 and the fairing 15. For example, the caster angle of the straddle-seat vehicle 1 is approximately 25 degrees, and the head tube 2, the steering shaft 6, and the front fork 7 are each inclined at 25 degrees to a vertical straight line such that a lower end section of each is in front of an upper end section of each.

[0026] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the straddle-seat vehicle 1 includes a shroud 21 that covers a lower section of the front fairing section 16, and a lower mounting cover 31 that covers the lower mounting bracket 9 from below. The shroud 21 and the lower mounting cover 31 are located above a rear section of the front fender 11. The shroud 21 is formed with an opening 27 through which the front fork 7 passes. The opening 27 corresponds to a space through which the front fork 7 passes. The opening 27 of the shroud 21 is located below the lower mounting bracket 9. The lower mounting cover 31 is provided below the opening 27 and covers the entire opening 27 from below. The lower mounting cover 31 has a function of preventing airflow from passing through the opening 27 of the casing 21 and entering the interior of the front fairing section 16.The casing 21 and the lower mounting cover 31 are described in detail below. (Covering)

[0027] Fig. Figure 5A shows a state in which the casing 21 is viewed from the front. Fig. 5B shows a state in which a cross-section of the casing 21, along a section line VV in Fig. 5A cut, viewed from the left (in Fig. 5A from the right). Fig. Figure 5C shows a state in which the casing 21 is viewed from below.

[0028] As in the Fig. As shown in Figures 5A to 5C, the casing 21 comprises a front plate section 22, a projecting plate section 23, an upper plate section 24, a rear plate section 25, and a pair of left and right side plate sections 26. The front plate section 22 extends rearward from a front end section of the casing 21, gradually widening to the left and right. A lower surface of the front plate section 22 is essentially horizontal.

[0029] The projecting plate section 23 extends upwards from a rear section of the front plate section 22. A rear surface of a front section of the projecting plate section 23 is inclined such that it is parallel to an extension direction of the front fork 7. A rear surface of the projecting plate section 23 extends from left to right while tracing an arc. In particular, the rear surface of the projecting plate section 23 is in an arc shape, along a circle C (see Fig. 5C) formed around the X-axis of the steering column 6.

[0030] The upper plate section 24 extends upwards from an upper section of the projecting plate section 23, gradually widening to the left and right. A lower surface of the upper plate section 24 is inclined downwards from a front end of the upper plate section 24 towards the rear in an orthogonal manner to the extension direction of the front fork 7.

[0031] The rear plate section 25 extends rearward from a rear section of the upper plate section 24. A lower surface of the rear plate section 25 is inclined slightly upward from a front end of the rear plate section 25 in a manner parallel to an upper surface of the cooler 13. The rear plate section 25 is located above the cooler 13 and is in contact with, or extremely close to, the upper surface of the cooler 13 (see Fig. 4).

[0032] The left side panel section 26 is provided on a left section of the shroud 21 and covers an interior portion extending from a lower left section of the front fairing section 16 to a front section of the left side panel section 17 in the fairing 15. The right side panel section 26 is provided on a right section of the shroud 21 and covers an interior portion extending from a lower right section of the front fairing section 16 to a front section of the right side panel section 17 in the fairing 15.

[0033] The casing 21 has the opening 27 through which the front fork 7 passes. The opening 27 is formed in the upper plate section 24. The opening 27 penetrates a substantially central section of the upper plate section 24 in a top-to-bottom direction. The opening 27 is located below the lower bracket 9. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, a pair of tubes 7L, 7R of the front fork 7 penetrates the opening 27. The position and opening surface of the opening 27 are adjusted such that the front fork 7 does not come into contact with the casing 21 (an edge of the opening 27) when the rider operates the handlebar to steer the straddle-seat vehicle 1, thereby rotating the front fork 7.

[0034] The front plate section 22 of the casing 21 is provided with a fastening section 28 that secures the casing 21 to the cover 15. Each side plate section 26 of the casing 21 is provided with a fastening section 29 that secures the casing 21 to the cover 15. The casing 21 is attached to the cover 15 by attaching the fastening sections 28 and 29 to the cover 15, for example, using a fastener such as a rivet or a screw. (Lower bracket cover)

[0035] Fig. Figure 6A shows a state in which the lower mounting cover 31 is viewed from the front. Fig. 6B shows a state in which a cross-section of the casing 31, along a section line VI-VI in Fig. 6A cut, viewed from the left (in Fig. 6A from the right). Fig. Figure 6C shows a state in which the lower mounting cover 31 is viewed from above. Fig. Figure 6D shows a state in which the disassembled lower mounting cover 31 is viewed from above. Fig. Figure 7 shows a state in which a cross-section of the lower bracket 9 and the lower bracket cover 31, along a section line VII-VII in Fig. 4 cut, viewed from the front (more precisely in a direction orthogonal to the extension direction of the front fork 7).

[0036] As in the Fig. 6A and Fig. As shown in Figure 6C, the lower mounting cover 31 is formed in a circular plate shape (a broken circular plate shape) in which a rear end side part is broken out. Furthermore, a front edge of the lower mounting cover 31 is in an arc shape along the circle C (see Figure 6C). Fig. 6C) formed around the X-axis of the steering column 6. A radius of an arc from the leading edge of the lower mounting cover 31 is smaller than a radius of an arc of the rear surface of the projecting plate section 23 of the casing 21.

[0037] The lower surface of a front section of the lower mounting cover 31 is flat. A curved section 32 is formed at the rear section of the lower mounting cover 31. The lower surface of the curved section 32 is bent upwards relative to the lower surface of the front section of the lower mounting cover 31.

[0038] A through-hole 33 is formed in a central section of the lower mounting cover 31. The through-hole 33 is a hole for attaching a stand to raise the front wheel 10 above the ground for servicing the straddle-seat vehicle 1 or the like. A cylindrical section 34, extending upward from a circumferential edge section of the through-hole 33, is formed on the circumferential edge section of the through-hole 33. A recess 35, which is recessed upwards, is formed in a rear part of the through-hole 33 in the lower surface of the lower mounting cover 31. An interior of the recess 35 communicates with an interior of the cylindrical section 34. A boundary part between the opening (i.e., the through-hole 33) on a lower side of the cylindrical section 34 and the recess 35 is, as shown in Fig. 6B shown, gently curved. As a result, the radius of curvature of a corner section 34A on a rear side of the openings on the lower side of the cylindrical section 34 is larger than the radius of curvature of a corner section 34B on a front side of the opening.

[0039] Two tube insertion holes 36, through which the pair of tubes 7L, 7R of the front fork 7 is inserted, are formed in a left and a right section, respectively, beneath the mounting cover 31. One tube insertion hole 36 is formed for each tube of the front fork 7. The two tube insertion holes 36 are separate and independent of each other. On an outer circumferential side of each tube insertion hole 36, a component insertion hole 37, through which, for example, a brake hose, a cable, or the like is inserted, is formed integrally with the tube insertion hole 36. Furthermore, an upwardly projecting edge wall 38 is provided on a circumferential edge section of both the tube insertion hole 36 and the component insertion hole 37, extending over the entire circumference of this edge section.

[0040] Mounting sections 39, configured to attach the lower bracket cover 31 to the lower bracket 9, are provided on the left and right sections of the lower bracket cover 31, specifically between the cylindrical section 34 and the left tube insertion hole 36, and between the cylindrical section 34 and the right tube insertion hole 36 in the lower bracket cover 31. Each mounting section 39 projects upward from the upper surface of the lower bracket cover 31. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 7, each mounting section 39 is formed in the shape of a covered cylinder. A hole through which a fastener 40, such as a screw, passes is formed in an upper surface of each mounting section 39. The lower bracket cover 31 is attached to the lower bracket 9 by fastening an upper end section of each mounting section 39 to a lower surface of the lower bracket 9 using the fastener 40.

[0041] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 6D, the lower mounting cover 31 is formed by coupling a front cover piece 31A and a rear cover piece 31B using a fastener such as a rivet or a screw.

[0042] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the lower mounting cover 31 is provided below the opening 27 of the casing 21. The lower mounting cover 31 covers the entire opening 27 from below. The lower mounting cover 31 covers the lower bracket 9, which is located above the opening 27, from below.

[0043] The lower mounting cover 31 is inclined such that the direction of extension of the lower surface of the front section of the lower mounting cover 31 is orthogonal to the direction of extension of the front fork 7 in a front-to-back direction. Consequently, the lower surface of the front section of the lower mounting cover 31 is inclined from a front end section thereof toward the rear. In a state where the lower surface of the front section of the lower mounting cover 31 is inclined as described above, the lower surface of the curved section 32 formed at the rear section of the lower mounting cover 31 is inclined slightly upward from a front end section of the lower surface toward the rear. The front section of the lower mounting cover 31 is parallel to and close to the upper plate section 24 of the casing 21.

[0044] The lower mounting cover 31 is provided behind the projecting plate section 23 of the casing 21. A front end of the lower mounting cover 31 faces the rear surface of the projecting plate section 23. A front end section of the lower mounting cover 31 is provided in a position higher than the lower surface of the front plate section 22 of the casing 21 and lower than the lower surface of a front end section of the upper plate section 24 of the casing 21. A lower surface of a rear end section of the lower mounting cover 31 is substantially in the same plane as the lower surface of the rear plate section 25 of the casing 21.

[0045] Fig. Figure 8A shows a state in which the casing 21 and the lower mounting cover 31 are viewed from above. As can be seen from Fig. As can be seen in Figure 8A, the lower mounting cover 31 is located under the opening 27 of the casing 21. An outer circumferential side part of the lower mounting cover 31 overlaps with a circumferential edge part of the opening 27 in the upper plate section 24 of the casing 21 over its entire circumference. Fig. Figure 8B illustrates a state in which the casing 21 and the lower mounting cover 31 are viewed from below. As can be seen from Fig. As can be seen in Figure 8B, the lower mounting cover 31 covers the entire opening 27 of the casing 21 from below.

[0046] The lower mounting cover 31 is attached to the lower bracket 9 as described above. The lower mounting cover 31 is not in contact with the casing 21. The center of the arc of the leading edge of the lower mounting cover 31 and the center of the arc of the rear surface of the projecting plate section 23 of the casing 21 both lie on the X-axis of the steering column 6. The radius of the arc of the leading edge of the lower mounting cover 31 is smaller than the radius of the arc of the rear surface of the projecting plate section 23 of the casing 21. According to this configuration, the lower mounting cover 31 rotates about the X-axis with respect to the casing 21 when the driver operates the steering column to steer the straddle-seat vehicle 1.

[0047] In the lower mounting cover 31, the through-hole 33 is located under the steering column 6, and the cylindrical section 34 extends towards the steering column 6. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the lower end section (that is, a part of the steering shaft 6 that projects downwards from the steering shaft mounting hole 9A of the lower bracket 9) of the steering shaft 6 is inserted into the cylindrical section 34 from above. Accordingly, an upper opening of the cylindrical section 34 is closed by the lower end section of the steering shaft 6.

[0048] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 7, each of the tubes 7L, 7R of the front fork 7 is inserted into one of the two tube insertion holes 36. A brake hose, cable, or the like is provided in the component insertion hole 37. However, if it is not necessary to provide a brake hose, cable, or the like in the component insertion hole 37, as shown in Figure 7, each of the tubes 7L, 7R of the front fork 7 is inserted into one of the two tube insertion holes 36. A brake hose, cable, or the like is provided in the component insertion hole 37. Fig. As shown in Figure 8A, a sponge 41 is mounted in the component insertion hole 37.

[0049] In the straddle-seat vehicle 1 according to the present embodiment, the lower mounting cover 31 covers, in the configuration shown above, as shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the entire opening 27 of the casing 21 is visible from below. Accordingly, the airflow W passing between the casing 21 and the front fender 11 while the straddle-seat vehicle 1 is in motion can be prevented from entering the interior of the front fairing section 16 through the opening 27 of the casing 21. It is therefore possible to prevent an increase in drag or the generation of front lift caused by the airflow W entering the interior of the front fairing section 16 through the opening 27, and thus it is possible to improve the aerodynamic performance of the straddle-seat vehicle 1. According to the straddle-seat vehicle 1, high aerodynamic performance, required for a racing vehicle, can be achieved. Furthermore, it is possible to increase the amount of the airflow W blowing against the radiator 13, and it is possible to improve the cooling effect of the radiator 13.

[0050] In the straddle-seat vehicle 1 according to the present embodiment, the front end section of the lower mounting cover 31 is located above the front plate section 22 of the casing 21 and faces the rear surface of the projecting plate section 23. The front end section of the lower mounting cover 31 is therefore located in a space S (see Fig. 4), surrounded by the projecting plate section 23 and the upper plate section 24 of the casing 21. Accordingly, the airflow W passes under the lower mounting cover 31 and flows evenly towards the radiator 13. It is therefore possible to prevent the airflow W from passing between the front end section of the lower mounting cover 31 and the casing 21 towards the opening 27, and it is possible to prevent the airflow W from entering the interior of the front fairing section 16 through the opening 27.

[0051] Furthermore, in the straddle-seat vehicle 1 according to the present embodiment, the leading edge of the lower mounting cover 31 and the rear surface of the projecting plate section 23 of the casing 21 are formed in concentric arc shapes. The leading edge of the lower mounting cover 31 and the rear surface of the projecting plate section 23 of the casing 21 are therefore in close proximity to each other over a wide area in a circumferential direction. Accordingly, a gap between the leading edge of the lower mounting cover 31 and the rear surface of the projecting plate section 23 can be reduced.It is therefore possible to prevent the airflow W from passing between the front end section of the lower mounting cover 31 and the rear surface of the protruding plate section 23 in the direction of the opening 27, and it is possible to prevent the airflow W from entering the interior of the front fairing section 16 through the opening 27.

[0052] The lower mounting cover 31 has a tube insertion hole 36 for each tube of the front fork 7. Thus, the lower mounting cover 31 does not have one large hole through which the two tubes 7L, 7R of the front fork 7 pass together, but rather two small holes through which the two tubes 7L, 7R of the front fork 7 pass individually. Accordingly, the gap between the left tube insertion hole 36 and an outer circumferential surface of tube 7L, and the gap between the right tube insertion hole 36 and an outer circumferential surface of tube 7R, can be reduced. It is therefore possible to prevent the airflow W from blowing towards the opening 27 through the tube insertion hole 36, and it is possible to prevent the airflow W from entering the interior of the front fairing section 16 through the opening 27.

[0053] If it is not necessary to provide a brake hose, cable, or the like in the component insertion hole 37 of the lower mounting cover 31, the component insertion hole 37 is filled with the sponge 41 and sealed. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the airflow W from blowing towards the opening 27 through the component insertion hole 37, and it is possible to prevent the airflow W from entering the interior of the front fairing section 16 through the opening 27.

[0054] The lower surface of the front section of the lower mounting cover 31 is inclined towards the rear from the front end section of the lower surface. The lower surface of the curved section 32 formed at the rear section of the lower mounting cover 31 is gently curved upwards, and the lower surface of a rear end section of the curved section 32 is slightly inclined upwards towards the rear. The rear end section of the lower mounting cover 31 is essentially in the same plane as the rear plate section 25 of the mounting cover 21. Accordingly, a continuous surface with less irregularity is formed from the lower surface of the front section of the lower mounting cover 31 to the lower surface of the rear plate section 25 of the casing 21.According to this configuration, the airflow W can be directed evenly to the cooler 13, and the amount of airflow W blowing against the cooler 13 can be increased.

[0055] The cylindrical section 34, extending from the circumferential edge section of the through-hole 33 of the lower mounting cover 31 to the lower end section of the steering column 6, is positioned at the circumferential edge section of the through-hole 33. Furthermore, the upper opening of the cylindrical section 34 is closed by the lower end section of the steering column 6, which enters the opening. According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent the airflow W from entering the interior of the front fairing section 16 through the through-hole 33 of the lower mounting cover 31.

[0056] The upwardly recessed depression 35 is formed in a rear part of the through-hole 33 in the lower surface of the lower mounting cover 31, and the interior of the depression 35 communicates with the interior of the cylindrical section 34. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the airflow W from flowing into the cylindrical section 34 through the through-hole 33 of the lower mounting cover 31, and it is possible to reduce the air resistance formed by the lower mounting cover 31.

[0057] In the straddle-seat vehicle 1 according to the present embodiment, the lower mounting section 31 is provided below the upper plate section 24 and the opening 27 of the casing 21. Even if the distance between the lower mounting 9 and the casing 21 is increased in the top-to-bottom direction due to the design of the straddle-seat vehicle 1, a vehicle setting during a race, or the like, the lower mounting cover 31 can be provided below the upper plate section 24 and the opening 27 of the casing 21 in a state close to the upper plate section 24 and the opening 27, and the opening 27 can be reliably covered by the lower mounting cover 31.Therefore, the effect of the lower mounting cover 31 to prevent the airflow W from entering the interior of the front fairing section 16 through the opening 27 may be impaired by an increase in the distance between the lower mounting 9 and the shroud 21 in the top-to-bottom direction due to the design of the straddle-seat vehicle 1 or the like. If the distance between the lower mounting 9 and the shroud 21 is increased in the top-to-bottom direction due to the design of the straddle-seat vehicle 1 or the like, the position of the lower mounting cover 31 can easily be lowered by providing a spacer between the lower surface of the lower mounting 9 and the upper surface of each mounting section 39 of the lower mounting cover 31.

[0058] Since the lower mounting cover 31 is provided below the upper plate section 24 and the opening 27 of the casing 21, even if the distance between the lower mounting 9 and the casing 21 is extremely small in the top-to-bottom direction due to the design of the straddle seat vehicle 1 or the like, the lower mounting cover 31 can be provided below the opening 27, and the opening 27 can be covered by the lower mounting cover 31.

[0059] The front fork 7 of the straddle-seat vehicle 1 according to the embodiment described above is of an inverted type. However, the present invention can also be applied to a straddle-seat vehicle that includes an upright-type front fork. In the straddle-seat vehicle 1 according to the embodiment described above, the radiator 13 is provided behind the front wheel 10, and the airflow W is directed to the radiator 13. However, an oil cooler can be provided behind the front wheel 10, and the airflow W can be directed to the oil cooler. If the engine of the straddle-seat vehicle is an air-cooled engine, the airflow W can be directed to the air-cooled engine, which is provided behind the front wheel 10. The present invention does not restrict the type of fairing for the straddle-seat vehicle.The straddle-seat vehicle according to the present invention is not limited to a motorcycle, but can be of another straddle-seat vehicle type. Furthermore, the straddle-seat vehicle according to the present invention is not limited to a racing vehicle.

[0060] The present invention can be expediently modified without departing from the spirit or concept of the invention as can be derived from the claims and the entire description, and the straddle-seat vehicle that accompanies such a modification is also included in the technical concept of the present invention. REFERENCE MARK LIST 1 straddle seat vehicle 2 Head tube 6 handlebar 7 Front fork 8 Upper bracket 9 Lower bracket 10 front wheel 11 Front fender 16 Front fairing section (front fairing) 21 Sheathing 22 Front plate section 23 Projecting plate section 24 Upper plate section 27 Opening 31 Lower bracket cover 32 Curved Section 33 Through hole 34 Cylindrical section 35 In-depth study 36 Pipe insertion hole

Claims

A straddle-seat vehicle (1), characterized in that it comprises: a steering tube (2); a handlebar (6) rotatably mounted in the steering tube (2); a front fork (7); an upper bracket (8) connecting an upper end section of the front fork (7) to the handlebar (6); a lower bracket (9) located below the upper bracket (8) and connecting an upper section of the front fork (7) to the handlebar (6); a front wheel (10) supported by a lower end section of the front fork (7); a front fender (11) covering the front wheel (10) from above; a front fairing (16) covering an upper front section of the straddle-seat vehicle (1); a casing (21) located above the front fender (11) and covering a lower section of the front fairing (16);and a lower mounting cover (31) which lies above the front fender (11) and covers the lower bracket (9) from below, wherein the casing (21) has an opening (27) through which the front fork (7) passes, and wherein the lower mounting cover (31) is provided below the opening (27). Straddle seat vehicle (1) according to claim 1, wherein the casing (21) comprises a front plate section (22) extending rearward from a front end section of the casing (21), a projecting plate section (23) projecting upward from a rear section of the front plate section (22), and an upper plate section (24) extending from an upper section of the projecting plate section (23), wherein the opening (27) is formed in the upper plate section (24), and wherein the lower support cover (31) is provided behind the projecting plate section (23) and below the opening (27). Straddle seat vehicle (1) according to claim 2, wherein a front edge of the lower support cover (31) and a rear surface of the projecting plate section (23) are each formed in an arc shape along a circle centered on an axis of the steering shaft (6). Straddle seat vehicle (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a lower surface of a front section of the lower mounting cover (31) is inclined rearward from a front end section of the lower surface, and wherein a lower surface of a rear section of the lower mounting cover (31) is bent upwards in relation to the lower surface of the front section of the lower mounting cover (31). A straddle-seat vehicle (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a through-hole (33) is located in a part of the lower mounting cover (31) below the steering shaft (6), wherein a cylindrical section (34) extending from a circumferential edge section of the through-hole (33) towards the steering shaft (6) is provided at the circumferential edge section of the through-hole (33), and wherein a recess (35) which is recessed upwards and communicates with an interior of the cylindrical section (34) is formed at a rear part of the through-hole (33) in a lower surface of the lower mounting cover (31). A straddle-seat vehicle (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein two tube insertion holes (36) are formed in the lower mounting cover (31), wherein each of a pair of tubes of the front wheel fork (7) passes through each of the two tube insertion holes (36), and wherein the two tube insertion holes (36) are separated from each other and independent of each other.

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