Saddle-riding type vehicle
By strategically arranging light sources to create a subjective contour effect, the visibility of straddle type vehicles is enhanced without increasing the size or weight of the light sources, addressing the challenge of improving visibility while maintaining vehicle dimensions.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2023149823
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-09-15
- Publication Date
- 2025-03-28
- Estimated Expiration
- 2043-09-15
AI Technical Summary
In straddle type vehicles, improving visibility while minimizing the size or addition of light sources is a challenge, as increasing light source size or number can lead to increased vehicle size or weight.
The implementation of a configuration where a lower light source, a left light source, and a right light source are positioned to create a subjective contour effect, perceived as a larger shape due to their optical illusion arrangement, thereby enhancing visibility without increasing size or weight.
This configuration effectively improves vehicle visibility by creating a perceived larger shape through optical illusion, thus enhancing safety without the need for larger or heavier light sources.
Smart Images
Figure 2025042723000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical field]
[0001] The present invention relates to a saddle-type vehicle. [Background technology]
[0002] A straddle-type vehicle is equipped with a light source such as a position light or a headlight. For example, the motorcycle of Patent Document 1 is provided with circular position lights in front of the left and right mirrors. Also, a headlight is disposed in the center of the front cover. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2011-057104 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0004] In saddle-type vehicles, improved visibility is required. The visibility of a saddle-type vehicle can be improved by increasing the size of a light source such as the above-mentioned position light or the number of light sources. However, in that case, the size or weight of the vehicle increases. An object of the present invention is to improve the visibility of a saddle-type vehicle while suppressing the increase in size of the light source or the addition of additional light sources. [Means for solving the problem]
[0005] A saddle-type vehicle according to one aspect of the present invention includes a lower light source, a left light source, and a right light source. The left light source is disposed above the lower light source in a front view of the vehicle. The right light source is disposed above the lower light source in a front view of the vehicle and is disposed away from the left light source in a left-right direction of the vehicle. The lower light source, the left light source, and the right light source emit light simultaneously. The left light source includes a left vertex portion, a first left side portion, and a second left side portion. The first left side portion extends from the left vertex portion toward a center of the vehicle in the left-right direction of the vehicle in a front view of the vehicle. The second left side portion extends from the left vertex portion in a direction forming a predetermined angle with respect to the first left side portion in a front view of the vehicle. The right light source includes a right vertex portion, a first right side portion, and a second right side portion. The first right side portion extends from the right vertex portion toward a center of the vehicle in the left-right direction of the vehicle in a front view of the vehicle. The second right side portion extends from the right vertex portion in a direction forming a predetermined angle with respect to the first right side portion in a front view of the vehicle.
[0006] In the saddle-type vehicle according to this embodiment, the shapes of the left light source and the right light source as described above cause the viewer to perceive a subjective contour caused by an optical illusion. This subjective contour allows the viewer to perceive a shape that is larger than each of the bottom light source, the left light source, and the right light source. This improves the visibility of the vehicle while preventing the size and addition of light sources from being increased.
[0007] In a front view of the vehicle, the second left side portion may extend toward the lower light source. In this case, the lower light source, the left light source, and the right light source improve the effect of making a viewer perceive a large shape due to a subjective contour.
[0008] In a front view of the vehicle, the second right side portion may extend toward the lower light source. In this case, the lower light source, the left light source, and the right light source improve the effect of allowing a viewer to perceive a large shape due to a subjective contour.
[0009] The bottom light source, the left light source, and the right light source may be disposed at the three vertices of an inverted triangle when viewed from the front of the vehicle. In this case, the bottom light source, the left light source, and the right light source improve the effect of making the viewer perceive a large inverted triangle due to the subjective contour.
[0010] The left and right light sources may form the corners of an inverted triangle, respectively. In this case, the viewer perceives a large inverted triangle due to the subjective contour formed by the bottom light source, the left light source, and the right light source.
[0011] The saddle-type vehicle may further include a left mirror and a right mirror. The left mirror and the right mirror may be arranged spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction of the vehicle. The left light source may be provided in the left mirror. The right light source may be provided in the right mirror. In this case, the left light source and the right light source are arranged with a large left-right distance between them. This allows the viewer to perceive a shape with a larger subjective contour.
[0012] The left light source and the right light source may be position lights, in which case the visibility of the position lights is improved.
[0013] The left light source and the right light source may be made of a reflective material, which increases the degree of freedom in arranging the left light source and the right light source.
[0014] The lower light source may be a headlight, in which case the visibility of the headlight is improved.
[0015] The saddle-type vehicle may further include a cowl. The lower light source may be provided in the cowl. In this case, the degree of freedom in arranging the lower light source is improved.
[0016] The saddle-type vehicle may further include a front fender. The lower light source may be provided on the front fender. In this case, the degree of freedom in arranging the lower light source is improved. Effect of the Invention
[0017] According to the present invention, in a saddle-type vehicle, visibility is improved while suppressing an increase in size of a light source or the addition of a light source. [Brief description of the drawings]
[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view of a saddle-type vehicle according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of the saddle-type vehicle. [Diagram 3] 1 is a front view of a saddle-type vehicle when a lower light source, a left light source, and a right light source are turned on; [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a front view of a saddle-type vehicle according to a first modified example. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a front view of a saddle-type vehicle according to a second modified example. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a front view of a saddle-type vehicle according to a third modified example. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a front view of a saddle-type vehicle according to a fourth modified example. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a front view of a saddle-type vehicle according to a fifth modified example. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a front view of a saddle-type vehicle according to a sixth modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0019] A saddle-riding vehicle according to an embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a side view of a saddle-riding vehicle 1A according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a front view of the saddle-riding vehicle 1A. In this embodiment, the saddle-riding vehicle 1A is a street-type motorcycle. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the saddle-riding vehicle 1A includes a body 2 and a headlight unit 3. The body 2 includes a steering device 4, a seat 5, a power unit 6, a front wheel 7, and a rear wheel 8. In the following description, the left and right directions refer to the left and right directions as seen by a rider seated on the seat 5.
[0020] The steering device 4 includes a handlebar 11 and a front fork 12. The handlebar 11 is connected to the front fork 12. The handlebar 11 can be operated to the left and right by a rider. The front fork 12 supports the front wheel 7 so that the front wheel 7 can rotate. A front fender 13 is disposed above the front wheel 7.
[0021] A left mirror 14 and a right mirror 15 are attached to the handlebar 11. The left mirror 14 and the right mirror 15 are disposed apart from each other in the left-right direction of the vehicle. The left mirror 14 and the right mirror 15 each extend upward from the handlebar 11 and outward in the left-right direction of the vehicle when viewed from the front of the vehicle.
[0022] The seat 5 is disposed behind the steering device 4. The power unit 6 is disposed below the seat 5. The power unit 6 includes, for example, an internal combustion engine and a transmission. Alternatively, the power unit 6 may include an electric motor. The rear wheel 8 is disposed behind the power unit 6. The headlight unit 3 is disposed in front of the front fork 12.
[0023] 2, the saddle riding type vehicle 1A includes a left flasher 16 and a right flasher 17. The left flasher 16 and the right flasher 17 are attached to the vehicle body 2. Alternatively, the left flasher 16 and the right flasher 17 may be attached to the headlight unit 3.
[0024] The saddle riding type vehicle 1A includes a lower light source 21, a left light source 22, and a right light source 23. The lower light source 21 is a headlight. The left light source 22 and the right light source 23 are position lights. The lower light source 21, the left light source 22, and the right light source 23 are configured to emit light simultaneously. The lower light source 21, the left light source 22, and the right light source 23 are always turned on while the saddle riding type vehicle 1A is traveling.
[0025] The lower light source 21 is attached to the headlight unit 3. The lower light source 21 is disposed below the handlebar 11 when viewed from the front of the vehicle. The lower light source 21 includes, for example, an LED. Alternatively, the lower light source 21 may include a bulb. The lower light source 21 is disposed at the center in the left-right direction of the saddle riding type vehicle 1A when viewed from the front of the vehicle.
[0026] The left light source 22 is disposed above the lower light source 21 when viewed from the front of the vehicle. The left light source 22 is disposed above the handlebar 11 when viewed from the front of the vehicle. The left light source 22 is disposed to the left of the lower light source 21 when viewed from the front of the vehicle. The left light source 22 is disposed outboard in the left-right direction of the vehicle than the headlight unit 3 when viewed from the front of the vehicle. The left light source 22 is disposed to the left of the headlight unit 3 when viewed from the front of the vehicle.
[0027] The right light source 23 is disposed away from the left light source 22 in the left-right direction of the vehicle when viewed from the front of the vehicle. The right light source 23 is disposed above the lower light source 21 when viewed from the front of the vehicle. The right light source 23 is disposed above the handlebar 11 when viewed from the front of the vehicle. The right light source 23 is disposed to the right of the lower light source 21 when viewed from the front of the vehicle. The right light source 23 is disposed outboard of the headlight unit 3 in the left-right direction of the vehicle when viewed from the front of the vehicle. The right light source 23 is disposed to the right of the headlight unit 3 when viewed from the front of the vehicle.
[0028] The lower light source 21, the left light source 22, and the right light source 23 are respectively disposed at the three vertices of an inverted triangle when viewed from the front of the vehicle. The left light source 22 is provided in front of the left mirror 14. The right light source 23 is provided in front of the right mirror 15. The left light source 22 and the right light source 23 include, for example, an LED. Alternatively, the left light source 22 and the right light source 23 may include a bulb.
[0029] The left light source 22 has a V-shaped bent shape. The left light source 22 constitutes the left corner of an inverted triangle connecting the left light source 22, the right light source 23, and the lower light source 21. The left light source 22 includes a left vertex portion 24, a first left side portion 25, and a second left side portion 26. The left vertex portion 24 is located at the left vertex of the inverted triangle connecting the left light source 22, the right light source 23, and the lower light source 21.
[0030] The first left side portion 25 extends from the left vertex 24 toward the center of the vehicle in the left-right direction of the vehicle when viewed from the front of the vehicle. The first left side portion 25 extends rightward from the left vertex 24 when viewed from the front of the vehicle. The first left side portion 25 extends from the left vertex 24 toward the right light source 23 when viewed from the front of the vehicle.
[0031] The second left side portion 26 extends from the left vertex portion 24 in a direction forming a predetermined angle with respect to the first left side portion 25 in a front view of the vehicle. The predetermined angle is an acute angle. The second left side portion 26 extends from the left vertex portion 24 toward the lower light source 21 in a front view of the vehicle. The predetermined angle is the angle of the left corner of an inverted triangle connecting the left light source 22, the right light source 23, and the lower light source 21.
[0032] The right light source 23 has a V-shaped bent shape that is symmetrical to the left light source 22. The right light source 23 constitutes the right corner of an inverted triangle that connects the left light source 22, the right light source 23, and the lower light source 21. The right light source 23 includes a right vertex portion 27, a first right side portion 28, and a second right side portion 29. The right vertex portion 27 is located at the right vertex of the inverted triangle that connects the left light source 22, the right light source 23, and the lower light source 21.
[0033] The first right side portion 28 extends from the right vertex 27 toward the center of the vehicle in the left-right direction of the vehicle when viewed from the front of the vehicle. The first right side portion 28 extends leftward from the right vertex 27 when viewed from the front of the vehicle. The first right side portion 28 extends from the right vertex 27 toward the left light source 22 when viewed from the front of the vehicle. In detail, the first right side portion 28 extends from the right vertex 27 toward the left vertex 24 when viewed from the front of the vehicle. The above-mentioned first left side portion 25 extends from the left vertex 24 toward the right vertex 27 when viewed from the front of the vehicle.
[0034] The second right side portion 29 extends from the right vertex portion 27 in a direction forming a predetermined angle with respect to the first right side portion 28 in a front view of the vehicle. The predetermined angle is an acute angle. The second right side portion 29 extends from the right vertex portion 27 toward the lower light source 21 in a front view of the vehicle. The predetermined angle is the angle of the right corner of an inverted triangle connecting the left light source 22, the right light source 23, and the lower light source 21.
[0035] Fig. 3 is a front view of the saddle riding type vehicle 1A when the bottom light source 21, the left light source 22, and the right light source 23 are turned on. As shown in Fig. 3, in the saddle riding type vehicle 1A according to this embodiment, the arrangement and shapes of the left light source 22, the right light source 23, and the bottom light source 21 as described above cause the viewer to perceive an inverted triangular subjective contour 30 (a so-called Kanizsa triangle) caused by an optical illusion. This subjective contour 30 allows the viewer to perceive a shape that is larger than each of the bottom light source 21, the left light source 22, and the right light source 23. This improves the visibility of the vehicle while suppressing the increase in size and the addition of light sources.
[0036] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the gist of the invention.
[0037] The saddle-type vehicle is not limited to a street-type motorcycle, but may be other types of vehicles such as a sports-type motorcycle, a scooter, or a moped.
[0038] The arrangement of the lower light source 21 is not limited to that in the above embodiment and may be changed. For example, FIG. 4 is a front view of a saddle riding type vehicle 1B according to a first modified example. As shown in FIG. 4, the saddle riding type vehicle 1B may include a cowl 18. The lower light source 21 may be provided in the cowl 18. The lower light source 21 may be provided separately from the headlight 19 of the headlight unit 3.
[0039] The arrangement of the left light source 22 and the right light source 23 is not limited to that in the above embodiment and may be changed. For example, Fig. 5 is a front view of a saddle-type vehicle 1C according to a second modified example. As shown in Fig. 5, the left light source 22 and the right light source 23 may be provided on the cowl 18.
[0040] The shape of the bottom light source 21 is not limited to that of the above embodiment, and may be changed. For example, FIG. 6 is a front view of a saddle-type vehicle 1D according to a third modified example. As shown in FIG. 6, the bottom light source 21 may have a V-shaped bent shape. That is, the bottom light source 21 may include a bottom vertex 31, a first bottom side 32, and a second bottom side 33. The bottom vertex 31 is located at the lower vertex of an inverted triangle connecting the left light source 22, the right light source 23, and the bottom light source 21. The first bottom side 32 extends from the bottom vertex 31 toward the left light source 22 in a front view of the vehicle. The first bottom side 32 extends from the bottom vertex 31 toward the left vertex 24 in a front view of the vehicle. The second bottom side 33 extends from the bottom vertex 31 toward the right light source 23 in a front view of the vehicle. The second bottom side 33 extends from the bottom vertex 31 toward the right vertex 27 in a front view of the vehicle.
[0041] Fig. 7 is a front view of a saddle riding type vehicle 1E according to a fourth modified example. As shown in Fig. 7, the lower light source 21 may be provided on the front fender 13. The lower light source 21 may be provided separately from the headlight 19 of the headlight unit 3.
[0042] The left light source 22 and the right light source 23 are not limited to a V-shaped bent shape as in the above embodiment, and may have other shapes. For example, Fig. 8 is a front view of a saddle riding type vehicle 1F according to a fifth modified example. As shown in Fig. 8, the left light source 22 and the right light source 23 may be fan-shaped. The lower light source 21 may also be fan-shaped. Alternatively, the left light source 22, the right light source 23, and the lower light source 21 may have other shapes having a V-shaped cutout.
[0043] The subjective contour 30 caused by the optical illusion is not limited to an inverted triangle, and may be another shape. For example, FIG. 9 is a front view of a saddle riding type vehicle 1G according to a sixth modified example. As shown in FIG. 9, the subjective contour 30 caused by the optical illusion may be a rectangle. In this case, the saddle riding type vehicle 1A may include a first lower light source 21A and a second lower light source 21B. The first lower light source 21A, the second lower light source 21B, the left light source 22, and the right light source 23 are disposed at the vertices of a rectangle connecting the first lower light source 21A, the second lower light source 21B, the left light source 22, and the right light source 23. The first lower light source 21A, the second lower light source 21B, the left light source 22, and the right light source 23 constitute the corners of a rectangle connecting the first lower light source 21A, the second lower light source 21B, the left light source 22, and the right light source 23, respectively.
[0044] The configurations of the lower light source 21, the left light source 22, and the right light source 23 are not limited to those in the above embodiment, and may be changed. For example, the left light source 22 and the right light source 23 are not limited to position lights, and may be made of a reflective material. The lower light source 21 is not limited to a headlight, and may be a position light. The lower light source 21 may be made of a reflective material. [Industrial Applicability]
[0045] According to the present invention, in a saddle-type vehicle, visibility is improved while suppressing an increase in size of a light source or the addition of a light source. [Explanation of symbols]
[0046] 13: front fender, 14: left mirror, 15: right mirror, 18: cowl, 21: lower light source, 22: left light source, 23: right light source, 24: left vertex, 25: first left side, 26: second left side, 27: right vertex, 28: first right side, 29: second right side
Claims
1. A bottom light source, A left light source disposed above the lower light source when viewed from the front of the vehicle; A right light source is disposed above the lower light source and away from the left light source in the vehicle left-right direction when viewed from the front of the vehicle; Equipped with The lower light source, the left light source, and the right light source emit light simultaneously, The left light source is The left vertex and a first left side portion extending from the left vertex portion toward a center of the vehicle in a left-right direction of the vehicle in a front view of the vehicle; a second left side portion extending from the left vertex portion in a direction forming a predetermined angle with respect to the first left side portion in a front view of the vehicle; Including, The right light source is The right vertex, a first right side portion extending from the right vertex portion toward a center of the vehicle in a left-right direction of the vehicle in a front view of the vehicle; a second right side portion extending from the right vertex portion in a direction forming a predetermined angle with respect to the first right side portion in a front view of the vehicle; Including, Saddle-type vehicle.
2. When viewed from the front of the vehicle, the second left side portion extends toward the lower light source. The saddle-type vehicle according to claim 1 .
3. When viewed from the front of the vehicle, the second right side portion extends toward the lower light source. The saddle-type vehicle according to claim 1 .
4. The lower light source, the left light source, and the right light source are respectively disposed at three vertices of an inverted triangle when viewed from the front of the vehicle. The saddle-type vehicle according to claim 1 .
5. The left light source and the right light source each constitute a corner of the inverted triangle.
5. The saddle-type vehicle according to claim 4.
6. Further comprising a left mirror and a right mirror disposed apart from each other in the left-right direction of the vehicle, the left light source is provided on the left mirror, The right light source is provided on the right mirror. The saddle-type vehicle according to claim 1 .
7. The left light source and the right light source are position lights. The saddle-type vehicle according to claim 1 .
8. The left light source and the right light source are made of a reflective material. The saddle-type vehicle according to claim 1 .
9. The lower light source is a headlight. The saddle-type vehicle according to claim 1 .
10. Equipped with a cowl, The lower light source is provided in the cowl. The saddle-type vehicle according to claim 1 .
11. It also has a front fender, The lower light source is provided on the front fender. The saddle-type vehicle according to claim 1 .
Citation Information
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