Saddle-type vehicle
By arranging light sources to form an optical illusion of an inverted triangle, the saddle-ride type vehicle enhances visibility without increasing size or number, addressing the visibility challenge in existing vehicles.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2023149823
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-09-15
- Publication Date
- 2026-01-27
- Estimated Expiration
- 2043-09-15
AI Technical Summary
Existing saddle-ride type vehicles face a challenge in improving visibility without increasing the size or number of light sources, which would otherwise be necessary to enhance illumination.
The vehicle incorporates a lower light source, a left light source, and a right light source positioned to create an optical illusion of an inverted triangle, enhancing perceived size without additional physical space or components.
This configuration improves visibility by creating a larger perceived shape through subjective contour, thus enhancing illumination without enlarging the vehicle's physical dimensions or adding more light sources.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] The present invention relates to a saddle-ride type vehicle. [Background technology]
[0002] Saddle-type vehicles are equipped with light sources such as position lights or headlights. For example, the motorcycle disclosed in Patent Document 1 has circular position lights provided in front of each of the left and right mirrors. In addition, a headlight is located in the center of the front cover. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-057104 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0004] Improved visibility is required in saddle-riding vehicles. The visibility of saddle-riding vehicles can be improved by increasing the size of light sources such as the position lights or the number of light sources. However, this increases the size and weight of the vehicle. An object of the present invention is to improve the visibility of saddle-riding vehicles while preventing the size and number of light sources from increasing. [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 higher than the lower light source when viewed from the front of the vehicle. The right light source is disposed higher than the lower light source when viewed from the front of the vehicle and is disposed spaced apart from the left light source in the left-right direction of the vehicle. The lower light source, left light source, and right light source emit light simultaneously. The left light source includes a left vertex, a first left side, and a second left side. The first left side extends from the left vertex toward the center of the vehicle in the left-right direction of the vehicle when viewed from the front of the vehicle. The second left side extends from the left vertex in a direction forming a predetermined angle with respect to the first left side when viewed from the front of the vehicle. The right light source includes a right vertex, a first right side, and a second right side. The first right side extends from the right vertex toward the center of the vehicle in the left-right direction of the vehicle when viewed from the front 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 aspect, the shapes of the left light source and the right light source as described above cause the viewer to perceive an optical illusion of a subjective contour. This subjective contour causes the viewer to perceive a shape that is larger than the bottom light source, the left light source, and the right light source. This improves the visibility of the vehicle while minimizing the need to increase the size and add additional light sources.
[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 allowing a viewer to perceive a large shape based on 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 based on a subjective contour.
[0009] The bottom light source, the left light source, and the right light source may be respectively positioned 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 based on the subjective contour.
[0010] The left and right light sources may form the corners of an inverted triangle, in which case the viewer perceives a large inverted triangle formed by the subjective contours of 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 at a large left-right distance. This allows the viewer to perceive a shape with a larger subjective contour.
[0012] The left and right light sources 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 straddle-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 straddle-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. [Effects of the Invention]
[0017] According to the present invention, in a saddle-ride type vehicle, the visibility is improved while suppressing an increase in the size of the light source or the addition of a light source. [Brief explanation of the drawings]
[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view of a saddle-ride type vehicle according to an embodiment; [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a front view of a saddle-type vehicle. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a front view of the saddle-ride type vehicle when the lower light source, the left light source, and the right light source are turned on. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a front view of a saddle-ride type vehicle according to a first modified example. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a front view of a saddle-ride type vehicle according to a second modified example. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a front view of a saddle-ride type vehicle according to a third modified example. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a front view of a saddle-ride type vehicle according to a fourth modified example. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a front view of a saddle-ride type vehicle according to a fifth modified example. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a front view of a saddle-ride type vehicle according to a sixth modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] A saddle-riding vehicle according to an embodiment will now be described 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, left and right directions refer to 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 left and right by the rider. The front fork 12 supports a 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 arranged apart from each other in the left-right direction of the vehicle. When viewed from the front 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.
[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-ride 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 handlebars 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 outward 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 higher than the lower light source 21 when viewed from the front of the vehicle. The right light source 23 is disposed higher than the handlebars 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 outward in the left-right direction of the vehicle than the headlight unit 3 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 bottom light source 21, left light source 22, and right light source 23 are respectively arranged 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, LEDs. Alternatively, the left light source 22 and the right light source 23 may include bulbs.
[0029] The left light source 22 has a V-shaped bent shape. The left light source 22 forms the left corner of an inverted triangle connecting the left light source 22, the right light source 23, and the bottom light source 21. The left light source 22 includes a left vertex 24, a first left side 25, and a second left side 26. The left vertex 24 is located at the left vertex of the inverted triangle connecting the left light source 22, the right light source 23, and the bottom 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 when viewed from the front of the vehicle. The first left side portion 25 extends from the left vertex 24 toward the right 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 24 in a direction that forms a predetermined angle with the first left side portion 25 when viewed from the front of the vehicle. The predetermined angle is an acute angle. The second left side portion 26 extends from the left vertex 24 toward the bottom light source 21 when viewed from the front of the vehicle. The predetermined angle is the angle of the left corner of an inverted triangle that connects the left light source 22, the right light source 23, and the bottom light source 21.
[0032] The right light source 23 has a V-shaped bent shape that is bilaterally symmetrical to the left light source 22. The right light source 23 forms the right corner of an inverted triangle that connects the left light source 22, the right light source 23, and the bottom 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 bottom 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 in a front view of the vehicle. The first right side portion 28 extends leftward from the right vertex 27 in a front view of the vehicle. The first right side portion 28 extends from the right vertex 27 toward the left light source 22 in a front view of the vehicle. In detail, the first right side portion 28 extends from the right vertex 27 toward the left vertex 24 in a front view of the vehicle. The above-mentioned first left side portion 25 extends from the left vertex 24 toward the right vertex 27 in a front view of the vehicle.
[0034] The second right side portion 29 extends from the right vertex 27 in a direction that forms a predetermined angle with 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 27 toward the bottom light source 21 in a front view of the vehicle. The predetermined angle is the angle of the right corner of an inverted triangle that connects the left light source 22, the right light source 23, and the bottom light source 21.
[0035] Fig. 3 is a front view of the saddle-ride 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-ride 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 optical illusion of an inverted triangular subjective contour 30 (a so-called Kanizsa triangle). This subjective contour 30 causes 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 minimizing the need to increase the size and add additional 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 of the above embodiment and may be changed. For example, FIG. 4 is a front view of a saddle-ride type vehicle 1B according to a first modified example. As shown in FIG. 4, the saddle-ride 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-ride 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 modified. 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 lower vertex 31, a first lower edge 32, and a second lower edge 33. The lower 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 lower edge 32 extends from the lower vertex 31 toward the left light source 22 in a front view of the vehicle. The first lower edge 32 extends from the lower vertex 31 toward the left vertex 24 in a front view of the vehicle. The second lower edge 33 extends from the lower vertex 31 toward the right light source 23 in a front view of the vehicle. The second lower edge 33 extends from the lower vertex 31 toward the right vertex 27 in a front view of the vehicle.
[0041] 7 is a front view of a saddle-ride 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 being bent into a V shape as in the above embodiment, and may have other shapes. For example, FIG. 8 is a front view of a saddle-ride 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 bottom light source 21 may also be fan-shaped. Alternatively, the left light source 22, the right light source 23, and the bottom light source 21 may have other shapes with V-shaped cutouts.
[0043] The subjective contour 30 created by the optical illusion is not limited to an inverted triangle, and may have other shapes. 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 created by the optical illusion may be a rectangle. In this case, the saddle-riding type vehicle 1A may be provided with 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 respectively 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 form the corners of the 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.
[0044] The configurations of the bottom 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 bottom light source 21 is not limited to a headlight and may be a position light. The bottom light source 21 may be made of a reflective material. [Industrial Applicability]
[0045] According to the present invention, in a saddle-ride type vehicle, the visibility is improved while suppressing an increase in the size of the 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 headlamp; a left light source disposed above the headlight in a front view of the vehicle; a right light source disposed above the headlight and spaced apart from the left light source in the left-right direction of the vehicle when viewed from the front of the vehicle; Equipped with the headlight, 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 the 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 and a first right side portion extending 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; 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, In a front view of the vehicle, the second left side portion extends toward the headlight, In a front view of the vehicle, the second right side portion extends toward the headlight. Saddle-type vehicle.
2. The headlight, 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 .
3. The left light source and the right light source respectively constitute corners of the inverted triangle. The straddle-type vehicle according to claim 2.
4. Further provided is a left mirror and a right mirror that are arranged 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 .
5. The left light source and the right light source are position lights. The saddle-type vehicle according to claim 1 .
6. The left light source and the right light source are made of a reflective material. The saddle-type vehicle according to claim 1 .
7. The headlight is a headlight. The saddle-type vehicle according to claim 1 .
8. It also features a cowl. The headlight is provided on the cowl. The saddle-type vehicle according to claim 1 .
9. It also has a front fender, The headlight is provided on the front fender. The saddle-type vehicle according to claim 1 .
Citation Information
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