Motor tricycle with radar device arranged between front wheels

Abstract

The invention relates to a motorcycle (1) of the saddle type, comprising at least two steerable and tiltable front wheels (4) and at least one rear drive wheel, said motorcycle (1) further comprising a main frame supporting a power assembly, said frame comprising a frame front portion constituting a steering axis (110). The motorcycle according to the invention is characterized in that the motorcycle comprises a radar device (5) which is arranged between the front wheels (4) when the motorcycle (1) is considered from a front view point and which lies below a plane (Pio) tangent to the front wheels (4) when the motorcycle (1) is considered in an upright wheel state.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention falls within the scope of manufacturing saddle-riding type motorcycles, in particular three-wheeled motorcycles. In particular, the invention relates to a three-wheeled motorcycle provided with a radar device, which is arranged between the front wheels when the motorcycle is considered from a forward observation point. Background Art

[0002] In the past few years, there has been an increasing demand for three-wheeled motorcycles in which the two front wheels are steered and one rear wheel is driven. In these vehicles, the two front wheels are connected to the vehicle frame so as to tilt laterally around an axis oriented according to the direction of travel, thereby following the rolling movement.

[0003] In a three-wheeled motorcycle, an articulated quadrilateral mechanism is provided between the two front wheels and the front part of the frame to allow the rolling of the front wheels. Typically, the articulated quadrilateral mechanism comprises a pair of transverse members, each of which is hinged to the frame at a centerline longitudinal plane so as to swing around mutually parallel axes. The quadrilateral also comprises a pair of uprights, the two ends of each of which are hinged to a corresponding one of the two transverse members, thereby defining an axis of rotation parallel to the axis of rotation of the transverse member relative to the frame. The two uprights are directly or indirectly connected to the wheels so as to allow them to steer. The steering movement is controlled by a steering system, which is operationally independent of the quadrilateral mechanism.

[0004] In the three-wheeled motorcycle, a suspension assembly is also provided, which comprises, for each front wheel, a suspension interposed between the wheel itself and the corresponding upright of the quadrilateral. For each front wheel, the suspension comprises at least one shock absorber allowing the corresponding front wheel to move up and down relative to the quadrilateral.

[0005] The front part of a motorcycle is usually provided for the installation of a protective shield which defines the aerodynamics of the motorcycle. In almost all cases, the shield is directly or indirectly connected to the motorcycle frame in order to follow the rolling movements of the motorcycle frame. In more recent solutions, the shield is connected to one of the two cross members in order to be released from the rolling movements: in this case, the shield does not change its orientation relative to the ground.

[0006] In many three-wheeled motorcycles, there is also a radar device mounted in the front part, usually on the shroud, in a roughly central position relative to the front observation point of the motorcycle. The radar device is directly or indirectly connected to the motorcycle control unit to signal the rider that he / she is approaching another motorcycle or a general obstacle.

[0007] However, mounting the radar device on the shroud is associated with some disadvantages, the main of which can be seen in its difficult design, in particular in defining its shape. The construction of the shroud must be as favorable as possible in terms of aerodynamic effect. In order to obtain this effect, the surface of the shroud must be controlled and in any case shaped so as to reduce friction with the air. Also considering the inevitable need to mount the headlight on the shroud to illuminate the road when the motorcycle is in motion, the space available for mounting the radar device is very limited.

[0008] Obviously, the size of the radar device must be limited, considering the limited space available for its installation. On the one hand, this is a negative with regard to the overall performance of the device. On the other hand, the small size makes the installation and / or inspection of the device more difficult. Summary of the invention

[0009] The main task of the present invention is to provide a three-wheeled motorcycle that allows solving or at least alleviating the above-mentioned drawbacks. Within the scope of this task, a first object of the present invention is to provide a three-wheeled motorcycle provided with a radar device placed in a position that does not affect the design of the shield and at the same time also allows an optimal field of view. Another object of the present invention is to provide a three-wheeled motorcycle that is reliable and easy to manufacture at a competitive cost.

[0010] The Applicant has found that the tasks and purposes listed above can be achieved by positioning the radar device released from the shield in the space between the front wheels when considering a motorcycle with upright wheels. Advantageously, in this space, a larger radar shield can be obtained with a field of view comparable to that positioned on the shield. Moreover, due to the larger available space, the radar device can have larger dimensions than those allowed by positioning on the shield.

[0011] In particular, the task and purpose are achieved by a three-wheeled saddle-riding type motorcycle comprising two steerable and tiltable front wheels and at least one driven rear wheel, wherein the motorcycle also comprises a main frame supporting a power assembly, wherein the frame comprises a front frame part constituting a steering tube. The motorcycle according to the invention also comprises a tilting articulated quadrilateral connected to the front frame part; the quadrilateral supports the front wheel, allowing it to tilt.

[0012] The motorcycle also includes a suspension assembly interposed between the front wheel and the roll articulated quadrilateral to allow the front wheel to move up and down relative to the roll articulated quadrilateral. The motorcycle also includes a steering assembly configured to steer the front wheel and a front guard directly or indirectly connected to the frame front portion or the articulated quadrilateral.

[0013] The motorcycle according to the invention is characterized in that it comprises a radar device which is independent of the front guard and which is arranged between the front wheels when the motorcycle is considered from a forward observation point. Furthermore, when the motorcycle is considered in a state with upright wheels, the radar device is located below a plane which is tangential to the front wheels from above.

[0014] According to an embodiment, the roll articulated quadrilateral comprises a lower cross member and an upper cross member, which are articulated to the frame front part so as to swing about a first roll axis parallel to each other and lying substantially in a longitudinal plane of the centre line of the motorcycle. In this embodiment, the radar device is connected to at least one of the cross members.

[0015] According to a preferred embodiment, the radar device is arranged in a longitudinal position between a first vertical plane tangential to the front wheel at the front and a second vertical plane tangential to the front wheel at the rear, wherein the motorcycle is considered to be in upright wheel position.

[0016] According to a preferred embodiment, the radar device is arranged at the centerline longitudinal plane of the motorcycle.

[0017] According to a possible embodiment, the radar device is connected to the front part of the frame and follows the rolling movement of said main frame.

[0018] According to another embodiment, the radar device is connected to said lower cross member so as not to follow the rolling movement of the main frame.

[0019] According to another possible embodiment, the radar device is connected to the lower cross member at the articulation axis between the lower cross member and the frame front part so as not to follow the rolling movement of the main frame.

[0020] According to another embodiment, the radar device is supported by means of a supporting quadrilateral, wherein the supporting quadrilateral comprises two connecting rods, a first of the two connecting rods being rotatable about the articulation axis and a second connecting rod being articulated to the lower cross member at a point different from the articulation axis, and wherein the two connecting rods are articulated to the radar device at different respective points.

[0021] According to another embodiment, the radar device is arranged in a longitudinal position comprised between a distal portion of the front shroud and the front radiator. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from a review of the following detailed description of some preferred but non-exclusive embodiments of a motorcycle, illustrated by way of non-limiting examples, with the aid of the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0023] -Figure 1 is a side view of a three-wheeled tilting motorcycle according to the present invention;

[0024] - Figure 2 and Figure 3 yes Figure 1 Front view of the motorcycle without and with roll;

[0025] - Figure 4 and Figure 5 yes Figure 1 of motorcycles were without protective shields in Figure 2 Status and Figure 3 The front view in the state of

[0026] - Figure 6 is a schematic diagram relating to a possible embodiment of a motorcycle according to the invention in a configuration with upright wheels;

[0027] - Figure 6 B is Figure 6 A schematic diagram relating to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the motorcycle is in a rollover configuration;

[0028] - Figure 7 and Figure 7B is a schematic diagram relating to another possible embodiment of the motorcycle according to the present invention;

[0029] - Figure 8 and Figure 8B is a schematic diagram related to still another embodiment of a motorcycle according to the present invention.

[0030] The same reference numerals and letters in the drawings represent the same elements or components. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] With reference to the cited figures, the invention thus relates to a three-wheeled saddle-riding motorcycle having a rear drive wheel 9 and two steerable front wheels 4, 4'. In the following description, the saddle-riding motorcycle will be generally indicated by the expression motorcycle 1.

[0032] For the purposes of the present invention, the expression "longitudinal direction" or "fore-and-aft direction" means a direction parallel to the forward direction of the motorcycle 1 and orthogonal to the axis of rotation of the drive wheels, while the expression "lateral direction" or "left-right" direction indicates a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction and therefore parallel to the axis of rotation of the drive wheels.

[0033] The expression "normal direction" or "up-down" direction indicates a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction. The figures include Cartesian reference axes indicating the front-rear direction FB, the up-down direction UD and the left-right direction RL defined above.

[0034] Therefore, the term "longitudinally or longitudinal", the term "transversely or transverse" and the term "normally or normal" refer to: the longitudinal direction, i.e., front and back FB; the transverse direction, i.e., left and right RL; and the normal direction, i.e., up and down UD, respectively. The terms "front side", "left side" and "upper side" refer to the lines indicated by the half-line arrows F, L and U visible in the figure. Conversely, the terms "rear side" (or "back"), "right side" and "lower side" refer to the lines indicated by the half-line arrows B, R and D opposite to the above lines.

[0035] Describe the center line longitudinal plane MM (in Figures 4 to 5 ) is intended to indicate a longitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal direction FB and including the steering axis 110 ( Figure 1 The expression longitudinal section plane means a section plane coinciding with the centerline longitudinal plane MM.

[0036] For the purposes of the present invention, the expression "motorcycle with upright wheels" is intended to indicate a condition in which the wheels of the motorcycle are vertical in the unsteering condition, i.e. the centerline longitudinal plane is substantially vertical. Figure 2 and Figure 4 The motorcycle state with upright wheels can be seen in FIG. In this state, it is also assumed that the suspension assembly is in the extended configuration.

[0037] The motorcycle 1 according to the present invention comprises a main frame 2A-2B extending mainly in the front-rear direction FB. The main frame 2A-2B comprises a frame front portion 2A and a frame rear portion 2B (not shown) supporting the front end 30A and rear end 30B of the motorcycle 1, respectively.

[0038] In particular, for the purposes of the present invention, the term "front end" indicates the portion of the motorcycle 1 that is in front of a reference plane PRv that passes through the rearmost point of the handlebars 12 of the motorcycle 1, i.e. through the point of the handlebars 12 that is closer to the rear wheel 9. Conversely, the term "rear end" is intended to indicate the portion of the motorcycle 1 that is behind this reference plane PRv.

[0039] The rear portion 30B of the main frame 2 supports the saddle 3 of the motorcycle 1 and a power assembly (not shown) designed to generate a driving force for running the motorcycle 1. The rear portion 30B of the frame supports the rear drive wheel 9 through a swing arm 45.

[0040] The frame front part 2A comprises a steering tube 11 in which a handlebar 12 is mounted, which handlebar 12 rotates about a steering axis 110 constructed by the same steering tube 11. A roll-articulated quadrilateral 10 (hereinafter quadrilateral 10) supporting the two front wheels 4, 4' of the motorcycle 1 is connected to the frame front part 2A. The quadrilateral 10 has a configuration known per se and comprises an upper cross member 10A and a lower cross member 10B, which are centrally articulated to the frame front part 2A so as to rotate about corresponding longitudinal roll axes 101, 102 (or articulation axes 101, 102) which are parallel to each other and lie on the centreline longitudinal plane MM. The quadrilateral 10 further comprises a right column 7 and a left column 7', each of which is hinged to an upper cross member 10A for rotation about an upper roll axis 201, 201' and each of which is hinged to a lower cross member 10B for rotation about a lower roll axis 202, 202'. The two cross members 10A, 10B extend in a transverse direction RL symmetrically with respect to a centerline longitudinal plane MM. Thus, the upper roll axis 201, 201' and the lower roll axis 202, 202' are substantially symmetrical with respect to the centerline longitudinal plane MM. The movement of the two cross members 10A, 10B relative to the front frame part 2A determines a deformation of the quadrilateral 10, which deformation occurs substantially in a transverse plane, i.e. parallel to the transverse direction RL.

[0041] A support element 6, 6' is associated with each of the uprights 7, 7' of the quadrilateral 10, which directly or indirectly supports the corresponding front wheel 4, 4'. The support element 6, 6' is free to rotate relative to the corresponding upright 7, 7' so as to allow the steering movement of the front wheel 4, 4'. The term indirectly is intended to indicate a state in which other components are arranged between the upright 7, 7' and the corresponding front wheel 4, 4', which together with the upright 7, 7' support the wheel itself.

[0042] The motorcycle 1 also includes a suspension assembly 70 interposed between the front wheels 4, 4' and the articulated quadrilateral 10 to allow the up and down movement of the wheels themselves relative to the articulated quadrilateral 10. The suspension assembly 70 includes a first suspension device 77 and a second suspension device 77' associated with the right front wheel 4 and the left front wheel 4', respectively. The expression "operably associated" is intended to indicate a state in which the first suspension device 77 and the second suspension device 77' are interposed between the corresponding front wheels 4, 4' and the corresponding uprights 7, 7' to allow the lifting and lowering of the wheels themselves.

[0043] In the front part 30A of the motorcycle 1, a steering assembly 60 for controlling the steering of the front wheels 4, 4' is also arranged. The steering assembly 60 acts on the two support elements 6, 6', causing a rotation of the two support elements 6, 6' relative to the corresponding uprights 7, 7' of the quadrilateral 10. The steering assembly 60 is activated by the rotation of the aforementioned handlebar of the motorcycle 1, which, as indicated, is also part of the front end 30A.

[0044] In the front part 30A of the motorcycle 1, a front protective shield 40 is also provided, which supports one or more headlights 49 to illuminate the road when the motorcycle is in motion. Figure 2 and Figure 3 , the front shield 40 can be connected to the front frame part 2A so as to follow the roll movement of the main frame 2A-2B. Alternatively, according to the solution described in application IT102021000015341 in the name of the applicant, the shield 40 can be connected to one of the two cross members 10A, 10B of the quadrilateral, in particular to the articulated quadrilateral 10.

[0045] The motorcycle 1 according to the invention is characterized in that it comprises a radar device 5 arranged in the space between the front wheels 40 and below a reference plane P10 tangential to the top of the same front wheels 4'. For the purposes of the invention, the position of the radar device 5 just defined is evaluated in the state of the motorcycle 1 with upright wheels defined above.

[0046] The term “released” is intended to indicate a state in which the radar device 5 is not mounted on the shield 40 and is therefore not integrated with the shield 40 , that is, the radar device 5 is not mounted on the front shield 40 .

[0047] Reference Figure 1 Preferably, the radar device 5 is arranged on the first vertical plane P1 V With the second vertical plane P2 V In the longitudinal position between V Tangent to the front wheels 4, 4', a second vertical plane P2 V Tangentially to the same front wheel 4 , 4 ′ at the rear, wherein this longitudinal position is to be regarded as the longitudinal position in the case of a motorcycle 1 with upright wheels.

[0048] Refer again Figure 1, the front shield 40 includes a distal portion 41 relative to the steering tube 11. Basically, the front shield 40 extends longitudinally and forwardly from the steering tube 11 to overlap the front wheels 4, 4'. For the purpose of the present invention, the expression distal portion 41 of the front shield 40 means the portion that is most spaced apart from the steering tube 11 in the longitudinal direction (direction FB). This distal portion 41 includes a lower end 41B, i.e., the lowest end (closest to the ground) always in the vehicle state of upright wheels.

[0049] According to a preferred embodiment, the radar device 5 is arranged in a longitudinal position between said distal portion 41 of the front shield 40 and a front radiator 66 connected to the main frame 2A-2B in a longitudinal position behind the front wheels 4, 4'.

[0050] Furthermore, in the front view, the radar device 5 is arranged in a space between the lower end portion 41B of the distal end portion 41 and the front radiator 66 ( Figure 2 and Figure 3 Advantageously, in this position, the front view of the radar device 5 is visible in any driving state of the motorcycle 1 - whether the motorcycle 1 is traveling in a straight line ( Figure 2 ) or when the motorcycle 1 is traveling around a curve ( Figure 3 ), i.e. when rolling and / or turning - is always free.

[0051] Figures 6 to 8 are schematic diagrams relating to possible embodiments of a motorcycle 1 according to the invention. In particular, each of these figures schematically represents a possible mode of support of a radar device 5 in the space between the front wheels 4, 4' defined above.

[0052] Reference Figure 6 According to a possible embodiment, the radar device 5 is connected to one of the two cross members 10A, 10B of the articulated quadrilateral 10, preferably to the lower cross member 10B. Preferably, the radar device 5 is rigidly connected to the lower cross member 10B so as to follow the movements of the lower cross member 10B. In particular, in this embodiment, the radar device 5 is not subject to any rolling movements, such as Figure 6 B. In fact, due to the kinematics of the quadrilateral 10, such as the two cross members 10A, 10B, the radar device 5 also maintains the same orientation (substantially horizontal) relative to the support plane PO of the motorcycle 1, so that the radar device 5 itself is lowered or raised (i.e., approaches or moves away from said support plane PO) together with the cross member (10A or 10B) to which it is rigidly connected.

[0053] The radar device 5 may be connected to the cross member 10B via one or more support brackets 5B, such as Figure 6 and Figure 6B. In particular, the support bracket or brackets will be configured such that, in the case of a motorcycle 1 with upright wheels, the radar device 5 is operatively positioned in a central position, ie at the centreline plane MM.

[0054] Reference Figure 7 and Figure 7B According to another embodiment, the radar device 5 is connected to the frame front part 2A so as to remain integral with the frame front part 2A. Thus, the radar device 5 follows the frame front part 2A during the roll of the frame front part 2A (see in particular Figure 7B ).

[0055] In this case as well, a support bracket 5B may be provided to connect the radar device 5 to the frame front portion 2A so that the radar device 5 is positioned at the centerline plane MM. Alternatively, the radar device 5 may be mounted directly on the frame front portion 2A by appropriately shaping the frame front portion 2A.

[0056] Reference Figure 8 and Figure 8B According to yet another embodiment, the radar device 5 is connected to one of the cross members 10B at an articulation axis 101 configured to be situated between the same cross member 10B and the frame front part 2A. In practice, also in this embodiment, the radar device 5 is released from the frame 2A-2B of the motorcycle 1 and is therefore not subject to rolling movements.

[0057] exist Figure 8 and Figure 8B In the possible embodiment shown in FIG. , the radar device 5 is supported by a supporting quadrilateral 5C.

[0058] In particular, the supporting quadrilateral 5C comprises two connecting rods 51, 52, of which the first connecting rod 51 rotates about the articulation axis 101 and the second connecting rod 52 is articulated to the lower cross member 10B at a point P1 different from the articulation axis 101. The two connecting rods 51, 52 are then articulated to the radar device 5 at different points (P2 and P3 respectively) so as to define a quadrilateral configuration, so that the articulation point (101, P2) of the first connecting rod 51 is located on a straight line parallel to the straight line where the articulation point (P1, P3) of the second connecting rod 52 is located.

[0059] As from Figure 8B As is evident in FIG. 1 , during the deformation of the articulated quadrilateral 10 caused by the rolling of the motorcycle 1 , the radar device 5 does not change its orientation relative to the support plane PO of the motorcycle 1 , similarly to what happens with the cross members 10A, 10B.

[0060] The motorcycle 1 according to the invention allows to fully achieve the intended tasks and purposes. Advantageously, the location foreseen for the radar device 5 between the front wheels 4 does not affect the configuration of the shield and therefore the design of the shield. Furthermore, it is possible to use radar devices of larger dimensions than those usually used in these motor vehicles. Furthermore, this location allows to better shield the radar device and therefore improve its efficiency.

[0061] Another advantage is that the radar device 5 has a frontal view that is always free in any rolling and / or turning configuration assumed by the front wheel when the motorcycle is traveling. This aspect optimizes the detection of the radar device itself, which is not shielded, not even partially shielded, by any part of the front end of the motorcycle.

Claims

1. A saddle-riding motorcycle (1), comprising two front wheels (4, 4') and at least one rear wheel, wherein: The motorcycle (1) further comprises: - a main frame (2A-2B), said main frame (2A-2B) supporting the power assembly, said frame (2A-2B) comprising a frame front part (2A); - a roll-articulated quadrilateral (10) connected to the frame front part (2A), wherein the roll-articulated quadrilateral (10) supports a first front wheel (4) and a second front wheel (4') so as to allow a roll movement of the first front wheel (4) and the second front wheel (4'); - a steering assembly (60) pivotably connected to the front frame portion (2A) for controlling the steering of the front wheels (4, 4'); - a suspension assembly (71, 71') interposed between the front wheels (4, 4') and the roll-articulated quadrilateral (10) to allow the front wheels (4, 4') to move up and down relative to the roll-articulated quadrilateral (10), - a front guard (40) connected directly or indirectly to the frame front part (2A) or to the roll articulated quadrilateral (10), Characterized in that the motorcycle (1) comprises a radar device (5) independent of the front shield (40), and when the motorcycle (1) is considered from a front observation point, the radar device (5) is arranged between the front wheels (4, 4'), and when the motorcycle (1) is considered to be in an upright wheel state, the radar device (5) is located below a plane (P1o) tangential to the front wheel (4) at the top.

2. The motorcycle (1) according to claim 1, wherein: The roll-articulated quadrilateral (10) comprises a lower cross member (10B) and an upper cross member (10A), which are articulated to the frame (2A-2B) so as to swing about first roll axes (101, 102) parallel to each other and substantially located on a centerline longitudinal plane (MM) of the motorcycle (1), wherein the radar device (5) is connected to at least one of the cross members (10A, 10B).

3. The motorcycle (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The radar device (5) is arranged in a first vertical plane (P1) tangential to the front wheels (4, 4') at the front. v ) and a second vertical plane (P2) tangential to the front wheels (4, 4') at the rear v ), wherein the motorcycle (1) is considered to be in an upright wheel position.

4. The motorcycle (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The radar device (5) is arranged in a centerline longitudinal plane (MM) of the motorcycle (1).

5. A motorcycle (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The radar device (5) is connected to the front part (2A) of the frame and follows the rolling movement of the main frame (2A-2B).

6. A motorcycle (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, and wherein: The radar device (5) is connected to the lower cross member (10B) so as not to follow the rolling movement of the main frame (2A-2B).

7. The motorcycle (1) according to claim 6, wherein: The radar device (5) is connected to the lower cross member (10B) at the hinge axis (101) between the lower cross member (10B) and the frame front part (2A) so as not to follow the rolling movement of the main frame (2A-2B).

8. The motorcycle (1) according to claim 7, wherein: The radar device (5) is supported by means of a supporting quadrilateral (5C), wherein the supporting quadrilateral (5C) comprises two connecting rods (51, 52), a first connecting rod (51) of the two connecting rods (51, 52) being rotatable about the hinge axis (101), and a second connecting rod (52) being hinged to the lower cross member (10B) at a point (P1) different from the hinge axis (101), and wherein the two connecting rods (51, 52) are hinged to the radar device (5) at different corresponding points (P2 and P3).

9. The motorcycle (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein: The radar device (5) is arranged in a position between a distal end portion (41) of the front shield (40) and a front radiator (66).

Images