Vehicle body rear structure

Abstract

The invention provides a vehicle body rear structure. A vehicle body rear structure is provided with a taillight unit (30) disposed at the rear end of a rear vehicle body (12) of a vehicle body (1A), and a rear fender (45) for covering the outer periphery of a rear wheel (4) positioned below the rear vehicle body (12), the rear fender (45) having a vehicle license plate (P) attached to the rear surface side. A license plate irradiation part (38) capable of irradiating the vehicle license plate (P) is arranged on the lower surface side of the tail lamp unit (30), the tail lamp unit (30) is supported by the rear fender (45) through a support (50) passing through the lower portion of the tail lamp unit (30), and the support (50) is provided with an opening forming part (54) enabling the license plate irradiation part (38) to be exposed downwards.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a vehicle body rear structure.

[0002] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-165980 filed in Japan on September 27, 2023, and the contents are incorporated herein by reference. Background Art

[0003] Conventionally, in a rear vehicle body structure of a motorcycle, there is known a structure in which a lower portion of a tail light unit is fastened to a rear fender (for example, see International Publication No. 2003 / 035457). Summary of the invention

[0004] The above-mentioned conventional structure is easily applicable to the case where the taillight unit is arranged close to the rear fender. On the other hand, in the case of a vehicle body structure in which the rear end of the rear body of the vehicle body protrudes rearward, the taillight unit is separated from the rear fender or sandwiched with other components, so a countermeasure is required. That is, for example, a structure in which the lower part of the taillight unit is supported on the rear fender via a bracket. However, in the case of this structure, the bracket may hinder the taillight unit from irradiating the vehicle license plate.

[0005] An object of the aspects of the present invention is to prevent a supporting member of a tail light unit from obstructing illumination of a vehicle license plate in a vehicle body rear portion structure in which the tail light unit is supported by a rear fender.

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the vehicle body rear structure according to the solution of the present invention adopts the following structure.

[0007] (1) The scheme of the present invention comprises: a taillight unit 30, which is arranged at the rear end portion of the rear body 12 of the vehicle body 1A; and a rear fender 45, which covers the outer periphery of the rear wheel 4 located below the rear body 12, wherein the rear fender 45 has a vehicle license plate P installed on the rear surface side, and has a license plate illuminating portion 38 capable of illuminating the vehicle license plate P on the lower surface side of the taillight unit 30, and the taillight unit 30 is supported on the rear fender 45 via a bracket 50 passing below the taillight unit 30, and the bracket 50 has an opening forming portion 54 that allows the license plate illuminating portion 38 to be exposed downward.

[0008] According to the scheme (1) above, the taillight unit is supported on the rear fender via a bracket, and an opening portion is formed on the bracket to expose the license plate irradiation portion of the taillight unit downward, thereby the taillight unit can be formed to extend to the rear of the rear vehicle body, and the taillight unit is firmly supported on the upper structure of the rear fender via the bracket. In addition, the bracket is provided with an opening forming portion to expose the license plate irradiation portion of the taillight unit downward, thereby the vehicle license plate can be illuminated by the license plate irradiation portion without being interfered by the bracket.

[0009] (2) In the above aspect (1), the vehicle body rear structure may include a rear end cover 29 disposed below the tail light unit 30 at the rear end of the rear vehicle body 12, and the tail light unit 30 and the rear end cover 29 may be supported by the rear fender 45 via a bracket 50.

[0010] According to the above-mentioned scheme (2), the taillight unit and the rear end cover arranged thereunder are supported on the rear fender via a bracket, thereby enabling the taillight unit and the rear end cover to be formed into a configuration extending toward the rear of the rear vehicle body, and the taillight unit and the rear end cover are firmly supported on the upper structure portion of the rear fender via the bracket.

[0011] (3) In the above aspect (2), the tail light unit 30 and the rear end cover 29 may be fastened and fixed together to the rear end portion of the bracket 50 .

[0012] According to the above-mentioned solution (3), the tail light unit and the rear end cover are fastened and fixed together to the rear end portion of the bracket extending rearward from the rear fender, thereby achieving the following effects. That is, the bracket, the tail light unit and the rear end cover can be easily combined, and the tail light unit and the rear end cover can be easily aligned. Therefore, the number of parts and the assembly man-hour can be reduced, and the appearance can be improved.

[0013] (4) In any of the above schemes (1) to (3), the bracket 50 may include an outer portion 50e in the vehicle width direction and an inner portion 50f in the vehicle width direction, and the bracket 50 is shaped so as to become wider in the vehicle width direction from the front toward the rear, and the opening forming portion 54 is formed by the inner portion 50f in the vehicle width direction.

[0014] According to the scheme of (4), the width of the bracket and the opening forming part becomes wider as it moves toward the rear side, so that the vehicle license plate can be easily illuminated by the license plate irradiation part. In addition, the width of the bracket and the opening forming part becomes narrower as it moves toward the front side, so that the maintenance space of the surrounding parts can be ensured.

[0015] (5) In the above aspect (4), a side opening 55 opened downward may be formed between the vehicle width direction outer side portion 50 e and the rear body 12 .

[0016] According to the above configuration (5), a side opening that opens downward is formed between the vehicle width direction outer side portion of the bracket that becomes narrower toward the front and the rear vehicle body, thereby widening the side opening to ensure maintenance space.

[0017] (6) In the above aspect (5), the tail light unit 30 may include rear winker indicators 32 on both sides in the vehicle width direction, and lamp holders 32 d of the rear winker indicators 32 may be arranged above the side openings 55 .

[0018] According to the above-mentioned aspect (6), the lamp holder of the rear blinker indicator light is arranged above the side opening between the bracket and the rear vehicle body, thereby making it possible to access the lamp holder of the rear blinker indicator light through the side opening, thereby improving maintainability.

[0019] According to the aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle body rear structure in which the tail light unit is supported by the rear fender, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the supporting member of the tail light unit obstructs illumination of the vehicle license plate. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 It is a left side view of the motorcycle in the embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 2 It is a rear view of the above-mentioned motor two-wheeled vehicle.

[0022] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 III-III sectional view.

[0023] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 IV-IV cross-sectional view.

[0024] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 VV cross-sectional view of.

[0025] Figure 6 It is a perspective view of a cross section of the tail light unit including the periphery of the license plate illumination portion.

[0026] Explanation of symbols:

[0027] 1 Motorized two-wheeled vehicle (straddle-type vehicle)

[0028] 1A Body

[0029] 12 rear body

[0030] 27 Rear side cover (outer side in vehicle width direction)

[0031] 29 Rear end cover

[0032] 29a Fastening connection part

[0033] 30 Tail light unit

[0034] 31 Tail light

[0035] 32 Rear direction indicator

[0036] 32c bulb

[0037] 32d Lamp Holder

[0038] 35a Fastening connection part

[0039] 38 License Plate Illumination Department

[0040] 45 Rear fender

[0041] 45a Upper structure

[0042] 45b rear fender

[0043] 50 Bracket

[0044] 50e Outer side in vehicle width direction

[0045] 50f Inner side in vehicle width direction

[0046] 51 Bracket body

[0047] 54 notch portion (opening forming portion)

[0048] 55 Side opening

[0049] P Vehicle license plate DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0050] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the directions such as front, rear, left, and right in the following description are the same as the directions in the vehicle described below unless otherwise specified. In addition, arrows FR indicating the front of the vehicle, arrows LH indicating the left of the vehicle, arrows UP indicating the top of the vehicle, and lines CL indicating the left and right centers of the vehicle body are shown at appropriate positions in the drawings used in the following description.

[0051] The “middle” used in the present embodiment means including not only the center between both ends of an object but also a range inside between both ends of an object.

[0052] <Vehicle as a whole>

[0053] Figure 1 This is a left side view of a motorcycle-type motor vehicle 1 as an example of a straddle-type vehicle, as viewed from the left-right direction of the vehicle (vehicle width direction). The motorcycle 1 includes a front wheel 3 as a steering wheel and a rear wheel 4 as a driving wheel. The front wheel 3 is supported by a front fork 3a and can be steered by a handlebar 2. The rear wheel 4 is supported by a swing-type power unit (power unit) 8 and can be driven by the power unit 8. The steering system components including the handlebar 2, the front fork 3a and the front wheel 3 are supported by a head pipe 10a at the front end of the frame 10 so as to be steerable. The front part of the power unit 8 is supported by a pivot bracket 10f at the front and rear middle part (not limited to the center) of the frame 10 so as to be able to swing up and down.

[0054] The power unit 8 is provided with an engine (internal combustion engine) 8a for driving the vehicle at its front part, and is provided with a power transmission device (arm) 8b extending from the left side of the engine 8a to the rear. The power unit 8 is a unit in which the engine 8a and the power transmission device 8b are integrated. The power transmission device 8b accommodates a continuously variable transmission such as a V-belt type in a transmission case that is integrated with the crankcase of the engine 8a. The rear wheel 4 is supported at the rear of the power transmission device 8b. The lower end of the rear buffer 9 is connected to the rear end of the power transmission device 8b. The upper end of the rear buffer 9 is supported on the rear upper part of the frame 10. Thus, a unit swing type rear suspension is formed at the rear of the vehicle body.

[0055] A step 6 for the driver to put his feet is provided between the front wheel 3 and the rear wheel 4. A front vehicle body 11 is provided in front of the step 6. A rear vehicle body 12 is provided behind the step 6. A space K1 between the front vehicle body 11 and the rear vehicle body 12 and above the step 6 serves as a straddling space K1 for the driver to straddle the vehicle body 1A. A handlebar 2 is provided above the front vehicle body 11, and the handlebar 2 is covered by a handlebar cover 2a. A seat 5 for passengers to sit on is provided above the rear vehicle body 12. A luggage box 16 is provided below the front portion of the seat 5 and inside the rear vehicle body cover 14. A fuel tank 17 is provided below the rear portion of the seat 5 and inside the rear vehicle body cover 14.

[0056] A tiltable side stand 7a capable of supporting the vehicle body 1A in an upright state tilted to the left is provided on the left side of the lower portion of the floor step 6. A tiltable main stand 7b capable of supporting the vehicle body 1A in an upright state is provided below the floor step 6. When the vehicle body 1A is upright by the main stand 7b, the rear wheel 4 floats from the ground, and the rear buffer 9 is in a state of maximum extension.

[0057] <Frame 10>

[0058] Reference Figure 1 The frame 10 is formed by combining a plurality of steel materials into one body by welding or the like. The frame 10 includes a head pipe 10a, a down frame 10b extending rearward and downward from the head pipe 10a, a down frame 10c extending rearward from the lower portion of the down frame 10b, and a rear frame 10d extending rearward and upward from the rear portion of the down frame 10c. The rear frame 10d includes a pair of left and right rear frame members 10e. A pivot bracket 10f is provided on the left and right rear frame members 10e. The front end of the power unit 8 is supported by the pivot bracket 10f so as to be able to swing up and down.

[0059] <Body cover 20>

[0060] Reference Figure 1 , Figure 2The periphery of the frame 10 of the motorcycle 1 is covered by a vehicle body cover 20. The vehicle body cover 20 includes a front vehicle body cover 13 covering the front vehicle body 11, a rear vehicle body cover 14 covering the rear vehicle body 12, and a center vehicle body cover 15 covering the floor board 6.

[0061] The front body cover 13 includes a front center cover 21 that covers the front body 11 from the front, front side covers 22 that cover the front body 11 from the left and right sides, and an inner cover 23 that covers the front body 11 from the rear.

[0062] The rear body cover 14 includes a rear center cover 26 covering the rear body 12 from the front, rear side covers 27 covering the rear body 12 from the left and right sides, a rear top cover 28 covering the rear body 12 from the rear upper side, and a rear end cover 29 covering the rear body 12 from the rear.

[0063] The center vehicle body cover 15 includes a bottom cover 24 that covers the floor step 6 from above and bottom side covers 25 that cover the floor step 6 from the left and right sides.

[0064] The upper surface of the bottom cover 24 forms a footrest surface 24a of the bottom step 6. The footrest surface 24a is, for example, flat over the entire width in the vehicle width direction. The bottom step 6 may also have a central channel that bulges upward from the inner side in the vehicle width direction. In the figure, symbol 8c indicates an exhaust muffler extending from the exhaust side of the engine 8a and wrapping around to the right side of the rear part of the vehicle body, symbol 46 indicates a pair of left and right rear seat pedals for rear passengers to rest their feet, symbol 47 indicates a horizontal footboard arranged on the left side of the rear part of the vehicle body for rear passengers to rest their feet, and symbol 48 indicates a support frame supporting the footboard 47.

[0065] <Rear body cover 14>

[0066] Reference Figure 1 to Figure 4 The rear body cover 14 includes a pair of left and right rear side covers 27 covering the left and right side portions around the seat frame from the outside in the vehicle width direction, a rear top cover 28 covering the rear portion of the rear body 12 from the rear and upper side behind the seat 5, and a rear end cover 29 covering the rear end portion of the rear body 12 from the rear.

[0067] The rear top cover 28 has an upper surface that is higher in the front and lower in the rear in a side view. A fuel filler cap 28a that opens and closes the arrangement space of the fuel filler port 17a of the fuel tank 17 is provided on the upper surface side of the rear top cover 28.

[0068] The rear end cover 29 is provided between the rear ends of the left and right rear side covers 27, and connects the rear ends of the left and right rear side covers 27. The rear end cover 29 has a curved shape that is convex toward the rear in a plan view, and the left and right side portions are respectively connected to the rear ends of the left and right rear side covers 27. The rear end cover 29 covers the range from the rear portion to the left and right side portions of the tail light unit 30 from below.

[0069] The lower part of the rear vehicle body 12 is covered from below by the upper part of the rear fender 45. The upper part of the rear fender 45 supports various vehicle components and ensures the strength and rigidity of the lower part of the rear vehicle body 12. The upper part of the rear fender 45 is in the shape of a container open upward and is formed as a reinforced box-shaped three-dimensional structure. Hereinafter, the three-dimensional structure of the upper part of the rear fender 45 is referred to as the upper structure 45a.

[0070] The upper structure 45a of the rear fender 45 is mounted between the lower portions of the left and right rear side covers 27, and connects the lower portions of the left and right rear side covers 27 to each other. A front fastening connection portion 52 of a bracket 50 described later can be connected to the rear end portion of the upper structure 45a. The upper structure 45a is arranged so as to be located forward of the tail light unit 30 and the rear end cover 29. The upper structure 45a is located forward of at least the rear portion of the tail light unit 30 and the rear end cover 29 as a whole.

[0071] The rear fender 45 covers the range from the top to the rear of the rear wheel 4 at intervals. The rear tail fender 45b covering the rear upper part of the rear wheel 4 extends from the rear lower end of the upper structure 45a. A reflector R is installed on the rear surface side of the upper part of the rear tail fender 45b, and a vehicle license plate P is installed on the rear surface side of the upper and lower middle parts of the rear fender.

[0072] <Tail light unit 30>

[0073] Reference Figure 1 to Figure 4 , Figure 6 A tail light unit 30 is disposed at the rear end of the rear vehicle body cover 14. The tail light unit 30 includes a tail light portion 31 disposed inwardly in the vehicle width direction and a pair of left and right rear direction indicator lights 32 disposed outwardly of the tail light portion 31 in the vehicle width direction.

[0074] The taillight unit 31 functions as a taillight to notify the rear of the presence of the vehicle, and also functions as a brake light to notify the rear of the vehicle when the vehicle is in a braking operation. The taillight unit 31 includes, for example, an incandescent bulb (bulb 31c) having two filaments as a light source, and changes the brightness of the light-emitting surface 31a facing the rear of the vehicle so that the viewer can distinguish between the taillight and the brake light. The taillight unit 31 may include light sources for the taillight and the brake light, respectively, or at least one of the light sources may include an LED.

[0075] The left and right rear direction indicator lights 32 include, for example, an incandescent bulb (bulb 32c) having a single filament as a light source, and emit light on a light-emitting surface 32a facing the rear of the vehicle. The left and right rear direction indicator lights 32 emit light on the light-emitting surface 32a by blinking the bulb 32c. The left and right rear direction indicator lights 32 may also include an LED as a light source.

[0076] The tail light unit 30 integrates a tail light section 31 and left and right rear direction indicator lights 32 in a horizontally arranged manner. The tail light unit 30 includes a single housing 35. The housing 35 forms lamp chambers 33 and 34 of the tail light section 31 and the left and right rear direction indicator lights 32 inside. The housing 35 includes a housing body 36 forming reflector sections 31b and 32b of the tail light section 31 and the left and right rear direction indicator lights 32, and a lens cover 37 covering the housing body 36 from the rear.

[0077] The housing body 36 is integrally formed of a resin material such as black. The housing body 36 includes a housing peripheral wall portion 36a that surrounds the periphery of a region including a plurality of reflector portions 31b and 32b when viewed from the front-rear direction. A lens rear wall portion 37b of a lens cover 37 is disposed on the rear end side of the housing peripheral wall portion 36a. The lens rear wall portion 37b includes lens portions 37b1 and 37b2 that form the light-emitting surfaces 31a and 32a of the taillight portion 31 and the left and right rear direction indicator lights 32. Each reflector portion 31b and 32b is in a bowl shape that is open to the rear. The rear end opening of each reflector portion 31b and 32b is covered from the rear by the corresponding lens portions 37b1 and 37b2 of the lens rear wall portion 37b.

[0078] The lens cover 37 is formed integrally with, for example, a colorless transparent or colored translucent resin material. The lens cover 37 includes a lens rear wall portion 37b including lens portions 37b1 and 37b2 of the taillight portion 31 and the left and right rear direction indicator lights 32, and a lens peripheral wall portion 37a extending forward from the periphery of the lens rear wall portion 37b. The lens peripheral wall portion 37a is arranged so as to overlap with the outer shell peripheral wall portion 36a from the outer periphery. The front end edges (front end edges) of the lens peripheral wall portion 37a and the outer shell peripheral wall portion 36a are bonded to each other in a sealed state. Thus, the outer shell body 36 and the lens cover 37 are combined with each other to form an integrated outer shell 35.

[0079] The corresponding light bulbs 31c and 32c are housed in the lamp chambers 33 and 34 of the taillight section 31 and the left and right rear direction indicator lights 32. The light bulbs 31c and 32c are arranged at the front end (bottom) of the reflector sections 31b and 32b, and the lens sections 37b1 and 37b2 are illuminated according to the reflection surface of the reflector sections 31b and 32b. The lamp holders 31d and 32d for holding the light bulbs 31c and 32c are detachably mounted on the front side (outside the housing 35) of the front end of the reflector sections 31b and 32b.

[0080] Each lamp holder 31d, 32d is detachable from the housing body 36 from the front side while holding the lamp cap of the corresponding bulb 31c, 32c. A bulb insertion hole is formed at the front end of each reflector portion 31b, 32b, into which the corresponding bulb 31c, 32c can be inserted / detached. Each bulb 31c, 32c is mounted on the housing body 36 together with the corresponding lamp holder 31d, 32d, and is inserted into or detached from each lamp chamber 33, 34 through the bulb insertion hole.

[0081] Reference Figure 6 A colorless and transparent license plate irradiation portion 38 is provided on the lower surface side of the tail light portion 31 in the lens rear wall portion 37b of the lens cover 37. The license plate irradiation portion 38 irradiates the bulb light L of the tail light portion 31 toward the vehicle license plate P. The tail light portion 31 has a function as a license plate lamp for illuminating the vehicle license plate P.

[0082] An inner lens 37c may be provided inside the lens cover 37. For example, the inner lens 37c is a red colored semi-transparent resin molded part at the tail light portion 31, and is an orange colored semi-transparent resin molded part at the left and right rear direction indicator lights 32. In this case, the lens cover 37 (outer lens) is a colorless transparent resin molded part.

[0083] <Support of Tail Light Unit 30>

[0084] Reference Figure 1 When the motorcycle 1 is provided with the refueling port 17a of the fuel tank 17 behind the seat 5 and on the upper surface side of the rear body 12, the rear end of the rear body 12 is extended far to the rear. The rear end of the rear body 12 and the taillight unit 30 are located behind the rear end position 4a of the rear wheel 4.

[0085] Reference Figure 2 to Figure 6 In the tail light unit 30, for example, left and right side portions are supported by rear end portions of left and right rear side covers 27, and a rear lower surface side is supported by an upper structure portion 45a of a rear fender 45 via a bracket 50 described later.

[0086] A rear end cover 29 is provided at the rear end of the rear vehicle body 12 from the lower surface side of the tail light unit 30 to the lower surface side of the rear end portions of the left and right rear side covers 27. The left and right side portions of the rear end cover 29 are fastened (fixed) to the rear end portions of the left and right rear side covers 27 using fastening tools such as screws, and the rear end portion is fastened (supported) to the upper structure portion 45a of the rear fender 45 via a bracket 50. The rear end cover 29 and the tail light unit 30 are fastened and fixed together to the rear fastening portion 53 of the bracket 50 by a common fastening tool such as screws. Figure 6In the figure, reference numeral 29a denotes a fastening portion protrudingly provided on the upper rear side of the rear cover 29, and reference numeral 35a denotes a fastening portion protrudingly provided on the lower rear side of the housing 35 of the tail light unit 30. The fastening portion 29a of the rear cover 29 and the fastening portion 35a of the tail light unit 30 are arranged so as to sandwich the rear fastening portion 53 of the bracket 50 in the front-rear direction.

[0087] The rear cover 29 and the tail light unit 30 are connected (supported) to the upper structure 45a of the rear fender 45 via a bracket 50. The bracket 50 supports the rear end of the tail light unit 30 extending rearward from below, thereby suppressing vibration and swaying of the tail light unit 30 in the vertical direction.

[0088] The bracket 50 is formed integrally by combining a plurality of steel plate stamping parts (or as a single steel plate stamping part), for example. The bracket 50 includes a bracket body 51 that is substantially horizontal and flat and extends in the front-rear direction, a pair of left and right front fastening connecting parts 52 that are bent upward from the front end of the bracket body 51 and extend and are fixed to the upper structure part 45a of the rear fender 45, and a pair of left and right rear fastening connecting parts 53 that are bent upward from the rear end of the bracket body 51 and extend and are fixed to the tail light unit 30 and the rear end cover 29.

[0089] The bracket body 51 is arranged directly below the tail light unit 30 (at a position at least overlapping with the tail light portion 31 when viewed from the top and bottom). The bracket body 51 includes a pair of left and right extension portions 51a between the front and rear fastening connection portions 52 and 53 on the left and right sides, and a mounting portion 51b connecting the extension portions 51a. The left and right extension portions 51a are separated from each other in the left and right directions except for the portion connected by the mounting portion 51b. Each extension portion 51a includes a base portion 51c extending rearward from the upper structure portion 45a of the rear fender 45 in a rectangular shape when viewed from above, and an inclined portion 51d extending slightly tapered from the rear end of the base portion 51c in a manner that the further it is located in the rear, the more it is located in the left and right direction. The bracket body 51 is substantially Y-shaped when viewed from above. Hereinafter, the outer edge portions in the vehicle width direction of the left and right extension portions 51a are referred to as the outer portion 50e in the vehicle width direction of the bracket 50. In addition, the portion between the inner edges of the left and right inclined portions 51 d in the vehicle width direction and the rear edge of the bridge portion 51 b is referred to as an inner portion 50 f in the vehicle width direction of the bracket 50 .

[0090] A cutout portion (opening forming portion) 54 is formed between the left and right inclined portions 51d to form a space having a triangular shape when viewed from above. The cutout portion 54 is formed to be surrounded by the inner side portion 50f in the vehicle width direction of the bracket 50 when viewed from above. The cutout portion 54 is located directly below the license plate illuminating portion 38 of the taillight unit 30. The cutout portion 54 exposes the license plate illuminating portion 38 downward. Therefore, light from the license plate illuminating portion 38 is projected downward from the bracket 50 through the cutout portion 54. The vehicle license plate P mounted on the rear fender 45 is located below the bracket 50. As a result, the vehicle license plate P can be illuminated by the light L from the license plate illuminating portion 38.

[0091] On the other hand, the left-right width of the bracket main body 51 (left-right inclined portion 51d) becomes narrower as it approaches the front side, so a side opening portion 55 is formed between the left-right rear side covers 27 and the left-right rear side covers 27 on the left-right outer side of the front side of the bracket main body 51. The side opening portion 55 is formed between the left and right vehicle width direction outer side portions 50e of the bracket 50 and the left and right rear side covers 27 in a plan view. The side opening portion 55 opens the inner space of the rear body cover 14 downward. The lamp holders 32d of the left and right rear direction indicator lights 32 in the tail light unit 30 are arranged in the inner space of the rear body cover 14 and above the left and right side opening portions 55. Therefore, the lamp holders 32d can be grasped by a hand, a tool, etc. inserted into the rear body cover 14 from the side opening portion 55 to perform operations such as mounting and dismounting the lamp holders 32d relative to the housing 35.

[0092] As described above, the vehicle body rear structure in the above embodiment includes the tail light unit 30 arranged at the rear end portion of the rear body 12 of the vehicle body 1A, the rear end cover 29 arranged below the tail light unit 30 at the rear end portion of the rear body 12, and the rear fender 45 covering the range from the top to the rear of the rear wheel 4 located below the rear body 12. The rear fender 45 includes the upper structure portion 45a arranged at the lower portion of the rear body 12, and the rear tail fender 45b extending downward from the rear portion of the upper structure portion 45a and having the vehicle license plate P mounted on the rear surface side. The license plate illuminating portion 38 capable of illuminating the vehicle license plate P is provided on the lower surface side of the tail light unit 30. The tail light unit 30 and the rear end cover 29 are supported by the upper structure portion 45a of the rear fender 45 via the bracket 50 passing below the tail light unit 30. The bracket 50 includes an opening forming portion 54 at a position located below the tail light unit 30 for exposing the license plate illuminating portion 38 downward.

[0093] According to this structure, the tail light unit 30 and the rear end cover 29 disposed thereunder are supported on the rear fender 45 via the bracket 50, and an opening portion is formed on the bracket 50 so that the license plate irradiation portion 38 of the tail light unit 30 is exposed downward, thereby forming the tail light unit 30 and the rear end cover 29 to be arranged to protrude to the rear of the rear vehicle body 12, and the tail light unit 30 and the rear end cover 29 can be firmly supported on the upper structure portion 45a of the rear fender 45 via the bracket 50. In addition, the bracket 50 is provided with an opening forming portion 54 so that the license plate irradiation portion 38 of the tail light unit 30 is exposed downward, thereby illuminating the vehicle license plate P through the license plate irradiation portion 38 without being interfered by the bracket 50.

[0094] In the above-mentioned vehicle body rear structure, the bracket main body 51 and the opening forming portion 54 in the bracket 50 located below the taillight unit 30 are shaped to become wider in the vehicle width direction as they move from the front toward the rear, and a side opening portion 55 open toward the bottom is formed between the outer side portion in the vehicle width direction of the bracket main body 51 and the outer side portion in the vehicle width direction of the rear vehicle body 12 (the rear side cover 27), and the taillight unit 30 is provided with rear direction indicator lights 32 on both sides in the vehicle width direction, and the lamp holder 32d of the rear direction indicator light 32 is arranged above the side opening portion 55 on the inner side of the rear vehicle body 12.

[0095] According to this structure, the width of the bracket body 51 and the opening forming portion 54 is made wider toward the rear side, so that the vehicle license plate P can be easily illuminated by the license plate illuminating portion 38. In addition, the width of the bracket body 51 and the opening forming portion 54 is made narrower toward the front side, so that in a structure in which the lamp holder 32d of the rear direction indicator 32 can be accessed through the side opening portion 55 formed on the outer side of the bracket body 51 in the vehicle width direction, the working space can be widened to improve the maintainability.

[0096] In the above vehicle body rear structure, the tail light unit 30 and the rear end cover 29 are fastened and fixed together to the rear end portion of the bracket 50 .

[0097] According to this structure, the tail light unit 30 and the rear end cover 29 are fastened and fixed together to the rear end portion of the bracket 50 extending rearward from the rear fender 45, thereby achieving the following effects. That is, the bracket 50 can be easily combined with the tail light unit 30 and the rear end cover 29, and the tail light unit 30 and the rear end cover 29 can be easily aligned. Therefore, the number of parts and the number of assembly man-hours can be reduced, and the appearance can be improved.

[0098] The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment. For example, the vehicle body rear structure of this embodiment can also be applied to straddle-type vehicles other than motorized two-wheeled vehicles. The straddle-type vehicles include all vehicles in which the driver straddles the vehicle body and rides, including not only motorized two-wheeled vehicles (including bicycles and scooters with a prime mover), but also three-wheeled vehicles (including vehicles with two front wheels and one rear wheel in addition to one front wheel and two rear wheels) or four-wheeled vehicles (four-wheeled buggies, etc.). It can also be applied to vehicles in which the prime mover includes an electric motor.

[0099] Furthermore, the configuration in the above-described embodiment is an example of the present invention, and the components of the embodiment can be replaced with well-known components, and various changes can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

Claims

1. A vehicle body rear structure, characterized in that: The vehicle body rear structure comprises: a tail light unit (30) disposed at a rear end portion of a rear body (12) of the vehicle body (1A); and a rear fender (45) which covers the outer periphery of the rear wheel (4) located below the rear vehicle body (12), The rear fender (45) is provided with a vehicle license plate (P) on the rear surface side. A license plate illuminating portion (38) capable of illuminating the vehicle license plate (P) is provided on the lower surface side of the tail light unit (30). The tail light unit (30) is supported by the rear fender (45) via a bracket (50) passing below the tail light unit (30). The bracket (50) includes an opening forming portion (54) for exposing the license plate illuminating portion (38) downward.

2. The vehicle body rear structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The vehicle body rear structure comprises a rear end cover (29) arranged at the rear end of the rear vehicle body (12) below the tail light unit (30). The tail light unit (30) and the rear end cover (29) are supported by the rear fender (45) via the bracket (50).

3. The vehicle body rear structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: The tail light unit (30) and the rear end cover (29) are fastened together to the rear end of the bracket (50).

4. The vehicle body rear structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The bracket (50) includes an outer portion (50e) in the vehicle width direction and an inner portion (50f) in the vehicle width direction. The bracket (50) is shaped so as to become wider in the vehicle width direction from the front toward the rear. The opening forming portion (54) is formed by the vehicle width direction inner side portion (50f).

5. The vehicle body rear structure according to claim 4, characterized in that: A side opening (55) opened downward is formed between the vehicle width direction outer side portion (50e) and the rear vehicle body (12).

6. The vehicle body rear structure according to claim 5, characterized in that: The taillight unit (30) is provided with rear direction indicator lights (32) on both sides in the vehicle width direction. A lamp holder (32d) of the rear direction indicator light (32) is arranged above the side opening (55).

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