Front fork lower section construction of a semi-trailer truck

Abstract

Front fork lower assembly of a semi-trailer vehicle, wherein the semi-trailer vehicle has a front fork (12) of the compression type for suspending a front wheel (2), wherein the front fork lower assembly comprises the following: a pressure vessel (66k) mounted in the front fork (12); a saddle bracket (66a) arranged at a lower end of the front fork (12) for mounting a brake caliper (69) which forms a disc brake (67); and a sensor mounting area (66r) which is located at the lower end of the front fork (12) and to which a wheel speed sensor (85) is attached, characterized in that the saddle holder (66a) has a pair of upper and lower saddle support areas (66g and 66h), the pressure vessel (66k) is located in a side view of the vehicle between the upper and lower saddle support areas (66g and 66h), and the sensor mounting area (66r) is located below or above the pressure vessel (66k).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a front fork lower part construction of a semi-trailer vehicle.

[0002] A previously known vehicle has a brake caliper bracket integrated into a lower end region of a front fork and a wheel speed sensor arranged at a lower end of the brake caliper bracket (see, for example, JP 2005 - 271 666 A).

[0003] In the embodiment disclosed in JP 2005-271666 A, the wheel speed sensor protrudes below a lower edge of the brake caliper bracket and is thus exposed on the outside. In a pressurized front fork, it is desirable, when a pressure vessel is arranged at a lower end portion of the front fork, for the brake caliper bracket, the wheel speed sensor, and the pressure vessel to be arranged compactly. WO 2018 / 083644 A1 shows another arrangement of brake elements on a front fork.

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a front fork lower structure of a semi-trailer vehicle, wherein the front fork lower structure allows a pressure vessel and a wheel speed sensor to be compactly arranged without being exposed on an outer side, thereby improving the appearance.

[0005] To achieve the above object, one aspect of the present invention provides a front fork lower structure of a semi-trailer vehicle, the semi-trailer vehicle having a pressure type front fork (12) (also referred to as a "pressure front fork") for suspending a front wheel (2), the front fork lower structure comprising: a pressure vessel (66k) contained in the front fork (12); a brake caliper bracket (66a) arranged at a lower end portion of the front fork (12) for supporting a brake caliper (69) constituting a disc brake (67);and a sensor mounting portion (66r) arranged at the lower end portion of the front fork (12) and to which a wheel speed sensor (85) is mounted, in which the brake caliper holder (66a) has a pair of upper and lower caliper support portions (66g and 66h), the pressure vessel (66k) is arranged between the upper and lower caliper support portions (66g and 66h) in a vehicle side view, and the sensor mounting portion (66r) is arranged below or above the pressure vessel (66k);

[0006] In the above embodiment, preferably, the brake caliper holder (66a) is formed integrally with an axle support portion (66c) that supports an axle (2a) of the front wheel (2), the brake caliper holder (66a) has a base portion (66j) extending from the axle support portion (66c) and upper and lower brake caliper support portions (66g and 66h) that extend from an upper end portion and a lower end portion of the base portion (66j), respectively, and the pressure vessel (66k) and the sensor mounting portion (66r) are arranged integrally with the base portion (66j).

[0007] In the above embodiment, the sensor mounting portion (66r) is preferably formed on a surface (66p) of the base portion (66j) on an inner side in a vehicle width direction.

[0008] In the above embodiment, the pressure vessel (66k) preferably forms a cylindrical shape that protrudes outward from the base portion (66j) in the vehicle width direction.

[0009] In the above embodiment, the wheel speed sensor (85) is preferably arranged below the pressure vessel (66k) in the vehicle side view.

[0010] In the above embodiment, the wheel speed sensor (85) is preferably attached to the sensor mounting portion (66r) together with a protective member (86) which protects the wheel speed sensor (85).

[0011] In the above embodiment, preferably, the base portion (66j) extends from the axle box portion (66c) rearward in a vehicle body, the base portion (66j) has a pair of left and right projections (66z) at a lower end portion thereof, the projections (66z) forming a triangular shape in a bottom view, the wheel speed sensor (85) projects further toward the inside in the vehicle width direction with respect to a width of the projections (66z) in the bottom view, and the protection member (86) has a lower extension (86e) extending along an inclination of a side edge (66t) of the projection (66z) at a position below the wheel speed sensor (85).

[0012] In the above embodiment, the wheel speed sensor (85) is preferably arranged behind the axle (2a) of the front wheel (2) in the side view of the vehicle.

[0013] In the above embodiment, the wheel speed sensor (85) preferably has a detector (85b) covered in a tubular portion (86b) of the protective member (86) which protects the wheel speed sensor (85).

[0014] In the above embodiment, a fixing part (87) is preferably arranged in front of the detector (85b) of the wheel speed sensor (85), the fixing part (87) fixing the wheel speed sensor (85) to the sensor mounting portion (66r).

[0015] In the front fork lower section structure of a semi-trailer vehicle, the brake caliper bracket has a pair of upper and lower caliper support sections. From the vehicle side view, the pressure vessel is located between the upper and lower caliper support sections, and the sensor mounting section is located below or above the pressure vessel. The above design effectively utilizes the space between the upper and lower caliper support sections to compactly arrange the pressure vessel and the wheel speed sensor, while also improving the appearance.

[0016] In the above embodiment, the caliper bracket is formed integrally with the axle support portion that supports the axle of the front wheel. Furthermore, the caliper bracket includes the base portion extending from the axle support portion, and the pair of upper and lower caliper support portions extending from the upper end portion and the lower end portion of the base portion, respectively. The pressure vessel and the sensor mounting portion are arranged integrally with the base portion. With the above embodiment, the caliper bracket is integrated with the pressure vessel, and the sensor mounting portion is centrally located, so that a compact arrangement can be achieved. Furthermore, the clear and neat arrangement improves the appearance compared to a configuration in which the caliper bracket is separated from the pressure vessel.

[0017] In the above embodiment, the sensor mounting area is formed on the surface of the base portion on the inside in the vehicle width direction. Thus, the wheel speed sensor is not exposed on the outside, thus improving the appearance.

[0018] In the above embodiment, the pressure vessel forms a cylindrical shape protruding outward from the base portion in the vehicle width direction. Thus, the pressure vessel does not protrude inward from the base portion in the vehicle width direction, so that the space within the base portion can be secured in the vehicle width direction and the wheel speed sensor can be easily installed.

[0019] In the above design, the wheel speed sensor is located below the pressure vessel in the vehicle's side view. This allows for easy maintenance of the wheel speed sensor through access from below the lower brake caliper support area.

[0020] In the above embodiment, the wheel speed sensor is mounted on the sensor mounting area together with the protective element that protects the wheel speed sensor. Thus, the wheel speed sensor can be protected by a simple structure and can protect the wheel speed sensor from stone chipping and other interference.

[0021] In the above embodiment, the base portion extends from the axle box portion rearward in the vehicle body, and the base portion has the pair of left and right protrusions at the lower end portion thereof, the protrusions forming a triangular shape in a bottom view. The wheel speed sensor protrudes further inward in the vehicle width direction with respect to the width of the protrusions in the bottom view. The protection member has the lower extension extending along the inclination of the side edge of the protrusions at a position below the wheel speed sensor. The provision of the protrusions enables an increase in the strength of the base portion. Furthermore, the protrusions shaped into a triangle reduce a volume of the protrusions so that an increase in weight can be reduced.Furthermore, the protective member covers a protruding portion of the wheel speed sensor so that the wheel speed sensor can be protected.

[0022] In the above design, the wheel speed sensor is located behind the front wheel axle in the vehicle's side view. This allows the wheel speed sensor to be protected from the front by the axle and the parts around the axle.

[0023] In the above embodiment, the wheel speed sensor detector is covered in the tubular portion disposed in the protective member that protects the wheel speed sensor. Thus, the wheel speed sensor detector can be protected by the tubular portion of the protective member.

[0024] In the above embodiment, the fastener for securing the wheel speed sensor is mounted in the sensor mounting area in front of the wheel speed sensor detector. The wheel speed sensor detector can be protected from the front by the fastener. Fig. 1 shows a left side view of a motorcycle having a front fork lower structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of a lower part of a front fork and parts around it. Fig. 3 shows a left side view of the lower part of the front fork and parts around it. Fig. 4 shows a right side view of a front fork lower part in which an axle bearing area is viewed from an inner surface side. Fig. 5 shows a view of the arrow V in Fig. 4. Fig. Fig. 6 shows a right side view of a state in which a protective cover made of a Fig. 4 has been removed. Fig. 7 shows a view of the arrow VII in Fig. 6. Fig. 8 shows a view of the arrow VIII in Fig. 6. Fig. Fig. 9 shows a right side view of a state in which a wheel speed sensor is removed from a Fig. 6 has been removed.

[0025] A specific embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In all descriptions presented below, terms indicating directions including front and rear, right and left, and up and down mean the same directions as those in a vehicle body unless otherwise specified. In the drawings, an arrow FR indicates a direction toward the front of the vehicle body, an arrow UP indicates an upward direction of the vehicle body, and an arrow LH indicates a direction toward the left of the vehicle body.

[0026] Fig. 1 shows a left side view of a motorcycle 1 having a front fork lower structure according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] The motorcycle 1 has an engine 11, a front fork 12, and a swing arm 13. The engine 11 is supported as a drive unit on a vehicle body frame 10. The front fork 12, which supports a front wheel 2, is steerably mounted at a front end of the vehicle body frame 10. The swing arm 13, which supports a rear wheel 3, is arranged at a rear region of the vehicle body frame 10.

[0028] The motorcycle 1 is a saddle vehicle in which a passenger sits straddling a seat 14. The seat 14 is arranged above the rear portion of the vehicle body frame 10.

[0029] The vehicle body frame 10 includes a steering head tube 15, a pair of left and right main frames 16, a pair of left and right swing frames 17, and a pair of left and right seat frames 18. The steering head tube 15 forms a front end portion of the vehicle body frame 10. The main frames 16 extend downwardly rearward from the steering head tube 15. The swing frames 17 extend downwardly from rear ends of the main frames 16. The seat frames 18 extend upwardly rearward from the main frames 16 and the swing frames 17.

[0030] The main frames 16 have an engine mount (not shown) extending downward from front portions of the main frames 16, thereby supporting the engine 11.

[0031] The front fork 12 is mounted for left and right steering by the steering head tube 15. A handlebar 21 is arranged at an upper end of the front fork 12. The front wheel 2 is rotatably mounted via an axle 2a. The axle 2a is arranged at a lower end of the front fork 12.

[0032] The pendulum arm 13 is rotatably mounted by a rotating shaft 22. The rotating shaft 22 is supported by the left and right rotating frames 17. The rotating shaft 22 extends horizontally in the vehicle width direction. The pendulum arm 13 has a front end portion rotatably mounted by the rotating shaft 22 and oscillates vertically around the rotating shaft 22.

[0033] The rear wheel 3 is rotatably mounted on an axle 3a. The axle 3a is located at a rear end portion of the pendulum arm 13.

[0034] A rear suspension 24 is arranged over a vehicle body and the swing arm 13. The rear suspension 24 has an upper end connected to the vehicle body. The upper end of the rear suspension 24 is connected to, for example, the engine 11 as the vehicle body via a suspension connecting portion (not shown) extending rearward from a rear end portion of the engine 11.

[0035] The rear suspension 24 has a lower end which is connected to the pendulum arm 13 and lower end regions of the pivot frames 17 via a joint mechanism 25.

[0036] The engine 11 is arranged under the main frame 16 and in front of the swing frame 17 and is attached to the body frame 10.

[0037] The engine 11 has a crankcase 28 and a cylinder portion 29. The crankcase 28 supports a crankshaft 27. The crankshaft 27 extends horizontally in the vehicle width direction. The cylinder portion 29 extends from a front part of the cylinder portion 29 upward to the front. A piston (not shown) that performs a reciprocating movement in the cylinder portion 29 is housed in the cylinder portion 29. The cylinder portion 29 has a cylinder axis 29a inclined forward with respect to a vertical.

[0038] A rear portion of the crankcase 28 forms a transmission housing portion 28a, in which a housing (not shown) is housed. Power from the engine 11 is transmitted to the rear wheel 3 via a drive chain 30. The drive chain 30 connects an output shaft of the transmission to the rear wheel 3.

[0039] An air cleaner housing 31 is arranged behind and above the cylinder portion 29. The air cleaner housing 31 is connected to an intake port in a rear surface of the cylinder portion 29 via a throttle body (not shown).

[0040] An exhaust pipe 32 of the engine 11 extends from an exhaust port in a front surface of the cylinder section 29 and further extends rearwardly along a path below the engine 11. The exhaust pipe 32 has a rear end connected to a muffler 33. The muffler 33 is arranged to the side of the rear wheel 3.

[0041] A fuel tank 35 is arranged above the main frame 16 and between the seat 14 and the air filter housing 31.

[0042] A radiator 36, which cools the engine 11, is arranged in front of the engine 11.

[0043] The motorcycle 1 has a body cover 37. The body cover 37 covers the vehicle body including the body frame 10, the engine 11, and the like.

[0044] The body cover 37 has a panel 38 at its front.

[0045] The cover 38 comprises a front cover 40, a central cover 41 and a lower cover 42.

[0046] The front cowl 40 covers an upper portion of the front fork 12 and the head tube 15 from the front, and covers areas around a pair of left and right headlights 44. The center cowl 41 includes a pair of left and right main cowls 46 and a pair of left and right outer cowls 47. The main cowls 46 cover a front portion of the engine 11 from the sides. The outer cowls 47 are arranged laterally outside the respective main cowls 46 in the vehicle width direction. The lower cowl 42 covers the engine 11 from below.

[0047] The body cover 37 has a tank cover 51 and a rear cover 52. The tank cover 51 covers the air filter housing 31 and a portion of the fuel tank 35. The rear cover 52 covers a rear portion of the vehicle body.

[0048] A front fender 54, which covers the front wheel 2 from above, is attached to the front fork 12. An inner fender 55, which covers a front portion of the rear wheel 3 from above, is attached to the swing arm 13. A rear fender 56, which covers a rear portion of the rear wheel 3 from the rear side, extends downwardly from the rear end portions of the seat frame 18.

[0049] A support 58, on which the occupant rests his / her foot, is supported by the pivoting frame 17 and arranged behind the pivoting frame 17.

[0050] A windshield 61 and a pair of left and right rearview mirrors 62 are arranged above the front cowl 40. The windshield 61 is arranged in a central region. The rearview mirrors 62 are respectively mounted on side surfaces of the windshield 61 in the vehicle width direction.

[0051] Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of a lower portion of the front fork 12 and parts around it.

[0052] In Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the front fork 12 is provided with a pair of left and right fork tubes 63 as shock absorbers.

[0053] The fork tubes 63 each have an upper tube 64, a lower tube 65, and an axle bearing element 66. The upper tube 64 forms an upper portion of the fork tube 63. The lower tube 65 slidably fits inside the upper tube 64. The axle bearing element 66 is attached to a lower end portion of the lower tube 65. The lower tube 65 forms a lower portion of the fork tube 63.

[0054] A disc brake 67, which brakes the front wheel 2, comprises a brake disc 68 and a brake caliper 69. The brake disc 68 is attached to the front wheel 2 (specifically, a wheel 5 constituting the front wheel 2). The brake caliper 69 clamps the brake disc 68, thereby achieving a braking effect.

[0055] The brake disc 68 has a disc main body support portion 72 and a disc main body 74. The disc main body support portion 72 is attached to the wheel 5 with a plurality of bolts 71. The disc main body 74 is disc-shaped and is coupled to an outer peripheral portion of the disc main body support portion 72 with a plurality of coupling parts 73.

[0056] Two brake pads 76 are provided as an additional component within the brake caliper 69. The brake pads 76 clamp and press the brake disc 68. The brake pads 76 are pressed against the brake disc 68 by a compressive force from a piston (not shown) provided in the brake caliper 69.

[0057] The disc main body 74 represents an area clamped by the brake pads 76.

[0058] The axle bearing element 66 is provided in one piece with a caliper holder 66a. The caliper holder 66a is arranged at a rear portion of the axle bearing element 66 and supports the brake caliper 69.

[0059] The brake caliper 69 is attached to the caliper holder 66a with two bolts 78.

[0060] Fig. 3 shows a left side view of the lower part of the front fork 12 and parts around it.

[0061] The axle bearing element 66 integrally contains the saddle holder 66a, an axle bearing area 66c and a fender support area 66d.

[0062] The axle support portion 66c includes a lower fork end fitting portion 66e and a shaft support main unit portion 66f. The lower fork end fitting portion 66e is tubular and fits into a lower end portion of the lower tube 65. The shaft support main unit portion 66f is integrally formed with a lower portion of the lower fork end fitting portion 66e.

[0063] The lower fork end fitting portion 66e includes an upper annular protrusion 66u and a lower annular protrusion 66v. The upper annular protrusion 66u and the lower annular protrusion 66v protrude annularly outward in the radial direction on outer peripheral surfaces at an upper end portion and a lower end portion of the lower fork end fitting portion 66e, respectively, thereby serving as reinforcement portions.

[0064] The shaft bearing main unit portion 66f has an axle through hole 66b formed therein. The axle 2a is guided through the axle through hole 66b. An edge portion of the axle through hole 66b has two annular lateral projections 66w ( Fig. 3 shows only the annular lateral projection 66w on the side closer to the viewer. The annular lateral projections 66w protrude annularly toward corresponding side surfaces in the vehicle width direction. The shaft bearing main unit portion 66f has a pair of left and right bolt passage portions 66x at its lower end. The bolt passage portions 66x are formed inclined upward toward the front. Bolts 77 are inserted through bolt holes in the respective bolt passage portions 66x.

[0065] The annular lateral projections 66w and the bolt passage portions 66x are each divided into two by a slot 66y, the slots extending downward and obliquely forward from the axle passage hole 66b.

[0066] The saddle holder 66a extends integrally rearward from the axle bearing portion 66c. The saddle holder 66a has an upper saddle support portion 66g, a lower saddle support portion 66h, and an intermediate wall portion 66j. The upper saddle support portion 66g is formed at an upper end portion of the saddle holder 66a. The lower saddle support portion 66h is formed at a lower end portion of the saddle holder 66a. The intermediate wall portion 66j represents the connection between the upper saddle support portion 66g and the lower saddle support portion 66h.

[0067] The brake caliper 69 is attached to the upper caliper support area 66g and the lower caliper support area 66h with the bolts 78.

[0068] A pressure vessel 66k is arranged on the intermediate wall region 66j. The pressure vessel 66k has a laterally protruding cylindrical shape. The pressure vessel 66k extends obliquely upward from one side of the axle bearing region 66c to the rear.

[0069] A cylinder bore is formed within the pressure vessel 66k. A free piston is slidably positioned within the cylinder bore such that a gas chamber and an oil chamber are defined within the cylinder bore.

[0070] The gas chamber is a closed space filled with compressed gas, and the oil chamber communicates with an oil chamber within the front fork 12. The above design ensures that the hydraulic fluid filling the oil chamber within the front fork 12 is maintained at a positive pressure at all times by the pressure of the compressed gas in the gas chamber. Consequently, cavitation is unlikely to occur in the hydraulic fluid in the oil chamber within the front fork 12, allowing a uniform damping force to be generated.

[0071] A pair of left and right side projections on the lower end portion 66z, each projecting laterally, extends from the respective shaft bearing main unit portions 66f to respective side surfaces of lower end portions of the saddle holders 66a.

[0072] The fender support portion 66d, which supports the front fender 54, is arranged at an upper end portion of the saddle holder 66a and the axle bearing portion 66c, respectively.

[0073] The fender support portion 66d has a front support portion 66m and a rear support portion 66n. The front support portion 66m extends upward from a front upper portion of the axle bearing portion 66c (specifically, the fitting portion of the lower fork end 66e). The rear support portion 66n extends upward from the saddle holder 66a (specifically, the upper saddle support portion 66g). The front fender 54 (see Fig. 1) is mounted with screws 81 at the upper end areas of the front support area 66m and the rear support area 66n.

[0074] A wheel speed detecting device 83, which detects a rotational speed of the front wheel 2, is arranged in a position around the front wheel 2. The wheel speed detecting device 83 includes an annular pulsar rotor 84 and a wheel speed sensor 85. The pulsar rotor 84 is mounted on the front wheel 2, or more specifically, the wheel 5. The wheel speed sensor 85 is arranged on a surface of the caliper bracket 66a, inward in the vehicle width direction.

[0075] In the embodiment, the pulsar rotor 84 is mounted on a first side surface (left side) of the wheel 5. The wheel speed sensor 85 is mounted on the caliper bracket 66a of the axle support member 66 on the left side of the pair of left and right axle support members 66.

[0076] The Pulsar rotor 84 comprises several rotor mounting areas 84a and a circular, plate-shaped, engaged area 84b. The rotor mounting areas 84a are fastened to the wheel 5 by bolts 71 together with the brake disc 68. The engaged area 84b is integrated into the rotor mounting areas 84a.

[0077] The detected area 84b has a plurality of slots 84c, each of which is spaced from one another in the circumferential direction.

[0078] The wheel speed sensor 85 detects rotation of the pulsar rotor 84.

[0079] Fig. 4 shows a right side view of a front fork lower in which the axle bearing element 66 is viewed from one side of an inner surface 66p. Fig. 5 shows a view of the arrow V in Fig. 4.

[0080] As in Fig. 4, the saddle holder 66a has a flat area 66q on the inner surface 66p, which faces the front wheel 2 (see Fig. 3), or especially the wheel 5 (see Fig. 3). A sensor mounting portion 66r is integrally provided at a lower portion of the flat portion 66q. The sensor mounting portion 66r is formed above the lateral projection of the lower end portion 66z on the inner side in the vehicle width direction (on the inner surface 66p side).

[0081] In Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, the wheel speed sensor 85 and a protective cover 86 are mounted on the sensor mounting area 66r. The wheel speed sensor 85 detects a rotation of the front wheel 2 (see Fig. 3). The protective cover 86 partially covers the wheel speed sensor 85. The wheel speed sensor 85 and the protective cover 86 are secured together to the sensor mounting portion 66r via a bolt 87.

[0082] By detecting a rotation of the front wheel 2 by the wheel speed sensor 85, an electronic control unit (ECU) accommodated in the vehicle body translates a rotation signal output from the wheel speed sensor 85 into a corresponding rotational speed of the front wheel 2, so that the rotational speed is used to control various parts of the motorcycle 1 (see Fig. 1).

[0083] In Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, the pressure vessel 66k and the wheel speed sensor 85 are arranged in a space 90 which is arranged below the upper saddle support area 66g and above the lower saddle support area 66h.

[0084] It will be Fig. 5. The left and right side projections of the lower end portion 66z form left and right side portions of a lower portion 66s of the caliper bracket 66a. Side edges 66t of the left and right side projections of the lower end portion 66z are inclined such that a distance between them decreases toward the rear of the vehicle with respect to the shaft bearing main unit portion 66f. Specifically, the lower portion 66s of the caliper bracket 66a is formed into a triangle when viewed from below.

[0085] The provision of the left and right lateral projections of the lower end portion 66z enables reinforcement of a boundary portion 70a between the saddle holder 66a and the axle bearing portion 66c in Fig. 4, and further enables reinforcement of the axle bearing element 66.

[0086] The wheel speed sensor 85 is arranged below the pressure vessel 66k. The arrangement of the wheel speed sensor 85 simplifies work to be performed on the wheel speed sensor 85 by means of a lower end portion of the caliper bracket 66a, which offers an advantage when necessary maintenance work is required.

[0087] Fig. Fig. 6 shows a right side view of a state in which the protective cover 86 is removed from the Fig. 4 has been removed. Fig. 7 shows a view of the arrow VII in Fig. 6.

[0088] In Fig. 6 and Fig. 7, the wheel speed sensor 85 has a base 85a, a detector 85b, and a cable 85c. The detector 85b protrudes from the base 85a to the side of the pulsar rotor 84 (see Fig. 3). The cable 85c extends from the socket 85a.

[0089] The base 85a has an elongated plate-shaped portion 85d and a cylindrical base end portion 85e. The base end portion 85e is formed integrally with a first end portion of the plate-shaped portion 85d. The plate-shaped portion 85d has a bolt through-hole 85f at a portion on a side closer to the axle through-hole 66b in the axle support member 66. The bolt 87 is passed through the bolt through-hole 85f.

[0090] The detector 85b is a columnar region that detects rotation of the pulsar rotor 84 (see Fig. 3). The detector 85b is arranged in the plate-shaped portion 85d at a position farther from the axle through-hole 66b than from the bolt through-hole 85f.

[0091] The cable 85c is led from the socket end portion 85e of the socket 85a to the front fork 12 and the body frame 10 (see Fig. 1) before being connected to the ECU located in the vehicle body. The foregoing embodiment allows a rotation signal of the pulsar rotor 84 detected by the detector 85b to be applied to the ECU.

[0092] It will be Fig. 7. Each projection 70j in the upper annular projection 66u and the lower annular projection 66v of the axle support member 66 largely protrudes laterally by a distance L1 from an inner side surface 70k of the shaft support main unit portion 66f. In addition, the detector 85b of the wheel speed sensor 85 protrudes further inward in the vehicle width direction than the projections 70j.

[0093] It will be Fig. 4 and Fig. 5. The protective cover 86 covers an area around the wheel speed sensor 85. Specifically, the protective cover 86 integrally includes a base cover portion 86a and a detector cover portion 86b. The base cover portion 86a covers the base 85a of the wheel speed sensor 85. The detector cover portion 86b is tubular and protrudes from the base cover portion 86a toward the inside in the vehicle width direction, thereby covering an area around the detector 85b of the wheel speed sensor 85.

[0094] The base cover portion 86a has a side cover portion 86c, an upper cover portion 86d, a lower cover portion 86e, and a front cover portion 86f.

[0095] The side cover portion 86c covers the socket 85a laterally (from the inside in the vehicle width direction). The upper cover portion 86d extends from an upper edge of the side cover portion 86c to the outside in the vehicle width direction (toward the sensor mounting portion 66r side), thereby covering the socket 85a from above. The lower cover portion 86e extends from a lower edge of the side cover portion 86c to the outside in the vehicle width direction (toward the sensor mounting portion 66r side), thereby covering the socket 85a from below. The front cover portion 86f extends from a front edge of the side cover portion 86c to the outside in the vehicle width direction (toward the sensor mounting portion 66r side), thereby covering the socket 85a from the front.

[0096] In Fig. 5, an outer edge 86g of the lower cover portion 86e is formed, which extends along the side edge 66t of the lateral projection of the lower end portion 66z.

[0097] The provision of the protective cover 86 allows the wheel speed sensor 85 to be covered from above, from the side, from below and from the front, so that the wheel speed sensor 85 can be protected.

[0098] Fig. 8 shows a view of the arrow VIII in Fig. 6.

[0099] An inner side surface 70h of the pressure vessel 66k forms part of the flat area 66q in the inner surface 66p of the intermediate wall area 66j. The inner side surface 70h is flush with parts of the flat area 66q except for the inner side surface 70h.

[0100] The cable 85c of the wheel speed sensor 85 is routed to the upper portion of the front fork 12 via a space 93 defined between a plane 91 and a plane 92. The plane 91 extends along the flat portion 66q. The plane 92 extends along the annular lateral projections 66w.

[0101] The routing of the cable 85c of the wheel speed sensor 85 through the space 93 allows the cable 85c to be protected from the front by the axle bearing element 66.

[0102] The pressure vessel 66k is arranged within the protrusions 70j in the upper annular projection 66u and the lower annular projection 66v of the axle support member 66 in the vehicle width direction. With this configuration, the axle support portion 66c can protect the pressure vessel 66k from the front.

[0103] Fig. Fig. 9 shows a right side view of a state in which the wheel speed sensor 85 is removed from the Fig. 6. The sensor mounting portion 66r of the saddle holder 66a has a base 70b, a stop 70c, a threaded hole 70d, and a recess 70e.

[0104] It will be Fig. 6 and Fig. 9. The base 70b integrally protrudes from the flat portion 66q of the inner surface 66p toward the inside in the vehicle width direction. The plate-shaped portion 85d of the wheel speed sensor 85 has a bottom surface adjacent to the base 70b. The stopper 70c is formed integrally with an upper edge of the base 70b. The stopper 70c has a stopper surface 70f formed at its lower end. The plate-shaped portion 85d of the wheel speed sensor 85 has a peripheral surface adjacent to the stopper surface 70f. The wheel speed sensor 85 is locked by the stopper surface 70f.

[0105] The threaded hole 70d is formed in a front portion of the base 70b. The bolt 87 is threadably engaged with the threaded hole 70d. The recess 70e is formed in a rear portion of the base 70b. The recess 70e prevents the base end portion 85e of the wheel speed sensor 85 from interfering with the caliper bracket 66a.

[0106] A rear recess 70g is formed in the flat portion 66q of the sensor mounting portion 66r. The rear recess 70g also prevents the base end portion 85e of the wheel speed sensor 85 from interfering with the caliper bracket 66a.

[0107] As with regard to Fig. 1, Fig. 3 and Fig. As described in Figure 4, the motorcycle 1 as a saddle vehicle includes the front fork 12 that suspends the front wheel 2. The front fork 12 is a pressure type and has the pressure vessel 66k disposed at the lower end portion thereof. Furthermore, the front fork 12 includes, at the lower end portion thereof, the caliper bracket 66a that supports the brake caliper 69 constituting the disc brake 67 and the sensor mounting portion 66r to which the wheel speed sensor 85 is mounted.

[0108] The saddle holder 66a has two saddle support areas (the upper saddle support area 66g and the lower saddle support area 66h). In the vehicle side view, the pressure vessel 66k is arranged between the upper saddle support area 66g and the lower saddle support area 66h, and the sensor mounting area 66r is arranged below or above the pressure vessel 66k.

[0109] By the foregoing construction, the space 90 between the upper saddle support portion 66g and the lower saddle support portion 66h can be effectively utilized to compactly arrange the pressure vessel 66k and the wheel speed sensor 85 and improve the appearance.

[0110] As in Fig. 3 and Fig. As shown in Fig. 4, the caliper bracket 66a is formed integrally with the axle support portion 66c, which supports the axle 2a of the front wheel 2. Furthermore, the caliper bracket 66a includes the intermediate wall portion 66j as the base portion extending from the axle support portion 66c and the pair of upper and lower caliper support portions 66g and 66h, which extend from the upper end portion and the lower end portion of the intermediate wall portion 66j, respectively. The pressure vessel 66k and the sensor mounting portion 66r are arranged integrally with the intermediate wall portion 66j.

[0111] With the above embodiment, the saddle holder 66a is integrated into the pressure vessel 66k and the sensor mounting area 66r is centrally located, allowing for a compact arrangement. Furthermore, the clear and neat arrangement improves the appearance compared to a design in which the saddle holder 66a is separated from the pressure vessel 66k.

[0112] As in Fig. 4, the sensor mounting portion 66r is formed on the inner surface 66p of the partition wall portion 66j on the inner side in the vehicle width direction.

[0113] Due to the above design, the wheel speed sensor 85 is not exposed on the outside, so that the appearance can be improved.

[0114] As in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the pressure vessel 66k forms the cylindrical shape protruding outward from the intermediate wall portion 66j in the vehicle width direction.

[0115] By the foregoing configuration, the pressure vessel 66k does not protrude toward the inside in the vehicle width direction from the partition wall portion 66j, so that the space 90 in the partition wall portion 66j can be secured in the vehicle width direction and the wheel speed sensor 85 can be arranged smoothly.

[0116] As in Fig. 3, the wheel speed sensor 85 is arranged below the pressure vessel 66k in the vehicle side view.

[0117] Due to the above design, maintenance of the wheel speed sensor 85 can be easily carried out via an access from below the lower saddle support area 66h.

[0118] Furthermore, as in Fig. 4, the wheel speed sensor 85 is attached to the sensor mounting portion 66r together with the protective cover 86 serving as a protective member for protecting the wheel speed sensor 85.

[0119] By the foregoing construction, the wheel speed sensor 85 can be protected by a simple structure and the wheel speed sensor 85 can be protected against stone chipping and other interference.

[0120] As in Fig. 3 and Fig. 5, the intermediate wall portion 66j extends rearward from the axle box portion 66c in the vehicle body. The intermediate wall portion 66j includes, as projections, the pair of left and right lateral projections of the lower end portion 66z at its lower end portion, the lateral projections of the lower end portion 66z forming a triangular shape in a bottom view. The wheel speed sensor 85 protrudes further inward in the vehicle width direction in the bottom view with respect to the width of the lateral projections of the lower end portion 66z. The protective cover 86 includes, as a lower extension, the lower cover portion 86e, which extends along the inclination of the side edge 66t of the lateral projections of the lower end portion 66z, at a position below the wheel speed sensor 85.

[0121] With the foregoing configuration, the provision of the pair of left and right lateral projections of the lower end portion 66z enables the strength of the partition wall portion 66j to be increased. Furthermore, the triangular-shaped lateral projections of the lower end portion 66z reduce the volume of the lateral projections of the lower end portion 66z, thereby reducing the increase in weight. Furthermore, the protective cover 86 covers a protruding portion of the wheel speed sensor 85, thereby protecting the wheel speed sensor 86.

[0122] As in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, the wheel speed sensor 85 is arranged behind the axle 2a of the front wheel 2 in the side view of the vehicle.

[0123] By the above embodiment, the wheel speed sensor 85 can be protected from the front by the axis 2a and parts around the axis 2a.

[0124] As in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, the detector 85b of the wheel speed sensor 85 is covered in the detector cover portion 86b as the tubular portion disposed in the protective cover 86 which protects the wheel speed sensor 85.

[0125] By the foregoing embodiment, the detector 85b of the wheel speed sensor 85 can be protected by the detector covering portion 86b of the protective cover 86.

[0126] As in Fig. 5 and Fig. 7, the bolt 87 as a fastening element for fixing the wheel speed sensor 85 to the sensor mounting portion 66r is arranged in front of the detector 85b of the wheel speed sensor 85.

[0127] By the foregoing embodiment, the detector 85b of the wheel speed sensor 85 can be protected from the front by the bolt 87.

[0128] Although the wheel speed sensor 85 in the embodiment described above is shown in the vehicle side view as in Fig.4 in an arrangement below the pressure vessel 66k, for example, the wheel speed sensor 85 can be arranged above the pressure vessel 66k in the vehicle side view.

[0129] Furthermore, the present invention can be applied not only to the motorcycle 1 but also to any other type of semi-trailer vehicles including the motorcycle 1. Description of reference symbols: 1 motorcycle (semi-trailer) 2 front wheel 2a axis 12 front fork 66a brake caliper holder 66c axle bearing area 66g upper saddle support area (saddle support area) 66h lower saddle support area (saddle support area) 66j Partition wall area (base area) 66k pressure vessels 66p inner surface (surface) 66r sensor mounting area 66t Side edge of the lateral projection of the lower end area 66z lateral projection of the lower end area (projection) 67 disc brake 69 brake caliper (caliper) 85 Wheel speed sensor 85b detector 86 Protective cover (protective element) 86b Detector coverage area (tubular area) 86e lower cover area (lower extension) 87 Bolt (fastener)

Claims

[1] A front fork lower section structure of a semi-trailer vehicle, the semi-trailer vehicle having a front fork (12) of the pressure type for suspending a front wheel (2), the front fork lower section structure comprising: a pressure vessel (66k) accommodated in the front fork (12); a caliper holder (66a) arranged at a lower end portion of the front fork (12) for supporting a brake caliper (69) forming a disc brake (67); and a sensor mounting portion (66r) arranged at the lower end portion of the front fork (12) and to which a wheel speed sensor (85) is mounted, characterized by that the saddle holder (66a) has a pair of upper and lower saddle support areas (66g and 66h), the pressure vessel (66k) is arranged in a vehicle side view between the upper and lower saddle support areas (66g and 66h), and the sensor mounting area (66r) is arranged below or above the pressure vessel (66k). [2] Front fork lower part construction of a semi-trailer vehicle according to claim 1, where the saddle holder (66a) is formed integrally with an axle bearing area (66c) which supports an axle (2a) of the front wheel (2), the saddle holder (66a) has a base portion (66j) extending from the axle bearing portion (66c) and the upper and lower saddle support portions (66g and 66h), which each extend from an upper end portion and a lower end portion of the base portion (66j), and the pressure vessel (66k) and the sensor mounting area (66r) are arranged integrally with the base area (66j). [3] The front fork lower body structure of a semi-trailer vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the sensor mounting portion (66r) is formed on a surface (66p) of the base portion (66j) on an inner side in a vehicle width direction. [4] The front fork lower structure of a semi-trailer vehicle according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the pressure vessel (66k) forms a cylindrical shape projecting outwardly in the vehicle width direction from the base portion (66j). [5] Front fork lower part structure of a semi-trailer vehicle according to one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the wheel speed sensor (85) is arranged below the pressure vessel (66k) in the vehicle side view. [6] A front fork lower structure of a semi-trailer vehicle according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the wheel speed sensor (85) is mounted on the sensor mounting portion (66r) together with a protective member (86) protecting the wheel speed sensor (85). [7] Front fork lower part construction of a semi-trailer vehicle according to claim 6, wherein the base region (66j) extends rearwardly from the axle bearing region (66c) in a vehicle body, the base portion (66j) has a pair of left and right projections (66z) at its lower end portions, the projections (66z) forming a triangular shape in a bottom view, the wheel speed sensor (85) protrudes further to the inside in the vehicle width direction with respect to a width of the projections (66z) in the view from below, and the protective element (86) has a lower extension (86e) extending along an inclination of a side edge (66t) of the projection (66z) in a position below the wheel speed sensor (85). [8] A front fork lower structure of a semi-trailer vehicle according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the wheel speed sensor (85) has a detector (85b) covered in a tubular portion (86b) of the protective member (86) protecting the wheel speed sensor (85). [9] The front fork lower body structure of a semi-trailer vehicle according to claim 8, wherein a fixing member (87) is disposed in front of the detector (85b) of the wheel speed sensor (85), the fixing member (87) fixing the wheel speed sensor (85) to the sensor mounting portion (66r). [10] Front fork lower part construction of a semi-trailer vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the wheel speed sensor (85) is arranged behind the axle (2a) of the front wheel (2) in the vehicle side view.

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