SADDLE SEAT VEHICLE

Abstract

Saddle seat vehicle (10), comprising: a seat (14); a knee contact element (23) located in front of the seat (14) with which a driver's knee comes into contact; a body frame (11) which supports the knee contact element (23) and the seat (14); an inner side panel element (30) that covers the body frame (11) in a vehicle width direction from an outside to an inside; and an outer side panel element (50) that partially covers a part of the inner side panel element (30) in the vehicle width direction from the outside to the inside in front of the knee contact element (23), wherein a tunnel section (TN) extends along a front-to-rear direction of the vehicle and is provided between the inner side panel element (30) and the outer side panel element (50), the tunnel section (TN) has a front opening (ENT) that introduces airflow into the tunnel section (TN) when the vehicle is moving, and a rear opening (EXT) that directs the airflow in the tunnel section (TN) towards the knee contact element (23), the inner side panel element (30) has a wind deflector surface (38) which is connected to a section of the tunnel section (TN) forming the rear opening (EXT) and extends behind the tunnel section (TN), the airflow guide surface (38) is provided with a convex section (39) which is convex outwards in the direction of the vehicle width, and a front section of the convex section (39) extends towards the rear opening (EXT).

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a saddle-seat vehicle. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] JP 2020 - 059 358 A describes a saddle seat vehicle with an inner side panel element and an outer side panel element that covers a front lower section of the inner side panel element.

[0003] JP 2006 - 213 250 A concerns a motorcycle in which high temperatures in a fuel tank are prevented by actively using airflow for cooling via an external air duct. The motorcycle has a frame with left and right main subframes, an engine positioned between them, and a fuel tank located above. An external air duct is designed so that its front end draws in airflow and its rear end opens into a space enclosed by the frame, engine, and fuel tank.

[0004] The outer side panel element directs the airflow towards the driver's knee outwards.

[0005] A rider must maintain a riding position against the wind. Therefore, on long journeys in a saddle-seat vehicle at high speed, the rider can become fatigued in maintaining this riding position. PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present disclosure provides a saddle seat vehicle which can reduce the strain on a driver during travel.

[0007] The present invention relates to a saddle seat vehicle according to claim 1. Preferred embodiments are described in the dependent claims. The saddle seat vehicle comprises: a seat; a knee contact element located in front of the seat with which a driver's knee comes into contact; a body frame supporting the knee contact element and the seat; an inner panel element covering the body frame in a vehicle width direction from an outside to an inside; and an outer panel element partially covering a portion of the inner panel element from the outside to the inside in the vehicle width direction in front of the knee contact element. A tunnel section extends along a front-to-rear direction of the vehicle and is provided between the inner panel element and the outer panel element.The tunnel section has a front opening that introduces airflow as the vehicle enters the tunnel section, and a rear opening that directs the airflow within the tunnel section to the knee contact element.

[0008] According to a further illustrative aspect of the present disclosure, a saddle seat vehicle comprises: a fairing element with an inclined wall section located at a front of a body, extending downwards in a vehicle width direction to an outside, and inclined upwards to a rear of the vehicle; and a wall section forming an airflow tunnel section through which airflow passes, and located behind and above the inclined wall section. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. Figure 1 is a side view showing a motorcycle according to one embodiment. Fig. 2 is a partially enlarged view of Fig. 1. Fig. Figure 3 is a side view showing a condition in which an outer side panel element has been removed. Fig. Figure 4 is a top view of the motorcycle. Fig. 5 is a front view of the motorcycle. Fig. Figure 6 is a perspective view of the motorcycle, seen obliquely from the front. Fig. Figure 7 is a perspective view of the motorcycle seen from the front left. Fig. Figure 8 is a perspective view of an area A1 from Fig. 4, viewed diagonally from behind. Fig. Figure 9 is a front view showing the motorcycle at an angle. DESCRIPTION OF EXECUTION FORMS

[0009] The following describes one embodiment of a saddle-seat vehicle. A saddle-seat vehicle is a vehicle driven by a rider who sits astride a seat. The following is an example where the saddle-seat vehicle is a motorcycle. Besides a motorcycle, the saddle-seat vehicle could also be a motorized tricycle, a four-wheeled buggy, or the like.

[0010] Fig. Figure 1 is a side view showing a motorcycle 10 according to the embodiment. When the following description refers to top and bottom, front and rear, and left and right, each direction is defined as follows. First, a side on which a front wheel 18 and a rear wheel 20 of the motorcycle 10 are in contact with a road surface is a bottom side, and an opposite side is a top side. A direction of travel in which the motorcycle 10 is traveling is front, and an opposite side is rear. When the rider is seated on the motorcycle 10, the left and right sides, relative to the rider, are left and right of the motorcycle 10. A lateral direction refers to a left-right vehicle width direction. A direction of travel of the motorcycle 10 is referred to as front, and a side opposite the direction of travel is referred to as rear.The motorcycle 10 comprises a body frame 11, a drive unit for driving 12, a fuel tank 13, a seat 14, a steering shaft 15, a swingarm 16, a pair of front forks 17, a front wheel 18, a handlebar 19, a rear wheel 20, light sections 21 (hereinafter referred to as lights 21), footrests 22, tank covers 23 and a fairing.

[0011] The body frame 11 extends in a front-to-rear direction. The propulsion unit 12, for example, an engine, is supported by the body frame 11. The fuel tank 13 is supported by the body frame 11 above the propulsion unit 12. The seat 14 is supported by the body frame 11 behind the fuel tank 13. The steering shaft 15 runs vertically and is pivotally mounted to a front section of the body frame 11. A front end section of the swingarm 16 is pivotally mounted to the body frame 11. Accordingly, the swingarm 16 pivots up and down. The propulsion unit 12 can be an electric motor or a combination of both, including an internal combustion engine and the electric motor. The motorcycle 10 includes a heat exchanger (not shown) for cooling the propulsion unit 12. The heat exchanger is, for example, a radiator.The heat exchanger is located, for example, in front of the drive unit for driving 12. The heat exchanger uses the airflow from driving to dissipate heat.

[0012] The pair of front forks 17 is connected to the steering shaft 15. The front wheel is pivotally mounted by the lower end sections of the pair of front forks 17. The steering rod 19 is connected to an upper end section of the steering shaft 15. The rear wheel 20 is pivotally mounted on a rear end section of the swingarm 16. The light 21 is supported by a front section of the bodywork. The lights 21 are essentially symmetrical in a left-right direction. A lens surface of the light 21 is fitted into an opening in the fairing and is exposed at the front. The light 21 can be a front headlight unit in which a light and a position light are combined. The light and the position light can also be supported separately. The footrests 22 are sections on which the rider 80 rests his feet 83 while riding. The footrests 22 are located below the seat 14.The seat 14 and the steps 22 are located in essentially the same position in the front-to-rear direction. The tank covers 23 are arranged below the fuel tank 13 and cover a lower section of the fuel tank 13 in the vehicle width direction from an outside. The tank cover 23 extends in the front-to-rear direction and covers a section from below the fuel tank 13 to below a front section of the seat 14 in the vehicle width direction from the outside.

[0013] The bodywork is attached to the body frame 11 in such a way that it covers a front section and side sections of the body. A front panel 24, lower panels 26, and side panels 28 are provided as the bodywork. The front panel 24 covers the front of the body. The front panel 24 includes an upper section for the lights 21 and a section extending between the left and right lights 21. The lower panel 26 covers a lower side section of the body. The side panels 28 cover sides of the body between the front panel 24 and the lower panel 26. The side panel 28 comprises an inner side panel element 30 and an outer side panel element 50. The inner side panel element 30 and the outer side panel element 50 are made of a resin and a resin, respectively.The components are made of plastic and are implemented using separate elements. The inner side panel element 30 covers the body frame 11 in the vehicle width direction from the outside. The outer side panel element 50 covers a section of the inner side panel element 30 in the vehicle width direction from the outside.

[0014] In Fig. Figure 1 is an example of rider 80 represented by a chain line marked with two dots. Rider 80 sits astride the seat 14 and assumes a normal riding position, with his feet 83 placed on the footrests 22. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, the driver's knees 81 extend forward beyond the driver's waist 82 and feet 83 in the driving position. It is assumed that the driver 80 performs a so-called knee grip, in which both knees 81 are brought into close contact with the vehicle body and the body is clamped between both knees 81. At this point, those sections of the vehicle body with which the knees 81 come into contact are called knee contact elements.

[0015] The knee contact elements are located in front of the seat 14 and the footrests 22. A section of the knee contact element with which the knee 81 comes into contact may be narrower than a remaining section located closer to the handlebar 19. The knee contact elements are located below the seat 14 and above the footrests 22. The knee contact element may be an outer shell element located above an upper edge of the side panel 28. The knee contact element may be an outer shell element located, in a side view, in an area between the steering shaft 15 or a steering tube and the seat 14. In the present embodiment, the fuel tank cover 23 is the knee contact element 23. The knee contact element may be the fuel tank 13, the body frame 11, or the side panel 28.In the case of a vehicle that does not require a fuel tank 13, such as an electric vehicle, the knee contact element can be a section that replaces the position of the fuel tank 13. The knee contact element can be a pad or the like.

[0016] When the motorcycle is traveling at 10 km / h, wind may strike the rider's knees. If most of the wind flows outside the rider's knees in the direction of the motorcycle's width, or only strikes the outer sections of the knees in the direction of the motorcycle's width, the rider may feel that their knees are being opened by the wind, or they may experience mild fatigue. Continuously riding at a high speed of 100 km / h or more for an extended period increases the volume and duration of wind exposure, which is why the rider is likely to feel their knees being opened or experience fatigue.In the present disclosure, the inner side panel element 30 and the outer side panel element 50 restrict the flow of the airflow towards the knees 81 of the driver 80 by providing the outer side panel element 50 in front of the knee contact elements 23, so that the airflow flows in a dispersing manner towards the knees 81 of the driver 80. <Inneres Seitenverkleidungselement und äußeres Seitenverkleidungselement>

[0017] The inner side panel element 30 and the outer side panel element 50 are described with reference to Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 6, Fig. 7 to Fig. 8 described in more detail. Fig. 2 is a partially enlarged view of Fig. 1. Fig. Figure 3 is a side view showing a state in which the outer side panel element 50 is removed. Fig. Figure 4 is a top view of motorcycle 10. Fig. Figure 5 is a front view of motorcycle 10. Fig. Figure 6 is a perspective view of motorcycle 10, seen obliquely from the front. Fig. Figure 7 is a perspective view of motorcycle 10 seen from the front left. Fig. Figure 8 is a perspective view of an area A1 from Fig. 4 in a rear oblique view. In the Fig. 2 and Fig. 4 are the rider's knees 81 and a surrounding area indicated by chain lines marked with two dots. In the Fig. 3, Fig. 5 and Fig. Figure 6 shows the outer side panel element 50 in a normal position, represented by a catenary line with two dots. Furthermore, some of the drawings show ridge lines to facilitate understanding of the irregularities of the side panel 28.

[0018] The inner side panel elements 30 and the outer side panel elements 50 are each provided in pairs to form a symmetrical shape in the left-right direction. In the following description, a description of one pair of left and right inner side panel elements 30 and of the pair of left and right outer side panel elements 50 also applies to the other, unless otherwise specified. The outer surface of the outer side panel element 50 is less uneven than the outer surface of the inner side panel element 30 and has a shape along a smooth curve.

[0019] A tunnel section TN is provided between the inner side panel element 30 and the outer side panel element 50, extending in the front-to-rear direction. The tunnel section TN is a cavity formed between the inner side panel element 30 and the outer side panel element 50. The inner side panel element 30 forms an inner wall of the tunnel section TN in the vehicle width direction, and the outer side panel element 50 forms an outer wall of the tunnel section TN in the vehicle width direction. The inner side panel element 30 can have a section that becomes an inner wall of the tunnel section TN, as well as a section that does not become an inner wall of the tunnel section TN and extends around the tunnel section TN.The outer side panel element 50 can have a section that serves as the outer wall of tunnel section TN, as well as a section that does not serve as the outer wall of tunnel section TN and extends around tunnel section TN. The inner side panel element 30 and the outer side panel element 50 can have sections that do not overlap along the vehicle width direction and therefore do not form tunnel section TN, as well as sections that do overlap along the vehicle width direction and sections in between that do not serve as tunnel section TN. Tunnel section TN has a front opening ENT and a rear opening EXT.

[0020] The front opening ENT is an opening for introducing airflow while the vehicle is traveling in tunnel section TN. An area where the inner side panel element 30 and the outer side panel element 50 are relatively far apart along the vehicle's width direction and which is connected to tunnel section TN can be considered an essentially front opening ENT at the front of the vehicle in tunnel section TN. The front opening ENT is, for example, an area that is in Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 is generally indicated by arrows.

[0021] The rear opening EXT is an opening for directing airflow W2 in the tunnel section TN towards the knee contact elements 23. A section in which the inner side panel element 30 and the outer side panel element 50 are relatively far apart along the vehicle width direction and which is connected to the tunnel section TN can be considered as the essentially rear opening EXT at the rear of a vehicle in the tunnel section TN. The rear opening EXT is an area that is located in the Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 is generally indicated by arrows. The rear opening EXT is located at the same height as a section of the fuel filler cap 23 against which the knees 81 rest. The rear opening EXT can direct the airflow towards a lower section of the knee contact element 23.

[0022] In Fig. Section 2, marked with sand-colored hatching, is a main section of tunnel section TN. Above and below the main section of tunnel section TN, the inner side lining element 30 and the outer side lining element 50 are either abutting each other or spaced apart at intervals closer than those of the main section of tunnel section TN. The inner side lining element 30 and the outer side lining element 50 need not be in close contact, and a gap may be formed in part or all of tunnel section TN from the front opening ENT to the rear opening EXT above or below the main section of tunnel section TN. In other words, an upper edge and a lower edge of tunnel section TN need not be sealed. In this case, some of the airflow W2 through tunnel section TN can escape through the gap.Since the gap is also smaller in this case than the size of the rear opening EXT and the cavity of the main part of the tunnel section TN, most of the driving air W2 is easily directed to the rear opening EXT along the main part of the tunnel section TN.

[0023] Fig. Figure 2 shows an example of the airflow W1 from the front of the bodywork, with the airflow W2 entering the tunnel section TN through the front opening ENT and the airflow W3 having passed through the tunnel section TN. The airflow when the motorcycle 10 is traveling straight ahead is described as an example of the airflows W1, W2, and W3. The airflow W1 flows along the bodywork in front of the front opening ENT and enters the tunnel section TN from the front opening ENT. The airflow W2, entering the tunnel section TN from the front opening ENT, flows along the wall of the tunnel section TN towards the rear opening EXT and exits the tunnel section TN through the rear opening EXT. The airflow W3, exiting the tunnel section TN through the rear opening EXT, flows along the bodywork on one rear side of the rear opening EXT and flows towards the knee contact elements 23 at the rear. Fig. 2 the airflow W2 is represented by a solid line, but this is to make the line easy to see, and in practice the airflow W2 within the tunnel section TN flows on the inside of the outer side panel element 50.

[0024] Fig. Figure 4 illustrates an example of the airflow of the driving wind W3, which has passed through the tunnel section TN, and the driving wind W4, which does not enter the tunnel section TN and travels in the vehicle width direction over the outside of the outer side panel element 50. Similar to the driving winds W1, W2, and W3, the driving wind W4 is also described, using as an example the driving wind when the motorcycle 10 is traveling straight ahead. The driving wind W3 moves further inward in the vehicle width direction relative to the driving wind W4. For example, the driving wind W3 flows inward from the knee 81 in the vehicle width direction, and the driving wind W4 flows outward from the knee 81 in the vehicle width direction.When the driver 80 performs the knee grip, a section in close contact with the vehicle body and a section not in close contact, where a gap is formed, can typically occur between the driver's thigh and ankle. For example, part of the knee 81 is in close contact with the vehicle body, and another part (the shin-side portion) of the knee 81, or a portion (the shinbone) below the knee 81, is not in close contact with the vehicle body. Part of the airflow W3, which flows towards the knee 81, can flow behind the driver 80 through a gap between the vehicle body and the driver's leg. Another part of the airflow W3, which flows towards the knee 81, can flow behind the driver 80 in the width direction, over the outside of the driver 80.

[0025] The front opening ENT is located at the same height as, or below, the luminaire 21. Here, the front opening ENT comprises a section located at the same height as the luminaire 21 and a section located below the luminaire 21. The inner side panel element 30 comprises an inner perimeter wall section 33.

[0026] The inner circumferential wall section 33 is located within the front opening ENT in the vehicle width direction. The inner circumferential wall section 33 extends along a rear edge of a light-emitting surface of the lamp 21. A lower section of the rear edge of the light-emitting surface of the lamp 21 is located behind an upper section of the rear edge. The outer side panel element 50 includes an outer circumferential wall section 53. The outer circumferential wall section 53 is located outside the front opening ENT in the vehicle width direction. The outer circumferential wall section 53 includes a forward-projecting section 54, which projects forward from the inner circumferential wall section 33 and is located at the same height as the outer circumferential wall section 53.

[0027] In the side view, the front projecting section 54 partially covers one side of the luminaire 21. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the forward projecting section 54 covers one side of a rear lower section of the luminaire 21. In the side view, a front section of the forward projecting section 54 is triangular, but it can also have another shape. The forward projecting section 54 extends further forward than an upper section and a lower section of the forward projecting section 54 of the outer side panel element 50. The airflow W1, which flows along the luminaires 21, can be captured by the forward projecting section 54 of the outer side panel element 50 and directed to the tunnel section TN.

[0028] The inner side panel element 30 comprises shielding wall sections 34. The shielding wall sections 34 are located behind the inner perimeter wall section 33. The shielding wall sections 34 prevent the light emitted by the luminaire 21 from passing through the tunnel section TN to the rear. Two ribs 34 are provided as shielding wall sections 34. The two ribs 34 are arranged behind the rear edge of the luminaire 21 and at the same height as the luminaire 21. The two ribs 34 are arranged side by side in the top-bottom direction and extend in the front-rear direction. The ribs 34 project outwards in the vehicle width direction from a surface that forms a base of the inner side panel element 30. A front end surface of the rib 34 extends upwards and outwards in the vehicle width direction to the rear.The two ribs 34 project towards the outer side panel element 50. The front end face of the rib 34 along the vehicle width direction is not in contact with the outer side panel element 50. Therefore, the airflow W2 can pass through the gap between the front end face of the rib 34 and an inner surface of the outer side panel element 50 in the vehicle width direction. The ribs 34 may be in contact with the outer side panel element 50.

[0029] The inner side panel element 30 includes an inclined wall section 31. The inclined wall section 31 is located in front of the front opening ENT of the tunnel section TN. The inclined wall section 31 is positioned below the light 21. The inclined wall section 31 extends upwards in the direction of the vehicle width towards the inside and upwards towards the rear.

[0030] As in the Fig. 5 and Fig. Figure 8 shows that the inner side lining element 30 comprises a concave wall 37. The concave wall 37 is a wall section of tunnel section TN. The concave wall 37 is recessed inwards with respect to the outer side lining element 50. The convex walls 35, 36 are located above and below the concave wall 37. The convex walls 35, 36 project towards the outer side lining element 50 and curve outwards from the concave wall 37. The concave wall 37 extends substantially along a ridge line L1. The convex wall 35 above the concave wall 37 extends substantially along a ridge line L2. The convex wall 36 below the concave wall 37 extends substantially along a ridge line L3. The airflow W2, which enters the tunnel section TN, flows easily along the concave wall 37 through the convex walls 35, 36 and the concave wall 37.In the present embodiment, the section in which the concave wall 37 is formed can be considered as the main section of the tunnel section TN.

[0031] As in the Fig. 2 and Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the ridge line L1 extends from the front opening ENT to the rear opening EXT. A front section of the ridge line L1 is located below light 21. The ridge line L1 extends upwards towards the rear. A rear section of the ridge line L1 is at the same height as the lower section of light 21. Ridge lines L2 and L3 run along the ridge line L1 in most sections of tunnel segment TN.

[0032] Sections of the outer side panel element 50 facing the concave wall 37 and the convex walls 35, 36 have a continuous slope at a shallower angle than the slope of the concave wall 37 and the convex walls 35, 36. The concave wall 37 and the convex walls 35, 36 need not be located on the inner side panel element 30, but may be located on the outer side panel element 50. The concave wall 37 and the convex walls 35, 36 may be located on either the inner side panel element 30 or the outer side panel element 50.

[0033] A gap between the inner side panel element 30 and the outer side panel element 50 is sufficiently small at a section where the ridge line L2 and an upper edge (rear edge) of the outer side panel element 50 are opposite each other. Therefore, the area where the ridge line L2 and the upper edge (rear edge) of the outer side panel element 50 are opposite each other is considered here to be an upper edge (front edge) of the rear opening EXT. A section of the upper edge of the outer side panel element 50, which is continuous from the upper edge of the rear opening EXT to the front, has a sufficiently small gap with the inner side panel element 30. Therefore, a section of the upper edge of the outer side panel element 50, which is continuous from the upper edge of the rear opening EXT to the front, is considered to be the state of the tunnel section TN.

[0034] On the other hand, a gap between the inner side panel element 30 and the outer side panel element 50 is sufficiently large at a section where the ridge line L2 and a lower edge (front edge) of the outer side panel element 50 are opposite each other. Therefore, the area where the ridge line L2 and the lower edge (front edge) of the outer side panel element 50 face each other is not considered the edge of the front opening ENT. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, an upper section of the leading edge of the outer side panel element 50 extends along an edge of the front panel 24 above the light 21. This section has a small gap and is not considered a front opening ENT. Therefore, the edge located behind a rear upper end of the light 21 is considered here to be an upper edge of the front opening ENT.

[0035] The gap between the inner side panel element 30 and the outer side panel element 50 is sufficiently small along a section of the ridge line L3. Therefore, the section along the ridge line L3 is considered here as the lower edge of the front opening ENT, as the lower end of the tunnel section TN, and as the lower edge (rear edge) of the rear opening EXT.

[0036] An intermediate section of tunnel segment TN, in the front-to-back direction, is located outside the front opening ENT in the vehicle width direction. The concave wall 37 and the convex walls 35, 36 extend outwards in the vehicle width direction from a front end to a rear. The concave wall 37 and the convex walls 35, 36 extend outwards in the vehicle width direction from a rear end to a front. The concave wall 37 and the convex walls 35, 36 are positioned at an intermediate section in the front-to-back direction, also extending outwards in the vehicle width direction.

[0037] As in Fig. Figure 5 shows that the front sections of the concave wall 37 and the convex walls 35, 36 are located below the two ribs 34. Therefore, the ribs 34 prevent the light emitted by the luminaires 21 from reaching the concave wall 37 and the convex walls 35, 36. The concave wall 37 and the convex walls 35, 36 extend upwards and backwards from the front end. The concave wall 37 and the convex walls 35, 36 are located at the same height as the ribs 34 at the position of the rear opening EXT. The rib 34 is located between the luminaire 21 and the rear opening EXT in the front-to-back direction.

[0038] The inner side lining element 30 includes an airflow guide surface 38. The airflow guide surface 38 is connected to a section forming the rear opening EXT of tunnel section TN and extends behind tunnel section TN. The airflow guide surface 38 is a section of the side lining element 28 that appears substantially behind a position that is shown in the plan view of Fig. 4 essentially corresponds to the leading edge of the fuel tank 13. The airflow guide surface 38 extends outwards towards a lower side in the vehicle width direction. The airflow guide surface 38 is provided with a convex section 39. The convex section 39 is a section that is convex outwards in the vehicle width direction. A front section of the convex section 39 extends towards the rear opening EXT. The convex section 39 is provided on a rear section of the airflow guide surface 38.

[0039] In the present embodiment, the tank cover 23 is located beneath the fuel tank 13, and a rear section of the inner side panel element 30 is located beneath the tank cover 23. The inner side panel element 30 is designed with an air outlet opening 40 to dissipate heat from the heat exchanger to the environment of the motorcycle 10. The air outlet opening 40 is a through-hole that penetrates the inner side panel element 30 along the width of the vehicle. For example, part of the heat exchanger or part of the engine can be located within the air outlet opening 40.

[0040] For example, a space is open between the front fairing 24 and the front wheel 18. Airflow for heat dissipation enters the interior of the bodywork (between the pair of left and right side fairings 28) through this opening and is directed to the heat exchanger. The airflow absorbs heat from the heat exchanger and is discharged to the side of the motorcycle 10 via the air outlet 40. The outer side fairing element 50 is positioned in front of the air outlet 40 so as not to obstruct it. A rear edge section of the outer side fairing element 50 extends along a front circumferential edge section of the air outlet 40.

[0041] The airflow guide surface 38 is located above the air outlet opening 40. A rear upper section of the inner side panel element 30 extends outwards from a connecting section with the tank cover 23 in the vehicle width direction to a lower side of the vehicle. The rear section of the inner side panel element 30 extends downwards to the rear of the vehicle. The convex section 39 extends along the direction of extension of the rear section of the inner side panel element 30. The convex section 39 is located above the air outlet opening 40 of the heat exchanger. The convex section 39 is located between the air outlet opening 40 and the knee 81 of the driver 80. The convex section 39 also serves as a heat shield, preventing the transfer of heat from the heat exchanger to the driver 80.The convex section 39 is located below a part of the fuel tank 13, which is shown in the top view of . Fig. 4 also projects outwards in the direction of the vehicle width. A section of the inner side panel element 30, which in the top view on Fig. Section 4, which also projects outwards in the direction of the vehicle's width, is provided on the convex section 39. The outwardly projecting section is located in the front-to-rear direction in essentially the same position as a rear end of the air outlet opening 40.

[0042] As in Fig. Figure 3 shows that in the present embodiment, the inner side panel element 30 and the outer side panel element 50 are fastened by a combination of a locking section and a bolt fastening section 68. Only one bolt fastening section 68 is provided on the inner surface of the outer side panel element 50. In a state where the inner side panel element 30 is attached to the body frame 11, the outer side panel element 50 can be attached to and detached from the inner side panel element 30.

[0043] In the present embodiment, a first locking section 60 and a second locking section 64 with different locking modes are provided. The first locking section 60 comprises locking claws 61 and locking recesses 62. The second locking section 64 comprises locking pins 65 and locking holes 66. The locking claws 61 and the locking pins 65 are provided on the outer side panel element 50. The locking claws 61 and the locking pins 65 project inwards from the inner surface of the outer side panel element 50 in the vehicle width direction. The locking recess 62 and the locking hole 66 are provided in the inner side panel element 30. The locking recess 62 is a hole that penetrates the inner side panel element 30, or a recess provided in an outer edge.The locking hole 66 is a hole formed in a collar of an elastic element such as rubber. For example, the locking claw 61 is inserted into the locking recess 62 along a direction that intersects the vehicle width direction, and the locking pin 65 is inserted into the locking hole 66 along the vehicle width direction.

[0044] The bolt fastening section 68 is provided on an inner surface of an upper section of the outer side panel element 50. For example, a fastening direction of a bolt B is a direction that intersects the insertion direction of the locking pin 65 into the locking hole 66. Here, the fastening direction of bolt B is a direction that is slightly inclined with respect to the top-down direction. The bolt fastening section 68 can be fastened to the inner side panel element 30 or to an element other than the inner side panel element 30, such as the front panel 24.

[0045] Three sets of first locking sections 60 are arranged side by side in the top-bottom direction along a leading edge section of the outer side panel element 50. Three sets of second locking sections 64 are arranged side by side in the top-bottom direction along a trailing edge section of the outer side panel element 50. Two sets of first locking sections 60 and the three sets of second locking sections 64 are located behind the tunnel section TN. One set of first locking section 60 and bolt fastening section 68 is located in front of the tunnel section TN. The single set consisting of first locking section 60 and bolt fastening section 68 is arranged around an edge section of the outer side panel element 50 along the front panel 24.Accordingly, the outer side panel element 50 is simply held in a position along the front panel 24.

[0046] The inner side panel element 30 can be provided with a mounting section for attachment to the body frame 11. The mounting section can be located on a portion of the inner side panel element 30 that is covered by the outer side panel element 50. Accordingly, the mounting section of the inner side panel element 30 can be made less visible by the outer side panel element 50.

[0047] The outer side panel element 50 may be provided with a bolt fastening section that is not used for attachment to the inner side panel element 30. For example, the lower panel 26, which is a separate element from the inner side panel element 30, is connected to a rear lower section of the outer side panel element 50. The outer side panel element 50 may be provided with a bolt fastening section for attaching the lower panel 26. <Schräglage>

[0048] Fig. Figure 9 is a front view showing the motorcycle 10 at an angle. As described above, the inclined wall section 31 is formed in the motorcycle 10. When the motorcycle 10 assumes the lean angle during a turn or similar maneuver, as shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 9, one inclined wall section 31 of the pair of left and right inclined wall sections 31 (one of the pair of inclined wall sections 31 being further from the ground) assumes a horizontal position or a position close to the horizontal. Accordingly, the airflow W5 moving along the inclined wall section 31 is easily directed to the upper part of the body, and a downward force is easily achieved by the airflow W5.

[0049] If the tunnel section TN is located behind and above the inclined wall section 31, some of the airflow W5 can penetrate into the tunnel section TN. Accordingly, the separation of the airflow W5 from the vehicle body by the outer wall of the tunnel section TN can be prevented. Therefore, the downward force from the airflow W5 is achieved more easily. <wirkungen>

[0050] According to the motorcycle 10, which is configured as described above, flows as in Fig. Figure 4 shows the airflow W4, which flows along an outer surface of the outer side panel element 50 in the vehicle width direction, outside the knees 81 of the driver 80. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the airflow W3, which has flowed through the tunnel section TN, strikes the knees 81 of the driver 80. The airflow W3 flows between the driver's knees 81 and the knee contact elements 23, in other words, in the vehicle width direction within the knees 81. In this way, the airflow W3, W4 can flow through the tunnel section TN in a dispersed manner towards the driver's knees 81. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the airflow W3, W4 from locally striking the driver's knees 81 and to reduce the driver's workload during travel. For example, by directing part of the airflow W3, which has flowed through the tunnel section TN, through the inner sides of the knees 81 of the driver 80, a difference in flow velocity between the respective spaces on the inside and the outside in the vehicle width direction, which enclose the knees 81, can be prevented.Accordingly, it is easy to reduce the load on the driver 80 by preventing an external force that moves the knees 81 outwards.

[0051] If the inner side panel element 30 has the concave wall 37, the airflow W2 passing through the tunnel section TN is easily directed to the rear opening EXT along the inner side panel element 30.

[0052] If the airflow guide surface 38 of the inner side panel element 30 is provided with the convex section 39, the airflow W3 exiting from the rear opening EXT is easily guided in the vehicle width direction to the inside of the knee 81 of the driver 80 via a top surface of the convex section 39.

[0053] If the convex section 39 is located above the air outlet opening 40 of the heat exchanger, the convex section 39 can prevent the transfer of heat emitted by the heat exchanger to the driver 80.

[0054] If the inner side panel element 30 has the inclined wall section 31, the inclined wall section 31 assumes a horizontal position or a position close to a horizontal position when the body tilts, and thus the downward force is achieved in a simple manner. Such a configuration is suitable, for example, in a case where the motorcycle 10 is a large two-wheeled vehicle with an exhaust volume of 400 cm³. 3 or more (for example 600 cm) 3 or the like) is, and it is desirable to give more importance to the downward force at the time of cornering than to the downward force at the time of maximum speed.

[0055] If the outer circumferential wall section 53 includes the forward-projecting section 54, which projects forward from the inner circumferential wall section 33, which is at the same height, the airflow W1 is easily directed to the front opening ENT through the forward-projecting section 54, and the airflow W2, which flows through the tunnel section TN, is easily amplified at the motorcycle 10.

[0056] If the forward-projecting section 54 partially covers the side of the light 21 in the side view, the airflow W1 passing through the side of the light 21 is easily directed into the tunnel section TN.

[0057] If the inner side panel element 30 has a wall section extending along the rear edge of the emission surface of the luminaire 21 and the front opening ENT of the tunnel section TN is at the same height as the height of the luminaire 21 or lower, it is less likely that light emitted by the luminaire 21 will penetrate into the tunnel section TN, even if the tunnel section TN is provided, and escape of light emitted by the luminaire 21 to the rear through the tunnel section TN can be prevented.

[0058] If the inner side panel element 30 has the inner circumferential wall section 33 and the shielding wall section 34, the emission of the light emitted to the rear by the luminaire 21 through the tunnel section TN can be prevented even if the tunnel section TN is present.

[0059] If the intermediate section of the tunnel section TN is arranged in the front-to-rear direction outside the front opening ENT in the vehicle width direction, an exit of the tunnel section TN is not visible when the tunnel section TN is viewed from the front of the motorcycle 10, and the appearance of light in front of the vehicle passing through the tunnel section TN to the rear of the vehicle can be prevented.

[0060] The inner side panel element 30 and the outer side panel element 50 are fastened by the combination of the locking section and the bolt fastening section 68, and only one bolt fastening section 68 is provided on the inner surface of the outer side panel element 50. In this case, the inner side panel element 30 and the outer side panel element 50 are easy to fasten due to the small number of bolt fastening sections 68. Since the bolt fastening section 68 is provided on the inner surface of the outer side panel element 50, exposure of the bolt fastening section 68 is prevented. <modifikation>

[0061] In the description above, the tunnel section TN is provided between the inner side panel element 30 and the outer side panel element 50; however, this is not a critical configuration. In the case of the articulated vehicle 10 with the inclined wall sections 31, an airflow tunnel section, through which the airflow W5 flows, can be provided behind and above the inclined wall section 31 in a position other than between the inner side panel element 30 and the outer side panel element 50.This means that the motorcycle 10 can include the inclined wall sections 31, located at the front of the body, extending downwards towards the outside in the vehicle's width direction and inclined upwards towards the rear of the vehicle, and wall sections forming the airflow tunnel section through which the airflow passes, each of which is located behind and above the inclined wall section 31. Again, since the inclined wall section 31 assumes a horizontal position or a position close to horizontal in the inclined position, the downward force is easily obtained by the airflow W5 moving along the inclined wall section 31 towards the airflow tunnel section.

[0062] The configurations and modifications described in the embodiment can be combined in a suitable manner, provided they do not contradict each other.

[0063] The present description and the drawings reveal the following aspects.

[0064] A saddle-seat vehicle according to a first aspect comprises: a seat; a knee contact element located in front of the seat with which a driver's knee comes into contact; a body frame supporting the knee contact element and the seat; an inner side panel element covering the body frame in a vehicle width direction from an outside to an inside; and an outer side panel element partially covering a portion of the inner side panel element in a vehicle width direction from the outside to the inside in front of the knee contact element. A tunnel section extends along a front-to-rear direction of the vehicle and is provided between the inner side panel element and the outer side panel element.The tunnel section has a front opening that introduces airflow into the tunnel section when the vehicle is moving, and a rear opening that directs the airflow in the tunnel section towards the knee contact element.

[0065] According to a first aspect of the present invention, the airflow, which flows along an outer surface of the outer side panel element in the vehicle width direction, flows outside the driver's knee. The airflow, having passed through the tunnel section, then encounters the driver's knee. The airflow flows between the driver's knee and the knee contact element, in other words, towards the inside of the knee in the vehicle width direction. In this way, the airflow can disperse through the tunnel section towards the driver's knee. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the airflow from directly impacting the driver's knee and to reduce the driver's exposure to wind while driving.For example, by directing some of the airflow that has passed through the tunnel section through the inside of the driver's knee, it is possible to prevent a difference in airflow velocity between the respective spaces in the width direction of the vehicle on the inside and the outside surrounding the knee. Accordingly, it is easy to reduce the driver's workload by preventing an external force that would otherwise force the knee outwards.

[0066] A second aspect is the saddle-seat vehicle, as described in the first aspect, where the inner side panel element has a concave wall that forms part of the tunnel section and is recessed inwards from the outer side panel element. Accordingly, the airflow through the tunnel is easily directed to the rear opening along the inner side panel element.

[0067] A third aspect is the saddle-seat vehicle according to the first or second aspect, in which the inner side panel element has an airflow guide surface connected to and extending behind a section of the tunnel forming the rear opening. The airflow guide surface is provided with a convex section that is convex outwards in the direction of the vehicle's width, and a front portion of the convex section extends towards the rear opening. Accordingly, the airflow exiting the rear opening is simply guided in the direction of the vehicle's width to the inside of the rider's knee area via the upper surface of the convex section.

[0068] A fourth aspect is the saddle-seat vehicle according to the third aspect, in which the convex section is located above an air outlet of a heat exchanger. In this case, the convex section can suppress the transfer of heat from the heat exchanger to the rider.

[0069] A fifth aspect is the saddle-seat vehicle, based on one of the first four aspects, in which the inner side panel element has an inclined wall section located in front of the front opening of the tunnel section and extending upwards in the vehicle width direction towards an inward side. In this case, the inclined wall section assumes a horizontal position, or a position close to horizontal, when the body tilts, thus easily generating a downward force.

[0070] A sixth aspect is the saddle-seat vehicle according to any one of the first to fifth aspects and further comprises: an inclined wall section located at the front of a body, extending downwards in the width direction of the vehicle towards the outside and inclined upwards towards a rear of the vehicle; and a wall section forming an airflow tunnel section through which the airflow passes, and located behind and above the inclined wall section. Since the inclined wall section assumes a horizontal position or a position close to the horizontal position when the body tilts, the downward force is easily achieved by the airflow moving along the inclined wall section and passing through the tunnel section.

[0071] A seventh aspect is the saddle-seat vehicle, based on one of the first through sixth aspects, in which the inner side panel element has an inner circumferential wall section located on the inside of the front opening in the vehicle's width direction; the outer side panel element has an outer circumferential wall section located on the outside of the front opening in the vehicle's width direction; and the outer circumferential wall section has a forward-projecting section extending forward from the inner circumferential wall section and positioned at the same height as the outer circumferential wall section. In this case, the airflow is easily directed to the front opening by the forward-projecting section, and the airflow passing through the tunnel section is easily amplified in the saddle-seat vehicle.

[0072] An eighth aspect is the saddle-seat vehicle according to the seventh aspect and further includes: A lighting section configured to emit light towards a front area relative to the vehicle body, with the forward-projecting section partially obscuring one side of the lighting section in a side view of the vehicle body. In this case, the airflow passing by the side of the light is easily directed into the tunnel section.

[0073] A ninth aspect is the saddle-seat vehicle according to one of the first to eighth aspects and further comprises: a lighting section configured to emit light towards a front area in relation to a body, wherein the inner side panel element has a wall section extending along a rear edge of a radiating surface of the lighting section, and the front opening of the tunnel section is at the same level as or lower than the lighting section. In this case, even if the tunnel section is provided, it is less likely that the light emitted by the light will enter the tunnel section, and exiting the light emitted rearward by the light through the tunnel section can be prevented.

[0074] A tenth aspect is the saddle-seat vehicle according to one of the first to ninth aspects and further comprises: a lighting section configured to emit light towards a front area in relation to a body, wherein the inner side panel element has an inner circumferential wall section located in the vehicle width direction on the inside of the front opening and extending along a rear edge of a radiating surface of the lighting section, and a shielding wall section located behind the inner circumferential wall section to prevent the light emitted by the lighting section from passing through the tunnel section to the rear. In this case, even if the tunnel section is provided, the escape of the light emitted to the rear by the lighting section through the tunnel section can be prevented.

[0075] An eleventh aspect is the articulated vehicle, as defined by one of the first to tenth aspects, in which an intermediate section of the tunnel segment is arranged outside the front opening in the vehicle's width direction. In this case, when viewing the tunnel segment from the front of the articulated vehicle, the tunnel exit is not visible, and the appearance of light in front of the vehicle, passing through the tunnel segment to the rear, can be prevented.

[0076] A twelfth aspect is the saddle seat vehicle according to one of the first to eleventh aspects, in which the inner and outer side panel elements are fastened by a combination of a locking section and a bolt fastening section, and only one bolt fastening section is provided on an inner surface of the outer side panel element. In this case, the inner and outer side panel elements are easily fastened due to the small number of bolt fastening sections. Since the bolt fastening section is provided on the inner surface of the outer side panel element, exposure of the bolt fastening section can be prevented.A saddle-seat vehicle according to a thirteenth aspect comprises: a fairing element with an inclined wall section located at the front of a body, extending downwards in a vehicle-width direction towards an outside, and inclined upwards towards a rear of the vehicle; and a wall section forming an airflow tunnel section through which air flows, located behind and above the inclined wall section. In this case, since the inclined wall section assumes a horizontal position or a position close to the horizontal when the body tilts, a downward force is readily achieved by the airflow moving along the inclined wall section and passing through the airflow tunnel section.

[0077] The above description is for illustrative purposes only and the present invention is not limited to it. It should be noted that an infinite number of modifications not shown can be assumed without deviating from the scope of protection of the present invention.< / modifikation> < / wirkungen>

Claims

[1] Saddle-seat vehicle (10), comprising: a seat (14); a knee contact element (23) located in front of the seat (14) with which a driver's knee comes into contact; a body frame (11) which supports the knee contact element (23) and the seat (14); an inner side panel element (30) that covers the body frame (11) in a vehicle width direction from an outside to an inside; and an outer side panel element (50) that partially covers a part of the inner side panel element (30) in the vehicle width direction from the outside to the inside in front of the knee contact element (23), wherein a tunnel section (TN) extends along a front-to-rear direction of the vehicle and is provided between the inner side panel element (30) and the outer side panel element (50), the tunnel section (TN) has a front opening (ENT) that introduces airflow into the tunnel section (TN) when the vehicle is moving, and a rear opening (EXT) that directs the airflow in the tunnel section (TN) towards the knee contact element (23), the inner side panel element (30) has a wind deflector surface (38) which is connected to a section of the tunnel section (TN) forming the rear opening (EXT) and extends behind the tunnel section (TN), the airflow guide surface (38) is provided with a convex section (39) which is convex outwards in the direction of the vehicle width, and a front section of the convex section (39) extends towards the rear opening (EXT). [2] Saddle seat vehicle (10) according to claim 1, wherein the inner side panel element (30) has a concave wall (37) which is a wall section of the tunnel section (TN) and is recessed inwards with respect to the outer side panel element (50). [3] Saddle seat vehicle (10) according to claim 1, wherein the convex section (39) is located above an air outlet opening (40) of a heat exchanger. [4] Saddle seat vehicle (10) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the inner side panel element (30) has an inclined wall section (31) which is located in front of the front opening (ENT) of the tunnel section (TN) and extends upwards in the vehicle width direction to an inside. [5] Saddle seat vehicle (10) according to one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising: an inclined wall section (31) arranged at the front of a vehicle body, extending downwards in the vehicle width direction towards the outside and inclined upwards towards a rear of the vehicle; and a wall section forming a wind passage tunnel section (TN) through which the wind flows and which is located behind and above the inclined wall section (31). [6] Saddle seat vehicle (10) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the inner side panel element (30) has an inner circumferential wall section (33) which is arranged in the vehicle width direction on the inner side of the front opening (ENT), the outer side panel element (50) has an outer circumferential wall section (53) which is arranged in the vehicle width direction on the outside of the front opening (ENT), and the outer circumferential wall section (53) has a forward-projecting section (54) which projects forward from the inner circumferential wall section (33) and is at the same height as the outer circumferential wall section (53). [7] Saddle seat vehicle (10) according to claim 6, further comprising: a lighting section (21) which is configured to emit light towards a front area in relation to a body, wherein the forward-projecting section (54) partially covers one side of the light section (21) in a side view of the body. [8] Saddle seat vehicle (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising: a lighting section (21) which is configured to emit light towards a front area in relation to a body, wherein the inner side panel element (30) has a wall section that extends along a rear edge of a radiation surface of the luminaire section (21), and the front opening (ENT) of the tunnel section (TN) is located at the same level as the lighting section (21) or lower than it. [9] Saddle seat vehicle (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising: a lighting section (21) which is configured to emit light towards a front area in relation to a body, wherein the inner side panel element (30) has an inner circumferential wall section (33) which is arranged in the vehicle width direction on the inside of the front opening (ENT) and extends along a rear edge of a emission surface of the luminaire section (21), and a shielding wall section (34) which is located behind the inner circumferential wall section (33) to prevent the light emitted by the luminaire section (21) from passing through the tunnel section (TN) to the rear. [10] Saddle seat vehicle (10) according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein an intermediate section of the tunnel section (TN) is arranged in the front-back direction outside the front opening (ENT) in the vehicle width direction. [11] Saddle seat vehicle (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the inner side panel element (30) and the outer side panel element (50) are fastened by a combination of a locking section (64) and a bolt fastening section (68), and only one bolt fastening section (68) is provided on an inner surface of the outer side panel element (50). [12] Saddle seat vehicle (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the inner side panel element (30) has a plurality of convex walls (35, 36) arranged side by side above and below the concave wall (37), and the multitude of convex walls (35, 36) protrude from the concave wall (37) towards the outer side paneling element (50). [13] Saddle seat vehicle (10) according to any one of claims 3 to 12, wherein the saddle seat vehicle further comprises: a fuel tank (13) wherein in a top view of a car body the convex section (39) is provided below a section which projects furthest outwards along the vehicle width direction inside the fuel tank (13). [14] Saddle seat vehicle (10) according to claim 1, wherein the tunnel section (TN) directs the airflow (W3) exiting the tunnel section (TN) from the rear opening (EXT) towards the knee contact element (23), which is arranged on an inner side in the direction of the vehicle width, and The airflow (W4), which does not enter the tunnel section (TN) and flows in the vehicle width direction over the outside of the outer side panel element (50), is directed further outwards in the vehicle width direction than the knee contact element (23). [15] Saddle-seat vehicle (10), comprising: a trim element (30, 50) having an inclined wall section (31) located at the front of a car body, extending downwards in a vehicle width direction towards an outside and inclined upwards towards a rear of the vehicle; a lighting section (21) which adjoins the inclined wall section (31) in an upper-lower direction; and a wall section forming a wind tunnel section (TN) through which the wind flows, and which is arranged behind and above the inclined wall section (31), wherein The airflow tunnel section (TN) for the flowing wind is positioned on an outside of a section where the inclined wall section (31) and the lighting section (21) are adjacent to each other.

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