SADDLE SEAT VEHICLE

Abstract

This saddle-seat vehicle has an internal combustion engine (E) and a compressor (50) configured to compress air and introduce it into the internal combustion engine (E). The saddle-seat vehicle comprises: a head section (6) configured to support front suspension components (3A) on a front section of a vehicle body (5B), and a pair of left and right frame sections (7) extending outwards from the head section (6) on the left and right sides, respectively, with the compressor (50) located in a region (R3) enclosed by the head section (6) and the left and right frame sections (7).

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED REGISTRATION

[0001] The present application claims priority over Japanese patent application No. 2024-194018, filed on November 5, 2024, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Area of ​​the invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a saddle seat vehicle. Description of the state of the art

[0003] Known compressors for vehicle engines (internal combustion engines) in the prior art include turbochargers that utilize the engine's exhaust energy, and compressors that utilize a portion of the engine's motive power. In recent years, electric compressors have become known that use an electric motor to drive the compressor (see, for example, the Japanese unexamined patent application, first publication no. 2009-228624). SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Furthermore, components on saddle-seat vehicles, such as two-wheelers or similar vehicles, tend to be more exposed to the elements than those on four-wheeled vehicles. For this reason, two-wheelers have the problem that their components are more susceptible to unauthorized tampering than four-wheelers.

[0005] One aspect of the present invention relates to the provision of a saddle seat vehicle in which a compressor used in an internal combustion engine can be made less susceptible to unauthorized external interference.

[0006] To achieve the above-mentioned objectives, a saddle seat vehicle according to one aspect of the present invention has the following configurations.

[0007] (1) One aspect of the present invention is a saddle seat vehicle (1) with an internal combustion engine (E) and a compressor (50) configured to compress air and introduce it into the internal combustion engine (E), the saddle seat vehicle comprising: a head section (6) configured to support front suspension components (3A) on a front section of a vehicle body (5B), and a pair of left and right frame sections (7) branching off from the head section (6) on the left and right sides and extending outwards, the compressor (50) being arranged in a region (R3) surrounded by the head section (6) and the left and right frame sections (7).

[0008] According to the aspect mentioned above (1), by arranging the compressor in the area surrounded on three sides by the head section and the left and right main frames, the compressor is less exposed to the outside and less susceptible to unauthorized external interference. Furthermore, by simply securing the space for the compressor, which has a rotating body, and by positioning the compressor closer to the lateral center of the vehicle body to improve weight balance, it becomes possible to easily balance the intake to each cylinder, even if the internal combustion engine has several cylinders arranged in the direction of the vehicle's width.

[0009] (2) With regard to the aspect mentioned above (1), the saddle seat vehicle may have throttle devices (35, 36) whose downstream ends are connected to cylinders (33, 34) of the internal combustion engine (E); and an expansion tank (60) which is connected to the upstream ends of the throttle devices (35, 36) and is designed to introduce charged intake air into the compressor (50), the expansion tank (60) being located downstream of the compressor (50).

[0010] According to the aspect mentioned above (2), by arranging the expansion tank downstream of the compressor, the compressor and the expansion tank can be connected in a straight line by a connecting pipe extending longitudinally along the vehicle, enabling efficient supercharged intake from the compressor to the expansion tank. Connecting the compressor and the expansion tank in a straight line longitudinally along the vehicle allows the connecting pipe to be shortened, resulting in weight and cost reductions and also minimizing boost pressure loss in a straightforward manner.

[0011] (3) With regard to the aspect mentioned above (2), the expansion tank (60) can be arranged in plan view between the left and right frame sections (7).

[0012] According to the aspect mentioned above (3), by arranging the expansion tank between the left and right main frames, the compressor and the expansion tank can be arranged together in a compact manner.

[0013] (4) With regard to the aspect (1) mentioned above, the compressor (50) may have an intake port (52a) which opens outwards in the direction of the width of the vehicle, the intake port (52a) being located in an area (R2) which, in side view, is surrounded by a plurality of frame elements (15, 17) in the frame sections (7).

[0014] According to the aspect mentioned above (4), by arranging the compressor's intake opening in the area surrounded by the main frame elements in side view, the intake duct can be easily connected to the intake opening from the outside in the direction of the vehicle's width. By arranging the compressor between the left and right main frames, it is possible to improve the weight balance, including the compressor, and furthermore, even if the internal combustion engine has several cylinders arranged in the direction of the vehicle's width, it is possible to easily balance the intake to each cylinder.

[0015] (5) With regard to the aspect (2) mentioned above, the compressor (50) may be provided to draw in air via an intake port (52a) opening in the axial direction of a rotating body and to expel the drawn-in air in the tangential direction of the rotating body with a rotation axis (C6) oriented in the vehicle width direction, wherein the expansion tank (60) may be arranged in the tangential direction of the compressor (50).

[0016] According to aspect (5) mentioned above, the compressor is a centrifugal blower that draws in air from the axial direction (vehicle width direction) of the rotating body and expels the air in a tangential direction. The reservoir is positioned tangentially to the compressor (expulsion direction, behind the compressor) such that the compressor and reservoir can be easily connected in close proximity to each other. The compressor's intake can be external, in the vehicle width direction, which reduces complexity in the head pipe area compared to a configuration where the intake is located in front of the head pipe.

[0017] (6) With regard to the aspect mentioned above (2), the internal combustion engine (E) may have a plurality of cylinders, wherein the expansion tank (60) may have a plurality of funnels (33F, 34F) connected to each cylinder of the internal combustion engine (E), the compressor (50) may have an outlet port (53a) designed to expel the intake air, an outlet channel (T1) extending from the outlet port (53a) may be connected to the interior of the expansion tank (60), and wherein intake ports (33fa, 34fa) of the plurality of funnels (33F, 34F) may open to avoid an extension area (T1ex) of the outlet channel (T1) into the expansion tank (60).

[0018] According to the aspect mentioned above (6), by opening the intake openings of the trumpets, while avoiding the extension of the outlet channel extending from the compressor outlet, it becomes difficult to introduce the charged intake air expelled from the outlet channel into the expansion tank directly into the intake openings of the trumpets. Since the charged intake air is well distributed within the expansion tank, it becomes easier to balance the supply of intake air to the majority of trumpets, thereby achieving stable combustion in the internal combustion engine.

[0019] (7) With regard to any of the aspects (1) to (6) mentioned above, the compressor (50) may have an electric motor (55) as a power source.

[0020] According to the aspect mentioned above (7), the electrification of the compressor eliminates the need to obtain the driving force for the compressor from the exhaust system or the drive shaft of the engine, thereby improving the degree of freedom in the arrangement of the compressor.

[0021] According to the aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a saddle seat vehicle that makes a compressor used in an internal combustion engine less susceptible to external unauthorized interference. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. Figure 1 is a right side view of a motorcycle according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. Figure 2 is a top view of the motorcycle. Fig. Figure 3 is a front view of the motorcycle. Fig. Figure 4 is a right side view of the periphery of the motorcycle's front frame. Fig. Figure 5 is a right-side view of a state in which an air purification device and a top cover are installed. Fig. 4 are omitted. Fig. 6 is a right-side view, showing the front frame along a dotted line. Fig. 5 shows. Fig. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view along a surface perpendicular to the vehicle width direction of the periphery of a compressor within the front frame. Fig. Figure 8 is a top view of a condition in which the top cover of the front frame is omitted. Fig. 9 is a top view of a state in which some parts are made of Fig. 8 are omitted. Fig. Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the compressor along a horizontal plane at the height of the central axis. Fig. Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view along a surface perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle in the periphery of a curved section of an expansion tank connected to the compressor. Fig. Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of Fig. 7, viewed from the opposite side in the direction of vehicle width. Fig. Figure 13 is a top view showing an angle between a first intake port and a second intake port. Fig. 9 shows. Fig. Figure 14 is a schematic description of a motorcycle's intake system. DESCRIPTION OF THE EXECUTION FORMS

[0022] An embodiment of the present invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, in the following description, directions such as forward, backward, left, right, and the like correspond to the directions in the vehicle described below, unless otherwise indicated by the context. In addition, in the drawings used in the following description, an arrow FR indicates the forward direction of the vehicle, an arrow LH the left direction of the vehicle, an arrow UP the upward direction of the vehicle, and a line CL the lateral center of a vehicle body.

[0023] In this embodiment, the term "middle" refers not only to the midpoint between the two ends of an object, but also to an inner region between those two ends. In the following description, the vehicle body of a saddle-seat vehicle is in an upright, stationary state with no tilt to the left or right and a steering angle of 0 degrees, as well as in a 1G vehicle state without a load on a horizontal plane. <Gesamtes Fahrzeug>

[0024] Fig. 1 to Fig. Figure 3 shows a motorcycle 1 as an example of a saddle seat vehicle. Fig. Figure 1 is a right side view of motorcycle 1, Fig. Figure 2 is a top view (floor plan view) of motorcycle 1 and Fig. Figure 3 is a front view of motorcycle 1.

[0025] As in Fig. 1 to Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the motorcycle 1 comprises a front wheel 2 steered by means of a handlebar 2a, and a rear wheel 12 which is driven by a drive unit PU having a V-engine (internal combustion engine) E.

[0026] The front suspension components 3A, which support the front wheel 2, are steerably mounted by a head tube (head section) 6 located at the front end of a vehicle body frame 5. The handlebar 2a and the front suspension components 3A are steerably mounted by the head tube 6. The head tube 6 is cylindrical and inclined rearward relative to the vertical. The front suspension components 3A comprise a pair of left and right front forks 3, an upper bridge 4a connecting the upper sections of the left and right front forks 3, and a lower bridge 4b. The rod-shaped handlebar 2a is attached to the upper bridge 4a.

[0027] Although the motorcycle 1 of this embodiment includes telescopic front forks 3 as the front suspension, it is not limited to this configuration. For example, the front suspension can also have other types, such as a linkage type with a swingarm. Depending on the type of front suspension, the front end section of the vehicle body frame 5 can be provided with a head section that has a different configuration instead of the head tube 6.

[0028] The drive unit PU is attached to a longitudinal center section of the vehicle body frame 5. For example, a front end section of a swing arm 11 is vertically pivotable by a rear section of the drive unit PU about a pivot axis 8a. For example, a rear wheel suspension (not shown) is formed between a front section of the swing arm 11 and a rear section of the drive unit PU.

[0029] For example, the vehicle body frame 5 is formed by integrally joining a plurality of steel elements, such as by welding or the like. The vehicle body frame 5 comprises a pair of left and right main frames 7, which extend rearward and downward from the head tube 6 to branch off on the left and right sides, as well as a pair of left and right seat rails 9, the front end sections of which are connected to the rear end sections of the left and right main frames 7 and extend rearward and downward from the front end sections.

[0030] For example, the vehicle body frame 5 is divided into a front frame 14, comprising the head tube 6 and the left and right main frames 7, and a rear frame 19, comprising the left and right seat rails 9. A rear end section of the front frame 14 and a front end section of the rear frame 19 are connected to each other in the vehicle width direction (vehicle-left / right direction) by fasteners such as screws B1 and B2 or the like. The front frame 14 and the rear frame 19 form an integrated vehicle main body 5B, including the powertrain chassis PU.

[0031] The vehicle body 5B of this embodiment refers to an integrated area of ​​the entire vehicle body that does not include any substantially moving parts (suspension or the like). The vehicle body 5B may have components other than the vehicle body frame 5. For example, in this embodiment, a pivot section 8 supporting the front end section of the pivot arm 11 is provided at a rear end section of the drive unit PU skeleton. For example, the vehicle body 5B may have an integrated vehicle body frame extending from a front suspension section (head section) to a rear suspension section (pivot section). Furthermore, the vehicle body 5B may have a vehicle body frame integrated into the seat rails 9.

[0032] The drive unit PU is installed from below the front frame 14 to below the front section of the rear frame 19. The drive unit PU integrally comprises the engine E with V-shaped multiple cylinders, in which the crank axis direction is oriented in a left / right direction, and a gearbox (not shown) designed to switch and output the driving force of the engine E.

[0033] The engine E comprises a crankcase 32, which is designed to accommodate a crankshaft (not shown), as well as front and rear cylinders 33 and 34, which are positioned above the crankcase 32 and arranged in a V-shape in side view. A rear part of the crankcase 32 forms a transmission housing in which the transmission is housed.

[0034] The front cylinder 33 projects obliquely upwards and forwards from the crankcase 32 and extends diagonally along a cylinder axis C3. The rear cylinder 34 projects upwards and rearwards from the crankcase 32 and extends diagonally along a cylinder axis C4. For example, engine E is a three-cylinder engine with two cylinders in the front cylinder 33 and one cylinder in the rear cylinder 34, but it is not limited to this. For example, engine E can be a two-cylinder engine with one cylinder in the front cylinder 33 and one cylinder in the rear cylinder 34, a four-cylinder engine with two cylinders in the front cylinder 33 and two cylinders in the rear cylinder 34, a five-cylinder engine with three cylinders in the front cylinder 33 and two cylinders in the rear cylinder 34, or a six-cylinder engine with three cylinders each in the front and rear cylinders 33 and 34.

[0035] The rear upper surface of the cylinder head of the front cylinder 33 is provided with two front intake ports (not shown) for two cylinders. The front upper surface of the cylinder head of the rear cylinder 34 is provided with one rear intake port (not shown) for one cylinder. Hereinafter, a triangular area located between a rear upper surface of the front cylinder 33 and a front upper surface of the rear cylinder 34, viewed from the side, is referred to as the intermediate cylinder area R1.

[0036] The front and rear intake openings are used for a majority of throttle bodies 35 and 36 (see Fig. 7 and Fig. 12) connected, which are designed to adjust the intake quantity of each cylinder. The majority of throttle bodies 35 and 36 are provided independently for each cylinder. The majority of throttle bodies 35 and 36 are arranged such that they are located entirely within the intermediate cylinder area R1 above the crankcase 32. The majority of throttle bodies 35 and 36 may extend partially over the intermediate cylinder area R1. The downstream end sections (lower end sections) of the throttle bodies 35 and 36 are each connected to the front and rear intake ports, respectively.

[0037] The intake port of the front cylinder 33 and the throttle body 35 connected to the intake port form a linear intake port which is inclined such that the top, viewed from the side, is positioned further rearward in the up / down direction (see Fig. 7 and Fig. 12) Although not shown, the intake port of the rear cylinder 34 and the throttle body 36 connected to the intake port form a linear intake channel, inclined such that the upper side is positioned further forward in the up / down direction. An upper end section (upstream end section) of each of the throttle bodies 35 and 36 is connected to a reservoir 60, described below, which is located above the intermediate cylinder area R1.

[0038] The front underside of the cylinder head of the front cylinder 33 is provided with two front exhaust ports (not shown) for two cylinders. The rear underside of the cylinder head of the rear cylinder 34 is provided with one rear exhaust port (not shown) for one cylinder. A plurality of exhaust pipes 37 and 38 are connected to the front and rear exhaust ports, respectively, and are designed to discharge the exhaust gases from each cylinder. The plurality of exhaust pipes 37 and 38 are routed below the crankcase 32, suitably joined together, and connected to an exhaust silencer 39 located on the side of the rear part of the vehicle body.

[0039] Fig. 4 to Fig. Figure 6 shows side views of the periphery of the front frame 14 of the motorcycle 1.

[0040] According to Fig. 4 to Fig. Taken together, a fuel tank (not shown) designed to store fuel for the engine E is arranged above the expansion tank 60. The fuel tank is designed to cover the expansion tank 60 from above. A canister 22 and various electrical components 23 are arranged in front of the expansion tank 60. Reference numeral 23a in the drawings denotes an ABS modulator. The fuel tank, the expansion tank 60, the canister 22, and the electrical components 23 are covered by an upper cover 24 having a downwardly open container shape. Behind the upper cover 24 and above the rear frame 19 is a seat 25 for one occupant. A rear seat cover 26 is attached to a rear portion of the rear frame 19. <Vorderrahmen 14>

[0041] Fig. 8 to Fig. 10 are top views of the area of ​​the front frame 14 of the motorcycle 1.

[0042] According to Fig. 4 to Fig. 6 as well Fig. 8 to Fig. 10 The front frame 14 comprises the head tube 6 inclined to the rear in the top / bottom direction of the vehicle and the pair of left and right main frames 7 branching off on the left and right sides and extending to the rear from the head tube 6.

[0043] Each of the main frames 7 comprises an upper tube 15 extending rearward from an upper section of the head tube 6, a lower tube 16 extending rearward from a lower section of the head tube 6, and a connecting tube 1 forming a bridge between the upper tube and the lower tube 16.

[0044] The upper tube 15 extends downwards from the upper part of the head tube 6 in a rearwardly inclined direction. The upper tube 15 comprises a first extension section 15a, which extends obliquely outwards in a left / right direction, and a second extension section 15b, which is curved rearwards from a rear end of the first extension section 15a and extends along a side face of the vehicle body (a side face perpendicular to the vehicle width direction). The reference numeral 15c in the drawings denotes a curved section between the first extension section 15a and the second extension section 15b. Near a front upper surface of the rear cylinder 34, there is a rear end section of the upper tube 15 which is fastened to the rear cylinder 34 by a screw B1 or the like in a left / right direction.The rear end section of the upper tube 15 adjoins an upper front end section of the rear frame 19, with both being connected to each other via a connecting plate 19a.

[0045] The lower tube 16 extends rearward from the lower part of the head tube 6 and slopes downward at a steeper angle than the upper tube 15. The upper tube 15 comprises a first extension section 16a, which extends rearward and obliquely outward in a left / right direction, and a second extension section 16b, which is curved rearward from a rear end of the first extension section 16a and extends along the side surface of the vehicle body (the side surface perpendicular to the vehicle width direction). The reference numeral 16c in the drawings denotes a curved section between the first extension section 16a and the second extension section 16b. The curved section 16c of the lower tube 16 is located in front of the curved section 16c of the upper tube 15. The rear end section of the lower tube 16 is located near the front underside of the front cylinder 33 (see Fig. 1) and is fastened in the front cylinder 33 with a screw B2 or the like in a left / right direction.

[0046] The connecting tube 17 comprises a first connecting tube 17a, which bridges the first extension sections 15a and 16a of the upper and lower tubes 15 and 16, a second connecting tube 17b, which bridges the curved section 15c of the upper tube 15 and the rear end section of the lower tube 16, and a third connecting tube 17c, which extends longitudinally along the vehicle and bridges the curved section 16c of the lower tube 16 and the rear end section of the upper tube 15. A central section of the third connecting tube 17c crosses the second connecting tube 17b and is connected to it. The third connecting tube 17c may consist of two elements, divided between the front and rear sides of the second connecting tube 17b.

[0047] By connecting the upper and lower tubes with the connecting tube 17, the main frames 7 of a truss structure are formed. The main frame 7 is formed with the opening area R2, which, when viewed in a side view, is surrounded by the upper tube 15, the first connecting tube 17a, the upper section of the second connecting tube 17b, and the front section of the third connecting tube 17c. Within the opening area R2, when viewing the right main frame structure 7 in a side view, is an intake duct T for a compressor 50, which will be described later.

[0048] According to Fig. Section 14 now describes a diagram of the intake system of engine E in motorcycle 1.

[0049] The intake system of the embodiment comprises an air cleaning device 40, the compressor 50, and the expansion tank 60. The air cleaning device 40 is connected to the compressor 50 via an intake pipe 45 forming the intake duct T. The compressor 50 is connected to the expansion tank 60 via an outlet pipe (first intake pipe) 54 forming an outlet duct (first intake duct) T1. The expansion tank 60 is connected to the intake duct of the engine E via the throttle valve housings 35 and 36 and the injectors 35a and 36a. The expansion tank 60 is connected to the air cleaning device 40 via a second intake pipe 47 forming a second intake duct T2, thus allowing air to be drawn in without passing through the compressor 50. <Luftreinigungsvorrichtung 40>

[0050] According to the Fig. 4 to 6 and Fig. From 8 to 10, the air cleaning device 40, designed to filter the intake air for the engine E, is located on the right side of the front section of the vehicle body. The air cleaning device 40 has a flat shape with reduced dimensions in the vehicle width direction (thickness direction). In side view, the air cleaning device 40 has a rectangular shape and is dimensioned to cover the front part of the front frame 14 (the area in front of the rear end of the opening area R2) from the outside in the vehicle width direction. The air cleaning device 40 is positioned vertically so that it overlaps the entire head tube 6 in the top / bottom direction, and in the vehicle length direction so that it spans the head tube 6 from front to rear and overlaps the front part of the main frame 7.

[0051] The air cleaning device 40 comprises a housing body 41 forming the outer part of the device, and an element 42 which is mounted inside the housing body 41. The front end section of the housing body 41 has an intake opening 41a which opens towards the front of the vehicle, so that air coming from the front of the vehicle can be introduced into the housing.

[0052] The element 42 is mounted on an inner side of the central longitudinal section of the housing body 41. The interior of the housing body 41 has a dirty side 42a in front of the element 42 (the side of the intake opening 41a) and a clean side 42b behind the element 42.

[0053] A counter plate 43 is mounted in the front part of the housing body 41, pointing towards the intake opening 41a from the rear. The counter plate 43 acts as a baffle plate to prevent the air drawn into the housing body 41 via the intake opening 41a from colliding with the element 42.

[0054] The air drawn into the housing 41 flows through the element 42 and is filtered without passing through the compressor 50 before being drawn into the compressor 50 via the intake duct T or directed into the expansion tank 60 via the second intake duct T2. Even if the flowing air is directed into the expansion tank 60 without passing through the compressor 50, supercharging by ram pressure is possible because the intake opening 41a is open towards the front of the vehicle.

[0055] Reference numeral 44 in the drawings denotes a first opening that opens inwards in the vehicle width direction in an inner wall section within the vehicle width direction of the housing body 41 and is connected to the intake duct T; reference numeral 45 denotes an intake pipe that connects the first opening 44 and an intake port 52a of the compressor 50 and forms the intake duct T therein; reference numeral 46 denotes a second opening that opens towards the rear of the vehicle at a rear end section of the housing body 41 and is connected to the second intake duct T2; and reference numeral 47 denotes a second intake pipe that connects the second opening 46 and a second opening 64a of the expansion tank 60 and forms the second intake duct T2 therein. <Kompressor 50>

[0056] Fig. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the periphery of compressor 50.

[0057] According to the Fig. From 4 to 10, the compressor 50 compresses the air drawn in from the air cleaning device 40 and delivers the compressed air to the motor E. The compressor 50 is a so-called blower fan, which draws in air from an axial direction by rotating a fan body (impeller) (not shown) and expels the air in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction (tangential direction). The compressor 50 is located in an intermediate frame area R3, which is surrounded on three sides by the head tube 6 and the left and right main frames 7 in the front frame 14. The compressor 50 is positioned at a height that overlaps the head tube 6 and the front part of the main frames 7 in the top / bottom direction, and is located behind the head tube 6 and in a position that overlaps the front part of the main frames 7 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0058] The compressor 50 comprises the fan body, a blower housing 51 designed to receive the fan body, and an electric motor 55 designed to drive the fan body. The compressor 50 is an electric device driven by the driving force of the electric motor 55 instead of utilizing the exhaust energy or driving force of the engine E. The compressor 50 is positioned such that its axial direction (the axial direction of the fan body) points in the direction of the vehicle width. Line C6 in the drawings designates a central axis along the axial direction of the compressor 50. In this embodiment, the axial direction (a central axis C6) of the compressor 50 is approximately parallel to the vehicle width direction, but it can be completely parallel to the vehicle width direction or inclined at a relatively steeper angle.

[0059] The blower housing 51 has an annular section 52 arranged coaxially with the fan body, with the circular intake nozzle 52a opening on one axial side (right side) of the annular section 52 along the central axis C6. The cylindrical and coaxial electric motor 55 is integrally mounted on the other axial side (left side) of the annular section 52. A rectangular drive control unit 56 is integrally mounted on one top side of the electric motor 55, as viewed from above.

[0060] The annular section 52 of the blower housing 51 is located, in plan view, to the right of the lateral center CL of the vehicle body, with the intake nozzle 52a opening to the right (outwards in the direction of the vehicle's width). The electric motor 55 is located on the left side of the blower housing 51 (the side corresponding to the lateral center CL of the vehicle body). The electric motor 55 is a rotating electric machine with the central axis C6 as its drive center and provides torque to drive the fan body. The electric motor 55 projects to the left beyond the lateral center CL of the vehicle body. The operation of the electric motor 55, and thus the operation of the compressor 50, is controlled by an electronic control device (not shown).The electronic control device drives the compressor 50 in a suitable manner, for example, according to the operating state of the engine E, the driving state of the vehicle and the acceleration request of the driver.

[0061] The intake port 52a of the blower housing 51 is, viewed from the side, located in the opening area R2 of the right main frame 7.

[0062] According to Fig. 10 The intake duct T extends from the intake nozzle 52a in the direction of the vehicle width to the outside, wherein the intake duct T is connected from the inside in the direction of the vehicle width to the clean side 42b of the air cleaning device 40.

[0063] A rear upper section of the annular section 52 of the blower housing 51 is formed with an outlet channel 53 that extends tangentially to the rear and downwards. The outlet channel 53 is cylindrical and arranged along a central axis C8 that is inclined rearward and downwards relative to the horizontal direction. A rear end of the outlet channel 53 is formed with an outlet nozzle 53a that opens towards the rear of the vehicle. <Ausgleichsbehälter 60>

[0064] Fig. Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of the periphery of a protruding section 63 of the expansion tank 60, Fig. Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of Fig. 7 seen from an opposite side in the direction of vehicle width, and Fig. Figure 13 is a top view showing an angle formed between the first intake duct T1 and the second intake duct T2.

[0065] According to the Fig. From 4 to 13, the expansion tank 60 is located behind the compressor 50. The expansion tank 60 has a hollow body 61. The expansion tank 60 serves to stabilize the pressure by distributing the intake air introduced into the body 61 within the tank body, in addition to ensuring sufficient intake capacity. A rear end section of the outlet channel 53 is connected to the outlet pipe (first intake pipe) 54, which forms the outlet channel (first intake channel) T1 extending in the direction of the outlet channel 53. A rear end section of the outlet pipe 54 is connected to a first connecting section 62 provided on a front wall section of the expansion tank 60. The first connecting section 62 has a first opening 62a that opens forward.The charged intake air delivered by the compressor 50 flows through the outlet pipe 54 to the first connecting section 62 and is introduced into the expansion tank 60 via the first opening 62a. The charged intake air introduced into the expansion tank 60 diffuses within the expansion tank 60 to stabilize the pressure and is then supplied to each cylinder via a plurality of funnels 33F and 34F.

[0066] An upper section of the expansion tank 60 is formed with the projecting section 63, which extends beyond the compressor 50. A right upper section of the projecting section 63 is provided with a second connecting section 64, which has the second opening 64a that opens to the right, forward, and upward. The second connecting section 64 is connected to a rear end section of the second intake pipe 47, which extends from a rear end section of the air cleaning device 40. The second intake pipe 47 forms the second intake channel T2 therein. The air drawn into the air cleaning device 40 and reaching the clean side 42b can be introduced from the second intake channel T2 into the expansion tank 60.This air is natural intake air, uncompressed by the compressor 50. After distributing itself within the expansion tank 60 to stabilize the pressure, this air is supplied to each cylinder via the plurality of funnels 33F and 34F. The second connecting section 64 is equipped with a control valve 48 to prevent the charged intake air introduced by the compressor 50 into the expansion tank 60 from flowing back into the second intake duct T2.

[0067] According to Fig. In this embodiment, the first connecting section 62 and the second connecting section 64 are both positioned and pre-tensioned on one side in the left / right direction (in this embodiment on the right side) of the lateral center CL of the vehicle body. Accordingly, both connecting sections are accessible from the right side of the vehicle body, which simplifies the attachment and removal of the first intake pipe 54 and the second intake pipe 47 from the expansion tank 60.

[0068] According to Fig. 7 and Fig. The second intake pipe 47 comprises an outer assembly part 47a, which is arranged on the outside of the right main frame 7 in the direction of the vehicle's width, and an inner assembly part 47b, which connects to the rear of the outer assembly part 47a, extends over the right main frame 7 to reach the inside in the direction of the vehicle's width, and is connected to the second connecting section 64. Ensuring the length of the second intake duct T2 for natural intake allows for a simple increase in the degree of freedom when adjusting the intake characteristics. The second connecting section 64 of the reservoir 60 is located above the first connecting section 62 on the projecting section 63, thus simplifying the connection of the second intake duct T2, which crosses the top of the right main frame 7.The formation of the preceding section 63 increases the capacity of the expansion tank 60, thereby achieving improved suction efficiency.

[0069] According to Fig. 7. The outlet channel T1 directs the charged intake air into the expansion tank 60. An extension of the outlet channel T1 to the inside of the expansion tank 60 is designated with the reference symbol T1ex. The intake openings 33fa and 34fa of the funnels 33F and 34F are oriented either outside the extension area T1ex or inside the extension area T1ex, but not towards the upstream side of the extension area T1ex. If the funnels 33F and 34F are located inside the extension area T1ex, the intake openings 33fa and 34fa of the funnels open towards the downstream side of the extension area T1ex (or at least contain a component that points towards the downstream side).Accordingly, the charged intake air introduced into the expansion tank 60 is not introduced directly into the intake openings 33fa and 34fa of the funnels 33F and 34F, but collides with the expansion tank 60 and the wall sections of the funnels 33F and 34F and is therefore well distributed.

[0070] According to Fig. In the drawings, line C8 is a central axis of the exhaust port T1 and corresponds to a straight line along the extension direction of the exhaust port T1. Line C9 in the drawings is a central axis of the second intake port T2 on a downstream side (the inner assembly part 47b) and corresponds to a straight line along the extension direction of the second intake port T2.

[0071] The first intake (exhaust) channel T1 and the second intake channel T2 are positioned such that the central axes C8 and C9 extending within the expansion tank 60 intersect in a top view. Viewed from a top view, the angle θ between a line extending from the intersection point PC of the central axes C8 and C9 to a downstream end center of the first intake channel T1 (center of the first opening 62a) and a line extending from the intersection point PC of the central axes C8 and C9 to a downstream end center of the second intake channel T2 (center of the second opening 64a) is an acute angle. Consequently, the inlets introduced into the expansion tank 60 from the first intake channel T1 and the second intake channel T2 are no longer opposite each other.

[0072] Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of turbulence caused by airflow interference and to prevent intake air from flowing back from one of the intake ducts T1 or T2 into the other.

[0073] According to Fig. 7 and Fig. In Figure 12, the throttle bodies (throttle valve devices) 35 and 36 and the fuel injectors (fuel injection devices) 35a and 36a are provided between each of the funnels 33F and 34F and the front and rear cylinders 33 and 34. The fuel injectors 35a and 36a are located behind the throttle body 35 in the front cylinder 33 and in front of the throttle body 36 in the rear cylinder 34. That is, the fuel injectors 35a and 36a are arranged near a longitudinal center axis of the inter-cylinder area R1.

[0074] Looking at the components of the front cylinder 33, the throttle body 35 is located between the first intake port T1 and the injector 35a in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. In the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the compressor 50, the first intake port T1, the intake funnel 33F, the throttle body 35, and the injector 35a are arranged from front to rear.

[0075] As described above, the motorcycle 1, according to the embodiment, is a saddle-seat vehicle comprising the engine E and the compressor 50, which is designed to compress air and introduce it into the engine E, which has a head tube 6 designed to support the front suspension parts 3A on the front part of the vehicle body 5B, and a pair of left and right main frames 7 branching off on the left and right sides and extending rearward from the head tube 6, wherein the compressor 50 is arranged in the intermediate frame area R3 surrounded by the head tube 6 and the left and right main frames 7.

[0076] According to this configuration, by arranging the compressor 50 in the intermediate frame area R3, which is surrounded on three sides by the head tube 6 and the left and right main frame 7, the compressor 50 is less exposed to the outside, thus making it less susceptible to unauthorized external interference. Furthermore, by simply securing the space for the rotating compressor 50 and arranging the compressor 50 closer to the lateral center CL of the vehicle body, a uniform intake flow to each cylinder is easily achieved to improve weight balance, even if the engine E has several cylinders arranged in the width of the vehicle. By arranging the compressor 50, as a heavy component integrated with the electric motor 55, in the lateral center CL of the vehicle body, a concentration of mass can be achieved.

[0077] The motorcycle 1 comprises the throttle bodies 35 and 36, the downstream ends of which are connected to the cylinders 33 and 34 of the engine E, and the expansion tank 60, which is connected to the upstream ends of the throttle bodies 35 and 36 and introduces the charged intake air from the compressor 50 located behind the compressor 50.

[0078] According to this configuration, by arranging the expansion tank 60 behind the compressor 50, the compressor 50 and the expansion tank 60 can be connected in a straight line by a connecting pipe (the outlet pipe 54) extending longitudinally in the vehicle, thus enabling an efficient supply of boosted intake air from the compressor 50 to the expansion tank 60. The straight connection of the compressor 50 and the expansion tank 60 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle allows the connecting line to be shortened, resulting in weight and cost reductions and also easily minimizing boost pressure loss. The vehicle frame 5 can also be a monocoque structure into which the expansion tank 60 is integrated.

[0079] In motorcycle 1, the expansion tank 60 is located, in the top view, between the left and the right main frame 7.

[0080] According to this configuration, by arranging the expansion tank 60 between the left and right main frames 7, the compressor 50 and the expansion tank 60 can be arranged together in a compact manner.

[0081] In the motorcycle 1, the compressor 50 has the intake manifold 52a, which opens outwards in the direction of the vehicle width, wherein the intake manifold 52a is arranged in the opening area R2, which, viewed from the side, is surrounded by the majority of frame elements of the main frame 7.

[0082] According to this configuration, by arranging the intake manifold 52a of the compressor 50 in the opening area R2, which is surrounded laterally by the frame elements of the main frames 7, the intake duct T can be easily connected to the intake manifold 52a from the outside in the direction of the vehicle's width. By arranging the compressor 50 between the left and right main frames 7, it is possible to improve the weight balance, including that of the compressor 50, and furthermore, even if the engine E has several cylinders oriented in the direction of the vehicle's width, it is possible to simplify a more balanced intake to each cylinder.

[0083] In the motorcycle 1, the compressor 50 is designed such that it draws in air via the intake manifold 52a, which opens in the axial direction of the rotating body, and expels the drawn-in air in the tangential direction of the rotating body, whose axis of rotation C6 runs in the vehicle width direction, with the expansion tank 60 being arranged in the tangential direction of the compressor 50.

[0084] According to this configuration, the compressor 50 is a centrifugal fan that draws in air from the axial direction (vehicle width direction) of the rotating body and expels the air in a tangential direction. The reservoir 60 is arranged tangentially to the compressor 50 (expulsion direction, rear of the compressor 50), allowing the compressor 50 and the reservoir 60 to be easily connected in close proximity to each other. The compressor 50's intake can be external, in the vehicle width direction, which reduces the complexity around the head pipe 6 compared to a configuration where the intake occurs in front of the head pipe 6.

[0085] In the motorcycle 1, the engine E has a plurality of cylinders, the expansion tank 60 is provided with a plurality of funnels 33F and 34F connected to each cylinder of the engine E, the compressor 50 has the outlet port 53a which expels the intake air, the outlet channel T1 extending from the outlet port 53a is connected to the interior of the expansion tank 60, and the intake openings 33fa and 34fa of the plurality of funnels 33F and 34F open to avoid the extension area T1ex of the outlet channel T1 to the interior of the expansion tank 60.

[0086] According to this configuration, by opening the intake ports 33fa and 34fa of the funnels 33F and 34F while avoiding the extension area T1ex of the outlet channel T1 extending from the outlet port 53a of the compressor 50, it becomes difficult to introduce the charged intake air expelled from the outlet channel T1 into the expansion tank 60 directly into the intake ports 33fa and 34fa of the funnels 33F and 34F. Since the charged intake air is well distributed within the expansion tank 60, it becomes easier to balance the supply of intake air to the majority of the funnels 33F and 34F, thereby achieving stable combustion in the engine E.

[0087] In the motorcycle 1, the electric motor 55 represents the drive source of the compressor 50.

[0088] By electrifying the compressor 50 according to this configuration, it is no longer necessary to obtain the driving force for the compressor 50 from the exhaust system or the drive shaft of the engine E, thereby improving the degree of freedom in the arrangement of the compressor 50.

[0089] Furthermore, according to the embodiment, the motorcycle 1 is a saddle seat vehicle comprising the engine E, the compressor 50, which is designed to compress air and supply it to the engine E, and the expansion tank 60, which is designed to introduce the charged intake air from the compressor 50, and which has the first intake channel (exhaust channel) T1, which extends from the compressor 50 and is connected to the expansion tank 60, as well as the second intake channel T2, which is provided separately from the first intake channel T1 and is connected to the expansion tank 60 without passing through the compressor 50.

[0090] According to this configuration, by providing the second intake duct T2 for natural intake, which is connected to the expansion tank 60 without passing through the compressor 50, the charged intake air and the natural intake air are fed to a common expansion tank 60 separately from the first intake duct T1 extending from the compressor 50 for supercharged intake. Integrating the intakes of both systems into the common expansion tank 60 reduces the number of parts, while the expansion tank 60 also ensures sufficient intake capacity for natural intake, thereby improving the intake efficiency (the ratio of the amount of air drawn in to the volume change in the cylinder).

[0091] The motorcycle 1 comprises the head tube 6, which carries the front suspension parts 3A on the front part of the vehicle main body 5B, and the pair of left and right main frames 7, which branch off from the head tube 6 on the left and right sides and extend to the rear, with the reservoir 60 being arranged in plan view between the left and right main frames 7.

[0092] By this arrangement, by placing the expansion tank 60 between the left and the right main frame 7, the capacity of the expansion tank 60 can be ensured, while at the same time preventing the vehicle body from having to be designed larger than if the expansion tank 60 were arranged outside the left and the right main frame 7.

[0093] In motorcycle 1, the expansion tank 60 has a first connecting section 62, which is connected to the first intake port T1, and a second connecting section 64, which is connected to the second intake port T2. Both the first connecting section 62 and the second connecting section 64 are arranged on one side of the vehicle body's side centerline CL in the left / right direction. According to this configuration, by arranging the connecting sections 62 and 64 of the first intake port T1 and the second intake port T2 together in the expansion tank 60 on one side in the left / right direction of the vehicle body, both connecting sections 62 and 64 are accessible from the outside from one side in the left / right direction of the vehicle body, thus simplifying manufacturing and maintenance.

[0094] In motorcycle 1, the first intake channel T1 and the second intake channel T2 are arranged such that their central axes C8 and C9, which extend within the expansion tank 60, intersect at an acute angle in the top view.

[0095] According to this configuration, by arranging the central axes C8 and C9 of the first intake duct T1 and the second intake duct T2 such that they form an acute angle with each other, it is possible to prevent the charged intake air and the natural intake air supplied to the expansion tank 60 via intake ducts T1 and T2 from flowing in opposite directions. This reduces the occurrence of turbulence in the expansion tank 60 and prevents the intake air from flowing back from one of the first intake ducts T1 and second intake ducts T2 to the other, thereby improving intake performance.

[0096] In the motorcycle 1, the expansion tank 60 has the first connecting section 62 connected to the first intake duct T1 and the second connecting section 64 connected to the second intake duct T2, wherein the second connecting section 64 is arranged above the first connecting section 62, and wherein the intake duct element (the second intake pipe 47) forming at least a part of the second intake duct T2, which has the outer arrangement part 47a, which is arranged outside the main frames 7 of the vehicle body 5B in the vehicle width direction, and the inner arrangement part 47b, which is connected to the rear part of the outer arrangement part 47a, extends over the main frames 7 to reach the inside in the vehicle width direction and is connected to the second connecting section 64.

[0097] According to this configuration, by extending the second intake pipe 47, which forms the second intake duct T2, without passing through the compressor 50, from the outside of the main frames 7 in the vehicle width direction to the inside of the main frames 7 in the vehicle width direction, spanning the top of the main frames 7, the length of the second intake duct T2, through which the natural intake air flows, can be ensured and the degree of freedom in adjusting the intake characteristics can be increased.

[0098] In the motorcycle 1, the engine E has several cylinders, with several funnels 33F and 34F connected to each cylinder of the engine E being provided in the expansion tank 60, the compressor 50 comprising the outlet nozzle 53a through which the intake air is expelled, and the intake openings 33fa and 34fa of the plurality of funnels 33F and 34F opening to avoid the extension area T1ex of the first intake channel T1 leading into the expansion tank 60.

[0099] According to this configuration, by opening the intake ports 33fa and 34fa of the funnels 33F and 34F while avoiding the extension area T1ex of the first intake duct T1 extending from the outlet port 53a of the compressor 50, it becomes difficult to introduce the charged intake air conveyed from the first intake duct T1 to the expansion tank 60 directly into the intake ports 33fa and 34fa of the funnels 33F and 34F. The charged intake air is well distributed within the expansion tank 60, thus easily balancing the supply of intake air to the majority of the funnels 33F and 34F and achieving stable combustion of the engine E.

[0100] The motorcycle 1 comprises the throttle body 35 and the injector 35a located between the funnel 33F and the cylinder 33, wherein the throttle body 35 is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle between the first intake duct T1 and the injector 35a.

[0101] According to this configuration, by arranging the throttle body 35 between the first intake duct T1 and the injector 35a in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, it is easier to ensure space for the first intake duct T1 and the injector 35a than if the first intake duct T1 and the injector 35a were positioned on the same side of the throttle body 35.

[0102] The present invention is not limited to this embodiment, so that the vehicle-mounted structure of the compressor of this embodiment can, for example, be applied to saddle-seat vehicles other than motorcycles. The term "seat-seat vehicle" includes all vehicles in which the rider sits astride the vehicle body, including motorcycles (including mopeds and scooter-like vehicles) as well as vehicles with three wheels (including vehicles with one front wheel and two rear wheels, and vehicles with two front wheels and one rear wheel) or four wheels (such as four-wheeled buggies or the like). Furthermore, the present invention encompasses not only scooter-like vehicles with a spreader space, but also vehicles with a spreader section. It can also be applied to vehicles that have an electric motor as a drive unit.

[0103] It can be applied to various types of reciprocating engines, such as single-cylinder engines, multi-cylinder engines like parallel or V-engines, and longitudinally mounted engines where the crankshaft is aligned in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0104] The configuration of this embodiment is an example of the present invention, so that various modifications in accordance with the present invention are possible, such as replacing the components of the embodiment with known components. REFERENCE MARK LIST 1 Motorcycle (saddle seat vehicle) 3A Front suspension parts 5 vehicle body frames 5B Vehicle body (vehicle chassis) 6 Head tube (head section) 7 Main frames (frame sections) 15 upper tube (frame element) 17 Connecting tube (frame element) 33 front cylinder (cylinder) 34 rear cylinder (cylinder) 33F, 34F funnel 33fa, 34fa Intake opening 35, 36 Throttle body (throttle device) 35a, 36a Fuel injector (fuel injection device) 47 second intake pipe 47a outer arrangement part 47b inner arrangement part 50 Compressor 52a Intake manifold 53a Outlet nozzle 54 Exhaust pipe (first intake pipe) 55 Electric motor 60 expansion tanks 62 first connecting section 64 second connecting section C6 axis of rotation C8, C9 central axis CL side center of the vehicle body E (internal combustion) engine R2 (opening) area R3 (intermediate frame) area T Intake manifold T1 first intake port (exhaust port) T1ex extension range T2 second intake manifold QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] JP 2024-194018

[0001] JP 2009-228624

[0003]

Claims

[1] A saddle seat vehicle (1) with an internal combustion engine (E) and a compressor (50) designed to compress air and supply it to the internal combustion engine (E), wherein the saddle seat vehicle comprises: a head section (6) configured to carry front suspension components (3A) on a front section of a vehicle body (5B), and a pair of left and right frame sections (7) branching off from the head section (6) on the left and right sides and extending outwards, and wherein the compressor (50) is arranged in a region (R3) which is surrounded by the head section (6) and the left and right frame sections (7). [2] The saddle seat vehicle according to claim 1, comprising: Throttle devices (35, 36) with downstream ends connected to cylinders (33, 34) of the internal combustion engine (E); and an expansion tank (60) which is connected to the upstream ends of the throttle devices (35, 36) and is designed to introduce charged intake air into the compressor (50), wherein the expansion tank (60) is located behind the compressor (50). [3] The saddle seat vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the compensating reservoir (60) is arranged in the top view between the left and right frame sections (7). [4] The saddle seat vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the compressor (50) has an intake port (52a) opening outwards in the direction of the vehicle width, and the intake manifold (52a) is arranged in an area (R2) which is surrounded in a side view by a plurality of frame elements (15, 17) in the frame sections (7). [5] The saddle seat vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the compressor (50) is provided to draw in air via an intake nozzle (52a) opening in the axial direction of a rotating body and to expel the drawn-in air in the tangential direction of the rotating body having a rotation axis (C6) oriented in the vehicle width direction, and wherein the expansion tank (60) is arranged in the tangential direction of the compressor (50). [6] The saddle seat vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the internal combustion engine (E) has a plurality of cylinders; in the expansion tank (60) a plurality of funnels (33F, 34F) are provided which are connected to each cylinder of the internal combustion engine (E), the compressor (50) has an outlet nozzle (53a) designed to expel the intake air, an outlet channel (T1) extending from the outlet nozzle (53a) is connected to the interior of the expansion tank (60), and the intake openings (33fa, 34fa) of the majority of funnels (33F, 34F) open in such a way that an extension area (T1ex) of the outlet channel (T1) into the expansion tank (60) is avoided. [7] The saddle seat vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the compressor (50) has an electric motor (55) as a drive source.

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