Vehicle of the semi-trailer type

Abstract

A saddle-type vehicle comprising: a swingarm (13) pivoting upwards and downwards; a rear wheel (3) mounted on a rear end section of the swingarm (13); an endless drive force transmission element (39) extending along the swingarm (13) in a forward-reverse direction and configured to transmit the drive force from a drive unit (11) to the rear wheel (3); a cover element (40) attached to the swingarm (13) and covering the drive force transmission element (39); and a sliding piece (60) provided on an upper surface of the swingarm (13) and configured to receive the drive force transmission element (39), in which the cover element (40) has a fastening section (76a, 76b) which is attached to the rocker arm (13) by a fastening element (79), and an engagement section (80) which engages with the sliding piece (60), characterized in that the sliding piece (60) has a pipe section (68) which extends upwards from the top of the rocker arm (13) and is attached to the rocker arm (13) by a sliding piece fastening element (70) which is inserted into the pipe section (68) from above, the engagement section (80) engages with an outer circumferential section of the pipe section (68), and the engagement section (80) is a cut section which has an approximately U-shaped shape open to the front in plan view, and the sliding piece fastening element (70) passes through the cut section in an upward-downward direction.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to ride-on type vehicles.

[0002] A saddle-riding type vehicle is known that includes a swingarm, an endless drive transmission member extending along the swingarm in the front-back direction and configured to transmit the drive force of a power unit to a rear wheel, a cover member attached to the swingarm and covering the drive transmission member, and a slider provided on an upper surface of the swingarm and configured to receive the drive transmission member (see, for example, JP 2016-147618 A). In JP 2016-147618 A, a cover member is attached to brackets provided on a swingarm with bolts inserted into the cover member.

[0003] JP H08-99 663A shows a saddle-ride type vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0004] However, in the conventional saddle-mounted vehicle mentioned above, the attachment is done by screws at all points where the cover element is attached to the swingarm, and this increases the number of parts. Furthermore, special brackets are required to attach the screws, which increases the number of parts.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above situation, and has the object that a cover member configured to cover a driving force transmitting member can be attached to a swing arm with a simple structure.

[0006] To achieve the object, a vehicle of the saddle-riding type according to claim 1 is provided.

[0007] Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the subclaims.

[0008] The saddle-riding type vehicle includes: a swing arm swingable up and down; a rear wheel supported at a rear end portion of the swing arm; an endless driving force transmitting member extending along the swing arm in a front-backward direction and configured to transmit the driving force of a power unit to the rear wheel; a cover member fixed to the swing arm and covering the driving force transmitting member; and a slider provided on an upper surface of the swing arm and configured to receive the driving force transmitting member, the cover member having a fixing portion fixed to the swing arm with a fixing member and an engaging portion engaged with the slider.

[0009] In this configuration for the cover member, since the fastening portion is fixed to the swing arm by the fastening member and the engaging portion is engaged with the slider, it is possible to fix the cover member to the engaging portion without using a fastening member. This makes it possible to reduce the number of parts. Furthermore, since the engaging portion is engaged with the slider, the slider can be used to fix the engaging portion. Thus, it is possible to fix the cover member to the swing arm with a simple structure.

[0010] In the above configuration, the slider includes a tubular portion extending upward from the top of the swing arm and can be fixed to the swing arm by a slider fixing member inserted into the tubular portion from above, and the engaging portion is engaged with an outer peripheral portion of the tubular portion.

[0011] In this configuration, since the engagement portion engages with the outer peripheral portion of the tube portion extending upward from the top of the swing arm, it is easy to engage the engagement portion. Since the tube portion is a portion fixed to the swing arm with the slider fixing member and is unlikely to be shaken, it is possible to favorably support the engagement portion.

[0012] In the above configuration, the engaging portion can engage with the slider at a position on an inner side of the driving force transmitting member in a vehicle width direction.

[0013] With this configuration, since the engaging portion engages the slider at a position on the inside of the driving force transmission member in the vehicle width direction, the cover member can be easily attached to the slider. In a case where the attachment work is performed at a deep position from the inside of the driving force transmission member in the vehicle width direction, the working space is small, and the attachment requires a great deal of effort.

[0014] In the above configuration, the slider may include a slider body portion configured to accommodate the driving force transmitting member and an inner extending portion extending to a position on an inner side of the driving force transmitting member in a vehicle width direction, and the pipe portion may be provided at the inner extending portion.

[0015] In this configuration, the pipe portion may be provided at a position away from the driving force transmitting member inward in the vehicle width direction.

[0016] In the above configuration, the swing arm may include a pair of right and left arm portions and a cross member connecting the right and left arm portions in the vehicle width direction, the slider may extend along an upper surface of one of the arm portions in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and the pipe portion may be fixed to an upper surface of the cross member.

[0017] In this configuration, the top of the cross member can be used to fix the pipe section at a position on the inside of the arm section in the vehicle width direction.

[0018] In the above configuration, an inner peripheral portion of the cut portion can engage with a groove portion of the outer peripheral portion of the pipe portion from behind.

[0019] With this configuration, it is possible to easily engage the engaging portion by inserting it into the groove portion of the pipe section from the rear. Furthermore, the position of the engaging portion can be restricted in the forward-backward, right-left, and up-down directions with a simple structure.

[0020] In the above configuration, the cover member may include an outer wall portion covering the driving force transmitting member from outside in a vehicle width direction, an inner wall portion covering the driving force transmitting member from inside in the vehicle width direction, and an extending portion extending inward in the vehicle width direction from the inner wall portion, and the engaging portion may be provided in the extending portion.

[0021] With this configuration, since the engaging portion can be separated from the driving force transmitting member by the inner wall portion, it is possible to prevent or reduce contamination of the engaging portion by the driving force transmitting member and thus properly engage the engaging portion. Furthermore, the engaging portion can be concealed by the inner wall portion, allowing the outer appearance to be simple, thus maintaining a favorable external appearance.

[0022] In the above configuration, the engaging portion may be provided at a front end portion of the cover member, and the engaging portion may be inserted into the slider from the rear.

[0023] With this configuration, it is possible to easily engage the engaging portion with the slider from behind.

[0024] In the above configuration, at least one of a plurality of fixing portions and the engaging portion may be arranged to be aligned at a front end portion of the cover member in the vehicle width direction.

[0025] With this configuration, since the fixing portion and the engaging portion are arranged to be aligned in the vehicle width direction, positional deviation of the engaging portion by the fixing can be prevented or reduced, and the engaging portion can be appropriately held in engagement with the slider.

[0026] In the above configuration, the slider with which the engaging portion is engaged may be made of an elastomer, and the engaging portion may be elastically supported by the slider.

[0027] In this configuration, since the cover member is supported by using the slider made of an elastomer, it is possible to reduce the vibration of the cover member. Fig. 1 is a left side view of a motorcycle according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the structure of a swing arm and its surroundings, seen from the left side. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the structure of the swing arm and its surroundings, seen from the right side. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a slider, seen from the inside in the vehicle width direction. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a cover member, seen from the inside in the vehicle width direction.

[0028] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that directions such as forward-backward, right-left, and up-down mentioned in the description correspond to the directions with respect to the vehicle body unless otherwise specified. In each drawing, symbol FR denotes the forward direction with respect to the vehicle body, symbol UP denotes the upward direction with respect to the vehicle body, and symbol LH denotes the left direction with respect to the vehicle body.

[0029] Fig. 1 is a left side view of a motorcycle 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] The motorcycle 1 is a vehicle in which an engine 11 serving as a power unit is supported by a vehicle body frame 10, a front fork 12 steerably supporting a front wheel 2 is steerably supported by the front end of the vehicle body frame 10, and a swing arm 13 supporting a rear wheel 3 is provided at the rear of the vehicle body frame 10.

[0031] The motorcycle 1 is a saddle-riding type vehicle in which the user (rider) sits astride a seat 14, and the seat 14 is provided above a rear portion of the vehicle body frame 10.

[0032] The vehicle body frame 10 includes a head pipe 15 provided at the front end of the vehicle body frame 10, a pair of right and left main frames 16 extending rearward and downward from the head pipe 15, a pair of right and left lower frames 17 extending rearward and downward from a portion of the head pipe 15 at the bottom of the main frames 16, a pair of right and left swing frames 18 extending downward from the rear end of the main frames 16, a seat frame 19 extending rearward from rear portions of the main frames 16 and upper portions of the swing frames 18, and a rear frame 20 extending from rear portions of the seat frame 19 to a rear end portion of the motorcycle 1.

[0033] In addition, the vehicle body frame 10 includes a pair of right and left reinforcing frames 21 connecting upper portions of the lower frames 17 and upper portions of the main frames 16.

[0034] Specifically, the seat frame 19 includes a pair of right and left lower seat rails 19a extending rearward and upward from the right and left swing frames 18, a pair of right and left upper seat rails 19b extending rearward and downward from the rear end portions of the right and left main frames 16 and then connected to intermediate portions in the front-rear direction of the lower seat rails 19a, and a right-left connecting portion 19c connecting the rear ends of the right and left lower seat rails 19a in the vehicle width direction (right-left direction).

[0035] The rear frame 20 extends rearwardly from rear sections of the lower seat rails 19a.

[0036] The front fork 12 includes a steering shaft 25 rotatably supported by the head pipe 15, an upper bridge 26 fixed to the upper end of the steering shaft 25, a lower bridge 27 fixed to the lower end of the steering shaft 25, and a pair of right and left fork tubes 28 supported by the upper bridge 26 and the lower bridge 27.

[0037] The fork tubes 28 are telescopic suspensions. The fork tubes 28 include fixed tubes 28a attached to the upper bridge 26 and the lower bridge 27, and movable tubes 28b fitted into the lower portions of the respective fixed tubes 28a and capable of axial reciprocation relative to the fixed tubes 28a.

[0038] The upper bridge 26 extends from the steering shaft 25 in the vehicle width direction above the head pipe 15 and connects the upper end portions of the right and left fixed pipes 28a.

[0039] The lower bridge 27 extends from the steering shaft 25 in the vehicle width direction below the head pipe 15 and connects the right and left fixed pipes 28a.

[0040] The fork tubes 28 are arranged so as to be inclined rearward when viewed from the side of the vehicle. The front wheel 2 is rotatably supported on an axle 2a located between the lower end portions of the right and left movable tubes 28b, and is arranged between the right and left movable tubes 28b.

[0041] The handle 29, with which the user can steer the front fork 12 to the right and left, is attached to the upper bridge 26 via a handle column 30.

[0042] The swing arm 13 is pivotally mounted on a pivot shaft 31, which is supported on the right and left swing frames 18. The pivot shaft 31 extends horizontally in the vehicle width direction. A front end portion of the swing arm 13 is pivotally mounted on the pivot shaft 31 and pivots up and down about the pivot shaft 31.

[0043] The rear wheel 3 is rotatably mounted on an axle 3a which is provided at a rear end portion of the swing arm 13.

[0044] The motorcycle 1 includes a pair of right and left rear suspensions 32 arranged between rear end portions of the swing arm 13 and the seat frame 19.

[0045] The engine 11 is arranged below the main frame 16 and between the lower frame 17 and the swing frame 18 in the forward-backward direction of the vehicle and is fastened to the vehicle body frame 10.

[0046] The engine 11 includes a crankcase 34 supporting a crankshaft 33 extending horizontally in the vehicle width direction (right-left direction), and a cylinder portion 35 housing a piston (not shown) that reciprocates. The cylinder portion 35 extends upward from the upper surface of a front portion of the crankcase 34.

[0047] An exhaust device of the engine 11 includes an exhaust pipe 36 connected to an exhaust port in the front of the cylinder portion 35, and a muffler 37 connected to the downstream end of the exhaust pipe 36.

[0048] The rear portion of the crankcase 34 is a transmission housing portion 34a, which houses a transmission. An output shaft (not shown) of the transmission protrudes from the transmission housing portion 34a in the vehicle width direction, and the output shaft is provided with a drive pinion 34b.

[0049] The power of the engine 11 is transmitted to the rear wheel 3 via a drive transmission member 39 connecting the drive pinion 34b and a driven pinion 3b of the rear wheel 3. In this case, the drive transmission member 39 is an endless chain arranged between the drive pinion 34b and the driven pinion 3b to extend around them, but the drive transmission member 39 may also be an endless belt, for example.

[0050] A cover member 40, which covers the drive force transmission member 39, is attached to the swing arm 13.

[0051] A radiator 41, through which cooling water for the engine 11 flows, is arranged below the head pipe 15 and at the front of the engine 11.

[0052] A fuel tank 42 is arranged above the main frame 16 and between the head pipe 15 and the seat 14.

[0053] A headlight 43 is mounted on the front of the head tube 15. The turn signals 44 are mounted on the upper section of the fork tubes 28.

[0054] The front mudguard 45, which covers the front wheel 2 from above, is carried by the fork tubes 28.

[0055] A rear mudguard 46, which covers the rear wheel 3 from above, is supported by the rear frame 20. The rear mudguard 46 is arranged at the rear of the seat 14.

[0056] The motorcycle 1 has a rear seat 47 on the rear side of the seat 14, on which a passenger sits. The rear seat 47 is arranged above the rear mudguard 46.

[0057] At the front of the right and left swing frame 18, a pair of right and left steps 48 are arranged, on which the user sitting on the seat 14 places his feet. At the front underside of the rear seat 47, there are passenger steps 49, on which the passenger sitting on the rear seat 47 places his feet.

[0058] A taillight unit 50 is attached to a rear end portion of the rear mud flap 46.

[0059] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the structure of the swing arm 13 and its surroundings, seen from the left side. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the structure of the swing arm 13 and its surroundings, seen from the right side.

[0060] With reference to the Fig. 1 to 3, the swing arm 13 includes a pair of arm portions 51 and 52 disposed on the right and left sides of the rear wheel 3, respectively, and a cross member 53 connecting the right and left arm portions 51 and 52 in the vehicle width direction (right-left direction).

[0061] The left arm portion 51 (one of the right and left arm portions) and the right arm portion 52 (the other of the right and left arm portions) each have a tubular shape extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. The front end portions of the arm portions 51 and 52 have tubular connecting portions 54 into which a propeller shaft 31 is inserted.

[0062] The arm sections 51 and 52 are supported on the propeller shaft 31 via the connecting sections 54. The arm sections 51 and 52 extend from the side of the pivot shaft 31 and pass between the right and left pivot frames 18 to the right and left sides of the rear wheel 3.

[0063] The rear wheel 3 is arranged between the arm portions 51 and 52 and is supported by the axle 3a connecting the rear end portions of the arm portions 51 and 52.

[0064] The cross member 53 has a tubular shape extending in the vehicle width direction. The cross member 53 connects the arm portions 51 and 52 at a location on the rear side of the pivot shaft 31 and on the front side of the rear wheel 3.

[0065] An upwardly extending front bracket 56 is provided on the upper surface of a front portion of the arm portion 51. The front bracket 56 is located at the rear of the swing frame 18 and at the front of the front wheel 3 in the side view of the vehicle. The front bracket 56 is arranged at approximately the same position as the cross member 53 in the front-rear direction of the vehicle and is located on the outer side of the cross member 53 and the drive force transmitting member 39 in the vehicle width direction.

[0066] A rear end portion of the arm portion 51 has a suspension connecting portion 57 extending upward. The lower end portion of the rear suspension 32 is connected to the suspension connecting portion 57. The swing arm 13 has a rear bracket 58 extending upward from the suspension connecting portion 57. The rear bracket 58 is located on the rear side of the rear suspension 32 and on the upper side of the arm portion 51, as well as on the outer side of the driving force transmitting member 39 in the vehicle width direction.

[0067] The drive force transmission member 39 extends along the left arm portion 51 in the front-rear direction of the vehicle and connects the drive pinion 34b and the driven pinion 3b. The drive force transmission member 39 is passed between the rear suspension 32 and the rear wheel 3.

[0068] The driving force transmitting member 39 extends in the front-rear direction of the vehicle and extends above and below the arm portion 51. The front portion of the driving force transmitting member 39 overlaps with the front portion of the arm portion 51 from above and below.

[0069] A slider 60 configured to receive the drive force transmitting member 39 is attached to the arm portion 51 of the swing arm 13.

[0070] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the slider 60 as seen from the inside in the vehicle width direction.

[0071] With reference to the Fig. 2 to 4, the slider 60 includes a slider body portion 61 configured to receive the driving force transmitting member 39, and an inner extension portion 62 extending inwardly from the slider body portion 61 in the vehicle width direction.

[0072] The slider body portion 61 includes an upper slider portion 63 configured to be attached to the upper surface of the arm portion 51, a lower slider portion 64 configured to be attached to the lower surface of the arm portion 51, and a connecting portion 65 configured to be attached to the front end surface of the arm portion 51.

[0073] The upper slider portion 63 has the shape of a plate extending along the upper surface of the front portion of the arm portion 51 in the front-rear direction of the vehicle.

[0074] The lower slider portion 64 has the shape of a plate extending along the lower surface of the front portion of the arm portion 51 in the front-rear direction of the vehicle.

[0075] The connecting portion 65 connects the front end of the upper slide portion 63 and the front end of the lower slide portion 64 in the up-down direction.

[0076] When the driving force transmission member 39 extending above the arm portion 51 is shaken downward, the upper slider portion 63 receives the driving force transmission member 39 to protect the arm portion 51 from the driving force transmission member 39.

[0077] When the driving force transmitting member 39 extending below the arm portion 51 is shaken upward, the lower slider portion 64 receives the driving force transmitting member 39 to protect the arm portion 51 from the driving force transmitting member 39.

[0078] The slider 60 is made of an elastomer to smoothly accommodate the drive force transmission element 39. The slider 60 is made of, for example, rubber. The elasticity of the elastomer from which the slider 60 is made is greater than the elasticity of the material from which the arm portion 51 is made (e.g., an iron-based material or an aluminum alloy).

[0079] The slider 60 includes a plurality of protruding portions 66 projecting upward from the upper surface of the lower slider portion 64. The lower slider 64 is secured to the underside of the swing arm 13 by engaging the protruding portions 66 with the hole portions (not shown) formed in the underside of the swing arm 13.

[0080] The inner extension portion 62 of the slider 60 extends inward in the vehicle width direction from a rear end portion of the upper slider portion 63. The inner extension portion 62 extends along the upper side of the cross member 53 in the vehicle width direction and is fixed to the upper side of the cross member 53. The inner extension portion 62 extends in the vehicle width direction to a position on the inside of the drive force transmitting member 39.

[0081] Specifically, the inner extension portion 62 includes a plate-shaped portion 67 extending inward in the vehicle width direction from the upper slider portion 63, and a tube portion 68 provided at the inner end of the plate-shaped portion 67 in the vehicle width direction.

[0082] The tube section 68 has a tubular shape that extends upward from the upper surface of the cross member 53. The tube section 68 is attached to the top of the cross member 53 by a slider attachment element 70 that is inserted into the tube of the tube section 68 from above. In other words, the slider 60 is attached to the cross member 53 via the tube section 68 by the slider attachment element 70.

[0083] The upper surface 68a of the tube portion 68 projects upward relative to the upper surface of the upper slider 63 and the upper surface of the plate-shaped portion 67.

[0084] The outer peripheral portion of the tube portion 68 has a groove portion 68b formed such that a portion of this outer peripheral portion is removed radially inward. The groove portion 68b extends continuously from the right side surface to the left side surface through the rear surface of the outer peripheral portion of the tube portion 68.

[0085] The slide fastener 70 is a bolt. The slide fastener 70 integrally comprises a threaded portion 70a that is inserted into the tube portion 68 and secured to the cross member 53, a head 70b that engages a tool for fastening the slide fastener 70, and a flange portion 70c that has a larger diameter than the head 70b.

[0086] The flange portion 70c is disc-shaped and has a larger diameter than the head 70b and approximately the same diameter as the upper surface 68a of the tube portion 68. The flange portion 70c presses against the upper surface 68a of the tube portion 68 from above.

[0087] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the cover member 40, seen from the inside in the vehicle width direction.

[0088] With reference to the Fig. 2, Fig. 3 and Fig. 5, the cover member 40 covers the upper portion 39a of the drive force transmission member 39, which passes above the arm portion 51 in the front-back direction. The cover member 40 is provided on the rear side of the swing frame 18 and is located between the lower seat rail 19a and the arm portion 51 in the up-down direction. The cover member 40 is arranged between the rear suspension 32 and the rear wheel 3.

[0089] The cover member 40 includes an upper wall portion 75 covering the upper portion 39a of the driving force transmitting member 39 from above, an outer wall portion 76 extending downward in the vehicle width direction from an outer edge of the upper wall portion 75, an inner wall portion 77 extending downward in the vehicle width direction from an inner edge of the upper wall portion 75, and an extension portion 78 extending inward in the vehicle width direction from the lower end of the inner wall portion 77.

[0090] The upper wall portion 75 of the cover member 40 is an elongated plate-shaped portion extending in the front-rear direction along the upper surface of the upper portion 39a of the driving force transmitting member 39 and continuously covering the driving force transmitting member 39 from the front portion to the rear end.

[0091] The outer wall portion 76 of the cover member 40 is a plate-shaped portion that covers the upper portion 39a of the driving force transmitting member 39 from the outside in the vehicle width direction.

[0092] A lower end portion of the front end portion of the outer wall portion 76 has a front attachment portion 76a (attachment portion) fixed to a front portion of the swing arm 13. A lower end portion of a rear end portion of the outer wall portion 76 has a rear attachment portion 76b (attachment portion) fixed to a rear portion of the swing arm 13.

[0093] The front fastening portion 76a and the rear fastening portion 76b are hole portions through which fastening elements 79 for fastening the cover member 40 to the swing arm 13 are inserted. The front fastening portion 76a and the rear fastening portion 76b are located on the outer side of the drive force transmitting member 39 in the vehicle width direction.

[0094] The outer wall portion 76 has an opening portion 76c between the front attachment portion 76a and the rear attachment portion 76b to expose the upper portion 39a of the driving force transmitting member 39 to the outside in the vehicle width direction.

[0095] The front portion of the cover member 40 is fixed to the outer surface of the front bracket 56 of the arm portion 51 by a fixing member 79 which is inserted into the front fixing portion 76a from the outside in the vehicle width direction.

[0096] The rear portion of the cover member 40 is fixed to the outer surface of the rear bracket 58 of the arm portion 51 with a fixing member 79 inserted into the rear fixing portion 76b from the outside in the vehicle width direction.

[0097] The inner wall portion 77 is a plate-shaped portion covering the upper portion 39a of the driving force transmitting member 39 from the inside in the vehicle width direction.

[0098] A front end portion 77a of the inner wall portion 77 is located at the front of the rear wheel 3 in the side view of the vehicle and overlaps with the front end portion of the outer wall portion 76 from the inside in the vehicle width direction.

[0099] In the inner wall portion 77, the rear portion of the front end portion 77a is arranged higher than the upper portion 39a of the driving force transmitting member 39 and exposes the upper portion 39a inward in the vehicle width direction.

[0100] The extending portion 78 of the cover member 40 extends from the lower end of the front end portion 77a of the inner wall portion 77 inward in the vehicle width direction.

[0101] The inner wall portion 77 is attached to the slider 60 via the extension portion 78.

[0102] The extension portion 78 is a plate-shaped portion that overlies an end portion of the cross member 53 in the vehicle width direction from above and runs approximately parallel to the upper wall portion 75.

[0103] The front end portion of the extension portion 78 has an engagement portion 80 which engages with the slider 60 from behind.

[0104] The engaging portion 80 is a cut portion having a shape such that the extending portion 78 is cut rearward from the front edge 78a of the extending portion 78.

[0105] The engaging portion 80 is a recessed portion having an approximately U-shaped, forwardly open configuration in plan view. The inner peripheral portion of the engaging portion has an approximately U-shaped configuration formed by a pair of right and left side edge portions 80a and 80b extending rearward from the front edge 78a of the extending portion 78, and a rear edge portion 80c connecting the rear ends of the side edge portions 80a and 80b in the vehicle width direction.

[0106] The engaging portion 80 is provided at a front end portion of the cover member 40. The engaging portion 80 and the front fixing portion 76a are arranged to be aligned at approximately the same position in the vehicle width direction at the front end portions of the cover member 40 and in the front-rear direction of the vehicle.

[0107] The engaging portion 80 of the cover member 40 is inserted from the rear into the groove portion 68b of the tube portion 68 of the slider 60 and engages with the outer peripheral portion of the tube portion 68. Specifically, the side edge portions 80a and 80b of the engaging portion 80 engage with the right and left side portions of the groove portion 68b, and the rear edge portion 80c of the engaging portion 80 engages with the rear portion of the groove portion 68b.

[0108] An example of a method for attaching the cover member 40 will be described below.

[0109] Before the cover element 40 is attached, the slider 60 is already fastened to the rocker 13 by the slider fastening element 70.

[0110] First, the cover member 40 is placed over the arm portion 51 so that it covers the upper portion 39a of the drive force transmission member 39 from above.

[0111] Then, the engaging portion 80 of the cover member 40 is inserted from the rear into the groove portion 68b of the tubular portion 68 of the slider 60. In this state, the cover member 40 is brought into an approximately correct position by the tubular portion 68. Thus, the front and rear fastening portions 76a and 76b of the cover member 40 can be easily positioned on the front bracket 56 and the rear bracket 58.

[0112] Thereafter, the fastening elements 79 are inserted into the front and rear fastening portions 76a and 76b of the cover member 40, and the cover member 40 is fastened to the front bracket 56 and the rear bracket 58 with the fastening elements 79. In other words, the cover member 40 is fixed to the swing arm 13 by the engaging portion 80 and the pair of fastening elements 79.

[0113] The engaging portion 80 is fixed to the slider 60 by being inserted into the tubular portion 68. This configuration makes it possible to reduce the number of fastening elements, and thus the number of parts and weight, compared to a structure in which part of the engaging portion 80 is fixed to the vehicle body. Although the engaging portion 80 is arranged at a low location on the inner side of the driving force transmitting member 39 in the vehicle width direction, where it is difficult to use a tool, the engaging portion 80 can be fixed by simply inserting it, and therefore, the fixing is easy.

[0114] Since the engaging portion 80 is engaged with the slider 60 provided for the driving force transmitting member 39, a separate part for engaging the engaging portion 80 is not required, and it is possible to reduce the number of parts.

[0115] Since the tube portion 68 of the slider 60 with which the engagement portion 80 engages is made of an elastomer, the cover member 40 can be elastically supported by the tube portion 68, and the vibrations of the cover member 40 can be reduced.

[0116] In addition, since the slider fixing member 70 is inserted into the pipe of the pipe portion 68, the slider fixing member 70 functions as the core material of the pipe portion 68. Therefore, the rigidity of the pipe portion 68 can be high, and it is possible to adequately support the engaging portion 80.

[0117] Note that, as an alternative configuration, the slider fixing member 70 may be further tightened in a state where the engaging portion 80 is engaged with the groove portion 68b of the pipe portion 68 to axially compress the pipe portion 68 via the flange portion 70c, and may hold the engaging portion 80 by clamping it in the groove portion 68b.

[0118] As described above, a motorcycle 1 according to the embodiment to which the present invention is applied includes: a swing arm 13 swingable up and down; a rear wheel 3 supported at a rear end portion of the swing arm 13; an endless driving force transmitting member 39 extending along the swing arm 13 in a front-rear direction and configured to transmit the driving force of an engine 11 to the rear wheel 3; a cover member 40 fixed to the swing arm 13 and covering the driving force transmitting member 39; and a slider 60 provided on an upper surface of the swing arm 13 and configured to receive the driving force transmitting member 39, wherein the cover member 40 has front and rear fixing portions 76a and 76b fixed to the swing arm 13 by fixing members 79, and an engaging portion 80 engaged with the slider 60.

[0119] With this configuration of the cover member 40, since the front and rear fastening portions 76a and 76b are fixed to the swing arm 13 by the fastening member 79 and the engaging portion 80 is engaged with the slider 60, it is possible to fix the cover member 40 to the engaging portion 80 without using a fastening member. This makes it possible to reduce the number of parts. Furthermore, since the engaging portion 80 is engaged with the slider 60, the slider 60 can be used to fix the engaging portion 80. Thus, it is possible to fix the cover member 40 to the swing arm 13 with a simple structure.

[0120] The engaging portion 80 is engaged with the slider 60 at a position on an inner side of the driving force transmitting member 39 in a vehicle width direction.

[0121] With this configuration, since the engaging portion 80 engages the slider 60 at a position on the inside of the driving force transmitting member 39 in the vehicle width direction, it is easy to attach the cover member 40 to the slider 60. For example, if fasteners are attached to the driving force transmitting member 39 at a deep position from the inside in the vehicle width direction, the working space is small and the fasteners can be attached only with great effort.

[0122] The slider 60 includes a tubular portion 68 extending upward from the top of the swing arm 13 and fixed to the swing arm 13 by a slider fixing member 70 inserted into the tubular portion 68 from above, and the engaging portion 80 engages an outer peripheral portion of the tubular portion 68.

[0123] In this configuration, since the engaging portion 80 engages the outer peripheral portion of the tubular portion 68 extending upward from the top of the swing arm 13, it is easy to engage the engaging portion 80. Since the tubular portion 68 is a fastener fixed to the swing arm 13 by the slider fastener 70 and is unlikely to be shaken, it is possible to maintain the engaging portion 80 favorably.

[0124] The slider 60 includes a slider body portion 61 configured to receive the driving force transmitting member 39, and an inner extending portion 62 extending to a position on an inner side of the driving force transmitting member 39 in a vehicle width direction, and the tube portion 68 is provided on the inner extending portion 62.

[0125] In this configuration, the pipe portion 68 may be provided at a position away from the driving force transmitting member 39 in the vehicle width direction.

[0126] The swing arm 13 includes a pair of right and left arm portions 51, 52 and a cross member 53 connecting the right and left arm portions 51, 52 in a vehicle width direction, wherein the slider 60 extends along an upper surface of one of the arm portions 51 in a front-rear direction of the vehicle, and the pipe portion 68 is fixed to an upper surface of the cross member 53.

[0127] In this configuration, the upper surface of the cross member 53 can be used to fix the pipe portion 68 at a position from the inside of the arm portion 51 in the vehicle width direction.

[0128] The engaging portion 80 is a notched portion having an approximately U-shaped configuration open toward the front in plan view, and an inner peripheral portion of the notched portion engages from behind with a groove portion 68b of the outer peripheral portion of the tube portion 68.

[0129] With this configuration, it is possible to easily engage the engaging portion 80 by inserting the engaging portion 80 from the rear into the groove portion 68b of the tubular portion 68. Furthermore, the position of the engaging portion 80 can be restricted in the front-backward direction, the right-left direction, and the up-down direction with a simple structure.

[0130] The cover member 40 includes an outer wall portion 76 covering the driving force transmitting member 39 from the outside in the vehicle width direction, an inner wall portion 77 covering the driving force transmitting member 39 from the inside in the vehicle width direction, and an extending portion 78 extending inward in the vehicle width direction from the inner wall portion 77, and the engaging portion 80 is provided in the extending portion 78.

[0131] With this configuration, since the engaging portion 80 can be separated from the driving force transmitting member 39 by the inner wall portion 77, it is possible to prevent or reduce contamination of the engaging portion 80 by the driving force transmitting member 39 and thus properly engage the engaging portion 80. Furthermore, the engaging portion 80 can be concealed by the inner wall portion 77, so that the external appearance can be designed simply, thus making the external appearance look attractive.

[0132] The engaging portion 80 is provided at a front end portion of the cover member 40, and the engaging portion 80 is inserted into the slider 60 from the rear.

[0133] With this configuration, it is possible to easily insert the engagement portion 80 into the slider 60 from behind.

[0134] The front fixing portion 76a and the engaging portion 80 are arranged to be aligned with the front end portions of the cover member 40 in a vehicle width direction.

[0135] With this configuration, since the front fixing portion 76a and the engaging portion 80 are aligned in the vehicle width direction, positional deviation of the engaging portion 80 by the fixing can be prevented or reduced, and the engaging portion 80 can be properly held in engagement with the slider 60.

[0136] The slider 60 with which the engaging portion 80 engages is made of an elastomer, and the engaging portion 80 is elastically supported by the slider 60.

[0137] In this configuration, since the cover member 40 is supported by using the slider 60 made of an elastomer, it is possible to reduce the vibration of the cover member 40.

[0138] Note that the above embodiment is for describing an aspect to which the present invention is applied, and therefore the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.

[0139] Although the above embodiment has been described based on an example in which the drive unit is the motor 11, the present invention is not limited to this example, but, for example, the drive unit may be a motor unit of a saddle-riding type electric vehicle.

[0140] Moreover, although in the above embodiment, the front fixing portion 76a and the engaging portion 80 are arranged to be aligned in the vehicle width direction at front end portions of the cover member 40, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, but only needs to arrange at least one of the fixing portions to be aligned with the engaging portion 80 in the vehicle width direction.

[0141] Although the above embodiment has been described based on an example of the motorcycle 1, the present invention is not limited to this example, but the present invention can be applied to a three-wheeled vehicle having two front wheels or two rear wheels and a saddle-riding type vehicle having four or more wheels. 1 motorcycle (saddle-ride type vehicle) 3 rear wheel 11 Motor (drive unit) 13 Swingarm 39 Drive force transmission element 40 cover element 51 arm section 52 arm section 53 Cross element 60 sliding piece 61 Slider body section 62 inner extension section 68 pipe section 68b Groove section 70 Slider fastening element 76 outer wall section 76a front fastening section (fastening section) 76b rear fastening section (fastening section) 77 inner wall section 78 extension section 79 Fastening element 80 intervention section

Claims

[1] A saddle-riding type vehicle comprising: a swing arm (13) which is swingable up and down; a rear wheel (3) supported on a rear end portion of the swing arm (13); an endless driving force transmitting member (39) extending along the swing arm (13) in a front-back direction and configured to transmit the driving force of a power unit (11) to the rear wheel (3); a cover member (40) fixed to the swing arm (13) and covering the driving force transmitting member (39); and a slider (60) provided on an upper surface of the swing arm (13) and configured to receive the driving force transmitting member (39), in which the cover element (40) has a fastening portion (76a, 76b) which is fastened to the rocker (13) by a fastening element (79), and an engagement portion (80) which engages with the slider (60), characterized by , that the slider (60) has a tubular portion (68) extending upwards from the top of the rocker (13) and being secured to the rocker (13) by a slider securing element (70) inserted into the tubular portion (68) from above, the engagement portion (80) engages with an outer peripheral portion of the tube portion (68), and the engaging portion (80) is a notched portion having an approximately U-shaped configuration open forward in plan view, and the slider fixing member (70) passes through the notched portion in an up-down direction. [2] A saddle-riding type vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the engaging portion (80) is engaged with the slider (60) at a position on an inner side of the driving force transmitting member (39) in a vehicle width direction. [3] A saddle-riding type vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the slider (60) has a slider body portion (61) configured to receive the driving force transmitting member (39) and an inner extending portion (62) extending to a position on an inner side of the driving force transmitting member (39) in a vehicle width direction, and the pipe portion (68) is provided on the inner extending portion (62). [4] A saddle-ride type vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the swing arm (13) has a pair of right and left arm sections (51, 52) and a cross member (53) connecting the right and left arm sections (51, 52) in the vehicle width direction, the slider (60) extends along an upper surface of one of the arm portions (51) in a forward-backward direction of the vehicle, and the pipe section (68) is attached to an upper side of the cross element (53). [5] A saddle-riding type vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein an inner peripheral portion of the cut-out portion is engaged from behind with a groove portion (68b) of the outer peripheral portion of the pipe portion (68). [6] A saddle-ride type vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the cover element (40) has an outer wall portion (76) covering the drive force transmission element (39) from the outside in the vehicle width direction, an inner wall portion (77) covering the drive force transmission element (39) from the inside in the vehicle width direction, and an extension portion (78) extending inwardly from the inside in the vehicle width direction from the inner wall portion (77), and the engagement portion (80) is provided in the extension portion (78). [7] A saddle-riding type vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the engaging portion (80) is provided at a front end portion of the cover member (40), and the engaging portion (80) is inserted into the slider (60) from the rear. [8] A saddle-riding type vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein at least one of a plurality of fixing portions (76a, 76b) and the engaging portion (80) are arranged in alignment in the vehicle width direction at a front end portion of the cover member (40). [9] A saddle-riding type vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the slider (60) with which the engaging portion (80) engages is made of an elastomer, and the engaging portion (80) is elastically supported by the slider (60).

Images