MOTORCYCLE SEAT RAIL

Abstract

The invention relates to a motorcycle seat rail 10 comprising two fiber-reinforced resin side elements 20, each comprising a main body 21 and an upper fin 22 projecting across the width of the vehicle from an upper lateral edge of the main body 21. A T-element is attached to the vehicle's main frame 2 at a front end 20a of each side element 20, and the seat rail 10 comprises at least one upper connecting element 30 connecting two upper fins 22, each fin having a bending section 22c connecting the front section 22a and the rear section 22b such that the rear section 22b is raised vertically relative to the front section 22a, and the bending section 22c is disposed between the front end 20a and an upper connecting element 30. Figure 2

Description

Description Title of the invention: MOTORCYCLE SEAT RAIL technical field

[0001] — The present invention relates to a motorcycle seat rail, comprising two lateral elements arranged at intervals in a direction of width of a body of motorcycle vehicle, the seat rail being configured such that a part The front end of each side element is attached to a main frame of the body. vehicle. Previous technique

[0002] …— In a motorcycle, a seat rail is provided to support a seat. Habi- Currently, the seat rail consists of two lateral elements arranged at an interval in a width direction of a motorcycle vehicle body, and a part The front end of each side element is attached to a main frame of the body. vehicle. The seat rail can be configured using fiber-reinforced resin.

[0003] As an example of the seat rail, one may cite the seat rail configured in such a way so that a seat rail that supports a motorcycle seat (a rear frame), is Made of fiber-reinforced resin, this seat rail is connected to a main frame (a front frame) that supports an engine in such a way as to extend rearward from This main frame, the seat rail, has two side walls, right and left, a An insertion hole for the insertion of a bolt is formed at a point on the part front end of each side wall and, furthermore, by means of the inserted bolt In the insertion hole, the seat rail is fixed to the main frame (see, for example, the Patent Document 1). Technical problem

[0004] — When riding a motorcycle on a road with an uneven or similar surface, a significant load is applied to a seat rail by a motorcyclist or an object transported, etc. However, in the seat rail composed of fiber-reinforced resin As in the example, there is a risk of resin creep and, consequently, To avoid such creep, it is difficult to sufficiently guarantee a force axial force of a fastener. In such a state in which the axial force of The fixing element cannot be guaranteed, the seat rail and the main frame can be easily misaligned due to an external force. Furthermore, due to this misalignment, an inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole, at the level a part of the seat rail fixing attached to the main frame, may come into contact with an outer peripheral surface of an insertion part of the element fastening, such as a screw portion of the bolt. Therefore, a concentration of stress Local stress, caused by this contact, can appear at the periphery of the seat rail mounting point. Furthermore, such a concentration of stress can reduce the seat rail's strength. Therefore, in the motorcycle seat rail, it is desirable to prevent localized stress concentration on the mounting points of the seat rail attached to the main frame. Furthermore, it is desirable to significantly improve the strength of the motorcycle seat rail. Technical solution To solve the problem, it is proposed, according to one aspect of the present invention, a motorcycle seat rail, comprising two lateral elements which are arranged with an interval in a width direction of a vehicle body of the motorcycle and are configured by means of fiber-reinforced resin, each lateral element comprising: a main body located outside in the width direction of the vehicle body; and an upper fin part which projects in the width direction of the vehicle body from an upper lateral edge, in a top-to-bottom direction of the vehicle body, from the main body;In addition, at a front end part in a front-rear direction of the vehicle body in each side element, a fastening element is provided which attaches this side element to a main frame of the vehicle body, the seat rail comprising at least one upper connecting element extending so as to connect the upper fin parts of the two side elements, the upper fin part of each side element comprising: a front section and a rear section located respectively near a front side and a rear side of the vehicle body;and an inflection section which connects the front section and the rear section such that the rear section of the upper fin part is raised in an upward direction of the vehicle body relative to the front section, and the inflection section of the upper fin part of each side element being disposed between the front end part of the side element and an upper connecting element located furthest forward, in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle body, of at least one upper connecting element. Benefits provided In the motorcycle seat rail according to one aspect, a local stress concentration of a part of the seat rail fixed to the main frame can be avoided and, thus, in the motorcycle seat rail according to one aspect, the strength of the seat rail can be significantly improved. Brief description of the drawings Fig.1 [fig.1] Figure 1 is a side view schematically representing a motorcycle that includes a seat rail according to one embodiment; Fig. 2 [fig.2] Figure 2 is a side view schematically representing the seat rail according to this embodiment, together with a main frame of a vehicle body in a state in which a main seat, a passenger seat and a battery are installed; Fig. 3 [fig.3] Figure 3 is a perspective view schematically representing the seat rail according to this embodiment in a state in which the main seat and the passenger seat are installed; Fig. 4 [fig.4] Figure 4 is a front view schematically representing the seat rail according to this embodiment; Fig. 5 [fig.5] Figure 5 is a plan view schematically representing the seat rail according to this embodiment. Description of the implementation methods A seat rail according to one embodiment is described using a motorcycle with a seat rail. Furthermore, in Figures 1 to 3 and 5 used for the description in this embodiment, a forward direction of a motorcycle body is indicated by an arrow Av, and a rearward direction of the motorcycle body is indicated by an arrow Ar. In other words, the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle body is indicated by the arrow Av and the arrow Ar. In Figures 3 to 5, a width direction of the vehicle body (hereafter referred to as a "width direction") is indicated by a double-headed arrow |. In Figures 1 to 4, an upper side of the vehicle body is indicated by an arrow H, and a lower side of the vehicle body is indicated by an arrow B. The up-to-down direction of the vehicle body is indicated by the arrow H and the arrow B. Overview of a motorcycle seat rail An overview of a motorcycle seat rail 10 is shown with reference to Figures 1 to 5. An overview of the motorcycle 1 is shown first. As illustrated in Figure 1, the motorcycle 1 comprises: a main frame 2 forming its vehicle body; a main seat 3 on which a motorcyclist (a driver in the front seat) (not shown) sits; a passenger seat 4 on which a motorcyclist passenger (a passenger in the rear seat) (not shown) sits; a passenger footrest 5; a bracket 6 for attaching this passenger footrest 5; and a battery 7 (indicated by a (dotted line). This motorcycle 1 includes the seat rail 10 according to this embodiment. A front end portion 10a of the seat rail 10 is attached to the main frame 2. An overview of the seat rail 10 is then presented. As illustrated in Figures 2 to 5, the seat rail 10 comprises two side elements 20 arranged with a gap in the width direction of the vehicle body. Each side element 20 is made of fiber-reinforced resin. Each side element 20 has a main body 21 located outside the width direction of the vehicle body. Each side element 20 has an upper fin portion 22 that projects in the width direction of the vehicle body from an upper lateral edge, in the up-down direction of the vehicle body, of the main body 21. As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, a fastening element T, configured as a securing element for attaching the side element 20 to the main frame 2, is provided at a front end portion 20a, in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle body, of each side element 20. The fastening element T consists of a screw and a nut, and the screw and nut are screwed together. Such a securing element may, however, be a fastening element other than one consisting of a screw and a nut, a connecting element, and a securing element other than a fastening element and a connecting element, etc. As illustrated in Figures 2 to 5, the seat rail 10 includes at least one upper connecting element 30 extending to connect the upper finned parts 22 of the two lateral elements 20. Furthermore, in Figures 2 to 5, by way of example, the seat rail 10 is shown with two upper connecting elements 30. The present invention is not, however, limited to this. The upper fin portion 22 of each side element 20 comprises a front section 22a and a rear section 22b located respectively near a front and a rear side of the vehicle body. The upper fin portion 22 of each side element 20 comprises a bending section 22c connecting the front section 22a and the rear section 22b such that the rear section 22b of the upper fin portion 22 is raised in an upward direction relative to the front section 22a. The inflection section 22c of the upper fin part 22 of each side element 20 is disposed between the front end part 20a of the side element 20 and an upper connecting element 30 located furthest forward, in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body, of at least one upper connecting element 30. In addition, the front end part 20a of each side element 20 is placed at the level of a front end part 10a of the seat rail 10. Furthermore, an overview of the seat rail 10 according to this embodiment can be presented as follows. As illustrated in Figure 4, the main body 21 of each side element 20 and the upper fin portion 22 intersect at an angle greater than approximately 90 degrees. As illustrated in Figures 2 to 5, each side element 20 has a lower fin portion 23 that projects in the width direction of the vehicle body from a lower lateral edge, in the up-down direction of the vehicle body, from the main body 21 of the side element 20. The support 6, which supports the passenger footrest 5, is attached to the lower fin portion 23 of each side element 20. As illustrated in Figures 2, 4 and 5, the seat rail 10 includes at least one lower connecting element 40 extending to connect the lower finned parts 23 of the two lateral elements 20. Furthermore, in Figures 2 to 5, by way of example, the seat rail 10 is shown with a lower connecting element 40. The present invention is not, however, limited to this. As illustrated in Figures 2 to 5, the lower fin portion 23 of each side element 20 comprises a front section 23a and a rear section 23b located respectively near the front and rear sides of the vehicle body. The lower fin portion 23 of each side element 20 includes a bending section 23c connecting the front section 23a and the rear section 23b such that the rear section 23b of the lower fin portion 23 is raised in an upward direction relative to the front section 23a. As illustrated in Figures 2, 4 and 5, the inflection section 23c of the lower fin portion 23 of each side element 20 is disposed between the front end portion 20a of the side element 20 and the support 6 in a case where the most forward lower connecting element 40 is located at the rear of the vehicle body relative to the support 6 attached to the lower fin portion 23. The present invention is not limited to this, however, and the inflection section of the lower fin portion of each side element is disposed between the front end portion of the side element and the most forward lower connecting element in a case where the most forward lower connecting element is located at the front of the vehicle body relative to the support attached to the lower fin portion. As illustrated in Figure 4, the main body 21 of each lateral element 20 and the lower fin portion 23 intersect at an angle greater than approximately 90 degrees. As illustrated in Figure 2, each of the upper fin 22 and the lower fin 23 is provided with the fastening element T described above. As illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, a length, in the width direction of the vehicle body, of at least one of the upper fin portion 22 and the lower fin portion 23 of each lateral element 20 decreases as it extends rearward from the front side of the vehicle body. Furthermore, in Figures 4 and 5, The length, in the width direction of the vehicle body, of each of the upper fin portion 22 and the lower fin portion 23 of the two lateral elements 20 decreases as it extends rearward from the front side of the vehicle body. However, the present invention is not limited to this. At least one upper connecting element 30 and / or at least one lower connecting element 40 are joined to the two lateral elements 20 by welding. In other words, at least one upper connecting element 30 is joined to the upper fin portions 22 of the two lateral elements 20 by welding, and / or at least one lower connecting element 40 is joined to the lower fin portions 23 of the two lateral elements 20 by welding. As described later, when each lateral element 20, and at least one of the upper connecting element 30 and the lower connecting element 40, are configured using fiber-reinforced resin comprising thermoplastic resin, each lateral element 20 can be joined to at least one of the upper connecting element 30 and the lower connecting element 40 by vibratory friction welding or ultrasonic welding, etc. The present invention is not, however, limited to this.For example, each side element and at least one of the upper connecting element and the lower connecting element can be formed as a single piece by injection molding, etc. Details of a motorcycle seat rail The details of the seat rail 10 of the motorcycle 1 are shown with reference to Figures 1 to 5. In other words, the details of the seat rail 10 can be described as follows. The upper connecting element 30 and the lower connecting element 40 are made of fiber-reinforced resin. The fiber-reinforced resin used for the side element 20, the upper connecting element 30, and the lower connecting element 40, respectively, can be either a continuous fiber-reinforced resin or a discontinuous fiber-reinforced resin. The fiber-reinforced resin comprises a predetermined resin material and a plurality of fibers. A thermoplastic resin or a thermosetting resin can be used as the resin material. Examples of thermoplastic resins include polyamide and polypropylene. Examples of thermosetting resins include epoxy and phenolic resins. Examples of fibers used for the fiber-reinforced resin include carbon fiber, glass fiber, aramid fiber, polyamide fiber, and polyethylene fiber.However, fiber-reinforced resin is not limited to this. The fiber-reinforced resin used for the side element 20 and the upper connecting element 30, as well as the lower connecting element 40, can be the same resin. or a different resin. As illustrated in Figures 2 to 5, the main body 21 of each side element 20 comprises a front section 21a and a rear section 21b located respectively near the front and rear sides of the vehicle body. The main body 21 of each side element 20 includes a bending section 21c connecting the front section 21a and the rear section 21b such that the rear section 21b of the main body 21 is raised in an upward direction relative to the front section 21a. As illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the length of the rear section 21b of the main body 21 decreases in the upward direction of the vehicle body as it extends from the front side of the vehicle body. As illustrated in Figures 2 to 5, the front section 21a of the main body 21 of each lateral element 20 is located between the front sections 22a, 23a of the upper fin portion 22 and the lower fin portion 23 of the lateral element 20. The rear section 21b of the main body 21 of each lateral element 20 is located between the rear sections 22b, 23b of the upper fin portion 22 and the lower fin portion 23 of the lateral element 20. The bending section 21c of the main body 21 of each lateral element 20 is located between the bending sections 22c, 23c of the upper fin portion 22 and the lower fin portion 23 of the lateral element 20. The upper fin portion 22 projects from an upper lateral edge of the main body 21 towards a center in the width direction of the vehicle body. The upper fin portion 22 is inclined from the lower side towards the upper side of the vehicle body as it extends towards a center from the outside in the width direction of the vehicle body. The lower fin portion 23 projects from a lower lateral edge of the main body 21 towards the center in the width direction of the vehicle body. The lower fin portion 23 is inclined from the upper side towards the lower side of the vehicle body as it extends towards the center from the outside in the width direction of the vehicle body. Each of the front sections 21a, 22a, 23a is positioned along the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle body. Each of the rear sections 21b, 22b, 23b extends in the rear direction of the vehicle body from the bending sections 21c, 22c, 23c connected to the rear sections 21b, 22b, 23b. Each of the rear sections 21b, 22b, 23b is inclined from the lower to the upper side of the vehicle body as it extends rearward from the front side of the vehicle body. Each of the bending sections 21c, 22c, and 23c is formed to be angular. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and each of the bending sections may be formed to be curved. The two lateral end parts 30a, in the width direction of the body of The upper connecting element 30 of the vehicle is respectively inclined along the upper finned portions 22 of the two lateral elements 20. These two lateral end portions 30a of the upper connecting element 30 are respectively connected to an upper surface of the upper finned portion 22. As illustrated in Figures 2, 4 and 5, the two lateral end portions 40a, in the width direction of the vehicle body, of the lower connecting element 40 are respectively inclined along the lower finned portions 23 of the two lateral elements 20. These two lateral end portions 40a of the lower connecting element 40 are respectively connected to an upper surface of the lower finned portion 23. As illustrated in Figure 2, the uppermost connecting element 30 located furthest forward supports the main seat 3. The last upper connecting element 30 in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle body supports the passenger seat 4. The lower connecting element 40 supports the battery 7. As illustrated in Figure 2, a rear end portion 2a, in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle body, of the main frame 2 is located between the front end portions 20a of the two side elements 20. Such a rear end portion 2a of the main frame 2 is subjected to the front end portion 20a of the two side elements 20. As illustrated in Figures 3 to 5, in the front section 22a of the upper fin portion 22, an insertion hole 22d extending in the upward-downward direction of the vehicle body is formed to allow the insertion of the screw of the fastener T. In the front section 23a of the lower fin portion 23, an insertion hole 23d extending in the upward-downward direction of the vehicle body is formed to allow the insertion of the screw of the fastener T. As illustrated in Figure 2, the fasteners T are respectively arranged at each of the front sections 22a, 23a of the upper fin portion 22 and the lower fin portion 23. Each fastener T secures the front sections 22a, 23a, on which the fastener T is arranged, to a portion of the main frame 2 to which the front sections 22a, 23a are subject, in the up-down direction of the vehicle body. As described above, in the seat rail 10 according to this embodiment, normally, the forwardmost upper connecting element 30 supports the main seat 3 on which the motorcyclist sits. Consequently, a significant downward load is applied to the forwardmost upper connecting element 30 by the motorcyclist. In this case, a stress is concentrated on a region between the forwardmost upper connecting element 30 and the front end portion 20a of each side element 20 to which the main frame 2 of the vehicle body is attached. Furthermore, given that the section The bending section 22c of the upper fin 22 of each side element 20 is positioned between the front end portion 20a of the side element 20 and the most forward-facing upper connecting element 30. This allows the stress to be dispersed over the bending section 22c, preventing stress concentration at and around the fastening element T of the front end portion 20a of each side element 20. Consequently, localized stress concentration at a fastening portion of the seat rail 10 intended for attachment to the main frame 2 can be avoided, and the strength of the seat rail 10 can be significantly improved. Furthermore, the upper fin 22 of each side element 20 and the upper connecting element 30 can be used for attaching a hook or mudguard bracket, etc.(not illustrated) intended to hold the main seat 3 or the passenger seat 4. In addition, the bending section 22c of the upper fin part 22 of each side element 20 can also be used for positioning purposes when the seat rail 10 is attached to the main frame 2. In the seat rail 10 according to this embodiment, the main body 21 and the upper fin portion 22 of each side element 20 intersect at an angle greater than approximately 90 degrees. Consequently, even if the side element 20 is made of carbon fiber reinforced resin and water gets onto the upper fin portion 22 of the side element 20, the water flows downwards, thus preventing water retention in the side element 20 and preventing water-induced corrosion of the side element 20. This significantly improves the strength of the seat rail 10. In the seat rail 10 according to this embodiment, normally the forwardmost lower connecting element 40 supports the battery 7. Consequently, a significant downward load is applied to the forwardmost lower connecting element 40 by the battery 7. Typically, a significant downward load is applied to the passenger footrest 5 by the motorcyclist passenger. In this case, stress is concentrated on a region between the forwardmost lower connecting element 40 or the passenger footrest 5 and the front end portion 20a of each side element 20 to which the main frame 2 of the vehicle body is attached.Furthermore, since the bending section 23c of the lower fin portion 23 of each lateral element 20 is located between the front end portion 20a of the lateral element 20 and the most forward-facing lower connecting element 40, the stress can be dispersed over the bending section 23c, and a concentration of the stress at and around the fastening element T of the front end portion 20a of each lateral element 20 can be avoided. Therefore, it is possible to avoid a localized stress concentration at a fastening portion of the seat rail 10 intended to be attached to the main frame 2 and, thus, the re- . The resistance of the seat rail 10 can be significantly improved. Furthermore, the bending section 23c of the lower fin portion 23 of each lateral element 20 can also be used for positioning purposes when the seat rail 10 is attached to the main frame 2. In the seat rail 10 according to this embodiment, the main body 21 and the lower fin portion 23 of each side element 20 intersect at an angle greater than approximately 90 degrees. Consequently, even if the side element 20 is made of carbon fiber reinforced resin and water gets onto the lower fin portion 23 of the side element 20, the water flows downwards, thus preventing water retention in the side element 20 and preventing water-induced corrosion of the side element 20. This significantly improves the strength of the seat rail 10. In the seat rail 10 according to this embodiment, each of the upper fin part 22 and the lower fin part 23 is provided with the fastening elements T. Consequently, the fastening elements T of the upper fin part 22 and the lower fin part 23 exhibit a high resistance to a vertical load generated when riding the motorcycle 1 on a road with an uneven or similar surface, so that the resistance of the seat rail 10 can be significantly improved. In the seat rail 10 according to this embodiment, the length, in the width-direction direction of the vehicle body, of at least one of the upper fin portion 22 and the lower fin portion 23 of each lateral element 20 decreases as it extends rearward from the front side of the vehicle body. In the seat rail 10, the need for improved strength increases as it extends frontward from the rear in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle body, so the strength of the seat rail 10 can be significantly improved by at least one of the upper fin portion 22 and the lower fin portion 23. In the seat rail 10 according to this embodiment, at least one connecting element 30, 40, including at least one upper connecting element 30 and at least one lower connecting element 40, is welded to the two lateral elements 20. In a case where at least one connecting element 30, 40 and the two lateral elements 20 are welded together, compared to a case where the connection is made using an additional element such as a bolt, the strength of the seat rail 10 can be significantly improved while avoiding an increase in the weight of the vehicle body. Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above. Variations and modifications may be made to the present invention on the the basis of its technical concept. List of reference signs - 1: Motorcycle - 2: Main frame - 5: Passenger footrest - 6: Support - 10: Seat rail - 20: Lateral element - 20a: Front end section - 21: Main body - 22: Upper fin section - 22a: Front section - 22b: Rear section - 22c: Inflection section - 23: Lower fin section - 23a: Front section - 23b: Rear section - 23c: Inflection section - 30: Upper connecting element - 40: Lower connecting element - T: Fastening element (fixing element) List of cited documents Patent documents [Patent Document 1] WO 2015 / 033425 A1

Claims

Demands

1. Seat rail (10) of a motorcycle (1), comprising two elements lateral (20) which are arranged with an interval in a direction of width of a motorcycle vehicle body and are configured at fiber-reinforced resin medium, in which each lateral element (20) comprises: a main body (21) located at the exterior in the direction of the vehicle body's width; and a upper fin part (22) which protrudes in the width direction of the vehicle body from an upper lateral edge, in a up-down direction of the vehicle body, of the main body (21), it is planned, at the level of a front end part (20a), in a forward-rear direction of the vehicle body, of each lateral element (20), a fastening element (T) which attaches this lateral element (20) to a main frame (2) of the vehicle body, the seat rail (10) includes at least one connecting element upper (30) extending so as to connect the finned parts above upper (22) of the two lateral elements (20), the upper fin portion (22) of each lateral element (20) comprises : a front section (22a) and a rear section (22b) located resp- tively near the front and rear of the vehicle body; and an inflection section (22c) which connects the forward section (22a) and the rear section (22b) such that the rear section (22b) of the upper fin part (22) is raised in a direction towards the upper part of the vehicle body relative to the front section (22a), and the inflection section (22c) of the upper fin portion (22) of each lateral element (20) is arranged between the front end part (20a) of the lateral element (20) and an upper connecting element (30) located furthest forward, in the front-to-back direction of the body vehicle, from at least one upper connecting element (30).

2. Seat rail (10) of a motorcycle according to claim 1, in which the main body (21) of each lateral element (20) and its part upper fin (22) intersect at an angle greater than 90 degrees.

3. Motorcycle seat rail according to claim 1 or 2, in of which each lateral element (20) comprises a lower fin portion (23) which protrudes in the width direction of the vehicle body at starting from a lower lateral edge, in the up-down direction of the body of vehicle, of the main body (21) of the lateral element (20), a support (6) which supports a passenger footrest (5), is subject to the lower fin part (23) of each lateral element (20), the seat rail (10) includes at least one connecting element lower (40) extending so as to connect the finned parts in- lower (23) of the two lateral elements (20), The lower fin portion (23) of each lateral element (20) comprises: a front section (23a) and a rear section (23b) located respectively tively near the front and rear of the vehicle body; and an inflection section (23c) which connects the forward section (23a) and the rear section (23b) such that the rear section (23b) of the lower fin part (23) is raised in a direction towards the upper part of the vehicle body relative to the front section (23a), and the inflection section (23c) of the lower fin portion (23) of each lateral element (20) is arranged between: the front end part (20a) of the lateral element (20); and a lower connecting element (40) located furthest forward, in the front-to-back direction of the body vehicle, at least one lower connecting element (40), or the support (6).

4. Motorcycle seat rail according to claim 3, wherein the main body (21) of each lateral element (20) and its finned portion in- lower (23) intersect at an angle greater than 90 degrees.

5. Motorcycle seat rail according to claim 3 or 4, in of which each of the upper fin part (22) and the lower fin part- lower (23) is provided with the fastening element (T).

6. Motorcycle seat rail according to any one of the claims indications 1 to 5, in which a length, in the direction of width of the vehicle body, at least one of the upper fin part (22) and the lower finned portion (23) of each lateral element (20) decreases to as it extends rearward from the front of the vehicle body.

7. Motorcycle seat rail according to any one of the claims indications 1 to 6, in which at least one element among the at least one upper connecting element (30) and at least one connecting element The lower chord (40) is connected to the two lateral elements (30) by welding.