Saddle-riding type vehicle

Abstract

To provide a saddle-riding type vehicle allowing legs of a rider to be supported and riding comfort to be made better.SOLUTION: A saddle-riding type vehicle is provided with a front wheel as well as a rear wheel, a body frame rotatably supporting the front wheel and the rear wheel, and a pair of right / left steps supported on the vehicle body frame. The step is provided with a base end part attached on the vehicle body frame in a state it is not able to rotate around a shaft extending in a right / left direction, and a step body part having a foot placement surface and extending outward in the right / left direction from the base end part as well as connected on the base end part in a state it is able to rotated around the shaft extending in the right / left direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a saddle-type vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] There is known a saddle-type vehicle that does not have a crank mechanism and that can run by kicking the ground. For example, the following Patent Document 1 discloses a child's saddle-type vehicle that runs by a child kicking the ground while maintaining balance. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] US Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0130150 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the saddle-type vehicle of Patent Document 1, since no member for supporting the feet of the occupant is provided, the occupant often has to lift his / her feet off the ground. As a result, the saddle-type vehicle of Patent Document 1 has room for improvement in terms of riding comfort.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and has an object to provide a saddle-type vehicle that can support the legs of an occupant and provide a more comfortable ride. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A saddle-type vehicle according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises front and rear wheels, a body frame that rotatably supports the front and rear wheels, and a pair of left and right steps supported by the body frame, the steps comprising a base end attached to the body frame in a state in which the steps cannot rotate about an axis extending in the left-right direction, and a step main body portion having a footrest surface, extending outward in the left-right direction from the base end, and connected to the base end in a state in which the step can rotate about an axis extending in the left-right direction. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the saddle-type vehicle of the present disclosure, the feet of the occupant can be stably supported, resulting in a more comfortable ride. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a saddle-type vehicle according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the saddle-type vehicle shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic rear view of the saddle-type vehicle shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram in which the step body is omitted from FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a part of a cross section taken along line VI-VI in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a view showing a part of a cross section taken along line VII-VII in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a view of the rear end portion of the main frame as viewed from diagonally rear left. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a view of the rear end portion of the main frame viewed from diagonally below on the right. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] (Overall composition) Fig. 1 is a schematic side view of a saddle riding type vehicle 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 2 is a schematic plan view of the saddle riding type vehicle 100. Fig. 3 is a schematic rear view of the saddle riding type vehicle 100.

[0011] The saddle-riding vehicle 100 includes a body frame 1, and a front wheel 2 and a rear wheel 3 each rotatably supported by the body frame 1. The saddle-riding vehicle 100 includes a pair of left and right steps 4 supported by the body frame 1. That is, the saddle-riding vehicle 100 includes steps 4 provided on one side and the other side in the vehicle width direction of the body frame 1. The saddle-riding vehicle 100 also includes a handlebar 5 and a seat 6 each supported by the body frame 1. The saddle-riding vehicle 100 of this embodiment is an electric motorcycle capable of electric travel using a motor 72, and includes the motor 72 as a drive source, a battery 74 as an electricity storage device that supplies power to the motor 72, and a controller 76 that controls the rotation of the motor 72. Hereinafter, the saddle-riding vehicle 100 of this embodiment will be referred to as an electric motorcycle 100.

[0012] The electric motorcycle 100 can run both electrically using the motor 72 and with the motor 72 stopped. Specifically, unlike a bicycle that runs by pedaling (rotating) with the feet, the electric motorcycle 100 is designed so that the user, i.e., the rider, obtains propulsion by kicking the ground. For example, when the user kicks the ground backwards while seated on the seat 6 (saddle 62), a reaction force from the ground acts on the electric motorcycle 100 as a forward propulsion force, causing the electric motorcycle 100 to run forward. Also, when the motor 72 is driven, the electric motorcycle 100 obtains propulsion from the rotational force of the motor 72, allowing the user to run without kicking the ground. Here, the electric motorcycle 100 is a vehicle for one person, and the only passenger is the rider of the electric motorcycle 100.

[0013] As described above, the electric bike 100 does not have a crank mechanism because the rider (driver) can obtain propulsive force by kicking the ground. More specifically, in a bicycle that travels by pedaling with the feet, the pedals are attached via a crank mechanism so as to be rotatable around axes extending in the left-right direction relative to the body frame, and the wheels rotate when the pedals are rotated. In contrast, the electric bike 100 does not have a crank mechanism because it does not need to rotate the pedals to rotate the wheels.

[0014] The front wheel 2 includes an axle 21, a wheel body 22, and a tire 23. The wheel body 22 is attached to the axle 21 via a bearing. The tire 23 is a rubber part attached to the outer periphery of the wheel body 22. Similarly, the rear wheel 3 includes an axle 31, a wheel body 32, and a tire 33. The wheel body 32 is attached to the axle 31 via a bearing. The tire 33 is a rubber part attached to the outer periphery of the wheel body 32.

[0015] The motor 72 is connected to the rear wheel 3. The motor 72 is an electric motor that rotates by receiving power from the battery 74 as described above. The motor 72 mounted on the electric motorcycle 100 of this embodiment is a so-called in-wheel motor, and is coaxially attached to the center (hub) of the wheel body 32 of the rear wheel 3 so as to directly rotate the rear wheel 3. Although detailed illustration is omitted, the motor 72 incorporates a stator that cannot rotate with respect to the axle 31, and a rotor that rotates with respect to the stator when current is applied. The rotation of the rotor is transmitted to the wheel body 32 via an output shaft that is coaxial with the wheel body 32, thereby driving the rear wheel 3 to rotate. In the electric motorcycle 100 of this embodiment, an in-wheel motor is used as the motor 72 as described above, thereby simplifying and reducing the weight of the drive system.

[0016] The body frame 1 is a frame that constitutes the body of the electric motorcycle 100. The body frame 1 includes a main frame 11, a rear tube 12, a top tube 13, a seat tube 14, a head tube 15, and a front fork 16. In the electric motorcycle 100 of this embodiment, most of the body frame 1 is made of aluminum, which makes the body frame 1 lighter.

[0017] The main frame 11 is a hollow frame member that extends rearward while inclining downward from above the front wheel 2. The central axis X1 of the main frame 11 extends along a line that inclines downward and rearward from above the front wheel 2. The main frame 11 has a main body 111 that extends along the central axis X1 and has a substantially rectangular cross section, and a rear wall 112 that closes the rear end of the main body 111. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7 described later, the main body 111 of the main frame 11 has an upper wall 113 that constitutes its upper surface, a lower wall 114 that constitutes its lower surface, a right wall 115 that extends in the vertical direction between the right edges of the upper wall 113 and the lower wall 114, and a left wall 116 that extends in the vertical direction between the left edges of the upper wall 113 and the lower wall 114. The rear wall 112 of the main frame 11 closes the portion surrounded by the rear edges of the upper wall 113, lower wall 114, right wall 115, and left wall 116. The upper wall 113, lower wall 114, right wall 115, and left wall 116 are integrally formed with one another. For example, the walls 113 to 116, i.e., the main body 111, are formed by bending a single metal plate.

[0018] The battery 74 is housed inside the main frame 11. The controller 76 is fixed to the lower part of the main frame 11 in a state where it is suspended from the main frame 11. The controller 76 is fixed to the main frame 11 while being covered with a cover (not shown) made of resin or the like. An opening 114A (FIG. 8) for inserting and removing the battery 74 is formed in the lower wall 114 of the main frame 11. A cover 117 for closing the opening 114A is detachably attached to the lower wall 114 via a screw or the like. The controller 76 may be housed inside the main frame 11.

[0019] The seat tube 14 is a pipe material extending upward from the rear end of the main frame 11. Specifically, the seat tube 14 extends upward from a portion of the main frame 11 that is rearward of the joint portion of the top tube 13. The seat tube 14 is joined to the main frame 11 by welding or the like with its lower end inserted inside the main frame 11 and the remaining portion extending upward from the main frame 11.

[0020] The rear tube 12 includes a pair of left and right upper pipes 121, a pair of left and right lower pipes 122, and a pair of left and right end plates 123. The upper pipes 121 and the lower pipes 122 are each made of a pipe material. The pair of upper pipes 121 each extend rearward from the seat tube 14. The upper pipe 121 extends rearward from approximately the center of the seat tube 14 in the up-down direction. The upper pipe 121 is joined at its front end to the seat tube 14 by welding or the like. The lower pipe 122 extends rearward from the rear wall 112 of the main frame 11. The lower pipe 122 is joined at its front end to the main frame 11 by welding or the like. The end plates 123 are plate-shaped members. Both ends of the axle 31 of the rear wheel 3 are fixed to each end plate 123 via fastening members or the like. Further, the rear end of each upper pipe 121 is joined to the upper part of each end plate 123 by welding or the like, and the rear end of each lower pipe 122 is joined to the lower part of each end plate 123 by welding or the like.

[0021] The top tube 13 is a pipe material extending in the front-rear direction. The top tube 13 extends in the front-rear direction between approximately the center of the main frame 11 in the front-rear direction (and up-down direction) and the upper end of the seat tube 14, and is joined to the upper surface of the main frame 11 and the front surface of the seat tube 14 by welding or the like.

[0022] The head tube 15 is a generally cylindrical pipe material extending in the vertical direction at the front end of the main frame 11. The head tube 15 is joined to the main frame 11 by welding or the like with its vertical middle portion inserted inside the main frame 11.

[0023] The front fork 16 includes a steering column 161 and a pair of left and right leg portions 162. The steering column 161 is a substantially cylindrical pipe material extending in the vertical direction. The steering column 161 is fixed to the head tube 15 with its middle portion inserted inside the head tube 15. The steering column 161 is also inserted coaxially inside the head tube 15 in a state in which it is rotatable around its central axis. The pair of leg portions 162 are pipe materials extending downward from the lower end of the steering column 161 while branching out to the left and right. The front wheel 2 is fixed to the front fork 16 by fastening both ends of its axle 21 to the lower ends of the leg portions 162.

[0024] The seat 6 includes a seat post 61 and a saddle 62. The saddle 62 is a component that supports the buttocks of a rider of the electric bike 100, and is removably fixed to the upper end of the seat post 61. The seat post 61 is a pipe material that extends in the vertical direction. At least a lower portion of the seat post 61 is coaxially inserted into the seat tube 14. The seat post 61 is held in the seat tube 14 so as to be slidable in the vertical direction. A clamp 63 is attached to the upper end of the seat tube 14 to regulate the sliding movement of the seat post 61.

[0025] The handlebar 5 includes a handlebar 51, an accelerator grip 52, a brake side grip 53, and a brake lever 54. The handlebar 51 is a rod extending in the left-right direction, and is fixed to the upper end of the front fork 16 (steering column 161) via a stem portion 55. When the handlebar 51 is steered in the front-rear direction, the front fork 16 rotates about its axis, changing the direction of the front wheel 2 and changing the traveling direction of the electric motorcycle 100. The accelerator grip 52 is a grip that is twisted by the rider when the electric motorcycle 100 is driven by electricity, and is attached so as to cover the right side portion of the handlebar 51. The accelerator grip 52 is attached to the handlebar 51 in a state that is rotatable about an axis extending in the left-right direction. The brake side grip 53 is a grip that the rider holds with his left hand, and is attached so as to cover the left side portion of the handlebar 51. The brake lever 54 is a lever that the rider holds and operates when decelerating the electric motorcycle 100. The brake lever 54 is attached to the handlebar 51 in a state in front of the brake side grip 53 and extending in the left-right direction.

[0026] The accelerator grip 52 is electrically connected to a controller 76 via a cable (not shown). The controller 76 is electrically connected to the motor 72 via a cable (not shown). When the rider twists the accelerator grip 52, a signal indicating the amount of twisting operation is input to the controller 76. The controller 76 controls the power supply from the battery 74 to the motor 72 so that the motor 72 is rotated at a desired rotation speed based on the input operation signal. The brake lever 54 is mechanically connected to a brake (not shown) attached to the rear tube 12 via a cable (not shown). When the rider grips the brake lever 54, the operating force applied to the brake lever 54 is transmitted to the brake via the cable. As a result, a braking force for restricting the rotation of the rear wheel 3 is applied from the brake to the wheel body 32 of the rear wheel 3. The above-mentioned cables are arranged to pass inside the main frame 11. In addition, the cable extending toward the brake and motor 72 extends rearward from the main frame 11 through a through hole formed in the rear wall 112 of the main frame 11 .

[0027] (Step) Step 4 will be described. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a view in which a step main body 41, described later, is omitted from FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a view showing a portion of a cross section taken along line VI-VI in FIG. 4. FIG. 7 is a view showing a portion of a cross section taken along line VII-VII in FIG. 4. FIG. 8 is a view showing the vicinity of the rear end of the main frame 11 from the left rear. Note that the rear wall 112 of the main frame 11 is omitted in FIG. 8. FIG. 9 is a view showing the vicinity of the rear end of the main frame 11 from the right lower diagonal. Note that FIG. 9 shows a connecting plate 85 of a reinforcing member 800, described later, and step 4 and the like are omitted from the illustration.

[0028] First, the structure of the step 4 itself will be described. The two steps 4 have the same structure and are supported by the main frame 11 in a symmetrical posture. Each of the two steps 4 includes a step body 41 and a base end 43. The step body 41 includes a substantially rectangular parallelepiped footrest 410 and a step shaft 420. In the following, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the step 4 itself will be described using the direction in which the step 4 extends outward in the left-right direction from the main frame 11 and the pair of outer surfaces of the footrest 410 that have the largest areas among the outer surfaces are perpendicular to the up-down direction.

[0029] The step shaft 420 is a member extending in the left-right direction. The footrest 410 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped member extending in the left-right direction. Specifically, the footrest 410 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape in which the dimension in the front-rear direction is larger than the dimension in the height direction, and the dimension in the left-right direction is larger than the dimension in the front-rear direction. In the illustrated example, the dimension in the front-rear direction of the footrest 410 is set to be approximately five times the dimension in the height direction, and the dimension in the left-right direction of the footrest 410 is set to be approximately twice the dimension in the front-rear direction.

[0030] Footrest 410 is connected to step shaft 420 in a rotatable state about central axis X2 extending in the left-right direction. Footrest 410 can rotate 360 ​​degrees or more in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions. The dashed line in Fig. 4 indicates the state where footrest 410 is rotated 90 degrees from the state shown by the solid line.

[0031] Specifically, in the electric motorcycle 100 of this embodiment, the footrest 410 is formed with a step shaft attachment hole 411 that extends along its central axis X2 and penetrates the footrest 410 in the left-right direction. The step shaft 420 has a threaded portion 421 with a screw thread formed on the outer circumferential surface at its outer left-right end. The step shaft 420 is inserted into the step shaft attachment hole 411 of the footrest 410 with its central axis coinciding with the central axis X2 of the footrest 410. In this inserted state, a nut is fastened to the threaded portion 421 of the step shaft 420. As a result, the footrest 410 is connected to the step shaft 420 in a state in which it can rotate around the step shaft 420 and the central axis X2 of the footrest 410. In addition, bearings 422 are provided at one end and the other end of the step shaft attachment hole 411 in the left-right direction. This allows the footrest 410 to rotate smoothly around its central axis X2. In the illustrated example, caps 423 are attached to the outer ends of the step shaft attachment holes 411 in the left and right direction to cover them.

[0032] As described above, the footrest 410 can rotate 360 ​​degrees or more around its central axis X2, so that both the upper and lower surfaces of the footrest 410 can face the saddle 62. That is, an occupant seated on the seat 6 (saddle 62) can place his / her feet on both the upper and lower surfaces of the footrest 410. Thus, both the upper and lower surfaces of the footrest 410 function as footrest surfaces 412 on which the occupant places his / her feet. In other words, the footrest 410 has a pair of upper and lower footrest surfaces 412. Here, since the dimensions of the footrest 410 are set as described above, the footrest surfaces 412 of the footrest 410 have a shape that extends in the front-rear direction and in the left-right direction.

[0033] The base end portion 43 has a step body attachment portion 439 to which the step body portion 41 is attached, and a shaft 18. The shaft 18 corresponds to the "rotation shaft" in this disclosure.

[0034] The step body attachment portion 439 has a block portion 430 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape extending in the front-rear direction, and a pair of front and rear arm portions 431 extending inward in the left-right direction from the block portion 430. The block portion 430 and the two arm portions 431 are integrally formed with each other. Each of the pair of arm portions 431 has a plate shape extending along a plane perpendicular to the central axis X1 of the main frame 11. The pair of arm portions 431 extend parallel to each other at positions spaced apart from each other in the front-rear direction. The pair of arm portions 431 each have a shaft insertion hole 432, 432 penetrating them in the front-rear direction. The center lines of the two shaft insertion holes 432, 432 are along the same line extending parallel to the central axis X1 of the main frame 11.

[0035] The shaft 18 is a substantially cylindrical member. The shaft 18 has a head 181 at one axial end thereof, the head 181 having a diameter larger than the other portions. A groove (not shown) is formed at the other axial end of the shaft 18. As described below, the shaft 18 is inserted into the shaft insertion holes 432, 432 of the arm portion 431.

[0036] The block portion 430 is formed with a bolt hole 433 penetrating it in the left-right direction. A threaded portion 424 having a thread formed on the outer circumferential surface is provided at the inner left-right end of the step shaft 420. The threaded portion 424 of the step shaft 420 is screwed into the bolt hole 433 of the block portion 430. As a result, the step main body portion 41 is connected to the step main body attachment portion 439 and ultimately the base end portion 43 in a state where it extends outward in the left-right direction from these.

[0037] Next, the support structure in step 4 will be described.

[0038] The base end 43 is connected to a bracket 17 fixed to the main frame 11, and the step 4 is supported by the main frame 11 via the bracket 17. Specifically, the right-side step 4 is connected to a bracket 17 fixed to a right wall 115 of the main frame 11, and the left-side step 4 is connected to a bracket 17 fixed to a left wall 116 of the main frame 11. The right-side bracket 17 and the left-side bracket 17 have the same structure and are fixed to the main frame 11 in a symmetrical position. In other words, the vehicle body frame 1 has a pair of left and right brackets 17 that are fixed to the main frame 11 and connect the main frame 11 and the step 4. In the electric motorcycle 100 of this embodiment, the bracket 17 and therefore the step 4 are fixed (supported) to the lower part of the rear end of the main frame 11. In addition, the position in the front-rear direction of the part of the main frame 11 to which the bracket 17 is fixed and the part to which the seat tube 14 of the main frame 11 is joined are approximately the same.

[0039] The step 4 is supported by the main frame 11 so as to be able to rotate in the up-down direction between a first position in which the step body 41 extends outward in the left-right direction from the main frame 11 as shown by solid lines in Figures 3 and 7, and a second position in which the step body 41 extends upward from the main frame 11 as shown by dashed lines in Figures 3 and 7. In the electric bike 100 of this embodiment, the step body 41 rotates about an axis approximately parallel to the central axis X1 of the main frame 11, and rotates diagonally upward and backward from the first position to the second position.

[0040] When the step body 41 is in the first position, as shown by the solid line in FIG. 3, that is, when viewed along the front-rear direction, the step body 41 has its left-right outer end Q1 located outside the imaginary line L1 connecting the ground contact point P1 of the rear wheel 3 and the left-right outer end P2 of the vehicle body frame 1. In other words, the first position is a position in which the step body 41 extends outward in the left-right direction from the main frame 11, and the left-right outer end Q1 of the step body 41 is located outside the imaginary line L1 when viewed along the front-rear direction. Also, when the step body 41 is in the first position, as shown by the solid line in FIG. 2, that is, when viewed along the up-down direction, the step body 41 has the central axis X2 of the footrest 410 and the central axis X1 of the main frame 11 substantially perpendicular to each other. In addition, when the step main body 41 is in the first position, as shown by the solid line in Figure 7, etc., that is, when viewed along the central axis X1 of the main frame 11, the step main body 41 is in a state in which the central axis X2 of the footrest portion 410 is slightly inclined outward and upward.

[0041] On the other hand, when the step body 41 is in the second position, as shown by the chain line in Fig. 3, that is, when viewed in the front-rear direction, the step body 41 is in a state in which its left-right outer end Q1 is located inside the imaginary line L1 in the left-right direction. In other words, the second position is a position in which the step body 41 extends upward from the main frame 11, and the left-right outer end Q1 of the step body 41 is located inside the imaginary line L1 in the left-right direction when viewed in the front-rear direction. Also, when the step body 41 is in the second position, as shown by the chain line in Fig. 2, that is, when viewed in the up-down direction, the step body 41 is in a state in which the center axis X2 of the footrest 410 is inclined outwardly and obliquely backward.

[0042] In the electric motorcycle 100 of this embodiment, the above support structure is realized by the following configuration.

[0043] The brackets 17 have a substantially U-shaped cross section. The brackets 17 have a vertical wall 171 extending along the outer side surface in the left-right direction of the main frame 11 (the right bracket 17 extends along the right side surface of the right wall 115 of the main frame 11, and the left bracket 17 extends along the left side surface of the left wall 116 of the main frame 11). The brackets 17 have a pair of front and rear horizontal walls 172 extending outward in the left-right direction from the front and rear edges of the vertical wall 171, respectively.

[0044] Bolt holes 17B, 17B are provided at the upper and lower ends of the vertical wall 171 of the bracket 17. The bracket 17 is fixed to the main frame 11 by a bolt 91A inserted through the bolt holes 17B, 17B and a nut 91B screwed into the bolt 91A.

[0045] The side wall 172 has a plate shape extending along a plane perpendicular to the central axis X1 of the main frame 11. The pair of side walls 172 are each formed with a shaft insertion hole 17A, 17A penetrating therethrough in the front-rear direction. The center lines of these shaft insertion holes 17A, 17A are aligned along the same line extending parallel to the central axis X1 of the main frame 11.

[0046] The two arms 431 of the step body mounting part 439 of the base end 43 are disposed between the front side wall 172 and the rear side wall 172 of the bracket 17. The shaft 18 of the base end 43 is fixed to the bracket 17 in a state where it is commonly inserted through the shaft insertion holes 432, 432 of the arms 431 of the step body mounting part 439 and each shaft insertion hole 17A, 17A of the bracket 17. Specifically, the shaft 18 is inserted through the four shaft insertion holes 17A, 17A, 432, 432 in a state where both ends in the axial direction of the shaft 18 protrude outward in the front-rear direction from each side wall 172 of the bracket 17. In this inserted state, a clip 182 is fitted into a groove formed at the end of the shaft 18, whereby the shaft 18 is fixed to the bracket 17. The shaft 18 is fixed in a state where its central axis X3 extends substantially parallel to the central axis X1 of the main frame 11. The diameter of each shaft insertion hole 17A, 432 is set to be approximately the same as the diameter of the portion of the shaft 18 that is inserted therethrough. A washer 500 is disposed between each arm 431 and the side wall 172 of each bracket 17.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 5, the arm 431 of the step body attachment part 439 has an approximately rectangular shape as a whole. However, when the step 4 is in the first position, the part of the arm 431 located on the lower side and inside in the left-right direction forms an approximately right-angled corner, and the part of the arm 431 located on the upper side and inside in the left-right direction is formed in an arc shape that bulges inward in the left-right direction. In other words, the lower part of the inner edge in the left-right direction of the arm 431 is along a line that extends straight in the up-down direction, while the upper part is curved outward and upward in the left-right direction. With this configuration, the step body 41 in the first position cannot be rotated downward by the abutment of the inner edge in the left-right direction of the arm 431 with the bracket 17. On the other hand, the step body 41 in the first position can be rotated upward.

[0048] With the above configuration, the step 4 is connected to the bracket 17 and supported by the main frame 11 via the bracket 17 in a state in which the step body 41 can rotate around the shaft 18, that is, around the central axis X3 of the shaft 18 that is substantially parallel to the central axis X1 of the main frame 11. Moreover, the step body 41 can rotate only between a first position and a second position rotated upward.

[0049] Here, in the electric motorcycle 100 of this embodiment, a biasing member is provided to bias the step body 41 to the first position, and the step body 41 is maintained in the first position unless a predetermined upward force or more is applied. Specifically, a coil spring 19 is wound around the shaft 18 as a biasing member. A spring locking hole 17C is provided in the vertical wall 171 of the bracket 17, penetrating it in the left-right direction. One end of the coil spring 19 is locked in the spring locking hole 17C, and the other end of the coil spring 19 is pressed against the inner side surface in the left-right direction of the block portion 430 of the step body mounting portion 439 and locked to the inner side surface. With this configuration, when the step body 41 rotates upward from the first position, the coil spring 19 contracts and applies a resilient force, i.e., a biasing force, to the step body 41 via the step body mounting portion 439 in the direction toward the first position.

[0050] Furthermore, in the electric motorcycle 100 of this embodiment, the body frame 10 has a reinforcing member 800 for reinforcing the portion of the main frame 11 that supports the step 4, i.e., the portion to which the bracket 17 is fixed. The reinforcing member 800 has a pair of left and right reinforcing plates 80 and a connecting plate 85 that connects the reinforcing plates 80 together.

[0051] The two reinforcing plates 80 have a symmetrical structure in the left-right direction. Each of the two reinforcing plates 80 has a substantially L-shape and has a vertical wall 81 extending in the up-down direction along the left and right side walls of the main frame 11 (the right reinforcing plate 80 is the right wall 115, and the left reinforcing plate 80 is the left wall 116), and a horizontal wall 83 extending inward in the left-right direction from the lower edge of the vertical wall 81. The vertical wall 81 and the horizontal wall 83 constituting the reinforcing plate 80 are integrally formed. Each reinforcing plate 80 and the connecting plate 85 are formed of, for example, iron. The vertical wall 81 of each reinforcing plate 80 is fixed to the left and right side walls of the main frame 11 together with the bracket 17 by a bolt 91A and a nut 91B.

[0052] The connecting plate 85 has a plate shape extending in the left-right direction along the lower surface of the bottom wall 114 of the main frame 11. The connecting plate 85 is disposed at a position facing the side walls 83, 83 of the two reinforcing plates 80 so as to connect the side walls 83, 83 to each other. The connecting plate 85 is fixed to the bottom wall 114 of the main frame 11 together with the side walls 83, 83 of the two reinforcing plates 80 by bolts 91A and nuts 91B.

[0053] The reinforcing plate 80 suppresses deformation of the portion of the main frame 11 to which the bracket 17 is fixed, and the connecting plate 85 suppresses such deformation by connecting the reinforcing plates 80 together.

[0054] (Action and effect) As described above, the electric motorcycle 100 of the above embodiment does not have a crank mechanism, and the rider does not need to pedal with his / her feet to travel. In other words, the electric motorcycle 100 of the above embodiment does not need pedals for travel. However, in a saddle-type vehicle in which pedals are omitted, the rider often has to lift his / her feet by his / her own strength, and a comfortable ride cannot be provided. In contrast, in the electric motorcycle 100 of the above embodiment, a pair of left and right steps 4 each having a footrest surface 141 are supported by the main frame 11. Therefore, the rider can travel with his / her left and right feet placed on the footrest surface 141 of the step 4. In other words, the electric motorcycle 100 of the above embodiment reduces the number of times the rider has to lift his / her feet by his / her own strength. Therefore, an electric motorcycle 100 with a comfortable ride is realized.

[0055] Moreover, in the electric motorcycle 100 of the above embodiment, the base end 43 is supported by the main frame 11 so as not to rotate around an axis extending in the left-right direction, while the step main body 41 including the footrest surface 141 is rotatable around the axis X2 extending in the left-right direction. Therefore, the orientation of the footrest surface 141 can be changed according to the orientation of the soles of the rider's feet, and the rider's feet can be stably supported regardless of the orientation of the soles of the rider's feet.

[0056] Here, when step 4 is provided as described above, the weight of the rider is applied to the portion of the main frame 11 that supports step 4. In contrast, in the electric motorcycle 100 of the above embodiment, the portion of the main frame 11 that supports step 4, specifically the portion where the bracket 17 to which the step 4 is connected is fixed, is reinforced by a reinforcing member 800. This makes it possible to increase the supporting rigidity of the step 4. Also, deformation of the main frame 11 can be suppressed. Particularly in the electric motorcycle 100 of the above embodiment, the reinforcing member 800 is provided on the inside of the main frame 11. This makes it possible to increase the supporting rigidity of the step 4 while improving the appearance of the main frame 11.

[0057] In addition, in the electric motorcycle 100 of the above embodiment, the step main body 41 is rotatable between a first position shown by a solid line in FIG. 3 in which it extends outward in the left-right direction from the main frame 11, and a second position shown by a dotted line in FIG. 3 in which it extends upward from the main frame 11.

[0058] Therefore, while the position of the step body 41 is in the first position, allowing stable support of the rider's feet, the step body 41 can be prevented from contacting the ground when the vehicle body is tilted. Here, if the outer end in the left-right direction of the step body 41, i.e., the outer end Q1 in the left-right direction, comes into contact with the ground when the vehicle body is tilted, the vehicle body may tilt with this outer end Q1 as a fulcrum, causing the wheels 2, 3 to lift off the ground. Therefore, according to the electric motorcycle 100 of the above embodiment, contact between the wheels 2, 3 and the ground can be maintained even when the vehicle body is tilted. In addition, damage to the step body 41 due to contact between the step body 41 and the ground can be prevented.

[0059] In particular, in the electric motorcycle 100 of the above embodiment, the step body 41 can be rotated to a second position in which its left-right outer end Q1 is located left-right inward of an imaginary line L1 connecting the ground contact point P1 of the rear wheel 3 and the left-right outer end P2 of the body frame 1, i.e., the left-right outer end P2. This makes it possible to further prevent the step body 41 from coming into contact with the ground.

[0060] In the electric motorcycle 100 of the above embodiment, the shaft 18 is disposed so that its central axis X3 extends substantially parallel to the central axis X1 of the main frame 11 that extends rearward while inclining downward from above the front wheel 2, and the step body 41 rotates around the central axis X3 of the shaft 18. In other words, the step body 41 rotates around an axis parallel to the central axis X1 of the main frame 11 that extends as described above. Accordingly, the step body 41 rotates obliquely upward and rearward from the first position to the second position. Therefore, interference between the step body 41 and the rider's feet can be prevented when the step body 41 rotates towards the second position.

[0061] In the electric motorcycle 100 of the above embodiment, the step body 41 is biased by the coil spring 19 in the direction toward the first position. Therefore, even if the step body 41 receives an upward load and rotates upward from the first position, after the load is removed, the step body 41 can quickly return to the first position, which is a position that can support the rider's feet. This prevents the rider from stepping off the step 4 and losing balance.

[0062] (Modification) The step main body 41 and the base end 43 need only be connected in a state in which the step main body 41 can rotate relatively around an axis extending in the left-right direction relative to the base end 43, and the specific connection structure is not limited to the above.

[0063] The base end portion 43 and the main frame 11 need only be rotatably connected between a first position in which the step main body portion 41 extends outward in the left-right direction from the main frame 11 and a second position in which the step main body portion 41 extends upward from the main frame 11, and the specific connection structure is not limited to the above.

[0064] For example, in the above embodiment, the step main body 41 rotates around the axis X3 which is the central axis X3 of the shaft 18 and parallel to the central axis X1 of the main frame 11, but the rotation axis of the step main body 41 does not have to be parallel to the central axis X1 of the main frame 11.

[0065] In the above embodiment, the second posture is described as a posture in which the outer end Q1 in the left-right direction of the step main body 41 is on the inside in the left-right direction of the imaginary line L1, but the second posture may be a posture in which the step main body 41 extends upward from the main frame 11. In other words, the second posture may be a posture in which the outer end Q1 in the left-right direction of the step main body 41 is on the outside in the left-right direction of the imaginary line L1.

[0066] In the above embodiment, the base end 43 is supported on the main frame 11 via the bracket 17, but the base end 43 and therefore the step 4 may be attached directly to the main frame 11.

[0067] Furthermore, the specific configuration of the reinforcing member for reinforcing the portion of the main frame 11 where the bracket 17 is fixed is not limited to the above. For example, in the above embodiment, a pair of left and right reinforcing plates 80 is provided, but the two reinforcing plates 80 may be integrated into one member. Furthermore, as the reinforcing member, a member that extends in the left-right direction and connects the base ends 43 of the two steps 4 may be provided. Moreover, the reinforcing member may be omitted.

[0068] In the above embodiment, only the motor 72 that drives the rear wheels 3 is provided as the driving source for electric running, but the driving source may be one that drives at least one of the front wheels and the rear wheels. In other words, the driving source may be a motor that drives only the front wheels, or a motor that drives both the front wheels and the rear wheels.

[0069] In the above embodiment, the motor 72 is an in-wheel motor that is attached coaxially to the wheel as a driving source for electric running, but the driving source does not have to be an in-wheel motor. For example, a motor that is interlocked with the axle via a gear or the like may be attached non-coaxially to the wheel.

[0070] In the above embodiment, the saddle-type vehicle is an electric vehicle capable of being electrically driven by the motor 72, but the saddle-type vehicle is not limited to being an electric vehicle. In other words, the saddle-type vehicle may be a vehicle that does not include a motor or a battery, that is, a vehicle that can only be self-propelled by kicking.

[0071] (summary) The above-described embodiments and their modifications can be summarized as follows.

[0072] The saddle-type vehicle comprises front and rear wheels, a body frame that rotatably supports the front and rear wheels, and a pair of left and right steps supported by the body frame, the steps comprising a base end attached to the body frame in a state in which they cannot rotate around an axis extending in the left-right direction, and a step main body portion having a footrest surface, extending outward in the left-right direction from the base end, and connected to the base end in a state in which they can rotate around an axis extending in the left-right direction.

[0073] In this configuration, a pair of left and right steps each having a footrest surface are supported by the vehicle body frame. Therefore, the left and right feet of the occupant can be supported by the steps. This reduces the number of times that the occupant must lift their feet by themselves, improving the ride comfort. In particular, the base end of the step is attached to the vehicle body frame in a state in which it cannot rotate around an axis extending in the left-right direction, and the step as a whole cannot rotate around an axis extending in the left-right direction. In other words, the step main body part having the footrest surface is attached to the vehicle body frame without the crank mechanism. Thus, according to this configuration, in a saddle-type vehicle that does not have a crank mechanism, the left and right feet of the occupant can be supported, improving the ride comfort of the saddle-type vehicle.

[0074] Moreover, while the step as a whole cannot rotate around an axis extending in the left-right direction, the step body portion including the footrest surface can rotate around an axis extending in the left-right direction. Therefore, the orientation of the footrest surface can be changed according to the orientation of the soles of the occupant's feet. Therefore, the occupant's feet can be stably supported regardless of the orientation of the soles of the occupant's feet.

[0075] Preferably, the base end includes a rotation axis that rotates the step main body between a first position in which it extends outward in the left-right direction from the body frame and a second position in which it extends upward from the body frame.

[0076] In this configuration, the position of the step body can be switched between a first position that can support the rider's feet and a second position in which the step body protrudes less outward in the left-right direction from the vehicle body frame. This makes it possible to prevent the step body from contacting the ground when the vehicle body tilts while improving the riding comfort of the rider during normal driving. By preventing the step body from contacting the ground, damage to the step body can be suppressed, and the vehicle body can be prevented from tilting around the step body as a base point, causing the wheels to lift off the ground.

[0077] Preferably, the first posture is a posture in which, when viewed along the fore-aft direction, the left-right outer end of the step main body is located left-right outer of an imaginary line connecting the ground contact point of the rear wheel and the left-right outer end of the vehicle frame, and the second posture is a posture in which, when viewed along the fore-aft direction, the left-right outer end of the step main body is located left-right inner of the imaginary line.

[0078] With this configuration, the chances of the step main body coming into contact with the ground when the vehicle body tilts can be further reduced, damage to the step main body can be further suppressed, and the chances of the wheels lifting off the ground can be further reduced.

[0079] Preferably, a biasing member is provided that biases the step body so that the step body rotates toward the first position.

[0080] According to this configuration, the basic position of the step main body can be the first position, and the occupant can be prevented from stepping off the step.

[0081] Preferably, the body frame includes a main frame extending rearward from above the front wheel while inclining downward, and the rotation shaft rotates the step main body about an axis parallel to the main frame.

[0082] According to this configuration, the step body can be rotated obliquely upward and rearward from the first position to the second position, thereby preventing interference between the step body and the feet of the occupant when the step body rotates.

[0083] Preferably, the vehicle body frame includes a hollow main frame that supports the step, and a reinforcing member that is arranged inside the main frame and reinforces the portion of the main frame that supports the step.

[0084] With this configuration, the supporting rigidity of the step relative to the main frame can be increased. [Explanation of symbols]

[0085] 1: Body frame 2: Front wheel 3: Rear wheel 4: Step 11: Mainframe 17: Bracket 18: Shaft (rotating shaft) 19: Coil spring (biasing member) 41: Step body 43: Proximal end 80: Reinforcement member 142:Top surface (footrest surface) 143: Bottom surface (footrest surface)

Claims

1. Front and rear wheels; a vehicle body frame that rotatably supports the front wheels and the rear wheels; A pair of left and right steps supported by the body frame, The step in this saddle-type vehicle comprises a base end portion attached to the body frame in a state in which the step cannot rotate about an axis extending in the left-right direction, and a step main body portion having a footrest surface, extending outward in the left-right direction from the base end portion, and connected to the base end portion in a state in which the step can rotate about an axis extending in the left-right direction.

2. The saddle type vehicle according to claim 1, A saddle-type vehicle, wherein the base end portion includes a rotation axis that rotates the step main body portion between a first position in which the step main body portion extends outward in the left-right direction from the vehicle body frame and a second position in which the step main body portion extends upward from the vehicle body frame.

3. The saddle type vehicle according to claim 2, The first posture is a posture in which, when viewed along the front-rear direction, an outer end of the step main body in the left-right direction is located outside in the left-right direction of an imaginary line connecting a ground contact point of the rear wheel and an outer end of the vehicle body frame in the left-right direction, The second posture is a posture in which, when viewed along the front-rear direction, an outer end of the step main body in the left-right direction is located inside in the left-right direction of the imaginary line.

4. The saddle type vehicle according to claim 3, A saddle-type vehicle comprising: a biasing member that biases the step main body so that the step main body rotates toward the first position.

5. The saddle type vehicle according to claim 2, the vehicle body frame includes a main frame that extends rearward while inclining downward from above the front wheels, The rotation shaft rotates the step main body about an axis parallel to the main frame.

6. The saddle type vehicle according to claim 1, The vehicle body frame of the saddle-type vehicle includes a hollow main frame that supports the step, and a reinforcing member that is disposed inside the main frame and reinforces a portion of the main frame that supports the step.

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