Saddle riding vehicle

Abstract

To suppress deterioration of appearance, upgrade riding stability, and upgrade efficiency of air discharge.SOLUTION: A motorcycle includes a front cowl 40 that is disposed ahead of a head pipe in order to cover a front part of a vehicle body, and a meter panel 50 disposed behind the front cowl 40. The front cowl 40 has a step part 61 that forms a channel 60 guiding running wind. An upper edge 53 of the meter panel 50 abuts on or adjoins a rear part of the front cowl 40. A notch 54 is formed in part of an edge 52 of the meter panel 50. At least part of the notch 54 includes an aperture 55 leading to the channel 60. When seen from ahead of the vehicle, the front cowl 40 is superposed on the meter panel 50 as if to cover the meter panel 50. At least part of the aperture 55 is formed at a position where the front cowl 40 and meter panel 50 are superposed on each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, there is a technology that takes in the traveling wind received from the front of the vehicle while traveling into the inside of the front cowl and discharges it from an opening provided in the meter panel. In particular, a vehicle with a large front cowl needs to discharge more traveling wind, and the area of ​​the opening provided in the meter panel needs to be large. In this case, there are problems such as wiring inside the front cowl being exposed from the opening, which reduces the design and causes light leakage from the headlights. Therefore, it is required to efficiently discharge the traveling wind that has flowed into the inside of the front cowl and to improve the problems caused by providing the opening. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a saddle-type vehicle that includes a front cowl with an upper surface portion that directs the traveling wind rearward and upward, a meter panel that displays vehicle information toward the driver, and a windscreen that covers the front upper part of the meter panel. A communication port that penetrates to the back surface is formed in the upper surface portion of the front cowl at a position covered by the windscreen. The communication port is formed below the meter panel. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5913277 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, when a communication port is formed in a position on the upper surface of the front cowl that is covered by the windscreen, the communication port is easily visible from the front of the vehicle, which causes a problem of degraded appearance. Therefore, it is desired to improve the handling stability and the efficiency of exhaust air while suppressing the degradation of appearance.

[0005] In order to solve the above problems, the present application aims to improve the drivability and exhaust efficiency while suppressing deterioration of the appearance, thereby further improving traffic safety and contributing to the development of a sustainable transportation system. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] As a means for solving the above problems, the present invention has the following configuration. (1) A saddle-type vehicle (1) according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a front cowl (40) disposed in front of a head pipe (11) and covering a front portion of a vehicle body, and a meter panel (50) disposed rearward of the front cowl (40), wherein the front cowl (40) has a step portion (61) that forms a flow path (60) that guides wind while the vehicle is traveling, an upper edge (53) of the meter panel (50) abuts or is adjacent to a rear portion of the front cowl (40), a notch (54) is formed in a portion of an edge portion (52) of the meter panel (50), at least a portion of the notch (54) includes an opening (55) that leads to the flow path (60), the front cowl (40) overlaps with the meter panel (50) so as to cover the meter panel (50) when viewed from the front of the vehicle, and at least a portion of the opening (55) is formed at a position where the front cowl (40) and the meter panel (50) overlap.

[0007] (2) In the saddle-type vehicle (1) described above in (1), the front cowl (40) has a widthwise central surface (40a) facing the front of the vehicle and positioned in the center of the vehicle width direction, and a widthwise outer side surface (40b) inclined obliquely outward with respect to the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle and positioned outward in the vehicle width direction than the widthwise central surface (40a), and the step portion (61) may be formed at a connection portion (40c) between the widthwise central surface (40a) and the widthwise outer side surface (40b).

[0008] (3) In the saddle-type vehicle (1) described in (2) above, the edge portion (52) of the meter panel (50) may include a first extension portion (52a) that passes through the step portion (61) and extends such that an extension line intersects with the front cowl (40) in a cross-sectional view including the vehicle up-down direction and the vehicle fore-and-aft direction, and a second extension portion (52b) that bends from a tip end of the first extension portion (52a) and extends to a position abutting or close to the front cowl (40), and at least a portion of the notch (54) may be formed in a position facing an outer surface of the second extension portion (52b).

[0009] (4) The saddle-type vehicle (1) described in any one of (1) to (3) above may further include a headlight (70), and a gap (71) may be formed between a lower edge of the front cowl (40) and an upper edge (53) of the headlight (70), and at least a portion of the gap (71) may be formed within the vehicle width direction range of the opening (55) when viewed from the vehicle fore-and-aft direction.

[0010] (5) In the saddle-type vehicle (1) described above in (4), a space (72) that allows the gap (71) and the opening (55) to communicate with each other may be formed behind the front cowl (40).

[0011] (6) In the saddle-type vehicle (1) described in any one of (1) to (5) above, when viewed from the vehicle front-rear direction, the length (W1) of the opening (55) in the vehicle width direction may be substantially the same as the length (W2) of the flow path (60) in the vehicle width direction. Effect of the Invention

[0012] According to the saddle-type vehicle of the present invention described above in (1), there is provided a front cowl disposed in front of a head pipe and covering a front portion of a vehicle body, and a meter panel disposed behind the front cowl, the front cowl has a step portion that forms a flow path that guides airflow while the vehicle is traveling, the upper edge of the meter panel abuts or is adjacent to the rear portion of the front cowl, a notch is formed in a portion of the edge of the meter panel, at least a portion of the notch includes an opening that leads to the flow path, the front cowl overlaps with the meter panel so as to cover the meter panel when viewed from the front of the vehicle, and at least a portion of the opening is formed at a position where the front cowl and the meter panel overlap, thereby achieving the following effects. By forming at least a part of the opening at the position where the front cowl and the meter panel overlap, the opening is less visible to the driver, and therefore deterioration of the appearance can be suppressed. In addition, by increasing the area of ​​the cutout (including the opening) formed at the edge of the meter panel, the opening area of ​​the air vent can be increased, and handling stability can be improved. In addition, the air inside the front cowl can be discharged to the rear of the vehicle through the opening by the running wind guided to the flow path, and the efficiency of the exhaust air can be improved. Therefore, it is possible to improve handling stability and exhaust air efficiency while suppressing deterioration of the appearance. This ultimately further improves traffic safety and contributes to the development of a sustainable transportation system.

[0013] According to the saddle-type vehicle described in (2) of the present invention, the front cowl has a widthwise central surface that faces the front of the vehicle and is located in the center of the vehicle width direction, and a widthwise outer surface that is inclined obliquely outward with respect to the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle and is located outward in the vehicle width direction from the widthwise central surface, and the step portion is formed at the connection portion between the widthwise central surface and the widthwise outer surface, thereby achieving the following effects. When the vehicle is traveling straight or banking, the wind from the vehicle travelling along the road gathers at the step and is directed rearward, thereby further improving the efficiency of the wind exhaust.

[0014] According to the saddle-type vehicle described in (3) above of the present invention, the edge portion of the meter panel includes a first extension portion that passes through the step portion and extends such that an extension line intersects with the front cowl in a cross-sectional view including the vehicle up-down direction and the vehicle fore-and-aft direction, and a second extension portion that bends from a tip of the first extension portion and extends to a position abutting or close to the front cowl, and at least a portion of the notch is formed in a position facing the outer surface of the second extension portion, thereby achieving the following effects. The second extension portion constituting the edge of the meter panel portion is in contact with or close to the front cowl so as to enter the front side of the front cowl, and at least a part of the notch (including the opening) is formed at a position facing the outer surface of the second extension portion, so that the opening becomes less visible to the driver, thereby further suppressing deterioration of the appearance.

[0015] According to the saddle-type vehicle described in (4) above of the present invention, a headlight is further provided, and a gap is formed between the lower edge of the front cowl and the upper edge of the headlight, and at least a part of the gap is formed within the vehicle width direction range of the opening when viewed from the front-rear direction of the vehicle, thereby achieving the following effects. The air can be taken in through the gap formed between the lower edge of the front cowl and the upper edge of the headlight and directed toward the opening, thereby further improving the efficiency of air exhaust.

[0016] According to the saddle-type vehicle of the present invention described above in (5), a space is formed behind the front cowl, which allows the gap and the opening to communicate with each other, thereby achieving the following effects. Since the wind flowing in through the gap can flow to the opening through the space formed behind the front cowl, the efficiency of exhausting the wind can be further improved.

[0017] According to the saddle-type vehicle of the present invention described above in (6), the length of the opening in the vehicle width direction when viewed from the front-rear direction of the vehicle is approximately the same as the length of the flow path in the vehicle width direction, thereby achieving the following effects. The airflow from the flow path allows the air inside the front cowl to be efficiently exhausted through the opening. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a left side view of a motorcycle according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a front view of a motorcycle according to an embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the upper part of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the meter panel according to the embodiment as viewed from above and rearward. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state in which the front cowl in FIG. 4 has been removed. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a right side view of the front lower cowl according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the step portion according to the embodiment, seen from the upper right. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII of FIG. [Figure 9] 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IX-IX of FIG. 4. [Figure 10] 5 is a cross-sectional view including the XX section of FIG. 4. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XI-XI of FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view including the XII-XII section of FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view including the XIII-XIII cross-section of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, a motorcycle will be described as an example of a saddle-type vehicle. In the following description, directions such as front, rear, left and right are the same as directions on the vehicle unless otherwise specified. In the drawings used in the following description, an arrow FR indicating the front of the vehicle, an arrow LH indicating the left side of the vehicle, an arrow UP indicating the top of the vehicle, and a vehicle body left and right center line CL indicating the center position of the vehicle body left and right are shown in appropriate places.

[0020] <Motorcycles> Fig. 1 is a left side view of a motorcycle 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 2 is a front view of the motorcycle 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Figures 1 and 2 together, motorcycle 1 comprises a front wheel 2 and a rear wheel 3, a front fork 4 supporting the front wheel 2, a swing arm 5 supporting the rear wheel 3, a body frame 6 supporting the front fork 4 and the swing arm 5, an engine 7 (internal combustion engine, prime mover) supported by the body frame 6, and a body cover 8.

[0021] The upper portions of the pair of left and right front forks 4 are supported by a head pipe 11 of the body frame 6 via a steering stem 10 so as to be steerable. A bar-type handlebar 12 is attached to the top bridge of the steering stem 10. A front fender 20 is provided between the left and right front forks 4.

[0022] The body frame 6 includes a head pipe 11, a pair of left and right main frames 15, a pair of left and right pivot frames 16, a pair of left and right down frames 17, and a seat frame 18.

[0023] The head pipe 11 is inclined so that the upper end of the head pipe 11 is located further rearward than the lower end of the head pipe 11 in a side view of the vehicle. In a side view of the vehicle, the main frame 15 is inclined downward toward the rear from an upper rear portion of the head pipe 11. A rear end portion of the main frame 15 is connected to an upper end portion of a pivot frame 16 at a front-rear middle portion of the vehicle body.

[0024] The pivot frame 16 extends downward from the rear end of the main frame 15 in a side view of the vehicle. In a side view of the vehicle, the down frame 17 extends from the lower rear part of the head pipe 11 at a steeper downward rearward incline than the main frame 15, and then bends and extends downward rearward. The seat frame 18 is connected to a rear portion of the main frame 15. The seat frame 18 is inclined upward and rearward from the rear portion of the main frame 15 in a side view of the vehicle.

[0025] A front end of a swing arm 5 is supported so as to be vertically swingable at the vertical center of the pivot frame 16. A rear wheel 3 is supported at the rear end of the swing arm 5.

[0026] The engine 7 is mounted on the inner side of the body frame 6. For example, the engine 7 has a crankshaft that is parallel to the vehicle width direction (vehicle left-right direction). A fuel tank 30 is provided above the engine 7 and between the left and right main frames 15. A seat 31 is provided behind the fuel tank 30 and on the seat frame 18.

[0027] Body cover 8 is provided so as to cover the components (for example, body frame 6 and engine 7) of motorcycle 1 from the outside. Body cover 8 includes a front cowl 40 disposed in front of head pipe 11 and covering the front part of the body, a middle cowl 41 covering the front part of the body from the outside in the vehicle width direction, an under cowl 42 covering the lower part of the body, and a rear cowl 43 covering the upper rear part of the body.

[0028] A front lower cowl 45 is provided below the front cowl 40. The front lower cowl 45 is integrally formed with portions that are disposed above and below the headlight 70. The front lower cowl 45 is engaged with each of the meter panel 50, the headlight 70, and the middle cowl 41.

[0029] The middle cowl 41 is provided with a winglet 46. An inner cover 47 is provided on the inside of the middle cowl 41 in the vehicle width direction.

[0030] Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of the upper part of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a view of the meter panel 50 according to the embodiment as seen from above and rearward. Fig. 5 is a view of Fig. 4 with the front cowl 40 removed. 3 to 5, the motorcycle 1 includes a meter panel 50 disposed behind the front cowl 40. A meter body 51 that displays vehicle information to the driver is provided in the center of the meter panel 50 in the vehicle width direction. A pair of left and right turn signals 35 are provided on the outer sides of the meter panel 50 in the vehicle width direction. A pair of left and right mirrors 36 are provided on an upper portion of the front cowl 40 (a portion adjacent to the meter body 51). An edge portion 52 of the meter panel 50 extends outward and upward in the vehicle width direction from a portion adjacent to the meter body 51 in a rear view, and then extends while curving outward and downward in the vehicle width direction (see FIG. 5).

[0031] The front cowl 40 has a step portion 61 that forms a flow path 60 that guides the wind while the vehicle is running. An upper edge 53 of the meter panel 50 abuts or is adjacent to the rear portion of the front cowl 40. A notch 54 is formed in part of the edge portion 52 of the meter panel 50. At least a portion of the notch 54 includes an opening 55 that communicates with the flow path 60. When viewed from the front of the vehicle, the front cowl 40 overlaps with the meter panel 50 so as to cover the meter panel 50. At least a portion of the opening 55 is formed at a position where the front cowl 40 and the meter panel 50 overlap (see FIG. 4).

[0032] The notch 54 is disposed between the outer end of the top bridge of the steering stem 10 in the vehicle width direction and the inner end of the grip portion 13 of the handlebar 12 in the vehicle width direction, as viewed from the rear. An opening 55 is formed by the inner surface of the front cowl 40 abutting or coming close to the end of the meter panel 50 where the notch 54 opens. The front cowl 40 overlaps with the meter panel 50 so as to cover the opening 55 from the front.

[0033] Fig. 6 is a right side view of the front lower cowl 45 according to the embodiment. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the step portion 61 according to the embodiment as viewed from the upper right. 6 and 7, the front cowl 40 has a widthwise central surface 40a that faces the front of the vehicle and is located in the center in the vehicle width direction, and a widthwise outer surface 40b that is inclined obliquely outward with respect to the vehicle front-rear direction and is located outward in the vehicle width direction from the widthwise central surface 40a. The step portion 61 is formed at a connection portion 40c between the widthwise central surface 40a and the widthwise outer surface 40b.

[0034] Referring also to FIG. 3, a windscreen 48 is provided on the upper part of the front cowl 40. The inner edge of the widthwise center surface 40a extends along the lower edge of the windscreen 48 in a front view. The inner edge of the widthwise center surface 40a is formed in a V-shape in a front view. The inclination angle of the widthwise center surface 40a in the vehicle width direction is smaller than the inclination angle of the widthwise outer side surface 40b in the vehicle width direction. The inclination angle of the widthwise center surface 40a in the vehicle width direction corresponds to an acute angle between a tangent to the widthwise center surface 40a and a straight line along the vertical direction of the vehicle. The inclination angle of the widthwise outer side surface 40b in the vehicle width direction corresponds to an acute angle between a tangent to the widthwise outer side surface 40b and a straight line along the vertical direction of the vehicle.

[0035] The widthwise outer side surface 40b is connected to both widthwise outer ends of the widthwise central surface 40a. The step portion 61 increases in the widthwise and vertical directions toward the rear of the vehicle. The inclination angle of the step portion 61 in the widthwise direction is greater than the inclination angle of the widthwise outer side surface 40b in the vehicle width direction. The inclination angle of the step portion 61 in the widthwise direction corresponds to an acute angle between a tangent to a surface forming the flow path 60 in the step portion 61 and a straight line along the vertical direction of the vehicle. At least a part of the surface forming the flow path 60 in the step portion 61 has a concave shape that is concave inward and downward in the widthwise direction with respect to the outer surface of the front cowl 40.

[0036] Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in Fig. 3. Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IX-IX in Fig. 4. Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX in Fig. 4. 8 to 10, the edge portion 52 of the meter panel 50 includes a first extending portion 52a that passes through the step portion 61 and extends such that an extension line intersects with the front cowl 40 in a cross-sectional view including the vehicle up-down direction and the vehicle front-rear direction, and a second extending portion 52b that bends from a tip end of the first extending portion 52a and extends to a position abutting or close to the front cowl 40. At least a portion of the notch 54 is formed in a position facing the outer surface of the second extending portion 52b.

[0037] An extension line L1 of the outer surface of the first extension portion 52a extends so as to intersect with the inner surface of the front cowl 40 at an acute angle in the cross-sectional view of Fig. 9. An extension line L2 of the outer surface of the second extension portion 52b extends at an incline so as to intersect with the inner surface of the front cowl 40 at an even smaller acute angle (an acute angle smaller than the acute angle formed by the extension line L1 of the outer surface of the first extension portion 52a and the inner surface of the front cowl 40) in the cross-sectional view of Fig. 9. The distance between the outer surface of the second extension portion 52b and the inner surface of the front cowl 40 becomes smaller toward the position where the second extension portion 52b abuts or approaches the front cowl 40 (see Fig. 9).

[0038] For example, the notch 54 is formed over the entire height (entire range in the up-down direction) of the outer surface of the second extending portion 52b. The notch 54 is not limited to the above, and may be formed in at least a part of the outer surface of the second extending portion 52b. For example, the formation mode of the notch 54 can be changed according to design specifications.

[0039] 3 and 4, the motorcycle 1 further includes a headlight 70. A gap 71 is formed between a lower edge of the front cowl 40 and an upper edge of the headlight 70. At least a portion of the gap 71 is formed within a range in the vehicle width direction of the opening 55 when viewed from the vehicle front-rear direction.

[0040] A pair of headlights 70 are provided on the left and right. In front view, the lower edge of the front cowl 40 extends from the center in the vehicle width direction outward and upward in the vehicle width direction, then bends upward and extends outward and upward in the vehicle width direction, and then bends and extends outward and downward in the vehicle width direction. In front view, the upper edge of the headlight 70 extends from the inner end in the vehicle width direction outward and upward in the vehicle width direction, and then curves and extends further upward at the outer end in the vehicle width direction (see FIG. 3).

[0041] The gap 71 is formed with a gap between the mating surfaces of the lens of the headlight 70 and the front cowl 40. The gap 71 is formed at an upper portion of the headlight 70 facing the outer side in the vehicle width direction. The gap 71 is formed from the upper outer side to the outer side of the lens of the headlight 70. The lens of the headlight 70 and the front cowl 40 abut against each other on surfaces other than the portion where the gap 71 is formed. The headlight 70 may be a single-eye or a compound-eye.

[0042] 8, a space 72 that connects the gap 71 and the opening 55 is formed behind the front cowl 40. The arrows in the figure show an example of a running wind flowing through the space 72.

[0043] The space 72 is formed so that the traveling wind that flows in from the gap 71 flows into the opening 55. The traveling wind that flows in from the gap 71 flows between the headlight 70 and the front lower cowl 45 into the opening 55. Nothing that would obstruct the flow of the traveling wind is arranged from the gap 71 to the opening 55. A support member (for example, a cowl stay) that supports the front cowl 40 is provided inside the opening 55 in the vehicle width direction.

[0044] 4, when viewed from the vehicle front-rear direction, the length W1 of the opening 55 in the vehicle width direction is approximately the same as the length W2 of the flow path 60 in the vehicle width direction. The length W1 of the opening 55 in the vehicle width direction corresponds to the maximum length in the vehicle width direction of a portion of the cutout 54 surrounded by the edge of the front cowl 40 and the upper edge 53 of the meter panel 50 in the rear view of FIG. 4. The length W2 of the flow path 60 in the vehicle width direction corresponds to the maximum length in the vehicle width direction of the curved surface of the step portion 61 (a part of the surface that forms the flow path 60 in the step portion 61) in the rear view of FIG.

[0045] For example, when viewed from the vehicle front-rear direction, the opening 55 may be formed within the range in the vehicle width direction of the flow path 60. For example, the formation mode of the opening 55 can be changed according to design specifications.

[0046] 10, the rear edge portion of the front cowl 40 has an extension portion 40e that extends so as to be folded toward the inside of the front cowl 40. An edge portion 52 of the meter panel 50 is provided so as to overlap front-to-rear with respect to the extension direction of the extension portion 40e in the cross-sectional view of FIG.

[0047] Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XI-XI in Fig. 1. Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XII-XII in Fig. 1. Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIII-XIII in Fig. 1. 11 to 13, the outer surface of the front cowl 40 is curved upward and outward in the vehicle width direction.

[0048] In the cross-sectional view of Figure 11, the outer surface of the front cowl 40 bends from the outer end of the widthwise center surface 40a, which curves upward and outward in the vehicle width direction, and extends downward and outward in the vehicle width direction, and then bends and extends toward the upper part of the headlight 70. In the cross-sectional view of Figure 12, the outer surface of the front cowl 40 has a front end of a step portion 61 between the outer end (lower end) of the widthwise center surface 40a, which curves upward and outward in the vehicle width direction, and the inner end (upper end) of the widthwise outer surface 40b, which extends outward and downward in the vehicle width direction. In the cross-sectional view of FIG. 13, the outer surface of the front cowl 40 has a curved surface of a step portion 61 that curves inwardly and downwardly in the vehicle width direction between the vehicle width central surface 40a and the vehicle width outer surface 40b.

[0049] <Action and effect> As described above, the motorcycle 1 of the above embodiment includes the front cowl 40 disposed in front of the head pipe 11 and covering the front part of the vehicle body, and the meter panel 50 disposed behind the front cowl 40. The front cowl 40 includes a step portion 61 that forms a flow path 60 that guides the traveling wind. An upper edge 53 of the meter panel 50 abuts or is adjacent to a rear part of the front cowl 40. A notch 54 is formed in a part of an edge portion 52 of the meter panel 50. At least a part of the notch 54 includes an opening 55 that communicates with the flow path 60. When viewed from the front of the vehicle, the front cowl 40 overlaps with the meter panel 50 so as to cover the meter panel 50. At least a part of the opening 55 is formed at a position where the front cowl 40 and the meter panel 50 overlap with each other. According to this configuration, at least a part of the opening 55 is formed at the position where the front cowl 40 and the meter panel 50 overlap, so that the opening 55 is difficult to see from the driver, and therefore deterioration of the appearance can be suppressed. In addition, by increasing the area of ​​the notch 54 (including the opening 55) formed in the edge portion 52 of the meter panel 50, the opening area of ​​the air vent can be increased, and the handling stability can be improved. In addition, the air inside the front cowl 40 can be discharged to the rear of the vehicle through the opening 55 by the running wind guided to the flow path 60, and the efficiency of the exhaust air can be improved. Therefore, the handling stability can be improved while suppressing deterioration of the appearance, and the efficiency of the exhaust air can be improved. This further improves the safety of traffic and contributes to the development of a sustainable transportation system.

[0050] In the above embodiment, the front cowl 40 includes a widthwise central surface 40a that faces the front of the vehicle and is located in the center in the width direction of the vehicle, and a widthwise outer surface 40b that is inclined obliquely outward with respect to the vehicle front-rear direction and is located outward in the width direction of the vehicle than the widthwise central surface 40a. The step portion 61 is formed at a connection portion 40c between the widthwise central surface 40a and the widthwise outer surface 40b. According to this configuration, when the vehicle is traveling straight or banking, the traveling wind gathers at the step and is guided rearward, thereby making it possible to further improve the efficiency of exhaust wind.

[0051] In the above embodiment, the edge portion 52 of the meter panel 50 includes a first extending portion 52a that passes through the step portion 61 and extends such that an extension line intersects with the front cowl 40 in a cross-sectional view including the vehicle up-down direction and the vehicle front-rear direction, and a second extending portion 52b that bends from a tip end of the first extending portion 52a and extends to a position abutting or close to the front cowl 40. At least a part of the notch 54 is formed in a position facing the outer surface of the second extending portion 52b. According to this configuration, the second extension 52b constituting the edge 52 of the meter panel 50 is in contact with or close to the front cowl 40 so as to enter the front side of the front cowl 40, and at least a part of the notch 54 (including the opening 55) is formed at a position facing the outer surface of the second extension 52b, so that the opening 55 is more difficult to see by the driver. Therefore, deterioration of the appearance can be further suppressed.

[0052] In the above embodiment, the motorcycle further includes a headlight 70. A gap 71 is formed between a lower edge of the front cowl 40 and an upper edge 53 of the headlight 70. At least a portion of the gap 71 is formed within a range in the vehicle width direction of the opening 55 when viewed from the vehicle front-rear direction. According to this configuration, the wind generated during traveling can be taken in through the gap 71 formed between the lower edge of the front cowl 40 and the upper edge 53 of the headlight 70 and directed toward the opening 55, thereby further improving the efficiency of exhaust air.

[0053] In the above embodiment, a space 72 that allows the gap 71 to communicate with the opening 55 is formed behind the front cowl 40 . According to this configuration, the running wind that flows in through the gap 71 can flow to the opening 55 through the space 72 formed behind the front cowl 40, thereby further improving the efficiency of exhausting the wind.

[0054] In the above embodiment, the length of the opening 55 in the vehicle width direction is substantially the same as the length of the flow passage 60 in the vehicle width direction when viewed from the vehicle front-rear direction. According to this configuration, the air inside the front cowl 40 can be efficiently exhausted from the opening 55 by the traveling wind guided from the flow path 60.

[0055] <Modification> In the above embodiment, the front cowl includes a widthwise central surface facing the front of the vehicle and disposed in the center in the width direction, and a widthwise outer side surface inclined obliquely outward with respect to the vehicle front-rear direction and disposed outward in the width direction from the widthwise central surface, and the step portion is formed at the connection portion between the widthwise central surface and the widthwise outer side surface, but this is not limited thereto. For example, the step portion may be formed in a portion other than the connection portion between the widthwise central surface and the widthwise outer side surface. For example, the step portion may be formed in a part (a portion other than the connection portion) of the widthwise central surface or the widthwise outer side surface. For example, the formation mode of the step portion may be changed according to the design specifications.

[0056] In the above embodiment, the edge of the meter panel includes a first extension portion that extends such that an extension line intersects with the front cowl in a cross-sectional view that passes through the step portion and includes the vehicle up-down direction and the vehicle front-rear direction, and a second extension portion that bends from a tip end of the first extension portion and extends to a position where it abuts or is close to the front cowl, and at least a part of the notch is formed at a position facing the outer surface of the second extension portion. However, this is not limited to this. For example, the entire notch may be formed at a position other than the position facing the outer surface of the second extension portion. For example, the notch may be formed at a position facing the outer surface of the first extension portion. For example, the formation mode of the notch may be changed according to design specifications.

[0057] In the above embodiment, the motorcycle further includes a headlight, and a gap is formed between the lower edge of the front cowl and the upper edge of the headlight, and at least a part of the gap is formed within the range of the opening in the vehicle width direction when viewed from the vehicle front-rear direction. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the entire gap may be formed outside the range of the opening in the vehicle width direction when viewed from the vehicle front-rear direction. For example, the form of the gap can be changed according to design specifications.

[0058] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which a space is formed behind the front cowl to allow the gap and the opening to communicate with each other, but this is not limiting. For example, a space may be formed in a portion other than the rear of the front cowl to allow the gap and the opening to communicate with each other. For example, the form in which the space is formed to allow the gap and the opening to communicate with each other can be changed according to design specifications.

[0059] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the length of the opening in the vehicle width direction is substantially the same as the length of the flow path in the vehicle width direction when viewed from the vehicle front-rear direction, but this is not limited thereto. For example, the length of the opening in the vehicle width direction when viewed from the vehicle front-rear direction may be different from the length of the flow path in the vehicle width direction. For example, the length of the opening in the vehicle width direction can be changed according to design specifications.

[0060] In the above embodiment, a motorcycle is described as an example of a saddle-type vehicle, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the present invention may be applied to a saddle-type vehicle other than a motorcycle. For example, a saddle-type vehicle includes all vehicles on which a driver straddles the vehicle body, and includes not only motorcycles (including motorized bicycles and scooter-type vehicles) but also three-wheeled vehicles (including vehicles with one front wheel and two rear wheels, as well as vehicles with two front wheels and one rear wheel). Furthermore, the present invention is applicable not only to motorcycles but also to four-wheeled vehicles such as automobiles (such as four-wheeled buggies). The present invention may also be applied to a saddle-type vehicle including an electric motor as a prime mover. The configurations in the above-described embodiments are merely examples of the present invention, and various modifications are possible without departing from the gist of the present invention, such as replacing the components of the embodiments with well-known components. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 1. Motorcycles (saddle-type vehicles) 11 Head pipe 40 Front cowl 40a Vehicle width center plane 40b Outside width of vehicle 40c Connection 50 Meter panel 52 Edge 53 Upper edge 54 Notch 55 Opening 60 Flow Path 61 Step 70 Headlight 71 Gap 72 Space W1: Length of opening in vehicle width direction W2: Length of flow passage in vehicle width direction

Claims

1. a front cowl (40) disposed in front of the head pipe (11) and covering the front part of the vehicle body; A meter panel (50) disposed behind the front cowl (40), The front cowl (40) includes a step portion (61) that forms a flow path (60) for guiding wind when the vehicle is traveling. An upper edge (53) of the meter panel (50) abuts against or is adjacent to a rear portion of the front cowl (40), A notch (54) is formed in a part of the edge (52) of the meter panel (50), At least a portion of the notch (54) includes an opening (55) that communicates with the flow passage (60); The front cowl (40) overlaps with the meter panel (50) so as to cover the meter panel (50) when viewed from the front of the vehicle, At least a part of the opening (55) is formed at a position where the front cowl (40) and the meter panel (50) overlap each other. Saddle-type vehicle.

2. The front cowl (40) is A vehicle width center surface (40a) facing the front of the vehicle and disposed in the center in the vehicle width direction; a vehicle width outer surface (40b) that is inclined obliquely outward with respect to the vehicle front-rear direction and is disposed outward in the vehicle width direction from the vehicle width central surface (40a), The step portion (61) is formed at a connection portion (40c) between the vehicle width center surface (40a) and the vehicle width outer side surface (40b). The saddle-type vehicle according to claim 1 .

3. an edge portion (52) of the meter panel (50) includes a first extension portion (52a) that passes through the step portion (61) and extends such that an extension line intersects with the front cowl (40) in a cross-sectional view including the vehicle up-down direction and the vehicle fore-and-aft direction, and a second extension portion (52b) that bends from a tip end of the first extension portion (52a) and extends to a position abutting or adjacent to the front cowl (40); At least a portion of the notch (54) is formed at a position facing the outer surface of the second extension portion (52b). The saddle-type vehicle according to claim 2 .

4. Further comprising a headlight (70); A gap (71) is formed between a lower edge of the front cowl (40) and an upper edge (53) of the headlight (70), At least a part of the gap (71) is formed within a range of the opening (55) in the vehicle width direction when viewed from the vehicle front-rear direction. The saddle-type vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. A space (72) is formed behind the front cowl (40) to allow the gap (71) and the opening (55) to communicate with each other.

5. The saddle-type vehicle according to claim 4.

6. When viewed from the vehicle front-rear direction, the length (W1) of the opening (55) in the vehicle width direction is approximately the same as the length (W2) of the flow path (60) in the vehicle width direction. The saddle-type vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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