Saddle riding type vehicle

By using a rear upward extension passage and positioning the catalyst and exhaust gas sensor below the crankcase, the exhaust system in saddle-type vehicles is compactly arranged, addressing the issue of vehicle size enlargement.

JP2025062328APending Publication Date: 2025-04-14HONDA MOTOR CO LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2023171313
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2023-10-02
Publication Date
2025-04-14

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Conventional saddle-type vehicles have a larger size due to the separation of the exhaust pipe portion, catalyst, and exhaust gas sensor from the crankcase, which makes it difficult to compactly position the exhaust system.

Method used

The exhaust system is configured with a rear upward extension passage that extends upward from the rear body in an inclined position towards the rear of the vehicle, with the exhaust gas sensor penetrating this passage in a horizontal orientation facing forward. This arrangement positions at least a portion of the catalyst and exhaust gas sensor below the crankcase, allowing for a more compact placement of the exhaust system.

Benefits of technology

This configuration enables the exhaust system, including the catalyst and exhaust gas sensor, to be easily positioned close to the crankcase, thereby reducing the overall size of the vehicle.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

To make it ease to arrange an exhaust system including a catalyst and an exhaust gas sensor close to a crankcase to suppress increase in the size of a vehicle.SOLUTION: An exhaust system component (50) of a saddle riding type vehicle comprises an exhaust passage (51, 53) having a catalyst (52) and a muffler (54) provided downstream of the catalyst (52). The exhaust passage (51, 53) has a rear upwardly-extending passage (51b) that extends towards the rear upper side of a vehicle body. In the rear upwardly-extending passage (51b), the catalyst (52) is supported in a posture inclined towards the rear upper side of the vehicle body, and on the upstream side of the catalyst (52) and in the front of the vehicle body, an exhaust gas sensor (81) is provided which penetrates the rear upwardly-extending passage (51b) in a nealy-horizontal posture inclined toward the front of the vehicle body. At least a part of the catalyst (52) and the exhaust gas sensor (81) are located below a crankcase body (23a) of a crankcase (23), in which at least a crank shaft (23s) is received.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1
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Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] A known configuration for saddle-type vehicles such as motorcycles includes an engine having a crankcase and a cylinder portion, an exhaust system component connected to the engine and having a catalyst, and an exhaust gas sensor that penetrates the exhaust system component upstream of the catalyst (e.g., Patent Documents 1 and 2). Patent Document 1 employs a configuration in which an exhaust gas sensor penetrates an exhaust pipe section that extends horizontally to the rear of the vehicle below the engine crankcase and stands upright on the upper right side of the vehicle body. Patent Document 2 employs a configuration in which an exhaust gas sensor penetrates an exhaust pipe section behind the crankcase and stands upright on the upper right side of the vehicle body. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2020 / 021804 [Patent Document 2] JP 2020-016212 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the conventional configuration, the exhaust pipe portion through which the exhaust gas sensor penetrates is disposed below the crankcase or behind the crankcase by the height of the exhaust gas sensor, which means that the exhaust pipe portion through which the exhaust gas sensor penetrates and the catalyst are separated below or behind the crankcase, which tends to lead to an increase in the size of the vehicle. The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and has an object to make it easier to arrange an exhaust system including a catalyst and an exhaust gas sensor close to the crankcase, thereby preventing the vehicle from becoming larger. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The present invention provides a saddle-ride type vehicle including an engine having a crankcase and a cylinder portion, and exhaust system components connected to the engine, the exhaust system components including an exhaust passage having a catalyst, and a muffler provided downstream of the catalyst, the exhaust passage having a rear upward extension passage extending toward the rear upper side of the vehicle body, the catalyst being supported in the rear upward extension passage in an inclined position toward the rear upper side of the vehicle body, and an exhaust gas sensor is provided upstream of the catalyst and forward of the vehicle body, penetrating the rear upward extension passage in a position closer to horizontal toward the front of the vehicle body, and at least a part of the catalyst and the exhaust gas sensor are located below a crankcase main body that houses at least the crankshaft of the crankcase. Effect of the Invention

[0006] This makes it easier to position the exhaust system, including the catalyst and exhaust gas sensor, closer to the crankcase, making it easier to keep the vehicle size down. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a right side view of a portion of a saddle-type vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 13 is a diagram showing the fixing portion of the muffler cover from diagonally above right. FIG. [Diagram 3] 1 is a diagram showing the sensor cable together with the surrounding configuration from the right side of the vehicle body. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the sensor cable together with the surrounding configuration as viewed from above the engine. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description, directions such as front, rear, left, right, up and down are the same as directions relative to the vehicle body unless otherwise specified. In addition, the symbol FR in each drawing indicates the front of the vehicle body, the symbol UP indicates the upper side of the vehicle body, and the symbol LH indicates the left side of the vehicle body.

[0009] [Embodiment Mode] FIG. 1 is a view showing a part of a saddle-ride type vehicle 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, seen from the right side. The saddle-ride type vehicle 10 is a scooter-type motorcycle having a power unit 12 for driving a rear wheel 15 attached to the rear of a body frame 11 so as to be capable of swinging up and down. The vehicle body frame 11 includes left and right lower frames 19 extending rearward below a floor step 10f on which an occupant places his / her feet, and left and right rear frames 20 extending rearward and upward from rear ends of the left and right lower frames 19. The lower frames 19 and the rear frames 20 are covered from the outer sides in the vehicle width direction by side covers 21.

[0010] The power unit 12 has an engine consisting of a water-cooled internal combustion engine, and hereinafter, the power unit 12 will be referred to as "engine 12." The engine 12 includes a crankcase 23 and a cylinder section 24 extending forward from the crankcase 23. The crankcase 23 includes a crankcase main body 23a that houses a crankshaft 23s and its surrounding structure, and a pipe connection section 23b provided at the front lower part of the crankcase 23. Pipes 31, 32 for cooling the engine are connected to the pipe connection portion 23b and are arranged outside the engine 12. The pipes 31, 32 are pipes through which cooling water flows.

[0011] A generator (AC Generator (ACG)) is provided on the right side of the crankshaft 23s. Therefore, the crankcase body 23a has a protruding portion 23c that protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction so as to cover the outer periphery of the generator. This protruding portion 23c has a cylindrical shape that is covered on the outer side in the vehicle width direction in a side view of the vehicle body, and constitutes the portion of the engine 12 that protrudes most outward in the vehicle width direction. This protruding portion 23c can also be called a generator cover or a crankshaft cover. 1, a horizontal line passing through the upper end of the crankcase body 23a (corresponding to the protruding portion 23c in this embodiment) is indicated by line H1, a horizontal line passing through the lower end of the crankcase body 23a is indicated by line H2, a vertical line passing through the front end of the crankcase body 23a is indicated by line L1, a vertical line passing through the rear end of the crankcase body 23a is indicated by line L2, and a vertical line passing through the front end of the cylinder portion 24 is indicated by line L3.

[0012] The pipe connection portion 23b is provided on the inner side in the vehicle width direction from the outer surface (protruding portion 23c) in the vehicle width direction of the crankcase main body 23a. The pipe connection portion 23b has a water pump structure that pumps cooling water by using the rotational force of the crankshaft 23s. Therefore, the pipe connection portion 23b can also be called a water pump. One of the pipes 31 connected to the pipe connection portion 23b is a hose that extends forward from the pipe connection portion 23b to extend between the cylinder portion 24 and an exhaust gas sensor 81 (described later) in a side view of the vehicle body. The other pipe 32 is a hose that extends upward from the pipe connection portion 23b to extend outward in the vehicle width direction from the cylinder portion 24.

[0013] In the following description, the pipe 31 extending forward from the pipe connection portion 23b will be referred to as the "first pipe 31" and the pipe 32 extending upward will be referred to as the "second pipe 32." The cooling water passing through each of the pipes 31, 32 is a refrigerant for cooling the engine, and corresponds to the "refrigerant" of the present invention. 1, the saddle-ride type vehicle 1 does not have a protective member that covers the pipe connection portion 23b and the protruding portion 23c of the crankcase 23 from the outside of the vehicle body. Therefore, the pipe connection portion 23b and the protruding portion 23c are exposed to the outside, and a part of the first pipe 31 and a part of the second pipe 32 are also exposed to the outside.

[0014] An exhaust pipe 51 is connected to the underside of the cylinder portion 24, and a catalytic converter 53 containing a catalyst 52 is connected to the downstream and rear end of the exhaust pipe 51, and an exhaust muffler 54 is connected to the downstream and rear end of the catalytic converter 53. The catalyst 52 functions as a purification device that purifies the exhaust gas by an oxidation-reduction reaction. The exhaust pipe 51 , the catalytic converter 53 and the exhaust muffler 54 constitute the exhaust system components 50 of the saddle-ride type vehicle 10 .

[0015] In this embodiment, the engine 12 is a single-cylinder engine, and therefore includes one each of the exhaust pipe 51, catalytic converter 53, and exhaust muffler 54. However, the engine 12 does not have to be a single-cylinder engine, and may be a multi-cylinder engine. In the case of a multi-cylinder engine, for example, there are as many exhaust pipes 51 as there are cylinder portions 24, and each exhaust pipe 51 is connected to one or more exhaust mufflers 54 via a catalytic converter 53. The exhaust pipe 51 and catalytic converter 53 shown in FIG. 1 are an example of the "exhaust passage having the catalyst 52" of the present invention, and the exhaust muffler 54 is an example of the "muffler" of the present invention.

[0016] The exhaust pipe 51 extends downward from the lower surface of the cylinder portion 24, then bends rearward, and extends rearward passing below the cylinder portion 24 and the crankcase 23. More specifically, the exhaust pipe 51 extends rearward below the crankcase main body 23a (corresponding to below the line H2). The exhaust pipe 51 also rises upward and rearward from an upright portion 51a, which is an exhaust pipe portion located below the crankcase main body 23a (corresponding to below the line H2).

[0017] The catalytic converter 53 connected to the rear end of the exhaust pipe 51 is also disposed so as to extend upward toward the rear of the vehicle body. Therefore, the catalyst 52 is also disposed with its axis inclined toward the rear and upper side of the vehicle body. The portion of the exhaust pipe 51 corresponding to the upright portion 51a to the catalytic converter 53 forms a rear upward extending passage 51b of the exhaust passage that extends toward the rear and upper side of the vehicle body.

[0018] Since the rear upward extension passage 51b is close to the crankcase 23, at least a portion of the catalyst 52 disposed in the rear upward extension passage 51b can be brought close to the crankcase 23. In this configuration, the catalyst 52 can be disposed near the protruding portion 23c of the crankcase main body 23a, the exhaust passage including the catalyst 52 can be disposed compactly, and the temperature of the catalyst 52 can be easily raised quickly to a temperature range suitable for purification by the heat of the engine 12. Note that a wide variety of known catalysts 52 can be used as the catalyst 52.

[0019] The exhaust muffler 54 extends upward and rearward from the rear end of the catalytic converter 53. The exhaust muffler 54 reduces the exhaust noise emitted outside the exhaust muffler 54 by lowering the pressure of the exhaust gas from the exhaust pipe 51. The exhaust muffler 54 is disposed to the right of the rear wheel 15. The exhaust muffler 54 is covered by a muffler cover 61 from the outside of the vehicle body. The muffler cover 61 integrally includes a cover body 61a that covers the exhaust muffler 54 from above across the outer lateral sides in the vehicle width direction, and a cover front portion 61b that extends forward from the cover body 61a.

[0020] The cover front portion 61b passes below the protruding portion 23c of the crankcase main body 23a, extends below the pipe connection portion 23b, and has a cover shape that covers the exhaust pipe 51 from above. Two fixing portions 61c, 61d are provided on the cover front portion 61b with a gap between them in the front and rear, and these fixing portions 61c, 61d are fixed to the vehicle body by fastening members 71, 72. The fixing portion 61c is provided at a position corresponding to the lower side of the protruding portion 23c and the rear side of the pipe connecting portion 23b, and the fixing portion 61d is provided at a position corresponding to the lower side of the pipe connecting portion 23b.

[0021] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the fixing portions 61c and 61d of the muffler cover 61 from diagonally above to the right. 2, the cover front portion 61b has a cutout portion 61k that is cut outward in the vehicle width direction between the front and rear fixing portions 61c, 61d. The exhaust gas sensor 81 attached to the exhaust pipe 51 is located on the rear side of the cutout portion 61k, and a sensor cable 82 extending from the exhaust gas sensor 81 is pulled out to the outside of the muffler cover 61 through the cutout portion 61k.

[0022] 1, the exhaust gas sensor 81 is disposed upstream of and forward of the catalyst 52 in a horizontal orientation toward the front of the vehicle body, so that, in a side view of the vehicle body, the exhaust gas sensor 81 is disposed behind a line L1 corresponding to the front end position of the crankcase body 23, forward of a line L2 corresponding to the rear end position of the crankcase body 23, and below a line H2 corresponding to the bottom end position of the crankcase body 23. This exhaust gas sensor 81 can detect the oxygen concentration of the exhaust gas upstream of the catalyst 52. The detection result of the exhaust gas sensor 81 is used for engine-related feedback control such as the mixture ratio, and is used to detect the deterioration state of the catalyst 52 by comparing the detection result with the oxygen concentration of the exhaust gas detected by another exhaust gas sensor provided downstream of the catalyst 52. Whether or not to provide a separate exhaust gas sensor downstream of the catalyst 52 can be appropriately selected depending on the specifications of the saddle type vehicle 10.

[0023] In this configuration, as shown in FIG. 1, the exhaust gas sensor 81 is covered by the cover front portion 61b at least from the outer side in the vehicle width direction, so that the exhaust gas sensor 81 can be protected from surrounding flying debris and the exposure of the exhaust gas sensor 81 to the outside can be reduced. Moreover, the exhaust gas sensor 81 is located below the front of the protruding portion 23c of the crankcase body 23a, and is disposed in a posture with the front raised nearly horizontal when viewed from the side of the vehicle body. The front lower surface of the protruding portion 23c is an inclined surface that slopes upward toward the front (an inclined curved surface in this configuration), so that the exhaust gas sensor 81 can be disposed close to the protruding portion 23c.

[0024] In addition, the catalyst 52 is located below the rear of the protruding portion 23c of the crankcase main body 23a in a side view of the vehicle body, and is disposed in a posture in which the rear is raised. Since the rear lower surface of the protruding portion 23c is an inclined surface that slopes upward toward the rear (an inclined curved surface in this configuration), the catalyst 52 can be disposed close to the protruding portion 23c. With the above arrangement, in this configuration, the exhaust gas sensor 81 and the catalyst 52 are arranged in a V-shape (see symbol X in FIG. 1) that widens in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body as it goes upward when viewed from the side of the vehicle body. This allows the exhaust gas sensor 81 and the catalyst 52 to be arranged close to the crankcase 23 (protruding portion 23c), and the exhaust system including the exhaust gas sensor 81 and the catalyst 52 can be arranged compactly. In this case, the exhaust system including the exhaust gas sensor 81 and the catalyst 52 can be disposed upward on the crankcase 23 side, which is also advantageous in terms of ensuring minimum ground clearance. In the assembly process, after the engine 12 is assembled, the exhaust system components 50 are installed together with the exhaust gas sensor 81.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 2, the sensor cable 82 extending from the exhaust gas sensor 81 passes through a cutout portion 61k provided in the cover front portion 61b of the muffler cover 61, is exposed forward of the cover front portion 61b, extends forward below the pipe connection portion 23b, and then passes below the first pipe 31 and extends upward between the first pipe 31 and the cylinder portion 24. Here, a first clip 91 that functions as a cable fastener for fastening the sensor cable 82 is provided on the cover front portion 61b of the muffler cover 61, in front of the pipe connection portion 23b and below the first pipe 31. Furthermore, a second clip 92 that functions as a cable fastener for fastening the sensor cable 82 above the first pipe 31 and to the right of the cylinder portion 24 is provided on the crankcase 23. These clips 91, 92 allow the sensor cable 82 to be routed without coming into contact with the first pipe 31.

[0026] In this way, the sensor cable 82 passes below the first piping 31 and extends between the first piping 31 and the cylinder portion 24, so there is no need to provide the clips 91, 92 for preventing the sensor cable 82 from contacting the first piping 31 on the outer side in the vehicle width direction than the first piping 31. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the amount by which each clip 91, 92 protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction.

[0027] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the sensor cable 82 together with the surrounding configuration from the right side of the vehicle body. FIG. 4 is a view showing the sensor cable 82 together with the surrounding configuration from above the engine 12. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, a stay 101 is attached to the cylinder portion 24 to which a harness 100 extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body and a sensor cable 82 are fixed. The harness 100 is made up of a plurality of cables, and electrical components disposed in various parts of the vehicle body are connected to the harness 100 using connectors or the like. The stay 101 is formed from a rigid plate material and integrally comprises a first stay portion 101a fixed to the right side surface of the cylinder portion 24 by a plurality of fastening portions 102, and a second stay portion 101b extending upward along the side of the cylinder portion 24 from the rear end of the first stay portion 101a.

[0028] The first stay portion 101a is provided with a third clip 93 that functions as a cable fixing tool for fixing the sensor cable 82. The third clip 93 integrally includes a metal rod-shaped member 93a, one end of which is joined to the first stay portion 101a, and a tubular member 93b that is fixed to the other end of the rod-shaped member 93a. The rod-shaped member 93a is formed in a bent shape so as to hold the tubular member 93b at a position overlapping the cylinder portion 24 in a side view of the vehicle body, at a position lower than the upper surface of the cylinder portion 24, and at a position spaced outward in the vehicle width direction from the cylinder portion 24. By holding the sensor cable 82 in the tubular member 93b, as shown in FIG. 3, the sensor cable 82 is routed so as to pass through a position overlapping the cylinder portion 24 in a side view of the vehicle body, at a position lower than the upper surface of the cylinder portion 24, and at a position spaced outward in the vehicle width direction from the cylinder portion 24, as shown in FIG. 4. The other end of the rod-shaped member 93a, that is, the portion corresponding to the cylindrical member 93b and the sensor cable 82, passes inside the sensor cable 82 in the vehicle width direction.

[0029] Further, the second stay portion 101b is provided with a fourth clip 94 that functions as a cable fixing device for fixing the harness 100, at a position higher than the third clip 93 and at a position inside in the vehicle width direction of the third clip 93. These clips 93, 94 can separate the harness 100 and the sensor cable 82 in the vehicle width direction, and can prevent the harness 100 and the sensor cable 82 from contacting each other. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, in this configuration, the sensor cable 82 extends from the third clip 93, passes through the outer side of the harness 100 in the vehicle width direction, to a position higher than the harness 100, bends downward and toward the inner side in the vehicle width direction at a position higher than the harness 100, and is connected to a connector 82c provided on the harness 100.

[0030] By fixing the sensor cable 82 to the third clip 93, the sensor cable 82 can be separated from the cylinder portion 24 in the vehicle width direction and restricted to a position where it does not come into contact with the surrounding harness 100, etc. In addition, the sensor cable 82 passes outside the harness 100 in the vehicle width direction and extends above the harness 100, and then bends downward and inside in the vehicle width direction to be electrically connected to the harness 100, so that the sensor cable 82 can be easily connected to the harness 100 while being gently bent. Furthermore, by using clips such as the third clip 93, the sensor cable 82 is routed so as to pass between the cylinder side end (the front end in this configuration) of the crankcase 23 and the crankcase opposite end (the front end in this configuration) of the cylinder portion 24 (corresponding to the area between lines L1 and L3 in FIG. 1) in a side view of the vehicle body. This allows the sensor cable 82 to be routed compactly by utilizing the space available on the side of the cylinder portion 24.

[0031] 3, in this configuration, a fifth clip 95 that functions as another fastener for fixing another routing member 103 (e.g., another pipe or wiring) is provided on the second stay portion 101b. This fifth clip 95 can prevent the other routing member 103 extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body below the harness 100, above the third clip 93, and on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the sensor cable 82 from contacting the other routing members (the harness 100, the sensor cable 82).

[0032] 1, the saddle-ride type vehicle of this embodiment has an exhaust muffler 54 having a rear upward extension passage 51b extending upward toward the rear of the vehicle body below the crankcase 23, and the catalyst 52 is supported in the rear upward extension passage 51b in an inclined position toward the rear upward of the vehicle body, and an exhaust gas sensor 81 is provided upstream of the catalyst 52 and in front of the vehicle body, penetrating the rear upward extension passage 51b in a position that is more horizontal toward the front of the vehicle body. At least a part of the catalyst 52 and the exhaust gas sensor 81 are located below the crankcase main body 23a of the crankcase 23 that houses at least the crankshaft 23s. According to this configuration, the catalyst 52 and the exhaust gas sensor 81 can be arranged in a V-shape (see symbol X in FIG. 1) that widens in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body as it goes upward, making it easier to arrange the exhaust system including the catalyst 52 and the exhaust gas sensor 81 close to the crankcase 23. This makes it easier to arrange the exhaust system including the catalyst 52 and the exhaust gas sensor 81 in a compact manner and to prevent the saddle type vehicle 10 from becoming larger.

[0033] In addition, the rear upward extension passage 51b extends toward the rear upper part of the vehicle body from the standing portion 51a located forward of the catalyst 52 and the exhaust gas sensor 81, and the standing portion 51a is located below the crankcase main body 23a. With this configuration, the rear upward extension passage 51b including the standing portion 51a, the catalyst 52, and the exhaust gas sensor 81 can be easily disposed close to the crankcase 23, making it easier to prevent the saddle type vehicle 10 from becoming larger.

[0034] Furthermore, the sensor cable 82 extending from the exhaust gas sensor 81 is arranged to pass between the cylinder side end (front end) of the crankcase 23 and the opposite crankcase end (front end) of the cylinder portion 24 in a side view of the vehicle body. With this configuration, the sensor cable 82 can be routed compactly by utilizing the space available on the side of the cylinder portion 24.

[0035] Furthermore, the piping connected to the piping connection portion 23b of the crankcase 23 includes a first piping 31 that extends across between the cylinder portion 24 and the exhaust gas sensor 81 in a side view of the vehicle body, and the sensor cable 82 passes below the first piping 31 and extends between the first piping 31 and the cylinder portion 24. This configuration makes it possible to configure the sensor cable 82 not to come into contact with the first piping 31, but to not provide a cable fixing portion on the outer side of the first piping 31 in the vehicle width direction.

[0036] Additionally, a harness 100 extending in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle body and a stay 101 to which the sensor cable 82 is fixed are attached to the cylinder portion 24, and the fixing position of the sensor cable 82 on the stay 101 is on the outer side in the vehicle width direction than the fixing position of the harness 100 on the stay 101. According to this configuration, the stay 101 allows the harness 100 and the sensor cable 82 to be arranged apart in the vehicle width direction, and the harness 100 and the sensor cable 82 can be easily routed without contacting each other.

[0037] Also, the exhaust muffler 54 has a muffler cover 61 that functions as a covering member that covers the exhaust muffler 54 from the outside of the vehicle body, and the muffler cover 61 extends forward of the vehicle body below the first pipe 31 and further forward of the exhaust gas sensor 81 and the pipe connection portion 23b. The sensor cable 82 is fixed to the muffler cover 61 via a first clip 91 below the first pipe 31 and further forward of the vehicle body than the exhaust gas sensor 81 and the pipe connection portion 23b, and extends from this fixed position toward the inside of the first pipe 31 in the vehicle width direction and toward the upper part of the vehicle body. With this configuration, the exhaust gas sensor 81 can be covered with the exhaust muffler 54, and the sensor cable 82 can be made to bypass the pipe connection portion 23b even without providing a clip that protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction beyond the pipe connection portion 23b to fix the sensor cable 82, making it easier to route the sensor cable 82 in a compact manner.

[0038] 2, the muffler cover 61 is provided with two fixing parts 61c, 61d that are fixed to the vehicle body with a gap between them, and a cutout part 61k is provided between the two fixing parts 61c, 61d to draw the sensor cable 82 out of the muffler cover 61. With this configuration, while covering the exhaust gas sensor 81 with the muffler cover 61, the sensor cable 82 can be arranged without making a large detour around the muffler cover 61, which is advantageous for shortening the sensor cable 82 and arranging it in a compact manner.

[0039] The above-described embodiment shows one aspect of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and the configuration of details, etc. may be appropriately changed. For example, the present invention has been described as being applied to a scooter-type motorcycle as shown in Fig. 1, but the present invention is not limited to this and may be applied to any saddle-type vehicle other than a scooter-type vehicle. Note that the saddle-type vehicle is not limited to a two-wheeled vehicle, but may be a three-wheeled vehicle, a four-wheeled vehicle, or the like.

[0040] [Configuration supported by the above embodiment] The above embodiment supports the following configurations.

[0041] (Configuration 1) A saddle-ride type vehicle including an engine having a crankcase and a cylinder portion, and exhaust system components connected to the engine, the exhaust system components including an exhaust passage having a catalyst, and a muffler provided downstream of the catalyst, the exhaust passage having a rear-upward extending passage extending toward the rear-upward direction of a vehicle body, the catalyst being supported in the rear-upward extending passage in an inclined position toward the rear-upward direction of the vehicle body, and an exhaust gas sensor is provided upstream of the catalyst and forward of the vehicle body, penetrating the rear-upward extending passage in a position closer to horizontal toward the front of the vehicle body, the catalyst and the exhaust gas sensor being located below the crankcase. According to this configuration, the catalyst and the exhaust gas sensor can be arranged in a V-shape that widens in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body as it goes upward, and at least a part of the catalyst and the exhaust gas sensor can be arranged close to the crankcase, which is the crankcase body that houses at least the crankshaft of the crankcase, and the exhaust system including the exhaust gas sensor. This makes it easier to prevent the saddle-ride type vehicle from becoming larger.

[0042] (Configuration 2) A saddle-type vehicle as described in Configuration 1, wherein the rear upward extension passage extends toward the rear upper side of the vehicle body from a rising portion located forward of the catalyst and the exhaust gas sensor, the rising portion being located below the crankcase main body. According to this configuration, it becomes easier to arrange the rear upward extension passage, the catalyst, and the exhaust gas sensor close to the crankcase, which makes it easier to prevent the saddle-ride type vehicle from becoming larger in size.

[0043] (Configuration 3) A saddle-type vehicle as described in Configuration 1 or 2, wherein a sensor cable extending from the exhaust gas sensor is arranged to pass between the cylinder side end of the crankcase and the opposite end of the cylinder portion to the crankcase when viewed from the side of the vehicle body. According to this configuration, the sensor cable can be routed compactly by utilizing the space available on the side of the cylinder portion.

[0044] (Configuration 4) A saddle-type vehicle as described in Configuration 3, wherein the crankcase is provided with a piping connection portion to which piping for engine cooling is connected, the piping having a first piping extending between the cylinder portion and the exhaust gas sensor in a side view of the vehicle body, and the sensor cable passes below the first piping and extends between the first piping and the cylinder portion. According to this configuration, it is possible to configure the cable fixing portion for preventing the sensor cable from coming into contact with the first piping not to be provided on the outer side of the first piping in the vehicle width direction.

[0045] (Configuration 5) A saddle-type vehicle as described in configuration 3 or 4, in which the cylinder portion is provided with a stay to which a harness extending in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle body and the sensor cable are respectively fixed, and the fixing position of the sensor cable on the stay is outboard in the vehicle width direction relative to the fixing position of the harness on the stay. According to this configuration, the stay allows the harness and the sensor cable to be spaced apart in the vehicle width direction, making it easier to route the harness and the sensor cable so that they do not come into contact with each other.

[0046] (Configuration 6) A saddle-type vehicle as described in Configuration 4 or 5, further comprising a covering member that covers the exhaust system components from the outside of the vehicle body, the covering member extending forward of the vehicle body below the first piping and further forward of the exhaust gas sensor and the piping connection portion, the sensor cable being fixed to the covering member below the first piping and further forward of the vehicle body than the exhaust gas sensor and the piping connection portion, and extending from this fixed position along the inner side of the first piping in the vehicle width direction toward the top of the vehicle body. According to this configuration, the exhaust gas sensor can be covered with a covering member, and the sensor cable can be routed around the piping connection portion without the need for a clip that protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction beyond the piping connection portion to secure the sensor cable, making it easier to route the sensor cable 82 in a compact manner.

[0047] (Configuration 7) A saddle-type vehicle as described in Configuration 6, wherein the covering member covers the exhaust gas sensor at least from the outer side in the vehicle width direction, the covering member has two fixing portions fixed to the vehicle body at a distance from one another, and a cutout portion is provided between the two fixing portions for pulling the sensor cable outside the covering member. According to this configuration, while covering the exhaust gas sensor with the covering member, the sensor cable can be arranged without making a large detour around the covering member, which is advantageous for shortening the sensor cable and arranging it in a compact manner. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 10 Saddle-type vehicles 11 Body frame 12 Power unit (engine) 23 Crankcase 23a Crankcase body 23b Pipe connection 24 Cylinder section 31 First piping 32 Second piping 50 Exhaust system parts 51 Exhaust pipe 51a Standing part 51b Rear upward extension passage 52 Catalyst 53 Catalytic converter 54 Exhaust muffler 61 Muffler cover 61c,61d Fixed part 81 Exhaust gas sensor 82 Sensor cable 91 First Clip 92 Second Clip 93 Third Clip 94 4th Clip 95 5th Clip 100 Harness 101 Stay

Claims

1. A saddle-type vehicle including an engine (12) having a crankcase (23) and a cylinder portion (24), and an exhaust system component (50) connected to the engine (12), The exhaust system component (50) includes an exhaust passage (51, 53) having a catalyst (52), and a muffler (54) provided downstream of the catalyst (52), The exhaust passage (51, 53) has a rear upward extending passage (51b) extending toward the rear and upper side of the vehicle body, In the rear upward extension passage (51b), the catalyst (52) is supported in an inclined position toward the rear and upper side of a vehicle body, and an exhaust gas sensor (81) is provided upstream of the catalyst (52) and forward of the vehicle body, the exhaust gas sensor (81) penetrating the rear upward extension passage (51b) in an attitude toward the front of the vehicle body and in a horizontal position; At least a part of the catalyst (52) and the exhaust gas sensor (81) are located below a crankcase body (23a) of the crankcase (23) that houses at least the crankshaft (23s). Saddle type vehicle.

2. The rear upward extension passage (51b) extends toward the rear upper side of the vehicle body from a rising portion located forward of the catalyst (52) and the exhaust gas sensor (81) as a base point, The upright portion is located below the crankcase body (23a). The saddle-type vehicle according to claim 1 .

3. A sensor cable (82) extending from the exhaust gas sensor (81) is disposed so as to pass between the cylinder side end of the crankcase (23) and the crankcase opposite end of the cylinder portion (24) in a side view of the vehicle body. The saddle-type vehicle according to claim 1 .

4. The crankcase (23) is provided with a pipe connection portion (23b) to which pipes (31, 32) for cooling the engine (12) are connected, The piping (31, 32) includes a first piping (31) extending between the cylinder portion (24) and the exhaust gas sensor (81) in a side view of the vehicle body, The sensor cable (82) passes under the first pipe (31) and extends between the first pipe (31) and the cylinder portion (24).

4. The saddle-type vehicle according to claim 3.

5. The cylinder portion (24) is provided with a stay (101) to which a harness (100) extending in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle body and the sensor cable (82) are respectively fixed, The fixing position of the sensor cable (82) on the stay (101) is on the outer side in the vehicle width direction than the fixing position of the harness (100) on the stay (101).

5. A saddle-type vehicle according to claim 3 or 4.

6. A cover member (61) is provided to cover the exhaust system component (50) from the outside of the vehicle body, the covering member (61) extends below the first pipe (31) and forward of the vehicle body beyond the exhaust gas sensor (81) and the pipe connection portion (23b); The sensor cable (82) is fixed to the cover member (61) below the first pipe (31) and forward of the exhaust gas sensor (81) and the pipe connection portion (23b) on the vehicle body, and extends from this fixed position toward the upper side of the vehicle body on the inner side of the first pipe (31) in the vehicle width direction.

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

7. The covering member (61) covers the exhaust gas sensor (81) at least from the outer side in the vehicle width direction, The covering member (61) is provided with two fixing parts (61c, 61d) that are fixed to a vehicle body with a gap therebetween, and a notch (61k) that allows the sensor cable (82) to be drawn out of the covering member (61) is provided between the two fixing parts (61c, 61d).

7. The saddle-type vehicle according to claim 6.

Citation Information

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