Saddle-riding type vehicle

Abstract

To compactly install a gas tank and an engine, thereby achieving a reduction in size of a saddle-riding type vehicle.SOLUTION: A saddle-riding type vehicle travels using gas fuel. The saddle-riding type vehicle is provided with: an engine (41) operated by combustion energy of the gas fuel; a fuel device (60) installed in front of the engine; and an intake device (52) installed above the engine. The intake device protrudes forward relative to the engine. In a top view, the intake device overlaps the fuel device from above.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] In recent years, fuel cell vehicles that run on electricity generated by a fuel cell have been developed. In fuel cell vehicles, hydrogen gas in a hydrogen tank and oxygen in the air undergo a chemical reaction in the fuel cell to generate electricity, and the generated electricity is supplied to a motor to drive the wheels. In addition to fuel cell vehicles, straddle-type vehicles equipped with gas-fueled engines that burn hydrogen gas as gas fuel and run using the combustion energy have also been developed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the straddle-type vehicle described in Patent Document 1, a gas tank is installed below the floorboard in front of the engine. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 04-283128 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the saddle-type vehicle described in Patent Document 1, in addition to the gas-fueled engine and gas tank, engine accessories such as an air cleaner are also installed, which increases the size of the vehicle, which may result in poor handling, an increase in vehicle weight, and poor turning performance.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned points, and has an object to provide a saddle-type vehicle in which the gas tank and engine can be compactly installed to achieve a compact size. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One embodiment of the saddle-type vehicle of the present invention is a saddle-type vehicle that runs on gas fuel, and is equipped with an engine that runs on the combustion energy of the gas fuel, a fuel device installed in front of the engine, and an intake device installed above the engine, wherein the intake device protrudes forward of the engine and overlaps the fuel device from above when viewed from above, thereby solving the above-mentioned problems. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, the saddle-type vehicle has an intake device above the engine that protrudes forward from the engine, and a fuel device installed below the protruding portion of the intake device. The fuel device is located close to the engine, and the engine and fuel device are installed in a compact manner, thereby making the saddle-type vehicle more compact. This improves the handling of the vehicle, suppresses an increase in vehicle weight, and improves the vehicle's turning ability while traveling. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a left side view of the vehicle internal structure of the present embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a right side view of the vehicle internal structure of the present embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a left side view of the center portion of the vehicle body of the present embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a top view of the center part of the vehicle body of the present embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a front view of the center part of the vehicle body of the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] A saddle-type vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention runs on gas fuel. The engine is operated by the combustion energy of the gas fuel. A fuel device is provided in front of the engine, and an intake device is provided above the engine. Above the engine, the intake device protrudes forward of the engine, and in a top view, the intake device overlaps the fuel device from above, and the fuel device is provided below the protruding portion of the intake device. The fuel device is brought close to the engine, and the engine and fuel device are provided in a compact manner, thereby making the saddle-type vehicle smaller. This improves vehicle handling, suppresses an increase in vehicle weight, and improves the vehicle's turning ability while traveling. EXAMPLES

[0010] Hereinafter, a saddle-type vehicle of this embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 is a left side view of the internal structure of the vehicle of this embodiment. Fig. 2 is a right side view of the internal structure of the vehicle of this embodiment. In the following drawings, the arrow Fr indicates the front of the vehicle, the arrow Re indicates the rear of the vehicle, the arrow L indicates the left side of the vehicle, and the arrow R indicates the right side of the vehicle.

[0011] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a saddle-type vehicle 1 is configured by mounting various covers (not shown) as the exterior of the vehicle body to a body frame 10 that forms the skeleton of the vehicle body. A head pipe 11 is provided at the front end of the body frame 10, and a support frame 12 extends diagonally rearward and downward from an upper portion of the head pipe 11. A pair of first down frames 13 branch off to the left and right and extend downward from a lower portion of the support frame 12, and a pair of second down frames 14 branch off to the left and right and extend downward from a lower portion of the head pipe 11. A pair of main frames 15 are connected to the lower portions of the pair of first and second down frames 13, 14.

[0012] The pair of main frames 15 extend toward the rear of the vehicle, and their middle portions are connected by an upper bridge 16. A pair of asymmetrical side frames 17 extend downward from the front ends of the pair of main frames 15. Each side frame 17 is bent rearward under the vehicle and then extends diagonally upward and rearward toward the rear portions of the pair of main frames 15. The pair of main frames 15 and the pair of side frames 17 form the front half of the body frame 10 into a cradle shape. A pair of footboards 18 are attached to the pair of side frames 17.

[0013] A pair of seat frames 19 extend rearward from the rear portions of the pair of main frames 15. The distance between the pair of seat frames 19 increases toward the middle of each frame and then decreases toward the rear ends of each frame. The pair of seat frames 19 are formed in an arch shape, and the rear ends of the pair of seat frames 19 are connected to each other. The front portions of the pair of seat frames 19 are connected by an upper bridge 21. The rear portions of the pair of side frames 17 are connected to the upper bridge 21, and the upper bridge 21 is supported from below by the pair of side frames 17.

[0014] A pair of asymmetric lower frames 22 extend rearward from the lower portions of the pair of side frames 17. The rear ends of the pair of lower frames 22 are connected by a lower bridge 23. A left subframe 28 extends diagonally upward and rearward from the left end of the lower bridge 23, and the left subframe 28 supports the seat frame 19 from below. A side bridge 25 connects the right end of the lower bridge 23 to an intermediate portion of the right side frame 17. A right subframe 29 extends diagonally upward and rearward from the intermediate portion of the side bridge 25, and the right subframe 29 supports the seat frame 19 from below.

[0015] A front fork 33 is supported on the head pipe 11 so as to be steerable, and a front wheel 34 is supported rotatably on the lower part of the front fork 33. A long gas tank 60 is installed inside a cradle portion in the front half of the body frame 10. Gas fuel such as hydrogen is stored in the gas tank 60, and the inflow and outflow of the gas fuel is controlled by a tank valve 62 at the rear of the tank. The gas fuel is supplied from the tank valve 62 to an injector (not shown) above the unit swing engine (engine) 41 via fuel system components such as multiple pipes, a regulator 64, and a fuel hose 66.

[0016] A unit swing engine 41 is swingably supported on the support plates 31 of the left and right subframes 28, 29. The unit swing engine 41 is operated by combustion energy of gas fuel supplied from a gas tank 60. The cylinder axis of the unit swing engine 41 is tilted forward and close to horizontal, and a cylinder assembly 43 extends toward the front of the vehicle from a crankcase 42. The cylinder assembly 43 is inserted between the left subframe 28 and the right subframe 29, and the front end of the cylinder assembly 43 is brought close to a tank valve 62 of the gas tank 60.

[0017] Intake system parts such as an air cleaner 51 are connected to the upper part of the cylinder assembly 43, and exhaust system parts such as an exhaust pipe 56 and a muffler 58 are connected to the lower part of the cylinder assembly 43. A CVT cover 47 is attached to the left side of the crankcase 42. The rear wheel 35 is rotatably supported at the rear part of the CVT cover 47. A belt-type continuously variable transmission (not shown) is housed inside the CVT cover 47, and the driving force of the unit swing engine 41 is transmitted to the rear wheel 35 via the belt. The muffler 58, CVT cover 47, rear wheel 35, and unit swing engine 41 are all swung together.

[0018] Incidentally, various accessories are provided around the unit swing engine 41. If a fuel system such as a gas tank 60 and a regulator 64 is provided in front of the unit swing engine 41, the wheelbase may be extended to avoid interference between the fuel system and the accessories, resulting in an increase in the size of the vehicle. An intake system made up of intake system components is provided above the unit swing engine 41, and the intake system partially protrudes forward from the unit swing engine 41. Therefore, in this embodiment, a fuel system is provided by utilizing the space below the intake system protruding from the unit swing engine 41.

[0019] The peripheral structure of the unit swing engine will be described with reference to Figures 3 and 4. Figure 3 is a left side view of the center part of the vehicle body of this embodiment. Figure 4 is a top view of the center part of the vehicle body of this embodiment.

[0020] 3 and 4, the cylinder assembly 43 of the unit swing engine 41 is formed by stacking a cylinder 44, a cylinder head 45, and a cylinder head cover 46. An intake system is installed above the cylinder head 45. The intake system includes an air cleaner 51, a U-shaped outlet tube 52, a throttle body 53, and an intake pipe 54. Air is sent from the air cleaner 51 through the outlet tube 52 to the throttle body 53, and after the intake amount is adjusted by the throttle body 53, the air is supplied to the intake port of the cylinder head 45 through the intake pipe 54.

[0021] An exhaust port is formed at the bottom of the cylinder head 45, and an exhaust pipe 56 serving as an exhaust device is connected to the exhaust port. The exhaust pipe 56 curves rearward from the bottom surface of the cylinder head 45, then passes along the right side of the crankcase 42 and extends toward the rear of the vehicle. A muffler 58 (see FIG. 2) inclined diagonally upward and rearward on the right side of the rear wheel 35 is connected to the rear end of the exhaust pipe 56. Exhaust gas flows into the exhaust pipe 56 from the exhaust port of the unit swing engine 41, flows rearward through the exhaust pipe 56, and is then discharged to the outside from the muffler 58.

[0022] A link mechanism 37 for the suspension 36 is provided below the cylinder head 45. The link mechanism 37 has a link lever 38 that is arc-shaped in a side view, and an intermediate portion of the link lever 38 is swingably connected to the link bracket 32 ​​of the body frame 10. An upper end portion of the link lever 38 is swingably connected to a lower portion of the crankcase 42 via a link arm 39, and a lower end portion of the link lever 38 is connected to a suspension bracket 75 of the body frame 10 via the suspension 36. The suspension 36 expands and contracts in accordance with the swing of the unit swing engine 41, thereby absorbing vibrations transmitted to the vehicle body.

[0023] A gas tank 60 is installed in front of the unit swing engine 41. A tank body 61 of the gas tank 60 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and both ends of the tank body 61 are bulged out in a semi-spherical shape. The longitudinal direction of the tank body 61 is oriented in the front-rear direction, and the tank body 61 is slightly tilted so that the front end of the tank body 61 is higher than the rear end. The gas tank 60 is supported on the lower part of the vehicle body frame 10 via a pair of front and rear tank brackets 71, 72. Bands 73, 74 are attached to the pair of tank brackets 71, 72, and the outer circumferential surface of the tank body 61 is fastened by the bands 73, 74.

[0024] A tank valve 62 is installed at the rear end of the tank body 61, and a regulator 64 is connected to a relief valve pipe 63 extending diagonally upward and rearward from the bottom of the tank valve 62. When the pressure of the gas fuel reaches or exceeds a predetermined pressure, the valve of the regulator 64 opens to adjust the pressure of the gas fuel. A fuel fill port 77 is installed at the top of the gas tank 60, and the top of the tank valve 62 is connected to a fill pipe 78 extending diagonally downward and rearward from the fuel fill port 77. Gas fuel is filled into the tank from the fuel fill port 77 through the tank valve 62. A radiator 30 for cooling the engine is installed in front of the gas tank 60.

[0025] An injector joint 68 is connected to the regulator 64 via an upstream pipe 65, a fuel hose 66, and a downstream pipe 67. The upstream pipe 65 and the downstream pipe 67 are formed of a hard pipe material such as metal, and the fuel hose 66 is formed of a soft rubber hose. The upstream pipe 65 crosses below the tank valve 62 and extends from the regulator 64 on the left side of the vehicle body to the right side of the vehicle body. On the right side of the vehicle body, the lower end of the fuel hose 66 is connected to the upstream pipe 65, and the fuel hose 66 extends upward through the right side of the gas tank 60. The upper end of the fuel hose 66 is connected to an injector joint 68 above the cylinder head 45 via the downstream pipe 67.

[0026] In this way, gas fuel is supplied from the tank valve 62 of the gas tank 60 through the relief valve pipe 63, the regulator 64, the upstream piping 65, the fuel hose 66, and the downstream piping 67 to the unit swing engine 41. A protective bridge 81 that connects the right lower frame 22 and the left side frame 17 is provided behind the tank valve 62. The protective bridge 81 extends obliquely so as to avoid the regulator 64 and the link mechanism 37. When the saddle riding type vehicle 1 receives an impact from behind, the protective bridge 81 protects the tank valve 62 from rear parts such as the link mechanism 37.

[0027] The layout of the gas tank will be described with reference to Figures 4 and 5. Figure 5 is a front view of the center part of the vehicle body of this embodiment. In Figure 5, the outlines of the radiator, unit swing engine, crankshaft, and crank web are shown by two-dot chain lines.

[0028] As shown in Fig. 4, an intake device is formed by intake system components such as an air cleaner 51, an outlet tube 52, a throttle body 53, and an intake pipe 54. The air cleaner 51 is provided above the cylinder assembly 43 (see Fig. 3). The left front side of the air cleaner 51 protrudes forward, and an outlet tube 52 extends in a U-shape from the front of a protruding portion 55 of the air cleaner 51 toward the cylinder head 45. The outlet tube 52 is connected to the upper surface of the cylinder head 45 via the throttle body 53 and the intake pipe 54.

[0029] A long gas tank 60 is installed in a horizontal position as a fuel system in front of the unit swing engine 41. A tank valve 62 is provided at the rear of the tank body 61 of the gas tank 60, and the tank valve 62 faces the cylinder head cover 46 in the front-rear direction across a protective bridge 81 (see FIG. 3). The left end of the protective bridge 81 is higher than the right end, and a regulator 64 is installed below the left end of the protective bridge 81. A protruding portion 55 of the air cleaner 51 is positioned above the left end of the protective bridge 81, and a U-shaped outlet tube 52 is positioned forward of the protective bridge 81.

[0030] In top view, the outlet tube 52 overlaps the tank valve 62 from above. By installing the tank valve 62 below the outlet tube 52, the gas tank 60 is brought closer to the unit swing engine 41. The unit swing engine 41 and the gas tank 60 are installed compactly, thereby reducing the size of the saddle-type vehicle 1. A regulator 64 is installed to the left of the tank valve 62, behind the tank valve 62 and in front of the cylinder assembly 43. A supply path for combustion gas that passes through the regulator 64 between the tank valve 62 and the cylinder assembly 43 is formed compactly.

[0031] As shown in Fig. 5, a gas tank 60 is installed inside the body frame 10. The longitudinal direction of the gas tank 60 is oriented in the front-rear direction, and the gas tank 60 is positioned in front of the unit swing engine 41. A crankshaft 48 that is long in the left-right direction is housed in the crankcase 42 of the unit swing engine 41. In a front view, the lower half of the gas tank 60 overlaps with the crankshaft 48. A crank web 49 is provided at the middle position of the crankshaft 48 in the left-right direction, and the crank web 49 overlaps with the gas tank 60 at the middle position in the left-right direction.

[0032] In front view, the gas tank 60, which is heavy, is placed on the crankshaft 48, which is particularly heavy among the unit swing engine 41. In addition, the center of the gas tank 60 coincides with the crank web 49 of the crankshaft 48 in the left-right direction. The stability of the saddle riding type vehicle 1 is improved by bringing the center of gravity of the gas tank 60 closer to the center of gravity of the crankshaft 48 in the up-down and left-right directions. In front view, the gas tank 60 is located below the top end of the unit swing engine 41, i.e., the top end of the cylinder assembly 43, and the center of gravity of the entire vehicle is lowered, improving the stability of the saddle riding type vehicle 1.

[0033] In addition, the radiator 30, which is rectangular in front view, is installed in front of the gas tank 60. Since refrigerant flows through the radiator 30, the weight of the radiator 30 is large. In front view, most of the heavy gas tank 60 overlaps with the heavy radiator 30. The segmented circular shape of the gas tank 60 except for the upper part is covered from the front by the radiator 30, and the arch shape of the upper part of the gas tank 60 protrudes from the upper end of the radiator 30. The stability of the saddle-type vehicle 1 is improved by bringing the center of gravity of the gas tank 60 closer to the center of gravity of the radiator 30 in the vertical and horizontal directions.

[0034] As described above, according to the saddle riding type vehicle 1 of this embodiment, the outlet tube 52 protrudes forward above the unit swing engine 41, and the tank valve 62 of the gas tank 60 is installed below this outlet tube 52. The gas tank 60 is brought close to the unit swing engine 41, and the unit swing engine 41 and the gas tank 60 are installed compactly, thereby achieving a reduction in size of the saddle riding type vehicle 1. This improves the handling of the vehicle, suppresses an increase in the vehicle weight, and improves the turning ability of the vehicle while traveling.

[0035] In this embodiment, the outlet tube overlaps the tank valve of the gas tank from above when viewed from above, but it is sufficient that the intake device overlaps the fuel device from above when viewed from above. For example, it is sufficient that at least a part of the air cleaner, outlet tube, throttle body, and intake pipe of the intake device overlaps at least a part of the tank body, tank valve, and regulator of the gas tank as the fuel device from above.

[0036] In addition, in this embodiment, a unit swing engine is exemplified as the engine, but the engine is not limited to a unit swing engine as long as it is operated by the combustion energy of gas fuel.

[0037] Further, in this embodiment, the engine is a hydrogen engine using hydrogen gas, but it may be another gas fuel engine using other gas fuel such as methane gas or propane gas.

[0038] Further, in this embodiment, a single gas tank is provided in the saddle riding type vehicle, but a plurality of gas tanks may be provided in the saddle riding type vehicle.

[0039] In addition, in this embodiment, the gas tank is formed into a cylindrical shape with both ends bulging out into a hemisphere, but the shape of the gas tank is not limited as long as the gas tank has a shape capable of storing gas fuel.

[0040] The layout of the gas tank in this embodiment is not limited to the above-mentioned saddle-ride type vehicle, and may be adopted in other types of saddle-ride type vehicles. Note that a saddle-ride type vehicle is not limited to vehicles in general in which the rider sits astride the seat, but also includes scooter-type vehicles in which the rider does not sit astride the seat.

[0041] As described above, the first embodiment is a saddle-type vehicle (1) that runs on gas fuel, and includes an engine (unit swing engine 41) that runs on the combustion energy of the gas fuel, a fuel device (gas tank 60, regulator 64) installed in front of the engine, and an intake device (air cleaner 51, outlet tube 52, throttle body 53, intake pipe 54) installed above the engine, with the intake device protruding forward from the engine and overlapping the fuel device from above in a top view. According to this configuration, the intake device protrudes forward from the engine above, and the fuel device is installed below the protruding part of the intake device. The fuel device is brought close to the engine, and the engine and fuel device are installed compactly, thereby reducing the size of the saddle-type vehicle. This improves the handling of the vehicle, suppresses an increase in vehicle weight, and improves the turning ability of the vehicle when running.

[0042] In the second aspect, the intake device of the first aspect includes an air cleaner located above the engine and an outlet tube extending from the air cleaner toward the engine in a U-shape, and the outlet tube overlaps the fuel device from above in a top view. With this configuration, the outlet tube is curved into a U-shape near the engine, and the fuel device is positioned below the outlet tube. The engine and fuel device are installed in a compact manner, thereby making it possible to reduce the size of the saddle-type vehicle.

[0043] In the third aspect, the fuel system according to the first or second aspect includes a tank body (61) that stores gas fuel, and a tank valve (62) provided at a rear end of the tank body, and the intake device overlaps the tank valve from above in a top view. With this configuration, the tank valve and the engine are located close to each other, so that the gas fuel supply path can be made compact.

[0044] In a fourth aspect, in any one of the first to third aspects, the fuel system overlaps with the crankshaft (48) of the engine in a front view. With this configuration, the fuel system, which is heavy, is brought closer to the crankshaft, which is particularly heavy in the engine, in a front view, thereby improving the stability of the vehicle.

[0045] In a fifth aspect, in the fourth aspect, the fuel device is located below the uppermost end of the engine in a front view. With this configuration, the center of gravity of the vehicle is lowered, improving the stability of the vehicle.

[0046] A sixth aspect is any one of the first to fifth aspects, further comprising a radiator (30) disposed in front of the fuel device, and the fuel device overlaps the radiator in a front view. With this configuration, the fuel device, which is heavy, is brought closer to the radiator, which is heavy, in the vertical and horizontal directions, thereby improving the stability of the vehicle.

[0047] Although the present embodiment has been described, other embodiments may be made by combining the above-described embodiments and modifications in whole or in part.

[0048] In addition, the technology of the present invention is not limited to the above examples, and may be modified, substituted, or altered in various ways without departing from the spirit of the technical idea. Furthermore, if the technical idea can be realized in a different way due to the progress of technology or a different technology derived therefrom, the invention may be implemented using that method. Therefore, the claims cover all embodiments that may be included within the scope of the technical idea. [Explanation of symbols]

[0049] 1: Saddle-type vehicle 30: Radiator 41: Unit Swing Engine (Engine) 48: Crankshaft 49: Crank Web 51: Air cleaner (intake system) 52: Outlet tube (intake system) 53: Throttle body (intake system) 54: Intake pipe (intake system) 55: Protruding part (intake device) 60: Gas tank (fuel system) 61: Tank body (fuel system) 62: Tank valve (fuel system) 64: Regulator (fuel system)

Claims

1. A saddle-type vehicle that runs on gas fuel, An engine that operates on the energy of combustion of gas fuel; a fuel system disposed in front of the engine; an intake device disposed above the engine; The intake device protrudes forward from the engine, 13. A saddle-type vehicle, wherein the intake device overlaps the fuel device from above in a top view.

2. The intake device includes an air cleaner located above the engine, and an outlet tube extending in a U-shape from the air cleaner toward the engine, 2. The straddle-type vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the outlet tube overlaps the fuel device from above in a top view.

3. The fuel device includes a tank body that stores gas fuel, and a tank valve provided at a rear end of the tank body, 3. The straddle-type vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the intake device overlaps the tank valve from above in a top view.

4. 3. The straddle-type vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the fuel system overlaps with a crankshaft of the engine in a front view.

5. 3. The straddle-type vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the fuel system is located below a top end of the engine in a front view.

6. A radiator is provided in front of the fuel system, 3. The straddle-type vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the fuel device overlaps with the radiator in a front view.

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