Engine component cover

Abstract

To reduce a sliding distance when a straddle type vehicle falls down and slides, while effectively protecting an engine component of the straddle type vehicle.SOLUTION: An engine component cover 40 includes: a body portion 52 that protects an engine component 21; and a reduction portion 54 that protects the engine component 21, comes into contact with a ground surface when a motor cycle 10 falls down and slides, and reduces sliding of the motor cycle 10 in a stepwise manner. The body portion 52 and the reduction portion 54 are integrally formed of a predetermined material.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an engine component cover.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, saddle-type vehicles such as motorcycles have been provided with a protection device for protecting predetermined parts of the saddle-type vehicle when it falls over. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a protection device provided outside the vehicle width direction of the axles of the front and rear wheels. This protection device includes a resin-made cylindrical protection member and a cylindrical member housed inside the cylindrical protection member. When the saddle-type vehicle falls over and slides, the cylindrical protection member that comes into contact with the ground wears away and the cylindrical member with a larger coefficient of friction inside is exposed, thereby deteriorating the slipperiness of the saddle-type vehicle and configured to brake the saddle-type vehicle.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, since the protection device disclosed in Patent Document 1 is configured to be attached to the axles of the front and rear wheels as described above, it cannot effectively protect the engine components when the saddle-type vehicle falls over. Further, since the above protection device forms the cylindrical protection member and the cylindrical member from two different materials, there is a problem that the man-hours required for manufacturing increase and the cost increases.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such points, and an object thereof is to provide an engine component cover that can effectively protect the engine components of a saddle-type vehicle and reduce the sliding distance when the saddle-type vehicle falls over and slides.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0006] The engine component cover according to the present invention is an engine component cover for protecting engine components mounted on a saddle-type vehicle, and includes a main body portion for protecting the engine components, and a reduction portion for protecting the engine components and contacting the ground when the saddle-type vehicle falls and slides and gradually reducing the sliding of the saddle-type vehicle. The main body portion and the reduction portion are integrally formed from a predetermined material.

[0007] According to the engine component cover of the present invention, the main body portion and the reduction portion can protect the engine components. Further, the reduction portion contacts the ground when the saddle-type vehicle falls and slides and gradually reduces the sliding of the saddle-type vehicle. Thereby, the sliding distance of the fallen and sliding saddle-type vehicle can be reduced. Furthermore, since the main body portion and the reduction portion are integrally formed from a predetermined material, it can be easily manufactured and the cost can be reduced.

Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an engine component cover that can effectively protect the engine components of a saddle-type vehicle and reduce the sliding distance when the saddle-type vehicle falls and slides.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

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MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of a saddle-ride type vehicle including an engine component cover and an engine component cover according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Here, a motorcycle including an engine component cover will be described as an example, but the saddle-ride type vehicle of the present invention is not limited to a motorcycle. Note that the embodiments described here are not intended to particularly limit the present invention. In addition, members and parts having the same function are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted or simplified as appropriate.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a right side view of a motorcycle 10. FIG. 2 is a left side view of the motorcycle 10. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, front, rear, left, right, up, and down respectively mean front, rear, left, right, up, and down as viewed from the driver of the motorcycle 10. The reference numerals F, Rr, L, R, U, and D attached to the drawings represent front, rear, left, right, up, and down, respectively.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, the motorcycle 10 includes a vehicle body frame 15 and an engine unit 20 mounted on the vehicle body frame 15. The engine unit 20 includes engine components 21. The engine components 21 include an engine 22, a clutch device 24, a crank angle detection unit 26, and a generator 28 (see FIG. 2).

[0013] The clutch device 24 is a device that transmits or cuts off the rotational driving force of the engine 22 to a transmission (not shown). The clutch device 24 is, for example, a multi-plate friction clutch. The clutch device 24 operates, for example, by an operation of a clutch operating lever by the driver or driving of an actuator.

[0014] The crank angle detection unit 26 is a member that detects the angle of the crankshaft (not shown) of the engine 22. The crank angle detection unit 26 is, for example, a crank angle sensor (crank position sensor).

[0015] The generator 28 is, for example, an ACG (AC Generator) that generates electricity using the rotation of the engine 22. The generator 28 is connected to the left end portion in the vehicle width direction of the crankshaft (not shown) of the engine 22.

[0016] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the motorcycle 10 includes an engine component cover 40 that protects the engine components 21. The engine component cover 40 includes a clutch cover 50, a crank angle detection unit cover 60, and a generator cover 70.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, the clutch cover 50 protects the clutch device 24. The clutch cover 50 covers the clutch device 24 from the outside in the vehicle width direction. The clutch cover 50 is located to the right of the clutch device 24. The clutch cover 50 overlaps at least a part of the clutch device 24 in a side view of the vehicle. The clutch cover 50 is fixed to, for example, a part of the vehicle body frame 15 and a part of the engine unit 20.

[0018] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the clutch cover 50 includes a main body portion 52 and a reduction portion 54. The main body portion 52 and the reduction portion 54 are integrally formed from a predetermined material (for example, an aluminum alloy). The main body portion 52 protects the engine component 21 (here, the clutch device 24). The main body portion 52 is located above the reduction portion 54.

[0019] The reduction portion 54 protects the engine component 21 (here, the clutch device 24). The reduction portion 54 is configured to come into contact with the ground when the motorcycle 10 falls and slides and to gradually reduce the sliding of the motorcycle 10. The reduction portion 54 is a portion that comes into contact with the ground earlier than the main body portion 52 when the motorcycle 10 falls. The reduction portion 54 is configured such that the frictional resistance against the ground changes stepwise. The reduction portion 54 is located on the side (here, the right side) of the motorcycle 10. As shown in FIG. 5, the reduction portion 54 is formed to incline downward from the outside to the inside in the vehicle width direction Y of the motorcycle 10 (here, from the right side to the left side).

[0020] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the reduction portion 54 includes an inner surface 56 (see FIG. 4), an outer surface 57, and a plurality of recesses 58. The recesses 58 are formed in a circular shape when viewed from the side of the vehicle, but may be formed in an elliptical shape, a rectangular shape, or the like. As shown in FIG. 5, the inner surface 56 is arranged outside (here, to the right) of the engine component 21 (here, the clutch device 24) with respect to the vehicle width direction Y (i.e., the left-right direction) of the motorcycle 10. The inner surface 56 faces at least a part of the clutch device 24. The outer surface 57 is the surface on the back side of the inner surface 56. The outer surface 57 is exposed to the outside. The outer surface 57 has an inclined portion 57H that inclines downward from the outside to the inside in the vehicle width direction Y (here, from the right to the left). The inclined portion 57H is configured to contact the ground when the motorcycle 10 slides. As shown in FIG. 6, the recess 58 is recessed from the inner surface 56 toward the outer surface 57. The recess 58 extends in the vehicle width direction Y. The recess 58 is provided on the opposite side of the portion of the outer surface 57 that contacts the ground (for example, the inclined portion 57H) when the motorcycle 10 slides, among the inner surface 56. The depth of the recess 58 in the vehicle width direction Y is 40% to 85% of the maximum thickness of the reduction portion 54. The depths of the plurality of recesses 58 in the vehicle width direction Y may be the same or different from each other. When the outer surface 57 is worn away when the motorcycle 10 slides, a part of the recess 58 is configured to be exposed to the outside. When a part of the recess 58 is exposed to the outside, the inner surface 56 and the outer surface 57 communicate with each other through the recess 58. When the motorcycle 10 is sliding, the frictional resistance against the ground when a part of the recess 58 is exposed to the outside is greater than the frictional resistance against the ground when a part of the recess 58 is not exposed to the outside and the outer surface 57 is worn away. Thus, when the motorcycle 10 is sliding, the sliding of the motorcycle 10 is gradually reduced by the stepwise change of the frictional resistance.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 1, the crank angle detection unit cover 60 protects the crank angle detection unit 26. The crank angle detection unit cover 60 covers the crank angle detection unit 26 from the outside in the vehicle width direction. The crank angle detection unit cover 60 is located to the right of the crank angle detection unit 26. The crank angle detection unit cover 60 overlaps at least a part of the crank angle detection unit 26 in a side view of the vehicle. The crank angle detection unit cover 60 is fixed to, for example, a part of the vehicle body frame 15 and a part of the engine unit 20.

[0022] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the crank angle detection unit cover 60 includes a main body portion 62 and a reduction portion 64. The main body portion 62 and the reduction portion 64 are integrally formed from a predetermined material (for example, an aluminum alloy). The main body portion 62 protects the engine component 21 (here, the crank angle detection unit 26). The main body portion 62 is located above the reduction portion 64.

[0023] The reduction portion 64 protects the engine component 21 (here, the crank angle detection unit 26). The reduction portion 64 is configured to come into contact with the ground when the motorcycle 10 falls and slides and to gradually reduce the sliding of the motorcycle 10. The reduction portion 64 is a portion that comes into contact with the ground earlier than the main body portion 62 when the motorcycle 10 falls. The reduction portion 64 is configured such that the frictional resistance against the ground changes stepwise. The reduction portion 64 is located on the side (here, the right side) of the motorcycle 10. As shown in FIG. 9, the reduction portion 64 is formed to incline downward from the outside to the inside in the vehicle width direction Y of the motorcycle 10 (here, from the right side to the left side).

[0024] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the reduction portion 64 includes an inner surface 66 (see FIG. 8), an outer surface 67, and a plurality of recesses 68. The recesses 68 are formed in a circular shape when viewed from the side of the vehicle, but may be formed in an elliptical shape, a rectangular shape, or the like. As shown in FIG. 9, the inner surface 66 is arranged outside (here, to the right) of the engine component 21 (here, the crank angle detection portion 26) with respect to the vehicle width direction Y (i.e., the left-right direction) of the motorcycle 10. The inner surface 66 faces at least a part of the crank angle detection portion 26. The outer surface 67 is the surface on the back side of the inner surface 66. The outer surface 67 is exposed to the outside. The outer surface 67 has an inclined portion 67H that inclines downward from the outside to the inside in the vehicle width direction Y (here, from the right to the left). The inclined portion 67H is configured to contact the ground when the motorcycle 10 slides. As shown in FIG. 10, the recess 68 is recessed from the inner surface 66 toward the outer surface 67. The recess 68 extends in the vehicle width direction Y. The recess 68 is provided on the opposite side of the portion (for example, the inclined portion 67H) of the outer surface 67 that contacts the ground when the motorcycle 10 slides, among the inner surface 66. The depth of the recess 68 in the vehicle width direction Y is 40% to 85% of the maximum thickness of the reduction portion 64. The depths of the plurality of recesses 68 in the vehicle width direction Y may be the same or different from each other. When the outer surface 67 is worn away when the motorcycle 10 slides, a part of the recess 68 is configured to be exposed to the outside. When a part of the recess 68 is exposed to the outside, the inner surface 66 and the outer surface 67 communicate with each other through the recess 68. When the motorcycle 10 is sliding, the frictional resistance against the ground when a part of the recess 68 is exposed to the outside is greater than the frictional resistance against the ground when a part of the recess 68 is not exposed and the outer surface 67 is worn away. Thus, when the motorcycle 10 is sliding, the sliding of the motorcycle 10 is gradually reduced by the stepwise change of the frictional resistance.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 2, the generator cover 70 protects the generator 28. The generator cover 70 covers the generator 28 from the outside in the vehicle width direction. The generator cover 70 is located to the left of the generator 28. The generator cover 70 overlaps at least a part of the generator 28 in a side view of the vehicle. The generator cover 70 is fixed to, for example, a part of the vehicle body frame 15 and a part of the engine unit 20.

[0026] As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the generator cover 70 includes a main body portion 72 and a reduction portion 74. The main body portion 72 and the reduction portion 74 are integrally formed from a predetermined material (for example, an aluminum alloy). The main body portion 72 protects the engine component 21 (here, the generator 28). The main body portion 72 is located above the reduction portion 74.

[0027] The reduction portion 74 protects the engine component 21 (here, the generator 28). The reduction portion 74 is configured to come into contact with the ground when the motorcycle 10 falls and slides and to gradually reduce the sliding of the motorcycle 10. The reduction portion 74 is a portion that comes into contact with the ground earlier than the main body portion 72 when the motorcycle 10 falls. The reduction portion 74 is configured such that the frictional resistance against the ground changes stepwise. The reduction portion 74 is located on the side (here, the left side) of the motorcycle 10. As shown in FIG. 13, the reduction portion 74 is formed to incline downward from the outside to the inside in the vehicle width direction Y of the motorcycle 10 (here, from the left side to the right side).

[0028] As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the reduction portion 74 includes an inner surface 76 (see FIG. 12), an outer surface 77, and a plurality of recesses 78. The recesses 78 are formed in a circular shape when viewed from the side of the vehicle, but may be formed in an elliptical shape, a rectangular shape, or the like. As shown in FIG. 13, the inner surface 76 is disposed outside (here, to the left) of the engine component 21 (here, the generator 28) with respect to the vehicle width direction Y (i.e., the left-right direction) of the motorcycle 10. The inner surface 76 faces at least a part of the generator 28. The outer surface 77 is the surface on the back side of the inner surface 76. The outer surface 77 is exposed to the outside. The outer surface 77 has an inclined portion 77H that inclines downward from the outside to the inside in the vehicle width direction Y (here, from the left to the right). The inclined portion 77H is configured to contact the ground when the motorcycle 10 slides. As shown in FIG. 14, the recess 78 is recessed from the inner surface 76 toward the outer surface 77. The recess 78 extends in the vehicle width direction Y. The recess 78 is provided on the inner surface 76 on the opposite side of the portion (for example, the inclined portion 77H) that contacts the ground on the outer surface 77 when the motorcycle 10 slides. The depth of the recess 78 in the vehicle width direction Y is 40% to 85% of the maximum thickness of the reduction portion 74. The depths of the plurality of recesses 78 in the vehicle width direction Y may be the same or different from each other. When the outer surface 77 is worn away when the motorcycle 10 slides, a part of the recess 78 is configured to be exposed to the outside. When a part of the recess 78 is exposed to the outside, the inner surface 76 and the outer surface 77 communicate with each other through the recess 78. When the motorcycle 10 is sliding, the frictional resistance against the ground when a part of the recess 78 is exposed to the outside is greater than the frictional resistance against the ground when a part of the recess 78 is not exposed to the outside and the outer surface 77 is worn away. Thus, when the motorcycle 10 is sliding, the sliding of the motorcycle 10 is gradually reduced by the stepwise change in the frictional resistance.

[0029] As described above, according to the engine component cover 40 of the present embodiment, the main body portion 52 and the reduction portion 54 can protect the engine components 21. Further, the reduction portion 54 contacts the ground when the motorcycle 10 falls and slides, and gradually reduces the sliding of the motorcycle 10. Thereby, the sliding distance of the fallen and sliding motorcycle 10 can be reduced. Furthermore, since the main body portion 52 and the reduction portion 54 are integrally formed from a predetermined material, they can be easily manufactured and the cost can be reduced.

[0030] In the engine component cover 40 of the present embodiment, the reduction portion 54 is configured such that the frictional resistance against the ground changes stepwise. According to the above aspect, the sliding distance of the fallen and sliding motorcycle 10 can be reduced.

[0031] In the engine component cover 40 of the present embodiment, when the motorcycle 10 slides, a part of the concave portion 58 is configured to be exposed to the outside by shaving the outer surface 57 of the reduction portion 54. According to the above aspect, since a part of the concave portion 58 is exposed to the outside, it is possible to create a catch with the ground (that is, increase the friction with the ground), so that the sliding distance of the fallen and sliding motorcycle 10 can be reduced.

[0032] In the engine component cover 40 of the present embodiment, the depth of the concave portion 58 in the vehicle width direction Y is 40% to 85% of the maximum thickness of the reduction portion 54. According to the above aspect, it is possible to create a catch with the ground while ensuring the rigidity of the reduction portion 54.

[0033] In the engine component cover 40 of the present embodiment, the concave portion 58 is provided on the inner surface 56 on the opposite side of the portion of the outer surface 57 that contacts the ground when the motorcycle 10 slides. According to the above aspect, since the outer surface 57 is shaved, a part of the concave portion 58 is exposed to the outside earlier, so that the sliding distance of the fallen and sliding motorcycle 10 can be further reduced.

[0034] In the engine component cover 40 of the present embodiment, the outer surface 57 has an inclined portion 57H that inclines downward from the outside to the inside in the vehicle width direction Y, and the inclined portion 57H is configured to come into contact with the ground when the motorcycle 10 slides. According to the above aspect, since the contact area between the inclined portion 57H and the ground increases, the sliding distance of the fallen and sliding motorcycle 10 can be further reduced.

[0035] In the engine component cover 40 of the present embodiment, the reduction portion 54 is located on the side of the motorcycle 10. According to the above aspect, the engine components 21 can be more effectively protected when the motorcycle 10 falls.

[0036] In the engine component cover 40 of the present embodiment, the reduction portion 54 is formed to incline downward from the outside to the inside in the vehicle width direction Y of the motorcycle 10. According to the above aspect, since the contact area between the reduction portion 54 and the ground increases, the sliding distance of the fallen and sliding motorcycle 10 can be further reduced.

[0037] In the engine component cover 40 of the present embodiment, the engine component 21 is at least one of the clutch device 24, the generator 28, and the crank angle detection unit 26. According to the above aspect, at least one of the clutch device 24, the generator 28, and the crank angle detection unit 26 can be effectively protected.

[0038] The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the above-described embodiments are merely examples, and the present invention can be implemented in various other forms.

[0039] In the above-described embodiment, the engine 22 is used as the power source, but the power source is not limited to the engine 22, and for example, an electric motor or the like may be used.

[0040] The straddle-type vehicle of the present embodiment refers to a vehicle on which a driver rides straddling it. The straddle-type vehicle is not limited to motorcycles such as scooters. The straddle-type vehicle may be, for example, a three-wheeled vehicle, an ATV (All Terrain Vehicle), a snowmobile, or the like.

Explanation of Signs

[0041] 10 Motorcycle (straddle-type vehicle) 21 Engine parts 24 Clutch device 26 Crank angle detection unit 28 Generator 40 Engine parts cover 50 Clutch cover 52 Main body part 54 Reduction part 56 Inner surface 57 Outer surface 57H Inclined part 58 Concave part 60 Crank angle detection unit cover 70 Cover for generator

Claims

1. An engine component cover for protecting engine components mounted on a saddle-type vehicle, comprising: a main body portion for protecting the engine components; a reduction portion for protecting the engine components, contacting the ground when the saddle-type vehicle falls and slides, and gradually reducing the sliding of the saddle-type vehicle; and The engine component cover, wherein the main body portion and the reduction portion are integrally formed from a predetermined material.

2. The engine component cover according to claim 1, wherein the reduction portion is configured such that the frictional resistance against the ground changes gradually.

3. The reduction portion includes: an inner surface disposed outside the engine components in the vehicle width direction of the saddle-type vehicle and facing at least a part of the engine components; an outer surface which is the back surface of the inner surface and is exposed to the outside; and a plurality of recesses recessed from the inner surface toward the outer surface, The engine component cover according to claim 2, wherein a part of the recesses is configured to be exposed to the outside when the outer surface is worn away as the saddle-type vehicle slides.

4. The engine component cover according to claim 3, wherein the depth of the recesses in the vehicle width direction is 40% to 85% of the maximum thickness of the reduction portion.

5. The engine component cover according to claim 3, wherein the recesses are provided on the inner surface on the opposite side of the portion of the outer surface that contacts the ground when the saddle-type vehicle slides.

6. The outer surface has an inclined portion inclined downward from the outside to the inside in the vehicle width direction, The engine component cover according to claim 5, wherein the inclined portion is configured to contact the ground when the saddle-type vehicle slides.

7. The engine component cover according to claim 1, wherein the reduction portion is located on the side of the saddle-type vehicle.

8. The engine component cover according to claim 7, wherein the reduction portion is formed to incline downward from the outside to the inside in the vehicle width direction of the saddle-type vehicle.

9. The engine component cover according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the engine component is at least one of a clutch device, a generator, and a crank angle detection unit.

10. A saddle-type vehicle equipped with the engine component cover according to claim 9.

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