Saddle riding type vehicle

Abstract

To provide a saddle-riding type vehicle including a fuel tank for storing fuel in a pressure state higher than the atmospheric pressure, and balancing the length of a cruising distance and the center of gravity of the vehicle.SOLUTION: A saddle riding type vehicle 1 includes a seat 14, a front fuel tank 31 and a rear fuel tank 32, and an engine. The rider straddles and sits on the seat 14. Fuel is stored in the front fuel tank 31 and the rear fuel tank 32 at a pressure higher than the atmospheric pressure. The engine generates a driving force using the fuel stored in the front fuel tank 31 and the rear fuel tank 32. At least two front fuel tanks 31 are disposed separately on the left and right sides across the center in the vehicle width direction. The center of the front fuel tank 31 in the front-rear direction is located forward of the center of the seat 14 in the front-rear direction. The center of the rear fuel tank 32 in the front-rear direction is located rearward of the center of the seat 14 in the front-rear direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present application primarily relates to a straddle-type vehicle equipped with a fuel tank in which fuel is stored at a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a saddle-type vehicle equipped with a hydrogen tank and a hydrogen engine. The hydrogen tank stores hydrogen as fuel. The hydrogen tank is housed in a vanier case on only one or both sides of the vehicle width. The hydrogen engine generates power using the hydrogen stored in the hydrogen tank. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-148914 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Saddle-ride type vehicles that use hydrogen as fuel tend to have a shorter cruising range than saddle-ride type vehicles that use gasoline as fuel. To achieve a longer cruising range, the fuel tank needs to have a larger capacity. However, because fuel tanks are heavy, they have a significant impact on the position of the vehicle's center of gravity. For example, if the hydrogen tank is placed only in the vanier case, as in Patent Document 1, the vehicle's center of gravity tends to shift rearward. Furthermore, if the hydrogen tank is placed only in one vanier case, the vehicle's center of gravity tends to shift to one side in the lateral direction. The above issues are not limited to saddle-ride type vehicles that use hydrogen as fuel, but are common to all saddle-ride type vehicles that have fuel tanks in which fuel is stored at a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure.

[0005] The present application has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and its main object is to provide a saddle-type vehicle that is equipped with a fuel tank in which fuel is stored at a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure, and that achieves both a long cruising range and a good balance between the center of gravity of the vehicle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The problem to be solved by the present application is as described above. Next, the means for solving this problem and the effects thereof will be explained.

[0007] According to an aspect of the present application, there is provided a saddle-ride type vehicle having the following configuration. That is, the saddle-ride type vehicle includes a seat, a front fuel tank, a rear fuel tank, and a drive unit. A driver sits astride on the seat. The front fuel tank and the rear fuel tank store fuel at a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure. The drive unit generates drive force using the fuel stored in the front fuel tank and the rear fuel tank. At least two front fuel tanks are arranged on either side of the center in the vehicle width direction. The front-to-rear center of the front fuel tank is located forward of the front-to-rear center of the seat. The front-to-rear center of the rear fuel tank is located rearward of the front-to-rear center of the seat. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present application, it is possible to provide a saddle-type vehicle that is equipped with a fuel tank in which fuel is stored under a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure, and that achieves both a long cruising range and a good balance between the center of gravity of the vehicle. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view of a saddle-ride type vehicle according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a front view of the saddle-type vehicle in a lean position. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view showing a fuel pipe of the saddle-ride type vehicle. [Figure 5]FIG. 10 is a schematic plan view showing a fuel pipe of a modified example of a straddle-type vehicle. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a plan view of a saddle-ride type vehicle according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Next, embodiments of the present application will be described with reference to the drawings. First, an overview of a saddle-ride type vehicle 1 of a first embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Figures 1 and 2 are a side view and a plan view, respectively, of the saddle-ride type vehicle 1 of the first embodiment.

[0011] In the following description, the left-right direction of the saddle riding type vehicle 1 is defined as the direction seen by a driver riding in the saddle riding type vehicle 1. Therefore, the front-rear direction corresponds to the vehicle length direction, and the left-right direction corresponds to the vehicle width direction. Furthermore, the vertical direction and the up-down direction correspond to the height direction. Furthermore, terms such as parallel, coincident, and orthogonal are terms that include not only states that indicate completely parallel, coincident, or orthogonal, but also states that are approximately parallel, approximately coincident, or approximately orthogonal. Terms such as mounting, supporting, and installation are terms that include not only states in which two target parts are directly mounted, but also states in which two target parts are mounted via another intermediate part.

[0012] As shown in Fig. 1, a saddle-type vehicle 1 includes a vehicle body 2, a front wheel 3, and a rear wheel 4. The front wheel 3 and the rear wheel 4 are arranged with a gap between them in the front-to-rear direction.

[0013] The saddle-type vehicle 1 is a passenger vehicle. In particular, the saddle-type vehicle 1 is a type of vehicle in which a driver straddles and rides. The saddle-type vehicle 1 may be a vehicle for transportation purposes, or may be a leisure vehicle for leisure purposes.

[0014] The vehicle body 2 includes a vehicle body frame 20. The vehicle body frame 20 is made up of elongated pipe-shaped or solid members, and is a member that forms the framework of the saddle-riding type vehicle 1. The vehicle body frame 20 has a front frame 21, a front tank frame 22, a rear frame 23, and a rear tank frame 24.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, the front frame 21 is located in a range including the front side of the center in the fore-and-aft direction of the saddle riding type vehicle 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the front frame 21 extends mainly in the fore-and-aft direction at the center in the vehicle width direction. The front frame 21 has a pair of left and right portions. The front tank frame 22 supports a front fuel tank, which will be described later. The front tank frame 22 is provided in a pair of left and right portions. The left front frame 21 is connected to the left front frame 21. The right front tank frame 22 is connected to the right front frame 21.

[0016] The rear side has a similar configuration. That is, as shown in Fig. 1, the rear frame 23 is located in an area including the rear side of the center in the fore-and-aft direction of the saddle riding type vehicle 1. As shown in Fig. 2, a pair of left and right rear frames 23 are provided. The rear tank frames 24 support a rear fuel tank, which will be described later. A pair of left and right rear tank frames 24 are provided. The left rear frame 23 is connected to the left rear frame 23. The right rear tank frame 24 is connected to the right rear frame 23.

[0017] The vehicle body 2 further includes a cowl 26, a front tank cover 27, and a rear tank cover 28. The cowl 26, the front tank cover 27, and the rear tank cover 28 are resin members that form the outer surface of the saddle-ride type vehicle 1, and are provided for the purposes of rectifying the airflow while riding, improving the appearance, protecting the equipment, etc.

[0018] The cowl 26 covers the front portion of the saddle riding type vehicle 1 and also covers the outer sides of the front frame 21 in the vehicle width direction. A pair of left and right front tank covers 27 are provided. The left and right front tank covers 27 are each connected to the cowl 26 and cover a front fuel tank, which will be described later. A pair of left and right rear tank covers 28 are provided. The left and right rear tank covers 28 are connected to the cowl 26 and cover a rear fuel tank, which will be described later. The cowl 26 may be omitted.

[0019] The front surface of the front tank cover 27 is significantly affected by the traveling wind, and can therefore be effectively utilized as a member for rectifying the traveling wind described above. The presence of the front tank cover 27 lowers the aerodynamic center of the saddle-riding vehicle 1, thereby facilitating stability of the saddle-riding vehicle 1. Furthermore, if the front surface of the front tank cover 27 is shaped to receive a downward force when subjected to the traveling wind, the stability of the saddle-riding vehicle 1 can be further improved. A shape that receives a downward force from the traveling wind is, for example, a surface that slopes downward as it approaches the front. Furthermore, if the front surface of the front tank cover 27 is shaped to reduce the traveling wind experienced by the rider, riding comfort for the rider can be improved. A shape that reduces the traveling wind experienced by the rider is, for example, a surface that slopes upward or outward in the vehicle width direction as it approaches the rear. Furthermore, if the front surface of the front tank cover 27 is shaped to guide the traveling wind toward the radiator 9 (described below), the cooling efficiency of the engine 8 can be improved. Furthermore, if an opening is formed in the front surface of the front tank cover 27, it is possible to use the wind generated by running to cool the front fuel tank 31. The above-described features of the front tank cover 27 are independent of each other, and only one of them can be selected and adopted.

[0020] In this embodiment, the cowl 26, the front tank cover 27, and the rear tank cover 28 are each separate components. In other words, the boundary between the cowl 26 and the front tank cover 27 can be clearly identified externally, and the boundary between the cowl 26 and the rear tank cover 28 can also be clearly identified. Instead of this configuration, the cowl 26, the front tank cover 27, and the rear tank cover 28 may be integrated. In other words, a body cover may be provided that collectively covers the front frame 21, the front tank frame 22, the rear frame 23, and the rear tank frame 24. In this case, the portion of the body cover that covers the front fuel tank corresponds to the front tank cover 27, and the portion that covers the rear fuel tank corresponds to the rear tank cover 28.

[0021] The front wheel 3 is attached to the front frame 21 via front forks 5. The front forks 5 are arranged in pair on the left and right sides to sandwich the front wheel 3 when viewed from the front. The front forks 5 are telescopic front suspensions. Note that instead of using the front forks 5, the front wheel 3 may be attached to the vehicle body 2 by some other method.

[0022] The rear wheel 4 is attached to the body frame 20 or the engine 8 via a swing arm. The swing arm supports the rear wheel 4 so that it can swing. Instead of using a swing arm, the rear wheel 4 may be attached to the body 2 by some other method.

[0023] The saddle-type vehicle 1 is a motorcycle having one front wheel 3 and one rear wheel 4. However, the saddle-type vehicle 1 may also be a three-wheeled motor vehicle having two front wheels 3 and one rear wheel 4, or a three-wheeled motor vehicle having one front wheel 3 and two rear wheels 4. The saddle-type vehicle 1 may also be a vehicle having two or more front wheels 3 and two or more rear wheels 4. A saddle-type vehicle 1 having three or more wheels is, for example, an all-terrain vehicle.

[0024] The straddle-type vehicle 1 is equipped with a front fuel tank 31 and a rear fuel tank 32. A pair of left and right front fuel tanks 31 are provided. The left and right front fuel tanks 31 are supported by left and right front tank frames 22, respectively, and are covered by left and right front tank covers 27, respectively.

[0025] The fuel stored in the front fuel tank 31 and the rear fuel tank 32 is hydrogen. The fuel is not limited to hydrogen, and may be other gaseous fuel such as natural gas. Also, gaseous fuel that is gaseous at room temperature may be stored in a liquid state. In either case, the fuel is compressed to a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure and filled into the front fuel tank 31 and the rear fuel tank 32. The front fuel tank 31 and the rear fuel tank 32 may have the same capacity or may have different capacities.

[0026] Furthermore, the front fuel tank 31 and the rear fuel tank 32 are cylindrical in shape to disperse the effects of pressure. However, the cylindrical shape is just one example, and other shapes such as a rectangular parallelepiped or a sphere may also be used. The fuel stored in the front fuel tank 31 and the rear fuel tank 32 is supplied to the engine 8, which is the drive device, via a fuel path described below. The layout of the fuel tanks will be described later.

[0027] An intake structure 11 is provided near the engine 8. The intake structure 11 is a structure for supplying air to the engine 8. Specifically, the intake structure 11 includes an air cleaner box and an intake pipe. The air cleaner box removes dust and other particles from the intake air. The air purified by the air cleaner box flows toward the engine 8 through the intake pipe.

[0028] The engine 8 is disposed between the front wheels 3 and the rear wheels 4 in the longitudinal direction. The engine 8 generates power using gaseous fuel. Specifically, the engine 8 includes a cylinder case and a crankcase. A mixture of gaseous fuel and air is supplied to a cylinder provided in the cylinder case. The mixture in the cylinder is compressed and ignited, causing the piston to move linearly. The linear movement of the piston is converted into rotational movement by a connecting rod and transmitted to the crankshaft. The ignition method is not limited to the method using an ignition plug, and may include a method of spontaneous ignition by creating high pressure in the cylinder or a method of igniting by injecting fuel into compressed, high-pressure air.

[0029] The crankcase houses a crankshaft and a transmission gear. In this embodiment, the transmission gear is provided as part of the engine 8. Alternatively, a transmission may be provided separately from the engine 8. The power generated as described above is transmitted to the rear wheel 4, which is a drive wheel, via a power transmission member such as a drive chain. The power transmission member is not limited to a drive chain, and a belt or a shaft may also be used. Furthermore, the rear wheel 4 may be the only drive wheel, or both the front wheel 3 and the rear wheel 4 may be drive wheels.

[0030] A radiator 9 is provided in front of the engine 8. The radiator 9 dissipates heat from the coolant for the engine 8. Specifically, the radiator 9 is formed with a passage for the coolant for the engine 8. When the wind from traveling hits the radiator 9, the coolant for the engine 8 is caused to dissipate heat, thereby lowering the temperature of the coolant.

[0031] The exhaust structure 12 is a structure for discharging exhaust gas generated by combustion in the engine 8. The exhaust structure 12 comprises an exhaust pipe and a catalyst section. The exhaust gas generated by the engine 8 flows through the exhaust pipe to the catalyst section. The catalyst section is an area where a catalyst is arranged to reduce the concentration of nitrogen oxides generated by the combustion of air. The concentration of nitrogen oxides is reduced as the exhaust gas passes through the catalyst section. The exhaust gas that has passed through the catalyst section is discharged to the outside. Note that the catalyst section is not an essential component of the exhaust structure 12 and can be omitted.

[0032] The drive device is not limited to the engine 8. The drive device includes various devices or combinations of devices that use fuel to generate drive force for traveling. If the saddle-riding vehicle 1 is a fuel cell vehicle, the drive device is a combination of a fuel cell and an electric motor. That is, the fuel cell generates electricity using a fuel such as hydrogen and oxygen. The electric motor generates drive force using the power generated by the fuel cell to drive the rear wheels 4. If the saddle-riding vehicle 1 is a hybrid vehicle, the drive device is a combination of an engine, a generator, and an electric motor. If the saddle-riding vehicle 1 is a hybrid vehicle, the drive device may be either a series type or a parallel type. The series type is a type in which the engine's power is used only to generate electricity for the generator, and the electric power generated by the generator is used to drive the motor to travel the vehicle. The parallel type is a type in which the vehicle is traveled using both drive force generated by the engine and drive force generated by the motor.

[0033] A steering handle 13 is provided at the front of the vehicle body 2. The steering handle 13 is connected to the upper end of the front fork 5. When the driver performs a steering operation to turn the steering handle 13, the front fork 5 turns. This causes the saddle-riding type vehicle 1 to turn. As shown in FIG. 3 , the saddle-riding type vehicle 1 is a lean-type vehicle in which the vehicle body 2 is tilted toward the center of the turn with respect to the road surface when turning. However, being a lean-type vehicle is just one example, and the technology of the present application can also be applied to vehicles that do not lean when turning.

[0034] As described above, in the saddle-ride type vehicle 1, the front tank frame 22 is connected to the front frame 21. Therefore, even when the steering handlebars 13 are turned, the front tank frame 22 and the front fuel tank 31 do not undergo angular displacement about the steering axis. This reduces the force required for steering compared to a configuration in which the front fuel tank 31 undergoes angular displacement about the steering axis. However, the front fuel tank 31 may also be configured to undergo angular displacement about the steering axis. In this case, interference between the front wheel 3 and the front fuel tank 31 is less likely to occur during steering, and the front wheel 3 and the front fuel tank 31 can be disposed close to each other.

[0035] The saddle-type vehicle 1 further includes a seat 14, a step 15, and a foot pedal 16. The driver sits on the seat 14, places his or her feet on the rod-shaped step 15 arranged on the side of the vehicle body 2, and operates the foot pedal 16. The foot pedal 16 is, for example, a shift pedal or a brake pedal. As the driver rides by straddling the seat 14, the saddle-type vehicle 1 is a saddle-type vehicle.

[0036] A top cover 17 is provided in front of the seat 14. The top cover 17 has a shape that protrudes upward and has a space formed inside. The space inside the top cover 17 can store the above-mentioned air intake structure 11, electronic components such as a control device, tools, a helmet, etc. The top cover 17 is not an essential component and can be omitted.

[0037] The saddle-type vehicle 1 is equipped with lighting devices including a headlamp 41, a turn signal lamp 42, and a rear lamp 43. The headlamp 41 illuminates the front. The headlamp 41 is arranged on the cowl 26. The turn signal lamps 42 are arranged in pairs on the left and right. The turn signal lamps 42 flash in response to the driver's operation when turning right or left or changing lanes. The turn signal lamps 42 are arranged on the left and right front tank covers 27, respectively. The rear lamps 43 are arranged in pairs on the left and right. The rear lamps 43 are always lit and also light up brightly when the brakes are applied. The rear lamps 43 are arranged on the left and right rear tank covers 28, respectively.

[0038] In this embodiment, a pair of left and right fuel tanks are provided on the front side. Utilizing this feature, turn signal lamps 42 are provided on the front tank cover 27. In this embodiment, the turn signal lamps 42 are provided on the side surfaces of the front tank cover 27 in the vehicle width direction, but the turn signal lamps 42 may also be provided on the top surface. The turn signal lamps 42 may also be provided on a rearview mirror or on the cowl 26. Other lighting devices may also be provided on the front tank cover 27. For example, headlamps 41, cornering lamps, position lamps, or fog lamps may be provided on the front tank cover 27. The cornering lamps are provided to expand the illumination area in the steering direction when steering. The front tank cover may also be fitted with a reflector that reflects light irradiated from surrounding vehicles.

[0039] The same applies to the rear side. That is, in this embodiment, a pair of fuel tanks are provided on the left and right side of the rear side. Taking advantage of this feature, rear lamps 43 are arranged on the rear tank cover 28. In this embodiment, the rear lamps 43 are arranged on the upper surface of the rear tank cover 28, but the rear lamps 43 may also be arranged on the rear surface of the rear tank cover 28. The rear lamps 43 may also be arranged on the rear frame 23 or the cowl 26. Furthermore, other lighting devices may be arranged on the rear tank cover 28. For example, turn signal lamps 42, position lamps, brake lamps, or reflectors may be arranged on the rear tank cover 28.

[0040] Next, the layout of the fuel tank will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0041] In the following description, the central axis of the front fuel tank 31 will be referred to as the front axis 91, and the central axis of the rear fuel tank 32 will be referred to as the rear axis 92. The front axis 91 is a straight line passing through the center in the vehicle width direction and the center in the up-down direction of the pair of left and right front fuel tanks 31. The rear axis 92 is a straight line passing through the center in the vehicle width direction and the center in the up-down direction of the pair of left and right rear fuel tanks 32. The central position of the front fuel tank 31 in the three directions of the front-to-back direction, the up-to-down direction, and the vehicle width direction will be referred to as the front central position 93. The central position of the rear fuel tank 32 in the three directions of the front-to-back direction, the up-to-down direction, and the vehicle width direction will be referred to as the rear central position 94. The front central position 93 and the rear central position 94 may also be referred to as the center of gravity positions of the front fuel tank 31 and the rear fuel tank 32, respectively.

[0042] The saddle-type vehicle 1 includes left and right front fuel tanks 31 and left and right rear fuel tanks 32, and therefore has a larger tank capacity than the vehicle disclosed in Patent Document 1. As a result, a longer cruising range can be achieved. However, because fuel tanks are heavy, they must be appropriately positioned in consideration of vehicle stability and drivability. First, in this embodiment, a pair of left and right fuel tanks are positioned, more specifically, symmetrically with respect to a line passing through the center of the vehicle in the vehicle width direction. This ensures balance in the vehicle width direction, and the center of gravity of the vehicle tends to approach the center in the vehicle width direction. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the fuel tanks are positioned separately on the front and rear sides, which tends to bring the center of gravity of the vehicle closer to the center in the fore-and-aft direction. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the fuel tanks are positioned at a low position while taking into consideration interference with other components, which tends to bring the center of gravity of the vehicle lower.

[0043] First, the layout of the front fuel tank 31 will be described. The features of the positional relationships listed below are independent of each other, and even if only one or more features are selected, the effect according to the selected feature (specifically, at least one of the above-mentioned effects) can be achieved. In other words, this specification discloses an invention that combines the following features in any desired manner. The same applies to the rear side.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 1 , the front central position 93 is located forward of the front end of the seat 14 or the center of the seat 14 in the longitudinal direction. The front central position 93 is located rearward of the axle of the front wheel 3. The front central position is located forward of the center of the engine in the longitudinal direction. In this embodiment, the front central position 93 is located forward of the front end of the engine 8. The front central position 93 is located forward of the step 15 and the foot pedal 16. The positional relationship remains valid even if the above-mentioned "front central position 93" is replaced with "the rear end of the front fuel tank 31." Furthermore, the front end of the front fuel tank 31 is rearward of the front end of the front wheel 3. The front end of the front fuel tank 31 is rearward of the headlamp 41. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 1 , the front fuel tank 31 and the front wheel 3 at least partially overlap in a side view. This makes it easier for the front wheel 3 to support the front fuel tank 31 and further makes it easier to increase the ground contact load of the front wheel 3.

[0045] Furthermore, the front end of the front fuel tank 31 may be located rearward of the front cowl, which is the portion of the cowl 26 that covers the front portion of the saddle-riding type vehicle 1, or the headlamp 41. This prevents the light emitted by the headlamp 41 from being blocked by the front fuel tank 31. Furthermore, the front end of the front fuel tank 31 is located forward of the axle of the front wheel 3. In this embodiment, the front central position 93 is located rearward of the axle of the front wheel 3. The front central position 93 is located above the axle of the front wheel 3. Furthermore, in a side view, the front end of the front fuel tank 31 is located forward of the front forks 5. The rear end of the front fuel tank 31 is located rearward of the front forks 5.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 1 , the front central position 93 is located lower than the seating surface of the seat 14. In this embodiment, the upper end of the front fuel tank 31 is located lower than the seating surface of the seat 14. The front central position 93 is located lower than the steering handlebars 13. In this embodiment, the upper end of the front fuel tank 31 is located lower than the steering handlebars 13. This makes it easier to prevent interference between the front fuel tank 31 and the steering handlebars 13 during steering. The front central position 93 is located lower than the upper end of the front frame 21. The lower end of the front fuel tank 31 is located lower than the upper end of the engine 8, for example, the cylinder head cover. The front central position 93 is located lower than the headlamp 41. From the perspective of the vehicle center of gravity, a lower front central position 93 is preferable, but if the front central position 93 is too low, the front tank cover 27 is more likely to come into contact with the road surface when leaning. Therefore, the following positional relationship may be realized. That is, the front central position 93 is located higher than the axle of the front wheels 3. The front central position 93 is located higher than the step 15 and the foot pedal 16. The front central position 93 is located lower than the rear central position 94. However, the front central position 93 and the rear central position 94 may be at the same height.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 2 , in this embodiment, the outer surface of the front tank cover 27 in the vehicle width direction corresponds to the outermost portion of the saddle-riding type vehicle 1 in the vehicle width direction. The front axis 91 is located outward of the steering handlebars 13 when the vehicle is in neutral, which is the straight-ahead driving state. The front axis 91 is located outward of the steps 15 in the vehicle width direction. The front axis 91 is located outward of the rear axis 92 in the vehicle width direction. The front axis 91 is located outward of the front frame 21 in the vehicle width direction. The front tank cover 27 is positioned in a range where the front wheel 3 does not come into contact with the front tank cover 27 even when the steering handlebars 13 are turned to the limit. Specifically, the inner surface of the front fuel tank 31 in the vehicle width direction is located outward in the vehicle width direction from the front wheel 3 when steering. The outer surface of the front fuel tank 31 in the vehicle width direction is located outward of the seat 14, the steps 15, and the foot pedals 16 in the vehicle width direction.

[0048] The height and widthwise positions of the front fuel tank 31 are preferably determined taking into consideration that the front tank cover 27 is less likely to come into contact with the road surface when leaning. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 3, in the saddle-type vehicle 1 of this embodiment, when the lean angle relative to a horizontal road surface is gradually increased, the step 15 comes into contact with the road surface first. In other words, even when the step 15 is in contact with the road surface, the front tank cover 27 does not come into contact with the road surface.

[0049] Geometrically speaking, when viewed from the front of the saddle-ride type vehicle 1, if a common tangent is drawn between the outer peripheral surface of the front wheel 3 or rear wheel 4 and the step 15, the front tank cover 27 is located closer to the center of the vehicle than the common tangent. Note that when actually leaning, the steering handle 13 and the front wheel 3 may be oriented in accordance with the steering angle, and the road surface may be inclined relative to the horizontal, so the method using this common tangent is not a strict determination method, but in most cases it can determine whether or not the step 15 will come into contact with the road surface before the front tank cover 27.

[0050] From another perspective, when the saddle-riding type vehicle 1 is leaned at a 45-degree angle, the front tank cover 27 does not come into contact with the road surface. By satisfying this condition, the front tank cover 27 is less likely to come into contact with the road surface when leaning. Note that the characteristics of the front tank cover 27 regarding contact with the road surface when leaning also apply to the rear tank cover 28.

[0051] 1 , the rear center position 94 is located rearward of the rear end of the seat 14 or the center of the seat 14 in the fore-and-aft direction. The rear center position 94 is located rearward of the axle of the rear wheel 4. The rear center position 94 is located rearward of the engine 8. The rear center position 94 is located rearward of the step 15 and the foot pedal 16. In this embodiment, the front end of the rear fuel tank 32 is located rearward of the step 15 and the foot pedal 16.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 1, the rear center position 94 is slightly higher than the front center position 93 .

[0053] As shown in FIG. 2, the front axis 91 is located outboard of the rear axis 92 in the vehicle width direction. In other words, the distance between the left and right front axis 91 is wider than the distance between the left and right rear axis 92. The rear axis 92 overlaps in the vehicle width direction with the steering handle 13 when in neutral. The rear axis 92 overlaps in the vehicle width direction with the step 15. The rear axis 92 is located outboard of the front frame 21 in the vehicle width direction.

[0054] Furthermore, the front axis 91 and the rear axis 92 in this embodiment are parallel to the front-to-rear direction. Alternatively, the front axis 91 and the rear axis 92 may be inclined with respect to the front-to-rear direction. For example, the front axis 91 may be inclined so that it approaches the bottom as it approaches the front. This makes it easier to ensure a sufficient distance between the rider's legs and the front fuel tank 31 in the up-down direction. Alternatively, the front axis 91 and the rear axis 92 may be parallel to the vehicle width direction or height direction. Furthermore, the front axis 91 and the rear axis 92 may have different orientations.

[0055] The saddle-riding vehicle 1 may be equipped with three or more front fuel tanks 31. In this case, at least one front fuel tank 31 may be located in the center in the vehicle width direction. Alternatively, multiple front fuel tanks 31 may be located on the left side of the center in the vehicle width direction, and multiple front fuel tanks 31 may be located on the right side of the center in the vehicle width direction. The multiple front fuel tanks 31 on the left or right side may be arranged side by side in the front-to-rear direction, the vehicle width direction, or the up-and-down direction, for example. Furthermore, the saddle-riding vehicle 1 may be equipped with one rear fuel tank 32. In this case, the rear fuel tank 32 may be located in the center in the vehicle width direction. Alternatively, the saddle-riding vehicle 1 may be equipped with three or more rear fuel tanks 32.

[0056] Next, tank-related parts will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0057] As shown in Fig. 4, a main valve 51 is attached to each of the left and right front fuel tanks 31 and each of the left and right rear fuel tanks 32. The main valve 51 is a component that connects the inside of the tank with the fuel pipe, and can switch between a state that allows fuel to pass through and a state that prevents fuel from passing through. The main valve 51 may be attached to the front or rear of the fuel tank.

[0058] A supply pipe 52 is connected to each of the four main valves 51. The supply pipes 52 may be rigid metal pipes or flexible hoses. The four supply pipes 52 are connected to a pressure reducing valve 53. In this embodiment, the supply pipes 52 of the left and right front fuel tanks 31 are connected to each other, and then the connected supply pipes 52 extend rearward. Furthermore, the supply pipes 52 of the left and right rear fuel tanks 32 are connected to each other, and then connected to the pressure reducing valve 53. At least a portion of the junction of the supply pipes 52 or the junction of the supply pipes 52 is disposed in the space between the left and right front fuel tanks 31 or the space between the left and right rear fuel tanks 32. This allows the supply pipes 52 to be shortened and the space between the left and right fuel tanks to be effectively utilized. Note that the junction position and whether or not the junction is present are merely examples and may differ from this embodiment.

[0059] The pressure reducing valve 53 is a valve that reduces the pressure of the fuel. The pressure reducing valve 53 is located at a central position in the vehicle width direction of the saddle riding type vehicle 1. The pressure reducing valve 53 is also located between a front central position 93 and a rear central position 94 in the front-rear direction. This allows the supply pipe 52 to be short. The fuel reduced in pressure by the pressure reducing valve 53 is supplied to the engine 8. Note that a sensor that measures the pressure in the supply pipe 52, a regulator that adjusts the pressure, and a relief valve that releases the fuel to the outside in the event of an abnormality may also be arranged upstream or downstream of the pressure reducing valve 53. Note that when a vaporizable liquid fuel such as liquid hydrogen is used as the fuel, for example, a carburetor, a pressure booster, a gas tank, a pressure regulating valve, etc. may be arranged instead of the pressure reducing valve.

[0060] A supply pipe 58 is connected to each of the four main valves 51. The supply pipes 58 may be rigid metal pipes or flexible hoses. The four supply pipes 58 are connected to a supply port 59. In this embodiment, the supply pipes 58 of the left and right front fuel tanks 31 are connected to each other, and then the connected supply pipes 58 extend rearward. Furthermore, the supply pipes 58 of the left and right rear fuel tanks 32 are connected to each other, and then connected to the supply port 59. Note that the merging position and whether or not there is a merging are merely examples and may differ from this embodiment.

[0061] The filler port 59 is a portion to which a fuel filler nozzle is connected when refueling. When the fuel filler nozzle is connected to the filler port 59, high-pressure fuel is refueled from a fuel source via the fuel filler nozzle. The fuel refueled from the fuel filler nozzle is stored in the front fuel tank 31 and the rear fuel tank 32 via the filler port 59 and the main valve 51. In other words, in this embodiment, refueling for all fuel tanks is concentrated in one location. The filler pipes 58 for all fuel tanks are connected, and fuel is refueled preferentially to the fuel tank with lower pressure. However, the saddle-type vehicle 1 may be configured to include two or more filler ports 59. Furthermore, although the front fuel tank 31 and the rear fuel tank 32 in this embodiment are refueling type, they may instead be replaceable type in which the fuel tanks themselves are replaced.

[0062] The fuel refill port 59 is located at the rear of the saddle riding type vehicle 1, more specifically, behind the rear center position 94. The fuel refill port 59 is oriented so that the fuel refill nozzle is inserted from the rear toward the front. This allows the driver to stand behind the saddle riding type vehicle 1 and insert the fuel refill nozzle toward the front, making refueling easy. Furthermore, the fuel refill port 59 is located at the center in the vehicle width direction of the saddle riding type vehicle 1. Therefore, the fuel refill port 59 can be positioned so as not to interfere with the rear tank cover 28. Note that the position and orientation of the fuel refill port 59 are merely examples and can be changed.

[0063] In the example shown in Fig. 4, one main valve 51 is provided for one fuel tank. Alternatively, as shown in Fig. 5, one main valve 51 may be provided for multiple fuel tanks. In Fig. 5, one main valve 51 is provided for each of the left and right front fuel tanks 31 and each of the left and right rear fuel tanks 32, i.e., for four fuel tanks. Specifically, a fuel pipe 55 is connected to each of the front fuel tanks 31 and the rear fuel tanks 32, and the four fuel pipes 55 are connected to the main valve 51.

[0064] The fuel pipes 55 may be connected to the main valve 51 after joining, or the fuel pipes 55 before joining may be connected to the main valve 51 depending on the number of ports that can be connected to the main valve 51. By sharing the main valve 51 in this way, the number of main valves 51 can be reduced.

[0065] Furthermore, the combination of fuel tanks connected using the fuel pipe 55 can be changed as appropriate. For example, the left and right front fuel tanks 31 may be connected to each other, the left and right rear fuel tanks 32 may be connected to each other, the left front fuel tank 31 may be connected to the left rear fuel tank 32, or the right front fuel tank 31 may be connected to the right rear fuel tank 32.

[0066] Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6. In the following description, the same or similar members as those in the above-described embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings, and the description thereof may be omitted.

[0067] The saddle-riding vehicle 1 of the first embodiment is a two-wheeled vehicle having one front wheel 3 and one rear wheel 4. In contrast, the saddle-riding vehicle 1 of the second embodiment is a three-wheeled vehicle having two front wheels 3 and one rear wheel 4. However, since the seat 14 of the saddle-riding vehicle 1 of the second embodiment is a straddle-type, it falls under the category of a saddle-riding type.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 6 , the front fuel tank 31 in the second embodiment is located behind the front wheels 3 in the front-to-rear direction. In other words, the front fuel tanks 31 are disposed in the spaces behind the left and right front wheels 3, respectively. The height of the front fuel tanks 31 is the same as in the first embodiment, but may be different. When there are two front wheels 3, a pair of left and right front fuel tanks 31 may be disposed between the two front wheels 3 in the vehicle width direction. In this way, the front fuel tank 31 and the rear fuel tank 32 are preferably disposed inward in the vehicle width direction from the outer surfaces of the pair of left and right wheels in the vehicle width direction. As another example, the front fuel tank 31 may be disposed above the pair of left and right front wheels 3.

[0069] When two rear wheels 4 are provided, for example, one or two rear fuel tanks 32 may be disposed between the two rear wheels 4. As another example, the rear fuel tanks 32 may be disposed above a pair of left and right rear wheels 4.

[0070] (Feature 1) The saddle-ride type vehicle 1 of the above embodiment includes a seat 14, a front fuel tank 31, a rear fuel tank 32, and an engine 8. A rider sits astride on the seat 14. The front fuel tank 31 and the rear fuel tank 32 store fuel at a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure. The engine 8 generates driving force using the fuel stored in the front fuel tank 31 and the rear fuel tank 32. At least two front fuel tanks 31 are arranged on either side of the center in the vehicle width direction. The front-to-rear center of the front fuel tank 31 is located forward of the front-to-rear center of the seat 14. The front-to-rear center of the rear fuel tank 32 is located rearward of the front-to-rear center of the seat 14.

[0071] Since the fuel tanks are arranged at the front and rear, and at least two front fuel tanks 31 are arranged, the total tank capacity is large. As a result, a long cruising range can be achieved. In addition, the center of gravity of the vehicle can be moved closer to the center of the vehicle in the longitudinal and lateral directions.

[0072] (Feature 2) In the saddle-ride type vehicle 1 of the above embodiment, at least two rear fuel tanks 32 are arranged on the left and right sides of the center in the vehicle width direction.

[0073] The total tank capacity is likely to become even larger, and the center of gravity of the vehicle in the longitudinal direction is likely to become even closer to the center of the vehicle.

[0074] (Feature 3) In the saddle-ride type vehicle 1 of the above embodiment, the vertical center of the front fuel tank 31 is located below the seating surface of the seat 14. In a side view, the front fuel tank 31 overlaps with the front wheel 3.

[0075] Compared to a configuration in which the front fuel tank 31 is disposed above the front wheels 3 or above the seating surface, this configuration lowers the center of gravity of the vehicle and improves running stability.

[0076] (Feature 4) The saddle riding type vehicle 1 of the above embodiment is provided with a fuel supply port 59 for supplying fuel. The fuel supply port 59 is connected to the front fuel tank 31 and the rear fuel tank 32 via a fuel supply pipe 58.

[0077] By supplying fuel to one fuel supply port 59, fuel can be supplied to both the front and rear fuel tanks.

[0078] (Feature 5) The saddle-ride type vehicle 1 of the above embodiment is provided with a pressure reducing valve 53 that reduces the pressure of fuel that is higher than atmospheric pressure. The single pressure reducing valve 53 reduces the pressure of fuel supplied from the left and right front fuel tanks 31 and fuel supplied from the rear fuel tank 32.

[0079] The fuel system can be realized with fewer pressure reducing valves 53 than the number of fuel tanks.

[0080] (Feature 6) In the saddle-type vehicle 1 of the above embodiment, at least two of the left and right front fuel tanks 31 and rear fuel tanks 32 are connected so that fuel can move, and a main valve 51 for supplying fuel to the engine 8 is shared.

[0081] The fuel system can be realized with fewer main valves 51 than the number of fuel tanks.

[0082] (Feature 7) The saddle-type vehicle 1 of the above embodiment is provided with a step 15 on which a rider rests their feet while straddling the seat 14. The front fuel tank 31 and the front tank cover 27 are positioned so that, when leaning on a flat road surface, the front fuel tank 31 or the front tank cover 27 covering it will not come into contact with the road surface even if the step 15 is in contact with the road surface.

[0083] When leaning, the front fuel tank or its cover does not come into contact with the road surface, preventing damage to them.

[0084] (Feature 8) The saddle-riding vehicle 1 of the above embodiment is provided with left and right front tank covers 27. The left front tank cover 27 covers the left front fuel tank 31. The right front tank cover 27 covers the right front fuel tank 31. Lighting devices are disposed on the left front tank cover 27 and the right front tank cover 27, respectively.

[0085] The lighting devices can be arranged by taking advantage of the positional characteristics of the left and right front tank covers 27, which extend relatively outward in the vehicle width direction.

[0086] (Feature 9) The saddle-ride type vehicle 1 of the above embodiment is a motorcycle equipped with a single front wheel 3 and a single rear wheel 4. At least two rear fuel tanks 32 are arranged on the left and right sides of the center in the vehicle width direction. The distance between the left and right front fuel tanks 31 in the vehicle width direction (e.g., the distance between the front axis lines 91) is wider than the distance between the left and right rear fuel tanks 32 in the vehicle width direction (e.g., the distance between the rear axis lines 92).

[0087] The front wheels 3, which are steered wheels, are arranged in the area where the front fuel tanks 31 are arranged or in the vicinity thereof. Therefore, by widening the space between the front fuel tanks 31 in the vehicle width direction, a layout can be realized that appropriately prevents interference with the steered wheels.

[0088] (Feature 10) In the saddle-ride type vehicle 1 of the above embodiment, at least two front wheels 3 are arranged side by side on the left and right. The left and right front fuel tanks 31 are located behind the front wheels 3 in the fore-and-aft direction or between the two front wheels 3 in the vehicle width direction.

[0089] In a saddle-type vehicle 1 with two front wheels, two front fuel tanks 31 can be disposed at appropriate positions.

[0090] The above-described features 1 to 10 can be combined as follows to realize the straddle-type vehicle 1. The same applies to the method or program. [Configuration 1] Saddle-type vehicle 1 having feature 1. [Configuration 2] In addition to configuration 1, the saddle-type vehicle 1 further has feature 2. [Configuration 3] In addition to configuration 1 or 2, the saddle-type vehicle 1 further has feature 3. [Configuration 4] A saddle-type vehicle 1 having any one of configurations 1 to 3, and further having feature 4. [Configuration 5] A saddle-type vehicle 1 having any one of configurations 1 to 4, and further having feature 5. [Configuration 6] A saddle-type vehicle 1 having any one of configurations 1 to 5, and further having feature 6. [Configuration 7] A saddle-type vehicle 1 having any one of configurations 1 to 6, and further having feature 7. [Configuration 8] A saddle-type vehicle 1 having any one of configurations 1 to 7, and further having feature 8. [Configuration 9] A saddle-type vehicle 1 having any one of configurations 1 to 8, and further having feature 9. [Configuration 10] A saddle-type vehicle 1 having any one of configurations 1 to 8, and further having feature 10. In addition, the "front-rear center of the fuel tank" in Features 1 to 10 can be replaced with the "center of gravity of the fuel tank."

[0091] The preferred embodiment of the present application has been described above, but the above configuration can be modified, for example, as follows. Each modification may be made alone, or multiple modifications may be made in any combination.

[0092] The saddle-type vehicle 1 of the first embodiment is provided with a step 15 on which the driver places his / her feet, but a floor on which the driver places his / her feet may be provided instead of the step 15. The floor may be located between the steering handlebars 13 and the seat 14 in the front-rear direction. The floor may also be located in a range including the center of the saddle-type vehicle 1 in the vehicle width direction.

[0093] Although the saddle-type vehicle 1 of the first embodiment is a one-seater, the present application can also be applied to a two-seater vehicle. The passenger seat is disposed, for example, behind the driver's seat 14.

[0094] In the saddle-type vehicle 1 of the first embodiment, a lamp or a reflector is provided on the front tank cover 27, but instead, a lamp or a reflector may be provided at a position other than the front tank cover 27. Also, a mirror stay that supports a rearview mirror may be provided on the front tank cover 27. Also, a bracket that supports an on-vehicle component may be provided on the front tank cover 27.

[0095] In the saddle-riding type vehicle 1 of the first embodiment, the front tank frame 22 is connected to the front frame 21, but it may be detachable. In this case, it is possible to switch between attaching and detaching the front fuel tank 31. This makes it possible to attach the front fuel tank 31 only when traveling long distances, for example. Alternatively, a saddle-riding type vehicle 1 equipped with the front fuel tank 31 and a saddle-riding type vehicle 1 not equipped with the front fuel tank 31 can be manufactured as separate models. In this embodiment, the cowl 26 and the front tank cover 27 are separate bodies, so it is easy to share parts such as the cowl 26 between the two models.

[0096] The saddle-type vehicle 1 of the first embodiment is provided with the foot pedal 16, but the foot pedal 16 may be omitted. In this case, an operating tool that is operated by hand may be further provided. [Explanation of symbols]

[0097] 1. Saddle-type vehicle 3 Front wheels 4 rear wheels 8 Engine (drive system) 27 Front tank cover 28 Rear tank cover 31 Front fuel tank 32 Rear fuel tank

Claims

1. A seat on which the driver sits astride; a front fuel tank and a rear fuel tank in which fuel is stored under a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure; a drive unit that generates a driving force using fuel stored in the front fuel tank and the rear fuel tank; Equipped with At least two of the front fuel tanks are arranged on the left and right sides of the center in the vehicle width direction, a center of the front fuel tank in the front-rear direction is located forward of a center of the seat in the front-rear direction, A saddle-type vehicle, wherein a center of the rear fuel tank in the front-rear direction is located rearward of a center of the seat in the front-rear direction.

2. 2. The saddle-type vehicle according to claim 1, In a saddle-type vehicle, at least two rear fuel tanks are arranged on the left and right sides of the center in the vehicle width direction.

3. 2. The saddle-type vehicle according to claim 1, The vertical center of the front fuel tank is located below the seating surface of the seat, A saddle-type vehicle in which the front fuel tank overlaps with the front wheel in a side view.

4. 2. The saddle-type vehicle according to claim 1, There is a fuel port for refueling, The fuel supply port is connected to the front fuel tank and the rear fuel tank via a fuel supply pipe.

5. 2. The saddle-type vehicle according to claim 1, A pressure reducing valve is provided to reduce the pressure of fuel that is higher than atmospheric pressure. A straddle-type vehicle, wherein the single pressure reducing valve reduces the pressure of fuel supplied from the left and right front fuel tanks and fuel supplied from the rear fuel tank.

6. 2. The saddle-type vehicle according to claim 1, At least two of the left and right front fuel tanks and the rear fuel tanks are connected to each other so that fuel can move, and a main valve for supplying fuel to the drive unit is shared.

7. 2. The saddle-type vehicle according to claim 1, A step for a driver straddling the seat to place his / her feet is provided, A saddle-type vehicle in which the front fuel tank and the front tank cover are arranged in a position where the front fuel tank or the front tank cover covering the front fuel tank do not come into contact with the road surface even when the step is in contact with the road surface when the vehicle body leans on a flat road surface.

8. 2. The saddle-type vehicle according to claim 1, a left front tank cover covering the left front fuel tank; a right front tank cover covering the right front fuel tank; Equipped with A saddle-type vehicle, wherein lighting devices are disposed on the left front tank cover and the right front tank cover, respectively.

9. 2. The saddle-type vehicle according to claim 1, A motorcycle having a single front wheel and a single rear wheel, At least two rear fuel tanks are arranged on the left and right sides of the center in the vehicle width direction, A saddle-type vehicle, wherein the distance between the left and right front fuel tanks in the vehicle width direction is wider than the distance between the left and right rear fuel tanks in the vehicle width direction.

10. 2. The saddle-type vehicle according to claim 1, At least two front wheels are arranged side by side, A saddle-type vehicle, wherein the left and right front fuel tanks are positioned behind the front wheels in the front-rear direction or between the two front wheels in the vehicle width direction.

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