Front structure of a saddle-type vehicle

Abstract

This invention provides a front structure for a saddle-type vehicle that allows for the efficient arrangement of front body components. [Solution] The vehicle body frame includes a top bridge 11 and a bottom bridge 12 that are steerably supported on the head pipe, a headlight 30 whose lower part is supported on the bottom bridge 12 and whose upper part is supported on the top bridge 11 via a meter stay 45, and a meter unit 40 supported on the meter stay 45. The top bridge 11 and the meter stay 45 are fastened together by a first fastening part 51, the meter stay 45 and the meter unit 40 are fastened together by a second fastening part 52, and the meter stay 45 and the headlight 30 are fastened together by a third fastening part 53. In a side view of the vehicle, the straight lines T1, T2, and T3 connecting the first fastening part 51, the second fastening part 52, and the third fastening part 53 form a triangular shape.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a front structure of a straddle-type vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] [[ID=1十一]] Conventionally, in the front structure of a straddle-type vehicle, it is well-known to arrange vehicle front parts such as a headlight and a meter unit in front of a head pipe, and support these vehicle front parts on a steering stem so as to be rotatable together with a steering handle (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, when the vehicle front parts are supported on the steering stem as described above, the weight of the parts may affect the steering handle operation feeling, and thus an efficient component arrangement is desired.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention provides a front structure of a straddle-type vehicle capable of efficiently arranging vehicle front parts.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] As a means of solving the above problems, a first aspect of the present invention comprises a top bridge (11) and a bottom bridge (12) that are steerably supported on the head pipe (16) of the vehicle frame (5), a headlight (30) whose lower part is supported on the bottom bridge (12) and whose upper part is supported on the top bridge (11) via a meter stay (45), and a meter unit (40) supported on the meter stay (45), wherein the top bridge (11) and the front The meter stay (45) is fastened at a first fastening part (51), the meter stay (45) and the meter unit (40) are fastened at a second fastening part (52), and the meter stay (45) and the headlight (30) are fastened at a third fastening part (53). In a side view of the vehicle, the straight lines (T1, T2, T3) connecting the first fastening part (51), the second fastening part (52), and the third fastening part (53) form a triangular shape, providing a front structure for a saddle-type vehicle. With this configuration, the upper part of the headlight is supported by the top bridge via a meter stay, and the lower part of the headlight is supported directly by the bottom bridge. Compared to the case where the headlight is supported via a stay spanning between the top bridge and the bottom bridge, the headlight can be supported by the top and bottom bridges with only a compact meter stay, and the front structure can be constructed with a simple configuration. Furthermore, the optimal and compact placement of the top bridge, meter unit, and headlights allows the front components of the vehicle to be brought closer to the steering axis. This reduces the moment of inertia around the steering axis, resulting in lighter steering. Furthermore, by arranging each fastening point so that it is located at the vertex of a triangular shape in a side view, the thickness of the meter stay in a side view can be ensured compared to when they are arranged in a straight line, and the rigidity between the fastening points can be improved.

[0007] A second aspect of the present invention is that, in the first aspect described above, the first fastening portion (51), the second fastening portion (52), and the third fastening portion (53) are arranged in the order of the second fastening portion (52), the first fastening portion (51), and the third fastening portion (53) from top to bottom in the vertical direction when viewed from the side of the vehicle, and in the order of the second fastening portion (52), the third fastening portion (53), and the first fastening portion (51) from front to back in the front direction when viewed from the side of the vehicle. With this configuration, by arranging the second fastening part for fastening the meter unit to the meter stay, the first fastening part for fastening the meter stay to the top bridge, and the third fastening part for fastening the headlight to the meter stay, in order from the top of the vehicle, each fastening part is positioned according to the arrangement of the meter unit, top bridge, and headlight, which are lined up from top to bottom, the front parts of the vehicle can be assembled with a simple configuration.

[0008] A third aspect of the present invention is that, in the first or second aspect described above, the headlight (30) and the bottom bridge (12) are fastened together by a fourth fastening portion (54), the fourth fastening portion (54) fastens the headlight (30) and the bottom bridge (12) with a fourth fastening bolt (B4) that is aligned with the left-right direction in the axial direction, and the third fastening portion (53) fastens the meter stay (45) and the headlight (30) with a third fastening bolt (B3), and the bolt insertion hole (53h) through which the third fastening bolt (B3) is inserted is an elongated hole shape that is elongated in the circumferential direction centered on the fourth fastening bolt (B4). With this configuration, a fastening bolt oriented in the left-right direction is used for the fourth fastening section that connects the headlight to the bottom bridge, and the bolt insertion hole for the third fastening section that connects the headlight to the meter stay is made into an elongated hole shape that is circumferentially long around the fastening bolt of the fourth fastening section. By loosening the fastenings of the third and fourth fastening sections, the headlight can be tilted around the fastening bolt of the fourth fastening section, allowing for easy adjustment of the optical axis.

[0009] A fourth aspect of the present invention is, in the third aspect described above, the first fastening portion (51), the second fastening portion (52), and the third fastening portion (53) are fastened to the target component with fastening bolts (B1, B2, B3) whose axial directions are perpendicular to the left-right direction. With this configuration, by using fastening bolts with their axial directions perpendicular to the left-right direction in each of the first, second, and third fastening sections, the fastening bolts of the fourth fastening section, which serves as the axis during optical axis adjustment, can be clearly distinguished from the fastening bolts of the fourth fastening section, thereby improving work efficiency.

[0010] A fifth aspect of the present invention is that, in the first or second aspect described above, the headlight (30) and the bottom bridge (12) are fastened together by a fourth fastening portion (54), the third fastening portion (53) fastens the meter stay (45) and the headlight (30) with a third fastening bolt (B3') aligned with the left-right direction in the axial direction, the fourth fastening portion (54) fastens the headlight (30) and the bottom bridge (12) with a fourth fastening bolt (B4'), and the bolt insertion hole (54h') through which the fourth fastening bolt (B4') is inserted is an elongated hole shape that is elongated in the circumferential direction centered on the fastening bolt (B3') of the third fastening portion (53). With this configuration, a fastening bolt aligned in the left-right direction is used for the third fastening part that connects the headlight and the meter stay, and the bolt insertion hole for the fourth fastening part that connects the headlight and the bottom bridge is made into an elongated hole shape that is circumferentially long around the fastening bolt of the third fastening part. By loosening the fastenings of the third and fourth fastening parts, the headlight can be tilted around the fastening bolt of the third fastening part, allowing for adjustment of the optical axis with a simple configuration.

[0011] A sixth aspect of the present invention is, in the fifth aspect described above, the first fastening portion (51), the second fastening portion (52), and the fourth fastening portion (54) each fasten the target component with fastening bolts (B1, B2, B4') whose axial direction is perpendicular to the left-right direction. With this configuration, by using fastening bolts with their axial directions perpendicular to the left-right direction in each of the first, second, and fourth fastening sections, the fastening bolts of the third fastening section, which serves as the axis during optical axis adjustment, can be clearly distinguished from the fastening bolts of the third fastening section, thereby improving work efficiency.

[0012] A seventh aspect of the present invention is that, in any one of the first to third and fifth aspects described above, the second fastening portion (52) that fastens the meter stay (45) and the meter unit (40) fastens the meter stay (45) and the meter unit (40) with a second fastening bolt (B2') whose axial direction is aligned with the left-right direction. With this configuration, by using fastening bolts aligned in the left-right direction at the second fastening section that secures the meter unit to the meter stay, loosening the fastening bolts at the second fastening section allows the meter unit to tilt around the fastening bolts at the second fastening section, enabling adjustment of the meter unit's angle to a more easily viewable position. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a front structure for a saddle-type vehicle that allows for the efficient arrangement of front body components. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0014] [Figure 1] This is a left side view of a motorcycle according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a front view of the motorcycle shown above. [Figure 3] This is a left side view of the front body component of the above-mentioned motorcycle. [Figure 4] This is a cross-sectional view of the front part of the vehicle body shown above, in the width direction. [Figure 5] This is a front view of the front part of the vehicle body shown above. [Figure 6] This is a top view of the front part of the vehicle body shown above. [Figure 7] This is a perspective view of the front part of the vehicle body shown above. [Figure 8] This is a perspective view of the area around the meter bracket on the front part of the vehicle body shown above. [Figure 9] It is a perspective view of the fastening portion between the headlight and the bottom bridge of the above-described front body part. [Figure 10] It is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 4 showing the first application example of the above-described front body part. [Figure 11] It is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 4 showing the second application example of the above-described front body part. [Figure 12] It is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 4 showing the third application example of the above-described front body part.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, directions such as front, rear, left, and right are the same as those in the vehicle described below unless otherwise specified. In the figures used in the following description, arrows FR indicating the front of the vehicle, arrows LH indicating the left side of the vehicle, arrows UP indicating the upper side of the vehicle, and a line CL indicating the center of the vehicle body left and right are shown at appropriate positions. In the following description, it is assumed that the body of the saddle-riding type vehicle is in a parked state where it does not lean left and right and has a steering angle of 0 degrees, and further in an empty vehicle 1G state on a horizontal plane. The term "intermediate" used in this embodiment means not only the center between both ends of the object but also the range inside between both ends of the object.

[0016] FIG. 1 is a left side view of a motorcycle (saddle-riding type vehicle) 1 according to an embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a front view of the motorcycle 1. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the motorcycle 1 includes a front wheel 2, a rear wheel 3, a front wheel suspension system 4, a vehicle body frame 5, a vehicle body cover 6, a rear wheel suspension system 7, a power unit 8, and a battery unit 28. The motorcycle 1 according to the embodiment is an electric vehicle that travels using an electric motor as a drive source.

[0017] The front suspension system 4 comprises a pair of left and right front forks 10 that pivotally support the front wheel 2 at their lower ends, a top bridge 11 and a bottom bridge 12 provided between the upper parts of the pair of front forks 10, and a stem pipe (not shown) provided between the top bridge 11 and the bottom bridge 12 and inserted into the head pipe 16. The assembly including the top bridge 11, the bottom bridge 12 and the stem pipe is called the steering stem 13.

[0018] The front wheel 2 is steerably supported to the head pipe 16 of the vehicle frame 5 via the front suspension system 4. The steering handle 14 is supported on the top bridge 11 via risers 14a. In this embodiment, a telescopic front fork 10 is exemplified as the front suspension of the motorcycle 1, but the configuration is not limited to this. For example, the front suspension may be of other types, such as a link type using a swing arm.

[0019] The vehicle frame 5 comprises a front frame section 16A including a head pipe 16, a center frame section 18A including a pivot frame 18, and a rear frame section 19A including a seat frame 19. Each frame section 16A, 18A, and 19A is constructed separately from each other and is fastened to the housing of the battery unit 28 to form an integrated structure. In other words, the body frame of the motorcycle 1 includes, in addition to frame-specific components, at least some of other components such as the housing (battery case) of the battery unit 28. The housing (battery case) of the battery unit 28 plays the role of a part of the vehicle frame 5 (the main frame connecting the head pipe 16, pivot frame 18, and seat frame 19). The vehicle frame 5 may, for example, be configured as a frame body integrated by welding or the like from the front wheel suspension section (head pipe 16) to the rear wheel suspension section (pivot frame 18) and the seat frame 19.

[0020] Referring to Figures 3 and 5, the head pipe 16 is provided as a single unit at the front end of the vehicle frame 5, with its central axis (steering axis) C1 positioned at the center CL of the vehicle. The head pipe 16 is inclined such that the steering axis C1 is positioned further rearward as it rises in the vertical direction. The head pipe 16 coaxially inserts the stem pipe and supports the stem pipe, and consequently the steering stem 13, and consequently the front wheel suspension system 4 so that it can rotate around axis C1. The left and right front forks 10 have their respective central axes C2 positioned parallel to, for example, the steering axis C1.

[0021] For example, the pivot frames 18 are provided in pairs, one on the left and one on the right. The pair of left and right pivot frames 18 extend vertically in the middle section between the front and rear of the vehicle body. A pivot shaft 18a extending in the width direction of the vehicle is supported in the middle section between the left and right pivot frames 18. The front end of the swing arm 22 of the rear wheel suspension system 7 is supported by the left and right pivot frames 18 via the pivot shaft 18a. A battery unit 28 for vehicle operation is mounted behind the head pipe 16 and in front of the left and right pivot frames 18.

[0022] The vehicle frame 5 has a power unit 8 for vehicle propulsion mounted behind the battery unit 28. The power unit 8 is, for example, a unit that integrates an electric motor and a reduction gear. The electric motor is positioned with its rotation axis aligned with the vehicle width direction, and has an output shaft protruding from the left side. The output shaft and the rear wheel 3 are connected via a chain-type transmission mechanism 23.

[0023] The battery unit 28 generates a predetermined high voltage (48-72V) by appropriately connecting multiple battery cells. The battery cells are composed of rechargeable and dischargeable energy storage, such as lithium-ion batteries. The battery unit 28 is equipped with a Battery Managing Unit (BMU) (not shown) that monitors the charging and discharging status, temperature, etc. The battery unit 28 can be charged by an external power source either while mounted on the vehicle or removed from the vehicle.

[0024] Motorcycle 1 is equipped with a Power Control Unit (PCU) (not shown). The PCU is a control device that includes a Power Drive Unit (PDU), which is a motor driver, and an Electric Control Unit (ECU) that controls the PDU. The PDU includes an inverter and converts the current supplied from the battery unit 28 from DC to AC and supplies power to the electric motor. The ECU controls the operation of the PDU.

[0025] The battery unit 28 is connected to the PCU via positive and negative terminal cables, etc. Power from the battery unit 28 is converted from DC to three-phase AC by the PCU and then supplied to the electric motor (three-phase AC motor) in the power unit 8. The electric motor operates in accordance with the control of the PCU, driving the motorcycle 1.

[0026] The vehicle body cover 6 covers the area from around the head pipe 16 of the vehicle body frame 5 to the underside of the vehicle body. The vehicle body cover 6 includes a front seat cover 25 positioned in front of the seat 21 and having an outer shape resembling a fuel tank, a middle cover 26 positioned below the front seat cover 25 and covering the left and right sides of the battery unit 28 and power unit 8 mounted on the vehicle body, and an under cover 27 positioned below the middle cover 26 and covering the underside of the battery unit 28 and power unit 8. The front of the middle cover 26 is cut out to expose the battery unit 28, allowing airflow to easily reach the battery unit 28. The upper surface of the front seat cover 25 is provided with a lid 25a that opens and closes, for example, the location of the charging inlet.

[0027] <Headlight 30> Figures 3 to 9 show the steering stem 13, headlight 30, meter unit 40, and meter stay 45 as front body components of the embodiment. The steering stem 13 supports the headlight 30 and the meter unit 40. The headlight 30 is a two-lamp type, with concave lens surfaces 32a and 32b on the upper and lower front sides of the vertically elongated lamp body 31. The lamp body 31 comprises a housing 33 that opens toward the front of the vehicle and a lens cover 32 that opens toward the rear of the vehicle. The lamp body 31 forms a substantially sealed lamp chamber 31a. Inside the lamp chamber 31a are housed a first light-emitting unit 37a and a second light-emitting unit 37b, which constitute the high-beam light and the low-beam light, respectively. The first light-emitting unit 37a is located below the second light-emitting unit 37b and comprises a first light source 36a and a first reflector 35a corresponding to the high-beam light. The second light-emitting unit 37b comprises a second light source 36b and a second reflector 35b corresponding to the low-beam light.

[0028] A transverse section 32c is provided in the upper and lower middle part of the lens cover 32, traversing between the upper and lower lens surfaces 32a and 32b. The transverse section 32c protrudes forward and to the left and right outward from the upper and lower lens surfaces 32a and 32b. A light guide member 32d is arranged within the transverse section 32c and can emit light from a third light source (not shown) that is independent of the first and second light sources 36a and 36b. The light guide member 32d and the third light source constitute a third light-emitting section separate from the high-beam and low-beam lights. The third light-emitting section is used as a continuously lit daytime running light.

[0029] <Meter Unit 40> The meter unit 40 has a circular display screen 41. The meter unit 40 is positioned so that one side of the planar display screen 41, in the direction normal to the screen, faces the driver's head position (design position) (i.e., diagonally upward and backward). The meter unit 40 is positioned where the driver looks down in front of them when seated in the seat 21 facing forward.

[0030] The display screen 41 is composed of a display (liquid crystal module), such as a TFT (Thin Film Transistor) liquid crystal or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display. The display screen 41 can display, for example, a speedometer, battery level indicator, odometer / trip meter (mileage meter, mileage display unit), and clock, and can also display various indicators. The meter unit 40 is a display unit that integrates a display (liquid crystal module) and a display device (control circuit).

[0031] <Meter stay 45> The meter unit 40 is supported by the meter stay 45 via the top bridge 11. The headlight 30 is supported at the top of the lamp body 31 by the meter stay 45, and at the bottom of the lamp body 31 by the bottom bridge 12. The meter stay 45 has a roughly triangular shape when viewed from the side. The meter stay 45 comprises a first top (rear upper part 46) fixed to the lower surface of the top bridge 11 above the rear of the headlight body 31, a second top (front upper part 47) supporting the lower surface of the meter unit 40 above the upper part of the lens cover 32 of the headlight body 31, and a third top (lower part 48) fixed to the upper part of the lens cover 32 of the headlight body 31.

[0032] The rear upper part 46 of the meter stay 45 is fixed to the lower surface of the top bridge 11 via a first fastening part 51. The lower surface of the meter unit 40 is supported by the front upper part 47 of the meter stay 45 via a second fastening part 52. The upper part of the lens cover 32 of the lamp body 31 is supported by the lower part 48 of the meter stay 45 via a third fastening part 53. The lower part of the vertically elongated lamp body 31 is supported by the front of the bottom bridge 12 via a fourth fastening part 54.

[0033] The first fastening portion 51 fastens the rear upper part 46 of the meter stay 45 and the lower part of the top bridge 11 with a first fastening bolt B1 that is oriented vertically in the axial direction (more specifically, inclined such that the upper axial side is located towards the rear with respect to the vertical direction (and further inclined parallel to the front fork 10)). In the first fastening portion 51, for example, the lower part of the top bridge 11 is provided with a stem upper fastening portion 55 including a nut 51n to which the first fastening bolt B1 is screwed.

[0034] For example, a bolt insertion hole 51h is formed in the rear upper part 46 of the meter stay 45. By inserting the first fastening bolt B1 from below into this bolt insertion hole 51h and screwing this first fastening bolt B1 onto the nut 51n of the upper stem fastening part 55 and tightening it, the rear upper part 46 of the meter stay 45 and the lower part of the top bridge 11 are fastened together. The line bc1 in the figure indicates the central axis of the first fastening bolt B1. The center sc1 of the seating surface of the first fastening bolt B1 is located on the central axis bc1.

[0035] The second fastening portion 52 fastens the front upper part 47 of the meter stay 45 and the lower part of the meter unit 40 with a plurality of second fastening bolts B2 that are oriented vertically in the axial direction (specifically, inclined so that the upper axial side is located towards the rear with respect to the vertical direction (and even more inclined further back than the first fastening bolt B1)). The cross-sectional view in Figure 4 shows the second fastening bolt B2 located at the center CL in the vehicle width direction, but the configuration for the other second fastening bolts B2 is similar.

[0036] In the second fastening portion 52, for example, the lower surface of the meter unit 40 is provided with a meter lower fastening portion 56 including a nut 52n for screwing the second fastening bolt B2. For example, a bolt insertion hole 52h is formed in the front upper part 47 of the meter stay 45. The second fastening bolt B2 is inserted through this bolt insertion hole 52h from below, and this second fastening bolt B2 is screwed onto the nut 52n of the meter lower fastening portion 56 and tightened, thereby fastening the front upper part 47 of the meter stay 45 and the lower surface of the meter unit 40 together. The line bc2 in the figure indicates the central axis of the second fastening bolt B2. The center sc2 of the seating surface of the second fastening bolt B2 is located on the central axis bc2.

[0037] The third fastening portion 53 fastens the lower part 48 of the meter stay 45 to the upper part of the lamp body 31 of the headlight 30 using a third fastening bolt B3 that is oriented vertically in the axial direction (specifically, inclined so that the upper axial side is positioned towards the front with respect to the vertical direction). In the third fastening portion 53, for example, the upper part of the lens cover 32 of the lamp body 31 is provided with a lamp body upper fastening portion 57 including a nut 53n to which the third fastening bolt B3 is screwed.

[0038] For example, a bolt insertion hole 53h is formed in the lower part 48 of the meter stay 45. By inserting a third fastening bolt B3 from above into this bolt insertion hole 53h and screwing this third fastening bolt B3 onto the nut 53n of the upper fastening part 57 of the lamp body and tightening it, the lower part 48 of the meter stay 45 and the upper part of the lamp body 31 of the headlight 30 are fastened together. The line bc3 in the figure indicates the central axis of the third fastening bolt B3. The center sc3 of the seating surface of the third fastening bolt B3 is located on the central axis bc3.

[0039] The fourth fastening portion 54 fastens the lower part of the lamp body 31 of the headlight 30 to the front part of the bottom bridge 12 by a fourth fastening bolt B4 that is aligned with the axial direction from left to right. A lower lamp body fastening portion 58 that protrudes backward is provided on the lower rear side of the lamp body 31. A lower stem fastening portion 59 that protrudes forward is provided on the left and right center of the front part of the bottom bridge 12. The lower lamp body fastening portion 58 and the lower stem fastening portion 59 are fastened in the left-right direction by the fourth fastening bolt B4 and a nut (not shown), thereby fastening the lower part of the headlight 30 and the front part of the bottom bridge 12 together. The line bc4 in the figure indicates the central axis of the fourth fastening bolt B4. The center sc4 of the seating surface of the fourth fastening bolt B4 is located on the central axis bc4.

[0040] Here, as shown in Figure 10, by making the mating surface S1 between the upper fastening portion 57 of the lamp body and the lower part 48 of the meter stay 45 an arc-shaped surface (or a plane along its tangential direction) that follows the circumferential direction centered on the fourth fastening bolt B4 when viewed from the side of the vehicle, the lamp body 31 of the headlight 30 can be rotated vertically around the fourth fastening bolt B4. At this time, the bolt insertion hole 54h of the meter stay 45 is made into an elongated hole shape that is long in the circumferential direction centered on the fourth fastening bolt B4.

[0041] In this configuration, by loosening the fastening of the third fastening bolt B3 and the fourth fastening bolt B4, the lamp body 31 of the headlight 30 can be rotated vertically around the fourth fastening bolt B4, thereby allowing the optical axis of the headlight 30 to be adjusted.

[0042] In this configuration, it is preferable that the first fastening bolt B1 of the first fastening part 51, the second fastening bolt B2 of the second fastening part 52, and the third fastening bolt B3 of the third fastening part 53 are bolts whose axial directions are perpendicular to the left-right direction, thereby fastening the target parts together. This makes it possible to intuitively recognize which bolt to rotate the headlight 30 around, thereby improving work efficiency.

[0043] As shown in Figure 11, in a further modification, the third fastening portion 53 may use a third fastening bolt B3' whose axial direction is aligned with the left-right direction, and this third fastening bolt B3' may be used to fasten the meter stay 45 and the headlight 30, and this third fastening bolt B3' may also be used as the pivot axis of the headlight 30.

[0044] In the configuration shown in Figure 11, further modifications include the use of a fourth fastening bolt B4' whose axial direction is perpendicular to the left-right direction, and the mating surface S2 between the lower fastening portion 58 of the lamp body and the lower fastening portion 59 of the stem being an arc-shaped surface (or a plane along its tangential direction) that follows the circumferential direction centered on the third fastening bolt B3' when viewed from the side of the vehicle. This allows the lamp body 31 of the headlight 30 to rotate vertically around the third fastening bolt B3', enabling adjustment of the optical axis of the headlight 30. At this time, the bolt insertion hole 54h' in one of the lower fastening portion 58 of the lamp body and the lower fastening portion 59 of the stem (for example, the lower fastening portion 59 of the stem) is an elongated hole shape that is circumferentially long around the third fastening bolt B3.

[0045] In this configuration, by loosening the fastenings of the third fastening bolt B3' and the fourth fastening bolt B4', the lamp body 31 of the headlight 30 can be rotated vertically around the third fastening bolt B3', thereby allowing the optical axis of the headlight 30 to be adjusted.

[0046] In this configuration, the first fastening bolt B1, the second fastening bolt B2, and the fourth fastening bolt B4' are each bolts with their axial directions perpendicular to the left-right direction, making it intuitively possible to recognize which bolt the headlight 30 should be rotated around.

[0047] For example, in the configuration shown in Figure 11, the fourth fastening portion 54 may be configured to use a fourth fastening bolt B4 whose axial direction is aligned with the left-right direction, and the bolt insertion hole 54h in either the lower fastening portion 58 of the lamp body or the lower fastening portion 59 of the stem may be an elongated hole shape that is elongated in the circumferential direction centered on the third fastening bolt B3.

[0048] Similarly, with respect to the configuration of Figure 10, the third fastening portion 53 may be configured to use a third fastening bolt B3' whose axial direction is aligned with the left-right direction, and the bolt insertion hole 53h located in either the lower part 48 of the meter stay 45 or the upper part of the headlight 30 may be an elongated hole shape that is circumferentially long around the fourth fastening bolt B4.

[0049] As shown in Figure 12, as a further modification, the second fastening portion 52 may be configured to use a second fastening bolt B2' whose axial direction is aligned with the left-right direction. In this case, by loosening the second fastening bolt B2', the angle of the meter unit 40 can be adjusted using the second fastening bolt B2' as the pivot axis. That is, the display surface of the meter unit 40 can be set to an angle that is easily visible to the rider, improving the marketability of the motorcycle 1.

[0050] The first fastening portion 51, the second fastening portion 52, and the third fastening portion 53 are arranged at the vertices of a triangular shape in a side view. Compared to the case where each fastening portion is arranged in a straight line, this ensures a greater vertical width in the side view of the meter stay 45, thereby increasing the support rigidity of the meter unit 40 by the meter stay 45. The triangular shape of the meter stay 45 in a side view is formed by straight lines T1, T2, T3 (see Figure 3) connecting the centers of the respective seating surfaces sc1, sc2, and sc3. Straight line T1 is the straight line connecting the centers of the respective seating surfaces sc1 and sc2 of the first fastening portion 51 and the second fastening portion 52, straight line T2 is the straight line connecting the centers of the respective seating surfaces sc1 and sc3 of the first fastening portion 51 and the third fastening portion 53, and straight line T3 is the straight line connecting the centers of the respective seating surfaces sc2 and sc3 of the second fastening portion 52 and the third fastening portion 53.

[0051] The meter stay 45 can be installed between the top of the headlight 30 and the top bridge 11. Compared to the conventional method of installing a stay that spans the top bridge 11 and the bottom bridge 12, this allows for a smaller stay, resulting in weight reduction and cost savings.

[0052] As described above, the front structure of the saddle-type vehicle in the above embodiment comprises a top bridge 11 and a bottom bridge 12 that are steerably supported on the head pipe 16 of the vehicle frame 5, a headlight 30 whose lower part is supported on the bottom bridge 12 and whose upper part is supported on the top bridge 11 via a meter stay 45, and a meter unit 40 supported on the meter stay 45. The top bridge 11 and the meter stay 45 are fastened together by a first fastening part 51, the meter stay 45 and the meter unit 40 are fastened together by a second fastening part 52, and the meter stay 45 and the headlight 30 are fastened together by a third fastening part 53. In a side view of the vehicle, the straight lines T1, T2, and T3 connecting the first fastening part 51, the second fastening part 52, and the third fastening part 53 form a triangular shape.

[0053] With this configuration, the upper part of the headlight 30 is supported by the top bridge 11 via the meter stay 45, and the lower part of the headlight 30 is directly supported by the bottom bridge 12. Compared to the case where the headlight 30 is supported via a stay spanning between the top bridge 11 and the bottom bridge 12, the headlight 30 can be supported by the top bridge 11 and the bottom bridge 12 with only the compact meter stay 45, and the front structure can be constructed with a simple configuration. Furthermore, the optimal and compact placement of the top bridge 11, meter unit 40, and headlight 30 becomes possible, allowing the front body components to be brought closer to the steering axis. This reduces the moment of inertia around the steering axis, resulting in lighter steering. Furthermore, by arranging each fastening point so that it is located at the vertex of a triangular shape in a side view, the thickness of the meter stay 45 in a side view can be ensured compared to when they are arranged in a straight line, and the rigidity between the fastening points can be improved.

[0054] In the past, the lamp body 31 of conventional headlights 30 had a shape that spread outwards towards the front due to the shape of the reflector, etc. However, in recent years, the lamp body 31 of headlights 30 has been made more diverse in design due to the adoption of LEDs. In this invention, by changing the shape of the small meter stay 45, headlights 30 of multiple models (shapes) can be easily installed (with minor modifications).

[0055] In the front structure of the saddle-type vehicle described above, the first fastening portion 51, the second fastening portion 52, and the third fastening portion 53 are arranged in the order of the second fastening portion 52, the first fastening portion 51, and the third fastening portion 53 from the top in the vertical direction when viewed from the side of the vehicle, and in the order of the second fastening portion 52, the third fastening portion 53, and the first fastening portion 51 from the front in the front-rear direction when viewed from the side of the vehicle. With this configuration, by arranging the second fastening part 52 for fastening the meter unit 40 to the meter stay 45, the first fastening part 51 for fastening the meter stay 45 to the top bridge 11, and the third fastening part 53 for fastening the headlight 30 to the meter stay 45 in order from the top of the vehicle, the fastening parts can be arranged according to the arrangement of the meter unit 40, top bridge 11, and headlight 30 which are lined up from top to bottom, and the front parts of the vehicle can be assembled with a simple configuration.

[0056] In the front structure of the saddle-type vehicle described above, the headlight 30 and the bottom bridge 12 are fastened together by a fourth fastening portion 54, and the fourth fastening portion 54 fastens the headlight 30 and the bottom bridge 12 with a fourth fastening bolt B4 that is aligned with the left-right direction in the axial direction, and the third fastening portion 53 fastens the meter stay 45 and the headlight 30 with a third fastening bolt B3, and the bolt insertion hole 53h through which the third fastening bolt B3 is inserted is an elongated hole that is elongated in the circumferential direction centered on the fourth fastening bolt B4. With this configuration, a fastening bolt B4 oriented in the left-right direction is used in the fourth fastening part 54 that fastens the headlight 30 to the bottom bridge 12, and the bolt insertion hole 53h of the third fastening part 53 that fastens the headlight 30 to the meter stay 45 is made into an elongated hole shape that is circumferentially long around the fastening bolt B4 of the fourth fastening part 54. By loosening the fastenings of the third fastening part 53 and the fourth fastening part 54, the headlight 30 can be tilted around the fastening bolt B4 of the fourth fastening part 54, allowing for optical axis adjustment with a simple configuration.

[0057] In the front structure of the saddle-type vehicle described above, the first fastening part 51, the second fastening part 52, and the third fastening part 53 fasten the target parts with fastening bolts B1, B2, and B3, respectively, whose axial directions are perpendicular to the left-right direction. With this configuration, by using fastening bolts B1, B2, and B3 with their axial directions perpendicular to the left-right direction for each of the first fastening section 51, second fastening section 52, and third fastening section 53, it becomes clear how to distinguish them from the fastening bolt B4 of the fourth fastening section 54, which serves as the axis during optical axis adjustment, thereby improving work efficiency.

[0058] In the front structure of the saddle-type vehicle shown in Figure 11, the headlight 30 and the bottom bridge 12 are fastened together by a fourth fastening portion 54, the third fastening portion 53 fastens the meter stay 45 and the headlight 30 with a third fastening bolt B3' that is aligned with the left-right direction in the axial direction, and the fourth fastening portion 54 fastens the headlight 30 and the bottom bridge 12 with a fourth fastening bolt B4', and the bolt insertion hole 54h' through which the fourth fastening bolt B4' is inserted is an elongated hole shape that is elongated in the circumferential direction centered on the fastening bolt B3' of the third fastening portion 53. With this configuration, a fastening bolt B3' oriented in the left-right direction is used in the third fastening part 53 that fastens the headlight 30 and the meter stay 45, and the bolt insertion hole 54h' of the fourth fastening part 54' that fastens the headlight 30 and the bottom bridge 12 is made into an elongated hole shape that is circumferentially long around the fastening bolt B3' of the third fastening part 53. By loosening the fastenings of the third fastening part 53 and the fourth fastening part 54, the headlight 30 can be tilted around the fastening bolt B3' of the third fastening part 53, allowing for optical axis adjustment with a simple configuration.

[0059] In the front structure of the saddle-type vehicle shown in Figure 11, the first fastening part 51, the second fastening part 52, and the fourth fastening part 54 are fastened to the target parts with fastening bolts B1, B2, and B4', respectively, whose axial direction is perpendicular to the left-right direction. With this configuration, by using fastening bolts B1, B2, and B4' with their axial directions perpendicular to the left-right direction for each of the first fastening section 51, second fastening section 52, and fourth fastening section 54, it becomes clear how to distinguish them from the fastening bolt B3' of the third fastening section 53, which serves as the axis during optical axis adjustment, thereby improving workability.

[0060] In the front structure of the saddle-type vehicle shown in Figure 12, the second fastening portion 52 that fastens the meter stay 45 and the meter unit 40 fastens the meter stay 45 and the meter unit 40 with a second fastening bolt B2' whose axial direction is aligned with the left-right direction. With this configuration, by using a fastening bolt B2' that runs in the left-right direction in the second fastening part 52 that fastens the meter unit 40 to the meter stay 45, loosening the fastening bolt B2' of the second fastening part 52 allows the meter unit 40 to tilt around this fastening bolt B2', and the angle of the meter unit 40 can be adjusted to an angle that is easy to view.

[0061] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. For example, the front structure of the saddle-type vehicle of this embodiment may be applied to saddle-type vehicles other than motorcycles. The term "saddle-type vehicle" includes all vehicles on which the driver straddles the vehicle body, and includes not only motorcycles (including mopeds and scooter-type vehicles) but also three-wheeled vehicles (including vehicles with one front wheel and two rear wheels, as well as vehicles with two front wheels and one rear wheel) or four-wheeled vehicles (such as four-wheeled buggies). Furthermore, it includes not only scooter-type vehicles with a straddling space but also vehicles with a straddling section. In this embodiment, an example of application to an electric vehicle including an electric motor as the prime mover was shown, but it may also be applied to an ICE vehicle or hybrid vehicle including an internal combustion engine as the prime mover. Furthermore, the configuration in the above embodiment is just one example of the present invention, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention, such as replacing the components of the embodiment with well-known components. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0062] 1. Motorcycle (saddle-type vehicle) 5. Vehicle frame 11 Top Bridge 12 Bottom Bridge 16 Headpipe 30 Headlights 31 Light body 40 meter unit 45 Meter Stay 51 First fastening part 52 Second fastening part 53 Third fastening part 53h Bolt insertion hole 54 Fourth fastening part 54h, 54h' Bolt insertion holes B1 First fastening bolt B2, B2' Second fastening bolt B3, B3' Third fastening bolt B4, B4' Fourth fastening bolt T1,T2,T3 straight line

Claims

1. A top bridge (11) and a bottom bridge (12) are supported by the head pipe (16) of the vehicle frame (5) in a steerable manner, A headlight (30) whose lower part is supported by the bottom bridge (12) and whose upper part is supported by the top bridge (11) via a meter stay (45), The meter unit (40) is supported by the meter stay (45), The top bridge (11) and the meter stay (45) are fastened together at the first fastening portion (51). The meter stay (45) and the meter unit (40) are fastened together by the second fastening portion (52). The meter stay (45) and the headlight (30) are fastened together by a third fastening part (53). In a side view of the vehicle, the straight lines (T1, T2, T3) connecting the first fastening part (51), the second fastening part (52), and the third fastening part (53) form a triangular shape, in the front structure of a saddle-type vehicle.

2. The first fastening portion (51), the second fastening portion (52), and the third fastening portion (53) are, In a side view of the vehicle, the second fastening portion (52), the first fastening portion (51), and the third fastening portion (53) are arranged in that order from the top. The front structure of a saddle-type vehicle according to claim 1, wherein, in the front-to-rear direction when viewed from the side of the vehicle, the second fastening portion (52), the third fastening portion (53), and the first fastening portion (51) are arranged in that order from the front.

3. The headlight (30) and the bottom bridge (12) are fastened together by a fourth fastening portion (54). The fourth fastening portion (54) fastens the headlight (30) and the bottom bridge (12) with a fourth fastening bolt (B4) that is aligned with the left-right direction in the axial direction. The front structure of a saddle-type vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the third fastening portion (53) fastens the meter stay (45) and the headlight (30) with a third fastening bolt (B3), and the bolt insertion hole (53h) through which the third fastening bolt (B3) is inserted is an elongated hole shape that is circumferentially long around the fourth fastening bolt (B4).

4. The front structure of a saddle-type vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the first fastening portion (51), the second fastening portion (52), and the third fastening portion (53) each fasten the target component with fastening bolts (B1, B2, B3) whose axial direction is perpendicular to the left-right direction.

5. The headlight (30) and the bottom bridge (12) are fastened together by a fourth fastening portion (54). The third fastening portion (53) fastens the meter stay (45) and the headlight (30) with a third fastening bolt (B3') whose axial direction is aligned with the left-right direction. The fourth fastening portion (54) fastens the headlight (30) and the bottom bridge (12) with a fourth fastening bolt (B4'), The front structure of a saddle-type vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the bolt insertion hole (54h') through which the fourth fastening bolt (B4') is inserted is an elongated hole shape that is circumferentially long around the fastening bolt (B3') of the third fastening part (53).

6. The front structure of a saddle-type vehicle according to claim 5, wherein the first fastening portion (51), the second fastening portion (52), and the fourth fastening portion (54) each fasten the target component with fastening bolts (B1, B2, B4') whose axial direction is perpendicular to the left-right direction.

7. The front structure of a saddle-type vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second fastening portion (52) that fastens the meter stay (45) and the meter unit (40) fastens the meter stay (45) and the meter unit (40) with a second fastening bolt (B2') whose axial direction is aligned with the left-right direction.

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