Saddle-type vehicle

Abstract

The fuel tank is properly supported by tank rails. [Solution] The saddle-type vehicle is provided with a pair of tank rails (12) extending rearward from a head pipe (11), a fuel tank (40) supported from below by the pair of tank rails, and a pair of intermediate members (60) attached to both sides of the fuel tank. A support surface (45) is formed on the lower surface of the fuel tank, supported by the pair of tank rails. The fuel tank is supported by the pair of tank rails via the pair of intermediate members at a position offset in the front-rear direction from the support surface.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] As a saddle-type vehicle, one in which a fuel tank is covered with a cover member is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The fuel tank described in Patent Document 1 has an upper and lower split structure composed of an upper panel and a lower panel, and the flange of the upper panel and the flange of the lower panel are seam welded. A cover member is attached to the vehicle body so as to hide the flange-like joint portion between the upper panel and the lower panel. The cover member is formed by combining left and right side covers made of metal and a center cover made of resin, and the rigidity against the knee grip is enhanced by the metal side covers.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in the saddle-type vehicle as described above, it is desirable that the fuel tank is supported by a tank rail of the vehicle frame. However, depending on the installation posture, shape, etc. of the fuel tank, it may not be possible to appropriately support the fuel tank with the tank rail.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of this point, and an object thereof is to provide a saddle-type vehicle capable of appropriately supporting a fuel tank with a tank rail.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A saddle-type vehicle according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a pair of tank rails extending rearward from a head pipe, a fuel tank supported from below by the pair of tank rails, and a pair of intermediate members attached to both sides of the fuel tank, wherein a support surface is formed on the lower surface of the fuel tank and is supported by the pair of tank rails, and the fuel tank is supported by the pair of tank rails via the pair of intermediate members at a position offset in the front-rear direction from the support surface, thereby solving the above problem. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the support surface of the fuel tank is supported by a pair of tank rails. When the fuel tank is separated from the support surface in the front-rear direction and is separated from the pair of tank rails due to the posture or shape of the fuel tank, the fuel tank is supported by the pair of tank rails using a pair of intermediate members. As a result, the load of the fuel tank is distributed over a wide area of ​​the pair of tank rails via the support surface and the pair of intermediate members, and the fuel tank is stably supported by the pair of tank rails. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a left side view of the saddle-type vehicle in this embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a left side view of the area around the fuel tank in this embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a bottom view of the area around the fuel tank in this embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a left side view of the front of the fuel tank in this embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the front of the fuel tank, cut along line AA. [Figure 6] This is a left side view of the rear of the fuel tank in this embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the rear of the fuel tank, cut along the BB line. [Figure 8] This is a perspective view of the mounting bracket in this embodiment. [Figure 9] This is a perspective view of the relay member of this embodiment, seen from the surface side. [Figure 10] This is a perspective view of the relay member of this embodiment, seen from the rear side. [Figure 11] This is a cross-sectional view of the right-hand relay member of this embodiment, cut along the BB line. [Figure 12] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the front of the fuel tank, cut along the CC line. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] In one embodiment of the present invention, a saddle-type vehicle has a pair of tank rails extending rearward from the head pipe, and a fuel tank is supported from below by the pair of tank rails. A pair of intermediate members are attached to both sides of the pair of fuel tanks. A support surface is formed on the underside of the fuel tank, and the support surface of the fuel tank is supported by the pair of tank rails. When the fuel tank is separated from the support surface in the front-rear direction and is separated from the pair of tank rails due to the posture or shape of the fuel tank, the fuel tank is supported by the pair of tank rails using the pair of intermediate members. As a result, the load of the fuel tank is distributed over a wide area of ​​the pair of tank rails (and fuel tank) via the support surface and the pair of intermediate members, and the fuel tank is stably supported by the pair of tank rails. [Examples]

[0010] The saddle-type vehicle of this embodiment will be described below with reference to the attached drawings. Figure 1 is a left side view of the saddle-type vehicle of this embodiment. In the following figures, arrow Fr indicates the front of the vehicle, arrow Re indicates the rear of the vehicle, arrow L indicates the left side of the vehicle, and arrow R indicates the right side of the vehicle.

[0011] As shown in Figure 1, the saddle-type vehicle 1 is constructed by mounting various components such as the engine 30 and electrical system on a vehicle frame 10. A pair of tank rails 12 extend diagonally downward and to the rear from the head pipe 11 of the vehicle frame 10, and a pair of body frames 13 extend downward from the rear of the pair of tank rails 12. In addition, a down frame 14 extends downward from the head pipe 11, and a rearward-bent under loop 15 is connected to the lower part of the down frame 14. The rear end of the under loop 15 is connected to the lower part of the pair of body frames 13, so that the vehicle frame 10 is formed in a cradle shape.

[0012] A steering shaft (not shown) supports a front fork 21 on the head pipe 11 so that it can be steered. A handlebar 22 is provided on the upper part of the front fork 21, and a front wheel 23 is rotatably supported on the lower part of the front fork 21. A fuel tank 40 is placed over a pair of tank rails 12, and the pair of tank rails 12 and the fuel tank 40 are covered by a tank cover 26 and a pair of front side covers (side covers) 27. A seat 29 is installed behind the fuel tank 40, and a seat frame (not shown) that supports the seat 29 from below is covered from the side by a pair of rear side covers 28.

[0013] A swingarm 24 is pivotably supported on the body frame 13. The swingarm 24 extends rearward from the body frame 13, and a rear wheel 25 is rotatably supported at the rear end of the swingarm 24. The engine 30 is suspended inside the vehicle frame 10 via a plurality of suspension brackets 17. A cylinder assembly, consisting of a cylinder 32, a cylinder head 33, and a cylinder head cover 34, is mounted on the upper surface of the crankcase 31 of the engine 30. An exhaust pipe 35 extends downward from the front left side of the cylinder head 33, passes to the right side of the cylinder 32, and connects to a muffler 36 at the rear of the vehicle.

[0014] By the way, in a general off-road vehicle, a semi-cradle type vehicle body frame is adopted, and a fuel tank is installed so as to straddle a single tank rail. The cross-section of the fuel tank is in a horseshoe shape, and the bottom surface of the fuel tank is formed to be narrow. However, since the wide side surface of the fuel tank is used as a knee grip portion, a cover member for covering the fuel tank is not necessary. If it is a carburetor specification, it is easy to be established even with a fuel tank having a narrow bottom surface. However, in the case of a FI (Fuel Injection) specification, an in-tank type pump is required on the bottom surface of the fuel tank, and it is difficult to be established with a horseshoe-shaped fuel tank having a narrow bottom surface.

[0015] In an off-road vehicle with a FI specification, a double-cradle type vehicle body frame is adopted, and an upper and lower split fuel tank is often mounted on the vehicle body frame. The upper and lower split fuel tank is formed by seam welding the flanges of the upper panel and the lower panel. When the tank width is increased to ensure the tank capacity, the flange of the fuel tank is positioned directly above the tank rail. Although the load distribution of the fuel tank is achieved by using the flange, the flange does not always contact the tank rail. Therefore, in this embodiment, a relay member is installed on the side surface of the fuel tank, and the relay member is interposed between the flange and the tank rail.

[0016] Referring to FIGS. 2 to 7, the support structure of the fuel tank will be described. FIG. 2 is a left side view of the periphery of the fuel tank of this embodiment. FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the periphery of the fuel tank of this embodiment. FIG. 4 is a left side view of the front portion of the fuel tank of this embodiment. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the front portion of the fuel tank of FIG. 4 cut along the line A-A. FIG. 6 is a left side view of the rear portion of the fuel tank of this embodiment. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the rear portion of the fuel tank of FIG. 6 cut along the line B-B. In addition, the tank cover and the front side cover are shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 2, and the vehicle body frame is shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 3.

[0017] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, on the upper part of the vehicle frame 10, a pair of tank rails 12 extend diagonally downward and rearward from the upper rear side of the head pipe 11, and a single down frame 14 extends downward from the lower rear side of the head pipe 11. The middle sections of the pair of tank rails 12 and the middle section of the down frame 14 are connected via a pair of reinforcing bridges 16. The fuel tank 40 is supported from below by the pair of tank rails 12, the fuel tank 40 and the pair of tank rails 12 are covered from above by a tank cover 26, and the fuel tank 40 and the pair of tank rails 12 are covered from both sides by a pair of front side covers 27.

[0018] The fuel tank 40 is a two-piece tank with an upper panel 41 and a lower panel 42 joined together. The upper panel 41 bulges upward in a dome shape, and the lower panel 42 bulges downward in a dome shape, and the upper panel 41 and lower panel 42 form a fuel storage space. The outer edges of the upper panel 41 and the lower panel 42 are seam-welded, and a flange 43 is formed at the joint between the upper panel 41 and the lower panel 42. In a side view, the flange 43 of the fuel tank 40 is curved in a downward-bulging arc shape, and the flange 43 is hidden by the tank cover 26 and a pair of front side covers 27.

[0019] Below the front half of the flange 43, a flat support surface 45 is formed on the fuel tank 40, aligned with a pair of tank rails 12. The rear half of the flange 43 curves backward, away from the pair of tank rails 12. A pair of front rail cushions 51 are mounted on the front side of the pair of tank rails 12, and a pair of rear rail cushions 52 are mounted on the rear side of the pair of tank rails 12. The front support surface 45 of the fuel tank 40 is supported from below by the pair of front rail cushions 51, and the rear half of the flange 43 of the fuel tank 40 is supported from below by the pair of rear rail cushions 52 via a pair of intermediate members 60.

[0020] A pair of front tank cushions 47 and a pair of rear tank cushions 48 are attached to the flange 43 of the fuel tank 40. The pair of front tank cushions 47 are attached to the middle of the flange 43 in the front-rear direction, and the pair of rear tank cushions 48 are attached to the rear end of the flange 43. The pair of front tank cushions 47 and the pair of rear tank cushions 48 are folded over to cover the side edges of the flange 43. The front tank cushions 47 face the front inner surface of the front side cover 27, and the rear tank cushions 48 face the rear inner surface of the front side cover 27.

[0021] Furthermore, a front tank bracket (tank-side bracket) 85 is provided at the front end of the fuel tank 40, and a rear tank bracket 93 is provided at the rear end of the fuel tank 40. A front rail bracket (rail-side bracket) 86 is provided on the front side of a pair of tank rails 12, and a rear rail bracket (not shown) is provided on a projection that extends upward from the body frame 13. The front tank bracket 85 and the front rail bracket 86 are fastened horizontally with bolts 87, and the rear tank bracket 93 and the rear rail bracket are fastened vertically with bolts 95. An in-tank type pump 49 is installed on the bottom surface of the fuel tank 40.

[0022] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, a rectangular-shaped rubber front rail cushion 51 is installed on the front side of the tank rail 12. The tank rail 12 is made of a hollow square pipe, and the top surface, outer surface, and upper half of the inner surface of the tank rail 12 are surrounded by the front rail cushion 51. Boss holes 54 are formed on the inner surface of the tank rail 12, and bosses 53 are formed on the inner surface of the front rail cushion 51. The bosses 53 of the front rail cushion 51 are inserted into the boss holes 54 of the tank rail 12, thereby positioning the front rail cushion 51 relative to the tank rail 12.

[0023] A retaining groove 55 is formed in the front rail cushion 51 along the outer circumferential surface of the tank rail 12. A spring band 56 is fitted into the retaining groove 55 as a retaining member, and the spring band 56 tightens the front rail cushion 51 against the outer circumferential surface of the tank rail 12 from the outside. The spring force of the spring band 56 prevents the front rail cushion 51 from shifting relative to the tank rail 12. In addition, because the spring band 56 is fitted into the retaining groove 55, it is difficult to touch the spring band 56 and it is difficult for the spring band 56 to come off the front rail cushion 51.

[0024] Furthermore, both ends of the spring band 56 are bent outward, so that both ends of the spring band 56 press against both ends of the front rail cushion 51, preventing the ends of the front rail cushion 51 from separating from (lifting up from) the tank rail 12. Also, when the spring band 56 is installed, both ends of the spring band 56 can move without getting caught in the retaining groove 55 of the front rail cushion 51, thus preventing damage to the tank rail 12. The support surface 45 of the fuel tank 40 is supported by the tank rail 12 via this front rail cushion 51. The load of the fuel tank 40 is received by the tank rail 12, and vibrations are absorbed by the front rail cushion 51 between the tank rail 12 and the fuel tank 40.

[0025] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, a rear rail cushion 52 is installed on the rear side of the tank rail 12. The rear rail cushion 52 is formed in the same way as the front rail cushion 51 and is attached to the tank rail 12 by a boss 53 and a spring band 56. A relay member 60 is attached to the side of the fuel tank 40, and the fuel tank 40 is supported by the tank rail 12 via the relay member 60 and the rear rail cushion 52. The load of the fuel tank 40 is received by the tank rail 12, and vibrations are absorbed between the tank rail 12 and the fuel tank 40 by the relay member 60 and the rear rail cushion 52.

[0026] In this case, the flange 43 of the fuel tank 40 is supported by the intermediate member 60, and the fuel tank 40 is supported by the tank rail 12 using the flange 43. In a plan view, the flange 43 and the tank rail 12 overlap (see Figure 3), and in a side view, the intermediate member 60 is positioned where the flange 43 and the tank rail 12 are separated in the vertical direction. The flange 43 is supported directly above by the tank rail 12. A predetermined area of ​​the flange 43 behind the front tank cushion 47 is folded downward, and the intermediate member 60 fits inside the fold 44. The fold 44 increases the rigidity of the flange 43 and positions the intermediate member 60.

[0027] Next, the intermediate member will be described with reference to Figures 7 to 11. Figure 8 is a perspective view of the mounting bracket of this embodiment. Figure 9 is a perspective view of the intermediate member of this embodiment from the front side. Figure 10 is a perspective view of the intermediate member of this embodiment from the back side. Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of the right intermediate member of this embodiment cut along the BB line.

[0028] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, a metal mounting bracket 61 is fixed to the side of the fuel tank 40. The mounting bracket 61 is formed of a fixing plate 62 fixed to the side of the fuel tank 40 and a latching plate 63 that is bent in a hat shape on the fixing plate 62. Both sides of the latching plate 63 are fixed to the fixing plate 62, and the middle part of the latching plate 63 is spaced apart from the fixing plate 62 to form a latching hole 64. In a side view, the latching plate 63 extends parallel to the tank rail 12, and the latching hole 64 of the latching plate 63 is drilled perpendicular to the extending direction of the tank rail 12.

[0029] As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the intermediate member 60 is provided with a base portion 65 molded from hard resin. The base portion 65 serves as a support column for the intermediate member 60, with an inner rubber cushion 72 installed on the inner surface of the base portion 65 and an outer rubber cushion 77 installed on the outer surface of the base portion 65. The base body 66 of the base portion 65 is formed in a box shape with an open interior, and a pair of hooks 67 protrude upward from the bottom surface of the base body 66 into the box. A pair of retaining pieces 68 extend from the base body 66 in the front-rear direction, and four retaining holes (not shown) are formed in the pair of retaining pieces 68. A curved piece 71 extends inward downward from the base body 66.

[0030] The inner cushion 72 is formed along the outer edges of the pair of retaining pieces 68 and the curved piece 71, but the inner cushion 72 is notched in a rectangular shape where it corresponds to the base body 66. A pair of retaining parts 73 of the inner cushion 72 are located inside the pair of retaining pieces 68, and four projections 74 that protrude outward from the pair of retaining parts 73 fit into the retaining holes of the pair of retaining pieces 68. A concave surface 75 that is slightly wider than the latching plate 63 is formed on the inner surface of the pair of retaining parts 73. The notch 70 of the inner cushion 72 exposes the inside of the base body 66 and is formed so that the middle part of the latching plate 63 can fit through the notch 70.

[0031] The outer cushion 77 is attached so as to cover the base body 66 from the outside. The base body 66 has claw holes (not shown), and the claws 78 of the outer cushion 77 fit into these claw holes, thereby attaching the outer cushion 77 to the base portion 65. The upper part of the outer cushion 77 has a slope 79 that follows the flange 43 of the fuel tank 40, increasing the contact area between the outer cushion 77 and the flange 43. A protrusion 81 protrudes downward from the lower part of the outer cushion 77, and the lower surface of the relay member 60 is formed in a roughly arch shape by the protrusion 81 of the outer cushion 77 and the curved piece 71 of the base portion 65.

[0032] As shown in Figures 7 and 9, the concave surfaces 75 of the inner cushion 72 are aligned with both sides of the latching plate 63, and the pair of hooks 67 of the base portion 65 are inserted into the latching holes 64 of the latching plate 63, thereby attaching the intermediate member 60 to the mounting bracket 61. A stepped portion 46 is formed on the side of the fuel tank 40 below the latching plate 63, and the curved piece 71 of the base portion 65 and the curved cushion 76 of the inner cushion 72 fit into the stepped portion 46. As the base portion 65 contacts the side of the fuel tank 40 via the inner cushion 72, the fuel tank 40 is tightly attached to the intermediate member 60 by the inner cushion 72, receiving the load of the fuel tank 40 and absorbing vibrations between the tank rail 12 and the fuel tank 40.

[0033] An intermediate member 60 is attached to the fuel tank 40, and the fuel tank 40 is supported by the tank rail 12 via the intermediate member 60. The upper part of the outer cushion 77 fits inside the folded-over part 44 of the flange 43, and the outer cushion 77 (inclined portion 79) is interposed between the flange 43 and the base portion 65. The intermediate member 60 is placed on the rear rail cushion 52, and the rear rail cushion 52 is interposed between the base portion 65 and the tank rail 12. The load of the fuel tank 40 is transmitted from the flange 43 to the base portion 65 via the outer cushion 77 (inclined portion 79), and the load transmitted to the base portion 65 is received by the tank rail 12 via the rear rail cushion 52.

[0034] The curved cushion 76 of the inner cushion 72 is in contact with the stepped portion 46 of the fuel tank 40, and the curved cushion 76 is interposed between the curved piece 71 of the base portion 65 and the stepped portion 46. The inner surface of the rear rail cushion 52 follows the curved piece 71 of the base portion 65, and the rear rail cushion 52 is interposed between the curved piece 71 and the tank rail 12. The load of the fuel tank 40 is transmitted from the stepped portion 46 to the curved piece 71 via the curved cushion 76, and the load transmitted to the curved piece 71 is received by the tank rail 12 via the rear rail cushion 52. Vibrations are also absorbed by the rear rail cushion 52 between the tank rail 12 and the stepped portion 46.

[0035] The curved piece 71 of the base portion 65, the curved cushion 76 of the inner cushion 72, and the protruding portion 81 of the outer cushion 77 extend below the upper surface of the tank rail 12. The curved piece 71 and the curved cushion 76 are located on the inside of the tank rail 12, and the protruding portion 81 is located on the outside of the tank rail 12. Not only the upper surface of the tank rail 12 (rear rail cushion 52), but also both sides of the tank rail 12 are in contact with the intermediate member 60, so that the intermediate member 60 is stably supported on the tank rail 12. The outer cushion 77 is in contact with the inner surface of the front side cover 27, so even if the front side cover 27 is subjected to knee gripping force, the front side cover 27 hits the outer cushion 77, suppressing deformation of the front side cover 27.

[0036] As shown in Figure 11, the right-side relay member 60 is formed in substantially the same way as the left-side relay member 60 described above, but the outer cushion 77 of the right-side relay member 60 has a guide groove 82 for holding a cable (not shown). The outer cushion 77 functions as a cable guide, and the cable is routed inside the front side cover 27. By holding the cable in the guide groove 82 of the outer cushion 77, the increase in vehicle width due to cable routing is suppressed, and the number of parts for fixing the cable is reduced. In addition, friction is minimized because the cable is not pinched between the front side cover 27 and the fuel tank 40 when knee gripping, etc. For example, in the case of a throttle cable, throttle operation does not become heavy.

[0037] The support structures at both the front and rear ends of the fuel tank will be described with reference to Figures 4, 6, and 12. Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of the front part of the fuel tank in Figure 3, cut along the CC line.

[0038] As shown in Figures 4 and 12, the front tank bracket 85 is pivotably supported on the front rail bracket 86 around a bolt 87. The cylindrical portion of the front tank bracket 85 is positioned inside a pair of opposing pieces of the front rail bracket 86. A cylindrical spacer 88 is inserted into the cylindrical portion of the front tank bracket 85, and the spacer 88 is sandwiched between the pair of opposing pieces of the front rail bracket 86. The bolt 87 passes through the spacer 88, and a nut (not shown) is tightened onto the tip of the bolt 87 that protrudes from the front rail bracket 86.

[0039] Even when the front tank bracket 85 and the front rail bracket 86 are tightened laterally with bolts 87, the deformation of the pair of opposing pieces of the front rail bracket 86 is restricted by the spacer 88. The front tank bracket 85 is not tightened against the pair of opposing pieces of the front rail bracket 86, and the swinging of the front tank bracket 85 is not hindered by the later tightening of bolts 87. As the fuel tank 40 swings upward, components located below the fuel tank 40 are exposed upward without having to remove the fuel tank 40 from the tank rail 12, improving maintainability.

[0040] The through-hole 89 in the front rail bracket 86 is an elongated hole that extends vertically. The through-hole 89 allows the relative position of the front tank bracket 85 and the front rail bracket 86 to be flexibly changed in the vertical direction, ensuring that the fuel tank 40 is securely supported on the tank rail 12. The plate-shaped portion of the front tank bracket 85 is floatingly fixed to the front of the fuel tank 40 with screws 92 via a cushion 96. The deformation of the cushion 96 allows the relative position of the front tank bracket 85 with respect to the fuel tank 40 to be flexibly changed in the front-rear direction, absorbing errors in the front-rear fixing position of the fuel tank 40. When a load is applied to the fuel tank 40 in the forward direction, the load is borne not only by the cushion 96 but also by the cushion 91, thereby reducing (distributing) the load on the fuel tank 40.

[0041] As shown in Figure 6, the rear tank bracket 93 is vertically fastened to the rear rail bracket (not shown) with bolts 95. The fuel tank 40 is floatingly fixed to the rear rail bracket with bolts 95 via a cushion (not shown) and the rear tank bracket 93. The deformation of the cushion flexibly changes the relative position of the fuel tank 40 with respect to the rear rail bracket in the vertical direction, absorbing errors in the vertical fixing position. By fine-tuning the vertical position of the fuel tank 40, the fuel tank 40 is supported by the tank rail 12 via a relay member 60, etc., and the load of the fuel tank 40 is distributed.

[0042] As described above, according to the saddle-type vehicle 1 of this embodiment, the front support surface 45 of the fuel tank 40 is supported by a pair of tank rails 12, and the rear of the fuel tank 40 is supported by the pair of tank rails 12 via a pair of intermediate members 60. Therefore, the load of the fuel tank 40 is distributed over a wide area of ​​the pair of tank rails 12 via the support surface 45 and the pair of intermediate members 60, and the fuel tank 40 is stably supported by the pair of tank rails 12.

[0043] In this embodiment, the front support surface of the fuel tank is supported by a pair of tank rails, and the rear of the fuel tank is supported by a pair of tank rails via a pair of connecting members. However, it is sufficient if the fuel tank is supported by a pair of tank rails via a pair of connecting members at a position offset in the front-rear direction from the support surface of the fuel tank. For example, the rear support surface of the fuel tank may be supported by a pair of tank rails, and the front of the fuel tank may be supported by a pair of tank rails via a pair of connecting members.

[0044] In this embodiment, an inner cushion and an outer cushion are installed on the base, but the base only needs to have a cushion that can be interposed between it and the fuel tank. For example, the base may have three or more cushions, or it may have just one cushion.

[0045] Furthermore, although the intermediate member is formed by multiple members in this embodiment, the intermediate member may also be formed by a single member. For example, the entire intermediate member may be made of rubber material.

[0046] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the fuel tank is formed by joining an upper panel and a lower panel, but the fuel tank only needs to have a fuel storage space. The fuel tank does not need to have a flange. That is, parts of the fuel tank other than the flange may be supported by a pair of tank rails via a relay member.

[0047] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the rear half of the flange is folded downwards, but it is sufficient if a predetermined range in the front-to-back direction of the flange is folded. For example, the front half of the flange may be folded downwards, or the flange may be folded upwards.

[0048] In this embodiment, a pair of front rail cushions and a pair of rear rail cushions are installed on a pair of tank rails, but six or more rail cushions may be installed on a pair of tank rails.

[0049] Furthermore, although this embodiment describes an example where the retaining member is a spring band, the retaining member can be any member capable of fastening the rail cushion to the tank rail. For example, the retaining member may be a cable tie. Also, the rail cushion may be held to the tank rail by adhesive or double-sided tape.

[0050] Furthermore, the fuel tank support structure of this embodiment is not limited to the off-road type saddle-type vehicle described above, but may also be adopted in other types of saddle-type vehicles. Note that the term "saddle-type vehicle" is not limited to all vehicles in which the driver sits straddling a seat, but also includes scooter-type vehicles in which the driver does not straddle a seat.

[0051] As described above, the saddle-type vehicle of the first embodiment comprises a pair of tank rails (12) extending rearward from a head pipe (11), a fuel tank (40) supported from below by the pair of tank rails, and a pair of intermediate members (60) attached to both sides of the fuel tank. A support surface (45) is formed on the lower surface of the fuel tank, supported by the pair of tank rails, and the fuel tank is supported by the pair of tank rails via the pair of intermediate members at a position away from the support surface in the front-rear direction. With this configuration, the support surface of the fuel tank is supported by the pair of tank rails. At a position away from the support surface of the fuel tank, where the fuel tank is separated from the pair of tank rails due to the posture or shape of the fuel tank, the fuel tank is supported by the pair of tank rails using the pair of intermediate members. As a result, the load of the fuel tank is distributed over a wide area of ​​the pair of tank rails via the support surface and the pair of intermediate members, and the fuel tank is stably supported by the pair of tank rails.

[0052] In the second embodiment, the pair of relay members have a rigid base portion (65) that serves as a support column and cushion portions (inner cushion 72, outer cushion 77) installed on the base portion, with the cushion portion interposed between the base portion and the fuel tank. With this configuration, the fuel tank is supported by the base portion that serves as a support column. In addition, the cushion portion ensures that the fuel tank is in close contact with the pair of relay members, and vibrations are absorbed by the cushion portion between the pair of tank rails and the fuel tank.

[0053] In the third aspect, as in the second aspect, the fuel tank consists of an upper panel (41) and a lower panel (42), with a flange (43) formed at the joint between the upper and lower panels, the flange supported by a relay member, and a cushion portion interposed between the base portion and the flange. With this configuration, the load of the fuel tank is transmitted from the flange to the base portion via the cushion portion, and the load transmitted to the base portion is received by a pair of tank rails. Furthermore, the fuel tank is stably supported by the pair of tank rails using the flange of the fuel tank.

[0054] In the fourth aspect, as in the third aspect, the pair of intermediate members are positioned so that in a plan view the flange and the pair of tank rails overlap, and in a side view the flange and the pair of tank rails are separated vertically. With this configuration, the flange of the fuel tank is supported directly above by the pair of tank rails.

[0055] In the fifth embodiment, a predetermined range of the flange in the front-rear direction is folded downward, and a pair of intermediate members are positioned inside the fold (44). With this configuration, the rigidity of the flange is increased by the fold, and the pair of intermediate members are positioned.

[0056] In the sixth embodiment, as in the second to fifth embodiments, the cushion portion has an internal cushion (72) installed on the inner surface of the base portion, and the base portion contacts the side surface of the fuel tank via the internal cushion. With this configuration, the fuel tank is tightly attached to the relay member by the internal cushion, and vibrations are absorbed between the pair of tank rails and the fuel tank.

[0057] In the seventh embodiment, a stepped portion (46) is formed on the side surface of the fuel tank in the sixth embodiment, and the inner cushion is in contact with the stepped portion. With this configuration, the load is received from the stepped portion of the fuel tank and transferred to the tank rail via the inner cushion.

[0058] The eighth aspect is the sixth or seventh aspect, wherein the cushion portion has an outer cushion (77) installed on the outer surface of the base portion, and both the outer cushion and the inner cushion extend below the upper surface of the tank rail. With this configuration, not only the upper surface of the tank rail but also both sides of the tank rail are in contact with the intermediate member, and the intermediate member is stably supported on the tank rail.

[0059] The ninth embodiment is a combination of the eighth embodiment and a pair of side covers (front side covers 27) that cover the fuel tank from the outside in the vehicle width direction, with the outer cushion in contact with the inner surface of the side cover. With this configuration, even if the side cover is subjected to knee gripping force, the side cover will come into contact with the outer cushion, suppressing deformation of the side cover.

[0060] In the tenth embodiment, as in the eighth or ninth embodiment, a guide groove (82) for holding the cable is formed in the outer cushion. With this configuration, the outer cushion functions as a cable guide, and the cable is routed inside the side cover. By holding the cable in the guide groove of the outer cushion, the increase in vehicle width due to cable routing can be suppressed, and the number of parts for fixing the cable can be reduced. In addition, friction is suppressed because the cable is not pinched between the side cover and the fuel tank when knee gripping, etc.

[0061] The eleventh embodiment is an embodiment of any one of the first to tenth embodiments in which a plurality of rail cushions (front rail cushion 51, rear rail cushion 52) are installed on a pair of tank rails, and a fuel tank is supported on the pair of tank rails via the plurality of rail cushions. With this configuration, vibrations are absorbed between the pair of tank rails and the fuel tank by the plurality of rail cushions.

[0062] In the twelfth embodiment, a step is formed on the side of the fuel tank in the eleventh embodiment, and a plurality of rail cushions are interposed between the step and the pair of tank rails. With this configuration, vibrations from the pair of tank rails toward the step of the fuel tank are absorbed by the plurality of rail cushions.

[0063] In the 13th embodiment, a pair of tank rails has a plurality of boss holes (54) formed in them, and a plurality of rail cushions have bosses (53) that are inserted into the boss holes. With this configuration, a plurality of rail cushions are positioned relative to a pair of tank rails.

[0064] The 14th embodiment is one of the embodiments from the 1st to the 13th embodiment in which a plurality of rail cushions are tightened from the outside to the outer surface of a pair of tank rails by a retaining member (spring band 56). With this configuration, displacement of the plurality of rail cushions relative to the pair of tank rails is suppressed.

[0065] The 15th embodiment is a configuration in which, in the 14th embodiment, a retaining groove (55) is formed in a plurality of rail cushions along the outer circumferential surface of a pair of tank rails, and a retaining member is fitted into the retaining groove as a spring band (56). With this configuration, the spring band fits into the retaining groove, making it difficult to touch the spring band and making it difficult for the spring band to come off the front rail cushion.

[0066] The 16th embodiment is an embodiment of any one of the 1st to 15th embodiments, in which a tank-side bracket (front tank bracket 85) is provided at the front or rear end of the fuel tank, a pair of rail-side brackets (front rail bracket 86) are provided on a pair of tank rails, the tank-side bracket and the pair of rail-side brackets are fastened laterally with bolts (87), and at least one through-hole (89) of the tank-side bracket and the pair of rail-side brackets is an elongated hole extending in the vertical direction. With this configuration, the relative position of the tank-side bracket and the rail-side bracket can be flexibly changed in the vertical direction by the elongated hole, so that the fuel tank can be reliably supported by the pair of tank rails.

[0067] In the 17th embodiment, the tank-side bracket is floatingly fixed to the fuel tank in the 16th embodiment. With this configuration, the relative position of the tank-side bracket with respect to the fuel tank can be flexibly changed in the front-rear direction, thereby absorbing errors in the front-rear fixing position of the fuel tank.

[0068] In the 18th aspect, the tank-side bracket is pivotably supported on a pair of rail-side brackets around a bolt, as in the 16th or 17th aspect. With this configuration, the fuel tank is pivoted upward, exposing components located below the fuel tank without removing the fuel tank from the pair of tank rails, thereby improving maintainability.

[0069] Although this embodiment has been described, other embodiments may include combinations of the above embodiment and its modifications, either entirely or partially.

[0070] Furthermore, the technology of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and may be modified, substituted, or transformed in various ways without departing from the spirit of the technical idea. Moreover, if the technical idea can be realized in a different way by advances in the technology or by other derived technologies, it may be implemented by that method. Accordingly, the claims cover all embodiments that may fall within the scope of the technical idea. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0071] 1: Saddle-type vehicle 10: Vehicle frame 11: Headpipe 12: Tank Rail 27: Front side cover (side cover) 40: Fuel tank 41: Upper Panel 42: Lower Panel 43: Flange 44: Flange fold 45: Support surface 46:Dan section 51: Front rail cushion (rail cushion) 52: Rear rail cushion (rail cushion) 53: Boss 54: Boss Hole 55: Retention groove 56: Spring band (retaining member) 60: Intermediate component 65: Base section 72: Inner cushion 77: Outer cushion 81:Protrusion 82: Guide groove 85: Front tank bracket (tank-side bracket) 86: Front rail bracket (rail-side bracket) 87: Bolt 89: Through hole

Claims

1. A pair of tank rails extending from the head pipe towards the rear, A fuel tank supported from below by the pair of tank rails, The fuel tank comprises a pair of relay members attached to both sides of the fuel tank, A support surface is formed on the lower surface of the fuel tank, which is supported by the pair of tank rails. A saddle-type vehicle characterized in that the fuel tank is supported by the pair of tank rails via the pair of relay members at a position offset in the front-rear direction from the support surface.

2. The pair of relay members each have a rigid base portion that serves as a support column and a cushion portion installed on the base portion. The saddle-type vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the cushion portion is interposed between the base portion and the fuel tank.

3. The fuel tank consists of an upper panel and a lower panel, and a flange is formed at the joint between the upper panel and the lower panel. The saddle-type vehicle according to claim 2, characterized in that the flange is supported by the relay member and the cushion portion is interposed between the base portion and the flange.

4. The saddle-type vehicle according to claim 3, characterized in that the pair of relay members are located at a point where the flange and the pair of tank rails overlap in a plan view, and where the flange and the pair of tank rails are separated in the vertical direction in a side view.

5. The saddle-type vehicle according to claim 3, characterized in that a predetermined range in the front-rear direction of the flange is folded downward, and the pair of relay members are positioned inside the folded portion.

6. The cushion portion has an inner cushion installed on the inner surface of the base portion. The saddle-type vehicle according to claim 2, characterized in that the base portion is in contact with the side surface of the fuel tank via the internal cushion.

7. The saddle-type vehicle according to claim 6, characterized in that a stepped portion is formed on the side surface of the fuel tank, and the inner cushion is in contact with the stepped portion.

8. The cushion portion has an outer cushion installed on the outer surface of the base portion. The saddle-type vehicle according to claim 6, characterized in that the outer cushion and the inner cushion extend below the upper surface of the tank rail.

9. The fuel tank is provided with a pair of side covers that cover it from the outside in the vehicle width direction, The saddle-type vehicle according to claim 8, characterized in that the outer cushion is in contact with the inner surface of the side cover.

10. The saddle-type vehicle according to claim 8, characterized in that the outer cushion has guide grooves for holding cables.

11. The saddle-type vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a plurality of rail cushions are installed on the pair of tank rails, and the fuel tank is supported on the pair of tank rails via the plurality of rail cushions.

12. The saddle-type vehicle according to claim 11, characterized in that a stepped portion is formed on the side surface of the fuel tank, and the plurality of rail cushions are interposed between the stepped portion and the pair of tank rails.

13. The saddle-type vehicle according to claim 11, characterized in that boss holes are formed in the pair of tank rails, and bosses are formed in the plurality of rail cushions that are inserted into the boss holes.

14. The saddle-type vehicle according to claim 11, characterized in that the plurality of rail cushions are tightened from the outside to the outer surface of the pair of tank rails by a retaining member.

15. The plurality of rail cushions have retaining grooves formed along the outer circumferential surface of the pair of tank rails. The saddle-type vehicle according to claim 14, characterized in that the retaining member is a spring band that fits into the retaining groove.

16. A tank-side bracket is provided at the front or rear end of the fuel tank. The pair of tank rails are provided with a pair of rail-side brackets. The tank-side bracket and the pair of rail-side brackets are bolted together laterally. The saddle-type vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one of the through holes in the tank-side bracket and the pair of rail-side brackets is an elongated hole extending in the vertical direction.

17. The saddle-type vehicle according to claim 16, characterized in that the tank-side bracket is floatingly fixed to the fuel tank.

18. The saddle-type vehicle according to claim 16, characterized in that the tank-side bracket is supported so as to be pivotable with respect to the pair of rail-side brackets around the bolt.

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