Motorcycle

Abstract

This design suppresses cost increases while preventing liquefied fuel leaking from the atmospheric vent from adhering to exhaust-related components. [Solution] The motorcycle comprises a cowl positioned on the outside in the vehicle width direction and a canister positioned on the inside in the vehicle width direction of the cowl and having an atmospheric vent. The cowl has a guide portion below the atmospheric vent that slopes downward as it is directed in a predetermined direction, guiding the liquefied fuel leaking from the atmospheric vent in the predetermined direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a motorcycle.

Background Art

[0002] In motorcycles, it is known to provide a canister that adsorbs and stores evaporated fuel in which the fuel in the fuel tank has evaporated (see, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2). The canister includes an adsorbent for adsorbing evaporated fuel inside a canister case, sucks the evaporated fuel in the fuel tank from a suction port, adsorbs it with the adsorbent, and discharges the adsorbed evaporated fuel from an exhaust port to the intake passage of the engine during engine operation.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In motorcycles, the canister is set to sufficiently adsorb evaporated fuel during normal use in response to regulations on evaporated gas and the like. However, when the evaporated fuel is excessively adsorbed and exceeds a predetermined adsorption capacity, for example, liquefied fuel in which the evaporated fuel has liquefied leaks from the atmosphere opening of the canister case. If the liquefied fuel leaking from the atmosphere opening adheres to exhaust-related components such as an exhaust pipe, the appearance and the like may be damaged.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a motorcycle that suppresses the adhesion of liquefied fuel leaking from the atmosphere opening of the canister to exhaust-related components while suppressing an increase in cost.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] This disclosure provides a motorcycle comprising a cowl positioned on the outside in the width direction of the motorcycle, and a canister positioned on the inside in the width direction of the cowl and having an atmospheric vent, wherein the cowl has a guide portion that has an inclined surface below the atmospheric vent that slopes downward as it is directed toward a predetermined direction, and guides the liquefied fuel leaking from the atmospheric vent in the predetermined direction.

[0007] According to this disclosure, the cowl of a motorcycle is provided with a guide section having an inclined surface that slopes downward as it moves in a predetermined direction below the atmospheric vent, thereby guiding the liquefied fuel leaking from the atmospheric vent of the canister in a predetermined direction. Even if liquefied fuel leaks from the atmospheric vent of the canister, the liquefied fuel can be moved along the inclined surface of the guide section to a predetermined discharge point in a predetermined direction, thereby preventing the liquefied fuel leaking from the atmospheric vent from adhering to exhaust-related parts such as the exhaust pipe. Since the guide section is provided on the cowl, it is possible to prevent the liquefied fuel leaking from the atmospheric vent of the canister from adhering to exhaust-related parts without using a separate guide member, while suppressing an increase in cost. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a schematic side view of a motorcycle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] This is an external side view of the side cowl. [Figure 3] This is an inner side view of the side cowl. [Figure 4] This diagram shows the guide section of the side cowl and the canister. [Figure 5] This diagram shows the positional relationship between the guide section and the canister of a motorcycle in an upright position. [Figure 6] This diagram shows the positional relationship between the guide section and the canister of a motorcycle in an inclined position. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the attached drawings.

[0010] Figure 1 shows a schematic side view of a motorcycle according to an embodiment of this disclosure. In this specification, "front," "rear," "left," and "right" refer to the forward, rear, left, and right directions as seen from the perspective of a driver riding and operating a motorcycle.

[0011] As shown in Figure 1, the motorcycle 1 according to the embodiment of this disclosure comprises a front wheel 2 and a rear wheel 3, and a body frame 4 positioned between the front wheel 2 and the rear wheel 3. The body frame 4 comprises a head pipe 5 extending substantially vertically and a main frame 6 extending rearward from the head pipe 5. The front wheel 2 is rotatably supported by a front fork 7 supported by the head pipe 5. The rear wheel 3 is rotatably supported by a swing arm 8 supported by the main frame 6.

[0012] The engine E is mounted on the vehicle frame 4. Above the engine E is a fuel tank 9, which stores gasoline as fuel supplied to the engine E. A canister 20 is connected to the fuel tank 9. The canister 20 is positioned in front of the engine E and is attached to the side cowl 10.

[0013] Engine E is supplied with air through an intake passage and fuel from the fuel tank 9. An exhaust pipe 11 is connected to engine E to expel exhaust gases, extending from the front of engine E downwards and then to the rear. A muffler 12 is located behind the exhaust pipe 11.

[0014] The motorcycle 1 has a center stand 13 supported at the lower part of the vehicle body frame 4 so as to be storable. As shown in FIG. 1, the motorcycle 1 supports the vehicle body in an upright state with the center stand 13 deployed. The motorcycle 1 also has a side stand 14 supported at the left side of the vehicle body at the lower part of the vehicle body frame 4 so as to be storable. The motorcycle 1 supports the vehicle body in an inclined state inclined to the left side with the side stand 14 deployed.

[0015] FIG. 2 is an outer side view of the side cowl. FIG. 3 is an inner side view of the side cowl. FIG. 4 is a view showing the guide portion and the canister of the side cowl. In FIG. 4, the exhaust pipe 11 is also shown.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 3, the canister 20 of the motorcycle 1 has a canister case 21 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and an adsorbent 22 disposed inside the canister case 21 for adsorbing the evaporated fuel evaporated in the fuel tank 9, specifically, evaporated gasoline. The canister 20 is arranged such that its longitudinal direction is arranged in the front-rear direction and is inclined downward as it goes rearward.

[0017] The canister case 21 has a suction port 23 and a discharge port 24 on the front end face 21a. The suction port 23 and the discharge port 24 are formed to project from the canister case 21 in a substantially cylindrical shape. The suction port 23 is connected to the fuel tank 9 via a suction pipe 25. The discharge port 24 is connected to the intake passage of the engine E via a discharge pipe 26. A control valve 27 for controlling the flow of the evaporated fuel from the canister 20 to the engine side is arranged in the discharge pipe 26.

[0018] The canister 20 is configured to suck the evaporated fuel in the fuel tank 9 through the suction pipe 25 from the suction port 23, adsorb it with the adsorbent 22, and discharge the adsorbed evaporated fuel from the discharge port 24 to the intake passage of the engine E through the discharge pipe 26 during engine operation.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 4, an atmosphere release port 28 that penetrates the canister case 21 and communicates the inside and outside of the canister case 21 is formed in the rear end face 21b of the canister case 21. The atmosphere release ports 28 are provided on the vehicle width direction center sides of the upper side and the bottom side in the rear end face 21b, respectively. When an excessive amount of evaporated fuel is adsorbed by the canister 20 or when the evaporated fuel exceeds a predetermined amount, the atmosphere release port 28 is configured to leak the liquefied fuel formed by liquefaction of the evaporated fuel to the outside. The atmosphere release port 28 may be provided at other positions on the rear end face 21b of the canister case 21, or may be provided at other positions on the canister case 21. The canister case 21 may have another shape such as a cylindrical shape.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 1, the side cowl 10 to which the canister 20 is attached extends in a direction substantially orthogonal to the vehicle width direction and is disposed on the left side in the vehicle width direction of the motorcycle 1. The side cowl 10 is formed in a substantially triangular shape when viewed from the outside in the vehicle width direction. As shown in FIG. 2, the side cowl 10 has an outer cowl 31 disposed on the outside in the vehicle width direction and an inner cowl 41 disposed on the inside in the vehicle width direction of the outer cowl 31. The outer cowl 31 and the inner cowl 41 are attached to the vehicle body frame 4 using fastening members. The outer cowl 31 and the inner cowl 41 are integrally formed as a single part by an injection molding die using a resin material.

[0021] The outer cowl 31 mainly constitutes the front and upper portions of the side cowl 10, and the inner cowl 41 mainly constitutes the rear and lower portions of the side cowl 10. The outer cowl 31 and the inner cowl 41 have a lap portion 16 (a portion with oblique hatching) that overlaps in the vehicle width direction on the center side of the side cowl 10. The inner cowl 41 is disposed on the inside in the vehicle width direction of the outer cowl 31 at the lap portion 16.

[0022] In motorcycle 1, a canister 20 is attached to the outer cowl 31. As shown in Figure 3, the canister case 21 of the canister 20 is supported on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the outer cowl 31 via a canister bracket 17. The canister bracket 17 is fixed to the outer cowl 31 using fastening members 18. The canister 20 is attached to the canister bracket 17 using a band member 19 while positioned on the canister bracket 17, and is supported by the outer cowl 31 via the canister bracket 17.

[0023] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 4, the inner cowl 41 has a guide portion 42 that corresponds to the canister 20, specifically the atmospheric vent 28 of the canister case 21, and guides the liquefied fuel leaking from the atmospheric vent 28 in a predetermined direction, as indicated by the arrow in Figure 4. The guide portion 42 is formed in the wrap portion 16 of the inner cowl 41. The guide portion 42 has an inclined surface 43 that slopes downward in a predetermined direction, specifically towards the rear, below the atmospheric vent 28 of the canister 20. As shown in Figure 4, the inclined surface 43 is offset from the exhaust pipe 11 in the vehicle width direction, specifically extending outward from the exhaust pipe 11 in the vehicle width direction and behind the front end of the exhaust pipe 11. In this embodiment, the rear end of the inclined surface 43 is set as a predetermined discharge area 15 for the liquefied fuel leaking from the atmospheric vent 28.

[0024] The inclined surface 43 of the guide section 42 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape in plan view and extends in the front-rear direction. The inclined surface 43 is formed to incline downward at a predetermined angle as it moves backward with respect to a horizontal plane perpendicular to the vertical direction when the motorcycle 1 is in an upright position. The inclined surface 43 has a first inclined surface 43a located below the air vent 28 and inclined at a first angle θ1, and a second inclined surface 43b located behind the first inclined surface 43a and inclined at a second angle θ2 greater than the first angle θ1. In the motorcycle 1 in an upright position, the first angle θ1 is set to, for example, 10 degrees, and the second angle θ2 is set to, for example, 50 degrees.

[0025] The guide portion 42 has an outer surface 44 extending upward outward in the vehicle width direction of the inclined surface 43, a front surface 45 extending upward in front of the inclined surface 43, and an inner surface 46 extending downward from the inclined surface 43 inward in the vehicle width direction of the inclined surface 43.

[0026] The outer surface 44 extends along the outer side of the inclined surface 43 in the vehicle width direction, in a direction substantially perpendicular to the upward direction from the inclined surface 43. The outer surface 44 is provided over the entire outer side in the vehicle width direction of the first inclined surface 43a and the second inclined surface 43b. The front surface 45 extends along the front side of the inclined surface 43, specifically along the front side of the first inclined surface 43a, in a direction substantially perpendicular to the upward direction from the inclined surface 43. The inner surface 46 extends along the inner side of the inclined surface 43 in the vehicle width direction, in a direction substantially perpendicular to the downward direction from the inclined surface 43. The inner surface 46 is provided over the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the first inclined surface 43a and the second inclined surface 43b.

[0027] In the guide section 42, a hole 47 is formed between the upper part of the inclined surface 43 and the inner surface 46. The first hole 47 is formed between the first inclined surface 43a, which is the upper part of the inclined surface 43, and the inner surface 46. The first hole 47 is formed by cutting out the corner between the inner side of the first inclined surface 43a in the vehicle width direction and the inner surface 46, and also by cutting out the corner between the upper part of the second inclined surface 43b and the inner surface 46, and is formed in the shape of an elongated hole that is long in the front-rear direction. Due to the hole 47, when liquefied fuel leaked from the atmospheric vent 28 moves inward in the vehicle width direction, it will move downward along the outer side of the inner surface 46 in the vehicle width direction, thus suppressing movement inward in the vehicle width direction. The liquefied fuel that moves from the hole 47 along the outer side of the inner surface 46 in the vehicle width direction is formed in the part where the guide section 42 overlaps with the outer cowl 31 of the inner cowl 41, so that it is suppressed from being seen from the outside.

[0028] In the guide section 42, a hole 48 is also formed between the central portion of the inclined surface 43 and the inner surface 46. A second hole 48 is formed between the vertically central portion of the second inclined surface 43b, which is the central portion of the inclined surface 43, and the inner surface 46. The second hole 48 is formed by cutting out the corner between the central portion of the second inclined surface 43b and the inner surface 46, and is formed as an elongated hole that is long in the front-rear direction. The hole 48 also suppresses the movement of liquefied fuel inward in the vehicle width direction.

[0029] Figure 5 shows the positional relationship between the guide section and the canister of a motorcycle in an upright position. As shown in Figure 5, the inclined surface 43 of the guide section 42, specifically the first inclined surface 43a, is positioned to overlap with the atmospheric vent 28 of the canister 20 in the vehicle width direction and the front-rear direction when the motorcycle 1 is in an upright position supported by the center stand 13.

[0030] Figure 6 shows the positional relationship between the guide section and the canister of a motorcycle in an inclined state. As shown in Figure 6, the inclined surface 43 of the guide section 42, specifically the first inclined surface 43a, is positioned to overlap with the atmospheric vent 28 of the canister 20 in the vehicle width direction and the front-rear direction when the motorcycle 1 is in an inclined state supported by the side stand 14.

[0031] The guide section 42 is positioned so that its inclined surface 43 overlaps the atmospheric vent 28 with the vehicle width and longitudinal directions when the motorcycle 1 is in an upright and inclined state. When the motorcycle is stopped and there is a risk of liquefied fuel leaking from the atmospheric vent 28 of the canister 20, the guide section 42 catches the liquefied fuel if it leaks from the atmospheric vent 28, and guides it to the rear of the guide section 42 while avoiding contact with high-temperature components such as the exhaust pipe 11 and other exhaust-related parts. Even when the liquefied fuel leaked from the atmospheric vent 28 moves outward in the vehicle width direction from the lower edge of the rear end surface 21b, which is the lowest part of the canister case 21, and then drips downward, the guide section 42 catches the liquefied fuel and guides it to the rear of the guide section 42. The rear of the guide section 42 functions as a predetermined discharge area 15, but when gasoline is used as fuel, the liquefied fuel may have almost evaporated by the time it reaches the rear of the guide section 42.

[0032] The guide portion 42 may be formed by a single inclined surface that slopes downward at a predetermined angle as it approaches the rear. Instead of the inclined surface 43 having a predetermined angle, the guide portion 42 may have inclined surfaces that slope downward at various angles as it approaches the rear. The guide portion 42 does not need to have a front side surface 45. The guide portion 42 may be formed without at least one of the first hole portion 47 and the second hole portion 48.

[0033] The side cowl 10 is formed from a single piece, and the canister 20 may be attached to the side cowl 10, and a guide portion 42 may be provided thereon. The canister 20 is preferably attached to the side cowl 10, but it may also be attached to other members such as the vehicle frame 4. The guide portion 42 is provided on the side cowl 10, but it may also be provided on other cowls, such as the portion of the front cowl that is located on the outside in the vehicle width direction. The guide portion 42 has an inclined surface 43 that slopes downward as it is directed towards the rear, but it may also have an inclined surface that slopes downward as it is directed in a predetermined direction, such as away from the atmospheric vent 28, to guide the liquefied fuel leaking from the atmospheric vent 28 in the predetermined direction.

[0034] As described above, the motorcycle 1 according to this embodiment comprises a cowl 10 positioned on the outside in the vehicle width direction and a canister 20 positioned on the inside in the vehicle width direction of the cowl 10 and having an atmospheric vent 28. The cowl 10 has a guide portion 42 that guides liquefied fuel leaking from the atmospheric vent 28 in the predetermined direction, with an inclined surface 43 that slopes downward as it moves in a predetermined direction below the atmospheric vent 28.

[0035] The cowl 10 is provided with a guide section 42 that has an inclined surface 43 that slopes downward as it moves in a predetermined direction below the atmospheric vent 28, and guides the liquefied fuel leaking from the atmospheric vent 28 of the canister 20 in a predetermined direction. As a result, even if liquefied fuel leaks from the atmospheric vent 28, the liquefied fuel can be moved along the inclined surface 43 of the guide section 42 to a predetermined discharge point in a predetermined direction, thereby suppressing the adhesion of the liquefied fuel leaked from the atmospheric vent 28 to exhaust-related parts such as the exhaust pipe 11. Since the guide section 42 is provided on the cowl 10, it is possible to suppress the adhesion of liquefied fuel leaked from the atmospheric vent 28 to exhaust-related parts 11 without using a separate guide member, while suppressing an increase in cost.

[0036] The guide portion 42 may have an outer surface 44 that extends upward outward in the vehicle width direction from the inclined surface 43. This allows the liquefied fuel to be moved backward along the outer surface of the inclined surface 43 of the guide portion 42, for example, when liquefied fuel leaks from the atmospheric vent 28 while the motorcycle 1 is held in an inclined position by the side stand 14.

[0037] The guide portion 42 may have a front surface 45 that extends upward to the front of the inclined surface 43. This prevents the liquefied fuel leaking from the atmospheric vent 28 from moving to the front of the guide portion 42 and allows it to move in a predetermined direction.

[0038] The canister 20 can be mounted on the inside of the cowl 10 in the vehicle width direction. This allows the canister 20 to be mounted on the cowl 10 which has a guide section 42, so that the inclined surface 43 of the guide section 42 can be precisely positioned below the atmospheric vent 28 of the canister 20.

[0039] The inclined surface 43 slopes downward as it approaches the rear and may have a first inclined surface 43a that slopes at a first angle below the atmospheric vent 28 and a second inclined surface 43b that slopes at a second angle greater than the first angle behind the first inclined surface 43a. This makes it possible to effectively receive the liquefied fuel leaking from the atmospheric vent 28 with the first inclined surface 43a located near the atmospheric vent 28 of the canister 20 and to easily guide it to a predetermined discharge site with the second inclined surface 43b, compared to the case where the inclined surface 43 has a constant angle.

[0040] The cowl 10 may have an outer cowl 31 positioned outward in the vehicle width direction, and an inner cowl 41 positioned inward in the vehicle width direction of the outer cowl 31 so as to overlap at least a portion of the outer cowl 31. The guide portion 42 has an inner surface 46 extending downward from the inclined surface 43 inward in the vehicle width direction of the inclined surface 43, and a hole 47 formed between the upper portion of the inclined surface 43 and the inner surface 46, and may be formed in the portion of the inner cowl 41 that overlaps with the outer cowl 31.

[0041] As a result, even if liquefied fuel leaks from the atmospheric vent 28 while the motorcycle 1 is held upright by the center stand 13, and the liquefied fuel moves inward in the vehicle width direction on the upper part of the inclined surface 43 of the guide portion 42, the liquefied fuel can be moved from the hole 47 along the outer side of the inner surface 46 in the vehicle width direction, thereby suppressing the liquefied fuel from adhering to the exhaust-related parts 11. Even if the liquefied fuel moves from the hole 47 along the outer side of the inner surface 46 in the vehicle width direction, since the guide portion 42 is formed in the part of the inner cowl 41 that overlaps with the outer cowl 31, the liquefied fuel can be suppressed from being visible from the outside, thereby suppressing damage to the appearance. Unlike when molding an inner cowl having a guide portion with an inner surface extending upward inward in the vehicle width direction on the inclined surface 43, it is not necessary to use a slide mold, and the inner cowl 41 in which the guide portion 42 is formed can be molded using a pair of molds.

[0042] The inclined surface 43 can be positioned to overlap the atmospheric vent 28 with the vehicle width direction and the front-rear direction when the motorcycle 1 is in an upright or inclined state. This allows the inclined surface 43 to effectively receive the liquefied fuel leaking from the atmospheric vent 28 when the motorcycle 1 is held in an upright or inclined state and move it to a predetermined discharge point.

[0043] The inclined surface 43 may extend rearward from the front end of the exhaust pipe 11 at a position offset from the exhaust pipe 11 in the vehicle width direction. This prevents liquefied fuel leaking from the atmospheric vent 28 of the canister 20 from dripping onto the exhaust pipe 11.

[0044] This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described herein, and various improvements and design modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of this disclosure.

[0045] [Note 1] The cowl is positioned on the outside in the width direction of the motorcycle, The cowl is provided with a canister located on the inside in the vehicle width direction and having an atmospheric vent, The cowl has a guide portion that guides the liquefied fuel leaking from the atmospheric vent in the predetermined direction, with an inclined surface that slopes downward as it moves in a predetermined direction below the atmospheric vent. Motorcycle. [Note 2] The guide portion has an outer surface that extends upward outward in the vehicle width direction of the inclined surface. The motorcycles described in Appendix 1. [Note 3] The guide portion has a front surface that extends upward to the front of the inclined surface. Motorcycles as described in Appendix 1 or Appendix 2. [Note 4] The canister is mounted on the inside of the cowl in the vehicle width direction. A motorcycle as described in any of the appendices 1 through 3. [Note 5] The inclined surface slopes downward as it approaches the rear, and includes a first inclined surface that slopes at a first angle below the air vent, and a second inclined surface that slopes at a second angle greater than the first angle behind the first inclined surface. A motorcycle as described in any of the appendices 1 through 4. [Note 6] The cowl comprises an outer cowl positioned on the outside in the vehicle width direction and an inner cowl positioned on the inside in the vehicle width direction of the outer cowl so as to overlap at least a portion of the outer cowl. The guide portion has an inner surface extending downward from the inclined surface on the vehicle width side of the inclined surface, and a hole formed between the upper portion of the inclined surface and the inner surface, and is formed in the inner cowl in the portion that overlaps with the outer cowl. A motorcycle as described in any of the appendices 1 through 5. [Note 7] The inclined surface is positioned to overlap with the air vent in the vehicle width direction and the front-rear direction when the motorcycle is in an upright and inclined state. A motorcycle as described in any of the appendices 1 through 6. [Note 8] The inclined surface extends rearward from the front end of the exhaust pipe at a position offset from the exhaust pipe in the vehicle width direction. A motorcycle as described in any of the appendices 1 through 7. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0046] 1. Motorcycle 10 Side cowl 11 Exhaust pipe 20 Canister 28. Atmospheric vent 31 Outer cowl 41 Inner cowl 42 Guide section 43 Slope 43a 1st slope 43b 2nd slope 44 External surface 45 Front and side view 46 Inner surface 47,48 Hole

Claims

1. The cowl is positioned on the outside in the width direction of the motorcycle, The cowl is provided with a canister located on the inside in the vehicle width direction and having an atmospheric vent, The cowl has a guide portion that guides the liquefied fuel leaking from the atmospheric vent in the predetermined direction, with an inclined surface that slopes downward as it moves in a predetermined direction below the atmospheric vent. Motorcycle.

2. The guide portion has an outer surface that extends upward outward in the vehicle width direction of the inclined surface. The motorcycle according to claim 1.

3. The guide portion has a front surface that extends upward to the front of the inclined surface. The motorcycle according to claim 1.

4. The canister is mounted on the inside of the cowl in the vehicle width direction. The motorcycle according to claim 1.

5. The inclined surface slopes downward as it approaches the rear, and includes a first inclined surface that slopes at a first angle below the air vent, and a second inclined surface that slopes at a second angle greater than the first angle behind the first inclined surface. The motorcycle according to claim 1.

6. The cowl comprises an outer cowl positioned on the outside in the vehicle width direction and an inner cowl positioned on the inside in the vehicle width direction of the outer cowl so as to overlap at least a portion of the outer cowl. The guide portion has an inner surface extending downward from the inclined surface on the vehicle width side of the inclined surface, and a hole formed between the upper portion of the inclined surface and the inner surface, and is formed in the inner cowl in the portion that overlaps with the outer cowl. The motorcycle according to claim 1.

7. The inclined surface is positioned to overlap with the air vent in the vehicle width direction and the front-rear direction when the motorcycle is in an upright and inclined state. The motorcycle according to claim 1.

8. The inclined surface extends rearward from the front end of the exhaust pipe at a position offset from the exhaust pipe in the vehicle width direction. The motorcycle according to claim 1.

Images