Subcover

Abstract

This protects the base of the turn signal lamp while preventing foreign matter from adhering to the headlamp lens. [Solution] In the saddle-type vehicle, a headlamp (43) is installed in the center of the front of the vehicle body, and a pair of turn signal lamps (45) protrude outwards in the vehicle width direction from both the left and right sides of the front of the vehicle body. The area around the headlamp is covered by a main cover (52) and a sub-cover (53). The sub-cover is provided with a center cover portion (55) that extends in the vehicle width direction below the lens (44) of the headlamp, and a pair of side cover portions (54) that are connected to both ends of the center cover portion in the vehicle width direction. The center cover portion covers the lens of the headlamp from below, and the pair of side cover portions cover the base ends (48) of the pair of turn signal lamps from the front.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a sub-cover of a headlamp.

Background Art

[0002] As a saddle-type vehicle, one in which a headlamp on the front of the vehicle is covered with a lamp cover is known (for example, see Patent Document 1). The front part of the saddle-type vehicle described in Patent Document 1 is provided with a steering mechanism in which left and right front forks are connected by a top bridge and a bottom bridge. A headlamp is supported by the steering mechanism via a lamp brace, and the lens of the headlamp is exposed from an opening on the front surface of the lamp cover. Further, left and right turn signal lamps are supported by the lamp brace, and the turn signal lamps protrude laterally from both side surfaces of the lamp cover.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the headlamp cover described in Patent Document 1, the lens of the headlamp is exposed downward, and foreign matters such as mud easily adhere thereto, and the base end portion and wiring of the turn signal lamp are easily damaged by impacts or the like.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such points, and an object thereof is to provide a sub-cover that can suppress the adhesion of foreign matters to the lens of the headlamp and protect the base end portion of the turn signal lamp.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A sub-cover according to one aspect of the present invention is for a saddle-type vehicle in which a headlamp is installed in the center of the front of the vehicle body and a pair of turn signal lamps protrude outward in the vehicle width direction from both the left and right sides of the front of the vehicle body, and the sub-cover covers the area around the headlamp together with the main cover, comprising a center cover portion that extends in the vehicle width direction below the lens of the headlamp, and a pair of side cover portions connected to both ends of the center cover portion in the vehicle width direction, thereby solving the above problem by covering the lens of the headlamp from below with the center cover portion and covering the base ends of the pair of turn signal lamps from the front with the pair of side cover portions. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a center cover and a pair of side cover portions are located below the headlamp, preventing foreign matter such as mud from adhering to the headlamp lens. In addition, the pair of side cover portions protect the base ends of a pair of turn signal lamps, preventing damage to the base ends of the turn signal lamps and their wiring in the event of a collision. [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 front view of the front of the vehicle in this embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a top view of the front of the vehicle in this embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a bottom view of the front of the vehicle in this embodiment. [Figure 5] This is a cross-sectional view of the front of the vehicle in Figure 3, cut along line AA. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] In one embodiment of the present invention, a saddle-type vehicle has a headlamp mounted in the center of the front of the vehicle body, with a pair of turn signal lamps protruding outwards in the vehicle width direction from both the left and right sides of the front of the vehicle body. The area around the headlamp is covered by a sub-cover along with a main cover. The sub-cover is provided with a center cover portion that extends in the vehicle width direction below the headlamp lens, and a pair of side cover portions connected to both ends of the center cover portion in the vehicle width direction. The center cover portion covers the headlamp lens from below, and the pair of side cover portions cover the base ends of the pair of turn signal lamps from the front. Since the center cover portion and the pair of side cover portions are located below the headlamp, the center cover portion and the pair of side cover portions prevent foreign matter such as mud from adhering to the headlamp lens. In addition, the pair of side cover portions protect the base ends of the pair of turn signal lamps, preventing damage to the base ends of the turn signal lamps and wiring in the event of a collision. [Examples]

[0010] The sub-cover 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. In Figure 2, the fuel tank is shown by a dashed line.

[0011] As shown in Figure 1, the saddle-type vehicle 1 is constructed by mounting various components such as the engine 21 and electrical systems on a body frame 10. A pair of main frames 12 extend diagonally downward and rearward from the upper part of the head pipe 11 of the body frame 10, branching to the left and right. The front half of the pair of main frames 12 forms the tank rail 13, and the rear half of the pair of main frames 12 forms the body frame 14. A pair of side frames 15 extend from the lower part of the head pipe 11, branching to the left and right, towards the pair of tank rails 13. A pair of down frames 16 extend downward from the middle of the pair of side frames 15.

[0012] A fuel tank (not shown) is placed over a pair of tank rails 13 from above. The rear of the engine 21 is supported by a pair of body frames 14, and the front of the engine 21 is supported by a pair of down frames 16. The rigidity of the entire vehicle is ensured by the engine 21 being supported by the vehicle frame 10. A pair of seat rails 17 extend rearward from the rear ends of the pair of tank rails 13, and a pair of seat pillars 18 extend diagonally upward and rearward from the lower ends of the pair of body frames 14 toward the rear ends of the pair of seat rails 17. The seat 23 is supported from below by the pair of seat rails 17 and the pair of seat pillars 18.

[0013] A steering shaft (not shown) supports a front fork 24 on the head pipe 11 so as to be steerable. A handlebar 25 is provided on the upper part of the front fork 24, and a front wheel 26 is rotatably supported on the lower part of the front fork 24. A swingarm 27 is pivotably supported on a pair of body frames 14. The swingarm 27 extends rearward from the pair of body frames 14, and a rear wheel 28 is rotatably supported at the rear end of the swingarm 27. The lower part of the fuel tank is covered by a pair of front side covers 41, and the lower part of the seat 23 is covered by a pair of rear side covers 42.

[0014] A headlamp 43 is installed in the center of the front of the vehicle body, and a pair of turn signal lamps 45 protrude outwards in the width direction from both the left and right sides of the front of the vehicle body. The headlamp 43 is surrounded by the main cover 52 of the lamp cover 51, and the pair of turn signal lamps 45 are located below the main cover 52. The main cover 52 alone cannot effectively prevent dirt from adhering to the headlamp 43, nor can it adequately protect the pair of turn signal lamps 45, nor can it suppress vibrations of the pair of turn signal lamps 45 while driving. Therefore, in this embodiment, a sub-cover 53 is installed below the main cover 52 as part of the lamp cover 51.

[0015] The sub-cover will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 4. Figure 2 is a front view of the front of the vehicle in this embodiment. Figure 3 is a top view of the front of the vehicle in this embodiment. Figure 4 is a bottom view of the front of the vehicle in this embodiment.

[0016] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the lens 44 of the headlamp 43 is exposed through the central opening of the main cover 52 of the lamp cover 51. The upper frame portion of the main cover 52 extends in the vehicle width direction along the upper edge of the lens 44, and the side portions of the main cover 52 widen towards the rear from both sides of the lens 44. A windproof screen 49 is provided on the upper side of the upper frame portion of the main cover 52. The main cover 52 does not have a lower frame portion, and the bottom surface of the lens 44 is open. In this way, the base end of the screen 49 is covered by the main cover 52, and the top and both sides of the headlamp 43 are covered.

[0017] The main cover 52 is connected to the lens 44 of the headlamp 43, forming a streamlined shape that widens in the vehicle width direction from the front end of the lens 44 to the rear end of the main cover 52 when viewed from above. A pair of turn signal lamps 45 are provided on the lower side of the headlamp 43. The pair of turn signal lamps 45 protrude outward in the vehicle width direction from the front of the vehicle body, and the lenses 46 of the pair of turn signal lamps 45 are oriented forward. Light sources are installed in the lenses 44 and 46 of the headlamp 43 and the pair of turn signal lamps 45, and each light source is connected to the battery via wiring 47 (wiring for the headlamp 43 is not shown).

[0018] Below the main cover 52, a sub-cover 53 is provided which, together with the main cover 52, covers the periphery of the headlamp 43. The sub-cover 53 is formed by a center cover portion 55 at the center in the vehicle width direction and a pair of side cover portions 54 on both sides in the vehicle width direction. The center cover portion 55 extends in the vehicle width direction below the lens 44 of the headlamp 43, and the pair of side cover portions 54 are connected to both ends in the vehicle width direction of the center cover portion 55. The lens 44 of the headlamp 43 is covered from below by the center cover portion 55, and the base ends 48 of the pair of turn signal lamps 45 are covered from the front by the pair of side cover portions 54.

[0019] In a front view, the center cover portion 55 is curved in a downwardly bulging arc shape, and a gap is provided between the lens 44 of the headlamp 43 and the center cover portion 55. The running wind is taken into the vehicle interior from the gap between the lens 44 and the center cover portion 55. In a cross-sectional view, the upper surface of the center cover portion 55 is inclined upward and rearward (not shown), and the running wind is rectified by the center cover portion 55. The flow of the running wind becomes smooth, the turbulent flow is reduced, the irregular force on the sub-cover 53 is reduced, and the vibration is suppressed. Also, in a top view, the lens 44 of the headlamp 43 overlaps the center cover portion 55.

[0020] In a front view, the upper surface portions 56 of the pair of side cover portions 54 extend inward in the vehicle width direction downward, and the lower surface portions 57 of the pair of side cover portions 54 extend outward in the vehicle width direction downward. In a top view, the upper surface portions 56 of the pair of side cover portions 54 extend outward in the vehicle width direction rearward, and in a bottom view, the lower surface portions 57 of the pair of side cover portions 54 extend rearward (see FIG. 4). In a front view and a top view, the pair of side cover portions 54 are bent so as to avoid the lenses 46 of the pair of turn signal lamps 45, and the irradiation range of the pair of turn signal lamps 45 is not narrowed by the pair of side cover portions 54.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 4, a center cover portion 55 and a pair of side cover portions 54 overlap the headlamp 43. Foreign matters such as mud are prevented from adhering to the lens 44 of the headlamp 43 by the center cover portion 55 and the pair of side cover portions 54. The front end position P1 of the pair of side cover portions 54 is located in front of the front end position P2 of the headlamp 43, and the front end position P3 of the center cover portion 55 is located behind the front end position P2 of the headlamp 43. The pair of side cover portions 54 enhance the mud removal effect on the headlamp 43, and the irradiation range of the headlamp 43 is not narrowed by the center cover portion 55.

[0022] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, a pair of fork tubes 31 of the front fork 24 extend downward from the lower edge of the main cover 52, and the pair of fork tubes 31 are connected via a bottom bridge 32. A lamp brace 33 is attached to the bottom bridge 32, and a pair of turn signal lamps 45 are supported by the lamp brace 33. Four brace bars 35 are provided on the brace body 34 of the lamp brace 33. The right brace brackets 36 are fixed to the two brace bars 35 on the right side, and the left brace brackets 36 are fixed to the two brace bars 35 on the left side.

[0023] Each brace bracket 36 is formed in an L shape in a bottom view. The turn signal lamp 45 is fixed to the side portion of each brace bracket 36, and the side cover portion 54 is fixed to the front portion of each brace bracket 36 via a pillar 37. The base end portions 48 of the turn signal lamps 45 and the fixing portions of the brace brackets 36 are protected from the front by the side cover portions 54, preventing breakage of the pair of turn signal lamps 45. Further, wiring 47 extends rearward from each turn signal lamp 45, and the wiring 47 is protected from the front by the side cover portion 54, preventing breakage of the wiring 47.

[0024] Referring to Figure 5, the positional relationship between the side cover portion of the sub-cover and the base end of the turn signal lamp will be explained. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the front of the vehicle in Figure 3, cut along line AA.

[0025] As shown in Figure 5, the upper surfaces 56 of a pair of side cover sections 54 are inclined upward and backward at the side, and the airflow F flows diagonally upward and backward along the upper surfaces 56 of the pair of side cover sections 54. The rear end position P4 of the upper surfaces 56 of the pair of side cover sections 54 is located behind the front end position P5 of the base end 48 of the pair of turn signal lamps 45, and more specifically, behind the intermediate position P6 in the longitudinal direction of the base end 48. The airflow F is rectified by the pair of side cover sections 54, which makes the flow of the airflow F smoother and reduces turbulence, thereby reducing irregular forces on the pair of turn signal lamps 45 and suppressing vibrations.

[0026] Above the base ends 48 of the pair of turn signal lamps 45, a pair of side cover portions 54 are formed in a horizontal V-shape by a pair of upward-sloping upper portions 56 and a pair of downward-sloping support portions 58. In a side view, the support portions 58 of the pair of side cover portions 54 are opposed to the pair of turn signal lamps 45 in the vertical direction. When the saddle-type vehicle 1 goes over a gap, the pair of support portions 58 restricts excessive shaking of the pair of turn signal lamps 45. The load acting on the base ends 48 of the pair of turn signal lamps 45 is reduced, and damage to the base ends 48 of the pair of turn signal lamps 45 is suppressed.

[0027] In this case, an appropriate gap is provided between the support portions 58 of the pair of side cover portions 54 and the base ends 48 of the pair of turn signal lamps 45. The pair of turn signal lamps 45 can move freely in the event of small vibrations, and their movement is restricted only in the event of large vibrations by the pair of support portions 58. Furthermore, the pair of support portions 58 are flexible, and the energy of the collision between the pair of turn signal lamps 45 and the support portions 58 is absorbed. This reduces the impact on the base ends 48 of the pair of turn signal lamps 45, thereby suppressing damage.

[0028] Furthermore, the lower surfaces 57 of the pair of side cover sections 54 are inclined downwards towards the rear, and the airflow F flows diagonally downwards and rearward along the lower surfaces 57 of the pair of side cover sections 54. The rear end position P7 of the lower surfaces 57 of the pair of side cover sections 54 is located below the lower end position P8 of the base end 48 of the pair of turn signal lamps 45. The pair of side cover sections 54 act as a windbreak to protect the base end 48 from the airflow F. The airflow F is rectified by the pair of side cover sections 54, which makes the airflow F flow more smoothly and reduces turbulence, thereby reducing irregular forces on the pair of turn signal lamps 45 and suppressing vibrations.

[0029] As described above, with the sub-cover 53 of this embodiment, the center cover portion 55 and the pair of side cover portions 54 are located below the headlamp 43, so that foreign matter such as mud adheres to the lens 44 of the headlamp 43 by the center cover portion 55 and the pair of side cover portions 54. In addition, the base ends 48 of the pair of turn signal lamps 45 are protected by the pair of side cover portions 54, so that damage to the base ends 48 of the turn signal lamps 45 and the wiring 47 is prevented in the event of a collision or the like.

[0030] In this embodiment, the center cover is formed in a downward-curving arc shape, but the shape of the center cover is not particularly limited as long as it covers the headlamp lens from below.

[0031] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the upper surfaces of the pair of side covers are inclined upward towards the rear, and the lower surfaces of the pair of side covers are inclined downward towards the rear. However, the shape of the pair of side covers is not particularly limited as long as they are shaped to cover the base ends of the pair of turn signal lamps from the front.

[0032] Furthermore, the sub-cover of this embodiment may be used not only in the saddle-type vehicle described above, but also 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.

[0033] As described above, the first embodiment is a saddle-type vehicle (1) in which a headlamp (43) is installed in the center of the front of the vehicle body, and a pair of turn signal lamps (45) protrude outward in the vehicle width direction from both the left and right sides of the front of the vehicle body, and a sub-cover (53) that covers the area around the headlamp together with a main cover (52) comprises a center cover portion (55) that extends in the vehicle width direction below the lens (44) of the headlamp, and a pair of side cover portions (54) connected to both ends of the center cover portion in the vehicle width direction, with the center cover portion covering the lens of the headlamp from below, and the pair of side cover portions covering the base ends (48) of the pair of turn signal lamps from the front. With this configuration, since the center cover portion and the pair of side cover portions are located below the headlamp, the center cover portion and the pair of side cover portions prevent foreign matter such as mud from adhering to the lens of the headlamp. In addition, the base ends of the pair of turn signal lamps are protected by the pair of side cover portions, preventing damage to the base ends of the turn signal lamps and wiring in the event of a collision, etc.

[0034] In the second embodiment, in the first embodiment, the upper surfaces (56) of the pair of side cover sections are inclined upward and backward in a side view, and the rear end position (P4) of the upper surfaces of the pair of side cover sections is located behind the front end position (P5) of the base ends of the pair of turn signal lamps. With this configuration, the airflow is rectified by the pair of side cover sections, resulting in a smoother airflow and reduced turbulence, which in turn reduces irregular forces on the pair of turn signal lamps and suppresses vibrations.

[0035] In the third embodiment, as in the second embodiment, the rear end position of the upper surface of the pair of side cover sections is located behind the midpoint (P6) in the front-rear direction of the base end of the pair of turn signal lamps when viewed from the side. With this configuration, the airflow is straightened by the pair of side cover sections, which reduces irregular forces on the pair of turn signal lamps and suppresses vibrations.

[0036] The fourth embodiment is one of the first to third embodiments, in which a pair of side cover portions are formed with support portions (58) that face the base ends of a pair of turn signal lamps in a side view. With this configuration, when a saddle-type vehicle goes over a gap, the pair of support portions restrict excessive shaking of the pair of turn signal lamps. The load acting on the base ends of the pair of turn signal lamps is reduced, and damage to the base ends of the pair of turn signal lamps is suppressed.

[0037] The fifth embodiment is one of the first to fourth embodiments, in which the lower surfaces (57) of the pair of side covers are inclined downwards when viewed from the side, and the rear end position (P7) of the lower surfaces of the pair of side covers is located below the lower end position (P8) of the base ends of the pair of turn signal lamps. With this configuration, the pair of side covers act as a windbreak, protecting the base ends of the pair of turn signal lamps from the airflow while driving, and the airflow is straightened by the pair of side covers, thereby reducing irregular forces on the pair of turn signal lamps and suppressing vibrations.

[0038] The sixth embodiment is one of the first to fifth embodiments in which the front end position (P1) of the pair of side cover portions is located in front of the front end position (P2) of the headlamp. With this configuration, the mudguard effect on the headlamp can be enhanced by the pair of side cover portions.

[0039] The seventh embodiment is the sixth embodiment, wherein the front end position (P3) of the center cover is located behind the front end position of the headlamp. With this configuration, the pair of side cover parts enhance the mudguard effect on the headlamp, and the center cover part does not narrow the illumination range of the headlamp.

[0040] Although this embodiment has been described, other embodiments may include combinations of the above embodiment and its modifications, either entirely or partially.

[0041] 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]

[0042] 1: Saddle-type vehicle 43: Headlamp 44: Headlamp lens 45: Turn signal lamp 48: Proximal end 52: Main cover 53: Subcover 54: Side cover section 55: Center cover section 56: Top surface of the side cover 57: Lower part of the side cover 58: Support part of the side cover P1: Front end position of the side cover P2: Front end position of the headlamp P3: Front end position of the center cover P4: Rear end position of the upper part of the side cover P5: Front end position of the base of the turn signal lamp P6: Midpoint of the base end of the turn signal lamp P7: Rear end position of the lower part of the side cover P8: Lower end position of the base of the turn signal lamp

Claims

1. A saddle-type vehicle in which a headlamp is installed in the center of the front of the vehicle body, and a pair of turn signal lamps protrude outwards in the width direction from both the left and right sides of the front of the vehicle body, and a sub-cover that covers the area around the headlamp together with the main cover, The center cover portion extends in the vehicle width direction below the lens of the headlamp, The system comprises a pair of side cover sections connected to both ends of the center cover section in the vehicle width direction, The lens of the headlamp is covered from below by the aforementioned center cover portion. A sub-cover characterized in that the base ends of the pair of turn signal lamps are covered from the front by the pair of side cover portions.

2. The sub-cover according to claim 1, characterized in that, in a side view, the upper surfaces of the pair of side cover portions are inclined upward toward the rear, and the rear end position of the upper surfaces of the pair of side cover portions is located behind the front end position of the base ends of the pair of turn signal lamps.

3. The sub-cover according to claim 2, characterized in that, in a side view, the rear end position of the upper surface of the pair of side cover portions is located behind the midpoint in the front-rear direction of the base ends of the pair of turn signal lamps.

4. The sub-cover according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the pair of side cover portions are formed with support portions that face the base ends of the pair of turn signal lamps when viewed from the side.

5. The sub-cover according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, when viewed from the side, the lower surface of the pair of side cover portions is inclined downward toward the rear, and the rear end position of the lower surface of the pair of side cover portions is located below the lower end position of the base end of the pair of turn signal lamps.

6. The sub-cover according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the front end position of the pair of side cover portions is located forward of the front end position of the headlamp.

7. The sub-cover according to claim 6, characterized in that the front end position of the center cover portion is located behind the front end position of the headlamp.

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