Saddle-type vehicle
By positioning the in-vehicle horn above the head pipe within side covers and emitting sounds forward through an opening, the saddle-type vehicle effectively prevents debris adhesion and ensures clear sound emission.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- SUZUKI MOTOR CORP
- Filing Date
- 2024-12-17
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-29
AI Technical Summary
Saddle-type vehicles with exposed in-vehicle horns are susceptible to mud and debris adhesion, which can obstruct the emission of warning sounds.
The in-vehicle horn is positioned above the lower end of the head pipe within side covers, with an opening in the side cover facing the horn to emit the warning sound forward, protecting it from debris and obstacles.
Prevents mud and debris from adhering to the horn, ensuring effective emission of warning sounds while maintaining horn protection and rigidity, reducing sound interference.
Smart Images
Figure 2026106022000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a saddle-type vehicle.
Background Art
[0002] As a saddle-type vehicle, there is known one in which an in-vehicle horn that emits a warning sound is installed at the front part of the vehicle body (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the saddle-type vehicle described in Patent Document 1, a front carrier extends from the head pipe toward the front of the vehicle, and a basket is installed on the front carrier above the front wheel. A headlamp and a pair of left and right turn signal lamps are supported by the front carrier in front of the vehicle relative to this basket, and an in-vehicle horn is installed below the right turn signal lamp. Since there is no obstacle in front of the in-vehicle horn, the generation of the warning sound is not hindered by an obstacle.
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0003]
Patent Document 1
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0004] However, in the saddle-type vehicle described in Patent Document 1, since there is no obstacle in front of the in-vehicle horn and the in-vehicle horn is exposed to the outside, there is a risk that flying objects such as mud may adhere to the in-vehicle horn during traveling.
[0005] The present invention has been made in view of this point, and an object thereof is to provide a saddle-type vehicle that can emit a warning sound well and protect the in-vehicle horn.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0006] One aspect of the present invention is a saddle-type vehicle in which a head pipe is provided at the front end of the vehicle frame, and comprises a pair of side covers that cover the vehicle frame from the outside in the width direction of the vehicle, and an on-board horn provided inside at least one of the side covers, wherein the on-board horn is installed at a position above the lower end of the head pipe and oriented to emit a warning sound forward, and the above problem is solved by forming an opening in at least one of the side covers that faces the on-board horn in the front-rear direction. [Effects of the Invention]
[0007] According to one embodiment of the present invention, in a saddle-type vehicle, the onboard horn is positioned above the lower end of the head pipe inside at least one side cover, thus preventing mud and other debris from adhering to the horn. Furthermore, an opening is formed in the side cover facing the onboard horn, and a warning sound is emitted forward from the horn through this opening in the side cover. As a result, the warning sound of the onboard horn is less likely to be obstructed by obstacles, and the warning sound can be emitted effectively while protecting the onboard horn. [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 front of the vehicle in this embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a front view of the front of the vehicle in this embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a left side view of the vehicle, excluding the side cover, from the front of Figure 2. [Figure 5] Figure 3 is a front view of the vehicle, excluding the front end. [Figure 6] This is a left side view of the front half of the vehicle in this embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0009] A head pipe is provided at the front end of the body frame of a saddle-type vehicle according to one aspect of the present invention. The body frame is covered from the outside in the width direction by a pair of side covers, and an on-board horn is provided inside at least one of the side covers. The on-board horn is positioned above the lower end of the head pipe and is oriented to emit a warning sound forward, and an opening is formed in at least one of the side covers that faces the on-board horn in the front-to-rear direction. Because the on-board horn is positioned above the lower end of the head pipe inside at least one of the side covers, flying debris such as mud is prevented from adhering to the on-board horn. Furthermore, an opening is formed in the side cover that faces the on-board horn, and the warning sound is emitted forward from the on-board horn through this opening in the side cover. Therefore, the warning sound of the on-board horn is less likely to be obstructed by obstacles, and the warning sound can be emitted well while protecting the on-board horn. [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 27 and electrical system 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 21 (see Figure 4) is placed over a pair of tank rails 13 from above. The rear of the engine 27 is supported by a pair of body frames 14, and the front of the engine 27 is supported by a pair of down frames 16. The rigidity of the entire vehicle is ensured by the engine 27 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 22 is supported from below by the pair of seat rails 17 and the pair of seat pillars 18.
[0013] A front fork 31 is supported by the head pipe 11 via a steering shaft (not shown) so as to be steerable. A handlebar 23 is provided on the upper part of the front fork 31, and a front wheel 24 is rotatably supported on the lower part of the front fork 31. A headlamp 36 is mounted in front of the head pipe 11, and a meter unit 39 is mounted above the headlamp 36. A swingarm 25 is pivotably supported on a pair of body frames 14. The swingarm 25 extends rearward from the pair of body frames 14, and a rear wheel 26 is rotatably supported at the rear end of the swingarm 25.
[0014] Incidentally, a vehicle-mounted horn is installed at the front of the vehicle body as a safety component. The vehicle-mounted horn needs to be installed in a position where there are no obstacles directly in front of it, but there is a risk that mud and other flying debris may adhere to the vehicle-mounted horn while driving. Also, if the rigidity of the mounting location of the vehicle-mounted horn is low, the vibration of the vehicle-mounted horn will be absorbed at the mounting location and it will not be able to produce a sufficient volume. Therefore, in the saddle-type vehicle 1 of this embodiment, the vehicle-mounted horn 51 (see Figure 4) is installed inside the front side cover 41, and an opening 46 is formed in the front side cover 41 to allow the warning sound from the vehicle-mounted horn 51 to pass through. Furthermore, the vehicle-mounted horn 51 is supported by a highly rigid vehicle body frame 10.
[0015] The layout of the vehicle horn will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 5. Figure 2 is a left side view of the front of the vehicle in this embodiment. Figure 3 is a front view of the front of the vehicle in this embodiment. Figure 4 is a left side view of the front of the vehicle in Figure 2, excluding the side cover. Figure 5 is a front view of the vehicle in Figure 3, excluding the front end.
[0016] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, a head pipe 11 is provided at the front end of the vehicle frame 10, and a front fork 31 is supported by the head pipe 11. The front fork 31 is formed by connecting a pair of fork tubes 32 with a top bridge 33 and a bottom bridge 34. A headlamp 36 is supported by the top bridge 33 and the bottom bridge 34 via a lamp brace (not shown). The headlamp 36 is covered by a lamp cover 37, and a pair of turn signal lamps 38 protrude from both sides of the lamp cover 37. In a front view, the head pipe 11 is hidden behind the headlamp 36.
[0017] The vehicle frame 10 is covered from the outside in the vehicle width direction by a pair of front side covers (side covers) 41. Each front side cover 41 is formed by a front cover 42, an upper cover 44, a middle cover 43, and a lower cover 45. The front portion of the front side cover 41 is formed by the front cover 42, and the side portion of the front side cover 41 is formed by the upper cover 44, middle cover 43, and lower cover 45. Various fastening methods such as screws, clips, and hooks are used to connect each cover.
[0018] The front cover 42 is located on the side of the head pipe 11, and an opening 46 for taking in the running wind is formed in the front cover 42. An upper cover 44 is provided on the rear side of the front cover 42, and a first guiding portion 47 bulged so as to guide the running wind taken in from the opening 46 backward is formed in the front cover 42 and the upper cover 44. A ridge line 49 is provided on the upper cover 44, and a second guiding portion 48 inclined inward in the vehicle width direction so as to guide the running wind downward is formed on a slope beyond the ridge line 49 of the upper cover 44 on the rear side of the first guiding portion 47.
[0019] A middle cover 43 and a lower cover 45 are provided under the upper cover 44, and the side of the cylinder head 28 (see FIG. 4) of the engine 27 is covered by the middle cover 43 and the lower cover 45. The running wind is guided downward by the middle cover 43 and the lower cover 45 toward the lower part of the cylinder head 28. By taking in the running wind from the opening 46 of the front cover 42, the hot air around the cylinder head 28 is pushed downward by the running wind. Details of the flow of the running wind inside the front side cover 41 will be described later.
[0020] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a pair of main frames 12 extend obliquely downward rearward from the upper rear side of the head pipe 11, and a fuel tank 21 is supported from below by a pair of tank rails 13 at the front half portion of the pair of main frames 12. A pair of side frames 15 extend rearward from the lower rear side of the head pipe 11, and the rear end portions of the pair of side frames 15 are connected to the rear end portions of the pair of tank rails 13. As described above, the rear half portions of the pair of main frames 12 are a pair of body frames 14, and a pair of down frames 16 extend downward from the middle of the pair of side frames 15.
[0021] An onboard horn 51 is installed inside the left front side cover 41. The onboard horn 51 is installed with its resonator facing forward, that is, in a direction that emits a warning sound forward. The opening 46 of the front cover 42 of the left front side cover 41 faces the onboard horn 51 in the front-to-back direction. The onboard horn 51 is exposed forward through the opening 46 of the front cover 42, and a warning sound is emitted forward from the onboard horn 51 through this opening 46. Even though the onboard horn 51 is installed inside the front side cover 41, the warning sound is less likely to be obstructed by the front side cover 41.
[0022] In a side view, the on-board horn 51 is positioned above the lower end of the head pipe 11, making it difficult for mud and other debris from below to adhere to the horn 51. The on-board horn 51 is covered by the front side cover 41 from the outside in the vehicle width direction, protecting it from debris from the outside in the vehicle width direction. In a front view, part of the on-board horn 51 is hidden behind the front fork 31 (fork tube 32) (see Figure 3), protecting it from debris from the front. Furthermore, because the front fork 31 is separated from the on-board horn 51, the warning sound of the on-board horn 51 is less likely to be interfered with by the front fork 31.
[0023] The vehicle-mounted horn 51 is installed on the left-side tank rail 13 (main frame 12) via a bracket 52. In this case, the vehicle-mounted horn 51 is positioned between the tank rail 13 and the side frame 15 in a side view. Part of the tank rail 13 overlaps the vehicle-mounted horn 51 from above, and part of the side frame 15 overlaps the vehicle-mounted horn 51 from below. The vehicle-mounted horn 51 is protected from flying objects from above and below by the tank rail 13 and the side frame 15. In this way, the adhesion of flying objects to the vehicle-mounted horn 51 is suppressed, so that the generation of warning sounds from the vehicle-mounted horn 51 is not hindered.
[0024] Furthermore, the front of the vehicle frame 10 is formed in a truss shape when viewed from the side by the head pipe 11, tank rail 13, and side frame 15, thereby increasing the rigidity of the head pipe 11, tank rail 13, and side frame 15. The vehicle horn 51 is supported by the highly rigid tank rail 13, which suppresses the absorption of vibrations from the vehicle horn 51, allowing vibration energy to be efficiently converted into sound energy. The sound quality of the warning sound is also improved by reducing unwanted resonances. In addition, the direction of the vehicle horn 51 is properly fixed, improving the directivity of the warning sound. Therefore, the warning sound is effectively emitted forward from the vehicle horn 51.
[0025] The airflow while driving will be explained with reference to Figure 6. Figure 6 is a left side view of the front half of the vehicle in this embodiment.
[0026] As shown in Figure 6, in a riding position where the occupant 5 straddles the seat 22 of the saddle-type vehicle 1, the occupant 5's feet are positioned to the side of the crankcase 29 of the engine 27. At this time, the occupant 5's knees are positioned to the side of the front side cover 41, and the opening 46 of the front side cover 41 is formed in front of the occupant 5's knees. In a side view, the cylinder head (heat source) 28 is located diagonally below and behind the opening 46 of the front side cover 41 (see Figure 4), and the front side cover 41 has a guide section that directs the airflow taken in through the opening 46 during driving toward the cylinder head 28.
[0027] More specifically, an on-board horn 51 is installed behind the opening 46 of the front cover 42. Behind the on-board horn 51, a first guide section 47 is formed by the front cover 42 and the upper cover 44. Below the first guide section 47, a second guide section 48 is formed by the upper cover 44. Below the second guide section 48, a middle cover 43 and a lower cover 45 are provided. The middle cover 43 and the lower cover 45 extend toward the cylinder head 28, and the cylinder head 28 is covered by the middle cover 43 and the lower cover 45 from the outside in the vehicle width direction.
[0028] While the saddle-type vehicle 1 is in motion, airflow is drawn in through the opening 46 of the front cover 42 into the front side cover 41. Some of the airflow F1 hits the onboard horn 51 and flows downward, guided toward the cylinder head 28. The remaining airflow F2 passes through the gap between the onboard horn 51 and the opening 46 and is guided backward by the first guide unit 47. Then, the airflow F2 is guided inward in the vehicle width direction by the second guide unit 48 and is guided toward the cylinder head 28 by the middle cover 43 and the lower cover 45. The airflow F1 and F2 blows onto the cylinder head 28 from above, pushing down the hot air around the cylinder head 28. The airflow F1 and F2 flows along the underside of the vehicle body, making it less likely for hot air to reach the feet of the occupant 5.
[0029] As described above, in the saddle-type vehicle 1 of this embodiment, the on-board horn 51 is positioned above the lower end of the head pipe 11 inside the left front side cover 41, thus preventing mud and other flying debris from adhering to the on-board horn 51. In addition, an opening 46 is formed in the front side cover 41 facing the on-board horn 51, and a warning sound is emitted forward from the on-board horn 51 through this opening 46 in the front side cover 41. Therefore, the warning sound of the on-board horn 51 is less likely to be obstructed by obstacles, and the warning sound can be emitted well while protecting the on-board horn 51.
[0030] In this embodiment, the vehicle horn is provided inside the left front side cover, but it may also be provided inside the right front side cover, or inside both front side covers.
[0031] Furthermore, although a flat-type horn was used as an example of a vehicle-mounted horn in this embodiment, any vehicle-mounted horn that emits a warning sound is acceptable; for example, a spiral-type horn may also be used.
[0032] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the main frame extends rearward from the top of the head pipe, and the side frame extends rearward from the bottom of the head pipe, with the on-board horn positioned between the main frame and the side frame in a side view, but the configuration is not limited to this. The main frame may extend rearward from the head pipe, and the on-board horn may be positioned below the upper edge and above the lower edge of the main frame in a side view.
[0033] Furthermore, although a cylinder head is used as an example of a heat source in this embodiment, the heat source is not particularly limited.
[0034] Furthermore, the on-board horn layout in this embodiment is not limited to the saddle-type vehicle described above, but may be adopted in other types of saddle-type vehicles as well. 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.
[0035] As described above, the first embodiment is a saddle-type vehicle (1) in which a head pipe (11) is provided at the front end of a vehicle frame (10), and comprises a pair of side covers (41) that cover the vehicle frame from the outside in the vehicle width direction, and an on-board horn (51) provided inside at least one of the side covers, wherein the on-board horn is installed above the lower end position of the head pipe and oriented to emit a warning sound forward, and an opening (46) is formed in at least one of the side covers that faces the on-board horn in the front-rear direction. With this configuration, since the on-board horn is located inside at least one of the side covers above the lower end position of the head pipe, the adhesion of flying debris such as mud to the on-board horn is suppressed. In addition, an opening is formed in the side cover that faces the on-board horn, and a warning sound is emitted forward from the on-board horn through this opening in the side cover. Therefore, the warning sound of the on-board horn is less likely to be obstructed by obstacles, and the warning sound can be emitted well while protecting the on-board horn.
[0036] In the second embodiment, the front fork (31) is supported by the head pipe in a steerable manner in the first embodiment, and a portion of the onboard horn is hidden behind the front fork when viewed from the front. With this configuration, the onboard horn is protected from flying debris such as mud from the front by being hidden behind the front fork. In addition, because the front fork is separated from the onboard horn, the warning sound of the onboard horn is less likely to be interfered with by the front fork.
[0037] In the third embodiment, a main frame (12) extends rearward from the head pipe, and the vehicle horn is mounted on the main frame. With this configuration, the vehicle horn is supported by a highly rigid main frame, which allows the vehicle horn's warning sound to be emitted effectively.
[0038] In the fourth aspect, as in the third aspect, the vehicle horn is positioned below the upper edge and above the lower edge of the main frame in a side view. With this configuration, the vehicle horn is positioned close to the highly rigid main frame, allowing the warning sound of the vehicle horn to be emitted effectively.
[0039] The fifth aspect is a configuration of the third aspect in which a main frame extends rearward from the top of the head pipe, and a side frame (15) extends from the bottom of the head pipe toward the main frame. In a side view, the vehicle horn is positioned between the main frame and the side frame, with a portion of the main frame overlapping the vehicle horn from above and a portion of the side frame overlapping the vehicle horn from below. With this configuration, the vehicle horn is protected from flying objects from above and below by the main frame and the side frame. In addition, the head pipe, main frame and side frame are formed in a truss shape in a side view, increasing rigidity, and the vehicle horn is supported by the main frame, allowing the warning sound to be emitted effectively.
[0040] The sixth embodiment is one of the first to fifth embodiments, in which a heat source (cylinder head 28) is located diagonally downward and rear of the opening, and the side cover is formed with guide sections (first and second guide sections 47 and 48) that guide the airflow taken in from the opening toward the heat source. With this configuration, when airflow is taken in from the opening of the side cover, the airflow blows onto the heat source from above, pushing down the hot air around the heat source. The airflow flows downwards toward the bottom of the vehicle, making it less likely for hot air to reach the occupants' feet.
[0041] Although this embodiment has been described, other embodiments may include combinations of the above embodiment and its modifications, either entirely or partially.
[0042] 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]
[0043] 1: Saddle-type vehicle 10: Vehicle frame 11: Headpipe 12: Mainframe 15: Side frame 28: Cylinder head (heat source) 31: Front Fork 41: Front side cover (side cover) 46: Opening of the front side cover 47: First guidance unit (guidance unit) 48: Second guidance unit (guidance unit) 51: Car horn
Claims
1. A saddle-type vehicle in which a head pipe is provided at the front end of the vehicle frame, A pair of side covers that cover the aforementioned vehicle frame from the outside in the width direction of the vehicle, It includes a vehicle horn located inside at least one side cover, The vehicle horn is installed above the lower end of the head pipe and oriented to emit a warning sound forward. A saddle-type vehicle characterized in that at least one of the side covers has an opening formed therein that faces the on-board horn in the front-to-rear direction.
2. The front fork is supported on the aforementioned head pipe in a steerable manner. The saddle-type vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that a portion of the on-board horn is hidden behind the front fork when viewed from the front.
3. The main frame extends rearward from the aforementioned head pipe. The saddle-type vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the on-board horn is installed on the main frame.
4. The saddle-type vehicle according to claim 3, characterized in that, in a side view, the on-board horn is located below the upper edge and above the lower edge of the main frame.
5. The main frame extends from the upper part of the head pipe towards the rear, and the side frames extend from the lower part of the head pipe toward the main frame. The saddle-type vehicle according to claim 3, characterized in that, in a side view, the on-board horn is positioned between the main frame and the side frame, a part of the main frame overlaps the on-board horn from above, and a part of the side frame overlaps the on-board horn from below.
6. A saddle-type vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a heat source is located diagonally downward and rear of the opening, and the side cover has a guide portion formed therein that guides the airflow taken in from the opening toward the heat source.