Saddle-type vehicle

Abstract

Install electrical components in the optimal location on the saddle-type vehicle. [Solution] The saddle-type vehicle is provided with a low floorboard (41) on which the driver's legs are placed in front of the seat, a down frame (11) extending from the head pipe to below the floorboard, a pair of side frames (12) extending rearward from the lower end of the down frame, and electrical components (61) installed below the floorboard. The electrical components are installed on the outside in the vehicle width direction of the pair of side frames.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] A keyless controller is provided as an electrical component in a saddle-type vehicle. Conventionally, as a saddle-type vehicle, one in which a keyless controller is installed below a seat is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the saddle-type vehicle described in Patent Document 1, radio waves are radiated from an antenna of the keyless controller, and when a driver having a smart key approaches the saddle-type vehicle, a response signal from the smart key is returned toward the keyless controller. Then, the ID of the smart key is verified by the keyless controller and various locks are released.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, although the area below the seat is a place where radio waves of the smart key easily reach, when a keyless controller is installed below the seat, there is a problem that the storage space below the seat is narrowed by the keyless controller. Also, even for an electrical component that does not have a communication function other than the keyless controller, it is desirable to secure a wide storage space.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of this point, and an object thereof is to provide a saddle-type vehicle in which electrical components can be installed in an optimal location.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A saddle-type vehicle according to one aspect of the present invention includes a low floorboard on which the driver's legs are placed in front of the seat, a down frame extending from the head pipe to below the floorboard, a pair of side frames extending rearward from the lower end of the down frame, and electrical components installed below the floorboard, wherein the electrical components are installed on the outside in the vehicle width direction of the pair of side frames, thereby solving the above problem. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one embodiment of the present invention, in a saddle-type vehicle, electrical components are installed below the floorboard, so that the storage space below the seat is not reduced by the electrical components. In addition, the space between the pair of side frames can be effectively utilized as installation space for other electrical components. Furthermore, if the electrical components are capable of wireless communication, there will be fewer objects obstructing radio waves on the outside of the electrical components in the vehicle width direction, thus maintaining the communication performance of the electrical components. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a right side view of the saddle-type vehicle in this embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view of the front of the vehicle in this embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a side view of the front of the vehicle in this embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a top view of the front of the vehicle in this embodiment. [Figure 5] This is a bottom view of the front of the vehicle in this embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] In one embodiment of the present invention, a saddle-type vehicle is provided with a low floorboard in front of the seat on which the driver's legs rest. A down frame extends from the head pipe to below the floorboard, and a pair of side frames extend rearward from the lower end of the down frame. Electrical components are installed below the floorboard, and these components are positioned on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the pair of side frames. By installing the electrical components below the floorboard, the storage space below the seat is not reduced by the electrical components. Furthermore, the space between the pair of side frames can be effectively utilized as installation space for other electrical components. In addition, if the electrical components are capable of wireless communication, there will be fewer objects obstructing radio waves on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the electrical components, thus maintaining the communication performance of the electrical components. [Examples]

[0010] The saddle-type vehicle of this embodiment will be described below with reference to the attached drawings. Figure 1 is a right 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 attaching various covers as exterior body parts to an underbone-type body frame 10 (see Figure 2). A front cover 31 is provided on the front side of the vehicle, and a pair of front leg shields 32 and a rear leg shield 33 are provided on the rear side of the front cover 31. A floorboard 41 extends rearward from the lower end of the rear leg shield 33, and a pair of lower side covers 51 and a lower under cover 53 extend rearward from the lower ends of the pair of front leg shields 32. A body cover 54 and a pair of rear side covers 55 are provided on the rear side of the floorboard 41.

[0012] Front forks 21 protrude downward from a pair of front leg shields 32, and the front wheel 22 is rotatably supported by the front forks 21. A seat 23 is installed above the body cover 54 and a pair of rear side covers 55, and a storage space is formed below the seat 23 inside the body cover 54 and the pair of rear side covers 55. A swing arm 24 with a motor (not shown) is provided below the pair of lower side covers 51. The swing arm 24 is pivotably connected to a pivot bracket 15 of the vehicle frame 10, and the rear wheel 25 is rotatably supported at the rear of the swing arm 24.

[0013] Incidentally, when a smart key system is adopted for scooter-type saddle-type vehicles, the keyless controller is often installed under the seat. This makes the keyless controller less susceptible to water damage and allows radio waves from the smart key to reach it more easily, but it also makes it more easily accessible to others, resulting in lower theft deterrence, and the keyless controller takes up valuable storage space. For this reason, it is desirable to install the keyless controller in an optimal location that takes into account waterproofing, communication performance, theft deterrence, and storage space under the seat. Therefore, in this embodiment, the keyless controller is installed using the space under the floorboard.

[0014] The front structure of the saddle-type vehicle will be described below with reference to Figures 2 to 5. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the front of the vehicle in this embodiment. Figure 3 is a side view of the front of the vehicle in this embodiment. Figure 4 is a top view of the front of the vehicle in this embodiment. Figure 5 is a bottom view of the front of the vehicle in this embodiment. Note that in Figures 2 and 3, the front leg shield, rear leg shield, floorboard, lower side cover, and lower under cover are shown by dashed lines. In Figure 4, the floorboard is shown by a dashed line. In Figure 5, the lower side cover and lower under cover are omitted.

[0015] As shown in Figure 2, the vehicle frame 10 has a down frame 11 that extends from the head pipe (not shown) at the front of the vehicle to below the floorboard 41, and a pair of side frames 12 that extend rearward from the lower end of the down frame 11. The down frame 11 extends straight through the inside of the rear leg shield 33. The pair of side frames 12 branch off to the left and right from the lower end of the down frame 11 and extend rearward, passing below the floorboard 41 and then rising diagonally upward to the rear. In addition, an auxiliary frame 14 extends outward in the vehicle width direction from the lower end of the down frame 11.

[0016] A pair of front leg shields 32 and rear leg shields 33 are attached to the head pipe and down frame 11 via cover braces 26, protecting the driver's legs. A floorboard 41 is attached to a pair of side frames 12 and auxiliary frames 14, and the driver's legs rest on the low floorboard 41 in front of the seat 23. A pair of lower side covers 51 and lower under covers 53 are attached to the underside of the floorboard 41. Adjacent covers are secured to each other by various fastening methods such as screws, hooks, and clips.

[0017] Below the floorboard 41, a keyless controller 61 and an inverter 62 (see Figure 5) are installed as electrical components. The keyless controller 61 is fixed to one side (right side) of the auxiliary frame 14. The keyless controller 61 is configured to be wirelessly connected, and various locks can be released without taking out the key by communication between the keyless controller 61 and the smart key held by the driver. The inverter 62 is fixed inside a pair of side frames 12 via a bracket 63 (see Figure 5). A motor is connected to the inverter 62, and the rotation of the motor is controlled by the inverter 62.

[0018] A keyless controller 61 is installed on the outer side in the vehicle width direction (the right side in this embodiment) of a pair of side frames 12, and an installation space for an inverter 62 is secured inside the pair of side frames 12. The accommodation space below the seat 23 is not compressed by the keyless controller 61 or the inverter 62. The keyless controller 61 is fixed to an auxiliary frame 14 at a position away from one side frame 12 instead of being on one side frame 12. A passage for a harness 64 is secured between one side frame 12 and the keyless controller 61, and the harness 64 is attached along one side frame 12.

[0019] The harness 64 branches in the middle, and a cable 65 branched from the harness 64 is connected to the keyless controller 61. By bringing the keyless controller 61 closer to the harness 64, the cable 65 is shortened, the vehicle is lightened, and the cost is reduced. Also, by separating the keyless controller 61 from one side frame 12, it becomes difficult for the metal side frame 12 to block radio waves, and the communication performance of the keyless controller 61 is maintained. By positioning the keyless controller 61 below the auxiliary frame 14, the keyless controller 61 is protected from impacts from above by the auxiliary frame 14.

[0020] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a pair of side frames 12 are covered from above by a floor board 41, covered from the side by a pair of lower side covers 51, and covered from below by a lower under cover 53. The pair of side frames 12 are surrounded by the floor board 41, the pair of lower side covers 51, and the lower under cover 53, and the keyless controller 61 and the inverter 62 are installed in the space surrounded by these covers. The floor board 41, the pair of lower side covers 51, and the lower under cover 53 suppress the intrusion of rainwater during rainy days and water splashes during driving into the vehicle interior, and directly prevent the keyless controller 61 and the inverter 62 from getting wet.

[0021] The down frame 11 is covered from behind by the rear leg shield 33 in front of the floor board 41, and the floor board 41 is formed to be removable after the pair of lower side covers 51 and the rear leg shield 33 are removed. To expose the keyless controller 61 and the inverter 62, it is necessary to remove the floor board 41, but the pair of lower side covers 51 and the rear leg shield 33 must be removed before removing the floor board 41. Therefore, even if the installation locations of the keyless controller 61 and the inverter 62 are known, the removal operation of the covers occurs, enhancing the anti-theft performance.

[0022] More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the pair of rear side corners 42 of the floor board 41 are fixed to the pair of side frames 12 with bolts, and the pair of front side corners 43 of the floor board 41 and the pair of lower side covers 51 are bolted together at both ends of the auxiliary frame 14. Further, a plurality of hooks 52 are provided on the pair of lower side covers 51, and the plurality of hooks 52 are hooked in a plurality of openings (not shown) of the floor board 41. The return portions of the plurality of hooks 52 are directed rearward, and the hooking is released by sliding the pair of lower side covers 51 rearward with respect to the floor board 41.

[0023] A pair of claw portions 44 extend forward from the front end of the floor board 41, and a pair of protrusions 45 protrude downward from a position inside the vehicle width direction than the pair of claw portions 44. A pair of hooking holes 34 into which the pair of claw portions 44 enter are formed at the lower end of the rear leg shield 33, and a pair of insertion holes 35 into which the pair of protrusions 45 enter are formed inside the vehicle width direction than the pair of hooking holes 34. The pair of claw portions 44 are hooked on the front edges of the pair of hooking holes 34, preventing the pair of protrusions 45 from coming out of the pair of insertion holes 35, and the pair of protrusions 45 hit the rear edges of the pair of insertion holes 35, preventing the pair of claw portions 44 from coming out of the pair of hooking holes 34.

[0024] In this case, the bolts are removed from the pair of rear corners 42 and the pair of front corners 43 of the floorboard 41. The pair of lower side covers 51 are slid rearward, and the hooks of the pair of lower side covers 51 are released from the opening in the floorboard 41. The rear leg shield 33 is also removed from the cover brace 26, etc., and the rear leg shield 33 is tilted slightly rearward relative to the floorboard 41. In this state, the floorboard 41 is lifted diagonally upward and rearward, causing the pair of projections 45 to come out of the pair of insertion holes 35 and the pair of claws 44 to come out of the pair of hook holes 34, and the floorboard 41 is removed.

[0025] Furthermore, the front half of the pair of side frames 12 is a pair of widened sections 13 that extend linearly diagonally rearward from the lower end of the down frame 11 to increase the distance between them. Since the pair of widened sections 13 are not bent, the rigidity against longitudinal loads acting on the pair of widened sections 13 is increased. At the front of the pair of widened sections 13, the outer width direction is wider than the inner width direction of the pair of widened sections 13, but at the rear of the pair of widened sections 13, the inner width direction is wider than the outer width direction of the pair of widened sections 13. An inverter 62 is installed on the inner width direction at the rear of the pair of widened sections 13, and the inverter 62 is protected from external impacts by the pair of widened sections 13.

[0026] An auxiliary frame 14 extends outward in the vehicle width direction from the lower end of the down frame 11 at the front of the pair of widening sections 13, and in a top view, the rear of the keyless controller 61 is located in a region partitioned in a V-shape by the pair of widening sections 13 and the auxiliary frame 14. In a top view, the keyless controller 61 is located inward in the vehicle width direction from both ends of the auxiliary frame 14, and the keyless controller 61 is protected from impacts from the outside in the vehicle width direction by the auxiliary frame 14. In this way, the inverter 62 and the keyless controller 61 are protected from external impacts by the pair of side frames 12 and the auxiliary frame 14.

[0027] In a top view, the antenna of the keyless controller 61 is detached from the auxiliary frame 14, and there is no metal frame below or on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the keyless controller 61. A resin floorboard 41 is located above the keyless controller 61, a resin lower under cover 53 is located below the keyless controller 61, and a resin lower side cover 51 is located on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the keyless controller 61. As a result, radio waves are less likely to be obstructed above, below, and on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the keyless controller 61, thus maintaining the communication performance of the keyless controller 61.

[0028] A start switch (not shown) is located on the upper right side of the saddle-type vehicle 1. The keyless controller 61 is installed on the same side as the start switch in the vehicle width direction, and the radio wave propagation range is wider on the right side of the saddle-type vehicle 1 than on the left side. When the driver approaches the saddle-type vehicle 1 from the right side, the driver's smart key and the keyless controller 61 can connect wirelessly more easily, and the smart key authentication process is performed. Furthermore, since the start switch can be pressed on the right side of the saddle-type vehicle 1, the series of actions until the saddle-type vehicle 1 is started can be performed smoothly.

[0029] As described above, in the saddle-type vehicle 1 of this embodiment, the keyless controller 61 and inverter 62 are installed below the floorboard 41, so the storage space below the seat 23 is not reduced by the keyless controller 61 and inverter 62. Waterproofing is improved by surrounding the keyless controller 61 and inverter 62 with multiple covers. The theft deterrent effect of the keyless controller 61 and inverter 62 is improved by making the floorboard 41 removable after the pair of lower side covers 51 and rear leg shield 33 have been removed. Communication performance is maintained as radio waves around the keyless controller 61 are less likely to be obstructed.

[0030] In this embodiment, a keyless controller and an inverter were used as examples of electrical components, but any electrical component that can be installed below the floorboard, such as an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) or an ignition coil, may also be used.

[0031] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the keyless controller is installed on one side (right side) of the pair of side frames in the vehicle width direction as an electrical component with wireless communication functionality, but electrical components with wireless communication functionality may be installed on both sides of the pair of side frames in the vehicle width direction.

[0032] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the pair of lower side covers and the lower under cover are formed separately, but the pair of lower side covers and the lower under cover may be formed integrally as a lower cover.

[0033] In this embodiment, the auxiliary frame extends outward in the vehicle width direction from the lower end of the down frame, but the auxiliary frame may also extend outward in the vehicle width direction from the front end of a pair of side frames.

[0034] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the rear of the keyless controller is enclosed within a V-shaped area partitioned by a pair of side frames and an auxiliary frame in a top view, but it is sufficient that at least a part of the keyless controller is enclosed within this area. For example, the entire keyless controller may be enclosed within the V-shaped area.

[0035] In this embodiment, the keyless controller is fixed to the auxiliary frame, but the keyless controller may also be fixed to the floorboard.

[0036] In this embodiment, the inverter is installed between a pair of side frames, but a keyless controller may also be installed between the pair of side frames.

[0037] Furthermore, the electrical component mounting structure of this embodiment is not limited to the above-described saddle-type vehicle, 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.

[0038] As described above, the first embodiment includes a low floorboard (41) in front of the seat (23) on which the driver's legs are placed, a down frame (11) extending from the head pipe to below the floorboard, a pair of side frames (12) extending rearward from the lower end of the down frame, and an electrical component (keyless controller 61) installed below the floorboard, with the electrical component installed on the outside in the vehicle width direction of the pair of side frames. With this configuration, by installing the electrical component below the floorboard, the storage space below the seat is not narrowed by the electrical component. In addition, the space between the pair of side frames can be effectively used as installation space for other electrical components. Furthermore, if the electrical component is capable of wireless communication, there will be fewer objects obstructing radio waves on the outside in the vehicle width direction of the electrical component, thus maintaining the communication performance of the electrical component.

[0039] In the second embodiment, the electrical components are capable of wireless communication with the outside, as in the first embodiment. With this configuration, even if the electrical components are installed below the floorboard, there are fewer objects obstructing radio waves on the outside of the electrical components in the vehicle width direction, thus maintaining the communication performance of the electrical components.

[0040] The third embodiment includes a lower cover (lower side cover 51) that surrounds a pair of side frames together with the floorboard, as in the first or second embodiment, and electrical components are installed in the space surrounded by the floorboard and the lower cover. With this configuration, water exposure to the electrical components is directly prevented.

[0041] The fourth aspect is a configuration of the third aspect, further comprising a leg shield (rear leg shield 33) covering the down frame in front of the floorboard, and the floorboard is removable after the lower cover and leg shield have been removed. With this configuration, the floorboard must be removed to expose the electrical components, but a pair of lower covers and leg shields must be removed before the floorboard can be removed. Therefore, even if the location of the electrical components is known, the removal of the covers is required, which enhances theft deterrence.

[0042] The fifth embodiment is one of the first to fourth embodiments in which the harness (64) is attached along one of the side frames of a pair of side frames. With this configuration, the electrical components are brought closer to the harness, which shortens the cables extending from the harness to the electrical components, resulting in a lighter vehicle and reduced costs.

[0043] The sixth embodiment is one of the first to fifth embodiments, in which the front half of a pair of side frames extends linearly diagonally rearward from the lower end of the down frame to increase the distance between them. With this configuration, sufficient space is secured on the outside in the vehicle width direction of the front half of the pair of side frames. Since the front half of the pair of side frames is not bent, the rigidity against longitudinal loads acting on the pair of side frames is increased. If the electrical components are capable of wireless communication, even if the electrical components are installed close to the down frame, radio waves are less likely to be blocked by the side frames and down frame on the outside in the vehicle width direction of the electrical components, thus maintaining the communication performance of the electrical components.

[0044] The seventh embodiment includes an auxiliary frame (14) extending outward in the vehicle width direction from the lower end of the down frame or the front end of a pair of side frames, in any one embodiment of the first to sixth embodiments, wherein at least a portion of the electrical components are contained within the area partitioned by the pair of side frames and the auxiliary frame in a top view. With this configuration, the electrical components are protected from external impacts by the side frames and the auxiliary frame. Furthermore, if the electrical components are capable of wireless communication, radio waves are less likely to be blocked above, below, and outward in the vehicle width direction of the electrical components, thus maintaining the communication performance of the electrical components.

[0045] The eighth aspect is the seventh aspect, in which, when viewed from above, the electrical components are located inward in the vehicle width direction from both ends of the auxiliary frame. With this configuration, the auxiliary frame protects the electrical components from impacts from the outside in the vehicle width direction.

[0046] In the ninth aspect, as in the seventh or eighth aspect, the front half of a pair of side frames extends linearly diagonally backward from the lower end of the down frame to increase the distance between them, and at least a portion of the electrical components are contained within a V-shaped area partitioned by the pair of side frames and the auxiliary frame in a top view. With this configuration, the electrical components are installed using the V-shaped area. The side frames and auxiliary frame protect the electrical components from external impacts. Furthermore, if the electrical components are capable of wireless communication, radio waves are less likely to be blocked above, below, and on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the electrical components, thus maintaining the communication performance of the electrical components.

[0047] The tenth embodiment is one in which the electrical components are fixed to an auxiliary frame, as in any one embodiment of the seventh to ninth embodiments. With this configuration, by fixing the electrical components to the auxiliary frame, the electrical components can be separated from the side frame and the harness can be routed along the side frame. Furthermore, if the electrical components are capable of wireless communication, separating them from the side frame reduces the likelihood of radio waves being blocked by the side frame, thus maintaining the communication performance of the electrical components.

[0048] The eleventh embodiment is one of the embodiments from the seventh to the tenth, in which the electrical components are located below the auxiliary frame. In this configuration, the auxiliary frame protects the electrical components from impacts from above.

[0049] Although this embodiment has been described, other embodiments may include combinations of the above embodiment and its modifications, either entirely or partially.

[0050] 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]

[0051] 1: Saddle-type vehicle 10: Vehicle frame 11: Down frame 12: Side frame 14: Auxiliary frame 23: Sheet 33: Rear leg shield (leg shield) 41: Floorboard 51: Lower side cover (lower cover) 61: Keyless controller (electrical component) 64: Harness

Claims

1. A low floorboard in front of the seat where the driver's legs can be rested, A down frame extending from the head pipe to below the floorboard, A pair of side frames extending rearward from the lower end of the down frame, The system includes electrical components installed below the floorboard, A saddle-type vehicle characterized in that the aforementioned electrical components are installed on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the pair of side frames.

2. The saddle-type vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the aforementioned electrical components can communicate wirelessly with the outside.

3. The lower cover surrounds the pair of side frames together with the floorboard, The saddle-type vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the electrical components are installed in the space enclosed by the floorboard and the lower cover.

4. The floorboard is provided with a leg shield that covers the down frame in front of it, The saddle-type vehicle according to claim 3, characterized in that the floorboard is removable after the lower cover and the leg shield have been removed.

5. The saddle-type vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a harness is attached along one of the pair of side frames.

6. The saddle-type vehicle according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the front half of the pair of side frames extends linearly diagonally backward from the lower end of the down frame so as to increase the distance between them.

7. The vehicle comprises an auxiliary frame extending outward in the vehicle width direction from the lower end of the down frame or the front end of the pair of side frames, The saddle-type vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, when viewed from above, at least a portion of the electrical components are located within the area partitioned by the pair of side frames and the auxiliary frame.

8. The saddle-type vehicle according to claim 7, characterized in that, when viewed from above, the electrical components are located inward in the vehicle width direction from both ends of the auxiliary frame.

9. The front half of the pair of side frames extends linearly diagonally backward from the lower end of the down frame, increasing the distance between them. The saddle-type vehicle according to claim 7, characterized in that, when viewed from above, at least a portion of the electrical components are contained within a V-shaped area partitioned by the pair of side frames and the auxiliary frame.

10. The saddle-type vehicle according to claim 7, characterized in that the electrical components are fixed to the auxiliary frame.

11. The saddle-type vehicle according to claim 7, characterized in that the electrical components are located below the auxiliary frame.

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