Saddle-type vehicle

Abstract

To reduce the protrusion of the stand switch on saddle-type vehicles. [Solution] The saddle-type vehicle is provided with a side stand (61) that changes its position between an upright position and a retracted position, a stand switch (71) that detects the position of the side stand, and a vehicle frame (10) that pivotably supports the side stand. The stand switch is located in front of the base end (63) of the side stand, and at least a part of the stand switch is located inward in the vehicle width direction from the outer surface of the base end of the side stand.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] A saddle-type vehicle is provided with a stand switch for detecting the posture of a side stand. Conventionally, as a saddle-type vehicle, one in which a stand switch is installed on a support shaft of a side stand is known (for example, see Patent Document 1). In the saddle-type vehicle described in Patent Document 1, the side stand is swingably supported via a support shaft on a stand bracket provided on a side frame. The support shaft protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction from the base end portion of the side stand, and a ring-shaped stand switch is installed on the protruding portion of the support shaft. The stand switch detects the upright posture and the stored posture of the side stand.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003] [[ID=??]]

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, the stand switch protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction, making it easy for the driver's leg to contact the stand switch and restricting the bank angle.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of this point, and an object thereof is to provide a saddle-type vehicle capable of suppressing the protrusion of the stand switch.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A saddle-type vehicle according to one aspect of the present invention includes a side stand that changes its posture between an upright position and a retracted position, a stand switch that detects the posture of the side stand, and a vehicle frame that pivotably supports the side stand, wherein the stand switch is located in front of the base end of the side stand, and at least a part of the stand switch is located inward in the vehicle width direction from the outer surface of the base end of the side stand, thereby solving the above problem. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a stand switch is provided in front of the side stand, allowing the stand switch to be installed such that at least a portion of it overlaps with the base end of the side stand when viewed from the front. As a result, the protrusion of the stand switch in the vehicle width direction relative to the side stand is suppressed, making it difficult for the driver's legs to come into contact with the stand switch and not restricting the bank angle. [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 side view of the underside of the vehicle in this embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view of the underside of the vehicle in this embodiment, seen from a diagonal downward angle. [Figure 4] This is a side view of the underside of the vehicle in this embodiment. [Figure 5] This is a bottom view of the underside of the vehicle in this embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] In one embodiment of the present invention, a side stand is pivotably supported on the vehicle frame of a saddle-type vehicle. The side stand changes its position between an upright position and a retracted position, and the position of the side stand is detected by a stand switch. The stand switch is positioned in front of the base end of the side stand, and at least a portion of the stand switch is positioned inward in the vehicle width direction from the outer surface of the base end of the side stand, so that at least a portion of the stand switch overlaps with the base end of the side stand when viewed from the front. As a result, the protrusion of the stand switch in the vehicle width direction relative to the side stand is suppressed, making it difficult for the driver's leg to come into contact with the stand switch and not restricting the bank angle. [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 attaching various covers as the exterior of the vehicle body to an underbone-type vehicle frame 10. A head pipe 11 is provided at the front of the vehicle body frame 10, and a down frame 12 extends diagonally downward and rearward from the head pipe 11. A pair of side frames 13 are connected to the lower end of the down frame 12, and the pair of side frames 13 extend towards the rear and then rise diagonally backward. A fixed battery 33 and a storage box 31 are installed inside the pair of side frames 13, and a seat 32 is installed above the battery 33 and the storage box 31.

[0012] The front fork 21 is supported by the head pipe 11 via a steering shaft (not shown) so as to be steerable. A handle 22 is provided on the upper part of the steering shaft, and the front wheel 23 is rotatably supported on the lower part of the front fork 21. A swingarm 24 is supported by pivot brackets 15 of a pair of side frames 13, and the rear wheel 25 is rotatably supported at the rear of the swingarm 24. The rear of the pair of side frames 13 and the rear of the swingarm 24 are connected via a rear suspension (not shown), and the rear suspension expands and contracts as the swingarm 24 swings, absorbing unevenness in the road surface.

[0013] The pivot bracket 15 supports the side stand 61 so that it can swing. When the side stand 61 is in the upright position, the vehicle becomes self-supporting, and when the side stand 61 is in the retracted position, the vehicle loses its self-supporting position. Normally, in such saddle-type vehicles, a stand switch is provided on the pivot axis of the side stand to detect the position of the side stand, but the stand switch protrudes outward in the width direction of the vehicle, making it easy to hit the rider's legs and limiting the bank angle. Therefore, in this embodiment, the stand bracket is passed through the operator of the stand switch, and the stand switch and side stand are arranged front to back.

[0014] The front structure of the saddle-type vehicle will be described below with reference to Figures 2 to 5. Figure 2 is a side view of the lower part of the vehicle in this embodiment. Figure 3 is a perspective view of the lower part of the vehicle in this embodiment, seen from diagonally below. Figure 4 is a side view of the lower part of the vehicle in this embodiment. Figure 5 is a bottom view of the lower part of the vehicle in this embodiment. Note that covers are omitted in Figures 3 to 5.

[0015] As shown in Figure 2, the saddle-type vehicle 1 is provided with a low floorboard 41 on which the driver's legs rest. A pair of side frames 13 are positioned below the floorboard 41, and the pair of side frames 13 rise diagonally upward and rearward after passing below the floorboard 41. The front half of the pair of side frames 13 is covered from the side by a pair of lower side covers 42 and from below by a lower under cover 43. The rear half of the pair of side frames 13 is covered from the front by a body cover 44 and from the side by a pair of rear side covers 45.

[0016] A battery bracket 14 extends upward from the rising points of a pair of side frames 13, and the lower front corner of a rectangular battery 33 is supported by the battery bracket 14. A pivot bracket 15 extends downward from the rising points of the pair of side frames 13, and a swing arm 24 is pivotably supported by the pivot bracket 15 via a pivot shaft 34. The front of the swing arm 24 is a motor case, and a motor 35 is housed inside the motor case. An inverter 36 is installed inside the pair of side frames 13 as electronic equipment.

[0017] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, a stand bracket 51 is attached to one (left) pivot bracket 15 of the vehicle frame 10. The stand bracket 51 is formed by bending a metal piece, and a partition wall 52 is provided on the stand bracket 51 to separate the front and rear parts of the stand bracket 51. The side stand 61 is supported on the rear part of the stand bracket 51 via a support plate 53, and the stand switch 71 is fixed to the front part of the stand bracket 51 via a mounting plate 54. In this way, the side stand 61 and the stand switch 71 are arranged front to back.

[0018] A U-shaped bracket 63 is provided at the proximal end side of the linear leg portion 62 of the side stand 61. Inside the U-shaped bracket 63, the support plate 53 of the stand bracket 51 is positioned, and the U-shaped bracket 63 is pivotally supported on the support plate 53 via a pivot bolt 64. Thereby, the side stand 61 is changed in posture between a standing posture in which the vehicle body stands on its own with the pivot bolt 64 as a fulcrum and a storage posture in which the standing posture is released. A pin 65 erected on the support plate 53 and a pin 66 erected on the leg portion 62 are connected via a tension spring (not shown), and the swinging operation of the side stand 61 is assisted by the tension spring and the stand posture is maintained.

[0019] A plate cam 67 (see particularly FIG. 5) is provided on the U-shaped bracket 63 so as to surround the pivot bolt 64. A partition wall 52 of the stand bracket 51 is interposed between the U-shaped bracket 63 and the stand switch 71. An operating element 73 (see FIG. 5) protrudes rearward from the switch case 72 of the stand switch 71, and the operating element 73 penetrates the partition wall 52 of the stand bracket 51. An opening 55 is formed in the partition wall 52 of the stand bracket 51, and the tip of the operating element 73 enters the U-shaped bracket 63 side through the opening 55 of the partition wall 52. The operating element 73 is pressed against the plate cam 67 by the reaction force of a spring (not shown) inside the switch case 72.

[0020] As the side stand 61 swings, the operating element 73 is pushed back by the plate cam 67, and the operating element 73 is operated in the pushing direction (forward in this embodiment) with respect to the switch case 72 by the plate cam 67. The operating amount of the operating element 73 changes according to the cam profile of the plate cam 67, and the storage posture of the side stand 61 is detected according to the operating amount of the operating element 73. When the operating element 73 is pushed into the depth of the switch case 72, the stand switch 71 is turned on and the operating circuit of the saddle-type vehicle 1 is conducted. A cable 74 extends forward from the switch case 72, and the cable 74 is supported by one side frame 13.

[0021] The stand switch 71 is covered from the side (left side) and below by the lower under cover 43, and the lower under cover 43 protects the stand switch 71 from foreign matters such as rainwater and flying stones. On the other hand, the rear side surface of the lower under cover 43 is cut out, and the U-shaped bracket 63 of the side stand 61 is exposed from the cut-out portion of the lower under cover 43. The support plate 53 of the stand bracket 51 that supports the side stand 61 is tilted so that the side stand 61 can be swung through the cut-out portion of the lower under cover 43, and the interference between the lower under cover 43 and the side stand 61 is suppressed.

[0022] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, an inverter 36 is attached as an electronic device to a pair of side frames 13 on the lower side portion of the vehicle body frame 10. A motor 35 is connected to the inverter 36 via a cable not shown, and the rotation of the motor 35 is controlled by the inverter 36. The front half portions of the pair of side frames 13 are a pair of widened portions 16 that extend obliquely rearward so as to increase the opposing interval from the lower end portion of the down frame 12. The inverter 36 is installed inside the pair of widened portions 16 in the vehicle width direction, and the inverter 36 is protected from external impacts by the pair of widened portions 16.

[0023] A stand bracket 51 is provided near the rear end of the widened portion 16 of the side frame 13 on one side (left side). The U-shaped bracket 63 of the side stand 61 and the stand switch 71 are arranged in series in the front and rear across a partition wall 52 on the stand bracket 51. As described above, the operating element 73 of the stand switch 71 penetrates the partition wall 52 and contacts the plate cam 67 of the U-shaped bracket 63. In this way, since the operating element 73 penetrates the partition wall 52, the posture of the side stand 61 can be detected even when the stand switch 71 and the U-shaped bracket 63 are arranged in series in the front and rear. Further, since the neck of the operating element 73 is surrounded by the partition wall 52, the operating element 73 is protected from impacts and the like.

[0024] In a side view, the stand switch 71 is positioned in front of the front end position P1 of the U-shaped bracket 63 of the side stand 61. More specifically, in a side view, the U-shaped bracket 63 of the side stand 61 overlaps with the inverter 36, and in a bottom view, the stand switch 71 is positioned in front of the front end position P2 of the inverter 36. Furthermore, in a bottom view, the stand switch 71 is positioned in front of the rear end position P3 of the pair of widening sections 16. Installation space for the inverter 36 is secured inside the pair of side frames 13, and installation space for the stand switch 71 is secured on the front side of one of the side frames 13 (widening section 16) that slopes inward in the vehicle width direction toward the front.

[0025] The minimum thickness dimension of the stand switch 71 is oriented in the vehicle width direction, and in a view from below, the entire stand switch 71 is located inward in the vehicle width direction from the side end position P4 of the outer surface of the U-shaped bracket 63. More specifically, in a view from below, most of the stand switch 71 is located inward in the vehicle width direction from the outermost position P5 of one side frame 13 (widening portion 16) in the vehicle width direction. By positioning the stand switch 71 below the floorboard 41, contact between the driver's legs and the stand switch 71 is suppressed. The outward protrusion of the stand switch 71 in the vehicle width direction is suppressed, and the bank angle of the saddle-type vehicle 1 is increased.

[0026] In a view from below, the bulkhead 52 of the stand bracket 51 extends further outward in the vehicle width direction than the stand switch 71, and the stand switch 71 is located inward in the vehicle width direction than the outer end of the stand bracket 51. The bulkhead 52 increases the rigidity of the stand bracket 51 and protects the stand switch 71 from impacts from the outside in the vehicle width direction. In a view from the side, the central part of the stand switch 71 is located between the upper end position P6 and the lower end position P7 of the U-shaped bracket 63 in the retracted position. The stand switch 71 and the U-shaped bracket 63 of the side stand 61 are at approximately the same height, ensuring a bank angle.

[0027] As described above, with the saddle-type vehicle 1 of this embodiment, the stand switch 71 is provided in front of the side stand 61, so that when viewed from the front, at least a part of the stand switch 71 overlaps with the U-shaped bracket 63 of the side stand 61. Therefore, the protrusion of the stand switch 71 in the vehicle width direction relative to the side stand 61 is suppressed, making it difficult for the driver's legs to come into contact with the stand switch 71 and not restricting the bank angle.

[0028] In this embodiment, the stand switch detects the retracted position of the side stand, but the stand switch may also detect the upright position of the side stand, or it may detect both the retracted and upright positions of the side stand.

[0029] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the base end of the side stand is made of a U-shaped bracket, but the shape of the base end of the side stand is not particularly limited as long as it is pivotably supported by the vehicle frame.

[0030] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the entire stand switch is located inward in the vehicle width direction from the outer surface of the base end of the side stand when viewed from below, but it is sufficient if at least a part of the stand switch is located inward in the vehicle width direction from the outer surface of the base end of the side stand.

[0031] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the central portion of the stand switch is located between the upper and lower ends of the base of the side stand when viewed from the side, but it is sufficient that at least a part of the stand switch is located between the upper and lower ends of the base of the side stand. For example, the entire stand switch may be located between the upper and lower ends of the base of the side stand.

[0032] Furthermore, in this embodiment, an opening is formed in the partition wall of the stand bracket, and the stand switch operator fits into this partition wall, but the configuration is not limited to this. The stand switch operator only needs to penetrate the partition wall; for example, a notch may be formed in the partition wall, and the stand switch operator may fit into this notch.

[0033] Furthermore, although an inverter was used as an example of electronic equipment in this embodiment, other electronic equipment such as an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) may also be used.

[0034] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when viewed from below, most of the stand switch is located inward in the vehicle width direction from the outermost position of one side frame in the vehicle width direction. However, it is sufficient if at least a portion of the stand switch is located inward in the vehicle width direction from the outermost position of one side frame in the vehicle width direction. For example, the entire stand switch may be located inward in the vehicle width direction from the outermost position of one side frame in the vehicle width direction.

[0035] Furthermore, the stand switch installation structure of 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 the seat, but also includes scooter-type vehicles in which the driver does not straddle the seat.

[0036] As described above, the first embodiment includes a side stand (61) that changes its position between an upright position and a retracted position, a stand switch (71) that detects the position of the side stand, and a vehicle frame (10) that pivotably supports the side stand. In a side view, the stand switch is located in front of the base end (U-shaped bracket 63) of the side stand, and in a bottom view, at least a part of the stand switch is located inward in the vehicle width direction from the outer surface of the base end of the side stand. With this configuration, by providing the stand switch in front of the side stand, the stand switch can be installed so that at least a part of the stand switch overlaps the base end of the side stand in a front view. As a result, the protrusion of the stand switch in the vehicle width direction relative to the side stand is suppressed, making it difficult for the driver's leg to come into contact with the stand switch and not restricting the bank angle.

[0037] In the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the entire stand switch is positioned inward in the vehicle width direction from the outer surface of the base end of the side stand when viewed from below. With this configuration, the stand switch does not protrude outward in the vehicle width direction.

[0038] In the third embodiment, in the first or second embodiment, at least a portion of the stand switch is positioned between the upper and lower ends of the base of the side stand in the retracted position when viewed from the side. With this configuration, the stand switch and the base of the side stand are at approximately the same height, ensuring a bank angle.

[0039] The fourth embodiment is one of the first to third embodiments in which the side stand is supported by a stand bracket (51) of the vehicle frame, and in a view from below, the stand switch is located inward in the vehicle width direction from the outer end of the stand bracket. With this configuration, the stand switch is protected from impacts on the outside in the vehicle width direction by the stand bracket.

[0040] The fifth aspect is a configuration of the fourth aspect in which the stand bracket has a partition wall (52) interposed between the base end of the side stand and the stand switch, and in a view from below, the partition wall extends further outward in the vehicle width direction than the stand switch. With this configuration, the rigidity of the stand bracket is increased by the partition wall, and the stand switch is protected from impacts on the outside in the vehicle width direction by the stand bracket.

[0041] The sixth aspect is the fifth aspect, in which the stand switch operator (73) penetrates the bulkhead. With this configuration, the stand switch operator penetrates the bulkhead, so that the position of the side stand can be detected even if the stand switch and the base end of the side stand are aligned front to back. In addition, the neck of the operator is surrounded by the bulkhead, protecting the operator from impacts and the like.

[0042] The seventh embodiment is an electronic device (inverter 36) attached to the lower part of the vehicle frame, in any one embodiment of the first to sixth embodiments. The vehicle frame has a down frame (12) extending downward from the head pipe (11) and a pair of side frames (13) extending rearward from the lower end of the down frame. The electronic device is installed inside the pair of side frames, and the stand switch is located in front of the electronic device when viewed from below. With this configuration, space for installing the electronic device is secured inside the pair of side frames, and space for installing the stand switch is secured in front of the pair of side frames.

[0043] The eighth aspect is one of the first to seventh aspects, in which the vehicle frame has a down frame extending downward from the head pipe and a pair of side frames extending rearward from the lower end of the down frame, the front half of the pair of side frames is a pair of widened sections (16) that extend diagonally rearward from the lower end of the down frame to increase the distance between them, and in a view from below, at least a part of the stand switch is located in front of the rear end of the pair of widened sections and inward in the vehicle width direction from the outermost position in the vehicle width direction of one of the side frames. With this configuration, space for installing the stand switch is secured in front of the widened section of one of the side frames that slopes inward in the vehicle width direction toward the front, and the outward protrusion of the stand switch in the vehicle width direction is suppressed.

[0044] In the ninth embodiment, as in the eighth embodiment, the entire stand switch is located inward in the vehicle width direction from the outermost position of one side frame in the vehicle width direction when viewed from below. This configuration makes it possible to suppress the outward protrusion of the stand switch in the vehicle width direction.

[0045] Although this embodiment has been described, other embodiments may include combinations of the above embodiment and its modifications, either entirely or partially.

[0046] 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]

[0047] 1: Saddle-type vehicle 10: Vehicle frame 11: Headpipe 12: Down frame 13: Side frame 16: Widening section of the side frame 36: Inverter (electronic equipment) 51: Stand Bracket 52: Bulkhead of stand bracket 61: Side stand 63: U-shaped bracket (base end of side stand) 71: Stand switch 73: Operator

Claims

1. A side stand that allows you to change the position between the upright and retracted positions, A stand switch for detecting the position of the side stand, The vehicle comprises a body frame that pivotably supports the aforementioned side stand, In a side view, the stand switch is located in front of the base end of the side stand. A saddle-type vehicle characterized in that, when viewed from below, at least a portion of the stand switch is located inward in the vehicle width direction from the outer surface of the base end of the side stand.

2. The saddle-type vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that, when viewed from below, the entire stand switch is located inward in the vehicle width direction from the outer surface of the base end of the side stand.

3. The saddle-type vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, in a side view, at least a portion of the stand switch is located between the upper and lower ends of the base of the side stand in the retracted position.

4. The side stand is supported by the stand bracket of the vehicle frame. The saddle-type vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, when viewed from below, the stand switch is located inward in the vehicle width direction from the outer end of the stand bracket.

5. The stand bracket has a partition wall interposed between the base end of the side stand and the stand switch. The saddle-type vehicle according to claim 4, characterized in that, when viewed from below, the bulkhead extends outward in the vehicle width direction beyond the stand switch.

6. The saddle-type vehicle according to claim 5, characterized in that the operator of the stand switch penetrates the bulkhead.

7. The vehicle body frame is equipped with electronic equipment attached to the lower part of the frame, The vehicle frame comprises a down frame extending downward from the head pipe and a pair of side frames extending rearward from the lower end of the down frame. The electronic equipment is installed inside the pair of side frames. The saddle-type vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the stand switch is located in front of the electronic device when viewed from below.

8. The vehicle frame comprises a down frame extending downward from the head pipe and a pair of side frames extending rearward from the lower end of the down frame. The front half of the pair of side frames consists of a pair of widened sections that extend diagonally backward from the lower end of the down frame to increase the distance between them. The saddle-type vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, when viewed from below, at least a portion of the stand switch is located in front of the rear end of the pair of widening portions and inward in the vehicle width direction from the outermost position in the vehicle width direction of one of the side frames.

9. The saddle-type vehicle according to claim 8, characterized in that, when viewed from below, the entire stand switch is located inward in the vehicle width direction from the outermost position in the vehicle width direction of one of the side frames.

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