Saddle-type vehicle

Abstract

It houses increasingly large functional components. [Solution] The saddle-type vehicle comprises a rear carrier, a frame member that supports the rear of the vehicle, a support member that is erected above the frame member and supports the rear carrier, and a functional component that is attached to the vehicle, the functional component being disposed between the rear carrier and the frame member.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a saddle-type vehicle in which the lower part of a seat on which an occupant sits is covered with a body cover, and vehicle body constituent parts, electrical components and the like that require maintenance are accommodated inside the body cover (Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, as functional components such as a rectangular parallelepiped ECU (Electronic Control Unit) have been increasing in size due to function addition and function integration, it is assumed that the functional components cannot be arranged inside the body cover below the seat on which the occupant sits as in the above conventional art. The present disclosure provides a saddle-type vehicle that can accommodate increasingly large functional components.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] A saddle-type vehicle according to the present disclosure includes a rear carrier, a frame member that supports a rear portion of the vehicle, a support member that stands upward from the frame member and supports the rear carrier, and a functional component applied to the vehicle, wherein the functional component is disposed between the rear carrier and the frame member.

Effects of the Invention

[0006] The saddle-type vehicle according to the present disclosure can accommodate increasingly large functional components.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007] [Figure 1] This is a side view of a saddle-type vehicle according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a side view showing the area around the rear fender of a saddle-type vehicle according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a plan view of the area around the rear fender of a saddle-type vehicle according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view of the area around the control unit. [Figure 5] This is a bottom view of the area around the control unit. [Figure 6] This is a rear view of the area around the control unit. [Figure 7] This is a left side view of the area around the control unit. [Figure 8] This is a perspective view of the area around the control unit according to the first modified example. [Figure 9] This is a left side view of the area around the control unit according to the first modified example. [Figure 10] This is a perspective view of the area around the control unit according to the second modified example. [Figure 11] This is a perspective view of the area around the control unit according to the third modified example. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the description, directions such as front, back, left, right, and up and down refer to directions relative to the vehicle body unless otherwise specified. In each figure, the symbol FR indicates the front of the vehicle body, the symbol UP indicates the top of the vehicle body, and the symbol LH indicates the left side of the vehicle body.

[0009] Figure 1 is a side view of a saddle-type vehicle according to an embodiment. Note that in the saddle-type vehicle 10 shown in Figure 1, the body cover that covers the body, which is composed of the body frame 11 and power unit 12, etc., is omitted.

[0010] As shown in Figure 1, the saddle-type vehicle 10 is a vehicle that comprises a body frame 11, a power unit 12 supported by the body frame 11, a front fork 14 that supports the front wheel 13 in a steerable manner, a swing arm 16 that supports the rear wheel 15, and a seat 17 for the rider.

[0011] The saddle-type vehicle 10 is a vehicle in which the occupant sits straddling the seat 17. The seat 17 is located above the rear of the vehicle frame 11.

[0012] The vehicle frame 11 comprises a head pipe 18 located at the front end of the vehicle frame 11, a front frame 19 located behind the head pipe 18, and a rear frame 20 located behind the front frame 19. The front end of the front frame 19 is connected to the head pipe 18. The seat 17 is supported by the rear frame 20.

[0013] The front fork 14 is supported by a head pipe 18 so that it can be steered left and right. The front wheel 13 is supported by an axle 13a located at the lower end of the front fork 14. A steering handle 21, which is held by the rider, is attached to the upper end of the front fork 14.

[0014] The swingarm 16 is supported at its front by a pivot shaft 22 supported by the vehicle frame 11, and at its rear by a rear suspension 16a. The pivot shaft 22 is an axis that extends horizontally in the vehicle width direction. The pivot shaft 22 is inserted through the front end of the swingarm 16. The swingarm 16 swings up and down around the pivot shaft 22. The rear wheel 15 is supported by an axle 15a provided at the rear end of the swingarm 16.

[0015] The power unit 12 is disposed between the front wheel 13 and the rear wheel 15, and is supported by the vehicle body frame 11. The power unit 12 is, for example, an internal combustion engine. The power unit 12 includes a crankcase 23 and a cylinder portion 24 that accommodates a reciprocating piston. An exhaust device 25 that discharges exhaust gas through a muffler 25a is connected to an exhaust port of the cylinder portion 24. The output of the power unit 12 is transmitted to the rear wheel 15 by a driving force transmission member that connects the power unit 12 and the rear wheel 15.

[0016] Further, the saddle-type vehicle 10 includes a front fender 26 that covers the front wheel 13 from above, a rear fender 27 that covers the rear wheel 15 from above, a step 28 on which an occupant places their feet, and a fuel tank 29 that stores fuel used by the power unit 12. The saddle-type vehicle 10 also has a side cover 30 that covers a space on the inner side in the vehicle width direction. A small-capacity article such as a tool can be stored in the space on the inner side in the vehicle width direction covered by the side cover 30.

[0017] The front fender 26 is attached to the front fork 14. The rear fender 27 and the step 28 are provided below the seat 17. The fuel tank 29 is supported by the vehicle body frame 11.

[0018] Further, the saddle-type vehicle 10 includes a rear carrier 31 supported above the rear fender 27 via the rear frame 20. The saddle-type vehicle 10 is provided with a taillight 32 at the rear portion of the rear fender 27. The saddle-type vehicle 10 includes a control unit 40 that controls the power unit 12 and the like, inside the rear fender 27 between the rear carrier 31 and the rear frame 20, at a position forward of the taillight 32.

[0019] The control unit 40 is an example of a functional component for a vehicle. In this embodiment, the control unit 40, such as an ECU that controls the power unit 12 which is the drive source of the saddle-type vehicle 10, is given as an example of a functional component for a vehicle, but the functional component is not limited to the control unit 40. For example, the functional component may be an electrical component that controls the lights, a manual for the saddle-type vehicle 10, maintenance records, etc.

[0020] Figure 2 is a side view showing the area around the rear fender 27 of the saddle-type vehicle 10 according to the embodiment. Figure 3 is a top view showing the area around the rear fender 27 of the saddle-type vehicle 10 according to the embodiment. In Figures 2 and 3, the components shown by dotted lines are assumed to be covered by the rear fender 27. Also, in Figure 3, the rear fender 27 is viewed from above with the rear carrier 31 removed (omitted).

[0021] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the left and right rear frames 20 have a pair of left and right seat rails 20a that extend diagonally downward and rearward from their rear ends. The left and right seat rails 20a support the taillights 32 at their rear ends.

[0022] The rear fender 27 is attached to the rear frame 20 and the seat rail 20a so as to cover the rear frame 20 and the seat rail 20a from above. A stay 31b is attached to the rear of the left and right rear frames 20 so as to bridge the left and right rear frames 20. This stay 31b has a pair of left and right columnar carrier support parts 31a that stand above the upper parts of the left and right rear frames 20.

[0023] A pair of left and right carrier support parts 31a, which extend upward from the upper parts of the left and right rear frames 20 via stays 31b, are positioned to protrude upward through through holes 27a in the rear fender 27, which are provided corresponding to the mounting positions of the stays 31b. The pair of left and right carrier support parts 31a are fastened to the rear carrier 31 at their upper ends with screws or the like, and support the rear carrier 31 from below above the rear fender 27.

[0024] The control unit 40 is positioned between the rear carrier 31, indicated by a pair of left and right carrier support sections 31a, and the rear frame 20. Specifically, the control unit 40 is positioned on a pair of left and right seat rails 20a that extend behind the rear frame 20, behind the pair of left and right carrier support sections 31a, and in front of the taillight 32, in the front-rear direction of the saddle-type vehicle 10. Specifically, the control unit 40 is positioned horizontally on the seat rails 20a with terminal sections 41a and 41b, which connect to a harness 50 containing cables and the like, facing to the right. The harness 50 is routed along the right side of the control unit 40 and is routed so as to overlap with the rear frame 20 when viewed from the rear of the vehicle.

[0025] In this manner, the location where the control unit 40 is installed has a large vertical clearance between the seat rails 20a and the rear carrier 31 because the pair of left and right seat rails 20a extend diagonally downward and rearward. Also, since the rear carrier 31 is generally formed in a flat shape, it is easy to secure a large rectangular prism-shaped clearance below the rear carrier 31. Therefore, in the saddle-type vehicle 10, the control unit 40, which is large in the shape of a rectangular prism, can be easily housed. Furthermore, since the terminals 41a and 41b are positioned facing one side (right) and the harness 50 is positioned so that it overlaps with the rear frame 20 when viewed from the rear of the vehicle, the control unit 40 and harness 50 can be compactly arranged in the vehicle width direction.

[0026] Here, the arrangement of the control unit 40 will be explained with reference to Figures 4 to 7. Figure 4 is a perspective view of the area around the control unit 40. Figure 5 is a bottom view of the area around the control unit 40. Figure 6 is a rear view of the area around the control unit 40. Figure 7 is a left side view of the area around the control unit 40. Figures 4 to 7 show the area around the control unit 40 with the rear fender 27 removed (omitted) from Figures 3 and 4 described above.

[0027] As shown in Figures 4 to 7, the control unit 40 is covered by a rubber case 70, the outer surface of which at least a portion is made of an elastic material such as resin rubber. Specifically, the control unit 40 has holes 42a and 42b in the center of both sides facing each other in the front-rear direction when the terminal portions 41a and 41b are oriented to the right, which are fastened via bolts or the like. The outer surface to the right of these holes 42a and 42b is covered by the rubber case 70. For example, the rubber case 70 is configured to cover the top, bottom, and front-rear sides of the right side portion of the control unit 40 in a strip shape. The rubber case 70 also has a strip portion 71 that extends from the top surface of the control unit 40 around the left side to the bottom surface. This strip portion 71 restricts the movement of the control unit 40 so that it does not detach from the rubber case 70 to the left. Here, the holes 42a and 42b are offset to the left of the center in the vehicle width direction. This ensures that space is available for routing the harness 50 when the terminals 41a and 41b are oriented to the right.

[0028] Thus, the control unit 40, covered with a rubber case 70, is fixed to a mounting plate 60 installed on a pair of left and right seat rails 20a. Specifically, the mounting plate 60 is installed horizontally to the saddle-type vehicle 10 via stays 20c and 20b that bridge the pair of left and right seat rails 20a.

[0029] Stay 20c is provided to bridge the front side of the pair of left and right seat rails 20a. Stay 20b is provided to bridge the rear side of the pair of left and right seat rails 20a. As shown in Figure 6, the positions of stays 20c and 20b are different in the vertical direction because the pair of left and right seat rails 20a extend diagonally downward and rearward. The mounting plate 60 has receiving portions 62a and 62b formed on its bottom surface, with heights that match this difference in vertical position. The mounting plate 60 is fixed so that its top surface is horizontal to the saddle-type vehicle 10 by fastening members 63a and 63b such as bolts fastening stay 20c to receiving portion 62b and stay 20b to receiving portion 62a.

[0030] The mounting plate 60 has raised sections 61a and 61b at its front-to-rear ends, which are formed by bending the plate material upwards. The rubber case 70 also has receiving sections 72a and 72b at its front-to-rear ends, into which the raised sections 61a and 61b are inserted. The control unit 40, covered by the rubber case 70, can be fixed in place on the mounting plate 60 without displacement by inserting the raised sections 61a and 61b of the mounting plate 60 into the receiving sections 72a and 72b.

[0031] [First variation] Furthermore, the control unit 40 may be fixed to the mounting plate 60 not only via the rubber case 70 described above, but also directly via the holes 42a and 42b. Figure 8 is a perspective view of the area around the control unit 40 according to the first modified example. Figure 9 is a left side view of the area around the control unit 40 according to the first modified example. Figures 8 and 9, like Figures 4 to 7, show the area around the control unit 40 with the rear fender 27 removed (omitted).

[0032] As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the mounting plate 60a has fastening portions 64a and 64b that are fastened by bolts 43a and 43b, positioned to align with the holes 42a and 42b of the control unit 40, with the terminal portions 41a and 41b facing to the right. The control unit 40 is placed with the holes 42a and 42b aligned with the fastening portions 64a and 64b, and then fixed to the mounting plate 60a via bolts 43a and 43b. In this way, the control unit 40 may be fixed directly to the mounting plate 60a without being covered by the rubber case 70.

[0033] For example, by fixing the control unit 40 directly to the mounting plate 60a without covering it with the rubber case 70, the surface area of ​​the control unit 40 that is directly exposed to the outside air is increased, allowing for efficient heat dissipation of the control unit 40.

[0034] [Second variation] In addition, in the configuration in which the control unit 40 is fixed to the mounting plate 60 via the rubber case 70, the terminals 41a and 41b may be positioned facing forward of the saddle-type vehicle 10. Figure 10 is a perspective view of the area around the control unit 40 according to the second modified example. Figure 10 is a view of the area around the control unit 40 with the rear fender 27 removed (omitted), similar to Figures 4 to 7.

[0035] As shown in Figure 10, in the second modified example, the mounting plate 60 illustrated in Figures 4 to 7 is rotated 90 degrees to the left, and the terminals 41a and 41b of the control unit 40 are positioned to face forward on the saddle-type vehicle 10. Here, the receiving parts 62a and 62b for connecting to the stays 20b and 20c of the pair of left and right seat rails 20a remain as they are, and only the mounting plate 60 on which the control unit 40 is placed is rotated.

[0036] [Third variation] Even in a configuration where the control unit 40 is directly fixed to the mounting plate 60a via holes 42a and 42b, the control unit 40 may be positioned with terminals 41a and 41b facing forward of the saddle-type vehicle 10, similar to the second modified example. Figure 11 is a perspective view of the area around the control unit 40 according to the third modified example. Figure 11 is a view of the area around the control unit 40 with the rear fender 27 removed (omitted), similar to Figures 4 to 7.

[0037] As shown in Figure 11, in the third modified example, the mounting plate 60a illustrated in Figures 8 and 9 is rotated 90 degrees to the left, and the terminals 41a and 41b of the control unit 40 are positioned to face forward on the saddle-type vehicle 10. Here, the receiving portions 62a and 62b for connecting to the stays 20b and 20c of the pair of left and right seat rails 20a remain as they are, and only the mounting plate 60a on which the control unit 40 is placed is rotated.

[0038] As shown in the second and third modified examples, by positioning the control unit 40 with terminals 41a and 41b facing forward of the saddle-type vehicle 10, the routing of the harness 50 facing forward of the saddle-type vehicle 10 can be shortened.

[0039] As described above, the saddle-type vehicle 10 comprises a rear carrier 31, a rear frame 20 that supports the rear of the saddle-type vehicle 10, a carrier support portion 31a that is erected above the rear frame 20 and supports the rear carrier 31, and functional components attached to the vehicle. The functional components are disposed between the rear frame 20 and the rear carrier 31 which is supported by the carrier support portion 31a that is erected above the rear frame 20.

[0040] Therefore, in the saddle-type vehicle 10, functional components can be stored between the rear carrier 31 and the rear frame 20, where it is easier to secure a large amount of empty space compared to the space in the width direction covered by the side cover 30, thus accommodating increasingly large functional components. In particular, the rear carrier 31 is formed in a flat shape, and it is easy to secure a large rectangular prism-shaped empty space beneath the rear carrier 31.

[0041] Furthermore, the seat rail 20a, which extends rearward from the rear frame 20, supports the taillight 32 behind the carrier support portion 31a. The functional components are arranged between the carrier support portion 31a and the taillight 32 in the longitudinal direction of the saddle-type vehicle 10. This allows the functional components to be housed between the carrier support portion 31a and the taillight 32 in the longitudinal direction of the saddle-type vehicle 10.

[0042] Furthermore, the functional components are housed within the rear fender 27, which is positioned beneath the rear carrier 31. This protects the functional components in the saddle-type vehicle 10, preventing easy access from the outside.

[0043] Furthermore, at least a portion of the outer surface of the functional component is covered with an elastic material such as a rubber case 70. In the saddle-type vehicle 10, covering the functional component with an elastic material in this way protects the functional component from vibrations and shocks of the saddle-type vehicle 10.

[0044] Furthermore, the functional component is a control unit 40 that controls the power unit 12, which is the drive source for the saddle-type vehicle 10. This allows the saddle-type vehicle 10 to accommodate the larger control unit 40.

[0045] Furthermore, the functional component has terminals 41a and 41b that connect to a harness 50 installed on the saddle-type vehicle 10. The functional component is positioned with the terminals 41a and 41b facing forward on the saddle-type vehicle 10. This allows the saddle-type vehicle 10 to shorten the routing of the harness 50 that faces forward on the saddle-type vehicle 10. For example, when routing the harness 50 that connects to the terminals 41a and 41b to a power unit 12 or the like, which is located in front of the functional component installed between the rear frame 20 and the rear carrier 31, the length of the harness 50 can be minimized.

[0046] Since the embodiments described above are for illustrative purposes of the technology described herein, various modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc., can be made within the claims or their equivalents.

[0047] For example, the rubber case 70 may cover not only a part of the control unit 40, but the entire surface of the control unit 40. Furthermore, the elastic material used for the rubber case 70 is not limited to resin rubber, but may be any elastic material such as thermosetting elastomer or natural rubber.

[0048] Furthermore, the functional components only need to be arranged between the rear frame 20 and the rear carrier 31, which is supported by a carrier support portion 31a erected above the rear frame 20, and do not need to be housed within the rear fender 27. For example, if a seat race 20a is installed on the rear fender 27, the functional components will be installed on the rear fender 27 by a mounting plate 60 installed on the seat race 20a. In such a configuration, the functional components may be protected by a case member attached to the mounting plate 60 so as to cover the functional components.

[0049] Furthermore, to facilitate access to the functional components housed within the rear fender 27, the upper part of the rear fender 27 may have a cover or the like that can be secured with screws. With this configuration, when accessing the functional components, the upper cover can be removed without removing the rear carrier 31 and then the rear fender 27.

[0050] [Configurations supported by the above embodiment] The above embodiment supports the following configuration:

[0051] (Composition 1) A saddle-type vehicle comprising a rear carrier, a frame member supporting the rear of the vehicle, a support member erected above the frame member and supporting the rear carrier, and a functional component relating to the vehicle, wherein the functional component is disposed between the rear carrier and the frame member. This configuration allows increasingly large functional components to be housed between the rear carrier and the frame members.

[0052] (Configuration 2) The saddle-type vehicle according to configuration 1, wherein the frame member supports the taillight behind the support member, and the functional component is disposed between the support member and the taillight in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. This configuration allows increasingly large functional components to be housed between the support member that supports the rear carrier and the taillight.

[0053] (Composition 3) The saddle-type vehicle according to configuration 1 or 2, wherein the functional components are housed in a rear fender located beneath the rear carrier. This configuration allows increasingly large functional components to be housed inside the rear fender and protected from external elements.

[0054] (Composition 4) The saddle-type vehicle according to any one of configurations 1 to 3, wherein at least a portion of the outer surface of the functional component is covered with an elastic member. This configuration allows for the protection of increasingly large functional components from vibration and shock.

[0055] (Composition 5) The saddle-type vehicle according to any one of configurations 1 to 4, wherein the functional component is at least a control unit that controls the drive source of the vehicle. This configuration allows for the handling of larger control units.

[0056] (Composition 6) The saddle-type vehicle according to any one of configurations 1 to 5, wherein the functional component has a terminal portion for connecting to a cable installed in the vehicle, and the functional component is positioned with the terminal portion facing forward of the vehicle. This configuration allows for shorter cable routing towards the front of the vehicle. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0057] 10...Saddle-type vehicle, 11...Body frame, 12...Power unit, 13...Front wheel, 13a...Axle, 14...Front fork, 15...Rear wheel, 15a...Axle, 16...Swing arm, 16a...Rear suspension, 17...Seat, 18...Head pipe, 19...Front frame, 20...Rear frame, 20a...Seat rail, 20b...Stay, 20c...Stay, 21...Handlebars, 22...Pivot axis, 23...Crankcase, 24...Cylinder section, 25...Exhaust system, 25a...Muffler, 26...Front fender, 27...Rear fender, 27a...Through hole, 28... Step, 29...Fuel tank, 30...Side cover, 31...Rear carrier, 31a...Carrier support, 31b...Stay, 32...Tail light, 40...Control unit, 41a...Terminal section, 41b...Terminal section, 42a...Hole, 42b...Hole, 43a...Bolt, 43b...Bolt, 50...Harness, 60...Mounting plate, 60a...Mounting plate, 61a...Raised section, 61b...Raised section, 62a...Receiving section, 62b...Receiving section, 63a...Fastening member, 63b...Fastening member, 64a...Fastening section, 64b...Fastening section, 70...Rubber case, 71...Strap section, 72a...Receiving section, 72b...Receiving section.

Claims

1. Rear carrier (31) and A frame member (20, 20a) that supports the rear of the vehicle (10), A support member (31a) is erected above the frame members (20, 20a) and supports the rear carrier (31), The vehicle comprises a functional component (40) and The functional component (40) is disposed between the rear carrier (31) and the frame members (20, 20a). A saddle-type vehicle.

2. The frame member (20a) supports the taillight (32) at a position rearward of the support member (31a). The functional component (40) is disposed between the support member (31a) and the taillight (32) in the front-rear direction (FR) of the vehicle. A saddle-type vehicle as described in claim 1.

3. The functional component (40) is housed in the rear fender (27) located beneath the rear carrier (31). A saddle-type vehicle as described in claim 1.

4. The functional component (40) has at least a portion of its outer surface covered with an elastic member (70). A saddle-type vehicle as described in claim 1.

5. The functional component (40) is a control unit that controls at least the drive source (12) of the vehicle (10). A saddle-type vehicle as described in claim 1.

6. The functional component (40) has terminal portions (41a, 41b) that connect to a cable (50) installed in the vehicle (10), The functional component (40) is positioned with its terminal portions (41a, 41b) facing the front (FR) of the vehicle (10). A saddle-type vehicle as described in claim 1.

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