Saddle-type vehicle

Abstract

To lay down an operation cable of a tank cap with a good appearance using a simple structure, and make it possible to smoothly manipulate the operation cable.SOLUTION: A saddle riding vehicle includes a fuel tank (29), a tank cap (40) that covers an oil filler port (50c) formed in the fuel tank (29) so that the oil filler port can be opened or closed, and an operation cable (41) for use in unlocking the tank cap (40). The fuel tank (29) has a first orifice (61) and second orifice which pierce the fuel tank (29), and a path member (51) that passes through the fuel tank (29) to connect the first orifice (61) and second orifice. The operation cable (41) is laid down in the path member (51). The operation cable (41) coming out through the first orifice (61) is connected to an unlocking mechanism (70) that unlocks the tank cap (40).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, a structure is known in which a steel wire (operating cable) that connects an air vent knob provided on a tank cap to a valve of a fuel cock is routed inside the fuel tank (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In Patent Document 1, the operation of the air vent knob is transmitted to the valve via the steel wire. This steel wire is routed inside the fuel tank while being exposed inside the fuel tank. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 60-134754 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the fuel tank of a saddle-type vehicle, the operating cable for unlocking the tank cap may be routed outside the fuel tank. In this case, a cover is provided to hide the operating cable in order to improve the appearance, which increases the number of parts. In addition, in the above-mentioned conventional fuel tank, the steel wire serving as the operating cable is exposed inside the fuel tank, so the routing path of the steel wire is unstable, which may make it difficult to operate the target to be operated. The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and has an object to provide a tank cap operating cable that has a simple structure and good appearance, and that allows the operating cable to be operated smoothly. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The saddle-ride type vehicle includes a fuel tank, a tank cap that opens and closes a fuel filler opening provided in the fuel tank, and an operation cable that performs an unlocking operation for the tank cap. The fuel tank includes a first opening and a second opening that penetrate the fuel tank, and a path member that passes through the fuel tank and connects the first opening and the second opening. is established. The operation cable is routed inside the path member, and the operation cable coming out from the first opening is connected to an unlocking mechanism that unlocks the tank cap. A cover member is provided to close the end of the path member on the first opening side, the operation cable extends through the cover member to the outside and is connected to the unlocking mechanism, and the unlocking mechanism abuts against the cover member during an unlocking operation. It is characterized by: Effect of the Invention

[0006] To arrange an operating cable for a tank cap with a simple structure and good appearance, and to operate the operating cable satisfactorily. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view of a saddle-ride type vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the saddle type vehicle as viewed from above. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a left side view of the fuel tank and its surrounding area. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a left side view showing the arrangement of the pathway member, the drain pipe, and the breather pipe. [Diagram 5] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 2 . [Figure 6] 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the periphery of the first opening in FIG. 5. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description, directions such as front, rear, left, right, up and down are the same as directions relative to the vehicle body unless otherwise specified. In addition, the symbol FR in each drawing indicates the front of the vehicle body, the symbol UP indicates the upper side of the vehicle body, and the symbol LH indicates the left side of the vehicle body.

[0009] [Embodiment Mode] FIG. 1 is a side view of a saddle-ride type vehicle 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The saddle-type vehicle 10 is a vehicle that includes a body frame 11, a power unit 12 supported by the body frame 11, a front fork 14 that supports a front wheel 13 so as to be steerable, a swing arm 16 that supports a rear wheel 15, and a seat 17 for a passenger. The saddle-ride type vehicle 10 is a vehicle in which a rider sits astride a seat 17. The seat 17 is provided above the rear part of the body frame 11.

[0010] The body frame 11 includes a head pipe 18 provided at the front end of the body frame 11, a front frame 19 located rearward of the head pipe 18, and a rear frame 20 located rearward of 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 a rear frame 20 .

[0011] The front fork 14 is supported by a head pipe 18 so as to be steerable left and right. The front wheel 13 is supported by an axle 13a provided at the lower end of the front fork 14. A steering handle 21 that is held by a rider is attached to the upper end of the front fork 14.

[0012] The swing arm 16 is supported by a pivot shaft 22 that is supported by the body frame 11. The pivot shaft 22 is a shaft that extends horizontally in the vehicle width direction. The pivot shaft 22 is inserted into the front end of the swing arm 16. The swing arm 16 swings up and down about the pivot shaft 22. The rear wheel 15 is supported by an axle 15 a provided at the rear end of a swing arm 16 .

[0013] The power unit 12 is disposed between the front wheels 13 and the rear wheels 15 and is supported by the body frame 11. The power unit 12 is an internal combustion engine. The power unit 12 includes a crankcase 23 and a cylinder portion 24 that houses a reciprocating piston. An exhaust device 25 is connected to an exhaust port of the cylinder portion 24. The output of the power unit 12 is transmitted to the rear wheels 15 by a driving force transmission member that connects the power unit 12 and the rear wheels 15 .

[0014] The saddle-ride type vehicle 10 also 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 a rider places his or her feet, and a fuel tank 29 that stores fuel used by the power unit 12. 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 body frame 11.

[0015] The front frame 19 comprises a pair of left and right main frames 19a extending rearward and downward from the head pipe 18, a pair of left and right pivot frames 19b extending downward from the rear end of the main frames 19a, and a pair of left and right down frames 19c extending downward from a position on the head pipe 18 below the front end of the main frames 19a.

[0016] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the saddle type vehicle 10 as viewed from above. 1 and 2, the saddle-type vehicle 10 is provided with a body cover that covers a body formed by a body frame 11 etc., and includes a front cover 31 that covers the head pipe 18 from the front, and a pair of left and right side covers 32 that cover the front end of the body frame 11 from the outside in the vehicle width direction.

[0017] The fuel tank 29 is disposed between the head pipe 18 and the seat 17 in the vehicle front-rear direction. The fuel tank 29 is disposed above the left and right main frames 19a and is supported by the main frames 19a. A tank cap 40 that opens and closes and covers the fuel tank 29 is provided on the upper surface of the front part of the fuel tank 29. The tank cap 40 is disposed in the center in the vehicle width direction. The seat 17 is integrally equipped with a front seat 17a on which the driver sits and a rear seat 17b on which a passenger sits. The rear seat 17b is provided behind the front seat 17a and is stepped higher than the front seat 17a. The front end of the front seat 17a covers the rear part of the fuel tank 29 from above. The top surface of the fuel tank 29 is located higher than the top surface of the rear seat 17b.

[0018] The control unit 33, which electronically controls each part of the saddle-ride type vehicle 10 such as the power unit 12, is disposed below the rear part of the fuel tank 29. The control unit 33 is disposed rearward of the cylinder portion 24, above the rear part of the crankcase 23, and between the rear parts of the left and right main frames 19a. The battery 34, which supplies power to each component of the saddle-ride type vehicle 10, is disposed below the front seat 17a and is covered from above by the front seat 17a. The battery 34 is disposed behind the control unit 33 and below the fuel tank 29. The battery 34 is connected to the control unit 33 by an electric wire 34a extending forward from the battery 34.

[0019] The saddle type vehicle 10 includes an operation cable 41 for unlocking the tank cap 40, and a solenoid 42 for driving the operation cable. The operation cable 41 is connected to a solenoid 42. The solenoid 42 is connected to the control unit 33 by an electric wire 43. The control unit 33 controls the driving of the solenoid 42 to drive the operating cable 41 and unlock the tank cap 40 .

[0020] The solenoid 42 is disposed below the fuel tank 29. The solenoid 42 is disposed between the rear portions of the left and right main frames 19a, rearward of the cylinder portion 24 and above the rear portion of the crankcase 23. The solenoid 42 is disposed above and in front of the control unit 33. The solenoid 42 and the control unit 33 are disposed below the upper surface 40a of the tank cap 40. The fuel tank 29 overlaps the solenoid 42 and the control unit 33 from above in a plan view.

[0021] FIG. 3 is a left side view of the fuel tank 29 and its surrounding area. In a side view of the vehicle, an upper surface portion 29a of the fuel tank 29 is substantially horizontal at the front of the fuel tank 29. In a side view of the vehicle, a rear surface portion 29b of the fuel tank 29 is an inclined surface extending rearward and downward from the rear end of the upper surface portion 29a. An upper surface portion 29a of the fuel tank 29 is provided with a cap attachment portion 50 to which the tank cap 40 is attached. A path member 51 through which the operation cable 41 passes, a drain pipe 52, and a breather pipe 53 are arranged inside the fuel tank 29. The path member 51, the drain pipe 52, and the breather pipe 53 are made of, for example, metal.

[0022] Fig. 4 is a left side view showing the arrangement of the pathway member 51, the drain pipe 52, and the breather pipe 53. Fig. 5 is a VV cross-sectional view of Fig. 2, showing a cross section of the cap attachment portion 50 and the tank cap 40. The cap attachment portion 50 is a recess in which part of the upper surface portion 29a is recessed downward, and the tank cap 40 is placed in this recess. The cap attachment portion 50 includes an annular peripheral wall portion 50a that surrounds the tank cap 40 from the periphery, a bottom surface portion 50b that constitutes the bottom surface of the recess, and a fuel filler port 50c that penetrates the bottom surface portion 50b. The peripheral wall portion 50a extends upward from the periphery of the disk-shaped bottom surface portion 50b. The fuel filler port 50c is provided in the center of the bottom surface portion 50b in a plan view. The tank cap 40 covers and closes the fuel filler opening 50c from above. With the tank cap 40 open, fuel is poured into the fuel tank 29 through the fuel filler opening 50c. The cap attachment portion 50 receives fuel that spills around the fuel filler opening 50c during refueling.

[0023] The pathway member 51, the drain pipe 52, and the breather pipe 53 extend downward from the cap mounting portion 50, and are each connected to a lower surface portion 29c (FIG. 4) of the fuel tank 29. The lower surface portion 29c is provided with a tank bottom wall portion 35, which is inclined downward toward the rear in a side view of the vehicle, at the rear of the fuel tank 29. The tank bottom wall portion 35 is inclined downward toward the rear so as to fit along the main frame 19a. The tank bottom wall portion 35 is located above the main frame 19a and between the left and right main frames 19a. The tank bottom wall portion 35 is located below and rear of the cap attachment portion 50.

[0024] The drain pipe 52 is a pipe that passes vertically through the fuel tank 29. The drain pipe 52 discharges water and fuel received in the cap mounting portion 50 to the outside of the fuel tank 29. An upper end portion 52a of the drain pipe 52 is connected to a portion of the bottom surface portion 50b of the cap mounting portion 50 around the fuel filler port 50c. The upper end surface of the drain pipe 52 opens above the bottom surface portion 50b. The drain pipe 52 extends obliquely rearward and downward within the fuel tank 29 from the bottom surface portion 50b.

[0025] A lower end 52b (one end of the pipe) of the drain pipe 52 is connected to the tank bottom wall 35. The tank bottom wall 35 has a drain pipe connection part 35a (pipe connection part) to which the lower end 52b is connected. The drain pipe connection part 35a is a hole into which the lower end 52b fits. The lower end 52b is fitted into the drain pipe connection part 35a and joined to the drain pipe connection part 35a by, for example, welding. The lower end 52b is disposed perpendicular to the rear-sloping tank bottom wall portion 35, and therefore extends upward toward the rear in a side view of the vehicle. The drain pipe 52 bends upward and forward toward the cap mounting portion 50 above the lower end 52b, and extends upward toward the cap mounting portion 50.

[0026] A drain tube 55 is connected to the lower end 52b of the drain pipe 52 protruding downward from the tank bottom wall 35. The drain tube 55 extends downward and opens downward at the lower part of the vehicle body. The drain tube 55 is made of, for example, rubber.

[0027] The breather pipe 53 is a pipe that vertically penetrates the fuel tank 29. The breather pipe 53 connects the inside of the fuel tank 29 to the atmosphere. A breather pipe upper connection part 56 to which an upper end part 53a of the breather pipe 53 is connected is provided on the bottom surface part 50b of the cap attachment part 50. The breather pipe upper connection part 56 is a hole part into which the upper end part 53a fits. The breather pipe upper connection part 56 is disposed around the fuel filler port 50c. The upper end part 53a fits into the breather pipe upper connection part 56 and is joined to the breather pipe upper connection part 56 by, for example, welding. The upper end surface of the breather pipe 53 opens upward from the bottom surface portion 50b. The breather pipe 53 extends obliquely rearward and downward from the bottom surface portion 50b within the fuel tank 29 so as to follow the drain pipe 52.

[0028] A lower end 53b (one end of the pipe) of the breather pipe 53 is connected to the tank bottom wall portion 35. The tank bottom wall portion 35 has a breather pipe connection portion 35b (pipe connection portion) to which the lower end portion 53b is connected. The breather pipe connection portion 35b is a hole portion into which the lower end portion 53b fits. The lower end portion 53b is fitted into the breather pipe connection portion 35b and joined to the breather pipe connection portion 35b by, for example, welding. The lower end 53b is disposed perpendicular to the rear-sloping tank bottom wall portion 35, and therefore extends rearward and upward in a side view of the vehicle. The breather pipe 53 bends forward and upward above the lower end 53b toward the cap mounting portion 50, and extends upward toward the cap mounting portion 50.

[0029] A breather tube 57 is connected to the lower end 53b of the breather pipe 53 protruding downward from the tank bottom wall portion 35. The lower end of the breather tube 57 opens downward. The breather tube 57 is made of, for example, rubber.

[0030] The fuel tank 29 has a first opening 61 penetrating the bottom surface portion 50b of the cap attachment portion 50 and a second opening 62 penetrating the tank bottom wall portion 35. The first opening 61 is disposed around the fuel filler port 50c. The second opening 62 is located rearward and downward of the first opening 61. The path member 51 is a pipe that vertically penetrates the fuel tank 29, and has a hole 51f that axially penetrates the path member 51. The path member 51 passes through the fuel tank 29 and connects a first opening 61 and a second opening 62.

[0031] An upper end portion 51a of the pathway member 51 is fitted into the first opening portion 61 and coupled to the first opening portion 61 by, for example, welding. The upper end surface of the upper end portion 51a opens above the bottom surface portion 50b. In the first opening 61, the upper end 51a of the pathway member 51 extends vertically in parallel with the axis 40b of the tank cap 40. Here, "parallel" includes "approximately parallel." The upper end 51a and the axis 40b extend substantially vertically. The axis 40b coincides with the axis of the fuel filler port 50c. The path member 51 extends obliquely rearward and downward within the fuel tank 29 from the bottom surface portion 50b.

[0032] A lower end portion 51b of the pathway member 51 is connected to the second opening portion 62 of the tank bottom wall portion 35. The lower end portion 51b is fitted into the second opening portion 62 and joined to the second opening portion 62 by, for example, welding. The lower end portion 51b is disposed perpendicular to the rearwardly sloping tank bottom wall portion 35, and therefore extends rearwardly and upwardly in a side view of the vehicle. In detail, the pathway member 51 includes a lower end portion 51b, a first bent portion 51c bent upward and forward above the lower end portion 51b toward the first opening 61, an inclined portion 51d extending diagonally upward and forward from the first bent portion 51c, a second bent portion 51e bent upward from the inclined portion 51d, and an upper end portion 51a extending vertically upward from the second bent portion 51e.

[0033] The route member 51 is directly connected to the fuel tank 29 only by the first opening 61 and the second opening 62. That is, the route member 51 does not contact the wall surface of the fuel tank 29 other than the first opening 61 and the second opening 62. Therefore, for example, the route member 51 can be made shorter than in a structure in which the route member 51 is disposed along the inner surface of the fuel tank 29.

[0034] The inclined portion 51d of the pathway member 51 extends in the front-rear direction and the up-down direction of the vehicle in a side view of the vehicle so as to follow the drain pipe 52 and the breather tube 57. The inclined portion 51d of the pathway member 51, the drain pipe 52, and the breather pipe 53 are bundled by a holding member 63. The holding member 63 is in the form of a band that surrounds the inclined portion 51d, the drain pipe 52, and the breather pipe 53. This allows the inclined portion 51d, the drain pipe 52, and the breather pipe 53 to support each other, and the inclined portion 51d, the drain pipe 52, and the breather pipe 53 can be effectively supported.

[0035] In the axial direction of the pathway member 51, the first bent portion 51c is closer to the second opening 62 than the second bent portion 51e. The first bent portion 51c is closest to the second opening 62 among the first bent portion 51c and the second bent portion 51e. In the axial direction of the route member 51, a distance L1 between the first bent portion 51c and the second opening 62 is smaller than a distance L2 between the first bent portion 51c and the first opening 61. Therefore, the route member 51 can be arranged away from the inner surface of the fuel tank 29, and the route member 51 can be shortened.

[0036] FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the periphery of first opening 61 in FIG. 5 and 6, the operation cable 41 is routed inside the fuel tank 29 by being passed through a hole 51f of the path member 51. The operation cable 41 includes a cylindrical outer tube 65 and an inner cable 66 provided inside the outer tube 65. The inner cable 66 is movable inside the outer tube 65 in the axial direction of the operation cable 41.

[0037] An unlocking mechanism 70 that unlocks the tank cap 40 is provided in the cap attachment portion 50. The unlocking mechanism 70 is disposed above the first opening 61, between the peripheral wall portion 50a of the cap attachment portion 50 and the outer periphery of the tank cap 40. The unlocking mechanism 70 includes a locking member 71 that engages with the tank cap 40, and a rotating shaft 72 that supports the locking member 71 so that it can rotate freely. The rotating shaft 72 is a shaft that extends in the vehicle width direction. The locking member 71 includes a rotating portion 71a supported by a rotating shaft 72 and rotating around the rotating shaft 72, an engagement portion 71b protruding from the rotating portion 71a toward the tank cap 40, and a cable connecting portion 71c extending from the rotating portion 71a on the side opposite the engagement portion 71b.

[0038] An engaged portion 40c that engages with the engaging portion 71b of the locking member 71 is provided on the outer periphery of the tank cap 40. The engaged portion 40c is, for example, a groove. The inner cable 66 passes through the first opening 61, extends outwardly and upwardly from the upper end of the path member 51, and is connected to a cable connecting portion 71c of the locking member 71. In detail, a cylindrical connecting member 66a extending in the vehicle width direction is provided at the upper end of the inner cable 66. The inner cable 66 is connected to the locking member 71 by the connecting member 66a being rotatably fitted into a hole provided in the cable connecting portion 71c.

[0039] An upper end of the pathway member 51 protrudes upward from the bottom surface portion 50b. An upper end of the outer tube 65 is provided flush with an upper end of the pathway member 51. A cylindrical cover member 73 that closes an opening at the upper end of the pathway member 51 is attached to the upper end of the pathway member 51. The cover member 73 is attached to the path member 51 by fitting onto the outer periphery of the upper end of the path member 51. The cover member 73 includes a cable passage hole 73a that passes through the cover member 73 in the vertical direction. The inner cable 66 extends upward through the cable passage hole 73a and is connected to the cable connecting portion 71c. The cover member 73 prevents water and dust from entering the upper end of the pathway member 51 . Furthermore, the cover member 73 comes into contact with the lock member 71 when the lock member 71 rotates, thereby stopping the rotation of the lock member 71.

[0040] With reference to FIG. 4, a lower end portion 51b of the pathway member 51 protrudes downward from the tank bottom wall portion . The operation cable 41 extends downward from the lower end of the path member 51, and is connected to the solenoid 42. In detail, the operation cable 41 has an inner cable 66 (FIG. 5) whose lower end is connected to the solenoid 42. The extension direction 80 of the operation cable 41 extending from the second opening 62 toward the solenoid 42 is downward and forward. The connection direction between the operation cable 41 and the solenoid 42 is the same as the extension direction 80. That is, the operation cable 41 extending straight in the extension direction 80 is connected to the solenoid 42 as it is without changing its orientation. The drive direction of the solenoid 42 is the same as the extension direction 80, and the solenoid 42 pulls the inner cable 66 in the extension direction 80. Therefore, the drive force of the solenoid 42 can be efficiently transmitted to the inner cable 66.

[0041] 5, when a command to open the tank cap 40 is input by operating an operation button or the like, the control unit 33 drives and controls the solenoid 42, which drives the operation cable 41. When the operation cable 41 is driven, the lock member 71 is pulled downward by the inner cable 66 and rotates from the position indicated by the solid line to the position indicated by the imaginary line in FIG. 6. This releases the engagement of the engaging portion 71b with the engaged portion 40c, and the tank cap 40 is unlocked. The tank cap 40 is provided so as to be rotatable about a hinge provided, for example, at the rear of the tank cap 40. In the unlocked state, the tank cap 40 rotates upward about the hinge to open. During the unlocking operation, the locking member 71 of the unlocking mechanism 70 abuts against the upper surface 73b of the cover member 73, restricting the limit position of rotation. Therefore, the rotation of the locking member 71 can be restricted by using the cover member 73, and the rotation of the locking member 71 can be restricted with a simple structure. Since excessive rotation of the locking member 71 is restricted by the cover member 73, the load on the inner cable 66 during the unlocking operation can be reduced. Therefore, the lock can be unlocked satisfactorily without making the inner cable 66 thicker.

[0042] The operation cable 41 is passed through the path member 51 that is routed inside the fuel tank 29, and is therefore not exposed to the outside of the fuel tank 29. This makes the operation cable 41 inconspicuous, improving the appearance of the saddle-ride type vehicle 10. In addition, the operation cable 41 is guided along the entire path from the first opening 61 to the second opening 62 by the path member 51. This makes the routing path of the operation cable 41 stable, and allows the operation cable 41 to be operated satisfactorily.

[0043] 4, the second opening 62, the drain pipe connection portion 35a, and the breather pipe connection portion 35b are provided adjacent to each other on the tank bottom wall portion 35. That is, the lower end portion 51b of the path member 51, the lower end portion 52b of the drain pipe 52, and the lower end portion 53b of the breather pipe 53 are provided adjacent to each other on the tank bottom wall portion 35. In addition, the lower end portions 51b, 52b, and 53b are provided approximately parallel to each other. Therefore, the lower end portions 51b, 52b, and 53b can be compactly arranged together on the tank bottom wall portion 35, and the route member 51, the drain pipe 52, and the breather pipe 53 can be easily arranged.

[0044] As described above, according to an embodiment to which the present invention is applied, the saddle-type vehicle 10 comprises a fuel tank 29, a tank cap 40 that opens and closes a fuel filler opening 50c provided on the fuel tank 29, and an operation cable 41 that performs an unlocking operation for the tank cap 40, the fuel tank 29 has a first opening 61 and a second opening 62 that penetrate the fuel tank 29, a path member 51 is provided that passes through the fuel tank 29 and connects the first opening 61 and the second opening 62, the operation cable 41 is routed within the path member 51, and the operation cable 41 that comes out from the first opening 61 to the outside is connected to an unlocking mechanism 70 that unlocks the tank cap 40. According to this configuration, the operation cable 41 is routed in the path member 51 that passes through the inside of the fuel tank 29, so that the operation cable 41 can be hidden with a simple structure and routed with good appearance. Also, the operation cable 41 is guided by the path member 51 from the second opening 62 to the first opening 61. Therefore, the routing path of the operation cable 41 is stable, and the operation cable 41 can be operated well.

[0045] In addition, the pathway member 51 is in the form of a pipe that is connected to the fuel tank 29 only by the first opening 61 and the second opening 62 . According to this configuration, the path member 51 can be routed along a short path, and the operation cable 41 can be shortened.

[0046] In addition, the pathway member 51 has a first bent portion 51c (bent portion) and a second bent portion 51e (bent portion) between the first opening 61 and the second opening 62, and of the first bent portion 51c and the second bent portion 51e, the first bent portion 51c which is closest to the second opening 62 in the axial direction of the pathway member 51 is bent toward the first opening 61, and in the axial direction of the pathway member 51, the distance L1 between the first bent portion 51c and the second opening 62 is smaller than the distance L2 between the first bent portion 51c and the first opening 61. According to this configuration, the path member 51 can be routed along a short path, and the operation cable 41 can be shortened.

[0047] Furthermore, a cover member 73 is provided to close the end of the path member 51 on the first opening 61 side, and the operation cable 41 passes through the cover member 73 and extends to the outside, and is connected to the unlocking mechanism 70. According to this configuration, the intrusion of water and dust into the pathway member 51 can be effectively prevented by the cover member 73.

[0048] Furthermore, the unlocking mechanism 70 comes into contact with the cover member 73 during the unlocking operation. According to this configuration, the operation of the unlocking mechanism 70 can be stopped by utilizing the cover member 73, so that the operation of the unlocking mechanism 70 can be stopped without using a dedicated member for stopping the unlocking mechanism 70. In addition, since the load on the operation cable 41 can be reduced when the operation of the unlocking mechanism 70 is stopped, the unlocking operation can be performed satisfactorily without making the operation cable 41 thicker.

[0049] In addition, a drain pipe 52 and a breather pipe 53 are arranged in the fuel tank 29 separately from the path member 51, and the path member 51, the drain pipe 52 and the breather pipe 53 are bundled together. According to this configuration, the path member 51 can be supported with a simple structure by utilizing the drain pipe 52 and the breather pipe 53 inside the fuel tank 29. It is sufficient that at least one of the drain pipe 52 and the breather pipe 53 is bundled with the path member 51.

[0050] The fuel tank 29 also has a drain pipe connection portion 35a to which the lower end portion 52b of the drain pipe 52 is connected, and a breather pipe connection portion 35b to which the lower end portion 53b of the breather pipe 53 is connected, the drain pipe 52 extends outward from the drain pipe connection portion 35a, the breather pipe 53 extends outward from the breather pipe connection portion 35b, and a second opening 62 is provided adjacent to the drain pipe connection portion 35a and the breather pipe connection portion 35b. According to this configuration, the second opening 62, the drain pipe connecting portion 35a, and the breather pipe connecting portion 35b are adjacent to each other, so that the path member 51, the drain pipe 52, and the breather pipe 53 can be arranged together. This makes it easy to arrange the path member 51, the drain pipe 52, and the breather pipe 53 inside the fuel tank 29. Note that it is sufficient that the second opening 62 is adjacent to at least one of the drain pipe connecting portion 35a and the breather pipe connecting portion 35b.

[0051] Further, the pathway member 51 includes an inclined portion 51d that extends obliquely in the front-rear direction and the up-down direction of the vehicle within the fuel tank 29 in a side view of the vehicle. According to this configuration, the path member 51 can be routed along a short path, and the operation cable 41 can be shortened.

[0052] Furthermore, at the first opening 61, the pathway member 51 is attached to the fuel tank 29 in parallel with the axis 40b of the tank cap 40. According to this configuration, since the path member 51 is parallel to the axis 40b of the tank cap 40 at the first opening 61, the operation cable 41 is also parallel to the axis 40b of the tank cap 40. Therefore, the operation cable 41 can be disposed close to the tank cap 40, and the operation cable 41 can be shortened.

[0053] The unlocking mechanism 70 also includes a locking member 71 that engages with the tank cap 40 to lock the tank cap 40, and the operating cable 41 is connected to the locking member 71 and operates the locking member 71 to release the lock. According to this configuration, the operation cable 41 is connected to the tank cap 40 via the lock member 71. Therefore, the load acting on the operation cable 41 from the tank cap 40 side is mitigated by the lock member 71. Therefore, the durability of the operation cable 41 is good.

[0054] In addition, a solenoid 42 that drives the operation cable 41 is provided, and the operation cable 41 extending outward from the second opening 62 is connected to the solenoid 42 , and the solenoid 42 is disposed below the upper surface 40 a of the tank cap 40 . According to this configuration, the solenoid 42 can be compactly arranged below the upper surface 40a of the tank cap 40. In addition, since the solenoid 42 is difficult to access from the outside, the theft prevention is good. Furthermore, since the solenoid 42 can be arranged near the battery 34, the solenoid 42 can be easily connected to the battery 34 via the electric wire 34a and the electric wire 43.

[0055] Further, the extending direction 80 of the operation cable 41 extending outward from the second opening 62 is the same as the connection direction of the operation cable 41 and the solenoid 42. According to this configuration, the driving force of the solenoid 42 can be efficiently transmitted to the operation cable 41, and the operation cable 41 can be operated satisfactorily.

[0056] Furthermore, a control unit 33 that controls the driving of the solenoid 42 is provided, and the control unit 33 is disposed below the upper surface 40a of the tank cap 40. According to this configuration, the control unit 33 can be compactly arranged below the upper surface 40a of the tank cap 40. In addition, since the solenoid 42 can be arranged close to the control unit 33, the solenoid 42 and the control unit 33 can be easily connected with a short electric wire 43.

[0057] In addition, the solenoid 42 is disposed below the fuel tank 29. According to this configuration, the solenoid 42 can be compactly arranged below the fuel tank 29. In addition, since it is difficult to access the solenoid 42 from the outside, the theft prevention is good. Furthermore, since the solenoid 42 can be arranged near the battery 34, the solenoid 42 can be easily connected to the battery 34 via the electric wire 34a and the electric wire 43.

[0058] In addition, the control unit 33 is disposed below the fuel tank 29. According to this configuration, the control unit 33 can be arranged compactly below the fuel tank 29. In addition, since the solenoid 42 can be arranged close to the control unit 33, the solenoid 42 and the control unit 33 can be easily connected with a short electric wire 43.

[0059] The above-described embodiment shows one mode in which the present invention is applied, and the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. In the above embodiment, the route member 51 has been described as being connected to the fuel tank 29 only by the first opening 61 and the second opening 62, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the route member 51 may be provided in contact with the inner surface of the fuel tank 29 in the section between the first opening 61 and the second opening 62 so as to follow the inner surface of the fuel tank 29. In the above embodiment, the lower end 51b of the path member 51 is described as being disposed perpendicular to the tank bottom wall portion 35, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the lower end 51b may be disposed so as to penetrate vertically through the tank bottom wall portion 35. In this case, the extension direction of the operation cable 41 extending downward from the second opening 62 is the vertical direction, and the drive direction of the solenoid 42 is also set to the vertical direction. In the above embodiment, the solenoid 42 and the control unit 33 are described as being disposed below the upper surface 40a of the tank cap 40 and below the fuel tank 29, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the solenoid 42 and the control unit 33 may be disposed below the upper surface 40a of the tank cap 40 and below the rear seat 17b. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a motorcycle has been used as an example of saddle-type vehicle 10, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention is applicable to three-wheeled vehicles having two front or rear wheels, and saddle-type vehicles having four or more wheels.

[0060] [Configuration supported by the above embodiment] The above embodiment supports the following configurations.

[0061] (Configuration 1) A saddle-ride type vehicle including a fuel tank, a tank cap that opens and closes a fuel filler opening provided on the fuel tank, and an operating cable that performs an unlocking operation on the tank cap, wherein the fuel tank has a first opening and a second opening that penetrate the fuel tank, a path member that passes through the fuel tank and connects the first opening and the second opening is provided, the operating cable is routed within the path member, and the operating cable that comes out to the outside from the first opening is connected to an unlocking mechanism that unlocks the tank cap. According to this configuration, the operation cable is routed in the path member that passes through the inside of the fuel tank, so the operation cable can be hidden with a simple structure and routed with good appearance. Also, the operation cable is guided by the path member from the second opening to the first opening. Therefore, the routing path of the operation cable is stable, and the operation cable can be operated well.

[0062] (Configuration 2) The saddle-type vehicle according to configuration 1, wherein the pathway member is a pipe connected to the fuel tank only by the first opening and the second opening. According to this configuration, the path member can be routed along a short path, and the operating cable can be shortened.

[0063] (Configuration 3) The pathway member has at least one bent portion between the first opening and the second opening, and a first bent portion among the bent portions that is closest to the second opening in the axial direction of the pathway member is bent toward the first opening, and a distance between the first bent portion and the second opening in the axial direction of the pathway member is smaller than a distance between the first bent portion and the first opening. According to this configuration, the path member can be routed along a short path, and the operating cable can be shortened.

[0064] (Configuration 4) A saddle-type vehicle as described in any one of configurations 1 to 3, characterized in that a cover member is provided to cover the end of the path member on the first opening side, and the operating cable passes through the cover member, extends to the outside, and is connected to the unlocking mechanism. According to this configuration, the cover member can effectively prevent water and dust from entering the path member.

[0065] (Configuration 5) The saddle-type vehicle according to configuration 4, wherein the unlocking mechanism abuts against the cover member during an unlocking operation. According to this configuration, the operation of the unlocking mechanism can be stopped using the cover member, so the operation of the unlocking mechanism can be stopped without using a dedicated member for stopping the unlocking mechanism. Also, since the load on the operation cable can be reduced when stopping the operation of the unlocking mechanism, the unlocking operation can be performed satisfactorily without making the operation cable thicker.

[0066] (Configuration 6) A saddle-type vehicle as described in any one of configurations 1 to 5, characterized in that a pipe is arranged within the fuel tank separately from the route member, and the route member and at least one of the pipes are bundled together. According to this configuration, the path member can be supported with a simple structure by utilizing the pipe inside the fuel tank.

[0067] (Configuration 7) The saddle-type vehicle according to configuration 6, wherein the fuel tank includes a pipe connection portion to which one end of the pipe is connected, the pipe extends outward from the pipe connection portion, and the second opening is provided adjacent to at least one of the pipe connection portions. According to this configuration, since the second opening and the pipe connection portion are adjacent to each other, the route member and the pipe can be arranged together, and the arrangement of the route member and the pipe is easy.

[0068] (Configuration 8) A saddle-type vehicle according to any one of configurations 1 to 7, wherein the pathway member has an inclined portion that extends obliquely in the vehicle front-rear and up-down directions within the fuel tank in a side view of the vehicle. According to this configuration, the path member can be routed along a short path, and the operating cable can be shortened.

[0069] (Configuration 9) The saddle-type vehicle according to any one of configurations 1 to 8, wherein, in the first opening, the pathway member is attached to the fuel tank parallel to an axis of the tank cap. According to this configuration, since the path member is parallel to the axis of the tank cap at the first opening, the operation cable is also parallel to the axis of the tank cap, so that the operation cable can be arranged close to the tank cap and the operation cable can be shortened.

[0070] (Configuration 10) A saddle-type vehicle as described in any one of configurations 1 to 9, characterized in that the unlocking mechanism includes a locking member that engages with the tank cap to lock the tank cap, and the operating cable is connected to the locking member and operates the locking member to release the lock. According to this configuration, the operation cable is connected to the tank cap via the locking member, so that the load acting on the operation cable from the tank cap side is mitigated by the locking member, resulting in good durability of the operation cable.

[0071] (Configuration 11) A saddle-type vehicle as described in any one of configurations 1 to 10, characterized in that a solenoid is provided for driving the operating cable, the operating cable extending outward from the second opening is connected to the solenoid, and the solenoid is positioned below an upper surface of the tank cap. With this configuration, the solenoid can be disposed compactly below the top surface of the tank cap.

[0072] (Configuration 12) A saddle-ride type vehicle according to configuration 11, characterized in that the direction in which the operating cable extends outward from the second opening is the same as the direction in which the operating cable is connected to the solenoid. According to this configuration, the driving force of the solenoid can be efficiently transmitted to the operating cable, and the operating cable can be operated satisfactorily.

[0073] (Configuration 13) A saddle-type vehicle according to configuration 11 or 12, further comprising a control unit for controlling the drive of the solenoid, the control unit being disposed below the upper surface of the tank cap. According to this configuration, the control unit can be disposed compactly below the top surface of the tank cap. Also, since the solenoid and the control unit are disposed below the top surface of the tank cap, the solenoid and the control unit can be easily connected.

[0074] (Configuration 14) The saddle-type vehicle according to configuration 13, wherein the solenoid is disposed below the fuel tank. With this configuration, the solenoid can be disposed compactly below the fuel tank.

[0075] (Configuration 15) The saddle-ride type vehicle according to configuration 13 or 14, wherein the control unit is disposed below the fuel tank. According to this configuration, the control unit can be disposed compactly below the fuel tank, and the solenoid and the control unit can be easily connected below the fuel tank. [Explanation of symbols]

[0076] 10 Saddle-type vehicles 29 Fuel Tank 33 Control Unit 35a Drain pipe connection (pipe connection) 35b Breather pipe connection (pipe connection) 40 Tank Cap 40a top 40b axis 41 Control cable 42 Solenoid 50c fuel filler 51 Route components 51c 1st bending part (bending part) 51d Slope 51e 2nd bending part (bending part) 52 Drain pipe (pipe) 52b Lower end (one end of the pipe) 53 Breather pipe (pipe) 53b Lower end (one end of the pipe) 61 First opening 62 Second Opening 70 Unlocking mechanism 71 Locking member 73 Lid member 80 Extension direction L1 Distance (distance between the first bend and the second opening) L2 distance (distance between the first bend and the first opening)

Claims

1. A saddle-type vehicle including a fuel tank (29), a tank cap (40) that opens and closes a fuel filler opening (50c) provided in the fuel tank (29), and an operation cable (41) that performs an unlocking operation for the tank cap (40), The fuel tank (29) includes a first opening (61) and a second opening (62) penetrating the fuel tank (29), a path member (51) is provided that passes through the fuel tank (29) and connects the first opening (61) and the second opening (62); The operating cable (41) is routed within the path member (51), The operation cable (41) coming out from the first opening (61) is connected to an unlocking mechanism (70) that unlocks the tank cap (40), A cover member (73) is provided to close the end of the path member (51) on the first opening (61) side, and the operation cable (41) passes through the cover member (73) to extend outward and is connected to the unlocking mechanism (70); The unlocking mechanism (70) abuts against the cover member (73) during an unlocking operation.

2. 2. The saddle-ride type vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the pathway member (51) is a pipe connected to the fuel tank (29) only through the first opening (61) and the second opening (62).

3. The pathway member (51) has at least one bent portion (51c, 51e) between the first opening (61) and the second opening (62), Among the bent portions (51c, 51e), a first bent portion (51c) that is closest to the second opening (62) in the axial direction of the pathway member (51) is bent toward the first opening (61), 3. The saddle-type vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, in the axial direction of the pathway member (51), a distance (L1) between the first bent portion (51 c) and the second opening (62) is smaller than a distance (L2) between the first bent portion (51 c) and the first opening (61).

4. 4. The saddle-ride type vehicle according to claim 1, wherein a pipe (52, 53) is arranged in the fuel tank (29) separately from the route member (51), and the route member (51) and at least one of the pipes (52, 53) are bundled together.

5. the fuel tank (29) includes a pipe connection portion (35a, 35b) to which one end portion (52b, 53b) of the pipe (52, 53) is connected, the pipe (52, 53) extends outward from the pipe connection portion (35a, 35b), 5. The saddle-ride type vehicle according to claim 4, wherein the second opening (62) is provided adjacent to at least one of the pipe connecting portions (35a, 35b).

6. 6. The saddle-type vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the pathway member (51) has an inclined portion (51d) that extends obliquely in the fore-and-aft direction and the up-and-down direction of the vehicle within the fuel tank (29) in a side view of the vehicle.

7. 7. The saddle-type vehicle according to claim 1, wherein, in the first opening (61), the pathway member (51) is attached to the fuel tank (29) parallel to an axis (40b) of the tank cap (40).

8. The unlocking mechanism (70) includes a locking member (71) that engages with the tank cap (40) to lock the tank cap (40), 8. The saddle-ride type vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the operating cable (41) is connected to the locking member (71) and operates the locking member (71) to release the lock.

9. A solenoid (42) is provided to drive the operating cable (41), 9. The saddle-type vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the operating cable (41) extending outward from the second opening (62) is connected to the solenoid (42), and the solenoid (42) is disposed below an upper surface (40a) of the tank cap (40).

10. 10. The saddle-type vehicle according to claim 9, characterized in that the extension direction (80) of the operating cable (41) extending outward from the second opening (62) is the same as the connection direction between the operating cable (41) and the solenoid (42).

11. A control unit (33) is provided to control the drive of the solenoid (42), 11. The saddle-ride type vehicle according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the control unit (33) is disposed below the upper surface (40a) of the tank cap (40).

12. 12. The saddle-ride type vehicle according to claim 11, wherein the solenoid (42) is disposed below the fuel tank (29).

13. 13. The saddle-ride type vehicle according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the control unit (33) is disposed below the fuel tank (29).

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