Straddle-type vehicle

Abstract

To provide a saddle-riding type vehicle, having a headlight, capable of effectively generating a down force during traveling, and making effective utilization of a space around the headlight.SOLUTION: A saddle-riding type vehicle includes a headlight and a first wind receiving face. The headlight radiates light forward thereof. The first wind receiving face is arranged adjacent to the lower side of the headlight and is positioned to be higher as it approaches more backward.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a saddle-type vehicle including an air passage for allowing a part of the traveling wind directed from the front toward the vehicle body to flow to the rear of the vehicle body.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In such a saddle-type vehicle, it is desired to obtain a stronger downforce during traveling in order to improve the stability and braking performance of the vehicle body.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a saddle-type vehicle capable of improving the downforce during traveling.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The problems to be solved by the present invention are as described above. Next, means for solving this problem and its effects will be described.

[0007] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a saddle-type vehicle having the following configuration is provided. That is, this saddle-type vehicle a steering wheel, It includes a headlight and a first air intake surface. The headlight irradiates light forward. The first air intake surface is arranged adjacent to the lower side of the headlight and is provided to be higher as it approaches the rear. The air passage is provided such that its lower surface becomes higher as it approaches the rear. The air passage is arranged adjacent to the outside in the vehicle width direction of the headlight. The front surface of the headlight is inclined so as to be rearward as it approaches downward. The inlet of the air passage is disposed adjacent to the outer end in the vehicle width direction of the portion where the headlight and the first air receiving surface are adjacent. The inlet of the air passage is open forward. The lower surface of the air passage is below the vehicle width direction end of the steering wheel.

[0008] As a result, when the oncoming wind collides with the first air intake surface during driving, the oncoming wind is deflected upward as it progresses rearward by the first air intake surface. The downforce generated on the vehicle body can be improved by the reaction force accompanying the deflection of the oncoming wind.

Advantages of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a saddle-type vehicle with improved downforce during driving.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, with reference to FIG. 1, an overview of a saddle-ride type vehicle 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a side view showing the overall configuration of the saddle-ride type vehicle 1. In FIG. 1 and other figures, the flow of the traveling wind generated during the traveling of the saddle-ride type vehicle 1 is simply represented by arrows.

[0014] The saddle-ride type vehicle 1 of the present embodiment is a motorcycle. The driver rides on the saddle-ride type vehicle 1 in a state of straddling the vehicle body 3 and drives the saddle-ride type vehicle 1. Note that the present invention can also be applied to vehicles other than motorcycles, such as a buggy type three-wheeler or four-wheeler that rides by straddling a seat. The saddle-ride type vehicle 1 includes a vehicle body 3, a front wheel 4, and a rear wheel 5.

[0015] In the following description, unless otherwise specified, front, rear, left, right, up, and down mean front, rear, left, right, up, and down as seen from the driver riding on the saddle-ride type vehicle 1. In other words, the left-right direction is the vehicle width direction of the saddle-ride type vehicle 1 and coincides with the direction in which the axle of the drive wheel extends. The front-rear direction coincides with the vehicle length direction of the saddle-ride type vehicle 1.

[0016] The vehicle body 3 supports an engine 8 that is a drive source for driving the saddle-ride type vehicle 1. The engine 8 functions as a power unit that drives the rear wheel 5 serving as a drive wheel and is configured as, for example, a gasoline engine. The driving force generated by the engine 8 is transmitted to the rear wheel 5 provided at the rear part of the vehicle body 3 after being shifted by a transmission (not shown). The rear wheel 5 is provided so as to be displaceable in the vertical direction with respect to the vehicle body 3. The rear wheel 5 is supported by a swing arm 9 that is provided on the frame body of the vehicle body 3 and is provided so as to be swing angle displaceable with respect to a pivot shaft extending in the left-right direction.

[0017] Note that the drive source in the saddle-ride type vehicle 1 is not particularly limited and may be, for example, an electric motor, or may be a composite of a plurality of types of devices.

[0018] The front wheel 4 is provided at the front part of the vehicle body 3. The engine 8 is disposed between the front wheel 4 and the rear wheel 5 in the front-rear direction. Specifically, the engine 8 is supported by a frame portion of the vehicle body 3 in front of the swing arm 9. The engine 8 is realized by an internal combustion engine. The internal combustion engine generates power by gas expansion generated during fuel combustion.

[0019] The front wheel 4 is provided so as to be displaceable in the vertical direction with respect to the vehicle body 3. A front wheel support structure for supporting the front wheel is provided at the front part of the vehicle body 3. In the present embodiment, the front wheel support structure includes a front fork 11. A pair of left and right front forks 11 are arranged so as to sandwich the front wheel 4 in a front view. The front wheel 4 is rotatably attached to the lower part of the front fork 11. The front fork 11 is provided with a front fender 13 which is a mudguard member for covering the front wheel 4 from above.

[0020] A seat 15 on which the driver sits is provided at the upper part of the vehicle body 3. A fuel tank 16 for storing fuel supplied to the engine 8 is provided in front of the seat 15. A steering handle 17 operable by the driver is provided at the front upper part of the vehicle body 3. The steering handle 17 is disposed in front of the seat 15 and the fuel tank 16 and above the front fork 11.

[0021] A headlight 19 is disposed in front of the steering handle 17. The headlight 19 receives power supply and irradiates light in front of the saddle-riding type vehicle 1. The headlight 19 functions as a headlight that irradiates the traveling road surface in front of the vehicle body. In the present embodiment, the headlight 19 is configured to be capable of switching between a predetermined low beam irradiation and a high beam irradiation set to irradiate upward with respect to the low beam irradiation, respectively. Further, the headlight 19 includes an adjustment mechanism capable of adjusting the direction of the optical axis to be irradiated. The headlight 19 is provided at a position higher than the front wheels 4 in the vertical direction and at the front portion of the vehicle body 3. In the present embodiment, the headlight 19 is provided in a pair of left and right so as to be symmetrical. Note that the headlight 19 is not limited to a pair of left and right, and may be, for example, a single headlight disposed at the center in the left-right direction at the front portion of the vehicle body 3.

[0022] In the present embodiment, the saddle-riding type vehicle 1 includes a cowl 23. The cowl 23 is an outer shell member that constitutes the outer surface of the saddle-riding type vehicle 1 and is made of a synthetic resin member. The cowl 23 is disposed so as to cover the periphery of the headlight 19 and the lower part (side surface of the vehicle body) of the steering handle 17. Note that the range where the cowl 23 is disposed and the shape of the cowl 23 are examples, and may be different from the present embodiment as long as they include at least those corresponding to the periphery of the headlight 19 as described later.

[0023] The cowl 23 has a front cowl 25 and two side cowls 27 and 29. The front cowl 25 is mainly disposed at the front portion of the vehicle body 3, for example, around the headlight 19. The front cowl 25 is provided so as to surround the upper, lower, left, and right of the front portion of the vehicle body 3. The two side cowls 27 and 29 are respectively disposed on the side portions of the vehicle body 3 and below the steering handle 17. One side cowl 27 is mainly disposed on the left side surface of the vehicle body 3, and the other side cowl 29 is mainly disposed on the right side surface of the vehicle body 3.

[0024] The front cowl 25 has an upper surface that covers above the headlight 19. The upper surface of the front cowl 25 is configured as an inclined surface that smoothly inclines upward as it proceeds rearward from the front end. The side cowls 27, 29 each have a side surface that covers the outside in the vehicle width direction of the headlight 19. Each side surface of the side cowls 27, 29 is configured as an inclined surface that smoothly inclines outward in the vehicle width direction as it proceeds rearward from the front end. By providing the cowl 23 in this way, the oncoming driving wind that collides with the vehicle body 3 can be smoothly deflected, and the running resistance of the vehicle body 3 can be reduced. Further, the cowl 23 can guide the driving wind outward and upward in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle body 3, thereby reducing the driving wind toward the driver and enhancing the windbreak effect.

[0025] Next, with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5, the configuration around the headlight 19 will be described. FIG. 2 is a front view of the front part of the saddle-type vehicle 1. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the front part of the saddle-type vehicle 1. FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view of the headlight 19 and its vicinity in the front part of the vehicle body 3. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the configuration around the left headlight 19L in the front cowl 25.

[0026] The front cowl 25 is an exterior member exposed on the front side of the vehicle body 3. The front cowl 25 may be formed by one member, or may be formed by connecting a plurality of members. The side cowls 27, 29 are continuously provided on the front cowl 25 so as to smoothly continue as exterior members. The side cowls 27, 29 may be formed by one member, or may be formed by a plurality of members, similarly to the front cowl 25.

[0027] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the front cowl 25 is configured such that the shape of the cross section cut by a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction becomes larger as it approaches the rear from the front end portion. Specifically, the front end portion of the front cowl 25 is disposed at the center position in the vehicle width direction and its vicinity. Then, the front cowl 25 is formed so as to gradually expand in the vehicle width direction and the vertical direction as it approaches the rear from the front end portion.

[0028] The front cowl 25 is configured to be substantially bilaterally symmetric with respect to a plane (indicated by the virtual line 101 in FIGS. 2 and 3) that bisects the vehicle width of the saddle-ride type vehicle 1. A windshield 31 that inclines so as to become higher toward the rear is provided at the upper part of the front cowl 25. Left and right side mirrors 33 and 35 are provided on each of the left and right sides of the front cowl 25.

[0029] In a front view, a plurality of openings are formed in a penetrating manner in the upper and lower middle portions of the front cowl 25 as shown in FIG. 2. The plurality of openings are arranged side by side in the vehicle width direction. The plurality of openings are the air guide hole 41 and the left and right lamp holes 43 and 45. The left and right lamp holes 43 and 45 are arranged so as to sandwich the air guide hole 41 in the vehicle width direction.

[0030] Since the configuration around the headlight 19 is substantially bilaterally symmetric with respect to the plane indicated by the virtual line 101, the configuration on the left side will mainly be described below. In the following description, for a configuration that is substantially bilaterally symmetric, the members / parts on the left side may be suffixed with L at the end of the reference numerals, and the members / parts on the right side may be suffixed with R at the end of the reference numerals.

[0031] The air guide hole 41 is a hole for taking in the running wind for supplying the engine 8. In the present embodiment, the air guide hole 41 is arranged at the center in the vehicle width direction of the front cowl 25 and opens the front of the vehicle body 3. An air guide duct provided in the vehicle body 3 is connected to the air guide hole 41. This air guide duct constitutes a path for supplying the running wind introduced from the air guide hole 41 to the engine 8 via an air cleaner or the like. By introducing the running wind into the air guide hole 41, it is possible to easily guide air having a high pressure proportional to the running speed to the engine 8 and increase the amount of air supplied to the engine 8.

[0032] A left headlight 19L is provided in the left lamp hole 43. The left headlight 19L is disposed on the left side of the air guide hole 41. As shown in FIG. 4, the left headlight 19L has an irradiation surface 51 that is exposed in front of the vehicle body 3. The irradiation surface 51 is the outer surface of the left headlight 19L and is a surface through which the light irradiated forward is transmitted.

[0033] The left headlight 19L includes a housing 53, a light source 55, a lens, and a reflector. The left headlight 19L is of the LED type in this embodiment. The housing 53 houses the light source 55. The light source 55 is a light-emitting diode (LED). The irradiation surface 51 is formed by a lens having translucency. In this embodiment, the lens is realized by a resin material and closes the lamp holes 43 and 45 formed in the front cowl 25. Note that the light source 55 of the headlight 19 is not limited to a light-emitting diode. The reflector is composed of a plurality of reflectors arranged at various angles. The reflector guides the light in a predetermined direction and within a predetermined range by reflecting the light emitted by the light source 55. In this embodiment, the lens is formed in a horizontally long shape in which the vehicle width direction dimension is larger than the vertical direction dimension.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 5, a recess 57 that opens to the outside in the vehicle width direction is provided in the outer side portion of the vehicle body of the front cowl 25. The recess 57 is formed in an elongated groove shape that extends in the front-rear direction and is recessed inward in the vehicle width direction. The longitudinal direction of the recess 57 is generally in the front-rear direction, but it is obliquely arranged so as to be located on the upper side and the outside in the vehicle width direction as it goes from the front end to the rear. In other words, the lower surface of the recess 57 is formed as an inclined surface that smoothly inclines upward as it goes rearward. The inner surface in the vehicle width direction of the recess 57 is formed as an inclined surface that smoothly inclines outward in the vehicle width direction as it goes rearward. The front end portion of the recess 57 is located on the left side of the lamp hole 43 (headlight 19L).

[0035] In this embodiment, the recess 57 is covered from the outside in the vehicle width direction by a part of the side cowl 27. In FIG. 5, the side cowl 27 is shown in a two-dot chain line in a perspective view. In the space surrounded by the recess 57 and a part of the side cowl 27, a left air passage 60L described later is formed.

[0036] A right headlight 19R is provided in the right lamp hole 45. In this embodiment, the right headlight 19L is substantially configured in the same manner as the left headlight 19L. A right air passage 60R is provided in the vicinity of the right outer side portion of the front cowl 25.

[0037] Next, with reference to FIGS. 2 to 7, the configuration of the air passage 60L and its vicinity will be described. FIG. 6 is a perspective view when the front part of the vehicle body 3 is viewed from the left front. FIG. 7 is a perspective view when the front part of the vehicle body 3 is viewed from the left rear.

[0038] A part of the running wind generated during the running of the saddle-type vehicle 1 is guided into the air passage 60L. In order to guide a part of this running wind into the air passage 60L, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 5, and 6, the first wind receiving surface 64L is provided so as to face the entrance 66 of the air passage 60L. In this embodiment, the first wind receiving surface 64L is constituted by a part of the front cowl 25. Note that the first wind receiving surface 64L may be constituted by a member different from the front cowl 25. The first wind receiving surface 64L is provided at a position relatively fixed with respect to the headlight 19.

[0039] The first air intake surface 64L is disposed in front of the left headlight 19L (left lamp hole 43). Specifically, the upper edge of the first air intake surface 64L is disposed at a position in contact with the lower edge of the opposing lens. As shown in FIG. 2, the first air intake surface 64L is disposed such that the length thereof in the vehicle width direction overlaps with the length of the left headlight 19L in the vehicle width direction by more than half. In the present embodiment, the first air intake surface 64L has a width in the vehicle width direction that is equal to or greater than the length of the opposing lens lower edge in the vehicle width direction. An extension portion that extends inward in the vehicle width direction from the inner end of the lens lower edge in the vehicle width direction is formed on the first air intake surface 64L. The upper edge of the first air intake surface 64L is inclined so as to move rearward as it moves outward in the vehicle width direction. Similarly, the lower edge of the lens surface (irradiation surface 51) opposing the first air intake surface 64L is inclined so as to move rearward as it moves outward in the vehicle width direction.

[0040] The inlet 66 of the air passage 60L is disposed adjacent to the portion of the first air intake surface 64L on the outer side in the vehicle width direction. As shown in FIG. 6, on the side cover that defines the air passage 60L, a portion that covers the outer end in the vehicle width direction of the upper edge of the first air intake surface 64L from the outer side in the vehicle width direction is formed in a side view. Specifically, the side cover has a front portion formed in a angular shape. The front portion of the side cover has an upper front side that faces rearward as it moves upward from the tip and a lower front side that faces rearward as it moves downward from the tip. The front portion formed in such an angular shape is disposed opposite to the outer end in the vehicle width direction of the upper edge of the first air intake surface 64L in the vehicle width direction.

[0041] The first air intake surface 64L is disposed adjacent to the lower side of the left headlight 19L. The first air intake surface 64L is obliquely oriented so as to become higher as it approaches rearward (toward the left headlight 19L) from the front end. Specifically, the first air intake surface 64L is formed in a flat surface shape. The front end of the first air intake surface 64L is disposed above the front wheel 4 and rearward of the front end of the front wheel 4. The first air intake surface 64L is formed in an inclined shape such that its height position gradually increases as it moves rearward (toward the left headlight 19L) from the front end.

[0042] As a result, when the straddle-type vehicle 1 is running, the first wind-receiving surface 64L receives a part of the running wind. A part of this running wind collides with the first wind-receiving surface 64L, is deflected upward along the first wind-receiving surface 64L, and flows rearward. In the present embodiment, the running wind deflected by the first wind-receiving surface 64L passes through the wind passage 60L and flows out to the rear of the vehicle body. The running wind is deflected upward by the first wind-receiving surface 64L and then flows to the rear of the vehicle body. In this way, the running wind coming from the front as the vehicle runs is sequentially deflected by the first wind-receiving surface 64L. In this way, a downforce can be generated in the process of deflecting the flow of the running wind upward. Therefore, the grip force of the front wheel 4 can be improved.

[0043] The first wind-receiving surface 64L is disposed in front of the left headlight 19L. Thereby, compared with the case where the first wind-receiving surface 64L is provided outside the vehicle width direction of the left headlight 19L, it is possible to prevent the first wind-receiving surface 64L from protruding outside the vehicle width direction of the left headlight 19L, and it is possible to prevent an increase in the vehicle width direction dimension of the entire vehicle body 3. Further, by forming the first wind-receiving surface 64L in front of the left headlight 19L, while effectively utilizing the space around the left headlight 19L in the vehicle width direction required for arranging the left headlight 19L, while preventing an increase in the vehicle width direction of the entire vehicle body 3, it is easy to increase the size of the first wind-receiving surface 64L in the vehicle width direction, and a configuration capable of obtaining a good downforce can be realized.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 3, the first wind-receiving surface 64L is inclined and arranged so as to be located rearward as it approaches the outside in the vehicle width direction (left side) from the center side in the vehicle width direction. In other words, the upper edge of the first wind-receiving surface 64L is formed to extend substantially parallel to the lower edge of the lens surface facing the first wind-receiving surface 64L. Therefore, the first wind-receiving surface 64L has two sides substantially parallel to the lower edge of the lens surface in a top view and is generally formed in a parallelogram shape.

[0045] The air passage 60L is formed on the outside in the vehicle width direction of the first air receiving surface 64L and rearward. In the present embodiment, the first air receiving surfaces 64L and 64R and the air passages 60L and 60R are provided on both the left and right sides at the front part of the vehicle body 3, but it may be configured to be provided only on one side, left or right. In the present embodiment, a part of the air passage 60L is defined by a part of the front cowl 25. Specifically, the inner edge in the vehicle width direction of the air passage 60L includes an air receiving surface adjacent region that is adjacent to the first air receiving surface 64L and bends rearward. Further, the inner edge in the vehicle width direction of the air passage 60L includes a lens adjacent region that is adjacent to the outer surface in the vehicle width direction of the lens surface and bends rearward. In the present embodiment, the air passage 60L is formed in a triangular cross-sectional shape in which the vehicle width direction dimension becomes smaller as it goes upward in a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. Also, at the front side portion of the inlet 66 of the air passage 60L, similar to the first air receiving surface 64L, a guide surface is formed that is obliquely directed so as to become higher as it approaches rearward (toward the left headlight 19L side) from the front end.

[0046] The air passage 60L is a tunnel-shaped and elongated passage having openings at the front and rear. The air passage 60L is formed inside a cylindrical portion formed by the cowl 23. In the air passage 60L, the running air taken in from one opening is prevented from leaking out at the axial intermediate portion and is discharged from the other opening. The longitudinal direction of the air passage 60L is generally the front-rear direction, but it is obliquely arranged so as to be located on the upper side and the outside in the vehicle width direction as it goes from the front end to the rear end. Openings are formed at the front end and the rear end of the air passage 60L, respectively. As described above, the air passage 60L is formed by the inner cowl and the outer cowl (side cowl 27). The entrance 66 of the air passage 60L is defined by a part of the front end of the outer cowl being arranged at an interval in the vehicle width direction from the inner cowl. Similarly, the exit 68 of the air passage 60L is defined by a part of the rear end of the outer cowl being arranged at an interval in the vehicle width direction from the inner cowl. In the present embodiment, the front side portion of the inner cowl is constituted by the front cowl 25, and the rear side portion of the inner cowl is constituted by an upper cowl that is connected to the rear end of the front cowl 25 and extends outside the vehicle width direction of the steering shaft.

[0047] Of the openings of the air passage 60L, the front opening functions as an inlet 66 for introducing a part of the oncoming wind into the air passage 60L. The rear opening functions as an outlet 68 for discharging the oncoming wind introduced into the air passage 60L to the outside. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, the inlet 66 of the air passage 60L is open at the front. The inlet 66 opens toward the left headlight 19L. Specifically, the inlet 66 opens into the space immediately in front of the left headlight 19L. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 7, the outlet 68 of the air passage 60L opens behind the front cowl 25 and toward the outside in the vehicle width direction with respect to the vehicle body 3.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 5, the lower surface 70 in the air passage 60L is obliquely oriented so as to become higher as it approaches the rear. Also, the front end of the lower surface 70 is disposed near the upper end position of the first wind receiving surface 64L. The rear end of the lower surface 70 is disposed at a position higher than the upper end position of the first wind receiving surface 64L. The lower surface 70 is formed in a flat surface shape. The lower surface 70 is formed such that the vehicle width direction dimension becomes narrower as it advances rearward. In the present embodiment, the lower surface 70 is constituted by the lower inner wall of the recess 57 in the left side portion of the front cowl 25. However, the lower surface 70 may be formed on the side cowl 27 side.

[0049] Thereby, the oncoming wind received by the first wind receiving surface 64L flows into the inlet 66 of the air passage 60L on the outside in the vehicle width direction and is discharged rearward from the outlet 68 of the air passage 60L. By the lower surface 70 receiving the oncoming wind passing through the air passage 60L, a further downforce can be generated.

[0050] In the present embodiment, the front end portion 72 of the lower surface 70 forming the air passage 60L is disposed at substantially the same height as the midpoint in the front-rear direction at the outer end in the vehicle width direction of the first wind receiving surface 64L. At this portion, the front end portion 72 of the lower surface 70 and the first wind receiving surface 64L are connected. Thereby, the oncoming wind can be smoothly guided from the first wind receiving surface 64L to the air passage 60L.

[0051] As the air passage 60L extends rearward from the inlet 66 toward the outlet 68, it is formed obliquely so as to head outward in the vehicle width direction. An outer wall 74L is provided on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the air passage 60L. In the present embodiment, the outer wall 74L is constituted by a part of the side cowl 27.

[0052] The outer wall 74L constitutes the left side wall of the air passage 60L. The air passage 60L is formed by a space surrounded by a right side wall, an upper side wall, and a lower side wall (including the lower surface 70) in addition to the left side wall, and is partitioned from the outside of the vehicle body 3. The right side wall and the lower side wall of the air passage 60L are constituted by a part of the recess 57 of the front cowl 25. The upper side wall 76 of the air passage 60L is constituted by a part of the recess 57 of the front cowl 25 and a part of the side cowl 27 overlapping therewith.

[0053] Thus, since the outer wall 74L is provided in the air passage 60L, when the traveling wind passes through the air passage 60L, it is possible to prevent the traveling wind from escaping outward in the vehicle width direction from the air passage 60L and guide it from the inlet 66 to the outlet 68. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the air volume of the traveling wind passing through the air passage 60L and further increase the downforce. Moreover, since the upper side wall 76 is provided in the air passage 60L, it is possible to further prevent the traveling wind introduced into the air passage 60L from escaping upward from the air passage 60L and further increase the downforce.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 3, at the outlet 68 of the air passage 60L, the axis 103L of the air passage 60L is formed so as to head outward in the vehicle width direction. Thereby, when the traveling wind is led out from the outlet 68 of the air passage 60L, this traveling wind advances in a direction away from the vehicle body 3 in the vehicle width direction (the direction of arrow 105 in FIG. 3). Therefore, it is possible to prevent the traveling wind from the air passage 60L from hitting the driver riding on the saddle-type vehicle 1, and the wind protection performance for the driver can be improved.

[0055] In the present embodiment, the wall of the air passage 60L includes an outer wall 74L that covers the outside in the vehicle width direction of the air passage 60L. As shown in FIG. 3, the outer wall 74L has a portion that protrudes forward of the irradiation surface (front surface) 51 of the left headlight 19L. The front end of the outer wall 74L is disposed forward of the end on the air passage 60L side of the irradiation surface 51 of the left headlight 19L. Thereby, the traveling wind that has collided with the left headlight 19L is easily guided into the air passage 60L.

[0056] Further, the air passage 60L is formed so as to become narrower as it goes from the inlet 66 to the outlet 68. In other words, the air passage 60L is formed such that the passage area gradually decreases from the inlet 66 to the outlet 68 by the walls constituting it. Therefore, the traveling wind passing through the air passage 60L increases in flow velocity, so that a good downforce can be obtained by the air passage 60L.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 6, the front edge of the outer wall 74L is formed such that the central portion 82 in the vertical direction is behind the upper and lower portions. Specifically, the front edge of the outer wall 74L is formed in a horizontal V shape in a side view. The front edge of the outer wall 74L forms a portion outside the vehicle width direction of the inlet 66 of the air passage 60L. Thereby, it becomes difficult for the outer wall 74L to block the light irradiated by the left headlight 19L, so that the light can be irradiated over a wide range.

[0058] As shown in FIGS. 2, 5, and 6, a second wind receiving surface 86L is provided on the front cowl 25. The second wind receiving surface 86L is disposed on the opposite side of the first wind receiving surface 64L with the left headlight 19L interposed therebetween in the vertical direction. The second wind receiving surface 86L is disposed adjacent to the inlet 66 of the air passage 60L in the vehicle width direction, similarly to the first wind receiving surface 64L. The second wind receiving surface 86L is constituted by a part of the front cowl 25. Note that the second wind receiving surface 86L may be constituted by a member different from the front cowl 25.

[0059] The second wind receiving surface 86L is disposed in front of the left headlight 19L (left lamp hole 43). The second wind receiving surface 86L is arranged such that the length thereof in the vehicle width direction overlaps with the length of the left headlight 19L in the vehicle width direction by more than half. The inlet 66 of the air passage 60L is arranged adjacent to the outer portion of the second wind receiving surface 86L in the vehicle width direction.

[0060] The second wind receiving surface 86L is arranged adjacent to the upper side of the left headlight 19L. The second wind receiving surface 86L is provided so as to become lower as it approaches rearward (toward the left headlight 19L side). Specifically, the second wind receiving surface 86L is formed in a flat surface shape. The front end of the second wind receiving surface 86L is disposed above the first wind receiving surface 64L and rearward of the front end of the first wind receiving surface 64L. A region adjacent to the second wind receiving surface 86L is formed at the outer edge in the vehicle width direction of the air passage 60L. In other words, the outer edge in the vehicle width direction of the air passage 60L is formed in a curved shape connecting the outer end in the vehicle width direction of the front end of the second wind receiving surface 86L and the outer end in the vehicle width direction of the front end of the first wind receiving surface 64L.

[0061] This prevents the traveling wind that has collided with the left headlight 19L during the running of the saddle-ride type vehicle 1 from flowing upward with respect to the left headlight 19L, and can guide each traveling wind that has collided with the first wind receiving surface 64L, the second wind receiving surface 86L, and the lens surface to the air passage 60L, and can further increase the downforce.

[0062] In this embodiment, the area of the second wind receiving surface 86L is set smaller than the area of the first wind receiving surface 64L. In this embodiment, the width in the front-rear direction of the second wind receiving surface 86L is set smaller than the width in the front-rear direction of the first wind receiving surface 64L. Therefore, the influence of the first wind receiving surface 64L can be enhanced more than that of the second wind receiving surface 86L, and the upforce generated by receiving the traveling wind can be prevented.

[0063] In the front cowl 25, an air guide hole 41 is disposed between the left and right lamp holes 43 and 45 in a front view. Partition walls 92 that divide the traveling wind generated during the travel of the saddle-ride type vehicle in the vehicle width direction are formed so as to project forward between each lamp hole 43 (45) and the air guide hole 41. The front end (projecting end) of the partition wall 92 is provided adjacent to the front ends of the first wind receiving surface 64L and the second wind receiving surface 86L in the vehicle width direction. By this partition wall 92, when the saddle-ride type vehicle 1 is traveling, the traveling wind can be smoothly branched and flowed to the peripheries of the left and right headlamps 19L and 19R and the air guide hole 41.

[0064] Here, as shown in FIG. 5, the inlet portion 94 of the air guide hole 41 is formed such that the lower edge 98 is positioned more forward than the upper edge 96. Thereby, when the saddle-ride type vehicle 1 is traveling, a layout can be realized in which the traveling wind smoothly flows into the air guide hole 41.

[0065] As described above, the inlet 66 of the air passage 60L is open to the space immediately in front of the left headlamp 19L. In relation to this, the irradiation surface 51 of the left headlamp 19L is inclined so as to be rearward as it approaches the outside in the vehicle width direction, as shown in FIG. 3. The portion of the irradiation surface 51 of the left headlamp 19L on the outside in the vehicle width direction is arranged to face the air passage 60L. Thereby, when the saddle-ride type vehicle 1 is traveling, the traveling wind that has collided with the irradiation surface 51 of the left headlamp 19L is easily guided smoothly to the inlet 66 of the air passage 60L.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 4, the irradiation surface 51 of the left headlamp 19L is tilted so as to be forward as it approaches the upper side. In the present embodiment, the irradiation surface 51 of the left headlamp 19L is in a substantially flat surface shape in a cross-sectional view and is formed to be slightly curved so as to be convex forward.

[0067] As a result, the oncoming wind that has collided with the irradiation surface 51 of the left headlight 19L can be made to flow so as to approach the first wind receiving surface 64L located below the left headlight 19L. The amount of oncoming wind guided to the lower side near the inlet 66 of the wind passage 60L can be increased, and the flow velocity of the oncoming wind flowing along the lower surface 70 can be increased. Therefore, the downforce generated by the wind passage 60L can be further improved.

[0068] As described above, the saddle-type vehicle 1 of the present embodiment includes a left headlight 19L and a first wind receiving surface 64L. The left headlight 19 irradiates light forward. The first wind receiving surface 64L is disposed so as to be adjacent to the lower side of the left headlight 19L and is provided so as to become higher as it approaches the rear.

[0069] As a result, when the saddle-type vehicle 1 is running, the first wind receiving surface 64L can generate a downforce by receiving the oncoming wind. Therefore, the downforce during running can be improved. As a result, for example, the stability and braking performance of the vehicle body 3 can be improved. Further, by causing the oncoming wind with a relatively high speed in front of the headlight 19 to collide with the first wind receiving surface 64L, the downforce effect can be enhanced. Furthermore, the distance from the center of gravity of the vehicle body 3 to the first wind receiving surface 64L can be increased, and the moment force for pressing the front end downward around the center of gravity of the vehicle body can be increased, thereby enhancing the downforce effect. Moreover, since the first wind receiving surface 64L is disposed in front of the axle of the front wheel 4, it can be easily applied as a force for pushing down the axle of the front wheel 4. Therefore, the grip force of the front wheel 4 can be improved.

[0070] In addition, since the first air receiving surface 64L is disposed in front of the left headlight 19L, it is possible to prevent the first air receiving surface 64L from protruding outward in the vehicle width direction of the left headlight 19L as compared with the case where the first air receiving surface 64L is provided outside the vehicle width direction of the left headlight 19L, and it is possible to prevent an increase in the vehicle width direction dimension of the entire vehicle body 3. Further, by providing the first air receiving surface 64L in front of the left headlight 19L, it is possible to realize a layout that effectively utilizes the space around the cowl 23 in the vehicle width direction required for arranging the left headlight 19L. That is, while preventing an increase in the vehicle width direction of the entire vehicle body 3, it becomes easier to increase the size of the left headlight 19L in the vehicle width direction and the front-rear direction.

[0071] Since the saddle-type vehicle 1 is formed to be relatively small compared to a four-wheeled vehicle, the vertical resistance force on the saddle-type vehicle 1 is small. By obtaining the downforce as described above, it is possible to compensate for the smallness of the vertical resistance force and easily improve the acceleration and deceleration behavior of the saddle-type vehicle 1.

[0072] Further, in the saddle-type vehicle 1 of the present embodiment, an air passage 60L having openings in the front and rear is formed outside the vehicle width direction of the first air receiving surface 64L. Of the front and rear openings of the air passage 60L, the front opening constitutes the inlet 66 of the air passage 60L, and the rear opening constitutes the outlet 68 of the air passage 60L. The inlet 66 of the air passage 60L opens toward the first air receiving surface 64L and the left headlight 19L. The air passage 60L is provided such that the lower surface in the air passage 60L becomes higher as it approaches the rear.

[0073] As a result, the traveling wind collected at the upper edge of the first wind receiving surface 64L flows into the inlet 66 of the air passage 60L located on the outside in the vehicle width direction of the first wind receiving surface 64L. The traveling wind flowing into the air passage 60L is led rearward from the outlet 68 of the air passage 60L. By the lower surface 70 receiving the traveling wind passing through the air passage 60L, a stronger downforce can be generated. Since the traveling wind collected at the upper end of the first wind receiving surface 64L flows into the lower side near the inlet 66 of the air passage 60L, the traveling wind with a high flow velocity can be made to flow toward the lower surface 70, and a downforce resulting from deflecting a large amount of traveling wind by the lower surface 70 can be obtained. By using the traveling wind collected by the first wind receiving surface 64L which is easy to increase the pressure receiving area as described above, the downforce by the air passage 60L can be further enhanced. Further, as the lower surface 70 narrows in the vehicle width direction as it advances rearward, it is possible to compensate for the decrease in the flow velocity of the traveling wind passing through the air passage 60L. Thereby, it is possible to easily generate a downforce over the entire air passage 60L.

[0074] Further, in the saddle-riding type vehicle 1 of the present embodiment, the air passage 60L is formed obliquely so as to pass to the outside in the vehicle width direction with respect to the left headlight 19L and to go outward in the vehicle width direction as it advances rearward from the inlet 66 to the outlet 68 of the air passage 60L. An outer wall 74L is provided on the outside in the vehicle width direction of this air passage 60L.

[0075] As a result, since the outer wall 74L is provided, when the traveling wind passes through the air passage 60L, it is possible to prevent the traveling wind from escaping from the air passage 60L in a direction away from the vehicle body 3 and guide it from the inlet 66 to the outlet 68. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the air volume of the traveling wind passing through the air passage 60L and obtain a stronger downforce.

[0076] Further, in the saddle-riding type vehicle 1 of the present embodiment, an upper side wall 76 is provided in the air passage 60L.

[0077] As a result, when the traveling wind passes through the air passage 60L, it is further prevented from escaping from the air passage 60L in a direction away from the vehicle body 3, and a stronger downforce can be obtained.

[0078] Also, in the saddle-type vehicle 1 of the present embodiment, at the outlet 68 of the air passage 60L, the axis 103L of the air passage 60L is formed so as to face outward in the vehicle width direction.

[0079] As a result, when the traveling wind is led out from the outlet 68 of the air passage 60L, the traveling wind advances in a direction away from the vehicle body 3 in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the traveling wind from hitting the driver riding on the saddle-type vehicle 1, and the wind protection performance for this driver can be improved.

[0080] Also, in the saddle-type vehicle 1 of the present embodiment, the air passage 60L includes an outer wall 74L that covers the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the air passage 60L. The outer wall 74L is arranged so as to protrude forward of at least a part of the irradiation surface 51 of the left headlight 19L.

[0081] As a result, in addition to the first wind receiving surface 64L, it becomes easier to guide the traveling wind that has collided with the irradiation surface 51 of the left headlight 19L into the air passage 60L. Headlights are generally formed with a relatively large area in order to illuminate the road surface easily. By collecting the traveling wind received by such a relatively large area surface, the downforce caused by the traveling wind passing through the air passage 60L can be improved.

[0082] Also, in the saddle-type vehicle 1 of the present embodiment, the irradiation surface 51 of the left headlight 19L is formed to be inclined rearward as it faces outward in the vehicle width direction.

[0083] As a result, when the saddle-ride type vehicle 1 is traveling, the traveling wind that collides with the irradiation surface 51 of the left headlight 19L is easily guided smoothly to the inlet 66 of the air passage 60L. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the flow velocity of the traveling wind that collides with the irradiation surface 51 and obtain a downforce. That is, it is possible to improve the downforce caused by guiding the traveling wind with a high flow velocity to the air passage 60L. In addition, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the flow velocity of the traveling wind that collides with the irradiation surface 51 of the left headlight 19L and discharge it from the outlet 68 of the air passage 60L. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the traveling wind that collides with the irradiation surface 51 of the left headlight 19L from affecting the vehicle body as a running resistance.

[0084] Further, since a part of the cowl 23 in which the air passage 60L is formed is formed in a region adjacent to the left headlight 19L in the vehicle width direction, it also functions as a portion that bulges from the front end portion of the vehicle body 3 so as to suppress the traveling wind toward the driver. Therefore, the side cowl 27 can function as a member that exhibits a wind shielding effect on the outer wall surface and obtains a downforce on the inner wall surface.

[0085] In addition, in the saddle-ride type vehicle 1 of the present embodiment, the front edge of the outer wall 74L is formed such that the vertical center portion 82 is located behind the upper and lower portions.

[0086] As a result, it becomes difficult for the outer wall 74L to block the light irradiated by the left headlight 19L. Therefore, the left headlight 19L can irradiate light over a wide range. In addition, it is preferable that the outer wall 74L is formed with a portion that covers the outer end in the vehicle width direction of the upper edge of the first wind receiving surface 64L from the outside in the vehicle width direction in a side view of the vehicle body 3. As a result, after being collected at the upper edge of the first wind receiving surface 64L, the traveling wind that travels outward in the vehicle width direction can be guided into the air passage 60L, and it is possible to prevent the traveling wind from escaping from the air passage 60L.

[0087] In addition, the saddle-ride type vehicle 1 of the present embodiment includes a second wind receiving surface 86L. The second wind receiving surface 86L is arranged adjacent to the upper side of the left headlight 19L and is provided so as to become lower as it approaches the rear of the vehicle body.

[0088] This prevents the oncoming wind that collides with the left headlight 19L during the running of the straddle-type vehicle 1 from riding upward with respect to the left headlight 19L, and can guide it to the passage, further increasing the downforce. Therefore, the oncoming wind that collides with the left headlight 19L can be guided into the wind passage 60L, and the oncoming wind can be prevented from escaping from the wind passage 60L.

[0089] Also, in the straddle-type vehicle 1 of the present embodiment, the irradiation surface 51 of the left headlight 19L is inclined so as to be forward as it approaches upward.

[0090] This allows the oncoming wind that collides with the left headlight 19L during the running of the straddle-type vehicle 1 to flow so as to approach the first wind receiving surface 64L located below the left headlight 19. Therefore, the first wind receiving surface 64L can generate a good downforce.

[0091] Also, in the present embodiment, a lens that is large in the vehicle width direction with respect to the vertical direction is applied to the left headlight 19L. As a result, the first wind receiving surface 64L disposed in front of the lens can be made relatively large in the vehicle width direction, contributing to the improvement of the downforce. Also, since the left headlight 19L is formed in an LED type, it is easy to define the irradiation angle from the light source 55. The lens of the left headlight 19L can be easily formed in a relatively horizontally long lens shape compared to a bulb type lens. Therefore, it is possible to easily increase the size of the first wind receiving surface 64L.

[0092] In this way, in the present embodiment, the oncoming wind in front of the headlight 19L and the oncoming wind that collides with the headlight 19L can be effectively collected. Therefore, the first wind receiving surfaces 64L and 64R that generate the downforce can be prevented from becoming a running resistance, and the downforce can be improved. Due to such an improvement in the downforce, it is possible to obtain a suitable and easy downforce even in a state where the running speed is relatively low.

[0093] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the above configuration can be modified as follows, for example.

[0094] For example, a plurality of air guide holes 41 may be provided side by side vertically. A plurality of air guide holes 41 may be provided side by side horizontally. In this case, the air guide holes 41 may be respectively arranged below the left and right air passages 60L and 60R. The case where the air guide holes 41 are not provided facing the front of the vehicle body 3 is also included in the present invention.

[0095] The left and right air passages 60L and 60R may be arranged to face the front-rear horizontal direction. The left and right air passages 60L and 60R may be omitted. The second air receiving surfaces 86L and 86R may be omitted.

[0096] In the above embodiment, the headlights 19 are a pair on the left and right (the left headlight 19L and the right headlight 19R), but it is not particularly limited. For example, a single-headlight type headlight arranged only at the center position in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle body can be adopted. In this case, the first air receiving surface is arranged at the center position in the vehicle width direction.

[0097] For the saddle-type vehicle 1, a configuration without the first air receiving surfaces 64L and 64R, that is, a configuration in which the traveling wind that has collided with the irradiation surface of the lens over a wide range is guided to the air passages 60L and 60R to generate a downforce may be adopted. In this case, when the saddle-type vehicle 1 is traveling, the traveling wind is guided to the air passages 60L and 60R, and the traveling wind is received by the respective lower surfaces 70, whereby a downforce can be generated.

[0098] In view of the above teachings, it is clear that the present invention can take many modification forms and variations. Therefore, it should be understood that the present invention can be implemented in a manner other than that described in this specification within the scope of the appended claims.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0099] 1 Saddle-type vehicle 19 Headlight 19L left headlight 51 Irradiation surface (front surface) 60L Air passage 60R Air passage 66 Inlet 68 Outlet 64L First air receiving surface 74 Outer wall 76 Upper wall 82 Vertical center part of the front edge of the outer wall 86L Second air receiving surface 103L Axis

Claims

1. A steering handle, a headlight that irradiates light forward, a first wind receiving surface disposed adjacent to the lower side of the headlight and provided to become higher as it approaches the rear, and a wind passage provided such that its lower surface becomes higher as it approaches the rear is disposed adjacent to the outside in the vehicle width direction of the headlight, the front surface of the headlight is inclined so as to be rearward as it approaches the lower side, an inlet of the wind passage is disposed adjacent to the outer end in the vehicle width direction of a portion where the headlight and the first wind receiving surface are adjacent, the inlet of the wind passage is open forward, a saddle-type vehicle, characterized in that the lower surface of the wind passage is below the vehicle width direction end of the steering handle.

2. The saddle-type vehicle according to Claim 1, comprising a front fork that supports a front wheel, and the wind passage extends in the front-rear direction to a position overlapping the front fork. A saddle-type vehicle characterized by this.

3. A headlight that irradiates light forward, a first wind receiving surface disposed adjacent to the lower side of the headlight and provided to become higher as it approaches the rear, and a wind passage is provided on the outside in the vehicle width direction of the headlight, a saddle-type vehicle, characterized in that the vertical center portion of the front edge of the outer wall covering the wind passage from the outside is located rearward of the upper and lower portions.

4. The saddle-type vehicle according to Claim 1 or 2, the wind passage has openings at the front and rear, among the front and rear openings of the wind passage, the front opening constitutes the inlet of the wind passage, and the rear opening constitutes the outlet of the wind passage, a saddle-type vehicle, characterized in that the inlet of the wind passage opens toward the first wind receiving surface and the headlight.

5. The saddle-type vehicle according to Claim 4, the wind passage is formed obliquely so as to go outward in the vehicle width direction as it goes rearward from the inlet toward the outlet of the wind passage while passing outside the vehicle width direction with respect to the headlight, a saddle-type vehicle, characterized in that an outer wall is provided on the outside in the vehicle width direction of the wind passage.

6. The saddle-type vehicle according to Claim 4, a saddle-type vehicle, characterized in that an upper side wall is provided in the wind passage.

7. The saddle-type vehicle according to any one of Claims 4 to 6, The saddle-type vehicle is characterized in that the air passage is formed such that the axis of the air passage faces outward in the vehicle width direction at the outlet of the air passage. **Claim 8** The saddle-type vehicle according to claim 4, wherein the air passage includes an outer wall that covers the outside in the vehicle width direction of the air passage, and the outer wall is arranged so as to protrude forward of at least a part of the front surface of the headlight. The saddle-type vehicle is characterized by this. **Claim 9** The saddle-type vehicle according to claim 7, wherein the front surface of the headlight is formed to be inclined rearward as it faces outward in the vehicle width direction. The saddle-type vehicle is characterized by this.

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