Sensor mounting structure for saddle-type vehicle

Abstract

To inhibit increase of weight of a wheel, enable wire connection, and inhibit increase of air resistance when a sensor unit is attached.SOLUTION: A sensor attachment structure of a saddle-riding type vehicle includes: a sensor unit (30) having a sensor (31) for detecting a state of a tire (23); and a fender (25) which is formed so as to be along an outer surface shape of an upper part of the tire. The sensor unit is attached to a rear part of the fender and faces the tire.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] A saddle-type vehicle achieves good driving stability by traveling with its tires having good road contact. Conditions for improving tire contact include appropriate tire pressure and temperature. Therefore, it is effective to monitor tire pressure and temperature information while the saddle-type vehicle is traveling. Known saddle-type vehicles of this type are equipped with a sensor unit that detects tire pressure and temperature information for the wheels and transmits the information to a control device via wireless communication (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-222458 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, depending on the vehicle model, there may be a need to reduce the weight of the wheels or connect the sensor unit via a wire. The sensor unit described in Patent Document 1 is attached to the wheel rim, which increases the weight of the wheel and makes it impossible to connect the sensor unit via a wire. While it is possible to attach the sensor unit somewhere other than the wheel, depending on the layout, this can cause problems such as increased air resistance due to wind hitting the sensor unit while traveling.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of these points, and aims to provide a sensor mounting structure for a saddle-type vehicle that can reduce the increase in wheel weight, accommodate wired connections, and further reduce the increase in air resistance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A sensor mounting structure for a saddle-type vehicle according to one aspect of the present invention includes a sensor unit having a sensor for detecting the state of a tire, and a fender formed to follow the outer surface shape of an upper portion of the tire, the sensor unit being attached to a rear portion of the fender and facing the tire. The fender has an upper fender section that covers the upper part of the tire, and side fender sections that extend downward from both side edges of the upper fender section. The side fender sections are formed with wind guide surfaces that guide the traveling wind diagonally upward toward the rear, and the sensor unit is located below an extension line of the wind guide surfaces in a side view. This solves the above problem. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the sensor mounting structure for a saddle-type vehicle of one aspect of the present invention, the sensor unit is mounted to the fender, which reduces the increase in wheel weight and allows the sensor unit to be connected via a wire. Furthermore, because the sensor unit is mounted to the rear part of the fender where it is less exposed to the wind when the vehicle is traveling, the sensor unit is less exposed to the wind when the vehicle is traveling, which reduces the increase in air resistance. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a left side view of the front part of the vehicle according to the present embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a left side view of the area around the front wheel of the present embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a top view of the area around the front wheels of this embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the area around the front wheels of this embodiment. [Figure 5] 3 is a cross-sectional view of the area around the front wheel taken along line AA in FIG. 2. [Figure 6] 4 is a cross-sectional view of the periphery of the front wheel of FIG. 3 taken along line BB. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the air flow around the front wheels of the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] One aspect of the present invention is a sensor mounting structure for a saddle-type vehicle, which is a structure for mounting a sensor unit to a fender. The sensor unit is provided with a sensor for detecting the condition of a tire, and the fender is formed to fit the outer surface shape of the upper part of the tire. Because the sensor unit is mounted to the fender, an increase in the weight of the wheel is suppressed and the sensor unit can be connected via a wire. Furthermore, because the sensor unit is mounted at the rear of the fender, where it is less exposed to the wind from traveling, the sensor unit is less exposed to the wind from traveling, and an increase in air resistance is suppressed. [Example]

[0010] This embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 is a left side view of the front part of a vehicle according to this embodiment. In the following drawings, arrow FR indicates the front of the vehicle, arrow RE indicates the rear of the vehicle, arrow L indicates the left side of the vehicle, and arrow R indicates the right side of the vehicle.

[0011] As shown in Figure 1, a head pipe 11 is formed at the front of a vehicle frame 10 of a saddle-ride type vehicle. A front fork 15 is supported on the head pipe 11 via a steering shaft (not shown) so as to be steerable. An axle bracket 17 is provided below a pair of fork tubes 16 of the front fork 15, and a front wheel 21 is rotatably supported on the axle bracket 17 via an axle 18. The front wheel 21 is formed by mounting a tire 23 on the outer circumferential surface of a wheel 22. A cast wheel in which the rim, hub, and spokes are molded as a single unit is used for the wheel 22 of the front wheel 21.

[0012] To check the road contact of the tire 23 of the front wheel 21, it is desirable to detect the temperature of the tire 23 using a sensor unit 30. A wireless sensor unit would be mounted on the wheel 22, but a wired sensor unit 30 is used for models where a lightweight front wheel 21 is desired or for models that do not support wireless communication. A wired sensor unit 30 is attached to the front fender (fender) 25, but air resistance increases when the wind strikes the sensor unit 30 during travel. Therefore, the saddle-type vehicle of this embodiment employs an attachment structure suitable for a wired sensor unit 30.

[0013] The sensor mounting structure for a saddle-ride type vehicle will be described with reference to Fig. 2 to Fig. 5. Fig. 2 is a left side view of the area around the front wheel of this embodiment. Fig. 3 is a top view of the area around the front wheel of this embodiment. Fig. 4 is a rear view of the area around the front wheel of this embodiment. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the area around the front wheel of Fig. 2 taken along line AA. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the area around the front wheel of Fig. 3 taken along line BB.

[0014] As shown in Figures 2 to 4, a resin front fender 25 is provided on the lower part of the front fork 15. The front fender 25 is formed to follow the outer shape of the upper part of the tire 23, and serves as a mudguard and prevents foreign objects from getting caught in the front wheel 21. The front fender 25 has a fender upper part 26 that covers the upper part of the tire 23, and fender side parts 27 that extend downward from the left and right side edges of the fender upper part 26. The fender upper part 26 is formed to cover the tire 23 from above, and the fender side parts 27 bulge outward in the vehicle width direction to cover the lower part of the fork tube 16 from the front.

[0015] A sensor unit 30 is attached to the rear of the upper fender 26 so as to face the tire 23. The sensor unit 30 is provided with a plurality of (three in this embodiment) temperature sensors 31 (see FIG. 6 ) that detect the condition of the tire 23. The plurality of temperature sensors 31 detect the temperature of the tire 23 in a non-contact manner while the vehicle is traveling. Wiring 32 extends from the sensor unit 30 toward a control device (not shown), and the detected temperatures are sent from the plurality of temperature sensors 31 to the control device via the wiring 32. In this way, in the saddle-ride type vehicle of this embodiment, a wired sensor unit 30 is attached to the front fender 25.

[0016] The upper surface of the fender upper part 26 is curved in an arched shape when viewed from the side, with the front and rear parts of the fender upper part 26 being lower than the center part of the fender upper part 26. The front and center parts of the fender upper part 26 are susceptible to wind from the front, but the rear part of the fender upper part 26 is less susceptible to wind from the front. At the rear of this fender upper part 26, the sensor unit 30 is located below the upper end of the fender upper part 26, i.e., below the straight line L1 that extends fore and aft from the upper end of the fender upper part 26. As a result, wind from the front is less likely to hit the sensor unit 30, suppressing an increase in air resistance.

[0017] The fender side portions 27 protrude outward in the vehicle width direction beyond the left and right side edges of the fender upper portion 26, and the upper surfaces of the fender side portions 27 that are connected to the fender upper portion 26 are stepped in the vehicle width direction (see FIG. 3 in particular). The upper surfaces of the fender side portions 27 rise toward the rear, and the upper surfaces of the fender side portions 27 form airflow guide surfaces 28 that guide the traveling wind diagonally upward and rearward. In a side view, the sensor unit 30 is located below an extension line L2 that extends rearward from the upper edge of the airflow guide surface 28. As a result, the traveling wind guided by the airflow guide surfaces 28 of the fender side portions 27 is less likely to hit the sensor unit 30, thereby suppressing an increase in air resistance.

[0018] 5 and 6, the multiple temperature sensors 31 of the sensor unit 30 are fixed to the inside of the sensor cover 41 via a sensor bracket 35. The sensor bracket 35 is formed in the shape of a plate that is long in the vehicle width direction, and the multiple temperature sensors 31 are lined up in the vehicle width direction on the underside of the sensor bracket 35. The fender upper part 26 has openings in locations corresponding to the multiple temperature sensors 31, and the detection surface of each temperature sensor 31 is exposed through the openings in the fender upper part 26. The multiple temperature sensors 31 are, for example, infrared temperature sensors that detect the surface temperature of the tire 23 from the amount of infrared rays emitted from the tire 23.

[0019] The multiple temperature sensors 31 and sensor bracket 35 are covered from above by a sensor cover 41. The front portion of the sensor cover 41 is formed along the outer surface of the fender upper portion 26, and the rear portion of the sensor cover 41 partially bulges out so as to be spaced apart from the outer surface of the fender upper portion 26. A first bulge 42 is formed in the rear portion of the sensor cover 41 along the vehicle width direction, and second bulge portions 43 (see FIG. 4 in particular) are formed at two left and right locations behind the first bulge 42, avoiding the center in the vehicle width direction. The second bulge portions 43 bulge out more than the first bulge portion 42. The sensor bracket 35 and multiple temperature sensors 31 are housed inside the first bulge portion 42, and the wiring 32 and signal processing unit 33 (see FIG. 2) are housed inside the second bulge portion 43.

[0020] A front fixing portion 44 is formed at the front of the sensor cover 41, which is in contact with the outer surface of the fender upper portion 26 overall. A rear fixing portion 45 is formed at the rear of the first bulge portion 42 and in the center in the vehicle width direction, which is in contact with the outer surface of the fender upper portion 26. The sensor unit 30 is stably attached to the front fender 25 by being fixed to the fender upper portion 26 by the front fixing portion 44 in front of the multiple temperature sensors 31 and the rear fixing portion 45 behind the temperature sensors 31. By fixing the multiple temperature sensors 31 to the front fender 25 via the sensor cover 41, a wide fixing surface between the front fender 25 and the sensor cover 41 is ensured.

[0021] Furthermore, the sensor cover 41 is generally formed along the outer surface of the fender upper portion 26. A first bulge 42 is connected to the rear side of the front fixing portion 44, and a step surface 46 between the front fixing portion 44 and the first bulge 42 is inclined so as to guide the traveling wind rearward in front of the temperature sensor 31. A second bulge 43 is connected to the rear side of the first bulge 42, and a step surface 47 between the first and second bulge portions 42, 43 is inclined so as to guide the traveling wind rearward behind the temperature sensor 31. In this way, even though the sensor cover 41 has the first and second bulge portions 42, 43, the step surfaces 46, 47 allow the traveling wind to flow smoothly rearward along the sensor cover 41.

[0022] The air flow around the front wheels will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing the air flow around the front wheels in this embodiment.

[0023] As shown in Figure 7, when the saddle-type vehicle is traveling, in a side view, traveling winds F1 and F2 flow along the outer surface of the front fender 25. From the leading edge of the fender upper part 26 to its upper end, traveling wind F1 flows along the outer surface of the fender upper part 26. Near the upper end of the fender upper part 26, traveling wind F1 partially separates, and only a portion of traveling wind F1 blows against sensor unit 30 on the trailing edge side of fender upper part 26. Because sensor cover 41 of sensor unit 30 is shaped to fit the outer surface of fender upper part 26 and stepped surfaces 46, 47 at the bulging portions of sensor cover 41 are sloped, traveling wind F1 flows smoothly rearward, suppressing an increase in air resistance.

[0024] As described above, the upper surfaces of the fender side sections 27 form wind guide surfaces 28 that guide the traveling wind diagonally rearward, and the traveling wind F2 flows rearward along the wind guide surfaces 28 of the fender side sections 27. The fork tubes 16 are located behind the wind guide surfaces 28, and the traveling wind F2 that passes through the wind guide surfaces 28 passes inside the fork tubes 16. The traveling wind F2 then passes above the sensor unit 30, and flows rearward of the front fender 25. Because the sensor unit 30 is out of the way of the flow of the traveling wind F2, it is less likely for the traveling wind F2 to hit the sensor unit 30, and an increase in air resistance is suppressed.

[0025] As described above, according to this embodiment, the sensor unit 30 is attached to the front fender 25, which reduces the increase in weight of the front wheel 21 and allows the sensor unit 30 to be connected via a wire. Furthermore, since the sensor unit 30 is attached to the rear of the front fender 25, where it is less susceptible to wind blowing when the vehicle is traveling, the sensor unit 30 is less susceptible to wind blowing when the vehicle is traveling, and an increase in air resistance is reduced.

[0026] Although a temperature sensor is used as an example of the sensor in this embodiment, the sensor is not particularly limited as long as it is a sensor that can detect the state of the tire.

[0027] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the sensor is attached to the front fender, but a sensor may also be attached to the rear fender in a similar configuration.

[0028] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the front fender has a fender upper portion and a fender side portion, but it is sufficient that the front fender has at least a fender upper portion.

[0029] In addition, in this embodiment, the sensor unit is located below the upper end of the front fender, but the mounting position of the sensor unit is not particularly limited as long as it is located at the rear of the front fender.

[0030] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the sensor unit has a plurality of sensors, but it is sufficient that the sensor unit has at least one sensor.

[0031] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the plurality of sensors are fixed to the sensor cover via the sensor bracket, but the plurality of sensors may also be fixed directly to the sensor cover.

[0032] In addition, in this embodiment, the sensor cover is formed along the outer surface of the front fender, but the shape of the sensor cover is not particularly limited.

[0033] Furthermore, the term "saddle-type vehicle" is not limited to all vehicles in which the rider sits astride a seat, but also includes small scooter-type vehicles in which the rider does not sit astride a seat.

[0034] As described above, the sensor mounting structure for a saddle-type vehicle of this embodiment includes a sensor unit (30) having a sensor (temperature sensor 31) for detecting the condition of a tire (23), and a fender (front fender 25) formed to follow the outer surface shape of the upper part of the tire, with the sensor unit attached to the rear of the fender and facing the tire. With this configuration, the sensor unit is attached to the fender, which reduces the increase in wheel weight and allows the sensor unit to be connected via a wire. Furthermore, because the sensor unit is attached to the rear of the fender where it is less exposed to the wind from traveling, it is less likely to be exposed to the wind from traveling, which reduces the increase in air resistance.

[0035] In the sensor mounting structure for a saddle-ride type vehicle of this embodiment, the sensor unit is located below the upper end of the fender. With this configuration, the sensor unit is less likely to be hit by wind from the front, which reduces air resistance.

[0036] In the sensor mounting structure for a saddle-ride type vehicle of this embodiment, the fender has a fender upper part (26) that covers the upper part of the tire and fender side parts (27) that extend downward from both side edges of the fender upper part, and the fender side parts have air guide surfaces (28) that guide the traveling wind diagonally upward and rearward, and the sensor unit is located below an extension line (L2) of the air guide surfaces in a side view. With this configuration, the traveling wind guided by the air guide surfaces of the fender side parts is less likely to hit the sensor unit, thereby suppressing an increase in air resistance.

[0037] In the sensor mounting structure for a saddle-ride type vehicle of this embodiment, the sensor unit has a sensor cover (41) that covers the sensor from above, and the sensor cover is formed along the outer surface of the fender. With this configuration, traveling wind flows smoothly rearward along the fender cover, thereby suppressing an increase in air resistance.

[0038] In the sensor mounting structure for a saddle-type vehicle of this embodiment, the sensor cover is formed with a sloped step surface (46) in front of the sensor so as to guide the traveling wind rearward. This configuration allows the traveling wind to flow more smoothly rearward along the fender cover.

[0039] In the sensor mounting structure for a saddle-ride type vehicle of this embodiment, the sensors are a plurality of sensors arranged in the vehicle width direction, and the sensor unit has a sensor bracket 35 that supports the plurality of sensors. With this configuration, the sensor bracket can increase the supporting rigidity of the plurality of sensors.

[0040] In the sensor mounting structure for a saddle-ride type vehicle of this embodiment, the sensor cover covers the multiple sensors and the sensor bracket from above, and the multiple sensors are fixed to the sensor cover via the sensor bracket. With this configuration, the multiple sensors are fixed to the fender via the sensor cover, thereby ensuring a wide fixing surface between the fender and the sensor cover.

[0041] In the sensor mounting structure for a saddle-ride type vehicle of this embodiment, the sensor cover is fixed to the fender in front of and behind the sensor, and this configuration allows the sensor unit to be stably mounted to the fender.

[0042] Although the present embodiment has been described, other embodiments may be made by combining the above-described embodiments and modifications in whole or in part.

[0043] Furthermore, the technology of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various changes, substitutions, and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the technical idea. Furthermore, if the technical idea can be realized in a different way due to technological advances or other derived technologies, it may be implemented using that method. Therefore, the claims cover all embodiments that may fall within the scope of the technical idea. [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] 23: Tire 25: Front fender (fender) 26: Upper fender 27: Fender side 28: Wind guide surface 30: Sensor unit 31: Temperature sensor (sensor) 35: Sensor bracket 41: Sensor cover 46: Step surface L2: Extension line

Claims

1. a sensor unit having a sensor for detecting a tire condition; a fender formed to follow the outer surface shape of the upper part of the tire, the sensor unit is attached to a rear portion of the fender and faces the tire, The fender has a fender upper portion that covers an upper portion of the tire and fender side portions that extend downward from both side edges of the fender upper portion, The fender side portions are formed with wind guide surfaces that guide the traveling wind obliquely upward toward the rear, 1. A sensor mounting structure for a straddle-type vehicle, wherein the sensor unit is located below an extension line of the air guide surface in a side view.

2. 2. The sensor mounting structure for a straddle-type vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the sensor unit is positioned below an upper end of the fender.

3. a sensor unit having a sensor for detecting a tire condition; a fender formed to follow the outer surface shape of the upper part of the tire, the sensor unit is attached to a rear portion of the fender and faces the tire, the sensor unit has a sensor cover that covers the sensor from above, 10. A sensor mounting structure for a straddle-type vehicle, wherein the sensor cover is formed along the outer surface of the fender.

4. 4. The sensor mounting structure for a straddle-type vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the sensor cover is formed with a stepped surface that is inclined in front of the sensor so as to guide the traveling wind rearward.

5. The sensor is a plurality of sensors arranged in a vehicle width direction, 5. The sensor mounting structure for a straddle-type vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the sensor unit has a sensor bracket for supporting the plurality of sensors.

6. the sensor cover covers the plurality of sensors and the sensor bracket from above, 6. The sensor mounting structure for a straddle-type vehicle according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of sensors are fixed to the sensor cover via the sensor bracket.

7. 7. The sensor mounting structure for a straddle-type vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the sensor cover is fixed to the fender in front of and behind the sensor.

8. The fender has a fender upper part that covers the upper part of the tire, and the fender upper part has an opening corresponding to the sensor, and the detection surface of the sensor is exposed from the opening in the fender upper part, 4. The sensor mounting structure for a straddle-type vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the sensor cover is fixed to an outer surface of the upper fender portion.

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