Saddle-type vehicle

Abstract

To provide a saddle-riding type vehicle which protects a regulator from water exposure while inhibiting increase of a vehicle body width.SOLUTION: A saddle-riding type vehicle includes: an engine 1; a fuel tank 10 in which a fuel to be supplied to the engine 1 is stored; a power generator which is driven by the engine 1; a regulator 30 which is disposed below the fuel tank 10 and adjusts electric power supplied from the power generator to the battery; and a regulator cover 40 including a side wall 51 for covering the outer side of the regulator 30 as seen in a vehicle width direction and an upper wall 52 for covering the upper side of the regulator 30. The upper wall 52 is formed so as to extend from the inner side as seen in the vehicle width direction to the outer side relative to a side part lower edge 13a of the fuel tank 10 below the side part lower edge 13a.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a saddle-ride type vehicle equipped with a regulator. [Background technology]

[0002] A motorcycle (saddle-type vehicle) disclosed in Patent Document 1 below is known. This motorcycle includes a generator driven by an engine and a regulator that adjusts the power from the generator. The regulator is disposed inside a body cover that covers the side of the vehicle body. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-41736 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When the regulator is disposed inside the body cover as in Patent Document 1, it is possible to prevent moisture such as rainwater from adhering to the regulator. However, depending on the shape of the body cover, this may result in a significant increase in the width of the vehicle body.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-described circumstances, and has an object to provide a saddle-type vehicle that can protect a regulator from water damage while suppressing an increase in the vehicle body width. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, a saddle-type vehicle according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes an engine, a fuel tank that stores fuel to be supplied to the engine, a generator driven by the engine, a regulator that is disposed below the fuel tank and that adjusts the power supplied from the generator to a battery, and a regulator cover that includes a side wall that covers the outside of the regulator in a vehicle width direction and an upper wall that covers an upper part of the regulator, the upper wall being formed below a lower edge of a side portion of the fuel tank and extending from the inside to the outside in the vehicle width direction of the lower edge of the side portion, and an opening is provided in a region inward in the vehicle width direction from a lower edge of a side portion of the fuel tank, the opening being cut out from only one side of the upper wall inward in the vehicle width direction toward the outside in the vehicle width direction, The length of the regulator in the vehicle width direction is shorter than both the length of the regulator in the up-down direction and the length of the regulator in the front-rear direction. Further, in order to solve the above problem, a saddle-type vehicle according to another aspect of the present disclosure includes an engine, a fuel tank in which fuel to be supplied to the engine is stored, a generator driven by the engine, a regulator disposed below the fuel tank and regulating the power supplied from the generator to a battery, and a regulator cover including a side wall covering the outside of the regulator in the vehicle width direction and an upper wall covering the regulator from above, wherein the upper wall is formed below a lower edge of a side portion of the fuel tank and extends from the inside to the outside in the vehicle width direction of the lower edge of the side portion, the length of the regulator in the vehicle width direction being shorter than both the up-down length and the front-to-rear length of the regulator, and the regulator is disposed adjacent to the engine in the vehicle width direction. In addition, in order to solve the above problem, a saddle-type vehicle according to another aspect of the present disclosure includes an engine, a fuel tank in which fuel to be supplied to the engine is stored, a generator driven by the engine, a regulator disposed below the fuel tank and which adjusts the power supplied from the generator to a battery, and a regulator cover including a side wall covering the regulator on the outer side in the vehicle width direction and an upper wall covering the regulator from above, wherein the upper wall is formed below the lower edge of a side portion of the fuel tank and extends from the inner side to the outer side in the vehicle width direction beyond the lower edge of the side portion, and the upper wall is inclined so that its height decreases as it moves outward in the vehicle width direction. Further, in order to solve the above problem, a saddle-type vehicle according to another aspect of the present disclosure includes an engine, a fuel tank in which fuel to be supplied to the engine is stored, a generator driven by the engine, a regulator disposed below the fuel tank and which adjusts the power supplied from the generator to a battery, and a regulator cover including a side wall covering the outside of the regulator in the vehicle width direction and an upper wall covering the regulator from above, wherein the upper wall is formed below a lower edge of a side of the fuel tank and extends from the inside to the outside in the vehicle width direction of the lower edge of the side, and the regulator cover has a flange protruding upward from the inside end of the upper wall in the vehicle width direction. Further, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a saddle-ride type vehicle according to another aspect of the present disclosure includes an engine, a fuel tank that stores fuel to be supplied to the engine, a generator driven by the engine, a regulator that is disposed below the fuel tank and adjusts the power supplied from the generator to a battery, a regulator cover that includes a side wall that covers the outside of the regulator in the vehicle width direction and an upper wall that covers an area above the regulator, and a radiator that cools cooling water introduced into the engine by heat exchange, wherein the upper wall is formed below a lower edge of a side portion of the fuel tank and extends from inside to outside in the vehicle width direction relative to the lower edge of the side portion, and the regulator cover has a front wall that covers the front of the regulator and is located rearward of the radiator, and the front wall has an opening through which a cooling water pipe extending from the radiator is introduced. 。 [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the saddle-type vehicle of the present disclosure, the regulator can be protected from water while suppressing an increase in the vehicle body width. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view of a motorcycle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the front part of the motorcycle. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a side view showing the front part of the motorcycle. [Figure 4] 3 and shows the side of the vehicle body with the regulator cover removed. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a side view schematically showing the positional relationship between a regulator and a regulator cover. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the side of the vehicle body around the regulator cover, as viewed obliquely from the front. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the side portion of the vehicle body around the regulator cover, seen obliquely from the rear. [Figure 9] FIG. 7 is a view corresponding to FIG. 6 for explaining the effect of the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] [Overall structure of a motorcycle] Fig. 1 is a side view of a motorcycle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and Figs. 2 and 3 are a plan view and a side view showing the front of the motorcycle. As shown in the figures, the motorcycle includes an engine 1, a fuel tank 10, a generator 20, a regulator 30 (Fig. 3), a radiator 80, a body frame 101, a front wheel 102 and a rear wheel 103, a head pipe 104, a front fork 105, handlebars 106, a swing arm 107, a seat 108, and a side stand 109. In other words, the motorcycle is a two-wheeled automobile that runs using the driving force of the engine 1, and is a type of saddle-ride vehicle.

[0010] The engine 1 is, for example, a four-stroke internal combustion engine. The engine 1 is supported on a body frame 101 below a fuel tank 10. The engine 1 includes a cylinder block 2 and a cylinder head 3 (FIG. 3) as cylinder components that contain a space (cylinder) in which fuel supplied from the fuel tank 10 is combusted. A crankshaft, which is the output shaft of the engine 1, is rotatably attached to the bottom of the cylinder block 2. The rotation of the crankshaft is transmitted to a rear wheel 103 via a transmission 121 and a chain 122 (see FIG. 1). In other words, the engine 1 is a drive source that rotates and drives the rear wheel 103.

[0011] The motorcycle of this embodiment is a so-called naked type motorcycle that is not equipped with a cover (cowl) that surrounds the engine 1. In other words, the engine 1 includes a cylinder block 2 and a cylinder head 3 that are disposed in a state where they are exposed to the outside air.

[0012] An exhaust passage 130 through which exhaust gas discharged from the cylinders flows is connected to the engine 1. The exhaust passage 130 includes an exhaust manifold 131 that curves and extends downward from the front of the engine 1, an exhaust pipe 132 that is connected to the downstream end of the exhaust manifold 131 and extends in the front-rear direction, and a muffler 133 for silencing noise that is connected to the downstream end of the exhaust pipe 132. The exhaust pipe 132 and the muffler 133 are disposed to the right of the center of the vehicle width. In other words, the exhaust pipe 132 and the muffler 133 are disposed so as to extend in the front-rear direction at a position to the right of the vehicle body axis L1 (FIG. 2), which is the center line of the vehicle body in the longitudinal direction.

[0013] The generator 20 is driven by the engine 1 to generate electricity. The generator 20 is connected to the crankshaft so that it can convert the rotational force of the engine 1 into electric power. The electric power generated by the generator 20 is supplied to a battery 22 (FIG. 2). The battery 22 is a storage device that stores the electric power supplied from the generator 20.

[0014] The regulator 30 (FIG. 3) is an electric component that adjusts the power supplied from the generator 20 to the battery 22. That is, the regulator 30 rectifies the power supplied from the generator 20 and outputs it to the battery 22, and regulates the voltage so that the output voltage to the battery 22 does not exceed a predetermined upper limit. Such power adjustment by the regulator 30 is performed to protect the battery 22. The regulator 30 is disposed on the power transmission path from the generator 20 to the battery 22, and is attached to the left side of the vehicle body.

[0015] The regulator 30 is covered by a regulator cover 40. The regulator cover 40 is a cover for protecting the regulator 30 from being exposed to water or the like.

[0016] The radiator 80 is a heat exchanger that cools the coolant introduced into the engine 1 through heat exchange. A coolant pipe 81 is arranged between the radiator 80 and the engine 1. The coolant pipe 81 is a pipe through which the coolant flows between the engine 1 and the radiator 80. The coolant circulates between the engine 1 and the radiator 80 through the coolant pipe 81.

[0017] The fuel tank 10 is a tank that stores fuel to be supplied to the engine 1. The fuel tank 10 is supported by a body frame 101 above the engine 1 and in front of a seat 108. The fuel tank 10 is a joint of two panels. That is, the fuel tank 10 includes an outer panel 11 and an inner panel 12 (FIG. 6) that is joined to the outer panel 11 from the inside. The fuel tank 10, which contains a fuel storage space, is constructed by joining the peripheral edges of the outer panel 11 and the inner panel 12 together by welding or the like. In other words, the fuel tank 10 has a flange portion 13 (FIG. 3) on its periphery that is the joint between the outer panel 11 and the inner panel 12.

[0018] The body frame 101 includes a pair of left and right main frames 111, a pair of left and right lower frames 112, a pair of left and right first connecting frames 113, a pair of left and right second connecting frames 114, a cross pipe 115, and a pair of left and right rear frames 116. The pair of main frames 111 are frames that extend rearward and downward from an upper portion of the head pipe 104 while branching to the left and right. The pair of lower frames 112 are frames that extend rearward and downward from a lower portion of the head pipe 104 while branching to the left and right. Each lower frame 112 is inclined greatly below the corresponding main frame 111 so that the distance between the lower frame 112 and the main frame 111 increases toward the rear. The pair of first connecting frames 113 are frames that connect front ends of the pair of main frames 111 and front ends of the pair of lower frames 112 in the vertical direction. The pair of second connecting frames 114 are frames that connect intermediate portions of the pair of main frames 111 and the pair of lower frames 112 in the longitudinal direction. The cross pipe 115 is a pipe that connects the rear portions of the pair of main frames 111 in the left-right direction (vehicle width direction). The pair of rear frames 116 are frames that extend rearward and upward from the cross pipe 115.

[0019] The head pipe 104 is a pipe member to which the front ends of the main frame 111 and the lower frame 112 are commonly connected. The head pipe 104 is disposed so as to extend in the vertical direction at an angle such that the upper end is located rearward of the lower end.

[0020] The front fork 105 is rotatably supported on the head pipe 104 via a steering shaft (not shown). The front fork 105 extends in the vertical direction while inclining at the same angle as the head pipe 104. A handlebar 106 is attached to the upper end of the front fork 105, and the front wheel 102 is journaled at the lower end of the front fork 105.

[0021] The swing arm 107 is an arm that extends in the front-to-rear direction and connects the body frame 101 and the rear wheel 103. The front end of the swing arm 107 is journaled to the rear end of the main frame 111. The rear wheel 103 is journaled to the rear end of the swing arm 107. In other words, the swing arm 107 supports the rear wheel 103 in a state that allows it to swing up and down relative to the main frame 111.

[0022] The seat 108 is a seat on which a rider who drives the motorcycle sits. The seat 108 is supported on a rear frame 116.

[0023] The side stand 109 is a stand used when parking the motorcycle, and is attached to the left side of the vehicle body. The base end of the side stand 109 is pivotally supported on a base 141 provided on the lower left side of the vehicle body. That is, the side stand 109 can be moved between an unused state (shown by a solid line) in which it extends rearward from the base 141, and an used state (shown by a two-dot chain line) in which it extends downward from the base 141. When moved to the used state, the side stand 109 supports the vehicle body in a state tilted to the left.

[0024] [Detailed structure of regulator] Next, a more detailed structure of the regulator 30 will be described. Fig. 4 is a view equivalent to Fig. 3 showing the side of the vehicle body with the regulator cover 40 removed, Fig. 5 is a side view schematically showing the positional relationship between the regulator 30 and the regulator cover 40, Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in Fig. 3, Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the side of the vehicle body around the regulator cover 40 as seen obliquely from the front, and Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the side of the vehicle body around the regulator cover 40 as seen obliquely from the rear. As shown in these figures, the regulator 30 and the regulator cover 40 are attached to the vehicle body frame 101 below the left side of the fuel tank 10 via a bracket 60 (Figs. 4 and 6).

[0025] The bracket 60 is fixed to the body frame 101 so as to straddle the left second connecting frame 114 and the left lower frame 112 (see FIG. 4 ). Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6 , the bracket 60 includes a bracket main body 61, a first cable support portion 62 and a second cable support portion 63 for supporting a second power transmission cable 37 (described later), a cover attachment portion 64 to which the regulator cover 40 is attached, and a first fixing piece 65 and a second fixing piece 66 fixed to the body frame 101. The first cable support portion 62 is a protruding piece that protrudes downward and inward in the vehicle width direction (right side) from the lower end of the bracket main body 61. The second cable support portion 63 is a joining piece that is joined to the back surface of the bracket main body 61 and is formed to protrude upward and inward in the vehicle width direction (right side) from the back surface. The cover attachment portion 64 is a protruding piece that protrudes upward from the upper end of the bracket main body 61 and is formed forward of the first fixing piece 65. The first fixing piece 65 is a protruding piece that protrudes rearward from the upper end of the bracket main body 61 and is fastened to the rear portion of the left second connecting frame 114. The second fixing piece 66 is a protruding piece that protrudes downward from the lower end of the bracket main body 61 and is fastened to the left lower frame 112. More specifically, the second fixing piece 66 is fastened to a support portion 112a that extends upward from the left lower frame 112, and is fixed to the lower frame 112 via the support portion 112a. In other words, the bracket 60 is fixed to the vehicle frame 101 in a state spanning between the second connecting frame 114 and the lower frame 112 by fastening the first fixing piece 65 to the left second connecting frame 114 and the second fixing piece 66 to the left lower frame 112.

[0026] The regulator 30 includes a regulator body 31 including an electric circuit for adjusting power, and a plurality of fins 32 protruding from the regulator body 31. The regulator body 31 is a block body formed by molding the electric circuit with resin. Each fin 32 is a fin-shaped protrusion provided on the outer (left side) surface of the regulator body 31 in the vehicle width direction, and is formed to extend in the front-to-rear direction in side view in FIG. 4. The regulator 30 is disposed so as to overlap the bracket body 61 from the outer side in the vehicle width direction, and is fixed to the bracket 60 via a pair of fastening members 34 fastened to the overlapping portion.

[0027] The regulator 30 fixed to the bracket 60 is disposed adjacent to the engine 1 on the outer side (left side) of the engine 1 in the vehicle width direction. Specifically, the regulator 30 is disposed at a position spaced a distance D1 (FIG. 6) from the left side of the cylinder head 3 of the engine 1 in the vehicle width direction. The distance D1 is determined in consideration of the thermal effect from the engine 1 on the regulator 30. That is, to prevent the thermal effect from the engine 1 from reaching a level that would adversely affect the function of the regulator 30, the regulator 30 is disposed at a position spaced a distance D1 from the cylinder head 3 that takes the thermal effect into consideration.

[0028] A first power transmission cable 35 (FIG. 5) extending from the generator 20 is connected to the upper part of the regulator body 31. The first power transmission cable 35 is a cable that supplies the power generated by the generator 20 to the regulator 30.

[0029] A second power transmission cable 37 is connected to the underside of the regulator body 31. The second power transmission cable 37 is a cable that supplies the power regulated by the regulator 30 to the battery 22. In other words, the generator 20 and the battery 22 are electrically connected to each other via the regulator 30, the first power transmission cable 35, and the second power transmission cable 37. The second power transmission cable 37 corresponds to the "electric cable" in this disclosure.

[0030] A connector 36 is attached to the end of the second power transmission cable 37 on the regulator 30 side. The connector 36 is detachable from a connection port 31a (FIG. 6) provided on the underside of the regulator body 31. In other words, the second power transmission cable 37 is detachably connected to the underside of the regulator 30 via the connector 36.

[0031] 6, the second power transmission cable 37 is routed so as to be bent in a U-shape when viewed from the front. That is, the second power transmission cable 37 includes an outer wiring portion 37a extending downward from the connector 36 and an inner wiring portion 37b extending upward from the tip of the outer wiring portion 37a. The inner wiring portion 37b is routed so as to pass through the inner side (right side) of the bracket 60 in the vehicle width direction. That is, the second power transmission cable 37 is routed so as to wrap around the lower part of the bracket 60 from the outer side to the inner side in the vehicle width direction, and then extend upward along the back surface (right side surface) of the bracket 60.

[0032] The inner wiring portion 37b of the second power transmission cable 37 is fixed to the first cable support portion 62 and the second cable support portion 63 of the bracket 60 via a bundling member 67. The inner wiring portion 37b fixed to each of the cable support portions 62, 63 is held so as to pass through a fixed position in the vehicle width direction between the regulator 30 and the engine 1. This allows the second power transmission cable 37 to connect the regulator 30 and the battery 22 without coming into contact with high-heat components such as the engine 1.

[0033] The regulator cover 40 is a cover that covers the regulator 30 from the outside in the vehicle width direction, and is integrally provided with a cover main body 41 and an extension portion 42. The cover main body 41 is a box-shaped cover body that covers the regulator 30, and is formed in a rectangular shape that is slightly larger than the regulator 30 in side views shown in Figures 3 and 5. The extension portion 42 is a cover body that covers the connector 36 and the second power transmission cable 37, and is provided to extend downward from the lower end of the cover main body 41.

[0034] The cover main body 41 integrally includes a side wall 51, an upper wall 52, a flange 53, a front wall 54, a rear wall 55, a first fixing portion 56, and a second fixing portion 57. The side wall 51 is a wall portion that is rectangular in a side view and covers the outer side (left side) of the regulator 30 in the vehicle width direction. The upper wall 52 is a wall portion that covers the upper side of the regulator 30 and is formed so as to extend from the upper end of the side wall 51 toward the inner side (right side) in the vehicle width direction. The flange 53 is a protruding piece that protrudes upward from the inner end of the upper wall 52 in the vehicle width direction. The front wall 54 is a wall portion that covers the front of the regulator 30 and is formed so as to extend from the front end of the side wall 51 toward the inner side in the vehicle width direction. The rear wall 55 is a wall portion that covers the rear of the regulator 30 and is formed so as to extend from the rear end of the side wall 51 toward the inner side in the vehicle width direction. The first fixing portion 56 is a fastening portion that is fastened to the cover mounting portion 64 of the bracket 60 and is formed to protrude upward from the rear inner edge of the upper wall 52. The second fixing portion 57 is a fastening portion that is fastened to the left second connecting frame 114 and is formed at a corner of the front upper end of the cover main body 41. More specifically, the second fixing portion 57 is fastened to a pedestal 114a ( FIG. 4 ) joined to a middle portion of the left second connecting frame 114 in the front-to-rear direction, and is fixed to the second connecting frame 114 via the pedestal 114a. In other words, the regulator cover 40 is fixed to the bracket 60 and the second connecting frame 114 by fastening the first fixing portion 56 to the cover mounting portion 64 of the bracket 60 and fastening the second fixing portion 57 to the left second connecting frame 114.

[0035] 6 in particular, upper wall 52 is disposed below lower side edge 13a of fuel tank 10. Lower side edge 13a is a portion that forms the lower end of the left side of fuel tank 10 and is made up of part of flange 13. Lower side edge 13a and upper wall 52 are positioned such that lower side edge 13a faces a middle portion of upper wall 52 in the vehicle width direction. In other words, upper wall 52 is formed to extend from the inner side to the outer side in the vehicle width direction relative to lower side edge 13a of fuel tank 10.

[0036] The upper wall 52 is inclined so that its height decreases toward the outer side (left side) in the vehicle width direction. In other words, the upper wall 52 is formed so as to extend outward in the vehicle width direction while inclining slightly downward from the lower end of the flange 53 toward the upper end of the side wall 51.

[0037] 2, 7, etc., an opening 52a is formed in the upper wall 52. The opening 52a is formed by cutting out a portion of the upper wall 52 from the inner side in the vehicle width direction in a rectangular shape in plan view. In FIG. 6, the range of the opening 52a in the vehicle width direction is indicated by a dashed double-headed arrow. As shown in this figure, the opening 52a is formed in an area of ​​the upper wall 52 that is more inward in the vehicle width direction than the lower side edge 13a of the fuel tank 10. In other words, the lower side edge 13a of the fuel tank 10 faces the upper wall 52 at a position more outward in the vehicle width direction than the opening 52a.

[0038] As described above, upper wall 52 is inclined so that its height decreases toward the outer side in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, the inner region in the vehicle width direction where opening 52a is formed is the tallest region of upper wall 52. In other words, upper wall 52 includes an inner region in the vehicle width direction where opening 52a is formed (first portion) and an outer region in the vehicle width direction that is shorter in height than the inner region (second portion).

[0039] Flange 53 is formed along the inner edge of upper wall 52, including the periphery of opening 52a. That is, flange 53 has portions that protrude upward from the inner ends of upper wall 52 in the vehicle width direction in front of and behind opening 52a, and portions that protrude upward from the periphery of opening 52a.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 7 , an opening 54a is formed in the front wall 54. The opening 54a is formed by cutting out a portion of the front wall 54 from the inner side in the vehicle width direction and having a rectangular shape when viewed in the front-rear direction. A cooling water pipe 81 extending from the radiator 80 is introduced into the opening 54a. That is, the opening 54a capable of receiving the cooling water pipe 81 is formed in the front wall 54 so that the cooling water pipe 81 extending rearward from the radiator 80 does not interfere with the front wall 54 behind the radiator 80. Specifically, the cooling water pipe 81 extends rearward from the upper end of the left side of the radiator 80 toward the front wall 54 and is arranged so as to change direction toward the inner side in the vehicle width direction after passing through the opening 54a in the front wall 54. In other words, the cooling water pipe 81 has a bent portion 81a that changes direction after passing through the opening 54a, and is arranged so that the bent portion 81a enters the opening 54a.

[0041] As shown in Fig. 8, an opening 55a is formed in the rear wall 55. The opening 55a is formed by cutting out a portion of the rear wall 55 from the inner side in the vehicle width direction so as to have a rectangular shape when viewed in the front-rear direction. As shown schematically in Fig. 5, the opening 55a is formed in approximately the same height range as the opening 54a in the front wall 54 described above. In other words, the rear wall 55 has the opening 55a at a position that overlaps with the opening 54a in the front wall 54 when viewed in the front-rear direction.

[0042] The extension portion 42 is formed to extend downward from a middle portion in the front-rear direction of the lower end of the cover main body 41. The extension portion 42 is disposed so as to overlap with the connector 36 connected to the lower surface of the regulator 30 in a side view. The extension portion 42 also extends downward below the lower end of the connector 36. This allows the extension portion 42 to cover the second power transmission cable 37 below the connector 36, i.e., the portion of the second power transmission cable 37 that extends downward from the connector 36 and then bends back upward. In other words, the extension portion 42 covers both the connector 36 and the second power transmission cable 37 below it. In other words, the regulator cover 40 (the cover main body 41 and the extension portion 42) is formed to cover the regulator 30, the connector 36, and the second power transmission cable 37 from the outer sides in the vehicle width direction.

[0043] A third fixing portion 42a is formed on the front side of extension portion 42. Third fixing portion 42a is a fastened portion that is fastened to support portion 112a of left lower frame 112. When third fixing portion 42a is fastened to support portion 112a, regulator cover 40 is fixed to lower frame 112. In other words, regulator cover 40 is fixed to vehicle body frame 101 when each fixing portion (first fixing portion 56, second fixing portion 57, third fixing portion 42a) is fastened to bracket 60, second connecting frame 114, and lower frame 112, respectively.

[0044] [Action and effect] As described above, in this embodiment, the upper wall 52 of the regulator cover 40 that covers the regulator 30 is formed below the lower side edge 13a of the fuel tank 10 and extends from the inner side to the outer side in the vehicle width direction relative to the lower side edge 13a. With this configuration, the regulator 30 can be protected from water while suppressing an increase in the vehicle body width.

[0045] That is, according to this embodiment in which the lower side edge 13a of the fuel tank 10 and the upper wall 52 of the regulator cover 40 are in the positional relationship described above, even if moisture such as rainwater falls downward from the lower side edge 13a of the fuel tank 10, the fallen moisture can be received by the upper wall 52 of the regulator cover 40. For example, if moisture adheres to the surface of the fuel tank 10 while driving in the rain, the moisture may fall downward along the lower side edge 13a of the fuel tank 10. The fallen moisture is received by the upper wall 52 of the regulator cover 40, which is located below the lower side edge 13a. Moreover, since the upper wall 52 extends from the inner side to the outer side in the vehicle width direction relative to the lower side edge 13a, the fallen moisture is accurately received by the upper wall 52, and as a result, the moisture is highly likely to be prevented from reaching the regulator 30. In this way, in this embodiment, by positioning the upper wall 52 of the regulator cover 40, which extends in the vehicle width direction, below the lower side edge 13a of the fuel tank 10, it is possible to effectively prevent moisture that falls from the lower side edge 13a from adhering to the regulator 30.

[0046] Furthermore, because a portion of the upper wall 52 of the regulator cover 40 is positioned more inward in the vehicle width direction than the lower side edge 13a of the fuel tank 10, it is possible to keep the amount of projection of the regulator cover 40 in the vehicle width direction relative to the fuel tank 10 small, thereby suppressing an increase in the vehicle width that would accompany the installation of the regulator cover 40. This makes it possible to protect the regulator 30 from water damage without widening the front part of the vehicle, including the regulator cover 40.

[0047] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the opening 52a is formed in the upper wall 52 of the regulator cover 40, allowing hot air inside the regulator cover 40 to escape to the outside through the opening 52a. That is, hot air generated by power regulation by the regulator 30 or hot air from the engine 1 may accumulate inside the regulator cover 40. In contrast, according to this embodiment in which the opening 52a is formed in the upper wall 52 of the regulator cover 40, the hot air inside the regulator cover 40 can escape to the outside, thereby thermally protecting the regulator 30. Moreover, because the range in which the opening 52a is formed is limited to an area inside the lower side edge 13a of the fuel tank 10 in the vehicle width direction, the possibility of moisture such as rainwater falling from the lower side edge 13a reaching the regulator 30 through the opening 52a is reduced. That is, according to this embodiment, hot air inside the regulator cover 40 can escape to the outside while preventing moisture from adhering to the regulator 30.

[0048] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the upper wall 52 of the regulator cover 40 is inclined so that its height decreases toward the outer side in the vehicle width direction, thereby further reducing the possibility that moisture falling from the lower side edge 13a of the fuel tank 10 will adhere to the regulator 30. That is, when moisture falling from the lower side edge 13a is received by the upper wall 52, the inclination of the upper wall 52 guides the moisture outward in the vehicle width direction, as indicated by the solid arrow X1 in FIG. 9 . The moisture guided outward moves downward along the side wall 51 and does not adhere to the regulator 30. In other words, in this embodiment, the inclined upper wall 52 makes it difficult for moisture to flow inward in the vehicle width direction as indicated by the dashed arrow X2 in FIG. 9 , that is, the moisture flow along the upper wall 52. This prevents moisture from flowing around the inner edge of the upper wall 52 and into the inside of the regulator cover 40, thereby further reducing the possibility that moisture will adhere to the regulator 30.

[0049] Furthermore, the inclination of upper wall 52 as described above means that opening 52a in the inner region of upper wall 52 is relatively high, which allows hot air inside regulator cover 40 to efficiently escape to the outside through opening 52a.

[0050] In addition, in this embodiment, a flange 53 is provided that protrudes upward from the inner edge of the upper wall 52 (the inner end in the vehicle width direction), so that the flange 53 can prevent moisture from seeping into the inside of the regulator cover 40 from the inner edge of the upper wall 52, thereby further reducing the possibility of moisture adhering to the regulator 30.

[0051] In this embodiment, the second power transmission cable 37 is connected to the connection port 31a on the underside of the regulator 30 via the connector 36, and both the regulator 30 and the connector 36 are covered from the outside in the vehicle width direction by the side wall 51 and the extension portion 42 of the regulator cover 40. With this configuration, the effect of suppressing adhesion of moisture such as rainwater can be achieved not only on the regulator 30 but also on the connector 36.

[0052] Moreover, because the connector 36 is connected to the underside of the regulator 30, the possibility of moisture adhering to the connector 36 is reduced. In other words, if the connector 36 were connected to a location other than the underside of the regulator 30, and moisture were to enter the interior of the regulator cover 40, the moisture would likely adhere to the connector relatively easily. In contrast, according to the present embodiment in which the connector 36 is connected to the underside of the regulator 30, the connector 36 is hidden below the regulator 30 in a top view, and moisture that has entered the inside of the regulator cover 40 is less likely to adhere to the connector 36. This effectively prevents the connector 36 from becoming wet.

[0053] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the radiator 80 is disposed forward of the front wall 54 of the regulator cover 40, and the cooling water pipe 81 extending rearward from the radiator 80 is introduced into the opening 54a of the front wall 54. With this configuration, the formation of the opening 54a prevents interference between the cooling water pipe 81 and the front wall 54, and the regulator 30 can be cooled by the traveling wind introduced into the regulator cover 40 through the opening 54a.

[0054] It should be noted that, when opening 54a is provided in front wall 54 as in this embodiment, it is expected that rainwater will blow into regulator cover 40 through opening 54a when traveling in the rain. However, because opening 54a is formed in a limited area of ​​front wall 54 and radiator 80 is located in front of opening 54a, only a small amount of rainwater will blow in through opening 54a, and the effect of preventing regulator 30 from being exposed to water will not be significantly impaired. In other words, this embodiment can minimize exposure of regulator 30 to water while allowing regulator 30 to be cooled by wind while traveling.

[0055] Furthermore, in this embodiment, opening 55a is also formed in rear wall 55 of regulator cover 40, and therefore traveling wind introduced into regulator cover 40 from opening 54a in front wall 54 can be discharged from opening 55a in rear wall 55, forming a flow of traveling wind passing through inside regulator cover 40. Moreover, opening 54a in front wall 54 and opening 55a in rear wall 55 overlap when viewed in the front-to-rear direction, and therefore traveling wind can flow smoothly from opening 54a in front wall 54 to opening 55a in rear wall 55, and regulator 30 can be efficiently cooled by the traveling wind.

[0056] In addition, in this embodiment, multiple fins 32 extending in the fore-and-aft direction in a side view are formed on the regulator 30, so that the fins 32 can promote heat exchange with the traveling wind passing through the inside of the regulator cover 40, thereby improving the cooling efficiency of the regulator 30.

[0057] Furthermore, since the motorcycle of this embodiment is a naked type motorcycle in which the cylinder components (cylinder block 2 and cylinder head 3) of the engine 1 are exposed to the outside air, the volume of airflow that flows around the sides of the cylinder components tends to be large. This makes it difficult for hot air from the cylinder components to accumulate inside the regulator cover 40, which is advantageous in terms of suppressing the temperature of the regulator 30.

[0058] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the regulator 30 and the regulator cover 40 are attached to the left side of the vehicle body, along with the side stand 109, which effectively prevents the regulator 30 from getting wet during parking. That is, when the motorcycle is parked using the side stand 109, the vehicle body is supported by the side stand 109 in a state of tilting to the left. When the vehicle body tilts to the left, the upper wall 52 of the regulator cover 40 on the left side of the vehicle body becomes steeper, and the height of the upper wall 52 on the outer side in the vehicle width direction is significantly lower than the height of the inner side. This means that water that drops from the lower side edge 13a of the fuel tank 10 onto the upper wall 52 is more likely to flow outward in the vehicle width direction, which means that the possibility of water entering the regulator cover 40 is further reduced. That is, according to this embodiment in which the regulator 30 is attached to the left side of the vehicle body, it is possible to sufficiently prevent water from entering the regulator cover 40 during parking, thereby further reducing the possibility of water adhering to the regulator 30.

[0059] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the exhaust pipe 132 is attached to the right of the vehicle body axis L1 (center of the vehicle body), so the regulator 30 and the exhaust pipe 132 can be arranged apart from each other on opposite sides of the vehicle body axis L1. This makes it difficult for the regulator 30 to be affected by the heat of the exhaust pipe 132, which is prone to becoming hot, and therefore makes it possible to sufficiently prevent the regulator 30 from becoming hot.

[0060] [Variations] In the above embodiment, the upper wall 52 of the regulator cover 40 is formed so that its height decreases toward the outer side in the vehicle width direction, but the upper wall may be formed so that its height decreases in a stepped manner toward the outer side in the vehicle width direction. Furthermore, when an opening is provided in such a stepped upper wall, it is desirable that the opening be provided in the upper part where the height is high.

[0061] In the above embodiment, the connector 36 for the second power transmission cable 37 connecting the regulator 30 and the battery 22 is connected to the lower surface of the regulator 30, but the connector may be connected to a surface other than the lower surface of the regulator.

[0062] In the above embodiment, the regulator 30 and the regulator cover 40 are attached to the left side of the vehicle body, but they can also be attached to the right side of the vehicle body.

[0063] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the present disclosure is applied to a motorcycle, which is a type of saddle-ride type vehicle, but the present disclosure can also be applied to other saddle-ride type vehicles such as tricycles and four-wheeled buggies.

[0064] [summary] The above embodiment and its modifications can be summarized as follows.

[0065] The saddle-ride type vehicle includes an engine, a fuel tank for storing fuel to be supplied to the engine, a generator driven by the engine, a regulator disposed below the fuel tank for adjusting the power supplied from the generator to a battery, and a regulator cover including a side wall covering the regulator on the outer side in the vehicle width direction and an upper wall covering the regulator from above, the upper wall being formed below a lower edge of a side portion of the fuel tank and extending from the inner side to the outer side in the vehicle width direction relative to the lower edge of the side portion.

[0066] In this aspect, when moisture such as rainwater on the surface of the fuel tank drips down along the lower side edge of the fuel tank, the dripping moisture can be received by the upper wall of the regulator cover. Moreover, since the upper wall extends from the inside to the outside in the vehicle width direction relative to the lower side edge, the dripping moisture is accurately received by the upper wall, and as a result, there is a high probability that the moisture will not reach the regulator. In this way, in this aspect, by disposing the upper wall of the regulator cover, which is wide in the vehicle width direction, below the lower side edge of the fuel tank, it is possible to effectively prevent moisture that drips from the lower side edge from adhering to the regulator.

[0067] Furthermore, because a portion of the upper wall of the regulator cover is positioned inward in the vehicle width direction relative to the lower edge of the side of the fuel tank, the amount of overhang of the regulator cover in the vehicle width direction relative to the fuel tank can be kept small, and an increase in vehicle width due to the installation of the regulator cover can be suppressed. This makes it possible to protect the regulator from water damage without increasing the vehicle width.

[0068] Preferably, the upper wall has an opening in a region that is more inward in the vehicle width direction than a lower edge of a side portion of the fuel tank.

[0069] In this aspect, hot air inside the regulator cover can be released to the outside through the opening in the upper wall. That is, hot air generated by power regulation by the regulator or hot air from the engine can accumulate inside the regulator cover. In contrast, according to this aspect in which an opening is formed in the upper wall of the regulator cover, the hot air inside the regulator cover can be released to the outside, thereby thermally protecting the regulator. Moreover, since the opening is limited to an area inside the lower edge of the side of the fuel tank in the vehicle width direction, the possibility of moisture such as rainwater falling from the lower edge of the side reaching the regulator through the opening can be reduced. That is, according to this aspect, hot air inside the regulator cover can be released to the outside while moisture adhesion to the regulator can be suppressed.

[0070] Preferably, the upper wall includes a first portion in which the opening is formed, and a second portion that is shorter in height than the first portion.

[0071] According to this aspect, hot air inside the regulator cover can be efficiently released to the outside through the opening located at a relatively high position in the upper wall.

[0072] Preferably, the upper wall is inclined so that its height decreases toward the outer side in the vehicle width direction.

[0073] This configuration further reduces the possibility that water that falls from the lower edge of the side of the fuel tank will adhere to the regulator. That is, when water that falls from the lower edge of the side is received by the upper wall, the inclination of the upper wall guides the water outward in the vehicle width direction. This prevents water from flowing around the inner edge of the upper wall into the inside of the regulator cover, further reducing the possibility that water will adhere to the regulator.

[0074] Preferably, the regulator cover has a flange that protrudes upward from an inner end of the upper wall in the vehicle width direction.

[0075] In this aspect, the flange can prevent moisture from seeping into the inside of the regulator cover from the inner end of the upper wall in the vehicle width direction, further reducing the possibility of moisture adhering to the regulator.

[0076] The saddle-ride type vehicle may further include an electric cable connecting the regulator and the battery, and a connector connecting the electric cable to a connection port provided in the regulator. In this case, it is preferable that the regulator cover is formed so as to cover both the regulator and the connector from outside in the vehicle width direction.

[0077] In this embodiment, the effect of suppressing adhesion of moisture such as rainwater can be exerted not only on the regulator but also on the connector.

[0078] The saddle-type vehicle may further include a radiator that cools the coolant introduced into the engine by heat exchange. In this case, the regulator cover preferably has a front wall that covers the front of the regulator and is located rearward of the radiator, and the front wall preferably has an opening through which a coolant pipe extending from the radiator is introduced.

[0079] In this aspect, the formation of the opening prevents interference between the cooling water pipe and the front wall, and the regulator can be cooled by the airflow caused by traveling that is introduced into the regulator cover through the opening.

[0080] Preferably, the regulator cover has a rear wall that covers the rear of the regulator, and the rear wall has an opening at a position that overlaps with the opening of the front wall in a front-to-rear view.

[0081] In this aspect, the traveling wind introduced into the regulator cover from the opening in the front wall can be discharged from the opening in the rear wall, forming a flow of traveling wind passing through the inside of the regulator cover. Moreover, since the openings in the front wall and the rear wall overlap in a front-to-rear view, the traveling wind can flow smoothly from the opening in the front wall to the opening in the rear wall, and the regulator can be efficiently cooled by the traveling wind.

[0082] Preferably, the engine includes a cylinder part disposed in a state exposed to the outside air.

[0083] In so-called naked straddle-type vehicles where the engine cylinder parts are exposed to the outside air, the volume of wind that flows around the sides of the cylinder parts tends to be large. This makes it difficult for hot air from the cylinder parts to accumulate inside the regulator cover, which is advantageous in terms of controlling the temperature of the regulator.

[0084] Preferably, a side stand for supporting the vehicle body in an inclined state is provided on one side of the vehicle body, and the regulator is disposed below the side of the fuel tank on the same side as the side stand.

[0085] When the vehicle body is supported in an inclined position by the side stand, the upper wall of the regulator cover on the same side as the side stand is inclined so that its height decreases toward the outer side in the vehicle width direction. This makes it difficult for moisture to enter the regulator cover when the vehicle is parked, further reducing the possibility of moisture adhering to the regulator.

[0086] The straddle-type vehicle may further include an exhaust pipe that guides exhaust gas discharged from the engine to the outside air. In this case, it is preferable that the regulator be disposed on the opposite side of the exhaust pipe with respect to the center of the vehicle width.

[0087] In this aspect, the regulator is less susceptible to the thermal influence of the exhaust pipe, which is prone to becoming hot, and therefore the regulator can be sufficiently prevented from becoming hot. [Explanation of symbols]

[0088] 1: Engine 2: Cylinder block (cylinder parts) 3: Cylinder head (cylinder part) 10: Fuel tank 13a: Lower side edge (of fuel tank) 20: Generator 22: Battery 30: Regulator 31a: Connection port 37: Second power transmission cable (electrical cable) 36: Connector 40: Regulator cover 51: Side wall 52: Upper wall 52a: Opening (in the upper wall) 53: Flange 54: Front wall 54a: (front wall) opening 55: Back wall 55a: (rear wall) opening 80: Radiator 81: Cooling water piping 109: Side stand 132: Exhaust pipe

Claims

1. The engine and a fuel tank for storing fuel to be supplied to the engine; a generator driven by the engine; a regulator disposed below the fuel tank and regulating the power supplied from the generator to the battery; a regulator cover including a side wall covering an outer side of the regulator in the vehicle width direction and an upper wall covering an upper portion of the regulator, the upper wall is formed below a lower edge of a side portion of the fuel tank so as to extend from inside to outside in the vehicle width direction relative to the lower edge of the side portion, and has an opening cut out from only one side of the upper wall on the inside in the vehicle width direction toward the outside in the vehicle width direction, in a region on the inside in the vehicle width direction relative to the lower edge of the side portion of the fuel tank, A saddle-type vehicle, wherein the length of the regulator in the vehicle width direction is shorter than both the length of the regulator in the up-down direction and the length of the regulator in the front-rear direction.

2. The saddle-type vehicle according to claim 1, The upper wall includes a first portion in which the opening is formed and a second portion that is lower in height than the first portion.

3. The saddle-type vehicle according to claim 1, the upper wall is formed continuously from the side wall of the regulator cover, A saddle-ride type vehicle, wherein the length of the regulator cover in the front-rear direction is equal to or greater than the length of the regulator in the front-rear direction.

4. An engine; a fuel tank for storing fuel to be supplied to the engine; a generator driven by the engine; a regulator disposed below the fuel tank and regulating the power supplied from the generator to the battery; a regulator cover including a side wall covering an outer side of the regulator in the vehicle width direction and an upper wall covering an upper portion of the regulator, the upper wall is formed below a lower edge of a side portion of the fuel tank and extends from an inner side to an outer side in a vehicle width direction relative to the lower edge of the side portion, The length of the regulator in the vehicle width direction is shorter than both the length of the regulator in the up-down direction and the length of the regulator in the front-rear direction, A saddle-type vehicle, wherein the regulator is disposed adjacent to the engine in the vehicle width direction.

5. The engine and a fuel tank for storing fuel to be supplied to the engine; a generator driven by the engine; a regulator disposed below the fuel tank and regulating the power supplied from the generator to the battery; a regulator cover including a side wall covering an outer side of the regulator in the vehicle width direction and an upper wall covering an upper portion of the regulator, the upper wall is formed below a lower edge of a side portion of the fuel tank and extends from an inner side to an outer side in a vehicle width direction relative to the lower edge of the side portion, In a saddle-type vehicle, the upper wall is inclined so that its height decreases toward the outer side in the vehicle width direction.

6. The engine and a fuel tank for storing fuel to be supplied to the engine; a generator driven by the engine; a regulator disposed below the fuel tank and regulating the power supplied from the generator to the battery; a regulator cover including a side wall covering an outer side of the regulator in the vehicle width direction and an upper wall covering an upper portion of the regulator, the upper wall is formed below a lower edge of a side portion of the fuel tank and extends from an inner side to an outer side in a vehicle width direction relative to the lower edge of the side portion, The regulator cover has a flange that protrudes upward from an inner end of the upper wall in the vehicle width direction.

7. The saddle-type vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 6, an electric cable connecting the regulator and the battery; a connector for connecting the electric cable to a connection port provided in the regulator, The regulator cover is formed to cover both the regulator and the connector from outside in a vehicle width direction.

8. The engine and a fuel tank for storing fuel to be supplied to the engine; a generator driven by the engine; a regulator disposed below the fuel tank and regulating the power supplied from the generator to the battery; a regulator cover including a side wall covering an outer side of the regulator in the vehicle width direction and an upper wall covering an upper portion of the regulator; a radiator that cools the cooling water introduced into the engine by heat exchange, the upper wall is formed below a lower edge of a side portion of the fuel tank and extends from an inner side to an outer side in a vehicle width direction relative to the lower edge of the side portion, the regulator cover has a front wall that covers the front of the regulator and is located rearward of the radiator, The front wall has an opening through which a cooling water pipe extending from the radiator is introduced.

9. The saddle-type vehicle according to claim 8, the regulator cover has a rear wall that covers the rear of the regulator, The rear wall has an opening at a position overlapping with the opening of the front wall when viewed in the front-rear direction.

10. The saddle-type vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 9, The engine of the saddle-type vehicle includes a cylinder part disposed in a state exposed to the outside air.

11. A saddle-type vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 10, A side stand for supporting the vehicle body in an inclined position is provided on one side of the vehicle body, The regulator is disposed below a side portion of the fuel tank on the same side as the side stand.

12. A saddle-type vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 11, The vehicle further includes an exhaust pipe that guides exhaust gas discharged from the engine to the outside air, The regulator is disposed on the opposite side of the exhaust pipe with respect to the center of the vehicle width.

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