vehicle

Abstract

To prevent deterioration of maintainability of a vehicle due to a breather tube in the vehicle in which an engine and an air cleaner are connected by the breather tube.SOLUTION: A vehicle includes: an internal combustion engine for traveling having a crank case and a cylinder block connected to the crank case; an air cleaner for purifying intake air to be supplied to the internal combustion engine; and a breather tube connected to the crank case and the air cleaner and supplying air in the crank case toward the air cleaner. A connection portion between the breather tube and the crank case is disposed on one side in the vehicle width direction from a center of the vehicle width direction of the cylinder block.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a vehicle, and particularly to an arrangement structure of a breather tube.

Background Art

[0002] As disclosed in Patent Document 1, in order to release the internal pressure of a crankcase provided in a motorcycle engine, a configuration is known in which an air cleaner that purifies air introduced into the engine is connected into the crankcase by a breather tube.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In a motorcycle, when an operator accesses the breather tube from the outside to perform maintenance on the engine or the like, the maintainability of the motorcycle may be reduced because it is difficult to access the breather tube. This problem may also occur in vehicles other than motorcycles.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to prevent the maintainability of a vehicle from being reduced by a breather tube in a vehicle in which an engine and an air cleaner are connected by a breather tube.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A vehicle according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a drive engine having a crankcase and a cylinder block connected to the crankcase, an air cleaner for purifying intake air supplied to the internal combustion engine, and a breather tube connected to the crankcase and the air cleaner for supplying gas from the crankcase toward the air cleaner, wherein the connection portion between the breather tube and the crankcase is positioned to one side in the vehicle width direction from the center of the cylinder block in the vehicle width direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one aspect of this disclosure, in a vehicle in which the engine and the air cleaner are connected by a breather tube, it is possible to prevent the breather tube from reducing the maintainability of the vehicle. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is an external view of the main parts of the vehicle according to the embodiment, as seen from the left rear. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is an external view of the main parts of the vehicle shown in Figure 1, as seen from the rear. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows a partial configuration of the breather tube on the air cleaner side and a partial configuration of the air cleaner shown in Figure 1. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows the state of the breather tube when a conventional vehicle overturns. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows the state of the breather tube when the vehicle in Figure 1 overturns. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. The directions described below are based on the directions as seen from the perspective of a passenger in vehicle 1. Figure 1 is an external view of the main parts of vehicle 1 as seen from the left rear according to the embodiment.

[0010] The vehicle 1 shown in Figure 1 is, as an example, a hybrid vehicle equipped with multiple drive sources. The multiple drive sources in this embodiment include an internal combustion engine E and an electric motor M. In Figure 1 and Figure 2 described later, the outline of the electric motor M is schematically shown with a dashed line. The vehicle 1 is configured to be switchable between a driving mode in which only the electric motor M is used and a driving mode in which at least the internal combustion engine E is used. The vehicle 1 is also, as an example, a saddle-type vehicle that a rider straddles and is a motorcycle. However, the vehicle 1 is not limited to a motorcycle. Furthermore, the vehicle 1 is not limited to a hybrid vehicle. The vehicle 1 may be equipped with only the internal combustion engine E as a drive source.

[0011] The internal combustion engine E includes a crankshaft S1, a crankcase 15 in which the crankshaft S1 is pivotally supported, a cylinder block 16 located above the crankcase 15, a cylinder head cover 17 located above the cylinder block 16, and an oil pan 18 located below the crankcase 15. The internal combustion engine E also has a plurality of intake pipes 19 that supply intake air that has passed through the air cleaner 2 (described later) into the inside of the cylinder block 16 (see Figure 3).

[0012] Vehicle 1 also includes an air cleaner 2, a breather tube 3, a throttle body 4, and drive wheels DW. The air cleaner 2 purifies the intake air supplied to the internal combustion engine E. For example, the air cleaner 2 is positioned so as to overlap with the uppermost end of the internal combustion engine E when viewed from the front or rear. The air cleaner 2 has an air cleaner box 20. The air cleaner box 20 includes a lower case 21 and an upper case 22 that are combined together. The breather tube 3 is connected to the crankcase 15 and the air cleaner 2. The breather tube 3 supplies gas from inside the crankcase 15 to the air cleaner 2. The gas circulating inside the breather tube 3 includes air and oil.

[0013] In this embodiment, one end 3a of the breather tube 3 is connected to the crankcase 15, and the other end 3b is connected to the air cleaner 2. For example, the breather tube 3 is connected to the crankcase 15 and the air cleaner 2 in a bent position. For example, in a side view of the vehicle 1, the breather tube 3 is positioned so as to overlap the cylinder block 16 and the throttle body 4. For example, a portion of the breather tube 3 is positioned to overlap the top surface of the air cleaner 2. The throttle body 4 adjusts the intake volume of the internal combustion engine E. In this embodiment, the throttle body 4 is positioned between the cylinder head cover 17 and the air cleaner 2. For example, in the region of the breather tube 3 that overlaps with the throttle body 4 in the vehicle width direction, a protective tape 30 is placed to protect the breather tube 3 from the throttle body 4. The drive wheel DW receives the driving force of the internal combustion engine E. In this embodiment, which is a motorcycle, the drive wheel DW is the rear wheel. The breather tube 3 is located in front of the drive wheel DW.

[0014] Vehicle 1 is equipped with a transmission TM that changes the output of the drive source for driving. The transmission TM has a transmission case 35 that extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. In this embodiment, the transmission case 35 is located behind the crankcase 15. As an example, the transmission case 35 is integrally formed with the crankcase 15. In the vertical direction, a portion of the breather tube 3 overlaps with the transmission case 35. The electric motor M is located above the transmission case 35. The electric motor M is located behind the cylinder block 16 and above the transmission TM.

[0015] Vehicle 1 of this embodiment is equipped with a side stand 5 positioned on one side in the vehicle width direction of Vehicle 1. The side stand 5 is connected to the body of Vehicle 1. When the side stand 5 is in use, it contacts the road surface. Vehicle 1 is supported by the side stand 5 in a state of slight inclination to one side in the vehicle width direction. In this embodiment, "one side in the vehicle width direction" refers to the left side in the vehicle width direction of Vehicle 1 as an example, but it may also refer to the right side in the vehicle width direction.

[0016] Figure 2 is an external view of the main parts of vehicle 1 as seen from the rear of vehicle 1. In Figure 2, a vertical line X is shown passing through the center of the cylinder block 16 in the vehicle width direction. As shown in Figure 2, the connection part C1 between the breather tube 3 and the crankcase 15 of vehicle 1 is located to one side in the vehicle width direction from the center of the cylinder block 16 in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, for example, during maintenance of vehicle 1, a worker can easily access the breather tube 3 from the outside of vehicle 1 in the vehicle width direction. Thus, the maintainability of vehicle 1 is prevented from being reduced due to difficulty in accessing the breather tube 3 during maintenance of vehicle 1. Here, "maintenance" can be exemplified by the work of removing the air cleaner 2 from the internal combustion engine E for purposes such as replacing the spark plug of the internal combustion engine E.

[0017] In vehicle 1, the connection portion C1 between the breather tube 3 and the crankcase 15, and the side stand 5 are located on the same side of the vehicle body in the vehicle width direction. As an example, the connection portion C1 is located in front of the rear end of the electric motor M. In the connection portion C1 of this embodiment, one end 3a of the breather tube 3 is inserted into a connecting pipe 15a provided in the crankcase 15 and communicating with the inside of the crankcase 15, and a band is wrapped around the outer circumference of the one end 3a to fix the one end 3a of the breather tube 3 to the connecting pipe 15a. Note that the configuration of the connection portion C1 is not limited to this.

[0018] In this embodiment, the connection portion C1 between the breather tube 3 and the crankcase 15 is positioned outward in one direction in the vehicle width direction from the cylinder block 16. Therefore, in vehicle 1, the connection portion C1 can be exposed to the outside outward in one direction in the vehicle width direction from the cylinder block 16. Furthermore, the breather tube 3 in this embodiment has the following first region A1 and second region A2. The first region A1 extends from the connection portion C1, passing outward in one direction in the vehicle width direction from the cylinder block 16 toward the air cleaner 2. The second region A2 extends from the connection portion C2 between the breather tube 3 and the air cleaner 2 toward one direction in the vehicle width direction from the air cleaner 2.

[0019] The connection parts C1 and C2 of the present embodiment are arranged at a distance from each other in the vertical direction of the vehicle 1. As an example, the connection part C2 is arranged at a position overlapping the cylinder head cover 17 when viewed from the front-rear direction of the vehicle 1. The connection parts C1 and C2 are arranged on opposite sides sandwiching the center in the vehicle width direction of the electric motor M of the vehicle 1. Also, the connection parts C1 and C2 are arranged on opposite sides sandwiching the center in the vehicle width direction of the air cleaner 2 of the vehicle 1. When viewed from the front-rear direction of the vehicle 1, the connection parts C1 and C2 are arranged at positions not overlapping each other in the vertical direction of the vehicle 1. Also, as an example, the second region A2 is linear. The second region A2 of the present embodiment is parallel to the vehicle width direction of the vehicle 1. The parallel mentioned here includes, in addition to the strict parallel state, an inclined state where the angle between the axial direction of the second region A2 and the vehicle width direction of the vehicle 1 is a value within the range of 0° or more and 5° or less.

[0020] As an example, the vehicle 1 further includes an accessory part 6 for the internal combustion engine E. The accessory part 6 is arranged behind the cylinder block 16 and above the crankcase 15. Examples of the accessory part 6 include, but are not limited to, parts such as an electric motor M for running, an electric shifter for switching the number of stages of a transmission that shifts the output of a running drive source, a cooler, a supercharger, etc. The second region A2 of the breather tube 3 is arranged above the accessory part 6. Thereby, when maintaining the vehicle 1, an operator can easily access the second region A2 of the breather tube 3 from the outside.

[0021] Also, as shown in FIG. 2, the vehicle 1 includes a clutch 7 that connects and disconnects the power transmission path between the internal combustion engine E and the drive wheel DW. The clutch 7 is arranged at a position offset to the other side in the vehicle width direction from the center in the vehicle width direction of the cylinder block 16. The clutch 7 is, as an example, a friction clutch. Examples of the friction clutch include a hydraulic multi-plate clutch. Note that the configuration of the clutch 7 is not limited to this.

[0022] As another example, the crankcase 15 has a first chamber R1 having an oil storage space, and a second chamber R2 partitioned from the first chamber R1 and positioned offset to one side in the vehicle width direction from the center of the cylinder block 16 in the vehicle width direction. The first chamber R1 is in communication with the oil pan 18. The second chamber R2 is partitioned to prevent oil from entering from the first chamber R1. Furthermore, the vehicle 1 of this embodiment is equipped with a generator 8 that generates electricity using the rotational driving force of the internal combustion engine E. The generator 8 is housed in the second chamber R2. As the generator 8, for example, an ISG (Integrated Starter Generator) that starts the internal combustion engine E can be exemplified.

[0023] When the ISG is placed in the second chamber R2, for example, the heat generated in the first chamber R1 can be suppressed from reaching the ISG compared to when the ISG is placed in the first chamber R1. Therefore, even if the ISG has heat resistance constraints, it is easier to equip the vehicle 1 with an ISG. In addition, by circulating outside air into the second chamber R2 in which the ISG is placed, the ISG can be easily cooled by air cooling or the like. Other elements besides the generator 8 may be housed in the second chamber R2. The transmission TM has an output shaft S2. The output shaft S2 is exposed to the outside of the transmission case 25 on one side in the vehicle width direction of the transmission TM. The rotational driving force of the output shaft S2 is transmitted to the drive wheel DW.

[0024] Figure 3 shows a partial configuration of the breather tube 3 on the air cleaner 2 side and a partial configuration of the air cleaner 2 shown in Figure 1. Figure 3 shows a cross-section of the air cleaner box 20. As shown in Figure 3, the connection portion C2 of the breather tube 3 has a pair of ribs 31 and 32 that extend in the circumferential direction of the breather tube 3 and are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction. Of the pair of ribs 31 and 32, the rib 32 that is positioned close to the opening 3c has a smaller outer diameter than the rib 31. The main surface 32a of the rib 32 on the opening 3c side has a tapered shape that narrows toward the opening 3c. The air cleaner 2 has an internal space that communicates with a plurality of intake pipes 19 of the internal combustion engine E and is partitioned by the air cleaner box 20. The air cleaner box 20 has a through hole 20a that communicates with the outside.

[0025] As an example, the connection portion C2 of the breather tube 3 connects the breather tube 3 to the air cleaner 2 by contacting the main surface 32a with the opening periphery of the through hole 20a of the air cleaner box 20, pressing the rib 32 into the through hole 20a, and then sandwiching the periphery of the through hole 20a of the air cleaner box 20 with a pair of ribs 31 and 32. Because the breather tube 3 has a pair of ribs 31 and 32, the effort of clamping the connection portion C2 from the outside can be eliminated. The configuration of the connection portion C2 is not limited to this. The connection portion C2 may also be positioned, for example, to coincide with the center in the vehicle width direction of the cylinder block 16.

[0026] The air cleaner box 20 has a recessed portion 20b that extends in the vehicle width direction and is recessed inward. For example, the recessed portion 20b is located in the upper case 22. As shown in Figure 3, at least a portion of the second region A2 of the breather tube 3 is located in the internal space of the recessed portion 20b. This prevents interference between the breather tube 3 and the air cleaner box 20. In addition, the amount of protrusion of the second region A2 of the breather tube 3 from the upper surface of the upper case 22 is reduced.

[0027] The throttle body 4 of this embodiment has multiple throttle valves 40 arranged in overlapping positions with multiple intake pipes 19. The intake pipes 19 of the internal combustion engine E are opened and closed by the throttle valves 40. The multiple intake pipes 19 are arranged side by side in the vehicle width direction of the cylinder block 16. The air cleaner 2 of this embodiment also has multiple supply pipes 23 arranged side by side in the vehicle width direction of the cylinder block 16 to supply intake air to the cylinder block. The multiple supply pipes 23 are arranged in individual correspondence with the multiple intake pipes 19. The intake air that has passed through the supply pipes 23 flows through the intake pipes 19 via the throttle valves 40 and is supplied to the inside of the cylinder block 16.

[0028] The opening 3c of the breather tube is oriented in a different direction from the opening 23a of the supply pipe 23 located furthest to the other side in the vehicle width direction of the cylinder block 16, and is oriented in the other side in the vehicle width direction, at a position offset in the other side in the vehicle width direction from the center O of the opening 23a of the supply pipe 23. The opening 3c of the breather tube 3 and the opening 23a of the intake pipe 23 are oriented in different directions from each other. Here, "different directions" does not include a pair of directions facing each other on the same axis. As a result, oil that has passed through the breather tube 3 is prevented from flowing into the inside of the cylinder block 16 via the supply pipe 23 and the intake pipe 19.

[0029] As another example, the air cleaner 2 has a wall surface 20a positioned opposite the opening 3c of the breather tube 3. The air cleaner box 20 has an outer wall 20c that partitions the internal space of the air cleaner 2, and a plate-shaped rib 20d that protrudes from the outer wall 20c toward the internal space. The rib 20d includes the wall surface 20a. In this embodiment, the wall surface 20a is positioned to overlap with the opening 3c of the breather tube 3 when viewed from the other side in the vehicle width direction. Because the air cleaner 2 has a wall surface 20a, the mist-like oil-containing gas that has passed through the breather tube 3 collides with the wall surface 20a, promoting the gas-liquid separation of the gas.

[0030] Figure 4 shows the state of the breather tube 300 when a conventional vehicle overturns. Figure 5 shows the state of the breather tube 3 when vehicle 1 in Figure 1 overturns. As shown in Figure 4, when a conventional vehicle tilts significantly to one side in the vehicle width direction due to overturning or the like, the breather tube 300 extends horizontally. The oil in the crankcase 150 flows into the breather tube 300 from the connection point between the crankcase 150 and the breather tube 300 through the breather tube 300 which is in the horizontally extended position. As a result, the oil in the breather tube 300 may leak out and flow into the air cleaner.

[0031] As shown in Figure 5, in contrast to the above, in the vehicle 1 of this embodiment, the connecting portion C1 is positioned to one side in the vehicle width direction from the center of the cylinder block 16 in the vehicle width direction, and is positioned offset to one side in the vehicle width direction from the center of the cylinder block 16 in the vehicle width direction. In addition, the opening 3c of the breather tube 3 on the air cleaner 2 side is positioned offset to the other side in the vehicle width direction from the center of the cylinder block 16 in the vehicle width direction.

[0032] Therefore, even if oil flows from the crankcase 15 into the breather tube 3 when the vehicle 1 is tilted significantly to one side in the vehicle width direction due to tipping over or the like, the oil inside the breather tube 3 will not flow out until the height of the oil level inside the breather tube 3 exceeds the height of the opening 3c on the air cleaner 2 side of the breather tube 3. This prevents oil from the crankcase 15 from flowing into the air cleaner 2 via the breather tube 3.

[0033] As shown in Figure 5, the breather tube 3 of this embodiment has a first region A1 extending from the connection portion C1 through one side of the vehicle width direction of the cylinder block 16 toward the air cleaner 2, and a second region A2 extending from the connection portion C2 toward one side of the vehicle width direction of the air cleaner 2. Therefore, even if oil from the crankcase 15 flows into the breather tube 3, the oil in the breather tube 3 will not flow out until the oil in the breather tube 3 is completely filled with both the first region A1 and the second region A2. Thus, the oil that has flowed from the crankcase 15 into the breather tube 3 can be kept in the breather tube 3 until the oil in the breather tube 3 is completely filled with both the first region A1 and the second region A2. This makes it possible to prevent oil from flowing from the breather tube 3 into the air cleaner 2 without, for example, arranging a gas-liquid separation chamber with a complex structure inside the air cleaner 2.

[0034] In this embodiment, as an example, the second region A2 is arranged parallel to the vehicle width direction of the vehicle 1. Therefore, if the vehicle 1 tips over in one direction in the vehicle width direction, the second region A2 extends vertically. This further prevents the oil in the breather tube 3 from flowing into the air cleaner 2. For example, if the height of the opening 3c of the breather tube 3 when the vehicle 1 tips over in one direction in the vehicle width direction is set to be above the oil level in the crankcase 15 when the vehicle 1 tips over in one direction in the vehicle width direction, it is possible to further prevent the oil in the breather tube 3 from flowing into the air cleaner 2. In Figure 5, the oil level inside the breather tube 3 is shown by a dashed line, but the position of the oil level is not limited to this.

[0035] As described above, the embodiments have been explained as examples of the technology disclosed in this application. However, the technology in this disclosure is not limited thereto and can be applied to embodiments that have been modified, replaced, added, omitted, etc. as appropriate. It is also possible to combine the components described in the embodiments to create new embodiments. For example, some components in one embodiment may be applied to other components, and some components in an embodiment can be separated from other components in that embodiment and extracted at will. In addition, the components described in the attached drawings and detailed description include not only components that are essential for solving the problem, but also components that are not essential for solving the problem, in order to illustrate the technology.

[0036] (Disclosure items) Each of the following items is a disclosure of a preferred embodiment.

[0037] [Item 1] An internal combustion engine for driving, having a crankcase and a cylinder block connected to the crankcase, An air cleaner for purifying the intake air supplied to the internal combustion engine, The system includes a breather tube connected to the crankcase and the air cleaner, which supplies gas from the crankcase toward the air cleaner, A vehicle in which the connection portion between the breather tube and the crankcase is located to one side in the vehicle width direction from the center of the cylinder block in the vehicle width direction.

[0038] With the above configuration, the connection between the breather tube and the crankcase is located on one side of the cylinder block in the vehicle width direction, making it easy for a worker to access the breather tube from the outside of the vehicle in that direction during vehicle maintenance. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a decrease in vehicle maintainability due to difficulty in accessing the breather tube. As a result, even when removing the air cleaner from the internal combustion engine to replace the spark plugs during maintenance, for example, the breather tube can be easily accessed from the outside, and the breather tube can be removed from the air cleaner or internal combustion engine to perform the work.

[0039] [Item 2] The vehicle according to item 1, wherein the connection portion between the breather tube and the crankcase is located outward in one direction in the vehicle width direction from the cylinder block.

[0040] According to the above configuration, the connection portion can be exposed to the outside on one side in the vehicle width direction, beyond the cylinder block. Therefore, during maintenance, it is not necessary for the worker to reach inside the vehicle width direction beyond the cylinder block to access the connection portion between the breather tube and the crankcase. This further improves the ease of attaching and detaching the breather tube to the cylinder block and air cleaner.

[0041] [Item 3] The connection portion between the breather tube and the crankcase is positioned at a location offset to one side in the vehicle width direction from the center of the cylinder block in the vehicle width direction. The vehicle according to item 1 or 2, wherein the opening of the breather tube on the air cleaner side is positioned at a location offset to the other side in the vehicle width direction from the center of the cylinder block in the vehicle width direction.

[0042] According to the above configuration, a region can be provided in the breather tube near the connection point between the breather tube and the air cleaner, for example, extending from one side in the vehicle width direction of the cylinder block to the other. This allows oil from the crankcase to flow into the breather tube even if the vehicle tips over in one direction, as the oil in the breather tube is kept within the region, thereby preventing the oil from flowing from the breather tube into the air cleaner.

[0043] [Item 4] The breather tube is, A first region extending from the connection portion with the crankcase, through one outward side in the vehicle width direction of the cylinder block toward the air cleaner, A vehicle according to any one of items 1 to 3, having a second region extending from the connection portion with the air cleaner toward one side in the vehicle width direction of the air cleaner.

[0044] With the above configuration, since the breather tube has the first region and the second region, even if the vehicle tips over in one direction in the width direction and oil from the crankcase flows into the breather tube, the oil can remain inside the breather tube until it fills both the first region and the second region. This prevents oil from flowing from the breather tube into the air cleaner.

[0045] [Item 5] The engine further comprises an accessory to the internal combustion engine, located behind the cylinder block and above the crankcase, The vehicle according to item 4, wherein the second region of the breather tube is positioned above the accessory component.

[0046] According to the above configuration, the second region of the breather tube is positioned above the attached component, allowing workers to easily access the second region of the breather tube from the outside during vehicle maintenance. Furthermore, interference between the second region of the breather tube and the attached component can be suppressed.

[0047] [Item 6] The crankcase has a first chamber having an oil storage space, and a second chamber separated from the first chamber and positioned at a location offset to one side in the vehicle width direction from the center of the cylinder block in the vehicle width direction. The vehicle according to any one of items 1 to 5, wherein the breather tube is in communication with the first chamber at the connection portion between the breather tube and the crankcase.

[0048] According to the above configuration, having a first chamber and a second chamber in the crankcase makes it easier for the oil level inside the crankcase to rise compared to the case where the crankcase does not have a first chamber. In such cases, when the vehicle tips over to one side in the width direction and oil from the first chamber flows into the breather tube, it is possible to prevent the oil inside the breather tube from flowing into the air cleaner.

[0049] [Item 7] The air cleaner has a plurality of supply pipes arranged in the vehicle width direction of the cylinder block to supply intake air to the cylinder block. The vehicle according to any one of items 1 to 6, wherein the opening of the breather tube on the air cleaner side is oriented in a direction different from the opening of the supply pipe located furthest to the other in the vehicle width direction of the cylinder block among the plurality of supply pipes, and is oriented in the other in the vehicle width direction at a position offset in the other in the vehicle width direction from the center of the opening of the supply pipe.

[0050] With the above configuration, even if oil that has flowed through the breather tube enters the air cleaner, the amount of oil that flows into the cylinder block through multiple supply pipes can be suppressed.

[0051] [Item 8] The vehicle according to any one of items 1 to 7, wherein the air cleaner has a wall surface positioned opposite the opening of the breather tube on the air cleaner side.

[0052] With the above configuration, even if a mist containing oil and gas is ejected from the breather tube into the air cleaner, the mist is blown against the walls of the air cleaner, making it easier to separate the gas and liquid from the mist. This prevents the oil contained in the mist from passing through the intake passage of the air cleaner toward the internal combustion engine. Furthermore, because the air cleaner has the aforementioned walls, there is no need to provide a complex, dedicated structure inside the air cleaner for separating the gas and liquid from the mist.

[0053] [Item 9] A vehicle according to any one of items 1 to 8, comprising a side stand positioned on one side of the vehicle in the width direction.

[0054] With the above configuration, even if the vehicle falls over on the side stand side, the connection between the side stand, the breather tube, and the crankcase is located on the same side in the vehicle width direction, thus preventing oil that has passed through the breather tube from flowing into the air cleaner.

[0055] [Item 10] The drive wheel to which the driving force of the internal combustion engine is transmitted, The system includes a clutch that connects and disconnects the power transmission path between the internal combustion engine and the drive wheel, The vehicle according to any one of items 1 to 9, wherein the clutch is positioned at a location offset in the other direction in the vehicle width direction from the center of the cylinder block in the vehicle width direction.

[0056] According to the above configuration, it is possible to prevent the breather tube from interfering with the clutch, while also making it easier to position the connection between the breather tube and the crankcase at a position offset to one side in the vehicle width direction from the center of the cylinder block in the vehicle width direction.

[0057] [Item 11] A vehicle according to any one of items 1 to 10, wherein a portion of the breather tube is positioned to overlap with the upper surface of the air cleaner.

[0058] With the above configuration, the breather tube can be easily accessed by an operator from the outside, above the air cleaner. Therefore, the ease of attaching and detaching the breather tube to the air cleaner and cylinder block can be further improved.

[0059] [Item 12] A motorcycle, one of the vehicles listed in any one of items 1 through 11.

[0060] Compared to other vehicles, motorcycles are more prone to tilting, making it easier for oil passing through the breather tube to flow into the air cleaner. Furthermore, motorcycles have limited internal space, making improved maintainability and reduced interference between parts particularly important. Therefore, the above configuration significantly improves the maintainability of motorcycles. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] A1 First region of the breather tube A2 Second area of ​​the breather tube C1 Connection between the breather tube and the crankcase C2 Connection between breather tube and air cleaner DW Drive Wheels E Internal combustion engine O Center of the opening of the supply pipe R1 Crankcase, Chamber 1 R2 Crankcase, Chamber 2 1 vehicle 2. Air cleaner 2a Air cleaner wall 3. Breather tube 3a One end of the breather tube 3b The other end of the breather tube 3c Opening of the breather tube 5 Side Stand 6. Included parts 7. Clutch 15 Crankcase 16 Cylinder Block 20a Air cleaner wall 23 Supply pipe 23a Opening of the supply pipe

Claims

1. An internal combustion engine for driving, having a crankcase and a cylinder block connected to the crankcase, An air cleaner for purifying the intake air supplied to the internal combustion engine, The system includes a breather tube connected to the crankcase and the air cleaner, which supplies gas from the crankcase toward the air cleaner, The connection portion between the breather tube and the crankcase is positioned to one side in the vehicle width direction from the center of the cylinder block in the vehicle width direction. The breather tube is, A first region extending from the connection portion with the crankcase, through one side of the cylinder block in the vehicle width direction toward the air cleaner, A vehicle having a second region extending from the connection portion with the air cleaner toward one side in the vehicle width direction of the air cleaner.

2. A driving internal combustion engine having a crankcase and a cylinder block connected to the crankcase, An air cleaner for purifying the intake air supplied to the internal combustion engine, The system includes a breather tube connected to the crankcase and the air cleaner, which supplies gas from the crankcase toward the air cleaner, The connection portion between the breather tube and the crankcase is positioned so as to be offset to one side in the vehicle width direction from the center of the cylinder block in the vehicle width direction. A vehicle in which the opening of the breather tube on the air cleaner side is positioned at a location offset to the other side in the vehicle width direction from the center of the cylinder block in the vehicle width direction.

3. The engine further comprises an accessory to the internal combustion engine, located behind the cylinder block and above the crankcase, The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the second region of the breather tube is positioned above the accessory component.

4. The crankcase has a first chamber having an oil storage space, and a second chamber separated from the first chamber and positioned at a location offset to one side in the vehicle width direction from the center of the cylinder block in the vehicle width direction. The vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the breather tube is in communication with the first chamber at the connection portion between the breather tube and the crankcase.

5. A driving internal combustion engine having a crankcase and a cylinder block connected to the crankcase, An air cleaner for purifying the intake air supplied to the internal combustion engine, The system includes a breather tube connected to the crankcase and the air cleaner, which supplies gas from the crankcase toward the air cleaner, The connection portion between the breather tube and the crankcase is positioned to one side in the vehicle width direction from the center of the cylinder block in the vehicle width direction. The air cleaner has a plurality of supply pipes arranged in the vehicle width direction of the cylinder block to supply intake air to the cylinder block. A vehicle in which the opening of the breather tube on the air cleaner side is oriented in a direction different from the opening of the supply pipe that is located furthest to the other side in the vehicle width direction of the cylinder block among the plurality of supply pipes, and is oriented in the other side in the vehicle width direction at a position offset in the other side in the vehicle width direction from the center of the opening of the supply pipe.

6. A driving internal combustion engine having a crankcase and a cylinder block connected to the crankcase, An air cleaner for purifying the intake air supplied to the internal combustion engine, The system includes a breather tube connected to the crankcase and the air cleaner, which supplies gas from the crankcase toward the air cleaner, The connection portion between the breather tube and the crankcase is positioned to one side in the vehicle width direction from the center of the cylinder block in the vehicle width direction. The air cleaner has a wall surface positioned opposite the opening of the breather tube on the air cleaner side of the vehicle.

7. The vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising a side stand positioned on one side of the vehicle in the width direction.

8. The drive wheel to which the driving force of the internal combustion engine is transmitted, The system includes a clutch that connects and disconnects the power transmission path between the internal combustion engine and the drive wheel, The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the clutch is positioned at a location offset to the other side in the vehicle width direction from the center of the cylinder block in the vehicle width direction.

9. A driving internal combustion engine having a crankcase and a cylinder block connected to the crankcase, An air cleaner for purifying the intake air supplied to the internal combustion engine, The system includes a breather tube connected to the crankcase and the air cleaner, which supplies gas from the crankcase toward the air cleaner, The connection portion between the breather tube and the crankcase is positioned to one side in the vehicle width direction from the center of the cylinder block in the vehicle width direction. A vehicle in which a portion of the breather tube is positioned to overlap with the upper surface of the air cleaner.

10. The vehicle according to claim 1, which is a motorcycle.

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