Rear structure of a saddle-type vehicle

Abstract

To improve user's convenience with a simple structure.SOLUTION: In a saddle-riding type vehicle (1), a fuel tank (35) is installed below a seat. A rear structure of the saddle-riding type vehicle includes: a lighting device (31) configured to illuminate the vehicle rear behind the fuel tank; and a concave housing (41) surrounding a filler port of the fuel tank. The lighting device is positioned above and / or on a side of the concave housing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] In a scooter-type saddle-type vehicle or the like, a fuel tank is often laid out inside a seat frame cover at the rear of the vehicle. As this type of saddle-type vehicle, there is known one in which a fuel filler opening of the fuel tank is positioned behind the seat (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the saddle-type vehicle described in Patent Document 1, a storage space for the fuel tank is secured behind the seat, and the fuel filler opening can be accessed by opening an opening / closing cover that covers the upper surface of the storage space. In addition, in order to access the storage space from the rear, a configuration has been proposed in which the rear surface of the storage space is covered with an opening / closing cover, and a lighting device is installed below the opening / closing cover.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In order to ensure the visibility of the lighting device, it is desirable that the lighting device be installed at a high position. As described above, when the lighting device is installed below the opening / closing cover, the visibility of the lighting device is reduced. In addition, the lighting device is positioned below the fuel filler opening, and there is a risk that fuel leaking from the fuel filler opening adheres to the lighting device and the lens deteriorates. In order to prevent the deterioration of the lens, it is necessary to select a material highly resistant to fuel or add a protective member, which causes a problem of increased cost.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such points, and an object thereof is to provide a breather device that can improve user convenience with a simple structure. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A rear structure of a saddle-type vehicle according to one aspect of the present invention is a rear structure of a saddle-type vehicle in which a fuel tank or battery is installed below the seat, comprising a lighter that illuminates the rear of the vehicle behind the fuel tank or battery, and a concave housing surrounding the filling port of the fuel tank or the charging port of the battery, The tail cover to which the aforementioned concave housing is attached, Equipped with, The light fixture is exposed from the tail cover. Above the concave housing and side The aforementioned lighter is positioned in the direction In a rear view, the lamp is formed in a concave shape, and the concave housing is surrounded by the lamp, except for the area below. This solves the above problem. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one embodiment of the rear structure of a saddle-type vehicle of the present invention, even if a fuel tank or battery is installed below the seat, the lights are positioned above or to the side of the concave housing, so the visibility of the lights is not reduced. Furthermore, when a fuel tank is installed below the seat, the lights are not positioned below the fuel tank's filling port. As a result, fuel is less likely to adhere to the lights, eliminating the need to select fuel-resistant materials for the lights or to add components to protect the lights from fuel. Thus, user convenience can be improved with a simple structure. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a left side view of the saddle-type vehicle according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a schematic rear view of the rear structure of the saddle-type vehicle according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the rear structure of Figure 2, cut along line AA. [Figure 4] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the rear structure of the saddle-type vehicle according to the second embodiment. [Figure 5] This is a schematic rear view of the rear structure of a modified saddle-type vehicle. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] In one embodiment of the present invention, a fuel tank or battery is installed at the rear of a saddle-type vehicle. The area behind the fuel tank or battery is illuminated by a light, and the fuel tank's filling port or the battery's charging port is enclosed by a concave housing. Because the light is positioned above and / or to the side of the concave housing, the visibility of the light is not reduced even if the fuel tank or battery is installed below the seat. Furthermore, when the fuel tank is installed below the seat, the light is not positioned below the fuel tank's filling port. As a result, fuel is less likely to adhere to the light, eliminating the need to select a material with high fuel resistance for the light or to add components to protect the light from fuel. Thus, user convenience can be improved with a simple structure. [Examples]

[0010] <First Example> The saddle-type vehicle of the first embodiment will be described below with reference to the attached drawings. Figure 1 is a left side view of the saddle-type vehicle of the first embodiment. In the following figures, arrow FR indicates the front of the vehicle, arrow RE indicates the rear of the vehicle, arrow L indicates the left side of the vehicle, and arrow R indicates the right side of the vehicle.

[0011] As shown in Figure 1, the scooter-type saddle-type vehicle 1 is constructed by attaching various covers as exterior body parts to an underbone-type body frame (not shown). A front frame cover 11 is provided on the front side of the vehicle, and a front leg shield 12 is provided behind the front frame cover 11 to protect the rider's legs. A footboard 13 extends rearward from the lower end of the front leg shield 12, and a seat frame cover 14 is provided behind the footboard 13. The front leg shield 12 and footboard 13 form a space for the rider's feet in front of the seat 20.

[0012] A handlebar 15 is provided on the upper side of the front frame cover 11, and a front wheel 17 is rotatably supported on the lower side of the front frame cover 11 via a pair of front forks 16. A seat 20 is provided on the upper side of the seat frame cover 14, and a unit swing type engine 18 is provided on the lower side of the seat frame cover 14. The engine 18 is pivotably connected to the vehicle frame, and a rear wheel 19 is rotatably supported at the rear of the engine 18. The left side of the crankcase of the engine 18 is covered by a CVT cover 22, and an air cleaner 23 is provided above the CVT cover 22.

[0013] The fuel tank 35 (see Figure 3) is installed inside the seat frame cover 14, but in this layout, the fuel filler neck of the fuel tank 35 may be located at the rear of the vehicle. If the lamp unit 31 at the rear of the vehicle is positioned lower than the fuel filler neck of the fuel tank 35, it becomes difficult to ensure sufficient visibility. Also, if fuel drips from the fuel filler neck of the fuel tank 35 and adheres to the lens of the lamp unit 31, the lens may deteriorate and require replacement. To prevent lens deterioration, it is necessary to use an oil-resistant material or to add a part to protect the lens from fuel.

[0014] Optional parts such as a rear carrier, top case, and grab bar may be installed at the rear of the vehicle. If the fuel filler neck of the fuel tank 35 is positioned above the lamp unit 31, the optional parts need to be moved upward to ensure sufficient workspace for refueling. For example, if the top surface of the rear carrier or the top case is positioned high, the center of gravity at the rear of the vehicle will be raised, reducing maneuverability and making it difficult to load luggage. Therefore, in this embodiment, the fuel filler neck of the fuel tank 35 is positioned below the lamp unit 31, ensuring visibility of the lamp unit 31 while keeping the height of the optional parts at the rear of the vehicle low.

[0015] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the rear structure of the saddle-type vehicle will be described. FIG. 2 is a schematic rear view of the rear structure of the saddle-type vehicle of the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the rear structure of FIG. 2 cut along line A-A.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 2, the lamp unit (lighting device) 31 is exposed from the tail cover 24 at the rear of the vehicle. The upper half of the lamp unit 31 that is long in the vehicle width direction forms the brake lamp 32, and the lower half of the lamp unit 31 that is spaced apart in the vehicle width direction forms a pair of left and right turn signal lamps 33. The brake lamp 32 lights up when the vehicle decelerates, and the pair of left and right turn signal lamps 33 light up when the vehicle changes its course or turns right or left. Above the lamp unit 31, a rear carrier 25 is positioned as an optional part, and luggage can be placed on the top surface of the rear carrier 25 without blocking the light of the lamp unit 31.

[0017] A concave housing 41 is provided between the pair of left and right turn signal lamps 33. The rear surface of the concave housing 41 is open, and the inside of the concave housing 41 is exposed to the outside through this opening. The fuel cap 36 of the fuel tank 35 protrudes from the inner bottom surface of the concave housing 41, and the fuel filling port (filling port) 37 of the fuel tank 35 is exposed to the outside when the fuel cap 36 is removed. An opening / closing cover 42 is provided below the opening of the concave housing 41. The opening / closing cover 42 is formed in a design that has an integrated feel with the tail cover 24, and when the opening / closing cover 42 is closed, the exposure of the fuel cap 36 is suppressed and the design quality is improved.

[0018] Also, the lamp unit 31 is formed in a concave shape when viewed from the rear, and the concave housing 41 is surrounded by the lamp unit 31 except for the lower side. More specifically, the brake lamp 32 is recessed upward except for both end portions in the vehicle width direction, and the turn signal lamps 33 are continuous below both end portions of the brake lamp 32 in the vehicle width direction. That is, the brake lamp 32 (lamp unit 31) is formed so as to avoid the upper portion of the concave housing 41. Thus, the brake lamp 32 is installed in the tail cover 24 by effectively utilizing the narrow space above the concave housing 41.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 3, a pair of left and right seat frames 27 extend in the front-rear direction inside the rear portion of the vehicle, and the rear end portions of the pair of left and right seat frames 27 are connected by a bridge 28. The seat 20 is supported from below by the bridge 28. Brackets 29 are provided in front of the bridge 28 of the pair of left and right seat frames 27, and a rear carrier 25 is attached to the brackets 29 and the bridge 28. A fuel tank 35 installation space is formed between the pair of left and right seat frames 27 below the seat 20, and the rear surface of the installation space is covered by the concave housing 41.

[0020] The fuel tank 35 is installed in the installation space at the rear of the vehicle, and a fuel supply pipe 38 extends from the rear portion of the fuel tank 35 toward the concave housing 41. The fuel supply pipe 38 of the fuel tank 35 protrudes rearward from the concave housing 41, and a fuel filler cap 36 is detachably attached to the tip of the fuel supply pipe 38. The fuel supply port 37 of the fuel supply pipe 38 is directed obliquely upward to the rear, making it easier to insert a fuel supply nozzle into the fuel supply port 37 and improving the workability of the fuel supply operation (filling operation). The concave housing 41 is recessed inside the vehicle body (front side), and the fuel supply port 37 attached to the fuel filler cap 36 is surrounded by the concave housing 41.

[0021] An opening / closing cover 42 is provided below the concave housing 41, and the fuel filler port 37 attached to the fuel cap 36 is opened and closed by the opening / closing cover 42. The pivot axis 43 of the opening / closing cover 42 is provided along the lower edge of the opening of the concave housing 41, and the upper end of the rear fender 26 makes the pivot axis 43 less conspicuous, improving the design of the rear of the vehicle. The opening / closing cover 42 is connected to the lower part of the concave housing 41 so as to be able to open downwards around the pivot axis 43, and the opening / closing cover 42 swings in the vertical direction so as to take an upright position that covers the concave housing 41 and a horizontal position that opens the concave housing 41.

[0022] When the opening / closing cover 42 is closed, it is locked in an upright position by a locking mechanism (not shown). As shown by the dashed line, in a side view, the opening / closing cover 42 is tilted rearward and upward from the pivot axis 43, and this tilt makes it difficult for water droplets and dust to enter the inside of the concave housing 41 from above. When the opening / closing cover 42 is open, it is maintained in a horizontal position by a stopper (not shown). A gentle step 44 is provided on the tip side of the opening / closing cover 42, and a cap rest for the fuel filler port 37 is formed on the inner surface of the opening / closing cover 42. The use of the inner surface of the opening / closing cover 42 as a cap rest improves the work efficiency of the fuel filling operation.

[0023] When the opening / closing cover 42 is closed, it is tilted upward and backward. When the lock on the opening / closing cover 42 is released, the opening / closing cover 42 tilts backward around the pivot axis 43 and opens downward automatically due to its own weight. This allows the opening / closing cover 42 to open automatically without the need for a long-stroke spring or the like. Furthermore, when the opening / closing cover 42 is open, there is a sufficient angle between the center line O of the fuel filler port 37 and the opening / closing cover 42. Therefore, when inserting the fuel nozzle into the fuel filler port 37, the opening / closing cover 42 does not interfere with the fuel nozzle.

[0024] The lamp unit 31 illuminates the rear of the vehicle from the rear of the fuel tank 35. The brake lamp 32 is positioned above the concave housing 41, and the turn signal lamp 33 is positioned to the side of the concave housing 41. The lamp unit 31 is positioned high, so even in a layout where the fuel filler neck 37 (fuel cap 36) is located at the rear of the vehicle, the visibility of the lamp unit 31 is not reduced. The brake lamp 32 is positioned above the fuel filler neck 37 of the fuel tank 35, making it less likely for fuel dripping from the fuel filler neck 37 during refueling to adhere to the lens of the brake lamp 32.

[0025] In a side view, the opening / closing cover 42 is positioned in front of the brake lamp 32. The rear surface of the brake lamp 32 protrudes behind the rear edge of the concave housing 41 and the opening / closing cover 42, so that the brake lamp 32 acts as a canopy, making it difficult for water droplets and dust to enter the inside of the concave housing 41 from above. Also, in a side view, the lamp unit 31 overlaps the concave housing 41. More specifically, a part of the brake lamp 32 and the turn signal lamp 33 overlap the concave housing 41 in the vertical and front-to-back directions, allowing the lamp unit 31 and the concave housing 41 to be installed compactly.

[0026] The top surface of the rear carrier 25 is positioned above the lamp unit 31. Because the top surface of the rear carrier 25 is positioned above the fuel filler neck 37 of the fuel tank 35, sufficient working space is secured at the rear of the vehicle, and refueling with a fuel nozzle is not obstructed by the rear carrier 25. In addition, because the lamp unit 31 (brake lamp 32) is interposed between the top surface of the rear carrier 25 and the opening / closing cover 42, the opening / closing cover 42 does not interfere with the rear carrier 25 even if the top surface of the rear carrier 25 is lowered. Lowering the top surface of the rear carrier 25 makes it easier to load luggage and also lowers the center of gravity, improving maneuverability.

[0027] As described above, with the rear structure of the saddle-type vehicle 1 of the first embodiment, even if the fuel tank 35 is installed below the seat, the lamp unit 31 is positioned above or to the side of the concave housing 41, so the visibility of the lamp unit 31 is not reduced. Also, since the lamp unit 31 is not positioned below the fuel filler opening 37 of the fuel tank 35, fuel is less likely to adhere to the lamp unit 31. There is no need to select a material for the lamp unit 31 that is highly resistant to fuel, or to add a component to protect the lamp unit 31 from fuel. Therefore, user convenience can be improved with a simple structure.

[0028] <Second Example> Next, with reference to Figure 4, the rear structure of the saddle-type vehicle of the second embodiment will be described. The rear structure of the saddle-type vehicle of the second embodiment differs from the rear structure of the saddle-type vehicle of the first embodiment in that a battery is installed instead of a fuel tank. Therefore, for the second embodiment, the same configuration as in the first embodiment will be omitted from the description. Also, the same reference numerals will be used to describe the same configuration as in the first embodiment. Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the rear structure of the saddle-type vehicle of the second embodiment.

[0029] As shown in Figure 4, a battery 61 installation space is formed between a pair of left and right seat frames 27 below the seat 20, and the rear surface of the installation space is covered by a concave housing 41. The battery 61 is installed in the installation space at the rear of the vehicle, and a battery cable 62 extends from the rear of the battery 61 toward the concave housing 41. The charging port 63 at the end of the battery cable 62 protrudes rearward from the concave housing 41, and a waterproof cap 64 is detachably attached to the charging port 63. The charging port 63 is directed diagonally upward and rearward, making it easier to attach a charging nozzle to the charging port 63 and improving the work efficiency of the charging operation.

[0030] The charging port 63 is surrounded by a concave housing 41, and the charging port 63 is opened and closed by an opening / closing cover 42. When the opening / closing cover 42 is closed, it is locked in an upright position by a locking mechanism (not shown). When the opening / closing cover 42 is open, it is maintained in a horizontal position by a stopper (not shown). Because the opening / closing cover 42 is tilted upward and backward, when the lock on the opening / closing cover 42 is released, the opening / closing cover 42 tilts backward around the pivot axis 43 and opens downward automatically due to its own weight.

[0031] In the second embodiment as well, the lamp unit 31 is positioned high for better visibility. In a side view, the opening / closing cover 42 is positioned in front of the brake lamp 32, making it difficult for water droplets and dust to enter the inside of the concave housing 41. In a side view, the lamp unit 31 is compactly installed overlapping the concave housing 41. Furthermore, the top surface of the rear carrier 25 is set upward from the charging port 63 of the battery 61, ensuring sufficient workspace for charging. It should be noted that the battery 61 may also be installed at the rear of the vehicle.

[0032] As described above, even in the configuration where the battery 61 is installed below the seat instead of the fuel tank 35, the lamp unit 31 is positioned above or to the side of the concave housing 41, so the visibility of the lamp unit 31 is not reduced. Therefore, user convenience can be improved with a simple structure.

[0033] <Variation> In the above embodiment, a configuration in which a single lamp unit is provided at the rear of the vehicle was described, but the lamp unit may be separated into left and right sections. For example, as shown in Figure 5, a pair of left and right lamp units 71 spaced apart in the vehicle width direction are exposed from the tail cover 24. The upper half of each lamp unit 71 is a brake lamp 72, and the lower half of each lamp unit 71 is a turn signal lamp 73. A concave housing 41 is positioned between the pair of lamp units 71, allowing the concave housing 41 and the pair of lamp units 71 to be installed more compactly.

[0034] Furthermore, in the above embodiments, the opening / closing cover is tilted upward and backward when closed, but the opening / closing cover may also be in a vertical position without being tilted when closed.

[0035] Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, a tank into which fuel oil is supplied was used as an example of a fuel tank, but the fuel tank may also be a tank into which other fuels such as hydrogen are filled.

[0036] Furthermore, in the embodiments described above, a brake lamp and a turn signal lamp were combined to form a lamp unit, but other lamps may also be combined to form a lamp unit. Also, a lamp unit may consist of a single lamp.

[0037] Furthermore, while a rear carrier was used as an example of an optional part in each of the above embodiments, the optional part can be anything installed at the rear of the vehicle, such as a top case or a grab bar.

[0038] Furthermore, the term "saddle-type vehicle" is not limited to all vehicles in which the driver sits straddling a seat, but also includes scooter-type vehicles in which the driver does not straddle a seat.

[0039] As described above, the first embodiment is a rear structure of a saddle-type vehicle (1) in which a fuel tank (35) or battery (61) is installed below the seat, comprising a lamp unit (31) that illuminates the rear of the vehicle behind the fuel tank or battery, and a concave housing (41) surrounding the fuel tank's filling port (fuel filler port 37) or the battery's charging port (63), with the lamp positioned above and / or to the side of the concave housing. With this configuration, even if the fuel tank or battery is installed below the seat, the lamp is positioned above or to the side of the concave housing, so the visibility of the lamp is not reduced. Also, when the fuel tank is installed below the seat, the lamp is not positioned below the fuel tank's filling port. Therefore, fuel is less likely to adhere to the lamp, eliminating the need to select a material with high fuel resistance for the lamp or to add a component to protect the lamp from fuel. Thus, user convenience can be improved with a simple structure.

[0040] The second embodiment is one in which the optional part (rear carrier 25) is positioned above the lighting unit in the first embodiment. With this configuration, the optional part is positioned above the fuel tank filling port or the battery charging port, so that the filling operation of the filling port with a filling nozzle or the charging operation of the charging port with a charging nozzle is not obstructed by the optional part.

[0041] The third embodiment is such that, in the first or second embodiment, at least a portion of the luminaire overlaps the concave housing in a side view. This configuration allows for a compact installation of the concave housing and the luminaire.

[0042] The fourth embodiment is one of the first to third embodiments in which the fuel tank filling port or the battery charging port is oriented diagonally upward and rearward. This configuration improves the workability of filling the filling port with a filling nozzle or charging the charging port with a charging nozzle.

[0043] The fifth embodiment is one of the first to fourth embodiments, in which the lighting equipment consists of a pair of lighting equipment (lamp units 71) spaced apart in the vehicle width direction, with a concave housing positioned between the pair of lighting equipment. This configuration allows for a more compact installation of the concave housing and the pair of lighting equipment.

[0044] The sixth embodiment is an open / close cover (42) for opening and closing the fuel tank filling port or battery charging port, in any one embodiment of the first to fifth embodiments, wherein the open / close cover can be opened and closed toward the rear, and in a side view, the open / close cover is installed in front of the vehicle, ahead of the lamp. With this configuration, the lamp acts as a canopy, making it difficult for water droplets and sand and dust to enter the inside of the concave housing from above.

[0045] The seventh embodiment is one of the first to fourth embodiments or the sixth embodiment, in which the luminaire is formed in a concave shape when viewed from the rear, and the concave housing is surrounded by the luminaire except for the area below. With this configuration, the luminaire can be installed using the narrow space above the concave housing.

[0046] Although this embodiment has been described, other embodiments may include combinations of the above embodiment and its modifications, either entirely or partially.

[0047] Furthermore, the technology of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and may be modified, substituted, or transformed in various ways without departing from the spirit of the technical idea. Moreover, if the technical idea can be realized in a different way by advances in the technology or by other derived technologies, it may be implemented by that method. Accordingly, the claims cover all embodiments that may fall within the scope of the technical idea. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0048] 1: Saddle-type vehicle 20: Sheet 25: Rear carrier (optional part) 31, 71: Lamp unit (lighting device) 32, 72: Brake lights (lighting devices) 33, 73: Turn signal lamp (lighting device) 35: Fuel tank 37: Fuel filler opening (fill port) 41, 51: Concave housing 42, 52: Opening / closing cover 61: Battery 63: Charging port

Claims

1. The rear structure of a saddle-type vehicle in which a fuel tank or battery is installed below the seat, A light that illuminates the rear of the vehicle, located behind the fuel tank or the battery, A concave housing surrounding the filling port of the fuel tank or the charging port of the battery, The tail cover to which the aforementioned concave housing is attached comprises The light fixture is exposed from the tail cover. The lighting device is positioned above and to the side of the concave housing. A rear structure for a saddle-type vehicle, characterized in that the lamp is formed in a concave shape when viewed from the rear, and the concave housing is surrounded by the lamp except for the area below.

2. The rear structure of a saddle-type vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the optional parts are positioned above the aforementioned lighting device.

3. The rear structure of a saddle-type vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, in a side view, at least a portion of the light fixture overlaps the concave housing.

4. The rear structure of a saddle-type vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the filling port of the fuel tank or the charging port of the battery is facing diagonally upward and rearward.

5. The fuel tank's filling port or the battery's charging port is equipped with an opening / closing cover, The rear structure of a saddle-type vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the opening and closing cover can be opened and closed toward the rear, and in a side view, the opening and closing cover is installed in front of the vehicle more than the lamp.

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