Rear structure of a saddle-type vehicle

Abstract

To improve user's convenience with a simple structure.SOLUTION: A fuel tank (35) is disposed in a saddle-riding type vehicle (1). A rear structure of the saddle-riding type vehicle includes: a concave housing (41) surrounding a filler port (37) of the fuel tank; and an opening and closing cover (42) configured to open or close the filler port of the fuel tank. The opening and closing cover is locked in a closed state. The opening and closing cover may be opened by its own weight when the lock is released.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 the upper wall of the accommodation space for the fuel tank is formed by an opening / closing cover (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the saddle-type vehicle described in Patent Document 1, an accommodation space for the fuel tank is secured behind the seat, and the fuel tank is installed in the accommodation space with the fuel filler opening facing upward. The fuel filler opening of the fuel tank is covered with the opening / closing cover which is an exterior part, thereby improving the design property of the rear part of the saddle-type vehicle.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the rear structure of the saddle-type vehicle described in Patent Document 1, when the lock of the opening / closing cover is removed, the opening / closing cover opens slightly, and a fingertip is inserted into the gap of this opening / closing cover to open it. In order for the opening / closing cover to open automatically, a complicated structure using a torsion spring or a damper having a large stroke is required.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of this point, and an object thereof is to provide a breather device that can improve user convenience with a simple structure.

Means for Solving the Problems

[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 on which a fuel tank or battery is installed, comprising a concave housing surrounding the filling port of the fuel tank or the charging port of the battery, and an opening / closing cover for opening and closing 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, The opening / closing cover is locked in the closed position, and when unlocked, the opening / closing cover can be opened by its own weight. Furthermore, the light fixture is exposed from the tail cover, the light fixture is positioned above the fuel tank filling port or the battery charging port, and in a side view, the opening / closing cover is installed in front of the light fixture. This solves the above problem. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one aspect of the rear structure of a saddle-type vehicle of the present invention, when the lock on the opening / closing cover is released, the opening / closing cover opens automatically due to its own weight. This eliminates the need for a complex structure using torsion springs or dampers with a long stroke to open the opening / closing cover by its own weight. Therefore, 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 fuel tank's filling port or the battery's charging port is enclosed by a concave housing, and the fuel tank's filling port or the battery's charging port is opened and closed by an opening / closing cover. The opening / closing cover is locked in the closed position and can be opened by its own weight when unlocked. This eliminates the need for a complex structure using a torsion spring or damper with a long stroke to open the opening / closing cover by its own weight. Therefore, 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 of the fuel tank 35 is located below or behind the seat. If the fuel filler of the fuel tank 35 is located below the seat, the number of parts can be minimized, but the user must get out of the vehicle and open the seat 20. If the fuel filler of the fuel tank 35 is located behind the seat, opening and closing the seat 20 is unnecessary, improving convenience. Furthermore, in order to improve the design of the rear of the vehicle, a configuration in which the filling port of the fuel tank 35 is covered with an opening and closing cover is also being considered.

[0014] The opening and closing cover employs a push-latch type locking mechanism, which locks when the cover is pushed in and releases when the cover is pushed in again. When the lock on the opening and closing cover is released, it opens slightly, but it must be opened manually by hooking a fingertip onto the cover. To open the opening and closing cover automatically would require a spring with a large stroke, making the structure complex. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the lock on the opening and closing cover is released, the cover is configured to open downwards by its own weight, improving user convenience during refueling.

[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 according to 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 is the brake lamp 32, and the lower half of the lamp unit 31 that is spaced apart in the vehicle width direction is 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 by removing the fuel cap 36, the fuel filler port (filling port) 37 of the fuel tank 35 is exposed to the outside. 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 by closing the opening / closing cover 42, the exposure of the fuel cap 36 is suppressed and the design property is improved.

[0018] Also, the lamp unit 31 is formed in a concave shape in a rear view, 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 on the lower sides of 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 part 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 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 part of the vehicle, and a fuel supply pipe 38 extends from the rear part 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 filling port 37 of the fuel supply pipe 38 is directed obliquely upward to the rear, making it easier to insert a fuel filling nozzle into the fuel filling port 37 and improving the workability of the fuel filling operation (filling operation). The concave housing 41 is recessed inside the vehicle body (front side), and the fuel filling 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, according to the rear structure of the saddle-type vehicle 1 of the first embodiment, when the lock on the opening / closing cover 42 is released, the opening / closing cover 42 opens automatically by its own weight. This eliminates the need for a complex structure using torsion springs or dampers with a long stroke to open the opening / closing cover 42 by its own weight. 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 second embodiment where a battery 61 is installed instead of a fuel tank 35, the opening / closing cover 42 opens automatically due to its own weight. 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, in each of the above embodiments, the lamp unit is positioned above the fuel tank filling port and the battery charging port, but the lamp unit may also be positioned below the fuel tank filling port and the battery charging port.

[0039] 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.

[0040] As described above, the first embodiment is a rear structure of a saddle-type vehicle equipped with a fuel tank (35) or a battery (61), comprising a concave housing (41) surrounding the fuel tank filling port (fuel filler port 37) or the battery charging port (63), and an opening / closing cover (42) for opening and closing the fuel tank filling port or the battery charging port, wherein the opening / closing cover is locked in the closed position and can open by its own weight when unlocked. With this configuration, when the lock on the opening / closing cover is released, the opening / closing cover opens automatically by its own weight. This eliminates the need for a complex structure using a torsion spring or damper with a long stroke to open the opening / closing cover by its own weight. Therefore, user convenience can be improved with a simple structure.

[0041] The second embodiment is a configuration in which, in the closed state of the opening / closing cover, the opening / closing cover is in a vertical position or tilted upward and backward when viewed from the side. With this configuration, it becomes difficult for water droplets and dust to enter the inside of the concave housing from above.

[0042] The third embodiment is such that, in the first or second embodiment, the pivot axis (43) of the opening / closing cover is provided along the lower edge of the opening of the concave housing. With this configuration, the pivot axis becomes less conspicuous, improving the aesthetic appearance.

[0043] The fourth embodiment is one of the first to third embodiments, in which, when the opening / closing cover is in the open position, a cap rest for the fuel tank's filling port is formed on the inner surface of the opening / closing cover. With this configuration, the inner surface of the opening / closing cover can be used as a cap rest when supplying fuel, improving the work efficiency of the filling operation.

[0044] The fifth embodiment is one of the first to fourth embodiments in which the luminaire (lamp unit 31) is positioned above the fuel tank filling port or the battery charging port. With this configuration, even if the fuel tank or battery is installed below the seat, the luminaire is positioned above the concave housing, so the visibility of the luminaire is not reduced. When the fuel tank is installed below the seat, fuel is less likely to adhere to the luminaire, eliminating the need to select a material for the luminaire that is highly resistant to fuel or to add a component to protect the luminaire from fuel.

[0045] The sixth aspect is a configuration of the fifth aspect in which, in a side view, the opening and closing 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 dust to enter the inside of the concave housing from above.

[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 31, 71: Lamp unit (lighting device) 32, 72: Brake lights (lighting devices) 33, 73: Turn signal lamp (lighting device) 35: Fuel tank 36: Fuel cap (cap) 37: Fuel filler opening 41, 51: Concave housing 42, 52: Opening / closing cover 43, 53: Oscillating axis 61: Battery 63: Charging port 64: Waterproof cap (cap)

Claims

1. The rear structure of a saddle-type vehicle equipped with a fuel tank or battery, A concave housing surrounding the filling port of the fuel tank or the charging port of the battery, An opening / closing cover for opening and closing 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 aforementioned opening / closing cover is locked in the closed position, and when unlocked, the opening / closing cover can be opened by its own weight. The light fixture is exposed from the tail cover. The rear structure of a saddle-type vehicle, characterized in that the light fixture is positioned above the filling port of the fuel tank or the charging port of the battery, and the opening / closing cover is installed in front of the light fixture in a side view.

2. The rear structure of a saddle-type vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that, when the opening / closing cover is in the closed position, the opening / closing cover is in a vertical position or tilted upward and towards the rear when viewed from the side.

3. The rear structure of a saddle-type vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the pivot axis of the opening and closing cover is provided along the lower edge of the opening of the concave housing.

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