Straddled vehicle with eps

Abstract

A straddled vehicle with an EPS is provided. A torque sensor support holder is configured to support a torque sensor together with an upper bracket so that: the torque sensor is positioned in front of or behind a bar handle; an input shaft of the torque sensor extends in the vertical direction of a straddled vehicle; the axis of the input shaft is closer to the axis of a steering shaft than to the axis of one of a pair of left and right legs of a front fork; and the input shaft twists between the torque sensor support holder and the upper bracket. A handle support holder is configured such that the position in which the handle support holder is rigidly fixed to the torque sensor support holder can be changed so that the axis of the bar handle is positioned between the axis of the input shaft of the torque sensor, which is positioned in front of or behind the axis of the steering shaft, and the axis of the input shaft at the position when the torque sensor is assumed to have been positioned behind or in front of the axis of the steering shaft.

Description

Straddled vehicle with EPS

[0001] The present invention relates to a saddle-ride type vehicle, and more particularly to a saddle-ride type vehicle equipped with an EPS.

[0002] Straddle-type vehicles have been known in the past. Among these saddle-type vehicles, there are ones equipped with an EPS. Saddle-type vehicles equipped with an EPS are configured to apply auxiliary steering force to the front steering wheel in response to the rider's operation of the handlebars. Such a saddle-type vehicle is disclosed, for example, in Patent Document 1.

[0003] International Publication No. 2022 / 172346

[0004] In straddle-type vehicles equipped with EPS, there is a demand for improving rider convenience by allowing the position of the handlebars to be changed while minimizing the impact on the detection accuracy of the torque sensor. Here, even if the position of the handlebars can be changed, it is preferable that the handlebar holders be compact and have sufficient rigidity.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a saddle-type vehicle equipped with an EPS that allows the position of the handlebars to be changed while minimizing the effect on the detection accuracy of the torque sensor, thereby improving convenience for the rider, while ensuring that the handlebar holder is compact and rigid.

[0006] The inventors have studied ways to achieve the above object, and have come to the conclusion that it would be sufficient to separate the handle holder into a torque sensor support holder and a handle support holder, and to make it possible to change the fixed position of the handle support holder relative to the torque sensor support holder within a predetermined range. The present invention was completed based on this finding.

[0007] (1) A straddle-type vehicle equipped with an EPS according to one embodiment of the present invention is a straddle-type vehicle equipped with an EPS configured to apply an auxiliary steering force to a front steering wheel in response to an operation of a handlebar by a rider, wherein the straddle-type vehicle equipped with an EPS comprises: a front fork including a pair of left and right legs extending in the vertical direction of the straddle-type vehicle and rotatably supporting the front steering wheel disposed between the pair of left and right legs; an upper bracket supporting the front fork so that a steering shaft extending in the vertical direction of the straddle-type vehicle is disposed between the pair of left and right legs and configured to rotate together with the front fork about the axis of the steering shaft; a handlebar holder attached to the upper bracket and configured to support the handlebar, thereby rotating together with the upper bracket about the axis of the steering shaft when the handlebar is operated; and a torque sensor configured to detect steering torque transmitted from the handlebar holder to the upper bracket when the handlebar is operated, including an input shaft to which the detected steering torque is input, the input shaft being arranged to extend in the vertical direction of the straddle-type vehicle, wherein the handlebar holder a torque sensor support holder attached to the upper bracket and supporting the torque sensor together with the upper bracket; and a handle support holder rigidly fixed to the torque sensor support holder and rigidly supporting the bar handle, thereby rotating together with the torque sensor support holder and the bar handle around the axis of the steering shaft when the bar handle is operated, wherein the torque sensor support holder is configured to support the torque sensor together with the upper bracket so that the torque sensor is located in front of or behind the bar handle and the input shaft of the torque sensor extends in the vertical direction of the saddle-ride type vehicle, and so that the axis of the input shaft is closer to the axis of the steering shaft than the axis of one of the pair of left and right legs of the front fork, and so that the input shaft twists between the torque sensor support holder and the upper bracket, and the handle support holder is configured to support the torque sensor together with the upper bracket so that the torque sensor is located in front of or behind the bar handle and the input shaft of the torque sensor extends in the vertical direction of the saddle-ride type vehicle, and so that the axis of the input shaft is closer to the axis of the steering shaft than the axis of one of the pair of left and right legs of the front forkThe position at which the bar handle is rigidly fixed to the torque sensor support holder can be changed so that the axis of the bar handle is located between the axis of the input shaft of the torque sensor, which is located in front of or behind the axis of the steering shaft, and the axis of the input shaft at a position when the torque sensor is assumed to be located behind or in front of the axis of the steering shaft.

[0008] According to the straddle-type vehicle equipped with EPS of (1), the torque sensor support holder is configured to support the torque sensor together with the upper bracket so that the torque sensor is located in front of or behind the handlebars, the input shaft of the torque sensor extends in the vertical direction of the straddle-type vehicle, the axis of the input shaft is closer to the axis of the steering shaft than the axis of one of the pair of left and right legs of the front fork, and the input shaft is twisted between the torque sensor support holder and the upper bracket, and the handlebar support holder is configured so that the position at which it is rigidly fixed to the torque sensor support holder can be changed so that the axis of the handlebars is located between the axis of the input shaft of the torque sensor located in front of or behind the axis of the steering shaft and the axis of the input shaft in a position where the torque sensor is assumed to be located in front of or behind the axis of the steering shaft. This allows the position of the handlebars to be changed while minimizing the effect on the detection accuracy of the torque sensor, improving convenience for the rider and ensuring the handlebar holder's compactness and rigidity.

[0009] More specifically, the handlebar support holder can be rigidly fixed to the torque sensor support holder at a position that is changeable so that the axis of the handlebar is located between the axis of the torque sensor input shaft, which is located in front of or behind the axis of the steering shaft, and the axis of the input shaft as it would be if the torque sensor were located in front of or behind the axis of the steering shaft. Here, the axis of the torque sensor input shaft is located closer to the axis of the steering shaft than the axis of one of the pair of left and right legs of the front fork. Even if the position of the handlebar is changed, the distance between the handlebar and the torque sensor does not change significantly. Therefore, the position of the handlebar can be changed with minimal impact on the detection accuracy of the torque sensor. This improves rider convenience. Because the torque sensor support holder supports the torque sensor close to the handlebar, the torque sensor support holder can be made compact and its rigidity can be ensured. Therefore, the handlebar holder can be made compact and its rigidity can be ensured.

[0010] A saddle-type vehicle is, for example, a vehicle equipped with a saddle-type seat. A saddle-type vehicle is, for example, a vehicle in which a rider sits astride a saddle. Examples of saddle-type vehicles include scooters, mopeds, snowmobiles, watercraft, and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs). A saddle-type vehicle is, for example, equipped with at least one front wheel and at least one rear wheel. In other words, a saddle-type vehicle is not limited to a two-wheeled vehicle, but may be a tricycle having a pair of front or rear wheels, or a four-wheeled vehicle having a pair of front and rear wheels, respectively. A saddle-type vehicle may be, for example, a tilting vehicle. A tilting vehicle is a vehicle having a body that tilts to the left when turning left and to the right when turning right. A saddle-type vehicle is, for example, equipped with a drive source. The drive source may be, for example, an engine, an electric motor, or both an engine and an electric motor. The handlebars may be, for example, a single handlebar extending continuously in the left-right direction of the saddle-riding type vehicle. The handlebars may include, for example, a left handlebar and a right handlebar arranged apart in the left-right direction of the saddle-riding type vehicle. In this case, the axis of the handlebars may include, for example, a straight line connecting the center of the right end of the left handlebar and the center of the left end of the right handlebar. The auxiliary steering force, for example, assists in steering the front wheel in the direction in which the rider operates the handlebars. In other words, the auxiliary steering force makes it easier to steer the front wheel in the direction in which the rider operates the handlebars. The auxiliary steering force may, for example, prevent the front wheel from being steered in the direction in which the rider operates the handlebars. In other words, the auxiliary steering force may make it harder to steer the front wheel in the direction in which the rider operates the handlebars. The magnitude of the auxiliary steering force, for example, is determined based on the output of a torque sensor. "Extending in the vertical direction of the saddle-riding type vehicle" includes, for example, extending at an angle in the fore-and-aft direction of the saddle-riding type vehicle when the body of the saddle-riding type vehicle is upright. The front fork has, for example, a suspension function. The front fork is, for example, a telescopic front fork. The axes of the pair of left and right legs of the front fork are parallel to each other.The axis of the steering shaft and the axes of the pair of left and right legs of the front fork are, for example, parallel to each other. "The torque sensor support holder is attached to the upper bracket" includes, for example, the torque sensor support holder being displaceably attached to the upper bracket. "The torque sensor support holder is displaceably attached to the upper bracket" includes, for example, an elastic member being arranged between the torque sensor support holder and the upper bracket, and the torque sensor support holder being attached so as to be positioned on the upper bracket by the elastic member. "An elastic member is arranged between the torque sensor support holder and the upper bracket" includes, for example, an elastic member being arranged between a bolt fixed to either the torque sensor support holder or the upper bracket and the other member. "The handlebar support holder is rigidly fixed to the torque sensor support holder" includes, for example, the handlebar support holder being fixed to the torque sensor support holder without an elastic member. For example, there is at least one "position where the handle support holder is rigidly fixed to the torque sensor support holder" on each of the left and right portions of the handle support holder. The left portion of the handle support holder is, for example, the portion located to the left of the center of the handle support holder in the left-right direction. The right portion of the handle support holder is, for example, the portion located to the right of the center of the handle support holder in the left-right direction. For example, when the handle support holder is fixed to the torque sensor support holder with a bolt, the "position where the handle support holder is rigidly fixed to the torque sensor support holder" is the position of the bolt used for the fixation or the bolt hole into which the bolt is inserted. The handle support holder has, for example, a handle receiving surface that receives the bar handle. The bar handle is placed on the handle receiving surface. The handle support holder receives the bar handle, for example, on one or more handle receiving surfaces. The handle receiving surface receives the bar handle so that the bar handle extends left and right. The phrase "the handle support holder rigidly supports the bar handle" includes, for example, the handle support holder supporting the bar handle without an elastic member interposed therebetween.The phrase "the axis of the input shaft is closer to the axis of the steering shaft than to the axis of one of the pair of left and right legs of the front forks" includes, for example, when viewed in the direction of the steering shaft axis, the axis of the input shaft is closer to the axis of the steering shaft than to the axis of one of the pair of left and right legs of the front forks. The phrase "the axis of the input shaft is closer to the axis of the steering shaft than to the axis of one of the pair of left and right legs of the front forks" includes, for example, when the distance from the axis of the input shaft to the axis of the steering shaft is shorter than the distance from the axis of the input shaft to the axis of one of the pair of left and right legs of the front forks. For example, if the distances from the axis of the input shaft to the axis of each of the pair of left and right legs of the front forks are different, the "distance from the axis of the input shaft to the axis of one of the pair of left and right legs of the front forks" is the longer of the distance from the axis of the input shaft to the axis of the left leg and the distance from the axis of the input shaft to the axis of the right leg. "Between the torque sensor support holder and the upper bracket" means, for example, a location along the path along which steering torque is transmitted from the torque sensor support holder to the upper bracket. "The axis of the handlebar is located between the axis of the input shaft of the torque sensor, which is located in front of or behind the axis of the steering shaft, and the axis of the input shaft when the torque sensor is assumed to be located behind or in front of the axis of the steering shaft" means, for example, that the axis of the handlebar is located between the axis of the input shaft of the torque sensor, which is located in front of the axis of the steering shaft, and the axis of the input shaft when the torque sensor is assumed to be located behind the axis of the steering shaft, but includes cases where either of the axes of these input shafts intersects with the handlebar. "The axis of the input shaft of the torque sensor is located in front of or behind the axis of the steering shaft" means, for example, that the axis of the input shaft is located in front of or behind the axis of the steering shaft when viewed in the direction in which the axis of the steering shaft extends."A position when it is assumed that a torque sensor located in front of or behind the axis of the steering shaft is located behind or in front of the axis of the steering shaft" means, for example, a position where the distance from the axis of the input shaft of the torque sensor at that position to the axis of the steering shaft is the same as the distance from the axis of the input shaft of a torque sensor located in front of or behind the axis of the steering shaft to the axis of the steering shaft. "The position where the handle support holder is rigidly fixed to the torque sensor support holder can be changed" includes, for example, a case where the torque sensor support holder has multiple bolt holes that define the rigid fixing position of the handle support holder, and the handle support holder is fixed to the torque sensor support holder by bolting using any of these multiple bolt holes. "Being able to change the position at which the handle support holder is rigidly fixed to the torque sensor support holder" includes, for example, changing the position at which the bolt is inserted into the long hole when the bolt for fixing the handle support holder to the torque sensor support holder is inserted into the long hole formed in the handle support holder and also into the bolt hole formed in the torque sensor support holder, thereby fixing the handle support holder to the torque sensor support holder with the bolt.

[0011] According to one aspect of the present invention, a saddle-riding type vehicle equipped with an EPS can employ the following configuration: (2) In the saddle-riding type vehicle equipped with an EPS described in (1), the handle support holder and the torque sensor support holder are overlapped and fastened in the vertical direction of the saddle-riding type vehicle, where a dynamic load is input when the saddle-riding type vehicle is traveling.

[0012] In the saddle-ride type vehicle equipped with the EPS described in (2), the handle support holder and the torque sensor support holder are fastened together in a manner overlapping each other in a direction in which a dynamic load is input when the saddle-ride type vehicle is traveling. Since rattle between the handle support holder and the torque sensor support holder can be suppressed, the detection accuracy of the torque sensor can be ensured.

[0013] According to one aspect of the present invention, a saddle-ride type vehicle equipped with an EPS can employ the following configuration: (3) A saddle-ride type vehicle equipped with an EPS as described in (1) or (2), wherein the overlapping surfaces of the torque sensor support holder and the handle support holder in the vertical direction of the saddle-ride type vehicle are made flat, and the overlapping surface of the handle support holder is made smaller than the overlapping surface of the torque sensor support holder so as to allow for change in the rigid fixing position of the handle support holder relative to the torque sensor support holder.

[0014] In the saddle-ride type vehicle equipped with the EPS of (3), the overlapping surfaces of the torque sensor support holder and the handlebar support holder are flat in the vertical direction of the saddle-ride type vehicle, so rattle between the handlebar support holder and the torque sensor support holder can be suppressed. This makes it possible to change the position of the handlebar while ensuring the detection accuracy of the torque sensor.

[0015] According to one aspect of the present invention, a saddle-riding type vehicle equipped with an EPS can employ the following configuration: (4) A saddle-riding type vehicle equipped with an EPS according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the handlebar support holder includes left and right handlebar support holder portions that are spaced apart in the left-right direction of the saddle-riding type vehicle, and the saddle-riding type vehicle further includes a holder positioning mechanism that positions the left and right handlebar support holder portions so that the bar handle can be received in a state in which it extends left and right.

[0016] In the saddle-type vehicle equipped with the EPS of (4), the left and right handlebar support holders are positioned by the holder positioning mechanism. This allows the left and right handlebar support holders to receive the handlebars in a state in which they extend to the left and right. This allows the position of the handlebars to be changed while also making it easy to change the position of the handlebars.

[0017] The holder positioning mechanism may be realized, for example, by a connecting portion that connects the left and right handle support holder portions, or by a mechanism that engages each of the left and right handle support holder portions with the torque sensor support holder (for example, a combination of a recess formed on one side and a protrusion formed on the other side).

[0018] According to one aspect of the present invention, a saddle-ride type vehicle equipped with an EPS can employ the following configuration: (5) A saddle-ride type vehicle equipped with an EPS according to any one of (1) to (4), further comprising a handle position changing mechanism configured to change the position of the bar handle to a different position in the fore-and-aft direction of the saddle-ride type vehicle by arranging the handle support holder in an opposite direction from front to rear even if the rigid fixing position of the handle support holder relative to the torque sensor support holder is the same.

[0019] According to the straddle-type vehicle equipped with the EPS of (5), the position of the handlebar can be changed simply by repositioning the handlebar support holder in the same rigid fixing position, facing forward or backward. For example, if each of a plurality of bolt holes defines a rigid fixing position, the number of bolt holes can be reduced. While enabling the position of the handlebar to be changed, the torque sensor support holder to which the handlebar support holder is rigidly fixed, and ultimately the handlebar holder itself, can be made compact, thereby ensuring the rigidity of the handlebar holder.

[0020] The phrase "even if the rigid fixing position of the handlebar support holder relative to the torque sensor support holder is the same, by arranging the handlebar support holder in an opposite front-to-rear direction, the position of the bar handle can be changed to a different position in the fore-to-aft direction of the saddle-riding type vehicle" includes, for example, forming bolt insertion holes in the handlebar support holder, into which bolts for rigidly fixing the handlebar support holder to the torque sensor support holder, shifted forward or rearward from the center in the fore-to-aft direction of the handlebar receiving surface formed in the handlebar support holder, and arranging the handlebar support holder in an opposite front-to-rear direction at the same rigid fixing position, thereby making it possible to change the position of the bar handle to a different position in the fore-to-aft direction of the saddle-riding type vehicle.

[0021] According to one aspect of the present invention, a saddle-ride type vehicle equipped with an EPS can employ the following configuration: (6) A saddle-ride type vehicle equipped with an EPS according to any one of (1) to (5), further comprising a steering torque limiter that suppresses or prevents excessive steering torque from being input to the torque sensor, and the steering torque limiter is disposed so that a shaft portion rigidly fixed to the torque sensor support holder horizontally overlaps with a bolt hole in the torque sensor support holder that defines a rigid fixing position of the handle support holder.

[0022] In the saddle-ride type vehicle equipped with EPS (6), the shaft portion of the steering torque limiter, which is rigidly fixed to the torque sensor support holder, horizontally overlaps with the bolt hole in the torque sensor support holder that defines the rigid fixing position of the handle support holder. The steering torque limiter can be positioned close to the rigid fixing position of the handle support holder. Even when the steering torque limiter is provided, the torque sensor support holder to which the handle support holder is rigidly fixed, and ultimately the handle holder, can be made compact, ensuring the rigidity of the handle holder.

[0023] "The shaft portion is rigidly fixed to the torque sensor support holder" includes, for example, the shaft portion being fixed to the torque sensor support holder without an elastic member. The shaft portion may be, for example, the shaft portion of a bolt used to attach the torque sensor support holder to the upper bracket. In this case, the torque sensor support holder, and therefore the handle holder, can be made more compact, and the rigidity of the handle holder can be further ensured.

[0024] According to one aspect of the present invention, a saddle-ride type vehicle equipped with an EPS can employ the following configuration: (7) A saddle-ride type vehicle equipped with an EPS according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein the torque sensor support holder provided with a plurality of bolt holes for changing the position of the handlebars is positioned between the pair of left and right legs of the front fork, and the plurality of bolt holes that determine the rigid fixing position of the handlebar support holder relative to the torque sensor support holder are positioned between the pair of left and right legs of the front fork.

[0025] In the saddle-ride type vehicle equipped with the EPS of (7), the torque sensor support holder and the rigid fixing position of the handle support holder relative to the torque sensor support holder are respectively located between the pair of left and right legs of the front fork. The handle holder can be positioned between the pair of left and right legs of the front fork. While allowing the position of the bar handle to be changed, the handle holder can be made compact and its rigidity can be ensured.

[0026] According to one aspect of the present invention, a saddle-ride type vehicle equipped with an EPS can employ the following configuration: (8) A saddle-ride type vehicle equipped with an EPS according to any one of (1) to (7), wherein an attachment bolt used to attach the torque sensor support holder to the upper bracket and a fixing bolt used to rigidly fix the handlebar support holder to the torque sensor support holder overlap horizontally, the torque sensor support holder is located between the pair of left and right legs of the front fork, and the fixing bolt that determines the rigid fixing position of the handlebar support holder relative to the torque sensor support holder is located between the pair of left and right legs of the front fork.

[0027] In the saddle-ride type vehicle equipped with EPS (8), the torque sensor support holder and the rigid fixing position of the handle support holder relative to the torque sensor support holder are respectively located between the pair of left and right legs of the front fork. The handle holder can be positioned between the pair of left and right legs of the front fork. Since the mounting bolts and the fixing bolts overlap horizontally, the height of the handle holder can be reduced. The handle holder can be made compact and its rigidity can be ensured while allowing the position of the bar handle to be changed.

[0028] The above and other objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments of the present invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the use of the terms "including," "comprising," or "having" and variations thereof specifies the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or equivalents thereof, but may include one or more of the steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof. Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted to have a meaning consistent with the meaning in the context of the relevant technology and this disclosure, and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined herein. It is understood that numerous techniques and processes are disclosed in the description of the present invention. Each of these has distinct advantages, and each can also be used with one or more, or in some cases all, of the other disclosed technologies. Therefore, for the sake of clarity, this description will refrain from unnecessarily repeating all possible combinations of individual steps. Nevertheless, the specification and claims should be read with the understanding that all such combinations are within the scope of the present invention and the claims. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. The present disclosure is to be considered as an example of the present invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated in the following drawings or description.

[0029] According to the present invention, the position of the handlebars can be changed while minimizing the effect on the detection accuracy of the torque sensor, improving convenience for the rider, while ensuring the handlebar holder is compact and rigid.

[0030] The present invention relates to a saddle-ride type vehicle equipped with an EPS, a steering torque limiter, a steering wheel support holder, a steering wheel support member ...

[0031] Hereinafter, a saddle-type vehicle equipped with an EPS according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiment described below is merely an example, and the present invention should not be construed as being limited in any way by the embodiment described below.

[0032] A saddle-ride type vehicle 10 equipped with an EPS according to an embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter, sometimes simply referred to as the saddle-ride type vehicle 10) will be described with reference to Figure 1. The saddle-ride type vehicle 10 equipped with an EPS is configured to apply an auxiliary steering force to the front steering wheel 20 in response to operation of a handlebar 32 by a rider.

[0033] The saddle-riding type vehicle 10 equipped with an EPS includes a front fork 50, an upper bracket 60, a handle holder 70, and a torque sensor 80. The front fork 50 includes a pair of left and right legs 52L, 52R extending in the vertical direction of the saddle-riding type vehicle 10. The front fork 50 rotatably supports a front steered wheel 20 disposed between the pair of left and right legs 52L, 52R. The upper bracket 60 supports the front fork 50 so that a steering shaft 34 extending in the vertical direction of the saddle-riding type vehicle 10 is disposed between the pair of left and right legs 52L, 52R, and is configured to rotate together with the front fork 50 about an axis 34C of the steering shaft 34. The handle holder 70 is attached to the upper bracket 60 and supports the bar handle 32, thereby rotating together with the upper bracket 60 about the axis 34C of the steering shaft 34 when the bar handle 32 is operated. The torque sensor 80 is configured to detect the steering torque transmitted from the handle holder 70 to the upper bracket 60 when the handlebars 32 are operated. The torque sensor 80 includes an input shaft 82 to which the steering torque to be detected is input. The torque sensor 80 is disposed so that the input shaft 82 extends in the up-down direction of the saddle-ride type vehicle 10.

[0034] The handle holder 70 includes a torque sensor support holder 72 and a handle support holder 74. The torque sensor support holder 72 is attached to the upper bracket 60 and supports the torque sensor 80 together with the upper bracket 60. The handle support holder 74 is rigidly fixed to the torque sensor support holder 72 and rigidly supports the bar handle 32. As a result, when the bar handle 32 is operated, the handle support holder 74 rotates together with the torque sensor support holder 72 and the bar handle 32 about the axis 34C of the steering shaft 34. In the example shown in FIG. 1 , the handle support holder 74 includes a lower holder portion 74D (see FIGS. 1A and 1B ) and an upper holder portion 74U (see FIG. 1C ). A groove 741 extending in the left-right direction is formed in the lower holder portion 74D. The surface forming the groove 741 functions as a handle receiving surface. The upper holder portion 74U is fixed to the lower holder portion 74D with the bar handle 32 placed in the groove 741. As a result, the bar handle 32 is rigidly supported by the upper holder portion 74U and the lower holder portion 74D.

[0035] The torque sensor support holder 72 is configured to support the torque sensor 80 together with the upper bracket 60 so that the torque sensor 80 is located in front of or behind the handlebars 32, the input shaft 82 of the torque sensor 80 extends in the vertical direction of the saddle-riding type vehicle 10, the axis 82C of the input shaft 82 is closer to the axis 34C of the steering shaft 34 than the axis 52C of one of the pair of left and right legs 52L, 52R of the front fork 50, and the input shaft 82 is twisted between the torque sensor support holder 72 and the upper bracket 60. In the example shown in FIG. 1 , a distance L2 from the axis 34C to the axis 82C is shorter than a distance L1 from the axis 34C to the axis 52C (see FIG. 1C ). The handle support holder 74 is configured so that the position at which it is rigidly fixed to the torque sensor support holder 72 can be changed so that the axis 32C of the bar handle 32 is located between the axis 82C of the input shaft 82 of the torque sensor 80, which is located in front of or behind the axis 34C of the steering shaft 34, and the axis 82C of the input shaft 82 in a position when the torque sensor 80 is assumed to be located behind or in front of the axis 34C of the steering shaft 34 (see FIGS. 1B and 1C). In the example shown in FIG. 1, the distance from the axis 82C of the input shaft 82 of the torque sensor 80 to the axis 34C of the steering shaft 34 in a position when the torque sensor 80 is assumed to be located behind the steering shaft 34 is the same as the distance L2 from the axis 82C of the input shaft 82 of the torque sensor 80, which is located in front of the axis 34C of the steering shaft 34.

[0036] In a saddle-ride type vehicle 10 equipped with an EPS, the position of the handlebar 32 can be changed while reducing the effect on the detection accuracy of a torque sensor 80, improving convenience for the rider, and ensuring the compactness and rigidity of the handlebar holder 70.

[0037] In the example shown in FIG. 1 , the handlebar support holder 74 and the torque sensor support holder 72 are overlapped and fastened in the vertical direction of the saddle-riding vehicle 10, where a dynamic load is input when the saddle-riding vehicle 10 is traveling (see FIG. 1A ). In the example shown in FIG. 1 , the overlapping surfaces of the torque sensor support holder 72 and the handlebar support holder 74 in the vertical direction of the saddle-riding vehicle 10 are flat, and the overlapping surface 74S of the handlebar support holder 74 is smaller than the overlapping surface 72S of the torque sensor support holder 72 to allow for change in the rigid fixing position of the handlebar support holder 74 relative to the torque sensor support holder 72 (see FIG. 1A ). In the example shown in FIG. 1 , the handlebar support holder 74 includes left and right handlebar support holder portions 74L, 74R that are spaced apart in the horizontal direction of the saddle-riding vehicle 10 (see FIG. 1C ). The saddle-riding vehicle 10 further includes a holder positioning mechanism 76. The holder positioning mechanism 76 positions the left and right handlebar support holder portions 74L, 74R so that the handlebars 32 can be supported in a state in which they extend laterally. In the example shown in Fig. 1, the holder positioning mechanism 76 is a connecting portion that connects the left and right handlebar support holder portions 74L, 74R (see Fig. 1C). In the example shown in Fig. 1, the torque sensor support holder 72, which is provided with a plurality of bolt holes 721 for changing the position of the handlebars 32, is located between the pair of left and right legs 52L, 52R of the front fork 50, and the plurality of bolt holes 721 that determine the rigid fixing position of the handlebar support holder 74 relative to the torque sensor support holder 72 are located between the pair of left and right legs 52L, 52R of the front fork 50 (see Figs. 1A and 1C). In the example shown in Figure 1, the mounting bolt 72B used to attach the torque sensor support holder 72 to the upper bracket 60 and the fixing bolt 74B used to rigidly fix the handlebar support holder 74 to the torque sensor support holder 72 overlap horizontally, the torque sensor support holder 72 is located between the pair of left and right legs 50L, 50R of the front fork 50, and the fixing bolt 74B, which determines the rigid fixing position of the handlebar support holder 74 relative to the torque sensor support holder 72, is located between the pair of left and right legs 50L, 50R of the front fork 50 (see Figures 1 (A) and (C)).

[0038] In the example shown in Fig. 2, the saddle-riding type vehicle 10 further includes a handlebar position changing mechanism 78. The handlebar position changing mechanism 78 is configured so that even if the rigid fixing position of the handlebar support holder 74 relative to the torque sensor support holder 72 is the same, the position of the bar handle 32 can be changed to a different position in the fore-aft direction of the saddle-riding type vehicle 10 by arranging the handlebar support holder 74 in the front-to-rear opposite direction. In the example shown in Fig. 2, the bolt insertion holes 742 in the handlebar support holder 74, into which bolts are inserted for rigidly fixing the handlebar support holder 74 to the torque sensor support holder 72, are formed shifted forward or rearward from the center in the fore-aft direction of the handlebar receiving surface (the surface forming the groove 741) formed in the handlebar support holder 74.

[0039] In the example shown in FIG. 3 , the saddle-type vehicle 10 further includes a steering torque limiter 84. The steering torque limiter 84 reduces or prevents excessive steering torque from being input to the torque sensor 80. The steering torque limiter 84 is disposed such that a shaft portion 841 rigidly fixed to the torque sensor support holder 72 horizontally overlaps with a bolt hole 721 that defines the rigid fixing position of the handle support holder 74 in the torque sensor support holder 72. In the example shown in FIG. 3 , the shaft portion 841 is the shaft portion of the mounting bolt 72B. A portion of the shaft portion 841 is inserted into an insertion hole 601 formed in the upper bracket 60. The portion of the shaft portion 841 inserted into the insertion hole 601 is positioned and held by a pair of upper and lower rubber rings 842. The portion of the shaft portion 841 inserted into the insertion hole 601 is inserted into a collar 843. When excessive steering torque is input to the torque sensor 80, the shaft 841 moves horizontally while compressing the pair of upper and lower rubber rings 842. The shaft 841 then comes into contact with the inner surface of the insertion hole 601, thereby restricting its horizontal movement. In this way, the steering torque limiter 84 suppresses or prevents excessive steering torque from being input to the torque sensor 80.

[0040] (Other Embodiments) The embodiments and variations described and / or illustrated in this specification are intended to facilitate understanding of the present disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. The above-described embodiments and variations may be modified or improved without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. This spirit encompasses equivalent elements, modifications, deletions, combinations (e.g., combinations of features across embodiments and variations), improvements, and modifications that would be recognized by a person skilled in the art based on the embodiments disclosed herein. The limitations in the claims should be interpreted broadly based on the terms used in the claims and should not be limited to the embodiments and variations described in the specification or prosecution of this application. Such embodiments and variations should be construed as non-exclusive. For example, in this specification, the terms "preferably" and "good" are non-exclusive and mean "preferably but not limited to" or "good but not limited to."

[0041] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Straddle-type vehicle equipped with EPS 20 Front steering wheel 32 Handlebar 32C Axis 34 Steering shaft 34C Axis 50 Front fork 52L Leg 52R Leg 60 Upper bracket 70 Handle holder 72 Torque sensor support holder 721 Bolt hole 72B Mounting bolt 72S Overlapping surface 74 Handle support holder 74B Fixing bolt 74S Overlapping surface 74L Left handle support holder portion 74R Right handle support holder portion 76 Holder positioning mechanism 78 Handle position changing mechanism 80 Torque sensor 82 Input shaft 82C Axis 84 Steering torque limiter 841 Shaft portion

Claims

1. A saddle-ride type vehicle equipped with an EPS, configured to apply an auxiliary steering force to a front steering wheel in response to an operation of a handlebar by a rider, said saddle-ride type vehicle equipped with an EPS comprising: a front fork including a pair of left and right legs extending in the vertical direction of said saddle-ride type vehicle, and rotatably supporting said front steering wheel disposed between said pair of left and right legs; an upper bracket configured to support said front fork so that a steering shaft extending in the vertical direction of said saddle-ride type vehicle is disposed between said pair of left and right legs, and to rotate together with said front fork about the axis of said steering shaft; a handlebar holder attached to said upper bracket, and configured to support said handlebar, thereby to rotate together with said upper bracket about the axis of said steering shaft when said handlebar is operated; and a torque sensor configured to detect steering torque transmitted from said handlebar holder to said upper bracket when said handlebar is operated, and including an input shaft to which the detected steering torque is input, said input shaft being disposed so as to extend in the vertical direction of said saddle-ride type vehicle, said handlebar holder being the torque sensor support holder is attached to the upper bracket and supports the torque sensor together with the upper bracket; and a handle support holder is rigidly fixed to the torque sensor support holder and rigidly supports the bar handle, thereby rotating together with the torque sensor support holder and the bar handle about the axis of the steering shaft when the bar handle is operated, the torque sensor support holder is configured to support the torque sensor together with the upper bracket so that the torque sensor is located in front of or behind the bar handle and the input shaft of the torque sensor extends in the vertical direction of the saddle-ride type vehicle, the axis of the input shaft is closer to the axis of the steering shaft than the axis of one of the pair of left and right legs of the front fork, and the input shaft is twisted between the torque sensor support holder and the upper bracket, the handle support holder is configured to support the torque sensor together with the upper bracket so that the torque sensor is located in front of or behind the bar handle and the input shaft of the torque sensor extends in the vertical direction of the saddle-ride type vehicle, the axis of the input shaft is closer to the axis of the steering shaft than the axis of one of the pair of left and right legs of the front fork, and the input shaft is twisted between the torque sensor support holder and the upper bracket,The position at which the bar handle is rigidly fixed to the torque sensor support holder can be changed so that the axis of the bar handle is located between the axis of the input shaft of the torque sensor, which is located in front of or behind the axis of the steering shaft, and the axis of the input shaft at a position when the torque sensor is assumed to be located behind or in front of the axis of the steering shaft.

2. A saddle-type vehicle equipped with the EPS described in claim 1, wherein the handle support holder and the torque sensor support holder are overlapped and fastened in the vertical direction of the saddle-type vehicle, where a dynamic load is input when the saddle-type vehicle is traveling.

3. A saddle-type vehicle equipped with the EPS described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the overlapping surfaces of the torque sensor support holder and the handle support holder in the vertical direction of the saddle-type vehicle are flattened, and the overlapping surface of the handle support holder is made smaller than the overlapping surface of the torque sensor support holder so as to allow for change in the rigid fixing position of the handle support holder relative to the torque sensor support holder.

4. A saddle-type vehicle equipped with an EPS as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the handlebar support holder includes left and right handlebar support holder portions arranged separately in the left-right direction of the saddle-type vehicle, and the saddle-type vehicle further includes a holder positioning mechanism that positions the left and right handlebar support holder portions so that the bar handle can be received in a state extending left and right.

5. A saddle-ride type vehicle equipped with an EPS as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a handle position changing mechanism configured to change the position of the bar handle to a different position in the fore-aft direction of the saddle-ride type vehicle by arranging the handle support holder in an inverted front-to-rear direction even if the rigid fixing position of the handle support holder relative to the torque sensor support holder is the same.

6. A saddle-type vehicle equipped with an EPS as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a steering torque limiter that suppresses or prevents excessive steering torque from being input to the torque sensor, the steering torque limiter being positioned so that an axis portion rigidly fixed to the torque sensor support holder horizontally overlaps with a bolt hole in the torque sensor support holder that determines the rigid fixing position of the handle support holder.

7. A saddle-type vehicle equipped with an EPS as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the torque sensor support holder having a plurality of bolt holes for changing the position of the bar handle is positioned between the pair of left and right legs of the front fork, and the plurality of bolt holes defining the rigid fixing position of the handle support holder relative to the torque sensor support holder are positioned between the pair of left and right legs of the front fork.

8. A saddle-type vehicle equipped with an EPS as defined in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein an attachment bolt used to attach the torque sensor support holder to the upper bracket and a fixing bolt used to rigidly fix the handlebar support holder to the torque sensor support holder overlap horizontally, the torque sensor support holder is positioned between the pair of left and right legs of the front fork, and the fixing bolt which determines the rigid fixing position of the handlebar support holder relative to the torque sensor support holder is positioned between the pair of left and right legs of the front fork.

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