Saddled vehicle

Abstract

Provided is a saddled vehicle in which it is possible to sufficiently decelerate a rider, including the head, via an airbag.　The saddled vehicle comprises: a steering shaft (32); a handle member (34) which is provided with a steering pipe (61) supported by the steering shaft (32) and a handle (21) attached to the upper end of the steering pipe (61); a handle cover (46); and a seat (17). The handle (21) has such a shape as to laterally extend above the steering pipe (61). An airbag unit (70) is disposed in the lateral center section of the handle (21). The airbag unit (70) is provided with an airbag (74) that when deployed, is deployed to have such a size as to be outside the handle cover (46) and inside the outermost end of the handle (21) in the vehicle width direction, and in the vertical direction, is deployed to be below the handle (21) and is deployed upward to a level that is higher than the upper end (L21) of the handle (21) by a length that is greater than the length (H0) from the upper end (L22) of the seating surface of the seat (17) to the upper end (L21) of the handle (21).

Description

Saddle-type vehicle

[0001] The present invention relates to a saddle-ride type vehicle.

[0002] A saddle-type vehicle in which an airbag is deployed in the lateral center of the handlebars has been known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In Patent Document 1, the airbag unit is provided at the front end of the fuel tank, and when deployed, the airbag extends forward beyond the lateral center of the handlebars and deploys in front of and above the handlebars.

[0003] JP 2013-154846 A

[0004] When an airbag unit is mounted on a steering wheel, it is desirable for the airbag to deploy as far as possible from below the steering wheel to above it, but in saddle-ride vehicles with limited loading space, an airbag of an appropriate deployment size is required. The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has an object to provide a saddle-ride vehicle that can sufficiently decelerate the occupant, including the head, with an airbag.

[0005] A saddle-ride type vehicle has a steering shaft steerably supported on a head pipe, a handle member including a steering pipe supported on the steering shaft and a handle attached to the upper end of the steering pipe, a handle cover that covers the handle member, and a seat provided behind the handle member on which an occupant sits, wherein the handle has a shape that extends left and right above the steering pipe, and an airbag unit is disposed in the left and right center of the handle, and the airbag unit is configured to deploy to a size that, when deployed, is outside the handle cover in the vehicle width direction and inside the outermost end of the handle, and is deployed below the handle in the vertical direction, and is equipped with an airbag that deploys upward to a height that is longer from the upper end of the handle than the length from the upper end of the seating surface of the seat to the upper end of the handle.

[0006] A saddle-ride type vehicle can be provided that can sufficiently decelerate the occupant, including the head, using an airbag.

[0007] Fig. 1 is a side view of a saddle-ride type vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a view showing essential parts of a longitudinal cross section of the front part of the saddle-ride type vehicle. Fig. 3 is a front view showing a handle member and an airbag unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 4 is a left side view showing the handle member and the airbag unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 5 is a left side view showing essential parts of the saddle-ride type vehicle, showing the airbag after deployment. Fig. 6 is a rear view showing essential parts of the saddle-ride type vehicle, showing the airbag after deployment. Fig. 7 is a top view showing essential parts of the saddle-ride type vehicle, showing the airbag after deployment. Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing the handle member and the airbag unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0008] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description, directions such as front, rear, left, right, up and down are the same as directions relative to the vehicle body unless otherwise specified. In addition, the symbol FR in each drawing indicates the front of the vehicle body, the symbol UP indicates the upper side of the vehicle body, and the symbol LH indicates the left side of the vehicle body.

[0009] 1 is a side view of a saddle-ride type vehicle 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The saddle-ride type vehicle 10 is a vehicle including a body frame 11, a power unit 12 supported by the body frame 11, a front fork 14 that supports a front wheel 13 so as to be steerable, a swing arm 16 that supports a rear wheel 15, and a seat 17 for a rider. The saddle-ride type vehicle 10 is a vehicle in which a rider sits astride on the seat 17. The seat 17 is provided above the rear of the body frame 11.

[0010] The body frame 11 includes a head pipe 18 provided at the front end of the body frame 11, a front frame 19 located rearward of the head pipe 18, and a rear frame 20 located rearward of the front frame 19. The front end of the front frame 19 is connected to the head pipe 18. The seat 17 is supported by the rear frame 20.

[0011] The front forks 14 are supported by a head pipe 18 so as to be steerable to the left and right. The front wheel 13 is supported by an axle 13a provided at the lower end of the front forks 14. A steering handle 21 that is gripped by the rider and used for steering is attached to the upper end of the front forks 14.

[0012] The swing arm 16 is supported by a pivot shaft 22 that is supported by the body frame 11. The pivot shaft 22 is a shaft that extends horizontally in the vehicle width direction. The pivot shaft 22 is inserted into the front end of the swing arm 16. The swing arm 16 swings up and down around the pivot shaft 22. The rear wheel 15 is supported by an axle 15a that is provided at the rear end of the swing arm 16.

[0013] The power unit 12 is disposed between the front wheel 13 and the rear wheel 15, and is supported by the body frame 11. The power unit 12 is an internal combustion engine. The power unit 12 includes a crankcase 23 and a cylinder section 24 that houses a reciprocating piston. An exhaust device 25 is connected to an exhaust port of the cylinder section 24. The output of the power unit 12 is transmitted to the rear wheel 15 by a driving force transmission member that connects the power unit 12 and the rear wheel 15.

[0014] The saddle-ride type vehicle 10 also includes a front fender 26 that covers the front wheel 13 from above, a rear fender 27 that covers the rear wheel 15 from above, steps 28 on which a rider places their feet, and a fuel tank 29 that stores fuel used by the power unit 12. The front fender 26 is attached to the front fork 14. The rear fender 27 and steps 28 are provided below the seat 17. The fuel tank 29 is supported by the body frame 11.

[0015] The saddle-ride vehicle 10 of this embodiment is a scooter-type saddle-ride vehicle equipped with a seat 17 on which a rider sits astride. The power unit 12 of the saddle-ride vehicle 10 is a unit swing engine that functions as an engine serving as a drive source for the rear wheel 15 and a swing arm 16 that supports the rear wheel 15. In the saddle-ride vehicle 10, steps 28 on which the rider R (see FIG. 5 ) places his or her left and right feet are a pair of step floors provided on the left and right sides below and in front of the seat 17.

[0016] The saddle-ride type vehicle 10 has a steering system 31 including a pair of left and right front forks 14. The steering system 31 has a steering shaft 32 journaled on the head pipe 18. A bridge member 33 extending laterally is fixed to the lower end of the steering shaft 32. The upper portions of the pair of left and right front forks 14 are connected to the left and right ends of the bridge member 33. The pair of left and right front forks 14 are disposed on both the left and right sides of the front wheel 13 to support the front wheel 13. A handle member 34 having a handle 21 is fixed to the upper end of the steering shaft 32. The steering shaft 32, the bridge member 33, the pair of left and right front forks 14, and the handle member 34 constitute the steering system 31 of this embodiment. The steering system 31 is supported on the head pipe 18 so as to be steerable.

[0017] The saddle-ride type vehicle 10 includes a body cover 40 that covers the body, such as the body frame 11. The body cover 40 includes a front cover 41 that covers the head pipe 18 and the upper part of the steering system 31 from the front and the left and right sides, and an inner cover 42 that is continuous with the rear edge of the front cover 41 and covers the upper part of the head pipe 18 and the steering system 31 from the rear. The body cover 40 also includes a center cover 43 located below and in front of the seat 17, an undercover 44 that covers the body from below below the step 28, rear side covers 45 that cover the rear frame 20 from the sides below the seat 17, and handle covers 46 that cover the handlebars 21 from the front and the rear.

[0018] The front portion of the center cover 43 is continuous with the lower portion of the inner cover 42. The center cover 43 is located inside the left and right legs of the driver R that extend from the seat 17 to the step 28. In a side view of the vehicle, a downwardly recessed straddle space 43a is defined by the inner cover 42, the center cover 43, and the front surface of the seat 17. When getting on or off the saddle-ride type vehicle 10, the driver R can straddle the saddle-ride type vehicle 10 through the straddle space 43a. The seat 17 has a front seat 17a on which the driver R sits and a rear seat 17b located behind the front seat 17a and on which a passenger (second passenger) sits. The seating surfaces of the front seat 17a and the rear seat 17b on which the passengers sit are formed flat along a horizontal plane.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of essential parts of the front of the saddle-ride type vehicle 10. That is, FIG. 2 shows essential parts of the front of the saddle-ride type vehicle 10 cut along the center line in the vehicle width direction. The handle cover 46 is not shown in FIG. 2 . In the following description, directions such as front, rear, left, right, and up and down are used with respect to the saddle-ride type vehicle 10 traveling straight on a level road unless otherwise specified. That is, unless otherwise specified, front, rear, left, right, and up and down are used with respect to the saddle-ride type vehicle 10 when the handlebars 21 are not being steered. A headlight 51 is provided at the lower part of the front portion of the front cover 41. A windscreen 52 is attached to the upper part of the front portion of the front cover 41. The windscreen 52 is tilted upward toward the rear in a side view of the vehicle. The windscreen 52 is made of a translucent material so that the driver R can see ahead through the windscreen 52.

[0020] A meter 53 that displays information about the saddle-ride type vehicle 10, such as vehicle speed, is provided behind the windscreen 52 and above the headlight 51. The meter 53 is disposed above the head pipe 18 and in front of the handlebar member 34, in the center of the vehicle width. The meter 53 displays information about the saddle-ride type vehicle 10, such as vehicle speed.

[0021] The meter 53 includes a housing 53a, a meter device main body 53b accommodated in the housing 53a, and a display surface 53c covering the upper surface of the meter device main body 53b. The housing 53a is container-shaped with a generally rectangular cross section. The housing 53a is disposed so that the side of the container-shaped portion faces downward and rearward. That is, the side of the housing 53a constitutes a lower end 53a1 of the housing 53a. The display surface 53c is supported on the upper open surface of the housing 53a. The display surface 53c is formed in a planar shape. The meter 53 is disposed so that the display surface 53c is inclined downward and rearward so that the driver R positioned above and behind can easily view the meter 53. A perpendicular line L2 of the display surface 53c extends upward and rearward. In this embodiment, the perpendicular line L2 of the display surface 53c is inclined horizontally relative to the steering axis (rotation axis) L1 of the steering shaft 32. In FIG. 2, a perpendicular line L2 passing through the lower end of the display surface 53c is illustrated.

[0022] The meter 53 is exposed forward from an opening 54a in a meter cover 54 provided in the front cover 41. A canopy-shaped meter visor 55 is formed at the front end of the meter cover 54, extending upward and rearward in front of the meter 53. The meter visor 55 covers the meter 53 from above and in front. The meter visor 55 is formed by the upper part of the front surface of the front cover 41 extending above the meter 53. The meter visor 55 is provided to block light reaching the top surface of the meter 53 from above and in front. The meter visor 55 is opaque and has lower light transmittance than the windscreen 52.

[0023] A key cylinder 56 is provided below and behind the meter 53, with the handle member 34 sandwiched between them. The key cylinder 56 is provided in the center of the vehicle width direction below the handle 21. The key cylinder 56 has a key hole 56a into which a key (not shown) can be inserted. The key hole 56a is formed in an upper surface 56b of the key cylinder 56. The key hole 56a extends downward from the upper surface 56b toward the front. The upper surface 56b of the key cylinder 56 is inclined downward toward the rear.

[0024] FIG. 3 is a front view showing the handle member 34 and the airbag unit 70 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a left side view showing the handle member 34 and the airbag unit 70 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The handle member 34 has a steering pipe 61 fixed to the steering shaft 32. The steering pipe 61 is cylindrical and extends rearward and upward along the steering axis L1. The central axis of the steering pipe 61 coincides with the steering axis L1. The upper end of the steering shaft 32 (see FIG. 2) is inserted into the steering pipe 61. The steering pipe 61 is integrated with the steering shaft 32 by bolts (not shown). The handle 21, which extends in the left-right direction, is fixed to the upper end of the steering pipe 61. The handle 21 according to this embodiment is a bent pipe. In this embodiment, the handle 21 is formed symmetrically.

[0025] The handle 21 has a handle left section (left part) 62 extending leftward from the steering pipe 61, and a handle right section (right part) 63 extending rightward from the steering pipe 61. The handle left section 62 has a curved section 62a that curves upward as it extends leftward from the steering pipe 61. The curved section 62a curves in the up-down direction as it extends leftward. A straight section 62b that extends linearly leftward is formed at the upper end of the curved section 62a.

[0026] The right handlebar section 63 has a curved section 63a that curves upward as it extends from the steering pipe 61 to the right. The curved section 63a curves in the up-down direction as it extends to the right. The upper end of the curved section 63a has a straight section 63b that extends straight to the right.

[0027] In the left handlebar portion 62 and the right handlebar portion 63, the curved portions 62a, 63a extend rearward and upward in a side view of the vehicle at an inclination substantially the same as the steering axis L1 of the steering pipe 61. In contrast, the straight portions 62b, 63b extend rearward and downward in a side view of the vehicle.

[0028] Gussets (reinforcement portions) 64, 65 are fixed to the front and rear surfaces of the curved portions 62a, 63a of the left handlebar portion 62 and the right handlebar portion 63. The gussets 64, 65 are curved plate-shaped. In this embodiment, the front gusset 64 is formed in a substantially Y-shape. The front gusset 64 is welded and fixed to the steering pipe 61, the curved portion 62a of the left handlebar portion 62, and the curved portion 63a of the right handlebar portion 63 so as to cover the steering pipe 61, the curved portion 62a of the left handlebar portion 62, and the curved portion 63a of the right handlebar portion 63 from the front.

[0029] In this embodiment, a pair of left and right rear gussets 65 are provided. The left rear gusset 65 is formed in a shape that extends from the steering pipe 61 to the curved portion 62a of the left handlebar portion 62. The left rear gusset 65 is disposed so as to cover the steering pipe 61 and the curved portion 62a of the left handlebar portion 62 from the outer rear side in the vehicle width direction, and is fixed to the steering pipe 61 and the curved portion 62a of the left handlebar portion 62 by welding.

[0030] The right rear gusset 65 is formed in a shape that extends from the steering pipe 61 to the curved portion 63a of the handlebar right portion 63. The right rear gusset 65 is arranged so as to cover the steering pipe 61 and the curved portion 63a of the handlebar right portion 63 from the outside rear in the vehicle width direction, and is fixed by welding to the steering pipe 61 and the curved portion 63a of the handlebar right portion 63. The gussets 64, 65 reinforce the curved portion 62a of the handlebar left portion 62, the curved portion 63a of the handlebar right portion 63, and the upper portion of the steering pipe 61. In other words, the lower portion of the handlebar member 34 is reinforced.

[0031] The front and rear gussets 64, 65 are respectively provided with front and rear stays 66, 67. The stays 66, 67 are in the form of bent plates.

[0032] A pair of left and right front stays 66 are provided corresponding to the positions of the left handlebar section 62 and the right handlebar section 63. The front stays 66 are fixed to the front gusset 64 by welding. The front stays 66 protrude forward relative to the handlebars 21. A flat mounting seat surface 66a having a thickness in the vertical direction is formed at the front end of the stays 66. A mounting hole penetrating the mounting seat surface 66a in the thickness direction is formed. A nut portion 66b is provided below the mounting seat surface 66a.

[0033] A pair of left and right rear stays 67 are provided corresponding to the positions of the left handlebar portion 62 and the right handlebar portion 63. The pair of left and right rear stays 67 are fixed to the pair of left and right gussets 65 by welding, respectively. The rear stays 67 protrude rearward relative to the handlebars 21. The rear stays 67 are provided closer to the steering pipe 61 than the front stays 66. A planar mounting seat surface 67a having a thickness in the vertical direction is formed at the rear end of the rear stay 67. A mounting hole penetrating the mounting seat surface 67a in the thickness direction is formed in the mounting seat surface 67a. A nut portion 67b is provided below the mounting seat surface 67a. The mounting seat surface 67a is formed parallel to the front mounting seat surface 66a. The mounting seats 66a, 67a of the front and rear stays 66, 67 are provided parallel to each other.

[0034] An airbag unit 70 is attached to the stays 66, 67. Therefore, the airbag unit 70 in this embodiment is supported by the steering wheel 21 at the center between the left and right of the steering wheel 21. In other words, the airbag unit 70 is supported by the steering wheel 21 on the steering axis L1.

[0035] The airbag unit 70 is located rearward of the front end 61a of the steering pipe 61 (see FIG. 4) in a side view of the vehicle body. Also, the airbag unit 70 is located forward of the rear end 21b of the handlebar 21 (see FIG. 4) in a side view of the vehicle body. That is, the airbag unit 70 is located rearward of a steering pipe front end line L11 that passes through the front end 61a of the steering pipe 61 in the vertical direction in a side view of the vehicle body. Also, the airbag unit 70 is located forward of a steering wheel rear end line L12 that passes through the rear end 21b of the handlebar 21 in the vertical direction in a side view of the vehicle body. Therefore, the airbag unit 70 is formed to a compact size that is likely to be smaller than the size of the handlebar member 34 and is unlikely to protrude from the handlebar member 34.

[0036] The airbag unit 70 includes a container-shaped retainer 72, an inflator 73 (see FIG. 2) that is supported by the retainer 72 and releases gas, an airbag 74 (see FIG. 2) that is connected to the inflator 73 and inflates with the gas released by the inflator 73, and a lid 75 that closes the top surface of the retainer 72. The space surrounded by the retainer 72 and the lid 75 forms an airbag storage portion 70a (see FIG. 2).

[0037] The retainer 72 has a planar support surface 72a (see FIGS. 2 and 3). The support surface 72a is formed in a rectangular plate shape. A pair of front and rear legs 72b, 72c (see FIGS. 2 and 4 for the leg 72c) extending outward in the vehicle width direction are formed on both left and right ends of the support surface 72a. The front and rear legs 72b, 72c are respectively arranged in front of and behind the curved portions 62a, 63a of the handlebars 21. In other words, the retainer 72 is arranged so that the curved portions 62a, 63a of the handlebars 21 are sandwiched between the front leg 72b and the rear leg 72c from the front and rear.

[0038] A bolt 100 is inserted into the front leg 72b from above. This bolt 100 is fastened to a nut portion 66b of the front stay 66. A bolt 100 is inserted into the rear leg 72c from above. This bolt 100 is fastened to a nut portion 67b of the rear stay 67. In this manner, the airbag unit 70 is attached to the handle 21. An attachment axis L100, which is the axis of the bolt 100, extends along the steering axis L1. In this embodiment, the attachment axis L100 of the bolt 100 is parallel to the steering axis L1. Note that in this embodiment, the term "parallel" includes attachment tolerances and the like, and is used to mean "approximately parallel."

[0039] As a result, the retainer 72 is inclined so that the support surface 72a faces the same direction as the display surface 53c of the meter 53. That is, as shown in Fig. 2, the support surface 72a is provided parallel to the display surface 53c. In other words, the perpendicular line L3 of the support surface 72a is parallel to the perpendicular line L2 of the display surface 53c.

[0040] An inflator 73 is fixed to the support surface 72a of the retainer 72. The inflator 73 is disposed in the center of the retainer 72 in the vehicle width direction. The inflator 73 has a cylindrical housing. Inside the housing, a gas generating agent and an initiator that starts a reaction in the gas generating agent to generate gas are provided. The initiator has an ignition device. The inflator 73 protrudes downward from an opening 72d (see FIG. 2) formed in the center of the retainer 72 in the vehicle width direction and is fixed to the retainer 72. The inflator 73 deploys the airbag 74 in the direction of a perpendicular line L3 to the support surface 72a.

[0041] An airbag 74 is connected to the inflator 73. The airbag 74 is formed into a bag shape by sewing together a base fabric. As shown in FIG. 2 , the airbag 74 of this embodiment includes a tubular connecting portion 80 that covers the periphery of the inflator 73, and a bag-shaped main body portion 81 that extends from the connecting portion 80 and is inflated and deployed in front of the driver R. The connecting portion 80 is connected to the inflator 73 so as to cover its outer periphery and is fixed to the retainer 72. The airbag 74 is stored in an appropriately folded state in the airbag storage portion 70a.

[0042] The lid 75 has a container-like shape that is open downward and concave upward. The lid 75 has a deployment surface 75a that forms the bottom surface of the container, and an outer peripheral surface 75b that extends downward from the outer periphery of the deployment surface 75a. The outer peripheral surface 75b is fitted and fixed to the peripheral edge of the retainer 72, thereby attaching the lid 75 to the retainer 72. The deployment surface 75a has a tearing portion 75a1 that tears when the airbag 74 deploys. The deployment surface 75a intersects with a perpendicular line L3 of the retainer 72. In this embodiment, the deployment surface 75a is approximately perpendicular to the perpendicular line L3 of the retainer 72. In addition, the outer peripheral surface 75b has a fixing portion 75b1 that remains fixed to the opening of the retainer 72 even after the airbag 74 deploys.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 2 , the airbag unit 70 of this embodiment is disposed rearward of the lower end 53 a 1 of the meter 53 in a side view of the vehicle. In particular, the airbag unit 70 is disposed below a perpendicular line L2 passing through the lower end of the display surface 53 c of the meter 53. This allows the deployed surface 75 a of the airbag unit 70 to be positioned rearward and downward with respect to the perpendicular line L2 of the lower end of the display surface 53 c of the meter 53. In addition, in this embodiment, the front surface of the handlebar cover 46 (not shown in FIG. 2 ) is aligned with the airbag unit 70, and the handlebar cover 46 is also positioned below the perpendicular line L2. That is, since the airbag 74 is large, providing a deployed surface perpendicular to the ground could impair the visibility of the meter 53. However, by tilting the airbag unit 70, the deployed surface 75 a can be efficiently directed toward the driver R without impairing the visibility of the meter 53.

[0044] Furthermore, because the airbag unit 70 is disposed in the lateral center of the steering wheel 21, the key cylinder 56 is located below the airbag unit 70. In this embodiment, the airbag unit 70 is disposed above the upper end 56a1 of the opening of the key hole 56a of the key cylinder 56. That is, in a side view of the vehicle body, the airbag unit 70 is disposed above an opening upper end line L4 (see FIG. 2 ) that passes horizontally through the opening upper end 56a1 of the key hole 56a. In particular, in this embodiment, the airbag unit 70 is disposed above a perpendicular line L5 of the upper surface 56b of the key cylinder 56 that passes through the opening upper end 56a1 of the key hole 56a. Therefore, in this embodiment, even if the airbag unit 70 is disposed in the lateral center of the steering wheel 21, it is unlikely to interfere with the insertion of a key into the key cylinder 56.

[0045] 3, the airbag unit 70 is arranged in a state where it is sandwiched between the curved portion 62a of the left handle portion 62 and the curved portion 63a of the right handle portion 63. Handle switches 35, 36 are arranged on both the left and right sides of the airbag unit 70.

[0046] That is, the left handlebar switch 35 is supported on the straight portion 62b of the left handlebar portion 62. The left grip 37 is supported on the left side of the left handlebar switch 35. The right handlebar switch 36 is supported on the straight portion 63b of the right handlebar portion 63. The right grip 37 is supported on the right side of the right handlebar switch 36.

[0047] Left and right handlebar levers 38 (see FIG. 1) are provided around the left and right grips 37. Left and right rearview mirrors 39 (see FIG. 1) are supported around the left and right handlebar switches 35, 36.

[0048] The left and right handlebar switches 35, 36 and the airbag unit 70 are covered by a handlebar cover 46. In this embodiment, openings are formed in the handlebar cover 46 corresponding to the handlebar switches 35, 36 to expose the handlebar switches 35, 36. In this embodiment, an opening 46a (see FIG. 1) is also formed in the handlebar cover 46 corresponding to the airbag unit 70 to expose the airbag unit 70. When the handlebar 21 is covered with the handlebar cover 46, the handlebar switches 35, 36 and the airbag unit 70 are exposed on the driver R side. A lid 75 of the airbag unit 70 protrudes through the opening 46a toward the driver R beyond the handlebar cover 46. The grips 37 and the handlebar levers 38 are exposed from the left and right sides of the handlebar cover 46.

[0049] The saddle-ride type vehicle 10 includes an acceleration sensor (not shown) that detects an impact acting on the saddle-ride type vehicle 10. This acceleration sensor is electrically connected to a control unit (not shown) of the saddle-ride type vehicle 10, and the control unit is electrically connected to the inflator 73. The control unit is hardware including a processor, a memory, and the like. The control unit determines whether to deploy or not the airbag unit 70 based on the detected acceleration. When deploying the airbag unit 70, the control unit activates the inflator 73 to release gas into the airbag 74. The airbag 74 is inflated and deployed by the pressure of the gas. Here, the control unit may be an airbag control unit rather than a control unit of the vehicle itself. In other words, the control unit may be an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) for the airbag 74 that is independent from the ECU for controlling the vehicle.

[0050] When the control unit activates the airbag unit 70, the control unit activates the inflator 73 to release gas into the airbag 74. The airbag 74 is inflated by the pressure of the gas and deployed from the retainer 72 to the outside.

[0051] 5 is a left side view showing a main portion of the saddle-ride type vehicle 10, showing the airbag 74 after deployment. In this embodiment, "after deployment" refers to a state in which the inflator 73 has finished operating and the airbag 74 has been sufficiently inflated. In this embodiment, "during deployment" refers to a state in which the inflator 73 is operating and the airbag 74 is inflating, which is close to a state after deployment. Furthermore, the airbag front surface 82 with respect to the airbag 74 refers to the portion of the airbag 74 that is visible in a front view when the saddle-ride type vehicle 10 is traveling straight after deployment. Furthermore, the airbag rear surface 83 with respect to the airbag 74 refers to the portion of the airbag 74 that is visible in a rear view when the saddle-ride type vehicle 10 is traveling straight after deployment.

[0052] The airbag 74 of this embodiment is configured to deploy rearward of the steering wheel 21 and above and below the steering wheel 21. That is, the airbag 74 is configured to deploy above and below a steering wheel upper end line L21, which is a horizontal line passing through the upper end 21a of the steering wheel 21, in a side view of the vehicle body. More specifically, the steering wheel upper end line L21 is a line passing through the upper ends 21a of the inner ends of the straight portions 62b, 63b of the steering wheel 21, and is a horizontal line passing through the upper ends 21a of the connecting portions with the curved portions 62a, 63a.

[0053] The main body 81 of the airbag 74 has an upper deployment portion 84 that inflates above the handlebar 21 after deployment, and a lower deployment portion 85 that inflates below the handlebar 21. A connection portion 80 that connects to the inflator 73 is provided between the upper deployment portion 84 and the lower deployment portion 85. The connection portion 80 is provided in the center in the vehicle width direction. Gas flows from the inflator 73 into the main body 81 through the connection portion 80. When the inflator 73 is activated, gas tends to flow into the upper deployment portion 84 and the lower deployment portion 85 at approximately the same time.

[0054] The airbag 74 of this embodiment is sized to deploy up to the vicinity of the driver R's head R1 in the vertical direction, and to the vicinity of the driver R's thighs R2 so as to abut against the inner cover 42. Specifically, with respect to the length H0 from the upper end 17a1 of the flat seating surface of the front seat 17a on which the driver R sits to the steering wheel upper end line L21, the airbag 74 is sized to deploy downward by a length H1 that is shorter than the length H0. On the other hand, the airbag 74 is sized to deploy above the steering wheel 21 by a length H2 that is larger than the length H0 from the steering wheel upper end line L21. The seat upper end line L22 shown in FIG. 5 is a horizontal line passing through the upper end 17a1 of the front seat 17a in a side view of the vehicle body.

[0055] 6 is a rear view showing a main part of the saddle-ride type vehicle 10, showing the airbag 74 after deployment. The airbag 74 of this embodiment is formed so as to be deployed smaller than the elbow R4 of the driver R in the left-right direction, and is formed to a size that will deploy to the extent that it will not hit the arm R3 of the driver R. Specifically, the airbag 74 is formed to be larger than the handle cover 46 in the left-right direction and smaller than the outer end of the grip 37. The airbag 74 of this embodiment is formed to be deployed to about the inner end of the grip 37 in the left-right direction.

[0056] 7 is a top view showing a main portion of the saddle-ride type vehicle 10, showing the airbag 74 after deployment. Furthermore, in the airbag 74 of this embodiment, the airbag front surface 82 is formed so as to deploy in a non-arcuate shape. The airbag front surface 82 is formed so as to have a shape that follows the steering wheel 21. That is, the airbag front surface 82 is configured to have a valley line portion 82a that extends in the up-down direction according to the connection position between the curved portions 62a, 63a and the straight portions 62b, 63b of the steering wheel 21. The airbag rear surface 83 deploys in an arcuate shape. It is desirable that the airbag rear surface 83 be formed so as to deploy in an arcuate shape centered on the steering axis L1.

[0057] Generally, when the airbag 74 is inflated by gas, the airbag 74 tends to stretch from the inside outward and to curve convexly outward. In contrast, the valley line 82a of the airbag front surface 82 is configured to be less likely to curve convexly than the left and right sides of the valley line 82a. The valley line 82a is configured, for example, by being pulled from the inside by a tether (not shown) provided inside the airbag 74. The tether is fixed to the retainer 72, for example. This restricts the deployment of a portion of the airbag front surface 82, allowing the valley line 82a to be formed.

[0058] 1 to 7, when a collision is detected in the saddle-ride type vehicle 10, the inflator 73 is activated and gas is released from the inflator 73. When gas is released from the inflator 73, the airbag 74 is inflated by the gas and deploys toward the outside of the retainer 72. At this time, the lid 75 is pushed by the airbag 74 and ruptured, pushing aside the remaining lid 75 and deploying.

[0059] When gas flows into the main body 81 of the airbag 74, the upper deployment portion 84 and the lower deployment portion 85 inflate. At this time, in a side view of the vehicle, the upper deployment portion 84 inflates upward relative to the connecting portion 80. Furthermore, the lower deployment portion 85 inflates downward relative to the connecting portion 80.

[0060] 5, when the driver R comes into contact with the airbag 74, the front surface 82 of the airbag 74 is received by the inner cover 42, the handle cover 46 portions of the left and right handle switches 35, 36, and the retainer 72, the meter 53, the meter visor 55, or the windscreen 52. As a result, an appropriate reaction force is applied to the airbag 74 from the front to the rear. This makes it easy for the airbag 74, which is provided on the handle 21, to receive the driver R while maintaining the airbag 74 in an appropriate position.

[0061] In particular, in this embodiment, the airbag front surface 82 has a non-arcuate shape that conforms to the shape of the steering wheel 21. The airbag rear surface 83 has an arcuate shape. When the airbag 74 is deployed, the steering system 31 may be steered, for example, as shown by arrow C0 in FIG. 7 . In this case, in this embodiment, the airbag front surface 82 has a valley line portion 82a, which facilitates deployment of the airbag front surface 82 in a state that conforms to the uneven shape of the steering wheel 21. This facilitates positioning of the airbag 74 on the steering wheel 21, and facilitates the reaction force of the airbag 74 being received by the steering wheel 21. The airbag rear surface 83 is deployed to form an arcuate shape centered on the steering axis L1. This minimizes the change in the positional relationship between the airbag rear surface 83 and the driver R before and after steering. This facilitates appropriate support of the driver R by the airbag 74.

[0062] As described above, according to the first embodiment to which the first invention is applied, in the saddle-ride type vehicle 10 having the meter 53, the steering shaft 32 steerably supported on the head pipe 18, the steering pipe 61 supported on the steering shaft 32, and the handlebars 21 attached to the upper end of the steering pipe 61, the handlebars 21 have a shape that extends laterally above the steering pipe 61, and the airbag unit 70 is disposed in the left-right central portion of the handlebars 21, and the airbag unit 70 is provided rearward of the lower end 53a1 of the meter 53 in a side view of the vehicle. With this configuration, since the airbag unit 70 is provided rearward of the lower end 53a1 of the meter 53, the deployed surface 75a of the airbag unit 70 can be located rearward of the perpendicular line L2 to the lower end of the display surface 53c of the meter 53. Therefore, in a saddle-ride type vehicle 10 in which the airbag unit 70 is provided in the center of the left and right sides of the handlebars 21, it is possible to provide a saddle-ride type vehicle 10 in which the deployment surface 75a of the airbag 74 can be efficiently directed toward the driver R while ensuring visibility of the meter 53.

[0063] In the present embodiment, the airbag unit 70 is provided below a perpendicular line L2 passing through the lower end of the display surface 53c of the meter 53. With this configuration, the deployment surface 75a of the airbag unit 70 can be positioned below the perpendicular line L2 of the lower end of the display surface 53c of the meter 53. Therefore, in a saddle-ride type vehicle 10 in which the airbag unit 70 is provided in the center of the handlebars 21, the deployment surface 75a of the airbag 74 can be efficiently directed toward the driver R while ensuring visibility of the meter 53.

[0064] In this embodiment, key cylinder 56 is provided below steering wheel 21, and airbag unit 70 is provided above upper end 56a1 of key hole 56a of key cylinder 56. With this configuration, even if airbag unit 70 is provided on steering wheel 21 so as to ensure visibility of meter 53, airbag unit 70 is unlikely to get in the way when operating the key.

[0065] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the airbag unit 70 is disposed above a perpendicular line L5 to the top surface 56b of the key cylinder 56, which passes through the upper opening end 56a1 of the key hole 56a. With this configuration, the airbag unit 70 is disposed above the perpendicular line L5 to the top surface 56b of the key cylinder 56, so the airbag unit 70 can be retracted from the working space when inserting or removing the key into or from the key cylinder 56. This prevents the airbag unit 70 from getting in the way when inserting or removing the key into or from the key cylinder 56.

[0066] In the present embodiment, the airbag unit 70 includes a retainer 72 fixed to the steering wheel 21 and an inflator 73 supported by the retainer 72. The retainer 72 has a planar support surface 72a on which the inflator 73 is supported, and the support surface 72a is disposed parallel to the display surface 53c of the meter 53. With this configuration, the airbag unit 70 is disposed rearward of the perpendicular line L2 to the display surface 53c of the meter 53, and the airbag 74 is easily deployed in a direction along the perpendicular line L2 to the display surface 53c by the inflator 73. This allows the deployment surface 75a of the airbag 74 to be efficiently directed toward the driver R without reducing the visibility of the meter 53.

[0067] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the deployed surface 75a of the airbag unit 70 is disposed parallel to the display surface 53c of the meter 53. With this configuration, the airbag unit 70 is likely to have a structure that extends in a direction along the perpendicular line L2 to the display surface 53c of the meter 53, and the airbag unit 70 can be configured to be retracted from between the driver R and the display surface 53c of the meter 53, making it easier to ensure visibility of the meter 53.

[0068] In this embodiment, the steering wheel 21 is provided with a plurality of stays 66, 67 that are arranged to sandwich the left steering wheel portion 62 and the right steering wheel portion 63 from the front and rear, respectively, and the airbag unit 70 is attached to the plurality of stays 66, 67. According to this configuration, by attaching the airbag unit 70 to the stays 66, 67 that sandwich the left and right steering wheel portions from the front and rear, respectively, the airbag unit 70 can be firmly supported by the steering wheel 21.

[0069] Furthermore, in this embodiment, gussets 64, 65 are provided at the bottom of the handle 21, and a plurality of stays 66, 67 are provided to the gussets 64, 65. With this configuration, the airbag unit 70 can be provided to the handle 21 without impairing the rigidity of the handle 21.

[0070] In this embodiment, the stays 66, 67 have respective mounting seats 66a, 67a that are provided parallel to each other, and the airbag unit 70 is attached to each mounting seat 66a, 67a from the same direction. According to this configuration, the airbag unit 70 is attached to the different stays 66, 67 from the same direction, so that the mounting rigidity of the airbag unit 70 can be improved without impairing the assemblability of the airbag unit 70.

[0071] In this embodiment, the mounting axis L100 of each of the stays 66, 67 is parallel to the steering axis L1 of the steering pipe 61. With this configuration, the reaction force from the airbag 74 can be efficiently received by the handle 21 supported by the steering shaft 32.

[0072] In this embodiment, the airbag unit 70 is disposed rearward of the front end 61a of the steering pipe 61 and forward of the rear end 21b of the handle 21. This configuration allows the airbag unit 70 to be compactly disposed in the handle member 34, making it easy to handle the handle member 34 to which the airbag unit 70 is attached.

[0073] As described above, according to the first embodiment to which the second invention is applied, in the saddle-ride type vehicle 10 having the steering shaft 32 steerably supported on the head pipe 18, the handle member 34 including the steering pipe 61 supported on the steering shaft 32 and the handle 21 attached to the upper end of the steering pipe 61, the handle cover 46 covering the handle member 34, and the seat 17 provided behind the handle member 34 and on which the driver R is seated, the handle 21 has a shape that extends laterally above the steering pipe 61, and an airbag unit 70 is disposed in the left-right center of the handle 21, and the airbag unit 70 is deployed to a size that, when deployed, is outside the handle cover 46 in the vehicle width direction and inside the outermost end of the handle 21, is deployed below the handle 21 in the up-down direction, and is equipped with an airbag 74 that is deployed upward to a height H2 that is longer from the upper end 21 a of the handle 21 than the length H0 from the upper end 17 a 1 of the seating surface of the seat 17 to the upper end 21 a of the handle 21. According to this configuration, the airbag 74 can sufficiently decelerate the driver R, including the head R1.

[0074] In this embodiment, the airbag 74 includes an airbag rear surface 83 that bulges toward the driver R to form an arc shape in a top view when deployed, and an airbag front surface 82 that is connected to both ends of the airbag rear surface 83 in the vehicle width direction and bulges toward the steering wheel 21 to form a non-arc shape, and the airbag front surface 82 is deployed in a shape that follows the shape of the steering wheel 21 in a top view when deployed. With this configuration, even when the steering wheel 21 is steered, the airbag 74 can be easily received by the entire steering wheel 21 in the left-right direction, and the airbag rear surface 83 can receive the driver R, which is likely to be in the same positional relationship with the driver R as before the steering, and the airbag 74 can adequately receive the driver R.

[0075] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the vehicle is provided with an inner cover 42 provided behind the head pipe 18, and the airbag unit 70 includes a retainer 72 fixed to the handlebars 21 and an inflator 73 supported by the retainer 72 and deploying the airbag 74, and when the airbag 74 deploys, the reaction force of the airbag 74 is received by at least three components: the handlebars 21, the inner cover 42, and the retainer 72. With this configuration, the reaction force of the airbag 74 can be received at four points by the three components, making it easier to maintain the posture of the airbag 74 when it deploys, and the airbag 74 can adequately support the driver R even when the handlebars 21 is turned.

[0076] In the present embodiment, the airbag unit 70 is provided rearward of the lower end 53a1 of the meter 53 in a side view of the vehicle. With this configuration, the airbag unit 70 is provided rearward of the lower end 53a1 of the meter 53, so that the deployment surface 75a of the airbag unit 70 can be located rearward of the perpendicular line L2 of the lower end of the display surface 53c of the meter 53.

[0077] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the airbag unit 70 is provided below a perpendicular line L2 passing through the lower end of the display surface 53c of the meter 53. With this configuration, the deployment surface 75a of the airbag unit 70 can be positioned below the perpendicular line L2 of the lower end of the display surface 53c of the meter 53. Therefore, in a saddle-ride type vehicle 10 in which the airbag unit 70 is provided in the center of the handlebars 21, the deployment surface 75a of the airbag 74 can be efficiently directed toward the driver R while ensuring visibility of the meter 53.

[0078] In this embodiment, key cylinder 56 is provided below steering wheel 21, and airbag unit 70 is provided above upper end 56a1 of key hole 56a of key cylinder 56. With this configuration, even if airbag unit 70 is provided on steering wheel 21 so as to ensure visibility of meter 53, airbag unit 70 is unlikely to get in the way when operating the key.

[0079] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the airbag unit 70 is disposed above a perpendicular line L5 to the top surface 56b of the key cylinder 56, which passes through the upper opening end 56a1 of the key hole 56a. With this configuration, the airbag unit 70 is disposed above the perpendicular line L5 to the top surface 56b of the key cylinder 56, so the airbag unit 70 can be retracted from the working space when inserting or removing the key into or from the key cylinder 56. This prevents the airbag unit 70 from getting in the way when inserting or removing the key into or from the key cylinder 56.

[0080] In the present embodiment, the airbag unit 70 includes a retainer 72 fixed to the steering wheel 21 and an inflator 73 supported by the retainer 72. The retainer 72 has a planar support surface 72a on which the inflator 73 is supported, and the support surface 72a is disposed parallel to the display surface 53c of the meter 53. With this configuration, the airbag unit 70 is disposed rearward of the perpendicular line L2 to the display surface 53c of the meter 53, and the airbag 74 is easily deployed in a direction along the perpendicular line L2 to the display surface 53c by the inflator 73. This allows the deployment surface 75a of the airbag 74 to be efficiently directed toward the driver R without reducing the visibility of the meter 53.

[0081] [Second embodiment] A second embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described. In this second embodiment, parts configured in the same manner as in the first embodiment will be given the same reference numerals and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0082] 8 is a perspective view showing a handle member 234 and an airbag unit 270 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The handle member 234 and airbag unit 270 according to the second embodiment differ from the first embodiment in the method of fixing the airbag unit 270 to the handle member 234.

[0083] Specifically, the handle member 234 of the second embodiment includes a front stay (first stay) 266 and a rear stay (second stay) 267 instead of the front stay 66 and rear stay 67 of the first embodiment. The stays 266 and 267 are in the form of bent plates.

[0084] A pair of left and right front stays 66 are provided corresponding to the positions of the left handlebar portion 62 and the right handlebar portion 63. The front stays 266 are fixed to the front gusset 64 by welding. The front stays 266 protrude forward relative to the handlebars 21. A planar mounting seat surface 266a having a thickness in the left-right direction is formed at the front end of the stays 266. A mounting hole penetrating the mounting seat surface 266a in the thickness direction is formed.

[0085] The rear stay 267 protrudes rearward relative to the handlebars 21. The rear stay 267 is provided at a position closer to the steering pipe 61 than the front stay 266. In this embodiment, the rear stay 267 is provided at the left-right center, which is the lower end of the handlebars 21. Therefore, the rear stay 267 is welded and fixed to the handlebars 21 between the left and right rear gussets 65. A flat mounting seat surface 267a having a thickness in the up-down direction is formed at the rear end of the rear stay 267. A mounting hole penetrating the mounting seat surface 267a in the thickness direction is formed.

[0086] The airbag unit 270 of the second embodiment differs from the airbag unit 70 of the first embodiment in that it has a retainer 272 instead of the retainer 72 of the first embodiment. The retainer 272 of the second embodiment has a pair of left and right leg portions 272b extending forward and downward formed on both left and right sides of the support surface 72a. In addition, a leg portion 272c extending forward and downward formed behind the support surface 72a.

[0087] A bolt 100 is inserted into the mounting bearing surface 266a of the pair of left and right front stays 266 from the outer side in the vehicle width direction. This bolt 100 is inserted into the pair of left and right legs 272b and fastened to a nut 101 arranged on the inner side of the pair of left and right legs 272b in the vehicle width direction. Furthermore, a bolt 100 is inserted into the mounting bearing surface 267a of the rear stay 267 from below. This bolt 100 is inserted into the rear leg 272c and fastened to a nut 101 arranged above the rear leg 272c.

[0088] As a result, the airbag unit 270 of the second embodiment is fixed to the steering wheel 21. Therefore, in the second embodiment as well, the airbag unit 270 is supported by the steering wheel 21 at the left-right central portion of the steering wheel 21. In other words, the airbag unit 270 is supported by the steering wheel 21 on the steering axis L1. At this time, the airbag unit 270 is configured in the same manner as the position and inclination of the airbag unit 270 of the first embodiment, except for the fixing method. Therefore, in the second embodiment as well, the airbag unit 270 achieves the same effects as the airbag unit 70 of the first embodiment, except for the fixing method.

[0089] As described above, even in the second embodiment to which the first invention is applied, the airbag unit 270 is disposed in the lateral center portion of the handlebar 21, and the airbag unit 270 is provided rearward of the lower end 53a1 of the meter 53 in a side view of the vehicle. Therefore, even in the second embodiment, it is possible to provide a saddle-ride type vehicle 10 in which the airbag unit 270 is provided in the lateral center portion of the handlebar 21, and in which the deployment surface 75a of the airbag 74 can be efficiently directed toward the driver R while ensuring visibility of the meter 53.

[0090] In this embodiment, there are provided front stays 266 provided on the front side of the vehicle body of each of the left handlebar portion 62 and the right handlebar portion 63, and a rear stay 267 provided on the rear surface of the upper end of the steering pipe 61, and the airbag unit 270 is attached to the front stay 266 and the rear stay 267. With this configuration, the airbag unit 270 can be attached to the handlebar 21 while increasing the rigidity of the handlebar 21.

[0091] As described above, even in the second embodiment to which the second invention is applied, the airbag unit 270 is deployed to a size that, when deployed, is outside the handle cover 46 in the vehicle width direction and inside the outermost end of the handle 21, is deployed below the handle 21 in the vertical direction, and is equipped with an airbag 74 that is deployed upward to a height H2 from the upper end 21a of the handle 21 that is longer than the length H0 from the upper end 17a1 of the seating surface of the seat 17 to the upper end 21a of the handle 21. Therefore, even in the second embodiment, the airbag 74 can sufficiently decelerate the driver R, including the head R1.

[0092] Other Embodiments The above-described embodiment merely shows one aspect of the present invention, and any modifications and applications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0093] In the first and second embodiments, the airbag unit 70, 270 protrudes from the opening 46a of the handle cover 46 toward the driver R, but the opening 46a may be omitted and the airbag unit 70, 270 may be covered by the handle cover 46. In this case, the handle cover 46 is formed with a tear portion that tears when the airbag 74 is deployed.

[0094] In the first and second embodiments described above, the saddle-ride type vehicle 10 is exemplified as a saddle-ride type vehicle 10 having a power unit 12 as an internal combustion engine, but is not limited to this. For example, the saddle-ride type vehicle 10 may be a vehicle that does not have a power unit 12 as an internal combustion engine, i.e., an electric vehicle. Therefore, in the above embodiments, the power unit 12 is exemplified as a power unit that drives the vehicle body, but the power unit may also be a power unit that includes an electric motor for driving. In this case, the saddle-ride type vehicle as an electric vehicle is provided with a battery for driving the power unit instead of the fuel tank 29.

[0095] In the above embodiment, a motorcycle having a front wheel 13 and a rear wheel 15 has been used as an example of the saddle-ride type vehicle 10, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention can be applied to a three-wheel saddle-ride type vehicle having two front wheels or two rear wheels, or a saddle-ride type vehicle having four or more wheels.

[0096] [Configurations Supported by the Above-described Embodiments] The above-described embodiments support the following configurations.

[0097] (Configuration 1) A saddle-ride type vehicle having a steering shaft steerably supported on a head pipe, a steering pipe supported on the steering shaft, a steering wheel member including a steering wheel attached to an upper end of the steering pipe, a steering wheel cover covering the steering wheel member, and a seat provided behind the steering wheel member and on which an occupant sits, wherein the steering wheel has a shape extending laterally above the steering pipe, an airbag unit is disposed in the lateral center of the steering wheel, the airbag unit deploys to a size that is outward of the steering wheel cover in the vehicle width direction and inward of the outermost end of the steering wheel, deploys below the steering wheel in the vertical direction, and deploys upward to a height from the upper end of the steering wheel that is longer than the length from the upper end of the seating surface of the seat to the upper end of the steering wheel. This configuration makes it possible to provide a saddle-ride type vehicle in which the airbag can sufficiently decelerate the occupant, including the head.

[0098] (Configuration 2) The saddle-ride type vehicle according to Configuration 1, characterized in that the airbag includes an arc-shaped portion that bulges toward the occupant to form an arc shape in a top view when deployed, and a non-arc-shaped portion that is connected to both ends of the arc-shaped portion in the vehicle width direction and bulges toward the steering wheel to form a non-arc shape when deployed, and the non-arc-shaped portion is deployed in a shape that follows the shape of the steering wheel in a top view when deployed. With this configuration, even when the steering wheel is steered, the airbag can easily receive the occupant over the entire left-right direction of the steering wheel, and the occupant can be received by the arc-shaped portion that is likely to be in the same positional relationship with the occupant as before the steering, and the occupant can be sufficiently received by the airbag.

[0099] (Configuration 3) A saddle-ride type vehicle according to Configuration 1 or 2, further comprising an inner cover provided behind the head pipe, the airbag unit comprising a retainer fixed to the handlebars, and an inflator supported by the retainer and deploying the airbag, wherein when the airbag is deployed, the reaction force of the airbag is absorbed by at least three components: the handlebars, the inner cover, and the retainer. With this configuration, the reaction force of the airbag can be absorbed at four points by the three components, making it easier to maintain the posture of the airbag when it is deployed, and the airbag can adequately support the occupant even when the handlebars are turned.

[0100] (Configuration 4) A saddle-ride type vehicle according to any one of Configurations 1 to 3, further comprising a meter, wherein the airbag unit is provided rearward of a lower end of the meter in a side view of the vehicle. According to this configuration, by providing the airbag unit rearward of the lower end of the meter, the deployment surface of the airbag unit can be positioned rearward of a perpendicular line to the lower end of the display surface of the meter.

[0101] (Configuration 5) The saddle-ride type vehicle according to Configuration 4, wherein the airbag unit is provided below a perpendicular line passing through a lower end of the display surface of the meter. With this configuration, the deployment surface of the airbag unit can be oriented downward with respect to the perpendicular line of the lower end of the display surface of the meter. Therefore, in a saddle-ride type vehicle in which the airbag unit is provided in the center of the left and right of the handlebars, the deployment surface of the airbag can be efficiently directed toward the occupant while ensuring visibility of the meter.

[0102] (Configuration 6) A saddle-ride type vehicle according to any one of Configurations 1 to 5, characterized in that a key cylinder is provided below the handlebars, and the airbag unit is provided above an upper end of an opening of a key hole in the key cylinder. With this configuration, even if the airbag unit is provided on the handlebars so as to ensure visibility of the meter, the airbag unit is less likely to get in the way when operating the key.

[0103] (Configuration 7) The saddle-type vehicle according to Configuration 6, wherein the airbag unit is disposed above a perpendicular line to the top surface of the key cylinder that passes through the upper end of the key hole. With this configuration, the airbag unit is disposed above a perpendicular line to the top surface of the key cylinder, allowing the airbag unit to be retracted from the working space when inserting or removing the key into or from the key cylinder. This prevents the airbag unit from getting in the way when inserting or removing the key into or from the key cylinder.

[0104] (Configuration 8) The saddle-ride type vehicle according to any one of Configurations 1 to 7, wherein the airbag unit comprises a retainer fixed to the handlebar and an inflator supported by the retainer, the retainer having a planar support surface on which the inflator is supported, the support surface being disposed parallel to the display surface of the meter. With this configuration, the airbag unit is disposed rearward of a line perpendicular to the display surface of the meter, and the airbag is easily deployed in a direction perpendicular to the display surface, allowing the deployment surface of the airbag to be efficiently directed toward the occupant without reducing the visibility of the meter.

[0105] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Saddle-ride type vehicle 17 Seat 18 Head pipe 21 Handle 32 Steering shaft 34 Handle member 42 Inner cover 46 Handle cover 53 Meter 53a1 Lower end 53c Display surface 56 Key cylinder 56a Key hole 56a1 Opening upper end 56b Upper surface L2 Perpendicular line L5 Perpendicular line 61 Steering pipe 70 Airbag unit 72 Retainer 72a Support surface 73 Inflator 74 Airbag 82 Airbag front surface (non-arcuate portion) 83 Airbag rear surface (arcuate portion) 234 Handle member 270 Airbag unit H0 Length H2 Height L21 Handle upper end line (upper end of handle) L22 Upper end of seat seating surface R Driver (occupant)

Claims

1. A saddle-ride type vehicle having a steering shaft (32) steerably supported on a head pipe (18), a handle member (34, 234) including a steering pipe (61) supported on the steering shaft (32) and a handle (21) attached to the upper end of the steering pipe (61), a handle cover (46) covering the handle member (34, 234), and a seat (17) provided behind the handle member (34, 234) and on which a passenger (R) sits, wherein the handle (21) has a shape that extends to the left and right above the steering pipe (61), an airbag unit (70, 270) is disposed in the left-right central portion of the handle (21), The airbag unit (70, 270) is deployed to a size that, when deployed, is outside the handle cover (46) in the vehicle width direction and inside the outermost end of the handle (21), and is deployed below the handle (21) in the vertical direction, and is also equipped with an airbag (74) that is deployed upward to a height (H2) that is longer from the upper end (L21) of the handle (21) than the length (H0) from the upper end (L22) of the seating surface of the seat (17) to the upper end (L21) of the handle (21).

2. The saddle-type vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the airbag (74) comprises an arc-shaped portion (83) that, when deployed, bulges out toward the occupant (R) to form an arc shape in a top view, and a non-arc-shaped portion (82) that is connected to both ends of the arc-shaped portion (83) in the vehicle width direction and bulges out toward the handlebars (21) to form a non-arc shape, and the non-arc-shaped portion (82) is deployed in a shape that follows the shape of the handlebars (21) in a top view when deployed.

3. The saddle-ride type vehicle according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises an inner cover (42) provided behind the head pipe (18), the airbag unit (70, 270) comprises a retainer (72) fixed to the handle (21), and an inflator (73) supported by the retainer (72) and deploying the airbag (74), and when the airbag (74) deploys, the reaction force of the airbag (74) is received by at least three components, namely the handle (21), the inner cover (42), and the retainer (72).

4. The saddle-ride type vehicle according to claim 3, further comprising a meter (53), wherein the airbag unit (70, 270) is provided rearward of a lower end (53a1) of the meter (53) in a side view of the vehicle.

5. The saddle-ride type vehicle according to claim 4, wherein the airbag unit (70, 270) is provided below a perpendicular line (L2) passing through the lower end of the display surface (53c) of the meter (53).

6. The saddle-ride type vehicle according to claim 4, characterized in that a key cylinder (56) is provided below the handlebars (21), and the airbag unit (70, 270) is provided above the upper end (56a1) of the opening of the key hole (56a) of the key cylinder (56).

7. The saddle-ride type vehicle according to claim 6, characterized in that the airbag unit (70, 270) is provided above a perpendicular line (L5) of the upper surface (56b) of the key cylinder (56) that passes through the upper end (56a1) of the opening of the key hole (56a).

8. A saddle-ride type vehicle as set forth in any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the airbag unit (70, 270) comprises a retainer (72) fixed to the handle (21) and an inflator (73) supported by the retainer (72), the retainer (72) has a planar support surface (72a) on which the inflator (73) is supported, and the support surface (72a) is arranged parallel to a display surface (53c) of the meter (53).

Images