Saddled vehicle

Abstract

The present invention provides brake fluid pressure control-related components capable of both achieving an appropriate balancing of the center of gravity of a vehicle and improving vehicle ergonomics. A saddled vehicle 10 comprises an engine 12, a muffler 25m for discharging exhaust gas from the engine 12, and a brake fluid pressure control unit 41, in which the brake fluid pressure control unit 41 and the muffler 25m are disposed above a swing arm 16 which allows a rear wheel 15 to swing. The brake fluid pressure control unit 41 and the muffler 25m are disposed so as to be distributed on the left and right side of a rear part of a vehicle body relative to the rear wheel 16, and an operating unit 51 for operating the brake fluid pressure control unit 41 is disposed above the swing arm 16 that is between the brake fluid pressure control unit 41 and the muffler 25m.

Description

Saddle-type vehicle

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

[0002] Among saddle-type vehicles, there is known an off-road vehicle in which a brake fluid pressure control unit that controls the braking force of the brakes and a muffler that discharges engine exhaust gases are arranged above a swing arm that allows the rear wheel to swing freely (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Patent No. 5025582

[0004] However, in the case of small vehicles such as saddle-ride vehicles, it is difficult to secure space for installing a brake fluid pressure control unit and an ECU for operating the brake fluid pressure control unit. In particular, for motorcycles such as motocross bikes used for off-road riding and racing, improved rider operability and workability are more important than for other motorcycles, so a configuration that takes into account the vehicle's center of gravity balance and ergonomics is desirable. The present invention was made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and aims to provide a configuration for brake fluid pressure control-related components that allows for both optimal vehicle center of gravity balance and improved ergonomics.

[0005] The present invention provides a saddle-ride type vehicle that includes an engine, a muffler that discharges exhaust gas from the engine, and a brake fluid pressure control unit, wherein the brake fluid pressure control unit and the muffler are disposed above a swing arm that allows the rear wheel to swing freely, the brake fluid pressure control unit and the muffler being disposed on either side of the rear part of the vehicle body with the rear wheel as the reference, and an operating unit for operating the brake fluid pressure control unit being disposed above the swing arm between the brake fluid pressure control unit and the muffler.

[0006] The brake fluid pressure control related components can be provided in a manner that allows for both optimizing the vehicle's center of gravity balance and improving ergonomics.

[0007] Fig. 1 is a right side view of a saddle-ride type vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a left side view of the saddle-ride type vehicle. Fig. 3 is a view showing a stay supporting an operating unit together with the surrounding structure from the left side of the vehicle body. Fig. 4 is a view showing components related to brake fluid pressure control together with the surrounding structure from the rear of the vehicle body.

[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 type vehicle 10 of this embodiment is an off-road vehicle classified as a motocross bike for rough terrain use, and is configured such that a muffler 25m that discharges exhaust gas from a power unit 12 and a brake fluid pressure control unit 41 are disposed on the left and right sides of the rear of the vehicle body relative to the rear wheel 15. Fig. 1 shows a right side view of the saddle-ride type vehicle 10, and Fig. 2 shows a left side view of the saddle-ride type vehicle 10. A front frame 19, a rear frame 20, and some of the vehicle body mounted components will be described with reference to Fig. 1.

[0016] The front frame 19 includes a pair of left and right main frames 19a extending rearward and downward from the head pipe 18, and a down tube 19b extending downward from near the head pipe 18 and then bending rearward to connect to the lower rear ends of the main frames 19a. The power unit 12 is disposed in the space surrounded by the main frames 19a and the down tube 19b. A rear brake lever 30, which functions as a rear brake operator, and a rear master cylinder 31 are disposed around a step 28 on which a rider seated in the seat 17 places his or her right foot. Reference numeral 32 in Figures 1 and 2 indicates a rear brake caliper, which is part of the rear disc brake device, and reference numeral 33 in Figure 2 indicates a front brake caliper, which is part of the front disc brake device.

[0017] The power unit 12 is composed of a four-stroke single-cylinder engine, hereinafter referred to as the engine 12. An exhaust pipe 25p, which is part of the exhaust system 25, is connected to the front of the cylinder section 24. The exhaust pipe 25p extends forward from the cylinder section 24, then bends rearward and passes along the right side of the engine 12. The exhaust pipe 25p then passes between the pair of main frames 19a, extends rearward, and is connected to a muffler 25m. Note that the engine 12 may be a multi-cylinder engine.

[0018] The muffler 25m is supported by the right seat frame 20a of the pair of left and right seat frames 20a provided on the rear frame 20, and is therefore positioned offset to the right with respect to the rear wheel 15 and above the swing arm 16. At least a portion of the muffler 25m is covered by the right side cover 34 from the outer side in the vehicle width direction.

[0019] The seat 17, which forms the seating area for an occupant, is attached to the pair of left and right seat frames 20a. The front portion of a rear fender 27 is fixed to the rear portion of the seat frame 20a. The rear fender 27 extends rearward from the rear end of the seat 17 at approximately the same height as the upper surface of the seat 17, and effectively blocks dirt, mud, sand, water, and other debris that may be scattered from the rear wheels 15.

[0020] As shown in Figure 2, the brake fluid pressure control unit 41 is disposed at a position overlapping with the muffler 25m in a side view of the vehicle body. More specifically, the brake fluid pressure control unit 41 is supported by the left seat frame 20a, and disposed at a position offset to the left of the rear wheel 15 and above the swing arm 16. The brake fluid pressure control unit 41 is connected to a rear master cylinder 31 (see Figure 1), which is part of the rear disc brake device that functions as a rear wheel brake, via a brake pipe 42 shown in Figure 2, and controls the application of brake pressure to the rear disc brake device.

[0021] The brake fluid pressure control unit 41 is a unit including an electronic control unit, a hydraulic circuit unit, and an electric motor, and controls the application of brake pressure under predetermined conditions. Therefore, the brake fluid pressure control unit 41 can also be referred to as a brake pressure control unit. The brake fluid pressure control unit 41 may also have a function of, when slippage (locking) of the rear wheels 15 is detected, inputting a pressure reduction control signal to the electronic control unit, which then drives the electric motor to control a valve in the hydraulic circuit unit, thereby intermittently reducing the brake pressure and preventing the rear wheels from locking. The brake fluid pressure control unit 41 may be a one-channel brake fluid pressure control unit that controls the brake pressure of the rear wheels 15, or a two-channel brake fluid pressure control unit that also controls the brake pressure of a front disc brake device that constitutes a front wheel brake.

[0022] The saddle-ride type vehicle 10 of this embodiment includes an operation unit 51 for operating the brake fluid pressure control unit 41. The operation unit 51 integrally includes an ECU 51a that constitutes an electronic control unit for operating the brake fluid pressure control unit 41, and a case 51b that covers the ECU 51a. The operation unit 51 can also be referred to as an operation ECU for brake pressure control.

[0023] Figure 3 is a view showing the stay 52 supporting the operation unit 51, along with the surrounding configuration, from the left side of the vehicle body. As shown in Figure 3, the stay 52 is detachably fixed to the left and right seat frames 20a using a plurality of fastening members 53. The stay 52 has a shape that extends rearward and upward from the point where it is fixed to the seat frame 20a, and the rear portion of the stay 52 extends behind the seat 17 and above the rear fender 27. The operation unit 51 is fixed onto the rear portion of the stay 52, so that it is positioned behind the seat 17 and above the rear fender 27.

[0024] 3, a bracket 54 supporting the brake fluid pressure control unit 41 is detachably fixed by fastening members 53 to an area of ​​the left seat frame 20a below the stay 52. ​​The brake fluid pressure control unit 41 is disposed below the stay 52 and the left seat frame 20a and on the left side, which is the outer side in the vehicle width direction, so that the brake fluid pressure control unit 41 is offset to the left with respect to the rear wheel 15 and above the swing arm 16. At least a portion of the brake fluid pressure control unit 41 is covered by the left side cover 34 from the outer side in the vehicle width direction.

[0025] In this configuration, the brake fluid pressure control unit 41 and the brake pipes 42 extending from the brake fluid pressure control unit 41 are disposed in the space inside the left side cover 34 in the vehicle width direction, making it possible to effectively utilize the available space. In addition, the side cover 34 can be used to prevent debris from flying from the surrounding area from adhering to the brake fluid pressure control unit 41 or the brake pipes 42.

[0026] Figure 4 is a diagram showing brake fluid pressure control-related components and the surrounding configuration from the rear of the vehicle. Note that the symbol LC in Figure 4 is a widthwise centerline indicating the center of the vehicle width, which is also the lateral centerline of the rear wheel 15. As shown in Figure 4, the brake fluid pressure control unit 41 and the muffler 25m are arranged on the left and right sides of the rear of the vehicle body, with the rear wheel 15 as the reference. This makes it possible to prevent the brake fluid pressure control unit 41 and the muffler 25m from increasing the vehicle width to one side or shifting the center of gravity to the other side.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 4 , the operation unit 51 is positioned above the swing arm 16 between the brake fluid pressure control unit 41 and the muffler 25 m and on the vehicle width centerline LC. This prevents the operation unit 51 from increasing the vehicle width to either the left or right or shifting the center of gravity to either the left or right. Furthermore, the operation unit 51 can be positioned in the dead space between the brake fluid pressure control unit 41 and the muffler 25 m, thereby enabling effective use of space. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 , this dead space is located behind the seat 17 and above the rear fender 27, so it does not interfere with the rider's movement and is easy to position and access the operation unit 51. Furthermore, the location is less susceptible to debris from the front and from the ground. Therefore, the operation unit 51 does not interfere with the rider's operability, which is required of a saddle-type vehicle 10 such as a motocross bike, and various actions, including attaching and detaching the operation unit 51 and performing work, are easy.

[0028] As described above, the brake fluid pressure control unit 41 and the muffler 25m are disposed on the left and right sides of the rear of the vehicle body relative to the rear wheel 15, and the operation unit 51 is disposed above the swing arm 16 between the brake fluid pressure control unit 41 and the muffler 25m. This prevents the brake fluid pressure control unit 41, the muffler 25m, and the operation unit 51 from increasing the vehicle width to either the left or right and from shifting the center of gravity to either the left or right. Furthermore, the brake fluid pressure control unit 41 and the operation unit 51 can be disposed in a location that does not interfere with the movement of the occupant and is easily accessible. This allows the brake fluid pressure control-related components (which can also be referred to as brake pressure control-related components) to be disposed in a manner that optimizes the vehicle's center of gravity balance and improves ergonomics.

[0029] Furthermore, since the operating unit 51 is positioned on the vehicle width center line LC, it is suitable for optimizing the vehicle's center of gravity balance, and the space between the brake fluid pressure control unit 41 and the muffler 25m on the vehicle width center line LC can be effectively utilized.

[0030] In addition, since the operation unit 51 is arranged behind the seat 17 that constitutes the seating portion of the saddle-ride type vehicle 10, the space available behind the seating portion can be effectively utilized, and the situation in which scattered objects from the front or the like affect the operation unit 51 can be prevented.

[0031] Furthermore, since the operating unit 51 is placed on the rear fender 27 extending behind the seat 17 that constitutes the seating portion of the saddle-ride type vehicle, the rear fender 27 can prevent debris from flying from the ground from affecting the operating unit 51, and various actions including attaching and detaching the operating unit 51 and working on it can be easily performed.

[0032] The above embodiment shows one aspect of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and the details of the configuration may be changed as appropriate.

[0033] For example, the positions of the brake fluid pressure control unit 41, the muffler 25m, and the operation unit 51 may be changed as appropriate depending on the configuration, specifications, and application of the vehicle. For example, the positions of the brake fluid pressure control unit 41 and the muffler 25m may be changed as appropriate in any direction, such as forward / backward or upward / downward, as long as they are disposed on the left and right sides of the rear of the vehicle body relative to the rear wheel 15. Furthermore, the position of the operation unit 51 may be changed as appropriate as long as it is disposed above the swing arm 16 between the brake fluid pressure control unit 41 and the muffler 25m.

[0034] Although the present invention has been described as being applied to the saddle-ride type vehicle 10 shown in Fig. 1 and other figures, the present invention is not limited to this and may be applied to any saddle-ride type vehicle. Note that the saddle-ride type vehicle is not limited to a two-wheeled vehicle, but may also be a three-wheeled vehicle, a four-wheeled vehicle, or the like.

[0035] [Configurations Supported by the Above-described Embodiments] The above-described embodiments support the following configurations.

[0036] (Configuration 1) A saddle-ride type vehicle including an engine, a muffler that discharges exhaust gas from the engine, and a brake fluid pressure control unit, the brake fluid pressure control unit and the muffler being disposed above a swing arm that swings a rear wheel, the brake fluid pressure control unit and the muffler being disposed on either side of the rear of the vehicle body relative to the rear wheel, and an operating unit for operating the brake fluid pressure control unit being disposed above the swing arm between the brake fluid pressure control unit and the muffler. This configuration allows the arrangement of parts related to brake fluid pressure control to achieve both optimal balance of the center of gravity of the vehicle and improved ergonomics.

[0037] (Configuration 2) The saddle-ride type vehicle according to Configuration 1, wherein the brake fluid pressure control operation unit is disposed on the vehicle width centerline. This configuration is suitable for optimizing the balance of the center of gravity of the vehicle, and also makes it possible to effectively utilize the space between the brake fluid pressure control unit and the muffler on the lateral centerline of the vehicle body.

[0038] (Configuration 3) The saddle-ride type vehicle according to Configuration 1 or 2, wherein the operating unit is disposed behind the seat of the saddle-ride type vehicle. This configuration makes it possible to effectively utilize the space behind the seat and to prevent debris from flying from the front or the like from affecting the operating unit.

[0039] (Configuration 4) A saddle-ride type vehicle according to any one of Configurations 1 to 3, wherein the operating unit is disposed on a rear fender extending behind the seat of the saddle-ride type vehicle. With this configuration, the rear fender can prevent debris from flying from the ground from affecting the operating unit, and various actions, including attachment / detachment to and work on the operating unit, can be easily performed.

[0040] 10 saddle-ride type vehicle 12 power unit (engine) 16 swing arm 17 seat (sitting portion) 25 exhaust system 25p exhaust pipe 25m muffler 27 rear fender 41 brake fluid pressure control unit (brake pressure control unit) 51 operation unit (operation ECU) LC vehicle width center line

Claims

1. A saddle-ride type vehicle comprising an engine (12), a muffler (25m) for discharging exhaust gas from the engine (12), and a brake fluid pressure control unit (41), wherein the brake fluid pressure control unit (41) and the muffler (25m) are disposed above a swing arm (16) that allows a rear wheel (15) to swing freely, wherein the brake fluid pressure control unit (41) and the muffler (25m) are disposed on the left and right sides of the rear part of the vehicle body with the rear wheel (16) as the reference, and an operating unit (51) for operating the brake fluid pressure control unit (41) is disposed above the swing arm (16) between the brake fluid pressure control unit (41) and the muffler (25m).

2. A saddle-ride type vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the operating unit (51) is disposed on the center line of the vehicle width.

3. A saddle-ride type vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the operating unit (51) is disposed behind a seating portion (17) of the saddle-ride type vehicle.

4. A saddle-ride type vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the operating unit (51) is disposed on a rear fender (27) extending rearward of a seating portion (17) of the saddle-ride type vehicle.

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