Saddle riding-type vehicle

Abstract

This saddle riding-type vehicle (10) comprises: a vehicle body frame (16) that includes a first frame (16b) and a second frame (16c); and a control device (70) that controls a lock module (42) on the basis of communication with a communication apparatus (74). In a vehicle side view, the control device is provided behind the front end of a drive source (18), below the upper end of the first frame, and in front of the rear end of the second frame.

Description

Saddle-riding vehicle

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a saddle-riding vehicle.

[0002] Japanese Patent No. 7507310 discloses a saddle-riding vehicle including a control device. In a space surrounded by a seat rail and a rear frame, the control device is arranged outside the seat rail in the vehicle width direction and inside a side cover. The control device includes a communication unit and an ECU. The communication unit communicates with a smart key carried by an occupant of the saddle-riding vehicle. The ECU controls each part of the saddle-riding vehicle.

[0003] There is a demand for a technology that allows efficient arrangement of a control device in a saddle-riding vehicle with limited arrangement space.

[0004] An object of the present disclosure is to solve the above-described problem.

[0005] An aspect of the present disclosure is a saddle-riding vehicle, comprising: a vehicle body frame including at least a steering shaft, a drive source, a head pipe that rotatably supports the steering shaft, a first frame extending rearward from the head pipe and at least partially positioned above the drive source, and a second frame extending downward from the first frame and positioned rearward of the drive source; a lock module that locks rotation of the steering shaft; and a control device that controls the lock module based on communication with a communication device carried by an occupant, wherein the control device is provided rearward of a front end of the drive source, below an upper end of the first frame, and forward of a rear end of the second frame in a side view of the vehicle.

[0006] According to the present disclosure, the control device can be efficiently arranged in a saddle-riding vehicle with limited arrangement space.

[0007] Figure 1 is a left side view of a saddle-riding vehicle according to one embodiment. Figure 2 is a partial plan view of the saddle-riding vehicle. Figure 3 is a partial plan view of the saddle-riding vehicle showing a state where a side cowl, a tank cover and a fuel tank are removed. Figure 4 is a diagram showing a state before an occupant gets on the saddle-riding vehicle. Figure 5 is a diagram showing a state where the occupant is seated on a seat.

[0008] In saddle-type vehicles, the space available for arranging electrical equipment and other components is limited, making it difficult to install control devices.

[0009] According to this disclosure, it is possible to provide a saddle-type vehicle that can efficiently arrange control devices in a limited space.

[0010] Figure 1 is a left side view of a saddle-type vehicle 10 according to one embodiment. In the following description, the forward direction of the saddle-type vehicle 10 is referred to as the front, and the forward, backward, left, right, and up and down directions are described accordingly.

[0011] The saddle-type vehicle 10 is an on-road type two-wheeled vehicle. The saddle-type vehicle 10 comprises a front wheel 12, a steering shaft 14, a vehicle frame 16, a drive source 18, a fuel tank 20, a seat 22, a side stand 24, and a rear wheel 26. Note that in Figures 1 to 5, the side cover that covers the vehicle frame 16 and the drive source 18 from the left-right direction (vehicle width direction) is omitted from the illustration.

[0012] As shown in Figure 1, the vehicle frame 16 comprises a head pipe 16a, a pair of first frames 16b (see Figure 2), a pair of second frames 16c, and seat rails 16d.

[0013] The head pipe 16a is the front end of the vehicle frame 16. The steering shaft 14 is inserted through the head pipe 16a. The head pipe 16a supports the steering shaft 14 so that it rotates around its axis. The top bridge 28 is connected to the upper end of the steering shaft 14.

[0014] Figure 2 is a partial plan view of the saddle-type vehicle 10. The upper end of the steering shaft 14 is connected to the center of the top bridge 28 in the vehicle width direction. As shown in Figure 1, a handle 30 is attached to the upper part of the top bridge 28. As shown in Figure 2, the handle 30 extends in the vehicle width direction. A brake lever 32 is provided on the right side of the handle 30. As shown in Figure 1, a bottom bridge 34 is connected to the lower end of the steering shaft 14.

[0015] The top bridge 28 and the bottom bridge 34 support a pair of front forks 36 (see Figure 2). The pair of front forks 36 are supported by the top bridge 28 and the bottom bridge 34 with a gap in the vehicle width direction. The upper ends of the front forks 36 are fixed to the top bridge 28. The front forks 36 extend downward toward the front. The bottom bridge 34 supports the portion of the front forks 36 between the upper and lower ends. The lower ends of the front forks 36 rotatably support the front wheel 12.

[0016] When the occupant 38 (see Figure 4) of the saddle-type vehicle 10 turns the steering wheel 30 around the steering shaft 14, the front wheels 12 are steered left and right. The front wheels 12 are equipped with front wheel brakes (braking devices) 40. The front wheel brakes 40 brake the front wheels 12 based on the operation of the brake lever 32 (see Figure 2) by the occupant 38.

[0017] The top bridge 28 is equipped with a lock module 42. The lock module 42 locks the rotation of the steering shaft 14, thereby locking the turning of the steering wheel 30.

[0018] Figure 3 is a partial plan view of the saddle-type vehicle 10 with the fuel tank 20 (see Figure 2), a pair of side cowls 43, and tank cover 44 removed. The pair of first frames 16b are the main frames of the saddle-type vehicle 10. The pair of first frames 16b are spaced apart in the width direction of the vehicle and are provided on the saddle-type vehicle 10. As shown in Figure 1, the first frames 16b extend downward toward the rear from the head pipe 16a.

[0019] As shown in Figure 3, the pair of second frames 16c are pivot frames provided on the saddle-type vehicle 10. The pair of second frames 16c are provided on the saddle-type vehicle 10 with a gap in the vehicle width direction. As shown in Figure 1, the second frames 16c extend downward from the rear end of the first frame 16b.

[0020] The drive source 18 is the power source for the saddle-type vehicle 10. In this embodiment, the drive source 18 is an internal combustion engine. The drive source 18 is located below the upper end of the first frame 16b, in front of the rear end of the second frame 16c, and behind the front wheels 12. The upper end of the first frame 16b is located at the front end of the first frame 16b which is connected to the head pipe 16a. The drive source 18 is supported by the vehicle body frame 16. Specifically, the drive source 18 is supported by the first frame 16b and the second frame 16c. The drive source 18 is not limited to an internal combustion engine. The drive source 18 may be a motor that is rotationally driven by power supplied from a battery.

[0021] A pivot shaft 46 is connected to the lower ends of a pair of second frames 16c. The pivot shaft 46 extends in the vehicle width direction. A swing arm 48 is connected to the pivot shaft 46. The swing arm 48 extends rearward from the pivot shaft 46. The front end of the swing arm 48 is rotatably connected to the pivot shaft 46. The rear end of the swing arm 48 is located to the left of the rear wheel 26 in the vehicle width direction. The rear end of the swing arm 48 rotatably supports the rear wheel 26.

[0022] A transmission 50 is provided between the drive source 18 and the second frame 16c. A chain 52 is stretched between the transmission 50 and the rear wheel 26. Power from the drive source 18 is transmitted to the rear wheel 26 via the transmission 50 and the chain 52. The transmitted power causes the rear wheel 26 to rotate, causing the saddle-type vehicle 10 to move. The rear wheel 26 is equipped with a rear wheel brake (braking device) 54. The rear wheel brake 54 brakes the rear wheel 26 based on the operation of a brake pedal (not shown) by the occupant 38.

[0023] The side stand 24 is located on the left side of the saddle-type vehicle 10. Specifically, the side stand 24 is located below the left second frame 16c and the swingarm 48. The side stand 24 can be swung between the upright position shown by the dashed line in Figure 1 and the retracted position shown by the solid line by the rider 38 (see Figure 4). When the side stand 24 is in the upright position, the saddle-type vehicle 10 is supported by the side stand 24 in a tilted position to the left. When the side stand 24 is in the retracted position, the saddle-type vehicle 10 is movable.

[0024] The seat rail 16d extends upward and rearward from the upper ends of a pair of second frames 16c. The seat 22 is supported by the seat rail 16d by being positioned above the seat rail 16d. As shown in Figure 5, an occupant 38 sits on the seat 22. As shown in Figure 2, a canister 68 is provided behind the fuel tank 20 and below the seat 22.

[0025] As shown in Figure 1, the fuel tank 20 is located in front of the seat 22 and above the first frame 16b. The fuel tank 20 is supported by the first frame 16b. The fuel tank 20 stores the fuel supplied to the drive source 18. As shown in Figure 2, the left and right portions of the fuel tank 20 are covered from the outside in the vehicle width direction by a pair of side cowls 43. The front portion of the fuel tank 20 is covered from above by a tank cover 44.

[0026] As shown in Figure 1, the saddle-type vehicle 10 further includes a resin storage container 56. As shown in Figure 3, the storage container 56 is located between a pair of first frames 16b in a plan view. The storage container 56 is positioned between the pair of first frames 16b so as to straddle the centerline 58 of the saddle-type vehicle 10 in the vehicle width direction. The storage container 56 is fixed to the pair of first frames 16b. As shown in Figure 1, the storage container 56 is located below the fuel tank 20, in front of the rear end of the second frame 16c, and behind the front end of the drive source 18. Also, a part of the storage container 56 overlaps with the first frames 16b in the vehicle side view in Figure 1.

[0027] As shown in Figure 3, an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 60 and an intake device 62 are provided in front of the housing container 56. The ECU 60 is located in front of the housing container 56, below the fuel tank 20 (see Figure 1) and above the drive source 18. The intake device 62 is located in front of the housing container 56, below the ECU 60 and above the drive source 18. Therefore, the ECU 60 is located above the intake device 62. The ECU 60 and the intake device 62 are arranged so as to straddle the center line 58. The intake device 62 supplies air to the drive source 18.

[0028] Multiple harnesses 66 are connected to the ECU 60. The multiple harnesses 66 connect the ECU 60 to electrical components and a battery (not shown) provided in the saddle-type vehicle 10. Examples of electrical components include a fuel injector (not shown), a throttle device, and lamps. The ECU 60 operates by receiving power from the battery via the harnesses 66. The ECU 60 controls the operation of the electrical components by transmitting control signals to them via the other harnesses 66.

[0029] The saddle-type vehicle 10 further comprises a communication control device (control device) 70 and an ABS modulator 72. The communication control device 70 and the ABS modulator 72 are housed in a storage container 56. As described above, since the storage container 56 is located between a pair of first frames 16b, the communication control device 70 and the ABS modulator 72 can be properly protected by the first frames 16b and the storage container 56 when the saddle-type vehicle 10 overturns.

[0030] The communication control device 70 contains an on-board antenna (not shown) capable of communicating with a communication device 74 carried by the occupant 38 (see Figure 4) of the saddle-type vehicle 10. The communication device 74 is a portable device with wireless communication capabilities, such as a smartphone or smart key. The communication device 74 is stored in a pocket on the clothing worn by the occupant 38. Alternatively, the communication device 74 is stored in a backpack 76 carried on the occupant 38's back.

[0031] The communication control device 70 is not limited to including the vehicle-mounted antenna. The communication control device 70 and the vehicle-mounted antenna may be separate units. The communication control device 70 may control other equipment mounted on the saddle-type vehicle 10 based on the information received by the vehicle-mounted antenna. The communication control device 70 may also control the transmission of information to the communication device 74 based on the status of the other equipment.

[0032] Furthermore, the communication control device 70 is equipped with a connector (not shown). The connector is located on the underside of the communication control device 70. The communication control device 70 and other equipment mounted on the saddle-type vehicle 10 are connected via the connector and communication lines or power lines.

[0033] Furthermore, the communication control device 70 controls the lock module 42. Specifically, the communication control device 70 controls the lock module 42 based on signals received from the communication device 74. For example, the communication control device 70 transmits a request signal to the communication device 74 based on the occupant 38's operation to release the steering lock. When the communication device 74 receives the request signal, it transmits a signal corresponding to the request signal to the communication control device 70. When the communication control device 70 receives a signal from the communication device 74, it determines whether the content of the signal includes registered information, which is information pre-registered in the saddle-type vehicle 10. If the communication control device 70 determines that the content of the received signal includes registered information, it outputs a control command to the lock module 42 instructing it to release the lock state. Based on the input control command, the lock module 42 releases the lock state of the steering shaft 14. As a result, the occupant 38 can steer the steering wheel 30, which is now unlocked.

[0034] The operation to release the steering wheel lock by the occupant 38 is performed by the occupant 38 operating an unillustrated control device mounted on the saddle-type vehicle 10. Alternatively, the steering wheel lock may be released by the occupant 38 operating the communication device 74. When the occupant 38 operates the communication device 74, the communication device 74 transmits a signal containing registration information to the communication control device 70.

[0035] Furthermore, the ECU 60 controls the starting of the drive source 18. Specifically, the ECU 60 starts the drive source 18 by controlling an ignition coil (not shown) provided in the saddle-type vehicle 10 to ignite a spark plug (not shown).

[0036] In this embodiment, when the occupant 38 performs a starting operation on the saddle-type vehicle 10, the communication control device 70 determines whether the communication device 74 is a pre-registered communication device. If the communication control device 70 determines that the communication device 74 is a pre-registered communication device, it starts communication with the ECU 60. Based on the determination result of the communication control device 70, the ECU 60 starts the drive source 18 by starting control of the drive source 18.

[0037] As described above, the communication control device 70 is housed in the storage container 56. Therefore, in the side view of the vehicle in Figure 1, the communication control device 70 is located behind the front end of the drive source 18, below the upper end of the first frame 16b, and in front of the rear end of the second frame 16c. This allows the communication control device 70 to be efficiently arranged in the saddle-type vehicle 10, where space is limited.

[0038] As shown in Figure 3, the communication control device 70 is positioned within the storage container 56, on one side of the storage container 56 with respect to the centerline 58 in the vehicle width direction. Specifically, the communication control device 70 is positioned on the left side of the storage container 56 with respect to the centerline 58. As a result, as shown in Figure 4, when the occupant 38 moves to the left of the saddle-type vehicle 10 to swing the side stand 24 from the upright position to the retracted position, the communication device 74 held by the occupant 38 and the communication control device 70 come into close proximity. This proximity allows for good wireless communication between the communication control device 70 and the communication device 74. As a result, the communication performance of the communication control device 70 with respect to the communication device 74 can be improved. One of the multiple harnesses 66 passes over the communication control device 70.

[0039] Furthermore, the communication control device 70 is positioned in front of the front end of the seat 22 so as to overlap with the fuel tank 20 in the plan view of Figure 2. As shown in Figure 5, the occupant 38 seated on the seat 22 holds the handle 30 with their upper body leaning forward. At this time, the communication device 74 held by the occupant 38 and the communication control device 70 are in close proximity, so wireless communication between the communication control device 70 and the communication device 74 can be performed well. As a result, the communication performance of the communication control device 70 to the communication device 74 can be improved. In addition, since the communication control device 70 and the fuel tank 20 overlap in the plan view, the communication control device 70 can be properly protected by the fuel tank 20 when the saddle-type vehicle 10 tips over.

[0040] The ABS modulator 72 adjusts the braking force of the front wheel brake 40 on the front wheel 12 (see Figure 1) and also adjusts the braking force of the rear wheel brake 54 on the rear wheel 26. As shown in Figure 3, the ABS modulator 72 is located within the housing container 56, on the other side of the housing container 56 with respect to the center line 58 in the vehicle width direction. Specifically, the ABS modulator 72 is located on the right side of the housing container 56 with respect to the center line 58.

[0041] In this way, within the storage container 56, the relatively heavy communication control device 70 and ABS modulator 72 are arranged separately on the left and right sides of the center line 58. This improves the weight balance of the saddle-type vehicle 10 in the vehicle width direction, thereby enhancing the driving stability of the saddle-type vehicle 10.

[0042] The ABS modulator 72, like the communication control device 70, may be positioned in the side view of the vehicle in Figure 1, behind the front end of the drive source 18, below the upper end of the first frame 16b, and in front of the rear end of the second frame 16c. Furthermore, the ABS modulator 72 may be positioned in front of the front end of the seat 22 in the side view of the vehicle in Figure 1. Additionally, in the plan views of Figures 2 and 3, the ABS modulator 72 is positioned between the pair of first frames 16b and overlaps with the fuel tank 20.

[0043] In this embodiment, the communication control device 70 may be arranged on the right side of the storage container 56 with respect to the center line 58, and the ABS modulator 72 may be arranged on the left side of the storage container 56 with respect to the center line 58.

[0044] In this embodiment, the straddle-type vehicle 10 may be an off-road two-wheeled vehicle. Furthermore, the straddle-type vehicle 10 is not limited to two-wheeled vehicles. The straddle-type vehicle 10 may be a three-wheeled vehicle or a four-wheeled vehicle.

[0045] In addition, in the present embodiment, the side stand 24 (see FIG. 1) is not limited to being provided on the left side of the straddle-type vehicle 10. The side stand 24 may be provided on the right side of the straddle-type vehicle 10. In this case, in the storage container 56, the communication control device 70 is arranged on the right side, and the ABS modulator 72 is arranged on the left side.

[0046] Regarding the above embodiment, the following additional notes are further disclosed.

[0047] (Additional Note 1) The straddle-type vehicle (10) of the present disclosure comprises: a steering shaft (14); a drive source (18); a head pipe (16a) that rotatably supports the steering shaft; a vehicle body frame (16) including at least a first frame (16b) extending rearward from the head pipe and having at least a portion located above the drive source, and a second frame (16c) extending downward from the first frame and located rearward of the drive source; a lock module (42) that locks rotation of the steering shaft; and a control device (70) that controls the lock module based on communication with a communication device (74) carried by an occupant (38), wherein the control device is provided rearward of a front end of the drive source, below an upper end of the first frame, and forward of a rear end of the second frame in a side view of the vehicle.

[0048] Accordingly, in a straddle-type vehicle with limited arrangement space, the control device can be efficiently provided.

[0049] (Note 2) In the saddle-type vehicle described in Note 1, a side stand (24) is provided on one side of the saddle-type vehicle in the vehicle width direction, and the control device may be provided on the one side with respect to the center (58) of the saddle-type vehicle in the vehicle width direction.

[0050] Since the control device is installed on the side stand side, which is the side that the occupant frequently approaches when using a saddle-type vehicle, it is possible to improve communication between the communication device and the control device without increasing the output of the communication device carried by the occupant, and without increasing the receiving sensitivity of the control device itself.

[0051] (Note 3) In the saddle-type vehicle described in Note 1 or 2, the vehicle further comprises a seat (22) on which the occupant sits, and the control device may be provided in front of the front end of the seat when viewed from the side of the vehicle.

[0052] When the occupant is seated, the communication equipment and control device they are carrying are in close proximity. This improves the communication between the communication equipment and the control device without increasing the signal strength, compared to when the control device is located behind the front edge of the seat.

[0053] (Note 4) In the saddle-type vehicle described in any one of Notes 1 to 3, the pair of first frames extend rearward from the head pipe with a gap in the vehicle width direction, and the control device may be provided between the pair of first frames in a plan view.

[0054] This allows the control device to be properly protected by a pair of first frames in the event of a saddle-type vehicle tipping over.

[0055] (Note 5) In the saddle-type vehicle described in any one of Notes 1 to 4, a fuel tank (20) is further provided which is supported above the first frame, and the control device may overlap with the fuel tank in a plan view.

[0056] This allows the control system to be properly protected by the fuel tank in the event of a saddle-type vehicle tipping over.

[0057] (Note 6) In the saddle-type vehicle described in any one of Notes 1 to 5, the vehicle further comprises a braking device (40, 54), an ABS modulator (72) for adjusting the braking force of the braking device, and a storage container (56) fixed to the vehicle frame for housing the control device and the ABS modulator, wherein the control device is positioned on one side of the storage container with respect to the center of the saddle-type vehicle in the vehicle width direction, and the ABS modulator is positioned on the other side of the storage container with respect to the center of the saddle-type vehicle in the vehicle width direction.

[0058] By placing the relatively heavy control device and ABS modulator on the left and right sides of the saddle-type vehicle, the weight balance of the saddle-type vehicle can be improved, thereby enhancing its driving stability.

[0059] While this disclosure has been described in detail, it is not limited to the individual embodiments described above. These embodiments can be added, replaced, modified, partially deleted, etc., in any way that does not depart from the gist of this disclosure or from the intent of this disclosure derived from the claims and their equivalents. These embodiments can also be implemented in combination. For example, the order of operations and processes in the embodiments described above are given as examples only and are not limited thereto. The same applies when numerical values ​​or mathematical formulas are used in the description of the embodiments described above.

Claims

1. A saddle-type vehicle (10) comprising: a steering shaft (14); a drive source (18); a head pipe (16a) that supports the steering shaft to rotate; a first frame (16b) that extends rearward from the head pipe and at least a portion of which is located above the drive source; and a second frame (16c) that extends downward from the first frame and is located behind the drive source; a lock module (42) that locks the rotation of the steering shaft; and a control device (70) that controls the lock module based on communication with a communication device (74) held by an occupant (38), wherein the control device is located, in a side view of the vehicle, behind the front end of the drive source, below the upper end of the first frame, and in front of the rear end of the second frame.

2. A saddle-type vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising a side stand (24) provided on one side of the saddle-type vehicle in the vehicle width direction, wherein the control device is provided on the one side with respect to the center (58) of the saddle-type vehicle in the vehicle width direction.

3. A saddle-type vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a seat (22) on which the occupant sits, wherein the control device is provided in front of the front end of the seat in a side view of the vehicle.

4. A saddle-type vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the pair of first frames extend rearward from the head pipe with a gap in the vehicle width direction, and the control device is provided between the pair of first frames in a plan view.

5. A saddle-type vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a fuel tank (20) supported above the first frame, wherein the control device overlaps with the fuel tank in a plan view.

6. A saddle-type vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: a braking device (40, 54); an ABS modulator (72) for adjusting the braking force of the braking device; and a storage container (56) fixed to the vehicle frame and housing the control device and the ABS modulator, wherein the control device is positioned on one side of the storage container with respect to the center of the saddle-type vehicle in the vehicle width direction, and the ABS modulator is positioned on the other side of the storage container with respect to the center of the saddle-type vehicle in the vehicle width direction.

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