Saddle-riding type vehicle

A saddle-riding vehicle mounted with a V engine between a front wheel and a rear wheel, the V engine having a front cylinder portion extending obliquely forwardly and upwardly from a crankcase and a rear cylinder portion extending obliquely rearwardly and upwardly from the crankcase. A main switch is disposed between the front cylinder portion and the rear cylinder portion, and also an intake system is disposed between the front cylinder potion and the rear cylinder portion, wherein the main switch is fixed to the intake system. The main switch is disposed efficiently in terms of space utilization.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority under 35 USC 119 to Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-332521 filed on Dec. 26, 2008 the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an improved saddle-riding type vehicle.

2. Description of Background Art

A saddle-riding type vehicles is known that includes an ignition switch mounted on a vehicle body frame via a stay. See, for example, Japanese Patent No. 3497214. In addition, an ignition switch mounted on an engine hanger is known that is mounted on a vehicle body frame for supporting an engine. See, for example, Japanese Patent No. 4131787.

In accordance with FIGS. 3 to 5 of Japanese Patent No. 3497214, a pair of left and right seat rails 2 is mounted at a rear portion of a main pipe 1 that forms part of a vehicle body frame. A stay 8 is mounted near a connection of the main pipe 1 to the seat rails 2. An ignition switch 11 is attached to the stay 8. A fuel tank T is disposed upwardly of the ignition switch 11 so as to straddle the main pipe 1.

In accordance with FIG. 13 of Japanese Patent No. 4131787, an engine hanger 220 is mounted via a bracket 45 on a cross pipe 30 that forms part of a vehicle body frame and extends in a vehicle width direction. An engine 9 is mounted on the engine hanger 220. An ignition switch 223 is mounted upwardly of a portion of the engine hanger 220 on which the engine 9 is mounted.

In the arrangement disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 3497214, a weld nut 7 is welded to a side portion of the main pipe 1 and the stay 8 is attached to the weld nut 7 using a bolt 9. Accordingly, the bolt 9 is adapted to protrude a small amount so as not to interfere with the fuel tank T that is disposed so as to cover a circumference of the main pipe 1.

A mounting structure for mounting the ignition switch 11 has the following arrangements. More specifically, the main pipe 1 includes a hole drilled in the side portion thereof. Part of the weld nut 7 is inserted in this hole so that the weld nut 7 has a thin-wall portion that protrudes from the main pipe 1, which suppresses the amount of protrusion of the bolt 9. Restrictions are as such imposed on the main pipe 1 in order to mount the ignition switch 11.

In the arrangement disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 4131787, the engine hanger 220 includes an engine mounting portion for mounting the engine 9 thereon. The engine mounting portion includes a protrusion formed upwardly thereof. The protrusion protrudes upwardly for mounting the ignition switch 223. This results in a complicatedly shaped engine hanger 220. As such, in the arrangement of Japanese Patent No. 4131787, restrictions are imposed on the engine hanger 220 which is one part on the side of the vehicle body frame, as in the arrangement of Japanese Patent No. 3497214.

SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of an embodiment of the present invention to provide a saddle-riding type vehicle that can improve the degree of freedom in design on the vehicle body side.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a saddle-riding type vehicle mounted with a V engine between a front wheel and a rear wheel, the V engine having a front cylinder portion extending obliquely forwardly and upwardly from a crankcase and a rear cylinder portion extending obliquely rearwardly and upwardly from the crankcase. This saddle-riding type vehicle includes, a main switch disposed between the front cylinder portion and the rear cylinder portion; and an intake system disposed between the front cylinder portion and the rear cylinder portion and the main switch is fixed to the intake system.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the main switch is disposed by using a space disposed between the front cylinder portion and the rear cylinder portion of the V engine. Further, the space disposed between the front cylinder portion and the rear cylinder portion of the V engine is used for disposing the intake system that supplies the front cylinder portion and the rear cylinder portion with air and the main switch fixed to the intake system. In this case, the intake system can be disposed at a position close to the front cylinder portion and the rear cylinder portion.

In addition, even with the main switch fixed to the intake system, flow of air that flows through an inside of the intake system can be maintained.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the intake system includes an intake path connected to the front cylinder portion and the rear cylinder portion and an air cleaner connected to the intake path, and the main switch is fixed to the intake path.

The intake system is cooled by the air that flows through there inside. Even with the intake system disposed between the front cylinder portion and the rear cylinder portion, the temperature of the main switch fixed to the intake path can be inhibited from rising.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the air cleaner is disposed on a first side of the intake path and the main switch is disposed on a second side of the intake path.

As an effect, the air cleaner and the main switch are disposed across the intake path in a space between the front cylinder portion and the rear cylinder portion. This allows the space between the front cylinder portion and the rear cylinder portion to be effectively used.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the saddle-riding type vehicle further includes a cover for covering a side of a space between the front cylinder portion and the rear cylinder portion. The cover further includes an opening made therein. A key cylinder forming part of the main switch is inserted in this opening and a key insertion slot included in the key cylinder faces an outside.

As an effect, in an arrangement in which the main switch is mounted on the intake path using, for example, a stay or the like is covered in the cover.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the saddle-riding type vehicle further includes a storage space formed inside the cover.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the cover for covering the side of the space between the front cylinder portion and the rear cylinder portion serves also as a part that forms the storage space. Articles stored in the storage space are then covered in the cover and not exposed to the outside.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the main switch is disposed between the front cylinder portion and the rear cylinder portion, and the intake system is further disposed between the front cylinder portion and the rear cylinder portion and the main switch is fixed to the intake system. This arrangement allows the main switch to be disposed efficiently in terms of space utilization and the degree of freedom in design on the vehicle body side to be enhanced.

In addition, the intake system is close to the front cylinder portion and the rear cylinder portion, which allows the intake system to be built compactly. Further, the performance of the intake system can be maintained even with the main switch fixed to the intake system.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the intake system is mainly composed of the intake path connected to the front cylinder portion and to the rear cylinder portion and the air cleaner connected to the intake path and the main switch is fixed to the intake path. Accordingly, even with the main switch disposed between the front cylinder portion and the rear cylinder portion, the main switch is cooled by the intake path, which inhibits the temperature of the main switch from rising.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the air cleaner is disposed on the first side of the intake path and the main switch is disposed on the second side of the intake path. The air cleaner and the main switch can therefore be disposed across the intake path in the space between the front cylinder portion and the rear cylinder portion. This allows the space between the front cylinder portion and the rear cylinder portion to be effectively used. As a result, the air cleaner and the main switch can be kept protruding less in the vehicle width direction as compared with an arrangement, in which, for example, both the air cleaner and the main switch are disposed on one side of the intake path.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the cover covers the side of the space between the front cylinder portion and the rear cylinder portion. The cover includes the opening formed therein. The key cylinder that constitutes the main switch is inserted into this opening and the key insertion slot in the key cylinder faces the outside. The foregoing arrangements allow the stay or the like for mounting the main switch on the intake path to be covered in the cover, which enhances appearance.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is the storage space provided inside the cover. The storage space can therefore be defined by the cover that covers the side of the space between the front cylinder portion and the rear cylinder portion, which eliminates the need for separately providing a tool box, leading to a reduced number of parts used. In addition, tools and other articles stored are invisible from the outside, which improves appearance.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings should be viewed in the direction of reference numerals.

Referring toFIG. 1, a side elevational view illustrates a saddle-riding type vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention, a saddle-riding type vehicle10has a vehicle body frame11that includes a head pipe12, a main frame13, a pair of left and right pivot frames15,16(only reference numeral15representing the pivot frame on a proximal side is shown), a pair of left and right rear frames17,18(only reference numeral17representing the rear frame on the proximal side is shown), a pair of left and right down frames21,22(only reference numeral21representing the down frame on the proximal side is shown), and a pair of left and right lower frames23,24(only reference numeral23representing the lower frame on the proximal side is shown). More specifically, the head pipe12is disposed at a front end. The main frame13extends obliquely downwardly toward the rear from the head pipe12. The pivot frames15,16and the rear frames17,18are attached at a rear end portion of the main frame13. The down frames21,22extend from the head pipe12downwardly of the main frame13and obliquely downwardly toward the rear. The lower frames23,24extend integrally from lower ends of the down frames21,22toward the rear and are connected to lower ends of the pivot frames15,16. The vehicle10is an American type motorcycle having the following further arrangements. More specifically, a front fork26is steerably mounted on the head pipe12. A fuel tank27and a seat28are mounted on an upper portion of the main frame13. A swing arm31is swingably mounted on the pivot frames15,16via a pivot shaft32. A rear fender33is mounted on the rear frames17,18. A V engine35is mounted on the down frames21,22and the lower frames23,24. A handlebar37is mounted on an upper end of the front fork26and a front wheel38is mounted on a lower end thereof. A rear wheel41is mounted at a rear end of the swing arm31.

Referring toFIG. 1, a front fender45covers upwardly the front wheel38. A headlamp46is mounted on the front fork26. A radiator47is mounted on the down frames21,22disposed forwardly of the engine35, for cooling the engine35.

The engine35is a power unit having a transmission52integrally disposed at a rear portion of a crankcase51. The engine35includes a front cylinder portion54and a rear cylinder portion55. More specifically, the front cylinder portion54extends obliquely forwardly and upwardly from the crankcase51and the rear cylinder portion55extends obliquely rearwardly and upwardly from the crankcase51.

The front cylinder portion54includes a front cylinder block57, a front cylinder head58, a front head cover (not shown), and a front overhead cover60. More specifically, the front cylinder block57is disposed at a front portion of an upper portion of the crankcase51. The front cylinder head58is mounted at an upper portion of the front cylinder block57. The front head cover covers upwardly of the front cylinder head58. The front overhead cover60covers a circumference of the front head cover.

The rear cylinder portion55includes a rear cylinder block61, a rear cylinder head62, a rear head cover (not shown), and a rear overhead cover64. More specifically, the rear cylinder block61is disposed at a rear portion of the upper portion of the crankcase51. The rear cylinder head62is mounted at an upper portion of the rear cylinder block61. The rear head cover covers upwardly of the rear cylinder head62. The rear overhead cover64covers a circumference of the rear head cover.

An intake manifold (not shown) that supplies air into the front cylinder head58and the rear cylinder head62is disposed between the front cylinder head58and the rear cylinder head62. A main switch65that has at least an ignition switch function is mounted on the intake manifold. InFIG. 1, a switch cover66covers a circumference of the main switch65.

FIG. 2is a left side elevational view showing a principal part of the engine35according to the embodiment of the present invention (an arrow (FRONT) inFIG. 2indicates a forward direction of the vehicle; the same applies hereunder). An intake manifold71is disposed between the front cylinder portion54and the rear cylinder portion55. The intake manifold71includes a front delivery port71aand a rear delivery port71b. The front delivery port71ais connected to an intake port of the front cylinder head58and the rear delivery port71bis connected to an intake port of the rear cylinder head62.

The intake manifold71is mounted with a fuel injection valve73and a fuel injection valve74. The fuel injection valve73injects fuel to the intake port of the front cylinder head58that communicates with the front delivery port71a. The fuel injection valve74injects fuel to the intake port of the rear cylinder head62that communicates with the rear delivery port71b. Further, the intake manifold71includes a pair of boss portions71c,71dand internal threads71e,71eformed therein. More specifically, the boss portions71c,71dare formed on a left side surface of the intake manifold71. The boss portions71c,71dare formed for mounting the main switch65(seeFIG. 1). InFIG. 2, fuel pipes76,77are provided for guiding fuel to the fuel injection valves73,74, respectively.

FIG. 3is a right side elevational view showing a principal part of the engine35according to the embodiment of the present invention. The intake manifold71includes an intake port71hformed in a right side surface thereof, to which an air cleaner120(to be described in detail later) is connected. The intake manifold71and the air cleaner120form part of an intake system80.

InFIG. 3, a main air path71kextends in a vehicle width direction and is formed in the intake manifold71so as to communicate with the front delivery port71a(seeFIG. 2) and the rear delivery port71b(seeFIG. 2). A valve shaft81is rotatably mounted in the intake manifold71so as to traverse the main air path71k. A throttle valve82is mounted on the valve shaft81, for opening or closing the main air path71k.

FIG. 4is an exploded perspective view showing a mounting structure of the main switch65according to the embodiment of the present invention. A mounting assembly84for mounting the main switch65on the intake manifold71(seeFIG. 2) includes a switch stay86, a base member87, and a fastening member91. More specifically, the switch stay86is attached to the intake manifold71using a pair of screws85,85. The base member87made of rubber is fitted into a hole portion86aformed in the switch stay86. The fastening member91is disposed at a position at which to sandwich the base member87with the main switch65and is threadedly connected by screws88,88for attaching the main switch65.

The switch stay86includes screw insertion holes86b,86b(only reference numeral86brepresenting the insertion hole86bon one side is shown) and screw insertion holes86c,86c,86c. The screws85,85that are to be screwed into the internal threads71e,71e(seeFIG. 2) in the intake manifold71are passed through the screw insertion holes86b,86b. Three screws93for attaching an inner cover102to be described later are passed through the screw insertion holes86c,86c,86c. The three screws93are threadedly connected by nuts not shown mounted on the switch stay86.

The base member87includes an outer peripheral groove87aand screw insertion holes87b,87b. The outer peripheral groove87ais formed in an outer peripheral portion of the base member87into which an edge of the hole portion86ain the switch stay86fits. The screws88,88for attaching the main switch65to the switch stay86are inserted through the screw insertion holes87b,87b.

The fastening member91includes a sheet-like base portion91a, cylindrical protrusions91b,91b, and internal threads91c,91cformed in the cylindrical protrusions91b,91b. More specifically, the protrusions91b,91bprotrude toward the side of the base portion91afrom an upper portion and a lower portion, respectively, of the base portion91a. The protrusions91b,91bare inserted into the screw insertion holes87b,87bin the base member87and the screws88,88are screwed into the internal threads91c,91c.

The main switch65includes a housing96and a key cylinder97disposed in the housing96.

The housing96includes an upper mounting flange96a, a lower mounting flange96b, and screw insertion holes96c,96c. The upper mounting flange96aand the lower mounting flange96bare disposed at an upper portion and a lower portion, respectively, on an inner side in the vehicle width direction of the housing96. The upper mounting flange96aand the lower mounting flange96bare brought into abutment with a side surface87cof the base member87so as to be attached onto the mounting assembly84. The screws88are screwed into the upper mounting flange96aand the lower mounting flange96b.

The key cylinder97is disposed with a key insertion slot97ainto which the key is inserted in the vehicle width direction.

The switch cover66covers part of the main switch65and the mounting assembly84from a sideway direction. The switch cover66includes the inner cover102and an outer cover103. The outer cover103is disposed outside of the inner cover102mounted thereto with a screw (not shown).

The inner cover102includes a side wall102aand a peripheral wall102bthat integrally extends inwardly in the vehicle width direction from a peripheral edge of the side wall102a.

The side wall102aincludes a base portion102cand a protrusion wall102d. The base portion102cis formed into a shape having an outline that is substantially close to an inverted triangle. The protrusion wall102dis formed to protrude sideways from an upper portion of the base portion102c. The base portion102cincludes a key cylinder insertion hole102eand screw insertion holes102f,102f,102r(the screw insertion hole102ris formed in a lower flange102q). More specifically, the key cylinder97of the main switch65is inserted into the key cylinder insertion hole102e. The screws93are inserted into the screw insertion holes102f,102f,102r. The protrusion wall102dincludes tool holding portions102g,102h,102j,102k,102mfor holding tools. The tool holding portions102g,102h,102j,102k,102mare integrally with the protrusion wall102d.

To attach the outer cover103to the inner cover102, the peripheral wall102bincludes screw insertion holes102p,102p(only reference numeral102prepresenting the screw insertion hole102pon one side is shown) drilled in sides at an upper portion of the peripheral wall102band a screw insertion hole (not shown) drilled at a lower end thereof.

The outer cover103includes a side wall103aand a peripheral wall103bthat extends toward the inner cover102side from a peripheral edge of the side wall103a. The side wall103aincludes a key cylinder insertion hole103cdrilled in a lower portion thereof. The key cylinder97of the main switch65is inserted into the key cylinder insertion hole103c. The peripheral wall103bincludes the protrusions103d(only reference numeral103drepresenting one of the protrusions103dis shown) formed thereon. The protrusions103dprotrude toward the inner cover102side. Each of the protrusions103dincludes a screw insertion hole103edrilled therein.

Screws105(seeFIG. 5) are inserted into the screw insertion holes103eas well as the screw insertion holes102pin the inner cover102when the outer cover103is to be mounted to the inner cover102.

FIG. 5is a cross-sectional view showing the intake manifold71and parts around the same according to the embodiment of the present invention (inFIG. 5, an arrow LEFT indicates the leftward direction of the vehicle body and an arrow RIGHT indicates the rightward direction of the vehicle body), taken along a vertical plane that passes through the intake manifold71and extends in the vehicle width direction.

InFIG. 5, a vehicle body centerline110passes through the center in the saddle-riding type vehicle10(seeFIG. 1) in its width direction.

The switch stay86is attached to the boss portions71c,71ddisposed on the left side portion of the intake manifold71with the screws85,85(only reference numeral85representing one of the screws85,85is shown). The main switch65is then attached to the switch stay86using the base member87and the fastening member91(seeFIG. 4). The switch cover66then covers the main switch65, more specifically, a sideway portion of the main switch65excluding an end face (the face having a key insertion slot97a(seeFIG. 4)) of the key cylinder97.

In addition, the air cleaner120is connected to the intake port71hdisposed on the right side portion of the intake manifold71via a connecting tube118made of rubber.

The air cleaner120includes an air cleaner case121, and an air cleaner element122disposed in the air cleaner case121. The air cleaner case121includes a case main body124connected to the connecting tube118and an air cleaner cover126that closes a side opening in the case main body124. The air cleaner element122is fixed in position by being clamped by the case main body124and the air cleaner cover126.

The case main body124extends upwardly and downwardly of the intake manifold71and includes an intake port124a, through which outside air is drawn, disposed at an upper portion thereof. The case main body124further includes a shield portion124bthat covers at least an area upward of the intake port124a.

In addition, the peripheral wall102bof the inner cover102of the switch cover66covers an area upward of the shield portion124b, so that dust, dirt, rainwater, and other foreign matter are less easily drawn in through the intake port124a.

Referring toFIG. 3, the air cleaner cover126covers an area between the front cylinder portion54and the rear cylinder portion55in the right side surface of the engine35.

Referring toFIGS. 2 and 5, the intake manifold71is cooled by an intake air that flows through the inside of the intake manifold71even with the main switch65disposed between the front cylinder portion54and the rear cylinder portion55. This helps inhibit the temperature of the main switch65mounted on the intake manifold71from increasing. This eliminates the need for providing a special part, for example, a heat shielding plate, for the main switch65.

Referring toFIG. 5, a dirty side127of the air cleaner120is provided adjacent to a clean side128of the air cleaner120. A drain131for discharging, for example, water contained in the air cleaner120is provided together with a drain tube132attached to the drain131.

FIG. 6is a front view showing the inner cover102of the switch cover66according to the embodiment of the present invention. The tool holding portions102g,102hincluded in the inner cover102hold an L-shaped Allen wrench135, the tool holding portion102jof the inner cover102holds a handle portion137of a screwdriver136, and the tool holding portions102k,102mhold a shank portion138removably attached to the handle portion137of the screwdriver136. In addition, inFIG. 6, a handle portion support102tsupports an end portion of the handle portion137of the screwdriver136and a rectangular slot102uis provided into which the protrusion103d(seeFIG. 4) is inserted.

Referring toFIGS. 5 and 6, there is a storage space140provided inside the switch cover66, more specifically, between the inner cover102and the outer cover103. The storage space140stores therein the tools shown inFIG. 6(the Allen wrench135and the screwdriver136).

As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, in the saddle-riding type vehicle10mounted with the V engine35that has, between the front wheel38and the rear wheel41, the front cylinder portion54extending obliquely forwardly and upwardly from the crankcase51and the rear cylinder portion55extending obliquely rearwardly and upwardly from the crankcase51, the main switch65is disposed between the front cylinder portion54and the rear cylinder portion55. This arrangement allows the main switch65to be disposed efficiently in terms of space utilization and the degree of freedom in design on the vehicle body side to be enhanced.

As shown inFIGS. 3 and 5, the intake system80is disposed between the front cylinder portion54and the rear cylinder portion55and the main switch65is fixed to the intake system80. This arrangement allows the main switch65to be disposed efficiently in terms of the space utilization and the degree of freedom in design on the vehicle body side to be enhanced. In addition, the intake system80is close to the front cylinder portion54and the rear cylinder portion55, which allows the intake system80to be built compactly. Further, the performance of the intake system80can be maintained even with the main switch65fixed to the intake system80.

In addition, the intake system80is mainly composed of the intake manifold71as an intake path connected to the front cylinder portion54and to the rear cylinder portion55and the air cleaner120connected to the intake manifold71and the main switch65is fixed to the intake manifold71. Accordingly, even with the main switch65disposed between the front cylinder portion54and the rear cylinder portion55, the main switch65is cooled by the intake manifold71, which inhibits the temperature of the main switch65from rising.

As shown inFIG. 5, the air cleaner120is disposed on a first side of the intake manifold71and the main switch65is disposed on a second side of the intake manifold71. The air cleaner120and the main switch65can therefore be disposed across the intake manifold71in a space between the front cylinder portion54and the rear cylinder portion55. This allows the space between the front cylinder portion54and the rear cylinder portion55to be effectively used. As a result, the air cleaner120and the main switch65can be kept protruding less in the vehicle width direction as compared with an arrangement, in which, for example, both the air cleaner and the main switch are disposed on one side of the intake manifold.

As shown inFIGS. 1,4, and5, the switch cover66as a cover covers a side of the space between the front cylinder portion54and the rear cylinder portion55. The switch cover66includes the key cylinder insertion holes102e,103cas openings formed therein. The key cylinder97that constitutes the main switch65is inserted into the key cylinder insertion holes102e,103cand the key insertion slot97ain the key cylinder97faces an outside. The foregoing arrangements allow the stay and other parts (the switch stay86, the base member87, and the fastening member91) for mounting the main switch65on the intake manifold71to be covered in the switch cover66, which enhances the appearance.

As shown inFIGS. 5 and 6, there is the storage space140provided inside the switch cover66. The storage space140can therefore be defined by the switch cover66that covers the side of the space between the front cylinder portion54and the rear cylinder portion55, which eliminates the need for separately providing a tool box, leading to a reduced number of parts used. In addition, the tools (the Allen wrench135, screwdriver136) and other articles stored are invisible from the outside, which improves the appearance.

The present invention is suitably adaptable to saddle-riding type vehicles.