Abstract:
A cowl structure that is small in size and light, and that is effective in preventing air discharged from a radiator from being applied to the legs of the rider. An upper cowl includes ridges projecting laterally outwardly in the transverse direction of the vehicle, slanted surfaces extending from the ridges in the forward direction of the vehicle and directed toward the center of the vehicle, and rear slanted surfaces extending from the ridges in a rearward direction of the vehicle and directed toward the center of the vehicle. The air discharged from the radiator is not applied to the legs of the rider. Since the action is achieved simply by deforming the upper cowl, the cowl can be reduced in size and weight.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a saddle-type vehicle having a seat for the rider to sit on, knee grip members to be sandwiched by the knees of the rider, an upper cowl covering a region forward of the knee grip members, an engine disposed below the knee grip members, a radiator disposed in front of the engine, and left and right radiator shrouds for guiding ram air to the radiator. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    Vehicles that the passenger rides on astride the seat are called saddle-type vehicles. Some saddle-type vehicles have parts covered with a vehicle body cover referred to as a cowl. The cowl improves the appearance of the vehicle and is capable of controlling ram air. Various vehicles with such a cowl have been proposed (see, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2010-42755 ( FIG. 7 )). 
         [0005]    As shown in  FIG. 7  of Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2010-42755, a radiator unit ( 51 ) (a reference numeral in parentheses is that found in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2010-42755; hereinafter the same) is disposed behind a front wheel ( 25 ), and left and right middle cowls ( 78 L,  78 R) are disposed outwardly of the radiator unit ( 51 ). A radiator air inlet ( 112 ) is positioned between the left and right middle cowls ( 78 L,  78 R), and lower cowls ( 123 L,  123 R) are disposed inwardly of rear portions of the left and right middle cowls ( 78 L,  78 R). 
         [0006]    Part of ram air that is introduced from the radiator air inlet ( 112 ) is discharged out of the middle cowls ( 78 L,  78 R) through openings ( 138 L,  138 R) defined between the middle cowls ( 78 L,  78 R) and the lower cowls ( 123 L,  123 R), and flow rearwardly of the vehicle. The rider on the saddle-type vehicle has legs placed behind the middle cowls ( 78 L,  78 R). 
         [0007]    The air flow that is discharged from the openings ( 138 L,  138 R) may be mixed with air that has been warmed by the radiator unit ( 51 ). When the warmed air is discharged from the openings ( 138 L,  138 R), it should not be applied to the legs of the rider. 
         [0008]    One solution is to extend the lower cowls ( 123 L,  123 R) outwardly in the widthwise directions of the vehicle. However, outwardly extended lower cowls ( 123 L,  123 R) are large in size and heavy. 
         [0009]    There have been demands for a cowl structure which is small in size and light, and is effective to prevent air discharged from the radiator from being applied to the legs of the rider. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    The present invention is directed toward a cowl structure in a saddle-type vehicle having a radiator disposed forwardly of a rider&#39;s seat, the cowl structure being small in size and light, and being effective to prevent air discharged from the radiator from being applied to the legs of the rider. 
         [0011]    In accordance with the present invention, a saddle-type vehicle includes a head pipe mounted on a front portion of a vehicle frame, a front wheel supported on the head pipe by a front wheel suspension device, a seat disposed behind the head pipe for a rider to sit thereon, left and right knee grip members disposed between the head pipe and the seat for being sandwiched by the knees of the rider, an upper cowl disposed in covering relation to a portion of the vehicle frame in front of the knee grip members, an engine disposed below the knee grip members, a radiator disposed between the front wheel and the engine, and left and right radiator shrouds disposed laterally in transverse directions of the vehicle for guiding ram air to the radiator. 
         [0012]    The upper cowl includes a pair of slanted surfaces disposed above the radiator and extending rearwardly in a covering relation to the front wheel suspension device. The slanted surfaces overlap the knee grip members and are inclined downwardly toward the center of the vehicle in the transverse directions thereof. 
         [0013]    The radiator shrouds have respective upper extensions extending upwardly of an upper end of the radiator. The upper extensions have respective upper portions overlapping the slanted surfaces of the upper cowl, as viewed in side elevation, and disposed outwardly of the slanted surfaces in the transverse directions of the vehicle with gaps defined between the upper portions and the slanted surfaces, as viewed in front elevation. 
         [0014]    The upper cowl has, in its lower portion, slanted surfaces that are inclined toward the center of the vehicle in the transverse directions thereof. Part of the air that has been warmed by the radiator is discharged along the slanted surfaces out of the vehicle. Since the slanted surfaces are inclined toward the center of the vehicle in the transverse directions thereof, the air is discharged outwardly in the transverse directions of the vehicle. As a result, the warmed air quickly leaves the vehicle and does not tend to be applied to the knees of the rider. 
         [0015]    Since only the slanted surfaces need to be provided on the upper cowl, the upper cowl may be reduced in size and weight. According to the present invention, therefore, there is provided a cowl structure in a saddle-type vehicle that has a radiator disposed forwardly of a rider&#39;s seat. The cowl structure is small in size and light, and effective to prevent air discharged from the radiator from being applied to the legs of the rider. 
         [0016]    A large amount of ram air is introduced through a rectangular opening that is defined between the upper edge of the radiator, the upper extensions of the left and right radiator shrouds, and the upper cowl, as viewed in front elevation, and the introduced ram air is used to cool the engine. Accordingly, even though the vehicle has the cowl, the engine can effectively be cooled by the ram air. 
         [0017]    In further accordance with the present invention, the upper portions of the upper extensions of the radiator shrouds are positioned more closely to the center of the vehicle in the transverse directions thereof than respective upper ends of the slanted surfaces of the upper cowl, as viewed in front elevation. Air warmed by the radiator is discharged out of the vehicle through gaps between the upper portions of the upper extensions of the radiator shrouds and the slanted surfaces. Since the slanted surfaces are inclined toward the center of the vehicle in the transverse directions thereof, the slanted surfaces can have a sufficient vertical dimension. As the upper portions of the upper extensions are disposed along the slanted surfaces, the gaps between the upper extensions and the slanted surfaces can have a large vertical dimension. Therefore, a sufficient gap area can be maintained for an increased air discharging capability. 
         [0018]    In further accordance with the present invention, the slanted surfaces of the upper cowl have respective upper ends as ridges projecting outwardly in the transverse directions of the vehicle, and the slanted surfaces are inclined from the ridges to the knee grip members in directions toward the center of the vehicle in the transverse directions thereof. The upper ends of the slanted surfaces project as ridges outwardly in the transverse directions of the vehicle, and the slanted surfaces are inclined from the ridges to the knee grip members in directions toward the center of the vehicle in the transverse directions thereof. 
         [0019]    The ridges are each defined as a line where two surfaces intersect with each other. Since the ridges project laterally outwardly in the transverse directions of the vehicle, the air flowing along the slanted surfaces leave the ridges outwardly in the transverse directions of the vehicle. Portions of the upper cowl that extend rearwardly from the ridges are constricted toward the center of the vehicle in the transverse directions thereof. Inasmuch as the knees of the rider are held against the constricted portions of the upper cowl, discharged air is less likely to be applied to the knees of the rider. 
         [0020]    In further accordance with the present invention, each of the ridges extends to a position that is lower than the upper end of the radiator and that is superposed on an upper portion of the engine, as viewed in side elevation. Since the ridges are vertically long, most of the knees of the rider are protected from the discharged air. 
         [0021]    In further accordance with the present invention, lower portions of the radiator shrouds and the slanted surfaces of the upper cowl define therebetween an opening, as viewed in side elevation. Most of the air that has been warmed by the radiator can thus be discharged from between the lower portions of the radiator shrouds and the slanted surfaces. Therefore, the temperature in a space behind the radiator is prevented from rising. 
         [0022]    In further accordance with the present invention, the radiator shrouds are free of a hole as viewed in side elevation. If the radiator shrouds had an opening, their rigidity would be lowered. According to the present invention, since the radiator shrouds have no hole, the rigidity thereof is high. 
         [0023]    In further accordance with the present invention, the saddle-type vehicle further includes a fuel tank of metal disposed at the center of the vehicle in the transverse directions thereof, as viewed in front elevation, the fuel tank being covered with the left and right knee grip members, which are made of plastics, disposed over outer sides of the fuel tank in the transverses directions of the vehicle. The fuel tank of metal tends to be easily scratched, and any scratches thereon are highly visible. According to the present invention, since the fuel tank of metal is covered by the left and right knee grip members, which are made of plastics, disposed over the outer sides of the fuel tank in the transverses directions of the vehicle, the fuel tank is prevented from being scratched. Even if the knee grip members are scratched, any scratches on plastics are less noticeable than on metal. Therefore, according to the present invention, the knee grip members maintain a good appearance. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0024]    These and further features of the invention will be apparent with reference to the following description and drawings, wherein: 
           [0025]      FIG. 1  is a left-hand side elevational view of a saddle-type vehicle according to the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 2  is a front elevational view of the saddle-type vehicle according to the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 3  is a view showing a main portion of the saddle-type vehicle according to the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0029]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0030]      FIG. 6  is a main portion enlarged view of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0031]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 6 . 
           [0032]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  8 - 8  of  FIG. 6 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0033]    An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The drawings should be viewed as reference characters are normally seen. 
         [0034]    As shown in  FIG. 7 , a vehicle frame  11  is provided, and a head pipe  12  is disposed more closely to the viewer of  FIG. 7  than the vehicle frame  11 , i.e., is mounted on a front portion of the vehicle frame  11 . A steering shaft  13  is steerably mounted on the head pipe  12 . 
         [0035]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , a steering handle  14  is mounted on the upper end of the steering shaft  13 . From the steering shaft  13 , there extends downwardly a front wheel suspension device (front fork)  15  having a cushion. A front wheel  16  is rotatably supported on the front wheel suspension device  15 . 
         [0036]    A saddle-type vehicle  10  shown in  FIG. 1  is a saddle-type vehicle having a seat  18  for the rider to sit on behind the head pipe  12 . A knee grip member  19 L of plastics (“L” used herein is a suffix representing the left side of the rider), against which the rider holds a knee thereof, is disposed between the seat  18  and the head pipe  12 . An upper cowl  20  is disposed in covering relation to a portion forward of the knee grip member  19 L. An engine  21  is disposed below the knee grip member  19 L. A radiator  22  is disposed between the front wheel  16  and the engine  21 . A radiator shroud  23 L for guiding ram air to the radiator  22  is disposed laterally of the radiator  22  in a transverse direction of the vehicle. 
         [0037]    The vehicle frame  11  includes a pivot frame  24  as a rear element thereof. A swing arm  26  is vertically swingably mounted on the pivot frame  24  by a pivot shaft  25 . A rear wheel  27  as a drive wheel is rotatably supported on the rear end of the swing arm  26 . 
         [0038]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , the upper cowl  20 , which covers a front upper portion of the vehicle, includes a lens side cowl  29  surrounding a head light lens  28  that is disposed above the front wheel  16 , a front center cowl  31  disposed below the lens side cowl  29  and extending transversely across the vehicle, and a left upper cowl body  32 L and a right upper cowl body  32 R (“R” used herein is a suffix representing the right side of the rider) which are disposed leftwardly and rightwardly of the front center cowl  31  and the lens side cowl  29 . 
         [0039]    A shield  33  extends upwardly from the lens side cowl  29 . Left and right direction indicators  34 L and  34 R are mounted on the lens side cowl  29 . Left and right radiator shrouds  23 L and  23 R are disposed laterally of the left right upper cowl bodies  32 L and  32 R, respectively, in the transverse directions of the vehicle. 
         [0040]    The lower edge of the upper cowl  20 , specifically, the front center cowl  31 , the inner edges of the left and right radiator shrouds  23 L and  23 R, and a front fender  35  jointly define a large rectangular opening through which ram air flows into the vehicle frame  11 . 
         [0041]    The flow of the ram air will be described in specific detail below. 
         [0042]      FIG. 3  shows a main portion of the saddle-type vehicle  10  illustrated in  FIG. 2  with the front wheel  16  and the front wheel suspension device  15  omitted. 
         [0043]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , the left radiator shroud  23 L includes a shroud body  37 L extending along a left side of the rectangular radiator  22  and an upper extension  38 L extending upwardly from the shroud body  37 L. Similarly, the right radiator shroud  23 R includes a shroud body  37 R extending along a right side of the radiator  22  and an upper extension  38 R extending upwardly from the shroud body  37 R. 
         [0044]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , which is a cross-sectional view taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3 , the shroud bodies  37 L and  37 R, each of a V-shaped cross section which is a pointed front end and which is open in a rearward direction of the vehicle, are disposed leftwardly and rightwardly of the radiator  22 . The left and right shroud bodies  37 L and  37 R serve to guide part of the ram air to the radiator  22  in its entirety (see the arrows ( 1 )). The part of the ram air cools the radiator  22  and is warmed thereby. The warmed air is directed rearwardly of the vehicle. 
         [0045]    In  FIG. 3 , the ram air is introduced through a rectangular opening  39  that is defined by the upper edge of the radiator  22 , the upper extensions  38 L and  38 R of the left and right radiator shrouds  23 L and  23 R, and the lower edge of the upper cowl  20 . The ram air that is introduced through the opening  39  flows as indicated by an outline arrow ( 2 ) in  FIG. 5 , which is a cross-sectional view taken along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 3 , and cools the engine  21 . 
         [0046]    The air that is warmed by the radiator  22 , as indicated by the arrows ( 1 ) in  FIG. 4 , is divided into an air flow that is mixed with the air flow indicated by the outline arrow ( 2 ) and another air flow which is not mixed with the air flow. The other air flow, which is warmed by the radiator  22 , flows through gaps  41  between the outer surfaces of the upper cowl bodies  32 L and  32 R and the inner surfaces of the upper extensions  38 L and  38 R of the left and right radiator shrouds  23 L and  23 R, and is discharged out of the vehicle, as indicated by the arrows ( 3 ). 
         [0047]    According to the present invention, ridges  42 , which are each defined as a line where two surfaces intersect with each other, project mostly laterally outwardly in the transverse directions of the vehicle. As shown best in  FIG. 5 , the surfaces in front of the ridges  42  are referred to as slanted surfaces  43  that are inclined away from the center of the vehicle in the transverse directions thereof, and the surfaces behind the ridges  42  are referred to as rear slanted surfaces  44  that are inclined toward the center of the vehicle. The rear slanted surfaces  44  are connected to respective front ends of the knee grip members  19 L and  19 R. Specifically, the slanted surfaces  43  extend more laterally outward in the transverse directions of the vehicle along the rearward direction thereof. The rear slanted surfaces  44  are inclined more toward the center of the vehicle along the rearward direction thereof. 
         [0048]    Rider&#39;s knees  45 , indicated by the imaginary lines, are held against the knee grip members  19 L and  19 R, respectively. The knees  45  are positioned behind the ridges  42 , respectively. The warmed air flows along the slanted surfaces  43  and is then discharged outwardly in the transverse directions of the vehicle from the ridges  42 , as indicated by the arrows ( 3 ). As a result, the warm air is not liable to be applied to the knees  45 . 
         [0049]    Structural details of the upper cowl  20 , the radiator shrouds  23 L and  23 R, and the knee grip members  19 L and  19 R, which perform their actions as described above, will be described below. 
         [0050]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , as viewed in front elevation, the upper cowl  20  has a transverse maximum width W 1 , and the radiator shrouds  23 L and  23 R have a transverse maximum width W 2  that is smaller than the a transverse maximum width W 1 . In other words, respective upper portions  38   a  of the upper extensions  38 L and  38 R of the radiator shrouds  23 L and  23 R are positioned more closely to the center of the vehicle in the transverse directions thereof than the upper ends of the slanted surfaces  43  of the upper cowl  20 . 
         [0051]    Since the slanted surfaces  43  are inclined away from the center of the vehicle in the transverse directions thereof, the slanted surfaces  43  can have a sufficient vertical dimension. As the upper portions  38   a  of the upper extensions  38 L and  38 R are disposed along the slanted surfaces  43 , the gaps  41  ( FIG. 5 ) between the upper extensions  38 L and  38 R and the slanted surfaces  43  can have a large vertical dimension. Therefore, a sufficient gap area (gap×vertical dimension) can be maintained for an increased air discharging capability. 
         [0052]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , which is a main portion enlarged view of  FIG. 1 , a line  46  interconnecting a lower end  22   a  of the radiator  22  and a lower end  42   a  of the ridge  42  is positioned behind the front end of the knee  45 . In other words, the ridge  42  extends to a position that is lower than an upper end  22   b  of the radiator  22  and that is superposed on an upper portion  21   a,  specifically, a head cover, of the engine  21 , as viewed in side elevation. Since the ridge  42  extends downwardly and is vertically long, most of the knee  45  of the rider is protected from the discharged air. 
         [0053]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , a lower portion of the radiator shroud  23 L, i.e., the shroud body  37 L, and the slanted surface  43  define therebetween an inverted V-shaped opening as viewed in side elevation, i.e., a substantially triangular opening  47 . Much of the air that has been warmed by the radiator  22  is discharged through the clearance between the lower portion of the radiator shroud  23 L and the slanted surface  43  of the upper cowl  20 , i.e., through the substantially triangular opening  47 . Consequently, the temperature in a space behind the radiator  22 , i.e., a space between the radiator  22  and the upper portion  21   a  of the engine  21 , is prevented from rising. 
         [0054]    The radiator shroud  23 L itself does not have an opening or hole as viewed in side elevation. If the radiator shroud  23 L had an opening, the radiator shroud rigidity would be lowered. According to the present invention, since the radiator shroud  23 L has no hole, the rigidity thereof is high. 
         [0055]    Preferably, the radiator shroud  23 L has ribs  48  extending upwardly in the rearward direction of the vehicle. The ribs  48  serve to increase the rigidity of the radiator shroud  23 L and improve the appearance of the radiator shroud  23 L. The right radiator shroud  23 R ( FIG. 3 ) is similarly constructed. 
         [0056]    As shown in  FIG. 7 , which is a cross-sectional view taken along line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 6 , the air that has been warmed by the radiator  22  is discharged outwardly in the transverse directions of the vehicle as indicated by the arrows ( 3 ), from the gaps  41  between the slanted surfaces  43  and the upper extensions  38 L and  38 R. 
         [0057]    A canister  49  and an electric component  51  are mounted on the vehicle frame  11  inside of the upper cowl  20  and above the upper edge of the radiator  22 . Since the ram air that flows as indicated by the outline arrow ( 2 ) in  FIG. 5  impinges upon the canister  49  and the electric component  51  and cools them, the temperature of the canister  49  and the electric component  51  is prevented from increasing. 
         [0058]    As shown in  FIG. 8 , which is a cross-sectional view taken along line  8 - 8  of  FIG. 6 , as viewed in front elevation, a fuel tank  52  of metal is disposed at the center of the vehicle in the transverses directions thereof. The fuel tank  52  is covered by the left and right knee grip members  19 L and  19 R, which are made of plastics, disposed over the outer sides of the fuel tank  52  in the transverses directions of the vehicle. 
         [0059]    The fuel tank  52  of metal tends to be easily scratched, and any scratches thereon are highly visible. According to the present invention, since the fuel tank  52  is covered by the left and right knee grip members  19 L and  19 R, which are made of plastics, disposed over the outer sides of the fuel tank  52  in the transverses directions of the vehicle, the fuel tank  52  is prevented from being scratched. Even if the knee grip members  19 L and  19 R are scratched, any scratches on plastics are less noticeable than on metal. Therefore, the knee grip members  19 L and  19 R maintain a good appearance. 
         [0060]    As the fuel tank  52  is laterally covered with the knee grip members  19 L and  19 R, the fuel tank  52  can have a bottom plate  54  thereof positioned above left and right main frames  53 L and  53 R, which are front elements of the vehicle frame. If it were not for the knee grip members  19 L and  19 R, the bottom plate  54  of the fuel tank  52  would need to cover the main frames  53 L and  53 R, and would have to be lowered. 
         [0061]    With the bottom plate  54  being positioned above the left and right main frames  53 L and  53 R, a sufficiently large space  55  is created between the engine  21  and the bottom plate  54  for accommodating a supply pipe and a return pipe for the fuel and a harness therein. 
         [0062]    In addition, the bottom plate  54  thus positioned allows a fuel pump  56 , which is mounted on the bottom plate  54  by being inserted upwardly therethrough, to be spaced from the engine  21  that is of a relatively high temperature during operation. Accordingly, the temperature of the fuel pump  56  is prevented from rising. 
         [0063]    The saddle-type vehicle according to the present invention is illustrated as a two-wheeled motorcycle in the embodiment. However, the present invention is also applicable to a saddle-type three-wheeled vehicle or a saddle-type four-wheeled vehicle. The present invention is applicable to a front structure of a saddle-type vehicle. 
       DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS 
       [0064]      10  . . . Saddle-type vehicle,  11  . . . Vehicle frame,  12  . . . Head pipe,  15  . . . Front wheel suspension device,  16  . . . Front wheel,  18  . . . Seat,  19 L,  19 R . . . Knee grip member,  20  . . . Upper cowl,  21  . . . Engine,  22  . . . Radiator,  23 L,  23 R . . . Radiator shroud,  38 L,  38 R . . . Upper extension,  41  . . . Gap,  42  . . . Ridge,  43  . . . Slanted surface,  47  . . . Opening,  52  . . . Fuel tank.