Patent Description:
An air cleaner introduces clean air into an engine. During traveling of a straddled vehicle including an engine, an intake sound may be generated from an air cleaner.

In a case in which an intake sound generated from the air cleaner gives a rider a feeling of sprinting, the rider can enjoy driving the straddled vehicle by actively hearing the intake sound. Further, in a case in which an intake sound generated from the air cleaner changes in accordance with the work state of the engine, the rider can perform a throttle operation, a handle operation and the like while identifying the work state of the engine by actively hearing the intake sound.

<CIT> describes one example of a straddled vehicle in which an air cleaner box is provided rearwardly of an engine. In the straddle vehicle, an intake port is provided in the sidewall of the air cleaner box. Further, a side cover is provided so as to cover the intake port in the sidewall of the air cleaner box from the side of the straddle vehicle. In the side cover, a side cover opening for allowing a rider to hear an intake sound generated from the air cleaner box is formed.

The above-mentioned side cover is located directly below a seat and relatively away from the head of the rider riding the straddled vehicle. Further, the side cover opening is formed so as to be directed sidewardly of the vehicle. Therefore, in regard to the straddled vehicle of <CIT>, it is difficult for a driver riding the straddled vehicle to actually hear an intake sound generated from the air cleaner box.

On the other hand, <CIT> describes one example of the configuration of a straddled vehicle in which an intake box (air cleaner box) is provided in an upper portion of an engine. In the straddled vehicle, a cover that covers a key cylinder is provided above an air inlet port (intake port) of the intake box. An opening directed upwardly is formed in the cover. With such a configuration, an intake sound generated in the intake port is heard by a rider through the opening of the cover.

<CIT> further describes the configuration in which a duct extending from the intake box toward the opening of the cover is provided in order to enhance the effect of collecting an intake sound in the opening of the cover. However, the duct is formed so as to open toward the opening of the cover and communicate with the space above the duct and the space below the duct (the inner space of the air intake box).

Therefore, with the above-mentioned configuration, droplets of rainwater or the like may enter the opening of the cover. Further, a duct filter for capturing dust is provided in the duct. However, the duct filter cannot prevent droplets from flowing into the intake box through the duct.

An object of the present invention is to provide a straddled vehicle that enable a rider to efficiently hear an intake sound of an air cleaner while suppressing entry of a large amount of droplets into the air cleaner.

In the straddled vehicle, the air cleaner is provided above the engine. The engine provided in the straddled vehicle is located between or in front of both feet of a rider riding the straddled vehicle. Therefore, with the above-mentioned arrangement, the air cleaner is located farther downwardly than the rider's head in a portion of the straddled vehicle that is relatively close to the rider's head.

As described above, the intake port of the air cleaner is opened upwardly. Further, at least part of the opening of the cover overlaps with the intake port of the air cleaner in a plan view. Therefore, during the work of the engine, an intake sound generated in the intake port of the air cleaner is output upwardly of the cover through at least part of the opening of the cover. Therefore, the rider can easily hear an intake sound generated from the air cleaner.

Further, in the above-mentioned straddled vehicle, the shielding member is provided between the air cleaner and the cover such that at least part of the shielding member overlaps with the common opening region in a plan view. In this case, the shielding member reduces further entry of droplets of rainwater or the like, which enters the opening of the cover, into the intake port of the air cleaner.

As a result, it is possible to allow the rider to efficiently hear an intake sound of the air cleaner while suppressing entry of a large amount of droplets into the air cleaner.

(<NUM>) At least part of the shielding member may overlap with the entire common opening region in a plan view. In this case, a large portion of droplets entering the space between the cover and the air cleaner through the opening of the cover is received by the shielding member and flows to a region away from the intake port of the air cleaner in a plan view. This prevents droplets of rainwater or the like from entering the intake port of the air cleaner.

(<NUM>) The straddled vehicle may further include a fuel tank, wherein the shielding member may be constituted by at least part of the fuel tank.

The fuel tank has a fuel storage space for storing fuel therein. The fuel storage space is included in the portion of the shielding member that overlaps with the common opening region in a plan view. In this case, the fuel storage space of the fuel tank functions as a sound absorber that well absorbs a sound having a specific frequency. Thus, it is possible to reduce the output of a sound having a specific frequency that does not conform with the preference of the rider from the opening of the cover.

Further, the sound absorbing function of the fuel storage space of the fuel tank changes in accordance with the state in the fuel storage space, that is, whether the fuel storage space is filled with fuel. Thus, an intake sound output from the opening of the cover changes in accordance with the state in the fuel storage space. Therefore, the rider can identify the remaining amount of fuel by hearing an intake sound generated from the air cleaner.

(<NUM>) The straddled vehicle may further include a fuel tank, and a tank protection member that protects the fuel tank, wherein the shielding member may be constituted by at least part of the fuel tank and the tank protection member.

In this case, because at least part of the fuel tank and the tank protection member is used as the shielding member, it is not necessary to prepare a member for reducing entry of droplets into the air cleaner separately from the fuel tank and the tank protection member. This suppresses an increase in number of components and complication of the configuration.

(<NUM>) A sound transmission space that is formed so as to continuously extend from the intake port of the air cleaner to the opening of the cover while bypassing the shielding member may be formed between the air cleaner and the cover.

With the above-mentioned configuration, the cover, the air cleaner and the shielding member form a so-called labyrinth structure that restricts a flow of fluid between the space in the air cleaner and the space above the cover. Thus, the sound transmission space is formed in a zigzag manner between the opening of the cover and the intake port of the air cleaner in a predetermined vertical cross section. Therefore, even in a case in which droplets of rainwater or the like enter the space between the shielding member and the cover from the opening of the cover, further entry of the droplets into the intake port of the air cleaner is reduced. Further, an intake sound generated in the intake port of the air cleaner is output from the opening of the cover through the sound transmission space.

(<NUM>) The sound transmission space may include a clearance space located between the cover and the shielding member, a partitioning portion that partitions the clearance space into a first space and a second space may be provided at at least one of the cover and the shielding member, the first space may be a space that communicates with a space above the cover through the opening of the cover, and the second space may be a space excluding the first space in the clearance space.

In this case, when being propagated to the first space, part of an intake sound generated in the intake port of the air cleaner is guided to the opening of the cover without being diffused to the second space in the clearance space. Thus, the volume of the intake sound to be output from the opening of the cover is prevented from being significantly reduced.

(<NUM>) A total opening area of the opening of the cover may be equal to or smaller than a total opening area of the intake port of the air cleaner.

The volume of an intake sound output upwardly from the intake port of the air cleaner is referred to as a first sound output volume. The volume of an intake sound output upwardly from the opening of the cover is referred to as a second sound output volume. The first sound output volume is defined in accordance with the total opening area of the intake port of the air cleaner. The second sound output volume is defined in accordance with the total opening area of the opening of the cover.

In the output path of the intake sound of the air cleaner, the intake port of the air cleaner is located at a position farther upstream than the opening of the cover. Therefore, in a case in which the total opening area of the opening of the cover is larger than the total opening area of the intake port of the air cleaner, the volume of an output sound is defined based on not the total opening area of the opening of the cover but the total opening area of the intake port of the air cleaner.

On the other hand, in a case in which the total opening area of the opening of the cover is larger than the total opening area of the intake port of the air cleaner, the volume of an output sound is defined in accordance with the total opening area of the opening of the cover.

Therefore, after the opening area of the intake port of the air cleaner is set such that an amount of air to be supplied to the engine is ensured, the dimension of the opening of the cover can be determined such that the second sound output volume is a desired sound volume.

(<NUM>) The opening of the cover may include a first opening and a second opening, each of the first opening and the second opening may be formed such that at least part of each of the first opening and the second opening overlaps with the intake port of the air cleaner in a plan view, the shielding member may be configured to overlap with at least part of the first opening of the cover in a plan view and may be configured to overlap with at least part of the second opening of the cover in a plan view.

In this case, flexibility in layout of the opening in the cover is improved. Thus, it is possible to allow a rider to identify an intake sound more efficiently by providing the first opening and the second opening in order for the rider to hear the intake sound easily.

Other features, elements, characteristics, and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments of the present disclosure with reference to the attached drawings.

A straddled vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. A motorcycle will be described as one example of the straddled vehicle.

<FIG> is a side view of a motorcycle <NUM> according to one embodiment of the present invention. In <FIG>, the motorcycle <NUM> standing up to be perpendicular to the road surface is shown. In each of <FIG> and subsequent given diagrams, a front-and-rear direction FB, a left-and-right direction LR and an up-and-down direction UD of the motorcycle <NUM> are suitably indicated by the arrows. The direction in which the arrow is directed in the front-and-rear direction FB is referred to as forward, and its opposite direction is referred to as rearward. Further, the direction in which the arrow is directed in the left-and-right direction LR is referred to as leftward, and its opposite direction is referred to as rightward. Further, the direction in which the arrow is directed in the up-and-down direction UD is referred to as upward, and its opposite direction is referred to as downward. Further, in each of <FIG> and subsequent given diagrams, reference characters F, B, L, R, U and D shown together with the arrows indicating directions indicate forward, rearward, leftward, rightward, upward and downward, respectively.

The motorcycle <NUM> of <FIG> includes a metallic body frame <NUM>. The body frame <NUM> includes a main frame <NUM> and a rear frame 1R. The front end portion of the main frame <NUM> constitutes a head pipe HP. The main frame <NUM> is formed to extend rearwardly and downwardly from the head pipe HP. The rear frame 1R is attached to the main frame <NUM> so as to extend rearwardly and slightly upwardly from the rear end portion of the main frame <NUM> and its vicinity.

A front fork <NUM> is provided at the head pipe HP to be rotatable about the center axis of the head pipe HP. A front wheel <NUM> is rotatably supported at the lower end portion of the front fork <NUM>. A handle <NUM> is provided at the upper end portion of the front fork <NUM>.

The main frame <NUM> supports an engine <NUM> at a position farther downward than the head pipe HP. An air cleaner <NUM> and a fuel tank <NUM> are provided to be located upwardly of the engine <NUM> and rearwardly of the head pipe HP. The air cleaner <NUM> and the fuel tank <NUM> are supported by the main frame <NUM> and at least part of the air cleaner <NUM> and the fuel tank <NUM> is located above the main frame <NUM>.

Part of the fuel tank <NUM> is located above the air cleaner <NUM>. An upper cover <NUM> is attached to the fuel tank <NUM> so as to cover part of the air cleaner <NUM> and part of the fuel tank <NUM> from above. A pair of left and right cover openings <NUM> is formed in the upper cover <NUM>. In <FIG>, only the left cover opening <NUM> of the pair of cover openings <NUM> is shown. A key cylinder <NUM> is provided to be adjacent to the front end portion of the upper cover <NUM>. The key cylinder <NUM> is supported at the main frame <NUM>. A seat <NUM> is provided rearwardly of the fuel tank <NUM>. The seat <NUM> is mainly supported by the rear frame 1R and located above the rear frame 1R.

A rear arm <NUM> is provided to extend rearwardly from a lower portion at the rear end of the main frame <NUM>. The rear arm <NUM> is supported at the main frame <NUM> via a pivot shaft. A rear wheel <NUM> is rotatably supported at the rear end portion of the rear arm <NUM>. The rear wheel <NUM> is rotated as a drive wheel by the motive power generated from the engine <NUM>.

The air cleaner <NUM> is mainly constituted by an air cleaner case and a filter element (not shown). The filter element is provided in the air cleaner case. During traveling of the motorcycle <NUM>, air outside of the motorcycle <NUM> is guided to the inner space of the air cleaner case, and is supplied to the engine <NUM> while being cleaned by the filter element.

The air cleaner <NUM> has an intake port <NUM> (see <FIG>, described below) into which air to be supplied to the engine <NUM> is introduced. When air outside of the motorcycle <NUM> is introduced into the intake port <NUM> of the air cleaner <NUM>, an intake sound is generated. In a case in which an intake sound is an intake sound that gives a rider the feeling of sprinting, the rider can enjoy driving the motorcycle <NUM> by hearing the intake sound. Further, in a case in which an intake sound changes in accordance with the work state of the engine, the driver can identify the work state of the engine by hearing the intake sound.

As such, in the motorcycle <NUM> according to the present embodiment, in order to allow the rider to efficiently hear an intake sound generated from the air cleaner <NUM>, the configurations of the air cleaner <NUM> and its peripheral members are devised. The configurations of the air cleaner <NUM> and its peripheral members will be described below in detail.

<FIG> is a plan view of the air cleaner <NUM> of <FIG>. In <FIG>, the air cleaner <NUM> of <FIG> being attached to the main frame <NUM> is shown. Further, <FIG> shows the key cylinder <NUM> and the handle <NUM> of <FIG> together with the air cleaner <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the air cleaner <NUM> has the intake port <NUM>. The intake port <NUM> is formed so as to open upwardly. Further, the intake port <NUM> of the present example is located in the vicinity of the front end portion of the air cleaner <NUM> and extends in the left-and-right direction LR of the motorcycle <NUM> while having a substantially constant width in a plan view.

When the motorcycle <NUM> of <FIG> is assembled, the fuel tank <NUM> is attached to the main frame <NUM> so as to cover a large portion of the air cleaner <NUM> from above with the air cleaner <NUM> being attached to the main frame <NUM>.

<FIG> is a plan view showing the fuel tank <NUM> being provided on the air cleaner <NUM> of <FIG>. In <FIG>, hatching is applied to the fuel tank <NUM> in order to facilitate understanding of the shape of the fuel tank <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the fuel tank <NUM> of the present example covers a large portion of the air cleaner <NUM> from above except for the front end portion of the air cleaner <NUM> in a plan view. Further, the fuel tank <NUM> overlaps with the entire intake port <NUM> of the air cleaner <NUM> in a plan view. Further, a fuel cap <NUM> is provided at the substantially central portion of the upper surface of the fuel tank <NUM>.

One end portion of a harness <NUM> is connected to part of the fuel cap <NUM>. The other end portion of the harness <NUM> is connected to a harness connecting portion <NUM> provided in the vicinity of the key cylinder <NUM>. Part of the harness <NUM> overlaps with part of the fuel tank <NUM> in a plan view. While being connected to the fuel cap <NUM> and the connecting portion <NUM>, the harness <NUM> is provided with a play for ensuring easiness of attachment and detachment work and ensuring stability of the connection state. Further, the harness <NUM> is flexible. Therefore, during traveling of the motorcycle <NUM>, when the harness <NUM> swings with the harness <NUM> and the fuel tank <NUM> being in contact with each other, part of the surface of the fuel tank <NUM> may wear due to the contact with the harness <NUM>.

As such, in the present embodiment, a tank protection member <NUM> (see <FIG>, described below) is attached to the fuel tank <NUM> in order to prevent the contact between the fuel tank <NUM> and the harness <NUM>. The tank protection member <NUM> covers part of the upper surface of the fuel tank <NUM>.

<FIG> is a plan view showing the tank protection member <NUM> being attached to the fuel tank <NUM> of <FIG>. In <FIG>, in order to facilitate understanding of the shapes of the fuel tank <NUM> and the tank protection member <NUM>, hatching is applied to the fuel tank <NUM>, and a dotted pattern is applied to the tank protection member <NUM>. Further, in <FIG>, an enlarged plan view of the tank protection member <NUM> is shown in the balloon.

As shown in <FIG>, the tank protection member <NUM> of the present example is provided so as to overlap with a portion of the upper surface of the fuel tank <NUM> located forwardly of the fuel cap <NUM> and be located between the fuel tank <NUM> and the harness <NUM> in a plan view.

Further, the tank protection member <NUM> is a substantially plate-shaped single member formed of resin having relatively high rigidity, and has a pair of left and right sound transmission portions <NUM>, a pair of left and right wire holding portions <NUM> and a coupling portion <NUM>. The pair of wire holding portions <NUM> is arranged at the left and right of the coupling portion <NUM>. Each wire holding portion <NUM> is adjacent to the coupling portion <NUM>. The pair of sound transmission portions <NUM> are arranged at the left and right of the pair of wire holding portions <NUM>. The right sound transmission portion <NUM> is adjacent to the right wire holding portion <NUM>, and the left sound transmission portion <NUM> is adjacent to the left wire holding portion <NUM>.

The pair of sound transmission portions <NUM>, the pair of wire holding portions <NUM> and the coupling portion <NUM> of the present example have substantially flat upper surfaces. The upper surface of each of the pair of sound transmission portions <NUM>, the pair of wiring holding portions <NUM> and the coupling portion <NUM> may have a mildly bent shape or a mildly curved shape.

In the tank protection member <NUM>, a partitioning portion <NUM> is formed at the left edge portion of the left sound transmission portion <NUM>. A partitioning portion <NUM> is also formed between the left sound transmission portion <NUM> and the left wire holding portion <NUM>. A partitioning portion <NUM> is also formed between the left wire holding portion <NUM> and the coupling portion <NUM>. A partitioning portion <NUM> is also formed between the coupling portion <NUM> and the right wire holding portion <NUM>. A partitioning portion <NUM> is also formed between the right wire holding portion <NUM> and the left sound transmission portion <NUM>. Further, a partitioning portion <NUM> is formed at the right edge portion of the right sound transmission portion <NUM>.

Each partitioning portion <NUM> is formed so as to project upwardly from the upper surfaces of the pair of sound transmission portions <NUM>, the pair of wire holding portions <NUM> and the coupling portion <NUM> by a predetermined height and extend in the front-and-rear direction FB. Thus, in the tank protection member <NUM>, a plurality of groove portions that open upwardly and extend in the front-and-rear direction FB with the pair of sound transmission portions <NUM>, the pair of wire holding portions <NUM> and the coupling portion <NUM> as bottom portions are formed.

With the tank protection member <NUM> attached to the fuel tank <NUM>, part of the above-mentioned harness <NUM> is contained in the groove portion having the right wire holding portion <NUM> of the tank protection member <NUM> as the bottom portion. Further, the tank protection member <NUM> overlaps with a large portion of the intake port <NUM> of the air cleaner <NUM> in a plan view. Further, the pair of sound transmission portions <NUM> of the tank protection member <NUM> extends in the front-and-rear direction FB so as to cross the intake port <NUM> extending in the left-and-right direction LR in a plan view.

The upper cover <NUM> of <FIG> is attached onto the fuel tank <NUM> to which the tank protection member <NUM> is attached. <FIG> is a plan view showing the upper cover <NUM> being attached onto the fuel tank <NUM> of <FIG>. In <FIG>, the hatching patterns that are different from each other are applied to the fuel tank <NUM> and the upper cover <NUM> in order to facilitate understanding of the shapes of the fuel tank <NUM> and the upper cover <NUM>. Further, in <FIG>, the enlarged plan view showing the positional relationship among the intake port <NUM> of the air cleaner <NUM>, the fuel tank <NUM>, the tank protection member <NUM> and the cover opening <NUM> of the upper cover <NUM> is shown in the balloon.

As shown in <FIG>, the upper cover <NUM> of the present example surrounds the center portion of the fuel cap <NUM> of the fuel tank <NUM> in a plan view. Further, the upper cover <NUM> extends in the front-and-rear direction FB between the fuel cap <NUM> and the key cylinder <NUM>. The front half portion of the upper cover <NUM> overlaps with a portion of the air cleaner <NUM>, a portion of the fuel tank <NUM> and the entire tank protection member <NUM> in a plan view.

The pair of above-mentioned cover openings <NUM> is formed in the front half portion of the upper cover <NUM>. The pair of cover openings <NUM> is symmetrical with respect to a vehicle central axis CL in a plan view. The vehicle central axis CL of <FIG> is a virtual straight line extending in the front-and-rear direction FB through the center of the motorcycle <NUM> of <FIG> in the left-and-right direction LR. Each of the pair of cover openings <NUM> is formed to open upwardly or obliquely upwardly and extend in the front-and-rear direction FB. In the present embodiment, the pair of cover openings <NUM> is formed such that the sum of the opening areas of the pair of cover openings <NUM> is equal to or smaller than the opening area of the intake port <NUM> of the air cleaner <NUM>.

The opening area of one cover opening <NUM> is the area of the region surrounded by the inner edge of the cover opening <NUM> when the one cover opening <NUM> is viewed in a direction in which the cover opening <NUM> opens. Further, the opening area of the intake port <NUM> is the area of the region surrounded by the inner edge of the intake port <NUM> when the intake port <NUM> is viewed in a direction in which the intake port <NUM> opens.

A wire mesh <NUM> is provided in each cover opening <NUM>. The wire mesh <NUM> suppresses entry of dust floating outside of the motorcycle <NUM> into the space below the upper cover <NUM> through the cover opening <NUM>.

As shown in the balloon of <FIG>, part of each cover opening <NUM> of the upper cover <NUM> overlaps with the intake port <NUM> of the air cleaner <NUM> in a plan view. Here, the region in which each cover opening <NUM> of the upper cover <NUM> and the intake port <NUM> of the air cleaner <NUM> overlap with each other in a plan view is referred to as a common opening region CR.

Each of the fuel tank <NUM> and the tank protection member <NUM> according to the present embodiment is arranged so as to overlap with the entire common opening regions CR in a plan view. This prevents the intake port <NUM> of the air cleaner <NUM> from being exposed to the space above the upper cover <NUM> (outside of the motorcycle <NUM>). Therefore, even when entering the space below the upper cover <NUM> from the pair of cover openings <NUM>, droplets of rainwater or the like are prevented from further directly entering into the intake port <NUM> of the air cleaner <NUM>.

<FIG> is a schematic cross sectional view of the upper surface portion of the air cleaner <NUM> and its peripheral members taken along the line M-M of <FIG>. <FIG> is a schematic cross sectional view of the upper surface portion of the air cleaner <NUM> and its peripheral members taken along the line N-N of <FIG>. As shown in <FIG>, a first clearance space GS1 is formed between the air cleaner <NUM> and the fuel tank <NUM>. The first clearance space GS1 has a height of several millimeters to several centimeters and communicates with the inner space IS of the air cleaner <NUM> through the intake port <NUM> of the air cleaner <NUM>.

On the other hand, a second clearance space GS2 is formed between the tank protection member <NUM> and the upper cover <NUM>. The second clearance space GS2 has a height of several millimeters to several centimeters and communicates with the space above the upper cover <NUM> through the cover opening <NUM> of the upper cover <NUM>.

As described above, the tank protection member <NUM> includes the plurality of partitioning portions <NUM> that project upwardly. Thus, the second clearance space GS2 is partitioned into a plurality of spaces respectively corresponding to the pair of sound transmission portions <NUM>, the pair of wire holding portions <NUM> and the coupling portion <NUM> of the tank protection member <NUM> by the plurality of partitioning portions <NUM>. In the present example, as described above, the harness <NUM> is contained in the space corresponding to the right wire holding portion <NUM> in the second clearance space GS2. The harness <NUM> is not contained in the space corresponding to the left wire holding portion <NUM> in the second clearance space GS2.

A clearance space is formed between the fuel tank <NUM> and the tank protection member <NUM> as well as between the air cleaner <NUM> and the fuel tank <NUM> and between the tank protection member <NUM> and the upper cover <NUM>. However, the clearance space between the fuel tank <NUM> and the tank protection member <NUM> is negligibly smaller than the first clearance space GS1 and the second clearance space GS2.

The portion of the fuel tank <NUM> that overlaps with the intake port <NUM> of the air cleaner <NUM> in a plan view includes a tank upper surface portion 8A and a tank lower surface portion 8B. A fuel storage space FS for storing fuel is formed between the tank upper surface portion 8A and the tank lower surface portion 8B.

As shown in <FIG>, a communication space GS3 is formed between the air cleaner <NUM> and the upper cover <NUM> at a position farther forward than the front end portion of the fuel tank <NUM> and the front end portion of the tank protection member <NUM> to cause the first clearance space GS1 and the second clearance space GS2 to communicate with each other.

The first clearance space GS1, the second clearance space GS2 and the communication space GS3 form a continuous space that extends continuously from the intake port <NUM> of the air cleaner <NUM> to the pair of cover openings <NUM> of the upper cover <NUM> while bypassing the fuel tank <NUM> and the tank protection member <NUM>. The continuous space functions as a sound transmission space that transmits an intake sound output upwardly from the intake port <NUM> of the air cleaner <NUM> to the pair of cover openings <NUM> of the upper cover <NUM>. Therefore, during traveling of the motorcycle <NUM>, as indicated by the thick solid arrow in <FIG>, the intake sound output from the intake port <NUM> is efficiently output upwardly of the upper cover <NUM> from the pair of cover openings <NUM> through the first clearance space GS1, the communication space GS3 and the second clearance space GS2.

Here, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, in regard to each of the pair of cover openings <NUM> of the upper cover <NUM>, the entire cover opening <NUM> overlaps with the sound transmission portion <NUM> of the tank protection member <NUM> in a plan view. Further, as described above, the second clearance space GS2 is partitioned into the plurality of spaces by the plurality of partitioning portions <NUM> of the tank protection member <NUM>.

In this case, when being propagated to the space corresponding to the pair of sound transmission portions <NUM> of the tank protection member <NUM> in the second clearance space GS2, part of an intake sound is guided to the pair of cover openings <NUM> of the upper cover <NUM> without being diffused in the second clearance space GS2. Thus, the volume of the intake sound output from the pair of cover openings <NUM> of the upper cover <NUM> is prevented from being significantly reduced.

In particular, in the above-mentioned tank protection member <NUM>, the distance between the two partitioning portions <NUM> for partitioning the space corresponding to each of the pair of sound transmission portions <NUM>, in the left-and-right direction LR, gradually decreases rearwardly from the front end portion of the tank protection member <NUM> (see the plan view in the balloon of <FIG>). Therefore, in the second clearance space GS2, the two partitioning portions <NUM> forming the space corresponding to each of the pair of sound transmission portions <NUM> collect a sound transmitted from the first clearance space GS1 through the communication space GS3 in the cover opening <NUM>. Thus, in the cover opening <NUM>, an intake sound is output more efficiently.

As shown in <FIG>, the upper surface of the left sound transmission portion <NUM> of the tank protection member <NUM> is inclined so as to be directed obliquely downwardly from the right to the left. Further, the upper surface of the right sound transmission portion <NUM> of the tank protection member <NUM> is inclined so as to be directed obliquely downwardly from the left to the right. Further, as shown in <FIG>, the upper surfaces of the left and right sound transmission portions <NUM> of the tank protection member <NUM> are inclined so as to be directed obliquely downwardly from the rear to the front. With such a configuration, even in a case in which droplets enter the second clearance space GS2 through the cover opening <NUM>, the entered droplets are smoothly guided to a region away from the intake port <NUM> via the sound transmission portion <NUM>, as indicated by the thick two-dots and dash arrow in <FIG>.

The intake port <NUM> of the air cleaner <NUM> is opened upwardly. Further, at least part of the pair of cover openings <NUM> of the upper cover <NUM> overlaps with the intake port <NUM> of the air cleaner <NUM> in a plan view. Therefore, during traveling of the motorcycle <NUM>, an intake sound generated in the intake port <NUM> of the air cleaner <NUM> is output upwardly of the upper cover <NUM> through at least part of the pair of cover openings <NUM> of the upper cover <NUM>. Therefore, the rider easily hears the intake sound generated in the air cleaner <NUM>.

Further, in the above-mentioned motorcycle <NUM>, the fuel tank <NUM> and the tank protection member <NUM> are provided between the air cleaner <NUM> and the upper cover <NUM> so as to overlap with the entire common opening regions CR in a plan view. In this case, the fuel tank <NUM> and the tank protection member <NUM> receive a large portion of droplets of rainwater or the like entering from the pair of cover openings <NUM> of the upper cover <NUM>, and cause the received droplets to flow to the region away from the intake port <NUM> of the air cleaner <NUM>. This prevents droplets from entering the intake port <NUM> of the air cleaner <NUM>.

As a result, it is possible to allow the rider to efficiently hear the intake sound of the air cleaner <NUM> while suppressing entry of a large amount of droplets into the air cleaner <NUM>.

(b) As described above, the fuel tank <NUM> has the fuel storage space FS. The fuel storage space FS is included in the portion of the fuel tank <NUM> that overlaps with the common opening region CR in a plan view. In this case, the fuel storage space FS functions as a sound absorber that well absorbs the sound having a specific frequency. Thus, it is possible to reduce the output of the sound having a specific frequency that does not conform with the preference of the rider from the pair of cover openings <NUM> of the upper cover <NUM>.

Further, the sound absorbing function of the common opening regions CR changes according to the state of the inner space of the fuel tank <NUM> that overlaps with the common opening regions CR, that is, whether the fuel tank <NUM> is filled with fuel. Thus, the intake sound that is output from the pair of cover openings <NUM> of the upper cover <NUM> changes in accordance with the state in the common opening regions CR. Therefore, the rider can identify the remaining amount of fuel by hearing the intake sound.

(c) As described above, the fuel tank <NUM> and the tank protection member <NUM> are used as shielding members for preventing droplets entering the pair of cover openings <NUM> of the upper cover <NUM> from entering the intake port <NUM> of the air cleaner <NUM>. Thus, it is not necessary to prepare a member for reducing the entry of droplets into the air cleaner <NUM> separately from the fuel tank <NUM> and the tank protection member <NUM>. This suppresses an increase in number of components and complication of the configuration.

(d) As described above, the continuous space including the first clearance space GS1, the second clearance space GS2 and the communication space GS3 is formed between the air cleaner <NUM> and the upper cover <NUM>. The air cleaner <NUM>, the fuel tank <NUM>, the tank protection member <NUM> and the upper cover <NUM> forming the continuous space form a so-called labyrinth structure that restricts a flow of fluid between the inner space IS of the air cleaner <NUM> and the space above the upper cover <NUM>. Thus, the above-mentioned continuous space continuously extends from the intake port <NUM> to the pair of cover openings <NUM> while bypassing the fuel tank <NUM> and the tank protection member <NUM>. In other words, the above-mentioned continuous space is formed in a zigzag manner in the up-and-down direction UD from the intake port <NUM> to the pair of cover openings <NUM>.

Therefore, even in a case in which droplets of rain water or the like enter the pair of cover openings <NUM> of the upper cover <NUM>, further entry of the droplets into the intake port <NUM> of the air cleaner <NUM> is reduced. Further, an intake sound generated in the intake port <NUM> of the air cleaner <NUM> is output from the pair of cover openings <NUM> of the upper cover <NUM>.

(e) The volume of an intake sound output from the intake port <NUM> of the air cleaner <NUM> toward the first clearance space GS1 is referred to as a first sound output volume. Further, the volume of an intake sound output upwardly from the pair of cover openings <NUM> of the upper cover <NUM> is referred to as a second sound output volume. The first sound output volume is defined in accordance with the opening area of the intake port <NUM> of the air cleaner <NUM>. The second sound output volume is defined in accordance with the sum of the opening areas of the pair of cover openings <NUM> of the upper cover <NUM>.

In the output path of an intake sound of the air cleaner <NUM>, the intake port <NUM> of the air cleaner <NUM> is located at a position farther upstream than the pair of cover openings <NUM> of the upper cover <NUM>. Therefore, in a case in which the sum of the opening areas of the pair of cover openings <NUM> is larger than the opening area of the intake port <NUM>, the volume of the output sound is defined based on not the sum of the opening areas of the pair of intake ports <NUM> but the opening area of the intake port <NUM>.

On the other hand, in a case in which the sum of the opening areas of the pair of cover openings <NUM> is equal to or smaller than the opening area of the intake port <NUM>, the volume of the output sound is defined in accordance with the sum of the opening areas of the pair of cover openings <NUM>.

In the motorcycle <NUM> according to the present embodiment, the sum of the opening areas of the pair of cover openings <NUM> in a plan view is equal to or smaller than the opening area of the intake port <NUM> of the air cleaner <NUM> in a plan view, as described above. Therefore, after the opening area of the intake port <NUM> of the air cleaner <NUM> is set such that an amount of air to be supplied to the engine <NUM> is ensured, the dimensions of the pair of cover openings <NUM> of the upper cover <NUM> can be determined such that the second sound output volume is a desired sound volume.

(f) In the upper cover <NUM> according to the present embodiment, the pair of cover openings <NUM> from which an intake sound can be output is formed. Therefore, when the size and positions of the pair of cover openings <NUM> are defined such that a rider easily hears an intake sound, the rider can more efficiently identify the intake sound.

The above-mentioned other member may be a member fabricated only for the purpose of reducing entry of droplets into the air cleaner <NUM>, or may be a member that is fabricated to cover members around the key cylinder <NUM>.

(c) While the fuel tank <NUM> according to the above-mentioned embodiment overlaps with the entire common opening region CR in a plan view, the present invention is not limited to this. The fuel tank <NUM> does not have to overlap with the common opening region CR in a plan view.

Also in this case, the tank protection member <NUM> overlaps with at least part of the common opening region CR in a plan view. Thus, it is possible to reduce entry of droplets of rainwater or the like into the air cleaner <NUM> from the intake port <NUM> as compared to a case in which the fuel tank <NUM> and the tank protection member <NUM> do not at all overlap with the common opening region CR in a plan view.

(d) While the tank protection member <NUM> according to the above-mentioned embodiment overlaps with the entire common opening region CR in a plan view, the present invention is not limited to this. The tank protection member <NUM> does not have to overlap with the common opening region CR in a plan view. Alternatively, in a case in which the harness <NUM> is not provided, the tank protection member <NUM> does not have to be provided.

Also in these cases, the fuel tank <NUM> overlaps with at least part of the common opening region CR in a plan view. Thus, it is possible to reduce entry of droplets of rainwater or the like into the air cleaner <NUM> from the intake port <NUM> as compared to a case in which the fuel tank <NUM> and the tank protection member <NUM> do not at all overlap with the common opening region CR in a plan view.

(e) While the pair of cover openings <NUM> is formed in the upper cover <NUM> according to the above-mentioned embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this. Only one cover opening <NUM> may be formed in the upper cover <NUM>.

(f) While the only one intake port <NUM> is formed in the air cleaner <NUM> according to the above-mentioned embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this. Two or more intake ports <NUM> directed upwardly may be formed in the air cleaner <NUM>. In this case, the pair of cover openings <NUM> is formed such that the sum of the opening areas of the pair of cover openings <NUM> is equal to or smaller than the sum of the opening areas of the plurality of intake ports <NUM> of the air cleaner <NUM>.

(g) While the plurality of partitioning portions <NUM> are formed in the tank protection member <NUM> according to the above-mentioned embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this. The plurality of partitioning portions <NUM> do not have to be formed in the tank protection member <NUM>.

In this case, the plurality of partitioning portions <NUM> may be formed integrally with the upper cover <NUM> such that the second clearance space GS2 is partitioned into a plurality of spaces. Alternatively, the partitioning portions <NUM> may be provided in the second clearance space GS2 separately from the tank protection member <NUM> and the upper cover <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A straddled vehicle (<NUM>) comprising:
an engine (<NUM>);
an air cleaner (<NUM>) provided above the engine (<NUM>);
a cover (<NUM>) provided above the air cleaner (<NUM>) so as to overlap with at least part of the air cleaner (<NUM>) in a plan view viewed in an up-and-down direction;
wherein
the air cleaner (<NUM>) has an intake port (<NUM>) which is formed so as to open upwardly and into which air to be supplied to the engine (<NUM>) is introduced,
the cover (<NUM>) has an opening (<NUM>) that is formed such that at least part of the opening (<NUM>) overlaps with the intake port (<NUM>) of the air cleaner (<NUM>) in a plan view viewed in the up-and-down direction,
characterized in that
a shielding member (<NUM>, <NUM>) is provided between the air cleaner (<NUM>) and the cover (<NUM>), the shielding member is configured to prevent droplets from entering the intake port, and
at least part of the shielding member (<NUM>, <NUM>) overlaps with a common opening region (CR) in which the intake port (<NUM>) of the air cleaner (<NUM>) and the opening (<NUM>) of the cover (<NUM>) overlap with each other in a plan view viewed in the up-and-down direction.