Patent Description:
Conventionally, some of lean vehicles, such as motorcycles, include parking brakes. For example, <CIT> discloses a lean vehicle including a parking brake.

According to the lean vehicle disclosed in <CIT>, when operating the parking brake after the vehicle is stopped, an input operation is performed with respect to a parking lever. When the input operation of the parking lever is performed, the parking brake sandwiches a brake disc, and this locks the rotation of a wheel. Moreover, when the vehicle travels, a rider releases the parking brake. When the rider releases the parking brake, the operation of returning the parking lever to an original position is performed, and this releases the lock of the rotation of the wheel.

When the rider restarts driving the vehicle after the vehicle is stopped, both the step of releasing the parking brake and the step of flipping up a stand which makes the vehicle stand by itself are performed. Therefore, to restart driving the vehicle after the vehicle is stopped, the rider needs to perform the step of releasing the parking brake and the step of flipping up the stand, and therefore, the rider cannot smoothly drive the vehicle.

<CIT> discloses a braking device for a saddle-riding type vehicle. The braking device includes: a rear disc brake, a wheel restriction means for restricting turning of the rear wheel separately from the rear disc brake, a side stand for standing the saddle-riding type vehicle itself; and a turning position detection means for detecting a turning position of the side stand. The braking device further includes: an actuator for driving the wheel restriction means, and a control means for controlling the actuator such that the wheel restriction means restricts the rear wheel or does not restrict the rear wheel based on the turning position of the side stand detected with the turning position detection means.

<CIT> discloses a lean vehicle according to the preamble of claim <NUM>.

Further exemplary lean vehicles are known from <CIT> and <CIT>.

A lean vehicle according to claim <NUM> includes: a driving preventing device configured to switch between a driving enabled state in which normal driving of the vehicle is being enabled and a driving disabled state in which the normal driving of the vehicle is being disabled; a stand including an end portion and configured to swing between a landed state in which the end portion is in contact with a ground surface and a flip-up state and, in the landed state, make the vehicle stand by itself while the vehicle is in a stop state; and an operation piece that is movable between a driving enabled position and a driving disabled position and sets the driving preventing device to the driving enabled state when the operation piece is at the driving enabled position and sets the driving preventing device to the driving disabled state when the operation piece is at the driving disabled position. When the stand is in the landed state, the operation piece is allowed to move between the driving enabled position and the driving disabled position, thereby allowing the driving preventing device to be switched between the driving enabled state and the driving disabled state. When the stand is in the flip-up state, the operation piece interferes with the stand to be maintained at the driving enabled position, thereby maintaining the driving preventing device in the driving enabled state. When the operation piece is at the driving disabled position, the operation piece interferes with the stand in such a way that the operation piece serves as a stopper which blocks the movement of the stand, thereby preventing the stand from becoming the flip-up state.

According to the above configuration, when the rider sets the stand to the landed state at the time of parking, the driving preventing device is allowed to be set to the driving disabled state or the driving enabled state. Therefore, the state of the driving preventing device at the time of parking can be selected in accordance with preference of the rider or a situation. Then, when the rider sets the stand to the flip-up state to start driving the motorcycle, the driving preventing device is maintained in the driving enabled state, and therefore, the rider can smoothly drive the motorcycle.

Hereinafter, motorcycles according to embodiments will be described with reference to the attached drawings. It should be noted that directions stated in the following description correspond to directions viewed from a rider who is riding a motorcycle.

<FIG> is a side view showing the motorcycle <NUM>. The motorcycle <NUM> is one type of lean vehicle. In the present description, the "lean vehicle" denotes a vehicle, such as a motorcycle or a motor tricycle, which leans its vehicle body to make a turn.

As shown in <FIG>, the motorcycle <NUM> includes a front wheel <NUM> and a rear wheel <NUM>. The front wheel <NUM> is connected to a front fork <NUM>. The front fork <NUM> is supported by a steering shaft (not shown) rotatably supported by a head pipe <NUM>. A bar handle <NUM> held by a rider is attached to the steering shaft so as to extend to the left and the right in a substantially vehicle width direction. In order to steer the motorcycle <NUM>, the handle <NUM> is turned by an operation of the rider through the steering shaft to steer the front wheel <NUM>.

A pair of left and right main frames <NUM> extend rearward from the head pipe <NUM> while inclining downward. A pivot frame <NUM> is connected to rear portions of the main frames <NUM>. To be specific, the head pipe <NUM>, the main frames <NUM>, and the pivot frame <NUM> constitute a vehicle body frame <NUM>. A front end portion of a swing arm <NUM> is pivotally supported by the pivot frame <NUM>, and the rear wheel <NUM> is pivotally supported by a rear end portion of the swing arm <NUM>. A fuel tank <NUM> is arranged behind the handle <NUM>. A seat <NUM> straddled and ridden by the rider is arranged behind the fuel tank <NUM>.

The rider drives the motorcycle <NUM> with inner surfaces of his/her legs sandwiching a rear portion of the fuel tank <NUM>. An engine (prime mover) E supported by the main frames <NUM> and the pivot frame <NUM> is arranged between the front wheel <NUM> and the rear wheel <NUM>. A transmission <NUM> is connected to an output shaft of the engine E. Driving force output from the transmission <NUM> is transmitted to the rear wheel <NUM> through a chain or a belt. The pivot frame <NUM> of the vehicle body frame <NUM> is provided with a side stand <NUM>.

Front wheel brake discs 2a are provided at both left and right sides of the front wheel <NUM>. Front wheel brake calipers <NUM> are provided at such positions of the front fork <NUM> as to be able to contact the respective front wheel brake discs 2a. The front wheel brake calipers <NUM> are supported by the front fork <NUM>. A piston (not shown) of each front wheel brake caliper <NUM> is pressed against the corresponding front wheel brake disc 2a by hydraulic pressure, and this can generate braking force.

A rear wheel brake disc 3a is provided at a right side of the rear wheel <NUM>. A rear wheel brake caliper <NUM> is provided at a position in the vicinity of the rear end portion of the swing arm <NUM>. The rear wheel brake caliper <NUM> is supported by the swing arm <NUM>. A piston (not shown) of the rear wheel brake caliper <NUM> is pressed against the rear wheel brake disc 3a by hydraulic pressure, and this can generate the braking force.

The side stand <NUM> includes a stand bar <NUM> and a supporting portion <NUM> supporting the stand bar <NUM> such that the stand bar <NUM> is swingable. The supporting portion <NUM> includes a spring (not shown) and the like by which the position of the stand bar <NUM> is set to a landed state or a flip-up state. The stand bar <NUM> includes a stand bar main body 16a and an end portion 16b which contacts a ground surface when the stand bar <NUM> is landed. The stand bar <NUM> is attached to the pivot frame <NUM> so as to be turnable about a rotating shaft <NUM>. The stand bar <NUM> turns about the rotating shaft <NUM> to swing between the landed state and the flip-up state. <FIG> shows the motorcycle <NUM> including the stand bar <NUM> which is in the flip-up state.

The stand bar <NUM> turns about the rotating shaft <NUM> from the state shown in <FIG> in a direction toward the ground surface. When the end portion 16b reaches a position close to the ground surface, the stand bar <NUM> contacts a stopper (not shown), and the turn of the stand bar <NUM> is stopped by the stopper. With the stand bar <NUM> located at the position (use position) close to the ground surface, the motorcycle <NUM> is inclined such that the end portion 16b is brought into contact with the ground surface. With this, the stand bar <NUM> supports the motorcycle <NUM> such that the motorcycle <NUM> does not fall down with the end portion 16b contacting the ground surface. Thus, the stand bar <NUM> is landed on the ground surface (landed state), and this maintains a self-standing state of the motorcycle <NUM>. The landed state in which the stand bar <NUM> is being landed is also referred to as the landed state of the side stand <NUM>.

The motorcycle <NUM> is made to stand by itself in such a manner that the motorcycle <NUM> is inclined, and the stand bar <NUM> is set to the landed state. Therefore, without changing the stand bar <NUM> from the landed state to the flip-up state, the rider can make the motorcycle <NUM> stand upright and push and move the motorcycle <NUM> with his/her hands with the stand bar <NUM> floating. On this account, for example, when moving the motorcycle <NUM> by a short distance, the stand bar <NUM> does not have to be changed from the landed state to the flip-up state. Thus, the operation of the side stand <NUM> by the rider can be omitted, and the complication of the operation of the rider can be eliminated.

<FIG> is a side view showing the motorcycle <NUM> including the stand bar <NUM> which is in the landed state. By bringing the end portion 16b of the stand bar <NUM> into contact with the ground surface, the stand bar <NUM> supports the motorcycle <NUM>, and therefore, the motorcycle <NUM> stands by itself. For example, when the rider stops and leaves the motorcycle <NUM>, the rider changes the stand bar <NUM> from the flip-up state to the landed state, and this can make the motorcycle <NUM> stand by itself.

In the present embodiment, the motorcycle <NUM> includes a parking brake (driving preventing device). <FIG> is a configuration diagram schematically showing the configuration of a parking brake <NUM> of the motorcycle <NUM> of the present embodiment. As shown in <FIG>, the parking brake <NUM> includes a front wheel brake <NUM>, a rear wheel brake <NUM>, and an operation piece <NUM>. The front wheel brake <NUM> decelerates or stops the rotation of the front wheel <NUM>, and the rear wheel brake <NUM> decelerates or stops the rotation of the rear wheel <NUM>.

The front wheel brake <NUM> includes the front wheel brake calipers <NUM>, a front wheel brake lever <NUM>, and a wire <NUM> connecting the front wheel brake calipers <NUM> and the front wheel brake lever <NUM>. The front wheel brake lever <NUM> is provided at a position in the vicinity of the handle so as to be operated by the rider's hand. As described above, by the input operation of the front wheel brake lever <NUM>, the front wheel brake calipers <NUM> are pressed against the respective front wheel brake discs 2a of the front wheel <NUM> to generate the braking force.

The rear wheel brake <NUM> includes the rear wheel brake caliper <NUM>, a rear wheel brake lever <NUM>, and a wire <NUM> connecting the rear wheel brake caliper <NUM> and the rear wheel brake lever <NUM>. The rear wheel brake lever <NUM> is provided at a position in the vicinity of a pedal (not shown) so as to be operated by the rider's foot. As described above, by the input operation of the rear wheel brake lever <NUM>, the rear wheel brake caliper <NUM> is pressed against the rear wheel brake disc 3a to generate the braking force.

The operation piece <NUM> swings in a direction shown by an arrow A1 in <FIG> to move between a flip-up state in which the operation piece <NUM> is being flipped up and a put-down state in which the operation piece is being put down. In <FIG>, the operation piece <NUM> in the flip-up state is shown by a broken line, and the operation piece <NUM> in the put-down state is shown by a solid line. The operation piece <NUM> is configured to be turnable about the rotating shaft <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the rotating shaft <NUM> of the operation piece <NUM> and the rotating shaft <NUM> of the stand bar <NUM> are common to each other. Therefore, the side stand <NUM> and the operation piece <NUM> are configured such that the rotating shaft <NUM> of the operation piece <NUM> and the rotating shaft <NUM> of the stand bar <NUM> are coaxial with each other. In the present embodiment, a rotation axis of the rotating shaft <NUM> of the operation piece <NUM> and a rotation axis of the rotating shaft <NUM> of the stand bar <NUM> are coaxially configured so as to coincide with each other. However, an outer tube that is one of the shaft of the operation piece <NUM> and the shaft of the stand bar <NUM> may be externally fitted to an inner tube that is the other of the shaft of the operation piece <NUM> and the shaft of the stand bar <NUM> such that the operation piece <NUM> and the stand bar <NUM> rotate independently.

The parking brake <NUM> includes wires <NUM> and <NUM>. The wire <NUM> connects the operation piece <NUM> and the wire <NUM>, and the wire <NUM> connects the operation piece <NUM> and the wire <NUM>. When the operation piece <NUM> is set to the put-down state, the wires <NUM> and <NUM> are pulled. When the wire <NUM> is pulled, the front wheel brake calipers <NUM> are pressed against the respective front wheel brake discs 2a, and this stops the rotation of the front wheel <NUM>. Similarly, when the wire <NUM> is pulled, the rear wheel brake caliper <NUM> is pressed against the rear wheel brake disc 3a, and this stops the rotation of the rear wheel <NUM>. With this, for example, when the motorcycle <NUM> is stopped, the rotations of the front wheel <NUM> and the rear wheel <NUM> can be locked.

As above, the rotations of the front wheel <NUM> and the rear wheel <NUM> are locked. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a case where when the motorcycle <NUM> is stopped on a slope or the like, the front wheel <NUM> and the rear wheel <NUM> abruptly roll, i.e., the motorcycle <NUM> in a stop state unexpectedly moves. Moreover, since the rotations of the front wheel <NUM> and the rear wheel <NUM> are locked, the motorcycle <NUM> can be set to a driving disabled state in which normal driving of the motorcycle <NUM> is being disabled, and the motorcycle <NUM> can be prevented from being stolen while the motorcycle <NUM> is in the stop state.

On the other hand, when the operation piece <NUM> is set to the flip-up state, the lock of the rotation of the front wheel <NUM> by the pressing of the front wheel brake calipers <NUM> against the front wheel brake discs 2a is released, and the lock of the rotation of the rear wheel <NUM> by the pressing of the rear wheel brake caliper <NUM> against the rear wheel brake disc 3a is released. As a result, the lock of the rotation of the front wheel <NUM> and the lock of the rotation of the rear wheel <NUM> are released, and thus, the parking brake <NUM> is released. As above, when the operation piece <NUM> is set to the flip-up state, the parking brake <NUM> becomes a non-operating state, and the motorcycle <NUM> becomes a driving enabled state. To be specific, the parking brake <NUM> can serve as the driving preventing device capable of switching between the driving enabled state in which the normal driving of the motorcycle <NUM> is being enabled and the driving disabled state in which the normal driving of the motorcycle <NUM> is being disabled.

In the present embodiment, when the stand bar <NUM> is in the landed state, the operation piece <NUM> is operated between the flip-up state and the put-down state. In <FIG>, a direction in which the operation piece <NUM> can move when the stand bar <NUM> is in the landed state is shown by the arrow A1. When the stand bar <NUM> is in the landed state, the operation piece <NUM> can move in a direction shown by the arrow A1 in <FIG> between a state in which the operation piece <NUM> is being flipped up and a state in which the operation piece <NUM> is being put down. When the operation piece <NUM> is in each of the flip-up state and the put-down state, the operation piece <NUM> is arranged at a flip-up side of the stand bar <NUM> which is in the put-down state. When viewed from the stand bar <NUM> which is in the put-down state, the operation piece <NUM> is arranged at the flip-up side on a turn trajectory of the stand bar <NUM>.

When the stand bar <NUM> is in the landed state, the operation piece <NUM> can move between the flip-up state and the put-down state. Therefore, the parking brake <NUM> can be switched between an operating state and a released state. On this account, the motorcycle <NUM> is switched between the driving enabled state and the driving disabled state.

According to the above-described configuration, in the motorcycle <NUM>, when the stand bar <NUM> is in the landed state, and therefore, the side stand <NUM> is in the landed state, the parking brake <NUM> can be operated to set the motorcycle <NUM> to the driving disabled state or the driving enabled state. Therefore, for example, when the motorcycle is being parked, the state of the parking brake <NUM> can be selected in accordance with preference of the rider or a situation. On this account, choices made by the rider when the motorcycle <NUM> is in the stop state increase, and therefore, the motorcycle <NUM> having excellent usability can be provided. For example, when the rider wants to move the motorcycle <NUM> by a short distance after the motorcycle <NUM> is stopped, the rider can release the parking brake <NUM> and then move the motorcycle <NUM>. After the motorcycle <NUM> reaches a desired position, the rider can operate the parking brake <NUM> again to lock the rotations of the front wheel <NUM> and the rear wheel <NUM>. Thus, the motorcycle <NUM> can be continuously stopped thereat.

The motorcycle <NUM> is configured such that when the stand bar <NUM> is set to the flip-up state, the parking brake <NUM> becomes the released state. On this account, when the stand bar <NUM> is in the flip-up state, the parking brake <NUM> is surely in the released state, and therefore, the rider can smoothly drives the motorcycle <NUM> without confusion. Moreover, as described above, the parking brake <NUM> is surely in the released state when the stand bar <NUM> is in the flip-up state. Therefore, when the stand bar <NUM> is flipped up in order that the rider starts driving the motorcycle <NUM>, it is certain that the parking brake <NUM> is not operating. On this account, it is possible to prevent a case where the parking brake <NUM> is mistakenly in the operating state when the rider starts driving the motorcycle <NUM>. Moreover, it is unnecessary to inform the rider that the rider is about to start driving the motorcycle <NUM> with the parking brake <NUM> in the operating state. Therefore, the motorcycle <NUM> is not required to be provided with a device, such as a lamp or an alarm sound generator, which informs the rider that the rider is about to start driving the motorcycle <NUM> with the parking brake <NUM> in the operating state. With this, such device can be omitted from the motorcycle <NUM>, and this can reduce the manufacturing cost of the motorcycle <NUM>.

Moreover, in the present embodiment, the motorcycle <NUM> is configured such that when the stand bar <NUM> is changed from the landed state to the flip-up state, the parking brake <NUM> is switched to release the lock of the rotations of the front wheel <NUM> and the rear wheel <NUM> in association with the operation of the stand bar <NUM>. Therefore, when the stand bar <NUM> is changed from the landed state to the flip-up state, the motorcycle <NUM> is automatically switched to the driving enabled state without the operation of the operation piece <NUM> by the rider. On this account, since the rider can set the motorcycle <NUM> to the driving enabled state only by changing the stand bar <NUM> from the landed state to the flip-up state, the labor of the rider can be reduced, and the motorcycle <NUM> having excellent usability can be provided.

Moreover, in the present embodiment, the rotating shaft <NUM> corresponding to a rotational center when the stand bar <NUM> rotates and moves and the rotating shaft <NUM> corresponding to a rotational center when the operation piece <NUM> rotates and moves are coaxial with each other. Therefore, the rider can easily and simultaneously operate the stand bar <NUM> and the operation piece <NUM>. Thus, the usability of the motorcycle <NUM> can be further improved.

The above embodiment describes the motorcycle <NUM> configured such that the rotating shaft <NUM> of the stand bar <NUM> and the rotating shaft <NUM> of the operation piece <NUM> are coaxial with each other. However, the above embodiment is not limited to this. The motorcycle may be configured such that the rotating shaft of the stand bar <NUM> and the rotating shaft of the operation piece <NUM> may be provided at different positions.

Moreover, the above embodiment describes that: the parking brake <NUM> includes the wires <NUM> and <NUM>; and when the operation piece <NUM> is set to the put-down state, the wire <NUM> and the wire <NUM> are pulled, and with this, the parking brake <NUM> is switched to the operating state. However, the above embodiment is not limited to this. The parking brake <NUM> may be switched to the operating state or the non-operating state through the other method. One example may be such that: the parking brake includes an ECU capable of setting each of the front wheel brake calipers <NUM> and the rear wheel brake caliper <NUM> to the operating state or the non-operating state; and when the operation piece <NUM> is set to the put-down state, a signal indicating that the operation piece <NUM> is in the put-down state is transmitted to the ECU, and the ECU sets each of the front wheel brake calipers <NUM> and the rear wheel brake caliper <NUM> to the operating state.

<FIG> is a configuration diagram schematically showing the configuration of a parking brake <NUM> including an ECU <NUM>. The ECU <NUM> may have a function of controlling the braking force generated by the front wheel brake calipers <NUM> and the rear wheel brake caliper <NUM> through an ABS (antilock brake system).

When the operation piece <NUM> is set to the put-down state, a signal indicating that the operation piece <NUM> is in the put-down state is transmitted to the ECU <NUM>. When the ECU <NUM> receives the signal indicating that the operation piece <NUM> is in the put-down state, the ECU <NUM> makes the front wheel brake calipers <NUM> and the rear wheel brake caliper <NUM> generate the braking force. Therefore, by setting the operation piece <NUM> to the put-down state, the front wheel brake calipers <NUM> are pressed against the respective front wheel brake discs 2a, and the rear wheel brake caliper <NUM> is pressed against the rear wheel brake disc 3a. Thus, the rotations of the front wheel <NUM> and the rear wheel <NUM> can be locked.

The above embodiments describe that when the parking brake (<NUM>, <NUM>) is operated, both the front wheel brake <NUM> and the rear wheel brake <NUM> are operated, and both the front wheel <NUM> and the rear wheel <NUM> are locked. However, the above embodiments are not limited to this. For example, when the parking brake (<NUM>, <NUM>) is operated, one of the rotation of the front wheel <NUM> and the rotation of the rear wheel <NUM> may be locked. In this case, the parking brake (<NUM>, <NUM>) may lock the rotation of the front wheel <NUM> or may lock the rotation of the rear wheel <NUM>.

Next, the motorcycle according to Embodiment <NUM> will be described. It should be noted that explanations of components that are the same as those of Embodiment <NUM> are omitted, and only components that are different from those of Embodiment <NUM> will be described. Embodiment <NUM> describes the motorcycle configured such that the stand bar <NUM> and the operation piece <NUM> are operated substantially simultaneously. The motorcycle of Embodiment <NUM> is different form the motorcycle of Embodiment <NUM> in that: the motorcycle of Embodiment <NUM> includes a mechanism which does not allow the setting of the stand bar <NUM> to the flip-up state when a parking brake 20a is not in the released state; and the operation piece which switches the parking brake between the operating state and the non-operating state and the stand bar <NUM> are not operated simultaneously.

<FIG> is a side view showing a motorcycle 1a of Embodiment <NUM>. The motorcycle 1a includes an operation piece <NUM> capable of switching the parking brake 20a between the operating state and the non-operating state. <FIG> are schematic configuration diagrams showing the side stand <NUM>, the operation piece of the parking brake 20a, the rear wheel brake <NUM>, and their peripheries. Each of <FIG> includes a diagram showing the side stand <NUM>, the operation piece <NUM>, and their peripheries when viewed from a rear side of the motorcycle 1a and a diagram showing the rear wheel brake <NUM> and its periphery when viewed from a lateral side of the motorcycle 1a. <FIG> shows the motorcycle 1a in which the stand bar <NUM> is in the landed state, and the parking brake 20a is in the non-operating state. <FIG> shows the motorcycle 1a in which the stand bar <NUM> is in the landed state, and the parking brake 20a is in the operating state. In Embodiment <NUM>, when the parking brake 20a is operated, the rear wheel brake caliper <NUM> is pressed against the rear wheel brake disc 3a, and therefore, the braking force is generated only at the rear wheel brake <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the stand bar <NUM> of the side stand <NUM> can turn about the rotating shaft <NUM>. Moreover, the operation piece <NUM> of the parking brake 20a can turn about a rotating shaft <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, when the parking brake 20a is in the non-operating state, the operation piece <NUM> is arranged at a position away from the stand bar <NUM> in an axial direction of the rotating shaft <NUM> of the stand bar <NUM>. In the state shown in <FIG>, the parking brake 20a is in the non-operating state, and therefore, the rear wheel brake caliper <NUM> does not contact the rear wheel brake disc 3a, and the rear wheel <NUM> can rotate in a direction shown by an arrow A2 or its opposite direction.

In the present embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, since the rotating shaft <NUM> of the stand bar <NUM> and the rotating shaft <NUM> of the operation piece <NUM> are not coaxial with each other, the operation piece <NUM> of the parking brake and the stand bar <NUM> are operated separately at different timings.

When the operation piece <NUM> is pushed inward from the state shown in <FIG> to be arranged at such a position as to interfere with the stand bar <NUM> as shown in <FIG>, the parking brake 20a becomes the operating state. At this time, the rear wheel brake caliper <NUM> is pressed against the rear wheel brake disc 3a, and this locks the rotation of the rear wheel <NUM>. Therefore, the rear wheel <NUM> does not rotate in the direction shown by the arrow A2 or its opposite direction. When the operation piece <NUM> moves from the state shown in <FIG> to the state shown in <FIG>, the operation piece <NUM> rotates about the rotating shaft <NUM> to move in a direction shown by an arrow A3 in <FIG>.

When the operation piece <NUM> moves from the state shown in <FIG> to the state shown in <FIG> in order to set the parking brake 20a to the operating state, the operation piece <NUM> is arranged at such a position as to interfere with the stand bar <NUM>, and therefore, the stand bar <NUM> is not allowed to rotate about the rotating shaft <NUM>. To be specific, the operation piece <NUM> and the stand bar <NUM> are configured such that when the parking brake 20a is set to the operating state by operating the operation piece <NUM>, the operation piece <NUM> interferes with the stand bar <NUM>, and therefore, the stand bar <NUM> is not allowed to swing to become the flip-up state. When the operation piece <NUM> is pushed inward to be arranged at the position shown in <FIG>, the operation piece <NUM> serves as a stopper which blocks the movement of the stand bar <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, when setting the stand bar <NUM> to the flip-up state, the stand bar <NUM> rotates about the rotating shaft <NUM> from the state shown in <FIG> in a direction toward the flip-up side, i.e., the stand bar <NUM> is moving upward. On this account, while the stand bar <NUM> is in the flip-up state, the stand bar <NUM> interferes with the operation piece <NUM>, and the operation piece <NUM> cannot be pushed inward in the direction shown by the arrow A3 in <FIG>. Thus, while the stand bar <NUM> is in the flip-up state, the parking brake 20a cannot be set to the operating state.

The operation piece <NUM> and the side stand <NUM> are configured as above. Therefore, when the stand bar <NUM> is in the landed state, the operation piece <NUM> can be pushed inward. On the other hand, the motorcycle 1a is configured such that: when setting the stand bar <NUM> to the flip-up state, the operation piece <NUM> needs to be arranged at the position shown in <FIG>, and the parking brake 20a needs to be set to the non-operating state; and in addition, while the stand bar <NUM> is in the flip-up state, the operation piece <NUM> cannot be pushed inward, and the parking brake 20a cannot be set to the operating state. Therefore, when the stand bar <NUM> is in the flip-up state, the parking brake 20a is maintained in the non-operating state. The motorcycle 1a is configured as above, and therefore, when the stand bar <NUM> is in the landed state, the parking brake 20a can be switched between the operating state and the non-operating state. On the other hand, when the side stand <NUM> is in the flip-up state, the parking brake 20a is maintained in the non-operating state.

According to the above-described configuration, the motorcycle 1a is configured such that when the stand bar <NUM> is in the landed state, the motorcycle 1a can be set to the driving disabled state or the driving enabled state by the parking brake 20a. Therefore, for example, when the motorcycle is parked, the state of the parking brake 20a can be selected in accordance with preference of the rider or a situation. When the stand bar <NUM> is in the flip-up state, the parking brake 20a is surely in the released state, and therefore, the rider can smoothly drives the motorcycle 1a without confusion.

Next, the motorcycle according to Embodiment <NUM> will be described. It should be noted that explanations of components that are the same as those of Embodiments <NUM> and <NUM> are omitted, and only components that are different from those of Embodiments <NUM> and <NUM> will be described. In Embodiments <NUM> and <NUM>, the parking brake is switched between the operating state and the non-operating state by the operation of the operation piece. Embodiment <NUM> is different from Embodiments <NUM> and <NUM> in that when it is detected that the stand bar is not being landed, the parking brake is automatically switched to the non-operating state. Moreover, as with Embodiment <NUM>, Embodiment <NUM> describes that when the parking brake is operated, the braking force is generated only at the rear wheel brake.

<FIG> are schematic configuration diagrams each showing a side stand <NUM> and its periphery. <FIG> is a diagram showing that a stand bar <NUM> of the side stand <NUM> is in the landed state, and <FIG> is a diagram showing that the stand bar <NUM> is not being landed but is floating from the ground surface. <FIG> are diagrams showing a motorcycle 1b of Embodiment <NUM> when viewed from a rear side.

The side stand <NUM> includes the stand bar <NUM> and a detection mechanism <NUM>. The detection mechanism <NUM> is located inward of the stand bar <NUM> in the width direction and can detect whether or not the stand bar <NUM> is in the landed state. The detection mechanism <NUM> includes a rod-shaped member <NUM>, an elastic member <NUM>, and a pressure sensitive sensor <NUM>. The rod-shaped member <NUM> extends in a direction that is the same as a direction in which the stand bar <NUM> extends. The rod-shaped member <NUM> is movable relative to the stand bar <NUM> in the direction in which the stand bar <NUM> extends. The elastic member <NUM> is arranged so as to surround an outer periphery of the rod-shaped member <NUM>. The stand bar <NUM> includes a stand bar main body portion 36a and two flange members 36b and 36c. The flange members 36b and 36c extend inward in the width direction from the stand bar main body portion 36a and are fixed to the stand bar main body portion 36a. Moreover, the stand bar <NUM> includes an end portion 36d which contacts the ground surface when the stand bar <NUM> is landed.

When the stand bar <NUM> is in the landed state, the flange member 36b is located at an upper side, and the flange member 36c is located at a lower side. The rod-shaped member <NUM> is provided so as to penetrate the flange members 36b and 36c of the stand bar <NUM> in a thickness direction.

The rod-shaped member <NUM> includes a rod-shaped member main body portion 38a, an end portion 38b, an end portion 38c, and a flange member 38d. The end portion 38b is located closer to the ground surface when the stand bar <NUM> is in the put-down state. The end portion 38c is located farther from the ground surface when the stand bar <NUM> is in the put-down state. The flange member 38d is fixedly provided at the rod-shaped member main body portion 38a. The elastic member <NUM> is provided between the flange member 36b of the stand bar <NUM> and the flange member 38d of the rod-shaped member <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the elastic member <NUM> is a spring. Since the elastic member <NUM> is provided between the flange member 36b of the stand bar <NUM> and the flange member 38d of the rod-shaped member <NUM>, the rod-shaped member <NUM> is being biased in a direction toward the ground surface with the stand bar <NUM> in the put-down state.

In the states shown in <FIG>, the rod-shaped member <NUM> is being biased in the direction toward the ground surface. Therefore, when the stand bar <NUM> is not being landed but is floating as shown in <FIG>, the rod-shaped member <NUM> is located closer to the ground surface than the stand bar <NUM>. When the stand bar <NUM> is in the landed state as shown in <FIG>, the end portion 38b located closer to the ground surface contacts the ground surface, and the rod-shaped member <NUM> is pushed upward by the ground surface. Therefore, the rod-shaped member <NUM> moves upward relative to the stand bar <NUM>. Thus, the position of the rod-shaped member <NUM> relative to the stand bar <NUM> is higher than that shown in <FIG>.

When the rod-shaped member <NUM> contacts the pressure sensitive sensor <NUM>, the pressure sensitive sensor <NUM> can detect this contact. When the rod-shaped member <NUM> moves upward relative to the stand bar <NUM>, the end portion 38c located opposite to the ground surface contacts the pressure sensitive sensor <NUM>. Thus, whether or not the stand bar <NUM> is in the landed state can be detected by the pressure sensitive sensor <NUM>. As a result, the detection mechanism <NUM> can detect whether or not the stand bar <NUM> is in the landed state.

In the present embodiment, the "landed state" of the side stand <NUM> denotes a state in which the end portion 36d of the stand bar <NUM> is in contact with the ground surface. Moreover, when the inclination of the motorcycle is reduced (i.e., when the motorcycle is made to stand upright) with the side stand <NUM> in the put-down state, the end portion 36d of the stand bar <NUM> separates from the ground surface. At this time, the side stand <NUM> changes from the landed state to a floating state in which the stand bar <NUM> floats from the ground surface. When the stand bar <NUM> separates from the ground surface, the side stand <NUM> and the stand bar <NUM> are not in the landed state even though the stand bar <NUM> is in the put-down state. When the stand bar <NUM> separates from the ground surface and is flipped up, the side stand <NUM> and the stand bar <NUM> are changed to the flip-up state. Therefore, each of the side stand <NUM> and the stand bar <NUM> can be set to the floating state that is different form the "landed state" and the "flip-up state. " While the side stand <NUM> and the stand bar <NUM> are changing from the "landed state" to the "flip-up state," the stand bar <NUM> once becomes the floating state.

In the present embodiment, in the motorcycle 1b, when the detection mechanism <NUM> detects that the stand bar <NUM> is in the landed state, the parking brake 20b can be switched between the operating state and the non-operating state. On the other hand, when the detection mechanism <NUM> detects that the stand bar <NUM> is not in the landed state, the parking brake 20b is maintained in the non-operating state, and the parking brake 20b cannot be switched to the operating state.

When the detection mechanism <NUM> detects that the stand bar <NUM> is in the landed state, the rider can switch the parking brake 20b between the operating state and the non-operating state by using the operation piece. The operation piece may be the same in configuration as the operation piece <NUM> of Embodiment <NUM> or may be provided close to the handle <NUM> so as to be able to be operated by the rider's hand. Moreover, the operation piece may have the other configuration. When the parking brake 20b has been set to the operating state by using the operation piece, the rear wheel brake caliper <NUM> stops the rotation of the rear wheel brake disc 3a, and this locks the rotation of the rear wheel <NUM>. When the parking brake 20b has been set to the non-operating state by using the operation piece, the rear wheel brake caliper <NUM> does not stop the rotation of the rear wheel brake disc 3a, and the rear wheel <NUM> is maintained in a rotatable state.

When the detection mechanism <NUM> detects that the stand bar <NUM> is not in the landed state, the parking brake 20b of the motorcycle 1b is maintained in the non-operating state. Therefore, when the stand bar <NUM> is changed from the floating state to the flip-up state, the parking brake 20b is surely in the non-operating state.

There is a possibility that although the stand bar <NUM> is in the flip-up state, the rod-shaped member <NUM> is moved by, for example, vibration generated during the traveling of the motorcycle 1b and is therefore brought into contact with the pressure sensitive sensor <NUM>, and the motorcycle 1b determines that the stand bar <NUM> is in the landed state. On this account, there is a possibility that although the motorcycle 1b is traveling, the parking brake 20b becomes such a state as to be able to be set to the operating state. Therefore, in the present embodiment, a stopper member configured to restrict the movement of the rod-shaped member <NUM> is provided between the rod-shaped member <NUM> and the pressure sensitive sensor <NUM> so as to prevent a case where the rod-shaped member <NUM> is moved by, for example, vibration generated during the traveling of the motorcycle 1b to be brought into contact with the pressure sensitive sensor <NUM>.

<FIG> is a schematic plan view showing the motorcycle 1b including a stopper member <NUM> when viewed from above. <FIG> is an enlarged side view showing the side stand <NUM> of the motorcycle 1b including the stopper member <NUM> and its periphery. In <FIG>, the side stand <NUM> in the landed state is shown by a solid line, and the side stand <NUM> in the flip-up state is shown by a broken line. In the present embodiment, the stopper member <NUM> is provided at the pivot frame <NUM> (<FIG>) of the motorcycle 1b. As shown in <FIG>, when the stand bar <NUM> is in the flip-up state, the movement of the rod-shaped member <NUM> is restricted by the stopper member <NUM>. Since the stopper member <NUM> is provided at the vehicle body of the motorcycle 1b, the movement of the rod-shaped member <NUM> can be surely restricted.

Since the stopper member <NUM> is located between the rod-shaped member <NUM> and the pressure sensitive sensor <NUM> when the stand bar <NUM> is in the flip-up state, the rod-shaped member <NUM> can be prevented from contacting the pressure sensitive sensor <NUM>. With this, it is possible to surely prevent a case where although the stand bar <NUM> is in the flip-up state, it is determined that the stand bar <NUM> is in the landed state.

When the stand bar <NUM> is in the landed state as shown by the solid line in <FIG>, the rod-shaped member <NUM> separates from the stopper member <NUM>, and the rod-shaped member <NUM> and the pressure sensitive sensor <NUM> contact each other. With this, it can be surely recognized that the stand bar <NUM> is in the landed state.

According to the above-described configuration, the motorcycle 1b is configured such that when the stand bar <NUM> is in the landed state, the motorcycle 1b can be set to the driving disabled state or the driving enabled state by the parking brake 20b. Therefore, for example, when the motorcycle 1b is parked, the state of the parking brake 20b can be selected in accordance with preference of the rider or a situation. When the stand bar <NUM> is in the flip-up state, the parking brake 20b is surely in the released state, and therefore, the rider can smoothly drives the motorcycle 1b without confusion.

Each of the above embodiments describes that the side stand is used to make the motorcycle stand by itself when the motorcycle is in the stop state. However, the above embodiments are not limited to this. A center stand may be used to make the motorcycle stand by itself when the motorcycle is in the stop state.

Moreover, each of the above embodiments describes that the parking brake is used as the driving preventing device capable of switching between the driving enabled state in which the normal driving of the motorcycle is being enabled and the driving disabled state in which the normal driving of the motorcycle is being disabled. However, the above embodiments are not limited to this. A device other than the parking brake may be used as the driving preventing device.

For example, the driving preventing device may include a lock member configured to stop the rotation of the wheel and may stop the rotation of the wheel by inserting the lock member into between a plurality of spokes. <FIG> is a side view showing the front wheel, and <FIG> is a sectional view showing the lock mechanism. The lock member may stop the rotation of the front wheel <NUM> or may stop the rotation of the rear wheel <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the rotation of the front wheel <NUM> is stopped by the lock member.

<FIG> is a side view showing the front wheel <NUM>, and <FIG> is a schematic sectional view showing the front wheel <NUM> and a lock mechanism <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the front wheel <NUM> includes: a rim <NUM> to which a tire <NUM> is attached; a hub <NUM> supporting a rotating shaft at a center portion thereof; and a plurality of spokes <NUM> each connecting the rim <NUM> and the hub <NUM>. The plurality of spokes <NUM> are provided at regular intervals in a circumferential direction of the front wheel <NUM>. Gaps <NUM> are provided between the plurality of spokes <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the motorcycle includes a cover <NUM> covering an upper portion of the front wheel <NUM>. The lock mechanism <NUM> includes a lock member 49a which can project from the cover <NUM> toward the gap <NUM> of the front wheel <NUM>. The lock member 49a can project from a portion, opposed to the front wheel <NUM>, of the cover <NUM> to the front wheel <NUM> in an axial direction of a rotating shaft 2b corresponding to a rotational center of the front wheel <NUM>. The lock member 49a projecting from the cover <NUM> extends in the axial direction of the rotating shaft 2b and can enter into the gap <NUM> of the front wheel <NUM>.

For example, after the rider stops the motorcycle, the rotation of the front wheel <NUM> can be locked by inserting the lock member 49a into the gap <NUM> of the front wheel <NUM>. With this, the motorcycle can be set to the driving disabled state in which the normal driving of the motorcycle is being disabled. Thus, the motorcycle can be prevented from being stolen while the motorcycle is in the stop state. Therefore, the motorcycle having excellent security performance can be provided. To be specific, the lock mechanism <NUM> can serve as the driving preventing device capable of switching between the driving enabled state in which the normal driving of the motorcycle is being enabled and the driving disabled state in which the normal driving of the motorcycle is being disabled.

As above, by inserting the lock member 49a into the gap <NUM> of the front wheel <NUM>, the rotation of the front wheel <NUM> is locked and stopped, and thus, the motorcycle is set to the driving disabled state in which the normal driving of the motorcycle is being disabled. Therefore, the configuration of the driving preventing device which switches to the driving disabled state can be simplified.

A device other than the above may be used as the driving preventing device capable of switching the motorcycle between the driving enabled state in which the normal driving of the motorcycle is being enabled and the driving disabled state in which the normal driving of the motorcycle is being disabled. For example, a handle lock mechanism which sets the handle to an operation disabled state in order to realize the driving disabled state may be used as the driving preventing device. Since the driving preventing device is the handle lock mechanism which sets the handle to the operation disabled state in order to realize the driving disabled state, the driving preventing device can switch to the driving disabled state by locking the handle. Thus, the configuration of the driving preventing device which switches the motorcycle to the driving disabled state can be simplified.

The driving preventing device may be configured to set the engine to a start-up disabled state in order to realize the driving disabled state. For example, the driving preventing device sets the engine to a state in which the engine cannot be started up by ignition, and with this, the driving preventing device can set the engine to the start-up disabled state. Thus, the configuration of the driving preventing device which switches the motorcycle to the driving disabled state can be simplified.

Claim 1:
A lean vehicle (1a) comprising:
a driving preventing device configured to switch between a driving enabled state in which normal driving of the vehicle (1a) is being enabled and a driving disabled state in which the normal driving of the vehicle (1a) is being disabled;
a stand (<NUM>) including an end portion (16b) and configured to swing between a landed state in which the end portion (16b) is in contact with a ground surface and a flip-up state and, in the landed state, make the vehicle (1a) stand by itself while the vehicle (1a) is in a stop state; and
an operation piece (<NUM>) that is movable between a driving enabled position and a driving disabled position and sets the driving preventing device to the driving enabled state when the operation piece (<NUM>) is at the driving enabled position and sets the driving preventing device to the driving disabled state when the operation piece (<NUM>) is at the driving disabled position, wherein:
when the stand is in the landed state, the operation piece (<NUM>) is allowed to move between the driving enabled position and the driving disabled position, thereby allowing the driving preventing device to be switched between the driving enabled state and the driving disabled state; and
when the stand is in the flip-up state, the operation piece (<NUM>) interferes with the stand to be maintained at the driving enabled position, thereby maintaining the driving preventing device in the driving enabled state,
characterized in that, when the operation piece (<NUM>) is at the driving disabled position, the operation piece (<NUM>) interferes with the stand in such a way that the operation piece (<NUM>) serves as a stopper which blocks the movement of the stand, thereby preventing the stand from becoming the flip-up state.