Patent ID: 12187180

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

FIG.1is a schematic diagram for explanation of first embodiment of the present teaching.FIG.1(a)is a schematic plan view of a vehicle.FIG.1(b)is a schematic side view of the vehicle.FIG.1(c)is a diagram showing an optical-electrical cable bundle provided in the vehicle.

The vehicle1shown inFIGS.1(a) and (b)is a straddled vehicle. The vehicle1is a leaning vehicle, too. The vehicle1leans toward the center of a curve when making a turn. The vehicle1includes a vehicle body10, a light source unit30, two or more light using devices40, an optical fiber cable32, an electrical power supply unit66, and electrical cables61,62.

The vehicle body10supports a plurality of wheels14,15. The vehicle body10has a seat17and a body cover18. On the seat17, a rider is seated. The body cover18forms an external appearance of the vehicle visible in the side view shown inFIG.1(b). The vehicle body10has a motive power source20, too. The motive power source20drives the wheel15. The motive power source20is an internal combustion engine, for example. An electric motor is also adoptable as the motive power source20. Both the internal combustion engine and the electric motor may be adopted. The vehicle1includes a fuel tank16. The motive power source20is not particularly limited, and for example, may be an electric motor. In such a case, a dummy tank may be provided instead of the fuel tank16.

The light source unit30produces a laser beam for lighting purposes. The light source unit30is a laser beam source unit. The light source unit30receives a supply of electric power, to output a laser beam. The light source unit30has a laser beam source element31. The light source unit30emits to the outside a laser beam that is outputted from the laser beam source element31.

The light using device40uses the laser beam supplied from the light source unit30. The light using device40is a light emitting part. The light using device40radiates, toward the outside of the vehicle1, the laser beam supplied from the light source unit30. The light using device40, for example, changes a color of the laser beam supplied from the light source unit30, and radiates the resultant toward the outside. The light using device40is a flasher lamp, for example. The vehicle1includes the two or more light using devices40, and the light source unit30outputs a laser beam not only to the flasher lamp but also to the other light using devices40. Therein, for ease of view of the configuration, only the flasher lamp out of the two or more light using devices40is shown as an example, and the light using devices40other than the flasher lamp will be described later.

The optical fiber cable32guides a laser beam from the light source unit30to the light using devices40. In the example shown inFIG.1, the optical fiber cable32guides a laser beam outputted from the light source unit30to the light using devices40serving as light emitting parts. The optical fiber cable32has an optical fiber core wire made of a resin and a sheath made of a resin, though not shown.

More specifically, the optical fiber cable32guides to the light using devices40a laser beam outputted from a light output point31aof the light source unit30. The optical fiber cable32is connected to the light output point31aof the light source unit30. The light output point31ais, for example, an optical connector disposed in the light source unit30.

The electrical power supply unit66supplies electric power to each part of the vehicle1. The electrical power supply unit66is a battery, for example. Electrical units60,63,64are devices different from the electrical power supply unit66. The electrical units60,63,64are devices that operate electrically.

FIG.1shows an example of the electrical units60,63,64. The electrical unit60is a control device composed of an electronic computer. The control device serving as the electrical unit60controls operations of the motive power source20, for example. The electrical unit63is a starting switch. The starting switch serving as the electrical unit63is a switch for starting the engine serving as the motive power source20upon being manipulated, for example. The electrical unit64is a main switch. The main switch serving as the electrical unit64is a switch for supplying electric power of the electrical power supply unit66to the other electrical units60,63upon being manipulated. Not only the electrical units60,63,64illustrated in the drawings but also a switch, a lamp, an actuator, a computer, a relay, a sensor, and a starting motor (all not shown) are encompassed by the electrical units according to the present disclosure. An electrical cable or a fuse is not encompassed by the electrical units, however.

The electrical cables61,62are cables for transmitting electricity. The electrical cables61,62are connected to the electrical power supply unit66or to the electrical units60,63,64. Each of the electrical cables61,62has a core wire made of a metal and a sheath made of a resin, though not shown.

In the example shown inFIG.1, the electrical cable61is electrically connected to the control device serving as the electrical unit60and to the starting switch serving as the electrical unit63. The electrical cable61transmits electricity between the electrical unit60and the electrical unit63. The electrical cable62is electrically connected to the electrical power supply unit66and to the main switch serving as the electrical unit64. The electrical cable62transmits electricity between the electrical power supply unit66and the electrical unit64. The electrical cable62transmits electric power outputted from the electrical power supply unit66. This is why the electrical cable62is thicker than the other electrical cable61. In addition, an electrical cable (not shown) different from the electrical cable61extends out from the control device serving as the electrical unit60. For example, an electrical cable that supplies a signal or electric power for operating the motive power source20extends out from the control device serving as the electrical unit60. Moreover, an electrical cable (not shown) also extends out from the electrical power supply unit66to another electrical unit such as the relay (not shown). Therein, for ease of view of the configuration, only the electrical cables61,62are illustrated as an example.

A part of the electrical cable61is along a part of the electrical cable62, and is supported by the part of the electrical cable62. The electrical cables61,62are in a bundle. The bundle of the electrical cables61,62includes a trunk portion H1and a plurality of branch portions H2. The trunk portion H1is a portion that is electrically connected to the electrical power supply unit66. The branch portions H2are portions that branch from the trunk portion H1and are electrically connected to the a plurality of electrical units60,63, respectively. In the present Description, “joining” of cables encompasses a configuration in which the a plurality of electrical cables61,62extending from places remote from each other reach a region where they extend along each other and are supported by each other. In other words, joining of the a plurality of electrical cables61,62does not mean that they are electrically connected to each other; however, definition of the joining is not particularly limited, and for example, it may also be possible that a plurality of electrical cables are electrically connected, or their conductors are put together so that they are electrically connected. In the present Description, “branching” of cables is a configuration that can be expressed in the way opposite to joining. In the configuration, the a plurality of electrical cables61,62in the region where they extend along each other and are supported by each other become separated from each other.

The optical fiber cable32has a supported portion F1and an upstream portion F2.

The supported portion F1is a portion that is along the trunk portion H1of the electrical cables61,62and is supported by the trunk portion H1. The upstream portion F2is a portion that extends from the light source unit30to the supported portion F1without being supported by the trunk portion H1. A point corresponding to a boundary position between the supported portion F1and the upstream portion F2is an optical cable joining point A.

More specifically, as shown inFIG.1(c), a part of the optical fiber cable32is tied to the electrical cables61,62such that the part is along the trunk portion H1of the electrical cables61,62and is supported by the trunk portion H1. Thus, the optical fiber cable32constitutes an optical-electrical cable bundle H.

In more detail, the optical-electrical cable bundle H is formed by tying made with tie members65at a plurality of locations in the longitudinal direction of the supported portion F1of the optical fiber cable32. The tie members65respectively form ring shapes to wind around the optical-electrical cable bundle H at different locations in the longitudinal direction of the supported portion F1of the optical-electrical cable bundle H.

Both a part of the supported portion F1and a part of the upstream portion F2are disposed at positions within an in-body covered region BR.

The in-body covered region BR is either one of the following two regions. The in-body covered region BR includes an overlap of the following two regions.

(A) A region (R1inFIG.1(a)) closer to the vehicle center C than an outermost surface of the body cover18is in the vehicle width direction W, for example, in the plan view shown inFIG.1(a), the region being inside the vehicle body10and visibly concealed from the outside of the vehicle1.

(B) A region (R2inFIG.1(b)) positioned further in the downward direction than an uppermost portion of the seat17, for example, in the side view shown inFIG.1(b), the region being inside the vehicle body10and visibly concealed from the outside of the vehicle1.

The region that is inside the vehicle body10and visibly concealed from the outside of the vehicle1is a region that is made visibly concealed from the outside of the vehicle1because of a vehicle component that is in contact with a rider riding on the vehicle1while traveling, for example.

Furthermore, the region that is inside the vehicle body10and visibly concealed from the outside of the vehicle1is a region that is made visibly concealed from the outside of the vehicle1because of a leg load component that receives a load from a leg of the rider riding on the vehicle1while traveling, for example. The leg load component is, for example, the body cover18, the seat17, the fuel tank16, or a dummy tank (not shown).

The optical-electrical cable bundle H has a stiffness higher than the stiffness of the supported portion F1of the optical fiber cable32, which constitutes the optical-electrical cable bundle H. To be more specific, the optical-electrical cable bundle H has a bending stiffness higher than the bending stiffness of the supported portion F1of the optical fiber cable32. This makes it easy to keep the shape of the optical fiber cable32, and to suppress free displacement or deformation of the optical fiber cable32caused by vibration or the like.

A direct distance from the light output point31aof the light source unit30to the optical cable joining point A is shorter than a direct distance from an electricity output point66aof the electrical power supply unit66to the optical cable joining point A.

A length of a part of the optical fiber cable32from the light output point31aof the light source unit30to the optical cable joining point A is shorter than a length of a part of the electrical cable62from the electricity output point66aof the electrical power supply unit66to the optical cable joining point A.

Each of the electrical cables61,62has the core wire made of a metal, and therefore has a bending stiffness higher than the bending stiffness of the optical fiber cable32. When the electrical cables61,62receive an external bending force, the range of their elastic deformation is smaller than the range of elastic deformation of the optical fiber cable32. That is, upon receiving an external bending force, the electrical cables61,62are likely to make plastic deformation. Accordingly, if the electrical cables61,62are bent in assemblage of the vehicle1for example, they are likely to keep bent shapes. In other words, the electrical cables61,62are more likely to keep their shapes than the optical fiber cable32. In addition, in the part of the optical fiber cable32that is along the trunk portion H1of the electrical cables61,62and is supported by the trunk portion H1, free deformation or displacement caused by vibration or the like is likely to be suppressed, as compared to in the optical fiber cable32as a whole. As a result, deformation and/or displacement of the optical fiber cable32can be prevented or suppressed. Thus, when the optical fiber cable32is arranged so as to pass through a narrow space between components, such as a frame11, of the vehicle body10, touching of the optical fiber cable32with each component of the vehicle body10can be prevented or suppressed.

The supported portion F1of the optical fiber cable32is tied to the trunk portion H1of the electrical cables61,62, to constitute the optical-electrical cable bundle H. This makes it easier to keep the shape of the optical fiber cable32, and makes it easy to suppress free displacement or deformation of the optical fiber cable32caused by vibration or the like.

Since the electrical cables61,62are disposed at positions near or adjacent to the supported portion F1of the optical fiber cable32, the optical fiber cable32is substantially protected by the electrical cables61,62. Direct touching of the optical fiber cable32with each component of the vehicle body10is likely to be suppressed. Even if the optical fiber cable32directly touches a component, deformation or displacement, or damage of the optical fiber cable32can be prevented or suppressed because the optical fiber cable32is supported by the electrical cables61,62. Accordingly, a size increase of a space between components of the vehicle body10can be prevented or suppressed. In addition, the electrical cables61,62, which are originally provided in the vehicle1, are also used to support the optical fiber cable32, and this can contribute to suppression of a size increase of an installation space. In this manner, both protection of the optical fiber cable32and suppression of a size increase of the vehicle1can be obtained.

The optical-electrical cable bundle H is formed by tying made with the tie members65at a plurality of locations in the longitudinal direction of the optical-electrical cable bundle H. This makes it further easier to keep the shape of the optical fiber cable32, and makes it further easier to suppress free displacement or deformation of the optical fiber cable32caused by vibration or the like.

The tie members65shown inFIG.1(c)restrain the cables (32,61,62) at the a plurality of locations in the longitudinal direction of the optical-electrical cable bundle H so as to restrict free displacement of adjacent ones of the cables (32,61,62) relative to each other in the optical-electrical cable bundle H.

In the optical-electrical cable bundle H, the adjacent ones of the cables (32,61,62) are maintained with their side surfaces in contact with each other at the a plurality of locations in the longitudinal direction of the optical-electrical cable bundle H.

A contact friction on the side surfaces of the adjacent cables (32,61,62) is used to make it further easier to keep the shape, and to make it easy to suppress free displacement or deformation caused by vibration or the like.

Since the distance from the light output point31ato the optical cable joining point A is short, touching with a component of the vehicle1caused by vibration is further suppressed in the in-body covered region BR. This enhances the protection of the optical fiber cable32.

Since the part of the optical fiber cable32from the light output point31ato the optical cable joining point A is short, touching with a component of the vehicle1caused by vibration is further suppressed in the in-body covered region BR. This enhances the protection of the optical fiber cable32.

The vehicle body10and the optical-electrical cable bundle H will further be described with reference toFIG.1(a) to (c).

The vehicle body10includes a main body M and a movable part D.

The main body M includes the seat17and the body cover18. The main body M also includes the frame11to which the seat17and the body cover18are attached.

The movable part D is steered to displace together with a part of the wheels14, and relative to the main body M. The movable part D is composed of a front fork12and a steering part19. The movable part D also includes the light using devices40fixed to the front fork12or to the steering part19, and the starting switch serving as the electrical unit63.

The movable part D displaces when steered. Thus, displacement of the movable part D takes place at a relatively high frequency.

The optical-electrical cable bundle His disposed so as to extend over the main body M and the movable part D. More specifically, the optical-electrical cable bundle H extends over the frame11of the main body M and the front fork12of the movable part D. Still more specifically, the optical fiber cable32, which is a part of the optical-electrical cable bundle H and extends together with the electrical cables61,62along the frame11, is disposed across the front fork12, then is separated from the electrical cables61,62, and further extends.

The optical fiber cable32does not solely extend over the main body M and the movable part D, but the optical-electrical cable bundle H extends over the main body M and the movable part D. This can prevent or suppress touching of the optical fiber cable32with another component.

Second Embodiment

FIG.2is a schematic diagram for explanation of an optical-electrical cable bundle in second embodiment of the present teaching.

An optical-electrical cable bundle H′ shown inFIG.2is formed by spiral tying made with a tie member57. The optical-electrical cable bundle H′ ties an optical fiber cable32and electrical cables61,62together along with the longitudinal direction.

More specifically, the tie member57is a soft, strip-shaped member. The tie member57spirally winds around the optical fiber cable32and the electrical cables61,62.

In the optical-electrical cable bundle H′, adjacent ones of the cables (32,61,62) are maintained with their side surfaces in contact with each other throughout the entire area in the longitudinal direction of the optical-electrical cable bundle H′.

[Example of Application of Connection Configuration]

FIG.3is a diagram showing an example of devices to which the connection configuration shown inFIG.1orFIG.2is applicable.

The configuration of the optical fiber cable32described in each of the foregoing embodiments is applicable as, for example, an optical fiber cable32for guiding a laser beam to each of a rear turn signal51, a headlight52, a stop lamp53, a license plate lamp54, and a meter lamp55shown inFIG.3. Although the drawing illustrates light using devices40disposed left in the vehicle1as an example of the devices to which a laser beam is guided by the optical fiber cable32(seeFIG.1orFIG.2), the configuration of the optical fiber cable32is applicable to a right turn signal (not shown), too. The configuration of the optical fiber cable32is applicable as an optical fiber cable32for guiding a laser beam to a high beam headlight and a low beam headlight included in the headlight52. In a case of the vehicle1including a position light, a daytime running light, or an auxiliary headlight different from the headlight52, the configuration of the optical fiber cable32is applicable as an optical fiber cable32for guiding a laser beam to a position light or a daytime running light, or to an auxiliary headlight, too. For ease of view of the devices, illustration of the optical fiber cable32is omitted.

The configuration of the optical fiber cable32is applicable not only to a lighting device but also as, for example, an optical fiber cable32for guiding a laser beam for communication purposes to an optical transmission device56used for optical communication. The optical transmission device56transmits data by outputting light to peripheral equipment of the vehicle1or to each part of the vehicle1.

The configuration of the optical fiber cable32for guiding a laser beam according to each of the foregoing embodiment may be applied to, for example, all of the rear turn signal51, the headlight52, the stop lamp53, the license plate lamp54, the meter lamp55, and the optical transmission device56mentioned above. The configuration of the optical fiber cable32for guiding a laser beam may be applied to, for example, a part of the above-mentioned devices. In such a case, for the rest of the devices, a different connection configuration is used. It may not always be necessary that a laser beam is used for the rest of the devices.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

1vehicle10vehicle body14,15wheel16fuel tank17seat18body cover30light source unit31alight output point32optical fiber cable40light using device60electrical unit61,62electrical cable63,64electrical unit57,65tie member66electrical power supply unit66aelectricity output pointA optical cable joining pointBR in-body covered regionC vehicle centerD movable partF1supported portionF2upstream portionH, H′ electrical cable bundleH1trunk portionH2branch portionM main body