AU2012244273B2

AU2012244273B2 - Front structure of saddle type vehicle

Info

Publication number: AU2012244273B2
Application number: AU2012244273A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Masashi Kanezuka; Tadamasa Maeda
Original assignee: Honda Motor Co Ltd
Current assignee: Honda Motor Co Ltd
Priority date: 2012-01-30
Filing date: 2012-10-30
Publication date: 2015-10-01
Anticipated expiration: 2032-10-30
Also published as: CN103223991B; JP5887152B2; CN103223991A; JP2013154775A; AU2012244273A1

Abstract

FRONT STRUCTURE OF SADDLE TYPE VEHICLE In a front structure of a saddle type vehicle (1), a headlight guard (30) is fixed to a headlight (2). A laterally extending upper horizontal portion (31) of the headlight guard (30) is provided between the upper end (11) of a front cover (10) and a meter (7) so as to be spaced apart from the headlight (20) above the headlight (20), thereby forming the upper horizontal portion (3 1) as a grip portion. The headlight (20) is fixed to the headlight guard (30) at any portions other than the upper horizontal portion (31). 30b 35 30b 36c 36-- 34 36s 36s9 36c

Description

S&F Ref: P052071 AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT Name and Address Honda Motor Co., Ltd., of 1-1, Minami-Aoyama 2 of Applicant : chome, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 107-8556, Japan Actual Inventor(s): Masashi Kanezuka Tadamasa Maeda Address for Service: Spruson & Ferguson St Martins Tower Level 35 31 Market Street Sydney NSW 2000 (CCN 3710000177) Invention Title: Front structure of saddle type vehicle The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: 5845c(6828534_1) 1 FRONT STRUCTURE OF SADDLE TYPE VEHICLE Technical Field [0001] The present invention relates to a front structure of a saddle type vehicle. Background Art [0002] Conventionally known is a front structure of a saddle type vehicle as disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example, as a front structure of a saddle type vehicle. The front structure of the saddle type vehicle in this prior art includes a steering handle (4) for steering a front wheel (6), a head pipe (2) for pivotably supporting the steering handle (4), a front cover (9) for covering the front side of the head pipe (2) below the steering handle (4), a headlight (11) provided on the front side of the front cover (9), and a headlight guard (13) provided so as to surround the headlight (11) as viewed from the front side of the vehicle (where the numbers in parentheses are the same as those used in Patent Document 1). [0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei 10-226375 [0004] In the prior art mentioned above, the headlight guard (13) has only a function of protecting the headlight (11), and no consideration has been given to other functions. Object of the Invention [0004a] It is the object of the present invention to substantially overcome or at least ameliorate the foregoing disadvantage. Summary [0005] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a front structure of a saddle type vehicle including a head pipe for pivotably supporting a steering handle which steers a 2 front wheel; a meter provided on the steering handle; a front cover for covering the front side of the head pipe below the steering handle; a headlight provided on the front side of the front cover; and a headlight guard provided so as to surround the headlight as viewed from the front side of a vehicle, wherein the headlight guard is fixed to the head pipe, a laterally extending upper horizontal portion of the headlight guard is provided between the upper end of the front cover and the meter so as to be spaced apart from the headlight above the headlight, thereby forming the upper horizontal portion as a grip portion, and the headlight is fixed to the headlight guard at any portions other than the upper horizontal portion. Further, the headlight guard has a substantially laid U-shape as viewed in side elevation and includes a pair of right and left vertical portions vertically extending on the right and left sides of the headlight, a lower horizontal portion extending vehicle-widthwise inwardly so as to be connected to lower connecting portions extending frontward from the lower ends of the vertical portions, and the upper horizontal portion extending vehicle-widthwise inwardly so as to be connected to upper connecting portions extending frontward from the upper ends of the vertical portions. According to a front structure of the saddle type vehicle in an embodiment of the present invention, the headlight guard is fixed to the head pipe, so that the fixing strength of the headlight guard can be improved. Further, the laterally extending upper horizontal portion of the headlight guard is provided between the upper end of the front cover and the meter so as to be spaced apart from the headlight above the headlight, thereby forming the upper horizontal portion as the grip portion. Accordingly, the grip portion to be used for convenience in handling the vehicle can be provided by utilizing a dead space produced between the upper end of the front cover and the meter. Further, the headlight is fixed to the headlight guard at any portions other than the upper horizontal portion. Accordingly, the headlight can be fixed without impairing the function of the upper horizontal portion as the grip portion and with the elimination of any dedicated stay for fixing the headlight. Further, the upper horizontal portion as the grip portion laterally extends on the upper side of the headlight so as to be connected to the front ends of the upper connecting portions, which extend frontward from the upper ends of the right and left vertical portions extending vertically on the right and left sides of the headlight. Accordingly, the upper horizontal portion can be easily gripped from the front side of the vehicle, thereby improving the convenience as the grip portion. [0006] Preferably, a plurality of fixing portions for fixing the headlight guard to the head pipe are connected to the vertical portions and/or the lower connecting portions so as to be vertically arranged in tandem.

3 With this configuration, the plural fixing portions for fixing the headlight guard to the head pipe are connected to the vertical portions and/or the lower connecting portions so as to be vertically arranged. Accordingly, the headlight guard can be firmly fixed to the head pipe without loss of the convenience as the grip portion. In addition, the strength of the upper horizontal portion as the grip portion can also be improved. [0007] Preferably, at least one of the plural fixing portions for fixing the headlight guard to the head pipe includes a cross member connecting the right and left vertical portions to each other and a support stay extending from the cross member toward the head pipe. With this configuration, the rigidity of the headlight guard can be increased by the cross member connecting the right and left vertical portions to each other. Further, the fixing strength between the headlight guard and the head pipe can also be increased. [0008] Preferably, the cross member is curved so as to project downward and the headlight is located above the cross member adjacent thereto. With this configuration, the headlight can be located close to the head pipe regardless of the presence of the cross member. Accordingly, the front portion of the vehicle can be made compact and improved in strength. [0009] Preferably, a horn is provided between the lower horizontal portion and the cross member. With this configuration, the horn can be protected by the lower horizontal portion and the cross member. [0010] Preferably, the headlight guard forms an integral loop-shaped outer frame forming the outline thereof With this configuration, the headlight guard can efficiently surround the headlight with the perimeter of the headlight guard reduced, thereby reducing the weight of the headlight guard.

4 [0011] Preferably, the front cover is formed with a downward opening recess for preventing the interference of the fixing portions for fixing the headlight guard to the head pipe. With this configuration, the front cover can be mounted and demounted even after fixing the headlight guard to the head pipe, thereby improving the maintainability and the productivity. Brief Description of the Drawings [0012] A preferred form of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a side view of a saddle type vehicle having a front structure according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a front elevation of the saddle type vehicle shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a side view showing a fixing structure between a headlight guard and a head pipe; FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial front elevation view of the saddle type vehicle shown in FIG. 2; FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a headlight and the headlight guard as viewed from the right rear side of the saddle type vehicle; and FIG. 6 is a front elevation mainly showing a front cover. Description of Embodiments [0013] A preferred embodiment of the front structure of the saddle type vehicle according to the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or like parts are denoted by the same reference symbols. [0014] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 (mainly to FIG. 2), there is shown a vehicle 1, which is a motorcycle as an example of the saddle type vehicle. The vehicle 1 includes a body frame 3 having a head pipe 2, an engine E mounted on the body frame 3, and a rear wheel WR to be driven by the engine E.

5 A swing arm 4 is provided at the rear portion of the body frame 3 so as to be pivotable about a pivot shaft 4p. The rear wheel WR is rotatably supported to the rear ends of the swing arm 4. Cushion units 5 are provided between the swing arm 4 and the body frame 3. [0015] A pair of right and left front forks 6f is supported to the head pipe 2 so as to be steerable by a steering handle 6, and a front wheel WF is rotatably supported to the front forks 6f. A meter (meter unit including a speedometer) 7 is provided on the steering handle 6. The front side of the head pipe 2 is covered with a front cover 10 below the steering handle 6. A headlight 20 is provided on the front side of the front cover 10. As shown in FIG. 2, a headlight guard 30 is provided so as to surround the headlight 20 as viewed from the front side of the vehicle. [0016] The front structure of the saddle type vehicle according to this preferred embodiment is characterized in that the headlight guard 30 is fixed to the head pipe 2, that a laterally extending upper horizontal portion 31 of the headlight guard 30 is provided between the upper end 11 of the front cover 10 and the meter 7 so as to be spaced apart from the headlight 20 above the headlight 20, thereby forming the upper horizontal portion 31 as a grip portion, and that the headlight 20 is fixed to the headlight guard 30 at any portions other than the upper horizontal portion 31. According to this front structure of the saddle type vehicle, the headlight guard 30 is fixed to the head pipe 2 excellent in strength, so that the fixing strength of the headlight guard 30 can be improved. Further, the laterally extending upper horizontal portion 31 of the headlight guard 30 is provided between the upper end 11 of the front cover 10 and the meter 7 so as to be spaced apart from the headlight 20 above the headlight 20, thereby becoming the grip portion (31). Accordingly, the grip portion (31) to be used for convenience in handling the vehicle 1 can be provided by utilizing a dead space DS produced between the upper end 11 of the front cover 10 and the meter 7. Further, the headlight 20 is fixed to the headlight guard 30 at any portions other than the upper horizontal portion 31. Accordingly, the headlight 20 can be fixed without impairing the function of the upper horizontal portion 31 as the grip portion and with the elimination of any dedicated stay for fixing the headlight. [0017] The headlight guard 30 is formed from a metal pipe.

6 As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, a pair of fixing brackets 30b, 30b for fixing the headlight 20 to the headlight guard 30 are welded to the right and left portions of the headlight guard 30. A pair of fixing portions 21, 21 are provided at the right and left portions of the headlight 20. The right and left fixing portions 21, 21 of the headlight 20 are fastened by bolts 22 to the fixing brackets 30b, 30b of the headlight guard 30, respectively, thereby fixing the headlight 20 to the headlight guard 30. A pair of right and left turn signal lights 8 is also fixed to the fixing brackets 30b, 30b, respectively. The space L (see FIG. 2) between the upper horizontal portion 31 and the headlight 20 is set so as to allow the insertion of an operator's finger. [0018] The headlight guard 30 has a substantially laid U-shape as viewed in side elevation and includes a pair of right and left vertical portions 32, 32 vertically extending on the right and left sides of the headlight 20, a lower horizontal portion 34 extending vehicle-widthwise inwardly so as to be connected to lower connecting portions 33, 33 extending frontward from the lower ends of the vertical portions 32, 32, and the above-mentioned upper horizontal portion 31 extending vehicle-widthwise inwardly so as to be connected to upper connecting portions 35, 35 extending frontward from the upper ends of the vertical portions 32, 32. Each of these portions constituting the headlight guard 30 is formed from a metal pipe. Two fixing portions 36 for fixing the headlight guard 30 to the head pipe 2 are connected to the vertical portions 32 and the lower connecting portions 33 so as to be vertically arranged in tandem. The two fixing portions 36 may be replaced by three or more similar fixing portions connected to the vertical portions 32 and/or the lower connecting portions 33 so as to be vertically arranged in tandem. [0019] With this configuration, the upper horizontal portion 31 as the grip portion (31) extends vehicle-widthwise inwardly so as to be connected to the upper connecting portions 35, 35, which extend frontward from the upper ends of the right and left vertical portions 32, 32 extending vertically on the right and left sides of the headlight 20. Accordingly, the upper horizontal portion 31 can be easily gripped from the front side of the vehicle, thereby improving the convenience as the grip portion. Further, the plural fixing portions 36 for fixing the headlight guard 30 to the head pipe 2 are connected to the vertical portions 32 and/or the lower connecting portions 33 so as to be vertically arranged in tandem. Accordingly, the headlight guard 30 can be firmly fixed to the head pipe 2 without loss of the convenience as the grip 7 portion (31). In addition, the strength of the upper horizontal portion 31 as the grip portion can also be improved. [0020] Each fixing portion 36 for fixing the headlight guard 30 to the head pipe 2 includes a cross member 36c connecting the right and left vertical portions 32, 32 to each other or the lower connecting portions 33, 33 to each other and a support stay 36s extending from the cross member 36c toward the head pipe 2. In this preferred embodiment, the two fixing portions 36 have the same configuration as mentioned above. However, in the case that the plural fixing portions 36 are provided, at least one of the plural fixing portions 36 may have the above configuration. [0021] With this configuration, the rigidity of the headlight guard 30 can be increased by the cross member 36c connecting the right and left vertical portions 32 to each other and by the lower cross member 36c connecting the lower connecting portions 33 to each other. Further, the fixing strength between the headlight guard 30 and the head pipe 2 can also be increased. [0022] Each cross member 36c is formed from a metal pipe welded at its opposite ends to the vertical portions 32 or the lower connecting portions 33. Further, each support stay 36s is a sectionally U-shaped member welded to the laterally central portion of the corresponding cross member 36c. A fixing stay 2s is welded to the front portion of the head pipe 2, and the support stays 36s of the headlight guard 30 are fastened and fixed to the fixing stay 2s by bolts 36b (see FIG. 3). Each support stay 36s is welded to the laterally central portion of the corresponding cross member 36c and extends straight rearward toward the head pipe 2. The support stay 36s is fixed to the fixing stay 2s. With this configuration, force acting on the headlight guard 30 is directly received by the head pipe 2. Accordingly, the fixing strength of the headlight guard 30 to the head pipe 2 can be improved and the usability of the headlight guard 30 as a grip portion can also be improved. [0023] Each cross member 36c is curved so as to project downward and the headlight 20 is located above each cross member 36c adjacent thereto.

8 With this configuration, the headlight 20 can be located close to the head pipe 2 regardless of the presence of each cross member 36c as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5. Accordingly, the front portion of the vehicle 1 can be made compact and improved in strength. In this preferred embodiment, the two, upper and lower cross members 36c are provided, so that the upper cross member 36c is closer to the headlight 20 than the lower cross member 36c, and the headlight 20 is specifically located above the upper cross member 36c adjacent thereto. [0024] A horn 9 is provided between the lower horizontal portion 34 and the cross member 36c (in the figure, the lower cross member 36c). With this configuration, the horn 9 can be protected by the lower horizontal portion 34 and the cross member 36c. As shown in FIG. 4, the horn 9 has a mounting bracket 9b, and the cross member 36c is integrally formed with a stay 9s. The mounting bracket 9b of the horn 9 is fastened and fixed by a bolt 9d to the stay 9s of the cross member 36c, thereby fixing the horn 9 to the cross member 36c. [0025] The headlight guard 30 forms an integral loop-shaped outer frame forming the outline thereof (composed of the upper horizontal portion 31, the upper connecting portions 35, 35, the vertical portions 32, 32, the lower connecting portions 33, 33, and the lower horizontal portion 34). With this configuration, the headlight guard 30 can efficiently surround the headlight 20 with the perimeter of the headlight guard 30 reduced, thereby reducing the weight of the headlight guard 30. [0026] As shown in FIG. 6 or the like, the front cover 10 is formed with a downward opening recess 12 for preventing the interference of the fixing portions 36 (specifically, the support stays 36s) for fixing the headlight guard 30 to the head pipe 2. With this configuration, the front cover 10 can be mounted and demounted even after fixing the headlight guard 30 to the head pipe 2, thereby improving the maintainability and the productivity.

9 Referring to FIGS. 3, 5, and 6, a reference numeral 37 is a stay for fixing the front cover 10. The front cover 10 has a fixing portion 13. Accordingly, the fixing portion 13 of the front cover 10 is fixed by a bolt to the stay 37 for fixing the cover, thereby detachably mounting the front cover 10 to the body frame 3 (specifically, the stay 37 for fixing the cover). [0027] While the specific preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described, the present invention is not limited to the above preferred embodiment, but various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. [Description of Reference Symbols] [0028] 1: Saddle type vehicle, 2: Head pipe, 3: Body frame, 6: Steering handle, 7: Meter, 9: Horn, 10: Front cover, 11: Upper end, 12: Recess, 20: Headlight, 30: Headlight guard, 31: Upper horizontal portion, 32: Vertical portion, 33: Lower connecting portion, 34: Lower horizontal portion, 35: Upper connecting portion, 36: Fixing portion, 36c: Cross member, 36s: Support stay.

Claims

1. A front structure of a saddle type vehicle comprising: a head pipe for pivotably supporting a steering handle which steers a front wheel; a meter provided on said steering handle; a front cover for covering the front side of said head pipe below said steering handle; a headlight provided on the front side of said front cover; and a headlight guard provided so as to surround said headlight as viewed from the front side of a vehicle, wherein said headlight guard is fixed to said head pipe, a laterally extending upper horizontal portion of said headlight guard is provided between the upper end of said front cover and said meter so as to be spaced apart from said headlight above said headlight, thereby forming said upper horizontal portion as a grip portion, said headlight is fixed to said headlight guard at any portions other than said upper horizontal portion, and said headlight guard has a substantially laid U-shape as viewed in side elevation and includes a pair of right and left vertical portions vertically extending on the right and left sides of said headlight, a lower horizontal portion extending vehicle-widthwise inwardly so as to be connected to lower connecting portions extending frontward from the lower ends of said vertical portions, and said upper horizontal portion extending vehicle-widthwise inwardly so as to be connected to upper connecting portions extending frontward from the upper ends of said vertical portions.

2. The front structure of the saddle type vehicle according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of fixing portions for fixing said headlight guard to said head pipe are connected to said vertical portions and/or said lower connecting portions so as to be vertically arranged in tandem.

3. The front structure of the saddle type vehicle according to claim 2, wherein at least one of said plural fixing portions for fixing said headlight guard to said head pipe includes a cross member connecting said right and left vertical portions to each other and a support stay extending from said cross member toward said head pipe. l1

4. The front structure of the saddle type vehicle according to claim 3, wherein said cross member is curved so as to project downward and said headlight is located above said cross member adjacent thereto.

5. The front structure of the saddle type vehicle according to claim 3 or 4, wherein a horn is provided between said lower horizontal portion and said cross member.

6. The front structure of the saddle type vehicle according to any one of claims I to 5, wherein said headlight guard forms an integral loop-shaped outer frame forming the outline thereof.

7. The front structure of the saddle type vehicle according to any one of claims I to 6, wherein said front cover is formed with a downward opening recess for preventing the interference of said fixing portions for fixing said headlight guard to said head pipe.

8. A front structure of a saddle type vehicle, the structure substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dated 25 October 2012 Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Patent Attorneys for the Applicant/Nominated Person SPRUSON & FERGUSON