JP2003112678A - Motorcycle fuel tank mounting structure - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] A seat cowl 34 also serving as a seat extends from a pair of left and right main frames to the rear of a vehicle body, and a fuel tank 35 is mounted inside the seat cowl 34 via a rubber 68. According to the present invention, the fuel tank can be arranged closer to the center of the vehicle body than in the conventional case where the fuel tank is mounted on the rear part of the vehicle body. Vibration transmitted to the fuel can be suppressed, and foaming of the fuel can be suppressed. Furthermore, a heavy fuel tank can be arranged substantially at the center of the entire length of the vehicle, and the effect of centrifugal force acting on the center of gravity during turning of the vehicle can be reduced, thereby improving the turning performance of the vehicle. it can.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a fuel tank mounting structure for a motorcycle, which is suitable for suppressing bubbling of fuel and for enhancing the dynamic performance of the vehicle.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a motorcycle, a fuel tank is generally attached to an upper portion of a main frame constituting a vehicle body frame or a seat frame extending rearward from the main frame. As such a fuel tank mounting structure for a motorcycle, for example, one described in Japanese Patent No. 3158428 "Tank support structure for motorcycle" is known.

In FIG. 7 of the same publication, a tank front mounting bracket 10 and a tank front mounting bracket 10 are provided between the left and right seat pipes 5 and 5 (the reference numerals used are those described in the publication. The same applies hereinafter). A tank support in which the tank rear mounting bracket 12 is passed over and mounted, and the fuel tank 60 is mounted to the tank front mounting bracket 10 and the tank rear mounting bracket 12 via the front mount rubber 70 and the rear mount rubber 71, respectively. The structure is described.

[0004]

In the tank support structure as described above, the fuel tank 60 is attached to the seat pipes 5 and 5 so as to be swingable from side to side, and the swing of the fuel tank 60 causes less swinging of the vehicle body. However, since the fuel largely moves inside the fuel tank 60 due to the swinging of the fuel tank 60, the fuel tends to bubble.

Further, since the fuel tank 60 is attached to the rear portion of the vehicle body, when the rear wheel side is largely moved up and down, the fuel tank 60 is largely moved up and down, and the fuel inside the fuel tank 60 is largely shaken. To be Therefore, the fuel is more likely to bubble.

Further, since the fuel tank 60 is attached to the rear portion of the vehicle body, the center of gravity of the vehicle moves rearward. Therefore, when the vehicle turns, it is difficult to draw a desired turning trajectory by the centrifugal force acting on the center of gravity. Become.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to improve the fuel tank mounting structure of a motorcycle so as to suppress bubbling of fuel and further improve the turning performance of the vehicle.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, the first aspect of the present invention is to extend a seat cowl, which also serves as a seat, from a pair of left and right main frames to the rear of the vehicle body. A fuel tank is provided with a rubber inside the seat cowl. It is characterized by being installed through.

Since the fuel tank is attached to the inside of the seat cowl via the rubber, the fuel tank is arranged closer to the center of the vehicle in the present invention than in the conventional case where the fuel tank is attached to the rear portion of the vehicle. Therefore, the fuel tank does not swing greatly, and the vibration transmitted to the fuel can be suppressed by the rubber, and the bubbling of the fuel can be suppressed.

Further, since a heavy fuel tank can be arranged near the center of the entire length of the vehicle, the influence of centrifugal force acting on the center of gravity when the vehicle turns can be reduced, so that the turning performance of the vehicle can be improved. Can be increased.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a seat cowl mounting portion for mounting the seat cowl is provided on an upper surface of the main frame, a projection is provided on the seat cowl mounting portion, and a locking portion for locking the projection is provided on the seat cowl. It is characterized by being provided.

The seat cowl can be temporarily fixed to the seat cowl mounting portion by engaging the engaging portion with the projection, and the seat having a relatively large weight attached with the fuel tank when the seat cowl is assembled to the main frame. There is no need to perform work while holding down the cowl, and the seat cowl can be easily assembled.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the seat cowl is provided with an upper wall, left and right side walls and a lower wall that abut on and support the upper wall, the left and right side walls and the lower wall of the rear portion of the fuel tank via rubber, and the seat cowl. It is characterized in that the space between the upper wall and the lower wall is formed to become narrower toward the rear.

Since the seat cowl and the fuel tank can be connected to each other only by inserting the fuel tank into the seat cowl from the rear to the rear, a wide area of the fuel tank can be supported by rubber. It is not necessary to partially increase the strength of the fuel tank.

[0015]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings should be viewed in the direction of the reference numerals. FIG. 1 is a side view of a motorcycle that employs the fuel tank mounting structure according to the present invention.
Extends a pair of left and right main frames 12, 12 ((the main frame 12 on the rear side is not shown) from the head pipe 11 to the rear of the vehicle body and slightly downward.
The V-type 5-cylinder engine 13 is attached to the lower portions of the reference numerals 2 and 12, and the pivot shaft 1 is attached to the rear portions of the main frames 12 and 12.
The swing arm 15 is attached so as to be able to swing up and down via 4, and the upper end of the rear cushion unit 16 is attached to the upper front portion of the swing arm 15, and the rear wheel 17 is attached to the rear end portion of the swing arm 15. The lower end of the main frame 12 is attached to the lower end of the rear portion of the main frame 12 via the link device 18, and the exhaust pipe 23 to the cylinder head 21 on the front side of the engine 13 provided for each cylinder
25 is extended rearward, these exhaust pipes 23 to 25 are connected to the rear right muffler 26, and exhaust pipes 31, 32 provided for each cylinder are extended rearward from the cylinder head 28 on the rear side of the engine 13 The exhaust pipes 31 and 32 are connected to the left muffler 33 on the front side, the seat cowl 34 also serving as a seat is extended from the upper part of the main frames 12 and 12 to the rear, and the fuel tank 35 is attached to the inside of the seat cowl 34.
The vehicle has a fuel pump 36 arranged in the fuel tank 35.

Here, 41 is a front fork rotatably attached to the head pipe 11, 42 is a front wheel attached to the lower end of the front fork 41, 43 is a front fender which covers the front wheel 42 from above, 44 is an upper cowl, and 45 is a middle cowl. Cowl, 46 is lower cowl, 48 is radiator, 5
1 is a tank cover.

FIG. 2 is a side view of an essential part for explaining the fuel tank mounting structure according to the present invention. The seat cowl 34 is mounted on the seat cowl mounting portions 55 (two on each side) provided on the main frame 12. The state where the fuel tank 35 is attached to the inside of the seat cowl 34 is shown. 56
Reference numeral 57 denotes a projecting portion which is projected from the front surface of the fuel tank 35, and 57 is a receiving portion which receives the projecting portion 56 via an L-shaped rubber 61 having an L-shaped cross section.

FIG. 3 is a first perspective view (partially sectional view) of the fuel tank according to the present invention. The fuel tank 35 stores a fuel pump 36 (see FIG. 1) in a pump storage portion 63 provided at a lower portion. However, the supply side pipe 64 for supplying fuel from the fuel pump 36 to the front side of the vehicle body (the direction indicated by the white arrow (front) is the front side of the vehicle body; hereinafter the same) is extended, and the engine side is also extended. The return side pipe 65 for returning the fuel from the inside is extended to the inside.

FIG. 4 is a second perspective view of the fuel tank according to the present invention, and is a view seen from a side surface (back side surface) different from the first perspective view shown in FIG. The supply side pipe 64 and the return side pipe 65 of the fuel tank 35 pass from the front of the vehicle body through a recess 67 provided on the side surface of the front part of the fuel tank 35, and the supply side pipe 64 passes above the rear part of the fuel tank 35. It penetrates the wall surface of the fuel tank 35 and is connected to the fuel pump 36 (see FIG. 1) in the fuel tank 35. Return side pipe 65
Extends through the wall surface in the recess 67 into the fuel tank 35.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 2, showing a sectional view of the rear portion of the fuel tank 35. The fuel tank 35 is attached to the seat cowl 34 via a rubber 68 for cushion, and the step portion 7 is provided on the left and right walls of the fuel tank 35.
1, 71 are provided, bent portions 72, 72 are provided at the edges of the seat cowl 34 having a U-shaped cross section, and the bent portions 72, 72 are hooked on the stepped portions 71, 71 via the rubber 68 to allow the seat cowl to be seated. The fuel tank 35 is fixed in the container 34.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 2, showing a sectional view of the front portion of the fuel tank 35. The fuel tank 35 has a concave portion 67 formed on a side surface for allowing the supply-side pipe 64 and the return-side pipe 65 to pass therethrough. Since it does not protrude to the outside, it does not interfere with driving and can prevent interference with others.

FIG. 7 is a side view for explaining the arrangement of the lower portion of the fuel tank according to the present invention. A pump accommodating portion 63 is provided below the fuel tank 35, and an upper end portion of the rear cushion unit 16 is provided below the fuel tank 35. 16a and the exhaust pipe 31,
32 is arranged. That is, in a side view, the fuel pump 36, the rear cushion unit 16, and the exhaust pipes 31 and 32 housed in the pump housing portion 63 are connected to one straight line 74.
Except for the right muffler 26 (not shown), the left muffler 33, the swing arm 15, and the rear wheel 17 (not shown), which are almost overlapped with each other and are particularly arranged at the rear part of the vehicle body, the straight muffler 26 is larger than the straight line 74. It is shown that it is arranged on the center side of the vehicle body, for example, on the vertical line 75 side that passes through a point that bisects a straight line that connects the axle of the front wheels 42 (see FIG. 1) and the axle of the rear wheels 17 (see FIG. 1). Reference numeral 76 is a bracket for attaching the upper end portion 16a of the rear cushion unit 16 to the swing arm 15.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view for explaining the arrangement below the fuel tank according to the present invention, as seen from a position slightly shifted to the right from the rear of the vehicle body. The exhaust pipe 31 extends rearward and diagonally rightward from the left cylinder of the rear two cylinders of the V-type engine, and further extends substantially right below the swing arm 15 rightward. The exhaust pipe 32 extends rearward from the right cylinder of the two rear cylinders of the V-type engine, and further extends substantially right below the swing arm 15.

FIG. 9 is a rear view for explaining the arrangement of the lower portion of the fuel tank according to the present invention. The pump housing portion 63 is projected from the lower left portion of the fuel tank 35, and the exhaust pipe 31 is provided on the lower right portion of the fuel tank 35. 32 shows that the upper end portion 16a of the rear cushion unit 16 is arranged between the pump housing portion 63 and the exhaust pipes 31 and 32 by extending 32.

The assembling procedure of the fuel tank 35 described above will be described below. FIG. 10 is a first action diagram for explaining the assembling procedure of the fuel tank according to the present invention. The fuel tank 35 is inserted in the seat cowl 34 from the front of the seat cowl 34 in the direction of the arrow. At this time, the bent portion 72 of the seat cowl 34 guides the stepped portion 71 of the fuel tank 35.

FIG. 11 is a second action diagram for explaining the assembling procedure of the fuel tank according to the present invention. After inserting the fuel tank 35 into the seat cowl 34, the receiving portion 5 is indicated by an arrow.
7, the L-shaped rubber 61 is applied, the receiving portion 57 with the L-shaped rubber 61 is attached to the front portion of the seat cowl 34, the protruding portion 56 of the fuel tank 35 is received, and the fuel tank 35 is attached to the seat cowl 34. Complete.

Next, the seat cowl 34 to which the fuel tank 35 is attached is attached to the main frame 1 as shown by arrows.
Attached to the seat cowl attachment parts 55 at 4 locations 2, 12
The attachment of the seat cowl 34 to the main frame 12 is completed.

As described above with reference to FIGS. 2 and 5, according to the present invention, the seat cowl 34 also serving as a seat is provided from the pair of left and right main frames 12, 12 (the reference numeral 12 on the back side is not shown) toward the rear of the vehicle body. The fuel tank 35 is extended, and the fuel tank 35 is attached to the inside of the seat cowl 34 via a rubber 68.

A fuel tank 35 is provided inside the seat cowl 34.
Since the fuel tank 35 is attached via the rubber 68, in the present invention, the fuel tank 35 is located at the center of the vehicle body (for example, the vertical line 7
5 (see FIG. 7)), the fuel tank 35 does not swing greatly, and the vibration transmitted to the fuel can be suppressed by the rubber 68, and the bubbling of the fuel can be suppressed.

Further, the heavy fuel tank 35 can be arranged near the center of the entire length of the motorcycle 10 (see FIG. 1) to reduce the influence of the centrifugal force acting on the center of gravity when the motorcycle 10 turns. Therefore, the turning performance of the motorcycle 10 can be improved.

Further, the fuel tank 35 is attached to the seat cowl 34.
By arranging it below, the space under the seat can be effectively used. Furthermore, for example, in comparison with the case where the shape of the upper part of the engine is restricted when the fuel tank is arranged on the upper part of the main frame, in the present invention, since there is no fuel tank above the engine, the shape of the engine and the engine The degree of freedom of arrangement can be increased.

FIG. 12 is a side view showing another embodiment of the fuel tank mounting structure for a motorcycle according to the present invention, in which the upper surfaces of the main frames 12 and 12 (the main frame 12 on the rear side is not shown) are shown. Seat cowl mounting portion 81,
82 (the seat cowl mounting portions 81 and 82 on the rear side are not shown)
The seat cowl attachment parts 81, 8 at these four locations.
1, a seat cowl 83 also serving as a seat is attached to each of 1, 82 and 82 with bolts (not shown). 8
5 is a seat cowl 8 for receiving the front portion of the fuel tank 35 when the fuel tank 35 is attached to the seat cowl 83.
3 is a receiving part attached to the front part.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of portion A of FIG. 12, showing the seat cowl mounting portion 81. Seat cowl mounting part 81
Is a frame-side mounting portion 8 that is mounted on the main frame 12.
7, and a cowl side mounting portion 88 for mounting the seat cowl 83
The cowl side mounting portion 88 includes a boss portion 92 in which a bolt hole 91 is formed, and a front side of the vehicle body from the boss portion 92 (a white arrow in the drawing indicates a front side of the vehicle body. The same applies hereinafter). Specifically, from the boss 92 to the main frame 12
And a projection 93 that extends along the upper surface of the vehicle toward the front of the vehicle body.

The seat cowl 83 is a component having an inner surface provided with an engaging portion 95 for engaging with the projection 93 of the seat cowl attaching portion 81. The locking portion 95 of the seat cowl 83 is continuous with the front upper edge 96 of the seat cowl 83 and the front end of the front upper edge 96, and is bent in a V-shape with respect to the front upper edge 96. And a protrusion 97.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken along line 14-14 of FIG. 13, showing a state in which the locking portion 95 of the seat cowl 83 is locked to the projection 93 of the seat cowl mounting portion 81. When the locking portion 93 is locked to the projection 93, the seat cowl mounting portion 81
Is entirely covered with the seat cowl 83, and the locking portion 95 of the seat cowl 83 is provided on the inner surface of the seat cowl 83, which may be an obstacle when the driver sits on the seat cowl 83. In addition, the appearance is not impaired.

The procedure for assembling the seat cowl 83 described above will be described below. FIG. 15 is an operational view of another embodiment of the fuel tank mounting structure for a motorcycle according to the present invention,
The procedure for assembling the seat cowl 83 is shown. The front end of the seat cowl 83 to which the fuel tank is attached, that is, the seat cowl 83
The engaging portion 95 of the seat cowl attachment portion 81 is lowered from above the seat cowl attachment portion 81, and the front projection 97 of the engagement portion 95 is moved to the lower side of the projection 93 of the seat cowl attachment portion 81. The locking portion 95 is locked to 93. Projection 93 on the back side
Similarly, the locking portion 95 on the back side is locked.

Then, the rear portion of the seat cowl 83 is also lowered, and the rear portion of the seat cowl 83 is aligned with the left and right seat cowl mounting portions 82 (see FIG. 2). In this state, the seat cowl 83 is attached to the main frame 12 which is inclined rearward and downward.
Is temporarily fixed, and the operator
Remove the hand from the vehicle, and screw the bolts into the bolt holes 91 of the seat cowl attachment portions 81 and 82 from the side of the vehicle through the attachment holes 83a formed at two locations on each side of the seat cowl 83. Seat cowl 8 1 and 82
By fully fixing 3, the seat cowl 83 is assembled to the main frame 12.

As described above with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13, according to the present invention, the seat cowl mounting portion 8 for mounting the seat cowl 83 on the upper surfaces of the left and right main frames 12.
1, the seat cowl mounting portion 81 is provided with a projection 93 extending forward of the vehicle body, and the locking portion 9 is locked to the projection 93.
5 is provided on the seat cowl 83.

The seat portion 83 can be temporarily fixed to the seat cowl attachment portion 81 by engaging the engagement portion 95 with the projection 93. When the seat cowl 83 is assembled to the main frame 12, the fuel tank 35 is attached. Since it is not necessary to perform work while pressing the heavy seat cowl 83, the seat cowl 83 can be easily assembled.

Therefore, for example, by adopting the structure of the present invention for the seat cowl which has been assembled by two people,
It is possible to assemble by one person, and work efficiency can be improved.

Further, according to the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 2, 5, 10 and 11, the seat cowl 34 is provided with the rubber 68 on the upper wall, the left and right side walls and the lower wall of the rear portion of the fuel tank 35. It is characterized in that it is provided with an upper wall, left and right side walls, and a lower wall that come into contact with each other via a support, and that the distance between the upper wall and the lower wall of the seat cowl 34 becomes narrower toward the rear.

The fuel tank 35 with respect to the seat cowl 34
Seat cowl 3 simply by inserting from the rear toward the rear
4 and the fuel tank 35 can be connected,
Since the rubber 68 can support a wide area in the vertical and horizontal directions of the fuel tank 35, it is not necessary to partially increase the strength of the fuel tank 35.

In the embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 5, the fuel tank 35 is bent at the bent portion 72 of the seat cowl 34.
Although the step 71 of the above is guided, it is not limited to this,
A groove may be provided on both side surfaces of the fuel tank 35, and the bent portion 72 may be inserted into this groove to attach the fuel tank 35 to the seat cowl 34. As a result, the capacity of the fuel tank 35 can be increased. Further, in FIG. 13, the protrusion 93 is extended to the front of the vehicle body, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the protrusion may be extended to the side of the vehicle body.

[0044]

The present invention has the following effects due to the above configuration. The fuel tank mounting structure for a motorcycle according to claim 1,
A seat cowl that doubles as a seat is extended from the pair of left and right main frames to the rear of the vehicle body, and a fuel tank is attached to the inside of this seat cowl via rubber, so compared to the conventional case where the fuel tank is attached to the rear portion of the vehicle body. In the present invention, the fuel tank can be arranged closer to the center of the vehicle body, the fuel tank does not swing greatly, and the vibration transmitted to the fuel can be suppressed by the rubber, and the bubbling of the fuel can be suppressed. it can.

Further, since the heavy fuel tank can be arranged near the center of the entire length of the vehicle, the influence of the centrifugal force acting on the center of gravity when the vehicle turns can be reduced, so that the turning performance of the vehicle can be improved. Can be increased.

In the fuel tank mounting structure for a motorcycle according to claim 2, a seat cowl mounting portion for mounting the seat cowl is provided on the upper surface of the main frame, and a projection is provided on the seat cowl mounting portion and is locked to the projection. Since the seat cowl is provided with the engaging portion, the engaging portion can be engaged with the protrusion to temporarily fix the seat cowl to the seat cowl mounting portion.
When assembling the seat cowl to the main frame, it is not necessary to work while holding down the heavy seat cowl to which the fuel tank is attached, and the seat cowl can be easily assembled.

In the fuel tank mounting structure for a motorcycle according to a third aspect of the present invention, the seat cowl has an upper wall, left and right side walls and a lower wall that abut and support the upper wall, the left and right side walls and the lower wall of the rear portion of the fuel tank through rubber. In addition to the seat cowl, the upper wall and the lower wall of the seat cowl are formed so that the distance between them becomes narrower toward the rear. Since it is possible to connect with the fuel tank and a wide area of the fuel tank in the vertical and horizontal directions can be supported by rubber, it is not necessary to partially increase the strength of the fuel tank.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view of a motorcycle adopting a fuel tank mounting structure according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of an essential part for explaining a fuel tank mounting structure according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a first perspective view (partially sectional view) of a fuel tank according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a second perspective view of the fuel tank according to the present invention.

5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG.

6 is a sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a side view for explaining the arrangement below the fuel tank according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating an arrangement below a fuel tank according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a rear view for explaining the arrangement below the fuel tank according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a first operation diagram for explaining a procedure for assembling the fuel tank according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a second operation diagram for explaining the procedure for assembling the fuel tank according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a side view showing another embodiment of a fuel tank mounting structure for a motorcycle according to the present invention.

13 is an enlarged view of part A of FIG.

14 is a sectional view taken along line 14-14 of FIG.

FIG. 15 is an operation diagram of another embodiment of a fuel tank mounting structure for a motorcycle according to the present invention.

[Explanation of Codes] 10 ... Motorcycle, 12 ... Main Frame, 34 ... Seat Cowl, 35 ... Fuel Tank, 68 ... Rubber, 81 ... Seat Cowl Attachment, 83 ... Seat Cowl, 93 ... Protrusion,
95 ... Locking part.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A fuel tank mounting for a motorcycle, characterized in that a seat cowl which also functions as a seat frame is extended from a pair of left and right main frames to the rear of the vehicle body, and a fuel tank is mounted inside the seat cowl via rubber. Construction. 2. A seat cowl mounting portion for mounting the seat cowl is provided on an upper surface of the main frame,
The fuel tank mounting structure for a motorcycle according to claim 1, wherein a projection is provided on the seat cowl mounting portion, and a locking portion for locking the projection is provided on the seat cowl. 3. The seat cowl includes an upper wall, left and right side walls, and a lower wall that abut on and support the upper wall, the left and right side walls, and the lower wall of the rear portion of the fuel tank via rubber. 2. The fuel tank mounting structure for a motorcycle according to claim 1, wherein the distance between the wall and the lower wall is formed so as to become narrower toward the rear.