AU2012247043B2

AU2012247043B2 - Engine-downside cover structure for saddle-ride type vehicle

Info

Publication number: AU2012247043B2
Application number: AU2012247043A
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: 2012-11-08
Publication date: 2015-03-05
Anticipated expiration: 2032-11-08
Also published as: JP2013154774A; AU2012247043A1

Abstract

ENGINE-DOWNSIDE COVER STRUCTURE FOR SADDLE-RIDE TYPE A fastening portion (30) is installed which directly or indirectly fastens a lower cover (20) secured to an engine (10) so as to at least partially cover the front and downside of the engine (10) to the engine (10) via a fastening member (31), and the fastening portion (30) is provided with a permissible shifting space (33) where the lower cover (20) is permitted to be shifted rearward and/or upward around the fastening member (31). r4rM

Description

S&F Ref: P053052 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): Tadamasa Maeda Masashi Kanezuka Address for Service: Spruson & Ferguson St Martins Tower Level 35 31 Market Street Sydney NSW 2000 (CCN 3710000177) Invention Title: Engine-downside cover structure for saddle-ride type vehicle The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: 5845c(6854450_1) ENGINE-DOWNSIDE COVER STRUCTURE FOR SADDLE-RIDE TYPE VEHICLE Technical Field [0001] The present invention relates to an engine-downside cover structure for a saddle-ride type vehicle Background Art [0002] An engine-downside cover structure for a saddle-ride type vehicle has heretofore been known as seen in e.g. Patent Document 1. A description is given of the structure using the reference numerals in the document. The engine-downside cover structure for a saddle-ride type vehicle includes a head pipe (13) pivotally supporting a front wheel (17) in a steerable manner; a main frame (11) extending rearward and downward from the head pipe (13); an engine (30) suspended below the main frame (11); and a lower cover (40) secured to the engine (30) and covering part of the front and downside of the engine (30). [0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent No. 4506317 [0004] The conventional engine-downside cover structure for a saddle-ride type vehicle described above is such that the lower cover (40) is secured to the engine (30). If the lower cover (40) comes into contact with a curbstone or the like during traveling, an impact from the lower cover (40) is likely to largely reach an engine side securing portion. It is necessary, therefore to firmly form the engine side securing portion, which contributes to an increase in weight. [0005] There exists a need to provide an engine-downside cover structure for a saddle-ride type vehicle that has no necessity to improve the strength of an engine side securing portion although being a structure where a lower cover is secured to an engine.

2 Object of the Invention [0006] It is the object of the present invention to substantially address the above discussed need or at least ameliorate one or more of the foregoing disadvantages. Summary of Invention [0007] There is provided an engine-downside cover structure for a straddle-ride type vehicle according to the present invention, including: a head pipe pivotally supporting a front wheel in a steerable manner; a main frame extending rearward and downward from the head pipe; an engine suspended below the main frame; and a lower cover secured to the engine so as to at least partially cover the front and downside of the engine, characterized in that a fastening portion is installed which directly or indirectly fastens the lower cover to the engine via a fastening member and the fastening portion is provided with a permissible shifting space where the lower cover is permitted to be shifted rearward and/or upward around the fastening member. [0008] According to an engine-downside cover structure for a saddle-ride type vehicle in an embodiment of the present invention, the lower cover is secured to the engine; however, because of the existence of the permissible shifting space provided around the fastening member, the lower cover is shiftable rearward and/or upward when coming into contact with a curbstone or the like during traveling. This shifting alleviates the impact, with the result that an influence on the engine side securing portion can be reduced. [0009] Thus, although the engine-downside cover structure for a saddle-ride type vehicle is a structure where the lower cover is secured to the engine, it is not necessary to improve the strength of the engine side securing portion, which makes it possible to achieve weight saving of the engine. [0010] If the engine is provided with a crankcase bulging downward from a cylinder, the fastening portion can be disposed in front of the crankcase. In addition, the lower cover can be configured to have the crankcase-opposite portion which can come into contact with the bulging portion of the crankcase when the lower cover performs permissible shifting in the permissible shifting space.

3 [0011] With such a configuration, when the lower cover is shifted, the crankcase-opposite portion of the lower cover can come into contact with the crankcase. Upon the occurrence of the contact, the crankcase will have charge of a portion of the impact force. Local stress concentration can be avoided. The necessity to improve the strength of the engine side securing portion is further reduced. Thus, the weight saving of the engine can further be achieved. [0012] If the exhaust pipe is located below the engine, the lower cover can be configured to have an opening in at least part of a region opposed to the exhaust pipe. [0013] With such a configuration, the contact between the lower cover and the exhaust pipe is avoided. Thus, a load inputted to the exhaust pipe can be reduced and at the same time the atmospheric temperature of the exhaust pipe can be lowered. [0014] The lower cover can be provided with an upright plate constituting the fastening portion and the upright plate can be configured to have an opening which serves as the permissible shifting space and is adapted to prevent the fastening member from escaping to the outside of the upright plate. [0015] With such a configuration, the opening serving as the permissible shifting space is an opening adapted to prevent the fastening member from escaping to the outside of the upright plate. Therefore, although being permitted to be shifted, the lower cover can be prevented from falling off. [0016] Preferably, the lower cover is provided with an upright plate constituting the fastening portion and the upright plate is configured to have an opening which serves as the permissible shifting space and has an open portion adapted to allow the fastening member to escape to the outside of the upright plate. [0017] With such a configuration, the fastening member can be brought into the permissible shifting space through the open portion. Thus, assembly of the lower cover can be improved. [0018] Preferably, a step bar which connects and supports left and right steps is secured to a lower surface of the engine and a rear portion of the lower cover is retained by the step bar.

4 [0019] With such a configuration, the rear portion of the lower cover is retained by the step bar. Therefore, the secured state of the lower cover can be stabilized and stress concentration on the engine side can be avoided. In addition, the rear portion of the lower cover can be secured by the retainment without the use of the fastening member. Thus, productivity can be improved. [0020] Preferably, a step bar which connects and supports left and right steps is secured to a lower surface of the engine by means of a fixing bracket and the fixing bracket is provided integrally with a fixing piece at a position spaced from the engine, the fixing piece securing a rear portion of the lower cover. [0021] With such a configuration, the rear portion of the lower cover is secured to the step bar. Therefore, the secured state of the lower cover can be stabilized and stress concentration on the engine side can be avoided. In addition, the rear portion of the lower cover is secured to the fixing piece provided integrally with the fixing bracket at a position spaced from the engine, the fixing bracket being used to secure the step bar. When the lower cover comes into contact with a curbstone or the like during traveling, the fixing piece alleviates the impact. Consequently, an influence on the engine side securing portion can further be reduced. Brief Description of Drawings [0022] A preferred form of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: [0023] Fig. I is a left lateral view of a motorcycle as an example of a saddle-ride type vehicle employing an embodiment of an engine-downside cover structure for a saddle-ride type vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention; [0024] Fig. 2 is a right lateral view of the engine-downside cover structure.; [0025] Fig. 3 is a partial enlarged view of the illustrated motorcycle; [0026] Fig. 4 is a bottom view of Fig. 3; [0027] Fig. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of Fig. 3; 5 [0028] Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a lower cover; [0029] Fig. 7 is a left lateral view of the lower cover; [0030] Fig. 8 is a right lateral view of the lower cover; [0031] Fig. 9 is a bottom view of the lower cover; [0032] Fig. 10 is a partial left lateral view of another embodiment; and [0033] Fig. 11 is a bottom view of Fig. 10. Description of Embodiments [0034] A description will hereinafter be given of embodiments of an engine-downside cover structure of a saddle-ride type vehicle according to the present invention with reference to the drawings. Incidentally, identical portions or corresponding portions in the drawings are denoted with like reference numerals. [0035] A vehicle I shown in Figs. I and 2 is a motorcycle as an example of saddle-ride type vehicles. As mainly shown in Fig. 1, the vehicle I includes a body frame 3 having a head pipe 2; an engine 10 mounted on the body frame 3; and a rear wheel WR driven by the engine 10. [0036] A pair of front forks 6f operated by a handlebar 6 is attached to the head pipe 2. A front wheel WF is rotatably supported by the front forks 6f. [0037] The body frame 3 has a main frame 3m extending rearward and downward from the head pipe 2. The engine 10 is suspended below the main frame 3m. [0038] A pair of left and right pivot plates 3p (only a left pivot plate is shown in Fig. 1) is installed in a rear portion of the main frame 3m. A swing arm 4 is swingably supported by the pivot plates 3p at a pivot shaft 4p. The rear wheel WR is rotatably supported by the rear end of the swing arm 4. A rear frame 3r extending obliquely rearward is installed integrally with the rear portion of the main frame 3m. A cushion unit 5 is installed between the swing arm 4 and the rear frame 3r.

6 [0039] A lower cover 20 is secured to the engine 10. The lower cover 20 needs to at least partially cover the front and downside of the engine 10. The lower cover 20 shown in the figure at least partially covers the downside of the engine 10. [0040] As shown in Fig. 3, an engine-downside cover structure for a saddle-ride type vehicle according to an embodiment is characterized by the following. A fastening portion 30 is installed which directly or indirectly fastens the lower cover 20 and the engine 10 together via a fastening member 31. In addition, the fastening portion 30 is provided with a permissible shifting space 33 adapted to permit the lower cover 20 to be shifted rearward and/or upward around the fastening member 31. The engine-downside cover structure shown in the figure is such that the lower cover 20 and the engine 10 are indirectly fastened to each other via an attachment member 32. However, the lower cover 20 and the engine 10 can directly be fastened to each other. The permissible shifting space 33 shown in the figure is formed as a vertically extending elongate hole which permits the lower cover 20 to be shifted upward. However, the permissible shifting space 33 can be formed as an anteroposteriorly extending elongate hole that permits the lower cover 20 to be shifted rearward. Alternatively, the permissible shifting space 33 can be formed as an opening which broadens around the fastening member 31 and permits the lower cover 20 to be shifted rearward and upward. The permissible shifting space 33 can be provided also in the engine 10 or the attachment member 32. [0041] According to the engine-downside cover structure for a saddle-ride type vehicle described above, the lower cover 20 is secured to the engine 10. However, because of the existence of the permissible shifting space 33 provided around the fastening member 31, the lower cover 20 is shiftable rearward and/or upward (upward in the figure) when coming into contact with a curbstone or the like during traveling. This shifting alleviates the impact, with the result that an influence on the engine side securing portion 11 can be reduced. [0042] Accordingly, although being the structure where the lower cover 20 is secured to the engine 10, the engine-downside cover structure for a saddle-ride type vehicle can eliminate the necessity to improve the strength of the engine side securing portion 11. Thus, weight saving of the engine 10 can be achieved.

7 [0043] The fastening force of the fastening member 31 is normally set at such a level that the lower cover 20 is not shifted by vibration during traveling or the impact of a gravel stone thereto but is shiftable when to come into contact with a curbstone, a large stone or the like. [0044] The engine 10 includes a cylinder 12 disposed anteriorly in a generally horizontal direction; a cylinder head 12h installed in front of the cylinder 12; a cylinder head cover 12c installed on the front portion of the cylinder head 12h; and a crankcase 13 installed behind the cylinder 12. The crankcase 13 partially bulges downward from the cylinder 12. The bulging portion is denoted by reference symbol 13b. [0045] The fastening portion 30 of the lower cover 20 to the engine 10 is disposed in front of the crankcase 13. In addition, the lower cover 20 is provided with a crankcase-opposite portion 21. The crankcase-opposite portion 21 can come into contact with the bulging portion 13b of the crankcase 13 when the lower cover 20 performs the permissible shifting in the permissible shifting space 33. [0046] With the configuration described above, when the lower cover 20 is shifted, the crankcase-opposite portion 21 of the lower cover 20 can come into contact with the bulging portion 13b of the crankcase 13. Upon the occurrence of the contact, the bulging portion 13b of the crankcase 13 has charge of a portion of the impact force. Local stress concentration (in this case, the stress concentration on the fastening portion 30 and the engine side securing portion 11) can therefore be avoided. The necessity to improve the strength of the engine side securing portion 11 is further reduced. Thus, the weight saving of the engine 10 can further be achieved. [0047] As shown in Fig. 10, a buffer member 21 b made of rubber or the like can be installed on the crankcase-opposite portion 21. [0048] With such a configuration, the impact on the engine 10 can further be buffered. [0049] As shown in Figs. 3, 4 and the like, an exhaust pipe 14 connected to the cylinder head 12h is disposed below the engine 10. [0050] The lower cover 20 is provided with an opening 22 (see Fig. 4) in at least part of a region opposed to the exhaust pipe 14.

8 [0051] With such a configuration, the contact between the lower cover 20 and the exhaust pipe 14 encountered when the lower cover 20 is shifted can be avoided. Thus, a load inputted to the exhaust pipe 14 can be reduced and at the same time the atmospheric temperature of the exhaust pipe 14 can be lowered. [0052] As shown in Figs. 3 and the like, the lower cover 20 is provided with an upright plate 23 constituting the fastening portion 30. The upright plate 23 is provided with an opening (33) which serves as the permissible shifting space 33 and which is adapted to prevent the fastening member 31 from escaping to the outside of the upright plate 23. [0053] With such a configuration, the opening (33) serving as the permissible shifting space is an opening which is adapted to prevent the fastening member 31 from escaping to the outside of the upright plate 23. Thus, although permitting the lower cover 20 to be shifted, the prevention of the lower cover 20 from falling off can be achieved. [0054] As shown in Fig. 10, the permissible shifting space 33 may also be formed as an opening having an open portion 33b where the fastening member 31 can be allowed to escape to the outside of the upright plate 23. [0055] With such a configuration, the fastening member 31 can be put into the permissible shifting space 33 through the open portion 33b. Therefore, the assembly of the lower cover 20 is improved. [0056] As shown in Fig. 4, a step bar 7b which connects and supports left and right steps 7 (L, R) is secured to the lower surface of the engine 10. A rear portion 27 of the lower cover 20 is retained by the step bar 7b. [0057] With such a configuration, the rear portion 27 of the lower cover 20 is retained by the step bar 7b. Therefore, the secured state of the lower cover 20 can be stabilized and the impact force on the lower cover 20 can be received also by the step bar 7b. Thus, stress concentration on the engine 10 side can be avoided. In addition, the rear portion 27 of the lower cover 20 can be secured by retainment without the use of the fastening member 31; therefore, productivity is improved.

9 [0058] The step bar 7b is secured to the lower surface of the engine 10 by means of fixing brackets 8. [0059] As shown in Figs 6 to 9, the lower cover 20 includes a bottom plate 24; a front portion 25 integrally and curvedly rising toward the front of the bottom plate 24; the upright plates 23 installed right and left so as to straddle the front portion 25 and the bottom plate 24; and the opening 22 for the exhaust pipe 14 obliquely provided to straddle the front portion 25 and the bottom plate 24. The lower cover 20 further includes a raised portion 26 raised integrally in a back and forth direction from the bottom plate 24 to form a curved surface (21) in such a manner as to avoid the opening 22, the curved surface (21) forming the crankcase-opposite portion 21; and a reinforcing rib 24r integrally installed on the bottom plate 24 so as to connect the left surface of the raised portion 26 with the left upright plate 23. The lower cover 20 further includes discharge ports 24c for muddy water and the like bored in the bottom plate 24; a discharge port 26c for muddy water and the like provided at a lower portion of the front surface of the raised portion 26; a reinforcing rib 26r installed to extend longitudinally along an inside top surface (Fig. 9) of the raised portion 26; and the rear portion (the retaining portion) 27 installed in the rear portion of the raised portion 26. [0060] The lower cover 20 is a one-piece molded article made of a synthetic resin. The rear portion (the retaining portion) 27 has a pair of left and right lower hooks 27fl, 27f1, and an upper hook 27f2 located between the lower hooks 27fl, 27fl so as to face them. The rear portion (the retaining portion) 27 can allow these hooks 27fl, 27f2 to engage the step bar 7b by use of the elasticity thereof. [0061] As shown in Figs. 10 and 11, the rear portion of the lower cover 20 is composed of both rear ends 24d, 24d of the bottom plate 24. The fixing brackets 8 used to fix the step bar 7b are each integrally configured to have a fixing piece 8f at a position spaced from the bottom surface I Ob of the engine 10. The fixing piece 8f is used to fix a corresponding one of the rear portions 24d, 24d of the lower cover 20. [0062] With such a configuration, the rear portion 24d of the lower cover 20 is secured to the step bar 7b. Therefore, the secured state of the lower cover 20 can be stabilized and stress concentration on the engine 10 side can be avoided. In addition, the rear portion 24d of the lower cover 20 is secured to the fixing pieces 8f at a position spaced from the engine 10, the 10 fixing piece 8f being provided integrally with the fixing bracket 8 used to secure the step bar 7b. Therefore, if the lower cover 20 comes into contact with a curbstone or the like during traveling, an impact is alleviated by the fixing pieces 8f. Consequently, an influence on the engine side securing portion 11 can further be reduced. Incidentally, reference symbol 8b denotes a fastening bolt. [0063] As shown in Fig. 1, a main stand 9m is attached to the pivot plate 3p. In addition, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, side stands 9s, 9s are installed on the left and right of the vehicle. As shown in Fig. 2, a kick pedal 15 is installed on the right hand of the engine 10. A stopper 15s of the kick pedal 15 is attached to the right side stand 9s. [0064] Reference numeral 16 in Figs. 3 and 4 denotes a gear change pedal, 17 in Figs. 2 and 4 denotes a brake pedal, and 18 in Figs. 4 and the like denotes a drain bolt. [0065] The embodiments of the present invention have been described thus far. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above but can appropriately be modified and is executable in the scope of the gist of the present invention. Description of Reference Symbols [0066] 1: Motorcycle (saddle-ride type vehicle), 2: Head pipe, 3m: Main frame, 7 (L, R): Step, 7b: Step bar, 8: Fixing bracket, 8f: Fixing piece, 10: Engine, 12: Cylinder, 13: Crankcase, 13b: Bulging portion, 14: Exhaust pipe, 20: Lower cover, 21: Crankcase-opposite portion, 22: Opening, 23: Upright plate, 24d, 27: Rear portion, 30: Fastening portion, 31: Fastening member, 33: Permissible shifting space (opening), 33b: Open portion.

Claims

1. An engine-downside cover structure for a saddle-ride type vehicle, comprising: a head pipe pivotally supporting a front wheel in a steerable manner; a main frame extending rearward and downward from the head pipe; an engine suspended below the main frame; and a lower cover secured to the engine so as to at least partially cover the front and downside of the engine, wherein a fastening portion is installed which directly or indirectly fastens the lower cover and the engine together via a fastening member and the fastening portion is provided with a permissible shifting space where the lower cover is permitted to be shifted rearward and/or upward around the fastening member.

2. The engine-downside cover structure for a saddle-ride type vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the engine includes a crankcase bulging downward from the cylinder, the fastening portion is disposed in front of the crankcase and the lower cover is provided with a crankcase-opposite portion which can come into contact with a bulging portion of the crankcase when the lower cover performs permissible shifting in the permissible shifting space.

3. The engine-downside cover structure for a saddle-ride type vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an exhaust pipe is located below the engine and the lower cover is provided with an opening in at least part of a region opposed to the exhaust pipe.

4. The engine-downside cover structure for a saddle-ride type vehicle according to any one of claims I to 3, wherein the lower cover is provided with an upright plate constituting the fastening portion and the upright plate is provided with an opening which serves as the permissible shifting space and is adapted to prevent the fastening member from escaping to the outside of the upright plate.

5. The engine-downside cover structure for a saddle-ride type vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, 12 wherein the lower cover is provided with an upright plate constituting the fastening portion and the upright plate is provided with an opening which serves as the permissible shifting space and has an open portion adapted to allow the fastening member to escape to the outside of the upright plate.

6. The engine-downside cover structure for a saddle-ride type vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a step bar which connects and supports left and right steps is secured to a lower surface of the engine and a rear portion of the lower cover is retained by the step bar.

7. The engine-downside cover structure for a saddle-ride type vehicle according to any one of claims I to 6, wherein a step bar which connects and supports left and right steps is secured to a lower surface of the engine by means of a fixing bracket and the fixing bracket is provided integrally with a fixing piece at a position spaced from the engine, the fixing piece being used to secure a rear portion of the lower cover. Dated 6 November 2012 Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Patent Attorneys for the Applicant/Nominated Person SPRUSON & FERGUSON