AU2015201207B2 - Vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

A fixing portion (72) is fixed to a stay portion extending forward from a head pipe of a motorcycle. The fixing portion (72) supports a control unit (36). The control unit (36) is provided with a connector coupling portion (80). A harness (90) extending from a connector (92) is retained by a harness retaining section (102). The harness retaining section (102) is fixed to the control unit (36) side by coupling the connector (92) to the connector coupling portion (80). 86 36 (78) 92102 9 2 40," 38 (160)", 90 7 0 f)34 2

Description

ι 2015201207 29 Sep 2016

VEHICLE

Technical Field [0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle in which a harness extending from a part mounted in the vehicle or the like is retained by a harness retaining section.

Background Art [0002] Patent Document 1, for example, discloses the fixing of a harness retaining section to a fixing portion provided to a vehicle body frame and the retention of a harness extending from a part mounted in a vehicle or the like by the harness retaining section.

[0003] Patent Document

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-147354 [0004] In such a vehicle, when the specifications of the part are changed, and consequently the direction of drawing out the harness from the part is changed, the mounting position of the harness retaining section needs to be changed. This change involves a change also in the position of the fixing portion on the vehicle body frame side. Thus, merely changing the specifications of the part involves the changes on a large scale within the vehicle.

Object of the Invention [0005] It is the object of the present invention to substantially overcome or at least ameliorate one or more of the foregoing disadvantages.

Summary of the Invention [0006] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a vehicle comprising: a unit fixed to a fixing portion on the vehicle side; a harness coupled to the unit; a connector provided to the harness; a connector coupling portion provided to the unit side and coupled to the connector; and a harness retaining section retaining the harness,

AH26(11812884_1):MSL la 2015201207 29 Sep 2016 wherein the connector has a first projecting portion projecting in a direction different from a direction of inserting and removing the connector into and from the connector coupling portion, the connector coupling portion has a second projecting portion projecting in a direction different from the inserting and removing direction, the harness retaining section is fixed to the unit side by coupling the connector to the connector coupling portion, and the harness retaining section is partially interposed between the first projecting portion and the second projecting portion when the connector and the connector coupling portion are coupled to each other.

AH26(11812884_1):MSL 2 2015201207 09 Mar 2015 [0007] Preferably, the harness retaining section has a pawl portion projecting in a direction different from a direction of inserting and removing the connector into and from the connector coupling portion. The connector has a first projecting portion projecting in a direction different from the inserting and removing direction. The connector coupling portion has a second projecting portion projecting in a direction different from the inserting and removing direction. The pawl portion is formed in a position interposed between the first projecting portion and the second projecting portion when the connector and the connector coupling portion are coupled to each other.

[0008] Preferably, the first projecting portion has an extending portion extending in the inserting and removing direction. In this case, a lock mechanism for detachably coupling the connector to the connector coupling portion is formed on an inside of the first projecting portion and the extending portion of the connector, and the harness retaining section opens in a position coinciding with the first projecting portion and the extending portion.

[0009] Preferably, the harness retaining section further includes a grip portion to which a force of a hand can be applied. The grip portion is formed in a position to which the force of the hand is applied when a finger is put on the lock mechanism. The pawl portion comes into contact with the first projecting portion when the harness retaining section moves in a direction of extracting the connector.

[0010] Preferably, the feature: the vehicle further includes a head pipe steerably retaining handlebars. In this case, the fixing portion is fixed to a stay portion extending from the head pipe, and the harness retaining section further includes a regulating portion between the harness and the handlebars, the regulating portion regulating the harness on a side more frontward in the vehicle than the handlebars and within the harness retaining section.

[0011] Preferably, the vehicle further includes a battery. In this case, the unit is a control unit including a heat sink, and the battery is fixed on a back surface on an opposite side from a fixing surface of the fixing portion fixed to the stay portion, the control unit being fixed to the fixing surface.

[0012] According to an embodiment of the present invention, when the connector is coupled to the connector coupling portion, the harness retaining section can be fixed to the unit side. Therefore, even in a case where the direction of drawing out the harness from the unit is

AH25(9765910_1):MSD 3 2015201207 09 Mar 2015 changed due to a change in the specifications of a part (unit) mounted in the vehicle, the unit requiring the different drawing-out direction can be mounted in the vehicle by merely changing the shape of the harness retaining section without changing the vehicle body frame side.

[0013] According to an embodiment of the present invention, when the connector and the connector coupling portion are coupled to each other, the pawl portion is interposed between the first projecting portion and the second projecting portion. Thus, the harness retaining section can be fixed to the connector.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the harness retaining section opens in a position coinciding with the first projecting portion and the extending portion. Thus, even in a state in which the harness retaining section is fixed to the connector, the connector can be easily removed from the connector coupling portion as long as the finger can reach the lock mechanism on the inside of the first projecting portion and the extending portion.

[0015] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the force of the hand is applied to the grip portion when the finger is put on the lock mechanism. When the harness retaining section is moved in the direction of extracting the connector in this state, the pawl portion comes into contact with the first projecting portion. It thus becomes easier to extract the connector and the harness retaining section from the connector coupling portion.

[0016] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the regulating portion is provided between the handlebars and the harness. Thus, contact between the handlebars, which are a movable part of the vehicle, and the harness is prevented, so that the harness can be retained effectively.

[0017] According to an embodiment of the present invention, relatively heavy parts (the battery and the control unit) mounted in the vehicle can be fixed integrally with each other by one stay portion.

Brief Description of the Drawings [0018] A preferred form of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

AH25(9765910_1):MSD 4 2015201207 09 Mar 2015 [0019] FIG. 1 is a left side view of a motorcycle according to a present embodiment; [0020] FIG. 2 is a left side view showing, in enlarged dimension, a head pipe in FIG. 1 and peripheries thereof; [0021] FIG. 3 is a front view showing, in enlarged dimension, the head pipe in FIG. 1 and the peripheries thereof; [0022] FIG. 4 is a left side view showing a state in which a control unit is removed from FIG. 2; [0023] FIG. 5 is a left side view showing a state in which a fixing portion is removed from FIG. 4; [0024] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a harness retaining section; [0025] FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the harness retaining section in FIG. 6; [0026] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a state in which the harness retaining section is attached to a connector, and a harness drawn out from the connector is routed in the harness retaining section; [0027] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a state in which a connector coupling portion on the control unit side and the connector are separated from each other; [0028] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which the connector coupling portion and the connector are fitted to each other; [0029] FIG. 11 is a left side view showing, in enlarged dimension, the connector, the connector coupling portion, and the harness retaining section in FIG. 2; [0030] FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along a line XII-XII of FIG. 11; and [0031] FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along a line XTTT-XTTT of FIG. 3;

AH25(9765910_1):MSD 5 2015201207 09 Mar 2015

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention [0032] A vehicle according to the present invention will hereinafter be described in detail by citing a preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings.

General Constitution of Motorcycle according to the Present Embodiment [0033] FIG. 1 is a left side view of a motorcycle 10 as a vehicle according to the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, a motor scooter type motorcycle 10 will be illustrated. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention is applicable to various kinds of vehicles such as motorcycles of on-road types and off-road types and motor tricycles, for example. For mechanisms or constituent elements provided symmetrically one for each of the left and right of a vehicle body, “L” is added to the reference character of the left one, and “R” is added to the reference character of the right one. A forward-rearward direction, an upward-downward direction, and a left-right direction will be described in accordance with the directions of arrows shown in FIGS. 1 to 3.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 1, the motorcycle 10 includes a vehicle body frame 12, a power unit 14, and a vehicle body cover 16. The vehicle body frame 12 includes a head pipe 18, a main frame 20, a cross frame 22, and a pair of left and right seat rails 24L and 24R.

[0035] The head pipe 18 rotatably supports a steering stem 30 that couples a pair of left and right front fork members 26L and 26R, which rotatably support a front wheel WF as a steering wheel, to handlebars 28. The front fork members 26L and 26R are provided with a front fender 32 for blocking mud, stones, and the like sprung up by the front wheel WF.

[0036] In addition, the head pipe 18 supports a control unit 36 such as an ECU (Engine Control Unit) or the like as a vehicle part and a battery unit 40 including a battery 38 via a stay portion 34 extending forward. A detailed constitution around the control unit 36 and the battery unit 40 will be described later.

[0037] The main frame 20 extends rearward and obliquely downward from the head pipe 18, and then extends rearward substantially horizontally. The cross frame 22 is provided to a rear end of the main frame 20, and extends in a vehicle width direction (left-right direction). The seat rails 24L and 24R extend rearward and obliquely upward from the cross frame 22.

AH25(9765910_1):MSD 6 2015201207 09 Mar 2015 [0038] The pair of left and right seat rails 24L and 24R supports a storage box 44 to which a seat 42 is openably and closably connected via a hinge and a fuel tank 46 disposed in the rear of the storage box 44. The power unit 14 includes an engine 48 disposed on a front side and a reduction gear mechanism not shown in the figures which mechanism is disposed on a rear side and coupled to a rear wheel WR as a driving wheel via a swing arm 50.

[0039] The vehicle body cover 16 includes a handlebar cover 52, a front cowl 54, an under cowl 56, and a rear cowl 58. The handlebar cover 52 covers an upper portion of the steering stem 30 and a part of the handlebars 28. A headlight 60 is disposed in the handlebar cover 52.

[0040] The front cowl 54 covers the head pipe 18 and the inclined part on the front side of the main frame 20. The front cowl 54 is provided with a leg shield 62 for protecting the legs of an occupant. The under cowl 56 is coupled to the front cowl 54. The under cowl 56 covers the horizontal part on the rear side of the main frame 20. The rear cowl 58 is coupled to the under cowl 56. The rear cowl 58 covers the seat rails 24L and 24R. The rear cowl 58 is provided with a rear fender 64 for blocking mud, stones, and the like sprung up by the rear wheel WR and a taillight 66.

[0041] Incidentally, the constitution of the motorcycle 10 according to the present embodiment other than parts in front of the head pipe 18 covered by the front cowl 54 to be described later, that is, peripheral parts including the control unit 36 and the battery unit 40 is similar to the constitution of an ordinary motorcycle. Therefore, detailed description of the constitution other than the parts in front of the head pipe 18 will be omitted.

Constitution of Parts in front of Head Pipe [0042] The constitution of the parts in front of the head pipe 18 covered by the front cowl 54 will next be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 13.

[0043] The stay portion 34 extending forward is provided in the vicinity of a position of the head pipe 18 at which position the head pipe 18 is coupled to the main frame 20. The stay portion 34 is formed by providing the front surface of the head pipe 18 with a plurality of stays 70 extending forward from the head pipe 18. A fixing portion 72, which is a substantially rectangular plate-shaped member, is fixed in the upward-downward direction to each of the stays 70 by screws not shown in the figures or the like. As shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 4, and

AH25(9765910_1):MSD 7 2015201207 09 Mar 2015 FIG. 5, the front fork members 26L and 26R and the head pipe 18 extend rearward and obliquely upward with respect to the front wheel WF, and the plurality of stays 70 extend forward from the head pipe 18. The fixing portion 72 is therefore fixed to each of the stays 70 in a state of being inclined in an oblique direction substantially along the head pipe 18.

[0044] The control unit 36 is fixed by a screw not shown in the figures or the like to a fixing surface 74L, which is a left side surface of the fixing portion 72, in a state of being inclined rearward and obliquely upward. In addition, the control unit 36 has a heat sink 78 on which cooling fins 76 are formed.

[0045] In this case, the control unit 36 is fixed to the fixing surface 74L in a state in which a right side surface of the control unit 36 is in surface contact with the fixing surface 74L. In addition, a top surface of the control unit 36 is provided with a connector coupling portion 80, and a bottom surface of the control unit 36 is provided with a first connector coupling portion 82 and a second connector coupling portion 84. Hence, the heat sink 78 is provided so as to cover surfaces of the control unit 36 other than the right side surface of the control unit 36, the connector coupling portion 80, the first connector coupling portion 82, and the second connector coupling portion 84. The cooling fins 76 of the heat sink 78 are formed on the left side surface of the control unit 36.

[0046] The front surface and the back surface of the control unit 36 are provided with a plurality of flanges 86 extending from the heat sink 78. Each of the flanges 86 has a screw hole 88 formed therein into which screw hole a screw not shown in the figures is inserted to fix the control unit 36 to the fixing portion 72.

[0047] The connector coupling portion 80 is coupled to a connector 92 of a harness 90. The first connector coupling portion 82 is coupled to a first connector 96 of a first harness 94. The second connector coupling portion 84 is coupled to a second connector 100 of a second harness 98. A harness retaining section 102 formed separately from the connector 92 is attached to the connector 92 among the above connectors. The harness retaining section 102 retains a part of the harness 90 drawn out from the connector 92, the part of the harness 90 being in the vicinity of the connector 92.

[0048] The structure of the connector coupling portion 80, the connector 92, and the harness retaining section 102 will be described below in detail.

AH25(9765910_1):MSD 8 2015201207 09 Mar 2015 [0049] As shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 4, FIG. 5, FIG. 9, and FIG. 10, the connector coupling portion 80 includes: a first housing 104 extending from the top surface of the control unit 36 rearward and obliquely upward so as to be substantially in parallel with the head pipe 18; and a second projecting portion 106 as a flange projecting from a first base end portion 105 of the first housing 104 along the top surface of the control unit 36 so as to be substantially in parallel with a first projecting portion 128 of the connector 92 to be described later. In this case, the second projecting portion 106 projects in a direction substantially orthogonal to a direction of inserting and removing the connector 92 into and from the connector coupling portion 80 (oblique direction along the head pipe 18). In addition, as shown in FIG. 13, a fitting recessed portion 108 for fitting to the heat sink 78 is formed in the second projecting portion 106.

[0050] The first housing 104 is a tubular member made of a resin. A supporting block 112 for supporting a plurality of sets of contact pieces 110, each set being formed by two contact pieces 110, is fitted to the first housing 104 in a position on the side of the second projecting portion 106 in a hollow portion of the first housing 104. The supporting block 112 and the first housing 104 form a first recessed portion 114 opening toward the connector 92. Incidentally, the contact pieces 110 of each set are connected with a connecting pin 116 that penetrates the supporting block 112 and which is electrically connected to an electronic part not shown in the figures within the control unit 36.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 9, FIG. 10, FIG. 11, and FIG. 12, two lock pawl portions 118 are arranged side by side on a left side surface of the first housing 104.

[0052] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5 and FIGS. 8 to 13, the connector 92 has a second housing 120 made of a resin which second housing is of such a size as to be insertable into the first recessed portion 114 of the first housing 104. An end portion of the second housing 120 is provided with second recessed portions 122 that are each of such a size as to be able to receive one set of contact pieces 110 when the second housing 120 is inserted into the first recessed portion 114, the second recessed portions 122 being equal in number to the sets of the contact pieces 110.

[0053] In addition, a plurality of contact pins 124 are provided in the end portion of the second housing 120 so as to pass through the respective second recessed portions 122. The contact pins 124 are electrically connected to a plurality of wires not shown in the figures within the harness 90 drawn out from a second base end portion 126 of the connector 92. In this case, when the

AH25(9765910 1):MSD 9 2015201207 09 Mar 2015 second housing 120 is inserted into the first recessed portion 114, and the end portion of the second housing 120 abuts against the supporting block 112 to thereby receive the sets of the contact pieces 110 in the respective second recessed portions 122, the contact pins 124 are sandwiched by the respective sets of the contact pieces 110.

[0054] An outer circumferential surface of the second base end portion 126 of the second housing 120 is formed so as to be substantially flush with an outer circumferential surface of the first housing 104 of the connector coupling portion 80 when the sets of the contact pieces 110 are connected to the respective contact pins 124 as described above. In addition, the first projecting portion 128 substantially orthogonal to the direction of inserting and removing the connector 92 is formed on a left side surface of the second base end portion 126. In this case, when the end portion of the second housing 120 is inserted into the first recessed portion 114, and the sets of the contact pieces 110 are connected to the respective contact pins 124, the first projecting portion 128 and the second projecting portion 106 are opposed to each other in the inserting and removing direction.

[0055] In addition, the first projecting portion 128, which is in a state of being connected to an extending portion 127, extends toward the second projecting portion 106 as viewed from the left side surface in FIGS. 8 to 11. A lock mechanism 130 is formed on the inside of the first projecting portion 128 including the extending portion 127. As shown in FIG. 12, an engaging portion 132 to be engaged with the lock pawl portions 118 of the first housing 104 is formed at an end portion of the lock mechanism 130.

[0056] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 8, FIG. 11, and FIG. 13, the harness retaining section 102 includes: a tubular portion 140 surrounding the side surfaces of the connector 92; and a routing portion 142 that is connected to the tubular portion 140 and which routes and retains the harness 90 drawn out from the connector 92.

[0057] Openings 144L and 144R are formed on a left side surface and a right side surface, respectively, of the tubular portion 140. In this case, the opening 144L is formed so as to expose the extending portion 127, the first projecting portion 128, and the lock mechanism 130 when the connector 92 is attached to the harness retaining section 102. In addition, as viewed from a bottom surface in FIG. 7, a hollow portion of the tubular portion 140 has a size set so as to be able to house the connector coupling portion 80 and the connector 92.

AH25(9765910 1):MSD ίο 2015201207 09 Mar 2015 [0058] As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8 and FIG. 11, pawl portions 146 opposed to each other are formed at an end portion 145 on the bottom surface side of the harness retaining section 102. Each of the pawl portions 146 projects in a direction substantially orthogonal to the direction of inserting and removing the connector 92 into and from the connector coupling portion 80.

When the connector 92 and the connector coupling portion 80 are coupled to each other, each of the pawl portions 146 is fixed in a position interposed between the first projecting portion 128 of the connector 92 and the second projecting portion 106 of the connector coupling portion 80.

[0059] Incidentally, as shown in FIG. 11, the end portion 145 of the harness retaining section 102 at which end portion the pawl portions 146 are formed is in surface contact with the second projecting portion 106. As a result, the harness retaining section 102 is fixed by connecting the connector 92.

[0060] FIG. 11 shows a state in which the pawl portions 146 are in contact with the second projecting portion 106 of the connector coupling portion 80. Further, in the present embodiment, the pawl portions 146 may be fixed in a state of having a certain degree of play between the first projecting portion 128 and the second projecting portion 106, or may be fixed without a gap between the first projecting portion 128 and the second projecting portion 106.

[0061] The routing portion 142 is formed by bulging a rear portion of a left side surface of the tubular portion 140 in a left direction. Specifically, a bulging portion 150 bulging from the rear portion of the left side surface of the tubular portion 140 in the left direction is curved from a top surface to a left side surface of the bulging portion 150. In addition, a plate-shaped guide portion 152 is formed which curves gently from an upper portion of the left side surface of the tubular portion 140 along the top surface and a front part of the left side surface of the bulging portion 150.

[0062] Thus, when the harness retaining section 102 is attached to the connector 92, and the harness 90 is drawn out from the second base end portion 126 of the connector 92, the harness 90 can be retained by the routing portion 142 by routing the harness 90 downward via the top surface and the left side surface of the bulging portion 150 while a part of the harness 90 which part is on the side of the second base end portion 126 is positioned along the guide portion 152.

[0063] In addition, a regulating portion 154 in substantially the shape of a J is provided in the rear of the top surface of the bulging portion 150. In this case, the regulating portion 154 is

AH25(9765910_1):MSD 11 2015201207 09 Mar 2015 provided between the harness 90, which is routed and retained by the routing portion 142, and the handlebars 28 and the steering stem 30, which are movable parts of the motorcycle 10. Incidentally, because the regulating portion 154 is curved forward in substantially the shape of a J, the regulating portion 154 can guide the harness 90 in cooperation with the guide portion 152, and further retain the harness 90 in cooperation with the routing portion 142.

[0064] In addition, the upper portion of the left side surface of the tubular portion 140 functions as a grip portion 158 with which a part of a thumb 156 comes into contact and to which a force from a hand 157 (thumb 156 of the hand 157) is applied when the occupant of the motorcycle 10 or the like puts the thumb 156 on the lock mechanism 130 of the connector 92.

[0065] Meanwhile, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the battery unit 40 is fixed to a back surface 74R, which is a right side surface of the fixing portion 72, by a screw or the like.

[0066] The battery unit 40 includes the battery 38 and a fuse box not shown in the figures which fuse box is disposed so as to be adjacent to the battery 38. The battery 38 is housed in a battery case 160. The battery case 160 is fixed to the fixing portion 72 and the stay portion 34 via a battery stay portion 162 formed by a plurality of stays bent in the shape of a U.

[0067] Specifically, the battery stay portion 162 includes: a first lower stay 164 that supports a front surface, a back surface, and a bottom surface of the battery case 160; a second lower stay 166 that supports a right side surface, a left side surface, and the bottom surface of the battery case 160; and a side stay 168 that supports the front surface, the left side surface, the back surface, and the right side surface of the battery case 160.

[0068] Both ends of the side stay 168 routed on the side surfaces of the battery case 160 are fastened to a front end of the first lower stay 164 at the front surface of the battery case 160. In addition, both ends of the side stay 168 are coupled to each other via a fixing stay 170. A rear end of the first lower stay 164 is fixed to the stay 70 on the upper side of the head pipe 18 by a screw or the like. Holes 172L and 172R are formed in both ends of the second lower stay 166 extending above the battery 38. A stay retaining member 174 is inserted through the holes 172L and 172R. Both ends of the second lower stay 166 are thereby coupled and fixed.

AH25(9765910_1):MSD 12 2015201207 09 Mar 2015 [0069] Hence, the battery unit 40 can be fixed to and supported by the fixing portion 72 by fixing the rear end of the first lower stay 164 to the stay 70 on the upper side of the head pipe 18, and fixing the fixing stay 170 to the fixing portion 72 by a screw or the like.

Coupling and Extraction of Connector to and from Connector Coupling Portion [0070] The motorcycle 10 according to the present embodiment is formed as described above. Next, referring to FIGS. 1 to 13, description will be made of the coupling of the connector 92 to the connector coupling portion 80 provided to the control unit 36 and the extraction of the connector 92 from the connector coupling portion 80.

[0071] Description will first be made of a case of coupling the connector 92 to the connector coupling portion 80.

[0072] First, the harness retaining section 102 is attached to the connector 92 so as to surround the side surfaces of the connector 92. In this case, when the connector 92 is housed within the harness retaining section 102 such that right side surfaces of the respective pawl portions 146 are in surface contact with a left side surface of the second housing 120, the connector 92 is supported within the harness retaining section 102 by the side surfaces of the tubular portion 140 and the pawl portions 146.

[0073] Next, the harness 90 drawn out from the connector 92 is routed on the top surface and the left side surface of the bulging portion 150 forming the routing portion 142 while the harness 90 is positioned along the guide portion 152.

[0074] Next, the occupant of the motorcycle 10 holds the grip portion 158 of the tubular portion 140 and the lock mechanism 130 with the thumb 156, and holds the right side surface of the tubular portion 140 with an index finger 176. In this state, the occupant inserts the end portion of the second housing 120 of the connector 92 into the first recessed portion 114 of the first housing 104 of the connector coupling portion 80.

[0075] When the occupant inserts the end portion of the second housing 120 into the first recessed portion 114, the engaging portion 132 of the lock mechanism 130 abuts against the lock pawl portions 118 of the first housing 104. Then, when the occupant further pushes the end portion of the second housing 120 into the first recessed portion 114, the engaging portion 132

AH25(9765910_1):MSD 13 2015201207 09 Mar 2015 of the lock mechanism 130 goes over the lock pawl portions 118 of the first housing 104, and the lock pawl portions 118 are engaged with the engaging portion 132.

[0076] Consequently, the two pawl portions 146 of the harness retaining section 102 are interposed between the first projecting portion 128 of the connector 92 and the second projecting portion 106 of the connector coupling portion 80. In this case, as shown in FIG. 11, each of the pawl portions 146 is fixed in a state of having a certain degree of play between the first projecting portion 128 and the second projecting portion 106.

[0077] Meanwhile, within the first recessed portion 114, the sets of the contact pieces 110 on the supporting block 112 side are inserted into the respective second recessed portions 122 of the second housing 120, and the sets of the contact pieces 110 are brought into contact with the respective contact pins 124. When the end portion of the second housing 120 abuts against the supporting block 112, the sets of the contact pieces 110 sandwich the respective contact pins 124.

[0078] The connector 92 and the harness retaining section 102 are thus coupled to the connector coupling portion 80.

[0079] Description will next be made of a case of removing (extracting) the connector 92 from the connector coupling portion 80.

[0080] First, the occupant holds the grip portion 158 and the lock mechanism 130 with the thumb 156, and holds the right side surface of the tubular portion 140 with the index finger 176. In this case, when the occupant holds an extending portion 134 with the thumb 156, a force from the hand 157 (thumb 156 of the hand 157) of the occupant is applied to the lock mechanism 130. Thereby, as indicated by alternate long and short dashed lines in FIG. 12, the engaging portion 132 side of the lock mechanism 130 is slightly rotated upward about the second base end portion 126 of the second housing 120. Incidentally, because the occupant also holds the grip portion 158 with the thumb 156, the harness retaining section 102 is gripped at the grip portion 158 and the right side surface with the force applied from the hand 157 of the occupant.

[0081] In this state, the occupant moves the lock mechanism 130 and the harness retaining section 102 rearward and obliquely upward (in an extracting direction of extracting the connector 92 from the connector coupling portion 80). The engaging portion 132 of the lock

AH25(9765910_1):MSD 14 2015201207 09 Mar 2015 mechanism 130 thereby abuts against the lock pawl portions 118 of the first housing 104. In addition, the harness retaining section 102 is only fitted to the connector 92 so as to surround the side surfaces of the connector 92, and the pawl portions 146 are fixed in a state of having a certain degree of play between the first projecting portion 128 and the second projecting portion 106. Therefore, when the harness retaining section 102 is moved in the extracting direction, the pawl portions 146 of the harness retaining section 102 also abut against the first projecting portion 128.

[0082] Hence, when the occupant further moves the lock mechanism 130 and the harness retaining section 102 in the extracting direction in a state of holding the grip portion 158 and the lock mechanism 130 with the thumb 156, a force directly acting from the thumb 156 onto the lock mechanism 130 to move the lock mechanism 130 in the extracting direction and a force applied by the pawl portions 146 trying to move in the extracting direction, which force is indirectly transmitted to the lock mechanism 130 via the first projecting portion 128, the extending portion 127, and the second base end portion 126, cause the engaging portion 132 to go over the lock pawl portions 118 of the first housing 104, and move in the extracting direction.

[0083] As a result, the end portion of the second housing 120 is separated from the supporting block 112, and the sets of the contact pieces 110 are detached from the respective second recessed portions 122. Thereby, the sets of the contact pieces 110 are disconnected from the respective contact pins 124.

[0084] Then, when the occupant further moves the lock mechanism 130 and the harness retaining section 102 in the extracting direction, the end portion of the second housing 120 is separated from the first recessed portion 114 of the first housing 104, so that the connector 92 and the harness retaining section 102 can be removed (extracted) from the connector coupling portion 80.

Effect of Present Embodiment [0085] As described above, according to the motorcycle 10 according to the present embodiment, when the connector 92 is coupled to the connector coupling portion 80, the harness retaining section 102 can be fixed to the control unit 36 side. Therefore, even in a case where the direction of drawing out the harness 90 from the control unit 36 is changed due to a change

AH25(9765910 1):MSD 15 2015201207 09 Mar 2015 in the specifications of a vehicle part (control unit 36) mounted in the motorcycle 10, the control unit 36 requiring the different drawing-out direction can be mounted in the motorcycle 10 by merely changing the shape of the harness retaining section 102 without changing the vehicle body side.

[0086] In addition, when the connector 92 and the connector coupling portion 80 are coupled to each other, the pawl portions 146 of the harness retaining section 102 are interposed between the first projecting portion 128 of the connector 92 and the second projecting portion 106 of the connector coupling portion 80. Thus, the harness retaining section 102 can be fixed to the connector 92.

[0087] Furthermore, the connector 92 and the harness retaining section 102 are formed separately from each other. Hence, in a case where the direction of drawing out the connector 92 is changed, it suffices to change the shape of the harness retaining section 102 so as to correspond to the changed drawing-out direction. As a result, a change within the motorcycle 10 which change is involved in a change in the specifications of the vehicle part can be reduced to a minimum, and a general-purpose product can be used as the connector 92.

[0088] Incidentally, as described above, the pawl portions 146 are fixed in a state of having a certain degree of play in the inserting and removing direction. It is thereby possible to reduce a stress applied from the pawl portions 146 of the harness retaining section 102 to the connector 92 when the harness retaining section 102 is retained on the connector coupling portion 80.

[0089] Further, as viewed from the left side of the motorcycle 10, the harness retaining section 102 has the opening 144L formed in such a position as to coincide with the first projecting portion 128, the extending portion 127, and the lock mechanism 130. Thus, even in the state in which the harness retaining section 102 is fixed to the connector 92, the connector 92 can be easily removed from the connector coupling portion 80 as long as the thumb 156 can reach the lock mechanism 130 on the inside of the first projecting portion 128 and the extending portion 127.

[0090] In this case, a force from the hand 157 (thumb 156 of the hand 157) of the occupant or the like is applied to the grip portion 158 of the harness retaining section 102 when the thumb 156 is put on the lock mechanism 130. Therefore, when the harness retaining section 102 is moved in the direction of extracting the connector 92 in this state, the pawl portions 146 come

AH25(9765910_1):MSD 16 2015201207 09 Mar 2015 into contact with the first projecting portion 128. It thus becomes easier to extract the connector 92 and the harness retaining section 102 from the connector coupling portion 80.

[0091] In addition, the regulating portion 154 provided between the handlebars 28 and the steering stem 30 and the harness 90 can prevent contact between the handlebars 28 and the steering stem 30, which are movable parts of the motorcycle 10, and the harness 90, so that the harness 90 can be retained effectively.

[0092] Further, relatively heavy vehicle parts (the battery unit 40 and the control unit 36) mounted in the motorcycle 10 can be fixed integrally with each other by one stay portion 34.

[0093] The present invention has been described above using a preferred embodiment thereof. However, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the described scope of the foregoing embodiment. It is obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes or improvements can be made to the foregoing embodiment. It is obvious from the description of claims that forms obtained by making such changes or improvements can also be included in the technical scope of the present invention. In addition, reference symbols in parentheses in claims are given in accordance with the reference symbols in the accompanying drawings in order to facilitate understanding of the present invention, and the present invention is not to be construed as limited to elements given the reference symbols.

Description of Reference Symbols [0094] 10 ... Motorcycle 18 ... Head pipe 28 ... Handlebars 30 ... Steering stem 34 ... Stay portion 36 ... Control unit 38 ... Battery 40 ... Battery unit 70 ... Stay 72 ... Fixing portion 74L ... Fixing surface 74R... Back surface

AH25(9765910_1):MSD 17 2015201207 09 Mar 2015 76 .. . Cooling fin 78 .. . Heat sink 80 .. . Connector coupling portion 82 .. . First connector coupling portion 84 .. . Second connector coupling portion 90 .. . Harness 92 .. . Connector 94 .. . First harness 96 .. . First connector 98 .. . Second harness 100 ... Second connector 102 ... Harness retaining section 104 ... First housing 105 ... First base end portion 106 ... Second projecting portion 108 ... Fitting recessed portion 110 ... Contact piece 112 ... Supporting block 114 ... First recessed portion 116 ... Connecting pin 118 ... Lock pawl portion 120 ... Second housing 122 ... Second recessed portion 124 ... Contact pin 126 ... Second base end portion 127, 134 ... Extending portion 128 ... First projecting portion 130 ... Lock mechanism 132 ... Engaging portion 140 ... Tubular portion 142 ... Routing portion 144L, 144R... Opening 145 ... End portion 150 ... Bulging portion

AH25(9765910_1):MSD 18 2015201207 09 Mar 2015 152 . .. Guide portion 154 . .. Regulating portion 156 . .. Thumb 157 . .. Hand 158 . .. Grip portion 160 . .. Battery case 162 . .. Battery stay portion 164 . .. First lower stay 166 . .. Second lower stay 168 . .. Side stay 170 . .. Fixing stay 174 . .. Stay retaining member 176 . .. Index finger

AH25(9765910_1):MSD

Claims (6)

1. A vehicle comprising: a unit fixed to a fixing portion on the vehicle side; a harness coupled to the unit; a connector provided to the harness; a connector coupling portion provided to the unit side and coupled to the connector; and a harness retaining section retaining the harness, wherein the connector has a first projecting portion projecting in a direction different from a direction of inserting and removing the connector into and from the connector coupling portion, the connector coupling portion has a second projecting portion projecting in a direction different from the inserting and removing direction, the harness retaining section is fixed to the unit side by coupling the connector to the connector coupling portion, and the harness retaining section is partially interposed between the first projecting portion and the second projecting portion when the connector and the connector coupling portion are coupled to each other.

2. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein part of the harness retaining section is a pawl portion projecting in a direction different from the inserting and removing direction, and the pawl portion is formed in a position interposed between the first projecting portion and the second projecting portion when the connector and the connector coupling portion are coupled to each other.

3. The vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the first projecting portion has an extending portion extending in the inserting and removing direction, a lock mechanism for detachably coupling the connector to the connector coupling portion is formed on an inside of the first projecting portion and the extending portion of the connector, and the harness retaining section opens in a position coinciding with the first projecting portion and the extending portion.

4. The vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the harness retaining section further includes a grip portion to which a force of a hand can be applied, the grip portion is formed in a position to which the force of the hand is applied when a finger is put on the lock mechanism, and the pawl portion comes into contact with the first projecting portion when the harness retaining section moves in a direction of extracting the connector.

5. The vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising: a head pipe steerably retaining handlebars, wherein the fixing portion is fixed to a stay portion extending from the head pipe, and the harness retaining section further includes a regulating portion between the harness and the handlebars, the regulating portion regulating the harness on a side more frontward in the vehicle than the handlebars and within the harness retaining section.

6. The vehicle according to claim 5, further comprising: a battery, wherein the unit is a control unit including a heat sink, and the battery is fixed on a back surface on an opposite side from a fixing surface of the fixing portion fixed to the stay portion, the control unit being fixed to the fixing surface.