JP3290942B2 - Handle devices for motorcycles, etc. - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an improved technique around a steering handle of a motorcycle or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a structure around a steering handle of a motorcycle such as a scooter or the like, a structure in which the vicinity of a connecting portion between a handle and a steering shaft is covered with a handle cover is generally used. As shown in the figure, the middle part of the handle pipe 51 is covered with upper and lower handle covers 52 and 53 divided vertically, covered with front and rear handle covers divided into front and rear, or covered with a three-divided cover. Handle devices are known.

On the other hand, a technique for incorporating electric components and the like into the handle cover is also known.
No. 2,581 discloses a technique in which a switch knob sharing a switch mechanism for a winker lamp and a switch mechanism for a position lamp is incorporated in a rear handle cover. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-291165 discloses a front handle cover. Discloses a technique for incorporating an integrated electrical unit in which electrical components such as a headlight, a direction support lamp, and an instrument panel are integrated.

[0004]

However, a structure in which the periphery of the handle pipe is covered with a divided cover as in the prior art requires a large number of parts around the handle and requires time and labor for assembly. Even when attempting to incorporate electrical components and the like into the handle cover, the space inside the handle cover is restricted by the handle pipe, so there is a case where wiring and the like cannot be freely arranged, and there is a problem that a complicated configuration is likely to be formed. .

Therefore, the present invention consolidates the number of parts around the handle to simplify the assembly structure and reduce the weight, and at the same time, increases the space in the handle cover to allow freedom of design when assembling electrical components. The purpose is to increase the degree.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, a handle cover provided at an intermediate portion of a steering handle shaft of a motorcycle or the like is divided into at least two parts. At least one cover is formed of a fiber reinforced resin, and left and right handle grips are integrally molded or insert molded at both ends of the fiber reinforced resin cover.

[0007] By integrally molding or insert-molding the handle cover and the left and right handle grips in this manner, the number of parts can be reduced and the number of assembling steps can be reduced, and the intermediate portion of the steering handle becomes unnecessary. As a result, the internal space surrounded by the handle cover is expanded, and the degree of freedom in layout of electric components and the like and the degree of freedom in design around the handle are increased. In addition, the removal of the intermediate portion of the steering handle, coupled with the use of a fiber reinforced resin for the handle cover, leads to a reduction in the weight around the handle and an improved operation feeling.

In this case, the handle cover may be divided into two or more. The resin cover may be further divided into all covers including the cover other than the cover integrating the handle grip. May be made into resin. When the handle grip is insert-molded, the handle grip may be made of the same material, such as fiber-reinforced resin, or may be made of a different material, such as metal.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the steering shaft can be connected to a cover in which the left and right handle grips are integrally molded or insert molded. If the steering shafts can be connected in this way, the restrictions at the time of connection are reduced, and the configuration can be simplified.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a cover made of a fiber reinforced resin is formed by a flow molding method from a laminated sheet in which a long fiber mat and a thermoplastic resin are laminated.

Here, in the flow molding method, a predetermined amount of blank material is cut out from a laminated sheet in which a thermoplastic resin and a long fiber mat or the like are laminated in advance, and the blank material is heated at a temperature higher than the melting point of the resin, and is placed in a mold. Press molding in a state in which the resin is fluidized by using the flow molding method. If such a flow molding method is adopted, for example, a thermosetting resin is reinforced with chopped strand glass or the like, and SMC (sheet moat) for press molding is used.
lding compound) The strength per equivalent weight is improved as compared with molded products and the like, and the Izod impact value can be increased about twice, and the molding cycle is shortened, resulting in excellent productivity.

As the long fiber mat, for example, a long glass fiber mat, a long carbon fiber, or the like can be used. As the thermoplastic resin, for example, a polypropylene resin or the like can be used.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Here, FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an assembled state of a handle device for a motorcycle or the like according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a cover integrated with a handle grip.

The handle device for a motorcycle or the like according to the present invention simplifies the assembly and reduces the weight by consolidating the number of parts around the handle, and at the same time, lays out the electric components and the like in the handle cover. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an upper handle cover 1 and a lower handle cover 2 made of fiber reinforced resin are provided, and both ends of the lower handle cover 2 are provided at both ends. The left and right handle grips 3 and 4 are integrally formed, and a fork-top bridge plate 5 having a tubular shape and having a steering shaft insertion hole (not shown) provided at the bottom thereof is provided at an intermediate portion. It is integrally molded.

The left and right handle grips 3 and 4 and the lower handle cover 2 serve the function of a conventional steering handle pipe. The upper handle cover 1 and the lower handle cover 2 are assembled in a state where both are assembled. A hollow space is formed inside the first and second portions, and in the embodiment, rigidity is obtained by forming a laminate sheet obtained by laminating polypropylene thermoplastic resin and long glass fiber as a raw material by a flow molding method. To increase.

That is, this flow molding method is based on, for example, a method in which a predetermined amount of blank is formed from a laminated sheet obtained by laminating a swirl mat of about 40 wt% which has been previously needle-punched with long glass fibers and polypropylene of about 60 wt% which has been subjected to heat and weather resistance treatment. The blank material is cut out, and the cut blank material is heated to about 200 to 220 ° C. higher than the melting point of the resin by a heater or the like to melt the resin to make it flow easily, and then the heated blank material is transferred to a mold. Immediately mold and press.

[0017] By such a molding method, the fiber is filled to the end, and the SMC (sheet molding compound) is filled.
The strength per equivalent weight can be improved as compared with a molded product or the like, and the molding can be performed efficiently.

The fork top bridge plate 5 of the lower handle cover 2 serves as a mounting portion for connecting a steering shaft, and is steered via a rubber seat 6, a washer 7, a fork top bridge 8, a steering head top thread 9, and the like. Front fork assembly 1 as shaft
0 is attachable.

Among the handle grips 3, 4 integrally formed at both ends of the lower handle cover 2, the right handle grip 4 can be mounted with a turn signal switch assembly 11, a throttle grip 12, a throttle cable 13, and the like. A lighting switch assembly 14, a choke cable 15, a left grip 16, and the like can be attached to the left handle grip 3. An electron buzzer component 17 and a support 18 for supporting the buzzer component 17 are attached to the upper handle cover 1.

In the handle device constructed as described above, the handle grips 3, 4 are integrally formed at both ends of the lower handle cover 2, and the intermediate portion of the steering handle is cut off as compared with the conventional structure. Because the space inside the covers 1 and 2 can be widened, the cables, the harnesses and the like such as the above-described lighting switch assembly 14 and the turn signal switch assembly 11 can be efficiently accommodated, and the electron buzzer component 17 or other The degree of freedom of the mounting position of the instrument or the like can be increased. Further, by integrally forming the fork top bridge plate 5 as the steering shaft mounting portion, the rigidity of the entire cover is improved and the structure is simplified. Also, the weight around the handle is reduced as compared with the conventional structure, and the operation feeling is improved.

The left and right handle grips 3 and 4 integrally formed with the lower handle cover 2 may be formed by insert-molding the separate handle grips 3 and 4.

That is, for example, handle grips 3 and 4 made of, for example, a conventional metal pipe or any other material are prepared, set at predetermined locations of a mold, and filled with a fiber reinforced resin around them. To be integrated.
By integrating the handle grips 3 and 4 in this manner, the number of parts can be reduced and the number of assembling steps can be reduced, and the space in the covers 1 and 2 can be widened.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. Those having substantially the same configuration as those described in the claims of the present invention and exhibiting the same operation and effect belong to the technical scope of the present invention. For example, the dividing direction of the handle cover may be the front-back direction other than the vertical direction, and the number of divisions is arbitrary. The assembled state around the steering wheel shown in FIG. 1 is an example.

[0024]

As described above, in the handle device for a motorcycle or the like according to the present invention, the handle cover of the motorcycle or the like is divided into at least two or more parts, and at least one of the covers is divided. Since the left and right handle grips are integrally molded or insert molded at both ends of the fiber reinforced resin cover, the number of parts can be reduced and the number of assembly steps can be reduced. Since the intermediate portion is not required, the space in the handle cover is increased, and the degree of freedom in layout of electric components and the like and the degree of freedom in design around the handle can be increased. Moreover, the weight around the steering wheel is reduced, and the operation feeling can be improved.

In this case, if the steering shaft can be connected to the cover in which the left and right handle grips are integrally formed or insert-molded, the restriction on the connection is reduced and the structure can be simplified. . Also, as in claim 3,
If a cover made of fiber reinforced resin is molded by a flow molding method from a laminated sheet in which a long fiber mat and a thermoplastic resin are laminated, strength can be improved and molding can be performed efficiently.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an assembled state of a handle device of a motorcycle or the like according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a cover integrated with a handle grip.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of a configuration of a conventional handle device.

[Explanation of symbols]

1: Upper handle cover, 2: Lower handle cover,
3, 4 ... handle grip, 10 ... front fork assembly.

Continuation of front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B62K 21/00 B62J 25/00

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A handle cover provided at an intermediate portion of a steering handle shaft of a motorcycle or the like is divided into at least two or more parts, and at least one of the covers is formed of a fiber reinforced resin. A handle device for a motorcycle or the like, wherein left and right handle grips are integrally formed or insert-molded at both ends of the vehicle. 2. A steering device according to claim 1, wherein the steering shaft can be connected to a cover in which the left and right handle grips are integrally formed or insert-molded. Handle devices for motorcycles, etc. 3. The handle device for a motorcycle or the like according to claim 1, wherein the cover made of fiber reinforced resin is formed by a flow molding method from a laminated sheet in which a long fiber mat and a thermoplastic resin are laminated. A handle device for a motorcycle or the like, which is formed by molding.