JP5690658B2 - Fuel tank structure for saddle-ride type vehicles - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel tank structure of a saddle-ride type vehicle such as a motorcycle.

  Conventionally, in a saddle-ride type vehicle in which a steel tank made of a steel plate is disposed in a portion surrounded by a frame member in a body frame, a pair of container bodies having an open portion are integrally welded to form a hollow tank body, There exists what formed the joining flange (seam flange) along these mating surfaces (division surfaces) in the perimeter of the opening part of each container over the perimeter (for example, refer to patent documents 1).

JP 2002-284072 A

  By the way, in the above-described prior art, when the fuel tank is arranged inside the vehicle body frame, there is a problem that the tank capacity is limited by the space of the joining flange extending substantially at right angles from the outer surface of the tank body. Moreover, in order to prevent interference with the seam roller at the time of seam welding of the tank main body, a corresponding portion of the tank main body cannot be bulged, and there is a problem that the tank capacity is similarly limited.

  Accordingly, the present invention provides a fuel tank structure for a saddle-ride type vehicle capable of increasing the tank capacity as much as possible even when a fuel tank formed using a joining flange is disposed inside a vehicle body frame. To do.

As means for solving the above problems, the invention described in claim 1
In the structure of the fuel tank (70) mounted on the saddle-ride type vehicle (1),
The fuel tank (70) is a hollow body having a container body (72) having an open portion (72a) on one side of the vehicle body and a lid plate body (73) covering the open portion (72a) from the one side of the vehicle body. A tank body (71) is provided, and joint flanges (74, 75) extending to one side of the vehicle body are formed on the periphery of the open part (72a) and the outer periphery of the lid plate body (73), respectively. (74, 75) are joined together to form the integral tank body (71) ,
The opening portion (72a) is formed on the vehicle body upper side, the lid plate body (73) covers the opening portion (72a) from the vehicle body upper side, and the joint flanges (74, 75) extend to the vehicle body upper side. It is characterized by that.
The saddle-ride type vehicle includes all vehicles on which the driver rides across the vehicle body, and includes not only motorcycles but also three-wheel vehicles (in addition to front and rear two wheels, front two and rear one vehicles). Including) or four-wheeled vehicles.
The invention described in claim 2
The joining flanges (74, 75) are joined together by seam welding.
The invention described in claim 3
The lid plate body (73) has a drain pipe (85) having an upper end opened at an upper surface surrounded by the joining flanges (74, 75) and an outer surface opened at the outer surface of the container body (72). Features.
The invention described in claim 4
The fuel tank (70) is disposed in a portion (29a) surrounded by the frame members (16-19) of the vehicle body frame (5) in a side view, and from the frame members (16-19) in a rear view. Has a bulging portion (77a, 78a) projecting outward in the vehicle width direction.
The invention described in claim 5
The container body (72) is divided into left and right divided bodies (77, 78), and a recess (86) for avoiding the vehicle functional component (9a) is formed in at least one of the left and right divided bodies (77, 78). It is characterized by that.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is less restriction on the tank capacity with respect to the tank arrangement space, compared to the case where the joining flange is formed on the entire circumference of the tank so as to stand substantially perpendicularly from the outer surface thereof. Even when the fuel tank is arranged, the tank capacity can be increased as much as possible. Further, the fuel filler port, the fuel pump, and the like can be efficiently and concentratedly arranged on the flat lid plate body as compared with the container body.
According to the invention described in claim 2, during the seam welding, the seam roller is moved along the flat lid plate body, and the container body is provided with a bulging portion that projects outward from the open portion. Even in this case, interference between the container body and the seam roller can be prevented, and the tank capacity can be increased.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent rainwater and the like from accumulating on the upper surface of the tank body surrounded by each joint flange and formed into a tray shape.
According to the invention described in claim 4 , the tank capacity can be further increased while the fuel tank is disposed inside the vehicle body frame.
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the influence on the arrangement of the vehicle functional parts and to easily form the concave portion by dividing the container body into left and right.

1 is a left side view of a motorcycle according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a body frame of the motorcycle. Fig. 3 is a left side view of the vicinity of a fuel tank of the motorcycle. FIG. 3 is a top view of the vicinity of a fuel tank of the motorcycle. FIG. 3 is a front view of the vicinity of a fuel tank of the motorcycle. Fig. 3 is a rear view around the fuel tank of the motorcycle. It is BB sectional drawing of FIG. (A) is operation explanatory drawing of this embodiment, (b) is explanatory drawing corresponded to (a) in a prior art example.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the directions such as front, rear, left and right in the following description are the same as those in the vehicle described below unless otherwise specified. Further, in the drawings used for the following explanation, an arrow FR indicating the front of the vehicle, an arrow LH indicating the left side of the vehicle, and an arrow UP indicating the upper side of the vehicle are shown.

  In the motorcycle 1 shown in FIG. 1, the front wheel 2 is pivotally supported by the lower ends of a pair of left and right front forks 3, and the upper portion of the left and right front forks 3 is connected to the front end of the body frame 5 via a steering stem 4 and a top bridge 4a. The head pipe 6 is pivotally supported so as to be steerable. A steering bar handle 4b is mounted on the top bridge 4a. A front fender 7 is supported between the left and right front forks 3.

  The rear wheel 8 of the motorcycle 1 is pivotally supported by a rear end portion of a swing arm 9 that extends in the front-rear direction below the rear portion of the vehicle body. The front end portion of the swing arm 9 is pivotally supported by the left and right pivot plates 11 below the vehicle body frame 5 so as to swing up and down. The rear wheel 8 is connected to an engine 12 which is a prime mover of the motorcycle 1 via, for example, a chain type transmission mechanism 9a disposed on the left side of the rear part of the vehicle body.

Referring also to FIG. 2, the vehicle body frame 5 is of a cradle type surrounding the engine 12 mounted in the center of the vehicle body, and is formed by integrally joining a plurality of types of steel materials by welding or the like.
The vehicle body frame 5 includes a single main frame 13 extending from the upper rear side of the head pipe 6 obliquely downward and rearward in a side view and a lower rear side of the head pipe 6 (below the front end of the main frame 13). A pair of left and right down frames 14 that branch from side to side and extend obliquely downward and rearward with a relatively steep slope in a side view, and a pair of left and right sides that curve rearward from the lower ends of the left and right down frames 14 and extend substantially horizontally. The lower frame 15, a pair of left and right pivot frames 16 that are curved upward from the rear ends of the left and right lower frames 15 and extend rearward in a side view, and the inner circumference of the left and right pivot frames 16. A pair of left and right pivot plates 11 provided integrally on the side (front side).

  Further, the vehicle body frame 5 branches left and right from the rear end portion of the main frame 13 and extends obliquely downward to the left and right outside, and extends obliquely downward and rearward in a side view to extend the upper end portion of the left and right pivot frame 16. A pair of left and right middle frames 17, a pair of left and right seat frames 18 that branch from the rear end of the main frame 13 to the left and right and extend obliquely rearward and leftward and rightward in a side view, and horizontally pivoted. A front cross pipe that connects between a pair of left and right seat support pipes 19 extending rearward in a side view from the rear side of the curved top of the frame 16 toward the rear end of the left and right seat frames 18, and the upper and lower intermediate portions of the left and right down frames 14. 21, a rear upper cross pipe 22 connecting the upper ends of the left and right pivot frames 16, And a rear lower cross pipe 23 for connecting the parts.

  The main frame 13 is, for example, a forged product, and has a vertically long cross-sectional shape in which the vertical width is widened with respect to the left-right width and extends in the front-rear direction. A gusset portion 13a is formed below the front end portion of the main frame 13, and down frame connection portions 13b serving as upper ends of the left and right down frames 14 are formed on both sides of the gusset portion 13a. A seat frame connecting portion 13 c that is a front end portion of the left and right seat frames 18 and a middle frame connecting portion 13 d that is an upper end portion of the left and right middle frames 17 are formed above the rear end portion of the main frame 13.

  The left and right seat support pipes 19 extend from the left and right pivot frames 16 with a relatively gentle inclination, then curve and extend obliquely rearward and upward with a relatively steep inclination. A pair of left and right cushion upper end support members 24, which are forged molded products, for example, are provided at the rear end of the body frame 5. A pair of left and right rear cushions 25 is disposed between the left and right cushion upper end support members 24 and the left and right arms of the swing arm 9. The left and right cushion upper end support members 24 are respectively formed with a rear seat frame connecting portion 24 a that is a rear end portion of the left and right seat frames 18 and a rear support connecting portion 24 b that is an upper end portion of the left and right seat support pipes 19.

  The down frame 14, the lower frame 15, the pivot frame 16, and the middle frame 17 are continuously formed by bending a single round steel pipe for each left and right of the vehicle body. The seat frame 18 and the seat support pipe 19 are each made of individual round steel pipes. The left and right extension frames 18a are connected to the rear of the left and right seat frames 18, respectively. For example, a steel plate rear fender 26 is supported between the left and right extension frames 18a. A front seat 27 for the driver is supported on the left and right seat frames 18, and a rear seat 28 for the passenger is supported on the rear fender 26.

In a closed space 29 surrounded by the main frame 13, the middle frame 17, the down frame 14, the lower frame 15, and the pivot frame 16 in a side view, an engine (internal combustion engine) 12 that is a prime mover of the motorcycle 1 is mounted.
The engine 12 is an air-cooled in-line four-cylinder engine and has a configuration in which a cylinder portion 32 is erected above a front portion of a crankcase 31 that constitutes a lower portion thereof. The standing direction of the cylinder part 32 is slightly inclined forward with respect to the vertical direction.

The cylinder part 32 is formed by stacking a cylinder body 32a, a cylinder head 32b, and a head cover 32c in order from the crankcase 31 side. An intake system component is connected to the rear portion (intake side) of the cylinder head 32b, and an exhaust system component is connected to the front portion (exhaust side) of the cylinder head 32b.
The reciprocating motion of the pistons for the four cylinders in the cylinder body 32a is converted into the rotational motion of the crankshaft in the front portion of the crankcase 31, and after being decelerated and shifted through the transmission in the rear portion of the crankcase 31, the crankcase 31 is transmitted from the rear left side to the rear wheel 8 through the transmission mechanism 9a.
In front of the front seat 27, an electrical storage box 40 for storing various electrical components is arranged inside, imitating the appearance of a so-called teardrop type fuel tank.

  The fuel (gasoline) of the engine 12 is actually supplied to the rear closed space 29a below the front seat 27 and surrounded by the middle frame 17, the upper portion of the pivot frame 16, the seat frame 18 and the seat support pipe 19 in a side view. A fuel tank 70 for storage is arranged. Both the fuel tank 70 and the rear closed space 29a are formed in an inverted trapezoidal shape in a side view. The fuel supply operation to the fuel tank 70 can be performed by rotating the front seat 27 around the hinge shaft 27a below the front end portion.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 7, the fuel tank 70 has an opening 72a on the upper side of the vehicle body and covers (closes) the opening 72a from above and a container body 72 formed to a predetermined vertical depth. A substantially flat and flat lid plate body 73 provided in this manner is combined to form a hollow integrated tank body 71. The container body 72 and the cover plate body 73 are made of steel plates. In the figure, reference symbol CL denotes the vehicle body center line, reference symbol 71a denotes a single front mount bracket for supporting the front portion of the fuel tank 70 to the vehicle body frame 5, and reference symbol 71b denotes the rear portion of the fuel tank 70 to the vehicle body frame. 5 shows a pair of rear mounting brackets for support.
On the periphery of the open part 72a of the container body 72, a container-side joining flange 74 that rises upward is formed over the entire periphery. On the other hand, on the outer periphery of the lid plate 73, a lid-side joining flange 75 that rises upward is formed over the entire circumference. Each joining flange 74 and 75 is continuously joined by seam welding.

The seam welding means that a pair of seam rollers (roller electrodes) sandwich and pressurize the work welds and rotate the seam rollers to move the work welds relative to each other. This is an existing method of welding.
That is, in the tank body 71, as shown in FIG. 8A, in the state where the lid side joining flange 75 is fitted to the inner periphery of the container side joining flange 74 so as to overlap each other, these joining flanges 74, 75 is sandwiched between a pair of seam rollers R1 and R2 and is pressurized and energized, and the seam rollers R1 and R2 are rotated while the container body 72 and the lid plate body 73 are moved relative to each other. All-around welding of the joining flanges 74 and 75 is performed.

The container body 72 includes front and rear walls 72b and 72c inclined corresponding to the side view shape of the fuel tank 70, a lower wall 72d inclined rearwardly upward, and a left and right formed so that the lower part is displaced outward in the vehicle width direction. Side walls 72e and 72f are integrally provided. The front portions of the left and right side walls 72e, 72f are inclined so as to be located on the inner side in the vehicle width direction toward the front side. The container-side joining flange 74 and the open portion 72a are formed by continuously connecting the left and right side walls 72e and 72f and the upper edge portions of the front and rear walls 72b and 72c. The container-side joining flange 74 is formed in an annular shape having a certain vertical width and extending along a substantially horizontal plane.
A lower left concave portion 86 for avoiding the transmission mechanism 9a for connecting the engine 12 and the rear wheel 8 is formed on the lower left side of the container body 72 (a left divided body 77 to be described later), and a rear portion (rear wall) of the container body 72 is formed. 72 c) is formed with a rear recess 87 for avoiding the rear wheel 8. Note that both sides of the fuel tank 70 are covered with a side cover (not shown).

  Here, the container body 72 has a configuration in which the container body 72 is divided into left and right divided bodies 77 and 78 along a divided plane 76 that inclines upward in the rear view. The left divided body 77 integrally forms the lower left part, the left side wall 72e and the lower wall 72d of the front and rear walls 72b and 72c, and the right divided body 78 integrally forms the upper right part and the right side wall 72f of the front and rear walls 72b and 72c. The left and right divided bodies 77 and 78 are welded to each other on the dividing plane 76 to form an integral container body 72. Depending on the molding method of the container body 72, it may be integrally formed.

  4 to 6, a left bulging portion 77a formed by displacing the lower portion of the left side wall 72e outward in the vehicle width direction is formed on the outer side (left side) of the left divided body 77 in the vehicle width direction. On the outer side (right side) of 78 in the vehicle width direction, a right bulging portion 78a formed by displacing the lower portion of the right side wall 72f outward in the vehicle width direction is formed. The left bulging portion 77a projects outward in the vehicle width direction from the outer edge of the left middle frame 17 (and the left seat support pipe 19) in the rear view, and the right bulging portion 78a has the right middle frame 17 (and the right seat in the rear view). It protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction from the outer edge of the support pipe 19). As a result, the container body 72 (tank body 71) is formed to bulge downward in a rear view.

  The outer surfaces of the left and right bulging portions 77a and 78a (lower portions of the left and right side walls 72e and 72f) are formed in a flat shape substantially orthogonal to the left and right direction. The outer side surfaces of the left and right bulging portions 77a and 78a are located at the left and right outermost positions of the fuel tank 70, and are located at the same left and right positions as the left and right outermost sides of the vehicle body frame 5 (outer edges of the left and right lower frames 15). Further, the outer surfaces of the left and right bulging portions 77a and 78a are positioned inward in the left and right direction (vehicle width direction) from the outer ends of the left and right steps 79 on which the occupant's feet are placed (see FIGS. 4 and 5).

4 and 7, the lid plate body 73 is provided so as to be displaced below the lid side joining flange 75 that overlaps the inner peripheral side of the container side joining flange 74 and the lower end edge of the lid side joining flange 75. A substantially horizontal flat portion 73a is integrally formed. The top and bottom depth of the lid plate body 73 is sufficiently shallower than the top and bottom depth of the container body 72.
An oil supply cylinder 81 extending in the vertical direction is inserted and fixed on the front side of the left and right center of the flat portion 73a. At the upper end portion of the oil supply cylinder 81, a circular oil supply port in a top view is formed. For example, a screw-type tank cap (not shown) is detachably attached to the upper end portion of the oil supply cylinder 81. The tank cap can be opened and closed by rotating the front seat 27 about the hinge shaft 27a .

On the rear side of the center of the left and right sides of the flat portion 73a, there is an opening 82a formed in a circular shape when viewed from above and an annular fastening plate 82b fixed along the periphery of the opening 82a. Provided. Reinforcing convex beads 83 are appropriately formed on the left and right and front portions of the flat portion 73a.
The upper surface portion (lid plate body 73) of the tank main body 71 is formed in a tray shape surrounded by the lid-side joining flange 75, but the lid plate body 73 prevents the rainwater or the like from remaining on the upper surface portion. A concave drain portion 84 is formed on the left side (the same side as a side stand not shown). At the bottom surface of the drain portion 84, the upper end of the drain pipe 85 that passes through the left side portion of the tank body 71 opens. The lower end portion of the drain pipe 85 is disposed so as to protrude obliquely downward to the left from the outer surface of the lower left portion (lower left concave portion 86) of the tank body 71.

As described above, the fuel tank structure of the saddle-ride type vehicle in the above embodiment is the structure of the fuel tank 70 mounted on the motorcycle 1, and the fuel tank 70 has the open portion 72a on the vehicle body upper side. A hollow tank body 71 having a container body 72 and a lid plate body 73 that covers the open portion 72a from above the vehicle body. The periphery of the open portion 72a and the outer periphery of the lid plate body 73 Joining flanges 74 and 75 extending to the side are formed, and the joining tanks 74 and 75 are joined together to form the integral tank body 71.
According to this configuration, compared with the case where the joining flange is formed on the entire circumference of the tank so as to stand substantially perpendicularly from the outer surface, the tank capacity is not limited with respect to the tank arrangement space, and the fuel tank 70 is disposed inside the vehicle body frame 5. Even in the case of arrangement, the tank capacity can be increased as much as possible. Further, the fuel filler port, the fuel pump, and the like can be efficiently and concentratedly arranged on the flat lid plate body 73 as compared with the container body 72.

In the fuel tank structure, the joining flanges 74 and 75 are joined by seam welding.
According to this configuration, at the time of the seam welding, the seam roller is moved along the flat lid plate body 73, and the bulging portions 77a and 78a projecting outward from the opening portion 72a on the container body 72 are provided. Even when it is provided, interference between the container body 72 and the seam roller can be prevented, and the tank capacity can be increased.

Here, FIG. 8B shows a fuel tank 70 ′ as a comparative example (conventional example) of the fuel tank 70. The fuel tank 70 'forms a hollow tank body 71' by integrally welding a pair of container bodies 72 'and 73' having an open portion. Joining flanges (seam flanges) 74 ′ and 75 ′ along these mating surfaces (divided surfaces) are formed on the entire periphery of the open portion of each container body 72 ′ and 73 ′. Each joining flange 74 ', 75' is provided so as to stand substantially perpendicularly from the outer surface of the tank body 71 '.
In this case, when the bulging portion B1 projecting outward from the opening portions of the container bodies 72 ′ and 73 ′ is formed in the tank body 71 ′, the bulging portion B1 and at least one of the seam rollers R1 and R2 interfere with each other. Therefore, the bulging portion B1 cannot be formed, and the tank capacity cannot be increased.

The fuel tank structure includes a drain pipe 85 having an upper end opened on the upper surface surrounded by the joint flanges 74 and 75 in the lid plate body 73 and a lower end opened on the outer surface of the container body 72. is there.
According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent rainwater or the like from accumulating on the upper surface of the tank body 71 that is surrounded by the joint flanges 74 and 75 and has a tray shape.

Further, the fuel tank structure is such that the fuel tank 70 is surrounded by a frame member of the vehicle body frame 5 (the middle frame 17, the upper part of the pivot frame 16, the seat frame 18 and the seat support pipe 19) in the side view (rear part). It is disposed in the closed space 29a) and has bulging portions 77a and 78a that project from the frame member to the outside in the vehicle width direction as viewed from the rear.
According to this configuration, the tank capacity can be further increased while the fuel tank 70 is disposed inside the vehicle body frame 5.

In the fuel tank structure, the container body 72 is divided into left and right divided bodies 77 and 78, and at least one of the left and right divided bodies 77 and 78 is provided with a lower left recessed portion 86 for avoiding a vehicle functional component (transmission mechanism 9a). Is formed.
According to this structure, while preventing the influence on arrangement | positioning of a vehicle functional component, formation of the said lower left recessed part 86 can be made easy by dividing | segmenting the said container body 72 into right and left.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and for example, a recess for avoiding a rear suspension, an exhaust pipe, and the like other than the transmission mechanism 9a may be formed in the container body 72 of the fuel tank 70.
Here, the saddle-ride type vehicle includes all vehicles on which a driver rides across the vehicle body, and includes not only motorcycles but also three-wheel vehicles (front two-wheel and one rear-wheel vehicles in addition to front and rear two wheels). Or four-wheeled vehicles.
And the structure in the said embodiment is an example of this invention, A various change is possible in the range which does not deviate from the summary of the said invention.

1 Motorcycle (saddle-ride type vehicle)
9a Transmission mechanism (vehicle functional parts)
16 Pivot frame (frame member)
17 Middle frame (frame member)
18 Seat frame (frame member)
19 Seat support pipe (frame member)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 70 Fuel tank 71 Tank main body 72 Container body 72a Opening part 73 Cover plate body 74 Container side joining flange (joining flange)
75 Lid side flange (joint flange)
77, 78 Left and right divided bodies 77a, 78a Left and right bulges (bulges)
85 Drain pipe 86 Lower left recess (recess)

Claims (5)

In the structure of the fuel tank (70) mounted on the saddle-ride type vehicle (1),
The fuel tank (70) is a hollow body having a container body (72) having an open portion (72a) on one side of the vehicle body and a lid plate body (73) covering the open portion (72a) from the one side of the vehicle body. A tank body (71) is provided, and joint flanges (74, 75) extending to one side of the vehicle body are formed on the periphery of the open part (72a) and the outer periphery of the lid plate body (73), respectively. (74, 75) are joined together to form the integral tank body (71) ,
The opening portion (72a) is formed on the vehicle body upper side, the lid plate body (73) covers the opening portion (72a) from the vehicle body upper side, and the joint flanges (74, 75) extend to the vehicle body upper side. A fuel tank structure for a saddle-ride type vehicle.   The fuel tank structure for a saddle-ride type vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the joining flanges (74, 75) are joined together by seam welding. The lid plate body (73) has a drain pipe (85) having an upper end opened at an upper surface surrounded by the joining flanges (74, 75) and an outer surface opened at the outer surface of the container body (72). The fuel tank structure of a saddle-ride type vehicle according to claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that The fuel tank (70) is disposed in a portion (29a) surrounded by the frame members (16-19) of the vehicle body frame (5) in a side view, and from the frame members (16-19) in a rear view. The fuel tank structure for a saddle-ride type vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a bulging portion (77a, 78a) projecting outward in the vehicle width direction. The container body (72) is divided into left and right divided bodies (77, 78), and a recess (86) for avoiding the vehicle functional component (9a) is formed in at least one of the left and right divided bodies (77, 78). The fuel tank structure for a saddle-ride type vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , characterized in that:

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