JP6462193B2 - Rear combination light structure for motorcycles - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a structure for a small motorcycle rear combination light. This rear combination light structure consists of a taillight arranged under the taillight lens, left and right rear blinkers, a license light arranged outside the taillight lens, an inner license light cover, an outer clear lens, and an outer license light. Cover means. According to such a rear combination light structure, the heat dissipation of the license light is efficiently managed, the leakage of the license light is prevented, and a visually elegant, modern and sporty appearance is exhibited.

  US Pat. No. 8,439,535 discloses a rear combination light structure of the type in which the taillight and license light are covered with a taillight lens (typically a red lens) at the top and bottom. Illumination by the license light is projected downward toward the license plate, and is blocked behind by the shielding portion 71 formed in the tail light lens.

  In recent motorcycle designs, only the taillight is covered by the taillight lens, and the license light is covered by the outer clear lens along with the taillight lens. In order to achieve a sporty style, the outer clear lens needs to have a fashionable shape and be inclined upward. However, in the above-described prior art, the tail light lens does not show a trendy inclined shape, and it is not necessary to prevent the license light from leaking backward. This is because even if there is some leakage from the shielding part, the illumination of the license light can be seen as the illumination of the taillight.

  Accordingly, the present invention aims to provide a better structure for the trendy slanted design of rear combination lights, while at the same time solving the problem of license light leakage and heat dissipation.

  The present invention according to claim 1 is a rear combination light structure for a motorcycle, and is a case that can be attached to a rear end portion of a motorcycle to install at least a license light and a taillight. The light has a license light cover for blocking light in the rear direction, a case in which the tail light includes a red tail light lens, and an outer clear lens that covers the license light and the tail light together with the case, The license light is located at the front and lower position of the tail light, is not enclosed by the license light cover, and the license light cover means is attached to the rear of the clear lens to prevent the light of the license light from going backwards, License light cover means after motorcycle When viewed from, so there is no leakage of the license light illumination beyond the periphery of the license light cover means, characterized in that it comprises an inner rib provided around the license light.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the rear combination light structure according to the first aspect, the inner rib has an upper rib formed at an upper position on the inner surface of the license light cover means and a pair formed at a side position. The license light cover means further includes a window portion for allowing the license light illumination formed between the side ribs to pass to the license plate. .

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the rear combination light structure according to the first aspect, the license light cover is attached to the case so as to cover an upper portion, a rear portion, and a side portion of the license light. The lower end has a feature that it is separated from the inner surface of the outer clear lens.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the rear combination light structure according to the first aspect, in order to prevent leakage of license light illumination via the clear lens in a range where the license light cover means covers the clear lens, The clear lens has a feature including an opaque portion.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the rear combination light structure according to the first aspect, the motorcycle is disposed in front of the rear combination light structure and below a seat attached to the rear frame of the motorcycle. The storage box has a maintenance lid at the rear, the maintenance lid is movable to free up the front space of the rear combination light structure, the maintenance lid has a clip and is manually attached to the clip The maintenance lid is locked or unlocked by applying a finger force.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the rear combination light structure according to the fifth aspect, wherein the rear combination light structure has a plurality of positions located on an inner surface of the case for at least engaging with a rear end portion of the motorcycle. A plurality of attachment means, wherein the plurality of attachment means is removable by removing the maintenance lid and accessing the front space;

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the license light is located in front of the taillight and is positioned close to the license light cover, but is not enclosed, the problem of overheating does not occur. An inclined design with a clear lens is possible. Furthermore, the license light cover prevents projection of light to the rear, and light leakage is prevented by the inner rib even if the license light is not enclosed by the license light cover.

  According to the present invention disclosed in claim 2, the license light is prevented from leaking beyond the license light cover means by the plurality of inner rib structures formed on both the side and the upper part of the license light cover means. Thus, the license light comes out only at the window formed in the license light cover means. As a result, the observer does not see light leaking to the license light cover means in the vicinity, but appears to be in a very good state where the light is blocked, that is, the light is prevented from proceeding. Thus, the inner rib is formed on the content surface of the license light cover means, and the design of the rear combination light structure can have a steep slope.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the license light cover covers a portion other than the lower end portion or the lower region of the license light light source (for example, the license light bulb). Beyond the rear combination light structure, it can be blocked from being emitted in an undesired direction such as upward, lateral and backward directions. Further, the heat between the lower end portion of the license light cover and the inner surface of the outer clear lens spreads to other parts of the rear combination light structure, so that the license light light source can be prevented from being overheated.

  According to the present invention disclosed in claim 4, it is possible to sufficiently prevent the leakage of the license light by attaching the license light cover means, and to further prevent the leakage of the license light by the opaque portion of the outer clear lens. it can. Considering these together, the opaque part of the outer clear lens and the license light cover means are very effective in preventing leakage of the license light from the rear combination light structure (for example, 100% effective or substantially 100%). % Effective).

  According to the present invention disclosed in claim 5, the maintenance person can quickly and easily remove the maintenance lid, and it is not necessary to remove the cover element of the rear combination light structure itself, and the license light source for maintenance purposes. Can be accessed. Furthermore, the clip can be removed by manual finger force, and no maintenance tool is required. Thus, the maintenance of the rear combination light structure is quick and easy.

  According to the invention disclosed in claim 6, since a plurality of attachment means are accessible in one area, area, or spatial volume, where the license light source is maintained, the maintenance and removal of such attachment means. Is quicker and easier. Furthermore, since a plurality of attachment means are arranged in this space volume, the range of design options for other parts of the rear combination light structure is expanded.

1 is a left side view of a typical motorcycle equipped with a rear combination light structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a rear view showing a part of the motorcycle shown in FIG. The left perspective view of the rear combination light structure concerning one embodiment of the present invention. Rear view of rear combination light structure according to one embodiment of the present invention The front view of the rear combination light structure according to one embodiment of the present invention and the inner surface toward the front thereof The perspective view of the license light cover means of the rear combination light structure based on one Embodiment of this invention. The front view of the outer clear lens of the rear combination light structure based on one Embodiment of this invention 1 is an exploded perspective view of a rear combination light structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a perspective view of a removable maintenance lid that allows maintenance access to the interior of a storage box and a portion of a rear combination light structure according to one embodiment of the present invention. The perspective view which shows the structure which attaches a rear combination light structure to the cover member of the motorcycle based on one Embodiment of this invention especially. Left sectional view of the rear combination light structure along line AA in FIG. FIG. 9 is a left sectional view of the rear combination light structure along the line BB in FIG. 8, and shows a state of manual maintenance access to the front space constituted by the rear combination light structure. Left sectional view of the rear combination light structure along line CC in FIG. Left sectional view of the rear combination light structure along line DD in FIG. Left sectional view of the rear combination light structure along line EE in FIG.

  For the sake of brevity and clarity, an exemplary embodiment of a rear combination light structure for a saddle-type or saddle-type vehicle such as a motorcycle will be described below with reference to FIGS. In general, a motorcycle 10 having a rear combination light structure 300 according to the present invention is a scooter type, underbone type or similar type saddle type in a manner readily understood by those skilled in the relevant art. / A structural element / feature corresponding to a saddle-ride type vehicle or indicating such a structural element / feature. However, those skilled in the art will further recognize that the rear combination light combination light structure 300 according to one embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this type of motorcycle 10.

  1 and 2, the motorcycle 10 includes a seat 50 on which a driver can sit. This seat extends rearward from the center of the motorcycle 10 and is behind the driver. Can sit down. The motorcycle includes a storage box 60 disposed below the seat 50. As shown in FIG. 8, the storage box 60 includes a container 61, and an object can be stored in and taken out from the container. The rearmost part of the container 61 has a substantially U-shaped shape. As shown in FIG. 1, the seat 50 can be swung between a closed position and an open position. When the seat 50 is in the closed position, the seat 50 covers the storage box 60, and the seat 50 is in the open position. In this case, the storage box 60 is exposed. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 11, the storage box 60 includes a removable maintenance lid 70 that can be slidably attached to the rear surface 64 of the container 61. By removing the maintenance lid 70, the front space 301 formed by the rear combination light structure 300 can be accessed for maintenance purposes.

  In the illustrated embodiment, the motorcycle 10 includes a lower structural frame that includes a down tube or front frame pipe 32 that connects to the steering head pipe 30. A pair of lower frame pipes 34L and R (not shown) and a pair of lower cross pipes 36L and R (not shown) extend from the front frame pipe 32 to a corresponding pair of rear frame pipes 38L and 38R. The pair of rear frame pipes 38 </ b> L, R, that is, the rear frame 38 of the motorcycle has a cross pipe 40 extending between the left and right pipes below the front portion of the seat 50 at the center of the motorcycle 10. A rear end 42 extending between the left and right pipes upward and rearward at the distal end of the rear end. Accordingly, the rear end portion 42 forms the rearmost portion of the rear frame 38 of the motorcycle. As will be described in detail later, the rear combination light structure 300 is attached to the rear end portion 42 and other portions of the motorcycle 10.

  The engine unit 90 is swingably attached to the motorcycle 10, and includes a cylinder head 92 and a cylinder block 91, and a combustion chamber is formed therein. Propulsive force or driving force is generated by the engine unit 90 and transmitted to the rear wheel 120 carrying the rear tire 122. The rear wheel 120 is supported by the rear axle 125, and the wheel 120 rotates around the axle in response to the propulsive force. In particular, the propulsive force of the engine is transmitted to the rear wheel 120 by a crankshaft rotating around the crankshaft shaft 95 and a continuously variable transmission (CVT) 110 having a belt converter or belt drive shaft 115. The belt converter 110 is disposed on the left side of the engine unit 90. An air cleaner 100 for filtering air is connected to the engine unit 90, and the air cleaner is disposed on the belt converter 110. An exhaust stack 130 extends from the engine unit 90 and is coupled to a muffler 132 located on the right side of the engine unit 90 in a manner readily understood by those skilled in the relevant art.

  A pair of rear cushions 144L and R are connected between the rear frame pipe 38 and the engine unit 90, and absorb the vibration of the road when the motorcycle 10 moves. That is, the engine unit 90 is supported so as to be swingable on the frame. The motorcycle 10 further includes a rear grip 146 disposed behind the seat 50 that can be held by the passenger. A rear fender 140 is disposed below the seat 50 and on the rear tire 122 behind the rear tire 122. The rear fender 140 is intended to prevent splashing and debris on the road flying from the rear tire 122. The rear fender 140 carries the rear license plate 20 and directs the license illumination to the rear license plate by the rear combination light structure 300 as further described below. In addition, a reflector assembly or reflector 25 is above the license plate 20 and below the rear combination light structure 300. The motorcycle 10 further includes a main stand 54 and a side stand 56 on the left side of the motorcycle 10 for supporting the motorcycle 10 when the motorcycle 10 is parked.

  The steering head pipe 30 supports the front fork 150 with respect to the front portion of the motorcycle 10. An external front fork 152 is connected to the front fork 150 and supports the front axle 155. The front axle 155 supports the front wheel 160 that carries the front tire 162. A front fender 164 is disposed on the front tire 162. A steering handle pipe 30 is connected to the front fork 150 and extends upward from the front fork. A pair of handle grips 170L, R (not shown) are attached to the steering handle pipe 30. The driver grasps the handle grips 170L and R (not shown), turns the handle grip around the steering shaft, and rotates the front fork 150, the front axle 155, and the front wheel 160 to the left and right. Control the running direction of the motorcycle.

  The motorcycle 10 further includes a front brake mechanism such as a front disc brake, and includes a front brake disc or rotor 153 and a front brake caliper 154 that can be selectively engaged with the front brake disc 153. When the driver operates a front brake lever 172R (not shown) disposed in front of the right hand grip 170R (not shown), a braking force is applied to reduce the speed of the motorcycle 10. The corresponding rear brake lever 172L is disposed in front of the left hand grip 170L, and the driver can selectively operate the rear brake mechanism.

  As will be further described below, the motorcycle 10 further includes various panels and covers that are superimposed on the inside of the motorcycle 10 to provide an appearance of the motorcycle 10. In particular, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 2 and FIGS. 8 to 9, a pair of rear side covers 206 </ b> L and R are arranged below the seat 50, and the upper rear cover 208 is behind the motorcycle 10 and the rear side covers 206 </ b> L and R It is arranged at the upper rear part and below the rear grip 146. As shown in FIG. 9 and FIGS. 12A to 12B, the cover means 212 is disposed at the center immediately before the rear grip 146 and extends between the left and right portions of the upper rear cover 208.

  The pair of rear side covers 206L, R is a large or steep slope, curve, or angle from the center of the motorcycle 10 under the seat 50 to the rear of the motorcycle 10 (for example, a standard that defines a horizontal direction of 0 °). According to typical counterclockwise angle measurements, it extends upward (at a positive angle from the horizontal) and is intended to be a visually fluent, modern and sporty design. The rear combination light structure 300 is attached to the rear part of the pair of rear side covers 206L, R below the upper rear cover 208 of the motorcycle 10. The rearmost portion of the upper rear cover 208 is in contact with or connected to the upper rearmost portion of the rear combination light structure 300 at the rear top portion 315 of the motorcycle 10 or substantially at the rear top portion. As shown in FIG. 2, the lower surface of the rear rear side of the rear combination light structure 300 has a lower boundary, and is a partner that visually complements the steep slope, curve, and angle through which the pair of rear side covers 206L, R extend. The side part has a correspondingly steep slope, curve, angle 305 extending or tapering. Therefore, when the rear combination light structure 300 is attached to the motorcycle 10, the shape or contour of the rear combination light structure 300 does not impair the elegant, modern and sporty design of the motorcycle, but rather supports such a design, Emphasize and strengthen. The structural aspects of the rear combination light structure 300 that result in a steep slope design will be described in detail later.

  The motorcycle 10 further includes a pair of front step floor panels 200L, R (not shown) for providing a pair of step floors 202L, R (not shown) for supporting the driver's legs, and a front step floor panel. 200L, and a pair of lower undercovers 204L, R disposed under R (not shown). A pair of rear step covers 205L, R (not shown) are arranged under the rear side covers 206L, R, from which a pair of rear passenger steps 52L, R for supporting the passenger's legs can be accessed ( For example, it can be extended so that it can be folded.

  A center cover 216 is disposed below the seat 50 and adjacent to and in front of the rear side covers 206L and 206R. The center cover 216 includes an opening (not shown) formed in front of the seat 50, and a fuel lid (not shown) that can be pivotally opened / closed is attached to the opening. A pair of front side covers 218L and R (not shown) are arranged in front of a part of the rear side covers 206L and R under the center cover 216. The motorcycle 10 further includes a pair of leg shields 220L disposed adjacent to and in front of the front side covers 218L, R (not shown) on the front portions of the front step floor panels 200L, R (not shown). , R, and protects the driver's legs when the driver gets on the motorcycle 10.

  The motorcycle 10 further includes an inner cover 222 disposed adjacent to and in front of the center cover 216 and adjacent to the front side covers 218L and R (not shown). It is a cover that overlaps a specific part of the structure frame of the motorcycle that faces the hand. The rear handle cover 224 extends over the inner cover 222, and the front handle cover 226 covers the steering handle pipe 30. The handle grips 170L and R (not shown) are disposed slightly behind the front handle cover 226.

  The front cover 230 is attached to the front of the inner cover 222 adjacent to the front cover 230. The front cover 230 extends in front of the front handle cover 226 and is above the leg shields 220L and R and substantially across the width of the motorcycle. . The front cover 230 is inclined downward when viewed from the side. The front cover 230 is provided with an opening or a gap for carrying a removable front hood 234, and the headlight unit 236 is located below the opening or gap. The headlight unit 236 constitutes left and right headlights and left and right front blinkers of the motorcycle.

  As shown in FIGS. 3-5, 7 and 9-12B, the rear combination light structure 300 includes a case 302 that carries a taillight or taillight illumination unit 320, a taillight lens 330, and a pair of rear winkers. 340L, R, a license light or license light illumination unit 350, an inner license light cover 360, an outer clear lens 370, and an outermost outer license light cover means 400. The case 302 includes a front surface 304 that faces the front of the motorcycle 10 when attached, and a rear surface 306 that faces the rear of the motorcycle 10 when attached.

  The taillight illumination unit 320 is centrally located within the upper portion of the case 302 and, in some embodiments, is placed on an extension 310 that extends horizontally in the width direction within the case 302. The taillight illumination unit 320 includes a taillight circuit board 322 and a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) 324 that function as a taillight illumination source. The taillight illumination unit 320 and the taillight lens 330 are arranged such that the taillight lens 330 covers the taillight illumination unit 320 and the taillight illumination unit 320 is inside or inside the taillight lens 330 (eg, generally Attached to the case 302 inside the inside of the tail light lens 330 (that is, inside). Specifically, the tail light illumination unit 320 and the tail light lens 330 are arranged in the case 302 so as to cross the upper left and upper right portions of the first fastener set 600a, b (for example, a pair of screws). Install by etc. In order to attach in this way, the tail light circuit board 322 may include a pair of openings 323L and R (not shown). The taillight lens 330 is further attached to the case 302 directly below the taillight illumination unit 320 via a downward protrusion 332 or the like that engages a second set of fasteners 602 (eg, screws). As shown in FIG. 4, in various embodiments, the taillight lens 330 extends laterally across the top of the rear surface 306 of the rear combination light structure 300 when mounted.

  Power for operating the LED 324 is transferred to the taillight circuit board 322 via the taillight electrical input 327. The tail light electrical input is carried by the case 302 as shown in FIG. When the LED 324 is activated, the light generated by the LED is transmitted rearward through the taillight lens 330, and taillight illumination is generated. The taillight lens 330 is normally or in principle always red so that the taillight illumination is observable or observed as red taillight illumination as universally required by law.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 to 5 and 9, the pair of rear winkers 340 </ b> L and R are disposed symmetrically below the tail light lens 330 on the left and right sides of the case 302. The pair of rear winkers 340L and 340R includes a pair of winker bulbs 342L and R and a corresponding pair of winker light reflectors configured to reflect light emitted from the winker bulbs 342L and R across a certain range of the rear direction. 344L, R. In some embodiments, the blinker bulbs 342L, R are carried by corresponding blinker bulb sockets 346L, R that attach to the front surface 304 of the case 302 and provide power to the bulbs. In some embodiments, the blinker bulb sockets 346L, R are, for example, in a thread (not shown) carried by a portion of the outer surface of the socket and an opening formed in the front surface 304 of the case 302 (not shown). It is engageable / detachable so as to be detachably fixed or screwable to the case 302 via a thread (not shown) on the other side carried. The pair of rear winkers 340L and 340R further includes at least one rear winker lens (not shown). The rear winker lens is normally or legally required to be yellow or orange, and in response to this, the winker illumination output from the pair of rear winkers 340L and 340R looks yellow or orange to the observer. To do.

  Referring to FIGS. 4 to 5 and 9 to 10, the license lighting unit 350 is formed on the front surface 304 of the case 302, for example, a license light illumination light source such as a license light bulb 352 that outputs the license light illumination when activated. A license that engages the case 302 and the center near the lower center or in the lower center in the same or similar manner (e.g., attached by a screw thread) to the winker bulb sockets 346L, R through the license light bulb socket opening 314 Electrical connection parts such as a light bulb socket 354. Electric power is transmitted to the license light bulb 352 by this electrical connecting portion. The license light bulb socket 354 and the case 302 are attached to and detached from the front space 301 formed by the rear combination light structure 300 by manual access, which will be described in detail later with reference to FIGS. To do. As best seen in FIGS. 5, 9 and 10, the case 302 further retains and / or unidirectionally holds electrical wiring that provides power to the taillight lighting unit 320, the rear blinkers 340 </ b> L, R, and the license light lighting unit 350. And a wiring washer 308 having an edge or fringe portion configured to be routed.

  Unlike the prior art, the license lighting unit 350 is outside or outside the taillight lens 330. Further, the license light illumination unit 350 is not disposed behind the tail light illumination unit 320. Instead, the license light illumination unit 350 is disposed in front of the tail light illumination unit 320, and when this configuration is attached to the motorcycle 10, the lower boundary line of the rear combination light structure 300 is as described above. It is a structural feature that directly contributes to the ability to have steep slopes, curves, and angles.

  Specifically, in some embodiments, the license light unit 350 is disposed below the extension 310 of the case 302. The license light bulb 352 can be used for license light illumination (eg, a wide wavelength spectrum) over a wide or very wide angular range, eg, hemispherical, generally hemispherical, or partially hemispherical around a central or longitudinal axis. (Or white light). The inner license light cover 360 does not enclose the license light bulb 352 and in some embodiments forms a cover that partially covers the license light bulb 352 except in a lower portion or region thereof. The inner license light cover 360 prevents or blocks the license light illumination emitted from the license light bulb 352 from being transmitted upward beyond the inner license light cover 360 and from being transmitted directly and substantially directly to the rear. However, it has a shape such that the license light illumination is transmitted toward the license plate 20 of the motorcycle within a predetermined angle range in the downward direction. Thus, the inner license light cover 360 significantly or greatly limits license light leakage in a plurality of undesirable directions. The inner surface of the inner license light cover 360 is reflective so that the license light illumination output by the license light bulb 352 in the upward / substantially upward direction can be reflected more strongly downward to the license plate 20. . As a result, the license light illumination on the license plate 20 becomes stronger, and the visibility of the license plate at night increases.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the inner license light cover 360 includes attachment means 362 and is attached to the case 302 through the use of screws (not shown) or the like. As shown in FIG. 10, in various embodiments, the central longitudinal cross section of the inner license light cover 360 has a generally J shape as shown in FIG. An extending portion 364, a downwardly extending portion 366 disposed behind the license bulb 352, and a lower end 368 extending short forward at the end of the downwardly extending portion 366 can be provided. The lower end 368 is separated from the inner surface of the outer clear lens 370, and the heat generated by the license light illumination unit 350 is spread and dissipated to the other inner portion of the rear combination light structure 300, so that the license light illumination Overheating of the unit (e.g. overheating of the license bulb) is prevented or easily prevented.

  The outer clear lens 370 serves as a cover member that covers the rear surface 306 of the rear combination light structure 300, through which the tail light illumination, the blinker illumination, and the license light illumination pass through the transparent or translucent portion. It is transmitted. As shown in FIGS. 6B and 10B, the upper portion 372 of the outer clear lens 370 extends rearward by a predetermined distance beyond the rear end portion of the taillight lens 330 to the rear combination light structure top portion 315. The outer surface 373 of the lens 370 overlies the tail light lens 330 in a downward curve along a steep forward slope or angle from the top 315. In particular, the outer surface 373 is curved to cover the side regions of the pair of rear winkers 340L, R, and further to cover the central portion of the license lighting unit 350. In this portion, an opaque portion 371 is formed so that the light output from the license illumination unit 350 does not leak. When the outer clear lens 370 extends from the top and rear of the rear combination light structure top 315 along the steep slope, curve, and angle, the rear combination light is viewed from the side and the back. It serves as the basis that enables visual recognition of the flowing, modern and sporty outer contours of the structure, ie it serves as such.

  The outer clear lens 370 includes an upper protrusion 376 and a plurality of peripheral protrusions 378a to 378g, and engages with the case 302 by these. Specifically, the upper protrusion 376 is designed to engage and snugly fit by hook means in the upper receiving portion 316 of the case 302 above the taillight lens 330, and each peripheral protrusion. 378a-g are designed to engage and slip fit with peripheral receiving portions 318a-g which are counterparts of case 302. Further, the upper projecting portion 376 is formed with a receiving portion 377, which is engaged with the hook portion 209 of the upper rear cover 208 by a method as shown in FIG. 11 so that the upper rear cover 208 is easily held in the rear combination light structure 300. .

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6A, the outer license light cover means 400 includes a substantially triangular outer cover surface 410 extending downward toward the lower end portion 402 connected to the outer clear lens 370 and having a gradient. The left and right arm portions 414L and R extend forward along the outer cover surface 410 and are connected to the outer clear lens 370. The uppermost end portion 415 extends upward and rearward, corresponds to the shape of the outer clear lens 370, and is connected to the left and right arm portions 414L, R. The left and right attachment portions 404L, R of the outer license light cover means 400 extend forward from the lower end portion 402 and are coupled to the lower end portion. A third set of fasteners 604a, b (eg, a pair of screws) is inserted through the left and right mounting portions 404L, R in a manner such as that shown in FIGS. The cover means 400 may be attached to the left and right first lower side attachment portions 390L, R of the case 302 and engaged with the outer license light cover means 400.

  As shown in FIG. 6A and others, the outer cover surface 410 further includes a downward-facing license light illumination opening or window 420 formed in a lower portion of the outer cover surface 410, which exits the rear combination light structure 300. A predetermined or limited angular range is obtained for the license light illumination to pass and move downward toward the license plate 20. In the illustrated embodiment, the license light illumination window 420 is disposed in the lower region of the outer license light cover means 400 and near its lower end 402. In various embodiments, the size of the license light illumination window 420 and the distance between the license light illumination window 420 and the top of the license plate 20 can be determined by the license light illumination as shown in FIG. After exiting, it is adjusted so as to spread over the entire width of the upper part of the license plate 20.

  Even if the movement direction of the license light illumination generated by the license light bulb 352 is significantly or greatly limited by the shape of the inner license light cover 360, not all such license light illuminations pass through the license light illumination window 420. . License light illumination that does not pass through the license light illumination window 420 can be defined as stray license light illumination that is reflected and / or scattered by certain internal elements of the rear combination light structure 300 to cause leakage of the license light. It can happen. Such a leakage of the license light can occur as (a) an internal license light leakage, and in this case, the stray license light illumination is the upper partition area 311 of the rear combination light structure 300 where the tail light lens 330 is located. Moving or leaking into another lighting element, such as, and / or (b) can occur as external lighting leakage, in which case the stray license light illumination is around the outer license light cover means 400 And will leak directly to the environment outside the rear combination light structure 300.

  Specifically, the output of the license light illumination in a limited range in the downward direction via the inner license light cover 360 moves to the outer clear lens 370. A part of the license light illumination is reflected or guided inwardly in the outer clear lens 370 in the rear combination light structure 300 as the stray license light illumination in the upward, backward and / or downward and forward directions. Further, a predetermined amount of the stray license light illumination moves to the inner surface of the outer license light cover means 400 in the vicinity of the license light illumination window 420, that is, (a) the outer clear lens. Reflected and / or scattered sideways up and back and / or down and / or forward to 370 and / or (b) the periphery of the outer license light cover means 400. A portion of the stray license light illumination reflected / scattered from the inner surface of the outer license light cover means 400 to the outer clear lens 370 is transferred between the inner surface of the outer license light cover means 400 and the outer clear lens 370 a plurality of times. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that they may be reflected and / or reflected or guided inward along each portion of the outer clear lens 370 upon reaching the outer clear lens 370. A series of structures and / or structural features for preventing the leakage of license lights due to such stray license light illumination will be described in detail below.

  In view of the above, the outer clear lens 370 and the outer license light cover means 400 have structural features that prevent internal and external license light leakage due to reflection and / or scattering of stray license light illumination. In particular, as shown in FIGS. 6B and 7, the outer clear lens 370 includes an opaque region, portion, and range 371, and the outer license light cover means 400 is shown in FIGS. 4 and 6A in order to prevent license light leakage. Inner rib structures 450L, R, 460 as shown.

  The opaque portion 371 of the outer clear lens 370 extends at least over the area where the outer license light cover means 400 covers the outer clear lens 370, and in some embodiments, as shown in FIG. The clear lens 370 spreads laterally beyond the left and right sides. This opaque portion 371 may include (a) one or more coatings applied to the inner and / or outer surface of the clear lens 370 and / or (b) a surface texturing element (e.g., small dimples). ) / Pits / indentations and / or ridges / projections). Such coatings and / or structural features can be placed on the opaque portion 371 in accordance with one or more surface patterning patterns in a manner readily understood by those skilled in the art. The opaque portion 371 can attenuate or randomly scatter the incident light. Therefore, the stray license light illumination incident on the opaque portion 371 can be changed inside the rear combination light structure 300. The possibility of moving to other lighting elements is greatly reduced.

  For the outer license light cover means 400, a pair of side inner rib structures 450L, R are arranged on the left and right sides, and an upper inner rib structure 460 is arranged on the upper part thereof. The side inner rib structures 450L, R and the upper inner rib structure 460 extend away from the inner surface of the outer license light cover means 400. Specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, the lateral inner rib structures 450L, R have shapes such as or substantially like the mathematical “greater than symbol” and “less than symbol”, and the outer license. Extending forward from the inner surface of the light cover means 400. The upper inner rib structure 460 is disposed slightly below the uppermost end 415 over the upper portions of the side inner rib structures 450L and R, and as shown in FIG. 4, has an inverted V shape or a substantially inverted V shape. Has the shape of a mold. As shown in FIGS. 6B and 10, the upper inner rib structure and the side inner rib structures 450L, R are fitted into the upper rib concave portion 379a and the side rib concave portions 379b, c formed in the outer clear lens 370, respectively. . The side inner rib structures 450L, R and the upper inner rib structure 460 block the stray license light illumination moving toward the peripheral boundary of the outer license light cover means 400 from reaching such a boundary. The side inner rib structures 450L, R and the upper inner rib structure 460 prevent the license light from leaking to the outside around the boundary of the outer license light cover means 400.

  Referring to FIG. 5, the case 302 includes a plurality of ventilation or ventilation elements, making temperature management or heat dissipation of the rear combination light structure easy or efficient. In the illustrated embodiment, the ventilation element comprises an upper ventilation structure 380 a corresponding to the taillight lighting unit 320 and a lower ventilation structure 380 b corresponding to the license light lighting unit 350, thereby warm air from the rear combination light structure 300. Are exhausted or expelled and cooler air is drawn into the rear combination light structure 300. Each vent structure 380a, b includes a corresponding vent cap that may include a filter (eg, a paper filter) therein, and dust and dirt particles within the case 302 in a manner readily understood by those skilled in the art. Is designed not to enter.

  The rear end 42 of the rear frame 38 provides a strong and stable structural support to which the rear combination light structure 300 and several other rear elements of the motorcycle 10 can be attached, as described in detail below. The rear combination light structure 300 can be coupled or engaged with a specific rear element of the motorcycle 10 in a cooperative manner.

  A case 302 having a rear combination light structure is attached to the rear end portion 42, the rear fender 140, and the pair of rear side covers 206L and 206R. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, the case 302 and the central shaft portion 148 of the rear grip 146 are firmly attached to the rear end portion 42 by a fourth set of fasteners 608 such as mounting bolts. It is done. More specifically, the rear end 42 includes an upper mounting opening or recess 43 disposed in the center thereof. In addition, an upper mounting portion 303 such as an opening is provided in the upper center portion of the case 302, and a lower partition in front of the upper partition region 311 where the tail light illumination unit 320 is located and where the license light illumination unit 350 is located. Arranged at the top of the region 313. A frame attachment portion 147 such as an opening is provided at the lower portion of the shaft portion 148 of the rear grip. The upper attachment portion 303, the frame attachment portion 147, and the rear grip 146 of the case 302 are fixed to the rear end portion 42 of the rear frame 38 by the fourth fastener set 608. The upper rear frame member can be positioned in the upper mounting recess 43.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 11, the rear end portion 42 is provided with a lower attachment portion 44 disposed at the center thereof, and the rear fender 140 is firmly attached thereto by a fifth fastener set 610 such as a bolt. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 12A, the case 302 includes a pair of second lower side attachment portions 392L and R, and a rear fender 140 disposed inside the pair of first lower side attachment portions 390L and R. The case 302 can be securely attached to the rear fender 140 by a sixth pair of fasteners 612a, b such as a pair of bolts.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 3, 5, and 7, the case 302 includes a pair of lower side attachment portions 394 </ b> L and 394 </ b> R and engages with a pair of rear side covers 206 </ b> L and R disposed outside the front surface 304. As shown in FIG. 9, the case 302 can be attached to the pair of rear side covers 206L, R by a seventh set of fasteners 614a (not shown), b, as shown in FIG. It is. The case 302 further includes a first pair of intermediate side attachment portions 398L, R for engaging with the pair of rear side covers 206L, R, and thereby, FIG. 3, FIG. 5, FIG. As shown in FIG. 10, the case 302 can be further fixed to the pair of rear side covers 206L and 206R.

  In addition, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 10, the case 302 includes a second pair of central side attachment portions 396 </ b> L and R for engaging with the upper rear cover 208. The upper rear cover 208 is attached to the case 302 by a set of eighth fasteners 616a and 616b such as a pair of screws, which can be positioned with respect to the side attachment portions 210L and 210R and is shown in FIG. As further shown in FIG. 9, a cover means 212 is provided to conceal the fourth fastener 608 of the upper rear cover 208, and the cover means is a pair for engaging the upper rear cover 208 (eg, with a pair of screws). Mounting parts 213L and R are further provided. Finally, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 12C, the rear grip 146 includes a pair of front side attachment portions 149L and R, whereby the rear grip 146 is attached to the substantially U-shaped rear protrusion of the storage box 60. 66 and the rear frame 38 are securely attached. The substantially U-shaped rear protrusion 66 includes a pair of rear attachment portions 67L and R formed in a recess shape, and is a recess for receiving the pair of front side attachment portions 149L and R. Through a ninth set of fasteners 618L, R such as a pair of bolts, it comes into contact with a protruding portion 41 protruding upward from the rear frame 38.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 and 11, when the rear combination light structure 300 is attached to the motorcycle 10, the rear combination light structure is disposed just behind the storage box 60. Specifically, in a plan view, the front surface 304 of the case 302 has a substantially U-shaped outline, and is stored in front of the front surface 304 of the case 302 behind the rear inner surface 64 of the storage box container 61. The substantially U-shaped rear protrusion 66 of the box 60 is covered.

  The storage box 60 includes a removable or removable maintenance lid 70 that forms a removable portion of the rear inner surface 64 of the storage box container 61. In various embodiments as shown in FIG. 8 and the like, the rear inner surface 64 of the storage box 60 carries a pair of guide structures 65L, R along which the left and right end portions 75 of the maintenance lid slide upward. It is movably movable and is used for inserting and removing the maintenance lid 70 of the storage box 60.

  The maintenance lid 70 includes an upper central opening 72, and the U-shaped rearward projecting portions 64 of the storage box 60 are positioned relative to each other when the maintenance lid 70 is completely inserted into the storage box 60. A clip aperture 68 is provided. Correspondingly, the storage box 60 and the maintenance lid 70 can be inserted into the upper central opening 72 of the maintenance lid 70 and the clip opening 68 of the U-shaped rearward projecting portion 64 of the storage box 60. Clip 76 having a pair of leg members 78a, 78b. When the maintenance lid 70 is completely inserted into the storage box 60, the leg members 78a, 78 and the U-shaped rear protrusion 64 are engaged with each other. The maintenance lid 70 can be fixed in place. In various embodiments, a part of the clip 76 is made of an elastically deformable or compressible material, and the clip 76 can be easily removed manually from the U-shaped rear protrusion 62 and the maintenance lid 70 by finger force or pressure. It is. For example, the clip 76 includes a head portion 77 that can be manually pressed / compressed by finger pressure so that the pair of leg members 78a and 78b can be released or removed from the U-shaped rearward projecting portion 62. 68 and the clip 76 can be pulled out from the upper central opening 72 of the maintenance lid 70. As a result, the maintenance lid 70 can be quickly and easily removed and replaced without using tools.

  The above-described front space 301 formed by the case 302 includes (a) a front surface 304 of the case 302, (b) a rear inner surface of the U-shaped rear protrusion 66, and (c) a rear surface of the maintenance lid 70. Or as a spatial volume between the rear inner surface 62 of the storage box 60 that is effectively equivalent. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 11, when the maintenance lid 70 is removed from the storage box 60, a person (for example, a maintenance person) can insert the hand 5 into the front space 301, and the license light bulb socket for maintenance purposes. 354 can be accessed. The license light bulb socket 354 can be quickly and easily removed from the case 302 and replaced by applying a twisting force with a finger.

  In view of the above, the combination of the rear combination light structure 300 and the removable maintenance lid 70 allows the license light bulb 352 to be maintained quickly and easily without the use of tools. Furthermore, as best seen in FIGS. 5 and 9, the plurality of attachment portions of the rear combination light structure 300 are easily accessible in the front space 301. In particular, first lower side attachment portions 390L, R for attaching the outer license light cover means 400 to the case 302 and second lower side attachment portions 392L, R for attaching the rear combination light structure 300 to the fender 140, Are easily accessible in the front space 301, making maintenance access easier and faster. In addition, since such attachment parts 390L, R, 392L, R are arranged in the front space 301, other parts of the rear combination light structure 300 such as other attachment parts for a specific motorcycle part. The design options for positioning are expanded.

  Various embodiments of the present invention solve at least one of the problems, limitations and / or disadvantages associated with existing motorcycle rear combination light structures. Although some features and / or advantages associated with some embodiments have been described, other embodiments may exhibit such features and / or advantages. Moreover, it is not necessary for all embodiments within the scope of the following claims to exhibit such features and / or advantages. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that some of the above-described structures, elements, components or alternatives may be combined as desired with other different structures, elements or components within the scope of the following claims. Will be done. In addition, those skilled in the art can make various modifications, changes, and / or improvements to the embodiments described herein. Embodiments according to the invention are limited only by the following claims.

Claims (6)

A rear combination light structure for a motorcycle,
A case (302) attachable to a rear end (42) of the motorcycle for installing at least a license light (352) and a tail light (320), wherein the license light A case comprising a license light cover (360) for blocking light output in the direction, wherein the taillight comprises a red taillight lens (330);
An outer clear lens (370) covering the license light (352) and the taillight (320) together with the case (302),
The license light (352) is located in front of and below the tail light (320) and is not enclosed by the license light cover (360),
In order to prevent the light of the license light (352) from moving backward, a license light cover means (400) is attached to the rear of the clear lens (370),
The license light cover means (400)
An inner rib provided around the license light (352) so that there is no leakage of license light illumination beyond the periphery of the license light cover means (400) when the motorcycle is viewed from the rear side. 450, 460), a rear combination light structure.   The inner ribs (450, 460) include an upper rib (460) formed at the upper position of the inner surface of the license light cover means (400) and a pair of side ribs (450) formed at the side positions. A window for allowing the license light cover means (400) to further pass the license light illumination formed between the side ribs (450) to the license plate (20). The rear combination light structure according to claim 1, further comprising a portion (420).   The license light cover (360) is attached to the case (302) so as to cover an upper portion, a rear portion, and a side portion of the license light (352), and a lower end portion (368) of the license light cover (360). The rear combination light structure according to claim 1, wherein the rear combination light structure is spaced apart from an inner surface of the outer clear lens (370).   The outer clear lens (370) is opaque to prevent leakage of license light illumination via the clear lens (370) in a range where the license light cover means (400) covers the clear lens (370). The rear combination light structure according to claim 1, comprising a portion (371).   The motorcycle includes a storage box (60) disposed in front of the rear combination light structure and below a seat (50) attached to a rear frame (38) of the motorcycle. The storage box (60) Is provided with a maintenance lid (70) at its rear part (64), the maintenance lid (70) being movable to open a front space (301) of the rear combination light structure, and the maintenance lid The (70) comprises a clip (76) and locks and unlocks the maintenance lid (70) by applying manual finger force to the clip (76). Rear combination light structure.   The rear combination light structure includes a plurality of attachment means (303, 390, 392, 394, 396) located on the inner surface of the case (302) for at least engaging with the rear end (42) of the motorcycle. 398) and the plurality of attachment means (303, 390, 392, 394, 396, 398) are removable by removing the maintenance lid (70) and accessing the front space (301). The rear combination light structure according to claim 5.