JP7765446B2 - Saddle-type vehicle - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a saddle-ride type vehicle.

A known interlocking brake structure for a saddle-ride vehicle includes a brake lever as a rear wheel brake operator that activates the front wheel brake, and a brake pedal as a rear wheel brake operator that activates the rear wheel brake. One end of an interlocking brake cable is connected to the brake pedal via an equalizer, and the other end of the interlocking brake cable is connected to the front wheel brake, so that operation of the brake pedal activates both the rear wheel brake and the front wheel brake (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Patent No. 6655728

Incidentally, when a frame structure in which a main frame branches to the left and right is adopted for the body frame of a saddle-ride type vehicle, the space available on the inside in the vehicle width direction is restricted by the side frames where the main frame branches to the left and right.
However, when a linked brake structure is adopted, clearance is required to take into account the range of movement of the equalizer, which requires that the space be expanded in the vehicle width direction, which can result in an increase in the vehicle width.
The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and aims to make it easier to arrange an equalizer by effectively utilizing the space available on the inner side of the vehicle width direction, thereby making it easier to prevent the vehicle width from increasing.

A saddle-ride type vehicle equipped with an interlocking brake, which is provided with a front wheel brake operator for operating a front wheel brake that brakes the front wheels, and a rear wheel brake operator for operating a rear wheel brake that brakes the rear wheels, one end of an interlocking brake cable being connected to the rear wheel brake operator via an equalizer, and the other end of the interlocking brake cable being connected to the front wheel brake, so that both the rear wheel brake and the front wheel brake are operated by operating the rear wheel brake operator, the vehicle body frame of the saddle-ride type vehicle has a pair of side frames branching out in the left and right directions from a main frame, and the equalizer is rotatably connected to the rear wheel brake operator via a first connecting pin. and a second connecting member rotatably connected to the first connecting member via a second connecting pin and having one end of the interlocking brake cable connected thereto, wherein at least a portion of the second connecting member overlaps the side frame in a side view of the vehicle body, and the portion of the first connecting member between the first connecting pin and the second connecting pin is an inclined plate that becomes more inward in the vehicle width direction as it approaches the second connecting pin in a longitudinal view of the vehicle body, thereby having an offset portion that positions the second connecting member at a position offset more inward in the vehicle width direction with respect to the first connecting member than the thickness of the first connecting member in the vehicle width direction.

This invention makes it easier to position the equalizer by effectively utilizing the space available on the inside of the vehicle width, making it easier to prevent the vehicle width from increasing.

1 is a side view of a saddle-ride type vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a right side view showing a main part of the interlocking brake mechanism. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the main part of the interlocking brake mechanism from the upper right. FIG. 2 is a rear view of the main part of the interlocking brake mechanism. FIG. 10 is a rear view showing a main part of an interlocking brake mechanism according to another embodiment. FIG. 10 is a right side view showing a main part of an interlocking brake mechanism according to another embodiment.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Note that throughout the description, directions such as front, rear, left, right, and up and down refer to directions relative to the vehicle body unless otherwise specified. Also, the symbol FR in each drawing indicates the front of the vehicle body, the symbol UP indicates the top of the vehicle body, and the symbol LH indicates the left side of the vehicle body.

[Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a side view of a saddle-ride type vehicle 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The saddle-ride type vehicle 10 is a vehicle that includes a body frame 11, a power unit 12 supported by the body frame 11, a front fork 14 that supports a front wheel 13 so as to be steerable, a swing arm 16 that supports a rear wheel 15, and a seat 17 for a passenger.
The saddle-ride type vehicle 10 is a vehicle in which a passenger sits astride a seat 17. The seat 17 is provided above the rear portion of the body frame 11.

The body frame 11 includes a head pipe 18 provided at the front end of the body frame 11, a front frame 19 located rearward of the head pipe 18, and a rear frame 20 located rearward of the front frame 19. The front end of the front frame 19 is connected to the head pipe 18.
The seat 17 is supported by the rear frame 20 .

The front fork 14 is supported by the head pipe 18 so that it can be steered left and right. The front wheel 13 is supported by an axle 13a attached to the lower end of the front fork 14. A steering handle 21, which is held by the rider, is attached to the upper end of the front fork 14.

The swing arm 16 is supported by a pivot shaft 22 that is supported by the body frame 11. The pivot shaft 22 is a shaft that extends horizontally in the vehicle width direction. The pivot shaft 22 is inserted into the front end of the swing arm 16. The swing arm 16 swings up and down around the pivot shaft 22.
The rear wheel 15 is supported by an axle 15 a provided at the rear end of the swing arm 16 .

The power unit 12 is disposed between the front wheel 13 and the rear wheel 15 and is supported by the body frame 11 .
The power unit 12 is an internal combustion engine and includes a crankcase 23 and a cylinder section 24 that houses a reciprocating piston. An exhaust device 25 is connected to an exhaust port of the cylinder section 24.
The output of the power unit 12 is transmitted to the rear wheels 15 by a driving force transmission member that connects the power unit 12 and the rear wheels 15 .

The saddle-ride type vehicle 10 also includes a front fender 26 that covers the front wheel 13 from above, a rear fender 27 that covers the rear wheel 15 from above, a step 28 on which a rider places their feet, and a fuel tank 29 that stores fuel used by the power unit 12.
The front fender 26 is attached to the front fork 14. The rear fender 27 and the step 28 are provided below the seat 17. The fuel tank 29 is supported by the body frame 11.

The steps 28 are provided as a pair on the left and right below the pivot shaft 22 and are used as driver's steps on which the driver places his or her feet. The fuel tank 29 is provided in front of the seat 17 and above the power unit 12, and is supported by the front frame 19.
The fuel tank 29 is an example of an "energy storage unit" in the present invention. The energy storage unit may be a battery, a fuel cell, or the like. In other words, the saddle-ride type vehicle 10 to which the present invention is applicable is not limited to vehicles that use fuel such as gasoline as an energy source, but may also be an electric vehicle that includes a power unit 12 having an electric motor and drives the power unit 12 with electric power from an energy storage unit that is made up of a battery 44 or a fuel cell.

The front frame 19 includes a main frame 41 that branches into left and right portions toward the rear. The main frame 41 includes a center frame portion 41a that extends rearward from the head pipe 18 along the center of the vehicle width, and branch frame portions 41b that branch into left and right portions from the rear of the center frame portion 41a and extend downward toward the rear.
The rear frame 20 includes left and right first rear frames 20a extending rearward from the middle of the main frame 41, and left and right second rear frames 20b extending upward and rearward from left and right branch frame portions 41b. The first rear frames 20a and the second rear frames 20b can also be referred to as seat rails that support the seat 17.
The left and right branch frame portions 41b, the left and right first rear frames 20a, and the left and right second rear frames 20b constitute a pair of side frames branching out from the main frame 41 to the left and right.

Intake system components 43, including a fuel supply system and an air cleaner box, are disposed behind the cylinder section 24. At least a portion of the intake system components 43 are disposed within a space SP1 surrounded by the main frame 41 and the left and right first and second rear frames 20a, 20b. A battery 44, which is one of the electrical components, is also disposed within the space SP1. In this configuration, the battery 44 is housed on one side (right side) of the space SP1 in the vehicle width direction, and the intake system components 43 are housed on the other side (left side) of the space SP1 in the vehicle width direction.
The space SP1 is covered from the outside in the vehicle width direction by, for example, a side cover, and is not visible from the outside in the vehicle width direction.

An exhaust pipe 25a is connected to the front of the cylinder section 24. The exhaust pipe 25a extends downward from the front of the cylinder section 24, and then extends rearward below the power unit 12. An exhaust muffler 25b is connected to the rear end of the exhaust pipe 25a. The exhaust muffler 25b is disposed on one of the left and right sides (the right side in this embodiment) of the swing arm 16 and the rear wheel 15. The exhaust pipe 25a and exhaust muffler 25b form an exhaust system 25. The configuration and shape of the exhaust system 25 may be modified as appropriate. In addition, a kick pedal 23p is disposed on the right side of the crankcase 23 and above the step 28.

The saddle-ride type vehicle 10 is equipped with a front wheel brake 51 that brakes the front wheel 13 and a rear wheel brake 52 that brakes the rear wheel 15. The front wheel brake 51 is connected to a brake lever 21r via a front wheel brake cable 51a that functions as a first front wheel brake force transmission member. The brake lever 21r is provided at one of the left and right ends of the handlebars 21 (the right end in this embodiment) and functions as a front wheel brake operator that is operated by the hand of the occupant (driver). When the brake lever 21r is operated by the occupant, the front wheel brake 51 is activated, applying a braking force to the front wheel 13.

A disc brake, a type of hydraulic brake, is used for the front wheel brake 51. When a hydraulic brake is used, a master cylinder is provided to generate hydraulic pressure in response to braking operation, and a hydraulic hose is used for the front wheel brake cable 51a. The front wheel brake 51 is not limited to a disc brake, and may be a brake device other than a disc brake, such as a drum brake.

The rear wheel brake 52 is connected to a brake pedal 53 via a brake rod 52a, which functions as a rear wheel brake force transmission member. The brake pedal 53 is provided near one of the left and right (right) steps 28 and functions as a rear wheel brake operator that is operated by the rider's foot. When the rider operates the brake pedal 53, the rear wheel brake 52 is actuated, and a braking force is applied to the rear wheel 15.
A drum brake, which is a type of mechanical brake, is used as the rear wheel brake 52. The rear wheel brake 52 is not limited to a drum brake and may be a brake device other than a drum brake. Also, the brake rod 52a may be replaced with a brake cable or the like that can be used as a rear wheel braking force transmission member.

The saddle-ride type vehicle 10 having this configuration is provided with an interlocking brake mechanism 61 that activates both the front wheel brake 51 and the rear wheel brake 52 by operating the brake pedal 53. The interlocking brake mechanism 61 can also be referred to as an interlocking brake, an interlocking brake structure, or an interlocking brake device.
Fig. 2 is a right side view showing the main parts of the interlocking brake mechanism 61. In Fig. 2, the brake pedal 53 in the non-depressed state is shown by a solid line, and the brake pedal 53 in the depressed state is shown by a two-dot chain line. Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the main parts of the interlocking brake mechanism 61 from the upper right. Note that Fig. 3 shows a state in which the area corresponding to the brake pedal 53 has been cut away.
2 and 3, an equalizer 63 is connected to the rear of the brake pedal 53 via a connecting pin 62a extending along the vehicle width direction. The equalizer 63 has a first connecting plate 71 connected to the brake pedal 53 via the connecting pin 62a and a second connecting plate 72 connected to the first connecting plate 71.
In this embodiment, the swing arm 16 widens outward toward the rear of the vehicle (see Figure 3), and therefore at least a portion of the equalizer 63 is positioned substantially above the swing arm 16 (corresponding to a position where they overlap vertically when viewed from the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle body).

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the main part of the interlocking brake mechanism 61. As shown in FIG.
As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the first connecting plate 71 is formed of a single plate-like member extending in the vertical direction. The first connecting plate 71 is rotatably connected to the brake pedal 53 via the connecting pin 62a. The first connecting plate 71 integrally includes a first plate portion 71a extending downward in one longitudinal direction relative to the connecting pin 62a, and a second plate portion 71b extending upward in the other longitudinal direction relative to the connecting pin 62a. The front end of the brake rod 52a is connected to the lower part of the first plate portion 71a. The rear end of the brake rod 52a is connected to the rear wheel brake 52.

The intermediate portion 71c between the first plate portion 71a and the second plate portion 71b is formed as an inclined plate that slopes inward in the vehicle width direction toward the second plate portion 71b when viewed in the vehicle front-rear direction. The second plate portion 71b extends upward from the intermediate portion 71c, and is offset inward in the vehicle width direction relative to the first plate portion 71a. The second plate portion 71b is parallel to the first plate portion 71a and extends vertically. This second plate portion 71b constitutes an offset portion of the first connecting plate 71 that is offset inward in the vehicle width direction. Note that the second plate portion 71b does not have to be parallel to the first plate portion 71a, and its shape may be modified as appropriate.

As shown in FIG. 3, the lower part of the second connecting plate 72 is rotatably connected to the upper part of the second plate portion 71b via a connecting pin 62b that extends along the vehicle width direction. One end of the interlocking brake cable 51b, which functions as a second front wheel brake force transmission member, is connected to the upper part of the second connecting plate 72. The other end of the interlocking brake cable 51b is connected to the front wheel brake 51, and more specifically, to a master cylinder that generates hydraulic pressure for the front wheel brake 51.

3, a rear end of a connecting rod 65, which corresponds to one longitudinal end, is connected to the vertical middle portion of the second connecting plate 72 via a connecting pin 62c extending along the vehicle width direction. A front end of the connecting rod 65, which corresponds to the other longitudinal end, is rotatably connected via a stay 47 to a cross pipe 46 that constitutes a part of the body frame 11.
The cross pipe 46 is a frame member that bridges the left and right branch frame portions 41b, and the stay 47 is a rigid member made of metal or the like that extends rearward from the cross pipe 46.

The connecting rod 65 is one of the members for setting the swing characteristics of the first connecting plate 71 and the second connecting plate 72. Therefore, the connecting rod 65 may have any appropriate shape and structure that can obtain the desired swing characteristics.
The first connecting plate 71, the second connecting plate 72, and the connecting rod 65 are made from a single rigid plate member such as metal. For example, the plates 71, 72 and the connecting rod 65 may be made by bending a flat plate member or by molding, with holes drilled for attaching the connecting pins 62a to 62c. However, the structure, shape, and manufacturing method of the plates 71, 72 and the connecting rod 65 may be changed as appropriate.
As shown in FIG. 4, a main harness 48 is routed below the intake system components 43 and on the inner side of the second connecting plate 72 in the vehicle width direction.

The interlocking brake mechanism 61 includes a biasing member 66 that biases the equalizer 63 in a direction that does not activate the front wheel brake 51 and the rear wheel brake 52. As shown in FIG. 3, the biasing member 66 is attached to the top of the second connecting plate 72 and biases the second connecting plate 72 in a clockwise direction when viewed from the right side of the vehicle body. In this embodiment, the biasing member 66 is a coil spring, but a biasing member other than a coil spring may also be used.

When the brake pedal 53 is operated, the first connecting plate 71 of the equalizer 63 rotates counterclockwise about the connecting pin 62a as viewed from the right side of the vehicle body, thereby actuating the rear wheel brake 52 via the brake rod 52a. Furthermore, the second connecting plate 72 of the equalizer 63 rotates counterclockwise about the connecting pin 62c as viewed from the right side of the vehicle body, thereby actuating the front wheel brake 51 via the interlocking brake cable 51b.
The ratio between the braking force of the front wheel brake 51 and the braking force of the rear wheel brake 52 is set to an appropriate ratio by an equalizer 63. The shape and structure of each part of the interlocking brake mechanism 61 and the positions of each of the connecting pins 62a to 62c may be changed as appropriate. The interlocking brake cable 51b in this embodiment is a wire type having an inner wire inside an outer cable, but any member usable as a front wheel brake force transmission member may be used.

2, at least a portion of the equalizer 63 is disposed in a space SP1 surrounded by the main frame 41, the left and right first rear frames 20a, and the left and right second rear frames 20b. Furthermore, at least a portion of the second connecting plate 72 of the equalizer 63 overlaps with the second rear frame 20b in a side view of the vehicle body.
In this configuration, as shown in Figure 4, the second plate portion 71b of the first connecting plate 71, which is offset inward in the vehicle width direction, is positioned more inward in the vehicle width direction than the second rear frame 20b on the right side, and the first plate portion 71a is positioned lower than the second rear frame 20b.

As described above, space SP1 accommodates the intake system components 43 and the battery 44, which are large components among the vehicle body mounted components, and therefore the space available in space SP1 in the vehicle width direction is restricted, for example, the space available inside the right-side second rear frame 20b in the vehicle width direction is restricted.
In this way, even when the space available on the inside of the right second rear frame 20b in the vehicle width direction is limited, the second plate portion 71b can be positioned with sufficient clearance by arranging the second plate portion 71b offset inward in the vehicle width direction. This makes it easier to position the first connecting plate 71 having the second plate portion 71b and the second connecting plate 72 connected to the first connecting plate 71 with an appropriate clearance without expanding the space SP1 in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, it becomes easier to position the equalizer 63 with an appropriate clearance without expanding the space SP1 in the vehicle width direction, and it becomes easier to suppress an increase in the vehicle width even when the interlocking brake mechanism 61 including the equalizer 63 is positioned.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2, the equalizer 63 is positioned in the space SP1, which is behind the branch frame portion 41b of the main frame 41, below the battery 44, and on the inner side of the second rear frame 20b in the vehicle width direction, in a side view of the vehicle body. This allows the equalizer 63 to be positioned by effectively utilizing the space below the battery 44. This also makes it easier to position the equalizer 63 with an appropriate clearance without expanding the space SP1 in the vehicle width direction, making it easier to prevent an increase in vehicle width.

4, the second plate portion 71b is located on the inside in the vehicle width direction of and below the right-side second rear frame 20b, and the second connecting plate 72 is connected to the inside in the vehicle width direction of this second plate portion 71b. This allows the second connecting plate 72, which is on the inside in the vehicle width direction of the right-side second rear frame 20b and overlaps the second rear frame 20b in the vehicle width direction, to be positioned using the space on the inside in the vehicle width direction of the right-side second rear frame 20b.
4, the first plate portion 71a of the first connecting plate 71, which is located below the second plate portion 71b and on the outer side in the vehicle width direction, is positioned so as to overlap with the swing arm 16 in the vehicle width direction. This allows the first plate portion 71a to be positioned using the space available on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the swing arm 16. This makes it easier to appropriately position the equalizer 63 by effectively utilizing a narrow space.

Also, as shown in Figure 4, the second connecting plate 72 is positioned so that it overlaps the swing arm 16 in the vertical direction when viewed from the front to rear of the vehicle. This allows the second connecting plate 72 to be positioned using the free space in the vertical direction of the swing arm 16. This also makes it easier to effectively utilize a small space and appropriately position the equalizer 63.

As described above, the saddle-ride type vehicle 10 of this embodiment is equipped with an interlocking brake mechanism 61 in which one end of the interlocking brake cable 51b is connected to the brake pedal 53 via the equalizer 63, and the other end of the interlocking brake cable 51b is connected to the front wheel brake 51, so that both the rear wheel brake 52 and the front wheel brake 51 are actuated by operating the brake pedal 53. The equalizer 63 of the interlocking brake mechanism 61 has a second plate portion 71b that forms an offset portion offset inward in the vehicle width direction.

With this configuration, the second plate portion 71b, which is offset inward in the vehicle width direction, makes effective use of the space on the inner side in the vehicle width direction, making it easier to position the equalizer 63 with an appropriate clearance. This makes it easier to prevent an increase in vehicle width due to the placement of the interlocking brake mechanism 61, including the equalizer 63.

The vehicle body frame 11 also has left and right branch frame portions 41b that constitute a pair of side frames branching out laterally from the main frame 41, and left and right first and second rear frames 20a and 20b. The equalizer 63 has a first connecting plate 71 that is connected to the brake pedal 53 and has a second plate portion 71b, and a second connecting plate 72 that is connected to the first connecting plate 71 and has one end of the interlocking brake cable 51b connected to it, and at least a portion of the second plate portion 71b overlaps with the second rear frame 20b, which constitutes part of the side frames, in a side view of the vehicle body.

With this configuration, even when the space in the vehicle width direction is narrowed by a pair of side frames branching out laterally from the main frame 41, the first connecting plate 71 having the second plate portion 71b can be positioned using that narrow space. Furthermore, by connecting the second connecting plate 72 to the second plate portion 71b, it can also be positioned using the space on the inside in the vehicle width direction. This allows the first connecting plate 71 and the second connecting plate 72 to be positioned using the space available on the inside in the vehicle width direction, making it easier to appropriately position the equalizer 63 by effectively utilizing the space available on the inside in the vehicle width direction.

The vehicle also has a swing arm 16 that supports the rear wheel 15, and at least a portion of the second connecting plate 72 overlaps vertically with the swing arm 16 when viewed in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle body. This configuration allows the second connecting plate 72 to be positioned using the space available above and below the swing arm 16. This makes it easier to appropriately position the equalizer 63 by effectively utilizing the space available above and below the swing arm 16.

Furthermore, the first connecting plate 71, which is a component of the equalizer 63 and has the second plate portion 71b that constitutes the offset portion, is formed from a single plate-like member, which makes it possible to make the first connecting plate 71 more compact in the vehicle width direction and easier to manufacture, which is advantageous for reducing the number of components of the equalizer 63 and simplifying the structure of the equalizer 63.
The shape and configuration of each part of the equalizer 63, such as the first connecting plate 71 and the second connecting plate 72, may be changed as appropriate. The first connecting plate 71 is an example of a "first connecting member" in the present invention, and the second connecting plate 72 is an example of a "second connecting member" in the present invention.

Other Embodiments
The above-described embodiment merely shows one aspect of the present invention, and any modifications and applications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

In the above embodiment, the equalizer 63 is exemplified as having two plate-shaped members consisting of a first connecting plate 71 and a second connecting plate 72, but it may also be configured as having a single connecting plate in which the first connecting plate 71 and the second connecting plate 72 are integrated.
5 and 6 are views showing essential parts of an interlocking brake mechanism 61 according to another embodiment. More specifically, FIG. 5 shows the essential parts of the interlocking brake mechanism 61 according to another embodiment from the rear, and FIG. 6 shows the essential parts from the right side. The interlocking brake mechanism 61 according to another embodiment differs in that the equalizer 63 includes a single connecting plate. The single connecting plate serves as both the first connecting plate 71 and the second connecting plate 72 of the above embodiment, but has a similar configuration to the first connecting plate 71. Therefore, hereinafter, the single connecting plate will be referred to as the "first connecting plate 71." In FIG. 5, components similar to those of the above embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

5, the first connecting plate 71 is formed of a single plate-like member extending in the vertical direction and is rotatably supported on the brake pedal 53 via a connecting pin 62a. The second plate portion 71b of the first connecting plate 71 extends upward from the upper end of the middle portion 71c and forms an offset portion that is offset inward in the vehicle width direction relative to the first plate portion 71a. The second plate portion 71b forms part of the second connecting plate 72 in the above embodiment, that is, it extends upward further than the first connecting plate 71 in the above embodiment, and is connected to one end of the interlocking brake cable 51b and one end of the biasing member 66.
In other embodiments, the swing arm 16 also widens outward toward the rear of the vehicle, so that at least a portion of the equalizer 63 (second plate portion 71b) is positioned substantially above the swing arm 16 (corresponding to the position where they overlap vertically when viewed from the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle body).

As shown in FIG. 6 , the interlocking brake cable 51b is pulled out rearward of the equalizer 63. The equalizer 63 is also biased counterclockwise by a biasing member 66 when viewed from the right side of the vehicle body. In another embodiment, when the brake pedal 53 is operated, the first connecting plate 71 of the equalizer 63 rotates around the connecting pin 62a against the biasing force of the biasing member 66, actuating the rear wheel brake 52 via the brake rod 52a and the front wheel brake 51 via the interlocking brake cable 51b. As a result, operation of the brake pedal 53 actuates both the rear wheel brake 52 and the front wheel brake 51, applying braking force to the rear wheel 15 and the front wheel 13.

As shown in Figures 5 and 6, at least a portion of the second plate portion 71b constituting the offset portion overlaps, in a side view of the vehicle body, the second rear frame 20b constituting part of a pair of side frames branching off laterally from the main frame 41. As a result, even if the space in the vehicle width direction is narrowed by the pair of side frames branching off laterally from the main frame 41, the first connecting plate 71 having the second plate portion 71b can be positioned using that narrow space. This makes it easier to appropriately position the equalizer 63 by effectively utilizing the space available on the inner side in the vehicle width direction, and makes it easier to suppress an increase in vehicle width due to the placement of the interlocking brake mechanism 61 including the equalizer 63.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5, the second plate portion 71b of the first connecting plate 71 overlaps the swing arm 16 in the vertical direction when viewed in the vehicle's fore-and-aft direction. This configuration allows the first connecting plate 71 to be positioned using the free space in the vertical direction of the swing arm 16, making it easier to appropriately position the equalizer 63 by effectively utilizing the free space on the inner side in the vehicle width direction.

In another embodiment, the first connecting plate 71 is formed from a single plate-like member, so the part having the offset portion, the part to which the brake rod 52a is connected, and the part connected to the brake pedal 53 can be constructed from a single part. This makes these parts more compact in the vehicle width direction and easier to manufacture, which is advantageous for reducing the number of parts in the equalizer 63 and simplifying the structure of the equalizer 63.

In the above embodiments, the brake lever 21r and the brake pedal 53 are provided as the front wheel brake operation element and the rear wheel brake operation element, but the operation elements may be changed as appropriate.
In addition, in each embodiment, the saddle-ride type vehicle 10 having the power unit 12 that is an internal combustion engine has been exemplified, but the power unit 12 may be an electric motor that is driven by electricity. In other words, the saddle-ride type vehicle 10 may be a saddle-ride type electric vehicle that uses an electric motor.

In addition, while each embodiment illustrates the application of the present invention to the motorcycle shown in FIG. 1 and other figures, and the interlocking brake mechanism (interlocking brake) mounted on that motorcycle, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be applied to any vehicle, such as a saddle-ride vehicle, and the interlocking brake mechanism (interlocking brake) mounted on this type of vehicle. For example, a vehicle to which the present invention can be applied may be a scooter-type motorcycle in which the rear wheel 15 and power unit 12 are swingably supported on the body frame 11, or a three-wheeled saddle-ride vehicle with two front wheels 13 or two rear wheels 15, or a four-or-more-wheeled saddle-ride vehicle.

[Configuration supported by the above embodiment]
The above embodiment supports the following configurations.

(Configuration 1) A saddle-ride type vehicle equipped with a front wheel brake operator that activates a front wheel brake to brake the front wheels, and a rear wheel brake operator that activates a rear wheel brake to brake the rear wheels, one end of an interlocking brake cable being connected to the rear wheel brake operator via an equalizer, and the other end of the interlocking brake cable being connected to the front wheel brake, so that both the rear wheel brake and the front wheel brake are activated by operating the rear wheel brake operator, wherein the equalizer has an offset portion that is offset inward in the vehicle width direction.
According to this configuration, the offset portion offset toward the inside in the vehicle width direction makes it easier to effectively utilize the space available toward the inside in the vehicle width direction and to position the equalizer with an appropriate clearance, making it easier to prevent the vehicle width from increasing.

(Configuration 2) The body frame of the saddle-ride type vehicle has a pair of side frames branching out in the left-right direction from a main frame, and the equalizer has a first connecting member connected to the rear wheel brake operator and having the offset portion, and a second connecting member connected to the first connecting member and to which one end of the interlocking brake cable is connected, and at least a portion of the second connecting member overlaps with the side frames in a side view of the vehicle body.
With this configuration, even when the space in the vehicle width direction is narrowed by a pair of side frames branching out laterally from the main frame, the first connecting member can be positioned using that narrow space. Furthermore, by connecting the second connecting member to the offset portion, the space on the inside in the vehicle width direction can also be used for positioning. These features make it easier to appropriately position the equalizer by effectively utilizing the space available on the inside in the vehicle width direction.

(Configuration 3) A saddle-type vehicle as described in configuration 1 or 2, which has a swing arm that supports the rear wheel, and the equalizer has a first connecting member that is connected to the rear wheel brake operator and has the offset portion, and a second connecting member that is connected to the first connecting member and has one end of the interlocking brake cable connected thereto, and at least a portion of the second connecting member overlaps the swing arm in the vertical direction when viewed in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle body.
According to this configuration, the second connecting member can be arranged using the space available above and below the swing arm, and the equalizer can be easily arranged appropriately by effectively utilizing the space available on the inner side in the vehicle width direction.

(Configuration 4) The body frame of the saddle-ride type vehicle has a pair of side frames branching out in the left-right direction from a main frame, and the equalizer is connected to the rear wheel brake operator and has a first connecting member to which one end of the interlocking brake cable is connected and which has the offset portion, and at least a portion of the offset portion overlaps with the side frames when viewed from the side of the vehicle body. This is a saddle-ride type vehicle as described in Configuration 1.
With this configuration, even when the space in the vehicle width direction is narrowed by a pair of side frames branching out laterally from the main frame, the first connecting member having the offset portion can be disposed in that narrow space, making it easier to appropriately dispose the equalizer by effectively utilizing the space available on the inside of the vehicle width direction.

(Configuration 5) A saddle-ride type vehicle according to Configuration 4, further comprising a swing arm that supports the rear wheel, wherein at least a portion of the first connecting member overlaps with the swing arm in the vertical direction of the vehicle body.
With this configuration, it becomes easier to position the first connecting member having an offset portion by utilizing the space available above and below the swing arm, and it becomes easier to appropriately position the equalizer by effectively utilizing the space available on the inner side in the vehicle width direction.

(Configuration 6) The saddle-ride type vehicle according to any one of configurations 1 to 5, wherein the part of the equalizer having the offset portion is formed from a single plate-like member.
According to this configuration, the part having the offset portion can be made compact in the vehicle width direction and can be easily manufactured, which is advantageous for reducing the number of parts of the equalizer and simplifying its structure.

10 saddle-ride type vehicle 13 front wheel 15 rear wheel 16 swing arm 16
20a First rear frame (side frame)
20b Second rear frame (side frame)
21 Handlebar 21r Brake lever (front wheel brake operator)
41 Main frame 41b Branch frame portion (side frame)
43 Intake system parts (vehicle mounted parts)
44 Battery (vehicle mounted part)
51 Front wheel brake 51a Front wheel brake cable (first front wheel brake force transmission member)
51b Interlocking brake cable (second front wheel braking force transmission member)
52 Rear wheel brake 52a Brake rod (rear wheel brake force transmission member)
53 Brake pedal (rear wheel brake operator)
61 Interlocking brake mechanism (interlocking brake)
62a to 62c: connecting pins 63: equalizer 65: connecting rod 66: biasing member 71: first connecting plate (first connecting member)
71a First plate portion 71b Second plate portion 72 Second connecting plate (second connecting member)

Claims (4)

a front wheel brake operator (21r) for operating a front wheel brake (51) for braking the front wheel (13);
a rear wheel brake operator (53) for operating a rear wheel brake (52) for braking the rear wheel (15);
In a saddle-ride type vehicle equipped with an interlocking brake (61), one end of an interlocking brake cable (51b) is connected to the rear wheel brake operator (53) via an equalizer (63), and the other end of the interlocking brake cable (51b) is connected to the front wheel brake (51), so that both the rear wheel brake (52) and the front wheel brake (51) are actuated by operation of the rear wheel brake operator (53),
The body frame (11) of the saddle-ride type vehicle has a pair of side frames (20b) branching off in the left and right directions from a main frame (41),
The equalizer (63) has a first connecting member (71) rotatably connected to the rear wheel brake operator (53) via a first connecting pin (62a), and a second connecting member (72) rotatably connected to the first connecting member (71) via a second connecting pin (62b) and to which one end of the interlocking brake cable (51b) is connected.
At least a portion of the second connecting member (72) overlaps with the side frame (20b) in a side view of the vehicle body,
The space between the first connecting pin (62a) and the second connecting pin (62b) in the first connecting member (71) is an inclined plate that becomes more inward in the vehicle width direction as it approaches the second connecting pin (62b) when viewed in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle body, thereby having an offset portion (71b) that positions the second connecting member (72) at a position offset more inward in the vehicle width direction relative to the first connecting member (71) than the thickness of the first connecting member (71) in the vehicle width direction. A swing arm (16) supporting the rear wheel (15) is provided.
The saddle-ride type vehicle according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the second connecting member (72) overlaps with the swing arm (16) in the vertical direction when viewed in the vehicle body longitudinal direction. A swing arm (16) supporting the rear wheel (15) is provided.
The saddle-ride type vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the first connecting member (71) overlaps with the swing arm (16) in the vertical direction of the vehicle body. The saddle-ride type vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein a component (71) of the equalizer (63) having the offset portion (71b) is formed from a single plate-like member.