DESC:Technical Field
[0001] The present subject matter described herein generally relates to a saddle riding type vehicle, and particularly but not exclusively relates to a body frame for said saddle riding type vehicle.
Background
[0002] A body frame of a saddle riding type vehicle typically includes a toggle link for mounting a swinging engine. Generally, the toggle link is supported directly to a pair of side tubes of the body frame of said saddle riding type vehicle. Thus, the load of the swinging engine is typically borne by the toggle link and is at least partially transferred to the pair of side tubes. It is therefore necessary to ensure that the toggle link is reliably mounted to the pair of side tubes. Further, it is also necessary to ensure that no deviation develops in any portion of the toggle link during the mounting of the same to the pair of side tubes, since deviation of the toggle link with respect to the central longitudinal axis and lateral axis of said saddle riding type vehicle affects vehicle handling and overall stability of said vehicle. Particularly, a shift in the position of the toggle link with respect to the central longitudinal axis of said saddle riding type vehicle results in a shift in position of wheel axis, thereby affecting vehicle balance.
[0003] Ensuring reliability in mounting of the toggle link to the pair of side tubes becomes even more important when the saddle riding type vehicle employs a swinging engine with a higher capacity since the load exerted by the engine would be substantially higher. Moreover, in saddle riding type vehicles employing a swinging engine with a higher capacity there is also a need to ensure that a cylinder head of said engine does not foul with a front cross bridge of the body frame, said front cross bridge receiving at least a portion of the toggle link.
Summary of the Invention
[0004] The present subject matter is directed to overcome all or any of the problems as set forth above.
[0005] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a saddle riding type vehicle including a body frame which allows an engine to be reliably mounted thereto without leading to deviations in a toggle link member of said body frame.
[0006] Accordingly, the present subject matter disclosed herein is directed to a body frame of a saddle riding type vehicle, said body frame including a toggle link member. The body frame as per an embodiment of the present invention includes a head tube, a main tube extending downwardly and rearwardly from said head tube, a cross member extending sidewardly from either sides of said main tube, a pair of floor board support tubes extending rearwardly and substantially perpendicularly from the cross member, a front cross bridge bridging the pair of floor board support tubes at a rear end of said pair of floor board support tubes, a toggle link member at least partially supported on said main tube, and a pair of side tubes extending rearwardly and inclinedly upwardly from said front cross bridge.
[0007] As per an aspect of the present invention, the front cross bridge integrally includes left and right side arms, left and right inclined arms extending inclinedly rearwardly from said left and right side arms, and a central arm bridging said left and right inclined arms. Thus, present structure of said front cross bridge ensures that said central arm bridging said left and right inclined arms is disposed substantially away from a front portion of said toggle link member which supports at least a portion of an engine that swings, thereby ensuring that said engine does not come in contact with any portion of said front cross bridge while swinging. Further, said front cross bridge serves to support said pair of side tubes. Particularly, said pair of side tubes is rigidly supported on an arcuate end integrally formed on each side arm of said left and right side arms of the front cross bridge. As per an aspect of the present invention, said arcuate end is formed in a manner such that a curvature of said arcuate end projects outwards towards said pair of side tubes, and serves to abut with a lower portion of said pair of side tubes. Thus, presence of the arcuate end aids in ensuring that the pair of side tubes has a larger contact surface area with the front cross bridge, thereby facilitating ease of welding. Further, as per an embodiment of the present invention, the pair of side tubes has a non-circular cross section. Preferably, the pair of side tubes is provided with a squarish structure. Providing the pair of side tubes with a non-circular cross section also aids in increasing the contact surface area of the pair of side tubes with the front cross bridge. Thus, overall contact surface area available for welding the pair of side tubes to the front cross bridge increases. Further, having a non-circular cross section for the pair of side tubes also facilitates ease of welding, owing to which accuracy of welding can also be improved. Thus, the pair of side tubes can be reliably secured to the front cross bridge without involving welding deviations
[0008] Further, as per another aspect of the present invention, the pair of side tubes is adapted to receive an axle of the toggle link member, said toggle link member being provided to support an engine of said saddle riding type vehicle. Particularly, the pair of side tubes is adapted to receive the axle through a support member, said support member being adapted to be inserted in each side tube of the pair of side tubes. More particularly, the support member inserted in each side tube of the pair of side tubes is welded thereto from the outside. Thus, the support member is rigidly attached to the pair of side tubes. Providing a support member which has a cylindrical cross section with increased length and increased diameter aids in increasing an L/D ratio of said support member. Moreover, by providing the support member which is capable of being inserted within each side tube of the pair of side tubes enables to increase strength of the pair of side tubes locally. Thus, the toggle link member through the axle can be reliably supported to the pair of side tubes. Particularly, since the axle is supported directly by the support member which is inserted into each side tube of the pair of side tubes, load from the toggle link member can be effectively transferred to the pair of side tubes, thereby ensuring that the toggle link member does not deviate or buckle even when a higher capacity engine is mounted thereto.
[0009] Thus, as per the present invention not only is the pair of side tubes reliably secured to the front cross bridge, but also the toggle link member is reliably secured to the pair of side tubes, thereby aiding in ensuring that there is no deviation in position of the toggle link member with respect to a central longitudinal axis and lateral axis of the saddle riding type vehicle.
[0010] Summary provided above explains the basic features of the invention and does not limit the scope of the invention. The nature and further characteristic features of the present invention will be made clearer from the following descriptions made with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Brief Description of Drawings
[0011] The above and other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter will be better understood with regard to the following description and accompanying drawings where:
[0012] FIG.1 illustrates a side view of a saddle riding type vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0013] FIG.2 illustrates a side view of a body frame of said saddle riding type vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0014] FIG.3 illustrates a top view of the body frame depicting an engine supported thereto in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0015] FIG.4 illustrates an enlarged rear perspective view depicting a toggle link member as mounted to a pair of side tubes in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0016] FIG.5 illustrates an enlarged side view depicting a side tube as mounted to a front cross bridge as per an embodiment of the present invention.
[0017] FIG.6 illustrates an enlarged rear view depicting the toggle link member as mounted to the pair of side tubes and to a front cross bridge in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments
[0018] Exemplary embodiments detailing features of a body frame of a saddle riding type vehicle, in accordance with the present invention will be described hereunder with reference to the accompanying drawings. Various aspects of different embodiments of the present invention will become discernible from the following description set out hereunder. Rather, the following description provides a convenient illustration for implementing exemplary embodiments of the invention. Further, it is to be noted that terms “upper”, “lower”, “right”, “left”, “front”, “forward”, “rearward”, “downward”, “upward”, “top”, “bottom” and like terms are used herein based on the illustrated state or in a standing state of the saddle riding type vehicle with a driver riding thereon unless otherwise elaborated. Furthermore, a longitudinal axis refers to a front to rear axis relative to said saddle riding type vehicle, while a lateral axis refers to a side to side, or left to right axis relative to said vehicle. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
[0019] Firstly a description is made of an entire schematic structure of a saddle riding type vehicle 10 such as a scooter type motorcycle with reference to FIG.1 in accordance with the present invention.
[0020] FIG.1 is a side view of the saddle riding type vehicle 10. As shown in FIG.1, the saddle riding type vehicle 10 includes a body frame 11 (shown in FIG.2), for example an underbone body frame, made of a metal, alloy or a polymeric material and covered by various body covers. The body frame 11 supports a steering assembly including a steering shaft (not shown), and a handle bar 1 in a front portion thereof. A front fork 2 is pivotally supported to the steering shaft. The handlebar 1 provided above the front fork 2 allows steering of a front wheel 3. A headlamp unit 4 housed in a headlamp housing 4a is disposed in front of the handlebar 1.
[0021] Further, a front panel 5 is provided to cover a forward facing side of the body frame 11. A front fender 6 is provided to cover an upper portion of the front wheel 3 to prevent dust and debris splashed by the rotating front wheel 3 from striking parts lying behind the front wheel 3. A rear panel 7 is provided to cover a rearward facing side of the body frame 11. The rear panel 7 acts as a leg shield and protects a rider’s legs from a running wind blowing in a direction opposite to that of motorcycle running direction. Further, a floor board 8 is also provided for a rider to place his legs and is disposed below the rear panel 7.
[0022] Left and right side covers 9 are disposed to cover left and right side surfaces of a rear portion of the body frame 11. A seat 22 is disposed above the left and right side covers 9. A utility box (not shown) is disposed below the seat 22.
[0023] A fuel tank (not shown) is arranged in a rear portion of the body frame 11. The fuel tank forms a part of a fuel supply system which also includes a fuel pump (not shown), a canister (not shown), and a throttle body (not shown). The fuel tank supplies fuel for powering an engine 30. The engine 30 including a cylinder head 30a (shown in FIG.3) and a cylinder block (not shown) is powered by an air fuel mixture sent in by the throttle body to a combustion chamber of the engine 30.
[0024] Further, combustion gases generated by the engine 30 is let out as exhaust from a muffler extending along a right hand side of the saddle riding type vehicle 10.
[0025] A toggle link member 12 (shown in FIG.2) supports the engine 30 swingably on a lower side of the left and right side covers 9. A rear wheel 35 is connected to the toggle link member 12 via the engine 30. Power from the engine 30 is transmitted to the rear wheel 35 for driving the saddle riding type vehicle 10 by means of a transmission assembly 40.
[0026] Suspensions are provided for comfortable steering of the vehicle on the road. A front suspension assembly (not shown) includes the front fork 2. Further, a rear suspension assembly is provided which is a hydraulic damped arrangement and is connected to the body frame 11. In the present embodiment, said rear suspension assembly includes two rear suspension members 15, connected to the rear portion of the body frame 11.
[0027] For the safety of the user and in conformance with the traffic, a taillight 45 is also provided in the rear portion of the saddle riding type vehicle 10.
[0028] Referring to FIG.2 and FIG.3, the body frame 11 of the saddle riding type vehicle is explained. FIG.2 illustrates a side view of the body frame 11 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As may be seen, the body frame 11 comprises a head tube 11a, a main tube 11b extending downwardly and rearwardly from said head tube 11a, a cross member 11c extending sidewardly from either sides of said main tube 11b, a pair of floorboard support tubes 11d extending rearwardly and substantially perpendicularly to the cross member 11c, a front cross bridge 11e bridging the pair of floor board support tubes 11d at a rear end of said pair of floorboard support tubes 11d , and a pair of side tubes 11f extending rearwardly and inclinedly upwards from the front cross bridge 11e. Whereas in one embodiment, the cross member 11c is formed independently of said pair of floorboard support tubes 11d, in another embodiment, said cross member 11c may be integrally formed with said pair of floorboard support tubes 11d. In other words, said pair of floorboard support tubes 11d may be provided to extend sidewardly from either sides of said main tube 11b and further extends rearwardly from said main tube 11b and parallely to at least a portion of the main tube 11b and be connected with the front cross bridge 11e.
[0029] Further, the body frame 11 includes the toggle link member 12 provided for supporting the engine 30. As may be seen in FIG.3, whereas a front portion of the toggle link member 12 is supported through a flexible member to the main tube 11b, side portions of the toggle link member 12 is supported to a support member 13 (shown in FIG.4).
[0030] As per an aspect of the present invention, the front cross bridge 11e integrally includes left and right side arms 11ea, left and right inclined arms 11eb extending inclinedly rearwardly from the left and right side arms 11ea, and a central arm 11ec connecting the left and right inclined arms 11eb. Thus, at least a portion of the front cross bridge 11e extends rearwards and away from the toggle link member 12, and in a manner so that said at least a portion of the front cross bridge 11e extends above at least a portion of the main tube 11b. As a result it is ensured that substantial clearance (shown in FIG.3) is maintained between the front cross bridge 11e and the toggle link member 12, thereby in turn ensuring that the engine 30 which is mounted to the toggle link member 12 is disposed away from the front cross bridge 11e. Therefore, it is ensured that even when the engine 30 goes through some articulation or swinging during bump conditions, the cylinder head 30a of said engine 30 does not strike the front cross bridge 11e, preventing impact to the front cross bridge 11e and the toggle link member 12.
[0031] Further, as per an embodiment of the present invention and as shown in FIG.3, a rear cross bridge 17 is provided to connect a pair of side tubes 11f of said body frame 11. Particularly, the rear cross bridge 17 serves to support the rear suspension members 15 (shown in FIG.2) through a mounting bracket each attached to either ends of said rear cross bridge 17 and extending rearwards and longitudinally from the rear cross bridge 17. More particularly, each mounting bracket attached to the rear cross bridge 17 includes a mounting hole to receive each rear suspension member 15. In the present embodiment, maintaining the position of each mounting bracket, the position of the rear cross bridge 17 is shifted rearwards towards a rear end of the saddle riding type vehicle 10. As a result, although the position of the rear cross bridge 17 is shifted rearwards, no change is made in the actual mounting position of the rear suspension members 15, thereby ensuring that handling of said saddle riding type vehicle is not affected. Shifting the position of the rear cross bridge 17 rearwards aids in increasing a utility area of a utility box supported between the pair of side tubes 11f and disposed in front of the rear cross bridge 17.
[0032] With reference to FIG.4, FIG.5 and FIG.6, mounting of the toggle link member 12 to the pair of side tubes 11f is elaborated. As per an aspect of the present invention, and as may be seen in FIG.4 and FIG.5, the pair of side tubes 11f is rigidly attached to said front cross bridge 11e. Particularly, the pair of side tubes 11f is rigidly attached to an arcuate end 11ee on each side arm of the left and right side arms 11ea. More particularly, the arcuate end 11ee is integrally formed on a rear surface of each arm of said left and right side arms 11ea, said rear surface facing the pair of side tubes 11f. As per the present embodiment, the arcuate end 11ee is formed in a manner such that a curvature of said arcuate end 11ee projects outwards towards said pair of side tubes 11f, and serves to abut with a lower portion of said pair of side tubes 11f. Thus, the pair of side tubes 11f is rigidly attached to the front cross bridge 11e at the arcuate end 11ee. Presence of the arcuate end 11ee aids in increasing a contact surface area of the front cross bridge 11e with the pair of side tubes 11f so that welding can be conveniently performed.
[0033] Further, as per another aspect of the present invention and as may be seen, the pair of side tubes 11f is provided with a non-circular cross section. Preferably, the pair of side tubes 11f is provided with a squarish structure. Providing a squarish structure for the pair of side tubes 11f rather than a cylindrical/circular structure, further facilitates ease of welding of the same to the front cross bridge 11e. Ease of welding in turn enhances accuracy of welding. Thus, the pair of side tubes 11f is reliably attached to the front cross bridge 11e. However, in another embodiment, the pair of side tubes 11f may have a circular cross section. Even while using the pair of side tubes 11f having a circular cross section, the accuracy of welding can still be maintained because of the presence of the arcuate end 11ee on the front cross bridge 11e. Thus, presence of the arcuate end 11ee aids in increasing overall welding accuracy while welding the pair of side tubes having any cross section to the front cross bridge.
[0034] As per yet another aspect of the present invention, the pair of side tubes 11f is adapted to support an axle 12a (shown in FIG.4) of the toggle link member 12. Thus, while a front extension member 12b of the toggle link member 12 is supported on a portion of the main tube 11b, an axle 12a of the toggle link member 12 is supported by the pair of side tubes 11f. In the present embodiment, a support member 13 is provided to support the axle 12a. Particularly, as per an aspect of the present invention, the support member 13 is adapted to be inserted into each side tube of the pair of side tubes 11f. Further, at least a portion of the support member 13 projects outside on either sides of each side tube. While one end of each support member 13 inserted in the pair of side tubes 11f receives the axle 12a, other end of each support member 13 is rigidly attached to each side tube of the pair of side tubes 11f. Thus, each support member 13 is rigidly attached to the pair of side tubes 11f.
[0035] Particularly, in the present embodiment the support member 13 is provided in the form of a cylindrical bush. Providing a cylindrical cross section for the support member 13 aids in increasing the length to diameter ratio of said support member. Moreover, owing to the squarish structure of the pair of side tubes 11f, it is easier to insert a support member having higher diameter. Thus, insertion of the support member 13 in each side tube of the pair of side tubes 11f aids to increase the strength of the pair of side tubes 11f locally, thereby enhancing rigidity and sturdiness of the pair of side tubes 11f locally. As a result, the toggle link member 12 can be reliably supported to the pair of side tubes 11f without involving any deviations in position of the toggle link member 12 with respect to a central longitudinal axis and lateral axis of said saddle riding type vehicle. Moreover, since the axle 12a of the toggle link member 12 is supported by the support member 13 which is adapted to be inserted into each side tube of the pair of side tubes 11f, load from the toggle link member 12 can be directly transferred from the support member 13 to the pair of side tubes 11f. As a result, the toggle link member 12 may be used to support higher capacity engines reliably without yielding due to higher load.
[0036] Thus, the present invention aids in maintaining good vehicle handling of the saddle riding type vehicle since it aids in preventing deviations in mounting of the toggle link member, a component whose position in the body frame determines body balance and vehicle handling.
[0037] While the present invention has been shown and described with reference to the foregoing preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes in form, connection, and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
,CLAIMS:I/We Claim:
1. A saddle riding type vehicle (10), said saddle riding type vehicle (10) comprising a body frame (11), said body frame (11) including:
a head tube (11a);
a main tube (11b) extending rearwardly and downwardly from said head tube (11a);
a pair of floor board support tubes (11d) connected to the main tube (11b) and extending rearwardly from said main tube (11b) and parallely to at least a portion of said main tube (11b);
a front cross bridge (11e) bridging the pair of floorboard support tubes (11d) at a rear end thereof,
a pair of side tubes (11f) extending rearwardly and inclinedly upwards from said front cross bridge (11e); and
a toggle link member (12) supported to at least a portion of said main tube (11b) and said pair of side tubes (11f);
characterized in that, said pair of side tubes (11f) is adapted to support an axle (12a) of said toggle link member (12) through a support member (13), said support member (13) being adapted to be inserted at least partially within each side tube of the pair of side tubes (11f).
2. The saddle riding type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said support member (13) is rigidly attached to each side tube of said pair of side tubes (11f) for supporting an axle (12a) of said toggle link member (12).
3. The saddle riding type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said support member (13) protrudes outside on either sides of each side tube of said pair of side tubes (11f).
4. The saddle riding type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said support member (13) has a cylindrical cross section.
5. The saddle riding type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said front cross bridge (11e) integrally includes said left and right side arms (11ea), a left and right inclined arms (11eb) extending inclinedly rearwardly from said left and right side arms (11ea), and a central arm (11ec) bridging said left and right inclined arms (11eb).
6. The saddle riding type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pair of side tubes (11f) is rigidly supported at an arcuate end (11ee), said arcuate end (11ee) being integrally formed on a left and right side arms (11ea) of said front cross bridge (11e).
7. A body frame (11) for a saddle riding type vehicle, said body frame (11) comprising:
a head tube (11a);
a main tube (11b) extending rearwardly and downwardly from said head tube (11a);
a pair of floor board support tubes (11d) connected to the main tube (11b) and extending rearwardly from said main tube (11b) and parallely to at least a portion of said main tube (11b);
a front cross bridge (11e) bridging the pair of floorboard support tubes (11d) at a rear end thereof,
a pair of side tubes (11f) extending rearwardly and inclinedly upwards from said front cross bridge (11e); and
a toggle link member (12) supported to at least a portion of said main tube (11b) and said pair of side tubes (11f);
characterized in that, said pair of side tubes (11f) is adapted to support an axle (12a) of said toggle link member (12) through a support member (13), said support member (13) being adapted to be inserted at least partially within each side tube of the pair of side tubes (11f).
8. The body frame (11) as claimed in claim 7, wherein said support member (13) is rigidly attached to each side tube of said pair of side tubes (11f).
9. The body frame (11) as claimed in claim 7, wherein said front cross bridge (11e) integrally includes said left and right side arms (11ea), a left and right inclined arms (11eb) extending inclinedly rearwardly from said left and right side arms (11ea), and a central arm (11ec) bridging said left and right inclined arms (11eb).
10. The body frame (11) as claimed in claim 7, wherein said pair of side tubes (11f) is rigidly supported at an arcuate end (11ee), said arcuate end (11ee) being integrally formed on a left and right side arms (11ea) of said front cross bridge (11e).