WO2024135793A1 - Saddle-ride vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

A saddle-ride vehicle (1) comprises a device connection unit (41) to which an external electric device can be electrically connected. The saddle-ride vehicle (1) comprises: a handlebar support member (11) which is disposed in front of a rider and pivots around a handlebar pivot axis (C2) in conjunction with a steering wheel (2); a steering handlebar (15) disposed over the handlebar support member (11); and a handlebar holder (20) which supports the steering handlebar (15) on the handlebar support member (11) in an integrally pivotable manner. The device connection unit (41) is fixed to the handlebar holder (20).

Description

Saddle type vehicle

The present invention relates to a saddle-ride type vehicle.
This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-205667, filed on December 22, 2022, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Conventionally, a charging structure for motorcycles has been provided with a USB charger capable of charging external electrical devices on the rear side (the front side of the vehicle, the side opposite the driver) of the meter unit located in front of the driver (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2021-154804

In the above conventional technology, the terminal connection port (USB port) for the USB charger is also located on the back side of the meter unit. The USB charger, together with the meter unit, is located forward of the steering wheel and away from the driver, which creates usability issues. In addition, the USB charger is fixed to the back side of the meter unit using a locking claw and fastening boss formed on the back side of the meter unit, but if an electrical component such as a USB charger is to be located closer to the driver, a separate mounting structure may be required, which may result in a complicated structure.

The present invention aims to provide a saddle-type vehicle that allows the device connection section to be placed in a position close to the driver with a simple structure.

As a means for solving the above problems, the present invention has the following configuration.
(1) A saddle-ride type vehicle according to an aspect of the present invention is a saddle-ride type vehicle (1) equipped with an equipment connection part (41) capable of electrically connecting an external electrical device, the vehicle being equipped with a handlebar support member (11) disposed in front of an occupant and adapted to rotate around a handlebar rotation axis (C2) in conjunction with a steering wheel (2), a steering handlebar (15) disposed above the handlebar support member (11), and a handlebar holder (20) supporting the steering handlebar (15) on the handlebar support member (11) so that the steering handlebar (15) can rotate integrally therewith, and the equipment connection part (41) is fixed to the handlebar holder (20).
According to the saddle-ride type vehicle of the present invention described above in (1), the device connection part capable of electrically connecting an external electric device is fixed to the handlebar holder together with the steering handle above the handlebar support member, so that the device connection part can be brought closer to the occupant compared to a case in which the device connection part is disposed in front of the steering handle. This makes it easier for the occupant to operate the device connection part, and also makes it possible to provide a simple mounting structure for the device connection part by utilizing the structure of the handlebar holder.
Here, the above "electrically connected" is not limited to a configuration in which terminals are in direct contact with each other, but may also include a non-contact configuration in which, for example, coils are placed close to each other to utilize electromagnetic induction.

(2) In the saddle-type vehicle described in (1) above, the equipment connection portion (41) may be supported by a support bracket (60), and the support bracket (60) may be fastened together with a holder fastening portion (24) for fixing the steering handle (15) to the handle holder (20).
According to the saddle-type vehicle described above in (2) of the present invention, the support bracket of the equipment connection part is fastened together with the holder fastening part of the handle holder, eliminating the need for a dedicated fixing part for attaching the equipment connection part, and allowing the equipment connection part to be fixed with a simple structure.

(3) In the saddle-type vehicle described in (1) or (2) above, an operating unit (38) operated by the occupant may be disposed in front of the handle holder (20), and the equipment connection unit (41) may be disposed shifted outward in the vehicle width direction from the handle holder (20).
According to the saddle-type vehicle described in (3) above of the present invention, the device connection part is positioned outside the handle holder in the vehicle width direction, so that the device connection part does not get in the way when the occupant reaches for the operating part, thereby improving the operability of the operating part.

(4) In the saddle-ride type vehicle described in (3) above, the device connection portion (41) may be arranged offset to the left side of the handle holder (20) of the vehicle.
According to the saddle-type vehicle of the present invention described above in (4), the device connection portion is disposed to the left of the handlebar holder, thereby providing the same usability as a right-hand drive vehicle. That is, in the case of a right-hand drive vehicle, the center console is located to the left of the driver, and electrical components including the device connection portion are often disposed to the left of the driver for use.

(5) In the saddle-type vehicle described in (1) or (2) above, the equipment connection portion (41) has an opening (43) for inserting and removing a connection terminal of the external electrical equipment, and the opening (43) may open toward the rear.
According to the saddle-type vehicle of the present invention described above in (5), the opening in the device connection part for inserting and removing the connection terminal (external terminal) of the external electrical device is opened on the rear side of the vehicle, so that the opening opens on the passenger side, making it easier to use the device connection part. Also, compared to when the opening of the device connection part opens on the front side of the vehicle, it is possible to prevent the intrusion of wind, foreign objects, raindrops, etc.

(6) In the saddle-ride type vehicle described in (5) above, the wiring (49b) extending from the device connection portion (41) may extend rearward and then turn back and extend forward.
According to the saddle-ride type vehicle of the present invention described above in (6), the wiring extending from the device connection part extends rearward and then turns back to extend forward, so that the wiring is less likely to get in the way when inserting and removing the external terminal into and from the device connection part. Also, since the wiring extending from the device connection part and the external wiring extending from the external terminal extend in the same direction, it is possible to reduce the complexity of the wiring around the device connection part.

(7) The saddle-type vehicle described in (2) above may further include fastening members (64a, 64b) that fasten the equipment connection portion (41) and the support bracket (60), and at least one of the equipment connection portion (41) and the support bracket (60) may be provided with a cover portion (48b, 64c) that covers the periphery of the fastening members (64a, 64b).
According to the saddle-type vehicle described in (7) above of the present invention, the fastening members that fasten the equipment connection portion and the support bracket are covered with a cover portion, making the fastening members less noticeable and improving the appearance while also preventing external disturbances from reaching the fastening members.

According to this aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a saddle-type vehicle in which the device connection section can be placed in a position close to the driver with a simple structure.

1 is a left side view of a motorcycle according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the periphery of a top bridge of the motorcycle. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which the fixing structure of the USB charger is disassembled from that shown in FIG. 2 . 4 is a view taken along the line IV in FIG. 1, and is a top view taken in the steering axis direction. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the charger assembly. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the charger assembly seen from the thickness direction of the USB charger.

Below, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the directions of front, rear, left and right, etc., are the same as those in the vehicle described below, unless otherwise specified. In addition, in the appropriate places in the drawings used in the following description, an arrow FR indicating the front of the vehicle, an arrow LH indicating the left side of the vehicle, an arrow UP indicating the top of the vehicle, and a line CL indicating the center of the left and right sides of the vehicle body are shown.

<Entire vehicle>
1 is a left side view of a motorcycle 1, which is an example of a saddle-ride type vehicle. The motorcycle 1 of this embodiment includes a front wheel 2 which is a steering wheel, a rear wheel 3 which is a drive wheel, a front fork 4 which supports the front wheel 2, a swing arm 6 which supports the rear wheel 3, a body frame 5 which supports the front fork 4 and the swing arm 6, a rear cushion 7 which spans between the swing arm 6 and a seat frame (rear frame) 5a at the rear of the body frame 5, and an engine (internal combustion engine, prime mover) 8 which is supported by the body frame 5.

A pair of left and right front forks 4 are provided. The upper parts of the left and right front forks 4 are supported rotatably (steerably) on the head pipe 5b at the front end of the body frame 5 via a steering stem 10. The steering stem 10 includes a top bridge 11 and a bottom bridge 12 that connect the upper parts of the left and right front forks 4 together, and also includes a stem pipe (not shown) that is inserted into the head pipe 5b. The stem pipe is an axial member that is coaxial with the head pipe 5b.

A steering handle (bar handle) 15 extending in the vehicle width direction is attached to the top bridge 11. In the figure, reference numeral 16 indicates a fuel tank disposed behind the steering handle 15 and supported by the vehicle body frame 5, and reference numeral 17 indicates a seat disposed behind the fuel tank 16 and supported by the seat frame 5a.

The head pipe 5b has a steering axis (rotation axis, hereafter referred to as the steering axis) C1 that is tilted backward from the vertical direction. Wheel side parts including the front wheel 2 and the left and right front forks 4 rotate around the steering axis C1. In the embodiment, handle side parts including the steering handle 15 and handle support members (handle holder 20 and top bridge 11, etc.) rotate around a rotation axis (handle rotation axis, hereafter referred to as the handle rotation axis) C2 that is coaxial with the steering axis C1. In the embodiment, a single stem pipe is provided as a common shaft member for the steering axis C1 and the handle rotation axis C2.

For example, in the case where the steering axis C1 and the handle rotation axis C2 are arranged on different axes, each of the steering axis C1 and the handle rotation axis C2 may be provided with an independent shaft member. Also, the handle side component and the wheel side component may be linked via a link or the like.
For example, the left and right front forks 4 extend parallel to the steering axis C1, but this is not limiting and the left and right front forks 4 may extend at an angle to the steering axis C1.

Referring also to Figure 4, the upper ends of the left and right front forks 4 are held (fixed) by clamp portions 11a on the left and right sides of the top bridge 11. The top bridge 11 has an overall plate-like shape with its thickness direction aligned with the steering axis C1 (steering axis direction). When the top bridge 11 is viewed from the thickness direction, the triangular portion surrounded by the left and right clamp portions 11a and the stem pipe fixing portion 11b located at the center CL of the vehicle left and right is called the bridge main body portion 11c.

For example, in a configuration in which the upper ends of the left and right front forks 4 are fixed to the bottom bridge 12 (the upper parts of the left and right front forks 4 terminate at the height of the bottom bridge 12), a separate holder support member (not shown) is provided at the upper end of the stem pipe instead of the top bridge 11. The holder support member is included in the handle support member together with the handle holder 20.

The steering stem 10 supports a headlight 30 and a pair of left and right front blinkers 31 via light stays (not shown). For example, a meter unit 33 and a main switch 38 are also supported on the top bridge 11. The headlight 30, the pair of left and right front blinkers 31, the meter unit 33, and the main switch 38 can rotate together with the steering handle 15.

The meter unit 33 is disposed above the headlight 30 and in front of the top bridge 11. The meter unit 33 has a circular display surface 34 disposed in the center in the vehicle width direction. The meter unit 33 is disposed so that the normal direction of the display surface 34 faces the driver's head position (i.e., faces diagonally upward and rearward). The normal direction of the display surface 34 is disposed at a slope less steep than the steering axis direction (closer to horizontal). The arrow S1 in Figure 1 indicates the line of sight as seen from the driver's head position. Figure 4 is a top view of the area around the top bridge 11 as seen from the steering axis direction, and will be used as a reference when explaining the configuration as seen from the driver's head position.

The display surface 34 is inclined upward toward the front than the upper surface 11d (upper surface of the bridge main body 11c) of the top bridge 11 in the thickness direction. Display units such as a speedometer and various indicator lamps are arranged on the display surface 34. The meter unit 33 has a circular meter case 35 that forms the display surface 34. An operating unit 36 that is approximately trapezoidal when viewed from the normal direction of the display surface 34 protrudes from the lower left of the meter case 35. The operating unit 36 has an operating surface 36a that is approximately parallel to the display surface 34. A number of push buttons 36b for switching the display on the display surface 34 are arranged on the operating surface 36a.

The top bridge 11 is provided with a protrusion 11e on the front side of the center of the vehicle width direction. The protrusion 11e protrudes forward from the front edge of the bridge main body 11c that spans between the left and right clamp parts 11a. The protrusion 11e is, for example, integrally formed from the same material as the bridge main body 11c. The protrusion 11e forms a protruding upper surface that is approximately parallel to the upper surface 11d of the bridge main body 11c. The protrusion 11e is disposed behind the meter unit 33. The protrusion 11e is formed in an approximately trapezoidal shape when viewed from the steering axis direction. A through hole is formed in the center of the protrusion 11e in the vehicle width direction, penetrating the protrusion 11e in the steering axis direction. The through hole is circular when viewed from the steering axis direction. The upper end of the main switch 38 is disposed inside the through hole.

The main switch 38 is equipped with a key cylinder operated by, for example, a physical key (mechanical key) 38a. The key cylinder is arranged with its axial direction aligned with the steering axis direction, and its circular upper end is arranged inside the through hole. A key insertion hole (not shown) opens upward at the upper end of the key cylinder. By inserting the physical key 38a into this key insertion hole and turning it, various power sources such as the ignition switch are turned on and off, and various locks such as the steering lock are locked and unlocked. The main switch 38 is not limited to a configuration in which it is operated by inserting the physical key 38a, but may also be a switch that can be operated or enabled without using the physical key 38a by authenticating the ID of a smart key (FOB key) carried by the occupant.

Referring also to FIG. 2, the steering handle 15 comprises a pair of left and right grip portions 15a that are held by the driver, a pair of left and right hanging portions 15b that extend downward from the inner ends of the left and right grip portions 15a in the vehicle width direction, and a straight portion 15c that spans between the lower ends of the left and right hanging portions 15b. The straight portion 15c extends horizontally along the vehicle width direction. The straight portion 15c is fixed to the upper surface 11d side of the top bridge 11 via a handle holder 20.

The handle holder 20 has a pair of left and right holder main bodies 21 spaced apart in the vehicle width direction. Each holder main body 21 is divided into upper and lower halves 21a, 21b in the steering axis direction. The upper and lower halves 21a, 21b each form a recess (not shown) that forms a semicircular inner circumferential surface when viewed from the vehicle width direction. The inner circumferential surface of each recess is formed to match the outer circumferential surface of the straight portion 15c of the steering handle 15, which is made of a circular steel pipe.

The straight section 15c is clamped and fixed by the upper and lower halves 21a and 21b by sandwiching the holding position of the straight section 15c between the recesses of the upper and lower halves 21a and 21b and tightening a pair of front and rear fastening bolts 25 arranged in front and behind the recesses. The fastening bolts 25 are arranged axially along the steering axis direction, for example. The upper and lower halves 21a are provided at the front and rear of the upper halves with upper fastening parts 23a having insertion holes through which the necks of the fastening bolts 25 are inserted. The lower halves 21b are provided at the front and rear of the lower halves with lower fastening parts (not shown) having nut holes into which the fastening bolts 25 are screwed. The holder fastening part 24 is composed of the upper fastening part 23a and the lower fastening part corresponding to each other.

The left and right upper halves 21a are connected together via a bridge 26. The bridge 26 is integrally formed, for example, from the same material as the left and right upper halves 21a. The left and right lower halves 21b (and thus the handle holder 20) are mounted to the top bridge 11 via, for example, rubber bushings.

<USB charger>
2 and 3, motorcycle 1 includes a USB charger (charging device) 40 that can charge an external electrical device by integrating a transformer (DC-DC converter, adapter) 45 and a USB socket (device connection section) 41. USB charger 40 is an example of a power supply component that can supply power to an external electrical device such as a smartphone by connecting the external electrical device with a USB (Universal Serial Bus) connector.

An example of an external electrical device that can be connected to the USB charger 40 is a small, lightweight, and portable mobile terminal. For example, examples of the mobile terminal include a smartphone, a tablet terminal, and a small notebook computer.
The USB charger 40 includes at least one voltage conversion element. The USB charger 40 converts the 12V voltage from the battery into 5V voltage for USB by the transformer 45, and can supply the 5V voltage to an external electric device via the USB connector.

The USB charger 40 is located at the upper left of the handlebar holder 20 and is fixed to the handlebar holder 20 via a support bracket 60. The USB charger 40 is located in a position where the driver can look down in front of him/her when seated on the seat 17 facing the front of the vehicle.

Referring also to FIG. 3, the support bracket 60 is formed, for example, by bending a flat steel plate. The support bracket 60 has a base portion 61 that is arranged along the upper surface 11d of the top bridge 11, and an upright portion 62 that stands upward from the left edge of the base portion 61. The right side of the base portion 61 is the base end portion 61a that is fixed to the handle holder 20, and the upright portion 62 is the tip portion 62a to which the USB charger 40 is fixed.

The USB charger 40 is connected to the power supply line of the main harness on the vehicle side via a wire 49b extending from the transformer 45. The USB charger 40 is connected to a 12V battery (not shown), which is an on-board power source, via the main switch 38, etc. A wire lead-out section 49 for leading the wire 49b rearward is provided at the lower right of the rear of the transformer 45. The wire lead-out section 49 has a wire lead-out port 49a that opens to the rear. The wire 49b led out from the wire lead-out port 49a curves downward near the rear end of the transformer 45, then curves forward and folds back forward below the transformer 45. The wire 49b then extends downward in front of the top bridge 11 and is connected to the power supply line of the main harness on the vehicle side.

The USB charger 40 allows an external electrical device to be charged using battery power. The USB socket 41 of the USB charger 40, together with the USB terminal provided at the tip of the charging cord on the external electrical device side, forms a USB connector.

The USB socket (device connection section) 41 in the embodiment has at least a power terminal, but does not necessarily have a data communication terminal. When a device that communicates with the control device of the motorcycle 1 is mounted instead of the USB charger 40, the device has a USB socket 41 with a data communication terminal, and is connected to the data communication line on the vehicle body side. The device connection section does not have to be integrated with a functional section such as the transformer 45. The specifications of the device connection section are not limited to a bus standard for connecting USB, and various interface standards can be adopted according to the required specifications.

The USB charger 40 is disposed above the upper surface of the handle holder 20.
Also referring to FIG. 4 , the USB charger 40 is disposed to the left of the vehicle left-right center CL and shifted to the left of the left end of the handle holder 20 .

Referring to Figures 2 and 3, the USB charger 40 of this embodiment has a charger body that integrates the transformer 45 and USB socket 41, and is covered with a resin cover 50, for example, to form a charger assembly 40A. The charger assembly 40A is attached to the tip 62a of the support bracket 60, and the base end 61a of the support bracket 60 is attached to the handle holder 20. The charger assembly 40A is fixed to the handle holder 20 via the support bracket 60, and is positioned at the upper left of the handle holder 20.

The USB socket 41 has a flat rectangular parallelepiped appearance with a limited width (thickness) in the left-right direction. The transformer 45 is located below the USB socket 41, has a flat rectangular parallelepiped appearance similar to the USB socket 41, and is formed longer toward the rear than the USB socket 41. The USB socket 41 and the transformer 45 are integrated with each other to form a charger body that is L-shaped in a side view. The charger body has an overall flat shape with a limited width (thickness) in the left-right direction.

The rear end surface of the socket case 42, which forms the exterior of the USB socket 41, is formed with a socket opening (charging port) 43 that opens toward the rear of the vehicle, allowing a USB terminal of an external electrical device to be inserted from the rear of the vehicle. The inside of the transformer case 46, which forms the exterior of the transformer 45, houses a circuit board (not shown) that includes a voltage conversion element.

Referring to Figures 4 and 6 together, the left side surface (the outer side surface in the vehicle width direction) of the front of the transformer case 46 is provided with a gate-shaped receiving portion 47 into which the locking claw 63 of the support bracket 60 can be inserted in the front-rear direction. The locking claw 63 is provided at the front of the tip 62a of the support bracket 60 and is hook-shaped, rising from the tip 62a to the right and then bending and extending rearward. By inserting the locking claw 63 into the receiving portion 47, the front of the transformer 45 and therefore the charger main body are locked to the front of the tip 62a of the support bracket 60.

A plate-shaped stay portion 48 that intersects in the left-right direction is provided at the rear end of the transformer case 46. A through hole 48a is formed in the stay portion 48, passing through its center in the left-right direction. The underside of a tapping screw 64b is inserted into the through hole 48a from the right side (the inside in the vehicle width direction), and this tapping screw 64b is screwed into and tightened into a clip nut 64a attached to the rear end fixing portion 64 of the support bracket 60. This fastens the rear end of the transformer 45 and therefore the charger body to the rear end of the tip portion 62a of the support bracket 60.

The rear end fixing portion 64 is provided at the rear end of the tip portion 62a of the support bracket 60, and has a crank shape that stands upright from the tip portion 62a to the right and then bends and extends rearward.
Fastening the tapping screw 64b and the clip nut 64a restricts at least forward and backward movement of the transformer 45 relative to the support bracket 60. This restricts the receiving portion 47 from coming off the locking claw 63 of the support bracket 60, maintaining the transformer 45 and, by extension, the front portion of the charger body locked to the support bracket 60, and thus the entire charger body is held (fixed) to the support bracket 60.

2, 3, 5, and 6, the cover 50 that covers the charger body covers the charger body so as to partially expose the charger body. The cover 50 exposes (protrudes) the stay portion 48 to the outside of the cover, for example, at the rear end of the charger body. The cover 50 has an openable and closable lid portion 54 at a portion that covers the socket opening 43, for example, at the upper portion of the charger body. The lid portion 54 is rotatable about a hinge shaft 53 that extends in the vertical direction, for example, on the left side of the socket opening 43 (outside in the vehicle width direction).
5, the cover 54 rotates in the direction of arrow R1 about the hinge shaft 53, thereby exposing the socket opening 43 to the outside of the cover. In this state, a USB terminal of an external electrical device can be connected to the socket opening 43. In FIG. 5, the cover 54 in the open state is shown by a solid line, and the cover 54 in the closed state is shown by a two-dot chain line.

<Fixing and positioning the USB charger>
The fixing structure of the USB charger 40 will be described with reference to FIGS.
The USB charger 40 is fixed using a pair of front and rear holder fastening parts 24 and fastening bolts 25 in the holder main body 21 on the left side of the handle holder 20. That is, the flat base end 61a located on the right side of the support bracket 60 is fastened together with the holder fastening part 24 on the left side of the handle holder 20. A pair of front and rear bolt insertion holes 61b corresponding to the front and rear fastening bolts 25 are formed in the base end 61a of the support bracket 60.

The upper fastening portion 23a of the upper half body 21a is formed with a seat bore 23a1 into which the head of the fastening bolt 25 is sunk, making it difficult for the base end portion 61a of the support bracket 60 to reach the seat surface of the upper fastening portion 23a.
In the embodiment, a collar 27 is disposed on the upper fastening portion 23a and the fastening bolt 25 is extended, so that the flat base end portion 61a of the support bracket 60 can be disposed on the upper end (seat surface) of the collar 27. This allows the support bracket 60 to be fixed by co-tightening with the holder fastening portion 24 without the need for a separate structure for fixing the support bracket 60. Reference numeral 28 in the drawing denotes a cap that closes the hexagonal hole of the fastening bolt 25.

The arrangement of the USB charger 40 will be described with reference to FIG.
The USB charger 40 is disposed offset to the left in the vehicle width direction so that the entirety is located to the left of the vehicle body left-right center CL in the vehicle width direction. The USB charger 40 is disposed so that the entirety is located to the left of the main switch 38 located at the vehicle body left-right center CL in the vehicle width direction (so as not to overlap in the vehicle width direction). This makes it difficult for the USB charger 40 to interfere with the operation of the main switch 38 even if it is disposed above the top bridge 11.

For example, if the main switch 38 is positioned offset from the center CL of the vehicle body, it is possible to position the USB charger 40 in the center CL of the vehicle body. However, since the USB charger 40 does not need to be visible while driving, it is preferable to position it in a location that is not conspicuous to the driver (the center CL of the vehicle body).

In particular, the following effects are expected when the USB charger 40 is shifted to the left in the vehicle width direction.
That is, when charging an external electrical device such as a smartphone in a right-hand drive passenger vehicle, it is common to connect the external electrical device to a USB port located in the center console on the left side of the driver's seat. Therefore, by offsetting the USB charger 40 to the left in the vehicle width direction, it is possible to obtain the same operational feel as when charging an external device in a passenger vehicle.

The insertion and removal direction of the external terminal in the USB socket 41 (insertion and removal direction, direction of arrow F1 in the figure) is inclined downward toward the rear with respect to the horizontal front-to-rear direction so as to follow the upper surface 11d of the top bridge 11, which is inclined downward toward the rear. The USB socket 41 has a socket opening 43 facing rearward. This prevents the wind from hitting the socket opening 43 directly, reducing the generation of wind noise and the intrusion of foreign objects and raindrops. In addition, because the insertion and removal direction F1 has a vertical component and the socket opening 43 is configured to open downward, rainwater and the like from above is prevented from intruding into the socket opening 43.

The direction in which the wiring 49b of the USB charger 40 is drawn out is parallel to and in the same direction as the opening direction of the socket opening 43. In this case, the external wiring connected to the USB socket 41 and the wiring 49b of the USB charger 40 are drawn out in the same direction, so that the complexity of the wiring around the USB charger 40 is reduced.
For example, if the direction in which the wiring 49b is drawn out is opposite to the opening direction of the socket opening 43, the wiring 49b will be drawn out on the side opposite to the external wiring. In particular, if the socket opening 43 faces downward, the wiring 49b will be drawn out upward, making the wiring 49b noticeable and susceptible to disturbance.

In the embodiment, the wire 49b is pulled out in the same direction as the socket opening 43, and the pulled out wire 49b is folded back from the lower side of the transformer case 46 toward the front and extended toward the main harness. This prevents the wire 49b from being disposed around the socket opening 43, and the wire 49b is unlikely to interfere with the attachment and detachment of the external terminal. In addition, the wire 49b can be connected to the main harness while preventing the wire 49b from being conspicuous.
For example, when the socket case 42 and the transformer case 46 are molded integrally, if the die-pulling directions of the wiring outlet 49a and the socket opening 43 are the same, it becomes easy to form the wiring outlet 49a and the socket opening 43 simultaneously.

At the fastening portion between the stay portion 48 of the transformer case 46 and the support bracket 60, the stay portion 48 and the support bracket 60 are each formed with a eaves portion (cover portion) 48b, 64c that covers the fastening members (tapping screw 64b and clip nut 64a) from above. This makes the fastening members less noticeable when the driver looks at the fastening portion, and prevents rainwater, etc. from falling on them from above. The eaves portion may be provided on only one of the stay portion 48 and the support bracket 60, and is not limited to a cover portion (eaves portion) that covers the fastening members from above, but may also be a cover portion that covers the fastening members from the front and rear directions, for example.

As described above, the motorcycle 1 in the above embodiment is characterized in that it comprises an equipment connection portion (USB socket 41) capable of electrically connecting an external electric device, a handlebar support member (top bridge 11) that is arranged in front of the rider and rotates around the handlebar rotation axis C2 in conjunction with the steered wheel (front wheel 2), a steering handlebar 15 that is arranged above the top bridge 11, and a handlebar holder 20 that supports the steering handlebar 15 on the top bridge 11 so that the steering handlebar 15 can rotate integrally with the top bridge 11, and the USB socket 41 is fixed to the handlebar holder 20.
According to this configuration, the USB socket 41, which can electrically connect to an external electric device, is fixed to the handle holder 20 together with the steering handle 15 above the top bridge 11, so that the USB socket 41 can be brought closer to the occupant compared to a case in which the USB socket 41 is disposed in front of the top bridge 11. This makes it easier for the occupant to operate the USB socket 41, and also makes it possible to provide a simple mounting structure for the USB socket 41 by utilizing the structure of the handle holder 20.

In the motorcycle 1, the USB socket 41 is supported by a support bracket 60, and the support bracket 60 is fastened together with the handle holder 20 by a holder fastening portion 24 for fixing the steering handle 15 to the handle holder 20.
According to this configuration, the support bracket 60 of the USB socket 41 is fastened together with the holder fastening portion 24 of the handle holder 20, eliminating the need for a dedicated fixing portion for mounting the USB socket 41, and allowing the USB socket 41 to be fixed with a simple structure.

The motorcycle 1 is characterized in that an operating section (main switch 38) operated by the rider is disposed in front of the handle holder 20, and the USB socket 41 is disposed offset to the outside of the handle holder 20 in the vehicle width direction.
According to this configuration, the USB socket 41 is disposed on the outer side in the vehicle width direction than the handle holder 20, so that the USB socket 41 does not get in the way when the occupant reaches for the main switch 38, improving the operability of the main switch 38. Examples of operation parts other than the main switch 38 include operation parts of electrical devices such as the meter unit 33 and a car navigation system, and operation parts of vehicle body parts such as a cowling and an item storage box.

In the motorcycle 1, the USB socket 41 is disposed offset to the left side of the handle holder 20 on the vehicle side.
According to this configuration, the USB socket 41 is disposed to the left of the steering wheel holder 20, and thus the same usability as in a right-hand drive vehicle can be obtained. That is, in the case of a right-hand drive vehicle, the center console is located to the left of the driver, and electrical components including the USB socket 41 are often disposed to the left of the driver for use.

In the motorcycle 1, the USB socket 41 has an opening (socket opening 43) for inserting and removing the connection terminal of the external electrical device, and the socket opening 43 is open and faces rearward.
According to this configuration, the socket opening 43, through which the connection terminal (external terminal) of the external electrical device in the USB socket 41 is inserted and removed, opens toward the rear of the vehicle, so that the socket opening 43 opens toward the occupant, making it easier to use the USB socket 41. Also, compared to a case in which the socket opening 43 of the USB socket 41 opens toward the front of the vehicle, it is possible to suppress the intrusion of wind, foreign objects, raindrops, and the like during running.

In the motorcycle 1, the wiring 49b extending from the USB socket 41 extends rearward and then turns back and extends forward.
According to this configuration, the wiring 49b extending from the USB socket 41 extends toward the rear side of the vehicle and then folds back to extend toward the front side of the vehicle, so that the wiring 49b is less likely to get in the way when inserting or removing an external terminal into or from the USB socket 41. In addition, since the wiring 49b extending from the USB socket 41 and the external wiring extending from the external terminal extend in the same direction, the complexity of the wiring around the USB socket 41 can be reduced.

The motorcycle 1 is characterized in that it is provided with fastening members (tapping screw 64b, clip nut 64a) for fastening the USB socket 41 and the support bracket 60, and each of the USB socket 41 and the support bracket 60 is provided with a cover portion (eave portion 48b, 64c) for covering the periphery of the fastening members.
According to this configuration, the fastening members that fasten the USB socket 41 and the support bracket 60 are covered with the eaves portions 48b, 64c, making the fastening members less noticeable and improving the appearance while also preventing external disturbances from reaching the fastening members.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, the mounting structure for a USB charger according to the present embodiment may be applied to a saddle-type vehicle other than a motorcycle.
The saddle-type vehicle includes all vehicles on which a driver straddles the vehicle body, including not only motorcycles (including motorized bicycles and scooter-type vehicles), but also three-wheeled vehicles (including vehicles with one front wheel and two rear wheels, as well as vehicles with two front wheels and one rear wheel) or four-wheeled vehicles (such as four-wheeled buggies). The present invention may be applied to vehicles that include an electric motor as a prime mover. The present invention may be applied to vehicles other than saddle-type vehicles (passenger cars, buses, trucks, etc.).
The configurations in the above-described embodiments are merely examples of the present invention, and various modifications are possible without departing from the gist of the present invention, such as replacing the components of the embodiments with well-known components.

1. Motorcycles (saddle-type vehicles)
2. Front wheels (steering wheels)
11 Top bridge (handle support member)
15 Steering handle 20 Handle holder 24 Holder fastening portion 38 Main switch (operation portion)
40 USB charger (charging device)
41 USB socket (device connection part)
43 Socket opening (opening)
45 Transformer 48b, 64c Eaves (cover)
49b Wiring 60 Support bracket 64a Clip nut (fastening member)
64b Tapping screw (fastening member)
C2 Handle rotation axis

Claims (7)

A saddle-type vehicle (1) including an equipment connection portion (41) capable of electrically connecting an external electric device,
A handle support member (11) disposed in front of an occupant and rotatable about a handle rotation shaft (C2) in conjunction with the steering wheel (2);
A steering handle (15) disposed above the handle support member (11);
a handle holder (20) that supports the steering handle (15) on the handle support member (11) so as to be integrally rotatable therewith;
A saddle-ride type vehicle, characterized in that the equipment connection portion (41) is fixed to the handle holder (20). The device connection portion (41) is supported by a support bracket (60),
2. The saddle-ride type vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the support bracket (60) is fastened together with the handle holder (20) by a holder fastening portion (24) for fastening the steering handle (15) to the handle holder (20). An operating section (38) that is operated by the occupant is disposed in front of the handle holder (20),
3. The saddle-type vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the device connection portion (41) is disposed outwardly of the handle holder (20) in a vehicle width direction. The saddle-type vehicle according to claim 3, characterized in that the device connection part (41) is shifted to the left side of the handle holder (20) on the vehicle. The device connection portion (41) has an opening (43) for inserting and removing a connection terminal of the external electrical device,
3. The saddle-ride type vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the opening (43) is open toward the rear. The saddle-type vehicle according to claim 5, characterized in that the wiring (49b) extending from the device connection portion (41) extends rearward and then turns back and extends forward. The device further includes fastening members (64a, 64b) for fastening the device connection portion (41) and the support bracket (60),
3. The saddle-type vehicle according to claim 2, characterized in that at least one of the equipment connection portion (41) and the support bracket (60) is provided with a cover portion (48b, 64c) that covers the periphery of the fastening member (64a, 64b).

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