Rear structure of motorcycle

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9975586-B2
Application number	US-201615223994-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 29, 2016
Priority date	Aug 7, 2015
Publication date	May 22, 2018
Grant date	May 22, 2018

Abstract

A motorcycle with a power unit for reducing the running resistance of a flow of air by effectively straightening the flow of air while ensuring the visibility of a tail light unit. The tail light unit emits light toward the rear of the vehicle and is arranged in a rear cowl which covers a rear part of the body frame at least behind an operator's seat. A straightening plate covers a rear part of a body frame F from below while allowing air flowing from a power unit to the rear to be straightened and discharged to the rear of the vehicle. The straightening plate is fixedly arranged below a rear cowl, which covers the rear part of the body frame from the side and above, behind an operator's seat.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A rear structure of a motorcycle in which a power unit exerting power for driving a rear wheel is mounted on a body frame, and a tail light unit for emitting light toward the rear of the motorcycle is arranged in a rear cowl, which covers a rear part of said body frame at least behind an operator's seat, comprising:
a straightening plate, for covering the rear part of said body frame from below, while allowing air flowing from said power unit to the rear to be straightened and discharged to the rear of the motorcycle, said straightening plate being fixedly arranged below said rear cowl behind said operator's seat, said rear cowl being positioned to cover the rear part of the body frame from a side and from above;
an air flow passage allowing air to flow in the longitudinal direction of the motorcycle is formed in said rear cowl; and
an exhaust port of the air flow passage opens toward the rear around said tail light unit.

2. The rear structure of a motorcycle according to claim 1 , wherein part of a rear edge of said straightening plate is arranged below a rear edge of said tail light unit.

3. The rear structure of a motorcycle according to claim 2 , wherein:
a hugger fender covering said rear wheel from above is arranged below said straightening plate; and
the rear edge of said straightening plate is arranged behind a rear edge of said hugger fender.

4. The rear structure of a motorcycle according to claim 3 , wherein a rear under cover covering said body frame from below under said operator's seat is connected to said straightening plate, in such a manner so as to form air flow holes with said straightening plate and said rear cowl.

5. The rear structure of a motorcycle according to claim 2 , wherein a rear under cover covering said body frame from below under said operator's seat is connected to said straightening plate, in such a manner so as to form air flow holes with said straightening plate and said rear cowl.

6. The rear structure of a motorcycle according to claim 1 , wherein:
a front wall portion facing the motorcycle front is provided in said rear cowl behind said operator's seat;
a first intake port taking air into said air flow passage from the front is formed in said front wall portion;
a second intake port taking air into said air flow passage from the front is formed in a ceiling wall of said rear cowl, behind the first intake port;
a total opening area of the first and second intake ports is set larger than an opening area of said exhaust port; and
said air flow passage is formed such that air flowed in from the first and second intake ports is mixed and discharged from said exhaust port.

7. The rear structure of a motorcycle according to claim 6 , wherein a rear under cover covering said body frame from below under said operator's seat is connected to said straightening plate, in such a manner so as to form air flow holes with said straightening plate and said rear cowl.

8. The rear structure of a motorcycle according to claim 6 , wherein:
a pad is provided on said front wall portion; and
first intake ports arranged on both sides of said pad are formed in said front wall portion behind a front face of said pad, in such a manner as to open toward the motorcycle front.

9. The rear structure of a motorcycle according to claim 1 , wherein a rear under cover covering said body frame from below under said operator's seat is connected to said straightening plate, in such a manner so as to form air flow holes with said straightening plate and said rear cowl.

10. A rear structure of a motorcycle comprising:
a body frame;
a rear cowl operatively mounted on the body frame, said rear cowl covers a rear part of the body frame at least behind an operator's seat;
a tail light unit for emitting light toward the rear of the motorcycle being arranged in the rear cowl;
a straightening plate, for covering the rear part of said body frame from below, while allowing air flowing from a power unit to the rear to be straightened and discharged to the rear of the motorcycle, said straightening plate being fixedly arranged below said rear cowl behind said operator's seat, said rear cowl being positioned to cover the rear part of the body frame from a side and from above;
an air flow passage allowing air to flow in the longitudinal direction of the motorcycle is formed in said rear cowl; and
an exhaust port of the air flow passage opens toward the rear around said tail light unit.

11. The rear structure of a motorcycle according to claim 10 , wherein part of a rear edge of said straightening plate is arranged below a rear edge of said tail light unit.

12. The rear structure of a motorcycle according to claim 11 , wherein:
a hugger fender covering said rear wheel from above is arranged below said straightening plate; and
the rear edge of said straightening plate is arranged behind a rear edge of said hugger fender.

13. The rear structure of a motorcycle according to claim 10 , wherein:
a front wall portion facing the motorcycle front is provided in said rear cowl behind said operator's seat;
a first intake port taking air into said air flow passage from the front is formed in said front wall portion;
a second intake port taking air into said air flow passage from the front is formed in a ceiling wall of said rear cowl, behind the first intake port;
a total opening area of the first and second intake ports is set larger than an opening area of said exhaust port; and
said air flow passage is formed such that air flowed in from the first and second intake ports is mixed and discharged from said exhaust port.

14. The rear structure of a motorcycle according to claim 13 , wherein:
a pad is provided on said front wall portion; and
first intake ports arranged on both sides of said pad are formed in said front wall portion behind a front face of said pad, in such a manner as to open toward the motorcycle front.

15. The rear structure of a motorcycle according to claim 10 , wherein a rear under cover covering said body frame from below under said operator's seat is connected to said straightening plate, in such a manner so as to form air flow holes with said straightening plate and said rear cowl.

16. A rear structure of a motorcycle in which a power unit exerting power for driving a rear wheel is mounted on a body frame, and a tail light unit for emitting light toward the rear of the motorcycle is arranged in a rear cowl, which covers a rear part of said body frame at least behind an operator's seat, comprising:
a straightening plate, for covering the rear part of said body frame from below, while allowing air flowing from said power unit to the rear to be straightened and discharged to the rear of the motorcycle, said straightening plate being fixedly arranged below said rear cowl behind said operator's seat, said rear cowl being positioned to cover the rear part of the body frame from a side and from above; and
a rear under cover for covering said body frame from below under said operator's seat, said rear under cover being connected to said straightening plate, in such a manner so as to form air flow holes with said straightening plate and said rear cowl.

Assignees

• Honda Motor Co Ltd

Inventors

• Shigihara Takashi
• Ueno Hirotsugu
• Kishi Toshiaki

Classifications

• B62K11/04

  characterised by the engine being between front and rear wheels · CPC title

• B62D37/02 Primary

  by aerodynamic means · CPC title

• B62J17/00

  Weather guards for riders; Fairings or stream-lining parts not otherwise provided for · CPC title

• B62J6/04

  Rear lights · CPC title

• B62J17/10 Primary

  Ventilation or air guiding devices forming part of fairings · CPC title