Having Frame Element Or Fender Constituting Also Exhaust Or Fuel Passageway Or Fuel Reservoir Patents (Class 180/225)
  • Patent number: 11338875
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a fender, a storage compartment, and a first retaining wall. The fender has an inner surface, an outer surface, and a through hole connecting the inner surface and the outer surface. The storage compartment has a bottom plate. The bottom plate of the storage compartment is located at a side of the outer surface of the fender and at least covers the through hole. The fender is located below the storage compartment in a top-bottom direction of the vehicle. The first retaining wall is disposed on the outer surface of the fender and surrounds at least a portion of the through. A portion of the first retaining wall is closer to a front of the vehicle than the through hole in a front-rear direction of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Gogoro Inc.
    Inventors: Hsiu-Huang Lin, Chia-Hao Chang
  • Patent number: 10710665
    Abstract: A vehicle body frame structure for a saddle riding type vehicle, the vehicle body frame structure includes main frames formed by coupling main tubes extending rearwardly downward from a head pipe supporting a front wheel via a front fork to pivot frames supporting a rear fork by rear end portions of the pivot frames, and a rear frame in a rear of the main frames, the rear frame being formed of a fiber reinforced resin and supporting a seat. The rear frame includes upper side attaching portions attached to the main frames, a pair of left and right upper side portions linearly extending rearward from the upper side attaching portions, and a cross member laterally coupling the upper side portions to each other. The cross member includes a bulging portion bulging above the upper side portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoya Matsuo, Shinya Morooka, Hikaru Tsuchihashi, Yohei Suzuki, Tomohiko Yashiro
  • Patent number: 10578013
    Abstract: The disclosed inventive concept allows an underlying component requiring servicing to be serviced without removing the heat shield entirely. The heat shield has two ends and an intermediate bendable area that allows it to flex, thereby giving the service technician access to the underlying component when only some of the fasteners are removed. The intermediate area of the heat shield is formed from a series of parallel and alternating ridges and grooves. The intermediate area of the heat shield is nominally flat and straight while the bellows are formed in the straight area by a process such as stamping. This combination of a flat and bellow enables the heat shield to be bent out of position and then restored to the original position after service. The heat shield may be entirely formed from a metal or the intermediate bendable area may be composed of a polymerized material such as rubber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Anthony Morelli, Robert Andrew Wade, Zhaokai Ma
  • Patent number: 10570858
    Abstract: A canister includes a fresh air introducing port for introducing a fresh air into the canister. The fresh air introducing port is opened in a space formed by at least a tank cover. The canister is connected to a drain pipe for draining a liquid in the canister to the outside of the canister. The drain pipe extends rearward at a height same as or higher than a lower end of the tank cover. The drain pipe merges with a supplied-fuel drain pipe and extends to a lower portion of a vehicle. The supplied-fuel drain pipe drains a fuel around a fuel supply port of a fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jiro Morita, Nobuyuki Kishi, Ko Kurata
  • Patent number: 10569833
    Abstract: A velocipede includes a pedal crank for pedals to allow an operator to power the velocipede, and a transmission hub or component that is coupled to the pedal crank by a first chain or belt. The transmission component is located rearward of the pedal crank in the frame of the velocipede, such as under a seat position, and is further connected to a rear wheel at an output of the transmission component by a second chain or belt. The transmission has an output that is coupled to a rear wheel assembly. In some embodiments the rear wheel assembly can be mounted in a swingarm that pivots about a transverse axis defined by the output of the transmission. In some embodiments the rear wheel assembly can include an electric motor to drive a rear wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Inventors: Robert Joseph Provost, Daniel Martin Del Aguila, James Salvatore Aversa, Jr., Charles Dow McVean, Leroy Pearce McCarty, Jr., Kenneth Roger D'Angelo
  • Patent number: 10384563
    Abstract: An electric vehicle includes a frame unit and a vehicle body cover unit. The frame unit includes tread tubes extending toward a rear side of a vehicle body and arranged pairwise as a left tread tube and a right tread tube. The vehicle body cover unit includes a tread board that shields the left and right tread tubes. The frame unit receives a battery box that receives and holds therein a battery and has two sides provided with support shafts to be pivotally supported thereon. The battery box is shaft-supported by the support shafts on the frame unit. The battery box includes a battery access opening, which is provided with a protection cover that covers and closes the battery access opening. The battery is securely held in the battery box without being moved by inertial forces. Dust resistance of the battery box can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: KWANG YANG MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yi-Tso Chen, Jung-Chiang Chen
  • Patent number: 10286979
    Abstract: A motorcycle is provided with an engine unit having a crankcase and a cylinder assembly protruding diagonally frontward and upward from the crankcase. An air cleaner box has a rearward-descending shape extending from the upper side to the rear side of the cylinder assembly as seen in a side view to form a vertically elongating box shape. The air cleaner box is disposed between left and right frames of a chassis, and both side surfaces of the air cleaner box are separated from the chassis. The air cleaner box has a frontward-narrowing and rearward-narrowing width as seen in a top view. As a result, it is possible to obtain a sufficient box capacity and facilitate a compact design. In addition, it is possible to smoothly flow an air stream in the lateral sides of the air cleaner box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: SUZUKI MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kei Hasegawa, Kota Kezuka, Koichi Tanaka
  • Patent number: 10233875
    Abstract: A saddle-ridden vehicle includes: an engine and an air cleaner case that are supported to a body frame and respectively arranged in front and rear sides of the vehicle; a rear cushion arranged between the engine and the air cleaner case, the rear cushion being coupled to the body frame; and a connecting tube that extends forward from the air cleaner case and is coupled to the engine. The connecting tube upwardly bypasses an upper end of the rear cushion so as to be curvedly arranged under an occupant seat. The connecting tube defines a breather-gas return chamber between an inner wall and an upper-side outer wall of the connecting tube, the breather-gas return chamber being communicated with an internal space of the air cleaner case and receiving breather gas from the engine, the inner wall being integrated with the upper-side outer wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Naoki Ojima, Teppei Hakamata
  • Patent number: 10086903
    Abstract: A saddle-ridden vehicle includes: a pair of frame members which are disposed on one side and on other side in a vehicle width direction so as to extend in a vehicle front-rear direction; an engine which is disposed between and supported by the pair of frame members; an air cleaner which cleans air for fuel combustion; a supercharger which compresses the air cleaned by the air cleaner; an intercooler which cools, using a cooling wind, the air compressed by the supercharger and supplies resulting air to the engine; and an exhaust wind duct which determines a discharge position or a discharge direction of the cooling wind discharged from the intercooler, and the exhaust wind duct is disposed above the engine on the one side in the vehicle width direction and extends to rear of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: SUZUKI MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryohei Hamaguchi, Kazuhiro Okita
  • Patent number: 9731792
    Abstract: Described herein are gear shifter interfaces for a motor vehicle comprising: a shifter assembly configured to connect to a shift lever comprising: a first plate having a top surface and a bottom surface; a first peg attached to the first plate; a second plate slidably coupled to the first plate, wherein the second plate has a top surface and a bottom surface; and a second peg attached to the second plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Inventor: Jose Sattamini
  • Patent number: 9650100
    Abstract: A vehicle body frame structure is applied to a straddle-type vehicle in which a driving power transmission mechanism which transmits rotational power of a driving source to a rear wheel is placed on a first side in a vehicle width direction with respect to a center line of a vehicle body. The structure comprises a head pipe; and a pair of main frames extending rearward and outward in the vehicle width direction from the head pipe such that the main frames are spaced apart in the vehicle width direction. The pair of main frames include right- and left-side portions, respectively, facing the transmission mechanism in the vehicle width direction, and the right-side portion located on a second side in the vehicle width direction has a stiffness lower than that of the left-side portion located on the first side in the vehicle width direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ishii, Tomo Yamamoto, Daisuke Saeki
  • Patent number: 9440504
    Abstract: A two-wheeled vehicle includes a frame having a front frame portion, a mid-frame portion, and a rear frame portion. The mid-frame portion is coupled to the rear frame portion and the front frame portion. The vehicle further includes a plurality of ground-engaging members for supporting the frame. The front frame portion is removably coupled to the mid-frame portion with a plurality of frame members extending between the front frame portion and the mid-frame portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: David L. Bagnariol, Stephen J. Kemp, G. Jay McKoskey
  • Patent number: 9162561
    Abstract: A straddle-seat vehicle has a frame, and connected thereto, a pair of front wheels, at least one rear wheel, a pair of footrests, an engine, a radiator connected to the engine for cooling the engine, and a cowling. The cowling encloses at least a portion of the radiator and includes an inlet in fluid communication with the portion of the radiator, a lateral outlet on a first side, and a downward outlet on a lower surface, both outlets rearward of the inlet. The inlet is adapted to direct air to enter through the portion of the radiator into the cowling. A cowling wall disposed between the inlet and one of the pair of footrests deflects air away from the pair of footrests. The lateral and downward outlets, each in fluid communication with the inlet, are adapted to direct air exiting the cowling away from the pair of footrests.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: BOMBARDIER RECREATIONAL PRODUCTS INC.
    Inventors: Dany Marois, David Laroche
  • Patent number: 9067640
    Abstract: In a straddle type vehicle having a power unit provided on a body frame between a front wheel and a rear wheel to provide a driving force to the vehicle, and a radiator provided between the front wheel and the power unit to radiate the heat of the power unit into the air, a guard pipe is provided between the radiator and the power unit so as to protect the power unit from colliding with the ground when the vehicle is overturned and from being struck by obstacles in the front direction. Effective utilization of a narrow space can protect the power unit due to the fact that the guard pipe is provided in the relatively narrow space between the radiator, which is just in front of the power unit, and the power unit so as to protect the power unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Tamura, Kanae Fujitake, Kenichi Misaki
  • Publication number: 20150101875
    Abstract: An engine; an air cleaner which filtrates fuel air; a turbocharger which compresses intake fuel air; an intake pipe which connects the air cleaner and the turbocharger; and an intake passage which induces the fuel air taken from an intake port at an end part to the air cleaner, are included. The turbocharger is located at a front side lower part of the engine, and the air cleaner is located under a crankcase. The intake passage extends rearward from a rear part of the air cleaner, and thereafter, bends upward.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Applicant: SUZUKI MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshisato INAYAMA, Shinya OTANI
  • Patent number: 8919487
    Abstract: A fuel tank support structure for a saddle-type vehicle includes a head pipe which steerably supports a front wheel, a main frame section extending rearwardly and downwardly from the head pipe, and a pair of left and right lower frame sections extending substantially horizontally rearwardly from a lower portion of the main frame section. A fuel tank is disposed in back of the main frame section and between the lower frame sections, and a step floor is disposed over the fuel tank. In the fuel tank support structure, floor support members are disposed under the step floor as support members. The floor support members are disposed in a left-right pair on the outer sides relative to the lower frame sections. The fuel tank is supported by the floor support members. The lower frame sections are disposed so that their lower edges extend along a lower surface of the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tatsuya Seiji
  • Patent number: 8919483
    Abstract: A ridden vehicle comprising a seat configured to be ridden and an internal combustion engine a frame configured for supporting the seat and the engine during operation of the ridden vehicle, the frame comprising a front frame portion having a steering head, a rear frame portion configured to support at least the seat and the engine, and a lower frame portion connecting the front frame portion and the rear frame portion to support a leg portion of a rider a fuel tank integrated with the front frame portion below the steering head and configured to store fuel for operation of the engine and a filler tube communicating with the fuel tank disposed in the ridden vehicle to provide an entrance to the fuel tank in front of the steering head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Hero Motorcorp, Ltd.
    Inventors: Erik Buell, Anthony Stefanelli, John Fox, Jonathan Bunne, Giancarlo Battaglini, Chad Antczak, Dean Iwinski
  • Patent number: 8881854
    Abstract: A vehicle fuel tank assembly is provided with a fuel tank and a fuel pump unit. The fuel tank is mounted on a saddle-riding type vehicle. The fuel tank has a flat shape elongated in the front-to-rear direction. The fuel pump unit includes a main body, a support body extending from the upper part of the main body in the longitudinal direction of the fuel tank, and a fuel level gauge supported and extending on the support body. The fuel level gauge includes a fuel level gauge body, a float arm pivotally supported by the gauge body, and a float on the free end of the float arm. The float arm extends in the longitudinal direction of the fuel tank and takes a highest swing position in an intermediate level of the height of the fuel tank. The fuel tank assembly enables fuel level detection in a wide range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shin Nishimura, Keita Kinoshita, Takashi Sunaga, Takaaki Shomura
  • Patent number: 8726888
    Abstract: An atmosphere-opening structure is provided for a canister of a vehicle which can prevent invasion of dust and water drops from an atmosphere-opening passage by a simple configuration which is easy to produce. A fuel tray is provided around a fuel filler such that fuel leaking from the fuel filler to the outside upon refueling is received by the fuel tray. The fuel tray is covered with a fuel lid which can open and close the fuel filler from above. A drain hole for discharging fuel to the outside is provided in the fuel tray. An opening hose for communicating the canister and the atmosphere with each other is provided. An opening end of the opening hose is communicated with a position higher than the drain hole in the fuel tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Naoki Yoshida, Yukio Hosoya, Kazunori Kawame, Shuhei Hatakeyama
  • Patent number: 8594910
    Abstract: Provided are an apparatus and method for preventing the inflow of exhaust gas of a vehicle. The apparatus includes a mode door provided in an air conditioner of a vehicle in such a manner as to close an air inlet, being in air-close mode, so that only inside air is circulated, or to open the air inlet, being in air-open mode, so that outer air is introduced, and a controller designed, in the air-close mode and above a certain vehicle speed, to control the mode door to tilt and open at a certain angle towards the air-open mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corp.
    Inventors: Chang Gyun Seo, Moo Yong Kim, Ho Gyu Choi
  • Publication number: 20130248270
    Abstract: A fuel supply structure for a saddle-ride type vehicle wherein fuel supplied from a fuel tank to a fuel injection valve is supplied via fuel supply parts supported by a body frame having a single main frame extending rearwardly in a vehicle body from a head pipe with a pendent part being curved and extending downwardly in the vehicle body at a rear end of the main frame. Center frames extend in a lateral direction of the vehicle body from a halfway part in a vertical direction of the vehicle body of the pendent part and being provided with frame overhanged parts extending diagonally downwardly and extending further downwardly. The fuel supply parts are provided in an inside space enclosed by the center frames and the pendent part and in an overhanged part upside space on the upsides of the frame overhanged parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Junji HIGASHIYAMA
  • Patent number: 8505665
    Abstract: A pedaling assistance device for a light vehicle, in particular a bicycle, equipped with pedals and a ratio-changing transmission, this device comprising a heat engine equipped with a reducing gear mechanically coupled with an element receiving muscular pedaling power from a user of the light vehicle, the mechanical coupling being effected upstream of said ratio-changing transmission so that the heat engine benefits from said changes of ratio, wherein the assistance device comprises a torque limiter, placed on the kinematics of the reducing gear of the heat engine between said heat engine and the mechanical coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: The French Atomic Energy Commission
    Inventor: Yvan Philippe Gilles Pesenti
  • Publication number: 20130168170
    Abstract: A ridden vehicle comprising a seat configured to be ridden and an internal combustion engine a frame configured for supporting the seat and the engine during operation of the ridden vehicle, the frame comprising a front frame portion having a steering head, a rear frame portion configured to support at least the seat and the engine, and a lower frame portion connecting the front frame portion and the rear frame portion to support a leg portion of a rider a fuel tank integrated with the front frame portion below the steering head and configured to store fuel for operation of the engine and a filler tube communicating with the fuel tank disposed in the ridden vehicle to provide an entrance to the fuel tank in front of the steering head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2012
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Inventors: ERIK BUELL, ANTHONY STEFANELLI, JOHN FOX, JONATHAN BUNNE, GIANCARLO BATTAGLINI, CHAD ANTCZAK, DEAN IWINSKI
  • Patent number: 8403100
    Abstract: A vehicle, such as a motorcycle, can include an exhaust pipe connected to a back or rear side of an engine of the vehicle. An intermediate portion of the exhaust pipe can extend along a side of the engine from a rear portion connected to the rear side of the engine. A front portion of the exhaust pipe can extend from the intermediate portion along a front of the engine, and an exhaust portion can extend from the intermediate portion along a side of the engine opposite to the intermediate portion side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masato Yokoi, Shidehiko Miyashiro, Hisashi Tajima
  • Patent number: 8292021
    Abstract: A motorcycle includes a muffler assembly including a muffler and a muffler cover arranged on one side of a rear wheel in a lateral direction. The motorcycle also includes a housing box resembling the muffler assembly and arranged substantially parallel to the muffler assembly on the other side of the rear wheel in the lateral direction. The housing box has a shape substantially similar to a shape of the muffler assembly, thereby forming a pseudo muffler assembly or replica muffler assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kei Fukuyama, Takamasa Kojima
  • Patent number: 8205710
    Abstract: A belt-type continuously variable transmission that prevents escape of noise generated by a resin block belt to the outside. The resin block belt is wound around a primary sheave and a secondary sheave. A transmission case defines a belt chamber accommodating the primary sheave, secondary sheave, and resin block belt. The transmission case includes an exhaust passage, intake passages, and a sound absorbing member. The sound absorbing member is attached to an inner wall of the exhaust passage in a position to collide with sound waves traveling through the exhaust passage. The sound absorbing member has a sound absorbing surface crossing an extending direction of the exhaust passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yousuke Ishida
  • Patent number: 8181733
    Abstract: An exhaust pipe includes a catalyst housing portion arranged to be at least partially positioned in a space disposed between a shock absorber and a rear wheel, and a catalyst is disposed in the catalyst housing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Yamaha Motor Europe N.V.
    Inventors: Claudio Locati, Alessandro Ghezzi, Toshiharu Shigeta
  • Patent number: 8118129
    Abstract: A layout for an exhaust pipe which also serves as a drainage pipe which prevents splashing of water generated in a fuel cell toward a passenger or splashing toward a tire. Humid excessive gas supplied from a fuel cell is diluted in a dilution box by off-gas discharged from the fuel cell and is used for humidifying air in the humidifier. An exhaust pipe is connected to the dilution box, and diluted hydrogen gas is discharged via the exhaust pipe. Vapor mixed in hydrogen gas is condensed in the exhaust pipe and turned into water, which is drained through the exhaust pipe that extends rearwardly of a vehicle body through the interior of a power unit. A discharge port of the exhaust pipe (which is also a drainage port for water generated in the fuel cell) is positioned at the widthwise center of the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masamoto Ito, Hiroyuki Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 8113312
    Abstract: An evaporated fuel vapor from a fuel tank is fed through a charging pipe into an evaporated fuel storage canister, and is reserved there. The charging pipe, an upstream end of which is disposed in the fuel tank, is set to penetrate a side wall of the fuel tank and extends from the inside to the outside of the fuel tank. The canister is disposed in a swell-shaped recess on the inside of the front cowl, which recessed portion is situated between the headlight and the fuel tank as seen in side view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Seki, Jun Nakano, Mitsuru Terada, Tatsuro Kato
  • Patent number: 8074756
    Abstract: A straddle-type rough-road running vehicle includes a vehicle body frame supporting front and rear wheels, an engine unit mounted to the vehicle body frame and including an engine body and a power transmission case, a straddle type driver's seat, an intake control unit for controlling an air/fuel ratio, and an air-cleaner case for supplying a clean air to the intake control unit. The intake control unit and the air-cleaner case are connected to each other, and the air-cleaner case is disposed above the power transmission case. An engine mounting portion is formed in a frame shape opened such that the engine unit is surrounded from a vertical direction and a longitudinal direction. The engine body, the power transmission case, the intake control unit, and the air-cleaner case are disposed in an arrangement offset from the engine mounting portion in a side view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Suzuki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takuya Kusaka, Yuzo Hioki
  • Patent number: 7963358
    Abstract: The present invention provides a motorcycle including a frame having a forward portion and a rearward portion. The forward portion includes a steering head. The motorcycle also includes an engine coupled to the frame and a steering assembly pivotably coupled to the steering head. The steering assembly includes a fork and a front wheel rotatably coupled to the fork. The motorcycle further includes a swing arm pivotably coupled to the rearward portion, a rear wheel rotatably coupled to the swing arm, and a first cavity defined in the frame. The first cavity is in fluid communication with the engine to provide fuel to the engine. The motorcycle also includes a second cavity defined in the frame. The second cavity is in fluid communication with the engine to provide combustion air to the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Buell Motorcycle Company
    Inventors: Erik F. Buell, Steven H. Anderson, Edward A. Weston, Edward M. Laben
  • Patent number: 7946610
    Abstract: A motorcycle includes main frames extending from a head pipe to rear left and right sides, a fuel tank provided between the main frames, seat frames extending rearwardly from the main frames; a seat supported by the seat frames; and an air bag module disposed at a position proximate to a front upper portion of the seat. The air bag module may be disposed in a recess formed on a rear upper portion of the fuel tank, and is mounted on stay members extending respectively upwardly from the left and right main frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Misaki, Kazuyoshi Kuroki, Takeshi Kuroe
  • Patent number: 7905315
    Abstract: A vehicle, such as a motorcycle, includes an engine having first and second cylinder housings arranged in a V-shape such that a space is defined between the first and second cylinder housings. The first cylinder housing includes a first exhaust port and the second cylinder housing includes a second exhaust port. A first exhaust pipe is attached to the first exhaust port and is configured to facilitate passage of exhaust fluid from the first cylinder housing and toward a muffler. A second exhaust pipe is attached to the second exhaust port and is configured to facilitate passage of exhaust fluid from the second cylinder housing and toward the muffler. The second exhaust pipe extends through the space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: David W. Arnold
  • Patent number: 7900738
    Abstract: An engine supporting device for a motorcycle includes a first frame section having a head pipe portion supporting a front fork, a second frame section supporting a rear arm and connected to the first frame section and an engine supported between the first and second frame sections and having a standing cylinder section. The second frame section has an extension made from a forged product and extends toward a region above the cylinder section of the engine. A hanger bracket that suspends the cylinder section is mounted to the extension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takayoshi Muramatsu
  • Patent number: 7896124
    Abstract: An exhaust system for a motorcycle includes a muffler configured for attachment at a location substantially beneath a motorcycle engine. The muffler includes a first input port and a second input port. A first exhaust pipe has a first longitudinal length. The first exhaust pipe is configured for extending between and connecting the first input port and a first exhaust port of a first motorcycle engine cylinder while being substantially entirely disposed forwardly of a motorcycle engine. A second exhaust pipe has a second longitudinal length substantially equal to the first longitudinal length. The second exhaust pipe is configured for extending between and connecting the second input port and a second exhaust port of a second motorcycle engine cylinder. A motorcycle including an exhaust system is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Daisuke Nagao, Kenji Tamura
  • Patent number: 7891452
    Abstract: The automobile rear structure includes a diffuser which is arranged on a vehicle-body rear side of a muffler and is configured to interfere with exhaust gas discharged from the muffler so as to make a portion of the exhaust gas flow downwardly, and a flow rectification plate which is arranged below the muffler and guides the downwardly flowing exhaust gas in the direction along an air flow flowing below the floor of the vehicle body to merge the exhaust gas into the air flow. The exhaust gas discharged downwardly from a space defined between a front end portion of the diffuser and a body portion of the muffler is guided in the direction inclined downwardly toward the rear side of the vehicle body and, thereafter, is guided in the direction along the air flow flowing below the floor of the vehicle body, and is merged into the air flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroaki Iwamoto, Takao Ito, Haruhiko Yamamoto, Ken Tsuruta
  • Patent number: 7861816
    Abstract: A motorcycle includes a main frame having left and right main frame members which each extend obliquely downwardly and rearwardly from a forward end to a rearward end. The forward end of the main frame includes a steering interface and the rearward end of the main frame includes a swingarm interface. An engine is attached to the main frame. A swingarm is attached to the swingarm interface and supports a rear wheel. A seat is attached to the main frame at an attachment location. The main frame, the swingarm, and the seat together at least partially define an open space of sufficient size to facilitate substantially complete access to the second cylinder head when the motorcycle is fully assembled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Daisuke Nagao, Kenji Tamura
  • Publication number: 20100270098
    Abstract: A motorcycle including a swingarm that movably mounts a rear wheel to a main frame of the motorcycle and defines a hollow portion through which exhaust gases are passed before being expelled from an outlet of the swingarm. A movable joint may be provided between a header and the swingarm, including a first portion fixed relative to the main frame, a second portion movable relative to the main frame, and a flexible conduit between the first and second portions. The movable joint may be coincident with the pivot axis. In some constructions, the hollow portion of the swingarm is divided into at least three chambers, and a plurality of pipes is configured to provide at least two flow direction reversals within the swingarm between an inlet and an outlet, with multiple volumetric expansions between the inlet and the outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2009
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: BUELL MOTORCYCLE COMPANY
    Inventor: Erik Buell
  • Publication number: 20100243360
    Abstract: A motorcycle is provided having an engine disposed on a vehicle body frame, a storage box disposed downward of a rider seat, a fuel tank for storing fuel to be supplied to the engine, and a canister for adsorbing fuel vapors generated in the fuel tank. The canister does not restrict the shape of the fuel tank, and the storage box and the fuel tank are disposed longitudinally. A storage box and a fuel tank are disposed in a longitudinally parallel arrangement. A rear cross frame forming part of a vehicle body frame and disposed between the storage box and the fuel tank connects rear frames which form part of the vehicle body frame and are disposed on both lateral sides of the storage box and the fuel tank. Further, a canister is disposed downwardly of the rear cross frame between the storage box and the fuel tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Inaoka
  • Publication number: 20100206653
    Abstract: A motorcycle can include an engine, a fuel tank, a seat, and a canister. The fuel tank can have an upper surface and an inclined surface arranged to extend obliquely downward from a rear end of the upper surface toward a back of the motorcycle. The seat can include a seat front portion and a seat rear portion. The seat front portion can be provided on the inclined surface, and the seat rear portion can extend toward the back of the motorcycle. The canister can be arranged between the inclined surface and the seat front portion. The canister can store fuel gas generated in the fuel tank, and supply the fuel gas to the engine. At least one of the inclined surface and the lower surface can have a first cavity that stores the canister.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Munetaka KOIKE
  • Publication number: 20100163328
    Abstract: A saddle-ride type vehicle is provided which arranges a canister therein, taking heat from an engine into consideration. The saddle-ride type vehicle includes a storage box which has a bulging portion; an engine; a fuel tank; and a canister, the engine is arranged behind the bulging portion in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and the fuel tank and the canister are arranged in front of the bulging portion in the vehicle longitudinal direction. The fuel tank and the canister are arranged with respect to the engine such that the bulging portion of the storage box is sandwiched between the fuel tank canister and the engine. It is possible to arrange the canister away from the engine by a distance corresponding to the bulging portion and hence, it is possible to reduce influence of heat from the engine exerted on the canister.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Junko Hasegawa
  • Publication number: 20100133033
    Abstract: A fuel tank and air box assembly for a motorcycle includes a fuel tank and an air box housing. The air box housing has an inlet configured to receive intake air into the housing and an outlet configured to direct the intake air from the housing to the motorcycle's engine. A filter element configured to separate debris from the intake air is positioned at least partially inside the housing. The air box housing hangs from the fuel tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2010
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTOR COMPANY GROUP, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory R. Schmidt, Joseph R. Konshak, Frank Savage
  • Patent number: 7712564
    Abstract: An air box for a motorcycle including a motorcycle engine and a fuel tank. The air box includes a housing having an inlet configured to receive intake air into the housing and an outlet configured to direct the intake air from the housing to the motorcycle engine. A filter element is coupled to the housing and is configured to separate debris from the intake air. A mounting feature is configured to connect the housing below the fuel tank of the motorcycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Harley-Davidson Motor Company Group, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory R. Schmidt, Joseph R. Konshak, Frank Savage
  • Patent number: 7644797
    Abstract: A motorcycle includes a vehicle body frame, a rear swing arm which is mounted on a vehicle body frame in a rockable manner by way of a pivot shaft, and a rear wheel which is pivotally supported on a rear portion of the rear swing arm and is rotated by a driving force of a drive shaft. The pivot shaft which constitutes a support portion and an axis of the rear wheel axle are arranged at the substantially same height. The drive shaft is arranged at a position upwardly spaced-apart from the drive shaft, that is, above the pivot shaft. The drive shaft includes a shaft-length variable mechanism which can change a length of the shaft. The resulting configuration provides a motorcycle having reduce weight while maintaining support rigidity of the rear swing arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenji Kofuji
  • Publication number: 20090218155
    Abstract: To provide a compact fuel tank including a fuel pump in accordance with one or more embodiments. For example in an embodiment, a motorcycle includes a tank rail forming an upper part of a body frame, a fuel tank having a pair of tank sections disposed across the tank rail in a vehicle width direction and mounted on and across the tank rail, and a fuel pump disposed in the fuel tank for supplying fuel to an engine, in which a mounting surface for the fuel pump is formed on a bottom of one of the pair of tank sections and the mounting surface is formed to be tilted in an in-and-out direction with respect to the vehicle width direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2009
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Inventor: Hisashi Morikawa
  • Patent number: 7513328
    Abstract: A motorcycle includes an exhaust device connected to an engine unit, and the exhaust device includes: a plurality of first exhaust pipes forwardly extending from an exhaust port which opens in the front of the engine unit; a joint portion for joining the first exhaust pipes; a second exhaust pipe connected to a downstream side of the joint portion and passing below an oil pan disposed in a lower portion of the engine unit; and an exhaust expansion chamber connected to a downstream portion of the second exhaust pipe. A cowling of such a motorcycle includes: a front cowling covering the engine unit and the exhaust device from lower and side portions thereof; and a rear cowling partially covering a rider's seat. The front cowling is formed with an air-exhaust opening at a bottom surface of a rear end thereof positioned to a front lower surface of the exhaust expansion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Suzuki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Shigeta, Koji Yoshiura
  • Patent number: 7490693
    Abstract: A grab rail and a muffler support structure has a reduced number of components and a simplified structure. Therefore, the cost is reduced. A grab rail is attached to the rear portion of seat rails supporting a seat. The grab rail is provided with left mount holes and right mount holes serving as a mount portion used to attach the grab rail to the seat rails. A muffler support for supporting the muffler of an exhaust system is also provided. The grab rail also serves as the muffler support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadashi Oshima, Hiromitsu Shiina
  • Publication number: 20090008177
    Abstract: A motorcycle frame includes hollow left and right frame members that define a fuel-containing volume. Left-center, right-center, left-rear, and right-rear engine supports each depend from a corresponding left and right frame member. Each engine support includes a first portion that is coupled to the frame member and a second portion that is coupled to the engine. Each engine support also includes a stress riser defined between the first and second portions. The stress riser is configured to cause the first and second portions to separate from one another in response to application of sufficient force to the engine or second portion. By causing the first and second portions of the engine mount to separate in a predetermined way, the frame members and the fuel-containing volume are left intact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2007
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Inventors: Matthew J. Sheahan, Chad E. Antczak
  • Publication number: 20090008178
    Abstract: The present invention provides a motorcycle including a frame having a forward portion and a rearward portion. The forward portion includes a steering head. The motorcycle also includes an engine coupled to the frame and a steering assembly pivotably coupled to the steering head. The steering assembly includes a fork and a front wheel rotatably coupled to the fork. The motorcycle further includes a swing arm pivotably coupled to the rearward portion, a rear wheel rotatably coupled to the swing arm, and a first cavity defined in the frame. The first cavity is in fluid communication with the engine to provide fuel to the engine. The motorcycle also includes a second cavity defined in the frame. The second cavity is in fluid communication with the engine to provide combustion air to the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2007
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Inventor: Erik F. Buell
  • Patent number: 7438738
    Abstract: An air cleaner device for a motorcycle including a cylindrical filter element disposed in a box of an air cleaner, wherein air purified by the element is sent to an air-intake system. Further, a rectifying member is disposed around the outer periphery of the cylindrical filter element at a predetermined distance apart therefrom and the rectifying member is formed into a cylindrical shape so as to cover the entire outer periphery of the element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisashi Uneta, Yuji Noguchi, Isao Azumagakito