Title of Invention

VEHICLE LIGHT STRUCTURE

Abstract

In a vehicle light structure in which a light integrally having a taillight and winkers arranged on both sides of the taillight is provided on a rear portion of a vehicle body in a v-shape projecting reaward in side view, increase of choices in design of the light is enabled. A band-shaped portion 65a for partitioning a taillight 30 into upper and lower portions in appearance is provided at a postion corresponding to a projecting end of the v-shape.

Full Text

[Name of Document] SPECIFICATION [Title of the Invention] VEHICLE LIGHT STRUCTURE [Technical Field] [0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle light structure integrally including a taillight and winkers arranged on both sides of the taillight, which is to be provided on a rear portion of a vehicle body in a V-shape projecting rearward in side view. [Background Art] [0002] A motorcycle having a light integrally including a taillight and a pair of left and right winkers provided on a rear portion of a vehicle body in a substantially V-shape in side view is already known in Patent Document 1. [Patent Document 1] JP-A-2003-170876 [Disclosure of the Invention] [Problems to be Solved by the Invention] [0003] In a light disclosed in Patent Document 1, the taillight is simply formed in a V-shape in side view, and hence increase in choices of appearance design is desired. [0004] In view of such circumstances, it is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle light structure having increased choices of light design provided on a rear portion of a vehicle body. [Means for Solving the Problems] [0005] In order to achieve the above-described object, the invention according to Claim 1 is a vehicle light structure in which a light integrally including a taillight and winkers arranged on both sides of the taillight is provided at a rear portion of a vehicle body in a V-shape projecting rearward in side view, characterized in that a band-shaped portion for partitioning the taillight into upper and lower portions in appearance is provided at a position corresponding to a projecting end of the V-shape. [0006] In addition to the structure of the invention stated in Claim 1, the invention according to Claim 2 is characterized in that a taillight reflecting mirror section and a pair of left and right winker reflecting mirror sections are provided in a housing which is common for the taillight and the both winkers, in that a partitioning wall provided on the housing for partitioning the taillight reflecting mirror section and the both winker reflecting mirror sections is formed with a groove for fitting an edge of a taillight lens and edges of winker lenses, and in that water draining holes are provided on a bottom of the groove at positions corresponding to both ends of the band-shaped portion. [Advantage of the Invention] [0007] According to the invention stated in Claim 1, the taillight is divided into the upper and lower portions by the band-shaped portion in appearance, and it seems that two lights exist and hence it has an effect to attract attention. Accordingly, the choices in design of the light can further be increased. [0008] According to the invention in Claim 2, since the light is formed in a V-shape in side view, rain water or the like which tends to enter between the taillight lens and the winker lenses from above and flow downward in the groove can be discharged smoothly without affecting the appearance of the light. [Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention] [0009] On the basis of an example of the present invention shown in the attached drawings, an embodiment of the present invention will be described. [0010] Fig. 1 to Fig. 10 show an example of the present invention. Fig. 1 is a side view of a scooter-type vehicle; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a rear portion of the scooter-type vehicle; Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the rear portion of the scooter-type vehicle; Fig. 4 is a drawing of Fig. 3 with a vehicle body cover omitted viewed in a direction indicated by an arrow 4; Fig. 5 is a front view of a housing of a light; Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing the housing of the light viewed from the back side; Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a taillight taken along the line 7-7 in Fig. 5; Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 8-8 in Fig. 4; Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 9-9 in Fig. 5; Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 10-10 in Fig. 4. [0011] In Fig. 1, a vehicle body frame F of a scooter-type vehicle includes a head pipe 8 for steerably supporting a front fork 6 that supports an axle of a front wheel WF and a steering handle 7 to be connected to the front fork 6; a down tube 9 extending rearward and downward from the head pipe 8; a pair of left and right lower frame pipes 10... secured at front ends to both sides of a lower portion of the down tube 9 and extending rearward; and a pair of left and right rear frame pipe 11... continuing integrally from rear ends of the lower frame pipes 10..., wherein the rear frame pipes 11 include rising frame portions 11a extending rearward and upward from rear ends of the lower frame pipes 10 and upper frame portions lib extending rearward from the rear ends of the rising frame portions 11a substantially horizontally. Rear portions of the rear frame pipes 11... are connected to each other. [0012] A bracket 12 is provided at an integrally connecting portion between the both lower frame pipes 10... and the both rear frame pipes 11... of the vehicle body frame F, a front portion of a power unit P is supported by the bracket 12 so as to be capable of swinging vertically via a link mechanism 13, and an axle of a rear wheel WR to be arranged on the right side of a rear portion of the power unit P is supported at the rear portion of the power unit P. A rear cushion unit 14 is provided between a rear portion of the left rear frame pipe 11 out of the both rear frame pipes 11... and the rear portion of the power unit P. [0013] A storage box 15 and a fuel tank 16 to be arranged rearwardly of the storage box 15 are arranged above the power unit P, and the storage box 15 and the fuel tank 16 are supported by the rear frame pipes 11.... [0014] The vehicle body frame F is covered by a vehicle body cover 17 formed of synthetic resin, and the vehicle body cover 17 includes a front cover 18 for covering the head pipe 8 from the front, a leg shield 19 for covering the front of the legs of a rider, a low-deck step floor 20 continuing from a lower portion of the leg shield 19 for allowing the rider to place his/her legs, and side covers 21 continuing from the step floor 20 for covering the rear portion of the vehicle body from both sides. A tandem-type riding seat 22, which can be opened and closed, is provided on the side cover 21 so as to cover the storage box 15 and the fuel tank 16 from above. [0015] A front fender 24 for covering the front wheel WF from above is attached to the front fork 6, and a headlamp 2 6 is mounted to a handle cover 25 which covers a center portion of the steering handle 7. A rear fender 27 for covering the rear half portion of the rear wheel WR from above is attached to the rear frame pipes 11..., and a light 29 according to the present invention is arranged below a grab rail 28 to be arranged rearwardly of the riding seat 22 and mounted to the rear frame pipes 11.... [0016] In Fig. 2 to Fig. 6, the light 29 includes a taillight 30 and winkers 31, 31 which are arranged on both sides of the taillight 30, and is provided below the grab rail 28 and at a rear portion of the vehicle body in a V-shape projecting rearward in side view. [0017] The light 29 is provided with a housing 32 formed of synthetic resin which is common for the taillight 30 and the both winkers 31..., and the housing 32 integrally includes a taillight reflecting mirror section 32a formed into a bowl-shaped opening toward the rear of the scooter-type vehicle, a pair of left and right winker reflecting mirror sections 32b, 32b opening toward the rear of the scooter-type vehicle and provided on both sides of the upper half of the taillight reflecting mirror section 32a so as to continue therefrom with a part thereof positioned above the taillight reflecting mirror section 32a, and a connecting portion 32c provided continuously from an upper portion of the taillight reflecting mirror section 32a for connecting the both winker reflecting mirror sections 32b, 32b. The lower half of the taillight reflecting mirror section 32a is formed so as to protrude downward from the both winker reflecting mirror sections 32b.... [0018] A pair of left and right partitioning walls 32d, 32d for partitioning the tail light reflecting mirror section 32a and the both winker reflection mirror sections 32b... are provided on the housing 32, and the upper half of an opening edge of the taillight reflecting mirror section 32a including the both partitioning walls 32d... is inclined downward and rearward and the lower half thereof is inclined downward and forward in side view, and the opening edge of the taillight reflecting mirror section 32a is formed so as to be bent in a V-shape projecting at a vertical center rearward in side view. [0019] Upper mounting arms 33, 33 are provided on the upper portion of the winker reflecting mirror sections 32b... respectively, and the upper mounting arms 33... are secured to upper supporting stays 34, 34 provided so as to project upright at a rear portion of upper frame sections lib... of the rear frame pipes 11... with bolts 35 and nuts 36.... Lower mounting arms 37, 37 are provided on the lower portion on both sides of the taillight reflecting mirror section 32a respectively, and the lower mounting arms 37... are secured to lower supporting stays 38, 38 provided at both ends of a connecting frame section lie which integrally connects the rear ends of the upper frame portions lib. . . of the both rear frame pipes 11. . . so as to be suspended downward therefrom with bolts 39... and nuts 40.... In addition, an upper portion of the rear fender 27 is interposed between the lower mounting arms 37... and the lower supporting stays 38..., and the two positions on the upper portion of the rear fender 27 and the two positions on the lower portion of the housing 32 of the light 29 be secured to the both lower supporting stays 38 . . . together. [0020] Referring also to Fig. 7, mounting arms 41, 41 extending toward the front are integrally provided on the lower portion on both sides of the both winker reflecting mirror sections 32b... so as to continue therefrom, and front ends of the mounting arms 41...are secured to bosses 42... provided on an inner surfaces of rear portions of the side covers 21. . . with bolts 43. . . . [0021] Referring also to Fig. 8, a taillight bulb 4 6 is attached at a center portion of the inner end of the taillight reflecting mirror section 32a so as to be stored in the taillight reflecting mirror section 32, and winker bulbs 47, 47 are attached to centers of the inner ends of the both winker reflecting mirror sections 32b, 32b so as to be stored in the winker reflecting mirror sections 32b, 32b. [0022] A taillight lens 4 8 for covering an opening end of the taillight reflecting mirror section 32a and winker lenses 49, 4 9 for covering opening ends of the winker reflecting mirror sections 32b... are attached to the housing 32, and the both winker lenses 49... are integrally connected via a bridge portion 50 for covering the connecting portion 32c of the housing 32. [0023] A groove 51 is provided over a circumference of the opening end of the taillight reflecting mirror section 32a including the partitioning walls 32d..., and a band-shaped gasket 53 arranged so as to be positioned and held in the upper half portion of the groove 51 by insertion of a plurality of positioning pins 52... projecting from the inner end of the groove 51. [0024] The opening ends of the both winker reflecting mirror sections 32b... and the connecting portion 32c are provided with a groove 54 including U-shaped portions 54a, 54a which surround the outer periphery of the winker reflecting mirror section 32b in substantially an U-shape at a portion except for the partitioning walls 32d... and communicate with the groove 51 at one end of each U-shape at an intermediate section between the partitioning walls 32d... and a connecting portion 54b provided at the connecting portion 32c which linearly connects the other ends of the both U-shape portions 54a... above the, and a band-shaped gasket 55 is stored in the groove 54. [0025] The tail light lens 4 8 is formed so as to have a vertical cross-section which is bent at a vertical center so as to project rearward to form a V-shape in side view, and an upper half portion and a lower half portion are each formed into a trapezoidal shape whose width is increased toward the rear. An intermediate bent portion of the taillight lens 48 is provided with a recess 48a which is recessed inwardly over the whole width. [0026] Mounting bosses 56, 56 being continued from the lower portions of the partitioning walls 32d... are provided on both sides of the taillight reflecting mirror section 32a, and the mounting bosses 56... come into abutment with an inner surface of the taillight lens 48 at a portion corresponding to the recess 48a. Therefore, the taillight lens 48 is secured to the mounting bosses 56.. . by a pair of screw members 57, 57 arranged in the recess 48a. [0027] An edge of the taillight lens 48 is integrally provided with projecting leg portions 48b... so as to be protruded into the groove 51 of the housing 32, and the leg portions 48b... come into abutment with the gasket 53 in the upper half portion of the groove 51 and come into abutment with the closed end of the groove 51 in the lower half portion of the groove 51. [0028] The winker lenses 49.. . connected by the bridge portion 50 are formed so as to continue smoothly from the both sides to the upper half portion of the taillight lens 48. On the other hand, mounting bosses 58, 58 are provided on the upper portions of the both sides of the winker reflecting mirror sections 32b..., and the mounting bosses 58... come into abutment with bosses (not shown) provided on the winker lenses 49... so as to be depressed inwardly to form recesses 59... which are opposed to the surface of the winker lenses 49.... Therefore, the winker lenses 49... are secured to the mounting bosses 58... with screw members 60... to be inserted into the recess 59 [0029] The bridge portion 50 which connects the both winker lenses 49... is integrally provided with a plurality of engaging leg portions 61... projecting toward the housing 32 side, and the engaging leg portions 61... detachably engage a plurality of engaging holes 62... provided on the connecting portion 32c of the housing 32. [0030] The edges of the winker lenses 49... and the bridge portion 50 are integrally formed with projecting leg portions 63... which are protruded into portions of the groove 51 of the housing 32 corresponding to the partitioning walls 32d. . . and the groove 54, and the leg portions 63 come into abutment with the gasket 55 in the groove 54 and gaskets 53 in portions of the groove 51 corresponding to the partitioning walls 32d.... [0031] In addition, in a state in which the taillight lens 48 and the both winker lenses 49... connected by the connecting portion 50 are mounted to the housing 32, part of the peripheral edge of the taillight lens 48 is arranged so as to be overlapped with the edge portions of the both winker lenses 49... and the bridge portion 50 from above. The both winker lenses 49... connected by the connecting portion 50 is mounted to the housing 32, and then the taillight lens 48 is mounted thereto. [0032] Disposed between the rear portions of the side covers 21, 21 is a rear cover 65 which is formed with an opening 66 for exposing the lower half portion of the taillight lens 48 of the taillight 30, and the upper portion of the rear cover 65 defines a band-shaped portion 65a for partitioning the taillight lens 48, that is, the taillight 30 into the upper and lower portions by being partly fitted into the recess 48a of the taillight lens 48. In other words, the band-shaped portion 65a for partitioning the taillight 30 into the upper and lower portions in appearance at a position corresponding to the projecting end of the V-shape is provided on the light 2 9 formed in a V-shape projecting rearward in side view. [0033] Referring specifically to Fig. 3, the lower portions on both sides of the rear cover 65 is provided with recesses 67, 67 depressed so that the closed ends serve as mounting seats 68 and supporting plates 69... which come into abutment with the mounting seats 68... are fixed to the lower portion mounting arms 37. . . of the housing 32 with bolts 70.... In addition, the weld nuts 71... are secured to the supporting plates 69..., and the rear cover 65 is mounted to the housing 32 of the light 2 9 by screwing and tightening screw members 72 ... inserted from the recesses 67... through the mounting seats 68... and the supporting plates 69...into weld nuts 71.... [0034] In Fig. 9, a water draining holes 73. . . extending linearly in the vertical direction are provided on the lower portions of the groove 51 of the housing 32 corresponding to the both partitioning walls 32d..., that is, on the bottoms of the portion thereof corresponding to the both ends of the band-shaped portion 65a for discharging water entering into the groove 51 toward the rear surface side of the housing 32 as shown by an arrow. [0035] In Fig. 10, water draining holes 74... in communication with the lower portion of the groove 51 provided on the opening edge of the taillight reflecting mirror section 32a are provided on both sides of the lower portion of the taillight reflecting mirror section 32a so as to extend from the groove 51 toward the front. In other words, water flowing in the lower half portion in the groove 51 downward is discharged toward the outside via the water draining holes 74... as indicated by an arrow and, since the outer ends of the water draining holes 74... are opened toward the front, the possibility that water splashed from below enters into the groove 51 through the water draining holes 74... is minimized. [0036] Referring specifically to Fig. 8, an opening 75 is provided on the lower portion of the taillight reflecting mirror section 32a, and a lens 76 is attached to the opening 75. Therefore, light from the taillight bulb 4 6 is introduced downward through the lens 7 6, and light is illuminated onto a license plate 77 and a reflecting plate 78 mounted to the rear fender 27. [0037] The operation of this example will be described below. The light 2 9 including the taillight 30 and the winkers 31, 31 arranged on both sides of the taillight 30 is provided at the rear portion of the vehicle body in a V-shape projecting rearward in side view, and the band-shaped portion 65a for partitioning the taillight 30 into the upper and lower portions in appearance is provided at a position corresponding to the V-shaped projecting end of the V-shape. [0038] Therefore, the appearance of the taillight 30 is divided into the upper and lower portions by the band-shaped portion 65a, whereby it seems that two lights exist and hence it has an effect to attract attention. Accordingly, the choices in design of the light 29 can be further increased. [0039] In addition, the band-shaped portion 65a is formed on the upper portion of the rear cover 65 which is formed with the opening 66 for exposing the lower half portion of the taillight lens 48 of the taillight 30, the band-shaped portion 65a covers the recess 48a provided on the intermediate bent portion of the taillight lens 48, and the screw members 57... for mounting the taillight lens 48 to the housing 32 are arranged in the recess 48a. Therefore, the mounting portion of the taillight lens 48 with respect to the housing 32 is covered by the band-shaped portion 65a, and hence appearance can be improved. [0040] Since the light 29 is formed in a V-shape projecting rearward in side view, water enters between the taillight lens 48 and the winker lenses 49... and flows downward. However, the partitioning walls 32d... for partitioning the taillight reflecting mirror section 32a and the pair of left and right winker reflecting mirror sections 32b... are provided in the housing 32, the partitioning walls 32d. . . is formed with the groove 51 for fitting the edge of the taillight lens 48 and the edges of the winker lenses 49..., and the water draining holes 73... are provided at both ends of the band-shaped portion 65a, that is, on the bottom of the groove 51 at positions corresponding to the projected end of the V-shape. Therefore, rain water or the like which tends to enter between the taillight lens 48 and the winker lenses 49... and flow downward can be discharged smoothly without affecting the appearance of the outer light 29. [0041] In addition, even when the water draining holes 73... are formed so as to extend simply in the vertical direction without providing labyrinth structure by being provided at the projected end of the V-shape, water is prevented from entering into the groove 51 from below and can be discharged to the back surface side of the housing 32, whereby accumulation of water due to the labyrinth structure is prevented to enable the smooth discharge. [0042] In this example, the water draining holes 74,., which communicate with the lower portion of the groove 51 provided at the opening edge of the taillight reflecting mirror section 32a are provided so as to extend from the groove 51 toward the front at both sides of the lower portion of the taillight reflecting mirror section 32a in addition to the water draining holes 73.,. at the projecting end of the V-shape. The water draining holes 73..., 74... at two positions; at the projecting end of the V-shape and the lower portion of the V-shape provides a structure which achieves efficient drainage while maintaining water-proof effect. [0043] Although the example of the present invention has been descried thus far, the present invention is not limited to the above-described example, and various modifications in design can be performed without departing the present invention stated in claims. [Brief Description of the Drawings] [0044] [Fig. 1] Fig. 1 is a side view of a scooter-type vehicle. [Fig. 2] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a rear portion of scooter-type vehicle. [Fig. 3] Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the rear portion of the scooter-type vehicle. [Fig. 4] Fig. 4 is a drawing of Fig. 3 with a vehicle body cover omitted viewed in a direction indicated by an arrow 4. [Fig. 5] Fig. 5 is a front view of a housing of a light. [Fig. 6] Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing the housing of the light viewed from the back side. [Fig. 7] Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a tail light taken along the line 7-7 in Fig. 5. [Fig. 8] Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 8-8 in Fig. 4. [Fig. 9] Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 9-9 in Fig. 5. [Fig. 10] Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 10-10 in Fig. 4. [Description of Reference Numerals and Signs] [0045] 29...light 30...taillight 31...winker 32...housing 32a...taillight reflecting mirror section 32b...winker reflecting mirror section 32d...partitioning wall 48...taillight lens 49...winker lens 51...groove 65a...band-shaped portion 73...water draining hole [Name of Document] CLAIMS [Claim 1] A vehicle light structure in which a light (2 9) integrally including a taillight (30) and winkers (31) arranged on both sides of the taillight (30) is provided at a rear portion of a vehicle body in a V-shape projecting rearward in side view, characterized in that a band-shaped portion (65a) for partitioning the taillight (30) in appearance is provided at a position corresponding to a projecting end of the V-shape. [Claim 2] The vehicle light structure according to Claim 1, characterized in that a taillight reflecting mirror section (32a) and a pair of left and right winker reflecting mirror sections (32b) are provided in a housing (32) which is common for the taillight (30) and the both winkers (31), in that a partitioning wall (32d) provided on the housing (32) for partitioning the taillight reflecting mirror section (32a) and the both winker reflecting mirror sections (32b) is formed with a groove (51) for fitting an edge of a taillight lens (48) and edges of winker lenses (49) , and in that water draining holes (73) are provided on a bottom of the groove (51) at positions corresponding to both ends of the band-shaped portion(65a)

Documents:

0560-che-2006 claims-duplicate.pdf

0560-che-2006 description (complete)-duplicate.pdf

0560-che-2006 drawings-duplicate.pdf

560-che-2006-abstract.image.jpg

560-che-2006-abstract.pdf

560-che-2006-claims.pdf

560-che-2006-correspondnece-others.pdf

560-che-2006-description(complete).pdf

560-che-2006-drawings.pdf

560-che-2006-form 1.pdf

560-che-2006-form 26.pdf

560-che-2006-form 3.pdf

560-che-2006-form 5.pdf

560-che-2006-priority document.pdf