HEADLIGHT STRUCTURE FOR MOTORCYCLE

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a headlight structure for a motorcycle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known that a headlight structure includes a socket member supplying a power source to two light sources which are arranged in front of the socket member, a bulb in which two light sources are arranged in parallel to each other, and a reflector arranged below two light sources, as is disclosed in JP2012- 1 85977A 1 hereinafter called a prior art.

The prior art further discloses the headlight structure that one light source for a low beam emits a light to a projector lens which is arranged in front of the one light source, and the other light source for a high beam emits a light to the reflector which reflects the light in the front direction of the headlight structure.

Nowadays, in a motorcycle body that the headlight is mounted, for the purpose of enlarging the space where electric parts are accommodated, the compact headlight is required.

CITATION LIST

Patent Literature

PTL 1 : Japanese laid-open publication No. JP2012- 1 85977A I SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In the prior art, the bulb is arranged in the front of the socket member, and the reflector is arranged below the light source which emits a light in the downward direction. As such, since it is necessary to keep a predetermined distance between the socket member and the front end of the reflector, there are some cases where it is difficult to form the compact headlight structure.

It is an objective of the present invention to provide a compact headlight structure for a motorcycle. In order to achieve the above objective, an embodiment of the present invention provides a headlight structure for a motorcycle including: a lens; a light source module including a first light source and a second light source, which emits a light in a plurality of directions; a headlight housing supporting the lens from a rear side of the motorcycle; a socket member arranged on the headlight housing to supply a power source to the light source module; and a reflector arranged in the upper or lower side of the second light source at the area overlapping the second light source when viewed from the above: wherein the first light source is located and directed in a forward direction of the motorcycle along an axial direction of an optical axis, wherein the second light source is located and directed to a vertical direction to the axial direction of the optical axis, and arranged in the area overlapping the socket member when viewed from the above or at a rear position of the socket member, and wherein the reflector is arranged in the area overlapping the socket member when viewed from the above.

According to the embodiment of the present embodiment, since the second light source is arranged in the area overlapping the socket member when viewed from the above or at a rear position of the socket member, and the reflector is arranged in the area overlapping the socket member when viewed from the above, the front end of the reflector is able to be arranged at a further rear position.

Therefore, since it is possible to shorten the distance between the socket member and the front end of the reflector, the embodiment of the headlight structure is made compact. Moreover, since the embodiment of the headlight structure is made compact, it is possible to enlarge the space where electric parts are accommodated in the motorcycle body.

In the headlight structure of the embodiment of the present invention, the first light source is arranged on a side wall which is provided on the headlight housing, wherein the second light source is arranged on a mounting wall w hich is provided on the upper or lower side of the side wall, and wherein in the case that the mounting wall is provided in the upper side of the side wall, the socket member forming area is formed on the rear side relative to an extension line of the side wall and on the upper side relative to an extension line of the mounting wall when viewed from the side, and in the case that the mounting wall is provided in the lower side of the side wall, the socket member forming area is formed on the rear side relative to an extension line of the side wall and on the lower side relative to an extension line of the mounting wall when viewed from the side.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, since the socket member is arranged in the socket member forming area, it is possible to avoid the generation of the dead space, effectively to use the space in the headlight, and to make the headlight compact.

In the headlight structure of the embodiment of the present invention, the mounting wall is arranged below the socket member, the second light source emits a light in a downward direction, and wherein a reflector is arranged below the second light source, the reflector is arranged in an area overlapping the socket member when viewed from the above. According to the embodiment of the present invention, since the second light source emits a light in a downward direction, and the reflector is arranged below the second light source, the reflector is able to be arranged in an area overlapping the socket member when viewed from the side. Therefore, it is possible to make the headlight structure more compact.

In the headlight structure of the embodiment of the present invention, a projector lens is arranged in front of the light source module and is supported by an extension member which extends from the headlight housing, and wherein the extension member extends from the headlight housing to a position forward of the second light source and lower than the second light source.

The light from the second light source is emitted to the reflector, is reflected by the reflector, and is emitted in the front direction. According to the embodiment of the present invention, since the extension member extends from the headlight housing to a position forward of the second light source and lower than the second light source, it is possible to avoid directly projecting the light from the second light source on the eye of the viewer in a front of the motorcycle.

In the headlight structure of the embodiment of the present invention, the second light source is formed by LED, and the mounting wall is LED substrate which is separate from the headlight housing.

According to the embodiment o the present invention, since the mounting wall is LED substrate which is separate from the headlight housing, it is possible to design the layout of the second light souse flexibly regardless of the shape of the headlight housing.

In the headlight structure of the embodiment of the present invention, a coupler for power supply which fits in the socket member is arranged in the socket member forming area.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, since a coupler for power supply is arranged in the socket member forming area, it is possible to accommodate the coupler for power supply in the socket member forming area effectively, and to make the headlight further more compact.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The principle of the present invention and its advantages will become apparent in the following description taking in consideration with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG.1 is a left side view of a motorcycle with the headlight structure according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG.2 is a front view of the headlight structure according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG.3 is a rear view of the headlight structure according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG.4 is a right side view of the headlight structure according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG.5 is a V-V line schematic cross sectional view of FIG.2; and

FIG.6 is a VI-VI line end view of FIG.3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG.1 to FIG.6. In the following detailed description, relative positional terms such as "front", "rear", "right side" and "left side" correspond to those directions considered from the vantage point of a vehicle operator, seated in the driver's seat and facing forwardly.

As shown in FIG.1 , the motorcycle 1 is a scooter type vehicle. The motorcycle 1 includes, as main parts thereof, a seat 2 on which a vehicle operator sits such that the seat 2 can be opened and close, a pair of front forks 3, 3 which are mounted on the head pipe (not shown), a front wheel FW for a front tire FT which is mounted on the front fork 3, a handle 4 which is connected to the front fork 3, a swingable power unit 5 which is mounted in a vertically swingable manner, a rear wheel RW for a rear tire RT which is mounted on the swingable power unit 5, a rear cushion 6 which is mounted on a rear end portion of the swingable power unit 5 thereon in a suspended manner, and a headlight structure 10.

The swingable power unit 5 includes a belt converter cover 7, a cylinder, a cylinder head, a cylinder head cover, and a bellows air duct tube (not shown). The swingable power unit 5 is constituted of an engine (not shown) and a continuously variable transmission (not shown) which is positioned to the left side from the center line of the motorcycle 1.

The continuously variable transmission is disposed inside of the belt converter cover 7. The rear wheel RW is directly rotatably and journaled to the rear portion of the continuously variable transmission. In particular, two pulleys are disposed in the inside of the belt converter cover 7. Two pulleys are fixed to the driving shaft and axis of the rear wheel RW, and a belt is configured to be bound pulleys for supplying the driving force.

The motorcycle 1 is covered with several covers. Several covers include a front cover 8a which covers a front portion of the head pipe, an inner cover 8b that covers a rear portion of the front cover 8a and includes a pocket means (not shown) to store rider's things, a leg shield 8c which covers the front forks 3, 3 and the front lower portion of the motorcycle 1 to protect the rider ^' s legs, a step floor 8d where the driver places his or her feet, a pair of side covers 8e, 8e which is arranged under the seat 2 to cover the side structure of the motorcycle 1 , an undercover 8f provided under the step floor 8d, a front fender 9a that covers the upper portion of the front wheel FW, and a rear fender 9b that covers the upper portion of the rear wheel RW.

The embodiment of the invention discloses a headlight structure 10 for a motorcycle 1 including a lens (outer lens) 1 1 , a headlight housing 20 which supports the lens 1 1 , a light source module 40 including a pair of first light sources 42, 42 and a second light source 44, a socket member 50 arranged on the headlight housing 20, a projector lens 60, and a reflector 70. Hereinafter, there are cases where the "headlight structure" is referred to as a "headlight".

The outer lens 1 1 is configured to cover a front end part of the headlight housing 20 and to allow transmission of light from the light source module 40 therethrough. The outer lens 11 is formed into an elliptic shape in a front view (See FIG.2) and into a partial spherical surface in a side view (See FIG.4 to FIG.5).

As shown in FIG.2 to FIG.5, the headlight housing 20 is formed in an approximately elliptic shape when viewed from the front, and supports the outer lens 1 1 from a rear side of the motorcycle. As shown in FIG.5, the outer periphery end portion 22 of the headlight housing 20 is formed in a sectional U-shape, so that the outer periphery edge 12 of the outer lens 1 1 is fitted to the outer periphery end portion 22 of the headlight housing 20.

The headlight housing 20 includes support shafts 24 L, 24 R which are formed so as to project horizontally from a vertically-center part of the headlight housing 20 and which rotatably support the headlight 10 on a front cover 8a of the motorcycle 1.

The headlight housing 20 includes an optical axis adjustment mechanism 25. The optical axis adjustment mechanism 25 adjusts a distance between the protruding part 26 and the adjustment plate 27 by engaging the thread o the screw 28 with an adjustment plate 27and by moving the position of the adjustment plate 27 to the position of the adjustment plate 27' and vice vase. As a result, since the optical axis adjustment mechanism 25 adjusts the attitude of the headlight housing 20 for the front cover 8a, and thereby adjusts the optical axis of the headlight 10.

As shown in FIG.3 to FIG.5, the screw 28 includes a screw head part 28a at the end of the screw 28 in the rear direction. The outside diameter of the screw head part 28a is formed to be larger than the width in the short direction of the slit 26a.

The light source module 40 includes a pair of first light sources 42, 42 and a second light source 44. and emits a light in a plurality of direction through the outer lens 1 1. The first light source 42 emits a light for a low beam to the projector lens 60 which is arranged in front of the first light source 42. The second light source 44 emits a light for a high beam to the reflector 70.

In this embodiment, the first light sources 42, 42 and the second light source 44 are LEDs, but not limited to them. For example, the first light source 42 and/or the second light source 44 may be the bulb. Also, the number of the first light source 42 is not limited to 2, the number of first light source 42 may be one, or 3 or more. The number of the second light source 44 is not limited to 1 , the number of second light source 44 may be 2 or more.

The first light sources 42, 42 are located and directed in a forward direction of the motorcycle 1 in parallel along an axial direction of an optical axis of the headlight 10. In particular, as shown in FIG.5, the first light sources 42, 42 are arranged on a side wall 30 which is provided on the headlight housing 20.

The side wall 30 constitutes to a PCB (PCB: Printed Circuit Board) which mechanically supports and electrically connects electronic components. The projector lens 60, the side wall 30, and the headlight housing 20 are fixed by the bolt 33 in this order from the front side of the headlight 10.

The second light source 44 is located and directed to a vertical direction to the axial direction of the optical axis of the headlight 10. The second light source 44 is arranged on a mounting wall 32 which is provided on the lower side of the side wall 30. The second light source 44 is configured to emit a light in a downward direction.

The mounting wall 32 also constitutes to the PCB which mechanically supports and electrically connects electronic components. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG.5, the second light source 44 is formed by LED, the mounting wall 32 is LED substrate which is separate from the headlight housing 20 in order to facilitate the flexible design of the second light source 44 regardless of the shape the headlight housing 20.

The side wall 30 and the mounting wall 32 have plural holes respectively (not shown) in order to effectively release heat generated by LED light.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG.5, for the purpose that the second light source 44 emits a light in a downward direction, the mounting wall 32 is provided on the lower side of the side wall 30. The second light source 44 may be arranged on the mounting wall 32 which is provided on the upper side of the side wall 30, so that the second light source 44 emits a light in an upward direction.

As shown in FIG.3 and FIG.6, the socket member 50 is arranged on the back surface of the headlight housing 20 to supply a power source to the light source module 40. The socket member 50 is formed so as to protrude from the headlight housing 20 in a backward direction. The socket member 50 is formed in a square-cylindrical shape, so as to be opened in the backward direction.

As shown in FIG.6, the socket member 50 includes 4 terminals 52 to supply the power source on the headlight source module 40. In particular, the end of each terminal 52 is configured to contact on the side wall 30. The socket member 50 supplies the power source to the first light sources 42, 42 through the side wall 30 and to the second light source 44 through the side wall 30 and the mounting wall 32.

As shown in FIG.6. the coupler 54 for power supply is detachably attached to the socket member 50 and connects with wire harnesses. The coupler 54 is formed in a square-cylindrical shape, so as to fit in the socket member 50. As such, when the coupler 54 is fitted in socket member 50, the power source from the coupler 54 is supplied on the headlight source module 40.

The reflector 70 is arranged in the lower side of the second light source 44 at the area overlapping the second light source 44 when viewed from the above. Also, the reflector 70 is arranged in the area overlapping the socket member 50 when viewed from the above. The light from the second light source 44 is emitted to the reflector 70, is reflected by the reflector 70, and is emitted in the front direction.

The reflector 70 may be arranged in the upper side of the second light source 44 at the area overlapping the second light source 44 when viewed from the above, if the case that the mounting wall 32 is provided in the upper side of the side wall 30.

As shown in FIG.5 and FIG.6, the projector lens 60 is arranged in front of the light source module 40 and is supported by an extension member 80 which extends from the headlight housing 20. Namely, the projector lens 60 is fixed to the headlight housing 20 by the extension member 80.

In this embodiment, the extension member 80 extends from the headlight housing 20 to a position forward of the second light source 44 and lower than the second light source 44, in order to avoid directly projecting the light from the second light source 44 on the eye of the viewer in a front of the motorcycle.

Next, the positional relation among some members of the headlight structure 10 for the motorcycle 1 according to an embodiment will be explained in detail by referring to FIG.5 and FIG.6.

As shown in FIG.6, the socket member 50 is arranged in a socket member forming area SA opposite to the first light source 42 relative to the side wall 30. In particular, the socket member forming area SA in which the socket member 50 is arranged is formed on the rear side relative to an extension line 12 of the side wall 30 and on the upper side relative to an extension line L I o the mounting wall 32 when viewed from the side.

Also, the socket member forming area SA may be formed on the rear side relative to an extension line L2 of the side wall 30 and on the lower side relative to an extension line L I of the mounting wall 32 when viewed from the side, if the mounting wall 32 is provided in the upper side of the side wall 30. As such, since the socket member 50 is arranged in the socket member forming area SA, it is possible to avoid the generation of the dead space, effectively to use the space in the headlight 10, and to make the headlight 10 compact.

Moreover, in this embodiment, the coupler 54 for power supply which fits in the socket member 50 is also arranged in the socket member forming area SA. As such, since the coupler 54 for power supply is arranged in the socket member forming area SA, it is possible to accommodate the coupler 54 for power supply in the socket member forming area SA effectively, and to make the headlight 10 further more compact.

Although specific embodiments of the invention have been disclosed and described as well as illustrated in the companying drawings, it is simply for the purpose of better understanding of the principle of the present invention and it is not as a limitation of the scope and spirit of the teaching of the present invention. Adaption and modification to various structures such as design or material of the invention, mounting mechanism of various parts and elements or embodiments are possible and apparent to a skilled person without departing from the scope of the present invention which is to be determined by the claims.

List of reference:

1 motorcycle

2 seat

3 front fork

4 handle

5 swingab!e power unit

6 rear cushion

7 belt converter cover

8a front cover

8b inner cover

8c leg shield

8e side cover 8d step floor

8f undercover

9a front fender

9b rear fender

10 headlight structure (headlight)

1 1 lens (outer lens)

12 outer periphery edge

20 headlight housing

22 outer periphery end portion 241., 24 R support shaft

25 optical axis adjustment mechanism

26 protruding part

27, 27' adjustment plate

28 screw

30 side wall

32 mounting wall

33 bolt

40 light source module

42 first light source

44 second light source

50 socket member

52 terminal

54 coupler

60 projector lens

70 reflector

80 extension member

1.1 extension line of the mounting wall

L2 extension line of the side wall

FT front tire

RT rear tire

FW front wheel

RW rear wheel

SA socket member forming area