Vehicle frame structure

Abstract

A frame structure is provided in which a sub-frame is fixed to a rear portion of a vehicle body frame, and serves as a suspension-supporting portion of the vehicle body frame. In the sub-frame, a rear member extends between a sub-frame upper pipe and a sub-frame lower pipe. The rear member includes a rear upper arm supporting portion and a rear lower arm supporting portion, for supporting proximal ends of an upper arm and a lower arm of a rear suspension. The frame structure hereof improves accuracy and rigidity of the suspension-supporting portion of the vehicle body frame, and provides a simplified structure as compared to conventional frame structures.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a saddle-type four-wheel vehicle including a frame structure according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the saddle-type four-wheel vehicle.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a frame body of a vehicle body frame of the saddle-type four-wheel vehicle.

FIG. 4 is a side view around a rear suspension of the saddle-type four-wheel vehicle.

FIG. 5 is a top view showing the periphery of the rear suspension.

FIG. 6 is a front view showing the periphery of the rear suspension.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the periphery of the rear suspension.

FIG. 8 is a top view of a lower arm of the rear suspension.

FIG. 9 is a back view of the rear portion of a sub-frame of the vehicle body frame.

FIG. 10 is a side view corresponding to FIG. 4 in the second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a plan view corresponding to FIG. 5 in the second embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view which views a sub-frame and the like in the second embodiment from oblique rear and above.

Claims

1. A frame structure for a vehicle having wheels, said frame structure comprising: a vehicle body frame; anda suspension structure for suspending one of the wheels, the suspension structure being operatively attached to the vehicle body frame and comprising upper and lower suspension arms,wherein the vehicle body frame comprises: an upper frame member;a lower frame member; anda rear bracket member extending between the upper and lower frame members,wherein inner ends of the respective suspension arms are operatively supported on the vehicle body frame, andwherein the rear bracket member includes upper and lower supporting portions for supporting selected end portions of the respective suspension arms.

2. The frame structure according to claim 1, wherein the rear bracket member is formed having a substantially angular C-shape in cross section.

3. The frame structure according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle includes a terminal gear case, and the rear bracket member is configured and adapted to support a portion of the terminal gear case.

4. The frame structure according to claim 1, wherein a portion of at least one of the respective upper and lower frame members fits into the rear bracket member.

5. The frame structure according to claim 4, wherein at least one of the respective upper and lower frame members includes a bracket-engaging portion which extends through an opening formed in the rear bracket member, the opening sized to be fitted to an outer diameter of the at least one of the respective upper and lower frame members, and wherein the at least one of the respective upper and lower frame member is welded to the rear bracket member.

6. The frame structure according to claim 1, wherein the rear bracket member supports an accessory part of a vehicle body.

7. The frame structure according to claim 6, wherein the accessory part comprises a trailer hitch.

8. The frame structure according to claim 6, wherein the respective upper and lower frame members and the rear bracket member are provided on both left and right sides of the vehicle, and wherein the frame structure further comprises an accessory mounting member for supporting the accessory part of the vehicle body, said accessory mounting member extending between left and right rear bracket members, and wherein the rear bracket members are mounted on the respective upper and lower frame members in a state that the left and right rear bracket members are connected to each other by way of the mounting member.

9. The frame structure according to claim 8, wherein the vehicle body frame comprises: a frame body, and a sub-frame which constitutes a body separate from the frame body, wherein the sub-frame comprises:the respective upper and lower frame members;the respective rear bracket members;the mounting member; anda shock absorber supporting member which extends between the left and right frame members,wherein a mounting portion of the sub-frame with respect to the frame body is provided in the vicinity of the shock absorber supporting member.

10. The frame structure according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle body frame includes a frame body and a sub-frame which constitutes a body separate from the frame body, and wherein the sub-frame comprises:the upper frame member provided on both left and right sides of the vehicle, respectively;the lower frame member provided on both left and right sides of the vehicle, respectively;the rear bracket member provided on both left and right sides of the vehicle, respectively;a shock absorber supporting member which extends laterally and is supported by the left and right upper frame members,wherein an upper mounting portion of the sub-frame with respect to the frame body is provided in the vicinity of the shock absorber supporting member, and a lower mounting portion of the sub-frame with respect to the body frame is provided at a front end of the left and right lower frame members.

11. The frame structure according to claim 10, wherein the frame body comprises: a main upper pipe provided on both left and right sides of the vehicle, the main upper pipe formed in a U-shape opening generally downwardly;a main lower pipe provided on both left and right sides of the vehicle, the main lower pipe extending in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and having respective ends of the main upper pipe fixed to an upper side thereof; anda rear upper pipe extending rearward from an upper side of the main upper pipe, the rear upper pipe corresponding to a vehicle seat rail,wherein a rear end of the main lower pipe is joined to an underside surface of the rear upper pipe at a longitudinally intermediate location of the rear upper pipe, and the upper mounting portion of the sub-frame with respect to the frame body is provided on the main lower pipe adjacent to the joint of the main lower pipe and the rear upper pipe.

12. A frame structure comprising: a vehicle body frame;a suspension structure for suspending left and right wheels, the suspension structure comprising left and right suspension arms;a stabilizer which extends between the left and right suspension arms; anda stabilizer holding portion which holds an intermediate portion of the stabilizer,wherein proximal ends of the respective suspension arms are supported on an arm support portion of the vehicle body frame, andthe stabilizer holding portion is provided astride a rear frame member of the vehicle body frame and the arm support portion.

13. The frame structure of claim 12, wherein the arm support portion and the rear frame member are integrally formed.

14. The frame structure of claim 12, wherein the vehicle body frame includes a frame body and a sub-frame which constitutes a body separate from the frame body, and wherein the sub-frame comprises: left and right lower frame members extending rearward from a lower portion of the frame body,left and right upper frame members extending rearward from an upper portion of the frame body, the left and right upper frame members bending downward at an intermediate portion so that respective distal ends of the left and right upper frame members are joined to an upper surface of distal ends of the left and right lower frame members, andthe rear frame member, wherein the rear frame member extends laterally between the left and right upper frame members.

15. The frame structure of claim 14, wherein the rear frame member is formed in a cross sectional C-shape opening downardly.

16. The frame structure of claim 14 wherein the rear frame member extends laterally beyond the left and right upper frame members so as to provide an extended portion at each end of the rear frame member, and wherein the extended portion corresponds to said arm support portion.