Title of Invention	VEHICLE-USE INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE PROVIDED WITH THROTTLE BODY PROTECTIVE COVER
Abstract	To prevent oncoming flying objects from being adhered to or impinging on a throttle body and, at the same time, to reduce noises attributed to operating sounds of a fuel injection valve. [Means for Resolution] A vehicle-use internal combustion engine which is mounted on a motorcycle includes a throttle body 25 on which a throttle valve is mounted, a fuel injection valve 30, and a throttle-body protective cover C which protects the throttle body 25 from oncoming objects such as water, mud and pebbles. The protective cover C is mounted on the throttle body 25 so as to cover the throttle body 25 which is arranged in an exposed manner from a vehicle body cover, and the protective cover C also covers the fuel injection valve 30 which is mounted on the throttle body 25. [Selected Drawing] Fig. 3

Title of Invention

VEHICLE-USE INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE PROVIDED WITH THROTTLE BODY PROTECTIVE COVER

Abstract

To prevent oncoming flying objects from being adhered to or impinging on a throttle body and, at the same time, to reduce noises attributed to operating sounds of a fuel injection valve. [Means for Resolution] A vehicle-use internal combustion engine which is mounted on a motorcycle includes a throttle body 25 on which a throttle valve is mounted, a fuel injection valve 30, and a throttle-body protective cover C which protects the throttle body 25 from oncoming objects such as water, mud and pebbles. The protective cover C is mounted on the throttle body 25 so as to cover the throttle body 25 which is arranged in an exposed manner from a vehicle body cover, and the protective cover C also covers the fuel injection valve 30 which is mounted on the throttle body 25. [Selected Drawing] Fig. 3

Full Text	[Designation of Document] Specification [Title of the Invention] VEHICLE-USE INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE PROVIDED WITH THROTTLE BODY PROTECTIVE COVER [Technical Field] [0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle-use internal combustion engine provided with a protective cover for protecting a throttle body on which a fuel injection valve is mounted. [Background Art] [0002] There has been known a vehicle-use internal combustion engine mounted on a motorcycle which includes a throttle body and a fuel injection valve and further includes, for preventing operating sounds (hitting sounds) of the fuel injection valve which is mounted on a mounting portion which is integrally formed on an intake pipe from being leaked to the outside, a cover which covers the fuel injection valve and a fuel distribution pipe (for example, see Patent Document 1). [Patent Document 1] JP-A-2001-271723 [Disclosure of the Invention] [Problems that the Invention is to Solve] [0003] In an internal combustion engine which is mounted on a vehicle, as in a case of a motorcycle, for example, there may Be a case that a throttle body on which a throttle valve is mounted is arranged to be exposed from a vehicle body cover depending on a kind of the vehicle. Further, when a fuel injection valve is mounted on such a throttle body, by covering the fuel injection valve with a cover, it is possible to make the leaking of operating sounds of the fuel injection valve to the outside difficult and, at the same time, it is possible to prevent oncoming flying objects such as water, mud and pebbles which fly toward the fuel injection valve from being adhered to or impinging on the fuel injection valve. On the other hand, on the throttle body, a movable portion which is operated when an open/close operation of the throttle valve is performed, for example, a throttle drum around which a throttle cable is wrapped is mounted. Accordingly, it is also desirable to take a measure for protecting such a movable portion from the oncoming flying object. Further, in arranging members such as a conduit for supplying fuel to the fuel injection valve and a conduit for taking out an intake negative pressure in the vicinity of the throttle body, when members for holding such parts and members for protecting such parts from the oncoming flying objects are provided individually, the number of parts is increased and, at the same time, assembling man-hours are increased thus pushing up a manufacturing cost. [0004] The present invention has been made under such circumstances and it is an object of the inventions described in claims 1 to 8 to prevent oncoming flying objects from being adhered to or impinging on a throttle body and, at the same time, to reduce noises attributed to operating sounds of a fuel injection valve. Further, the inventions described in claims 2, 4, 5 aim at the realization of protection of members which are arranged in the vicinity of the throttle body from the oncoming flying objects or the holding of such members at a low cost. The invention described in claim 3 aims at the enhancement of operational responsiveness of a negative-pressure operating device provided with a negative-pressure conduit. The invention described in claim 6 further aims at the protection of a fuel pipe by making use of a fuel tank. The invention described in claim 7 aims at the prevention of heating of the throttle body attributed to the provision of a protective cover. Further, the invention described in claim 8 aims at the enhancement of rigidity of the protective cover and the acceleration of cooling of the fuel injection valve by facilitating the discharge of hot air in the inside of the protective cover. [Means for Solving the Problem] [0005] The invention described in claim 1 is directed to a vehicle-use internal combustion engine which includes a throttle body on which a throttle valve is mounted and a fuel injection valve, wherein the vehicle-use internal combustion engine includes a throttle-body protective cover which is mounted on the throttle body so as to cover the throttle body arranged to be exposed from a vehicle body cover and protects the throttle body from an oncoming flying object, and also the fuel injection valve which is mounted on the throttle body is covered with the protective cover. [0006] Due to such a constitution, with the use of the protective cover, it is possible to protect the throttle body by preventing, oncoming flying objects such as water, mud or small pebbles from being adhered to or impinging on the throttle body. Further, since the protective cover is mounted on the throttle body, it is possible to arrange the throttle body on the vehicle body without being restricted by a shape and the arrangement of a vehicle body cover. Still further, it is possible to block operating sounds of the fuel injection valve by the protective cover. [0007] The invention described in claim 2 is, in the vehicle-use internal combustion engine described in claim 1, characterized in that a cover portion which covers a fuel pipe connected to the fuel injection valve from a front side is integrally formed with the protective cover. Due to such a constitution, the fuel pipe is protected from the oncoming flying object due to the cover portion and, at the same time, the cover portion is integrally formed with the protective cover and hence, a member which is exclusively used for covering the fuel pipe becomes unnecessary. [0008] The invention described in claim 3 is, in the vehicle-use internal combustion engine described in claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that an opening which allows a negative-pressure conduit for introducing an intake negative pressure to a negative-pressure operating device to pass there through is formed in the protective cover. Due to such a constitution, it is possible to perform piping of the negative-pressure conduit without being obstructed by the protective cover and hence, it is unnecessary to form a bent portion on the negative-pressure conduit or to perform the piping of the negative-pressure conduit such that the negative-pressure conduit largely wraps around the protective cover to avoid the interference with the protective cover whereby a pipe length of the negative-pressure conduit can be shortened. [0009] The invention described in claim 4 is, in the vehicle-use internal combustion engine described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a clamp portion which holds a clutch Cable for manipulating a clutch which performs connection and disconnection of power transmission to a driving wheel of a vehicle is integrally formed with the protective cover. Due to such a constitution, with the use of the clamp portion, it is possible to prevent the clutch cable from being bent or being largely deflected and, at the same time, the clamp portion is integrally formed with the protective cover and hence, it is unnecessary to provide a member which is exclusively used for holding the clutch cable. [0010] The invention described in claim 5 is, in the vehicle-use internal combustion engine described in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the fuel pipe which is connected to the fuel injection valve is arranged along an outer bottom surface of a fuel tank which is arranged directly above the throttle body. Due to such a constitution, it is possible to protect the fuel pipe from the oncoming flying object using the fuel tank and hence, it is unnecessary to provide a member which is exclusively used for protecting the fuel pipe. [0011] The invention described in claim 6 is, in the vehicle-use internal combustion engine described in any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a support portion which supports an air supply pipe for supplying air into an exhaust gas is Integrally formed with the protective cover. Due to such a constitution, it is possible to prevent the air supply pipe from being bent or being largely deflected using the support portion thus preventing the increase of a pipe passage resistance and, at the same time, the support portion is integrally formed with the protective cover and hence, it is unnecessary to provide a member which is exclusively used for supporting the air supply pipe. [0012] The invention described in claim 7 is, in the vehicle-use internal combustion engine described in any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a heat radiation opening is formed in an upper portion of the protective cover. Due to such a constitution, hot air around the throttle body which is generated due to the provision of the protective cover is made to flow out to the outside of the protective cover through the opening. [0013] The invention described in claim 8 is, in the vehicle-use internal combustion engine described in claim 7, characterized in that an upper opening which opens upwardly and constitutes the heat radiation opening and a lower opening which opens downwardly are formed in the protective cover, and a reinforcing rib which extends from the lower opening to the upper opening is integrally formed with an inner surface of The protective cover which faces the throttle body. Due to such a constitution, the rigidity of the throttle body is enhanced by the reinforcing ribs and, at the same time, the hot air is guided by the reinforcing ribs thus facilitating the flow of the hot air toward the upper opening. [Advantage of the Invention] [0014] According to the invention described in claim 1, it is possible to obtain following advantageous effects. That is, with the provision of the protective cover, it is possible to protect the throttle body from the oncoming flying object and, at the same time, the degree of freedom in the arrangement of the throttle body is increased. Further, noises attributed to operating sounds of the fuel injection valve can be reduced. According to the invention described in claim 2, in addition to the advantages of the invention of the cited claim, it is possible to obtain following advantages. That is, with the provision of the cover portion which makes use of the protective cover, it is possible to protect the fuel pipe from the oncoming flying object and, at the same time, the number of parts and the assembling man-hours can be reduced leading to the reduction of a manufacturing cost. According to the invention described in claim 3, in addition to the advantages of the invention of the cited claim, it is possible to obtain following advantages. That is, it Is possible to shorten a pipe length of the negative-pressure conduit due to the opening formed in the protective cover and hence, the pipe passage resistance can be reduced whereby the operational responsiveness of the negative-pressure operating device can be enhanced. According to the invention described in claim 4, in addition to the advantages of the invention of the cited claim, it is possible to obtain following advantages. That is, with the provision of the clamp portion which makes use of the protective cover, it is possible to prevent the clutch cable from being bent or being largely deflected and hence, the operational responsiveness of the clutch can be enhanced and, at the same time, the number of parts and the assembling man-hours can be reduced thus reducing a manufacturing cost. According to the invention described in claim 5, in addition to the advantages of the invention of the cited claim, it is possible to obtain following advantages. That is, it is possible to protect the fuel pipe from the oncoming flying object by making use of the fuel tank and hence, the number of parts and the assembling man-hours can be reduced thus reducing a manufacturing cost. According to the invention described in claim 6, in addition to the advantages of the invention of the cited claim, it is possible to obtain following advantages. That is, it is possible to prevent the air supply pipe from being bent or Being largely deflected due to the support portion which makes use of the protective cover and hence, the supply of air into an exhaust gas can be performed smoothly and, at the same time, the number of parts and the assembling man-hours can be reduced thus reducing a manufacturing cost. According to the invention described in claim 7, in addition to the advantages of the invention of the cited claim, it is possible to obtain following advantages. That is, it is possible to prevent the throttle body from being heated by the hot air in the inside of the protective cover. According to the invention described in claim 8, in addition to the advantages of the invention of the cited claim, it is possible to obtain following advantages. That is, since the rigidity of the protective cover can be enhanced, it is possible to make the protective cover light-weighted by reducing a wall thickness of the protective cover. Further, since the discharge of the hot air from the inside of the protective cover is facilitated, the cooling of the fuel injection valve can be accelerated and, at the same time, the heating of the throttle body attributed to the hot air can be effectively prevented. [Best Mode for Carrying out the Invention] [0015] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention is explained in conjunction with Fig. 1 to Fig. 5. In Fig. 1, a vehicle-use internal combustion engine E to which the present invention is applied constitutes a power unit P which is mounted on a motorcycle V referred to as a vehicle. The motorcycle V includes a vehicle body which has a vehicle body frame and a vehicle body cover, the power unit P which is suspended on the vehicle body, and a fuel tank T which is mounted on the vehicle body and reserves a fuel supplied to the internal combustion engine E. Here, in this specification or claims, the directions of upper, lower, front, rear, left and right mean the directions of upper, lower, front, rear, left and right by reference to the vehicle and the internal combustion engine in a state that the internal combustion engine is mounted on the vehicle. [0016] The vehicle body frame includes a head pipe 1 arranged on a front end portion thereof, a main frame 2 which is connected to the head pipe 1 and extends rearwardly, a pair of left and right down tubes 3, a pair of left and right seat rails 4 which is connected to the main frame 2 and extends rearwardly, and a pair of left and right rear frames 5 which connects the main frame 2 and the seat rail 4. [0017] A front fork 6 is steerablly supported on the head pipe 1, wherein a front wheel WF is pivotally supported on a lower End portion of the front fork 6 and a handle 7 is mounted on an upper end portion of the front fork 6. The main frame 2 includes a front frame portion 2a which extends rearwardly in the vicinity and directly below a fuel tank T from the head pipe 1 in a slightly downwardly inclined manner, and a pair of left and right rear frame portions 2b which extends rearwardly directly above the power unit P from a rear portion of the front frame portion 2a in a downwardly inclined manner and, thereafter, is bent and extends in the substantially vertically downward direction behind the power unit P. Each down tube 3 includes a front tube portion 3a which extends slightly rearwardly from a portion of the front frame portion 2a in the vicinity of the head pipe 1 in a largely downwardly inclined manner, and a rear tube portion 3b which is gently inclined from a lower portion of the front tube portion 3a and, thereafter, extends substantially horizontally and rearwardly The rear frame 5 extends rearwardly from a bent portion of the rear frame portion 2b in an upwardly inclined manner and is connected to a substantially center portion of the seat rail 4. [0018] The fuel tank T is supported on the front frame portion 2a in a state that the fuel tank T strides over the front frame portion 2a from above, and a front end portion of a swing arm 8 which pivotally supports the rear wheel WR on a rear end Portion thereof is pivotally supported on a pivot shaft at a left-side rear frame portion 2b. A lower end portion of a rear cushion 9 which has an upper end portion thereof connected to a reinforcing member mounted on a right rear frame 5 is connected to a rear end portion of the swing arm 8, and the rear wheel WR is supported on the vehicle body frame by way of the swing arm 8 in a vertically rockable manner. A tandem type seat 10 which is arranged directly behind the fuel tank T is supported on the seat rail 4. Further, a clutch lever 11 is mounted on the handle 7. [0019] Further, the vehicle body cover includes front side covers 12 and a rear side cover 13. The pair of left and right front side covers 12 which is mounted on the front frame portion 2a covers a bottom portion of the fuel tank T from a left side and a right side respectively. The rear side cover 13 which is mounted on the rear frame 5 and the seat rail 4 and has a U shape as viewed in a plan view extend to a rear end portion of the vehicle body to which a rear fender 14 is joined from a portion slightly behind both front side covers 12, 13, and the rear side cover 13 covers the seat rail 4 and the rear frame 5 from a left side, a right side and a rear side. [0020] A power unit P which generates power for driving a rear wheel WR which constitutes a driving wheel includes a horizontally-arranged internal combustion engine E which has a crankshaft 23 directed in the lateral direction (also in the vehicle width direction) , and a gear transmission (not shown in the drawing) which performs the transmission of power transmitted from the crankshaft 23 by way of a multiple-disc friction-type clutch (not shown in the drawing) which performs the connection and the disconnection of a power transmission of the crankshaft 23. Power of an output shaft 4 6 of the transmission is transmitted to the rear wheel WR by way of a final speed reduction mechanism which is constituted of a chain power transmission mechanism including a power transmission chain 47. [0021] The internal combustion engine E which is an air-cooled type single-cylinder 4-stroke internal combustion engine includes an engine body which is constituted of a crankcase 20 which rotatably supports the crankshaft 23, a cylinder 21 which substantially horizontally extends frontwardly from the crankcase 20 and is connected to a front end portion of the crankcase 20, and a cylinder head 22 which is connected to a front end portion of the cylinder 21. [0022] The clutch which is stored in the inside of the crankcase 20 together with the transmission is manipulated by the clutch lever 11 by way of a clutch cable 15 which has one end thereof Connected to the clutch lever 11 and has the other end thereof connected to a clutch inanipulating portion mounted on a right side of the crankcase 20. The clutch cable 15 which extends from the clutch lever 11 is held by a clamp 16 which is mounted on the right-side down tube 3 and is held by a clamp portion 71 which is mounted on a protective cover C described later. [0023] A piston which is reciprocally movably fitted in the cylinder 21 which has a cylinder axis thereof arranged in the substantially horizontal direction is driven by the pressure of a combustion gas generated due to burning of an air-fuel mixture in a combustion chamber which is formed in the cylinder head 22 and is reciprocated so as to rotatably drive the crankshaft 23 by way of a connecting rod, [0024] An intake device which is mounted on the internal combustion engine E and introduces intake air which is mixed with fuel supplied from a fuel injection valve 30 described later to form air-fuel mixture into the combustion chamber includes an air cleaner 24 which is arranged in a state that the air cleaner 24 is covered with the rear side cover 13 from a left side and a right side, a throttle body 25 on which a throttle valve for controlling a flow rate of intake air is mounted, an upstream-side intake pipe 2 6 which connects the air cleaner 24 and the throttle body 25, and a downstream-side Intake pipe 27 which connects the throttle body 25 and an upper portion of the cylinder head 22 on which an intake port which opens in the combustion chamber and is opened and closed by an intake valve is mounted. [0025] The throttle valve is opened and closed by manipulating a throttle drum which is mounted on a left side of the throttle body 25 and constitutes a manipulated portion using a throttle manipulating means. The throttle manipulating means is constituted of a throttle grip which is mounted on the handle 7, and a throttle cable which has one end portion thereof connected to the throttle grip and has the other end portion thereof wrapped around and connected to the throttle drum. Here, the manipulation of the throttle grip is transmitted to the throttle drum by way of the throttle cable to rotate the throttle drum and hence, the throttle valve is opened or closed. [0026] The fuel injection valve 30 (see Fig. 2) which is mounted on the internal combustion engine E and supplies fuel of an amount set by the control device based on an engine driving state such as an engine rotational speed and an engine load is mounted on the throttle body 25. The fuel pipe 31 which introduces the fuel from the fuel tank T into the fuel injection valve 30 connects a fuel pump 32 which is arranged in the inside of the fuel tank T and the fuel injection valve 30. Immediately After extending to the outside of the fuel tank T from the inside of the fuel tank T, the fuel pipe 31 is arranged between the left-and-right front side covers 12 along an outer bottom surface of the fuel tank T. Further, after extending frontwardly between the left and right front side covers 12, the fuel pipe 31 turns rearwardly in a state that the fuel pipe 31 is covered with the left and right front side covers 12 from the left side and the right side, and provides a connection portion 31a with the fuel injection valve 30 slightly below a lower edge of the left and right front side covers 12. [0027] An exhaust device which is mounted on the internal combustion engine E and leads an exhaust gas to the outside of the internal combustion engine E includes an exhaust pipe 28 which is connected to a lower portion of the cylinder head 22 in which an exhaust port which opens in the combustion chamber and is opened and closed by the exhaust valve is mounted, and an exhaust silencer 29 which is connected to a downstream end portion of the exhaust pipe 28 [0028] Further, the air-fuel mixture which is formed of intake air which flows in the intake device and the fuel from the fuel injection valve 30 flows in the downstream-side intake pipe 27 and the intake port and is sucked into the combustion chamber when the intake valve is opened. After driving the piston, A combustion gas which is generated by burning the air-fuel mixture in the combustion chamber flows out as an exhaust gas to the exhaust port when the exhaust valve is opened. Further, after flowing in the exhaust pipe 28 and the exhaust silencer 29, the combustion gas is discharged to the outside of the internal combustion engine E. [0029] Further, the internal combustion engine E includes a secondary air supply device 35 which supplies air into the exhaust gas for cleaning the exhaust air burning unburnt components in the exhaust gas. The secondary air supply device 35 includes a control valve 36 which is mounted on the upstream-side intake pipe 26 directly below the fuel tank T, an air intake pipe 37 which connects the air cleaner 24 and the control valve 36 thus introducing a portion of air in the inside of the air cleaner 24 into the control valve 36, an air supply pipe 38 which connects the control valve 36 and the cylinder head 22 thus introducing air controlled by the control valve 36 into the exhaust port, and a negative pressure conduit 39 which connects the downstream-side intake pipe 27 and the control valve 36 thus introducing the intake negative pressure at a downstream side of the throttle valve into the control valve 36. [0030] The control valve 36 includes an open/close valve which Is joined to a diaphragm on which the intake negative pressure introduced through the negative pressure conduit 39 acts and is driven in an open/close manner in response to the intake negative pressure, and a reed valve which is arranged at a downstream side of the open/close valve and allows air to flow only into the exhaust port. In a low load state of the internal combustion engine E in which the intake negative pressure is increased, the open/close valve is closed thus preventing air from the air intake pipe 37 from arriving at the reed valve, while in a high load state of the internal combustion engine E in which the intake negative pressure is decreased, the open/close valve is opened thus allowing the supply of air from the air intake pipe 37 to the reed valve. When the pressure of the exhaust gas in the inside of the exhaust port is lowered, the reed valve is opened and hence, air flows in the air supply pipe 38 and flows into the exhaust port. Here, the air supply pipe 38 is constituted of an upstream-side portion 38a formed of a rubber hose and a metal-made downstream-side portion 38b which is arranged along the cylinder head 22. Further, the clutch cable 15, the fuel pipe 31, the air supply pipe 38 and the negative pressure conduit 39 which are described above are members arranged in the vicinity of the throttle body 25. [0031] Hereinafter, the explanation is made by mainly focusing On the throttle body 25. As shown in Fig. 1, the throttle body 25 which is arranged directly above the engine body and directly below the fuel tank T is arranged between the left and right front side covers 12 in the lateral direction and below both front side covers 12. Accordingly, the throttle body 25 is not covered with the left and right front side covers 12 from the front side, the left side and the right side and, further, the throttle body 25 is not covered with the above-mentioned vehicle body covers other than both front side covers 12 . Accordingly, the throttle body 25 is arranged in a state that the throttle body 25 is exposed from the vehicle body covers including the left and right front side covers 12. Further, on a left side of the throttle body 25, the throttle drum which constitutes a movable portion and is moved when the throttle valve is opened or closed is mounted, while on a right side of the throttle body 25, a throttle opening sensor 40 (see Fig. 2, Fig. 3) which detects the degree of opening of the throttle valve is mounted. [0032] To explain in conjunction with Fig. 2 to Fig. 5, a throttle-body protective cover C which protects the throttle body 25 from the adhesion or the impingement of oncoming flying objects such as water, mud or pebbles during traveling, that is, protects the throttle body 25 from the oncoming flying Objects is mounted. The protective cover C which is provided to the internal combustion engine E covers the throttle body 25 from the front side, the rear side, the left side and the right side thus covering a periphery of the throttle body 25 except for both openings 80, 81 described later and a portion of a rear side of the throttle body 25. The protective cover C is constituted of a pair of covers both of which are made of a synthetic resin, that is, a left cover 50 which forms a first cover and a right cover 60 which forms a second cover. Here, the throttle body 25 is covered with the power unit P from behind. [0033] The protective cover C forms an upper opening 80 to which an intake-upstream-side portion of the throttle body 25 faces in an upper portion thereof in a state that the upper opening 80 is opened upwardly, and forms the lower opening 81 to which an intake-downstream-side portion of the throttle body 25 faces in a lower portion thereof in a state that the lower opening 81 is opened downwardly. The upper opening 80 and the lower opening 81 are respectively formed by combining upper edge portions 50a, 60a of the left and right covers 50, 60 and by combining lower edge portions 50b, 60b of the left and right covers 50, 60. That is, the upper opening 80 and the lower opening 81 are openings which are defined by the upper edge portion and the lower edge portion of the protective cover C. [0034] To the upper opening 80 which is arranged directly below the fuel tank T (see Fig. 1), a fuel inlet portion 30a of the fuel injection valve 30 to which a connection portion 31a of the fuel pipe 31 is connected and a terminal portion 30b of the fuel injection valve 30 to which a coupler is connected face. Here, to the coupler, a signal line which transmits a control signal from the control device for controlling an operation of the fuel injection valve 30 made of a solenoid valve is connected. Accordingly, it is possible to perform the connection or the disconnection of the fuel pipe 31 and the fuel inlet portion 30a, and the connection or the disconnection of the coupler and the terminal portion 30b through the upper opening 80 thus facilitating the connecting and disconnecting operation of these parts. [0035] Further, although air (hot air) which is heated by heat radiation from the engine body such as the cylinder 21 and the cylinder head 22 (see Fig. 1) flows into the inside of the protective cover C through the lower opening 81 which opens directly above the cylinder 21 or the cylinder head 22, the heated air flows out to the outside of the protective cover C through the upper opening 80 without staying in a peripheral portion of the throttle body 25 in the inside of the protective cover C. Accordingly, the upper opening 80 also functions as A heat radiation opening which allows hot air around the throttle body 25 in the inside of the protective cover C to flow out to the outside of the protective cover C. [0036] To explain in conjunction with Fig. 2 and Fig. 4, the left cover 50 is a member which is integrally formed of a left wall portion 51 which covers the throttle drum and the fuel injection valve 30 from a left side by covering the throttle body 25 from the left side, a front wall portion 52 which extends rightwardly from the left wall portion 51 and partially covers the throttle body 25 from the front side, and an upper wall portion 54 which is contiguously formed with the left wall portion 51 and the front wall portion 52 and partially covers the throttle body 25 from above. Further, on the left wall portion 51, a mounting portion 55 for mounting the left cover 50 on the throttle body 25, a joint portion 56 which joins the left cover 50 to the right cover 60, a support portion 57 which projects leftwardly and supports an upstream-side portion 38a of the air supply pipe 38, a fin-shape reinforcing rib 58 which extends parallel to the left cover 50 in the substantially vertical direction while being directed to the upper opening 80 and the lower opening 81 are integrally formed. The air supply pipe 38 is placed on a support portion 57 of the protective cover C at a side of the throttle body 25 and hence, it is possible to prevent the air supply pipe 38 from being Largely bent or deflected. [0037] To explain in conjunction with Fig. 2, Fig. 3 and Fig, 5, the right cover 60 is integrally formed of a right wall portion 61 which covers the throttle opening sensor 40 and the fuel injection valve 30 from a right side by covering the throttle body 25 from a right side, a front wall portion 62 which extends leftwardly from the right wall portion 61 and partially covers the throttle body 25 from a front side and is abutted to the front wall portion 52, a rear wall portion 63 which extends leftwardly from the right wall portion 61 and partially covers the throttle body 25 from behind, and an upper wall portion 64 which is contiguously formed with the right wall portion 61 and the front wall portion 52 and partially covers the throttle body 25 from above* [0038] Further, on the right wall portion 61, a mounting portion 65 for mounting the right cover 60 on the throttle body 25, a joint portion 66 for joining the right cover 60 to the left cover 50, a holding portion 70 which is constituted of grip members 70a, 70b which are a pair of projecting portions projecting rightwardly and clamp and hold the negative pressure conduit 39 of the secondary air supply device 35 which constitutes a negative-pressure operating device, a clamp portion 71 which is constituted of a pair of grip members 71a, 71b which are a pair of projecting portions which clamps and holds the clutch cable 15, and a plurality of fin-shape reinforcing ribs 68 which extend in parallel to the right cover 60 in the substantially vertical direction while being directed to the upper opening 80 and the lower opening 81 are integrally formed, The plurality of reinforcing ribs 68 is arranged in a longitudinally spaced-apart manner (see Fig. 5(A)). [0039] On a lower portion of the front wall portion 52 which is arranged close to the downstream-side intake pipe 27, a notch 72 which constitutes an opening through which the negative pressure conduit 39 is inserted is formed. Here, the negative pressure conduit 39 extends into the inside of the protective cover C from a negative pressure takeout portion which is mounted on the downstream-side intake pipe 26 (see Fig. 1) and, thereafter, extends to the outside of the protective cover C passing through the notch 72. Then, the negative pressure conduit 39 reverses the direction thereof in the right rearward direction in front of the front wall portion 62, and arrives at the holding portion 70. The negative pressure conduit 39 further extends rearwardly in a state that the negative pressure conduit 39 is held by the holding portion 70 until the negative pressure conduit 39 finally arrives at the control valve 36. [0040] With a front portion of the upper wall portion 64, a cover portion 74 which covers the connection portion 31a and a portion of the fuel pipe 61 in the vicinity of the connection portion 31a from a front side is integrally formed. The cover portion 74 extends upwardly from the upper wall portion 64. Further, the fuel injection valve 30 is covered with both front wall portions 52, 62 from a front side. Further, both upper wall portions 54, 64 respectively include the upper edge portions 50a, 60a. [0041] To a corner portion 67 which is formed of the right wall portion 61 and the front wall portion 62, a joint portion 66 described later which also functions as a notch or a recessed portion for ensuring a clearance between the clutch cable 15 arranged in the vicinity of the protective cover C and the protective cover C is provided. The joint portion 66 is formed of a recessed portion and is continuously opened from a front side to a right side thereof. [0042] The reinforcing rib 58 and the reinforcing rib 68 are respectively formed on inner surfaces 50c, 60c of the left cover 50 and the right cover 60 which face the throttle body 25. The respective reinforcing ribs 58, 68 extend in the vertical direction toward the upper opening 80 from the lower opening 81. Further, the reinforcing rib 58 of the left cover 50 and the reinforcing rib 68a which constitutes a portion of the reinforcing rib 68 of the right cover 60 are, when the left and right covers 50, 60 are integrally joined to each other using a bolt (not shown in the drawing) which is inserted into the connection portion 66 and is threadedly engaged with an embeddable nut 56a of the connection portion 56, projected to an extent that a small gap is formed there between (see Fig. 5B) . Further, the left cover 50 and the right cover 60 are mounted on the throttle body 25 using bolts which are respectively inserted into both mounting portions 55, 65. [0043] Next, the manner of operation and advantageous effects of the embodiment which adopts the above-mentioned constitution are explained. The vehicle-use internal combustion engine E includes the protective cover C which is mounted on the throttle body 25 so as to cover the throttle body 25 arranged to be exposed from the vehicle body cover which includes left and right front side covers 12 and protects the throttle body 25 from the oncoming flying object, and also the fuel injection valve 30 which is mounted on the throttle body 25 is covered with the protective cover C. Accordingly, it is possible to protect the throttle body 25 on which the throttle drum and the throttle opening sensor 40 are mounted from the oncoming flying object By the protective cover C. Further, since the protective cover C is mounted on the throttle body 25, it is possible to arrange the throttle body 25 on the vehicle body without being restricted by a shape and the arrangement of the vehicle body cover. Still further, it is possible to block the operating sound of the fuel injection valve 30 by making use of the protective cover C. In this manner, with the provision of the protective cover C, it is possible to protect the throttle body 25 from the oncoming flying object and, at the same time, the degree of freedom in the arrangement of the throttle body 25 with respect to the vehicle body is increased. Further, noises attributed to the operating sounds of the fuel injection valve 30 can be reduced. Further, with the provision of the protective cover C, the throttle drum and the throttle opening sensor 40 which are mounted on the throttle body 25 can be protected from the oncoming flying object. [0044] The cover portion 74 which covers the fuel pipe 31 connected to the fuel injection valve 30 from the front side is integrally formed with the protective cover C and hence, the fuel pipe 31 is protected from the oncoming flying object due to the cover portion 74 and, at the same time, since the cover portion 74 is integrally formed with the protective cover C, a member which is exclusively used for covering the fuel Pipe 31 is unnecessary. As a result, with the provision of the cover portion 74 which makes use of the protective cover C, it is possible to protect the fuel pipe 31 from the oncoming flying object and, at the same time, the number of parts and the assembling man-hours can be reduced thus leading to the reduction of a manufacturing cost. [0045] The support portion 57 which supports the air supply pipe 38 for introducing air into the exhaust gas is integrally formed with the protective cover C and hence, it is possible to prevent the air supply pipe 38 from being bent or being largely deflected using the support portion 57 thus preventing the increase of the pipe passage resistance. Further, since the support portion 57 is integrally formed with the protective cover C, it is unnecessary to provide a member which is exclusively used for supporting the air supply pipe 38. As a result, it is possible to prevent the air supply pipe 38 from being bent or being largely deflected due to the support portion 57 which makes use of the protective cover C and hence, the supply of air into the exhaust gas can be performed smoothly thus contributing to the enhancement of the exhaust gas purification performance. Further, the number of parts and the assembling man-hours can be reduced thus reducing a manufacturing cost. [0046] The notch 72 which allows the negative-pressure conduit 39 for introducing the intake negative pressure to the secondary air supply device 35 to pass there through is formed in the protective cover C and hence, it is possible to perform piping of the negative-pressure conduit 39 without being obstructed by the protective cover C. Accordingly, it is unnecessary to form the bent portion on the negative-pressure conduit 39 or to perform the piping of the negative-pressure conduit 39 such that the negative-pressure conduit 39 largely wraps around the protective cover C to avoid the interference with the protective cover C and hence, a pipe length of the negative-pressure conduit 39 can be shortened whereby the pipe passage resistance can be reduced, and the operational responsiveness of the secondary air supply device 35 can be enhanced thus contributing to the enhancement of the exhaust gas purification performance. [0047] The clamp portion 71 which holds the clutch cable 15 for manipulating the clutch which performs connection and disconnection of power transmission to the rear wheel WR of the motorcycle V is integrally formed with the protective cover C and hence, it is possible to prevent the clutch cable 15 from being bent or being largely deflected using the clamp portion 71 and, at the same time, the clamp portion 71 is integrally formed with the protective cover C and hence, it is unnecessary To provide a member which is exclusively used for holding the clutch cable 15. As a result, with the provision of the clamp portion 71 which makes use of the protective cover C, it is possible to prevent the clutch cable 15 from being bent or being largely deflected and hence, the operational responsiveness of the clutch can be enhanced and, at the same time, the number of parts and the assembling man-hours can be reduced thus reducing a manufacturing cost. [0048] The fuel pipe 31 which is connected to the fuel injection valve 30 is arranged along the outer bottom surface of the fuel tank T which is arranged directly above the throttle body25 and hence, it is possible to protect the fuel pipe 31 from the oncoming flying object using the fuel tank T whereby it is unnecessary to provide a member which is exclusively used for protecting the fuel pipe 31. As a result, it is possible to protect the fuel pipe 31 from the oncoming flying object by making use of the fuel tank T and hence, the number of parts and the assembling man-hours can be reduced thus reducing a manufacturing cost. Further, the fuel pipe 31 is arranged between the left and right front side covers 12 on the outer bottom surface and hence, the fuel tank 31 is covered with the left and right front side covers 12 from left and right sides whereby it is possible to protect the fuel pipe 31 from the oncoming flying object from left and right sides. [0049] The upper opening 80 which constitutes the heat radiation opening is formed in the upper portion of the protective cover C and hence, hot air around the throttle body 25 which is generated due to the provision of the protective cover C is made to flow out to the outside of the protective cover C through the upper opening 80 whereby it is possible to prevent the throttle body 25 from being heated by the hot air in the inside of the protective cover C. [0050] The upper opening 80 which opens upwardly and the lower opening 81 which opens downwardly are formed in the protective cover C, and the reinforcing ribs 58, 68 which extend from the lower opening 81 to the upper opening 80 are integrally formed with the inner surface of the protective cover C which faces the throttle body 25 and hence, the rigidity of the throttle body 25 is enhanced by the reinforcing ribs 58, 68 and, at the same time, the hot air is guided by the reinforcing ribs 58, 68 thus facilitating the flow of the hot air toward the upper opening 80. As a result, since the rigidity of the protective cover C can be enhanced, it is possible to make the protective cover C light-weighted by reducing a wall thickness of the protective cover C. Further, since the discharge of the hot air from the inside of the protective cover C is facilitated, the cooling of the fuel injection valve 30 can be accelerated And, at the same time, the heating of the throttle body 25 attributed to the hot air can be effectively prevented. [0051] Hereinafter, an embodiment which modifies the constitution of a portion of the above-mentioned embodiment is explained with respect to the modified constitution. The upper opening 80 may be covered with the protective cover C except for a portion thereof to which the upstream-side end portion faces. In this case, the fuel injection valve 30 and the fuel pipe 31 are connected with each other before the protective cover C is mounted on the throttle body 25. The protective cover C may have the rear wall portion thereof formed on at least one of the left and right covers 50, 60 such that the protective cover C covers the substantially whole throttle body 25 from behind. The vehicle may be a vehicle other than the motorcycle V, for example, a three-wheeled vehicle or a four-wheeled vehicle. Further, the vehicle may be a working vehicle. [Brief Description of the Drawings] [0052] [Fig. 1] A schematic left side view of a motorcycle on which an internal combustion engine to which the present invention is applied is mounted. [Fig. 2] A perspective view of a throttle-body protective cover which is mounted on a throttle body in the internal combustion engine shown in Fig. 1 as viewed from a left front side. [Fig. 3] A perspective view of the throttle-body protective cover which is mounted on the throttle body which is mounted on the internal combustion engine shown in Fig. 1 as viewed from a right front side. [Fig. 4] Views showing a left cover of the throttle-body protective cover which is mounted on the internal combustion engine shown in Fig. 1, wherein Fig. 4 (A) is a left side view and Fig. 4(B) is a back view with a part in cross section. [Fig. 5] Views showing a right cover of the throttle-body protective cover which is mounted on the internal combustion engine shown in Fig. 1, wherein Fig. 5 (A) is a right side view and Fig. 5(B) is a back view. [Description of Reference Numerals and Signs] [0053] V: motorcycle E: internal combustion engine C: protective cover 12, 13: side cover 15: clutch cable 25: throttle body 30: fuel injection valve 31: fuel pipe 35: secondary air supply device 38: air supply pipe 39: negative pressure conduit 50: left cover 60: right cover 70: holding portion 71: cramp portion 72: notch 74: cover portion 80: upper opening [Designation of Document] Claims [Claim 1] A vehicle-use internal combustion engine which includes a throttle body on which a throttle valve is mounted and a fuel injection valve, wherein the vehicle-use internal combustion engine includes a throttle-body protective cover which is mounted on the throttle body so as to cover the throttle body arranged to be exposed from a vehicle body cover and protects the throttle body from an oncoming flying object, and also the fuel injection valve which is mounted on the throttle body is covered with the protective cover. [Claim 2] A vehicle-use internal combustion engine according to claim 1, wherein a cover portion which covers a fuel pipe connected to the fuel injection valve from a front side is integrally formed with the protective cover. [Claim 3] A vehicle-use internal combustion engine according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein an opening which allows a negative-pressure conduit for introducing an intake negative pressure to a negative-pressure operating device to pass therethrough is formed in the protective cover. [Claim 4] A vehicle-use internal combustion engine according to any one of claim 1 to claim 3, wherein a clamp portion which holds a clutch cable for manipulating a clutch which performs the connection and the disconnection of power transmission to a driving wheel of a vehicle is integrally formed with the protective cover. [Claim 5] A vehicle-use internal combustion engine according to any one of claim 1 to claim 4, wherein the fuel pipe which is connected to the fuel inj ection valve is arranged along an outer bottom surface of a fuel tank which is arranged directly above the throttle body. [Claim 6] A vehicle-use internal combustion engine according to any one of claim 1 to claim 5, wherein a support portion which supports an air supply pipe for introducing air into an exhaust gas is integrally formed with the protective cover. [Claim 7] A vehicle-use internal combustion engine according to any one of claim 1 to claim 6, wherein a heat radiation opening is formed in an upper portion of the protective cover. [Claim 8] A vehicle-use internal combustion engine according to claim 7, wherein an upper opening which opens upwardly and constitutes the heat radiation opening and a lower opening which opens downwardly are formed in the protective cover, and A reinforcing rib which extends from the lower opening to the upper opening is integrally formed with an inner surface of the protective cover which faces the throttle body.

Full Text

[Designation of Document] Specification
[Title of the Invention] VEHICLE-USE INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE PROVIDED WITH THROTTLE BODY PROTECTIVE COVER [Technical Field] [0001]
The present invention relates to a vehicle-use internal combustion engine provided with a protective cover for protecting a throttle body on which a fuel injection valve is mounted.
[Background Art] [0002]
There has been known a vehicle-use internal combustion engine mounted on a motorcycle which includes a throttle body and a fuel injection valve and further includes, for preventing operating sounds (hitting sounds) of the fuel injection valve which is mounted on a mounting portion which is integrally formed on an intake pipe from being leaked to the outside, a cover which covers the fuel injection valve and a fuel distribution pipe (for example, see Patent Document 1).
[Patent Document 1] JP-A-2001-271723 [Disclosure of the Invention] [Problems that the Invention is to Solve]
[0003]
In an internal combustion engine which is mounted on a vehicle, as in a case of a motorcycle, for example, there may

Be a case that a throttle body on which a throttle valve is mounted is arranged to be exposed from a vehicle body cover depending on a kind of the vehicle. Further, when a fuel injection valve is mounted on such a throttle body, by covering the fuel injection valve with a cover, it is possible to make the leaking of operating sounds of the fuel injection valve to the outside difficult and, at the same time, it is possible to prevent oncoming flying objects such as water, mud and pebbles which fly toward the fuel injection valve from being adhered to or impinging on the fuel injection valve.
On the other hand, on the throttle body, a movable portion which is operated when an open/close operation of the throttle valve is performed, for example, a throttle drum around which a throttle cable is wrapped is mounted. Accordingly, it is also desirable to take a measure for protecting such a movable portion from the oncoming flying object. Further, in arranging members such as a conduit for supplying fuel to the fuel injection valve and a conduit for taking out an intake negative pressure in the vicinity of the throttle body, when members for holding such parts and members for protecting such parts from the oncoming flying objects are provided individually, the number of parts is increased and, at the same time, assembling man-hours are increased thus pushing up a manufacturing cost.
[0004]

The present invention has been made under such circumstances and it is an object of the inventions described in claims 1 to 8 to prevent oncoming flying objects from being adhered to or impinging on a throttle body and, at the same time, to reduce noises attributed to operating sounds of a fuel injection valve. Further, the inventions described in claims 2, 4, 5 aim at the realization of protection of members which are arranged in the vicinity of the throttle body from the oncoming flying objects or the holding of such members at a low cost. The invention described in claim 3 aims at the enhancement of operational responsiveness of a negative-pressure operating device provided with a negative-pressure conduit. The invention described in claim 6 further aims at the protection of a fuel pipe by making use of a fuel tank. The invention described in claim 7 aims at the prevention of heating of the throttle body attributed to the provision of a protective cover. Further, the invention described in claim 8 aims at the enhancement of rigidity of the protective cover and the acceleration of cooling of the fuel injection valve by facilitating the discharge of hot air in the inside of the protective cover. [Means for Solving the Problem]
[0005]
The invention described in claim 1 is directed to a vehicle-use internal combustion engine which includes a

throttle body on which a throttle valve is mounted and a fuel injection valve, wherein the vehicle-use internal combustion engine includes a throttle-body protective cover which is mounted on the throttle body so as to cover the throttle body arranged to be exposed from a vehicle body cover and protects the throttle body from an oncoming flying object, and also the fuel injection valve which is mounted on the throttle body is covered with the protective cover.
[0006]
Due to such a constitution, with the use of the protective cover, it is possible to protect the throttle body by preventing, oncoming flying objects such as water, mud or small pebbles from being adhered to or impinging on the throttle body. Further, since the protective cover is mounted on the throttle body, it is possible to arrange the throttle body on the vehicle body without being restricted by a shape and the arrangement of a vehicle body cover. Still further, it is possible to block operating sounds of the fuel injection valve by the protective cover.
[0007]
The invention described in claim 2 is, in the vehicle-use internal combustion engine described in claim 1, characterized in that a cover portion which covers a fuel pipe connected to the fuel injection valve from a front side is integrally formed with the protective cover.

Due to such a constitution, the fuel pipe is protected from the oncoming flying object due to the cover portion and, at the same time, the cover portion is integrally formed with the protective cover and hence, a member which is exclusively used for covering the fuel pipe becomes unnecessary.
[0008]
The invention described in claim 3 is, in the vehicle-use internal combustion engine described in claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that an opening which allows a negative-pressure conduit for introducing an intake negative pressure to a negative-pressure operating device to pass there through is formed in the protective cover.
Due to such a constitution, it is possible to perform piping of the negative-pressure conduit without being obstructed by the protective cover and hence, it is unnecessary to form a bent portion on the negative-pressure conduit or to perform the piping of the negative-pressure conduit such that the negative-pressure conduit largely wraps around the protective cover to avoid the interference with the protective cover whereby a pipe length of the negative-pressure conduit can be shortened.
[0009]
The invention described in claim 4 is, in the vehicle-use internal combustion engine described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a clamp portion which holds a clutch

Cable for manipulating a clutch which performs connection and disconnection of power transmission to a driving wheel of a vehicle is integrally formed with the protective cover.
Due to such a constitution, with the use of the clamp portion, it is possible to prevent the clutch cable from being bent or being largely deflected and, at the same time, the clamp portion is integrally formed with the protective cover and hence, it is unnecessary to provide a member which is exclusively used for holding the clutch cable.
[0010]
The invention described in claim 5 is, in the vehicle-use internal combustion engine described in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the fuel pipe which is connected to the fuel injection valve is arranged along an outer bottom surface of a fuel tank which is arranged directly above the throttle body.
Due to such a constitution, it is possible to protect the fuel pipe from the oncoming flying object using the fuel tank and hence, it is unnecessary to provide a member which is exclusively used for protecting the fuel pipe.
[0011]
The invention described in claim 6 is, in the vehicle-use internal combustion engine described in any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a support portion which supports an air supply pipe for supplying air into an exhaust gas is

Integrally formed with the protective cover.
Due to such a constitution, it is possible to prevent the air supply pipe from being bent or being largely deflected using the support portion thus preventing the increase of a pipe passage resistance and, at the same time, the support portion is integrally formed with the protective cover and hence, it is unnecessary to provide a member which is exclusively used for supporting the air supply pipe.
[0012]
The invention described in claim 7 is, in the vehicle-use internal combustion engine described in any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a heat radiation opening is formed in an upper portion of the protective cover.
Due to such a constitution, hot air around the throttle body which is generated due to the provision of the protective cover is made to flow out to the outside of the protective cover through the opening.
[0013]
The invention described in claim 8 is, in the vehicle-use internal combustion engine described in claim 7, characterized in that an upper opening which opens upwardly and constitutes the heat radiation opening and a lower opening which opens downwardly are formed in the protective cover, and a reinforcing rib which extends from the lower opening to the upper opening is integrally formed with an inner surface of

The protective cover which faces the throttle body.
Due to such a constitution, the rigidity of the throttle body is enhanced by the reinforcing ribs and, at the same time, the hot air is guided by the reinforcing ribs thus facilitating the flow of the hot air toward the upper opening. [Advantage of the Invention]
[0014]
According to the invention described in claim 1, it is possible to obtain following advantageous effects. That is, with the provision of the protective cover, it is possible to protect the throttle body from the oncoming flying object and, at the same time, the degree of freedom in the arrangement of the throttle body is increased. Further, noises attributed to operating sounds of the fuel injection valve can be reduced.
According to the invention described in claim 2, in addition to the advantages of the invention of the cited claim, it is possible to obtain following advantages. That is, with the provision of the cover portion which makes use of the protective cover, it is possible to protect the fuel pipe from the oncoming flying object and, at the same time, the number of parts and the assembling man-hours can be reduced leading to the reduction of a manufacturing cost.
According to the invention described in claim 3, in addition to the advantages of the invention of the cited claim, it is possible to obtain following advantages. That is, it

Is possible to shorten a pipe length of the negative-pressure conduit due to the opening formed in the protective cover and hence, the pipe passage resistance can be reduced whereby the operational responsiveness of the negative-pressure operating device can be enhanced.
According to the invention described in claim 4, in addition to the advantages of the invention of the cited claim, it is possible to obtain following advantages. That is, with the provision of the clamp portion which makes use of the protective cover, it is possible to prevent the clutch cable from being bent or being largely deflected and hence, the operational responsiveness of the clutch can be enhanced and, at the same time, the number of parts and the assembling man-hours can be reduced thus reducing a manufacturing cost.
According to the invention described in claim 5, in addition to the advantages of the invention of the cited claim, it is possible to obtain following advantages. That is, it is possible to protect the fuel pipe from the oncoming flying object by making use of the fuel tank and hence, the number of parts and the assembling man-hours can be reduced thus reducing a manufacturing cost.
According to the invention described in claim 6, in addition to the advantages of the invention of the cited claim, it is possible to obtain following advantages. That is, it is possible to prevent the air supply pipe from being bent or

Being largely deflected due to the support portion which makes use of the protective cover and hence, the supply of air into an exhaust gas can be performed smoothly and, at the same time, the number of parts and the assembling man-hours can be reduced thus reducing a manufacturing cost.
According to the invention described in claim 7, in addition to the advantages of the invention of the cited claim, it is possible to obtain following advantages. That is, it is possible to prevent the throttle body from being heated by the hot air in the inside of the protective cover.
According to the invention described in claim 8, in addition to the advantages of the invention of the cited claim, it is possible to obtain following advantages. That is, since the rigidity of the protective cover can be enhanced, it is possible to make the protective cover light-weighted by reducing a wall thickness of the protective cover. Further, since the discharge of the hot air from the inside of the protective cover is facilitated, the cooling of the fuel injection valve can be accelerated and, at the same time, the heating of the throttle body attributed to the hot air can be effectively prevented. [Best Mode for Carrying out the Invention]
[0015]
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention is explained in conjunction with Fig. 1 to Fig. 5.

In Fig. 1, a vehicle-use internal combustion engine E to which the present invention is applied constitutes a power unit P which is mounted on a motorcycle V referred to as a vehicle.
The motorcycle V includes a vehicle body which has a vehicle body frame and a vehicle body cover, the power unit P which is suspended on the vehicle body, and a fuel tank T which is mounted on the vehicle body and reserves a fuel supplied to the internal combustion engine E.
Here, in this specification or claims, the directions of upper, lower, front, rear, left and right mean the directions of upper, lower, front, rear, left and right by reference to the vehicle and the internal combustion engine in a state that the internal combustion engine is mounted on the vehicle.
[0016]
The vehicle body frame includes a head pipe 1 arranged on a front end portion thereof, a main frame 2 which is connected to the head pipe 1 and extends rearwardly, a pair of left and right down tubes 3, a pair of left and right seat rails 4 which is connected to the main frame 2 and extends rearwardly, and a pair of left and right rear frames 5 which connects the main frame 2 and the seat rail 4.
[0017]
A front fork 6 is steerablly supported on the head pipe 1, wherein a front wheel WF is pivotally supported on a lower

End portion of the front fork 6 and a handle 7 is mounted on an upper end portion of the front fork 6. The main frame 2 includes a front frame portion 2a which extends rearwardly in the vicinity and directly below a fuel tank T from the head pipe 1 in a slightly downwardly inclined manner, and a pair of left and right rear frame portions 2b which extends rearwardly directly above the power unit P from a rear portion of the front frame portion 2a in a downwardly inclined manner and, thereafter, is bent and extends in the substantially vertically downward direction behind the power unit P. Each down tube 3 includes a front tube portion 3a which extends slightly rearwardly from a portion of the front frame portion 2a in the vicinity of the head pipe 1 in a largely downwardly inclined manner, and a rear tube portion 3b which is gently inclined from a lower portion of the front tube portion 3a and, thereafter, extends substantially horizontally and rearwardly The rear frame 5 extends rearwardly from a bent portion of the rear frame portion 2b in an upwardly inclined manner and is connected to a substantially center portion of the seat rail 4.
[0018]
The fuel tank T is supported on the front frame portion 2a in a state that the fuel tank T strides over the front frame portion 2a from above, and a front end portion of a swing arm 8 which pivotally supports the rear wheel WR on a rear end

Portion thereof is pivotally supported on a pivot shaft at a left-side rear frame portion 2b. A lower end portion of a rear cushion 9 which has an upper end portion thereof connected to a reinforcing member mounted on a right rear frame 5 is connected to a rear end portion of the swing arm 8, and the rear wheel WR is supported on the vehicle body frame by way of the swing arm 8 in a vertically rockable manner. A tandem type seat 10 which is arranged directly behind the fuel tank T is supported on the seat rail 4. Further, a clutch lever 11 is mounted on the handle 7.
[0019]
Further, the vehicle body cover includes front side covers 12 and a rear side cover 13. The pair of left and right front side covers 12 which is mounted on the front frame portion 2a covers a bottom portion of the fuel tank T from a left side and a right side respectively. The rear side cover 13 which is mounted on the rear frame 5 and the seat rail 4 and has a U shape as viewed in a plan view extend to a rear end portion of the vehicle body to which a rear fender 14 is joined from a portion slightly behind both front side covers 12, 13, and the rear side cover 13 covers the seat rail 4 and the rear frame 5 from a left side, a right side and a rear side.
[0020]
A power unit P which generates power for driving a rear wheel WR which constitutes a driving wheel includes a

horizontally-arranged internal combustion engine E which has a crankshaft 23 directed in the lateral direction (also in the vehicle width direction) , and a gear transmission (not shown in the drawing) which performs the transmission of power transmitted from the crankshaft 23 by way of a multiple-disc friction-type clutch (not shown in the drawing) which performs the connection and the disconnection of a power transmission of the crankshaft 23. Power of an output shaft 4 6 of the transmission is transmitted to the rear wheel WR by way of a final speed reduction mechanism which is constituted of a chain power transmission mechanism including a power transmission chain 47.
[0021]
The internal combustion engine E which is an air-cooled type single-cylinder 4-stroke internal combustion engine includes an engine body which is constituted of a crankcase 20 which rotatably supports the crankshaft 23, a cylinder 21 which substantially horizontally extends frontwardly from the crankcase 20 and is connected to a front end portion of the crankcase 20, and a cylinder head 22 which is connected to a front end portion of the cylinder 21.
[0022]
The clutch which is stored in the inside of the crankcase 20 together with the transmission is manipulated by the clutch lever 11 by way of a clutch cable 15 which has one end thereof

Connected to the clutch lever 11 and has the other end thereof connected to a clutch inanipulating portion mounted on a right side of the crankcase 20. The clutch cable 15 which extends from the clutch lever 11 is held by a clamp 16 which is mounted on the right-side down tube 3 and is held by a clamp portion 71 which is mounted on a protective cover C described later.
[0023]
A piston which is reciprocally movably fitted in the cylinder 21 which has a cylinder axis thereof arranged in the substantially horizontal direction is driven by the pressure of a combustion gas generated due to burning of an air-fuel mixture in a combustion chamber which is formed in the cylinder head 22 and is reciprocated so as to rotatably drive the crankshaft 23 by way of a connecting rod,
[0024]
An intake device which is mounted on the internal combustion engine E and introduces intake air which is mixed with fuel supplied from a fuel injection valve 30 described later to form air-fuel mixture into the combustion chamber includes an air cleaner 24 which is arranged in a state that the air cleaner 24 is covered with the rear side cover 13 from a left side and a right side, a throttle body 25 on which a throttle valve for controlling a flow rate of intake air is mounted, an upstream-side intake pipe 2 6 which connects the air cleaner 24 and the throttle body 25, and a downstream-side

Intake pipe 27 which connects the throttle body 25 and an upper portion of the cylinder head 22 on which an intake port which opens in the combustion chamber and is opened and closed by an intake valve is mounted.
[0025]
The throttle valve is opened and closed by manipulating a throttle drum which is mounted on a left side of the throttle body 25 and constitutes a manipulated portion using a throttle manipulating means. The throttle manipulating means is constituted of a throttle grip which is mounted on the handle 7, and a throttle cable which has one end portion thereof connected to the throttle grip and has the other end portion thereof wrapped around and connected to the throttle drum. Here, the manipulation of the throttle grip is transmitted to the throttle drum by way of the throttle cable to rotate the throttle drum and hence, the throttle valve is opened or closed.
[0026]
The fuel injection valve 30 (see Fig. 2) which is mounted on the internal combustion engine E and supplies fuel of an amount set by the control device based on an engine driving state such as an engine rotational speed and an engine load is mounted on the throttle body 25. The fuel pipe 31 which introduces the fuel from the fuel tank T into the fuel injection valve 30 connects a fuel pump 32 which is arranged in the inside of the fuel tank T and the fuel injection valve 30. Immediately

After extending to the outside of the fuel tank T from the inside of the fuel tank T, the fuel pipe 31 is arranged between the left-and-right front side covers 12 along an outer bottom surface of the fuel tank T. Further, after extending frontwardly between the left and right front side covers 12, the fuel pipe 31 turns rearwardly in a state that the fuel pipe 31 is covered with the left and right front side covers 12 from the left side and the right side, and provides a connection portion 31a with the fuel injection valve 30 slightly below a lower edge of the left and right front side covers 12.
[0027]
An exhaust device which is mounted on the internal combustion engine E and leads an exhaust gas to the outside of the internal combustion engine E includes an exhaust pipe 28 which is connected to a lower portion of the cylinder head 22 in which an exhaust port which opens in the combustion chamber and is opened and closed by the exhaust valve is mounted, and an exhaust silencer 29 which is connected to a downstream
end portion of the exhaust pipe 28
[0028]
Further, the air-fuel mixture which is formed of intake air which flows in the intake device and the fuel from the fuel injection valve 30 flows in the downstream-side intake pipe 27 and the intake port and is sucked into the combustion chamber when the intake valve is opened. After driving the piston,

A combustion gas which is generated by burning the air-fuel mixture in the combustion chamber flows out as an exhaust gas to the exhaust port when the exhaust valve is opened. Further, after flowing in the exhaust pipe 28 and the exhaust silencer 29, the combustion gas is discharged to the outside of the internal combustion engine E.
[0029]
Further, the internal combustion engine E includes a secondary air supply device 35 which supplies air into the exhaust gas for cleaning the exhaust air burning unburnt components in the exhaust gas. The secondary air supply device 35 includes a control valve 36 which is mounted on the upstream-side intake pipe 26 directly below the fuel tank T, an air intake pipe 37 which connects the air cleaner 24 and the control valve 36 thus introducing a portion of air in the inside of the air cleaner 24 into the control valve 36, an air supply pipe 38 which connects the control valve 36 and the cylinder head 22 thus introducing air controlled by the control valve 36 into the exhaust port, and a negative pressure conduit 39 which connects the downstream-side intake pipe 27 and the control valve 36 thus introducing the intake negative pressure at a downstream side of the throttle valve into the control valve 36.
[0030]
The control valve 36 includes an open/close valve which

Is joined to a diaphragm on which the intake negative pressure introduced through the negative pressure conduit 39 acts and is driven in an open/close manner in response to the intake negative pressure, and a reed valve which is arranged at a downstream side of the open/close valve and allows air to flow only into the exhaust port. In a low load state of the internal combustion engine E in which the intake negative pressure is increased, the open/close valve is closed thus preventing air from the air intake pipe 37 from arriving at the reed valve, while in a high load state of the internal combustion engine E in which the intake negative pressure is decreased, the open/close valve is opened thus allowing the supply of air from the air intake pipe 37 to the reed valve. When the pressure of the exhaust gas in the inside of the exhaust port is lowered, the reed valve is opened and hence, air flows in the air supply pipe 38 and flows into the exhaust port. Here, the air supply pipe 38 is constituted of an upstream-side portion 38a formed of a rubber hose and a metal-made downstream-side portion 38b which is arranged along the cylinder head 22.
Further, the clutch cable 15, the fuel pipe 31, the air supply pipe 38 and the negative pressure conduit 39 which are described above are members arranged in the vicinity of the throttle body 25.
[0031]
Hereinafter, the explanation is made by mainly focusing

On the throttle body 25.
As shown in Fig. 1, the throttle body 25 which is arranged directly above the engine body and directly below the fuel tank T is arranged between the left and right front side covers 12 in the lateral direction and below both front side covers 12. Accordingly, the throttle body 25 is not covered with the left and right front side covers 12 from the front side, the left side and the right side and, further, the throttle body 25 is not covered with the above-mentioned vehicle body covers other than both front side covers 12 . Accordingly, the throttle body 25 is arranged in a state that the throttle body 25 is exposed from the vehicle body covers including the left and right front side covers 12.
Further, on a left side of the throttle body 25, the throttle drum which constitutes a movable portion and is moved when the throttle valve is opened or closed is mounted, while on a right side of the throttle body 25, a throttle opening sensor 40 (see Fig. 2, Fig. 3) which detects the degree of opening of the throttle valve is mounted.
[0032]
To explain in conjunction with Fig. 2 to Fig. 5, a throttle-body protective cover C which protects the throttle body 25 from the adhesion or the impingement of oncoming flying objects such as water, mud or pebbles during traveling, that is, protects the throttle body 25 from the oncoming flying

Objects is mounted. The protective cover C which is provided to the internal combustion engine E covers the throttle body 25 from the front side, the rear side, the left side and the right side thus covering a periphery of the throttle body 25 except for both openings 80, 81 described later and a portion of a rear side of the throttle body 25. The protective cover C is constituted of a pair of covers both of which are made of a synthetic resin, that is, a left cover 50 which forms a first cover and a right cover 60 which forms a second cover. Here, the throttle body 25 is covered with the power unit P from behind.
[0033]
The protective cover C forms an upper opening 80 to which an intake-upstream-side portion of the throttle body 25 faces in an upper portion thereof in a state that the upper opening
80 is opened upwardly, and forms the lower opening 81 to which
an intake-downstream-side portion of the throttle body 25 faces
in a lower portion thereof in a state that the lower opening
81 is opened downwardly. The upper opening 80 and the lower
opening 81 are respectively formed by combining upper edge
portions 50a, 60a of the left and right covers 50, 60 and by
combining lower edge portions 50b, 60b of the left and right
covers 50, 60. That is, the upper opening 80 and the lower
opening 81 are openings which are defined by the upper edge
portion and the lower edge portion of the protective cover C.

[0034]
To the upper opening 80 which is arranged directly below the fuel tank T (see Fig. 1), a fuel inlet portion 30a of the fuel injection valve 30 to which a connection portion 31a of the fuel pipe 31 is connected and a terminal portion 30b of the fuel injection valve 30 to which a coupler is connected face. Here, to the coupler, a signal line which transmits a control signal from the control device for controlling an operation of the fuel injection valve 30 made of a solenoid valve is connected. Accordingly, it is possible to perform the connection or the disconnection of the fuel pipe 31 and the fuel inlet portion 30a, and the connection or the disconnection of the coupler and the terminal portion 30b through the upper opening 80 thus facilitating the connecting and disconnecting operation of these parts.
[0035]
Further, although air (hot air) which is heated by heat radiation from the engine body such as the cylinder 21 and the cylinder head 22 (see Fig. 1) flows into the inside of the protective cover C through the lower opening 81 which opens directly above the cylinder 21 or the cylinder head 22, the heated air flows out to the outside of the protective cover C through the upper opening 80 without staying in a peripheral portion of the throttle body 25 in the inside of the protective cover C. Accordingly, the upper opening 80 also functions as

A heat radiation opening which allows hot air around the throttle body 25 in the inside of the protective cover C to flow out to the outside of the protective cover C.
[0036]
To explain in conjunction with Fig. 2 and Fig. 4, the left cover 50 is a member which is integrally formed of a left wall portion 51 which covers the throttle drum and the fuel injection valve 30 from a left side by covering the throttle body 25 from the left side, a front wall portion 52 which extends rightwardly from the left wall portion 51 and partially covers the throttle body 25 from the front side, and an upper wall portion 54 which is contiguously formed with the left wall portion 51 and the front wall portion 52 and partially covers the throttle body 25 from above. Further, on the left wall portion 51, a mounting portion 55 for mounting the left cover 50 on the throttle body 25, a joint portion 56 which joins the left cover 50 to the right cover 60, a support portion 57 which projects leftwardly and supports an upstream-side portion 38a of the air supply pipe 38, a fin-shape reinforcing rib 58 which extends parallel to the left cover 50 in the substantially vertical direction while being directed to the upper opening 80 and the lower opening 81 are integrally formed. The air supply pipe 38 is placed on a support portion 57 of the protective cover C at a side of the throttle body 25 and hence, it is possible to prevent the air supply pipe 38 from being

Largely bent or deflected.
[0037]
To explain in conjunction with Fig. 2, Fig. 3 and Fig, 5, the right cover 60 is integrally formed of a right wall portion 61 which covers the throttle opening sensor 40 and the fuel injection valve 30 from a right side by covering the throttle body 25 from a right side, a front wall portion 62 which extends leftwardly from the right wall portion 61 and partially covers the throttle body 25 from a front side and is abutted to the front wall portion 52, a rear wall portion 63 which extends leftwardly from the right wall portion 61 and partially covers the throttle body 25 from behind, and an upper wall portion 64 which is contiguously formed with the right wall portion 61 and the front wall portion 52 and partially covers the throttle body 25 from above*
[0038]
Further, on the right wall portion 61, a mounting portion 65 for mounting the right cover 60 on the throttle body 25, a joint portion 66 for joining the right cover 60 to the left cover 50, a holding portion 70 which is constituted of grip members 70a, 70b which are a pair of projecting portions projecting rightwardly and clamp and hold the negative pressure conduit 39 of the secondary air supply device 35 which constitutes a negative-pressure operating device, a clamp portion 71 which is constituted of a pair of grip members 71a,

71b which are a pair of projecting portions which clamps and holds the clutch cable 15, and a plurality of fin-shape reinforcing ribs 68 which extend in parallel to the right cover 60 in the substantially vertical direction while being directed to the upper opening 80 and the lower opening 81 are integrally formed, The plurality of reinforcing ribs 68 is arranged in a longitudinally spaced-apart manner (see Fig. 5(A)).
[0039]
On a lower portion of the front wall portion 52 which is arranged close to the downstream-side intake pipe 27, a notch 72 which constitutes an opening through which the negative pressure conduit 39 is inserted is formed. Here, the negative pressure conduit 39 extends into the inside of the protective cover C from a negative pressure takeout portion which is mounted on the downstream-side intake pipe 26 (see Fig. 1) and, thereafter, extends to the outside of the protective cover C passing through the notch 72. Then, the negative pressure conduit 39 reverses the direction thereof in the right rearward direction in front of the front wall portion 62, and arrives at the holding portion 70. The negative pressure conduit 39 further extends rearwardly in a state that the negative pressure conduit 39 is held by the holding portion 70 until the negative pressure conduit 39 finally arrives at the control valve 36.
[0040]

With a front portion of the upper wall portion 64, a cover portion 74 which covers the connection portion 31a and a portion of the fuel pipe 61 in the vicinity of the connection portion 31a from a front side is integrally formed. The cover portion 74 extends upwardly from the upper wall portion 64. Further, the fuel injection valve 30 is covered with both front wall portions 52, 62 from a front side. Further, both upper wall portions 54, 64 respectively include the upper edge portions 50a, 60a.
[0041]
To a corner portion 67 which is formed of the right wall portion 61 and the front wall portion 62, a joint portion 66 described later which also functions as a notch or a recessed portion for ensuring a clearance between the clutch cable 15 arranged in the vicinity of the protective cover C and the protective cover C is provided. The joint portion 66 is formed of a recessed portion and is continuously opened from a front side to a right side thereof.
[0042]
The reinforcing rib 58 and the reinforcing rib 68 are respectively formed on inner surfaces 50c, 60c of the left cover 50 and the right cover 60 which face the throttle body 25. The respective reinforcing ribs 58, 68 extend in the vertical direction toward the upper opening 80 from the lower opening 81. Further, the reinforcing rib 58 of the left cover 50 and

the reinforcing rib 68a which constitutes a portion of the reinforcing rib 68 of the right cover 60 are, when the left and right covers 50, 60 are integrally joined to each other using a bolt (not shown in the drawing) which is inserted into the connection portion 66 and is threadedly engaged with an embeddable nut 56a of the connection portion 56, projected to an extent that a small gap is formed there between (see Fig. 5B) .
Further, the left cover 50 and the right cover 60 are mounted on the throttle body 25 using bolts which are respectively inserted into both mounting portions 55, 65.
[0043]
Next, the manner of operation and advantageous effects of the embodiment which adopts the above-mentioned constitution are explained.
The vehicle-use internal combustion engine E includes the protective cover C which is mounted on the throttle body 25 so as to cover the throttle body 25 arranged to be exposed from the vehicle body cover which includes left and right front side covers 12 and protects the throttle body 25 from the oncoming flying object, and also the fuel injection valve 30 which is mounted on the throttle body 25 is covered with the protective cover C. Accordingly, it is possible to protect the throttle body 25 on which the throttle drum and the throttle opening sensor 40 are mounted from the oncoming flying object

By the protective cover C. Further, since the protective cover C is mounted on the throttle body 25, it is possible to arrange the throttle body 25 on the vehicle body without being restricted by a shape and the arrangement of the vehicle body cover. Still further, it is possible to block the operating sound of the fuel injection valve 30 by making use of the protective cover C. In this manner, with the provision of the protective cover C, it is possible to protect the throttle body 25 from the oncoming flying object and, at the same time, the degree of freedom in the arrangement of the throttle body 25 with respect to the vehicle body is increased. Further, noises attributed to the operating sounds of the fuel injection valve 30 can be reduced.
Further, with the provision of the protective cover C, the throttle drum and the throttle opening sensor 40 which are mounted on the throttle body 25 can be protected from the oncoming flying object.
[0044]
The cover portion 74 which covers the fuel pipe 31 connected to the fuel injection valve 30 from the front side is integrally formed with the protective cover C and hence, the fuel pipe 31 is protected from the oncoming flying object due to the cover portion 74 and, at the same time, since the cover portion 74 is integrally formed with the protective cover C, a member which is exclusively used for covering the fuel

Pipe 31 is unnecessary. As a result, with the provision of the cover portion 74 which makes use of the protective cover C, it is possible to protect the fuel pipe 31 from the oncoming flying object and, at the same time, the number of parts and the assembling man-hours can be reduced thus leading to the reduction of a manufacturing cost.
[0045]
The support portion 57 which supports the air supply pipe 38 for introducing air into the exhaust gas is integrally formed with the protective cover C and hence, it is possible to prevent the air supply pipe 38 from being bent or being largely deflected using the support portion 57 thus preventing the increase of the pipe passage resistance. Further, since the support portion 57 is integrally formed with the protective cover C, it is unnecessary to provide a member which is exclusively used for supporting the air supply pipe 38. As a result, it is possible to prevent the air supply pipe 38 from being bent or being largely deflected due to the support portion 57 which makes use of the protective cover C and hence, the supply of air into the exhaust gas can be performed smoothly thus contributing to the enhancement of the exhaust gas purification performance. Further, the number of parts and the assembling man-hours can be reduced thus reducing a manufacturing cost.
[0046]

The notch 72 which allows the negative-pressure conduit 39 for introducing the intake negative pressure to the secondary air supply device 35 to pass there through is formed in the protective cover C and hence, it is possible to perform piping of the negative-pressure conduit 39 without being obstructed by the protective cover C. Accordingly, it is unnecessary to form the bent portion on the negative-pressure conduit 39 or to perform the piping of the negative-pressure conduit 39 such that the negative-pressure conduit 39 largely wraps around the protective cover C to avoid the interference with the protective cover C and hence, a pipe length of the negative-pressure conduit 39 can be shortened whereby the pipe passage resistance can be reduced, and the operational responsiveness of the secondary air supply device 35 can be enhanced thus contributing to the enhancement of the exhaust gas purification performance.
[0047]
The clamp portion 71 which holds the clutch cable 15 for manipulating the clutch which performs connection and disconnection of power transmission to the rear wheel WR of the motorcycle V is integrally formed with the protective cover C and hence, it is possible to prevent the clutch cable 15 from being bent or being largely deflected using the clamp portion 71 and, at the same time, the clamp portion 71 is integrally formed with the protective cover C and hence, it is unnecessary

To provide a member which is exclusively used for holding the clutch cable 15. As a result, with the provision of the clamp portion 71 which makes use of the protective cover C, it is possible to prevent the clutch cable 15 from being bent or being largely deflected and hence, the operational responsiveness of the clutch can be enhanced and, at the same time, the number of parts and the assembling man-hours can be reduced thus reducing a manufacturing cost.
[0048]
The fuel pipe 31 which is connected to the fuel injection valve 30 is arranged along the outer bottom surface of the fuel tank T which is arranged directly above the throttle body25 and hence, it is possible to protect the fuel pipe 31 from the oncoming flying object using the fuel tank T whereby it is unnecessary to provide a member which is exclusively used for protecting the fuel pipe 31. As a result, it is possible to protect the fuel pipe 31 from the oncoming flying object by making use of the fuel tank T and hence, the number of parts and the assembling man-hours can be reduced thus reducing a manufacturing cost. Further, the fuel pipe 31 is arranged between the left and right front side covers 12 on the outer bottom surface and hence, the fuel tank 31 is covered with the left and right front side covers 12 from left and right sides whereby it is possible to protect the fuel pipe 31 from the oncoming flying object from left and right sides.

[0049]
The upper opening 80 which constitutes the heat radiation opening is formed in the upper portion of the protective cover C and hence, hot air around the throttle body 25 which is generated due to the provision of the protective cover C is made to flow out to the outside of the protective cover C through the upper opening 80 whereby it is possible to prevent the throttle body 25 from being heated by the hot air in the inside of the protective cover C.
[0050]
The upper opening 80 which opens upwardly and the lower opening 81 which opens downwardly are formed in the protective cover C, and the reinforcing ribs 58, 68 which extend from the lower opening 81 to the upper opening 80 are integrally formed with the inner surface of the protective cover C which faces the throttle body 25 and hence, the rigidity of the throttle body 25 is enhanced by the reinforcing ribs 58, 68 and, at the same time, the hot air is guided by the reinforcing ribs 58, 68 thus facilitating the flow of the hot air toward the upper opening 80. As a result, since the rigidity of the protective cover C can be enhanced, it is possible to make the protective cover C light-weighted by reducing a wall thickness of the protective cover C. Further, since the discharge of the hot air from the inside of the protective cover C is facilitated, the cooling of the fuel injection valve 30 can be accelerated

And, at the same time, the heating of the throttle body 25 attributed to the hot air can be effectively prevented.
[0051]
Hereinafter, an embodiment which modifies the constitution of a portion of the above-mentioned embodiment is explained with respect to the modified constitution.
The upper opening 80 may be covered with the protective cover C except for a portion thereof to which the upstream-side end portion faces. In this case, the fuel injection valve 30 and the fuel pipe 31 are connected with each other before the protective cover C is mounted on the throttle body 25.
The protective cover C may have the rear wall portion thereof formed on at least one of the left and right covers 50, 60 such that the protective cover C covers the substantially whole throttle body 25 from behind.
The vehicle may be a vehicle other than the motorcycle V, for example, a three-wheeled vehicle or a four-wheeled vehicle. Further, the vehicle may be a working vehicle. [Brief Description of the Drawings]
[0052]
[Fig. 1] A schematic left side view of a motorcycle on which an internal combustion engine to which the present invention is applied is mounted.
[Fig. 2] A perspective view of a throttle-body protective cover which is mounted on a throttle body in the internal

combustion engine shown in Fig. 1 as viewed from a left front side.
[Fig. 3] A perspective view of the throttle-body protective cover which is mounted on the throttle body which is mounted on the internal combustion engine shown in Fig. 1 as viewed from a right front side.
[Fig. 4] Views showing a left cover of the throttle-body protective cover which is mounted on the internal combustion engine shown in Fig. 1, wherein Fig. 4 (A) is a left side view and Fig. 4(B) is a back view with a part in cross section.
[Fig. 5] Views showing a right cover of the throttle-body protective cover which is mounted on the internal combustion engine shown in Fig. 1, wherein Fig. 5 (A) is a right side view and Fig. 5(B) is a back view. [Description of Reference Numerals and Signs]
[0053]
V: motorcycle
E: internal combustion engine C: protective cover 12, 13: side cover 15: clutch cable 25: throttle body 30: fuel injection valve 31: fuel pipe 35: secondary air supply device

38: air supply pipe
39: negative pressure conduit
50: left cover
60: right cover
70: holding portion
71: cramp portion
72: notch
74: cover portion
80: upper opening

[Designation of Document] Claims [Claim 1]
A vehicle-use internal combustion engine which includes a throttle body on which a throttle valve is mounted and a fuel injection valve, wherein
the vehicle-use internal combustion engine includes a throttle-body protective cover which is mounted on the throttle body so as to cover the throttle body arranged to be exposed from a vehicle body cover and protects the throttle body from an oncoming flying object, and also the fuel injection valve which is mounted on the throttle body is covered with the protective cover.
[Claim 2]
A vehicle-use internal combustion engine according to claim 1, wherein a cover portion which covers a fuel pipe connected to the fuel injection valve from a front side is integrally formed with the protective cover.
[Claim 3]
A vehicle-use internal combustion engine according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein an opening which allows a negative-pressure conduit for introducing an intake negative pressure to a negative-pressure operating device to pass therethrough is formed in the protective cover.
[Claim 4]
A vehicle-use internal combustion engine according to

any one of claim 1 to claim 3, wherein a clamp portion which holds a clutch cable for manipulating a clutch which performs the connection and the disconnection of power transmission to a driving wheel of a vehicle is integrally formed with the protective cover.
[Claim 5]
A vehicle-use internal combustion engine according to any one of claim 1 to claim 4, wherein the fuel pipe which is connected to the fuel inj ection valve is arranged along an outer bottom surface of a fuel tank which is arranged directly above the throttle body.
[Claim 6]
A vehicle-use internal combustion engine according to any one of claim 1 to claim 5, wherein a support portion which supports an air supply pipe for introducing air into an exhaust gas is integrally formed with the protective cover.
[Claim 7]
A vehicle-use internal combustion engine according to any one of claim 1 to claim 6, wherein a heat radiation opening is formed in an upper portion of the protective cover. [Claim 8]
A vehicle-use internal combustion engine according to claim 7, wherein an upper opening which opens upwardly and constitutes the heat radiation opening and a lower opening which opens downwardly are formed in the protective cover, and

A reinforcing rib which extends from the lower opening to the upper opening is integrally formed with an inner surface of the protective cover which faces the throttle body.

Documents:

2404-che-2006 abstract-dup.pdf

2404-che-2006 complete specification as granted.pdf

2404-che-2006 claims-dup.pdf

2404-che-2006 description(complete)-dup.pdf

2404-che-2006 petition.pdf

2404-che-2006-abstract.pdf

2404-che-2006-abstractimage.jpg

2404-che-2006-claims.pdf

2404-che-2006-correspondnece-others.pdf

2404-che-2006-description(complete).pdf

2404-che-2006-drawings.pdf

2404-che-2006-form 1.pdf

2404-che-2006-form 18.pdf

2404-che-2006-form 26.pdf

2404-che-2006-form 3.pdf

2404-che-2006-form 5.pdf

2404-che-2006-priority document.pdf

EXAMINATION REPORT REPLY.PDF

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Patent Number

238214

Indian Patent Application Number

2404/CHE/2006

PG Journal Number

6/2010

Publication Date

05-Feb-2010

Grant Date

25-Jan-2010

Date of Filing

22-Dec-2006

Name of Patentee

HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD

Applicant Address

1-1, MINAMI-AOYAMA 2-CHOME, MINATO-KU, TOKYO 107-8556,

Inventors:

#	Inventor's Name	Inventor's Address
1	YAOKAWA, TETSUO	C/O HONDA R&D CO., LTD, 4-1, CHUO- 1-CHOME, WAKO-SHI, SAITAMA 351-0193,
2	KUBOTA, TOSHIYUKI	C/O HONDA R&D CO., LTD, 4-1, CHUO- 1-CHOME, WAKO-SHI, SAITAMA 351-0193, JAPAN
3	ANNO, MAMI	C/O HONDA R&D CO., LTD, 4-1, CHUO- 1-CHOME, WAKO-SHI, SAITAMA 351-0193, JAPAN

PCT International Classification Number

F02B 77/13

PCT International Application Number

N/A

PCT International Filing date

PCT Conventions:

#	PCT Application Number	Date of Convention	Priority Country
1	2005/376621	2005-12-27	Japan