Engine unit for small-sized vehicle

• US 6,612,391 B2
• Filed: 01/05/2001
• Issued: 09/02/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/11/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Suzuki Kabushiki Kaisha
• Original Assignee: Suzuki Kabushiki Kaisha
• Inventors: Yamauchi, Kosaku
• Primary Examiner(s): Johnson, Brian L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Restifo, Jeffrey J
• Application Number:
  US09/754,128
• Publication Number:
  US 20010007293A1
• Time in Patent Office: 970 Days
• Field of Search: 180/291, 180/292, 180/294, 180/219, 180/228, 180/230, 180/374, 180/375, 180/377, 180/378, 180/312, 180/231
• US Class Current: 180/292
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 11/04 characterised by the engine being between front and rear wheels
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 2202/00 Motorised scooters
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 2075/1808 two
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 2275/18 DOHC [Double overhead camshaft]
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 61/02 for driving cycles
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 75/20 with cylinders all in one line

Abstract

A small-sized vehicle such as scooter-type motorcycle includes an engine unit and a power transmission unit coupled to the engine unit to be swingable. The engine unit includes a power generation section, a speed changing section, a first case into which the power generation unit is accommodated and a second case into which the speed changing section is accommodated. The first and second cases are operatively connected to each other as a unit case constituting the engine unit, which is then mounted to a vehicle body.

Claims

1. An engine unit of a small-sized vehicle including an engine unit and a power transmission unit, coupled to the engine unit to be swingable with respect to the engine unit, said engine unit comprising:

a power generation section;

a speed changing section;

a first case into which said power generation unit is accommodated; and

a second case into which said speed changing section is accommodated,

wherein said first and second cases are operatively connected to each other as a unit case constituting the engine unit, which is configured to be fixedly mounted to a vehicle body,

wherein said first and second cases provide substantially L-shape in plan views respectively and are opposed to each other so that longitudinal portions of the L-shaped portions thereof are overlapped to each other in a width direction of the vehicle body.

2. An engine unit of a small-sized vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said first and second cases are coupled together with a space therebetween.

3. An engine unit of a small-sized vehicle according to claim 2, wherein said second case is formed with an exhaust port so as to be opened to said space.

4. An engine unit according to claim 1, wherein said power generation section includes an engine body, said speed changing section includes a first speed changing section as a transmission section and a second speed changing section as a differential section operatively connected to the transmission section, said first case is a crank case, said second case includes a transmission case and a differential case.

5. An engine unit according to claim 4, wherein said crank case, said transmission case and said differential case are coupled together as an integral unit which is to be mounted to a vehicle body frame by bolts.