Straddle-type vehicle

Abstract

A straddle-type vehicle capable of concentrating mass and capable of shortening the front-rear length of the vehicle. A straddle-type vehicle (1) includes a vehicle body frame (70) that constitutes the vehicle, a battery (SB) that is fixed to the vehicle body frame (70), an arm member (16) that supports a power unit (90) that supports a rear wheel (WR) shaft so as to be rotatable, and a pivot (24) that pivotally supports the arm member (16) so as to be swingable with respect to the vehicle body frame (70), wherein the pivot (24) is disposed at a position in the vicinity of and below the front end of the arm member (16) and the battery (SB). The battery (SB) is disposed so as to be inclined rearward with respect to the vertical direction. A storage portion (29) that includes a storage member is provided below a seat (22), and the battery (SB) is disposed in the vicinity of the storage portion (29).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a straddle-type vehicle, and particularly to a straddle-type vehicle in which a member that supports a rear wheel shaft so as to be rotatable is supported so as to be swingable with respect to a vehicle body frame. BACKGROUND

[0002] In the past, in a straddle-type three-wheeled vehicle in which a front wheel is one wheel and a rear wheel is two wheels, a structure has been known in which a pivot for swinging a rear wheel suspended by a rear shock absorber in the up-and-down direction is provided.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a straddle-type three-wheeled vehicle that includes a front vehicle body that supports a front wheel and a rear vehicle body that supports a rear wheel, in which a pivot for supporting a front end portion of a power unit so as to be swingable with respect to the rear vehicle body is provided, the power unit supporting the rear wheel so as to be rotatable.

[0004] PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

[0005] PATENT DOCUMENT

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2011-020558 SUMMARY

[0007] PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0008] However, in the straddle-type three-wheeled vehicle of Patent Document 1, the battery provided in the lower portion of the cargo rack and the pivot located in the front end portion of the power unit are separated, and the mass of the entire vehicle tends to be dispersed. In addition, in order to improve the steering stability of the vehicle, it is desirable that the front-to-rear length of the vehicle not be too long.

[0009] An object of the present application is to solve the above-described prior art problems, and to provide a straddle-type vehicle that can achieve concentration of mass and can shorten the front-to-rear length of the vehicle.

[0010] TECHNICAL SOLUTION FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS

[0011] In order to achieve the object, the present application provides a straddle-type vehicle (1) that includes a vehicle body frame (70) that constitutes the vehicle, a battery (SB) that is fixed to the vehicle body frame (70), an arm member (16) that supports a power unit (90) that supports a rear wheel (WR) shaft so as to be rotatable, and a pivot (24) that supports the arm member (16) so as to be swingable with respect to the vehicle body frame (70), characterized in that the pivot (24) is provided at a position that is in the vicinity of and below a front end portion of the arm member (16) and the battery (SB).

[0012] In addition, the second feature is that the battery (SB) is provided so as to be inclined rearward with respect to the vertical direction.

[0013] Further, a third feature thereof is that a housing portion (29) having a housing member is provided below a seat (22), and the battery (SB) is disposed in the vicinity of the housing portion (29).

[0014] Further, a fourth feature thereof is that the battery (SB) is a sub-battery that supplies electric power to an auxiliary device, and the straddle-type vehicle (1) is an electric vehicle that drives a motor (M) by electric power of a main battery (B).

[0015] Further, a fifth feature thereof is that a front vehicle body (BF) that supports a front wheel (WF) and a rear vehicle body (BR) that supports the rear wheel (WR) are provided, the pivot (24) is provided to the rear vehicle body (BR), a swing device (50) that can swing the rear vehicle body (BR) with respect to the front vehicle body (BF) in a side swing direction is provided, and the swing device (50) has a Naudert mechanism that generates an additional force that returns a swing operation in the side swing direction to a neutral position by elasticity of a rubber member.

[0016] Further, a sixth feature thereof is that the front wheel (WF) is one wheel, and the rear wheel (WR) is two wheels arranged in a vehicle width direction.

[0017] Further, a seventh feature thereof is that the main battery (B) and the battery (SB) are disposed close to each other in a front-rear direction.

[0018] Further, an eighth feature thereof is that the pivot (24) is located above the swing device (50).

[0019] Further, a ninth feature thereof is that the pivot (24) is located at a front end of the rear vehicle body (BR).

[0020] Effects of Invention

[0021] According to the first feature, the straddle-type vehicle (1) has a vehicle body frame (70) that constitutes a vehicle, a battery (SB) that is fixed to the vehicle body frame (70), an arm member (16) that supports a power unit (90) that rotatably supports a rear wheel (WR) shaft, and a pivot (24) that rotatably supports the arm member (16) with respect to the vehicle body frame (70), wherein the pivot (24) is disposed at a position of a front end of the arm member (16) and in the vicinity of and below the battery (SB), and thus, the front-rear length of the vehicle can be shortened by disposing the pivot in front of the arm member, and the concentration of mass can be achieved by disposing the pivot in the vicinity of and below the battery.

[0022] According to a second feature, the battery (SB) is disposed rearward with respect to the vertical direction, so that the front-rear length of the vehicle can be further shortened, and concentration of mass can be achieved.

[0023] According to a third feature, a housing member (29) having a housing portion is provided below the seat (22), and the battery (SB) is disposed in the vicinity of the housing portion (29), so that further concentration of mass can be achieved.

[0024] According to a fourth feature, the battery (SB) is a sub-battery that supplies electric power to an auxiliary device, and the straddle-type vehicle (1) is an electric vehicle in which the electric motor (M) is driven by electric power from the main battery (B), so that in a straddle-type electric vehicle, the front-rear length of the vehicle can be shortened or concentration of mass can be achieved.

[0025] According to a fifth feature, a front side vehicle body (BF) that supports a front wheel (WF) and a rear side vehicle body (BR) that supports the rear wheel (WR) are provided, the pivot (24) is provided to the rear side vehicle body (BR), and a swing device (50) that can swing the rear side vehicle body (BR) with respect to the front side vehicle body (BF) in a side swing direction is provided, the swing device (50) has a NERDHAFT mechanism that generates an additional force that returns a swing operation in the side swing direction to a neutral position by the elasticity of a rubber member, so that in a straddle-type vehicle having a NERDHAFT mechanism, the front-rear length of the vehicle can be shortened or concentration of mass can be achieved.

[0026] According to a sixth feature, the front wheel (WF) is one wheel, and the rear wheel (WR) is two wheels arranged in the vehicle width direction, so that in a straddle-type three-wheeled vehicle having a NERDHAFT mechanism, the front-rear length of the vehicle can be shortened or concentration of mass can be achieved.

[0027] According to a seventh feature, the main battery (B) and the battery (SB) are disposed close to each other in the front-rear direction, so that by disposing the main battery and the sub-battery, which are heavy objects, close to each other in the front-rear direction, concentration of mass of the entire vehicle can be achieved.

[0028] According to an eighth feature, the pivot (24) is located above the swing device (50), so that the space above the swing device can be effectively used to achieve concentration of mass and shortening of the front-rear length.

[0029] According to a ninth feature, the pivot (24) is located at the front end of the rear side vehicle body (BR), so that the space above the swing device can be effectively used. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0030] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a straddle-type electric three-wheeled vehicle according to the present embodiment.

[0031] Figure 2 is a left side view of the straddle-type electric tricycle.

[0032] Figure 3 is a left side view of the straddle-type electric tricycle with outer parts removed.

[0033] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a body frame constituting a front side body.

[0034] Figure 5 is a perspective view of a swing device.

[0035] Figure 6 is a left side view of a rear side body.

[0036] Figure 7 is a perspective view of a rear side body.

[0037] Figure 8 is a left side view of the straddle-type electric tricycle with covers removed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present application will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 is a perspective view of a straddle-type electric tricycle 1 as a straddle-type vehicle of the present embodiment. In addition, Figure 2 is a left side view of the straddle-type electric tricycle 1, Figure 3 is a left side view of the straddle-type electric tricycle 1 with outer parts removed. Figure 2 is a left side view of the straddle-type electric tricycle 1 with outer parts removed.

[0039] The straddle-type electric tricycle 1 is a small electric vehicle in which a front side body BF supporting one front wheel WF and a rear side body BR supporting two rear wheels WR are pivotally supported in a side swing direction by a swing device 50. Two high-voltage main batteries B that supply electric power to an electric motor M that drives the rear wheels WR are housed side by side in the vehicle width direction below a seat 22 provided in the front side body BF. The two main batteries B can be removed from the body by pulling them upward in a state in which the openable and closable seat 22 is opened. A low step 12 on which a driver places his feet is provided between a handlebar 2 and the seat 22.

[0040] A body frame F constituting the front side body BF includes a head pipe F2 pivotally supporting a steering column F1 on which the handlebar 2 is fixed, a lower frame F3 extending rearward and downward from the head pipe F2, a pair of left and right curved frames F6 connected to both side surfaces of the lower frame F3 and extending downward and curving rearward, and a pair of left and right bottom frames F4 connected to the curved frames F6 and extending rearward.

[0041] A pair of left and right rearview mirrors 3 and an instrument panel 4 are mounted on the steering handle 2. A bottom axle F5 is fixed to the lower end of the steering column F1 that supports the steering handle 2, and a pair of left and right front forks 9 that support the front wheel WF axle so that it can rotate freely are fixed on the bottom axle F5.

[0042] The front side body BF and the rear side body BR are supported by a swing device 50 that can swing, which is fixed to the lower part of the bottom frame F4 below the battery B. On the rear side body BR, which has a large cargo rack 19, there is a pair of swing arms 16 that are supported by a pivot 24 and can swing freely. A power unit 90 that supports the rear wheel WR is installed at the rear of the swing arms 16.

[0043] The front of the head tube F2 is covered by a central cover 5 connected to a pair of left and right side covers 10, and a leg guard 11 is provided at the rear of the head tube F2. Front turn signal flashers 6 are installed on the left and right sides of the extension supporting the headlight 7, and the front fender 8 covering the front wheel WF is supported by the front fork 9.

[0044] The lower cover 13, which covers the sides and bottom of the bottom frame F4, is connected to the left and right ends of the low foot pedal 12. The lower cover 14, which covers the battery case 29, which serves as a storage unit, is provided below the seat 22 from the front, and the rear cover 15 is connected to the rear of the lower cover 14.

[0045] like Figure 3 As shown, a junction box J, serving as a wiring connector, is located behind the main battery B and inside the rear cover 15. The main battery B and the junction box J constitute a power supply device that supplies power to the electric motor M. On the other hand, a control device (PCU: power control unit) 64 for transmitting the power supplied from the main battery B and the junction box J to the electric motor M is located at the front end of the rear vehicle body BR. A lower battery cover 30, serving as a cover member covering the terminals on the vehicle body side, is located at the lower end of the main battery B.

[0046] A tubular stopper 18 for preventing the load from being displaced is provided on a load rack 19 of the rear body BR. The load rack 19, which is made of a thin plate-like synthetic resin or the like, is provided at an upper portion of the rear body frame 70, and a rear fender 17 covering an upper portion of the rear wheel WR is fixed to a lower portion of the rear body frame 70. The load rack 19 is supported by a load rack frame 32 made of a metal circular pipe material, which is fixed to the rear body frame 70. A load rack frame cover 20, which covers an upwardly erected portion of the load rack frame 32 in an arch shape, is provided at a front end portion of the load rack 19. A storage portion 23 for storing a board-like member 21 such as a notebook or a loose-leaf book is provided on a front side surface of the load rack frame cover 20. A left side electric component cover 25 is attached to a front portion of the rear fender 17 on the left side of the vehicle body. A sub-battery SB, which supplies electric power to auxiliary equipment such as the headlamp 7, is provided inside the left side electric component cover 25. A tail lamp 27, a pair of rear side turn signal flashers 28, and a license plate holder 26 are fixed to a rear end portion of the rear body frame 70, which is mainly made of a metal square pipe material.

[0047] Figure 4 FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle body frame F constituting a front side body BF. The vehicle body frame F, which is mainly made of a metal circular pipe material, includes a lower frame F3 extending rearward and downward from a head pipe F2, a pair of bent frames F6 connected to both side surfaces of the lower frame F3 and extending downward and bending rearward, and a pair of bottom frames F4 connected to the bent frames F6 and extending rearward. The lower frame F3 in the center in the vehicle width direction bends rearward at a lower end portion, and is connected to gusset plates F7 fixed to the pair of bottom frames F4.

[0048] An elongated low step support plate 33 supporting the low step 12 is provided at a position rearward of the gusset plates F7 and at an upper portion of the bottom frames F4. A pair of front side battery case support plates 34 and rear side battery case support plates 37 supporting the battery case 29 from below are respectively attached rearward of the low step support plate 33.

[0049] A cross frame F8 connecting the pair of bottom frames F4 in the vehicle width direction is provided at a position inside the rear side battery case support plates 37, and a rear side plate 38 supporting a position rearward of the swing device 50 is provided at a lower portion of the cross frame F8. On the other hand, a pair of front side plates 35 supporting a position forward of the swing device 50 are provided at positions below the front side battery case support plates 34.

[0050] Figure 5is a perspective view of the swing device 50. In this drawing, the state of being viewed from the right side, the back, and the upper side is shown. The swing device 50 having a metal-made housing is a structure body that axially supports a metal-made swing shaft 60 fixed to the rear side vehicle body BR so as to be swingable, and internally incorporates a force applying mechanism that applies an additional force that returns the swing shaft 60 to a neutral position. The force applying mechanism applies a Naudert mechanism that utilizes the elasticity of a plurality of cylindrical rubber members. The swing shaft 60 is fixed to the rear side vehicle body BR by two bolts 61 and nuts 62 that pass through in the vehicle width direction.

[0051] A front side support portion 51L, 51R that is split left and right is provided at the front end portion of the swing device 50, and a rear side support portion 55 that is erected upward is provided at the vehicle width direction center of the rear side of the swing device 50. The front side support portions 51L, 51R are fixed to a front side support plate 35 (refer to Figure 4 ) provided to the vehicle body frame F of the front side vehicle body BF using bolts 53, bushing members 52, and nuts 54. In addition, the rear side support portion 55 is fixed to a rear side support plate 38 (refer to Figure 4 ) provided to the vehicle body frame F using a bolt 56 and a nut 57. A flat side surface 58 is formed at the right side in the vehicle width direction of the swing device 50.

[0052] Figure 6 is a left side view of the rear side vehicle body BR. In this drawing, the state of removing the front side vehicle body BF in the state of fixing the swing device 50 to the rear side vehicle body BR is shown. Through holes 51a through which the bolts 53 pass are formed in the front side support portions 51L, 51R of the swing device 50. In addition, a through hole 55a through which the bolt 56 passes is formed in the rear side support portion 55 of the swing device 50.

[0053] In the present embodiment, it is configured to temporarily deliver the electric power of the main battery B to the junction box J that is a wiring junction, and deliver to the rear side vehicle body BR through the high voltage wire harnesses H1, H2 that extend from the junction box J. For the high voltage wire harnesses H1, H2 that extend downward and forward from the junction box J, after being bent in a U-shaped manner at the bend portion C that is located in front of the front side support portions 51L, 51R, wiring is performed toward the rear while passing through the right side of the swing device 50. Note that it can also be configured so as not to be the junction box J that is the power supply device, and to supply the electric power directly from the main battery B to the rear side vehicle body BR.

[0054] The carrier 19 is formed in a shape having an erected portion 19b that is erected upward at the front end of a flat plate portion 19a on which an object is placed. The carrier frame cover 20 is formed in a structure that covers both the arched portion of the carrier frame 32 and the erected portion 19b of the carrier 19.

[0055] Figure 7is a perspective view of the rear side vehicle body BR. As described above, the receiving portion 23 is provided on the front surface portion of the carrier frame cover 20. The control device 64 that controls the electric power supplied to the motor M is disposed in a position below the receiving portion 23 in a manner that a plurality of cooling fins are exposed to the front of the vehicle body. The left side electric component cover 25 and the right side electric component cover 63 are disposed on the left and right of the control device 64. The sub battery SB as the battery that is disposed on the inner side of the left side electric component cover 25 is fixed in a position between the left side electric component cover 25 and the control device 64 in a manner that the longitudinal direction is oriented in the up and down direction when viewed from the vehicle body side, and the upper end portion is located further rearward than the lower end portion with respect to the vertical direction.

[0056] Figure 8 is a partially enlarged left side view of the straddle-type electric tricycle 1 with the covers removed. The sub battery SB is disposed between the rear side vehicle body frame 70 on the left in the vehicle width direction and the control device 64. As described above, the swing arm 16 that supports the power unit 90 is pivotally supported by the pivot 24 so as to be swingable with respect to the pair of left and right rear side vehicle body frames 70. In the present embodiment, the pivot 24 is disposed at the front end portion of the swing arm 16 and the lower end portion of the rear side vehicle body frame 70. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the length of the vehicle in the front and rear direction to be short. In addition, the pivot 24 is disposed in the vicinity of and below the sub battery SB, and by locating the pivot 24 in the vicinity of and below the sub battery SB that is a heavy object, it is possible to achieve concentration of mass.

[0057] In addition, the sub battery SB is disposed inclined with respect to the vertical direction. The inclination angle of the sub battery SB is along the inclination angle of the rear side vehicle body frame 70 and the control device 64, and thereby, it is possible to arrange the rear end surface of the front side vehicle body BF and the front end surface of the rear side vehicle body BR close to each other, it is possible to further shorten the length of the vehicle in the front and rear direction, and it is possible to promote concentration of mass. In addition, the receiving portion 29 that has a receiving member is provided below the seat 22, and by arranging the sub battery SB in the vicinity of the receiving portion 29, it is possible to further promote concentration of mass. Moreover, because the main battery B and the sub battery SB are arranged close to each other in the front and rear direction, it is possible to promote concentration of mass of the entire vehicle.

[0058] Note that the form of the straddle-type vehicle, the form of the front side vehicle body and the rear side vehicle body, the shape or structure of the power unit or the swing arm, the shape or the disposition position of the main battery and the sub battery, and the like are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made. The disposition position of the pivot of the present application is not limited to the straddle-type electric tricycle, and can be applied to straddle-type two-wheel vehicles or four-wheel vehicles, and the like.

[0059] Explanation of Reference Signs

[0060] 1 straddle-type electric tricycle (straddle-type vehicle)

[0061] 16 swing arm (arm member)

[0062] 22 seat

[0063] 24 pivot

[0064] 29 battery case (housing)

[0065] 50 swing device

[0066] 70 rear side vehicle body frame (vehicle body frame)

[0067] 90 power unit

[0068] B main battery

[0069] SB sub battery (battery)

[0070] M motor

[0071] BF front side vehicle body

[0072] BR rear side vehicle body

[0073] WF front wheel

[0074] WR rear wheel

Claims

1. A straddle-type vehicle, comprising: a vehicle body frame (70) that constitutes the vehicle; a battery (SB) that is fixed to the vehicle body frame (70); an arm member (16) that supports a power unit (90) that supports a rear wheel (WR) shaft so as to be rotatable; and a pivot shaft (24) that pivotally supports the arm member (16) so as to be swingable with respect to the vehicle body frame (70), characterized in that: the pivot shaft (24) is disposed at a position near and below a front end portion of the arm member (16) and the battery (SB), a storage portion (29) that houses a storage member is provided below a seat (22), the battery (SB) is disposed near the storage portion (29), the battery (SB) is a sub-battery that supplies electric power to an auxiliary device, the straddle-type vehicle (1) is an electric vehicle that drives a motor (M) by electric power of a main battery (B), a front side vehicle body (BF) that supports a front wheel (WF) and a rear side vehicle body (BR) that supports the rear wheel (WR) are provided, the pivot shaft (24) is provided to the rear side vehicle body (BR), a swing device (50) that can swing the rear side vehicle body (BR) with respect to the front side vehicle body (BF) in a side swing direction is provided, the swing device (50) includes a Naudert mechanism that generates an additional force that returns a swing operation in the side swing direction to a neutral position by elasticity of a rubber member, the main battery (B) is housed in the storage portion (29) provided to the front side vehicle body (BF), and the battery (SB) is disposed to the rear side vehicle body (BR).

2. The straddle-type vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that: the battery (SB) is disposed so as to be inclined rearward with respect to the vertical direction.

3. The straddle-type vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: the front wheel (WF) is a single wheel, and the rear wheel (WR) is a two-wheel arrangement of two wheels arranged in a vehicle width direction.

4. The straddle-type vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: the main battery (B) and the battery (SB) are disposed close to each other in a front-rear direction.

5. The straddle-type vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: the pivot shaft (24) is located above the swing device (50).

6. The straddle-type vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: the pivot shaft (24) is located at a front end of the rear side vehicle body (BR). ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

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