Vehicle structure

Abstract

The invention provides a vehicle structure. A vehicle structure is provided with a battery (100) for storing power used in the operation of a vehicle (1), the battery (100) being provided with a long section (101) having a longitudinal direction in a vehicle side view, and a protruding section (102) protruding from a portion of the long section (101) in the longitudinal direction, the long section (101) being disposed so as to tilt forward, and the protruding section (102) being disposed so as to protrude from a portion of the long section (101) in the longitudinal direction. The protruding part (102) is arranged on the upper side of the vehicle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to vehicle structures. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, efforts to achieve a low-carbon or decarbonized society have become increasingly active, and research and development related to electrification technology has also been carried out to reduce CO2 emissions and improve energy efficiency in vehicles.

[0003] For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2023-92279 discloses a vehicle including a drive motor for driving rear wheels and a battery for supplying electric power to the drive motor. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Among technologies related to electrification, improving cooling efficiency is a challenge.

[0005] The purpose of this application is to improve cooling efficiency and further contribute to improving energy efficiency.

[0006] The vehicle structure of the first embodiment of the present invention includes a battery for storing electricity used for the operation of the vehicle, and the battery includes an elongated portion having a length direction when viewed from the side of the vehicle and a protruding portion protruding from a part of the length direction of the elongated portion, the elongated portion is arranged in a manner inclined forward in the length direction, and the protruding portion is arranged on the upper side of the vehicle.

[0007] According to this configuration, the elongated portion is arranged so as to be inclined forward, and the protruding portion is arranged on the upper side of the vehicle. As a result, a portion of the battery having a large thermal mass is arranged in front of and above the vehicle.

[0008] In other words, compared to a configuration where the elongated portion extends vertically along the vehicle and the protruding portion is positioned toward the rear of the vehicle, the battery area (the area exposed to wind from the front of the vehicle) is increased when viewed from the front of the vehicle. This improves cooling efficiency. Furthermore, this structure contributes to improved energy efficiency.

[0009] A second solution, based on the vehicle structure described in the first solution, may be such that an upper surface portion continuously formed on the battery extends from the elongated portion to the protruding portion, and the upper surface portion is formed to be lower at the front and higher at the rear when viewed from the side of the vehicle.

[0010] According to this structure, the upper surface portion is formed longer than in a case where the battery does not have the protruding portion.

[0011] Therefore, the wind from the front of the vehicle hits the upper surface portion, thereby contributing to further improvement in cooling efficiency.

[0012] A third aspect may be the vehicle structure according to the first or second aspect, wherein a control device may be provided behind the protruding portion.

[0013] According to this structure, at least a part of the wind flowing along the upper surface portion can be guided toward the control device. Therefore, this structure contributes to improving the cooling efficiency of the control device.

[0014] A fourth solution, based on the vehicle structure described in the third solution, may be such that a cooling air passage for passing air for cooling the control device is formed between the protruding portion and the control device, and an electric motor is provided in the cooling air passage on the downstream side in the direction of travel of the cooling air.

[0015] According to this configuration, at least a portion of the air passing through the cooling air passage can be guided toward the electric motor. Therefore, the air that has cooled the control device can also be effectively used to cool the electric motor.

[0016] A fifth solution may be a vehicle structure according to any one of the first to fourth solutions, wherein the elongated portion and the protruding portion are each rectangular in a side view of the vehicle, and the battery is L-shaped in a side view of the vehicle.

[0017] According to this structure, the strength and rigidity of the battery can be improved compared to a case where the battery has a rectangular shape when viewed from the side of the vehicle.

[0018] According to the solution of the present invention, cooling efficiency can be improved, and the solution of the present invention further contributes to improvement of energy efficiency. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1 It is a left side view of the vehicle according to the embodiment.

[0020] Figure 2 This is a left side view of the main part of the above-mentioned vehicle, including a cross section at the center of the vehicle width.

[0021] Figure 3 It is a left side view for explaining an example of the flow of wind in the above-mentioned vehicle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] The following describes embodiments of the present invention based on the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the directions described below, such as front, back, up, down, left, and right, correspond to the directions in the vehicle described below. Specifically, the up and down direction coincides with the vertical direction, and the left and right direction coincides with the vehicle width direction. In the vehicle width direction, directions away from the center of the vehicle width are referred to as vehicle width direction outward, and directions toward the center of the vehicle width are referred to as vehicle width direction inward. In the drawings used in the following description, the arrow UP indicates upward, and the arrow FR indicates forward.

[0023] <Vehicle>

[0024] Figure 1 It is a left side view of the vehicle according to the embodiment.

[0025] like Figure 1 As shown, the vehicle 1 of the embodiment is an electric two-wheeled vehicle (an example of a straddle-type electric vehicle). For example, the vehicle 1 is a light motorcycle.

[0026] The vehicle 1 includes front wheels 2 , rear wheels 3 , a front wheel suspension system 4 , a vehicle frame 5 , a vehicle body cover 6 , a rear wheel suspension system 7 , a power unit 8 , a control device 9 , and a battery 100 .

[0027] The front wheel suspension system 4 includes a pair of left and right front forks 10 that pivotally support the front wheel 2 at their lower ends; a top bridge 11 and a bottom bridge 12 disposed between the upper portions of the pair of front forks 10; and a stem tube (not shown) disposed between the top bridge 11 and the bottom bridge 12 and extending through the interior of the head tube 20. The front wheel 2 is steerably supported on the head tube 20 of the frame 5 via the front wheel suspension system 4. A steering handlebar 13 is supported on the top bridge 11.

[0028] A power unit 8 for driving the vehicle is mounted inside the vehicle frame 5, and a battery 100 for storing power supplied to the power unit 8 is mounted inside the vehicle frame 5. The vehicle frame 5 includes a head pipe 20, a main frame 21, a down frame 22, a suspension bracket 23, a pivot bracket 24, a seat rail 25, and a support pipe 26.

[0029] The head pipe 20 is provided at the front end of the vehicle frame 5. The head pipe 20 rotatably supports the stem pipe passing through the head pipe 20.

[0030] The main frame 21 extends downward and rearward from the upper portion of the head pipe 20 , and then bends and extends so as to be higher in the front and lower in the rear.

[0031] The down frame 22 extends downward and rearward from the lower portion of the head pipe 20 .

[0032] The suspension bracket 23 extends downward and rearward so as to be connected to the lower end portion of the down frame 22 .

[0033] The pivot bracket 24 is provided at the lower end portion of the main frame 21 .

[0034] The seat rail 25 extends rearward from the bent portion of the main frame 21. Above the seat rail 25, the seat 15 is arranged.

[0035] The support pipe 26 extends upward and rearward from the pivot bracket 24 toward the bottom of the front-rear intermediate portion of the seat rail 25 .

[0036] The vehicle body cover 6 covers the vehicle frame 5 and the like. The vehicle body cover 6 includes a front cowl 30 , front fenders 31 , center side covers 32 , rear side covers 33 , a rear end cover 34 , a rear fender 35 , and a top cover 36 .

[0037] The front fairing 30 is attached to the front of the head pipe 20 so as to surround the head pipe 20 .

[0038] The front fender 31 is mounted between the left and right front forks 10 .

[0039] The center side covers 32 are attached to the left and right sides of the front-rear middle portion of the vehicle body frame 5 .

[0040] The rear side covers 33 are attached to the left and right sides of the rear portion of the vehicle body frame 5 .

[0041] The rear end cover 34 is attached to the rear end portion of the vehicle frame 5 .

[0042] The rear fender 35 is attached to the rear end portion of the vehicle frame 5. The rear fender 35 extends downward and rearward from the rear end portion of the vehicle frame 5.

[0043] The top cover 36 is attached to the front upper portion of the vehicle frame 5. The top cover 36 covers the battery 100 from above.

[0044] The rear wheel suspension system 7 includes a swing arm 40 that pivotally supports the rear wheel 3 at its rear end portion, and a rear bumper 41 between the rear end portion of the swing arm 40 and the front-rear intermediate portion of the seat rail 25 .

[0045] The rear wheel 3 is connected to the power unit 8 via a chain transmission mechanism disposed on the left side of the rear portion of the vehicle body. The transmission mechanism is covered from the outside of the vehicle by a chain cover 42. The chain cover 42 is attached to the swing arm 40.

[0046] The swing arm 40 is disposed below the rear portion of the vehicle body. The swing arm 40 extends in the front-rear direction. The front end of the swing arm 40 is supported by the pivot bracket 24 via a pivot shaft 45 so as to be able to swing up and down.

[0047] The rear bumper 41 is provided on the left and right sides of the rear portion of the vehicle body. The lower end of the rear bumper 41 on the left side of the vehicle is arranged outside the chain cover 42. A portion of the rear bumper 41 overlaps the rear wheel 3 in a side view.

[0048] The power unit 8 includes an electric motor 50 , a speed reducer 51 for reducing the output of the electric motor 50 , an output shaft 51 a for outputting the power of the electric motor 50 reduced in speed by the speed reducer 51 , and a housing 52 for accommodating a drive unit including the electric motor 50 and the speed reducer 51 .

[0049] The motor 50 is a motor for driving the vehicle. The motor 50 is arranged with its rotation axis oriented along the vehicle width direction. The motor 50 is housed in a motor housing formed above a casing 52. Gear reducers 51 are arranged on either side of the motor 50.

[0050] The output shaft 51a is located at the rear lower portion of the housing 52. The output shaft 51a extends in the vehicle width direction. A portion of the output shaft 51a protrudes from the housing 52. The output shaft 51a is linked to the rear wheel 3 via a chain-type transmission mechanism. This allows the output of the motor 50 to be transmitted to the rear wheel 3.

[0051] The power unit 8 (housing 52) is supported on the vehicle frame 5 via multiple fixing portions (including rubber fixings). The upper portion of the power unit 8 is supported by the main frame 21. The front lower portion of the power unit 8 is supported by the battery 100. The rear end of the power unit 8 is supported by the pivot bracket 24.

[0052] The control device 9 is located above the power unit 8. The control device 9 includes a PCU 60 (Power Control Unit) that controls the electric motor 50. The PCU 60 includes a PDU (Power Drive Unit) that serves as a motor driver and an ECU (Electric Control Unit) that controls the PDU. The PDU includes an inverter. The PDU converts the current supplied from the battery 100 from DC to AC before supplying power to the electric motor 50.

[0053] The control unit 9 is tilted forward when viewed from the side of the vehicle. A heat sink 61 is provided on the rear surface of the control unit 9. The heat sink 61 is formed into a rectangular shape with a length that follows the tilt of the control unit 9 when viewed from the side of the vehicle. The heat sink 61 extends obliquely with respect to the vertical direction from the upper end to the lower end of the rear surface of the control unit 9 when viewed from the side of the vehicle. A plurality of heat sinks 61 are provided at intervals in the vehicle width direction.

[0054] <Battery>

[0055] Figure 2 It is a left side view of the main part of the vehicle 1 including a cross section at the vehicle width center.

[0056] Refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The battery 100 is arranged from the front to the top of the power unit 8. The battery 100 can be arranged symmetrically on the left and right sides of the vehicle as a whole, with the center of the vehicle width as the axis of symmetry. This allows the battery 100, which is a heavy object, to be arranged symmetrically on the left and right sides, thereby reducing the influence of the vehicle weight on the left and right balance.

[0057] The battery 100 includes an elongated portion 101 having a longitudinal direction when viewed from the side of the vehicle, and a protruding portion 102 that protrudes from a portion of the longitudinal direction of the elongated portion 101 (the upper end in the embodiment) toward the rear of the vehicle. The elongated portion 101 is arranged so as to be inclined forward in the longitudinal direction. The protruding portion 102 is arranged on the upper side of the vehicle (the upper surface along the longitudinal direction).

[0058] In this embodiment, the elongated portion 101 and the protruding portion 102 are each rectangular in a side view of the vehicle. The battery 100 is L-shaped in a side view of the vehicle. The battery 100 is positioned so that its upper rear end protrudes upward from the main frame 21 and its upper front end protrudes forward toward the down frame 22.

[0059] The front upper end of the battery 100 is supported on the upper portion of the down frame 22 via a first fixing portion 111 or the like. The front lower end of the battery 100 is supported on a suspension bracket 23 connected to the lower portion of the down frame 22 via a second fixing portion 112 or the like. The rear lower end of the battery 100 is supported on the front lower portion of the power unit 8 (housing 52) via a third fixing portion 113 or the like. In this embodiment, each fixing portion is rigidly fixed, but rubber fixing via an elastic member or indirect support via a bracket member may also be employed.

[0060] The elongated portion 101 is arranged between the down frame 22 and the power unit 8 in the front-to-rear direction. When viewed from the side of the vehicle, the elongated portion 101 extends downward and rearward from near the rear lower portion of the head pipe 20 along the down frame 22. When viewed from the side of the vehicle, the front upper end portion of the elongated portion 101 is arranged at the height of the bottom bridge 12. When viewed from the side of the vehicle, the lower end portion of the elongated portion 101 is arranged below the axles of the front wheels 2 and the rear wheels 3. When viewed from the side of the vehicle, the lower end portion of the elongated portion 101 is arranged below the power unit 8. The first fixing portion 111, the second fixing portion 112, and the third fixing portion 113 are respectively provided at positions corresponding to the front upper end portion, the front lower end portion, and the rear lower end portion of the elongated portion 101.

[0061] The battery 100 includes a battery assembly 120 formed by combining a plurality of battery modules 121 , and a battery cover 130 covering the battery assembly 120 .

[0062] The battery module 121 is formed by arranging multiple battery cells (not shown) vertically and horizontally. The battery cells can be aligned in the vehicle width direction. In other words, the battery modules 121 can be aligned in the vehicle width direction. This effectively reduces the impact of vehicle weight on left-right balance.

[0063] Each battery module 121 can have a slender shape that is long in one direction. This makes it easy to arrange the battery modules 121 even in a small space within the battery cover 130. By varying the arrangement and combination of multiple battery modules 121, the overall shape of the battery 100 can be easily modified to fit within the available space of the vehicle body (frame 5). By increasing the degree of freedom in the shape of the battery 100, which is a heavy object, the degree of freedom in its placement within the available space of the vehicle body can be increased, thereby minimizing the impact on the vehicle body's center of gravity.

[0064] The elongated portion 101 tilted forward in a side view of the vehicle can be formed by, for example, tilting two battery modules 121 forward.

[0065] Battery 100 houses electrical components such as contactors 122. These components are housed in a protrusion 102 that protrudes upward and rearward from the upper rear portion of elongated portion 101 when viewed from the side of the vehicle. Protrusion 102 overlaps a portion of main frame 21 when viewed from the side of the vehicle and is covered from above by top cover 36. This prevents electrical components such as contactors 122 from being exposed to the outside of the vehicle.

[0066] Cable connectors 131 and 132 are provided on the upper rear portion of battery 100 for connecting the ends of high-voltage cables (positive and negative cables) extending from PCU 60 and / or the ends of low-voltage cables extending from a 12V battery (not shown). Cable connectors 131 and 132 can be provided on the upper and lower surfaces of protruding portion 102, respectively. For example, driving current can be supplied from battery 100 to PCU 60 via the high-voltage cables, and driving current can be supplied from the 12V battery to electrical components such as contactor 122 via the low-voltage cables.

[0067] The battery 100 has an upper surface portion 103 extending linearly from the elongated portion 101 to the protruding portion 102 when viewed from the side of the vehicle. When viewed from the side of the vehicle, the upper surface portion 103 is formed so that it is lower in the front and higher in the rear. When viewed from the side of the vehicle, the rear portion of the upper surface portion 103 overlaps with a portion of the main frame 21. A space is formed between the upper surface portion 103 and the top cover 36, opening in the vehicle front-rear direction along the inclination of the upper surface portion 103.

[0068] The battery 100 is provided with a front surface portion 104 extending from the front end of the upper surface portion 103 toward the rear and downward when viewed from the side of the vehicle, an upper rear surface portion 105 extending from the rear end of the upper surface portion 103 toward the rear and downward, an upper lower surface portion 106 extending from the lower end of the upper rear surface portion 105 toward the front and downward and then bending forward and downward, a lower rear surface portion 107 extending from the lower end of the upper lower surface portion 106 toward the rear and downward, and a lower lower surface portion 108 connecting the lower end of the front surface portion 104 with the lower end of the lower rear surface portion 107 and extending in a manner protruding downward.

[0069] Figure 3 This is a left side view for explaining an example of the flow of wind in the vehicle 1. Figure 3 , the vehicle side view shape of the battery 100, the control device 9, etc. is simplified.

[0070] Refer to Figures 1 to 3 In this embodiment, the control device 9 is provided behind the protruding portion 102. A cooling air passage 140 is formed between the protruding portion 102 and the control device 9 for passing air for cooling the control device 9. The motor 50 is provided on the downstream side of the cooling air passage 140 in the direction in which the cooling air flows.

[0071] When viewed from the side of the vehicle, the cooling air duct 140 extends from the rear end of the upper surface portion 103 toward the rear and lower side in a manner along the rear surface of the protrusion 102 (upper rear surface portion 105), and then bends and extends toward the front and lower side. As a result, at least a portion of the wind flowing along the upper surface portion 103 flows in the direction of arrow W1 in the figure and is guided toward the control device 9. In addition, at least a portion of the wind passing through the cooling air duct 140 flows in the direction of arrow W2 in the figure and is guided toward the electric motor 50 constituting the power unit 8. In addition, at least a portion of the wind flowing along the upper surface portion 103 flows in the direction of arrow W3 in the figure and is guided toward the heat sink 61 provided on the control device 9. It should be noted that the heat sink 61 extends in the up-down direction in a manner that follows the flow of wind in the direction of arrow W3.

[0072] <Effects>

[0073] As described above, the vehicle structure in the above embodiment includes a battery 100 that stores electricity used to operate vehicle 1. Battery 100 includes an elongated portion 101 extending in a longitudinal direction when viewed from the side of the vehicle, and a protruding portion 102 that protrudes from a portion of elongated portion 101 in the longitudinal direction. Elongated portion 101 is positioned so as to tilt forward in the longitudinal direction. Protruding portion 102 is positioned on the upper side of the vehicle.

[0074] With this structure, the elongated portion 101 is tilted forward, and the protruding portion 102 is positioned toward the upper side of the vehicle. This positions the portion of the battery 100 with the highest thermal mass toward the front and upper side of the vehicle. In other words, compared to a case where the elongated portion extends vertically along the vehicle, and the protruding portion is positioned toward the rear, the area of ​​the battery 100 viewed from the front of the vehicle (the area exposed to wind from the front of the vehicle) is increased. This improves cooling efficiency. Furthermore, this structure contributes to improved energy efficiency.

[0075] In the above embodiment, the upper surface portion 103 is continuously formed on the battery 100, extending from the elongated portion 101 to the protruding portion 102. The upper surface portion 103 is formed to be lower at the front and higher at the rear when viewed from the side of the vehicle.

[0076] According to this structure, the upper surface portion 103 is formed longer than when the battery 100 does not have the protruding portion 102. Therefore, the wind from the front of the vehicle is blown onto the upper surface portion 103, thereby contributing to further improvement in cooling efficiency.

[0077] In the above embodiment, the control device 9 is provided behind the protruding portion 102 .

[0078] According to this structure, at least a part of the wind flowing along the upper surface portion 103 can be guided toward the control device 9. Therefore, this structure contributes to improvement of the cooling efficiency of the control device 9.

[0079] In the above embodiment, the cooling air passage 140 for passing air for cooling the control device 9 is formed between the protruding portion 102 and the control device 9. The electric motor 50 is provided in the cooling air passage 140 on the downstream side in the direction in which the cooling air travels.

[0080] According to this configuration, at least a portion of the wind passing through the cooling air passage 140 can be guided toward the electric motor 50. Therefore, the wind that has cooled the control device 9 can also be effectively used to cool the electric motor 50.

[0081] In the above embodiment, the elongated portion 101 and the protruding portion 102 are each rectangular in a side view of the vehicle. The battery 100 is L-shaped in a side view of the vehicle.

[0082] According to this structure, the strength and rigidity of battery 100 can be improved compared to a case where the battery has a rectangular shape when viewed from the side of the vehicle.

[0083] <Modification>

[0084] In the above embodiment, an example is given in which the battery has an upper surface portion extending from the elongated portion to the protruding portion, and the upper surface portion is formed with a lower front portion and a higher rear portion when viewed from the side of the vehicle. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, the upper surface portion may be formed along the front-to-back direction of the vehicle when viewed from the side, or may be formed with a higher front portion and a lower rear portion. The formation of the upper surface portion can be modified according to design specifications.

[0085] In the above embodiment, an example of a control device being provided behind the protrusion is cited for illustration, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, an electric motor may be provided behind the protrusion. For example, devices, equipment other than the control device (e.g., electrical components such as a converter and a BCU (body control unit)), and components may be provided behind the protrusion. The configuration of the control device can be modified according to design specifications.

[0086] In the above embodiment, a cooling air duct for cooling the control device is formed between the protruding portion and the control device, and an electric motor is provided in the cooling air duct on the downstream side in the direction of the cooling air flow. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, the cooling air duct may also include an electric motor on the upstream side in the direction of the cooling air flow. For example, equipment, devices, components, etc. other than the electric motor may also be provided in the cooling air duct on the downstream side in the direction of the cooling air flow. The placement of the electric motor can be changed according to design specifications.

[0087] In the above embodiment, an example is given in which the elongated portion and the protruding portion are respectively rectangular in shape when viewed from the side of the vehicle, and the battery is L-shaped when viewed from the side of the vehicle, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the battery may also be rectangular in shape when viewed from the side of the vehicle. For example, as long as the battery has an elongated portion having a longitudinal direction when viewed from the side of the vehicle and a protruding portion protruding from a portion of the elongated portion, the elongated portion may be arranged in a forward-leaning manner, and the protruding portion may be arranged on the upper side of the vehicle. The protruding portion may also be arranged at a position lower than the upper end portion of the elongated portion. The shape of the battery when viewed from the side of the vehicle can be changed according to the design specifications.

[0088] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, the structure of the embodiments is not limited to application to light motorcycles and other two-wheeled motor vehicles, but can also be applied to various straddle-type vehicles. Straddle-type vehicles include all vehicles in which the driver straddles the vehicle body, including not only two-wheeled motor vehicles (including bicycles and scooters with a prime mover), but also three-wheeled vehicles (including vehicles with two front wheels and one rear wheel, in addition to one front wheel and two rear wheels) or four-wheeled vehicles (such as four-wheeled buggies).

[0089] Furthermore, the configuration in the above-described embodiment is an example of the present invention, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention, such as replacing the components of the embodiment with well-known components.

Claims

1. A vehicle structure, wherein: The vehicle structure includes a battery for storing electric power used for operation of the vehicle. The battery includes an elongated portion having a longitudinal direction when viewed from the side of the vehicle, and a protruding portion protruding from a portion of the elongated portion in the longitudinal direction. The elongated portion is arranged so as to be inclined forward in the longitudinal direction. The protruding portion is arranged on the upper side of the vehicle.

2. The vehicle structure according to claim 1, wherein: The battery is continuously formed with an upper surface portion extending from the elongated portion to the protruding portion. The upper surface portion is formed to be lower at the front and higher at the rear when viewed from the side of the vehicle.

3. The vehicle structure according to claim 2, wherein: A control device is provided behind the protruding portion.

4. The vehicle structure according to claim 3, wherein: A cooling air passage for passing air for cooling the control device is formed between the protruding portion and the control device. The cooling air passage is provided with an electric motor on the downstream side in the cooling air flow direction.

5. The vehicle structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: When viewed from the side of the vehicle, the elongated portion and the protruding portion are each rectangular in shape. The battery is L-shaped when viewed from the side of the vehicle.

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