Electric motorcycle row

Abstract

electric motorcycle in which a battery (60) is arranged in a position behind a handlebar (15) and in front of a seat (14), wherein a drive motor (11) is arranged under the seat (14), the drive motor (11) is arranged further forward than a rear end (30) of a frame (25, 25) which connects a head tube (23) and a turntable (21, 21) and is supported by a vehicle body frame (10) in a position overlapping the frame (25, 25) in a vehicle side view, the turntable (21, 21) extends downwards from the rear end parts of the frame (25, 25), and a lower part of a rocker arm (13) is supported by a mounting section (21a, 21a) provided in the turntable (21, 21), wherein a drive shaft (43) which transmits a drive force output by the drive motor (11) to a wheel (3) is supported by the rocker arm (13).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an electric motorcycle.

[0002] An electric motorcycle in which a battery is located in a vehicle body in front of the motorcycle is publicly known (see, e.g., JP 2014-507 330 A). In JP 2014-507 330 A, a downward-sloping rear suspension is located under a seat, and an electric motor is located under the rear suspension. The electric motor is positioned under the vehicle body, away from the seat. Driving force is transmitted from the electric motor to a rear wheel via a transmission element. A swingarm, which supports the rear wheel, is connected to a pivot point and extends substantially horizontally.

[0003] JP H05-105 160 A discloses an electric motorcycle configured as follows: A T-shaped frame, as seen from the side, consists of a lower subframe and a main tube extending almost horizontally from a head tube to the rear of the vehicle body. A drive unit is installed on the lower edge of the lower subframe, and a controller is mounted on the drive unit. Several batteries are installed along the main tube. An electric motor, a controller, and the battery are positioned almost centrally along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle body, and the vehicle weight is distributed almost evenly between the front and rear wheels. A space is formed in front of the electric motor and controller to channel the airflow.

[0004] US 2012 / 0 103 706 A1 discloses an electric vehicle comprising a vehicle body frame, an electric motor, a swing arm pivotally supporting a rear wheel at its rear end, a drive shaft for transmitting the electric motor's power to the wheel, and a suspension connecting the vehicle body frame and the swing arm. The electric motor is arranged longitudinally, with a rotating drive shaft positioned in a front-to-rear direction of the vehicle and offset from a center point to one of the left and right sides in a width direction. The suspension is located below the electric motor and drive shaft, as well as on the inner sides of the electric motor and drive shaft in the width direction, and overlaps the positions of the electric motor and drive shaft in the front-to-rear direction.

[0005] In the related technology, the swingarm extends from the rear wheel to the back of the electric motor in an essentially horizontal position. However, because the electric motor is located beneath the vehicle body, it is difficult to utilize the space within the vehicle body effectively.

[0006] The present invention was developed in view of the circumstances described above, and an object of the present invention is to provide, taking into account the overall arrangement of a battery and a motor to a drive system arrangement, an electric motorcycle in which a driving force is transmitted to a wheel through a connection with less loss.

[0007] The present invention provides an electric motorcycle in which a battery (60) is arranged in a position behind a handlebar (15) and in front of a seat (14), wherein a drive motor (11) is arranged under the seat (14), the drive motor (11) is arranged further forward than a rear end (30) of a frame (25, 25) connecting a head tube (23) and a turntable (21, 21), and is supported by a vehicle body frame (10) in a position overlapping the frame (25, 25) in a side view of the vehicle, the turntable (21, 21) extends downward from the rear end parts of the frame (25, 25), and a lower part of a swingarm (13) is supported by a mounting section (21a, 21a) provided in a turntable (21, 21), wherein a drive shaft (43) which delivers a power from the drive motor (11) Driving force is transferred to a wheel (3) which is supported by the swing arm (13).

[0008] In the invention described above, the fastening section (21a, 21a) can be a through hole (21a, 21a) which is provided in a height position substantially in the middle of the rotary plate (21, 21), and a pivot axis (50) which carries a lower part of the rocker arm (13) can be mounted in the through hole (21a, 21a).

[0009] In the invention described above, a radiator (80) and a radiator fan (85, 85) can be arranged in a position below the seat (14) and behind the drive motor (11).

[0010] In the invention described above, a PCU (70) can be arranged above the battery (60) and in front of the drive motor (11).

[0011] In the invention described above, at least a part (11b) of the drive motor (11) can be located above the battery (60).

[0012] In the invention described above, a front, lower part (11c) of the drive motor (11) can be arranged in a rear, upper part (60c) of the battery (60).

[0013] In an electric motorcycle according to the present invention, a battery is arranged behind the handlebars and in front of the seat, a drive motor is located under the seat, a lower part of a swingarm is supported by mounting sections in pivot plates, and a drive shaft transmits a driving force delivered by the drive motor to a wheel supported by the swingarm. Since, in this configuration, the lower part of the swingarm is supported by the mounting sections provided in the pivot plates, the drive shaft points upwards and forwards, and it is possible to connect the drive shaft without losses to the drive motor, which is located on an extension of the drive shaft and under the seat.

[0014] In the invention described above, the mounting sections can be through holes provided in a vertical position essentially in the center of the turntables, and a pivot shaft, which supports a lower part of the rocker arm, can be mounted in the through holes. Since, in this configuration, the lower part of the rocker arm is supported by the pivot shaft, which is mounted in the through holes provided in the vertical position essentially in the center of the turntables, the drive shaft runs above the pivot shaft, and it is possible to direct the drive shaft upwards and forwards and easily bring it close to the drive motor.

[0015] In the invention described above, a radiator and radiator fan can be arranged in a position below the seat and behind the drive motor. With this configuration, it is possible to cool the radiator with the radiator fans and also to cool the drive motor, which is located directly in front of the radiator, with the exhaust air from the fans.

[0016] In the invention described above, a power control unit (PCU) can be arranged above the battery and in front of the drive motor. This configuration makes it possible to optimize the layout of an electric motorcycle with limited cargo space. Since the PCU is located in front of the radiator fans, perpendicular to the drive motor, it is particularly possible to cool the radiator, as well as the drive motor (located directly in front of the radiator) and the PCU itself, using the exhaust air from the fans.

[0017] In the invention described above, at least part of the drive motor can be located above the battery. This configuration makes it possible to optimize the layout of an electric motorcycle with limited cargo space.

[0018] In the invention described above, a front, lower part of the drive motor can be located in a rear, upper part of the battery. With this configuration, it is possible to bring the layout of an electric motorcycle with limited cargo space close to its optimum. Fig. Figure 1 is a left side view of an electric motorcycle according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. Figure 2 is a right side view of the electric motorcycle according to the embodiment of the present invention. Fig. Figure 3 is a top view of the electric motorcycle according to the embodiment of the present invention. Fig. Figure 4 is a bottom view of the electric motorcycle according to the embodiment of the present invention. Fig. Figure 5 is a front view of the electric motorcycle according to the embodiment of the present invention. Fig. Figure 6 is a rear view of the electric motorcycle according to the embodiment of the present invention. Fig. Figure 7 is a perspective view of the body frame of the electric motorcycle. Fig. Figure 8 is a top view of the body frame of the electric motorcycle. Fig. Figure 9 is a front view of the body frame of the electric motorcycle. Fig. Figure 10 is a left side view of the body frame of the electric motorcycle. Fig. 11 is an enlarged view of the in Fig. 2 shown peripheral part of an electric motor. Fig. Figure 12 is a perspective view of the electric motorcycle according to the embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the front right. Fig. Figure 13 is a perspective view of the electric motorcycle according to the embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the front left. Fig. Figure 14 is a perspective view of the electric motorcycle according to the embodiment of the present invention, seen from the rear right. Fig. Figure 15 is a perspective view of the electric motorcycle according to the embodiment of the present invention, seen from the rear left. Fig. 16 is an AA section view of Fig. 2. Fig. Figure 17 represents a case in which the electric motorcycle is viewed from above and is a schematic diagram to illustrate a cooling water path between the radiator and the motor housing.

[0019] One embodiment of the present invention is explained below with reference to the drawings. Note that in the explanation, descriptions of directions such as front and back, left and right, and up and down are the same as descriptions of directions with respect to a vehicle body, unless expressly stated otherwise. The symbol FR shown in the figures indicates the forward direction of the vehicle body, the symbol UP the upward direction, and the symbol LH the leftward direction of the vehicle body.

[0020] Fig. Figure 1 is a left side view of a battery-powered electric motorcycle 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. Fig. Figure 2 is a right side view of the electric motorcycle 1. Fig. Figure 3 is a top view of the electric motorcycle 1, Fig. Figure 4 is a bottom view of the electric motorcycle 1. Fig. Figure 5 is a front view of the electric motorcycle 1 and Fig. Figure 6 is a rear view of the electric motorcycle 1.

[0021] As in Fig. 1 to Fig. As shown in Figure 6, the electric motorcycle 1 is a vehicle in which a battery-powered electric motor (drive motor) 11 is supported by a body frame 10, a front fork 12, which carries a front wheel 2, is steerably mounted at the front end of the body frame 10, and a swingarm 13, which carries a rear wheel 3, is provided at the rear of the body frame 10. The electric motorcycle 1 is a semi-trailer vehicle in which a seat 14, on which a passenger sits astride, is provided above a rear part of the body frame 10.

[0022] As in Fig. 1 and Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the front fork 12 is supported by a steering shaft, which is axially supported by a head tube 23. The front wheel 2 is supported at the lower end of the front fork 12 by an axle 2a. A handlebar 15, operated by the passenger, is provided at the upper end of the front fork 12.

[0023] The body frame 10 comprises a main frame 20, a pair of left and right pivot plates 21, 21 which are supported in the rear part of the main frame 20, and a transverse frame 22 ( Fig. 4), which connects the lower end parts 21b, 21b of the rotary plates 21, 21.

[0024] The seat 14, on which the passenger sits, is supported above the rear end part of the main frame 20 (above a rear upper cross frame 30).

[0025] A pair of left and right footrests 31, 31, on which the passenger places their feet, are supported further back on the lower side than the center of the turntables 21, 21 in the upward and downward directions. A side stand 32, which parks the electric motorcycle 1 in a leftward tilted position, is attached to a lower part of the turntable 21 on the left side.

[0026] The front fork 12 incorporates a front fender 33, which covers the front wheel 2 from above. A rear fender 34, which covers the rear wheel 3 from the front and above, is attached to the swingarm 13. A front, upper part of the vehicle body is covered by a body cover 35.

[0027] A column-shaped electric motor (drive motor) 11, extending in the direction of the vehicle width, is arranged under a front part of the seat 14. A battery 60 is arranged in a front lower part of the electric motor 11. A PCU (power control unit) 70 is arranged above the battery 60.

[0028] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, a front end shaft 43a of a drive shaft 43, extending in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle, is coupled to an output shaft 11a of the electric motor 11 via a transmission cable (not shown) of a transmission unit 42, the position of which, in a side view of the vehicle, overlaps a rear lower part 11f of the electric motor 11. The drive shaft 43 comprises the front end shaft 43a, a shaft body section 43b connected to the front end shaft 43a by a universal joint 43d, and a rear end shaft 43c connected to the shaft body section 43b by a three-way constant velocity joint 43e. A bevel gear 44 is mounted on the rear end shaft 43c.

[0029] A toothed ring 45, which rotates integrally with the rear wheel 3, is located in the single linkage with the bevel gear 44. A drive force transmitted from the electric motor 11 to the drive shaft 43 is transmitted to the rear wheel 3 via the bevel gear 44 and the toothed ring 45.

[0030] The drive shaft 43 is supported by the swingarm 13. The swingarm 13 comprises a swingarm body 51, which is axially supported by a pivot axis 50 and extends to the rear, and a gearbox housing 52, which is connected to the rear end of the swingarm body 51 and supports the rear wheel 3.

[0031] The swing body 51 comprises a front-facing tubular section 53 extending in the direction of the vehicle width ( Fig. 4), wherein the pivot axis 50 passes through the front tubular section 53, an arm section 54 extending from the left end (one end) of the front tubular section 53 to the left side surface (one side surface) of the rear wheel 3 above the front tubular section 53, and a reinforcing arm section 55 ( Fig. 4). 4) which extends backwards from the right end (the other end) of the front tubular section 53, is bent to the left (one side) and is connected to an intermediate part of the arm section 54 in a front-back direction.

[0032] The arm section 54 is hollow. The drive shaft 43 is located on the inside of the arm section 54. The drive shaft 43 runs above the axis of rotation 50 ( Fig. 1).

[0033] The rear end part of section 54 is connected to an axis 3a ( Fig. 2) of the rear wheel 3. The front end face of the swingarm 13 is pivotally coupled to the pivot plates 21, 21 via a pivot axis 50 that passes between the pair of left and right pivot plates 21, 21. The rear end part of the swingarm 13 pivots in an up-down direction and centers itself on the pivot axis 50.

[0034] The battery 60, which serves as the power source for the electric motor 11, is located in the front part of the electric motorcycle 1. The battery 60 is positioned behind the handlebars 15 and in front of the seat 14. In this configuration, the battery 60 extends from the rear of the handlebars 15 to below them and, in the side view of the vehicle, is located behind the steering tube 23, below the handlebars 15, and in front of the seat 14. The battery 60 occupies a space from slightly above the front frame 24 to below the vehicle body. The battery 60 is covered by a battery cover 61 and, together with a battery housing 62 that supports the battery 60 from below, is supported by the vehicle frame 10.

[0035] The battery housing 62 comprises a square, plate-shaped housing body section 63 extending in the front-to-back direction and an upright, wall-like housing surface section 64 formed at the front end of the housing body section 63.

[0036] A pair of left and right triangular mounting profiles 63a, 63a, which are inclined outwards in the direction of the vehicle width and extend upwards, are formed in a front part of the housing body section 63 ( Fig. 5) The fastening profiles 63a, 63a, together with the lower end parts 27a, 27a of the downwardly directed frames 27, 27, are attached to column-shaped sections 61a, 61a to be fastened ( Fig. 5) attached, which are formed in a front part of the battery cover 61 to protrude outwards in the direction of the vehicle width.

[0037] A pair of left and right mounting sections 63b, 63b is formed in a rear part of the housing body section 63. The mounting sections 63b, 63b are attached to the lower front end parts of the rotary plates 21, 21.

[0038] A pair of left and right mounting sections 64a, 64a are formed in the front housing surface section 64. The mounting sections 64a, 64a are attached to column-shaped sections 61c, 61c, which are shaped to project towards the front of the battery cover 61 ( Fig. 4).

[0039] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, a unit cover 66 is arranged behind the battery cover 61. The unit cover 66 covers the transmission unit 42 (not shown in Figure 2). Fig. (2 shown) from the right. An arc-shaped recess 66a, which is cut out along a circular outer circumferential shape of the electric motor 11 in the vehicle side view, is formed in an upper part of the unit cover 66. An arc-shaped lower part 11g of the electric motor 11 is arranged such that it enters the recess 66a. In a front part of the unit cover 66, an inclined section 66b is formed, which is inclined linearly downwards towards the rear, along an inclined rear part 61e of the battery cover 61.

[0040] As in Fig. 1 and Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the PCU (power control unit) 70 is arranged above the battery 60. The PCU 70 controls the drive and power generation (regeneration) of the electric motor 11. In the side view of the vehicle, the PCU 70 is arranged upwards and forwards. A front lower section 70a of the PCU 70 overlaps the reinforcement frames 26, 26. The PCU 70 is housed in a PCU enclosure 71.

[0041] In a rear lower part of the PCU housing 71, an arc-shaped recess 71a is formed along the circular outer circumference of the electric motor 11 in the side view of the vehicle. In this embodiment, the rear lower part of the PCU housing 71 is located below the seat 14, above the rear frames 25, 25, and behind a front upper cross frame 29 in the side view of the vehicle. A sloping section 71b is formed in a rear part of the PCU housing 71, extending upwards and rearwards in the side view of the vehicle. The inclined section 71b slopes linearly from the rear part of the recess 71a to below a front part 14a of the seat 14.

[0042] An arc-shaped front upper part 11d of the electric motor 11 is arranged such that it enters the arc-shaped recess 71a of the PCU housing 71. The PCU 70 and the electric motor 11 can be easily arranged close together. Since the front upper part 11d of the electric motor 11 is located in the recess 71a in a rear lower part of the PCU housing 71, space is used effectively in the electric motorcycle 1, which has limited cargo space, to achieve an optimal layout.

[0043] The electric motor 11 is arranged below the seat 14. The output shaft 11a, extending in the direction of the vehicle width of the electric motor 11, is arranged so that it corresponds to the height of the tires 2b, 3b sections in the upper parts of the front wheel 2 and the rear wheel 3 ( Fig. 1 and Fig. 2) Since the position of the electric motor 11 is high, the gear unit 42 and similar components can be arranged below the electric motor 11.

[0044] Fig. Figure 7 is a perspective view of the body frame 10 of the electric motorcycle 1. Fig. Figure 8 is a top view of the body frame 10. Fig. Figure 9 is a front view of the body frame. Figure 10 and Fig. Figure 10 is a left side view of the body frame.

[0045] The main frame 20 of the vehicle body frame 10 comprises the head tube 23, which steers the front fork 12 at the front end of the main frame 20, the front frames 24, 24, which extend downwards rearward while extending outwards from a lower part of the head tube 23 in the direction of the vehicle width, and the rear frames 25, 25, which extend linearly rearward from the rear end parts of the front frames 24, 24 at a slight inclination compared to the front frames 24, 24.

[0046] The main frame 20 comprises a pair of left and right reinforcing frames 26, 26, which connect an upper part of the head tube 23 and intermediate parts of the front frames 24, 24, a pair of left and right downward frames 27, 27, which extend downward from the front parts of the front frames 24, 24 to arch outwards in the width direction towards the outside of the vehicle, and connecting frames 28, 28, which connect intermediate parts of the subframes 27, 27 and rear parts of the front frames 24, 24.

[0047] Furthermore, the main frame 20 includes the front upper cross frame 29, which connects the front end parts of the rear frames 25, 25 to the left and right, and the rear upper cross frame 30, which connects the rear end parts of the rear frames 25, 25 to the left and right.

[0048] The pivot plates 21, 21 of the body frame 10 extend downwards from the rear end sections 25a, 25a of the rear frames 25, 25. Through holes 21a, 21a, in which the pivot axis 50 (not in Fig. 7 to Fig. 10 shown) is mounted, are formed in the front parts of the centers in the top-bottom direction of the rotary plates 21, 21.

[0049] Holes 21e, 21e are provided in the lower rear parts of the through holes 21a, 21a. The footrests 31, 31 (not in Fig. 7 to Fig. (shown in 10) are attached to holes 21e, 21e. The fastening sections 63b, 63b (not shown in Fig. 7 to Fig. (10 shown) of the housing body section 63 are attached to the lower end faces 21c, 21c of the turntables 21, 21. A side stand strut 21d is formed on the lower end face of the turntable 21 on the left side, to which the side stand 32 (not shown) is attached. Fig. 7 to Fig. 10) is supported.

[0050] The cross frame 22 of the body frame 10 couples the lower end parts 21b, 21b of the turntables 21, 21 in the left-right direction.

[0051] Fig. 11 is an enlarged view of a circumferential section of the in Fig. 1 electric motor shown 11.

[0052] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 11, the electric motor 11 is arranged between the front upper transverse frame 29 and the rear upper transverse frame 30. The output shaft 11a, extending in the vehicle width direction, is mounted in a position that overlaps the rear frames 25, 25 in the side view of the vehicle. The electric motor 11 comprises a cylindrical motor housing 40 with a base ( Fig. 1), in which an opening section (not shown in the figure) is formed in a right-hand part. The opening section is closed by a disc-shaped motor cover 41.

[0053] The motor cover 41 is attached to the motor housing 40 at positions A1 to A8, which are formed at equal intervals around a circumference at a total of eight points, including four points at the front, rear, top, and bottom, and four points between the front, rear, top, and bottom positions. Note that when illustrating position ranges such as a front upper part and a front lower part of the circular electric motor 11 in the side view of the vehicle, the position ranges are referred to as positions A1 to A8 for the sake of simplicity.

[0054] A front end section 11b of the electric motor 11 signifies a part of the front area A3 in the side view of the vehicle.

[0055] A front lower part 11c of the electric motor 11 means a positional region that includes at least the part of the front lower region A4 and is located in the side view of the vehicle in a region of an arc from the front region A3 to the lower region A5. In this embodiment, the front lower part 11c means a positional region of an arc of the electric motor 11 that has the front region A3 and the front lower region A4 as both ends.

[0056] A front upper part 11a of the electric motor 11 means a positional region that includes at least the part of the front upper region A2 and is located in the side view of the vehicle in a region of an arc from the upper region A1 to the front region A3. In this embodiment, the front upper part 11d means a positional region of an arc of the electric motor 11 that has the upper region A1 and the front region A3 as both ends.

[0057] A rear upper part 11e of the electric motor 11 means a positional region that includes at least the part of the rear upper region A8 and is located in the side view of the vehicle in a region of an arc from the rear region A7 to the upper region A1. In this embodiment, the rear upper part 11e means a positional region of an arc of the electric motor 11 with the rear region A7 and the upper region A1 as both ends.

[0058] The rear lower part 11f of the electric motor 11 represents a positional region that includes at least the portion of the rear lower region A6 and, in the side view of the vehicle, lies within an arc extending from the lower region A5 to the rear region A7. In this embodiment, the rear lower part 11f represents a positional region of an arc of the electric motor 11 with the lower region A5 and the rear region A7 at both ends.

[0059] The lower part 11g of the electric motor 11 represents a positional region that includes at least the portion of the lower region A5 and is located, in the side view of the vehicle, within an arc extending from the front lower region A4 to the rear lower region A6. In this embodiment, the lower part 11g represents a positional region of an arc of the electric motor 11 with the front lower region A4 and the rear lower region A6 as its two ends.

[0060] Fig. Figure 12 is a perspective view of the electric motorcycle 1 seen from the front left. Fig. Figure 13 is a perspective view of the electric motorcycle 1 seen from the front right. Fig. Figure 14 is a perspective view of the electric motorcycle 1 seen from the rear right. Fig. Figure 15 is a perspective view of the electric motorcycle 1 seen from the rear left. Fig. 16 is an AA section view of Fig. 2.

[0061] As in Fig. 12 and Fig. As shown in Figure 13, an air intake section 65 is formed in the front of the battery cover 61, the front surface of which has an octagonal shape. During driving, airflow is drawn into the air intake area 65 through opening-like air inlets 65a to 65d, which are formed in the upper, lower, left, and right parts. The airflow entering from the air inlets 65a and 65d flows into the battery cover 61 and cools the battery 60.

[0062] As in Fig. 14 to Fig. As shown in Figure 16, the swing arm 13 is suspended from the body frame 10 via a tubular rear damper 56. The rear damper 56 is located centrally in the vehicle width direction between the pivot plates 21, 21. An upper end section 56a of the rear cushion 56 is axially supported by a connecting section 30a in the center of the rear upper cross frame 30.

[0063] The rear damper 56 extends to below the swingarm 13 and runs between the arm section 54 on the left side and the reinforcement arm section 55 on the right side. A lower end section 56b of the rear damper 56 is coupled to a connecting mechanism 57, which is connected to the transverse frame 22.

[0064] The joint mechanism 57 comprises a damper connection section 58, which has an L-shape in the side view of the vehicle, and a pair of left and right joints 59, 59, which are axially rotatable from the damper connection section 58. A front end section (one end section) 58a of the damper connection section 58 is axially supported in the width direction of the vehicle by a coupling section 22a in the center of the transverse frame 22. The lower end section 56b of the rear damper 56 is coupled to a rear end section (the other end section) 58b of the damper connection section 58.

[0065] The lower ends 59a, 59a of the left and right link pairs 59, 59, which have a long, rearwardly upward-facing plate shape, are axially supported by a bending section 58c of the damper connection section 58. The upper ends 59b, 59b of the links 59, 59 are axially supported by a connection section 55a in a lower part of the reinforcement arm section 55 ( Fig. 4).

[0066] In this version, as in Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 2 shows the fastening sections 63b, 63b on the rear of the battery housing 62 below the output shaft 11a of the electric motor 11. A rear end region 60a of the battery 60 is located below the output shaft 11a.

[0067] In the battery 60, there is a section 60b located further rearward than the front upper cross frame 29 and further rearward and downward than the front end part 11b of the electric motor 11. A position in the front-to-rear direction of the battery 60 overlaps the electric motor 11 in the side view of the vehicle.

[0068] Since the positions of the battery 60 and the electric motor 11 overlap in the front-to-back direction, the front end part 11b of the electric motor 11 is located above the battery 60. Space can be used effectively in the electric motorcycle 1, which has limited cargo space. The battery 60 can be easily accommodated even if its capacity and size are increased.

[0069] In this embodiment, as in Fig. Figure 11 shows an arc-shaped recess 60c formed in a rear upper region of the battery 60 along the circular outer circumferential shape of the electric motor 11. In this embodiment, the rear upper region of the battery 60 is a part of the battery 60 above the axis of rotation 50, below the rear frames 25, 25 and behind the front upper transverse frame 29 in the side view of the vehicle.

[0070] The front lower part (an arc-shaped section in areas A3 to A4) 11c of the electric motor 11 is positioned so that it enters the recess 60c. The battery 60 and the electric motor 11 can easily be arranged close together. Since the front lower part 11c of the electric motor 11 is located in the recess 60c in the rear upper area of ​​the battery 60, space is used effectively in the electric motorcycle 1, which has limited cargo space, to achieve an optimal arrangement.

[0071] The battery 60 has a shape that includes an inclined rear area 60d, which in the side view of the vehicle is inclined linearly backwards from the rear end of the recess 60c to the rear end part 60a.

[0072] Note that in the battery cover 61 an arc-shaped recess 61d and the linearly inclined rear part 61e are formed according to the shapes of the arc-shaped recess 60c and the linearly inclined rear part 60d of the battery 60.

[0073] In this version, as in Fig. Figure 2 shows the electric motor 11 located under the seat 14. A lower part of the rocker arm 13, on which the drive shaft 43 is mounted, is supported by the pivot axis (a support shaft) 50 provided in the turntables 21, 21. The pivot axis 50, which passes between the pair of left and right turntables 21, 21, is located below the front end of the shaft body section 43b of the drive shaft 43. The pivot axis 50 is also located below the front end shaft 43a of the drive shaft 43.

[0074] In this design, the front tubular section 53 rests in the front, lower part of the swing arm 13 on the through-holes (attachments) 21a, 21a ( Fig. 7 and Fig. 10) The pivot axis 50 is mounted at a height approximately in the middle of the turntables 21, 21.

[0075] In this embodiment, the drive shaft 43 runs along the inside of the swing arm 13 over the pivot axis 50. The drive shaft 43 is arranged upwards and forwards. The position of the front end shaft 43a of the drive shaft 43 is high.

[0076] In this version, as in Fig. Figure 1 shows the electric motor 11 in a high position, arranged below the seat 14, on an extended line L1 of the shaft body section 43b of the drive shaft 43. Since the rear lower part (an arc section in the regions A5 to A7) 11f of the electric motor 11 is located on the extended line L1, the front end shaft 43a of the drive shaft 43 is arranged near the output shaft 11a of the electric motor 11.

[0077] Therefore, in the gearbox unit 42, transmission elements such as an idler wheel, which is arranged between the front end shaft 43a of the drive shaft 43 and the output shaft 11a of the electric motor 11, are slightly reduced in size. It is possible to suppress power loss from the electric motor 11 and to connect the drive shaft 43 to the electric motor 11. The gearbox unit 42 can be easily and compactly constructed.

[0078] Fig. Figure 17 corresponds to a case in which the electric motorcycle 1 is viewed from above and is a schematic diagram to explain a cooling water path between a radiator 80 and the motor housing 40.

[0079] The seat 14 comprises the front section 14a, the width of which increases towards the rear, and a rear section 14b formed behind the front section 14a, the width of which decreases towards the rear. The radiator 80 is arranged under the rear section 14b of the seat 14. The radiator 80 is plate-shaped and extends in the direction of the vehicle's width, comprising a core 81 in the center of the vehicle's width and a pair of tanks 82L, 82R, which are provided to the left and right of the core 81.

[0080] A radiator hose 83L is connected to the tank 82L on the left side. A radiator hose 83R is connected to the tank 82R on the right side. The radiator hoses 83L and 83R run forward and are connected to a rear section of the engine casing 40. A water channel (not shown) is formed on the inside of the engine casing 40 through which the coolant can flow. The coolant flows between the radiator 80 and the engine casing 40 internally via the radiator hoses 83L and 83R.

[0081] A pair of left and right radiator hoses, 84L and 84R, are connected to a front part of the motor housing 40. The radiator hoses 84L and 84R run forward and are connected to the PCU housing 71. A water channel (not shown in the figure) forms on the inside of the PCU housing 71, through which the coolant can flow. The coolant flows between the motor housing 40 inside and the PCU housing 71 inside via the radiator hoses 84L and 84R.

[0082] A circulation path through which the cooling water circulates is configured through the radiator 80, the motor housing 40, the PCU housing 71, and the radiator hoses 83L, 83R, 84L, and 84R. A pump (not shown in the figure) is connected to the circulation path. The pump (not shown in the figure) is driven, circulating the cooling water. The electric motor 11 and the PCU 70 are cooled by the cooling water. The heat of the cooling water, which is heated by the electric motor 11 and the PCU 70, is radiated from the core 81 of the radiator 80, thus cooling the cooling water.

[0083] In front of the radiator 80 and behind the electric motor 11, a pair of circular radiator fans 85, 85 are arranged on the left and right. The radiator fans 85, 85 are arranged such that the air outlet directions of the radiator fans 85, 85 point outwards towards the front in the direction of the vehicle width ( Fig. 16) The radiator fans 85, 85 are electrically connected to an ECU (not shown in the figure) and are controlled by the ECU to be driven at low engine speed, during a temporary stop, and similar situations. When the radiator fans 85, 85 are driven, they create a negative pressure between the fans 85, 85 and the radiator 80, drawing cooling air from the rear of the radiator 80 towards the radiator 80. The cooling air, which has cooled the coolant in the radiator 80, is then expelled forward by the radiator fans 85, 85.

[0084] As in Fig. 1 and Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the radiator 80 and the radiator fans 85, 85 are housed in a radiator housing 86, which in the side view of the vehicle has an essentially triangular shape and extends further in the direction of the vehicle width than a front part of the seat 14 ( Fig. 6 and Fig. 4) In a front part of the cooler housing 86, an inclined section 86g is formed, which is inclined rearward and upward in accordance with the inclined section 71b formed in the PCU housing 71. The cooler housing 86 is arranged in such a way that the inclined section 86g enters the underside of the inclined section 71b of the PCU housing 71 and is arranged in such a way that the front-to-back positions of the cooler housing 86 and the PCU housing 71 overlap. The cooler housing 86 is arranged on the rear side of the PCU housing 71 along a lower part 14c of the seat 14. At the rear end of the cooler housing 86, a pair of left and right mounting sections 86a, 86b are formed. The fastening sections 86a, 86a are attached to the underside of the rear part 14b of the seat 14.

[0085] In a lower part of the cooler housing 86, there is a pair of left and right mounting sections 86b, 86b, which project downwards. The mounting sections 86b, 86b are attached to upwardly projecting part-like sections 30b30b ( Fig. 7) whether they are formed in the rear upper cross frame 30. The mounting sections 86b, 86b are positioned on the outside with respect to the vehicle width direction and are attached to the profiles 30b, 30b to be fastened. Note that in the front parts of the mounting sections 86b, 86b, an arc-shaped recess 86c is formed along the circular outer circumference of the electric motor 11 together with a front lower part of the radiator housing 86. The rear upper part (an arc-shaped part in the areas A7 to A1) 11e of the electric motor 11 is positioned so that it enters the recess 86c. Since the rear upper part 11e of the electric motor 11 is located in the recess 86c in the front lower part of the radiator housing 86, the radiator 80 and the radiator fans 85, 85 can be easily positioned near the electric motor 11.

[0086] A square air outlet 86d is formed on the rear of the cooler housing 86, through which the cooling air can reach the cooler 80 ( Fig. 6) An opening section (not shown in the figure) is formed in the recess 86c, which represents the front surface of the cooler housing 86. Cooling air can move between the interior of the cooler housing 86 and the environment of the electric motor 11 and the PCU housing 71 via the opening section (not shown in the figure).

[0087] Essentially triangular openings 86e, 86e are formed to the left and right of the cooler housing 86 ( Fig. 1 and Fig.2) The circular radiator fans 85, 85 are supported by the radiator housing 86 such that portions of the vehicle width extend outwards towards the outside of the radiator fans 85, 85 via the opening sections 86e, 86e. Consequently, the cooling air drawn in by the radiator fans 85, 85 can be directed outwards towards the vehicle body via the opening sections 86e, 86e. This reduces the amount of heat transferred to the vehicle body. The air can also be directed by the radiator fans 85, 85 in sections across the vehicle width towards the inside of the radiator housing 86, in areas not exposed by the opening sections 86e, 86e, towards the inside of the radiator 86.

[0088] Note that in the front parts of the opening sections 86e, 86e of the radiator housing 86, inwardly offset air guide sections 86f, 86f are formed in the direction of the vehicle width. When the radiator fans 85, 85 are not driven, the air guide sections 86f, 86f can direct the flowing air to the opening sections 86e, 86e and cool the radiator 80.

[0089] The radiator housing 86 is located on the rear upper side of the electric motor 11e. The electric motor 11 is located directly in front of the radiator fans 85, 85. When the radiator fans 85, 85 are driven to cool the radiator 80, the electric motor 11 can be cooled by the exhaust air from the radiator fans 85, 85.

[0090] The PCU 70 is located at the front of the electric motor 11. Since the PCU 70 is positioned in front of the cooling fans 85, 85 transversely to the electric motor 11, the electric motor 11 and the PCU 70 can be cooled by the exhaust air from the cooling fans 85, 85 when the cooling fans 85, 85 are driven to cool the radiator 80.

[0091] As explained above, in this embodiment used in the present invention, in the electric motorcycle 1, in which the battery 60 is arranged behind the handlebars 15 and in front of the seat 14, the electric motor 11 is located under the seat 14, and the lower part of the swingarm 13 is supported by the mounting sections 21a, 21a provided in the pivot plates 21, 21a, with the drive shaft 43, which transmits a drive force from the electric motor 11 to the rear wheel 3, being supported by the swingarm 13. Since the lower part of the swingarm 13 is supported by the mounting sections 21a, 21a provided in the pivot plates 21, 21a, the drive shaft 43 points upwards and forwards, and it is possible to connect the drive shaft 43 without loss to the electric motor 11, which is located on the extended line L1 of the drive shaft 43 and is arranged under the seat 14.

[0092] In this embodiment, the mounting sections 21a, 21a are the through holes 21a, 21a, which in the vertical position are located essentially in the center of the turntables 21, 21. The pivot axis 50, which carries the lower part of the rocker arm 13, is supported in the through holes 21a, 21a. Therefore, the lower part of the rocker arm 13 is supported by the pivot axis 50, which is supported in the through holes 21a, 21a, which in the vertical position are located essentially in the center of the turntables 21, 21. Consequently, the drive shaft 43 runs above the pivot shaft 50. It is possible to orient the drive shaft 43 upwards at the front and to bring the drive shaft 43 close to the electric motor 11.

[0093] In this configuration, the radiator 80 and the radiator fans 85, 85 are positioned below the seat 14 and behind the electric motor 11. Therefore, it is possible to cool the radiator 80 with the radiator fans 85, 85 and to cool the electric motor 11, which is located directly in front of the radiator 80, with the exhaust air from the radiator fans 85, 85.

[0094] In this configuration, the PCU 70 is positioned above the battery 60 and in front of the electric motor 11. Therefore, it is possible to optimize the layout of the electric motorcycle 1, which has limited cargo space. Since the PCU 70 is located in front of the radiator fans 85, opposite the electric motor 11, the radiator fans 85, 85 can cool the radiator 80. The electric motor 11, which is located directly in front of the radiator 80 and the PCU 70, can also be cooled by the exhaust air from the radiator fans 85, 85.

[0095] In this embodiment, at least the front end part (a part) 11b of the electric motor 11 is located above the battery 60. Therefore, it is possible to bring the layout of the electric motorcycle 1 with a limited cargo space close to the optimum.

[0096] In this design, the front lower part 11c of the electric motor 11 is located in a rear upper area 60c of the battery 60. Therefore, it is possible to bring the layout of the electric motorcycle 1 with a limited cargo space close to the optimum.

[0097] Swingarm 13 is described as a so-called cantilever configuration, in which the arm section 54 is arranged only on one side of the rear wheel 3. However, swingarm 13 can have a configuration in which it contains a pair of left and right arm sections, with the rear wheel 3 positioned between these two sections. List of reference symbols: 3-wheeler 11 Drive motor 11b Part 11c front lower part 13 Swing arm 14 seats 15 handlebars 21, 21 turntable 21a, 21a Mounting section, through hole 43 Drive shaft 50 axis of rotation 60s battery 60c rear end upper part 70 PCU 80 coolers 85, 85 cooling fan

Claims

[1] Electric motorcycle in which a battery (60) is arranged in a position behind a handlebar (15) and in front of a seat (14), wherein a drive motor (11) is arranged under the seat (14), the drive motor (11) is arranged further forward than a rear end (30) of a frame (25, 25) which connects a head tube (23) and a turntable (21, 21) and is supported by a vehicle body frame (10) in a position overlapping the frame (25, 25) in a vehicle side view, the turntable (21, 21) extends downwards from the rear end parts of the frame (25, 25), and a lower part of a rocker arm (13) is supported by a mounting section (21a, 21a) provided in the turntable (21, 21), wherein a drive shaft (43) which transmits a drive force output by the drive motor (11) to a wheel (3) is supported by the rocker arm (13). [2] Electric motorcycle according to claim 1, wherein an output shaft (11a) of the drive motor (11) overlaps the frame (25, 25) in the side view of the vehicle. [3] Electric motorcycle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the fastening section (21a, 21a) is a through hole (21a, 21a) which is provided in a height position substantially in the middle of the plate (21, 21) and a pivot axis (50) which carries a lower part of the swing arm (13) is mounted in the through hole (21a, 21a). [4] Electric motorcycle according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a radiator (80) and a radiator fan (85, 85) are arranged in a position below the seat (14) and behind the drive motor (11). [5] Electric motorcycle according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a PCU (70) is arranged above the battery (60) and in front of the drive motor (11). [6] Electric motorcycle according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein at least a part (11b) of the drive motor (11) is arranged above the battery (60). [7] Electric motorcycle according to claim 6, wherein a front lower part (11c) of the drive motor (11) is arranged in a rear upper part (60c) of the battery (60).

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