Electric or hybrid rideable-saddle vehicle comprising a removable rechargeable battery and an improved rechargeable battery locking device

Abstract

An electric or hybrid rideable-saddle vehicle (1 ), comprising: - a rechargeable battery (30); - an electric or hybrid traction motor (8) that can by supplied by electrical power stored in the rechargeable battery (30) to deliver a driving torque; - a housing seat (20) adapted to house at least partially the rechargeable battery (30); - at least one electrical connection cable (13) adapted to electrically connect the rechargeable battery (30) to said vehicle (1 ), wherein the electrical connection cable (13) has an end portion bearing a connection terminal (14) which is connectable to and disconnectable from the rechargeable battery (30); - a locking device (60) adapted and configured to be moved to take a locked operating position and a released operating position, wherein in the locked operating position the locking device (60) prevents the rechargeable battery (30) from being removed from the housing seat (20) and wherein in the released operating position the locking device (60) allows removing the rechargeable battery (30) from the housing seat (20); When the locking device (60) is in the locked operating position and when the connection terminal (14) is connected to the rechargeable battery (30), at least one section of the electrical connection cable (13) passes either over or on the locking device (60).

Description

Electric or hybrid rideable-saddle vehicle comprising a removable rechargeable battery and an improved rechargeable battery locking device***Applicant: PIAGGIO & C. S.P.A.Inventors: Walter ROSSELLINI, Stefano CARRABS, Roberto MENGONI, Riccardo SALAMONE.***TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of rideable-saddle vehicles, and in particular relates to an electric or hybrid rideable-saddle vehicle comprising a removable rechargeable battery and an improved rechargeable battery locking device.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] With the introduction of electric or hybrid rideable-saddle vehicles, it has become necessary to accommodate at least one rechargeable battery on board such vehicles. The rechargeable battery is operatively connected to the onboard electrical system and provides the electrical energy needed to power the traction motor so that it delivers a drive torque. Generally, the rechargeable battery is required to be easily removable from a respective housing seat so that a user can easily remove the rechargeable battery from the vehicle to replace it and / or recharge it and / or prevent it from being stolen.

[0003] As is known, some types of rideable-saddle vehicles, such as motorcycles, particularly but not exclusively motor-scooters with two or more wheels, comprise a storage container integrated into the body of the vehicle and arranged under the rideable saddle thereof. In this case, the rideable saddle is a closing element of the storage container and can selectively take an opening configuration, to allow access to the housing seat, and a closing configuration, to prevent access to the housing seat. In some types of rideable-saddle vehicles of the type described above, the rechargeable battery is accommodated in a housing seat defined inside the storage container.

[0004] As is known, in order to ensure a satisfactory range or power, the rechargeable battery of an electric or hybrid rideable-saddle vehicle is usually bulky and has a significant mass. Therefore, it is necessary that the rechargeable battery is kept in a stable position inside its housing seat in order to prevent possible vibration, noise, and jerking of the rechargeable battery when using, for example when driving, the vehicle. For this reason, rechargeable battery locking systems are provided on board said vehicles, which comprise, for example, one or more locking straps or hooks or locking brackets.

[0005] Rechargeable battery locking systems of the prior art suffer from several drawbacks. In some cases, the known locking systems are complex and expensive. In other cases, the known locking systems do not allow an easy and quick removal of the rechargeable battery,or still in other cases do not ensure keeping the rechargeable battery in a stable position when using the vehicle. Moreover, in some vehicles of the prior art, there is an additional problem in that, to remove the rechargeable battery, at least one electrical connection cable which, by means of a connection terminal, electrically connects the battery to the on-board electrical system of the vehicle, needs to be disconnected from the rechargeable battery. In these cases, if a user fails or forgets to perform the aforementioned disconnection before removing the rechargeable battery and however attempts to remove the battery, the electrical connection cable and / or the connection terminal and / or the battery itself can be damaged, e.g., due to the pulling forces applied by the user when attempting to extract the battery from its housing. Moreover, after disconnecting the electrical connection cable and removing the rechargeable battery, the end portion of the electrical connection cable generally carrying the connection terminal is free to move and can fall into the housing seat of the rechargeable battery, for example. This makes the operations of inserting the rechargeable battery particularly inconvenient, because during such operations a user must move the rechargeable battery, which is heavy, with one hand and must hold the electrical connection cable steady with the other hand. Moreover, if the electrical connection cable, after being disconnected from the rechargeable battery, remains in the housing seat of the rechargeable battery, there is a risk that it could be damaged or sheared by the insertion of the battery itself.

[0006] It is a general object of the present description to provide an electric or hybrid rideable-saddle vehicle with a removable rechargeable battery, which is capable of solving, fully or at least partially, one or more of the drawbacks of the vehicles of the prior art described above.

[0007] Such an object is achieved by an electric or hybrid rideable-saddle vehicle, as generally defined in claim 1. Preferred and advantageous embodiments of the aforesaid vehicle are defined in the appended dependent claims.

[0008] The invention will be better understood from the following detailed description of particular embodiments thereof, given by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings briefly described in the following paragraph.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] In the accompanying drawings:Figure 1 is a side plan view of a non-limiting embodiment of an electric or hybrid rideable-saddle vehicle comprising a rechargeable battery and a housing seat for the rechargeable battery defined in the body of the rideable-saddle vehicle, where the housing seat is defined under the rideable saddle;Figure 2 is an isometric view of a part of the vehicle in figure 1 in which the rideable saddle is shown in an opening configuration, which makes the rechargeable batteryand a rechargeable battery locking device visible, wherein the locking device is shown in a locked operating position;Figure 3 is a partial isometric view similar to the view in figure 2, in which the locking device is shown in a released operating position;Figure 4 is a diagrammatic side view of the rechargeable battery;Figure 5 is an isometric view of a first embodiment of the rechargeable battery locking device;Figure 6 is an isometric view of a second embodiment of the rechargeable battery locking device;Figure 7 is a diagrammatic section view of the second embodiment of the locking device;Figure 8 is a diagrammatic section view of a third embodiment of the locking device;Figure 9 is a partial isometric view of the locking device and the rechargeable battery in which a retaining system adapted to retain the locking device in the locked operating position is also shown; andFigure 10 is a partial section view of the tail portion of the electrical or hybrid vehicle in figure 1.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010] Similar or equivalent elements in the accompanying figures are indicated by the same reference numerals.

[0011] Figure 1 shows an embodiment of an electric or hybrid rideable-saddle vehicle 1 , which in the particular example depicted is embodied, without introducing any limitation, by a two-wheeled motorcycle, and in particular a two-wheeled scooter, having a front wheel 6 and a rear wheel 7.

[0012] Hereinafter in the present description, without introducing any limitation, reference will be made to a general motorcycle 1 , this meaning that the following description is generally applicable to any type of electric or hybrid rideable-saddle vehicle comprising:- a main body 2, 3, 4;- at least two wheels 6, 7 constrained to the main body 2, 3, 4;- a motor 8, in particular an electric or hybrid traction motor, operatively connected to or integrated in at least one of the two wheels 6, 7.

[0013] In the particular example depicted in figure 1 , the rideable-saddle vehicle 1 is an electric vehicle and comprises, without introducing any limitation, an electric motor 8 connected to the rear wheel 7, which is thus a traction wheel.

[0014] The main body 2, 3, 4 of the motorcycle 1 has a front part 2, a tail part 4, and a central part 3 interposed between the front part 2 and the tail part 4.

[0015] For example, the central part 3 comprises a footboard 5. Preferably, the central part 3 comprises a central tunnel 15 projecting upwards from the footboard 5. In other words, the central tunnel 15 surmounts the footboard 15.

[0016] In the example, the front part 2 of the main body 2, 3, 4 comprises a front shield 12, a steering handlebar 9, the front wheel 6, a front suspension 11 .

[0017] In the example, the tail part 4 comprises a rideable saddle 40, a tail fairing 41 or tail chassis 41 , the rear wheel 7, the motor 8, a rear suspension 18.

[0018] In the particular example depicted in figure 1 , without introducing any limitation, the motorcycle 1 is a scooter, preferably with a self-supporting chassis.

[0019] With reference to figure 2, the motorcycle 1 further comprises a rechargeable battery 30 and a housing seat 20 of the rechargeable battery 30 defined in the main body 2, 3, 4. The housing seat 20 is sized so as to contain totally or partially the rechargeable battery 30. The rechargeable battery 30 can be selectively removed from housing seat 20 and inserted into the housing seat 20, thus the rechargeable battery 30 is removable.

[0020] The housing seat 20 of the rechargeable battery 30 is preferably defined in the tail part 4 of the motorcycle 1 , e.g., so as to be arranged within the space defined by the tail fairing 41 or the tail chassis 41. The housing seat 20 preferably lies under the saddle 40 and in particular under a storage container 22 arranged under the saddle 40.

[0021] The housing seat 20 extends between an insertion or removal opening 21 a and an opposite bottom portion 21 b. The insertion or removal opening 21 a is crossable by the rechargeable battery 30 when inserting the rechargeable battery 30 into the housing seat 20 and when removing it from the housing seat 20. Preferably, the housing seat 20 is delimited by a side wall 300 and a bottom wall 301 connected to the side wall 300. For example, the side wall 300 is a tubular wall. The housing seat 20 preferably comprises guiding means, e.g., guides which allow directing the insertion / extraction of the rechargeable battery 30 into / from the housing seat 20. The user is thus facilitated in placing the rechargeable battery 30 in the correct position in the housing seat 30. In detail, the housing seat 20 and / or the rechargeable battery 30 are shaped so as to avoid the rechargeable battery 30 from being mounted in an incorrect position or with a wrong orientation. In particular, the housing seat 20 and the rechargeable battery 30 achieve a mutual shape coupling, which defines a unique position between the housing seat 20 and the rechargeable battery 30 when the rechargeable battery is inserted into the housing seat 20.

[0022] Advantageously, the housing seat 20 is arranged under the rideable saddle 40. According to a preferred embodiment, the rideable saddle 40 is movable between a closing configuration, in which the rideable saddle 40 prevents the housing seat 20 from being accessed from the outside, and an opening configuration, in which the rideable saddle 40 allows the housing seat 20 to be accessed the from the outside. In figure 1 the rideable saddle40 is shown in the closing configuration, while in figure 2 it is shown in the opening configuration. On the other hand, in figure 3 the rideable saddle 40 has been omitted.

[0023] According to an advantageous embodiment, the rideable saddle 40 is hinged to the main body 2, 3, 4 of the motorcycle 1 to be rotated about a rotation axis Y1 (figures 2 and 3) between two positions mutually angularly spaced apart, corresponding to the closing configuration and the opening configuration, respectively. For example, the motorcycle 1 comprises a first cylindrical hinge adapted and configured to rotatably hinge an end portion of the rideable saddle 40 to the tail portion 4 of the motorcycle 1 so that the rideable saddle 40 is rotatable about the rotation axis Y1 , which is thus the hinge axis. Said end portion is preferably a front end portion of the rideable saddle 40, i.e., an end portion facing the front part 2 of the main body 2, 3, 4 of the motorcycle 1 .

[0024] According to an advantageous embodiment, the motorcycle 1 comprises a storage container 22, e.g., a helmet storage container 22, arranged between the housing seat 20 and the rideable saddle 40. The storage container 22 is delimited at the top by an upper access opening 23. The rideable saddle 30 in the closing configuration reversibly occludes the upper access opening 23 of the storage container 22. The insertion or removal opening 21 a of the housing seat 20 is defined at the bottom of the storage container 22.

[0025] Preferably, the motorcycle 1 comprises a locking system 26, 46 of the rideable saddle 40 (figure 2), actuatable to take a locking configuration, to lock the rideable saddle 40 in the closing configuration, and a releasing configuration, to allow the rideable saddle 40 to be taken from the closing configuration to the opening configuration. For example, the locking system 26, 46 of the rideable saddle 40 comprises a lock 26 having a movable hook 27, and an engagement element 46 with which the movable hook 27 is engaged when the locking system 26, 46 is in the locking configuration. For example, the lock 26 is actuatable by means of a key and / or a button and / or an electrical control signal. In the particular embodiment shown in figure 2, the engagement element 46 is provided on the rideable saddle 40 and the lock 26 is provided on the main body 2, 3, 4, of the motorcycle 1 , in particular on the tail part 4. In a constructional variant, the positions of the aforesaid elements of the locking system 26, 46 could be mutually reversed.

[0026] With reference to figure 4, the rechargeable battery 30 extends between a bottom portion 31 and a head portion 32. For example, the rechargeable battery 30 comprises a containment body made of an electrically insulating material which accommodates a plurality of rechargeable cells therein. The bottom portion 31 is a first end portion of the containment body, and the head portion 32 is a second end portion of the containment body opposite to the first end portion. For example, the containment body of the rechargeable battery 30 has a prismatic shape, e.g., it has a general polygonal shape, in particular a parallelepiped shape, e.g., a straight parallelepiped shape.

[0027] The rechargeable battery 30 conveniently comprises a gripping handle 33 preferably included in, or fixed to, the head portion 32. Preferably, the gripping handle 33 protrudes from the head portion 32 of the rechargeable battery 30 and more preferably is C-shaped, with two supporting side arms and a central gripping part, e.g., an ergonomic grip, interposed between the two side arms. For example, the two side arms are mutually inclined and the central part is cylindrical in shape.

[0028] Preferably, the rechargeable battery 30 is slidingly insertable into and slidingly extractable from the housing seat 20 by translation along a sliding axis Z.

[0029] The motorcycle 1 comprises at least one electrical connection cable 13 adapted to electrically connect the rechargeable battery 30 to the motorcycle 1. For example, the motorcycle 1 comprises an on-board electrical system, and the electrical connection cable 13 is adapted to electrically connect the rechargeable battery 30 to the on-board electrical system. For example, the on-board electrical system comprises an engine control unit (ECU) which allows controlling the operation of the electric or hybrid motor 8, e.g., to power the motor 8 so that it can deliver a drive torque. The electrical energy needed to power the motor 8 is provided by the rechargeable battery 30, to establish an electrical connection between the battery 30 and the vehicle 1. Hereinafter, the electrical connection cable 13 may also be referred to as the electrical cable 13.

[0030] The electrical connection cable 13 has an end portion carrying a connection terminal 14, which is connectable to and disconnectable from the rechargeable battery 30. Preferably, the rechargeable battery 30 comprises a conjugate connection terminal 34 adapted to couple, e.g., by engagement, to the connection terminal 14 of the electrical cable 13. For example, the conjugate connection terminal 34 of the rechargeable battery 30 is a plug connector and the connection terminal 14 of the electrical cable 13 is a socket connector. Conveniently, the connection terminal 14 of the electrical connection cable 13 is a pipette connector. Conveniently, the conjugate connection terminal 34 of the rechargeable battery 30 is arranged on the head portion 32 of the rechargeable battery 30.

[0031] According to an embodiment, the electrical connection cable 13 is a multi-pole cable, i.e., a two-pole cable. Therefore, in this case, the connection terminal 14 and the conjugate connection terminal 34 are also multi-pole, e.g., two-pole. In an alternative embodiment, it is possible that the motorcycle 1 can comprise multiple single-pole electrical connection cables 13, e.g., two, each provided with a respective connection terminal 14. In this case, the rechargeable battery 30 also comprises a corresponding number of conjugate connection terminals 34.

[0032] The motorcycle 1 further comprises a locking device 60 adapted to lock the rechargeable battery 30 in the housing seat 20. The locking device 60 is adapted and configured to be moved preferably manually by a user in order to take a locked operatingposition and a released operating position. In the locked operating position, shown in figure 2, the locking device 60 prevents the removal of the rechargeable battery 30 from the housing seat 20. Conversely, in the released operating position, shown in figure 3, the locking device 60 allows the removal, in particular the extraction, of the rechargeable battery 30 from the housing seat 20.

[0033] As shown, for example, in figure 2, when the locking device 60 is in the locked operating position and when the connection terminal 14 is connected to the rechargeable battery 30, at least one section of the electrical connection cable 13 passes over, or passes on, the locking device 60. This expedient has the advantage that a user is forced or induced to disconnect the connection terminal 14 from the rechargeable battery 30, in particular from the conjugate connection terminal 34, before taking the locking device 60 to the released operating position, thus before extracting the battery 30 from the housing seat 20. "Passes over" means that the passage occurs at the top but without abutment contact. Instead, "pass on" means that the passage occurs at the top and with abutment contact. A first embodiment of the locking device is shown in figure 5, in which the zone 32 included between the two dashed lines corresponds to the passage zone of the electrical connection cable 13.

[0034] According to an embodiment, the locking device 60 comprises a first end portion 61 and a second end portion 62, which are opposite to each other and between which a central portion 63 of the locking device 60 is interposed. Advantageously, the aforesaid section of the electrical connection cable 13 passes over, or on, the first end portion 61 . Advantageously, the first end portion 61 is rotatably hinged about a rotation axis Y2. Such a rotation axis Y2 is an axis of a cylindrical hinge, for example.

[0035] Advantageously, the central portion 63 of the locking device 60 comprises at least one concave part facing the connection terminal 14 when the connection terminal 14 is connected to the rechargeable battery 30. The space is thus optimized and an abutment interference between the locking device 60 and the conjugate connection terminal 34 provided on the battery is avoided. In figures 5 and 6, the concave part is represented by the three sections 63a, 63b, and 63c.

[0036] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the locking device 60 comprises at least one cable-guide element 65 either on or in which the aforesaid section of the electrical connection cable 13 passes. For the purposes of the present description, cableguide element 65 generally means an element configured to apply an action which conditions the positioning and / or movement of the electrical cable 13.

[0037] According to an advantageous embodiment, the cable-guide element 65 is adapted to retain the electrical connection cable 13 connected to the locking device 60.

[0038] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, when the electrical connection terminal 14 of the electrical connection cable 13 is disconnected from therechargeable battery 30, the cable-guide element 65 allows the end portion of the electrical connection cable 13 carrying the connection terminal 14 to move together with the locking device 60. If the motorcycle 1 comprises multiple electrical connection cables 13 which can be connected to the rechargeable battery, the locking device 60 can comprise a corresponding number of cable-guide elements 65.

[0039] According to an advantageous embodiment, the cable-guide element 65 is integrated into the locking device 60, e.g., it is made in one piece with the locking device 60. For example, as shown in figures 6 and 7, the cable-guide element 65 either is or comprises a recess defined in the thickness of the locking device 60, in which a section of the electrical connection cable 13 can be inserted and possibly retained by interference coupling. Alternatively or additionally, the cable-guide element 65 comprises a hook or loop either connected to or integral with the locking device 60, in which a section of the electrical connection cable 13 runs, as shown in figure 9.

[0040] Therefore, it is apparent that the cable-guide element 65 can be configured at least according to three embodiments. In a first embodiment, the cable-guide element 65 allows determining the positioning of the section of electrical cable 13 which passes over the locking device 60 without constraining the electrical cable 13 to the locking device 60. In this embodiment, the cable-guide element 65 is, for example, a recess in which the section of electrical cable 13 rests when the connection terminal 14 is connected to the rechargeable battery 30. In a second embodiment, the cable-guide element 65 is a cable-holding element in which the section of electrical cable 13 can be forcibly inserted and locked, e.g., by shape interference, without the possibility of free sliding of the aforesaid section of the electrical cable 13 into the cable-guide element 65. In a third embodiment, the cable-guide element 65 is a cable-guide element in which the section of the electrical cable 13 can be inserted and in which the section of the electrical cable 13 is free to slide.

[0041] According to an advantageous embodiment, the locking device 60 is a rotatable device and has a first end portion 61 rotatably hinged about a rotation axis Y2 and a second end portion 62, opposite to the first end portion 61 which, in the released operating position of the locking device 60, is a free end portion. According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the cable-guide element 65 is arranged on the first end portion 61 .

[0042] The rotation axis Y2 is preferably parallel to the rotation axis Y1 , i.e., the rotation axis of the rideable saddle 40. According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, between the first end portion 61 and the second end portion 62 of the locking device 60, the first end portion 61 is that placed at the greatest distance from the rotation axis Y1 when the locking device 60 is in the locked operating position.

[0043] According to an advantageous embodiment, the locking device 60 is accommodated in the storage container 22. For example, the first end portion 61 is rotatably hinged to a wallof the storage container 22, preferably a bottom wall of the storage container 22. In an alternative embodiment, the first end portion 61 is rotatably hinged to a wall delimiting the containment seat 20, e.g., to the tubular wall 300.

[0044] Preferably, the locking device 60 comprises at least one locking arm 63 which extends between the first end portion 61 and the second end portion 62. Hence, the locking arm 60 is the central portion 63 of the locking device 60. When the locking device 60 is in the locked operating position, the at least one locking arm 63 applies a pushing force to the rechargeable battery 30, in particular to the head portion of the rechargeable battery 30. The rechargeable battery 30 is thus kept in a stable position within the housing seat 20 and possible vibration, noise, and jerking of the rechargeable battery 30 when using, for example when riding, the motorcycle 1 are eliminated.

[0045] According to an advantageous embodiment, the locking arm 63 comprises a recessed portion between the first end portion 61 and the second end portion 62. In the embodiments shown in figures 5 and 6, the recessed portion is the central section 63b of the connection arm 63.

[0046] According to an advantageous, non-limiting embodiment, the locking device 60 comprises two locking arms 63, which are joined together by the first end portion 61 on one side and by the second end portion 62 on another side.

[0047] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the locking device 60 comprises at least one recess or through-opening 64 which, in the locked operating position of the locking device 60, either accommodates or is crossed by a protruding part of the rechargeable battery 30. Such a protruding part of the rechargeable battery 30 is preferably the gripping handle 33. For example, the aforesaid recess or through-opening 64 extends into the locking arm 63 or between the locking arms 63.

[0048] Preferably, the locking device 60 is shaped so that the saddle 40 cannot be closed when the locking device 60 is in the released operating position.

[0049] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, when the locking device 60 takes the locked operating position, at least one elastically yielding element 70 (figure 3), e.g., a yielding block 70, is interposed and fastened between the locking device 60 and the rechargeable battery 30. For example, the yielding block 70 is made of an elastically deformable material, such as rubber, latex, or silicone, for example.

[0050] In the embodiment shown in figure 3, the at least one elastically yielding element 70 is fixed to the rechargeable battery 30, in particular to the head portion thereof. In a constructional variant, the elastically yielding element 70 is fixed to the locking device 60, e.g., to the locking arm 63. In a further variant, such an elastically yielding element 70 is a free element, e.g., a yielding mat, which can be interposed between the rechargeable battery 30 and the locking device 60. For the purpose of the present description, the elastic yieldingfeature associated with element 70 implies that such an element 70 has greater elasticity and yielding than those of a remaining part of the locking device 60. For example, the locking device 60 is made of a metal material or a hard plastic (e.g., ABS), while the elastically yielding element 70 is made of rubber or silicone.

[0051] The provision of at least one elastically yielding element 70 allows for an elastic recovery of possible clearances and / or damping of vibrations. In the particular example depicted in figure 3, there are provided two elastically yielding elements 70 fixed to the head portion of the rechargeable battery 30, preferably mutually arranged on opposite sides with respect to the gripping handle 33.

[0052] With reference to figure 9, according to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the motorcycle 1 comprises a retaining system adapted to retain the locking device 30 in the locked operating position. The retaining system is actuatable to take a coupling operating configuration, in which it retains the locking device 60 in the locked operating position, and an uncoupling operating configuration, in which it allows the movement of the locking device 60 from the locked operating position to the released operating position. Preferably, the retaining system comprises a movable jaw 81 and an engagement element 68 with which the movable jaw 81 is engaged when the retaining system is in the coupling configuration. In the particular embodiment shown in figure 9, the engagement element 68 is provided on the locking device 60, in particular on the second end portion 62 of the locking device 62, while the movable jaw 81 is constrained to the containment housing 21 , e.g., to the side wall 300 of the containment housing 21. In a constructional variant, the positions of the engagement element 68 and the movable jaw 81 could be mutually reversed. In the particular embodiment in figure 9, the retaining system also comprises a fixed jaw 82 which, by cooperating with the movable jaw 81 , allows retaining the engagement element 68 constrained between the movable jaw 81 and the fixed jaw 82. Note that both jaws 81 , 82 could be movable in an alternative embodiment.

[0053] The retaining system is preferably configured so that it automatically takes the coupling operating configuration when the locking device 60 takes the locked operating position. Instead, to take the retaining system to the releasing configuration, an actuating element 72, such as a manual release lever 72, or an electromechanical actuator actuatable by a control device, such as an electronic control switch, operatively connected to the retaining system, such as by means of a cable, can be provided.

[0054] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the motorcycles 1 comprises detection means adapted to detect whether the locking device 60 is in the locked operating position or not. For example, such detection means comprise a switch 85, preferably a microswitch 85. In the example in figure 9, such a switch 85 is configured to be opened and closed by the movable jaw 81 of the retaining system. The presence of the detection means allows increasing safety of use since they prevent, or decrease the risk, that the motorcycle 1can be ridden with the rechargeable battery 30 unlocked. Instead, driving the motorcycle 1 with the rechargeable battery 30 unlocked could result in damage to the motorcycle 1 or the rechargeable battery 30 itself.

[0055] According to an advantageous embodiment, the detection means can be connected to an electronic control unit of the motorcycle 1 (e.g., to the ECU of the motorcycle 1 ), for example to prevent the motor 8 of the motorcycle 1 from being started and / or to send a danger warning to the driver. Said danger warning can be, for example, an optical and / or tactile and / or audible warning.

[0056] Based on the above explanation, it is thus possible to understand how the electric or hybrid rideable-saddle vehicle 1 of the type described above allows achieving the objects indicated above with reference to the prior art.

[0057] Without prejudice to the principle of the invention, the embodiments and the constructional details may be broadly varied with respect to the above description merely disclosed by way of a non-limiting example, without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . An electric or hybrid rideable-saddle vehicle (1 ), comprising:- a rechargeable battery (30);- an electric or hybrid traction motor (8) that can by supplied by electrical power stored in the rechargeable battery (30) to deliver a driving torque;- a housing seat (20) adapted to house at least partially the rechargeable battery (30);- at least one electrical connection cable (13) adapted to electrically connect the rechargeable battery (30) to said vehicle (1 ), wherein the electrical connection cable (13) has an end portion bearing a connection terminal (14) which is connectable to and disconnectable from the rechargeable battery (30);- a locking device (60) adapted and configured to be moved to take a locked operating position and a released operating position, wherein in the locked operating position the locking device (60) prevents the rechargeable battery (30) from being removed from the housing seat (20) and wherein in the released operating position the locking device (60) allows removing the rechargeable battery (30) from the housing seat (20); characterized in that: when the locking device (60) is in the locked operating position and when the connection terminal (14) is connected to the rechargeable battery (30), at least one section of the electrical connection cable (13) passes either over or on the locking device (60).

2. An electric or hybrid rideable-saddle vehicle (1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the locking device (60) comprises a first end portion (61 ) and a second end portion (62) opposite to each other and between which a central portion (63) of the locking device (60) is interposed, and wherein said section of the electrical connection cable (13) passes either over or on said first end portion (61 ).

3. An electric or hybrid rideable-saddle vehicle (1 ) according to claim 2, wherein the central portion (63) comprises at least one concave part facing towards the connection terminal (14) when the connection terminal (14) is connected to the rechargeable battery (30).

4. An electric or hybrid rideable-saddle vehicle (1 ) according to the claims 2 or 3, wherein the first end portion (61 ) is rotatably hinged about a rotation axis (Y2).

5. An electric or hybrid rideable-saddle vehicle (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking device (60) comprises at least one cable-guide element (65) either on or in which the aforesaid section of the electrical connection cable (13) passes.

6. An electric or hybrid rideable-saddle vehicle (1 ) according to claim 5, wherein the cableguide element (65) is configured to retain the electrical connection cable (13) connected to the locking device (60).

7. An electric or hybrid rideable-saddle vehicle (1 ) according to claim 6, wherein when the connection terminal (14) is disconnected from the rechargeable battery (30), the cableguide element (65) allows said end portion of the electrical connection cable (13) to move together with the locking device (60) between said locked and released operating positions.

8. An electric or hybrid rideable-saddle vehicle (1 ) according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the cable-guide element (65) either is or comprises a recess defined in the thickness of the locking device (60).

9. An electric or hybrid rideable-saddle vehicle (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cable-guide element (65) is integrated into the locking device (60).

10. An electric or hybrid rideable-saddle vehicle (1 ) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the locking device (60) comprises at least one locking arm (63) which extends between the first end portion (61 ) and the second end portion (62) and applies, in said locked operating position, a pushing force to the rechargeable battery (30).1 1 . An electric or hybrid rideable-saddle vehicle (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a retaining system adapted to retain the locking device (30) in the locked operating position, wherein the retaining system is actuatable to take a coupling operating configuration, in which it retains the locking device (60) in the locked operating position, and an uncoupling operating configuration, in which it allows the movement of the locking device (60) from the locked operating position to the released operating position.

12. An electric or hybrid rideable-saddle vehicle (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising detection means adapted to detect whether the locking device (60) is in the locked operating position or not.

13. A rideable-saddle vehicle according to claim 12, comprising an actuating element (72) configured to actuate said retaining system.

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