An electric or hybrid rideable-saddle vehicle

Abstract

An electric or hybrid rideable-saddle vehicle (1), comprising: - a main body (2, 3, 4) having a rideable saddle (40); - at least two wheels (6, 7) constrained to the main body (2, 3, 4); - an electric motor (8) operatively connected to, or integrated in, at least one of the two wheels (6, 7); - a rechargeable battery (30) adapted to power the electric motor (8); - a support and housing container (20) for the rechargeable battery (30) secured to the main body (2, 3, 4) and having a housing seat (21) adapted to house, at least partially, the rechargeable battery (30); - an electronic drive unit (70) of the electric motor (8); The electronic drive unit (70) of the electric motor (8) is secured by means of one or more fastening elements (25) to the support and housing container (20) outside the housing seat (21).

Description

AN ELECTRIC OR HYBRID RIDEABLE-SADDLE VEHICLE***DESCRIPTIONREFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present Patent Application claims the priority of Italian Patent Application No. 102023000009543 dated 12 / 05 / 2023, entirely incorporated herein for reference.TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to the technical field of rideable-saddle vehicles, and in particular to an electric or hybrid rideable-saddle vehicle comprising a rechargeable battery and a support and housing container for the rechargeable battery.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] With the introduction of electric or hybrid rideable-saddle vehicles, it has become necessary to house at least one rechargeable battery on board such vehicles. In such vehicles, the rechargeable battery is operatively connected to the electric system on board the vehicle and provides the electrical power required to power at least one electric motor, in addition to other electric or electronic on-board components which require the supply of electrical power for the operation thereof. 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 and replace it and / or recharge it and / or prevent it from being stolen.

[0004] As known, some types of rideable-saddle vehicles, such as motorcycles, in particular, but not exclusively two-wheeled or multi-wheeled scooters, comprise an object 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 object 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 housed inside a housing seat defined inside the object storage container.

[0005] In order for the electric motor to be powered by the rechargeable battery, it is known to provide, in electric or hybrid vehicles, an electronic drive unit for the electric motor, also referred to as an electric motor driver or controller. The electronic drive unit comprises at least one connection terminal which, when assembling the vehicle, must be electrically connectedby at least one electric cable to the electric motor. The electronic drive unit further comprises at least one connection terminal which, when assembling the vehicle, must be electrically connected by at least one further electric cable to the rechargeable battery. Moreover, during vehicle maintenance operations, it is sometimes necessary to disconnect and reconnect the aforesaid electric cables from the / to the respective connection terminals or verify the correct wiring. The electronic drive unit of the electric motor is generally secured, directly or indirectly, to the support frame of the vehicle so as to take a stable position, to prevent it from moving with respect to the vehicle during use, e.g., when the vehicle is being driven.

[0006] The choice of the space where arranging the electronic drive unit is not always simple, because the space is generally limited on board a rideable-saddle vehicle, also considering the high number of components to be installed on board the vehicle and the related wires for the operative interconnection thereof. Moreover, the electric or hybrid rideable-saddle vehicles of the prior art have a drawback since the electronic drive unit of the electric motor is generally arranged in a position which is difficult or inconvenient to access. For this reason, the wiring operations are complex both when assembling the vehicle and when maintaining it. The same applies to the operations of verifying the correct wiring.

[0007] 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 electric or hybrid vehicles of the prior art described above.

[0008] 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.

[0009] 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

[0010] In the accompanying drawings:Figure 1 is a plan side view of a non-limiting embodiment of an electric or hybrid rideable-saddle vehicle comprising a rechargeable battery and an electric motor;Figure 2 is a partial section view of the tail portion of the electric or hybrid vehicle in figure 1 , showing the rechargeable battery and an electronic drive unit of the electric motor;Figure 3 is an isometric side view of a support and housing container of the rechargeable battery, included in the vehicle in figure 1 , in which the rechargeable battery is inserted;Figure 4 is an isometric bottom view of the support and housing container in figure 3;Figure 5 is a plan side view of the support and housing container in figure 3;Figure 6 is a top plan view of the support and housing container in figure 3, in which the rechargeable battery has been removed and in which the support and housing container is shown in a first operating configuration;Figure 7 is a top plan view of the support and housing container in figure 3, in which the battery has been removed and the support and housing container is shown in a second operating configuration;Figure 8 shows an isometric view of the electronic drive unit, in which a casing for the electronic drive unit is visible, as well as a protective cap coupled to the casing;Figure 9 shows an isometric view of the electronic drive unit in figure 8, in which the protective cap is shown uncoupled from the casing;Figure 10 is an isometric view of a part of the vehicle in figure 1 , in which the rideable saddle is shown in an opening configuration, making the rechargeable battery and a rechargeable battery locking device visible, in which the locking device is shown in a locked operating position;Figure 1 1 is a partial isometric view similar to the view in figure 10, in which the locking device is shown in a released operating position;Figure 12 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the locking device in figures 10 and 11 ;Figure 13 is a partial isometric view of the locking device and the rechargeable battery, also showing a retaining system adapted to retain the locking device in the locked operating position;Figure 14 is an isometric view of a container unit comprising the support and housing container in figure 3 and an object storage container;Figure 15 is a plan side view of the container unit in figure 14.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011] Same or similar elements are indicated by the same reference signs in the accompanying drawings.

[0012] Figure 1 shows an embodiment of an electric or hybrid rideable-saddle vehicle 1 which, in the particular depicted example, 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.

[0013] Hereinafter in the present description, without introducing any limitation, reference will be made to a general motorcycle 1 , 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;- an electric motor 8, e.g., an electric traction motor, operatively connected to or integrated into at least one of the two wheels 6, 7;- - a rechargeable battery 30, e.g., a 36V or 48V battery, adapted to power the electric motor 8.

[0014] 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. For example, the electric motor 8 is a three- phase rotating electric motor.

[0015] 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.

[0016] 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 5.

[0017] 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 .

[0018] In the example, the tail part 4 comprises a rideable saddle 40, a tail fairing or tail chassis 41 , the rear wheel 7, the motor 8, a rear suspension 18.

[0019] In the particular example depicted in Figure 1 , without introducing any limitation, the motorcycle 1 is a scooter, preferably with a self-supporting chassis. A self-supporting chassis means a chassis also serving the function of supporting and structural frame of the motorcycle 1.

[0020] The motorcycle 1 further comprises a rechargeable battery 30 and a support and housing container 20 for the rechargeable battery 30 housed in the main body 2, 3, 4. The support and housing container 20 is shaped and dimensioned so that a housing seat 21 adapted to contain completely or partially the rechargeable battery 30 is defined therein. The housing seat 21 is shown in Figures 6 and 7, where, in order to make the housing seat 21 visible, the rechargeable battery 30 has been removed from the support and housing container 20. The rechargeable battery 30 can be selectively extracted from support and housing container 20 and inserted into the support and housing container 20, thus the rechargeable battery 30 is removable.

[0021] With reference to Figure 2, 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 houses therein a plurality of rechargeable cells, and optionally, a battery management system, briefly referred to as “BMS”. 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 is prismatic in shape, e.g.,it has a general polygonal shape, in particular a parallelepiped shape, e.g., a straight parallelepiped shape.

[0022] The rechargeable battery 30 conveniently comprises a gripping handle 33 which is preferably included in, or fastened 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.

[0023] Preferably, the rechargeable battery 30 is slidingly insertable into, and slidingly extractable from the housing seat 21 by translation along a sliding axis Z (Figure 2).

[0024] The support and housing container 20 of the rechargeable battery 30 is preferably arranged in the tail part 4 of the motorcycle 1 , e.g., so as to be at least partially arranged within the space defined by the tail fairing or tail chassis 41. The support and housing container 20 is preferably arranged below the saddle 40 and in particular below an object storage compartment 43 arranged below the saddle 40.

[0025] The support and housing container 20 comprises fastening means 200, 201 adapted to fasten the container 20 to the motorcycle 1 , e.g., to a structural support frame of the motorcycle 1 or to the self-supporting chassis of the motorcycle 1 . For example, the fastening means 200, 201 comprise bolts or screws 200. For example, the fastening means 200, 201 comprise one or more coupling brackets or arms 201 provided with free end portions which can be fastened to the frame or to the self-supporting chassis of the motorcycle 1 , e.g., by means of bolts or screws 200. In the particular example depicted in the figures, the support and housing container 20 comprises four coupling brackets or arms 201 arranged in twos on opposite sides to the housing seat 21. In particular, two upper arms or brackets 201 are arranged on one side and two lower arms or brackets 201 are arranged on the other side.

[0026] The housing seat 21 defined inside the support and housing container 20 extends between an insertion or removal opening 22 and an opposite bottom wall 23. The insertion or removal opening 22 is crossable by the rechargeable battery 30 when inserting the rechargeable battery 30 into the housing seat 21 and when removing it from the housing seat 21. Preferably, the housing seat 21 is delimited by the bottom wall 23 and a side wall 24 connected to the bottom wall 23. For example, the side wall 24 is a tubular wall. For example, the bottom wall 23 and the side wall 24 form a container body 23, 24 in one piece, preferably by molding a plastic material, for example ABS. According to an advantageous embodiment, the arms or brackets 201 also form a single piece with the above container body 23, 24.

[0027] The housing seat 21 preferably comprises guiding means, e.g., guides which allow directing the insertion / extraction of the rechargeable battery 30 into / from the housing seat 21. The user is thus assisted in placing the rechargeable battery 30 in the correct position in thehousing seat 21 . In detail, the housing seat 21 and / or the rechargeable battery 30 are shaped so as to prevent the rechargeable battery 30 from being mounted in an incorrect position or orientation. In particular, the housing seat 21 and the rechargeable battery 30 achieve a mutual shape coupling, defining a unique position between the housing seat 21 and the rechargeable battery 30 when the rechargeable battery 30 is inserted into the housing seat 21 .

[0028] Advantageously, the support and housing container 20 is arranged below 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 support and housing container 20 from being accessed from the outside, and an opening configuration, in which the rideable saddle 40 allows the support and housing container 20 to be accessed from the outside. The rideable saddle 40 in Figures 1 and 2 is shown in the closing configuration, while it is shown in the opening configuration in Figure 10. Instead, in Figure 11 , the rideable saddle 40 has been omitted.

[0029] 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 10 and 1 1 ) between two mutually angularly spaced apart positions, 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 .

[0030] Preferably, the motorcycle 1 comprises a locking system 36, 46 of the rideable saddle 40 (figure 10), which is operable to take a locking configuration, to lock the rideable saddle 40 in the closing configuration, and a release configuration, to allow the rideable saddle 40 to be brought from the closing configuration to the opening configuration. For example, the locking system 36, 46 of the rideable saddle 40 comprises a lock 36 having a movable hook 37, and an engagement element 46 to which the movable hook 37 is engaged when the locking system 36, 46 is in the locking configuration. For example, the lock 36 is operable by means of a key and / or a button and / or an electrical control signal. In the particular embodiment depicted in Figure 10, the engagement element 46 is provided on the rideable saddle 40 and the lock 36 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 above elements of the locking system 36, 46 could be mutually reversed.

[0031] 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 13is adapted to electrically connect the rechargeable battery 30 to the on-board electrical system of the motorcycle 1 . Hereinafter, the electrical connection cable 13 may also be referred to as the electrical cable 13.

[0032] 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 (Figure 11 ) adapted to be coupled, e.g., by insertion, 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.

[0033] 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-poles. In an alternative embodiment, it is possible that the motorcycle 1 comprises 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.

[0034] The motorcycle 1 comprises an electronic drive unit 70 of the electric motor 8. The electronic drive unit 70 is secured, by means of one or more fastening elements 25 (Figures 6 and 7) to the support and housing container 20, outside the housing seat 21 . For example, the electronic drive unit 70 comprises a casing 71 , e.g., a protective casing 71 , which is secured to the support and housing container 20. Electric and electronic components of the electronic drive unit 70 are housed inside the casing 71 .

[0035] The fastening elements 25 are configured to mutually secure the electronic drive unit 70 and the support and housing container 20 of the rechargeable battery 30 in one or more corresponding anchoring points defined on the electronic drive unit 70, in particular on the casing 71 thereof, and on the support and housing container 20, respectively. Advantageously, the fastening elements 25 are accessible from the interior of the housing seat 21 , thus facilitating the coupling and / or uncoupling between the electronic drive unit 70 and the support and housing container 20.

[0036] The fastening elements 25 are preferably removable fastening elements. For example, the fastening elements 25 comprise one or more screws or pins. For example, the fastening elements 25 comprise screws 25 which cross a container wall 20 to engage in seats included in the electronic drive unit 70, in particular in the casing 71. However, it is possible that said fastening elements 25 are of the irremovable type, such as rivets, for example.

[0037] According to an embodiment, the electronic drive unit 70, in particular the casing 71 , is directly fastened to the support and housing container 20 of the rechargeable battery 30 by means of the above fastening elements 25. According to an alternative embodiment, the above fastening is an indirect fastening and is made, for example, by means of a fixing bracket or a fixing frame operatively interposed between the electronic drive unit 70 and the support and housing container 20.

[0038] According to an advantageous embodiment, the electronic drive unit 70, in particular the casing 71 , is fastened to the bottom wall 23 of the support and housing container 20 of the rechargeable battery 30.

[0039] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the electronic drive unit 70 comprises at least one electrical connection terminal 72, 73 (Figure 9) and the support and housing container 20 of the rechargeable battery 30 comprises a through opening 27 (Figure 7), for example a through window 27, allowing access to the at least one electrical connection terminal 72, 73 from the interior of the housing seat 21 . If the electronic drive unit 70 is secured to the bottom wall 23, the above through opening 27 is defined in the bottom wall 23. According to an embodiment, the electrical connection terminal 72, 73 comprises a clamp, e.g., a screw or spring clamp.

[0040] According to an embodiment, the at least one electrical connection terminal 72, 73 comprises at least a first connection terminal 72 adapted to electrically connect the electronic drive unit 70 to the electric motor 8 and / or at least a second connection terminal 73 adapted to electrically connect the electronic drive unit 70 to the rechargeable battery 30.

[0041] In the particular non-limiting example depicted in Figures 7 and 9, the electronic drive unit 70 comprises a first plurality of connection terminals 72 (three connection terminals 72 in the example) for the connection to the electric motor 8 and a second plurality of connection terminals 73 (two connection terminals 73 in the example) for the connection to the rechargeable battery 30. Figure 7 further illustrates a first plurality of electric cables 82, operatively connected to the first plurality of connection terminals 72, and a second plurality of electric cables 83, operatively connected to the second plurality of connection terminals 73.

[0042] According to an advantageous embodiment, by means of the first plurality of connection terminals 72 (and by means of the electric cables 82) the electronic drive unit 70 provides the electric motor 8 with a drive current (e.g., three-phase current) and by means of the second plurality of connection terminals 73 (and by means of the electric cables 83) the electronic drive unit 70 receives a continuous supply voltage, e.g., a continuous supply voltage at 36V or 48V, from the rechargeable battery 30. The electronic drive unit 70 preferably comprises an inverter which outputs the drive current of the electric motor 8.

[0043] According to an embodiment, the first plurality of electric cables 82 passes through an electric connection cable 180 (e.g., a multi-pole cable) which operatively connects theelectronic drive unit 70 to the electric motor 7. The second plurality of electric cables 83 passes through the electric connection cable 13 described above.

[0044] According to an advantageous embodiment, the electronic drive unit 70 is included or integrated into a vehicle control unit of the motorcycle 1 . The vehicle control unit is also referred to as VCU, an acronym of Vehicle Control Unit, or EV-VCU, an acronym of Electric Vehicle - Control Unit. This means that the vehicle control unit is also housed in the casing 71 and is therefore secured to the support and housing container 20 of the rechargeable battery 30. A VCU or EV-VCU is a control unit that, in an electric or hybrid vehicle, besides performing the specific drive functionality of the electric motor 8, presides or takes part in several functionalities of the electric system on board the vehicle, for example safety functionalities, optical signaling functionalities, control interface management, processing signals provided by sensors on board the vehicle, etc. Moreover, a DC-DC converter can also be included in the casing 71 , configured to derive a continuous supply voltage having a relatively low value (e.g., a voltage at 14V) starting from the continuous supply voltage provided by the rechargeable battery 30, to power electronic or electrical components or devices of the motorcycle 1 which require, for the operation thereof, a lower voltage value than the typical values (e.g., 36V or 48V) provided by a rechargeable battery 30 on board an electric or hybrid vehicle for powering the electric motor 8.

[0045] According to an advantageous embodiment, the electronic drive unit 70 comprises a multi-pole electrical connector 95 which allows connecting the electronic drive unit 70, or the VCU, to other electronic components of the motorcycle 1 , such as sensors, control devices, actuators, optical or acoustic signaling devices, lighting devices, for example. For example, by means of such a multi-pole electrical connector 95, the electronic drive unit 70 receives a driving torque request signal to drive the electric motor 8 accordingly. The multi-pole electrical connector 95 is conveniently arranged on a face of the casing 71 , which is a side face, for example, different from the face on which the at least one electrical connection terminal 72, 73 is arranged, which is an upper face, for example.

[0046] According to an advantageous embodiment, the support and housing container 20 comprises a closing element 28 (Figure 6), such as a lid 28, for example, which allows removably occluding the through opening 27. For example, the above closing element 28 is a plate-like cover. In the particular example depicted in the figures, the closing element 28 is a removable element, in particular a panel, adapted to be secured to the support and housing container 20 and in particular to the bottom wall 23, to close the through opening 27 and prevent access to the electrical connection terminal 72, 73 when secured to the container 20 and adapted to allow access to the electrical connection terminal 72, 73 when detached from the container 20. For example, the closing element 28 is adapted to be secured to the support and housing container 20, in particular to the bottom wall 23, by removable fastening means,such as one or more screws 29, for example. In alternative embodiments, the closing element 28 is a movable element constrained to the support and housing container 20, for example slidingly or rotatably constrained, and movable between two positions, in which it allows or prevents access to the electrical connection terminal 72, 73, respectively.

[0047] Referring now to Figures 8 and 9, according to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the electronic drive unit 70 comprises a protective cap 75 removably couplable to the casing 71 . In Figure 8 the protective cap 75 is shown coupled to the casing 71 , while in Figure 9 the protective cap 75 is shown uncoupled from the casing 72. Preferably, the protective cap 75 is coupled to the casing by means of one or more coupling elements 76, e.g., snap-lock coupling elements. Advantageously, the protective cap 75 can be coupled to and uncoupled from the casing 71 , operating inside the housing seat 21 , e.g., through the through opening 27, after removing the possible covering element 28.

[0048] The protective cap 75 allows protecting the at least one electrical connection terminal from contact with external agents, such as water, humidity and dust, and is a protective cap, for example, configured to be sealably coupled to the casing 71 so as to occlude and protect a housing seat 77 defined on or in the casing 71 and in which the at least one electrical connection terminal 72, 73 is housed.

[0049] The motorcycle 1 further comprises a locking device 60 adapted to lock the rechargeable battery 30 in the housing seat 21. According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the locking system 60 is secured, e.g., rotatably hinged, to the support and housing container 20. The locking device 60 is adapted and configured to be moved, preferably manually, by a user in order to take a locked operating position and a released operating position. In the locked operating position, depicted in Figures 3-5 and 10, the locking device 60 prevents the removal of the rechargeable battery 30 from the housing seat 21. Instead, in the released operating position, depicted in Figures 6, 7 and 1 1 , the locking device 60 allows the removal, in particular the extraction, of the rechargeable battery 30 from the housing seat 21.

[0050] As shown, for example, in Figure 10, 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 segment 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 bringing 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.

[0051] 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. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the first end portion 61 is rotatably hinged to the support and housing container 20, e.g., at one side of the insertion or removal opening 22.

[0052] Advantageously, the above segment 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. For example, such a rotation axis Y2 is an axis of a cylindrical hinge.

[0053] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the locking device 60 comprises at least one cable-guide element 65 either on or in which the above segment of the electrical connection cable 13 passes. For the purposes of the present description, cable-guide element 65 generally means an element configured to apply an action which conditions the positioning and / or movement of the electrical cable 13.

[0054] 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.

[0055] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, when the electrical connection terminal 14 of the electrical connection cable 13 is disconnected from the rechargeable 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 30, the locking device 60 can comprise a corresponding number of cable-guide elements 65.

[0056] 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 Figure 12, the cable-guide element 65 either is, or comprises a recess defined in the thickness of the locking device 60, in which a segment 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 segment of the electrical connection cable 13 runs.

[0057] It is thus 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 segment of electrical cable 13 passing 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 segment 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 segment of electrical cable 13 can be forcibly inserted and locked, e.g., by shapeinterference, without the possibility for the aforesaid segment of the electrical cable 13 to freely run into the cable-guide element 65. In a third embodiment, the cable-guide element 65 is a cable-guide element, in which the segment of the electrical cable 13 can be inserted and in which the segment of the electrical cable 13 is free to run.

[0058] 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 .

[0059] 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 the one placed furthest from the rotation axis Y1 when the locking device 60 is in the locked operating position.

[0060] Preferably, the locking device 60 comprises at least one locking arm 63 extending between the first end portion 61 and the second end portion 62. Therefore, 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, eliminating possible vibrations, noise, and jerking of the rechargeable battery 30 during use, for example when riding, the motorcycle 1 .

[0061] According to an advantageous, non-limiting embodiment, the locking device 60 comprises two locking arms 63 joined together by the first end portion 61 on one side and by the second end portion 62 on another side.

[0062] 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 houses 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 above recess or through-opening 64 extends into the locking arm 63 or between the locking arms 63.

[0063] With reference to Figure 13, according to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the motorcycle 1 comprises a retaining system adapted to retain the locking device 60 in the locked operating position. The retaining system is operable 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.

[0064] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the retaining system is secured to the support and housing container 20 of the rechargeable battery 30. Preferably, the retaining system comprises a lock, e.g., 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 depicted in Figure 11 , 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 11 , 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 in an alternative embodiment both jaws 81 , 82 could be movable.

[0065] 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 (Figure 2) can be provided, such as a manual release lever 72, or an electromechanical actuator operable by a control device, such as an electronic control switch, operatively connected to the retaining system, for example by means of a cable.

[0066] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the motorcycle 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 1 1 , 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 of the motorcycle 1 being ridden with the rechargeable battery 30 unlocked. Whereas, riding the motorcycle 1 with the rechargeable battery 30 unlocked could damage the motorcycle 1 or the rechargeable battery 30.

[0067] According to an advantageous embodiment, the detection means can be connected to an electronic control unit of the motorcycle 1 (e.g., to the VCU or EV-VCU of the motorcycle 1 ), for example to prevent the electric 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.

[0068] The motorcycle 1 comprises an object storage container 90, e.g., a helmet storage container 90, arranged between the support and housing container 20 and the rideable saddle 40. The object storage container 90 is delimited at the top by an upper access opening 93. Inthe closing configuration, the rideable saddle 40 reversibly occludes the upper access opening 93 of the object storage container 90.

[0069] A through opening 94 is defined at the bottom of the object storage container 90, allowing access to the housing seat 21 of the rechargeable battery 30, defined in the support and housing container 20. Such a through opening 94 faces the insertion or removal opening 22 of the support and housing container 20. The object storage compartment 43 is defined inside the object storage container 90, which is a helmet storage compartment, for example. Therefore, the rechargeable battery 30 is insertable into, or extractable from the housing seat 21 by crossing the object storage compartment 43, through the through opening 94.

[0070] According to an advantageous embodiment, the object storage container 90 extends between a lower wall 91 and an upper wall 92. The lower wall 91 rests on the support and housing container 20 of the rechargeable battery 30 and preferably the upper wall 92 rests on the tail portion 4 of the motorcycle 1 , e.g., on the tail chassis 41 . Advantageously, the through opening 94 is defined in the lower wall 91 of the object storage container 90.

[0071] The assembly formed by the support and housing container 20 of the rechargeable battery 30 and by the object storage container 90 defines a container unit 30, 90 which is adapted and configured to house the rechargeable battery 30 and possibly one or more objects, such as one or more helmets, for example.

[0072] 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.

[0073] Without prejudice to the principle of the invention, the embodiments and the constructional details may widely vary with respect to the above description, disclosed merely by way of 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 main body (2, 3, 4) having a rideable saddle (40);- at least two wheels (6, 7) constrained to the main body (2, 3, 4);- an electric motor (8) operatively connected to, or integrated in, at least one of the two wheels (6, 7);- a rechargeable battery (30) adapted to power the electric motor (8);- a support and housing container (20) for the rechargeable battery (30) secured to the main body (2, 3, 4) and having a housing seat (21 ) adapted to house, at least partially, the rechargeable battery (30);- an electronic drive unit (70) of the electric motor (8) secured, by means of one or more fastening elements (25) to the support and housing container (20) outside the housing seat (21 ); wherein:- said vehicle (100) comprises an object storage container (90), arranged between the support and housing container (20) and the rideable saddle (40), wherein a through opening (94) is defined at the bottom of the object storage container (90), which allows access to the housing seat (21 ) of the rechargeable battery (30) defined in the support and housing container (20);- said through opening (94) faces an insertion or removal opening (22) of the support and housing container (20);- the rechargeable battery (30) is insertable into, or extractable from the housing seat (21 ) by crossing an object storage compartment (43) defined in the object storage container (90).

2. An electric or hybrid rideable saddle vehicle (1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the object storage container (90) extends between a lower wall (91 ) and an upper wall (92) and wherein the lower wall (91 ) rests on the support and housing container (20) of the rechargeable battery (30).

3. An electric or hybrid rideable-saddle vehicle (1 ) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the electronic drive unit (70) comprises a casing (71 ) which is secured to the support and housing container (20).

4. An electric or hybrid rideable-saddle vehicle (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fastening elements (25) are configured to mutually secure the electronic drive unit (70) and the support and housing container (20) of the rechargeable battery (30) in one or more corresponding anchoring points defined on the electronic drive unit (70) and the support and housing container (20), respectively.

5. An electric or hybrid rideable-saddle vehicle (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support and housing container (20) comprises a side wall and a bottom wall (23) and wherein the electronic drive unit (70) is secured to the bottom wall (23) of the support and housing container (20).

6. An electric or hybrid rideable-saddle vehicle (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electronic drive unit (70) comprises at least one electrical connection terminal (72, 73) and the support and housing container (20) of the rechargeable battery (30) comprises a through opening (27) which allows accessing the at least one electrical connection terminal (72, 73) from the interior of the housing seat (21 ).

7. An electric or hybrid rideable-saddle vehicle (1 ) according to claims 5 and 6, wherein the through opening (27) of the support and housing container (20) is defined in the bottom wall (23).

8. An electric or hybrid rideable-saddle vehicle (1 ) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the support and housing container (20) comprises a closing element (28) adapted to removably occlude the through opening (27) of the support and housing container (20).

9. An electric or hybrid rideable-saddle vehicle (1 ) according to claim 8, wherein the closing element (28) is a removable element adapted to be removably secured to the support and housing container (20) for closing the through opening (27) of the support and housing container (20) and preventing access to the electrical connection terminal (72).

10. An electric or hybrid rideable-saddle vehicle (1 ) according to claim 8, wherein the closing element (28) is a movable element constrained to the support and housing container (20), for example slidingly or rotatably constrained, and it is movable between two positions, in which it allows or prevents access to the electrical connection terminal (72), respectively.1 1 . An electric or hybrid rideable-saddle vehicle (1 ) according to any one of claims 6 to 10, wherein the at least one electrical connection terminal (72, 73) comprises at least a first connection terminal (72) adapted to electrically connect the electronic drive unit (70) to the electric motor (8) and / or at least a second connection terminal (73) adapted to electrically connect the electronic drive unit (70) to the rechargeable battery (30).

12. An electric or hybrid rideable-saddle vehicle (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising 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 (21 ), and wherein, in the released operatingposition, the locking device (60) allows the rechargeable battery (30) to be removed from the housing seat (21 ).

13. An electric or hybrid rideable-saddle vehicle (1 ) according to claim 12, comprising a retaining system adapted to retain the locking device (60) in the locked operating position, where 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.

14. An electric or hybrid rideable-saddle vehicle (1 ) according to claim 13, wherein said retaining system is secured to the support and housing container (20).

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