Small-sized electric vehicle

Abstract

To provide a small-sized electric vehicle capable of loading more.SOLUTION: A small-sized electric vehicle 1 which comprises seats 5 where passengers are seated has a flat floor part 2 which is formed integrally of a flat plate-shaped floor panel 21 extending in a vehicle front-rear direction, and the floor part 2 includes a front part 2a which is located in the front in the vehicle front-rear direction, a rear part 2c which is located in the rear in the vehicle front-rear direction, and an intermediate part 2b which is located between the front part 2a and the rear part 2c. A battery mount part 7 loaded with a battery 71 is installed on the front part 2a. The seat 5 is arranged above the intermediate part 2b. A load mount space S is formed of a first space S1 between a top surface of the intermediate part 2b and a lower surface of the seat 5 and a second space S2 above the rear part 2c.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a small electric vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, small electric vehicles used as a means of transportation for traveling short distances have been known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a small electric vehicle in which a battery, a controller, etc. are housed inside a rear cover below a seat on which a passenger sits, and a carrier case used as a storage compartment is installed in front of a leg shield at the front of the vehicle. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2007-82885 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, since the dimensions of the small electric vehicle disclosed in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 are determined by standards, if a storage carrier case is installed at the front of the vehicle, it is difficult to increase the capacity of the carrier case. Therefore, there is a problem that a large amount of luggage cannot be carried on the small electric vehicle.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a small electric vehicle capable of carrying a larger amount of luggage. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, a small electric vehicle is provided with a seat for an occupant to sit on, and has a flat floor portion formed integrally with a flat floor panel extending in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle, the floor portion including a front portion located forward in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle, a rear portion located rearward in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle, and an intermediate portion located between the front portion and the rear portion, a battery mounting portion for mounting a battery is installed on the front portion, the seat is disposed above the intermediate portion, and a luggage mounting space is formed by a first space between an upper surface of the intermediate portion and a lower surface of the seat, and a second space above the rear portion. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, a small electric vehicle can carry more luggage. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side view of a small electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the small electric vehicle shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the small electric vehicle shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] A small electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Figures 1 to 3 are a side view, a front perspective view, and a rear perspective view of a small electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the drawings, the arrow Fr indicates the front in the vehicle longitudinal direction, the arrow Up indicates the upward direction in the vehicle vertical direction, and the arrow W indicates the vehicle width direction.

[0010] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, a small electric vehicle 1 according to this embodiment includes a floor section 2, a pair of left and right front wheels 3 arranged in a front section of the floor section 2, and a pair of left and right rear wheels 4 arranged in a rear section of the floor section 2. The small electric vehicle 1 further includes a seat 5 on which a passenger sits, and a handlebar 6 operated by the passenger. The seat 5 is arranged in front of the rear wheels 4.

[0011] The floor section 2 is integrally formed by a flat floor panel 21 extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and the upper surface of the floor section 2 is configured as a flat base so as to be usable as a footrest for passengers and / or a luggage carrying space S described later. The floor panel 21 extends in a substantially horizontal direction with the vehicle longitudinal direction as the longitudinal direction. The floor panel 21 is formed of a rigid material such as metal, and is supported from below by the vehicle body frame 8 that constitutes the vehicle body. Although the floor panel 21 is an overall flat member, the floor panel 21 may be provided with ribs as reinforcing members.

[0012] As shown by the imaginary line (two-dot chain line) in Fig. 3, the floor section 2 includes a front section 2a located forward in the vehicle front-rear direction, a rear section 2c located rearward in the vehicle front-rear direction, and an intermediate section 2b located between the front section 2a and the rear section 2c. The floor section 2 is formed such that the rear side is narrower than the front side as a whole. Specifically, the width of the rear section 2c in the vehicle width direction is equal to or smaller than the widths of the front section 2a and the intermediate section 2b in the vehicle width direction.

[0013] The middle portion 2b of the floor portion 2 further has a first portion 2b1 located forward in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and a second portion 2b2 located rearward of the first portion 2b1. The width of the first portion 2b1 of the middle portion 2b in the vehicle width direction is substantially constant, but the rear end portion of the first portion 2b1 is formed so that the width gradually decreases toward the rear of the vehicle. The width of the second portion 2b2 of the middle portion 2b in the vehicle width direction is smaller than the width of the first portion 2b1. The rear portion 2c is continuous with the second portion 2b2 of the middle portion 2b, and the width of the rear portion 2c in the vehicle width direction is substantially the same as the width of the second portion 2b2 of the middle portion 2b.

[0014] In the following description, the small electric vehicle 1 is divided into a front region 1a, a middle region 1b, and a rear region 1c, which correspond to a front portion 2a, a middle portion 2b, and a rear portion 2c of the floor portion 2.

[0015] The front wheels 3, a handlebar 6, a battery mounting unit 7, etc. are provided in the front area 1a of the small electric vehicle 1. The small electric vehicle 1 is, for example, a front-wheel drive vehicle, and an electric motor (not shown) that drives the front wheels 3 can also be provided in the front area 1a. In this way, large components such as the battery mounting unit 7 are concentrated in the front area 1a of the small electric vehicle 1. The floor section 2 is integrally formed by the flat floor panel 21, so that rigidity can be ensured even if the battery mounting unit 7, etc. are concentrated in the front area 2a.

[0016] The battery mounting section 7 is installed on the front section 2a of the floor section 2, and is configured to detachably accommodate a battery 71. The battery mounting section 7 defines a battery accommodation space by a front wall 7a on the vehicle front side, a rear wall 7b on the vehicle rear side, and left and right side walls 7c, 7d. An opening, for example, of a rectangular shape, is formed in the upper portion of the battery mounting section 7, and the battery 71 can be inserted into the battery accommodation space in the battery mounting section 7 through this opening. The battery 71 is, for example, a replaceable storage battery, and by storing a charged battery 71 in the battery mounting section 7, it becomes possible to supply power to an electric motor (not shown).

[0017] A footrest 72 on which an occupant seated on the seat 5 can place his / her feet is provided on the left and right side walls 7c, 7d of the battery mounting section 7. The footrest 72 is formed to protrude outward in the vehicle width direction from the side walls 7c, 7d of the battery mounting section 7, i.e., from both side surfaces of the battery mounting section 7. The footrest 72 is configured so that the front side is inclined upward so that the occupant can comfortably place his / her feet on it.

[0018] The handlebars 6 are configured to be gripped and operated by a rider. The handlebars 6 may be flat handlebars such as those used in electric kick scooters. The handlebars 6 are connected to the upper end of a steering shaft 62 rotatably supported by a steering frame 61. The lower end of the steering shaft 62 is connected to the front wheel 3 via a steering mechanism (not shown) including a rack-and-pinion mechanism, etc., and the front wheel 3 is steered left and right in response to the operation of the handlebars 6. The front wheel 3 is rotatably supported by a suspension mechanism 31, and the upper part of the front wheel 3 is covered by a front fender 32.

[0019] An accelerator operation unit 63, such as an accelerator grip or an accelerator lever, and a brake lever 64 are provided on the handlebars 6. The driver can adjust the speed of the small electric vehicle 1 by operating the accelerator operation unit 63 and the brake lever 64. The maximum speed of the small electric vehicle 1 is limited to 20 km / h.

[0020] A headlamp 65 and a holder 66 are provided in front of the steering frame 61. The holder 66 is configured so that an attachment such as a carrier case can be attached. The battery mounting section 7 is located on the vehicle rear side of the steering frame 61.

[0021] A seat 5 is disposed in the intermediate region 1b of the small electric vehicle 1. Specifically, the seat 5 is disposed above the intermediate portion 2b of the floor portion 2. The seat 5 is configured by covering a seat cushion with a seat cover. The seat 5 is formed, for example, in a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from above the vehicle, and is supported by a seat support frame 51.

[0022] The seat support frame 51 is formed, for example, from a metal round pipe and has a pair of legs 51a and a connecting portion 51b that connects upper ends of the pair of legs 51a to each other and supports the seat 5 from below. The seat support frame 51 is formed in a gate shape as a whole when viewed from the vehicle front-rear direction.

[0023] The pair of legs 51a extend upward from both ends of the second portion 2b2 of the intermediate portion 2b in the vehicle width direction. The lower ends of the pair of legs 51a are fixed to both ends of the second portion 2b2 in the vehicle width direction. The pair of legs 51a may extend from the lower ends upward of the vehicle and obliquely toward the front side of the vehicle and the inside in the vehicle width direction. The front end of the connecting portion 51b is connected to the upper end of the leg 51a. The connecting portion 51b extends from the front end to the rear side, and then bends and extends toward the inside in the vehicle width direction, and is formed in a U-shape that opens forward. That is, the connecting portion 51b is bent corresponding to both side surfaces (short sides) and the rear surface (rear long side) of the seat 5. The upper portions of the pair of legs 51a may be connected by a reinforcing portion 51c to reinforce the seat support frame 51.

[0024] The rear wheels 4 are disposed in the rear region 1c of the small electric vehicle 1. Specifically, the rear portion 2c of the floor portion 2 is provided between the pair of left and right rear wheels 4. Since the width of the rear portion 2c, i.e., the length in the vehicle width direction, is smaller than the first portion 2b1 of the intermediate portion 2b, even if the rear wheels 4 are disposed on both sides of the rear portion 2c, the rear wheels 4 do not protrude significantly outward in the vehicle width direction. The upper part of the rear wheels 4 and the inner side in the vehicle width direction are covered by a rear cover 41 including a rear fender. A blinker 42 can be installed at the rear of the rear cover 41.

[0025] The body frame 8, which supports the floor panel 21 from below, is formed, for example, from a metal round pipe and extends in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. A front end 8a and a rear end 8b of the body frame 8 in the front-rear direction of the vehicle and both ends 8c in the vehicle width direction are bent so as to extend upward. The rear end 8b of the body frame 8 extends upward along the rear end of the rear portion 2c of the floor portion 2 and is a protruding portion that protrudes from the upper surface of the rear portion 2c. A reflector 82 may be provided on the rear end 8b of the body frame 8.

[0026] Auxiliary equipment 81 of the small electric vehicle 1 is disposed below the floor panel 21. Here, the auxiliary equipment 81 includes, for example, a controller that controls the overall operation of the small electric vehicle 1, and a sub-battery. The body frame 8 extends in the front-rear direction of the vehicle and supports the floor panel 21 and the auxiliary equipment 81 from below. This allows the body frame 8 to protect the auxiliary equipment 81 from impacts input from below the small electric vehicle 1. In addition, both end portions 8c of the body frame 8 can protect the auxiliary equipment 81 from impacts input from the sides of the small electric vehicle 1.

[0027] As described above, in the small electric vehicle 1 according to this embodiment, the battery mounting section 7 is installed on the front section 2a of the floor section 2, but nothing is installed on the middle section 2b and the rear section 2c, leaving a large space that can be effectively utilized. Therefore, in the small electric vehicle 1 according to this embodiment, this space is used as a luggage carrying space S. Since the floor section 2 is integrally formed by the flat floor panel 21, it is possible to ensure the rigidity of the luggage carrying space S when luggage is loaded therein.

[0028] Specifically, the luggage mounting space S includes a first space S1 between the upper surface of the middle portion 2b of the floor portion 2 and the lower surface of the seat 5, and a second space S2 above the rear portion 2c, as shown by a virtual line (two-dot chain line) in FIG. 1. The luggage mounting space S extends from the front end of the middle portion 2b of the floor portion 2 to the rear end of the rear portion 2c. That is, the length of the luggage mounting space S in the vehicle front-rear direction is defined by the rear wall (rear end) 7b of the battery mounting portion 7 and the rear end portion 8b of the body frame 8. The rear wall 7b of the battery mounting portion 7 functions as a front stopper that prevents luggage mounted in the luggage mounting space S from moving toward the front side of the vehicle, and the rear end portion 8b of the body frame 8 can function as a rear stopper that prevents luggage mounted in the luggage mounting space S from falling from the floor portion 2 toward the rear side of the vehicle.

[0029] In addition, the width of the second space S2 of the luggage loading space S in the vehicle width direction is defined by the rear cover 41 of the rear wheel 4. The rear cover 41 and the leg portion 51a of the seat support frame 51 can function as a side stopper that prevents luggage loaded in the luggage loading space S from falling from the floor portion 2 to the side of the vehicle.

[0030] In this embodiment, the seat 5 is disposed at a relatively high position so as to secure the maximum luggage carrying space S. The height from the upper surface of the intermediate portion 2b of the floor portion 2 to the lower surface of the seat 5 can be set appropriately taking into consideration the stability of the small electric vehicle 1, the riding comfort and sense of security of the passenger seated in the seat 5, and the like, and can be, for example, 40 cm or more.

[0031] The small electric vehicle 1 according to the present embodiment described above can achieve the following advantageous effects.

[0032] (1) A small electric vehicle 1 equipped with a seat 5 on which an occupant sits has a flat floor section 2 formed integrally with a flat floor panel 21 extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction. The floor section 2 includes a front section 2a located forward in the vehicle longitudinal direction, a rear section 2c located rearward in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and an intermediate section 2b located between the front section 2a and the rear section 2c. A battery mounting section 7 mounting a battery 71 is installed on the front section 2a, and a seat 5 is disposed above the intermediate section 2b. A luggage mounting space S is formed by a first space S1 between an upper surface of the intermediate section 2b and a lower surface of the seat 5, and a second space S2 above the rear section 2c.

[0033] Since the middle part 2b and the upper part of the rear part 2c of the flat floor part 2 formed integrally with the floor panel 21 are used as the luggage carrying space S, the luggage carrying space S can be expanded not only below and behind the seat 5 but also to the front of the seat 5. The small electric vehicle 1 according to this embodiment can carry more luggage than a small electric vehicle configured, for example, with a battery mounting part installed below the seat. The battery 71 is a heavy object, and depending on the position of the battery mounting part 7, it may be necessary to increase the size of the vehicle in order to ensure the weight balance in the front-rear direction of the vehicle and the rigidity of the vehicle body. However, by forming the floor part 2 integrally with the flat floor panel 21, the rigidity of the floor part 2 is ensured, and the rigidity of the battery mounting part 7 and the luggage carrying space S can be ensured while suppressing the increase in size of the vehicle.

[0034] (2) The battery mounting unit 7 is disposed in the center of the front portion 2a in the vehicle width direction, and footrests 72 are provided on both side walls 7c, 7d, i.e., both sides, of the battery mounting unit 7. An occupant can place his / her feet on the footrests 72 instead of placing his / her feet on the floor portion 2 in front of the seat 5. By providing the footrests 72 on the side walls 7c, 7d of the battery mounting unit 7 disposed in the front portion 2a, the luggage mounting space S on the floor portion 2 can be expanded, making it possible to carry more luggage.

[0035] (3) The rear portion 2c of the floor portion 2 is provided between the pair of left and right rear wheels 4, and the seat 5 is located in front of the rear wheels 4 in the vehicle front-rear direction. This allows the space S2 above the rear portion 2c between the pair of rear wheels 4 to be secured as a luggage carrying space S, making it possible to carry more luggage.

[0036] (4) The small electric vehicle 1 further includes auxiliary equipment 81 arranged below the floor panel 21, and a body frame 8 that supports the floor panel 21 and the auxiliary equipment 81 from below. By arranging the auxiliary equipment 81, including the controller and the sub-battery, below the floor panel 21, the space above the floor panel 21 can be used as luggage carrying space S.

[0037] (5) The body frame 8 has a rear end (protruding portion) 8b that extends upward along the rear end of the rear portion 2c of the floor section 2 and protrudes from the upper surface of the rear portion 2c, and the length of the luggage loading space S in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle is defined by the rear wall (rear end) 7b of the battery mounting section 7 and the rear end 8b of the body frame 8. This makes it possible to use the area from the rear end of the front portion 2a of the floor section 2, i.e., the front end of the middle portion 2b, to the rear end of the rear portion 2c as the luggage loading space S.

[0038] (6) The middle part 2b of the floor part 2 has a first part 2b1 located forward in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and a second part 2b2 located rearward of the first part 2b1 and having a smaller width in the vehicle width direction than the first part 2b1, and the width in the vehicle width direction of the rear part 2c is substantially the same as the width in the vehicle width direction of the second part 2b2 of the middle part 2b. Since the width of the rear part 2c is smaller than the width of the first part 2b1 of the middle part 2b, the rear wheel 4 provided on the side of the rear part 2c does not protrude significantly outward in the vehicle width direction. This allows the width of the small electric vehicle 1 to be compact.

[0039] (7) The small electric vehicle 1 further includes a seat support frame 51 that supports the seat 5. The seat support frame 51 has a pair of legs 51a extending upward from both ends of the second portion 2b2 of the intermediate portion 2b in the vehicle width direction, and a connecting portion 51b that connects upper ends of the pair of legs 51a to each other and supports the seat 5 from below. By supporting the seat 5 with the seat support frame 51 extending upward from both ends of the intermediate portion 2b in the vehicle width direction, it becomes possible to use the entire area above the intermediate portion 2b and below the seat 5 as luggage carrying space S.

[0040] -Variations- (1) In the above embodiment, a four-wheeled small electric vehicle 1 having a pair of front wheels 3 and a pair of rear wheels 4 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this and the small electric vehicle 1 may have three wheels. For example, the small electric vehicle 1 may be configured to have one front wheel 3 and a pair of rear wheels 4. In this case, the space above the rear portion 2c between the pair of rear wheels 4 can be effectively used as a luggage carrying space S.

[0041] (2) In the above-described embodiment, the rear side of the floor portion 2 is formed narrower than the front side. However, this is not limited to this, and the width of the floor portion 2 in the vehicle width direction may be formed constant from the front side to the rear side. As a result, the rear wheels 4 arranged on the sides of the rear portion 2c of the floor portion 2 protrude slightly outward in the vehicle width direction, but the space S2 above the rear portion 2c that can be used as the luggage carrying space S can be expanded.

[0042] (3) In the above-described embodiment, the footrest 72 is provided on both side walls 7c, 7d of the battery mounting portion 7, but the position of the footrest 72 is not limited to this. For example, the footrest 72 may be provided on the floor portion 2 or on the front fender 32.

[0043] (4) The shape of the seat 5 is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the seat 5 may be formed into a substantially circular or triangular shape when viewed from above the vehicle. The seat 5 may also be provided with a seat back. The shape of the seat support frame 51 that supports the seat 5 is also not limited to the above embodiment, and may be any shape that can stably support the seat 5.

[0044] (5) The handle 6 is not limited to a flat handle as in the above-described embodiment, and may be in the form of, for example, a steering wheel or a joystick.

[0045] (6) The battery 71 is not limited to a replaceable battery that can be attached and detached to the battery mounting section 7. For example, a non-removable battery can be used as long as it can be installed in the front section 2a of the floor section 2 to maximize the luggage carrying space S.

[0046] (7) The small electric vehicle 1 is not limited to the front-wheel drive type described above, and may be a rear-wheel drive type or an all-wheel drive type vehicle.

[0047] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and changes are possible based on the technical concept of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 1. Small electric vehicles 2 Floor part, 2a Front part, 2b Middle part, 2b1 1st part, 2b2 2nd part, 2c Rear part 3 Front wheel 4 Rear Wheel 5 Sheets 7 Battery mounting area, 7b rear wall (rear end), 7c, 7d side wall (side) 8 Body frame, 8b Rear end (protruding part) 21 Floor Panel 51 seat support frame, 51a leg portion, 51b connecting portion 71 Battery 72 Footrest 81 Auxiliary equipment

Claims

1. A small electric vehicle equipped with a seat for a passenger, The vehicle has a flat floor portion that is integrally formed by a flat floor panel that extends in the vehicle front-rear direction, the floor portion includes a front portion located forward in the vehicle front-rear direction, a rear portion located rearward in the vehicle front-rear direction, and an intermediate portion located between the front portion and the rear portion, A battery mounting section for mounting a battery is provided on the front section, The sheet is disposed above the intermediate portion, A small electric vehicle, wherein a luggage carrying space is formed by a first space between an upper surface of the middle portion and a lower surface of the seat, and a second space above the rear portion.

2. the battery mounting portion is disposed at a center portion in a vehicle width direction of the front portion, 2. The small electric vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising footrests provided on both sides of the battery mounting portion.

3. The rear portion is provided between a pair of left and right rear wheels, The small electric vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the seat is located in front of the rear wheels in the vehicle front-rear direction.

4. Auxiliary equipment arranged below the floor panel; a vehicle body frame that supports the floor panel and the auxiliary devices from below; The small electric vehicle according to claim 1 , further comprising:

5. the vehicle body frame has a protrusion extending upward along a rear end of the rear portion and protruding from an upper surface of the rear portion, The small electric vehicle according to claim 4 , wherein a length of the luggage mounting space in the front-rear direction of the vehicle is defined by a rear end of the battery mounting portion and the protruding portion.

6. the intermediate portion has a first portion located forward in the vehicle front-rear direction and a second portion located rearward of the first portion and having a smaller width in the vehicle width direction than the first portion, The small electric vehicle according to claim 3 , wherein a width of the rear portion in the vehicle width direction is substantially the same as a width of the second portion of the middle portion in the vehicle width direction.

7. A seat support frame for supporting the seat is further provided, 7. The small electric vehicle according to claim 6, wherein the seat support frame has a pair of legs extending upward from both ends in a vehicle width direction of the second portion of the intermediate portion, and a connecting portion connecting upper ends of the pair of legs to each other to support the seat from below.

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