Small electric vehicle

Abstract

To provide a small electric vehicle in which convenience of a loading platform can be improved.SOLUTION: A small electric vehicle 1 comprises: a loading platform 5 arranged on a rear side of a seat 4 and above rear wheels 3; a loading platform upper frame 7 which is arranged above the loading platform 5 and extends along a side edge of the loading platform 5; and a side wall member 81 detachably fitted to the loading platform upper frame 7. The side wall member 81 has a flat surface FL and is fitted to the loading platform upper frame 7 in any of a vertically placed state in which the flat surface FL faces an inside in a vehicle width direction, and a laterally placed state in which the flat surface FL faces an upper side of the vehicle, and in the laterally placed state, an article can be mounted on the flat surface FL.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 short distances have been known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an electric vehicle with a compact layout in which a luggage carrier is provided behind a seat provided in the approximate center of the vehicle body. The luggage carrier of this electric vehicle is mounted and supported on a luggage carrier support frame connected to the main frame of the vehicle body. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2004-182214 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In recent years, with the growing trend towards outdoor activities, the number of occasions where people travel by vehicle such as an automobile and spend time outdoors is increasing. In such outdoor situations, tables used for meals, etc. are generally loaded onto the loading platform of the vehicle and transported, and then unloaded from the loading platform and assembled at the site. Conventional small electric vehicles equipped with the loading platform as described above are also suitable for use in the above outdoor situations. However, every time the table is used, it is necessary to unload the table from the loading platform and assemble it, which is a cumbersome task. In addition, when the table is used near the vehicle, a space required for loading and unloading and assembling the table must be secured around the vehicle. Thus, conventional small electric vehicles have room for improvement in terms of the convenience of the loading platform.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and has an object to provide a small electric vehicle that can improve the convenience of the loading platform. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, one aspect of the present invention provides a small electric vehicle with a loading platform located behind a seat on which an occupant sits and above a rear wheel. This small electric vehicle includes a frame member located above the loading platform and extending along a side edge of the loading platform, and a sidewall member detachably attached to the frame member, the sidewall member having a flat surface and attached to the frame member in either a vertically placed state in which the flat surface faces the inside in the vehicle width direction, or a horizontally placed state in which the flat surface faces above the vehicle, and configured such that an object can be placed on the flat surface in the horizontally placed state. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the small electric vehicle of the present invention, the side wall member that is detachable from the frame member above the loading platform can be attached to the frame member in a horizontal position and used as a table, even in the limited free space around the vehicle, thereby improving the convenience of the loading platform in the small electric vehicle. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a small electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the front left side. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the small electric vehicle of the embodiment as viewed from the rear left side. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the small electric vehicle of the embodiment as viewed from the upper left side. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the small electric vehicle of the embodiment as viewed from the lower left side. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing the periphery of the loading platform where the side wall members are attached to the loading platform upper frame in a vertical position in the embodiment; [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing the periphery of the loading platform where the side wall member is attached to the loading platform upper frame in a horizontally placed state in the embodiment; [Figure 7] 4 is an enlarged perspective view showing the periphery of a mounting portion of the side wall member in the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 8] 3 is an enlarged perspective view showing the periphery of the support member in the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 9] 10A to 10C are schematic diagrams for explaining a procedure for changing the side wall member from a vertically placed state to a horizontally placed state in the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 1 to 4 are perspective views of a small electric vehicle 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the front left side, rear left side, upper left side, and lower left side. In each of the drawings described below, the arrow F direction indicates the front in the vehicle longitudinal direction, the arrow U direction indicates the upward direction in the vehicle vertical direction, and the arrow R direction and the arrow L direction indicate the right and left (vehicle width direction) when a passenger sitting in a seat looks forward of the vehicle.

[0010] 1 to 4, a small electric vehicle 1 of this embodiment includes a pair of left and right front wheels 2 and a pair of left and right rear wheels 3, a seat 4 on which an occupant sits, and a cargo bed 5 on which luggage is placed. The seat 4 is disposed near the center between the front wheels 2 and the rear wheels 3 in the vehicle longitudinal direction. The cargo bed 5 is disposed behind the seat 4 and above the rear wheels 3. A cargo bed support frame 6 is disposed below the cargo bed 5, and the bottom surface of the cargo bed 5 is fixed onto the cargo bed support frame 6 (FIG. 4). A cargo bed upper frame 7 is disposed above the cargo bed 5, extending along the side edges (here, the right edge, rear edge, and left edge) of the cargo bed 5 (FIGS. 1 to 3). A cargo bed panel 8 is provided between the cargo bed 5 and the cargo bed upper frame 7.

[0011] The small electric vehicle 1 of this embodiment also includes a floor 10 supported by the main frame 9, and a handle 11 operated by a passenger seated in the seat 4. The floor 10 is located behind the left and right front wheels 2 and below the seat 4. The floor 10 is supported by the lower part of the main frame 9. An upper part of the main frame 9 supports the seat 4, and a cargo bed 5, a cargo bed support frame 6, and a cargo bed upper frame 7 are each connected to the rear part of the main frame 9. The handle 11 is located in front of the seat 4 and between the left and right front wheels 2. An example of the configuration of each part of the small electric vehicle 1 will be specifically described below.

[0012] The left and right front wheels 2 are rotatably supported by a suspension mechanism 21 (FIGS. 1 and 2). The front wheels 2 are steered left and right in response to the operation of a handlebar 11 by a rider. The left and right front wheels 2 are each covered above by a front fender 22.

[0013] The left and right rear wheels 3 are rotatably supported by a suspension mechanism 31 (FIGS. 1 to 4). The rear wheels 3 are driven by a power unit 32 that receives power from an on-board battery (not shown). The power unit 32 is mounted below the loading platform 5 between the left and right rear wheels 3.

[0014] The seat 4 has a seat portion 41, a backrest portion 42, and a fixed portion 43 (FIGS. 1 to 3). The seat portion 41 is the portion on which an occupant sits, and forms a seating surface. The backrest portion 42 is a portion that extends upward from the rear portion of the seat portion 41, and is configured to support the periphery of the waist of the occupant seated on the seat portion 41. The fixed portion 43 is attached to the lower surface portion of the seat portion 41, and has a hole that penetrates in the vehicle width direction. The fixed portion 43 fixes the seat 4 to a predetermined position on the cross frame 94 by fastening a cross frame 94 (described later) of the main frame 9 that is inserted into the hole with a bolt or the like.

[0015] The loading platform 5 has a flat bottom wall 51 on which luggage is placed (FIGS. 1 and 4). The bottom wall 51 extends in the vehicle front-rear and width directions, and is formed in a generally rectangular shape that is long in the vehicle front-rear direction in a plan view. The loading platform 5 has a peripheral wall 52 that extends from the peripheral edge of the bottom wall 51, excluding the front edge, towards the upper side of the vehicle (FIGS. 1 to 3).

[0016] The peripheral wall 52 of the loading platform 5 has an inner wall surface extending generally perpendicular to the flat surface (upper surface) of the bottom wall 51, and an outer wall surface disposed opposite the inner wall surface on the vehicle outer side. The outer wall surface of the peripheral wall 52 is an inclined surface approaching the inner wall surface as it approaches the upper part of the vehicle. In other words, the left and right side portions of the peripheral wall 52 have a shape in which the width in the vehicle width direction becomes narrower as it approaches the upper part of the vehicle, and the rear part of the peripheral wall 52 has a shape in which the width in the vehicle front-rear direction becomes narrower as it approaches the upper part of the vehicle. On the left and right side portions of the peripheral wall 52, three long holes 52A extending in the vehicle front-rear direction and penetrating in the vehicle width direction are formed at intervals in the front-rear direction. In addition, on the rear part of the peripheral wall 52, two long holes 52B extending in the vehicle width direction and penetrating in the vehicle front-rear direction are formed at intervals in the vehicle width direction.

[0017] Lamps 53 such as brake lights and direction indicators are attached to the lower rear portion of the loading platform 5 (FIGS. 1 to 4). In this embodiment, the left and right side portions of the peripheral wall portion 52 of the loading platform 5 correspond to the "vertical wall portion" of the present invention, and the long holes 52A formed in the left and right side portions correspond to the "through hole" of the present invention.

[0018] The bed support frame 6 is formed, for example, by bending a round metal pipe material into a U-shape that is long in the front-rear direction of the vehicle and opens toward the front of the vehicle when viewed from the top-bottom direction of the vehicle (Fig. 4). Both longitudinal ends (front right end and front left end) of the bed support frame 6 are fixed by welding or the like to the main frame 9 near left and right bent portions that connect a lower frame 92 and an upper frame 93, which will be described later. A bed 5 is attached on the bed support frame 6, and the bed 5 is supported from below by the bed support frame 6.

[0019] The bed upper frame 7 is formed, for example, by bending a metal round pipe material having a larger diameter than the bed support frame 6 along the right edge, rear edge, and left edge of the bed 5, into a U-shape that is long in the front-rear direction of the vehicle and opens toward the front of the vehicle when viewed from the top-bottom direction of the vehicle. The vicinity of both ends in the longitudinal direction of the bed upper frame 7 (near the right front end and near the left front end) extend at an incline downward toward the front of the vehicle, and each tip portion is fixed to an upper frame 93 of the main frame 9 via a connecting part 71, which will be described later. The bed upper frame 7 is disposed above the vehicle with a substantially fixed distance from the upper end portion of the peripheral wall portion 52 of the bed 5.

[0020] In this embodiment, the bed upper frame 7 is positioned slightly inward of the vehicle from the inner wall surface of the peripheral wall 52 of the bed 5 when viewed from the top-bottom direction of the vehicle. In other words, the U-shape of the bed upper frame 7 is designed to be a similar shape to but slightly smaller than the U-shape of the peripheral wall 52 of the bed 5. In other words, the bed upper frame 7 is not located directly above the peripheral wall 52 of the bed 5, but is located slightly offset toward the inside of the bed 5. In this embodiment, the bed upper frame 7 corresponds to the "frame member" of the present invention.

[0021] The loading platform panel 8 includes a plurality of resin side wall members 81 detachably attached to both the left and right sides of the loading platform upper frame 7, a plurality of metal support members 82 provided corresponding to the plurality of side wall members 81, and a resin rear wall member 83 attached to the rear portion of the loading platform upper frame 7. In this embodiment, three sets of side wall members 81 and support members 82 are arranged in the longitudinal direction (front-rear direction) on the right side portion of the loading platform upper frame 7. Similarly, three sets of side wall members 81 and support members 82 are arranged in the longitudinal direction (front-rear direction) on the left side portion of the loading platform upper frame 7. A single rear wall member 83 is provided in the longitudinal direction (vehicle width direction) on the rear portion of the loading platform upper frame 7. Each of the six side wall members 81 on the left and right sides has the same configuration and includes a main body portion 81A having a flat surface FL and an attachment portion 81B formed on one end side of the main body portion 81A (Figures 1 to 3).

[0022] 5 and 6 are enlarged perspective views, viewed from the rear left side, of the periphery of the loading platform 5 in which the side wall member 81 is attached to the loading platform upper frame 7 in different states (postures) in this embodiment. The sidewall member 81 is detachably attached to the bed upper frame 7 in either a vertically placed state (FIG. 5) in which the flat surface FL of the main body portion 81A faces the inside in the vehicle width direction, or a horizontally placed state (FIG. 6) in which the flat surface FL faces the upper part of the vehicle. In the horizontally placed state, the sidewall member 81 is capable of placing an article (not shown) on the flat surface FL of the main body portion 81A. The attached state of the sidewall member 81 to the bed upper frame 7 shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 corresponds to the vertically placed state.

[0023] Specifically, the main body 81A of the side wall member 81 extends in the vehicle front-rear and up-down directions when attached to the bed upper frame 7 in a vertically placed state, and extends in the vehicle front-rear and up-down directions when attached to the bed upper frame 7 in a horizontally placed state. The main body 81A has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the flat surface FL. The main body 81A is formed in a plate shape whose thickness in a direction perpendicular to the flat surface FL is shorter than the length of each side in a direction parallel to the flat surface FL.

[0024] The length of the main body 81A in the short side direction is designed to be shorter than the distance from the upper surface of the bottom wall 51 of the loading platform 5 to the lower end of the loading platform upper frame 7, and longer than the distance from the upper end portion of the peripheral wall 52 of the loading platform 5 to the lower end of the loading platform upper frame 7. The length of the main body 81A in the long side direction is designed to be approximately equal to the length obtained by equally dividing the total length of the loading platform 5 in the front-rear direction by the number of sidewall members 81 arranged in the front-rear direction (three in this case). Of the two side surfaces along the long side direction of the main body 81A, mounting portions 81B are formed at both ends in the long side direction of one side surface. In other words, two mounting portions 81B are formed at one end portion in the short side direction of the main body 81A of the sidewall member 81 with a gap in the long side direction.

[0025] Fig. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of the periphery of one mounting portion 81B of the side wall member 81 in this embodiment, as viewed from below inside the loading platform 5. However, Fig. 7 illustrates an example in which the side wall member 81 is attached to the loading platform upper frame 7 (two-dot chain line) in a vertical position. 5 to 7, the mounting portion 81B of the sidewall member 81 is formed in a hook shape that extends from one end portion in the lateral direction of the main body portion 81A at an incline toward the flat surface FL as it moves outward in the lateral direction, then bends in the normal direction of the flat surface FL, and further bends inward in the lateral direction. Specifically, in the sidewall member 81 in the vertically placed state shown in Fig. 5 and Fig. 7, the mounting portion 81B is formed in a hook shape that extends from the upper end portion of the main body portion 81A at an incline toward the inside in the vehicle width direction as it moves upward in the vehicle, then bends inward in the vehicle width direction, and further bends toward the lower side of the vehicle.

[0026] In such a hook-shaped mounting portion 81B, a groove-shaped portion 81C recessed in a direction away from one end portion of the short side of the main body portion 81A (toward the upper side of the vehicle in the vertically placed state) has a shape corresponding to the outer shape of the bed upper frame 7, and is configured to be able to be fitted into the bed upper frame 7 (FIG. 7). An anti-slip rubber 81D is provided on the inner wall surface of the groove-shaped portion 81C of the mounting portion 81B. The anti-slip rubber 81D prevents the side wall member 81 from rotating around the axis of the bed upper frame 7 due to the frictional force generated between the anti-slip rubber 81D and the outer peripheral surface of the bed upper frame 7. The shape of the mounting portion 81B is not limited to a hook shape, and it can be any shape that can be fitted into the bed upper frame 7.

[0027] In addition, the sidewall member 81 in this embodiment is provided with a standing wall portion 81E that protrudes from both ends of the main body portion 81A in the longitudinal direction in the normal direction of the flat surface FL and extends in the lateral direction of the main body portion 81A (FIGS. 6 and 7). One end portion in the lateral direction of the standing wall portion 81E is connected to the mounting portion 81B. In the horizontally placed state, the standing wall portion 81E functions as a partition between the sidewall members 81 adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and also functions as a rib that increases the rigidity of the main body portion 81A and the mounting portion 81B.

[0028] Furthermore, a plurality of hooks 81F protruding in a direction opposite to the normal direction of the flat surface FL (outward in the vehicle width direction in the vertically placed state) are provided on the surface of the main body 81A of the sidewall member 81 (FIGS. 1 to 5). Here, four hooks 81F are provided near the four corners of the substantially rectangular opposing surface of the main body 81A. For example, an elastic cord 12 is hung between the four hooks 81F on the opposing surface of the main body 81A on the diagonal lines (FIG. 5). This allows an article to be held between the cord 12 and the opposing surface of the main body 81A. In this embodiment, the cord 12 corresponds to the "elastic member" of the present invention.

[0029] The support member 82 is disposed between the right side (or left side) of the peripheral wall 52 of the bed 5 and the right side (or left side) of the bed upper frame 7, and extends in the vertical direction of the vehicle. Specifically, the lower end of the support member 82 is connected to the peripheral portion of the elongated hole 52A (through hole) in the peripheral wall 52. Moreover, the upper end of the support member 82 is connected to a portion of the right side (or left side) of the bed upper frame 7 that corresponds to the elongated hole 52A.

[0030] Fig. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of the support member 82 in this embodiment, as viewed from the inside front of the loading platform 5. As shown in Fig. 8, the support member 82 in this embodiment has, for example, a support portion 82A, a lower connecting portion 82B, and an upper connecting portion 82C. The support portion 82A is a metal columnar part. The support portion 82A extends in the vertical direction of the vehicle, is gently bent in the vehicle width direction at a middle portion in the vertical direction of the vehicle, and has a shape such that the lower portion is positioned more outboard in the vehicle width direction than the upper portion.

[0031] A lower end portion of the support pillar 82A is connected to a peripheral portion of the elongated hole 52A in the peripheral wall portion 52 via a metallic lower connecting portion 82B. An upper end portion of the support pillar 82A is connected to a portion of the bed upper frame 7 corresponding to the elongated hole 52A via a metallic upper connecting portion 82C. With respect to the support pillar member 82 connected to the peripheral wall portion 52 of the bed 5 and the bed upper frame 7 in this manner, the side wall member 81 is attached to the bed upper frame 7 such that the support pillar member 82 is located between a pair of mounting portions 81B formed at one end in the short side direction.

[0032] The rear wall member 83 is attached to the rear portion of the bed upper frame 7 (FIGS. 1 to 6). In this embodiment, the rear wall member 83 extends across the entire width of the bed 5 in the vehicle width direction. An upper end of the rear wall member 83 is fixed to the rear portion of the bed upper frame 7, and a lower end of the rear wall member 83 is fixed to the rear portion of the peripheral wall portion 52 of the bed 5. Note that in this embodiment, an example in which the rear wall member 83 is fixed to the peripheral wall portion 52 of the bed 5 and the rear portion of the bed upper frame 7 will be described. However, instead of the rear wall member 83, side wall members 81 similar to the left and right side portions of the bed upper frame 7 can also be detachably attached to the rear portion of the bed upper frame 7.

[0033] The main frame 9 includes a pair of left and right floor frames 91, a pair of left and right lower frames 92, a pair of left and right upper frames 93, and a single cross frame 94 (FIGS. 1 to 6). The main frame 9 in this embodiment is made of a metal round pipe material similar to the above-mentioned loading platform upper frame 7, and the floor frame 91, lower frame 92, upper frame 93 and cross frame 94 are each integrally formed by bending the pipe material at predetermined positions. This eliminates joints between the elements that make up the main frame 9, ensuring high rigidity throughout the entire main frame 9.

[0034] The floor frames 91 extend along both sides of the floor 10 in the vehicle width direction, and support the floor 10. Specifically, the rear portion and the intermediate portion in the vehicle front-rear direction of the floor frame 91 extend generally horizontally and straight in the front-rear direction. The front portion of the floor frame 91 extends at an inward inclination in the vehicle width direction toward the front of the vehicle, and then extends at an inclination upward in the vehicle (FIGS. 1 to 4). A footrest 95 protruding outward in the vehicle width direction is fixed by welding or the like to the portion inclined upward in the front portion of each floor frame 91. The footrest 95 is configured so that an occupant seated in the seat 4 can place his / her feet on it.

[0035] The lower frame 92 extends from the rear of the floor frame 91 obliquely upward and rearward of the vehicle. That is, the lower frame 92 is formed so as to be inclined backward with respect to the vertical direction. An upper frame 93 is continuous with the rear of the lower frame 92. The upper frame 93 extends obliquely upward and forward of the vehicle via a bent portion that is continuous with the rear of the lower frame 92. That is, the upper frame 93 is formed so as to be inclined forward with respect to the vertical direction. Therefore, the portions of the main frame 9 corresponding to the lower frame 92 and the upper frame 93 are formed in a L-shape that protrudes rearward of the vehicle when viewed from the side of the vehicle (FIG. 3).

[0036] The cargo bed 5 is fixed across the left and right bent portions that connect the lower frame 92 and the upper frame 93. In this embodiment, the cargo bed support frame 6 is fixed to the lower parts of the left and right bent portions by welding or the like (FIG. 4). The upper parts of the left and right bent portions penetrate the front parts of the sides in the vehicle width direction of the cargo bed 5 (FIGS. 1 to 6).

[0037] The front portions of the left and right upper frames 93 are connected to each other via a cross frame 94 extending in the vehicle width direction. A fixing portion 43 of the seat 4 is attached to the center of the cross frame 94 in the vehicle width direction, and supports the seat 4 from below the vehicle (FIGS. 1 to 3, 5, and 6).

[0038] The floor 10 has a flat surface 101 (upper surface) that extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction and width direction and on which luggage can be placed. The flat surface 101 of the floor 10 has a generally rectangular shape that is long in the vehicle longitudinal direction in a plan view. Here, the front and rear edges of the flat surface 101 are formed into gentle arc shapes (FIGS. 1 and 2). In addition to luggage, a passenger seated in the seat 4 can also place his / her feet on the flat surface 101 of the floor 10.

[0039] The luggage storage space formed on the flat surface 101 of the floor 10 is separated from the luggage storage space formed on the bottom wall portion 51 of the loading platform 5 by a mesh-like regulating member 13 that is detachably attached to the left and right upper frames 93 and the cross frame 94 of the main frame 9 (FIGS. 1 to 3). The regulating member 13 is molded from resin or the like, and generally covers the area surrounded by the upper frames 93, the cross frame 94, and the front end portion of the loading platform 5. The regulating member 13 regulates the movement of luggage (not shown) loaded on the loading platform 5 toward the front of the vehicle, and also regulates the movement of luggage (not shown) loaded on the floor 10 toward the rear of the vehicle.

[0040] When the above-mentioned restricting member 13 is attached to the main frame 9, the luggage storage space of the loading platform 5 and the luggage storage space of the floor 10 are formed independently of each other (FIGS. 1 to 3). On the other hand, when the restricting member 13 is detached from the main frame 9, the luggage storage space of the loading platform 5 and the luggage storage space of the floor 10 are connected to each other (FIGS. 5 and 6). In such a connected state, it becomes possible to load long luggage that straddles the loading platform 5 and the floor 10.

[0041] A battery mounting section 102 is formed below the flat surface 101 of the floor 10. The battery mounting section 102 is configured to be able to store a plurality of vehicle-mounted batteries (not shown) for supplying power to the power unit 32 including an electric motor for driving the rear wheels 3. In this embodiment, in addition to the battery mounting section 102 below the flat surface 101 of the floor 10, a battery mounting section 103 capable of storing a plurality of vehicle-mounted batteries is also provided below the vehicle in the cargo bed 5 between the floor 10 and the power unit 32 (FIGS. 1 to 4).

[0042] Additionally, a plurality of hooks 104 protruding outward in the vehicle width direction are provided at intervals in the front-rear direction on the right and left sides of the floor 10 (FIGS. 1 to 4). Each hook 104 is used to fasten a cord, net, or the like (not shown) to the floor 10 for preventing the movement of luggage placed on the flat surface 101 of the floor 10.

[0043] The steering wheel 11 is operated by a passenger seated in the seat 4 to steer the front wheels 2 to the left and right. The steering wheel 11 is connected to the upper end of a steering shaft 112 that is rotatably supported by a steering frame 111 (FIGS. 1 to 3). The lower end of the steering shaft 112 is connected to the left and right front wheels 2 via a steering mechanism (not shown) that includes a rack-and-pinion mechanism or the like. The steering frame 111 and a portion of the steering shaft 112 are covered by a front shield 113.

[0044] An accelerator operation unit 114, such as an accelerator grip or an accelerator lever, and a brake lever 115 are provided on the handlebars 11 (FIGS. 1 to 3). The driver can adjust the speed of the small electric vehicle 1 by operating the accelerator operation unit 114 and the brake lever 115. Information on the traveling state of the small electric vehicle 1 is displayed on a meter panel 116. The maximum speed of the small electric vehicle 1 is limited to a predetermined value (for example, 20 km / h).

[0045] A headlamp 117 is provided in front of the front shield 113 (FIGS. 1 to 3). A holder 118 is provided above the front shield 113. The holder 118 is configured so that an attachment such as a carrier case can be attached thereto.

[0046] Next, a procedure for changing the side wall member 81 from the vertical position to the horizontal position in the small electric vehicle 1 of this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. In the small electric vehicle 1 configured as above, when traveling with luggage loaded on the loading platform 5, each side wall member 81 constituting the loading platform panel 8 is attached to the loading platform upper frame 7 in a vertically placed state. As shown in the upper left part of Fig. 9, in the vertically placed state, each side wall member 81 has a pair of attachment portions 81B formed on the upper end side of the main body portion 81A (one end side in the short direction of the substantially rectangular main body portion 81A) which are fitted from above into the loading platform upper frame 7. At this time, each side wall member 81 is supported by a lower end portion of the main body portion 81A (the portion on the other end side in the short direction of the main body portion 81A) abutting against the outer wall surface (inclined surface) of the peripheral wall portion 52 of the loading platform 5.

[0047] Since anti-slip rubber 81D is provided on the inside of the mounting portion 81B of the sidewall member 81 (FIG. 7), the rotation of the sidewall member 81 around the axis of the bed upper frame 7 while the small electric vehicle 1 is traveling is suppressed by the weight of the sidewall member 81 and the frictional force of the anti-slip rubber 81D. As a result, each sidewall member 81 attached to the bed upper frame 7 in the vertically placed state is stably supported at a predetermined position above both the left and right sides of the bed 5. Although not shown, if an engagement portion that can engage with the peripheral wall portion 52 of the bed 5 is provided at the lower end portion of the main body portion 81A of the sidewall member 81, the vertically placed state of the sidewall member 81 can be made more stable.

[0048] In addition to the side wall member 81 as described above, a rear wall member 83 is fixed to the rear portion of the bed upper frame 7, and a regulating member 13 is provided above the front end portion of the bed 5. These side wall member 81, rear wall member 83 and regulating member 13 make it possible to prevent baggage carried on the bed 5 from falling outside the vehicle while the small electric vehicle 1 is traveling, and make it possible to reliably transport the baggage to the site (destination).

[0049] When the small electric vehicle 1 arrives at a site or when a rest is required on the way to a site, the small electric vehicle 1 is parked and a table for meals or the like is prepared by utilizing an empty space around the vehicle, at least one of the side wall members 81 attached in a vertical position to the loading platform upper frame 7 is temporarily removed from the loading platform upper frame 7 and then reattached in a horizontal position.

[0050] To change the sidewall member 81 from the vertically placed state to the horizontally placed state, first, as shown in the upper center of FIG. 9, the sidewall member 81 in the vertically placed state is moved upward of the vehicle and removed from the bed upper frame 7. Then, as shown in the upper right side of FIG. 9, the sidewall member 81 is inverted in the vehicle width direction so that the flat surface FL of the main body portion 81A faces the outer side in the vehicle width direction. Furthermore, as shown in the lower right side of FIG. 9, the sidewall member 81 is rotated about an axis in the front-rear direction of the vehicle so that the pair of mounting portions 81B pass under the bed upper frame 7 and are moved to the inside of the bed 5. At this time, the position of the sidewall member 81 in the front-rear direction is adjusted so that the support member 82 corresponding to the sidewall member 81 is positioned between the pair of mounting portions 81B of the sidewall member 81.

[0051] Finally, as shown in the lower left of FIG. 9, the pair of mounting portions 81B of the sidewall member 81 are fitted into the bed upper frame 7 from the inside in the vehicle width direction (the inside of the bed 5). At this time, a portion located between the pair of mounting portions 81B at one end side (the inside end in the vehicle width direction) of the main body portion 81A of the sidewall member 81 is supported by abutting against the upper portion of the support portion 82A of the support member 82. The sidewall member 81 supported by the bed upper frame 7 and the support member 82 in this manner is stable in a horizontally placed state in which the flat surface FL of the main body portion 81A faces the upper side of the vehicle. This makes it possible to place an article on the flat surface FL that is held approximately horizontally, so that the sidewall member 81 attached to the bed upper frame 7 in a horizontally placed state can be used as a table.

[0052] The sidewall member 81 in the small electric vehicle 1 of this embodiment can be changed from the vertical to horizontal position by detaching the sidewall member 81 from the bed upper frame 7, so that the change can be made relatively easily even if the free space around the vehicle is limited. In other words, compared to changing from the vertical to horizontal position while the sidewall member 81 is attached to the bed upper frame 7, it is possible to change from the vertical to horizontal position by detaching the sidewall member 81 from the bed upper frame 7 in a narrow free space. Note that when changing the sidewall member 81 from the horizontal to vertical position, the above steps can be followed in reverse.

[0053] As described above, in the small electric vehicle 1 of this embodiment, the side wall member 81 is detachably attached to the loading platform upper frame 7 in either the vertical or horizontal state, and is configured so that in the horizontal state, an article can be placed on the flat surface FL of the main body 81A. According to the small electric vehicle 1 equipped with such a side wall member 81, the side wall member 81 in the vertical state prevents the baggage loaded on the loading platform 5 from falling sideways during traveling, so that the baggage can be transported reliably to the site (destination). In addition, even if the free space around the vehicle is limited when the vehicle arrives at the site and stops, the side wall member 81 can be changed from the vertical state to the horizontal state, so that the side wall member 81 in the horizontal state can be easily used as a table in outdoor scenes, etc. Therefore, the small electric vehicle 1 of this embodiment can improve the convenience of the loading platform 5.

[0054] In the small electric vehicle 1 of this embodiment, the sidewall member 81 includes a main body portion 81A and an attachment portion 81B formed on one end side of the main body portion 81A, and in the vertically placed state, the attachment portion 81B is fitted into the bed upper frame 7 and the other end side portion of the main body portion 81A is supported by abutting against the bed 5, and in the horizontally placed state, the attachment portion 81B is fitted into the bed upper frame 7 and the portion of the main body portion 81A adjacent to the attachment portion 81B on one end side is supported by abutting against the support member 82. Such a sidewall member 81 allows the sidewall member 81 to be easily and reliably attached to and detached from the bed upper frame 7, and also makes it possible to stably support the sidewall member 81 in both the vertically placed state and the horizontally placed state.

[0055] Furthermore, in the small electric vehicle 1 of this embodiment, a plurality of side wall members 81 and a plurality of support members 82 are provided lined up in the longitudinal direction of the bed upper frame 7. This allows each table to be compact when the side wall members 81 are used as a table in the horizontally placed state, enabling a variety of uses for the table. This further improves the convenience of the bed 5 in the small electric vehicle 1.

[0056] In addition, in the small electric vehicle 1 of this embodiment, the loading platform 5 includes a bottom wall portion 51 and a peripheral wall portion 52, and both left and right side portions of the peripheral wall portion 52 have a shape in which the width in the vehicle width direction narrows toward the upper part of the vehicle, and a plurality of elongated holes 52A penetrating in the vehicle width direction are formed at intervals in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. The lower end of the support member 82 is connected to the peripheral portion of the elongated hole 52A in the peripheral wall portion 52 of the loading platform 5, and the upper end of the support member 82 is connected to the portion of the loading platform upper frame 7 corresponding to the elongated hole 52A. This configuration makes it possible to easily arrange the support member 82 on the inner side of the side wall member 81 in the vehicle width direction.

[0057] In addition, in the small electric vehicle 1 of this embodiment, a plurality of hooks 81F are provided on the surface facing the flat surface FL of the main body 81A of the sidewall member 81. By hanging the cord 12 across these hooks 81F, it becomes possible to hold an article between the cord 12 and the facing surface of the main body 81A. This allows articles to be loaded on the outside of the sidewall member 81 in the vertically placed state, thereby further improving the convenience of the loading platform 5.

[0058] Furthermore, in the small electric vehicle 1 of this embodiment, a regulating member 13 installed above the front end of the loading platform 5 regulates the movement of luggage loaded on the loading platform 5 towards the front of the vehicle. This regulating member 13, together with the side wall member 81 and the rear wall member 83 in the vertically placed state, prevents luggage loaded on the loading platform 5 from falling outside the vehicle, making it possible to transport the luggage to the site (destination) more reliably. This further improves the convenience of the loading platform 5 in the small electric vehicle 1.

[0059] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described 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. For example, in the above-described embodiment, a configuration example in which the side wall member 81 includes a pair of mounting portions 81B on one end side of the main body portion 81A has been described, but a single mounting portion 81B or three or more mounting portions 81B may be provided on one end side of the main body portion 81A of the side wall member 81.

[0060] In the above embodiment, an example has been shown in which a plurality of side wall members 81 and support members 82 are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the bed upper frame 7, but a single side wall member 81 may be provided on each of the right and left parts of the bed upper frame 7. Furthermore, an example has been described in which round pipe material is used for each of the bed support frame 6, bed upper frame 7, and main frame 9, but each frame may be constructed using pipe material having any hollow cross-sectional shape, such as a square shape other than a round shape. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 1. Small electric vehicle 2...Front wheel 21...Suspension mechanism 22…Front fender 3…Rear wheel 31...Suspension mechanism 32…Power unit 4. Seat 41... Seat part 42…Backrest 43…Fixed part 5. Cargo bed 51...Bottom wall 52...Peripheral wall part (vertical wall part) 52A, 52B…Elongated hole (through hole) 6...Cargo bed support frame 7... Upper frame of the loading platform (frame member) 71...Connecting parts 8…Cargo bed panel 81...Side wall member FL…Flat surface 81A…Main body 81B…Mounting part 81C…Concave groove shaped part 81D...Anti-slip rubber 81E…Standing wall section 81F…Hook 82...Support member 82A…Strut part 82B…Lower connection part 82C…Upper connection part 83...Rear wall member 9…Mainframe 91…Floor frame 92…Lower frame 93…Upper frame 94…Cross frame 10…Floor 101…Flat surface 102, 103…Battery mounting section 104…Hook 11…Handle 111…Steering frame 112…Steering shaft 12...Cord (elastic member) 13. Regulatory components

Claims

1. A small electric vehicle having a luggage rack located behind a seat on which a passenger sits and above a rear wheel, A frame member disposed above the vehicle on the loading platform and extending along a side edge of the loading platform; a sidewall member detachably attached to the frame member; The side wall member has a flat surface, and is attached to the frame member in either a vertically-placed state in which the flat surface faces the inside of the vehicle width direction, or a horizontally-placed state in which the flat surface faces above the vehicle, and is configured so that items can be placed on the flat surface in the horizontally-placed state.

2. The vehicle further includes a support member disposed between the bed and the frame member and extending in a vertical direction of the vehicle, The small electric vehicle described in claim 1, characterized in that the side wall member includes a plate-shaped main body portion having the flat surface, and an attachment portion formed on one end side of the main body portion and configured to be fitted into the frame member, and in the vertically placed state, the attachment portion is fitted into the frame member and a portion of the other end side of the main body portion is abutted against the loading platform and supported, and in the horizontally placed state, the attachment portion is fitted into the frame member, and a portion of the one end side of the main body portion adjacent to the attachment portion is abutted against the support member and supported.

3. 3. The small electric vehicle according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of the side wall members and a plurality of the support members are provided and aligned in the longitudinal direction of the frame member.

4. The loading platform includes a bottom wall portion extending in a vehicle front-rear direction and a vehicle width direction, and vertical wall portions extending from both side edge portions of the bottom wall portion in the vehicle width direction toward an upper side of the vehicle, The vertical wall portion has a shape in which the width in a vehicle width direction becomes narrower toward the upper part of the vehicle, and a plurality of through holes penetrating in the vehicle width direction are formed at intervals in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, The small electric vehicle according to claim 3, characterized in that a lower end of the support member is connected to a peripheral portion of the through hole in the vertical wall portion, and an upper end of the support member is connected to a portion of the frame member corresponding to the through hole.

5. The small electric vehicle according to claim 2, characterized in that the side wall member has a plurality of hooks provided on a surface facing the flat surface of the main body portion, and is configured so that an item can be clamped between an elastic member hung on the plurality of hooks and the facing surface.

6. The frame members extend along both side edges and a rear edge of the loading platform in a vehicle width direction, 2. The small electric vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising a restricting member disposed above a front end of the loading platform for restricting movement of luggage carried on the loading platform toward the front of the vehicle.

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