Vehicle

Abstract

To provide a vehicle body structure characterized in that a load receiving member for receiving a load from a vehicle body is unnecessary and safety in supporting a seat front end is upgraded.SOLUTION: An electric two-wheeled vehicle 1 includes a battery case 104 mounted on a vehicle frame 5, a seat 9 whose front part is disposed above the battery case 104 and on which a rider is seated, and a stay member 60 that is fixed to the battery case 104 and receives a load imposed on the seat 9.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] In recent years, efforts to realize a low-carbon or carbon-free society have become more active, and research and development into electrification technologies is being conducted in vehicles to reduce CO2 emissions and improve energy efficiency. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a structure that includes a battery plate that covers at least a part of an opening of a battery, and in which a sheet is engaged with the battery plate. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-190069 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Meanwhile, it is desired to provide a vehicle body structure that can support the front end of a seat without requiring a load-receiving member from the vehicle body and that has improved safety.

[0005] In order to solve the above problems, the present application has an object to provide a vehicle body structure that does not require a load-receiving member from the vehicle body and can support the front end of a seat, thereby improving safety. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] As a means for solving the above problems, the present invention has the following configuration. (1) A vehicle according to this aspect of the present invention comprises a battery case (104) mounted on a vehicle body (5), a seat (9) for seating an occupant whose front portion is positioned above the battery case (104), and a stay member (60) fixed to the battery case (104) and receiving a load applied to the seat (9). According to this configuration, the load of the front end of the seat can be received by the battery case via the stay member, so there is no need for a load-receiving member (dedicated member) from the vehicle body. Therefore, it is possible to provide a vehicle body structure with improved safety that can support the front end of the seat without requiring a load-receiving member from the vehicle body.

[0007] (2) In the vehicle described in (1) above, the battery case (104) may have an extension portion (112) extending outward from a portion in which the battery cells (109) are arranged, and the stay member (60) may be fixed to the extension portion (112). According to this configuration, since there are no battery cells around the portion to which the stay member is fixed, it is possible to suppress the load from being transmitted to the battery cells.

[0008] (3) In the vehicle described in (1) or (2) above, the stay member (60) may be fixed to a base (102b) of the protrusion (102) of the battery case (104). According to this configuration, the stay member is fixed to the base of one of the protruding portions of the battery case that has high rigidity, so that the load applied to the seat can be received more stably.

[0009] (4) The vehicle described in any of (1) to (3) above may further include a frame member (17) extending in the fore-and-aft direction, and a cover member (44) arranged above the battery case (104) and in front of the stay member (60) and abutting the frame member (17), and the cover member (44) may be fixed to the stay member (60). According to this configuration, the load that cannot be supported by the battery case can be supported by the frame member via the stay member and the cover member.

[0010] (5) In the vehicle described in any of (1) to (4) above, the stay member (60) may be provided with a seat fixing portion (63a) to which the seat (9) is fixed, closer to the portion fixed to the battery case (104) than the center (CP) of the stay member (60). According to this configuration, the portion to which the seat load is applied is located in the vicinity of the battery case fixing portion, so that the load on the stay member itself can be reduced.

[0011] (6) In the vehicle described in any of (1) to (5) above, the stay member (60) may include a seat fixing portion (63a) to which the seat (9) is fixed, and a wiring support portion (61a) for supporting wiring (59), and the wiring support portion (61a) may be arranged on the opposite side of the seat fixing portion (63a) with respect to the center (CP) of the stay member (60). According to this configuration, it is possible to consolidate the functions of the seat fixing portion and the wiring support portion in the stay member, while preventing the load from being biased to one side with respect to the center of the stay member.

[0012] (7) In the vehicle described in any one of (1) to (6) above, the battery case (104) may include a strength member (105) at a center in a vehicle width direction. With this configuration, the strength and rigidity of the battery case is increased, so that the load of the seat can be supported more effectively. Effect of the Invention

[0013] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a vehicle body structure that does not require a load-receiving member from the vehicle body and that can support the front end of a seat and thus has improved safety. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a left side view of an electric motorcycle (saddle-type electric vehicle) according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a left side view of a main part of the electric motorcycle. [Diagram 3]FIG. 2 is a plan view (top view) of a main part of the electric motorcycle. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a battery unit of the electric motorcycle. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a left side view showing the inside of the battery unit. [Figure 6] 4 is a plan view (top view) of a portion surrounding a stay member of the electric motorcycle. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a left side view of the stay member and its surrounding area. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a left side view including the battery unit and the stay member. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an enlarged left side view of the stay member and its surrounding area in FIG. 8. [Figure 10] 4 is a perspective view of a handle for attaching and detaching the battery unit. FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a plan view (top view) of the peripheral portion of the handle. [Figure 12] FIG. 4 is a left side view of the handle and its surrounding area. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that directions such as front, rear, up, down, left and right in the following description are the same as the directions in the vehicle described below. That is, the up and down direction coincides with the vertical direction, and the left and right direction coincides with the vehicle width direction. In the vehicle width direction, a direction away from the vehicle width center is called the vehicle width outward direction, and a direction approaching the vehicle width center is called the vehicle width inward direction. In addition, in the drawings used in the following description, the arrow UP indicates the upward direction, the arrow FR indicates the forward direction, and the arrow LH indicates the leftward direction. In the drawings, the line CL indicates the vehicle width center line (vehicle width center).

[0016] FIG. 1 is a left side view of an electric two-wheeler (saddle-type electric vehicle) 1 according to an embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, an electric motorcycle 1 according to an embodiment is an off-road saddle-ride type electric vehicle. The electric motorcycle 1 ensures a large vertical stroke amount for the wheels, ensures a large ground clearance for the body, aims to reduce the size and weight of the body, and aims to concentrate the mass of the body. The electric motorcycle 1 includes a front wheel 2, a rear wheel 3, a front wheel suspension system 4, a body frame 5, a body cover 6, a rear wheel suspension system 7, a power unit 8, and a battery unit 100.

[0017] The front wheel suspension system 4 includes a pair of left and right front forks 10 that support the front wheel 2 at their lower ends, a top bridge 11 and a bottom bridge 12 that are provided between the upper parts of the pair of front forks 10, and a stem pipe (not shown) that is provided between the top bridge 11 and the bottom bridge 12 and is inserted into a head pipe 16. The front wheel 2 is supported steerably on the head pipe 16 of the body frame 5 via the front wheel suspension system 4. A steering handle 13 is supported on the top bridge 11. In the embodiment, a telescopic type front fork 10 is illustrated as an example of the front suspension of the electric motorcycle 1, but the configuration is not limited to this. For example, the front suspension may be of another type, such as a link type using a swing arm.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a left side view of the main parts of the electric motorcycle 1, and FIG. 1 to 3, the body frame 5 includes a head pipe 16, a pair of left and right main frames 17, a pair of left and right pivot frames 18, a single down frame 19, a pair of left and right lower frames 20, gusset pipes 21 connecting the left and right main frames 17 and the down frames 19, a cross member 22, and a lower cross member 23, which are joined together by welding or the like. Hereinafter, the assembly into which these frame members are integrated inseparably is referred to as the "frame main body."

[0019] The head pipe 16 is located at the vehicle width center CL, and is provided singly at the front end of the body frame 5. The head pipe 16 supports the stem pipe so as to be rotatable therethrough. The pair of main frames 17 branch off to the left and right from an upper portion of the head pipe 16 and extend rearward and downward. The pair of main frames 17 are joined to each other at their front ends. In a plan view seen from above, the front portions of the pair of main frames 17 extend while curving so as to bulge outward in the vehicle width direction behind the head pipe 16. In a plan view seen from above, the rear portions of the pair of main frames 17 extend linearly along the front-rear direction.

[0020] The pair of pivot frames 18 each extend rearward and downward from the rear end of the left and right main frames 17 on the same side. The pair of pivot frames 18 extend in a curved manner so as to form a convex arc shape rearward in a side view. A pivot shaft 33 extending in the vehicle width direction is installed between intermediate portions of the pair of pivot frames 18 that are closer to the lower portion in the up-down direction. Note that the term "middle" used in the embodiment includes not only the center between both ends of an object, but also the inner range between both ends of an object.

[0021] The down frame 19 extends rearward and downward from a lower portion of the head pipe 16. In a side view, the down frame 19 extends rearward and downward at a steeper incline than the main frame 17. A radiator 91 for cooling the power unit 8 is attached to at least one of the right and left side portions of the down frame 19 (the left side portion in this embodiment). The pair of lower frames 20 branch off to the left and right and extend rearward from a lower end of the down frame 19. The rear ends of the pair of lower frames 20 are each connected to the lower ends of the pivot frames 18 on the same left and right sides.

[0022] The left and right side portions of the gusset pipe 21 connect the left and right main frames 17 and the down frames 19 on the same left and right side. The gusset pipe 21 branches off to the left and right from a middle portion near the upper part in the vertical direction of the down frame 19 and extends rearward. The rear end portions of the gusset pipes 21 are respectively connected to the front-rear middle portions of the left and right main frames 17 on the same left and right side.

[0023] The cross member 22 extends in the vehicle width direction and connects the rear portions of the pair of main frames 17 (or the upper portions of the pair of pivot frames 18). A cushion support bracket 22a extending upward and rearward is fixed to the inside of the cross member 22 in the vehicle width direction. An upper end portion of the rear cushion 32 and the battery unit 100 are connected to the cushion support bracket 22a.

[0024] The lower cross member 23 extends in the vehicle width direction and connects the lower parts of the pair of pivot frames 18 below the pivot shaft 33. A link support bracket 23a extending rearward is fixed to the inside of the lower cross member 23 in the vehicle width direction. A front end of a link arm 34 is connected to the link support bracket 23a.

[0025] The body frame 5 further includes a pair of left and right seat rails 24 and a pair of left and right support rails 25. The front end of each of the left and right seat rails 24 is connected to the upper end of the pivot frame 18 on the same left or right side. Each of the left and right seat rails 24 extends rearward and upward from its front end. A seat 9 is disposed above the left and right seat rails 24. The front and rear intermediate portions of the left and right seat rails 24 are connected to each other via a seat support bracket 28 that receives the load from the seat 9.

[0026] The left and right support rails 25 are located below the left and right seat rails 24. The front end of each of the left and right support rails 25 is connected to the upper and lower middle portion of the pivot frame 18 on the same left or right side. Each of the left and right support rails 25 extends rearward and upward from its front end. The rear end of each of the left and right support rails 25 is connected from below to the rear portion of the seat rail 24 on the same left or right side.

[0027] The rear portions of the left and right seat rails 24 are connected to each other by a cross rail 26 extending in the vehicle width direction. The pair of left and right seat rails 24, the pair of left and right support rails 25, and the cross rail 26 are joined together by welding or the like. Hereinafter, the assembly in which these frame members are integrated inseparably is referred to as a subframe that is detachable from the frame main body. The subframe corresponds to a seat frame that supports the seat 9 from below.

[0028] The body frame 5 is of a semi-double cradle type. The body frame 5 mounts a power unit 8 including a motor 50 below the rear portions of the left and right main frames 17 behind the head pipe 16 and in front of the left and right pivot frames 18. The body frame 5 surrounds the power unit 8 from the front and below by a single down frame 19 and left and right lower frames 20.

[0029] A power unit 8 for running the vehicle is mounted inside the body frame 5, as well as a battery unit 100 for storing electricity to be supplied to the power unit 8. The body frame 5 allows the battery unit 100 to be inserted and removed from above through an opening between the left and right main frames 17. The front portions of the left and right main frames 17 and the gusset pipes 21 have a large curvature outward in the vehicle width direction to ensure clearance with the front portion of the battery unit 100.

[0030] The body cover 6 covers the body frame 5 etc. The body cover 6 includes a pair of left and right front side cowls 41 and a pair of left and right rear side cowls 42. The pair of front side cowls 41 are disposed from below both the left and right sides of the front of the seat 9 to positions overlapping with the upper parts of the down frames 19 in a side view seen in the vehicle width direction. Each front side cowl 41 extends from below the front of the seat 9 toward the front in a fan-like manner in a side view. Each front side cowl 41 extends so as to straddle the outer side of the main frame 17 on the same left or right side in the vehicle width direction from front to rear. At least one of the front side cowls 41 functions as an air guide plate (radiator shroud) for the radiator 91 supported on the side of the down frame 19.

[0031] The pair of rear side cowls 42 are disposed below the left and right sides of the rear of the seat 9 in a side view. Each rear side cowl 42 is disposed so as to cover the left and right seat rails 24 and the support rails 25 on the same side from the outside in the vehicle width direction. A rear fender 43r extends rearward behind the seat 9. The rear fender 43r is disposed above the rear wheel 3 with a gap therebetween. In the drawing, reference numeral 43f denotes a front fender that is disposed above the front wheel 2 with a gap therebetween and supported by the bottom bridge 12. A top cover 44 is disposed in front of the seat 9 between the upper ends of the front-rear middle parts of the pair of front side cowls 41. The top cover 44 covers an upward protruding part 110 (see FIG. 2) of the battery unit 100 from above.

[0032] The rear wheel suspension system 7 includes a swing arm 30 which supports the rear wheel 3 at its rear end, a link mechanism 31 which connects the front part of the swing arm 30 to the lower cross member 23, and a rear cushion 32 which spans between the link mechanism 31 and the cross member 22. The swing arm 30 is disposed below the rear of the vehicle body and extends in the front-rear direction. The front end of the swing arm 30 is supported by a pair of pivot frames 18 via pivot shafts 33 so as to be able to swing up and down.

[0033] The link mechanism 31 includes a pair of left and right link arms 34 and a link member 35. The pair of link arms 34 are disposed below the front portion of the swing arm 30 in a side view and extend in the front-rear direction. A front end portion of the link arm 34 is rotatably connected to the link support bracket 23a of the lower cross member 23 via a shaft extending along the vehicle width direction. A rear end portion of the link arm 34 is rotatably connected to the link member 35 via a shaft extending along the vehicle width direction.

[0034] The link member 35 is formed in a roughly triangular shape in a side view. An upper apex of the link member 35 is rotatably connected to a link connecting portion at the front-rear middle portion of the swing arm 30 via a shaft along the vehicle width direction. A lower apex of the link member 35 is rotatably connected to a rear end portion of the link arm 34 via a shaft along the vehicle width direction. A front apex of the link member 35 is rotatably connected to a lower end portion of the rear cushion 32 via a shaft along the vehicle width direction.

[0035] The rear cushion 32 is provided on the inside in the vehicle width direction of the rear part of the vehicle body (for example, on the vehicle width center CL). The rear cushion 32 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a compression coil spring arranged on the outer periphery of a damper cylinder, and is arranged with the axial direction tilted forward with respect to the vertical direction. The upper end of the rear cushion 32 is rotatably connected to the cushion support bracket 22a of the cross member 22 via a shaft along the vehicle width direction. The lower end of the rear cushion 32 is rotatably connected to the front top of the link member 35 via a shaft along the vehicle width direction. In the embodiment, a configuration in which a single rear cushion 32 is provided on the inside in the vehicle width direction is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, other configurations may be used, such as a configuration in which a pair of left and right rear cushions 32 are provided between the rear part of the swing arm 30 and the seat frame.

[0036] The power unit 8 includes a motor 50 for driving the vehicle, a reduction gear (not shown) that reduces the output of the motor 50, an output shaft 70 that outputs the power of the motor 50 reduced by the reduction gear, a PCU (Power Control Unit) 130 that controls the motor 50, and a housing 80 that accommodates the motor 50, driving parts such as the reduction gear, and the PCU 130.

[0037] The power unit 8 is configured as an integrated unit including the motor 50, the reducer, the output shaft 70, the PCU 130, and the housing 80. The PCU 130 is disposed below the motor 50. The housing 80 forms the outer shape of the power unit 8. The power unit 8 can be cooled by a water-cooling system including a radiator 91.

[0038] The motor 50 is disposed with its rotation axis oriented along the vehicle width direction. The motor 50 is accommodated in a motor case 54 formed in an upper portion of the housing 80. A gear-type reducer is disposed on one of the left and right sides of the motor 50. The output shaft 70 is disposed at the rear lower part of the motor case 54. The output shaft 70 extends in the vehicle width direction, with the left end portion protruding outside the housing 80. The left end portion of the output shaft 70 and the rear wheel 3 are linked via a chain-type transmission mechanism 77. This allows the output of the motor 50 to be transmitted to the rear wheel 3.

[0039] The PCU 130 is a control device including a PDU (Power Drive Unit) which is a motor driver, an ECU (Electric Control Unit) which controls the PDU, etc. The PDU includes an inverter, and converts the current supplied from the battery unit 100 from DC to AC, and then supplies the current to the motor 50. The PCU 130 is accommodated in a PCU case 81 of the housing 80.

[0040] The housing 80 includes, in addition to the motor case 54, a PCU case 81 that houses the PCU 130. The PCU case 81 is disposed below the motor case 54. The PCU case 81 houses the PCU 130 therein. A front portion of the PCU case 81 protrudes forward beyond the front end portion of the motor case 54.

[0041] The power unit 8 (housing 80) is supported on the body frame 5 via a plurality of fixing parts (including rubber mounts). The power unit 8 is disposed in front (on the inner periphery) of the pivot frame 18, which is curved in a convex arc shape convex rearward in side view. The power unit 8 is disposed above the lower frame 20. The power unit 8 is disposed below the lower rear end portion of the main frame 17 in side view. An upper portion (motor case 54) of the power unit 8 is disposed at a distance behind the down frame 19, and a lower portion (PCU case 81) extends to the vicinity of the lower end portion of the down frame 19. The lower portion of the PCU case 81 is covered by an undercover 27 attached to the lower frame 20.

[0042] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the battery unit 100, and FIG. 5 is a left side view showing the inside of the battery unit 100. As shown in FIG. 1 to 5, the battery unit 100 is formed in a generally L-shape in a side view, and is disposed from the front to the upper side of the power unit 8. The battery unit 100 has a constant left-right width overall, and is disposed so as to be contained between the inner surfaces of the left and right main frames 17 in the vehicle width direction in a plan view. The battery unit 100 has a generally square shape in a side view and includes a central portion 101 disposed at a position overlapping with the main frames 17, a rearward extending portion 102 extending rearward from the rear end of the central portion 101, and a downward extending portion 103 extending downward from the lower end of the central portion 101.

[0043] The central portion 101 is disposed so that its rear upper portion protrudes above the main frame 17 and its front lower portion protrudes below the main frame 17 in a side view. The portion of the central portion 101 that protrudes above the main frame 17 is covered from the outside in the vehicle width direction by the rear portion of the front side cowl 41. The main frame 17 is disposed so as to diagonally cross the outside of the central portion 101 in the vehicle width direction. The front end portion of the central portion 101 is supported by the upper and lower middle portion of the down frame 19 via a first mount bracket 45. In the drawing, reference symbol 101a indicates a first mount portion provided at the front end portion of the central portion 101.

[0044] The rearward extending portion 102 extends rearward between the upper end of the rear cushion 32 and the lower surface of the seat 9 in the up-down direction. The rearward extending portion 102 extends rearward to a position where it overlaps with the front-rear middle portion of the seat rail 24 in a side view. The seat support bracket 28 is formed in a U-shape so as to straddle the rearward extending portion 102 from above to the left and right. The lower end of the rearward extending portion 102 is supported by the cross member 22 via a second mount bracket 46. The second mount bracket 46 is formed integrally with, for example, the cushion support bracket 22a. In the drawing, reference numeral 102a denotes a second mount portion provided at the lower end of the rearward extending portion 102. A 12V battery 29 for auxiliary equipment is disposed further rearward of the rear extension 102. The 12V battery 29 is supported at the rear portion of the seat frame. Reference numeral 43i in the drawing denotes a rear inner fender that is supported by the support rail 25 and prevents the rear wheel 3 from being lifted up.

[0045] The downward extension portion 103 extends downward in the front-rear direction between the lower part of the down frame 19 and the motor case 54 of the power unit 8. The downward extension portion 103 extends to the vicinity of the upper surface of the PCU case 81. The lower end portion of the downward extension portion 103 is supported on the front end portions of the left and right lower frames 20 via third mount brackets 47. In the drawing, reference symbol 103a denotes a third mount portion provided at the lower end portion of the downward extension portion 103.

[0046] The battery unit 100 includes a center plate 105 located on the vehicle width center CL, a pair of left and right battery assemblies 106 arranged on both the left and right sides of the center plate 105, and a pair of left and right battery covers 107 covering the left and right battery assemblies 106. The battery unit 100 is provided symmetrically overall with the vehicle width center CL as the axis of symmetry. By providing the battery units 100, which are heavy objects, symmetrically, the impact of the vehicle weight on the left and right balance is reduced.

[0047] Each battery assembly 106 is formed by combining a plurality of battery modules 108. Each battery module 108 has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape that is long in one direction, and is arranged with its length aligned along the front-rear direction or the up-down direction. Each battery module 108 is formed by arranging a plurality of battery cells 109 vertically and horizontally. Each battery cell 109, and therefore each battery module 108, is arranged with its position aligned in the vehicle width direction.

[0048] Each battery module 108 has a slender outer shape that is long in one direction, making it easy to arrange even in a small space. The battery unit 100 can easily be formed into a shape that fits the available space in the vehicle body by changing the overall outer shape by rearranging the multiple battery modules 108. By increasing the degree of freedom in the shape of the heavy battery unit 100 and increasing the degree of freedom in arranging it in the available space in the vehicle body, the impact on the center of gravity of the vehicle can be reduced.

[0049] The central portion 101, which is square in side view, is formed by, for example, arranging three battery modules 108 with their length direction facing up and down, and arranging these three battery modules 108 side by side in the front-to-rear direction. The rearward extending portion 102, which is rectangular in side view, is formed by arranging one battery module 108 with its length direction facing up and down. The downward extending portion 103, which is rectangular in side view, is formed by arranging one battery module 108 with its length direction facing up and down.

[0050] The upper end of the battery unit 100 is provided with an upward protrusion 110 that houses electrical components such as a contactor. The upward protrusion 110 protrudes above the main frame 17 in a side view, and is covered from above by the top cover 44. The upward protrusion 110 is provided with a plate extension 111 that extends the upper end of the center plate 105 above the upper end of the battery assembly 106. Electrical components such as a contactor are attached to both the left and right sides of the plate extension 111. The upper ends of the left and right battery covers 107 are provided with cover extensions 112 that extend above the upper end of the battery assembly 106 in accordance with the plate extension 111. The left and right cover extensions 112 cover the plate extensions 111 from the left and right outer sides, suppressing exposure of electrical components such as a contactor to the outside of the vehicle.

[0051] The rear portions of the plate extension 111 and the left and right cover extensions 112 are located below the front portion of the seat 9 that is inclined upward toward the front. The upper rear portions of the plate extension 111 and the left and right cover extensions 112 are formed in an inclined shape that inclines upward toward the front in side view in accordance with the inclination of the front portion of the seat 9. The outer portions of the left and right cover extensions 112 in the vehicle width direction are formed in an inclined chamfered shape so that they are positioned lower as they move outward in the vehicle width direction. This prevents the upward protrusion 110 from becoming bulky, and the top cover 44 has a rounded, compact shape.

[0052] The front end of the battery unit 100 is provided with an upward protrusion 110 and a cable connection part 114 that protrudes forward from the front end part above the central part 101. One end of a high-voltage cable (positive cable and negative cable) extending from the PCU is connected to the cable connection part 114, and one end of a low-voltage cable extending from the 12V battery 29 is connected to the cable connection part 114. A driving current is supplied from the battery unit 100 to the PCU 130 via the high-voltage cable, and a driving current is supplied from the 12V battery 29 to electrical components such as a contactor via the low-voltage cable.

[0053] Fig. 6 is a plan view (top view) of the peripheral portion of the stay member 60 of the electric motorcycle 1. Fig. 7 is a left side view of the peripheral portion of the stay member 60. Fig. 8 is a left side view including the battery unit 100 and the stay member 60. Fig. 9 is an enlarged left side view of the peripheral portion of the stay member 60 in Fig. 8. Referring to Figures 6 to 9 together, the electric motorcycle 1 comprises a battery case 104 mounted on the body frame 5 (corresponding to the body), a seat 9 on which a rider sits and whose front portion is located above the battery case 104, and a stay member 60 fixed to the battery case 104 and receiving the load on the seat 9.

[0054] The battery case 104 is configured to include a pair of left and right battery covers 107. The battery case 104 is provided symmetrically on the whole with respect to the vehicle width center CL as an axis of symmetry. This reduces the effect of the vehicle weight on the left and right balance.

[0055] The front end of the seat 9 is disposed forward of the stay member 60. The seat 9 is provided generally symmetrically with respect to the vehicle width center CL as an axis of symmetry. In the embodiment, the seat 9 is provided such that a portion near the front end in a top view falls within the range of the battery case 104 in the vehicle width direction.

[0056] The stay member 60 is disposed forward of the seat support bracket 28 that receives the load from the seat 9. The stay member 60 is formed in an X-shape in top view. The stay member 60 is provided symmetrically overall with respect to the vehicle width center CL as an axis of symmetry. The stay member 60 includes a central extending portion 61 extending in the front-to-rear direction in top view, a forward extending portion 62 branching off to the left and right from a front portion of the central extending portion 61 and extending forward, and a rear extending portion 63 branching off to the left and right from a rear portion of the central extending portion 61 and extending rearward.

[0057] The stay member 60 is fixed to a portion of the battery case 104 around which the battery cells 109 are not arranged (the cover extension portion 112 extending upward above the upper end of the battery assembly 106). In the embodiment, the front portion of the stay member 60 is fastened to the upper portion of the cover extension portion 112 at two points on the left and right. The stay member 60 is fixed to a portion of the cover extension portion 112 that does not overlap with the battery cells 109 in a side view (see FIG. 9).

[0058] For example, a bolt 65 is inserted from above (specifically, from diagonally upward and rearward) into the through hole of the forward extending portion 62 of the stay member 60 and screwed into a boss portion (female thread) at the upper portion of the cover extending portion 112. This allows the left and right forward extending portions 62 of the stay member 60 to be fastened to the upper portion of the cover extending portion 112.

[0059] The stay member 60 is fixed to a base portion 102b of the rear extension portion 102 (an example of a protrusion) of the battery case 104. In the embodiment, the rear portion of the stay member 60 is fixed to an upper portion of the base portion 102b of the rear extension portion 102 at two points on the left and right.

[0060] For example, a bolt 65 is inserted from above (specifically, from diagonally upward toward the rear) into a through hole in the rear extending portion 63 of the stay member 60 and screwed into a boss portion (female thread) on the upper portion of the base portion 102b of the rear extending portion 102. This allows the left and right rear extending portions 63 of the stay member 60 to be fastened to the upper portion of the base portion 102b of the rear extending portion 102.

[0061] In the embodiment, the stay member 60 is fastened to the battery case 104 at a total of four locations, two on the front left and right and two on the rear left and right. The stay member 60 is detachably attached to the battery case 104. In the embodiment, the attachment direction of the stay member 60 to the battery case 104 (the direction in which the bolts are inserted) is the same for each portion, which contributes to improving the attachment work.

[0062] The stay member 60 is not limited to the above and may be fastened with five or more bolts. For example, the mounting mode of the stay member 60 to the battery case 104 (the number and location of bolts, mounting direction, etc.) is not limited to the above and can be changed according to design specifications.

[0063] The electric motorcycle 1 includes a main frame 17 (an example of a frame member) that extends in the front-rear direction, and a top cover 44 (an example of a cover member) that is disposed above the battery case 104 and in front of the stay member 60 and abuts against the main frame 17. The top cover 44 is fixed to the stay member 60. In this embodiment, the rear part of the top cover 44 is fastened to the front part of the stay member 60 (specifically, near the front end) at two points on the left and right.

[0064] For example, a bolt 66 is inserted from above (specifically, from diagonally upward and rearward) into a through hole in the rear part of the top cover 44 and screwed into a female threaded portion (for example, a nut (not shown) provided on the underside of the front extending portion 62) of the stay member 60. This allows the rear part of the top cover 44 to be fastened to the front extending portion 62 of the stay member 60.

[0065] In the embodiment, the top cover 44 is fastened to the stay member 60 at two rear locations. The stay member 60 is attached to the top cover 44 in a freely detachable manner. In the embodiment, the attachment direction (bolt insertion direction) of the top cover 44 to the stay member 60 is the same at each portion, which contributes to improving the attachment work. In addition, the attachment direction (bolt insertion direction) of the top cover 44 to the stay member 60 is the same as the attachment direction (bolt insertion direction) of the stay member 60 to the battery case 104, which contributes to further improving the attachment work.

[0066] The top cover 44 may be fastened with three or more bolts, without being limited to the above. For example, the mounting mode of the top cover 44 to the stay member 60 (the number and location of bolts, mounting direction, etc.) is not limited to the above, and can be changed according to design specifications.

[0067] The stay member 60 includes a seat fixing portion 63a to which the seat 9 is fixed, near a portion fixed to the battery case 104. In the embodiment, the seat 9 is fastened to the seat fixing portion 63a of the stay member 60 at two points, left and right, near the base 102b of the rear extension portion 102. The seat fixing portions 63a are provided on the left and right side wall portions of the rear extension portion 63 of the stay member 60.

[0068] For example, bolts 67 are inserted from the outside left and right into through-holes (for example, holes that open in the vehicle width direction in the downward extension 9a of the seat 9 shown in FIG. 7) near the base 102b of the rear extension 102 in the seat 9, and screwed into the seat fixing portion 63a (for example, a female thread) of the rear extension 63. This allows the vicinity of the base 102b of the rear extension 102 in the seat 9 to be fastened to the rear extension 63 of the stay member 60.

[0069] The stay member 60 includes a seat fixing portion 63a to which the seat 9 is fixed, and a wiring support portion 61a for supporting the wiring 59. The wiring support portion 61a is disposed on the opposite side to the seat fixing portion 63a with respect to the center CP of the stay member 60. In the embodiment, the wiring support portion 61a is disposed on the opposite side (front side) to the seat fixing portion 63a with respect to the center CP of the stay member 60 in the front-rear and left-right directions. The wiring support portion 61a is provided on the right edge portion of the central extension portion 61 of the stay member 60.

[0070] For example, a part of the wiring 59 extending in the front-rear direction is attached to the wiring support portion 61a of the central extension portion 61 via a cable tie (not shown). This allows a part of the wiring 59 to be supported by the wiring support portion 61a. In the example shown in the figure, the wiring 59 extends from the wiring support portion 61a to the right front in a top view, and then extends so as to curve forward. In addition, the wiring 59 extends rearward from the wiring support portion 61a in a top view, and then extends rearward between the battery case 104 and the seat receiving bracket 28.

[0071] The battery case 104 includes a strength member 105 (corresponding to a center plate 105 located on the vehicle width center CL of the battery unit 100) at the center in the vehicle width direction. In the embodiment, the center of the stay member 60 overlaps with the center plate 105 in a top view.

[0072] 2, a cushion support bracket 22a extending rearward and upward is provided on the inner side of the cross member 22 in the vehicle width direction. An upper end portion of the rear cushion 32 is connected to the cushion support bracket 22a. In the battery unit 100, a lower end portion (second mount portion 102a) of the rear extension portion 102 is supported by the cross member 22 via a second mount bracket 46. The second mount bracket 46 is formed integrally with, for example, the cushion support bracket 22a.

[0073] In the embodiment, the cushion support bracket 22a is extended to support the battery unit 100, so no dedicated member is required for supporting the battery unit 100. In the embodiment, the cushion support bracket 22a is structured to support things other than the rear cushion 32. This reduces the number of parts, simplifies the structure, and contributes to lower costs.

[0074] 6 and 7, the seat receiving bracket 28 extends so as to bridge between the left and right seat rails 24. The seat receiving bracket 28 is provided so as to straddle the rear extension portion 102 of the battery unit 100 from above to the left and right. The seat receiving bracket 28 is attached to the left and right seat rails 24 in a freely detachable manner.

[0075] For example, the bolts 68 are inserted from above (specifically, diagonally upward from the front) into the through holes in the left and right side portions of the seat receiving bracket 28 and screwed into the upper portions (female threads) of the left and right seat rails 24. This allows the left and right side portions of the seat receiving bracket 28 to be fastened to the upper portions of the left and right seat rails 24.

[0076] Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a handle 140 for attaching and detaching the battery unit 100. Fig. 11 is a plan view (top view) of the peripheral portion of the handle 140. Fig. 12 is a left side view of the peripheral portion of the handle 140. 10 to 12, the battery unit 100 may be provided with a handle 140 that is detachable.

[0077] The handle 140 is provided across the stay member 60 in the front-rear direction from near the front end to near the rear end of the cover extension portion 112. The handle 140 includes a handle body 141 having a triangular shape protruding upward in a side view, and a pair of front and rear mounting bosses 142, 143.

[0078] The handle body 141 includes a bottom plate portion 145 extending along the upper surface of the cover extension portion 112 in a side view, and a pair of left and right side plate portions 146 standing upward from the left and right side portions of the bottom plate portion 145. A plurality of through holes may be formed in each of the bottom plate portion 145 and the side plate portion 146. This reduces the weight of the handle 140 and makes it easier to attach and detach the battery unit 100.

[0079] The pair of front and rear mounting bosses 142, 143 include a front boss 142 extending downward from near the front end of the bottom plate portion 145, and a rear boss 143 extending downward from near the rear end of the bottom plate portion 145. For example, the front boss 142 is fastened to a receiving portion near the upper front end of the cover extension portion 112 with a bolt or the like, and the rear boss 143 is fastened to a receiving portion near the upper rear end of the cover extension portion 112 with a bolt or the like. This allows the handle 140 to be fastened to the battery unit 100.

[0080] As described above, the electric motorcycle 1 in the above embodiment comprises the battery case 104 mounted on the body frame 5, the seat 9 on which a rider sits, the front portion of which is located above the battery case 104, and the stay member 60 fixed to the battery case 104 and receiving the load on the seat 9. According to this configuration, the load of the front end of the seat 9 can be received by the battery case 104 via the stay member 60, so there is no need for a load receiving member (dedicated member) from the vehicle body. Therefore, it is possible to provide a vehicle body structure with improved safety that can support the front end of the seat 9 without requiring a load receiving member from the vehicle body.

[0081] In the above embodiment, the battery case 104 includes the extension portion 112 that extends outward from the portion where the battery cells 109 are disposed. The stay member 60 is fixed to the extension portion 112. According to this configuration, since the battery cell 109 is not present around the portion to which the stay member 60 is fixed, the transmission of the load to the battery cell 109 can be suppressed.

[0082] In the above embodiment, the stay member 60 is fixed to the base portion 102b of the rear extension portion 102 of the battery case 104. According to this configuration, the stay member 60 is fixed to the base portion 102b, which has high rigidity, of the rearward extending portion 102 of the battery case 104, so that the load applied to the seat 9 can be received more stably.

[0083] In the above embodiment, the electric motorcycle 1 further includes a main frame 17 extending in the front-rear direction, and a cover member 44 that is disposed above the battery case 104 and in front of the stay member 60 and abuts against the main frame 17. The cover member 44 is fixed to the stay member 60. According to this configuration, the load that cannot be supported by the battery case 104 can be supported by the main frame 17 via the stay member 60 and the cover member 44.

[0084] In the above embodiment, the stay member 60 includes the seat fixing portion 63a to which the seat 9 is fixed, closer to the portion fixed to the battery case 104 than the center CP of the stay member 60. According to this configuration, the portion to which the seat load is applied is located near the portion to which the battery case 104 is fixed, so that the load on the stay member 60 itself can be reduced.

[0085] In the above embodiment, the stay member 60 includes a seat fixing portion 63a to which the seat 9 is fixed, and a wiring support portion 61a for supporting the wiring 59. The wiring support portion 61a is disposed on the opposite side of the stay member 60 from the seat fixing portion 63a with respect to the center CP of the stay member 60. According to this configuration, the functions of the seat fixing portion 63a and the wiring support portion 61a are integrated in the stay member 60, and the load is prevented from being biased to one side with respect to the center CP of the stay member 60.

[0086] In the above embodiment, the battery case 104 includes the strength member 105 at the center in the vehicle width direction. According to this configuration, the strength and rigidity of the battery case 104 is increased, so that the load of the seat 9 can be received more effectively.

[0087] <Modification> In the above embodiment, the battery case includes an extension portion that extends outward from a portion where the battery cells are arranged, and the stay member is fixed to the extension portion, but this is not limited to the above. For example, the battery case does not need to include an extension portion. For example, the stay member may be fixed to a portion of the battery case other than the extension portion (a portion around which the battery cells are arranged). For example, the manner in which the stay member is fixed to the battery case can be changed according to design specifications.

[0088] In the above embodiment, the stay member is fixed to the base of the protruding portion of the battery case, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the stay member may be fixed to the tip of the protruding portion of the battery case. For example, the manner in which the stay member is fixed to the protruding portion of the battery case can be changed according to the design specifications.

[0089] In the above embodiment, the vehicle further includes a frame member extending in the front-rear direction and a cover member disposed above the battery case and in front of the stay member and in contact with the frame member, and the cover member is fixed to the stay member. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the cover member may be fixed to a member other than the stay member. For example, the fixing manner of the cover member may be changed according to design specifications.

[0090] In the above embodiment, the stay member is described as having a seat fixing portion to which the seat is fixed closer to the portion fixed to the battery case than the center of the stay member, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the seat fixing portion may be provided at a location far away from the portion fixed to the battery case. For example, the seat fixing portion may be provided on a member other than the stay member. For example, the installation mode of the seat fixing portion may be changed according to design specifications.

[0091] In the above embodiment, the stay member includes a seat fixing portion to which the seat is fixed and a wiring support portion for supporting the wiring, and the wiring support portion is disposed on the opposite side of the center of the stay member to the seat fixing portion. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the wiring support portion may be disposed on the same side as the seat fixing portion with respect to the center of the stay member. For example, the arrangement of the wiring support portion may be changed according to the design specifications.

[0092] In the above embodiment, the battery case is described as having a strength member at the center in the vehicle width direction, but this is not limited thereto. For example, the battery case may have a strength member on the outer side in the vehicle width direction. For example, the battery case may not have a strength member. For example, the installation mode of the strength member can be changed according to the design specifications.

[0093] In the above embodiment, the power unit is described as including a motor for driving a vehicle (an example of a drive device) and a PCU (an example of a control device) that controls the motor, but is not limited thereto. For example, the power unit may be configured to include an engine (an example of a drive device) and an ECU (an example of a control device) that controls the engine. For example, the configuration of the power unit (the configuration of the drive device and the control device) can be changed according to the design specifications.

[0094] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and the configuration of the embodiment may be applied to various saddle-ride vehicles, not limited to off-road motorcycles. Saddle-ride vehicles include all vehicles on which a driver straddles the vehicle body, and include not only motorcycles (including motorized bicycles and scooter-type vehicles), but also three-wheeled vehicles (including vehicles with one front wheel and two rear wheels, as well as vehicles with two front wheels and one rear wheel) or four-wheeled vehicles (such as four-wheeled buggies). The configurations in the above-described embodiments are merely examples of the present invention, and various modifications are possible without departing from the gist of the present invention, such as replacing the components of the embodiments with well-known components. [Explanation of symbols]

[0095] 1 Electric two-wheeler (vehicle) 5 Body frame (body) 9 Sheets 17 Main frame (frame member) 44 Top cover (cover part) 59 Wiring 60 Stay member 61a Wiring support part 63a Seat fixing part 102 Rear extension (projection) 104 Battery case 105 Center plate (strength member) 109 Battery Cell 112 Cover extension (extension) CP Center of stay member

Claims

1. A battery case (104) mounted on a vehicle body (5); a seat (9) on which an occupant sits, the seat having a front portion disposed above the battery case (104); and a stay member (60) fixed to the battery case (104) and configured to receive a load applied to the seat (9). vehicle.

2. The battery case (104) includes an extension portion (112) extending outward from a portion in which the battery cells (109) are disposed, The stay member (60) is fixed to the extension portion (112).

2. The vehicle of claim 1.

3. The stay member (60) is fixed to a base (102b) of the protrusion (102) of the battery case (104).

3. A vehicle as claimed in claim 1 or 2.

4. A frame member (17) extending in the front-rear direction; a cover member (44) disposed above the battery case (104) and in front of the stay member (60) and in contact with the frame member (17), The cover member (44) is fixed to the stay member (60).

3. A vehicle as claimed in claim 1 or 2.

5. The stay member (60) includes a seat fixing portion (63a) to which the seat (9) is fixed, the seat fixing portion (63a) being closer to a portion fixed to the battery case (104) than a center (CP) of the stay member (60).

3. A vehicle as claimed in claim 1 or 2.

6. The stay member (60) is a sheet fixing portion (63a) to which the sheet (9) is fixed; A wiring support portion (61a) for supporting the wiring (59), The wiring support portion (61a) is disposed on the opposite side of the seat fixing portion (63a) with respect to the center (CP) of the stay member (60).

3. A vehicle as claimed in claim 1 or 2.

7. The battery case (104) is provided with a strength member (105) at the center in the vehicle width direction.

3. A vehicle as claimed in claim 1 or 2.

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