Sensor attachment structure for electric vehicle

Abstract

To provide a sensor structure for an electric vehicle which can suppress a damage to a sensor even when the electric vehicle crashes against an obstacle.SOLUTION: A sensor attachment structure of an electric vehicle 1 includes a vehicle body member 10 having a left front wheel 21L and a right rear wheel, and a front lifting handle 35 provided on the left front wheel 21L and the right rear wheel side. Sonar sensors 55, 57 for detecting the surrounding state of the vehicle body member 10 are provided to the vehicle body member 10. In a side view of the electric vehicle 1, the sonar sensors 55, 57 are positioned above the left front wheel 21L and the right rear wheel, and positioned on a rear side of a front end part 21a of the left front wheel 21L, a front end part of the right rear wheel, and a front end part 35a of the front lifting handle 35.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sensor mounting structure for an electric vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art A small electric vehicle is known in which a front sonar for detecting obstacles ahead is provided on the front cowl, and a sonar for detecting obstacles behind is provided on the rear cowl (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2009-89756 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, conventional small electric vehicles do not have a configuration for preventing the front and rear sonar components from colliding with obstacles in front and behind, respectively.

[0005] Sensors such as sonar are relatively expensive components, and damage to the sonar itself imposes an excessive burden on the user. For this reason, it is preferable to prevent the sonar from colliding with an obstacle and being damaged.

[0006] The present invention has been made in light of the above-mentioned circumstances, and aims to provide a sensor mounting structure for an electric vehicle that can suppress damage to the sensor even if the electric vehicle collides with an obstacle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention provides a sensor mounting structure for an electric vehicle comprising a body member having front and rear wheels and a lifting handle provided on the front wheel side, and a sensor for detecting the surrounding conditions of the body member is attached to the body member, wherein the sensor is located above the front wheels when viewed from the side of the electric vehicle, and is arranged rearward in the fore-and-aft direction of the body member relative to the front end of the front wheels and the front end of the lifting handle. Effect of the Invention

[0008] As described above, according to the present invention, even if the electric vehicle collides with an obstacle, damage to the sensor can be suppressed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a view of an electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention, seen from diagonally forward left. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a left side view of the electric vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a plan view of an electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a front view of an electric vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a rear view of the electric vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VI-VI in FIG. 3, showing a portion below the lower part of the front basket. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VII-VII of FIG. 2, showing a portion below the front basket. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VIII-VIII in FIG. 3, showing the lower side of the lower part of the seat back. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IX-IX in FIG. 2, showing a portion below the tail lamp. [Figure 10]FIG. 10 is an external view of a sonar sensor attached to the left front surface of an electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] A sensor mounting structure for an electric vehicle in one embodiment of the present invention is a sensor mounting structure for an electric vehicle that includes a body member having front and rear wheels and a lifting handle provided on the front wheel side, and a sensor that detects the surrounding conditions of the body member is attached to the body member, and the sensor is located above the front wheels when viewed from the side of the electric vehicle, and is arranged rearward in the fore-and-aft direction of the body member relative to the front ends of the front wheels and the front end of the lifting handle.

[0011] As a result, the sensor mounting structure for an electric vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention can suppress damage to the sensor even if the electric vehicle collides with an obstacle. EXAMPLES

[0012] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A sensor mounting structure for an electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings.

[0013] 1 to 10 are diagrams showing a sensor mounting structure for an electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. In Fig. 1 to 10, up, down, front, back, left and right directions are based on the electric vehicle, and the front-rear direction of the electric vehicle is defined as the front-rear direction.

[0014] Additionally, the left-right direction of the electric vehicle (width direction of the electric vehicle) is defined as the left-right direction, and the up-down direction of the electric vehicle (height direction of the electric vehicle) is defined as the up-down direction.

[0015] First, the configuration will be described. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, an electric vehicle 1 for use by people with weak legs and backs, such as the elderly, is equipped with a body member 10 having a body frame 2 (see Figure 4) and an exterior cover 3 attached to the body frame 2.

[0016] The vehicle body frame 2 constitutes a framework of the electric vehicle 1, and is formed by welding metal pipes, sheet metal members, and the like, for example.

[0017] The body frame 2 has a pair of left and right side frames 11L, 11R (see Figs. 4 and 9) that are spaced apart in the width direction of the electric vehicle 1 and extend in the front-rear direction from the front end to the rear end of the electric vehicle 1.

[0018] 9, rear ends of the side frames 11L, 11R are connected by a rear cross frame 11A. Hereinafter, the width direction (left-right direction) of the electric vehicle 1 will be referred to as the vehicle width direction.

[0019] The side frames 11L, 11R are bent so as to approach the front ends of the side frames 11L, 11R in the vehicle width direction, and the distance between the front ends of the side frames 11L, 11R in the vehicle width direction is smallest.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 1, the exterior cover 3 includes a front cover 4 disposed on the front side of the electric vehicle 1, a rear cover 5, and a floor 6 that defines a space for the driver's feet.

[0021] The front cover 4 is formed so as to cover the left front wheel 21L and the right front wheel 21R from above, and functions as a mudguard for the left front wheel 21L and the right front wheel 21R. In this embodiment, the left front wheel 21L and the right front wheel 21R constitute the front wheels.

[0022] A front basket 7 is provided on the upper part of the front cover 4, and luggage and the like are stored in the front basket 7. The front basket 7 of this embodiment constitutes a storage member.

[0023] The rear cover 5 covers the left rear wheel 22L and the right rear wheel 22R from above, and a driver's seat 8 is installed above the rear cover 5. In this embodiment, the left rear wheel 22L and the right rear wheel 22R constitute the rear wheels.

[0024] The seat 8 includes a seat cushion 8A on which the driver sits, a seat back 8B forming a backrest for the driver, and a pair of left and right arm rests 8R, 8L.

[0025] 3, a controller unit 50 and electrical equipment 51 are installed on the vehicle body frame 2 inside the rear cover 5 below the seat 8. The controller unit 50 is composed of a processor that executes various processes, a memory, etc.

[0026] The memory is configured with a storage medium such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. Depending on the application, the memory stores a control program for controlling the electric vehicle 1, etc.

[0027] The electric device 51 includes electrical components such as an inverter 51A and a pair of batteries 51B. The inverter 51A is electrically connected to a driving motor 54 (described later) and controls the driving of the driving motor 54. The battery 51B is electrically connected to the inverter 51A and the controller unit 50 and supplies power to the controller unit 50 and the inverter 51A.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 9, the controller unit 50 and the inverter 51A are fixed to one mounting base 23 inside the rear cover 5.

[0029] The mounting table 23 is fixed to the side frames 11L, 11R and the rear cross frame 11A, and an opening 23a is formed in the center of the mounting table 23, through which the cushioning member 18 described below passes in the vertical direction.

[0030] 2, the floor 6 is provided between the front cover 4 and the rear cover 5 in the front-rear direction. The floor 6 has an area large enough for the driver to place his / her feet on and to move his / her feet back and forth and side to side.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 4, a support bracket 14 is provided at the front end portions of the side frames 11L and 11R, and the support bracket 14 connects the front end portions of the side frames 11L and 11R.

[0032] The support bracket 14 is connected to the ends of left and right suspension arms 15L, 15R.

[0033] A left end portion of the suspension arm 15L supports a left front wheel 21L on the left side, and the left front wheel 21L is capable of being steered freely in the left and right directions.

[0034] A right end of the suspension arm 15R supports a right front wheel 21R, and the right front wheel 21R is capable of being steered in the left and right directions.

[0035] In this manner, the side frames 11L, 11R suspend the left front wheel 21L and the right front wheel 21R via the support bracket 14.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 4, suspension brackets 19L, 19R are attached to the front ends of the side frames 11L, 11R, respectively, and the suspension brackets 19L, 19R are connected to the suspension arms 15L, 15R by buffer members 20L, 20R each consisting of a coil spring and a shock absorber.

[0037] The cushioning members 20L, 20R absorb vibrations from the left front wheel 21L and the right front wheel 21R, and suppress transmission of the vibrations to the seat 8.

[0038] 8, the vehicle body frame 2 has a seat support frame 16. The seat support frame 16 connects the side frames 11L, 11R and the seat 8, and supports the seat 8 on the side frames 11L, 11R.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 8, the left rear wheel 22L and the right rear wheel 22R are connected by a suspension arm 17, the front end of which is supported by the side frames 11L, 11R so as to be able to swing freely, and which is connected to the seat support frame 16 by a buffer member 18 consisting of a coil spring and a shock absorber.

[0040] The cushioning member 18 absorbs vibrations of the left rear wheel 22L and the right rear wheel 22R, and suppresses the transmission of the vibrations to the seat 8.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 6, a steering mechanism 24 and a handlebar rotation shaft 25 are provided at the front of the electric vehicle 1.

[0042] The vehicle body frame 2 has a chassis frame 27. The chassis frame 27 is provided in front of the seat 8, and the handle rotation shaft 25 is supported by the chassis frame 27 so as to be freely rotatable.

[0043] The chassis frame 27 is attached to an upper end of a bracket 28. The bracket 28 is connected to the side frames 11L, 11R by a brace 29. In other words, the chassis frame 27 is supported by the side frames 11L, 11R via the brace 29.

[0044] The front basket 7 is supported by a chassis frame 27. Specifically, the chassis frame 27 extends in the front-rear direction and includes a placement portion 27A on which the front basket 7 is placed.

[0045] Therefore, when luggage is placed in the front basket 7 and the weight of the front basket 7 increases, the front basket 7 is stably supported by the side frames 11L, 11R via the chassis frame 27, the bracket 28 and the brace 29.

[0046] In this embodiment, the chassis frame 27, the bracket 28 and the brace 29 form a frame member.

[0047] 6, the chassis frame 27 has a vertical wall portion 27B that is located forward of the handle rotating shaft 25 and extends in the vertical direction. An upper support member (not shown) is provided at the upper end of the vertical wall portion 27B, and the upper support member supports the handle rotating shaft 25 so that it can rotate freely.

[0048] Below the upper support portion, a lower support portion 29A is provided on the brace 29, and the handle rotating shaft 25 is rotatably supported by the lower support portion 29A.

[0049] In this manner, the handle rotating shaft 25 is rotatably supported by the upper support member and the lower support portion 29A, thereby preventing the handle rotating shaft 25 from falling over in the front-rear or left-right directions.

[0050] An operating device 30 is provided at the upper end of the handlebar rotating shaft 25 (see Figs. 1 and 2). As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the operating device 30 is provided with handlebars 31L, 31R that the driver grasps to rotate the handlebar rotating shaft 25, and a switch group 31A including switches for adjusting the traveling speed of the electric vehicle 1 and switching between forward and reverse travel, and switches for starting and stopping the electric vehicle 1.

[0051] 6, the steering mechanism 24 has a steering shaft 26. The steering shaft 26 is located below the handlebar rotating shaft 25 so as to be aligned on the same line as the handlebar rotating shaft 25, and is rotatably provided between the left front wheel 21L and the right front wheel 21R in the vehicle width direction.

[0052] The lower end of the handlebar rotating shaft 25 and the upper end of the steering shaft 26 are connected by a cylindrical steering support member (not shown), but the electric vehicle of this embodiment has a steer-by-wire steering mechanism 24 that is also capable of automatic driving, and the handlebar rotating shaft 25 and the steering shaft 26 are capable of rotating relative to one another.

[0053] A sector-shaped gear 25A is provided on the handle rotating shaft 25, and the sector-shaped gear 25A rotates integrally with the handle rotating shaft 25.

[0054] Provided in front of the sector-shaped gear 25A is a steering angle sensor 52. The steering angle sensor 52 has a pinion gear 52A, which meshes with the sector-shaped gear 25A.

[0055] When the rotation of the handle rotating shaft 25 is transmitted from the fan-shaped gear 25A to the pinion gear 52A, the handle turning angle sensor 52 detects the rotation angle of the pinion gear 52A, thereby detecting the rotation angle (turning angle) of the handle rotating shaft 25 and outputting a detection signal to the controller unit 50.

[0056] The controller unit 50 calculates the rotation angle of the steering wheel rotating shaft 25 with respect to the neutral position (the steering wheel position where the electric vehicle 1 moves straight) based on the rotation angle information input from the steering wheel turning angle sensor 52.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 4, the steering mechanism 24 has steering rods 33L and 33R, and a steering motor (not shown).

[0058] A steering rod plate is provided on the steering shaft (see FIG. 6), and the steering rod plate swings integrally with the steering shaft .

[0059] The right end of the steering rod 33L is connected to the steering rod plate 34, and the left end of the steering rod 33L is connected to the left front wheel 21L.

[0060] The left end of the steering rod 33R is connected to the steering rod plate 34, and the right end of the steering rod 33R is connected to the right front wheel 21R.

[0061] The steering motor has a motor gear (not shown), which meshes with a steering gear (not shown) provided on the steering shaft 26 .

[0062] The steering angle sensor 52 detects the rotation angle of the steering shaft 26 and outputs a detection signal to the controller unit 50 .

[0063] In the electric vehicle 1, when the driver grips the handlebars 31L, 31R and turns the operation device 30, the handle turning shaft 25 turns and the handle turning angle sensor 52 is activated. The output signal of the handle turning angle sensor 52 is sent to the controller unit 50. The controller unit 50 transmits a steering signal to the steering motor to activate the steering motor.

[0064] When the steering motor is operated, the steering shaft 26 rotates in the same direction as the operation direction of the handlebars 31L, 31R via the motor gear and the steering gear.

[0065] When the steering shaft 26 rotates in the same direction as the operation direction of the handlebars 31L, 31R, the steering rods 33L, 33R make the steering direction of the left front wheel 21L and the right front wheel 21R follow the rotation of the steering shaft 26, changing the turning angle of the left front wheel 21L and the right front wheel 21R.

[0066] The turning angles of the left front wheel 21L and the right front wheel 21R when the wheels are steered are detected by a steering angle sensor (not shown) via a gear (not shown) attached to the steering shaft 26, and this detection signal is transmitted to the controller unit 50.

[0067] The controller unit 50 steers the left front wheel 21L and the right front wheel 21R in accordance with the signal of the steering angle sensor 52 by feedback control based on the steering signal input from the steering angle sensor 52.

[0068] In this way, the electric vehicle 1 of this embodiment is a one-seater electric vehicle of the so-called steer-by-wire type, in which the handlebar rotating shaft 25 and the steering mechanism 24 are mechanically separated, and the driver, while seated in the seat 8, grasps and rotates the handlebars 31L, 31R, and steers the left front wheel 21L and the right front wheel 21R by rotating the steering shaft 26 using the steering motor in accordance with the rotation of the handlebars 31L, 31R.

[0069] On the other hand, the left rear wheel 22L and the right rear wheel 22R are not steerable. As shown in Fig. 8, a driving motor 54 is provided on the body member 10, and the driving of the driving motor 54 is controlled by an inverter 51A.

[0070] The power of the traveling motor 54 is transmitted to the left rear wheel 22L and the right rear wheel 22R via a reduction gear mechanism 54A (see FIG. 5) provided on the suspension arm 17. That is, the left rear wheel 22L and the right rear wheel 22R in this embodiment constitute driving wheels.

[0071] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, a front lifting handle 35 is provided at the front of the electric vehicle 1.

[0072] The front lifting handle 35 is formed in a U-shape when viewed from above the electric vehicle 1, and the front lifting handle 35 is fixed to the side frames 11L, 11R by support brackets 14.

[0073] As shown in Figs. 1 and 8, a rear lifting handle 37 is provided at the rear of the electric vehicle 1, and the rear lifting handle 37 is located above the side frames 11L, 11R.

[0074] The rear lifting handle 37 is formed in a U-shape when viewed from above the electric vehicle 1, and is disposed along the outer periphery of the seat cushion 8A.

[0075] 2 and 3, a seat frame 38 is fixed to the seat 8, and the seat frame 38 is fixed to the seat support frame 16. The rear lifting handle 37 is connected to the seat frame 38 via a connecting portion 39.

[0076] Here, for example, when any of the left front wheel 21L, right front wheel 21R, left rear wheel 22L, and right rear wheel 22R gets stuck in a ditch or the like on the side of the road, or when changing direction of the electric vehicle 1, an assistant may lift up the electric vehicle 1.

[0077] In this case, a plurality of caregivers can handle the situation by holding the front lifting handle 35 and the rear lifting handle 37 to lift up the electric vehicle 1. The front lifting handle 35 of this embodiment constitutes a lifting handle.

[0078] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, sonar sensors 55, 56 are provided on the front wall 4A of the front cover 4, and the sonar sensors 55, 56 are spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction.

[0079] Sonar sensors 57, 58 are provided on the left side wall 4B and the right side wall 4C of the front cover 4, and are positioned rearward of the sonar sensors 55, 56 and outward in the vehicle width direction (left and right outward) than the sonar sensors 55, 56.

[0080] The sonar sensors 55 and 56 are disposed at the same height. The sonar sensors 57 and 58 are positioned below the sonar sensors 55 and 56 and are disposed at the same height.

[0081] The sonar sensors 55, 56 detect obstacles in front of the body member 10, i.e., in front of the electric vehicle 1, using ultrasonic waves, and output the relative position of this obstacle and the electric vehicle 1 to the controller unit 50 as detection information.

[0082] The sonar sensors 57, 58 use ultrasonic waves to detect obstacles to the left and right of the front of the body member 10, i.e., diagonally forward of the electric vehicle 1, and output the relative position of this obstacle and the electric vehicle 1 to the controller unit 50 as detection information.

[0083] Based on information input from sonar sensors 55, 56, 57, and 58, the controller unit 50 performs control such as sounding an alarm such as a buzzer, decelerating the electric vehicle 1, or stopping the driving motor 54 to stop the electric vehicle 1 when the distance between an obstacle and the electric vehicle 1 becomes smaller than a predetermined value.

[0084] Furthermore, the controller unit 50 may operate the steering mechanism 24 based on information input from the sonar sensors 55, 56, 57, and 58 to perform control to automatically steer the electric vehicle 1.

[0085] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 10, a cylindrical portion 4a is formed on a front wall 4A of the front cover 4, and the cylindrical portion 4a protrudes forward from the front cover 4.

[0086] The front ends of the sonar sensors 55 and 56 are located rearward of the front end of the cylindrical portion 4a, and are covered by the cylindrical portion 4a. The sonar sensors 55, 56, 57, and 58 of this embodiment constitute a sensor.

[0087] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, a headlight 40 is provided on the front wall 4A of the front cover 4, and the headlight 40 is disposed between the sonar sensors 55, 56 in the left-right direction.

[0088] As shown in FIG. 2, sonar sensors 55 to 58 are provided above the left front wheel 21L and the right front wheel 21R in a side view of the electric vehicle 1, and are positioned rearward of the front end portion 21a of the left front wheel 21L, the front end portion 21a of the right front wheel 21R, and the front end portion 35a of the front lifting handle 35.

[0089] As shown by the dotted line in Figure 7, when the left front wheel 21L and the right front wheel 21R are steered left and right when the electric vehicle 1 is turning, the sonar sensors 57, 58 are positioned so that they are not located further outboard in the vehicle width direction than the left outer surface 21b of the left front wheel 21L and the right outer surface 21c of the right front wheel 21R when viewed from above the electric vehicle 1.

[0090] More specifically, they are disposed above the inside of the left front wheel 21L and the right front wheel 21R and above the steering axes of the left front wheel 21L and the right front wheel 21R. The sonar sensors 55, 56 are disposed above and slightly rearward of both left and right ends of the front lifting handle 35.

[0091] In addition, when the left front wheel 21L and the right front wheel 21R are steered left and right during turning of the electric vehicle 1, the sonar sensors 55, 56 are disposed between the left front wheel 21L and the right front wheel 21R in the vehicle width direction so as not to be positioned further outboard in the vehicle width direction than the left outer surface 21b of the left front wheel 21L and the right outer surface 21c of the right front wheel 21R when viewed from above the electric vehicle 1.

[0092] Furthermore, the sonar sensors 55, 56 are positioned so as not to protrude forward of an imaginary line connecting the tips 21a of the left front wheel 21L and right front wheel 21R in the direction in which the steering wheels will face when turned and the front end 35a of the front lifting handle 35 in the direction in which the steering wheels will face.

[0093] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, an escape space 41 is formed inside the front cover 4, and the escape space 41 is a space formed to extend behind the sonar sensors 55 and 56.

[0094] The refuge space 41 is formed inside the front cover 4 toward the inside in the vehicle width direction so as to extend to the rear side of the sonar sensors 57, 58. The refuge space 41 is a space in which no rigid members such as brackets or pipe-shaped frames are provided.

[0095] As shown in FIG. 6, in a side view of the electric vehicle 1, a mounting portion 27A for placing the front basket 7 is disposed above the evacuation space 41 that extends rearward beyond the sonar sensors 55, 56, and the mounting portion 27A extends in the front-rear direction and also in the left-right direction.

[0096] The front portions of the side frames 11L, 11R are disposed below the evacuation space 41 that extends behind the sonar sensors 55, 56, 57, 58 (see FIG. 6), and the side frames 11L, 11R extend in the front-rear direction.

[0097] In other words, the evacuation space 41 is formed rearward of the sonar sensors 55, 56 and inward in the vehicle width direction of the sonar sensors 57, 58, and the central portion of the evacuation space 41 in the vehicle width direction is surrounded by the mounting portion 27A, which is arranged above the sonar sensors 55, 56, 57, 58 in the vertical direction, and the side frames 11L, 11R, which are arranged below the sonar sensors 55, 56, 57, 58.

[0098] The retreat space 41 includes a space in the left-right direction of the space surrounded by the chassis frame 27 and the side frames 11L, 11R in the up-down direction, and this space is surrounded by the front cover 4.

[0099] When the electric vehicle 1 is traveling forward, if the front cover 4 collides with an obstacle and the front cover 4 is pushed rearward and deformed, the sonar sensors 55, 56 are able to move rearward within the evacuation space 41.

[0100] In other words, since the sonar sensors 55, 56 are attached to the front cover 4 rather than to the body frame 2, they can easily move in conjunction with the deformation of the front cover 4.

[0101] Furthermore, even if a load acts directly on the sonar sensors 55, 56, because they are not attached to the body frame 2 but to the front cover 4, they can easily move in a direction to release the load.

[0102] In addition, when the electric vehicle 1 is traveling forward, if the front cover 4 collides with an obstacle and the front cover 4 is deformed in the vehicle width direction, the sonar sensors 57, 58 are capable of moving inward in the vehicle width direction within the evacuation space portion 41. In other words, since the sonar sensors 57, 58 are attached to the front cover 4 rather than to the body frame 2, they can easily move in conjunction with the deformation of the front cover 4.

[0103] Furthermore, even if a load acts directly on the sonar sensors 57, 58, because they are not attached to the body frame 2 but to the front cover 4, they can easily move in a direction to release the load.

[0104] The headlight 40 is disposed in front of the front end of the mounting portion 27A of the chassis frame 27, and the sonar sensors 55 to 58 are disposed outward in the vehicle width direction from the mounting portion 27A which extends in the front-rear direction.

[0105] In other words, the headlights 40 are arranged on a portion of the front wall 4A of the front cover 4 that faces the mounting portion 27A in the fore-and-aft direction of the electric vehicle 1 (hereinafter referred to as the opposing wall portion 4b), and the sonar sensors 55 to 58 are arranged outward in the vehicle width direction from the opposing wall portion 4b (see FIG. 4).

[0106] As a result, when the front wall 4A of the front cover 4 moves rearward, the rearward movement of the sonar sensors 55 to 58 is not impeded, and the headlight 40 abuts against the mounting portion 27A and acts to prevent the movement, thereby suppressing damage to the sonar sensors 55 to 58.

[0107] As shown in FIG. 5, a sonar sensor 59 is provided on the rear wall 5A of the rear cover 5, and the sonar sensor 59 is disposed in the center of the rear wall 5A in the vehicle width direction.

[0108] The sonar sensor 59 detects an obstacle behind the body member 10, i.e., behind the electric vehicle 1, and outputs the relative position of this obstacle and the electric vehicle 1 to the controller unit 50 as detection information. In other words, the sonar sensor 59 detects the situation behind the body member 10 (electric vehicle 1).

[0109] Based on information input from the sonar sensor 59, the controller unit 50 performs control such as sounding an alarm such as a buzzer, decelerating the electric vehicle 1, or stopping the driving motor 54 to stop the electric vehicle 1 when the distance between an obstacle and the electric vehicle 1 becomes smaller than a predetermined value.

[0110] Furthermore, the controller unit 50 may operate the steering mechanism 24 based on information input from the sonar sensor 59 to perform control to automatically steer the electric vehicle 1.

[0111] In this way, the electric vehicle 1 of this embodiment can detect the conditions around the electric vehicle 1 by the five sonar sensors 55 to 59, thereby ensuring the safety of the driver.

[0112] 2, the sonar sensor 59 is disposed above the left rear wheel 22L and the right rear wheel 22R in a side view of the electric vehicle 1. The sonar sensor 59 is located forward of an imaginary plane 43 that connects the rear end 22a of the left rear wheel 22L and the rear end 37a of the right rear wheel 22R with the rear end 37a of the rear lifting handle 37.

[0113] In addition, in a side view of the electric vehicle 1, the sonar sensor 59 is located forward of the rear end portion 22a of the left rear wheel 22L and the rear end portion 22a of the right rear wheel 22R in the front-rear direction.

[0114] As shown in FIG. 8, an evacuation space 44 is formed on the rear side (front side) of the rear cover 5, and the evacuation space 44 is formed forward of the sonar sensor 59.

[0115] The sonar sensor 59 is disposed at the same height as the evacuation space 44 in the up-down direction. The evacuation space 44 is formed to extend forward inside the rear cover 5 so as to spread to the back side of the sonar sensor 59. The evacuation space 44 is a space in which no bracket or pipe-shaped frame is provided.

[0116] As shown in FIG. 8, in a side view of the electric vehicle 1, the upper wall 5B of the rear cover 5 is disposed above the evacuation space 44 that extends forward of the sonar sensor 59, and the rear cross frame 11A is disposed below the evacuation space 44 that extends forward of the sonar sensor 59.

[0117] Furthermore, the controller unit 50 and the inverter 51A are disposed on the left and right sides of the evacuation space 44, and the evacuation space 44 is formed so as to extend in the front-rear direction between the controller unit 50 and the inverter 51A.

[0118] When the electric vehicle 1 is traveling backward, if the rear cover 5 collides with an obstacle and the rear cover 5 is pushed forward and deformed, the sonar sensor 59 is capable of moving forward within the evacuation space 44.

[0119] In other words, since the sonar sensor 59 is attached to the rear cover 5 rather than to the body frame 2, it can easily move in conjunction with the deformation of the rear cover 5.

[0120] Furthermore, even if a load acts directly on the sonar sensor 59, since it is not attached to the body frame 2 but to the rear cover 5, it can easily move in a direction to release the load.

[0121] The rear cross frame 11A is located forward of the rear wall 5A of the rear cover 5 and faces the rear wall 5A in the front-rear direction.

[0122] As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the rear end 50a of the controller unit 50 and the rear end 51a of the inverter 51A are located forward of the rear cross frame 11A and face the rear wall 5A of the rear cover 5 in the front-rear direction.

[0123] As shown in Figures 2 and 5, a tail lamp 45 is provided on the rear wall 5A of the rear cover 5. The tail lamp 45 is located above the sonar sensor 59 and extends in the vehicle width direction from the right end to the other end of the rear wall 5A.

[0124] In other words, the sonar sensor 59 is disposed below the tail lamp 45. This prevents accessory parts attached to the seat 8 (more specifically, the seat back 8B), such as a cylinder carrier or a walking stick holder, which are disposed above the tail lamp 45 to ensure visibility of the tail lamp 45, from interfering with the detection of the sonar sensor 59.

[0125] That is, the sonar sensor 59 is disposed below accessory parts such as a cylinder carrier and a walking stick holder that are attached to the seat 8 (specifically, the seat back 8B). The sonar sensor 59 is protected by these accessory parts.

[0126] Next, the effects of the sensor mounting structure of the electric vehicle 1 according to this embodiment will be described. The sensor mounting structure for the electric vehicle 1 in this embodiment includes a body member 10 having a left front wheel 21L, a right front wheel 21R, a left rear wheel 22L, a right rear wheel 22R, and a front lifting handle 35 provided at the front end of the electric vehicle 1, and sonar sensors 55, 56, 57, 58 for detecting the surrounding conditions of the body member 10 are attached to the body member 10.

[0127] Sonar sensors 55, 56, 57, 58 are positioned above the left front wheel 21L and the right front wheel 21R, and rearward of the front end portions 21a of the left front wheel 21L and the front end portions 21a of the right front wheels 21R and the front end portion 35a of the front lifting handle 35, when viewed from the side of the electric vehicle 1.

[0128] As a result, when the electric vehicle 1 collides with an obstacle while traveling forward, the left front wheel 21L, the right front wheel 21R and the front lifting handle 35 are caused to collide with the obstacle before the sonar sensors 55, 56, 57, 58 come into contact with the obstacle, and the impact force can be absorbed by the left front wheel 21L, the right front wheel 21R and the front lifting handle 35.

[0129] Therefore, it is possible to prevent the sonar sensors 55, 56, 57, and 58 from coming into contact with obstacles, thereby protecting the sonar sensors 55, 56, 57, and 58 from the obstacles.

[0130] In addition, since the sonar sensors 55, 56, 57, 58 are disposed above the left front wheel 21L and the right front wheel 21R, the left front wheel 21L and the right front wheel 21R are prevented from getting in the way when the sonar sensors 55, 56, 57, 58 are used to detect obstacles around the electric vehicle 1, thereby improving the detection performance of the sonar sensors 55, 56, 57, 58.

[0131] Furthermore, according to the sensor mounting structure for the electric vehicle 1 of this embodiment, the cylindrical portion 4a is formed on the front wall 4A of the front cover 4, and the cylindrical portion 4a protrudes forward from the front cover 4.

[0132] In addition, the sonar sensors 55, 56 are located rearward of the front end of the cylindrical portion 4a, and the periphery of the sonar sensors 55, 56 is covered by the cylindrical portion 4a.

[0133] As a result, when an obstacle comes into contact with the front wall 4A of the front cover 4, the cylindrical portion 4a can be brought into contact with the obstacle before the obstacle comes into contact with the sonar sensors 55, 56, thereby more effectively protecting the sonar sensors 55, 56 from the obstacle.

[0134] Furthermore, according to the sensor mounting structure of the electric vehicle 1 of this embodiment, the left front wheel 21L and the right front wheel 21R are mounted to the front of the body member 10 so that they can be steered in the left and right direction, and when the left front wheel 21L and the right front wheel 21R are steered in the left and right direction, the sonar sensors 57, 58 are positioned opposite the left front wheel 21L and the right front wheel 21R in the vertical direction so as not to be located widthwise outward of the left outer surface 21b of the left front wheel 21L and the right outer surface 21c of the right front wheel 21R in the vehicle width direction when viewed from above the electric vehicle 1.

[0135] In addition, when the left front wheel 21L and the right front wheel 21R are steered left and right, the sonar sensors 55, 56 are disposed between the left front wheel 21L and the right front wheel 21R in the vehicle width direction so that they are not positioned further outward in the vehicle width direction than the left outer surface 21b of the left front wheel 21L and the right outer surface 21c of the right front wheel 21R in the vehicle width direction when viewed from above the electric vehicle 1.

[0136] As a result, even if the electric vehicle 1 collides with an obstacle from diagonally ahead while the electric vehicle 1 is turning, the left front wheel 21L or the right front wheel 21R can be caused to collide with the obstacle before the sonar sensor 57 comes into contact with the obstacle, and the impact force can be absorbed by the left front wheel 21L or the right front wheel 21R.

[0137] Therefore, it is possible to prevent the sonar sensors 55, 56, 57, and 58 from coming into contact with obstacles when the electric vehicle 1 is turning, and thus it is possible to protect the sonar sensors 55, 56, 57, and 58 from the obstacles.

[0138] Furthermore, according to the sensor mounting structure of the electric vehicle 1 of this embodiment, the body member 10 has a front cover 4 that is provided on the front side of the body member 10 and has sonar sensors 55, 56, 57, 58 attached to it, and an evacuation space 41 that is provided on the front cover 4 and is formed rearward in the fore-and-aft direction from the sonar sensors 55, 56 and inward in the vehicle width direction from the sonar sensors 57, 58, and when the front cover 4 is deformed during a collision of the electric vehicle 1, the sonar sensors 55, 56, 57, 58 are able to move within the evacuation space 41.

[0139] As a result, if the front cover 4 collides with an obstacle and is deformed rearward or widthwise when the electric vehicle 1 is traveling forward, the sonar sensors 55, 56, 57, 58 can be moved within the evacuation space 41, thereby mitigating the impact on the sonar sensors 55, 56, 57, 58 and more effectively protecting the sonar sensors 55, 56, 57, 58.

[0140] Furthermore, according to the sensor mounting structure of the electric vehicle 1 of this embodiment, the body member 10 has side frames 11L, 11R which extend in the fore-and-aft direction of the body member 10 and form the skeleton of the body member 10, and a mounting portion 27A which extends in the fore-and-aft direction and on which a front basket 7 for storing luggage is placed, and is equipped with a chassis frame 27, a bracket 28 and a brace 29 supported by the side frames 11L, 11R.

[0141] In addition, when viewed from the side of the electric vehicle 1, the mounting portion 27A is arranged above the evacuation space 41 rearward (backward) of the sonar sensors 55, 56, 57, and 58, and the side frames 11L, 11R are arranged below the evacuation space 41 rearward (backward) of the sonar sensors 55, 56, 57, and 58. In addition, sonar sensors 55, 56, 57, and 58 are disposed on the left and right outer sides of the facing wall portion 4b of the front cover 4 that faces the placement portion 27A in the front-rear direction.

[0142] As a result, the evacuation space 41 can be maintained by the rigidity of the mounting portion 27A of the chassis frame 27 and the side frames 11L, 11R, and space can be secured for the sonar sensors 55, 56, 57, 58 to move to in the event that the front cover 4 collides with an obstacle and is deformed rearward or in the vehicle width direction while the electric vehicle 1 is traveling forward.

[0143] In addition, the sonar sensors 55, 56, 57, 58 are positioned on the left and right outer sides of the opposing wall portion 4b of the front cover 4 that faces the mounting portion 27A in the fore-and-aft direction. Therefore, when the electric vehicle 1 collides with an obstacle and the front cover 4 is deformed rearward, the sonar sensors 55, 56, 57, 58 can be prevented from colliding with the mounting portion 27A, and the opposing wall portion 4b can be prevented from colliding with the mounting portion 27A, thereby preventing the front wall 4A of the front cover 4 from moving further rearward.

[0144] Therefore, the amount of rearward movement of the sonar sensors 55, 56 is reduced, preventing the sonar sensors 55, 56 from colliding with members disposed rearward of the mounting portion 27A, and the sonar sensors 55, 56 can be protected more effectively.

[0145] The sensor in this embodiment is constituted by a sonar sensor, but is not limited to a sonar sensor, and any sensor capable of detecting the surrounding conditions of the electric vehicle may be used.

[0146] Although an embodiment of the invention has been disclosed, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention, and it is intended that all such modifications and equivalents be included in the following claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0147] 1 Electric vehicles 4 Front cover 4b Opposing wall portion (front wall portion of the front cover facing the placement portion in the front-rear direction of the electric vehicle) 7 Front basket (storage component) 10 Body parts 11L, 11R side frames (body parts) 21a Front end (front end of front wheel) 21b Left outer surface (outer surface of left front wheel) 21c Right outer surface (outer surface of right front wheel) 21L left front wheel (front wheel) 21R Right front wheel (front wheel) 22L left rear wheel (rear wheel) 22R Right rear wheel (rear wheel) 27 Chassis frame (frame member) 27A Placement section 28 Bracket (frame member) 29 Brace (frame member) 35 Front lifting handle (lifting handle) 35a Front end (front end of lifting handle) 41 Evacuation space 55, 56, 57, 58 Sonar sensor (sensor)

Claims

1. A vehicle body member having front and rear wheels and a lifting handle provided on the front wheel side, A sensor mounting structure for an electric vehicle in which a sensor for detecting a surrounding condition of the vehicle body member is mounted on the vehicle body member, The sensor mounting structure for an electric vehicle is characterized in that, when viewed from the side of the electric vehicle, the sensor is located above the front wheel and is arranged rearward in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle body member relative to a front end of the front wheel and a front end of the lifting handle.

2. the front wheels include a left front wheel and a right front wheel attached to a front portion of the vehicle body member so as to be steerable in the left-right direction; 2. The sensor mounting structure for an electric vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that when the left front wheel and the right front wheel are steered in the left and right directions, the sensor is disposed in a position opposite the left and right front wheels in the vertical direction, or between the left front wheel and the right front wheel in the vehicle width direction of the electric vehicle, so that the sensor is not positioned further outward in the vehicle width direction of the electric vehicle than the left outer surface of the left front wheel and the outer surface of the right front wheel in the vehicle width direction of the electric vehicle when viewed from above the electric vehicle.

3. the vehicle body member includes a front cover provided on a front side of the vehicle body member and to which the sensor is attached, and a retreat space portion provided on the front cover and formed rearward of the sensor in a front-rear direction of the electric vehicle or inward in a vehicle width direction of the electric vehicle, 3. The sensor mounting structure for an electric vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the sensor is movable within the evacuation space when the front cover is deformed during a collision of the electric vehicle.

4. the vehicle body member includes a pair of side frames extending in a front-rear direction of the vehicle body member and constituting a skeleton of the vehicle body member, and a frame member extending in a front-rear direction of the electric vehicle, having a placement portion on which a storage portion for storing luggage is placed, and supported by the pair of side frames, the placement portion of the frame member is disposed above the evacuation space portion which extends rearward beyond the sensor in a side view of the electric vehicle, and the pair of side frames are disposed below the evacuation space portion which extends rearward beyond the sensor, 4. The sensor mounting structure for an electric vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the sensor is disposed on the left and right outer sides of the mounting portion and a front wall portion of the front cover that faces the mounting portion in the fore-and-aft direction of the electric vehicle.

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