Straddle type electric vehicle

Abstract

To secure the cooling performance of a control device while enhancing the protection performance for a battery, in a straddle type electric vehicle in which the control device is disposed behind a storage battery.SOLUTION: An electric motorcycle 1 includes: a battery set 100 that stores electric power to be supplied to a vehicle-driving motor 50; a front cover portion 61 covering, from a vehicle-front side, a housing space K1 that houses the battery set 100; and a PCU 130 disposed behind the battery set 100 and configured to control electric power supply to the motor 50. In the electric motorcycle, the front cover portion 61 includes an opening (a notch 66) that exposes a part of the housing space K1 to the vehicle-front side, and the PCU 130 at least partially overlaps the notch 66 in a front view of the front cover portion 61.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a saddle-riding type electric vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in a saddle-riding type electric vehicle that travels using an electric motor as a drive source, a configuration is known that includes a battery that stores power for traveling and a control unit that controls the power supplied from the battery to the electric motor, and the control unit is arranged behind the battery (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, a control unit that controls the power supplied to the electric motor generally generates a large amount of heat. When the control unit is arranged behind the battery, there are the following problems. That is, especially in the case of a vehicle in which the front of the battery is covered with a body cover, although the protection of the battery is enhanced, the air permeability around the battery tends to decrease, so it is necessary to devise cooling for the control unit.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to ensure the cooling performance of the control device while enhancing the protection of the battery in a saddle-riding type electric vehicle in which the control device is arranged behind the storage battery.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] As a means for solving the above problems, a first aspect of the present invention is an electric moped (1) comprising a storage battery (100) that stores electric power supplied to an electric motor (50) for driving a vehicle, a front cover (61) that covers a storage space (K1) for housing the storage battery (100) from the front side of the vehicle, and a control device (130) that is disposed behind the storage battery (100) and controls at least a part of the vehicle drive system. In the electric moped (1), the front cover (61) is provided with openings (66, 66') that expose a part of the storage space (K1) to the front side of the vehicle, and the control device (130) is characterized in that at least a part thereof overlaps the openings (66, 66') in a front view of the front cover (61). According to this configuration, by providing an opening in the front cover that covers the front of the storage battery for driving the vehicle to expose the storage space of the storage battery to the front, and arranging the opening and the control device so as to overlap in a front view, it becomes possible to cool the control device by using the traveling wind introduced into the storage space from the opening. That is, while protecting the storage battery with the front cover, it is possible to ensure the cooling performance of the electrical components (such as the storage battery and the control device) behind the cover.

[0007] A second aspect of the present invention is the first aspect described above, wherein the storage battery (100) includes a plurality of unit storage batteries (101) arranged in the vehicle width direction, and the plurality of unit storage batteries (101) are arranged with a storage battery space (K2) provided between adjacent unit storage batteries (101) in the vehicle width direction. The openings (66, 66') are characterized in that at least a part thereof overlaps the storage battery space (K2) in a front view of the front cover (61). According to this configuration, a storage battery space is formed between adjacent unit storage batteries in the vehicle width direction, and by arranging the storage battery space and the opening so as to overlap in a front view, the traveling wind (cooling wind) introduced into the storage space from the opening reaches straight to the rear of the storage battery through the storage battery space as a passage and is used for cooling the control device. Thereby, the cooling performance of the electrical components behind the cover can be efficiently improved.

[0008] The third aspect of the present invention is that, in the second aspect described above, the control device (130) has a flat shape with a reduced thickness in one direction, and is arranged such that a plane orthogonal to the thickness direction (T) is along the side surface of each unit battery (101) of the battery (100). A cooling fin (131a) is provided on the surface of the control device (130) facing the battery (100). According to this configuration, by arranging the plane of the flat control device along the side surface of each unit battery of the battery (so as to be parallel), the control device can be compactly arranged around the battery. By forming cooling fins on the surface of the control device facing the battery, a cooling air flow path can be secured between the battery and the control device, and cooling can be efficiently performed by the cooling fins.

[0009] The fourth aspect of the present invention is that, in the second or third aspect described above, it includes a head pipe (16) that supports the front wheel (2) so as to be steerable, and a down frame (19) that extends obliquely rearward and downward in a side view from the head pipe (16). Each unit battery (101) of the battery (100) is arranged such that its longitudinal direction is along the extending direction of the down frame (19). According to this configuration, by arranging the longitudinal direction of each unit battery of the battery along the extending direction of the down frame, the dead space between the battery and the down frame can be suppressed, and the battery can be compactly laid out.

[0010] The fifth aspect of the present invention is that, in the fourth aspect described above, the battery (100) is arranged on the rear side of the vehicle with respect to the down frame (19). According to this configuration, by shifting the battery to the rear side of the vehicle with respect to the down frame (so as not to overlap with the down frame in a side view), even when the battery is displaced inward in the vehicle width direction due to a load input from the outside in the vehicle width direction, the battery can be displaced without contacting the down frame, and the load input to the battery can be suppressed.

[0011] The sixth aspect of the present invention is, in any one of the first to fifth aspects described above, provided with an upper cover (41) that covers at least a part of the storage battery (100) and the control device (130) from above the vehicle. At the front end of the upper cover (41), an opening (41d) that opens the internal space of the cover to the front side of the vehicle is provided. The opening (41d) of the upper cover (41) is formed in a notch shape that opens to the lower side of the cover. The openings (66, 66') of the front cover (61) are formed in a notch shape that opens to the upper side of the cover. The opening (41d) of the upper cover (41) and the openings (66, 66') of the front cover (61) form a continuous opening (68). According to this configuration, by forming a large opening with the opening of the upper cover and the opening of the front cover, it is possible to supply more traveling wind (cooling wind) to the electrical components arranged inside the cover.

[0012] The seventh aspect of the present invention is, in the sixth aspect described above, the openings (66, 66') of the front cover (61) are notches (66, 66') that open to the upper side of the cover. The descending frame (19) enters the inside of the front cover (61) through the openings (66, 66'). The front cover (61) is characterized in that the periphery of the openings (66, 66') bulges toward the front side of the vehicle more than the remaining part. According to this configuration, by bulging the periphery of the notch through which the descending frame passes toward the front side of the vehicle, the peripheral edge of the opening is displaced toward the front side of the vehicle, increasing the distance between the descending frame. As a result, it becomes easier to introduce traveling wind from the opening while avoiding the descending frame. Also, when the opening is formed in a notch shape, it becomes easier to ensure the rigidity around the opening.

[0013] The eighth aspect of the present invention is, in the seventh aspect described above, the openings (66, 66') have a widened portion (67) that is formed wider than the descending frame (19) when viewed from the front side of the vehicle. According to this configuration, since the opening of the front cover has a widened portion that is wider than the descending frame in a front view, it becomes easier to introduce traveling wind from the opening while avoiding the descending frame.

Advantages of the Invention

[0014] According to the present invention, in a saddle-riding type electric vehicle in which a control device is arranged behind a storage battery, it is possible to enhance the protection of the battery while ensuring the cooling performance of the control device.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, the directions such as front, rear, left, and right in the following description are the same as those in the vehicle described below unless otherwise specified. Also, in the drawings used in the following description, arrows FR indicating the front of the vehicle, arrows LH indicating the left side of the vehicle, arrows UP indicating the upper side of the vehicle, and a line CL indicating the center of the vehicle in the left-right direction (center in the vehicle width direction) are shown at appropriate positions. The "middle" used in the present embodiment means not only the center between both ends of the object but also the range inside between both ends of the object.

[0017] FIG. 1 is a left side view showing the appearance of the electric two-wheeler (saddle-riding type electric vehicle) 1 according to the embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a left side view showing the internal configuration of the electric two-wheeler 1. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the electric two-wheeler 1 includes a front wheel 2, a rear wheel 3, a front wheel suspension system 4, a vehicle body frame 5, a vehicle body cover 6, a rear wheel suspension system 7, a power unit 8, a PCU 130, and a battery set 100.

[0018] The front wheel suspension system 4 includes a pair of left and right front forks 10 that pivotally support the front wheel 2 at the lower end, a top bridge 11 and a bottom bridge 12 provided across the upper portions of the pair of front forks 10, and a stem pipe (not shown) provided across between the top bridge 11 and the bottom bridge 12 and inserted into the head pipe 16. The front wheel 2 is steerably supported on the head pipe 16 of the vehicle body frame 5 via the front wheel suspension system 4. A steering handle 13 is supported on the top bridge 11.

[0019] In the embodiment, a telescopic front fork 10 is exemplified as the front suspension of the electric two-wheeler 1, but the configuration is not limited thereto. For example, the front suspension may be of other forms such as a link type using a swing arm.

[0020] FIG. 3 is a left side view of the main part of the electric two-wheeler 1, and FIG. 4 is a front view of the electric two-wheeler 1 with the front wheel suspension system 4 removed. Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, the vehicle body frame 5 includes a head pipe 16, a main frame 17, a pivot frame 18, a down frame 19, a seat rail 24, and a support frame 25, which are integrally joined by welding or the like.

[0021] The head pipe 16 is located at the center CL of the vehicle left and right and is provided singly at the front end of the vehicle body frame 5. The head pipe 16 rotatably supports the stem pipe by inserting it therethrough. The main frame 17 extends obliquely rearward and downward from the upper part of the head pipe 16 in a side view, then curves downward near the center of the vehicle body in the front-rear direction, and extends rearward and downward with a sharp inclination in a side view. The main frame 17 has a shape formed by bending a single round steel pipe into an L shape in a side view, and connects the head pipe 16 and the pivot frame 18. The main frame 17 forms a first straight portion 17a extending rearward and downward from the head pipe 16, a curved portion 17b connected to the rear lower part of the first straight portion 17a, and a second straight portion 17c connected to the rear lower part of the curved portion 17b.

[0022] The pivot frame 18 extends downward from the rear lower end portion of the main frame 17. The pivot frame 18 is formed in a curved shape convex rearward in a side view. A pivot shaft 33 extending in the vehicle width direction is installed near the center of the vehicle body in the up-down direction in the pivot frame 18. The front end portion of the swing arm 30 is supported by the pivot frame 18 via the pivot shaft 33. The rear upper portion and the rear lower portion of the power unit 8 are respectively supported by the front upper end portion 18a and the front lower end portion 18b of the pivot frame 18.

[0023] The down frame 19 extends rearward and downward from the lower part of the head pipe 16. The down frame 19 extends rearward and downward with a sharp inclination similar to that of the second straight portion 17c of the main frame 17 in a side view. The front portion of the power unit 8 is supported by the lower end portion of the down frame 19 via a bracket 19a. A gusset 21 is attached to a portion surrounded by the head pipe 16, the front portion of the main frame 17, and the front portion of the down frame 19 in a side view at the front portion of the vehicle body frame 5.

[0024] The seat rail 24 includes a pair of left and right frame members (not shown) extending rearward so as to branch left and right from the curved portion 17b of the main frame 17. A seat 28 on which the occupant sits is supported above the seat rail 24. The left and right frame members of the seat rail 24 are appropriately connected by cross members (not shown) extending in the left-right direction.

[0025] The support frame 25 includes a pair of left and right frame members (not shown) that extend rearward and upward so as to branch left and right from the upper part of the pivot frame 18. The left and right frame members of the support frame 25 are respectively coupled to the rear parts of the left and right frame members of the seat rail 24 from below. At the coupling portions of the seat rail 24 and the support frame 25, a pair of left and right cushion support brackets (not shown) for supporting the upper ends of the pair of left and right rear cushions 32 are attached.

[0026] Inside the vehicle body frame 5, electrical components of the vehicle drive system such as a power unit 8 for vehicle travel, a PCU 130 for controlling the power supplied to the power unit 8, and a battery set 100 for storing the power supplied to the power unit 8 are mounted. The battery set 100 may be, for example, a mobile battery that can be attached and detached to and from the battery storage portion of the vehicle body without using tools.

[0027] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, the vehicle body cover 6 covers the entire vehicle body frame 5 except for the periphery of the head pipe 16. The vehicle body cover 6 includes a seat front cover 41 disposed in front of the seat 28 and having an outer shape imitating a fuel tank, a middle cover 42 disposed below the seat front cover 41 and covering a range extending from the front to the left and right sides in front of the battery set 100 mounted on the vehicle body, an under cover 43 disposed below the middle cover 42 and covering the lower part of the power unit 8 mounted on the vehicle body below the battery set 100, a pair of left and right side covers 44 disposed behind the left and right side portions of the middle cover 42 and covering the middle part of the vehicle body from the outside in the vehicle width direction, and a rear cover 45 covering a range extending rearward from below the rear part of the seat 28. The front suspension system 4 is provided with a front cowl 46 supported in front of the top bridge 11 and the bottom bridge 12 and rotating integrally with them. The seat front cover 41 and the middle cover 42 will be described in detail later.

[0028] Referring to FIG. 1, a sprocket cover 47 that covers the periphery of the front sprocket of the chain-type transmission mechanism 34 is provided at the left rear of the lower cover. A chain case 48 that houses the drive chain of the chain-type transmission mechanism 34 is disposed behind the sprocket cover 47. The front end portion of the chain case 48 is arranged to be inserted into the rear portion of the sprocket cover 47 from the rear. Thereby, the front end opening of the chain case 48 is covered by the sprocket cover 47, and the noise caused by the drive of the chain-type transmission mechanism 34 is suppressed.

[0029] Referring also to FIG. 3, the seat front cover 41 is disposed between the left and right knees of the driver seated on the seat 28, enabling the driver to grip the knees. The seat front cover 41 is supported above the first straight portion 17a of the main frame 17. The seat front cover 41 is formed in a hollow double structure having a space between the cover inner plate 41a and the cover outer plate 41b. The cover inner plate 41a forms a saddle shape 41c that straddles the first straight portion 17a of the main frame 17 from left to right. The cover outer plate 41b covers the outside of the cover inner plate 41a with a predetermined space therebetween.

[0030] The rear wheel suspension system 7 includes a swing arm 30 that pivotally supports the rear wheel 3 at the rear end, and a pair of left and right rear cushions 32 that extend between the rear portions of the left and right arm portions of the swing arm 30 and the left and right cushion support brackets of the seat rail 24. The swing arm 30 is disposed below the rear portion of the vehicle body and extends in the front-rear direction. The front end portion of the swing arm 30 is supported by the pivot frame 18 via a pivot shaft 33 so as to be swingable vertically.

[0031] Each rear shock absorber 32 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape by arranging a compression coil spring on the outer periphery of a damper cylinder. Each rear shock absorber 32 is arranged in a posture with its axial direction tilted forward with respect to the vertical direction. The upper end portion of each rear shock absorber 32 is rotatably connected to the left and right cushion support brackets of the seat rail 24 via an axis along the vehicle width direction. The lower end portion of the rear shock absorber 32 is rotatably connected to the rear portions of the left and right arm portions of the swing arm via an axis along the vehicle width direction.

[0032] In the embodiment, a configuration in which a pair of left and right rear shock absorbers 32 are provided between the swing arm 30 and the seat rail 24 is illustrated, but the configuration is not limited thereto. For example, other configurations may be employed, such as a single rear shock absorber 32 provided on the inner side in the vehicle width direction, or the rear shock absorber 32 being connected to the swing arm or the vehicle body frame 5 via a link mechanism.

[0033] The power unit 8 includes a motor 50 for driving the vehicle, a speed reducer (not shown) for reducing the output of the motor 50, an output shaft 57 for outputting the power of the motor 50 reduced by the speed reducer, and a housing 58 for housing the driving parts such as the motor 50 and the speed reducer. The power unit 8 is configured as an integral unit including the motor 50, the speed reducer, the output shaft 57, and the housing 58. The housing 58 forms the outer shape of the power unit 8.

[0034] The motor 50 is arranged with its rotation axis direction along the vehicle width direction. The motor 50 is housed in a motor case 51 formed at the front portion of the housing 58. For example, a gear type speed reducer is arranged from one side to the rear in the left and right directions of the motor 50.

[0035] The output shaft 57 is arranged at the rear portion of the housing 58. The output shaft 57 extends in the vehicle width direction, and its left end portion protrudes outside the housing 58. The left end portion of the output shaft 57 and the rear wheel 3 are interlocked via a chain type transmission mechanism 34. Thereby, the output of the motor 50 can be transmitted to the rear wheel 3.

[0036] The power unit 8 (housing 58) is supported by the vehicle body frame 5 via a plurality of fixing parts (including rubber mounts). The power unit 8 is disposed between the bracket 19a at the lower end of the down frame 19 and the pivot frame 18 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The front part of the power unit 8 is supported by the bracket 19a, and the rear part is supported by the pivot frame 18.

[0037] The PCU 130 is a control device including a PDU (Power Drive Unit) which is a motor driver, an ECU (Electric Control Unit) for controlling the PDU, etc. The PDU includes an inverter, converts the current supplied from the battery set 100 from DC to AC, and then supplies power to the motor 50. The PCU 130 is disposed behind the battery set 100.

[0038] FIG. 5 is a front view of the state where the vehicle body frame 5 is further removed from FIG. 4. Referring to FIGS. 3 to 5, the battery set 100 is composed of a plurality (for example, two on the left and right) of unit batteries 101 (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as batteries or left and right batteries). The left and right batteries 101 have the same configuration as each other. The left and right batteries 101 are provided symmetrically with respect to the vehicle left - right center line CL as the axis of symmetry in the front view.

[0039] The left and right batteries 101 each have a rectangular cross - sectional shape (for example, a substantially square shape) and form a prismatic shape (cuboid shape) extending in the longitudinal direction. The left and right batteries 101 are arranged obliquely so that the longitudinal direction is along the extending direction of the down frame 19 in the side view. The left and right batteries 101 are arranged with the longitudinal direction vertical in the front view, for example. The left and right batteries 101 are arranged side by side in parallel with each other in the front view. The left and right batteries 101 are arranged so as to entirely overlap each other in the side view. Handles for the user to grip are provided on the upper surfaces of the left and right batteries 101, respectively.

[0040] Referring to FIG. 5, a space K2 is formed between the left and right batteries 101, which is located at the center CL of the left and right sides of the vehicle (overlapping the center line CL of the left and right sides of the vehicle in a front view). The battery set 100 generates a predetermined high voltage (48 - 72V) by appropriately connecting the left and right batteries 101. The left and right batteries 101 are each composed of, for example, a lithium-ion battery as an energy storage capable of charge and discharge. The left and right batteries 101 are equipped with a BMU (Battery Managing Unit) not shown for monitoring the charge and discharge status, temperature, etc.

[0041] The left and right batteries 101 are connected to the PCU 130 via a positive electrode cable and a terminal block (not shown). The power from the battery set 100 is converted from DC to three-phase AC by the PCU 130 and then supplied to the motor 50, which is a three-phase AC motor. The motor 50 performs a power running operation according to the control by the PCU 130 to drive the electric two-wheeler 1. A part of the power of the battery set 100 is stepped down via the DC-DC converter 126 and used for charging a 12V battery (not shown). The 12V battery supplies power to general electrical components such as a lighting device and control system components such as an ECU. By mounting the 12V battery, various electromagnetic locks, etc. can be operated even when the battery set 100 is removed. The battery set 100 can be charged by an external power source in a state of being removed from the vehicle body or mounted on the vehicle body.

[0042] <Cover internal cooling structure> Next, a cooling structure that takes in the running wind into the vehicle body cover 6 and enables the running wind to cool the electrical components in the vehicle body cover 6 will be described. FIG. 7 is a left side view showing the flow of the running wind F1 introduced into the vehicle body cover 6 from the outside air inlet 68 (including the entire notch 66). Referring to FIGS. 3 to 5 and FIG. 7, the middle cover 42 includes a front cover portion 61 that covers the battery set 100 from the front, and side cover portions 62 that cover the battery set 100 from the left and right outer sides. The front cover portion 61 is provided along the front edge of the down frame 19 and covers the down frame 19 together with the battery set 100. At the center CL of the upper part of the front cover portion 61 in the left-right direction of the vehicle, a vertically long notch 66 is formed to expose the accommodation space K1 of the battery set 100 inside the middle cover 42 to the front of the front cover portion 61.

[0043] The notch 66 is formed to have the same left-right width as the down frame 19 in a front view. The running wind that has entered the middle cover 42 from the notch 66 flows so as to surround the rear of the down frame 19, passes through the space (battery-intermediate space) K2 between the left and right batteries 101, and flows rearward. The battery-intermediate space K2 is formed to have the same left-right width as the notch 66 in a front view. The notch 66 is formed so as to overlap the upper part of the battery-intermediate space K2 in a front view. The upper part of the battery-intermediate space K2 is arranged so as to overlap the part inside the vehicle width direction of the PCU 130 in a front view.

[0044] The PCU 130 has a flat shape with the dimension in the thickness direction T suppressed. The thickness direction T is one of the three mutually orthogonal directions, and the dimension in this one direction is smaller than the dimensions in the other two directions. The PCU 130 is arranged, for example, behind the battery set 100 inside the vehicle body cover 6. The PCU 130 is arranged so that the thickness direction T is inclined downward in the front in a side view, and the front face faces the rear face of the upper part of the battery set 100.

[0045] On the front surface of the PCU 130, a heat sink 131 having a plurality of heat radiation fins 131a is disposed. Each heat radiation fin 131a extends, for example, parallel to the vertical direction. The portion inside the vehicle width direction of the heat sink 131 including the heat radiation fins 131a in the PCU 130 faces the battery compartment space K2 from the rear. The battery compartment space K2 overlaps with the inside of the vehicle width direction of the heat sink 131 of the PCU 130 and also overlaps with the notch 66 of the front cover in a front view. Thereby, the running air introduced into the vehicle body cover 6 from the notch 66 of the front cover is directly supplied to the heat sink 131 on the front surface of the PCU 130 through the battery compartment space K2. Thereby, the PCU 130 is effectively cooled by the running air taken into the vehicle body cover 6 from the notch 66 of the front cover.

[0046] At the upper part of the notch 66, a widened portion 67 is formed which widens more in the left - right width as it goes upward toward the upper end portion of the front cover portion 61. The left - right width at the upper end of the widened portion 67 is substantially the same as the left - right width at the lower end of the front - end opening 41d of the saddle shape 41c of the seat front cover 41. The widened portion 67 and the front - end opening 41d form an outside air inlet 68 that is wider than the down - frame 19 in a front view. In the notch 66, the portion having the same left - right width as the down - frame 19 in a front view is easily blocked by the down - frame 19 for the running air. However, in the outside air inlet 68 which is wider than the down - frame 19 in a front view, the amount of running air blocked by the down - frame 19 is relatively small, and the amount of running air introduced into the middle cover 42 is ensured.

[0047] The lower end portion 66a of the notch 66 notches the front cover portion 61 to the same height as the lower end portion of the PCU 130 in a front view, ensuring as much running air reaching the PCU 130 as possible. The PCU 130 is disposed such that at least a part thereof overlaps with the notch 66 (opening portion) in a front view of the front cover portion 61. Thereby, by using the running air introduced into the middle cover 42 from the notch 66, it is possible to effectively cool the PCU 130 which generates a large amount of heat.

[0048] The middle cover 42 including the front cover is divided, for example, into a pair of left and right cover halves 63L and 63R. The left and right cover halves 63L and 63R are also opening and closing members that can open and close the left and right outer sides of the accommodation space K1 for electrical components including the battery set 100. The left and right cover halves 63L and 63R are detachably attached to the vehicle body individually.

[0049] A pair of left and right frame members 22L and 22R are attached to the down frame 19. The left and right frame members 22L and 22R form a U-shaped convex shape outward in the vehicle width direction in a front view, and the upper end portions on the inner side in the vehicle width direction are fixed to the upper brackets 19b fixed near the upper part of the down frame 19, and the lower end portions on the inner side in the vehicle width direction are fixed to the brackets 19a. The left and right frame members 22L and 22R function as support frames for the battery set 100 and the vehicle body cover 6, and also function as guard frames for the battery set 100 by having the outer side portions in the vehicle width direction protrude outward in the vehicle width direction from the battery set 100.

[0050] For example, when a load is input from the outside in the vehicle width direction to the side portion of the vehicle body during vehicle overturning or the like, this load is input to the left and right frame members 22L and 22R, thereby suppressing the load input to the battery set 100. The battery set 100 is located behind the down frame 19 in a side view, and no components are arranged in the battery space K2. Therefore, even if a load is input to the battery from the outside in the vehicle width direction, there is room for the left and right unit batteries 101 to displace inward in the vehicle width direction using the battery space K2, and excessive load input to the battery set 100 is suppressed.

[0051] The notch 66 in the front cover enables passage through the down frame 19 and entry into the inside of the middle cover 42. Around the notch 66 in the front cover (around the down frame 19), a bulging portion 64 that bulges toward the front side of the vehicle more than the remaining part is formed. The bulging portion 64 is formed so as to cover, for example, the periphery of the upper bracket 19b fixed to the down frame 19 (the part that fixes the upper ends on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the left and right frame members 22L and 22R). This bulging portion 64 widens the gap between the notch 66 and the down frame 19, increasing the amount of running air introduced from the notch 66 into the middle cover 42.

[0052] The front seat cover 41 has a front end opening 41d in a saddle shape 41c at its front end, opening toward the front side of the vehicle. The front seat cover 41 can take in running air from the front end opening 41d of the saddle shape 41c to the inside of the saddle shape 41c. The space inside the saddle shape 41c communicates with the accommodation space K1 inside the middle cover 42. The front end opening 41d of the saddle shape 41c and the notch 66 of the middle cover 42 form a continuous outside air inlet 68, enabling running air to be introduced into the vehicle body cover 6.

[0053] The saddle shape 41c formed by the inner cover plate 41a of the front seat cover 41 includes a first long portion extending continuously behind the front end opening 41d, a first descending portion curving downward and extending from the rear end of the first long portion, a second long portion bending rearward and extending from the lower end of the first descending portion, and a second descending portion curving downward and extending from the rear end of the second long portion. A down regulator (DC - DC converter 126) is arranged below the second long portion.

[0054] By forming the saddle shape 41c so as to gradually narrow the flow path toward the rear of the vehicle, compared with a case where, for example, the inner cover plate 41a and the saddle shape 41c are removed and the flow path is formed to expand toward the rear of the vehicle, the flow of the running air taken in from the front end opening 41d is stabilized, improving the cooling performance of the electrical components.

[0055] The running wind (cold air) F1 introduced into the vehicle body cover 6 from the air inlet passes through the periphery of the battery and flows rearward. It contacts the heat sink 131 on the front side of the PCU 130, absorbs heat while flowing further rearward, and becomes the warm air F2 after heat absorption, which is then led into the wheel house WH of the rear wheel 3. A part of the running wind F1 introduced from the air inlet into the cover flows rearward within the seat front cover 41 above the battery.

[0056] FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the electric two-wheeler 1. Referring also to FIG. 6, second air inlets 69 are formed on the left and right side portions of the front part of the under cover 43. The second air inlets 69 enable the introduction of running wind around the power unit 8 and cause the running wind to flow rearward along the substantially horizontal lower surface portion 43a of the under cover 43. A lower surface notch 43b as a discharge port is formed in the lower surface portion 43a of the under cover 43, enabling the discharge of the running wind (warm air) after cooling the power unit 8 downward of the vehicle body. Reference numeral 27 in the figure indicates a step frame (holding member) supported by the front lower end portion 18b of the pivot frame 18 and extending in the left-right direction. Left and right steps 27a are supported at the left and right end portions of the step frame 27.

[0057] As described above, the electric two-wheeler 1 in the above embodiment is a saddle-riding type electric vehicle including a battery set 100 that stores electric power supplied to the motor 50 for vehicle drive, a front cover portion 61 that covers the accommodation space K1 for housing the battery set 100 from the vehicle front side, and a PCU 130 that is disposed behind the battery set 100 and controls the power supply to the motor 50. The front cover portion 61 is provided with an opening (notch 66) that exposes a part of the accommodation space K1 to the vehicle front side, and the PCU 130 at least partially overlaps the notch 66 in the front view of the front cover portion 61. According to this configuration, a notch 66 for exposing the accommodation space K1 of the battery set 100 forward is provided in the front cover portion 61 that covers the front of the battery set 100 for vehicle driving, and the notch 66 and the PCU 130 are arranged so as to overlap in a front view. Thus, it becomes possible to cool the PCU 130 by using the traveling wind introduced into the accommodation space K1 from the notch 66. That is, while protecting the battery set 100 by the front cover portion 61, it is possible to ensure the cooling performance of the electrical components (such as a storage battery and a control device) behind the cover.

[0058] Here, in the notch 66' shown in FIG. 8, the lower end portion 66a' is set to the lower end height of the widened portion 67. The lower end portion 66a' is at a height where at least a part of the notch 66' and the PCU 130 overlap each other in a front view. Even with this configuration, the traveling wind can be taken in from the outside air inlet 68 formed by the front end opening 41d of the saddle shape 41c and the notch 66' (widened portion 67) of the middle cover 42, and the PCU 130 etc. inside the vehicle body cover 6 can be cooled. The openings in the embodiment are the notches 66, 66' with a part of the peripheral edge open, but are not limited to this configuration. For example, the opening may have other configurations such as one or a plurality of through holes with a closed peripheral edge. According to this configuration,

[0059] In the electric two-wheeler 1, the battery set 100 includes a plurality of unit batteries 101 arranged in the vehicle width direction, and the plurality of unit batteries 101 are arranged with a battery space K2 left between the unit batteries 101 adjacent to each other in the vehicle width direction. The notch 66 overlaps at least a part of the battery space K2 in a front view of the front cover portion 61. According to this configuration, a battery space K2 is formed between the unit batteries 101 adjacent to each other in the vehicle width direction, and the battery space K2 and the notch 66 are arranged so as to overlap in a front view. Thus, the traveling wind (cooling wind) introduced into the accommodation space K1 from the notch 66 reaches straight to the rear of the battery set 100 with the battery space K2 as a passage and is used for cooling the PCU 130. Thereby, the cooling performance of the electrical components behind the cover can be improved efficiently. The battery set 100 of the embodiment includes a pair of left and right unit batteries 101, and forms a battery space K2 at the center CL in the vehicle width direction, but is not limited to this configuration. For example, it may include three or more unit batteries 101, and form a battery space K2 between adjacent unit batteries 101 respectively. In this case, the notch 66 of the front cover portion 61 is also arranged at a position corresponding to each battery space K2.

[0060] In the electric two-wheeler 1, the PCU 130 has a flat shape with a reduced thickness in one direction, and is arranged such that the front surface orthogonal to the thickness direction T is along the rear surface of each unit battery 101 of the battery set 100. Cooling fins 131a are provided on the surface of the PCU 130 facing the battery set 100 side. According to this configuration, by arranging the plane of the flat PCU 130 along the side surface of each unit battery 101 of the battery set 100 (so as to be parallel), the PCU 130 can be compactly arranged around the battery set 100. By forming the cooling fins 131a on the surface of the PCU 130 facing the battery set 100 side, a cooling air flow path can be secured between the battery set 100 and the PCU 130, and efficient cooling can be achieved by the cooling fins 131a.

[0061] In the electric two-wheeler 1, it includes a head pipe 16 that supports the front wheel 2 so as to be steerable, and a down frame 19 that extends obliquely downward and rearward from the head pipe 16 in a side view. Each unit battery 101 of the battery set 100 is arranged such that its longitudinal direction is along the extending direction of the down frame 19. According to this configuration, by arranging the longitudinal direction of each unit battery 101 of the battery set 100 along the extending direction of the down frame 19, the dead space between the battery set 100 and the down frame 19 can be suppressed, and the battery set 100 can be compactly laid out.

[0062] In the electric two-wheeler 1, the battery set 100 is arranged on the vehicle rear side of the down frame 19. According to this configuration, by shifting the battery set 100 to the rear side of the vehicle from the down frame 19 (so as not to overlap with the down frame 19 in side view), even when the battery set 100 is displaced inward in the vehicle width direction due to a load input from the outside in the vehicle width direction, the battery set 100 can be displaced without contacting the down frame 19, and the load input to the battery set 100 can be suppressed.

[0063] In the above electric two-wheeler 1, a seat front cover 41 that covers at least a part of the battery set 100 and the PCU 130 from above the vehicle is provided. At the front end of the seat front cover 41, an opening (front end opening 41d) that opens the internal space to the front side of the vehicle is provided. The opening of the seat front cover 41 is formed in a notch shape (front end opening 41d) that opens downward on the lower side of the cover, and the opening of the front cover part 61 is formed in a notch shape (notches 66, 66') that opens upward on the upper side of the cover. The opening of the seat front cover 41 and the opening of the front cover part 61 form a continuous opening (outside air inlet 68). According to this configuration, by forming a large opening with the opening of the upper cover and the opening of the front cover part 61, more running wind (cooling wind) can be supplied to the electrical components arranged inside the cover.

[0064] In the above electric two-wheeler 1, the opening of the front cover part 61 is provided with notches 66, 66' that open upward on the upper side of the cover. The down frame 19 enters the inside of the front cover part 61 through the opening, and the front cover part 61 has the periphery of the opening bulging forward on the vehicle side more than the remaining part. According to this configuration, by bulging the periphery of the notches 66, 66' through which the down frame 19 passes forward on the vehicle side, the peripheral edge of the opening is displaced forward on the vehicle side to increase the interval from the down frame 19. As a result, it becomes easier to introduce running wind from the opening while avoiding the down frame 19. Also, even when the opening is formed in a notch shape, it becomes easier to ensure the rigidity around the opening.

[0065] In the electric two-wheeler 1, the notch 66 has a widened portion 67 that is formed wider than the down frame 19 when viewed from the front side of the vehicle. According to this configuration, since the notch 66 of the front cover portion 61 has a widened portion 67 that is wider than the down frame 19 in a front view, it becomes easier to further introduce the running wind from the notch 66 while avoiding the down frame 19.

[0066] Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, the configuration of this embodiment may be applied to a straddle-type vehicle other than a motorcycle. The straddle-type vehicle includes all vehicles in which a driver straddles the vehicle body, and includes not only motorcycles (including motor bicycles and scooter-type vehicles), but also three-wheeled (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 (such as four-wheel buggies) vehicles. It may also be applied to vehicles including an internal combustion engine as a prime mover. And the configuration in the above-described embodiment is an example of the present invention, and various changes can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention, such as replacing the components of the embodiment with well-known components.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0067] 1 Electric two-wheeler (straddle-type electric vehicle) 2 Front wheel 16 Head pipe 19 Down frame (descending frame) 41 Seat front cover (upper cover) 41d Front end opening (open portion) 50 Motor (electric motor) 61 Front cover portion (front cover) 66, 66’ Notch (opening) 67 Widened portion 68 Outside air inlet (opening) 100 Battery set (storage battery) 101 Unit battery (unit storage battery) 130 PCU (control device) 131a Cooling fin K1 Accommodation space K2 Battery Interspace (Battery Interspace) T Thickness Direction

Claims

1. A storage battery (100) for storing electric power to be supplied to an electric motor (50) for driving a vehicle, A front cover (61) that covers a storage space (K1) for housing the storage battery (100) from the front side of the vehicle, In a saddle-type electric vehicle (1) including a control device (130) that is disposed behind the storage battery (100) and controls at least a part of a vehicle drive system, The front cover (61) includes openings (66, 66') that expose a part of the storage space (K1) to the front side of the vehicle, The control device (130) is characterized in that at least a part thereof overlaps with the openings (66, 66') in a front view of the front cover (61). The saddle-type electric vehicle is as described above.

2. The storage battery (100) includes a plurality of unit storage batteries (101) arranged in the vehicle width direction, The plurality of unit storage batteries (101) are arranged with a storage battery space (K2) therebetween between adjacent unit storage batteries (101) in the vehicle width direction, The openings (66, 66') are characterized in that at least a part thereof overlaps with the storage battery space (K2) in a front view of the front cover (61). The saddle-type electric vehicle according to Claim 1 is as described above.

3. The control device (130) has a flat shape with a reduced thickness in one direction, and is arranged such that a plane orthogonal to the thickness direction (T) is along the side surface of each unit storage battery (101) of the storage battery (100), The saddle-type electric vehicle according to Claim 2 is characterized in that a cooling fin (131a) is provided on a surface of the control device (130) facing the storage battery (100).

4. A head pipe (16) that supports a front wheel (2) so as to be steerable, A down frame (19) that obliquely extends downward and rearward from the head pipe (16) in a side view, The saddle-type electric vehicle according to Claim 2 or 3 is characterized in that each unit storage battery (101) of the storage battery (100) is arranged such that its longitudinal direction is along the extending direction of the down frame (19).

5. The saddle-type electric vehicle according to Claim 4 is characterized in that the storage battery (100) is arranged on the rear side of the vehicle with respect to the down frame (19).

6. An upper cover (41) that covers at least a part of the storage battery (100) and the control device (130) from above the vehicle, The front end portion of the upper cover (41) includes an opening portion (41d) that opens the inner space of the cover to the front side of the vehicle, The opening portion (41d) of the upper cover (41) is formed in a notch shape that opens downward on the lower side of the cover. The openings (66, 66') of the front cover (61) are formed in a notch shape that opens upward on the upper side of the cover. The saddle-riding type electric vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the opening portion (41d) of the upper cover (41) and the openings (66, 66') of the front cover (61) form a continuous opening (68).

7. The openings (66, 66') of the front cover (61) are notches (66, 66') that open upward on the upper side of the cover, and the downward frame (19) enters the inside of the front cover (61) through the openings (66, 66'). The saddle-riding type electric vehicle according to claim 6, wherein the front cover (61) has a portion around the openings (66, 66') bulging forward of the vehicle compared to the remaining portion.

8. The saddle-riding type electric vehicle according to claim 7, wherein the openings (66, 66') have a widened portion (67) formed wider than the downward frame (19) when viewed from the front side of the vehicle.

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