Vehicle structure

Abstract

To provide a vehicle structure which contributes to downsizing of a vehicle and to improvement of energy efficiency.SOLUTION: A vehicle structure includes: a rechargeable battery (100) which stores electric power used for operation of a vehicle (1); a seat (15) on which an occupant of the vehicle (1) is seated; a load receiving part (70) which receives a load of the seat (15); and an electric component (9) used for operation of the vehicle (1). The rechargeable battery (100) supports the seat (15) through the load receiving part (70) and the electric component (9) is disposed between the seat (15) and the rechargeable battery (100).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] In recent years, efforts to realize a low-carbon or carbon-free society have become more active, and research and development into electrification technologies is being conducted in vehicles to reduce CO2 emissions and improve energy efficiency. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a saddle-type electric vehicle that includes an electric motor that generates driving power, a battery case that houses a battery that supplies power to the electric motor, and a seat on which a driver can sit. This vehicle is designed so that the weight of the seat is supported by the battery case. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7354800 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Meanwhile, in technologies related to electrification, miniaturization of vehicles is an issue. For example, in the technology of Patent Document 1, a control device is housed inside a battery case, which increases the size of the battery case, limiting design freedom. Therefore, it is necessary to appropriately position the control device while placing it outside the battery case.

[0005] The present invention aims to solve the above problems by reducing the size of electrical components and, ultimately, vehicles. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] As a means for solving the above problems, the present invention has the following configuration. (1) A vehicle structure according to an aspect of the present invention comprises a storage battery (100) that stores electricity used for the operation of a vehicle (1), a seat (15) on which an occupant of the vehicle (1) sits, a load-receiving portion (70) that receives the load of the seat (15), and electrical components (9) that are used for the operation of the vehicle (1), wherein the storage battery (100) supports the seat (15) via the load-receiving portion (70), and the electrical components (9) are arranged between the seat (15) and the storage battery (100). According to this configuration, the storage battery supports the seat via the load receiving portion, creating space around the load receiving portion. This allows electrical components to be placed between the seat and the storage battery by utilizing the space around the load receiving portion. This contributes to downsizing of the vehicle and ultimately to improving energy efficiency.

[0007] (2) A vehicle structure according to an aspect of the present invention comprises a storage battery (100) that stores electricity used for the operation of a vehicle (1), a seat (15) on which an occupant of the vehicle (1) sits, and a load-receiving portion (70) that receives the load of the seat (15), wherein the storage battery (100) has a longitudinal direction when viewed from the side of the vehicle and comprises an elongated portion (103) that extends from the lower portion of the down frame (21) of the body frame (5) to just before the pivot axis (PV), and an upright portion (104) that stands upright from the rear of the elongated portion (103), and the load-receiving portion (70) is provided at the upper portion of the upright portion (104). With this configuration, the battery capacity is secured by the long section extending forward and backward along the lower part of the body frame, while the seat load is supported by the upright section protruding upward at the rear of the long section, thereby ensuring high rigidity near the seat and supporting the seat load.

[0008] (3) The vehicle structure described in (1) or (2) above may include electrical components (9) used in the operation of the vehicle (1), and the electrical components (9) may be supported by the load-receiving portion (70). According to this configuration, the electrical components are supported by the load receiving portion strong enough to bear the seat load, thereby improving the stability of the electrical components.

[0009] (4) In the vehicle structure described in (3) above, the electrical component (9) may be supported on the load-receiving portion (70) via a stay (90), and the stay (90) may have wiring support portions (92, 93) on the opposite side of the load-receiving portion (70) that support wiring (106) connected to the electrical component (9). According to this configuration, the wiring support portion can be provided on the side of the stay that allows greater freedom in layout.

[0010] (5) In the vehicle structure described in (4) above, the main body support portion (91) of the stay (90) that supports the electrical component (9) has a recess (91c) that is recessed so as to avoid the load-receiving portion (70). According to this configuration, the main body support portion and the load receiving portion of the stay are brought close to each other while avoiding interference between them, and the load of the electrical component can be efficiently supported by the load receiving portion.

[0011] (6) In the vehicle structure described in (3) above, the load-receiving portion (70) may be arranged in front of the electrical component (9), and a gap (75) may be formed in the portion of the load-receiving portion (70) that overlaps with the electrical component (9) when viewed from the front of the vehicle. With this configuration, at least a portion of the airflow passing through the gap from in front of the electrical component can be guided toward the electrical component, thereby contributing to improving the cooling efficiency of the electrical component.

[0012] (7) In the vehicle structure described in (6) above, the gap (75) may overlap a cooling fin (61) provided on the electrical component (9) in a front view of the vehicle. This configuration allows the cooling air to be more effectively directed toward the portion of the electrical component that is to be cooled.

[0013] (8) In the vehicle structure described in (3) above, a gap (120) may be formed between the electrical component (9) and the storage battery (100). With this configuration, at least a portion of the cooling air passing through the gap between the electrical component and the storage battery can be utilized to cool the electrical component and the storage battery.

[0014] (9) In the vehicle structure described in (8) above, the gap (120) is formed between the lower surface of the electrical component (9) and the upper surface of the storage battery (100), and at least a portion of each of the lower surface of the electrical component (9) and the upper surface of the storage battery (100) may be arranged parallel to each other in a side view of the vehicle. This configuration can prevent the flow of cooling air from being blocked, thereby contributing to further improving the cooling efficiency of the electrical components and the storage battery.

[0015] (10) The vehicle structure described in any one of (3) to (9) above may further include a box portion (45) that forms a space (46) below the seat (15), and the box portion (45) may have a cutout portion (47) formed therein, and the electrical component (9) may be accommodated in the cutout portion (47). According to this configuration, the box portion can cover and protect the electrical components. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] The present invention contributes to the miniaturization of vehicles, which in turn contributes to the improvement of energy efficiency. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a left side view of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the main part of the vehicle as seen from the left front. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a load receiving portion that receives the load of a seat in the vehicle, as viewed from the left front. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a front view of a main part of the vehicle. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a left side view of a main part of the vehicle. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a left side view including a cross section taken along the line VI-VI in FIG. 4. [Figure 7] FIG. 3 is a left side view illustrating an example of a flow of cooling air in the vehicle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Directions such as front, rear, up, down, left, and right in the following description are the same as directions in a vehicle described below. In the drawings used in the following description, an arrow FR indicating the front of the vehicle, an arrow LH indicating the left side of the vehicle, an arrow UP indicating the top of the vehicle, and a line CL indicating the center of the left and right sides of the vehicle body are shown in appropriate locations. In the following description, expressions indicating relative or absolute arrangements, such as "parallel," "orthogonal," "center," and "coaxial," not only mean such arrangements strictly, but also include states where there is a relative displacement with a tolerance or an angle or distance that provides the same function.

[0019] <Vehicle> FIG. 1 is a left side view of a vehicle 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a vehicle 1 of the embodiment is a scooter-type electric two-wheeled vehicle having a floor portion 14 (low floor portion) on which a rider (driver) places his / her feet. The vehicle 1 includes front wheels 2, rear wheels 3, a body frame 5, a body cover 6, a swing unit 8, a storage battery 100, a seat 15, a load receiving portion 70, and a control device (electrical components) 9.

[0020] The front wheel 2 is supported by a front fork 10. The front wheel 2 can be steered by a handlebar 13. The rear wheel 3 is supported at the rear end of the swing unit 8. The rear wheel 3 can be driven by an electric motor 50 provided in the swing unit 8. The front end of the swing unit 8 is connected to the body frame 5.

[0021] The handlebars 13, front fork 10, and front wheel 2 make up steering system components. The steering system components are steerably supported at the front end of the body frame 5. The swing unit 8 and rear wheel 3 are supported at the bottom of the body frame 5 so that they can swing up and down. The body frame 5 is surrounded by a body cover 6. In the figure, symbol PV denotes a pivot shaft that connects the front end of the swing unit 8 to the bottom of the body frame 5 so that it can swing up and down.

[0022] The vehicle 1 includes a floor portion 14 that forms a footrest surface on which a driver seated in a seat 15 places his or her feet, a front body FB that is connected to the front of the floor portion 14, and a rear body RB that is connected to the rear of the floor portion 14. A straddling space K is formed above the floor portion 14 to make it easier for a passenger to straddle the vehicle body.

[0023] A seat 15 for a passenger to sit on is supported on the rear body RB. The lower front end of the seat 15 is connected to the vehicle body via a hinge shaft 16 that extends along the vehicle width direction (left-right direction). The seat 15 rotates up and down around the hinge shaft 16 to open and close the upper part of the rear body RB.

[0024] The seat 15 is in a closed state (see FIG. 1) when its seat surface is substantially horizontal and the upper part of the rear body RB is closed. When the seat 15 is in the closed state, an occupant can sit in the seat 15, and the storage compartment (space 46 inside the box portion 45) below the seat 15 is closed. In this state, the seat 15 can be locked.

[0025] The seat 15 rotates around the hinge shaft 16, raising the seat surface and opening the upper part of the rear body RB, which is the open state. When the seat 15 is in the open state, the occupant cannot sit on the seat 15, and the item storage section (space 46 inside the box section 45) below the seat 15 opens, allowing items to be put in and taken out.

[0026] The body frame 5 is formed by joining multiple types of steel materials together by welding, etc. The body frame 5 includes a head pipe 20 located at the front end, a pair of left and right down frames 21 that branch off to the left and right from the head pipe 20, extend downward, and then extend rearward, and a pair of left and right rear frames 22 that extend upward and rearward from the rear of the left and right down frames 21.

[0027] Specifically, the left and right down frames 21 include downward extending portions 21a that branch off to the left and right from the head pipe 20 and extend downward, curved portions 21b that curve downward and forward from the lower ends of the downward extending portions 21a, rearward extending portions 21c that extend rearward from the rear ends of the curved portions 21b, and left and right extending portions 21d that extend in the vehicle width direction to connect the left and right downward extending portions 21a. A storage battery 100 is disposed in an underfloor space surrounded by the lower portions of the left and right down frames 21 and the front portions of the left and right rear frames 22. A center cross frame 23 that extends in the vehicle width direction is provided between the front portions of the left and right rear frames 22.

[0028] The body cover 6 covers the periphery of the body frame 5. In the drawings, the body cover 6 is indicated by a two-dot chain line. For example, the body cover 6 may include a handle cover 30 that covers the periphery of the handlebars 13 except for the left and right grip portions 13a, a front cover 31 that covers the front portion of the body frame 5 from the front, an inner cover 32 that covers the front portion of the body frame 5 from the rear, a floor cover 33 that covers the lower portion of the body frame 5 from above, a rear center cover 34 that covers the rear portion of the body frame 5 from the front, a pair of left and right rear side covers 35 that cover the rear portion of the body frame 5 from the left and right sides, and a rear end cover 36 that covers the rear portion of the body frame 5 from the rear.

[0029] The front cover 31 and the inner cover 32 may form a front body cover that forms the outer surface of the front body FB. The front body cover may also serve as a leg shield that covers the front of the driver's legs. The upper surface of the floor cover 33 may form a floor step. The floor step may form a flat upper surface (footrest surface) across the entire width in the vehicle width direction, for example. The floor step may be provided with a center tunnel that protrudes upward on the inner side in the vehicle width direction. The rear center cover 34, the left and right rear side covers 35, and the rear end cover 36 may form a rear body cover that forms the outer surface of the rear body RB. The body cover 6, except for the handle cover 30, may be fixedly supported on the body frame 5.

[0030] The swing unit 8 includes an electric motor 50 that generates driving force for running the vehicle 1, a reduction gear 51 that reduces the output of the electric motor 50, and a unit case 52 that houses the electric motor 50 and the reduction gear 51.

[0031] The electric motor 50 is driven by power from the storage battery 100. The electric motor 50 is disposed with its drive shaft aligned in the vehicle width direction. The electric motor 50 includes a rotor that rotates integrally with the drive shaft, and a stator that surrounds the outer periphery of the rotor and is fixed to a unit case 52 (neither of which are shown). The electric motor 50 is driven at a variable speed, for example, by VVVF (variable voltage variable frequency) control. The electric motor 50 may be speed-change controlled so as to have a continuously variable transmission. Alternatively, the electric motor 50 may be speed-change controlled so as to have a stepped transmission.

[0032] The driving force generated by the electric motor 50 is transmitted to the rear wheels 3 supported by the swing unit 8 to drive the vehicle 1. The lower end of a rear cushion 41 is connected to the rear end of the swing unit 8. The swing unit 8 and the rear cushion 41 form a suspension system (rear suspension) that supports the rear wheels 3.

[0033] The control device 9 is configured to include a PCU 60 (Power Control Unit) that controls the electric motor 50. The PCU 60 includes a PDU (Power Drive Unit) that is a motor driver, an ECU (Electric Control Unit) that controls the PDU, and the like. The PDU includes, for example, an inverter. The inverter converts the current supplied from the storage battery 100 from direct current to alternating current, and then supplies the power to the electric motor 50.

[0034] One end of a wiring 65 (for example, a three-phase cable) connected to the electric motor 50 is connected to the PDU of the PCU 60. In addition, a positive and negative battery cable 105 extending from a battery case 102 (specifically, the positive and negative poles of the battery main body 101) that houses the battery main body 101 of the storage battery 100 is connected to the PDU. An inverter of the PDU converts the direct current supplied by the storage battery 100 into three-phase alternating current and supplies it to the electric motor 50.

[0035] <Storage battery> The storage battery 100 is mounted below the seat 15 between the lower part of the downward extension 21a of the down frame 21 and the front lower part of the rear frame 22. The rear part of the storage battery 100 is arranged so as to overlap the front part of the seat 15 in a plan view. The storage battery 100 includes a battery main body 101 and a battery case 102 that covers the battery main body 101.

[0036] The battery main body 101 may include, for example, a plurality of unit batteries 101a. The battery main body 101 may include, for example, only one unit battery 101a. The unit battery 101a may be configured as, for example, a lithium ion battery as a chargeable and dischargeable energy storage.

[0037] Battery cables 105 extend from the positive and negative terminals of the battery main body 101. Each battery cable 105 is connected to a PDU constituting the PCU 60. A wiring 65 (for example, a three-phase cable) extends from the PDU. The wiring 65 is connected to the electric motor 50.

[0038] The storage batteries 100 are arranged in the front-rear direction along the rearward extending portions 21c of the left and right down frames 21. The storage batteries 100 may be arranged symmetrically overall with the center of the vehicle width as the axis of symmetry. This allows the storage batteries 100, which are heavy objects, to be arranged symmetrically, thereby reducing the impact of the vehicle weight on the left-right balance.

[0039] The storage battery 100 includes an elongated portion 103 having a longitudinal direction in a side view of the vehicle, and an upright portion 104 that stands up from the upper rear portion of the elongated portion 103. The elongated portion 103 is disposed so as to extend in the front-to-rear direction along the rear extending portion 21c. The lower front portion of the elongated portion 103 is disposed so as to overlap with the curved portion 21b in a side view of the vehicle. The upright portion 104 is disposed on the upper rear side of the elongated portion 103, toward the center of the vehicle in the front-to-rear direction.

[0040] In this embodiment, the elongated portion 103 and the standing portion 104 are each rectangular in a side view of the vehicle. The storage battery 100 is L-shaped in a side view of the vehicle. The storage battery 100 is arranged so that the standing portion 104 protrudes upward toward the front of the seat 15 in a side view of the vehicle, and the elongated portion 103 is aligned with the rearward extending portion 21c (so as to extend in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle). The elongated portion 103 extends from a lower portion of the downward extending portion 21a of the down frame 21 to just before the pivot axis PV in a side view of the vehicle.

[0041] The storage battery 100 includes a first mount portion 111 that protrudes upward and forward from the upper front end of the battery case 102 (specifically, the elongated portion 103), a second mount portion 112 that protrudes downward and forward from the lower front end of the battery case 102 (specifically, the elongated portion 103), a third mount portion 113 that protrudes rearward from the upper rear end of the battery case 102 (specifically, the upright portion 104), and a fourth mount portion 114 that protrudes downward and rearward from the lower rear end of the battery case 102 (specifically, the elongated portion 103).

[0042] The storage battery 100 is fixedly supported (rigidly mounted) on the vehicle body. The front upper end of the storage battery 100 is supported (bolted) on the left and right extending portions 21d of the down frame 21 (specifically, hanger brackets 24 provided at the center portions of the left and right extending portions 21d in the vehicle width direction) via first mount portions 111 and the like. The front lower end of the storage battery 100 is supported (bolted) on the front lower portions of the left and right down frames 21 (for example, brackets not shown provided on the curved portions 21b) via second mount portions 112 and the like. The rear upper end of the storage battery 100 is supported (bolted) on the left and right hanger brackets 25 provided on the center cross frame 23 via third mount portions 113 and the like. The rear lower end of the storage battery 100 is supported (bolted) on the hanger brackets 26 provided at the front lower portions of the left and right rear frames 22 via fourth mount portions 114 and the like.

[0043] The storage battery 100 may be capable of being charged using an external charger when removed from the vehicle body, for example. The storage battery 100 may also be capable of being used independently, for example, as a mobile battery to power an external device.

[0044] The vehicle further includes a box portion 45 that forms a space 46 below the seat 15. The box portion 45 functions as an item storage section that allows items to be put into and taken out of the space 46 below the seat 15. A cutout portion 47 is formed in the box portion 45. The cutout portion 47 is formed in the front lower portion of the box portion 45. The cutout portion 47 is formed so as to open forward and downward directly below the front of the seat 15. The control device 9 is housed in the cutout portion 47.

[0045] <Load receiving part> Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the main parts of the vehicle 1 as seen from the front left. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a load receiving portion 70 of the vehicle 1 that receives the load of the seat 15 as seen from slightly above the front left. Fig. 4 is a front view of the main parts of the vehicle 1. Fig. 5 is a left side view of the main parts of the vehicle 1. Fig. 6 is a left side view including a cross section taken along line VI-VI in Fig. 4. 1 to 6 , the storage battery 100 supports the seat 15 via a load receiving portion 70. The control device 9 is disposed between the seat 15 and the storage battery 100. The control device 9 is supported by the load receiving portion 70. The load receiving portion 70 is disposed in front of the control device 9.

[0046] The load receiving portion 70 is formed in a U-shape (inverted U-shape) that opens downward when viewed from the front-to-rear direction. A hinge bracket 80 that rotatably supports the hinge shaft 16 of the seat 15 is attached to the load receiving portion 70. The load receiving portion 70 is configured to receive the load of the seat 15 via the hinge bracket 80.

[0047] The hinge bracket 80 includes a pair of left and right rotation support plates 81 that rotatably support the hinge shaft 16 and are formed like plates having a thickness in the vehicle width direction, and a connecting plate 82 that connects the left and right rotation support plates 81 and has a U-shape (inverted U-shape) that opens downward when viewed from the front-to-rear direction. Lower edge portions of the left and right rotation support plates 81 may be joined to the upper surface of the connecting plate 82 by, for example, metal welding or integral molding with resin.

[0048] The load-receiving portion 70 comprises a front wall portion 71 that is U-shaped (inverted U-shaped) and opens downward when viewed from the front-to-rear direction, an upper wall portion 72 that is connected to the upper central end of the front wall portion 71 in the vehicle width direction and extends in the vehicle width direction, left and right side wall portions 73 that extend outward and downward in the vehicle width direction from the left and right ends of the upper wall portion 72, and a lower wall portion 74 that extends from the lower ends of the left and right side wall portions 73 along the upper surface of the storage battery 100 (so as to contact part of the upper surface of the storage battery 100).

[0049] A hinge bracket 80 is attached to the front wall portion 71. The hinge bracket 80 (the rear end edge portion of the connecting plate 82) may be joined to the front wall portion 71 by, for example, metal welding or integral molding with resin. The box portion 45 has a front flange portion 48 that protrudes forward of the control device 9 between the control device 9 and the hinge shaft 16 of the seat 15. The front flange portion 48 of the box portion 45 is fixed to the upper wall portion 72. The front flange portion 48 of the box portion 45 may be fixed to the upper wall portion 72 from above the vehicle by, for example, a pair of left and right bolts or the like. The upper part of the storage battery 100 is fixed to the left and right lower wall parts 74. The left and right lower wall parts 74 may be fixed to the upper part of the storage battery 100 (specifically, the protruding parts protruding upward from the upper front part of the standing part 104) by, for example, a pair of front and rear bolts, respectively.

[0050] A gap 75 is formed in the load receiving portion 70 at a portion that overlaps with the control device 9 in a front view of the vehicle. The gap 75 corresponds to a portion of the load receiving portion 70 that opens downward when viewed from the front-to-rear direction. The gap 75 is formed so as to be defined by the inner edge of the load receiving portion 70 and the upper surface of the storage battery 100 in a front view of the vehicle.

[0051] Cooling fins 61 are provided on the underside of the control device 9. The underside of the control device 9 extends in the front-to-rear direction (specifically, at a slight diagonal angle downwards to the front relative to the front-to-rear direction) in a side view of the vehicle. The cooling fins 61 are formed in a rectangular shape with their longitudinal axes aligned with the control device 9 (at a slight diagonal angle downwards to the front) in a side view of the vehicle. The cooling fins 61 extend in the front-to-rear direction (specifically, at a slight diagonal angle downwards to the front relative to the front-to-rear direction) from the front end of the underside of the control device 9 to the rear end of the underside of the vehicle in a side view of the vehicle. A plurality of cooling fins 61 are provided at intervals in the vehicle width direction.

[0052] The gap 75 overlaps with the cooling fins 61 provided on the control device 9 in a front view of the vehicle. The gap 75 overlaps with a plurality of cooling fins 61 (eight in the example of FIG. 4) that are located toward the center in the vehicle width direction out of the plurality of cooling fins 61 in a front view of the vehicle. The space outside the load receiving portion 70 in the vehicle width direction overlaps with a plurality of cooling fins 61 (four on each side in the example of FIG. 4) that are located toward the outer side in the vehicle width direction out of the plurality of cooling fins 61 in a front view of the vehicle. Note that the installation mode (installation location, number, etc.) of the cooling fins 61 is not limited to the above and can be changed according to design specifications.

[0053] <Stay> The control device 9 is supported on the load receiving portion 70 via a stay 90. The stay 90 is provided with wiring support portions 92 and 93 on the opposite side to the load receiving portion 70, which support the wiring 65 connected to the control device 9. Specifically, the stay 90 is provided with a main body support portion 91 that supports the control device 9, and wiring support portions 92 and 93 that support the wiring.

[0054] The main body support portion 91 is disposed parallel to the underside of the control device 9. The main body support portion 91 extends in the front-to-rear direction (specifically, obliquely downward and slightly forward with respect to the front-to-rear direction) in a side view of the vehicle. A through-hole 91h that opens in the up-down direction may be formed in the main body support portion 91 so as to communicate with the gap 75 formed in the load receiving portion 70.

[0055] A recess 91c is formed in the front portion of the main body support portion 91 so as to avoid the side wall portion 73 of the load receiving portion 70. The front portion of the main body support portion 91 (the portion facing the recess 91c) has an overlapping portion 91a that overlaps with the lower wall portion 74 of the load receiving portion 70 (rear portion of the lower wall portion 74) when viewed from the top-bottom direction. The overlapping portion 91a of the main body support portion 91, together with the rear portions of the left and right lower wall portions 74, is fixed to the upper portion of the storage battery 100. The overlapping portion 91a of the main body support portion 91 may be fixed to the upper portion of the storage battery 100 (specifically, the upper front portion of the standing portion 104) from above the vehicle by fastening it together with the left and right lower wall portions 74 with, for example, bolts or the like.

[0056] The main body support part 91 has an outer shape that overlaps with the control device 9 when viewed from above. The control device 9 has cylindrical boss parts 62 at the corners of the rectangular part when viewed from above. A bolt with a bottom head is attached to the main body support part 91 at a part (each corner 91b) that overlaps with each boss part 62 when viewed from above. Each corner 91b of the main body support part 91 may be fixed with a nut from above the vehicle, for example, to the male thread of a bolt that protrudes upward from each boss part 62 of the control device 9.

[0057] A plurality of wiring support portions 92, 93 are provided on the rear side of the main body support portion 91. The plurality of wiring support portions 92, 93 include an upper wiring support portion 92 that connects to the rear edge of the main body support portion 91 on the outer end side in the vehicle width direction and extends while curving upward and forward and upward, and a lower wiring support portion 93 that connects to the rear edge of the main body support portion 91 on the center side in the vehicle width direction and extends while curving forward and downward. The wiring 65 is supported by each wiring support portion 92, 93 via holding members 95, 96 such as grommets.

[0058] The wiring 65 extends from the center of the front-rear direction of the upper surface of the control device 9 in a side view of the vehicle to the upper rear and then curves and extends downward and rearward, and is supported by the upper wiring support portion 92 via a holding member 95. The wiring 65 then extends downward and rearward, and then curves and extends downward and frontward, and is supported by the lower wiring support portion 93 via a holding member 96. The wiring 65 then extends downward and frontward, and then curves and extends downward and rearward, and is connected to the swing unit 8 (specifically, the electric motor 50).

[0059] The battery cable 105 extends downward and forward from the upper front portion of the control device 9 in a side view of the vehicle, and then curves and extends downward (slightly downward and rearward), and is connected to the upper portion of the storage battery 100 (specifically, to the front portion of the standing portion 104). The left and right battery cables 105 extend from the lower front edge of the seat 15 in a front view of the vehicle, and extend inward and downward in the vehicle width direction, and are connected to a portion of the front portion of the standing portion 104 that is closer to the center in the vehicle width direction. The left and right battery cables 105 are arranged so as to avoid the gap 75 of the load receiving portion 70 in a front view of the vehicle (in other words, so as to overlap with the outer portions of the front wall portion 71 in the vehicle width direction).

[0060] <Control device connection and support> The control device 9 connects the storage battery 100 to the body frame 5. The control device 9 is connected across two components, the storage battery 100 and the body frame 5. The body frame 5 includes a center cross frame 23 that supports the storage battery 100. The control device 9 is supported by the center cross frame 23.

[0061] The center cross frame 23 is formed so as to protrude upward and forward from the front portions of the left and right rear frames 22 in a side view of the vehicle. The center cross frame 23 is formed so as to have a U-shape (inverted U-shape) that opens downward when viewed from the front-rear direction.

[0062] A pair of left and right hanger brackets 25 are provided on the center cross frame 23. The left and right hanger brackets 25 extend downward and forward from the front of the center cross frame 23 in a side view of the vehicle. The storage battery 100 is supported on the center cross frame 23 via the left and right hanger brackets 25. The upper rear end of the storage battery 100 (specifically, the upright portion 104) is fastened to the left and right hanger brackets 25 from the outside on the left and right via third mount portions 113 and the like.

[0063] A pair of left and right support brackets 27 are provided on the center cross frame 23. The left and right support brackets 27 extend rearward from the rear of the center cross frame 23 in a side view of the vehicle. The left and right support brackets 27 are formed in a U-shape (inverted U-shape) that opens downward when viewed from the front-to-rear direction. The control device 9 is supported on the center cross frame 23 via a stay 90 and the left and right support brackets 27. The rear lower surface of the stay 90 abuts against the upper surfaces of the left and right support brackets 27.

[0064] <Cooling air passage> 7 is a left side view illustrating an example of the flow of cooling air in the vehicle 1. In FIG. 7, the shape of the storage battery 100 and the like as viewed from the side of the vehicle is shown in a simplified manner. 1 to 7, in this embodiment, the load receiving portion 70 is disposed in front of the control device 9. A gap 75 is formed in the load receiving portion 70 at a portion that overlaps with the control device 9 in a front view of the vehicle. A cooling air passage (gap) 120 through which cooling air passes is formed between the control device 9 and the storage battery 100. The cooling air passage 120 is formed between the lower surface of the control device 9 and the upper surface of the storage battery 100. At least a portion of the lower surface of the control device 9 and at least a portion of the upper surface of the storage battery 100 are arranged parallel to each other in a side view of the vehicle. In FIG. 7, the upper surface of the storage battery 100 (standing portion 104) extends linearly in the fore-and-aft direction (specifically, diagonally slightly downward toward the front with respect to the fore-and-aft direction) in a side view of the vehicle. The cooling fins 61 protrude downward from the lower surface of the control device 9 to define the cooling air passage 120 in the vehicle width direction.

[0065] The cooling air passage 120 extends rearward (specifically, slightly upward and rearward) from near the upper front end of the standing portion 104 so as to follow the underside of the control device 9 and the upper surface of the storage battery 100 in a side view of the vehicle. A portion of the cooling air passage 120 is divided into upper and lower sections by a stay 90. Note that an opening may be formed in a cowl portion below the seat 15 (for example, the rear center cover 34) and / or a cowl portion behind the front wheel 2 (for example, the front cover 31) so as to allow cooling air (outside air) to be introduced toward the gap 75 of the load receiving portion 70.

[0066] As a result, at least a portion of the air passing through gap 75 from the front of control device 9 flows in the direction of arrow W1 in the figure and is guided along cooling fins 61 provided on control device 9. At least a portion of the air passing through gap 75 flows in the direction of arrow W2 in the figure and is guided along the upper surface of upright portion 104 constituting storage battery 100. At least a portion of the air passing through gap 75 flows in the direction of arrow W3 in the figure through through-hole 91h formed in stay 90 and is guided toward the rear of upright portion 104.

[0067] <Action and effect> As described above, the vehicle structure in the above embodiment includes the storage battery 100 that stores power used for the operation of the vehicle 1, the seat 15 on which an occupant of the vehicle 1 sits, the load receiving portion 70 that receives the load of the seat 15, and the control device 9 that controls the operation of the vehicle 1. The storage battery 100 supports the seat 15 via the load receiving portion 70. The control device 9 is disposed between the seat 15 and the storage battery 100. According to this configuration, the storage battery 100 supports the seat 15 via the load receiving portion 70, so that a space is formed around the load receiving portion 70. Therefore, the control device 9 can be disposed between the seat 15 and the storage battery 100 by utilizing the space around the load receiving portion 70. This contributes to the miniaturization of the vehicle 1, and ultimately to the improvement of energy efficiency.

[0068] In the above embodiment, the control device 9 is supported by the load receiving portion 70. According to this configuration, the control device 9 is supported by the load receiving portion 70 that has the strength to receive the seat load, and therefore the stability of the control device 9 can be improved.

[0069] In the above embodiment, the control device 9 is supported on the load receiving portion 70 via the stay 90. The stay 90 includes wiring support portions 92 and 93 on the opposite side to the load receiving portion 70, which support the wiring 65 connected to the control device 9. According to this configuration, the wiring support portions 92 and 93 can be provided on the side of the stay 90 that allows greater freedom in layout.

[0070] In the above embodiment, the load receiving portion 70 is disposed in front of the control device 9. A gap 75 is formed in the portion of the load receiving portion 70 that overlaps with the control device 9 in a front view of the vehicle. According to this configuration, at least a part of the airflow passing through the gap 75 from the front of the control device 9 can be guided toward the control device 9. This contributes to improving the cooling efficiency of the control device 9.

[0071] In the above embodiment, the gap 75 overlaps with the cooling fins 61 provided on the control device 9 when viewed from the front of the vehicle. According to this configuration, the cooling air can be more effectively guided toward the part of the control device 9 that is to be cooled.

[0072] In the above embodiment, a cooling air passage 120 through which cooling air passes is formed between the control device 9 and the storage battery 100. According to this configuration, at least a part of the cooling air passing through the cooling air passage 120 can be used to cool the control device 9 and the storage battery 100.

[0073] In the above embodiment, the cooling air passage 120 is formed between the lower surface of the control device 9 and the upper surface of the storage battery 100. At least a portion of each of the lower surface of the control device 9 and the upper surface of the storage battery 100 is arranged parallel to each other in a side view of the vehicle. This configuration can prevent the flow of cooling air from being blocked, thereby contributing to further improvement in the cooling efficiency of the control device 9 and the storage battery 100.

[0074] In the above embodiment, a box portion 45 is further provided that forms a space 46 below the seat 15. A notch portion 47 is formed in the box portion 45. The control device 9 is housed in the notch portion 47. According to this configuration, the control device 9 can be protected by being covered by the box portion 45.

[0075] In the above embodiment, the vehicle structure includes a storage battery 100 that stores power used for operating the vehicle 1, a body frame 5 of the vehicle 1, and a control device 9 that controls the operation of the vehicle 1. The control device 9 connects the storage battery 100 and the body frame 5. According to this configuration, the control device 9 can be connected across two components, the storage battery 100 and the body frame 5. In other words, the control device 9 can be used as a connection part that connects the storage battery 100 and the body frame 5. This improves the degree of freedom in layout.

[0076] In the above embodiment, the body frame 5 includes a center cross frame 23 that supports the storage battery 100. The control device 9 is supported by the center cross frame 23. According to this configuration, the control device 9 is supported by the robust center cross frame 23 that supports the weight of the storage battery 100, thereby improving the stability of the control device 9.

[0077] <Modification> In the above embodiment, the control device is described as being supported by the load receiving portion, but this is not limiting. For example, the control device may be supported by a member separate from the load receiving portion. For example, the control device does not have to be supported by the load receiving portion. The support mode of the control device can be changed according to the design specifications.

[0078] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the control device is supported by a load receiving portion via a stay, and the stay includes a wiring support portion on the opposite side of the load receiving portion that supports wiring connected to the control device. However, this is not limiting. For example, the stay may include the wiring support portion on the same side as the load receiving portion. For example, the wiring support portion may be provided on a member separate from the stay. For example, the stay may not include the wiring support portion. The installation mode of the wiring support portion can be changed according to design specifications.

[0079] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the load receiving portion is disposed in front of the control device and a gap is formed in the portion of the load receiving portion that overlaps with the control device in a front view of the vehicle, but this is not limited to this. For example, the load receiving portion may be disposed on the left or right side of the control device. For example, the load receiving portion may not have a gap formed therein. The arrangement of the load receiving portion and / or the formation of the gap can be changed according to design specifications.

[0080] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the gap overlaps with the cooling fins provided on the control device when viewed from the front of the vehicle, but this is not limited thereto. For example, the gap may overlap with the main body of the control device (a portion other than the cooling fins) when viewed from the front of the vehicle. For example, the control device may not be provided with cooling fins. The arrangement of the gap and / or the installation of the cooling fins can be changed according to design specifications.

[0081] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which a cooling air passage through which cooling air passes is formed between the control device and the storage battery, but this is not limited to this. For example, the control device may be in direct contact with the storage battery. For example, a cooling air passage may not be formed between the control device and the storage battery. The form of the cooling air passage can be changed depending on the design specifications.

[0082] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the cooling air passage is formed between the lower surface of the control device and the upper surface of the storage battery, and at least a portion of each of the lower surface of the control device and the upper surface of the storage battery are arranged parallel to each other in a side view of the vehicle. However, this is not limited to this. For example, each of the lower surface of the control device and the upper surface of the storage battery may be arranged non-parallel to each other in a side view of the vehicle. For example, the lower surface of the control device and / or the upper surface of the storage battery may have an uneven portion that forms an uneven surface in a side view of the vehicle. The configuration of the lower surface of the control device and / or the upper surface of the storage battery can be changed depending on the design specifications.

[0083] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which a box portion forming a space below the seat is further provided, a cutout portion is formed in the box portion, and the control device is housed in the cutout portion, but this is not limited to this. For example, the box portion may not have a cutout portion. For example, the control device may be arranged so as to face a part of the box portion other than the cutout portion. For example, a member other than the box portion may be provided below the seat. For example, the vehicle may not further have a box portion. The installation mode of the box portion, the formation mode of the cutout portion, and / or the arrangement mode of the control device can be changed according to design specifications.

[0084] In the above embodiment, the control device is described as connecting the storage battery and the body frame, but this is not limiting. For example, the control device may connect components other than the storage battery and the body frame. For example, the control device may not connect the storage battery and the body frame. The connection mode of the control device can be changed according to the design specifications.

[0085] In the above embodiment, the vehicle body frame includes a center cross frame that supports the storage battery, and the control device is supported by the center cross frame. However, this is not limiting. For example, the control device may be supported on a portion of the vehicle body frame other than the center cross frame. The support mode for the control device can be changed depending on the design specifications.

[0086] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and for example, although the electrical component disposed between the seat and the storage battery in the embodiment is a control unit (PCU), it may be other electrical components such as a converter, a charger, etc. The load receiving portion is fixed to the upper portion of the storage battery (upper portion of the standing portion) and the front portion of the seat bottom plate with, for example, bolts, but the load receiving portion is not limited to a configuration completely independent of the seat and the storage battery, and may be configured such that at least a portion of the load receiving portion is integrally formed with the seat or the storage battery. The configuration of the embodiment is not limited to application to scooter-type motorcycles, but may also be applied to various saddle-ride type vehicles. Saddle-ride type vehicles include all vehicles on which a rider straddles the body, and include not only motorcycles (including motorized bicycles and scooter-type vehicles), but also three-wheeled vehicles (including vehicles with one front wheel and two rear wheels, as well as vehicles with two front wheels and one rear wheel) or four-wheeled vehicles (such as four-wheeled buggies). The configurations in the above-described embodiments are merely examples of the present invention, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention, such as replacing the components of the embodiments with well-known components. [Explanation of symbols]

[0087] 1 vehicle 9 Control device (electrical components) 15 sheets 45 Hakobe 46 Space 47 Notch 61 Cooling fin 65 Wiring 70 Load receiving part 75 void 90 Stay 92,93 Wiring support part 100 storage batteries 120 Cooling air passage (gap)

Claims

1. a storage battery (100) for storing power used for the operation of the vehicle (1); a seat (15) on which an occupant of the vehicle (1) sits; a load receiving portion (70) that receives the load of the seat (15); and an electrical component (9) used in the operation of the vehicle (1), The storage battery (100) supports the seat (15) via the load receiving portion (70), The electrical component (9) is disposed between the seat (15) and the storage battery (100). Vehicle structure.

2. a storage battery (100) for storing power used for the operation of the vehicle (1); a seat (15) on which an occupant of the vehicle (1) sits; a load receiving portion (70) that receives the load of the seat (15), The storage battery (100) has a longitudinal direction in a side view of the vehicle and includes an elongated portion (103) extending from a lower portion of a down frame (21) of a vehicle body frame (5) to a position just before a pivot shaft (PV), and an upright portion (104) upright from a rear portion of the elongated portion (103), The load receiving portion (70) is provided on the upper portion of the upright portion (104). Vehicle structure.

3. Electrical components (9) used in the operation of the vehicle (1), The electrical component (9) is supported by the load receiving portion (70).

3. A vehicle structure according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The electrical component (9) is supported by the load receiving portion (70) via a stay (90), The stay (90) includes wiring support portions (92, 93) on the opposite side to the load receiving portion (70) for supporting wiring (65) connected to the electrical component (9). The vehicle structure according to claim 3 .

5. 5. The vehicle structure according to claim 4, wherein a main body support portion (91) of the stay (90) that supports the electrical component (9) has a recess (91c) that is recessed so as to avoid the load receiving portion (70).

6. The load receiving portion (70) is disposed in front of the electrical component (9), A gap (75) is formed in the load receiving portion (70) at a portion that overlaps with the electrical component (9) in a front view of the vehicle. The vehicle structure according to claim 3 .

7. The gap (75) overlaps with a cooling fin (61) provided on the electrical component (9) when viewed from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle structure according to claim 6.

8. A gap (120) is formed between the electrical component (9) and the storage battery (100). The vehicle structure according to claim 3 .

9. The gap (120) is formed between the lower surface of the electrical component (9) and the upper surface of the storage battery (100), At least a part of a lower surface of the electrical component (9) and at least a part of an upper surface of the storage battery (100) are arranged parallel to each other in a side view of the vehicle. The vehicle structure according to claim 8.

10. The seat (15) further includes a box portion (45) that forms a space (46) below the seat (15), A notch (47) is formed in the box portion (45), The electrical component (9) is accommodated in the notch (47). The vehicle structure according to claim 3 .

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