Vehicle body structure

Abstract

The base end of the arm cover that covers the swingarm is inserted into the opening of the cover member on the vehicle body side, while preventing foreign objects from entering the inside of the cover member from the opening. [Solution] The vehicle comprises a body member (F), a swing arm (20), and a cover member (40), and an arm cover (60) attached to the swing arm (20) and covering the swing arm (20), the cover member (40) comprising an opening (42) that accommodates a cover base end (61a) that covers the area around the base end (20a) of the swing arm (20) in the arm cover (60), and an extended wall (41) that extends from at least a part of the peripheral edge of the opening (42) toward the wheel (WR) in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and overlaps with the cover base end (61a) in a side view.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle body structure. This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 202411073199 filed in India on September 27, 2024, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in a saddle-riding type vehicle that supports a rear wheel swingably with a swing arm, there is a cover member that covers the front inner side of the rear wheel arrangement space (wheel house) and has an opening (see, for example, Patent Document ①). The opening exposes electrical components in the wheel house and enhances the cooling performance of the electrical components.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document ①

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The vehicle of Patent Document ① includes a rear fender (inner fender) that covers the upper outer periphery of the rear wheel over a semi-circle. Therefore, it is difficult for foreign matters such as water and mud rolled up by the rear wheel to reach the opening. However, for example, when the inner fender is miniaturized (shortened), foreign matters rolled up by the rear wheel may easily reach the opening. On the other hand, for example, for aesthetic reasons, an arm cover that covers the swing arm may be provided. In this case, an opening is formed in the cover member to allow the proximal end side of the arm cover that swings integrally with the swing arm to enter. However, since the swing arm and the arm cover are located at a low position of the vehicle body, foreign matters rolled up by the rear wheel may reach the opening. Therefore, a countermeasure to suppress the intrusion of foreign matters from the opening into the inside of the cover member is desired.

[0005] One aspect of the present invention aims to prevent foreign matter from entering the inside of the cover member from the opening while inserting the base end of the arm cover that covers the swing arm into the opening of the cover member on the vehicle body side. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To achieve the above objective, the vehicle body structure according to an aspect of the present invention employs the following configuration. (1) An aspect of the present invention comprises a vehicle body member (F) constituting at least a part of the vehicle body; a swing arm (20) whose base end (20a) is supported on the vehicle body member (F) so as to be able to swing up and down, extending from the base end (20a) to one side in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and supporting a wheel (WR) at its tip (20b); and a cover member (40) provided between the vehicle body member (F) and the wheel (WR) and attached to the vehicle body, wherein an arm cover (60) is attached to the swing arm (20) and covers the swing arm (20), the cover member (40) comprising an opening (42) in the arm cover (60) that accommodates a cover base end (61a) that covers the area around the base end (20a) of the swing arm (20), and an extending wall (41) that extends from at least a part of the peripheral edge of the opening (42) toward the wheel (WR) in the vehicle longitudinal direction and overlaps with the cover base end (61a) in a side view.

[0007] According to the embodiment described in (1) above, when the swing arm swings during vehicle operation, etc., and the base end of the arm cover swings along with the swing arm, the following effects occur. That is, the swinging of the base end of the cover is received (allowed) by the opening, and interference between the arm cover and the cover member is avoided. In addition, since the extended wall overlaps with the base end of the cover in a side view, the opening becomes difficult to see in a side view. This improves the appearance around the base end of the swing arm and prevents water, sand, mud, etc. from entering the inside of the cover member. The term "vehicle body" above refers to a portion of the entire vehicle body that is essentially integrated and does not include any movable parts. The term "vehicle body" above refers to a single or assembled portion of the vehicle body excluding the wheel suspension system (movable parts). The term "vehicle body" above may include components other than the vehicle frame.

[0008] (2) In the embodiment of (1) above, the arm cover (60) is provided with flexible members (33, 72) that extend linearly from the vehicle body side to the inside of the arm cover (60), and a through portion (65) that penetrates in the vehicle width direction is formed at the part of the cover base end (61a) that overlaps with the extended wall (41) in a side view, and the flexible member (72) may be routed inside the arm cover (60) through the through portion (65).

[0009] According to the embodiment of (2) above, the flexible member extending from the vehicle body is routed inside the arm cover through a penetration at the portion that overlaps with the extended wall in a side view. As a result, the portion of the flexible member inserted into the arm cover is not visible in a side view, improving the appearance and preventing water, sand, mud, etc. from entering the arm cover.

[0010] (3) In the embodiment of (1) above, the arm cover (60) is provided with flexible members (33, 72) that extend linearly from the vehicle body side to the inside of the arm cover (60), and a bulging portion (64) that bulges outward in the vehicle width direction is formed at the base end (61a) of the cover where it overlaps with the extended wall (41) in a side view, and the bulging portion (64) forms an opening (64a) that opens to the vehicle body side, and the flexible members (33, 72) may be routed from the opening (64a) of the bulging portion (64) to the inside of the arm cover (60).

[0011] According to the embodiment of (3) above, the flexible member extending from the vehicle body is routed into the arm cover from the opening of the bulge at the portion where it overlaps with the extended wall in a side view. This makes it easier to route the flexible member and the bulge expands the range of motion of the flexible member at the base end of the cover.

[0012] (4) In the embodiment of (3) above, a through portion (65) is formed in the portion of the bulging portion (64) that overlaps with the extended wall (41) in a side view, and the through portion (65) may be formed to cut out the periphery of the open portion (64a) of the bulging portion (64).

[0013] According to the embodiment of (4) above, the flexible member extending from the vehicle body is routed inside the arm cover through the bulging portion and the through portion. This makes it easier to route the flexible member, and the notched through portion widens the opening, thereby increasing the range of motion of the flexible member.

[0014] (5) In the embodiment of (1) above, the swing arm (20) comprises a pair of left and right arm bodies (50), the arm cover (60) comprises a pair of left and right cover bodies (61) that cover the left and right arm bodies (50) respectively, and a cover connecting portion (69) that connects the base ends of the left and right cover bodies (61), and the opening (42) may form an outer housing space (42c1) that accommodates the base ends of the left and right cover bodies (61) and an inner housing space (42d1) that accommodates the cover connecting portion (69).

[0015] According to the embodiment of (5) above, the opening of the cover member forms an outer housing space for housing the left and right arm bodies of the arm cover, as well as an inner housing space for housing the left and right inner cover connecting parts of the arm cover. This makes it easier to provide members such as hugger fenders to the cover connecting parts of the arm cover that swing together with the swing arm. In other words, interference between the area around the cover connecting parts of the arm cover and the cover member can be avoided by the inner housing space.

[0016] (6) In the embodiment of (5) above, the extension wall (41) is formed on the left and right pair of side edges (42a) of the opening (42), and the upper edge (42b) extending between the upper ends of the left and right side edges (42a) of the opening (42) may be provided with a reverse extension wall (43) that extends from the upper edge (42b) to the side opposite to the wheel (WR) in the vehicle longitudinal direction, with a left-right width corresponding to the inner storage space (42d1).

[0017] According to the aspect (6) above, on the upper edge portion spanning between the upper ends of the left and right side edges of the opening, a reverse extension wall extending in the opposite side to the wheel with a left - right width corresponding to the inner accommodation space is provided. Thereby, it suppresses the decrease in strength of the upper edge portion of the opening, and the depth of the inner accommodation space is hidden by the reverse extension wall. Thereby, it improves the appearance around the opening and can suppress the intrusion of water, sand, mud, etc. into the inside of the cover member.

[0018] (7) In any one of the aspects (1) to (6) above, the cover member (40) covers the electrical components for vehicle running (30) mounted on the vehicle body main body from the wheel (WR) side, The opening (42) may at least partially overlap with the electrical component (30) in the vehicle up - down direction.

[0019] According to the aspect (7) above, the cover member covers the electrical components for vehicle running from the wheel side (wheelhouse side), and the opening of the cover member is arranged to overlap with the electrical component in the height direction. Thereby, in an electric vehicle that needs to enhance the cooling performance of high - voltage electrical components, the intrusion of foreign matter into the opening can be suppressed by the extension wall.

Effects of the Invention

[0020] According to the aspect of the present invention, it is possible to suppress the intrusion of foreign matter from the opening into the inside of the cover member while allowing the proximal end side of the arm cover covering the swing arm to enter the opening of the cover member on the vehicle body main body side.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021] [Figure 1] It is a left - side view of an electric two - wheeler in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a left - side view of the rear part of the vehicle body with the under - seat cowl of the electric two - wheeler removed. [Figure 3] It is a rear view of the electric two - wheeler seen from the rear of the vehicle. [Figure 4]It is a left side view including a partial cross section of the rear part of the vehicle body of the above electric two-wheeler. [Figure 5] It is a left side view of the vicinity of the swing arm of the above electric two-wheeler. [Figure 6] It is a right side view of the vicinity of the swing arm of the above electric two-wheeler. [Figure 7] It is a perspective view showing the cover structure on the front end side of the swing arm of the above electric two-wheeler. [Figure 8] It is a perspective view showing the cover structure of the entire swing arm of the above electric two-wheeler. [Figure 9] It is a top view of the luggage box under the seat of the above electric two-wheeler as seen from above the vehicle. [Figure 10] It is a left side view of the battery cover of the above electric two-wheeler. [Figure 11] It is a rear view of the battery cover of the above electric two-wheeler.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0022] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the directions such as front, rear, left, and right are the same as those in the vehicle described below unless otherwise specified. In addition, 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 body left and right are shown at appropriate positions. In this embodiment, the term "intermediate" is intended to include not only the center between both ends of the object but also the inner range between both ends of the object. The saddle-riding type vehicle in the following description is in a parking state where the vehicle body does not tilt left and right and is upright at a steering angle of 0 degrees, and is further in an empty vehicle 1G state on a horizontal plane.

[0023] <Vehicle as a Whole> Fig. 1 is a left side view of an electric two-wheeler (saddle-riding type vehicle) 1 in an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a left side view of the rear part of the vehicle body with the under-seat cowl 24 of the electric two-wheeler 1 removed. Fig. 3 is a rear view of the electric two-wheeler 1 as seen from the rear of the vehicle. Fig. 4 is a left side view including a partial cross section of the rear part of the vehicle body of the electric two-wheeler 1. As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the electric motorcycle 1 is a so-called scooter-type electric vehicle, with a low floor 25 for the rider to rest their feet on, located between the steering handle 2 and the seat 23.

[0024] The front wheel WF of the electric motorcycle 1 is rotatably supported at the lower ends of a pair of left and right front forks 9. The front wheel WF and the left and right front forks 9 are steerable by a steering handle 2 that extends in the vehicle width direction (left-right direction of the vehicle). The steering handle 2 has grip portions 2a on both the left and right sides for the rider to grasp. Brake levers 26 are positioned in front of each of the left and right grip portions 2a.

[0025] The body of the electric motorcycle 1 is equipped with various covers made of synthetic resin. For example, the parts of the steering handle 2 excluding the left and right grip portions 2a are covered by a handle cover 4. Below the handle cover 4 are a front cover 5 that covers the front side of the front of the vehicle body and an inner cover 27 that covers the rear side of the front of the vehicle body. A headlight 7 is mounted on the front side of the front cover 5. The area above the front wheel WF is covered by a front fender 8. The front fender 8 is supported between the left and right front forks 9.

[0026] An under cover 10 is positioned below the low floor 25, connected to the rear of the lower end of the front cover 5. Above and to the rear of the low floor 25 is a seat 23 on which the driver sits. Below the seat 23 is a seat under cowl 24. The seat under cowl 24 comprises a rear center cover 24a that covers the front side of the rear of the vehicle body, and a pair of left and right rear side covers 24b that cover the left and right outer sides of the rear of the vehicle body. A taillight 19 is positioned on the rear side of the seat under cowl 24. A rear grip 14 is positioned above and to the rear of the seat under cowl 24.

[0027] A step board 36 is provided on the left side of the vehicle body below the underseat cowl 24. The step board 36 stands upright toward the outside in the width direction of the vehicle, allowing a rear passenger to place their feet on it. Tandem steps 13 are provided on both the left and right sides of the rear of the under cover 10. A side stand 11 is provided on the left side of the under cover 10, which supports the vehicle body in an upright position tilted to the left. A luggage box 16 capable of storing items such as a helmet HL is provided inside the underseat cowl 24 below the seat 23. The upper opening of the luggage box 16 is opened and closed by the rotation of the seat 23.

[0028] Figure 9 is a top view of the luggage box 16 located under the seat 23 of the electric motorcycle 1, as seen from above the vehicle. As shown in Figures 4 and 9, the luggage box 16 is equipped with a charger holder 18 for holding a battery charger 17 for charging the battery. The charger holder 18 can fix the battery charger 17 in place using a member such as a rubber band that is stretched across the bottom wall or side wall of the luggage box 16.

[0029] <Body frame F> As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the electric motorcycle 1 is equipped with a body frame F (body member) that constitutes the body's skeleton. The body frame F is formed by joining multiple types of steel materials together by welding or other means. The vehicle frame F comprises a main frame F2 in the width direction that extends downward from the head pipe F1 and then curves backward, a cross frame F3 extending in the width direction at the rear end of the main frame F2, and a pair of left and right rear frames F4 extending upward and backward from both sides of the cross frame F3. The left and right rear frames F4 comprise an inclined section F4a that extends diagonally upward and backward from the cross frame F3 in a side view, and a horizontal section F4b that curves backward from the upper rear end of the inclined section F4a and extends approximately horizontally in a side view. The lower front parts of the left and right inclined sections F4a are connected to each other via a curved pipe F5. The curved pipe F5 has an upward convex curve when viewed from the front-rear direction of the vehicle.

[0030] Furthermore, the vehicle frame F is equipped with a battery support frame F6 located behind the inclined sections F4a of the left and right rear frames F4, which supports the battery 30 (described later) from the rear. The battery support frame F6 includes a bent frame F7 that extends rearward from both the left and right sides of the cross frame F3 and then extends upward and rearward with the same inclination as the inclined sections F4a in a side view, and a connecting frame F8 that connects the upper part of the bent frame F7 to the upper and lower intermediate part of the inclined section F4a of the rear frame F4. A pivot plate 12 that supports the front end of the swing arm 20 is fixed to the lower rear of the bent frame F7.

[0031] A PCU 31 is positioned in front of the curved pipe F5. The PCU 31 (Power control unit) is a control unit that integrates a motor driver (PDU: Power Driver Unit) equipped with an inverter and a control device (ECU: Electric Control Unit). Above the PCU 31 is a charging port 32 to which a battery charger 17 taken out of the luggage box 16 is connected, allowing the battery 30 to be charged. The area around the curved pipe F5, PCU 31, and charging port 32 is covered by the front part of the under-seat cowl 24.

[0032] A battery (high-voltage electrical component) 30 is mounted on the lower rear of the inclined section F4a of the left and right rear frame F4. The battery 30 stores the power used to propel the electric motorcycle 1. The battery 30 is a rechargeable energy storage device, and is composed of, for example, a lithium-ion battery. Battery cables (not shown) extend from the positive and negative terminals located at the top of the battery 30. Each battery cable is connected to the PDU. A three-phase cable 33 (see Figure 6) extends from the PDU, and this three-phase cable 33 is connected to an electric motor (in-wheel motor 35, described later), which is a three-phase AC motor.

[0033] The battery 30 is, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped that is elongated in one direction. The battery 30 has a longitudinal direction parallel to the inclined portion F4a of the rear frame F4 when viewed from the side, for example. The battery 30 is fixed to the left and right inclined portions F4a using various fastening members. For example, a DC-DC converter (down regulator), not shown, which steps down the power of the battery 30 and outputs it, is located on the upper right side of the battery 30.

[0034] Figure 5 is a left side view of the area around the swingarm 20 of the electric motorcycle 1. Figure 6 is a right side view of the area around the swingarm 20 of the electric motorcycle 1. Referring to Figures 5 and 6, the rear wheel WR of the electric motorcycle 1 is supported at the rear end of the swingarm 20. The rear wheel WR is driveable by an in-wheel motor 35. The front end of the swingarm 20 is connected to the vehicle frame F. The rear wheel WR and the in-wheel motor 35 are supported at the rear end of the swingarm 20.

[0035] The in-wheel motor 35 is powered by the battery 30. The in-wheel motor 35 is positioned with its drive shaft aligned with the vehicle width direction (coaxial with the rear wheel WR axle AX). The symbol C2 indicates the central axis (axis) of the rear wheel axle AX. The in-wheel motor 35 comprises a rotor that rotates integrally with the drive shaft and a stator with coils facing the rotor's magnets (neither of which are shown). The in-wheel motor 35 is driven at a variable speed, for example, by VVVF (variable voltage variable frequency) control. The in-wheel motor 35 is controlled to change speed as if it had a continuously variable transmission, but is not limited to this. The in-wheel motor 35 may also be controlled to change speed as if it had a stepped transmission. A reduction mechanism for reducing the output of the in-wheel motor 35 may be provided separately.

[0036] The rotational driving force generated by the in-wheel motor 35 drives the drive wheel (rear wheel WR) to propel the electric motorcycle 1. The lower ends of, for example, a pair of left and right rear cushions 28 are connected to the swingarm 20. The upper ends of the left and right rear cushions 28 are connected to the horizontal sections F4b of the left and right rear frames F4.

[0037] <Battery cover 40> Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the cover structure on the front end of the swingarm 20 of the electric motorcycle 1. Referring to Figures 5 to 7, a battery cover 40 (cover member) is positioned between the vehicle body member (vehicle frame F) and the rear wheel WR. The battery cover 40 is attached to the vehicle frame F and covers the rear of the battery 30 from the rear side of the vehicle (rear wheel WR side). The battery cover 40 faces the space where the rear wheel WR is located (wheel well) at the rear of the vehicle body.

[0038] Figure 10 is a left side view of the battery cover 40. Figure 11 is a rear view of the battery cover 40. The battery cover 40 comprises a rear portion 40a that faces the rear of the battery 30 from the rear, and left and right side portions 40b that curve toward the front of the vehicle from the left and right side edges of the rear portion 40a. The lower part of the rear portion 40a is cut out, allowing the front end of the swing arm 20 and the arm cover 60 (described later) to be accommodated (inserted) from the rear of the vehicle. The left and right side portions 40b face in the direction of the vehicle width. In a side view, the left and right side portions 40b protrude further rearward than the area from the front lower edge of the rear side cover 24b to the rear end edge of the under cover 10, and form part of the exterior of the vehicle body.

[0039] <Swing Arm 20> Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the overall cover structure of the swingarm 20 of the electric motorcycle 1. Referring to Figures 5, 6, and 8, the swing arm 20 comprises a pair of left and right arm bodies 50 and an arm connecting portion (not shown) that connects the front ends of the left and right arm bodies 50. The left and right arm bodies 50 are located below the rear of the vehicle body and extend in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The left and right arm bodies 50 are made of, for example, square steel pipes and extend in a straight line when viewed from the side. The front end (base end) 20a of the left and right arm bodies 50 is provided with a cylindrical pivot support portion 22 through which the pivot shaft 15 is inserted. The rear end (tip) 20b of the left and right arm bodies 50 is provided with an axle support portion 29 through which the rear wheel axle AX is inserted.

[0040] The swingarm 20 has its front end (base end) 20a rotatably supported by the left and right pivot plates 12, and its rear end (tip end) 20b supports the rear wheel WR. The swingarm 20 is supported by the left and right pivot plates 12 so as to be able to swing up and down about the pivot shaft 15. In the figure, the reference numeral C1 indicates the central axis (axis) of the pivot shaft 15. The front ends of the left and right arm bodies 50 are integrally connected via an arm connecting part (not shown), which is a cross member extending in the vehicle width direction. Hereafter, the left arm body 50 may be referred to as reference numeral 50L, and the right arm body 50 may be referred to as reference numeral 50R.

[0041] <Arm cover 60> Referring to Figures 5, 6, and 8, the arm cover 60 is integrally attached to the swing arm 20 so as to be able to swing. The arm cover 60 comprises a pair of left and right cover bodies 61 and a cover connecting portion 69 that connects the left and right cover bodies 61. Each cover body 61 is provided to cover the arm body 50 on the same side on the left and right sides from the outside in the vehicle width direction. Each cover body 61 is attached, for example, to the arm body 50 on the same side on the left and right sides.

[0042] Each cover body 61 has a U-shaped cross-section that opens inward in the vehicle width direction in a cross-section that intersects (e.g., perpendicular to) the vehicle's longitudinal direction. Each cover body 61 extends in the vehicle's longitudinal direction from its front end (cover base end) 61a, which is located at a position that coincides with the pivot axis 15 in a side view, to its rear end (cover tip) 61b, which is located behind the rear end 20b of the swing arm 20. Each cover body 61 is provided to extend further rearward than the swing arm 20.

[0043] Each cover body 61 comprises an outer wall 61c that forms an outer surface facing outward in the vehicle width direction, and upper and lower walls 61d and 61e that bend inward in the vehicle width direction from the upper and lower edges of the outer wall 61c, respectively. Each cover body 61 forms a widened section 62 in the middle of the vehicle in the longitudinal direction (more specifically, slightly forward of the center of the longitudinal direction) where the vertical width in a side view is maximized. The widened section 62 also has the maximum outward protrusion in the vehicle width direction. Each cover body 61 gradually narrows in vertical width and decreases outward protrusion in the vehicle width direction as it moves towards the rear from the widened section 62. Each cover body 61 gradually narrows in vertical width and decreases outward protrusion in the vehicle width direction as it moves towards the front from the widened section 62. An upper wall opening 63 is formed in the upper wall 61d of each cover body 61 for inserting the lower part of the rear cushion 28. The upper wall opening 63 is, for example, U-shaped and opens inward in the vehicle width direction, but it may also be an endless opening that is closed inward in the vehicle width direction.

[0044] In a side view, the cover extension reference line VI on each cover body 61 has an angle θ with respect to the arm extension reference line VII on each arm body 50. In a side view, the cover extension reference line VI is a straight line connecting the upper and lower center of the front end portion 61a of the cover and the upper and lower center of the rear end portion 61b of the cover (or the axis C2 of the rear axle AX). In a side view, the arm extension reference line VII is a straight line connecting the axis C1 of the pivot axis 15 and the axis C2 of the rear axle AX. Hereinafter, the left cover body 61 may be indicated by reference numeral 61L, and the right cover body 61 may be indicated by reference numeral 61R.

[0045] The cover extension reference line VI is positioned at an angle θ with respect to the arm extension reference line VII, for example, around the axis of the rear wheel axle AX. The cover extension reference line VI is positioned at an upward slope relative to the arm extension reference line VII. This creates a dynamic appearance for the rear cushion 28. The actual pivot axis 15 is located below the upper and lower center of the front end portion 61a of the arm cover 60. This makes it easier for the cable-like member (flexible member) extending from the vehicle frame F side to the rear wheel WR side to straddle the top of the pivot axis 15. The cable-like member is an example of a slender, linear flexible member that can bend. In this embodiment, a three-phase cable 33 and a brake cable 72 are exemplified as cable-like members, but the invention is not limited to these.

[0046] Referring to Figure 5, a brake cable 72 (flexible member) is routed inside the left cover body 61L, passing over the left arm body 50L and reaching the rear brake 71. The brake cable 72 extends, for example, from the left brake lever 26 to the brake arm 73 of the rear brake 71. The brake cable 72 extends rearward along the left inner side of the low floor 25, passes over the pivot shaft 15, and reaches the brake arm 73. The brake cable 72 is an existing operating cable comprising an inner cable and an outer cable that slidably inserts the inner cable.

[0047] A bulge 64 is formed at the front of the left cover body 61L, which changes the rectangular area in a side view outward in the vehicle width direction. The bulge 64 changes the front edge of the left cover body 61L outward in the vehicle width direction. The bulge 64 is formed up to the front end (end) of the arm cover 60, and opens towards the vehicle body at the front end of the arm cover 60. Hereinafter, the opening at the front end of the arm cover 60 in the bulge 64 is indicated by reference numeral 64a. The brake cable 72 enters the inside of the left cover body 61L at a position where it overlaps with the front edge of the bulge 64 in a side view. In other words, the brake cable 72 is inserted into the left cover body 61L from the opening 64a of the bulge 64. The bulge 64 widens the gap between the left arm body 50L and the left cover body 61L. This reduces contact between the front end 61a of the left cover body 61L and the brake cable 72.

[0048] A through-hole 65 is formed in the bulging portion 64 of the left cover body 61L, which is created by cutting out the area that overlaps with the extended wall 41 of the battery cover 40 in a side view. The through-hole 65 is formed, for example, in a rectangular shape in a side view, and is formed so as to cut out the front edge of the left cover body 61L (opening towards the front of the vehicle). The brake cable 72 extends from in front of the front end portion 61a of the left cover body 61L and outward in the vehicle width direction, and from behind the front end portion 61a of the left cover body 61L and inward in the vehicle width direction. The brake cable 72 is routed so as to pass through the through-hole 65 of the front end portion 61a of the left cover body 61L. This further reduces contact between the front end portion 61a of the left cover body 61L and the brake cable 72.

[0049] In this embodiment, the rear brake 71 is a mechanical drum brake, but in the case of a hydraulic brake such as a disc brake, a hydraulic hose is routed instead of a brake cable 72. A rear opening 66 is formed at the rear of the upper wall 61d of the left cover body 61L to secure space for the brake arm 73 to swing back and forth. The rear opening 66 is, for example, U-shaped and opens inward in the vehicle width direction, but it may also be an endless opening that is closed inward in the vehicle width direction.

[0050] Referring to Figure 6, a three-phase cable 33 (flexible member) is routed inside the right cover body 61R, extending from above the right arm body 50R inwards in the vehicle width direction and connecting to the in-wheel motor 35. The three-phase cable 33 extends downward from the PCU 31, then extends rearward along the right inner side of the low floor 25, before curving upward and passing above the pivot shaft 15. After passing above the pivot shaft 15 with an upward sloping rearward incline, the three-phase cable 33 curves downward and reaches the inwards in the vehicle width direction of the right arm body 50R, where it connects to the in-wheel motor 35.

[0051] A bulge 64 is formed at the front of the right cover body 61R, which changes the rectangular area in a side view outward in the vehicle width direction. The bulge 64 changes the front edge of the right cover body 61R outward in the vehicle width direction. The bulge 64 is formed up to the front end (end) of the arm cover 60, and at the front end of the arm cover 60 it forms an opening 64a that opens toward the vehicle body side.

[0052] The three-phase cable 33 enters the inside of the right cover body 61R at a position where it overlaps with the front edge of the bulging portion 64 in a side view. In other words, the three-phase cable 33 is inserted into the right cover body 61R from the opening 64a of the bulging portion 64. The bulging portion 64 widens the gap between the right arm body 50R and the right cover body 61R. This reduces contact between the front end 61a of the right cover body 61R and the three-phase cable 33.

[0053] The through-hole 65 is, for example, U-shaped and opens towards the front of the vehicle, but it may also be an endless opening that is closed towards the front of the vehicle. Depending on the routing path of the cable-like member 72, it is also possible to have a configuration in which the left cover body 61L does not have a through-hole 65. It is also possible to have a configuration in which the right cover body 61R has a through-hole 65.

[0054] Referring to Figures 5, 6, and 8, the cover connecting portion 69 of the arm cover 60 connects the front upper parts of the left and right cover bodies 61. The cover connecting portion 69 forms a bulge portion 64 that bulges out above the upper walls 61d of the left and right cover bodies 61, for example, behind the bulge portion 64. Behind the bulge portion 64, a fender portion 80 is formed that extends upward and backward in an arc shape in side view, following the outer circumference shape of the front upper part of the rear wheel WR. The cover connecting portion 69 and the fender portion 80 constitute a so-called hugger fender that suppresses the upward and forward bounce of the rear wheel WR. The fender portion 80 may also be considered as part of the cover connecting portion 69.

[0055] The front of the cover connecting section 69 is equipped with a pair of left and right front fixing legs 81 that extend downward and forward. The rear of the cover connecting section 69 is equipped with a pair of left and right rear fixing legs 84 that extend downward.

[0056] The left and right front fixing legs 81 are each fixed to front fixing brackets 82 that protrude upward from the front of the left and right arm bodies 50 by appropriate fasteners or other fixing means. Between the left and right front fixing legs 81, a substantially vertical mudguard plate 83 is formed that extends downward so as to connect with the inner surface of the fender portion 80. The left and right front fixing legs 81 and the mudguard plate 83 are positioned in front of the front end of the rear wheel WR.

[0057] The left and right rear fixing legs 84 are each fixed to a rear fixing bracket 85 that protrudes upward from the front-to-rear intermediate portion of the left and right arm bodies 50 by appropriate fasteners or other fixing means. The left and right rear fixing legs 84 are positioned so as to overlap with the front of the rear wheel WR in a side view, and are positioned further outward in the vehicle width direction than the left and right front fixing legs 81. On the left and right sides of the cover connecting portion 69, there is an opening 86 between the front and rear fixing legs 81 and 84, and the cable-like members 33 and 72 pass through this opening 86.

[0058] The left and right sides of the cover connecting portion 69 are fixed to the inner sides in the vehicle width direction of the upper walls 61d of the left and right cover bodies 61 by means of fitting or other means. The left and right cover bodies 61 and the fender portion 80 are integrated via the cover connecting portion 69.

[0059] The lower walls 61e of the left and right cover bodies 61 have a pair of front and rear fixing parts 87a and 87b. These front and rear fixing parts 87a and 87b are fixed to front and rear brackets (not shown) protruding from the lower part of the left and right arm bodies 50 by appropriate fasteners or other fixing means. For example, a stand bracket 67 is fixed below the front end 20a of the swing arm 20. The base end of a center stand 68, which supports the vehicle body in an upright position, is pivotably supported on the stand bracket 67.

[0060] <Details of Battery Cover 40> Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the cover structure on the front end of the swingarm 20 of the electric motorcycle 1. Referring to Figures 7, 10, and 11, the battery cover 40 has an opening 42 in its rear portion 40a. The opening 42 is formed by cutting out the lower part of the rear portion 40a. The opening 42 is U-shaped and opens downward when viewed from the front-rear direction of the vehicle. The opening 42 comprises a pair of left and right side edges 42a located on both sides in the vehicle width direction, and an upper edge 42b that spans between the upper ends of the left and right side edges 42a. When viewed from the front-rear direction of the vehicle, the opening 42 opens downwards of the vehicle because the left and right side edges 42a and the upper edge 42b are integrally connected. The opening 42 is not limited to a U-shape that opens downwards, but may also be an endless opening with a closed lower end.

[0061] The front end 20a of the swing arm 20 and the front end 61a of the arm cover 60 are in close proximity to the battery cover 40 from the rear side of the vehicle. In a side view, the front end 20a of the swing arm 20 and the pivot plate 12 are located behind the left and right side edges 42a of the opening 42. In the side view in the unloaded 0G state shown in Figures 5 and 6, the front end 61a of the arm cover 60 is either overlapping with the left and right side edges 42a of the opening 42 or located in front of the left and right side edges 42a.

[0062] The opening 42 allows the front end of the swing arm assembly 100 (including the front ends of the swing arm 20 and the arm cover 60, as well as the front end of the cover connecting portion 69) to move back and forth when the swing arm assembly 100 (the assembly with the arm cover 60 attached to the swing arm 20) swings up and down. The opening 42 forms a storage space K that is larger than the front end of the swing arm assembly 100. The opening 42 storages (allows) the front end of the swing arm assembly 100 into the storage space K, leaving a gap required for up and down swinging. In this way, the swing of the swing arm assembly 100 is accepted (allowed) while the front end of the swing arm assembly 100 is allowed to move in.

[0063] Here, in this embodiment, "A accommodates B" does not necessarily mean a state in which A constantly accommodates B, but also includes a state in which A and B are positioned very close together to the extent that B is temporarily accommodated somewhere within the swing arm's range of motion.

[0064] For example, when the swing arm assembly 100 swings upward, the front end of the swing arm assembly 100 moves as follows: The portion of the front end of the swing arm assembly 100 above the pivot axis 15 enters (moves forward) into the opening 42, and the portion below the pivot axis 15 retracts (moves backward) to the rear of the opening 42.

[0065] For example, when the swing arm assembly 100 swings downward, the front end of the swing arm assembly 100 moves as follows: The portion of the front end of the swing arm assembly 100 above the pivot axis 15 retracts (moves backward) to the rear of the opening 42, while the portion below the pivot axis 15 enters (moves forward) into the opening 42.

[0066] The opening 42 has large upward cutouts on the left and right outer portions 42c to avoid the left and right cover bodies 61 of the arm cover 60. Reference numeral 42c1 in the figure indicates the outer housing space formed in the area corresponding to the outer portion 42c of the housing space K.

[0067] Flanges 45 are formed on the periphery of the left and right outer portions 42c of the opening 42, extending rearward to reinforce the periphery. Extended walls 41 are formed on the left and right side edges 42a of the opening 42, extending the flanges 45 rearward (towards the rear wheels). The extended walls 41 are provided so as to overlap with the front end of the cover body 61 when viewed from the side. This makes the opening 42 difficult to see when viewed from the side, improving the appearance around the front end of the cover body 61 and suppressing the intrusion of water and mud into the opening 42. The extended walls 41 are formed to be wider in the vehicle's longitudinal direction towards the bottom, making it difficult to see around the front end of the cover body 61. The extension walls 41 are provided in pairs on the left and right sides, and are symmetrical with respect to the left and right center of the vehicle body, for example, but they may also be configured to have different shapes on the left and right sides (asymmetrical) depending on the surrounding parts.

[0068] The portion between the left and right outer portions 42c of the upper edge 42b of the opening 42 (hereinafter referred to as the left and right inner portions 42d of the upper edge 42b) is opposite the bulging shape of the cover connecting portion 69 of the arm cover 60. Reference numeral 42d1 in the figure indicates the inner housing space formed in the area corresponding to the inner portion 42d of the housing space K (between the left and right outer housing spaces 42c1).

[0069] The left and right inner portions 42d of the upper edge portion 42b have no flanges 45 that rise to the rear in order to avoid the bulging shape of the cover connecting portion 69. On the other hand, the left and right inner portions 42d of the upper edge portion 42b have reverse-direction extending walls 43 that extend in the opposite direction (forward side) from the cover connecting portion 69 and the rear wheel WR in the vehicle longitudinal direction. This suppresses the reduction in strength of the upper edge portion of the opening, and the back of the inner storage space 42d1 is hidden by the reverse-direction extending walls.

[0070] As described above, the vehicle body structure in the above embodiment comprises a vehicle body frame F that forms the skeleton of the vehicle body, a swing arm 20 whose base end 20a is supported on the vehicle body frame F so as to be able to swing up and down, extending from the base end 20a toward the rear of the vehicle and supporting the rear wheel WR at its tip 20b, and a battery cover 40 provided between the vehicle body frame F and the rear wheel WR and attached to the vehicle body, and an arm cover 60 attached to the swing arm 20 and covering the swing arm 20, wherein the battery cover 40 comprises an opening 42 that accommodates the cover base end 61a that covers the area around the base end 20a of the swing arm 20 in the arm cover 60, and an extending wall 41 that extends from at least a part of the peripheral edge of the opening 42 toward the rear wheel WR in the vehicle longitudinal direction and overlaps with the cover base end 61a in a side view.

[0071] With this configuration, when the swing arm 20 swings during vehicle operation, etc., and the base end 61a of the arm cover 60 swings along with the swing arm 20, the following effects occur. That is, the swinging of the base end 61a of the cover is received (allowed) by the opening 42, and interference between the arm cover 60 and the battery cover 40 is avoided. In addition, since the extended wall 41 overlaps with the base end 61a of the cover in a side view, the opening 42 becomes difficult to see in a side view. This improves the appearance around the base end 20a of the swing arm 20 and prevents water, sand, mud, etc. from entering the inside of the battery cover 40.

[0072] In the above-described vehicle body structure, a flexible member (three-phase cable 33, brake cable 72) is provided that extends linearly from the vehicle body side to the inside of the arm cover 60. A through-hole 65 is formed in the vehicle width direction at the base end 61a of the left cover body 61L where it overlaps with the extended wall 41 in a side view, and the flexible member (brake cable 72) is routed inside the left cover body 61L through the through-hole 65.

[0073] With this configuration, the flexible member (brake cable 72) extending from the vehicle body is routed inside the arm cover 60 through the penetration 65 at the portion where it overlaps with the extending wall 41 in a side view. As a result, the portion of the flexible member that is inserted into and removed from the arm cover 60 is not visible in a side view, improving the appearance and preventing water, sand, mud, etc. from entering the arm cover 60.

[0074] In the above-described vehicle body structure, a flexible member (three-phase cable 33, brake cable 72) is provided that extends linearly from the vehicle body side to the inside of the arm cover 60. A bulge portion 64 is formed at the base end 61a of the cover where it overlaps with the extended wall 41 in a side view, and the bulge portion 64 extends outward in the vehicle width direction. The bulge portion 64 is formed up to the base end of the arm cover 60, and an opening portion 64a is formed at the base end of the arm cover 60 that opens to the vehicle body side. The flexible member (three-phase cable 33) is routed from the opening portion 64a of the bulge portion 64 to the inside of the right cover body 61R.

[0075] With this configuration, the flexible member (three-phase cable 33) extending from the vehicle body is routed into the arm cover 60 through the opening 64a of the bulging portion 64 at the point where it overlaps with the extending wall 41 in a side view. This makes it easier to route the flexible member and allows the bulging portion 64 to widen the range of motion of the flexible member at the cover base end 61a.

[0076] In the above-described vehicle body structure, a through-hole 65 is formed in the portion of the bulging portion 64 that overlaps with the extended wall 41 in a side view, and the through-hole 65 is formed to cut out the periphery of the open portion 64a of the bulging portion 64.

[0077] With this configuration, the flexible member extending from the vehicle body is routed inside the arm cover 60 through the bulging portion 64 and the through portion 65. This makes it easier to route the flexible member, and the notched through portion 65 widens the opening 64a, thereby increasing the range of motion of the flexible member.

[0078] In the above vehicle body structure, the swing arm 20 comprises a pair of left and right arm bodies 50, the arm cover 60 comprises a pair of left and right cover bodies 61 that cover the left and right arm bodies 50 respectively, and a cover connecting portion 69 that connects the base ends of the left and right cover bodies 61, and the opening 42 forms an outer housing space 42c1 that accommodates the base ends of the left and right cover bodies 61 and an inner housing space 42d1 that accommodates the cover connecting portion 69.

[0079] With this configuration, the opening 42 of the battery cover 40 forms an outer housing space 42c1 that accommodates the left and right cover bodies 61 of the arm cover 60, as well as an inner housing space 42d1 that accommodates the left and right inner cover connecting portions 69 of the arm cover 60. This makes it easier to attach components such as hugger fenders to the cover connecting portions 69 of the arm cover 60, which swing together with the swing arm 20. In other words, interference between the area around the cover connecting portions 69 of the arm cover 60 and the battery cover 40 can be avoided by the inner housing space 42d1.

[0080] In the above vehicle body structure, the extension walls 41 are formed on the left and right side edges 42a of the opening 42, and the upper edge 42b, which spans between the upper ends of the left and right side edges 42a of the opening 42, is provided with a reverse extension wall 43 that extends from the upper edge 42b in the vehicle longitudinal direction toward the opposite side of the rear wheel WR, with a width corresponding to the inner storage space 42d1. With this configuration, a reverse-direction extension wall 43 is provided on the upper edge 42b of the opening 42, which spans between the upper ends of the left and right side edges 42a, and extends in the opposite direction to the rear wheel WR with a width corresponding to the inner storage space 42d1. This suppresses a decrease in the strength of the upper edge 42b of the opening 42, and the reverse-direction extension wall 43 hides the back of the inner storage space 42d1. This improves the appearance around the opening 42 and prevents water, sand, mud, etc. from entering the inside of the battery cover 40.

[0081] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. For example, a battery cover was given as an example of a cover member provided between a vehicle body member and a wheel, but the type of cover member is not particularly limited. Furthermore, the shape of the opening, extension wall, reverse extension wall, through portion, and bulge portion of the cover member is not limited to the embodiments. The configuration of this embodiment is an example in which the present invention is applied to the rear swingarm area that supports the rear wheel, but the present invention may also be applied to the front swingarm area that supports the front wheel. In other words, it may be applied not only to vehicles equipped with a telescopic front fork, but also to vehicles equipped with a front swingarm that extends forward. The configuration of this embodiment is an example applied to an electric motorcycle, but it may also be applied to a motorcycle that includes an internal combustion engine as its prime mover.

[0082] The motorcycle body of this embodiment includes a single body frame (body member) F from the front wheel suspension section (head pipe F1) to the rear wheel suspension section (pivot plate 12), but is not limited to this configuration. For example, the body frame F may be composed of divided frame members (body members). For example, in addition to the frame members, at least a part of a structure such as a battery box and a power unit may be included in the body member. The power unit includes an electric motor in the case of an electric vehicle, and includes an engine (internal combustion engine) in the case of an internal combustion engine vehicle. The power unit may also include a transmission mechanism and a transmission.

[0083] The vehicle body structure of this embodiment may also be applied to saddle-type vehicles other than motorcycles. The above-mentioned saddle-type vehicles include all vehicles in which the driver straddles the vehicle to ride, and include not only motorcycles (including mopeds 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). Furthermore, it includes not only scooter-type vehicles with a space for straddling but also vehicles with a straddling section. Furthermore, the configuration in the above embodiment is just one example of the present invention, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention, such as replacing the components of the embodiment with well-known components. [Explanation of symbols]

[0084] 1 Electric motorcycle 20 Swingarm 20a Anterior end (base end) 20b Rear end (tip) 30. Battery (electrical component) 33. Three-phase cable (flexible component) 40 Battery cover (cover component) 41. Extended wall 42 Opening 42a Side edge 42b Upper edge 42c1 External storage space 42d1 Internal storage space 43 Reverse extending wall 50 Arm body 60 Arm Covers 61 Cover body 61a Cover base 64 Bulge 64a Open area 65 Penetration section 69 Cover connection part 72 Brake cable (flexible member) 80 Fender section F. Body frame (body components) VI Cover Extension Reference Line VII Arm Extension Reference Line WR rear wheel

Claims

1. A body member (F) that constitutes at least a part of the main body of the vehicle, The vehicle body member (F) has a base end (20a) that is supported so as to be able to swing up and down, and a swing arm (20) that extends from the base end (20a) to one side in the front-rear direction of the vehicle and has a tip (20b) that supports a wheel (WR), A cover member (40) is provided between the vehicle body member (F) and the wheel (WR) and is attached to the vehicle body. Equipped with, The swing arm (20) is equipped with an arm cover (60) that is attached to the swing arm (20) and covers the swing arm (20), The cover member (40) is The arm cover (60) has an opening (42) that accommodates the cover base end (61a) that covers the area around the base end (20a) of the swing arm (20), An extended wall (41) extends from at least a portion of the peripheral edge of the opening (42) toward the wheel (WR) in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and overlaps with the base end (61a) of the cover in a side view, A vehicle body structure characterized by having the following features.

2. The vehicle body side is provided with flexible members (33, 72) that extend linearly to the inside of the arm cover (60), In the base end portion (61a) of the cover, a through portion (65) is formed in the area that overlaps with the extended wall (41) in a side view, and which penetrates in the vehicle width direction. The vehicle body structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the flexible member (72) is routed inside the arm cover (60) through the through portion (65).

3. The vehicle body includes flexible members (33, 72) that extend linearly from the vehicle body side to the inside of the arm cover (60), In a side view of the base end portion (61a) of the cover, a bulging portion (64) is formed at the portion that overlaps with the extended wall (41), which bulges outward in the vehicle width direction. The bulging portion (64) has an opening portion (64a) that opens towards the vehicle body side. The vehicle body structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the flexible members (33, 72) are routed from the opening (64a) of the bulging portion (64) to the inside of the arm cover (60).

4. In the bulging portion (64), a through portion (65) is formed in the area that overlaps with the extended wall (41) in a side view, and which penetrates in the vehicle width direction. The vehicle body structure according to claim 3, characterized in that the through portion (65) is formed by cutting out the periphery of the open portion (64a) of the bulging portion (64).

5. The swing arm (20) comprises a pair of left and right arm bodies (50), The arm cover (60) comprises a pair of left and right cover bodies (61) that cover the left and right arm bodies (50), and a cover connecting portion (69) that connects the base ends of the left and right cover bodies (61). The vehicle body structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the opening (42) forms an outer housing space (42c1) for housing the base ends of the left and right cover bodies (61) and an inner housing space (42d1) for housing the cover connecting portion (69).

6. The extension wall (41) is formed on the left and right pair of side edges (42a) of the opening (42), The vehicle body structure according to claim 5, characterized in that the upper edge portion (42b) extending between the upper ends of the left and right side edges (42a) of the opening (42) is provided with a reverse-direction extension wall (43) that extends from the upper edge portion (42b) in the vehicle longitudinal direction away from the wheel (WR) with a left-right width corresponding to the inner storage space (42d1).

7. The cover member (40) covers the vehicle's electrical components (30) mounted on the vehicle body from the wheel (WR) side. The vehicle body structure according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the opening (42) overlaps with the electrical component (30) in at least a portion of the vehicle in the vertical direction.

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