Vehicle exhaust structure

Abstract

Ensure that exhaust from the battery does not come into contact with the occupants if smoke is emitted from the battery. [Solution] An exhaust structure for a vehicle, the vehicle comprising: a battery that supplies power to a drive motor; a mounting section provided substantially horizontally between the front wheel and the rear wheel on which the occupant's feet are placed; a first frame that rotatably supports the front wheel; a second frame that rotatably supports the rear wheel; and a connecting section that connects the first frame and the second frame, wherein the first frame has a holding section to which the battery is detachably attached; and a gripping section positioned above the front wheel and attached to the upper part of the first frame, the gripping section being gripped by the occupant while standing on the mounting section; the mounting section being positioned above the second frame and supported by the second frame, and an exhaust passage formed inside the first frame and the second frame through which gas discharged from the battery flows, the exhaust passage being formed in a continuous manner from an inlet opening into the holding section to an outlet opening at the rear end of the second frame.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an exhaust structure of a vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses that a user riding on an electric vehicle operates the front handle in a posture of standing up with a foot placed on a step to drive the electric vehicle.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the configuration described in Patent Document 1, a battery is attached to a holder provided on a vertical pipe of a front frame. If an abnormality such as ignition or smoke generation occurs in the battery, the flame or smoke will hit a user riding behind the battery.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an exhaust structure of a vehicle capable of preventing exhaust from the battery from hitting an occupant when smoke is generated from the battery.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The present invention relates to an exhaust structure for a vehicle, the vehicle comprising: a battery that supplies power to a drive motor; a mounting section provided substantially horizontally between the front wheel and the rear wheel on which the occupant's feet are placed; a first frame that rotatably supports the front wheel; a second frame that rotatably supports the rear wheel; and a connecting section that connects the first frame and the second frame, wherein the first frame has a holding section to which the battery is detachably attached; and a gripping section positioned above the front wheel and attached to the upper part of the first frame, the gripping section being gripped by the occupant while standing on the mounting section, the mounting section being positioned above the second frame and supported by the second frame, and exhaust passages formed inside the first frame and the second frame through which gas discharged from the battery flows, the exhaust passages being formed in a continuous manner from an inlet opening to the holding section to an outlet opening to the rear end of the second frame. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] In this invention, when smoke is emitted from the battery, it is possible to prevent the exhaust from the battery from hitting the occupants. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This figure shows the exhaust structure of a vehicle in an embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a diagram illustrating the exhaust system. [Figure 3] This is a diagram illustrating a removable battery. [Figure 4] This is a diagram illustrating the rear structure of the vehicle. [Figure 5] This diagram illustrates the exhaust structure when the vehicle is a two-wheeled vehicle. [Figure 6] This diagram illustrates a structure that incorporates an insulating layer to suppress heat transfer in the exhaust flow path. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The following describes in detail the vehicle exhaust structure in embodiments of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below.

[0010] Figure 1 shows the exhaust structure of a vehicle in an embodiment. Vehicle 1 is an electric vehicle equipped with a battery 2. Vehicle 1 is configured so that user A can ride it in a standing position and can be operated and driven by user A. Vehicle 1 is a small mobility device with a capacity of one occupant. For example, vehicle 1 is configured as an electric kick scooter. Figure 1 also shows the usage state of user A and the driving posture of vehicle 1 when the vehicle is in use.

[0011] Battery 2 is a secondary battery that stores power to supply to the motor. For example, Battery 2 is made up of a lithium-ion battery. Battery 2 is electrically connected to the motor. The power supplied from Battery 2 to the motor is controlled by a power converter and an electronic control unit.

[0012] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, Vehicle 1 is a three-wheeled vehicle comprising one front wheel 3 and a pair of rear wheels 4. Vehicle 1 is symmetrically constructed with respect to the centerline in the width direction. In the width direction, the front wheel 3 is positioned midway between the two rear wheels 4. Vehicle 1 comprises a mounting section 5 and a frame 6.

[0013] The mounting section 5 is the part on which user A's feet are placed. The mounting section 5 is a step board provided almost horizontally between the front wheel 3 and the rear wheel 4. The mounting section 5 is integrated with the frame 6.

[0014] Frame 6 constitutes the skeleton of vehicle 1. Frame 6 is made of metal members. Frame 6 has a first frame 10 which is the front frame, a second frame 20 which is the rear frame, and an intermediate frame 30 which is a connecting part. In frame 6, the first frame 10 is connected to the second frame 20 via the intermediate frame 30.

[0015] The first frame 10 is positioned above the front wheel 3 and extends vertically. The first frame 10 rotatably supports the front wheel 3. The first frame 10 extends at an inclination such that its upper end is located behind its lower end. A holding portion 11 is provided on the front surface of the first frame 10. The holding portion 11 is the part to which the battery 2 is attached. The battery 2 is detachable from the holding portion 11. The holding portion 11 holds the battery 2 by sandwiching it from both sides in the vertical direction and both sides in the vehicle width direction.

[0016] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the holding portion 11 has a shape that opens toward the front in the front-rear direction. The battery 2 is attached to and detached from the vehicle 1 from the front in the front-rear direction. The opening of the holding portion 11 is approximately rectangular in shape, with the vertical direction being the longitudinal direction and the vehicle width direction being the short direction. The battery 2 is formed in a shape corresponding to the shape of the holding portion 11, for example, in the shape of a rod. The battery 2 is formed in a size and shape that can be grasped by user A.

[0017] Inside the front wheel 3, a drive motor and a brake device are provided. The drive motor is an in-wheel motor. Vehicle 1 is an electric vehicle that runs on the drive motor. The brake device consists of a drum brake. A brake device is also provided on the rear wheel 4. These brake devices are operated by operating a brake lever located in front of the grip of the handle 7, applying braking force to the front wheel 3 and rear wheel 4. As shown in Figure 2, the handle 7 extends in the width direction of the vehicle and is a gripping part that is grasped by user A. The gripping part includes a grip and a brake lever. Vehicle 1 is driven by user A standing on the mounting part 5 and gripping and operating the front handle 7.

[0018] The handlebars 7 are located on the upper part of the first frame 10. The handlebars 7 are positioned above the front wheel 3 and are the part that is gripped by user A. The handlebars 7 function as an operating part that receives operations from user A. The handlebars 7 receive drive operations that control the driving force of the vehicle 1, brake operations that control the braking force of the vehicle 1, and steering operations that control the steering of the vehicle 1.

[0019] Inside the first frame 10, a handle shaft is rotatably inserted. A handle 7 is attached to the upper end of the handle shaft, and a front fork 12 is fixed to the lower end of the handle shaft. The rotation axis of the front wheel 3 is rotatably supported by the front fork 12. The front wheel 3 is steered by the steering operation of the handle 7 around the handle shaft.

[0020] The second frame 20 is disposed below the mounting portion 5 and is a frame extending in the front-rear direction. The second frame 20 is disposed behind the intermediate frame 30. The front end portion of the second frame 20 is connected to the rear end portion of the intermediate frame 30. The second frame 20 rotatably supports the rear wheel 4 and supports the mounting portion 5.

[0021] The second frame 20 has a main frame extending along the front-rear direction and a cross frame extending in the vehicle width direction. In the second frame 20, the main frame and the cross frame are joined by welding, fastening members, or the like. The second frame 20 is a skeletal member in which the main frame and the cross frame are integrated. The main frame of the second frame 20 extends from the intermediate frame 30 to a position sandwiched between the pair of rear wheels 4. The cross frame of the second frame 20 extends from the main frame toward both sides in the vehicle width direction. This cross frame functions as a support frame for supporting the mounting portion 5.

[0022] Above the second frame 20, a substantially flat plate-shaped mounting portion 5 extending in the front-rear direction is disposed. The mounting portion 5 is a portion on which a standing user A places both feet. The upper surface of the mounting portion 5 is a mounting surface and is configured as a horizontal plane parallel to the road surface 8. The length in the front-rear direction and the width in the vehicle width direction of the mounting portion 5 are set so that the entire sole of the user A's foot can be placed thereon.

[0023] The intermediate frame 30 is a frame that extends in the longitudinal direction between the first frame 10 and the second frame 20. The intermediate frame 30 extends with an upward slope toward the front, and its front end is joined to the first frame 10. For example, the rear end of the first frame 10 and the front end of the intermediate frame 30 are rotatably connected via a pivot axis. The pivot axis extends along the vehicle width direction. The first frame 10 and the second frame 20 are relatively rotatable around this pivot axis.

[0024] In vehicle 1 configured in this way, the goal is to prevent smoke and high-temperature gases generated by battery 2 from directly hitting user A if battery 2 emits smoke. In the case of small mobility vehicles, the gas generated when battery 2 malfunctions becomes high temperature. Battery 2, mounted on vehicle 1, is located in front of user A. Therefore, vehicle 1 is configured to discharge exhaust (gas) from the rear of user A through an exhaust structure 40 inside the frame 6 in the event of smoke from battery 2. The exhaust structure 40 is a structure that determines the direction of discharge of gases such as smoke and gases generated by battery 2, for vehicle 1 equipped with battery 2. When battery 2 is attached to the holding part 11, the upper first frame 10 of battery 2 is airtight. Then, by making a hole in the lower first frame 10 of battery 2, the smoke generated by battery 2 escapes to the underside of battery 2 through the hole below.

[0025] Specifically, the exhaust structure 40 is composed of the internal structure of the frame 6. The exhaust structure 40 is not composed of separate parts from the frame 6, but is composed of the structure of the frame 6 itself. The space below the mounting section 5 is included in the exhaust structure 40 as a continuous flow path from the battery 2. The exhaust flow path 41 formed by the exhaust structure 40 is formed to connect separate parts and is in communication from the inlet to the exhaust port.

[0026] As shown in Figure 1, the exhaust structure 40 includes an exhaust passage 41 for circulating smoke when the battery 2 emits smoke. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the exhaust passage 41 is formed inside the frame 6. The exhaust passage 41 is formed inside the first frame 10, the intermediate frame 30, and the second frame 20. The exhaust passage 41 is a passage that connects an inlet 41a opening in the holding portion 11 of the first frame 10, a passage 41b penetrating the inside of the intermediate frame 30, and an outlet 41c opening at the rear end of the second frame 20.

[0027] The inlet 41a is an inlet through which gas and smoke generated by the battery 2 flows in. The inlet 41a is an opening formed in the first frame 10 and opens at the lower part of the holding part 11. For example, the inlet 41a is located at a position opposite the lower part of the battery 2 in the vertical direction. When the space between the battery 2 and the holding part 11 is airtight, the gas generated by the battery 2 flows from the inlet 41a into the exhaust passage 41. The exhaust passage 41 formed within the first frame 10 is connected from the inlet 41a to the connection port. This connection port is an opening that connects to the exhaust passage 41 on the intermediate frame 30 side. The exhaust passage 41 connects from the first frame 10 to the intermediate frame 30.

[0028] The flow path 41b circulates smoke within the intermediate frame 30 from the upstream first frame 10 side to the downstream second frame 20 side. The flow path 41b extends in the front-rear direction while sloping downward toward the rear. The flow path 41b is connected from the connection port on the first frame 10 side to the connection port on the second frame 20 side. The connection port on the first frame 10 side of the flow path 41b connects to a connection port formed on the first frame 10. The connection port on the second frame 20 side of the flow path 41b connects to a connection port formed on the second frame 20.

[0029] The exhaust passage 41 formed within the second frame 20 extends in the front-rear direction below the mounting section 5. As shown in Figure 4, at the rear of the vehicle 1, the outlet 41c opens towards the rear from the rear end of the second frame 20.

[0030] The shape of the exhaust passage 41 is formed to increase the flow velocity of the circulating gas. In the exhaust passage 41, the entire path from the inlet 41a through the passage 41b to the outlet 41c is formed to be generally smooth. The inlet 41a is located in front of and above the outlet 41c. The inlet 41a opens upward, and the outlet 41c opens backward. The exhaust passage 41 is formed to facilitate flow backward and downward from the inlet 41a to the outlet 41c.

[0031] As described above, according to the embodiment, by providing an exhaust structure 40 including an exhaust passage 41 located inside the frame 6, the exhaust direction for discharging smoke from the battery 2 and the exhaust port of the exhaust passage 41 can be kept away from the passenger compartment. This prevents flames or smoke from the battery 2 from being directed towards user A in the event of a malfunction in the battery 2.

[0032] Vehicle 1 is not limited to a configuration in which the drive motor (in-wheel motor) is provided on the front wheels 3. The drive motor may also be provided on the rear wheels 4. Vehicle 1 is not limited to being front-wheel drive or both front-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive. It is sufficient that at least the front wheels 3 of the two rear wheels 4 are provided with in-wheel motors.

[0033] Furthermore, the intermediate frame 30 may be composed of a part of the second frame 20. In short, the second frame 20 may include the intermediate frame 30.

[0034] Furthermore, vehicle 1 is not limited to a three-wheeled vehicle. As shown in Figure 5, vehicle 1 may be a two-wheeled vehicle equipped with one front wheel 3 and one rear wheel 4. In this case, the outlet 41c of the exhaust passage 41 is located in front of the rear wheel 4 and opens facing rearward in the front-rear direction. In the front-rear direction, a cover 42 is provided between the outlet 41c and the rear wheel 4. The cover 42 is located below the mounting section 5 and is a component for directing the exhaust discharged from the outlet 41c to both the left and right sides of the rear wheel 4. The cover 42 is attached to the second frame 20.

[0035] Furthermore, vehicle 1 may have a structure in which an insulating layer is provided inside the second frame 20. As shown in Figure 6, an insulating layer 50 is provided inside the second frame 20 so as to surround the exhaust passage 41. Equipment 60 such as an electronic control unit is arranged inside the second frame 20. In order to prevent the propagation of failures to equipment 60 due to the heat of the exhaust structure 40, the inside of the second frame 20 has a structure that includes an insulating layer 50 to suppress heat transfer to other equipment. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0036] 1 vehicle 2 batteries 3 Front wheels 4 Rear wheels 5 Mounting section 6 frames 7 Handle 10. First Frame 11 Holding part 20. Frame 2 30 intermediate frames 40 Exhaust Structure 41 Exhaust passage 41a Entrance 41b Channel 41c exit

Claims

1. Vehicle exhaust structure, The aforementioned vehicle is A battery that supplies power to the motor, A resting area is provided almost horizontally between the front and rear wheels, on which the occupant's feet rest. A first frame that rotatably supports the front wheel, A second frame that rotatably supports the aforementioned rear wheel, A connecting portion that connects the first frame and the second frame, Equipped with, The first frame mentioned above is, A retaining part to which the aforementioned battery is detachably attached, It has a gripping portion positioned above the front wheel and attached to the upper part of the first frame, The gripping portion is held by the occupant while standing on the previously described mounting portion. The mounting portion is positioned above the second frame and supported by the second frame. An exhaust passage is formed inside the first frame and the second frame through which the gas discharged from the battery flows. The exhaust passage is formed in a continuous manner from an inlet opening in the holding portion to an outlet opening at the rear end of the second frame. A vehicle exhaust structure characterized by the following features.

2. The exhaust passage extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle through the interior of the second frame below the aforementioned mounting portion. The exhaust structure of the vehicle according to feature 1.

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