Saddle-type electric vehicle

Abstract

The present invention provides a saddle-type electric vehicle that allows for the rotational electric machine and the drive control device to be positioned separately while minimizing the length of the power lines connecting them. [Solution] The vehicle comprises a swing arm 45 supporting the rear wheel 3, a first drive unit (motor 44) supported by the swing arm 45, a second drive unit (PCU 65) supported by an upward extension 37 extending upward from the swing arm 45, and wiring 69 electrically connecting the first drive unit and the second drive unit. A peripheral edge 52f is formed in the opening 52e on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the case portion 53 of the swing arm 45, along the joint surface with the arm cover 48. A recess 56 is formed in the opening 52e, partially cutting out the peripheral edge 52f toward the center in the vehicle width direction. The second drive unit is located in the center in the vehicle width direction, and the wiring 69 is routed from the inside to the outside of the case portion 53 through the inside of the recess 56 and connected to the second drive unit.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration for a two-wheeled vehicle in which a rear wheel is driven by a rotating electric machine, the two-wheeled vehicle being provided with a rear arm (swing arm) whose front end side is rotatably supported by a main frame, and the rotating electric machine being mounted on the rear end side of the rear arm. In Patent Document 1, the front end side of the rear arm is divided into a plurality of constituent members, an opening is formed by providing a notch in the constituent members at this divided portion, and wiring that electrically connects the power source on the main frame side and the rotating electric machine is passed through this opening.

[0003] The above wiring in Patent Document 1 is not directly connected to the rotating electric machine, but is connected to a power unit (a device for driving and controlling the rotating electric machine, hereinafter referred to as a drive control device) provided in the vicinity of the rotating electric machine. The drive control device is supported by the rear arm and swings together with the rotating electric machine (in-wheel motor). The wiring led out from the notch extends forward beyond the pivot of the rear arm and is connected to a battery supported on the main frame side.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] By the way, drive control devices including an inverter that controls the drive of a rotating electric machine tend to increase in size and weight for higher output, so it is desirable to arrange them on the vehicle body side separately from the rotating electric machine. At this time, it is desirable to adopt a configuration in which the power lines connecting the rotating electric machine and the drive control device are as short as possible.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a saddle-type electric vehicle that can reduce the length of the power lines connecting the rotating electric machine and the drive control device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] As a means of solving the above problems, a first aspect of the present invention comprises a swing arm (45) that is pivotably supported on a vehicle body (36) via a pivot shaft (25b) and supports a drive wheel (3); a first drive device (44) supported on the swing arm (45) and used to drive the drive wheel (3); an upward extension (37) extending upward from the vehicle body (36) toward the swing arm (45); a second drive device (65) supported on the upward extension (37) and used to drive the drive wheel (3); and wiring (69) electrically connecting the first drive device (44) and the second drive device (65), wherein the swing arm (45) is open outward in the vehicle width direction. The present invention provides a saddle-type electric vehicle comprising an arm body (47) forming a case portion (53), and an arm cover (48) covering the case portion (53) from the outside in the vehicle width direction, wherein a peripheral edge portion (52f) is formed in the opening (52e) on the outside in the vehicle width direction of the case portion (53) along the joint surface (52g) with the arm cover (48), and a recess (56) is formed in the opening (52e) that partially cuts out the peripheral edge portion (52f) toward the center in the vehicle width direction, the second drive equipment (65) is located in the center in the vehicle width direction, and the wiring (69) is routed through the inside of the recess (56) from the inside to the outside of the case portion (53) and connected to the second drive equipment (65). This configuration allows the drive equipment used to drive the drive wheels to be distributed between the swing arm and the upper extension of the vehicle body. The wiring connecting the two drive devices is routed from the center of the swing arm in the vehicle width direction, and the second drive device supported by the upper extension is positioned in the center in the vehicle width direction. This allows both the wiring and the second drive device to which the wiring is connected to be positioned closer to the center in the vehicle width direction. As a result, the wiring length can be shortened, reducing weight and cost, and energy transmission loss can be reduced. Furthermore, external disturbances to the wiring from the outside in the vehicle width direction can be suppressed.

[0008] A second aspect of the present invention is, in the first aspect described above, the first drive device (44) is a motor (44) that drives the drive wheel (3), and the second drive device (65) is a drive control device (65) that controls the driving of the motor (44). With this configuration, the wiring connecting the motor supported on the swingarm and the drive control device supported on the upper extension of the vehicle body is routed from the center of the swingarm in the vehicle width direction, and the drive control device is positioned in the center in the vehicle width direction, thereby shortening the wiring length and reducing weight and cost.

[0009] A third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect described above, is a support member (71) fixed to the recess (56) and supporting the wiring (69), wherein the support member (71) is positioned on the vehicle width side of the joint surface (52g) and fixed to the case portion (53). With this configuration, the wiring passing through the recess in the swingarm is supported by a support member fixed to the swingarm, thereby preventing the swingarm and wiring from rubbing against each other when the swingarm oscillates.

[0010] A fourth aspect of the present invention is that, in the second aspect described above, the vehicle body (36) supports a battery (60) that stores the driving power of the motor (44). With this configuration, by mounting the motor drive battery on the vehicle body, it is possible to secure space for the battery while avoiding the motor and drive control device.

[0011] A fifth aspect of the present invention is, in the second aspect described above, the wiring (69) comprises a power line (67) for supplying power to the motor (44) and a signal line (44e) smaller in diameter than the power line (67) for transmitting information signals of the motor (44), wherein within the recess (56), the power line (67) is positioned closer to the pivot axis (25b) than the signal line (44e). With this configuration, by placing the large-diameter, less flexible power lines closer to the pivot axis than the small-diameter, more flexible signal lines within the recess of the swingarm, the power lines are positioned in a location where bending due to the swingarm's movement is minimized, resulting in efficient wiring arrangement.

[0012] A sixth aspect of the present invention is, in the second aspect described above, a support member (71) fixed to the recess (56) and supporting the wiring (69), wherein the case portion (53) comprises a motor housing portion (45a) for housing the motor (44), a wiring housing portion (45b) located in front of the motor housing portion (45a) and facing the recess (56), a partition wall (55) separating the motor housing portion (45a) and the wiring housing portion (45b), and the partition wall The device comprises (55) and internal wiring support parts (44c2, 44d2, 67a) fixed to the (55) and supporting the wiring (69), the upward extension part (37) includes a vehicle body side wiring support part (72) fixed to the upward extension part (37) near the drive control device (65) and supporting the wiring (69), and the support member (71) is positioned between the internal wiring support parts (44c2, 44d2, 67a) and the vehicle body side wiring support part (72). With this configuration, the wiring is supported by the internal wiring support section of the swingarm case, the support member in the recess, and the vehicle-side wiring support section of the upper extension of the vehicle body. Within the case, the movement of the wiring is restricted by the support from the internal wiring support section and the support member in the recess, and outside the case, the wiring can be gently bent by utilizing the wiring length from the recess to the vicinity of the drive control device through the support from the support member in the recess and the vehicle-side support section near the drive control device. Furthermore, the term "near the drive control device" means, for example, being in a position that overlaps with the drive control device in the vertical or longitudinal direction, or being on the drive control device side of the midpoint of the wiring length from the recess to the drive control device.

[0013] A seventh aspect of the present invention is that, in the first or second aspect described above, a gap (S1) communicating with the inside of the case portion (53) is formed between the wiring (69) passing through the recess (56) and the arm cover (48). This configuration creates a gap between the wiring in the recess and the arm cover that communicates with the inside of the case, allowing airflow to be introduced into the case through the gap in the recess, thereby improving the cooling performance of the components inside the case. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a saddle-type electric vehicle that can reduce the length of the power lines connecting the rotating electric machine and the drive control device. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] This is a left side view of a motorcycle according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is an enlarged left side view of the rear of the vehicle. [Figure 3] Figure 2 shows the left side view of the swing unit with the arm cover removed. [Figure 4] This is a plan view including a partial cross-section of the area around the aforementioned swing unit. [Figure 5]This is a plan view around the upper extension portion of the vehicle body. [Mode for Carrying Out the Invention]

[0016] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that orientations such as front, rear, left, and right in the following description are the same as the orientations in the vehicle described below unless otherwise specified. In addition, at appropriate positions in the drawings used in the following description, an arrow FR indicating the front of the vehicle, an arrow LH indicating the left of the vehicle, an arrow UP indicating the upper side of the vehicle, and a line CL indicating the left-right center of the vehicle body are shown. The term "intermediate" used in the present embodiment is intended to include not only the center between both ends of the target object but also the inner range between both ends of the target object. In the following description, it is assumed that the vehicle body of the saddle-ride type vehicle is in an upright stopped state without tilting left and right and with a steering angle of 0 degrees, and is further in an empty vehicle 1G state on a horizontal plane.

[0017] <Overall Vehicle> FIG. 1 is a left side view of the motorcycle 1 according to the embodiment. Note that in FIG. 1, the vehicle body cover 30 is shown by phantom lines to illustrate the configuration inside the vehicle body cover 30. As shown in FIG. 1, the motorcycle 1 of the present embodiment is a saddle-ride type electric vehicle, and travels by driving an electric motor (hereinafter simply referred to as motor) 44 provided in a swing unit 41 with electric power from a battery 60 under the floor. The motorcycle 1 is a scooter-type vehicle having a step floor 5 on which an occupant seated on a seat 4 places their feet. The motorcycle 1 includes a front wheel 2 that is a steering wheel, a rear wheel 3 that is a drive wheel, a steering unit 10, a vehicle body frame 20, a vehicle body cover 30, a swing unit 41 including a motor 44, a battery 60 that is a power source for the motor 44, and a PCU (Power Control Unit) 65 that is a motor control device.

[0018] <Steering Unit 10> The steering unit 10 includes a pair of left and right front forks 11 that support the front wheels 2, a steering stem 12 that is steerably supported on the vehicle frame 20, and a steering handle bar 13 attached to the upper end of the steering stem 12. In this embodiment, a telescopic front fork 11 is exemplified as the front suspension of the motorcycle 1, but the configuration is not limited to this. For example, the front suspension may be of other types, such as a link type using a swing arm.

[0019] <Body frame 20> The vehicle frame 20 comprises a head pipe 21, a down frame 22, a lower frame 23, a rear frame 24, and a pivot section 25a, which are integrally joined together by welding or the like. The head pipe 21 is located at the front end of the vehicle frame 20. The head pipe 21 supports the steering stem 12 in a steerable manner. The down frame 22 is connected at its upper end to the head pipe 21. The down frame 22 extends downward from the head pipe 21.

[0020] A pair of lower frames 23 are provided, one on the left and one on the right. The front upper end of each lower frame 23 is connected to the lower end of the down frame 22. Each lower frame 23 is provided so as to branch off to the left and right from the lower end of the down frame 22. Each lower frame 23 extends in the front-rear direction below the left and right sides of the step floor 5. The battery 60 mounted under the floor is supported by the left and right lower frames 23.

[0021] The rear frame 24 is provided in pairs, one on each side. The front lower end of each rear frame 24 is connected to the rear end of the lower frame 23 on the same side. Each rear frame 24 extends upward and backward from the rear end of the lower frame 23 on the same side, and continues upward and backward while bending at multiple points to reduce the upward slope towards the rear.

[0022] A luggage box 6, positioned below the seat 4, is supported by the left and right rear frames 24. The seat 4 is supported by the left and right rear frames 24, for example, via the luggage box 6. A first bracket 25 is provided at the rear of the front part of each rear frame 24. At the lower ends of the left and right first brackets 25, a pivot portion 25a is provided, which supports the front end of the swing unit 41 so that it can swing up and down via a pivot shaft 25b extending in the vehicle width direction. The rear wheel 3 is supported at the rear end of the swing unit 41.

[0023] The vehicle frame 20 further comprises a pair of left and right second brackets 26 and a rear cross frame 27. Each second bracket 26 protrudes forward from the front of each rear frame 24. The rear cross frame 27, which extends in the vehicle width direction, is mounted on the left and right second brackets 26. The front of the luggage box 6 is supported from below by the rear cross frame 27. A 12V auxiliary battery 28 is mounted inside the rear cover 35 in front of the rear cross frame 27. A pair of left and right pillion steps 29 are provided on the left and right first brackets 25. The left pillion step 29 is positioned to traverse the outside of the wiring 69 in the vehicle width direction in a front-to-back manner when viewed from the side.

[0024] The motorcycle 1 in this embodiment has a body frame 20 that is a single unit extending from the head pipe 21 to the rear frame 24, but the configuration is not limited to this. For example, the body frame 20 may be composed of divided frame members. For example, at least a part of a structure such as a battery box and a power unit may be included in the body members.

[0025] <Vehicle body cover 30> The vehicle body cover 30 is composed of multiple exterior panels. The vehicle body cover 30 includes a front cover 33, a lower cover 34, and a rear cover 35. The front cover 33 covers the perimeter of the down frame 22 and also serves as a leg shield that covers the driver's legs from the front. The lower cover 34 is provided to cover the perimeter of the lower frame 23. The upper surface of the lower cover 34 forms a step floor 5 on which the occupant places their feet. The rear cover 35 extends upward and rearward from the lower cover 34. The rear cover 35 is provided to cover the perimeter of the rear frame 24. A seat 4 is positioned on top of the rear cover 35.

[0026] Hereinafter, the portion covered by the lower cover 34 will be referred to as the low floor portion 34B, the portion rising upward from the front of the low floor portion 34B and covered by the front cover 33 will be referred to as the front body 33B, and the portion rising upward from the rear of the low floor portion 34B and covered by the rear cover will be referred to as the rear body 35B. In this embodiment, the portion including the front body 33B and the step floor 5 will be referred to as the vehicle body 36, and the portion extending upward and backward from the rear of the vehicle body 36 (rear body 35B) will be referred to as the upward extension portion 37.

[0027] Figure 2 is an enlarged left side view of the rear of the vehicle shown in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a left side view of the swing unit 41 with the arm cover 48 removed, as shown in Figure 2. Figure 4 is a plan view including a partial cross-section around the swing unit 41. Figure 5 is a plan view of the area around the upper extension 37 of the vehicle body. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the rear suspension 40 comprises a swing unit 41 and a rear cushion 42 interposed between the vehicle frame 20 and the swing unit 41.

[0028] <Swing Unit 41> The swing unit 41 has a motor 44, which is the prime mover of the motorcycle 1, and the rear wheel 3 can be driven by the motor 44. The swing unit 41 is a swing-type power unit that integrates a motor 44 for driving located on the left side of the rear wheel 3, a swing arm 45 that supports the motor 44, and a power transmission mechanism (reduction gear) 46 located at the rear end of the swing arm 45 that reduces the output of the motor 44 and transmits it to the axle of the rear wheel 3. In the figure, the symbol C1 indicates the axis of the output shaft (axle of the rear wheel 3) along the vehicle width direction (left-right direction) at the rear end of the swing unit 41, the symbol C2 indicates the axis of the pivot shaft 25b along the vehicle width direction at the front end of the swing unit 41, and the symbol C3 indicates the axis of the drive shaft in the motor 44 along the vehicle width direction.

[0029] Referring to Figure 3, the motor 44 comprises an annular stator 44a and a rotor 44b positioned inside the stator 44a. The motor 44 is positioned, for example, behind the front outer edge of the rear wheel 3 and is positioned so as to overlap with the rear wheel 3 in a side view. The motor 44 is positioned offset upward and forward with respect to the axle of the rear wheel 3. The motor 44 may also be a so-called in-wheel motor coaxially positioned inside the rear wheel 3. The power transmission mechanism 46 transmits the driving force of the motor 44 to the axle of the rear wheel 3.

[0030] In the diagram, reference numeral 44c indicates a rotor sensor that detects the rotational position of the rotor 44b, reference numeral 44c1 indicates a sensor cable extending from the rotor sensor 44c, reference numeral 44d indicates a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the stator 44a and thus the motor 44, and reference numeral 44d1 indicates a sensor cable extending from the temperature sensor 44d. Hereafter, both sensor cables 44c1 and 44d1 will be collectively referred to as the signal line 44e.

[0031] Referring also to Figure 4, the swing arm 45 has a hollow structure capable of housing electrical components such as a motor 44. The swing arm 45 is L-shaped in plan view and is formed to extend from the space in front of the rear wheel 3 to the space to the left. The swing arm 45 comprises an arm body 47 that opens outward (left side) in the vehicle width direction, and an arm cover 48 that closes the opening on the outside of the arm body 47 in the vehicle width direction. The arm body 47 is a skeletal member made of, for example, an aluminum alloy, and the arm cover 48 is an exterior member made of, for example, a synthetic resin. The arm body 47 and the arm cover 48 are fastened together by a plurality of bolts.

[0032] The arm body 47 integrally comprises a cross portion 51 that forms the front part extending in the vehicle width direction, and an arm portion 52 that extends rearward from the left side of the cross portion 51. The cross section 51 is box-shaped and opens to the left, and is positioned in the space behind the pivot shaft 25b and in front of the front end of the rear wheel 3. For example, above the cross section 51, there is a terminal block 51a supported by the rear frame 24 for securing cables. A pair of left and right pivot support sections 49 are provided protruding from the front of the left and right sides of the cross section 51.

[0033] The left and right pivot supports 49 are located at the front end of the swing arm 45 and are connected to the left and right pivot portions 25a of the vehicle frame 20 so as to be able to swing up and down. The pivot shaft 25b in this embodiment is a single, continuous shaft in the left-right direction. The pivot shaft 25b may be divided into left and right halves, and the left and right pivot supports 49 and pivot portions 25a on the same side may be connected to each other.

[0034] The arm portion 52 cantilever-supports the rear wheel 3 from the left side. The arm portion 52 is container-shaped and opens outward (to the left) in the vehicle width direction. The arm portion 52 is formed to widen vertically in a side view from the front near the axle support portion 49 to the motor housing portion 45a. The arm portion 52 includes a side wall 52a along the left side of the rear wheel 3, and a circumferential wall 52b that rises outward in the vehicle width direction from the outer peripheral edge of the area including the side wall 52a and the cross portion 51.

[0035] Referring to Figure 3, the arm portion 52, together with the arm cover 48, constitutes a case portion 53 capable of housing the motor 44 and the wiring 69 described later. The case portion 53 may also include a hollow cross portion 51. A gear case 54 housing a reduction gear is integrally provided on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the rear end of the arm portion 52. The rear end of the gear case 54 (the rear end of the swing arm 45) is supported on the upper rear portion (upward extension portion 37) of the vehicle frame 20 via a rear cushion 42 that extends in the vertical direction. The swing arm 45 is not limited to a configuration that cantilever-supports the rear wheel 3, but may also be configured to double-support the rear wheel 3 with left and right arm portions 52, which may be integrated or separate.

[0036] The arm portion 52 includes a motor housing portion 45a that forms a housing space for housing the motor 44, and a wiring housing portion 45b that forms a housing space for housing the wiring 69. The wiring 69 in this embodiment includes a power line 67 and a signal line 44e connected to the motor 44.

[0037] The motor housing section 45a and the wiring housing section 45b are separated front to back by a bulkhead 55 that rises outward from the side wall 52a in the vehicle width direction. The bulkhead 55 comprises a lower bulkhead 55a connected to the lower wall portion 52d of the peripheral wall 52b of the arm section 52, an upper bulkhead 55b connected to the upper wall portion 52c of the peripheral wall 52b of the arm section 52, and a bulkhead step portion 55c provided between the lower bulkhead 55a and the upper bulkhead 55b, and is formed in a crank shape when viewed from the side.

[0038] Three-phase power lines 67 are held in a wiring insertion hole formed in the lower part 55a of the partition wall via a grommet 67a. A sensor cable 44d1 extending from a temperature sensor 44d is held in a wiring insertion hole formed in the upper part 55b of the partition wall via a grommet 44d2. A sensor cable 44c1 extending from a rotor sensor 44c is held in a wiring insertion hole formed in the stepped part 55c of the partition wall via a grommet 44c2.

[0039] The motor housing section 45a is formed at the rear of the arm section 52, and the wiring housing section 45b is formed at the front of the arm section 52. The motor housing section 45a and the wiring housing section 45b can be closed from the outside in the vehicle width direction by the arm cover 48.

[0040] The motor 44 is housed in the motor housing 45a with its axial direction aligned with the vehicle width direction. The external shape of the motor housing 45a is cylindrical, following the external shape of the cylindrical motor 44. The output shaft of the motor 44 protrudes inward in the vehicle width direction from the motor housing 45a. The power transmission mechanism 46 is connected to the motor housing 45a from the inside in the vehicle width direction.

[0041] The arm cover 48 is attached to the outside of the arm portion 52 in the vehicle width direction and closes off the equipment housing space. The arm cover 48 extends to the outside of the front cross portion 51 of the arm body 47 in the vehicle width direction. The arm cover 48 is container-shaped and opens inward in the vehicle width direction. The arm cover 48 is detachably attached to the left side of the arm body 47. The opening 52e on the outside of the arm portion 52 in the vehicle width direction is closed off by the arm cover 48. The rear of the arm cover 48 bulges outward in the vehicle width direction relative to the front (see Figure 4), widening the housing space of the motor housing portion 45a outward in the vehicle width direction.

[0042] The opening 52e of the arm portion 52 facing outward in the vehicle width direction is formed along a plane perpendicular to the vehicle width direction (joint surface 52g, see Figure 4). The opening 52e of the arm portion 52 facing outward in the vehicle width direction forms an arm-side peripheral edge portion 52f extending along the joint surface 52g. The opening 52e of the arm cover 48 facing inward in the vehicle width direction forms a cover-side peripheral edge portion (not shown) extending along the joint surface 52g. The arm body 47 and the arm cover 48 are joined by bringing the arm-side peripheral edge portion 52f and the cover-side peripheral edge portion into contact with each other.

[0043] The motor 44 is powered by the battery 60. The motor 44 is driven by variable speed control, for example, using VVVF (variable voltage variable frequency) control. The swing unit 41 may also be equipped with a mechanical speed change mechanism using belts, gears, etc.

[0044] <Battery 60> The battery 60 includes an energy storage unit (not shown) that stores power supplied to the motor 44, a Battery Management Unit (BMU) (not shown) that controls the energy storage unit, and a battery case 63 that houses the energy storage unit and the BMU.

[0045] The energy storage unit is, for example, a battery pack in which multiple battery cells (single cells) are connected in series. Each battery cell is, for example, a rechargeable battery (e.g., a lithium-ion battery) that can be repeatedly charged and discharged. The BMU is an electronic control unit that includes semiconductor devices and is responsible for controlling the charging and discharging of the energy storage unit, as well as detecting abnormalities in the energy storage unit.

[0046] The battery case 63 forms the outer casing of the battery 60. The battery case 63 is located below the step floor 5. The battery case 63 is located between the left and right lower frames 23. The battery case 63 is supported by the left and right lower frames 23 via appropriate stays and brackets.

[0047] <pcu65> The PCU65 is a drive control device that controls the drive of the motor 44. The PCU65 comprises a motor driver PDU (Power Drive Unit), an electronic control unit that controls the PDU, and a unit case 66 that forms the outer shell of the PCU65 and houses the PDU and the electronic control unit. The PDU includes, for example, an inverter. The PDU converts the current supplied from the battery 60 from DC to AC using a switching element that generates a drive current, and supplies power to the motor 44. Power semiconductors such as MOSFETs (Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistors) or IGBTs (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors) are used as switching elements. One end of the wiring connected to the motor 44 (for example, a three-phase cable 67) is connected to the PDU. Wiring extending from the positive and negative terminals of the battery 60 (for example, positive and negative battery cables 68) is connected to the PDU. Hereinafter, the three-phase cable 67 may be referred to as a power line 67. The electronic control unit includes semiconductor devices and controls the switching of the PDU's switching elements.

[0048] Referring to Figures 3 and 5, the PCU65 has a flattened rectangular parallelepiped shape with reduced thickness. The PCU65 is positioned between the left and right rear frames 24 and is supported by the left and right rear frames 24 via front and rear stays 65a and 65b. The PCU65 is positioned so as to overlap the left and right center CL of the vehicle body in a plan view of the vehicle. In this embodiment, the left and right center of the PCU65 is positioned so as to overlap the left and right center CL of the vehicle body in a plan view of the vehicle, but it is also possible to have a configuration in which at least a part of the PCU65 overlaps the left and right center CL of the vehicle body in a plan view of the vehicle.

[0049] The PCU65 is positioned at an upward slope at the rear, following the slope of the rear of the rear frame 24 when viewed from the side. The thickness direction of the PCU65 is positioned perpendicular to the length direction of the rear frame 24 when viewed from the side. The unit case 66 is made of, for example, an aluminum alloy, and a plurality of cooling fins 66a are integrally formed on the lower surface of the unit case 66. The cooling fins 66a stand upright at a constant height from the lower surface of the PCU65. The cooling fins 66a are flat plates that follow the width direction of the vehicle, and a plurality of them are provided at intervals in the width direction of the vehicle. The cooling fins 66a face into the space between the rear fender (not shown) that covers the upper part of the rear wheel 3 and the seat 4. The cooling performance of the cooling fins 66a is enhanced by the airflow introduced into the space between the rear fender and the seat 4. <Wiring structure>

[0050] Referring to Figures 3 and 4, a recess 56 is formed in the opening 52e of the arm body 47 of the swing arm 45, partially cutting out the arm peripheral edge 52f toward the center in the vehicle width direction. The recess 56 is formed by cutting out the front end of the upper wall portion 52c of the peripheral wall 52b of the arm body 47, which faces above the vehicle, inward in the vehicle width direction by a predetermined front-to-rear width. The recess 56 is formed in a stepped shape with different depths inward in the vehicle width direction at the front 56a and rear 56b. The front 56a of the recess 56 is formed to be recessed deeper inward in the vehicle width direction than the rear 56b. Power lines 67 are arranged in the front 56a of the recess 56, and signal lines 44e are arranged in the rear 56b of the recess 56. Each corner of the front 56a and rear 56b of the recess 56 is formed in an arc shape when viewed from a plan view (corresponding to a view in the direction normal to the upper wall portion 52c). A crank-shaped vertical wall 57 is formed in plan view, extending upward in the direction normal to the upper wall portion 52c, in the portion of the recess 56 that extends from the rear edge to the inner edge.

[0051] The front end of the peripheral wall 52b of the arm body 47 is formed to avoid the pivot support 49 which is displaced inward in the vehicle width direction from the joint surface 52g. The arm peripheral edge 52f terminates below the pivot support 49, and the height of the peripheral wall 52b is gradually changed so that it matches the outer surface of the pivot support 49 in the vehicle width direction. Behind the pivot support 49, a predetermined range of the arm peripheral edge 52f (peripheral wall 52b) is cut out by a recess 56.

[0052] A front boss 57a is formed on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the front end of the vertical wall 57 on the peripheral wall 52b of the arm body 47, allowing a front bolt to be screwed in from the outer side in the vehicle width direction. A rear boss 57b is formed on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the rear end of the vertical wall 57 on the peripheral wall 52b of the arm body 47, allowing a rear bolt to be screwed in from the outer side in the vehicle width direction. The front and rear ends of a clamp member 71 that holds power lines 67 and signal lines 44e that are led out from inside the arm body 47 to the outside of the arm body 47 are fixed to the front and rear bosses 57a and 57b, respectively, by front and rear bolts.

[0053] The clamp member 71 holds the wiring 69 within the recess 56 (inward in the vehicle width direction from the joint surface 52g), thereby housing the wiring 69 within the recess 56. Within the recess 56, a gap S1 is secured between the wiring 69 and the inner edge of the recess 56. This allows outside air to circulate within the recess 56, enabling outside air to be introduced into the arm body 47. Near the pivot support 49, a gap is also formed between the area around the pivot support 49 and the arm cover 48, allowing outside air to be introduced into the arm body 47.

[0054] The wiring 69 includes multiple types of wiring 69 that are routed through the inside of the recess 56, from the inside of the case portion 53 to the outside of the case portion 53, and connected to the PCU 65. The wiring 69 includes power lines 67 that extend from the PCU 65 and supply power to the motor 44, and signal lines 44e that transmit information signals from the motor 44. The power lines 67 include three power lines 67u, 67v, and 67w, which correspond to each of the three phases. The power lines 67u, 67v, and 67w are covered by a covering member 67b above the clamp member 71. The lower end of the covering member 67b is held by the clamp member 71 together with the power lines 67u, 67v, and 67w. The power lines 67u, 67v, and 67w are covered by the covering member 67b over the range from inside the wiring housing portion 45b to the PCU 65 (the range outside the case portion 53). The upper end of the covering member 67b extends to the inside of the vehicle body cover 30 (rear cover 35). The power lines 67u, 67v, and 67w are separated inside the rear cover 35 and connected to the PCU 65.

[0055] The signal line 44e includes the aforementioned sensor cables 44c1 and 44d1. The sensor cables 44c1 and 44d1 are covered by the covering member 44eb above the clamp member 71. The lower end of the covering member 44eb is held by the clamp member 71 together with the sensor cables 44c1 and 44d1. The sensor cables 44c1 and 44d1 are covered by the covering member 44eb in the area extending from inside the wiring housing 45b to the PCU 65 (outside the case portion 53). The upper end of the covering member 44eb extends to the inside of the vehicle body cover 30 (rear cover 35). Inside the rear cover 35, the sensor cables 44c1 and 44d1 are separated individually and connected to the target components. Compared to the power lines 67u, 67v, and 67w, the sensor cables 44c1 and 44d1 of the signal line 44e are small-diameter wires 69 and are relatively easy to bend.

[0056] Within the recess 56, the power line 67 is positioned in front of the signal line 44e (towards the pivot axis 25b). The wiring 69 is held by the clamp member 71 within the recess 56. The wiring 69 is held by the bulkhead 55 within the arm body 47. The wiring 69 is held by the upper clamp member 72 fixed to the upward extension 37 (for example, the left rear frame 24) above the swing unit 41.

[0057] The wiring 69 extends upward from the recess 56, then curves upward and rearward in a side view, following the rear frame 24, and reaches the PCU 65. The wiring 69 curves between the clamp member 71 of the recess 56 and the upper clamp member 72 of the upward extension 37, and this portion flexes and extends when the swing unit 41 swings up and down. By positioning the signal line 44e on the inner circumference side of the power line 67, which curves upward and rearward in a side view, the curvature of the signal line 44e becomes greater than the curvature of the power line 67. In other words, the curvature of the power line 67 becomes smaller than the curvature of the signal line 44e. That is, the bending of the large-diameter, difficult-to-bend power line 67 is less than that of the small-diameter, easy-to-bend signal line 44e.

[0058] As described above, the motorcycle 1 in the above embodiment comprises a swing arm 45 that is pivotably supported on the vehicle body 36 via a pivot shaft 25b and supports the rear wheel 3, a first drive unit (motor 44) supported on the swing arm 45 and used to drive the rear wheel 3, an upward extension 37 extending from the vehicle body 36 toward the upper part of the swing arm 45, a second drive unit (PCU 65) supported on the upward extension 37 and used to drive the rear wheel 3, and wiring 69 that electrically connects the first drive unit and the second drive unit, and the swing arm 4 The 5 comprises an arm body 47 that forms a case portion 53 open outward in the vehicle width direction, and an arm cover 48 that covers the case portion 53 from the outside in the vehicle width direction. A peripheral edge portion 52f is formed in the opening 52e of the case portion 53 on the outside in the vehicle width direction, along with the joint surface 52g with the arm cover 48. A recess 56 is formed in the opening 52e that partially cuts out the peripheral edge portion 52f toward the center in the vehicle width direction. The second drive device is located in the center in the vehicle width direction, and the wiring 69 is routed through the inside of the recess 56 from the inside to the outside of the case portion 53 and connected to the second drive device.

[0059] With this configuration, the drive equipment (motor 44 and PCU 65) used to drive the rear wheel 3 is distributed between the swing arm 45 and the upper extension 37 of the vehicle body. The wiring 69 connecting the two drive devices is routed from the center side in the vehicle width direction of the swing arm 45, and the second drive device supported by the upper extension 37 is positioned in the center in the vehicle width direction. This allows both the wiring 69 and the second drive device to which the wiring 69 is connected to be positioned closer to the center in the vehicle width direction. As a result, the wiring length can be shortened, reducing weight and cost, and reducing energy transmission loss. Furthermore, external disturbances from the outside in the vehicle width direction to the wiring 69 can be suppressed.

[0060] In the above-described motorcycle 1, the first drive device is a motor 44 that drives the rear wheel 3, and the second drive device is a drive control device (PCU 65) that controls the drive of the motor 44. With this configuration, the wiring 69 connecting the motor 44 supported by the swing arm 45 and the PCU 65 supported by the upper extension 37 of the vehicle body is routed out from the center side in the vehicle width direction of the swing arm 45, and the PCU 65 is positioned in the center in the vehicle width direction, thereby shortening the wiring length and reducing weight and cost.

[0061] In the above-described motorcycle 1, the motor 44 is housed within the case portion 53. With this configuration, the motor 44 housed within the case portion 53 of the swing arm 45 and the PCU 65 supported on the upper extension portion 37 of the vehicle body are connected by wiring 69 routed through the opening 52e of the case portion 53 towards the center in the vehicle width direction, thereby shortening the wiring length and reducing weight and cost.

[0062] In the above-described motorcycle 1, a clamp member 71 is provided which is fixed to the recess 56 and supports the wiring 69, and the clamp member 71 is positioned on the side of the vehicle width direction towards the center than the joint surface 52g and is fixed to the case portion 53. With this configuration, the wiring 69 passing through the recess 56 of the swingarm 45 is supported by a clamp member 71 fixed to the swingarm 45, thereby preventing the swingarm 45 and the wiring 69 from rubbing against each other when the swingarm 45 swings.

[0063] In the above-described motorcycle 1, the vehicle body 36 supports a battery 60 that stores the power to drive the motor 44. With this configuration, by mounting the battery 60 for driving the motor 44 on the vehicle body 36, it is possible to secure space for the battery while avoiding the motor 44 and PCU 65.

[0064] In the above-described motorcycle 1, the luggage box 6 is supported on the upward extension portion 37. With this configuration, by further supporting the luggage box 6 on the upper extension portion 37 of the vehicle body, it is possible to ensure convenience while minimizing the impact on the battery mounting space.

[0065] In the above-described motorcycle 1, the wiring 69 includes a power line 67 that supplies power to the motor 44 and a signal line 44e that has a smaller diameter than the power line 67 and transmits information signals from the motor 44. Within the recess 56, the power line 67 is positioned closer to the pivot shaft 25b than the signal line 44e. With this configuration, within the recess 56 of the swingarm 45, the large-diameter, less-bending power line 67 is positioned closer to the pivot axis 25b than the small-diameter, more-bending signal line 44e. This positions the power line 67 in a location where bending of the wiring 69 due to the swing of the swingarm 45 is minimized, thus enabling efficient wiring 69 routing.

[0066] In the above-described motorcycle 1, a clamp member 71 is provided that is fixed to the recess 56 and supports the wiring 69. The case portion 53 comprises a motor housing portion 45a that houses the motor 44, a wiring housing portion 45b located in front of the motor housing portion 45a and facing the recess 56, a partition wall 55 that separates the motor housing portion 45a and the wiring housing portion 45b, and internal wiring support portions (grommets 44c2, 44d2, 67a) fixed to the partition wall 55 and supporting the wiring 69. The upward extension portion 37 comprises an upper clamp member 72 that is fixed to the upward extension portion 37 near the PCU 65 and supports the wiring 69. The clamp member 71 is positioned between the grommets 44c2, 44d2, 67a and the upper clamp member 72.

[0067] With this configuration, the wiring 69 is supported by the internal wiring support portion of the swing arm 45 (grommets 44c2, 44d2, 67a), the support member in the recess 56 (clamp member 71), and the vehicle body side wiring support portion of the upper extension portion 37 of the vehicle body (upper clamp member 72). Within the case portion 53, the movement of the wiring 69 is restricted by the support between the internal wiring support portion and the support member in the recess 56, and outside the case portion 53, the wiring 69 can be gently bent by utilizing the wiring length from the recess 56 to the vicinity of the PCU 65 through the support between the support member in the recess 56 and the vehicle body side support portion near the drive control device.

[0068] In the above-described motorcycle 1, a gap S1 is formed between the wiring 69 passing through the recess 56 and the arm cover 48, which communicates with the inside of the case portion 53. With this configuration, a gap S1 communicating with the inside of the case portion 53 is formed between the wiring 69 in the recess 56 and the arm cover 48, allowing running air to be introduced into the case portion 53 from the gap S1 in the recess 56, thereby improving the cooling performance of the components inside the case portion 53.

[0069] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, in the embodiment, the motorcycle 1 supports a motor 44 on the swing arm 45, a PCU 65 on the upper extension 37 of the vehicle body, and a battery 60 on the main body 36, but the invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the motor 44 may be supported on the main body 36, and the PCU 65 and battery 60 may be distributed between the swing arm 45 and the upper extension 37, with the PCU 65 and battery 60 connected by a wiring structure similar to that of the embodiment. In this case, the power lines between the swing arm 45 and the upper extension 37 will be positive and negative battery cables 68. Alternatively, the drive equipment may not be placed on the main body 36, but rather distributed between the swing arm 45 and the upper extension 37, and a wiring structure similar to that of the embodiment may be applied.

[0070] The configuration of this embodiment may also be applied to saddle-type vehicles (electric vehicles) other than motorcycles. The saddle-type vehicles include all vehicles on which the driver straddles the vehicle body, 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 straddling space 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]

[0071] 1. Motorcycle (saddle-type electric vehicle) 3. Rear wheels (drive wheels) 6 Luggage Boxes 25b Pivot axis 36 Body 37 Upper extension part 44. Motor (First drive equipment) 44c2, 44d2, 67a Grommets (for supporting internal wiring in the case) 44e signal line 45 Swingarm 45a Motor housing 45b Wiring housing section 47 Arm body 48 Arm covers 52e opening 52f Peripheral area 52g joint surface 53 Case section 55 Bulkhead 56 Recess 60 batteries 65 PCU (Second Drive Unit) 67. Three-phase cable (power line) 69 Wiring 71. Clamp member (support member) 72 Upper clamp member (vehicle body side wiring support part)

Claims

1. A swing arm (45) is pivotably supported on the vehicle body (36) via a pivot shaft (25b) and supports the drive wheel (3), A first drive device (44) is supported by the swing arm (45) and used to drive the drive wheel (3), An upward extension (37) extending from the vehicle body (36) toward the swing arm (45), A second drive device (65) is supported by the aforementioned upward extension (37) and is used to drive the drive wheel (3), The system includes wiring (69) that electrically connects the first drive device (44) and the second drive device (65), The swing arm (45) comprises an arm body (47) that forms a case portion (53) that is open to the outside in the vehicle width direction, and an arm cover (48) that covers the case portion (53) from the outside in the vehicle width direction. In the case portion (53), the outer opening (52e) in the vehicle width direction has a peripheral edge (52f) formed along the joint surface (52g) with the arm cover (48). The opening (52e) has a recess (56) formed in which the peripheral edge (52f) is partially cut out toward the center in the vehicle width direction. The second drive device (65) is located in the center in the vehicle width direction, The wiring (69) is routed through the inside of the recess (56) and from the inside to the outside of the case portion (53), and connected to the second drive device (65), in a saddle-type electric vehicle.

2. The first drive device (44) is a motor (44) that drives the drive wheel (3), The saddle-type electric vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the second drive device (65) is a drive control device (65) that controls the drive of the motor (44).

3. The system includes a support member (71) fixed to the recess (56) and supporting the wiring (69), The support member (71) is positioned on the vehicle width side towards the center of the joint surface (52g) and fixed to the case portion (53), as described in claim 1 or 2.

4. The saddle-type electric vehicle according to claim 2, wherein a battery (60) for storing the driving power of the motor (44) is supported on the vehicle body (36).

5. The wiring (69) includes a power line (67) that supplies power to the motor (44), and a signal line (44e) smaller in diameter than the power line (67) that transmits information signals of the motor (44). The saddle-type electric vehicle according to claim 2, wherein within the recess (56), the power line (67) is positioned closer to the pivot axis (25b) than the signal line (44e).

6. The system includes a support member (71) fixed to the recess (56) and supporting the wiring (69), The case portion (53) is A motor housing section (45a) that houses the motor (44), A wiring housing (45b) is located in front of the motor housing (45a) and faces the recess (56), A partition wall (55) separates the motor housing section (45a) and the wiring housing section (45b), The case includes internal wiring support parts (44c2, 44d2, 67a) fixed to the partition wall (55) and supporting the wiring (69), The aforementioned upward extension (37) is The vehicle body side wiring support portion (72) is provided, which is fixed to the upward extension portion (37) near the drive control device (65) and supports the wiring (69), The support member (71) is positioned between the internal wiring support portion (44c2, 44d2, 67a) and the vehicle body side wiring support portion (72), as described in claim 2.

7. A saddle-type electric vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a gap (S1) communicating with the case portion (53) is formed between the wiring (69) passing through the recess (56) and the arm cover (48).

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