Saddle-type electric vehicle

Abstract

To provide a saddle riding electric vehicle characterized in that: a storage battery for vehicle drive is interposed between left and right upper frames; and it is easy to insert or remove the storage battery into or from between the left and right upper frames without shrinking the storage battery.SOLUTION: An electric two-wheeled vehicle 1 includes a head pipe 16, a pair of left and right main frames 17, and a battery unit 100 interposed between the left and right main frames 17 behind the head pipe 16. Each of the main frames 17 includes an extension part 17a that extends along a vehicular fore-and-aft direction in a plan view, and a front curved part 17b which extends to curve inwardly in a vehicle width direction in a plan view toward ahead of the extension part 17a and whose front end 17c is connected to the head pipe 16. The front curved part 17b extends to curve upward in a side view toward ahead of the extension part 17a.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a saddle-ride type electric vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there has been a motorcycle body frame structure that includes a head pipe that supports steered wheels and a pair of left and right main frames (upper frames) that extend rearward from the head pipe so as to branch out to the left and right, with the left and right main frames bent upward toward the head pipe in a side view (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Each main frame is connected to the head pipe in front of the upwardly bent portion as described above, inclined inward in the vehicle width direction. Various accessories such as an air cleaner and electrical components are arranged between the left and right main frames. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6248209 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Recently, straddle-type vehicles such as motorcycles have become increasingly electrified. In straddle-type electric vehicles, including electric motorcycles, a battery (storage battery) for driving the vehicle is sometimes mounted between the left and right main frames. In such a configuration, the battery is inserted and removed from between the left and right main frames from above. Therefore, there is a demand for improving the ease of inserting and removing the battery while maintaining the package of the completed vehicle without reducing the battery's external dimensions.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to make it easier to insert and remove a storage battery between the left and right upper frames without reducing the size of the storage battery in a saddle-type electric vehicle that has a storage battery for driving the vehicle mounted between the left and right upper frames. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] As a means for solving the above-mentioned problems, a first aspect of the present invention provides a saddle-ride type electric vehicle (1) including a head pipe (16) that supports steered wheels (2), a pair of left and right upper frames (17) that extend rearward from the head pipe (16) so as to branch out to the left and right, and a storage battery (100) for driving the vehicle that is arranged rearward of the head pipe (16) and between the pair of left and right upper frames (17), wherein each upper frame (17) includes an extension portion (17a) that extends along the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle in a plan view, and a front curved portion (17b) that extends forward of the extension portion (17a) so as to curve inward in the vehicle width direction in a plan view, and has a front end portion (17c) that is connected to the head pipe (16), and the front curved portion (17b) extends forward of the extension portion (17a) so as to curve upward in a side view. According to this configuration, the front curved portion of each upper frame, which curves inward in the vehicle width direction in a plan view, also curves upward in a side view. As a result, the position of each upper frame is lowered overall relative to the head pipe, increasing the area of ​​the storage battery that protrudes above the upper frames. This makes it easier to hold the upper part of the storage battery, even when the storage battery is inserted or removed from above between the left and right upper frames, and reduces the area of ​​the storage battery that passes between the left and right upper frames. This improves the ease of inserting or removing the storage battery without affecting the storage battery capacity. Furthermore, the lower position of the upper frame improves the freedom of the occupant's leg position. For example, when a saddle-type electric vehicle is an off-road vehicle, the upper frame is less likely to get in the way when cornering with the turning leg extended forward. Furthermore, if warm air becomes trapped inside the case due to weather conditions or other factors, the warm air moves to the top of the case, and the more exposed the front side is, the better the cooling performance.

[0007] A second aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the first aspect, the front curved portion (17b) has a cross-sectional shape (36) that is long in the up-down direction, and the front curved portion (17b) is twisted so that the longitudinal direction of the cross-sectional shape (36), which is the longitudinal direction of the cross-sectional shape (36), approaches the vertical direction in a side view as it approaches the head pipe (16) from the extension portion (17a) side. According to this configuration, the front curved portion is twisted so that the longitudinal direction of the cross section approaches the vertical direction as it approaches the head pipe, thereby preventing the cross-sectional shape of the front curved portion from tilting backward near the head pipe and narrowing the space between the left and right upper frames. By twisting the front curved portion so that the longitudinal direction of its cross section approaches the vertical direction as it approaches the head pipe, the inner wall near the front end of the front curved portion can be aligned with the direction in which the storage battery is inserted and removed. This makes it easier to ensure clearance near the front end of the front curved portion when inserting and removing the storage battery, improving the ease of inserting and removing the storage battery without affecting the external shape (and therefore capacity) of the storage battery.

[0008] A third aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the first or second aspect, the storage battery (100) has a rectangular box portion (101) that overlaps with each upper frame (17) in a side view, the box portion (101) protrudes above and below each upper frame (17) in a side view, and each upper frame (17) is arranged outside in the vehicle width direction of a center position (P1) of the box portion (101) in a side view. According to this configuration, the upper frame is positioned on the vehicle width outside of the center position of the rectangular box portion, so that the upper frame can protect the area near the center of the box-shaped object, which has relatively low strength, from the vehicle width outside. Hot air tends to build up in the upper part of the battery, but by having the top of the box section protrude above the upper frame, the upper frame does not interfere with heat dissipation from the top of the box section, improving the cooling performance of the top of the battery.

[0009] A fourth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in any one of the first to third aspects, the front curved portion (17b) of the upper frame (17) that is forward of the fore-and-aft center is gradually inclined upward in a side view, and the front curved portion (17b) is gradually inclined toward the center in the vehicle width direction in a top view. According to this configuration, by not providing a bending point in the front curved portion of the upper frame, it is possible to improve the flexibility in setting the strength and rigidity of the upper frame.

[0010] A fifth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, a shroud (41) is provided so as to straddle the upper frame (17) from front to rear in a side view. According to this configuration, by providing a shroud that straddles the upper frame from front to back, the upper frame is positioned lower than usual, which allows the shroud to be lowered and makes it possible to achieve a compact design. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, in a saddle-type electric vehicle in which a storage battery for driving the vehicle is mounted between left and right upper frames, the storage battery can be easily inserted and removed between the left and right upper frames without reducing the size of the storage battery. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a left side view of an electric motorcycle (saddle-ride type electric vehicle) according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a left side view of a main part of the electric motorcycle. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a plan view (top view) of a main part of the electric motorcycle. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a battery unit of the electric motorcycle. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a left side view showing the inside of the battery unit. [Figure 6A] FIG. 2 is a left side view of a front portion of a body frame of the electric motorcycle. [Figure 6B] FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 6A. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the front portion of the body frame. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a left side view showing a comparative example of the front end portion of the front curved portion of the body frame. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that directions such as front, rear, up, down, left, and right in the following description are the same as directions in a vehicle described below. That is, the up and down direction coincides with the vertical direction, and the left and right direction coincides with the vehicle width direction. In the vehicle width direction, a direction away from the vehicle width center is referred to as the outward direction in the vehicle width direction, and a direction approaching the vehicle width center is referred to as the inward direction in the vehicle width direction. Furthermore, in the drawings used in the following description, the arrow UP indicates upward, the arrow FR indicates forward, and the arrow LH indicates left. In the drawings, the line CL indicates the vehicle width centerline (vehicle width center).

[0014] FIG. 1 is a left side view of an electric motorcycle (saddle-ride type electric vehicle) 1 according to an embodiment. As shown in Figure 1, the electric motorcycle 1 of this embodiment is an off-road, saddle-ride type electric vehicle. The electric motorcycle 1 has a large vertical stroke for the wheels, a large ground clearance for the body, a small and lightweight body, and a concentrated mass for the body. The electric motorcycle 1 includes a front wheel 2, a rear wheel 3, a front wheel suspension system 4, a body frame 5, a body cover 6, a rear wheel suspension system 7, a power unit 8, and a battery unit 100.

[0015] The front wheel suspension system 4 includes a pair of left and right front forks 10 that pivotally support the front wheel 2 at their lower ends, a top bridge 11 and a bottom bridge 12 that are provided between the upper parts of the pair of front forks 10, and a stem pipe (not shown) that is provided between the top bridge 11 and the bottom bridge 12 and inserted into a head pipe 16. The front wheel 2 is steerably supported on the head pipe 16 of the body frame 5 via the front wheel suspension system 4. A steering handlebar 13 is supported on the top bridge 11. In the embodiment, a telescopic front fork 10 is used as the front suspension of the electric motorcycle 1, but the configuration is not limited to this. For example, the front suspension may be of another type, such as a link type that uses a swing arm.

[0016] FIG. 2 is a left side view of the main parts of the electric motorcycle 1, and FIG. 3 is a plan view (top view) of the main parts of the electric motorcycle 1. 1 to 3, the body frame 5 includes a head pipe 16, a pair of left and right main frames 17, a pair of left and right pivot frames 18, a single down frame 19, a pair of left and right lower frames 20, gusset pipes 21 connecting the left and right main frames 17 and the down frames 19, cross members 22, and lower cross members 23, which are joined together by welding or the like. Hereinafter, the assembly of these frame members that are inseparably integrated will be referred to as the "frame main body."

[0017] The head pipe 16 is located at the vehicle width center CL and is provided singly at the front end of the body frame 5. The head pipe 16 supports the stem pipe so that the stem pipe is inserted therethrough and is rotatable. The pair of main frames 17 branch out to the left and right from the upper part of the head pipe 16 and extend rearward and downward. The pair of main frames 17 are joined to each other at their front ends. In a plan view seen from above, the front portions of the pair of main frames 17 extend while curving so as to bulge outward in the vehicle width direction behind the head pipe 16. In a plan view seen from above, the rear portions of the pair of main frames 17 extend linearly along the fore-and-aft direction.

[0018] The pair of pivot frames 18 each extend rearward and downward from the rear end of the corresponding left and right main frames 17. The pair of pivot frames 18 extend in a curved manner so as to form a convex arc shape that protrudes rearward in a side view. A pivot shaft 33 extending in the vehicle width direction is installed between middle portions of the pair of pivot frames 18 that are closer to the bottom in the up-down direction. Note that the term "middle" used in the embodiment means not only the center between both ends of an object but also the range inside between both ends of an object.

[0019] The down frame 19 extends rearward and downward from a lower portion of the head pipe 16. In a side view, the down frame 19 extends rearward and downward at a steeper incline than the main frame 17. A radiator 91 for cooling the power unit 8 is attached to at least one of the right and left side portions of the down frame 19 (the left side portion in this embodiment). The pair of lower frames 20 branch out to the left and right and extend rearward from the lower end of the down frame 19. The rear ends of the pair of lower frames 20 are connected to the lower ends of the pivot frames 18 on the same left and right sides, respectively.

[0020] The left and right side portions of the gusset pipe 21 connect the main frame 17 and down frame 19 on the same left and right side. The gusset pipe 21 branches off to the left and right from a middle portion near the top in the vertical direction of the down frame 19 and extends rearward. The rear end portions of the gusset pipes 21 are connected to middle portions in the front-to-rear direction of the main frame 17 on the same left and right side.

[0021] The cross member 22 extends in the vehicle width direction and connects the rear portions of the pair of main frames 17 (or the upper portions of the pair of pivot frames 18). A cushion support bracket 22a extending rearward and upward is fixed to the inside of the cross member 22 in the vehicle width direction. The upper end of the rear cushion 32 and the battery unit 100 are connected to the cushion support bracket 22a.

[0022] The lower cross member 23 extends in the vehicle width direction and connects the lower parts of the pair of pivot frames 18 below the pivot shaft 33. A link support bracket 23a extending rearward is fixed to the inside of the lower cross member 23 in the vehicle width direction. A front end of a link arm 34 is connected to the link support bracket 23a.

[0023] The body frame 5 further includes a pair of left and right seat rails 24 and a pair of left and right support rails 25. The front end of each of the left and right seat rails 24 is connected to the upper end of the pivot frame 18 on the same side. Each of the left and right seat rails 24 extends rearward and upward from the front end. A seat 9 is disposed above the left and right seat rails 24. The front and rear intermediate portions of the left and right seat rails 24 are connected to each other via a seat support bracket 28 that supports the load from the seat 9.

[0024] The left and right support rails 25 are located below the left and right seat rails 24. The front end of each of the left and right support rails 25 is connected to the vertical middle portion of the pivot frame 18 on the same side. Each of the left and right support rails 25 extends rearward and upward from the front end. The rear end of each of the left and right support rails 25 is connected from below to the rear portion of the seat rail 24 on the same side.

[0025] The rear portions of the left and right seat rails 24 are connected by a cross rail 26 that extends in the vehicle width direction. The pair of left and right seat rails 24, the pair of left and right support rails 25, and the cross rail 26 are joined together by welding or the like. Hereinafter, the assembly in which these frame members are inseparably integrated is referred to as a subframe that is detachable from the frame main body. The subframe corresponds to a seat frame that supports the seat 9 from below.

[0026] The body frame 5 is of a semi-double cradle type. The body frame 5 mounts a power unit 8 including a motor 50 below the rear of left and right main frames 17 behind a head pipe 16 and in front of left and right pivot frames 18. The body frame 5 surrounds the power unit 8 from the front and below with a single down frame 19 and left and right lower frames 20.

[0027] A power unit 8 for running the vehicle is mounted inside the body frame 5, and a battery unit 100 for storing electricity to be supplied to the power unit 8 is also mounted inside the body frame 5. The battery unit 100 can be inserted and removed from above through an opening between the left and right main frames 17. The front portions of the left and right main frames 17 and the gusset pipe 21 have a large curvature outward in the vehicle width direction to ensure clearance with the front portion of the battery unit 100.

[0028] The body cover 6 covers the body frame 5 and the like. The body cover 6 includes a pair of left and right front side cowls 41 and a pair of left and right rear side cowls 42. The pair of front side cowls 41 are disposed from positions below the left and right sides of the front of the seat 9 to positions overlapping with the upper parts of the down frames 19 in a side view seen from the vehicle width direction. Each front side cowl 41 extends from below the front of the seat 9 toward the front, widening in a side view. Each front side cowl 41 extends so as to straddle the outward side of the main frame 17 on the same side in the vehicle width direction. At least one of the front side cowls 41 functions as an air guide plate (radiator shroud) for the radiator 91 supported on the side of the down frame 19.

[0029] The pair of rear side cowls 42 are disposed below the left and right sides of the rear of the seat 9 in a side view. Each rear side cowl 42 is disposed so as to cover the seat rail 24 and the support rail 25 on the same left and right side from the outside in the vehicle width direction. A rear fender 43r extends rearward behind the seat 9. The rear fender 43r is disposed above the rear wheel 3 at a distance. In the drawing, reference numeral 43f denotes a front fender that is disposed above the front wheel 2 at a distance and supported by the bottom bridge 12. A top cover 44 is disposed in front of the seat 9 between the upper ends of the front-rear intermediate portions of the pair of front side cowls 41. The top cover 44 covers the upward protrusion 110 of the battery unit 100 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) from above.

[0030] The rear wheel suspension system 7 includes a swing arm 30 that supports the rear wheel 3 at its rear end, a link mechanism 31 that connects the front of the swing arm 30 to the lower cross member 23, and a rear cushion 32 that spans between the link mechanism 31 and the cross member 22. The swing arm 30 is disposed below the rear of the vehicle body and extends in the front-to-rear direction. The front end of the swing arm 30 is supported by a pair of pivot frames 18 via pivot shafts 33 so as to be able to swing up and down.

[0031] The link mechanism 31 includes a pair of left and right link arms 34 and a link member 35. The pair of link arms 34 are disposed below the front portion of the swing arm 30 in a side view and extend in the front-to-rear direction. The front end of the link arm 34 is rotatably connected to the link support bracket 23a of the lower cross member 23 via a shaft extending along the vehicle width direction. The rear end of the link arm 34 is rotatably connected to the link member 35 via a shaft extending along the vehicle width direction.

[0032] The link member 35 is formed in a roughly triangular shape in a side view. An upper apex of the link member 35 is rotatably connected to a link connecting portion at the midpoint between the front and rear of the swing arm 30 via a shaft extending in the vehicle width direction. A lower apex of the link member 35 is rotatably connected to the rear end of the link arm 34 via a shaft extending in the vehicle width direction. A front apex of the link member 35 is rotatably connected to the lower end of the rear cushion 32 via a shaft extending in the vehicle width direction.

[0033] The rear cushion 32 is provided on the inner side of the rear portion of the vehicle body in the vehicle width direction (for example, on the vehicle width center CL). The rear cushion 32 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a compression coil spring disposed on the outer periphery of a damper cylinder, and is disposed with its axial direction tilted forward with respect to the vertical direction. An upper end of the rear cushion 32 is rotatably connected to the cushion support bracket 22a of the cross member 22 via a shaft extending along the vehicle width direction. A lower end of the rear cushion 32 is rotatably connected to the front top of the link member 35 via a shaft extending along the vehicle width direction. In the embodiment, a configuration in which a single rear cushion 32 is provided on the inner side in the vehicle width direction is illustrated, but this configuration is not limited to this. For example, other configurations are also possible, such as a configuration in which a pair of left and right rear cushions 32 are provided between the rear portion of the swing arm 30 and the seat frame.

[0034] The power unit 8 includes a motor 50 for driving the vehicle, a reducer (not shown) that reduces the output of the motor 50, an output shaft 70 that outputs the power of the motor 50 reduced by the reducer, a PCU (Power Control Unit) 130 that controls the motor 50, and a housing 80 that accommodates the driving parts such as the motor 50 and the reducer, as well as the PCU 130.

[0035] The power unit 8 is configured as an integrated unit including the motor 50, the reducer, the output shaft 70, the PCU 130, and the housing 80. The PCU 130 is disposed below the motor 50. The housing 80 forms the outer shape of the power unit 8. The power unit 8 can be cooled by a water-cooling system including a radiator 91.

[0036] The motor 50 is disposed with its rotational axis aligned with the vehicle width direction. The motor 50 is housed in a motor case 54 formed in the upper part of the housing 80. A gear-type reducer is disposed on one of the left and right sides of the motor 50. The output shaft 70 is disposed at the rear lower part of the motor case 54. The output shaft 70 extends in the vehicle width direction, with its left end protruding outside the housing 80. The left end of the output shaft 70 and the rear wheel 3 are linked via a chain transmission mechanism 77. This allows the output of the motor 50 to be transmitted to the rear wheel 3.

[0037] The PCU 130 is a control device that includes a PDU (Power Drive Unit) that is a motor driver, an ECU (Electric Control Unit) that controls the PDU, etc. The PDU includes an inverter, and converts the current supplied from the battery unit 100 from direct current to alternating current, and then supplies the current to the motor 50. The PCU 130 is accommodated in a PCU case 81 of the housing 80.

[0038] In addition to the motor case 54, the housing 80 includes a PCU case 81 that houses the PCU 130. The PCU case 81 is disposed below the motor case 54. The PCU case 81 houses the PCU 130 inside. The front portion of the PCU case 81 protrudes forward beyond the front end portion of the motor case 54.

[0039] The power unit 8 (housing 80) is supported on the body frame 5 via multiple fixing portions (including rubber mounts). The power unit 8 is disposed in front of (on the inner periphery of) the pivot frame 18, which is curved in a convex arc shape that protrudes rearward in side view. The power unit 8 is disposed above the lower frame 20. The power unit 8 is disposed below the lower rear end of the main frame 17 in side view. The power unit 8 has an upper portion (motor case 54) disposed at a distance behind the down frame 19, and a lower portion (PCU case 81) extending to the vicinity of the lower end of the down frame 19. The lower portion of the PCU case 81 is covered by an undercover 27 attached to the lower frame 20.

[0040] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the battery unit 100, and FIG. 5 is a left side view showing the inside of the battery unit 100. As shown in FIG. 1 to 5, the battery unit 100 is formed in a roughly L-shape in a side view, and is disposed over the power unit 8 from the front to the top. The battery unit 100 has a constant overall left-right width, and is disposed so as to fit between the inner surfaces of the left and right main frames 17 in the vehicle width direction in a plan view. The battery unit 100 has a roughly square shape in a side view and includes a central portion (main portion) 101 disposed at a position overlapping the main frames 17, a rearward extending portion 102 extending rearward from the rear end of the central portion 101, and a downward extending portion 103 extending downward from the bottom end of the central portion 101.

[0041] The central portion 101 is disposed so that its upper rear portion protrudes above the main frame 17 and its lower front portion protrudes below the main frame 17 in a side view. The portion of the central portion 101 that protrudes above the main frame 17 is covered from the outside in the vehicle width direction by the rear portion of the front side cowl 41. The main frame 17 is disposed so as to diagonally cross the outside of the central portion 101 in the vehicle width direction. The front end portion of the central portion 101 is supported by the vertical middle portion of the down frame 19 via a first mount bracket 45. In the drawing, reference numeral 101a denotes a first mount portion provided at the front end portion of the central portion 101.

[0042] The rearward extending portion 102 extends rearward between the upper end of the rear cushion 32 and the underside of the seat 9 in the vertical direction. The rearward extending portion 102 extends rearward to a position where it overlaps with the front-to-rear middle portion of the seat rail 24 in a side view. The seat support bracket 28 is formed in a U-shape so as to straddle the rearward extending portion 102 from above to the left and right. The lower end of the rearward extending portion 102 is supported by the cross member 22 via a second mounting bracket 46. The second mounting bracket 46 is formed integrally with, for example, the cushion support bracket 22a. In the drawing, reference numeral 102a denotes a second mounting portion provided at the lower end of the rearward extending portion 102. A 12V battery 29 for accessories is disposed further rearward of the rear extension 102. The 12V battery 29 is supported on the rear portion of the seat frame. Reference numeral 43i in the drawing denotes a rear inner fender that is supported by the support rail 25 and prevents the rear wheel 3 from being lifted up.

[0043] The downward extending portion 103 extends downward in the front-rear direction between the lower portion of the down frame 19 and the motor case 54 of the power unit 8. The downward extending portion 103 extends to the vicinity of the upper surface of the PCU case 81. The lower end portions of the downward extending portion 103 are supported on the front end portions of the left and right lower frames 20 via third mount brackets 47. In the drawing, reference numeral 103a denotes a third mount portion provided at the lower end portion of the downward extending portion 103.

[0044] The battery unit 100 includes a center plate 105 located on the vehicle width center CL, a pair of left and right battery assemblies 106 located on both the left and right sides of the center plate 105, and a pair of left and right battery covers 107 that cover the left and right battery assemblies 106. The battery unit 100 is provided symmetrically overall with the vehicle width center CL as the axis of symmetry. By providing the battery units 100, which are heavy objects, symmetrically, the impact of the vehicle weight on the left and right balance is reduced.

[0045] Each battery assembly 106 is formed by combining multiple battery modules 108. Each battery module 108 has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape that is long in one direction, and is arranged with its length aligned along the front-to-rear direction or the up-to-down direction. Each battery module 108 is formed by arranging multiple battery cells 109 vertically and horizontally. The battery cells 109, and therefore the battery modules 108, are arranged with their positions aligned in the vehicle width direction.

[0046] Each battery module 108 has a slender outer shape that is long in one direction, making it easy to arrange even in a small space. The battery unit 100 can easily be shaped to fit the available space in the vehicle body by rearranging the multiple battery modules 108 to change the overall outer shape. Increasing the freedom of shape of the heavy battery unit 100 and increasing the freedom of arrangement in the available space in the vehicle body reduces the impact on the center of gravity of the vehicle.

[0047] The central portion 101, which is square in side view, is formed by, for example, arranging three battery modules 108 with their length directions facing up and down, and arranging these three battery modules 108 side by side in the front-to-back direction. The rearward extending portion 102, which is rectangular in side view, is formed by arranging one battery module 108 with its length direction facing up and down. The downward extending portion 103, which is rectangular in side view, is formed by arranging one battery module 108 with its length direction facing up and down.

[0048] The upper end of the battery unit 100 is provided with an upward protrusion 110 that houses electrical components such as contactors. The upward protrusion 110 protrudes higher than the main frame 17 in a side view and is covered from above by the top cover 44. The upward protrusion 110 is provided with a plate extension 111 that extends the upper end of the center plate 105 higher than the upper end of the battery assembly 106. Electrical components such as contactors are attached to both the left and right sides of the plate extension 111. The upper ends of the left and right battery covers 107 are provided with cover extensions 112 that extend higher than the upper end of the battery assembly 106 to match the plate extension 111. The left and right cover extensions 112 cover the plate extensions 111 from the left and right outer sides, preventing the electrical components such as contactors from being exposed to the outside of the vehicle.

[0049] The rear portions of the plate extension 111 and the left and right cover extensions 112 are located below the front portion of the seat 9, which is inclined upward toward the front. The upper rear portions of the plate extension 111 and the left and right cover extensions 112 are formed with an inclined shape that is inclined upward toward the front in a side view, in accordance with the inclination of the front portion of the seat 9. The outer portions of the left and right cover extensions 112 in the vehicle width direction are formed with an inclined chamfered shape that is positioned lower as they move outward in the vehicle width direction. This reduces the bulkiness of the upward protrusion 110, and gives the top cover 44 a rounded, compact shape.

[0050] The front end of the battery unit 100 is provided with an upward protrusion 110 and a cable connection part 114 that protrudes forward from the front end above the central part 101. One end of a high-voltage cable (positive cable and negative cable) extending from the PCU 130 is connected to the cable connection part 114, and one end of a low-voltage cable extending from the 12V battery 29 is also connected to the cable connection part 114. A driving current is supplied from the battery unit 100 to the PCU 130 via the high-voltage cable, and a driving current is supplied from the 12V battery 29 to electrical components such as contactors via the low-voltage cable.

[0051] <Frame structure> 6A is a left side view of the front part of the body frame 5 of the electric motorcycle 1, FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 6A, and FIG. As shown in Figures 6A, 6B, and 7, the main frame 17 includes an extension portion 17a that extends linearly along the vehicle longitudinal direction in a plan view (see Figure 3; Figure 7 is a longitudinal view), and a front curved portion 17b that extends from the front end of the extension portion 17a so as to curve inward in the vehicle width direction in a plan view (and also in a longitudinal view). The front curved portion 17b is smoothly curved without any bending points so as to gradually incline toward the center in the vehicle width direction in a plan view. In this embodiment, the main frame 17 is made of a single extruded material and forms a one-piece upper frame. If the main frame 17 is made up of multiple members, the uppermost member that extends between the head pipe 16 and the pivot frame 18 becomes the upper frame.

[0052] The front curved portion 17b is located forward of the front-to-rear center of the main frame 17. The front curved portion 17b is joined by welding with its front end portion 17c (which is also the front end portion of the main frame 17) abutting against the rear portion of the head pipe 16, outward in the vehicle width direction, from diagonally rearward. The front curved portion 17b extends from the front end portion of the extension portion 17a so as to curve upward in side view. As a result, the extension portion 17a of the main frame 17 is displaced downward relative to the head pipe 16. The front curved portion 17b is smoothly curved without any bending points so as to gradually slope upward toward the head pipe 16 in side view.

[0053] Here, the head pipe 16 of this embodiment includes a cylindrical head pipe main body 16a through which the stem pipe is inserted, and rearward protruding portions 16b that protrude rearward from the upper rear side of the head pipe main body 16a and enable front ends 17c of the left and right main frames 17 to be joined to the left and right side surfaces. A gusset bracket 21a is provided at the rear of the head pipe 16, extending downward and rearward so as to connect to the lower rear of the rearward protruding portion 16b. The gusset bracket 21a extends downward and rearward along the rear surface of the upper part of the down frame 19, passing a position forward of the gusset pipe 21, and extending to the periphery of a first fastening portion 45a that fastens the first mount bracket 45.

[0054] The gusset bracket 21a includes a gusset connection portion 21b that connects the front end of the gusset pipe 21, and a fastening reinforcement portion 21c that covers the periphery of the first fastening portion 45a of the down frame 19. The upper end of the gusset bracket 21a is joined to the head pipe main body 16a and the rearward protruding portion 16b by welding, and the left and right sides of the front edge are joined to the left and right sides of the upper part of the down frame 19 by welding. The front end 17c of the main frame 17 abuts and is joined to the left and right side surfaces of the upper part of the gusset bracket 21a and the left and right side surfaces of the rearward protruding portion 16b by welding. A front gusset 16c is disposed on the front side of the upper part of the down frame 19, extending downward and rearward from the lower end of the head pipe 16. The front gusset 16c is joined from the front of the upper part of the down frame 19 to the left and right side surfaces by welding.

[0055] 3 and 7, the gusset pipes 21 are integrally connected to each other with their front ends curved inward in the vehicle width direction. The gusset pipe 21 of this embodiment is made of a single steel pipe formed into a U-shape that opens rearward in a plan view. The inside of the front end of the gusset pipe 21 in the vehicle width direction is connected to the gusset connection portion 21b of the gusset bracket 21a.

[0056] 3 and 6A, stay rear mounting portions 21d are fixed to the gusset pipe 21, and the rear portions of the left and right radiator stays 92 that support the radiator 91 are attached to the stay rear mounting portions 21d. The stay rear mounting portions 21d are, for example, provided asymmetrically, but may also be provided symmetrically. Stay front mounting portions 16d are fixed to the left and right sides of the front gusset 16c, and the front portions of the left and right radiator stays 92 are attached to the stay front mounting portions 16d. The stay front mounting portions 16d are, for example, provided symmetrically, but may also be provided asymmetrically. The radiator stays 92 are attached to the body frame 5 regardless of the presence or absence of the radiator 91, and function as support members for the left and right front side cowls 41 (radiator shrouds). The radiator stays 92 are, for example, provided asymmetrically, but may also be provided symmetrically.

[0057] The radiator shroud (front side cowl 41) is provided so as to straddle the extension portion 17a of the main frame 17 from the upper rear to the lower front in a side view. In the embodiment, the extension portion 17a that the radiator shroud needs to straddle is displaced downward, thereby lowering the height of the upper end of the radiator shroud and shortening the vertical dimension of the entire radiator shroud.

[0058] By connecting the front end 17c of the main frame 17 to the rearward protruding portion 16b of the head pipe 16, the head pipe body 16a is displaced relatively forward of the front end 17c of the main frame 17. This contributes to improving the weight balance when the battery unit 100, which is a heavy object, is mounted on the body frame 5. The down frame 19 is curved forward in a vertically intermediate portion in a side view, and its upper end position follows the head pipe body 16a, which is displaced forward.

[0059] Referring to Figure 2, when the battery unit 100 is mounted on the body frame 5, a main frame 17 is disposed on the vehicle widthwise outer side of a central portion 101 that is substantially square in side view. The main frame 17 is disposed so as to cross a diagonal line extending from the front upper end to the rear lower end of the central portion 101 in side view. The symbol P1 in the figure indicates the center position of the outline of the central portion 101 in side view. The main frame 17 is disposed so as to overlap with the center position P1 of the central portion 101 in side view.

[0060] 6A and 6B, the extension portion 17a and the front curved portion 17b of the main frame 17 continuously have a hollow cross-sectional shape 36 that is long in the vertical direction. The cross-sectional shape 36 has an outer wall portion 36a that forms the wall on the outer side in the vehicle width direction, an inner wall portion 36b that forms the wall on the inner side in the vehicle width direction, an upper end wall portion 36c that forms the wall at the upper end, a lower end wall portion 36d that forms the wall at the lower end, and a middle wall portion 36e that connects the outer wall portion 36a and the inner wall portion 36b at a vertical intermediate portion of the cross-sectional shape 36.

[0061] The outer wall portion 36a is formed in a curved shape that convexly extends outward in the vehicle width direction in cross section. The inner wall portion 36b is formed in a straight line extending from the upper to the lower ends of the cross-sectional shape 36 in cross section. The inner wall portion 36b forms a flat inner wall that faces the space between the left and right main frames 17 (openings for inserting and removing the battery unit 100) in plan view. In Fig. 6A, the symbol K1 indicates the front end position defined by the rear end position of the cross-sectional shape 36 at the front end portion 17c of the main frame 17 in that space. Hereinafter, the longitudinal direction extending from the upper to lower ends of the cross-sectional shape 36 is referred to as the cross-sectional longitudinal direction. The inner wall portion 36b of the cross-sectional shape 36 is formed along the cross-sectional longitudinal direction.

[0062] Upper and lower edge portions 17d, 17e spanning extension portion 17a and front curved portion 17b of main frame 17 are formed by upper and lower end wall portions 36c, 36d of cross-sectional shape 36 extending in the extension direction of main frame 17. Line L1 in the drawing indicates an imaginary reference line that passes through a predetermined center position of cross-sectional shape 36 of main frame 17 and extends in the extension direction. As cross-sectional shape 36 extends along imaginary reference line L1, extension portion 17a and front curved portion 17b of main frame 17 are continuously formed.

[0063] The extension portion 17a has an inner wall formed along the vehicle side surface (a plane perpendicular to the vehicle width direction), which makes it easier to ensure the left-right width of the space between the left and right main frames 17. As the front curved portion 17b moves from the extension portion 17a side toward the head pipe 16 side, the cross-sectional shape 36 of the front curved portion 17b rotates around the lower edge portion 17e side, and the upper edge portion 17d side is positioned further forward (the upper edge portion 17d side is displaced forward). In other words, the front curved portion 17b is twisted so as to rotate the cross-sectional shape 36.

[0064] 8 shows the front end 17c' of the front curved portion 17b when the above-described twisting is not applied. When the front curved portion 17b of the main frame 17, which extends upward to the front, is curved inward in the vehicle width direction, it causes the inner wall portion 36b of the cross-sectional shape 36 to tilt downward. In this case, the upper edge 17d side of the cross-sectional shape 36 protrudes rearward (toward the space between the left and right main frames 17) relative to the lower edge 17e side, so the front end position K1' of the space between the left and right main frames 17 becomes more receding than the front end position K1 when the front curved portion 17b is twisted.

[0065] In contrast, as shown in Fig. 6A, the front curved portion 17b of the embodiment is twisted around the lower edge 17e so that the upper edge 17c is positioned forward, thereby preventing the upper edge 17d from protruding into the space between the left and right main frames 17. In the example of Fig. 6A, the front curved portion 17b is twisted to the extent that the inner wall portion 36b of the cross-sectional shape 36 is tilted slightly backward with respect to the vertical direction. This prevents excessive deformation of the front curved portion 17b and ensures rigidity, while minimizing the protrusion of the upper edge 17d of the cross-sectional shape 36 into the space between the left and right main frames 17.

[0066] As described above, the electric motorcycle 1 in the above embodiment is a saddle-ride type electric vehicle that includes a head pipe 16 that supports a steered wheel (front wheel 2), a pair of left and right main frames 17 that extend rearward from the head pipe 16 so as to branch out to the left and right, a pair of left and right pivot frames 18 that extend downward from the rear ends of the pair of left and right main frames 17, a cross member 22 that connects the upper parts of the pair of left and right pivot frames 18, and a battery unit 100 that is arranged rearward of the head pipe 16 and between the left and right main frames 17 and stores electricity for driving the vehicle. Each main frame 17 includes an extension portion 17a that extends in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle in a plan view, and a front curved portion 17b that extends forward of the extension portion 17a so as to curve inward in the vehicle width direction in a plan view, and has a front end portion 17c that is connected to the head pipe 16, and the front curved portion 17b extends forward of the extension portion 17a so as to curve upward in a side view.

[0067] According to this configuration, the front curved portion 17b of each main frame 17, which curves inward in the vehicle width direction in a plan view, also curves upward in a side view. As a result, the position of each main frame 17 is generally lowered relative to the head pipe 16, and the range of the battery unit 100 that protrudes upward from each main frame 17 is increased. This makes it easier to hold the upper part of the battery unit 100, even when the battery unit 100 is inserted or removed between the left and right main frames 17 from above, and reduces the range of the battery unit 100 that passes between the left and right main frames 17. This improves the ease of inserting or removing the battery unit 100 without affecting the capacity of the battery unit 100. Furthermore, the lower position of the main frame 17 improves the freedom of the rider's leg position. For example, when the saddle-ride electric vehicle is an off-road vehicle, the main frame 17 is less likely to get in the way when cornering with the turning leg extended forward.

[0068] Furthermore, in the electric motorcycle 1, the front curved portion 17b has a cross-sectional shape 36 that is long in the up-down direction, and the front curved portion 17b is twisted so that the longitudinal direction of the cross-section, which is the lengthwise direction of the cross-sectional shape 36, approaches the vertical direction in side view as it approaches the head pipe side from the extension portion 17a side. In other words, the front curved portion 17b is twisted so that the longitudinal direction of the cross-section of the front end 17c on the head pipe 16 side approaches the vertical direction in side view. According to this configuration, the front curved portion 17b is twisted so that the longitudinal direction of the cross section approaches the vertical direction as it approaches the head pipe 16, thereby preventing the cross-sectional shape 36 of the front curved portion 17b from tilting backward near the head pipe 16 and narrowing the space between the left and right main frames 17.

[0069] When the front curved portion 17b extends along the imaginary reference line L1 with a substantially constant cross section and the cross-sectional shape 36 of the front curved portion 17b is tilted to follow the curvature of the imaginary reference line L1, as shown in Fig. 8, the cross-sectional shape 36 of the front curved portion 17b is tilted backward with respect to the vertical direction and protrudes into the space between the left and right main frames 17. Therefore, the cross-sectional shape 36 of the front curved portion 17b causes the front end position K1 of the inter-frame opening between the left and right main frames 17 (the opening for inserting and removing the battery unit 100) to move back. In contrast, by forming the front curved portion 17b so that the longitudinal direction of the cross section approaches the vertical direction as it approaches the head pipe 16, the inner wall near the front end of the front curved portion 17b can be aligned with the insertion / removal direction of the battery unit 100. This makes it easier to ensure clearance near the front end of the front curved portion 17b when inserting or removing the battery unit 100, and improves the ease of inserting or removing the battery unit 100 without affecting the external shape (and therefore the capacity) of the battery unit 100.

[0070] Furthermore, in the electric two-wheeled vehicle 1, the battery unit 100 has a rectangular box portion (central portion 101) that overlaps with the main frame 17 in a side view, and the central portion 101 protrudes above and below the main frame 17 in a side view, and the main frame 17 is positioned outside the vehicle width direction of the center position of the central portion 101 in a side view. According to this configuration, by arranging the main frame 17 on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the center position of the rectangular parallelepiped central portion 101, the area near the center, which is a box-shaped object and has relatively low strength, can be protected from the outer side in the vehicle width direction by the main frame 17. Hot air tends to be trapped in the upper part inside the battery unit 100, but by having the upper part of the central portion 101 protrude above the main frame 17, the main frame 17 does not interfere with heat dissipation from the upper part of the central portion 101, and the cooling performance of the battery unit 100 can be improved.

[0071] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, although the main frame in the embodiment has a flat cross-sectional shape with its longitudinal direction oriented in the up-down direction, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the main frame may be any shape that curves inward in the vehicle width direction in a plan view and curves upward in a side view. For example, the main frame may have a cross-sectional shape different from that of the embodiment, such as a circular cross-section. The pivot frames are not limited to being provided in a pair on the left and right, but may be provided integrally on the left and right. The configuration of this embodiment may be applied to saddle-ride type vehicles other than motorcycles. The saddle-ride type vehicle includes all vehicles on which a rider straddles the body, including not only motorcycles (including motorized bicycles and scooter-type vehicles), but also three-wheeled vehicles (including vehicles with one front wheel and two rear wheels, as well as vehicles with two front wheels and one rear wheel) or four-wheeled vehicles (such as four-wheeled buggies). The configurations in the above-described embodiments are merely examples of the present invention, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention, such as replacing the components of the embodiments with well-known components. [Explanation of symbols]

[0072] 1. Electric two-wheeled vehicles (saddle-type electric vehicles) 2 Front wheels (steering wheels) 16 Head pipe 17 (Upper Frame) 17a Extension part 17b Front curve 17c Front end 36 Cross-sectional shape 100 Battery unit (storage battery) 101 Central section (box section) P1 center position

Claims

1. a head pipe (16) supporting the steering wheels (2); a pair of left and right upper frames (17) extending rearward from the head pipe (16) so as to branch out to the left and right; a storage battery (100) for driving the vehicle, which is disposed between the pair of left and right upper frames (17) behind the head pipe (16) and is inserted and removed from above between the upper frames (17), Each upper frame (17) includes an extension portion (17a) extending along the vehicle longitudinal direction in a plan view, and a front curved portion (17b) smoothly curved forward of the extension portion (17a) so as to gradually incline toward the center in the vehicle width direction in a plan view, and a front end portion (17c) of which is connected to the head pipe (16), The front curved portion (17b) extends forward of the extension portion (17a) so as to curve upward in a side view, and the longitudinal direction of the cross-sectional shape (36) long in the up-down direction is formed by twisting the upper edge portion (17d) side of each upper frame forward around the lower edge portion (17e) side of each upper frame as it extends forward from the extension portion (17a), A saddle-type electric vehicle characterized in that an inner wall (36b) near the front end (17c) of the front curved portion (17b) is aligned along the insertion / removal direction of the storage battery (100).

2. The storage battery (100) includes a rectangular parallelepiped box portion (101) that overlaps with each upper frame (17) in a side view, 2. The saddle-ride type electric vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the box portion (101) protrudes above and below each upper frame (17) in a side view, and each upper frame (17) is disposed on the vehicle widthwise outer side of a center position (P1) of the box portion (101) in a side view.

3. 2. The saddle-type electric vehicle according to claim 1, wherein a shroud (41) is provided so as to straddle the upper frame (17) from the front to the rear in a side view.

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