vehicle

Abstract

To provide a vehicle body structure characterized in that a load receiving member for receiving a load from a vehicle body is unnecessary and safety in supporting a seat front end is upgraded.SOLUTION: An electric two-wheeled vehicle 1 includes a battery case 104 mounted on a vehicle frame 5, a seat 9 whose front part is disposed above the battery case 104 and on which a rider is seated, and a stay member 60 that is fixed to the battery case 104 and receives a load imposed on the seat 9.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] In recent years, efforts to realize a low-carbon or carbon-free society have become more active, and research and development into electrification technologies is being conducted in vehicles to reduce CO2 emissions and improve energy efficiency. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a structure that includes a battery plate that covers at least a part of the opening of the battery, and in which a sheet is engaged with the battery plate. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-190069 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] It is desirable to provide a vehicle body structure that can support the front end of a seat without requiring a load-receiving member from the vehicle body and that enhances safety.

[0005] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present application aims to provide a vehicle body structure that does not require a load-receiving member from the vehicle body and can support the front end of a seat, thereby improving safety. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] As a means for solving the above problems, the present invention has the following configuration. (1) Aspects of the present invention Saddle-type electric vehicle teeth, The vehicle body frame (5) includes a head pipe (16), a pair of left and right main frames (17) extending rearward from the head pipe (16), a pair of left and right pivot frames (18), a down frame (19), a lower frame (20), and a pair of left and right seat rails (24); a battery unit (100) mounted inside the vehicle body frame (5) and supplying power to a power unit (8) for running the vehicle; A seat (9) on which a passenger sits; ,before and a stay member (60) that receives the load applied to the sheet (9). The battery unit (100) includes a battery cell (109) and a battery case (104) that houses the battery cell (109), and the battery case (104) has an upward protrusion (110) that protrudes above the main frame (17),Above the battery case (104) The front part of the seat (9) is placed, and the stay member (60) is fixed to the upper protrusion (110). . With this configuration, the load of the front end of the seat can be received by the battery case via the stay member, eliminating the need for a load-receiving member (dedicated member) from the vehicle body. Therefore, it is possible to provide a vehicle body structure with enhanced safety that can support the front end of the seat without requiring a load-receiving member from the vehicle body.

[0008] (2) (1) above Described in Saddle-type electric vehicle In the above, the stay member (60) may be fixed to the base (102b) of the protrusion (102) of the battery case (104). According to this configuration, the stay member is fixed to the base of the protruding portion of the battery case that has high rigidity, so that the load acting on the seat can be more stably received.

[0009] (3) (1) or (2) above Described in Saddle-type electric vehicle So ,before The battery case (104) is disposed above the battery case (104) and in front of the stay member (60), Mainframe(17) A cover member (44) that abuts against the of Further, the cover member (44) may be fixed to the stay member (60). According to this configuration, the load that cannot be supported by the battery case can be supported by the frame member via the stay member and the cover member.

[0010] (4) (1) to (3) above Any of the following Saddle-type electric vehicle The stay member (60) may have a seat fixing portion (63a) to which the seat (9) is fixed, closer to the portion fixed to the battery case (104) than the center (CP) of the stay member (60). According to this configuration, the portion to which the seat load is applied is located near the battery case fixing portion, so that the load on the stay member itself can be reduced.

[0011] (5) (1) to (4) above Any of the following Saddle-type electric vehicleThe stay member (60) may include a seat fixing portion (63a) to which the seat (9) is fixed and a wiring support portion (61a) for supporting the wiring (59), and the wiring support portion (61a) may be arranged on the opposite side of the seat fixing portion (63a) with respect to the center (CP) of the stay member (60). According to this configuration, it is possible to consolidate the functions of the seat fixing portion and the wiring support portion in the stay member, while preventing the load from being biased to one side with respect to the center of the stay member.

[0012] (6) (1) to (5) above Any of the following Saddle-type electric vehicle The battery case (104) may include a reinforcing member (105) at the center in the vehicle width direction. This configuration increases the strength and rigidity of the battery case, allowing it to more effectively support the seat load. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a vehicle body structure that does not require a load-receiving member from the vehicle body and that can support the front end of the seat, thereby improving safety. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [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 6] FIG. 3 is a plan view (top view) of a stay member and its surrounding area of ​​the electric motorcycle. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a left side view of the stay member and its surrounding area. [Figure 8]FIG. 2 is a left side view including the battery unit and the stay member. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an enlarged left side view of the stay member and its surrounding area in FIG. 8. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a handle for attaching and detaching the battery unit. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a plan view (top view) of the peripheral portion of the handle. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a left side view of the handle and its surrounding area. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] 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).

[0016] 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.

[0017] 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.

[0018] 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."

[0019] 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.

[0020] 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.

[0021] 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.

[0022] 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.

[0023] 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.

[0024] 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.

[0025] 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.

[0026] 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.

[0027] 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.

[0028] 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.

[0029] 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.

[0030] 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.

[0031] 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 (see FIG. 2) of the battery unit 100 from above.

[0032] 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.

[0033] 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.

[0034] 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.

[0035] 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.

[0036] 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.

[0037] 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.

[0038] 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.

[0039] 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.

[0040] 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.

[0041] 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.

[0042] 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 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.

[0043] 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.

[0044] 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.

[0045] 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.

[0046] 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.

[0047] 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.

[0048] 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.

[0049] 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.

[0050] 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.

[0051] 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.

[0052] 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 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.

[0053] Fig. 6 is a plan view (top view) of the peripheral portion of the stay member 60 of the electric motorcycle 1. Fig. 7 is a left side view of the peripheral portion of the stay member 60. Fig. 8 is a left side view including the battery unit 100 and the stay member 60. Fig. 9 is an enlarged left side view of the peripheral portion of the stay member 60 in Fig. 8. 6 to 9, the electric motorcycle 1 includes a battery case 104 mounted on the body frame 5 (corresponding to the body), a seat 9 on which a rider sits and whose front portion is positioned above the battery case 104, and a stay member 60 fixed to the battery case 104 and which bears the load on the seat 9.

[0054] The battery case 104 is configured with a pair of left and right battery covers 107. The battery case 104 is provided symmetrically on the whole with the vehicle width center CL as the axis of symmetry, thereby minimizing the impact of the vehicle weight on the left-right balance.

[0055] The front end of the seat 9 is located forward of the stay member 60. The seat 9 is provided symmetrically overall with respect to the vehicle width center CL as an axis of symmetry. In this embodiment, the seat 9 is provided so that the portion of the seat 9 near the front end is within the range of the battery case 104 in the vehicle width direction when viewed from above.

[0056] The stay member 60 is disposed forward of the seat support bracket 28 that receives the load from the seat 9. The stay member 60 is formed in an X-shape when viewed from above. The stay member 60 is provided symmetrically overall with the vehicle width center CL as the axis of symmetry. The stay member 60 includes a central extending portion 61 that extends in the front-to-rear direction when viewed from above, forward extending portions 62 that branch off to the left and right from the front portion of the central extending portion 61 and extend forward, and a rear extending portion 63 that branch off to the left and right from the rear portion of the central extending portion 61 and extend rearward.

[0057] The stay member 60 is fixed to a portion of the battery case 104 around which the battery cells 109 are not arranged (the cover extension portion 112 extending above the upper end of the battery assembly 106). In this embodiment, the front portion of the stay member 60 is fastened to the upper portion of the cover extension portion 112 at two locations on the left and right. The stay member 60 is fixed to a portion of the cover extension portion 112 that does not overlap with the battery cells 109 in a side view (see FIG. 9).

[0058] For example, a bolt 65 is inserted from above (specifically, from diagonally above and behind) into the through-hole of the forward extending portion 62 of the stay member 60 and screwed into a boss portion (female thread) at the top of the cover extending portion 112. This allows the left and right forward extending portions 62 of the stay member 60 to be fastened to the top of the cover extending portion 112.

[0059] The stay member 60 is fixed to the base 102b of the rearward extending portion 102 (an example of a protrusion) of the battery case 104. In the embodiment, the rear portion of the stay member 60 is fixed to the upper portion of the base 102b of the rearward extending portion 102 at two locations on the left and right.

[0060] For example, a bolt 65 is inserted from above (specifically, from diagonally above and rearward) into the through-hole of the rearward extending portion 63 of the stay member 60 and screwed into a boss portion (female thread) on the upper part of the base portion 102b of the rearward extending portion 102. This allows the left and right rearward extending portions 63 of the stay member 60 to be fastened to the upper part of the base portion 102b of the rearward extending portion 102.

[0061] In the embodiment, the stay member 60 is fastened to the battery case 104 at a total of four locations: two locations on the front left and right and two locations on the rear left and right. The stay member 60 is detachably attached to the battery case 104. In the embodiment, the attachment direction of the stay member 60 to the battery case 104 (the direction in which the bolts are inserted) is the same for each part, which contributes to improving the attachment work.

[0062] The stay member 60 is not limited to the above and may be fastened with five or more bolts. For example, the attachment mode of the stay member 60 to the battery case 104 (the number and location of bolts, attachment direction, etc.) is not limited to the above and can be changed according to design specifications.

[0063] The electric motorcycle 1 includes a main frame 17 (an example of a frame member) that extends in the front-to-rear direction, and a top cover 44 (an example of a cover member) that is disposed above the battery case 104 and in front of the stay member 60 and abuts against the main frame 17. The top cover 44 is fixed to the stay member 60. In this embodiment, the rear portion of the top cover 44 is fastened to the front portion of the stay member 60 (specifically, near the front end) at two locations on the left and right.

[0064] For example, a bolt 66 is inserted from above (specifically, from diagonally above and behind) into a through-hole in the rear part of the top cover 44 and screwed into a female threaded portion (for example, a nut (not shown) provided on the underside of the forward extending portion 62) of the stay member 60. This allows the rear part of the top cover 44 to be fastened to the forward extending portion 62 of the stay member 60.

[0065] In the embodiment, the top cover 44 is fastened to the stay members 60 at two locations on the rear side. The stay members 60 are detachably attached to the top cover 44. In the embodiment, the attachment direction (bolt insertion direction) of the top cover 44 to the stay members 60 is the same at each portion, which contributes to improving the attachment work. Furthermore, the attachment direction (bolt insertion direction) of the top cover 44 to the stay members 60 is the same as the attachment direction (bolt insertion direction) of the stay members 60 to the battery case 104, which contributes to further improving the attachment work.

[0066] The top cover 44 is not limited to the above and may be fastened with three or more bolts. For example, the mounting manner of the top cover 44 to the stay member 60 (the number and location of bolts, mounting direction, etc.) is not limited to the above and can be changed according to design specifications.

[0067] The stay member 60 has seat fixing portions 63a to which the seat 9 is fixed, near a portion fixed to the battery case 104. In the embodiment, the seat 9 is fastened to the seat fixing portions 63a of the stay member 60 at two locations, left and right, near the base portion 102b of the rearward extending portion 102. The seat fixing portions 63a are provided on the left and right side wall portions of the rearward extending portion 63 of the stay member 60.

[0068] For example, bolts 67 are inserted from the outside left and right into through-holes (for example, holes that open in the vehicle width direction in the downward extending portion 9a of the seat 9 shown in FIG. 7) near the base 102b of the rearward extending portion 102 of the seat 9, and are screwed into the seat fixing portions 63a (for example, female threads) of the rearward extending portions 63. This allows the vicinity of the base 102b of the rearward extending portion 102 of the seat 9 to be fastened to the rearward extending portion 63 of the stay member 60.

[0069] The stay member 60 includes a seat fixing portion 63a to which the seat 9 is fixed, and a wiring support portion 61a for supporting the wiring 59. The wiring support portion 61a is arranged on the opposite side of the seat fixing portion 63a with respect to the center CP of the stay member 60. In the embodiment, the wiring support portion 61a is arranged on the opposite side (front side) of the seat fixing portion 63a with respect to the center CP in the front-rear and left-right directions of the stay member 60. The wiring support portion 61a is provided on the right edge portion of the central extending portion 61 of the stay member 60.

[0070] For example, a portion of the wiring 59 extending in the front-rear direction is attached to the wiring support portion 61a of the central extending portion 61 via a cable tie (not shown). This allows a portion of the wiring 59 to be supported by the wiring support portion 61a. In the example shown in the figure, the wiring 59 extends from the wiring support portion 61a to the front right in a top view, and then curves forward. Furthermore, the wiring 59 extends rearward from the wiring support portion 61a in a top view, and then passes between the battery case 104 and the seat support bracket 28, extending rearward.

[0071] The battery case 104 includes a strength member 105 (corresponding to the center plate 105 located on the vehicle width center CL of the battery unit 100) at the center in the vehicle width direction. In the embodiment, the center portion of the stay member 60 overlaps with the center plate 105 in a top view.

[0072] 2, a cushion support bracket 22a extending rearward and upward is provided on the inner side of the cross member 22 in the vehicle width direction. The upper end of the rear cushion 32 is connected to the cushion support bracket 22a. In the battery unit 100, the lower end (second mount portion 102a) of the rearward extension portion 102 is supported by the cross member 22 via a second mount bracket 46. The second mount bracket 46 is formed integrally with the cushion support bracket 22a, for example.

[0073] In the embodiment, the cushion support bracket 22a is extended to support the battery unit 100, so no dedicated member is required to support the battery unit 100. In the embodiment, the cushion support bracket 22a is configured to support things other than the rear cushion 32. This reduces the number of parts, simplifies the structure, and contributes to lower costs.

[0074] 6 and 7 , the seat support bracket 28 extends across the left and right seat rails 24. The seat support bracket 28 is provided so as to straddle the rearward extending portion 102 of the battery unit 100 from above to the left and right. The seat support bracket 28 is detachably attached to the left and right seat rails 24.

[0075] For example, bolts 68 are inserted from above (specifically, diagonally from above and forward) into the through-holes in the left and right side portions of the seat receiving bracket 28 and screwed into the upper portions (female threads) of the left and right seat rails 24. This allows the left and right side portions of the seat receiving bracket 28 to be fastened to the upper portions of the left and right seat rails 24.

[0076] Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a handle 140 for attaching and detaching the battery unit 100. Fig. 11 is a plan view (top view) of the peripheral portion of the handle 140. Fig. 12 is a left side view of the peripheral portion of the handle 140. 10 to 12, the battery unit 100 may be provided with a handle 140 that is detachable.

[0077] The handle 140 is provided across the stay member 60 in the front-to-rear direction, from near the front end to near the rear end of the cover extension portion 112. The handle 140 includes a handle body 141 that has a triangular shape that protrudes upward in a side view, and a pair of front and rear mounting bosses 142, 143.

[0078] The handle main body 141 includes a bottom plate portion 145 that extends along the upper surface of the cover extension portion 112 in a side view, and a pair of left and right side plate portions 146 that stand upward from the left and right sides of the bottom plate portion 145. A plurality of through holes may be formed in each of the bottom plate portion 145 and the side plate portions 146. This reduces the weight of the handle 140 and makes it easier to attach and detach the battery unit 100.

[0079] The pair of front and rear mounting bosses 142, 143 include a front boss 142 extending downward from near the front end of the bottom plate portion 145, and a rear boss 143 extending downward from near the rear end of the bottom plate portion 145. For example, the front boss 142 is fastened with a bolt or the like to a receiving portion near the upper front end of the cover extension portion 112, and the rear boss 143 is fastened with a bolt or the like to a receiving portion near the upper rear end of the cover extension portion 112. This allows the handle 140 to be fastened to the battery unit 100.

[0080] As described above, the electric motorcycle 1 in the above embodiment includes the battery case 104 mounted on the body frame 5, the seat 9 on which a rider sits, the front portion of which is positioned above the battery case 104, and the stay member 60 fixed to the battery case 104 and which bears the load on the seat 9. According to this configuration, the load of the front end of the seat 9 can be received by the battery case 104 via the stay member 60, so there is no need for a load-receiving member (dedicated member) from the vehicle body. Therefore, it is possible to provide a vehicle body structure with enhanced safety that can support the front end of the seat 9 without requiring a load-receiving member from the vehicle body.

[0081] In the above embodiment, the battery case 104 includes an extension portion 112 that extends outward from the portion where the battery cells 109 are arranged. The stay member 60 is fixed to the extension portion 112. According to this configuration, since there are no battery cells 109 around the portion where the stay member 60 is fixed, the transmission of a load to the battery cells 109 can be suppressed.

[0082] In the above embodiment, the stay member 60 is fixed to the base portion 102b of the rearward extending portion 102 of the battery case 104. According to this configuration, the stay member 60 is fixed to the base portion 102b of the rearward extending portion 102 of the battery case 104, which has high rigidity, so that the load acting on the seat 9 can be received more stably.

[0083] In the above embodiment, the electric motorcycle 1 further includes a main frame 17 extending in the front-rear direction, and a cover member 44 that is disposed above the battery case 104 and in front of the stay member 60 and abuts against the main frame 17. The cover member 44 is fixed to the stay member 60. According to this configuration, the load that cannot be supported by the battery case 104 can be supported by the main frame 17 via the stay member 60 and the cover member 44.

[0084] In the above embodiment, the stay member 60 includes the seat fixing portion 63a to which the seat 9 is fixed, closer to the portion fixed to the battery case 104 than the center CP of the stay member 60. According to this configuration, the portion to which the seat load is applied is located near the portion where the battery case 104 is fixed, so that the load on the stay member 60 itself can be reduced.

[0085] In the above embodiment, the stay member 60 includes a seat fixing portion 63a to which the seat 9 is fixed, and a wiring support portion 61a for supporting the wiring 59. The wiring support portion 61a is disposed on the opposite side of the center CP of the stay member 60 from the seat fixing portion 63a. According to this configuration, the functions of the seat fixing portion 63a and the wiring support portion 61a are integrated into the stay member 60, and the load applied to one side of the center CP of the stay member 60 can be prevented from being biased.

[0086] In the above embodiment, the battery case 104 includes the reinforcing member 105 at the center in the vehicle width direction. According to this configuration, the strength and rigidity of the battery case 104 are increased, so that the load of the seat 9 can be more effectively received.

[0087] <Modification> In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the battery case includes an extension extending outward from a portion where the battery cells are arranged, and the stay member is fixed to the extension, but this is not limiting. For example, the battery case may not include an extension. For example, the stay member may be fixed to a portion of the battery case other than the extension (a portion around which the battery cells are arranged). For example, the manner in which the stay member is fixed to the battery case may be changed depending on the design specifications.

[0088] In the above embodiment, the stay member is fixed to the base of the protruding portion of the battery case, but this is not limiting. For example, the stay member may be fixed to the tip of the protruding portion of the battery case. For example, the manner in which the stay member is fixed to the protruding portion of the battery case can be changed according to design specifications.

[0089] In the above embodiment, the vehicle further includes a frame member extending in the front-rear direction and a cover member disposed above the battery case and in front of the stay member and abutting against the frame member, and the cover member is fixed to the stay member. However, this is not limiting. For example, the cover member may be fixed to a member separate from the stay member. For example, the manner in which the cover member is fixed can be changed depending on design specifications.

[0090] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the stay member includes a seat fixing portion to which the seat is fixed, closer to the portion fixed to the battery case than the center of the stay member. However, this is not limited to this. For example, the seat fixing portion may be provided at a location far away from the portion where the stay member is fixed to the battery case. For example, the seat fixing portion may be provided on a member separate from the stay member. For example, the installation mode of the seat fixing portion may be changed depending on design specifications.

[0091] In the above embodiment, the stay member includes a seat fixing portion to which the seat is fixed and a wiring support portion for supporting the wiring, and the wiring support portion is disposed on the opposite side of the center of the stay member from the seat fixing portion. However, this is not limiting. For example, the wiring support portion may be disposed on the same side of the center of the stay member as the seat fixing portion. For example, the arrangement of the wiring support portion may be changed depending on the design specifications.

[0092] In the above embodiment, the battery case is described as having a reinforcing member at the center in the vehicle width direction, but this is not limited to this. For example, the battery case may have a reinforcing member on the outer side in the vehicle width direction. For example, the battery case may not have a reinforcing member. For example, the installation mode of the reinforcing member can be changed depending on the design specifications.

[0093] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the power unit includes a motor (an example of a drive device) for driving the vehicle and a PCU (an example of a control device) that controls the motor, but this is not limiting. For example, the power unit may include an engine (an example of a drive device) and an ECU (an example of a control device) that controls the engine. For example, the configuration of the power unit (the configuration of the drive device and the control device) can be changed according to design specifications.

[0094] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and the configurations of the embodiments may be applied not only to off-road motorcycles but also to various saddle-ride vehicles. Saddle-ride vehicles include all vehicles on which a rider straddles the body, and include not only motorcycles (including motorized bicycles and scooter-type vehicles), but also three-wheeled vehicles (including vehicles with one front wheel and two rear wheels, as well as vehicles with two front wheels and one rear wheel) or four-wheeled vehicles (such as four-wheeled buggies). The configurations in the above-described embodiments are merely examples of the present invention, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention, such as replacing the components of the embodiments with well-known components. [Explanation of symbols]

[0095] 1 Electric two-wheeled vehicle (vehicle) 5 Body frame (body) 9 sheets 17 Main frame (frame member) 44 Top cover (cover part) 59 Wiring 60 Stay member 61a Wiring support part 63a Seat fixing part 102 Rear extension (projection) 104 Battery Case 105 Center plate (strength member) 109 Battery Cells 112 Cover extension (extension) CP Center of stay member

Claims

1. A body frame (5) comprising a head pipe (16), a pair of left and right main frames (17) extending rearward from the head pipe (16), a pair of left and right pivot frames (18), a down frame (19), a lower frame (20), and a pair of left and right seat rails (24); a battery unit (100) mounted inside the vehicle body frame (5) and supplying power to a power unit (8) for running the vehicle; a seat (9) on which an occupant sits, the seat (9) being disposed above the pair of left and right seat rails (24); a stay member (60) that receives a load applied to the seat (9), The battery unit (100) includes a battery cell (109) and a battery case (104) that houses the battery cell (109), The battery case (104) has an upward protrusion (110) that protrudes above the main frame (17), The front part of the seat (9) is disposed above the battery case (104), The stay member (60) is fixed to the upper protrusion (110). Saddle-type electric vehicle.

2. The stay member (60) is fixed to a base (102b) of the protrusion (102) of the battery case (104). The saddle-type electric vehicle according to claim 1 .

3. The battery battery further includes a cover member (44) disposed above the battery case (104) and in front of the stay member (60), and abutting against the main frame (17); The cover member (44) is fixed to the stay member (60).

3. The saddle-type electric vehicle according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The stay member (60) includes a seat fixing portion (63a) to which the seat (9) is fixed, the seat fixing portion (63a) being closer to a portion fixed to the battery case (104) than a center (CP) of the stay member (60).

3. The saddle-type electric vehicle according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The stay member (60) is a sheet fixing portion (63a) to which the sheet (9) is fixed; a wiring support portion (61a) for supporting the wiring (59); The wiring support portion (61a) is disposed on the opposite side of the center (CP) of the stay member (60) from the seat fixing portion (63a).

3. The saddle-type electric vehicle according to claim 1 or 2.

6. The battery case (104) includes a reinforcing member (105) at the center in the vehicle width direction.

3. The saddle-type electric vehicle according to claim 1 or 2.

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