Electric vehicles

Abstract

Provided is an electric vehicle enabling an improved degree of freedom of exterior design and affording compactness of a package formed of a vehicle body frame, a battery, and a motor.　An electric vehicle (1) includes: a vehicle body frame (F) having a header pipe (F1); a motor case (30) supported by the vehicle body frame (F); a swing arm (12) that is pivotably supported by the motor case (30); and a rear cushion (16) that suspends the swing arm (12) from the vehicle body frame (F). The electric vehicle, wherein: the rear cushion (16) is inclined significantly toward the front of the vehicle body; a motor (M) stored in the motor case (30) is installed offset to one side in a vehicle width direction, and the rear cushion (16) is installed offset to the other side in the vehicle width direction; and in a lateral view of the vehicle body, the motor case (30) and the rear cushion (16) overlap each other.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electric vehicle, and more particularly to an electric vehicle in which a battery and a motor are attached to a main frame extending rearward and downward from a head pipe. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Electric vehicles have been known in the past in which a battery and a motor are attached to a main frame that extends rearward and downward from a head pipe.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses an electric motorcycle having a head pipe that supports the steering system of the front wheel, a main frame that extends rearward and downward from the head pipe, a rear frame that extends rearward and upward from the rear of the main frame, and a swing arm that is pivotally supported on the main frame and that pivotally supports the rear wheel, with a battery and a motor attached to the lower part of the main frame. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5595227 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Here, in electric motorcycles without a fuel tank or muffler, it is easy to create multiple vehicle models by packaging the body frame, battery, and motor and providing exterior parts with different designs.However, in the electric motorcycle of Patent Document 1, the rear portion of the swing arm is suspended from the rear frame by a pair of rear cushions, which has a significant impact on the exterior design and poses a problem from the perspective of compact packaging.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide an electric vehicle that solves the above-mentioned problems of the conventional technology, increases the degree of freedom in exterior design, and enables a more compact package including a body frame, battery, and motor. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an electric vehicle (1) having a body frame (F) having a head pipe (F1), a motor case (30) supported by the body frame (F), a swing arm (12) swingably supported by the body frame (F) or the motor case (30), and a rear cushion (16) suspending the swing arm (12) from the body frame (F), wherein the rear cushion (16) is inclined significantly forward of the vehicle body, a motor (M) housed in the motor case (30) is disposed offset to one side in the vehicle width direction, and the rear cushion (16) is disposed offset to the other side in the vehicle width direction, and the rear cushion (16) is disposed so as to overlap the motor case (30) in a side view of the vehicle body.

[0008] A second feature of the vehicle body frame (F) is that it has a main frame (F2) extending rearward and downward from the head pipe (F1) and a rear frame (18) extending rearward and upward from the rear of the main frame (F2), the motor case (30) is attached to the rear end of the main frame (F2), and a front support portion (17a) of the rear cushion (16) is fixed to a fastening portion (17) between the main frame (F2) and the motor case (30).

[0009] The third feature is that the swing arm (12) is swingably supported on the motor case (30), and the swing arm pivot (10) that pivotally supports the swing arm (12) so that it can swing freely is arranged coaxially with the rotation shaft (C3) of the motor (M).

[0010] A fourth feature is that the inclination of the rear cushion (16) follows the inclination of the upper surface of the main frame (F2) when viewed from the side of the vehicle body.

[0011] A fifth feature is that, in a side view of the vehicle body, the inclination of the axis (C4) of the rear cushion (16) is greater than the inclination of a straight line (C5) connecting the center of the axle (23) of the rear wheel (WR) and the center of the swing arm pivot (10).

[0012] A sixth feature is that a space (S) in which no vehicle body components are disposed is formed between the rear cushion (16) and the rear frame (18).

[0013] Furthermore, the main frames (F2) are arranged in a pair on the left and right, a battery (B) is arranged between the left and right main frames (F2), and a seventh feature is that the battery (B) and the motor case (30) are integrated into a unit (U). [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the first feature, in an electric vehicle (1) having a body frame (F) having a head pipe (F1), a motor case (30) supported by the body frame (F), a swing arm (12) swingably supported by the body frame (F) or the motor case (30), and a rear cushion (16) suspending the swing arm (12) from the body frame (F), the rear cushion (16) is inclined significantly forward of the vehicle body, the motor (M) housed in the motor case (30) is disposed offset to one side in the vehicle width direction, and the rear cushion (16) is disposed offset to the other side in the vehicle width direction, and the rear cushion (16) is disposed so as to overlap the motor case (30) in a side view of the vehicle body. Therefore, compared to a configuration in which the rear of the swing arm is suspended from the body frame by the rear cushion, for example, no member protrudes into the space above the swing arm, thereby increasing the degree of freedom in the exterior design of the electric vehicle. Furthermore, the vehicle body frame, battery, and motor can be packaged in a compact size.

[0015] According to the second feature, the body frame (F) has a main frame (F2) extending rearward and downward from the head pipe (F1) and a rear frame (18) extending rearward and upward from the rear of the main frame (F2), the motor case (30) is attached to the rear end of the main frame (F2), and a front support portion (17a) of the rear cushion (16) is fixed to a fastening portion (17) between the main frame (F2) and the motor case (30). Therefore, by arranging the front support portion of the rear cushion at a low position, the package of the body frame, battery, and motor can be made more compact.

[0016] According to a third feature, the swing arm (12) is swingably supported by the motor case (30), and the swing arm pivot (10) that pivotally supports the swing arm (12) is disposed coaxially with the rotation shaft (C3) of the motor (M), so that by supporting the swing arm on the motor case, the structure of the main frame can be simplified. Also, by disposing the swing arm pivot coaxially with the rotation shaft of the motor, the motor case can be used as a strength member, thereby making the vehicle body more compact.

[0017] According to the fourth feature, in a side view of the vehicle body, the inclination of the rear cushion (16) follows the inclination of the upper surface of the main frame (F2). Therefore, the cushion does not protrude upward, making the vehicle body more compact, and the main frame and the rear cushion are connected in a straight line, improving the appearance.

[0018] According to the fifth feature, in a side view of the vehicle body, the inclination of the axis (C4) of the rear cushion (16) is greater than the inclination of the line (C5) connecting the center of the axle (23) of the rear wheel (WR) and the center of the swing arm pivot (10). Therefore, even with a compact vehicle body layout, the rear cushion can withstand external forces input to the swing arm.

[0019] According to the sixth feature, a space (S) in which no vehicle body components are disposed is formed between the rear cushion (16) and the rear frame (18), which increases the degree of freedom in exterior design and makes it easier to provide a new exterior that is unique to electric vehicles.

[0020] According to the seventh feature, the main frames (F2) are arranged in a pair on the left and right, a battery (B) is arranged between the left and right main frames (F2), and a unit (U) is provided that integrates the battery (B) and the motor case (30), thereby making it possible to further compactify the package consisting of the body frame, battery, and motor. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of an electric motorcycle according to an embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the front left. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a left side view of an electric motorcycle. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the connection structure between the main frame and the motor case. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a left side view of the electric motorcycle showing the axis of the rear cushion and the line connecting the center of the axle of the rear wheel and the center of the swing arm pivot. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a left side view of an electric motorcycle to which a unit in which a motor case and a battery are integrated is applied. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an electric motorcycle 1 according to this embodiment, seen from the left front. Fig. 2 is a left side view of the electric motorcycle 1. The electric motorcycle 1 is an electric vehicle that travels by transmitting the driving force of a motor M to a rear wheel WR via a drive chain 13 wound around a drive sprocket 24. A head pipe F1 that rotatably supports a steering stem (not shown) is attached to the front end of a pair of left and right main frames F2 that make up the body frame F.

[0023] A top bridge 4 is fixed to the upper part of the steering stem, and a bottom bridge 20 is fixed to the lower part of the steering stem. A steering handlebar 3 for steering the front wheel WF is attached to the top bridge 4. The front wheel WF is rotatably supported by an axle 22 at the lower ends of a pair of left and right front forks 8 supported by the top bridge 4 and the bottom bridge 20. A front fender 7 is attached to the front forks 8, covering the upper part of the front wheel WF.

[0024] A motor case 30 that houses a motor M as a drive source is supported at the rear end of the main frame F2. A swing arm 12 is pivotally supported on a swing arm pivot 10 provided on the motor case 30 so that it can swing freely. A rear wheel WR is pivotally supported on the rear end of the swing arm 12 by an axle 23 so that it can rotate freely. A rear fender 14 that covers the upper part of the rear wheel WR is attached to the upper part of the swing arm 12.

[0025] An upper support portion 17a of the rear cushion 16, which is tilted significantly forward, is pivotally supported so as to be able to swing on a pivot 9 provided at a fastening portion 17 at the upper rear end of the main frame F2. Meanwhile, a lower support portion 17b of the rear cushion 16 is pivotally supported so as to be able to swing on a pivot 11 provided at the upper portion near the front of the swing arm 12. As a result, the swing arm 12 is suspended via the motor case 30 at the rear of the main frame F2.

[0026] A front cowl 6 that supports a windscreen 5 is disposed in front of the steering handlebars 3. An upper cover 2 that the rider grips with his knees is disposed on top of the main frame F2, and a seat 15 on which the rider sits is attached to the rear of the upper cover 2. The rear of a rear frame 18 that extends rearward and upward from the top of the main frame F2 is covered by the upper cover 2.

[0027] Electric power for driving the motor M is supplied from a first battery B1 disposed above the main frame F2, a second battery B2 disposed below the main frame F2, and a third battery B3 disposed below the motor case 30.

[0028] This embodiment is characterized in that the rear cushion 16 is disposed so as to overlap the motor case 30 in a side view of the vehicle body. This means that, compared to a configuration in which the rear portion of the swing arm is suspended from the vehicle body frame by the rear cushion, there are no components that protrude into the space above the swing arm 12, which increases the degree of freedom in the exterior design of the electric motorcycle 1. It also makes it possible to make the package containing the vehicle body frame F, battery B, and motor M more compact.

[0029] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the motor case 30 is attached to the rear end of the main frame F2, and the upper support portion 17a on the front side of the rear cushion 16 is fixed to the fastening portion 17 between the main frame F2 and the motor case 30. This allows the upper support portion 17a of the rear cushion 16 to be disposed in a low position, making it possible to make the package including the body frame F, battery B, and motor M more compact.

[0030] 3 is a plan view showing the connection structure between the main frame F2 and the motor case 30. The motor case 30 (shown in gray) that houses the motor M is divided into three parts: a left case 31, a center case 32, and a right case 33. The drive sprocket 24 is attached to the motor shaft 25 of the motor M. The center C2 of the motor M in the vehicle width direction is located to the right of the vehicle body center line C1; that is, the motor M is disposed offset to the right with respect to the vehicle body center line C1. This leaves room to form a recess in the upper part of the left case 31, and the rear cushion 16 is disposed offset to the left in the vehicle width direction to fit into this recess.

[0031] The upper support portion 17a of the rear cushion 16 is fastened together with a flange 31a provided at the upper front end of the left case 31 to the fastening portion 17 of the left main frame F2 by fastening members 50. Meanwhile, the lower support portion 17b of the rear cushion 16 is supported by a flange 12a provided at the upper part of the swing arm 12 and a fastening member 51. A flange 32a provided at the upper front end of the center case 32 and a flange 33a provided at the upper front end of the right case 33 are fastened together with the fastening members 50 to the fastening portion 17 of the right main frame F2.

[0032] The swing arm 12 is swingably supported on the motor case 30 by a swing arm pivot 10 fixed to the outer shell of the motor case 30, thereby simplifying the structure of the main frame F2. Furthermore, by arranging the swing arm pivot 10 coaxially with the rotation axis C3 of the motor M, the motor case 30 can be used as a strength member, making it possible to make the vehicle body more compact.

[0033] 4 is a left side view of the electric motorcycle 1, showing the axis C4 of the rear cushion 16 and the line C5 connecting the center of the axle 23 of the rear wheel WR and the center of the swing arm pivot 10. The same reference numerals as above indicate the same or equivalent parts. The inclination of the rear cushion 16 follows the inclination of the upper surface of the main frame F2 in a side view of the vehicle body. This prevents the cushion from protruding upward, making the vehicle body more compact, and the linear connection between the main frame and rear cushion improves the appearance.

[0034] Additionally, when viewed from the side of the vehicle body, the inclination of the axis C4 of the rear cushion 16 is greater than the inclination of a straight line C5 connecting the center of the axle 23 of the rear wheel WR and the center of the swing arm pivot 10. This allows the rear cushion 16 to withstand external forces input to the swing arm 12, even with a compact vehicle body layout.

[0035] The above-described configuration forms a space S between the rear cushion 16 and the rear frame 18, where no vehicle body components are disposed. This increases the degree of freedom in exterior design, making it easier to provide a new exterior that is unique to electric vehicles.

[0036] FIG. 5 is a left side view of an electric motorcycle 1 that uses a unit U that integrates the motor case 30 and battery B. The same reference numerals as those used above indicate the same or equivalent parts. This embodiment is characterized by the inclusion of a unit U (shown in gray) that integrates the motor case 30 with the battery B disposed between a pair of left and right main frames F2. This allows the package consisting of the body frame F, battery B, and motor M to be made even more compact. Note that although FIGS. 1, 4, and 5 are side views in the 1G state, the relationship between C4 and C5 shown in FIG. 4 does not change depending on the state, such as 0G or 1G.

[0037] As described above, in the electric motorcycle according to the present invention, the rear cushion 16 is inclined greatly toward the front of the vehicle body, the motor M housed in the motor case 30 is disposed offset to one side in the vehicle width direction, and the rear cushion 16 is disposed offset to the other side in the vehicle width direction, and the rear cushion 16 is disposed so as to overlap with the motor case 30 in a side view of the vehicle body, so that no parts protrude into the space above the swing arm 12, increasing the degree of freedom in the exterior design of the electric motorcycle 1. Furthermore, the vehicle body frame F, battery B, and motor M can be packaged in a compact manner.

[0038] The configuration of the electric motorcycle, the shape and structure of the body frame, the shape and structure of the rear cushion, the shape and structure of the battery and motor case, the arrangement of the motor, etc. are not limited to the above-described embodiment and can be modified in various ways. For example, the swing arm may be pivotally supported on the main frame so that it can swing. The body configuration according to the present invention is not limited to motorcycles, but can also be applied to saddle-type electric three-wheeled vehicles, electric four-wheeled vehicles, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0039] 1...electric two-wheeled vehicle (electric vehicle), 10...swing arm pivot, 12...swing arm, 16...rear cushion, 17...connection portion, 18...rear frame, 23...rear wheel axle, 30...motor case, 34...support portion, B...battery, C3...motor rotating shaft, F...body frame, C4...axis line of rear cushion, C5...straight line connecting the center of the rear wheel axle and the center of the swing arm pivot, F1...head pipe, S...space, U...unit

Claims

1. An electric vehicle (1) having a body frame (F) having a head pipe (F1), a motor case (30) supported by the body frame (F), a swing arm (12) swingably supported by the body frame (F) or the motor case (30), and a rear cushion (16) suspending the swing arm (12) from the body frame (F), The rear cushion (16) is inclined greatly toward the front of the vehicle body, The motor (M) housed in the motor case (30) is disposed offset to one side in the vehicle width direction, and the rear cushion (16) is disposed offset to the other side in the vehicle width direction, The electric vehicle is characterized in that the rear cushion (16) is disposed so as to overlap the motor case (30) in a side view of the vehicle body.

2. The body frame (F) has a main frame (F2) extending rearward and downward from the head pipe (F1), and a rear frame (18) extending rearward and upward from a rear portion of the main frame (F2), The motor case (30) is attached to the rear end of the main frame (F2), 2. The electric vehicle according to claim 1, wherein a front support portion (17a) of the rear cushion (16) is fixed to a fastening portion (17) between the main frame (F2) and the motor case (30).

3. The swing arm (12) is swingably supported by the motor case (30), 3. The electric vehicle according to claim 2, wherein a swing arm pivot (10) that pivotally supports the swing arm (12) so that the swing arm (12) can swing freely is disposed coaxially with a rotation shaft (C3) of the motor (M).

4. 4. The electric vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the inclination of the rear cushion (16) is aligned with the inclination of the upper surface of the main frame (F2) when viewed from the side of the vehicle body.

5. 4. The electric vehicle according to claim 3, wherein, in a side view of the vehicle body, an inclination of an axis (C4) of the rear cushion (16) is greater than an inclination of a straight line (C5) connecting a center of an axle (23) of a rear wheel (WR) of the electric vehicle (1) and a center of the swing arm pivot (10).

6. 4. The electric vehicle according to claim 2, wherein a space (S) in which no vehicle body components are disposed is formed between the rear cushion (16) and the rear frame (18).

7. The main frames (F2) are arranged in a pair on the left and right, and a battery (B) is arranged between the left and right main frames (F2), 3. The electric vehicle according to claim 2, further comprising a unit (U) in which the battery (B) and the motor case (30) are integrated.

Images