Saddle-type electric vehicle

Abstract

To secure the cooling performance of a control device while enhancing the protection performance for a battery, in a straddle type electric vehicle in which the control device is disposed behind a storage battery.SOLUTION: An electric motorcycle 1 includes: a battery set 100 that stores electric power to be supplied to a vehicle-driving motor 50; a front cover portion 61 covering, from a vehicle-front side, a housing space K1 that houses the battery set 100; and a PCU 130 disposed behind the battery set 100 and configured to control electric power supply to the motor 50. In the electric motorcycle, the front cover portion 61 includes an opening (a notch 66) that exposes a part of the housing space K1 to the vehicle-front side, and the PCU 130 at least partially overlaps the notch 66 in a front view of the front cover portion 61.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, a saddle-type electric vehicle that runs using an electric motor as a drive source is known to have a configuration that includes a battery that stores power for running and a control unit that controls the power supplied from the battery to the electric motor, with the control unit located behind the battery (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2019 / 186953 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the control unit that controls the power supplied to the electric motor generally generates a large amount of heat, and locating the control unit behind the battery poses the following problem: In particular, in vehicles where the front of the battery is covered with a body cover, the battery is more protected, but the ventilation around the battery tends to be reduced, so some ingenuity is needed to cool the control unit.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a saddle-ride type electric vehicle in which a control device is disposed behind a storage battery, with the object of ensuring cooling of the control device while improving protection of the battery. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] As a means for solving the above problem, a first aspect of the present invention is a saddle-ride type electric vehicle (1) including a storage battery (100) that stores electric power to be supplied to an electric motor (50) for driving the vehicle, a front cover (61) that covers a storage space (K1) that houses the storage battery (100) from the front side of the vehicle, and a control device (130) that is arranged behind the storage battery (100) and controls at least a part of the vehicle drive system, characterized in that the front cover (61) has openings (66, 66') that expose a part of the storage space (K1) to the front side of the vehicle, and the control device (130) at least partially overlaps with the openings (66, 66') when viewed from the front of the front cover (61). According to this configuration, the front cover that covers the front of the vehicle drive battery has an opening that exposes the storage battery storage space to the front, and by arranging this opening and the control device so that they overlap in a front view, it is possible to cool the control device using the wind introduced into the storage space through the opening while the vehicle is running. In other words, the front cover protects the storage battery while ensuring cooling of the electrical components (storage battery, control device, etc.) behind the cover.

[0007] A second aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the first aspect, the storage battery (100) includes a plurality of unit storage batteries (101) arranged in the vehicle width direction, the unit storage batteries (101) are arranged with inter-battery spaces (K2) between adjacent unit storage batteries (101) in the vehicle width direction, and the openings (66, 66') at least partially overlap with the inter-battery spaces (K2) when viewed from the front of the front cover (61). With this configuration, inter-battery spaces are formed between adjacent unit batteries in the vehicle width direction, and the inter-battery spaces and the openings are positioned so that they overlap in a front view. This allows the traveling wind (cooling wind) introduced into the storage space from the openings to pass through the inter-battery spaces in a straight line to the rear of the batteries and to cool the control device. This makes it possible to efficiently improve the cooling of electrical components behind the cover.

[0008] A third aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the second aspect, the control device (130) has a flat shape with a reduced thickness in one direction, is arranged so that a plane perpendicular to the thickness direction (T) is aligned with a side surface of each unit battery (101) of the storage battery (100), and is provided with cooling fins (131 a) on the surface of the control device (130) facing the storage battery (100). With this configuration, the flat control device can be placed so that its plane is aligned with (parallel to) the side of each unit battery of the storage battery, allowing the control device to be compactly arranged around the battery. By forming cooling fins on the surface of the control device facing the battery, a cooling airflow path is secured between the battery and the control device, and the cooling fins enable efficient cooling.

[0009] A fourth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the second or third aspect, the vehicle further comprises a head pipe (16) that supports the front wheel (2) so as to be steerable, and a descending frame (19) that extends obliquely downward and rearward from the head pipe (16) in a side view, and each unit battery (101) of the storage battery (100) is arranged so that its longitudinal direction is aligned with the extension direction of the descending frame (19). According to this configuration, by arranging the longitudinal direction of each unit battery of the storage battery along the extension direction of the descending frame, the dead space between the storage battery and the descending frame can be reduced, and the storage battery can be laid out compactly.

[0010] A fifth aspect of the present invention is the fourth aspect, characterized in that the storage battery (100) is arranged rearward of the descending frame (19) in the vehicle. According to this configuration, by positioning the storage battery toward the rear of the vehicle from the lowering frame (so that it does not overlap with the lowering frame in a side view), even if the storage battery is displaced toward the inside of the vehicle width direction due to a load input from the outside of the vehicle width direction, the storage battery can be displaced without coming into contact with the lowering frame, thereby reducing the load input to the storage battery.

[0011] A sixth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in any one of the first to fifth aspects, an upper cover (41) is provided that covers at least a portion of the storage battery (100) and the control device (130) from above the vehicle, and the front end of the upper cover (41) is provided with an opening (41d) that opens the interior space of the cover to the front side of the vehicle, the opening (41d) of the upper cover (41) is formed in a notch shape that opens to the lower side of the cover, the openings (66, 66') of the front cover (61) are formed in a notch shape that opens to the upper side of the cover, and the openings (41d) of the upper cover (41) and the openings (66, 66') of the front cover (61) form an opening (68) that is continuous with each other. According to this configuration, a large opening is formed by the open portion of the upper cover and the opening portion of the front cover, making it possible to supply more airflow (cooling air) from the vehicle while it is running to the electrical components arranged inside the cover.

[0012] A seventh aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the sixth aspect, the openings (66, 66') of the front cover (61) are notches (66, 66') that open upward toward the cover, the lowering frame (19) enters the inside of the front cover (61) through the openings (66, 66'), and the periphery of the openings (66, 66') of the front cover (61) bulges out toward the front of the vehicle more than the remaining portion. With this configuration, by bulging the periphery of the notch through which the lowering frame passes toward the front of the vehicle, the periphery of the opening is displaced toward the front of the vehicle, increasing the distance between the opening and the lowering frame. This makes it easier to introduce running wind through the opening while avoiding the lowering frame. Also, even when the opening is formed in a notch shape, it is easier to ensure the rigidity of the periphery of the opening.

[0013] An eighth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the seventh aspect, the opening (66, 66') has an enlarged portion (67) formed wider than the lowering frame (19) when viewed from the front side of the vehicle. According to this configuration, the opening of the front cover has a widened portion that is wider than the lowered frame in a front view, which makes it easier to introduce wind generated by riding through the opening while avoiding the lowered frame. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the present invention, in a saddle-ride type electric vehicle in which a control device is disposed behind a storage battery, it is possible to improve protection of the battery while ensuring cooling of the control device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a left side view showing the appearance of an electric motorcycle according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a left side view showing the internal configuration of the electric motorcycle. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a left side view of a main part of the electric motorcycle. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a front view of the electric motorcycle with the front wheel suspension system removed. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a front view of the state in which the body frame is further removed from FIG. 4. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the electric motorcycle. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a left side view showing the flow of airflow introduced into the vehicle body cover from the outside air inlet. [Figure 8] 5 is a front view corresponding to FIG. 4, showing a modified example of the cutout in the front cover. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, directions such as front, rear, left, and right are the same as directions in the vehicle described below unless otherwise specified. In addition, in the drawings used in the following description, an arrow FR indicating the front of the vehicle, an arrow LH indicating the left side of the vehicle, an arrow UP indicating the top of the vehicle, and a line CL indicating the center of the vehicle (center in the vehicle width direction) are shown in appropriate positions. The term "middle" used in this embodiment means not only the center between both ends of an object, but also the range inside between both ends of an object.

[0017] FIG. 1 is a left side view showing the exterior of an electric motorcycle (saddle-ride type electric vehicle) 1 according to an embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a left side view showing the internal configuration of the electric motorcycle 1. As shown in FIG. Referring to Figures 1 and 2, 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, a PCU 130, and a battery set 100.

[0018] 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.

[0019] 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 using a swing arm.

[0020] FIG. 3 is a left side view of the main part of the electric motorcycle 1, and FIG. 4 is a front view of the electric motorcycle 1 without the front wheel suspension system 4. Referring to Figures 1 to 4, the body frame 5 comprises a head pipe 16, a main frame 17, a pivot frame 18, a down frame 19, seat rails 24, and a support frame 25, which are joined together by welding or the like.

[0021] The head pipe 16 is located at the left-right center CL of the vehicle, 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 main frame 17 extends rearward and downward from the upper part of the head pipe 16 at an incline in side view, then curves downward near the center of the front and rear of the vehicle body, and then extends rearward and downward again with a steeper incline in side view. The main frame 17 has a shape obtained by bending a single round steel pipe into an L-shape in side view, and connects the head pipe 16 and the pivot frame 18. The main frame 17 has a first straight portion 17a extending rearward and downward from the head pipe 16, a curved portion 17b continuing rearward and downward from the first straight portion 17a, and a second straight portion 17c continuing rearward and downward from the curved portion 17b.

[0022] The pivot frame 18 extends downward from the lower rear end of the main frame 17. The pivot frame 18 is formed to have a curved shape that convexly curves rearward in a side view. A pivot shaft 33 extending in the vehicle width direction is installed near the center of the pivot frame 18 in the vertical direction of the vehicle body. The front end of the swing arm 30 is supported on the pivot frame 18 via the pivot shaft 33. The upper rear end 18a and lower front end 18b of the pivot frame 18 support the upper rear portion and lower rear portion of the power unit 8, respectively.

[0023] The down frame 19 extends rearward and downward from the lower part of the head pipe 16. In a side view, the down frame 19 extends rearward and downward at a steep incline similar to that of the second straight portion 17c of the main frame 17. The front part of the power unit 8 is supported on the lower end of the down frame 19 via a bracket 19a. A gusset 21 is attached to a region of the front part of the body frame 5 that is surrounded on three sides by the head pipe 16, the front part of the main frame 17, and the front of the down frame 19 in a side view.

[0024] The seat rails 24 include a pair of left and right frame members (not shown) that extend rearward so as to branch out to the left and right from the curved portion 17b of the main frame 17. A seat 28 on which an occupant sits is supported above the seat rails 24. The left and right frame members of the seat rails 24 are appropriately connected by a cross member (not shown) that extends in the left-right direction.

[0025] The support frame 25 includes a pair of left and right frame members (not shown) that extend rearward and upward so as to branch out to the left and right from the upper part of the pivot frame 18. The left and right frame members of the support frame 25 are respectively joined from below to the rear portions of the left and right frame members of the seat rails 24. A pair of left and right cushion support brackets (not shown) that support the upper ends of the pair of left and right rear cushions 32 are attached to the joint between the seat rails 24 and the support frame 25.

[0026] Mounted inside the body frame 5 are electrical components of a vehicle drive system, such as a power unit 8 for running the vehicle, a PCU 130 that controls the power supplied to the power unit 8, and a battery set 100 that stores the power to be supplied to the power unit 8. The battery set 100 may be, for example, a mobile battery that can be attached and detached to a battery storage section of the vehicle body without using tools.

[0027] 1 and 4, the body cover 6 covers the entire body frame 5 except for the area around the head pipe 16. The body cover 6 includes a seat front cover 41 disposed in front of the seat 28 and having an outer shape resembling a fuel tank; a middle cover 42 disposed below the seat front cover 41 and covering an area extending from the front to the left and right sides of a battery set 100 mounted on the vehicle body; an undercover 43 disposed below the middle cover 42 and covering an area below the power unit 8 mounted on the vehicle body below the battery set 100; a pair of left and right side covers 44 disposed behind the left and right sides of the middle cover 42 and covering an intermediate area between the front and rear of the vehicle body from the outside in the vehicle width direction; and a rear cover 45 covering an area extending from below to the rear of the rear of the seat 28. The front wheel suspension system 4 includes a front cowl 46 supported in front of the top bridge 11 and the bottom bridge 12 and rotating integrally therewith. The seat front cover 41 and the middle cover 42 will be described in detail later.

[0028] 1, a sprocket cover 47 that covers the area around the front sprocket of the chain transmission mechanism 34 is provided on the left rear side of the lower cover. A chain case 48 that houses the drive chain of the chain transmission mechanism 34 is disposed behind the sprocket cover 47. The front end of the chain case 48 is disposed so as to be inserted into the rear part of the sprocket cover 47 from behind. As a result, the front end opening of the chain case 48 is covered by the sprocket cover 47, thereby reducing noise caused by the operation of the chain transmission mechanism 34.

[0029] Referring also to Figure 3, the seat front cover 41 is placed between the left and right knees of the driver seated on the seat 28, allowing the driver to grip the seat with their knees. The seat front cover 41 is supported above the first straight portion 17a of the main frame 17. The seat front cover 41 is formed in a hollow double structure with a space between the inner cover plate 41a and the outer cover plate 41b. The inner cover plate 41a forms a saddle shape 41c that straddles the first straight portion 17a of the main frame 17 from side to side. The outer cover plate 41b covers the outside of the inner cover plate 41a, leaving a predetermined space between them.

[0030] The rear wheel suspension system 7 includes a swing arm 30 that supports the rear wheel 3 at its rear end, and a pair of left and right rear cushions 32 that span between the rear ends of the left and right arm portions of the swing arm 30 and the left and right cushion support brackets of the seat rail 24. 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 the pivot frame 18 via a pivot shaft 33 so as to be able to swing up and down.

[0031] Each rear cushion 32 is formed in a generally cylindrical shape with a compression coil spring disposed around the outer periphery of a damper cylinder. Each rear cushion 32 is disposed with its axial direction tilted forward with respect to the vertical direction. The upper end of each rear cushion 32 is rotatably connected to left and right cushion support brackets of the seat rail 24 via a shaft extending along the vehicle width direction. The lower end of the rear cushion 32 is rotatably connected to rear portions of the left and right arm portions of the swing arm via a shaft extending along the vehicle width direction.

[0032] In the embodiment, a configuration in which a pair of left and right rear cushions 32 are provided between the swing arm 30 and the seat rail 24 is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, other configurations are also possible, such as a single rear cushion 32 being provided on the inner side in the vehicle width direction, or being connected to the swing arm or the body frame 5 via a link mechanism.

[0033] 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 57 that outputs the power of the motor 50 reduced by the reducer, and a housing 58 that accommodates the motor 50, the reducer, and other drive components. The power unit 8 is configured as an integrated unit including the motor 50, the reducer, the output shaft 57, and the housing 58. The housing 58 forms the outer shape of the power unit 8.

[0034] The motor 50 is disposed with its rotational axis aligned with the vehicle width direction. The motor 50 is housed in a motor case 51 formed in the front part of a housing 58. For example, a gear-type reducer is disposed from one of the left and right sides of the motor 50 to the rear.

[0035] The output shaft 57 is disposed at the rear of the housing 58. The output shaft 57 extends in the vehicle width direction, with its left end protruding outside the housing 58. The left end of the output shaft 57 and the rear wheel 3 are linked via a chain transmission mechanism 34. This allows the output of the motor 50 to be transmitted to the rear wheel 3.

[0036] The power unit 8 (housing 58) is supported on the body frame 5 via multiple fixing portions (including rubber mounts). The power unit 8 is disposed between a bracket 19a at the lower end of the down frame 19 and the pivot frame 18 in the vehicle longitudinal direction. The front portion of the power unit 8 is supported by the bracket 19a, and the rear portion is supported by the pivot frame 18.

[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 set 100 from direct current to alternating current, and then supplies the power to the motor 50. The PCU 130 is disposed behind the battery set 100.

[0038] FIG. 5 is a front view of the vehicle shown in FIG. 4 with the body frame 5 removed. 3 to 5, the battery set 100 is made up of a plurality of (for example, two left and two right) unit batteries 101 (hereinafter, sometimes simply referred to as batteries or left and right batteries). The left and right batteries 101 have the same configuration. When viewed from the front, the left and right batteries 101 are provided symmetrically with respect to the vehicle left-right center line CL as an axis of symmetry.

[0039] The left and right batteries 101 each have a rectangular cross section (for example, a substantially square shape) and are prismatic (rectangular parallelepiped) extending in the longitudinal direction. When viewed from the side, the left and right batteries 101 are arranged at an angle so that their longitudinal direction is aligned with the extension direction of the down frame 19. When viewed from the front, the left and right batteries 101 are arranged with their longitudinal direction vertical, for example. When viewed from the front, the left and right batteries 101 are arranged side by side and parallel to each other. When viewed from the side, the left and right batteries 101 are arranged so that they entirely overlap each other. Handles are provided on the top surfaces of the left and right batteries 101 for the user to grip.

[0040] 5, a space K2 is formed between the left and right batteries 101 and located at the vehicle left-right center CL (overlapping with the vehicle left-right center line CL in a front view). The battery set 100 generates a predetermined high voltage (48 to 72 V) by appropriately connecting left and right batteries 101. The left and right batteries 101 are each configured as a chargeable and dischargeable energy storage, such as a lithium ion battery. The left and right batteries 101 are each equipped with a BMU (Battery Managing Unit) (not shown) that monitors the charge and discharge status, temperature, etc.

[0041] The left and right batteries 101 are connected to the PCU 130 via a positive cable, a terminal block, and the like (not shown). The power from the battery set 100 is converted from direct current to three-phase alternating current by the PCU 130 and then supplied to the motor 50, which is a three-phase alternating current motor. The motor 50 performs power running under the control of the PCU 130, causing the electric motorcycle 1 to travel. A portion of the power from the battery set 100 is stepped down via a DC-DC converter 126 and used for charging a 12V battery (not shown). The 12V battery supplies power to general electrical components such as lighting fixtures and control system components such as an ECU. By installing a 12V battery, various electromagnetic locks and the like can be operated even when the battery set 100 is removed. The battery set 100 can be charged from an external power source while removed from the vehicle body or while installed in the vehicle body.

[0042] <Inside cover cooling structure> Next, a cooling structure that allows the traveling wind to be taken into the vehicle body cover 6 and the electrical components inside the vehicle body cover 6 to be cooled by the traveling wind will be described. FIG. 7 is a left side view showing the flow of the traveling wind F1 introduced into the vehicle body cover 6 from the outside air inlet 68 (including the entire cutout 66). 3 to 5 and 7, the middle cover 42 includes a front cover portion 61 that covers the battery set 100 from the front, and side cover portions 62 that cover the battery set 100 from the left and right outer sides. The front cover portion 61 is provided along the front edge of the down frame 19 and covers the down frame 19 together with the battery set 100. A vertically elongated notch 66 is formed in the upper part of the front cover portion 61 at the center CL of the vehicle left and right, exposing the storage space K1 for the battery set 100 inside the middle cover 42 to the front of the front cover portion 61.

[0043] The cutout 66 is formed with a width equal to that of the down frame 19 in a front view. Traveling wind that enters the middle cover 42 through the cutout 66 flows around to the rear of the down frame 19 and flows rearward through the space (inter-battery space) K2 between the left and right batteries 101. The inter-battery space K2 is formed with a width equal to that of the cutout 66 in a front view. The cutout 66 is formed so as to overlap with an upper portion of the inter-battery space K2 in a front view. The upper portion of the inter-battery space K2 is positioned so as to overlap with an inner portion of the PCU 130 in the vehicle width direction in a front view.

[0044] The PCU 130 has a flat shape with a reduced dimension in the thickness direction T. The thickness direction T is one of three mutually perpendicular directions, and the dimension in this one direction is smaller than the dimensions in the other two directions. The PCU 130 is disposed, for example, inside the body cover 6 and behind the battery set 100. The PCU 130 is disposed so that the thickness direction T is inclined downward toward the front in a side view, and the front surface faces the rear surface of the upper part of the battery set 100.

[0045] A heat sink 131 having a plurality of heat dissipation fins 131a is disposed on the front surface of the PCU 130. The heat dissipation fins 131a extend parallel to one another, for example, in the vertical direction. An inner portion of the heat sink 131, including the heat dissipation fins 131a, of the PCU 130 in the vehicle width direction faces the inter-battery space K2 from the rear. In a front view, the inter-battery space K2 overlaps with the inner portion of the heat sink 131 of the PCU 130 in the vehicle width direction and also overlaps with the notch 66 of the front cover. As a result, traveling wind introduced into the vehicle body cover 6 through the notch 66 of the front cover passes through the inter-battery space K2 and is directly supplied to the heat sink 131 on the front surface of the PCU 130. As a result, the PCU 130 is effectively cooled by traveling wind introduced into the vehicle body cover 6 through the notch 66 of the front cover.

[0046] An expanded width portion 67 is formed above the cutout 66, and its lateral width increases upward toward the upper end of the front cover portion 61. The lateral width of the upper end of the expanded width portion 67 is approximately the same as the lateral width of the lower end of the front end opening 41d of the saddle shape 41c of the seat front cover 41. The expanded width portion 67 and the front end opening 41d form an outside air inlet 68 that is wider than the down frame 19 in a front view. At a portion of the cutout 66 that has the same lateral width as the down frame 19 in a front view, the down frame 19 is likely to block the airflow caused by running. However, at the outside air inlet 68 that is wider than the down frame 19 in a front view, the amount of airflow blocked by the down frame 19 is relatively small, ensuring a sufficient amount of airflow to be introduced into the middle cover 42.

[0047] The lower end 66a of the cutout 66 cuts out the front cover part 61 to a height equivalent to the lower end of the PCU 130 in a front view, ensuring as much airflow as possible during travel to the PCU 130. The PCU 130 is arranged so that at least a portion of the PCU 130 overlaps with the cutout 66 (opening) in a front view of the front cover part 61. This makes it possible to effectively cool the PCU 130, which generates a large amount of heat, by utilizing the airflow introduced into the middle cover 42 through the cutout 66.

[0048] The middle cover 42, which includes the front cover, is divided into, for example, a pair of left and right cover halves 63L, 63R. The left and right cover halves 63L, 63R also function as opening and closing members that can open and close the left and right outer sides of the storage space K1 for electrical components including the battery set 100. The left and right cover halves 63L, 63R can be attached and detached individually to the vehicle body.

[0049] A pair of left and right frame members 22L, 22R are attached to the down frame 19. The left and right frame members 22L, 22R are U-shaped in a front view, convex outward in the vehicle width direction, with their upper ends on the inner side in the vehicle width direction fixed to an upper bracket 19b fixed near the upper portion of the down frame 19, and their lower ends on the inner side in the vehicle width direction fixed to a bracket 19a. The left and right frame members 22L, 22R function as support frames for the battery set 100 and the body cover 6, and also function as guard frames for the battery set 100, as their outer side in the vehicle width direction protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction beyond the battery set 100.

[0050] For example, if a load is input to the side of the vehicle body from the outside in the vehicle width direction when the vehicle overturns, this load is input to the left and right frame members 22L, 22R, thereby reducing the load input to the battery set 100. The battery set 100 is located rearward of the down frame 19 in a side view, and no components are disposed in the inter-battery space K2. Therefore, even if a load is input to the battery from the outside in the vehicle width direction, the inter-battery space K2 allows the left and right unit batteries 101 to have room to displace inward in the vehicle width direction, thereby reducing the input of an excessive load to the battery set 100.

[0051] The cutouts 66 in the front cover allow the down frame 19 to pass through and enter the inside of the middle cover 42. A bulge 64 that bulges out further toward the front of the vehicle than the remaining portion is formed around the cutouts 66 in the front cover (around the down frame 19). The bulge 64 is formed, for example, to cover the periphery of the upper bracket 19b (a portion that fixes the inner upper ends of the left and right frame members 22L, 22R in the vehicle width direction) that is fixed to the down frame 19. The bulge 64 widens the gap between the cutouts 66 and the down frame 19, increasing the amount of airflow introduced into the middle cover 42 through the cutouts 66.

[0052] The seat front cover 41 has a saddle-shaped front opening 41d at its front end that opens toward the front of the vehicle. The seat front cover 41 can take in traveling wind from the front opening 41d of the saddle shape 41c into the inside of the saddle shape 41c. The space inside the saddle shape 41c is connected to the accommodation space K1 inside the middle cover 42. The front opening 41d of the saddle shape 41c and the cutout 66 of the middle cover 42 form an outside air inlet 68 that is continuous with each other, and can introduce traveling wind into the vehicle body cover 6.

[0053] The saddle shape 41c formed by the cover inner plate 41a of the seat front cover 41 includes a first longitudinal portion extending rearward from the front-end opening 41d, a first descending portion extending and curving downward from the rear end of the first longitudinal portion, a second longitudinal portion bending from the lower end of the first descending portion and extending rearward, and another second descending portion extending and curving downward from the rear end of the second longitudinal portion. A down regulator (DC-DC converter 126) is disposed below the second longitudinal portion.

[0054] The saddle shape 41c is formed so as to gradually narrow the flow path toward the rear of the vehicle, so that the flow of the air taken in from the front end opening 41d is stabilized and the cooling of the electrical components is improved, compared to, for example, a case where the cover inner plate 41a and the saddle shape 41c are eliminated and the flow path is formed so as to expand toward the rear of the vehicle.

[0055] The traveling wind (cool air) F1 introduced into the vehicle body cover 6 from the air guide port flows rearward through the vicinity of the battery, and then flows further rearward while absorbing heat in contact with the heat sink 131 on the front side of the PCU 130, becoming warm air F2 after absorbing heat and being discharged into the wheel house WH of the rear wheel 3. A portion of the traveling wind F1 introduced into the cover from the air guide port flows rearward inside the seat front cover 41 above the battery.

[0056] FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the electric motorcycle 1. FIG. Referring also to Figure 6, second air intake ports 69 are formed on the left and right side portions of the front part of the undercover 43. The second air intake ports 69 are capable of introducing running air into the vicinity of the power unit 8 and directing the running air rearward along the substantially horizontal lower surface portion 43a of the undercover 43. The lower surface portion 43a of the undercover 43 is formed with lower surface cutouts 43b as outlets, which enable the running air (warm air) after cooling the power unit 8 to be discharged below the vehicle body. In the figure, reference numeral 27 denotes a step frame (retaining member) that is supported by the front lower end portion 18b of the pivot frame 18 and extends in the left-right direction. Left and right steps 27a are supported on the left and right ends of the step frame 27.

[0057] As described above, the electric two-wheeled vehicle 1 in the above embodiment is a saddle-ride type electric vehicle that includes a battery set 100 that stores power to be supplied to the motor 50 for driving the vehicle, a front cover part 61 that covers the storage space K1 that houses the battery set 100 from the front side of the vehicle, and a PCU 130 that is arranged behind the battery set 100 and controls the supply of power to the motor 50, and the front cover part 61 has an opening (cutout 66) that exposes part of the storage space K1 to the front side of the vehicle, and the PCU 130 at least partially overlaps with the cutout 66 when viewed from the front of the front cover part 61. According to this configuration, the front cover part 61, which covers the front of the vehicle-driving battery set 100, is provided with a cutout 66 that exposes the storage space K1 of the battery set 100 to the front, and by arranging this cutout 66 and the PCU 130 so that they overlap in a front view, it becomes possible to cool the PCU 130 by utilizing the wind introduced into the storage space K1 from the cutout 66. In other words, the front cover part 61 protects the battery set 100 while ensuring cooling of the electrical components (storage battery, control device, etc.) behind the cover.

[0058] 8, the lower end 66a' of the cutout 66' extends up to the height of the lower end of the widened portion 67. The lower end 66a' is at a height at which the cutout 66' and at least a portion of the PCU 130 overlap each other in a front view. Even with this configuration, it is possible to take in airflow from the outside air inlet 68 formed by the front end opening 41d of the saddle shape 41c and the cutout 66' (widened portion 67) of the middle cover 42, thereby cooling the PCU 130 and other components inside the body cover 6. Although the openings in the embodiment are notches 66, 66' with a partially open periphery, the openings are not limited to this configuration. For example, the openings may have other configurations, such as one or more through holes with a closed periphery. According to this configuration,

[0059] In the electric two-wheeled vehicle 1, the battery set 100 includes a plurality of unit batteries 101 arranged in the vehicle width direction, and the unit batteries 101 are arranged with an inter-battery space K2 between adjacent unit batteries 101 in the vehicle width direction, and the cutout 66 overlaps at least partially with the inter-battery space K2 when viewed from the front of the front cover portion 61. According to this configuration, an inter-battery space K2 is formed between unit batteries 101 adjacent in the vehicle width direction, and by arranging this inter-battery space K2 and the cutout 66 so that they overlap in a front view, traveling wind (cooling wind) introduced into the accommodation space K1 from the cutout 66 passes through the inter-battery space K2 as a passage and reaches the rear of the battery set 100 in a straight line, thereby cooling the PCU 130. This makes it possible to efficiently improve the cooling of electrical components behind the cover. The battery set 100 of the embodiment includes a pair of left and right unit batteries 101, and defines an inter-battery space K2 at the center CL in the vehicle width direction, but is not limited to this configuration. For example, three or more unit batteries 101 may be included, and an inter-battery space K2 may be defined between each adjacent unit battery 101. In this case, the notches 66 of the front cover portion 61 are also disposed at positions corresponding to the inter-battery spaces K2.

[0060] In the electric two-wheeled vehicle 1, the PCU 130 has a flat shape with reduced thickness in one direction, and is arranged so that its front surface perpendicular to the thickness direction T is aligned with the rear surface of each unit battery 101 of the battery set 100, and the surface of the PCU 130 facing the battery set 100 is provided with cooling fins 131a. According to this configuration, by arranging the flat surface of the flat PCU 130 along (parallel to) the side surface of each unit battery 101 of the battery set 100, the PCU 130 can be arranged compactly around the battery set 100. By forming cooling fins 131a on the surface of the PCU 130 facing the battery set 100, a cooling air flow path is secured between the battery set 100 and the PCU 130, and efficient cooling can be achieved by the cooling fins 131a.

[0061] The electric motorcycle 1 includes a head pipe 16 that supports the front wheel 2 so that it can be steered, and a down frame 19 that extends diagonally downward and rearward from the head pipe 16 in a side view, and each unit battery 101 of the battery set 100 is arranged so that its longitudinal direction is aligned with the extension direction of the down frame 19. According to this configuration, by arranging the longitudinal direction of each unit battery 101 of the battery set 100 along the extension direction of the down frame 19, the dead space between the battery set 100 and the down frame 19 can be reduced, and the battery set 100 can be laid out compactly.

[0062] In the electric motorcycle 1, the battery set 100 is disposed rearward of the down frame 19. According to this configuration, by positioning the battery set 100 offset toward the rear of the vehicle from the down frame 19 (so that it does not overlap with the down frame 19 in a side view), even if the battery set 100 is displaced toward the inside of the vehicle width direction due to a load input from the outside of the vehicle width direction, the battery set 100 can be displaced without coming into contact with the down frame 19, thereby reducing the load input to the battery set 100.

[0063] The electric motorcycle 1 is provided with a seat front cover 41 that covers at least a portion of the battery set 100 and the PCU 130 from above the vehicle, and the front end of the seat front cover 41 is provided with an opening (front end opening 41d) that opens the internal space toward the front of the vehicle, and the opening of the seat front cover 41 is formed in a notch shape (front end opening 41d) that opens toward the lower side of the cover, and the opening of the front cover part 61 is formed in a notch shape (cutouts 66, 66') that opens toward the upper side of the cover, and the opening of the seat front cover 41 and the opening of the front cover part 61 form an opening (outside air inlet 68) that is continuous with each other. According to this configuration, a large opening is formed by the open portion of the upper cover and the opening portion of the front cover portion 61, so that more airflow (cooling air) can be supplied to the electrical components arranged inside the cover.

[0064] In the electric motorcycle 1, the opening of the front cover portion 61 is a notch 66, 66' that opens upward of the cover, and the down frame 19 enters the inside of the front cover portion 61 through the opening, and the periphery of the opening of the front cover portion 61 bulges out toward the front of the vehicle more than the remaining portion. According to this configuration, by bulging the periphery of the cutouts 66, 66' through which the down frame 19 passes toward the front of the vehicle, the periphery of the opening is displaced toward the front of the vehicle, increasing the distance between the opening and the down frame 19. This makes it easier to introduce wind generated by running through the opening, avoiding the down frame 19. Furthermore, even when the opening is formed in a cutout shape, it is easier to ensure the rigidity of the periphery of the opening.

[0065] In the electric motorcycle 1, the notch 66 has a widened portion 67 formed to be wider than the down frame 19 when viewed from the front side of the vehicle. According to this configuration, the notch 66 of the front cover portion 61 has an enlarged portion 67 that is wider than the down frame 19 in a front view, which makes it easier to introduce the wind generated by running through the notch 66 while avoiding the down frame 19.

[0066] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and the configuration of the present embodiment may be applied to saddle-ride type vehicles other than motorcycles, for example. The saddle-ride type vehicle includes all vehicles on which a driver 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 present invention may also be applied to vehicles that include an internal combustion engine as a prime mover. The configurations in the above-described embodiments are merely examples of the present invention, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention, such as replacing the components of the embodiments with well-known components. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 1. Electric two-wheeled vehicles (saddle-type electric vehicles) 2 front wheels 16 Head pipe 19 Down Frame 41 Front seat cover (upper cover) 41d Front end opening (open part) 50 Motor (electric motor) 61 Front cover part (front cover) 66,66' Notch (opening) 67 Widening section 68 Outside air intake (opening) 100 Battery Set (Storage Battery) 101 Unit battery (unit storage battery) 130 PCU (control unit) 131a Cooling fin K1 storage space K2 Space between batteries (space between storage batteries) T thickness direction

Claims

1. a storage battery (100) for storing power to be supplied to an electric motor (50) for driving a vehicle; a front cover (61) that covers an accommodation space (K1) that accommodates the storage battery (100) from the front side of the vehicle; A saddle-type electric vehicle (1) including a control device (130) disposed behind the storage battery (100) and controlling at least a part of a vehicle drive system, The front cover (61) has an opening (66, 66') that exposes a part of the storage space (K1) to the front side of the vehicle, The control device (130) at least partially overlaps with the opening (66, 66') in a front view of the front cover (61), The storage battery (100) includes a plurality of unit storage batteries (101) arranged in the vehicle width direction, The plurality of unit batteries (101) are arranged with an inter-battery space (K2) between adjacent unit batteries (101) in the vehicle width direction, The openings (66, 66') at least partially overlap the inter-battery spaces (K2) in a front view of the front cover (61), The control device (130) has a flat shape with a reduced thickness in one direction, and is arranged so that a plane perpendicular to the thickness direction (T) is aligned with a side surface of each unit storage battery (101) of the storage battery (100), A saddle-type electric vehicle characterized in that the control device (130) is provided with a cooling fin (131a) on a surface facing the storage battery (100).

2. a head pipe (16) that supports the front wheel (2) so as to be steerable; a descending frame (19) extending obliquely downward and rearward from the head pipe (16) in a side view, 2. The saddle-ride type electric vehicle according to claim 1, wherein each of the unit batteries (101) of the storage battery (100) is arranged so that its longitudinal direction is aligned with the extension direction of the lowering frame (19).

3. 3. The saddle-type electric vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the storage battery (100) is disposed rearward of the lowering frame (19).

4. an upper cover (41) that covers at least a part of the storage battery (100) and the control device (130) from above the vehicle; The front end of the upper cover (41) is provided with an opening (41d) that opens the interior space of the cover to the front side of the vehicle, The opening (41d) of the upper cover (41) is formed in a notch shape that opens to the lower side of the cover, The openings (66, 66') of the front cover (61) are formed in the shape of a notch that opens upward toward the cover, 4. The saddle-ride type electric vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the open portion (41 d) of the upper cover (41) and the opening portion (66, 66') of the front cover (61) form an opening (68) that is continuous with each other.

5. The openings (66, 66') of the front cover (61) are notches (66, 66') that open upward, and the lowering frame (19) enters the inside of the front cover (61) through the openings (66, 66').

5. The saddle-ride type electric vehicle according to claim 4, wherein the front cover (61) has a periphery of the opening (66, 66') that bulges out toward the front of the vehicle from the remaining portion.

6. 6. The saddle-ride type electric vehicle according to claim 5, wherein the opening (66, 66') has a widened portion (67) formed to be wider than the lowering frame (19) when viewed from the front side of the vehicle.

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