vehicle

Abstract

To electrically connect a power storage device and an electric motor via the shortest distance.SOLUTION: In a vehicle 10, a front motor room 24 is disposed forward of a passenger room in a traveling direction of the vehicle 10. The front motor room 24 houses a motor unit 14. In the front motor room 24, a slot 44 for holding a mobile battery 12 is disposed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] International Publication No. 2020 / 085293 discloses a four-wheeled electric vehicle (vehicle). The electric vehicle is equipped with multiple battery packs (power storage devices). An electric motor (electric motor) provided in the electric vehicle is driven by power supplied from the multiple battery packs. The electric motor drives the wheels to rotate, causing the electric vehicle to move. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2020 / 085293 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Four-wheel electric vehicles have approximately the same external shape as four-wheel vehicles equipped with an engine (engine vehicles). In engine vehicles, the engine compartment that houses the engine is located in the front part of the vehicle body. When an electric vehicle is constructed by reusing the body of an engine vehicle, the electric motor is located in the front part of the vehicle body that was previously the engine compartment. In this case, it is desirable to position the power storage device so that the power storage device and the electric motor are electrically connected over the shortest distance.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is a vehicle comprising a vehicle body, a holding portion that detachably holds an electric storage device, and an electric motor that is electrically connected to the holding portion and drives wheels, wherein the vehicle body has a passenger compartment in which passengers can sit, and an electric motor compartment that is located forward of the passenger compartment in the direction of travel of the vehicle and that houses the electric motor, and the holding portion is located in the electric motor compartment. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, the electric motor and the holding portion are disposed in the electric motor chamber, so that the electric storage device held in the holding portion and the electric motor can be electrically connected over the shortest distance. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side view of a vehicle according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the vehicle of FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of the front part of the vehicle of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic front view of the vehicle of FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a side view of the front part of a vehicle according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] [Configuration of vehicle 10 according to this embodiment] Fig. 1 is a side view of a vehicle 10 according to this embodiment. Fig. 2 is a bottom view of the vehicle 10. Fig. 3 is a schematic plan view of the front of the vehicle 10. Fig. 4 is a schematic front view of the vehicle 10. In the following explanation, the forward / backward, up / down, and left / right directions will be explained, with the traveling direction of the vehicle 10 being the forward direction.

[0010] Vehicle 10 is an electric vehicle (EV) equipped with a motor unit 14 (electric motor) driven by power from a mobile battery 12 (power storage device). Vehicle 10 is a four-wheel electric vehicle equipped with two front wheels 16F as front wheels 16 and two rear wheels 16R as rear wheels 16. Vehicle 10 is a four-wheel drive (4WD) electric vehicle that moves by the rotation of the two front wheels 16F and the two rear wheels 16R.

[0011] It should be noted that the vehicle 10 is not limited to an electric vehicle. The vehicle 10 can be applied to a vehicle that uses a mobile battery 12. For example, the vehicle 10 can be applied to various electric vehicles such as a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), or a fuel cell electric vehicle (FCV). Furthermore, the vehicle 10 is not limited to a four-wheel electric vehicle. The vehicle 10 can be applied to a three-wheel electric vehicle. Furthermore, the vehicle 10 is not limited to a four-wheel drive electric vehicle. The vehicle 10 can be applied to a front-wheel drive (FWD) or rear-wheel drive (RWD) electric vehicle.

[0012] The vehicle 10 includes a plurality of motor units 14 , a plurality of wheels 16 , a body 18 , and a battery housing unit 20 .

[0013] The vehicle body 18 has a sedan-type body and includes a passenger compartment 22, a front motor compartment 24, a rear motor compartment 26, and a vehicle body opening 28.

[0014] The vehicle body 18 constitutes the outer shape of the vehicle 10. Two front wheels 16F, which are the two front wheels 16, are provided at the front of the vehicle body 18. The two front wheels 16F are provided at the front of the vehicle body 18 with a gap between them in the left-right direction (vehicle width direction). Two rear wheels 16R, which are the two rear wheels 16, are provided at the rear of the vehicle body 18 with a gap between them in the left-right direction. The two rear wheels 16R are provided at the rear of the vehicle body 18 with a gap between them in the left-right direction.

[0015] The passenger room 22 is provided in the vehicle body 18 between the two front wheels 16F and the two rear wheels 16R. The passenger room 22 is a space (vehicle interior) surrounded by the vehicle body 18. The passenger room 22 is a space in which a passenger can ride.

[0016] A front seat 30 is provided in front of the passenger compartment 22. A rear seat 32 is provided behind the passenger compartment 22. The front seat 30 and the rear seat 32 are provided with a gap between them in the fore-and-aft direction. Passengers sit on the front seat 30 and the rear seat 32.

[0017] The vehicle body opening 28 is an opening that communicates with the passenger room 22. The vehicle body opening 28 is open on the left and right side surfaces of the vehicle body 18. The vehicle body opening 28 communicates between the passenger room 22 and the outside of the vehicle body 18. A door 34 is arranged on the vehicle body 18. The door 34 can open and close the vehicle body opening 28. When the door 34 is open, an occupant gets in and out of the passenger room 22 through the vehicle body opening 28.

[0018] The front motor room 24 is provided between the left and right front wheels 16F in the front part of the vehicle body 18. In other words, the front motor room 24 is provided forward of the passenger room 22. The front motor room 24 is a space (vehicle interior) surrounded by the vehicle body 18. The front motor room 24 is provided in the front part of the vehicle body 18 independent of the passenger room 22.

[0019] An opening 36 is formed in the upper part of the front motor room 24. The opening 36 is closed by a bonnet hood 38 (a closing portion) in an openable and closable manner. That is, when the bonnet hood 38 is open, the front motor room 24 is open to the outside of the vehicle 10 through the opening 36. When the bonnet hood 38 is closed, the front motor room 24 is closed.

[0020] In the front motor room 24, a battery housing unit 20, two motor units 14 (two front motor units 14F), and a radiator 40 are arranged.

[0021] The battery accommodation unit 20 is disposed in the space above the front motor room 24. As shown in Fig. 3, when the bonnet hood 38 is open, the battery accommodation unit 20 is located inside the opening 36 when viewed from above. More specifically, when the bonnet hood 38 is open, the battery accommodation unit 20 is located inside the inner edge 42 of the opening 36 when viewed from above. Note that the bonnet hood 38 is not shown in Fig. 3.

[0022] 1 to 3, the front end of the battery housing unit 20 is located rearward of the front ends of the two front wheels 16F. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the lower end of the battery housing unit 20 is located lower than the upper ends of the wheels 16 (two front wheels 16F).

[0023] The battery accommodating unit 20 has at least one slot (retaining portion) 44. The battery accommodating unit 20 may have a plurality of slots 44. Figure 3 illustrates a case where the battery accommodating unit 20 has eight slots 44.

[0024] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 , each of the multiple slots 44 is a cylindrical member extending in the vertical direction. The slots 44 are rectangular cylindrical members. The lower ends of the slots 44 are closed. As shown in FIG. 3 , the upper ends of the slots 44 are open. That is, the slots 44 are bottomed cylindrical members with slot openings 46 formed at their upper ends. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1 , the central axis 48 of the slot 44 extends vertically, that is, in the vertical direction. A connector (terminal) (not shown) is disposed at the bottom, which is the lower end of the slot 44. The connector is immovably fixed at the bottom of the slot 44. The connector is always exposed within the slot 44.

[0025] 1, 3, and 4, the multiple slots 44 are arranged side by side in the horizontal direction (front-rear and left-right directions). The multiple slots 44 are also positioned at the same height in the up-down direction. As described above, the lower end of the battery accommodating unit 20 is lower than the upper ends of the wheels 16. Therefore, the bottom of each of the multiple slots 44 is positioned lower than the upper ends of the wheels 16.

[0026] 3, eight slots 44 are arranged horizontally in the battery accommodating unit 20. That is, four slots 44 (one holding portion) are arranged side by side in the left-right direction in the front part of the battery accommodating unit 20. Four slots 44 (another holding portion) are arranged side by side in the left-right direction in the rear part of the battery accommodating unit 20. In other words, two slots 44 are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction in the battery accommodating unit 20.

[0027] In the following description, the four front slots 44 may be referred to as front slots 44F (one holding portion), and the central axis 48 of the front slot 44F may be referred to as central axis 48F.

[0028] In the following description, the four rear slots 44 may be referred to as rear slots 44R (other holding portions), and the central axis 48 of the rear slot 44R may be referred to as central axis 48R.

[0029] As described above, the battery accommodation unit 20 is located inside the inner edge 42 of the opening 36 when viewed from above (see FIG. 3). Therefore, all of the slots 44 (front slots 44F, rear slots 44R) that constitute the battery accommodation unit 20 are located inside the inner edge 42 of the opening 36 when viewed from above. In other words, with the bonnet hood 38 open, the occupant can see the slot openings 46 of all of the slots 44.

[0030] The mobile battery 12 is removably accommodated (held) in the multiple slots 44. The mobile battery 12 has an outer shape corresponding to the inner shape of the slot 44. That is, the mobile battery 12 has a rectangular outer shape that can be inserted into and removed from the slot 44. The mobile battery 12 extends along a central axis 50 (see FIG. 1 ). A handle 52 that can be held by an occupant is provided at the upper end of the mobile battery 12 along the central axis 50. A connector (terminal) (not shown) is provided at the lower end of the mobile battery 12 along the central axis 50. The mobile battery 12 is a mobile battery disclosed in, for example, WO 2020 / 085293, WO 2023 / 058752, WO 2023 / 100445, etc. Therefore, a detailed description of the mobile battery 12 will be omitted.

[0031] Note that "removable" and "detachable" are essentially synonymous. That is, the mobile battery 12 can be attached (inserted) to the slot 44. The mobile battery 12 can be removed (pulled out) from the slot 44. Furthermore, "detachable" means that the user can insert and remove the mobile battery 12 from the slot 44 without using tools or the like. Furthermore, "removable" is synonymous with "inserting and removing." Therefore, "inserted and removed" or "detached" are synonymous with "inserted and removed."

[0032] With the bonnet hood 38 open, the occupant can insert or remove the mobile battery 12 into each of the multiple slots 44.

[0033] In the following description, the mobile battery 12 inserted into or removed from the front slot 44F may be referred to as the front mobile battery 12F. The central axis 50 of the front mobile battery 12F may be referred to as the central axis 50F.

[0034] In the following description, the mobile battery 12 inserted into or removed from the rear slot 44R may be referred to as the rear mobile battery 12R. The central axis 50 of the rear mobile battery 12R may be referred to as the central axis 50R.

[0035] Here, a description will be given of inserting and removing a plurality of mobile batteries 12 into and from a plurality of slots 44. Here, a description will be given mainly of a case where one mobile battery 12 is inserted and removed into one slot 44.

[0036] First, the case where the mobile battery 12 is inserted into the slot 44 will be described.

[0037] The occupant opens the bonnet hood 38 (see FIG. 1). This exposes the front motor compartment 24 to the outside of the vehicle 10 (see FIG. 3). Next, the occupant grasps the handle 52 of the mobile battery 12. Next, with the lower end of the mobile battery 12 facing the slot opening 46, the occupant inserts the mobile battery 12 into the slot 44 through the slot opening 46. As a result, the mobile battery 12 descends within the slot 44 with its central axis 50 aligned with the central axis 48 of the slot 44. When the mobile battery 12 descends to the bottom of the slot 44, the mobile battery 12 is held in the slot 44. At this time, the connector of the mobile battery 12 and the connector of the slot 44 are connected.

[0038] When a mobile battery 12 is held in each of the multiple slots 44, all of the mobile batteries 12 are located inside the inner edge 42 of the opening 36 when viewed from above. Furthermore, each of the multiple mobile batteries 12 is held in the multiple slots 44 while extending in the vertical direction. Therefore, a passenger can see the top surfaces of all of the mobile batteries 12 (the surfaces on which the handles 52 are provided) when viewed from above. Furthermore, as described above, the front end of the battery accommodating unit 20 is located behind the front ends of the two front wheels 16F. Therefore, the front end of each of the multiple mobile batteries 12 held in the multiple slots 44 is located behind the front ends of the two front wheels 16F.

[0039] After the multiple mobile batteries 12 are held in the multiple slots 44, the occupant closes the bonnet hood 38. This closes the front motor room 24.

[0040] One of the connectors of the mobile battery 12 and the connector of the slot 44 is a plug, which is a male connector. The other connector is a receptacle, which is a female connector. This allows the connector of the mobile battery 12 and the connector of the slot 44 to be suitably connected when the mobile battery 12 is held in the slot 44.

[0041] Next, the case of removing the mobile battery 12 from the slot 44 will be described.

[0042] The occupant opens the bonnet hood 38, exposing the front motor compartment 24 to the outside of the vehicle 10, and then grasps the handle 52 of the mobile battery 12 held in the slot 44. Next, the occupant pulls the mobile battery 12 upward. This releases the connection between the connector of the mobile battery 12 and the connector of the slot 44. The occupant pulls the mobile battery 12 further upward relative to the slot 44, thereby removing the mobile battery 12 from the slot 44.

[0043] Next, the motor unit 14 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0044] As shown in Figures 1 and 4, the two front motor units 14F, which are motor units 14, are arranged in the space below the front motor room 24. That is, the two front motor units 14F are arranged below the battery accommodation unit 20. In other words, the battery accommodation unit 20 is located at a higher position than the two front motor units 14F. As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the two front motor units 14F are arranged in the front motor room 24 with a gap between them in the left-right direction.

[0045] 3, when viewed from above, each of the two front motor units 14F overlaps at least a portion of the battery accommodating unit 20. In other words, the battery accommodating unit 20 is disposed in the front motor room 24 so that at least a portion of the battery accommodating unit 20 overlaps with the two front motor units 14F when viewed from above.

[0046] Each of the two front motor units 14F is an electromechanical integrated electric motor. Of the two front motor units 14F, the left front motor unit 14F is an electric motor for rotating the left front wheel 16F. The right front motor unit 14F is an electric motor for rotating the right front wheel 16F.

[0047] As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, each of the two front motor units 14F has a motor 54 (electric motor body), a PCU (power control unit) 56, and gears (not shown).

[0048] In each of the two front motor units 14F, the motor 54 and the PCU 56 are arranged side by side in the front-to-rear direction. Figures 1 and 2 show a case where the PCU 56 is arranged in the front and the motor 54 is arranged in the rear. However, in this embodiment, the motor 54 may be arranged in the front and the PCU 56 may be arranged in the rear.

[0049] The PCU 56 is connected to the connectors of the plurality of slots 44. For example, the PCU 56 of the left front motor unit 14F shown in FIG. 4 is connected to the connectors of the four left slots 44 out of the eight slots 44 (see FIG. 3) of the battery accommodating unit 20. The PCU 56 of the right front motor unit 14F is connected to the connectors of the four right slots 44. This allows the PCU 56 to receive DC power from the plurality of mobile batteries 12.

[0050] 1, 2, and 4, the PCU 56 has a power converter 56a (power conversion unit) and an ECU 56b (control unit). The power converter 56a is an inverter or a converter. The power converter 56a converts DC power supplied from the multiple mobile batteries 12 into AC power and outputs the converted AC power to the motor 54. The ECU 56b controls the driving of the power converter 56a.

[0051] The motor 54 is an AC motor. The motor 54 is driven by AC power supplied from a power converter 56a. A gear is connected to the shaft of the motor 54. The gear rotates as the motor 54 is driven. The rotational force of the gear is transmitted to the front wheel 16F via a shaft (not shown). This causes the front wheel 16F to rotate.

[0052] 1 to 3, a radiator 40 is disposed in the front portion of the front motor room 24. The radiator 40 is disposed in the front portion of the front motor room 24 at a distance in the front-rear direction from the battery accommodating unit 20 and the two front motor units 14F.

[0053] A front garnish 58 is provided at the front end of the vehicle body 18. An opening (not shown) is formed in the front garnish 58. The opening introduces outside air from the front of the vehicle 10 into the front motor room 24. By introducing outside air, the multiple mobile batteries 12 held in the multiple slots 44 can be suitably cooled.

[0054] The radiator 40 is a heat exchanger. Coolant that cools the inside of the motor 54 circulates between the radiator 40 and the motor 54. The radiator 40 exchanges heat between the coolant and outside air introduced through an opening in the front garnish 58. This allows the heat of the coolant from the motor 54 to be suitably dissipated and the coolant after dissipating heat to be returned to the motor 54.

[0055] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the rear motor room 26 is provided at the rear of the vehicle body 18, between the left and right rear wheels 16R. In other words, the rear motor room 26 is provided rearward of the passenger room 22. The rear motor room 26 is a space (vehicle interior) surrounded by the vehicle body 18. The rear motor room 26 is provided at the rear of the vehicle body 18, independent from the passenger room 22.

[0056] The rear motor room 26 is provided with rear motor units 14R, which are motor units 14. The two rear motor units 14R have the same configuration as the two front motor units 14F arranged in the front motor room 24. Therefore, the same components of the two rear motor units 14R as those of the two front motor units 14F are given the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. The two rear motor units 14R receive DC power from multiple mobile batteries 12. When the gears of the two rear motor units 14R rotate, the rotational force of the gears is transmitted to the rear wheel 16R via a shaft (not shown), causing the rear wheel 16R to rotate.

[0057] [Modification of this embodiment] FIG. 5 is a side view showing a modified example of the vehicle 10 according to the present embodiment.

[0058] In this modified example, the central axis 48F of the front slot 44F and the central axis 48R of the rear slot 44R are not parallel to each other. Specifically, the central axis 48F of the front slot 44F extends in the up-down direction (vertical direction). The central axis 48R of the rear slot 44R is inclined forward by an angle θ with respect to the up-down direction. In other words, the upper end side of the central axis 48R (the upper end side of the rear slot 44R) is inclined forward by an angle θ. This allows an occupant standing in front of the vehicle 10 to easily insert or remove the rear mobile battery 12R into or from the rear slot 44R.

[0059] In the above description, the mobile battery 12 is entirely housed and held in the slot 44, as shown in Figures 1, 4, and 5. In this embodiment, the mobile battery 12 may be held in the slot 44 while being placed in the slot 44. In this case, the mobile battery 12 is held in the slot 44 with a part (upper part) of the mobile battery 12 exposed from the slot 44.

[0060] The above description also covers the case where the connector of the slot 44 is immobile. The connector may be movable vertically by, for example, an actuator as disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 6286084. When the mobile battery 12 is not inserted into the slot 44, the connector of the slot 44 is retracted below the bottom of the slot 44. After the mobile battery 12 is inserted into the slot 44 and the lower end of the mobile battery 12 contacts the bottom of the slot 44, the connector of the slot 44 is raised by the actuation of the actuator. This allows for a good connection between the connector of the slot 44 and the connector of the mobile battery 12. Using the actuator can reduce damage to the connector of the slot 44 due to force from the mobile battery 12 when the mobile battery 12 is inserted into the slot 44.

[0061] In the above description, the mobile battery 12 is rectangular and the slot 44 is rectangular, as shown in Figures 1 and 3 to 5. In this embodiment, the mobile battery 12 may be cylindrical and the slot 44 may be cylindrical. Even in this case, the mobile battery 12 can be easily inserted into and removed from the slot 44.

[0062] In the above description, the PCU 56 includes the power converter 56a and the ECU 56b as shown in Figures 1, 2, 4, and 5. The PCU 56 may include only the power converter 56a. In this case, the ECU 56b is located anywhere in the vehicle 10 other than the motor unit 14.

[0063] In the above description, the vehicle 10 has a sedan-type body 18 as shown in Fig. 1. In this embodiment, the body 18 may be a body other than a sedan-type body.

[0064] [Effects of this embodiment] The effects of this embodiment will be described.

[0065] 1 and 3 to 5, the front motor unit 14F and the slot 44 are arranged in the front motor room 24. This allows the mobile battery 12 held in the slot 44 to be electrically connected to the front motor unit 14F over the shortest distance.

[0066] The above effects will be explained in more detail. A four-wheeled electric vehicle has approximately the same external shape as a four-wheeled vehicle equipped with an engine (engine vehicle). In such an engine vehicle, an engine room that houses the engine is provided at the front of the vehicle body. When vehicle 10 is constructed by reusing the body of an engine vehicle, front motor unit 14F and battery housing unit 20 are disposed in front motor room 24 of vehicle body 18, which was previously the engine room. This makes it possible to effectively utilize the space of front motor room 24, which was previously the engine room, while electrically connecting mobile battery 12 and front motor unit 14F over the shortest distance.

[0067] In the front motor room 24, a plurality of mobile batteries 12 are held in a plurality of slots 44. This allows a larger number of mobile batteries 12 to be mounted in the front motor room 24. Also, a larger amount of power can be supplied to the motor unit 14.

[0068] The multiple slots 44 (front slots 44F, rear slots 44R) are arranged in the front motor room 24 so as to be aligned front to back in the direction of travel of the vehicle 10. This allows more mobile batteries 12 (front mobile batteries 12F, rear mobile batteries 12R) to be mounted in the front motor room 24.

[0069] When the slots 44 are arranged in a row at the front and rear, if an occupant attaches or detaches the mobile battery 12 to or from the front or rear slots 44 from the front of the vehicle 10, it is difficult to attach or detach the mobile battery 12 to or from the rear slot 44.

[0070] 5, the front slot 44F and the rear slot 44R are arranged in the front motor room 24 so that the attachment / detachment direction of the front mobile battery 12F relative to the front slot 44F (direction along the central axis 48F) and the attachment / detachment direction of the rear mobile battery 12R relative to the rear slot 44R (direction along the central axis 48R) are not parallel to each other. Making the attachment / detachment direction of the front mobile battery 12F and the attachment / detachment direction of the rear mobile battery 12R non-parallel to each other makes it easier to attach and detach the rear mobile battery 12R relative to the rear slot 44R.

[0071] In this case, the attachment / detachment direction of the rear mobile battery 12R to / from the rear slot 44R is set so that the upper end side (the upper end side of the rear slot 44R) in the attachment / detachment direction is inclined forward. This improves the ease of attachment / detachment of the rear mobile battery 12R to / from the rear slot 44R. Also, since the attachment / detachment direction of the front mobile battery 12F to / from the front slot 44F is the up-down direction (vertical direction), the length of the front slot 44F in the front-to-back direction can be reduced. As a result, multiple slots 44 can be arranged compactly within the front motor room 24.

[0072] 1 and 5, an opening 36 formed in the upper part of the front motor room 24 is closed by a bonnet hood 38 in an openable and closable manner. As a result, by opening the bonnet hood 38, the mobile battery 12 can be easily attached to and detached from a slot 44 in the front motor room 24. Furthermore, by closing the bonnet hood 38, the mobile battery 12 can be prevented from accidentally coming out of the slot 44.

[0073] 3, the mobile battery 12 is attached to and detached from the slot 44 through the opening 36, and the slot 44 is arranged so that the mobile battery 12 held in the slot 44 is located inside the inner edge 42 of the opening 36 when viewed from above. This allows the mobile battery 12 to be easily attached to and detached from the slot 44 with the hood 38 open.

[0074] The multiple mobile batteries 12 are held in the multiple slots 44, respectively, and all of the multiple slots 44 are arranged so that all of the multiple mobile batteries 12 held in the multiple slots 44 are located inside the inner edge 42 of the opening 36 when viewed from above. This allows the multiple mobile batteries 12 to be easily attached and detached to and from the multiple slots 44 with the bonnet hood 38 open.

[0075] The slot 44 is provided so that the upward-facing surface of the mobile battery 12 held in the slot 44 (the top surface of the mobile battery 12) is entirely visible when viewed from above with the bonnet hood 38 open. This means that no other parts are placed above the mobile battery 12 in the front motor room 24. As a result, the occupant can attach and detach the mobile battery 12 to and from the slot 44 more easily.

[0076] 1, 4, and 5, the slots 44 are arranged in the vertical direction, so the mobile battery 12 held in the slots 44 can be held facing upward. This allows the occupant to easily see the upward-facing side of the mobile battery 12 when the bonnet hood 38 is opened.

[0077] In addition, by arranging the mobile battery 12 and the slot 44 in an up-down direction, it is possible to prevent the electrical connection part (connector) between the mobile battery 12 and the motor unit 14 from entering the passenger compartment 22 of the vehicle 10 when the vehicle 10 collides with another object.

[0078] An electric two-wheeled vehicle may be provided with a fixing structure for vertically positioning the mobile battery 12. By utilizing this fixing structure for the vehicle 10, which is a four-wheeled electric vehicle, it is possible to easily and simply realize a fixing structure for holding the mobile battery 12 in the vertical direction.

[0079] 1, 3, and 5, the slot 44 is provided so that the front end of the mobile battery 12 held in the slot 44 is located behind the front end of the front wheel 16F. This reduces the external force acting on the mobile battery 12 when the vehicle 10 collides with another object in front of it.

[0080] 1, 4, and 5, the slot 44 is located at a position higher than the motor unit 14. This allows the slot 44 to be effectively disposed within the front motor room 24.

[0081] 3, the slot 44 is provided so that, when viewed from above, at least a portion of the slot 44 overlaps with the motor unit 14. This allows the mobile battery 12 held in the slot 44 to be electrically connected to the motor unit 14 over the shortest distance possible.

[0082] 1, 4, and 5, the slot 44 is provided so that the lower end of the slot 44 is located at a position lower than the upper end of the wheel 16. This lowers the center of gravity of the entire vehicle 10, including the slot 44, thereby improving the stability of the vehicle 10.

[0083] 1, 2, and 5, at least one of the power converter 56a and the ECU 56b is provided so as to be located forward or rearward of the motor 54 in the direction of travel of the vehicle 10. This allows the motor unit 14 to be configured as an integrated unit of mechanics and electricity. Furthermore, it is possible to arrange at least one of the power converter 56a and the ECU 56b in a location that avoids being above the motor unit 14 where the slot 44 is arranged, or below the motor unit 14 where the minimum ground clearance of the vehicle 10 is affected. This allows the front motor room 24 to be used effectively.

[0084] In addition to the above disclosure, the following additional notes are disclosed.

[0085] (Appendix 1) A vehicle (10) comprising a body (18), a holding section (44) for detachably holding an electric storage device (12), and an electric motor (14) electrically connected to the holding section and for driving wheels (16), wherein the body has a passenger compartment (22) for accommodating an occupant, and an electric motor compartment (24) for accommodating the electric motor, the electric motor compartment being located forward of the passenger compartment in the direction of travel of the vehicle, and the holding section being located in the electric motor compartment.

[0086] According to the present invention, the electric motor and the holding portion are disposed in the electric motor chamber, so that the electric storage device held in the holding portion and the electric motor can be electrically connected over the shortest distance.

[0087] (Appendix 2) In the vehicle described in Supplementary Note 1, the holding unit may include a plurality of holding units that respectively hold a plurality of the power storage devices.

[0088] This allows a plurality of power storage devices to be mounted in the motor compartment, and also allows more power to be supplied to the motor.

[0089] (Appendix 3) In the vehicle described in Appendix 2, one of the plurality of holding portions (44F) and another of the holding portions (44R) may be arranged in the motor chamber so as to be aligned front to back with respect to the traveling direction.

[0090] This allows more power storage devices to be installed in the motor compartment.

[0091] (Appendix 4) In the vehicle described in Supplementary Note 3, the one holding portion may be positioned forward of the other holding portions, and the one holding portion and the other holding portion may be positioned in the motor chamber so that one attachment / detachment direction, which is the direction of attachment / detachment of the storage device at the one holding portion, and another attachment / detachment direction, which is the direction of attachment / detachment of the storage device at the other holding portion, are not parallel to each other.

[0092] When the holding parts are arranged front and rear and an occupant attaches or detaches an electricity storage device to or from the front of the vehicle, it is difficult to attach or detach the electricity storage device to or from the rear holding part. Therefore, by making one attachment / detachment direction and another attachment / detachment direction non-parallel to each other as in Supplementary Note 4, it becomes easier to attach or detach the electricity storage device to or from the other holding part.

[0093] (Appendix 5) In the vehicle described in Supplementary Note 4, the other attachment / detachment direction may be provided such that an upper end side of the other attachment / detachment direction is inclined forward in the traveling direction with respect to the vertical direction.

[0094] This improves the ease of attaching and detaching the power storage device to the other holders. Also, if one attachment / detachment direction is vertical, the length of one holder in the front-to-rear direction can be reduced. This allows multiple holders to be arranged compactly within the motor chamber.

[0095] (Appendix 6) In the vehicle described in any one of Appendices 1 to 5, the motor chamber may have an opening (36) formed in an upper portion of the motor chamber and open to the outside of the vehicle, and a closing portion (38) that closes the opening in an openable and closable manner.

[0096] This allows the storage device to be easily attached to and detached from the holder in the motor chamber by opening the blocking portion, and also prevents the storage device from accidentally coming off the holder by closing the blocking portion.

[0097] (Appendix 7) In the vehicle described in Appendix 6, the storage device may be attached to and detached from the holding portion through the opening, and the holding portion may be arranged so that, when viewed from above, the storage device held in the holding portion is located inside the inner edge (42) of the opening.

[0098] This allows the electricity storage device to be easily attached to and detached from the holding part with the closing part open.

[0099] (Appendix 8) In the vehicle described in Appendix 7, the holding portion may have a plurality of holding portions that respectively hold a plurality of the storage devices, and all of the plurality of holding portions may be arranged so that all of the plurality of storage devices held in the plurality of holding portions are located inside the inner edge of the opening when viewed from above.

[0100] This allows the plurality of power storage devices to be easily attached to and detached from the plurality of holding parts with the closing part open.

[0101] (Appendix 9) In the vehicle described in any one of Supplementary Notes 6 to 8, the holding portion may be arranged so that, when the closing portion is open, the upward-facing surface of the power storage device held in the holding portion is entirely visible when viewed from above.

[0102] This means that no other components are disposed above the power storage device in the motor compartment, allowing the occupant to more easily attach and detach the power storage device to and from the holder.

[0103] Furthermore, by arranging the holding portion in the vertical direction, the power storage device held by the holding portion can be held facing upward, which allows the occupant to easily see the upward-facing side of the power storage device (the top surface of the power storage device) when the closing portion is opened.

[0104] By arranging the storage device and the holding part in the vertical direction, it is possible to prevent the electrical connection part between the storage device and the electric motor from entering the passenger compartment of the vehicle when the vehicle collides with another object.

[0105] Electric motorcycles are sometimes provided with a fixing structure for vertically disposing an electric storage device. By utilizing this fixing structure, it is possible to easily and simply realize a fixing structure for holding the electric storage device in the vertical direction.

[0106] (Appendix 10) In the vehicle described in any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 9, the holding portion may be arranged so that a front end of the storage device held by the holding portion is located rearward of a front end of a front wheel (16F) that is the front wheel.

[0107] This makes it possible to reduce the external force acting on the electricity storage device when the vehicle collides with another object ahead.

[0108] (Appendix 11) In the vehicle described in any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 10, the holding portion may be provided so as to be located at a position higher than the electric motor.

[0109] This allows the holding portion to be effectively disposed within the motor chamber.

[0110] (Appendix 12) In the vehicle described in Supplementary Note 11, the holding portion may be provided so that at least a portion of the holding portion overlaps with the electric motor when viewed from above.

[0111] This allows the electric storage device held by the holding section to be electrically connected to the electric motor over the shortest distance possible.

[0112] (Appendix 13) In the vehicle described in Supplementary Note 11 or 12, the holding portion may be provided so that a lower end of the holding portion is located lower than an upper end of the wheel.

[0113] This lowers the center of gravity of the entire vehicle, including the holding portion, improving the stability of the vehicle.

[0114] (Appendix 14) In the vehicle described in any one of Appendices 11 to 13, the electric motor has at least one of an electric motor body (54), a power conversion unit (56a) that converts power supplied to the electric motor body, and a control unit (56b) that controls the electric motor body, and at least one of the power conversion unit and the control unit may be arranged to be located in front of or behind the electric motor body in the traveling direction.

[0115] This allows the motor to be configured as an integrated unit. It also makes it possible to position at least one of the power converter and the control unit, avoiding the area above the motor where the holder is located, or below the motor where the vehicle's ground clearance would affect the location. This allows for effective use of the space in the motor room.

[0116] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail, the present disclosure is not limited to the individual embodiments described above. Various additions, substitutions, modifications, partial deletions, etc. are possible in these embodiments without departing from the gist of the present disclosure or the spirit of the present disclosure derived from the content of the claims and their equivalents. These embodiments can also be implemented in combination. For example, in the above-described embodiments, the order of each operation and the order of each process are shown as examples and are not limited to these. The same applies when numerical values ​​or mathematical expressions are used in the description of the above-described embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0117] 10...Vehicle 12...Mobile battery (energy storage device) 14...Motor unit (electric motor) 16...Wheel 18...Body 22...Passenger room 24...Front motor room (electric motor room) 44...Slot (retaining part)

Claims

1. The car body and a plurality of holding units that detachably hold the plurality of power storage devices; an electric motor electrically connected to the plurality of holding portions and configured to drive the wheels; A vehicle comprising: the vehicle body includes a passenger compartment in which a passenger can ride, and an electric motor compartment that is disposed forward of the passenger compartment in a traveling direction of the vehicle and that houses the electric motor; the plurality of holding portions are disposed in the motor chamber, one of the plurality of holding portions and the other of the holding portions are arranged in the motor chamber so as to be aligned in the front-rear direction with respect to the traveling direction, the one holding portion is disposed forward of the other holding portion, a vehicle in which the one holding portion and the other holding portion are arranged in the motor chamber so that one attachment / detachment direction, which is a direction in which the storage device is attached and detached in the one holding portion, and another attachment / detachment direction, which is a direction in which the storage device is attached and detached in the other holding portion, are not parallel to each other.

2. 2. The vehicle of claim 1, The other attachment / detachment direction is provided so that an upper end side of the other attachment / detachment direction is inclined forward in the traveling direction with respect to the vertical direction.

3. 3. The vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, The motor chamber has an opening formed in an upper portion of the motor chamber and open to the outside of the vehicle, and a closing portion that closes the opening in an openable and closable manner.

4. 4. The vehicle according to claim 3, the plurality of power storage devices are attached to and detached from the plurality of holding parts through the openings, the plurality of holding portions are provided such that the plurality of power storage devices held by the plurality of holding portions are located inside an inner edge of the opening when viewed from above.

5. 5. The vehicle according to claim 4, all of the plurality of holding portions are provided such that all of the plurality of power storage devices held by the plurality of holding portions are located inside the inner edge of the opening when viewed from above.

6. 6. The vehicle according to claim 5, The vehicle is configured such that, when the closing portion is open, the upward-facing surfaces of the plurality of power storage devices held in the plurality of holding portions are all visible from above.

7. 3. The vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, Each of the plurality of holding portions is provided so that a front end of the power storage device held by the holding portion is located rearward of a front end of a front wheel that is the front wheel.

8. 3. The vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, The vehicle, wherein the plurality of holding portions are provided so as to be positioned higher than the electric motor.

9. 9. The vehicle according to claim 8, The vehicle, wherein each of the plurality of holding portions is provided so as to overlap at least a portion of the electric motor when viewed from above.

10. 9. The vehicle according to claim 8, A vehicle, wherein each of the plurality of holding portions is provided so that a lower end of the holding portion is positioned lower than an upper end of the wheel.

11. 9. The vehicle according to claim 8, The electric motor is An electric motor body, At least one of a power conversion unit that converts power supplied to the electric motor body and a control unit that controls the electric motor body; and At least one of the power conversion unit and the control unit is provided to be located in front of or behind the electric motor body in the traveling direction of the vehicle.

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