Electric vehicles

Abstract

To provide an electric vehicle in which a volume of an area occupied by electric wires in a battery case is reduced.SOLUTION: An electric vehicle comprises: an electric motor that generates rotational power for driving a drive wheel; a battery case that defines a battery housing space in which at least one battery is housed; a plurality of connectors that are provided in the battery case, are housed in the battery housing space, and are electrically connected to a plurality of terminals of the battery, respectively; and a power line that supplies electric power of the battery to the electric motor. The power line includes a connection circuit that has a connection portion in which the power lines extending from the plurality of connectors are connected to each other, the connection circuit being disposed in an adjacent area adjacent to the connectors.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an electric vehicle having a battery case for housing a battery.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an electric vehicle in which drive wheels are driven by a motor. In the vehicle disclosed in Patent Document 1, the battery case can accommodate two batteries. The battery case has a connector connected to the battery. Electric power from the battery is sent to the motor control unit via the connector.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In Patent Document 1, a configuration in which the connector and the motor control unit are connected via an electric wire is disclosed. In the electric vehicle disclosed in Patent Document 1, since an electric wire for supplying electric power to the motor control unit is provided for each connector, the area occupied by the electric wire increases as the battery case and the motor move apart.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide an electric vehicle that reduces the area occupied by electric wires in a battery case.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The electric vehicle of this disclosure comprises an electric motor that generates rotational power to drive the drive wheels; a battery case defining a battery storage space in which at least one battery is housed; a plurality of connectors provided in the battery case and housed in the battery storage space and electrically connected to each of a plurality of terminals of the battery; and a power line that supplies power from the battery to the electric motor, wherein the power line is a connection circuit having a connection portion to which each of the power lines extending from the plurality of connectors is connected, and the connection portion is located in an adjacent region adjacent to the connector. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to this disclosure, a connection portion is formed in the battery case where power lines extending from the connector are connected to each other. Therefore, the area occupied by the power lines can be reduced compared to the case where power is supplied to the electric motor without the power lines being connected. Furthermore, the connection portion is located in an adjacent area adjacent to the connector. This reduces the area occupied by the wires constituting the connection portion compared to the case where the connection portion is located away from the battery case. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a side view of an electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of the area around the battery case of the electric vehicle, with the outer cover open and the cover removed, showing the surface along the front-rear direction. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the battery terminals and battery case connector in an electric vehicle. [Figure 4] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the battery case from below, with the battery case cover removed and the terminal block cover removed, in the electric vehicle shown. [Figure 5]Figure 1 is a perspective view from below of the battery case in the electric vehicle, with the battery case cover removed and the terminal block cover attached. [Figure 6] Figure 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of the electric vehicle, showing a portion of the area around the battery case by cutting away a section. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The following description of a saddle-type vehicle according to an embodiment will be made with reference to the attached drawings. In this specification, the front-rear direction, left-right direction (lateral direction), and up-down direction refer to the direction as seen from the rider's perspective when the rider is seated in the vehicle.

[0010] Figure 1 is a side view of the electric vehicle 1 (vehicle) according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 1, in this embodiment, the electric vehicle 1 is a saddle-type vehicle and is a motorcycle.

[0011] The electric vehicle 1 comprises a front wheel 2, a rear wheel 3, and a vehicle frame 4. The vehicle frame 4 is supported by the front wheel 2 and the rear wheel 3. The electric vehicle 1 has a front fork 5 that connects the front wheel 2 to the vehicle frame 4 and is provided between the front wheel 2 and the vehicle frame 4. The front fork 5 is provided below the steering shaft 7 and is connected to a bracket 8 that is spaced apart in the vertical direction. The front fork 5 extends diagonally upward and rearward. The front fork 5 is provided with a front suspension 6, and the front fork 5 is configured to be able to extend and contract in the longitudinal direction by the elastic deformation of a spring inside the front suspension 6. The front fork 5 mitigates the impact transmitted to the vehicle frame 4 by extending and contracting in the longitudinal direction. The steering shaft 7, which is connected to the bracket 8, is supported by a head pipe 4a, which is part of the vehicle frame 4, so as to be able to be angularly displaced. The electric vehicle 1 also has a rear suspension 9 that connects the rear wheel 3 to the rear of the vehicle frame 4. Furthermore, the vehicle frame 4 is supported by a swing arm 10 that extends in the front-rear direction and supports the rear wheel 3, and is capable of angular displacement.

[0012] The steering shaft 7 is equipped with a handle 11 that the driver grips with their hands. Behind the handle 11 is an outer cover 53 that covers the battery compartment. Behind the outer cover 53 is a seat 12 on which the rider sits. The electric vehicle 1 is equipped with a motor M as a drive source that generates power transmitted to the wheels. The motor M is mounted on the vehicle frame 4 between the front wheel 2 and the rear wheel 3. In this embodiment, the motor M functions as a prime mover that generates rotational driving force transmitted to the rear wheel 3.

[0013] The electric vehicle 1 comprises a battery 14 and a battery case 13 that houses the battery 14. The battery 14 is configured to store power supplied to electrical components. In this embodiment, the battery 14 also supplies power to the motor M. This drives the motor M, causing the electric vehicle 1 to move. The battery 14 is connected to the motor M via wires. The battery case 13 is attached to the vehicle frame 4.

[0014] The motor M comprises a motor case Ma and a motor drive shaft Mb protruding from the motor case Ma. A sprocket 16 is provided on the motor drive shaft Mb so as to rotate together with the motor drive shaft Mb. Alternatively, a gear or pulley may be used as the rotating member instead of the sprocket 16. A chain 17 is connected to the sprocket 16 on the motor drive shaft Mb. This transmits the driving force output from the motor drive shaft Mb to the rear wheel 3 via the chain 17. Note that the transmission of the driving force output from the motor drive shaft Mb to the rear wheel 3 does not necessarily have to be via a chain; other power transmission members such as a belt may also be used.

[0015] In this embodiment, an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 39 is provided in front of the battery case 13. The ECU 39 controls the drive of the drive motor M by adjusting the power supplied from the battery 14 to the motor M via the BMU (Battery Management Unit) and inverter. The throttle device 18 is operated by the rider and controls the drive of the motor M according to the rider's operation.

[0016] When the rider drives the electric vehicle 1 and an impact acts on the vehicle body during driving due to unevenness of the road surface or the like, the front fork 5 expands and contracts in the longitudinal direction. The front suspension 6 relaxes the impact transmitted to the vehicle body frame 4 due to the expansion and contraction, so that the impact transmitted to the rider can be reduced. Thereby, the riding comfort of the rider can be improved.

[0017] Further, the electric vehicle 1 is provided with a front fender 19 that is connected to the front fork 5 and moves up and down together with the front fork 5 as the front fork 5 expands and contracts. In the present embodiment, the front fender 19 protrudes in the front-rear direction from the front fork 5 and is attached to the front fork 5 so as to cover the upper side of the front wheel 2.

[0018] Next, the configuration of the battery case 13 will be described. FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view taken along a plane extending in the front-rear direction of a region around the battery case in a state where an outer lid 53 covering the insertion port 40 of the electric vehicle 1 is opened and a lid covering the upper side of the battery 14 is removed inside the outer lid 53.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 2, the battery case 13 is configured as a housing capable of accommodating the battery 14. The battery case 13 has a storage space 25 for storing the battery 14. In the present embodiment, the battery case 13 has storage spaces 25 corresponding to the two batteries 14a and 14b so as to store the two batteries 14a and 14b. Further, the battery case 13 has an inner bottom wall 28 that slopes downward toward the rear, and a side wall 29 that extends upward from the inner bottom wall 28 and surrounds the side of the storage space 25. Further, the battery case 13 has an opening 21 that opens the storage space 25 of the battery 14 upward to take in and out the battery 14. When the battery case 13 is attached to the electric vehicle 1, it is inclined with respect to the vertical direction so that the opening 21 faces obliquely upward and rearward. That is, the battery case 13 is attached to the electric vehicle 1 so as to be inclined rearward as it progresses upward from the lower end.

[0020] Also, as shown in FIG. 2, the lid body 36 is attached to the battery case 13. The lid body 36 partitions the adjacent region 33. By attaching the lid body 36 to the outer surface of the inner bottom wall 28 of the battery case 13, an adjacent region 33 is formed between the lid body 36 and the inner bottom wall 28. That is, the lid body 36 covers the adjacent region 33 from below. The lid body 36 has an outer bottom wall 48 that covers the adjacent region 33 from below, and a peripheral wall 30 that connects the outer bottom wall 48 to the inner bottom wall 28. The outer bottom wall 48 is inclined downward as it goes rearward in the state of being attached to the electric vehicle 1 as the battery case 13 is inclined and attached to the electric vehicle 1. Similarly, the inner bottom wall 28 is also inclined downward as it goes rearward in the state of being attached to the electric vehicle 1. In the present embodiment, the inner bottom wall 28 and the side wall 29 of the battery case 13 are configured to be thick in order to support the battery 14. Further, since the lid body 36 does not need to support the battery 14 and the main purpose is protection from dust and rainwater, it is configured to be thinner than the thickness of the battery case 13. A connector 31 that protrudes inward of the storage space 25 is provided on the inner bottom wall 28 of the battery case 13. In the present embodiment, two connectors 31 are provided corresponding to the first battery 14a and the second battery 14b mounted on the battery case 13. Also, connector mounting holes 28a, 28a for attaching the connectors 31 are provided on the inner bottom wall 28. The connector mounting holes 28a, 28a are provided in two in the width direction corresponding to the two connectors 31.

[0021] The adjacent area 33 contains power lines connected to the connector 31. In this embodiment, the adjacent area 33 is outside the storage space 25 and is adjacent to the storage space 25 separated by the inner bottom wall 28. The adjacent area 33 is also adjacent to the connector 31 separated by the inner bottom wall 28. The power lines are wiring that supplies power from the battery 14 to electrical components such as the motor M and the DC / DC converter. The power lines may be, for example, copper wires covered with a resin such as vinyl, or a portion of them may be made up of plate-shaped busbars. The power lines can be made of any conductor that can supply power from the battery 14 to the motor M.

[0022] The power line 95 connected to the connector 31 inside the adjacent region 33 passes through a connection circuit 57 where the power lines 95 are connected to each other inside the adjacent region 33, exits from the rear of the adjacent region 33 to the outside, and extends toward the rear. The power line 95 extends from the connector 31 through the inside of the inner bottom wall 28 of the battery case 13 toward the adjacent region 33, passes through the inside of the adjacent region 33 toward the rear, protrudes to the outside of the adjacent region 33, and extends toward the motor M. In this embodiment, the outer bottom wall 29 and the peripheral wall 30 are constructed separately from the inner bottom wall 28. The outer bottom wall 48 and the peripheral wall 30 also constitute a one-piece cover 36. In this embodiment, the adjacent region 33 is defined between the inner bottom wall 28 and the cover 36 by the inner bottom wall 28 and the cover 36.

[0023] The battery 14 is equipped with a terminal 32 that connects to a connector 31 when the battery 14 is stored in the storage space of the battery case 13. Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the terminal 32 of the battery 14 and the connector 31 of the battery case 13. In this embodiment, the terminal 32 is provided on the bottom surface of the battery 14. In this embodiment, the terminal 32 is formed by an insertion opening formed in the battery 14. In this embodiment, the insertion opening is formed by a hole. The connector 31 is composed of three cylindrical pins with rounded tips. Contacts are arranged inside the insertion opening in the battery 14. When the connector 31, as pins, is inserted into the terminal 32, which is the insertion opening, the connector 32 contacts the contacts of the battery 14, and the connector 31 and the terminal 32 are electrically connected. In this embodiment, the terminal of the first battery 14a is designated as the first terminal 44, the terminal of the second battery 14b is designated as the second terminal 45, and these terminals together are referred to as terminal 32. The connector 31 is connected to the terminal 32 of the battery 14, allowing power from the battery 14 to be supplied to electrical components and the like through the power line.

[0024] The electric vehicle 1 is equipped with an outer cover member 51 located in front of the seat 12 and above the lid 42. The outer cover member 51 constitutes a part of the outer surface of the electric vehicle 1 above the lid 42 and is configured to allow the outer cover 53 to be opened and closed above the battery case 13. When the battery 14 is housed inside the battery case 13 mounted on the electric vehicle 1, it is protected by the battery case 13, the lid 42, and the outer cover member 51.

[0025] The outer cover member 51 includes a base 52 having an opening 52a, an outer cover 53 provided to open and close the opening 52a of the base 52, and a hinge portion 54 that rotatably connects the outer cover 53 to the base 52. The outer cover 53 opens and closes relative to the base 52 as it rotates around the hinge portion 54. The hinge portion 54 is provided at the rear of the base 52 so that the outer cover 53 opens backward.

[0026] An insertion opening 40 is provided inside the base 52, which serves as a space for the battery 14 to pass through when inserting or removing the battery 14 from the battery case 13. The insertion opening 40 is located above the battery case 13, along the direction in which the battery is inserted. When the outer cover 53 is opened, the inside of the storage space 25 of the battery case 13 can be accessed through the insertion opening 40, and the battery 14 can be stored in the storage space 25.

[0027] As shown in Figure 2, in this embodiment, the battery case 13 is mounted on the electric vehicle 1 adjacent to the front of the motor M. The battery case 13 is positioned between the front fork 5 and the motor M in the front-rear direction of the electric vehicle 1. In this embodiment, as will be described later, the battery case 13 is positioned at an angle.

[0028] In this embodiment, as described above, the battery case 13 is attached to the vehicle frame 4 with a rearward inclination as it moves upward from the lower end. Therefore, a space is created in front of the battery case 13 where objects can be placed. In this embodiment, the ECU 39 is placed in the space created in front of the battery case 13.

[0029] When the battery 14 is placed in the battery case 13, the outer cover 53 that covers the insertion opening 40 is opened. When the outer cover 53 is opened, the inside of the storage space 25 of the battery case 13 can be accessed from the outside. The battery 14 passes through the insertion opening 40 on the front-to-back inner side of the base 52, through the opening 21 of the battery case 13, and is placed in the storage space 25 of the battery case 13. Then, by closing the insertion opening 40 with the outer cover 53, the placement of the battery 14 into the battery case 13 is completed.

[0030] In this embodiment, of the two batteries 14, one battery is designated as the first battery 14a and the other as the second battery 14b. The first battery 14a has a first terminal 44. That is, of the terminals 32, the terminal of the first battery 14a is designated as the first terminal 44. In this embodiment, the first battery 14a has one positive output terminal 44p, one negative output terminal 44n, and a dummy terminal 44d. The second battery 14b has a similar structure.

[0031] At the output terminal 44 of the first battery 14a, one negative output terminal 44n and a dummy terminal 44d are arranged so as to be 180 degrees rotationally symmetrical with respect to the positive output terminal 44p, with the positive output terminal 44p in between. In this embodiment, when the one negative output terminal 44n is connected to the battery case connector, power from the battery 14 is supplied to the electric motor M. When the dummy terminal 44d is connected to the battery case connector, power from the battery 14 is not supplied to the electric motor M.

[0032] In other words, in the first battery 14a, the output terminal 44 of the first battery 14a, the connector 31 of the battery case 13, and the power lines are configured such that power from the first battery 14a can be supplied to the electric motor M via the positive output terminal 44p and the negative output terminal 44n, regardless of the orientation in which the first battery 14a is inserted into the battery case 13. Similarly, in the second battery 14b, the output terminal 45 of the first battery 14a, the negative output terminal 45, and the dummy terminal 45d are arranged so as to be 180 degrees rotationally symmetrical with respect to the positive output terminal 45p, with respect to the positive output terminal 45p. The negative output terminal 45n and dummy terminal 45d are arranged 180 degrees rotationally symmetrically with respect to the positive output terminal 45p, and the terminals 45 as a whole are arranged rotationally symmetrically. This configuration of the output terminal 45 of the second battery 14b, the connector 31 and the power line allows power from the output terminal 45 of the second battery 14b to be supplied to the electric motor M via the positive output terminal 45p and the negative output terminal 45n, regardless of the orientation in which the second battery 14b is inserted into the battery case 13.

[0033] Inside the battery case 13, a connector 46 is provided to correspond to terminal 44 of the first battery 14a, and a connector 47 is provided to correspond to terminal 45 of the second battery 14b. That is, of the connectors 31, the connector corresponding to terminal 44 of the first battery 14a is designated as connector 46, and the connector corresponding to terminal 45 of the second battery 14b is designated as connector 47. In the connector 46 corresponding to terminal 44 of the first battery 14a, the connector 46p (positive connector) connected to the positive output terminal 44p is positioned in the middle in the front-to-back direction, and the connector 46n1 (negative connector) connected to the negative output terminal 44n and the connector 46n2 connected to the dummy terminal 44d are arranged 180 degrees symmetrically, flanking the connector 46p connected to the positive output terminal 44p. Similarly, in the connector 47 corresponding to the second battery 14b, the connector 47p (positive connector) connected to the positive output terminal 45p is positioned in the middle in the front-to-back direction, while the connector 47n1 (negative connector) connected to the negative output terminal 45n and the connector 47n2 connected to the dummy terminal 45d are arranged symmetrically, with the connector connected to the positive output terminal 45p in between.

[0034] The connector 46n2 connected to the dummy terminal 44d when the first battery 14a is in the positive position is connected to the negative output terminal 44n when the first battery 14a is reversed, and functions as a negative connector. The connector 47n2 connected to the dummy terminal 45d when the second battery 14b is in the positive position is connected to the negative output terminal 45n when the second battery 14b is reversed, and functions as a negative connector. Therefore, even if the orientation of the first battery 14a or the second battery 14b changes, the positive output terminal and the negative output terminal are connected to the positive and negative connectors of the battery case 13, and power from the battery 14 can be supplied to the electric motor M. Therefore, the user can store the battery 14 in the storage space 25 of the battery case 13 without worrying about its orientation, resulting in a user-friendly battery 14 and battery case 13.

[0035] In this embodiment, the positive output terminal 44p is located at the center of the surface s1 on which the terminals 44 of the first battery 14a are located. As a result, the overall arrangement of the terminals 44 is 180 degrees rotationally symmetrical with respect to the positive output terminal 44p, and the terminals 44 as a whole are arranged in a rotationally symmetrical manner. Therefore, even if the first battery 14a changes orientation inside the storage space 25 of the battery case 13, the terminals 44 will still be connected to the connector 46 of the battery case 13. Thus, the first battery 14a can supply power to the electric motor M. Similarly, for the second battery 14b, the positive output terminal 45p is located at the center of the surface s2 on which the output terminal 45 of the second battery 14b is located. As a result, the overall arrangement of the terminals 45 is 180 degrees rotationally symmetrical with respect to the positive output terminal 45p, and the terminals 45 as a whole are arranged in a rotationally symmetrical manner. Therefore, even if the orientation of the second battery 14b is changed inside the storage space 25 of the battery case 13, the terminals 45 will still be connected to the connector 47 of the battery case 13. Thus, the second battery 14b can supply power to the electric motor M.

[0036] Next, the connection circuit of the adjacent area 33 of the battery case 13 will be described. Figure 4 shows a perspective view from below of the connection circuit 57 in the battery case 13 with the lid removed. In Figure 4, the battery case 13 is shown with the lid removed. Also in Figure 4, the terminal block cover, which will be described later, has been removed.

[0037] A connection circuit 57 is provided on the inner bottom wall 28 of the battery case 13. The inner bottom wall 28 also includes a terminal block 64. The terminal block 64 protrudes toward the lower outer bottom wall 48 in the adjacent region 33. The terminal block 64 has a base 65 and a case 66 that covers the base 65 from below. As described above, in Figure 4, the case 66 has been removed from the base 65.

[0038] Adjacent area connectors 58 and 59 are provided on the inner bottom surface 28 of the battery case 13. Adjacent area connectors 58 and 59 guide the power received from the positive output terminals 44p and 45p of the first battery 14a and the second battery 14b via connectors 46 and 47 on the storage space 25 side to the power lines of the connection circuit 57 inside the adjacent space 33. Adjacent area connectors 58 and 59 also guide the current that has passed from the motor M through the power lines of the connection circuit 57 inside the adjacent space 33 to the negative output terminals 44n and 45n. Adjacent area connector 58 is for supplying power from the first battery 14a to the power lines of the connection circuit 57 via the positive output terminal 44p, and for guiding the current from the motor M to the first battery 14a via the negative output terminal 44n. The adjacent region connector 59 supplies power from the second battery 14b to the power line of the connection circuit 57 via the positive output terminal 45p, and guides current from the motor M to the second battery 14b via the negative output terminal 45n.

[0039] Connector 31 is the part located inside the battery storage space 25 of the battery case 13. In other words, connector 31 is the part located above the inner bottom wall 28. Adjacent area connectors 58 and 59 are the parts located inside the adjacent area 33. In other words, adjacent area connectors 58 and 59 are the parts located below the inner bottom wall 28. In this embodiment, power lines 96 are provided between connector 31 and adjacent area connector 58, and between connector 31 and adjacent area connector 59. The inner bottom wall 28 is provided with a connector mounting hole 28a that penetrates the inner bottom wall 28 in the vertical direction (Figure 2), and the power lines 96 are arranged inside the connector mounting hole 28a. Current is exchanged between connector 31 and adjacent area connectors 58 and 59 via the power lines 96 inside the connector mounting hole 28a. In this embodiment, connector 46 includes three cylindrical pins, connectors 46p, 46n1, and 46n2, and connector 47 includes three cylindrical pins, connectors 47p, 47n1, and 47n2. In this embodiment, the portion provided inside the storage space 25 of the battery case 13 is referred to as connector 31. Furthermore, the portions provided inside the adjacent region 33, including three connection parts 61 and three connection parts 63, are referred to as adjacent region connector 58 and adjacent region connector 59.

[0040] As shown in Figure 4, the adjacent region connector 58 has a main body 60 and three connection parts 61. The three connection parts 61 include a connection part 61p that supplies power from the positive output terminal 44p of the first battery 14a to the power line, a connection part 61n1 that transmits current from the motor M to the battery 14a via the negative output terminal 44n where the first battery 14a is in the positive position, and a connection part 61n2 that transmits current from the motor M toward the battery 14a via the negative output terminal 44n where the first battery 14a is in the reverse position. The adjacent region connector 59 also has a main body 62 and three connection parts 63. The three connection points 63 include a connection point 63p that supplies power from the positive output terminal 45p of the second battery 14b to the power line, a connection point 63n1 that transmits current from the motor M to the battery 14b via the negative output terminal 45n where the second battery 14b is in the positive position, and a connection point 63n2 that transmits current from the motor M to the battery 14b via the negative output terminal 45n where the second battery 14b is in the reverse position.

[0041] Power lines 66 and 67 extend from connection parts 61 and 63 toward terminal block 64. There are three power lines 66 from connection part 61, corresponding to the output terminal 44 of the first battery 14a. The three power lines 66 include power line 66p which carries power from the positive output terminal 44p of the first battery 14a, power line 66n1 which transmits current from the motor M toward the first battery 14a via the negative output terminal 44n when the first battery 14a is in the positive position, and power line 66n2 which transmits current from the motor M toward the first battery 14a via the negative output terminal 44n when the first battery 14a is in the reverse position. There are also three power lines 67 from connection part 63, corresponding to the output terminal 45 of the second battery 14b. The three power lines 67 include power line 67p which carries power from the positive output terminal 45p of the second battery 14b, power line 67n1 which transmits current from the motor M to the second battery 14b via the negative output terminal 45n where the second battery 14b is in the positive position, and power line 67n2 which transmits current to the second battery 14b via the negative output terminal 45n where the second battery 14b is in the reverse position.

[0042] The terminal block 64 is provided with power lines that guide power supplied from power lines 66 and 67 to the electric motor M. The terminal block 64 is provided with three connection parts 68 corresponding to the three power lines 66. The three connection parts 68 include a connection part 68p that receives power from the positive output terminal 44p of the first battery 14a at the terminal block 64, a connection part 68n1 that transmits current from the motor M to the first battery 14a via the negative output terminal 44n when the first battery 14a is in the positive position, and a connection part 68n2 that transmits current from the motor M to the first battery 14a via the negative output terminal 44n2 when the first battery 14a is in the reverse position. The terminal block 64 is also provided with three connection parts 69 corresponding to the three power lines 67. The three connection points 69 include a connection point 69p that receives power from the positive output terminal 45p of the second battery 14b at the terminal block 64, a connection point 69n1 that transmits current from the motor M to the second battery 14b via the negative output terminal 45n where the second battery 14b is in the positive position, and a connection point 69n2 that transmits current from the motor M to the second battery 14b via the negative output terminal 45n2 where the second battery 14b is in the reverse position.

[0043] The terminal block 64 is provided with power lines 70, 71, 72, 74, 75, 76, 79, 80, 82, and 83 that conduct the power exchanged at connection points 68 and 69. Power received at connection point 68p of connection point 68 flows through power line 70, which extends from connection point 68p toward the inner bottom wall 28 and then bends toward the center in the width direction. Power received at connection point 69p of connection point 69 flows through power line 74, which extends from connection point 69p toward the inner bottom wall 28 and then bends toward the center in the width direction.

[0044] The power line 70 from connection point 68p is a power line (first positive power line) that leads power from the positive output terminal 44p of the first battery 14a, and the power line 74 from connection point 69p is a power line (second positive power line) that leads power from the positive output terminal 45p of the second battery 14b, so they are connected to each other and supplied to the electric motor M. In this embodiment, the power line 70 and the power line 74 are connected to each other at connection point 78.

[0045] The power line 70 from connection part 68p is a power line that leads power from the positive output terminal 44p of the first battery 14a, and the power line 74 from connection part 69p is a power line that leads power from the positive output terminal 45p of the second battery 14b, so they are connected to each other and power is supplied to the electric motor M. In this embodiment, the power line 70 and the power line 74 are connected to each other at connection part 78. After the power line 70 and the power line 74 are connected at connection part 78, the current is led to the electric motor M by the power line 82 that extends to the rear. In this embodiment, the power line 82 protrudes from the rear part 33a of the adjacent region 33 to the rear of the adjacent region 33.

[0046] On the other hand, the power line that conducts the current returning from the electric motor M to the negative output terminal 44n of the battery 14a enters the interior of the adjacent region 33 from the rear part 33a of the adjacent region 33. The power line 82 that enters the interior of the adjacent region 33 branches into power line 79 and power line 80 at the connection part 81. In other words, power line 79 and power line 80 are connected to each other at the connection part 81. In this embodiment, power line 79 (first negative power line) that leads power toward the negative output terminal 44n of the first battery 14a and power line 80 (second negative power line) that leads power toward the negative output terminal 45n of the second battery 14b extend outward in the width direction from the connection part 81 in the center in the width direction.

[0047] The power line 79 bends at its outer end in the width direction on the terminal block 64 so that the current flows backward in the front-to-back direction, and branches when it reaches the connection portion 73. In this embodiment, the power line 79 branches at the connection portion 73 into a power line 71 that flows inward in the width direction and a power line 72 that flows backward in the front-to-back direction. Power line 71 flows toward connection portion 68n1. Power line 72 flows toward connection portion 68n2. Power lines 71 and 72 are connected to each other because they are power lines that go toward the negative output terminal 44n of the first battery 14a. When the first battery 14a is in the positive position, power line 72 is used to supply power toward the negative output terminal 44n when the first battery 14a is in the positive position. When the first battery 14a is in the reversed position, power line 71 is used to supply power toward the negative output terminal 44n when the first battery 14a is in the reversed position. In this embodiment, power line 71 and power line 72 are connected at a connection portion 73 on terminal block 64.

[0048] The current directed towards connection 68n1 flows through power line 66n1 to connection 61n1 and then to the first battery 14a via the negative output terminal 44n when the first battery 14a is in the positive position. The current directed towards connection 68n2 flows through power line 66n2 to connection 61n2 and then to the first battery 14a via the negative output terminal 44n when the first battery 14a is in the reverse position.

[0049] The power line 80 bends at its outer end in the width direction on the terminal block 64 so that the current flows backward in the front-to-back direction, and branches when it reaches the connection portion 77. In this embodiment, the power line 80 branches at the connection portion 77 into a power line 75 that flows inward in the width direction and a power line 76 that flows backward in the front-to-back direction. Power line 75 flows toward connection portion 69n1. Power line 76 flows toward connection portion 69n2. Power lines 75 and 76 are connected to each other because they are power lines that go toward the negative output terminal 45n of the second battery 14b. When the second battery 14b is in the positive position, power line 76 is used to supply power toward the negative output terminal 45n when the second battery 14b is in the positive position. When the second battery 14b is in the reversed position, power line 75 is used to supply power toward the negative output terminal 45n when the second battery 14b is in the reversed position. In this embodiment, power line 75 and power line 76 are connected at a connection portion 77 on terminal block 64.

[0050] The current directed towards connection 69n1 flows through power line 67n1 to connection 63n1 and then to the second battery 14b via the negative output terminal 45n when the second battery 14b is in the positive position. The current directed towards connection 69n2 flows through power line 67n2 to connection 63n2 and then to the second battery 14b via the negative output terminal 45n when the second battery 14b is in the reverse position.

[0051] Figure 5 shows a perspective view from below of the connection circuit 57 with the battery case cover removed and the cover 84 attached to the terminal block 64. In this embodiment, a base 65 is provided on the inner bottom wall 28, and the cover 84 is attached to the base 65 so as to cover the base 65.

[0052] In this embodiment, a cover 84 is attached to the base 65 of the terminal block 64, thereby forming a wall 86 around the power line terminal 85 at each of the connection portions 68. In this embodiment, the wall 86 includes, corresponding to the three connection portions 68, a wall 86p surrounding the power line terminal 85p around connection portion 68p, a wall 86n surrounding the power line terminal 85n around connection portion 68n, and a wall 86n2 surrounding the power line terminal 85n2 around connection portion 68n2. Furthermore, by attaching the cover 84 to the base 65 of the terminal block 64, a wall 88 is formed around the power line terminal 89 at each of the connection portions 69. In this embodiment, the wall 88 includes, corresponding to the three connection parts 69, a wall 88p surrounding the power line terminal 89p around the connection part 69p, a wall 88n surrounding the power line terminal 89n around the connection part 69n, and a wall 88n2 surrounding the power line terminal 89n2 around the connection part 69n2.

[0053] A cover 84 is attached to the base 65 of the terminal block 64, and a wall 86 is formed around the terminal 85 of the power line 66 at each of the connection parts 68. Therefore, the amount of rotation of the power line 66 can be restricted by the wall 86 at the connection part 68. In this embodiment, each of the power lines 66 is connected to the connection part 68 in such a way that it allows relative rotational movement. If the power line 66 could rotate freely relative to the connection part 68, repeated large rotational movements could cause the connection of the power line 66 at the connection part 68 to become detached. In this embodiment, since a cover 84 is attached to the base 65 of the terminal block 64, the amount of rotation of the power line 66 can be restricted by the wall 86 at the connection part 68. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the power line 66 from becoming detached from the connection part 68.

[0054] Similarly, a cover 84 is attached to the base 65 of the terminal block 64, and a wall 88 is formed around the terminal 89 of the power line 67 at each of the connection parts 69, so that the amount of rotation of the power line 67 can be restricted by the wall 88 at the connection part 69. In this embodiment, each of the power lines 67 is connected to the connection part 69 in such a way that it allows relative rotational movement. In this embodiment, since a cover 84 is attached to the base 65 of the terminal block 64, the amount of rotation of the power line 67 can be restricted by the wall 88 at the connection part 69. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the power line 67 from coming off the connection part 69.

[0055] In this embodiment, the connection circuit 57 includes fuses 90 and 91 connected to power lines 79 and 80 in the adjacent region 33. In this embodiment, fuses 90 and 91 are directly connected to power lines 79 and 80, and the current passing through power lines 79 and 80 passes through fuses 90 and 91. In this embodiment, at the connection portion 81, power line 82 branches into power line 79 and power line 80, with fuse 90 installed on power line 79 and fuse 91 installed on power line 80. Since fuses 90 and 91 are provided on power lines 79 and 80, the electric motor M and other electrical components can be reliably protected by fuses 90 and 91.

[0056] In this embodiment, a configuration in which fuses 90 and 91 are used as electrical components arranged in the adjacent region 33 has been described, but the embodiment is not limited to the above. Other electrical components besides fuses may be arranged inside the adjacent region 33. For example, electrical components such as relays and current sensors may be arranged inside the adjacent region 33. In this case, the electrical components may be connected to the power line either directly or indirectly.

[0057] In this embodiment, fuses 90 and 91 are positioned within the adjacent region 33, in front of connectors 58 and 59. That is, fuses 90 and 91 are positioned in front of the output terminals 44 and 45 of the battery 14 and connectors 46 and 47 of the battery case 13. In this embodiment, the battery case 13 is inclined with respect to the vertical direction such that the opening 21 of the battery case 13 faces diagonally upward and backward. Consequently, the adjacent region 33 is also inclined so that its rear portion faces downward. In this inclined adjacent region 33, since fuses 90 and 91 are positioned in a forward position, fuses 90 and 91 are positioned higher. Therefore, for example, when a maintenance worker performs maintenance on the electric vehicle 1, the worker does not need to crawl into a lower position, making the electric vehicle 1 easier for the worker to work on. Consequently, the maintainability of fuses 90 and 91 can be improved. For example, when replacing fuses 90 and 91, the replacement work can be easily performed with the battery case 13 attached to the electric vehicle 1.

[0058] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the terminal block 64 is positioned in a forward area within the adjacent area 33, relative to the connection point between the connector 31 and the first terminal 44 or the second terminal 45. Also, the battery case 13 is inclined downwards as it approaches the rear. Therefore, the terminal block 64 is positioned in an upper position within the adjacent area 33. Because the terminal block 64 is positioned in an upper position, even if water enters the adjacent area 33, it is possible to prevent water from entering the terminal block 64. In addition, since the fuses 90 and 91 are also provided on the terminal block 64, even if water enters the adjacent area 33, it is possible to prevent water from entering the fuses 90 and 91.

[0059] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a terminal block 64 is provided, and power lines including connection portions 78 and 81 are arranged on the upper surface of the terminal block 64. As a result, a step is formed by the terminal block 64, and the height differs between the portion where the connection portions 61 and 63 are located and the portion on the terminal block 64 where the power lines are arranged. Because the heights differ between the portion where the connection portions 61 and 63 are located and the portion on the terminal block 64 where the power lines are arranged, the power line 66 between connection portion 61 and connection portion 68 and the power line 67 between connection portion 63 and connection portion 69 can be made to intersect at different heights. This prevents the power line 66 and the power line 67 from interfering with each other.

[0060] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the front connection portion 68 and the rear connection portion 61 in the front-to-rear direction are located on opposite sides of the power line 66 in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, the distance in the front-to-rear direction between the front connection portion 68 and the rear connection portion 61 on either side of the power line 66 can be shortened while increasing the radius of curvature of the power line 66, thereby making the curve of the power line 66 gentler. Similarly, the front connection portion 69 and the rear connection portion 63 in the front-to-rear direction are located on opposite sides of the vehicle width direction on either side of the power line 67. Therefore, the distance in the front-to-rear direction between the front connection portion 69 and the rear connection portion 63 on either side of the power line 67 can be shortened while increasing the radius of curvature of the power line 67, thereby making the curve of the power line 67 gentler. Since the curves of the power lines 66 and 67 can be made gentler within the adjacent region 33, the load on the power lines 66 and 67 can be kept to a minimum.

[0061] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, in connection section 61, the power line 66 is positioned so as to be approximately parallel to the inner bottom wall 28 within the adjacent region 33. In other words, the power line 66 is positioned within the adjacent region 33 such that the angle between the power line 66 and the inner bottom wall 28 is small. In contrast, in connection section 63, the power line 67 is positioned so that the angle at which it intersects the inner bottom wall 28 is large. Also, in the width direction, the positional relationship between connection sections 61 and 63 and connection sections 68 and 69, to which the power lines 66 and 67 are connected on the terminal block 64, is reversed. Therefore, the power line 66 and power line 67 are configured to easily intersect within the adjacent region 33. Because the power line 66 and power line 67 intersect within the adjacent region 33, the power lines 66 and 67 are compactly housed within the adjacent region 33. Therefore, the volume occupied by the power lines 66 and 67 within the adjacent region 33 can be reduced, and the adjacent region 33 can be made smaller as a result. Consequently, the battery case 13 can be made smaller and lighter.

[0062] Furthermore, a power line 92 is connected to connector 58 for exchanging electrical signals to control the power supply to the first battery 14a. In this embodiment, the power line 92 extends backward from connector 58. Also, a power line 93 is connected to connector 59 for exchanging electrical signals to control the power supply to the second battery 14b. In this embodiment, the power line 93 extends backward from connector 59.

[0063] Figure 6 shows a partial cross-sectional view of a portion of the area surrounding the connection circuit 57, with the cover 36 attached to the battery case 13. As shown in Figure 6, the cover 36 is fastened to the battery case 13 by bolts 37. Therefore, the cover 36 can be removed from the battery case 13 by removing the bolts 37, and the cover 36 is configured to be detachable from the battery case 13. In this embodiment, the cover 36 is attached to the battery case 13 so as to cover the connection circuit 57 from below, so the inner surface of the cover 36 constitutes the bottom surface of the adjacent area 33. Also, in this embodiment, as described above, the cover 36 is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane, and the cover 36 is inclined so that the rear portion of the cover 36 points downwards. Furthermore, a drain hole 94 is formed at the rearmost position of the cover 36. Therefore, a drain hole 94 is formed at the lowest position of the cover 36.

[0064] According to this embodiment, in the connection circuit 57, connection portions 78 and 81 are formed where power lines are connected to each other, which reduces the volume occupied by the power lines compared to the case where power is supplied to the electric motor without the power lines being connected to each other. Furthermore, the connection portions 78 and 81 are located inside the adjacent area 33 adjacent to the storage space 25 of the battery case 13. As a result, the connection portions 78 and 81 are located close to the connectors 46 and 47 of the storage space 25, which shortens the length of the power lines and further reduces the volume occupied by the power lines compared to the case where the connection portions are far from the battery case 13.

[0065] In this embodiment, two batteries, a first battery 14a and a second battery 14b, are mounted in the battery case 13. A power line leading from the positive output terminal 44p of the first battery 14a is connected to a power line leading from the positive output terminal 45p of the second battery 14b. Additionally, a power line leading to the negative output terminal 44n of the first battery 14a is connected to a power line leading to the negative output terminal 45n of the second battery 14b. In this case, connection portions 78 and 81 of the power lines are created on both the positive and negative sides. In this embodiment, since the connection portions 78 and 81 of the power lines are located inside an adjacent area 33 adjacent to the storage space 25 of the battery case 13, the length of the power line between the connection point between the first terminal 44 of the first battery 14a and the connector 31, or the connection point between the second terminal 45 of the second battery 14b and the connector 31, and the connection portions 78 and 81 can be shortened. Therefore, the volume occupied by the power lines can be reduced compared to the case where the power line connection is located away from the storage space 25.

[0066] In this embodiment, the power lines 70, 71, 72, 74, 75, 76, 79, 80, 82, and 83 attached to the terminal block 64 are all composed of busbars. Therefore, within the adjacent region 33, in the portion closer to the electric motor M than the connection portions 78 and 81, the power lines are composed of busbars.

[0067] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the angle between the power line 66 and the inner bottom wall 28 at connection part 61 and the angle between the power line 67 and the inner bottom wall 28 at connection part 63 are changed, and the connection circuit 57 is configured such that the positional relationship between connection parts 61, 63 and connection parts 68, 69 is reversed in the width direction. As a result, the power line 66 and power line 67 are configured to easily intersect within the adjacent region 33. Since the power line 66 and power line 67 intersect within the adjacent region 33, the distance between the connection parts 78, 81 of the power lines and the connectors 58, 59 can be shortened. As a result, the volume occupied by the power line can be reduced, thereby miniaturizing the volume of the adjacent region 33, and the power line can be shortened. Since the power line is shortened, the resistance of the power line can be reduced, and power consumption can be reduced. In addition, the amount of heat generated from the power line can be kept to a minimum.

[0068] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the cover 36 covers the adjacent area 33. This enhances the protective effect on the connection parts 78 and 81 of the current lines located in the adjacent area 33. This protects electrical components located in the adjacent area 33, such as the connection parts 78 and 81 of the current lines, from flying debris during driving and objects colliding in the event of a rollover. In addition, the cover 36 is detachable from the battery case 13. This improves the ease of work when replacing parts inside the adjacent area 33. For example, it improves the ease of work when replacing fuses 90 and 91 inside the adjacent area 33.

[0069] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, electrical components are housed in the adjacent region 33. These electrical components include, for example, relays and current sensors. Such electrical components are provided at a distance from the outer bottom wall 48, which is the lower wall among the walls that make up the lid 36 and inner bottom wall 28 that define the adjacent region 33. Specifically, the electrical components are provided on the walls of the adjacent region 33 other than the lower outer bottom wall 48. In this embodiment, they are provided on the lower surface of the inner bottom wall 28, which is the upper wall of the adjacent region 33. This prevents the electrical components from being submerged in water that remains on the bottom surface of the adjacent region 33, even if water enters the adjacent region 33.

[0070] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the bottom surface 48a of the outer bottom wall 48, which is the lower wall among the walls defining the adjacent area 33, extends at an inclination with respect to the horizontal plane, so that water that enters the adjacent area 33 flows downward along the bottom surface of the adjacent area 33. In addition, in this embodiment, the drain hole 94 is formed at the lower part of the outer bottom wall 48, which is the lower wall. Therefore, water that enters the adjacent area 33 flows downward along the bottom surface 48a of the outer bottom wall 48, which is the lower wall, and the discharge of water to the outside of the adjacent area 33 is promoted. Thus, it is possible to prevent electrical components placed in the adjacent area 33 from being submerged in water.

[0071] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the power line connection portions 78 and 81 are located above other components arranged in the adjacent region 33. Other components include, for example, connection points 97 and 98 within the adjacent region 33 where the portion of the power lines 82 and 83 composed of busbars is connected to the portion composed of a harness in which copper wires are covered with resin. In this embodiment, the power line connection portions 78 and 81 are located in front of the connection points 97 and 98 between the portion of the power lines 82 and 83 composed of busbars and the portion composed of harnesses. Therefore, the connection portions 78 and 81 are located above the connection points 97 and 98 in the vertical direction. Other components include the lower end portion of the contents housed inside the adjacent region 33, which is located at the lower end in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the rear portion 33a of the adjacent region 33 is located at the rearmost position. Therefore, in this embodiment, the rear portion 33a of the adjacent region 33 is located at the lower end in the vertical direction within the adjacent region 33. In this embodiment, the power line connection portions 78 and 81 are positioned in front of the rear portion 33a of the adjacent region 33. Therefore, the power line connection portions 78 and 81 are positioned above the lower end portion of the contents housed inside the adjacent region 33, which is located at the lower end in the vertical direction. In addition, there is a central portion of the contents housed inside the adjacent region 33, which is located at the center of the adjacent region 33 in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the central portion 101 is defined as the vertical center portion of the contents housed inside the adjacent region 33, which is the lower end of the adjacent region 33 in the vertical direction, and the portion 100 located in front of the terminal block 64, which is the upper end of the adjacent region 33 in the vertical direction (Figure 2). In this embodiment, the power line connection portions 78 and 81 are positioned above the central portion 101. Another component is the lower end position 99, which is the lowest part of the power lines 66 and 67 extending from the adjacent area connector 58 and adjacent area connector 59. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, the power lines 66 and 67 initially protrude downward from the adjacent area connector 58 and adjacent area connector 59.The lowest part of the power lines 66 and 67 extending from the adjacent area connectors 58 and 59 is defined as the lower end position 99. The power line connection portions 78 and 81 are positioned above the lower end position 99, which is located at the lower end of the power lines 66 and 67 extending from the adjacent area connectors 58 and 59. As described above, the power line connection portions 78 and 81 are positioned above the area in the adjacent area 33 where other components are located. This further prevents water from coming into contact with the power line connection portions.

[0072] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the connection circuit 57 is housed inside the adjacent region 33, and the power lines are positioned above the lid 36 with a gap between them. In this way, the power lines are positioned at a location above the bottom of the adjacent region 33. Therefore, it is possible to further reduce the amount of water that comes into contact with the power lines.

[0073] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, since the power lines 82 and 83 protrude from the rear of the adjacent region 33 to the rear of the adjacent region 33, compared to the case where the power lines protrude from the front of the adjacent region 33, it is possible to prevent rainwater moving from front to rear during driving from entering the interior of the adjacent region 33 through the insertion holes of the power lines protruding from the adjacent region 33.

[0074] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the power line connection portions 78 and 81 are the parts where the positive power lines corresponding to multiple batteries are connected to each other, or the parts where the negative power lines corresponding to multiple batteries are connected to each other. Therefore, the connection portions between the positive power lines or the connection portions between the negative power lines due to the presence of multiple batteries can be placed in a position close to the connectors 46 and 47. Consequently, the battery case 13 can be made smaller.

[0075] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, since electrical components such as fuses, relays, or current sensors are arranged inside the adjacent region 33, the electrical components can be placed closer to the connection points, making wiring work easier compared to when the electrical components are placed away from the battery case 13.

[0076] In the above embodiment, the connection portion in the power line was described as a configuration in which the connection portion 78, 81 is created by mounting multiple batteries in the battery case 13, but the embodiment is not limited to the above. For example, even when only one battery is mounted, the connection portion may be a connection portion that connects power lines from multiple output terminals of the same pole in order to ensure conductivity to the electric motor M even if the orientation of the battery 14 is changed inside the battery case 13.

[0077] In this embodiment, regardless of whether the first battery 14a is mounted in the correct or reversed position, the negative output terminal 44n of the first battery 14a is connected to the connector 46 to supply power, while the dummy terminal 44d is not connected to the connector 46 and does not supply power from the first battery 14a. Power lines 71 and 72 are connected to each other at the connection portion 73 so that the connection circuit 57 is configured in this way. Also, power lines 75 and 76 are connected to each other at the connection portion 77.

[0078] In the connection circuit 57, a power line 71 that leads power to the negative output terminal 44n when the first battery 14a is in the positive position, and a power line 72 that leads power to the negative output terminal 44n when the first battery 14a is in the reverse position, are connected to each other at the connection portion 73. Also, a power line 75 that leads power to the negative output terminal 45n when the second battery 14b is in the positive position, and a power line 76 that leads power to the negative output terminal 45n when the second battery 14b is in the reverse position, are connected to each other at the connection portion 77. In other words, the power line connected to the negative output terminal 44n and the power line connected to the dummy terminal 44d are connected to each other at the connection portion 73 of the connection circuit 57. Also, the power line connected to the negative output terminal 45n and the power line connected to the dummy terminal 45d are connected at the connection portions 73 and 77 of the connection circuit 57. Since the power line connection parts 73 and 77 are located inside the adjacent area 33 adjacent to the storage space 25 of the battery case 13, the volume occupied by the power line can be reduced compared to when the power line connection parts are located at a distance from the storage space 25. In this case, the connection parts of the power line are referred to as connection parts 73 and 77.

[0079] Furthermore, the connection points may be in a form where power lines are connected to each other due to other reasons. In other words, the connection points may be connection points for power lines due to the installation of multiple batteries, or connection points for power lines that allow conductivity even if the orientation of the batteries is changed, or other reasons. As long as the connection points where power lines are connected to each other are located inside adjacent areas, the connection points may be of any kind.

[0080] In the above embodiment, the adjacent area 33 was described in a configuration where it is located below the storage space 25. However, the embodiment is not limited to the above. The adjacent area does not have to be located below the storage space. For example, the adjacent area may be located behind the storage space, on the side of the storage space in the vehicle width direction, or in front of the storage space. In this way, the adjacent area only needs to be formed adjacent to the storage space.

[0081] Furthermore, in the above embodiments, the electric vehicle 1 was described as an electric vehicle driven solely by an electric motor M. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. The vehicle to which the present invention is applied may also be a hybrid vehicle in which the drive wheels are driven by both an engine and a motor. The present invention is also applicable to electric bicycles and electric assist bicycles.

[0082] Furthermore, although the above embodiment describes a configuration in which the battery storage space 25 is located between the front wheel 2 and the motor M in the front-rear direction of the electric vehicle 1, the embodiment is not limited to the above. For example, the storage space may be located above the motor. It may also be located below the seat where the rider sits, or behind the seat.

[0083] Furthermore, although the above embodiment describes a configuration in which the battery case 13 is mounted on the electric vehicle 1 with an inclination that slopes downward as it approaches the rear, the embodiment is not limited to the above. The battery case may be mounted on the electric vehicle with an inclination that slopes upward as it approaches the rear. Alternatively, the battery case may be mounted on the electric vehicle without any inclination. The battery case may also be mounted on the electric vehicle such that the bottom surface of the adjacent space extends horizontally without any inclination.

[0084] Furthermore, although a configuration in which the lid 36 and battery case 13 are attached to the electric vehicle 1 and are inclined such that the bottom surface of the adjacent space 33 slopes downward as it moves towards the rear has been described, the embodiment is not limited to the above. For example, the bottom surface of the adjacent space may be configured to slope downward as it moves towards one side in the vehicle width direction. Alternatively, the bottom surface of the adjacent space may be inclined downward as it moves towards one side in the front-rear direction and one side in the vehicle width direction. Also, for example, if the electric vehicle 1 is provided with a side stand, the adjacent space 33 may be configured to slope downward as it moves towards the side where the side stand is provided in the vehicle width direction when the electric vehicle 1 is self-supporting by the side stand. In this case, the drain hole may be positioned biased toward the side where the side stand is provided in the vehicle width direction. Furthermore, although a configuration in which the battery case 13 and lid 36 are configured to slope downward by the same amount as they move towards the rear has been described, the embodiment is not limited to the above. The battery case 13 and lid 36 may be configured such that the inclination of the battery case 13 and the inclination of the lid 36 are different. In other words, the battery case 13 and lid 36 may be configured such that the slope of the bottom surface of the storage space 25 is different from the slope of the bottom surface of the adjacent space 33. For example, the battery case 13 and lid 36 may be configured such that the bottom surface of the storage space 25 is horizontal, and only the bottom surface of the adjacent space 33 is sloped.

[0085] Furthermore, although the above embodiment describes a configuration in which the terminals of the battery 14 are configured as recesses and the connector 31 of the battery case 13 is configured as a pin, the embodiment is not limited to the above. The relationship between recesses and convexities may be reversed. That is, the terminals of the battery 14 may be configured as convexities and the connector 31 of the battery case 13 may be configured as recesses.

[0086] Furthermore, although the above embodiment describes a configuration in which the power line is used to supply power from the battery 14 to electrical components including the motor M, the embodiment is not limited to the above. In addition to being used to supply power from the battery to electrical components including the motor, the power line may also be used to supply power from a charger to the battery.

[0087] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the negative output terminal and dummy terminal are arranged symmetrically around the positive output terminal, and the terminals are arranged so that the entire set of terminals is rotationally symmetrical, but the embodiment is not limited to the above embodiment. The terminal placed in the center may be the negative output terminal. In that case, the negative output terminal and dummy terminal may be arranged symmetrically around the negative output terminal, and the terminals may be arranged so that the entire set of terminals is rotationally symmetrical.

[0088] In the above embodiment, a configuration was described in which the adjacent area adjacent to the storage space is provided below the battery case, but the embodiment is not limited to the above. For example, the adjacent area may be provided in front of or behind the battery case, or on the side of the battery case.

[0089] Furthermore, although the above embodiment describes a configuration in which two batteries are mounted in a battery case, the embodiment is not limited to the above. There may be more than two batteries. There may be three or more batteries mounted in the battery case. In that case, the connection circuit may have as many connection points as there are batteries. Also, the number of batteries and the number of connection points do not have to be the same. Power lines may be connected only between the power lines of some of the batteries. In addition, there may be only one battery if there are multiple positive or negative output terminals, and multiple power lines extending from the positive or negative output terminals, thereby creating connection points in the circuit, so that the battery can be mounted in a different orientation.

[0090] Furthermore, although the above embodiment describes a configuration in which the battery has one positive output terminal and two negative output terminals so that it can be mounted even if its orientation is changed within the battery case, the embodiment is not limited to the above. The battery may have one negative output terminal and two positive output terminals. Also, in the battery, the positive output terminals and negative output terminals may have other configurations as long as the positional relationship between them is symmetrical. For example, there may be a configuration in which two negative output terminals are arranged on both sides of two positive output terminals.

[0091] As described above, the embodiments have been explained as examples of the technology disclosed in this application. However, the technology in this disclosure is not limited thereto and can be applied to embodiments that have been modified, replaced, added, or omitted as appropriate. Furthermore, it is possible to combine the components described in the embodiments to create new embodiments. For example, some components or methods in one embodiment may be applied to other embodiments, and some components in an embodiment can be separated from other components in that embodiment and extracted as appropriate. In addition, the components described in the attached drawings and detailed description include not only components that are essential for solving the problem, but also components that are not essential for solving the problem, in order to illustrate the technology.

[0092] Each of the following items is a disclosure of a preferred embodiment.

[0093] [Item 1] An electric motor that generates rotational power to drive the drive wheels, A battery case defining a battery storage space in which at least one battery is housed, The battery case is provided with a plurality of connectors that are housed in the battery storage space and electrically connected to each of the plurality of terminals of the battery, The system includes a power line that supplies power from the battery to the electric motor, The electric vehicle comprises a connection circuit having a connection portion to which each of the power lines extending from the plurality of connectors are connected, wherein the connection portion is located in an adjacent region adjacent to the connector.

[0094] [Item 2] The electric vehicle according to item 1, wherein the battery case further includes a cover that covers the adjacent area.

[0095] [Item 3] The electric vehicle according to item 1 or 2, wherein the electrical components housed in the adjacent area are provided at a distance from the lower wall of the wall defining the adjacent space.

[0096] [Item 4] The bottom surface of the lower wall defining the adjacent area is inclined downwards as it approaches the rear. An electric vehicle according to any one of items 1 to 3, wherein a drain hole is formed in the lower part of the cover.

[0097] [Item 5] The electric vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the connecting portion is located above other components housed in the adjacent region.

[0098] [Item 6] The power line has a protruding portion that extends from the adjacent region toward the electric motor, The electric vehicle according to any one of items 1 to 5, wherein the protruding portion protrudes from the rear of the adjacent region to the rear of the adjacent region.

[0099] [Item 7] The aforementioned at least one battery includes a first battery and a second battery, The plurality of connectors include a positive terminal connector and a negative terminal connector connected to the terminals of the first battery, and a positive terminal connector and a negative terminal connector connected to the terminals of the second battery, The plurality of power lines include a first positive power line that conducts to the positive output terminal of the first battery, a first negative power line that conducts to the negative output terminal of the first battery, a second positive power line that conducts to the positive output terminal of the second battery, and a second negative power line that conducts to the negative output terminal of the second battery. The electric vehicle according to any one of items 1 to 6, wherein the connection portion is such that the first positive power line and the second positive power line are connected, or the first negative power line and the second negative power line are connected.

[0100] [Item 8] The terminals include a positive output terminal, a negative output terminal, and a dummy terminal that does not contribute to power supply. Each of the batteries has at least one positive output terminal, one negative output terminal, and one dummy terminal. The battery and battery case are configured such that, with at least one of the positive output terminals and the negative output terminals sandwiching the other output terminal and at least one dummy terminal, the arrangement of the terminals is symmetrical across the entire set of terminals, so that power from the battery can be supplied to the electric motor via at least one of the positive output terminals and at least one of the negative output terminals, regardless of the orientation in which the battery is inserted into the battery case. An electric vehicle according to any one of items 1 to 7, wherein the power line connected to the other output terminal and the power line connected to the dummy terminal are connected at the connection portion of the connection circuit.

[0101] [Item 9] The electric vehicle according to any one of items 1 to 8, wherein the connection circuit includes electrical components located in the adjacent area and connected directly or indirectly to the power line. [Explanation of symbols]

[0102] 1. Electric Vehicle 13 Battery Case 14a Battery 1 14b Second Battery 25 Storage space 32 terminals 33 Adjacent Regions 36 Lid 46, 47 Connectors Terminals 44 and 45 44p, 45p positive output terminals 44n, 45n negative output terminals 44d, 45d dummy terminals 57 Connection Circuit 66, 67, 70, 71, 72, 74, 75, 76, 79, 80, 82, 83 Power lines 78, 81 Connection part 90, 91 Fuses (electrical components) 94 Drain holes M Electric motor

Claims

1. An electric motor that generates rotational power to drive the drive wheels, A battery case defining a battery storage space in which at least one battery is housed, The battery case is provided with a plurality of connectors that are housed in the battery storage space and electrically connected to each of the plurality of terminals of the battery, A power line that supplies power from the battery to the electric motor, An electric vehicle comprising: a connection circuit having a connection portion to which each of the power lines extending from the plurality of connectors are connected, wherein the connection portion is located outside the battery storage space in an adjacent area adjacent to the battery storage space, separated by a wall defining the battery storage space, and the connection circuit is provided on the wall.

2. The electric vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the battery case further includes a lid that covers the adjacent area.

3. The wall is the bottom wall of the battery storage space, The electric vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the connecting portion is fixed from below to the lower surface of the bottom wall.

4. The wall is inclined downward as it approaches the rear, The battery case further includes a cover that covers the adjacent area from below, The electric vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the connection portion is located in front of the plurality of connectors.

5. The electric vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the connecting portion is located above other components housed in the adjacent region.

6. The power line has a protruding portion that extends from the adjacent region toward the electric motor, The electric vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the protruding portion protrudes from the rear of the adjacent region to the rear of the adjacent region.

7. The aforementioned at least one battery includes a first battery and a second battery, The plurality of connectors include a positive terminal connector and a negative terminal connector connected to the terminals of the first battery, and a positive terminal connector and a negative terminal connector connected to the terminals of the second battery, The plurality of power lines include a first positive power line that conducts to the positive output terminal of the first battery, a first negative power line that conducts to the negative output terminal of the first battery, a second positive power line that conducts to the positive output terminal of the second battery, and a second negative power line that conducts to the negative output terminal of the second battery. The electric vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first positive power line and the second positive power line are connected at the connection portion.

8. The aforementioned terminals include a positive output terminal, a negative output terminal, and a dummy terminal. For each of the batteries, the positive output terminal, the negative output terminal, and the dummy terminal are There is at least one such, The arrangement of the other output terminal (at least one of the positive and negative output terminals) and the dummy terminal, with at least one of the positive and negative output terminals sandwiched between them, is such that the terminals are arranged symmetrically across the entire set of terminals, so that the battery can be inserted into the battery case in any orientation. The battery and the battery case are configured to supply power from the electric motor via at least one positive output terminal and at least one negative output terminal. The electric vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the power line connected to the other output terminal and the power line connected to the dummy terminal are connected at the connection portion of the connection circuit.

9. The electric vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the connection circuit is located in the adjacent area and provided on the wall, and includes electrical components that are directly or indirectly connected to the power line.

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