Ridden vehicle

Abstract

Provided is a ridden vehicle in which a motor compartment and a transmission compartment can be efficiently cooled.　A ridden vehicle (10) is provided with a motor compartment (62) that houses a motor (13), and a transmission compartment (66) that houses a power transmission mechanism (67) that reduces the output of the motor (13) and transmits power to drive wheels (12), wherein the motor compartment (62) and the transmission compartment (66) are adjacent to each other across an air flow space (90) inside which air flows.

Description

Saddle-type vehicle

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

[0002] In recent years, efforts to realize a low-carbon or carbon-free society have become more active, and research and development into electrification technologies has been conducted to reduce CO2 emissions and improve energy efficiency in vehicles. As a technology related to the electrification of saddle-ride vehicles, Patent Document 1 discloses a power unit for a battery-powered motorcycle, a so-called swing-type power unit. In Patent Document 1, the power unit is formed with a motor chamber and a transmission chamber, and is integrally provided with a power drive unit (PDU) that drives the motor in the motor chamber. In Patent Document 1, an airflow space for cooling the PDU is provided in the power unit.

[0003] JP 2010-88173 A

[0004] In the technology related to the electrification of saddle-ride type vehicles, the motor chamber and the transmission chamber also tend to become hot, so it is an issue to efficiently cool them. The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and has an object to provide a saddle-ride type vehicle that can efficiently cool the motor chamber and the transmission chamber, thereby contributing to improving energy efficiency.

[0005] The saddle-ride type vehicle is equipped with a motor chamber that houses a motor, and a transmission chamber that houses a power transmission mechanism that reduces the output of the motor and transmits power to the drive wheels, and is characterized in that the motor chamber and the transmission chamber are adjacent to each other via an air flow space through which air flows inside.

[0006] This makes it possible to provide a saddle-ride type vehicle that can efficiently cool the motor compartment and the transmission compartment, which in turn contributes to improving energy efficiency.

[0007] FIG. 1 is a left side view of a saddle-ride type vehicle according to this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a swing arm. FIG. 3 is a left side view of a main arm portion. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the main arm portion as seen from the left rear. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the main arm portion as seen from the right rear. FIG. 6 is a right side view of the main arm portion. FIG. 7 is a rear view of the main arm portion. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. 7. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IX-IX in FIG. 6. FIG. 10 is a view taken in the direction of arrow X in FIG. 6.

[0008] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description, directions such as front, rear, left, right, up and down are the same as directions relative to the vehicle body unless otherwise specified. In addition, the symbol FR in each drawing indicates the front of the vehicle body, the symbol UP indicates the upper side of the vehicle body, and the symbol LH indicates the left side of the vehicle body.

[0009] [Embodiment] Figure 1 is a left side view of a saddle-ride type vehicle 10 according to this embodiment. The saddle-ride type vehicle 10 is an electric motorcycle that includes a body frame 11, an electric motor 13 that drives a rear wheel 12 that is a drive wheel, a front fork 15 that supports a front wheel 14 so that it can be steered, a swing arm 16 that supports the rear wheel 12, and a seat 17 for a rider. The saddle-ride type vehicle 10 is a vehicle in which a rider sits astride on the seat 17. The saddle-ride type vehicle 10 of this embodiment is an electric scooter that has a low step floor 18.

[0010] The body frame 11 has a head pipe 20 at the front end, a pair of left and right upper frames 21 extending rearward and downward from the head pipe 20, a pair of left and right down frames 22 extending rearward and downward from the head pipe 20 below the upper frame 21, a pair of left and right under frames 23 extending rearward from the lower ends of the down frames 22, and a pair of left and right side frames 24 extending rearward and upward from the rear ends of the under frames 23. The branched lower ends of the upper frame 21 are connected to a midpoint in the fore-and-aft direction of the under frame 23 and to the lower ends of the side frames 24.

[0011] A pair of left and right seat frames 25 extending rearward and upward are connected to the midpoint of the upper frame 21 in the front-to-rear direction. The seat frames 25 are connected to the upper ends of the side frames 24. A rear subframe 26 extending rearward and upward is connected to the midpoint of the side frames 24 in the up-down direction. The seat frame 25 is connected to the rear end of the rear subframe 26.

[0012] A pair of left and right front forks 15 are steerably attached to the head pipe 20. A steering handlebar 19 is attached to the upper part of the front forks 15. A front wheel 14 is attached to the lower end of the front forks 15 via an axle 14a.

[0013] A pivot bracket 27 extending rearward is provided at the rear end of the underframe 23. A pivot shaft 28 extending in the left-right direction (vehicle width direction) is supported at the rear end of the pivot bracket 27 via a link mechanism 32. A swing arm 16 extending along the fore-and-aft direction of the saddle-ride type vehicle 10 is journaled on the pivot shaft 28. The swing arm 16 extends from the pivot shaft 28 to the left of the rear wheel 12. The rear end of the swing arm 16 supports the rear wheel 12 via an axle 12a.

[0014] A three-phase AC electric motor 13 is built into the swing arm 16. The electric motor 13 is located to the left of the rear wheel 12. The swing arm 16 is configured as a swing-type power unit. A rear cushion 29 is connected between the rear end of the swing arm 16 and the left seat frame 25.

[0015] The seat frame 25 supports the seat 17 from below. The seat 17 can be opened and closed up and down with its front end acting as a hinge fulcrum. A battery 30 is disposed below the seat 17. In this embodiment, one battery 30 is disposed at the front and one at the rear. The battery 30 is disposed in an area surrounded by the pair of left and right side frames 24, the seat frame 25, and the rear subframe 26, and is supported by the side frames 24, the seat frame 25, and the rear subframe 26.

[0016] A PCU (Power Control Unit) 31, which serves as an electronic component, is supported in front of the battery 30. The PCU 31 includes an inverter and the like, and, for example, converts DC power supplied from the battery 30 into AC power and supplies the converted AC power to the electric motor 13. Furthermore, during regeneration of the electric motor 13, the PCU 31 converts AC power generated by the electric motor 13 into DC power and charges the battery 30. Note that the locations of the battery 30 and PCU 31 shown in FIG. 1 are merely examples, and they may be located elsewhere within the saddle-ride type vehicle 10.

[0017] The body frame 11 is covered by a body cover 40. The body cover 40 includes a front cover 41, an inner cover 42, a pair of left and right under-seat covers 43, a rear side cover 44, and the like.

[0018] The front cover 41 covers the front end of the body frame 11, including the head pipe 20, from the front. The inner cover 42 is connected to the rear of the front cover 41 and covers the head pipe 20 and upper frame 21 from the rear or upper rear. A pair of left and right under-seat covers 43 cover the underside of the seat 17 from the sides. The rear side covers 44 are connected to the rear edges of the under-seat covers 43 and cover the under-rear rear of the seat 17 from the sides.

[0019] A main stand 50 is provided on the swing arm 16. A side stand 51 is provided near the underframe 23 on the left side.

[0020] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the swing arm 16. Figure 2 corresponds to the cross section taken along line II-II in Figure 3. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the swing arm 16 has a swing arm main body 60 that is swingably supported on the pivot shaft 28, and a swing arm cover 61 that is attached to the outer side of the swing arm main body 60 in the vehicle width direction. The swing arm main body 60 is swingably supported on the pivot shaft 28 by pivot insertion portions 60a, 60b (see Figure 2) at its front end. The swing arm cover 61 is fixed to cover fixing portions 60c, 60d (see Figure 1). The swing arm cover 61 covers the outer side of the swing arm main body 60 in the vehicle width direction.

[0021] 2, the swing arm body 60 extends in a curved manner from in front of the rear wheel 12 toward the left side of the rear wheel 12. The front end of the swing arm body 60 extends laterally so as to cross the center line CL in the vehicle width direction of the saddle-ride type vehicle 10. A motor housing chamber (motor chamber) 62 and a reduction mechanism housing chamber (transmission chamber) 66 provided on the rear side of the motor housing chamber 62 toward the rear wheel 12 are provided.

[0022] The motor housing 62 accommodates an electric motor (motor) 13. The electric motor 13 in this embodiment is an inner rotor type motor. The electric motor 13 includes a motor shaft 13a extending in the vehicle width direction, a rotor 13b fixed to the motor shaft 13a, and a stator 13c arranged on the outer periphery of the rotor 13b. The motor shaft 13 is rotatably supported via bearings 64a, 64b, and 64c. The rotor 13b is spline-coupled to the motor shaft 13a. The stator 13c has a coil portion around which a conducting wire is wound.

[0023] A left end portion 13a1 (one axial end portion) of the motor shaft 13a is rotatably supported by a motor cover 81 via a bearing 64a. The motor cover 81 covers the electric motor 13 from the outer side (left side) in the vehicle width direction. A resolver (rotation angle detection unit) 110 that detects the rotation angle is disposed at the left end portion 13a1 of the motor shaft 13a. The resolver 110 has a resolver rotor 110a attached to the motor shaft 13a and a resolver stator 110b facing the resolver rotor 110a. The resolver stator 110b is fixed to the motor cover 81.

[0024] A right end portion (the other axial end portion) 13a2 of the motor shaft 13a protrudes from the motor housing chamber 62 toward the inside (right side) in the vehicle width direction. The right end portion 13a2 of the motor shaft 13a protrudes into a reduction mechanism housing chamber 66 provided adjacent to the motor housing chamber 62. The right end portion 13a2 of the motor shaft 13a is rotatably supported by a reducer cover 82 of the reduction mechanism housing chamber 66 via a bearing 64c. An oil seal 65 is attached to the motor shaft 13a between the reduction mechanism housing chamber 66 and the motor housing chamber 62 to prevent leakage of lubricating oil from the reduction mechanism housing chamber 66 to the motor housing chamber 62.

[0025] A speed reduction mechanism (power transmission mechanism) 67 is disposed in the speed reduction mechanism housing 66. The speed reduction mechanism 67 has a transmission shaft 67a extending parallel to the motor shaft 13a. Both ends of the transmission shaft 67a are rotatably supported via bearings 68a, 68b. A first gear 67b is supported on the right end of the transmission shaft 67a. The first gear 67b meshes with a drive gear 67c provided on the right end 13a2 of the motor shaft 13a. A second gear 67d is provided on the left end of the transmission shaft 67a. The second gear 67d meshes with a driven gear 67e supported on the axle 12a. The transmission shaft 67a, the first gear 67b, the drive gear 67c, the second gear 67d, and the driven gear 67e constitute the speed reduction mechanism 67 of this embodiment. The rotation of the motor shaft 13a is reduced at a predetermined reduction ratio by the reduction mechanism 67 and transmitted to the axle 12a. Note that the reduction mechanism 67 may further include other gears and transmission shafts, for example, and may be configured to reduce the rotation with multiple gear stages.

[0026] The axle 12a is rotatably supported at both ends via bearings 69a, 69b. The axle 12a supports the rear wheel 12. When the axle 12a rotates, the rear wheel 12 rotates.

[0027] An electric cable 111 extending from the PCU 31 is connected to the electric motor 13. The electric cable 111 is electrically connected to the electric motor 13. In this embodiment, the electric cable 111 includes a power feed line 112, a first communication line 113, and a second communication line 114. The power feed line 112 is thicker than both the first communication line 113 and the second communication line 114.

[0028] The power supply line 112 is connected to the U-phase, V-phase, and W-phase coils of the electric motor 13 so as to be able to supply power. The power supply line 112 supplies AC power to the electric motor 13. The first communication line 113 is electrically connected to the resolver 110. The rotation angle detection results of the rotor 13b and the motor shaft 13a by the resolver 110 are transmitted to the PCU 31 via the first communication line 113. The second communication line 114 is electrically connected to temperature sensors (not shown) corresponding to the U-phase, V-phase, and W-phase. The temperature detection results corresponding to the U-phase, V-phase, and W-phase are transmitted to the PCU 31 via the second communication line 114.

[0029] The electric cable 111 connected to the electric motor 13 is led out of the motor housing 62, arranged along the outer surface of the main arm portion 70, and routed inside the swing arm body 60 through the left conductor opening 72f. The electric cable 111 routed inside the swing arm body 60 is then routed forward through the front conductor opening 71e and connected to the PCU 31 supported on the body frame 11. The electric cable 111 arranged along the outer surface of the main arm portion 70 is covered by the swing arm cover 61. DC power is supplied to the PCU 31 from the battery 30 via an electric cable (not shown). The PCU 31 supplies AC power to the electric motor 13 in response to operation of an operating member such as the throttle of the saddle-ride type vehicle 10, thereby controlling the electric motor 13.

[0030] FIG. 3 is a left side view of the main arm portion 70. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the main arm portion 70 as seen from the left rear. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the main arm portion 70 as seen from the right rear. FIG. 6 is a right side view of the main arm portion 70. FIG. 7 is a rear view of the main arm portion 70. The swing arm main body 60 of this embodiment has a divided structure. As shown in FIG. 2, the swing arm main body 60 has a main arm portion 70 that extends in the front-to-rear direction on the outer side in the vehicle width direction, and a sub-arm portion 80 that is arranged on the right side of the front end of the main arm portion 70. The swing arm main body 60 of this embodiment is configured by bolting the sub-arm portion 80 to the right side of the front end of the main arm portion 70.

[0031] As shown in Figures 3 to 7, the main arm portion 70 includes a pivot portion 71 provided at the front end, an arm portion 72 extending rearward from the pivot portion 71, a storage portion 73 provided at the rear end of the arm portion 72, and a brake connection portion 74 extending rearward from the rear end of the storage portion 73.

[0032] The pivot portion 71 has a generally rectangular cylindrical shape extending in the left-right direction. Specifically, the pivot portion 71 has an upper wall 71a and a lower wall 71b arranged opposite each other in the vertical direction. An outer wall 71c is formed at the outer ends of the upper wall 71a and the lower wall 71b in the vehicle width direction. The outer wall 71c closes the outer sides of the upper wall 71a and the lower wall 71b in the vehicle width direction (see Figures 3 and 4). A left pivot insertion portion 60a protruding forward is formed in front of the outer wall 71c. The pivot shaft 28 is inserted into the left pivot insertion portion 60a.

[0033] An inner wall 71d is formed at the inner ends of the upper wall 71a and the lower wall 71b in the vehicle width direction. The inner wall 71d forms a generally U-shaped frame-like abutment portion that is open forward when viewed from the side of the vehicle body (see FIGS. 5 and 6). Therefore, a conductor opening 71e that opens forward is formed at the front end of the upper wall 71a and the lower wall 71b (see FIGS. 5 and 6). Furthermore, an inner front opening 71f is formed at the inner end of the upper wall 71a and the lower wall 71b due to the opening shape of the inner wall 71d (see FIGS. 5 and 6). As shown in FIG. 2, the sub-arm portion 80, which has the right pivot insertion portion 60b formed therein, abuts against the inner wall 71d and is bolted thereto. Thus, the swing arm main body 60 is supported by the pivot shaft 28 with a gap in the left-right direction.

[0034] The main arm portion 70 has an arm portion 72 formed rearward of the pivot portion 71. The arm portion 72 is integral with the pivot portion 71. The arm portion 72 has an upper wall 72a, a lower wall 72b, an outer wall 72c, and an inner wall (side wall) 72d that extend continuously rearward from the upper wall 71a, the lower wall 71b, the outer wall 71c, and the inner wall 71d of the pivot portion 71, respectively. Here, the upper wall 72a and the lower wall 72b extend rearward and upward in a side view of the vehicle body. The upper wall 72a extends rearward and upward at a steeper inclination than the lower wall 72b, and the distance between the upper wall 72a and the lower wall 72b increases toward the rear.

[0035] The outer wall 72c extends rearward in a generally straight line in a plan view. In contrast, the inner wall 72d extends rearward while curving outward in the vehicle width direction as it extends rearward. In other words, the inner wall 72d extends rearward while curving so as to recess the portion where the rear wheel 12 is located forward. Therefore, the left-right width between the upper wall 72a and the lower wall 72b decreases as it extends rearward.

[0036] The outer wall 72c forms a substantially rectangular annular frame-shaped abutment portion in a side view of the vehicle body (see FIG. 3). A lightening portion 72e is formed in the rear portion of the outer wall 72c, with a plurality of holes extending in the vehicle width direction. The lightening portion 72e is closed on the inner side in the vehicle width direction to form an inner end surface. The lightening portion 72e is formed rearward of the inner end front opening 71f of the pivot portion 71. A conductor opening 72f is formed in the outer wall 72c, forward of the lightening portion 72e. The conductor opening 72f and the inner end front opening 71f allow the main arm portion 70 to penetrate in the vehicle width direction.

[0037] A storage section 73 is formed behind the arm section 72. The storage section 73 is integral with the arm section 72. The storage section 73 has an upper wall 73a, a lower wall 73b, an outer wall 73c, and an inner wall (side wall) 73d that extend continuously rearward from the upper wall 72a, lower wall 72b, outer wall 72c, and inner wall 72d of the arm section 72, respectively.

[0038] The upper wall 73a and the lower wall 73b of the housing portion 73 each extend in an arc shape in a side view of the vehicle body. On the outer wall 73c side of the housing portion 73, a substantially cylindrical inner circumferential surface 75 is formed by the rear surface of the hollowed-out portion 72e of the arm portion 72, the inner circumferential surface of the upper wall 73a, and the inner circumferential surface of the lower wall 73b. The outer wall 73c, which serves as the open end of the inner circumferential surface 75, forms a substantially annular frame-shaped abutment portion in a side view of the vehicle body (see FIG. 3). A mounting surface 76 is formed on the inner wall 73d on the inner side of the inner circumferential surface 75 in the vehicle width direction. The mounting surface 76 is formed on the inner wall 73d. A motor shaft hole 76a through which the motor shaft 13a is inserted is formed in the radial center of the mounting surface 76. A ring-shaped stator fixing portion 76b is formed on the radial outer side of the mounting surface 76. The stator fixing portion 76b protrudes in a pedestal-like manner from the mounting surface 76. The annular stator 13c (see FIG. 2) is fixed to the stator fixing portion 76b.

[0039] A motor cover 81 (see FIG. 2) is fixed to the outer wall 73c of the accommodation portion 73 via a gasket (not shown). The motor cover 81 closes the open end of the inner circumferential surface 75 from the outside in the vehicle width direction. The space surrounded by the inner circumferential surface 75, the arrangement surface 76, and the motor cover 81 constitutes the motor accommodation chamber 62 of this embodiment.

[0040] A bottom surface 78 is formed on the inner wall 73d side of the accommodation portion 73, recessed in a stepped shape relative to the inner surface (outer surface) of the inner wall 73d in the vehicle width direction. The bottom surface 78 is formed on the inner wall 73d. The bottom surface 78 is formed in the area from the motor shaft hole 76a to the rear-lower part of the motor shaft hole 76a. A round hole-shaped transmission shaft support portion 78a is formed on the bottom surface 78, corresponding to the rear-lower part of the motor shaft hole 76a. The transmission shaft support portion 78a is recessed outward in the vehicle width direction relative to the bottom surface 78. An axle support portion 78b is formed behind the transmission shaft support portion 78a. The axle support portion 78b is recessed outward in the vehicle width direction relative to the bottom surface 78. The axle support portion 78b has a larger diameter than the transmission shaft support portion 78a.

[0041] An inner peripheral wall 77 is formed on the outer periphery of the bottom surface 78 so as to protrude inward in the vehicle width direction from the bottom surface 78. The inner peripheral wall 77 includes the periphery of the motor shaft hole 76a. The inner peripheral wall 77 has an inner end surface 77a. The inner end surface 77a forms an abutment portion having an irregular frame shape in a side view of the vehicle body (see FIGS. 4 and 5).

[0042] Here, a reducer cover 82 (see FIG. 2) is fixed to an inner end surface 77a of the inner wall 73d of the accommodation portion 73 via a gasket (not shown). The reducer cover 82 closes the bottom surface 78 from the inside in the vehicle width direction. The space surrounded by the inner circumferential wall 77, the bottom surface 78, and the reducer cover 82 constitutes the reduction mechanism accommodation chamber 66 of the present embodiment.

[0043] A partition wall 77b is formed above the transmission shaft support portion 78a and the axle support portion 78b, extending rearward from the motor shaft hole 76a. The partition wall 77b is configured so that its axial length relative to the bottom surface 78, i.e., its height relative to the bottom surface 78, is the same as the height of the motor shaft hole 76a and the inner end surface 77a of the inner circumferential wall 77. The partition wall 77b divides the space inside the inner circumferential wall 77 into upper and lower spaces. Thus, in the reduction mechanism accommodating chamber 66, an upper space 66b is formed above the lower space 66a in which the transmission shaft 67a and the axle 12a are disposed. The upper space 66b is connected to the lower space 66a and is located on the bottom surface 78 side. A communication hole (transmission chamber communication hole) 78c is formed at the top of the upper space 66b, penetrating inward in the vehicle width direction. The communication hole 78c overlaps with the inner end surface 77a in a side view of the vehicle body.

[0044] A plate-shaped brake connection portion 74 extending rearward is formed at the lower rear end of the housing portion 73. A connection hole 74a is formed in the brake connection portion 74, penetrating it in the thickness direction. The rear brake 35 (see FIG. 1) is connected to the connection hole 74a.

[0045] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. 7 . A hollow air flow space 90 is formed in the main arm section 70. The air flow space 90 extends from the arm section 72 to the rear of the main arm section 70. The air flow space 90 is formed between the upper walls 72a, 73a and the lower walls 72b, 73b of the arm section 72 and the housing section 73, and is a hollow space formed inside the inner walls 72d, 73d. More specifically, the air flow space 90 is defined by the inner end surfaces of the upper wall 72a, the lower wall 72b, the inner wall 72d, and the recessed portion 72e of the arm section 72, and the upper wall 73a, the lower wall 73b, the inner wall 72d, the mounting surface 76, and the bottom surface 78 of the housing section 73. The main arm section 70 is a casting, and the hollow air flow space 90 can be formed using, for example, a sand core.

[0046] The air flow space 90 extends in the front-to-rear direction along the upper walls 72a, 73a and the lower walls 72b, 73b. The air flow space 90 has an air vent 91 at its front end. The air vent 91 is formed by an enclosed shape consisting of the upper wall 72a, the lower wall 72b, the inner wall 72d, and the inner end surface of the recessed portion 72e of the arm portion 72. The air flow space 90 has an exhaust port 92 at its rear upper end. The exhaust port 92 is an opening that penetrates the upper wall 73a of the storage portion 73 in the thickness direction. The air flow space 90 has a lower opening (lower communication hole) 93 at its rear lower end. The lower opening 93 is an opening that penetrates the lower wall 73b of the storage portion 73 in the thickness direction. The lower opening 93 is formed rearward of a constricted portion 73e (see FIG. 8 ) that connects the lower wall 72b of the arm portion 72 and the lower wall 73b of the housing portion 73. The lower opening 93 is formed to have a smaller opening area than the exhaust port 92. That is, more air is discharged from the exhaust port 92 than from the lower opening 93.

[0047] A separation section 101 extending linearly along the flow direction of the air flow space 90 is disposed on the vent 91 side of the air flow space 90. The separation section 101 is disposed in the vertical center of the air flow space 90. In the air flow space 90, the separation section 101 separates the air flow into upper and lower sections. A rear separation section 102 is disposed above and rearward of the separation section 101. The separation section 102 extends rearward and upward more gradually than the separation section 101. The separation section 102 is spaced apart from the separation section 101. Therefore, air can pass between the separation sections 101 and 102.

[0048] A hole surrounding portion 103 is integrally formed at the rear end of the separation portion 102. The motor shaft hole 76a is formed within the hole surrounding portion 103. A rear hole surrounding portion 104 is formed behind the hole surrounding portion 103. The separation portions 101, 102 and the hole surrounding portions 103, 104 traverse the airflow space 90 in the vehicle width direction.

[0049] In the air flow space 90, the separation portions 101, 102 and the hole surrounding portions 103, 104 allow the airflow to easily meander and flow inside the air flow space 90. Therefore, the separation portions 101, 102 and the hole surrounding portions 103, 104 make it easier to cool the main arm portion 70.

[0050] Here, with respect to the posture of the swing arm 16 when the saddle-ride type vehicle 10 is in a stable state traveling at a constant speed on a horizontal road surface, a line extending vertically and passing through the center of the shaft hole 96a is defined as a vertical line L1, and a line extending horizontally and passing through the center of the shaft hole 96a is defined as a horizontal line L2. In this case, the air vent 91 is formed in front of the vertical line L1 and below the horizontal line L2. The exhaust port 92 is formed behind the vertical line L1 and above the horizontal line L2. Furthermore, the lower opening 93 is formed behind the vertical line L1 and below the horizontal line L2. Therefore, the exhaust port 92 is located above the air vent 91, and even if water or foreign matter has entered, only air is likely to be discharged from the exhaust port 92.

[0051] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IX-IX in Figure 6. As shown in Figure 9, the reduction mechanism housing chamber 66 is in communication with the airflow space 90 through the communication hole 78c. The communication hole 78c is formed rearward of the vertical line L1 and above the horizontal line L2. The communication hole 78c is formed between the motor shaft hole 76a and the exhaust port 92. The communication hole 78c is located in front of and below the exhaust port 92. Because the communication hole 78c is located near the exhaust port 92, it is easily exposed to outside air, and the reduction mechanism housing chamber 66 is prevented from becoming highly pressurized via the exhaust port 92 and the communication hole 78c.

[0052] That is, when the pressure (internal pressure) inside the reduction mechanism accommodating chamber 66 increases due to a rise in temperature inside the reduction mechanism accommodating chamber 66, causing the lubricating oil used in the reduction mechanism 67 to volatilize, air containing gaseous or atomized lubricating oil can be discharged to the outside, thereby reducing the internal pressure of the reduction mechanism accommodating chamber 66. In particular, because the communication hole 78c is provided at the top, it is difficult for liquid lubricating oil to be discharged from the communication hole 78c, making it easier to effectively reduce the internal pressure.

[0053] Figure 10 is a view taken in the direction of arrow X in Figure 6. A cover portion 105 is formed above the communication hole 78c. The cover portion 105 is formed in a semicircular arc shape along the upper part of the communication hole 78c. The cover portion 105 has a canopy shape that protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction from the inner wall 72d. Therefore, the protruding end of the cover portion 105 is spaced apart from the placement surface 76 on the outer side in the vehicle width direction. In other words, the cover portion 105 only narrows the flow path width (left-right width) of the air flow space 90, and air can pass over the cover portion 105.

[0054] As shown in Figure 10, when the exhaust port 92 is viewed from above and rearward, the cover portion 105 is visible. The cover portion 105 covers the upper part of the communication hole 78c. Therefore, even if foreign matter such as water or dust enters the air flow space 90 from the exhaust port 92, the cover portion 105 prevents the foreign matter from entering the communication hole 78c. Foreign matter that hits the cover portion 105 tends to fall into the air flow space 90 and can be expelled from the lower opening 93.

[0055] 1 to 10, when an operating part such as a throttle is operated in a saddle-ride type vehicle 10, the PCU 31 supplies power from the battery 30 to the electric motor 13, causing the motor shaft 13a to rotate. The rotational force of the motor shaft 13a is transmitted to the rear wheel 12 via the reduction mechanism 57, driving the rear wheel 12. As a result, the saddle-ride type vehicle 10 moves. At this time, the electric motor 13 generates heat in the motor housing chamber 62 due to the current flow. Furthermore, in the reduction mechanism housing chamber 66, frictional heat is generated due to the meshing of the motor shaft 13a, axle 12a, and reduction mechanism 67. As a result, the motor housing chamber 62 and the reduction mechanism housing chamber 66 are prone to heat generation.

[0056] In this embodiment, when the saddle-ride type vehicle 10 is traveling, traveling wind enters the swing arm 16. That is, when traveling wind enters the swing arm 16 through the conductor opening 71e on the front end side of the swing arm 16, the traveling wind is taken into the air traveling space 90 through the vent 91 of the air traveling space 90, and while cooling the air traveling space 90, the traveling wind is discharged from the exhaust port 92. Therefore, the motor housing chamber 62 and the reduction mechanism housing chamber 66 are easily cooled by the air traveling space 90 passing between them.

[0057] As described above, according to this embodiment of the present invention, in a saddle-ride type vehicle 10 including a motor housing chamber 62 that houses the electric motor 13 and a reduction mechanism housing chamber 66 that houses a reduction mechanism 67 that reduces the output of the electric motor 13 and transmits power to the rear wheels 12, the motor housing chamber 62 and the reduction mechanism housing chamber 66 are adjacent to each other via an airflow space 90 through which air flows inside. With this configuration, by forming the airflow space 90 between the motor housing chamber 62 and the reduction mechanism housing chamber 66, the motor housing chamber 62 and the reduction mechanism housing chamber 66 can be efficiently cooled. Furthermore, because the electric motor 13 is less susceptible to the temperature effect of the adjacent reduction mechanism housing chamber 66, a decrease in drive efficiency due to high temperatures of the electric motor 13 can be prevented. This can ultimately contribute to improved energy efficiency.

[0058] In this embodiment, an inner wall 73d that defines the air flow space 90 and separates the reduction mechanism housing chamber 66 from the air flow space 90 is formed with a communication hole 78c that connects the reduction mechanism housing chamber 66 to the air flow space 90. With this configuration, the communication hole 78c can be used as a breather path, and there is no need to provide a separate member such as a hose to form a breather path that communicates the air inside the reduction mechanism housing chamber 66 with the outside. This makes it possible to form the breather path with a reduced number of parts and at reduced cost.

[0059] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the air flow space 90 has an air vent 91 that introduces air in front of the saddle-ride type vehicle 10 and an exhaust port 92 that exhausts air behind the air vent 91, and a cover portion 105 extending in the vehicle width direction is provided inside the air flow space 90 above the communication hole 78c. With this configuration, the cover portion 105 can prevent water and dust from entering through the exhaust port 92, thereby keeping the air flow space 90 clean and maintaining the cooling effect of the air flow space 90. Furthermore, providing the cover portion 105 above the communication hole 78c can prevent external water and dust from entering the reduction mechanism housing chamber 66 through the communication hole 78c, thereby maintaining smooth operation of the reduction mechanism 67 inside the reduction mechanism housing chamber 66.

[0060] A lower opening 93 that connects the air flow space 90 to the outside of the air flow space 90 is provided below the saddle-ride type vehicle 10 in the air flow space 90. With this configuration, even if water or dust enters the air flow space 90, the water or dust can be discharged to the outside of the air flow space 90 through the lower opening 93. Furthermore, even if lubricating oil in the reduction mechanism housing chamber 66 flows into the air flow space 90 through the communication hole 78c, the lubricating oil can be discharged to the outside of the air flow space 90 through the lower opening 93. Therefore, the inside of the air flow space 90 can be kept clean, and a decrease in cooling efficiency due to dirt on the wall surfaces of the air flow space 90 can be suppressed, thereby maintaining the cooling effect of the air flow space 90.

[0061] Other Embodiments The above-described embodiment merely shows one aspect of the present invention, and any modifications and applications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0062] In the above embodiment, a motorcycle having a front wheel 14 and a rear wheel 12 has been used as an example of the saddle-ride type vehicle 10, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention can be applied to a three-wheel saddle-ride type vehicle having two front wheels or two rear wheels, or a saddle-ride type vehicle having four or more wheels.

[0063] [Configurations Supported by the Above-described Embodiments] The above-described embodiments support the following configurations.

[0064] (Configuration 1) A saddle-ride type vehicle including a motor compartment that houses a motor and a transmission compartment that houses a power transmission mechanism that reduces the output of the motor and transmits power to drive wheels, characterized in that the motor compartment and the transmission compartment are adjacent to each other via an airflow space through which air flows inside. According to this configuration, by forming an airflow space between the motor compartment and the transmission compartment, the motor compartment and the transmission compartment can be efficiently cooled. Furthermore, because the motor is less susceptible to the temperature influence of the adjacent transmission compartment, a decrease in drive efficiency due to high motor temperatures can be prevented. This, in turn, can contribute to improved energy efficiency.

[0065] (Configuration 2) The saddle-ride type vehicle according to Configuration 1, characterized in that a transmission chamber communication hole that communicates the transmission chamber with the air flow space is formed in a side wall that defines the air flow space and separates the transmission chamber from the air flow space. With this configuration, the transmission chamber communication hole can be used as a breather path, eliminating the need to provide a separate member such as a hose to form the breather path that communicates air inside the transmission chamber with the outside. This reduces the number of parts and the cost of forming the breather path.

[0066] (Configuration 3) The saddle-ride type vehicle according to Configuration 2, characterized in that the air flow space has an air vent that introduces air in front of the saddle-ride type vehicle and an exhaust port that exhausts air rearward of the air vent, and a cover portion extending in the vehicle width direction is provided inside the air flow space above the transmission chamber communication hole. With this configuration, the cover portion can prevent water and dust from entering through the exhaust port, thereby keeping the air flow space clean and maintaining the cooling effect of the air flow space. Furthermore, providing the cover portion above the transmission chamber communication hole can prevent external water and dust from entering the transmission chamber through the transmission chamber communication hole, thereby maintaining smooth operation of the power transmission mechanism inside the transmission chamber.

[0067] (Configuration 4) A saddle-ride type vehicle according to any one of Configurations 1 to 3, characterized in that a lower communication hole is provided on the lower side of the saddle-ride type vehicle in the air flow space, connecting the air flow space with the outside of the air flow space. With this configuration, even if water or dust enters the air flow space, the water or dust can be discharged to the outside through the lower communication hole. Furthermore, even if lubricating oil from the transmission chamber flows into the air flow space through the transmission chamber communication hole, the lubricating oil can be discharged to the outside through the lower communication hole. This allows the air flow space to be kept clean, suppressing a decrease in cooling efficiency due to wall contamination and maintaining the cooling effect of the air flow space.

[0068] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 saddle-ride type vehicle 12 rear wheel (drive wheel) 13 electric motor (motor) 62 motor housing chamber (motor chamber) 66 reduction mechanism housing chamber (transmission chamber) 67 reduction mechanism (power transmission mechanism) 72d inner wall (side wall) 73d inner wall (side wall) 78c communication hole (transmission chamber communication hole) 90 air running space 91 vent 92 exhaust port 93 lower opening (lower communication hole) 105 cover portion

Claims

1. a motor chamber (62) that houses a motor (13); and a transmission chamber (66) that houses a power transmission mechanism (67) that decelerates the output of the motor (13) and transmits power to drive wheels (12), in a saddle-ride type vehicle, the motor chamber (62) and the transmission chamber (66) are adjacent to each other via an air flow space (90) through which air flows inside, a mission chamber communication hole (78c) that communicates the mission chamber (66) and the air flow space (90) is formed in side walls (72d, 73d) that form the air flow space (90) and partition the mission chamber (66) and the air flow space (90), characterized in that a saddle-ride type vehicle.

2. the air flow space (90) has a ventilation port (91) that introduces air in front of the saddle-ride type vehicle (10); and an exhaust port (92) that discharges air behind the saddle-ride type vehicle (10) relative to the ventilation port (91), a covering portion (105) that extends in the vehicle width direction is provided above the mission chamber communication hole (78c) inside the air flow space (90), characterized in that the saddle-ride type vehicle according to Claim 1.

3. a lower communication hole (93) that communicates the air flow space (90) and the outside of the air flow space (90) is provided below the air flow space (90) of the saddle-ride type vehicle (10), characterized in that the saddle-ride type vehicle according to Claim 1 or 2.

4. (Deleted)