electric vehicles

Abstract

An electric vehicle includes a frame, a passenger unit mounted on the frame, a footrest unit mounted on the frame and lower than the passenger unit, a power supply unit mounted on the frame and located below the passenger unit, a power unit mounted on the frame and located below the power supply unit, and a shifting unit fixed to the power unit and used to perform gear shifting operations of the power unit. The power unit includes a motor connected to the power supply unit. The shifting unit is directly mounted on the power unit, which not only makes installation more convenient, but also eliminates the need for a steel cable to transmit shifting power when the positions are relatively close, thus preventing the shifting operation from being adversely affected by the state of the steel cable, resulting in more precise and reliable gear shifting.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a vehicle, and more particularly to an electric vehicle. Prior Technology

[0002] Referring to Figure 1, an existing electric vehicle 1 includes a frame 11, a drive unit 12 for transmitting power, and a shifting actuation unit 13 mounted on the frame 11 and connected to the drive unit 12. The shifting actuation unit 13 is used to control the gear shifting of the drive unit 12, and includes a bracket 131 fixed to the frame 11, a shifting motor 132 mounted on the bracket 131, and a drive cable 133 connected to a lever 121 of the drive unit 12. By operating the shifting motor 132 and pulling the drive cable 133, the lever 121 is rotated, activating the clutch mechanism within the drive unit 12, thereby achieving gear shifting.

[0003] However, while the transmission path of the shift motor 132 via the drive cable 133 allows for flexible adjustments, the cable is also prone to bending, making it susceptible to tension changes and friction with surrounding components, thus affecting operation and reducing shifting accuracy. Furthermore, the installation of the shift motor 132 requires careful consideration of the drive cable 133's traction to ensure proper placement. If a suitable mounting location is unavailable and a dedicated bracket 131 is added, it not only occupies space and affects the overall design of the electric vehicle 1, but also often results in insufficient operating space when configuring or maintaining the drive cable 133, negatively impacting necessary installation and adjustment work. Even when considering the accuracy of the shifting mechanism and using a rotation sensor (TPS) on the lever 121 as an auxiliary reference, limited operating space hinders positioning and adjustment, failing to effectively improve gear shifting accuracy. Summary of the Invention

[0004] [The problem that this invention aims to solve]

[0005] Therefore, the purpose of this invention is to provide an electric vehicle with a more precise and reliable gear shifting mechanism.

[0006] [Technical means to solve the problem]

[0007] Therefore, the electric vehicle of the present invention includes a frame, a riding unit mounted on the frame, a footrest unit mounted on the frame and lower than the riding unit, a power supply unit mounted on the frame and located below the riding unit, a power unit mounted on the frame and located below the power supply unit, and a shifting unit fixed to the power unit and used to perform shifting operations of the power unit. The power unit includes a power motor connected to the power supply unit.

[0008] Some embodiments of the present invention define a vehicle width direction extending left and right, wherein the shift unit includes a module housing having an extension portion having the longest extension length, the shift unit being configured such that the extension portion extends along the vehicle width direction.

[0009] In some embodiments of the present invention, the shifting unit includes an actuating motor, a transmission mechanism connected to the actuating motor, and an input component connected between the transmission mechanism and the power unit, which is used to introduce the driving force transmitted by the actuating motor through the transmission mechanism into the power unit.

[0010] Some embodiments of the present invention define a forward-backward extending direction of travel, wherein the input element of the shift unit has a lever extending along the direction of travel.

[0011] In some embodiments of the present invention, the transmission mechanism of the shifting unit has a plurality of meshing transmission gears.

[0012] In some embodiments of the present invention, the shifting unit further includes a position sensor connected to the input device.

[0013] In some embodiments of the present invention, the shifting unit further includes an information output device connected between the power unit and the actuation motor, which is used to transmit rotation information of the power motor when it is running to the actuation motor.

[0014] In some embodiments of the present invention, the power unit includes a motor housing surrounding the power motor, a transmission inner cover connected to the motor housing, and a transmission outer cover connected to the transmission inner cover and located laterally on the opposite side.

[0015] In some embodiments of the present invention, the actuating motor of the shifting unit is at least one of the transmission inner cover and the transmission outer cover of the power unit.

[0016] In some embodiments of the present invention, the power unit further includes a pressure plate clutch disposed within the inner transmission cover and the outer transmission cover.

[0017] [The effects achieved by this invention]

[0018] The advantages of this invention are: by installing and fixing the shift unit to the power unit, no additional special bracket is required, which simplifies assembly and facilitates subsequent operation and maintenance. With the components being centrally configured, the necessary components can be compactly configured for electric vehicles with shift functions, thus achieving a compact and miniaturized vehicle. Not only is the center of gravity of the electric vehicle of this invention centralized, thus optimizing handling, but the vehicle body shape can also be designed freely and without restriction according to various needs.

[0019] In some embodiments of the present invention, the working power provided by the actuating motor of the shifting unit is transmitted to the input element through the connecting gears, thus avoiding the disadvantages of using cable transmission, and greatly improving the accuracy and reliability of shifting operation.

[0020] In some embodiments of the present invention, the actuation motor of the shifting unit is directly mounted on the inner transmission cover or the outer transmission cover of the power unit. This not only simplifies assembly but also significantly shortens the actuation transmission path. Furthermore, by using the position sensor to detect the actual actuation state, the actuation accuracy of shifting is effectively improved.

[0021] In some embodiments of the present invention, the lever portion of the input element of the shift unit can drive the pressure plate clutch of the power unit, thereby cooperating to optimize the smoothness of shifting. Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0022] Other features and effects of the present invention will be clearly presented in the embodiments with reference to the drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is an incomplete 3D view illustrating an existing electric vehicle; Figure 2 is a side view illustrating an embodiment of the electric vehicle of the present invention; Figure 3 is an incomplete perspective view illustrating one of the power units and a shifting unit in this embodiment; Figure 4 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating one of the pressure plate clutches of the power unit; Figure 5 is an incomplete perspective view, different from that of Figure 3, illustrating one of the components of the power unit: a motor housing, an inner transmission cover, and an outer transmission cover; and Figure 6 is a top view illustrating the configuration of the shift unit relative to the power unit. Implementation

[0023] Referring to Figures 2 and 3, an embodiment of the electric vehicle of the present invention is shown. This embodiment includes a frame 2, a riding unit 3 mounted on the frame 2, a footrest unit 4 mounted on the frame 2 and lower than the riding unit 3, a power supply unit 5 mounted on the frame 2 and located below the riding unit 3, a power unit 6 mounted on the frame 2 and located below the power supply unit 5, and a shifting unit 7 fixed to the power unit 6 and used to perform shifting operations of the power unit 6. Specifically, the vehicle model of this embodiment is generally a straddle-type vehicle in which the power supply unit 5 provides power to the power unit 6, and the rider can sit on the riding unit 3 and place their feet on the footrest unit 4.

[0024] Referring to Figures 3 to 5, the power unit 6 includes a power motor 60 connected to the power supply unit, a motor housing 61 surrounding the power motor 60, a transmission inner cover 62 connected to the motor housing 61, a transmission outer cover 63 connected to the transmission inner cover 62 and located laterally on opposite sides, and a pressure plate clutch 64 disposed within the transmission inner cover 62 and the transmission outer cover 63. To enable gear shifting functionality in this embodiment, the power generated by the power motor 60 is transmitted via a gear shifting module 69 through a pre-defined gear path. The transmission inner cover 62 and the transmission outer cover 63 essentially cover the gear shifting module 69, thereby protecting it. In this embodiment, the gear shifting module 69 employs a two-gear configuration, and smooth gear shifting is achieved by actuating the pressure plate clutch 64.

[0025] Referring to Figures 5 and 6 and in conjunction with Figure 3, a left-right extending vehicle width direction W and a front-back extending travel direction D are defined. The shift unit 7 includes a module housing 70 with a longest extension portion 701, an actuation motor 71 installed in the module housing 70, a transmission mechanism 72 connected to the actuation motor 71, an input device 73 connected between the transmission mechanism 72 and the power unit 6, a position sensor 74 connected to the input device 73, and an information output device 75 connected between the power unit 6 and the actuation motor 71, used to transmit rotation information of the power motor 60 when it is running to the actuation motor 71. The shift unit 7 is configured such that the extension 701 extends along the vehicle width direction W, thereby preventing the extension 701 from extending too far along the travel direction D. This allows for easy installation of the shift unit 7 within the limited space surrounding the power unit 6, effectively achieving a more compact component configuration and concentrating the center of gravity of this embodiment, thus optimizing overall handling. More specifically, the actuation motor 71 can be selectively installed on at least one of the transmission inner cover 62 and the transmission outer cover 63 of the power unit 6. Whether installed on the transmission inner cover 62 or the transmission outer cover 63, no additional dedicated bracket is required, saving space and making installation relatively convenient.

[0026] Referring again to Figures 3 to 5, the transmission mechanism 72 has a plurality of meshing transmission gears 721, specifically a sector tooth 7211 and a ring tooth 7212 meshing with each other. When the actuating motor 71 receives a shift signal, it operates to rotate the ring tooth 7212, which in turn drives the sector tooth 7211 meshing with the ring tooth 7212 to rotate, thereby changing the direction of the actuation displacement and transmitting a working force to the input member 73. The input member 73 has a rod portion 731 extending along the travel direction D and rotatable due to the rotation of the sector tooth 7211. The input member 73 is used to introduce the working force transmitted by the actuating motor 71 through the transmission mechanism 72 into the power unit 6, thereby pushing the pressure plate clutch 64 to achieve the purpose of gear shifting. It is worth noting that, in order to make the shifting timing more precise, the shifting signal received by the actuating motor 71 is generated by the rotation information of the power motor 60 transmitted through the information output device 75; and the position sensor 74 can directly detect the operation of the input device 73 to ensure that the displacement of the input device 73 can indeed meet the requirements of actuating the pressure plate clutch 64.

[0027] Regarding the shifting mechanism, since the shifting unit 7 is directly mounted and fixed to the power unit 6, the power transmission path is relatively short. Furthermore, the shifting timing, power transmission, and actuation feedback are all interconnected through relatively rigid components, effectively improving shifting accuracy and reliability. Additionally, since this embodiment does not require a steel cable to transmit power, installation is more convenient as there is no need to adjust the cable tension. It also avoids control inaccuracies caused by changes in cable tension, wear, or changes in the cable path. For subsequent maintenance, the easy installation of the shifting unit 7, and the accessible location of the actuator 71, transmission mechanism 72, and input component 73 on the outside of the power unit 6, provide ample operating space and make operation more convenient for personnel.

[0028] In summary, in this embodiment of the electric vehicle of the present invention, the shifting unit 7 is directly installed and fixed to the power unit 6, and no power transmission mechanism using steel cables is employed. This not only makes installation more convenient but also optimizes the accuracy and reliability of gear shifting and allows for a more compact component configuration. Therefore, the objectives of the present invention are indeed achieved.

[0029] However, the above description is merely an embodiment of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. Any simple equivalent changes and modifications made in accordance with the scope of the patent application and the contents of the patent specification shall still fall within the scope of the patent of the present invention.

[0030] 2: Chassis 3: Passenger Unit 4: Pin unit 5: Power Supply Unit 6: Power Unit 60: Power Motor 61: Motor housing 62: Transmission inner cover 63: Transmission outer cover 64: Pressure plate clutch 69: Gear Shifting Module 7: Gear Shift Unit 70: Module housing 701: Extension Section 71: Actuator Motor 72: Transmission mechanism 721: Transmission Gear 7211: Sector teeth 7212: Ring tooth 73: Input 731: Pole section 74: Position Sensor 75: Information Output Components W: Vehicle width direction D: Direction of travel

Claims

1. An electric vehicle, comprising: a frame; a seating unit mounted on the frame; a footrest unit mounted on the frame and lower than the seating unit; a power supply unit mounted on the frame and located below the seating unit; a power unit mounted on the frame and located below the power supply unit, and including a power motor connected to the power supply unit; and a shifting unit fixed to the power unit and used to operate and perform shifting operations of the power unit, and including an actuating motor and a transmission mechanism connected to the actuating motor, the transmission mechanism having a plurality of meshing transmission gears, wherein... The actuating motor is located on the radial side of the power motor, and the transmission mechanism is located on the axial side of the power motor. At least half of the projection range of the actuating motor in the front-rear direction overlaps with the power motor.

2. The electric vehicle as described in claim 1, defining a left-right extending vehicle width direction, wherein, The shift unit includes a module housing having a longest extension, the shift unit being configured to tilt the extension in the direction of the vehicle width.

3. The electric vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The shifting unit also includes an input element connected between the transmission mechanism and the power unit, used to input the working power transmitted by the actuator via the transmission mechanism into the power unit.

4. The electric vehicle as described in claim 3, defining a forward-backward extending direction of travel, wherein, The input element of the shift unit has a lever extending along the direction of travel.

5. The electric vehicle as described in claim 3, wherein, The shift unit also includes a position sensor connected to the input device and used to detect the operation of the input device.

6. The electric vehicle as claimed in claim 3, wherein, The shifting unit also includes an information output device connected between the power unit and the actuation motor, which transmits rotation information of the power motor when it is running to the actuation motor.

7. The electric vehicle as described in any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein, The power unit includes a motor housing surrounding the power motor, a transmission inner cover connected to the motor housing, and a transmission outer cover connected to the transmission inner cover and located laterally on the opposite side.

8. The electric vehicle as described in claim 7, wherein, The actuating motor of the shifting unit is at least one of the transmission inner cover and the transmission outer cover of the power unit.

9. The electric vehicle as claimed in claim 7, wherein, The power unit also includes a pressure plate clutch disposed within the inner transmission cover and the outer transmission cover.

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