Electric vehicle

Abstract

This electric vehicle (1) comprises: a vehicle body frame (5) that has a head pipe (16) and a left and right pair of main frames (17); and a battery pack (100) that is disposed between the left and right pair of main frames (17), wherein the battery pack (100) has a connector (125) that draws, to the outside, electric power for driving a drive wheel (3), and the connector (125) is disposed at an upper part of the battery pack (100) and is disposed inward of a branch part (17f) of the vehicle body frame (5) at which the left and right pair of main frames (17) branch from the head pipe (16).

Description

Electric vehicles

[0001] The present invention relates to an electric 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 technology has been conducted to reduce CO2 emissions and improve energy efficiency in vehicles as well. Patent Document 1 discloses an electric motorcycle in which a high-voltage connector that connects the battery and inverter and conducts high-voltage direct current, and a low-voltage connector that connects the battery and low-voltage components and conducts low-voltage current stepped down within the battery pack, are located at the rear of the battery.

[0003] When removing the battery from the vehicle body, it is necessary to disconnect the wiring connected to the high-voltage and low-voltage connectors. However, when the connectors are located on the underside or bottom surface of the battery, as in the configuration of Patent Document 1, the connectors are difficult to reach, which reduces the ease of connecting and disconnecting the wiring.

[0004] Japanese Patent No. 6002233

[0005] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present application provides an electric vehicle that can improve the ease of attaching and detaching wiring when removing the battery from the vehicle body, thereby contributing to the development of sustainable transportation systems.

[0006] A first aspect of the present invention provides an electric vehicle (1) comprising: a body frame (5) having a head pipe (16) that supports steering wheels (2) in a steerable manner; and a pair of left and right main frames (17) whose front ends are connected to the head pipe (16) and that branch off to the left and right from the head pipe (16) and extend rearward; and a battery pack (100) supported on the body frame (5) between the pair of left and right main frames (17), wherein the battery pack (100) has a connector (125) that extracts electric power to drive drive wheels (3) to the outside, and the connector (125) is arranged on an upper part of the battery pack (100) and is arranged inside a branch portion (17f) where the pair of left and right main frames (17) branch off from the head pipe (16) in the body frame (5).

[0007] According to this configuration, the connector that outputs power from the battery pack is located on top of the battery pack and at the branch point of the left and right main frames of the vehicle body frame, making the connector easily accessible from above the battery pack. This improves the ease of attaching and detaching the connector. Furthermore, a narrow space is formed between the left and right main frames inside the branch point of the left and right main frames of the vehicle body frame. By locating the connector of the battery pack in this space, the wide space away from the branch point can be efficiently used as space for arranging the battery main body.

[0008] In a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the battery pack (100) has the connector (125) that conducts the power of the battery main body (106) to the outside, a control device (121) that controls the conduction of the connector (125), and a low-voltage connector (128) that conducts low-voltage power to drive the control device (121), and the control device (121) allows the power of the battery main body (106) to be conducted to the outside by conducting the low-voltage connector (128), the connector (125) and the low-voltage connector (128) are aligned in the vertical direction of the vehicle in a side view, and the low-voltage connector (128) is arranged above the connector (125).

[0009] According to this configuration, the low-voltage connector that supplies drive power to the control device is positioned above the high-voltage connector that outputs vehicle drive power to the outside. Because each connector is accessed from above, the order in which the cables connected to each connector are removed is specified as first removing the cable on the low-voltage connector side, and then removing the cable on the high-voltage connector side. In other words, because the cable on the high-voltage connector side cannot be accessed without removing the cable on the easily accessible low-voltage connector side, it is possible to prevent the cables from being removed in the wrong order.

[0010] In a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect, the connector (125) has a positive connector (126) connected to the positive electrode of the battery main body (106) and a negative connector (127) connected to the negative electrode of the battery main body (106), and the positive connector (126) and the negative connector (127) are aligned in the vertical direction of the vehicle in a side view and are positioned so as not to overlap each other in a top view of the vehicle.

[0011] According to this configuration, the positive and negative connectors are aligned vertically in a side view and do not overlap each other in a top view (i.e., offset from each other in the left-right direction), which allows the connector from which the cable is to be removed first to be positioned on the outer left-right side (the removal side in the plug insertion / removal direction). This makes it easy to remove the cables in a specified order. In addition, the cables connected to each connector are offset from each other in the left-right direction, which prevents the cables from interfering with each other.

[0012] In a fourth aspect of the present invention, the positive connector (126) and the negative connector (127) are configured so that plugs (116a, 117a) of cables (116, 117) connected to the positive connector (126) and the negative connector (127) are inserted and removed in the left-right direction, one of the positive connector (126) and the negative connector (127) is disposed offset toward the removal side in the plug insertion and removal direction relative to the other, and a first cable (116) connected to one of the positive connector (126) and the negative connector (127) is routed so as to pass through the removal side in the plug insertion and removal direction relative to a second cable (117) connected to the other of the positive connector (126) and the negative connector (127).

[0013] With this configuration, the first cable connected to one of the positive and negative connectors on the detachable side in the plug insertion / removal direction is routed on the detachable side in the plug insertion / removal direction relative to the second cable connected to the other connector, thereby defining the work order in which the first cable is removed before the second cable is removed, thereby preventing the cables from being removed in the wrong order.

[0014] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an electric vehicle that can improve the ease of attaching and detaching wiring when removing a battery from the vehicle body.

[0015] 7 is a left side view of an electric motorcycle (saddle-ride type electric vehicle) according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a left side view of a main part of the electric motorcycle. FIG. 9 is a plan view (top view) of a main part of the electric motorcycle. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a battery unit of the electric motorcycle. FIG. 11 is a left side view showing the interior of the battery unit. FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the battery unit. FIG. 13 is a right side view of a cable connection part of the battery unit. FIG. 14 is a right side view of FIG. 7, showing a state in which the positive cable has been removed. FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the cable connection part. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 9 taken along the line X-X.

[0016] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that directions such as front, rear, up, down, left, and right in the following description are the same as directions in a vehicle described below. That is, the up and down direction corresponds to the vertical direction, and the left and right direction corresponds to the vehicle width direction. In the vehicle width direction, a direction away from the vehicle width center is referred to as the outward direction in the vehicle width direction, and a direction approaching the vehicle width center is referred to as the inward direction in the vehicle width direction. Furthermore, in the drawings used in the following description, the arrow UP indicates upward, the arrow FR indicates forward, and the arrow LH indicates left. In the drawings, the line CL indicates the vehicle width centerline (vehicle width center).

[0017] Figure 1 is a left side view of an electric motorcycle (saddle-ride type electric vehicle) 1 according to an embodiment. As shown in Figure 1, the electric motorcycle 1 according to this embodiment is an off-road saddle-ride type electric vehicle. The electric motorcycle 1 has a large vertical stroke for the wheels, a large ground clearance for the body, a small and lightweight body, and a concentrated mass for the body. The electric motorcycle 1 includes a front wheel 2, a rear wheel 3, a front wheel suspension system 4, a body frame 5, a body cover 6, a rear wheel suspension system 7, a power unit 8, and a battery unit 100.

[0018] The front wheel suspension system 4 includes a pair of left and right front forks 10 that support the front wheel 2 at their lower ends, a top bridge 11 and a bottom bridge 12 that span the upper portions of the pair of front forks 10, and a stem pipe (not shown) that spans between the top bridge 11 and the bottom bridge 12 and is inserted into a head pipe 16. The front wheel 2 is steerably supported on the head pipe 16 of the body frame 5 via the front wheel suspension system 4. A steering handlebar 13 is supported on the top bridge 11. In the embodiment, a telescopic front fork 10 is illustrated as an example of the front suspension of the electric motorcycle 1, but the configuration is not limited to this. For example, the front suspension may be of another type, such as a link type that uses a swing arm.

[0019] Figure 2 is a left side view of essential parts of the electric motorcycle 1, and Figure 3 is a plan view (top view) of essential parts of the electric motorcycle 1. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the body frame 5 includes a head pipe 16, a pair of left and right main frames 17, a pair of left and right pivot frames 18, a single down frame 19, a pair of left and right lower frames 20, a pair of left and right gusset pipes 21, a cross member 22, and a lower cross member 23, which are joined together by welding or the like. Hereinafter, the assembly of these frame members that are inseparably integrated will be referred to as the "frame main body."

[0020] The head pipe 16 is located at the vehicle width center CL and is provided singly at the front end of the body frame 5. The stem pipe is inserted into the head pipe 16 and rotatably supports it. A pair of main frames 17 branch off to the left and right from the upper part of the head pipe 16 and extend rearward and downward. The pair of main frames 17 are joined to each other at their respective front ends. In a plan view seen from above, the front portions of the pair of main frames 17 extend while curving so as to bulge outward in the vehicle width direction behind the head pipe 16. In a plan view seen from above, the rear portions of the pair of main frames 17 extend linearly along the fore-and-aft direction.

[0021] The pair of pivot frames 18 each extend rearward and downward from the rear end of the main frame 17 on the same left and right side. The pair of pivot frames 18 extend in a curved manner so as to form a convex arc shape that protrudes rearward in a side view. A pivot shaft 33 extending in the vehicle width direction is installed between middle portions of the pair of pivot frames 18 that are closer to the bottom in the up-down direction. Note that the term "middle" used in the embodiment means not only the center between both ends of an object but also the range inside between both ends of an object.

[0022] The down frame 19 extends rearward and downward from a lower portion of the head pipe 16. In a side view, the down frame 19 extends rearward and downward at a steeper incline than the main frame 17. A radiator 91 for cooling the power unit 8 is attached to at least one of the left and right sides of the down frame 19 (the left side in this embodiment). A pair of lower frames 20 branch out to the left and right from the lower end of the down frame 19 and extend rearward. The rear ends of the pair of lower frames 20 are each connected to the lower ends of the pivot frames 18 on the same left and right sides.

[0023] The pair of gusset pipes 21 connect the left and right main frames 17 and the down frames 19 on the same side. The pair of gusset pipes 21 branch off to the left and right from a middle portion of the down frame 19 near the top in the vertical direction and extend rearward. The rear ends of the pair of gusset pipes 21 are connected to middle portions of the left and right main frames 17 on the same side in the front-to-rear direction.

[0024] The cross member 22 extends in the vehicle width direction and connects the rear portions of the pair of main frames 17 (or the upper portions of the pair of pivot frames 18). A cushion support bracket 22a extending rearward and upward is fixed to the inner side of the cross member 22 in the vehicle width direction. The upper end of a rear cushion 32 is connected to the cushion support bracket 22a.

[0025] The lower cross member 23 extends in the vehicle width direction and connects the lower parts of the pair of pivot frames 18 below the pivot shaft 33. A link support bracket 23a extending rearward is fixed to the inside of the lower cross member 23 in the vehicle width direction. A front end of a link arm 34 is connected to the link support bracket 23a.

[0026] The body frame 5 further includes a pair of left and right seat rails 24 and a pair of left and right support rails 25. The front end of each of the left and right seat rails 24 is connected to the upper end of the pivot frame 18 on the same side. Each of the left and right seat rails 24 extends rearward and upward from the front end. A seat 9 is disposed above the left and right seat rails 24. The front and rear intermediate portions of the left and right seat rails 24 are connected to each other via a seat support bracket 28 that supports the load from the seat 9.

[0027] The left and right support rails 25 are located below the left and right seat rails 24. The front end of each of the left and right support rails 25 is connected to the vertical middle portion of the pivot frame 18 on the same side. Each of the left and right support rails 25 extends rearward and upward from the front end. The rear end of each of the left and right support rails 25 is connected from below to the rear portion of the seat rail 24 on the same side.

[0028] The rear portions of the left and right seat rails 24 are connected by a cross rail 26 that extends in the vehicle width direction. The pair of left and right seat rails 24, the pair of left and right support rails 25, and the cross rail 26 are joined together by welding or the like. Hereinafter, the assembly in which these frame members are inseparably integrated will be referred to as a subframe that can be attached to and detached from the frame main body. The subframe corresponds to a seat frame that supports the seat 9 from below.

[0029] The body frame 5 is of a semi-double cradle type. The body frame 5 mounts the power unit 8 including the motor 50 below the rear portions of the left and right main frames 17 behind the head pipe 16 and in front of the left and right pivot frames 18. The body frame 5 surrounds the power unit 8 from the front and below with a single down frame 19 and left and right lower frames 20.

[0030] A power unit 8 for running the vehicle is mounted inside the body frame 5, and a battery unit 100 for storing electricity to be supplied to the power unit 8 is also mounted inside the body frame 5. The battery unit 100 can be inserted and removed from above through an opening between the left and right main frames 17. The front portions of the left and right main frames 17 and the left and right gusset pipes 21 have a large curvature outward in the vehicle width direction to ensure clearance with the front portion of the battery unit 100.

[0031] The body cover 6 covers the body frame 5 and the like. The body cover 6 includes a pair of left and right front side cowls 41 and a pair of left and right rear side cowls 42. In a side view seen from the vehicle width direction, the pair of front side cowls 41 are disposed from positions below the left and right sides of the front of the seat 9 to positions overlapping with the upper parts of the down frames 19. Each front side cowl 41 extends forward from below the front of the seat 9 in a diverging manner in a side view. Each front side cowl 41 extends outward in the vehicle width direction from the main frame 17 on the same left or right side so as to straddle the front and rear of the main frame 17. At least one of the front side cowls 41 functions as an air guide plate (radiator shroud) for the radiator 91 supported on the side of the down frame 19.

[0032] The pair of rear side cowls 42 are disposed below the left and right sides of the rear of the seat 9 in a side view. Each rear side cowl 42 is disposed so as to cover the seat rail 24 and support rail 25 on the corresponding left and right side from the outside in the vehicle width direction. A rear fender 43r extends rearward behind the seat 9. The rear fender 43r is disposed above the rear wheel 3 with a gap therebetween. In the figure, reference numeral 43f denotes a front fender that is disposed above the front wheel 2 with a gap therebetween and supported by the bottom bridge 12. A top cover 44 is disposed in front of the seat 9 between the upper ends of the front-rear middle portions of the pair of front side cowls 41. The top cover 44 covers the upward protrusion 110 (see FIGS. 4 and 5 ) of the battery unit 100 from above.

[0033] The rear wheel suspension system 7 includes a swing arm 30 whose rear end supports the rear wheel 3, a link mechanism 31 that connects the front of the swing arm 30 to the lower cross member 23, and a rear cushion 32 that spans between the link mechanism 31 and the cross member 22. The swing arm 30 is disposed below the rear of the vehicle body and extends in the fore-and-aft direction. The front end of the swing arm 30 is supported by a pair of pivot frames 18 via pivot shafts 33 so as to be able to swing up and down.

[0034] The link mechanism 31 includes a pair of left and right link arms 34 and a link member 35. The pair of link arms 34 are disposed below the front portion of the swing arm 30 in a side view and extend in the longitudinal direction. The front end of the link arm 34 is rotatably connected to the link support bracket 23a of the lower cross member 23 via a shaft extending along the vehicle width direction. The rear end of the link arm 34 is rotatably connected to the link member 35 via a shaft extending along the vehicle width direction.

[0035] The link member 35 is formed in a roughly triangular shape in a side view. An upper apex of the link member 35 is rotatably connected to a link connecting portion at the front-rear intermediate portion of the swing arm 30 via a shaft extending in the vehicle width direction. A lower apex of the link member 35 is rotatably connected to the rear end of the link arm 34 via a shaft extending in the vehicle width direction. A front apex of the link member 35 is rotatably connected to the lower end of the rear cushion 32 via a shaft extending in the vehicle width direction.

[0036] The rear cushion 32 is provided on the vehicle widthwise inner side of the rear portion of the vehicle body (e.g., on the vehicle width center CL). The rear cushion 32 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a compression coil spring disposed on the outer periphery of a damper cylinder, and is disposed with its axial direction tilted forward relative to the vertical direction. The upper end of the rear cushion 32 is rotatably connected to the cushion support bracket 22a of the cross member 22 via a shaft extending along the vehicle width direction. The lower end of the rear cushion 32 is rotatably connected to the front top of the link member 35 via a shaft extending along the vehicle width direction. In the embodiment, a configuration in which a single rear cushion 32 is provided on the vehicle widthwise inner side is illustrated, but this configuration is not limited thereto. For example, other configurations are also possible, such as a configuration in which a pair of left and right rear cushions 32 are provided between the rear portion of the swing arm 30 and the seat frame.

[0037] The power unit 8 includes a motor 50 for driving the vehicle, a reduction gear (not shown) that reduces the output of the motor 50, an output shaft 70 that outputs the power of the motor 50 reduced by the reduction gear, a PCU (Power Control Unit) 130 that controls the motor 50, and a housing 80 that accommodates the driving parts such as the motor 50 and the reduction gear, as well as the PCU 130.

[0038] The power unit 8 is configured as an integrated unit including the motor 50, the reducer, the output shaft 70, the PCU 130, and the housing 80. The PCU 130 is disposed below the motor 50. The housing 80 forms the outer shape of the power unit 8. The power unit 8 can be cooled by a water-cooling system including a radiator 91.

[0039] The motor 50 is disposed with its rotational axis aligned along the vehicle width direction. The motor 50 is housed in a motor case 54 formed at the top of the housing 80. A gear-type reducer is disposed on either the left or right side of the motor 50. The output shaft 70 is disposed at the rear lower part of the motor case 54. The output shaft 70 extends in the vehicle width direction, with its left end protruding outside the housing 80. The left end of the output shaft 70 and the rear wheel 3 are linked via a chain-type transmission mechanism 77. This allows the output of the motor 50 to be transmitted to the rear wheel 3.

[0040] The PCU 130 is a control device that includes a PDU (Power Drive Unit) that is a motor driver, an ECU (Electric Control Unit) that controls the PDU, etc. The PDU includes an inverter that converts the current supplied from the battery unit 100 from direct current to alternating current, and then supplies the current to the motor 50. The PCU 130 is housed in a PCU case 81 of the housing 80.

[0041] In addition to the motor case 54, the housing 80 includes a PCU case 81 that houses the PCU 130. The PCU case 81 is disposed below the motor case 54. The PCU case 81 houses the PCU 130 inside. The front portion of the PCU case 81 protrudes forward beyond the front end portion of the motor case 54.

[0042] The power unit 8 (housing 80) is supported on the body frame 5 via multiple fixing portions (including rubber mounts). The power unit 8 is disposed in front of (on the inner periphery of) the pivot frame 18, which is curved in a convex arc shape that protrudes rearward in side view. The power unit 8 is disposed above the lower frame 20. The power unit 8 is disposed below the lower rear end of the main frame 17 in side view. An upper portion (motor case 54) of the power unit 8 is disposed spaced apart rearward of the down frame 19, and a lower portion (PCU case 81) extends to near the lower end of the down frame 19. The lower portion of the PCU case 81 is covered by an undercover 27 attached to the lower frame 20.

[0043] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the battery unit 100, Fig. 5 is a left side view showing the interior of the battery unit 100, and Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the battery unit 100. As shown in Figs. 1 to 6, the battery unit 100 is formed in a generally L-shape in a side view and is disposed from the front to the top of the power unit 8. The battery unit 100 has a constant overall left-right width and is disposed so as to fit between the inner surfaces of the left and right main frames 17 in the vehicle width direction in a plan view. The battery unit 100 has a generally square shape in a side view and includes a central portion (main portion) 101 disposed at a position overlapping the main frames 17, a rearward extending portion 102 extending rearward from the rear end of the central portion 101, and a downward extending portion 103 extending downward from the bottom end of the central portion 101.

[0044] The central portion 101 is disposed so that its upper rear portion protrudes above the main frame 17 and its lower front portion protrudes below the main frame 17 in a side view. The portions of the central portion 101 that protrude above the main frame 17 are covered from the outside in the vehicle width direction by the rear portions of the front side cowls 41. The main frame 17 is disposed so as to diagonally cross the outside of the central portion 101 in the vehicle width direction. The front end portion of the central portion 101 is supported by the vertical middle portion of the down frame 19 via a first mount bracket 45. In the drawing, reference numeral 101a denotes a first mount portion provided at the front end portion of the central portion 101.

[0045] The rearward extension portion 102 extends rearward between the upper end of the rear cushion 32 and the underside of the seat 9 in the vertical direction. The rearward extension portion 102 extends rearward to a position overlapping the front-rear middle portion of the seat rail 24 in a side view. The seat support bracket 28 is U-shaped and spans the rearward extension portion 102 from above to the left and right. The lower end of the rearward extension portion 102 is supported on the cross member 22 via a second mount bracket 46. The second mount bracket 46 is formed integrally with, for example, the cushion support bracket 22a. Reference numeral 102a in the figure denotes a second mount portion provided at the lower end of the rearward extension portion 102. A 12V battery 29 for auxiliary equipment is located further rearward of the rearward extension portion 102. The 12V battery 29 is supported at the rear of the seat frame. Reference numeral 43i in the figure denotes a rear inner fender supported by the support rail 25 to prevent the rear wheel 3 from being lifted up.

[0046] The downward extension portion 103 extends downward in the front-rear direction between the lower portion of the down frame 19 and the motor case 54 of the power unit 8. The downward extension portion 103 extends to the vicinity of the upper surface of the PCU case 81. The lower end portion of the downward extension portion 103 is supported on the front end portions of the left and right lower frames 20 via third mount brackets 47. In the drawing, reference numeral 103a denotes a third mount portion provided at the lower end portion of the downward extension portion 103.

[0047] The battery unit 100 includes a center plate 105 located on the vehicle width center CL, a pair of left and right battery assemblies (battery bodies) 106 located on both the left and right sides of the center plate 105, and a pair of left and right battery covers 107 that cover the left and right battery assemblies 106. The battery unit 100 is provided symmetrically overall with the vehicle width center CL as the axis of symmetry. By providing the battery units 100, which are heavy objects, symmetrically, the impact of the vehicle weight on the left and right balance is reduced.

[0048] Each battery assembly 106 is formed by combining multiple battery modules 108. Each battery module 108 has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape that is long in one direction, and is arranged with its length aligned along the front-to-rear or up-down direction. Each battery module 108 is formed by arranging multiple battery cells 109 vertically and horizontally. The battery cells 109, and therefore the battery modules 108, are arranged with their positions aligned in the vehicle width direction.

[0049] Each battery module 108 has a slender outer shape that is long in one direction, making it easy to arrange even in a small space. The battery unit 100 can be easily shaped to fit the available space in the vehicle body by rearranging the multiple battery modules 108 to change the overall outer shape. Increasing the freedom of shape of the heavy battery unit 100 and increasing the freedom of arrangement in the available space in the vehicle body reduces the impact on the center of gravity of the vehicle.

[0050] The square central portion 101 in side view is formed by, for example, arranging three battery modules 108 with their lengthwise direction oriented in the up-down direction and lining up these three battery modules 108 in the front-to-rear direction. The rectangular rearward extending portion 102 in side view is formed by arranging one battery module 108 with its lengthwise direction oriented in the front-to-rear direction. The rectangular downward extending portion 103 in side view is formed by arranging one battery module 108 with its lengthwise direction oriented in the up-to-down direction. The symbol P1 in Figure 2 indicates the center position of the outline of the central portion 101 in side view.

[0051] The upper end of the battery unit 100 is provided with an upward protrusion 110 that houses electrical components such as a contactor (control device) 121 and a control board 122. The upward protrusion 110 protrudes higher than the main frame 17 in a side view and is covered from above by a top cover 44. The upward protrusion 110 includes a plate extension 111 that extends the upper end of the center plate 105 above the upper end of the battery assembly 106. Electrical components such as the contactor 121 are attached to both the left and right sides of the plate extension 111. The upper ends of the left and right battery covers 107 are provided with cover extensions 112 that extend higher than the upper end of the battery assembly 106 to match the plate extension 111. The left and right cover extensions 112 cover the plate extensions 111 from the left and right outer sides, preventing electrical components such as the contactor 121 from being exposed to the outside of the vehicle.

[0052] The rear portions of the plate extension 111 and the left and right cover extensions 112 are located below the front portion of the seat 9, which is inclined upward toward the front. The upper rear portions of the plate extension 111 and the left and right cover extensions 112 are formed with an inclined shape that is inclined upward toward the front in a side view, matching the inclination of the front portion of the seat 9. The outer portions of the left and right cover extensions 112 in the vehicle width direction are formed with an inclined chamfered shape that is positioned lower as they move outward in the vehicle width direction. This reduces the bulkiness of the upward protrusion 110, and gives the top cover 44 a rounded, compact shape.

[0053] 7 and 8 are right side views showing a cable connection portion 114 at the front end of the battery unit 100, and Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the cable connection portion 114. Referring to Figs. 7 to 9, the front end of the battery unit 100 is provided with an upward protrusion 110 and a cable connection portion 114 that protrudes forward from the front end portion above the central portion 101. To the cable connection portion 114, one end (positive plug 116a and negative plug 117a) of a high-voltage cable 115 (positive cable 116 and negative cable 117) extending from the PCU 130 is connected, and one end (low-voltage plug 118a) of a low-voltage cable 118 extending from the 12V battery 29 is also connected.

[0054] The high-voltage cable 115 enables the supply of drive current for vehicle operation from the battery unit 100 to the PCU 130. The low-voltage cable 118 is a branch harness branching from a main harness 119 connected to the 12V battery 29, and enables the supply of drive current from the 12V battery 29 to electrical components such as a contactor 121 for driving the electrical components. The contactor 121 is a normally open relay that connects the circuit between the battery assembly 106 and the high-voltage connector 125 when drive current is supplied from the 12V battery 29. The contactor 121 interrupts the circuit between the battery assembly 106 and the high-voltage connector 125 when the drive current from the 12V battery 29 is interrupted. The control board 122 controls the power output from the high-voltage connector 125 to the outside.

[0055] 7 to 9 , the cable connection portion 114 at the front end of the battery unit 100 is provided with a high-voltage connector 125 that enables electric power for driving the drive wheels (rear wheels 3) of the vehicle to be taken out to the outside (PCU 130), and a low-voltage connector 128 that enables electric power for driving electrical components such as the contactor 121 to be supplied from the outside (12V battery 29). The high-voltage connector 125 is provided with a positive electrode connector 126 that is connected to the positive electrode of the battery main body, and a negative electrode connector 127 that is connected to the negative electrode of the battery main body.

[0056] The cable connection portion 114 including the connectors 125, 128 is disposed at the top of the battery unit 100 (for example, above the center position P1 (see FIG. 2 )). Referring to FIG. 3 , the main frame 17 includes an extension portion 17a that extends linearly along the vehicle longitudinal direction in a plan view, and a front curved portion 17b that extends from the front end of the extension portion 17a so as to curve inward in the vehicle width direction in a plan view. Hereinafter, the range from the head pipe 16 to the rear end of the front curved portion 17b in the vehicle longitudinal direction will be referred to as a branch portion 17f, which branches off the left and right main frames 17 behind the head pipe 16 of the body frame 5. The cable connection portion 114 is disposed inside the branch portion 17f of the body frame 5 (between the left and right front curved portions 17b in a plan view, and at a position overlapping with the front curved portion 17b in a side view).

[0057] The high-voltage connector 125 (positive connector 126 and negative connector 127) and the low-voltage connector 128 are arranged side by side in the vertical direction of the vehicle in a side view. The connectors are arranged in the order of the low-voltage connector 128, the positive connector 126, and the negative connector 127 from above. The high-voltage connector 125 and the low-voltage connector 128 are arranged so that at least a portion of them overlap each other in the longitudinal direction in a side view.

[0058] The positive connector 126 and the negative connector 127 are arranged side by side in the vertical direction of the vehicle in a side view. The positive connector 126 is arranged on top and the negative connector 127 is arranged on the bottom of each connector 126, 127. The negative connector 127 may be arranged on top and the positive connector 126 is arranged on the bottom of each connector 126, 127. The positive connector 126 and the negative connector 127 are arranged so that at least a portion of them overlap each other in the front-to-rear direction in a side view.

[0059] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line X-X in FIG. 9 . Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10 , the positive connector 126 and the negative connector 127 are arranged so as not to overlap each other in a top view of the vehicle. The upper positive connector 126 is offset by an amount X1 to the right in the vehicle left-right direction (the removal side in the plug insertion / removal direction) relative to the lower negative connector 127. The offset amount X1 corresponds to the amount of displacement in the vehicle width direction between the opening forming surfaces 126 a, 127 a of the positive connector 126 and the negative connector 127. The opening forming surface 128 a of the low-voltage connector 128 is provided, for example, flush with the opening forming surface 126 a of the positive connector 126. The opening forming surfaces 126 a, 127 a, 128 a are provided on the side surfaces of the cable connection portion 114 facing rightward in the vehicle left-right direction.

[0060] Each opening forming surface 126a, 127a, 128a forms a connector opening 126b, 127b, 128b that opens to the right. The plugs 116a, 117a, 118a of the cables 116, 117, 118 are inserted into and removed from the connector openings 126b, 127b, 128b from the right along the transverse direction of the vehicle. Each plug 116a, 117a, 118a is provided at one end of each cable 116, 117, 118. Each plug 116a, 117a, 118a includes a plug body 116b, 117b, 118b that is integrated with the cable 116, 117, 118 in the extension direction, and a plug terminal (not shown) that is disposed on a side surface of the plug body 116b, 117b, 118b in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction.

[0061] The plug terminals of the plugs 116a, 117a, and 118a are inserted and removed from the right side of the vehicle in the left-right direction (plug insertion / removal direction) of the connector openings 126b, 127b, and 128b of the connectors 126, 127, and 128. The positive plug 116a and the negative plug 117a are attached to the positive connector 126 and the negative connector 127, respectively, with the cable main bodies 116c and 117c extending downward. The low-voltage plug 118a is attached to the low-voltage connector 128 in a specified orientation (e.g., with the cable main body 118c extending diagonally upward and forward) that avoids the downward direction (toward the positive plug 126).

[0062] The offset amount X1 in the plug insertion / removal direction between the positive connector 126 and the negative connector 127 is greater than the protrusion height toward the removal side (right) of the negative plug 117a (plug body 117b) attached to the negative connector 127 displaced toward the insertion side (left) in the plug insertion / removal direction. Therefore, the positive cable 116 connected to the positive connector 126 displaced toward the removal side in the plug insertion / removal direction is routed so as to pass through the removal side of the negative cable 117 connected to the negative connector 127 displaced toward the insertion side in the plug insertion / removal direction.

[0063] This prevents the plug 116a and cable body 116c of the positive cable 116 from interfering with the plug 117a and cable body 117c of the negative cable 117. Furthermore, the positive cable 116 can be attached to and detached from the positive connector 126 with the negative cable 117 attached to the negative connector 127. Conversely, with the positive cable 116 attached to the positive connector 126, attachment and detachment of the negative cable 117 to and from the negative connector 127 is restricted. This inevitably defines the order in which the cables 116, 117 are attached to and detached from the positive connector 126 and the negative connector 127. This makes it possible to prevent errors in the work procedure when attaching and detaching the battery unit 100.

[0064] As described above, the electric motorcycle 1 in the above embodiment is an electric vehicle including: a body frame 5 having a head pipe 16 that supports a steerable wheel (front wheel 2); and a pair of left and right main frames 17 that are connected at their front ends to the head pipe 16 and branch off to the left and right from the head pipe 16 and extend rearward; and a battery unit 100 that is supported on the body frame 5 between the pair of left and right main frames 17, wherein the battery unit 100 has a high-voltage connector 125 that extracts electric power to drive the drive wheel (rear wheel 3), and the high-voltage connector 125 is arranged above the battery unit 100 and is arranged inside a branch portion 17f where the pair of left and right main frames 17 branch off from the head pipe 16 on the body frame 5.

[0065] According to this configuration, the high-voltage connector 125 that outputs power from the battery unit 100 is disposed on the upper part of the battery unit 100 and inside the branch portion 17f of the left and right main frames 17 of the body frame 5, which makes it easier to access the high-voltage connector 125 from above the battery unit 100. This improves the ease of attaching and detaching the high-voltage connector 125. Furthermore, inside the branch portion 17f of the left and right main frames 17 of the body frame 5, a narrow space is formed between the left and right main frames 17. By disposing the high-voltage connector 125 of the battery unit 100 in this space, the wide space away from the branch portion 17f can be used efficiently as space for arranging the battery main body.

[0066] In the electric motorcycle 1, the battery unit 100 has the high-voltage connector 125 that supplies electricity from the battery main body (battery assembly 106) to the outside, a control device (contactor 121) that controls the supply of electricity to the high-voltage connector 125, and a low-voltage connector 128 that supplies low-voltage electricity that drives the control device, and the control device allows the supply of electricity from the battery main body to the outside by supplying electricity to the low-voltage connector 128, and the high-voltage connector 125 and the low-voltage connector 128 are aligned in the vertical direction of the vehicle in a side view, and the low-voltage connector 128 is positioned higher than the high-voltage connector 125.

[0067] According to this configuration, the low-voltage connector 128, which supplies drive power to the control device, is disposed above the high-voltage connector 125, which outputs vehicle drive power to the outside. Because each connector 125, 128 is accessed from above, the order in which the cables 115, 118 connected to each connector 125, 128 are removed is specified as follows: first, remove the cable 118 on the low-voltage connector 128 side, and then remove the cable 125 on the high-voltage connector 115 side. In other words, because the cable 115 on the high-voltage connector 125 side cannot be accessed unless the cable 118 on the easily accessible low-voltage connector 128 side is removed, it is possible to prevent the cables 115, 118 from being removed in the wrong order.

[0068] In the electric motorcycle 1, the high-voltage connector 125 has a positive connector 126 connected to the positive electrode of the battery body, and a negative connector 127 connected to the negative electrode of the battery body, and the positive connector 126 and the negative connector 127 are aligned in the vertical direction of the vehicle in a side view and are positioned so as not to overlap each other in a top view of the vehicle.

[0069] According to this configuration, the positive connector 126 and the negative connector 127 are aligned vertically in a side view but do not overlap each other in a top view (i.e., offset from each other in the left-right direction), which enables a configuration in which the connector from which the cable is to be removed first is positioned on the outer left-right side (the removal side in the plug insertion / removal direction). This makes it easy to realize a configuration in which the cables are removed in a specified order. In addition, the cables 116, 117 connected to each connector 126, 127 are also offset from each other in the left-right direction, which prevents the cables 116, 117 from interfering with each other.

[0070] In the electric motorcycle 1, the positive connector 126 and the negative connector 127 are adapted to insert and remove plugs (116a, 117a) of cables (116, 117) connected to each of them in the left-right direction, one of the positive connector 126 and the negative connector 127 (positive connector 126) is positioned offset toward the removal side in the plug insertion and removal direction relative to the other (negative connector 127), and a first cable (positive cable 116) connected to one of the positive connector 126 and the negative connector 127 (positive connector 126) is arranged so as to pass on the removal side in the plug insertion and removal direction relative to a second cable (negative cable 117) connected to the other of the positive connector 126 and the negative connector 127 (negative connector 127).

[0071] According to this configuration, the first cable (positive cable 116) connected to the connector (positive connector 126) on the detachable side in the plug insertion / removal direction of the positive connector 126 or the negative connector 127 is routed on the detachable side in the plug insertion / removal direction with respect to the second cable (negative cable 117) connected to the other connector (negative connector 127), thereby defining the work order in which the first cable is removed and then the second cable is removed. This makes it possible to prevent the cables from being removed in the wrong order.

[0072] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, the configuration of the present embodiment may be applied to saddle-ride vehicles other than motorcycles. Saddle-ride vehicles include all vehicles on which a rider straddles the vehicle body, including not only motorcycles (including motorized bicycles and scooter-type vehicles), but also three-wheeled vehicles (including vehicles with one front wheel and two rear wheels, as well as vehicles with two front wheels and one rear wheel) or four-wheeled vehicles (such as four-wheeled buggies). The configuration of the above-described embodiment is an example of the present invention, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention, such as replacing components of the embodiment with known components.

[0073] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Electric two-wheeler (electric vehicle) 2 Front wheel (steered wheel) 3 Rear wheel (driven wheel) 5 Body frame 16 Head pipe 17 Main frame 17f Branch portion 100 Battery unit (battery pack) 106 Battery assembly (battery body) 116 Positive cable (cable, first cable) 116a Positive plug (plug) 117 Negative cable (cable, second cable) 117a Negative plug (plug) 121 Contactor (control device) 125 High-voltage connector (connector) 126 Positive connector 127 Negative connector 128 Low-voltage connector

Claims

1. An electric vehicle (1) comprising: a head pipe (16) that supports steering wheels (2) in a steerable manner; a body frame (5) having a front end connected to the head pipe (16) and a pair of left and right main frames (17) that branch off to the left and right from the head pipe (16) and extend rearward; and a battery pack (100) supported on the body frame (5) between the pair of left and right main frames (17), wherein the battery pack (100) has a connector (125) that extracts electric power to drive drive wheels (3) to the outside, and the connector (125) is arranged on an upper portion of the battery pack (100) and is arranged inside a branch portion (17f) where the pair of left and right main frames (17) branch off from the head pipe (16) in the body frame (5).

2. The electric vehicle described in claim 1, wherein the battery pack (100) has: the connector (125) that supplies electric power from the battery main body (106) to the outside; a control device (121) that controls the supply of electricity to the connector (125); and a low-voltage connector (128) that supplies low-voltage electric power to drive the control device (121); the control device (121) allows the supply of electric power from the battery main body (106) to the outside by supplying electricity to the low-voltage connector (128); the connector (125) and the low-voltage connector (128) are aligned in the vertical direction of the vehicle in a side view; and the low-voltage connector (128) is positioned higher than the connector (125).

3. The electric vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the connector (125) has a positive connector (126) connected to the positive electrode of the battery main body (106) and a negative connector (127) connected to the negative electrode of the battery main body (106), and the positive connector (126) and the negative connector (127) are aligned in the vertical direction of the vehicle in a side view and are positioned so as not to overlap each other in a top view of the vehicle.

4. The electric vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the positive connector (126) and the negative connector (127) are adapted to insert and remove plugs (116a, 117a) of cables (116, 117) connected to each of them in a left-right direction, one of the positive connector (126) and the negative connector (127) is disposed offset toward the removal side in a plug insertion / removal direction relative to the other, and a first cable (116) connected to one of the positive connector (126) and the negative connector (127) is arranged so as to pass on the removal side in the plug insertion / removal direction with respect to a second cable (117) connected to the other of the positive connector (126) and the negative connector (127).

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