Electric straddled vehicle

Abstract

A saddle-type electric vehicle 1 comprises a battery 10, an electric power unit 6, and a first cable 45. The battery 10 is disposed in a center tunnel 37 disposed between a pair of left and right footrests 8. The electric power unit 6 includes a motor control unit 19 disposed rearward of the battery 10. The first cable 45 connects the motor control unit 19 and the battery 10. The motor control unit 19 includes a connector 19a connected to the first cable 45. The connector 19a is disposed on one side of a vehicle width direction with respect to the center in the vehicle width direction. The first cable 45 extends in a vehicle longitudinal direction along a lateral surface of the battery 10 on the other side of the vehicle width direction with respect to the center in the vehicle width direction.

Description

Electric straddle vehicle 【0001】 The present invention relates to a straddle-type electric vehicle. 【0002】 The straddle-type electric vehicle includes a battery, an electric motor, a motor control unit that controls the electric motor, and a cable that connects the battery and the motor control unit. The battery is disposed in a center tunnel that extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction. 【0003】 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-066291 【0004】 In a straddle-type electric vehicle in which a battery is disposed in a center tunnel, since a high-voltage current flows through the cable connecting the battery and the motor control unit, the diameter of the cable is large and the wiring constraints are severe. Therefore, the degree of freedom in the wiring layout of the cable is low. 【0005】 An object of the present invention is to increase the degree of freedom in the wiring layout of the cable connecting the battery and the motor control unit in a straddle-type electric vehicle in which the battery is disposed in the center tunnel. 【0006】A saddle-type electric vehicle according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a body frame, a seat, a pair of left and right footrests, a body cover, a battery, an electric power unit, and a first cable. The body frame includes a head pipe. The seat is positioned behind the head pipe. The pair of left and right footrests are positioned in front of and below the seat. The body cover covers the body frame. The body cover includes a center tunnel positioned between the pair of left and right footrests and forming an internal space extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The battery is located in the center tunnel. The electric power unit is powered by the battery. The electric power unit includes a drive motor and a motor control unit positioned behind the battery and in front of the drive motor and controlling the drive motor. The first cable is a cable for supplying power to drive the drive motor. The first cable connects the motor control unit and the battery. The motor control unit includes a first connector connected to the first cable. The first connector is positioned on one side in the vehicle width direction with respect to the center in the vehicle width direction. The first cable extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle along the side of the battery, on the opposite side of the vehicle width relative to the center in the vehicle width direction. 【0007】 In the saddle-type electric vehicle according to this embodiment, the first connector of the motor control unit connected to the first cable is positioned on one side in the vehicle width direction relative to the center in the vehicle width direction. The first cable extends in the vehicle front-rear direction along the side of the battery on the other side in the vehicle width direction relative to the center in the vehicle width direction. This makes it possible to increase the degree of freedom in the routing layout of the first cable while satisfying constraints such as the bending radius of the first cable through which high-voltage current flows. 【0008】 The battery may include a second connector located on the front of the battery and connected to the first cable. In this case, the degree of freedom in the routing layout of the first cable can be further increased while satisfying constraints such as the bending radius of the first cable. 【0009】The first connector may be oriented in a direction different from that of the second connector. In this case, the degree of freedom in the routing layout of the first cable can be further increased while still satisfying constraints such as the bending radius of the first cable. 【0010】 The first connector may face upwards. The second connector may face downwards. In this case, the degree of freedom in the routing layout of the first cable can be further increased while satisfying constraints such as the bending radius of the first cable. 【0011】 The battery may include a battery housing. The battery housing may include a first part and a second part having a width dimension smaller than the width dimension of the first part. The first cable may be arranged to the side of the second part of the battery housing. In this case, it is possible to increase the flexibility of the routing layout of the first cable while suppressing an increase in the width dimension of the vehicle. 【0012】 The first cable may extend along the side of the battery inside the vehicle frame in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. In this case, the vehicle frame can protect the first cable. 【0013】 The vehicle frame may include a pair of left and right down frames extending downward from the head pipe, and a pair of left and right lower frames extending rearward from the pair of left and right down frames and positioned below the pair of left and right footrests. A portion of the first cable may be positioned inside the pair of left and right lower frames and may overlap with the pair of left and right lower frames in a side view of the vehicle. In this case, the pair of left and right lower frames can protect the first cable. 【0014】 The saddle-type electric vehicle may further include a DC / DC converter that steps down the DC power output from the battery, and a second cable that connects the battery and the DC / DC converter. The second cable may extend in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle along the side of the battery on the other side in the vehicle width direction relative to the center in the vehicle width direction. In this case, the degree of freedom in the routing layout of the second cable can be increased. 【0015】The motor control unit may be positioned below the DC / DC converter. The first cable may be positioned below the second cable. This allows for greater flexibility in the routing layout of the first and second cables while suppressing interference between them. It also helps to prevent an increase in the vehicle's width. 【0016】 The battery may include a battery housing. The battery housing may include a first part and a third part having a width dimension smaller than the width dimension of the first part. The second cable may be located to the side of the third part of the battery housing. In this case, it is possible to suppress an increase in the width dimension of the vehicle. 【0017】 The saddle-type electric vehicle may further include a radiator positioned in front of the battery and coolant piping connected to the radiator and the electric power unit. The coolant piping may extend in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle along the side of the battery on one side in the vehicle width direction relative to the center in the vehicle width direction. In this case, it is possible to suppress an increase in the vehicle width dimension. 【0018】 The cooling water piping may be located to the side of the second portion of the battery housing. In this case, it is possible to suppress an increase in the vehicle's width. 【0019】The battery may include a battery housing. The battery housing may include a first part, a second part located below the first part and having a widthwise dimension smaller than the widthwise dimension of the first part, and a third part located above the first part and having a widthwise dimension smaller than the widthwise dimension of the first part. The coolant piping may include a first pipe for flowing coolant from the radiator toward the electric power unit, and a second pipe for flowing coolant from the electric power unit toward the radiator. One of the first and second pipes may be located to the side of the second part of the battery housing. The other of the first and second pipes may be located to the side of the third part of the battery housing. In this case as well, it is possible to suppress an increase in the widthwise dimension of the vehicle. 【0020】 The vehicle frame may include a pair of down frames extending downward from the head pipe, and a pair of lower frames extending rearward from the pair of down frames and positioned below the pair of footrests. The battery may be positioned between the pair of lower frames. In this case, the battery can be supported by the pair of lower frames. 【0021】 According to the present invention, in a saddle-type electric vehicle in which the battery is located in the center tunnel, the degree of freedom in the routing layout of the cable connecting the battery and the motor control unit can be increased. 【0022】 This is a side view of a saddle-type electric vehicle. This is a top view of a saddle-type electric vehicle. This is a perspective view of the vehicle frame and the power system configuration near the vehicle frame, viewed from the front left. This is a perspective view of the vehicle frame and the power system configuration near the vehicle frame, viewed from the rear left. This is a front view showing the vehicle frame and the power system configuration near the vehicle frame. This is a schematic cross-sectional view between A and B in Figure 1. This is a perspective view of the electric power unit, charger, battery, and DC / DC converter, viewed from the rear right. This is a perspective view of the electric power unit, charger, battery, and DC / DC converter, viewed from the front left. 【0023】The following description of an embodiment of a saddle-type electric vehicle will be made with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a side view of the saddle-type electric vehicle 1. Figure 2 is a top view of the saddle-type electric vehicle 1. The saddle-type electric vehicle 1 according to this embodiment is a scooter-type electric vehicle. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the saddle-type electric vehicle 1 includes a vehicle frame 2, a steering device 3, a front wheel 4, a seat 5, an electric power unit 6, a rear wheel 7, a pair of left and right footrests 8, a vehicle cover 9, and a battery 10. In the following description, the front, rear, left, and right directions refer to the directions as viewed from the driver seated on the seat 5. 【0024】 Figures 3 to 6 are diagrams illustrating the internal structure of the saddle-type electric vehicle 1. The vehicle frame 2 includes a head pipe 11, a pair of left and right down frames 12, a pair of left and right lower frames 13, a pair of left and right upper frames 14, a pair of left and right seat frames 15, and a pair of left and right rear frames 16. 【0025】 The head pipe 11 is located in the center of the vehicle in the vehicle width direction. The head pipe 11 is inclined downwards towards the front when viewed from the side of the vehicle. 【0026】 The left and right pair of down frames 12 extend downward and outward in the vehicle width direction from the head pipe 11. The left and right pair of down frames 12 include the left down frame 12a and the right down frame 12b. The left down frame 12a extends to the left and downward from the head pipe 11. The right down frame 12b extends to the right and downward from the head pipe 11. 【0027】 The left and right pair of lower frames 13 extend rearward from the left and right pair of down frames 12. The left and right pair of lower frames 13 are positioned below the left and right pair of footrests 8. The left and right pair of lower frames 13 include the left lower frame 13a and the right lower frame 13b. The left lower frame 13a extends rearward from the lower end of the left down frame 12a. The right lower frame 13b extends rearward from the lower end of the right down frame 12b. 【0028】The left and right pair of upper frames 14 extend rearward from the left and right pair of down frames 12, above the left and right pair of lower frames 13. The left and right pair of upper frames 14 are positioned inward in the vehicle width direction compared to the left and right pair of lower frames 13. The left and right pair of upper frames 14 include the left upper frame 14a and the right upper frame 14b. The left upper frame 14a extends rearward from the left down frame 12a. The right upper frame 14b extends rearward from the right down frame 12b. 【0029】 A pair of left and right seat frames 15 are connected to a pair of left and right upper frames 14. The pair of left and right seat frames 15 extend rearward and upward from the pair of left and right upper frames 14. The pair of left and right seat frames 15 includes a left seat frame 15a and a right seat frame 15b. The left seat frame 15a extends rearward and upward from the left upper frame 14a. The right seat frame 15b extends rearward and upward from the right upper frame 14b. 【0030】 A pair of left and right rear frames 16 are connected to a pair of left and right lower frames 13, a pair of left and right upper frames 14, and a pair of left and right seat frames 15. The lower ends of the pair of left and right rear frames 16 are positioned below the pair of left and right lower frames 13. The pair of left and right rear frames 16 includes a left rear frame 16a and a right rear frame 16b. The left rear frame 16a extends downward and forward from the left seat frame 15a. The lower end of the left rear frame 16a extends inward in the vehicle width direction. The rear end of the left lower frame 13a and the rear end of the left upper frame 14a are connected to the left rear frame 16a. 【0031】 The right rear frame 16b extends downward and forward from the right seat frame 15b. The lower end of the right rear frame 16b extends inward in the vehicle width direction. The lower end of the right rear frame 16b is connected to the lower end of the left rear frame 16a. The rear end of the right lower frame 13b and the rear end of the right upper frame 14b are connected to the right rear frame 16b. 【0032】The steering device 3 is supported on the vehicle frame 2 so as to be able to rotate left and right. The steering device 3 includes a front fork 21 and a handle member 22. The front fork 21 is rotatably supported on the head pipe 11. The handle member 22 is connected to the upper end of the front fork 21. The front wheel 4 is rotatably supported on the front fork 21. 【0033】 The seat 5 is located behind the head pipe 11. The seat 5 is located above the pair of left and right seat frames 15. 【0034】 The electric power unit 6 is located beneath the seat 5. The electric power unit 6 is located behind the battery 10. The electric power unit 6 is supported by a pair of left and right rear frames 16. The electric power unit 6 is supplied with power from the battery 10. 【0035】 As shown in Figures 4, 7, and 8, the electric power unit 6 includes a case 17, a drive motor 18, and a motor control unit 19. The drive motor 18 and the motor control unit 19 are housed in the case 17. The drive motor 18 and the motor control unit 19 may be housed in separate cases. As shown in Figure 8, the drive motor 18 is positioned behind the motor control unit 19. Note that the drive motor 18 is not shown in Figures 3, 4, and 7. 【0036】 The drive motor 18 is the power source for the saddle-type electric vehicle 1. The drive motor 18 is, for example, an AC motor. The rotation of the drive motor 18 is transmitted to the rear wheels 7 via a reduction mechanism (not shown) housed in a case. As shown in Figure 7, the drive motor 18 is located behind the motor control unit 19. Note that the drive motor 18 is not shown in Figures 3, 4 and 7. 【0037】The motor control unit 19 is positioned behind the battery 10 and in front of the drive motor 18. In the front-rear direction, the motor control unit 19 is positioned between the battery 10 and the drive motor 18. The motor control unit 19 is positioned below the DC / DC converter 44, which will be described later. The motor control unit 19 controls the drive motor 18. The motor control unit 19 supplies power from the battery 10 to the drive motor 18 in response to the operation of, for example, the accelerator grip provided on the handle member 22. 【0038】 As shown in Figures 3 and 7, the motor control unit 19 includes a connector 19a (an example of a first connector). The connector 19a is, for example, a female connector. The connector 19a is connected to the first cable 45, which will be described later. The connector 19a is positioned on one side in the vehicle width direction relative to the center in the vehicle width direction. In this embodiment, the connector 19a is positioned to the left of the center in the vehicle width direction. The connector 19a faces in a direction different from the direction the first battery connector 25, which will be described later, faces. The connector 19a faces upward. When viewed from the front-rear direction of the vehicle, the connector 19a overlaps with the battery 10. 【0039】 The rear wheel 7 is rotatably supported by the electric power unit 6. 【0040】 As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the left and right pair of footrests 8 are positioned in front of and below the seat 5. The left and right pair of footrests 8 are positioned between the leg shield 33 (described later) and the seat 5 in the front-rear direction. The left and right pair of footrests 8 are positioned above the left and right pair of lower frames 13 and cover the left and right pair of lower frames 13 from above. In this embodiment, the left and right pair of footrests 8 are provided on the vehicle body cover 9. The left and right pair of footrests 8 extend in the front-rear direction. The left and right pair of footrests 8 have a flat shape. The left and right pair of footrests 8 are places for the driver's feet to rest. 【0041】The pair of left and right footrests 8 includes a left footrest 8a and a right footrest 8b. The left footrest 8a covers the left lower frame 13a from above. The right footrest 8b covers the right lower frame 13b from above. 【0042】 The body cover 9 covers the body frame 2. As shown in FIG. 1, the body cover 9 includes a front cover 31, a pair of left and right front side covers 32, a pair of left and right leg shields 33, a pair of left and right rear side covers 34, an upper cover 35, a bottom cover 36, and a center tunnel 37. 【0043】 The front cover 31 is fixed to the body frame 2. The front cover 31 is disposed in front of the head pipe 11 and the pair of left and right down frames 12. The front cover 31, the pair of left and right front side covers 32, and the pair of left and right leg shields 33 cover the periphery of the head pipe 11 and the pair of left and right down frames 12. 【0044】 The pair of left and right front side covers 32 are disposed on the sides of the head pipe 11 and the pair of left and right down frames 12. 【0045】 The pair of left and right leg shields 33 are disposed behind the head pipe 11 and the pair of left and right down frames 12. 【0046】 The pair of left and right rear side covers 34 are disposed on the sides of the pair of left and right upper frames 14 and the pair of left and right seat frames 15. The pair of left and right rear side covers 34 are disposed below the seat 5. The pair of left and right rear side covers 34 are disposed above the pair of left and right lower frames 13. The pair of left and right rear side covers 34 cover the pair of left and right lower frames 13 from above. That is, the pair of left and right rear side covers 34 includes the pair of left and right footrests 8. 【0047】The pair of left and right rear side covers 34 includes a left rear side cover 34a and a right rear side cover 34b. The left rear side cover 34a covers the left upper frame 14a and the left seat frame 15a from the left side. The left rear side cover 34a covers the left lower frame 13a from above. The right rear side cover 34b covers the right upper frame 14b and the right seat frame 15b from the right side. The right rear side cover 34b covers the right lower frame 13b from above. 【0048】 The upper cover 35 is arranged between the head pipe 11 and the seat 5 in the front-rear direction. The upper cover 35 is arranged above the battery 10. The upper cover 35 is arranged between the pair of left and right rear side covers 34 in the left-right direction. 【0049】 The bottom cover 36 is arranged below the pair of left and right lower frames 13. The bottom cover 36 covers the pair of left and right lower frames 13 from below. The bottom cover 36 is arranged below the pair of left and right rear side covers 34. The bottom cover 36 is arranged below the pair of left and right footrests 8. 【0050】 The center tunnel 37 is arranged between the pair of left and right footrests 8. The center tunnel 37 is arranged between the left footrest 8a and the right footrest 8b in the vehicle width direction. The center tunnel 37 is arranged between the pair of left and right leg shields 33 and the seat 5 in the front-rear direction. The center tunnel 37 has a shape that protrudes above the upper surfaces of the pair of left and right footrests 8. The center tunnel 37 forms an internal space that extends in the vehicle front-rear direction. The center tunnel 37 is arranged at the center of the vehicle in the vehicle width direction. 【0051】As shown in Figure 6, the center tunnel 37 is formed by a pair of left and right rear side covers 34, an upper cover 35, a pair of left and right footrests 8, and a bottom cover 36. That is, the center tunnel 37 covers the pair of left and right lower frames 13 and the pair of left and right upper frames 14 from the outside in the vehicle width direction. The center tunnel 37 covers the pair of left and right upper frames 14 from above. The center tunnel 37 covers the pair of left and right lower frames 13 from below. 【0052】 The battery 10 is located in the center tunnel 37. The battery 10 is housed in the center tunnel 37. The battery 10 is located in the center of the vehicle in the vehicle width direction. The battery 10 is located in front of and below the seat 5. The battery 10 is attached to a pair of left and right upper frames 14 and a pair of left and right lower frames 13 via brackets. The battery 10 is located between the pair of left and right upper frames 14. The battery 10 is located between the pair of left and right lower frames 13. The battery 10 is located between the pair of left and right footrests 8. The top surface of the battery 10 is located above the pair of left and right upper frames 14. The bottom surface of the battery 10 is located below the pair of left and right lower frames 13. 【0053】 The front of the battery 10 is positioned behind the pair of left and right down frames 12. The rear of the battery 10 is positioned in front of the pair of left and right rear frames 16. 【0054】As shown in Figures 3 and 4, a plurality of brackets 38 supporting the lower end of the battery 10 are attached to the lower surfaces of a pair of left and right down frames 12. The plurality of brackets 38 extend in the vehicle width direction. The battery 10 is suspended from the pair of left and right down frames 12 via the plurality of brackets 38. The plurality of brackets 38 are connected to the left down frame 12a and the right down frame 12b. The lower surface of the battery 10 is positioned below the mounting portion 39 on the pair of left and right down frames 12 to which the plurality of brackets 38 are attached. Furthermore, the portion of the battery 10 positioned below the pair of left and right lower frames 13 has a width dimension that is smaller than the width dimension of the battery 10 in the vertical direction. This allows for a large bank angle even when the battery 10 is large. 【0055】 The battery 10 includes a battery housing 24 and a first battery connector 25 (an example of a second connector). The battery housing 24 is box-shaped. The battery housing 24 extends below the pair of left and right lower frames 13. The battery housing 24 extends above the pair of left and right upper frames 14. 【0056】 As shown in Figures 3 to 8, the battery housing 24 includes a first portion 24a, a second portion 24b, and a third portion 24c. Each of the first portion 24a, the second portion 24b, and the third portion 24c houses a plurality of battery cells inside. The first portion 24a, the second portion 24b, and the third portion 24c extend in the front-to-back direction. The first portion 24a is located between the second portion 24b and the third portion 24c in the vertical direction. The first portion 24a is located in the center of the battery housing 24 in the vertical direction. 【0057】The second portion 24b is positioned below the first portion 24a. The second portion 24b has a widthwise dimension that is smaller than the widthwise dimension of the first portion 24a. The left side of the second portion 24b is positioned inward in the widthwise direction than the left side of the first portion 24a. The right side of the second portion 24b is positioned inward in the widthwise direction than the right side of the first portion 24a. The second portion 24b has the same front-to-rear dimension as the front-to-rear dimension of the first portion 24a. In a side view of the vehicle, the second portion 24b overlaps with a pair of left and right lower frames 13. The underside of the second portion 24b protrudes downward from the pair of left and right lower frames 13. Multiple brackets 38 are positioned on the underside of the second portion 24b. 【0058】 The third portion 24c is positioned above the first portion 24a. The third portion 24c has a widthwise dimension that is smaller than the widthwise dimension of the first portion 24a. The left side of the third portion 24c is located inward in the widthwise direction than the left side of the first portion 24a. The right side of the third portion 24c is located inward in the widthwise direction than the right side of the first portion 24a. The third portion 24c has dimensions that are approximately the same as the front-rear dimension of the first portion 24a. In a side view of the vehicle, the third portion 24c overlaps with a pair of left and right upper frames 14. 【0059】 The first battery connector 25 is, for example, a female connector. The first battery connector 25 is located on the front of the battery 10. More specifically, the first battery connector 25 is located on the front of the first portion 24a of the battery housing 24. The first battery connector 25 faces downward. The first battery connector 25 is located below the connector 19a of the motor control unit 19. The first battery connector 25 is located in the center of the vehicle in the vehicle width direction. The first battery connector 25 may be located to the left of the head pipe 11 in the vehicle width direction. The first battery connector 25 may be located to the right of the head pipe 11 in the vehicle width direction. The first cable 45 connected to the first battery connector 25 electrically connects the battery 10 and the motor control unit 19. 【0060】The battery 10 includes a second battery connector 26. The second battery connector 26 is, for example, a female connector. The second battery connector 26 is located on the front of the battery 10. More specifically, the second battery connector 26 is located on the front of the first portion 24a of the battery housing 24. The second battery connector 26 is located to the left of the first battery connector 25. The second battery connector 26 is oriented in a different direction from the first battery connector 25. The second battery connector 26 is oriented upward. A cable 47 connected to the second battery connector 26 electrically connects the battery 10 to a charger 42, which will be described later. 【0061】 The battery 10 includes a third battery connector 27. The third battery connector 27 is, for example, a female connector. The third battery connector 27 is located on the front of the battery 10. More specifically, the third battery connector 27 is located on the front of the first portion 24a of the battery housing 24. The third battery connector 27 is located on the other side (in this case, to the right) in the vehicle width direction relative to the center in the vehicle width direction. The third battery connector 27 is located to the right of the first battery connector 25. The third battery connector 27 is oriented in a different direction from the first battery connector 26. The third battery connector 27 is oriented in the same direction as the second battery connector 26. The third battery connector 27 is oriented upward. The second cable 46 connected to the third battery connector 27 electrically connects the battery 10 to the DC / DC converter 44. 【0062】 The saddle-type electric vehicle 1 includes an external power connection section 41 and a charger 42. The external power connection section 41 is an inlet and can be connected to an external AC power source to supply AC current from an external source to the charger 42. The charger 42 converts the AC current supplied from the external power connection section 41 into DC current and supplies DC current to the battery 10. 【0063】The charger 42 is located on the top surface of the battery 10. The entire charger 42 overlaps with the battery 10 in a top view of the vehicle. The charger 42 includes a first charger connector 42a and a second charger connector 42b. The first charger connector 42a and the second charger connector 42b are, for example, female connectors. The first charger connector 42a and the second charger connector 42b are located on the front of the charger 42. The first charger connector 42a and the second charger connector 42b face forward. The second charger connector 42b is located alongside the first charger connector 42a in the vehicle width direction. A cable 48 connected to the first charger connector 42a electrically connects the charger 42 to the external power connection part 41. The second charger connector 42b is connected to a cable 47. 【0064】 The saddle-type electric vehicle 1 comprises a DC / DC converter 44, a first cable 45, and a second cable 46. The DC / DC converter 44 is connected to the battery 10 and a low-voltage battery (not shown). The low-voltage battery is, for example, a battery having an output voltage of 12V. The DC / DC converter 44 steps down the DC power output from the battery 10 and supplies power to the low-voltage battery via a harness (not shown). The DC / DC converter 44 is located behind the battery 10. The DC / DC converter 44 is located behind the third portion 24c of the battery housing 24. The DC / DC converter 44 is located above the motor control unit 19. In a plan view of the vehicle, the DC / DC converter 44 overlaps with the motor control unit 19. In this embodiment, the entire DC / DC converter 44 overlaps with the motor control unit 19. 【0065】 The DC / DC converter 44 includes a connector 44a. The connector 44a is, for example, a female connector. The connector 44a is oriented in the vehicle width direction. The connector 44a is connected to the second cable 46. 【0066】As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the first cable 45 is a cable for supplying power to drive the drive motor 18. The first cable 45 connects the motor control unit 19 and the battery 10. The first cable 45 is connected to the connector 19a of the motor control unit 19 and the first battery connector 25. Note that the first cable 45 is not shown in Figures 4 to 6. 【0067】 The first cable 45 is positioned below the second cable 46. The first cable 45 extends across the front, side, and rear of the battery 10. The first cable 45 extends along the side of the battery 10 inside the vehicle frame 2 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. A portion of the first cable 45 is positioned inside the pair of left and right lower frames 13 and overlaps with the pair of left and right lower frames 13 when viewed from the side of the vehicle. However, a portion of the first cable 45 only needs to be positioned inside the pair of left and right lower frames 13 in the vehicle width direction. 【0068】 The first cable 45 extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle along the side of the battery 10 on the other side (in this case, the right side) in the vehicle width direction relative to the center in the vehicle width direction. More specifically, the first cable 45 extends in the longitudinal direction along the side of the battery 10 on the side opposite to the side where the connector 19a of the motor control unit 19 is located, relative to the center in the vehicle width direction. 【0069】 The first cable 45 includes a first extension 45a, a second extension 45b, and a third extension 45c. The first extension 45a is located behind the battery 10. The first extension 45a is connected to the connector 19a of the motor control unit 19. The first extension 45a extends in the vehicle width direction. The first extension 45a extends across one side and the other side in the vehicle width direction relative to the center in the vehicle width direction. The first extension 45a overlaps with the motor control unit 19 in a plan view of the vehicle. The right end of the first extension 45a extends downward. 【0070】 The first extension 45a overlaps with the third portion 24c of the battery housing 24 when viewed from the front-rear direction of the vehicle. 【0071】The second extension portion 45b is positioned to the side of the battery 10. The second extension portion 45b is located between the first extension portion 45a and the third extension portion 45c. The second extension portion 45b extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle along the side of the battery 10 (in this case, the right side) on the other side (in this case, the right side) of the vehicle width direction relative to the center in the vehicle width direction. The second extension portion 45b is positioned inside the pair of left and right lower frames 13. In a side view of the vehicle, it overlaps with the pair of left and right lower frames 13. In a side view of the vehicle, the second extension portion 45b overlaps with the second portion 24b of the battery housing 24. The second extension portion 45b is fixed by fixing members such as clamps provided on the pair of left and right lower frames 13 or the second portion 24b of the battery housing 24. Note that the second extension portion 45b only needs to be positioned inside the pair of left and right lower frames 13 in the vehicle width direction. The second extension 45b does not necessarily have to overlap with the pair of left and right lower frames 13 when viewed from the side of the vehicle. 【0072】 The second extension 45b overlaps with a pair of left and right lower frames 13 when viewed from the side of the vehicle. 【0073】 The second extension portion 45b is positioned below the first battery connector 25. The second extension portion 45b is positioned below the connector 19a of the motor control unit 19. 【0074】 The third extension 45c is positioned in front of the battery 10. The third extension 45c is positioned in front of the second portion 24b of the battery housing 24. The third extension 45c extends inward in the vehicle width direction from the front end of the second extension 45b. The third extension 45c is connected to the first battery connector 25. 【0075】The second cable 46 connects the battery 10 to the DC / DC converter 44. The second cable 46 is connected to the third battery connector 27 and to the connector 44a of the DC / DC converter 44. The second cable 46 extends across the front, side, and rear of the battery 10. The second cable 46 extends along the side of the battery 10 in the vehicle longitudinal direction on the other side (in this case, the right side) in the vehicle width direction relative to the center in the vehicle width direction. That is, the second cable 46 extends along the right side of the battery 10 in the vehicle longitudinal direction, similar to the first cable 45. The second cable 46 is positioned above the first cable 45. The second cable 46 extends along the side of the second portion 24b of the battery housing 24 in the vehicle longitudinal direction. In the second cable 46, the portion that extends along the side of the battery 10 in the vehicle longitudinal direction is positioned below the left and right pair of upper frames 14. The second extension portion 45b is fixed by a fixing member such as a clamp provided on the third portion 24c of the left and right lower frame 13 or battery housing 24. 【0076】 As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the saddle-type electric vehicle 1 includes a radiator 51 and a cooling water pipe 52. The radiator 51 is positioned in front of the battery 10. The radiator 51 is positioned in front of the third portion 24c of the battery housing 24. The radiator 51 is positioned above the first battery connector 25. 【0077】 The cooling water piping 52 is connected to the radiator 51 and the electric power unit 6. The electric power unit 6 is cooled by the circulation of cooling water through the cooling water piping 52 between the radiator 51 and the electric power unit 6. The cooling water is pumped under pressure by the electric water pump 53 shown in Figure 4 and circulates through the cooling water piping 52. 【0078】The cooling water pipe 52 extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle along the side of the battery 10 on one side in the vehicle width direction (in this case, the left side) relative to the center in the vehicle width direction. The cooling water pipe 52 extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle along the side of the battery 10 opposite to the side on which the first cable 45 extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The cooling water pipe 52 extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle along the side of the battery 10 opposite to the side on which the second cable 46 extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. In this embodiment, the cooling water pipe 52 extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle along the left side of the battery 10. 【0079】 The cooling water piping 52 includes a first pipe 52a and a second pipe 52b. The first pipe 52a is for circulating cooling water from the radiator 51 toward the electric power unit 6. The second pipe 52b is for circulating cooling water from the electric power unit 6 toward the radiator 51. 【0080】 One of the first pipe 52a and the second pipe 52b is positioned to the side of the second portion 24b of the battery housing 24. The other of the first pipe 52a and the second pipe 52b is positioned to the side of the third portion 24c of the battery housing 24. In this embodiment, the first pipe 52a is positioned to the side of the second portion 24b of the battery housing 24, and the second pipe 52b is positioned to the side of the third portion 24c of the battery housing 24. 【0081】 The first pipe 52a extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle along the left side of the second portion 24b of the battery housing 24. The first pipe 52a overlaps with the second portion 24b of the battery housing 24 in a side view of the vehicle. The first pipe 52a is located inside the left and right pair of lower frames 13. The second pipe 52b extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle along the left side of the third portion 24c of the battery housing 24. The second pipe 52b overlaps with the third portion 24c of the battery housing 24 in a side view of the vehicle. The second pipe 52b is located above the left and right pair of upper frames 14 and inside the left and right pair of upper frames 14 in the vehicle width direction. The second pipe 52b is located above the second cable 46. 【0082】In the saddle-type electric vehicle 1 according to the embodiment described above, the connector 19a of the motor control unit 19 connected to the first cable 45 is positioned on one side in the vehicle width direction relative to the center in the vehicle width direction. The first cable 45 extends in the vehicle front-rear direction along the side of the battery 10 on the other side in the vehicle width direction relative to the center in the vehicle width direction. This allows for increased flexibility in the routing layout of the first cable 45 while satisfying constraints such as the bending radius of the first cable 45 through which high-voltage current flows. Similarly, the second cable 46 connecting the battery 10 and the DC / DC converter 44 also extends in the vehicle front-rear direction along the side of the battery 10 on the other side in the vehicle width direction relative to the center in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, this allows for increased flexibility in the routing layout of the second cable 46 while satisfying constraints such as the bending radius of the second cable 46. 【0083】 Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention. 【0084】 The first battery connector 25 may be located on the front of the second portion 24b or the third portion 24c of the battery housing 24. The first battery connector 25 may also be located on the side of the battery 10. 【0085】 The first battery connector 25 and the connector 19a of the motor control unit 19 may be oriented in a different direction than in the embodiment described above. The first battery connector 25 and the connector 19a of the motor control unit 19 may be oriented in the same direction as each other. 【0086】1: Saddle-type electric vehicle, 2: Body frame, 5: Seat, 6: Electric power unit, 8: Pair of left and right footrests, 9: Body cover, 10: Battery, 11: Head pipe, 12: Pair of left and right down frames, 13: Pair of left and right lower frames, 18: Drive motor, 19: Motor control unit, 19a: Connector (example of first connector), 24: Battery housing, 24a: First part, 24b: Second part, 24c: Third part, 25: First battery connector (example of second connector), 4: DC / DC converter, 45: First cable, 46: Second cable, 51: Radiator, 52: Coolant piping, 52a: First piping, 52b: Second piping

Claims

1. A saddle-type electric vehicle comprising: a vehicle frame including a head pipe; a seat positioned behind the head pipe; a pair of left and right footrests positioned in front of and below the seat; a vehicle cover covering the vehicle frame, including a center tunnel positioned between the left and right footrests and forming an internal space extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle; a battery positioned in the center tunnel; an electric power unit powered by the battery, including a drive motor and a motor control unit positioned behind the battery and in front of the drive motor and controlling the drive motor; and a first cable connecting the motor control unit and the battery and supplying power to drive the drive motor, wherein the motor control unit includes a first connector connected to the first cable, the first connector is positioned on one side in the vehicle width direction with respect to the center in the vehicle width direction, and the first cable extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle along the side of the battery on the other side in the vehicle width direction with respect to the center in the vehicle width direction.

2. The saddle-type electric vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the battery includes a second connector located on the front of the battery and connected to the first cable.

3. The saddle-type electric vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the first connector is oriented in a direction different from the direction in which the second connector is oriented.

4. The saddle-type electric vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the first connector is facing upward.

5. The saddle-type electric vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the second connector is facing downward.

6. The saddle-type electric vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the battery includes a battery housing, the battery housing includes a first portion and a second portion having a width dimension smaller than the width dimension of the first portion, and the first cable is located to the side of the second portion of the battery housing.

7. The saddle-type electric vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the first cable extends in the front-rear direction of the vehicle along the side of the battery inside the vehicle frame.

8. The vehicle body frame includes a pair of left and right down frames extending downward from the head pipe, and a pair of left and right lower frames extending rearward from the pair of left and right down frames and positioned below the pair of left and right footrests, and a portion of the first cable is positioned inside the pair of left and right lower frames and overlaps with the pair of left and right lower frames in a side view of the vehicle, as described in claim 1.

9. A saddle-type electric vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising: a DC / DC converter positioned behind the battery and stepping down the DC power output from the battery; and a second cable connecting the battery and the DC / DC converter, wherein the second cable extends in the front-rear direction of the vehicle along the side of the battery on the other side in the vehicle width direction relative to the center in the vehicle width direction.

10. The saddle-type electric vehicle according to claim 9, wherein the motor control unit is positioned below the DC / DC converter, and the first cable is positioned below the second cable.

11. The saddle-type electric vehicle according to claim 9, wherein the battery includes a battery housing, the battery housing includes a first portion and a third portion having a width dimension smaller than the width dimension of the first portion, and the second cable is located to the side of the third portion of the battery housing.

12. The saddle-type electric vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising: a radiator positioned in front of the battery; and a cooling water pipe connected to the radiator and the electric power unit, wherein the cooling water pipe extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle along the side of the battery on one side in the vehicle width direction with respect to the center in the vehicle width direction.

13. The saddle-type electric vehicle according to claim 12, wherein the battery includes a battery housing, the battery housing includes a first portion and a second portion having a width dimension smaller than the width dimension of the first portion, and the cooling water piping is arranged to the side of the second portion of the battery housing.

14. The saddle-type electric vehicle according to claim 12, wherein the battery includes a battery housing, the battery housing includes a first portion, a second portion located below the first portion and having a widthwise dimension smaller than the widthwise dimension of the first portion, and a third portion located above the first portion and having a widthwise dimension smaller than the widthwise dimension of the first portion, the coolant piping includes a first pipe for flowing coolant in a direction toward the electric power unit and a second pipe for flowing the coolant in a direction toward the radiator, one of the first pipe and the second pipe is located to the side of the second portion of the battery housing, and the other of the first pipe and the second pipe is located to the side of the third portion of the battery housing.

15. The vehicle body frame includes a pair of left and right down frames extending downward from the head pipe, and a pair of left and right lower frames extending rearward from the pair of left and right down frames and positioned below the pair of left and right footrests, and the battery is positioned between the pair of left and right lower frames, the saddle-type electric vehicle according to claim 1.

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