Electric saddle-type vehicle

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to provide an electric saddle-type vehicle that is capable of efficient cooling, while easily suppressing enlargement of a radiator and output of a water pump.　This electric saddle-type vehicle includes: batteries (30, 50) between a head pipe (20) and a pivot shaft (26); a cooling unit (66) at a forward upper position from the batteries; a first cooling target portion (35) at a rearward upper position from the batteries; a second cooling target portion (12) at a rearward lower position from the batteries; cooling pipes (61-64) that connect the cooling unit, the first cooling target portion, and the second cooling target portion; and a coolant pump (67) that causes coolant to flow through the cooling pipes. The coolant pump is disposed so as to overlap with a region (A1) surrounded by a tangent line (L1) connecting an outline part of the cooling unit and an outline part of the first cooling target portion, a tangent line (L2) connecting the outline part of the cooling unit and an outline part of the second cooling target portion, and a tangent line (L3) connecting the outline part of the first cooling target portion and the outline part of the second cooling target portion, in side view of the vehicle.

Description

Electric saddle-riding type vehicle

[0001] The present invention relates to an electric saddle-riding type vehicle.

[0002] Conventionally, in an electric saddle-riding type vehicle driven by electric power from a battery, a configuration for cooling components such as an electric motor by a cooling mechanism that circulates cooling water is known (for example, see Patent Document 1). In Patent Document 1, a radiator is arranged in front of the battery case, the radiator and the electric motor etc. are connected by cooling pipes, and cooling water is circulated by a water pump fixed to the right side of the battery case to cool the electric motor etc.

[0003] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2020-50075

[0004] Generally, heat-generating components such as an electric motor need to be cooled, but it is desired to cool them without increasing the size of the cooling part such as a radiator or the output of the refrigerant pump that circulates the refrigerant. The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an electric saddle-riding type vehicle capable of efficient cooling that is easy to suppress the size of the cooling part and the output of the refrigerant pump.

[0005] In an electric saddle-riding type vehicle including a front fork that rotatably supports a front wheel, a swing arm that rotatably supports a rear wheel, a head pipe that supports the front fork so as to be steerable, and a pivot shaft that supports the swing arm so as to be swingable, a battery disposed between the head pipe and the pivot shaft, a cooling part disposed at the upper front of the battery, a first cooling target part disposed at the upper rear of the battery, a second cooling target part disposed at the lower rear of the battery, a cooling pipe that connects the cooling part, the first cooling target part, and the second cooling target part, and a refrigerant pump that circulates the refrigerant in the cooling pipe, in a side view of the vehicle, the refrigerant pump is disposed so as to overlap a region surrounded by a tangent line connecting the outer contour of the cooling part and the outer contour of the first cooling target part, a tangent line connecting the outer contour of the cooling part and the outer contour of the second cooling target part, and a tangent line connecting the outer contour of the first cooling target part and the outer contour of the second cooling target part.

[0006] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an electric saddle-type vehicle that enables efficient cooling while easily suppressing the size of the cooling unit and the output of the refrigerant pump.

[0007] Figure 1 is a right side view of an electric motorcycle 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a right side view showing the periphery of the battery 30. Figure 3 is a front view showing the periphery of the battery 30. Figure 4 is a rear view of the battery 30 and electric power unit 12 showing the cooling path 60. Figure 5 is a right side view showing the periphery of the battery 30. Figure 6 is a left side view showing the periphery of the battery 30. Figure 7 is a right side view showing the periphery of the battery 30 in Embodiment 2.

[0008] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the description, directions such as front, back, left, right, and up and down refer to directions relative to the vehicle body unless otherwise specified. In each figure, the symbol FR indicates the front of the vehicle body, the symbol UP indicates the top of the vehicle body, and the symbol LH indicates the left side of the vehicle body.

[0009] [Embodiment] Figure 1 is a right side view of an electric motorcycle 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The electric motorcycle (electric saddle-type vehicle) 10 is a saddle-type vehicle in which a battery-driven electric power unit 12 is supported on a vehicle frame 11, a front fork 15 supporting a front wheel 13 is supported at the front end of the vehicle frame 11 in a steerable manner, a swing arm 17 supporting a rear wheel 16 is supported at the rear of the vehicle frame 11 in a swingable manner, and a seat 18 on which a rider sits straddling the vehicle is supported above the rear of the vehicle frame 11.

[0010] The vehicle body frame 11 comprises a front frame 21 having a head pipe 20 provided at its front end, a pair of left and right rear frames 22 located behind the front frame 21, and a pair of left and right rear end frames 23 extending rearward from the rear frame 22.

[0011] The front fork 15 is mounted to the head pipe 20 in a steerable manner. A steering handle 25 is attached to the upper part of the front fork 15. The front wheel 13 is supported at the lower end of the front fork 15 via a front axle (axle) 13a.

[0012] The swingarm 17 is supported by a pivot shaft 26 which is supported by the rear frame 22. The pivot shaft 26 is an axis that extends horizontally in the vehicle width direction. The swingarm 17 swings up and down around the pivot shaft 26. A rear cushion 28 is connected to the swingarm 17. The rear end of the swingarm 17 supports the rear wheel 16 via a rear axle (axle) 16a.

[0013] The seat 18 is positioned above the rear end frame 23. The seat 18 is supported by the rear end frame 23. The seat 18 comprises a front rider seat 18a and a passenger seat 18b located behind the rider seat 18a and above the rider seat 18a.

[0014] The vehicle frame 11 supports the battery 30. An electric power unit 12 is supported below and rear of the battery 30. The electric power unit 12 integrally includes an electric motor 31 (see Figure 2) and a PDU (Power Drive Unit) 32 (see Figure 2). The PDU 32 is the motor driver for the electric motor 31. The PDU 32 is controlled by an ECU (Electric Control Unit) or the like (not shown) in response to the operation of the electric motorcycle 10.

[0015] A reduction gear unit 33 (see Figure 2) is positioned to the right of the electric motor 31 (one side in the vehicle width direction). The reduction gear unit 33 is fixed to the electric power unit 12. Inside the reduction gear unit 33, input gears, output gears, etc., are rotatably arranged. The driving force of the electric motor 31 is reduced via the reduction gear unit 33 and transmitted to the rear wheels 16 via the power transmission mechanism.

[0016] A power converter 35 is located behind the battery 30. The power converter 35 includes an onboard charger and a DC-DC converter. The power converter 35 converts an AC voltage supplied from, for example, a charging station, into a DC voltage and supplies the converted power to the battery. The power converter 35 is supported by a pair of left and right rear end frames 23. The power converter 35 extends in the front-rear direction.

[0017] The steering handle 25 is equipped with a brake lever 37 and a lever master cylinder 38 that is linked to the brake lever 37. Around the right rear frame 22, there is a brake pedal 47 (see Figure 2) and a pedal master cylinder 48 (see Figure 2) that is linked to the brake pedal 47.

[0018] The front wheel 13 is braked by the front wheel braking device 39. In this embodiment, the front wheel braking device 39 is a double-disc type. The front wheel braking device 39 comprises a pair of left and right brake discs 39a fixed coaxially with the front wheel 13, and a pair of left and right brake calipers 39b supported at the lower end of the front fork 15 and each clamping the brake discs 39a.

[0019] The rear wheel 16 is braked by a rear wheel braking device 49. In this embodiment, the rear wheel braking device 49 is a single-disc type and is mounted on the rear wheel 16. The rear wheel braking device 49 comprises a brake disc 49a fixed coaxially with the rear wheel 16, and a brake caliper 49b supported by the swing arm 17 and clamping the brake disc 49a.

[0020] The electric motorcycle 10 is equipped with a body cover 40. The body cover 40 in this embodiment includes a unit cowl 41 positioned above the front frame 21, a side cowl 42 positioned below the unit cowl 41, and a radiator shroud 43 supported at the front end of the side cowl 42.

[0021] The unit cowl 41 is a bowl-shaped cover with an upward recess. The unit cowl 41 is positioned between the steering handle 25 and the seat 18. The unit cowl 41 covers the upper front of the electric motorcycle 10.

[0022] The side cowl 42 is connected to the lower end of the unit cowl 41 and covers the side of the vehicle body. The radiator shroud 43 covers the radiator 66 from the outside.

[0023] A front fender 44, which covers the front wheel 13 from above, is supported by the front fork 15. A rear fender 45, which covers the rear wheel 16 from above, is supported by the rear end frame 23.

[0024] Figure 2 is a right side view showing the peripheral area of ​​the battery 30. The battery 30 includes a battery case 50 as an outer casing. The battery case 50 is made of, for example, aluminum or an aluminum alloy. The battery case 50 is a hollow box shape. The battery case 50 in this embodiment has a split structure on the left and right (see Figure 3). The battery cases 50 are assembled by overlapping them in the left-right direction. For example, the battery case 50 is fastened with bolts that extend in the left-right direction on the outer periphery. Inside the battery case 50 is the battery body (not shown), which is the part that stores electricity. Therefore, the battery 30 and the battery case 50 are similar in appearance. Thus, the battery case 50 may also be referred to as the battery.

[0025] The battery case 50 is roughly L-shaped when viewed from the side of the vehicle. More specifically, the battery case 50 has an upper part 51 that extends in the front-rear direction and a front lower part 52 that extends downward from the front of the upper part 51. Below the upper part 51 and behind the front lower part 52, a unit placement space S1 is formed that is recessed upward and forward when viewed from the side of the vehicle. In other words, the unit placement space S1 is formed by the space between the rear lower surface 51a of the upper part 51 and the rear surface 52a of the front lower part 52.

[0026] A main frame connection portion 55 is formed on the front upper surface of the battery case 50, with a through hole extending in the vehicle width direction. The main frame connection portion 55 is formed in the left and right center of the battery case 50. A down frame connection portion 56 is formed on the upper front surface of the battery case 50, with a through hole extending in the vehicle width direction.

[0027] A seat frame connection portion 57 is formed at the rear end of the upper surface of the battery case 50, with a through hole extending in the vehicle width direction. A pivot frame connection portion 58 is formed at the rear lower end of the upper part 51 of the battery case 50, with a through hole extending in the vehicle width direction. A lower frame connection portion 59 is formed at the rear lower end of the front lower part 52 of the battery case 50, with a through hole extending in the vehicle width direction.

[0028] As shown in Figure 1, the vehicle frame 11 is connected to the battery case 50. Specifically, the front frame 21, the rear frame 22, and the rear end frame 23 are connected to the battery case 50.

[0029] Here, the front frame 21 comprises a head pipe 20, a pair of left and right main frame sections 21a extending rearward from the head pipe 20, and a pair of left and right down frame sections 21b extending rearward and downward from the head pipe 20 below the main frame sections 21a.

[0030] The pair of main frame sections 21a extend so that they are spaced apart from each other as they move from front to rear. A case fastening section 21a1 is provided at the rear end of each main frame section 21a. The case fastening sections 21a1 are located on both the left and right sides of the main frame connection section 55 of the battery case 50. Bolts are inserted through the case fastening sections 21a1 from the outside in the left and right directions, and nuts are fastened to the ends of the bolts. This connects the main frame section 21a of the front frame 21 to the battery case 50.

[0031] The pair of down frame sections 21b extend outward in the vehicle width direction so that they move apart from each other as they proceed from front to rear. A case fastening section 21b1 is provided at the rear end of each down frame section 21b. The case fastening sections 21b1 are located on both the left and right sides of the down frame connection section 56 of the battery case 50. Bolts are inserted through the case fastening sections 21b1 from the outside in the left and right directions, and nuts are fastened to the ends of the bolts. This connects the down frame sections 21b of the front frame 21 to the battery case 50. In this way, the front frame 21 and the battery case 50 are connected.

[0032] The rear frame 22 is provided in pairs, one on the left and one on the right. When viewed from the side of the vehicle body, the rear frame 22 is roughly C-shaped with an open front. The rear frame 22 has a pivot frame portion 22a that extends vertically, an upper pivot frame portion 22b that extends forward from the upper end of the pivot frame portion 22a, and a lower frame portion 22c that extends forward from the lower end of the pivot frame portion 22a.

[0033] A pivot shaft 26 is supported in the upper and lower intermediate portion of the pivot frame portion 22a. A case fastening portion 22b1 is provided at the rear end (base end) of the upper pivot frame portion 22b. The case fastening portions 22b1 are located on both the left and right sides of the pivot frame connection portion 58 of the battery case 50. Bolts are inserted through the case fastening portions 22b1 from the outside in the left and right direction, and nuts are fastened to the ends of the bolts. This connects the upper pivot frame portion 22b of the rear frame 22 to the battery case 50.

[0034] A case fastening portion 22c1 is provided at the front end of the lower frame portion 22c. The case fastening portions 22c1 are located on both the left and right sides of the lower frame connection portion 59 of the battery case 50. Bolts are inserted through the case fastening portions 22c1 from the outside in the left and right directions, and nuts are fastened to the ends of the bolts. This connects the lower frame portion 22c of the rear frame 22 to the battery case 50. In this way, the rear frame 22 and the battery case 50 are connected.

[0035] The rear end frame 23 is provided in pairs, one on the left and one on the right. The rear end frame 23 has a seat frame portion 23a that extends upward and rearward, and a seat frame extension portion 23b that extends upward and frontward from the front of the seat frame portion 23a. A frame connection portion 23a1 is formed at the front end of the seat frame portion 23a. The frame connection portion 23a1 is connected to the upper end of the pivot frame portion 22a of the rear frame 22. This integrates the rear frame 22 and the rear end frame 23.

[0036] A case fastening portion 23b1 is formed at the front end of the seat frame extension portion 23b. The case fastening portions 23b1 are located on both the left and right sides of the seat frame connection portion 57 of the battery case 50. Bolts are inserted through the case fastening portions 23b1 from the outside in the left and right directions, and nuts are fastened to the ends of the bolts. This connects the seat frame extension portion 23b of the rear end frame 23 to the battery case 50. In this way, the rear end frame 23 and the battery case 50 are connected.

[0037] The electric power unit 12 is positioned in the unit arrangement space S1 of the battery case 50. The electric power unit 12 is supported by the rear frame 22. The electric power unit 12 is positioned with a predetermined gap S1a between it and the battery case 50. In other words, the electric power unit 12 is spaced apart from the battery case 50.

[0038] Figure 3 is a front view showing the area around the battery 30. A radiator 66 is positioned on the upper front of the battery case 50. The radiator 66 comprises a plate-shaped core 66a extending in the vehicle width direction, a tank 66b to the left of the core 66a, and a tank 66c to the right of the core 66a. The radiator 66 cools the coolant that cools the electric power unit 12 and the like.

[0039] A first cooling pipe 61 extending to the rear is connected to the tank 66b on the left side of the radiator 66. The first cooling pipe 61 is routed to the rear along the upper left side (the side opposite in the vehicle width direction) of the battery case 50. The downstream end of the first cooling pipe 61 is connected to the inlet 35a (see Figure 2) of the power converter 35. The inlet 35a is formed on the front left side of the power converter 35. The inlet 35a communicates with a cooling path (not shown) formed in the power converter 35. The outlet 35b, which is the downstream end of the cooling path of the power converter 35, is formed on the front right side of the power converter 35. A second cooling pipe 62 is connected to the outlet 35b of the power converter 35.

[0040] Figure 4 is a rear view of the battery 30 and electric power unit 12 showing the cooling path 60. The second cooling pipe 62 extends forward. When the second cooling pipe 62 extends forward and reaches the battery case 50, it is routed downward along the rear right side of the battery case 50. At its lower end, the second cooling pipe 62 bends inward in the vehicle width direction, and its downstream end is connected to the inlet 32a of the case portion of the PDU 32 of the electric power unit 12. The inlet 32a communicates with a cooling path (not shown) formed in the case portion of the PDU 32. The cooling path of the PDU 32 communicates with a cooling path formed in the case portion of the electric motor 31. An outlet 31a, which is the downstream end of the cooling path, is formed at the rear of the case portion of the electric motor 31. The outlet 31a is located on the left side. A third cooling pipe 63 is connected to the outlet 31a.

[0041] The third cooling pipe 63 extends upward while curving in an S-shape when viewed from the rear. That is, the third cooling pipe 63 curves from left to right at the bottom and from right to left at the top. The third cooling pipe 63 is connected to the inlet 67a of the water pump 67, which extends in the axial direction. The water pump 67 is fixed to the electric power unit 12 via a bent plate-shaped stay 68 (see Figure 2). The water pump 67 is driven by an electric motor (not shown) different from the drive electric motor 31. The water pump 67 pressurizes and pumps cooling water to the outside from the discharge section 67b that extends radially from the water pump 67. The fourth cooling pipe 64 is connected to the discharge section 67b of the water pump 67.

[0042] The fourth cooling pipe 64 extends upward along the rear surface of the upper part 51 of the battery case 50. After extending upward along the rear surface of the upper part 51, the fourth cooling pipe 64 is routed to the right side of the battery case 50 and then routed forward along the upper right side (one side in the vehicle width direction) of the battery case 50. The downstream end of the fourth cooling pipe 64 is connected to the tank 66c on the right side of the radiator 66.

[0043] The radiator 66, the power converter 35, the PDU 32, the electric motor 31, the water pump 67, and the cooling pipes 61 to 64 that appropriately connect them constitute a cooling path 60 through which the cooling water of the present embodiment circulates. In the cooling path 60, when the water pump 67 is driven, the cooling water circulates and is cooled in the order of the radiator 66, the power converter 35, the PDU 32, the electric motor 31, and the radiator 66.

[0044] A radiator liquid injection pipe 69a is connected to the right tank 66c. A radiator cap 69b is attached to the upper end of the radiator liquid injection pipe 69a. An overflow pipe 69c that extends rearward is connected to the radiator cap 69b. The overflow pipe 69c extends along the fourth cooling pipe 64 toward the rear part of the electric power unit 12. The overflow pipe 69c is connected to a reservoir tank 69d supported by the electric power unit 12. When the radiator cap 69b is opened and closed according to the pressure that changes with the temperature of the cooling water, the cooling water flows to and from the reservoir tank 69d through the overflow pipe 69c, and the pressure in the cooling path 60 is adjusted.

[0045] At this time, the low-temperature cooling water (refrigerant) cooled and discharged by the radiator 66 flows through the left side (one side) of the side surface of the battery 50, and the refrigerant whose temperature has risen after cooling the power converter 35 and the electric power unit 12 flows through the right side (the other side) of the side surface of the battery 50. Therefore, it is easy to connect the radiator 66 in a state where the cooling pipe through which the low-temperature refrigerant passes and the cooling pipe through which the high-temperature refrigerant passes are separated, enabling efficient routing of the cooling pipes 61 to 64.

[0046] In the present embodiment, the battery 50 is an air-cooled type that is cooled using the running wind during running. Therefore, since it is not necessary to cool the battery 50 with a refrigerant, the radiator 66 and the water pump 67 can be made smaller and more compact.

[0047] FIG. 5 is a right side view showing each component 12, 35, 66 to which the cooling path 60 is connected and the battery case 50. FIG. 6 is a left side view showing each component 12, 35, 66 to which the cooling path 60 is connected and the battery case 50.

[0048] In the present embodiment, the water pump (refrigerant pump) 67 is arranged based on the positions of the radiator (cooling unit) 66, the battery 50, the electric power unit (second cooling target part) 12, and the power converter (first cooling target part) 35. As shown in FIG. 4, the water pump 67 is arranged more inward in the vehicle width direction than the outer ends of the radiator 66, the battery 50, the electric power unit 12, and the power converter 35. In other words, it is arranged more inward than the outer end of the component with the outermost outer end among the radiator 66, the battery 50, the electric power unit 12, and the power converter 35. This makes it an arrangement structure that easily suppresses contact of scattered objects from the outside, such as stones, mud, and water, with the water pump 67.

[0049] In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, the water pump 67 is arranged so as to overlap with the region A1 surrounded by the tangents L1 to L3 formed by connecting the tangent L1 connecting the outer contour of the radiator 66 and the outer contour of the power converter 35, the tangent L2 connecting the outer contour of the radiator 66 and the outer contour of the electric power unit 12, and the tangent L3 connecting the outer contour of the power converter 35 and the outer contour of the electric power unit 12 in a side view of the vehicle body. Here, the outer contour may be rephrased as the outer peripheral line of the silhouette of each member.

[0050] Further, in the present embodiment, the water pump 67 is arranged so as to overlap with the region A2 connecting the center C1 of the radiator 66, the center C2 of the power converter 35, and the center C3 of the electric power unit 12 in a side view of the vehicle body. Note that the center is, in a side view of the vehicle body, a circle that completely encloses each of the components 12, 35, and 66 for each of the components 12, 35, and 66, and is based on the center of the smallest circle that circumscribes the outer contour of each of the components 12, 35, and 66.

[0051] In other words, in a side view of the vehicle body, C1 is the center of the smallest circle R1 that completely encloses the radiator 66 and is circumscribing the outer casing of the radiator 66. Similarly, in a side view of the vehicle body, C2 is the center of the smallest circle R2 that completely encloses the power converter 35 and is circumscribing the outer casing of the power converter 35. Furthermore, in a side view of the vehicle body, C3 is the center of the smallest circle R3 that completely encloses the electric power unit 12 and is circumscribing the outer casing of the electric power unit 12.

[0052] In this embodiment, the water pump 67 is positioned so as to overlap with the straight line L4 connecting the centers C2 and C3, thereby overlapping with region A2. In other words, the water pump 67 is located between the electric power unit 12 and the power converter 35 in the front-rear and up-down directions.

[0053] In this embodiment, by arranging the water pump 67 within region A1, more preferably within region A2, it is easy to set the cooling pipes 61 to 64 connecting the water pump 67, radiator 66, electric power unit 12, and power converter 35 to an appropriate length. As a result, the refrigerant can be efficiently circulated without increasing the capacity of the radiator 66 or the output of the water pump 67. In this embodiment, it is easy to ensure an appropriate length of pipes, so the refrigerant whose temperature has risen can be cooled as it flows through the cooling pipes 61 to 64. Therefore, it is easy to suppress the need to enlarge the radiator 66 or increase the output of the water pump 67, enabling efficient cooling.

[0054] Furthermore, the water pump 67 is located below the radiator 66 and the power converter 35. Therefore, the air that enters the cooling path 60 accumulates above the cooling path 60, which suppresses air entrapment that occurs when the water pump 67 discharges the refrigerant.

[0055] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the electric power unit 12 generally generates more heat than the power converter 35. Therefore, the cooling pipes 61 to 64 are arranged so that the refrigerant flows from the power converter 35 to the electric power unit 12. In other words, the refrigerant pumped from the radiator 66 flows through the components in order of decreasing temperature. Thus, efficient cooling becomes possible.

[0056] As described above, the electric motorcycle 10 comprises a front fork 15 on which the front wheel 13 is rotatably supported, a swing arm 17 on which the rear wheel 16 is rotatably supported, a head pipe 20 on which the front fork 15 is steerably supported, and a pivot shaft 26 on which the swing arm 17 is pivotably supported, and further comprises a battery 30 positioned between the head pipe 20 and the pivot shaft 26, a radiator 66 positioned in front of the battery 30, a power converter 35 positioned in rear of the battery 30, and an electric power converter positioned in rear of the battery 30. The electric saddle-type vehicle 10, which has a large battery 50 mounted in the center of the vehicle body, is characterized in that the radiator 66, the power converter 35 and the electric power unit 12 are arranged around the battery 30 so as not to be too far apart from each other. Furthermore, the water pump 67 overlaps with the region A1 enclosed by the tangent L1 connecting the outer casing of the radiator 66 and the outer casing of the power converter 35, the tangent L2 connecting the outer casing of the radiator 66 and the outer casing of the electric power unit 12, and the tangent L3 connecting the outer casing of the power converter 35 and the outer casing of the electric power unit 12. Therefore, it is easy to set an appropriate distance for the water to circulate between the water pump 67, the radiator 66, the power converter 35, and the electric power unit 12. Consequently, efficient cooling of the power converter 35 and the electric power unit 12 becomes possible.

[0057] The water pump 67 is positioned behind and below the radiator 66, in front and below the power converter 35, above the electric power unit 12, and connected to the cooling pipes 61-64 that connect the electric power unit 12 and the radiator 66. This arrangement allows the water pump 67 to be positioned below the radiator 66 and the power converter 35, thereby suppressing air entrapment in the water pump 67.

[0058] The refrigerant flows in the following order: radiator 66, power converter 35, electric power unit 12, and then back to radiator 66. This arrangement ensures that the refrigerant, which is pressurized and supplied from radiator 66, flows in order of decreasing cooling temperature, enabling efficient cooling.

[0059] At least a portion of the cooling pipes 61-64 connecting the radiator 66 and the power converter 35 is arranged along one side of the battery 30, and at least a portion of the cooling pipes 61-64 connecting the electric power unit 12 and the radiator 66 is arranged along the other side of the battery 30. This arrangement allows low-temperature refrigerant to flow along one side of the battery 30 and high-temperature refrigerant to flow along the other side, making it easier to connect the low-temperature and high-temperature cooling pipes to the radiator 66 while keeping them separated, and enabling efficient routing of the cooling pipes 61-64.

[0060] The water pump 67 is positioned in a region A2, which is enclosed by a straight line connecting the center of the radiator 66, the center of the power converter 35, and the center of the electric power unit 12, when viewed from the side of the vehicle body. This arrangement ensures that the radiator 66, power converter 35, and electric power unit 12 are positioned so as not to be too far from the battery 30, and makes it easier to set an appropriate distance for the circulation between the water pump 67, radiator 66, power converter 35, and electric power unit 12. Therefore, more efficient cooling of the power converter 35 and electric power unit 12 becomes possible.

[0061] In a front view of the vehicle body, the water pump 67 is positioned inward in the vehicle width direction from the outer edge in the vehicle width direction of the radiator 66, battery 30, power converter 35, and electric power unit 12. As a result, the water pump 67 is positioned inward in the left-right direction of the vehicle body from the sides of the radiator 66, battery 30, power converter 35, and electric power unit 12, making it easier to protect it from splashes of external debris such as pebbles, mud, and water.

[0062] [Embodiment 2] Embodiment 2, to which the present invention is applied, will be described. In this Embodiment 2, parts configured in the same way as in the above embodiment (hereinafter referred to as Embodiment 1) are denoted by the same reference numerals and their description is omitted.

[0063] In the above-described embodiment, an example was explained in which the radiator 66, the power converter 35, the electric power unit 12, and the water pump 67 are connected by cooling pipes 61 to 64. However, cooling pipes may also be provided that connect the radiator 66 to the battery 50.

[0064] Figure 7 is a right side view showing the peripheral area of ​​the battery 30 in Embodiment 2. For example, instead of the first cooling pipe 61, a cooling pipe 161 connecting the radiator 66 and the battery 50, and a cooling pipe 162 connecting the battery 50 and the power converter 35 are provided. In addition, a cooling path (not shown) is formed inside the battery case 50. This allows for the formation of a cooling path 160 in which the refrigerant supplied from the water pump 67 circulates in the order of radiator (cooling section) 66, battery 50, power converter (first cooling target section) 35, electric power unit (second cooling target section) 12, and returns to the radiator 66.

[0065] Even with this arrangement, the distance between the water pump 67, radiator 66, power converter 35, electric power unit 12, and battery 50 does not become too long, the output of the radiator 66 and water pump 67 is not increased, and the refrigerant pumped from the radiator 66 flows in order of decreasing cooling temperature, enabling efficient cooling. This cooling piping arrangement is for cases where the heat generation increases in the order of battery 50, power converter 35, and electric power unit 12, and it is preferable that the refrigerant sent from the radiator 66 flows in order of decreasing heat generation from each component. In other words, the refrigerant pumped from the radiator 66 flows in order of decreasing cooling temperature, enabling efficient cooling.

[0066] As explained above, the battery 30, which is the third object to be cooled, is connected to cooling pipes 62, 63, 64, 161, and 162, and the refrigerant circulates in the following order: radiator 66, battery 30, power converter 35, electric power unit 12, and radiator 66.

[0067] [Other Embodiments] The embodiments described above are merely one aspect of the present invention and can be modified and applied as needed without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0068] Cooling piping can be made of flexible hoses made of rubber or similar materials, or metal pipes. A mixture of hoses and pipes is also acceptable.

[0069] [Configurations supported by the above embodiment] The above embodiment supports the following configurations.

[0070] (Configuration 1) An electric saddle-type vehicle comprising: a front fork on which the front wheel is rotatably supported; a swing arm on which the rear wheel is rotatably supported; a head pipe on which the front fork is steerably supported; and a pivot shaft on which the swing arm is pivotably supported, wherein the electric saddle-type vehicle comprises: a battery disposed between the head pipe and the pivot shaft; a cooling unit disposed in the front upper part of the battery; a first cooling target unit disposed in the rear upper part of the battery; a second cooling target unit disposed in the rear lower part of the battery; cooling piping connecting the cooling unit, the first cooling target unit, and the second cooling target unit; and a refrigerant pump for circulating the refrigerant in the cooling piping, wherein, in a side view of the vehicle, the refrigerant pump is disposed so as to overlap with the region enclosed by the tangent line connecting the outer casing of the cooling unit and the outer casing of the first cooling target unit; the tangent line connecting the outer casing of the cooling unit and the outer casing of the second cooling target unit; and the tangent line connecting the outer casing of the first cooling target unit and the outer casing of the second cooling target unit. According to this, in an electric saddle-type vehicle with a large volume and surface area battery mounted in the center of the vehicle body, the cooling unit, the first cooling target unit, and the second cooling target unit are arranged around the battery so as not to be too far apart from each other. Furthermore, the refrigerant pump overlaps with the area enclosed by the tangents of the cooling unit, the first cooling target unit, and the second cooling target unit. Therefore, it is easy to set an appropriate distance for the circulation between the refrigerant pump, the cooling unit, the first cooling target unit, and the second cooling target unit. Consequently, it is possible to provide an electric saddle-type vehicle that enables efficient cooling while easily suppressing the size of the cooling unit and the output of the refrigerant pump.

[0071] (Configuration 2) The electric saddle-type vehicle according to Configuration 1, characterized in that the refrigerant pump is positioned behind and below the cooling unit with respect to the cooling unit, in front and below the first target to be cooled with respect to the first target to be cooled, above the second target to be cooled with respect to the second target to be cooled, and connected to the cooling piping in the portion connecting the second target to be cooled and the cooling unit. With this configuration, since the refrigerant pump is positioned below the cooling unit and the first target to be cooled, air entrapment in the refrigerant pump can be suppressed.

[0072] (Configuration 3) The electric saddle-type vehicle according to Configuration 2, wherein the first cooling target unit is a power converter, the second cooling target unit is an electric power unit, and the refrigerant flows in the order of the cooling unit, the first cooling target unit, the second cooling target unit, and the cooling unit. With this configuration, the refrigerant pumped from the cooling unit flows in order of increasing cooling temperature, enabling efficient cooling.

[0073] (Configuration 4) An electric saddle-type vehicle according to Configuration 2, wherein at least a portion of the cooling piping connecting the cooling unit and the first cooling target unit is arranged along one side of the battery, and at least a portion of the cooling piping connecting the second cooling target unit and the cooling unit is arranged along the other side of the battery. With this configuration, a low-temperature refrigerant flows along one side of the battery and a high-temperature refrigerant flows along the other side of the battery, making it easier to connect the low-temperature cooling piping and the high-temperature cooling piping to the radiator while keeping them separated, and enabling efficient routing of the cooling piping.

[0074] (Configuration 5) The electric saddle-type vehicle according to Configuration 4, wherein the refrigerant pump is arranged in overlapping area enclosed by a straight line connecting the center of the cooling unit, the center of the first cooling target unit, and the center of the second cooling target unit in a side view of the vehicle body. With this configuration, the cooling unit, the first cooling target unit, and the second cooling target unit are arranged so as not to be too far from the battery, and the circulating distance between the refrigerant pump, the cooling unit, the first cooling target unit, and the second cooling target unit can be made to an appropriate length. Therefore, more efficient cooling of the first cooling target unit and the second cooling target unit becomes possible.

[0075] (Configuration 6) The electric saddle-type vehicle according to Configuration 5, wherein the refrigerant pump is positioned inward in the vehicle width direction from the outer edge in the vehicle width direction of the cooling unit, the battery, the first cooling target unit, and the second cooling target unit, when viewed from the front of the vehicle body. With this configuration, the refrigerant pump is positioned inward in the left-right direction of the vehicle body from the sides of the cooling unit, battery, first cooling target unit, and second cooling target unit, so that it can be positioned in a way that makes it easier to protect it from flying debris from the outside such as pebbles, mud, and water.

[0076] (Configuration 7) The electric saddle-type vehicle according to Configuration 1, wherein the cooling pipe is connected to the battery, which is the third object to be cooled, and the refrigerant circulates in the order of the cooling unit, the battery, the first object to be cooled, the second object to be cooled, and the cooling unit. With this configuration, the refrigerant pumped from the cooling unit flows in order of increasing cooling temperature, thus enabling efficient cooling.

[0077] 10 Electric motorcycle (electric saddle-type vehicle) 12 Electric power unit (second cooling target part) 13 Front wheel 15 Front fork 16 Rear wheel 17 Swing arm 20 Head pipe 26 Pivot shaft 30 Battery 35 Power converter (first cooling target part) 50 Battery 60 Cooling path 61-64 Cooling piping 61 First cooling piping 62 Second cooling piping 63 Third cooling piping 64 Fourth cooling piping 66 Radiator (cooling part) 67 Water pump (refrigerant pump) 161, 162 Cooling piping A1 Area A2 Area C1 Center C2 Center C3 Center L1 Tangent L2 Tangent L3 Tangent

Claims

1. An electric saddle-type vehicle (10) comprising: a front fork (15) that rotatably supports a front wheel (13); a swing arm (17) that rotatably supports a rear wheel (16); a head pipe (20) that steerably supports the front fork (15); and a pivot shaft (26) that pivotably supports the swing arm (17), wherein the vehicle comprises: a battery (30) disposed between the head pipe (20) and the pivot shaft (26); a cooling unit (66) disposed in the front upper part of the battery (30); a first cooling target unit (35) disposed in the rear upper part of the battery (30); a second cooling target unit (12) disposed in the rear lower part of the battery (30); and cooling pipes (61, 62, 63, 64) connecting the cooling unit (66), the first cooling target unit (35), and the second cooling target unit (12), An electric saddle-type vehicle comprising a refrigerant pump (67) for circulating refrigerant in the cooling pipes (61, 62, 63, 64), wherein the refrigerant pump (67) is positioned to overlap with a region (A1) enclosed by a tangent (L1) connecting the outer casing of the cooling unit (66) and the outer casing of the first cooling target unit (35), a tangent (L2) connecting the outer casing of the cooling unit (66) and the outer casing of the second cooling target unit (12), and a tangent (L3) connecting the outer casing of the first cooling target unit (35) and the outer casing of the second cooling target unit (12) in a side view of the vehicle.

2. The electric saddle-type vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the refrigerant pump (67) is located behind and below the cooling unit (66) with respect to the cooling unit (66), in front and below the first cooling target unit (35) with respect to the first cooling target unit (35), above the second cooling target unit (12) with respect to the second cooling target unit (12), and connected to the cooling pipes (61, 62, 63, 64) at the portion connecting the second cooling target unit (12) and the cooling unit (66).

3. The electric saddle-type vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the first cooling target unit (35) is a power converter (35), the second cooling target unit (12) is an electric power unit (12), and the refrigerant flows in the order of the cooling unit (66), the first cooling target unit (35), the second cooling target unit (12), and the cooling unit (66).

4. The electric saddle-type vehicle according to claim 2, wherein at least a portion of the cooling pipes (61, 62, 63, 64) in the portion connecting the cooling unit (66) and the first cooling target unit (35) is arranged along one side of the battery (30), and at least a portion of the cooling pipes (61, 62, 63, 64) in the portion connecting the second cooling target unit (12) and the cooling unit (66) is arranged along the other side of the battery (30).

5. The electric saddle-type vehicle according to claim 4, wherein the refrigerant pump (67) is positioned in overlapping area (A2) enclosed by a straight line connecting the center (C1) of the cooling unit (66), the center (C2) of the first cooling target unit (35), and the center (C3) of the second cooling target unit (12) in a side view of the vehicle body.

6. The electric saddle-type vehicle according to claim 5, wherein the refrigerant pump (67) is positioned inward in the vehicle width direction from the outer end in the vehicle width direction of any of the cooling unit (66), the battery (30), the first cooling target unit (35), and the second cooling target unit (12) when viewed from the front of the vehicle body.

7. The electric saddle-type vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the cooling pipes (62, 63, 64, 161, 162) are connected to the battery (30) as a third cooling target, and the refrigerant circulates in the order of the cooling unit (66), the battery (30), the first cooling target unit (35), the second cooling target unit (12), and the cooling unit (66).

Images