VEHICLE

A vehicle includes an upper frame, a lower frame, a front frame, a rear frame, a pair of rear wheels, a drive motor to drive the pair of rear wheels, a battery supported by the upper frame and the lower frame to supply electric power to the drive motor, a straddled seat at a higher position than the drive motor, and a bar handle at a higher position than the straddled seat. The battery includes a battery lower portion and a battery upper portion. The battery upper portion includes a projection that overhangs in at least a horizontal direction with respect to the battery lower portion. At least a portion of the drive motor is below or directly below the projection.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-207429 filed on Dec. 21, 2021. The entire contents of this application are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to vehicles, and more specifically to electric ATVs (All Terrain Vehicles) and the like.

2. Description of the Related Art

Japanese Patent No. 5509811 discloses an electric rough terrain vehicle which is pertinent to conventional techniques of this kind. The vehicle includes a steering shaft which is supported pivotably at a front portion of a vehicle frame; a left-right pair of front wheels steered by means of the steering shaft; a left-right pair of rear wheels; a left-right pair of electric motors disposed between the left and right front wheels for driving the left and right front wheels respectively; a left-right pair of electric motors disposed between the left and right rear wheels for driving the left and right rear wheels respectively; and a rectangular parallelepiped battery disposed between the front and the rear wheels.

Also, Japanese Patent No. 4214759 discloses a four-wheeled electric rough terrain vehicle. The vehicle includes an electric motor disposed at a position near a rear portion of a body frame; a plurality of rectangular parallelepiped batteries provided in line in a fore-aft direction at a generally intermediate portion of the body frame; and a controller disposed ahead of the batteries.

As shown in Japanese Patent No. 5509811 and Japanese Patent No. 4214759, batteries which are used in the electric ATV occupy a large volume in the vehicle body, and therefore layout of the battery and other components must be ingeniously designed.

However, in both of Japanese Patent No. 5509811 and Japanese Patent No. 4214759, the battery is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and the battery and the electric motor are apart from each other. In other words, there is room for consideration of a layout of the battery and the electric motor within a limited space while allowing for an increased volume of the battery.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Preferred embodiments of the present invention provide vehicles that each allow a satisfactory layout of the battery and the drive motor within a limited space and an increased volume of the battery.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a vehicle includes an upper frame, a lower frame, a front frame connecting a front portion of the upper frame with the lower frame, a rear frame connecting a rear portion of the upper frame with a rear portion of the lower frame, a pair of rear wheels, a drive motor to drive the pair of rear wheels, and a battery supported by the upper frame and the lower frame to supply electric power to the drive motor. In this vehicle, the battery includes a battery lower portion and a battery upper portion above the battery lower portion, the battery upper portion includes a projection that overhangs in at least a horizontal direction with respect to the battery lower portion, and at least a portion of the drive motor is below the projection.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the battery upper portion includes a projection that overhangs at least in a horizontal direction with respect to the battery lower portion, and at least a portion of the drive motor is below or directly below the projection. By ingeniously designing the shape of the battery in this way, it becomes possible to make effective use of the space below the projection, position the drive motor closely to the battery, i.e., to lay out the battery and the drive motor satisfactorily within a limited space while also providing an increased battery volume.

Preferably, in a side view of the vehicle, a length of the battery upper portion is greater than a length of the battery lower portion. In this case, it is possible to easily provide the projection, and make effective use of the space below the projection.

Further preferably, in a horizontal direction, an area of a cross section of the battery upper portion is greater than an area of a cross section of the battery lower portion. In this case, it is possible to easily provide the projection, and make effective use of the space below the projection.

Further, preferably, the projection overhangs rearward with respect to the battery lower portion. In this case, it is possible to position the drive motor behind the battery. In other words, it is possible to position the battery in a vacant space forward of the drive motor, thus making effective use of the limited space.

Preferably, the battery includes a battery case including the projection. With this arrangement, even in a case where the battery includes a battery case, it is possible to easily provide the projection, and make effective use of the space below the projection.

Further preferably, the battery upper portion projects forward with respect to the battery lower portion and corresponds to a shape of the front frame. In this case, it is possible to position the battery satisfactorily in the space defined by the front frame.

Further, preferably, the battery upper portion projection overhangs forward and rearward with respect to the battery lower portion. In this case, even in a case where the region which is surrounded by the upper frame, the lower frame, the front frame, and the rear frame is narrower in its lower portion than its upper portion in a side view of the vehicle, it is possible to position the battery and the drive motor satisfactorily within the region.

Preferably, a lateral width of the battery upper portion is equal or substantially equal to a lateral width of the battery lower portion. In this case, it is possible to provide a battery with a larger volume even if the space is limited.

Further preferably, the vehicle further includes a charging/discharging connector provided in the battery upper portion that does protrude from a front end and a rear end of the battery upper portion. In this case, when the battery is removed from the vehicle, it is possible to easily remove the battery without causing the charging/discharging connector to be caught by the front frame or the rear frame.

Further, preferably, the battery upper portion further includes a slanted portion including the charging/discharging connector. In this case, it is possible to provide the charging/discharging connector so as not to protrude very much from the sides of the battery.

Preferably, the vehicle further includes an elastic member between the battery and at least one of the upper frame and the lower frame. In this case, it is possible for the elastic member to reduce impacts and vibrations to the battery when the vehicle is running.

Further preferably, the vehicle further includes a straddled seat at a higher position than the drive motor, and a bar handle is at a higher position than the straddled seat. Thus, the straddled seat and the bar handle are suitably applied to an ATV which is configured as above.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. It should be noted here that the terms front and rear, left and right, and up and down used in the preferred embodiments of the present invention refer to front and rear, left and right, and up and down based on the state where a driver of the vehicle10is seated in a straddled seat114(which will be described below), facing a bar handle50(which will be described below). In the drawings, “Fr” indicates forward, “Rr” indicates rearward, “R” indicates rightward, “L” indicates leftward, “U” indicates upward and “Lo” indicates downward.

Referring toFIG.1andFIG.2, a vehicle10according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is an electric ATV which carries one person.

Referring toFIG.3throughFIG.8, the vehicle10includes a body frame12. The body frame12includes a pair of upper frames14a,14b,a pair of lower frames16a,16b,a front frame18, and a rear frame20.

The pair of upper frames14a,14bextend in a fore-aft direction at a distance from each other in a left-right direction, with their intermediate portions having an inverted V-shape in a side view so as to slightly protrude upward. The pair of upper frames14a,14bhave their generally intermediate portions connected by a support frame14cwhich supports a steering shaft48(which will be described below). The support frame14cis generally V-shaped, and is provided on the pair of upper frames14a,14bto extend forward and diagonally upward in a side view.

The pair of lower frames16a,16bextend in a fore-aft direction below the pair of upper frames14a,14b,at a distance from each other in a left-right direction, such that the distance between the pair is greater between rearward portions than between forward portions.

The front frame18connects front portions of the pair of upper frames14a,14bto the pair of lower frames16a,16b. More specifically, the front frame18includes a pair of first frames18a,18bwhich connect the front portions of the pair of upper frames14a,14bwith front portions of the pair of lower frames16a,16b;and a pair of second frames18c,18dwhich connect the front portions of the pair of upper frames14a,14bwith generally intermediate portions of the pair of lower frames16a,16b.The pair of second frames18c,18dfunction as reinforcing members.

The rear frame20connects rear portions of the pair of upper frames14a,14bto rear portions of the pair of lower frames16a,16b.More specifically, the rear frame20includes a third frame20awhich is generally U-shaped in a rear view and generally V-shaped in a side view and connects the rear portions of the pair of upper frames14a,14bto the rear portions of the pair of lower frames16a,16b;a cross member20bwhich connects two end portions of the third frame20a;a pair of fourth frames20c,20dwhich extend rearward and slightly upward from upper portions of both sides of the third frame20a;a pair of fifth frames20e,20fwhich extend rearward and upward from generally intermediate portions of both sides of the third frame20a;and a sixth frame20gwhich is generally U-shaped. The sixth frame20gis located so that its first end portion is sandwiched by a rear end portion of the fourth frame20cand a rear end portion of the fifth frame20ewhile its second end portion is sandwiched by a rear end portion of the fourth frame20dand a rear end portion of the fifth frame20f.

A pair of front wheels22a,22bare provided near a front portion of the body frame12and a pair of rear wheels24a,24bare provided near a rear portion of the body frame12(seeFIG.1andFIG.2). The front wheels22a,22binclude wheels26a,26band tires28a,28bassembled to the wheels26a,26b,respectively. Likewise, the rear wheels24a,24binclude wheels30a,30band tires32a,32bassembled to the wheels30a,30b,respectively.

The pair of front wheels22a,22bare connected to the body frame12via suspensions34a,34b,respectively.

The pair of rear wheels24a,24bare connected to the body frame12via a suspension36, swing arms38a,38band so on. In other words, two side portions of the third frame20aof the rear frame20are connected with each other via a pivot shaft40which extends in a widthwise direction of the vehicle. The rear wheels24a,24bare connected with each other via an axle42which extends widthwise of the vehicle. At an intermediate portion of the axle42, an arm support portion44is attached rotatably with respect to the axle42. The pivot shaft40and the arm support portion44are connected with each other by the swing arms38a,38bextending in a fore-aft direction at a space in a left-right direction from each other. The swing arms38a,38bhave their rear portions connected with each other by a connecting portion46. The suspension36is provided at an intermediate portion in the vehicle's widthwise direction, and connects the third frame20awith the connecting portion46.

A steering shaft48is provided to extend through a space between the pair of upper frames14a,14b.The steering shaft48has its lower end portion connected with the pair of first frames18a,18bof the front frame18. The steering shaft48is supported, at a position slightly above its intermediate portion, by the support frame14c.A bar handle50to steer the pair of front wheels22a,22bis attached to an upper end portion of the steering shaft48. The bar handle50is provided at a higher position than the straddled seat114. When the bar handle50is operated, the steering shaft48is rotated to steer the front wheels22a,22bvia an unillustrated pair of tie rods.

A pair of steps52a,52bare attached to two end portions of the third frame20aof the rear frame20to extend outward of the vehicle.

The body frame12supports a drive motor54which drives the pair of rear wheels24a,24b,and a battery56which supplies electric power to the drive motor54. The drive motor54and the battery56are located on the pair of lower frames16a,16b.The drive motor54is behind the battery56. Preferably, the battery56is an interchangeable rechargeable battery.

Referring toFIGS.9A to9C, the battery56includes a battery case56a.The battery case56aincludes projections56b,56cthat extend outward and overhang in horizontal directions. The battery case56ahouses a battery module56d(seeFIG.10).

The battery56includes a battery lower portion56eand a battery upper portion56fprovided on and above the battery lower portion56e.On a front surface of the battery lower portion56e,at its generally intermediate region, a protruding portion56gis provided. On an upper surface of the battery upper portion56f,a protruding portion56his provided. The battery upper portion56fincludes the projection56boverhanging farther forward than the battery lower portion56e, and the projection56coverhanging farther rearward than the battery lower portion56e.As described, the battery upper portion56foverhangs forward and rearward with respect to the battery lower portion56e.The battery upper portion56fand the battery lower portion56elook like a letter T in a side view. Also, the battery upper portion56fhas a shape that corresponds or follows a shape of the pair of second frames18c,18dof the front frame18(seeFIG.10). At least a portion of the drive motor54is below the projection56c,preferably directly below the projection56c.In other words, at least a portion of the drive motor54overlaps the projection56cin a plan view.

In a side view, the battery upper portion56fhas a length L1which is greater than a length L2of the battery lower portion56e.Also, in a horizontal direction, the battery upper portion56fhas an area of cross section which is greater than an area of cross section of the battery lower portion56e.The battery upper portion56fhas a lateral width W1which is equal or substantially equal to a lateral width W2of the battery lower portion56e.

The battery upper portion56fincludes slanted portions56i,56jin its front two corners. More specifically, the projection56bincludes the slanted portions56i,56jin its two corners. The slanted portions56i,56jare provided with charging/discharging connectors56k,56l, respectively. The charging/discharging connectors56k,56lare provided in the battery upper portion56fsuch that it does not protrude from a front end and a rear end of the battery upper portion56f.

Referring toFIG.5,FIG.6andFIG.10, in a side view, the drive motor54and the battery56are located in a region which is surrounded by the upper frames14a,14b,the lower frames16a,16b,the pair of second frames18c,18dof the front frame18, and the third frame20aof the rear frame20. In the present preferred embodiment, the drive motor54and the battery56are located inside the region which is surrounded by the upper frames14a,14b,the lower frames16a,16b,the second frames18c,18dof the front frame18, and the third frame20aof the rear frame20, and do not overlap these frames in a side view. An output shaft54aof the drive motor54is able to be positioned rearward and downward in the region. In a side view, the drive motor54and the battery56do not protrude downward from the pair of lower frames16a,16b.

The battery56is supported by the upper frames14a,14band the lower frames16a,16b.More specifically, the battery56is supported as described below.

Referring toFIG.5,FIG.6, andFIG.10throughFIG.12, the pair of second frames18c,18dof the front frame18are connected with each other by a rectangular pipe58extending in the vehicle's width direction. The rectangular pipe58includes a flange portion58ain its first end region (left end region), and a flange portion58bin its second end region (right end region). The flange portion58bof the rectangular pipe58includes a bracket60attached thereto with two fasteners62. The bracket60and the flange portion58aof the rectangular pipe58hold the protruding portion56gwhich is provided on the front surface of the battery lower portion56efrom both sides. Between the rectangular pipe58and the protruding portion56g,an elastic member64made of, for example, rubber is inserted. Between the bracket60and the protruding portion56g,an elastic member66made of, for example, rubber is inserted.

Referring toFIG.8andFIG.12, the lower frames16a,16bare connected with each other by a bracket68. On the bracket68, there is provided a rectangular pipe70which extends in the vehicle's width direction. The bracket68supports a lower surface of the battery lower portion56e.The rectangular pipe70supports a lower portion of a rear surface of the battery lower portion56e.Between the bracket68and the lower surface of the battery lower portion56e,an elastic member72made of, for example, rubber is inserted. Between the rectangular pipe70and the lower portion of the rear surface of the battery lower portion56e,an elastic member74made of, for example, rubber is inserted.

Referring toFIG.13andFIG.14, platy flange portions76a,76bare provided respectively in the pair of upper frames14a,14b,at locations slightly forward than locations where the support frame14cis attached. The flange portions76a,76bare connected with each other by a bracket78that extends in the vehicle's width direction and has a generally U-shaped section. The bracket78is fixed to the flange portions76a,76bwith two fasteners80. The bracket78has a lower surface to which an elastic member82made of, for example, rubber and extending in the vehicle's width direction is attached with two fasteners84. The elastic member82is inserted between the bracket78and a forward portion of the upper surface of the battery upper portion56f.

Platy flange portions86a,86bare provided respectively in the pair of upper frames14a,14b,at locations more rearward than the flange portions76a,76b.The flange portions86a,86bare connected with each other by a bracket88extending in the vehicle's width direction and having a generally J-shaped section. The bracket88is fixed to the flange portions86a,86bwith two fasteners90. The bracket88includes a rear portion, to both sides of which there are brackets92a,92battached respectively with fasteners94to support the upper frames14a,14b.The bracket88has a lower surface, to which an elastic member96made of, for example, rubber and extending in the vehicle's width direction is attached with two fasteners98. The elastic member96is inserted between the bracket88and a rearward portion of the upper surface of the battery upper portion56f.Also, an elastic member100made of, for example, rubber is inserted between the bracket88and an upper portion of a rear surface of the battery upper portion56f.

Brackets102a,102beach having a generally U-shaped section are provided respectively in the pair of upper frames14a,14b,between the flange portions76a,76band the flange portions86a,86b.Platy brackets104a,104bare attached to the brackets102a,102b,respectively. The bracket104ais fixed to the bracket102awith two fasteners106. The bracket104bis fixed to the bracket102bwith two fasteners106. The brackets104a,104bsandwich the protruding portion56hof the upper surface of the battery upper portion56ffrom the vehicle's width direction. An elastic member108made of, for example, rubber is inserted between each of the brackets104a,104band the protruding portion56h.

In this way, the elastic members82,96,100,108are provided between the upper frames14a,14band the battery56, and the elastic members64,66,72,74are provided between the lower frames16a,16band the battery56.

Also, the rectangular pipe58and the bracket60are in face-to-face contact with a front portion of the battery56via the elastic members64,66; the bracket68is in face-to-face contact with a lower surface of the battery56via the elastic member72; and the rectangular pipe70in face-to-face contact with a lower portion of a rear surface of the battery56via the elastic member74. Also, the bracket78is in face-to-face contact with a front portion of the upper surface of the battery56via the elastic members82; the bracket88in face-to-face contact with a rear portion of the upper surface and an upper portion of the rear surface of the battery56via the elastic members96,100; and the brackets104a,104bare in face-to-face contact with an upper portion of the battery56via the two elastic members108. In this arrangement, the battery56is fixed from up-down, left-right, and fore-aft directions for easy attachment/detachment.

Referring toFIG.5throughFIG.7, a motor control unit (MCU)110is provided above the battery56in order to control the drive motor54. The motor control unit110is supported by the pair of upper frames14a,14bvia an unillustrated bracket. Power from the output shaft54aof the drive motor54is transmitted to the pair of rear wheels24a,24bvia a power transmission member112to drive the pair of rear wheels24a,24b.The power transmission member112includes a sprocket112aattached to the output shaft54a,a sprocket (not illustrated) attached to the axle42, and a chain112bconnecting the sprocket112aand the axle-side sprocket with each other. Therefore, the power from the output shaft54ais transmitted through the sprocket112a,the chain112b,and the axle-side sprocket, to the axle42, and then to the pair of rear wheels24a,24b.

Referring toFIG.1andFIG.2, the straddled seat114and an exterior portion116are mounted to the body frame12.

The straddled seat114is at a position higher than the drive motor54, and is supported by the pair of fourth frames20c,20dof the rear frame20.

The exterior portion116includes a top cover116alocated ahead of the straddled seat114, a front fender116blocated ahead of the top cover116a,and a rear fender116clocated behind the top cover116ato surround the straddled seat114. The top cover116aincludes a console box116dattached thereto. The console box116dis above the battery56.

According to the vehicle10as described thus far, the battery upper portion56fincludes the projections56b,56coverhanging at least in a horizontal direction with respect to the battery lower portion56e,and at least a portion of the drive motor54is below or directly below the projection56c. By ingeniously designing the shape of the battery56, it becomes possible to make effective use of the space below the projections56b,56c,position the drive motor54closely to the battery56, i.e., to lay out the battery56and the drive motor54satisfactorily within a limited space while allowing for increased battery volume.

In a side view, the battery upper portion56fhas the length L1, which is greater than the length L2of the battery lower portion56e.Therefore, it is possible to easily provide the projections56b,56c,and make effective use of the space below the projections56b,56c.

In a horizontal direction, the battery upper portion56fhas an area of cross section which is greater than an area of cross section of the battery lower portion56e.Therefore, it is possible to easily provide the projections56b,56c,and make effective use of the space below the projections56b,56c.

The projection56coverhangs rearward with respect to the battery lower portion56e.Therefore, it is possible to position the drive motor54behind the battery56. In other words, it is possible to position the battery56in a vacant space ahead of the drive motor54, thus making effective use of the limited space.

The battery56includes the battery case56awhich includes the projections56b,56c.Therefore, even in a case where the battery56includes a battery case, it is possible to easily provide the projections56b,56c,and make effective use of the space below the projections56b,56c.

The battery upper portion56fprojects forward with respect to the battery lower portion56eand corresponds to or follows the shape of the pair of second frames18c,18dof the front frame18. Therefore, it is possible to position the battery56satisfactorily in the space which is defined by the pair of second frames18c,18dof the front frame18.

The battery upper portion56foverhangs forward and rearward with respect to the battery lower portion56e. Therefore, even in a case where the region which is surrounded by the upper frames14a,14b,the lower frames16a,16b,the front frame18, and the rear frame20is narrower in its lower portion than its upper portion in a side view, it is possible to position the battery56and the drive motor54satisfactorily in the region.

The battery upper portion56fhas a lateral width W1which is equal or substantially equal to a lateral width W2of the battery lower portion56e.Therefore, it is possible to provide the battery56with a larger volume even if the space is limited.

The charging/discharging connectors56k,56lare provided in the battery upper portion56fso as not to protrude from a front end and a rear end of the battery upper portion56f.Therefore, when the battery56is removed from the vehicle10, it is possible to easily remove the battery56without causing the charging/discharging connectors56k,56lto be caught by the front frame18or the rear frame20.

The battery upper portion56fincludes the slanted portions56i,56jwhere the charging/discharging connectors56k,56lare provided. Therefore, it is possible to provide the charging/discharging connectors56k,56lso as not to protrude very much from the sides of the battery56.

The elastic members82,96,100,108are provided between the upper frames14a,14band the battery56, and the elastic members64,66,72,74are provided between the lower frames16a,16band the battery56. Therefore, it is possible for the elastic members64,66,72,74,82,96,100,108to reduce impacts and vibrations to the battery56when the vehicle is running.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention described above may be suitably applied to an ATV.

The battery may be configured as described below.

Referring toFIGS.15A and15B, a battery118includes a battery case118a.The battery case118aincludes a projection118boverhanging rearward. The battery case118ahouses one battery module118c.

The battery118includes a battery lower portion118dand a battery upper portion118eprovided on the battery lower portion118d.The battery upper portion118eincludes the projection118boverhanging more rearward than the battery lower portion118d.As described, the battery upper portion118eoverhangs rearward with respect to the battery lower portion118d.The battery upper portion118eand the battery lower portion118dhave the shape of an inverted letter L in a side view.

In a side view, the battery upper portion118ehas a length which is greater than a length of the battery lower portion118d.Also, in a horizontal direction, the battery upper portion118ehas an area of cross section which is greater than an area of cross section of the battery lower portion118d. The battery upper portion118ehas a lateral width which is equal or substantially equal to a lateral width of the battery lower portion118d.

According to the battery118, it is possible to effectively use a layout space, and to have the battery118follow or correspond to the shape of the battery module118c.

Referring toFIGS.16A and16B, a battery120includes a battery case120a.The battery case120aincludes a projection120boverhanging rearward. The battery case120ahouses two battery modules120c,120d.

The battery120includes a battery lower portion120eand a battery upper portion120fprovided on the battery lower portion120e.The battery upper portion120fincludes the projection120boverhanging more rearward than the battery lower portion120e.As described, the battery upper portion120foverhangs rearward with respect to the battery lower portion120e.The battery upper portion120fand the battery lower portion120ehave the shape of an inverted letter L in a side view.

In a side view, the battery upper portion120fhas a length which is greater than a length of the battery lower portion120e.Also, in a horizontal direction, the battery upper portion120fhas an area of cross section which is greater than an area of cross section of the battery lower portion120e.The battery upper portion120fhas a lateral width which is equal or substantially equal to a lateral width of the battery lower portion120e.

According to the battery120, it is possible to effectively use a layout space, and to easily provide the battery120with two battery modules120c,120d.

Referring toFIGS.17A and17B, a battery122includes a battery case122a.The battery case122aincludes a projection122boverhanging rearward. The battery case122ahouses three battery modules122c,122d,122e.

The battery122includes a battery lower portion122fand a battery upper portion122gprovided on the battery lower portion122f.The battery upper portion122gincludes the projection122boverhanging more rearward than the battery lower portion122f.As described, the battery upper portion122goverhangs rearward with respect to the battery lower portion122f.The battery upper portion122gand the battery lower portion122fhave the shape of an inverted letter L in a side view.

In a side view, the battery upper portion122ghas a length which is greater than a length of the battery lower portion122f.Also, in a horizontal direction, the battery upper portion122ghas an area of cross section which is greater than an area of cross section of the battery lower portion122f. The battery upper portion122ghas a lateral width which is equal or substantially equal to a lateral width of the battery lower portion122f.

According to the battery122, it is possible to effectively use a layout space, and to easily provide the battery122with three battery modules122c,122d,122e.

Referring toFIGS.18A and18B, a battery124includes a battery case124a.The battery case124aincludes a projection124boverhanging laterally (leftward in the present preferred embodiment). The battery case124ahouses one battery module124c.

The battery124includes a battery lower portion124dand a battery upper portion124eprovided on the battery lower portion124d.The battery upper portion124eincludes a projection124boverhanging more laterally than the battery lower portion124d.As described, the battery upper portion124eoverhangs laterally with respect to the battery lower portion124d.The battery upper portion124eand the battery lower portion124dhave the shape of an inverted letter L in a front view.

In a side view, the battery upper portion124ehas a length which is equal or substantially equal to a length of the battery lower portion124d.Also, in a horizontal direction, the battery upper portion124ehas an area of cross section which is greater than an area of cross section of the battery lower portion124d.The battery upper portion124ehas a lateral width which is greater than a lateral width of the battery lower portion124d.

According to the battery124, it is possible to effectively use a layout space, and to easily provide the battery124with a shape that follows the shape of the battery module124c.

Referring toFIGS.19A and19B, a battery126includes a battery case126a.The battery case126aincludes a projection126boverhanging laterally (leftward in the present preferred embodiment) and rearward. The battery case126ahouses one battery module126c.

The battery126includes a battery lower portion126dand a battery upper portion126eprovided on the battery lower portion126d.The battery upper portion126eincludes a projection126boverhanging more laterally and rearward than the battery lower portion126d.As described, the battery upper portion126eoverhangs laterally and rearward with respect to the battery lower portion126d.The battery upper portion126eand the battery lower portion126dhave the shape of an inverted letter L in a front view and a side view.

In a side view, the battery upper portion126ehas a length which is greater than a length of the battery lower portion126d.Also, in a horizontal direction, the battery upper portion126ehas an area of cross section which is greater than an area of cross section of the battery lower portion126d.The battery upper portion126ehas a lateral width which is greater than a lateral width of the battery lower portion126d.

According to the battery126, it is possible to effectively use a layout space, and to form the battery126to follow the shape of the battery module126c.

Referring toFIGS.20A and20B, a battery128includes battery cases128a,128b.The battery case128bincludes a projection128coverhanging rearward. The battery case128ahouses one battery module128d,while the battery case128bhouses one battery module128e.

In this variation, a battery lower portion128fincludes the battery case128aand the battery module128d, while a battery upper portion128gincludes the battery case128band the battery module128e.The battery upper portion128gincludes the projection128coverhanging more rearward than the battery lower portion128f.As described, the battery upper portion128goverhangs rearward with respect to the battery lower portion128f.The battery upper portion128gand the battery lower portion128fhave the shape of an inverted letter L in a side view.

In a side view, the battery upper portion128ghas a length which is greater than a length of the battery lower portion128f.Also, in a horizontal direction, the battery upper portion128ghas an area of cross section which is greater than an area of cross section of the battery lower portion128f.The battery upper portion128ghas a lateral width which is equal or substantially equal to a lateral width of the battery lower portion128f.

According to the battery128, it is possible to effectively use a layout space, and by making the battery upper portion128gand the battery lower portion128fas separate components from each other, it becomes possible to easily obtain the battery128having a desirable shape by simply placing the battery upper portion128gon the battery lower portion128f.

Referring toFIGS.21A and21B, a battery130includes a battery case130a.The battery case130aincludes a projection130boverhanging rearward. The battery case130ahouses two battery modules130c,130d.

The battery130includes a battery lower portion130eand a battery upper portion130fprovided on the battery lower portion130e.The battery upper portion130fis provided on the battery lower portion130eat an intermediate region in a width direction. Therefore, in a front view, the battery upper portion130fand the battery lower portion130ehave a convex shape. The battery upper portion130fincludes a projection130boverhanging more rearward than the battery lower portion130e.As described, the battery upper portion130foverhangs rearward with respect to the battery lower portion130e.The battery upper portion130fand the battery lower portion130ehave the shape of an inverted letter L in a side view.

In a side view, the battery upper portion130fhas a length which is greater than a length of the battery lower portion130e.The battery upper portion130fhas a lateral width which is smaller than a lateral width of the battery lower portion130e.

According to the battery130, it is possible to effectively use a layout space, and it becomes possible for the driver of the vehicle to straddle the battery130easily.

Referring toFIGS.22A and22B, a battery132includes a battery case132a.The battery case132aincludes a projection132boverhanging rearward. The battery case132ahouses three battery modules132c,132d,132e.

The battery132includes a battery lower portion132fand a battery upper portion132gprovided on the battery lower portion132f.The battery upper portion132gincludes a projection132boverhanging more rearward than battery lower portion132f.As described, the battery upper portion132goverhangs rearward with respect to the battery lower portion132f.The battery upper portion132gand the battery lower portion132fhave the shape of an inverted letter of L in a side view. Also, the battery upper portion132gincludes a protruding portion132hprotruding upward.

In a side view, the battery upper portion132ghas a length which is greater than a length of the battery lower portion132f.Also, in a horizontal direction, the battery upper portion132ghas an area of cross section which is greater than an area of cross section of the battery lower portion132f.The battery upper portion132ghas a lateral width which is equal or substantially equal to a lateral width of the battery lower portion132f.

According to the battery132, it is possible to provide the battery132within a given layout space by ingeniously designing the shapes of the battery case132aand the battery modules132c,132d,132e.

It should be noted here that the projection of the battery upper portion should project at least in a horizontal direction with respect to the battery lower portion.

The battery may have the shape of an inverted triangle as a result of a combination of the battery upper portion and the battery lower portion.

The elastic member should be provided between the battery and at least one of the upper frame and the lower frame.