Electric vehicle

An electric vehicle includes: a pair of left and right batteries (26a); a pair of left and right battery-holding portions (28d) which respectively hold the left and right batteries (26a); and a pair of left and right battery connection terminals (28c1) which are provided on inner sides of the left and right battery-holding portions (28d) in a vehicle width direction and connected respectively to the left and right batteries (26a).

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an electric vehicle.

Priority is claimed on Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-167819, filed on Aug. 31, 2017, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Conventionally, an electric vehicle is known in which a plurality of batteries are mounted (for example, see Patent Document 1). In this technology, a center console disposed between a pair of left and right rear seats24L and24R is disposed to extend rearward from a driver's seat23in a lateral center of a vehicle body, some of the batteries51A to51C of the plurality of batteries51A to51F are disposed below the driver's seat23, and the other batteries51D to51F of the plurality of batteries51A to51F are disposed behind the driver's seat23and disposed below the center console and below the pair of left and right rear seats24L and24R.

RELATED ART DOCUMENTS

Patent Documents

Patent Document 1

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

In the above-described conventional technology, a connection terminal for each battery is provided at one end portion of each of the plurality of batteries in a longitudinal direction thereof at the lateral center of the vehicle body with the longitudinal direction disposed in a lateral direction of the vehicle body.

However, considering that external disturbances from outside in a vehicle width direction may affect the connection terminal of the battery, further improvement is required.

Aspects of the present invention provide an electric vehicle in which it is difficult for external disturbances from outside in the vehicle width direction to affect a connection terminal of a battery.

Means for Solving the Problem

(1) An electric vehicle according to one aspect of the present invention includes: a pair of left and right batteries; a pair of left and right battery-holding portions which respectively hold the left and right batteries; and a pair of left and right battery connection terminals which are provided on inner sides of the left and right battery-holding portions in a vehicle width direction and connected respectively to the left and right batteries.

(2) The electric vehicle may include a pair of left and right battery wirings which correspond respectively to the left and right batteries between the left and right battery-holding portions, the right battery wiring may be connected to the right battery connection terminal from a side inward in the vehicle width direction from the right battery-holding portion, and the left battery wiring may be connected to the left battery connection terminal from a side inward in the vehicle width direction from the left battery-holding portion.

(3) The electric vehicle may include a distribution box which distributes the battery wirings toward the left and right battery connection terminals, and the distribution box may be disposed between the left and right battery-holding portions.

(4) The electric vehicle may include: an electric motor connected to a drive wheel; and a control unit which controls charging and discharging between the electric motor and the left and right batteries, the control unit may be disposed behind the distribution box, and a second wiring extending between the distribution box and the control unit, a third wiring extending between the control unit and the electric motor, and the left and right battery wirings may be disposed in a region surrounded by the left and right battery-holding portions, the distribution box, and the control unit.

Advantage of the Invention

According to the above configuration (1), since the battery connection terminals connecting the left and right batteries are disposed to be directed inward in the vehicle width direction of the left and right battery-holding portions, it is difficult for external disturbances from outside in the vehicle width direction to affect the battery connection terminals, and thus the battery connection terminals can be satisfactorily protected.

According to the above configuration (2), since the battery wirings extending to the battery connection terminals are disposed on sides inward in the vehicle width direction from the left and right battery-holding portions, high-voltage wirings can be satisfactorily protected.

According to the above configuration (3), since the distribution box is disposed between the left and right battery-holding portions, it is possible to achieve wiring optimization such as shortening the battery wirings extending from the distribution box to the left and right battery connection terminals.

According to the above configuration (4), since the high-voltage electrical wirings are disposed in a space surrounded by the left and right battery-holding portions, the distribution box and the control unit, electrical wirings are concentrated inside in the vehicle width direction so that it is difficult for external disturbances to affect the electrical wirings, and thus the high-voltage wirings can be satisfactorily protected.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Also, directions such as forward, rearward, leftward and rightward in the following description are the same as those in the vehicle described below unless otherwise specified. In addition, at appropriate places in the drawings used for the following description, an arrow FR indicating forward in the vehicle, an arrow LH indicating leftward in the vehicle, an arrow UP indicating upward in the vehicle, and a line CL indicating a lateral center of a vehicle body are shown.

An electric vehicle1shown inFIGS. 1 and 2includes a pair of left and right front wheels FW as steerable wheels and drive wheels on both left and right sides of a front section of a vehicle body, and includes a pair of left and right rear wheels RW as drive wheels on left and right sides of a rear section of the vehicle body. For example, the electric vehicle1of the present embodiment is a relatively small four-wheeled vehicle (a multi-utility vehicle (MUV)) whose main purpose is to travel on irregular ground such as wasteland. Also, the electric vehicle1is not limited to an MUV.

The electric vehicle1includes a roll bar20as an upper body that defines a riding space R. A seat7having a seat body7aand a backrest7bis disposed in the riding space R. The seat7includes a pair of left and right seating surfaces. A dashboard9is disposed in front of the seat7with a foot space F therebetween. A steering wheel8is disposed on one side of left and right sides of the dashboard9(for example, the right side). A loading platform3is disposed behind the riding space R (back of the seat7). A bonnet2is disposed in front of the riding space R. A pair of left and right guard pipes4aare disposed on left and right sides of the seat7. A pair of left and right side panels4bare disposed below the left and right guard pipes4a. Side doors4care disposed on left and right sides of the foot space F.

The roll bar20includes a pair of left and right loop-shaped portions21, front and rear cross frames13aand13bwhich connect the left and right loop-shaped portions21to each other at a roof portion of the roll bar20, a rear frame16which supports the backrest7bof the seat7from behind at a rear portion of the roll bar20and supports left and right headrests7cformed independently of each other, and a front frame14which supports the dashboard9and a steering column at a front portion of the roll bar20.

The loop-shaped portion21continuously forms a lower side portion21awhich is disposed substantially horizontally in side view, a front upward extension portion21bwhich bends from a front end portion of the lower side portion21aand extends upward, a rear upward extension portion21cwhich bends from a rear end portion of the lower side portion21aand extends upward, and an upper side portion21dwhich extends between an upper end portion of the front upward extension portion21band an upper end portion of the rear upward extension portion21c. The lower side portion21ais included in a step frame5a. The lower side portion21asupports a step floor5on which an occupant places his or her foot.

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 3, the roll bar20is mounted on a vehicle body frame10which is a lower body on which drive system components are mounted.

The vehicle body frame10is formed by integrally joining steel material pieces of a plurality of types by welding or the like. The vehicle body frame10includes a main frame11which has a frame shape in plan view including a pair of left and right side frames12, the front frame14coupled to a front portion of the main frame11, and the rear frame16coupled to a rear portion of the main frame11.

A drive device30including an electric motor31that is a drive source of the electric vehicle1is mounted on the main frame11. A front differential mechanism41is mounted on the front frame14. A rear differential mechanism42is mounted on the rear frame16. The front differential mechanism41is connected to the drive device30via a front propeller shaft45so that power can be transmitted thereto. The rear differential mechanism42is connected to the drive device30via a rear propeller shaft46so that power can be transmitted thereto. A front suspension device51that suspends the left and right front wheels FW is supported on the front frame14. A rear suspension device52that suspends the left and right rear wheels RW is supported on the rear frame16.

Front and rear seat-supporting frames18aand18bhaving heights are fixed to the main frame11. The seat7is supported on the front and rear seat-supporting frames18aand18bvia a substantially horizontal supporting frame18c(seeFIGS. 5 and 6). The seat7is disposed at substantially the center in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle and is spaced apart upward from the main frame11. A battery25that supplies power to the electric motor31of the drive device30is mounted in a space ranging from a side below the seat7to a side behind and below the seat7. The battery25is configured of a plurality of unit batteries25a.

A junction box61(distribution box) that collects unit wirings61a(a pair of left and right battery wirings) extending from the plurality of unit batteries25ais disposed below the seat7. A power driver unit (PDU)62to which collective wirings61b(a second wiring) extending from the junction box61are connected is disposed behind the junction box61. An electric control unit (ECU)66that drives and controls the electric motor31via the PDU62is disposed above the PDU62. For example, the PDU62and the ECU66constitute an integrated control unit66U (a control unit, seeFIG. 8).

The main frame11includes the pair of left and right side frames12made of, for example, square steel pipes, a front cross frame13awhich connects front end portions of the left and right side frames12, a rear cross frame13bwhich connects rear end portions of the left and right side frames12, and an intermediate cross frame13cwhich connects front to rear intermediate portions of the left and right side frames12closer to front portions of left and right side frames12to each other. Also, the term “intermediate” used in the present embodiment indicates not only the center between both ends of an object but also includes an intermediary range between both ends of an object.

The lower side portion21aof the right loop-shaped portion21of the roll bar20is connected to a right outer side of the right side frame12via front and rear connection frames23aand23bextending in a lateral direction of the vehicle. The lower side portion21aof the left loop-shaped portion21of the roll bar20is connected to a left outer side of the left side frame12via front and rear connection frames23aand23bextending in the lateral direction. A lower portion of the rear upward extension portion21cof the right loop-shaped portion21of the roll bar20is connected to a right outer side of the rear seat-supporting frame18bvia a rear upper connection frame23cextending in the lateral direction. A lower portion of the rear upward extension portion21cof the left loop-shaped portion21of the roll bar20is connected to a left outer side of the rear seat-supporting frame18bvia a rear upper connection frame23cextending in the lateral direction.

Referring also toFIG. 5, the loop-shaped portions21have the lower side portions21awhich are outer arrangement portions disposed outward in a vehicle width direction from a unit battery pair26a(a pair of left and right batteries) of the battery25, which will be described later, and the rear upward extension portions21cwhich are rear arrangement portions disposed behind the unit battery pair26a. Further, the rear upper connection frames23care disposed behind the unit battery pair26a. These frame members inhibit external disturbances from reaching the unit battery pair26a.

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 3, the front frame14generally forms a box structure which has a lateral width narrower than that of the main frame11and a height higher than that of the main frame11.

The front differential mechanism41is mounted inside the front frame14. An inner end portion of a right suspension arm51aof the front suspension device51is supported on a right side portion of the front frame14to be vertically swingable. An inner end portion of a left suspension arm51aof the front suspension device51is supported on a left side portion of the front frame14to be vertically swingable. An upper end portion of a right cushion unit51bof the front suspension device51is supported on an upper side of the right side portion of the front frame14. An upper end portion of a left cushion unit51bof the front suspension device51is supported on an upper side of the left side portion of the front frame14.

A lower end portion of the right cushion unit51bis connected to the right suspension arm51a. A lower end portion of the left cushion unit51bis connected to the left suspension arm51a.

The rear frame16generally forms a box structure which has a lateral width narrower than that of the main frame11and a height higher than that of the main frame11. The rear differential mechanism42is mounted inside the rear frame16. An inner end portion of a right suspension arm52aof the rear suspension device52is supported on a right side portion of the rear frame16to be vertically swingable. An inner end portion of a left suspension arm52aof the rear suspension device52is supported on a left side portion of the rear frame16to be vertically swingable. An upper end portion of a right cushion units52bof the rear suspension device52is supported on an upper side of the right side portion of the rear frame16. An upper end portion of a left cushion unit52bof the rear suspension device52is supported on an upper side of the left side portions of the rear frame16. A lower end portion of the right cushion unit52bis connected to the right suspension arm52a. A lower end portion of the left cushion unit52bis connected to the left suspension arm52a.

Referring toFIGS. 1, 3, and 7, the drive device30integrally has an electric motor31which is disposed on a left side of a rear portion of the main frame11with its drive axis (a motor axis) C1directed in the longitudinal direction, and a distribution mechanism (a transfer)35which is provided to extend rightward from a front end portion of the electric motor31beyond a lateral center CL of the vehicle body.

The electric motor31is driven by the power of the battery25. The electric motor31is driven at a variable speed on the basis of, for example, a variable voltage variable frequency (VVVF) control. The electric motor31has a continuously variable transmission to perform a shift control, but is not limited thereto, and may have a stepped transmission to perform the shift control.

The electric motor31includes a cylindrical housing32centered on the motor axis C1. A rear mount portion33for a motor-supporting portion13b1provided on the rear cross frame13bof the main frame11is provided at the lateral center CL of the vehicle at a rear end portion of the housing32. The rear mount portion33is supported (rubber-mounted) on the motor-supporting portion13b1via a bolt33aextending in a vertical direction and a rubber bush33bthrough which the bolt33ais inserted. The reference sign C2indicates an axis of the bolt33a. A rubber mount portion33M that supports a rear portion of the housing32of the electric motor31on the vehicle body frame10is configured by including the motor-supporting portion13b1, the rear mount portion33, the bolt33a, and the rubber bush33b.

The distribution mechanism35decelerates a driving force of the electric motor31and outputs the driving force to the front and rear propeller shafts45and46. The distribution mechanism35includes a horizontally elongated casing36that accommodates a reduction gear or the like. A front end portion of the housing32of the electric motor31is integrally coupled to a left rear portion of the casing36. A left mount portion37for a left supporting portion12b1provided on the left side frame12of the main frame11is provided at a left end portion of the casing36. The left mount portion37is supported (rubber-mounted) on the left supporting portion12b1via a bolt37aextending in the longitudinal direction and a rubber bush37bthrough which the bolt37ais inserted. The reference sign C3indicates an axis of the bolt37a. A rubber mount portion37M that supports a left side portion of the casing36of the distribution mechanism35on the vehicle body frame10is configured by including the left supporting portion12b1, the left mount portion37, the bolt37a, and the rubber bush37b.

A right mount portion38for a right supporting portion12b2provided on the right side frame12is provided at a right end portion of the casing36. The right mount portion38is supported (rubber-mounted) on the right supporting portion12b2via a bolt38aextending in the longitudinal direction and a rubber bush38bthrough which the bolt38ais inserted. The reference sign C4indicates an axis of the bolt38a. A rubber mount portion38M that supports a right side portion of the casing36of the distribution mechanism35on the vehicle body frame10is configured by including the right supporting portion12b2, the right mount portion38, the bolt38a, and the rubber bush38b.

The drive device30is mounted on an inner side of the main frame11via the rubber mount portion33M, the rubber mount portion37M, and the rubber mount portion38M which are the mount portions on the three locations described above.

A front drive shaft35adirected in the longitudinal direction extends forward from a right side portion of the distribution mechanism35. A rear drive shaft35bdirected in the longitudinal direction extends rearward from the right side portion of the distribution mechanism35. The front and rear drive shafts35aand35bare coaxial with each other. The reference sign C5indicates an axis of the front and rear drive shafts35aand35b.

A front end portion of the front drive shaft35ais supported by a front bearing portion39aprovided on the main frame11. A rear end portion of the front propeller shaft45is connected to the front end portion via a universal joint. A front end portion of the front propeller shaft45is connected to the front differential mechanism41supported by the front frame14via a universal joint. A right drive shaft41aextends from the front differential mechanism41, and the right drive shaft41ais connected to the right front wheel FW. A left drive shaft41aextends from the front differential mechanism41, and the left drive shaft41ais connected to the left front wheel FW.

A rear end portion of the rear drive shaft35bis supported by a rear bearing portion39bprovided on the main frame11. A front end portion of the rear propeller shaft46is connected to the rear end portion via a universal joint. A rear end portion of the rear propeller shaft46is connected to the rear differential mechanism42supported by the rear frame16via a universal joint. A right drive shaft42aextends from the rear differential mechanism42, and the right drive shaft42ais connected to the right rear wheel RW. A left drive shaft42aextends from the rear differential mechanism42, and the left drive shaft42ais connected to the left rear wheel RW.

The front and rear drive shafts35aand35b(and thus the front and rear propeller shafts45and46) of the distribution mechanism35and an output shaft31aof the electric motor31are disposed separately on the left and right sides of the lateral center CL of the vehicle body.

The driving force of the electric motor31is transmitted to the left and right front wheels FW via the distribution mechanism35, the front propeller shaft45, the front differential mechanism41, and the left and right drive shafts41a, and is transmitted to the left and right rear wheels RW via the distribution mechanism35, the rear propeller shaft46, the rear differential mechanism42, and the left and right drive shafts42a. A clutch case36afor accommodating a dog clutch that switches between whether or not power is transmitted to the front propeller shaft45is attached to a right front portion of the distribution mechanism35.

Referring also toFIG. 2, at least a portion (a rear portion) of the electric motor31is disposed between the seat7and a second battery27, which will be described later, of the battery25in plan view. At least a portion (a front portion in the present embodiment) of the electric motor31is disposed to overlap the seat7(that is, below the seat7) in plan view. At least a portion of (all of in the present embodiment) the distribution mechanism35is disposed below the seat7.

At least a portion (a lower portion in the present embodiment) of the electric motor31is disposed to overlap the side frame12of the vehicle body frame10in side view and to overlap the cross frames13a,13b, and13cof the vehicle body frame10in front view.

The front and rear differential mechanisms41and42appropriately distribute the driving force transmitted to the left and right drive shafts and the left and right wheels using respective differential mechanisms accommodated in the housing.

The rear propeller shaft46extends in the longitudinal direction. The front propeller shaft45extends obliquely relative to the longitudinal direction to be positioned nearer to one side of the left and right sides (on the left side the same as that of the electric motor31) toward its front side. By appropriately setting lateral positions of the end portions of the front and rear propeller shafts45and46on the differential mechanism sides, actions such as utilizing surroundings of a differential mechanism in an existing vehicle or sharing the front and rear differential mechanisms41and42can be performed.

Referring toFIG. 4, the battery25includes a first battery26disposed below the seat7, and a second battery27disposed behind the first battery26(behind and below the seat7). For example, the first battery26and the second battery27are configured to include a plurality of unit batteries25athat are identical to each other. The unit battery25ahas a rectangular parallelepiped shape with the lateral direction as its longitudinal direction. The unit battery25ais a mobile battery that can be attached to and detached from the vehicle body.

The first battery26includes a pair of front and rear unit batteries25a(hereinafter referred to as the unit battery pair26a) in each of the left and right side portions of the vehicle body. That is, the first battery26includes a total of four unit batteries25a. The left and right unit battery pairs26aare disposed below the seat7. The left and right unit battery pairs26aare disposed close to each other such that a pair of front and rear unit batteries25aare in contact with each other. The left and right unit battery pairs26aare separated from each other in the lateral direction.

The junction box61is disposed in a space between the left and right unit battery pairs26a. The junction box61is disposed above at least a portion of the drive device30(for example, the distribution mechanism35). The ECU66is disposed behind the junction box61. The PDU62is disposed below the ECU66. The PDU62and the ECU66constitute the integrated control unit66U.

The collective wirings61bextending from the junction box61to the PDU62, or the like are disposed in the space between the left and right unit battery pairs26a(the space surrounded by the left and right unit battery pairs26aand the control unit66U), in addition to the junction box61, the unit wirings61abranching from the junction box61to each unit battery25a.

In plan view, at least a portion of the front and rear propeller shafts45and46is disposed below the space between the left and right unit battery pairs26a. That is, the left and right unit battery pairs26aare disposed separately on the left and right sides to sandwich the front and rear propeller shafts45and46.

The second battery27includes a pair of left and right unit batteries25a. The left and right unit batteries25aof the second battery27are disposed behind and below the seat7. The left and right unit batteries25aof the second battery27are separated from each other in the lateral direction. A space between the left and right unit batteries25aof the second battery27is narrower than the space between the left and right first batteries26. For example, in each of the left and right side portions of the vehicle body, a central position of the unit battery25aof the second battery27in the lateral direction and an inner end position of the unit battery25aof the first battery26in the lateral direction are at substantially the same position in the lateral direction. The collective wirings61bextending in the longitudinal direction from the junction box61to the PDU62are disposed in the space between the left and right unit batteries25aof the second battery27.

The left and right unit batteries25aof the second battery27are disposed to be displaced upward with respect to the left and right unit battery pairs26a. For example, lower end positions of the left and right unit batteries25aof the second battery27and a central position of the unit battery25aof the first battery26in the vertical direction are at substantially the same position in the vertical direction.

The battery25generates a predetermined high voltage (48 to 72 V) by the plurality of unit batteries25aincluded in the first battery26and the second battery27being connected in series. Each unit battery25ais configured of, for example, a lithium ion battery as a chargeable and dischargeable energy storage. Each unit battery25ais inserted into and removed from a battery case28fixed to the vehicle body from outside in the vehicle width direction. The battery case28has a battery insertion and removal port28athat opens outward in the vehicle width direction, and a lid28bthat opens and closes the battery insertion and removal port28a. The unit battery25ais slidably moved in the vehicle width direction from the battery insertion and removal port28aso that it is removably accommodated in the battery case28.

The unit wiring61acorresponding to each unit battery25ais connected to a wall portion28con the inner side of the battery case28in the vehicle width direction. The wall portions28cis provided with a connection terminal28c1(a pair of left and right battery connection terminals). The connection terminal28c1passes through the wall portion28cand faces the inside of the case, and detachably connects each unit battery25ato the unit wiring61a. The corresponding unit wiring61ais connected to the connection terminal28c1. Thus, each unit battery25aand the corresponding unit wiring61aare detachably connected to each other via the connection terminal28c1. One battery case28may be provided for each unit battery25a, or may be provided to accommodate a plurality of unit batteries25a. Battery cases, which correspond to the left and right unit battery pairs26a, of the plurality of battery cases28may be referred to as left and right battery cases28d(a pair of left and right battery-holding portions).

Referring toFIGS. 4 and 8, the power from the battery25is supplied to the PDU62, which is a motor driver, via the junction box61having a contactor (not shown) linked with a main switch (not shown). The power from the battery25is converted from direct current to three-phase alternating current by the PDU62and then supplied to the electric motor31that is a three-phase alternating current motor.

An output voltage from the battery25is stepped down via a DC-DC converter63and supplied to a 12 V sub-battery64, a general electrical component65such as a lighting device, a control system component such as the ECU66, and the like.

The junction box61aggregates a plurality of unit wirings61aextending from the respective unit batteries25aand extends the collective wirings61btoward the PDU62. The junction box61has a fuse corresponding to each unit wiring61ain addition to the contactor.

The PDU62includes an inverter and controls energization of a stator winding of the electric motor31. The PDU62is provided with a heat sink.

For example, the unit battery25ais charged by a charger connected to an AC 100 V power source in a state of being removed from the vehicle body. Also, the electric vehicle1may be configured to have a charger. The unit battery25aincludes a battery-managing unit (BMU)68that monitors charge and discharge status, temperature, and the like. Information monitored by the BMU68is shared with the ECU66when the battery is mounted on the vehicle body. Output request information from an accelerator sensor69is input to the ECU66. The ECU66controls driving of the electric motor31via the PDU62on the basis of the output request information which has been input.

The plurality of unit wirings61aextending from the respective battery cases28are connected to the junction box61between the unit battery pairs26a. The collective wirings61bextend rearward from a rear portion of the junction box61, and the collective wirings61bare connected to the PDU62. A three-phase cable61c(a third wiring) extends forward from the PDU62. The three-phase cable61cis routed to the left and connected to the electric motor31. The electric motor31performs a power running operation in accordance with the control from the PDU62and causes the electric vehicle1to travel.

As described above, the electric vehicle1in the above embodiment includes the seat7on which an occupant sits, the pair of left and right unit battery pairs26aof the battery25which are disposed separately on the left and right sides below the seat7, and the pair of left and right battery cases28dwhich are provided in the vehicle body and detachably hold the left and right unit battery pairs26a, respectively.

According to the above configuration, since the unit battery pairs26aare disposed separately on the left and right sides in a dead space below the seat7, capacity of the battery25can be easily secured, and traveling stability, particularly in a rolling direction of the vehicle, can be improved due to a distributed arrangement of the unit battery pairs26a, which are heavy objects, in the lateral direction. Moreover, heat radiation of the battery25can be dispersed due to the distributed arrangement of the unit battery pairs26aand thus heat source concentration of the battery25can be avoided. Further, the unit battery pairs26acan be easily attached and detached from an outer side in the vehicle width direction, and thus the battery25can be easily made mobile.

Also, in the electric vehicle1, the left and right unit battery pairs26aare detachable from the left and right battery cases28dby sliding them in the lateral direction.

According to the above configuration, as compared to the configuration in which the left and right unit battery pairs26aare detachable by moving them in the vertical direction, the battery cases28can easily receive a weight of the battery when the battery is attached and detached, and thus the attachment and detachment work of the battery25, which is a heavy object, can be facilitated.

Also, in the electric vehicle1described above, the propeller shafts45and46extending in the longitudinal direction on the inner side in the vehicle width direction are provided, and the left and right unit battery pairs26aare disposed to sandwich the propeller shafts45and46in the lateral direction.

According to the above configuration, since the left and right unit battery pairs26aare disposed separately on the left and right sides of the propeller shafts45and46on the inner side in the vehicle width direction, an efficient layout of the left and right unit battery pairs26a, particularly in a four-wheel drive vehicle, can be realized.

Also, in the electric vehicle1described above, the step floor5on which the occupant places his or her foot and the step frame5awhich supports the step floor5are provided, the step frame5ahas the lower side portions21adisposed outward in the vehicle width direction from the left and right unit battery pairs26a, and the rear upward extension portions21cdisposed behind the left and right unit battery pairs26aare connected to rear sides of the lower side portions21a.

According to the above configuration, since the left and right unit battery pairs26aare disposed on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the outer arrangement portions (lower side portions21a) of the step frame5aand are disposed in front of the rear arrangement portions (rear upward extension portions21c), external disturbances from outside in the vehicle width direction and from the rear to the left and right unit battery pairs26acan be prevented by using the frame members including the step frame5a.

Also, in the electric vehicle1described above, the electric motor31connected to the drive wheels (front and rear wheels FW and RW) and the second battery27disposed behind the seat7are provided, and at least a portion of the electric motor31is disposed between the seat7and the second battery27.

According to the above configuration, since the electric motor31is disposed adjacent to the left and right unit battery pairs26aand the second battery27and is disposed to be surrounded by the plurality of unit batteries25a, an efficient layout in which distances between the plurality of unit batteries25aand the electric motor31are reduced can be achieved, and thus mass concentration can be achieved.

Also, in the electric vehicle1described above, the electric motor31is configured such that at least a portion of the electric motor31is disposed below the seat7and overlaps the left and right unit battery pairs26ain its position in the longitudinal direction.

According to the above configuration, since at least a portion of the electric motor31is disposed in the dead space below the seat7, and the electric motor31overlaps the unit battery pairs26abelow the seat7in its position in the longitudinal direction, even in a small electric vehicle1, the space below the seat7can be effectively used, and thus the bulky electric motor31can be disposed therein and mass concentration can be achieved. In addition, since the unit battery pairs26aand the electric motor31which are heavy objects are disposed below the seat7disposed in the central portion of the vehicle in the longitudinal direction, further mass concentration can be achieved.

Also, in the electric vehicle1described above, at least a portion (the lower portion) of the electric motor31is disposed to overlap the side frame12of the vehicle body frame10in side view and to overlap the cross frames13a,13b, and13cof the vehicle body frame10in front view.

According to the above configuration, since the electric motor31and the vehicle body frame members are disposed to overlap in the side view and the front view, external disturbances to the electric motor31in the longitudinal direction and the vehicle width direction can be prevented utilizing the vehicle body frame members.

Also, in the electric vehicle1described above, the distribution mechanism35coupled to the electric motor31is provided, and at least a portion of the distribution mechanism35is disposed below the seat7.

According to the above configuration, since at least a portion of the distribution mechanism35coupled to the electric motor31is disposed below the seat7, the dead space below the seat7can be used more effectively. In addition, since the seat7is disposed at the central portion of the vehicle in the longitudinal direction, the distribution mechanism35, which is a heavy object, is disposed at the central portion of the vehicle in the longitudinal direction, and thus further mass concentration can be achieved.

Also, in the electric vehicle1described above, the propeller shafts45and46extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle from the distribution mechanism35are provided, and the electric motor31is disposed with the output shaft31adirected in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

According to the above configuration, since the output shaft31aof the electric motor31and the propeller shafts45and46are disposed substantially parallel to each other, it becomes easy to connect the electric motor31and the propeller shafts45and46via the distribution mechanism35, and thus driving power can be transmitted efficiently by shortening a transmission path. In addition, by disposing the output shaft31aof the electric motor31and the propeller shafts45and46in the longitudinal direction, bulkiness in the vehicle width direction can be curbed and thus a compact arrangement can be achieved.

Also, in the electric vehicle1described above, the propeller shafts45and46and the output shaft31aof the electric motor31are disposed to sandwich the center line CL in the vehicle width direction in plan view.

According to the above configuration, since the propeller shafts45and46and the output shaft31aof the electric motor31are laid out across the center line CL in the vehicle width direction, the traveling stability can be increased due to the distributed arrangement of the electric motor31and the propeller shafts45and46that are heavy objects. Also, the distribution mechanism35that connects the electric motor31and the propeller shafts45and46straddles the center line CL in the vehicle width direction, so that mass concentration can be achieved.

Also, in the electric vehicle1described above, the first rubber mount portion33M is provided between the electric motor31and the vehicle body frame10, and the second rubber mount portions37M and38M are provided between the distribution mechanism35and the vehicle body frame10.

According to the above configuration, since the electric motor31and the distribution mechanism35are supported on the vehicle body frame10using the plurality of rubber mount portions33M,37M, and38M, vibration-proof properties of the drive device30can be improved.

Also, in the electric vehicle1described above, the pair of left and right battery connection terminals28c1which are provided on the inner sides of the left and right battery cases28din the vehicle width direction and connected respectively to the left and right unit battery pairs26aare provided.

According to the above configuration, since the battery connection terminals28c1which connect the left and right unit battery pairs26ato each other are disposed to be directed inward in the vehicle width direction from the left and right battery cases28d, it is difficult for external disturbances from outside in the vehicle width direction to affect the battery connection terminals28c1, and thus the battery connection terminals28c1can be satisfactorily protected.

Also, in the electric vehicle1described above, the pair of left and right unit wirings61acorresponding to the left and right unit battery pairs26aare provided between the left and right battery cases28d, the right unit wiring61ais connected to the right battery connection terminal28c1from a side inward in the vehicle width direction from the right battery case28d, and the left unit wiring61ais connected to the left battery connection terminal28c1from a side inward in the vehicle width direction from the left battery case28d.

According to the above configuration, since the unit wirings61athat reach the battery connection terminals28c1are disposed on the inner sides of the left and right battery cases28din the vehicle width direction, high-voltage wiring can be satisfactorily protected.

Also, in the electric vehicle1described above, the junction box61which distributes the unit wirings61atoward the left and right battery connection terminals28c1is provided, and the junction box61is disposed between the left and right battery cases28d.

According to the above configuration, since the junction box61is disposed between the left and right battery cases28d, optimization of the wiring can be achieved, for example, by shortening the unit wirings61aextending from the junction box61to the left and right battery connection terminals28c1.

Also, in the electric vehicle1described above, the control unit66U which controls charging and discharging between the electric motor31and the left and right unit battery pairs26ais provided, the control unit66U is disposed behind the junction box61, and the collective wirings61bextending between the junction box61and the control unit66U, the three-phase cable61cextending between the control unit66U and the electric motor31, and the left and right unit wirings61aare disposed in a region surrounded by the left and right battery cases28d, the junction box61, and the control unit66U.

According to the above configuration, since high-voltage electrical wirings are disposed in a space surrounded by the left and right battery cases28d, the junction box61and the control unit66U, the electrical wirings are concentrated on the inner side in the vehicle width direction, so that it is difficult for external disturbances to affect them, and thus the high-voltage wirings can be satisfactorily protected.

Also, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and, for example, the electric vehicle may be not only a four-wheeled vehicle but also a three-wheeled vehicle (including a vehicle with two front wheels and one rear wheel in addition to a vehicle with one front wheel and two rear wheels).

In addition, it should be understood that the configuration in the embodiment is an example of the present invention, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention, such as replacing the constituent elements of the embodiment with known constituent elements.

DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCE SYMBOLS