Patent Description:
In the past, a straddle-type electric vehicle in which portable batteries for supplying electric power to a motor is detachably housed in a vehicle body has been known.

Patent Literature <NUM> discloses a configuration in which two portable batteries each formed in an approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape are housed in a housing case provided below an opening/closing seat in a scooter-type electric-powered motorcycle in which a low floor is provided between a steering handlebar and the seat.

Document <CIT>, which shows all the features of the preamble of independent claim <NUM>, shows a known configuration with two batteries. Additionally, document <CIT>, which forms part of the state of the art according to Article <NUM>(<NUM>) EPC, also shows another known configuration.

Here, in a straddle-type electric vehicle having a large loading platform instead of a rear seat, it is conceivable that two portable batteries are arranged next to each other in the vehicle width direction in order to secure the area of the loading platform. Although such arrangement itself has been proposed even in Patent Literature <NUM>, there has been still room for devising in terms of a concrete configuration in which all of securing a sufficient battery capacity, ease of an attaching/detaching operation of the batteries, downsizing the vehicle body, and the like can be achieved.

The object of the present invention is to solve the problem of the prior art and to provide a straddle-type electric vehicle capable of enhancing convenience by optimizing an arrangement and housing structure of portable batteries.

In order to achieve the above-described object, the present invention has a first feature in that a straddle-type electric vehicle (<NUM>) is configured by including two approximately rectangular parallelepiped batteries (B), a battery case (<NUM>) in which the batteries (B) are housed, battery-side terminals (<NUM>) provided on bottom surfaces of the batteries (B), and case-side terminals (<NUM>) engaged with the battery-side terminals (<NUM>), wherein the two batteries (B) are arranged next to each other in a vehicle width direction, an operation lever (<NUM>) for moving the case-side terminals (<NUM>) up and down to connect or separate the battery-side terminals (<NUM>) and the case-side terminals (<NUM>) to/from each other is provided, the operation lever (<NUM>) is arranged at a position in a middle in the vehicle width direction between the two batteries (B), and the battery-side terminals (<NUM>) and the case-side terminals (<NUM>) are positioned nearer outer sides in the vehicle width direction.

In addition, the present invention has a second feature in that a pair of front and rear link mechanisms (L) for coupling the operation lever (<NUM>) and the case-side terminals (<NUM>) to each other is provided in front of and behind the battery case (<NUM>).

In addition, the present invention has a third feature in that the link mechanisms (L) have a bilaterally symmetrical structure centered on the middle in the vehicle width direction as a center.

In addition, the present invention has a fourth feature in that the link mechanisms (L) include arm members (<NUM>) for connecting first axes (<NUM>) that are connected to the operation lever (<NUM>) to act as force points to second axes (<NUM>) that function as working points connected to the case-side terminals (<NUM>), and each of third axes (<NUM>) that is provided at each of the arm members (<NUM>) to act as a fulcrum is provided nearer the second axis (<NUM>) than a middle of each arm member (<NUM>).

In addition, the present invention has a fifth feature in that the straddle-type electric vehicle (<NUM>) is a scooter-type vehicle having a low floor (<NUM>) between a steering handlebar (<NUM>) and a seat (<NUM>), the battery case (<NUM>) is arranged between a pair of left and right rising frames (F4) coupled to rear ends of underframes (F3) for supporting the low floor (<NUM>) from below, and a cross pipe (F5) that is formed in a curved shape projecting toward an upper side of a vehicle body to couple the pair of left and right rising frames (F4) to each other is arranged in front of the link mechanisms (L).

In addition, the present invention has a sixth feature in that a contactor (<NUM>) for turning on and off electric power supply to electric components is provided, and the contactor (<NUM>) is arranged in front of the battery case (<NUM>) and behind the cross pipe (F5).

In addition, the present invention has a seventh feature in that a pair of front and rear separator parts (36c) is provided at the operation lever (<NUM>), and, when the operation lever (<NUM>) is pushed down to a position where the battery-side terminals (<NUM>) and the case-side terminals (<NUM>) are connected to each other, the separator parts (36c) are accommodated between the two batteries (B) at a position nearer front ends and a position nearer rear ends of the batteries (B).

In addition, the present invention has an eighth feature in that a partition (<NUM>) positioned between the two batteries (B) is provided at a position nearer a bottom portion of the battery case (<NUM>).

According to the invention the case-side terminals (<NUM>) are arranged while projecting below bottom portions of the battery case (<NUM>).

Additionally, according to the invention a down regulator (<NUM>) is arranged between the left and right case-side terminals (<NUM>) below a bottom portion of the battery case (<NUM>).

In addition, the present invention has an eleventh feature in that each battery (B) is formed in an approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape that is long in an up-and-down direction of the vehicle body, and surfaces directed outward in the vehicle width direction among six surfaces constituting each battery (B) are formed in a curved shape projecting outward in the vehicle width direction in a vehicle body plan view.

According to the first feature, the straddle-type electric vehicle (<NUM>) is configured by including the two approximately rectangular parallelepiped batteries (B), the battery case (<NUM>) in which the batteries (B) are housed, the battery-side terminals (<NUM>) provided on the bottom surfaces of the batteries (B), and the case-side terminals (<NUM>) engaged with the battery-side terminals (<NUM>), wherein the two batteries (B) are arranged next to each other in the vehicle width direction, the operation lever (<NUM>) for moving the case-side terminals (<NUM>) up and down to connect or separate the battery-side terminals (<NUM>) and the case-side terminals (<NUM>) to/from each other is provided, the operation lever (<NUM>) is arranged at a position in the middle in the vehicle width direction between the two batteries (B), and the battery-side terminals (<NUM>) and the case-side terminals (<NUM>) are positioned nearer outer sides in the vehicle width direction. Thus, the operation lever for connecting or separating the battery-side terminals and the case-side terminals to/from each other can be similarly operated from either the left or right side of the vehicle body, and replacement work of the batteries is facilitated. In addition, a space for providing the mechanisms interlocking the operation lever and the case-side terminals can be secured by arranging the operation lever and the case-side terminals while being apart from each other. In addition, the distance between the mechanisms interlocking the operation lever and the case-side terminals can be made longer, and the operation load of the operation lever can be reduced.

According to the second feature, the pair of front and rear link mechanisms (L) for coupling the operation lever (<NUM>) and the case-side terminals (<NUM>) to each other is provided in front of and behind the battery case (<NUM>). Thus, the case-side terminals can be stably moved up and down by the pair of front and rear link mechanisms. In addition, by arranging the link mechanisms in front of and behind the battery case, the dimension around the battery case in the vehicle width direction can be reduced, and the link mechanisms can be protected even when external force is applied from the side of the vehicle body.

According to the third feature, the link mechanisms (L) have a bilaterally symmetrical structure centered on the middle in the vehicle width direction. Thus, the operations of the left and right case-side terminals can be synchronized, and the terminals can be excellently moved up and down by one operation lever.

According to the fourth feature, the link mechanisms (L) include the arm members (<NUM>) for connecting the first axes (<NUM>) that are connected to the operation lever (<NUM>) to act as force points to the second axes (<NUM>) that function as working points connected to the case-side terminals (<NUM>), and each of the third axes (<NUM>) that is provided at each of the arm members (<NUM>) to act as a fulcrum is provided nearer the second axis (<NUM>) than the middle of each arm member (<NUM>). Thus, the lever ratio of the link mechanisms can be increased to reduce the operation load of the operation lever.

According to the fifth feature, the straddle-type electric vehicle (<NUM>) is a scooter-type vehicle having the low floor (<NUM>) between the steering handlebar (<NUM>) and a seat (<NUM>), the battery case (<NUM>) is arranged between the pair of left and right rising frames (F4) coupled to rear ends of the underframes (F3) for supporting the low floor (<NUM>) from below, and the cross pipe (F5) that is formed in a curved shape projecting toward the upper side of the vehicle body to couple the pair of left and right rising frames (F4) to each other is arranged in front of the link mechanisms (L). Thus, the link mechanisms can be protected even when external force is applied from the front side.

According to the sixth feature, the contactor (<NUM>) for turning on and off electric power supply to the electric components is provided, and the contactor (<NUM>) is arranged in front of the battery case (<NUM>) and behind the cross pipe (F5). Thus, the contactor can be protected by the cross pipe even when external force is applied from the front side of the vehicle body. In addition, a harness for connecting the batteries and the contactor to each other can be shortened by disposing the contactor at a position near the batteries.

According to the seventh feature, the pair of front and rear separator parts (36c) is provided at the operation lever (<NUM>), and, when the operation lever (<NUM>) is pushed down up the position where the battery-side terminals (<NUM>) and the case-side terminals (<NUM>) are connected to each other, the separator parts (36c) are accommodated between the two batteries (B) at a position nearer front ends and a position nearer rear ends of the batteries (B). Thus, the operation lever can also function as a partition plate for stably holding the two batteries at predetermined positions while preventing the two batteries disposed close to each other from coming into contact with each other.

According to the eighth feature, the partition (<NUM>) positioned between the two batteries (B) is provided at a position nearer a bottom portion of the battery case (<NUM>). Thus, by providing the partition, it is possible to stably hold the two batteries and to prevent the two batteries housed in the battery case from coming into contact with each other on the bottom side. In addition, insertion work of the batteries is facilitated by allowing the partition to function as a guide when the batteries are inserted into the battery case.

According to the invention, the case-side terminals (<NUM>) are arranged while projecting below bottom portions of the battery case (<NUM>). Thus, the vertical dimension of the battery case can be reduced, and a space for arranging other components can be provided between the left and right case-side terminals.

According to the invention, the down regulator (<NUM>) is arranged between the left and right case-side terminals (<NUM>) below a bottom portion of the battery case (<NUM>). Thus, by arranging the down regulator using a space between the left and right case-side terminals, the layout efficiency can be enhanced, and a harness connected to the down regulator can be shortened. In addition, the down regulator can be efficiently cooled by a traveling wind passing below the battery case.

According to the eleventh feature, each battery (B) is formed in an approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape that is long in the up-and-down direction of the vehicle body, and surfaces directed outward in the vehicle width direction among six surfaces constituting each battery (B) are formed in a curved shape projecting outward in the vehicle width direction in a vehicle body plan view. Thus, while maximizing the battery capacity, an insertion work can be facilitated by easily grasping the batteries in an insertion direction. In addition, since the surface brought into contact with an upper end of the battery case when each battery is attached and detached is curved, frictional resistance when the weight of each battery is put on the upper end of the battery case is small, and smooth attaching/detaching work can be performed.

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. <FIG> is a left side view of an electric-powered motorcycle <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present invention. In addition, <FIG> is a perspective view of the electric-powered motorcycle <NUM> viewed from a right rear. The electric-powered motorcycle <NUM> is what is generally called a scooter-type straddle-type electric vehicle in which a low floor <NUM> for putting the feet of an occupant is provided between a steering handlebar <NUM> and a seat <NUM>.

A pair of left and right front forks <NUM> for pivotally supporting a front wheel WF to be rotatable is swingable by the steering handlebar <NUM> extended in a vehicle width direction. In a handle cover <NUM> covering the front and rear of the steering handlebar <NUM>, a meter device <NUM> is buried, and a windbreak screen <NUM> and a pair of left and right rearview mirrors <NUM> are attached. A front cover <NUM> on a front side of a vehicle body and a floor panel <NUM> facing the legs of the occupant on a rear side of the vehicle body of the front cover <NUM> are arranged below the handle cover <NUM>. A front carrier <NUM> is supported in front of the front cover <NUM>, and a headlight <NUM> and a pair of left and right front-side flasher lamps <NUM>, which are supported by a light stay <NUM>, are arranged therebelow. A front fender <NUM> covering above the front wheel WF is supported by the left and right front forks <NUM>.

A brake pedal <NUM> for actuating a brake device of a rear wheel WR and a foot rest <NUM> for enhancing the operability of the brake pedal <NUM> are arranged on an upper surface of the low floor <NUM>. A pair of left and right undercovers <NUM> covering the low floor <NUM> from below is coupled to left and right ends of the low floor <NUM>. A seat lower cover <NUM> having a curved shape projecting on the front side of the vehicle body is arranged below the seat <NUM> on which a driver sits. A floor upper cover <NUM> continued to an upper portion of the low floor <NUM> is coupled to a lower portion of the seat lower cover <NUM>.

A side stand <NUM> is arranged on the rear side of the vehicle body of the undercover <NUM> on the left side in the vehicle width direction. A pair of left and right rear covers <NUM> is arranged behind the floor upper cover <NUM>, and a rear carrier <NUM> surrounded by a grip pipe <NUM> is arranged at upper portions of the rear covers <NUM>. A taillight device <NUM> and a pair of left and right rear-side flasher lamps <NUM> are arranged behind the rear covers <NUM>.

A swing unit type power unit P for pivotally supporting the rear wheel WR to be rotatable is arranged behind the undercovers <NUM>. The power unit P incorporating a motor for driving the rear wheel WR is swingably attached to a vehicle body frame through a link lever <NUM>. A rear portion of the power unit P is suspended from the vehicle body frame by a rear cushion <NUM>. A rear fender <NUM> covering an upper rear of the rear wheel WR is attached to an upper portion of the power unit P, and a center stand <NUM> is attached to a lower portion of the power unit P.

A cover member <NUM> (a gray colored part illustrated in the drawing) for receiving a traveling wind introduced from a slit 30a of the floor upper cover <NUM> and a traveling wind flowing inside the undercovers <NUM> is arranged at a position between the seat lower cover <NUM> and the rear fender <NUM>.

<FIG> is a left side view of the electric-powered motorcycle <NUM> in a state where main exterior parts are removed. A vehicle body frame F (a stippled hatching part illustrated in the drawing) of the electric-powered motorcycle <NUM> includes a main frame F2 in a middle in the vehicle width direction extending downward from a head pipe F1, a pair of left and right underframes F3 coupled to a lower end of the main frame F2 and curved rearward, rising frames F4 directed upward and rearward from rear ends of the underframes F3, and a pair of left and right rear frames F6 continued to the rising frames F4 and extending rearward. A cross pipe F5 for coupling the left and right rising frames F4 to each other is coupled to front portions of the rising frames F4.

A steering stem <NUM> is pivotally supported to be rotatable by the head pipe F1. The steering handlebar <NUM> is fixed to an upper end of the steering stem <NUM>, and a bottom bridge <NUM> for supporting upper ends of the front forks <NUM> is fixed to a lower end of the steering stem <NUM>. A battery case <NUM> for housing two portable batteries B, which supply electric power to the motor, next to each other in the vehicle width direction is arranged below the seat <NUM>. The battery case <NUM> includes a vertically long lower-side case <NUM> matching the shapes of the batteries B and an upper-side case <NUM> coupled to an upper portion of the lower-side case <NUM> and forming an opening matching the bottom shape of the seat <NUM>. The seat <NUM> is pivotally supported to be openable and closable by a hinge <NUM> positioned at an upper portion of a front end of the battery case <NUM>, and functions as an opening and closing cover of the battery case <NUM>. In the drawing, the seat <NUM> in an open state is illustrated by a two-dotted chain line.

The battery case <NUM> is housed between the pair of left and right rising frames F4 behind the cross pipe F5. The seat lower cover <NUM> (see <FIG> and <FIG>) extends from the front of the cross pipe F5 up to the sides of the left and right rising frames F4 so as to cover the front and sides of the battery case <NUM>. A housing case <NUM> for housing electric components such as a low-voltage sub-battery BS, which supplies electric power to auxiliaries such as the headlight <NUM>, and a fuse is arranged below the low floor <NUM>. A coupling pipe F7 for coupling the left and right underframes F3 to each other to enhance rigidity and protecting the housing case <NUM> is arranged at lower portions of the underframes F3.

The cover member <NUM> (see <FIG> and <FIG>) for receiving a traveling wind from the front of the vehicle body in front of the rear fender <NUM> is arranged on the rear surface side of the battery case <NUM>, and a PCU (power control unit) <NUM> for controlling electric power supply to the motor is arranged at a position covered with the cover member <NUM> near the upper side on the rear surface side of the battery case <NUM>.

Each battery B is formed in an approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape that is long in the up-and-down direction and is housed in the battery case <NUM> in a state of being inclined slightly rearward with respect to the vertical direction. Accordingly, the height dimension of the battery case <NUM> is suppressed, and the position of the center of gravity is lowered to facilitate attaching/detaching work of the batteries B. In addition, by inclining the batteries B, the pull-out direction (an arrow illustrated in the drawing) when the batteries B are taken out from the battery case <NUM> is also inclined slightly rearward, but the inclination angle is in a range where the batteries B do not interfere with baggage C even in a state where the large baggage C is loaded on the rear carrier <NUM>.

<FIG> is an enlarged perspective view for illustrating a peripheral structure of the battery case <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates a state where the seat <NUM> and the seat lower cover <NUM> are removed and the left half of the floor upper cover <NUM> is removed. In addition, <FIG> is an explanatory view of a structure in which the battery case <NUM> is erased from the state of <FIG>.

An operation lever <NUM> manually gripped by a worker and moved up and down is arranged between the two batteries B housed in the battery case <NUM>. In a state where the operation lever <NUM> is pushed downward and battery-side terminals and case-side terminals are connected to each other, pressing holders <NUM> pivotally supported to be swingable by swing axes 42a are brought into contact with the upper surfaces of the batteries B with urging force, and the up and down movement of the batteries B can accordingly be suppressed even when riding across a large step during traveling.

A locking member <NUM> for holding the operation lever <NUM> in a state of being pushed downward is arranged in front of the operation lever <NUM>. The locking member <NUM> is pivotally supported by the upper-side case <NUM> through swing axes 43a and is switched to the unlocked state by being tilted forward from the erected state illustrated in the drawing.

A standing wall part 34a constituting an upper edge of the battery case <NUM> is formed to descend forward along the shape of the bottom surface of the seat <NUM>. Accordingly, when the seat <NUM> is opened, the locking member <NUM> positioned near the front and the operation lever <NUM> can easily be accessed, and the work of pulling out and inserting the batteries B is also facilitated.

The battery case <NUM> is supported so as to be sandwiched between the left and right rising frames F4. The rising frames F4 are provided with a pair of left and right tandem step holders F11, and the cross pipe F5 curved in an approximately U-shape projecting upward and coupling the left and right rising frames F4 to each other is arranged at a position in front of the lower side of the tandem step holders F11.

Referring to <FIG>, a pair of front and rear link mechanisms L for converting the up and down movement of the operation lever <NUM> to the up and down movement of the case-side terminals is arranged in front of and behind the lower-side case <NUM> of the battery case <NUM>. A key cylinder <NUM> for actuating a seat catch mechanism <NUM> arranged at an upper portion of a rear end of the battery case <NUM> is arranged at a position covered with the seat lower cover <NUM> below the hinge <NUM>. A rear cover <NUM> covers above the seat catch mechanism <NUM>, and a cable <NUM> extending from the key cylinder <NUM> is connected to the left side of the seat catch mechanism <NUM> in the vehicle width direction. A contactor <NUM> for turning on and off electric power supply to the electric components is arranged below the key cylinder <NUM>. The cross pipe F5 has a function of enhancing frame rigidity by coupling the left and right rising frames F4 to each other, enhancing a protection function on the side surface sides of the battery case <NUM>, and protecting the link mechanism L disposed adjacent to the front surface of the battery case <NUM> and the electric components such as the contactor <NUM>. In addition, a harness for connecting the batteries B and the contactor <NUM> to each other can be shortened by disposing the contactor <NUM> at a position near the batteries B.

A pair of left and right plate-like support stays F10 for supporting the front surface side of the battery case <NUM> below the link mechanisms L is provided on the lower surface of the cross pipe F5 made of a steel pipe. The lateral sides of the electric components positioned below and behind the cross pipe F5 are also protected by the support stays F10.

A front end of the cover member <NUM> is arranged behind the tandem step holders F11. The cover member <NUM> is provided with a wide-width part 21a covering from the sides of the battery case <NUM> up to the rear of the PCU <NUM> and a narrow-width part 21b coupled to a lower portion of the wide-width part 21a and formed narrower in width than the wide-width part 21a.

<FIG> is a partially enlarged plan view of the electric-powered motorcycle <NUM> with the exterior parts removed. The two batteries B are arranged next to each other on the left and right sides, and the operation lever <NUM> whose grip part extends in the longitudinal direction is arranged at a position in the middle in the vehicle width direction between the left and right batteries B. The pressing holders <NUM> that press the upper surfaces of the batteries B are provided while making a front and rear pair for one battery B. Each pressing holder <NUM> has a metal main body part 42b pivotally supported to be swingable by the swing axis 42a, and a rubber portion 42c covering the distal end side of the main body part 42b. The elastic force of each rubber portion 42c enables to stably hold the housing state of the batteries B.

Urging force on one side is applied by an urging member to the pressing holders <NUM> pivotally supported to be swingable by the swing axes 42a, and the pressing holders <NUM> are constituted so as to erect in the vertical direction by being pushed up by the operation lever <NUM> after pulling up the operation lever <NUM> while pressing the upper surfaces of the batteries B by the urging force in a state where the operation lever <NUM> is pushed down.

In the present embodiment, since the pair of front and rear pressing holders <NUM> is provided for each battery B, when the batteries B are pulled out outward in the vehicle width direction while being lifted upward and brought into contact with the standing wall part 34a of the battery case <NUM>, the batteries B can smoothly be removed without interference by the pressing holders <NUM>. Accordingly, a lifting height required when attaching and detaching the batteries B as heavy objects is reduced, and the batteries B can be attached and detached while being inclined outward in the vehicle width direction, thereby facilitating the attaching/detaching work.

A battery-side terminal <NUM> provided at a bottom portion of each battery B is arranged on the outer side of each battery B in the vehicle width direction. Accordingly, the operation lever <NUM> for allowing case-side terminals <NUM> positioned below the battery-side terminals <NUM> to move up and down can similarly be operated from either the left or right side of the vehicle body, and thus replacement work of the batteries B is facilitated. In addition, a space for providing the link mechanisms L interlocking the operation lever <NUM> and the case-side terminals can be secured by arranging the operation lever <NUM> and the case-side terminals <NUM> while being apart from each other.

The rising frames F4 coupled to the underframes F3 for supporting the low floor <NUM> from below have a shape in which a lateral interval is widened according to the shape of the battery case <NUM> at rising parts from the underframes F3. A pivot 19b of the side stand <NUM> supported by the rising frame F4 on the left side in the vehicle width direction is provided at a part where the rising frame F4 swells outward in the vehicle width direction. Accordingly, by pivotally supporting the side stand <NUM> on the outer side of the vehicle body frame F in the vehicle width direction, when the vehicle is stopped using the side stand <NUM>, the ground contact surface is positioned on the outer side in the vehicle width direction to enhance the stability of the vehicle body, and unfolding and storage operations of the side stand <NUM> are facilitated. Return springs 19a for biasing the side stand <NUM> to an unfolded state and a stored state are provided outside and inside the side stand <NUM> while making a pair.

<FIG> is a perspective view of the battery case <NUM> with the batteries B removed. In the battery case <NUM> formed by combining the upper-side case <NUM> and the lower-side case <NUM> with each other, housing parts <NUM> into which the two batteries B disposed close to each other in the vehicle width direction are inserted are formed. The battery case <NUM> has a bottomed box shape with the upper side open, and the rigidity is enhanced. Accordingly, it is possible to enhance the durability of the battery case <NUM> in which the batteries B are pressed against the standing wall part 34a of the upper-side case <NUM> every time the batteries B are attached and detached.

A partition <NUM> for preventing the left and right batteries B from coming into contact with each other is provided at a bottom portion of the housing parts <NUM>. The partition <NUM> extends upward up to the height of approximately half the lower-side case <NUM> along front and rear inner walls of the housing parts <NUM>. According to the partition <NUM>, it is possible to stably hold the batteries B by preventing the two batteries B housed in the battery case <NUM> from coming into contact with each other on the bottom side. In addition, insertion work of the batteries B is facilitated by allowing the partition <NUM> to function as a guide when the batteries B are inserted into the battery case <NUM>.

A pedestal 44a to which the hinge <NUM> is attached is provided at a front end of the upper-side case <NUM>. A deep groove part <NUM> capable of housing documents and the like is provided between the pedestal 44a and the locking member <NUM>. The deep groove part <NUM> is provided by using a space generated by inclining the batteries B rearward with respect to the vertical direction.

As described above, the operation lever <NUM> manually gripped by a worker and moved up and down is arranged between the left and right batteries B. When the operation lever <NUM> is pulled up upward, the batteries B can be detached from the battery case <NUM>. On the other hand, when the operation lever <NUM> is pushed down, battery-side terminals <NUM> and case-side terminals <NUM> are electrically connected to each other and the batteries B are held at predetermined positions.

The pressing holders <NUM> that press the upper surfaces of the batteries B are provided while making a front and rear pair for each of the left and right housing parts <NUM>. Each battery B is formed in an approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape that is long in the up-and-down direction of the vehicle body, and the surfaces directed outward in the vehicle width direction among six surfaces constituting each battery B are formed in a curved shape projecting outward in the vehicle width direction in a vehicle body plan view. Accordingly, while maximizing the battery capacity, the insertion work can be facilitated by easily grasping the insertion direction of the batteries B. In addition, since the surface brought into contact with an upper end of the standing wall part 34a of the battery case <NUM> when each battery B is attached and detached is curved, frictional resistance when the weight of each battery B is put on the upper end of the standing wall part 34a of the battery case <NUM> is small, and smooth attaching/detaching work can be performed.

Further, when the batteries B are housed in the battery case <NUM>, the outer surfaces of the batteries B in the vehicle width direction and the standing wall part 34a of the battery case <NUM> are disposed close to each other in a vehicle body plan view. Accordingly, when the batteries B are pulled out outward in the vehicle width direction while being lifted upward and when the batteries B are housed in the battery case <NUM>, the outer surfaces of the batteries B in the vehicle width direction can easily be brought into contact with the standing wall part 34a of the battery case <NUM>. Accordingly, the attaching/detaching work can be performed while putting the weight of the batteries B on the standing wall part 34a without completely lifting the batteries B, and thus the workload is reduced. As illustrated in <FIG>, since the standing wall part 34a is formed to descend forward in a vehicle body side view, when the batteries B are pulled out outward in the vehicle width direction while being lifted upward and when the batteries B are housed in the battery case <NUM>, the batteries B can easily be inclined diagonally forward on the outsides in the vehicle width direction, and the attaching/detaching work of the batteries B is facilitated.

<FIG> is a perspective view of the operation lever <NUM>. The operation lever <NUM> made of synthetic resin or the like has a longitudinally and bilaterally symmetrical shape. A grip part 36a for moving the operation lever <NUM> up and down and coupling rods 36e extending downward to actuate the link mechanisms L are coupled to each other by coupling blocks 36b having a hollow structure. The locking member <NUM> is engaged with the upper surface of the coupling block 36b on the front side to restrict upward movement of the operation lever <NUM>.

Rectangular engagement plates 36d are provided approximately in the middles of the coupling rods 36e in the up-and-down direction such that when the operation lever <NUM> is pulled up, the engagement plates 36d are brought into contact with the lower surfaces of the pressing holders <NUM> to allow the pressing holders <NUM> to erect in the vertical direction. In addition, metal stays 36f for supporting pins (first axes) <NUM> connected to the link mechanisms L are fixed to lower ends of the coupling rods 36e by insert molding.

A pair of front and rear separator parts 36c inserted between the left and right batteries B when the operation lever <NUM> is pushed down is provided at positions inside the coupling blocks 36b between the grip part 36a and the coupling rods 36e. Accordingly, the operation lever <NUM> can also function as a partition plate for stably holding the two batteries B at predetermined positions while preventing the two batteries B disposed close to each other from coming into contact with each other.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional perspective view for illustrating a state where the battery case <NUM> is cut in the longitudinal direction. In addition, <FIG> is a perspective view for illustrating a configuration of the link mechanisms L. As described above, the standing wall part 34a of the upper-side case <NUM> forming an opening of an upper portion of the battery case <NUM> is shaped to descend forward in a vehicle body side view. Accordingly, the operation lever and the pressing holders <NUM> are protected by the standing wall part 34a on the rear side, and the operation lever <NUM> and the locking member <NUM> can easily be accessed from the outside in the vehicle width direction on the front side.

The coupling rods 36e of the operation lever <NUM> are guided outside the lower-side case <NUM> through an opening provided in the lower-side case <NUM> and are connected to the pair of front and rear link mechanisms L, respectively, arranged in front of and behind the lower-side case <NUM>. The partition <NUM> continued from a bottom portion of the housing parts <NUM> extends up to lower portions of the engagement plates 36d when the operation lever <NUM> is pushed down up to a predetermined position.

A left-side terminal cover <NUM> and a right-side terminal cover <NUM> that house the case-side terminals <NUM> moving up and down according to the operation of the link mechanisms L are attached to lower portions of the lower-side case <NUM>. In addition, a pair of left and right support pipes <NUM> for supporting the battery case <NUM> from below is arranged at lower portions of the lower-side case <NUM> between the left-side terminal cover <NUM> and the right-side terminal cover <NUM>.

The left and right case-side terminals <NUM> are arranged according to the positions of the battery-side terminals <NUM> arranged on the outer sides in the vehicle width direction, and the case-side terminals <NUM> project upward from bottom portions of the lower-side case <NUM> by pushing down the operation lever <NUM> to be connected to the battery-side terminals <NUM> while move below the bottom portions of the lower-side case <NUM> by pulling up the operation lever <NUM>. In this manner, the case-side terminals <NUM> are arranged while projecting below the bottom portions of the battery case <NUM>, so that the vertical dimension of the battery case <NUM> can be reduced.

In addition, the left-side terminal cover <NUM> and the right-side terminal cover <NUM> forming housing spaces 52a and 53a of the case-side terminals <NUM> are arranged apart from each other in the vehicle width direction. Accordingly, the battery-side terminals <NUM> and the case-side terminals <NUM> are arranged apart from each other, the operation lever <NUM> is arranged in the middle in the vehicle width direction to enable a similar operation from either the left or right side of the vehicle body, and spaces where the link mechanisms L for interlocking the operation lever <NUM> and the case-side terminals <NUM> are arranged can be secured.

In the present embodiment, a space secured between the left-side terminal cover <NUM> and the right-side terminal cover <NUM> is used to arrange a down regulator <NUM>. In other words, the down regulator <NUM> is arranged between the left and right case-side terminals <NUM> below the lower-side case <NUM>. Accordingly, the layout efficiency can be enhanced, and a harness connected to the down regulator <NUM> can be shortened. Further, a space between the left-side terminal cover <NUM> and the right-side terminal cover <NUM> serves as a passage for a traveling wind passing inside the undercovers <NUM>, and thus the down regulator <NUM> can efficiently be cooled.

Referring to <FIG>, the pair of front and rear link mechanisms L is arranged on the front and rear surfaces of the battery case <NUM>. Accordingly, it is possible to stably move the case-side terminals <NUM> up and down. In addition, by arranging the link mechanisms L in front of and behind the battery case <NUM>, the dimension around the battery case <NUM> in the vehicle width direction can be reduced, and the link mechanisms L can be protected even when external force is applied from the side of the vehicle body. In addition, the link mechanisms L have a bilaterally symmetrical structure with the middle in the vehicle width direction as the center, synchronize the operations of the left and right case-side terminals <NUM>, and can excellently move the terminals up and down by one operation lever.

The link mechanisms L have a configuration in which terminal support arms <NUM> for supporting the case-side terminals <NUM> are moved up and down by arm members <NUM> coupled to lower ends of the operation lever <NUM>. The arm members <NUM> are pivotally supported to be swingable by base plates <NUM> through third axes <NUM> that function as fulcrums. Ends of the arm members <NUM> on the central side in the vehicle width direction are supported by the operation lever <NUM> through the first axes <NUM> that function as force points. On the other hand, ends of the arm members <NUM> on the outsides in the vehicle width direction are supported by the terminal support arms <NUM> through second axes <NUM> that function as working points. In the present embodiment, the third axis <NUM> is provided nearer the second axis <NUM> than the middle of each arm member <NUM> to increase the lever ratio of the link mechanisms L, and the operation load of the operation lever <NUM> is reduced. A support pipe <NUM> fixed to the support stays F10 provided on the lower surface of the cross pipe F5 is arranged in front of the left-side terminal cover <NUM> and the right-side terminal cover <NUM>.

<FIG> is a partially enlarged view of <FIG>. A support plate F12 for swingably supporting the power unit P to the vehicle body frame through the link lever <NUM> is provided at a lower portion of a rear end of the underframe F3 at a position below the pivot 19b of the side stand <NUM>.

As described above, the batteries B are housed while being inclined rearward with respect to the battery case <NUM>, and the standing wall part 34a forming an upper edge of the battery case <NUM> has a shape inclined to descend forward. At this time, when the batteries B are pulled out upward to some extent, the batteries B can be inclined diagonally forward on the outsides in the vehicle width direction while allowing the batteries B to be brought into contact with the upper edge of the standing wall part 34a, and the batteries B can be removed without being lifted completely while keeping the upright states of the batteries B, thus reducing the workload. In contrast, in the case of inserting the batteries B, if the batteries B are lifted up to a position where the side surfaces of the batteries B are brought into contact with the upper edge of the standing wall part 34a, the weight of the batteries B can be put on the standing wall part 34a, and the insertion operation can be continued, thus reducing the workload.

As described above, the pivot 19b of the side stand <NUM> is arranged at a position where the rising frame F4 swells outward in the vehicle width direction. This position is a position falling within the longitudinal length of the batteries B in a vehicle body side view. Accordingly, the load applied to the pivot 19b can be reduced by arranging the side stand <NUM> in the vicinity of the batteries B as heavy objects.

In addition, the pivot 19b is provided at a position near the lower side of the rising frame F4. Accordingly, the stability when the vehicle is stopped is enhanced by the side stand <NUM> supported at the position outside the battery case <NUM> in the vehicle width direction, and the total length of the side stand <NUM> can be suppressed by supporting the side stand <NUM> at the position near the lower side of the rising frame F4.

Further, the pivot 19b is arranged at the same height as the low floor <NUM>, and, when the side stand <NUM> is stored, the orientation of the side stand <NUM> is in line with the orientation of the upper surface of the low floor <NUM>. Accordingly, the stored side stand <NUM> is positioned at the same height as the low floor <NUM>, and thus unfolding and storage operations while riding are facilitated. In addition, since the pivot 19b is provided at a position overlapping the case-side terminals <NUM> in a vehicle body side view, the pivot 19b and the rising frame F4 to which the pivot 19b is fixed can protect the case-side terminals <NUM> even when external force is applied from the outside in the vehicle width direction.

The PCU <NUM> as a heavy object is disposed close to a rear upper portion of the battery case <NUM>, and a junction box <NUM> to which plural high-voltage harnesses are connected is arranged below the PCU <NUM>. The down regulator <NUM> is disposed close to a lower portion of the battery case <NUM>, the pair of front and rear link mechanisms L (see <FIG>) is arranged in front of and behind the battery case <NUM>, and further the contactor <NUM> is arranged in front of the link mechanism L on the front side. In this manner, the stability when the vehicle is stopped can be enhanced by concentratedly disposing the plural electric components around the battery case <NUM>, in other words, around the pivot 19b of the side stand <NUM>. In addition, since no electric components are disposed on the sides of the battery case <NUM>, the swelling amounts of the rising frames F4 toward the outsides in the vehicle width direction are suppressed, and an increase in dimension in the vehicle width direction is prevented.

<FIG> is a partially enlarged perspective view of the electric-powered motorcycle <NUM> viewed from the left rear. By providing the pivot 19b at a position near the lower side of the rising frame F4, the side stand <NUM> can support the vehicle body on the side of the battery case <NUM> having a heavy weight while suppressing the total length of the stand bar part. Accordingly, even when baggage having a heavy weight is loaded on the rear carrier <NUM>, the vehicle can stably be stopped by the side stand <NUM>. A stopper 19d for regulating the storage position of the side stand <NUM> is provided behind the pivot 19b.

As described above, the cover member <NUM> covering a rear lower portion of the battery case <NUM> is provided with the wide-width part 21a positioned above the stored side stand <NUM> and the narrow-width part 21b coupled to a lower portion of the wide-width part 21a and having a dimension smaller than the wide-width part 21a in the vehicle width direction. Accordingly, by providing the narrow-width part 21b for widening the interval between the cover member <NUM> and the side stand <NUM> in the range where the side stand <NUM> swings, the possibility that a foot comes into contact with the cover member <NUM> when operating the side stand <NUM> is reduced, and the operability of the side stand <NUM> can be enhanced.

<FIG> is a bottom view of the electric-powered motorcycle <NUM> with the exterior parts removed. The housing case <NUM> sandwiched between the underframes F3 and housing the sub-battery BS is disposed while being offset to the left side in the vehicle width direction, and an interlocking mechanism 15a for actuating the front and rear brakes according to an operation of the brake pedal <NUM> is arranged on the right side of the housing case <NUM> in the vehicle width direction. A harness <NUM> continued to the sub-battery BS, a fuse box, and the like projects from a bottom portion of the housing case <NUM> and is guided rearward. A lock lever 15b for holding the brake pedal <NUM> in an actuated state is arranged behind the interlocking mechanism 15a. A rail member F <NUM> for supporting the low floor <NUM> from below is arranged behind the housing case <NUM>.

The link lever <NUM> supported between the power unit P and the support plates F12 is arranged at a position overlapping the down regulator <NUM> provided below the battery case <NUM> in a vehicle body bottom view. The down regulator <NUM> enhances a cooling effect by a traveling wind by arranging a cooling fin toward the lower side of the vehicle body. The link lever <NUM> is pivotally supported to be swingable by the support plates F12 through a shaft passing through a pivot pipe <NUM> provided at a front end of the link lever <NUM>. Each of the left-side terminal cover <NUM> and the right-side terminal cover <NUM>, which are attached to lower portions of the battery case <NUM>, has a bilaterally asymmetrical shape to prevent interference with the link lever <NUM> and a high-voltage three-phase harness <NUM>. A return spring 20a of the center stand <NUM> is supported by the power unit P at a position near the right side in the vehicle width direction.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view for illustrating a state obtained by cutting with an approximately horizontal plane so as to pass through the case-side terminals <NUM>. The pivot 19b of the side stand <NUM> is arranged at a position where the rising frame F4 swells outward in the vehicle width direction and at a position approximately in the middle of the case-side terminal <NUM> in the longitudinal direction, reduces the load on the side stand <NUM>, and enables the vehicle to be stopped stably.

The cover member <NUM> covering from the rear of the sides of the battery case <NUM> up to the rear of the PCU <NUM> enhances the convenience of the side stand <NUM> by providing the narrow-width part 21b, and the inside of the wide-width part 21a is utilized as a harness routing space. In addition, the case-side terminals <NUM> are separated from each other on the outer sides in the vehicle width direction and are projected below the battery case <NUM>. Thus, a space is secured at a lower portion of the battery case <NUM> near the middle in the vehicle width direction, and the support pipes <NUM> for supporting the battery case <NUM> from below, a coupling pipe <NUM>, and the down regulator <NUM> are arranged by using the space, so that the vehicle body can be downsized.

Claim 1:
A straddle-type electric vehicle (<NUM>) configured by including two approximately rectangular parallelepiped batteries (B), a battery case (<NUM>) in which the batteries (B) are housed, battery-side terminals (<NUM>) provided on bottom surfaces of the batteries (B), and case-side terminals (<NUM>) engaged with the battery-side terminals (<NUM>), characterised in that
the two batteries (B) are arranged next to each other in a vehicle width direction,
an operation lever (<NUM>) for moving the case-side terminals (<NUM>) up and down to connect or separate the battery-side terminals (<NUM>) and the case-side terminals (<NUM>) to/from each other is provided,
the operation lever (<NUM>) is arranged at a position in a middle in the vehicle width direction between the two batteries (B),
the battery-side terminals (<NUM>) and the case-side terminals (<NUM>) are positioned nearer outer sides in the vehicle width direction,
the case-side terminals (<NUM>) are arranged while projecting below bottom portions of the battery case (<NUM>), and
a down regulator (<NUM>) is arranged between the left and right case-side terminals (<NUM>) below a bottom portion of the battery case (<NUM>).