Patent Description:
In some electric motorcycles and the like, a battery is mounted in a vehicle in an attachable/detachable manner such that the battery can be detached from a vehicle body at the time of charging or the like of the battery.

In battery storage devices employed in vehicles of this kind, a case side connection terminal protrudes inside a battery case installed in a vehicle body frame. In the case of this battery storage device, if a battery is inserted into the battery case from above when the battery is attached, a terminal portion of the battery is connected to the case side connection terminal inside the battery case.

However, in the foregoing battery storage devices, when a battery is inserted into the battery case, in order to curb a load acting on the terminal portion of the battery and the case side connection terminal, there is a need for a worker to appropriately adjust a battery insertion behavior.

The Patent Literature discloses battery storage devices generally in accordance with the preamble portion of the appended claim <NUM>, most relevant being Patent Literature <NUM>, featuring all features of the preamble of claim <NUM>.

A problem to be resolved is to reduce a load acting on a terminal portion of a battery and a case side connection terminal when the battery is inserted into a battery case.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a battery storage device of a vehicle according to the appended claim <NUM>.

In particular, the battery storage device of a vehicle includes a lock mechanism (<NUM>) that is capable of fixing the battery (62A or 62B) to the battery case (<NUM>), said lock mechanism (<NUM>) includes a movable block (<NUM>), that is attached to upper end portions of the left and right support stays (<NUM>) of the battery case (<NUM>) in a turnable (displaceable) manner, the lock mechanism (<NUM>) being capable of fixing the battery (62A or 62B) to the battery case (<NUM>) in a state where the battery (62A or 62B) is stored in the battery case (<NUM>).

In addition, the lock mechanism (<NUM>) being operated by turning the operation lever (<NUM>) from an initial position within a predetermined position range, such that the movable block (<NUM>) receives an operation force from the operation lever (<NUM>) and is turned in an upper surface direction of the battery case (<NUM>), the moveable block (<NUM>) is pressed to an upper surface of the battery (62A or 62B) and restricts displacement of the battery (62A or 62B) in a releasing direction.

Moreover, the terminal displacement mechanism (<NUM>) and a lock mechanism (<NUM>) are associated with each other such that the terminal displacement mechanism (<NUM>) causes the case side connection terminal (<NUM>) to be displaced between the connection position (P1) and the retreat position (P2) in a state where the movable block (<NUM>) of the lock mechanism (<NUM>) at an upper surface of the battery (62A or 62B) restricts displacement of the battery (2A or 62B) in the releasing direction.

Accordingly, when the battery (62A or 62B) is mounted in a vehicle, the case side connection terminal (<NUM>) is displaced to the retreat position in advance by operating the operation lever (<NUM>). In this state, the battery (62A or 62B) is inserted into the battery case (<NUM>). When the battery (62A or 62B) is inserted into the battery case (<NUM>), the terminal portion (<NUM>) of the battery (62A or 62B) can be in a state where it does not come into direct contact with the case side connection terminal (<NUM>). Therefore, regardless of the behavior or the like of a worker inserting the battery (62A or 62B), it is possible to avoid a significant load acting on the terminal portion (<NUM>) of the battery (62A or 62B) or the case side connection terminal (<NUM>).

In this case, the lock mechanism (<NUM>) fixing the battery (62A or 62B) to the battery case (<NUM>) and the terminal displacement mechanism (<NUM>) causing the terminal portion (<NUM>) of the battery (62A or 62B) to be displaced such that it can be connected to the case side connection terminal (<NUM>) can be operated by the common operation lever (<NUM>). For this reason, when this form is employed, operability at the time of attaching the battery (62A or 62B) to the battery case (<NUM>) is enhanced.

In this case, when a worker operates the operation lever (<NUM>), in a state where the lock mechanism (<NUM>) and the terminal displacement mechanism (<NUM>) are interlocked with each other and the lock mechanism (<NUM>) fixes the battery (62A or 62B), the terminal displacement mechanism (<NUM>) causes the case side connection terminal (<NUM>) to be displaced to the connection position, and the case side connection terminal (<NUM>) is connected to the terminal portion (<NUM>) of the battery (62A or 62B). Therefore, when this form is employed, in a state where the battery (62A or 62B) is fixed to the battery case (<NUM>), the case side connection terminal (<NUM>) can be stably connected to the terminal portion (<NUM>) of the battery (62A or 62B).

In the battery storage device of a vehicle according to a further aspect of the present invention, the battery case (<NUM>) has a case side abutment seat (<NUM>-B) which a bottom portion (<NUM>-B) of the battery (62A or 62B) abuts when the battery (62A or 62B) is inserted. The retreat position (P2) is a position at which the case side connection terminal (<NUM>) is away from the terminal portion (<NUM>) of the battery (62A or 62B) in an entering direction of the battery (62A or 62B) when the bottom portion (<NUM>-B) of the battery (62A or 62B) abuts the case side abutment seat (<NUM>-B).

In the battery storage device of a vehicle according to a further aspect of the present invention, the terminal displacement mechanism (<NUM>) has a terminal holding member (<NUM>) for holding the case side connection terminal (<NUM>). The case side connection terminal (<NUM>) is held by the terminal holding member (<NUM>) in a manner of being able to be relatively displaced in a direction intersecting a connection direction to the terminal portion (<NUM>).

In this case, the case side connection terminal (<NUM>) can be relatively displaced in a direction intersecting the connection direction to the terminal portion (<NUM>) with respect to the terminal holding member (<NUM>). For this reason, while the position of the case side connection terminal (<NUM>) in a direction intersecting the connection direction is subjected to fine adjustment, the case side connection terminal (<NUM>) can be connected to the terminal portion (<NUM>) of the battery (62A or 62B). Therefore, when this form is employed, even if there is some variation in an insertion position of the battery (62A or 62B) with respect to the battery case (<NUM>), the case side connection terminal (<NUM>) can be stably connected to the terminal portion (<NUM>) of the battery (62A or 62B).

In the battery storage device of a vehicle according to a further aspect of the present invention, a case side guide portion (<NUM>) guided by a battery-side guide portion (<NUM>) provided in the battery (62A or 62B) is integrally provided in the case side connection terminal (<NUM>). A guide end (147e) of the case side guide portion (<NUM>) in a battery direction is formed to be positioned on a side closer to the battery (62A or 62B) than a terminal end (140e) of the case side connection terminal (<NUM>) in the battery direction.

In this case, when the terminal displacement mechanism (<NUM>) is operated in a direction in which the case side connection terminal (<NUM>) approaches the terminal portion (<NUM>) of the battery (62A or 62B), the case side guide portion (<NUM>) comes into contact with the battery-side guide portion (<NUM>) before the case side connection terminal (<NUM>) comes into contact with the terminal portion (<NUM>) of the battery (62A or 62B). For this reason, when operation of the case side connection terminal (<NUM>) in the connection direction proceeds, the case side guide portion (<NUM>) is guided first by the battery-side guide portion (<NUM>), and then the position of the case side connection terminal (<NUM>) is subjected to fine adjustment. Therefore, when this form is employed, the case side connection terminal (<NUM>) can be smoothly connected to the terminal portion (<NUM>) of the battery (62A or 62B).

In the battery storage device of a vehicle according to a further aspect of the present invention, the terminal displacement mechanism (<NUM>) has a terminal holding member (<NUM>) for holding the case side connection terminal (<NUM>). Electric wires (<NUM> and <NUM>) connected to the case side connection terminal (<NUM>) are routed below the terminal holding member (<NUM>).

In this case, the electric wires (<NUM> and <NUM>) connected to the case side connection terminal (<NUM>) are routed below the terminal holding member (<NUM>). Therefore, when the terminal holding member (<NUM>) is displaced in a terminal connection direction, it is unlikely to be sandwiched between the terminal holding member (<NUM>) and other members. Therefore, when this form is employed, a significant load can be prevented from acting on the electric wires (<NUM> and <NUM>), and a connection state of the electric wires (<NUM> and <NUM>) can be made stable.

In the battery storage device of a vehicle according to a further aspect of the present invention, the terminal displacement mechanism (<NUM>) has a terminal holding member (<NUM>) for holding the case side connection terminal (<NUM>). The case side connection terminal (<NUM>) is supported by the terminal holding member (<NUM>) with an elastic member (<NUM>) therebetween.

In this case, the case side connection terminal (<NUM>) is supported by the terminal holding member (<NUM>) with the elastic member (<NUM>) therebetween. Therefore, when the case side connection terminal (<NUM>) is pressed and connected to the terminal portion (<NUM>) of the battery (62A or 62B), the connection state thereof is stably maintained due to a repulsive force of the elastic member (<NUM>). In addition, in a state where the case side connection terminal (<NUM>) is connected to the terminal portion (<NUM>) of the battery (62A or 62B), even if vehicle vibration such as traveling vibration is input to a connection portion, the connection state can be maintained due to a repulsive force of the elastic member (<NUM>).

In the battery storage device of a vehicle of the present invention, when the battery is inserted into the battery case, the case side connection terminal can be in a state where it does not come into direct contact with the terminal portion of the battery. Therefore, a load acting on the terminal portion of the battery and the case side connection terminal can be reduced when the battery is inserted.

Unless otherwise specified in the following description, directions to the front, the rear, the left, the right, and the like are the same as directions in a vehicle, which will be described below. In addition, an arrow FR indicating the front side of the vehicle, an arrow LH indicating the left side of the vehicle, and an arrow UP indicating the upper side of the vehicle are marked in suitable places in the diagrams used in the following description.

<FIG> is view illustrating a left side surface of an electric motorcycle <NUM> which is a form of a saddle-type electric vehicle. The motorcycle <NUM> of the present embodiment is a scooter-type vehicle having step floors <NUM> on which a rider sitting on a seat <NUM> puts soles of his/her feet.

The motorcycle <NUM> includes a front wheel <NUM> which serves as a steered wheel and a rear wheel <NUM> which serves as a driving wheel. The front wheel <NUM> is rotatably supported by a pair of left and right front forks <NUM>. In addition, the front wheel <NUM> can be steered by a steering bar handle <NUM>. A front fender 50F covering an upper side of the front wheel <NUM> is supported by the front forks <NUM>.

The rear wheel <NUM> is supported by a rear portion of a swing arm <NUM> which is oscillatably supported by a vehicle body frame F. The motorcycle <NUM> of the present embodiment is a unit swing-type motorcycle. An electric motor <NUM> for driving the vehicle and a deceleration mechanism <NUM> (refer to <FIG>) for decelerating a driving force of the electric motor <NUM> and transmitting it to a rear wheel axle 4a are mounted in the swing arm <NUM>. A rear fender 50R covering an upper rear portion of the rear wheel <NUM> is supported by a rear end portion of the swing arm <NUM> with fender support arms <NUM> therebetween. Lower end portions of rear cushions <NUM> (suspension components on the rear side) are joined to the fender support arms <NUM>.

In addition, the motorcycle <NUM> includes a pair of left and right step floors <NUM> on which a rider sitting on the seat <NUM> puts soles of his/her feet, and a center tunnel <NUM> which extends in a vehicle front-rear direction between the left and right step floors <NUM>. The center tunnel <NUM> is formed to be lower than the seat <NUM> on the front side of the seat <NUM>. A space portion of the center tunnel <NUM> on the upper side forms a straddling space between the steering bar handle <NUM> and the seat <NUM> for a rider straddling a vehicle body.

<FIG> is a left side view of the motorcycle <NUM> from which the seat <NUM> and covers are removed. <FIG> is a view of the vehicle body frame F of the motorcycle <NUM> viewed from the left side, and <FIG> is a view of the vehicle body frame F viewed from above in front on the left. In addition, <FIG> is a view of the vehicle body frame F viewed from above.

The vehicle body frame F is formed by integrally interlinking steel bodies of a plurality of kinds through welding or the like. The vehicle body frame F includes a head pipe <NUM> in a front end portion. The head pipe <NUM> holds the front wheel <NUM> in a steerable manner with a steering stem <NUM> (refer to <FIG> and <FIG>) and the left and right front forks <NUM> therebetween.

The vehicle body frame F further includes a pair of left and right upper frames <NUM> which extend obliquely downward to the rear from a substantially intermediate region of the head pipe <NUM> in an up-down direction, a pair of left and right lower frames <NUM> which extend to the rear of the vehicle body after extending downward from a lower portion region of the head pipe <NUM> and extend upward in a state of inclining slightly rearward from the rear end portion thereof, and a pair of left and right seat frames <NUM> which extend obliquely upward to the rear from substantially intermediate positions in the left and right upper frames <NUM> in a front-rear direction. The lower frame <NUM> has a down frame portion 14a which extends downward to the rear from the head pipe <NUM>, and a rear frame portion 14b extending upward from the rear portion of the down frame portion 14a.

An upper end portion of each of the left and right rear frame portions 14b is coupled to the corresponding left or right seat frame <NUM> at a substantially intermediate position in the front-rear direction. The seat <NUM> on which an occupant sits is attached to upper portions of the left and right seat frames <NUM>. The seat <NUM> can be opened upward and closed downward using a front end side as a hinge pivot point.

In addition, rear end portions of the left and right upper frames <NUM> are coupled to parts in the vicinity of lower ends of the corresponding left and right rear frame portions 14b.

In each of the left and right lower frames <NUM>, an upper portion region of a downward extending portion 14a-<NUM> and a rear portion region of a rearward extending portion 14a-<NUM> of the down frame portion 14a are joined to each other by a middle frame <NUM>. The downward extending portions 14a-<NUM> of the left and right down frame portions 14a are joined to each other by a front cross member <NUM>. In addition, front end regions of the rearward extending portions 14a-<NUM> of the left and right down frame portions 14a are joined to each other by a lower front cross member <NUM>. Rear end regions of the rearward extending portions 14a-<NUM> of the left and right down frame portions 14a are joined to each other by a cross frame <NUM>. The front cross member <NUM> and the lower front cross member <NUM> are formed of round steel tubes having smaller diameters than the lower frames <NUM>. The front cross member <NUM> extends linearly in a vehicle width direction, and the lower front cross member <NUM> extends in a curved shape projecting forward. The cross frame <NUM> extends linearly in the vehicle width direction and is formed of a round steel tube having substantially the same diameter as those of the lower frames <NUM>.

In the left and right seat frames <NUM>, front portion regions are joined to each other by a center cross member <NUM>, and rear end portions are joined to each other by a rear cross member <NUM> and a rear cross plate <NUM>. The center cross member <NUM> extends in a curved shape projecting upward to the front, and the rear cross member <NUM> extends linearly in the vehicle width direction. The center cross member <NUM> is formed of a round steel tube having a smaller diameter than the seat frames <NUM>, and the rear cross member <NUM> is formed of a round steel tube having substantially the same diameter as those of the seat frames <NUM>.

In addition, the rear frame portion 14b of each of the left and right lower frames <NUM> and the rear portion region of the corresponding left or right seat frame <NUM> are joined to each other by a support frame <NUM>. The rear portion regions of the left and right support frames <NUM> are joined to each other by a rear cross member <NUM>. The rear cross member <NUM> extends in a curved shape projecting downward. The rear cross member <NUM> is formed of a round steel tube having substantially the same diameter as those of the support frames <NUM>.

<FIG> is a view illustrating a cross section of the motorcycle <NUM> cut along line VI-VI in <FIG>.

The swing arm <NUM> includes a main arm <NUM> which extends toward the left side of the rear wheel <NUM> from the front side of the rear wheel <NUM>, and a sub-arm <NUM> which extends while being curved inward in the vehicle width direction toward the right side of the rear wheel <NUM> from a front right side portion of the main arm <NUM>. In the diagram, the reference sign CL indicates a center line of the vehicle in the vehicle width direction.

A motor accommodation portion <NUM> for accommodating the electric motor <NUM> and a deceleration mechanism accommodation portion <NUM> for accommodating the deceleration mechanism <NUM> are provided in the main arm <NUM>.

The motor accommodation portion <NUM> includes an inner cover 23a which covers the electric motor <NUM> from the inward side in the vehicle width direction, and an outer cover 23b which covers the electric motor <NUM> from the outward side in the vehicle width direction.

The inner cover 23a exhibits a box shape opening outward in the vehicle width direction. The inner cover 23a is formed integrally with an arm main body portion 21a of the main arm <NUM>. The outer cover 23b is coupled to the inner cover 23a using fastening members such as bolts.

<FIG> is a view of the main arm <NUM> viewed from above in front on the left side.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the main arm <NUM> has an arm base portion 21c which extends in the vehicle width direction in front of the rear wheel <NUM>, and the arm main body portion 21a which extends toward the rear side of the vehicle body from an end portion of the arm base portion 21c on the left side. The sub-arm <NUM> is coupled to a right side surface of the arm base portion 21c. Extending pieces 21b extending forward protrude in both left and right end portions of the arm base portion 21c. Insertion holes <NUM> are formed to penetrate the left and right extending pieces 21b in the vehicle width direction. A pivot <NUM> (which will be described below in detail) is turnably held in the insertion holes <NUM>. An upper surface from the left and right extending pieces 21b to the arm base portion 21c extends in a manner of inclining upward to the rear. This part is an upward inclination portion <NUM> extending in a manner of inclining upward to the rear from a joint portion with respect to the pivot <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the electric motor <NUM> is held by the main arm <NUM> of the swing arm <NUM> and is disposed on the left side of the rear wheel <NUM>. The electric motor <NUM> is an inner rotor-type motor and includes an inner rotor <NUM> having a motor output shaft <NUM>, and a stator <NUM>. The electric motor <NUM> is disposed in a rear portion region of the main arm <NUM> of the swing arm <NUM>.

The motor output shaft <NUM> is pivotally supported by the main arm <NUM> in the vehicle width direction. The motor output shaft <NUM> has an axis Cm1 (which will hereinafter be referred to as "a motor axis Cm1") parallel to a rear wheel axis CR (axis of the rear wheel axle 4a). The reference signs 34a to 34c in <FIG> indicate bearings rotatably supporting the motor output shaft <NUM>.

The inner rotor <NUM> includes an inner rotor main body 32a which has a tubular shape, and a magnet 32b which is provided on an outer circumferential surface of the inner rotor main body 32a. A central portion of the inner rotor main body 32a in a radial direction is spline-coupled to the motor output shaft <NUM>. A detection object 32c is attached to the outer circumferential surface of an inner end portion of the inner rotor main body 32a in the vehicle width direction.

The stator <NUM> includes an annular stator yoke 33a which is fixed to an outer circumferential wall of the inner cover 23a, a plurality of teeth 33b which are interlinked to the stator yoke 33a and are provided radially with respect to the motor axis Cm1, and coils 33c which are wound around the respective teeth 33b. A rotor sensor 33d detecting a rotation position of the inner rotor <NUM> by detecting the passing detection object 32c is attached to the stator yoke 33a.

<FIG> is an enlarged view illustrating a part near a support portion of the swing arm <NUM> in <FIG>.

As illustrated in the same diagram, an electric cable <NUM> is connected to the electric motor <NUM>. The electric cable <NUM> is a cable for electrically connecting a power supply unit on the vehicle body frame F side and three-phase coils 33c of the electric motor <NUM> to each other, and a bundle of three-phase electric wires 60u, 60v, and 60w is surrounded and covered by a protective material <NUM> (refer to <FIG>). The electric cable <NUM> has a thickness which is sufficiently thick, and the largest outer diameter of the protective material <NUM> is larger than an outer diameter of the pivot <NUM>. The electric cable <NUM> connected to the electric motor <NUM> is drawn out forward along a side surface of the arm main body portion 21a of the swing arm <NUM> on the outward side in the vehicle width direction. As illustrated in <FIG>, a wiring portion of the electric cable <NUM> on a side of the arm main body portion 21a is covered by an arm cover <NUM> attached to the arm main body portion 21a.

Here, as illustrated in <FIG>, the power supply unit for the electric motor <NUM> has a pair of batteries 62A and 62B which store power, and a power drive unit (PDU) <NUM> which converts DC power of these batteries 62A and 62B into AC power. The three-phase electric wires 60u, 60v, and 60w of the electric cable <NUM> are connected to the power drive unit <NUM>. In addition, the batteries 62A and 62B and the power drive unit <NUM> are connected to each other through different electric cables (not illustrated).

The power drive unit <NUM> is disposed in a region surrounded by the left and right down frame portions 14a of the lower frames <NUM> and the left and right upper frames <NUM> of the vehicle body frame F, and it is positioned in an inward region between the left and right middle frames <NUM> in the vehicle width direction. The power drive unit <NUM> is disposed in a space portion below the center tunnel <NUM> in a state of inclining slightly forward.

The batteries 62A and 62B are disposed side by side in the front-rear direction inside a battery storage device <NUM> provided below the seat <NUM>. Both the batteries 62A and 62B are formed to have substantially rectangular parallelepiped shapes and have the same constitutions. The batteries 62A and 62B are wired in series, so that a predetermined high voltage (for example, <NUM> V to <NUM> V) can be obtained. For example, the batteries 62A and 62B are constituted of lithium-ion batteries as energy storages capable of charging and discharging.

In addition, the electric motor <NUM> is controlled by a control unit (not illustrated). The control unit receives information from a throttle opening sensor and the like (not illustrated) and outputs a predetermined control signal to a driver of the electric motor <NUM> in accordance with operation intention of a rider, traveling conditions, and the like.

In addition, the deceleration mechanism <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> includes a transmission shaft <NUM> which is pivotally supported parallel to the motor output shaft <NUM> and the rear wheel axle 4a, a pair of first gears 37a and 37b which are respectively provided in an inner end portion of the motor output shaft <NUM> in the vehicle width direction and an inward portion of the transmission shaft <NUM> in the vehicle width direction, and a pair of second gears 38a and 38b which are respectively provided in an outward portion of the transmission shaft <NUM> in the vehicle width direction and a left end portion of the rear wheel axle 4a. The reference signs 4b to 4d in <FIG> indicate bearings rotatably supporting the rear wheel axle 4a.

The motor output shaft <NUM>, the transmission shaft <NUM>, and the rear wheel axle 4a are disposed at intervals in the front-rear direction in order from the front side. The transmission shaft <NUM> has an axis Ct1 (which will hereinafter be referred to as "a transmission axis Ct1") parallel to the motor axis Cm1. The reference signs 39a and 39b in <FIG> indicate bearings rotatably supporting the transmission shaft <NUM>.

Due to the foregoing constitution of the deceleration mechanism <NUM>, rotation of the motor output shaft <NUM> is decelerated at a predetermined deceleration rate and is transmitted to the rear wheel axle 4a.

<FIG> is a view of a part near the support portion of the swing arm <NUM> viewed from below the vehicle. In addition, <FIG> is a view illustrating a cross section cut along line X-X in <FIG>, and <FIG> is a view illustrating a cross section cut along line XI-XI in <FIG>.

As illustrated in <FIG> and these diagrams, an arm support member <NUM> protruding toward the rear of the vehicle is attached to lower portion regions of the rear frame portions 14b of the left and right lower frames <NUM>. The pivot <NUM> oscillatably supporting a front portion of the swing arm <NUM> is held in the vicinity of a rear end portion of the arm support member <NUM>. The arm support member <NUM>, of which a detailed constitution will be described below, is formed to have substantially a triangle shape in a side view in which one vertex sandwiched between two sides protrudes to the rear side of the vehicle. The pivot <NUM> is held near the vertex protruding to the rear of the vehicle.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, battery support stays <NUM> for supporting the battery storage device <NUM> are coupled to the respective left and right rear frame portions 14b of the vehicle body frame F at substantially intermediate positions in the up-down direction. The battery support stays <NUM> extend toward the rear side of the vehicle body from the rear frame portions 14b. In addition, sub-stays <NUM> extending upward to the rear are attached at positions slightly below coupling portions of the battery support stays <NUM> with respect to the left and right rear frame portions 14b. Rear end portions of the sub-stays <NUM> are coupled to rear portion regions of the battery support stays <NUM> from below.

A first support bracket 68a and a second support bracket 68b constituted of metal plates are attached to the lower portion region of each of the left and right rear frame portions 14b and the corresponding left or right sub-stay <NUM>. The first support bracket 68a is interlinked to the rear frame portion 14b and an outward region of the sub-stay <NUM> in the vehicle width direction, and the second support bracket 68b is interlinked to the rear frame portion 14b and an inward region of the sub-stay <NUM> in the vehicle width direction. As illustrated in <FIG>, upper portion regions of the first support bracket 68a and the second support bracket 68b are separated from each other with a predetermined distance therebetween, and a bush <NUM> is disposed inside a space portion of the separation therebetween. Regarding the bush <NUM>, an elastic rubber body (not illustrated) is attached inside a metal tube, and a metal shaft portion 69a is attached to a shaft center portion of the elastic rubber body. The shaft portion 69a penetrates the bush <NUM> in an axial direction, and the left and right end portions thereof are fastened and fixed to the upper portion regions of the first support bracket 68a and the second support bracket 68b. In addition, an upper support arm <NUM> extending in a manner of inclining obliquely downward to the rear is joined to an outer surface of the bush <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the upper support arm <NUM> is formed to have substantially a distorted U-shaped cross section and inclines inward in the vehicle width direction toward the rear side of the vehicle body.

The upper support arms <NUM> integrally coupled to the bushes <NUM> are provided symmetrically on both sides of the vehicle in the vehicle width direction. End portions of rear portions of the left and right upper support arms <NUM> are coupled to the respective left and right end portions of a joint rod <NUM> extending linearly in the vehicle width direction.

In addition, in the first support bracket 68a and the second support bracket 68b, lower portion regions of both thereof are interlinked to each other below the respective left and right rear frame portions 14b. Hereinafter, interlink portions of the lower portion regions will be referred to as "lower interlink portions of the support brackets 68a and 68b". Both end portions of the cross frame <NUM> extending linearly in the vehicle width direction are coupled to the lower interlink portions of the support brackets 68a and 68b on both sides in the vehicle width direction. The cross frame <NUM> is formed of a round steel tube having substantially the same diameter as those of the rear frame portions 14b.

A pair of rearward-extending rods <NUM> extending toward the rear side of the vehicle body are coupled to the cross frame <NUM>. The rearward-extending rods <NUM> are coupled to a rear side surface of the cross frame <NUM> at two positions separated from each other on the left and right. A support pipe <NUM> extending linearly in the vehicle width direction is coupled to the rear end portions of the left and right rearward-extending rods <NUM>. The pivot <NUM> is turnably inserted through the support pipe <NUM>. Both end portions of the pivot <NUM> are supported by the left and right extending pieces 21b at the front end of the swing arm <NUM>. Therefore, the front end portion of the swing arm <NUM> is oscillatably supported by the support pipe <NUM>. In the diagram, the reference sign o1 indicates an axis of the pivot <NUM> in the vehicle width direction.

In addition, the joint rod <NUM> to which the rear end portions of the left and right upper support arms <NUM> are joined is coupled to rear-sided intermediate regions of the left and right rearward-extending rods <NUM>. Therefore, the intermediate regions of the left and right rearward-extending rods <NUM> are supported by the left and right rear frame portions 14b with a pair of upper support arms <NUM> extending in a manner of inclining obliquely upward to the front side of the vehicle body therebetween. In the case of the present embodiment, the left and right upper support arms <NUM> constitute downward-inclining portions extending in a manner of inclining downward to the rear from the rear frame portions 14b.

The arm support member <NUM> in present embodiment is constituted of the cross frame <NUM>, the rearward-extending rods <NUM>, the support pipe <NUM>, the upper support arms <NUM>, the joint rod <NUM>, and the like which have been described above.

Here, a routing space <NUM> for routing the electric cable <NUM> is secured above a region straddling the front portion regions of the arm support member <NUM> and the swing arm <NUM>. This routing space <NUM> is a space surrounded by the arm support member <NUM>, the swing arm <NUM>, and the battery storage device <NUM>. In addition, as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the upper support arms <NUM> (downward-inclining portions) of the arm support member <NUM> and the upward inclination portion <NUM> of the front portion region of the swing arm <NUM> form a recessed portion <NUM> having substantially a V shape in a side view. This recessed portion <NUM> constitutes a part of the routing space <NUM>, such that at least a part of the electric cable <NUM> is routed therein.

In the arm main body portion 21a of the swing arm <NUM> on the left side, as illustrated in <FIG>, the electric cable <NUM> drawn out forward from a connection portion with respect to the electric motor <NUM> is bent to the right side from a position on the left side in the vehicle width direction near a part above the left side portion of the pivot <NUM> and is drawn out forward at a position on the right side in the vehicle width direction. The electric cable <NUM> drawn out forward is connected to the power drive unit <NUM> in the space portion between the rear frame portions 14b on the front side. As illustrated in <FIG>, in a region of the electric cable <NUM> bent to the right side from the left side in the vehicle width direction on the front portion side of the swing arm <NUM>, at least a part is disposed in the routing space <NUM> such that it overlaps the axis o1 of the pivot <NUM> in a top view.

In addition, a part of a region of the electric cable <NUM> bent to the right side from the left side in the vehicle width direction on the front portion side of the swing arm <NUM> is supported by a lower end of a battery support frame <NUM> constituting a skeleton portion of the battery storage device <NUM>. Specifically, as illustrated in <FIG>, in a straddling part of the electric cable <NUM> below the battery storage device <NUM> from the left to the right, a clamp component <NUM> for holding the electric cable <NUM> is attached, and the clamp component <NUM> is fastened and fixed to a cable support bracket <NUM> (cable support portion) provided at a lower end of the battery support frame <NUM>.

<FIG> is a view of the battery support frame <NUM> viewed from above in front on the left.

As illustrated in <FIG>, resin case portions 132F and 132R for accommodating the batteries 62A and 62B in an attachable/detachable manner are attached to the inward side of the battery support frame <NUM>. The resin case portions 132F and 132R are disposed side by side in the front-rear direction inside the battery support frame <NUM>. Each of the resin case portions 132F and 132R has an inserting/removing port <NUM> (refer to <FIG> and <FIG>) opening upward. A battery accommodation portion inside each of the resin case portions 132F and 132R inclines obliquely downward to the front. The batteries 62A and 62B are set inside the resin case portions 132F and 132R when they obliquely slide into the resin case portions 132F and 132R through the inserting/removing ports <NUM>. The batteries 62A and 62B are obliquely inserted into and removed from the resin case portions 132F and 132R, weights of the batteries 62A and 62B are partially supported by wall portions of the resin case portions 132F and 132R.

The batteries 62A and 62B set inside the resin case portions 132F and 132R are fixed to the resin case portions 132F and 132R and the battery support frame <NUM> by lock mechanisms <NUM> (battery fixing means) illustrated in <FIG>, and terminal portions <NUM> (refer to <FIG>, which will be described below) are connected to case side connection terminals <NUM> (refer to <FIG>) inside each of the resin case portions 132F and 132R.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the battery support frame <NUM> includes a first support frame <NUM> for supporting the resin case portion 132F (refer to <FIG>) on the front side, a second support frame <NUM> for supporting the resin case portion 132R (refer to <FIG>) on the rear side, and a joint frame <NUM> for joining the first support frame <NUM> and the second support frame <NUM> to each other.

The first support frame <NUM> has a pair of left and right side frame portions <NUM> and 115R which extend vertically in a manner of inclining slightly in the front-rear direction along an inclined posture (refer to <FIG>) of the resin case portion 132F on the front side, a cross pipe <NUM> which joins the lower end portions of the left and right side frame portions <NUM> and 115R to each other, and a front frame portion <NUM> of which both side portions are coupled to the lower portion regions of the left and right side frame portions <NUM> and 115R. The front frame portion <NUM> extends in the vehicle width direction in a curved shape projecting forward. The front frame portion <NUM> is disposed in the front portion region of the resin case portion 132F on the front side.

The left and right side frame portions <NUM> and 115R extend in a longitudinal direction (substantially in the up-down direction) with a hat-shaped cross section opening on the inward side in the vehicle width direction. Attachment brackets <NUM> for attaching the battery support frame <NUM> to the vehicle body frame F (refer to <FIG>) are provided in upper end portions of the side frame portions <NUM> and 115R. A female screw portion 118a to which a bolt can be screwed is provided in the attachment bracket <NUM>. The attachment bracket <NUM> is fastened and fixed to a fixing bracket <NUM> (refer to <FIG> and the like) provided in the corresponding left or right seat frame <NUM> in front of the rear frame portion 14b of the vehicle body frame F.

A female screw portion 116a to which a bolt can be screwed is provided in both end portions of the cross pipe <NUM>. The cable support bracket <NUM> described above is coupled to the cross pipe <NUM>. The electric cable <NUM> is held by the cross pipe <NUM> of the battery support frame <NUM> with the cable support bracket <NUM> therebetween. Both end portions of the cross pipe <NUM> are fastened and fixed to fixing brackets <NUM> (refer to <FIG> and the like) provided in the corresponding left and right rear frame portions 14b of the vehicle body frame F.

The second support frame <NUM> has a pair of left and right side frame portions <NUM> and 121R which extend vertically in a manner of inclining slightly in the front-rear direction along an inclined posture (refer to <FIG>) of the resin case portion 132R on the rear side, a cross pipe <NUM> which joins the lower end portions of the left and right side frame portions <NUM> and 121R to each other, and a rear frame portion <NUM> of which both side portions are coupled to central regions of the left and right side frame portions <NUM> and 121R in the up-down direction. The rear frame portions <NUM> extend in the vehicle width direction in a curved shape projecting rearward. The rear frame portions <NUM> are disposed in the rear portion regions of the resin case portion 132R on the rear side.

The left and right side frame portions <NUM> and 121R extend in the longitudinal direction (substantially in the up-down direction) with a hat-shaped cross section opening on the inward side in the vehicle width direction. Attachment brackets <NUM> for attaching the battery support frame <NUM> to the vehicle body frame F (refer to <FIG>) are provided in upper end portions of the side frame portions <NUM> and 121R. A female screw portion 124a to which a bolt can be screwed is provided in the attachment bracket <NUM>. The attachment bracket <NUM> is fastened and fixed to a fixing bracket <NUM> (refer to <FIG> and the like) provided in the corresponding left or right support frame <NUM> of the vehicle body frame F.

A female screw portion 122a to which a bolt can be screwed is provided in both end portions of the cross pipe <NUM>. Both end portions of the cross pipe <NUM> are fastened and fixed to a fixing bracket <NUM> (refer to <FIG> and the like) provided in the corresponding left or right battery support stay <NUM> of the vehicle body frame F.

The joint frame <NUM> has joint side frame portions <NUM> and 127R for respectively joining the side frame portions <NUM> and <NUM> and the side frame portions 115R and 121R of the first support frame <NUM> and the second support frame <NUM> on the same sides of the left and the right to each other, and a joint cross frame portion <NUM> for joining substantially central portions of the left and right joint side frame portions <NUM> and 127R in the front-rear direction to each other. The resin case portion 132F on the front side is disposed on the front side of the joint cross frame portion <NUM>, and the battery case 132R on the rear side is disposed on the rear side of the joint cross frame portion <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> are views of the battery storage device <NUM> viewed obliquely from above in front on the left, and <FIG> and <FIG> are views of a part of the battery storage device <NUM> viewed from the left side. <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate the battery storage device <NUM> at the time of a non-battery-fixed state, and <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate the battery storage device <NUM> at the time of a battery-fixed state. In <FIG> and <FIG>, for the sake of convenience of illustration, the resin case portion 132F is removed. <FIG> is a view illustrating a cross section cut along line XVII-XVII in <FIG>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, each of the batteries 62A and 62B has the terminal portions <NUM> inside a recessed portion on a lower surface thereof. The terminal portions <NUM> are disposed on the front-sided lower surface of each of the batteries 62A and 62B. The terminal portions <NUM> are electrically connected to the power drive unit <NUM> and the control unit (not illustrated) through the case side connection terminals <NUM> provided in the battery storage device <NUM>. The terminal portions <NUM> supply battery voltages to the electric motor <NUM> via the power drive unit <NUM> (refer to <FIG>) and output information (information of a voltage, a temperature, and the like) of each of the batteries 62A and 62B to the control unit.

The battery storage device <NUM> includes a battery case <NUM> which stores the batteries 62A and 62B, the case side connection terminals <NUM> which are connected to the terminal portions <NUM> of the batteries 62A and 62B when the batteries 62A and 62B are stored, terminal displacement mechanisms <NUM> which cause the case side connection terminals <NUM> to be displaced between a connection position P1 (refer to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>) contact-connected to the terminal portions <NUM> of the batteries 62A and 62B and a retreat position P2 separated downward from the connection position P1, the lock mechanisms <NUM> which can fix and hold the batteries 62A and 62B in the battery case <NUM>, and operation levers <NUM> (operation members) which can switch the lock mechanisms <NUM> between the battery-fixed state and the non-battery-fixed state and can operate the terminal displacement mechanisms <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the retreat position P2 is a position at which the case side connection terminals <NUM> are away from the terminal portions <NUM> of the battery 62A (62B) in an entering direction (downward) of the battery 62A (62B) when a bottom portion <NUM>-B of the battery 62A (62B) abuts a case side abutment portion <NUM>-B of the battery case <NUM>.

The battery case <NUM> has the battery support frame <NUM> which has been described above, support stays <NUM> (refer to <FIG> and <FIG>) which are fastened and fixed to the respective upper portions of the side frame portions <NUM> and 115R, and <NUM> and 121R at the front and the rear in the battery support frame <NUM>, and the resin case portions 132F and 132R which are disposed at the front and the rear inside the battery support frame <NUM>. The case side connection terminals <NUM> and the terminal displacement mechanisms <NUM> are disposed on the respective lower portion sides of the resin case portions 132F and 132R at the front and the rear. In addition, the operation levers <NUM> and the lock mechanisms <NUM> are provided such that they correspond to the case side connection terminals <NUM> and the terminal displacement mechanisms <NUM> on the respective lower portion sides of the resin case portions 132F and 132R at the front and the rear. The case side connection terminals <NUM>, the terminal displacement mechanisms <NUM>, the operation levers <NUM>, the lock mechanisms <NUM>, and the like corresponding to the respective resin case portions 132F and 132R at the front and the rear have similar constitutions. Hereinafter, regarding details of these, only those corresponding to the resin case portion 132F on the front side will be described, and description for those corresponding to the resin case portion 132R on the rear side will be omitted.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the terminal portions <NUM> of the battery 62A (62B) have a pair of high voltage terminals <NUM> for outputting power of the battery 62A (62B) to the power drive unit <NUM>, and a plurality of signal terminals <NUM> for outputting various kinds of information of the battery 62A (62B) to the control unit.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the resin case portions 132F and 132R have the inserting/removing ports <NUM> opening upward, and the batteries 62A and 62B can be stored and taken out through the inserting/removing ports <NUM>. Both the resin case portions 132F and 132R at the front and the rear incline forward to the lower side. As illustrated in <FIG>, a bottom wall of each of the resin case portions 132F and 132R inclines downward to the rear.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, a circumferential wall 137a of a luggage box <NUM> is disposed in an upper portion of the battery support frame <NUM>. The luggage box <NUM> is a resin box in which a box main body is at the rear of the battery storage device <NUM> and articles can be stored therein. The circumferential wall 137a of the luggage box <NUM> extends forward from the box main body of the luggage box <NUM> and surrounds the sides on the left and the right on the upper portion side of the resin case portions 132F and 132R at the front and the rear in the battery storage device <NUM> and the front of the resin case portion 132F on the front side. The upper portion of the circumferential wall 137a of the luggage box <NUM> is closed by the seat <NUM> (refer to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>) on which an occupant sits. The seat <NUM> can be opened upward and closed downward using the front end side as a hinge pivot point. Upper portions of the luggage box <NUM> and the battery storage device <NUM> are opened and closed by the seat <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, an opening portion <NUM> allowing insertion and separation of the case side connection terminals <NUM> from below is provided in a front-sided bottom wall of the resin case portion 132F (132R). The case side connection terminals <NUM> and a terminal support block <NUM> integrally supporting the case side connection terminals <NUM> are disposed below the opening portion <NUM> such that they can move upward and downward.

<FIG> is a view of the case side connection terminals <NUM> and a support portion thereof viewed obliquely from above.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the case side connection terminals <NUM> include a pair of high voltage terminal pins <NUM> which can be fitted and connected to the high voltage terminals <NUM> on the battery 62A (62B) side, and a plurality of signal terminal pins <NUM> which can be fitted and connected to signal terminals <NUM> on the battery 62A (62B) side. The high voltage terminal pins <NUM> and the signal terminal pins <NUM> are disposed side by side in a row in the vehicle width direction. The high voltage terminal pins <NUM> are respectively disposed on the outward sides of the plurality of signal terminal pins <NUM> in the vehicle width direction. In each of the high voltage terminal pins <NUM> disposed on both sides in the vehicle width direction, the height of the upper end portion is higher than the heights of the upper end portions of the signal terminal pins <NUM>. For this reason, when the case side connection terminals <NUM> are displaced integrally with the terminal support block <NUM> from the retreat position P2 to the connection position P1, the high voltage terminal pins <NUM> come into contact with the terminal portions <NUM> on the battery 62A (62B) side prior to the signal terminal pins <NUM>.

In addition, cable connection walls <NUM> for connecting power cables <NUM> (electric wires) to the high voltage terminal pins <NUM> and signal wire connection portions <NUM> for connecting signal wires <NUM> (electric wires) to the signal terminal pins <NUM> are provided at a lower end of the terminal support block <NUM>. The cable connection walls <NUM> are respectively disposed on the outward sides of the signal wire connection portions <NUM> in the vehicle width direction. Bolts <NUM> for connecting metal lead wires of the power cables <NUM> to the high voltage terminal pins <NUM> are fastened to the cable connection walls <NUM> from the outward sides in the vehicle width direction. The bolts <NUM> constitute fixing means for electrically connecting the power cables <NUM> to the high voltage terminal pins <NUM> and physically and firmly connecting and fixing the same.

As illustrated in <FIG>, a cable support bracket <NUM> is attached to the terminal support block <NUM>. The power cables <NUM> and the signal wires <NUM> bundled by a clamp device <NUM> are held by the cable support bracket <NUM>. The cable support bracket <NUM> is supported by a stay (not illustrated) protruding downward from a one-sided lower end portion of the terminal support block <NUM> in the vehicle width direction. The cable support bracket <NUM> is curved substantially in a J-shape in the vehicle width direction such that it lies in a drawing direction of the power cables <NUM> and the signal wires <NUM> after extending downward from the terminal support block <NUM> side. The clamp device <NUM> is supported on a distal end side of a curved portion of the cable support bracket <NUM>. A lower end of the cable support bracket <NUM> and the clamp device <NUM> are positioned below the cable connection walls <NUM> and the signal wire connection portions <NUM> of the terminal support block <NUM>.

A pair of guide projections <NUM> (case side guide portions) protrude upward at positions on the outward sides of the case side connection terminals <NUM> of the terminal support block <NUM> in the vehicle width direction. Each of the guide projections <NUM> is formed to have substantially a columnar shape in its entirety, and a curved surface having a spherical surface shape or a tapered surface having a tapered shape is provided in a distal end portion thereof. Each of the left and right guide projections <NUM> protrudes upward beyond the upper end portions of the high voltage terminal pins <NUM> and the signal terminal pins <NUM> of the case side connection terminals <NUM>.

Meanwhile, a pair of guide holes <NUM> which can receive the left and right guide projections <NUM> on the terminal support block <NUM> side are provided on the lower surface of the battery 62A (62B) stored in the resin case portion 132F (132R). The guide holes <NUM> constitute battery-side guide portions. Here, when the case side connection terminals <NUM> rise toward the connection position P1 (refer to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>) in a state where the battery 62A (62B) is stored inside the resin case portion 132F (132R), the guide projections <NUM> are inserted into the guide holes <NUM> before the case side connection terminals <NUM> are contact-connected to the terminal portions <NUM> of the battery 62A (62B). In the case of the present embodiment, when the case side connection terminals <NUM> are at the retreat position P2, the guide projections <NUM> are set such that a separation distance L1 between the guide projections <NUM> and abutment portions of the guide holes <NUM> is shorter than a separation distance L2 between the case side connection terminals <NUM> and the terminal portions <NUM> of the battery 62A (62B). As illustrated in <FIG>, upper ends 147e of the guide projections <NUM> which are guide ends of the guide projections <NUM> in a battery direction are formed on a side (battery side) above upper ends 140e of the high voltage terminal pins <NUM> which are terminal ends of the case side connection terminals <NUM> in the battery direction.

The terminal displacement mechanism <NUM> includes a terminal holding member <NUM> for holding the case side connection terminals <NUM> with the terminal support block <NUM> therebetween. The terminal holding member <NUM> is formed of a metal plate material and has a base wall 149a which extends in the vehicle width direction and a pair of left and right joint walls 149b which are bent and extend to the upper side from both end portions of the base wall 149a in the vehicle width direction. An insertion hole <NUM> having a long hole shape is formed in a central region of the base wall 149a in the vehicle width direction. The terminal support block <NUM> is held on a lower surface side of the base wall 149a with joint pins <NUM> and spring units <NUM> therebetween. A part of the terminal support block <NUM> held by the base wall 149a, and the case side connection terminals <NUM> protrude to the upper side of the base wall 149a through the insertion hole <NUM>.

Insertion holes <NUM>, through which the joint pins <NUM> are inserted, are formed in both edge portions of the terminal support block <NUM> in the vehicle width direction. The inner diameters of the insertion holes <NUM> are formed to be larger than the outer diameters of the joint pins <NUM>. The terminal support block <NUM> can be displaced substantially in a horizontal direction (direction intersecting a connection direction with respect to the terminal portions <NUM>) within a range of gaps between the insertion holes <NUM> and the joint pins <NUM>. Therefore, the case side connection terminals <NUM> supported by the terminal support block <NUM> are held by the terminal holding member <NUM> such that they can be relatively displaced in a direction intersecting the connection direction with respect to the terminal portions <NUM>.

The joint pins <NUM> are inserted into support holes <NUM> provided in the base wall 149a of the terminal holding member <NUM> in a slidable manner. Retaining flanges 151a are integrally provided in upper end portions of the joint pins <NUM>. The joint pins <NUM> are retained with respect to the base wall 149a due to the retaining flanges 151a abutting an upper surface of the base wall 149a.

The spring unit <NUM> has a metal unit case <NUM> which has a bottomed cylindrical shape, a stopper plate <NUM> which has a disk shape such that it can abut an opening end of the unit case <NUM>, and a coil spring <NUM> which is an elastic member interposed between an inner bottom surface of the unit case <NUM> and the stopper plate <NUM>. The spring units <NUM> are disposed below the base wall 149a in a state where outer bottom surfaces of the unit cases <NUM> abut the lower surface of the base wall 149a. The joint pins <NUM> penetrate the bottom walls of the unit cases <NUM> and are coupled to the stopper plates <NUM> below the unit cases <NUM>. In addition, the coil springs <NUM> are disposed in surrounding areas of the joint pins <NUM>.

The case side connection terminals <NUM> and the terminal support block <NUM> are supported by the terminal holding member <NUM> in a suspended manner with the spring units <NUM> and the joint pins <NUM> therebetween. The unit cases <NUM> and the stopper plates <NUM> are maintained in a separated state until a pressing load at a predetermined level or higher is input to the case side connection terminals <NUM> from above. When a pressing load at a predetermined level or higher is input to the case side connection terminals <NUM> from this state, the terminal support block <NUM> compresses the coil springs <NUM> such that they are displaced, and thus the terminal support block <NUM> is relatively displaced downward with respect to the terminal holding member <NUM>. In this manner, when the terminal support block <NUM> is relatively displaced by a predetermined amount or more with respect to the terminal holding member <NUM>, the stopper plates <NUM> abut the unit cases <NUM>. Accordingly, relative displacement of the terminal support block <NUM> (case side connection terminals <NUM>) with respect to the terminal holding member <NUM> is restricted (refer to <FIG>).

Each of the left and right joint walls 149b of the terminal holding member <NUM> is turnably held by a lower end of a metal link plate <NUM> in the lower portion region on the outward side of the side portion of the resin case portion 132F (132R). The link plate <NUM> is a plate member elongated in one direction extending substantially in the up-down direction. The upper end portion of each of the left and right link plates <NUM> is turnably joined to a distal end of each of the left and right lever pieces 44a of the operation lever <NUM> serving as operation members. The intermediate regions of the left and right lever pieces 44a in an extending direction are turnably pivoted by the respective left and right support stays <NUM> attached to the battery support frame <NUM>. When the operation lever <NUM> is turnably operated in one direction (clockwise direction in <FIG> and <FIG>), the respective left and right link plates <NUM> are pulled up to the upper side. Accordingly, each of the left and right joint walls 149b of the terminal holding member <NUM> is displaced to the upper side. At this time, the case side connection terminals <NUM> held by the terminal holding member <NUM> are displaced from the retreat position P2 to the connection position P1.

The reference sign <NUM> in <FIG> and <FIG> indicates a reinforced frame which is attached to a part in the vicinity of the lower ends of the left and right support stays <NUM> and reinforces a surrounding area of the resin case portion 132F (132R).

As illustrated in <FIG>, the lower ends of the respective left and right link plates <NUM> and the left and right joint walls 149b of the terminal holding member <NUM> are associated with each other with turning pins <NUM> inserted into long holes <NUM>. The turning pins <NUM> are supported by the respective left and right joint walls 149b, and the long holes <NUM> are formed in the link plates <NUM>. For this reason, when the link plates <NUM> are pulled upward due to operation of the operation lever <NUM>, the turning pins <NUM> freely play inside the long holes <NUM> as much as the amount of a predetermined stroke of the link plates <NUM>, as illustrated in (I) and (II) of <FIG>. As a result, a timing for the terminal holding member <NUM> starting upward displacement is delayed with respect to start of operation of the operation lever <NUM>.

<FIG> is a view illustrating an operation state of the part E in <FIG>.

In addition, the lock mechanism <NUM> for fixing the battery 62A (62B) to the battery case <NUM> includes a movable block <NUM>. The movable block <NUM> is attached to upper end portions of the left and right support stays <NUM> of the battery case <NUM> in a turnable (displaceable) manner. When the operation lever <NUM> is turned from an initial position within a predetermined position range, the movable block <NUM> receives an operation force from the operation lever <NUM> and is turned in an upper surface direction of the battery case <NUM>. The movable block <NUM> is pressed to an upper surface of the battery 62A (62B) and restricts displacement of the battery 62A (62B) in a releasing direction.

<FIG> is a view of the operation lever <NUM> and the movable block <NUM> viewed from above in front on the right of the support stay <NUM> on the left side.

The operation lever <NUM> is turnably supported by the support stay <NUM> about a first turning shaft <NUM>. The first turning shaft <NUM> is a shaft which is pivotally supported by a front-sided part substantially at the center of the support stay <NUM> in the up-down direction and is disposed in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle. In some diagrams, only the shaft center o1 of the first turning shaft <NUM> is illustrated.

The movable block <NUM> of the lock mechanism <NUM> is turnably supported by the support stay <NUM> about a second turning shaft <NUM> orthogonal to the first turning shaft <NUM>. The second turning shaft <NUM> is a shaft which is pivotally supported by the upper end portion of the support stay <NUM> and is disposed in the front-rear direction of the vehicle.

In the case of the present embodiment, the first turning shaft <NUM> is disposed such that the axis o1 of the first turning shaft <NUM> overlaps the battery 62A (62B) stored in the resin case portion 132F (132R) (refer to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and the like). In addition, the second turning shaft <NUM> is disposed such that an axis <NUM> of the second turning shaft <NUM> is positioned on the outward side of the battery 62A (62B) stored in the resin case portion 132F (132R) (refer to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and the like).

The operation lever <NUM> has an operation piece 44b which extends in the vehicle width direction, and the left and right lever pieces 44a which are bent and extend substantially in an orthogonal direction from both end portions of the operation piece 44b. The intermediate regions of the left and right lever pieces 44a in the extending direction are supported by the left and right support stays <NUM> through the first turning shaft <NUM>. The left and right lever pieces 44a are formed to be bent substantially in an L-shape in a side view (substantially an L-shape in which the distal end portion protrudes forward). Hereinafter, the operation piece 44b side beyond a bent portion of the lever piece 44a will be referred to as a first extending portion 44a-<NUM>, and a side opposite to the operation piece 44b beyond the bent portion will be referred to as a second extending piece 44a-<NUM>. In the left and right lever pieces 44a, substantially intermediate positions of the second extending pieces 44a-<NUM> in the extending direction are supported by the support stays <NUM> with the first turning shaft <NUM> with therebetween. The upper end portions of the link plates <NUM> are turnably joined to the distal end portions of the second extending pieces 44a-<NUM> with joint pins <NUM> therebetween.

Here, as illustrated in <FIG>, the movable block <NUM> of the lock mechanism <NUM> has a pivot portion 160a, a displacement restriction wall 160b (battery restriction portion), an elastic body block 160c (battery restriction portion), a holding force receiving wall 160d (holding force receiving portion), and a cam wall 160e. The pivot portion 160a is turnably supported by the second turning shaft <NUM>. The displacement restriction wall 160b is continuously connected to the pivot portion 160a, so that displacement of the battery 62A (62B) in a rising direction can be restricted when it is displaced to the inward region of the resin case portion 132F (132R). The elastic body block 160c is attached to one surface of the displacement restriction wall 160b and directly abuts the upper surface of the battery 62A when the displacement restriction wall 160b restricts displacement of the battery 62A (62B) in the rising direction. At this time, the elastic body block 160c is elastically deformed and causes a repulsive force to act on the upper surface of the battery 62A.

The displacement restriction wall 160b of the movable block <NUM> and the elastic body block 160c (battery restriction portion) are constituted to be positioned on the outward side of the battery 62A (62B) in the non-battery-fixed state in a view in an insertion direction of the battery 62A (62B) with respect to the resin case portion 132F (132R) (refer to <FIG>) and to overlap the battery 62A (62B) in the battery-fixed state (refer to <FIG> and <FIG>).

The holding force receiving wall 160d is continuously connected to the pivot portion 160a and extends in a direction in which it is substantially at a right angle to the displacement restriction wall 160b around the second turning shaft <NUM>. The holding force receiving wall 160d receives a holding load from the lever pieces 44a of the operation lever <NUM>, and the displacement restriction wall 16ob and the elastic body block 160c maintain a state where displacement of the battery 62A (62B) in the rising direction is restricted. The cam wall 160e is a wall connecting both the displacement restriction wall 160b and the holding force receiving wall 160d on the front portion side and has a cam surface 160e-<NUM> smoothly connected in a direction of a rear surface 160d-<NUM> (holding force receiving surface) of the holding force receiving wall 160d from the displacement restriction wall 160b side.

In the case of the present embodiment, the holding force receiving wall 160d (holding force receiving portion) is constituted to overlap the lever piece 44a of the operation lever <NUM> in the battery-fixed state in a view in a direction along the first turning shaft <NUM> (refer to <FIG>).

The movable block <NUM> of the lock mechanism <NUM> can be turned between an unlock position at which the displacement restriction wall 160b and the elastic body block 160c are flipped up in accordance with turning operation of the operation lever <NUM>, and a lock position at which the displacement restriction wall 160b and the elastic body block 160c collapse in an inward direction of the resin case portion 132F (132R) by approximately <NUM>°. The lock mechanism <NUM> is in the non-battery-fixed state when the displacement restriction wall 160b and the elastic body block 160c are at the unlock position, and it is in the battery-fixed state when the displacement restriction wall 160b and the elastic body block 160c are at the lock position. Each of the movable blocks <NUM> is biased at all times in a flip-up direction by a spring (not illustrated).

At the time of the non-battery-fixed state, the operation lever <NUM> falls forward to the maximum, and the operation piece 44b of the operation lever <NUM> at this time is displaced to the front side beyond the inserting/removing port <NUM> (inner wall) of the resin case portion 132F (132R). The position of the operation lever <NUM> at this time will be referred to as the initial position. In addition, at the time of the battery-fixed state, the operation lever <NUM> is raised upward to the rear, and the operation piece 44b of the operation lever <NUM> at this time is displaced to a position above the inserting/removing port <NUM> of the resin case portion 132F (132R).

In addition, a cam projection <NUM> bulging to the rear side is formed in the first extending portion 44a-<NUM> of the lever piece 44a of the operation lever <NUM>. When the operation lever <NUM> is raised upward to the rear side from the initial position, the cam projection <NUM> abuts the cam surface 160e-<NUM> of the movable block <NUM> in a flipped-up state and presses the movable block <NUM> in a turning direction while it comes into slide contact with the cam surface 160e-<NUM>. Accordingly, the movable block <NUM> is turnably operated toward the lock position from the unlock position. In this manner, when raising operation of the operation lever <NUM> proceeds and a contact portion of the cam projection <NUM> reaches a terminal position of the cam surface 160e-<NUM>, an inner side surface (surface toward the inward side in the vehicle width direction) of the lever piece 44a abuts the rear surface 160d-<NUM> of the holding force receiving wall 160d of the movable block <NUM>. This state continues until the operation lever <NUM> reaches a maximum pulling-up operation position.

Incidentally, the lock mechanisms <NUM> and the terminal displacement mechanism <NUM> are operated using the common operation lever <NUM>. Further, the operation state of each of the lock mechanisms <NUM> and the terminal displacement mechanism <NUM> is determined depending on a turning operation position of the operation lever <NUM>. The terminal displacement mechanism <NUM> and the lock mechanisms <NUM> are associated with each other such that the lock mechanisms <NUM> fix the battery 62A (62B) due to operation of the operation lever <NUM> and the terminal displacement mechanism <NUM> causes the case side connection terminals <NUM> to be displaced to the connection position P1 in the state thereof.

Next, with reference to <FIG>, a series of operations in which the battery 62A (62B) is fixed to the resin case portion 132F (132R) after the battery 62A (62B) is inserted into the resin case portion 132F (132R) and the case side connection terminals <NUM> are connected to the terminal portions <NUM> of the battery 62A (62B) will be described.

In the state illustrated in <FIG>, the operation lever <NUM> is at the initial position where it falls forward to the maximum. At this time, distal end portions of the lever pieces 44a of the operation lever <NUM> are positioned at lowermost positions, and the link plates <NUM> and the terminal holding member <NUM> of the terminal displacement mechanism <NUM> are also displaced to the lowermost positions. The battery 62A (62B) is inserted into the resin case portion 132F (132R) in the state thereof. At this time, as illustrated in <FIG>, the case side connection terminals <NUM> are positioned at the retreat position P2. In addition, the movable blocks <NUM> of the lock mechanisms <NUM> are positioned at the unlock position where they are flipped up.

When the operation lever <NUM> is subjected to raising operation from this state, as illustrated in <FIG>, the cam projections <NUM> of the operation lever <NUM> abut the cam surfaces 160e-<NUM> of the movable blocks <NUM> and turn the movable blocks <NUM> in a direction of the lock position while they come into slide contact with the cam surfaces 160e-<NUM>.

At the beginning of start of operation of the operation lever <NUM>, the link plates <NUM> are pulled up by the lever pieces 44a. However, since there is a play between the link plates <NUM> and the terminal holding member <NUM> due to the long holes <NUM> as described above, start of rising displacement of the terminal holding member <NUM> at this time is delayed.

When raising operation of the operation lever <NUM> proceeds, turning of the movable blocks <NUM> proceeds as illustrated in <FIG>, and thus the elastic body blocks 160c of the movable blocks <NUM> abut the upper surface of the battery 62A. At this time, the terminal holding member <NUM> of the terminal displacement mechanism <NUM> is pulled up by the operation lever <NUM> with the link plates <NUM> therebetween such that it is displaced upward. In addition, at this time, as illustrated in <FIG>, the guide projections <NUM> of the terminal support block <NUM> are fitted into the guide holes <NUM> on the lower surface side of the battery 62A (62B). Accordingly, the positions of the terminal support block <NUM> and the case side connection terminals <NUM> in a direction intersecting a terminal connection direction are subjected to fine adjustment.

When raising operation of the operation lever <NUM> further proceeds, the lever pieces 44a of the operation lever <NUM> turn around and abut rear surface sides of the holding force receiving walls 160d of the movable blocks <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>. Accordingly, the displacement restriction walls 16ob of the movable blocks <NUM> turn to a predetermined displacement restriction position, thereby restricting displacement of the battery 62A (62B) in the rising direction with the elastic body blocks 160c therebetween. At this time, as illustrated in <FIG>, the terminal holding member <NUM> of the terminal displacement mechanism <NUM> is pulled up by the operation lever <NUM> with the link plates <NUM> therebetween such that it further rises, and the case side connection terminals <NUM> are displaced to the connection position P1. Accordingly, the case side connection terminals <NUM> are fitted and connected to the terminal portions <NUM> of the battery 62A (62B).

When the operation lever <NUM> is further operated in a raising direction by a predetermined amount from the state illustrated in <FIG>, the terminal holding member <NUM> is further displaced upward in the terminal displacement mechanism <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>. At this time, the coil springs <NUM> of the spring units <NUM> are compressed, and the case side connection terminals <NUM> are pressed to the terminal portions <NUM> of the battery 62A (62B) with a predetermined load. Accordingly, locking of the battery 62A (62B) by the lock mechanisms <NUM> and terminal connection by the terminal displacement mechanism <NUM> are completed.

In the case of the present embodiment, a mechanism, which informs an operator of completion of operation by generating click sounds such as tapping sounds when the operation lever <NUM> is operated to an operation completion position, is provided at an arbitrary place inside the battery storage device <NUM>.

<FIG> is a partial cross-sectional side view illustrating the battery storage device <NUM> and the seat <NUM> when the operation lever <NUM> is in a state before operation is completed. <FIG> is a partial cross-sectional side view illustrating the battery storage device <NUM> and the seat <NUM> when the operation lever <NUM> is in a state where operation has been completed.

As illustrated in these diagrams, the seat <NUM> has a hinge axis <NUM> lying in the vehicle width direction on the front end portion side and is turnably supported by the vehicle body about the hinge axis <NUM>. In addition, a pair of projections 171A and 171B are provided away from each other in the front-rear direction on a rear surface of the seat <NUM>. The projections 171A and 171B protrude downward from the rear surface of the seat <NUM>. When the operation levers <NUM> at the front and the rear in the battery storage device <NUM> are completely operated to the operation completion position as illustrated in <FIG>, the pair of projections 171A and 171B are provided such that they enter spaces in front of the respective operation levers <NUM> without coming into contact with the operation levers <NUM>. In addition, when the operation levers <NUM> at the front and the rear in the battery storage device <NUM> are in a state before operation is completed as illustrated in <FIG>, the pair of projections 171A and 171B are set such that they abut the upper surfaces of the operation pieces 44b of the operation levers <NUM>. Therefore, when any of the operation levers <NUM> is not completely operated to the operation completion position, closing of the seat <NUM> is hindered by the projection 117A or 117B. For this reason, a worker can be informed that the operation levers <NUM> have not reached the operation completion position.

Depending on the positions of the operation levers <NUM>, the projections 171A and 171B abut the upper surfaces of the operation pieces 44b of the operation levers <NUM> at the time of closing operation of the seat <NUM>, and thus the operation levers <NUM> can be subjected to thrust operation to the operation completion position.

In addition, in the case of the present embodiment, when the operation levers <NUM> at the front and the rear are at the initial positions, the projections 117A and 117B on the seat <NUM> side are set such that they do not enter the spaces behind the operation levers <NUM> and do not come into contact with the operation levers <NUM>.

As described above, in the battery storage device <NUM> of the present embodiment, before the batteries 62A and 62B are inserted into the battery case <NUM> (resin case portions 132F and 132R), the case side connection terminals <NUM> are positioned at the retreat position P2, and after insertion of the batteries 62A and 62B is completed, the case side connection terminals <NUM> are displaced to the connection position P1 due to operation of the operation levers <NUM>, so that the case side connection terminals <NUM> can be connected to the terminal portions <NUM> of the batteries 62A and 62B. For this reason, regardless of the behavior or the like of a worker inserting the batteries 62A and 62B, it is possible to avoid a significant load acting on the terminal portions <NUM> of the batteries 62A and 62B or the case side connection terminals <NUM>.

The battery storage device <NUM> of the present embodiment includes the lock mechanisms (<NUM>) capable of fixing the batteries 62A and 62B to the battery case <NUM> in a state where the batteries 62A and 62B are stored in the battery case <NUM> (resin case portions 132F and 132R). Further, the lock mechanisms <NUM> can be operated by the same operation levers <NUM> operating the terminal displacement mechanisms <NUM>. For this reason, when the battery storage device <NUM> of the present embodiment is employed, operability at the time of attaching the batteries 62A and 62B to the battery case <NUM> can be enhanced.

In addition, in the battery storage device <NUM> of the present embodiment, the terminal displacement mechanisms <NUM> and the lock mechanisms <NUM> are associated with each other. Further, in a state where the batteries 62A and 62B are stored in the battery case <NUM>, the lock mechanisms <NUM> fix the batteries 62A and 62B due to operation of the operation levers <NUM>, and the terminal displacement mechanisms <NUM> cause the case side connection terminals <NUM> to be displaced to the connection position P1 in the state thereof. Therefore, when the battery storage device <NUM> of the present embodiment is employed, the case side connection terminals <NUM> can be stably connected to the terminal portions <NUM> of the batteries 62A and 62B in a state where the batteries 62A and 62B are fixed to the battery case <NUM>.

In addition, in the case of the battery storage device <NUM> of the present embodiment, the terminal holding members <NUM> for holding the case side connection terminals <NUM> are provided in the terminal displacement mechanisms <NUM>. Further, the case side connection terminals <NUM> are held by the terminal holding members <NUM> such that they can be relatively displaced in a direction intersecting the connection direction with respect to the terminal portions <NUM>. For this reason, when the case side connection terminals <NUM> are connected to the terminal portions <NUM> of the batteries 62A and 62B, the case side connection terminals <NUM> can be connected to the terminal portions <NUM> of the batteries 62A and 62B while the positions of the case side connection terminals <NUM> in a direction intersecting the connection direction are subjected to fine adjustment. Therefore, when the battery storage device <NUM> of the present embodiment is employed, even if there is some variation in an insertion position of the batteries 62A and 62B with respect to the battery case <NUM>, the case side connection terminals <NUM> can be stably connected to the terminal portions <NUM> of the batteries 62A and 62B.

Moreover, in the battery storage device <NUM> of the present embodiment, the guide holes <NUM> are provided on the lower surface sides of the batteries 62A and 62B, and the guide projections <NUM> to be guided to the guide holes <NUM> are integrally provided on the sides of the case side connection terminals <NUM>. Further, the guide projections <NUM> are formed such that the separation distance L1 between the guide projections <NUM> and the guide holes <NUM> is shorter than the separation distance L2 between the case side connection terminals <NUM> and the terminal portions <NUM> when the case side connection terminals <NUM> are at the retreat position P2. For this reason, when the case side connection terminals <NUM> are displaced by the terminal displacement mechanisms <NUM> such that they rise, the positions of the case side connection terminals <NUM> can be subjected to positional adjustment due to the guiding function of the guide projections <NUM> and the guide holes <NUM>. Therefore, when this constitution is employed, the case side connection terminals <NUM> can be subjected to positional adjustment before the case side connection terminals <NUM> come into contact with the terminal portions <NUM>, and thus the case side connection terminals <NUM> can be smoothly connected to the terminal portions <NUM>.

In addition, in the battery storage device <NUM> of the present embodiment, the power cables <NUM> and the signal wires <NUM> connected to the case side connection terminals <NUM> are routed below the terminal holding members <NUM> of the terminal displacement mechanisms <NUM>. For this reason, when the terminal holding members <NUM> are displaced in the terminal connection direction during operation of the operation levers <NUM>, the power cables <NUM> or the signal wires <NUM> are unlikely to be sandwiched between the terminal holding members <NUM> and other members (for example, the resin case portions 132F and 132R). Therefore, when this constitution is employed, a significant load can be prevented from acting on the power cables <NUM> and the signal wires <NUM>, and a connection states of the power cables <NUM> and the signal wires <NUM> can be made stable.

In addition, in the battery storage device <NUM> of the present embodiment, the case side connection terminals <NUM> are supported by the terminal holding members <NUM> of the terminal displacement mechanisms <NUM> with the spring units <NUM> into which the coil springs <NUM> (elastic members) are built therebetween. For this reason, when the case side connection terminals <NUM> are pressed and connected to the terminal portions <NUM> of the batteries 62A and 62B, the connection states thereof can be stably maintained due to repulsive forces of the coil springs <NUM>. In addition, after the case side connection terminals <NUM> are connected to the terminal portions <NUM> of the batteries 62A and 62B, even if vehicle vibration such as traveling vibration is input to the connection portion, the connection states can be maintained due to repulsive forces of the coil springs <NUM>.

The present invention is not limited to the foregoing embodiment, and various design changes can be made within a range not departing from the scope thereof, defined by the appended claims.

Claim 1:
A battery storage device of a saddle-type electric vehicle including a battery case (<NUM>) storing a battery (62A or 62B) and a case side connection terminal (<NUM>) connected to a terminal portion (<NUM>) of the battery (62A or 62B) stored in the battery case (<NUM>), the battery storage device of a vehicle comprising:
a terminal displacement mechanism (<NUM>) that causes the case side connection terminal (<NUM>) to be displaced between a connection position (P1) contact-connected to the terminal portion (<NUM>) of the battery (62A or 62B) and a retreat position (P2) separated from the connection position (P1); and
an operation member (<NUM>) that is capable of operating the terminal displacement mechanism (<NUM>);
wherein the battery case (<NUM>) has a case side abutment seat (<NUM>-B) on which a bottom portion (<NUM>-B) of the battery (62A or 62B) abuts when the battery (62A or 62B) is inserted, and
characterized in that the retreat position (P2) is a position at which the case side connection terminal (<NUM>) is away from the terminal portion (<NUM>) of the battery (62A or 62B) in an entering direction of the battery (62A or 62B) when the bottom portion (<NUM>-B) of the battery (62A or 62B) abuts the case side abutment seat (<NUM>-B).