Patent Description:
Some straddled vehicles have a battery arranged in a front cover. For example, in a straddled vehicle disclosed in <CIT>, a battery is supported by a battery tray in a front cover. The front cover is divided into a center portion and left and right side portions. An opening is provided between the left and right side portions by removing the center portion from the left and right side portions. The battery is removed from the vehicle by pulling it upward through the opening.

In the straddled vehicle described above, the opening has a shape that widens in the left-right direction toward above. Therefore, by extracting the battery upward from the battery tray, the battery can be easily removed without interfering with the left and right side portions.

On the other hand, some straddled vehicles have an opening that narrows in the left-right direction toward above. In such a vehicle, when the battery is pulled upward as described above, the battery is likely to interfere with the left and right side portions. Therefore, it becomes difficult to remove the battery, and the maintainability is lowered. By widening the opening in the left-right direction, interference with the battery can be suppressed, but the increased opening reduces the rigidity of the front cover. An object of the present invention is to facilitate removal of a battery while suppressing deterioration in rigidity of a front cover in a straddled vehicle.

A straddled vehicle according to one aspect of the present invention includes a head pipe, a front cover, a battery holder, and a battery. The front cover is arranged in front of the head pipe. The battery holder is arranged between the head pipe and the front cover. The battery is held in the battery holder. The front cover includes a center cover, a left side cover, and a right side cover. The center cover overlaps the battery as seen in a vehicle front view. The left side cover is arranged leftward of the center cover. The right side cover is arranged rightward of the center cover. An opening is provided between the left side cover and the right side cover in a state that the center cover is removed from the front cover. The opening has a shape expanding in the left-right direction toward below as seen in the vehicle front view. The battery holder supports the battery so that the battery is removable through the opening by rotating the battery around a lower end of the battery and then moving it forward.

In the straddled vehicle according to the present aspect, the opening becomes smaller in the left-right direction toward above. Therefore, when the battery is extracted upward, the battery tends to interfere with the left and right side covers. On the other hand, the opening becomes larger in the left-right direction toward below. Therefore, by rotating the battery around the lower end and lowering the position of the upper portion of the battery, the battery can be pulled out through the wide portion of the opening. As a result, the battery can be easily removed from the vehicle without interference with the left and right side covers without enlarging the opening. Therefore, in the straddled vehicle according to the present aspect, it is possible to easily remove the battery while suppressing deterioration of the rigidity of the front cover.

In a state that the battery is held in the battery holder, a dimension of the battery in a vertical direction may be larger than a dimension of the battery in a front-rear direction. In this case, since the opening becomes narrower in the left-right direction toward above, the upper portion of the battery tends to interfere with the left and right side covers because the battery is large in the vertical direction. However, by rotating the battery and then extracting it forward, the battery can be removed without interfering with the left and right side covers.

In a state that the battery is held in the battery holder, a dimension of the battery in the left-right direction may be larger than the dimension of the battery in the vertical direction. In this case, since the battery is large in the left-right direction, the battery tends to interfere with the left and right side covers. However, by rotating the battery and pulling it forward, the battery can be removed without interfering with the left and right side covers.

The opening may have a shape that is smaller than the battery in the left-right direction above the battery. In this case, when the battery is extracted upward, the battery interferes with the left and right side covers. However, in the straddled vehicle according to the present aspect, the battery can be easily removed without interfering with the left and right side covers by rotating the battery and then moving it forward.

A top of the battery may include an upper left corner and an upper right corner. The upper left corner may overlap the left side cover as seen in the vehicle front view. The upper right corner may overlap the right side cover as seen in the vehicle front view. In this case, if the battery is to be pulled forward as it is, the upper left corner and the upper right corner interfere with the left and right side covers. However, in the straddled vehicle according to the present aspect, the battery can be easily removed without interfering with the left and right side covers by rotating the battery and then moving it forward.

The battery holder may have a shape that opens forward. In this case, it is easy to rotate the battery and extract it forward.

The straddled vehicle may further includes a fastener. The fastener may be removably attached to the battery holder. The fastener may retain the battery in the battery holder. In this case, the fastener prevents the battery from slipping out of the battery holder. Also, the battery is released from the battery holder by removing the fastener from the battery holder. Thereby, the battery can be easily rotated.

The battery holder may have a shape that opens forward and upward. The fastener may include a front plate portion and an upper plate portion. The front plate portion may be positioned in front of the battery. The upper plate portion may be positioned above the battery. In this case, access to the battery from the front and from above is easy. Also, the fastener prevents the battery from slipping forward and upward from the battery holder.

The battery holder may include a support surface that supports the battery from below. The support surface may be inclined forward and upward. In this case, the battery is supported by the support surface even when the fastener is removed and the battery is released from the battery holder. In addition, since the support surface is inclined forward and upward, the battery is less likely to drop out of the battery holder.

The battery may include a front surface. The front surface may face forward while being held by the battery holder. The battery may be arranged to protrude forward from the opening with the battery rotated so that the front surface of the battery contacts the support surface of the battery holder. In this case, the battery can be easily extracted through the opening from the rotated state.

The center cover may include an upper cover portion and a lower cover portion. The lower cover portion may be arranged below the upper cover portion. The lower cover portion may be provided separately from the upper cover portion. The lower cover portion may be detachable with respect to the left side cover, the right side cover, and the upper cover portion. In this case, the opening becomes larger in the left-right direction toward below. Therefore, by removing the lower cover portion, a large portion in the left-right direction of the opening are opened. This facilitates access to the inside of the front cover and improves maintainability.

The lower cover portion may be attached to the left side cover, the right side cover, and the upper cover portion by fitting. In this case, attachment and detachment of the lower cover portion is easy. This improves maintainability.

A straddled vehicle according to an embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. <FIG> is a side view of a straddled vehicle <NUM> according to the embodiment. The straddled vehicle <NUM> is a scooter. As shown in <FIG>, the straddled vehicle <NUM> includes a body frame <NUM>, a front wheel <NUM>, a steering device <NUM>, a power unit <NUM>, a body cover <NUM>, a seat <NUM>, and a rear wheel <NUM>. In the following description, front/rear, left/right, and up/down directions refer to front/rear, left/right, and up/down directions as seen from a rider on the seat <NUM>.

The body frame <NUM> includes a head pipe <NUM>, a down frame <NUM>, a lower frame <NUM>, and a seat frame <NUM>. The head pipe <NUM> extends obliquely forward and downward. The down frame <NUM> extends downward from the head pipe <NUM>. The lower frame <NUM> extends rearward from the down frame <NUM>. The seat frame <NUM> is arranged below the seat <NUM>. The seat frame <NUM> extends obliquely rearward and upward. The seat <NUM> is arranged behind the head pipe <NUM>.

The front wheel <NUM> is rotatably supported by the steering device <NUM>. The steering device <NUM> is rotatably supported by the head pipe <NUM>. The steering device <NUM> includes a handle bar <NUM>, a steering shaft <NUM>, and a front fork <NUM>. The handle bar <NUM> is connected to the steering shaft <NUM>. The steering shaft <NUM> is rotatably supported by the head pipe <NUM>. The front fork <NUM> is connected to the steering shaft <NUM>. The front fork <NUM> rotatably supports the front wheel <NUM>.

The body cover <NUM> includes a front cover <NUM>, a leg shield <NUM>, a footboard <NUM>, a rear cover <NUM>, and a handle cover <NUM>. The front cover <NUM> covers the head pipe <NUM>. The front cover <NUM> is arranged in front of the head pipe <NUM>. The leg shield <NUM> is arranged behind the front cover <NUM>.

The footboard <NUM> is arranged in front of and below the seat <NUM>. The footboard <NUM> has a flat shape. The footboard <NUM> may have a center tunnel portion projecting upward at the center in the left-right direction. The rear cover <NUM> is arranged below the seat <NUM>. The handle cover <NUM> covers the handle bar <NUM>. A headlight <NUM> is attached to the handle cover <NUM>.

The power unit <NUM> is arranged below the seat <NUM>. The power unit <NUM> is supported by the vehicle body frame <NUM>. The power unit <NUM> includes, for example, an engine and a transmission. The power unit <NUM> may include an electric motor. The rear wheel <NUM> is supported by the vehicle body frame <NUM> via the power unit <NUM>. Alternatively, the rear wheel <NUM> may be supported by the vehicle body frame <NUM> via a swing arm. The rear wheel <NUM> is rotated by power from the power unit <NUM>.

<FIG> is an enlarged side view of the straddled vehicle <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the straddled vehicle <NUM> includes a battery <NUM> and a battery holder <NUM>. The battery holder <NUM> is arranged between the head pipe <NUM> and the front cover <NUM>. The battery <NUM> is held in the battery holder <NUM>. The battery <NUM> is arranged in front of the head pipe <NUM>. <FIG> is an enlarged front view of the straddled vehicle <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the battery <NUM> overlaps the head pipe <NUM> as seen in the vehicle front view.

As shown in <FIG>, in a state that the battery <NUM> is held by the battery holder <NUM>, the dimension of the battery <NUM> in the vertical direction is larger than the dimension of the battery <NUM> in the front-rear direction. As shown in <FIG>, in a state that the battery <NUM> is held by the battery holder <NUM>, the dimension of the battery <NUM> in the left-right direction is larger than the dimension of the battery <NUM> in the vertical direction.

The battery <NUM> is arranged tilted backward. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the battery <NUM> includes a front surface <NUM>, a rear surface <NUM>, a top surface <NUM>, a bottom surface <NUM>, a first side surface <NUM>, and a second side surface <NUM>. With the battery <NUM> held by the battery holder <NUM>, the front surface <NUM> and the rear surface <NUM> are inclined upward and rearward. With the battery <NUM> held by the battery holder <NUM>, the upper surface <NUM> and the lower surface <NUM> are inclined forward and upward.

As shown in <FIG>, the front cover <NUM> includes a center cover <NUM>, a left side cover <NUM>, and a right side cover <NUM>. The center cover <NUM> overlaps the battery <NUM> as seen in the vehicle front view. The left side cover <NUM> is arranged leftward of the center cover <NUM>. The right side cover <NUM> is arranged rightward of the center cover <NUM>. The center cover <NUM> is arranged between the left side cover <NUM> and the right side cover <NUM> in the left-right direction. The center cover <NUM> is detachably attached to the left side cover <NUM> and the right side cover <NUM>.

<FIG> is an enlarged front view of the straddled vehicle <NUM> with the center cover <NUM> removed. <FIG> is an enlarged perspective view of the straddled vehicle <NUM> with the center cover <NUM> removed. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, an opening <NUM> is provided between the left side cover <NUM> and the right side cover <NUM> in a state that the center cover <NUM> is removed from the front cover <NUM>. The left side cover <NUM> includes a first inner edge portion <NUM>. The right side cover <NUM> includes a second inner edge portion <NUM>. The opening <NUM> is provided between the first inner edge portion <NUM> and the second inner edge portion <NUM>.

As seen in the vehicle front view, the first inner edge portion <NUM> is downwardly inclined outward in the left-right direction. As seen in the vehicle front view, the second inner edge portion <NUM> is downwardly inclined outward in the left-right direction. The opening <NUM> has a shape expanding in the left-right direction toward below as seen in the vehicle front view. That is, the opening <NUM> has a shape that narrows in the left-right direction toward above as seen in the vehicle front view. The opening <NUM> is smaller than the battery <NUM> in the left-right direction above the upper surface <NUM> of the battery <NUM>. The opening <NUM> is larger than the battery <NUM> in the left-right direction below the upper surface <NUM> of the battery <NUM>.

The battery <NUM> is arranged in the opening <NUM> as seen in the vehicle front view. The top of battery <NUM> includes an upper left corner portion <NUM> and an upper right corner portion <NUM>. As seen in the vehicle front view, the upper left corner portion <NUM> is arranged close to the left side cover <NUM>. As seen in the vehicle front view, the upper right corner portion <NUM> is arranged close to the right side cover <NUM>. The upper left corner portion <NUM> is arranged close to the first inner edge portion <NUM> as seen in the vehicle front view. The upper right corner portion <NUM> is arranged close to the second inner edge portion <NUM> as seen in the vehicle front view.

<FIG> is a perspective view of the battery holder <NUM> and the battery <NUM>. <FIG> is a perspective view of the battery holder <NUM>. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the battery holder <NUM> has a shape that opens forward and upward. The battery holder <NUM> includes a support surface <NUM>, a rear wall <NUM>, a first side wall <NUM>, and a second side wall <NUM>. The support surface <NUM> has a flat shape. The support surface <NUM> is arranged below the battery <NUM>. The support surface <NUM> supports the battery <NUM> from below. The support surface <NUM> extends forward beyond the front surface <NUM> of the battery <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the support surface <NUM> is inclined forward and upward.

The rear wall <NUM> extends upward from the support surface <NUM>. The rear wall <NUM> is arranged behind the battery <NUM>. The rear wall <NUM> supports the battery <NUM> from behind. The rear wall <NUM> extends above the upper surface <NUM> of battery <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the rear wall <NUM> is inclined rearward and upward.

The first side wall <NUM> and the second side wall <NUM> extend upward from the support surface <NUM>. The first side wall <NUM> is arranged to the left of the battery <NUM>. The second side wall <NUM> is arranged to the right of the battery <NUM>. The first side wall <NUM> and the second side wall <NUM> are lower than the rear wall <NUM>. That is, the upper end of the first side wall <NUM> and the upper end of the second side wall <NUM> are positioned below the upper end of the rear wall <NUM>. The first side wall <NUM> is lower than the first side surface <NUM> of the battery <NUM>. The second side wall <NUM> is lower than the second side surface <NUM> of the battery <NUM>.

The battery holder <NUM> includes a connector holding portion <NUM>. The connector holding portion <NUM> is arranged below the support surface <NUM>. The connector holding portion <NUM> is connected to the support surface <NUM>. The connector holding portion <NUM> is formed integrally with the support surface <NUM>. Alternatively, the connector holding portion <NUM> may be provided separately from the support surface <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the connector holding portion <NUM> holds the connectors <NUM> and <NUM>. The connectors <NUM> and <NUM> are connected to a harness that is connected to battery <NUM>.

The battery holder <NUM> includes a first holding portion <NUM> and a second holding portion <NUM>. The first holding portion <NUM> and the second holding portion <NUM> support electrical components (not shown) connected to the battery <NUM>. The first holding portion <NUM> is arranged outside the first side wall <NUM> in the left-right direction. The first holding portion <NUM> is connected to the first side wall <NUM>. The first holding portion <NUM> is formed integrally with the first side wall <NUM>. Alternatively, the first holding portion <NUM> may be provided separately from the first side wall <NUM>. The second holding portion <NUM> is arranged outside the second side wall <NUM> in the left-right direction. The second holding portion <NUM> is connected to the second side wall <NUM>. The second holding portion <NUM> is formed integrally with the second side wall <NUM>. Alternatively, the second holding portion <NUM> may be provided separately from the second side wall <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the battery <NUM> is disposed on the support surface <NUM>. The battery <NUM> includes a first electrode <NUM> and a second electrode <NUM>. The first electrode <NUM> and the second electrode <NUM> are arranged facing forward of the battery <NUM>. The first electrode <NUM> and the second electrode <NUM> are arranged facing upward of the battery <NUM>. The first electrode <NUM> and the second electrode <NUM> are arranged apart from each other in the left-right direction.

The first electrode <NUM> includes a first front hole <NUM> and a first upper hole <NUM>. The first front hole <NUM> is provided in a front surface of the first electrode <NUM>. The first front hole <NUM> faces forward of the battery <NUM>. The first upper hole <NUM> is provided in an upper surface of the first electrode <NUM>. The first upper hole <NUM> faces upward of the battery <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, a first terminal <NUM> is connected to the first electrode <NUM> by a screw <NUM> passed through the first front hole <NUM>. The first terminal <NUM> is connected to a harness (not shown). The first terminal <NUM> may be connected to the first electrode <NUM> by passing a screw through the first upper hole <NUM>.

The second electrode <NUM> includes a second front hole <NUM> and a second upper hole <NUM>. The second front hole <NUM> is provided in a front surface of the second electrode <NUM>. The second front hole <NUM> faces forward of the battery <NUM>. The second upper hole <NUM> is provided in an upper surface of the second electrode <NUM>. The second upper hole <NUM> faces upward of the battery <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, a second terminal <NUM> is connected to the second electrode <NUM> by a screw <NUM> passed through the second front hole <NUM>. The second terminal <NUM> is connected to a harness (not shown). The second terminal <NUM> may be connected to the second electrode <NUM> by passing a screw through the second upper hole <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the battery <NUM> is fixed to the battery holder <NUM> by a fastener <NUM>. The fastener <NUM> is detachably attached to the battery holder <NUM> and retains the battery <NUM> in the battery holder <NUM>. The fastener <NUM> has a bent plate-like shape. The fastener <NUM> includes a front plate portion <NUM> and an upper plate portion <NUM>. The front plate portion <NUM> is positioned in front of the battery <NUM>. The front plate portion <NUM> extends in the vertical direction. The front plate portion <NUM> restricts forward movement of the battery <NUM>. The upper plate portion <NUM> is positioned above the battery <NUM>. The upper plate portion <NUM> extends in the front-rear direction. The upper plate portion <NUM> restricts upward movement of the battery <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the battery holder <NUM> includes a first holder attachment portion <NUM> and a second holder attachment portion <NUM>. The first holder attachment portion <NUM> is connected to the support surface <NUM>. A lower end of the front plate portion <NUM> is attached to the first holder attachment portion <NUM>. The first holder attachment portion <NUM> includes a screw hole <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the lower end of the front plate portion <NUM> is fixed to the first holder attachment portion <NUM> with a screw <NUM>. The second holder attachment portion <NUM> is provided on the rear wall <NUM>. A rear end of the upper plate portion <NUM> is attached to the second holder attachment portion <NUM>. The second holder attachment portion <NUM> includes a locking hole <NUM>. The rear end of the upper plate portion <NUM> is inserted into the locking hole <NUM> of the second holder attachment portion <NUM> and locked to the second holder attachment portion <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view showing the battery holder <NUM> and the battery <NUM> with the fastener <NUM> removed from the battery holder <NUM>. As described above, the battery holder <NUM> has a shape that opens forward and upward. Therefore, in a state that the fastener <NUM> is removed from the battery holder <NUM>, the battery holder <NUM> supports the battery <NUM> so as to be movable in the front-rear direction and the vertical direction. Also, the battery holder <NUM> supports the battery <NUM> so that the battery <NUM> is rotatable in the front-rear direction around the lower end of the battery <NUM>. In <FIG>, the chain double-dashed line indicates the battery <NUM>' rotated forward from the state attached to the battery holder <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the center cover <NUM> includes an upper cover portion <NUM> and a lower cover portion <NUM>. The lower cover portion <NUM> is arranged below the upper cover portion <NUM>. The lower cover portion <NUM> is provided separately from the upper cover portion <NUM>. The lower cover portion <NUM> is detachable from the left side cover <NUM>, the right side cover <NUM>, and the upper cover portion <NUM>. The lower cover portion <NUM> is attached to the left side cover <NUM>, the right side cover <NUM>, and the upper cover portion <NUM> by fitting.

<FIG> is an enlarged front view of the straddled vehicle <NUM> with the lower cover portion <NUM> removed. <FIG> is a perspective view of the lower cover portion <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the left side cover <NUM> includes a plurality of first locking holes <NUM>. The plurality of first locking holes <NUM> are arranged along the first inner edge portion <NUM>. The right side cover <NUM> includes a plurality of second locking holes <NUM>. The plurality of second locking holes <NUM> are arranged along the second inner edge portion <NUM>. In the drawing, only a part of the plurality of first locking holes <NUM> are denoted by reference numerals <NUM>, and the reference numerals of other first locking holes <NUM> are omitted. In the drawing, only a part of the plurality of second locking holes <NUM> are denoted by reference numerals <NUM>, and the reference numerals of other second locking holes <NUM> are omitted.

As shown in <FIG>, the lower cover portion <NUM> includes a plurality of first locking projections <NUM> and a plurality of second locking projections <NUM>. The plurality of first locking projections <NUM> are arranged along the left edge portion <NUM> of the lower cover portion <NUM>. The plurality of first locking projections <NUM> are respectively inserted into the plurality of first locking holes <NUM> and locked to the plurality of first locking holes <NUM>. Thereby, the lower cover portion <NUM> is attached to the left side cover <NUM>. In the drawings, only a part of the plurality of first locking projections <NUM> are denoted by reference numeral <NUM>, and the reference numerals of other first locking projections <NUM> are omitted.

The plurality of second locking projections <NUM> are arranged along a right edge portion <NUM> of the lower cover portion <NUM>. The plurality of second locking projections <NUM> are respectively inserted into the plurality of second locking holes <NUM> and locked to the plurality of second locking holes <NUM>. Thereby, the lower cover portion <NUM> is attached to the right side cover <NUM>. In the drawing, only a part of the plurality of second locking projections <NUM> are denoted by reference numerals <NUM>, and the reference numerals of other second locking projections <NUM> are omitted.

As shown in <FIG>, the upper cover portion <NUM> includes a plurality of third locking holes <NUM>. The plurality of third locking holes <NUM> are arranged along an edge portion <NUM> of the lower cover portion <NUM>. In the drawing, only a part of the plurality of third locking holes <NUM> are denoted by reference numerals <NUM>, and the reference numerals of other third locking holes <NUM> are omitted.

As shown in <FIG>, the lower cover portion <NUM> includes a plurality of third locking projections <NUM>. The lower cover portion <NUM> includes a recess <NUM> recessed downward. The upper cover portion <NUM> is arranged in the recess <NUM>. The plurality of third locking projections <NUM> are arranged along the recess <NUM>. In the drawing, only a part of the plurality of third locking projections <NUM> are denoted by reference numerals <NUM>, and the reference numerals of other third locking projections <NUM> are omitted. The plurality of third locking projections <NUM> are respectively inserted into the plurality of third locking holes <NUM> and locked to the plurality of third locking holes <NUM>. Thereby, the lower cover portion <NUM> is attached to the upper cover portion <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the left side cover <NUM> includes a first cover attachment portion <NUM>. The first cover attachment portion <NUM> protrudes inward in the left-right direction from the first inner edge portion <NUM>. The first cover attachment portion <NUM> is arranged below the battery <NUM> as seen in the vehicle front view. The first cover attachment portion <NUM> includes a first screw hole <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the upper cover portion <NUM> is fixed to the left side cover <NUM> by a screw <NUM> passed through the first screw hole <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the right side cover <NUM> includes a second cover attachment portion <NUM>. The second cover attachment portion <NUM> protrudes inward in the left-right direction from the second inner edge portion <NUM>. The second cover attachment portion <NUM> is arranged below the battery <NUM> as seen in the vehicle front view. The second cover attachment portion <NUM> includes a second screw hole <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the upper cover portion <NUM> is fixed to the right side cover <NUM> by a screw <NUM> passed through the second screw hole <NUM>. The first cover attachment portion <NUM> and the second cover attachment portion <NUM> are arranged at a non-overlapping position with the battery <NUM> as seen in the vehicle front view.

Next, a method for removing the battery <NUM> will be described. First, the lower cover portion <NUM> is removed from the left side cover <NUM>, the right side cover <NUM>, and the upper cover portion <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. Next, the screws <NUM> and <NUM> of the upper cover portion <NUM> are removed, and the upper cover portion <NUM> is removed from the left side cover <NUM> and the right side cover <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. Next, the screw <NUM> of the fastener <NUM> is removed, and the fastener <NUM> is removed from the battery holder <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. Thereby, the battery <NUM> becomes movable with respect to the battery holder <NUM>.

The battery <NUM> is then rotated about the lower end of battery <NUM> on the support surface <NUM>. As a result, as shown in <FIG>, the upper surface <NUM> of the battery <NUM> faces forward, and the front surface <NUM> of the battery <NUM> contacts the support surface <NUM> of the battery holder <NUM>. In this state, the battery <NUM> is arranged to protrude forward from the opening <NUM>. Then, the battery <NUM> is removed from the straddled vehicle <NUM> by pulling the battery <NUM> forward through the opening <NUM>.

In the straddled vehicle <NUM> according to the present embodiment described above, the opening <NUM> becomes smaller in the left-right direction toward above. Therefore, when the battery <NUM> is extracted upward, the battery <NUM> tends to interfere with the left and right side covers <NUM> and <NUM>. On the other hand, the opening <NUM> widens in the left-right direction toward below. Therefore, by rotating the battery <NUM> around the lower end and lowering the position of the upper portion of the battery <NUM>, the battery <NUM> can be pulled out through the wide portion of the opening <NUM>. As a result, the battery <NUM> can be easily removed from the straddled vehicle <NUM> without interference with the left and right side covers <NUM> and <NUM> without enlarging the opening <NUM>. Therefore, in the straddled vehicle <NUM> according to the present embodiment, it is possible to easily remove the battery <NUM> while suppressing deterioration of the rigidity of the front cover <NUM>. When attaching the battery <NUM> to the straddled vehicle <NUM>, the procedure for removing the battery <NUM> described above may be reversed.

Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the gist of the invention.

The straddled vehicle <NUM> is not limited to a scooter, and may be another type of vehicle such as a moped. The structure of the front cover <NUM> is not limited to that of the above embodiment, and may be modified. For example, the upper cover portion <NUM> and the lower cover portion <NUM> may be integrated with each other.

The structure of the battery holder <NUM> is not limited to that of the above embodiment, and may be modified. For example, the connector holding portion <NUM> may be omitted. The first holding portion <NUM> and the second holding portion <NUM> may be omitted. The structure of the fastener <NUM> is not limited to that of the above embodiment, and may be modified. For example, the front plate portion <NUM> may extend in the left-right direction. The upper plate portion <NUM> may extend in the left-right direction.

The shape or arrangement of the battery <NUM> is not limited to that of the above embodiment, and may be changed. For example, the dimension of the battery <NUM> in the left-right direction may be smaller than the dimension of the battery <NUM> in the vertical direction.

As shown in <FIG>, the upper left corner portion <NUM> may overlap the left side cover <NUM> as seen in the vehicle front view. The upper right corner portion <NUM> may overlap the right side cover <NUM> as seen in the vehicle front view. Even in such a case, the battery <NUM> can be removed by rotating the battery <NUM> around the lower end without interference with the left and right side covers <NUM> and <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A straddled vehicle (<NUM>) comprising:
a head pipe (<NUM>);
a front cover (<NUM>) arranged in front of the head pipe (<NUM>);
a battery holder (<NUM>) disposed between the head pipe (<NUM>) and the front cover (<NUM>);
a battery (<NUM>) held in the battery holder (<NUM>), wherein
the front cover (<NUM>) includes
a center cover (<NUM>) that overlaps the battery (<NUM>) as seen in a vehicle front view,
a left side cover (<NUM>) arranged leftward of the center cover (<NUM>), and
a right side cover (<NUM>) arranged rightward of the center cover (<NUM>),
an opening (<NUM>) is provided between the left side cover (<NUM>) and the right side cover (<NUM>) in a state that the center cover (<NUM>) is removed from the front cover (<NUM>),
the opening (<NUM>) has a shape expanding in a left-right direction of the straddled vehicle (<NUM>) toward below as seen in the vehicle front view, wherein the opening (<NUM>) has a shape smaller than the battery (<NUM>) in the left-right direction above the battery (<NUM>);
wherein the battery holder (<NUM>) supports the battery (<NUM>) so that the battery (<NUM>) is rotatable around a lower end of the battery (<NUM>), movable forward, and removable through said opening (<NUM>);
the battery holder (<NUM>) including a support surface (<NUM>) that supports the battery (<NUM>) from below,
the battery (<NUM>) including a front surface (<NUM>) facing forward while being held by the battery holder (<NUM>), and
the battery (<NUM>) being arranged to protrude forward from the opening (<NUM>) in a state that the battery (<NUM>) is so rotated that the front surface (<NUM>) of the battery (<NUM>) contacts the support surface (<NUM>) of the battery holder (<NUM>).