JP2016199237A - Saddle riding type electric vehicle using charging cable for charging - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a saddle riding type electric vehicle which enables a charging cable to be preferably stored.SOLUTION: A saddle riding type electric vehicle 1, 3 according to an embodiment of the invention includes: a vehicle body frame 11; a front wheel 25 and a rear wheel 26; an electric motor 53 which transmits a driving force to at least one of the front wheel 25 and the rear wheel 26; a battery 56 which supplies electric power to the electric motor 53; a charging cable 31 used for charging the battery 56; and a front basket 21 in which at least one part is positioned at a front side of a head pipe 12 of the vehicle body frame 11. When the charging cable 31 is stored, the at least one part of the charging cable 31 is disposed close to the front basket 21 at the front side of the head pipe 12.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a straddle-type electric vehicle that is charged using a charging cable.

  An example of a straddle-type electric vehicle driven by an electric motor is an electric motorcycle. The electric motor is rotated by being supplied with electric power from a battery mounted on the electric motorcycle, and the electric motorcycle can travel (see, for example, Patent Document 1). An example of a straddle-type electric vehicle is a battery-assisted bicycle. In a battery-assisted bicycle, an auxiliary power obtained by multiplying a pedal force applied to a pedal by a predetermined assist ratio is generated in an electric motor, and a resultant force of the pedal force and the auxiliary power is transmitted to driving wheels to assist driving. In the battery-assisted bicycle, by assisting human power with an electric motor supplied with power from a battery, for example, it is possible to reduce the burden on the occupant when traveling on a slope or loading luggage.

JP 2012-171556 A

  As a method of charging the battery mounted on the electric motorcycle as described above, a method of supplying electric power from a charging station (also referred to as a charging stand) to the battery in the electric motorcycle via a charging cable is conceivable. In such a charging system, there are a mode in which the charging cable is provided on the power feeding side (charging station side) and a mode in which the charging cable is provided on the power receiving side (vehicle side).

  In the former case, since the charging cable is provided on the charging station side, it is only necessary to provide an inlet in the vehicle body, and there is no need to store the charging cable on the vehicle side. However, in the latter case, it is necessary to store the charging cable on the vehicle side. Patent Document 1 discloses that a charging cable is wrapped around and stored inside an exterior cover of an electric motorcycle. However, the electrical equipment required for the vehicle is placed inside the exterior cover, and storage boxes etc. are also arranged. By laying out the charging cable, the layout of these electrical equipment and storage boxes can be made. There is a problem of having an influence. Moreover, in the form of a bicycle, since such an exterior cover is not provided, there is a problem that a charging cable cannot be laid out inside the exterior cover.

  The present invention provides a straddle-type electric vehicle that can suitably store a charging cable.

  A straddle-type electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a body frame, a front wheel and a rear wheel, an electric motor that transmits a driving force to at least one of the front wheel and the rear wheel, and power to the electric motor. Battery, a charging cable used for charging the battery, and at least a part of the front frame positioned in front of the head pipe of the vehicle body frame, and when the charging cable is stored, At least a part is disposed in front of the head pipe and in proximity to the front car.

  By placing the charging cable close to the front car in front of the electric vehicle, there is no need to leave a space behind the center of the electric vehicle where the battery, electric motor and drive system are arranged for the charging cable. Therefore, the freedom degree of arrangement | positioning of the component of an electric vehicle can be improved.

  In addition, since the charging cable can be arranged along the shape of the front car, it is easy to secure a space for arranging the charging cable.

  In addition, in both models in which the charging cable is provided on the electric vehicle side and in a model that does not have the charging cable, it is not necessary to change the arrangement of the rear components from the center of the vehicle, and a common configuration can be adopted.

  In one embodiment, at the time of storing the charging cable, at least a part of the charging cable may be disposed close to the front car in front of the head pipe in a spirally wound state. Good.

  Since the charging cable wound in a spiral shape can be arranged along the shape of the front car, it is easy to secure a space for arranging the charging cable.

  Further, since the charging cable can be arranged up to the outer peripheral portion of the side portion of the front car, it is easy to secure a space for arranging the charging cable.

  In one embodiment, at the time of storing the charging cable, at least a part of the charging cable may be arranged in a meandering manner and in front of the head pipe and in proximity to the front car.

  Since the meandering charging cable can be arranged along the shape of the front car, it is easy to secure a space for arranging the charging cable.

  In one embodiment, at the time of storing the charging cable, at least a part of the charging cable may be disposed close to a rear side of the front car. Thereby, the external appearance of the saddle riding type electric vehicle equipped with the charging cable can be made clear. Moreover, since the charging cable can be arranged along the side of the front car, it is easy to secure a space for arranging the charging cable.

  In one embodiment, the battery pack may further include a storage unit that stores the charging cable, and at least a part of the storage unit may be disposed between the head pipe and the front basket. Thereby, the external appearance of the saddle riding type electric vehicle equipped with the charging cable can be made clear. Moreover, since the charging cable can be arranged along the side of the front car, it is easy to secure a space for arranging the charging cable.

  In one embodiment, the height of the upper end of the storage unit may be lower than the height of the upper end of the front car. As a result, the appearance of the saddle-ride type electric vehicle equipped with the charging cable can be made clear, and the appearance around the front car as seen from the occupant can also be made clear.

  In a certain embodiment, the width | variety of the left-right direction of the said accommodating part arrange | positioned adjacent to the back side of the said front car may be smaller than the width | variety of the left-right direction of the said front car. As a result, the appearance of the saddle-ride type electric vehicle equipped with the charging cable can be made clear, and the appearance around the front car as seen from the occupant can also be made clear.

  In one embodiment, at the time of storing the charging cable, at least a part of the charging cable may be disposed close to a bottom portion of the front car. Thereby, the external appearance of the saddle riding type electric vehicle equipped with the charging cable can be made clear. Moreover, since the charging cable can be arranged along the bottom of the front car, it is easy to secure a space for arranging the charging cable.

  In an embodiment, the battery pack may further include a storage unit that stores the charging cable, and at least a part of the storage unit may be disposed between the front cage and the front wheel. Thereby, the external appearance of the saddle riding type electric vehicle equipped with the charging cable can be made clear. Moreover, since the charging cable can be arranged along the bottom of the front car, it is easy to secure a space for arranging the charging cable.

  In one embodiment, the front-rear direction width of the storage portion may be smaller than the front-rear direction width of the front car. As a result, the appearance of the saddle-ride type electric vehicle equipped with the charging cable can be made clear, and the appearance around the front car as seen from the occupant can also be made clear.

  In a certain embodiment, the width | variety of the left-right direction of the said accommodating part arrange | positioned adjacent to the bottom part of the said front car may be smaller than the width | variety of the left-right direction of the said front car. As a result, the appearance of the saddle-ride type electric vehicle equipped with the charging cable can be made clear, and the appearance around the front car as seen from the occupant can also be made clear.

  In one embodiment, at the time of storing the charging cable, at least a part of the charging cable may be disposed close to a rear side and a bottom portion of the front car. Thereby, the external appearance of the saddle riding type electric vehicle equipped with the charging cable can be made clear. Further, since the charging cable can be arranged along the side and the bottom of the front car, it is easy to secure a space for arranging the charging cable.

  In one embodiment, the battery pack further includes a storage unit that stores the charging cable, and at least a part of the storage unit is disposed between the head pipe and the front car, and between the front car and the front wheel. Also good. Thereby, the external appearance of the saddle riding type electric vehicle equipped with the charging cable can be made clear. Further, since the charging cable can be arranged along the side and the bottom of the front car, it is easy to secure a space for arranging the charging cable.

  In one embodiment, the front car may include a region for loading a load and a storage unit for storing the charging cable provided on an outer peripheral side of the region for loading the load. Thereby, the external appearance of the saddle riding type electric vehicle equipped with the charging cable can be made clear. Further, by using a part of the front car, it is easy to secure a space for arranging the charging cable.

  In one embodiment, at the time of storing the charging cable, at least a part of the charging cable may be arranged in a storage portion in the front car in a state of being wound in a spiral shape. Thereby, the external appearance of the saddle riding type electric vehicle equipped with the charging cable can be made clear. Further, by using a part of the front car, it is easy to secure a space for arranging the charging cable.

  According to the saddle riding type electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention, the charging cable is disposed close to the front car in front of the electric vehicle. Since it is not necessary to leave a space behind the center of the electric vehicle where the battery, the electric motor, and the drive system are arranged for the charging cable, the degree of freedom in arranging the components of the electric vehicle can be improved.

  In addition, since the charging cable can be arranged along the shape of the front car, it is easy to secure a space for arranging the charging cable.

  In addition, in both models in which the charging cable is provided on the electric vehicle side and in a model that does not have the charging cable, it is not necessary to change the arrangement of the rear components from the center of the vehicle, and a common configuration can be adopted.

1 is a side view showing a battery-assisted bicycle according to an embodiment of the present invention. (A) is the figure which looked at the accommodating part from the side of the battery-assisted bicycle which concerns on embodiment of this invention, (b) looked at the accommodating part from the front of the battery-assisted bicycle which concerns on embodiment of this invention. FIG. It is a figure which shows the mode of charge of the battery-assisted bicycle which concerns on embodiment of this invention. (A) is a figure which shows the plug of the cable for charging which concerns on embodiment of this invention, (b) is a figure which shows the socket of the charging station which concerns on embodiment of this invention. (A) is the figure which looked at the accommodating part from the side of the battery-assisted bicycle which concerns on embodiment of this invention, (b) looked at the accommodating part from the front of the battery-assisted bicycle which concerns on embodiment of this invention. FIG. (A) is the figure which looked at the accommodating part from the upper side of the battery-assisted bicycle which concerns on embodiment of this invention, (b) looked at the accommodating part from the side surface of the battery-assisted bicycle which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure and (c) is the figure which looked at the accommodating part from the front of the battery-assisted bicycle concerning the embodiment of the present invention. (A) is the figure which looked at the accommodating part from the upper side of the battery-assisted bicycle which concerns on embodiment of this invention, (b) looked at the accommodating part from the side surface of the battery-assisted bicycle which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure and (c) is the figure which looked at the accommodating part from the front of the battery-assisted bicycle concerning the embodiment of the present invention. (A) is the figure which looked at the accommodating part from the side of the battery-assisted bicycle which concerns on embodiment of this invention, (b) looked at the accommodating part from the front of the battery-assisted bicycle which concerns on embodiment of this invention. FIG. (A) is the figure which looked at the front cage from the upper side of the battery-assisted bicycle according to the embodiment of the present invention, and (b) was seen from the side of the battery-assisted bicycle according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure and (c) is the figure which looked at the front cage from the front of the battery-assisted bicycle concerning the embodiment of the present invention. (A) is the figure which looked at the front cage from the upper side of the battery-assisted bicycle according to the embodiment of the present invention, and (b) was seen from the side of the battery-assisted bicycle according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure and (c) is the figure which looked at the front cage from the front of the battery-assisted bicycle concerning the embodiment of the present invention. (A) is the figure which looked at the front cage from the upper side of the battery-assisted bicycle according to the embodiment of the present invention, and (b) was seen from the side of the battery-assisted bicycle according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure and (c) is the figure which looked at the front cage from the front of the battery-assisted bicycle concerning the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the accommodating part provided with the dummy socket which concerns on embodiment of this invention. (A) is a figure which shows the cable for charging which the plug which concerns on embodiment of this invention can isolate | separate, (b) is a figure which shows the example of arrangement | positioning of the cable for charging and plug which were isolate | separated from each other. 1 is a side view showing an electric motorcycle according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram showing a charging station and an electric motorcycle according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement process of the electric motorcycle which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the charge process of the electric motorcycle which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, a straddle-type electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description of the embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same components, and the description thereof will be omitted when they are duplicated. In the embodiments of the present invention, front and rear, left and right, and top and bottom mean front and rear, left and right, and top and bottom, based on a state where an occupant sits on a seat of a saddle-ride type electric vehicle toward a handle. In addition, the following embodiment is an illustration and this invention is not limited to the following embodiment.

  FIG. 1 is a side view showing a straddle-type electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows a two-wheel battery-assisted bicycle 1 as an example of a straddle-type electric vehicle. The battery-assisted bicycle 1 travels by causing the electric motor to generate auxiliary power obtained by multiplying the pedal force applied to the pedal by a predetermined assist ratio in the electric motor, and transmitting the resultant force of the pedal force and the auxiliary power to the drive wheels. As the battery-assisted bicycle 1, there are a form in which the electric motor does not generate power unless the pedal is lifted, and a form in which the electric motor can generate power and travel without the pedal being pushed. Applicable to both forms.

  The battery-assisted bicycle 1 has a body frame 11 extending in the front-rear direction. A head pipe 12 is provided at the front end of the body frame 11. The handle stem 13 is rotatably inserted into the head pipe 12. The handle 14 is fixed to the upper end portion of the handle stem 13. A front fork 15 is fixed to the lower end portion of the handle stem 13. A front wheel 25 that is a steering wheel is rotatably supported at the lower end of the front fork 15. A front car 21 is provided at a position in front of the head pipe 12.

  A saddle tube 16 extends upward from near the center of the vehicle body frame 11. A saddle pipe 17 is inserted into the saddle tube 16, and a seat (saddle) 27 on which an occupant sits is provided at the upper end of the saddle pipe 17. In the rear part of the vehicle body frame 11, a rear wheel 26 that is a driving wheel is rotatably supported. Further, a stand 29 is provided at the rear portion of the body frame 11 to hold the vehicle upright when parking.

  A drive unit 51 is provided near the center of the vehicle body frame 11. The drive unit 51 includes a controller 52, an electric motor 53, a crank 54, and a pedal 55. The drive unit 51 is equipped with a battery 56 that supplies electric power to the electric motor 53 and the like.

  The controller 52 controls the operation of the battery-assisted bicycle 1. The pedal effort applied to the crank 54 when the occupant rotates the pedal 55 is transmitted to the rear wheel 26 via the chain 28. The controller 52 controls an assist ratio that is a ratio of the occupant's pedaling force and auxiliary power, and the electric motor 53 generates a driving force according to the pedaling force and the assist ratio. The driving force output from the electric motor 53 is transmitted to the rear wheel 26 via the chain 28. In this way, the pedaling force of the occupant and the driving force of the electric motor 53 are added to become the power of the battery-assisted bicycle 1. In place of the chain 28, a belt, a shaft, or the like may be used.

  The battery-assisted bicycle 1 of this embodiment is equipped with a charging cable 31 used for charging the battery 56. The battery 56 is charged using a charging system that supplies power to the battery 56 in the battery-assisted bicycle 1 from the charging station 2 (FIG. 3) via the charging cable 31. The charging cable 31 connected to the drive unit 51 on which the battery 56 is mounted extends along the vehicle body frame 11 toward the front of the vehicle. The charging cable 31 may extend forward of the vehicle through the internal space of the vehicle body frame 11. When charging is not performed, the charging cable 31 is stored in the battery-assisted bicycle 1. In the example of FIG. 1, when the charging cable 31 is stored, a part of the charging cable 31 is disposed in front of the head pipe 12 and in proximity to the front car 21. For example, the storage portion 41 is disposed between the head pipe 12 and the front car 21, and the charging cable 31 is stored in the storage portion 41.

  FIG. 2A is a view of the storage portion 41 as viewed from the side of the battery-assisted bicycle 1 and shows the inside of the storage portion 41 in a transparent manner for easy understanding. The storage portion 41 is disposed in front of the head pipe 12 and close to the rear side of the front car 21. The storage part 41 may be fixed to at least one of the head pipe 12 and the front car 21 or may be detachable. When the head pipe 12 and the front car 21 are fixed, they are fixed at a position that does not interfere with the storage portion 41. The storage unit 41 has, for example, a box shape along the side surface shape behind the front car 21. The charging cable 31 is accommodated in the box shape. The storage unit 41 may be a hard case type or a soft case type. Moreover, a bag type may be sufficient.

  FIG. 2B is a view of the storage unit 41 as viewed from the front of the battery-assisted bicycle 1, and the inside of the storage unit 41 is shown in a transparent manner for easy understanding. In the example of FIG. 2, the charging cable 31 is stored in the storage unit 41 in a meandering state. Here, the meandering state refers to a state in which the charging cable 31 is folded back at least once. By causing the charging cable 31 to meander, the arrangement along the side shape of the front car 21 can be facilitated.

  In the present embodiment, the charging cable 31 is disposed close to the front car 21 in front of the vehicle. Since it is not necessary to leave a space behind the center of the vehicle where the drive unit 51 including the electric motor 53 and the battery 56 and various drive mechanisms are disposed for storing the charging cable 31, the configuration of the battery-assisted bicycle 1. The degree of freedom of element arrangement can be improved. In addition, by arranging the charging cable 31 along the shape of the front car 21, it is easy to secure a space for arranging the charging cable 31. Further, in both models including the model provided with the charging cable 31 on the vehicle side and the model not provided with the vehicle side, it is not necessary to change the arrangement of the rear components from the center of the vehicle, and a common configuration can be adopted.

  Further, by storing the charging cable 31 between the head pipe 12 and the front car 21, the appearance of the saddle riding type electric vehicle 1 on which the charging cable 31 is mounted can be made clear.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the height of the upper end of the storage portion 41 may be made lower than the height of the upper end of the front car 21. Further, the width in the left-right direction of the storage portion 41 may be smaller than the width in the left-right direction of the front car 21. As a result, the appearance of the saddle riding type electric vehicle 1 on which the charging cable 31 is mounted can be made clear, and the appearance around the front car 21 as seen from the occupant can also be made clear.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing how the battery-assisted bicycle 1 is charged. The charging station 2 is installed in a bicycle parking lot, for example. The user pulls out the charging cable 31 stored in the storage unit 41 to the outside and connects it to the charging station 2. A plug 32 is provided at the tip of the charging cable 31, and the battery of the battery-assisted bicycle 1 is connected from the charging station 2 via the charging cable 31 by inserting the plug 32 into the socket 61 of the charging station 2. Electric power is supplied to 56 and charging is performed. Charging control can be performed by transmitting and receiving data related to charging between the charging station 2 and the controller 52 of the battery-assisted bicycle 1.

  4A is a diagram illustrating the plug 32 of the charging cable 31, and FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating the socket 61 of the charging station 2. The plug 32 has electrode terminals 33a and 33b to which a charging voltage is supplied and a signal terminal 33c for transmitting and receiving data related to charging. A plurality of electrodes may be provided on the signal terminal 33c depending on the form of data to be transmitted and received. When the electrode terminals 33a and 33b and the signal terminal 33c of the plug 32 are respectively inserted into the electrode terminals 63a and 63b and the signal terminal 63c of the socket 61, the charging cable 31 is connected to the charging station 2 and charged. The socket 61 has a cover 65. By covering each terminal with the cover 65 except during charging, it is possible to prevent rain and dust from entering and leakage. A cover may also be provided on the plug 32 of the charging cable 31.

  Note that the shape of the plug 32 and the socket 61 and the type of the terminal are arbitrary, and the shape and the type of the terminal corresponding to the form of charging are adopted. Data transmission / reception may be performed by wireless communication (for example, short-range wireless communication). In the example of FIG. 3, the charging cable 31 is pulled out from the side portion of the storage portion 41, but the pulling direction is arbitrary, for example, the charging cable 31 is pulled out from the upper portion of the storage portion 41. May be. Even when the charging cable 31 is stored, the charging cable 31 may be inserted into the storage unit 41 from the side of the storage unit 41, or the charging cable 31 may be inserted into the storage unit 41 from the top of the storage unit 41. May be. A portion of the storage portion 41 where the charging cable 31 is taken in and out may be provided with a lid or a fastener such as a fastener.

  In the example illustrated in FIG. 2, the charging cable 31 is stored in the storage unit 41 in a meandering state, but may be stored in the storage unit 41 in another state. For example, the charging cable 31 may be stored in the storage unit 41 in a state of being wound in a spiral.

  FIG. 5A is a view of the storage portion 41 as viewed from the side of the battery-assisted bicycle 1 and shows the inside of the storage portion 41 in a transparent manner for easy understanding. FIG. 5B is a view of the storage unit 41 as viewed from the front of the battery-assisted bicycle 1 and shows the interior of the storage unit 41 in a transparent manner for easy understanding. In the example of FIG. 5, the charging cable 31 is housed in the housing portion 41 in a spirally wound state. Here, the spirally wound state refers to a state where the charging cable 31 is wound at least one turn. When it is less than one turn, it is included in the above meandering state. By winding the charging cable 31 in a spiral shape, the arrangement along the side shape of the front car 21 can be facilitated.

  Further, the charging cable 31 may be arranged up to the outer peripheral portion of the side portion of the front car 21, and the space for arranging the charging cable 31 can be easily secured. The storage unit 41 may not be box-shaped. For example, a hook or the like may be provided on the side of the front car and the charging cable 31 may be wound around the hook for storage. Further, the charging cable 31 may be wound around a reel and stored. The storage unit 41 may have a drawer structure, and the charging cable 31 may be taken in and out by moving the drawer in the vertical direction or the horizontal direction of the storage unit 41.

  In the above-described example, the charging cable 31 is accommodated close to a side portion such as the rear portion of the front car 21, but may be stored close to the bottom of the front car 21.

  6A is a diagram of the storage unit 41 viewed from the upper side of the battery-assisted bicycle 1, and FIG. 6B is a diagram of the storage unit 41 viewed from the side surface of the battery-assisted bicycle 1. (C) is the figure which looked at the accommodating part 41 from the front of the battery-assisted bicycle 1. FIG. For easy understanding, these drawings show the inside of the storage unit 41 in a watermarked manner. In this example, the storage unit 41 is disposed between the front car 21 and the front wheel 25, and the charging cable 31 is stored in the storage unit 41. Thereby, the external appearance of the saddle riding type electric vehicle 1 on which the charging cable 31 is mounted can be made clear. Further, since the charging cable 31 can be arranged along the bottom of the front car 21, it is possible to easily secure a space for arranging the charging cable 31.

  6A, 6B, and 6C, the front-rear direction width of the storage portion 41 may be smaller than the front-rear direction width of the front car 21. Further, the width in the left-right direction of the storage portion 41 may be smaller than the width in the left-right direction of the front car 21. As a result, the appearance of the saddle riding type electric vehicle 1 equipped with the charging cable 31 can be made clear, and the appearance around the front car 21 as seen from the occupant can also be made clear.

  In the example illustrated in FIG. 6, the charging cable 31 is stored in the storage unit 41 in a meandering state, but may be stored in the storage unit 41 in a spirally wound state. 7A is a diagram of the storage unit 41 viewed from the upper side of the battery-assisted bicycle 1, and FIG. 7B is a diagram of the storage unit 41 viewed from the side surface of the battery-assisted bicycle 1. (C) is the figure which looked at the accommodating part 41 from the front of the battery-assisted bicycle 1. FIG. For easy understanding, these drawings show the inside of the storage unit 41 in a watermarked manner. In the example of FIG. 7, the charging cable 31 is housed in the housing portion 41 in a spirally wound state. By winding the charging cable 31 in a spiral shape, the arrangement along the bottom shape of the front car 21 is easy, and the space for arranging the charging cable 31 can be easily secured. The charging cable 31 may be wound around a reel and stored. The storage unit 41 may have a drawer structure, and the charging cable 31 may be taken in and out by moving the drawer in the front-rear direction or the left-right direction of the storage unit 41.

  Further, the charging cable 31 may be accommodated in the vicinity of both the rear portion and the bottom portion of the front car 21. FIG. 8A is a diagram of the storage unit 41 viewed from the side surface of the battery-assisted bicycle 1, and FIG. 8B is a diagram of the storage unit 41 viewed from the front surface of the battery-assisted bicycle 1. For easy understanding, these drawings show the inside of the storage unit 41 in a watermarked manner. In this example, the storage unit 41 is disposed between the head pipe 12 and the front car 21 and between the front car 21 and the front wheel 25, and the charging cable 31 is stored in the storage unit 41. Thereby, the external appearance of the saddle riding type electric vehicle 1 on which the charging cable 31 is mounted can be made clear. In addition, since the charging cable 31 can be disposed along the side and bottom of the front car 21, it is possible to easily secure a space for arranging the charging cable 31.

  Further, the front car 21 may have a double structure, and the charging cable 31 may be housed in a part of the double structure.

  9A is a view of the front car 21 as viewed from the upper side of the battery-assisted bicycle 1, and FIG. 9B is a view of the front car 21 as viewed from the side surface of the battery-assisted bicycle 1. (C) is the figure which looked at the front cage | basket 21 from the front of the battery-assisted bicycle 1. FIG. For the sake of easy understanding, in these drawings, the inside of the front car 21 is shown in a watermark.

  In the front car 21 shown in FIG. 9, a luggage region 22i for placing a passenger's luggage is provided near the center of the car, and a storage portion 22o for storing the charging cable 31 is provided on the outer peripheral side of the luggage area 22i. . The storage portion 22o has an annular shape, and the charging cable 31 is disposed in the storage portion 22o in a state of being spirally wound along the annular storage portion 22o. The volume excluding the annular storage portion 22o of the front car 21 is the substantial basket volume on which the passenger's luggage is placed. Further, an annular lid 23 for covering the annular storage portion 22o may be provided, and when the charging cable 31 is taken in and out, the lid 23 may be removed.

  Thus, by storing the charging cable 31 in a part of the front car 21, the appearance of the straddle-type electric vehicle equipped with the charging cable 31 can be made clear. In addition, by using a part of the front car 21, it is possible to easily secure a space for arranging the charging cable 31.

  FIG. 10 shows another form in which the charging cable 31 is housed in the annular housing portion 22o. 10A is a view of the front car 21 as viewed from the upper side of the battery-assisted bicycle 1, and FIG. 10B is a view of the front car 21 as viewed from the side surface of the battery-assisted bicycle 1. (C) is the figure which looked at the front cage | basket 21 from the front of the battery-assisted bicycle 1. FIG. For the sake of easy understanding, in these drawings, the inside of the front car 21 is shown in a watermark. In the example shown in FIG. 10, the storage portion 22o is provided only on the upper side of the front car 21, and is not provided on the lower side. Thereby, the substantial cage | basket volume which mounts a passenger | crew's luggage | load can be enlarged.

  FIG. 11 shows still another form in which the charging cable 31 is housed in the annular housing portion 22o. 11A is a view of the front car 21 as viewed from the upper side of the battery-assisted bicycle 1, and FIG. 11B is a view of the front car 21 as viewed from the side surface of the battery-assisted bicycle 1. (C) is the figure which looked at the front cage | basket 21 from the front of the battery-assisted bicycle 1. FIG. For the sake of easy understanding, in these drawings, the inside of the front car 21 is shown in a watermark. In the example illustrated in FIG. 11, the storage portion 22o is provided only on the lower side of the front car 21 and is not provided on the upper side. Thereby, the substantial cage | basket volume which mounts a passenger | crew's luggage | load can be enlarged.

  As described above, housing the charging cable 31 in a part of the front car 21 makes it possible to make the appearance of the saddle riding type electric vehicle equipped with the charging cable 31 clear. In addition, by using a part of the front car 21, it is possible to easily secure a space for arranging the charging cable 31.

  Further, a dummy socket may be provided in the storage unit 41, and the plug 32 of the charging cable 31 may be connected to such a dummy socket during storage. FIG. 12 is a view showing the storage portion 41 provided with the dummy socket 35, and shows a state where the storage portion 41 is viewed from the front of the battery-assisted bicycle 1. For easy understanding, FIG. 12 shows the interior of the front car 21 in a watermarked manner. The dummy socket 35 has the same shape as the socket 61 (FIG. 4B) of the charging station 2, and the plug 32 is fixed by inserting the plug 32 of the charging cable 31 into the dummy socket 35. Thereby, the plug 32 and the cable portion connected to the plug 32 can be stably held while the battery-assisted bicycle 1 is traveling. This dummy socket 35 is applicable to each of the embodiments described with reference to FIGS.

  The plug 32 may be separable from the charging cable 31. FIG. 13A is a diagram showing a charging cable 31 from which the plug 32 can be separated. The size of the plug 32 of the charging cable 31 may be large in accordance with the size of the socket 61 (FIG. 4B) of the charging station 2. In such a case, the degree of freedom of arrangement of the charging cable 31 and the plug 32 can be improved by separating the plug 32 from the charging cable 31 and storing the plug 32 in different positions.

  In the example of FIG. 13A, the charging cable 31 is provided with a small plug 36, and the plug 32 is provided with a small socket 37 inside. By connecting the small plug 36 and the small socket 37, the charging cable 31 and the plug 32 are connected, and by separating the small plug 36 and the small socket 37, the charging cable 31 and the plug 32 are separated.

  FIG. 13B is a diagram illustrating an arrangement example of the charging cable 31 and the plug 32 that are separated from each other. FIG. 13B is a view of the storage portion 41 as viewed from the side surface of the battery-assisted bicycle 1 and shows the inside of the storage portion 41 in a transparent manner for easy understanding. In this example, the charging cable 31 is stored in the storage portion 41 disposed close to the rear side of the front basket 21, and the plug 32 is stored in the storage portion 41 disposed close to the bottom portion of the front basket 21. The As described above, the plug 32 is separated from the charging cable 31 and stored in different positions, so that the degree of freedom of arrangement of the charging cable 31 and the plug 32 can be improved. Further, in this example, both the plug 32 and the charging cable 31 are stored in the vicinity of the front car 21 in front of the head pipe 12 of the battery-assisted bicycle 1, but the plug 32 is stored in another position. May be. For example, the plug 32 may be accommodated at an arbitrary position from the vehicle central portion to the rear portion. The form in which the plug 32 is separated from the charging cable 31 is applicable to each of the embodiments described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 11.

  In the above description, the battery-assisted bicycle 1 is exemplified as the saddle riding type electric vehicle according to the embodiment of the present invention. However, the above-described storage form of the charging cable 31 is also applicable to the electric motorcycle.

  FIG. 14 is a side view showing the scooter type electric motorcycle 3 according to the embodiment of the present invention. Here, a scooter type electric motorcycle is illustrated, but the present invention can also be applied to an electric motorcycle other than the scooter type. In FIG. 14, the inside of the vehicle body is shown in a watermarked manner for easy understanding. A head pipe 12 is provided at the front end of the body frame 11 of the electric motorcycle 3. The handle stem 13 is rotatably inserted into the head pipe 12. The handle 14 is fixed to the upper part of the handle stem 13. In the vicinity of the steering wheel 14, a display unit 71 for displaying various information such as a traveling speed is provided. A front fork 15 is fixed to the lower portion of the handle stem 13. A front wheel 25 that is a steering wheel is rotatably supported at the lower end of the front fork 15.

  A drive unit including a controller 52 and a battery 56 is provided near the center of the vehicle. The rear wheel 26 and the electric motor 53 as drive wheels are supported by the swing arm 18 so as to be swingable with respect to the vehicle main body. When the rotation of the electric motor 53 is transmitted to the rear wheel 26, the electric motorcycle 3 travels. Charging cable 31 extends forward of the vehicle along body frame 11 inside the vehicle body.

  A front car 21 is provided at a position in front of the head pipe 12 of the electric motorcycle 3. Similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the storage portion 41 is disposed in front of the head pipe 12 and close to the rear side of the front car 21. Similar to the above-described embodiment, in the electric motorcycle 3, the charging cable 31 is stored close to the front car 21 in front of the vehicle. Since it is not necessary to leave a space behind the center of the vehicle where the electric motor 53, the battery 56, and various drive mechanisms are arranged for storing the charging cable 31, the degree of freedom in arranging the components of the electric motorcycle 3 Can be improved. In addition, by arranging the charging cable 31 along the shape of the front car 21, it is easy to secure a space for arranging the charging cable 31. Further, in both models including the model provided with the charging cable 31 on the vehicle side and the model not provided with the vehicle side, it is not necessary to change the arrangement of the rear components from the center of the vehicle, and a common configuration can be adopted. Each of the storage forms described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 13 described above can be applied to the electric motorcycle 3, and the functions and effects of the respective embodiments can also be obtained.

  Next, operation processing and charging processing of the saddle riding type electric vehicle according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the following description, processing in the electric motorcycle 3 is exemplified, but the same components and processing can be applied to the battery-assisted bicycle 1 as well.

  FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing components of the charging station 2 and the electric motorcycle 3. The electric motorcycle 3 includes a determination unit 81, a motor control unit 82, a battery control unit 83, a connection detection unit 84, and a data transmission / reception unit 85. The controller 52 may be responsible for at least some functions of the determination unit 81, the motor control unit 82, the battery control unit 83, the connection detection unit 84, and the data transmission / reception unit 85. A display unit 71 provided in the vicinity of the handle 14 displays a traveling speed, a remaining battery level, a traveling mode, a charging state, and the like. The user input unit 73 is provided adjacent to the display unit 71, for example, and accepts various inputs from the user. The display unit 71 and the user input unit 73 can also be provided in the battery-assisted bicycle 1. The user input unit 73 may be configured by arranging a plurality of physical buttons, or may be a touch panel. In the case of a touch panel, the user input unit 73 may be formed integrally with the display unit 71. Further, the user input unit 73 may accept various inputs by voice input, gesture input, or the like.

  The determination unit 81 makes determinations in various processes and controls the entire various processes. Information on the amount of motor operation corresponding to the amount of throttle operation of the electric motorcycle 3 and the pedal effort of the battery-assisted bicycle 1 is input to the motor control unit 82. Further, information on the maximum allowable driving force is input from the determination unit 81 to the motor control unit 82. The motor control unit 82 controls the operation of the electric motor 53 according to these pieces of information.

  The battery control unit 83 receives information on whether charging is possible from the determination unit 81 and charges the battery 56. The connection detection unit 84 detects the connection of the plug 32 of the charging cable 31 to the dummy socket 35 (FIG. 12) and outputs the detection result to the determination unit 81. The data transmission / reception unit 85 performs data communication between the charging station 2 and the determination unit 81 and transmits / receives various data (such as the status of the charging station 2 and the electric motorcycle 3).

  The charging station 2 includes a determination unit 91, a charging power output unit 93, and a data transmission / reception unit 95. The determination unit 91 makes determinations in various processes and controls the entire various processes. The charging power output unit 93 outputs and stops charging power in response to an instruction from the determination unit 91. The data transmission / reception unit 95 performs data communication between the determination unit 91 and the electric motorcycle 3, and transmits / receives various data (such as the status of the charging station 2 and the electric motorcycle 3).

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an operation process of the electric motorcycle 3. When the power of the electric motorcycle 3 is turned on, the user inputs a password from the user input unit 73. The determination unit 81 determines whether or not the password matches the correct password (step S10). If the passwords do not match, the electric motorcycle 3 is not started. When the passwords match, the determination unit 81 determines whether or not the connection of the plug 32 of the charging cable 31 to the dummy socket 35 is detected (step S11). If the connection is not detected, the charging cable 31 may not be stored correctly, so the vehicle mode is set to a limiting mode that limits the speed to a predetermined value or less (step S13). When the connection is detected, it is determined that the charging cable 31 is stored correctly, and the vehicle mode is set to the normal mode (step S12). Next, the determination unit 81 determines whether or not the plug 32 of the charging cable 31 is connected to the charging station 2 (step S14), and if connected, performs a charging process (step S15). If not connected, other processing (for example, processing according to the vehicle mode at that time) is performed, and the process proceeds to step S16. Next, the determination unit 81 determines whether or not the user has performed an operation for terminating the system (step S16). If the system termination operation has not been performed, the processing from steps S11 to S16 is repeated. When the operation for terminating the system is performed, the electric motorcycle 3 is turned off.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing details of the charging process in step S15. Charging is started after the motor control unit 82 stops the operation of the electric motor 53 in response to an instruction from the determination unit 81 (step S21). Determination unit 81 determines whether data is received from charging station 2 (step S22). If no data is received for a predetermined period, it is determined that charging cannot be performed normally, the vehicle mode is set to “charger abnormality mode”, and “charger abnormality” is displayed on the display unit 71 (steps S24 and S24). S25). Then, the process proceeds to step S30.

  In step S22, when data is received from charging station 2, the content of the received data is analyzed (step S23). When the received data content indicates charging abnormality, charging is interrupted, the vehicle mode is set to “charger abnormality”, and “charger abnormality” is displayed on the display unit 71 (steps S24 and S25). Then, the process proceeds to step S30.

  In step S23, if the content of the received data indicates that charging has ended normally, the vehicle mode is set to “normal charging end”, and “normal charging end” is displayed on the display unit 71 (steps S26 and S27). ). Then, the process proceeds to step S30.

  In step S23, when the content of the received data indicates that charging is in progress, the vehicle mode is maintained as “charging”, and it is confirmed whether there is an instruction to stop charging from the user (step S29). If there is no charge stop instruction, the process returns to step S22. If there is an instruction to stop charging, the process proceeds to step S30.

  In step S <b> 30, the user inputs a password from the user input unit 73. The determination unit 81 determines whether or not the password matches the correct password. If the passwords do not match, the electric motorcycle 3 is not started and the user is asked to re-enter the password. If the passwords match, the vehicle mode is set to the normal mode (step S31). Then, the process proceeds to the process of step S16 in FIG. 16, and when the system end operation is not performed, the processes of steps S11 to S16 are repeated. When the operation for terminating the system is performed, the electric motorcycle 3 is turned off.

  Further, the electric motorcycle 3 may be controlled so as to enter a locked state when charging is started and cannot travel until the locked state is released. Thereby, the theft of the electric motorcycle 3 can be prevented. For example, it is possible to prevent the electric motorcycle 3 from being stolen by preventing the electric motor 53 from rotating in the locked state. The lock state can be released by inputting a password. Note that a biometric authentication system such as fingerprint authentication may be used instead of such password input, password input in step S10 and step S30 in FIGS. 16 and 17, or a wireless communication system such as a keyless entry system. It may be used.

  In the above description, one end of the charging cable 31 is always connected to the battery 56 side (drive unit side). However, the charging cable 31 and the battery 56 may be separable. In this case, the entire charging cable 31 may be stored in the storage unit 41.

  The charging cable 31 may have a curled cord shape (spiral shape) having elasticity. For example, since the part accommodated in the accommodating part 41 of the charging cable 31 has a curl cord shape, the space required for accommodation can be reduced.

  Further, the storage unit 41 may be labeled to indicate that it is the storage unit 41 and the storage method. Thereby, the user can easily recognize the position of the storage unit 41 and the storage method.

  Moreover, a lighting part may be provided in the plug 32 of the charging cable 31 to inform the user of the charging operation status by the lighting state. As a result, the user can easily recognize the charging operation status.

  In the above description, the driving wheel to which the driving force of the electric motor is transmitted is the rear wheel 26. However, the driving force of the electric motor is transmitted to the front wheel 25 according to the form of the saddle riding type electric vehicle. Also good. Further, the driving force may be transmitted to both the front wheel 25 and the rear wheel 26.

  The embodiments of the present invention have been described above. The above description of the embodiment is an exemplification of the present invention and does not limit the present invention. In addition, an embodiment in which the components described in the above embodiment are appropriately combined is possible. The present invention can be modified, replaced, added and omitted within the scope of the claims and the equivalents thereof.

  The present invention is particularly useful in the field of straddle-type electric vehicles that are charged using a charging cable.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Electric power assisted bicycle 2 Charging station 3 Electric motorcycle 11 Body frame 12 Head pipe 13 Handle stem 14 Handle 15 Front fork 16 Saddle tube 17 Saddle pipe 18 Swing arm 21 Front basket 22i Luggage area 22o Storage part 23 Lid 25 Front wheel 26 Rear wheel 27 Seat 28 Chain 29 Stand 31 Charging cable 32 Plug 35 Dummy socket 36 Small plug 37 Small socket 41 Storage unit 51 Drive unit 52 Controller 53 Electric motor 54 Crank 55 Pedal 56 Battery 61 Socket 65 Cover 71 Display unit 73 User input unit 81 Judgment Unit 82 motor control unit 83 battery control unit 84 connection detection unit 85 data transmission / reception unit 91 determination unit 93 charging power output unit 95 data transmission / reception unit

Claims (15)

Body frame,
With front and rear wheels,
An electric motor that transmits a driving force to at least one of the front wheel and the rear wheel;
A battery for supplying power to the electric motor;
A charging cable used for charging the battery;
At least a part of the front frame positioned ahead of the head pipe of the body frame,
Including
A straddle-type electric vehicle in which at least a part of the charging cable is disposed in front of the head pipe and close to the front car when the charging cable is stored.   2. The charging cable according to claim 1, wherein at the time of storing the charging cable, at least a part of the charging cable is disposed in a spiral shape and in front of the head pipe and in proximity to the front car. The saddle type electric vehicle.   The saddle riding according to claim 1, wherein at the time of storing the charging cable, at least a part of the charging cable is arranged in a meandering manner and in front of the head pipe and in proximity to the front car. Type electric vehicle.   4. The straddle-type electric vehicle according to claim 1, wherein at the time of storing the charging cable, at least a part of the charging cable is disposed close to a rear side of the front car. A storage portion for storing the charging cable;
The straddle-type electric vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein at least a part of the storage portion is disposed between the head pipe and the front cage.   The straddle-type electric vehicle according to claim 5, wherein a height of an upper end of the storage portion is lower than a height of an upper end of the front car.   The straddle-type electric vehicle according to claim 5 or 6, wherein a width in the left-right direction of the storage portion is smaller than a width in the left-right direction of the front car.   The straddle-type electric vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein when the charging cable is stored, at least a part of the charging cable is disposed close to a bottom portion of the front car. A storage portion for storing the charging cable;
The straddle-type electric vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein at least a part of the storage portion is disposed between the front cage and the front wheel.   The straddle-type electric vehicle according to claim 9, wherein a width in the front-rear direction of the storage portion is smaller than a width in the front-rear direction of the front car.   The straddle-type electric vehicle according to claim 9 or 10, wherein a width in the left-right direction of the storage portion is smaller than a width in the left-right direction of the front car.   12. The straddle-type electric vehicle according to claim 1, wherein at the time of storing the charging cable, at least a part of the charging cable is disposed close to a rear side and a bottom of the front car. . A storage portion for storing the charging cable;
The straddle-type electric vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein at least a part of the storage portion is disposed between the head pipe and the front car and between the front car and the front wheel.   The saddle riding according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the front car includes a region for placing a load and a storage portion for storing the charging cable provided on an outer peripheral side of the region for loading the load. Type electric vehicle.   The straddle-type electric vehicle according to claim 14, wherein at the time of storing the charging cable, at least a part of the charging cable is arranged in the storage portion in a spirally wound state.

Images