JPH09118138A - Fitting structure of battery case for motor-driven bicycle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily connect and disconnect a battery case. SOLUTION: A battery case 21 provided with a discharging connector 26 is installed in a support box 25, which is provided in a motor-driven bicycle frame, freely to be disconnected. A motor side connector 42 to be electrically connected to the discharging connector 26 is fixed to the support box 25 so that it is connected in the same direction with the direction for connecting and disconnecting the battery case 21.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electric bicycle battery case mounting structure for detachably mounting a battery case on the body of an electric bicycle.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in some electric bicycles using a motor as auxiliary power, a battery is removed from a vehicle body together with a battery case when the battery is charged. In order to charge the battery by removing the battery case with this type of electric bicycle, first remove the lock and fixing device of the battery case and grasp the connector of the discharge circuit that electrically connects the battery and the motor side. Separate this. Then, the battery case was removed from the vehicle body, carried to a place where a charger was provided, and charged.

After charging, the battery case was attached to the vehicle body as it was, and the connector of the discharge circuit was held and connected to connect the battery to the motor side.

That is, when the battery case is attached to and detached from the vehicle body, the connector of the discharge circuit also has to be attached and detached separately.

[0005]

However, if the connector of the discharge circuit is separately attached and detached each time the battery is charged as described above, it takes time and labor to complete the charging operation.

[0006]

According to the present invention, there is provided a battery case mounting structure for an electric bicycle, comprising: a battery case in which a battery is housed and a discharge contact terminal is provided; The motor-side contact terminal, which is detachably attached to the case mounting part and electrically connected to the discharge contact terminal of the battery case, has a connecting direction with the discharge contact terminal that is the same as the attaching / detaching direction of the battery case. As described above, it is fixed to the body frame side.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a battery case mounting structure for an electric bicycle, wherein a battery case support box is swingably provided on an electric bicycle body frame by pivotally supporting a lower portion of the battery case support box. To
A battery case in which a battery is housed and a discharge contact terminal is provided is detachably mounted, and a motor side contact terminal electrically connected to the discharge contact terminal is connected to the discharge contact terminal in a battery direction. The case support box is fixed to the vehicle body frame side in the same direction as the swing direction of the case support box.

According to the present invention, the discharge contact terminal is automatically connected to the motor side contact terminal by mounting the battery case on the vehicle body frame, and the discharge contact terminal is removed by removing the battery case. It is automatically disconnected from the motor side contact terminal.

[0009]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

First Embodiment Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 12. 1 is a side view of an electric bicycle according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view showing a supporting portion of a battery case support box, FIG. 3 is a view of a motor unit portion in FIG. FIG. 5 is a plan view of the battery case support box, and FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the battery case.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the charging port portion of the battery case. FIG. 6 (a) is a plan view, FIG. 6 (b) is a sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 6 (a), and FIG. c) is (a)
It is CC sectional drawing in a figure. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the battery case support box, and FIG. 8 is VIII-VIII in FIG.
FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the battery case support box.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a procedure for removing the battery case from the vehicle body. FIG. 10 (a) shows a state in which the outer cover is opened, and FIG. 10 (b) shows when the battery case is removed from the support box. Indicates the state of. FIG. 3C shows a state in which the battery case is removed from the support box, and FIG. 3D shows a state in which the battery case is removed from the vehicle body.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a state in which the battery case is removed from the vehicle body for charging, and FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a state in which the battery case is charged without being removed from the vehicle body.

In these figures, 1 is an electric bicycle, 2
Is a body frame of the electric bicycle 1. The body frame 2 includes a head pipe 2a for rotatably supporting a front fork 4 having front wheels 3 rotatably supported, a down tube 2b extending rearward and downward from the head pipe 2a, and a rear end of the down tube 2b. A seat tube 2c which is connected to the above portion via a motor bracket 5 and extends backward from the connecting portion so as to incline upward; and a chain stay 2d which extends rearward from the motor bracket 5,
The upper part of the seat tube 2c and the chain stay 2
The seat stay 2e is connected to the rear end of the seat d. The body frame 2 has a structure in which a foot-passing space S having a substantially V-shape in a side view is provided at an upper portion of the down tube 2b and in front of the seat tube 2c.

Reference numeral 6 is a handle attached to the upper end of the front fork 4, 7 is a cushioned seat attached to the upper end of the seat tube 2c, and 8 is a rear wheel. The rear wheel 8 is rotatably supported by a rear wheel bracket 2f provided integrally with a rear end of the chain stay 2d and a lower end of the seat stay 2e. Are linked.

Reference numeral 10 is an exterior cover for covering a battery case and a motor unit portion described later. The outer cover 10 is provided with a lower cover 10a extending along the down tube 2b of the vehicle body frame 2 and supported and fixed to the down tube 2b, and a pivot 10b located on the motor bracket 5 side of the lower cover 10a. And an upper cover 10c which is supported so as to be swingable up and down and which closes the upper opening of the lower cover 10a.

The lower cover 10a is a down tube 2
b is covered from below and the motor bracket 5 is covered from left and right sides. Also, the upper cover 10c
Has a structure in which the whole is formed in a substantially downward U-shaped cross section and covers the upper opening of the lower cover 10a, and a locking device 11 is mounted on a portion which becomes a swing end. Reference numeral 11a denotes a key of the locking device 11.

In the exterior cover 10 thus constructed, the upper cover 10c is opened by unlocking the locking device 11 and lifting the front portion of the upper cover 10c, as indicated by the chain double-dashed line a in FIG. become.

Reference numeral 12 is a motor unit which serves as auxiliary power for the electric bicycle 1. The motor unit 12 includes a motor 13 supplied from a battery described later, a gear box 15 having a crankshaft 14, and a crankshaft 14.
A chain ring 16, a crank 17, a pedal 18, and the like are mounted on a shaft, and are supported and fixed to the motor bracket 5 with the motor 13 standing. In addition,
A chain ring 16 is connected to the rear wheel 8 via a chain 9. Reference numeral 19 denotes a fixing bolt for fixing the motor unit 12 to the motor bracket 5.

The motor bracket 5 for supporting the motor unit 12 is constructed by welding a tubular motor cover 5b to a T-shaped pipe assembly 5a viewed from the side, which is welded to the down tube 2b. The seat tube 2c is coaxially welded to the upper end of the motor cover 5b, and the motor 13 is positioned in the motor cover 5b. That is, when the motor unit 12 is mounted on the motor bracket 5, the motor unit 12 is positioned at the center in the vehicle width direction as shown in FIG.

The motor 13 of the motor unit 12 is connected to the control unit 20 attached to the lower portion of the down tube 2b. Control unit 20
Is configured to transmit the power from the motor 13 to the crankshaft 14 by rotating the motor 13 only when the pedaling force of the occupant is applied to the crankshaft 14 from the pedal 18. That is, when the pedal 18 is depressed, a rotational torque from the motor 13 is applied to the crankshaft 14 in addition to the depressing force. The gear box 15 has:
In order to prevent torque from being transmitted from the crankshaft 14 to the motor 13 side when rotation of the pedal 18 becomes higher than rotation of the motor 13 side and rotation resistance is increased, a one-way clutch (not shown) is provided. I have.

Reference numeral 21 denotes a battery case, and as shown in FIG. 5, the battery case 21 is formed in an elongated shape, and a battery 22 for supplying power to the motor 13 and the control unit 20 is housed therein. The battery case 21 is formed of a lower case 23, an upper case 24, and the like, and is configured to be inserted into a battery case support box 25, which will be described later, and supported by the vehicle body frame 2. Here, the structure of the battery case 21 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

The lower case 23 and the upper case 24 are integrally molded of synthetic resin, and are formed along the down tube 2b of the vehicle body frame 2 so as to accommodate two batteries 22 arranged side by side. . The two batteries 22 are connected in series, and the connection cable is connected to a discharge connector 26 as a discharge contact terminal. A charging connector 27 serving as a charging contact terminal is connected to the connection cable in parallel with the discharging connector 26.

The lower case 23 and the upper case 24 are assembled so as not to be separated from each other by an engaging portion 23a and a locking piece 24a which are integrally formed at their mating portions. The engaging portion 23a provided in the opening of the lower case 23 is provided with a locking piece 24a.
It has a conventionally well-known structure that is locked by penetrating the inside.

On the upper part of the upper case 24, a projecting portion 24b which fits into a support box 25 described later is integrally formed. The discharge connector 26 is attached to the protrusion 24b. As the discharge connector 26, a female connector into which a contact of a motor-side connector to be described later is inserted is used. The discharge port 26 is screwed to the upper case 24 with its connection port positioned at the opening 24c of the protrusion 24b. Further, the connection direction of the discharge connector 26 is the same as the longitudinal direction of the battery case 21. In addition,
In FIGS. 5 and 8, reference numeral 26a denotes the discharge connector 2;
6 shows a nut plate for fixing 6 to the upper case 24;
26b shows a mounting screw.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, a locking button 28 that engages with the support box 25 is provided on the protrusion 24b.
Are integrally formed. The locking button 28 has a locking portion further protruding from the upper surface of the protruding portion 24b, is configured to be able to protrude and retract from the protruding portion 24b, and is a leaf spring screwed to the back surface of the discharge portion 24b. 29 is urged to the protruding side.

In the present embodiment, the charging connector 27 is a magnet-adsorption type male connector, and its contact is positioned at the charging port 24d of the upper case 24 and fixed to the upper case 24. The mounting portion of the charging connector 27 is shown in FIG.

The charging connector 27 is arranged with the contact 27a directed upward (in a direction orthogonal to the upper surface of the upper case 24), and is fixed to the upper case 24 from the back side by a tapping screw 27b. Further, the contact 27a is disposed in a C-shape in plan view so as not to confuse the positive electrode and the negative electrode.

Incidentally, reference numeral 3 in FIGS. 6 (a) to 6 (c).
Reference numeral 0 denotes a connector cover for closing the charging port 24c.
The connector cover 30 is formed of a synthetic resin into a plate shape, and is integrally provided with a knob 30a. One end of the plate-shaped portion is fixed to the upper case 24 from above by a tapping screw 30b. At the other end of the plate-shaped portion, a locking claw 3 that engages with the opening edge of the charging port 24d
0c is formed. Further, a resin hinge is provided in the plate-like portion by forming a concave groove 30d on the back surface so that the connector cover 30 can be bent as shown by a two-dot chain line b in the drawing. I have.

In FIG. 5, reference numeral 31 is a rear clamp for fixing the battery case 21 to a support box 25 described later, and 32 is a front clamp for fixing the front portion of the battery case 21 to the down tube 2b. Each of the clamps 31 and 32 has a structure in which each engagement ring is hooked to the other side and pulled. The engagement ring of the rear side clamp 31 is hooked on the projection 33 of the support box 25 as shown in FIG. 5 is configured to be hung on the support plate 34 of the down tube 2b as shown in FIG. In addition,
Handles 35 and 36 are used to lift the battery case 21. The handle 35 is screwed to the upper portion of the upper case 24, and the handle 36 is screwed so as to extend from the front surface of the lower case 23 to the front surface of the upper case 24. I have.

As shown in FIG. 9, the support box 25 for supporting the battery case 21 is integrally molded of a synthetic resin into a substantially rectangular cylinder having a bottom, and can be vertically swung on a support box stay 41 described later. Is supported by the motor bracket 5 of the vehicle body frame 2 via the stay 41. That is, the support box 25 is arranged at a lower portion of the leg passing space S. The support box 25 is formed in a shape into which the battery case 21 described above is fitted,
As shown in FIG. 4, a part thereof has an opening width narrower than other parts so that the projecting portion 24b of the upper case 24 can be fitted therein.

The narrow portion 2 having a narrow opening width
A motor side connector 42 connected to the discharge connector 26 of the battery case 21 is attached to 5a, and a support shaft 43 for swingably connecting the support box 25 to the stay 41 is supported. Note that the bearing portions 25 b supporting the support shaft 43 are provided on the left and right below the narrow portion 25 a, and are provided integrally with the support box 25.

Further, the clamp 3 of the battery case 21
The projection 33 on which the first engagement ring is hung is formed in the narrow portion 25a.
The engaging hole 25d with which the engaging portion of the engaging button 28 engages is also formed in the narrow portion 25a.

As described above, when the battery case 21 is provided with the projecting portion 24b and fitted in the support box 25, the discharge connector 26 is always connected to the motor side connector 42 when the battery case 21 is mounted in the support box 25.
Will be opposed.

The motor-side connector 42 is of a male type so as to be connected to the discharge connector 26, and the connecting direction of the contact 42a and the discharge connector 26 is the fitting direction of the battery case 21. It is attached to the support box 25 in the same direction. As the mounting structure, as shown in FIGS.
2 is screwed so as to support the bottom of the narrow portion 25a. 8 and 9
Reference numeral 42b denotes a fixing screw for fixing the motor-side connector 42, and reference numeral 42c denotes a nut plate.

The stay 41 is formed of a steel plate,
As shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, arm portions 41a through which the support shaft 43 passes are provided on the left and right. The upper and lower portions of the stay 41 are screwed to the motor bracket 5 as shown in FIGS. The stay fixing screw is indicated by reference numeral 41b in FIGS.

A return spring 44 penetrating the support shaft 43 is mounted between the upper portion of the stay 41 and the support box 25, and the return spring 44 is inserted between the lower portion of the stay 41 and the bottom portion of the support box 25. A link type connecting member 45 is interposed.

The return spring 44 is a torsion spring, one end of which is engaged with the stay 41 and the other end of which is in contact with the bottom of the narrow portion 25a, and urges the support box 25 to rotate clockwise in FIG. Has been done. The link type connecting member 45 is formed by connecting two links 45a and 45b with a pin 45c. One end of one link 45a is pivotally supported by the stay 41, and the other link 45b is pivotally supported by the support box 25. I have. 7 and 9, reference numeral 46 denotes a screw for attaching the link 45a to the stay 41, and 47 denotes a link 4
A screw 48 for attaching 5b to the support box 25, and a nut plate 48 to which the attachment screw 47 is screwed.

Reference numeral 49 in FIGS. 7 and 9 is a holding member for swinging the support box 25 downward and holding the support box 25 in a state where its bottom surface is parallel to the stay 41.
9 is fixed to the stay 41 by a screw 49a,
Engagement projection 2 projecting downward from the bottom of support box 25
5e. The holding member 49 is maintained in the clamped state only by the spring force of the return spring 44 for urging the support box 25 upward, but when a force for raising the support box 25 by hand is applied. ,
The engagement projection 25e is configured to slip off.

Reference numeral 50 denotes a compression coil spring. The compression coil spring 50 has a lower diameter smaller than an upper diameter, and is a cylindrical portion 25 integrally formed on the inner bottom of the support box 25.
The lower part is press-fitted and fixed to f. In addition, the vertical length of the contact 42 of the motor-side connector 42
The length is set to be longer than the protrusion dimension of a.

That is, in this way, the compression coil spring 50 is
When the battery case 21 is fitted to the bottom of the support box 25, the upper end of the compression coil spring 50 contacts the battery case 21 before the battery case 21 is fitted to the support box 25 and the discharge connector 26 is connected to the motor-side connector 42. Will do. For this reason, since the compression coil spring 50 serves as a buffer, it is possible to prevent an excessive force from being applied to both connectors when the connectors are connected to each other. Also,
Even when the battery case 21 is pulled out from the support box 25, the connection state of the connector can be released by the spring force because the battery case 21 is pressed by the compression coil spring 50.

In FIG. 9, reference numeral 51 is a connection cable for electrically connecting the motor side connector 42 of the support box 25 and a motor side circuit (not shown) through the opening 41c formed in the stay 41. Are led to the motor unit side.

The support box 25 thus constructed is vertically swung about the support shaft 43, and the battery case 21 is detached with the opening thereof being swung so as to face upward. That is, when the upper cover 10c of the outer cover 10 is opened and the battery case 21 is not mounted, the support box 25 is moved by the spring force of the return spring 44 as shown by a two-dot chain line c in FIGS. Since it swings upward, the battery case 21 is mounted in that state. At that time, the link type connecting member 45 is extended as shown by a two-dot chain line d in FIG.

When mounting the battery case 21, the battery case 21 is inserted into the opening of the support box 25 with the battery case 21 in a vertical direction (the discharging connector 26 is directed downward), and the battery case 21 is attached to the compression coil spring 50. This is done by pushing down against the spring force. When the battery case 21 is inserted to the innermost part of the support box 25,
The discharge connector 26 is connected to the motor-side connector 42, and the locking button 28 of the battery case 21 is locked in the engagement hole 25 d of the support box 25. By locking the locking button 28, the battery case 21 is prevented from coming off. That is, the discharge connector 26 is connected to the motor-side connector 42 as the battery case 21 is attached to the vehicle body frame 2.

After mounting the battery case 21 in this manner, the battery case 21 is attached by the rear clamp 31.
Is fixed to the support box 25, and the support box 25 is swung so that the battery case 21 is tilted forward against the spring force of the return spring 44. And the battery case 21
Of the front side clamp 32 of the down tube 2b
To fix the battery case 21 to the vehicle body frame 2. By bringing the battery case 21 forward, the link type connecting member 45 is bent as shown in FIG. 7 and the engaging protrusion 25 e of the support box 25 is sandwiched by the holding member 49 of the stay 41. Then, the battery case 21 formed in the elongated shape can be obtained by tilting the battery case 21 forward as described above.
As shown by the wavy line in FIG. 1, the down tube 2b is arranged above the down tube 2b such that its longitudinal direction is along the down tube 2b.

After fixing the battery case 21 as described above, the upper cover 10c of the outer cover 10 is closed,
When the vehicle is locked by the locking device 11, the vehicle can be driven. This running state, that is, the battery case 2
When 1 is in a vehicle-mounted state, the connection direction of the discharge connector 26 and the motor-side connector 42 is parallel to the axis of the down tube 2b.

Next, the procedure for charging the battery 22 in the electric bicycle 1 configured as described above will be described. To charge, the battery case 21
And removing the battery case 21 from the vehicle body, and a method in which the battery case 21 is mounted on the vehicle body. First, a method of charging by removing the battery case 21 from the vehicle body is shown in FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG.

First, the locking device 11 provided at the front portion of the outer cover 10 is unlocked by the key 11a, and the lock device 11 shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1A and the two-dot chain line a in FIG. 1, the upper cover 10c of the outer cover 10 is pulled upward and opened. By doing so, the battery case 21 and the support box 2
5 is exposed.

Next, as shown in FIG. 6B, the clamp 32 fixing the battery case 21 to the vehicle body frame 2 is removed, and then the clamp 31 is removed. And
Locking button 28 facing the engaging hole 25d of the support box 25
The locking portion of is pressed as shown by an arrow d in the figure to unlock the locking button 28. When the locked state of the locking button 28 is released in this way, the battery case 21 is pushed by the spring force of the compression coil spring 50, and the discharge connector 26 is released.
Will be disconnected from the motor side connector 42.

After releasing the respective locking portions in this manner, the battery case 21 is raised by holding the handle 36. The state in which it is caused is shown by a two-dot chain line e in FIG. And FIG.
The support box 25 is lifted up and removed as shown in FIG. After removing the battery case 21, the support box 25 is tilted to the front side to close the upper cover 10c of the exterior cover 10 as it is, as shown in FIG. On the other hand, the removed battery case 21 is connected to a charger as shown in FIG.

In FIG. 11, reference numeral 52 is a charger, 53 is a plug connected to an outlet not shown, and 54 is a charger 52.
Shows the connector connected to. To perform charging, the connector cover 30 of the battery case 21 is opened, and the connector 54 on the charger side is inserted into the opened charging port 24d.
This is performed by connecting to the charging connector 27.

To charge the battery case 21 mounted on the vehicle body, as shown in FIG.
0 with the upper cover 10c open. That is,
The upper cover 10c is opened, and the connector cover 30 of the battery case 21 is opened. And the charging port 2 opened
4d, the connector 54 on the charger side is inserted and connected to the charging connector 27.

Therefore, as described above, the connecting direction of the discharging connector 26 provided in the battery case 21 and the motor side connector 42 provided in the support box 25 as a battery case mounting portion is set to the attaching / detaching direction of the battery case 21. If so, the battery case 21 is supported by the support box 25
The discharge connector 26 is automatically connected to the motor side connector 42 by mounting the battery case 21 on the support box 25, and the discharge connector 26 is automatically disconnected from the motor side connector 42 by removing the battery case 21 from the support box 25. Will be separated. Therefore, when the discharge connector 26 is brought into contact with or separated from the motor-side connector 42, no special operation is required other than the battery case attaching / detaching operation.

Since the battery case 21 is provided with the charging connector 27 and the discharging connector 26 and these are connected in parallel, the discharging connector 26 is connected by connecting the connector 54 of the charger 52 to the charging connector 27.
It is possible to charge the battery 22 without disconnecting the battery 22 from the motor side connector 42 (even when the battery case 21 is mounted on the vehicle).

Further, when the battery case 21 is attached to the support box 25 as a battery case mounting portion, the lower outer wall surface of the battery case 21 is in contact with the inner wall surface of the recessed portion of the support box 25.
The load applied from 1 to the support box 25 is widely distributed to the support box 25. Therefore, the supporting rigidity can be ensured without forming the lower part of the battery case so as to increase the wall thickness. Further, when the battery case is attached, the lower outer peripheral wall is guided by the large recess formed in the battery case mounting portion, so that the positioning work becomes easy.

In this embodiment, since the battery case 21 formed in a long shape is attached to the upper side of the down tube 2b along the upper side of the down tube 2b, the battery case 21 is attached to or removed from the vehicle body. The height at which 21 is lifted may be substantially the same as that of the down tube 2b, and the foot-opening space that is opened upward can be widely used as a work space. When mounting the heavy battery case 21 on the down tube 2b, There is nothing in the way. Also, the battery case 21
Does not significantly project upward from the down tube 2b, so that the foot passing space S above the down tube 2b is not significantly narrowed by the battery case 21.

Further, the discharge connector 26 is fixed to the lower portion of the battery case 21, and the motor side connector 42 is fixed to the vehicle body frame 2 side below the above-mentioned foot passing space S, so that the motor Since the side connector 42 is positioned at a low position of the vehicle body, when the discharge connector 26 is connected to the side connector 42, it is possible to easily confirm the connection destination.

Furthermore, the connection direction of the discharge connector 26 provided in the battery case 21 and the motor side connector 42 provided in the support box 25 is the same direction as the attachment / detachment direction of the battery case 21, and In the vehicle mounted state, the direction is parallel to the axis of the down tube 2b. Therefore, in the vehicle mounted state in which the battery case 21 is mounted on the vehicle body, the discharge connector 26 is urged toward the motor side connector 42 by the weight of the battery case 21.

Second Embodiment In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the motor unit 12 is erected and provided coaxially with the seat tube 2c is shown. However, the mounting position of the motor unit 12 is shown in FIGS.
It may be located below the down tube 2b as shown in FIG.

FIG. 13 is a side view showing an example of another electric bicycle in which the position of the motor unit is changed, and FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. In this electric bicycle, the down tube 2b of the body frame 2 is formed substantially horizontally at the rear end portion between the handle 6 and the seat 7, and the seat tube 2c is formed at the rear end of the down tube 2b via the lug 61. Are connected. The horizontal portion of the down tube 2b is positioned at substantially the same height as the axles of the front and rear wheels. The vehicle body frame 2 also has a structure in which a foot passing space S having a substantially V shape in a side view is provided as in the case of adopting the above-described embodiment.

The motor unit 12 is supported and fixed to the horizontal portion of the down tube 2b so as to be substantially horizontal. The support box 25 to which the battery case 21 is attached is also supported by a horizontal portion via a support member 62. Further, the battery case 21 is the same as that shown in FIG.
~ Similar to the embodiment shown in Fig. 12, in the vehicle mounted state, the down tube 2b is arranged above the down tube 2b along the same.

Even with this structure, the same effect as when the above embodiment is adopted can be obtained. Moreover, when the motor unit 12 is mounted forward as in this embodiment, the motor unit 12 which is a heavy object is positioned at a low position and the center of gravity of the vehicle body can be lowered.

Third Embodiment In each of the above-described embodiments, the support box 25 can be swung back and forth with respect to the vehicle body, but it can be fixed as shown in FIG. FIG. 15 is a side view showing another embodiment in which the support box of the electric bicycle on which the motor unit is erected is fixed. In the figure, the same or similar members as those described in FIGS. 1 to 14 are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In FIG. 15, reference numeral 63 is a support box in which the battery case 21 is mounted. This support box 63
Is formed in a bottomed rectangular tube shape into which the battery case 21 is inserted and has an opening formed in the head pipe 2a of the frame 2.
Fixed to the motor bracket 5.

A motor side connector 42 connected to the discharging connector 26 of the battery case 21 is mounted in the support box 63. The connection direction of these connectors is the same as the depth direction of the support box 63. The discharging connector 26 is arranged at one end of the battery case 21 in this embodiment.

With the support box 63 thus constructed, the battery case 21 is detached from the vehicle body by pulling up the battery case 21 along the down tube 2b in the direction of arrow e in the figure. When the battery case 21 is attached, the battery case 21 may be pushed down in the opposite direction to the above procedure.

Even with this structure, the discharge connector 26
No special operation other than the battery case attaching / detaching operation is required to connect the motor to the motor side connector 42.

Even when this embodiment is adopted, when the battery case 21 is attached to or removed from the vehicle body, the height at which the battery case 21 is lifted may be substantially the same as that of the down tube 2b, and the battery tube 21 may be moved upward. The open foot space can be widely used as a work space. Moreover, there is nothing to disturb when mounting the heavy battery case 21 on the down tube 2b. Also, the battery case 21 is the down tube 2
Since it does not protrude significantly from b, the down tube 2
The battery case 21 does not narrow the leg passing space S above b.

Further, since the motor-side connector 42 is positioned in the lower part of the foot-passing space opened upward, when connecting the discharge connector 26 to this, it is possible to easily confirm the connection destination.

In addition, when the battery case 21 is mounted on the vehicle body, the discharge connector 26 is urged toward the motor-side connector 42 by the weight of the battery case 21, so that the two connectors 26, 42 are securely connected to each other. Stay connected.

Fourth Embodiment To make the support box a fixed type, it is possible to configure it as shown in FIG. FIG. 16 is a side view showing another embodiment in which the support box of the electric bicycle with the motor unit facing forward is fixed. Referring to FIG. 1 through FIG.
The same or equivalent members as those described in 1 are assigned the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The down tube 2b shown in FIG. 16 is formed such that its rear portion is substantially horizontal, and the motor unit 12 is disposed below this horizontal portion so as to be substantially horizontal. The support box 63 is fixed to the horizontal portion of the down tube 2b.

Even with the structure shown in FIG. 16, the battery case 21 is pulled up along the down tube 2b in the direction of arrow e in the figure.
1 will come off the car body. When the battery case 21 is attached, the battery case 21 may be pushed down in the opposite direction to the above procedure. Even with this configuration, the discharge connector 2
No special operation other than the battery case attachment / detachment is required when the 6 is brought into contact with or separated from the motor side connector 42.

Further, even when this embodiment is adopted, when the battery case 21 is attached to or detached from the vehicle body, the height at which the battery case 21 is lifted may be substantially the same as that of the down tube 2b, and the battery tube 21 may be moved upward. The open foot space can be widely used as a work space. Moreover, there is nothing to disturb when mounting the heavy battery case 21 on the down tube 2b. Also, the battery case 21 is the down tube 2
Since it does not protrude significantly from b, the down tube 2
The battery case 21 does not narrow the leg passing space S above b.

Further, since the motor-side connector 42 is positioned in the lower part of the foot-passing space opened upward, when connecting the discharge connector 26 to this, the connection destination can be easily checked.

In addition, when the battery case 21 is mounted on the vehicle body, the discharge connector 26 is urged toward the motor-side connector 42 by the weight of the battery case 21, so that the two connectors 26, 42 are securely connected to each other. Stay connected.

Fifth Embodiment In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 14, the support box 25 is swingable back and forth with respect to the vehicle body.
It is also possible to make it swingable in the vehicle width direction as indicated by 0.

FIG. 17 is a side view of an electric bicycle according to another invention in which a support box is swingably mounted to the left and right, FIG. 18 is a side view showing an enlarged part of the support box, and FIG. 19 is A--A in FIG.
20 is a sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. In these figures, the same or equivalent members as those described in FIGS. 1 to 14 are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The electric bicycle shown in FIGS. 15 to 20 is
The down tube 2b of the vehicle body frame 2 is extended further rearward than the seat tube connecting portion, and the support box 64 is attached to the extended portion so as to be swingable left and right. In addition,
In this embodiment, the motor unit 12 is mounted along the down tube 2b that linearly extends rearward,
It is attached to a lug 65 that connects the down tube 2b and the seat tube 2c, and a bracket 66 provided at the rear end of the down tube 2b. The battery case 21 includes a seat tube 2c and a seat stay 2e.
The seat tube 2 is provided in the space surrounded by the rear wheel 8 and
It is arranged along the longitudinal direction of c.

A pivot 68 is pivotally supported on the extending portion of the down tube 2b through a bracket 67 made of a steel plate, and the support box 64 is pivotally supported by the pivot 68. The pivot 68 is parallel to the front-rear direction of the vehicle when viewed from above.
As shown in FIG. 5, the down tube 2b is arranged on the left side of the vehicle body. That is, the support box 64 has this pivot 68.
It will be swingably supported around the center as shown by the chain double-dashed line f in FIG.

The support box 64 is integrally formed of synthetic resin in the shape of a rectangular cylinder with a bottom, and the size of the opening is set to the size into which the battery case 21 is inserted. A bearing portion 64a through which the pivot shaft 68 penetrates is provided at the bottom of the support box 64. In addition, a stopper 64 that engages with the bracket 67 is provided at the bottom of the support box 64.
b is projected. When the support box 64 swings around the pivot 68, the stopper 64b restricts the swing.

Further, a return spring 69 penetrating the pivot 68 is interposed between the support box 64 and the bracket 67. The return spring 69 is a torsion spring, one end of which is in contact with the bottom surface of the support box 64 and the other end of which is locked by the bracket 67, so that the support box 64 is urged to rotate counterclockwise in FIG. It is configured. That is, in the state where the battery case 21 is not attached to the support box 64, the support box 64 is swung to the left side of the vehicle body by the spring force of the return spring 69 as shown by the chain double-dashed line f in FIG. The attachment / detachment of the battery case 21 is performed in such a state that the support box 64 is swung to the left side of the vehicle body.

The battery case 21 used in this embodiment is provided with the discharge connector 26 at the upper end opposite to the support box 64. This discharge connector 2
In this embodiment, a magnetic attraction type female type 6 is used, and the connection direction with the male type motor side connector 42 fixed to the vehicle body frame side is the same as the swinging direction of the support box 64. It is arranged so that.

The discharge connector mounting portion of the battery case 21 is open toward the right side of the vehicle body as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, and the motor-side connector 42 faces the opening so that the two connectors can be connected to each other. It is configured to be connected. The positions of the contact surfaces of both connectors are located substantially at the center in the vehicle width direction. The position of the contact surface is indicated by the symbol C in FIGS. 19 and 20.

The motor-side connector 42 is a supporting member 72 located on the right side of the battery case 21 mounted on a vehicle.
It is fixedly supported. The support member 72 includes a front frame connecting portion 72a that is U-shaped in side view and is welded to the seat tube 2c, a flat plate portion 72b that extends rearward from the front frame connecting portion 72a on the right side of the vehicle body, and the flat plate. Part 7
2b and a rear frame connecting portion 72c provided in a rear end portion in a U shape in a side view, and formed in a substantially U shape in a plan view. The rear frame connecting portion 72c is welded to the support pipe 73 connected to the rear ends of the left and right seat stays 2e and the down tube 2b. The motor-side connector 42 is fixed to the flat plate portion 72b.

The distance between the front frame connecting portion 72a and the rear frame connecting portion 72c of the supporting member 72 is set to a dimension such that the battery case 21 can be fitted therein, as shown in FIG. ing. That is, when the battery case 21 is attached to the support box 64 and is erected as shown in FIG. 19, the front and rear surfaces of the battery case 21 are guided to predetermined positions by the front frame connecting portion 72a and the rear frame connecting portion 72c, and the battery case 21 is discharged. The connector 26 is connected to the motor-side connector 42.

When the battery case 21 is mounted on the vehicle body in this manner, the lower part of the battery case 21 is the support box 64.
By the support member 72, the upper part is prevented from moving in the front-rear direction and the right side of the vehicle body. In addition, in order to prevent the upper portion of the battery case 21 from moving to the left side of the vehicle body, a clamp 74 for pulling the protrusion of the battery case 21 is provided on the flat plate portion 72b of the support member 72 in this embodiment.

Clamps 75 and 76 are attached to the front and rear sides of the battery case 21 in order to fix the battery case 21 to the frame 2 in a vehicle mounted state. These clamps 75 and 76 are used for the seat tube 2
The structure is such that the locking pieces 77, 78 protruding from the c and the support pipe 73 are pulled.

Reference numeral 79 is a charging connector provided on the upper portion of the battery case 21, and 80 is a fuse. A magnetic attraction type male connector is used as the charging connector 79, and the charging connector 79 is attached so that the connecting portion is exposed on the left side surface of the battery case 21. The charging connector 79 is electrically connected in parallel with the discharging connector 26, and the fuse 80 is provided on the battery side of the connecting portion between the connectors. In addition, a diode (not shown) for preventing short circuit that allows energization only to the battery side is provided on the charging connector side from the connecting portion between the connectors.

Reference numeral 81 is a locking device, and the locking device 81 is supported and fixed to the support pipe 73 so that the lock pin 81a is engaged with the battery case 21 mounted on the vehicle.

Reference numeral 82 denotes a handle which is gripped when the battery case 21 is pulled out from the in-vehicle state to the left side of the vehicle body or is lifted up and conveyed. The handle 82 is pivotally supported on the upper portion of the battery case 21 via a support pin 82a. Further, in FIG. 19, 83 is a motor unit 1
2 is an exterior cover configured to cover the side of 2.

In order to remove the battery case 21 from the vehicle body in order to charge the battery in the electric bicycle constructed as described above, first, three clamps 74 to 76 for fixing the battery case 21 to the vehicle body frame 2 are used.
Remove. Then, holding the handle 82, the battery case 21 is tilted to the left side of the vehicle body and pulled up. In this way, the battery case 21 can be removed. In addition,
To attach it, reverse the above procedure.

To charge the battery case 2
There is a method of connecting the charger side connector to the charging connector 79 in a state where 1 is mounted on the vehicle body, and a method of removing the battery case 21 from the vehicle body as described above.

Therefore, in this way, the battery case 21 can be freely swung in the left-right direction of the vehicle body and the discharge connector 2 can be provided.
6 and the motor side connector 42 are connected in the same direction as the swinging direction, the battery case 21 is supported by the support box 6.
The discharge connector 26 is attached / detached to / from the motor-side connector 42 by being attached to the No. 4 and swinging. Therefore, when the discharge connector 26 is brought into contact with or separated from the motor-side connector 42, no special operation is required other than the battery case attaching / detaching operation.

Further, a long battery case 21 is arranged along the longitudinal direction of the seat tube 2c, and the battery case 21 is swingable and detachable with respect to the body frame 2 with its lower end serving as a fulcrum. Installed in
A discharge connector 26 provided on the battery case 21 when the battery case 21 is attached to the vehicle body frame 2.
Is configured to automatically connect to the motor side connector 42 on the body frame 2 side. Therefore, by mounting the battery case 21 on the body frame 2, the discharging connector 2
6 is automatically connected to the motor-side connector 42, and the battery case 21 is removed.
Is automatically disconnected from the motor side connector 42.

When the battery case 21 is attached or detached, the discharge connector 26 and the motor side connector 42 are connected in the process of swinging the battery case 21 around the fulcrum, so that the connection is not only accurate and smooth. Since the battery case 21 swings while being supported by the vehicle body frame 2 side, the entire load of the battery case 21 is not applied to the discharging connector 26 and the motor side connector 42. Therefore, the contact pressure between the two connectors 26 and 42 can be properly maintained.

Further, since the battery case 21 is arranged in the space surrounded by the seat tube 2c, the seat stay 2e and the rear wheel 8 and is swingable to the side of the vehicle body, the battery case 21 is attached or detached when the battery case 21 is attached or detached. The height of lifting the body is low, and the space on the side of the vehicle body can be widely used as a work space. Furthermore, since the charging connector 79 and the discharging connector 26 are provided in the battery case 21 and these are connected in parallel, the discharging connector 26 is connected to the motor side connector by connecting the charging connector 79 to the connector of the charger. The battery 22 can be charged without being removed from the battery 42 (even when the battery case 21 is mounted on the vehicle).

In addition, as described above, the battery case 21 is fitted into the support box 64 so that the lower outer wall surface of the battery case 21 is attached to the support box 64 when the battery case 21 is attached to the support box 64. Since it is in contact with the inner wall surface of the concave portion, the load applied from the battery case 21 to the support box 64 in the up-down direction, the front-rear direction, and the lateral direction (vehicle width direction) is widely distributed to the support box 64 during traveling. When the battery case is attached, the lower outer peripheral wall is guided by the large recess formed in the battery case mounting portion, which facilitates the positioning work.

[0098]

As described above, in the structure for mounting the battery case for the electric bicycle according to the present invention, the battery case in which the battery is housed and the contact terminals for discharging are provided is provided in the body frame for the electric bicycle. The motor side contact terminal, which is detachably attached to the battery case mounting part and electrically connected to the discharge contact terminal of the battery case, has a connection direction with the discharge contact terminal in the same direction as the attachment / detachment direction of the battery case. The structure for fixing the battery case for the electric bicycle according to another invention is such that the battery case support box is pivotally supported on the body frame for the electric bicycle, and the lower part thereof is pivoted. A battery case that is movably installed and has a battery housing and a discharge contact terminal provided in the battery case support box. -Install the case so that the motor side contact terminal electrically connected to the discharge contact terminal is connected to the discharge contact terminal in the same direction as the swing direction of the battery case support box. Since it is fixed to the vehicle body frame side, the battery case is attached to the vehicle body frame to connect the discharge contact terminal to the motor side contact terminal, and the battery case is removed from the vehicle body frame to discharge the contact terminal. Is disconnected from the motor side contact terminal.

Therefore, when the discharge contact terminal is brought into contact with or separated from the motor-side contact terminal, no special operation is required other than the battery case attaching / detaching operation. Therefore, the operation of removing the battery case from the vehicle body becomes simple, and the charging operation is simplified.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view of an electric bicycle that employs a battery case mounting structure according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a support portion of a battery case support box.

FIG. 3 is a view of the motor unit in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a battery case support box.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a battery case.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view showing a charging port portion of a battery case.

FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view of a battery case support box.

8 is a sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the battery case support box.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a procedure for removing the battery case from the vehicle body.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a state when the battery case is removed from the vehicle body and charged.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a state when charging without removing the battery case from the vehicle body.

FIG. 13 is a side view showing another example of the electric bicycle in which the position of the motor unit is changed.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken along line AA in FIG.

FIG. 15 is a side view showing another embodiment in which the support box of the electric bicycle on which the motor unit is erected is fixed.

FIG. 16 is a side view showing another embodiment in which the support box of the electric bicycle with the motor unit facing forward is fixed.

FIG. 17 is a side view of an electric bicycle according to another invention in which a support box is swingably provided to the left and right.

FIG. 18 is an enlarged side view showing a support box portion.

19 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG.

20 is a sectional view taken along line BB in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Electric bicycle, 2 ... Frame, 12 ... Motor unit, 21 ... Battery case, 25 ... Support box, 26 ... Discharge connector, 42 ... Motor side connector, 43 ... Spindle,
63 ... Support box, 64 ... Support box, 68 ... Axis.

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A battery case in which a battery is housed and which is provided with a discharge contact terminal is detachably attached to a battery case mounting portion provided on a body frame for an electric bicycle, and the discharge contact terminal of the battery case is attached. The battery case for an electric bicycle, characterized in that the motor side contact terminal electrically connected to the vehicle body is fixed to the body frame side so that the connecting direction with the discharging contact terminal is the same as the attaching and detaching direction of the battery case. Mounting structure. 2. A battery case support box is swingably provided on a body frame for an electric bicycle by pivotally supporting a lower portion thereof, and the battery case support box is provided with a battery and a discharge contact terminal. The battery-side contact terminal is connected to the discharge contact terminal so that the connection direction with the discharge contact terminal is the same as the swing direction of the battery case support box. The battery case mounting structure for electric bicycles is characterized in that it is fixed to the body frame side so that