OA20566A - Leaning vehicle. - Google Patents

Abstract

The present teaching provides a leaning vehicle that makes it possible to increase the number of times an engine thereof can be started even when only a short period of time is available for charging a battery or when the battery is not charged. This leaning vehicle includes: a wheel having a tread surface for contact with a road surface, the tread surface having an arc-like cross-sectional shape; an engine having a crankshaft and being configured to output a torque for driving the wheel from the crankshaft; a permanent magnet starter motor having one or more permanent magnets and being configured to start the engine by causing the crankshaft to rotate; a deep-cycle lead-acid battery configured to supply electric power to the permanent magnet starter motor when the engine is started; and an electric double-layer capacitor having an electrostatic capacitance that permits storage of an amount of electric power that is enough for the permanent magnet starter motor to start the engine at least once, the electric double-layer capacitor being constantly connected in parallel to the deep-cycle lead-acid battery that is configured to supply electric power to the permanent magnet starter motor when the engine is started.

Description

LEANING VEHICLE

Technical Field

[0001] The présent teaching relates to a leaning vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Literature (PTL) 1, for example, discloses, as a leaning vehicle, a motorcycle including an engine, a motor generator, and a battery.

The motor generator in PTL 1 receives electric power supplied from the battery, 10 and thus rotationally drives a crankshaft of the engine. The motor generator also performs régénération based on rotational power of the crankshaft and charges the battery with the thus generated electric power.

[0003] In a leaning vehicle such as disclosed in PTL 1, a lead-acid battery is often used as the battery for supplying drive current to a starter motor.

[0004] When only a short period of time or no time is available for the motor generator to generate electric power, the level of charge in the battery decreases each time the engine is started. The power storage capability of the lead-acid battery itself nomnally détériorâtes once a spécifie amount of electric power stored in the lead-acid battery has been discharged. That is, the lead-acid battery détériorâtes, lowering the iimit of the amount of electric power that can be stored therein when the lead-acid battery is recharged.

With an attempt to suppress the détérioration in the power storage capability of the battery while avoiding upsizing of the battery, therefore, the number of fîmes the engine can be started when only a short period of time or no time is available for the 25 engine to drive the motor generator is restricted.

I

Citation List

Patent Literature

[0005] PTL 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication IMo. 2007-02214S

Summary of Invention

Technical Probiem

[0006] in leaning vehîdes, it is préférable to hâve the higher number of times an engine thereof can be started even when only a short period of time is available for charging a battery or when the battery is not charged, while suppressing upsizing of the vehicle.

[0007] it is an objective of the présent teachmg to provide a leaning vehicle that makes it possible to hâve the higher number of times an engine thereof can be started even when only a short period of time is availabie for charging a battery or when the battery is not charged, whiie suppressing upsizing ofthe vehicle.

Solution to Probiem

[0008] The présent inventor contemplated starting of an engine using a lead-acid battery.

[0009] Leacf batteries include a deep-cycle lead-acid battery. The deep-cycle iead-acid battery is a deep discharge-proof battery. A battery that is not a deep discharge-proof battery and that is used for engine starting is referred to as a starting battery.

The starting battery is generally used for starting an engine, Starting an engine requîtes output of a large starting current in a short period of time. The starting battery includes electrode plates having a surface area increased, for example, through a compiex surface structure in order to output a large starting current. More specifically, the electrode plates hâve a lead sponge structure.

In the case of the starting battery, deep discharge, which in other words is an overly large amount of discharge relative to the level of charge, causes wear on the surface structure of the plates. As a resuit, the power storage capability deteriorates.

[0010] By contrast, in the case of the deep-cycle lead-acid battery, détérioration in the power storage capability due to deep discharge is suppressed, The deep-cycle lead-acid battery includes plates having, for example, a less compiex surface structure. For example, the deep-cycle lead-acid battery includes electrode plates that do not hâve a lead sponge structure. This reduces wear on the surface structure of the electrode plates. The deep-cycle lead-acid battery is used, for example, in a forklift or a golf cart that can run as EV for a long period of time after being charged.

However, due to the less compiex surface structure, the electrode plates in the deep-cycle lead-acid battery hâve a smaller surface area. This restricts the magnitude of the current.

[0011] One possible approach to enable engine starting using a deep dischargeresistant deep-cycle lead-acid battery is to employ a large-size deep-cyc-le lead-acid battery.

[0012] However, when a leaning vehicle is nmning or tuming, the posture thereof is controlled through weight shifting of a riderthereon. Wheels ofthe leaning vehicle hâve a tread surface having an arc-like cross-sectional shape. The leaning vehicle tu ms along a curve while leaning toward the center of the curve. That is, the leaning vehicle leans in a leftward direction of the vehicle while making a left tum and leans in a rightward direction of the vehicle while making a right tum. In order to facilitate smooth posture control through the rider's weight shifting, the weight and the size of the vehicle body of the leaning vehicle is preferably reduced. in general, therefore, space in the vehicle body of the leaning vehicle in which devices are mounted is tightly restricted. The battery is a relativeiy large and heavy device among devices mounted in the leaning vehicle, Space in which the battery is mounted is therefore tightly restricted. For example, a vehicle body frame needs to hâve larger outer dimensions to accommodate a larger battery. This results in upsizing of the vehicle body of the leaning vehicle, For this reason, it is not 5 easy to increase the capacity of the deep-cycle lead-acid battery in the leaning vehicle.

This is why use of a deep-cycle lead-acid battery, which outputs a smaller current, as a power source for engine starting in an actual leaning vehicle has been avoided.

[0013] The present inventor therefore studied the possibility of constantly connecting an 10 eîectric double-layer capacitor în parallel to a deep-cycle lead-acid battery in a leaning vehicle. In the course of this study, the present inventor found the following.

[0014] The eîectric power (current) that can be outputted from a deep-cycle lead-acid battery per unit time is small, It is therefore desired to upsize the deep-cycle lead-acid battery in order to output enough eîectric power for engine starting such as cold start, 15 which is engine starting at ambient température. Upsizing of the deep-cycle lead-acid battery leads to upsizing ofthe leaning vehicle.

[0015] However, by constantly connecting an eîectric double-layer capacitor in parallel to the deep-cycle lead-acid battery, it is possible to charge the eîectric double-layer capacitor with eîectric power outputted from the deep-cycle lead-acid battery before 20 engine starting.

The deep-cycle lead-acid battery and the eîectric double-layer capacitor are charged during a combustion operation of the engine. In some cases, for example, the combustion operation of the engine is performed for only a short period of time, and consequently the level of charge in the eîectric double-layer capacitor at the end of the combustion operation is not enough for engine starting. Furthermore, the current that is outputted from the deep-cyde lead-acîd baitery can be decreased at iow températures. However, even in such cases, the deep-cyde lead-acid battery outputs voltage resulting from Chemical reaction of électrodes in the battery, The deep-cycle lead-acid battery can therefore charge the electric double-layer capacitor that is constantly connected in paralle! thereto. Since the deep-cycle lead-acid battery is deep dîscharge-proof, the deep-cycle lead-acid battery can suppiy a iarger amount of electric power to the electric double-layer capacitor than, for exampie, a starting battery while the combustion operation of the engine is in a stopped state. As a resuit, the electric double-iayer capacitor is charged with an amount of electric power enough for upcoming engine starting.

The eiectric double-layer capacitor has an electrostatic capacitance that permits storage of an amount of electric power enough to start the engine at least once. In this case, when the engine is started, the electric power stored in the charged electric doublelayer capacitor can be used to start the engine.

Unlike the deep-cyde lead-acid battery, the electric double-layer capacitor does not use Chemical reaction of électrodes. The eiectric double-layer capacitor therefore has a lower internai résistance than, for exampie, the deep-cycle lead-acid battery. Furthermore, since it is sufficient that the electric double-layer capacitor has an electrostatic capacitance that permits storage of an amount of electric power enough to start the engine at least once, the electric double-layer capacitor can hâve a smaller volume than a power storage device in a configuration in which, for exampie, only the deep-cycle lead-acid battery is used to start the engine.

[0016] In a possible configuration, for example, a capacitor and a battery are connected in sériés to each other when the engine is started, rather than being constantiy connected in parallel. However, if a deep-cycle lead-acid battery is employed as the battery in this configuration, it is impossible to suppress upsizing while enabling engine starting at low températures. Torque to be outputted by a permanent magnet starter motor at the time of engine starting dépends mainly on current A current corresponding to a torque necessary to start the engine is needed at the time of the engine starting.

In the configuration in which the capacitor and the battery are connected in sériés to each other when the engine is started, voltage to be supplied to the permanent magnet starter motor can be increased. This voltage can affect the maximum rotation speed of the permanent magnet starter motor. However, even in the configuration in which the capacitor and the battery are connected in sériés to each other when the engine is started, the current cannot be increased to a level high enough to increase the torque of the permanent magnet starter motor. This is because ail of the current flowing lô through the capacitor also flows through the battery in the sériés connection.

In the configuration in which the capacitor and the battery are connected in sériés to each other when the engine is started, the current in the battery is essentially equal to the current in the capacitor. in this configuration, the current in the capacitor is restricted once ali of the charge in the capacitor is discharged at the time of the engine starting. As a resuit, both the current in the capacitor and the current in the battery are reduced. That is, the capacitor hinders utilization of electric power from the battery.

By contrast, the constant parallel connection prevents or reduces the capacitoris hindrance upon the engine starting and allows utilization of the current outputted from the deep-cycle lead-acid battery.

[0017] In another possible configuration, for exampie, a capacitor and a battery are not constantly connected in parallel in a charging situation. For example, in a possible configuration, the battery is first charged with current from a generaior, and then the capacitor is charged if the voltage of the battery is at or above a full-charge level That js, in this possible configuration, the charging of the battery is given priority. However, in this configuration, for exampie, the capacitor is not charged în a case where the engine is started but is stopped before the battery is fully charged. In this case, the capacitor is not utilized for upcoming engine starting. That is, the engine is started using the electric power from the battery. If a deep-cycle lead-acid battery is employed as the battery in such a configuration, upsizing ofthe battery is required for engine starting.

By contrast, the constant parallel connection prevents the situation where the capacitor fails to be charged. It is therefore possible to hâve the higher number of times the engine can be started even when only a short period of time is available for charging the battery or when the battery is not charged, while suppressing upsizing of the deepcycle lead-acid battery.

[0018] In a possible configuration, for example, the electrostatic capacitance of the electric double-layer capacitor is lower than a level that permits storage of an amount of electric power enough to start the engine once. For example, in a possible configuration, a drive circuit for merely driving a starter motor can be driven by electric power stored in a capacitor and/or a battery. That is, in this possible configuration, the electric power permitted to be stored in the capacitor is less than the electric power enough to start the engine once, but enough to be used for the drive circuit that can use the electric power stored in the charged capacitor and/or the charged battery for driving. However, if a deep-cycle lead-acid battery is employed as the battery and is constantly connected in parallel to the capacitor in this configuration, restriction of the current that can be outputted from the deep-cycle !ead-acid battery can lead-acid to a failure in starting the engine. Otherwise, upsizing ofthe battery is required.

By contrast, the configuration in which the electric double-layer capacitor has an 5 electrostatic capacitance that permits storage of an amount of electric power enough to start the engine at least once enables engine starting even if the current that can be outputted from the deep-cycle lead-acid battery is restricted. It is therefore possible to suppress upsizing ofthe deep-cycle lead-acid battery.

[0019] Other than the electric double-layer capacitor, a lithium-ion capacitor can be 10 employed as a capacitor that permits storage of an amount of electric power enough to start the engine. However, the lithium-ion capacitor uses Chemical reaction of some électrodes. Current that is outputted from the lithium-ion capacitor therefore tends to decrease at low températures due to the same principle as that of lithium-ion batteries. The lithium-ion capacitor is therefore unabîe to fulfil a function of supplementing the 15 current outputted from the deep-cycle lead-acid battery at low températures.

Furthermore, a lower voltage limit of greater than 0 V is set for the lithium-ion capacitor as the lower limit of a usable voltage range. For example, a typical lithium-ion capacitor has, for example, a lower voltage hmit of 2.5 V. In a leaning vehide, the lithium-ion capacitor itself can deteriorate if the voltage of the lithium-ion capacitor falls below frie lower 20 voltage limit due to, for example, the battery deteriorating or being left unused for a long period of time. The battery is a component to be replaced in due time. However, once the lithium-ion capacitor has deterjorated, the lithium-ion capacitor does not recover from the détérioration even if, for example, the battery is replaced. If voltage is applied to the lithium-ion capacitor in a deteriorated state, the lithium-ion capacitor is not successfully charged. For this reason, lithium-ion capacitors are not deemed suitable for leaning vehicles.

By contrast, the electric double-layer capacitor has a lower voltage Itmit of 0 V.

Even if the voltage of the electric double-layer capacitor fa Ils to 0 V due to, for example, a 5 faiîure of a circuit therearound or discharging accompanying détérioration of the battery, therefore, the electric double-layer capacitor itself does not deteriorate. That is, the electric double-layer capacitor is chargeable and dischargeable even after the voltage has once fallen to 0 V. Furthermore, as mentîoned above, the internai résistance of the electric double-layer capacitor does not increase so much at îow températures compared 10 to, for example, the internai résistance of the lithium-ion capacitor, The electric doublelayer capacitor constantly connected in paralîel to the deep-cycle lead-acid battery can therefore store an amount of electric power enough to start the engine and can output an amount of current for starting the engine based on the electric power stored therein.

[0020] The présent inventer contemplated a configuration in which an electric double15 layer capacitor having an electrostatic capacitance that permits storage of an amount of electric power enough to start the engine at ieast once is constantly connected in paralîel to a deep-cycle lead-acid battery. Since it is sufficient that the electric double-layer capacitor has an electrostatic capacitance that permits storage of an amount of electric power enough to start the engine of the leaning vehicle at least once, the electric double20 layer capacitor can hâve a smaller volume than, for example, in a configuration including a deep-cycle lead-acid battery having a large capacity. Furthermore, even in a case where a deep-cycle lead-acid battery, which ouiputs a smaller current than a starting battery, is used for engine starting, it is possible to suppress upsizing of the deep-cycle lead-acid battery, The présent inventer found that according to the contemplated configuration above, it is possible to increase the number of tintes the engine can be started while suppressing upsizing of the leaning vehide by utilizing the deep dîscharge résistance of the deep-cycle lead-acid battery.

[0021] A leaning vehide according to the present teaching that has been achieved 5 based on the findings descried above has the following configuration.

[0022] (1) A leaning vehide that Jeans in a îeftward direction of the leaning vehide while making a left turn and îeans in a rightward direction of the leaning vehicle while making a right tum, the leaning vehide comprising:

a wheei having a tread surface for contact with a road surface, the tread surface 10 having an arc-like cross-sectional shape;

an engine having a crankshaft and being configured to output a torque for driving the wheei from the crankshaft;

a permanent magnet starter moior having one or more permanent magneis and being configured to start the engine by causing the crankshaft to rotate;

a deep-cycle lead-acid battery configured to supply eledric power to the permanent magnet starter motor when the engine is started; and an eîectric double-layer capadtor having an electrostatic capacitance that permits storage of an amount of eîectric power that is enough for the permanent magnet starter motor to start the engine at least once, the eîectric double-layer capadtor being constantJy connected in parallel to the deep-cyde iead-add battery that is configured to supply eîectric power to the permanent magnet starter motor when the engine is started. [0023] The leaning vehicle having the configuration described above includes a wheei, an engine, a permanent magnet starter motor, a deep-cyde lead-acid battery, and an eîectric double-layer capadtor.

The wheel has a tread surface having an arc-like cross-sectional shape. The leaning vehicie can therefore run, and lean in the leftward direction of the vehicle while making a ieft turn and lean in the rightward direction of the vehicle while making a right tum.

Electric power (current) that can be outputted from the deep-cycle lead-acid battery per unit time is smaller than, for example, that from a lead-acid battery that is not a deep-cycle lead-acid battery. It is not easy to increase the capacity of a deep-cycle lead-acid battery in a leaning vehicle that runs and tums while leaning.

The deep-cycle lead-acid battery in the leaning vehicle having the configuration 10 described above is constantiy connected in parallel to the electric double-layer capacitor. It is therefore possible to charge the electric double-layer capacitor with electric power outputted from the deep-cycle lead-acid battery before the engine is started. The electric double-layer capacitor is constantiy connected in parallel to the deep-cycle lead-acid battery. When the engine is started, therefore, it is possible to supply electric power to 15 the motor from the deep-cycle lead-acid battery and, at the same time, supply electric power to the motor from the electric double-layer capacitor that has been charged beforehand. That is, the electric power stored in the charged electric double-layer capacitor and the electric power from the deep-cycle lead-acid battery are supplied to the permanent magnet starter motor.

^Even when the level of charge in the deep-cycle lead-acid battery is lower than a full-charge level, for example, the deep-cycle lead-acid battery outputs voltage resulting from Chemical réaction of électrodes. That is, even when the level of charge is low, the deep-cycle lead-acid battery can charge the electric double-layer capacitor that is constantiy connected in parallel fhereto before the engine is started, for exemple.

The electric double-layer capacitor that is connected in parallel to the deep-cycle iead-acid battery has an electrostatic capacitance that permits storage of an amount of electric power enough to start the engine at least once. Unlike the deep-cycle lead-acid battery, the electric double-layer capacitor does not use Chemical reaction of électrodes.

The electric double-layer capacitor therefore has a lower internai résistance than, for exampie, the deep-cycle lead-acid battery. The required volume of the electric doublelayer capacitor is therefore small for the current that can be outputted therefrom. Furthermore, the volume of the electric double-layer capacitor corresponds to the electrostatic capacitance that permits storage of an amount of electric power enough to start the engine at least once. Thus, the electric double-layer capacitor can achieve downsizing, Furthermore, the configuration described above can reduce the volume of the deep-cycle lead-acid battery compared to, for example, a configuration that maintains a capacity of the electric double-layer capacitor enough to start an engine at low températures without the electric double-layer capacitor. Thus, the configuration described above can achieve downsizing of the deep-cycle lead-acid battery compared to, for example, a configuration in which no electric double-layer capacitor is constantly connected in parallel to the deep-cycle lead-acid battery, and only the deep-cycle leadacid battery is used to start the engine.

[0024] The configuration in which the capacitor is constantly connected in parallel to the battery is different from, for exampie, a configuration in which the capacitor is connected in sériés to the battery when the engine is started.

In the case of the sériés connection, restriction of current flowing through the battery leads to restriction of current flowing through the capacitor. Consequently , the torque from the permanent magnet starter motor is restricted. In order to start the engine using the deep-cycle lead-acid battery in a wide température range including low températures, therefore, the configuration in which the capacitor is connected in sériés to the battery when the engine is started entails upsizing of the deep-cycle lead-acid battery. This resuits in upsizing of the vehicie body of the leaning vehicie.

[0025] According to (1), the electric double-layer capacitor having an electrostatic capacitance that pemnits storage of an amount of electric power enough to start the engine at least once is constantiy connected in paraliel to the battery. This makes it possible to rai se the maximum limit of the number of times the engine can be started even when only a short period of time is available for charging the battery or when the battery is not charged, while suppnessing an increase in the capacity. According to the leaning vehicie having the configuration described above, therefore, it is possible to increase the number of times the engine can be started even when only a short period of time is available for charging the battery or when the battery is not charged, while suppressing upsizing ofthe vehicie.

[0026] According to an aspect of the présent teaching, the leaning vehicie may adopt the following configuration,

[0027] (2) The leaning vehicie of (1), wherein the electric double-layer capacitor has an electrostatic capacitance of at least 30 F.

[0028] According to the configuration described above, it is possible to cause the crankshaft to rotate for a period of time enough to start the engine in a wide température range including low températures without încreasing the capacity of the deep-cycle leadacid battery as is the case in a four-wheeled vehicie, for example.

[0029] According to an aspect of the présent teaching, the leaning vehicie may adopt the following configuration.

(3) The leaning vehide of (1) or (2), comprising a plurality of the electric double-layer capacitors, wherein the electric double-layer capacitors are comprised of five to seven electric 5 double-layer capacitors connected in sériés to one another.

[0030] According to the configuration described above, the series-connected electric double-layer capacitors can hâve a storage capacity enough to start the engine even in a case where the deep-cyde lead-acid battery in the leaning vehide fails to fonction.

[0031] According to an aspect of the présent teaching, the leaning vehicle may adopt 10 the following configuration.

[0032] (4) The leaning vehicle of any one of (1) to (3), further comprising a vehicle body to which the deep-cycle lead-acid battery is attached, wherein the electric double-layer capacitor is attached to a vehicle body of the leaning vehicle in a state where it remain attached to the vehicle body if and when the deep-cyde 15 lead-acid battery is detached from the vehicle body.

[0033] According to the configuration described above, the electric double-layer capacitor is maintained attached to the vehicle body even when the deep-cycle lead-acid battery is detached from the vehicle body for replacement, for example. Thus, even when the life of the deep-cycle lead-acid battery cornes to an end, for example, it is possible to 20 start the engine using the deep-cycle lead-acid battery by only repladng the deep-cyde lead-acid battery in the leaning vehicle.

[0034] According to an aspect of the présent teaching, the leaning vehide may adopt the following configuration.

[0035] (5) The leaning vehide of any one of (1) to (4), wherein the permanent magnet starter motor includes a rotor having a plurality of magnetic pôle portions composed of the permanent magnets and a stator having a stator core and windings, the stator core having a 5 plurality of slots arranged at intervals in a cîrcumferential direction of the permanent magnet starter motor, the windings being disposed through the slots, and the numberofthe magnetic pôle portions is greater than the number ofthe teeth. (0036] According to the configuration described above, it is possible to employ windings having a small electric résistance, for example, to increase the torque from the 10 permanent magnet starter motor at the time of engîne starting, while reducing loss in electric power génération by the permanent magnet starter motor, According to the configuration described above, it is also possible to supply a large current corresponding to the current receiving capability ofthe permanent magnet starter motorwhen the engine is started. Thus, the engine is readily started using the deep-cycle lead-acid battery.

[0037] According to an aspect of the présent teaching, the leaning vehicle may adopt the following configuration.

[0038] (6) The leaning vehicle of any one of (1 ) to (5), wherein the electric doubîe-layer capaciior is of îead type having a lead wire serving as a terminal for external connection.

[0039] According to the configuration described above, it is possible to form an array configuration quickly by, for example, soldering the electric double-layer capacitor to a substrate compared to, for exampie_à a configuration adopting a bolt-type terminal.

[0040] According to an aspect of the présent teaching, the leaning vehicle may adopt the following configuration.

[0041] (7) The leaning vehicle of any one of (1) to (6), comprising a piurality of the electric double-layer capacitors, wherein the deep-cycle lead-acid battery is cuboid in shape with a longitudinal dimension, a latéral dimension, and a height, and has a top surface part provided with a positive terminal and a négative terminai, the longitudinal dimension being shortest among the longitudinal dimension, the latéral dimension, and the height, the top surface part including the longitudinal dimension, the electric double-layer capacitors are composed of five to seven cylindrical electric double-layer capacitors connected in sériés to one another, and a reîationship among a diameter φ of the electric double-layer capacitors, a length Le of the electric double-layer capacitors, a length Lb of the latéral dimension of the top surface part, and a length W of the longitudinal dimension of the top surface part are as represented by înequalities (A) and (B) shown below, (Lb/7) s φ < (Lb/5) (A)

Le < W (B).

[0042] In the configuration in which the reîationship between the diameter φ of the cylindrical electric double-layer capacitors and the length Lb of the latéral dimension of the top surface part of the cuboid deep-cycle lead-acid battery, and the reîationship between the length Le of the cylindrical electric double-layer capacitors and the length W of the longitudinal dimension of the top surface part are as represented by the înequalities (A) and (B) shown above, it is possible to arrange five to seven electric double-layer capacitors side by side in a région smaller than a bottom surface of the deep-cycle leadacid battery. As a resuit of the five to seven electric double-layer capacitors being connected in sériés to one another, the electric double-layer capacitors can hâve a maximum working voltage that allows the electric double-layer capacitors to coopéra te with the deep-cycle lead-acid battery. Furthermore, as a resuit of having the Iength Le defined by the inequality shown above, the electric double-layer capacitors can store an amount of electric power enough to start the engine at least once.

[0043] Designing the leaning vehicie involves amanging peripheral components of the deep-cycie lead-acid battery while taking into account the dimensions of the battery. For example, in a configuration in which a cover is disposed a round the deep-cycle lead-acid battery, a space is provided within the cover while taking into account the dimensions of the deep-cycle lead-acid battery.

[0044] As a resuif of the electric double-layer capacitors satisfying the relationships represented by the inequaiities (A) and (B), it is possible to dispose the electric doublelayer capacitors using such a space provided white taking into account the dimensions of the deep-cycle lead-acid battery. It is therefore possible to start the engine using the deep-cycle lead-acid battery in a wide température range while further suppressing upsizîng of the vehicie.

[0045] The leaning vehicie is a type of straddied vehicîes. The leaning vehicie is a vehicie on which a driver rides the vehicie in a style of horseback riding. The driver straddles a saddle of the leaning vehicie when seaied. Examples of leaning vehicîes include scooters, mopeds, off-road motorcycles, and on-road motorcycles. The leaning 20 vehicie is not limited to a motorcycle, and may be, for exampie, any vehicie such as an

ATV (Ail-Terrain Vehicie) or a motor tricycle. The motor tricycle may include two front wheels and one rear wheel, or may include one front wheel and two rear wheels.

[0046] The wheel having a tread surface for contact with a road surface, the tread surface having an arc-like cross-sectional shape has, for exampie, a configuration in which the tread surface (surface for contact with a road surface) reaches side surfaces of the wheel. The cross section of the tread surface of the wheel has a shape of an arc or a shape simiiar to an arc. The cross section of the tread surface herein is a cross section through a rotation axis ofthe wheel.

The cross section of the tread surface of the wheel may hâve a shape in which a centrai portion thereof in a vehicle width direction protrudes to form a ridgelîne. The tread surface of the wheel may be configured such that the area of contact with the road surface is larger when the leaning vehicle is tuming than when the leaning vehicle is running straight ahead. The wheel may be configured, for example, such that the area of contact with the road surface continuously changes as the leaning vehicle leans. For example, the tread surface of the wheel does not include a cylindricai surface centered on the rotation axis of the wheel when out of contact with the road surface. For example, the crosS'Sectional shape of a circumferentially outermost portion of the wheel does not include a straight line when the wheel js out of contact with the road surface.

The tread surface is formed, for example, in a tire of the wheel. In a case where the tread surface of the tire has grooves, frie shape of the tread surface described above means a macroscopie shape excluding projections and recesses formed by the grooves. The wheel is, for example, a motorcycle wheel as defîned by the ISO or JIS. By contrast, a wheel of a vehicle (for example, an automobile) other than the leaning vehicle has a relatively even fiat tread surface as a road surface-contacting surface, and can be clearly distinguished from the wheel described above.

[0047] The permanent magnet starter motor has permanent magnets. A motor having, for example, a configuration in which a rotor thereof has a coil instead of permanent magnets ts different from the motor in the configuration described above.

The magnet starter motor is, for example, a magnet starter generator. However, the magnet starter motor may be, for example, a motor that is not used as a generator.

Examples of engine starter motors include motors of outer rotor type, motors of inner rotor type, and motors of axial gap type. Other examples of engine starter motors include brush motors and brushless motors with inverters.

The permanent magnet starter motor at least starts the engine while the crankshaft is not rotating. That is, the permanent magnet starter motor at least starts the engine while the leaning vehicle is stopped. However, the permanent magnet starter motor may start the engine wtirle the crankshaft is rotating or while the leaning vehicle is running.

[0048] The deep-cycle lead-acid battery refers to a battery that can be charged and discharged. That is, the deep-cycle lead-acid battery is a rechargeable battery. The deep-cycle lead-acid battery is a secondary battery that is charged and discharged through Chemical reaction of électrodes The battery is charged and discharged through an oxidation reaction and a réduction reaction of électrodes. The battery stores electric power fed thereto as Chemical energy. The battery converts the stored Chemical energy into electrical energy. The terminai voltage of the battery is not proportional to the amount of electric power stored in the battery.

[0049] The deep-cycle lead-acid battery has a distinct différence in structure from a starter lead-acid battery.

The starter lead-acid battery has electrode plates that hâve a lead-acid sponge structure, The lead-acid sponge structure contributes to încreasing surface area. However, if the starter lead-acid battery goes through deep discharge, the lead-acid sponge structure cornes off the electrode plates.

By contrast, the deep-cycle lead-acid battery has plates having a less complex surface structure than the starter lead-acid battery. For example, the deep-cycle leadacid battery has electrode plates that do not hâve a lead-acid sponge structure. As a resuît, performance dégradation due to deep discharge is suppressed.

[0050] The electric double-îayer capacitor stores electric power fed thereto as electric charge. The electric double-iayer capacitor îs charged and discharged without going through any electrode chemistry. The terminal voltage of the electric double-layer capacitor is approximately proportional to the amount of electric charge, which in other words is electric power stored therein.

The electric double-layer capacitor has a capacity that permit® storage of electric power that contributes to rotation of the engine starter motor. Specificaiîy, the electric double-layer capacitor is a power storage electric double-layer capacitor. More specificaiîy, the electric double-layer capacitor has a larger équivalent sériés résistance (ESR) than a smoothing electric double-layer capacitor. The electric double-layer capacitor has a larger équivalent sériés inductance (ESL) as a parasitic inductance than a smoothing electric double-layer capacitor.

The electric double-layer capacitor is different from a lithium-ion capacitor, for example. For exampie, the electric double-layer capacitor has a lower voltage-ondischarge iimit of 0 V, The lower voltage-on-discharge limit refers to a voltage that can be reached during discharging including spontaneous discharging and below wirich significant irréversible détérioration ofthe electric storage device is caused.

The lithium-ion capacitor has a lower voltage-on-discharge limit of greater than 0 V. For example, the lithium-ion capacitor has a lower voltage-on-discharge limit of 2,5 V, In a case where the leaning vehicle includes a lithium-ion capacitor connected to a battery, for exampie, and the voltage of the lithium-ion capacitor falls below iis lower voltage-ondischarge Iimit due to, for exampie, a failure of the battery or as a resuit of the battery being left unused for a long period of time, therefore, the iithium-ion capacitor détériorâtes. Détérioration of the lithium-ion capacitor is irréversible. Even if the battery is replaced 5 afterwards, therefore, the performance of the lithium-ion capacitor resulting from parallel connection thereof cannot be recovered.

By contrast, the electric double-layer capacitor does not deteriorate even if the voltage falls to 0 V. Therefore, the performance resulting from parallel connection thereof can be recovered by replacing the failed battery.

Since the electric double-layer capacitor does not deteriorate even if the voltage falls to 0 V, it is possible to store therein a minimum amount of electric power for starting the engine, for example, when the failed battery is removed and the engine is started through a rideris ktcking manipulation, or when the vehicle is electrically connected to another vehicle and receives supply of electric power therefrom.

[0051] The deep-cycle lead-acid battery and the electric double-layer capacitor are constantly connected in parallel to each other. For example, the deep-cycle lead-acid battery and the electric double-layer capacitor are connected to each other without a switching device including a transistor. The thus achieved device, including the connection structure, is simple and compact.

However, the electric double-layer capacitor is not limited to the connection state described above, and may be, for example, connected to the deep-cycle lead-acid battery via a switch for temporarily changing the connection state for maintenance.

The leaning vehicle includes, for example, five to seven electric double-layer capacîtors connected in sériés to one another. However, the number of electric double layer capacitors connected in sériés to one another is not particularly limited and may be, for example, four or less, or eight or more. Altematively, the leaning vehicle may include a first set of eîectric double-layer capacitors connected in sériés to one another and a second set different from the first set, and the second set may be connected in parallel to the first set, Furthermore, a third set may be connected in parallel to the second set. Each of the second set and the third set includes capacitors connected in sériés to one another. That is, a series-parallel configuration may be adopted, However, capacitors in each unit (set) in the series-paraileî configuration are connected in sériés to one another, and the plurality of units are connected in parallel to one another.

[0052] For example, an eîectric double-layer capacitor being connected in parallel to a battery from the perspective of an engine starter device means that the eîectric doublelayer capacitor is electrically connected such that current from the eîectric double-layer capacitor and current from the battery join together and flow into the engine starter device. On the contrary, for example, ail of the current from the eîectric double-layer capacitor flowing into the battery and further flowing into the engine starter device does not mean that the eîectric double-layer capacitor is connected in parallel to the battery from the perspective of the engine starter device. The State in which the eîectric double-layer capacitor is connected in parallel to the battery from the perspective of the engine starter device encompasses a State in which the battery and the eîectric double-layer capacitor are connected only by wiring. The State in which the eîectric double-layer capacitor is connected in parallel to the battery from the perspective of the engine starter device also encompasses a state in which a device other than wiring is placed between the battery and the eîectric double-layer capacitor. The state in which the eîectric double-layer capacitor is connected in paraîleî to the battery from the perspective of the engine starter device encompasses, for example, a State in which a connecter (coupler) is included between the battery and the eîectric double-layer capacitor, for switching the battery and the eîectric double-layer capacitor between being electrically connected and being elecirically disconnected in accordance with an operation, The state in which the eîectric δ double-layer capacitor is connected in parallel to the battery from the perspective of the engine starter device further encompasses, for example, a state in which an electrical component other than the connecter is placed between the battery and the eîectric double-layer capacitor. Examples of such electrical components include a switch, a relay, a résister, a connection terminal, and a fuse. The wiring includes, for example, a lead 10 wire. The wiring is not limited to including a single lead wire and may include a plurality of lead wires joined together. The wiring also includes a device having a main function of effecting conduction. The wiring includes, for example, a connecter, a switch, a relay, a résister, a connection terminal, and a fuse.

[0053] The terminology used herein is for defining particular embodiments only and is 15 not intended to be limiting the teaching,

The term and/or used herein includes any and ail combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

The terms including, comprising, or having, and variations thereof used herein specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, éléments, components, 20 and/or équivalents thereof, and can include one or more of steps, operations, éléments, components, and/or their groups.

As used herein, the terms attached”, “connected, “coupled”, and/or équivalents thereof are used in a broad sense, and include both of direct and indirect attachment, connection, and coupling, unless otherwise specified.

Unless otherwîse defîned, ail terms (including technîcal and scientific temns) used herein hâve the same meanlng as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the présent teaching belongs.

It wjll be understood that terms, such as those defîned in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the présent disclosure and relevant art and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formai sense unless expressly so defîned herein.

It will be understood that the description of the présent teaching discloses a number of techniques and steps.

Each of these has individuat benefit and each can also be used in conjunction with one or more, or in some cases ail, of the other disclosed techniques.

Accordingly, for the sake of clarity, this description will refrain from repeating every possible combination of the individual steps in an unnecessary fashion.

Nevertheless, Description and Claims should be read with the understanding that such combinations are entirely within the scope ofthe présent teaching and the claims.

This description describes a novel leaning vehicle.

!n the description given below, for the purposes of explanation, numerous spécifie details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the présent teaching.

It will be apparent, however, that those skilled in the art may practice the présent teaching without these spécifie details.

The présent disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the présent teaching, and is noî intended to limit the présent teaching to the spécifie embodiments illustrated by drawings or descriptions below.

Advantageous Effects of invention

[0054] According to the présent teaching, it is possible to achieve a leaning vehicle that makes it possible to increase the nurnber of trmes an engine thereof can be started even when only a short period of time is available for charging a battery or when the battery is not charged.

Brîef Description of Drawings

[0055] [FIG. 1] A diagram schematicafly iilustrating a leaning vehicle according to an embodiment of the présent teaching.

[FIG. 2] A diagram schematicaîiy iilustrating a leaning vehicle and an electrical System as a first application example ofthe embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1.

[FIG. 3] An extemal view of a deep-cycle lead-acid battery and electric doublelayer capacitors shown in FIG. 2.

[FIG. 4] A partial cross-sectional view for schematicaîiy iilustrating an outline configuration of an engine unit shown in FIG. 2.

[FIG. 5] A cross-sectional view showing a cross section perpendicular to a rotation axis of a permanent magnet starter motor shown in FIG. 4.

[FIG, 6] A circuit diagram iilustrating an outline electrical configuration of the leaning vehicle illustrated in FIG. 2.

[FIG. 7] A chart representîng a change in current during starting of an engine in the leaning vehicle iilustrated in FIG. 2.

[FIG. 8] A circuit diagram iilustrating an outline electrical configuration of a leaning vehicle according to a second application example.

[FiG. 9] A diagram for explaîning an example of an arrangement of a deep-cycle lead-acid battery and electric doubie-iayer capacitors in a third application example.

Description of Embodiments

[0056] The following describes the présent teaching based on embodiments thereof with reference to the drawings.

[0057] FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustraSng a leaning vehicle according to an embodiment of the présent teaching Part (a) of F(G. 1 is a side view of the ieaning vehicle. Part (b) of FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectiona! view of a wheel shown in Part (a).

[0058] A leaning vehide 1 ÊKusfrated in FIG. 1 indudes wheeis 3a and 3b, an engine 10, a permanent magnet starter molor 20, a deep-cyde lead-acid battery 4, and an electric double-layer capacitor 71. The ieaning vehide 1 aise includes a vehicle body 2. The leaning vehicle 1 is a straddled vehide. FIG. 1 shows a motorcycle as an example of the leaning vehide 1.

The leaning vehide 1 Jeans in a leftward direction ofthe vehicle while making a left tum and leans in a rightward direction of the vehide while making a right tum.

[0059] The wheeis 3a and 3b of the leaning vehicle 1 are a front wheel 3a and a rear wheel 3b. The rear wheel 3b is a drive wheel. As iiiustrated in Part (b) of FIG. 1, the wheel 3a has a tread surface TR for contact with a road surface. The tread surface TR is, for example, formed in a tire. The tread surface TR has an aredike cross-sectiona! shape. Note that Part (b) of FIG. 1 shows a macroscopie shape, exduding projections and recesses formed by grooves irt the tread surface TR. The tread surface TR of the rear wheel 3b has the same cross-sectional shape.

The tread surfaces TR of the wheeis 3a and 3b hâve an arc-like cross-sectional shape when out of contact with the road surface. Each of the wheeis 3a and 3b being out of contact with the road surface does not indude a cytindrica* surface centered on a rotation axis of the wheel. When the wheeis 3a and 3b are in contact with the road surface, road surface-contadmg portions of the wheeis 3a and 3b deform into a fiat shape according to the road surface due to the vehicle weight. However, the shape of the road surface-contactïng portions of the wheels 3a and 3b is not the above-described cross-sectionai shape of the tread surfaces TR being out of contact with the road surface.

The tread surfaces of the wheels 3a and 3b hâve an arc-like cross-sectional shape when out of contact with the road surface. The shape of the tread surfaces of the wheels 3a and 3b is different from that of a four-wheeled vehicle, for example.

The area of contact between the road surface and the wheels 3a and 3b from a macroscopie point of view, excluding projections and recesses formed by the grooves and scratches in the tread surfaces TR, changes continuously as the leaning vehicle 1 10 leans.

[0060] The engine 10 includes a crankshaft 15. The engine 10 outputs power via the crankshaft 15. The engine 10 outputs a torque for driving the wheel 3b from the crankshaft 15. The wheel 3b receives the power from the crankshaft 15 and drives the leaning vehicle 1,

The power outputted from the engine 10 can be, for example, transmitted to the wheel 3b via a transmission and a ciutch.

[0061] The permanent magnet starter motor 20 has permanent magnets. More speclfically, the permanent magnet starter motor 20 includes permanent magnet parts 37 composed of the permanent magnets.

[0062] The deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 and the electric double-layer capacitor 71 are power storage devices that can be charged and discharged. The deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 and the electric doubiedayer capacitor 71 output electric power stored therein to the outside. The deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 and the electric double-layer capacitor 71 supply electric power to the permanent magnet starter motor 20. The deep-cycle lead acid battery 4 and the eîectric double-layer capacitor 71 supply eîectric power to the permanent magnet starter motor 20 when the engine 10 is started. The deep-cycle leadacid battery 4 and the eîectric double-layer capacitor 71 are charged with eîectric power generated by the permanent magnet starter motor 20.

[0063] The deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 supplies eîectric power to the permanent magnet starter motor 20 when the engine 10 is started. After the engine has been started, for example, the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 is charged by receiving current supplied from the permanent magnet starter motor 20.

[0064] The eîectric double-layer capacitor 71 is constantly connected in parallel to the 10 deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4,

The eîectric double-layer capacitor 71 supplies eîectric power to the permanent magnet starter motor 20 a long with the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 when the engine 10 is started, The eîectric double-layer capacitor 71 has an electrostatic capacitance that permits storage of an amount of eîectric power enough for the permanent magnet starter 15 motor 20 to start the engine 10 at least once. The total weight of the eîectric double-layer capacitor 71 is, for exampie, less than the weight of the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4. [0065] An electricai path from the eîectric double-layer capacitor 71 to the permanent magnet starter motor 20 is provided with no fuse or a fuse, not shown, of 50 A or greater.

in a case where the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 faits to funotion and the 20 engine is started using the current from the eîectric doubie-layer capacitor 71 in a configuration in which the electricai path is provided with a fuse of less than 50 A, for example, the fuse can blowto make it impossible to start the engine.

The configuration in which the electricai path from the eîectric double-layer capacitor 71 to the permanent magnet starter motor 20 is provided with no fuse or a fuse, not shown, of 50 A or greater, suppresses occurrence of a situation in which the fuse blows at frie time of engine starting to make it impossible to start the engine.

The leaning vehicle 1 has, for example, fîve or more electric double-layer capacitors 71, The leaning vehicle 1 has, for example, five to seven electric double-layer 5 capacitors 71. This is to minimize the volume ofthe electric double-layer capacitors 71 in the leaning vehicle 1 while maintaining a maximum working voltage surtable for the leaning vehicle 1. The leaning vehicle 1 may hâve, for example, five or six electric double-layer capacitors 71.

[0066] The electric double-layer capacitors 71 hâve, for example, an electrostatic 10 capacitance of at least 30 F. Thus, it is possible to handle an engine 10 of a size from a wide range of sizes at low températures.

In a case where the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 faits to fonction, that is, in a case where the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 fails to output electric power, for example, it is possible to start an engine 10 of a size from a wide range of sizes by supplying 15 electric power to the permanent magnet starter motor 20. The electric double-layer capacitors 71 can also start, for example, an engine having a displacement (stroke volume) of 100 mL or greater, [0067] However, electric double-layer capacitors having an electrostatic capacitance of less than 30 F may be employed as the electric double-layer capacitors 71. An engine 20 having a displacement of less than 100 mL may be employed as the engine 10 of the leaning vehicle 1.

[0068] The electric double-layer capacitors 71 are, for example, constantiy connected in parallel to the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4. The plurality of electric double-layer capacitors 71 are connected in sériés to one another.

The plurality of electric double-layer capacitors 71 are connected in sériés to one another to increase the substantive power storage capacity. The power storage capacity refers to energy that can be stored through charging. The energy that can be stored in the electric double-layer capacitors 71 through charging can, for example, be expressed as electric charge. The power storage capacity is different from the electrostatic capacitance. în general, a combined electrostatic capacitance of a plurality of capacitors connected in sériés to one another is équivalent to the electrostatic capacitance of the capacitors as used herein.

[0069] However, the electric doubte-layer capacitors 71 in the présent embodiment hâve a maximum working voltage lower than an operational voltage in use in the leaning vehicle 1.

In a case where the leaning vehicle 1 has onty one electric double-layer capacitor 71, for example, a configuration is possible in which charging is performed by reducing the operational voltage using a step-down device such as a voltage converter or a voltage dividing resistor. In this case, the voltage discharged from the only one electric double-layer capacitor 71 is increased by a voltage booster for use. In this case, the energy, which in other words is electric charge, that is stored in the onty one electric double-layer capacitor 71 is equal to the product of the electrostatic capacitance and the voltage. Accordingly, a smalier energy corresponding to the lower voltage is stored. That is, the power storage capacity is smalier.

In the présent embodiment, five or more electric double-layer capacitors 71 are connected to the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 with no step-down device therebetween. The five or more electric double-layer capacitors 71 can be charged at a higher voltage. It is therefone possible to store a iarger amount of charge in the présent embodiment than in the case where the leaning vehicie 1 has only one electric double-layer capacitor, That is, the power storage capacity is larger.

[0070] The deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 and the electric double-layer capacitors 71 are physically separate from each other. The deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 and the electric double-layer capacitors 71 are disposed in different positions in the vehicie body 2. The deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 and the electric double-layer capacitors 71 may be disposed in positions adjacent to each other, The positional relationship therebetween îs not lirnited as such, and the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 and the electric double-layer capacitors 71 may be disposed în positions at a distance from each other in the leaning vehicie 1.

For exampie, the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 is provided in the vehicie body 2 and is replaceable. The electric double-layer capacitors 71 are provided in the vehicie body 2 and are not removable together with the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 from the vehicie body 2 when the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 is replaced. That is, the electric double-layer capacitors 71 are attached to the vehicie body 2 to be maintained attached to the vehicie body 2 when the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 is detached from the vehicie body 2. More specifically, the electric double-layer capacitors 71 and the deepcycle lead-acid battery 4 are attached to îhe vehicie body 2 using different members. [0071] The permanent magnet starter motor20 causes the crankshaft 15 to rotate using the electric power from the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4. Thus, the permanent magnet starter motor 20 starts the engine 10. The electric double-layer capacitors 71 and the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 are connected to each other. The permanent magnet starter motor 20 therefore causes the crankshaft 15 to rotate using both the electric power stored în the charged electric double-layer capacitors 71 and the electric power stored in the charged deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4.

[0072] In the configuration illustrated in FIG. 1, the deep-cycie lead-acid battery 4 supplies electric power to the permanent magnet starter motor 20 when the engine 10 is started. Détérioration in the power storage capability of the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 5 4 due to deep discharge is suppressed compared to, for example, that of a starting battery having the same capacity as the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4.

The current that can be outputted from the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 per unit time is smaller than, for exampfe, that from a starting battery having the same capacity as the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4. However, the deep-cycle lead-acid 10 battery 4 is connected to the electric double-layer capacitors 71. It is therefore possible to charge the electric double-layer capacitors 71 before the engine starting with the electric power outputted from the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4.

When the engine 10 is started, the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 supplies electric power to the permanent magnet starter motor 20 and, at the same time, frie 15 electric double-layer capacitors 71 that hâve been charged beforehand can also supply electric power to the permanent magnet starter motor 20. Unlike the deep-cycle ieadacid battery 4, the electric double-layer capacitors 71 do not use Chemical reaction of électrodes. The electric double-layer capacitors 71 therefore hâve a lower internai résistance than, for example, the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4. Consequentiy, 20 compared to the case including only the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4, for example, the configuration addltionally including the electric double-layer capacitors 71 can supply a large amount of electric power to the permanent magnet starter motor 20. The electric double-layer capacitors 71 can also supply a larger current than the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 in a situation where, for example, a large current is required after the engine 10 has been started.

However, the electric double-layer capacitors 71 may be set to supply a smaller current than the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 in a situation where a large current is 5 required after the engine 10 has been started. Even in such a case, compared to the case including only the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4, for example, the configuration additionally including the electric double-layer capacitors 71 can supply a large amount of electric power to the permanent magnet starter motor 20.

Furthermore, since it is sufficient that the electric double-layer capacitors 71 hâve an electrostatic capacitance that permits storage of an amount of electric power enough to start the engine 10 at least once, the electric double-layer capacitors 71 can hâve a smaller volume. The electric double-layer capacitors 71 can therefore be mounted in the leaning vehicle 1 that runs and turns while leaning, without compromising vehicle design flexibiiity.

As described above, it is possible to raise the maximum limit of the number of fîmes the engine can be started even when only a short period of time is available for charging the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 or when the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 is not charged by connecting thereto the electric double-layer capacitors 71 having an electrostatic capacitance that permits storage of an amount of electric power enough to start the engine 10 at least once. Thus, it is possible to increase the number of fîmes the engine 10 can be started even when only a short period of time is available for charging the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 or when the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 is not charged.

[0073] [First Application Exampie]

The following describes a first application example of the embodiment described with reference to FIG. 1.

[0074] FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating a leaning vehicle and an electrical System as an application example of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1. Part (a) of FIG.

2 is a plan view of the leaning vehicle. Part (b) of FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of a whee! shown in Part (a). Part (c) of FIG. 2 is a side view of the leaning vehicle. Part (d) of FIG. 2 is an actual wiring diagram schematically illustrating connections in the electrical system ofthe leaning vehicle.

In the application example illustrated in FIG. 2 and subséquent drawings, 10 éléments corresponding to the éléments in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 will be described using the same reference signs as in FIG. 1.

[0075] A leaning vehicle 1 illustrated in FIG. 2 incîudes a vehicle body 2. The vehicle body 2 incîudes a seat 2a for a driver to sit on. The driver straddles the seat 2a when seated. FIG. 2 shows a motorcycle as an exampie of the leaning vehicle 1.

[0076] The leaning vehicle 1 incîudes a front wheel 3a and a rear wheel 3b. The wheel

3a and the wheel 3b each hâve a tread surface TR for contact with a road surface. The tread surfaces of the wheels 3a and 3b of the leaning vehicle 1 hâve an arc-like crosssectional shape when oui of contact with the road surface.

[0077] An engine 10 forms an engine unit EU. That is, the leaning vehicle 1 incîudes 20 the engine unit EU.

The engine unit EU incîudes the engine 10 and a permanent magnet starter motor20.

The engine 10 outputs power via a crankshaft 15. The engine 10 outputs a torque for driving the wheel 3b from the crankshaft 15. The whee! 3b receives the power from the crankshaft 15 and drives the leaning vehicle 1. The engine 10 has, for example, a displacement of 100 mL or greater. The engine 10 has, for example, a displacement of less than 400 mL.

The leaning vehicle 1 further includes a transmission CVT and a clutch CL. The power outputted from the engine 10 is transmitted to the wheel 3b via the transmission CVT and the clutch CL.

[0078] The pennanent magnet starter motor 20 is driven by the engine 10 to generale eiectric power. The permanent magnet starter motor 20 shown in FIG. 2 is a magnet starter generator.

The permanent magnet starter motor 20 has a rotor 30 and a stator 40. The rotor 30 includes permanent magnet parts 37 composed of permanent magnets. The rotor 30 rotâtes using the power outputted from the crankshaft 15. The stator 40 is opposed to the rotor 30, [0079] The leaning vehicle 1 further includes a deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 and an eiectric double-layer capacitor 71, which are power storage devices that can be charged and discharged. The deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 and the eiectric double-layer capacitor 71 output eiectric power stored therein to the outside. The deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 and the eiectric double-layer capacitor 71 supply eiectric power to the permanent magnet starter motor 20 and electrical equipment L. The deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 and the eiectric double-layer capacitor 71 supply eiectric power to the permanent magnet starter motor 20 when the engine 10 is started. The deep-cycle leadacid battery 4 and the eiectric double-layer capacitor 71 are charged with the eiectric power generated by the permanent magnet starter motor 20.

[0080] The deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 supplies eiectric power to the permanent magnet starter motor 20 when the engine 10 is started. After the engine 10 has been started, for example, the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 is charged by receiving current supplied from the permanent magnet starter motor 20.

The leaning vehicle 1 includes an inverter21. Theinverter21 includes a piurality of switching parts 211 that control current flowing between the permanent magnet starter motor 20 and the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4.

[0081] The electric double-layer capacitor 71 is constantly connected in parallel to the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4. The leaning vehicle 1 iliustrated in FIG. 2 includes a piurality of electric double-layer capaciiors 71. The electric double-layer capacitors 71 are connected în sériés to one another. The electric double-layer capacitors 71 connected in sériés to one another operate as a single electric double-layer capacitor in an electrical sense.

The electric double-layer capacitors 71 shown in FIG. 2 are constantly connected in parallel to the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 from the perspective of the inverter 21. The electric double-layer capaciiors 71 supply electric power to the permanent magnet starter motor 20 along with the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 when the engine 10 is started. The electric double-layer capacitors 71 hâve an electrostatic capacitance that permits storage of an amount of electric power enough for the permanent magnet starter motor 20 to start the engine at least once. The total weight of the electric double-layer capacitors 71 rs less than the weight ofthe deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4, [0082] The deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 and the electric double-layer capacitors 71 are physically separate from each other. The deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 and the electric double-layer capacitors 71 are separately disposed in the vehicle body 2. The deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 is provided in the vehicle body 2 and is replaceable. The electric double-layer capacitors 71 are provided in the vehicie body 2 and are not removabie from the vehicie body 2 together with the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 when the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 is replaced. That is, the electric double-layer capacitors 71 are attached to the vehicie body 2 to be maintained attached to the vehicie body 2 when the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 is detached from the vehicie body 2. More specifically, the electric double-layer capacitors 71 and the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 are attached to the vehicie body 2 using different members.

The electric double-layer capacitors 71 may be provided such that the electric double-layer capacitors 71 become removabie from the vehicie body 2 on the condition that the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 has been removed from the vehicie body 2. For example, the vehicie body 2 has a container recess part that contains the electric doublelayer capacitors 71 and the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4, with the electric double-layer capacitors 71 disposed in a deeper location than the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4.

Altematively, the electric double-layer capacitors 71 may be provided such that the electric double-layer capacitors 71 are removabie from the vehicie body 2 with the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 attached to the vehicie body 2.

[0083] The electric double-layer capacitors 71 are disposed such that based on wiring distance, the distance between the electric double-layer capacitors 71 and the inverter 21 is shorter than the distance between the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 and the inverter

21. That is, based on the wiring distance, the electric double-layer capacitors 71 are located doser to the inverter 21 than the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4. In an example shown in Part (d) of FIG. 2. the wiring distance from the electric double-layer capacitors 71 through the inverter 21 to the permanent magnet starter motor 20 is shorter than the wiring distance from the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 through the inverter 21 to the permanent magnet starter motor 20.

[0084] The permanent magnet starter motor 20 causes the crankshaft 15 to rotate using the electric power from the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4. Thus, the permanent magnet starter motor 20 starts the engine 10,

Since the electric double-layer capacitors 71 and the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 are constantiy connected in parallel to each other, the permanent magnet starter motor 20 causes the crankshaft 15 to rotate using both the electric power stored in the charged electric double-layer capacitors 71 and the electric power stored in the charged deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4.

[0085] The leaning vehicle 1 includes a main switch 5. The main switch 5 is used to supply electric power to the electrica! equipment L (see FIG. 6) in the leaning vehicle 1 in accordance with manipulation thereof. The electrica! equipment L collectively represents devices that operate while consuming ejectric power, except for the permanent magnet starter motor 20, The electrical equipment L includes, for example, a headîight 9, a fuel injecter device 18 described be!ow, and a spark plug 19.

The leaning vehicle 1 includes a starter switch 6. The starter switch 6 is used to start the engine 10 in accordance with manipulation thereof. The leaning vehicle 1 includes a main reiay 75. The main relay 75 opens and closes a circuit including the electrical equipment L in response to a signai from the main switch 5.

The leaning vehicle 1 includes an accélération instruction part 8. The accélération instruction part 8 is an operation eiement for instructing the leaning vehicle 1 to accelerate in accordance with manipulation thereof. Specificaliy, the accélération instruction part 8 is an accelerator grip.

[0086] In the configuration illustrated in FIG. 2, the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 supplies electric power to the permanent magnet starter motor 20 when the engine 10 is started. Détérioration in the power storage capability of the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 due to deep discharge is suppressed compared to, for example, that of a starting battery having the same capacity as the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4.

The current that can be outputted from the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 per unit time is smailer than, for example, that from a starting battery having the same capacity as the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4. However, the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 is constantly connected in parallel to the electric double-layer capacitors 71. It is therefore possible to charge the electric double-layer capacitors 71 before the engine starting with the electric power outputted from the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4.

When the engine 10 is started, the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 supplies electric power to the permanent magnet starter motor 20 and, at the same time, the electric double-layer capacitors 71 that hâve been charged beforehand can also supply electric power to the permanent magnet starter motor 20. Unlike the deep-cycle leadacid battery 4, the electric double-layer capacitors 71 do not use Chemical reaction of électrodes . The electric double-layer capacitors 71 therefore hâve a lower internai résistance than, for example, the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4. Consequently, compared to the case including only the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4, for example, the configuration additionally including the electric double-layer capacitors 71 can supply a large amount of electric power to the permanent magnet starter motor 20. The electric double-layer capacitors 71 can also supply a langer current than the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 in a situation where, for example, a large current is required after the engine 10 has been started.

Furthermore, since it is sufficient that the electric double-layer capacitors 71 hâve an electrostatic capacitance that permits storage of an amount of electric power enough to start the engine 10 at least once, the electric double-layer capacitors 71 can hâve a smaller volume. Tne electric double-layer capacitors 71 can therefore be mounted in the leaning vehicle 1 that runs and tums while leaning, without compromising vehicle design flexibifity.

As described above, ît is possible to raise the maximum limit of the number of times the engine can be started even when only a short period of time is available for charging the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 or when the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 is not charged, by constantly connecting, in paralîel thereto, the electric double-layer capacitors 71 having an electrostatic capacitance that permits storage of an amount of electric power enough to start the engine 10 at least once, Thus, it is possible to increase the number of times the engine 10 can be started even when only a short period of time is available for charging the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 or when the deep-cycle leadacid battery 4 is not charged, [0087] FIG. 3 is an extemai view of the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 and the electric double-layer capacitors 71 shown in FIG. 2.

Part (a) of FIG. 3 is a plan view. Part (b) of FIG. 3 is a side view. Part (b) of FIG. 3 is a bottom view.

[0088] [Deep-cycle lead-acid Battery]

The deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 illustrated in FIG. 3 is cuboid in shape. The deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 has a top surface 4a, a bottom surface 4b, and four side surfaces 4c.

The deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 and the electric double-layer capacitors 71 shown in FiGS. 2 and 3 are arranged in an orientation with the top surface 4a (FIG. 3) of the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 facing upward of the leaning vehicle 1 in an upright State. However, the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 and the electric double-layer capacitors 71 may alternatively be arranged in a tilted orientation relative to the orientation shown in FIG. 2.

[0089] The deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 has a positive terminal 41 and a négative terminai 42. The terminais 41 and 42 are disposed in recesses in portions of the top surface part ofthe deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4.

[0090] The deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 has a plurality of battery cells 45. The battery cells 45 each hâve a positive electrode and a négative electrode, not shown. The deepcycle lead-acid battery 4 stores therein electric power supplied from the outside through Chemical reaction of électrodes . The deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 outputs electric power to the outside through Chemical reaction of électrodes .

[0091] [Capacitor]

The leaning vehicle 1 (see FIG. 2) has, for example, a plurality of electric doublelayer capacitors (EDLCs) 71.

Each electric double-layer capacitor 71 is an electrical component that can function by itself. Each electric double-layer capacitor 71 is of lead type having lead wires 71a and 71b serving as terminais. The electric double-layer capacitors 71 are connected to a circuit board 72. The plurality of electric double-layer capacitors 71 and the circuit board 72 form an electric double-layer capacitor block 7. That is, the electric double-layer capacitor block 7 includes the plurality of electric double-layer capacitors 71 and the circuit board 72 connected to each ofthe electricdouble-layer capacitors 71. The electric double-layer capacitor block 7 is included in the leaning vehicle 1.

The circuit board 72 is soldered to the eîectric double-layer capacitors 71. The circuit board has a wiring pattern 72p that connects the eîectric double-layer capacitors 71 in sériés to one another. The plurality of eîectric double-iayer capacitors 71 are connected in sériés to one another via the circuit board 72. The eîectric double-layer capacitors 71 of lead type can be quickly connected in sériés to one another by being soldered to the circuit board 72 in an assembly process.

The plurality of eîectric double-layer capacitors 71 connected in sériés to one another fonction as a single eîectric double-layer capacitor in an electricai sense. The plurality of eîectric double-layer capacitors 71 that fonction as a single eîectric doublelayer capacitor in an electricai sense are also referred to below sîmply as an eîectric double-layer capacitor 71 hereafter.

[0092] FIG. 3 shows five or more eiectric double-layer capacitors 71 as an exampie in which the eîectric double-layer capacitors 71 are applied to the leaning vehicle 1 (FIG. 2). The leaning vehicle 1 illustrated in FIG. 2 has, for example, six eîectric double-layer capacitors 71.

[0093] Each eîectric double-layer capacitor 71 has electrodes and an electrolytîc solution, not shown. Each of the electrodes includes a current coîlector and activated carbon, not shown. Each eîectric double-iayer capacitor 71 stores eîectric power therein by forming an eîectric double-layer inciuding a sequence of ions and électrons or holes at the interface between the activated carbon and the electrolytîc solution. The eîectric double-layer capacitors 71 store eîectric power in the form of eîectric charge. The eîectric double-îayer capacitors 71 store eîectric power without depending on Chemical changes in the electrodes. For this reason, the eîectric double-layer capacitors 71 can be charged and discharged at a higher current than, for example, a deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 having ihe same capacîty as the eîectric double-layer capacitors 71.

In particular, charging current for the eîectric double-layer capacitors 71 is less restricted than that for the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4. The eîectric double-layer capacitors 71 can therefore store more eîectric power in a short period of time than the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 having the same capacity as ihe eîectric double-layer capacitors 71. Furthermore, dîscharging current for the eîectric double-layer capacitors 71 is less restricted than that for the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4. The eîectric doublelayer capacitors 11 can therefore be dîscharged at a higher current than the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 having the same capacity as the eîectric double-layer capacitors 71. [0094] The eîectric double-layer capacitors 71 shown in FIG. 3 by themselves hâve an elecirostatic capacitance that permits storage of an amount of eîectric power enough for the permanent magnet starter motor 20 to cause the crankshaft 15 to rotate to start the engine 10 at least once. Even when the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 faits to output enough eîectric power to start the engine 10, therefore, it is possible to start the engine 10 using the current stored in the charged eîectric double-layer capacitors 71. Even if the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 is not connected, the current stored in the charged eîectric double-layer capacitors 71 can start the engine 10 at least once.

Capacity of a capacitor is electrostatic capacitance. The electrostatic capacitance is expressed in Farads (F). However, the measure of the capacity may also be expressed, for example, in terms of integrated current (Ah or As) based on an assumed standard battery operational voltage to agréé with the counterpart of the deepcycle lead-acid battery 4. The integrated current represents eîectric charge that is stored in the capacitor. The measure of the capacity can therefore be expressed in terms of eîectric charge (C: coulomb) that is stored based on an assumed standard battery opérations! voltage. The standard battery operational voltage is, for example, 12 V, The standard battery opérations! voltage may be, for example, equa! to or higher than 12 V. The standard battery operational voltage may be, for example, 24 V.

The electric power that îs stored in the series-connected electric double-layer capacitors 71 herein may also be expressed in terms of electric charge (C) based on an assumed operational voltage. Note that 1 C is equal to 1 As.

[0095] [Capacitor Shape and Arrangement]

The electric double-layer capacitors 71 are cylindrical in shape. The plurality of cylindrical electric double-layer capacitors 71 are arranged substantially parallel to one another. For example, six electric double-layer capacitors 71 are arranged to form six columns. The pair of lead wires 71a and 71b protrude from one of two bottom surfaces (upper and lower surfaces) of each cylindrical electric double-layer capacitor 71. Each electric double-layer capacitor 71 is arranged with the bottom surface having the lead wires 71a and 71 b protruding therefrom opposing to the circuit board 72.

[0096] [Capacitor and Battery Arrangement]

The electric double-layer capacitors 71 are located further downward than a lower edge line of the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 in an up-down direction of the leaning vehicle 1, for example, when the leaning vehicle 1 illustrated in FIG. 2 is viewsd in the right direction. For example, the electric double-layer capacitors 71 are arranged along the bottom surface of the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4. The electric double-layer capacitors 71 are located further downward than the bottom surface of the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4.

[0097] [Dimensional Relationship]

A relationship between a diameter φ of the electric double-layer capacitors 71 and a latéral length Lb of the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4, and a relationship between a iength Le of the electric double-iayer capacitors 71 and a longitudinal length W of the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 are as represented by inequalities (A) and (B) shown below.

(Lb/7) < φ < (Lb/5) (A)

Le < W (B)

[0098] Capacitors having an electrostatic capacitance of at least 30 F, for example, are empioyed as the electric double-iayer capacitors 71. The electric double-iayer capacitors 71 hâve, for example, an electrostatic capacitance of 100 F. Furthermore, electric double-iayer capacitors having a maximum working voltage of at least 2.5 V and no greater than 5 V are empioyed as the electric double-iayer capacitors 71, For example, electric double-iayer capacitors 71 having a maximum working voltage of at least 2.7 V and no greater than 3 V are empioyed as the electric double-iayer capacitors 71. The electric double-iayer capacitors 71 hâve, for exemple, a maximum working voltage of 2.7 V.

[0099] The electric double-iayer capacitors 71 preferably hâve a capacity that permits storage of an amount of electric power enough for the permanent magnet starter motor 20 to cause the crankshaft 15 to rotate for at ieast 0.5 seconds to start the engine 10. Through the above, the engine 10 opérâtes for a period of time correspondîng to at least one cycle including a compression stroke. This enables the combustion operation.

In a case where a current of 100 A or greater is supplied to the permanent magnet starter motor 20 that causes the crankshaft 15 to rotate, for example, an electric power of greater than 200 J causes the crankshaft 15 to rotate for 0.5 seconds. In a case where the electric double-iayer capacitors 71 hâve a maximum capacity équivalent to

33.3 F and the standard operational voltage in the leaning vehicle 1 is 12 V, the piurality of electric double-layer capacitors 71 store an electric power of greater than 400 J as a whoie. Even if the piurality of electric double-layer capacitors 71 are discharged until the electric charge therein rs half of its full-charge level, the electric double-layer capacitors 71 can supply an energy of greater than 200 J. In this case, the permanent magnet starter motor 20 causes the crankshaft 15 to rota te for at least 0.5 seconds to start the engine 10.

[0100] The electric double-layer capacitors 71 hâve a capacity to be substantially fully charged within 20 seconds with the electric power generated by the permanent magnet starter motor 20 while the engine 10 is idling. Keeping the engine 10 idling for 20 seconds before stopping the engine 10 makes it possible to restart the engine 10 using the electric power from the electric double-layer capacitors 71.

In a case where the average current supplied from the permanent magnet starter motor 20 while the engine 10 is idling is 20 A, for exampie, an electric power of greater than 400 J is supplied to the eiectric double-layer capacitors 71 in 20 seconds. Having a capacity of at least 30 F, the eiectric double-layer capacitors 71 store an electric power of greater than 400 J in a case where the standard operational voltage in the leaning vehicle 1 is 12 V. That is, the electric double-layer capacitors 71 are fully charged within 20 seconds with the electric power generated by the permanent magnet starter motor 20 while the engine 10 is idling. As a resuit, the permanent magnet starter motor 20 can cause the crankshaft 15 to rotate for at least 0.5 seconds to start the engine 10.

[0101] The eiectric double-layer capacitors 71 may hâve a capacity that permits storage of an amount of electric power enough for the permanent magnet starter motor 20 to cause the crankshaft 15 to rotate for at least longer than one second to start the engine

10, This allows the engine 10 to be started at ieast once, in a case where a current of 100 A is suppiied to the permanent magnet starter motor 20, an electric power of approximately greater than 400 J causes the crankshaft 15 to rotate for longer than one second. Having a capacity of at ieast 50 F, the electric double-layer capacitors 71 can cause the crankshaft 15 to rotate for longer than one second to start the engine 10.

Note here that the engine 10 is started while the leaning vehicie 1 is stopped and the crankshaft 15 is not rotating.

The electric double-layer capacitors 71 reach the standard operatîonal voitage in the leaning vehicie 1 within 20 seconds with the electric power generated by the permanent magnet starter motor 20 while the engine 10 is idling. The electric doublelayer capacitors 71 hâve, for exampie, a capacity of less than 400 F.

[0102] In another adoptable configuration, frie electric double-layer capacitors 71 may hâve a capacity to be fuliy charged within less than 10 seconds with the electric power generated by the permanent magnet starter motor 20 while the engine 10 is idling. In this configuration, the electric double-layer capacitors 71 hâve, for example, a capacity of less than 200 F. Keeping the engine 10 idling for 10 seconds before stopping the engine 10 enabîes the engine 10 to be restarted using the electric power from the electric doublelayer capacitors 71,

[0103] The inverter 21 shown in FIG. 2 includes the switching parts 211 (see FIG. 6). The inverter 21 causes the permanent magnet starter motor 20 to rotate by supplying electric power to the permanent magnet starter motor 20. The inverter 21 Controls the current flowing through windings of the permanent magnet starter motor 20 through on/off control over the current. The inverter 21 also supplies the electric power generated by the permanent magnet starter motor 20 to the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 and the electric double-layer capacitors 71 when the engine 10 is in the combustion operation. In this case, the inverter 21 rectifies the current generated by the permanent magnet starter motor 20.

[0104] The leaning vehicle 1 includes a control device 60. The control device 60 is physically intégral with the inverter 21. Specifically, the control device 60 and the inverter 21 in the présent application example shares a common housing. The control device 60 contrais current flowing between the permanent magnet starter motor 20 and the deepcycle lead-acid battery 4 and between the permanent magnet starter motor 20 and the electric double-layer capacitors 71 by controlling operation of the switching parts 211 of the inverter 21. Thus, the control device 60 contrais operation of the permanent magnet starter motor 20.

For example, the control device 60 causes the inverter 21 to supply current from the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 to the permanent magnet starter motor 20 in response to a signal from the starter switch 6. As a resuit, electric power is supplied from the deepcycle lead-acid battery 4 to the permanent magnet starter motor 20, and thus the engine 10 is started. After the engine has been started, that is, after the combustion operation has been started, the control device 60 contrais the inverter 21 to cause current from the permanent magnet starter motor 20 to flow through the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4. As a resuit, the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 is charged with the electric power generated by the permanent magnet starter motor 20.

Even after the engine 10 has been started, that is, even after the combustion operation has been started, the control device 60 causes the inverter 21 to supply the electric power from the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 to the permanent magnet starter motor 20 in accordance with manipulation of the accélération instruction part 8. Thus, the permanent magnet starter motor 20 assists the engine 10 in driving the leaning vehicle 1.

[0105] The control device 60 in the présent application example also has a function of an engine control part that Controls fuel supply to the engine 10. The control device 60 Controls the fuel supply to the engine by controiiing operation of the fuel injecter device 18 5 described below.

The control device 60 includes a centrai processing unit and memory, not shown.

The control device 60 Controls the fuel supply te the engine 10 by executing a program stored in the memory. The control device 60 includes a smoothing capacitor 61. The smoothing capacitor 61 smooths voltage at a power supply terminal of the control device 10 60.

[0106] As shown in Part (d) of FIG. 2, the permanent magnet starter motor 20, the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4, the eîectric double-layer capacitors 71, the main relay 75, the control device 60 including the inverter 21, and the electrical equipment L are electricaliy connected together by wiring J. For visual clarity, the reference sign (J) for the wiring is given to a portion ofthe wiring shown in Part (b) of FIG. 2.

The wiring J includes, for example, a lead wire. The wiring J may include a plurality of lead wires joined together. The wiring J may also include a connecter for joining lead wires, a fuse, and a connection terminal. The connecter, the fuse, and the connection terminal are not shown. The actual wiring diagram in Part (d) of FIG. 2 shows connections in a positive electrode région. Connections in a négative electrode région, which in other words is a ground région, are made electricaliy through the vehicle body 2. More specifically, the connections in the négative electrode région are made electricaliy through a métal frame, not shown, of the vehicle body 2. Distances of the electrical connections between the devices through the vehicle body 2 are normally equai te or shorter than those of the connections in the positive electrode région through the lead wires or the like. Part (d) of FIG. 2 therefore mainly illustrâtes the wiring in the positive electrode région, omitting illustration of the connections in the négative electrode région through the vehicle body 2.

The wiring J shown in FIG. 2 is combined with other wiring in the vehicle to form a wiring hamess, not shown. Part (d) of FIG. 2 shows only the wiring J that electrically connects the devices shown therein.

Part (d) of FIG. 2 schematically shows the connection relationship of the wiring J between the devices and the distance ofthe wiring J.

[0107] [Engine Unit]

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view for schematically illustrating an outline configuration ofthe engine unit EU shown in FIG. 2.

[0108] The engine unit EU includes the engine 10. The engine 10 includes a crankcase

11, a cylinder 12, a piston 13, a connecting rod 14, and the crankshaft 15. The piston 13 is provided in the cylinder 12 in a reciprocable manner.

The crankshaft 15 is rotatably provided in the crankcase 11. The crankshaft 15 is coupled to the piston 13 via the connecting rod 14. A cylinder head 16 is attached to an upper portion of the cylinder 12. The cylinder 12, the cylinder head 16, and the piston 13 form a combustion chamber. The crankshaft 15 is supported on the crankcase 11 in a rotatable manner. The permanent magnet starter motor 20 is attached to one end part 15a of the crankshaft 15. The transmission CVT is attached to an opposite end part 15b of the crankshaft 15. The transmission CVT can change the transmission gear ratio, which is a ratio of an output rotation speed to an input rotation speed. The transmission CVT can change the transmission gear ratio corresponding to the rotation speed of the wheel relative to the rotation speed of the crankshaft 15.

[0109] The engine unit EU includes the fuel injecter device 18. The fuel injecter device supplies a fuel to the combustion chamber by injecting the fuel. The fuel injecter device 18 injects the fuel to air that flows through an intake channel ip. A gas mixture of the air and the fuel is supplied to the combustion chamber of the engine 10.

The engine 10 is further provided with a spark plug 19.

[0110] The engine 10 is an internai combustion engine. The engine 10 receives the fuel supplied thereto. The engine 10 outputs power through the combustion operation, which causes combustion of the gas mixture. That is, the combustion of the gas mixture 10 containing the fuel supplied to the combustion chamber causes a reciprocating motion of the piston 13. The crankshaft 15 rotâtes in conjonction with the reciprocating motion of the piston 13. The power is outputted to the outside of the engine 10 via the crankshaft 15.

The fuel injector device 18 adjusts the power being outputted from the engine 10 by adjusting the amount of the fuel being supplied. The fuel injector device 18 is controlled by the control device 60. The fuel injector device 18 is controiled to supply the fuel in an amount based on the volume ofthe air being supplied to the engine 10.

The engine 10 outputs power via the crankshaft 15. The power from the crankshaft 15 is transmitted to the wheel 3b via the transmission CVT and the clutch CL (seeFIG.2).

[0111] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section perpendicular to a rotation axis of the permanent magnet starter motor 20 shown in FIG. 4.

The following de scribes the permanent magnet starter motor 20 with reference to

FIGS. 4 and 5.

[0112] The permanent magnet starter motor 20 has the rotor 30 and the stator 40. The permanent magnet starter motor 20 in the présent application example is of radial gap type. The permanent magnet starter motor 20 is of outer rotor type. That is, the rotor 30 is an outer rotor. The stator 40 is an inner stator.

The rotor 30 has a rotor body part 31. The rotor body part 31 is, for example, made of a ferromagnetic material. The rotor body part 31 has a bottomed cylinder shape. The rotor body part 31 includes a cylindrical boss portion 32, a disk-shaped bottom wall portion 33, and a back yoke portion 34 having a cyiindrical shape. The bottom wall portion 33 and the back yoke portion 34 are intégrally formed. Alternat!vety, the bottom wall portion 33 and the back yoke portion 34 may be separate portions. The bottom wall portion 33 and the back yoke portion 34 are secured to the crankshaft 15 via the cylindrical boss portion 32. The rotor 30 is not provided with a winding to which current is supplied.

[0113] The rotor 30 includes the permanent magnet parts 37. The rotor 30 has a plurality of magnetic pôle portions 37a. The plurality of magnetic pôle portions 37a are formed by the permanent magnet parts 37. The plurality of magnetic pôle portions 37a are provided on an inner circumferential surface of the back yoke portion 34. In the présent application example, the permanent magnet parts 37 include a plurality of permanent magnets. That is, the rotor 30 includes a plurality of permanent magnets.

The plurality of magnetic pôle portions 37a are provided on the respective permanent magnets.

Note that a single ring-shaped permanent magnet may form a permanent magnet part 37. in this case, the single permanent magnet is magnetized such that a plurality of magnetic pôle portions 37a are arranged along an inner circumferential e

surface thereof.

[0114] The piurality of magnetic pôle portions 37a are provided such that N pôle and S pôle appear altemately in a circumferential direction of the permanent magnet starter motor 20. In the présent application example, the number of magnet pôles of the rotor 30 5 that are opposed to the stator 40 is 24. The number of magnetic pôle portions of the rotor 30 refers to the number of magnet pofes opposed to the stator 40. No magnetic element is disposed between the magnetic pôle portions 37a and the stator 40.

The magnetic poie portions 37a are located outward of the stator 40 in a radial direction of the permanent magnet starter motor 20. The back yoke portion 34 is located 10 further outward than the magnetic pôle portions 37a in the radial direction. The number of magnetic pôle portions 37a included in the permanent magnet starter motor 20 is greater than the number of teeth 43.

The rotor 30 may be of interior permanent magnet type (IRM type) in which the magnetic pôle portions 37a are embedded in a magnetic material. However, the rotor 30 15 is preferably of surface permanent magnet type (SPM type) in which the magnetic pôle portions 37a are exposed from a magnetic material as in the case of the présent application example.

[0115] The stator 40 has a stator core ST and a piurality of windings W. The stator core ST has the piurality of teeth 43 arranged at intervaîs in the circumferential direction. The 20 piurality of teeth 43 integrally extend from the stator core ST toward radiaily outside. in the présent application example, eighteen teeth 43 in total are arranged at intervaîs in the circumferential direction. In other words, the stator core ST has eighteen slots SL in total that are arranged at intervaîs in the circumferential direction. The teeth 43 are arranged at equal intervaîs in the circumferential direction.

[0116] The number of magnetic pôle portions 37a included in the rotor 30 is greater than the number of teeth 43. Tbe number of magnetic poie portions is 4/3 of the number of slots.

[0117] The windings W are wound around the respective teeth 43. That is, the windings W, which are muiti-phase windings, are disposed through the siots SL. FIG. 5 illustrâtes a State in which the windings W are in the slots SL.

[0118] The permanent magnet starter motor20 is a three-phase generator. Each of the windings W belongs to any of U-phase, V-phase, and W-phase. The windings W are arranged, for example, in the order of U-phase, V-phase, and W-phase.

[0119] White the leaning vehicle 1 is running with the engine 10 operating, the deepcycle lead-acid battery 4 and the electric double-layer capacitors 71 are charged with the electric power generated by the permanent magnet starter motor 20. Once the deepcycle lead-acid battery 4 and the electric doubîe-layer capacitors 71 are fuily charged, the electric power generated by the permanent magnet starter motor 20 is consumed as heat without being used for the charging due to, for exampie, a short circuit in the windings. For exampie, if thicker windings having a lower electric résistance are employed to increase the torque in the permanent magnet starter motor 20 at the time of engine starting, the electric power to be consumed as heat after the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 and the electric double-layer capacitors 71 hâve been fully charged also increases. That is, the îoss increases.

During the electric power génération by the motor, the current flowing through the windings W is affected by impédance occurring on the windings W themselves. Impédance is a factor that interfères with the current flowing through the windings W. impédance involves the product of rotation speed ω and inductance. Actually, the rotation speed ω herein corresponds to the number of magnetic pôle portions that pass the vicinities of îhe teeth per unit time That is, the rotation speed ω is proportional to the ratio of the number of magnetic pote portions to the number of teeth in the motor and the rotation speed of the rotor.

In the permanent magnet starter motor 20 iliustrated in FIG. 5, the number of magnetic pôle portions 37a is greater than the number of teeth 43. That is, in the permanent magnet starter motor 20, the number of magnetic pôle portions 37a is greater than the number of slots SL The windings W therefore hâve a large impédance. Consequently, less electric power is consumed as heaî after the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 and the electric double-iayer capacitors 71 hâve been fully charged. This makes it possible to employ thicker windings having a lower electric résistance to increase the torque in the permanent magnet starter motor 20 at the time of engine starting.

The leaning vehrcte 1 includes the electric double-layer capacitors 71 that are constantly connected in parafe! to the deep-cycfe lead-acid battery 4. In the case of the leaning vehicie 1 adcpting the permanent magner starter motor 20 that has a capability of receiving a large current to increase the torque at the time of engine starting, therefore, it is possible to suppfy a large current corresponding to this current receiving capability. [0120] The rotor 30 of the permanent magnet starter motor 20 is connected to the crankshaft 15 so as to rotate in response to rotation ofthe crankshaft 15.

[0121] FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram illustrating an outline electrical configuration of the leaning vehicie 1 iliustrated in FIG. 2.

The circuit diagram in FIG. 6 shows electrical connections in the application exampie ofthe leaning vehicie 1 iSustrated in FIG. 2.

[0122] As illustrated in FIG. δ, the permanent magnet starter motor 20 is electrically connected to the electric double-layer capacitors 71 via the inverter21. The permanent magnet starter motor 20 is electrically connected to the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 via the inverter 21 and the main relay 75.

The inverter 21 includes the switching parts 211. The switching parts 211 form a three-phase bridge inverterasthe inverter21.

The switching parts 211 are connected to the phases of the multi-phase windings W, and switch voltage between the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 and the multi-phase windings W between being applied and being not applied. In this manner, the plurality of switching parts 211 switch passage of current between the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 and the multi-phase windings W between being permitted and being blocked. That is, the plurality of switching parts 211 control the current flowing between the deep-cycle leadacid battery 4 and the permanent magnet starter motor 20. More specifically, when the permanent magnet starter motor 20 fonctions as a starter motor, on/off operation of the switching parts 211 switches energization of each of the multi-phase windings W between being permitted and being stopped. When the permanent magnet starter motor 20 fonctions as a generator, the on/off operation of the switching parts 211 switches the passage of the current between each of the windings W and the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 between being permitted and being blocked. Voltage and rectification of a three-phase alternating current outputted from the permanent magnet starter motor 20 are controlled by switching on/off the switching parts 211 one after another.

[0123] The control device 60 Controls the current flowing between the permanent magnet starter motor 20 and the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4, and between the permanent magnet starter motor 20 and the electric double-layer capacitors 71 by t

« controlling the operation of the switching parts 211. For example, the control device 60 causes the permanent magnet starter motor 20 to rotate by controliing the switching parts 211 using a vector control scheme. Furthermore, the control device 60 supplies the electric power generated by the permanent magnet starter motor 20 to the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4, the electric double-layer capacitors 71, and the electrical equipment L by controliing the switching parts 211 using the vector control scheme. The control device 60 is not limited to controlling the switching parts 211 using the vector control scheme, and may employ, for example, a 120-degree energîzation scheme and a phase control scheme.

[0124] The deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 and the electric double-layer capacitors 71 are electrically connected to the inverter 21 of the permanent magnet starter motor 20 via the main relay 75. The deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 and the electric double-layer capacitors 71 are electrically connected to the electrical equipment L via the main relay 75. The deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 and the electric double-layer capacitors 71 are electrically connected to the permanent magnet starter motor 20 via the main relay 75.

The deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 and the electric double-layer capacitors 71 are electrically connected to the control device 60.

The electric double-layer capacitors 71 are separate from the smoothing capacitor 61. The electric double-layer capacitors 71 are connected in paralîel to the 20 smoothing capacitor 61. The electric double-layer capacitors 71 store therein electric power for driving the permanent magnet starter motor 20. By contrast, the smoothing capacitor 61 smooths voltage of a power supply.

The capacity of the electric double-layer capacitors 71 is greater than the capacity of the smoothing capacitor 61. The parasitic inductance of the electric double

Iayer capacitors 71 is greater than the parasitic inductance ofthe smoothing capacitor61, The electric double-layer capacitors 71 include electric double-layer capacitors. The smoothing capacitor 61 includes an eîectrolytic capacitor.

[0125] Between the devices shown in FIG. 6, actually, components such as connectors (couplers), fuses, connection terminais, and current-regulating résistars are included. In the présent application example, components such as connectors, fuses, connection terminais, and current-regulating resistors can be deemed to be included in the wiring in an electrical sense, and therefore illustration and description thereof are omitted. Another configuration may be adopted in which fuses are not included between the devices 10 shown in FIG. 6.

[0126] Ail of the electric double-layer capacitors 71 shown in FIG. 6 are connected in sériés to one another. That is, almost ail of the current flowing through one of the electric double-layer capacitors 71 flows through the other electric double-layer capacitors 71.

A State in which the main relay 75 in FIG. 6 is activated to close the circuit including the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 is referred ta as an on State of the main relay 75.

The main switch 5 is tumed on in accordance with manipulation thereof. The main relay 75 îs in the on State when the main switch 5 is in the on state.

As shown in the circuit diagram in FIG. 6, the electric double-layer capacitors 71 20 and the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 are constantly connected in parallel to each other from the perspective of the inverter 21. The circuit including the inverter 21, the electric double-layer capacitors 71, and the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 includes the main relay 75. Since the electric double-layer capacitors 71 and the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 are constantly connected in paralle! to each other from the perspective of the mverter 21, the current outputted from the deep-cycie lead-acid battery 4 and the current outputted from the electric double-layer capacitors 71 join together and flow into the inverter 21 when the engine is started with the main relay 75 in the on state and the starter switch 6 in the on state.

[0127] From the perspective of the inverter 21, the eiectric double-layer capacitors 71 and the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 are constantly connected in parallel to each other. The circuit including the inverter 21 and the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 includes the main relay 75 and the inverter 21. During the combustion operation of the engine 10 with the main relay 75 in the on state, the current that has been outputted from the permanent magnet starter motor 20 and that has passed through the inverter 21 is suppîied to the electric double-iayer capacitors 71 and the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 while being divided therebetween.

From the perspective of the inverter 21, the electric double-layer capacitors 71, the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4, and the electrical equipment L are connected in parallel. The electrical equipment L is, for example, the headlight 9, as described above. More specifically, when the main relay 75 is in the on state, the current that has been outputted from the permanent magnet starter motor 20 and that has passed through the inverter 21 is suppîied to the electric double-layer capacitors 71, the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4, and the electrical equipment L while being divided therebetween.

When the permanent magnet starter motor 20 is not generating electric power, the current from the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 is suppîied to the electrical equipment L. Furthermore, when the voltage of the electric double-layer capacitors 71 îs lower than the voltage of the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4, a portion of the current outputted from the deep-cycie lead-acid battery 4 flows to the electric double-layer capacitors 71, That is, the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 charges the electric double-layer capacitors 71.

The electric power from the eiectric double-layer capacitors 71 is consumed by the electrical equipment L, for exampie, when the engine 10 is not in the combustion operation. As a resuit, the voltage of the eiectric double-layer capacitors 71 becomes lower than the voltage of the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4. Tuming on the main relay 75 during this State causes the electric double-layer capacitors 71 to be charged with the electric power from the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4. In this case, the electric doublelayer capacitors 71 are charged until the voltage of the electric double-layer capacitors 71 becomes equal to the voltage ofthe deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4.

[0128] The circuit diagram in FIG. 6 and the actuai wiring diagram in Part (d) of FIG. 2 show the same connection configuration. However, the actuai wiring diagram in Part (d) of FIG. 2 differs from FIG. 6 în that the former represents the actuai connection reîationship of the wiring J between the devices and the actuai distance of the wiring J.

[0129] Circuit diagrams typically show electrical connections between devices. More specifically, circuit diagrams show circuit topology of devices. That is, circuit diagrams show, for example, whether devices are connected in sériés or in parallel. Circuit diagrams also show whether two certain devices are connected only by wiring or through a different device than the two devices. Circuit diagrams do not represent the actuai wiring length. Circuit diagrams do not show the location of each device in space. For 20 example, three devices being arranged side by side in a circuit diagram do not mean that the three devices are actually arranged in that order. Such an arrangement in the circuit diagram does not mean that the three devices are actually arranged side by side.

By contrast, the actuai wiring diagram shown in Part (b) of FIG. 2 schematically shows the actuai wiring length between the devices in the leaning vehicle 1.

[0130] As shown in Pari (b) of FIG. 2, the electric double-iayer capacitors 71 are arranged such that based on the wîring distance, the distance between the electric double-iayer capacitors 71 and the inverter 21 is shorterthan the distance between the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 and the inverter 21.

The wiring distance from the electric double-iayer capacitors 71 through the inverter 21 to the permanent magnet starter motor 20 is shorter than the wiring distance from the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 through the inverter 21 to the permanent magnet starter motor 20.

The electric double-iayer capacitors 71 are arranged such that based on the wiring distance, the distance between the electric double-iayer capacitors 71 and the inverter 21 is longer than the distance between the electric double-iayer capacitors 71 and the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4. As a resuit, the wiring distance from the electric double-iayer capacitors 71 through the inverter 21 to the permanent magnet starter motor 20 is longer than the wiring distance from the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 through the inverter 21 to the permanent magnet starter motor 20.

[0131] Next, the foliowing describes startability ofthe engine 10 in the leaning vehicle 1 with reference to FIG. 7.

[0132] FIG. 7 is a chart representing a change in current during starting of the engine 10 in the leaning vehicle 1 illustrated in FIG. 2.

[0133] A thick solid line in FIG. 7 indicates current Im flowing through the inverter 21. A thin solid line indicates current le flowing through the electric double-iayer capacitors 71. A dashed line indicates current Ib flowing through the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4. Current above 0 A on the vertical axis indicates charging current for the deep-cycie leadacid battery 4 and the electric double-iayer capacitors 71. Current below 0 A indicates discharging current therefor. For ease of understanding, FIG. 7 shows the current Im, the current le, and the current Ib recorded while no current is being supplied to the electrical equipment.

[0134] The chart in FIG. 7 shows the current recorded while forward rotation of the 5 crankshaft 15 was being caused for starting the engine 10 without any combustion operation such as fuel supply to the engine 10. Specifically, the engine 10 is started such that the starter switch 6 is kept on for a predetermined period of time. During this period, the inverter 21 under the control of the control device 60 supplies current to each phase of windings of the permanent magnet starter motor 20 for rotation of the permanent 10 magnet starter motor 20. That is, a predetermined engine starting period (for example, 0.5 seconds) is obtained. As a resuit, the permanent magnet starter motor 20 causes the crankshaft 15 to rotate over the engine starting period. During this period, the combustion operation of the engine 10 is not performed. Next, a predetermined stopping period (for example, 3 seconds) is obtained, and subsequently the starter switch 6 is 15 operated again to be kept in the on State over the engine starting period. As described above, the engine starting period and the stopping period are repeated altemately.

A beginning portion of the engine starting period (for example, 0.05 seconds) corresponds to a rotation starting period. The impédance of the windings of the permanent magnet starter motor 20 is small until the stopped permanent magnet starter 20 motor 20 starts rotating. That is, a larger inrush current flows through the permanent magnet starter motor 20 during the rotation starting period in the engine starting period than during a rotation period after the rotation starting period,

This current corresponds to a torque for the permanent magnet starter motor 20 to start the rotation ofthe crankshaft 15 ofthe engine 10.

fn the chart in FIG. 7, a combination of the engine starting period and the subséquent stopping period is repeated.

[0135] The electric double-layer capacitors 71 are connected to the deep-cycle leadacid battery 4. The current Im fiowing through the inverter 21 is the sum of the current Ib 5 discharged from the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 and the current le discharged from the electric double-layer capacitors 71. As shown in FIG. 7, during the rotation starting period in the engine starting period, the current 1m, which is the sum of the current ib discharged from the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 and the current le discharged from the electric double-layer capacitors 71, fîows through the inverter 21.

During the rotation starting period, a large current is obtained as the current 1m of the inverter 21 as a resuit of a large current being discharged as the current le from the electric double-layer capacitors 71. That is, a current enough to start the engine 10 is obtained as the current 1m of the inverter 21. The rotation speed of the crankshaft 15 therefone quickly increases, providing startability ofthe engine 10.

The engine 10 can be started even if the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 fails to output enough current to start the engine 10.

[0136] The impédance of the wîndings of frie permanent magnet starter motor 20 increases as the crankshaft 15 starts to rotate after the rotation starting period has elapsed. As a result, both the current Ib that is discharged from the deep-cycle lead-acid 20 battery 4 and the current le that is discharged from the electric double-layer capacitors 71 decrease.

The current le that is discharged from the electric double-layer capacitors 71 is smalier than the current Ib that is discharged from the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4. This is thought to be because the voltage drop in the wîndings of the permanent magnet starter motor 20 increases with the increase in the impédance of the windings of the permanent magnet starter motor 20, and the différence between the terminai voltage of the permanent magnet starter motor 20 and the termina! voltage of the electric doublelayer capacitor 71 after the discharging decreases. In other words, it is thought that the 5 change in the discharging current in the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 after the elapse of the rotation starting period is small, because a variation in the terminal voltage due to the discharging of the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 is smailer than a variation în the terminal voltage due to the discharging of the electric double-layer capacitors 71.

[0137] During the stopping period subséquent to the engine starting period, the starter switch 6 is in an off State. During this period, the control device 60 stops the inverter 21 from supplying current to the permanent magnet starter motor 20. The current Im flowing through the inverter 21 is therefore 0. During this stopping period, the current le of the electric double-layer capacitors 71 indicates charging and the current Ib of the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 indicates discharging. This indicates that the electric double-layer capacitors 71 in which the terminal voltage has decreased due to the discharging during the engine starting period is being charged with the electric power from the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4. The charging of the electric double-layer capacitors 71 with the electric power from the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 continues untH the terminal voltage of the electric double-layer capacitors 71 becomes equal to the terminal voltage of the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4. Note that in an example shown in FIG. 7, the next engine starting period starts before the terminal voltage ofthe electric double-layer capacitors 71 becomes equal to the terminai voltage of the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4.

[0138] Before the engine starting period starts, for example at time 0, both the current Ib from the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 and the current le from the electric double-layer capacitors 71 are 0 A. A state at time 0 before the engine 10 is started means a State in which the electric double-layer capacitors 71 hâve been charged by the deep-cycle leadacid battery 4.

This is a resuit of the eiectric double-layer capacitors 71 being charged with the 5 electric power from the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 before the engine 10 is started.

As described above, the electric power (current) that can be outputted from the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 per unit time is small. However, the deep-cycie lead-acid battery 4 in the ieaning vehicle 1 is connected to the electric double-layer capacitors 71. It is therefore possible to charge the electric double-layer capacitors 71 before the 10 rotation starting period with the electric power outputted from the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4. During the rotation starting period, the permanent magnet starter motor 20 is driven by the current im, which is the sum of the current Ib discharged from the deepcycle lead-acid battery 4 and the current le discharged from the electric double-layer capacitors 71.

[0139] In the chart in FIG. 7, the combination of the engine starting period and the subséquent stopping period is repeated. The combination of the engine starting period and the stopping period is repeated without the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 being charged. Consequently, the Ievel of charge in the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 decreases. As a resuit, current Ib' and current Ib that are outputted from the deep-cycle 20 lead-acid battery 4 in the beginning portions of the engine starting periods decrease due to the combination being repeated severai times. However, the electric double-layer capacitors 71 are charged with the electric power from the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 after each engine starting period.

[0140] The deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 is superiorto, for example, a starter battery in ï

the ability to supply a small amount of current for a long period of time. The deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 can be repeatedly charged and discharged more times than, for example, a starter battery.

Even if the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 can only output a smaller current than a starter battery during the engine starting period, the permanent magnet starter motor 20 is driven by the current Im, which is the sum of the current Ib discharged from the deepcycle lead-acid battery 4 and the current le discharged from the eîectric double-layer capacitors 71.

The deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 can output current for a long period of time even if a ratio of a period of eîectric power génération of the permanent magnet starter motor 20 to the engine starting period is small. For example, it is possible to charge the eîectric double-layer capacitors 71 during the stopping period with the eîectric power outputted from the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4. During the rotation starting period, the permanent magnet starter motor 20 is driven by the current Im, which is the sum of the current Ib discharged from the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 and the current le discharged from the electriç double-layer capacitors 71. Thus, the engine 10 can be started.

As described above, since the eîectric double-layer capacitors 71 are connected to the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4, it is possible to raise the maximum limit of the number of times the engine 10 can be started even when only a short period of time is available for charging the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 or when the deep-cycle leadacid battery 4 is not charged.

[0141] [Second Application Exampie]

The following describes a second application example.

[0142] FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram iflustrating an outline electrical configuration of a leaning vehicle 1 according to the second application example.

[0143] In the application example illustrated in FIG, 8, connection switchers Sw1 and Sw2 are provided between a deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 and eîectric double-layer capacitors 71. The connection switchers Swl and Sw2 operate, for example, under control of a control device 60. The connection switchers Sw1 and Sw2 are always in an on state. The connection switchers Sw1 and Sw2 can be, for example, turned off for maintenance.

[0144] The control device 60 normaiiy maintains the parallel connection between the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 and the eîectric double-layer capacitors 71. The parallel connection is released, for example, for maintenance. That is, the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 and the eîectric doubîe-layer capacitors 71 are connected to each other substantially constantly. This configuration makes it possible to obtain current from the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 and current from the eîectric double-layer capacitors 71 even in a situation where enough current cannot be expected from the deep-cycle leadacid battery 4 because the level of charge in the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 is low due to, for example, the engine 10 being started repeatedly. The engine 10 can be started using the thus obtained current. This effect is the same as that of the foregoing application example described with reference to some drawings such as FIG. 6.

Note that as shown in FIG. 8, the leaning vehicle 1 may include a circuit that allows the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 and the eîectric double-layer capacitors 71 to be connected in sériés to each other through switching by the connection switchers Sw1 and Sw2, [0145] [Third Application Example]

The following describes a third application example.

[0146] FIG. 9 is a diagram for expiaining an example of an arrangement of a deep-cycle lead-acid battery and eîectric double-layer capacitors in the third application example. Part (a) of FIG. 9 is a side view of the deep-cycie lead-acid battery 4 and the eîectric 5 double-layer capacitors 71 along with a partial cross section of a vehicle body 2. Part (b) of FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 and the eîectric doublelayer capacitors 71 along with the partial cross section of the vehicle body 2. The deepcycle lead-acid battery 4 and the eîectric double-layer capacitors 71 shown in FIG. 9 are, for example, the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 and the eîectric double-layer capacitors 10 71 shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, or FIG. 8.

[0147] The deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 and the eîectric doubîe-layer capacitors 71 are attached to the vehicle body 2.

The eîectric double-layer capacitors 71 are îocated further downward than the iower edge line of the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 in the up-down direction of the 15 leaning vehicle 1 illustrated in FÎG. 2, for example, when the leaning vehicle 1 is viewed in the right direction. For example, the eîectric double-layer capacitors 71 are arranged along the bottom surface of the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4. The eîectric double-layer capacitors 71 are Iocated further downward than the bottom surface of the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4.

[0148] The deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 and the eîectric double-layer capacitors 71 are, for example, disposed in an accommodation part 2b provided in the vehicle body 2. The accommodation part 2b is, for exampie, a recess part having an opening. The accommodation part 2b is, for exampie, Iocated further downward than the seat 2a (see, for example, FIG. 2). The seat 2a functions as a cover of the opening.

However, the location of the accommodation part 2b is not limited to being further downward than the seat 2a. For example, the accommodation part 2b may be located further forward than the seat. In this case, a cover that is separate from the seat 2a is provided. At least a portion of the accommodation part 2b is formed by a battery δ cover. A portion of the accommodation part 2b may be, for example, formed by a vehicle body frame. At least a portion of the accommodation part 2b may be, for example, formed by a vehicle body cover that covers the vehicle body frame.

[0149] The eiectric double-layer capacitors 71 are located further downward than the lower edge line of the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 in the up-down direction. The lower 10 edge line of the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 is formed by the bottom surface 4b of the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 when the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 is viewed in a leftright direction. In Part (a) of FIG. 9, therefore, the lower edge line is a part indicated by the same reference sign 4b as the bottom surface.

More specifically, the eiectric double-layer capacitors 71 are located further 15 downward than the bottom surface 4b of the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 in the updown direction.

The accommodation part 2b has a space for disposing the eiectric double-layer capacitors 71 under frie deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4. More specifically, the accommodation part 2b extends further downward of the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 20 while maintaining the size of the opening. The eiectric double-layer capacitors 71 are disposed in this extending space.

The eiectric double-layer capacitors 71 are disposed without any intervenin g electrical component between the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 and the eiectric doublelayer capacitors 71. A component other than an electrical component may be disposed between the deep-cyc!e lead-acid battery 4 and the electric double-layer capacitors 71, For example, a partitioning member may be disposed between the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 and the electric double-layer capacitors 71.

The relationship between the diameter φ of the electric double-layer capacitors 71 and the latéral length Lb of the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4, and the relationship between the length Le of the electric double-layer capacitors 71 and the longitudinal iength W of the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 are as represented by the inequalities (A) and (B) shown above. The electric double-layer capacitors 71 can be disposed in the extending space ofthe accommodation part2b.

In designing the vehicle body 2 of the leaning vehicle 1, providing a space by extending the accommodation part for the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 is easier than providing an accommodation part solely for the electric double-layer capacitors 71 separately from the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4.

The accommodation part 2b may be, for example, designed to accommodate a different battery that has the same latéral length Lb and the same longitudinal length W as the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 shown in FIG. 9, and that has a greater height than the height Hb of the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 shown in FIG. 9. The accommodation part 2b may accommodate, for example, a battery having a iarger capacity than the deepcycle lead-acid battery 4 shown in FIG. 9.

As described above, since the relationship between the diameter φ of the electric double-layer capacitors 71 and the latéral length Lb of the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4, and the relationship between the length Le of the electric double-layer capacitors 71 and the longitudinal length W of the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 are as represented by the inequalities (A) and (B) shown above, the space for disposing the electric double-layer capacitors 71 can be created by extending the accommodation part for the deep-cycie lead-acid battery 4.

If the eiectric double-iayer capacitors are to be disposed in a space at a distance from the deep-cycle iead-acid battery, for example, the location of the space in which the δ eiectric double-layer capacitors can be disposed in the leaning vehicle 1 is limited.

For example, providing the space for disposing the electric double-layer capacitors 71 as shown in FIG. 9 is easier than, for example, providing a space at a distance from the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4. There is an increased degree of freedom with respect to choice of the position in which the electric double-layer 10 capacitors 71 are disposed in the leaning vehicle 1.

[0150] The relationship between the length Le of the electric double-layer capacitors 71 and the longitudinal length W of the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4 is as represented by the inequalities (B) and (C) shown above.

[0151] Note that the embodiment and the application examples are described above 15 using examples in which the eiectric double-layer capacitors 71 are arranged along the bottom surface of the deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4. However, the position of the electric doubie-layer capacitors 71 is not limited as such. For exampie, the electric double-layer capacitors 71 may be arranged along any ofthe side surfaces ofthe deep-cycle lead-acid battery 4.

Reference Signs List

[0152] 1 leaning vehicle

3a, 3b wheel

4	deep-cycle lead-acid battery
10	engine
15	crankshaft
20	permanent magnet starter motor

eiectric double-layer capacitor

Claims (7)

1. [Claim 1]

   A leaning vehicle that leans in a ieftward direction of the leaning vehicle while

   5 making a left tum and leans in a rightward direction ofthe leaning vehicle while making a right tum, the leaning vehicle comprising:

   a wheel having a tread surface for contact with a road surface, the tread surface having an arç-like cross-sectional shape;

   an engine having a crankshaft and being configured to output a torque for driving 10 the wheel from the crankshaft;

   a permanent magnet starter motor having one or more permanent magnets and being configured to start the engine by causing the crankshaft to rotate;

   a deep-cycle lead-acid battery configured to supply electric power to the permanent magnet starter motor when the engine is started; and

   15 an electric double-layer capacitor having an electrostatic capacitance that permits storage of an amount of electric power that is enough for the permanent magnet starter motor to start the engine at least once, the electric double-layer capacitor being constantly connected in parallel to the deep-cycle lead-acid battery that is configured to supply electric power to the permanent magnet starter motor when the engine is started.
2. [Claim 2]

   The leaning vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the electric double-layer capacitor has an electrostatic capacitance of at least 30 F.
3. [Claim 3]

   The leaning vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a plurality of the electric double-layer capacitors, wherein the electric double-layer capacitors are comprised of five to seven electric

   5 double-layer capacitors connected in serres to one another.
4. [Claim 4]

   The leaning vehicle according to any one of daims 1 to 3, further comprising wherein lü the electric doubîe-iayer capacitor is attached to a vehicle body of the leaning vehicle in a state where the electric double-layer capacitor remain attached to the vehicle body if and when the deep-cycle lead-acid battery is detached from the vehicle body.
5. [Claim 5]

   15 The leaning vehide according to any one of daims 1 to 4, wherein the permanent magnet starter motor includes a rotor having a plurality of magnetic pôle portions composed of the permanent magnets and a stator having a stator core and windings, the stator core having a

   20 plurality of teeth with a plurality of slots therebetween arranged at intervals in a drcumferential diredion of the permanent magnet starter motor, the windings being disposed through the slots, and the number of the magnetic pôle portions is greater than the number of the teeth.
6. [Claim 6]

   The leaning vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the electric double-layer capacitor is of lead type having a lead wire serving as a terminal for extemal connection.
7. [Claim 7]

   The leaning vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising a plurality of the electric double-layer capacitors, wherein the deep-cycle lead-acid battery is cuboid in shape with a longitudinal dimension,

   10 a latéral dimension, and a height, and has a top surface part provided with a positive terminal and a négative terminal, the longitudinal dimension being shortest among the longitudinal dimension, the latéral dimension, and the height, the top surface part including the longitudinal dimension, the electric double-layer capacitors are comprised of five to seven cylindrical

   15 electric double-layer capacitors connected in sériés to one another, and a relationship among a diameter φ of the electric double-layer capacitors, a length Le of the electric double-layer capacitors, a length Lb of the latéral dimension of the top surface part, and a length W of the longitudinal dimension of the top surface part are as represented by inequaiities (A) and (B) shown below,