JP7760708B2 - vehicle - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a vehicle.

Conventionally, configurations for cooling electric motors in vehicles are known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In Patent Document 1, a flow path for flowing air is formed between the motor casing and the housing that covers the casing, and multiple fins are placed within the flow path to efficiently dissipate heat from the motor.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-116062

However, in the technology described in Patent Document 1, there is a possibility that heated air may remain in the flow path when the vehicle is stopped, etc., and there is room for improvement in terms of improving heat dissipation efficiency. Furthermore, when an electric motor is applied to a saddle-ride type vehicle, a structure that can remove foreign matter such as sand or pebbles that may flow in with the wind caused by driving is desired.
The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and has an object to provide a vehicle equipped with a rotating electric machine in which a heated cooling medium is easily circulated and heat dissipation efficiency is improved.

The vehicle has a rotating electric machine consisting of a rotor that rotates around a rotation axis arranged approximately parallel to the axle, and a stator, an inner wall that surrounds the outer periphery of the rotating electric machine, and an outer wall that is arranged at a predetermined distance from the inner wall, and is characterized in that at least two openings are provided in the outer wall, and at least one of the two openings is provided above the rotation axis.

It is possible to provide a vehicle equipped with a rotating electric machine that allows heated cooling medium to circulate easily and has improved heat dissipation efficiency.

FIG. 1 is a left side view of a saddle-ride type vehicle according to this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the rear portion of the swing arm as seen from the left rear. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the motor mounting portion. FIG. 4 is a left side view of the swing arm showing the periphery of the motor mounting portion.

The following describes an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings. Note that, throughout the description, directions such as front, rear, left, right, and up and down refer to directions relative to the vehicle body unless otherwise specified. Also, the symbol FR in each drawing indicates the front of the vehicle body, the symbol UP indicates the top of the vehicle body, and the symbol LH indicates the left side of the vehicle body.

[Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a left side view of a saddle-ride type vehicle 10 according to the present embodiment.
The saddle-type vehicle 10 is an electric motorcycle that includes a body frame 11, an electric motor 13 that drives a rear wheel 12 that is a drive wheel, a front fork 15 that supports a front wheel 14 so that it can be steered freely, a swing arm 16 that supports the rear wheel 12, and a seat 17 for a passenger.
The saddle-ride type vehicle 10 is a vehicle in which a rider sits astride on a seat 17. The saddle-ride type vehicle 10 of this embodiment is an electric scooter having a low floor portion 18.

The body frame 11 has a head pipe 20 at the front end, a down frame 21 extending diagonally downward and rearward from the head pipe 20, a pair of left and right underframes 22 extending rearward from the lower end of the down frame 21, and a pair of left and right side frames 23 extending diagonally upward and rearward from the rear end of the underframe 22. Each pair of left and right side frames 23 has a rising frame portion 24 extending diagonally upward and rearward from the respective underframe 22, and a rear frame portion 25 extending rearward from the rising frame portion 24. The rear ends of the pair of left and right rear frame portions 25 are connected by a tail pipe 26.

A pair of left and right front forks 15 are attached to the head pipe 20 so as to be freely steerable. A steering handlebar 19 is attached to the upper part of the front forks 15. A front wheel 14 is attached to the lower end of the front forks 15 via an axle 14a.

A pivot bracket 27 extending rearward is provided between the underframe 22 and the side frame 23. A pivot shaft 28 extending in the left-right direction (vehicle width direction) is supported at the rear end of the pivot bracket 27.
A swing arm 16 extending along the front-to-rear direction of the saddle-ride type vehicle 10 is journaled on the pivot shaft 28. The swing arm 16 extends from the pivot shaft 28 to the left of the rear wheel 12. The rear end of the swing arm 16 supports the rear wheel 12 via an axle 12a.

The electric motor 13 is built into the swing arm 16. The electric motor 13 is located to the left of the rear wheel 12. Therefore, the swing arm 16 is configured as a swing-type power unit. A rear cushion 29 is connected between the rear end of the swing arm 16 and the left rear frame portion 25.

The rear frame portion 25 supports the seat 17 on which the occupant sits from below. A battery 30 is located below the seat 17. The battery 30 is supported by a pair of left and right side frames 23 and a pipe 24a that connects the rising frame portion 24 at the front.

A PCU (power control unit) 31, an electronic component, is supported diagonally below and behind the battery 30. The PCU 31 is supported by the left and right raised frame portions 24. The PCU 31 includes an inverter and other components, and, for example, converts DC power supplied from the battery 30 into AC power and supplies the converted AC power to the electric motor 13. Furthermore, when the electric motor 13 is in regeneration mode, the PCU 31 converts AC power generated by the electric motor 13 into DC power and charges the battery 30. Note that the locations of the battery 30 and PCU 31 shown in FIG. 1 are merely examples, and they may be located elsewhere within the saddle-ride vehicle 10. For example, the battery 30 may be located in the space between a pair of left and right underframes 22.

The body frame 11 is covered by a body cover 40 .
The body cover 40 includes a front cover 41, a handle cover 42, a leg shield 43, a pair of left and right floor side covers 44, an under-seat cover 45, a rear side cover 46, and the like.

The front cover 41 covers the front end of the body frame 11, including the head pipe 20, from the front. The handlebar cover 42 is located above the front cover 41 and covers the left-right center of the steering handlebars 19. The leg shield 43 is connected to the rear of the front cover 41 and covers the head pipe 20 and down frame 21 from the rear. The under-seat cover 45 covers the space below the seat 17 from the front.

The floor side covers 44 are connected to the leg shield 43 and the under-seat cover 45, and cover the pair of left and right underframes 22 from both the left and right sides. The rear side covers 46 are connected to the rear edge of the under-seat cover 45, and cover the PCU 31 and other components from both the left and right sides.

A front fender 47 that covers the front wheel 14 from above is attached to the front fork 15. A rear fender 48 that covers the rear wheel 12 from above is attached to the rear frame portion 25. Furthermore, a hugger fender 49 is attached to the swing arm 16, which directly covers the rear wheel 12 from above between the rear fender 48 and the rear wheel 12 and can swing together with the swing arm 16.

A main stand 50 is disposed on the side of the swing arm 16 .
A side stand 51 is provided near the left-side upright frame portion 24 .

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the rear portion of the swing arm 16 as seen from the left rear.
The swing arm 16 has a swing arm body 60 and a swing arm cover 61 attached to the swing arm body 60 .

The swing arm body 60 is a hollow member. As shown in FIG. 1, the swing arm body 60 has a front end 60A extending in the vehicle width direction near the pivot shaft 28, a connecting portion 60B extending rearward from the left side of the front end 60A, a motor mounting portion 60C provided at the rear of the connecting portion 60B and positioned to the left of the rear wheel 12, and a rear end 60D provided rearward of the motor mounting portion 60C.

A front end 60A of the swing arm body 60 is supported by the pivot shaft 28 via a bearing (not shown).
The connecting portion 60B has a shape that gradually widens from the front to the rear in a side view.
The motor mounting portion 60C is formed in a substantially circular shape in a side view, and is formed so as to be recessed to the right (inward in the vehicle width direction).
The rear end 60D is connected to the rear cushion 29.

In the swing arm main body 60, the rear of the connecting portion 60B and the motor mounting portion 60C open to the left (outside in the vehicle width direction). This opening is covered from the left by a swing arm cover 61. The swing arm cover 61 is attached to the swing arm main body 60 with multiple bolts 62.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the motor mounting portion 60C.
The motor mounting portion 60C accommodates an electric motor (rotating electric machine) 13. The electric motor 13 is a three-phase AC motor. The electric motor 13 includes a stator 90 and a rotor 91.

The stator 90 has a cylindrical stator core 90A made of laminated steel plates. The stator core 90A has multiple slots 90B formed in the circumferential direction of the electric motor 13. The multiple slots 90B are formed circumferentially at a predetermined angular interval. Conductive wires are inserted into the slots 90B and wound around the stator core 90A. Thus, a coil 90C is provided on the stator core 90A. The outer periphery (radial exterior) of the stator core 90A has through holes 90D and 90E that penetrate in the axial direction (left-right direction, vehicle width direction) of the motor shaft 92. In this embodiment, the through holes 90D and 90E have the same hole shape. The entire through holes 90D and 90E are formed circumferentially at a predetermined angular interval. The through holes 90D and 90E are formed at positions corresponding to the coils 90C. Of these, a bolt 121 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) is inserted through the insertion hole 90E. The bolt 121 in the insertion hole 90E fixes the disk-shaped case plates 94 and 95 to both axial sides of the stator 90. The case plates 94 and 95 are formed in a circular shape with the same diameter as the stator 90 when viewed in the axial direction.

A rotor 91 is arranged radially inside the stator 90. The rotor 91 has a cylindrical rotor core 91A made of laminated steel plates. Multiple slots 91B are formed in the rotor core 91A in the circumferential direction of the electric motor 13. The multiple slots 91B are formed circumferentially at predetermined angular intervals. Magnets 91C are arranged in the slots 91B. A motor shaft (rotating shaft) 92 extending in the vehicle width direction is arranged in the radial center of the rotor core 91A.

The motor shaft 92 passes through the rotor core 91A and is fixed to the rotor core 91A. The motor shaft 92 is rotatably supported by left and right case plates 94 and 95 via bearings 93A and 93B. Thus, the rotor 91 is rotatably supported by the case plates 94 and 95 together with the motor shaft 92. In other words, the rotor 91 rotates around the motor shaft 92, which is positioned approximately parallel to the axle 12a of the rear wheel 12 (see Figure 1). Note that in the description of this embodiment, "approximately parallel" is used to mean parallel even when the two are not parallel due to mechanical tolerances, etc.

The left end (one axial end) 92A of the motor shaft 92 protrudes outward (to the left) in the vehicle width direction from the left case plate 94. A recess 94A is formed in the left case plate 94, recessed inward in the vehicle width direction, corresponding to the position of the motor shaft 92. The left end 92A and recess 94A of the motor shaft 92 are covered from the left by a cover member 96.

A resolver (rotation angle detection unit) 100 that detects the rotation angle of the motor shaft 92 is disposed in the recess 94A. The resolver 100 has a resolver rotor 100A attached to the motor shaft 92 and a resolver stator 100B facing the resolver rotor 100A. The resolver stator 100B is fixed to the left case plate 94.

The right end (other axial end) 92B of the motor shaft 92 protrudes inward (to the right) in the vehicle width direction from the right case plate 95. The right end 96B of the motor shaft 92 protrudes into a reduction gear housing 98 provided on the right side of the swing arm main body 60. A reduction gear mechanism 99 is disposed in the reduction gear housing 98, and the right end 92B of the motor shaft 92 is connected to the reduction gear mechanism 99 via a gear. The reduction gear mechanism 99 transmits the driving force associated with the rotation of the rotor 91 to the axle 12a of the rear wheel 12.

An oil seal 97A and an O-ring 97B are provided between the right-side case plate 95 and the motor shaft 92 to prevent leakage of lubricating oil from the reducer accommodating section 98 to the case plate 95.

In this embodiment, the stator 90, rotor 91, motor shaft 92, bearings 93A and 93B, etc. are arranged between case plates 94 and 95, and the case plates 94 and 95 are fixed to the stator 90 with bolts 121. This integrates the stator 90, rotor 91, motor shaft 92, bearings 93A and 93B, and case plates 94 and 95 to form the electric motor 13 of this embodiment.

The electric motor 13 is mounted to the motor mounting portion 60C. When the electric motor 13 is mounted to the motor mounting portion 60C, the right end portion 96B of the motor shaft 92 protrudes into the reducer housing portion 98. The electric motor 13 is fixed to the swing arm main body 60 by bolts 120 inserted through holes in the case plate 94, through holes 90D in the stator 90, and holes in the case plate 95. The bolts 120 in the through holes 90D are longer than the bolts 121 in the through holes 90E.

The number and formation positions of the insertion holes 90E, 90D, and the type and number of bolts 120, 121 (see Figure 4) that thread into the insertion holes 90E, 90D are arbitrary and can be changed depending on the specifications of the swing arm 16 and electric motor 13, etc.

As shown in Figure 3, the motor mounting portion 60C of the swing arm main body 60 has an annular base portion 70. The electric motor 13 is fixed to the base portion 70 with a bolt 120. An extension portion 71 extending radially outward from the base portion 70 is formed on the outer periphery (radially outer portion) of the base portion 70. The extension portion 71 has an annular shape when viewed in the axial direction of the motor shaft 92.

A cylindrical outer wall (outer wall) 72 that covers the outer periphery of the electric motor 13 is formed on the outer periphery of the extension portion 71. The outer wall 72 is formed with a predetermined distance from the outer periphery of the electric motor 13. The outer wall 72 extends from the extension portion 71 to one side in the vehicle width direction. The base portion 70, extension portion 71, and outer wall 72 constitute the motor mounting portion 60C of this embodiment.

A cylindrical inner peripheral wall (inner wall) 80 is disposed radially inward of the outer peripheral wall 72. A predetermined gap is formed between the inner peripheral wall 80 and the outer peripheral wall 72. The inner peripheral wall 80 is made of metal. In this embodiment, the inner peripheral wall 80 is press-fitted onto the outer peripheral portion of the electric motor 13. The inner peripheral wall 80 is in pressurized contact with the outer peripheral portion of a stator core 90A of the electric motor 13.
The cooling flow path S of this embodiment is formed by a space surrounded by the extension portion 71, the outer peripheral wall 72, the inner peripheral wall 80, and the swing arm cover 61. The cooling flow path S of this embodiment has an annular shape.

Figure 4 is a left side view of the swing arm 16 showing the periphery of the motor mounting portion 60C. The left case plate 94 and cover member 96 are not shown in Figure 4. The swing arm cover 61 is indicated by a two-dot chain line in Figure 4. Furthermore, the outer peripheral wall 72 and the inner peripheral wall 80 are shaded.
The outer peripheral wall 72 is formed with a front opening 72A, an upper opening 72B, and a lower opening 72C that are open in the thickness direction. The front opening 72A, the upper opening 72B, and the lower opening 72C are spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction. The front opening 72A, the upper opening 72B, and the lower opening 72C connect the cooling flow passage S to the outside. As a result, air (cooling medium) A flows into the cooling flow passage S from the outside, circulates within the cooling flow passage S, and then flows out.

The front opening (the other opening) 72A is formed forward and below the motor shaft 92. Because the front opening 72A is located forward and below the motor shaft 92, air A from the running wind W or the like can easily be introduced into the cooling flow path S through the front opening 72A. The air A flowing in from the front opening 72A is separated by the inner circumferential wall 80 into air A flowing upward and air A flowing downward.

The upper opening (one of the openings) 72B is formed above the motor shaft 92. The upper opening 72B is formed corresponding to the top of the cylindrical outer wall 72. Specifically, the upper opening 72B is formed to straddle a vertical line L that passes through the center of the motor shaft 92. Therefore, the cooling flow path S is composed of a first flow path S1 that connects the front opening 72A and the upper opening 72B on the front side of the motor shaft 92, and a second flow path S2 that is circumferentially longer than the first flow path S1.

Here, when a running wind W is available, air A flows into the cooling flow path S from the front opening 72A, moves through the cooling flow path S, and flows out through the upper opening 72B. Therefore, the electric motor 13 is cooled by the air A in the cooling flow path S. At this time, the air A is heated by the heat from the electric motor 13, and therefore tends to rise. Therefore, the upper opening 72B makes it easier for the heated air A to flow out of the cooling flow path S, even when a running wind W is not available, such as when the saddle-ride type vehicle 10 is stopped. Therefore, in this embodiment, air A is less likely to stagnate between the inner circumferential wall 80 and the outer circumferential wall 72, and air circulates easily within the cooling flow path S. This improves the heat dissipation efficiency of the electric motor 13.

A lower opening (third opening) 72C is formed in the outer peripheral wall 72 to correspond to the second flow path S2. The lower opening 72C is located rearward and below the front opening 72A. In this embodiment, it is formed to correspond to the lowest part of the cooling flow path S. Specifically, the lower opening 72C is formed across a vertical line L passing through the motor shaft 92. Between the front opening 72A and the lower opening 72C, the cooling flow path S slopes downward as it moves rearward. Here, when air A flows in through the front opening 72A due to wind W, foreign matter such as sand and water may also flow in. Foreign matter such as sand tends to move due to its own weight within the cooling flow path S to the second flow path S2 and toward the lower opening 72C. Therefore, foreign matter that flows into the cooling flow path S can be discharged through the lowest lower opening 72C, preventing the foreign matter from clogging between the outer peripheral wall 72 and the inner peripheral wall 80. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent foreign matter remaining inside the cooling flow passage S from coming into contact with the wall surface and generating abnormal noise.

Introducing wall portions (vanes) 72D are provided on the outer peripheral wall 72 according to the position of the front opening 72A. The introducing wall portion 72D extends forward from the lower edge 72A1 of the front opening 72A. The introducing wall portion 72D has an introducing surface 72D1 that slopes downward as it extends forward. The introducing surface 72D1 extends forward beyond the upper edge 72A2 of the front opening 72A. The introducing wall portion 72D makes it easier for traveling wind W flowing in the fore-and-aft direction to be taken into the front opening 72A.

An upward extension portion 72E is provided on the outer peripheral wall 72 in accordance with the position where the upper opening 72B is formed. The upward extension portion 72E covers the upper opening 72B from above. The upward extension portion 72E is shaped like a canopy that extends upward toward the rear. Specifically, the upward extension portion 72E extends from the leading edge 72B1 of the upper opening 72B in the tangential direction of the outer peripheral wall 72. The upward extension portion 72E extends further rearward than the trailing edge 72B2 of the upper opening 72B. The upward extension portion 72E makes it easier to prevent rainwater, mud, etc. from entering the cooling flow path S through the upper opening 72B.

Depending on the position of the lower opening 72C, a downward extension portion (second blade) 72F is provided on the outer peripheral wall 72. The downward extension portion 72F is plate-shaped and extends downward toward the front. Specifically, the downward extension portion 72F extends from the rear edge 72C1 of the lower opening 72C in the tangential direction of the outer peripheral wall 72. The downward extension portion 72F extends forward of the vertical line L. The downward extension portion 72F makes it easier for the running wind W to flow in through the lower opening 72C, where foreign objects are discharged.

Depending on the position of the upper opening 72B, a protrusion 80A is formed on the inner circumferential wall 80, protruding toward the upper opening 72B. In a side view, the protrusion 80A has a roughly right-angled triangular shape. The protrusion 80A has a front surface 80B that slopes upward as it extends rearward, and a rear surface 80C that extends from the rear end of the front surface 80B toward the radial center. The front surface 80B allows air A from the first flow path S1 to be guided to the upper opening 72B. The rear surface 80C allows air A from the second flow path S2 to be guided to the upper opening 72B.

A heat conduction pipe (heat conduction member) 81 extending along the cooling flow path S is arranged in the cooling flow path S. The heat conduction pipe 81 is made of metal. In this embodiment, the heat conduction pipe 81 has a honeycomb structure (see Figure 3). The heat conduction pipe 81 is attached by press fitting between the inner circumferential wall 80 and the outer circumferential wall 72. The heat conduction pipe 81 increases the contact area with the air A, thereby improving cooling efficiency.

The heat conduction pipes 81 include a first heat conduction pipe 81A located between the front opening 72A and the upper opening 72B, and a second heat conduction pipe 81B located between the lower opening 72C and the upper opening 72B. Therefore, the heat conduction pipes 81 are not located between the front opening 72A and the lower opening 72C. This increases the cooling efficiency of the heat conduction pipes 81 while leaving a large space in the cooling flow path S, where foreign matter may be trapped. This means that the gaps in the heat conduction pipes 81 are prevented from being filled with foreign matter.

The first heat conduction pipe 81A is positioned a predetermined distance away from the front opening 72A toward the upper opening 72B. The second heat conduction pipe 81B is positioned a predetermined distance away from the lower opening 72C toward the upper opening 72B. This prevents air A flowing in from the front opening 72A or the lower opening 72C from bending too much within the cooling flow path S, preventing the resistance of the heat conduction pipe 81 from making it difficult for air A to enter from the front opening 72A or the lower opening 72C.

The motor mounting portion 60C is covered by a swing arm cover 61. Opening-shaped cutouts 61A, 61B, and 61C (see Figures 2 and 4) are formed in the swing arm cover 61 according to the positions of the front opening 72A, upper opening 72B, and lower opening 72C, respectively. Cutouts 61A, 61B, and 61C allow the front opening 72A, upper opening 72B, and lower opening 72C to communicate with the outside of the swing arm cover 61. Cutouts 61A, 61B, and 61C also prevent contact between the lead-in wall portion 72D, upper extension portion 72E, and lower extension portion 72F and the swing arm cover 61. Upper extension portion 72E and lower extension portion 72F extend to the outside of the swing arm cover 61 (see Figure 1).

As shown in Figure 4, a harness 101 extending from the PCU 31 (see Figure 1) is connected to the electric motor 13. The harness 101 is electrically connected to the electric motor 13 via a connector (connection portion) 105. The connector 105 is connected to a connector (not shown) of the electric motor 13 through an opening (not shown) formed in the extension portion 71 of the motor mounting portion 60C. The connector 105 is positioned forward of the motor shaft 92. The connector 105 is positioned above the front opening 72A. Because the connector 105 is positioned above the front opening 72A, it is possible to prevent water from splashing on the connector 105 even if water enters the cooling passage S from the front opening 72A.

The harness 101 is routed through the opening 60B1 of the swing arm body 60 on the right side of the swing arm body 60 and connected to the PCU 31. In this embodiment, the harness 101 is composed of a power supply line 102 and communication lines 103 and 104.

The power supply line 102 is connected to the U-phase, V-phase, and W-phase coils 90C so that it can supply power. The power supply line 102 supplies AC power to the electric motor 13.

The first communication line 103 is electrically connected to the resolver 100. The detection results of the rotation angles of the rotor 91 and motor shaft 92 by the resolver 100 are transmitted and received to the PCU 31 via the first communication line 103.

The second communication line 104 is an electrical cable electrically connected to temperature sensors (temperature detection devices) 111, 112, and 113 corresponding to the U, V, and W phases. The temperature sensors 111, 112, and 113 are arranged on the stator core 90A in the coil 90C portions corresponding to the U, V, and W phases.

The temperature sensors 111-113 are located above the front opening 72A. In this embodiment, twelve coils 90C are provided. The first temperature sensor 111 is located on the stator core 90A in the horizontal direction of the motor shaft 92 and in the portion of the coil 90C that is forward. The second temperature sensor 112 and the third temperature sensor 113 are located above the first temperature sensor 111. Specifically, the second temperature sensor 112 and the third temperature sensor 113 are located on every other coil 90C in the clockwise direction relative to the first temperature sensor 111. The temperature sensors 111-113 are located above a horizontal plane that passes through the motor shaft 92. Because the temperature sensors 111-113 are located above the front opening 72A, splashing of water onto the temperature sensors 111-113 can be prevented if water enters the cooling flow path S from the front opening 72A.

As described above, according to this embodiment to which the present invention is applied, there is provided a saddle-type vehicle 10 having an electric motor 13 consisting of a rotor 91 that rotates around a motor shaft 92 arranged approximately parallel to the axle 12a and a stator 90, an inner wall 80 that surrounds the outer periphery of the electric motor 13, and an outer wall 72 arranged at a predetermined distance from the inner wall 80, wherein at least two openings 72A, 72B are provided in the outer wall 72, and at least one of the two openings 72A, 72B is provided above the motor shaft 92.
With this configuration, the air A that flows between the inner circumferential wall 80 and the outer circumferential wall 72 is heated and tends to move upward, so the opening at the top facilitates circulation of the air A. Therefore, with this configuration, it is possible to provide a saddle-ride type vehicle 10 in which the heated air A is easily circulated and heat dissipation efficiency is improved.

In this embodiment, the other of the two openings 72A, 72B is provided forward and below the motor shaft 92.
With this configuration, the front opening 72A makes it easy to take in the wind W from the vehicle running between the inner wall 80 and the outer wall 72, and creates a flow of air A from below to above the electric motor 13 between the inner wall 80 and the outer wall 72.

In this embodiment, the outer peripheral wall 72 further has a lower opening 72C, which is provided rearward and below the front opening 72A.
According to this configuration, if foreign matter such as sand or water is contained in the air A flowing in from the front opening 72A, the foreign matter can be dropped from the lower opening 72C. This prevents the foreign matter from getting stuck between the outer peripheral wall 72 and the inner peripheral wall 80, and prevents the remaining foreign matter from coming into contact with the outer peripheral wall 72 and the inner peripheral wall 80, which would cause abnormal noise.

In addition, in this embodiment, the heat conduction pipe 81 is arranged between the inner peripheral wall 80 and the outer peripheral wall 72, and the heat conduction pipe 81 is not arranged between the front opening 72A and the lower opening 72C.
According to this configuration, the heat conduction pipe 81 can be prevented from interfering with the movement of foreign matter moving from the front opening 72A to the lower opening 72C.

In this embodiment, the electric motor 13 is connected to a power supply line 102 and communication lines 103 and 104 via a connector 105 , and the front opening 72</b>A is provided below the connector 105 .
According to this configuration, even if water gets between the outer peripheral wall 72 and the inner peripheral wall 80, it is possible to prevent the water from getting on the connector 105.

In this embodiment, temperature sensors 111 to 113 for detecting the temperature of stator 90 are attached to stator 90, and front opening 72A is provided below temperature sensors 111 to 113.
According to this configuration, even if water gets between the outer peripheral wall 72 and the inner peripheral wall 80, it is possible to prevent the water from splashing on the temperature sensors 111 to 113.

In this embodiment, the outer peripheral wall 72 is provided with an introduction wall portion 72D that promotes the inflow of air into the front opening 72A.
This configuration makes it easier for the wind W to flow in through the front opening 72A, improving cooling performance.

In this embodiment, the outer peripheral wall 72 is provided with a downward extension 72F that promotes the inflow of air into the lower opening 72C.
This configuration also makes it easier for the wind W to flow in from the lower opening 72C through which foreign matter is discharged.

In this embodiment, the outer peripheral wall 72 is provided with an upward extension 72E that covers the upper opening 72B from above.
This configuration can prevent rainwater, mud, etc. from entering through the upper opening 72B.

In this embodiment, the heat conduction pipe 81 is spaced a predetermined distance from the openings 72A and 72C.
This configuration can prevent the resistance of the heat conduction pipe 81 from making it difficult for the traveling wind W to enter through the openings 72A and 72C.

Other Embodiments
The above-described embodiment merely shows one aspect of the present invention, and any modifications and applications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

In the above embodiment, an example was given of a configuration in which the outer wall 72 has three openings, namely, a front opening 72A, an upper opening 72B, and a lower opening 72C, which connect the cooling flow path S to the outside, but it is sufficient if at least two openings are formed.

In the above embodiment, a configuration has been described in which an introduction wall portion 72D, an upper extension portion 72E, and a lower extension portion 72F are provided. While it is desirable to provide the introduction wall portion 72D, the upper extension portion 72E, and the lower extension portion 72F, the introduction wall portion 72D, the upper extension portion 72E, and the lower extension portion 72F may be omitted as appropriate.

In the above embodiment, a configuration was described in which the outer peripheral wall 72 corresponding to the outer wall is formed on the swing arm main body 60, and the inner peripheral wall 80 corresponding to the inner wall is formed as a separate component from the swing arm main body 60. However, this is not limited to this, and the outer peripheral wall 72 and the inner peripheral wall 80 may be formed integrally. For example, the inner peripheral wall 80 and the outer peripheral wall 72 may be formed integrally with the swing arm main body 60. Also, for example, the inner peripheral wall 80 and the outer peripheral wall 72 may be formed integrally with the swing arm cover 61. In these cases, the heat conduction member may also be formed integrally with the outer peripheral wall 72 and the inner peripheral wall 80.

In the above embodiment, a configuration in which the inner circumferential wall 80 is press-fitted onto the outer periphery of the stator is desirable from the standpoint of thermal conduction, but it is also possible to leave a space between the inner circumferential wall 80 and the stator core 90A. This makes it easier to assemble the inner circumferential wall 80 than if the inner circumferential wall 80 were press-fitted. In this case, it is desirable to fill the space between the inner circumferential wall 80 and the stator core 90A with a thermal conduction promoter such as thermal grease.

In the above embodiment, the heat conduction member is a honeycomb-structured heat conduction pipe 81, but this is not limited to this. The heat conduction member may also be a fin-shaped member arranged in the cooling flow path S.

In the above embodiment, a configuration has been described in which the inner peripheral wall 80 is directly abutted against the stator core 90A, but a metal tube may also be fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the stator core 90A, for example, by shrink fitting, and the inner peripheral wall 80 may be arranged around this metal tube.

In the above embodiment, a configuration was described in which a downward extension portion 72F extending downward toward the front is provided in accordance with the formation position of the lower opening 72C. However, in another embodiment, the downward extension portion 72F may be configured to open rearward. For example, a downward extension portion extending downward toward the rear may be provided from the front side of the lower opening 72C. This makes it easier to expel foreign matter that has entered through the front opening 72A rearward.

In the above embodiment, a configuration in which the electric motor 13 is supported on the swing arm 16 has been described, but the electric motor 13 may also be supported on the body frame 11.

In the above embodiment, the configuration of an electric scooter was described as the saddle-ride vehicle 10, but it can be applied to various electric saddle-ride vehicles driven by an electric motor 13.

In the above embodiment, a saddle-type vehicle 10 having a front wheel 14 and a rear wheel 12 was used as an example of a vehicle, but the present invention is not limited to this and can be applied to vehicles with three wheels or four or more wheels.

[Configuration supported by the above embodiment]
The above embodiment supports the following configurations.

(Configuration 1) A vehicle having a rotating electric machine consisting of a rotor that rotates around a rotating axis arranged approximately parallel to the axle, and a stator, an inner wall that surrounds the outer periphery of the rotating electric machine, and an outer wall that is arranged at a predetermined distance from the inner wall, wherein at least two openings are provided in the outer wall, and at least one of the two openings is provided above the rotating axis.
With this configuration, the cooling medium that flows between the inner and outer walls is heated and tends to move upward, so the opening at the top makes it easier to circulate the cooling medium. Therefore, with this configuration, it is possible to provide a vehicle equipped with a rotating electric machine that facilitates circulation of the heated cooling medium and improves heat dissipation efficiency.

(Configuration 2) The vehicle according to configuration 1, wherein the other of the two openings is provided forward and below the rotation shaft.
With this configuration, the other opening makes it easy to take in the wind from running between the inner wall and the outer wall, and also makes it possible to create a flow of cooling medium from below to above the rotating electrical machine between the inner wall and the outer wall.

(Configuration 3) The vehicle according to Configuration 2, wherein the outer wall further has a third opening, the third opening being provided rearward and below the other opening.
With this configuration, if the cooling medium flowing in through the other opening contains foreign matter such as sand or water, the foreign matter can be dropped through the third opening, thereby preventing the foreign matter from getting stuck between the outer wall and the inner wall, or preventing the remaining foreign matter from coming into contact with the outer wall and the inner wall and generating abnormal noise.

(Configuration 4) A vehicle as described in Configuration 3, characterized in that a heat conduction member is arranged between the inner wall and the outer wall, and the heat conduction member is not arranged between the other opening and the third opening.
According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent the heat conduction member from interfering with the movement of foreign matter from the other opening to the third opening.

(Configuration 5) A vehicle according to any one of configurations 2 to 4, characterized in that a power supply line and a communication line are connected to the rotating electric machine via a connection portion, and the other opening is provided below the connection portion.
With this configuration, if water gets in between the outer wall and the inner wall, it is possible to prevent the water from getting on the connection portion.

(Configuration 6) A vehicle according to any one of configurations 2 to 5, characterized in that a temperature detection device that detects the temperature of the stator is attached to the stator, and the other opening is provided below the temperature detection device.
With this configuration, even if water gets in between the outer wall and the inner wall, it is possible to prevent the water from splashing on the temperature detection device.

(Configuration 7) The vehicle according to any one of configurations 2 to 6, wherein the outer wall is provided with a vane that promotes the inflow of air into the other opening.
This configuration makes it easier for the wind generated by running to flow in through the other opening, thereby improving cooling performance.

(Configuration 8) The vehicle according to configuration 3, wherein the outer wall is provided with a second blade that promotes the inflow of wind into the third opening.
According to this configuration, it is possible to easily allow the wind from traveling to flow in through the third opening through which foreign matter is discharged.

(Configuration 9) The vehicle according to any one of configurations 1 to 8, wherein the outer wall is provided with an upward extension that covers the one opening from above.
This configuration can prevent rainwater, mud, etc. from entering through one of the openings.

(Configuration 10) The vehicle according to configuration 4, wherein the heat conducting member is spaced a predetermined distance from the opening.
This configuration can prevent the resistance of the heat conduction member from making it difficult for the wind to enter through the opening.

10. Saddle-type vehicle (vehicle)
12a Axle 13 Electric motor (rotating electric machine)
72 Peripheral wall (outer wall)
72A Front opening (opening, other opening)
72B Upper opening (opening, one opening)
72C Lower opening (opening, third opening)
72D Introduction wall (vane)
72E: Upper extension portion 72F: Lower extension portion (second blade)
80 Inner peripheral wall (inner wall)
81 Heat conduction pipe (heat conduction member)
90 Stator 91 Rotor 92 Motor shaft (rotating shaft)
111 First temperature sensor (temperature detection device)
112 Second temperature sensor (temperature detection device)
113 Third temperature sensor (temperature detection device)
A. Air (cooling medium)
102 Power supply line 104 Second communication line (communication line)
105 Connection part (connector)

Claims (8)

A vehicle having a rotating electric machine (13) including a rotor (91) that rotates around a rotation axis (92) that is disposed approximately parallel to an axle (12a) and a stator (90), an inner wall (80) that surrounds the outer periphery of the rotating electric machine (13), and an outer wall (72) that is disposed at a predetermined interval from the inner wall (80),
The outer wall (72) is provided with two openings (72A, 72B) and a third opening (72C),
One of the two openings (72A, 72B) is provided above the rotation shaft (92),
The other of the two openings (72A, 72B) is provided forward and below the rotation shaft (92),
The third opening (72C) is provided rearward and below the other opening (72A),
an upward extending portion (72E) extending upward from a front edge (72B1) of the one opening (72B) so as to cover the one opening (72B) from above;
a downward extension portion (72F) extending downward from a rear edge (72C1) of the third opening (72C) so as to cover the third opening (72C) from below,
A vehicle characterized by: A heat-conducting member (81) is disposed between the inner wall (80) and the outer wall (72),
The heat conduction member (81) is not disposed between the other opening (72A) and the third opening (72C).
2. The vehicle according to claim 1 . The heat conduction member (81) has a honeycomb structure and is mounted between the inner wall (80) and the outer wall (72).
3. The vehicle according to claim 2. A power supply line (102) and a communication line (104) are connected to the rotating electric machine (13) via a connection portion (105), and the other opening (72A) is provided below the connection portion (105).
4. A vehicle according to claim 1. The stator (90) is provided with a temperature detection device (111, 112, 113) for detecting the temperature of the stator (90),
The other opening (72A) is provided below the temperature detection device (111, 112, 113).
5. A vehicle according to claim 1. The outer wall (72) is provided with a vane (72D) that promotes the inflow of air into the other opening (72A).
6. A vehicle according to claim 1. The outer wall (72) is provided with the downward extension (72F) that promotes the inflow of air into the third opening (72C).
7. A vehicle according to claim 1. The heat conduction member (81) is spaced a predetermined distance from the openings (72A, 72C).
4. A vehicle according to claim 2 or 3.