ELECTRIC MOTORCYCLE

Abstract

Described is a motorcycle including: a frame, an electric motor supported by the frame, at least a first battery and a second battery for powering the electric motor by means of an inverter, said first and second battery being housed respectively inside a first casing and a second casing, said electric motorcycle being characterised in that said first casing is positioned on the opposite side to the second casing relative to the frame, said frame being interposed between the first and second casings, said electric motorcycle including coupling means for fixing said first and second casings to said frame.

Claims

1. A motorcycle comprising: a frame, an electric motor supported by the frame, at least a first battery and a second battery for powering the electric motor, said first and second battery being housed respectively inside a first casing and a second casing, said electric motorcycle being characterised in that said first casing is positioned on the opposite side to the second casing relative to the frame, said frame being interposed between the first and second casings, said electric motorcycle comprising coupling means for fixing said first and second casings to said frame, said frame comprising at least a first supporting element for said first casing extending laterally from said frame and at least a second supporting element for said second casing, said second supporting element extending laterally from said frame on the opposite side with respect to said first supporting element.

2. The electric motorcycle according to claim 1, wherein said first casing is removable from said frame by a first translational movement along the first supporting element and said second casing is removable from said frame by a second translational movement along the second supporting element.

3. The electric motorcycle according to claim 1, wherein said first casing and said second casing are fixed laterally to the frame.

4. The electric motorcycle according to claim 1, wherein the coupling means comprise first engagement means and second engagement means, said first and second engagement means being configured to engage with each other, said frame comprising said first engagement means.

5. The electric motorcycle according to claim 4, wherein said first engagement means comprise said first and second supporting elements.

6. The electric motorcycle according to claim 1, wherein said first and second supporting elements are horizontal.

7. The electric motorcycle according to claim 1, wherein said first casing comprises a first structural element and the second casing comprises a second structural element, said first casing being fixed to said frame by the first structural element and said second casing being fixed to said frame by the second structural element, said electric motorcycle comprising a load-bearing structure comprising said frame and said first and second structural elements.

8. The electric motorcycle according to claim 1, wherein said first casing comprises a first shell and the second casing comprises a second shell, said first battery being positioned in said first shell and said second battery being positioned in said second shell.

9. The electric motorcycle according to claim 7, wherein said first shell is joined to said first structural element and said second shell is joined to said second structural element.

10. The electric motorcycle according to claim 9, wherein the first shell and the second shell are joined, respectively, to the first structural element and to the second structural element by welding or gluing.

11. The electric motorcycle according to claim 1, wherein the frame comprises a lattice structure.

12. The electric motorcycle according to claim 1, wherein said first casing delimits with said frame a first gap and said second casing delimits with said frame a second gap, said electric motorcycle comprising a duct for passage of cooling air, said passage duct comprising said first and second gap.

13. The electric motorcycle according to claim 1, wherein said first battery and second battery are symmetrical with respect to said frame.

14. The electric motorcycle according to claim 1, wherein said first casing and second casing are symmetrical relative to said frame.

Description

[0114] The features of the invention are more apparent from the detailed description which follows, with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention purely by way of non-limiting example, and in which:

[0115] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of an electric motorcycle according to the invention;

[0116] FIG. 2 is an exploded schematic perspective view of an electric motorcycle according to the invention;

[0117] FIG. 3 is an schematic perspective view of a detail of an electric motorcycle according to the invention;

[0118] FIG. 4 is an exploded schematic perspective view of the detail of FIG. 3;

[0119] FIG. 5 is a schematic top view of a detail of an electric motorcycle according to the invention;

[0120] FIG. 6 is a schematic front view of a detail of an electric motorcycle according to the invention.

[0121] With reference to the accompanying drawings, and in particular FIG. 1, the numeral 1 denotes an electric motorcycle according to the invention.

[0122] The motorcycle 1 is described in detail solely for the parts necessary for the understanding of the invention.

[0123] The motorcycle 1 comprises a frame 50 with a main longitudinal axis of extension a50.

[0124] The frame 50 has a first side 51 and a second side 52.

[0125] According to an embodiment, illustrated for example in FIG. 2, the frame 50 is in the form of a lattice, that is to say, it comprises a lattice structure 55.

[0126] According to an embodiment, the frame 50 is cast in aluminium.

[0127] The motorcycle 1 comprises an electric motor 100 supported by the frame 50.

[0128] The motor 100 is fixed to the frame 50 by a first fixing plate 100A and a second fixing plate (not illustrated) positioned at the sides of the motor 100.

[0129] The first plate 100A and the second plate are preferably attached, respectively, to the first side 51 and to the second side 52 of the frame 50.

[0130] Advantageously, the plates can contribute to imparting rigidity to the frame 50.

[0131] The motorcycle 1 comprises a shock absorber 101, a swingarm 102 which define a rear end of the motorcycle 1.

[0132] The motorcycle 1 comprises a steering system 103 and a front suspension 104 which define a front end of the motorcycle 1.

[0133] The frame 50 connects the shock absorber 101 and the swingarm 102 to the steering system 103 and to the front suspension 104.

[0134] According to an embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the swingarm 102 is hinged on the plates for fixing the motor.

[0135] According to an embodiment, the swingarm 102 may be hinged on the frame 50.

[0136] The motorcycle 1 comprises a motor control unit (inverter) 105 which may be located, for example, in a central position on the frame 50.

[0137] The motorcycle 1 comprises at least a first battery 10 and a second battery 20 which power the motor 100.

[0138] The battery 10 and the battery 20 are connected to the motor 100 by means of the engine control unit 105.

[0139] According to an embodiment, the battery 10 is symmetrical to the battery 20 relative to the frame 50.

[0140] The battery 10 and the battery 20 are equipped with independent electrical connectors for connection to the electric systems of the motorcycle, both at high and low voltage, and can be connected to the electrical system in series or in parallel.

[0141] The battery 10 is housed inside a first casing 11.

[0142] The battery 20 is housed inside a second casing 21.

[0143] The casing 11 is located on the opposite side of the frame 50 to the casing 21.

[0144] In other words, the frame 50 is interposed between the casing 11 and the casing 21.

[0145] The casing 11 is fixed to the side 51 and the casing 21 is fixed to the side 52. In other words, the casing 11 and the casing 21 are fixed laterally to the frame 50.

[0146] According to an embodiment, the casing 11 and the casing 21 are symmetrical relative to the frame 50.

[0147] The casings 11, 21 may be made of different materials such as, for example: sheet of steel or aluminium, carbon, casting of aluminium alloy, fibreglass.

[0148] The casing 11 comprises a first structural element 12.

[0149] The casing 11 is fixed to the side 51 of the frame 50 by means of the first element 12.

[0150] The casing 21 comprises a second structural element 22.

[0151] The casing 21 is fixed to the side 52 of the frame 50 by means of the second element 22.

[0152] According to an embodiment, the shape of the element 12 and 22 follows that of the frame 50, that is to say, it has a shape, in the longitudinal plane of extension, which can be substantially superposed on that of the frame 50.

[0153] According to an embodiment, the shape of the element 12 and 22 comprises a reticular-like structure. The structural element 12 and the structural element 22 have, respectively, a plurality of through holes F12.

[0154] According to an embodiment, the structural elements 12 and 22 are made of carbon steel and glued to the shells 13 and 23.

[0155] According to an embodiment, the structural elements 12, 22 are made of aluminium or steel lattices and, for example, fixed by screws to the shells 13 and 23.

[0156] The casing 11 comprises a first shell 13, in which the battery 10 is positioned.

[0157] The first shell 13 has at least one through hole F13 for attaching the shell 13 to the frame.

[0158] The first shell 13 is joined to the first element 12.

[0159] According to an embodiment, the first shell 13 is joined to the first element 12 by welding.

[0160] According to an embodiment, the first shell 13 is joined to the first element 12 by gluing.

[0161] According to an embodiment, the first shell 13 is joined to the first element 12 by screws V12.

[0162] According to an embodiment, illustrated for example in FIGS. 3 and 4, the shell 13 comprises a first half-shell 13A and a second half-shell 13B.

[0163] The half-shell 13A may be glued or welded to the first element 12.

[0164] According to an embodiment, the half-shell 13A is glued to the second half-shell 13B.

[0165] According to an embodiment, the half-shell 13A is coupled to the second half-shell 13B for example by screws V13.

[0166] Advantageously, making the shell 13 with two separable half-shells allows the casing 11 to be opened and to intervene on the battery 10 in the event of a malfunction and any defective cells to be replaced.

[0167] The casing 21 comprises a second shell 23 in which the battery 20 is positioned.

[0168] The second shell 23 has at least one through hole F23 for attaching the shell 23 to the frame.

[0169] The second shell 23 is joined to the second element 22.

[0170] According to an embodiment, the second shell 23 is joined to the element 22 by welding.

[0171] According to an embodiment, the second shell 23 is joined to the element 22 by gluing.

[0172] According to an embodiment, the second shell 23 is joined to the element 22 by screws V22.

[0173] According to an embodiment, the shell 23 comprises a first half-shell 23A and a second half-shell 23B.

[0174] The half-shell 23A may be glued or welded to the first element 22.

[0175] According to an embodiment, the half-shell 23A is glued to the half-shell 23B.

[0176] According to an embodiment, the half-shell 23A is coupled to the half-shell 23B for example by screws V23.

[0177] Advantageously, making the shell 23 with two separable half-shells allows the casing 21 to be opened and to intervene on the battery 20 in the event of a malfunction and any defective cells to be replaced.

[0178] According to a preferred embodiment, the motorcycle 1 comprises: the frame 50;

[0179] the first half-shell 13A, 23A (in which the RESS's are housed and mounted);

[0180] the second half-shell 13B, 23B coupled with or glued to the first half-shell 13A, 23A and the structural element 12, 22 fixed to the second half-shell 23B.

[0181] The motorcycle 1 comprises means 200 for coupling the casings 11, 21 to the frame 50.

[0182] Advantageously, the coupling means 200 allow the structural elements 12, 22 and the casings 11 and 21 to be coupled and fixed to the frame 50, providing structural continuity.

[0183] The means 200 comprise first engagement means 210 and second engagement means 220.

[0184] The means 210 and 220 are configured to engage with each other.

[0185] The frame 50 comprises, for example, the engagement means 210.

[0186] According to an embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the means 210 comprise a multiplicity of hollow tubes T, cylindrical or polyhedral elements, which are threaded internally and/or have threaded inserts inside them and the means 220 are screws V12, V22 configured to engage the turrets T passing through the plurality of holes F12, F22, respectively.

[0187] According to an embodiment, the means 210 comprise a multiplicity of tubes T, cylindrical or polyhedral solid elements shaped as studs, comprising externally threaded shanks, and the means 220 comprise nuts suitably configured for screwing to the tubes T.

[0188] In general, the tubes T are positioned on both sides 51, 52; preferably, the tubes T on the sides 51, 52 are symmetrical relative to the frame 50.

[0189] According to an embodiment, the tubes T project from the frame 50 horizontally.

[0190] Advantageously, the horizontal tubes T allow the casings containing the batteries to be mounted and removed laterally, extracting them in a horizontal direction, facilitating the removal and replacement operations for the technicians.

[0191] In practice, when the batteries 10, 20 are mounted on the frame 50, the tubes T are inserted in the holes F12, F22 of the structural elements 12, 22.

[0192] The structural elements 12, 22 are fixed to the frame 50 by the screws V12, V22.

[0193] The frame 50 comprises at least a first element 53 for supporting the first casing 11 and a second element 54 for supporting the second casing 21.

[0194] The element 53 projects laterally from the frame 50 from the first side 51.

[0195] The element 54 projects laterally from the frame 50 from the second side 52 on the opposite side relative to the element 53.

[0196] The first casing 11 is removable from said frame 50 by a first translational movement along the first supporting element 53.

[0197] The second casing 21 is removable from said frame 50 by a second translational movement along the first supporting element 54. According to an embodiment, the element 53 passes through at least one hole F12 in the structural element 12.

[0198] According to an embodiment, the element 53 passes through at least one hole F12 in the structural element 12 and the hole F13 in the shell 13.

[0199] According to an embodiment, the element 53 passes through the hole F13 and is in contact with the structural element 12.

[0200] According to an embodiment, the element 54 passes through at least one hole F22 in the structural element 22.

[0201] According to an embodiment, the element 54 passes through at least one hole F22 in the structural element 22 and the hole F23 in the shell 23.

[0202] According to an embodiment, the element 54 passes through the hole F23 and is in contact with the structural element 22.

[0203] Advantageously, the supporting elements 53, 54 make it possible to attach the casings 11 and 21 to the frame 50 facilitating the fixing operations for the technicians.

[0204] In practice, when the batteries 10, 20 are mounted on the frame 50, the elements 53, 54 are inserted in the holes F13, F23 of the shells 13, 23.

[0205] The shells 13, 23 are preferably locked to the frame 50 by the structural elements 12, 22 which are fixed to the frame 50 by the screws V12, V22.

[0206] According to an embodiment, the means 210 comprise the elements 53 and 54.

[0207] In other words, according to an embodiment, the tubes T act both as supporting elements 53,54 and as means for coupling the casings themselves.

[0208] According to an embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 2, the elements 53 and 54 extend laterally from the frame 50 in a substantially horizontal manner.

[0209] According to an embodiment, the elements 53 and 54 extend laterally from the frame in an oblique fashion relative to the longitudinal plane of extension of the motorcycle.

[0210] Advantageously, the supporting elements act as a guide during the step of moving the casings (containing the batteries) towards the frame.

[0211] In that way, the casings do not impact with other components of the motorcycle, for example the tubes, preventing their damage and/or damage to the motorcycle.

[0212] According to a preferred embodiment, the casings do not have the holes F13, F23 and the elements 53, 54 are stud bolts which directly pass through the holes F12, F22.

[0213] In this case, the casings 11, 21 are held in position by the tubes T in the form of stud bolts and then fixed with the corresponding nuts.

[0214] The motorcycle 1 comprises a load-bearing structure 300 comprising at least the frame 50, the first element 12 and the second element 22.

[0215] According to an embodiment, the load-bearing structure 300 comprises the frame 50, the first element 12, the second element 22, the casing 11, the casing 21 and the plates for fixing the motor.

[0216] Advantageously, coupling the structural elements 12, 22 and the casings 11, 21 with the frame 50 guarantees the rigidity necessary for the load-bearing structure 300 of the motorcycle.

[0217] Advantageously, using a shape of the structural element 12, 22, such as that of the frame 50 allows further rigidity to be given to the frame.

[0218] According to an embodiment, illustrated for example in FIG. 6, the motorcycle 1 comprises a passage duct 40 for cooling air.

[0219] The duct 40 extends mainly along the longitudinal plane of extension of the motorcycle.

[0220] The duct 40 for the passage of the cooling air comprises a first gap 41 and a second gap 42.

[0221] Preferably, the gaps 41, 42 are in fluid communication.

[0222] As, for example, illustrated in FIG. 5, the casing 11 delimits with the frame 50 the first gap 41 and the casing 21 delimits with the frame 50 the second gap 42.

[0223] Advantageously, when the motorcycle is moving the gaps and the passage duct allow the casings to be struck by the air over most of their surface, allowing the batteries to be cooled uniformly.

[0224] According to an embodiment, the electric motorcycle comprises a cooling device, for example a radiator or an electric fan, preferably positioned at the casings 11 and 21.

[0225] The batteries 10 and 20 may therefore be cooled by natural convection or by forced air convection or by means of a cooling liquid.