WHEELED VEHICLE

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present subject matter described herein generally relates to a battery assembly, and particularly but not exclusively relates to a battery assembly for a straddle type two or three wheeled vehicle.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Two wheeled vehicles or three wheeled vehicles have been one of the most convenient means of mobility. Conventionally, two wheeled vehicles have been powered by internal combustion engines but with rapid growth in technology and environmental concerns, electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles are becoming preferred choice of riders. More so the rider prefers an electric vehicle or hybrid vehicle if such a vehicle fulfils all the needs which a conventional internal combustion based vehicle would fulfd. Some of the most common requirements include a long battery range, ample space for storage, safe packaging batteries and a comfortable seating. Battery safety has been prime concern especially in areas having hot and humid weather and in crowded cities. In such areas, the battery may overheat and result in accident such as fire or any other electrical hazard.

[0003] In addition to the battery safety, a vehicle manufacturer has to ensure vehicle size is compact and the battery packaging is safely placed in the vehicle. A safe disposition of the battery packaging is a challenge in the compact space of a two wheeled vehicles due to layout constraints. In contrast to cars or heavy vehicles, the manufacturer of two wheeled vehicles face space and layout constraints. The wheelbase cannot be increased beyond a certain range to overcome space and layout constraints. Neither, battery can be disposed vertically close to the ground in order to achieve a good ground clearance. Battery being the energy storage devices contribute to a significant percent of the vehicle weight in single trail two wheeled vehicles. Owing to their weight, it necessitates to package them as close as possible to the ground to achieve a low centre of gravity and good dynamic handling characteristics. However, space and layout challenges tend to push the batteries to be disposed in locations other than most desired leading to trade-off on one or more performance and durability aspects of the compact vehicle. Pushing the batteries upwards leads to an undesirable compromise on the seating height of the vehicle which needs to be retained within an ergonomic range for the user. Configuring the batteries along with its connectors and wiring harness in a lateral direction of the vehicle is also undesirable as the width of the vehicle is typically constrained by the ergonomic considerations of the reach of the rider to the ground when in a vehicle stopped condition. The problem is further aggravated in a saddle type step through vehicle where a step through space is required as a utility space for rider to rest feet and / or carry objects as per user need. Additionally, such vehicles demand a utility space under the seat for storage of items. All of the above, push the vehicle aggregates including wiring harness to be packaged in a very compact tight space which needs to be achieved without increasing height of the vehicle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0004] The detailed description of the present subject matter is described with reference to the accompanying figures. Same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like features and components.

[0005] Fig.l illustrates a left side view of a two wheeled vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

[0006] Fig.2 illustrates a front perspective view of a battery assembly in accordance with a an embodiment of the present subject matter.

[0007] Fig.3 illustrates a rear perspective view of a battery assembly in accordance with a an embodiment of the present subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] In the present times, electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles are being equipped with high power batteries. These batteries are big in size, heavy in weight and bulky in terms of space occupation. Further such batteries are often installed on a batery holder. The batery holder is usually made of resin or alike material and the batery holder is mounted to the frame of the vehicle. The existing batery holders do not provide stable and sturdy packaging to the bateries to isolate the bateries from vibrations, road shocks etc.

[0009] The existing batery assemblies face a problem related to compact and safe configuration of wiring harnesses in such space constrained vehicles. One or more wiring harnesses connect the bateries of the vehicle with electrical and electronic components in the vehicle, such as, a motor, controllers, indicators, horn, etc. The wiring harness are usually loosely packed. But in space constrained vehicles, the wiring harness is packaged in a manner that serviceability of the bateries becomes cumbersome. The wiring harness include several high voltage and low voltage wires which are connected to different electrical components spread across the length, height and width of the vehicle. The connection of a complex wiring harness connecting the batery and the electrical/ electronic components of the vehicle complicate the vehicle assembly thereby significantly increasing the vehicle assembly time. This also poses a safety threat and increases disassembly time during servicing which is undesirable.

[00010] In a known configuration, the bateries are disposed under a floorboard portion of the vehicle. Provision of the batery under the floorboard portion provides a ease in connection between the electrical components because the majority of electrical components are disposed closer to the front portion of the vehicle proximal to the floor board portion. This includes high voltage receiving main controller unit (MCU) and low voltage receiving electrical components such as headlamp assembly, an instrument cluster, and a plurality of other electrical components. However, a problem arises when the manufacturer decides to remove and relocate the bateries from the floorboard portion. The removal of bateries from the floorboard portion is desirable as it gives the rider more space for storage of utility items. In such a configuration, the bateries are disposed beneath the seat and the batery holder is attached to the frame of the vehicle. But, in such configuration, wiring harness is undesirably long and complex. The wiring harness requires a simpler and safe arrangement along with the battery and a layout which does not occupy much space.

[00011] The connection between the batteries and the wiring harnesses is typically provided by a connector. The connector is a single interface between the electrical components and the batteries. With the above challenges of layout space, providing adequate space for the couplers or connectors becomes increasingly difficult. The connectors or couplers also have a need for ease of access while assembly of vehicle as well as service. Thus, there exists a challenge to provide and improved layout for the connection or couplers of a compact two or three wheeled straddle type vehicle overcoming all the above problems and other problems of known art. The present invention aims to provide an improved vehicle layout with battery assembly which can provide a simpler connection between the connectors and the wiring harnesses. The connectors also needs to have an easy access to reduce the assembly and disassembly time of the batteries.

[00012] Therefore the present invention is to provide a battery holder which resolve abovementioned problems and provide a compact, convenient, durable and safe battery holder and battery holder mounting thereof.

SUMMARY

[00013] In an aspect of the present invention, a battery assembly is comprising: one or more batteries and a non-circular connector. The non-circular connector is electrically connected to each of the one or more batteries from a rear portion of the batteries when assembled in a vehicle. The non-circular connector being disposed on the rear portion of the battery eliminating any increase in the height of the battery unit thereby eliminating need to push the vehicle seat higher than desired. The one or more batteries are configured to supply a high voltage supply and a low voltage supply through a cable assembly connected to the one or more non-circular connector. The cable assembly is coupled to each of the one or more batteries through the non-circular connector, wherein, the cable assembly comprises: a high voltage wire harness, and a low voltage wire harness. The low voltage wire harness is connected to the high voltage wire harness through a separate coupler located away from the non-circular connector and the non-circular connector has a primary axis which is disposed at a predetermined angle from a rear surface of the one or more batteries. The diagonal or inclined orientation of the noncircular connectors enables having large connectors while still utilising less vertical as well as lateral space in the compact vehicle. As per a preferred embodiment, the non-circular connector being oblong in shape having a major axis as its primary axis. As per another preferred embodiment, the non-circular connector being symmetric about its primary axis.

[00014] Summary provided above explains the basic features of the invention and does not limit the scope of the invention. The nature and further characteristic features of the present invention will be made clearer from the following descriptions made with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[00015] Exemplary embodiments detailing features of the battery holder and the mounting thereof, in accordance with the present subject matter will be described hereunder with reference to the accompanying drawings. Various aspects of different embodiments of the present subject matter will become discernible from the following description set out hereunder. Rather, the following description provides a convenient illustration for implementing exemplary embodiments of the present subject matter. Further, it is to be noted that terms “upper”, “lower”, “right”, “left”, “front”, “forward”, “rearward”, “downward”, “upward”, “top”, “bottom” and like terms are used herein based on the illustrated state or in a standing state of the saddle-type vehicle with a driver sitting thereon unless otherwise elaborated. Furthermore, a longitudinal axis refers to a front to rear axis relative to the saddletype vehicle, defining a vehicle longitudinal direction; while a lateral axis refers to a side to side, or left to right axis relative to said vehicle, defining a vehicle lateral direction. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[00016] The present invention along with all the accompanying embodiments and their other advantages would be described in greater detail in conjunction with an embodiment of a straddle type two wheeled scooter type motorcycle along with the accompanying figures in the following paragraphs [00017] Fig 1 illustrates a left side view of a two wheeled vehicle (100) in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The battery assembly of the present invention is implemented in this two-wheeled vehicle. As per the illustrated embodiment, the vehicle (100) has a longitudinal axis (F-R) that represents a frontward side (F) and a rearward side (R) of the vehicle (100). The vehicle (100) comprises a frame (101) which forms the skeleton of the vehicle (100). The frame (101) includes a head tube (101A), a main tube (10 IB), and a floorboard portion (103). The head tube (101 A) is the main support structure for a steering assembly (109) and front panels (104) of the vehicle (100). The main tube ( 10 IB) extends downwardly rearward from the head tube (101A) and merges with the floorboard portion (103) of the vehicle (100). The floorboard portion (103) of the vehicle (100) provide ample space to a rider to keep his/her legs and luggage or other utility items while riding the vehicle (100). The vehicle (100) also includes a front wheel (105) and a rear wheel (106). The distance between the front wheel (105) and the rear wheel (106) is called a wheelbase of the vehicle (100). Further, a seat assembly (108) has been disposed on a rear portion of the frame (101). Also, plurality of rear panels (107) cover the rear portion of the frame (101) from both lateral sides and the rearward side (R) of the vehicle (100).

[00018] Fig.2 illustrates a front perspective view of an improved layout of the vehicle with a battery assembly (110) in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter with many parts of the vehicle omitted for clarity. As per Fig. 2, the battery assembly (111) comprises one or more batteries (112) and a noncircular connector (114) for each respective battery. The non-circular connector (114) is electrically connected to each of the batteries (112) from a rear portion of the batteries (112). The batteries (112) are configured to supply a high voltage supply and a low voltage supply through a cable assembly (115, 117) (As shown in Fig. 3). Also, the battery (112) is electrically coupled with a master control unit (113), wherein the master control unit (113) is disposed above the battery (112). The cable assembly (115, 117) is coupled to the battery (112) through the noncircular connector (114). [00019] Fig.3 illustrates a rear perspective view of a battery assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. As per the illustrated embodiment, the cable assembly (115, 117) comprises: a high voltage wire harness (115), and a low voltage wire harness (117). Further, the high voltage wire harness (115) is connected to the battery (112) through the non-circular connector (114) and the low voltage wire harness (117) is connected to the high voltage wire harness (115) through a separate or remote coupler (116), which is located away from the non-circular connector (114). The non-circular connector (114) has a primary axis C and a cable attached to said connector (114) being along said primary axis C. The non-circular connector (114) has its primary axis C disposed at a predetermined angle A formed with a vehicle vertical axis Y-Y’ where vehicle vertical axis Y-Y’ being along a longitudinal mid plane of the vehicle. The non-circular connector (114) is located on a rear surface of the battery (112).

[00020] As per an embodiment, the high voltage wire harness (115) is disposed on a first side of the one or more batteries (112) and the low voltage wire harness (117) is disposed on a second side of the one or more batteries (112), wherein the first side is opposite to the second side. As per an additional embodiment, the coupler (116) is located on the second side of the battery (112). As per a preferred embodiment, the first side of the battery is a rear facing side of the vehicle (100) and the second side is either a left or a right lateral side of the vehicle (100).

[00021] Further, the one or more batteries (112) are detachably attached to a rear portion of a frame (101) of a vehicle (100). Further, the non-circular connector (114) is attached to the rear surface of each of the one or more batteries (112) and is oriented at an angle of 45 degree or higher with a vehicle vertical axis Y-Y’, said vertical axis Y-Y’ being along a longitudinal midplane P of the vehicle (100). The angle A is measured from a vertical axis (Y -Y’).

[00022] As per an additional embodiment, the one or more batteries (112) are disposed in a battery holder and the cable assembly (115, 117) is attached to the battery holder through one or more hole clips (119). As per an additional embodiment, the battery holder is provided with a U-shaped cut out portion on the rear portion of the battery holder.

[00023] The claims as discussed herein are not routine, conventional, or well understood in the art, as the claims enable the following solutions to the existing problems in conventional technologies. As per the present invention, the connector (114) is attached at an predetermined angle A from the vertical axis (Y -Y’). This configuration enables achieving a compact vertical as well as lateral width of the vehicle along with the battery assembly. This layout enables an easy assembly and disassembly of the connectors and wiring harness. As per a preferred embodiment, t he angle A is 45 degree or higher specifically chosen because below the above angle the connectors (114) tend to face interference from various components in the vicinity leading to a compromise on the height of lateral width of the compact vehicle. At this angle, the connectors (114) do not face any interference from the components in the vicinity. The components in the vicinity include, a sub frame holding the battery holder, plurality of wires, the rear frame, and the wheel hugger. Also, this layout configuration ensures a compact packaging of the wiring harness and prevents loose wires hanging from the rear of the one or more batteries (112). Additionally, this layout configuration ensures that during servicing of the one or more batteries (112) all wires are not required to be removed. The connection between the high voltage wires (115) and the MCU (113) is crucial and can be damaged if manufacturer prescribed means are not followed. Therefore, as per the present invention, during servicing of the one or more batteries (112) only the connectors (114) has to be removed and the one or more batteries (112) can be taken out without disturbing the connection between the high voltage wires (115) and the MCU (113). Also, a simplified wiring harness arrangement is achieved as all high voltage wiring harness (115) are disposed on a first side and the low voltage wiring harness (117) are disposed on a second side away from the first side.

[00024] Also, the one or more batteries (112) are disposed in a battery holder and the cable assembly (115, 117) is attached to the battery holder through one or more hole clips (119). Additional advantages of the present configuration is that, the cable assembly (115, 117) is closely packaged and the length of the cable assembly (115, 117) is kept minimum. The length of the cable assembly (115, 117) is also reduced by disposing the MCU (113) above the one or more batteries (112). It is an advantage of the present invention that the high voltage wire harness (115) is securely connected to the MCU (113) ensuring the safety of the high voltage wiring harness (115).

[00025] Additionally, as per an embodiment, U-shaped cut out (118’) is provided on the rear battery holder (118) which provides a clearance to a wheel hugger (not shown) and ensures that the cable assembly (115, 117) is sufficiently away with working clearance from the wheel hugger during vehicle usage condition.

[00026] Although the subject matter has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain embodiments thereof, other embodiments are possible. It is to be understood that the appended claims are not necessarily limited to the features described herein. Rather, the features are disclosed as embodiments of the present subject matter.

Reference Numerals:

100: Vehicle

101: Frame

101 A: Head Tube

10 IB: Main Tube

103: Floorboard Portion

104: Front Panels

105: Front Wheel

106: Rear Wheel

107: Rear Panels

108: Seat assembly

109: Steering Assembly

110: Battery Assembly

112: One or more batteries

113: MCU

114: Non-circular Connector

115: High voltage wiring harness

116: Coupler

117: Low voltage wiring harness

118: Rear battery holder

118’: U shaped cut out

119: Hole clips