Title of Invention: BODYSHELL RETROFITTED TO TWO-WHEELER WITH

CONDITIONAL BALANCING SYSTEM

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The embodiment of this disclosure relate to the automotive industry, and more particularly to two-wheeler vehicles.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] Two-wheeler vehicles such as bicycles, mopeds, motorcycles, scooters and the like are particularly suitable for urban traffic, due to their reduced width and manoeuvrability significantly greater than that of motor vehicles with four wheels. However, riding the two wheeler vehicle involves more risk than any other motor vehicle with the four wheels. Currently, a large number of two-wheeler accidents results in death or lead to a non-fatal injury to two-wheeler riders.

[0003] Various safety accessories such as helmet, jacket, gloves, shoes and the like are provided to the two-wheeler riders to protect the two-wheeler riders from injuries. However, such safety accessories lack in protecting the two-wheeler riders from the issues associated with weather such as rain, dust, heat and the like. Further, the safety features such as anti -lock braking system (ABS), Electronic stability program (ESP) will not give complete protection from injuries. Moreover, two-wheeler vehicles progressively loose their balance when slowed down below a certain speed. Such situation leads the two-wheeler riders to put at least one foot on the ground to balance their two-wheeler vehicle. Therefore, self-balancing system is required for the enclosed two-wheeler. Various self-balancing and protecting elements are available to provide safety against the aforementioned issues.

[0004] In one approach, the cabin is being used to cover a two-wheeler rider which protects the two wheeler rider from both accidental injuries and weather-related issues. Also, such approach provides the self-balancing feature, where the two-wheeler vehicle stabilization control unit determines a control moment value for one or more gyroscopes coupled to the two-wheeler vehicle frame to exert for stabilization of the two-wheeler vehicle frame. However, such system is expensive and can take a lot of time and capital to develop new design. Further, the control gyroscopes will have to continuously run to keep the vehicle upright, which is a wasteful drain on the energy. Also, the complex electronics involved will make the whole system further expensive.

[0005] Hence, there is a need for an improved body shell retrofitted on to a two -wheeler vehicle with a conditional balancing system (CBS) in order to address the aforementioned issues.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

[0006] In accordance with one embodiment of the disclosure, a body shell retro fitted on to the two- wheeler vehicle with a conditional balancing system is disclosed. The system includes a body shell retrofitted to a two-wheeler vehicle. The body shell includes at least one balancing means configured to balance the two -wheeler vehicle upon receiving at least one command from at least one of a rider and a control system least one command is associated with a corresponding set of parameters sensed by one or more based on predefined condition, wherein the at sensors, wherein the predefined condition corresponds to the unmatched value between the set of sensed parameters and set of threshold parameters. The system includes a switch built with in the two-wheeler vehicle to drive the two-wheeler vehicle in a reverse direction.

[0007] In accordance with another embodiment of the disclosure, a body shell retro fitted to two wheeler vehicle with conditional balancing system is disclosed. The two -wheeler vehicle system includes a chassis. The chassis is configured to provide a structure to the two -wheeler vehicle. The two-wheeler vehicle system also includes at least one drive wheel operatively coupled to the chassis. The at least one drive wheel is configured to cause the two -wheeler vehicle to move on a road. The two-wheeler vehicle system also includes a body shell operatively coupled to the two-wheeler chassis. The body shell includes at least one balancing means configured to balance the two -wheeler vehicle upon receiving at least one command from at least one of a rider and a control system based on predefined condition, wherein the at least one command is associated with a corresponding set of parameters sensed by one or more sensors, wherein the predefined condition corresponds to the unmatched value between the set of sensed parameters and set of threshold parameters. The system also includes a switch built with in the two-wheeler vehicle to drive the two-wheeler vehicle in a reverse direction.

[0008] To further clarify the advantages and features of the present disclosure, a more particular description of the disclosure will follow by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which are illustrated in the appended figures. It is to be appreciated that these figures depict only typical embodiments of the disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting in scope. The disclosure will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the appended figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The disclosure will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying figures in which:

[0009] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a body shell retro fitted to two -wheeler vehicle with conditional balancing system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0010] FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a two -wheeler vehicle system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0011] FIG. 3 is a schematic left view of an exemplary embodiment of the body shell retro fitted to two-wheeler vehicle with conditional balancing system of FIG. 2 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0012] FIG. 4 is a schematic right view of an exemplary embodiment of the body shell retro fitted to two-wheeler vehicle with conditional balancing system of FIG. 2 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0013] FIG. 5 is a schematic front view of an exemplary embodiment of the body shell retro fitted to two-wheeler vehicle with conditional balancing system of FIG. 2 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and [0014] FIG. 6 is a schematic top view of an exemplary embodiment of body shell retro fitted to two- wheeler vehicle with conditional balancing system of FIG. 2 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0015] Further, those skilled in the art will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and may not have necessarily been drawn to scale.

[0016] Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the figures by conventional symbols, and the figures may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the figures with details that will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0017] For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the figures and specific language will be used to describe them. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended. Such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the disclosure as would normally occur to those skilled in the art are to be construed as being within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0018] The terms "comprise", "comprising", or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process or method that comprises a list of steps does not include only those steps but may include other steps not expressly listed or inherent to such a process or method. Similarly, one or more devices or sub-systems or elements or structures or components preceded by "comprises... a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other devices, sub-systems, elements, structures, components, additional devices, additional sub-systems, additional elements, additional structures or additional components. Appearances of the phrase "in an embodiment", "in another embodiment" and similar language throughout this specification may, but not necessarily do, all refer to the same embodiment. [0019] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this disclosure belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are only illustrative and not intended to be limiting.

[0020] In the following specification and the claims, reference will be made to a number of terms, which shall be defined to have the following meanings. The singular forms“a”,“an”, and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0021] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to body shell retro fitted to two -wheeler vehicle with conditional balancing system. The system includes a pre-fabricated body shell retrofitted to a two-wheeler vehicle. The body shell includes at least one balancing means configured to balance the two-wheeler vehicle upon receiving at least one command from at least one of a rider and a control system based on predefined condition, wherein the at least one command is associated with a corresponding set of parameters sensed by one or more sensors, wherein the predefined condition corresponds to the unmatched value between the set of sensed parameters and set of threshold parameters. The system includes a switch built with-in the two-wheeler vehicle to drive the two-wheeler vehicle in a reverse direction.

[0022] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a body shell retro fitted to two-wheeler vehicle with conditional balancing system (100) in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The system (100) includes a body shell (110) retrofitted to two-wheeler vehicle. In one embodiment, the two-wheeler vehicle may include a pre-manufactured two-wheeler vehicle. As used herein, the body shell (110) is defined as a body of a two wheeler vehicle which rest on a chassis, moreover the body shell excludes doors, window glass, interior fittings, and all mechanical components. In one embodiment, the body shell (110) may be made of at least one of a metal, composite, plastic, wood and the like materials.

[0023] In a specific embodiment, the body shell (110) may include a plurality of components such as wind shields, wipers, seats comprising head rest, seat belts, head lights, tail lights, indicators, parking lights, rear view mirrors, one or more navigation subsystems, at least two doorways on either side and a plurality of retractable glass windows. In such embodiment, the retraceable glass windows may be operated in a one of an automatic manner and a manual manner. [0024] In such another embodiment, the at least two doorways on either side may include a mechanical hinge to open and close the door. As used herein, the term“mechanical hinge” is a mechanical bearing that connects two solid objects, typically allowing only a limited angle of rotation between them. In one embodiment, the at least two doorways on either side may be locked or unlocked by one of a mechanical lever and an electronic means.

[0025] In one specific embodiment, the system (100) may include a control subsystem. The control subsystem may be configured to generate at least one command upon monitoring a set of parameters using one or more sensors. In one embodiment, the set of parameters may include at least one of a vehicle speed, a vehicle inclination angle, a steering angle, wheel speed, gravity load of vehicle, braking force, occupant position and a plurality of user inputs.

[0026] The body shell (110) also includes at least one balancing means (120). The at least one balancing means (120) is configured to balance the two -wheeler vehicle upon receiving at least one command from at least one of a rider and a control system based on predefined condition, wherein the at least one command is associated with a corresponding set of parameters sensed by one or more sensors, wherein the predefined condition corresponds to the unmatched value between the set of sensed parameters and set of threshold parameters.

[0027] In one embodiment, the at least one balancing means (120) may include at least one of a balancing wheel and a gyroscope. As used herein, the term“gyroscope” is a device used for measuring or maintaining orientation and angular velocity. Also, the gyroscope is a spinning wheel or disc in which the axis of rotation is free to assume any orientation by itself.

[0028] In one exemplary embodiment, the at least one balancing means (120) is configured to balance the two-wheeler vehicle when the two-wheeler vehicle condition exceeds the predefined set of threshold parameters upon sensing one or more set of parameters.

[0029] In a specific embodiment, the at least one balancing means (120) may be operated with a centralized control system driven by programmable logic circuit (PLC). In such embodiment, the centralized control system may be powered by a battery housed within the two-wheeler vehicle.

[0030] In one embodiment, the at least one balancing means (120) may include one or more motors (130) and one of a mechanical drive and or a pneumatic drive. The system (100) also includes a switch (130) built with in the two-wheeler vehicle to drive the two-wheeler vehicle in a reverse direction.

[0031] In one embodiment, the system (100) may include a controlling subsystem configured to control the two-wheeler vehicle using remote control (unmanned) by performing at one of a unpark or park the two-wheeler vehicle and move the two-wheeler vehicle in a forward direction or reverse direction from a current position.

[0032] In one embodiment, the switch (130) may be powered by at least one of a two -wheeler vehicle battery and a two-wheeler vehicle dynamo. As used herein, the term“two-wheeler vehicle dynamo” is used to an electrical generator which creates direct current using a commutator. Also, as used herein, the term“commutator” is a rotary electrical switch in certain types of electric motors and electrical generators that periodically reverses the current direction between the rotor and the external circuit.

[0033] In some embodiment, the power is supplied to the gyroscope of the at least one of balancing means from the two-wheeler vehicle battery. In such embodiment, the power may be directly supplied from the two-wheeler vehicle dynamo when the power is insufficient in the gyroscope of the at least one of balancing means.

[0034] In one specific embodiment, the system (100) may include a balance braking system (BBS).

The balance braking system may be activated and enable the balancing wheel of the at least one balancing means to keep the two-wheeler vehicle upright upon skidding of the two wheeler vehicle. The skidding of the two-wheeler vehicle may be identified based on a predefined condition, wherein the predefined condition corresponds to the unmatched value between the predefined speed of front and rear wheel and the threshold speed during motion of the two-wheeler vehicle. In some embodiment, the user may also press the brake pedal to activate the gyroscope of the at least one balancing means to keep the two -wheeler vehicle upright.

[0035] In operation, in order to self-balance a two-wheeler vehicle, at least one command is generated by at least one of a rider and a control system when the vehicle condition exceeds the threshold value upon monitoring a set of parameters. As the at least one command is generated, at least one balancing means (120) balances the two-wheeler vehicle by using centralized control system driven by programmable logic circuit (PLC) and power the centralized control system by a battery housed within the two -wheeler vehicle. Further, the system includes a switch (130) built with in the two-wheeler vehicle to drive the two wheeler vehicle in a reverse direction.

[0036] FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a two-wheeler vehicle system (140) in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As used herein, the two-wheeler vehicle is defined as a vehicle such as motorcycle, bicycle, scooter and the like which powers either the front or back wheel. The two-wheeler vehicle system (140) includes a chassis (150). As used herein, the chassis (150) is defined as a base frame of a two- wheeled vehicle. The chassis (150) is configured to provide a structure to the two-wheeler vehicle. The two-wheeler vehicle system (140) also includes at least one drive wheel (160) operatively coupled to the chassis (150). The at least one drive wheel (160) is configured to cause the two-wheeler vehicle to move on a road.

[0037] The two-wheeler vehicle system (140) also includes a body shell. The body shell is operatively coupled to the two-wheeler chassis. The body shell (170) is configured to provide protection, safety and comfort to the riders. In one embodiment, the body shell (170) may be made of at least one of a metal, composite, plastic, wood and the like materials.

[0038] In a specific embodiment, the body shell (170) may include a plurality of components such as wind shields (180), wipers, seats comprising head rest, seat belts, headlights (190), turn indicators, parking lights, rear view mirrors, one or more navigation subsystems, at least two doorways (200) on either side and a plurality of retractable glass windows (230). The body shell (170) includes at least one balancing means (220). The at least one balancing means (220) is configured to balance the two-wheeler vehicle upon receiving at least one command from at least one of a rider and a control system based on predefined condition, wherein the at least one command is associated with a corresponding set of parameters sensed by one or more sensors, wherein the predefined condition corresponds to the unmatched value between the set of sensed parameters and set of threshold parameters.

[0039] In one embodiment, the at least one balancing means (220) may include at least one of a balancing wheel and a gyroscope.

[0040] In a specific embodiment, the set of parameters may include at least one of a vehicle speed, vehicle inclination angle, steering angle, wheel speed, gravity load of vehicle, braking force, occupant position and a plurality of user inputs. The system includes a switch built with in the two-wheeler vehicle to drive the two-wheeler vehicle in a reverse direction. [0041] Furthermore, body shell (170) and balancing means (220) are substantially similar to a body shell (110) and at least one balancing means (120) of FIG. 1.

[0042] FIG. 3 is a schematic left view (240) of an exemplary embodiment of the body shell retro fitted to two-wheeler vehicle with conditional balancing system of FIG. 2 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Furthermore, body shell (250), windshields (260), headlights (270), tail lights (280), doorway (290), pneumatic drive (300) and balancing wheel (310) are substantially similar to a body shell (170), windshields (180), headlights (190), each of the at least two doorways on either side (200), pneumatic drive (210) and the balancing wheel (220) of FIG. 2.

[0043] FIG. 4 is a schematic right view (320) of an exemplary embodiment of the body shell retro fitted to two-wheeler vehicle with conditional balancing system of FIG. 2 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Furthermore, body shell (330), windshields (340), at least two doorways on either side (350), balancing wheel (360) and glass windows (370) are substantially similar to a body shell (170), windshields (180), at least two doorways on either side (200), the balancing wheel (220) and glass windows (230) of FIG. 2.

[0044] FIG. 5 is a schematic front view (380) of an exemplary embodiment of the body shell retro fitted to two-wheeler vehicle with conditional balancing system of FIG. 2 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The system (380) includes a body shell (390). The body shell (390) includes at least one balancing means (430) and an electric drive motor (440).

[0045] Furthermore, the body shell (390), windshields (400), headlights (410), pneumatic drive (420), the balancing wheel (430) are substantially similar to a body shell (170), windshields (180), headlights (190), a pneumatic drive (210), a balancing wheel (220) of FIG. 2.

[0046] FIG. 6 is a schematic top view (450) of an exemplary embodiment of the body shell retro fitted to two-wheeler vehicle with conditional balancing system of FIG. 2 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Furthermore, a body shell (460), windshields (470), headlights (480), a balancing wheel (490) and glass windows (500) are substantially similar to a body shell (170), windshields (180), headlights (190), a balancing wheel (220) and glass windows (230) of FIG. 2. ADVANTAGES

[0047] Various embodiments of body shell retro fitted to two-wheeler vehicle with conditional balancing system enables the system to provide protection to the two-wheeler riders by introducing a body shell which occupies a less road space, thereby reducing the traffic density. Also, the body shell boosts the safety and thus reduce the need for taking cars on all occasions. Moreover, the body shell reduces the greenhouse gas emissions to a great extent. In addition, the body shell also provides convenience in delivering a plurality of things such as food, courier, any e-commerce delivery and the like. Also, the pre-fabricated body shell will act as an aftermarket kit for two-wheeler vehicles. Hence, the cost advantage of using a pre-fabricated body shell retrofitted on to two-wheelers is high compared to cars.

[0048] Furthermore, the body shell is a lightweight material, yet strong and sturdy to be retrofitted onto a two-wheeler vehicle. Also, the body shell is designed in such a way that the two wheelers are able to attach to its chassis. Due to conditional balancing system, the vehicle is kept upright when it is required i.e. during slow motions, idle condition and during shock or impact conditions. Also, the vehicle can be parked using the balancing wheel system. When the vehicle is being driven, the rider will naturally balance the vehicle like usual two wheelers. The conditional balancing system (CBS) includes gyroscopes and balancing wheel system which is controlled by control system and rider.

[0049] The disclosed body shell on the two-wheeler vehicle is provided with reverse driving option due to its added weight condition and for the user convenience. Further, the conditional balancing system (CBS) proposed in the disclosure has the balancing wheel system, these balancing wheels encompass a drive motor which is controlled by a separate switch by the rider. Further, the two-wheeler vehicle can have additional option of remotely operating the vehicle using radio control to move the vehicle forward and reverse at slow speeds and for short distances. This can be useful to park and de-park the vehicle. Further, the balance braking system proposed in the disclosure is a low-cost braking system to enhance safety of the rider.

[0050] Further, the balance braking system which will act as an anti-lock braking system in absence of the anti-lock braking system monitors the wheel speed independently and deploy the balancing wheels and gyroscopes at a right time. Thus, it will effectively avoid the vehicle to fall although the vehicle skids. Furthermore, the balancing wheel act as a stand while waiting on the signal to support the rider.

[0051] Also, the proposed body shell provides conditional balancing means whenever the balancing is required only then the gyroscope is invoked for balancing, thereby reduce the power wastage. Moreover, the proposed body shell provides comfort to the rider. The body shell also keeps the rider safe in a bad weather condition. Also, the present body shell protects the rider from injury during an accident.

[0052] While specific language has been used to describe the disclosure, any limitations arising on account of the same are not intended. As would be apparent to a person skilled in the art, various working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive concept as taught herein.

[0053] The figures and the foregoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment. For example, order of processes described herein may be changed and are not limited to the manner described herein. Moreover, the actions of any flow diagram need not be implemented in the order shown; nor do all of the acts need to be necessarily performed. Also, those acts that are not dependant on other acts may be performed in parallel with the other acts. The scope of embodiments is by no means limited by these specific examples.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0054] As described above, this disclosure provides the means for safe driving of Two-wheeler vehicles as it provides the protection to riders during accidents as well as from whether related vagaries during normal driving situations. The disclosed invention also enables easy driving of the Two-wheeler vehicles as it provides the condition based balancing system without the need for the rider to put his foot on the road surface. Further, the disclosed invention provides the means to drive in reverse direction while the parking and or unparking the vehicle. The body shell made of light weight materials yet strong enough to meet the above requirements. [0055] This body shell pre-fabricated to suit different two-wheeler model designs already available in the market can be an after-market product closely attached to automotive industry. A Two-wheeler vehicle rider can choose to install this product. It can even be marketed with joint venture projects with Two-wheeler automotive industry offering consumers the new vehicles with the body shell retrofitted with conditional balancing system as a whole new product thereby eliminating the cost of unwanted sub-products. These new products not only gives birth to the new product but also makes the two-wheeler vehicles safe, economical and environmentally friendly.

[0056] This body shell retrofitted with conditional balancing system offering as an after-market product or as a new product with new two -wheeler vehicles will serve several alternative functions apart from the normal passenger transport vehicle, like light goods vehicle, police and military patrolling, e-commerce delivery, postal and courier delivery, food and grocery delivery, ambulance, etc.