CROSS - REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION

The embodiments herein claim the priority of Indian patent application 202141017815 filed on April 16, 2021.

Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a common chassis design, and more particularly, to a common chassis design for variants of electric two - wheelers which can be adapted to fit different segments of electric two-wheelers.

Background of the Invention

A chassis is the main support structure of the vehicle which is also known as 'Frame'. The chassis bears all stresses on the vehicle in both static and dynamic conditions. In a vehicle, it is analogous to the skeleton in living organisms. The chassis holds different parts and components of the vehicle, such as the engine, suspension, wheels, fuel tank, handlebars, seat, motor, and the like, in a manner similar to the skeleton holding different organs in a living organism. The chassis or frame is crucial for the construction of the vehicle and the protection of integrated parts in the vehicle. One of the most important factors in the handling of the vehicle is the strength and rigidity of the chassis or frame.

The chassis of a two-wheeler vehicle is a structural component of the two- wheeler vehicle linking various components of the two-wheeler vehicle systems and providing the vehicle rigidity and strength while the vehicle runs in various road conditions. A two-wheeler vehicle’s chassis provides a balance between stiffness and controlled flex, to provide the optimum ride and handling. The chassis facilitates the placement of the motor or engine in a way that allows adhering to the basic principles of mass centralization. According to the basic principles of mass centralization, the two- wheeler vehicle’s mass is placed as centrally as possible between the front and the rear wheels and is also placed as low as possible, without compromising ground clearance. Further, the chassis facilitates the mounting of suspension components in a way that allows the components to work in an efficient manner. In known art, there exists large diversity in terms of chassis types being used by two-wheeler motor vehicles. Some of the popular types of chassis in use for two-wheeler motor vehicles are single or twin downtube cradle-type chassis, steel tube perimeter chassis, aluminium twin-spar chassis, steel tube trellis chassis, hybrid chassis (steel tube trellis section combined with aluminium side plates) and aluminium or carbon fibre monocoque chassis. An effective mechanical design of the chassis of the electric two-wheeler motor vehicle needs to be economical and safe to withstand all the loads and impacts while the electric two-wheeler motor vehicle is running on the road.

There are a number of earlier patents disclosing various systems and designs for different segments of two-wheelers to achieve optimized balance & safety and efficient usage of the vehicle.

US application US20090194957 discloses multifunctional transport frame for the convertible assembly of various child transport devices or vehicles wherein the disclosed frame permits the production and operation of the series of vehicles used by children of the western world: pram, pushchair, walking learning aid, three-wheeler, go-kart and additional corresponding trailer or hand carts as a modular system. Essential components of said transport frame are of multiple or universal application. The chassis for a child vehicle having wheels and being convertible into various embodiments, wherein the chassis has a modular basic construction and comprises: a chassis telescopic extension, a spring bracket fastened to the chassis telescopic extension, two rear wheels, and a multifunction bracket that may be fixed in various positions, the multifunction bracket being adjustable by pivoting and in length on the chassis telescopic extension.

WO1998046471A1 discloses a vehicle chassis and body construction comprising of chassis (5) and body panel (7) structural systems for a wide variety of vehicles, including automotive, water vessels, aircraft and human powered vehicles, principally comprising a node (9) and interlocking spaceframe system that can be hand assembled in the field. The invention also comprises a key (6) and lock system (2) for wedgingly interlocking body panels (7) to the spaceframe. Together these systems comprise novel Frame Integration Technology (FIT) of the invention. Examples of vehicles includes autos, utility vehicles (trucks), public transport vehicles, light boats, human powered vehicles such as bicycles, pedicabs and the like, and light aircraft. W02003091089A1 discloses a motorized two wheeler where the disposition of frame members, platform shape, fuel tank, engine gear box and the engine cylinder head are optimised to achieve a combination of large wheels and large, flat, wide storage platform between the rider and the front suspension. The invention relates to motorized two wheelers with large wheels and a wide storage platform between the front suspension and the rider's seat, comprising of longitudinally spaced large sized front and rear wheels; a frame body supported by said wheels including a front support; at least one tubular frame member downwardly and rearwardly disposed from said front suspension; said tubular frame member adapted to support thereon a substantially flat wide open storage platform along its entire length; wherein an engine, gear box ,fuel tank , and operating components with or without other accessories arranged and secured with respect to atleast one of said frame body.

However, these systems and designs of chassis and frames of two-wheelers have their limitations as their designs are restricted to one particular segment of the vehicle, and they are not versatile. Though the systems disclosed in prior art relate to multi-functional frames of the two and three- wheelers, the frames and chassis of the prior art only disclose the assembling of various parts of the chassis which are joined together to result in the desired two-wheeler variant, and they are further unlocked and reassembled to form another design of a two-wheeler variant. They do not propose a single design which has versatile functionalities of converting into different segments of the two-wheeler without reassembling of the chassis. The prior art mainly relate to increasing the space between the rider and the front suspension thereby enabling wide storage platform and further rearranging chassis or frame of the vehicles to increase the load bearing capacity of the vehicle.

However, the chassis must be redesigned for each segment of two - wheeler vehicle, such as motor bike, scooter, cargo, moped, and the like. This significantly increases the cost of fabrication and setting up of assembly lines with respect to each chassis design. Further, there exists scope of bringing some modularity in the design of the chassis of the electric two-wheeler motor vehicle so that the chassis becomes adaptable for different segments of the electric two-wheeler vehicle.

Hence, there exists a need for an improved chassis design suitable for variants of electric two- wheeler motor vehicles.

To overcome the problems in prior art, the present invention provides an efficient common chassis design suitable for various variants of an electric two-wheeler motor vehicle. The common chassis design for two-wheeler variants comprises a pair of downpipes/ downtubes positioned parallelly. An inner pipe is disposed between the first downtube and the second downtube to provide strength to the common chassis frame. The common chassis design includes a seat support section in rear portion, which is formed by combining the rear ends of the first downtube and the second downtube. The common chassis design also includes battery mounting section configured to house a battery. The common chassis design further includes a motor mounting section configured to mount a motor behind the battery mounting section.

Objects of the Invention:

The main object of the present invention is to provide a common chassis design that is adaptable to be fitted in different variants of electric motor vehicle, such as two-wheeler cargo, scooter, motorcycle, and alike.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a common chassis structure to enable mounting of one or more panels of different shapes and dimensions to obtain different variants of electric two-wheeler motor vehicles.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a common chassis design that facilitates a large storage space at the front of the two-wheeler and an ample seat space behind the biker for ergonomic sitting conditions for person riding on the two-wheeler.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a common chassis design that enables to build a plurality of two-wheeler variants, such as two-wheeler cargo, scooter, motorcycle, from same common mechanical and electrical components of different dimensions.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a common chassis design that reduces overall production cost for a plurality of variants of electric two-wheeler motor vehicles. It is another object of the present invention to provide a common chassis design that facilitates mounting of same components in a plurality of variants of electric two-wheeler motor vehicle, thereby resulting in less component types to be maintained.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a common chassis design that reduces requirement of testing time in product development process due to the mounting of same components in different variants of electric two-wheeler motor vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts, in a simple manner, which is further described in the detailed description of the disclosure. This summary is neither intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the subject matter nor to determine the scope of the disclosure.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a common chassis design suitable for various variants of an electric two-wheeler motor vehicle is disclosed. The common chassis design for two- wheeler variants includes a pair of downpipes/ downtubes positioned parallelly, with an inner downpipe positioned between the two main downpipes. The front portions of the first downtube and the second downtube are coupled to a neck stem. The first downtube, the second downtube of common chassis design are mechanically coupled via a plurality of horizontally placed bars for strength. The first downtube and the second downtube are also provided with stiffener plates along the radius of the curve of the downtubes. The common chassis design includes a seat support section in rear portion, which is formed by combining the rear ends of the first downtube and the second downtube. The common chassis design also includes battery mounting section configured to house a battery. The common chassis design further includes a motor mounting section configured to mount a motor behind the battery mounting section.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, the common chassis design is also configured to mount one or more panels suitable to give shape to one of a motor bike, scooter, and two-wheeler cargo.

Other features and advantages of embodiments will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and from the detailed description that follows. Brief Description of the Drawings

Fig.l illustrates a side view of an exemplary common chassis design, in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary common chassis design in accordance with the present invention. Fig. 3 illustrates the common chassis design mounting panels in a two - wheeler motorbike in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 4 illustrates the common chassis design mounting panels in a two - wheeler cargo in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 5 illustrates the common chassis design mounting panels in a two - wheeler scooter in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 6 illustrates the front view of the common chassis design in a two - wheeler vehicle in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 7 illustrates the bottom view of the common chassis design in a two - wheeler vehicle in accordance with the present invention. Fig. 8 illustrates the top view of the common chassis design in a two - wheeler vehicle in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 9 illustrates the rear view of the common chassis design in a two - wheeler vehicle in accordance with the present invention.

While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the invention to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the invention.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Prior to this, terms and words used in the present specification and claims should not be construed as limited to ordinary or dictionary terms, and the inventor should appropriately interpret the concept of the term appropriately to describe its own invention in the best way. The present invention should be construed as meaning and concept consistent with the technical idea of the present invention based on the principle that it can be defined. Therefore, the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations shown in the drawings are only the most preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not represent all the technical ideas of the present invention. Therefore, it should be understood that equivalents and modifications are possible.

Detailed Description of the Invention with Respect to the Drawings

The present invention as embodied by "A common chassis design for two-wheeler variants" succinctly fulfils the above-mentioned need(s) in the art. The present invention has objective(s) arising as a result of the above-mentioned need(s), said objective(s) being enumerated below. In as much as the objective(s) of the present invention are enumerated, it will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that, the enumerated objective(s) are not exhaustive of the present invention in its entirety, and are enclosed solely for the purpose of illustration. Further, the present invention encloses within its scope and purview, any structural alternative(s) and/or any functional equivalent(s) even though, such structural alternative(s) and/or any functional equivalent(s) are not mentioned explicitly herein or elsewhere, in the present disclosure. The present invention therefore encompasses also, any improvisation(s)/ modification(s) applied to the structural alternative(s)/functional alternative(s) within its scope and purview. The present invention may be embodied in other specific form(s) without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof.

Throughout this specification, the use of the word "comprise" and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising" may imply the inclusion of an element or elements not specifically recited.

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.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a common chassis design. In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, a common chassis design is provided for electric two-wheeler motor vehicles. The common chassis design is adaptable to be fitted in different variants of electric motor vehicle, such as two-wheeler cargo, scooter, motorcycle, and alike. The common chassis design structure is configured to mount wheels of a predefined size which may suit all the different variants of the electric two-wheeler motor vehicle. The common chassis design structure includes a battery mounting section having a predefined space suitable for mounting of a plurality of dimensions of batteries as required for different variants of the electric two-wheeler motor vehicle. The common chassis design structure also comprises a motor mounting section having a predefined space to mount a plurality of dimensions of motors, as required for different variants of the electric two-wheeler motor vehicle. Further, the common chassis design structure is also configured to enable mounting of one or more panels of one or more shapes and one or more dimensions to obtain variants of electric two- wheeler motor vehicle, such as two-wheeler cargo, scooter, motor bike, and alike.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the common chassis design includes a pair of downpipes positioned parallelly along with an inner downtube that is attached to the first half of the chassis. The front portions of the first downtube, the second downtube are coupled to a neck stem. The first downtube, the second downtube and the inner downtube of the common chassis design are horizontally mechanically coupled via a plurality of bars for strength. The first downtube and the second downtube are provided with stiffener plates. The common chassis design includes a seat support section in rear portion, wherein the downtubes are welded at corners below the seat. The common chassis design also includes battery mounting section configured to house a battery. The common chassis design further includes a motor mounting section configured to mount a motor behind the battery mounting section.

As illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a common chassis design (100) for electric motor vehicles is disclosed. The common chassis design (100) includes a first downtube (102a) and a second downtube (102b) positioned parallel to each other, and an inner downtube (102c) is further provided between the first and second downtubes (102a, 102b). The inner downtube (102c) is attached to the front half of the chassis. The front portions of the first downtube (102a), and the second downtube (102b) are coupled to a neck stem (104). The neck stem (104) is configured to mount a pair of parallel connecting rods (124). The pair of parallel connecting rods (124) are configured to mount a front wheel (106a) at a bottom end and a handle (122) at a top end.

The first downtube (102a) and the second downtube (102b) of common chassis design (100) are mechanically coupled via a plurality of bars (116) horizontally placed for strength. The first downtube (102a) and the second downtube (102b) are also provided with stiffeners plates (126) along the curved radius.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the common chassis design (100) includes a seat support section (106) in its rear portion, which is formed by welding the rear ends of the first downtube (102a) and the second downtube (102b) to the seat support section (106) . The seat support section (106) comprises a pair of pivots (120) to mount a pair of suspensions (108) to the common chassis design (100) at a proximal end of the suspension (108). A rear wheel (106b) is mounted with the pair of suspensions (108) at a pair of distal ends of the suspension (108).

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein the front wheel (106a) and the rear wheel (106b) are alloy wheels of one or more diameters.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein the seat support section (106) is semi-circular in shape.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein the common chassis design (100) also includes battery mounting section (114) configured to house a battery (110). The battery mounting section (114) configured to house and provide mounting support to one or more sizes of battery (110). The common chassis design (100) further includes a motor mounting section (118) configured to mount a motor (112) behind the battery mounting section (114). The motor mounting section (118) is configured to mount one or more sizes of the motor (112). In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, inner downtube (102c) is attached to the front half of the chassis to further improve the structural strength of the chassis and evenly balance and distribute the weight on the vehicle.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the common chassis design is configured to mount one or more panels (200) suitable to give shape to a motor bike, as shown in fig. 3. The motor bike further includes bigger motor and high-power battery. The common chassis design facilitates a large storage space in front of the motor bike and an ample seat space behind the biker for ergonomic sitting conditions for person riding on the motor bike.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the common chassis design is configured to mount one or more panels (300) suitable to give shape to a two-wheeler cargo, as shown in fig. 4. In the two-wheeler cargo, the common chassis design facilitates a large flat loading bed behind the driver seat and an extended leg space in front of the driver seat to load packages and weights.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the common chassis design is configured to mount one or more panels (400) suitable to give shape to a scooter as shown in fig.5. The common chassis design of the scooter facilitates a large leg space at a front of the scooter and an ample seat space at a low elevation behind the scooter-rider for a rider sitting behind the scooter-rider.

Therefore, the above-mentioned common chassis design builds a plurality of two-wheeler variants, such as two-wheeler cargo, scooter, motorcycle, from common mechanical and electrical components of different dimensions. The common chassis design reduces overall production cost for a plurality of variants of electric two-wheeler motor vehicle and provides flexibility in supply chain for the key components, such as battery and motor.

The common chassis design facilitates mounting of same components in a plurality of variants of electric two-wheeler motor vehicle resulting in less component types to be maintained. The mounting of same components across variants increases component volumes and reduces overall cost and inventory requirements. Further, the mounting of same components reduces requirement of testing time in product development process. Therefore, time to manufacture different variants of the electric two-wheeler motor vehicle, number of suppliers for the supply of components in production process and overall supply chain cost also reduces significantly.

EXAMPLE 1

The common chassis design (100) of the present invention, comprises a seat support section (106) in its rear portion, which is formed by combining the rear ends of the first downtube (102a) and the second downtube (102b). An inner downtube (102c) is further provided between the first and second downtubes (102a, 102b). The seat support section (106) comprises a pair of pivots (120) to mount a pair of suspensions (108) to the common chassis design (100) at a proximal end of the suspension (120). A rear wheel (106b) is mounted with the pair of suspensions (108) at a pair of distal ends of the suspension (108). The front wheel (106a) and the rear wheel (106b) in a preferred embodiment are alloy wheels of one or more diameters. The common chassis design (100) is also provided with a battery mounting section (114) configured to house a battery (110). The battery mounting section (114) configured to house and provide mounting support to one or more sizes of battery (110). The common chassis design (100) further includes a motor mounting section (118) configured to mount a motor (112) behind the battery mounting section (118). The motor mounting section (118) is configured to mount one or more sizes of the motor (112). The common chassis design configured to mount one or more panels (200) suitable to give shape to a motor bike. In another embodiment the common chassis design configured to mount one or more panels (300) suitable to give shape to a two-wheeler cargo. In another embodiment the common chassis design is configured to mount one or more panels (400) suitable to give shape to a scooter.

Advantages of the present invention and its embodiments:

• The common chassis design is adaptable to be fitted in different variants of electric motor vehicle, such as two-wheeler cargo, scooter, motorcycle, and alike.

• The strength of the chassis is improved by providing multiple downtubes along the length of the chassis structure.

• Downtubes at the corner which houses the battery (110) coupled with the seat support section (106), is welded instead of bending for the ease of manufacturing of common chassis.

• Battery mounting section (114) comprises of a single curved pipe for the ease of manufacturing, wherein the height of the pipe is reduced when compared to the seat support section (106), to lower the seat height that ensures comfortable seating for the user.

• The common chassis design facilitates a large storage space at the front of the motor bike and an ample seat space behind the biker.

• In the two-wheeler cargo, the common chassis design facilitates a large flat loading bed behind the driver seat and an extended leg space in front of the driver seat to load packages and weights.

• The same mechanical and electrical components of different dimensions of the common chassis structure can be used to build a variety of two-wheeler variants.

• The common chassis design reduces overall production cost for a plurality of variants of electric two-wheeler motor vehicle and provides flexibility in supply chain for the key components, such as battery and motor.

• The common chassis design facilitates mounting of same components in a plurality of variants of electric two-wheeler motor vehicle thus resulting in less component types to be maintained.

• The mounting of same components across variants increases component volumes and reduces overall cost and inventory requirements.

• Further, the mounting of same components reduces requirement of testing time in product development process.

• The common chassis design is also adaptable to be fitted in hydrogen fuel cell-powered electric vehicles (FCEV).

Although the proposed concept has been described as a way of example with reference to various models, it is not limited to the disclosed embodiment and that alternative designs could be constructed without deviating from the scope of invention as defined above.

It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the above description is for illustrative purposes only and should not be considered as limiting. Various modifications, additions, alterations, and improvements without deviating from the scope of the invention may be made by a person skilled in the art.