TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present subject matter relates to a saddle type vehicle. More particularly, the present subject matter relates to an energy storage unit on a frame assembly in the vehicle.

BACKGROUND

[0002] In automobiles, a chassis of the vehicle primarily consists of a frame, a suspension, a pair of wheels and brakes. The chassis determines the main structure of the vehicle, its rigidity & also sets the overall looks of the type of vehicle. The frame must be torsion resistant so that the frame should not buckle on uneven road surfaces and any distortion should not be transmitted to the body parts and other aggregates.

[0003] Generally, in a two- wheeled or three-wheeled vehicle with a frame assembly, the frame assembly extends in longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The frame assembly acts as a structural member and load-bearing member of the vehicle. Also, the drive wheel and the driven wheel are supported by the frame assembly. In a saddle -ride type vehicle, the power unit either is mounted or is low-slung to the frame assembly. Generally, the wheels are connected to the frame through damping members. Moreover, in a vehicle with a step- through type portion, the power unit is swingably mounted to the frame assembly through the damping members, which are typically suspensions. The forces acting on such frame assembly are high due to added weight of the power unit on the rear portion. The suspension plays an essential role in damping the forces acting on the wheels as well as damping the forces from the power unit from reaching the frame assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] The detailed description is explained with reference to an embodiment of a saddle type two wheeled scooter along with the accompanying figures. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like features and components.

[0005] Fig.l is a left side view of a step through type vehicle as per one embodiment of the present invention.

[0006] Fig.2 is a left side view of a frame as per one embodiment of the present invention [0007] Fig.3 is a partial perspective view of the vehicle as per one embodiment of the present invention

[0008] Fig. 3a is a sectional view of the vehicle with mono rear suspension assembly as per one embodiment of the present invention.

[0009] Fig. 3b is a view as per known art of the vehicle.

[00010] Fig. 4 is a right side view of the frame assembly as per one embodiment of the present invention.

[00011] Fig. 4a is a top view of the frame assembly as per one embodiment of the present invention.

[00012] Fig. 5 is a left side view of the frame assembly with energy storage unit as per another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[00013] Typically, in saddle type vehicle, a frame assembly includes a front zone and a rear zone. The front zone supports a steering assembly along with a front telescopic suspension of the vehicle. The front zone includes a main frame, a down frame and side frames that provide stiffness and strength for withstanding the forces acting thereon and also, support the vehicle parts including power unit. The rear zone includes a sub-frame that included a rear wheel, and a rear suspension assembly connected thereof. Therefore, the rear zone and front zone is subject to various forces from the front and rear wheel through the suspension and from the power unit in addition to the payloads arising out the occupants & goods. Further, the impacts from the road like bumps and vibration from the power unit are also acting on the frame assembly. Moreover, the vehicle is provided with style parts that are mounted to the frame assembly for providing utility space and aesthetic appeal, which are to be mounted with minimal variations & withstand vibrations.

[00014] Further, some vehicles are provided with the rear suspension assembly which are of two types, a mono-shock suspension and dual shock suspension. Mono-shock suspension offers good maneuverability and at the same time provides stability due to impact concentration being at one point. Additionally due to the shorter stroke when compared to a dual shock, the mono-shock suspension offers greater life.

[00015] Generally, several types of vehicles utilize one or more suspension assemblies operably positioned between one or more wheels of the vehicle and the body of the vehicle. The operator control is improved by the suspension assemblies as it absorbs the bumps or any other irregularities, in the surface where the vehicle is moving/traversing. The straddle/ saddle/ step through type vehicles having a single rear wheel often use rear suspension assembly to absorb the bumps encountered by the rear wheel. The elastic member present outside the rear suspension assembly and damping fluid present inside the rear suspension assembly govern the performance of the rear suspension assembly and also maintain the stability of the vehicle.

[00016] Further, electrical system of the saddle type vehicle has evolved over the years and it assimilates automatic computer control of the automotive systems. Earlier the saddle type vehicles comprised of basic wiring technologies that were used for distributing power to the other parts of the saddle type vehicle and today’s electrical system comprises of the sensors, actuators, battery etc.

[00017] It is customary for the electrical equipment to be mounted in a rigid fashion, unmovable except by removal or adjustment through use of tools. A rigid mounting is necessitated to prevent undesirable displacement or loosening of the electrical equipment like energy storage unit or any other electrical equipment. Further, the rigid structure is necessitated to prevent one of the plurality of components from interfering or damaging another of the plurality of components by change in position or angle of any of the plurality of components with respect to each other, for example, the rear suspension assembly. However, when the rear suspension assembly is provided in the vehicle, the electrical components have to be disposed without any interference from the surrounding components and also should not compromise with the efficiency and functionality of the surrounding components.

[00018] There is always a contradicting challenge of providing a stable mounting structure for the electrical components like energy storage unit and at same time enabling ease of assembly & access for manufacturing & service. Moreover, there is often need to package electrical component in close vicinity to the power unit while avoiding interference with the surrounding components. Typically, the electrical components are mounted to the vehicle structure with plurality of mountings that eats into additional valuable layout space of the vehicle, adds to cost, increases number of parts & aggravates the ease of assembly as well as access to tools for mounting the electrical component for example energy storage unit to the vehicle. Also, the conventional mounting of the electrical component like energy storage unit raises problem of the accessibility of the surrounding components, for example the rear suspension assembly.

[00019] Further, in known art, energy storage unit is mounted inside vehicle body frame and in a space between a head pipe and a power unit e.g. a motor. A monoshock mono rear suspension assembly is tilted forward and centrally disposed in the longitudinal midplane with respect to the vehicle and mounted at least partially above the motor. Further, the mono rear suspension assembly is overlapped with the energy storage unit in the vehicle. This structure however solves the problem of elongation of wiring harness to the power unit e.g. motor, but raises other problems like ease of accessibility of the surrounding components like the mono rear suspension assembly. Since, in known art, the mono rear suspension assembly is overlapped with the energy storage unit, so at the time of servicing of the mono rear suspension assembly or at the time of preload adjuster, one has to disassemble the energy storage unit first, and only then the mono rear suspension assembly becomes accessible. This leads to increased assembly, disassembly, and serviceability time.

[00020] Also, in another known art, energy storage unit is mounted in parallel to an air cleaner assembly which eats into the volume of the air cleaner assembly.

[00021] Thus, there is a need for improved layout and packaging of an energy storage unit for a compact saddle type vehicle, which is capable of compactly accommodating the energy storage unit without compromising ease of accessibility of the surrounding components.

[00022] The present subject matter discloses a mounting structure for electrical components like energy storage unit to ensure the ease of accessibility without major changes in the existing layout of the vehicle.

[00023] As per one aspect of present invention, a frame assembly of the motorcycle type saddle vehicle comprises of a head pipe, a main frame, a down frame etc. The main frame is extended rearward from the head pipe. The main frame extended rearwardly and takes a curve to a bottom side of the frame assembly to form a centre frame. Further, a power unit e.g. engine is mounted at the rear end of the down frame and the centre frame. Further, style parts like a cover frame, side frames are detachably attached with the frame assembly with various attachment means like fasteners. The cover frame protects the vehicle systems and components from environmental aspects like mud splash etc. as well as provides a pleasing appearance to the vehicle.

[00024] Further, as per one aspect of the present invention, an energy storage unit is mounted with a storage means on one side of the vehicle with respect to the vehicle mid plane axis. The storage means has an L shaped structure which is detachably attached with the frame assembly. The storage means here can be a bracket or a casing. The storage means is detachably attached with the main frame and the centre frame with various attachment means like fasteners. Further, the energy storage unit is locked by a locking mechanism present in the storage means, ensuring safe and secures placement of the energy storage unit in the storage means. This configuration ensures the mounting of the energy storage unit in rigid manner. Further, it also ensures that the energy storage unit is near to the surrounding components like power unit, leading to shortening of wiring harness.

[00025] Further, as per one aspect of the present invention, a suspension bracket, provided at a curved portion of the main frame, and a mono rear suspension assembly is connected between the suspension bracket and a swing arm of the vehicle. The energy storage unit is disposed ahead of the mono rear suspension assembly when viewed from the side of vehicle. Hence, the energy storage unit as disposed does not interfere with the mono rear suspension assembly as mounted with the suspension bracket. This structure also ensures the ease of accessibility of the energy storage unit and the mono rear suspension assembly unit by simply removing the cover frame from the frame assembly.

[00026] Further, as per one aspect of the present invention, the cover frame of the vehicle is provided with a slot or a cut out profile which enables ease of access for a conventional tool having C shaped profile for a pre-load adjustments of the rear suspension by a rider/user. This structure ensures that the user/rider can access the mono rear suspension assembly for pre load adjustment without interfering with the surrounding components, unlike as conventional method for adjusting pre load adjuster, which involves use of special tool to access a adjustment feature e.g. a screw present on an upper part of mono rear suspension assembly for adjusting the pre load. In conventional method, this particular screw is only accessible when a rider seat of the vehicle is hingedly openable which leads to increased serviceability time. Hence, the cut out profile in cover frame discussed in the present aspect of the invention ensures the ease of accessibility of a preload adjuster plate present in the mono rear suspension assembly from outside of the vehicle by the user/rider, which enables achieving reduced serviceability time etc.

[00027] Further, as per one aspect of the present invention, an air filter member having L shaped structure is disposed on other lateral side of the energy storage unit. The energy storage unit is disposed towards one side of the vehicle with reference to vehicle mid plane axis and the air filter member has an outlet disposed towards other side of the vehicle where the air intake path can be provided on one side with smooth air intake path for smooth air flow. This enables the energy storage unit and the air cleaner, which needs to be functionally connected to the power unit, to be simultaneously disposed in proximity in longitudinal direction. This also ensures that the volume of the air filter is not compromised by the mounting of the energy storage unit as there is a sufficient clearance between the mounting of the energy storage unit and the air filter member in the vehicle. Therefore, high volume of the air filter member in the vehicle is maintained.

[00028] Further, as per another aspect of the present invention, the energy storage unit is mounted between a pair of seat rails in the vehicle. The rider seat is mounted on the pair of seat rails, where the pair of seat rails are extended rearwardly of the vehicle. This layout ensures the ease of accessibility of the mono rear suspension assembly and also maintains the volume of the air filter member.

[00029] In the ensuing exemplary aspects, the vehicle is a two wheeler saddle type vehicle. However, it is contemplated that the concepts of the present invention may be applied to any of the two wheeler including hybrid electric vehicle and electric vehicle.

[00030] The various other features of the invention are described in detail below with an embodiment of a scooter type two wheeled vehicle with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers generally indicate identical, functionally similar, and/or structurally similar elements. The drawing in which an element first appears is indicated by the leftmost digit(s) in the corresponding reference number. With reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the same reference numerals will be used to identify the same or similar elements throughout the several views. [00031] Further “front” and “rear”, and “left” and “right” referred to in the ensuring description of the illustrated embodiment refer to front and rear, and left and right directions as seen in a state of being seated on a seat of the saddle type vehicle. Furthermore, a longitudinal axis refers to a front to rear axis relative to the vehicle, while a lateral axis refers to a side to side, or left to right axis relative to the vehicle. 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.

[00032] Fig. 1 is a left side view of an exemplary saddle type vehicle and Fig. 2 is the left side view of a frame assembly (200), in accordance with an embodiment of present subject matter. The vehicle (100) has a frame assembly (200), which acts as the skeleton for bearing the loads. Instrument cluster (119) is mounted on handle bar assembly (126). The handle bar assembly (126) is disposed over the head tube (201) and it includes brake levers (not shown). The handle bar assembly (126) is connected to a front wheel (129) by one or more front suspension(s) (130). A front fender (131) is disposed above the front wheel (129) for covering at least a portion of the front wheel (129). A leg shield (112) is provided on said vehicle (100). The vehicle (100) having lighting means which includes Head lamp (127), Tail lamp (not shown), Turning indicators includes front side indicators (not shown) and rear side indicator (not shown) respectively. The rear fender (138) is projected outwardly of the vehicle systems and the pillion to protect from mud splash as well as to protect the rear wheel (133) from external components. A power unit (125) is mounted to the lower portion of frame (200). In an embodiment, the power unit (125) is an IC engine. The seat (132) is located at the back region of vehicle and is extended in a longitudinal direction along a pair of seat rails. In an embodiment, a cover frame (139) is provided on the vehicle (100) which covers the mounted components in the frame assembly and also protects the mounted components from external impact like mud splash etc. Further, the cover frame increases the aesthetic appearance of the vehicle, which is also a important factor in the vehicle by a user/rider. Further, as per one embodiment of the present invention, the cover frame (139) is provided with a slot/ a cut out portion (140), which enables access of the surrounding components in mounted condition.

[00033] The frame assembly (200) of the vehicle (100) is provided with a head tube (201) that includes a main frame (202) extended backward and partially inclined downward from the head pipe (201), a pair of seat rails (204) extended backward from the rear of the main frame (202), a down frame (210) extending with steep downward inclination from the head pipe (201), the power unit (125) is coupled between a pair of center frames (203) and the rears of the down frames (210).An area enclosed by the pair of seat rails (204), the center frames (203) and the sub frames (not labelled) is substantially triangular in a side view.

[00034] As per one embodiment of the present invention, a pair of protrusions (203, 207) has been provided on the main frame (202) and the centre frame (203) respectively, for detachably attaching storage means to the frame assembly (200). Further, as per one embodiment of the present invention, a suspension bracket (205) is provided rearward of a curved portion of the main frame (202), and a mono rear suspension assembly (208) is detachably attached between the suspension bracket (205) and a swing arm (209) of the vehicle with various attachment means like fasteners (306) (as shown in fig. 3a).

[00035] Fig.3 is a partial perspective view of a vehicle as per one embodiment of the present invention. Further, as per one embodiment of the present invention, an energy storage unit (301) is mounted with a storage means (302) on one side of the vehicle with respect to BB’, where BB’ is a vehicle mid plane axis and where the storage means can be a bracket or casing. The storage means (302) has an L shaped structure which is detachably attached with the frame assembly (200). The storage means (302) is detachably attached with the main frame (202) and the centre frame (203) with various attachment means like fasteners. Further, the energy storage unit (301) is locked by a locking mechanism (303) present in the storage means (302). This configuration ensures the mounting of the energy storage unit in rigid manner and also, ensures safe and secures placement of the energy storage unit in the storage means. Further, it also ensures that the energy storage unit is near to the power unit (125), ensuring shortening of wiring harness. The energy storage unit (301) is disposed ahead of the mono rear suspension assembly (208) when viewed from the side of vehicle. Hence, the energy storage unit as disposed does not interfere with the mono rear suspension assembly as mounted with the suspension bracket and the power unit as mounted between end of the down frame and the centre frame. This structure also ensures the ease of accessibility of the energy storage unit and the mono rear suspension assembly unit by removing the cover frame from the frame assembly. Further, this mounting structure also ensures ease of accessibility of the components like power unit, mono rear suspension assembly etc, since the energy storage unit so disposed provides ample space to access the mounting joints of the surrounding components.

[00036] Further, as per one aspect of the present invention, the cover frame (139) in the vehicle (100) is provided with a slot or a cut out profile (140) which enables ease of access of a conventional tool (305) having C shaped profile for a pre-load adjustments of the mono rear suspension by a rider/user. The rider can access the pre load adjustment plate (304) present in the mono rear suspension assembly (208) through the slot or the cut out profile (140) (as shown in fig. 3a), where fig. 3a is a sectional view with respect to PP’, where PP’ is a vertical plane with respect to the vehicle (100). This structure ensures that the user/rider can access the mono rear suspension assembly for pre load adjustment without interfering with the surrounding components, unlike as conventional one for adjusting pre load adjuster (as shown in fig. 3b), which includes a special tool to access a screw present on an upper part of mono rear suspension assembly for adjusting the pre load adjuster. In conventional method, this particular screw is only accessible when a rider seat of the vehicle is hingedly openable which leads to increased serviceability time. Hence, the cut out profile in cover frame discussed in the present embodiment of the invention ensures the ease of accessibility of a preload adjuster plate present in the mono rear suspension assembly from outside of the vehicle by the user/rider, which ensures the decreased serviceability time etc.

[00037] Fig. 4 is a right side view of the frame assembly as per one embodiment of the present invention. Further, as per one aspect of the present invention, an air filter member (401) having L shaped (as shown by dotted lines with arrows in top view i.e. Fig 4a) structure is disposed on other side of the vehicle with respect to BB, where BB’ is the vehicle mid plane axis. The L shaped profile cuts across the mid plane of the vehicle when seen in the top view. The air filter member (401) is disposed extending laterally below the pair of seat rails (204a, 204b) of the frame assembly (200) and behind the mono rear suspension assembly (208). The energy storage unit (301) is disposed towards one side of the vehicle with respect to vehicle mid plane axis (BB’) and the air cleaner (401) has an outlet (402) disposed towards other side (as shown in fig. 4a) and where the outlet is connected to the control unit (403) e.g. a throttle body, which is capable of regulating air flow into the input portion of the power unit during suction stage. This enables the energy storage unit and the air filter member, which needs to be functionally connected to the power unit, to be simultaneously disposed in proximity in longitudinal direction. Moreover, the present embodiment also provides a center of gravity balance due to the disposition of the air filter member towards one side and the energy storage unit towards other side of the vehicle. This also ensures that the volume of the air filter member is not compromised by the mounting of the energy storage unit as there is a sufficient clearance between the energy storage unit and the air filter in the vehicle and also, the air filter member is extended laterally below the pair of seat rails. Hence, the volume of the air filter in the vehicle is maintained.

[00038] Fig. 5 is a left side view of the frame assembly as per another embodiment of the present invention. Further, as per another embodiment of the present invention, the energy storage unit (301) is mounted between a pair of seat rails (204), near the pillion handle mounting in the vehicle. The rider seat is mounted on the pair of seat rails, where the seat rails are extended rearwardly of the vehicle. This structure ensures the ease of accessibility of the mono rear suspension assembly and also maintains the volume of the air filter member.

[00039] The embodiments as discussed in the above-mentioned paragraphs also ensure that the conventional layout of the vehicle is maintained as there is no bulging of the components as mounted, from the vehicle.

[00040] The embodiments explained in Fig. 3. Fig. 4 of the present invention helps in ensuring ease of accessibility as well as overcoming all the problems known in the art.

[00041] Advantageously, the embodiments of the present invention, describes the potential modifications in the mounting of energy storage unit. This facilitates the ease of accessibility and serviceability of the energy storage unit and the surrounding components like mono rear suspension assembly.

[00042] Many other improvements and modifications may be incorporated herein without deviating from the scope of the invention. List of reference symbol:

Fig. 1:

100: Saddle type Vehicle 126: Handle Bar Assembly 119: Instrument Cluster

127: Head Lamp 112: Leg shield 131: Front Fender 129: Front Wheel 130: Front Suspension

125: Engine 132: Seat 138: Rear Fender 133: Rear Wheel 139: Cover Frame

140: A slot Fig. 2:

201: Head Tube 202: Main Frame 203: Centre Frame

204 (204a, 204b): A pair of Seat rails 205: Suspension Bracket 210: Down Frame

206, 207: Protrusions 208: Mono rear suspension assembly 209: Swing Arm

Fig. 3

301: Energy storage unit 302: Storage Means

303: Locking Mechanism 304: Pre Load Adjuster Plate BB’: Vehicle Mid Plane Axis PP’ Vertical Axis Fig. 3a

305: C shaped Conventional Tool 306: Fastener Fig. 4

401: Air Cleaner Member Fig. 4a

402: Outlet port

403: Control Unit