TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present subject matter relates to a motor vehicle. More particularly, the present subject matter relates to the energy storage device.

BACKGROUND

[0002] In many countries of the world, a three wheeled motor vehicle is a significant mode of public transportation. It is vastly used as a point to point mode of transport in rural and urban areas also referred to as autorickshaw. Generally, the motor vehicle has a driver compartment in a front portion and a passenger load compartment in a rear portion. In case of a passenger vehicle, the rear compartment comprises of a passenger seat. In the posterior portion of the rear compartment an internal combustion (IC) engine is provided, which powers the vehicle. A driver operates the vehicle from the first compartment. A driver seat is provided in the front compartment so that the driver operates the vehicle in a sitting position. The suspension structure for three wheeled vehicle normally employs separate trailing arm with rear suspension system to support the body on the two rear wheel assemblies. Also, a storage compartment provided behind a rear seat of the vehicles provides space for storage of goods.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0003] The detailed description is described with reference to a passenger transport layout of a three wheeled vehicle along with the accompanying figures. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like features and components.

[0004] Fig.l is a side view of a motor vehicle as per one embodiment of the present invention.

[0005] Fig. la is a rear view of a motor vehicle as per one embodiment of the present invention.

[0006] Fig.2 is a frame structure of motor vehicle, as per one embodiment of the present invention [0007] Fig.3 is an exploded view of a drive seat frame with protective shield as per one embodiment of the present invention.

[0008] Fig. 3a is a side view of a motor vehicle with pivotally opened driver seat as per one embodiment of the present invention.

[0009] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a protective shield as per one embodiment of present invention.

[00010] Fig.4a is assembled view of a protective shield with drive seat frame as per one embodiment of present invention.

[00011] Fig. 5 is a vehicle view with protective shield under passenger seat as per another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[00012] The arena of technology pertaining to transportation has undergone a tremendous transformation over the years, such that the present concentration is focused upon the efficiency and cost of manufacturing, which includes the cost of materials, assembly cost, cost of inventory handling etc. Simultaneously, there has also been need in the industry to provide stronger, lighter and economically advantageous vehicles that consume less power. Electric power storage device driven vehicles happen to be eco- friendly, in line with the Go Green initiative of various organizations. These Vehicles may be two, three or four wheelers depending upon the requirement of the consumer and have multiple applications.

[00013] In automobile vehicle industry, electric vehicles are introduced to control air pollution caused due to IC engine powered vehicles. Currently, the electric vehicles are classified into two groups, namely pure electric and extended electric vehicles (also known as hybrid vehicles). The hybrid vehicles have a primary electric drive with associated energy storage device and an internal combustion engine coupled to an electric motor/generator.

[00014] In recent years, hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles have become quite popular due to high oil prices and the environmental impact of purely fuel consumption vehicles. In particular, the hybrid vehicle has become an intermediate choice for those consumers wishing to reduce fuel consumption while at the same time increase their allowable travel distance. In most developing & under-developed markets, a low-cost three-wheeler is often employed as a popular public mode of transport or a goods carrier vehicle. In case of a passenger transport layout, the vehicle rear portion is configured with a passenger seating compartment while in case of a goods carrier, the rear portion has a loading trailer platform layout to carry goods. Unlike conventional four wheeled vehicles, the three wheeled vehicle is compact, highly weight efficient & economical mode of transport. Typically, such multi-track vehicles have a steering axis disposed centrally along the longitudinal mid-plane of the vehicle with the rider seated co-axially in the same mid plane. Such vehicles are commonly powered by IC engines & electrification of such public transport vehicles has been of much interest to bring down emissions. Any major alteration or modification on a vehicle to adapt to different powertrains for given product is undesirable owing to adverse impact on manufacturing complexity, variety, logistics, supply chain challenges as well as cost. Often a manufacturer prefers to have a platform product solution wherein a basic structure of the vehicle can be common across the types of powertrains used. This enables great flexibility for the manufacturer to operate with a standardised platform of product across various markets, variants etc. with different powertrains e.g. IC engine or Hybrid etc. depending on the requirements.

[00015] The hybrid vehicles have distinct advantage of allowing longer travel, as at least one source is always available to drive the vehicle. Hence, there is reduced risk of running out of fuel as it may potentially occur with a traditional internal combustion powered vehicle. The hybrid vehicle can operate as an IC engine vehicle or as an electric vehicle or even as both. For example, driving on terrain or for long distances, IC engine can be used and for shorter distances electric propulsion system can be used..

[00016] The electric vehicles using electric motors as a driving source and hybrid vehicles combining other driving sources such as an electric motor and an engine have been put to practical use. The above-mentioned automobile is equipped with an energy storage device i.e. energy storage device, for supplying electric power as electric energy to an electric motor. In this particular type of vehicles, the vehicle's driving force is provided from an energy storage device in order to receive the energy required for driving the vehicle. As the energy storage device, for example, a battery that can be repeatedly charged and discharged, such as a nickel-cadmium battery, a nickel-hydrogen battery, and a lithium-ion battery, is used. The energy storage device is housed in a case and is installed in the vehicle.

[00017] Accordingly in order for the energy storage device to supply sufficient energy to the motor, a large-capacity energy storage device should be provided. However, due to a spatial limitation in such compact three-wheeled vehicles, mounting a large- capacity energy storage device is often a challenge.

[00018] Therefore, a light weighted stack of energy storage device is typically developed while maintaining the efficiency of the energy storage device and is placed where the user’s comfort is not compromised. The stack of energy storage device is placed on a trolley which is easily movable or any other supporting plates having holding arms. The user just has to pull the supporting plate or siding structure to change or dismantle the energy storage device. The arrangement of stack of energy storage device in such configuration increases the ease of accessibility for dismantling or swapping the faulty energy storage device from the stack of the energy storage device, whenever required by the user of the motor vehicle. However, this leads to another problem that the stack of energy storage device becomes vulnerable to or prone to theft or may be easily tampered as the stack of energy storage device is easily accessible by any other person other than the authorised users. Considering the need to have a flexible platform product architecture, the energy storage device needs to be easily accessible for replacement or swapping etc. but at the same time this requirement contradicts the adverse effect of the energy storage device being vulnerable for theft or tampering.

[00019] Further, if the stack of power storage device is closely secured inside the protective shield as to protect the power storage device from getting stolen or to avoid tampering, the temperature of the power storage device can increase abruptly or rise beyond safety limits. This can affect the human health and safety, fire safety, equipment reliability/ safety, and human comfort while driving the motor vehicle.

[00020] Taking example of the motor vehicle pre equipped with CNG cylinder kit, the CNG cylinder kit is placed under the rider or passenger seat of the motor vehicle. The inlet of the cylinder kit is protected by the plastic cover, which is basically a side cover. The plastic cover present in the motor vehicle does not intend to protect the complete CNG cylinder kit as the CNG cylinder is irreplaceable unlike as the stack of energy storage device.

[00021] In known art, the protective shield, for example energy storage device housing, is placed under the rider seat of the motor vehicle in which the energy storage device is accommodated. The energy storage device is housed in energy storage device housing. The energy storage device housing is like a closed box or structure in which the energy storage device is placed and the energy storage device housing is fixed on the energy storage device housing supporting frame structure. The energy storage device housing is placed or assembled horizontally from a lateral side of the vehicle with respect to the vehicle front direction, which increases the inconvenience for the users while accessing or dismantling the energy storage device. Further, the energy storage device housing enclosed in such a protective casing is vulnerable to thermal runaway which can potentially lead to safety issue, fire accident etc.

[00022] In another known art, the rider seat of the motor vehicle is accessible only by a key i.e. the lockable seat is present in the motor vehicle. There is a small space just below the lockable seat where the user can keep the documents to make it theft proof. Also, under the seat, the empty space is present where mostly spare wheel is placed with the help of a supporting member/holder and an attachment means like fasteners. The spare wheel is easily accessible by dismantling the fasteners with the suitable tools. The small space present below the rider seat does not make the large components such as energy storage device as a theft proof or tampered proof as because of the space constraints, the power storage device cannot accommodate there.

[00023] Hence, there exists a challenge of designing an secure shield structure for an energy storage device for a three wheeled vehicle , which can ensure the safety and convenience of the user having motor vehicles without any major change in design and manufacturing set-up of the vehicle.

[00024] Therefore, there is a need to have an improved mounting of the protective shield structure which securely as well as safely protects the energy storage device while maintaining the conventional layout of the vehicle and ensures thermally balanced equilibrium for prolonged safe operation. There is a need to have a solution for safe & secure housing structure for an energy storage device which is ease to access or service while overcoming all of the above problems and other problems of known art.

[00025] The present invention provides a solution to the above problems while meeting the requirements of minimum modifications in vehicle, at low cost with ease of accessibility etc.

[00026] With the above objectives in view, the present invention relates to the motor vehicle and more particularly to the improved mounting of the protective shield which securely protects a stack of power storage device placed in a energy storage device housing area and also, to vent out the heated air in the atmosphere.

[00027] As per one aspect of the present invention, a motor vehicle is provided with a frame structure. The frame structure of the motor vehicle includes a head tube, a main tube and a central tube. A driver seat assembly includes a driver seat frame which is housed and attached with various attachment means, for example fasteners, on the top of the central tube and a pair of LH (left hand) side tube and RH (right hand) side tube. A driver seat is detachably attached on the driver seat frame. A protective shield is housed under the driver seat for securely protecting a power storage device housing area where a stack of energy storage device is placed.

[00028] As per one aspect of the present invention, the protective shield is detachably attached to the driver seat frame with various attachment means, for example-like fasteners. The protective shield is like a partially enclosed wall which securely covers the energy storage device housing area from three sides, ensures that the stack of energy storage device is securely placed. The back side of the energy storage device housing area is covered & protected by a cabin partition. Further, as per one aspect of the present invention, the protective shield is divided into three parts, left hand side wall, right hand side wall and a front wall. The left hand (LH) side wall and the right hand (RH) side wall have a portions on the top, extending towards the middle of the driver seat frame.

[00029] The said portions have an upwardly inclined profile followed with a straight profile with respect to the LH and RH side walls. This straight profile of the portions includes a slot/opening to conform to the profile of various attachment means, for example fasteners, where the fasteners are attached to the extended portions having opening/slot in the driver seat frame. This mounting ensures that the protective shield is detachably attached to the driver seat frame of the motor vehicle. Further, as per one aspect of the present invention, the upwardly inclined profile of the portions act as an extension member for driver seat and avoid extensions in the sides of seat at customer end.

[00030] Further, as per one aspect of the present invention, the front wall of the protective shield has two inward slopes. The first inward slope is also extended towards the LH and RH side walls of the protective shield. The LH and RH side walls of the protective shield have flat vertically extending walls. The portions having an upwardly inclined profile followed with a straight profile with respect to the LH and RH side as discussed in abovementioned paragraph are integrally attached to the flat vertically extending walls.

[00031] Further, as per one aspect of the present invention, the first inclined slope towards the front side of the driver seat frame provides support to the second inclined slope of the front wall. The second inclined slope has a vertical wall extending towards the upper portion of the protective shield. The vertical wall extending from the second inclined slope has a plurality of grooves and a driver seat mounting slots. The plurality of grooves and mounting slots, ensures that the driver seat is detachably attached to the driver seat frame with various attachment means, for example, a C shaped attachment means and fasteners, thereby ensuring that the driver seat is detachably attached to the driver seat frame.

[00032] As per one aspect of the invention, the driver seat is accessible/ operable with various means, for example- hand lock, designated key etc. When the user operates the driver seat with the designated key, the seat pivotally opens up in a forward direction of the vehicle where the second inclined slope provides support to the seat edge at the seat pivot region. After the seat is open, the seat frame is accessible and the attachment means, through which the protective shield is detachably attached with the seat frame, are now accessible only after the first layer of locking system is opened. Thus, the present invention is configured with a double layer of security access system to enable authorised access to the energy storage device. The protective shield is accessible only after the driver seat is open with a designated key, thereby ensuring protection of the stack of energy storage device from theft or getting tampered. This enables a double layered anti- theft property of the motor vehicle. [00033] As per an embodiment of the present invention, at least one of the side walls of the protective shield and / or lower floor wall of the motor vehicle additionally includes plurality of openings / slots, which permit adequate inflow of cool atmospheric air or outflow of hot air and channelize the heated air from inside the secure chamber to the atmosphere thereby maintaining the temperature inside the protective shield. As per another embodiment, The inner layer of the walls of protective shield is additionally coated with a fire retarding layer, which ensures the fire safety and the user safety in the motor vehicle in case of any undesirable thermal runaway of the secure energy storage chamber. As per another embodiment, at least one of the three walls of the protective shield are coated with a temperature sensitive coating which changes its color in the event when the temperature inside the energy storage chamber exceeds a predetermined value thereby visually indicating or alerting the user of the vehicle about a potential fire risk & enhancing safety of the user. The user may then take precautionary measure in form of allowing the energy storage device to cool down by not driving the vehicle or take it to a nearest service station for inspection / repair etc.

[00034] As per another aspect of the present invention, a passenger seat assembly which is accommodated behind the driver seat assembly, includes a seat base bottom and a back rest. The stack of energy storage device is placed under the seat base bottom in an energy storage area and a protective shield is mounted to cover the energy storage area from three sides. The fourth side of the energy storage area is covered by the cabin wall, hence making the power storage device housing area as secure, safe & theft proof.

[00035] In the ensuing exemplary aspects, the vehicle is a hybrid vehicle. However, it is contemplated that the concepts of the present invention may be applied to any electric vehicle without defeating the spirit of the invention. [00036] Further "front" and "rear", and "left" and "right" referred to in the ensuing 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 vehicle and looking forward. Furthermore, a longitudinal axis refers to a front to rear axis relative to the vehicle, while a lateral axis refers generally to a side to side, or left to right axis relative to the vehicle. [00037] The present invention is now described briefly in connection with the rendered drawings. It should be noted that like elements are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the description.

[00038] Fig. 1 & Fig la is a side & rear view of a motor vehicle (100) and Fig. 2 is a partial rear perspective view of a frame structure of the motor vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. In an embodiment, the frame structure of the motor vehicle includes three compartments. A front compartment including a head tube (201) that mounts a handle bar assembly (106) of the motor vehicle and the head tube (201) is capable of steering a front wheel (101), a main tube (206) that connects the head tube (201) and a central tube (203), a driver seat assembly (104) that is housed on top of the central tube (203) and a pair of LH side tube (205) and a RH side tube (202). The motor vehicle also includes a pair of rear wheels (102) and a front fender (103) disposed above the front wheel (101). A stack of energy storage device is housed in a energy storage device housing area (110) under the driver seat assembly (104). In one embodiment, the frame structure further includes a middle compartment that includes a passenger seat assembly (108) comprising of a seat base bottom and a back rest, a passenger barrier (107) restricting entry/exit of the passengers into the three wheeled vehicle in one direction only, a cross rod (204) capable of mounting a driver back rest. Further, in one embodiment, the frame structure also includes a rear compartment that houses the cabin assembly (109), and the engine (111) is disposed substantially placed in the rear side of motor vehicle (fig. la).

[00039] Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a driver seat assembly (104) with protective shield structure (301) along with partial view of the vehicle & a partial top view of the driver seat frame represented for clarity. As per one embodiment of the present invention, the protective shield structure (301) is detachably attached to a driver seat frame (herein also referred as seat frame) (306) with various attachment means, for example-fasteners (304). The driver seat frame (306) has plurality of extended portions (307) having profile which conforms with the profile of the various attachment means such as fasteners (304), ensuring that the protective shield structure (301) is detachably attached to the driver seat frame, thereby also, ensuring ease of accessibility of the stack of energy storage device, whenever required by the user. The protective shield structure (301) is a partially enclosed wall which securely covers the energy storage device housing area (110) from three sides, ensuring that the stack of power storage device is securely placed. The back side of the power storage device housing area is covered by a cabin partition (105) (as shown in fig. 1).

[00040] As per one embodiment of the present invention, the driver seat (308) is accessible/ operable with a designated key conforming to the profile present in the lock (303) present on the motor vehicle to access the driver seat (308). When the user operates the driver seat with the designated key, the seat pivotally opens up in a forward direction of the vehicle (as shown in fig. 3a). After the seat (308) is open, the seat frame (306) is accessible and the attachment means, through which the protective shield structure (301) is detachably attached to the seat frame (306), are also accessible. The protective shield structure (301) is accessible when the driver seat (308) is open with a designated key or manually, ensuring the protection of the stack of energy storage device from getting stolen or getting tampered. This ensures the double anti-theft property of the motor vehicle.

[00041] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a protective shield structure (301). As per one embodiment, the protective shield structure is divided into three parts i.e. includes plurality of walls, a set of left hand side wall (413), right hand side wall (410) opposing each other and a frontal wall (411). The left hand (LH) side wall (413) and the right hand (RH) side wall (410) have a upward portion (X&Y) on the top of the walls, extending towards middle of the driver seat frame (306). The portions (X&Y) have an upwardly inclined profile (403a, 403b) followed with a straight profile (402) with respect to the LH and RH side walls. This straight profile (402) of the portions includes a slot/opening (401) to accommodate profile of various attachment means, for example fasteners, where the fasteners (304) are attached to the plurality of extended portions (307) having opening/slot in the driver seat frame (306). This mounting configuration ensures that the protective shield structure (301) is detachably attached to the driver seat frame of the motor vehicle albeit in a secure manner. Further, as per one aspect of the present invention, the upwardly inclined profile (403b) of the upward portions act as an extension support member for driver seat (as shown in fig. 4a) and avoid undesirable extensions in the sides of seat. The upwardly inclined profile (403a, 403b) followed with a straight profile (402) with respect to the LH and RH side walls are configured below the driver seat without any modification in the layout of the existing seat, thereby ensuring that the conventional layout of driver seat is maintained, which ergonomically ensures the user comfort.

[00042] Further, as per one embodiment of the present invention, the front wall (411) of the protective shield structure (301) has two inward slopes (408, 409). The first inward slope (408) also extended towards the opposing LH (413) and RH side (410) walls of the protective shield structure (301). The LH and RH side walls of the protective shield have flat vertically extending walls (407) extended from the first inward slope (408). The portions having an upwardly inclined profile (403a, 403b) followed with a straight profile (402) with respect to the LH and RH side walls, are integrally attached to the flat vertically extending walls (407). The first inclined slope (408) towards the front side of the driver seat frame (306) provides support to the second inclined slope (409) of the front wall. The second inclined slope (409) has a vertical wall (406) extending towards the upper portion of the protective shield structure (301). The vertical wall extending from the second inclined slope (406) has a plurality of grooves (404) and a driver seat mounting slots (405) where the driver seat (308) is detachably attached to the driver seat frame with various attachment means, for example, a C shaped attachment means and a fastener, ensuring that the driver seat is detachably attached to the driver seat frame. The second inclined slope (409) provides recess space to accommodate the driver seat in an swivel open condition, ensuring that the driver seat be pivotally opened in vehicle forward direction. The front wall (411) includes at least a protrusion (not shown) creating additional space on the protective shield structure; ensures the routing of the electrical wires originating from the stack of battery through the frame of the motor vehicle. This configuration additionally decreases the chances of entanglement of wire and breaking or tampering of wire, thereby increases the life of the wire used.

[00043] As per one embodiment of the present invention, the side portion of walls of the protective shield and lower portion (not shown) of the motor vehicle includes plurality of openings (412), which ensure the entry and / or exit of cool atmospheric air and channelizing the heated air inside the protective shield structure to the atmosphere thereby maintains the temperature inside the protective shield. As per an embodiment, the openings may be covered with rearward inclined louvre structure to prevent the entry of mud or other external components. As per another embodiment, the inner layer of the walls of protective shield structure (301) is coated with a fire retarding layer, which ensures the fire safety and the user safety in the motor vehicle. As per another embodiment, the outer layer of the walls of protective shield structure (301) is coated with a thermal sensitive coating which can indicate or alert the user in case of any temperature increase within the power storage housing area avoiding the need for any thermal sensor to be configured inside the protective shield region. Also, any thermal indication on the display or instrument cluster may require the rider to start the vehicle using an ignition key etc by which time, it may be late or unsafe for the rider to know about the fire risk. The visual thermal coating indication gives a quick & safe non- invasive distant indication to the user in case of any thermal issue or risk.

[00044] Fig. 5 is a partial perspective vehicle view of a passenger transport layout three wheeled having protective shield under the passenger seat. As per another embodiment of the present invention, a passenger seat assembly (108) is accommodated behind the driver seat assembly on a seat frame (108c) not shown. The passenger seat assembly includes a seat (108a) and a back rest (108b). The stack of energy storage device is placed under the seat base bottom (108a) in a power storage device housing area (120) not shown and a protective shield structure (301) is mounted to cover the power storage device housing area from three sides. The fourth side of the power storage device housing area is covered by the cabin wall (205) not shown, hence making the power storage device housing area as secure & theft proof.

[00045] The invention helps in overcoming the problem of theft or tampering of the power storage device, increasing the accessibility of the power storage device while maintaining the double anti-theft property of the power storage device while maintaining the overall weight and width of the vehicle and ultimately makes it cost effective.

[00046] Advantageously, the embodiments of the present invention, describes the potential modifications in the mounting of protective shield to securely place the power storage device in the power storage device housing area.

[00047] Many other improvements and modifications may be incorporated herein without deviating from the scope of the invention. List of reference symbol:

Figure 1:

100: Motor Vehicle 106: Handle Bar Assembly 101: Front Wheel

104: Driver Seat Assembly 102: Rear Wheels 103: Front Fender 110: Power Storage Housing Area 108: Passenger Seat Assembly

108a: Seat base bottom 108b: Back Rest 107: Passenger Barrier.

109: Cabin Assembly 111: Internal Combustion Engine

Figure 2:

201: Head Tube 206: Main Tube 203: Central Tube 205: LH Side Tube

202: RH Side Tube 204: Cross Rod

Figure 3:

301: Protective Shield structure 302: C shaped fasteners 303 : Lock Set for Driver Seat

304: Plurality of fasteners 306: Driver Seat Frame referred as seat frame 308: Driver Seat

307: plurality of extended portion on driver seat frame Figure 4:

401 : slot/opening on the straight profile 402: Straight profile portions 403 (403a, 403b): upwardly inclined portion 404: plurality of grooves 405: Mounting Slots

406: Vertically wall extending to the upper portion of protective shield 407: Flat Vertically extending walls 408: Second Inclined Slope 409: First Inclined Slope 410: RH side wall

411: Front Wall 412: Slots/Openings for air circulation.

413: LH side Wall