Claims:
WE CLAIM:
1. A tubular structure (10) for an electric three-wheeler vehicle comprising:
a space frame chassis (20);
a first pair of pillars (150), wherein a first end (160) of the first pair of pillars (150) is mechanically coupled to a front portion of the space frame chassis (20);
a second pair of pillars (170), wherein a first end (180) of the second pair of pillars (170) is mechanically coupled to a middle portion of the space frame chassis (20); and
a third pair of pillars (190), wherein a first end (200) of the third pair of pillars (190) is mechanically coupled to a seat assembly (210),
wherein a second end (220) of the first pair of pillars (150), the second pair of pillars (170) and the third pair of pillars (190) are mechanically coupled to each other using a plurality of bolts (250) to form a roof section (255),
wherein the third pair of pillars (190) comprises a set of roof members (260) configured to provide modularity for at least one of a soft top and a hard top in the electric three-wheeler vehicle.
2. The tubular structure (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electric three-wheeler vehicle comprises at least one of a Rickshaw and an Auto.
3. The tubular structure (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the space frame chassis (20) comprises a plurality of crossmember steering supports (30), a plurality of siderail supports (40) and a bumper beam support (50).
4. The tubular structure (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the set of roof members (260) comprises a first type of roof members (270) and a second type
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of roof members (280) corresponding to a hard top electric three-wheeler vehicle and a soft top electric three-wheeler vehicle.
5. The tubular structure (10) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the first type of roof members (270) comprises a pair of supporting members (300) configured to provide modularity for hard top in the electric three-wheeler vehicle.
6. The tubular structure (10) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the pair of supporting members (300) comprises:
a first end (310) coupled to the roof section (255) using the plurality of bolts (250); and
a second end (320) mechanically coupled to the seat assembly (210).
7. The tubular structure (10) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the pair of supporting members (300) comprises a bent at a predefined angle.
8. The tubular structure (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second type of roof members (280) comprises at least three rear supporting members (340) configured to provide modularity for soft top in the electric three-wheeler vehicle.
9. The tubular structure (10) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the at least three rear supporting members (340) comprises an inverted U-shape.
10. The tubular structure (10) as claimed in claim 8, wherein each of the at least three rear supporting members (340) are coupled together with the third pair of pillars (190) using the plurality of bolts (250).
11. The tubular structure (10) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a beam windshield support (350) mechanically coupled to the first pair of pillars (150) in an outward direction.
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12. The tubular structure (10) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a steering tube (360) mechanically coupled to the space frame chassis (20) and configured to provide stability and security to a user from fatal accident.
13. The tubular structure (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the seat assembly (210) is mechanically coupled to a rear portion of the space frame chassis (20).
Dated this the 21st day of January 2019
Signature
VIDYA BHASKAR SINGH NANDIYAL
Patent agent (IN/PA-2912)
Agent for the Applicant , Description:BACKGROUND
[0001] Embodiments of a present disclosure relate to an electric three-wheeler vehicle and more particularly to a tubular structure for an electric three-wheeler vehicle.
[0002] A tubular structure is a three-dimensional space structure which is composed of a plurality of frames joined at or near their edges to form a tube-like structural system capable of resisting lateral forces in any direction.
[0003] Conventional three-wheeler vehicles are typical BIW (body-in-white) structures with superstructure made from the tubular structure. The main stiffness like bending and torsional stiffness is achieved by modifying the section modulus at critical locations. However, such three wheelers have higher tooling cost and the production cost. Also, such designs have heavy weight and inadequate structurally strength as the structure is made up of heavy sheet metal which further cause difficulty at the time of repair and replacement of the vehicle.
[0004] Furthermore, the body and chassis of three-wheeler vehicles may be constructed in various ways. One way is to assemble, mostly through welding, various pre-formed sheet steel panels to create the body of the vehicle, then to bolt the body to a supporting metal framework known as the chassis. However, such manufacturing processes are complex and expensive which generally requires large investments in factory equipment to produce new variants with respect to the hard top or the soft top of the three-wheeler vehicle.
[0005] Hence, there is a need for an improved tubular structure for the electric three-wheeler vehicle to address the aforementioned issues.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION
[0006] In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, a tubular structure for an electric three-wheeler vehicle is provided. The tubular structure includes a space frame chassis. The tubular structure also includes a first pair of pillars, wherein a first end of the first pair of pillars is mechanically coupled to a front portion of the space frame chassis. The tubular structure further includes a second pair of pillars, wherein a first end of the second pair of pillars is mechanically coupled to a middle portion of the space frame chassis. The tubular structure further includes a third pair of pillars, wherein a first end of the third pair of pillars is mechanically coupled to a seat assembly. A second end of the first pair of pillars, the second pair of pillars and the third pair of pillars are mechanically coupled to each other to form a roof section. The third pair of pillars includes a set of roof members configured to provide modularity for at least one of a soft top and a hard top in the electric three-wheeler vehicle.
[0007] To further clarify the advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention 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 invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting in scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the appended figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The disclosure will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying figures in which:
[0008] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a tubular structure for an electric three-wheeler vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of front view of the tubular structure of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
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[0010] FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of one embodiment of the tubular structure of FIG. 1, depicts the hard top electric three-wheeler vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
[0011] FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of another embodiment of the tubular structure of FIG. 1, depicts the soft top electric three-wheeler vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0012] 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. 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
[0013] 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.
[0014] The terms "comprises", "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
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"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.
[0015] 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.
[0016] Embodiments of the present disclosure relates to a tubular structure for an electric three-wheeler vehicle. The tubular structure includes a space frame chassis. The tubular structure also includes a first pair of pillars, wherein a first end of the first pair of pillars is mechanically coupled to a front portion of the space frame chassis. The tubular structure further includes a second pair of pillars, wherein a first end of the second pair of pillars is mechanically coupled to a middle portion of the space frame chassis. The tubular structure further includes a third pair of pillars, wherein a first end of the third pair of pillars is mechanically coupled to a seat assembly. A second end of the first pair of pillars, the second pair of pillars and the third pair of pillars are mechanically coupled to each other to form a roof section. The third pair of pillars includes a set of roof members configured to provide modularity for at least one of a soft top and a hard top in the electric three-wheeler vehicle.
[0017] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a tubular structure (10) for an electric three-wheeler vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, the electric three-wheeler vehicle may include at least one of a Rickshaw and an Auto. The width of the Auto is more as compared to the Rickshaw. The Rickshaw and the Auto may include a plurality of types such as a canvas roof type, a small cabin type, a cargo or a passenger type. Such type of
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Rickshaw and Auto may include a hard top and a soft top in the tubular structure. The tubular structure (10) includes a space frame chassis (20). In on embodiment, the space frame chassis (20) may include a plurality of crossmember steering supports (30), a plurality of siderail supports (40) and a bumper beam support (50). One such embodiment view of the tubular structure (10) is shown in FIG. 2.
[0018] FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of front view of the tubular structure (10) of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The space frame chassis (20) includes a plurality of crossmembers such as a crossmember front (60), a crossmember floor rear (70), a crossmember mid right (80) and a crossmember mid left (90). The space frame chassis (20) also includes a crossmember steering support (30) placed between the crossmember front (60) and the crossmember mid right (80) and crossmember mid left (90).
[0019] Similarly, the space frame chassis (20) further includes the plurality of siderail supports (40) such as a siderail front right (100), a siderail front left (110), a siderail rear right (120) and a siderail rear left (130).
[0020] Referring to FIG. 1, the tubular structure (10) also includes a first pair of pillars (150), wherein a first end (160) of the first pair of pillars (150) is mechanically coupled to a front portion of the space frame chassis (20). The tubular structure (10) further includes a second pair of pillars (170), wherein a first end (180) of the second pair of pillars (170) is mechanically coupled to a middle portion of the space frame chassis (20). The tubular structure (10) further includes a third pair of pillars (190), wherein a first end (200) of the third pair of pillars (190) is mechanically coupled to a seat assembly (210). In one embodiment, the seat assembly (210) is mechanically coupled to a rear portion of the space frame chassis (20).
[0021] Furthermore, a second end (220) of the first pair of pillars (150), a second end (230) of the second pair of pillars (170) and a second end (240) of the third pair of pillars (190) are mechanically coupled to each other using a plurality of bolts (250) to form a roof section (255). The third pair of pillars (190) includes a set of
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roof members (260) which is configured to provide modularity for at least one of the soft top and the hard top in the electric three-wheeler vehicle.
[0022] In one embodiment, the set of roof members (260) comprises a first type of roof members (270) and a second type of roof members (280) corresponding to a hard top electric three-wheeler vehicle and a soft top electric three-wheeler vehicle. One such embodiment of the first type of roof members (270) corresponding to the hard top electric three-wheeler vehicle is shown in FIG. 3.
[0023] FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of one embodiment of the tubular structure (10) of FIG. 1, depicts the hard top electric three-wheeler vehicle (290) in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The first type of roof members (270) includes a pair of supporting members (300). The pair of supporting members (300) may include a first end (310) coupled to the roof section (255) using the plurality of bolts (250). The pair of supporting members (300) also includes a second end (320) mechanically coupled to the seat assembly (210). In a specific embodiment, the pair of supporting members (300) may include a bent at a predefined angle. The pair of supporting members (300) is configured to provide modularity for hard top in the electric three-wheeler vehicle.
[0024] FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of another embodiment of the tubular structure (10) of FIG. 1, depicts the soft top electric three-wheeler vehicle (330) in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The second type of roof members (280) corresponding to the soft top electric three-wheeler vehicle includes at least three rear supporting members (340). Each of the at least three rear supporting members (340) are coupled together with the third pair of pillars (190) using the plurality of bolts (250). In such embodiment, the at least three rear supporting members (340) may include an inverted U-shape. The second type of roof members (280) is configured to provide modularity for soft top in the electric three-wheeler vehicle.
[0025] Referring back to FIG. 1, in one embodiment, the tubular structure (10) may further include a beam windshield support (350) mechanically coupled to the
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first pair of pillars (150) in the outward direction. In some embodiments, the tubular structure (10) may further include a steering tube (360) mechanically coupled to the space frame chassis (20). The steering tube (360) is configured to provide stability and security to a user from fatal accident. In one embodiment, the steering tube (360) may include a first end (370) and a second end (380). The first end (370) of the steering tube (360) is mechanically coupled to the crossmember steering support (30) through a steering column (390). The second end (380) of the steering tube (360) is mechanically coupled to the space frame chassis (20) and in proximity with the front end of the seat assembly (210).
[0026] In the case of above-mentioned tubular structure (10), modularity of 86.5% is achieved from Electric Rickshaw Soft top to Electric Rickshaw hard top, while 92.10% modularity is achieved from Electric Auto soft top to Electric Auto hard top.
[0027] Various embodiments of the tubular structure for the electric three-wheeler vehicle described above enables a unique modularity of design in three-wheeler segment. The tubular structure helps in reducing tooling cost at the same time achieving several models at a time.
[0028] Furthermore, the plurality of bolts on the set of roof members are designed to ensure the stiffness offered is in line with the soft top variant of the electric three-wheeler vehicle. Such structure also provides ease for future upgrades in the three-wheeler.
[0029] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory of the disclosure and are not intended to be restrictive thereof.
[0030] 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.
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[0031] 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 dependent 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.