Claims:9
WE CLAIM:
1. A space frame structure (10) for an electric three-wheeler vehicle comprising:
a tubular structure (15), wherein the tubular structure (15) comprises:
a space frame chassis (20);
at least three pair of pillars (140), wherein each of the at least three pillars comprises:
a first end (150) mechanically coupled to the space frame chassis (20);
a second end (160) configured to form a roof section (200) by coupling the second end (160) of each of the at least three pairs of pillars (140) together using a plurality of hinges (210); and
a steering support tube (230) mechanically coupled to the space frame chassis (20) and in proximity to a front end of a seat assembly (240), wherein the steering support tube (230) is configured to provide stability and security to a user from fatal accident.
2. The 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 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 structure (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a first pair of pillars (170) from the at least three pair of pillars (140) is mechanically coupled to a front portion (175) of the space frame chassis (20), a second pair of pillars (180) from the at least three pair of pillars (140) is mechanically coupled to a middle portion (185) of the space frame chassis (20) and a third pair of pillars (190) from the at least three pair
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of pillars (140) is mechanically coupled to the rear portion (195) of the space frame chassis (20).
5. The structure (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tubular structure (15) comprises a beam windshield support (220) mechanically coupled to the first pair of pillars (170) in an outward direction.
6. The structure (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the roof section (200) comprises an inverted U-shape configuration.
7. The structure (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the steering support tube (230) comprises a hydroformed steering support tube.
8. The structure (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the steering support tube (230) comprises:
a first end (250) mechanically coupled to the at least one of the plurality of crossmember steering supports (30) through a steering column (270); and
a second end (260) mechanically coupled to the space frame chassis (20) and in proximity with the front end of the seat assembly (240).
9. The structure (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the steering support tube (230) comprises a bent (280) at a predefined angle.
10. The structure (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the seat assembly (240) is coupled to the third pair of pillars (190) from the at least three pair of pillars (140).
Dated this the 18th day of January 2019
Signature
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VIDYA BHASKAR SINGH NANDIYAL
Patent agent (IN/PA-2912)
Agent for the Applicant , Description:BACKGROUND
[0001] Embodiments of a present disclosure relates to an electric three-wheeler and more particularly to a space frame structure for an electric three-wheeler vehicle.
[0002] A three-wheeler is a vehicle with three wheels. Some are motorized tricycles, which may be classed as motorcycles, while others are tricycles without a motor, some of which are human powered vehicles, and some are electric powered vehicles.
[0003] Conventional three-wheeler vehicles are typical BIW (body-in-white) structures with superstructure made from a tubular structure. The main stiffness like bending and torsional stiffness is achieved by modifying section modulus at critical locations. However, such three wheelers have higher tooling and production cost. Also, such designs have heavy weight and inadequate structural strength as the structure is made up of heavy metal sheet which further cause difficulty at the time of repair and replacement of parts of the vehicle.
[0004] Furthermore, three-wheeler vehicles with tubular structure have been designed to provide structural strength to the vehicle. The tubular structure three-wheeler vehicles include the steering column with handles and controls placed in a position halfway between extremes of the left-hand position and middle position. However, such steering structures do not provide security or stability to the driver of the vehicle in case of fatal accidents.
[0005] Hence, there is a need for an improved space frame structure to address the aforementioned issues.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION
[0006] In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, a space frame structure for an electric three-wheeler vehicle is provided. The structure includes a tubular structure. The tubular structure includes a space frame chassis. The tubular structure also includes at least three pair of pillars. Each of the at least three pair of pillars include a first end which is mechanically coupled to the space frame chassis. Each of the at least three pair of pillars include a second end which is configured to form a roof section by coupling the second end of each of the at least three pairs of pillars together using a plurality of hinges. The tubular structure further includes a steering support tube mechanically coupled to the space frame chassis and in proximity with a front end of a seat assembly. The steering support tube is configured to provide stability and security to a user from fatal accident.
[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 space frame structure for an electric three-wheeler vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
[0009] FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of front view of the space frame structure of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
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[0010] 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
[0011] 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.
[0012] 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 "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.
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[0013] 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.
[0014] Embodiments of the present disclosure relates to a space frame structure for an electric three-wheeler vehicle. The structure includes a tubular structure. The tubular structure includes a space frame chassis. The tubular structure also includes at least three pair of pillars. Each of the at least three pair of pillars include a first end which is mechanically coupled to the space frame chassis. Each of the at least three pair of pillars include a second end which is configured to form a roof section by coupling the second end of each of the at least three pairs of pillars together using a plurality of hinges. The tubular structure further includes a steering support tube mechanically coupled to the space frame chassis and in proximity with a front end of a seat assembly. The steering support tube is configured to provide stability and security to a user from fatal accident.
[0015] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a space frame 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 structure (10) includes a tubular structure (15). The tubular structure (15) 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 space frame structure (10) is shown in FIG. 2.
[0016] FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of front view of the space frame 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
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crossmember steering support (30) placed between the crossmember front (60) and the crossmember mid right (80) and crossmember mid left (90).
[0017] 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).
[0018] Referring to FIG. 1, the tubular structure (15) also includes at least three pair of pillars (140). Each of the at least three pair of pillars (140) include a first end (150) and a second end (160). The first end (150) of each of the at least three pair of pillars (140) is mechanically coupled to the space frame chassis (20).
[0019] In some embodiments, a first pair of pillars (170) from the at least three pair of pillars (140) are mechanically coupled to a front portion of the space frame chassis (20). Further, a second pair of pillars (180) from the at least three pair of pillars (140) is mechanically coupled to a middle portion of the space frame chassis (20). Moreover, a third pair of pillars (190) from the at least three pair of pillars (140) is mechanically coupled to the rear portion of the space frame chassis (20).
[0020] The second end (160) is configured to form a roof section (200) by coupling the second end (160) of each of the at least three pairs of pillars (140) together using a plurality of hinges (210). In a specific embodiment, the roof section (200) comprises an inverted U-shape configuration. In one embodiment, the tubular structure (15) may further include a beam windshield support (220) mechanically coupled to the first pair of pillars (170) in the outward direction.
[0021] The tubular structure (15) further includes a steering support tube (230) which is mechanically coupled to the space frame chassis (20) and in proximity with a first end of a seat assembly (240). In one embodiment, the steering support tube (230) may include a first end (250) and a second end (260). The first end (250) of the steering support tube (230) is mechanically coupled to the crossmember steering support (30) through a steering column (270). The second end (260) of the steering support tube (230) is mechanically coupled to the space frame chassis (20)
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and in proximity with the front end of the seat assembly (240). In such embodiment, the seat assembly (240) may be coupled to the third pair of pillars (190) from the at least three pair of pillars (140). In some embodiments, the steering support tube (230) may include a hydroformed steering support tube. In a specific embodiment, the steering support tube (230) may include a bent (280) at a predefined angle. The steering support tube (230) is configured to provide stability and security to a user from fatal accident.
[0022] Various embodiments of the space frame structure described above enables unique design of light weight space frame chassis in three-wheeler domain. The hydroformed steering support tube provides a better torsional stiffness as compared to conventional three-wheelers.
[0023] Furthermore, the space frame structure provides a chassis built with the help of various tubular structures which are formed to take the requisite shape and result in lesser tooling cost than the conventional. Such structure also provides ease for future upgrades in the three-wheeler.
[0024] 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.
[0025] 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.
[0026] 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
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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.