Description:

FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[See section 10, Rule 13]

FRAME STRUCTURE OF AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE

HERO MOTOCORP LIMITED, an Indian Company at: The Grand Plaza, Plot No.2, Nelson Mandela Road, Vasant Kunj- Phase -II, New Delhi, India, 110 070

THE FOLLOWING SPECIFICATION PARTICULARLY DESCRIBES THE INVENTION AND THE MANNER IN WHICH IT IS TO BE PERFORMED.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION:
[001] The present invention relates to a frame structure of an electric vehicle in particular supporting at least a first battery and a second battery.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:
[002] Electric Vehicles such as electric motorcycles or electric scooters comprise at least one battery and a power generating motor to operate the vehicle. The power generating motor generates necessary drive force based on the electric power supplied by the battery. Currently, various types of electric motorcycles exist in the market such as an electric motorcycle in which a replaceable battery is used, wherein as the charge within the battery gets depleted it is replaced with another charged battery. However, the retrieval and installation of these batteries from these type of conventional electric motorcycles is a cumbersome process as multiple components of the vehicle needs to be disassembled and assembled to retrieve and replace the battery. To delay the time between retrieval and installation process, either more number of batteries or large batteries are installed on the electric vehicle. However, installing more number of batteries or larger sized batteries come with their own disadvantage. In particular, a battery carrying structure has to carry a substantially large weight corresponding to the more number of batteries or the large batteries. Thus, even under a vehicle stationary condition, a load on the battery carrying structure increases substantially. Especially, when the vehicle is moving, the jerks which are received by the more number of batteries or the large batteries increases drastically.

[003] Increasing a weight of the battery carrying structure may be one of the solutions for installing more number of batteries or larger sized batteries on the electric vehicle. However, the same is not the optimum solution as increasing a weight of the battery carrying structure will result in increase in an overall weight of the electric vehicle, which will have other associated disadvantages. Thus, there exists a need to address one of the aforesaid disadvantages associates with the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
[004] This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[005] In one aspect the present invention provides a frame structure of an electric vehicle. The frame structure comprises a head pipe; an upper frame extending from the head pipe in a rearward direction; a first lower frame and a second lower frame extending from one the upper frame and the head pipe in a downward-rearward direction and in a substantially rearward direction thereafter; a first pivot frame extending from the upper frame in the rearward-downward direction and connected with the first lower frame; a second pivot frame extending from the upper frame in the rearward-downward direction and connected with the second lower frame. Further, the frame structure comprises a mounting base for supporting at least a first battery and a second battery; and a supporting frame member located between the first lower frame, the second lower frame, the first pivot frame and the second pivot frame. The supporting frame member comprises a front joining part, a rear joining part and an intermediate part. The front joining part being connected to at least one of the first lower frame and the second lower frame. The rear joining part connected to at least one of the first pivot frame and the second pivot frame and the intermediate part connects with the mounting base.

[006] In an embodiment of the invention, the mounting base comprises an H-shaped mounting base that connects with the supporting frame member.

[007] In another embodiment of the invention, the H-shaped mounting base comprises a first cross member and a second cross member joined by a first longitudinal member and a second longitudinal member. Further, the H- shaped mounting base comprises a first set of reinforcing bracket connected to the first cross member and the first longitudinal member; a second set of reinforcing bracket connected to the first cross member and second longitudinal member; a third set of reinforcing bracket connected to the second cross member and the first longitudinal member; and a fourth set of reinforcing bracket connected to the second cross member with the second longitudinal member.

[008] In yet another embodiment of the invention, the first cross member extends away from the first set of reinforcing bracket and the second set of reinforcing bracket in the vehicle width direction. Similarly, the second cross member extends away from the third set of reinforcing bracket and the fourth set of reinforcing bracket in the vehicle width direction. The extension of the first cross member and the second cross member forms the H-shape of the mounting base when viewed from top of the vehicle.

[009] In still another embodiment of the invention, the first longitudinal member comprises a first pair of attachment means and the second longitudinal member comprises a second pair of attachment means. Further, the intermediate part of the supporting frame member comprises a third pair of attachment means and a fourth pair of attachment means. The third pair of attachment means and the fourth pair of attachment means co-operates with the first pair of attachment means and also co-operates with the second pair of attachment means for enabling mounting of the H-shaped mounting base to the supporting frame member.

[0010] In a further embodiment of the invention, there is provided a third cross member connected between the first lower frame and the second lower frame that connects with the front joining part, and a joining bracket connected in between the first pivot frame and the second pivot frame that connects with the rear joining part.

[0011] In a furthermore embodiment of the invention, the first lower frame comprises a first portion and a second portion, the first portion extending in a downward-rearward direction from the head pipe and the second portion extending in a substantially rearward direction from the first portion. Similarly, the second lower frame comprises a third portion and a fourth portion, the third portion extending in a downward-rearward direction from the head pipe and the fourth portion extending in a substantially rearward direction from the first portion. In an embodiment of the invention, the third cross member being connected between the first portion of the first lower frame and the third portion of the second lower frame.

[0012] In another embodiment of the invention, there is provided a first box accommodating the first battery and supported by the first cross member and the second cross member, and a second box accommodating the second battery and supported by the first cross member and the second cross member. Further, the first cross member comprises a first mounting provision and a second mounting provision, and the second cross member comprises a third mounting provision and a fourth mounting provision. The first box comprises a first set of complementary mounting provisions that co-operates with the first mounting provision and the third mounting provision enabling mounting of the first box over the mounting base from a first side. Similarly, the second box comprises a second set of complementary provisions that co-operates with the second mounting provision and the fourth mounting provision enabling mounting of the second box over the mounting base from a second side.

[0013] In yet another embodiment of the invention, the rear joining part of the supporting frame member has a larger cross sectional dimension compared to the front joining part of the supporting frame member and the intermediate part of the supporting frame member.

[0014] In another aspect of the invention, there is provided an electric vehicle comprising a frame structure supporting a front fork, a front ground engaging member, a steering handle bar, a rear ground engaging member, a first battery and at least a second battery; the frame structure comprises a head pipe; an upper frame extending from the head pipe in a rearward direction; a first lower frame and a second lower frame extending from one the upper frame and the head pipe in a downward-rearward direction and in a substantially rearward direction thereafter; a first pivot frame extending from the upper frame in the rearward-downward direction and connected with the first lower frame; a second pivot frame extending from the upper frame in the rearward-downward direction and connected with the second lower frame. The frame structure of the vehicle further comprises a mounting base for supporting the first battery and the at least second battery and a supporting frame member located between the first lower frame, the second lower frame, the first pivot frame and the second pivot frame. The supporting frame member comprises a front joining part, rear joining part and an intermediate part. The front joining part being connected to at least one of the first lower frame and the second lower frame. The rear joining part connected to at least one of the first pivot frame and the second pivot frame, and the intermediate part connects with the mounting base.

[0015] One advantage of the present invention is that the weight of the batteries gets evenly distributed on the frame structure, which contributes to stability of the electric vehicle during the movement. One of the advantages of the present invention includes enabling mounting of multiple batteries without compromising the strength of the frame structure. Other advantage of the present invention is that batteries of higher weight can be mounted without compromising the strength of the frame structure.An advantage of the present invention is that there is an increase in strength of the frame structure. Another advantage of the present invention is that a minimum number of parts are required for modifying an existing frame structure in to the frame structure of the present invention, which results in an increase in adaptability of the present invention.

[0016] Yet another advantage of the present invention includes an ease in transportation of the frame structure from one production facility to other production facility. An advantage of the present invention that a single storage box is enough for transportation of the frame structure leading to an optimization of transporting cost.Another advantage of the present invention includes a lower weight of the electric vehicle in comparison to other existing electric vehicles. A further advantage of the present invention is that the vehicular performance in terms of distance covered per full capacity of the batteries gets increased.

[0017] To further clarify the advantages and features of the invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which is illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES:
[0018] In order that the invention may be readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to exemplary embodiments as illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views. The figures together with a detailed description below, are incorporated in and form part of the specification, and serve to further illustrate the embodiments and explain various principles and advantages, in accordance with the present invention where:

[0019] Figure 1 illustrates a side view of the electric vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0020] Figure 2 illustrates an isometric view of a frame structure of the electric vehicle accommodating a first battery when viewed from a first side in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0021] Figure 3 illustrates an isometric view of the frame structure of the electric vehicle accommodating a second battery when viewed from a second side in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0022] Figure 4 illustrates an isometric view of the frame structure mounted with a first box when viewed from the first side in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0023] Figure 5 illustrates an isometric view of the frame structure mounted with a second box when viewed from the second side in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0024] Figure 6 illustrates an isometric view of the frame structure with a mounting base when viewed from the first side in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0025] Figure 7 illustrates an isometric view of the frame structure with the mounting base when viewed from the second side in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0026] Figure 8 illustrates an isometric view of the mounting base in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and

[0027] Figure 9 illustrates an isometric view of the frame structure without the mounting base when viewed from the first side in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0028] It may be noted that to the extent possible, like reference numerals have been used to represent like elements in the drawings. Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and may not have been necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the drawings may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of aspects of the present invention. Furthermore, one or more elements may have been represented in the drawings by conventional symbols, and the drawings may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the drawings with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

Detailed Description of the Invention:
[0029] For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

[0030] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are explanatory of the invention and are not intended to be restrictive thereof.

[0031] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0032] Reference throughout this specification to “an aspect”, “another aspect” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrase “in an embodiment”, “in another embodiment”, and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.

[0033] The terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that one or more devices or sub-systems or elements or structures or components proceeded by "comprises... a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other devices or other sub-systems or other elements or other structures or other components or additional devices or additional sub-systems or additional elements or additional structures or additional components.

[0034] As used herein, and unless the context dictates otherwise, the terms "coupled to", “connected to”, “operably connected to”, and “operatively connected to” are intended to include both direct connection / coupling (in which two elements that are coupled / connected to each other contact each other) and indirect coupling / connection (in which at least one additional element is located between the two elements). Therefore, the terms "coupled to" and "coupled with" are used synonymously. Similarly, the terms “connected to” and “connected with” are used synonymously.

[0035] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one ordinary skilled in the art to which this invention belongs. The device, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

[0036] The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g. “such as”) provided with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as being essential to the practice of the invention.

[0037] Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all Markush groups used in the appended claims.

[0038] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0039] The terms “front / forward”, “rear / rearward / back / backward”, “up / upper / top”, “down / lower / lower ward / downward, bottom”, “left / leftward”, “right / rightward” used therein represents the directions as seen from a vehicle driver sitting astride.

[0040] While the present invention is illustrated in the context of a vehicle, however, cover and aspects and features thereof can be used with other types of vehicles as well. The terms “vehicle”, “two wheeled vehicle” and “motorcycle” have been interchangeably used throughout the description. The term “vehicle” comprises vehicles such as motorcycles, scooters, bicycles, mopeds, scooter type vehicles, All-Terrain Vehicles (ATV) and the like.

[0041] Referring to Figure 1, there is illustrated a first side view of an electric vehicle (10). The electric vehicle (10) comprises, inter-alia, a front fork (12), a front ground engaging member (14), a front fender (16), a headlight (18), a rear ground engaging member (20), a steering handle bar (22), a motor unit (24), a seat (26),a tail light (28), a rear cushion (30), a rear fender (32), a rear ground engaging member (34), a transmission unit (36) and a frame structure (100).

[0042] The electric vehicle (10) further comprises a first battery (38) and a second battery (40) for providing power to the motor unit (24). Further, the transmission unit (36) transfers the motion generated by the motor unit (24) to the rear ground engaging member (34). In an embodiment of the invention, the first battery (38) and the second battery (40) are supported by the frame structure (100).

[0043] It may be noted that the electric vehicle (10) may include other parts which may not be relevant for explaining the present invention and hence not shown and described.

[0044] Referring to Figure 2 and Figure 3, there is illustrated a first side view and a second side view of the frame structure (100) of the electric vehicle (10).The frame structure (100) supports at least a first battery (38) and a second battery (40). In particular the first battery (38) and the second battery (40) are accommodated by a first box (157) and a second box (159) supported by the frame structure (100). Specifically, the first box (157) accommodates the first battery (38) and the second box (159) accommodates the second battery (40).

[0045] Now referring to Figure 4 and Figure 5, the frame structure (100) comprises a head pipe (102), an upper frame (108) that extends from the head pipe (102) in a rearward direction. Further, a first lower frame (104) extends from the upper frame (108) in a downward-rearward direction and in a substantially rearward direction thereafter and a second lower frame (106) extends from the upper frame (108) in a downward-rearward direction and in a substantially rearward direction thereafter. In an embodiment of the present invention, the first lower frame (104) and the second lower frame (106) may extends from the head pipe (102) in a downward-rearward direction and in a substantially rearward direction thereafter.

[0046] The frame structure (100) further comprises a first pivot frame (110) extending from the upper frame (108) in the rearward-downward direction and connected with the first lower frame (104). Similarly, the frame structure (100) comprises a second pivot frame (112) extending from the upper frame (108) in the rearward-downward direction and connected with the second lower frame (106).

[0047] In the Figure 4, the first pivot frame (110) is shown to be connected with the first lower frame (104), however in an alternative embodiment, which is not illustrated, the first pivot frame (110) may be spaced apart from the first lower frame (104) and not per se connected to the first lower frame (104). For instance, the first pivot frame (110) may connected to the first lower frame (104) vide one or more other additional vehicular component (not shown). Thus, the phrase “the first pivot frame (110) extending from the upper frame (108) in the rearward-downward direction and connected with the first lower frame (104)” is intended to include both direct connection as well as connection vide one or more other additional vehicular component.

[0048] In the Figure 5, the second pivot frame (112) is shown to be connected with the second lower frame (106), however in an alternative embodiment, which is not illustrated, the second pivot frame (112) may be spaced apart from the second lower frame (106) and not per se connected to the second lower frame (106). For instance, the second pivot frame (112) may connected to the second lower frame (106) vide one or more other additional vehicular component (not shown). Thus, the phrase “the second pivot frame (112) extending from the upper frame (108) in the rearward-downward direction and connected with the second lower frame (106)” is intended to include both direction connection as well as connected vide one or more other additional vehicular component.

[0049] Now referring to Figure 6 and Figure 7, the frame structure (100) comprises a supporting frame member (116) located between the first lower frame (104), the second lower frame (106), the first pivot frame (110) and the second pivot frame (112). The supporting frame member (116) comprises a front joining part (118), a rear joining part (120) and an intermediate part (122). In an embodiment of the invention, the front joining part (118) isconnected to at least one of the first lower frame (104) and the second lower frame (106).

[0050] In another embodiment of the invention, the rear joining part (120) is connected to at least one of the first pivot frame (110) and the second pivot frame (112) and, the intermediate part (122) is adaptedto connect to a mounting base (114). In an embodiment of the invention at least the first box (157) and the second box (159) are supported by the mounting base (114).

[0051] Now referring to Figure 8, the mounting base (114) comprises an H-shaped mounting base (114) connected to the supporting frame member (116). The H-shaped mounting base (114) comprises a first cross member (124), a second cross member (126),a first longitudinal member (128) and a second longitudinal member (130). The first longitudinal member (128) and the second longitudinal member (130)connect the first cross member (124) with the second cross member (126).

[0052] The H-shaped mounting base (114) further comprises a first set of reinforcing bracket (132), a second set of reinforcing bracket (134), a third set of reinforcing bracket (136) and a fourth set of reinforcing bracket (138). In an embodiment of the invention, the first set of reinforcing bracket (132) is connected to the first cross member (124) and the first longitudinal member (128). The second set of reinforcing bracket (134) is connected to the first cross member (124) and second longitudinal member (130). The third set of reinforcing bracket (136) connected to the second cross member (126) and the first longitudinal member (128).The fourth set of reinforcing bracket (138) connected to the second cross member (126) with the second longitudinal member (130).

[0053] In an embodiment of the present invention, the first cross member (124) extends beyond the first set of reinforcing bracket (132) and the second set of reinforcing bracket (134) in the vehicle width direction. Similarly, the second cross member (126) extends beyond the third set of reinforcing bracket (136) and the fourth set of reinforcing bracket (138) in the vehicle width direction. The extension of the first cross member (124) and the second cross member (126) results in forming the H-shape of the mounting base (114) when viewed from top of the vehicle (10). The first (132), second(134), third(136) and fourth set of reinforcing bracket (138) prevent any distortion in shape of the mounting base (114) due to load of the first battery (38) and the second battery (40) mounted on the frame structure (100).

[0054] Now referring to Figure 9, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the front joining part (118) is attached to a third cross member (148) connected between the first lower frame (104) and the second lower frame (106).While, the rear joining part (120) is attached to a joining bracket (150) connected in between the first pivot frame (110) and the second pivot frame (112).

[0055] In an embodiment of the present invention,a cross-sectional dimension of the rear joining part (120) of the supporting frame member (116) is greater than a cross-sectional dimension of the front joining part (118) of the supporting frame member (116) and a cross-sectional dimension of the intermediate part (122) of the supporting frame member (116).Due to larger cross sectional dimension of the rear joining part (120), there is a formation of larger contacting area between the rear joining part (120) and the joining bracket (150).The larger contacting area makes the connection between the rear joining part (120) and the joining bracket (150)more stronger, which contributes in an increase in the load carrying capacity of the supporting frame member (116).

[0056] Further, the first lower frame (104) comprises a first portion (152) extending in a downward-rearward direction from the head pipe (102) and a second portion (154) extending in a substantially rearward direction from the first portion (152). Similarly, the second lower frame (106) comprises a third portion (156) extending in a downward-rearward direction from the head pipe (102) and a fourth portion (158) extending in a substantially rearward direction from the first portion (156). In an embodiment of the invention, the third cross member (148) is connected between the first portion (152) of the first lower frame (104) and the third portion (156) of the second lower frame (106).

[0057] Now, coming to an aspect connecting the H-shaped mounting base (114) to the supporting frame member (116), as explained below with reference to the Figure 8 and Figure 9. In an embodiment of the invention, the first longitudinal member (128) comprises a first pair of attachment means (140) and the second longitudinal member (130) comprises a second pair of attachment means (142).

[0058] Further, the intermediate part (122) of the supporting frame member (116) comprises a third pair of attachment means (144) and a fourth pair of attachment means (146). The third pair of attachment means (144) and the fourth pair of attachment means (146) co-operates with the first pair of attachment means (140) from the first side of the electric vehicle (10). Similarly, the third pair of the attachment means (144) and the fourth pair of attachment means (146) co-operates with the second pair of attachment means (142) from the second side of the electric vehicle (10). In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the H-shaped mounting base (114) is connected to the supporting frame member (116) via fasteners.

[0059] Now, coming to an aspect of mounting the first box (157) and the second box (159) over the frame structure (100), as explained below with reference to the Figure 9.

[0060] The first cross member (124) comprises a first mounting provision (156) and a second mounting provision (158). Similarly, the second cross member (126) comprises a third mounting provision (160) and a fourth mounting provision (162). Further, the first box (157) comprises a first set of complementary mounting provisions (164) co-operating with the first mounting provision (156) and the third mounting provision (160) enabling mounting of the first box (157) over the mounting base (114) from the first side. Similarly, the second box (159) comprises a second set of complementary provisions (166) co-operating with the second mounting provision (158) and the fourth mounting provision (162) enabling mounting of the second box (154) over the mounting base (114) from the second side.

[0061] Since, the first battery (38) and the second battery (40) are accommodated within the first box (157) and the second box (159), and the first box (157) and the second box (159) are supported by the first cross member (124) and the second cross member (126). The load of the first battery (38) and the second battery (40) ultimately gets transferred to the mounting base (114). Since, the mounting base (114) is connected to the intermediate part (122), the load of the first battery (38) and the second battery (40) ultimately gets transferred to the frame structure (100) of the electric vehicle (10). Thus, one advantage of the present invention is that the weight of the batteries gets evenly distributed on the frame structure (100), which contributes to stability of the electric vehicle (10) during the movement.

[0062] One of the advantages of the present invention includes enabling mounting of multiple batteries without compromising the strength of the frame structure (100). Since, the load carrying capacity of the frame structure (100) is high, one advantage of the present invention is that batteries of higher weight can be mounted without compromising the strength of the frame structure (100).One advantage of the present invention is that there is an increase in strength of the frame structure due to presence of the supporting frame member (116). Another advantage of the present invention is that a minimum number of partsare required for modifying an existing frame structure in to the frame structure (100) of the present invention, which results in an increase in adaptability of the present invention.

[0063] Since, the supporting frame (116) member is a part of the frame structure (100). An advantage of the present invention includes an ease in transportation of the frame structure (100) from one production facility to other production facility. Another advantage of the present invention that a single storage box is enough for transportation of the frame structure (100) leading to an optimization of transporting cost.

[0064] Since, number of parts required for supporting the batteries are less, an advantage of the present invention includes a lower weight of the electric vehicle (10) in comparison to other existing electric vehicles. Since, the weight of the electric vehicle (10) gets a reduction in comparison to the weight of the existing electric vehicle. One advantage of the present invention is that the vehicular performance in terms of distance covered per full capacity of the batteries gets increased.

[0065] 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 in the art, various working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive concept as taught herein.

[0066] The figures and the forgoing 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, orders 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 necessarily need to be 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.
, Claims:WE CLAIM:
1. A frame structure (100) of an electric vehicle (10) comprising:
a head pipe (102); an upper frame (108) extending from the head pipe (102) in a rearward direction;
a first lower frame (104) extending from one the upper frame (108) and the head pipe (102) in a downward-rearward direction and in a substantially rearward direction thereafter;
a second lower frame (106) extending from one of the upper frame (108) and the head pipe (102) in a downward-rearward direction and in a substantially rearward direction thereafter;
a first pivot frame (110) extending from the upper frame (108) in the rearward-downward direction and connected with the first lower frame(104);
a second pivot frame (112) extending from the upper frame (108) in the rearward-downward direction and connected with the second lower frame(106);
a mounting base (114) for supporting at least a first battery (38) and a second battery (40); and
a supporting frame member (116) located between the first lower frame (104), the second lower frame (106), the first pivot frame (110) and the second pivot frame (112), the supporting frame member (116) comprising a front joining part (118) connected to at least one of the first lower frame(104) and the second lower frame(106), a rear joining part (120) connected to at least one of the first pivot frame (110) and the second pivot frame (112), and an intermediate part (122) for connecting to the mounting base (114).

2. The frame structure (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mounting base (114) comprises an H-shaped mounting base (114) connected to the supporting frame member (116).

3. The frame structure (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the H-shaped mounting base (114) comprises:
a first cross member (124) and a second cross member (126);
a first longitudinal member (128) and a second longitudinal member (130) connecting the first cross member (124) with the second cross member (126);
a first set of reinforcing bracket (132) connected to the first cross member (124) and the first longitudinal member (128);
a second set of reinforcing bracket (134) connected to the first cross member (124) and second longitudinal member (130);
a third set of reinforcing bracket (136) connected to the second cross member (126) and the first longitudinal member (128); and
a fourth set of reinforcing bracket (138) connected to the second cross member (126) with the second longitudinal member (130).

4. The frame structure (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first cross member (124) extends beyond the first set of reinforcing bracket (132) and the second set of reinforcing bracket (134) in the vehicle width direction; and the second cross member (126) extends beyond the third set of reinforcing bracket (136) and the fourth set of reinforcing bracket (138) in the vehicle width direction so as to form the H-shape of the mounting base (114) when viewed from top of the vehicle (10).

5. The frame structure (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein:
the first longitudinal member (128) comprises a first pair of attachment means (140);
the second longitudinal member (130) comprises a second pair of attachment means (142); and
the intermediate part (122) of the supporting frame member (116) comprises a third pair of attachment means (144) anda fourth pair of attachment means (146) co-operating with the first pair of attachment means (140) and co-operating with the second pair of attachment means (142) for connecting the H-shaped mounting base (114) to the supporting frame member (116).

6. The frame structure (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the front joining part (118) is attached to a third cross member (148) connected between the first lower frame (104) and the second lower frame (106), and the rear joining part (120) is attached to ajoining bracket (150) connected in between the first pivot frame (110) and the second pivot frame (112).

7. The frame structure (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein:
the first lower frame (104) comprises a first portion (152) extending in a downward-rearward direction from the head pipe (102) and a second portion (154) extending in a substantially rearward direction from the first portion (152);
the second lower frame (106) comprises a third portion (156) extending in a downward-rearward direction from the head pipe (102) and a fourth portion (158) extending in a substantially rearward direction from the first portion (156);
the third cross member (148) being connected between the first portion (152) of the first lower frame (104) and the third portion (156) of the second lower frame (106).

8. The frame structure (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein:
the first cross member (124) and the second cross member (126) support a first box (157) accommodating the first battery (38);
the first cross member (124) and the second cross member (126) support a second box (159) accommodating the second battery (40);
the first cross member (124) comprises a first mounting provision (156) and a second mounting provision (158),
the second cross member (126) comprises a third mounting provision (160) and a fourth mounting provision (162);
the first box (157) comprising a first set of complementary mounting provisions(164) co-operating with the first mounting provision (156) and the third mounting provision (160) enabling mounting of the first box (157) over the mounting base (114) from a first side; and
the second box (159) comprising a second set of complementary provisions (166) co-operating with the second mounting provision (158) and the fourth mounting provision (162) enabling mounting of the second box (159) over the mounting base (114) from a second side.

9. The frame structure (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a cross-sectional dimension of the rear joining part (120) of the supporting frame member (116) is greater than a cross-sectional dimension of the front joining part (118) of the supporting frame member (116) and a cross-sectional dimension of the intermediate part (122) of the supporting frame member (116).

10. An electric vehicle (10) comprising:
a frame structure (100) supporting a front fork (12), a front ground engaging member (14), a steering handle bar (16), a rear ground engaging member (18), at least a first battery (38) and a second battery (40);
the frame structure (100) comprising:
a head pipe (102);
an upper frame (108) extending from the head pipe (102) in a rearward direction;
a first lower frame (104) extending from one the upper frame (108) and the head pipe (102) in a downward-rearward direction and in a substantially rearward direction thereafter;
a second lower frame (106) extending from one the upper frame (108) and the head pipe (102) in a downward-rearward direction and in a substantially rearward direction thereafter,
a first pivot frame (110) extending from the upper frame (108) in the rearward-downward direction and connected with the first lower frame(104);
a second pivot frame (112) extending from the upper frame (108) in the rearward-downward direction and connected with the second lower frame(106);
a mounting base (114) for supporting at least the first battery (38) and the second battery (40); and
a supporting frame member (116) located between the first lower frame (104), the second lower frame (106), the first pivot frame (110) and the second pivot frame (112), the supporting frame member (116) comprising a front joining part (118) connected to at least one of the first lower frame(104) and the second lower frame(106), a rear joining part (120) connected to at least one of the first pivot frame (110) and the second pivot frame (112), and an intermediate part (122) for connecting to the mounting base (114).
Dated this 27th day of September, 2023

G. Deepak Sriniwas (IN/PA-508)
Of Rajeshwari & Associates
Agent for the Applicant