Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present invention relates to a vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to cooling of a control unit mounted on the vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] Control unit in a vehicle is responsible for performing various functions of a vehicle. Proper functioning of control unit is, therefore, of utmost importance. One of the reasons for inefficient working of a control unit is improper dissipation of heat generated by the electronic components in the control unit. The electronic components responsible for generating heat include resistors, capacitors, inductors, transformers, semiconductors, integrated circuits (ICs), etc.
[003] In order to dissipate heat from the control unit, one or more air cooling fans are generally used in the control unit. However, the cooling fans are large in size and leads to difficulty in assembly and packaging of the control unit. The large size of the control unit also poses a challenge to the assembly of control unit on the vehicle, especially a saddle type vehicle, having space constraints. Further, the cooling fans can also re-circulate hot air inside the control unit which defeats the purpose of a cooling fan i.e., cooling of the control unit. Moreover, the cooling fans only cool certain areas of the control unit which are in proximity with the fins of the cooling fan and do not cool the control unit uniformly. This can lead to improper cooling and decreased efficiency of the control unit, which is undesirable.
[004] In view of the foregoing, it is desirable to overcome at least the above-mentioned disadvantages mentioned in the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[005] The present invention discloses a vehicle. The vehicle comprises a frame assembly and a heat dissipation unit. The frame assembly comprises a main tube and a down tube. The main tube extends rearwardly from a head pipe of the vehicle and the downtube extends downwardly from the head pipe of the vehicle. The heat dissipation unit comprises a first surface and a second surface. The first surface is adapted to receive one or more control units and the second surface is adapted to dissipate heat rejected by the one or more control units.
[006] In an embodiment, the main tube comprises a top surface and a bottom surface. The bottom surface is opposite the top surface. The top surface is adapted to receive the second surface of the heat dissipation unit. The bottom surface faces a ground on which the vehicle rests or moves.
[007] In an embodiment, the heat dissipation unit is integrally formed with the main tube.
[008] In an embodiment, width of one or more heat sinks of the one or more control units being equal to or less than width of the first surface of the heat dissipation unit.
[009] In an embodiment, the heat dissipation unit being a metal plate.
[010] In an embodiment, the control unit being assembled on the first surface of the heat dissipation unit with at least one of: one or more fasteners and adhesives.
[011] In an embodiment, the control unit comprises a case adapted to cover one or more electronic components of the vehicle.
[012] In an embodiment, the downtube of the frame assembly being adapted to direct air onto the heat dissipation unit, main tube and the control unit in a running state of the vehicle. In a non-limiting example, the downtube comprises one or more slots to direct air onto the heat dissipation unit, main tube and the control unit in a running state of the vehicle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[013] Reference will be made to embodiments of the invention, examples of which may be illustrated in accompanying figures. These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the invention is generally described in context of these embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these particular embodiments.
Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a main tube of a frame assembly with a control unit and a heat dissipation unit, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2a and Figure 2b illustrate a top view of the main tube of the frame assembly with the control unit and the heat dissipation unit, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2c illustrate a top view of the main tube of the frame assembly with the heat dissipation unit and without the control unit, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the main tube of the frame assembly with the control unit and the heat dissipation unit, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 illustrates working of the heat dissipation unit and the downtube for cooling the control unit, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[014] Various features and embodiments of the present invention here will be discernible from the following further description thereof, set out hereunder.
[015] Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a main tube of a frame assembly with a control unit and a heat dissipation unit, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2a and Figure 2b illustrate a top view of the main tube of the frame assembly with the control unit and the heat dissipation unit, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2c illustrate a top view of the main tube of the frame assembly with the heat dissipation unit and without the control unit, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the main tube 100 of the frame assembly with the control unit 300 and the heat dissipation unit 200, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.
[016] For the purpose of the present invention, the term “vehicle” relates to a saddle type vehicle provided with a frame assembly and one or more control units. The term “vehicle” includes bicycles, scooters, trikes and motorcycles. The term “vehicle” also includes electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles and conventional internal combustion engine vehicles.
[017] The vehicle comprises a frame assembly for supporting different components of the vehicle. The frame assembly comprises a main tube 100, a down tube (not shown) and rear tubes (not shown). The main tube 100 extends rearwardly from a head pipe (not shown) of the vehicle. The downtube extends downwardly from the head pipe of the vehicle. The rear tubes extends rearwardly from the main tube 100 of the vehicle. The main tube 100 of the present invention comprises a top surface 100a and a bottom surface 100b (shown in Figure 3) opposite the top surface 100a. The bottom surface 100b is a surface of the main tube 100 which faces a ground on which the vehicle moves or rests.
[018] In one embodiment of the present invention, as shown in Figure 1-3, the main tube 100 of the present invention is adapted to receive a heat dissipation unit 200. The heat dissipation unit 200 comprises a first surface 200a and a second surface 200b (shown in Figure 3). The first surface 200a of the heat dissipation unit 200 is adapted to receive one or more control units 300 of the vehicle. The second surface 200b of the heat dissipation unit 200 is adapted to be received on the main tube 100 of the frame assembly and dissipate heat rejected by the one or more control units 300. In a non-limiting example, the second surface 200b of the heat dissipation unit 200 is received on the top surface 100a of the main tube 100. However, this should not be construed as limiting and the heat dissipation unit 200 can also be received on other surfaces of the main tube 100.
[019] In another embodiment of the present invention, although not shown in Figures, the heat dissipation unit 200 is integrally formed with the main tube 100. The first surface 200a of the heat dissipation unit 200 is adapted to receive one or more control units 300 and the second surface 200b of the heat dissipation unit 200 is adapted to dissipate heat rejected by the one or more control units 300.
[020] The one or more control units 300 of the vehicle are configured to perform different functions of the vehicle. The one or more control units 300 include one or more electronic components 302 and a heat sink 304. The heat is generated in the control unit 300 by the one or more electronic components 302 such as, not being, limited to resistors, capacitors, inductors, transformers, semiconductors, integrated circuits (ICs), etc. The heat generated by the one or more electronic components 302a is rejected to the heat sink 304. The heat sink 304 is in communication with the first surface 200a of the heat dissipation unit 200. As shown in Figure 2a and 2b, width (W1) of the heat sink 304 is slightly less than width (W2) of the heat dissipation unit 200. In a non-limiting example, width (W1) of the heat sink 304 can be equal to the width of the heat dissipation unit 200.
[021] The control unit 300 also comprises a case 306 adapted to cover one or more electronic components 302 of the control unit 300 as shown in Figure 3 and 4 of the present invention.
[022] Although not shown in the Figures, the downtube of the frame assembly comprises one or more slots. In a non-limiting example, the one or more slots extends at least partially along a longitudinal axis of the downtube. The one or more slots directs surrounding air in running state of the vehicle towards the heat dissipation unit 200 to facilitate cooling of the control unit 300, the heat dissipation unit 200 as well as the main tube 100. It is to be understood that the control unit 300 in the present invention does not comprise fan(s) for cooling the control unit 300 and cooling of the control unit 300 is by means of the heat dissipation unit 200 and by means of air being directed towards the control unit 300, heat dissipation unit 200 and the main tube 100 by one or more slots of the downtube of the frame assembly. The heat dissipation unit 200 is made of a conductive material such as, not being limited to, metal. In a non-limiting example, the heat dissipation unit 200 is a metal plate.
[023] In an embodiment, the heat dissipation unit 200 is connected to the main tube 100 of the frame assembly by means of an adhesive. In an embodiment, the heat dissipation unit 200 is connected to the main tube 100 by means of a bracket. In an embodiment, the heat dissipation unit 200 is connected to the main tube by means of a plurality of first fasteners (not shown). In an embodiment, the one or more control units 300 are detachably fastened to the heat dissipation unit 200 by a plurality of second fasteners (not shown).
[024] As can be seen in Figure 2b, width W2 of the heat dissipation unit 200 is greater than width W3 of the main tube and width W1 of the heat sink 304 of the control unit 300 is slightly less than width W2 of the heat dissipation unit 200. However, this should not be construed as limiting. In a non-limiting example, width W3 of the main tube 100 can be equal to or greater than width W2 of the heat dissipation unit 200. Also, width W1 of the heat sink 304 of the control unit 300 can be equal to width W2 of the heat dissipation unit 200.
[025] Figure 4 illustrates working of the heat dissipation unit 200 and the downtube for cooling the control unit 300, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.
[026] The solid arrows in Figure 4 indicate that heat generated by the one or more electronic components 302 is rejected to the heat sink 304 and transferred to the heat dissipation unit 200. The heat dissipation unit 200 dissipates heat partially to surrounding environment and partially to the main tube 100 of the vehicle. The dashed arrows indicate air being directed from the slot(s) of the downtube towards the heat dissipation unit 200, the control unit 300 and the main tube 100 in a running state of the vehicle. The air being directed from the downtube facilitates quick and efficient cooling of the control unit.
[027] The claimed features/method steps of the present invention as discussed above are not routine, conventional, or well understood in the art, as the claimed features/steps enable the following solutions to the existing problems in conventional technologies. Specifically, the technical problem of effectively cooling the control unit without the cooling fans is being solved by the present invention.
[028] The present invention results in efficient cooling of the control unit without the cooling fans. The present invention uses a heat dissipation unit for dissipating heat rejected by the heat sink of the control unit. The cooling process is further facilitated by directing air towards the control unit, heat dissipation unit and the main tube by slots provided in downtube of the vehicle.
[029] The present invention performs cooling operation without creating any noise.
[030] The present invention does not require cooling fans for cooling the control unit. This will reduce the size of the control unit which can easily be used in vehicle having space constraints.
[031] In the present invention, width of the heat sink is equal to or slightly less that the width of the heat dissipation unit which results in uniform cooling of the control unit.
[032] In the present invention, the integration of the heat dissipation unit with the main tube reduces the use of external brackets and also fasteners for attachment of the heat dissipation unit with the frame assembly of the vehicle.
[033] While the present invention has been described with respect to certain embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modification may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

List of Reference Numerals

100- main tube
100a- top surface
100b-bottom surface
200- heat dissipation unit
200a- first surface
200b- second surface
300-control unit
302- electronic components
304- heat sink
306- case
W1- width of heat sink
W2- width of heat dissipation unit
W3- width of the main tube , Claims:WE CLAIM:

1. A vehicle comprising:
- a frame assembly having a main tube (100) extending rearwardly from a head pipe and a downtube extending downwardly from the head pipe,
- a heat dissipation unit (200) having a first surface (200a) and a second surface (200b), the first surface (200a) adapted to receive one or more control units (300) and the second surface (200b) adapted to dissipate heat rejected by the one or more control units (300).

2. The vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein main tube (100) comprises a top surface (100a) and a bottom surface (100b) opposite the top surface (100a), the bottom surface (100b) facing a ground and the top surface (100a) adapted to receive the second surface (200b) of the heat dissipation unit (200).

3. The vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heat dissipation unit (200) being integrally formed with the main tube (100).

4. The vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein a width (W1) of one or more heat sinks (304) of the one or more control units (300) being equal to or less than a width (W2) of the first surface (200a) of the heat dissipation unit (200).
5. The vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heat dissipation unit (200) being a metal plate.

6. The vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit (300) being assembled on the first surface (200a) of the heat dissipation unit (200) with at least one of: one or more fasteners and adhesives.

7. The vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit (300) comprises a case (306) adapted to cover one or more electronic components (302) of the control unit (300).

8. The vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the downtube being adapted to direct air onto the heat dissipation unit (200), the main tube (100) and the control unit (300) in a running state of the vehicle.

9. The vehicle as claimed in claim 8, wherein the downtube comprises one or more slots to direct air onto the heat dissipation unit (200), main frame (100) and the control unit (300) in a running state of the vehicle.

Dated this 07 day of November 2023
TVS MOTOR COMPANY LIMITED
By their Agent & Attorney

(Nikhil Ranjan)
of Khaitan & Co
Reg No IN/PA-1471