Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present subject matter is related, in general to a vehicle, and more particularly, but not exclusively to one or more charging ports for charging one or more external electronic devices.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 5
[0002] All residential and commercial buildings have wall outlets for powering AC-powered devices such as lights, appliances, electronic devices, computers, mobile devices, or generally any battery-powered device. The battery-powered device typically has a power cord with a plug which connects onto the wall outlet. The dependency of the modern man on electronic devices has to led public establishments such as airports, shopping malls, etc. additionally 10 being provided with charging ports.
[0003] Vehicles are typically equipped with multi-faceted applications and features supporting user convenience and safety of the user. Due to proliferation of various rechargeable consumer electronic devices, such as cell phones, laptops, tablets, personal digital assistants (PDA's), and the like, there is a need to charge and/or connect to such devices. Since most of 15 the time of the modern man is spent travelling, it becomes a necessity to equip the developed vehicle with convenient charging ports powering the various rechargeable consumer electronic device. Further, since most of rechargeable consumer electronic devices are powered by low voltage, the same configuration must be appropriately conferred on the vehicle’s developed charging port. 20
[0004] Many different battery-powered devices are charged using a universal serial bus (USB) connection or an adaptor configuration. Charging of any battery-powered device commences by physical engagement of the outlet of the USB charging port or any other charging protocol
Classification: Confidential
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with the host device. After engagement of the charging port output, the charging port provides current to charge the batteries of the battery-powered device. [0005] Owing to multiple protocols existing based on the battery type, the battery capacity and other parameters, several battery charging specifications have developed different charging ports. However, owing to multitude of devices in view of uniformity, most battery-powered
5 devices comprise a USB charging port. Recharging these battery-powered devices may be facilitated through the use of standard interfaces, such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB).
[0006] Universal Serial Bus (USB) charger is used for the charging electronic devices, such as, but not limited to, mobile phones, tablets and other smart devices supported with the USB charging protocol. Conventionally, USB charger is having either a Type A or a Type C port. 10 Such different type of USB ports enables a wide range of mobiles and tablets for the charging.
[0007] One of the state of the art technology discloses about a mobile holder being disposed in a line of sight of the rider of the vehicle. The mobile charger is provided with a charging port. A disadvantage existent with the known holder devices is the dangling of the charging wires which may interfere with the operation of the control switches of the handlebar while the 15 rider is riding. Additionally, since the charging wires are open to the external environment they are prone to unpredictable weather conditions as well as generic wear and tear, thereby requiring periodic replacement of the charging wires.
[0008] Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditional approaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art, through comparison of described systems with some 20 aspects of the present disclosure, as set forth in the remainder of the present application and with reference to the drawings.
SUMMARY
Classification: Confidential
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[0009] According to embodiments illustrated herein, there is provides a vehicle comprising one or more charging ports. The present subject matter provides a vehicle comprising a frame assembly, one or more front wheels and one or more rear wheels, and a utility box comprising one or more charging ports. The frame assembly defines a length of the vehicle. The one or more front wheels and one or more rear wheels are connected to the frame assembly. The utility 5 box is disposed within the frame assembly and comprises one or more charging ports configured to charge to one or more external electronic devices. The utility box comprising the one or more charging ports is disposed in a pre-defined region of the vehicle. The pre-defined region is a rear portion (R’) of the vehicle behind a vehicle central axis (AA’) dividing the vehicle length into a front portion (F’) and the rear portion (R’), above one or more rear wheels 10 of the vehicle, and ahead of a tail lamp assembly of the vehicle.
[00010] According to embodiments illustrated herein, the one or more charging ports are disposed in at least one internal surface of the utility box, such that the one or more external electronic devices being securely disposed in the utility box during a charging operation.
[00011] According to embodiments illustrated herein, the at least one internal surface of the 15 utility box is an internal surface extending in a vehicle up-down direction and perpendicular to a horizontal axis passing through the one or more rear wheels.
[00012] According to embodiments illustrated herein, the frame assembly comprises a cross tube extending transversely connecting a left side seat frame to a right side seat frame and disposed between the rider seat and the pillion seat, such that the energy storage unit is disposed 20 ahead of the cross tube, and the at least one internal surface of the utility box comprising the one or more charging ports is disposed behind the cross tube.
[00013] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above,
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further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[00014] The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration 5 only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention, and wherein
[00015] Figure 1 shows a side view of a vehicle, such as a motorcycle incorporating the invention, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[00016] Figure 2 illustrates a top perspective view of a utility box disposed in the vehicle, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 10
[00017] Figure 3 illustrates a top perspective view of a utility box showing one or more components, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.
[00018] Figure 4 illustrates a side perspective view of a utility box showing one or more components, in accordance with some other embodiments of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 15
[00019] The present disclosure may be best understood with reference to the detailed figures and description set forth herein. Various embodiments are discussed below with reference to the figures. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed descriptions given herein with respect to the figures are simply for explanatory purposes as the system may extend beyond the described embodiments. For example, the teachings presented, 20 and the needs of a particular application may yield multiple alternative and suitable approaches to implement the functionality of any detail described herein. Therefore, any approach may extend beyond the particular implementation choices in the following embodiments described and shown.
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[00020] References to “one embodiment,” “at least one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “one example,” “an example,” “for example,” and so on indicate that the embodiment(s) or example(s) may include a particular feature, structure, characteristic, property, element, or limitation but that not every embodiment or example necessarily includes that particular feature, structure, characteristic, property, element, or limitation. Further, repeated use of the
5 phrase “in an embodiment” does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment.
[00021] The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with different embodiments. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather those embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and fully convey the scope of 10 the invention to those skilled in the art.
[00022] The present invention is illustrated with a motorcycle type vehicle. However, a person skilled in the art would appreciate that the present invention is not limited to a motorcycle type vehicle and certain features, aspects and advantages of embodiments of the present invention can be used with other types of two wheelers such as scooter type vehicle, step thru, and the 15 like. In an embodiment, the scooter type vehicle comprises a low floorboard type vehicle and the term scooter as used herein should not be inferred to restrict the maximum speed, the displacement amount or the like of the vehicle.
[00023] The object of the present subject matter is to provide one or more charging ports for charging one or more external electronic devices through an energy storage unit disposed in 20 the vehicle and aims at overcoming the technical problems mentioned above and the disadvantages in the existing art.
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[00024] Another object of the present subject matter provides a location of the one or more charging ports in a theft-proof location to prevent any form of manipulation or theft of the one or more external electronic devices during vehicle operation.
[00025] Conventionally, mounting stands such as mobile holders are disposed in a handlebar region of a two-wheeled vehicle. The accessibility of the one or more external electronic 5 devices when disposed in mobile holders is much larger and thereby has a greater propensity of theft associated.
[00026] The present configuration addresses this drawback of the known art by providing a utility box comprising one or more charging ports. During charging operation, the one or more external electronic devices are disposed in the utility box, where accessibility to the one or 10 more external electronic devices is restricted via a seat latch. Further, during off-roading conditions of the vehicle, the one or more external electronic devices remain secured in the utility box.
[00027] Additionally, the disclosed location of the one or more charging ports for charging the one or more external electronic devices protects the sensitive electronic components of the one 15 or more external electronic devices against external environmental factors. Earlier, when the one or more external electronic devices were disposed in the mobile holder, the sensitive electronic components were susceptible to external dust, wind and rain, which could potentially disrupt the nominal operation of the one or more external electronic devices. The present subject matter thereby addresses the above-mentioned limitation known in the art by way of 20 disposing the one or more charging ports in the utility box of the vehicle.
[00028] The present subject matter by integration of one or more charging ports in the vehicle layout eliminates additional cost of accessories concerning the mounting of one or more external electronic devices. Further, since based on the dimensions of the one or more external
Classification: Confidential
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electronic devices the modularity of the mounting arrangement changes, the cost associated is altogether eliminated by disposition of the one or more external electronic devices in the utility box of the vehicle. [00029] Another object of the present subject matter is to eliminate dangling of charging wires or cords in the rider’s line of sight and handlebar area, to ameliorate concerns of rider’s steering
5 ability.
[00030] In the known art, a common nuisance associated with disposition of the one or more external electronic devices in external mobile holder or mounting devices on the handlebar of the vehicle is the entangling of wires. The mounting devices are typically provided with a charging port and cord, which entangles in the handlebar region. During operation of control 10 switches or buttons on the instrument cluster of the vehicle, the rider’s accessibility to the control switches and instrument cluster may be disrupted owing to the presence of the dangling charging wires or cords. The dangling charging wires affects the steering ability of the vehicle and consequently the vehicle manoeuvrability. Additionally, presence of charging wires exposed to the external environment increases the wear and tear associated with the entire 15 mounting device construction.
[00031] The present subject matter addresses the drawbacks in the known arts by securing the one or more external electronic devices in the utility box comprising the one or more charging ports. The disclosed configuration eliminates the dangling of wires, further ensures that since the one or more external electronic devices and the charging wires connected to the one or 20 more charging ports is not exposed to the external environment, the component wear and tear of the charging port, charging wire and the one or more external electronic devices is tremendously reduced.
Classification: Confidential
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[00032] During the designing of proprietary components such as the mounting assembly or devices, the cord length of the personal digital assistant is not accurately covered by the manufacturer. Thereby, the extent of dangling of the wires may vary based on the mounting assembly or device employed and the cord length of the one or more external electronic devices. The present subject matter altogether eliminates the technical problem of hinderance
5 due to dangling wires by disposition of the one or more charging ports in the utility box of the vehicle.
[00033] An additional object of the present subject matter is to reduce rider distraction owing to the presence of the one or more external electronic devices.
[00034] In known arts, the one or more external electronic devices are disposed in the vicinity 10 of the handlebar or steering assembly, in a line of sight of the rider. Inadvertently, a rider tends to check on the one or more external electronic devices during riding as well as idling conditions on the road. The present configuration completely eliminates the interaction between the rider and the one or more external electronic devices by securely disposing the one or more external electronic devices in the utility box for charging purposes, and thereby 15 improves rider’s focus to the road conditions and riding pattern.
[00035] An additional object of the present subject matter is to reduce the permissibility of load impacts onto the one or more external electronic devices, thereby protecting the one or more external electronic devices.
[00036] In an aspect of the present subject matter, the one or more charging ports configured 20 to charge the one or more external electronic devices is disposed in at least one internal surface of the utility box. In a preferred embodiment, the at least one internal surface of the utility box is an internal surface which extends in the vehicle up-down direction and is disposed perpendicular to a horizonal axis passing through the one or more rear wheels of the vehicle.
Classification: Confidential
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[00037] As per vehicle architecture, the utility box is disposed above the one or more rear wheels, and the one or more rear wheels are connected to the frame assembly via a rear suspension system. During off-roading conditions of the vehicle, the one or more rear wheels may oscillate about the vehicle up-down axis and may impact the bottom surface of the utility box. In order to alleviate any possible impact or vibrations being transmitted onto the utility
5 box comprising the one or more charging ports, in a preferred embodiment the one or more charging ports are disposed in the internal surface perpendicular to a horizonal axis passing through the one or more rear wheels of the vehicle.
[00038] Additionally, since the utility box is disposed in the frame assembly and may be covered by style panels based on vehicle aesthetics, the configuration of the frame assembly in 10 conjunction with style panels provide additional protection to the one or more external electronic devices, the one or more charging ports and the low voltage wiring harness connecting the one or more charging ports against external impact loads in the event of accidental crash or the like.
[00039] In another object of the present subject matter, the present disclosure reduces the length 15 of the low voltage wiring harness connecting the one or more charging ports disposed in the utility box.
[00040] In accordance with the present vehicle architecture, the frame assembly of the vehicle layout comprises a cross tube extending transversely connecting a left side seat frame to a right side seat frame and disposed between the rider seat and the pillion seat. The energy storage 20 unit of the vehicle is disposed ahead of the cross tube while the one or more charging ports are disposed on an internal surface of the utility box behind the cross tube, such that the opposite surface of the at least one internal surface faces the cross tube. The wiring harness connecting the energy storage unit and the one or more charging ports is thereby reduced, which improves accessibility, serviceability, as well as transmission losses associated with the wiring harness. 25
Classification: Confidential
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Additionally, the disclosed configuration maintains a compact vehicle layout in view of the disclosed disposition of the energy storage unit and the one or more charging ports. [00041] Figure 1 shows a side view of a vehicle, such as a motorcycle incorporating the invention, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[00042] With reference to Figure 1, 100 denotes a vehicle such as a motorcycle, 102 denotes a 5 prime mover of the vehicle, 104a denotes one or more front wheels of the vehicle, 104b denotes one or more rear wheels of the vehicle, 106a denotes a rider seat, 106b denotes a pillion seat, 108 denotes a tail lamp assembly, and 110 denotes a utility box of the vehicle.
[00043] The vehicle 100 as illustrated in Figure 1 is not limited to a motorcycle type vehicles, but is extensible to scooter-type, step through and other forms of two-wheeled vehicles. 10 Additionally, the present subject matter is not limited to two-wheeled vehicles but also three-wheeled vehicles, four-wheeled vehicles and multi-axle vehicle comprising a utility box. In an aspect, the vehicle 100 may be an off-roading vehicle.
[00044] In an aspect, the vehicle 100 comprises a frame assembly (not shown), one or more front wheels (104a), one or more rear wheels (104b), and a utility box (110) comprising one or 15 more charging ports.
[00045] The vehicle 100 comprises a frame assembly defining a length of the vehicle 100. The frame assembly may comprise a head tube disposed in a front portion and configured to support a handlebar or steering assembly of the vehicle, wherein the steering assembly is connected to the one or more front wheels 104a. The frame assembly additionally comprises a main tube 20 extending rearwardly along the vehicle length from the head tube. The main tube may extend divergently from the head tube thereby comprising left side main frame and a right side main frame. The main frame extending rearwardly may form the seat rails of the vehicle 100 between which the rider seat 106a and the pillion seat 106b are disposed. The main frame may comprise
Classification: Confidential
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one or more cross tubes extending transversely along the vehicle width and connecting the left side main frame and the right side main frame. The frame assembly forms the chassis of the vehicle 100 and provides the requisite structural rigidity to the vehicle 100. [00046] In an embodiment, the vehicle 100 may be a scooter type vehicle and may have main frame that extends along a centre of the body of the vehicle 100 from a front portion F’ of the
5 vehicle 100 and extending in a rearwardly direction. The main frame is made up of the metallic pipe and the main frame is provided under the floor board for a scooter type vehicle. A swing type prime mover is coupled to the rear end of the main frame for a scooter type vehicle. A rear wheel 104b is supported on one side of the rear end of the swing type prime mover. In an embodiment, the swing type prime mover is suspended in the rear of a body frame for a scooter 10 type vehicle. The centre of the body for a scooter type vehicle forms a low floor board for foot support of the rider and a under cowl which is located below a rider's seat and covers at least a part of the prime mover 102. In an embodiment, the under cowl is made up of metal or resin, and the under cowl is hinged to the seat.
[00047] The prime mover 102 is disposed via the frame assembly of the vehicle 100, whereby 15 mounting provision are provided on the frame assembly for disposition of the prime mover 102. The prime mover 102 may be an internal combustion engine, a combination of battery and motor unit, or a hybrid prime mover inculcating multiple energy conversion devices capable of generating motive power. The prime mover 102 by way of energy conversion generates the motive power or kinetic energy required to propel the vehicle. 20
[00048] The prime mover 102 is operatively connected to at least one of one or more front wheels 104a and one or more rear wheels 104b of the vehicle 100, whereby the actual propulsion of the vehicle 100 is achieved. The one or more front wheels 104a and one or more rear wheels 104b being connected to the frame assembly. The vehicle 100 may additionally comprise a transmission system (not shown) configured to transmit the motive power generated 25
Classification: Confidential
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in the prime mover 102 onto at least one of the one or more front wheels 104a and one or more rear wheels 104b, based on the drive system of the vehicle 100. The vehicle 100 may be a front wheel drive system where motive power of the prime mover 102 is transmitted to the one or more front wheels 104a. In another embodiment, the vehicle 100 may be a rear wheel drive system where motive power of the prime mover 102 is transmitted to the one or more rear 5 wheels 104b. In another embodiment, the vehicle 100
may be an all wheel drive system where motive power of the prime mover 102 is transmitted to the one or more front wheels 104a and the one or more rear wheels 104b. [00049]
In an aspect, the one or more front wheels 104a and one or more rear wheels 104b the one or more front wheels 104a and one or more rear wheels 104b is connected to the frame 10 assembly.
[00050] In an aspect, the vehicle 100 comprises a rider seat 106a and a pillion seat 106b disposed or mounted on the frame assembly of the vehicle. The rider seat 106a and the pillion seat 106b provide user body support for transportation purposes.
[00051] In an aspect, the vehicle 100 comprises a tail lamp assembly 108 comprising a rear 15 fender, one or more turn signal indicator lamps and a tail lamp. The tail lamp assembly 108 signifies the rearmost end of the vehicle 100 along the vehicle length.
[00052] In an aspect, the vehicle 100 comprises a utility box 110 disposed within the frame assembly. The utility box 110 or utility space of the vehicle 100 provides the rider a temporary storage space for disposition of one or more personal items of the rider. Further, the utility box 20 110 opens from the rear end to hinged portion. In an embodiment, the utility box 110 is provided under the seat 106a, 106b extending longitudinally of a vehicle body and the inside of the utility box 110 has a large capacity so that a large article, such as a helmet can be housed.
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[00053] Additionally, in a scooter type vehicle, side covers both on left and right sides, cover the utility box 110 and other parts of the vehicle 100, thereby providing a good appearance to the vehicle 100.
[00054] In a preferred embodiment, the one or more charging ports may be disposed below the pillion seat 106b in the event the vehicle 100 is a motorcycle, and the one or more charging 5 ports may be disposed below the rider seat in the event the vehicle 100 is a scooter-type vehicle.
[00055] In an aspect, the utility box 110 comprises one or more charging ports 202 configured to charge one or more external electronic devices. The utility box 110 comprising the one or more charging ports 202 is disposed in a pre-defined region of the vehicle 100. The pre-defined region being a rear portion R’ of the vehicle 100 behind a vehicle central axis AA’ dividing the 10 vehicle length into a front portion F’ and the rear portion R’, above the one or more rear wheels 104b of the vehicle (100), and ahead of a tail lamp assembly 108 of the vehicle 100.
[00056] Figure 2 illustrates a top perspective view of a utility box disposed in the vehicle, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.
[00057] With reference to Figure 2, 202 denotes one or more charging ports of the utility box 15 and 204 denotes a seat latch of the vehicle.
[00058] In an aspect, the one or more charging ports 202 are configured to serve as an interface for provision of low voltage current from the vehicle side to charge one or more external electronic devices. The one or more charging ports 202 may comprise one or more slots for engagement purposes with pins of the one or more external electronic devices. In another 20 embodiment, the one or more charging ports 202 may be a wireless charging pad.
[00059] In an embodiment, the one or more charging ports 202 have only charging function and do not have any data transmittance function undertaken. The one or more charging ports 202 are configured to have at least optional surge protection, leakage circuit and a overheat
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circuit. The one or more charging ports 202 may additionally comprise an in-built transformer unit having ac-dc conversion circuitry. The one or more charging ports 202 may include its own related circuit, contact piece, conductive piece, custom pins, receiving ends, input ends, output ends, electric parts and accessories. The one or more charging ports 202 may be a dedicated charging port, a charging downstream port or a standard downstream port based on
5 the requisite charging current requirement of the one or more external electronic devices. [00060] The one or more charging ports 202 are connected to an energy storage unit (not shown) disposed in the vehicle 100, whereby charge supply to the one or more charging ports 202 is through the energy storage unit.
[00061] The one or more charging ports 202 may comprise one or more slots for engaging with 10 the one or more external electronic devices electrically and mechanically, the one or more charging ports may be a universal serial bus or a wireless charging pad configuration.
[00062] In a preferred embodiment, the one or more charging ports 202 are of universal serial bus (USB) configuration. The USB is a dominant device or configuration for transmitting data and charge between a host device such as the vehicle 100 and the one or more external 15 electronic devices. The USB specifies the physical interfaces and protocols for connecting, data transfer and powering of hosts such as the vehicle 100 and one or more external electronic devices. The USB standardizes connection peripherals whilst replacing serial ports, parallel ports, game ports, and ADB ports. The USB may comprise specifications pertaining to USB1.”x”, USB 2.0, USB 3.”x”, AND usb4. 20
[00063] In an embodiment, the USB comprises four conductors, two power lines and two data lines between the energy storage unit of the vehicle 100 and the one or more external electronic devices. The USB configuration comprises at least one of a Type A connector, or a Type C connector, a mini USB, a special custom pin or a micro USB. The USB configuration
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comprises at least one of a Type A to Type C cable, Type C to Type C cable or a Type C to Type A cable. One end of the USB cable is connected to the one or more charging ports 202 and the other end of the USB configuration is connected to the one or more external electronic devices.
[00064] In an embodiment, the USB charger is configured to deliver voltage in a range of 5V 5 to 48V, and the USB charger is configured to deliver current in a range of 200mA to 5A. In an embodiment, the one or more charging ports 202 connected to an energy storage unit of the vehicle receives AC current.
[00065] In an embodiment, the vehicle 100 may connect an external electronic device such as a smartphone to the one or more charging ports 202. The one or more charging ports 202 is 10 configured to include a USB plug and a USB connector serving as a socket on the vehicle 100 side. For example, the smartphone can be operated at 5V and 12A USB charger.
[00066] In an aspect, the one or more charging ports 202 comprises a cover lid being disposed over the one or more charging ports 202, to reduce accidental interaction between the one or more charging ports and the human body, in the event no charging is desired. 15
[00067] In an aspect, the one or more external electronic device refers to a low-voltage operating rechargeable battery operated electronic device which requires AC current for charging purposes. The one or more external electronic devices may be a smart phone, a computer, tablet, laptop, communication, iPAD, panel, personal digital assistant or any consumer electric product. In a preferred embodiment, the one or more external electronic 20 device relates to a portable electronic device comprising a rechargeable battery.
[00068] In another aspect, the pre-defined region of disposition of the utility box 110 comprising the one or more charging ports 202 is below at least one of a rider seat 106a and a pillion seat 106b. The seat latch 204 is configured to provide authorized access to the utility
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box 110 disposed below at least one of the rider seat 106a and the pillion seat 106b. Thereby, t
he access to the one or more charging ports 202 is enabled by operation of a seat latch 204 permitting ingress into the utility box 110 disposed below at least one of the rider seat 106a and the pillion seat 106b. In another aspect, the utility box 110 comprising the one or more charging ports 202 is disposed above a rear fender assembly (not shown) of the vehicle 100. 5 [00069] The disclosed configuration of disposition of the one or more charging ports 202 in the utility box 110 below the rider seat 106a and the pillion seat 106b ensures that only authorized access to the one or more external electronic devices be permitted. Additionally, since during charging operation the one or more external electronic devices are kept within the utility box 110, the one or more external electronic devices remain protected against external
10 environmental conditions and impact loads.
[00070] Figure 3 illustrates a top perspective view of a utility box showing one or more components, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.
[00071] With reference to Figure 3, 301a, 301b, 301c, 301d, and 301f denotes internal surfaces of the utility box extending perpendicular to the vehicle horizontal axis XX’ passing through 15 the one or more rear wheels, and 301e denotes a base internal surface of the utility box extending parallel to the horizontal axis XX’ passing through the one or more rear wheels.
[00072] In an aspect, the at least one internal surfaces 301a, 301b, 301c, 301d, 301e, 301f of the utility box 110 may be oriented at angles based on the vehicle layout.
[00073] The one or more charging ports 202 are disposed in at least one internal surface 301a, 20 301b, 301c, 301d, 301e, 301f of the utility box 110. Further, the one or more external electronic devices are securely disposed in the utility box 110 during a charging operation.
[00074] In a preferred embodiment, the at least one internal surface 301a, 301b, 301c, 301d, 301f of the utility box 110 for disposition of the one or more charging ports 202 is an internal
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surface extending in a vehicle 100 up-down direction and perpendicular to a horizontal axis XX’ passing through the one or more rear wheels 104b.
[00075]
Typically in a vehicle layout, the rear suspension assembly connects the one or more rear wheels 104b of the vehicle onto the frame assembly. During vehicle off-roading or even normal riding conditions, the vibrations or impact transmitted onto the vehicle 100 due to the 5 rough terrain is alleviated by way of the rear suspension assembly. Further, the bumpy terrain encompasses a spring like movement of the one or more rear wheels 104b relative to the vehicle body in a vehicle up-down direction. The base 301e of the utility box 110 is disposed almost parallel to the horizontal axis XX’ passing through the one or more rear wheels 104b, and is therefore most susceptible to the impact caused by the one or more rear wheel’s up-down 10 movement. In order to protect the one or more charging ports 202 disposed in the utility box 110 against impacts due to road conditions, the one or more charging ports in a preferred embodiment is disposed in at least one internal surface 301a, 301b, 301c, 301d, 301f perpendicular to a horizontal axis XX’ passing through the one or more rear wheels 104b. The disclosed configuration ensures that no vibrations or impact loads be transmitted onto the one 15 or more charging ports 202.
[00076] In another embodiment, the at least one internal surface for disposition of the one or more charging ports may be inclined at an angle to the horizontal axis XX’ passing through the one or more rear wheels 104b, but must not be in a line of up-down movement of the one or more rear wheels 104b. 20
[00077] Figure 4 illustrates a side perspective view of a utility box showing one or more components, in accordance with some other embodiments of the invention.
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[00078] With reference to Figure 4, 402a denotes an input portion of the one or more charging pots, 402b denotes an output portion of the one or more charging ports, 404 denotes a cross tube, and 406 denotes one or more electrical cables.
[00079] In an aspect, the one or more charging ports 202 comprises an input portion 402a and an output portion 402b. The input portion 402a of the one or more charging ports 202 is 5 connected to an energy storage unit of the vehicle 100 via one or more electrical cables 406. The input portion 402a of the one or more charging ports 202 is configured to receive charging current from the energy storage unit through one or more electrical cables 406. The one or more electrical cables 406 may be a power line as well as data transmission line. The term one or more electrical cables 406 may be interchangeably referred to as a low voltage wiring harness. 10
[00080] In an embodiment, the one or more electrical cables 406 may be disposed along a vehicle central axis passing through the vehicle length when viewed from a top view. In another embodiment, the one or more electrical cables 406 may be off-set to one of a left side or a right side of the vehicle based on the vehicle layout, whereby accordingly the disposition of the one or more charging ports 202 may be off-set to one or more left side, or right side or along the 15 vehicle central axis when viewed from a top view.
[00081] The energy storage unit of the vehicle 100 supplies power to all the electrical loads in the vehicle 100. In an embodiment, energy storage unit’s positive and negative terminals are connected to associated parts of the vehicle. The energy storage unit may be configured for cranking of the vehicle 100 during starting of the vehicle 100 as well as to drive the electrical 20 loads. The electrical may comprise a headlight, a taillight, a horn, and other components that require current for powering ON.
[00082] In an embodiment, the energy storage unit is a lead acid battery, and the energy storage unit is configured to provide current to the one or more loads disposed on the vehicle 100 when
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the energy storage unit is in a charged state. Further, the energy storage unit may be a Li-ion battery. Further, the energy storage unit is conventionally disposed along a central vehicle axis when viewed from a side view, thereby the disposition of the one or more charging ports 202 onto the utility box provides an overall optimization of the length of the one or more electrical cables 406. 5 [00083] T
he output portion 402b of the one or more charging ports 202 comprises one or more slots configured to engage with a charging port of the one or more external electronic devices and supply charge to the one or more external electronic devices from the energy storage unit.
[00084] In an embodiment, the one or more charging ports 202 of the present embodiment has a power supply function and a communication function. For example, the one or more charging 10 ports 202 has an output port 402b comprising a port opening (terminal connection port) disposed inside a housing for interfacing with a connecting port of the one or more external electronic devices. In an embodiment, the USB connector corresponding to existing standards is adopted. Particularly in a case where a recently-developed "USB Type-C" is adopted.
[00085] In a preferred embodiment, the frame assembly of the vehicle 100 comprises a cross 15 tube 404 extending transversely connecting a left side seat frame to a right side seat frame and disposed between the rider seat 106a and the pillion seat 106b. The cross tube 404, in another embodiment, achieves a split-type seat structure in a motorcycle. The energy storage unit is disposed ahead of the cross tube 404 and the at least one internal surface 301a of the utility box 110 comprising the one or more charging ports 202 is disposed behind the cross tube 404. 20
[00086] In another embodiment, the opposite surface 301a’ of the at least one internal surface 301a of the utility box 110 comprising the one or more charging ports 202 is facing the cross tube 404, and the one or more charging ports 202 being below the pillion seat 106b. In view of the disclosed configuration, the wiring harness length of the one or more electrical cables 406
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extending from the energy storage unit and connecting to the one or more charging port 202 is reduced, thereby minimizing transmission losses in terms of power as well as communication. In an aspect, the one or more charging ports 202 is disposed below the cross tube 404.
[00087]
Further, a disposition of the one or more charging ports 202 in the vicinity of the cross tube 404 enhances the structural rigidity and protection accorded to the low voltage wiring 5 harness and the input port 402a and output portion 402b of the one or more charging ports 202.
[00088] The terms “an embodiment”, “embodiment”, “embodiments”, “the embodiment”, “the embodiments”, “one or more embodiments”, “some embodiments”, and “one embodiment” mean “one or more (but not all) embodiments of the invention(s)” unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms “including”, “comprising”, “having” and variations thereof mean 10 “including but not limited to”, unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms “a”, “an” and “the” mean “one or more”, unless expressly specified otherwise.
[00089] The disclosed claimed limitations and the disclosure provided herein provides a vehicle comprising one or more charging ports. The claimed invention provides a compact vehicle layout comprising a utility box disposed in a frame assembly wherein the utility box 15 comprises one or more charging ports. The one or more charging ports are disposed in at least one internal surface of the utility box, whereby access to the one or more external electronic devices configured to be charged by the one or more ports is provided by a seat latch. The present disclosure provides improvement in terms of safety concerns against known traditional arts concerning charging of low voltage rechargeable electronic devices. 20
[00090] The claimed invention further ensures that the one or more external electronic device be protected against external environmental factors such as mud, rain, water, wind, etc by securely disposing the one or more external electronic devices in the utility box.
Classification: Confidential
22
[00091]
Additionally, the at least one internal surface in which the one or more charging ports is disposed is perpendicular to a horizontal axis passing through the one or more rear wheels. The disclosed configuration protects the configuration of the one or more charging ports, the wiring harness connecting to the one or more charging ports from the energy storage unit, and as well as the one or more external electronic devices from possible impact loads and vibrations 5 during vehicle off-roading conditions.
[00092] In light of the above-mentioned advantages and the technical advancements provided by the disclosed system, the claimed system as discussed above are not routine, conventional, or well understood in the art, as the claimed system enable the following solutions to the existing problems in conventional technologies. Further, the claimed system clearly brings an 10 improvement in the functioning of the one or more charging ports itself as the claimed system and constructional features provide a technical solution to a technical problem.
[00093] Finally, the language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and it may not have been selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter, and is therefore intended that the scope of the 15 invention be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by any claims that issue on an application based here on. Accordingly, the embodiments of the present invention are intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the invention, which is set forth in the following claims.
[00094] While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and 20 embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. A person with ordinary skills in the art will appreciate that the systems, modules, and sub-modules have been illustrated and explained to serve as examples and should not be considered limiting in any manner. It will be further appreciated that the variants of the above disclosed system elements, modules, and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined to create other different 25
Classification: Confidential
23
systems or applications. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that any of the aforementioned system modules may be suitably replaced, reordered, or removed, and additional steps and/or system modules may be inserted, depending on the needs of a particular application. [00095] While the present disclosure has been described with reference to certain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be
5 made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but that the present disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the 10 appended claims.
, Claims:We Claim:
1. A vehicle (100), the vehicle (100) comprising:
a frame assembly, the frame assembly defining a length of the vehicle (100);
one or more front wheels (104a) and one or more rear wheels (104b), the one or 5 more front wheels (104a) and one or more rear wheels (104b) being connected to the frame assembly; and
a utility box (110), the utility box (110) being disposed within the frame assembly, and comprising one or more charging ports (202) configured to charge to one or more external electronic devices, 10
wherein the utility box (110) comprising the one or more charging ports (202) being disposed in a pre-defined region of the vehicle (100), the pre-defined region being
a rear portion (R’) of the vehicle (100) behind a vehicle central axis (AA’) dividing the vehicle length into a front portion (F’) and the 15 rear portion (R’);
above the one or more rear wheels (104b) of the vehicle (100); and
ahead of a tail lamp assembly (108) of the vehicle (100).
20
2. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pre-defined region of disposition of the utility box (110) comprising the one or more charging ports (202) being below at least one of a rider seat (106a) and a pillion seat (106b).
3. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more charging ports (202) 25 being disposed in at least one internal surface (301a, 301b, 301c, 301d, 301e, 301f) of the utility box (110), and wherein the one or more external electronic devices being securely disposed in the utility box (110) during a charging operation.
4. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein access to the one or more charging 30 ports (202) being enabled by operation of a seat latch (204) permitting ingress into the utility box (110) disposed below at least one of the rider seat (106a) and the pillion seat (106b).
Classification: Confidential
25
5. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more charging ports (202) comprises an input portion (402a) and an output portion (402b),
wherein the input portion (402a) of the one or more charging ports (202) being connected to an energy storage unit of the vehicle (100) via one or more electrical cables 5 (406); and
wherein the output portion (402b) of the one or more charging ports (202) comprises one or more slots configured to engage with a charging port of the one or more external electronic devices and supply charge to the one or more external electronic devices from the energy storage unit. 10
6. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the one or more slots of the one or more charging ports being at least one of universal serial bus (USB) or a wireless charging pad configuration,
wherein the USB configuration comprises at least one of a Type A connector, 15 Type B or a Type C connector.
7. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the at least one internal surface (301a, 301b, 301c, 301d, 301f) of the utility box (110) being internal surface extending in a vehicle (100) up-down direction and perpendicular to a horizontal axis (XX’) passing 20 through the one or more rear wheels (104b).
8. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the frame assembly comprising a cross tube (404) extending transversely connecting a left side seat frame to a right side seat frame and disposed between the rider seat (106a) and the pillion seat (106b), 25
wherein the energy storage unit being disposed ahead of the cross tube (404); and
wherein the at least one internal surface (301a) of the utility box (110) comprising the one or more charging ports (202) being disposed behind the cross tube (404). 30
9. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein an opposite surface (301a’) of the at least one internal surface (301a) of the utility box (110) comprising the one or more
Classification: Confidential
26
charging ports (202) being facing the cross tube (404), and the one or more charging ports (202) being below the pillion seat (106b).
10.The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more charging ports (202)comprising a cover lid being disposed over the one or more charging ports (202).5
Dated 6th December 2023