Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present invention relates to a motor assembly. More particularly, the present invention relates to a motor assembly that enables usage of a single motor for driving separate components.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] Conventionally, in traditional configurations for pump or motor assemblies for compression and transmission of air, there is generally a separate motor to drive an air pump and another separate motor to drive one or more valve mechanisms for allowing the flow of compressed air from one component to another. Usage of these separate motors makes the entire system bulky and expensive.
[003] Conventionally, seat assemblies of vehicles, especially two wheeled vehicles, the seats are extremely uncomfortable due to lower surface area of contact between the seat and the user. The low contact area leads to high contact pressures, especially in the areas below the user’s ischial bones. This pressure can many times be greater than the blood pressure of the user, which leads to restricting of blood flow to these areas causing discomfort to the user in the form of numbness, tingling sensation, or even pain during prolonged usage of the seat during long rides.
[004] To address these concerns, in some seat assemblies, massaging solutions are provided in the seat for addressing the discomfort of the user. The conventional massaging configurations use a massager with airbags provided in the seat. These configurations use two different motors, wherein one motor is connected to a pump which provides air to airbags provided in the seat, and the second motor is connected to valves which allow flow of air in or out of the airbag. This leads to a higher number of system components which leads to higher complexity in packaging, an increase in weight and higher costs. This also leads to an increase in complexity since separate controls for the pump and valve are required.
[005] Thus, there is a need in the art for a motor assembly which addresses at least the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[006] In one aspect, the present invention relates to a motor assembly. The motor assembly has a motor. The motor has one or more motor shafts extending axially outward from the motor, and the one or more motor shafts include a first motor shaft and a second motor shaft. The motor assembly further has a first component operably connected to the first motor shaft and being driven by the motor. The motor assembly further has a second component operably connected to the second motor shaft and being driven by the motor.
[007] In an embodiment of the present invention, the motor has a first end and a second end. The first motor shaft extends axially outward from the first end of the motor and the second motor shaft extends axially outward from the second end of the motor.
[008] In another embodiment of the invention, the first motor shaft and the second motor shaft are integrated with each other to form a single motor shaft.
[009] In a further embodiment of the invention, the first component is a pump configured to be driven by the motor and the pump is configured to supply compressed air to an air bladder.
[010] In a further embodiment of the invention, the second component is a rotary valve configured to be driven by the motor and the rotary valve being configured to allow or block flow of air to and from an air bladder.
[011] In a further embodiment of the invention, the motor assembly has one or more pneumatic pipes connected between the first component and the second component. The pneumatic pipes are configured to transmit compressed air received from the first component to an air bladder through the second component.
[012] In a further embodiment of the invention, the motor assembly has a third component operably connected to the second motor shaft. The third component is provided for operably connecting the second motor shaft to the second component.
[013] In a further embodiment of the invention, the third component is a reduction gearbox for transmission of reduced rotational speed from the second motor shaft to the second component.
[014] In a further embodiment of the invention, the reduction gearbox is a planetary gearbox, and the second component is connected to an output shaft of the planetary gearbox.
[015] In a further embodiment of the invention, the motor assembly has a housing configured to house the motor assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[016] 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 motor assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 2 illustrates an exploded view of the motor assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 3 illustrates a schematic view of the motor assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 4 illustrates a sectional view of the motor assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 5 illustrates a top view of the motor assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 6 illustrates another exploded view of the motor assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 7 illustrates another perspective view of the motor assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[017] The present invention relates to a motor assembly. In an embodiment, the present invention relates to a motor assembly for a vehicle. The motor assembly of the present invention is typically used in a vehicle such as a two wheeled vehicle. However, it should be understood that the motor assembly as illustrated may find its application in a three wheeled vehicle, or a four wheeled vehicle, or other multi-wheeled vehicles, or any non-automotive application using a motor assembly as required.
[018] Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a motor assembly 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. As illustrated, the motor assembly comprises a motor 110. Herein, the motor 110 has one or more motor shafts 120 that extend axially outward from the motor 110. The one or more motor shafts 120 comprise a first motor shaft 122 and a second motor shaft 124. Accordingly, whereas a conventional motor would have a single output shaft coming out from one end of the motor, the motor 110 of the present invention at least has the first motor shaft 122 and the second motor shaft 124 that extend axially outward from the motor 110.
[019] Further, as illustrated in Figure 1 and also referenced in Figure 7, the motor assembly 100 has a first component 130 and a second component 140. The first component 130 is operably connected to the first motor shaft 122 and is driven by the motor 110. Further, the second component 140 is operably connected to the second motor shaft 124 and being driven by the motor 110. Accordingly, a single motor 110 drives the first component 130 through the first motor shaft 122 and the second component 140 through the second motor shaft 124, thereby eliminating the need of separate motors for driving the first component 130 and the second component 140.
[020] Reference is made to the embodiment depicted in Figure 2 as well as Figure 6, wherein as illustrated, the motor 110 has a first end 110A and a second end 110B. The first end 110A of the motor 110 and the second end 110B of the motor 110 are axially opposite to each other. In that, the first motor shaft 122 extends axially outward from the first end 110A of the motor 110 and the second motor shaft 124 extends axially outward from the second end 110B of the motor 110. Accordingly, the first motor shaft 122 and the second motor shaft 124 extend opposite to each other with respect to the motor 110. In an alternative embodiment, the first motor shaft 122 and the second motor shaft 124 are integrated with each other to form a single motor shaft, and the single motor shaft extends axially outward from the first end 110A of the motor 110 as well as second end 110B of the motor 110.
[021] In an embodiment, the first component 130 is a pump configured to be driven by the motor 110 and the pump is configured to supply compressed air to an air bladder 184 (shown in Figure 3). In the embodiment wherein the motor assembly is incorporated in a two wheeled vehicle, the air bladder 184 is provided on the seat of the vehicle, and the movement of air in and out of the air bladder 184 provides massaging effect for relieving contact pressure for the user. In an embodiment, the second component 140 is a rotary valve configured to be driven by the motor 110 and the rotary valve is configured to allow or block flow of air to and from the air bladder 184. Accordingly, while the pump supplies compressed air to the air bladder 184, the rotary valve selectively allows the flow of compressed air into the air bladder 184, and both the pump as well as the rotary valve are driven by the motor 110.
[022] For allowing of transmission of air in the motor assembly 100, the motor assembly 100 has one or more pneumatic pipes 132 connected between the first component 130 and the second component 140. The pneumatic pipes 132 are configured to transmit compressed air received from the first component 130 to the air bladder 184 through the second component 140.
[023] In an embodiment of the present invention, the first component 130 and the second component 140 need to be driven at different speeds. The second component 140 needs to be driven at a speed that is lower than the speed of the first component, and to facilitate the same, the motor assembly 100 has a third component 150. The third component 150 is operably connected to the second motor shaft 124, and the third component 150 is provided for operably connecting the second motor shaft 124 to the second component 140. In an embodiment, as referenced in Figure 4, Figure 5 and Figure 6, the third component 150 is a reduction gearbox for transmission of reduced rotational speed from second motor shaft 124 to the second component 140.
[024] In a further embodiment, the reduction gearbox is a planetary gearbox and the second component 140 is connected to an output shaft 152 of the planetary gearbox. In an embodiment, the second motor shaft 124 is connected to a sun gear of the planetary gearbox and the output shaft 152 is connected to the planet gears of the planetary gearbox, for achieving the reduction in speed from the second motor shaft 124 to the output shaft 152. In an alternative embodiment, the second motor shaft 124 is connected to the planet gears of the planetary gearbox and the output shaft 152 is connected to the sun gear of the planetary gearbox, for achieving the reduction in speed from the second motor shaft 124 to the output shaft 152.
[025] In an embodiment as illustrated in Figure 2, and referenced in Figure 4, Figure 5, Figure 6 and Figure 7, the motor assembly 100 has a housing 160 which is configured to house the motor assembly 100. The housing is configured to house all the components of the motor assembly 100 including the motor 110, the first component 130, the second component 140 and the third component 150 along with the pneumatic pipes 132. The housing 160 allows the motor assembly 100 to be adapted to any application.
[026] In operation, as illustrated in Figure 3, the motor assembly 100 has a battery 180 for powering the motor 110 and a switch 182 for switching the power to the motor 110 from the battery on an off. When the switch 182 is turned ON, the motor 110 rotates and the rotation of the motor 110 is transmitted to the first component 130 by the first motor shaft 122, which is a faster speed of rotation equivalent to the speed of the motor 110. The rotation of the motor 110 is also transmitted to the third component 150 through the second motor shaft 124, which achieves the reduction in speed, and transmits the rotation at the slower speed to the second component 140. The operation of the first component 130 sucks in air and compresses the same, which is then delivered to the air bladder 184 through the second component 140 which controls the delivery of the air. The accumulation and release of air from the air bladder 184 as per requirement provides the required massaging effect.
[027] Advantageously, the present invention provides a motor assembly in which the motor drives the first component as well as the second component, thus eliminating the requirement of separate motors for driving the first component and the second component. In an application, the motor assembly of the present invention uses a single motor to drive the pump for supplying compressed air as well as the rotary valve for controlling the delivery of the air, thus eliminating the need for separate motors for driving the pump and the valve.
[028] Thus, when the motor assembly of the present invention is incorporated in a vehicle, the seat massage function can be achieved using only a single motor. The elimination of separate motors thus leads to reduction in part count which leads to better durability, better serviceability, better manufacturability, and easier assembly. Provision of the seat massage function also leads to better ergonomics.
[029] The present invention due to reduced part count also achieves a reduction in weight, reduction in cost and a reduction in complexity, while providing market attractiveness as a feature.
[030] 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: Motor Assembly
110: Motor
110A: First end of the Motor
110B: Second end of the Motor
120: One or More Shafts
122: First Motor Shaft
124: Second Motor Shaft
130: First Component
132: One or more Pneumatic Pipes
140: Second Component
150: Third Component
152: Output Shaft
160: Housing
180: Battery
182: Switch
184: Air Bladder , Claims:WE CLAIM:
1. A motor assembly (100), comprising:
a motor (110), the motor (110) having one or more motor shafts (120) extending axially outward from the motor (110), the one or more motor shafts (120) comprising a first motor shaft (122) and a second motor shaft (124);
a first component (130), the first component (130) being operably connected to the first motor shaft (122) and being driven by the motor (110); and
a second component (140), the second component (140) being operably connected to the second motor shaft (124) and being driven by the motor (110).

2. The motor assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the motor (110) has a first end (110A) and a second end (110B), and the first motor shaft (122) extends axially outward from the first end (110A) of the motor (110) and the second motor shaft (124) extends axially outward from the second end (110B) of the motor (110).

3. The motor assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first motor shaft (122) and the second motor shaft (124) are integrated with each other to form a single motor shaft.

4. The motor assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first component (130) being a pump configured to be driven by the motor (110), the pump being configured to supply compressed air to an air bladder (184).

5. The motor assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second component (140) being a rotary valve configured to be driven by the motor (110), the rotary valve being configured to allow or block flow of air to and from an air bladder (184).

6. The motor assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising one or more pneumatic pipes (132) connected between the first component (130) and the second component (140), the pneumatic pipes (132) being configured to transmit compressed air received from the first component (130) to an air bladder (184) through the second component (130).

7. The motor assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a third component (150) operably connected to the second motor shaft (124), the third component (150) being provided for operably connecting the second motor shaft (124) to the second component (140).

8. The motor assembly (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the third component (150) being a reduction gearbox for transmission of reduced rotational speed from the second motor shaft (124) to the second component (140).

9. The motor assembly (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the reduction gearbox being a planetary gearbox, wherein the second component (140) being connected to an output shaft (152) of the planetary gearbox.

10. The motor assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a housing (160) configured to house the motor assembly (100).

Dated this 01st day of March 2024
TVS MOTOR COMPANY LIMITED
By their Agent & Attorney

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