Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present invention relates to a saddle type vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to disposition of a motor unit and one or more battery unit in the saddle type vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] Conventionally, in an electric saddle type vehicle, a motor unit is provided adjacent to one or more battery units when seen in a lateral direction of the vehicle. The motor unit is mounted on a separate bracket. Arrangement of the motor unit in a left or a right side of a frame assembly adjacent one or more battery units through a separate mounting bracket increases an overall length and width of the vehicle, which is undesirable. The overall part count of the vehicle also increases and consequently the packaging space in the vehicle reduces.
[003] Also, such an arrangement reduces overall cooling efficiency of the motor unit and often heat dissipated from the one or more battery units circulates around the motor unit and thereby reduces the overall cooling of the motor unit, which is also undesirable.
[004] Also, such an arrangement often leads to difficulty in assembling and disassembling the motor unit, difficulty in packaging other components of the vehicle and imbalance in center of gravity of the vehicle, which is undesirable.
[005] In view of the foregoing, there is a need-felt to overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior arts.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[006] The present invention relates to a saddle type vehicle. The saddle type vehicle comprises a head tube and a frame assembly. The frame assembly includes a head tube and a main tube extending rearwardly and downwardly from the head tube. The vehicle further comprises one or more battery units and a motor unit. The one or more battery unit are mounted at least partially on the main tube and the motor unit is mounted on the frame assembly in a region below the one or more battery units.
[007] In an embodiment, the region for mounting the motor unit is provided forwardly of a swing arm pivot axis in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle and upwardly of a foot rest of the vehicle in a vertical direction of the vehicle.
[008] In an embodiment, the motor unit is mounted on a cross tube of the frame assembly. The cross tube extends through a pivot bracket of the frame assembly in a lateral direction of the vehicle. The pivot bracket extends downwardly from a rear end portion of the main tube.
[009] In an embodiment, the pivot bracket comprises at least a first wall and a second wall spaced apart in a lateral direction of the vehicle. The motor unit is connected to at least the first side wall and the second side wall by means of one or more fasteners.
[010] In an embodiment, the one or more battery units are partially mounted on the main tube and partially mounted on the downtube of the vehicle. The downtube of the vehicle extends obliquely downwardly from the head tube. Each of the one or more battery units extends between a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion is mounted on the downtube of the vehicle and the second end being mounted on the main tube of the vehicle.
[011] In an embodiment, each of the one or more battery units are inclined at a pre-defined angle with respect to longitudinal axis of the vehicle. In a non-limiting example, the pre-defined angle is in range of 30-45 degrees.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[012] 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 is a left side view of a saddle type vehicle having a motor unit and one or more battery units, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a left perspective view of the saddle type vehicle having the motor unit and the one or more battery units, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 is a left side view of a frame assembly of the saddle type vehicle, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 is a left side perspective view of the frame assembly of the saddle type vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[013] Various features and embodiments of the present invention here will be discernible from the following further description thereof, set out hereunder.
[014] Figure 1 is a left side view of a saddle type vehicle 10 having a motor unit 18 and one or more battery units 16, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a left perspective view of the saddle type vehicle 10 having the motor unit 18 and the one or more battery units 16, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 is a left side view of a frame assembly 11 of a saddle type vehicle 10, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 is a left side perspective view of a frame assembly 11 of a saddle type vehicle 10, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[015] For the purpose of the present invention, the term “vehicle” comprises a saddle type vehicle having one or more battery units and a motor unit. The term “vehicle” comprises electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles. The vehicle in context of the present invention is propelled by the motor unit using energy stored in the one or more battery units. In a non-limiting example, the motor unit can be DC motor, induction motor or Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motors (PMSM). However, this should not be construed as limiting and other now known or later developed motors which can be used to propel the vehicle are within the scope of the present invention.
[016] Furthermore, a longitudinal axis (L1-L1) refers to a front to rear axis relative to the saddle type vehicle, defining a vehicle longitudinal direction, a lateral axis refers to a side to side, or left to right axis relative to the saddle type vehicle, defining a vehicle lateral direction and a vertical axis (L3-L3) (shown in Figure 4) refers to a up to down axis relative to the saddle type vehicle, defining a vertical direction. Arrows provided in the top right corner of figures depicts direction with respect to the saddle type vehicle, wherein an arrow F denotes front direction, an arrow R indicates rearward direction, an arrow Up denotes upward direction, an arrow Dw denoted downward direction, as and where applicable.
[017] As shown, the saddle type vehicle 10 comprises a frame assembly 11, a motor unit 18 and one or more battery units 16. The frame assembly 11 of the vehicle supports different components of the saddle type vehicle 10. The frame assembly 11 comprises a head tube 12 and a main tube 14 extending rearwardly and downwardly from the head tube 12. The main tube 14 of the frame assembly 11 includes a front end portion 14a (shown in Figure 4) which is connected to the head tube 12 and a second end portion 14b (shown in Figure 4) which is connected to a pivot bracket 26 (shown in Figure 3). The one or more battery units 16 are at least partially mounted on the main tube 14 of the saddle type vehicle 10. The motor unit 18 is mounted on the frame assembly 11 in a region below the one or more battery units 16. The motor unit 18 is, therefore, not positioned adjacent to the one or more battery units 16 when seen in the lateral direction of the saddle type vehicle.
[018] As can be seen in Figure 1 and Figure 2, the one or more battery units 16 are at least partially mounted on the main tube 14 of the frame assembly 11 and partially mounted on a downtube 28 (shown in Figure 3) of the frame assembly 11. The downtube 28 of the frame assembly 11 extends obliquely downwards from the head tube 12 of the frame assembly 11. Each of the one or more battery units 16 extends between a first end portion 16a and a second end portion 16b. The first end portion 16a of each battery unit 16 is mounted on the downtube 28 and the second end portion 16b of each battery unit 16 is mounted on the main tube 14. Owing to such an arrangement, the one or more battery units 16 are inclined at a pre-defined angle a with respect to the longitudinal axis (L1-L1) of the main tube 14 as seen in Figure 1. In a non-limiting example, the pre-defined angle a can be 30-45 degrees. However, this arrangement should not be construed as limiting and the one or more battery units 16 can be completely mounted on the main tube 14 of the frame assembly 11.
[019] With respect to the motor unit 18, the motor unit 18 is mounted on the frame assembly 11 and is provided in a region below the one or more battery units 16. In other words, the motor unit 18 is not provided adjacent to the one or more battery units 16 in a lateral direction of the vehicle. In a non-limiting example, as seen in Figure 1 and Figure 2, the region for mounting the motor unit 18 is provided forwardly of a swing arm pivot axis P when seen in longitudinal direction (L1-L1) of the vehicle and upwardly of a foot rest 22 of the vehicle 10 when seen in vertical direction (L3-L3) of the vehicle 10. As the motor unit 18 is mounted on the frame assembly 11, the motor unit 18 may be mounted on a cross tube 24 (shown in Figure 4) of the frame assembly 11. The cross tube 24 of the frame assembly 11 is a tubular member passing through the pivot bracket 26 of the frame assembly 11. The pivot bracket 26 extends downwardly from the rear end portion 14b of the main tube 14. The pivot bracket 26 comprises at least a first wall 26a (shown in Figure 4) and a second wall 26b (shown in Figure 4) spaced apart in the lateral direction of the vehicle 10 through which the cross tube 24 extends. The motor unit 18 is mounted on the cross tube 24 and connected to the at least one of the first wall 26a and the second wall 26b by means of one or more fasteners. In a non-limiting example, the motor unit 18 comprises a bracket (not shown) having one or more mounting holes. The one or more mounting holes can be aligned with corresponding mounting holes provided on the pivot bracket and the fastened with one or more fasteners. However, this should not be construed as limiting and other now known or later developed means to mount the motor unit 18 on the cross tube 24 and support the same on at least one of the first wall 26a and the second wall 26b of the pivot bracket 26.
[020] The claimed features 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 problems arising due to placement of motor unit adjacent to the one or more battery units in lateral direction of the vehicle is solved by the present invention.
[021] In the present invention, as the motor unit is not provided in the same horizontal plane as the one or more battery units, the width of the vehicle is not required to be increased which decreases the cost and weight of the vehicle as well as increases the aesthetic appeal of the vehicle.
[022] In the present invention, as the motor unit is provided in a region below the battery unit when seen in vertical direction, the one or more battery units as well as the motor unit has better access to the atmospheric air leading to better cooling of the one or more battery unit and the motor unit. This, in turn, leads to better performance of the one or more battery units and the motor unit. Owing to better access to the atmospheric air, no cooling units or less cooling units are required to be provided, which decreases the cost of the vehicle and increases space for mounting other components of the vehicle.
[023] In the present invention, as the motor unit and the one or more battery units are not provided adjacent to each other, the time and cost associated with assembly and disassembly of both the units is considerably reduced, which decreases the overall cost of the vehicle and increases the ease of serviceability and replaceability of the motor unit and the one or more battery units.
[024] In the present invention, the motor unit is detachably fastened to the pivot bracket and, therefore, can be easily assembled and disassembled.
[025] In the present invention, as the motor unit and the one or more battery units are provided in different horizontal planes, the centre of gravity of the vehicle is balanced. It is to be understood that battery units as well as motor unit are heavy components and placing the same adjacent to each other negatively affects the centre of gravity of the vehicle, which in turn, affects the balance of the vehicle.
[026] In the present invention, the motor unit is provided near to the one or more battery units which will result in low power loss and, therefore, the performance will be improved.
[027] In the present invention, as the vehicle is either partially or fully powered by the motor, the emissions will be less.
[028] 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.

Reference Numerals
10-saddle type vehicle
11-frame assembly
12- head tube
14-main tube
14a-front end portion of the main tube
14b- rear end portion of the main tube
16- one or more battery units
16a- first end portion of the battery unit
16b- second end portion of the battery unit
18- motor unit
20- swing arm pivot axis
22- foot rest
24- cross tube
26- pivot bracket
26a- first wall
26b- second wall
28- downtube
L1-L1- longitudinal direction/ longitudinal axis
L3-L3-vertical direction/vertical axis
P-swing arm pivot axis
a- pre-defined angle
, Claims:1. A saddle type vehicle (10) comprising:
a head tube (12);
a frame assembly (11), the frame assembly (11) having a main tube (14) extending rearwardly and downwardly from the head tube (12);
one or more battery units (16), the one or more battery units (16) being mounted at least partially on the main tube (14); and
a motor unit (18), the motor unit (18) being mounted on the frame assembly (11) in a region below the one or more battery units (16).

2. The saddle type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the region for mounting the motor unit (18) being provided forwardly of a swing arm pivot axis (P) in a longitudinal direction (L1-L1) of the vehicle (10) and upwardly of a foot rest (22) of the vehicle (10) in the vertical direction (L3-L3) of the vehicle (10).

3. The saddle type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the motor unit (18) being mounted on a cross tube (24) of the frame assembly (11), the cross tube (24) extending through a pivot bracket (26) of the frame assembly (11) in a lateral direction of the vehicle (10), the pivot bracket (26) extending downwardly from a rear end portion (14b) of the main tube (14).

4. The saddle type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the pivot bracket (26) comprises at least a first wall (26a) and a second wall (26b) spaced apart in the lateral direction of the vehicle (10), the motor unit (18) being connected to at least the first side wall (26a) and the second wall (26b) by means of one or more fasteners.

5. The saddle type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more battery units (16) being partially mounted on the main tube (14) and partially mounted on a downtube (28) of the vehicle (10), the downtube (28) extending obliquely downwardly from the head tube (12).

6. The saddle type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 5, wherein each of the one or more battery units (16) extends between a first end portion (16a) and a second end portion (16b), the first end portion (16a) being mounted on the downtube (28) and the second end portion (16b) being mounted on the main tube (14) of the vehicle (10).

7. The saddle type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 6, wherein each of one or more battery units (16) being inclined at a pre-defined angle (a) with respect to the longitudinal axis (L1-L1) of the vehicle (10).

8. The saddle type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the pre-defined angle (a) being in a range of 30-45 degrees.