Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present subject matter is related, in general to a vehicle, and more particularly, but not exclusively to an case assembly disposed in the vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] In electric and hybrid vehicle layouts employing energy storage units such 5 as battery packs, the accommodation of the bulky energy storage units in a compact vehicle layout such as in saddle type vehicles is a cumbersome task. Further, in view of ensuring higher vehicle performance and range of distance travelled, the traction battery used as energy storage units are made bulkier in accommodating a higher configuration of electrochemical cells to suit the vehicle performance 10 specifications. Additionally, disposition of bulky energy storage units compromise the location of other vehicle components and even utility space in the vehicle.
[0003] In vehicle layouts comprising multiple energy storage units such as battery packs there is a requirement of additional electronic components operating in conjunction with the electrochemical cells of the energy storage units. For instance, 15 the additional electronic components may be diodes, thermistor, a battery management system, and current regulating circuits. The disposition of the additional electronic components is typically inside the energy storage unit.
[0004] In a compact vehicle layout, the provision of the additional electronic components in combination with the electrochemical cells of the energy storage 20 unit, makes the overall energy storage unit bulky. Further, packaging of the bulky energy storage unit in the layout becomes a cumbersome task.
[0005] Additionally, since the additional electronic components facilitate the interaction between the energy storage unit and the external power supply through the charging ports, the communication wires should be securely routed and the 25 length of the wiring harness should be kept minimum to avoid any system latency or transmission losses.
[0006] Therefore, there arises a need in the automotive industry addressing the secure location and efficient packaging of the additional electronic components in the vehicle layout. Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and 30
traditional approaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art, through comparison of described systems with some aspects of the present disclosure, as set forth in the remainder of the present application and with reference to the drawings.
SUMMARY
[0007] According to embodiments illustrated herein, the present subject matter 5 relates to a vehicle. The vehicle comprises a frame assembly, one or more energy storage units, one or more charging ports and an case assembly. The frame assembly extends along a vehicle length and comprising a front portion F and a rear portion R separated by an axis XX’. The one or more energy storage units and the one or more charging ports are disposed in the frame assembly. The case assembly is 10 connected at least to the one or more energy storage units and the one or more charging ports. The case assembly is disposed in a pre-defined region of the frame assembly.
[0008] According to embodiments illustrated herein, the present subject matter provides the pre-defined region of disposition of the case assembly in the rear 15 portion R of the vehicle ahead of the one or more charging ports disposed in the rear frame member and above and behind the one or more energy storage units. The one or more connecting members extending from the one or more charging ports are routed forwardly to connect to the case assembly and then routed downwardly to connect to the one or more energy storage units. 20
[0009] According to embodiments illustrated herein, the present subject matter provides the pre-defined region of disposition of the case assembly in the front portion F of the vehicle behind the one or more charging ports disposed on the one or more main frame members and above the one or more energy storage units. The one or more connecting members extend from the one or more charging ports are 25
routed rearwardly to connect to the case assembly and then routed downwardly to connect to the one or more energy storage units. [00010] 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 3
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described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[00011] The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings which are given by 5 way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention.
[00012] Figure 1(a) illustrates a side view of the vehicle with the case assembly in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[00013] Figure 1(b) illustrates a side view of the vehicle with the case assembly in accordance with some other embodiments of the present disclosure. 10
[00014] Figure 2 illustrates a front perspective view of a front portion of the vehicle in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[00015] Figure 3 illustrates a side perspective view of a front portion of the vehicle in accordance with some other embodiment of the present disclosure.
[00016] Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of the case assembly in accordance 15 with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[00017] 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 20 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, 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 25 may extend beyond the particular implementation choices in the following embodiments described and shown.
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[00018] 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,
5 property, element, or limitation. Further, repeated use of the phrase “in an embodiment” does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment.
[00019] 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 10 herein; rather those embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.
[00020] The present invention is illustrated with a two wheeled saddle type vehicle. However, a person skilled in the art would appreciate that the present invention is 15 not limited to the present illustration and certain features, aspects and advantages of embodiments of the present invention can be used with other vehicles such as a motorcycle, scooter, a step-through vehicle, an all-terrain vehicle, a multi-axle saddle type vehicle, trikes, a tadpole mobility solution or other forms of two wheeled, three wheeled vehicle or multi-axle vehicles in the automotive industry 20 facing the same technical problem.
[00021] It is an object of the present subject matter to optimize the packaging constraints of energy storage units in a compact vehicle layout.
[00022] In vehicle layouts employing energy storage units such as battery packs, the bulky nature of the energy storage unit in satiating the vehicle range 25 requirements tend to disrupt the compactness of the vehicle layout. Further, in some practices multiple energy storage units operating in conjunction are employed which further presses on the packaging concerns in compact vehicle layout.
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[00023] The present disclosure alleviates the packaging constraints of energy storage units in a compact vehicle layout by provision of an case assembly. The case assembly compactly packages one or more components whose functionality is common in all the energy storage units such as, but not limited to, battery management system, current regulating circuits, voltage regulating circuits and
5 rectifier circuits. The case assembly serves as a single source of communication for multiple energy storage units of the vehicle.
[00024] Earlier, the one or more components being packaged within the energy storage units leads to an unnecessary increase in the bulkiness of the energy storage units which constrains the accommodation of the energy storage units in the vehicle 10 layout. Therefore, the present subject matter addresses packaging constraints of energy storage units in compact vehicle layout.
[00025] Since the removal of the one or more components from the energy storage unit leads to reduction in weight of the energy storage unit itself, the energy density of each of the energy storage units increase. The energy density is measured in Watt 15 hour per kilogram, a reduction in the weight of the overall energy storage units improves the energy density.
[00026] On the corollary, the reduction of common components between multiple energy storage units leads to an overall weight reduction and part reduction in the vehicle, leading to a higher power to weight ratio. The improved power to weight 20 ratio facilitates a better vehicle travelling range.
[00027] Further, from a supply chain management perspective, each energy storage unit was accorded a different part number, leading to unnecessary complexity in the supply chain. As per the present disclosure, since the one or more components are removed from the energy storage unit and assembled separately in the case 25 assembly, all of the multiple energy storage units may retain the same part number as the composition of the energy storage unit is limited to the electrochemical cells. Therefore, part replacement of the energy storage unit is made easier and generation of multiple part numbers for each energy storage unit is avoided in the supply chain management. 30
[00028] It is an additional object of the present subject matter to provide a secure disposition of the assembly in the vehicle layout which optimizes length of connecting members emerging from and connecting to the case assembly.
[00029] In view of addressing concerns of transmission losses and signal latency between the energy storage units and the case assembly, the connecting members 5 connecting the energy storage unit to the case assembly ought to be optimized. In an aspect, the one or more components of the case assembly monitors and controls the operation of the one or more energy storage units when an external power supply be initiated through one or more charging ports.
[00030] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the case assembly comprising 10 the one or more components are disposed above the one or more energy storage units, which optimizes the length of the connecting members between the one or more energy storage units and the case assembly. The case assembly is behind the one or more charging ports provided on one or more main frame members in a front portion of the vehicle. The disclosed location of the case assembly additionally 15 optimizes the length of the connecting member connecting the case assembly to the one or more charging ports.
[00031] In an alternate embodiment, the case assembly is connected to the rear frame member in a rear portion of the vehicle. While the one or more energy storage units remain disposed in the vehicle front portion between the one or more main 20 frame members and the one or more downtube members. The one or more charging ports may be provided in the rear frame member. The disclosed location of the case assembly would then be behind the one or more energy storage units and ahead of the one or more charging ports. The disclosed location optimizes the length of the one or more connecting members connecting the one or more charging ports and 25
the one or more energy storage units. [00032] In an aspect, the one or more connecting members of the case assembly may additionally communicate with other vehicle sub-systems and low voltage wiring harnesses, however, since the connection between the energy storage units 7
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and the charging ports are high voltage lines, the optimization of connecting member length in this region is of dire concern. [00033] It is an object of the present subject matter to securely protect the case assembly against any ingress of mud, water, dust or rain.
[00034] To this end, the case assembly connected to the one or more main frames 5 of the vehicle in the front portion is securely protected by one or more cover panels from the top which prevents any ingress of mud, dust, water or rain. Additionally, splashing of mud or water from a bottom of the vehicle is avoided owing to the main frame design which protects the case assembly. Further, the frame assembly being a stiff member alleviates any form of impact loads or vibrations which would 10 be transmitted to the case assembly.
[00035] Additionally, owing to the inclined design of the one or more main frame members, the disposition of the case assembly over the one or more main frame members in no way obstructs the field of view of the user of the vehicle. In juxtaposition to a conventional vehicle comprising an internal combustion engine, 15 the present location of the case assembly uses the space of the fuel tank which were present in the internal combustion engine-based vehicles.
[00036] In an aspect, the one or more components of the case assembly are low-cost replaceable parts therefore from a servicing and maintenance point the case assembly should be disposed in an accessible location of the vehicle. The one or 20 more components may comprise, but not limited to, diodes, electronic switches, thermistors, and relays, which require frequent replacement. The disclosed location of the case assembly mounted on one or more main frame members and covered by one or more cover panels permits the servicemen to access the case assembly by removal of the one or more cover panels. Therefore, as an additional object, the 25 present configuration of the case assembly disposed in the vehicle improves accessibility of the one or more components for serviceability and maintenance.
[00037] The present subject matter along with all the accompanying embodiments and their other advantages would be described in greater detail in conjunction with the figures in the following paragraphs.
[00038] The present subject matter is further described with reference to accompanying figures. It should be noted that the description and figures merely 5 illustrate principles of the present subject matter. Various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, encompass the principles of the present subject matter. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and examples of the present subject matter, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof. 10
[00039] The present subject matter may be implemented in any form of automobile. However, for the purpose of explanation and by no limitation, the present invention, and corresponding additional advantages and features are described through the following embodiments depicting a two wheeled vehicle.
[00040] Figure 1(a) illustrates a side view of the vehicle with the case assembly in 15 accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[00041] Figure 1(b) illustrates a side view of the vehicle with the case assembly in accordance with some other embodiments of the present disclosure.
[00042] For the same of brevity Figure 1(a) and Figure 1(b) shall be explained in conjunction. With reference to Figure 1(a) and 1(b), 100 denotes a vehicle, 102 20 denotes one or more seating members, 104 denotes a handlebar assembly, 106a denotes one or more front wheels, 106b denotes one or more rear wheels, 108 denotes one or more charging ports, 110 denotes one or more energy storage units, 112 denotes a rear suspension assembly, 114 denotes a transmission casing, 120 denotes an case assembly, 130 denotes a frame assembly, 132 denotes a head tube 25 member, 134 denotes one or more main frame members, 136 denotes one or more downtube members and 138 denotes a rear frame member, 140 denotes a joining member. 9
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[00043] In an aspect, the vehicle 100 comprises a frame assembly 130 extending along a vehicle length and comprising a front portion F and a rear portion R separated by an axis XX’. In an embodiment, the axis XX’ passes through a mid-point of the vehicle 100 dividing the vehicle length into two equal halves. In another embodiment, the axis XX’ may indicate a region at which the one or more main
5 frame members 134 connects to the rear frame member.
[00044] In an aspect, the frame assembly 130 of the vehicle 100 comprises a head tube member 132. The head tube member 132 may be disposed either perpendicular or inclinedly upwards to the ground surface of the vehicle 100 and is configured to support the handlebar assembly 104 at a top portion and connect to the one or more 10 front wheels 106a of the vehicle 100 through a front suspension assembly (not shown) at a bottom portion. The steering action of the handlebar assembly 104 is transmitted onto the one or more front wheels 106a via the head tube member 132. In an embodiment, a steering rod connecting the handlebar assembly 104 to at least one of the one or more front wheels 106a and the front suspension assembly passes 15 through the head tube member 132. The front portion F of the vehicle 100 comprises at least a handlebar assembly 104 connected to the one or more front wheels 106a of the vehicle 100.
[00045] In an aspect, the frame assembly 130 comprises one or more main frame members 134 extending rearwardly from the head tube member 132. The one or 20 more main frame members 134 may extend inclinedly and rearwardly towards the axis XX’. The one or more main frame members 134 forms the front portion F of the vehicle 100. In an embodiment, the one or more main frame members comprise a left main frame member and a right main frame member extending from the head tube member 132. The left main frame member and the right main frame member 25 diverge from the head tube member 132 when extending rearwardly as viewed from a top view of the vehicle 100 and connect to the rear frame member 138 at a rear portion of the left main frame member and the right main frame member. In another embodiment, the left main frame member and the right main frame member are laterally off-set to each other and maintain the lateral distance as they extend 30
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rearwardly and join the rear frame member 138. In another embodiment, the one or more main frame members 134 comprises a single member of greater diameter or thickness to compensate stiffness aspects of the frame assembly 130 comprising the left main frame member and the right main frame member. [00046] In an aspect, the frame assembly 130 comprises one or more downtube
5 members 136 extending inclinedly downward and rearwardly from the headtube member 132 below the one or more main frame members 134. In an aspect, the one or more downtube members 136 extend inclinedly upto the axis XX’ where a rear portion of the one or more downtube members 136 are joined to the rear frame member 138. In another aspect, the one or more downtube members 136 extend 10 inclinedly downward from a front portion of the one or more main frame member 134.In an embodiment, the one or more main frame member 134 and the one ormore downtube members 136 are integrated with the headtube member 132 to forma single front frame structure.
[00047] In an embodiment, the one or more downtube members 136 comprises a 15 left downtube member and a right downtube member. The left downtube member and the right downtube member may extend downwards whilst maintaining a lateral off-set distance, the left downtube member and the right downtube member then extends rearwardly joining the rear frame member 138. In another embodiment the left downtube member and the right downtube member are integrated to form a 20 single downtube member satiating the stiffness requirements of the frame assembly 130 to support the weight of the one or more energy storage units 110 disposed in the vehicle 100. In another embodiment, a tray member is mounted between the left downtube member and the right downtube member over which the one or more energy storage units 110 are disposed. 25
[00048] In an embodiment, the one or more downtube members 136 forms a cradle structure with the one or more downtube members first extending downwards perpendicularly to the ground surface, and then extending rearwardly parallel to the ground surface. The one or more downtube members 136 forming a cradle structure may support the one or more energy storage units. 30
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[00049] In an aspect, the one or more energy storage units 110 of the vehicle 100 is disposed in a region between the one or more main frame members 132 and the one or more downtube members 134.
[00050] In an embodiment, the front frame assembly of the vehicle 100 comprising the head tube member 132, the one or more main frame members 134 and the one 5 or more downtube members 136 form a backbone frame structure. In an alternate embodiment, the front frame assembly of the vehicle 100 comprising the head tube member 132, the one or more main frame members 134 and the one or more downtube members 136 may forma trellis frame structure having multiple cross members connecting the one or more main frame member 134 to the one or more 10 downtube members 136.
[00051] In an aspect, a rear portion of the one or more main frame members 134 and the rear portion of the one or more downtube members 136 are connected by a joining member 140. The joining member may be disposed along the axis XX’. In another aspect, the rear portion of the one or more main frame members 134 extend 15 downwards towards the rear portion of the one or more downtube members 136 in vicinity of the axis XX’. The rear portion of the one or more main frame members 134 may now be directly connected to the rear portion of the one or more downtube members 136 eliminating the requirement of the joining member 140.
[00052] In an aspect, the rear portion R of the vehicle 100 comprises a rear frame 20 member 138 of the frame assembly 130 connected to the one or more main frame member 132 in vicinity of the axis XX’. In another aspect, a front portion of the rear frame member 138 connects to the rear portion of the one or more main frame members 134. In another aspect, the front portion of the rear frame member 138 connects at a first region to the one or more main frame members 134 and at a 25 second region to a top portion of the joining member 140.
[00053] In an aspect, the rear frame member 138 comprises at least a left rear frame member and a right rear frame member laterally offset and extending rearwardly upto the vehicle length. The rear portion of the rear frame member 138 may be connected to a tail assembly of the vehicle. In another aspect, the front portion of 30
the left rear frame member and the right rear frame member are connected to the rear portion of the left main frame member and the right main frame member. In another aspect, multiple cross members may be disposed along the width of the rear frame member 138 between the left rear frame member and a right rear frame member.
5 [00054] A rear suspension assembly 112 is connected to the rear frame member 138.The rear suspension assembly 112 may comprise a mono-shock suspensionmember connected between the left rear frame member and the right rear framemember, or a mono-shock suspension member which is laterally off-set to a vehiclecentral axis and connected to either one of the left rear frame members and the right
10 rear frame member. The rear suspension assembly 112 is connected at one end to the rear frame member 138 and at the other end to a portion of the transmission case 114.The rear suspension assembly 112 maintains the disposition of the frameassembly 130 relative to the transmission case 114 and the one or more rear wheels106b owing to vibrations or road conditions. 15
[00055] In an aspect, the vehicle 100 depicted in Figure 1(a) and Figure 1(b) relates to an electric driven vehicle including a hybrid vehicle. The one or more energy storage units 110 relates to a plurality of electrochemical cells configured to convert the stored electrical energy into mechanical work. The one or more energy storage units 110 are connected to a vehicle transmission system covered by the 20 transmission case 114 comprising a motor unit. The motor unit may be coupled to a driving wheel of the vehicle 100 such as the one or more rear wheels 106b of the vehicle 100.
[00056] While the one or more energy storage units 110 are disposed in the front portion F of the vehicle 100 between the one or more main frame members 134 and 25 the one or more downtube members 136, the motor unit is disposed in a rear portion R of the vehicle 100 covered by the transmission cover 114 and below the rear frame member 138. In an aspect, the transmission cover 114 may be equivalent to a swing arm of assembly of the vehicle 100. 13
[00057] During the discharging cycle of the vehicle 100 the electrical energy stored in the one or more energy storage units 110 achieves propulsion as mechanical work via the motor unit and a dc-dc converter.
[00058] During the charging process of the one or more energy storage units 110, in the non-swappable configuration, the energy flow from an external power supply 5 to a charger. The output terminal of the charger engages with the one or more charging ports 108 of the vehicle 100. The case assembly 120 comprising one or more components of the vehicle 100 establishes the communication between the one or more energy storage units 110 and the one or more charging ports 108 for energy to flow from the one or more charging ports 108 to the one or more energy 10 storage units 110.
[00059] The case assembly 120 comprising the one or more components is an assembly of electrical devices which protect electrical and electronic components and vehicle occupants by incorporating reliable protection solutions. The case assembly may also be referred to in some embodiments as a control box, a control 15 case, an assembly of electrical components, power distribution unit, an electric vehicle high voltage distribution unit, an electric vehicle distribution box, an electric vehicle distributor or an electric vehicle safety box. The configuration of the case assembly 120 improves the overall life of the one or more energy storage units 110 owing to a master battery management system being incorporated in the 20 case assembly 120. In an aspect, the case assembly 120 is configured to operate as a transformer to regulate the voltage of the incoming energy from the external power source to the operating voltage applicable to the one or more energy storage units 110. In another aspect, the case assembly 120 comprises a distributor unit configured to distribute the incoming energy into multiple electrical subsystems 25 including the one or more energy storage units 110. The case assembly 120 may additionally comprise circuit breakers and alternating current to direct current conversion units. In another aspect, multiple energy storage units communicate amongst each other through the case assembly 120. 14
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[00060] In an aspect, the one or more energy storage units 110 are disposed in the frame assembly 130. The one or more charging ports 108 are disposed in the frame assembly 130. The case assembly 120 is connected to at least the one or more energy storage units 110 and the one or more charging ports 108 of the vehicle 100. In another aspect, the case assembly 120 is configured to moderate the
5 communication between the external power source from the charging station through one or more charging ports of the vehicle and to the one or more energy storage units 110 during a charging cycle of the one or more energy storage units 110.In another aspect, the case assembly 120 may be connected to other vehiclesub-systems and low wiring harness of the vehicle. 10
[00061] In an aspect, the case assembly 120 is disposed in a pre-defined region of the frame assembly 130.
[00062] In a preferred embodiment, the one or more energy storage units 110 are disposed in the front portion F of the vehicle 100 in a region between the one or more main frame members 134 and the one or more downtube members 136 with 15 the one or more charging ports 108 being disposed on an upper portion of the one or more main frame members. The one or more charging ports 108 are disposed behind the handlebar assembly 104 and above the one or more energy storage units 110.In this preferred embodiment, the case assembly 120 comprising the one ormore components are disposed on the one or more main frame members 120. In an 20 aspect, the pre-defined region of disposition of the case assembly 120 is a portion of the one or more main frame members 134, where the case assembly 120 is connected to the one or more main frame members 134. More particularly, but not exclusively, the case assembly 120 is mounted on an upper or top portion of the one or more main frame members 134. In an aspect, the case assembly 120 is mounted 25 on the one or more main frame members 134 using a bracket or is directly mounted on the one or more main frame members 134 using a fastening unit configuration. In an aspect, the pre-defined region of disposition of the case assembly 120 is behind the handlebar assembly 104 and above the one or more front wheels 106a. In another aspect, the pre-defined region of disposition of the case assembly 120 is 30
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above the one or more energy storage units 110. In an aspect, the one or more charging ports 108 are provided on the one or more main frame members 134, and the pre-defined region of disposition of the case assembly 120 is behind the one or more charging ports. [00063] The case assembly 120 disposed in the pre-defined region in the front
5 portion F of the vehicle 100 may be covered by one or more cover panels based on vehicle aesthetics. Therefore, for ensuing accessibility of the case assembly 120 the one or more cover panels ought to be removed.
[00064] In another aspect, the pre-defined region of disposition of the case assembly 120 is located behind the handlebar assembly 104, ahead of the rider seat 10 indicated by a first portion of the one or more seating members 102, and above the upper portion of the one or more main frame members 134. The pre-defined region of disposition of the case assembly 120 is behind the headtube member 132. The case assembly is mounted on the one or more main frame members 134 via a mounting bracket or directly on the one or more main frame members 134 via 15 fastening units.
[00065] In an aspect, the vehicle comprises one or more seating members 102 disposed on the frame assembly 130. A first portion of the one or more seating members 102 are mounted in the vehicle front portion F onto the one or more main frame members 134, while a second portion of the one or more seating members 20 102 are mounted in the vehicle rear portion R onto the rear frame member 138. The pre-defined region of disposition of the case assembly 120 in the front portion F of the vehicle 100 is ahead of a first portion of the one or more seating members 102 disposed on the frame assembly 130.
[00066] In another preferred embodiment, the pre-defined region of disposition of 25 the case assembly 120 is in a rear portion R of the vehicle 100. The rear portion R of the vehicle 100 comprises a rear frame member 138, a second portion of the one or more seating members 102 disposed in the rear frame member 138, one or more rear wheels 106b and a transmission casing 114 connected to the one or more rear wheels 106b. The one or more charging ports 108 may be disposed in a rear portion 30
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R and provided on the rear frame member 138. The pre-defined region of disposition of the case assembly 120 is below the second portion of the one or more seating members 102, and ahead of the one or more charging ports 108 and above the transmission casing 114. In an aspect, the case assembly is mounted on a portion of the rear frame member 138, between the left rear frame member and the right
5 rear frame member below the second portion of the one or more seating members 102.In another aspect, in view of balancing vehicle’s unsprung mass based on thevehicle ergonomics, the case assembly 120 may be mounted on a lateral side of therear frame member 138.[00067] For instance, as depicted in Figure 1 the one or more charging ports 108
10 are provided in a vehicle left side, to reduce the length of the connecting members connecting the one or more charging ports 108 to the case assembly 120, the case assembly 120 may be disposed on a left side of the rear frame member 138. In another instance, the case assembly 120 may be disposed on the right side of the rear frame member 138 in the event the one or more charging ports 108 be provided 15 on the vehicle right side.
[00068] In another aspect, in the event the case assembly 120 be disposed between the left rear frame member and the right rear frame member, the case assembly 120 may be mounted on a cross member connecting the left rear frame member and the right rear frame member. In another aspect, the case assembly 120 may be mounted 20 onto the rear frame member 138 via a mounting bracket. In this configuration requirement of additional cover panels are eliminated as the rear frame member 138 itself hides the disposition of the case assembly 120 from a vehicle side view, and accessibility to the case assembly 120 is ensued by mere removal of the one or more seating members 102. 25
[00069] With specific reference to Figure 1(b) depicting a side view of the vehicle 100, a motor unit 116 covered by the transmission case 114 on one side is disposed behind the one or more energy storage units 110 of the vehicle. The case assembly 120 is disposed behind the one or more charging ports 108 and above the one or more energy storage unit 110. The case assembly 120 is ahead of the motor unit 30
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116 and above the motor unit 116. In an aspect, the case assembly 120 is ahead of the rider seat 102 of the vehicle 100. In another aspect, the case assembly 120 is disposed behind a headlamp assembly 118 of the vehicle 100. [00070] Figure 2 illustrates a front perspective view of a front portion of the vehicle in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
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[00071] Figure 3 illustrates a side perspective view of a front portion of the vehicle in accordance with some other embodiment of the present disclosure.
[00072] Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of the case assembly in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
[00073] For the sake of brevity, Figure 2, Figure 3 and Figure 4 shall be explained 10 in conjunction. With reference to Figure 4, 122a depicts a first connecting member communicating between the case assembly and the one or more charging ports, 122b depicts a second connecting members communicating with at least the one or more energy storage units 110, a low voltage wiring harness and electrical sub-systems of the vehicle 100. 15
[00074] In an aspect, the case assembly 120 comprises one or more components of the one or more energy storage units 110. The one or more components are at least one of current regulating circuit, voltage regulating circuit, battery management system, current and voltage rectification circuit, temperature sensors and a current breakage circuit. 20
[00075] In an aspect, the case assembly 120 comprising one or more components of the one or more energy storage units 110, may additionally include components such as but not limited to circuit breakers, relays and regulation circuits pertinent to other electrical sub-systems of the vehicle 100 and the low voltage wiring harness of the vehicle 100. The low voltage wiring harness is configured to connect 25 electrical components of the vehicle 100 such as but not limited to control units, lighting units, horn, telematics unit, sensors. In another aspect, the low voltage wiring harness may connect with an auxiliary energy storage unit of the vehicle 100 which is operable at a lower voltage than the one or more energy storage units 110.
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The one or more energy storage units 110 more specifically may support the traction characteristics of the vehicle. [00076] In an aspect, the one or more connecting members 122 collectively refers to the first connecting member 122a and the second connecting member 122b. In an exemplary embodiment the case assembly 120 is configured to communicatively
5 connect the one or more charging ports 108 to the one or more energy storage units 110.The case assembly 120 additionally enables communication between the oneor more energy storage units 110. In an aspect, the first connecting member 122ais depictive of an input to the case assembly 120 while the second connectingmember 122b is depictive of an output of the case assembly 120. 10
[00077] In a preferred embodiment the pre-defined region of disposition of the case assembly 120 is the front portion F of the vehicle 100. In this embodiment, the case assembly 120 is disposed in the pre-defined region behind the one or more charging ports 108 disposed on the one or more main frame members 134 and above the one or more energy storage units 110. The one or more energy storage units 110 are 15 disposed in the front portion F between the one or more main frame members 134 and the one or more downtube members 136, behind the headtube member 132. The one or more connecting members 122 extending from the one or more charging ports 108 are routed rearwardly to connect to the case assembly 120 and then routed downwardly to connect to the one or more energy storage units 110. The first 20 connecting member 122a of the one or more connecting member 122 extends from the one or more charging ports 108 and connects to the case assembly 120. The case assembly 120 comprising the one or more components modify the received communication from the one or more charging ports 108 and transmit it onto at least one of the one or more energy storage units 110, the electrical sub-systems of 25 the vehicle 100, the low voltage wiring harness of the vehicle 100.
[00078] In an embodiment, the first connecting member 122a emerging from the one or more charging ports 108 may be routed rearwardly towards the case assembly 120 through a provision of the one or more main frame members 134. In another embodiment, the first connecting member 122a is routed rearwardly 30
between a left main frame member and a right main frame member. In another embodiment, the first connecting member 122a is routed through external surfaces or lateral surfaces of the one or more main frame members 134 using routing or clipping units such as plastic tags or other known routing units. [00079] In an embodiment, the second connecting member 122b emerging from the
5 case assembly 120 may be routed downwardly towards at least the one or more energy storage units 110 through a provision or opening of the one or more main frame members 134 provided above the one or more energy storage units 110. In another embodiment, the second connecting member 122b comprises a plurality of connecting members which collectively extend as a cluster before being connected 10 onto the one or more energy storage units 110. In another embodiment, the second connecting member 122b are partially covered by a portion of the one or more main frame members 134 and partially by the joining member 140 of the frame assembly 130.In another embodiment, the second connecting member 122b may comprise afirst set of connecting members, a second set of connecting members and a third set 15 of connecting members. The first set of connecting members may connect to vehicle components and sub-systems disposed in the front portion F of the vehicle 100 such as but not limited to a headlamp assembly, an instrument cluster, control units disposed ahead of the case assembly 120. The first set of connecting members extending from the case assembly 120 may be routed forwardly through the one or 20 more main frame members 134. The second set of connecting members may connect the one or more energy storage units 110. The second set of connecting members may extend downwardly to the case assembly 120 and connect to the one or more energy storage units 110. The third set of connecting members may be configured to communicate with vehicle components and sub-systems disposed in 25 a rear portion R of the vehicle 100. The third set of connecting members may connect to vehicle components such as but not limited to the control units disposed in the rear portion R of the vehicle 100 and the tail lamp assembly. The third set of connecting members extending from the case assembly 120 may be routed rearwardly through the one or more main frame members 134 and the rear frame 30 member 138. 20
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[00080] In an alternate preferred embodiment, the pre-defined region of disposition of the case assembly 120 is a rear portion R of the vehicle 100. The pre-defined region of disposition of the case assembly 120 in the alternate preferred embodiment is ahead of the one or more charging ports 108 disposed in the rear frame member 138. The case assembly 120 is
above and behind the one or more 5 energy storage units 110. The one or more connecting members 122 extending from the one or more charging ports 108 are routed forwardly to connect to the case assembly 120 and then routed downwardly to connect to the one or more energy storage units 110. The first connecting member 122a extending from the one or more charging ports 120 disposed in the rear frame member 138 extends forwardly 10 towards the case assembly 120. The first connecting member 122a may be routed on an internal surface of the rear frame member 138 through passages or clipping members before it connects to the case assembly 120 in a naked skeleton type frame assembly 130. The first connecting member 122a may be routed on external surfaces of the rear frame member 138 and covered by cover panels of the vehicle 15 100.The second connecting member 122b emerges from the case assembly 120 andmay be routed through internal surfaces of the rear frame member138 or throughclipping members known in the art configured to route the second connectingmembers 122b. The second connecting members 122b may be partially covered bya portion of the rear frame member 138 and the joining member 140. In an aspect, 20 the case assembly 120 is communicatively connected to vehicle components and sub-systems disposed in a front portion F and the rear portion R of the vehicle 100. The second connecting members 122b may comprise a first set of connecting members connecting vehicle components disposed in the front portion of the vehicle 100 such as but not limited to control units and headlamp assembly. The 25 second connecting members 122b may comprise a second set of connecting members connected to the one or more energy storage units 110 disposed in the front portion F of the vehicle 100. The second connecting members 122b may comprise a third set of connecting members connected to vehicle components disposed in the rear portion R of the vehicle 100 such as but not limited to control 30 units, tail lamp assembly and indicator lamps. In an embodiment, the first set of
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connecting members may be routed forwardly from the case assembly 120 through internal surfaces of the rear frame member 138 and the one or more main frame members 134. In another embodiment, first set of connecting members may be routed through external surfaces of the rear frame member 138 and the one or more main frame members 135 and covered by cover panels. In an embodiment, the
5 second set of connecting members connecting to the one or more energy storage units 110 may be routed forwardly at least partially covered by a portion of the rear frame member 138 and the joining member 130. In an embodiment, the third set of connecting members are routed rearwardly through the rear frame member 138. [00081] In an aspect, the case assembly 120 comprises a power distribution unit,
10 whereon the power received from the one or more charging ports 108 are transmitted through the second connecting members 122b which connect onto the one or more energy storage units 110. In another aspect, the second connecting members 122b may connect to a vehicle control unit or a motor control unit or a combination of the vehicle control unit and motor control unit to transmit the 15 charger characteristics from the one or more charging ports.
[00082] In an aspect, the pre-defined region of disposition of the case assembly 120 as elucidated in the preferred embodiments effectively reduces the overall length of the wiring harness or one or more connecting members 122 connecting the case assembly 120 to at least the one or more charging ports 108 and the one or more 20 energy storage units 110. Additionally, in the event the case assembly 120 is configured to communicate between other vehicle components disposed in the front or rear portion of the vehicle 100, the length of the one or more connecting members 122 remain optimized. Since, the communication between the one or more charging ports 108 and the one or more energy storage units 110 are high voltage lines, the 25 optimization of length of connecting members 122 between them plays a crucial role in comparison to connection to other vehicle subsystems.
[00083] Additionally, the disposition of the one or more connecting members 122 in the case assembly 120 are strategized such that the one or more first connecting members 122a face towards the one or more charging ports 108, while the one or 30
more second connecting members 122b face towards the one or more energy storage units 110. Therefore, the effectiveness and efficiency of communication and transmission are improved with minimized system latency and transmission losses. Parallelly, a reduction in the length of high voltage connecting members reduces the overall vehicle weight leading to improved power to weight ratio.
5 [00084] Further, from a serviceability perspective the case assembly 120 may be easily accessed by removal of one or more cover panels. Additionally, the routing the one or more connecting members 122 being routed through the frame assembly 130 provides easier accessibility of the one or more connecting members 122. Further, when the pre-defined region of disposition of the case assembly 120 is in
10 the front portion F of the vehicle 100 on an upper side of the one or more main frame members 134, the serviceability is further improved. Mere removal of fastening units permits assembly and disassembly of the case assembly 120 with reference to the frame assembly 130.
[00085] Further, the configuration of the case assembly 120 comprising of one or 15 more components which are typically common parts to the one or more energy storage units 110 reduces the packaging constraints of the one or more energy storage units 110 in a compact vehicle layout, thereby improving on modularity and scalability.
[00086] In conventional vehicle layouts, the energy storage units are typically 20 packaged in the front portion of the vehicle to have an optimum ration between front axle weight and rear axle weight. In this instance the packaging of case assembly comprising one or more components are difficult in proximity to the energy storage units. Owing to limited options, the case assembly are packaged in a rear portion of the vehicle which increases the overall length of wiring harness. 25 The present subject matter addresses this exact drawback in conventional vehicle layouts by providing a compact location of disposition of the case assembly in vicinity of the one or more energy storage units 110 and the one or more charging ports 108 without major revamping of conventional manufacturing processes. 23
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[00087] In view of addressing the pressing concerns of damage to the case assembly 120 the present subject matter provides a secure disposition of the case assembly 120 onto the frame assembly 130 and covered by one or more cover panels. The impact loads are absorbed by the frame assembly 130 while water, mud or rain ingress is avoided by the cover panels.
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[00088] The present subject matter additionally achieves modularity in design whereby the case assembly 120 can be mounted on any type of frame assembly 130 of the vehicle 100 thereof can be easily implemented in a variety of vehicle segments without the usage of additional vehicle components. Additionally, the disclosed configuration addresses packaging constraints which are otherwise 10 applicable in compact vehicle layouts.
[00089] In light of the above-mentioned advantages and the technical advancements provided by the disclosed structure, the claimed vehicle and structure 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 15 conventional technologies. Further, the claimed system clearly brings an improvement in the protection of the vehicle components as well as the frame assembly against sudden external impacts as the claimed structure and vehicle and constructional features provide a technical solution to a technical problem.
[00090] Finally, the language used in the specification has been principally selected 20 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 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 25 limiting, of the scope of the invention, which is set forth in the following claims.
[00091] While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and 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 30
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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 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
5 steps and/or system modules may be inserted, depending on the needs of a particular application. [00092] 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 made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope
10 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 appended claims. , Claims:We Claim:
1.A vehicle (100), the vehicle (100) comprising:
a frame assembly (130), the frame assembly (130) extending along a vehicle length and comprising a front portion (F) and a rear portion (R) separated by an axis XX’; 5
one or more energy storage units (110) being disposed in the frame assembly (130);
one or more charging ports (108) being disposed in the frame assembly (130); and
a case assembly (120), the case assembly (120) being connected at 10 least to the one or more energy storage units (110) and the one or more charging ports (108),
wherein the case assembly (120) being disposed in a pre-defined region of the frame assembly (130).
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2.The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the front portion (F) of thevehicle (100) comprising at least a handlebar assembly (104) connected toone or more front wheels (106a) of the vehicle (100),
wherein the pre-defined region of disposition of the case assembly (120) being behind the handlebar assembly (104) and above the 20 one or more front wheels (106a).
3.The vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the frame assembly (130)comprises:
a headtube member (132) disposed in the front portion (F) of the 25 vehicle (100);
one or more main frame member (134) extending rearwardly from the headtube member (132), wherein the pre-defined region being a portion of the one or more main frame members (134), wherein the case
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assembly (120) being connected to the one or more main frame members (134).
4.The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the frame assembly (130)comprising:5
one or more downtube members (136) extending inclinedly downward and rearwardly from the headtube member (132) below the one or more main frame members (134),
wherein the one or more energy storage units (110) being disposed in a region between the one or more main frame members 10 (132)and the one or more downtube members (134), and
wherein the pre-defined region of disposition of the caseassembly (120) being above the one or more energy storage units (110).
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5.The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein one or more charging ports(108)being provided on the one or more main frame members (134),wherein the pre-defined region of disposition of the case assembly (120)being behind the one or more charging ports (108) and ahead of a firstportion of one or more seating members (102) disposed on the frame20 assembly (130).
6.The vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pre-defined region ofdisposition of the case assembly (120) in the front portion F of the vehicle100 being: behind the one or more charging ports (108) disposed on the one25 or more main frame members (134) and above the one or more energystorage units (110),
wherein one or more connecting members (122) extending from the one or more charging ports (108) being routed rearwardly to connect to the case assembly (120) and then routed downwardly to connect to the one 30 or more energy storage units (110).
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7.The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the rear portion (R) of thevehicle (100) comprising:
a rear frame member (138) of the frame assembly (130) connected to the one or more main frame member (132) in vicinity of the axis XX’;
a second portion of one or more seating members (102) disposed 5 in the rear frame member (138);
one or more rear wheels (106b) of the vehicle (100);
the one or more charging ports (108) provided on the rear frame member (138); and
a transmission casing (114) connected to the one or more rear 10 wheels (106b).
8.The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the pre-defined region ofdisposition of the case assembly (120) being below the second portion ofthe one or more seating members (102), ahead of the one or more charging15 ports (108) and above the transmission casing (114).
9.The vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pre-defined region ofdisposition of the case assembly (120) in the rear portion (R) of the vehicle(100)being:20
ahead of the one or more charging ports (108) disposed in the rear frame member (138); and
above and behind the one or more energy storage units (110), wherein one or more connecting members (122) extending from the one or more charging ports (108) being routed forwardly to connect to the case 25 assembly (120) and then routed downwardly to connect to the one or more energy storage units (110).
10.The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the case assembly (120)comprising one or more components of the one or more energy storage units30 (110), the one or more components being at least one of current regulating
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circuit, voltage regulating circuit, battery management system, current and voltage rectification circuit, temperature sensors and a current breakage circuit.