Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The present subject matter relates to a vehicle, more particularly, a location for mounting and connecting a motor controller with a power unit of a vehicle.
BACKGROUND
[002] In recent times, rising rate of pollution is motivating automobile manufacturers to manufacture an efficient and non-polluting vehicle. In order to provide such a vehicle, the vehicle components must be adequately positioned to be well connected with a plurality of vehicle components for efficient functioning of the vehicle. Hence, a location and connection of motor controller with plurality of vehicle components is required.
[003] In conventional vehicles, packaging of vehicle components is a major challenge. Furthermore, this challenge is escalated to tradeoff between packaging of vehicle components and need for higher utility space in the vehicle.
[004] In conventional saddle type vehicles, a motor controller of a vehicle is disposed below a seat assembly of the vehicle. This configuration is prominent in saddle type electric vehicles due to the need to package a plurality of batteries, and an electric motor in the vehicle.
[005] However, in the above configuration, the utility space to keep one or more user articles is reduced in order to package the vehicle components under the seat assembly of the vehicle.
[006] Furthermore, in a known art, the motor controller is packaged in a region disposed in a front region below the seat assembly. However, packaging the motor controller in this region reduces the utility space in the vehicle and also increases the amount of wiring harness required to connect the motor controller to the electric motor disposed in the vehicle.
[007] In another known art, the motor controller is disposed in a front portion of the vehicle. The motor controller is fixedly attached through a mounting bracket in a portion disposed below a headlamp assembly of the vehicle. This configuration effectively protects the motor controller from collision, however the weight of the front portion of the vehicle increases and disrupts the centre of gravity of the vehicle which in turn leads to poor vehicle handling capability.
[008] Further, in another known art, the motor controller is disposed below the seat assembly and is substantially inclined towards a left side of the vehicle when viewed by a rider being atop the vehicle. This configuration reduces amount of wiring harness required to connect the motor controller to various vehicle components. However, this configuration makes the motor controller susceptible to collision from a vehicle side and also aligns the vehicle centre of gravity towards the left side of the vehicle. This reduces disproportionate weight distribution of vehicle components in the vehicle and thereby leads to poor vehicle handling capacity for the rider.
[009] In another related art, the motor controller is mounted through a mounting bracket below the seat assembly which is turn further restricts usable utility space below the seat assembly of the vehicle.
[010] Furthermore, in conventional vehicle, the wiring harness used to connect the motor controller and the vehicle components are routed in such a way that the wiring harness intersects plurality of vehicle connections and thereby leads to losses of electrical signals being passed through the wiring harness.
SUMMARY
[011] The present subject matter provides a motor controller being mounted to a portion of a right seat rail of a plurality of seat rails and the motor controller being connected to a hub mounted electric motor by a wire harness through an interior region of the vehicle.
[012] As per an aspect of the present invention, a vehicle comprising a frame assembly. The frame assembly comprising a pair of seat rails and the pair of seat rails being configured to extend parallelly along a lateral axis from a front direction to a rear direction of the vehicle. The pair of seat rails comprising a front portion and a rear portion. The rear portion being configured to extend towards the rear direction of the vehicle. A motor controller of the vehicle being electrically connected to an electric motor by a wire harness. The motor controller being disposed at a portion of a right seat rail of the pair of seat rails and the motor controller being disposed downwards of the right seat rail, and the portion being disposed at the rear portion of the pair of seat rails.
[013] As per an embodiment, the motor controller is mounted on the frame assembly through one or more fastening attachments. Further the wire harness is routed along a path via an interior region of the vehicle.
[014] As per another embodiment, the path is configured to route the wire harness. The path is defined by a first region, a second region, a third region, and a fourth region. The first region is defined along a portion of a swing arm of the vehicle. The second region is defined as a portion extending laterally inwards of a sub frame assembly of the frame assembly. The third region is defined to extend upwardly towards an inner side of an outer casing of a power unit of the vehicle. The fourth region is defined on an inner side of the motor controller and along a length of the motor controller. The wire harness is connected to the motor controller in the fourth region.
[015] As per another embodiment, the wire harness is connected to a plurality of terminals, and the plurality of terminals is disposed on a bottom side and inner side of the motor controller. Further the wire harness is affixed rigidly on the first region, the second region and the third region through a plurality of hole clips.
[016] As per another embodiment, one end of the hole clips is configured to accommodate the wire harness and a second end of the hole clips is twisted and affixed in a plurality of holes of the swing arm, the sub frame assembly, and the outer casing of the power unit of the vehicle.
[017] As per another embodiment, the path is s-shaped, and the path is disposed in the interior region of the vehicle. The portion of the swing arm is covered by a cover member.
[018] As per another aspect of the present invention, a method for electrically connecting an electric motor to a motor controller of a vehicle comprising the following steps. Firstly, routing a wire harness along a path, and the path is defined by a first region, a second region, a third region, and a fourth region. The first region is defined along a portion of a swing arm of the vehicle. The second region is defined as a portion extending laterally inwards of a sub frame assembly of a frame assembly of the vehicle. The third region is defined to extend upwardly towards an inner side of an outer casing of a power unit of the vehicle. The fourth region is defined on an inner side of the motor controller and along a length of the motor controller. The wire harness is connected to the motor controller in the fourth region.
[019] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPT ION OF THE DRAWINGS
[020] The present invention is described with reference to figures. This invention is implementable in two-wheeled vehicles. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like features and components. Further, the inventive features of the invention are outlined in the appended claims.
[021] Figure 1 illustrates a left side view of a two wheeled vehicle (100), in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[022] Figure 2a illustrates a rear section of a frame assembly (200) of said vehicle (100), in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[023] Figure 2b illustrates a left side view of the rear section of the frame assembly (200) of the vehicle (100), in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[024] Figure 3 illustrates a left perspective view of the rear section of the frame assembly (200) of the vehicle (100), in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[025] Figure 4 illustrates a right-side view of the frame assembly (200) of the vehicle (100), in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[026] Exemplary embodiments are described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Wherever convenient, the same reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. While examples and features of disclosed principles are described herein, modifications, adaptations, and other implementations are possible without departing from the scope of the disclosed embodiments. It is intended that the following detailed description be considered as exemplary only, with the true scope being indicated by the following claims.
[027] The present subject matter is further described with reference to accompanying figures. It should be noted that the description and figures merely illustrate the 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.
[028] The foregoing disclosure is not intended to limit the present disclosure to the precise forms or particular fields of use disclosed. As such, it is contemplated that various alternate embodiments and/or modifications to the present disclosure, whether explicitly described or implied herein, are possible in light of the disclosure. Having thus described embodiments of the present disclosure, a person of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is limited only by the claims.
[029] Additionally, all numerical terms, such as, but not limited to, “first”, “second”, “third”, “primary”, “secondary”, “main” or any other ordinary and/or numerical terms, should also be taken only as identifiers, to assist the reader's understanding of the various elements, embodiments, variations and/or modifications of the present disclosure, and may not create any limitations, particularly as to the order, or preference, of any element, embodiment, variation and/or modification relative to, or over, another element, embodiment, variation and/or modification.
[030] It is an object of the present invention to overcome all the above stated and other related problems existing in the prior arts, with respect to packaging and mounting of a motor controller and routing of a wiring harness to connect the motor controller as well as other problems of known art.
[031] It is further an object of the present invention to provide a location for mounting the motor controller for increasing utility space in the vehicle.
[032] It is further an object of the present invention to provide a mounting arrangement of the motor controller to prevent accidental damage of the motor controller.
[033] It is further an object of the present invention to provide a path for routing a wiring harness to connect the motor controller to the power unit of the vehicle without intersecting with other wirings.
[034] It is further an object of the present invention to provide improved vehicle handling capacity to the rider of the vehicle.
[035] The embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[036] Figure 1 illustrates a left side view of a two wheeled vehicle (100), in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. A vehicle (100) comprising a frame assembly (200) (as shown in figure 2a) is configured to accommodate a plurality of vehicle components. The vehicle (100) is a two wheeled vehicle. In one embodiment, the vehicle (100) is a saddle type electric vehicle. The vehicle (100) comprising a headlamp assembly (102) configured for providing light during movement of the vehicle (100). The vehicle (100) is further comprising a handlebar (112) disposed in a front portion of the vehicle (100). The front portion of the vehicle (100) is covered with a front cover assembly (104) and the front portion is defined along a lateral axis (A-A’). The lateral axis (A-A’) extends from a front direction (F) to a rear direction (R) of the vehicle (100) when a rider is atop the vehicle (100).
[037] The vehicle (100) is configured to have a front wheel (108) and the front wheel (108) is covered by a front fender (106). The front portion of the vehicle (100) is supported by a front suspension (110) for ease of maneuverability of the vehicle (100). The vehicle (100) comprising a floorboard (120) extending towards a central portion of the vehicle (100). The vehicle (100) comprising a seat assembly (114) configured for seating a rider and a pillion rider. The rear direction (R) of the vehicle (100) comprising a rear wheel (118) and a rear fender (116) configured for preventing water splashes from the rear wheel (118). An electric motor (122) is configured to be hub mounted on the rear wheel (118). The rear wheel (118) and the electric motor (122) is connected to a swing arm (124) of the vehicle (100).
[038] Figure 2a illustrates a rear section of a frame assembly (200) of said vehicle (100), in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. Figure 2b illustrates a left side view of the rear section of the frame assembly (200) of the vehicle (100), in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. For brevity, figures 2a and 2b will be discussed together. The frame assembly (200) of the vehicle (100) is configured to have a head pipe (not shown). A pair of main tubes (not shown) extends rearwardly downward from the head pipe (not shown). The pair of main tubes (not shown) extends rearwardly towards the rear direction (R) of the vehicle (100) to branch into a pair of seat rails (202). The pair of seat rails (202) include a left seat rail (202L) and a right seat rail (202R). The pair of seat rails (202) include a front portion (202a) and a rear portion (202b). The left seat rail (202L) and the right seat rail (202R) is connected by a bridge member (202c). A pair of rear suspension system (204a, 204b) is disposed on the rear end (202b) of the pair of seat rails (202) of the frame assembly (200).
[039] A motor controller (206) is mounted to the right seat rail (202R) of the frame assembly (200). The motor controller (206) is fixedly mounted to the right seat rail (202R) and an upper end of the motor controller (206) is fixed on the right seat rail (202R) through one or more fasteners. In one embodiment, the motor controller (206) is mounted to the right seat rail (202R) through a mounting bracket and is attached to the mounting bracket through fasteners. The motor controller (206) comprises a plurality of terminals (206a, 206b, 206c) for connecting a wire harness (208). The motor controller (206) is connected to the electric motor (122) using the wire harness (208). The motor controller (206) is disposed on the right seat rail (202R) and the motor controller (206) is hanging from the right seat rail (202R) when fixed from the upper end. The bottom end of the motor controller (206) is configured to have the plurality of terminals (206a, 206b, 206c) for connecting the wire harness (208) received from the electric motor (122). The wire harness (208) is clamped fixedly on the frame assembly (200) of the vehicle (100) using a plurality of hole clips (210a, 210b, 210c).
[040] Figure 3 illustrates a left perspective view of the rear section of the frame assembly (200) of the vehicle (100), in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The frame assembly (200) of the vehicle (100) comprising a sub frame assembly (304). The sub frame assembly (304) is disposed below the seat assembly (114) and the sub frame assembly (304) is configured to have a U-shape. The wire harness (208) is configured to be routed along a path (302) to get the motor controller (206) connected to the electric motor (122). The path (302) is divided into four regions, such as a first region (400a), a second region (400b), a third region (400c) and a fourth region (400d). The wire harness (208) traces a path along the first region (400a), the second region (400b), the third region (400c) and the fourth region (400d) to connect the motor controller (206) to the electric motor (122) of the vehicle (100). The first region (400a), the second region (400b), the third region (400c) and the fourth region (400d) are disposed in the interior region of the vehicle (100). The interior region is defined by an area below the seat assembly (114) of the vehicle (100) and the interior region being covered by a plurality of cover assembly (120a) on both the left side and right side of the vehicle (100) for protection of the wire harness (208) and the motor controller (206) from any accidental and external impacts.
[041] The first region (400a) (as shown by the first arrow) is configured to be a portion (124a) disposed on the swing arm (124) of the frame assembly (200). The portion (124a) is disposed in proximity to the electric motor (122) and the wire harness (208) is mounted on the portion (124a) of the swing arm (124) using a first hole clip (210a) of the plurality of hole clips.
[042] The second region (400b) (as shown by the second arrow) is a part of the sub frame assembly (304). The wire harness (208) is mounted on the U-shaped extended arm of the sub-frame assembly (304) through a second hole clip (210b) of the plurality of hole clips. Further, the wire harness (208) is configured to be twisted and turned in a clockwise direction in the second region (400b), after assembly of the wire harness (208) laterally parallel on the portion (124a) of the swing arm (124) in the first region (400a). Further, the second region (400b) is configured to be parallel along the U-shaped extended arm of the sub-frame assembly (304) and the second region (400b) being aligned perpendicular to the first region (400a). The second region (400b) is defined as a portion extending laterally inwards of the sub-frame assembly (304) of the frame assembly (200) in one embodiment.
[043] The third region (400c) (as shown by the third arrow) is defined as a region on an outer casing of a power unit (306) of the vehicle (100). In one embodiment, the power unit is a battery, and the outer casing of the power unit (306) is configured to cover the plurality of cells disposed in the battery. The wire harness (208) is configured to be twisted in a perpendicular direction from the sub frame assembly (304) and the wire harness (208) is configured to extend upwardly towards an inner side of the outer casing of the power unit (306). The wire harness (208) is fixedly mounted to the outer casing of the power unit (306) using a third hole clip (210c) of the plurality of hole clips.
[044] The fourth region (400d) (as shown by the fourth arrow) is defined on an inner side of the motor controller (206). The wire harness (208) is connected to the plurality of terminals (206a, 206b, 206c) of the motor controller (206). The wire harness (208) is connected at the bottom end of the motor controller (206) and the wire harness (208) runs along the length of the bottom end of the motor controller (206). Further the plurality of hole clips (210a, 210b, 210c) comprising a first end and a second end. The first end of the plurality of hole clips (210a, 210b, 210c) is configured to accommodate the wire harness (208) and the second end of the plurality of hole clips (210a, 210b, 210c) is twisted and affixed in a plurality of holes. The plurality of holes is provided in the first region (400a), the second region (400b) and the third region (400c) of the vehicle (100).
[045] The wire harness (208) is configured to electrically connect the electric motor (122) to the motor controller (302) through the path (302). The path (302) is traced by the wire harness (208) starting from the first region (400a), then the wire harness (208) is twisted in a clockwise direction and affixed on the second region (400b). Further, the wire harness (208) is extended laterally upwards and affixed on the third region (400c) and finally the wire harness (208) is connected to the plurality of terminals (206a, 206b, 206c) of the motor controller (206) in the fourth region (400d) of the vehicle (100).
[046] Figure 4 illustrates a right-side view of the frame assembly (200) of the vehicle (100), in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The motor controller (206) is mounted to the right seat rail (202R) using one or more fasteners (402a, 402b). The motor controller (206) is disposed ahead and in proximity of a right suspension (204a) of the pair of rear suspension system (204a, 204b). The motor controller (206) is disposed at a predetermined acute angle along a perpendicular axis (B-B’). The perpendicular axis (B-B’) being aligned along the rear wheel (118) of the vehicle (100).
[047] Various embodiments of the invention provide a method and vehicle for connecting a motor controller (206) an electric motor (122) by a wire harness (208). In accordance with the present configuration, one of the advantages is that the location of motor controller on the right seat rail increases utility space below the seat assembly of the vehicle. In accordance with the present configuration, one of the advantages is that the routing of the wire harness in the interior region of the vehicle protects the wire harness from any external damages. In accordance with the present configuration, one of the advantages is that the motor controller is easily connected to the hub mounted electric motor without the need of lengthy wire harness. In accordance with the present configuration, one of the advantages is that the hole pins used to mount the wire harness provides ease of assembly and affixes the wire harness without the need of additional fasteners. In accordance with the present configuration, one of the advantages is that the motor controller location aligns the centre of gravity of the vehicle towards the centre and therefore enhances vehicle handling capacity of the vehicle.
[048] The present invention is a vehicle comprising a frame assembly. The frame assembly comprising a pair of seat rails and the pair of seat rails being configured to extend parallelly along a lateral axis from a front direction to a rear direction of the vehicle. The pair of seat rails comprising a front portion and a rear portion. The rear portion being configured to extend towards the rear direction of the vehicle. A motor controller of the vehicle being electrically connected to an electric motor by a wire harness. The motor controller being disposed at a portion of a right seat rail of the pair of seat rails and the motor controller being disposed downwards of the right seat rail, and the portion being disposed at the rear portion of the pair of seat rails.
[049] The present claimed invention solves the technical problem of providing a mounting configuration of the motor controller by enhancing the utility space in an existing vehicle layout. The present invention also overcomes the problem of using lengthy wire harness for connecting the motor controller to the electric motor of the vehicle.
[050] Specifically, the claimed location of the motor controller solves the technical problem of enhancing utility space in the existing vehicle layout by increasing the space available under the seat assembly of the vehicle and also by decreasing the distance between the motor controller and the electric motor for connecting both the motor controller and the electric motor using a wire harness.
[051] Additionally, the claimed path of routing the wire harness solves the technical problem of reducing amount of wire harness used to connect the motor controller and the electric motor.
[052] The present invention also provides technical advantages of routing of the wire harness in the interior region of the vehicle protecting the wire harness from any external damages.
[053] The present invention also provides technical advantages of the motor controller location aligning the centre of gravity of the vehicle towards the centre of the vehicle and therefore enhances vehicle handling capacity of the vehicle.
[054] In light of the above-mentioned advantages and the technical advancements provided by the disclosed method and vehicle, the claimed steps as discussed above are not routine, conventional, or well understood in the art, as the claimed steps enable the following solutions to the existing problems in conventional technologies. Further, the claimed steps clearly bring an improvement in the functioning of the vehicle itself as the claimed steps provide a technical solution to a technical problem.
[055] While the present invention has been shown and described with reference to the foregoing preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes in form, connection, and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

Reference Numerals:


100 Vehicle
102 Headlamp assembly
104 Front cover assembly
106 Front fender
108 front wheel
110 front suspension
112 handlebar
114 seat assembly
116 rear fender
118 rear wheel
120 floorboard
120a plurality of cover assembly
122 electric motor
124 swing arm
124a portion of swing arm
200 frame assembly
202 pair of seat rails
202a front end of seat rail
202b rear end of seat rail
202L left seat rail
202R right seat rail
204a, 204b pair of rear suspension system
206 motor controller
206a, 206b, 206c plurality of terminals
208 wire harness
210a, 210b, 210c plurality of hole clips
302 path
304 sub-frame assembly
306 outer casing of a power unit
400a first region
400b second region
400c third region
400d fourth region
402a, 402b one or more fasteners
, C , Claims:I/We claim:
1. A vehicle (100), said vehicle (100) comprising:
a frame assembly (200);
said frame assembly (200) comprising a pair of seat rails (202), said pair of seat rails (202a, 202b) being configured to extend parallelly along a lateral axis (A-A’) from a front (F) direction to a rear (R) direction of said vehicle (100),
said pair of seat rails (202) comprising a front portion (202a) and a rear portion (202b), said rear portion (202b) being configured to extend towards said rear (R) direction of said vehicle (100); and
a motor controller (206), said motor controller (206) being electrically connected to an electric motor (122) by a wire harness (208),
wherein said motor controller (206) being disposed at a portion of a right seat rail (202R) of said pair of seat rails (202) and said motor controller (206) being disposed downwards of said right seat rail (202R), and
wherein said portion being disposed at said rear portion (202b) of said pair of seat rails (202).
2. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said motor controller (206) being mounted on said frame assembly (200) through one or more fastening attachments (402a, 402b).
3. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said wire harness (208) being routed along a path (302) via an interior region of said vehicle (100).
4. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein said path (302) being configured to route said wire harness (208), said path (302) being defined by a first region (400a), a second region (400b), a third region (400c), and a fourth region (400d),
wherein said first region (400a) being defined along a portion (124a) of a swing arm (124) of said vehicle (100),
wherein said second region (400b) being defined as a portion extending laterally inwards of a sub frame assembly (304) of said frame assembly (200),
wherein said third region (400c) being defined to extend upwardly towards an inner side of an outer casing of a power unit (306),
wherein said fourth region (400d) being defined on an inner side of said motor controller (206) and along a length of said motor controller (206), and
wherein said wire harness (208) being connected to said motor controller (206) in said fourth region (400d).
5. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said wire harness (208) being connected to a plurality of terminals (206a, 206b, 206c), said plurality of terminals (206a, 206b, 206c) being disposed on a bottom side and inner side of said motor controller (206).
6. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein said wire harness (208) being affixed rigidly on said first region (400a). said second region (400b) and said third region (400c) through a plurality of hole clips (210a, 210b, 210c).
7. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein one end of said hole clips (210a, 210b, 210c) being configured to accommodate said wire harness (208) and a second end of said hole clips (210a, 210b, 210c) being twisted and affixed in a plurality of holes of said swing arm (124), said sub frame assembly (304) and said outer casing of said power unit (306) of said vehicle (100).
8. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein said path (302) being a s-shaped path and said path (302) being disposed in said interior region of said vehicle (100).
9. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein said portion (124a) of said swing arm (124) being covered by a cover member.
10. A method for electrically connecting an electric motor (122) to a motor controller (206) of a vehicle (100), said method comprising steps of:
routing a wire harness (208) along a path (302), wherein said path (302) being defined by a first region (400a), a second region (400b), a third region (400c), and a fourth region (400d),
wherein said first region (400a) being defined along a portion (124a) of swing arm (124) of said vehicle (100),
wherein said second region (400b) being defined as a portion extending laterally inwards of a sub frame assembly (304) of a frame assembly (200) of said vehicle (100),
wherein said third region (400c) being defined to extend upwardly towards an inner side of an outer casing of a power unit (306) of said vehicle (100),
wherein said fourth region (400d) being defined on an inner side of said motor controller (206) and along a length of said motor controller (206), and
wherein said wire harness (208) being connected to said motor controller (206) in said fourth region (400d).