DESC:A MOTOR MOUNTING ASSEMBLY

TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The invention relates generally to the field of mechanical engineering, and in particular to electric vehicles. More specifically, the invention provides a motor mounting assembly which reduces the force transmissibility to the electric motor.

BACKGROUND
[0002] An electric bicycle, also known as an e-bike or booster bike, is a bicycle with an integrated electric motor which can be used for propulsion. There are a great variety of e-bikes available worldwide, from e-bikes that only have a small motor to assist the rider's pedal-power (i.e., pedelecs) to somewhat more powerful e-bikes which tend closer to moped-style functionality: all, however, retain the ability to be pedalled by the rider and are therefore not electric motorcycles. E-bikes use rechargeable batteries and the lighter varieties can travel up to 25 to 32 km/h (16 to 20 mph), depending on the laws of the country in which they are sold, while the more high-powered varieties can often do in excess of 45 km/h (28 mph). In some markets, such as Germany, they are gaining in popularity and taking some market share away from conventional bicycles, while in others, such as China, they are replacing fossil fuel-powered mopeds and small motorcycles. E-bikes are the electric motor-powered versions of motorized bicycles, which have been around since the late 19th century.

[0003] An electric motor can be powered by a battery. Such battery operated electric motors are used in two wheeler vehicles to drive the rear/front wheel which in turn propels the vehicle in forward direction. Various arrangements and assemblies used in existing electric two wheelers for mounting the electric motors, include Front Wheel Drive, Rear Wheel Drive, Chain Drive, and Friction Drive (front drive or rear drive or mid-drive). In the front wheel drive, an electric motor/ hub motor is placed at the center of the front wheel. In the rear wheel drive, the electric motor/ hub motor is placed at the center of the rear wheel. Both these configurations result in adding unsprung mass to the system. This reduces the comfort of the rider on uneven roads and causes uncomfortable steering effect because of the gyroscopic effect at high speed.

[0004] Also, in order to produce the same output power, a bigger front/rear wheel electric motor is required in comparison with other configurations. A bigger electric motor adds mass and leading to imbalance in certain riding conditions. In the friction drive, the pulley and belt which forms the contact between the wheel and the motor shaft, wears out because of the friction. In all these conventional configurations, because of the vibrations experienced by the two wheeler vehicle especially in front and rear hub drive motor, motors are directly exposed to road vibration. This leads to designing of motor for more reliability from vibration aspect. And end up having bulkier design of assembly.

[0005] It is evident from the above that, in order to achieve higher efficiency and reliability of the electric motor and other components of the electric vehicle the mounting of the motor on the vehicle plays a vital role. Otherwise, it may increase the losses in transmission between the motor and the wheels of the vehicle, the requirement of the long chain for transmission which gives rise to the slackness of the chain which in turn substantially reduces the durability of the chain. Also, there is no proper ventilating for the motor and the internal parts of the motor get damaged due to excessive heating or dirt accumulation from rear wheel.

[0006] The prior-art document US6341660B1 provides an electric vehicle that is easy to start to move even when there is load applied, and which does not generate rotational resistance of the electric motor when the vehicle is push-walked. A connection/disconnection mechanism is provided between the electric motor and the speed reducing mechanism to switch transmission of the rotating driving force from a disabled state to an enabled state when the electric motor rotates at a predetermined rotation speed or more. The connection/disconnection mechanism is a centrifugal clutch. The swing arm is configured as a cantilever-type, supported only at the left side in the vehicle width direction, so that the centrifugal clutch, the electric motor, and the speed reducing mechanism are arranged in this order, from the left side in the vehicle width direction.

[0007] The prior-art document US6341660B1 provides a propulsion unit rotating shaft for single track or multiple track vehicles, driven by an electric motor, particularly for motor scooters with a driving motor, which is disposed in the region of one end of an extended rotating shaft housing and constructed as an electric motor, and a hub, which is mounted rotatably in the region of the other end of the rotating shaft housing and is intended to hold a driving wheel of the vehicle. The driven shaft of the driving motor, which is passed into the rotating shaft housing, is positively coupled with the wheel hub of the driving wheel of the vehicle by a transmission device, encapsulated in the housing for the rotating shaft, and facilities are provided for the pivotable mounting of the housing of the rotating shaft about an axis at a distance from the axis of rotation of the wheel hub and extending parallel to it at or in the frame or chassis of the motor-driven vehicle. In the transmission train between the driving motor and the wheel hub, at least one overriding clutch is provided, which cancels the positive coupling between the drive shaft of the driving motor and the driving wheel of the vehicle, when the driving moment, initiated in the transmission device by the driving motor, is smaller than a torque, acting from the driving wheel of the vehicle over the wheel hub on the transmission device.

[0008] The prior-art document EP2447145A1 provides an electric drive for a bicycle. The electric drive comprises an electric motor and a contact roller having an outer contact surface. The motor comprises a stator having plurality of stator coils as well as corresponding magnetic rotor elements. The rotor elements are fixedly attached to an inner surface of the contact roller. According to the invention, the contact roller encloses the stator. Particular embodiments provide a mounting assembly for mounting the electric drive to the bicycle's frame, preferably at a component of the bicycle adapted for mounting a kickstand recess.

[0009] Whereas there is certainly nothing wrong with existing electric vehicles, nonetheless, there exists the need for an improved a motor mounting assembly that limits the aforementioned drawbacks of the conventional configurations and reduces the force transmissibility to the electric motor.

SUMMARY
[0010] One object of the present disclosure is to provide an improved motor mounting assembly that limits the aforementioned drawbacks of the conventional configurations and reduces the force transmissibility to the electric motor. Another object of the present disclosure is to reduce transmission losses in electric two wheeler vehicles.

[0011] Still another object of the present disclosure is to reduce slackness of chain in electric two wheeler vehicles. Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide air circulation to the electric motor from either or both sides in two wheeler vehicles. A further object of the present disclosure is to remove impact of chain force on squat ratio.

[0012] According to one embodiment, a motor mounting assembly for a two wheeler vehicle is disclosed. The electric motor is mounted in front of the rear wheel by a motor mounting plate(s) and damper(s), wherein the mounting of the electric motor is adapted to reduce the losses in transmission, reduces length of a chain of the two wheeler vehicle thereby reducing the slackness of the chain, and assist in dissipation of the heat generated during the operations of the electric motor.

[0013] The electric motor is mounted in a suspended position on a swing arm(s) of the two wheeler vehicle. The one or more dampers are shock absorbers adapted to damp the oscillations to the electric motor and adapted to reduce the force transmission.

[0014] The two wheeler vehicle includes a main frame, a battery, a hugger, and a wiring harness, and one or more swing arms. The one or more swing arm) connects the main frame to form a pivot point such that the electric motor is placed behind the pivot point of the one or more swing arms, and below a top pivot of suspension points, or the electric motor is placed in front of the connection (pivot) of suspension points, and the one or more swing arms such that the electric motor is between the pivot point and top pivot of suspension points.

[0015] The motor mounting plate(s) further includes a provision of the damper(s) wherein the damper(s) are adapted to hold the electric motor. The motor mounting plate(s) are utilized for mounting the electric motor on the one or more swing arms of the two wheeler vehicle using one or more motor mounting points through the damper(s).

[0016] The electric motor is placed in the swing arm(s) whereby a chain of the two wheeler vehicle makes a fixed angle with the line joining the axis of the rear wheel and the swing arm pivot point. The electric motor is located at the lower most part of a two wheeler vehicle and adapted to lower the Center of mass (COM) of the two wheeler vehicle. The electric motor is operatively mounted in such a way that the electric motor is adapted to directly drive the rear wheel through a single kinematic pair/wrapping pair.

[0017] Other embodiments of the invention are disclosed herein. The foregoing and other features, utilities and advantages of various embodiments of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of the various embodiments of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0018] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.

[0019] Figure 1 illustrates a side view of a motor mounting assembly of the present disclosure in accordance with one embodiment.

[0020] Figure 2 illustrates a bottom view of the motor mounting assembly of the present disclosure in accordance with one embodiment.

[0021] Figure 3 illustrates an isometric view of the motor mounting assembly of present disclosure in accordance with one embodiment.

[0022] Figure 4 illustrates an exploded view of portion ‘A’ of Figure 3 in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] The following detailed description provides further details of the figures and example implementations of the present application. Reference numerals and descriptions of redundant elements between figures are omitted for clarity. Terms used throughout the description are provided as examples and are not intended to be limiting.

[0024] It is to be understood that the following disclosure describes several exemplary embodiments for implementing different features, structures, or functions of the invention. Exemplary embodiments of components, arrangements, and configurations are described below to simplify the present disclosure; however, these exemplary embodiments are provided merely as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

[0025] Additionally, the present disclosure may repeat reference numerals and/or letters in the various exemplary embodiments and across the Figures provided herein. This repetition is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity and does not in itself dictate a relationship between the various exemplary embodiments and/or configurations discussed in the various Figures. Finally, the exemplary embodiments presented below may be combined in any combination, e.g., any element from one exemplary embodiment may be used in any other exemplary embodiment, without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

[0026] To limit the drawbacks of the conventional arrangements and assemblies used in the existing electric two wheeler vehicles for mounting electric motor, the present disclosure envisages a motor mounting assembly. The motor mounting assembly of the present disclosure reduces the force transmissibility to the electric motor.

[0027] In an aspect, a motor mounting assembly for a two wheeler vehicle is disclosed. The electric propulsion system includes an electric motor mounted in front of the rear wheel by a motor mounting plate(s) and a damper(s), wherein the placement for mounting of the electric motor is adapted to reduce the losses in transmission, reduces length of a chain of the two wheeler vehicle thereby reducing the slackness of the chain, and assist in dissipation of the heat generated during the operations of the electric motor.

[0028] The electric motor is mounted in a suspended position on a swing arm(s) of the two wheeler vehicle. The damper(s) are shock absorbers adapted to damp the vibration to the electric motor and adapted to reduce the force transmission.

[0029] The two wheeler vehicle includes a main frame, a battery, a hugger, and a wiring harness, and a swing arm(s). The swing arm(s) connects the main frame to form a pivot point such that the electric motor is placed behind the pivot point of the swing arm(s), and below a top pivot of suspension points, or the electric motor is placed in front of the connection (pivot) of suspension points, and the swing arm(s) such that the electric motor is between the pivot point and top pivot of suspension points.

[0030] The motor mounting plate(s) further includes a provision of the damper(s) wherein the damper(s) are adapted to hold the electric motor. The motor mounting plate(s) are utilized for mounting the electric motor on a swing arm(s) of the two wheeler vehicle using one or more motor mounting points through the damper(s).

[0031] The electric motor is placed in the swing arm(s) whereby a chain of the two wheeler vehicle makes a fixed angle with the line joining the axis of the rear wheel and the swing arm pivot point. The electric motor is located at the lower most part of a two wheeler vehicle and adapted to lower the Center of mass (COM) of the two wheeler vehicle. The electric motor is operatively mounted in such a way that the electric motor is adapted to directly drive the rear wheel through a single kinematic pair/wrapping pair.

[0032] Referring to the accompanying drawing, Figures 1 to 4 provide different views of a two wheeler vehicle (100) configured with a motor mounting assembly (A) of the present disclosure in accordance with one embodiment.

[0033] The motor mounting assembly (A) comprises an electric motor (3) which is placed in front of the rear wheel (14) of the two wheeler vehicle (100). The electric motor (3) is placed in a swing arm(s) (4) of the two wheeler vehicle (100), such that the electric motor (3) is in suspended position and placed inside the swing arm(s) (4) from the two wheeler vehicle (100). The two wheeler vehicle (100) includes a main frame (6), a battery (7), a hugger (8) and a wiring harness (11). The electric motor (3) moves/oscillates with the swing arm (4) when the two wheeler vehicle (100) is in motion. The electric motor (3) is mounted on the swing arm (4) by using a motor mounting plate(s) (1) and one or more dampers (bushes) (12a, 12b and 12c). The one or more dampers (12a, 12b, and 12c) is used to damp the oscillations to the electric motor (3) and to reduce the force transmission.

[0034] The swing arm(s) (4) connects the main frame (6) to form a pivot point (5). The electric motor (3) is placed behind the pivot point (5) of the swing arm(s) (4), and below the top pivot of suspension points (9) (10). The electric motor (3) is placed in front of the connection (pivot) of suspension points (9) (10), and the swing arm(s) (4) such that the electric motor (3) is between the three pivot points (5, 9, and 10) as shown in figures 1 and 3.

[0035] In one embodiment, the electric motor (3) casing is made by casting/forging process. In an embodiment, the motor mounting/holding plate(s) (1) consists of a provision of a mounting bush. In another embodiment, the motor mounting plate(s) (1) are made of metal by casting/forging process. The one or more dampers (12a, 12b and 12c) are used for shock absorption. In an embodiment, the damper (12) is made of rubber/nylon material. The bush is a part of the motor mounting plate(s) (1) and is used for holding the electric motor (3). The motor mounting plate(s) (1) is used to mount the electric motor (3) on the swing arm(s) (4) using one or more motor mounting points (2, 2a, 2b, and 2c) through the bush. In one embodiment, the motor mounting plate(s) (1) is mounted on the swing arm(s) (4) rigidly or flexibly.

[0036] In an embodiment, the shaft of the electric motor (3) transmits power through transmission means such as chain (13). The electric motor (3) is exposed for heat dissipation.

[0037] The electric motor (3) placement is near to the rear wheel (14) which reduces the losses in transmission. Mounting of the electric motor (3) nearer to the rear wheel (14), reduces length of the chain (13) thereby reducing the slackness of the chain (13) which in turn increases the durability of the chain (13).

[0038] The electric motor (3) is placed such that it is open from below to help in reduction of dust/dirt during riding. Further, the electric motor (3) is mounted in such a position that it is open from either or both the sides where air circulation is maintained thereby helping in dissipating the heat generated during running of the electric motor (3).

[0039] In an embodiment, the electric motor (3) is placed in the swing arm(s) (4) whereby the chain (13) makes a fixed angle with the line joining the axis of the rear wheel (14) and the swing arm pivot point (5).

[0040] In another embodiment the electric motor (3) is located at the lower most part of a two wheeler vehicle (100) so that it lowers the COM (Center of mass) of the vehicle (100) and thereby helps in increasing the stability of the vehicle (100).

[0041] Further, the electric motor (3) is placed in such a way that it directly drives the rear wheel (14) through single kinematic pair/wrapping pair, so as to increase mechanical efficiency.

[0042] Apart from what is discussed above, the motor mounting assembly and/or the realization of a motor mounting assembly according to the present disclosure provides below mentioned additional technical advantages:
i. The motor mounting assembly according to the present disclosure reduces force transmissibility to electric motor.
ii. The motor mounting assembly according to the present disclosure reduces the unsprung mass.
iii. The motor mounting assembly according to the present disclosure reduces transmission losses in electric two wheeler vehicles.
iv. The motor mounting assembly according to the present disclosure reduces slackness of chain in electric two wheeler vehicles.
v. The motor mounting assembly according to the present disclosure provides air circulation to the electric motor from either or both sides in two wheeler vehicles.
vi. The motor mounting assembly according to the present disclosure removes impact of chain force on squat ratio.

[0043] All directional and numeral references used herein are only used for identification purposes to aid the reader's understanding of the present invention, and do not create limitations, particularly as to the position, orientation, or use of the invention.

[0044] It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained and, since certain changes may be made in the above article without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

[0045] It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall there between.

[0046] The foregoing has outlined features of several embodiments so that those skilled in the art may better understand the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the present disclosure may be used as a basis for designing or modifying other processes and structures for carrying out the same purposes and/or achieving the same advantages of the embodiments introduced herein. Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the scope of the present disclosure, and that they may make various changes, substitutions and alterations herein without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, as defined by the following claims.

Dated this the 1st day of March, 2017

Vishakha Rekhi [IN/PA/1280]
ACCURES LEGAL
RZ 44-A, 1st Floor, Palam Vihar, Sector-6
Dwarka, New Delhi – 110075, Delhi, India
,CLAIMS:CLAIMS:
I/WE CLAIM:

1. A motor mounting assembly for a two wheeler vehicle (100), comprising:
an electric motor (3) mounted in front of the rear wheel (14) by a motor mounting plate(s) (1) and one or more damper(s) (12, 12a, 12b and 12c), wherein the placement for mounting of the electric motor (3) is adapted to reduce the losses in transmission, reduces length of a chain (13) of the two wheeler vehicle (100) thereby reducing the slackness of the chain (13), and assist in dissipation of the heat generated during operations of the electric motor (3).

2. The motor mounting assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electric motor (3) is mounted in a suspended position on a swing arm(s) (4) of the two wheeler vehicle (100).

3. The motor mounting assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more damper(s) (12, 12a, 12b and 12c) are shock absorbers adapted to damp the oscillations to the electric motor (3) and adapted to reduce the force transmission.

4. The motor mounting assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the two wheeler vehicle (100) includes a main frame (6), a battery (7), a hugger (8), and a wiring harness (11), and a swing arm(s) (4), wherein the swing arm(s) (4) are adapted to connect the main frame (6) to form a pivot point (5) such that:
the electric motor (3) is placed behind the pivot point (5) of the swing arm(s) (4), and below a top pivot of suspension points (9) (10); or
the electric motor (3) is placed in front of the connection (pivot) of suspension points (9) (10), and the swing arm(s) (4) such that the electric motor (3) is between the pivot point (5) and top pivot of suspension points (9) (10).

5. The motor mounting assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the motor mounting plate(s) (1) further comprises a provision of the damper(s) (12, 12a, 12b and 12c) wherein the one or more damper(s) (12, 12a, 12b and 12c) are adapted to hold the electric motor (3).

6. The motor mounting assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the motor mounting plate(s) (1) mounts the electric motor (3) on a swing arm(s) (4) of the two wheeler vehicle (100) using one or more motor mounting points (2, 2a, 2b, and 2c) through the damper(s) (12, 12a, 12b and 12c).

7. The motor mounting assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electric motor (3) is placed in the swing arm(s) (4) whereby a chain (13) of the two wheeler vehicle (100) makes a fixed angle with the line joining the axis of the rear wheel (14) and the swing arm pivot point (5).

8. The motor mounting assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electric motor (3) is located at the lower most part of a two wheeler vehicle (100) and adapted to lower the Center of mass (COM) of the two wheeler vehicle (100).

9. The motor mounting assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electric motor (3) is operatively mounted in such a way that the electric motor (3) is adapted to directly drive the rear wheel (14) through a single kinematic pair/wrapping pair.

Dated this the 1st day of March, 2017

Vishakha Rekhi [IN/PA/1280]
ACCURES LEGAL
RZ 44-A, 1st Floor, Palam Vihar, Sector-6
Dwarka, New Delhi – 110075, Delhi, India