DESC:FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to a compact, safe motor vehicle and relates to a motor vehicle with capacity for carrying plurality of occupants safely.

PRIOR ART

Three wheel vehicles have many proponents due to their simplicity and low purchase and operating cost. Fuel economy is very satisfactory and emissions levels are relatively low, particularly if a gas fuel is used. Such three wheel vehicles are widely used in India. A commonly used three wheel vehicle type has a front wheel for steering and a pair of rear wheels for power, the engine being typically provided at the rear of the vehicle for driving the rear wheels. The steering system being for a single wheel is very simple. A handlebar steering system moved to direct front wheel in desired direction typically suffices. However, such three wheel vehicle despite its relative simplicity has its limitations at higher speed towards lateral/ cornering stability.

Turning to four wheel vehicles, such vehicles commonly bear a heavy weight structure. These vehicles suffer for their weight carrying capacity with respect to kerb weight (Dry weight of vehicle + weight of fuel). That is, the ratio of gross vehicle weight (kerb weight + pay load) to kerb weight is typically very low. At the same time, such vehicles – including small cars may be subject to considerable emissions and less fuel efficiency in the city driving situation. City driving, or driving in widely spread built up areas, is known to be expensive in terms of fuel consumption and fuel emissions. Vehicle emissions are a growing source of concern and have potential to limit wide scale adoption of motor cars. This is demonstrated by the fact that much regulation has surrounded exhaust emissions from such four wheel vehicles. The expense of four wheel vehicles, especially small cars, also remains a significant hurdle to adoption, particularly by families, of a small car. This does not mean that prospective purchasers do not wish to have their own vehicle, quite the contrary. However, the purchaser will be deterred from owning a small car, despite the convenience, by the operating costs involved.

Another difficulty to add to the above is that city driving, or driving in built up areas, is not typically a pleasurable activity. Part of what makes such driving challenging is the need for maneuvering a vehicle, at low speed, through often complex traffic patterns and parking vehicle in a congested or minimal space. The three wheeler vehicle or motorcycle handles this challenge relatively well. Cars, even small cars, do not.

One approach to such problems has been development of mini-cars which are four wheelers and which overcome the stability and fuel economy issues to some extent. However, such vehicles would not be suitable for urban transportation in many instances.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The main object of the invention is to provide a compact four wheel vehicle. The other object is to design a shape which exhibits aerodynamic advantages.

There remain needs for a motor vehicle that is safe, not suffering the limitations of a three wheel vehicle, and that offers advantages of fuel economy and maneuverability, especially in urban conditions. At the same time, there remains a need for a vehicle which is light in weight and which can be accommodated in a very tight or congested space , for example vehicle can get parked in minimal space and convenience to rider and passenger to come out or enter in vehicle in such tight/congested parking spaces.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Having such needs in view, the main object is to provide a motor vehicle with capacity for carrying plurality of occupants seatable in dedicated seats provided. The said vehicle shall comprise of:
- a prime mover for driving the vehicle; and
- a plurality of pairs of wheels, a pair of wheels being driven by the prime mover, and wherein track distance between wheels in a first pair of wheels is substantially different than track distance between wheels in a second pair of wheels.

Most commonly, two pairs of wheels are provided and the vehicle is a four wheel vehicle. However this is not intended to be limiting on the invention. However the invention does cover vehicles having more than four wheels (two front & two rear) that is vehicles having more than two wheels on each side of vehicle (left side and right side). The first sets of wheels are arranged on one side of vehicle and second set is arranged on other side of the vehicle.

For a four wheel vehicle as the subject of further description, the first pair of wheels corresponds with the front of the vehicle and the second pair of wheels corresponds with the rear of a vehicle. Distance between wheels along vehicle width is termed “track” or “track distance”. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the track, R, between wheels of the rear pair of wheels is substantially narrower, preferably very substantially narrower, than the track, F, between wheels in the front pair of wheels. The relationship between track, F, and track, R, may be expressed as a ratio F:R. . These F:R ratios indicate rearwardly tapering (or rearward delta or tadpole) shape of the vehicle, a shape which confers some of the aerodynamic advantages, previously only to be possible with a three wheel vehicle type, seen previously. Key among these advantages is less wind resistance, when driving, and consequent improvement in terms of fuel economy over conventional three and four wheel vehicles; also major weight distribution is predominantly towards the front side of vehicle.

The vehicle has a frame structure incorporating chassis, passenger compartment and prime mover compartment. The frame structure could be left open or enclosed by a cabin as used with small cars. The vehicle could include for example a “”body on frame” frame structure. The frame structure may include a plurality of interconnected members. However, other options of frame structure are possible and within scope of invention.

The frame structure is selected to confer satisfactory beam resistance as well as resistance to torsion and warping.

In the broader aspect, the frame structure is selected to achieve centre of mass as low as possible in the vehicle. This assists with lateral/roll stability.

The vehicle has a rear compartment which can be used for luggage space. Alternatively rear compartment may be provided with small size seating arrangement to accommodate small kids. Front seats may be provided with sliding and /or foldable arrangements to enable accommodation of driver and/or co-driver. The leg room or boot space for front and rear passenger can be designed as per requirement.

The said luggage space may be provided with a sliding luggage tray to have ease of access. The front seat may be folded and tray can be pushed forward towards seat to keep the luggage and take out the luggage.

Further, the width of the vehicle gradually narrows down towards rear side of vehicle i.e. the width of vehicle at front side is greater than the width of vehicle at rear end. This feature also significantly supports maneuvering vehicle in city traffic condition and parking in congested or tight places as described in above.

Additionally as an another embodiment, the vehicle is provided with scissor type doors which rotate about a hinge in vertical plane. Thus preventing increase in the width of vehicle in door open condition. This helps to get the driver and co-driver to get inside the vehicle and out of the vehicle in the tight/congested parking space, Also, no chance of doors getting damages due to hitting to neighboring vehicle or wall.

Front and rear pairs of wheels may be provided within modules also including suspension system and steering components as required. These modules are connected to the vehicle frame structure. Advantageously, each wheel is mounted on its own independent axle, which may take the form of a stub axle for front and rear wheels, especially front wheels. Rear wheels may be mounted differently dependent on which, if any, suspension system is adopted.. Mounting of rear wheels on a rigid axle give higher roll stability but compromises ride comfort, especially on rough road conditions

The vehicle is preferably front wheel driven with the engine located at the front of the vehicle to gain maximum tractive force and also to have CG towards front side of vehicle. This helps to improve lateral/ roll stability. The vehicle is preferably also front wheel steered. The steering system may be of a rack and pinion type, including a steering wheel with linkages, through rack and pinion to the wheels for steering. This makes the vehicle more comparable in steering system design to cars than conventional three wheelers

Independent suspension systems for all four wheels are also advantageously included within the vehicle for dual purposes. First, road handling and maneuverability is improved by inclusion of a suspension system. Second, driver and passenger comfort is markedly improved if noise, vibration and hardness, most typically caused by vehicle wheels hitting bumps in the road are properly compensated for by a suspension system. Independent suspension is provided for each wheel of the vehicle. Suspension should be provided for front and rear wheels though different suspension systems may be used for each pair of wheels. As an example swing arm/trailing arm suspension is usefully included for the rear wheels, each wheel being connected to a swing arm. . Suspension provided for the front wheels may, for example and advantageously, be of McPherson strut type, this being a simple telescopic system requiring no linkages. Suspension strokes are selected for suitability for driving on better quality city roads as well as rough roads. A desired suspension stroke may be selected. The suspension system, whichever system is selected, confers many of the advantages of suspension systems used in competing car designs.

To achieve stability during running and cornering situations (i.e. avoiding toppling problem during cornering), it is desired to have C.G. (Center of Gravity) to be as low as possible. The CG depends on the various aspects like height, weight and width of the vehicle. There needs to be some compromise over some these aspects to achieve desired CG.
The present invention does not compromise over these aspects. The height and width and front and rear track so optimized to provide a light weight vehicle and still achieving minimal CG. Adequate roof space is maintained. Also the vehicle layout ensures that the C.G is close to pair of wheel with wider track (front) in order to achieve maximum roll over leverage.

Thus present vehicle provides desired stability during running conditions as well as during cornering.

The ground clearance, the distance of the chassis and passenger compartment floor from the ground, is selected sufficient to enable transport over a wide range of city road conditions, for suitability in a wide range of conditions, enabling the vehicle to be driven over bumps, including speed breakers, in the road without the floor of the cabin hitting the road.

As an another embodiment, the motor vehicle comprising an arrangement of mounting a spare wheel that does not consume any space in driver or luggage compartment thus assisting in optimizing the size of the vehicle. The mounting arrangement includes a structure pivotably connected to chassis at a pivot point and a lid or cover .The structure holds the spare wheel at the rim of the wheel. The lid or cover comprising a latch/lock arrangement to prevent to hold the spare wheel at its place. While placing or taking out spare wheel, the lock of the lid and pivot point is unlocked. This arrangement also reduces time and manual efforts for pacing or taking out spare wheel.

The motor vehicle as above described has a compact and light weight design which provides improved maneuverability, parking the vehicle in tight /congested space and fuel economy over small cars, particularly in urban areas. Vehicle emissions are also reduced over current car emission levels. At the same time, the motor vehicle enables convenient motor transport.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

One embodiment of the motor vehicle is described with reference to the following drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a first side view of a motor vehicle in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention
Fig. 2 is a top view of the motor vehicle of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a front view of the motor vehicle of Figs. 1 and 2.
Fig. 4 is an isometric view of the motor vehicle of Figs. 1 to 3.
Fig. 5a, 5b and 5c are side, front and top views of view of the motor vehicle comprising scissor doors according to another embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 6a shows placement of spare wheel on the motor vehicle according to yet another embodiment of invention.
Figs 6b and 6c show mounting details of spare wheel of figure 6a
Fig. 7a is a side view showing placement of luggage box in the motor vehicle according to yet another embodiment of invention.
Fig. 7b shows luggage box of figure 7a in pulled condition.

PART NUMBER PART NAME
10 MOTOR VEHICLE
12 PRIME MOVER
15 FRAME STRUCTURE
17 B SIDE PORTION
20 FRONT WHEELS
30 REAR WHEELS
40 LUGGAGE COMPARTMENT
42 FRONT SEATS
50 ENGINE COMPARTMENT
60 CHASSIS
61 BOTTOM SIDE RAIL
150 FRONT EXTENSION
219 STEERING SYSTEM
315 SWINGS ARM/TRAILING SUSPENSION SYSTEM
317 PIVOTABLE SWING ARMS
318 PLATE
319 PIVOT LINKAGE
340 SHOCK ABSORBERS
350 LUGGAGE KEEPING ARRANGEMENT
351 SCISSOR TYPE DOORS
355 FUEL TANK
352 MOUNTING ARRANGEMENT
353 SPARE WHEEL
354 PIVOT POINT
356 RIM

Referring now to Figs. 1 to 4, there is shown a motor vehicle 10 having prime mover 12; and a pair of wheels 20 at the front of the vehicle and a pair of wheels 30 at the rear of the vehicle. The distance, or track (R), between each of the rear wheels 30 is less than the distance, or track (F), between each of the front wheels 20. The track, R, is significantly narrower than the front track F. This F:R ratio indicates rearwardly tapering shape of the vehicle, a shape which confers some aerodynamic advantages. Key among these advantages is less wind resistance, when driving, less weight and consequent improvement in terms of fuel economy over conventional three and four wheel vehicles. Further this assists in parking of vehicle in congested or tight space. In this particular embodiment, track, F, between wheels in the front pair of wheels is typically greater than 1000 mm in the present embodiment. The track between the second or rear pair of wheels selected less than 460 mm in the present embodiment. The CG from ground is around 400 mm in the present embodiment. Thus improving maneuverability and stability of motor vehicle.

Motor vehicle 10 according to one of the embodiment includes a frame structure 15 incorporating chassis 60, luggage compartment 40 and engine compartment 50. The frame structure 15 could be left open or enclosed to form a cabin as with small cars. The luggage compartment 40 can be converted into passenger compartment for small kids by providing suitable seating arrangement.

According to another embodiment, as illustrated in figures 5a to 5c, the motor vehicle 10 comprises scissor type doors (351) at both the sides of vehicle. Each door being hinged at one point and open in vertical plane thus not occupying space in horizontal plane during open condition. In other words the vehicle width almost remains same during door closed and opens condition. This aspect provides ease to driver and co-driver to get in or come out of the vehicle in tight/congested parking spaces. Also, this arrangement avoids hitting of doors to any side parked vehicle or side wall.

The frame structure 15 of vehicle 10 has a front extension 150 for mounting of prime mover 12 within an prime mover compartment 50. The frame structure enables secure mounting of prime mover 12 to minimize vibration. Prime mover 12 is ideally of lightweight construction to place as low a load, and as low a fabrication cost constraint, on frame members. Prime mover 12 is located at the front of the vehicle to drive front wheels 20, maintaining CG towards front side of the vehicle. This assisting lateral stability of the vehicle 10 particularly when turning and gaining maximum tractive force.

The prime mover 12 may be an Engine which is spark ignited and runs on petrol fuel as typically adopted for private passenger vehicles in Indian cities. Alternative fuels, such as gaseous fuels could be used. The engine 12 could be dual fueled, with the primary fuel being selected in accordance with availability. The fuel tank 355 may be located and suitably packed in the engine compartment 50 thus providing a compact layout avoiding additional fuel piping structure which otherwise consume more space and increase weight of the vehicle.

The prime mover system of the vehicle as per invention may be an internal combustion engine, electric motor or a hybrid engine.
The transmission system could be automated or manual or automatic transmission.

Separate or dedicated front seats 42, with head rests, are provided for front occupants i.e. drive and co-driver. These front seats 42 are provided with sliding and or folding arrangements to enable accommodation of driver and/or co-driver. For example, by sliding seats 42 forwards or backwards, passengers of different height may be accommodated with similar comfort.

According to another embodiment, the luggage compartment 40 is provided with luggage keeping arrangement 350. The luggage keeping arrangement can be made slidable as depicted in figures 7a and 7b. The luggage box can be accessed easily ( i.e. without much bending efforts) by folding the front seat and pulling the luggage box outwardly to keep in or take out luggage.

Front wheels 20 and rear wheels 30 are connected to the frame structure 15 and all the wheels comprising independent suspension systems to improve road handling and vehicle 10 maneuverability as well as driver comfort during transport over bumpy roads.

The front wheel may include a McPherson-strut suspension system of conventional type, telescopic shock absorbers. Vehicle 10 is front wheel steered, as well as front wheel powered, for improved lateral stability and maneuverability. Front wheel steering includes the steering system 219.

The rear wheels connected to frame structure 15. Swings arm/trailing suspension system 315 provided to each wheel. Swing arm suspension system 315 includes two pivotable swing arms 317, one swing arm 317 being connected to each rear wheel 30. Swing arms 317 are connected, at one end, to bottom side rail 61 at pivot linkage 319. Each swing arm 317 is connected, at its other end, to a plate 318, welded to a downwardly extending side portion 17b of an upper side rail through shock absorbers 340 of conventional type.

In both front and rear suspension systems, desired suspension stroke is selected, which is suitable for driving under most city and built up area conditions.
The mounting arrangement of suspension system can be varied depending upon frame structure selected for the vehicle.

According to another embodiment, the motor vehicle 10 comprising an arrangement 352 for mounting a spare wheel 353 that does not consume any space in driver or luggage compartment thus assisting in optimizing the size of the vehicle. The spare wheel mounting arrangement is illustrated in figures 6a to 6c. The mounting arrangement includes a structure pivotably connected to chassis at a pivot point 354 and a lid or cover .The structure holds the spare wheel at the rim 356 of the wheel. The lid or cover comprising a latch/lock arrangement to hold the spare wheel at its place. While placing or taking out spare wheel, the lock of the lid and pivot point is unlocked and the structure is moved around the pivot point 354. This arrangement also reduces time and manual efforts for placing or taking out spare wheel.

The motor vehicle 10 as above described provides a convenient transport option with improved maneuverability, stability, parking convenience in congested space and fuel economy over small cars, particularly in urban areas. Vehicle emissions are also reduced over current car emission levels. At the same time, the motor vehicle enables cost effective convenient motor transport for a small family with adequate amount of luggage space.

Modifications and variations to the motor vehicle of the present invention may be apparent to the skilled reader of this disclosure. Such modifications and variations are deemed within the scope of the present invention. ,CLAIMS:1. A motorized vehicle including a frame structure and a prime mover comprising of :

a. a first pair of mutually spaced wheels and

b. a second pair of mutually spaced wheels , thereby forming a track distance between each corresponding pair of wheels, a pair of wheel driven by said prime mover, characterized in that the track distance between wheels in a first pair of wheels is substantially different than track distance between wheels in a second pair of wheels.

2. A motorized vehicle as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first pair of wheels corresponds with the front of the vehicle and the second pair of wheels corresponds with the rear of a vehicle.

3. The motorized vehicle as claimed in claim 2, wherein the width of the vehicle on front side of vehicle is greater than the width of the vehicle on rear side of the vehicle; the width progressively reducing from front end of the vehicle towards the rear end of the vehicle.

4. The motorized vehicle as claimed in claim 3, wherein the engine is preferably mounted at the front end of the vehicle.

5. The motorized vehicle as claimed in claim 4, wherein the vehicle has its centre of gravity of the vehicle is in front end of the vehicle.

6. The motorized vehicle as claimed in claim 5 wherein the center of gravity is close to front pair of wheel and wherein centre of gravity is substantially low or close to ground.

7. The motorized vehicle as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the vehicle is preferably front wheel steered vehicle and more preferably a rack and pinion type.
8. The motorized vehicle as claimed in claim 1 may include independent suspension system for each of wheel.

9. The motorized vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the suspension system of one wheel may be different from the suspension system of another wheel of the vehicle.

10. The motorized vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein each wheel may be mounted on its independent axle.

11. The motorized vehicle as claimed in claim 10, wherein the axle may be a stub axle or a rigid axle.

12. The motorized vehicle as claimed in claim 11, wherein the wheels towards the front of the vehicle may be mounted on stub axle and wheels towards the rear of the vehicle may be mounted on rigid axle.

13. The motorized vehicle as claimed in claim 9 wherein wheels towards the front of the vehicle may have McPherson strut type suspension system.

14. The motorized vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vehicle has frame structure such that centre of the gravity of the vehicle is very low.

15. The motorized vehicle as claimed in claim 1 wherein the vehicle includes a ”body on frame” frame structure.; said frame structure includes plurality of interconnected members.

16. The motorized vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the frame structure may be enclosed by a cabin.

17. The motorized vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vehicle includes a rear compartment which may be a luggage area, or a seating area for passengers or a combination of both.

18. The motorized vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vehicle may include scissor type door, rotatable around atleast one hinge and follow a trajectory to avoid fouling with surrounding parts.

19. The motorized vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vehicle includes a front compartment which is a seating area for a driver and may be a co-driver.

20. The motorized vehicle as claimed in claim 19, wherein the said luggage area includes sliding loading trays.

21. The motorized vehicle as claimed in claim 19, wherein the seating area includes foldable seats.

22. The motorized vehicle as claimed in claim 1, include mounting modules within which wheels, suspension means and steering components of the vehicle may be disposed.

23. The motorized vehicle as claimed in claim 1, includes a spare wheel mounting arrangement comprising a structure pivotally connected to chassis and lid or cover; the said spare wheel lockably mounted along the rim onto the said structure through a latch/lock arrangement provided to said lid or cover to hold the spare wheel at its.

24. The motorized vehicle as claimed in claim 23 wherein said mounting arrangement is provided between a non steered pair wheel and wherein the spare wheel is mounted substantially parallel to pair of wheels or at some inclination.

25. The motorized vehicle as claimed in claim 1-24, further including a prime mover which may an internal combustion engine, electric motor or a hybrid engine.

26. The motorized vehicle as claimed in claim 1-24, further including a transmission system which may automate, manual or automatic transmission.