Claims:I/We Claim:
1. A motorized vehicle (100), said motorized vehicle (100) comprising;
one or more control switches (115); and
at least one handle bar assembly (110),wherein said one or more handle bar assembly (110) includes a left handle bar grip (110a) and a right handle bar grip (110b);
wherein,
said one or more control switches (115) disposed on a right hand side and remote to said right handle bar grip (110a) of said handle bar assembly (110), and said one or more control switches (115) is configured to integrate the control of temperature regulation of one or more vehicular components that are exposed to external atmosphere.
2. The motorized vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said one or more vehicular components include a one or more handle bar grip (110a, 110b) and one or more seat unit (130).
3. The motorized vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein, an input (a) given by means of said one or more control switches (115) are visible on an instrument cluster (180) of said motorized vehicle (100).
4. A vehicular temperature regulation method comprising:
giving one or more input (a) from the rider by means of one or more control switches (115) disposed on at least one handle bar assembly (110) of said motorized vehicle (100);
sending said input(a) selected by said one or more control switches (115) to a control unit (255);
displaying a plurality of menu (260) with a plurality of temperature settings (220) on said instrument cluster (180);
sending a one or more input (a) selected by said one or more control switches (115) to said control unit (255) of a one or more vehicular components that are exposed to external atmosphere; and
controlling the temperature of said one or more vehicular components that are exposed to external atmosphere.
5. The motorized vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said one or more control switches (115) increases and decreases temperature of said one or more handle bar grip (110a, 110b).
6. The motorized vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said one or more control switches (115) increases and decreases temperature of said one or more seat unit (130) of said motorized vehicle (100).
7. The motorized vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said instrument cluster (180) displays a plurality of screens (240, 245, 250) together or one after the other.
8. The motorized vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1 or claim 3 or claim 7, wherein a menu (260) with different temperature settings is displayed on said instrument cluster (180) by means of said plurality of screens (240, 245, 250).
9. The motorized vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1 or claim 7 or claim 8, wherein said one or more control switches (115) selects a desired option from said menu (260) displayed on said instrument cluster (180) by means of said plurality of screens (240, 245, 250).
10. The motorized vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein said plurality of screens (240, 245, 250) is capable of displaying temperature of said motorized vehicle (100).
11. The motorized vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein said plurality of screens (240, 245, 250) is capable of displaying temperature of the outside environment. , Description:Technical Field
[0001] The present subject matter described herein generally relates to a motorized vehicle, and particularly but not exclusively relates to a temperature control of a one or more vehicular components of the motorized vehicle.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Conventionally, motorized vehicles capable of having a closed environment, such as cars, are known to have features related to controlling the temperature of occupant compartment of the vehicle, as and when required by the user. By means of such temperature controlling features, the overall temperature of the user compartment of the vehicle is capable of being altered as and when required by the occupants of the vehicle, and thereby maintain a comfortable environment including touch points like seat surface etc.
[0003] However, in motorized vehicles which are exposed to atmosphere and are not confined within a closed environment, several challenges are faced while controlling the temperature of the environment in vicinity of the rider. During extremes of climatic conditions, the vehicle and the rider are directly exposed to the climatic conditions, resultant to which the heat and coldness are directly felt by the rider which leads to driver experiencing fatigue and uncomfortable ride.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] The detailed description is described with reference to an embodiment of a saddle ride type motorcycle along with the accompanying figures. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like features and components.
[0005] Figure 1 illustrates a side view of a motorized vehicle, for example a vehicle, when viewed from left hand side of the rider while the rider is in riding position.
[0006] Figure 2 illustrates a block diagram broadly explaining the control system for temperature setting of the one or more seat unit(130) and the one or more handle bar grips (110a, 110b) as per an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0007] Figure 3 illustrates a flow chart giving detailed explanation of the control system for temperature setting of the one or more seat unit (130) and the one or more handle bar grips (110a, 110b) as per an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0008] Figure 4 illustrates images of the screens (240, 245, 250) displayed as a menu on the instrument cluster (180) in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0009] In vehicles which are not confined within a closed environment, e.g. saddle ride type two or three wheeled vehicles, the rider is directly exposed to the extremes of climatic conditions, resultant to which the temperature of certain tactile and touch components which are directly exposed fluctuates to both extremes. For instance, the temperature of seat and handlebar become very high or very low accordingly. Since these components of the vehicle are in direct contact with the rider’s body, the heat and coldness are directly felt by the rider, which leads to an uncomfortable ride for the rider.
[00010] Conventionally, temperature regulation of seat is known for a long time. Such vehicles are also capable of controlling the temperature of the vehicle’s seat by adjusting the desired temperature by means of a heating element comprising an electrically resistive conductor that generates heat upon an electric current being passed through it. Moreover, such heating elements are known to be individually provided on both the seat bottom portion and the seat backrest portion.
[00011] Early versions of such seat heating devices electrically connected the seat bottom portion and backrest portion heating elements in series, with both heaters controlled jointly by a single controller. Such devices suffered from occupants experiencing unpleasant physiological impressions of unequal heating between the seat bottom portion and backrest portion, despite occupant efforts to adjustably control the temperature setting by means of the device's control interface. Moreover, such devices tended to undesirably tax the vehicle's electrical system and required wiring harnesses having conductors of large size to accommodate the necessary current to power the series-connected heaters.
[00012] More recently, vehicle seat heating devices have typically electrically connected the seat bottom portion and backrest portion heating elements in parallel, each with a respective controller. The controllers may be individually adjusted by the occupant to control the amount of physiologically-sensed heating provided to the seat bottom portion and backrest portion. Such parallel connected control units are separately controlled and powered through a dash-mounted occupant switch. An occupant switch is connected to the vehicle's electrical system, which includes a source of direct current (e.g., the vehicle battery), and allows each of the respective heating elements to be individually actuated as well as the amount of current supplied, to be individually adjusted with a potentiometer. The occupant switch thus allows a passenger to select desired temperature settings for the device's seat bottom portion and backrest portion heaters, each respective selection having an occupant switch output voltage of corresponding temperature selection value.
[00013] Moreover, the known temperature control systems in existing four-wheelers the seat temperature control knob is conventionally, often placed at a remote location under the seat, which are not easily accessible. As a result of their difficult accessible position often such control knobs are likely to be used less by the user. Further, in such known vehicles, additional electrical connections are required to power these control switches, which leads to increased maintenance and development cost.
[00014] In known saddle type vehicles that are exposed to atmosphere, cooling or heating of seats are done with a standalone system which has its own control switches placed near the seat or the fuel tank.
[00015] Placements of switches near the seat to control the temperature reduce the durability of the switches as there will be other interfacing parts for example an engine, in the vicinity of the seat. The heat dissipated by such interfacing parts effect the durability of the nearby switches.
[00016] The switches used for direct interface are high current switches and hence expensive. This leads to additional cost of production, and in the long run increases the overall maintenance cost of the vehicle.
[00017] In other known arts the seat temperature control switch is integrated to the instrument cluster of the vehicle. This enables the vehicle to overcome the problems associated with having a separate switch in the vicinity of the seat. However, such an integration of the seat temperature control switches to the instrument cluster would still not enable on-the-go controlling of the seat temperature, as it still requires the rider to stop the vehicle to make changes to the temperature settings.
[00018] Also, the reliability and durability of such integration when implemented in vehicles that are exposed to external environment is less, as such a control switch integrated to the instrument cluster is exposed to the external environment.
[00019] In other known arts, instead of switches being placed near the seat, the switches are placed on the instrument cluster which are depressible switches or touch sensitive or capacitive type. This further increases the cost of the instrument cluster and having such switches or touch sensitive switches on instrument cluster of a vehicle which is exposed to atmosphere further reduces the durability of the temperature control unit. It would further increase the cost to achieve particular quality standards for the switches.
[00020] Moreover, integrating the temperature control switches to the instrument cluster involves redesigning or newly developing an instrument cluster that are susceptible to the environmental damage factors. Furthermore, the known art also suffers from lack of displaying to the rider, the current temperature at which the seat is being maintained. Lack of such display would hamper the effective comfort, as any change in outside atmospheric temperature is bound to have a direct impact on the temperature at which the seat has to be maintained.
[00021] Also in cases of handle bar grips, same scenario is applicable, as in extreme environmental conditions it is difficult to get proper grip of the handle bar. Conventionally, heated grips are provided to the rider as an external part or an accessory which is mounted on the handle bar of the vehicle. Such heated grips provide heat over the entire length and circumference of the grip.
[00022] Existing design for such heated grips have a dedicated switch for switching “ON” the grip and controlling the temperature and current. In an existing system, if a heated grip is added to a vehicle or if a rider wants to update it according to his or her requirements, the complexity of the system as a whole increases making the whole setup expensive. Also, the presently known heat grips have less number of heat settings as it is based on switch position or controller settings. This feature does not provide enough information about the temperature which is selected, making the usage of the heated grips as tedious and confusing for the rider.
[00023] In both cases, that include seats and handle bar grips, when a rider wants to configure the settings to cooling or heating mode or adjust the temperature levels, the rider has to stop the vehicle and change the settings and check whether the settings are suitable for the ride by riding for some distance. Such frequent stops and need to change the settings frequently because of the controls of temperatures of seat and grips settings causes ergonomic discomfort to the rider and compromises with the user experience. Therefore, there is a need of an improved tactile point comfort system for a saddle ride type two or three wheeled vehicle which overcomes all above problems and other problems of known art.
[00024] Therefore there is a need of an improved control unit that enables the rider to control the temperature settings of vehicular components exposed, such as a one or more seat and a one or more handle grip of a vehicle, on-the-go using one or more control switches and the cluster.
[00025] The present subject matter has been devised in view of the above circumstances as well as solving other problems of known art.
[00026] In an embodiment of the present subject matter, the present subject matter relates to a motorized vehicle, comprising, a common control unit, an instrument cluster, a one or more handle bar, a one or more handle bar grip, and a one or more seat.
[00027] As per an aspect of the present embodiment of the present subject matter, a common control unit is configured which includes one or more control switches. The control unit is capable of controlling temperature of the vehicular components exposed such as the one or more seat and the one or more handle bar grip by means of one or more control switches. The input given to the control unit by means of the one or more control switches is visible on the instrument cluster of the motorized vehicle.
[00028] As per another aspect of the present embodiment of the present subject matter, the control unit is capable of receiving inputs from the rider by means of the one or more control switches disposed remote to a left hand side of the handle bar assembly of the vehicle, sending inputs selected by one or more control switches to a control unit , displaying a menu with a plurality of temperature settings on the instrument cluster, selecting a desired temperature option from said menu by means of one or more control switches, sending inputs selected by said one or more control switches to the control unit, sending a pulse width modulation (PWM) duty input from control unit to the vehicular components exposed, such as the one or more handle bar grip and the one or more seat unit; and converting said pulse width modulation (PWM) duty cycle to desired current (Amp) value which will control the temperature of the vehicular components exposed, such as the one or more handle bar grip and the one or more seat unit. The control unit is capable of increasing and decreasing temperature of the vehicular components exposed, such as the one or more handle bar grip and one or more seat unit of the motorized vehicle.
[00029] As per another embodiment of the present subject matter, a menu display with different temperature settings is displayed on the instrument cluster. A one or more control switches select a desired temperature option from the menu display.
[00030] As per an efficacy of the present embodiment of the present subject matter, the menu display in the instrument cluster allows the rider to control the temperature settings at different levels, this improves the ride comfort.
[00031] As per another efficacy of the present embodiment of the present subject matter, the presence of the control switches near the left hand side of the handle bar assembly of the vehicle is ergonomically optimum for the rider as it allows the rider to change the settings on the go without taking intermittent stops in between.
[00032] As per another efficacy of the present embodiment of the present subject matter, the present invention is convenient for the rider as to control the temperature settings the rider need not move his hands from the handle bar to elsewhere rather he can use the control switches present near the handle bar.
[00033] As per another efficacy of the present embodiment of the present subject matter, the cost of manufacturing an additional switch for temperature settings of seat and grips separately is eliminated which further leads to overall reduction in weight.
[00034] As per another efficacy of the present embodiment of the present subject matter, the cost of manufacturing additional switches and wires is eliminated.
[00035] As per another efficacy of the present embodiment of the present subject matter, due to elimination of additional switches, design gets simplified and improves the rider seat comfort factor.
[00036] As per another efficacy of the present embodiment of the present subject matter, the overall rider’s experience is improved.
[00037] The nature and further characteristic features of the present invention will be made clearer from the following descriptions made with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[00038] Exemplary embodiments detailing features regarding the aforesaid and other advantages of the present subject matter will be described hereunder with reference to the accompanying drawings. Various aspects of different embodiments of the present invention will become discernible from the following description set out hereunder. Rather, the following description provides a convenient illustration for implementing exemplary embodiments of the invention. Further, it is to be noted that terms “upper”, “down”, “right”, “left”, “front”, “forward”, “rearward”, “downward”, “upward”, “top”, “bottom”, “exterior”, “interior” and like terms are used herein based on the illustrated state or in a standing state of the vehicle with a driver riding thereon. Furthermore, arrows wherever provided in the top right corner of figure(s) in the drawings depicts direction with respect to the vehicle, wherein an arrow F denotes front direction, an arrow R indicates rear direction, an arrow Up denotes upward direction, an arrow Dw denotes downward direction, an arrow RH denotes right side, and an arrow LH denotes left side. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
[00039] Figure 1 illustrates a rear perspective view of a motorized vehicle (100), for example a vehicle (100), when viewed from left hand rear side of the rider while the rider is in riding position. The vehicle (100) is generally provided with a power assembly (not shown) that generates the power required to propel the vehicle (100) forward. A frame assembly (not shown), which further includes a front frame (not shown), a central frame (not shown) and a rear frame (not shown) joined together to form the frame assembly (not shown). A power transmission assembly (not shown), which transfers the power generated by the power assembly (not shown) to the rear wheel (155), and a front wheel (165) at front portion of the vehicle (100) below the front frame (not shown) which is steerable by the rider, and a pair of handle bar assembly (110) comprising of a left handle bar grip (110b) and a right handle bar grip (110a) and a throttle assembly (not shown) which the rider can use to steer the front wheel (165) in the desired direction. A front suspension assembly (not shown) is used for smooth force transmission to the front wheel (165), and a rear suspension assembly (not shown for smooth force transmission to the rear wheel (155).
[00040] The front frame includes a head tube (not shown) and a down tube (not shown); the head tube supports the front suspension assembly, which further supports the pair of handle bar assembly (110) in a steerable manner and the down tube extends rearward and downward of the head tube. The central frame has two tubes (not shown) on the left and right of the vehicle (100) extending away from each other in a rearward direction. The left and right tubes are connected by a cross frame (not shown) extending in vehicle width direction. These left and right tubes further extend rearward and upward to form the rear frame, which supports other assemblies of the vehicle (100) at rear portion.
[00041] A front panel (175) is provided ahead of the head tube for covering the head tube when viewed from front of the vehicle (100). A rear panel (125), extending downwards from the head tube, covers the head tube and down tube from the rear side. A front fender (170) is provided above the front wheel (165), in the vicinity of the front suspension assembly, to prevent mud splashing onto the internal articles of the vehicle at the front portion. A handle bar rear panel (120), at least partly covers the pair of handle bar assembly (110), from the rear side. A handle bar front panel (185) at least partly covers the pair of handle bar assembly (110) from front side. A one or more control switches (115) are provided on the handle bar rear panel (120) near the handle bar assembly (110), remote to a left handle bar grip (110b). An instrument cluster (180) is present on the handle bar rear panel (120) in between the pair of handle bar assembly (110). A one side glove box (190) is mounted on the rear panel (125), below the handle bar rear panel (120) and above the floor board (160). A headlamp assembly (not shown) is disposed on the handle bar front panel (185) and pair of mirror (105) is disposed on the handle bar assembly (110) through the handle bar front panel (185). An interfacing portion of the handle bar front panel (185) and the handle bar rear panel (120) has a cut-out zone (not shown) on left side and right side for projecting the left handle bar grip (110b) and right handle bar grip (110a) respectively. A floor board (160) as a leg resting panel is provided above the central frame to cover a top portion of the central frame and a bottom panel is provided below the central frame to cover a bottom portion of the central frame.
[00042] On the rear side, a utility unit (not shown) is disposed, at the space between the left and right tubes at the rear portion of the vehicle (100) above the power unit(not shown), to store articles. The utility unit is mounted onto the cross tube at the front portion and rear portion, thus getting supported by the rear frame. A one or more seat unit (130) is provided, above the utility unit and extending throughout the rear frame, for the rider to sit over and maneuver the vehicle (100). The one or more seat unit(130) is mounted onto the vehicle (100) through a hinge unit (not shown), provided on the utility unit, such that the one or more seat unit (130) can be opened by rotating it about the hinge unit to provide access to a storage area of the utility unit.
[00043] A side panel LH (140) is provided on the left side of the rear frame and a side panel RH (not shown) is provided on the right side of the rear frame so as to cover the internal components when viewed from left and right sides of the vehicle (100) respectively. A front cover (195) is disposed ahead of the utility unit and below the one or more seat unit (130) to cover the internal components, such as the power assembly (not shown), frame assembly (not shown) in a vehicle (100) perspective view. A rear cover (145) is provided rearward to the rear frame (105) and an opening formed by assembling the rear cover (145) and the side panel assemblys (140, not shown) is used to place a tail lamp (200) on the rear side. A rear fender (150) is disposed above the rear wheel (155) to prevent mud splashing onto internal components while riding. A grab rail (135) is disposed in the vicinity of the one or more seat unit (130), on the rear portion of the vehicle (100), to enable a pillion rider to grab for support.
[00044] Figure 2 illustrates a block diagram broadly explaining the control system for temperature setting of predetermined components which are directly exposed to the environment and are tactile touch points of the user such as the one or more seat unit (130) and the one or more handle bar grips (110a, 110b) as per an embodiment of the present subject matter. As per the present subject matter hardware input (a) is given by the rider by means of the one or more control switches (115) disposed on the handle bar assembly (110). A hardware input (a) is given by the rider from the control switches (115) to the control unit (255) to select the optimum temperature level displayed on the instrument cluster (180). Then a pulse width modulation (PWM) input (b) is given to the seat and grip control unit (205) present on the instrument cluster (180), upon selection of the optimum temperature level displayed on the instrument cluster (180). Upon receiving of such pulse width modulation (PWM) input (b) signal the temperature of the one or more seat unit (130) and the one or more handle bar grips (110a, 110b) are controlled to reach the target temperature either through heating or cooling as essential.
[00045] Figure 3 illustrates a flow chart giving detailed explanation of the control system for temperature setting of predetermined components which are directly exposed such as the one or more seat unit(130) and the one or more handle bar grip (110a, 110b) as per an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[00046] As per the present subject matter hardware input (a) (shown in Figure 2) is given by the rider by means of the one or more control switches (115) (shown in Figure 1) disposed on the handle bar assembly (110) (shown in Figure 1). The rider can adjust the temperature settings of the one or more seat unit (130) and the one or more handle bar grips (110a, 110b) using the control switches (115).
[00047] As a first step (210) the hardware input (a) is given by the rider from the control switches (115) on the handle bar assembly (120) to the control unit (255). Further, the control switch enables the user to separately and independently control the temperature of the handle bar grips (110a, 110b) and the one or more seat unit (130) depending upon the outside atmospheric condition.
[00048] Step 2 (215) involves displaying a menu 260 (shown in Fig. 4)with a plurality of temperature settings on the instrument cluster (180) enabling the separate and independent control of the temperature of the one or more seat unit (130) and the handle bar grips (110a, 110b).
[00049] Step 3 (220) involves selecting a desired temperature option from said displayed menu (260) by means of one or more control switch (115).
[00050] Step 4 (225) involves sending inputs selected by one or more control switch (115) to the control unit (255).
[00051] Step 5 (230) involves conversion of PWM duty cycle to particular current (Amp) value and sending the output from the control unit (255) of the vehicle to a one or more handle bar grips (110a, 110b) and a one or more one or more seat unit (130); and
[00052] Step 6 (235) involves controlling the temperature of one or more handle bar grips (110a, 110b) and a one or more one or more seat unit (130).
[00053] Figure 4 illustrates images of one or more screens (240, 245, 250) displayed as a menu (260) on the instrument cluster (180) in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The instrument cluster (180) is capable of projecting a plurality of screens (240, 245, 250) together or one after the other. The instrument cluster (180) projects associated selectable functions required for optimally controlling the temperature setting of the one or more seat unit (130) and handle bar grips (110a, 110b). Screen 1 (240) is displayed on the instrument cluster (180) when the temperature setting of one or more seat unit (130) and handle bar grips (110a, 110b) is activated by the rider by means of the control switch (115).
[00054] Post activation of screen 1 (240) by means of another input given by the control switch a screen 2 (245) is activated which further displays options of enabling or disabling temperature control. One the enabling option is selected by the rider by means of the control switch (115), a screen 3 (250) will be displayed on the instrument cluster (180). The screen 3 (250) will have another menu (260) having different temperature levels displayed. The screen 3 (250) as per an additional embodiment necessarily captures the current temperature of the vehicle (100) and also the current temperature of the surroundings, enabling the rider to optimally select a temperature desired by the rider. Once a particular temperature is selected by the rider, the selected option will be mapped to the particular duty cycle and then will be send as a PWM output to the temperature controller of the one or more seat unit (130) and handle bar grips (110a, 110b). On selection of the temperature control screen, the rider is allowed to toggle between temperature control of one or more seat unit (130) and handle bar grips (110a, 110b).The rider toggles between the two controls using the same control switch (115) provided near the left hand side of the handle bar assembly (110).As per another embodiment, the common control switch (115) herein used can be enabled with other functions and the temperature control function is only appended as an additional function for the control switches (115).
[00055] Many modifications and variations of the present subject matter are possible in the light of above disclosure. Therefore, within the scope of claims of the present subject matter, the present disclosure may be practiced other than as specifically described.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

100: vehicle
105: mirror
110: handle bar assembly
110a: right handle bar grip
110b: left handle bar grip
115: control switches
120: handle bar rear panel
125:rear panel
130:seat unit
135: grab rail
140:side panel LH
145: rear cover
150: rear fender
155:Rear wheel
160: floor board
165: Front wheel
170:front fender
175: front panel
180: instrument cluster
185: handle bar front panel
190: glove box
195: front cover
200: tail lamp
205: seat and control grip
a: hardware Input
b: PWM input
210: first step
215: second step
220: third step
225:fourth step
230:fifth step
235: sixth step
240: screen 1
245: screen 2
250: screen 3
255: control unit
260: menu