Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present invention generally relates to a saddle type hybrid electric vehicle and particularly relates to disposition of a battery of the saddle type hybrid electric vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] Constantly rising fuel costs and concerns regarding global warming has affected customer choice and promoted use of alternate energy sources for transport. With advancements in technology, electric and hybrid electric vehicles have become cheaper to acquire, own and maintain for customers. Thus, electric and hybrid electric vehicles have become sustainable and lucrative options in comparison to conventional internal combustion vehicles in current market scenario. Electric vehicles are typically driven by a motor which draws power from an energy source like a battery. Hybrid electric vehicles, on the other hand, are powered by an internal combustion engine as well as an energy source like the battery, depending upon requirements of a rider of the vehicle and based on predetermined conditionalities. During a transition period to electrification of vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles offer more pragmatic choice since charging infrastructure wouldn’t be robust. Since fuel availability for Internal Combustion (IC) engines is guaranteed over more locations, chances of hybrid electric vehicles being stranded for want of fuel is less.
[003] Generally, the hybrid electric vehicle employs two batteries, a high voltage battery and a low voltage battery. The high voltage battery provides power to an electric motor which is adapted to generate supplementary motive force to move the vehicle. The electric motor may work in isolation or in consonance with the IC engine of the vehicle under varying driving conditions and external loads determined on the basis of predetermined conditionalities. The low voltage battery powers all auxiliary electric loads like lamps, fans, horns, etc.
[004] In case of saddle type or two wheeled hybrid electric vehicles like motorcycles, scooters, etc. there is a space constraint in accommodating the high voltage battery and the low voltage battery in the vehicle. The low voltage battery may be mounted in a location it is mounted for similar conventional internal combustion saddle type vehicles. The high voltage battery is substantially more voluminous than the low voltage battery and thus requires a larger storage space. Further, the batteries cannot be mounted close to parts of the IC engine as they emit high heat and would damage the batteries or even cause them to explode. The high voltage battery also heats up during charging and discharging processes and needs to be effectively cooled. Considering the space constraint in the saddle type vehicle and to keep manufacturing and maintenance costs low, air cooling of the high voltage battery is preferred over any active cooling systems like liquid cooling.
[005] Furthermore, it is desirable to have a minimum possible cable length for a cable that connects the high voltage battery to the electric motor. Reduction in the cable length reduces wastage of electrical energy transmitted through the cable in the form of heat dissipated under resistance, and also reduces weight and overall cost of manufacture. It is also desirable to have the high voltage battery at a location in the vehicle that allows for ease of serviceability.
[006] Thus, there is a need in the art for a saddle type hybrid electric vehicle and disposition of a battery of the saddle type hybrid electric vehicle which addresses at least the aforementioned problems and limitations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[007] In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a saddle type hybrid electric vehicle. The vehicle includes an IC engine, a rear wheel operatively coupled to the IC engine, a seat, a storage compartment disposed downwardly of the seat, a battery adapted to store electrical energy, an electric machine operatively coupled to the rear wheel, and a power cable connecting the battery to the electric machine. The IC engine is mounted to a frame structure of the vehicle. The rear wheel is adapted to propel the vehicle under motive force provided by the IC engine. The seat is adapted to accommodate a rider of the vehicle. The battery is disposed downwardly of the storage compartment and upwardly of the rear wheel. The electric machine is adapted to draw energy from the battery and provide supplementary motive force to the rear wheel. The power cable is adapted to transmit electrical energy from the battery to the electric machine. The battery has a power terminal on a side of the battery facing towards an outside of the vehicle in a vehicle width direction. The power cable is plugged in to the power terminal of the battery.
[008] In an embodiment, the battery is disposed at a rear portion of the storage compartment. In another embodiment, the battery is mounted to the frame structure of the vehicle using a bracket.
[009] In an embodiment, the electric machine is disposed between the IC engine and the rear wheel of the vehicle. In another embodiment, the electric machine is disposed downwardly of the storage compartment.
[010] In a further embodiment, the electric machine is adapted to harness kinetic energy of the rear wheel and convert it into electrical energy during deceleration of the vehicle. In an embodiment, the power cable is adapted to transmit the electrical energy generated by the electric machine during deceleration of the vehicle to the battery.
[011] In an embodiment, the electric machine is an Integrated Starter Generator (ISG).
[012] In yet another embodiment, the saddle type hybrid electric vehicle includes a transmission which is adapted to operatively couple the IC engine and the electric machine to the rear wheel of the vehicle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[013] Reference will be made to embodiments of the invention, examples of which may be illustrated in accompanying figures. These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the invention is generally described in context of these embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these particular embodiments.
Figure 1 illustrates a side elevation view of an exemplary saddle type hybrid electric vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 illustrates a right side elevation view of another exemplary saddle type hybrid electric vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 illustrates a left side elevation view of the saddle type hybrid electric vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 illustrates a rear elevation view of the saddle type hybrid electric vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[014] Various features and embodiments of the present invention here will be discernible from the following further description thereof, set out hereunder. In the ensuing exemplary embodiments, the saddle type hybrid electric vehicle is a two wheeled vehicle. However, it is contemplated that the disclosure in the present invention may be applied to any automobile capable of accommodating the present subject matter without defeating the scope of the present invention.
[015] The present invention generally relates to a saddle type hybrid electric vehicle 100 and particularly relates to disposition of a battery 90 of the saddle type hybrid electric vehicle 100. In the following description the term vehicle has been interchangeably used with the term saddle type hybrid electric vehicle in the interest of brevity.
[016] Figure 1 illustrates a side elevation view of an exemplary saddle type hybrid electric vehicle 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. As illustrated, the vehicle 100 is a scooter type two wheeled vehicle. However, it may be contemplated that the saddle type hybrid electric vehicle 100 can be any kind of saddle type vehicle. Thus, the example of the scooter type two wheeled vehicle illustrated in Figure 1 should not be meant to limit the scope of the present invention.
[017] Figure 2 illustrates a right side elevation view of another exemplary saddle type hybrid electric vehicle 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The vehicle 100 includes a frame structure 20 extending in a vehicle front rear direction F-R. The frame structure 20 provides structural support for the vehicle 100 and is adapted to mount one or more vehicular components of the vehicle 100. In an embodiment, the frame structure 20 includes a head pipe 22 at a front portion of the vehicle 100. The head pipe 22 supports a steering shaft (not shown) and a front suspension 52 attached to the steering shaft through a lower bracket (not shown). The front suspension 52 supports a front wheel 36 which is adapted to steer the vehicle 100. A handlebar 62 is fixed to an upper bracket (not shown) and can rotate about the steering shaft for changing direction of the vehicle 100. A headlight (not shown) and an instrument cluster (shown in Figure 4) are arranged on an upper portion of the head pipe 22. A rear suspension 54 is provided at a rear portion of the frame structure 20 for dampening the vibrations induced during travel of the vehicle 100 over undulations. A rear wheel 38 is supported by the rear suspension 54.
[018] Referring to the embodiment of the vehicle 100 illustrated in Figure 1, the front wheel 36 is covered at its upper portion by a front fender 46. A rear fender 48 is disposed above the rear wheel 38. A taillamp (not shown) is disposed at a rear end of the vehicle 100. Further, a seat 40 which is adapted to accommodate a rider of the vehicle 100 is disposed rearwardly of the handlebar 62 and supported by the frame structure 20. A pillion handle 42 is provided for facilitating a pillion rider to grip and/or balance on the vehicle 100 during movement. The vehicle 100 also includes a plurality of body panels (not shown) for styling, including a front panel, a handlebar cover, right and left rear side panels, etc.
[019] Referring to Figure 2, the vehicle 100 includes a prime mover to provide motive force to the rear wheel 38, the prime mover being an Internal Combustion (IC) engine 80. The rear wheel 38 is operatively coupled to the IC engine 80 and is adapted to propel the vehicle 100 under motive force provided by the IC engine 80. The IC engine 80 is mounted to the frame structure 20 at a lower portion of the frame structure 20. Further, a fuel tank (not shown) is mounted to the frame structure 20 to store fuel and supply fuel to the IC engine 80. An exhaust pipe 86 extends rearwardly from the IC engine to terminate at the rear portion of the vehicle 100. The exhaust pipe 86 is coupled to the IC engine 80 to safely remove the combustion gasses and other particulates released from the IC engine 80 post each combustion cycle.
[020] In an aspect, an electric machine 82 is operatively coupled to the rear wheel 38. The electric machine 82 is adapted to provide supplementary motive force to the rear wheel 38. The electric machine 82 may work in isolation or in conjunction with the IC engine 80 to provide motive force to the rear wheel 38 for propelling the vehicle 100. In an embodiment, the electric machine 82 is disposed between the IC engine 80 and the rear wheel 38. The electric machine 82 is disposed downwardly of the storage compartment 44. In another embodiment, the electric machine 82 is adapted to harness kinetic energy of the rear wheel 38 and convert it into electrical energy during deceleration of the vehicle 100. This aids in effective braking of the vehicle 100 since a braking system of the vehicle 100 is assisted by the electric machine 82 in slowing down the vehicle 100. This also aids in increasing longevity of brake pads, brake discs, brake shoes, etc. as the case may be, since these are used less in deceleration of the vehicle. Further, regeneration of energy in this manner improves fuel economy and reduces wastage of useful kinetic energy. In an embodiment, the electric machine 82 is an Integrated Starter Generator ISG. A suitable transmission 84 is provided to operatively couple the IC engine 80 and the electric machine 82 to the rear wheel 38 for transferring motive force generated in the IC engine 80 and the electric machine 82 onto the rear wheel 38 for driving the vehicle 100. The transmission 84 is also adapted to transfer kinetic energy of the rear wheel 38 to the electric machine 82 during deceleration of the vehicle 100 for regeneration of this kinetic energy into electrical energy.
[021] In an embodiment, the vehicle 100 includes a storage compartment 44 disposed downwardly of the seat 40 for storing one or more articles such as helmet. A battery 90 is disposed downwardly of the storage compartment 44 and upwardly of the rear wheel 38. The battery 90 is adapted to store electrical energy. The electric machine 82 draws energy from the battery 90 in order to generate the supplementary motive force used to drive the rear wheel 38. In an embodiment, the vehicle 100 includes a charging console (not shown) to charge the battery 90 using an external power source. For e.g., the battery 90 may be charged by plugging the battery to a power socket in a building using the charging console. In the illustrated embodiment, the battery 90 is disposed at a rear portion of the storage compartment 44, albeit below the storage compartment 44. In an embodiment, the storage compartment 44 is shaped to have a lower surface profile which curves upwards in the vehicle front rear direction F-R, and plateaus at a region above the battery 90. In another embodiment, the battery 90 is mounted to the frame structure 20 of the vehicle 100 using a bracket (not shown). The battery 90 being disposed downwardly of the storage compartment 44 and upwardly of the rear wheel 38 allows the battery 90 to be located near enough the electric machine 82, while also being far enough from the IC engine 80. This disposition also increases ease of serviceability as the battery 90 is mounted at an easily accessible location. Further, the battery 90 is exposed to ambient air which aids in effective cooling of the battery 90. In an embodiment, body panels of the vehicle 100 are adapted to direct travelling wind onto the battery 90 while the vehicle is in motion for effective cooling of the battery 90.
[022] Figure 3 illustrates a left side elevation view of the saddle type hybrid electric vehicle 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The vehicle 100 includes a power cable 92 which electrically connects the battery 90 to the electric machine 82. The power cable 92 is adapted to transmit electrical energy from the battery 90 to the electric machine 82. In an embodiment, the power cable 92 is adapted to transmit the electrical energy generated by the electric machine 82 by converting kinetic energy of the rear wheel 38 during deceleration of the vehicle 100 to the battery 90. The battery 90 stores the energy so transmitted from the electric machine 82 to the battery 90, and supplies it back to the electric machine 82 when requirement arises. Further, the battery 90 has a power terminal (not shown) on a side of the battery 90 facing towards an outside of the vehicle 100 in a vehicle width direction W. In the illustrated embodiment, the power terminal is provided on a vehicle left side LH (shown in Figure 4) of the battery 90. The power cable 92 is plugged in to the power terminal of the battery 90. At its other end, the power cable 92 is connected to the electric machine 82 to electrically connect the battery 90 with the electric machine 82. The battery 90 being disposed downwardly of the storage compartment 44 and upwardly of the rear wheel 38 allows the battery 90 to be located near the electric machine 82, thus allowing for a shorter power cable 92 to be used. Further, the provision of the power terminal of the battery 90 on the side of the battery 90 facing towards the outside of the vehicle 100 in the vehicle width direction W, allows for easy connection and disconnection of the power cable 92 from the battery 90. This increases ease of serviceability. Also, the power cable 92 can be disconnected by the rider without approaching a service centre and continue to operate the vehicle 100 for emergency needs in case the battery 90 becomes faulty. This can ensure safe operation of the vehicle 100 and prevent irreparable damage to the battery 90.
[023] Advantageously, the present claimed invention provides a saddle type hybrid electric vehicle having a battery which is configured to supply power to an electric machine adapted to provide supplementary motive force to the vehicle. The battery is disposed downwardly of a storage compartment and upwardly of a rear wheel of the vehicle. This disposition allows the battery to be located near enough the electric machine, while also being far enough from the IC engine. Thus, a cable connecting the battery to the electric machine for transmission of electrical energy between them can be of a minimum possible length. A shorter cable reduces material usage allowing for weight and cost saving for the vehicle. Further, the disposition of battery away from the IC engine enables for better temperature management of the battery. This disposition also increases ease of serviceability of the vehicle as the battery is mounted at an easily accessible location. The battery is also exposed to ambient air which aids in effective cooling of the battery. Furthermore, the provision of the power terminal of the battery on the side of the battery facing towards the outside of the vehicle in the vehicle width direction, allows for easy connection and disconnection of the power cable from the battery, enhancing ease of serviceability.
[024] The claimed configurations of the saddle type hybrid electric vehicle as discussed above are not routine, conventional, or well understood in the art, as the claimed configurations of the saddle type hybrid electric vehicle enable the following solutions to the existing problems in conventional technologies. Specifically, the present invention achieves improved cooling and temperature regulation of the battery as it is better exposed to ambient atmosphere, ease of serviceability as the location of the battery and its power terminal is accessible, reduction in length of the power cable connecting the battery to the electric machine adapted to provide supplementary motive force to the vehicle as the battery is located close to the electric machine.
[025] While the present invention has been described with respect to certain embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modification may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.
, Claims:WE CLAIM:
1. A saddle type hybrid electric vehicle (100) comprising:
an IC engine (80) mounted to a frame structure (20) of the vehicle (100);
a rear wheel (38) operatively coupled to the IC engine (80) and configured to propel the vehicle (100) under motive force provided by the IC engine (80);
a seat (40) configured to accommodate a rider of the vehicle (100);
a storage compartment (44) disposed downwardly of the seat (40);
a battery (90) disposed downwardly of the storage compartment (44) and upwardly of the rear wheel (38), the battery (90) being configured to store electrical energy;
an electric machine (82) operatively coupled to the rear wheel (38) and configured to provide supplementary motive force to the rear wheel (38), the electric machine (82) drawing energy from the battery (90); and
a power cable (92) connecting the battery (90) to the electric machine (82) and configured to transmit electrical energy from the battery (90) to the electric machine (82);
wherein:
the battery (90) having a power terminal on a side of the battery (90) facing towards an outside of the vehicle (100) in a vehicle width direction (W); and
the power cable (92) being plugged in to the power terminal of the battery (90).
2. The saddle type hybrid electric vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the battery (90) is disposed at a rear portion of the storage compartment (44).

3. The saddle type hybrid electric vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the battery (90) is mounted to the frame structure (20) of the vehicle (100) using a bracket.

4. The saddle type hybrid electric vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electric machine (82) is disposed between the IC engine (80) and the rear wheel (38), and downwardly of the storage compartment (44).

5. The saddle type hybrid electric vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electric machine (82) is configured to harness kinetic energy of the rear wheel (38) and convert it into electrical energy during deceleration of the vehicle (100).

6. The saddle type hybrid electric vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the power cable (92) is configured to transmit the electrical energy generated by the electric machine (82) during deceleration of the vehicle (100) to the battery (90).

7. The saddle type hybrid electric vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electric machine (82) is an Integrated Starter Generator (ISG).

8. The saddle type hybrid electric vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a transmission (84) configured to operatively couple the IC engine (80) and the electric machine (82) to the rear wheel (38).

Dated this 30th day of June 2022

TVS MOTOR COMPANY LIMITED
By their Agent & Attorney

(Nikhil Ranjan)
of Khaitan & Co
Reg No IN/PA-1471