Claims:We claim:
1. A saddle type vehicle with a frame structure (100) comprising:
at least one control unit (103, 104, 105);
wherein said at least one control unit (103, 104, 105) being configured to be mounted on a front portion of the vehicle and above the level of a front wheel (not shown) of the vehicle.
2. The saddle type vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one control unit (103, 104, 105) being configured to be mounted on a head pipe in the front portion of the vehicle and being disposed ahead of the head pipe.
3. The saddle type vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein an energy source enclosure (102) being integrated with at least one said control units (103, 104, 105) and being disposed in a front side of the vehicle along the longitudinal centre axis of the vehicle.
4. The saddle type vehicle as claimed in claim 3, wherein said at least one control unit includes a first control unit (103), a second control unit (104), and an integrated control unit (105).
5. The saddle type vehicle as claimed in claim 4, wherein said first control unit (103), the second control unit (104), and the integrated control unit (105) are configured to be mounted on one of the surfaces of said energy source enclosure (102).
6. The saddle type vehicle as claimed in claim 5, wherein said first control unit (103), said second control unit (104), and said integrated control unit (105) are configured to be mounted on one or more of a top side, a bottom side, a left-hand side and a right-hand side of said energy source enclosure (102).
7. The saddle type vehicle as claimed in claim 6, wherein
said first control unit (103) being disposed on one or more of the top sides and the bottom side of said energy source enclosure (102); and
said second control unit (104) being disposed on one of the left-hand sides and the right-hand side of said energy source enclosure (102).
8. The saddle type vehicle as claimed in claim 7, wherein said first control unit (103) being disposed substantially perpendicular to said second control unit (104).
9. The saddle type vehicle as claimed in claim 8, wherein said first control unit (103) includes a first coupler (108), said first coupler (108) being oriented towards right-hand side of the vehicle.
10. The saddle type vehicle as claimed in claim 8, wherein second control unit (104) includes a second coupler (109), said second coupler (109) being oriented towards the front side of the vehicle.
11. The saddle type vehicle as claimed in claim 6, wherein said integrated control unit (105) includes an integrated coupler (113), said integrated coupler (113) being oriented towards the front side of the vehicle.
12. The saddle type vehicle as claimed in claim 9 and 10, wherein a plurality of wiring harness (110) emerges from the first coupler (108), and the second coupler (109):
said plurality of wiring harness (110) from said first coupler (108) extends downward and then extends to a front bottom side of the energy source enclosure (102) to reach to a junction (111); and
said plurality of wiring harness (110) from the second coupler (109) extends in downward direction to reach to said junction (111) and merge to form a single wiring entity.
13. The saddle type vehicle as claimed in claim 11, wherein a plurality of wiring harness (110) emerges from the integrated coupler (110), said plurality of wiring harness (110) from said integrated coupler (113) extends downward and then extends to a front bottom side of the energy source enclosure (102) to reach to a junction and merge to form a single wiring entity.
14. The saddle type vehicle as claimed in claim 5, wherein one or more auxiliary electrical components (106) being disposed on at least one side of the energy source enclosure (102).
15. The saddle type vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein said vehicle comprises an energy unit (not shown) disposed substantially towards a rear side of said vehicle and a utility box (not shown) disposed substantially above said energy unit (not shown).
16. The saddle type vehicle as claimed in claim 1 and 3, wherein said vehicle comprises a front panel (not shown) disposed towards a front of said vehicle configured to cover said energy source enclosure (102) from a front side and said front panel (not shown) includes one or more air vents (not shown) for allowing air to naturally cool at least one control units (103, 104, 105) mounted to said energy source enclosure (102).
17. The saddle type vehicle as claimed in claim 16, wherein said front panel (not shown) includes one or more sub-panels (not shown), wherein said one or more sub-panels are detachable to access said energy source enclosure (102).
18. The saddle type vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein a horn (107) being mounted to said frame structure (100) at a position substantially above said energy source enclosure (102). , Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present subject matter relates generally to a saddle type vehicle. More particularly but not exclusively the present subject matter relates to a mounting location of one or more controllers in said vehicle.
BACKGROUND
[0002] With the advancement in technology, different variants for different user segments are being developed by the automobile manufactures. The two-wheeler industry is transitioning to the next level to provide reduced emission and greener vehicle in all user segments. As compared with the traditional carburettor system used in the vehicles, the electronically controlled fuel-injection system is able to reduce fuel consumption up to a significant level. An entire platform of two-wheelers has been built around electronically controlled fuel-injection system so as to enable reduced emission. One such electronically controlled fuel-injection system is an EMS (Engine Management system), and an ECU (Engine Control Unit) which is a central part of the Engine Management System and is virtually the 'Brain' of an engine.
[0003] Generally, the Engine Management System (herein after referred as EMS) consists of a wide range of electronic and electrical components such as sensors, relays, actuators, and the Engine Control Unit (herein after referred as ECU). The ECU collects, analyses, processes, and executes the data it receives from various sub-systems of EMS. Based on this data input, the ECU precisely calculates and delivers the ideal air-fuel mixture. It also regulates the idle speed of the engine and limits the top speed of a vehicle. Thus, EMS controls the amount of fuel being injected and adjusts the ignition timing of the engine. The optimum functioning of the EMS assures maximum engine power, with lowest fuel consumption and lowest amount of exhaust emissions while preserving the environment. However, the optimum functioning of the EMS ECU system depends on the location, distance from an energy source, a cooling mechanism involved, and on many more other factors.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] The details are described with reference to an embodiment implemented in a saddle type two wheeled vehicle along with the accompanying figures. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference similar features and components.
[0005] Figure 1(a) exemplarily illustrates a front view of an energy source enclosure mounted on a head pipe of a saddle type vehicle along with a plurality of control units and one or more associated auxiliary electrical components.
[0006] Figure 1(b) exemplarily illustrates a top view of the energy source enclosure mounted on a head pipe of a saddle type vehicle along with the plurality of control units and one or more associated auxiliary electrical components.
[0007] Figure 2 exemplarily illustrates the left side perspective view of the energy source enclosure mounted on the head pipe of the saddle type vehicle.
[0008] Figure 3 exemplarily illustrates a front right-side perspective view of the energy source enclosure mounted on the head pipe of the saddle type vehicle.
[0009] Figure 4(a) exemplarily illustrates a side view of an integrated control unit mounted on the head pipe of the vehicle.
[00010] Figure 4(b) exemplarily illustrates a perspective view of an integrated control unit mounted on the head pipe of the vehicle.
[00011] Figure 5 exemplarily illustrates a right-side perspective view of an integrated control unit mounted on the head pipe of the vehicle along with the wiring harness.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0001] Conventionally, in a vehicle layout, an EMS ECU is located in a rear side of a vehicle. It is preferably mounted on a right side of a frame, i.e., below the right-side seat rail. In most cases, EMS ECU is located above a muffler when seen from the right side of the vehicle. This location is substantially away from an energy source as the energy source in this layout is located in a front side of the vehicle, e.g. in front of a head pipe. In other preferred layouts, where the energy source e.g. a battery unit is disposed in the centre of vehicle, the location of EMS ECU is still substantially away from the energy source. In order to electrically connect EMS ECU and the energy source, a longer wiring harness is required. This results in inaccurate voltage measurement by the EMS ECU due to drop in voltage or voltage offset that occurs due to operation of high rated electrical loads in longer wires. The EMS ECU operates associated EMS parts, like a fuel injector, an ignition coil etc. that are required for an ignition control, based on the energy source voltage measured by the EMS ECU. Further, in the existing prior art layouts, it is required to mount the EMS ECU to the frame, separately using an independent mounting bracket and a locating rubber boot.
[0002] In addition to this, the existing location of the EMS ECU also leads to insufficient cooling of the EMS ECU. This is due to the compact packaging in the vicinity of an engine area, for example, the EMS ECU is surrounded by the frame structure on the top, by the engine on the left side and a fuel tank on the rear, which results in insufficient cooling of the EMS ECU. Additionally, atmospheric air flowing from the front side of the vehicle does not efficiently reach the rear portion. Further, the EMS ECU also leads to poor serviceability as it is difficult to access the EMS ECU that is attached to a bottom portion of the right seat rail and enclosed completely by a plurality of body panels. In such case, the complete body panels have to be removed every time for accessing the EMS ECU, which is cumbersome process. Also, routing of a wiring harness is difficult and is cumbersome.
[0003] Conventionally, different mounting location of the EMS ECU are disclosed, where the EMS ECU is located on one side of the vehicle when the energy source is located at the centre of the vehicle. Similarly, the EMS ECU is disclosed to be located on another side when the battery is moved to the side of the vehicle. But in both the conventional layout, the EMS ECU is located towards the side of the vehicle and the battery is located towards the longitudinal centre of the vehicle. Further, another controller in the form of an ISG controller is also positioned to either left or right side of the energy source. In another conventional layout, both the EMS-ECU and the ISG controller are disposed to the rear side of the engine, i.e. below the seat or in a space formed between the engine and the seat when seen from the side of the vehicle.
[0004] Additionally, implementation of such a construction in the conventional layout would lead to reduction in an available utility box space which is undesirable. So, there is a need to cater to the various requirements of location of the EMS-ECU and the ISG controller while overcoming all above problems as well as other problems of known art. Therefore, there exists a need for a layout configuration of the EMS-ECU and the ISG controller, which is capable of solving one or more of above mentioned and other related problems.
[0005] An objective of the present subject matter is to provide an improved vehicle layout with a mounting of EMS-ECU and the ISG controller which eliminates separate mounting for the energy source and the controllers, improves vehicle handling, balances the centre of gravity, avoids voltage drop and improves accurate measurement of voltage, provides proper cooling, easily accessible and serviceable, and achieves mounting orientations for auxiliary components of the controller. The present subject is applicable to any type of vehicle, with required changes and without deviating from the scope of invention. In the present subject matter, a two-wheeled saddle type vehicle with a frame structure is disclosed which comprises of a at least one control unit. The at least one control unit being configured to be mounted on a front portion of the vehicle and above the level of a front wheel of the vehicle.
[0006] As per an aspect of the present subject matter, the at least one control unit being configured to be mounted on a head pipe in the front portion of the vehicle and being disposed ahead of the head pipe.
[0007] As per an aspect of the present subject matter, an energy source enclosure being integrated with at least one said control units and being disposed in a front side of the vehicle along the longitudinal centre axis of the vehicle.
[0008] As per another aspect of the present subject matter, the at least one control unit includes a first control unit, a second control unit, and an integrated control unit.
[0009] As per another aspect of the present subject matter, the first control unit, the second control unit, and the integrated control unit are configured to be mounted on one of the surfaces of said energy source enclosure.
[00010] As per another aspect of the present subject matter, the first control unit, said second control unit, and said integrated control unit are configured to be mounted on one or more of a top side, a bottom side, a left-hand side and a right-hand side of said energy source enclosure.
[00011] As per another aspect of the present subject matter, the first control unit being disposed on one or more of the top sides and the bottom side of said energy source enclosure, and said second control unit being disposed on one of the left-hand sides and the right-hand side of said energy source enclosure.
[00012] As per another aspect of the present subject matter, the first control unit being disposed substantially perpendicular to said second control unit.
[00013] As per another aspect of the present subject matter, the first control unit includes a first coupler, said first coupler being oriented towards right-hand side of the vehicle.
[00014] As per another aspect of the present subject matter, the second control unit includes a second coupler, said second coupler being oriented towards the front side of the vehicle.
[00015] As per another aspect of the present subject matter, the integrated control unit includes an integrated coupler, said integrated coupler being oriented towards the front side of the vehicle.
[00016] As per another aspect of the present subject matter, a plurality of wiring harness emerges from the first coupler, and the second coupler. The plurality of wiring harness from said first coupler extends downward and then extends to a front bottom side of the energy source enclosure to reach to a junction. The plurality of wiring harness from the second coupler extends in downward direction to reach to said junction and merge to form a single wiring entity.
[00017] As per another aspect of the present subject matter, a plurality of wiring harness emerges from the integrated coupler. The plurality of wiring harness from said integrated coupler extends downward and then extends to a front bottom side of the energy source enclosure to reach to a junction and merge to form a single wiring entity.
[00018] As per an aspect of present subject matter, one or more auxiliary electrical components being disposed on at least one side of the energy source enclosure.
[00019] As per an aspect of present subject matter, the vehicle comprises an energy unit disposed substantially towards a rear side of said vehicle and a utility box disposed substantially above said energy unit.
[00020] As per an aspect of present subject matter, the vehicle comprises a front panel disposed towards a front of said vehicle configured to cover said energy source enclosure from a front side. The front panel includes one or more air vents for allowing air to naturally cool at least one control units mounted to said energy source enclosure.
[00021] As per an aspect of present subject matter, the front panel includes one or more sub-panels, where said one or more sub-panels are detachable to access said energy source enclosure.
[00022] As per an aspect of present subject matter, a horn being mounted to said frame structure at a position substantially above said energy source enclosure. The embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to an embodiment in a saddle-type two wheeled vehicle along with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the present embodiments. The present subject matter is further described with reference to accompanying figures. It should be noted that the description and figures merely illustrate principles of the present subject matter. Various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, encompass the principles of the present subject matter. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and examples of the present subject matter, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
[00023] Fig.1(a) exemplarily illustrates a top view of an energy source enclosure 102 mounted on a head pipe 101 of a saddle type two-wheeled vehicle along with at least one control units (103,104,105(shown in fig.4a)) and one or more associated auxiliary electrical components 106. Fig.1(b) exemplarily illustrates a top view of the energy source enclosure 102 mounted on the head pipe 101 of the saddle type two-wheeled vehicle along with at least one of control units (103, 104,105 (shown in fig.4a)) and one or more associated auxiliary electrical components 106. The saddle type two-wheeled vehicle (not shown) with a frame structure 100 comprises a head pipe 101, an energy source (not shown), and at least one control units (103, 104,105 (shown in fig.4a)). The at least one control units (103, 104,105 (shown in fig.4a)) includes a first control unit 103, a second control unit 104, and an integrated control unit 105 (shown in fig.4a). The energy source enclosure 102 is configured to accommodate the energy source (not shown), said energy source is disposed on said head pipe 101. The first control unit 103 and the second control unit 104 are configured to be mounted on one of the surfaces of the energy source enclosure 102. In an embodiment, the energy source (not shown) is a battery, which gives driving force to the vehicle. In the present embodiment the first control unit 103 is an EMS-ECU (Engine Management System- Electronic Control Unit). In the present embodiment the second control unit 104 is an ISG (Integrated Starter Generator) controller. The first control unit 103 and the second control unit 104 are configured to be mounted on one of a top side, a bottom side, a left-hand side and a right-hand side of said energy source enclosure 102. However, in the present embodiment, the first control unit 103 is disposed to one of the top sides and the bottom side of the energy source enclosure 102. The second control unit 104 is disposed to one of the left-hand sides and the right-hand side of said energy source enclosure 102. Here, a common mounting (not shown) is utilized to mount the energy source enclosure 102, the first control unit 103, the second control unit 104, and a one or more of associated auxiliary electrical components 106 present in the vicinity of the energy source enclosure 102. This eliminates the separate mounting for each component, thereby reducing the part count, weight and cost of the vehicle, making it more economical for the end users of said vehicle.
[00024] Fig.2 exemplarily illustrates the left side perspective view of the energy source enclosure 102 mounted on the head pipe 101 of the saddle type two-wheeled vehicle. In the present embodiment, the first control unit 103 (i.e. EMS-ECU) is disposed on the top side of the energy source enclosure 102 and, the second control unit 104 (i.e. ISG controller) is disposed on the left-hand side of the energy source enclosure 102. The first control unit 103 is disposed substantially perpendicular to the second control unit 104. The disposition of said first control unit 103 and the second control unit 104 on the top and left-side respectively of the energy source enclosure 102 reduces wire length between them. The reduction in wire length between the first control unit 103 and the energy source enclosure 102 results in improved accuracy in the measurement of the energy source voltage by the first control unit 103. In addition to this, layout and mounting of the first control unit 103 and the second control unit 104 being away from an engine (not shown) facilitates them to operate at a lower temperature more accurately. The one or more associated auxiliary electrical components 106 is mounted on at least one side of the energy source enclosure 102, other than the side on which one of the first control unit 103 and the second control unit 104 is configured to be mounted. The one or more auxiliary electrical components 106 may include a sensor, a load relays, a fuse, and the like. A horn 107 is mounted to said frame structure 100 at a position substantially above the energy source enclosure 102. Since, the energy source enclosure 102 is positioned in front of the head pipe 101 and below the horn 101 mounting location, the wire routing from the energy source enclosure 102 and the control units (103, 104) does not interfere with the functioning of the horn 107. This mounting mechanism provides adequate space for mounting the horn 107 without any interference.
[00025] In an embodiment the disposition of the one or more auxiliary electrical components 106 can be swapped with the ISG controllers. In the present embodiment, the saddle type two-wheeled vehicle comprises a power unit (not shown) which is disposed substantially towards a rear side of the vehicle. Further a utility box (not shown) is disposed substantially above said power unit (not shown). Mounting of additional parts should not compromise a utility space of the user and should not hinder ease of serviceability. So, in the present embodiment, the front portion of the vehicle is covered by a style panel (not shown) that encloses a space which is not used by the user. This space is used for holding additional parts so that there is no compromise in the utility space of the user and provides ease of serviceability.
[00026] Fig.3 exemplarily illustrates a front right-side perspective view of the energy source enclosure 102 mounted on the head pipe 101 of the saddle type two-wheeled vehicle. The first control unit 103 includes a first coupler 108, said first coupler 108 is oriented towards right-hand side of the vehicle. The second control unit 104 includes a second coupler 109, said second coupler 109 is oriented towards the front side of the vehicle. A plurality of wiring harness 110 emerges from the first coupler 108 of the first control unit 103 and the second coupler 109 of the second control unit 104. The plurality of wiring harness 110 emerging from the second coupler 109 extends downward and then extends to a front bottom side of the energy source enclosure 102 to reach to a junction 111. The plurality of wiring harness 110 from the first coupler 108 extends in downward direction to reach to the junction 111. The plurality of wiring harness 110 emerging from said first coupler 108 and said second coupler 109 merges at the junction 111 formed at least partially on a right side of the energy source enclosure 102 to form a single wiring entity thereafter. Then, thus formed single wiring entity further extends in upward direction towards the head pipe 101 and then travels to the rear side of the vehicle along the frame to get connected to various other components (not shown). The plurality of wiring harness 110 is routed and supported by the frame structure 100 by means of a plurality of ring structures 112. The plurality of ring structures 112 keeps the plurality of wiring harness 110 in their respective positions and do not allow their movement, while the vehicle is in operation.
[00027] The energy source enclosure 102 is integrated with said control units (103, 104,105 (shown in fig.4a)) and is disposed in the front side of the vehicle along the longitudinal centre axis of the vehicle. Said disposition balances the mass in the front side of the vehicle against the engine (not shown) mass disposed at the rear of the vehicle. The disposition of the energy source enclosure 102 along with the control units (103, 104, 105 (shown in fig.4a)) and the vehicle ensures proper distribution of load and thus improves the vehicle handling. The vehicle comprises the front panel (not shown) disposed towards a front of said vehicle covering the energy source enclosure 102 from the front side. The front panel (not shown) includes one or more air vents (not shown) for allowing air to naturally cool one or more control units (103, 104, 105 (shown in fig.4a)) and other one or more auxiliary components 106 mounted to the energy source enclosure 102, during the vehicle running condition. The front panel (not shown) includes one or more sub-panels (not shown), where the one or more sub-panels (not shown) are detached for accessing the energy source enclosure 102. The first control unit 103 and the second control unit 104 are placed at the front side of the vehicle which facilitates in ease of access and ease of serviceability. The front panels can be easily removed and dismantled as compared to a rear side style panel, in order to access the control units (103, 104, 105 (shown in fig.4a)) or the energy source (not shown).
[00028] Fig.4(a) exemplarily illustrates a side view of an integrated control unit 105 mounted on the head pipe 101 of the vehicle. Fig.4(b) exemplarily illustrates a perspective view of an integrated control unit 105 mounted on the head pipe 101 of the vehicle. Fig.5 exemplarily illustrates a right-side perspective view of an integrated control unit 105 mounted on the head pipe 101 of the vehicle along with the wiring harness 110. In an embodiment of the present subject matter, the saddle type two-wheeled vehicle (not shown) with the frame structure 100 comprises the head pipe 101, the energy source (not shown), and an integrated control unit 105. The integrated control unit 105 comprises of an integrated engine and generator control unit. The energy source enclosure 102 is configured to accommodate an energy source (not shown), said energy source is disposed on said head pipe 101. The integrated control unit 105 configured to be mounted on one of the surfaces of the energy source enclosure 102. The integrated control unit 105 is disposed to one of a top side, a bottom side, a left-hand side and a right-hand side of said energy source enclosure 102. The energy source enclosure 102 is capable of mounting one or more auxiliary electrical components 106 to at least one side other than the side on which said integrated control unit 105 being mounted. In the present embodiment, the integrated control unit 105 is mounted on the left side of the energy source enclosure 102. The placement of the energy source enclosure 102 with the integrated control unit 105 in the front side of the vehicle along the longitudinal centre axis of the vehicle, enables improved vehicle handling and dynamics. This facilitates in achieving balance in centre of gravity in the front side of the vehicle against the engine (not shown) mass disposed at the rear of the vehicle. Many other improvements and modifications may be incorporated herein without deviating from the scope of the invention.

List of Reference numerals

100: Frame structure
101: Head pipe
102: Energy source enclosure
103: First control unit
104: Second control unit
105: Integrated control unit
106: Auxiliary electrical components
107: Horn
108: First coupler
109: Second coupler
110: Plurality of wiring harness
111: Junction
112: Plurality of ring structures
113: Integrated coupler