Description:FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 OF 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[See section 10, Rule 13]

TITLE OF INVENTION
A Saddle Type Vehicle

APPLICANT
TVS MOTOR COMPANY LIMITED, an Indian company, having its address at “Chaitanya”, No.12 Khader Nawaz Khan Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai 600 006, Tamil Nadu, India.

PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present invention relates to a saddle-type vehicle. More particularly, the present subject matter relates to disposition of a vehicle control unit in a saddle-type vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] With increasing number of electronic parts required in saddle-type vehicles, there is a need for the electronic parts to be packaged in a safe and efficient manner. Especially with the changing paradigm of saddle type vehicles and the shift towards the electric or hybrid electric vehicles, new challenges have emerged as different components such as vehicle control unit, battery charging port, battery pack etc., now need to be accommodated in the available packaging space.
[003] Particularly, saddle type vehicles with a monotube structure wherein a single frame member extends from front of the vehicle to the rear of the vehicle, mandate that all the electrical components be mounted to the single monotube frame. In conventional vehicles with monotube structure, generally the battery is positioned towards the centre of the vehicle in longitudinal direction, and the electrical components such as controllers are placed either towards the front end or rear end of the monotube structure. Such an arrangement gives rise to requirement of long wires for connecting the battery to the controllers, and the controllers to other respective parts in the vehicle, which not only increases cost of the wiring, but also increases power loss and complexity of the wiring. In other conventional vehicles, the controllers are placed underneath the seat. In such vehicles, the seat needs to be removed before accessing the controller, which affects the serviceability of the controller.
[004] In these conventional vehicles, the controller, for example a traction controller for controlling a traction motor in the electric type vehicle, is oriented horizontally under the rider seat. While the horizontal orientation improves the access to a connector of the controller, the sideways expansion of the vehicle in achieving the same is significant, leading to rider discomfort. Generally, the utility space available below the seat is required to hold multiple bulky electrical components such as charging port, battery, etc., and thus accommodation of the controller is limited both by packaging constraints and weight distribution constraints.
[005] Therefore, there is a need in the art for a saddle-type vehicle which addresses the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[006] The present invention is directed towards a saddle type vehicle. The saddle type vehicle has a head pipe and a main frame extending rearwardly from the head pipe in a vehicle front-rear direction. The main frame has a downwardly extending member extending rearwardly and downwardly from the head pipe, a horizontally extending member extending rearwardly from the downwardly extending member, and a rearwardly extending member extending rearwardly and upwardly from the horizontally extending member. The saddle type vehicle further has a vehicle control unit that is configured for performing one or more vehicle functions. Herein, the vehicle control unit is mounted on the rearwardly extending member of the main frame.
[007] In an embodiment of the invention, the rearwardly extending member of the main frame has an upper portion for supporting a rider seat, and a lower portion. Herein, the vehicle control unit is mounted on the lower portion of the rearwardly extending member of the main frame.
[008] In another embodiment of the invention, the vehicle control unit is disposed below the rider seat in a vehicle side view.
[009] In a further embodiment of the invention, the vehicle control unit is mounted at a junction of the horizontally extending member of the main frame and the rearwardly extending member of the main frame.
[010] In a further embodiment of the invention, the vehicle control unit is disposed offset from the main frame in a vehicle width direction.
[011] In a further embodiment of the invention, the saddle type vehicle has a mounting bracket extending outwardly from the rearwardly extending member of the main frame in the vehicle width direction. The mounting bracket is configured to receive the vehicle control unit, thereby mounting the vehicle control unit on the rearwardly extending member of the main frame.
[012] In a further embodiment of the invention, the saddle type vehicle has one or more electrical components. Herein, a first electrical component is mounted on the rearwardly extending member of the main frame such that the first electrical component overlaps with the main frame in a vehicle top view.
[013] In a further embodiment of the invention, the vehicle control unit is disposed adjacent to the one or more electrical components. The first electrical component is mounted directly to the rearwardly extending member, and a second electrical component is mounted to the rearwardly extending member on an opposite side of the vehicle control unit in the vehicle width direction.
[014] In a further embodiment of the invention, the vehicle control unit is vertically oriented in a vehicle up down direction, such that at least one connector of the vehicle control unit faces upwards in the vehicle up down direction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[015] 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 left side view of an exemplary saddle type vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 2 illustrates a left perspective view of a part of the saddle type vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 3 illustrates a right perspective view of the saddle type vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 4 illustrates a rear perspective view of the saddle type vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 5 illustrates another rear perspective view of the saddle type vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[016] The present invention relates to a saddle-type vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to disposition of a vehicle control unit in a saddle-type vehicle.
[017] Figure 1 illustrates an exemplary saddle-type vehicle 10, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The saddle-type vehicle 10 comprises a prime mover (not shown). In an embodiment, the prime mover is a traction motor and/or a single-cylinder type IC engine. The saddle-type vehicle 10 comprises a front wheel 14, a rear wheel 16, and a rider seat 18 mounted to a frame structure 25 (shown in Figure 2). The frame structure 25 includes a head pipe 22, a main frame 24. The head pipe 22 supports a steering shaft (not shown) and a pair of front suspensions 26 attached to the steering shaft through a lower bracket 27. The pair of front suspensions 26 support the front wheel 14. The upper portion of the front wheel 14 is covered by a front fender 28 mounted to the lower portion of the telescopic front suspension 26. A handlebar 50 is fixed to an upper bracket 29 and is rotatable. A head light 32 and an instrument cluster 33 are arranged on an upper portion of the head pipe 22. The main frame 24 of the frame structure 25 extends rearwardly from the head pipe 22. In an embodiment, the prime mover is disposed below a portion of the main frame 24.
[018] The seat rails are attached to the main frame 24 and extend rearward to support the rider seat 18 and a pillion seat 37. A rear swing arm 34 is connected to the frame structure 25 to swing vertically, and the rear wheel 16 is connected to rear end of the rear swing arm 34. The rear swing arm 34 is supported by two telescopic rear suspensions 44 (only one shown). A taillight unit (not shown) is disposed at the end of the saddle-type vehicle 10 and at the rear of the pillion seat 37. A grab rail 36 is also provided on the rear of the seat rails. The rear wheel 16 arranged below the pillion seat 37 rotates by the driving force of the prime mover transmitted through a transmission drive (not shown) such as a chain drive from the prime mover. A rear fender 38 is disposed above the rear wheel 16.
[019] Figure 2 illustrates a part of the saddle-type vehicle 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. As illustrated in Figure 2, the saddle-type vehicle 10 has the main frame 24 that extends rearwardly from the head pipe 22 in a vehicle front-rear direction (F-R). The main frame 24 includes a downwardly extending member 24A that extends rearwardly and downwardly from the head pipe 22. Further, a horizontally extending member 24B of the main frame 24 extends rearwardly from the downwardly extending member 24A and runs substantially parallel to the ground. In an embodiment, the main frame 24 extends rearwardly from the downwardly extending member 24A into more than one horizontally extending member 24B running substantially parallel to the ground. A floorboard 40 (shown in Figure 1) is disposed above the horizontally extending member 24B and runs along the length of the horizontally extending member 24B, substantially parallel to the ground. The floorboard 40 is used as a primary loading space in the saddle-type vehicle 10. In an embodiment, the prime mover is disposed below the horizontally extending member 24B of the main frame 24.
[020] Further, a rearwardly extending member 24C (shown in Figure 3) of the main frame 24 extends rearwardly and upwardly from the horizontally extending member 24B. The rearwardly extending member 24C is disposed in front of the rear wheel 16. Thereafter, the main frame 24 extends rearwardly from the rearwardly extending member 24C and runs substantially parallel to the ground to support the rider seat 18 and the pillion seat 37 over the rear wheel 16.
[021] Further, as illustrated in Figure 2, the saddle-type vehicle 10 has a vehicle control unit 100. The vehicle control unit 100 is configured for performing one or more vehicle functions. As illustrated in Figure 2, the vehicle control unit 100 is mounted on the rearwardly extending member 24C of the main frame 24. Herein, in an embodiment, the saddle type vehicle 10 is an electric vehicle having the traction motor as the prime mover and the vehicle control unit 100 is configured for performing one more electric vehicle functions. Such electric vehicle functions include control of vehicle dynamics based on information from various vehicle components such as the battery pack and the traction motor. In effect, the vehicle control unit 100 for the electric saddle type vehicle 10 acts as a central control and coordination hub for control units of various vehicle subsystems.
[022] As further illustrated in Figure 2, the rearwardly extending member 24C of the main frame 24 has an upper portion 24C’ for supporting the rider seat 18, and a lower portion 24C’’ that is connected to the horizontally extending member 24B. Herein, the vehicle control unit 100 is mounted on the lower portion 24C’’ of the rearwardly extending member 24C of the main frame 24. In effect, the vehicle control unit 100 is mounted at a junction of the rearwardly extending member 24C and the horizontally extending member 24B of the main frame 24. As a result of this, as illustrated in Figure 3, the vehicle control unit 100 is disposed below the rider seat 18 in a vehicle side view.
[023] The mounting of the vehicle control unit 100 on the lower portion 24C’’ of the rearwardly extending member 24C ensures that the vehicle control unit 100 is mounted at a location which is at a sufficient distance from the rider seat 18, thus ensuring that there is no conflict in the packaging of the rider seat 18 and the vehicle control unit 100. This means that the vehicle control unit 100 can be accommodated in a utility box (not shown) below the rider seat 18, and the rider seat 18 need not be removed for accessing or servicing the vehicle control unit 100.
[024] As further illustrated in Figure 3 and referenced in Figure 4, the vehicle control unit 100 is disposed offset from the main frame 24 in a vehicle width direction. This is done to allow packaging of other vehicle components in the packaging space around the rearwardly extending member 24C of the main frame 24. To facilitate the mounting of the vehicle control unit 100 in an offset manner to the main frame 24, in the embodiment depicted in Figure 4, the saddle type vehicle 10 has a mounting bracket 110 that extends outwardly from the rearwardly extending member 24C of the main frame 24 in the vehicle width direction. The mounting bracket 110 is configured to receive the vehicle control unit 100, thereby mounting the vehicle control unit 100 on the rearwardly extending member 24C of the main frame 24, and ensuring that the vehicle control unit 100 is provided offset to the main frame 24.
[025] As further illustrated in the embodiment depicted in Figure 3 and referenced in Figure 2, the saddle type vehicle 10 has one or more electrical components 120. The one or more electrical components 120 comprise at least a first electrical component 120A and a second electrical component 120B. Herein, in an embodiment, the first electrical component 120A is mounted on the rearwardly extending member 24C of the main frame 24 such that the first electrical component 120A overlaps with the main frame 24 in a vehicle top view. In an embodiment, the first electrical component 120A may be an on-board charger or a power adapter of an off-board charger or a regulator for the electric type vehicle. The first electrical component 120A being a very bulky component, and being mounted directly on the rearwardly extending member 24C ensures that the weight of the component 120A is equally distributed along the vehicle centreline and the centre of gravity of the vehicle 10 stays close to the vehicle centreline. In an embodiment, one end of the electrical component may be mounted on the rearwardly extending member 24C and an opposite end of the may be mounted on the mounting bracket 110.
[026] Further, as illustrated, the vehicle control unit 100 is disposed adjacent to the one or more the electrical components 120. As illustrated, the vehicle control unit 100 is mounted on the mounting bracket 110 on one side offset to the main frame 24 and the first electrical component 120A is centrally located and mounted to the mounting bracket 110. On the opposite side of the mounting bracket 110, the second electrical component 120B is mounted. By doing so, the centre of gravity of the vehicle 10 is maintained close to vehicle centreline. Thus, the weight of the second electrical component 120B counters the weight of the vehicle control unit 100 and the centre of gravity is kept at the vehicle centreline. In the illustrated embodiment, the vehicle control unit 100 is disposed on a right side of the vehicle, and the second electrical component 120B is disposed on a left side of the vehicle in a vehicle rear view.
[027] In an embodiment as illustrated in Figure 5, the vehicle control unit 100 is vertically oriented in a vehicle up down direction. Such a vertical orientation of the vehicle control unit 100 ensures that at least one connector 102 of the vehicle control unit 100 faces upwards in the vehicle up down direction. Such a vertical orientation prevents increase of vehicle dimensions in sideways lateral direction. The connector 102 of the vehicle control unit 100 facing upwards also increases ease of access, and ease of connecting and disconnecting a harness to the vehicle control unit 100. Further, a plurality of fasteners are used for mounting the vehicle control unit 100 on the mounting bracket 110, thus making it assembly and disassembly of the vehicle control unit 100 from the mounting bracket 110 easier.
[028] Advantageously, the present invention provides a saddle type vehicle wherein the vehicle control unit is packaged under the seat in a compact manner. The vehicle control unit being mounted on the rearwardly extending member ensures that the rider seat does not cause any hinderance to the access of the vehicle control unit and the vehicle control unit can be accessed without removing the rider seat. Further, the disposition of the vehicle control unit in an offset manner to main frame ensures that ample packaging space is available for other vehicle components around the rearwardly extending member. The location of the vehicle control unit centrally in the vehicle also ensures that the length of the harness required to connect the vehicle control unit to other vehicle components is low, thus reducing power loss, cost and complexity. Further, the proximity of the vehicle control unit to the electrical components reduces the length of connection between these electrical components and the vehicle control unit, thus reducing the voltage drops across these connections and preventing loss of signals between the electrical components and the vehicle control unit.
[029] Further, provision of the bulky electrical component on the rearwardly extending member such that the electrical component overlaps with the main frame ensures that the weight of the bulky electrical component is distributed equally on the vehicle centreline. Further, provision of the second electrical component on the opposite side of the vehicle control unit ensures even weight distribution and the centre of gravity being close to the vehicle centreline, which improves the handling of the vehicle.
[030] Furthermore, provision of the vehicle control unit in a vertical orientation ensures that the connector of the vehicle control unit is facing upwards, which enhances ease of connecting and disconnecting the harness to the vehicle control unit.
[031] 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.

List of Reference Numerals
10: Saddle Type Vehicle
14: Front Wheel
16: Rear Wheel
18: Rider Seat
22: Head Pipe
24: Main Frame
24A: Downwardly Extending Member
24B: Horizontally Extending Member
24C: Rearwardly Extending Member
24C’: Upper Portion of the Rearwardly Extending Member
24C’’: Lower Portion of the Rearwardly Extending Member
25: Frame Structure
26: Front Suspension
27: Lower Bracket
28: Front Fender
29: Upper Bracket
32: Headlight
33: Instrument Cluster
34: Swing Arm
36: Grab Rail
37: Pillion Seat
38: Rear Fender
40: Floorboard
44: Rear Suspension
50: Handlebar
100: Vehicle Control Unit
102: Connector
110: Mounting Bracket
120: One or more Electrical Components
120A: First Electrical Component
120B: Second Electrical Component
, Claims:WE CLAIM:
1. A saddle type vehicle (10) comprising:
a head pipe (22);
a main frame (24) extending rearwardly from the head pipe (22) in a vehicle front-rear direction, the main frame (24) comprising:
a downwardly extending member (24A) extending rearwardly and downwardly from the head pipe (22),
a horizontally extending member (24B) extending rearwardly from the downwardly extending member (24A), and
a rearwardly extending member (24C) extending rearwardly and upwardly from the horizontally extending member (24B); and
a vehicle control unit (100) configured for performing one or more vehicle functions, the vehicle control unit (100) being mounted on the rearwardly extending member (24C) of the main frame (24).

2. The saddle type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rearwardly extending member (24C) of the main frame (24) comprises an upper portion (24C’) for supporting a rider seat (18), and a lower portion (24C’’), wherein the vehicle control unit (100) being mounted on the lower portion (24C’’) of the rearwardly extending member (24C) of the main frame (24).

3. The saddle type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the vehicle control unit (100) being disposed below the rider seat (18) in a vehicle side view.

4. The saddle type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vehicle control unit (100) being mounted at a junction of the horizontally extending member (24B) of the main frame (24) and the rearwardly extending member (24C) of the main frame (24).

5. The saddle type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vehicle control unit (100) being disposed offset from the main frame (24) in a vehicle width direction.

6. The saddle type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 5, comprising a mounting bracket (110) extending outwardly from the rearwardly extending member (24C) of the main frame (24) in the vehicle width direction, the mounting bracket (110) being configured to receive the vehicle control unit (100), thereby mounting the vehicle control unit (100) on the rearwardly extending member (24C) of the main frame (24).

7. The saddle type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 1, comprising one or more electrical components (120), wherein a first electrical component (120A) being mounted on the rearwardly extending member (24C) of the main frame (24) such that the first electrical component (120A) overlaps with the main frame (24) in a vehicle top view.

8. The saddle type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the vehicle control unit (100) being disposed adjacent to the one or more electrical components (120), wherein the first electrical component (120A) being mounted directly to the rearwardly extending member (24C), and a second electrical component (120B) being mounted to the rearwardly extending member (24C) on an opposite side of the vehicle control unit (100) in a vehicle width direction.

9. The saddle type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vehicle control unit (100) being vertically oriented in a vehicle up down direction, such that at least one connector (102) of the vehicle control unit (100) faces upwards in the vehicle up down direction.

Dated this 8th day of November 2022

TVS MOTOR COMPANY LIMITED
By their Agent & Attorney

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