[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of automobiles. Particularly,
but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to a modular vehicle and having
multiple configurations. More particularly,the present disclosure discloses a swing
5 arm of the modular vehicle.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Vehicles such as, but not limited to, motorized scooters, motorcycles,
etc., have a plurality of components and assemblies, such as a body frame, a power
unit, a passenger seating area, a storage space, and a set of ground engaging members.
10 The power unit is adapted to provide the necessary power to the ground engaging
members, to drive the vehicle. The power unit, seating area, storage space, etc., are
all carried by the body frame. The ground engaging members are connected to the
body frame. Therefore, the body frame is designed to carry the load of the vehicle,
including the weight of the power unit, other components, and sub-assemblies of the
15 vehicle. Such weight carried by the body frame is transferred, through the ground
engaging members, to the ground.
[0003] There are situations or needs which require a vehicle to be ridden as a
two wheeled at one instance and as a three wheeled vehicle at other.
[0004] However, providing such modular vehicles which may be transformed
20 from a two-wheeled vehicle to a three-wheeled vehicle and vice versa according to
need is a complex task and suffers from many problems such as improper transfer of
load from the body frame to the ground engaging members and increased wear and
tear of ground engaging member (drive wheels). These problems result in decrease in
the fuel efficiency and increases maintenance cost of the vehicle. Also, it would
25 require a considerable time to complete the conversion from one form to another.
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Further, conventional systems do not provide any mechanism which can cater to the
requirements put forth by these modular vehicles.
[0005] The present disclosure is directed to overcome one or more limitations
stated above or any other limitations associated with the prior art.
5 SUMMARY
[0006] A vehicle is disclosed in accordance with an embodiment of the present
disclosure which is configured to selectively operate in either one of a two-wheeled
configuration or and a three-wheeled configuration. The vehicle can be easily
converted from a two wheeled vehicle to a three wheeled vehicle and vice versa
10 according to the requirements. The movement of the swing arm between a storage
position and an operating position, allows easy insertion and coupling of the two
wheeled vehicle into the attachment structure, thereby reducing the assembly time.
[0007] The vehicle comprises a first body frame, a rear ground engaging
member; and a swing arm pivotally coupled with the first body frame; wherein the
15 swing arm configured to selectively lift the rear ground engaging member from a
ground surface to convert the vehicle from the two- wheeled configuration to the
three-wheeled configuration.
[0008] In an aspect, the rear ground engaging member is rotatably supported by
the swing arm. In another aspect, the first member of the swing arm is pivotally
20 coupled to the first body frame.
[0009] A swing arm is disclosed in accordance with an embodiment of the
present disclosure which is configured to selectively lift a rear ground engaging
member from a ground surface to convert a vehicle from a two- wheeled configuration
to a three-wheeled configuration, the swing member comprises a first member, a
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second member, and a swiveling mechanism; the swiveling mechanism is configured
to selectively restrict rotation of the second member with respect to the first member.
[00010] In an aspect, the vehicle comprises a rear end structure, which comprises
at least one suspension device operatively coupled between the first body frame and
5 the first member of the swing arm.
[00011] In an aspect, the swing arm is configured to switch between the operating
position and the storage position, in the operating position, the vehicle is in the twowheeled configuration and rear ground engaging member is in contact with the ground
surface to provide traction to the vehicle. In another aspect, the swing arm is
10 configured to lift the rear ground engaging member from ground surface, when the
swing arm rotates towards the storage position.
[00012] In an aspect, the second member of the swing arm is rotatably coupled
with the first member of the swing arm at one end, and rotatably supports the rear
ground engaging member at the other end.
15 [00013] In an aspect, the first member comprises a central portion; a plurality of
frame attachment brackets integrally formed with the central portion, disposed at a
front end of the first member; and a suspension device attachment portion extends
from the central portion, configured to couple one end of the suspension device to the
swing arm. The first member further comprises an extension portion extends from the
20 central portion and bifurcates into the first extending member and second extending
member whereby the first extending member extends further towards the rear portion
of the vehicle; and a pair of first holes disposed closer towards the central portion and
a pair of second holes disposed at a distance from the first holes.
[00014] In an aspect, the second member comprises a connection portion
25 configured to be rotatably coupled with the first member, a middle portion having an
abutment portion, and a hub attachment portion coupled to the rear ground engaging
~ 5 ~
member via a wheel hub mounting hole. The connecting portion is disposed towards
front of the vehicle, comprises a first aperture and a second aperture whereby the first
aperture is disposed ahead of the second aperture.
[00015] In an aspect, a pin extending through the pair of first holes of the first
5 member and the first aperture of the connection portion, rotatably couples the second
member with the first member.
[00016] In an aspect, the swiveling mechanism comprises a third member and a
fourth member wherein the third member is rotatably coupled with the fourth member.
The third member is a substantially U-shaped member, comprises a left arm, a right
10 arm and a pin member. The pin member is removably coupled to the third member.
[00017] In an aspect, the third member comprises a pair of upper holes and a pair
of lower holes disposed on the left arm and right arm at upper and lower ends of third
member respectively, whereby the third member is releasably secured to the first
member with a plurality of fasting members extending through the pair of second
15 holes of the first member and the pair of lower holes of the third member. In another
aspect, the plurality of fastening members are configured to be loosened to rotate the
third member with respect to the first member.
[00018] In an aspect, the fourth member comprises a wedge portion; a first planar
portion, and a second planar portion extends substantially parallel to one another and
20 extends from the wedge portion; and a lock abutment portion configured to abut the
abutment portion of the second member disposed at one end of the wedge portion.
The fourth member further comprises a pair of upper planar holes disposed on upper
portion of the fourth member; and a pair of lower planar holes disposed on lower
portion of the fourth member.
25 [00019] In an aspect, the fourth member is rotatably coupled to the second
member with a pin extending through the pair of lower planar holes and the second
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aperture; and is rotatably coupled to the third member with help of a plurality of
fastening members passing through the pair of upper planar holes and the pair of upper
holes of the third member.
[00020] A method for converting a two-wheeled configuration to a three-wheeled
5 configuration is disclosed in accordance with the embodiment of the present
disclosure. The method comprising steps of moving a swing arm towards a storage
position by rotating a third member of a swiveling mechanism in a first direction,
thereby allowing and rotating a second member with respect to a first member;
securing the second member with the first body frame after rotating the third member
10 of the swiveling mechanism in a second direction, thereby locking the swing arm to
the first body frame; and moving the swing arm into the attachment structure to couple
an attachment structure with the two-wheeled vehicle.
[00021] In an aspect, the third member is rotatably coupled to a fourth member,
is moved in the first direction such that there is no contact between a lock abutment
15 portion of the fourth member and abut an abutment portion of the second member,
thereby allowing the second member to rotate about the first member.
[00022] In an aspect, the third member is moved in the second direction such that
the lock abutment portion of the fourth member abuts the abut abutment portion of
the second member, thereby restricting the rotation of the second member with respect
20 to the first member.
[00023] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in
any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features
described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by
reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.
25 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
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[00024] The invention itself, together with further features and attended
advantages, will become apparent from consideration of the following detailed
description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. One or more
embodiments of the present disclosure are now described, by way of example only
5 wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:
[00025] Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary modular vehicle
in two-wheeled vehicle configuration, according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[00026] Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of a body frame and a swing arm
10 of the vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[00027] Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of the swing arm of the vehicle,
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[00028] Figures 4a and 4b illustrate different perspective views of a first member
of the swing arm, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
15 [00029] Figures 5a and 5b illustrate different perspective views of a second
member of the swing arm, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[00030] Figures 6a and 6b illustrate different perspective views of a third
member of a rotating mechanism of the swing arm, according to an embodiment of
the present disclosure;
20 [00031] Figures 7a and 7b illustrate different perspective views of a fourth
member of the rotating mechanism, according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure;
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[00032] Figures 8a and 8b illustrate different perspective views of the swing arm
and a rear ground engaging member of the vehicle in an operating position, according
to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[00033] Figures 9a and 9b illustrate different perspective views of the swing arm
5 and a rear ground engaging member of the vehicle in a storage position, according to
an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[00034] Figures 10a and 10b illustrate different perspective views of the swing
arm and a rear ground engaging member of the vehicle in an intermediate position
between the operating position and storage position, according to an embodiment of
10 the present disclosure;
[00035] Figures 11a and 11b illustrate different perspective view of the swing
arm and a rear ground engaging member of the vehicle in another intermediate
position between the operating position and storage position, according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure;
15 [00036] Figure 12 illustrates a perspective view of an attachment structure of the
modular vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
[00037] Figure 13 illustrates a perspective view of the modular vehicle in threewheeled vehicle configuration, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[00038] The drawings referred to in this description are not to be understood as
20 being drawn to scale except if specifically noted, and such drawings are only
exemplary in nature.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[00039] While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and
alternative forms, an embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the
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drawings and will be described here below. It should be understood, however that it
is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed, but on the
contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative
falling within the spirit and the scope of the invention.
5 [00040] The term “comprises”, comprising, or any other variations thereof, are
intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a setup, structure or method
that comprises a list of components or steps does not include only those components
or steps but may include other components or steps not expressly listed or inherent to
such setup or structure or method. In other words, one or more elements in a system
10 or apparatus proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints,
preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or
apparatus.
[00041] For better understanding of this disclosure, reference would now be
made to the embodiment illustrated in the accompanying Figures and description here
15 below, further, in the following Figures, the same reference numerals are used to
identify the same components in various views.
[00042] While the present disclosure is illustrated in the context of a vehicle,
however, swing arm and aspects and features thereof can be used with other type of
vehicles as well. The terms “vehicle”, “two-wheeled vehicle”, “electric vehicle”,
20 “EV” and “motorcycle” have been interchangeably used throughout the description.
The term “vehicle” comprises vehicles such as motorcycles, scooters, bicycles,
mopeds, scooter type vehicle, and the like.
[00043] The terms “front / forward”, “rear / rearward / back / backward”, “up /
upper / top”, “down / lower / lower ward / downward, bottom”, “left / leftward”, “right
25 / rightward” used therein represents the directions as seen from a vehicle driver sitting
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astride and these directions are referred by arrows Fr, Rr, U, Lr, L, R in the drawing
Figures.
[00044] Referring to Figures 1 and 13, an exemplary modular vehicle (10)
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is depicted. The modular
5 vehicle (10) (hereinafter alternatively referred to as the vehicle (10)) is a vehicle
which can be converted from a first vehicle to a second vehicle and vice-versa. The
first vehicle may be a two-wheeled vehicle or a multi-wheeled vehicle such as a threewheeled vehicle or a four-wheeled vehicle. The second vehicle may be a two-wheeled
vehicle, a three-wheeled vehicle or a four-wheeled vehicle. In the illustrated example,
10 the first vehicle embodies a two-wheeled vehicle, and the second vehicle embodies a
three-wheeled vehicle. Alternatively, the first vehicle may be a three-wheeled vehicle
or a four-wheeled vehicle without limiting the scope of the disclosure. Alternatively,
the second vehicle may be a two-wheeled vehicle, a four-wheeled vehicle without
limiting the scope of the invention. The modular vehicle (10) comprises a two15 wheeled vehicle (100) and an attachment structure (300). The two-wheeled vehicle
(100) referred to herein, embodies a step through type electric vehicle. Alternatively,
the two-wheeled vehicle (100) may embody any other ridden vehicle such as electric
motorcycle etc. without limiting the scope of the invention. The modular vehicle (10)
can be interchanged between two-wheeled configuration (as shown in Figure 1) and
20 three-wheeled configuration (as shown in Figure 13).
[00045] Referring to Figure 1, the modular vehicle (10) in two-wheeled
configuration is illustrated. The two-wheeled vehicle (100) (herein after
interchangeably referred to as vehicle (100)) comprises front end structure (102), a
floorboard (134), and a rear end structure (104). The front end structure (102)
25 comprises a steering mechanism (113), a leg shield (108), a front ground engaging
member (110), a dash assembly (116), a head lamp unit (118), and a plurality of
winkers (120). The steering mechanism (113) comprises a handlebar (114). The
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handlebar (114) is configured to be rotated by the rider to steer the vehicle (100). The
steering mechanism (113) comprises a plurality of front forks (136) disposed at the
front portion of the vehicle (100). The steering mechanism (113) is operatively
coupled to the front ground engaging member (110) via the plurality of front forks
5 (136).
[00046] In the illustrated example, the dash assembly (116) is provided on the
steering mechanism (113). The dash assembly (116) comprises a display unit (not
shown). The display unit displays information relating to the vehicle (100) to the rider.
The dash assembly (116) may comprise additional components such as, LCD, GPS,
10 graphical user interface (GUI) etc. without limiting the scope of the invention. In the
illustrated example, the head lamp unit (118) is provided on the steering mechanism
(113). Alternatively, the head lamp unit (118) may be provided on the leg shield (108),
without limiting the scope of the invention.
[00047] The leg shield (108) is disposed on the front portion of the vehicle (100).
15 The leg shield (108) encloses the steering mechanism (113). The leg shield (108)
comprises an inner leg shield (109) and an outer leg shield (111). The leg shield (108)
provides protection for the feet of the rider of the vehicle (100). In the illustrated
example, the plurality of the winkers (120) are disposed on the leg shield (108).
Alternatively, the plurality of the winkers (120) may be provided on the steering
20 mechanism (113) of the vehicle (100), without any limitations. The floorboard (134)
is disposed behind the front end structure (102) and the rear end structure (104). The
floorboard (134) provides footrest for a rider riding the vehicle (100).
[00048] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the vehicle (100) comprises the first body
frame (106). The first body frame (106) comprises a head tube (122), a down frame
25 (124), a first cross member (126), a left seat rail (128), and a right seat rail (130). The
down frame (124) extends in a rearward and downward direction from the head tube
(122). The down frame (124) extends between the head tube (122) and the first cross
~ 12 ~
member (126). The steering mechanism (113) is pivotally supported on the first body
frame (106). More particularly, the head tube (122) supports the steering mechanism
(113). Further, at least portion of the head tube (122) and the down frame (124) is
enclosed by at least portion of the leg shield (108). The left seat rail (128) and the
5 right seat rail (130) extend rearward and upward from the first cross member (126).
The vehicle (100) comprises a passenger’s seat (170). The rider’s seat (112) and the
passenger’s seat (170) are disposed on the left seat rail (128) and the right seat rail
(130). The rider’s seat (112) and the passenger seat (170) may be formed as a single
unit or may be individual members, without any limitations. The vehicle (100)
10 comprises a control unit (not shown). The control unit controls various operations of
the modular vehicle (10) in both two-wheeled configuration and the three-wheeled
configuration.
[00049] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the vehicle (100) comprises a front side
cover (141), a left side cover (142) and a right side cover (not shown). The front side
15 cover (141) is disposed adjacent to the floorboard (134) and covers front area below
the rider’s seat (112). The left side cover (142) and the right side cover (not shown)
are disposed on both sides of vehicle body and covers lower sides of the rider’s seat
(112) and the passenger’s seat (170). Further, the vehicle (100) comprises a first
battery unit (not shown). In the illustrated example, the first battery unit is disposed
20 below the left seat rail (128) and the right seat rail (130). In one example, the first
battery unit may be disposed within the leg shield (108). In another example, the first
battery unit is disposed underneath the floorboard (134), without limiting the scope
of the invention.
[00050] Referring to Figures 1, and 3, the vehicle (100) comprises the rear end
25 structure (104). The rear end structure (104) is disposed at the rear portion of the
vehicle (100). The rear end structure (106) comprises a swing arm (160), a tail lamp
(182) and a rear side cover (188). The rear side cover (188) is disposed on rear portion
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of the vehicle (100) and covers hind area below the passenger’s seat (170). In the
illustrated example, the tail lamp (182) is disposed on the rear side cover (188). A
plurality of turn signal indicators (183) are disposed on either side of the tail lamp
(182).
5 [00051] The rear end structure (104) comprises a rear ground engaging member
(184), a power generating motor (179) (shown in Figure 8a), a second battery unit
(not shown), and at least one suspension device (not shown). In the illustrate example,
the rear ground engaging member (184) is disposed below the rider’s seat (112) and
the passenger’s seat (170). In the illustrated example, the second battery unit (not
10 shown) is disposed below the rider’s seat (112). In another example, at least portion
of the passenger’s seat (170) overlaps the at least portion of the second battery unit
(not shown). In the illustrated example, the second battery unit is disposed on the
second battery holding portion (not shown) disposed below the left seat rail (128) and
the right seat rail (130). The second battery unit (not shown) stores the energy required
15 to power the power generating motor (179). The second battery unit is electrically
coupled to the power generating motor (179) via the control unit. The first battery unit
is electrically coupled to the control unit and the power generating motor (179) and
provides necessary power if and when required.
[00052] The control unit controls the supply of the electric power from the
20 second battery unit and the first battery unit to the power generating motor (179). In
the illustrated example, the power generating motor (179) is disposed on a hub of the
rear ground engaging member (184). Alternatively, the power generating motor (179)
may be disposed on the swing arm (160) without limiting the scope of the invention.
The power generating motor (179) drives the rear ground engaging member (184).
25 The swing arm (160) is pivotally coupled to the first body frame (106). The rear
ground engaging member (184) is rotatably supported on the swing arm (160).
~ 14 ~
[00053] The rear end structure (104) comprises the at least one suspension
device. In the illustrated example, the rear end structure (104) comprises one
suspension device which is operatively coupled between the first body frame (106)
and the swing arm (160). The suspension device embodies a shock absorber. The rear
5 end structure (104) may comprise additional components such as rear grip, rear
fender, license plate etc. without limiting the scope of the invention.
[00054] Further, the vehicle (100) comprises first electronic connections (not
shown) and first hydraulic connections (not shown). The first electronic connections
may embody a wire harness. The first hydraulic connections may embody fluid hoses.
10 Further, the vehicle (100) may further comprise additional components such as
mirrors, front fenders etc. without limiting the scope of the invention.
[00055] Referring to Figures 2, 3, 4a & 4b, in the illustrated example, the swing
arm (160) embodies a single sided swing arm comprising a first member (162), a
second member (164), and a swiveling mechanism (165). The swing arm (160) is
15 configured to move between an operating position (A) (as shown in Figures 8a and
8b 9) and a storage position (B) (as shown in Figures 9a and 9b).
[00056] In the illustrated example, the swing arm (160) is pivotally coupled to
the first body frame (106). More particularly, the first member (162) of the swing arm
(160) is pivotally coupled to the first body frame (106). In the illustrated example, the
20 first member (162) comprises a plurality of frame attachment brackets (200), a central
portion (202), a suspension device attachment portion (204) and an extension portion
(206). Additionally, the first member (162) may comprise additional components such
as brackets etc., according to requirements, without limitations.
[00057] The plurality of frame attachment brackets (200) are disposed at front
25 end of the first member (162) and are configured to pivotally couple the first member
(162) with the first body frame (106). The plurality of frame attachment brackets
~ 15 ~
(200) are spaced from one another on opposite sides in width direction of the vehicle
(100). The plurality of frame attachment brackets (200) are integral formed with the
central portion (202). The suspension device attachment portion (204) extends from
the central portion (202) and is configured to couple one end of the suspension device
5 to the swing arm (160). The extension portion (206) extends from the central portion
(202) and bifurcates into the first extending member (208) and second extending
member (210). In the illustrated example, the first extending member (208) extends
further towards the rear portion of the vehicle (100) as compared to the second
extending member (210).
10 [00058] The first member (162) comprises a pair of first holes (209) and a pair
of second holes (211). The pair of first holes (209) are disposed closer towards the
central portion (202). One of the pair of first holes (209) is disposed on the first
extending member (208) and the other on the second extending member (210). The
pair of second holes (211) are disposed at a distance from the first holes (209). One
15 of the pair of second holes (211) is disposed on the first extending member (208) and
the other on the second extending member (210). As shown in figure 3, a pin (213)
extending through the pair of first holes (209) and the second member (164) rotatably
couples the second member (164) with the first member (162).
[00059] Referring to Figures 3, 5a and 5b, the second member (164) at one end
20 is rotatably coupled to the first member (162). At the other end, in the illustrated
example, the second member (164) rotatably supports the rear ground engaging
member (184) via the power generating motor (179). The second member (164)
comprises a connection portion (230), a middle portion (232), a hub attachment
portion (234). The connection portion (230) is disposed towards front of the vehicle
25 (100). The connection portion (230) comprises a first aperture (231) and a second
aperture (233). The first aperture (231) is disposed ahead of the second aperture (233)
towards front of the vehicle (100). . The connection portion (230) is rotatably coupled
~ 16 ~
to the first member (162). More particularly, as shown in figure 3, the pin (213)
extending through the pair of first holes (209) of the first member (162) and the first
aperture (231) of the connection portion (230), rotatably couples the second member
(164) with the first member (162). The middle portion (232) extends from the
5 connection portion (230) towards the rear portion of the vehicle (100). The hub
attachment portion (234) extends from the middle portion (232) towards the rear
portion of the vehicle (100). The hub attachment portion (234) is coupled to the rear
ground engaging member (184) via a wheel hub mounting hole (238). The middle
portion (232) comprises an abutment portion (235).
10 [00060] Referring to Figures 3, 6a, 6b, 7a & 7b, the swiveling mechanism (165)
is configured to selectively restrict or allow the rotation of the second member (164)
with respect to the first member (162). The swiveling mechanism (165) comprises a
third member (166). In the illustrated example, the third member (166) is a
substantially U-shaped member having a left arm (240), a right arm (242), and a pin
15 member (246). The pin member (246) is removably coupled to the third member
(166). Further, the third member (166) comprises a pair of upper holes (244) and a
pair of lower holes (245). The pair of upper holes (244) are disposed closer to the Ubend of the third member (166). One of the pair of upper holes (244) is disposed on
the left arm (240) and the other on the right arm (242). The pair of lower holes (245)
20 are disposed at the ends of the left arm (240) and the right arm (242). More
particularly, one of the pair of lower holes (245) is disposed on the left arm (240) and
the other is disposed on the right arm (242).
[00061] The third member (166) is releasably secured to the first member (162).
More particularly, as shown in figure 3, a plurality of fasting members (247) extending
25 through the pair of second holes (211) of the first member (162) and the pair of lower
holes (245) of the third member (166) releasably secures the first member (162) and
the third member (166). In the illustrated example, the plurality of fastening members
~ 17 ~
(247) are loosened to rotate the third member (166) with respect to the first member
(162). As shown in figure 10a, 10b, 11a and 11b, the third member (166) is configured
to move in a first direction (D1) and in a second direction (D2). In the illustrated
example, the first direction (D1) is anti-clockwise direction, and the second direction
5 (D2) is clockwise direction.
[00062] The swiveling mechanism (165) comprises a fourth member (168). The
fourth member (168) comprises a first planar portion (250), a second planar portion
(252), a wedge portion (254), a lock abutment portion (256). In the illustrated
example, the first planar portion (252) and the second planar portion (254) extends
10 substantially parallel to one another and extends from the wedge portion (254). The
lock abutment portion (256) is disposed at one end of the wedge portion (254). The
fourth member (168) comprises a pair of upper planar holes (257) and a pair of lower
planar holes (258). The pair of upper planar holes (257) are disposed on upper portion
of the fourth member (168). One of the pair of upper planar holes (257) is disposed
15 on the first planar portion (250) and the other is disposed on the second planar portion
(252). The pair of lower planar holes (258) are disposed on lower portion of the fourth
member (168). One of the pair of lower planar holes (258) is disposed on the first
planar portion (250) and the other is disposed on the second planar portion (252).
[00063] The fourth member (168) is rotatably coupled to the second member
20 (164) and the third member (166). As shown in figure 3, a plurality of fastening
members (259) extending through the pair of upper planar holes (257) and the pair of
upper holes (244) of the third member (166) rotatably couples the fourth member
(168) with the third member (166). A pin (not shown) extending through the pair of
lower planar holes (258) and the second aperture (233) rotatably secures the fourth
25 member (168) with second member (164). The lock abutment portion (256) of the
fourth member (168) is configured to abut the abutment portion (235) of the second
member (164) when the rotation of the second member (164) is to be restricted with
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respect to the first member (162). As shown in figure 10a and 10b, the third member
(166) rotatably coupled to the fourth member (168) is moved in the first direction
(D1) such that there is no contact between the lock abutment portion (256) of the
fourth member (168) and the abut abutment portion (235) of the second member
5 (164), thereby allowing the second member (164) to rotate about the first member
(162). Further, as shown in figure 11a and 11b, when the rotation of the second
member (164) with respect to the first member (162) is to be restricted, the third
member (166) is moved in the second direction (D2) such that the lock abutment
portion (256) of the fourth member (168) abuts the abut abutment portion (235) of the
10 second member (164), and the rotation of the second member (164) is restricted.
[00064] Referring to Figures 12 and 13, the modular vehicle (10) comprises the
attachment structure (300). The attachment structure (300) is detachably coupled to
the vehicle (100) to convert the modular vehicle (10) from the two-wheeled
configuration to the three-wheeled configuration (as shown in Figures 1 and 13). The
15 attachment structure (300) comprises a seat unit (302), a tail lamp (not shown), a rear
side cover (not shown), a left side cover (not shown), a right cover (not shown) and a
second body frame (308). The rear side cover is disposed on rear portion of the
attachment structure (300) and covers hind area below the seat unit (302). In the
illustrated example, the tail lamp is disposed on the rear side cover. A plurality of turn
20 signal indicators (not shown) are disposed on either side of the tail lamp. The left side
cover and the right side cover are disposed on both sides of attachment structure (300)
and cover lower sides of the seat unit (302).
[00065] Further, the attachment structure (300) comprises at least one rear
ground engaging member (306), at least one power generating motor (not shown), a
25 third battery unit (not shown), and at least one suspension device (not shown). In the
illustrate example, the attachment structure (300) comprisestwo rear ground engaging
members (306). The rear ground engaging members (306) are disposed below the seat
~ 19 ~
unit (302) and the second body frame (308). In the illustrated example, the attachment
structure (300) comprisestwo power generating motors. The power generating motors
are disposed on a hub of the rear ground engaging member (306). Alternatively, the
attachment structure (300) may comprise a single power generating motor which may
5 be disposed on the second body frame (308) without limiting the scope of the
invention.
[00066] In the illustrated example, the third battery unit is disposed below the
seat unit (302). The third battery unit stores the energy required to power the power
generating motors. The third battery unit is electrically coupled to the power
10 generating motors via the control unit of the vehicle (100), when the attachment
structure (300) is coupled to the two wheeled vehicle (100). The attachment structure
(300) may have an additional control unit to control various operations. When the
attachment structure (300) is coupled to the two-wheeled vehicle (100), the additional
control unit is in electronic communication with the control unit of the vehicle (100).
15 [00067] The control unit controls the supply of the electric power from the third
battery unit and the first battery unit to the power generating motors. Each of the
power generating motors drives each of the rear ground engaging members.
[00068] The attachment structure (300) comprises the at least one suspension
device (not shown). In the illustrated example, the attachment structure (300)
20 comprises two suspension devices, one of which is operatively coupled between an
axle of the one of the rear ground engaging member (306) and the second body frame
(308), and another between an axle of another rear ground engaging member (306)
and the second body frame (308).
[00069] The second body frame (308) is detachably coupled to the first body
25 frame (106). The second body frame (308) comprises a plurality of first body frame
receiving members (310). The plurality of first body frame receiving members (310)
~ 20 ~
are disposed on front portion of the second body frame (308). In the illustrated
example, the second body frame (308) comprises two first body frame receiving
members (310) disposed on either side of the second body frame (308). The two first
body frame receiving members (310) are configured to receive and detachably couple
5 the first body frame (106).
[00070] The attachment structure (300) comprises third electronic connections
(not shown) and third hydraulic connections (not shown). The third electronic
connections may embody a wire harness. The third hydraulic connections may
embody fluid hoses. The attachment structure (300) may comprise additional
10 components such as rear grip, rear fender, license plate etc. without limiting the scope
of the invention.
[00071] When the modular vehicle (10) is required to be converted from the twowheeled configuration to three-wheeled vehicle configuration. The two wheeled
vehicle (100) is removably coupled to the attachment structure (300). To couple the
15 two wheeled vehicle (100) to the attachment structure (300), the swing arm (160) and
the rear ground engaging member (184) of the two-wheeled vehicle (100) are rotated
towards the storage position (B) (shown in Figure 9a and 9b) i.e. towards the left seat
rail (128) and the right seat rail (130). The movement of the swing arm (160) is done
by rotating the third member (166) in the first direction (D1), thereby allowing and
20 rotating the second member (164) with respect to the first member (162). Thereafter
the second member (164) is secured to the first body frame (106), thereby locking the
swing arm (160) to the first body frame (106). In the illustrated example, the two
wheeled vehicle (100) is inserted into the attachment structure (300), thereafter the
swing arm (160) is moved to the storage position. In another example, the swing arm
25 (160) of the two wheeled vehicle (100) is rotated towards the storage position (B)
(shown in Figure 9a and 9b) and then moved into the attachment structure (300) to
couple one another. Electronic connections and hydraulic connections between
~ 21 ~
various components of the attachment structure (300) and the vehicle (100) are
attached. More particularly, the first electronic connections and the third electronic
connections are detachably coupled to one another. The first hydraulic connections
and the third hydraulic connections are detachably coupled to one another. Thereby
5 converting the modular vehicle (100) from two-wheeled configuration to threewheeled configuration.
[00072] Herein the above description of the disclosure only one control unit is
being used to control the operations of the modular vehicle, however multiple control
units in communication with one another may be used, without limiting the scope of
10 the invention.
[00073] Herein the above description, the fastening members may be nuts, bolts,
rivets etc., without limiting the scope of the invention.
[00074] Herein the above description, the coupling may be using fastening
members, welding, or any other coupling methods known in the art, without limiting
15 the scope of the invention.
[00075] The present disclosure discloses the modular vehicle (10) which can be
easily converted from a two wheeled vehicle to a three wheeled vehicle and vice versa
according to the requirements. The movement of the swing arm (160) between the
storage position (B) and the operating position (A), allows easy insertion and coupling
20 of the two wheeled vehicle (100) into the attachment structure (300), thereby reducing
the assembly time.
[00076] While few embodiments of the present disclosure have been described
above, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited to the above
embodiments and modifications may be appropriately made thereto within the spirit
25 and scope of the invention.
~ 22 ~
[00077] While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the particular
features of this disclosure, it will be appreciated that various modifications can be
made, and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without
departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other modifications in the
5 nature of the disclosure or the preferred embodiments will be apparent to those skilled
in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the
foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure
and not as a limitation.

We Claim:

1. A vehicle (10) configured to selectively operate in one of a two-wheeled
configuration and a three-wheeled configuration, the vehicle (10) comprising:
a first body frame (106);
5 a rear ground engaging member (184); and
a swing arm (160) pivotally coupled with the first body frame (106), wherein
the swing arm (160) configured to selectively lift the rear ground engaging
member (184) from a ground surface to convert the vehicle (10) from the twowheeled configuration to the three-wheeled configuration.
10 2. The vehicle (10) as claimed in the claim 1, wherein the rear ground engaging
member (184) is rotatably supported by the swing arm (160).
3. A swing arm (160) configured to selectively lift a rear ground engaging member
(184) from a ground surface to convert a vehicle (10) from a two- wheeled configuration
15 to a three-wheeled configuration, the swing member (160) comprising:
a first member (162);
a second member (164); and
a swiveling mechanism (165);
wherein the swiveling mechanism (165) is configured to selectively restrict
20 rotation of the second member (164) with respect to the first member (162).
4. The vehicle (10) as claimed in claims 1 and 3, comprises a rear end structure
(104), comprises at least one suspension device operatively coupled between the first
body frame (106) and the first member of the swing arm (162).
25
~ 24 ~
5. The vehicle (10) as claimed in claims 1 and 3, wherein the swing arm (160) is
configured to selectively operate between an operating position (A) and a storage
position (B), in the operating position (A), the vehicle (100) is in the two-wheeled
configuration and rear ground engaging member (184) is in contact with the ground
5 surface to provide traction to the vehicle (100).
6. The vehicle (10) as claimed in claims 1, 3 and 5, wherein the swing arm (160)
is configured to lift the rear ground engaging member (184) from ground surface, when
the swing arm (160) rotates towards the storage position (B).
10
7. The vehicle (10) as claimed in claims 1 and 3, wherein the first member (162)
of the swing arm (160) is pivotally coupled to the first body frame (106).
8. The vehicle (10) as claimed in claims 1 and 3, wherein the second member
15 (164) of the swing arm (160) is rotatably coupled with the first member (162) of the
swing arm (160) at one end, and rotatably supports the rear ground engaging member
(184) at the other end.
9. The vehicle (10) as claimed in claims 1 and 3, wherein the first member (162)
20 comprises a central portion (202); a plurality of frame attachment brackets (200)
integrally formed with the central portion (202), disposed at a front end of the first
member (162); and a suspension device attachment portion (204) extends from the
central portion (202), configured to couple one end of the suspension device to the
swing arm (160).
25
10. The vehicle (10) as claimed in claims 1 and 3, wherein the first member (162)
comprising:
an extension portion (206) extends from the central portion (202) and bifurcates
into the first extending member (208) and second extending member (210) whereby the
~ 25 ~
first extending member (208) extends further towards the rear portion of the vehicle
(100); and
a pair of first holes (209) disposed closer towards the central portion (202) and
a pair of second holes (211) disposed at a distance from the first holes (209).
5
11. The vehicle (10) as claimed in claims 1 and 3, wherein the second member (164)
comprises a connection portion (230) configured to be rotatably coupled with the first
member (162), a middle portion (232) having an abutment portion (235), and a hub
10 attachment portion (234) coupled to the rear ground engaging member (184) via a wheel
hub mounting hole (238).
12. The vehicle (10) as claimed in claims 1 and 3, wherein the connecting portion
(230) is disposed towards front of the vehicle, comprises a first aperture (231) and a
15 second aperture (233) whereby the first aperture (231) is disposed ahead of the second
aperture (233).
13. The vehicle (10) as claimed in claims 1, 3, 10 and 12, wherein a pin (213)
20 extending through the pair of first holes (209) of the first member (162) and the first
aperture (231) of the connection portion (230), rotatably couples the second member
(164) with the first member (162).
14. The vehicle (10) as claimed in claims 1 and 3, wherein the swiveling mechanism
25 (165) comprises a third member (166) and a fourth member (168) wherein the third
member (166) is rotatably coupled with the fourth member (168).
~ 26 ~
15. The vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 14, wherein the third member is a
substantially U-shaped member, comprises a left arm (240), a right arm (242) and a pin
member (246).
5 16. The vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 15, wherein the pin member (246) is
removably coupled to the third member (166).
17. The vehicle (10) as claimed in claims 1, 3 and 14, wherein the third member
(166) comprises a pair of upper holes (244) and a pair of lower holes (245) disposed on
10 the left arm (240) and right arm (242) at upper and lower ends of third member
respectively,
whereby the third member (166) is releasably secured to the first member (162)
with a plurality of fasting members (247) extending through the pair of second holes
15 (211) of the first member (162) and the pair of lower holes (245) of the third member
(166).
18. The vehicle (10) as claimed in claims 1, 3 and 14, wherein the plurality of
fastening members (247) are configured to be loosened to rotate the third member (166)
20 with respect to the first member (162).
19. The vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 14, wherein the fourth member comprises
a wedge portion (254); a first planar portion (250), and a second planar portion (252)
extends substantially parallel to one another and extends from the wedge portion (254);
25 and a lock abutment portion (256) configured to abut the abutment portion (235) of the
second member (164) disposed at one end of the wedge portion (254).
20. The vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 14, wherein the fourth member comprises
a pair of upper planar holes (257) disposed on upper portion of the fourth member (168);
~ 27 ~
and a pair of lower planar holes (258) disposed on lower portion of the fourth member
(168).
21. The vehicle (10) as claimed in claims 1, 3 and 14, wherein the fourth
5 member (168) is rotatably coupled to the second member (164) with a pin (255)
extending through the pair of lower planar holes (258) and the second aperture (233);
and is rotatably coupled to the third member (166) with help of a plurality of fastening
members (259) passing through the pair of upper planar holes (257) and the pair of
upper holes (244) of the third member (166).
10
22. A method for converting a two-wheeled configuration to a three-wheeled
configuration, comprising steps of:
moving a swing arm (160) towards a storage position (B) by rotating a third
member (166) of a swiveling mechanism (165) in a first direction (D1), thereby
15 allowing and rotating a second member (164) with respect to a first member (162);
securing the second member (164) with a first body frame (106) after rotating
the third member (166) of the swiveling mechanism (165) in a second direction (D2),
thereby locking the swing arm (160) to the first body frame (106); and
moving the swing arm (160) into the attachment structure (300) to couple an
20 attachment structure (300) with the two-wheeled vehicle.
23. The method as claimed in claim 22, wherein the third member (166)
rotatably coupled to a fourth member (168) is moved in the first direction (D1) such
that there is no contact between a lock abutment portion (256) of the fourth member
25 (168) and an abut abutment portion (235) of the second member (164), thereby allowing
the second member (164) to rotate about the first member (162).
24. The method as claimed in claim 22, wherein the third member (166) is
moved in the second direction (D2) such that the lock abutment portion (256) of the
~ 28 ~
fourth member (168) abuts the abut abutment portion (235) of the second member (164),
thereby restricts the rotation of the second member (164) with respect to the first
member (162).