Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present invention relates to a two-wheeled vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to the two-wheeled vehicle with improved center of gravity.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] Two-wheeled vehicles, more particularly, scooter-type vehicles are one of the most prevalent vehicles being preferred by a large range of customers due to their compact size, convenient storage structure and fuel efficiency. In existing configuration, the scooter-type vehicles include a frame assembly having a head tube, a pair of main tubes and a pair of seat rails attached to the main tubes. It is widely known in the art to dispose a utility storage box under a seat of the vehicle and between the pair of seat rails. Further, due to existing compact configuration, there is a limited space in the scooter-type vehicles, and it always remains a challenge in achieving an optimum storage space.
[003] With continuous evolving vehicle technologies, various solutions were proposed to increase the storage space of the utility storage box which eventuated in relocating or shifting various electrical and/or electronic components viz. electronic control unit, voltage rectifier unit, voltage regulator unit, motor controller (for electric scooter type vehicles) to sides of the utility storage box. It has been observed that this relocation or shifting of the electrical and/or electronic components tends to shift center of gravity (CG) of the vehicle towards mounting side(s) of these electrical and/or electronic components. Due to this shift in center of gravity, the stability and balance of the vehicle is affected which further tends to pull the vehicle in the direction in which the center of gravity is shifted while the vehicle takes turn on roads. This pulling movement may cause imbalance to the rider and lead to a vehicle accident.
[004] In view of the foregoing, there is a need to provide a saddle-type vehicle having an improved center of gravity to increase its stability and safety while driving.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[005] In one aspect of the invention, a two-wheeled vehicle is disclosed. The two-wheeled vehicle includes a head tube and a main tube. The main tube is extending downwardly and rearwardly from the head tube in a front-rear direction of the vehicle. The vehicle includes a pair of left and right seat rails when seen from a front of the vehicle. The pair of left and right seat rails is attached to the main tube and extending rearwardly and upwardly from the main tube in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. The vehicle includes a pair of left and right rear shock absorbers adapted to support a rear wheel of the vehicle. The pair of left and right rear shock absorbers is attached to the pair of left and right seat rails. The vehicle includes a regulator unit for regulating a battery voltage and supplying to electrical loads of the vehicle. The regulator unit is mounted on the right seat rail at a position closer to the right rear shock absorber of the vehicle.
[006] In an embodiment, each of the pair of left and right seat rails includes a front end and a rear end. The front ends of the pair of left and right seat rails are attached to the main tube of the vehicle.
[007] In an embodiment, each of the pair of left and right rear shock absorbers comprises an upper end and a lower end. Each of the upper ends of the pair of left and right rear shock absorber being attached to one of the pair of left and right seat rails. Each of the lower ends of the pair of left and right rear shock absorbers being attached to the rear wheel of the vehicle.
[008] In an embodiment, each of the upper ends of the pair of left and right rear shock absorbers being attached to the pair of the left and right seat rails at a position closer to the rear ends of the pair of left and right seat rails.
[009] In an embodiment, the right seat rail includes a mounting bracket for attaching the regulator unit. The regulator unit includes attachment portions disposed on a side facing an outer side of the vehicle. The attachment portions being configured to attach the regulator unit to the mounting bracket.
[010] In an embodiment, the regulator unit includes a plurality of cooling fins disposed on a side facing an inner side of the vehicle.
[011] In an embodiment, the vehicle includes a vehicle control unit mounted on the right seat rail in proximity to the regulator unit.
[012] In an embodiment, the vehicle includes a motor controller unit mounted on the left seat rail of the vehicle at a position being opposite to the regulator unit.
[013] In an embodiment, the vehicle includes a battery pack being disposed between the pair of the left and right seat rails and positioned closer to the regulator unit.
[014] In an embodiment, the regulator unit includes a step-down DC-DC converter configured to step-down the battery voltage received from the battery pack of the vehicle.

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 schematic view of an exemplary vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 illustrates a side view of the vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 illustrates a partially enlarged view of a rear portion of the vehicle when the regulator unit is dismantled from the vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[016] Various features and embodiments of the present invention here will be discernible from the following further description thereof, set out hereunder.
[017] The present invention relates to a saddle-type vehicle having an improved center of gravity.
[018] Figure 1 illustrates a schematic view of a saddle-type vehicle 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[019] In the present invention, a longitudinal axis refers to a front to rear axis relative to a vehicle, defining a vehicle longitudinal direction while a lateral axis refers to a side to side, or left to right axis relative to the vehicle, defining a vehicle width direction. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. Arrows provided in the top right corner of figures depicts direction with respect to the vehicle, wherein an arrow F denotes a front direction, an arrow R indicates a rearward direction, an arrow Up denotes an upward direction, an arrow Dw denotes a downward direction of the vehicle.
[020] As an example, the vehicle 100 is a step through scooter type vehicle. The vehicle 100 has a front wheel 110 and a rear wheel 180. The vehicle 100 includes a frame assembly. The frame assembly includes a head tube 106, a main tube 120 and a pair of seat rails 130L,130R. The head tube 106 is attached to the main tube 120 and extending downwardly and rearwardly in a front-rear direction of the vehicle 100. The pair of seat rails 130L, 130R extends rearwardly and upwardly in the front-rear direction of the vehicle 100. The pair of seat rails 130L, 130R includes front ends 131L, 131R and rear ends 139L, 139R. A handlebar 102 is rotatably attached to the head tube 106. The vehicle 100 includes a visor element 104 attached to a handlebar cover of the vehicle 100. A steering shaft 105 extends through the head tube 106 in a downward direction of the vehicle and connects the handlebar 102 to a front fork bracket 107. The front fork bracket 107 includes clamp members for attaching a pair of left and right front shock absorbers 108L, 108R. The pair of left and right front shock absorbers 108L, 108R is further attached to an axle of the front wheel 110. The movement of handlebar 102 causes the front wheel 110 to move in the left-right direction of the vehicle 100.
[021] As shown, the vehicle 100 includes a floor portion extending between the main tube 120 and the pair of seat rails 130L, 130R. The floor portion is configured to receive legs of a rider. The floor portion includes a first transverse frame member 122, a pair of upper left and right longitudinal frame members 124L,124R, a pair of lower left and right longitudinal frame members 126L,126R and a second transverse frame member 128. The first transverse frame member 122 extends in the vehicle width direction. A middle portion of the first transverse frame member 122 is configured to receive a lower end of the main tube 120. The second transverse frame member 128 is attached to the front ends 131L, 131R of the pair of seat rails 130L, 130R. The second transverse frame member 128 extends in the vehicle width direction parallelly to the first frame member 122. Each of the pair of upper left and right longitudinal frame members 124L, 124R is attached to the first transverse frame member 122 and the second transverse frame member 128 and extends in the front-rear direction of the vehicle 100. Similarly, each of the pair of lower left and right longitudinal frame members 126L, 126R is attached to the first transverse frame member 122 and the second transverse frame member 128 and extends in the front-rear direction of the vehicle 100.The second transverse frame member 128 includes a pair of attachment members 129 disposed on each lateral side of the second transverse frame member 128. The attachment members 129 are configured to supportably attach the front ends 131L, 131R of the pair of seat rails 130L, 130R on the second transverse frame member 128. The vehicle 100 includes longitudinal stay members 150 attached to the second transverse frame member 128 and extending rearwardly in the front-rear direction of the vehicle 100 to form an accommodation space surrounded by the pair of seat rails 130L, 130R. The accommodation space includes a base region extending between the second transverse frame member 128 and a portion of the longitudinal stay members 150. The base region of the accommodation space is configured to receive one of a power unit of the vehicle 100 which may be a vehicle battery along with a motor arrangement, or an internal combustion engine configured to drive the rear wheel 180 as per the design feasibility and power requirements of the vehicle 100. The vehicle 100 includes a swing arm 170 having a front end 171 and a rear end 172. In an embodiment, the swing arm may be a single-sided or double sides as per the requirements of the vehicle 100. The front end 171 of the swing arm is pivotally attached to each of the longitudinal stay members 150 and the rear end 172 is attached to a rear wheel axle (not shown). The swing arm 170 is configured to supportably and swingably attach the rear wheel 180 to the vehicle 100. In an embodiment, the swing arm 170 includes an inbuilt transmission case 170 being configured to transfer driving power of the internal combustion engine or the motor to the rear wheel 180. The vehicle 100 includes side supporting members 152, 154 attached to each of the pair of seat rails 130L, 130R and the longitudinal stay members 150. The side supporting members 152, 154 are configured to extend support to the vehicle battery when stored in the accommodation space. The rear ends 139L, 139R of the pair of seat rails 130L, 130R are joined with each other by a cross member 140 extending in the vehicle width direction between the rear ends 139L, 139R. Each of the pair of seat rails 130L, 130R includes a rear suspension bracket 138. The rear suspension brackets 138 are disposed in proximity to the rear ends 139L, 139R of the pair of seat rails 130L, 130R. Each of the rear suspension brackets 138 is configured to mount the the pair of left and right rear shock absorbers 160L,160R. The vehicle 100 includes an electrical component i.e., a regulator unit 200 mounted on the right seat rail 130R at a position closer to the right rear shock absorber 160R of the vehicle 100 when seen from sides of the vehicle 100. The right seat rail 130R includes a mounting bracket 136 for mounting the regulator unit 200 through fastening means. The fastening means includes, but not limited to a screw, nut and/or bolt arrangement, rivets etc. The mounting bracket 136 is attached to the right seat rail 130R in proximity to the position of the rear suspension bracket 138 of the right rear shock absorber 160R. The regulator unit 200 is configured to regulate and supply a battery voltage to electrical loads of the vehicle 100. In an embodiment, the regulator unit 200 includes a step-down DC-DC converter configured to step-down the battery voltage. In an embodiment, the mounting bracket 136 is configured to provide anti-rotation to the regulator unit 200.
[022] As shown, the left seat rail 130L includes a mounting bracket 135 for mounting a motor controller unit 400 (shown in Figure 2). The mounting bracket 135 of the motor controller unit 400 is positioned opposite to the mounting bracket 136 of the regulator unit 200. The mounting bracket 135 is positioned closer to the left rear shock absorber 160L.
[023] Figure 2 illustrates a side view of the vehicle 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the rear ends 139 of the pair of seat rails 130L, 130R (only 130R is shown) are attached to the cross member 140. The cross member 140 is configured to receive and/or mount a pillion handle, a taillight assembly 142 and/or a rear fender assembly 146.
[024] Each of the pair of left and right rear shock absorbers 160L,160R includes an upper end 161 and a lower end 169. Each of the upper ends 161 is attached to one of the pair of left and right seat rails 130L,130R. Likewise, each of the lower ends 169 is attached to the transmission case or swing arm 170 for supporting the rear wheel 180. The vehicle 100 includes a vehicle control unit 300 mounted adjacent to the regulator unit 200 on the same right seat rail 130R to which the regulator unit 200 is mounted. To maintain a center of gravity of the vehicle 100 vertically downward, a motor controller unit 400 is mounted on the left seat rail 130L of the vehicle 100 at a position being opposite to the regulator unit 200 or the vehicle control unit 300 mounted on the right seat rail 130R.
[025] The vehicle 100 includes a battery pack 500 disposed inside the accommodation space formed between the pair of left and right seat rails 130L, 130R. The battery pack 500 is configured to power the motor for driving the vehicle 100. The vehicle 100 includes a utility storage box (not shown) disposed above the accommodation space between the pair of left and right seat rails 130L, 130R. An upper side of the utility storage box is covered by a vehicle seat (not shown).
[026] In a non-limiting example, the weight of the motor controller unit 400 substantially corresponds to the collective weight of the regulator unit 200 and the vehicle control unit 300. The mounting configuration of the motor controller unit 400 and/or regulator unit 200 along with the vehicle control unit 300 disposed near to the rear right shock absorber 160R shifts the center of gravity of the vehicle 100 towards center of the vehicle 100. To counterbalance the weight of the regulator unit 300 and the vehicle control unit 300, the motor controller unit 400 is disposed opposite to the regulator unit 200 so that the weight is distributed equally in both left and right sides of the vehicle 100. Such disposition of the regulator unit 200, the vehicle control unit 300 and the motor controller unit 400 produces a combined effect of shifting the center of gravity close to the center of the vehicle 100.
[027] The vehicle 100 includes electrical wiring harness operably connecting electrical loads of the vehicle with the battery pack 500 and the regulator unit 200, the vehicle control unit 300 and the motor controller unit 400 through various connectors/couplers. The electrical wiring harness connecting the regulator unit 200 and the battery pack 500 is routed adjacent to the second transverse frame member 128 through a wiring clamp member S to avoid contact with interfacing sides/edges of frame members. The vehicle 100 is configured to dispose the regulator unit 200 at a position where the battery pack 500 is closer, and which serves as a common point for all the electrical loads of the vehicle 100 and requires a smaller length of electrical wires.
[028] In a non-limiting example, the battery pack 500 is a 52V DC battery. The regulator unit 200 is a step down DC-DC converter configured to convert and/or reduce the battery voltage from 52 V to 12V for operating electrical loads of the vehicle 100 such as lamps, horn, speedometer, etc When seen from the front of the vehicle 100, the DC-DC converter 200 is located at the right side of the vehicle 100 and when seen from sides of the vehicle 100, the DC-DC convertor 200 is disposed on the rear portion of the right seat rail 130R near to the rear shock absorber 160R in order to shift a center of gravity closer to the center of the vehicle 100.
[029] Figure 3 illustrates a partially enlarged view of a rear portion of the vehicle 100 when the regulator unit 200 is dismantled from the vehicle 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the vehicle 100 includes the rear suspension bracket 138 welded on a bottom side of the rear end 139 of right seat rail 130R. The rear suspension bracket 138 is configured to mount the rear right shock absorber 160R of the vehicle 100. The right seat rail 130R includes the mounting bracket 136 for mounting the regulator unit 200. The mounting bracket 136 is positioned near to an upper portion of the right rear shock absorber 160R. The regulator unit 200 is mounted on the mounting bracket 136 through fastening means 212. The fastening means 212 include, but not limited to a screw, nut and/or bolt arrangement, rivets etc.
[030] As shown, the regulator unit 200 includes attachment portions 204 disposed on a side 202 facing an outer side of the vehicle 100. The attachment portions 204 are configured to receive the fastening means 212 for securing the regulator unit 200 to the mounting bracket 136.
[031] In an embodiment, the regulator unit 200 includes a plurality of cooling fins 206 disposed on a side facing an inner side of the vehicle 100.
[032] In an embodiment, the vehicle 100 includes another mounting bracket 137 welded on the right seat rail 130R. The mounting bracket 137 is configured to receive the vehicle control unit 300 (shown in Figure 2) closer to the regulator unit 200.
[033] Advantageously, the present invention provides a two-wheeled vehicle having a regulator unit and the vehicle control unit mounted on right seat rail close or in proximity to the rear right shock absorber and a motor controller unit disposed on left seat rail at a position opposite to the regulator unit and close to the rear left shock absorber. This disposition results into shifting the center of gravity closer to center of the vehicle. Further, mounting of the vehicle control unit, motor controller unit and the regulator unit on the pair of left and right seat rails results into an increase of a storage space between the pair of left and right seat rails which can expand storage volume of the utility storage box. The present invention disposes the regulator unit, the vehicle control unit, and the motor controller unit on the pair of left and right seat rails such that the wire length between the motor controller, the vehicle battery and electric loads of the vehicle is reduced. The present invention improves balance and ride stability of the vehicle by shifting the center of gravity closer to center of the vehicle.
[034] 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
100 – Vehicle
102 – Handlebar
104– Visor Element
105 – Steering shaft
106 – Head tube
107 – Front fork bracket
108L, 108R – Pair of left and right front shock absorbers
110 – Front wheel
112 – Handlebar
120 – Main tube
122 – First transverse frame member
124L, 124R – Pair of upper left and right longitudinal frame members
126L, 126R – Pair of lower left and right longitudinal frame members
128 – Second transverse frame member
129 – Attachment members
130L, 130R – Pair of left and right seat rails
131L, 131R – Front ends of the pair of left and right seat rails
135 – Mounting bracket of a motor controller unit
136 – Mounting bracket of a regulator unit
137 – Mounting bracket of a vehicle control unit
138 – Rear suspension bracket
139L, 139R – Rear ends of the pair of left and right seat rails
140 – Cross member
142 – Taillight assembly
146 – Rear fender assembly
150 – Longitudinal stay members
152, 154 – Side supporting members
160L, 160R – Pair of left and right rear shock absorbers
161 – Upper ends of the pair of left and right rear shock absorbers
169 – Lower ends of the pair of left and right rear shock absorbers
170 – Swing arm/ Transmission case
171 – Front end of the swing arm
172 – Rear end of the swing arm
180 – Rear wheel
200 – Regulator unit/ DC-DC convertor
202 – Outer side of the regulator unit
204 – Attachment portions of the regulator unit
206 – Cooling fins of the regulator unit
212 – Fastening means
300 – Vehicle control unit
400 – Motor controller unit
500 – Battery pack
S – Wiring clamp member , Claims:WE CLAIM:
1. A two-wheeled vehicle (100) comprising:
a head tube (106);
a main tube (120) extending downwardly and rearwardly from the head tube (106) in a front-rear direction of the vehicle (100);
a pair of left and right seat rails (130L,130R) when seen from a front of the vehicle (100), the pair of left and right seat rails (130L,130R) being attached to the main tube (120) and extending rearwardly and upwardly from the main tube (120) in the front-rear direction of the vehicle (100);
a pair of left and right rear shock absorbers (160L,160R) adapted to support a rear wheel (180) of the vehicle (100), the pair of left and right rear shock absorbers (160L, 160R) being attached to the pair of left and right seat rails (130L, 130R); and
a regulator unit (200) for regulating a battery voltage and supplying to electrical loads of the vehicle (100); the regulator unit (200) being mounted on the right seat rail (130R) at a position closer to the right rear shock absorber (160R) of the vehicle (100).

2. The two-wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the pair of left and right seat rails (130L,130R) comprises a front end (131L, 131R) and a rear end (139L,139R), the front ends (131L,131R) being attached to the main tube (120) of the vehicle (100).

3. The two-wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the pair of left and right rear shock absorbers (160L,160R) comprises an upper end (161) and a lower end (169), each of the upper ends (161) being attached to one of the pair of left and right seat rails (130L,130R) and each of the lower ends (169) being attached to the rear wheel (170) of the vehicle (100).

4. The two-wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein each of the upper ends (161) of the pair of left and right rear shock absorbers (160L, 160R) being attached to the pair of the left and right seat rails (130L,130R) at a position closer to the rear ends (139L,139R) of the pair of left and right seat rails (130L, 130R).

5. The two-wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the right seat rail (130R) comprises a mounting bracket (136) for attaching the regulator unit (200).

6. The two-wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the regulator unit (200) comprises attachment portions (204) disposed on a side (202) facing an outer side of the vehicle (100), the attachment portions (204) being configured to attach the regulator unit (200) to the mounting bracket (136).

7. The two-wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the regulator unit (200) comprises a plurality of cooling fins (206) disposed on a side facing an inner side of the vehicle (100).

8. The two-wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprises a motor controller unit (400) mounted on the left seat rail (130L) of the vehicle (100) at a position being opposite to the regulator unit (200).

9. The two-wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprises a vehicle control unit (300) mounted on the right seat rail (130R) in proximity to the regulator unit (200).

10. The two-wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprises a battery pack (500) being disposed between the pair of the left and right seat rails (130L, 130R) and positioned closer to the regulator unit (200).

11. The two-wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1 or claim 9, wherein the regulator unit (200) comprises a step-down DC-DC converter configured to step-down the battery voltage received from the battery pack (500) of the vehicle (100).

Dated this 28th day of March 2023
TVS MOTOR COMPANY LIMITED
By their Agent & Attorney

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