DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present subject matter relates generally to a two-wheeler, and more particularly to the two-wheelers mounted with an auxiliary power source.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Generally, in a two-wheeled vehicle a frame assembly extends rearward from a head tube. The frame assembly is a structural member that acts as a skeleton for the vehicle, which supports the vehicle loads. A front portion of the frame assembly connects a front wheel through one or more front suspension(s). The frame assembly extends towards a rear portion of the vehicle. A rear wheel is connected to a frame assembly through one or more rear suspension(s). An engine assembly is mounted to the frame assembly of the vehicle. The engine assembly is functionally connected to the rear wheel, which provides the forward motion to the vehicle. Typically, plurality of panels is mounted to the frame assembly of the vehicle that covers various vehicle parts mounted thereon.
[0003] The vehicle includes various electric/electronic loads that are powered by an auxiliary power source. The auxiliary power source also enables electric start of the engine assembly.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] The detailed description of the present subject matter is described with reference to the accompanying figures. Same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like features and components.
[0005] Fig. 1 (a)illustrates a left side view of an exemplary two-wheeled motor vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0006] Fig. 1 (b) illustrates a frame assembly of the vehicle in accordance with the embodiment of Fig. 1 (a).
[0007] Fig. 2 (a) depicts a right side perspective view of the frame assembly employed with a storage compartment, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0008] Fig. 2 (b) depicts a top view of a portion of the frame assembly of the vehicle employed with a storage compartment, in accordance with the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 2 (a).
[0009] Fig. 2 (c) depicts a left side view of a portion of the frame assembly employed with the storage compartment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[00010] Conventionally, a Lithium ion battery is mounted to the vehicle that acts an auxiliary power source. The battery powers various electrical/electronic loads that include a starter motor and an electronic control unit. Also, with the increasing engine capacity, it is difficult for user to manually crank the vehicle. Moreover, in vehicles higher engine capacity only the electric start system is provided. Therefore, battery is becoming an essential component for even starting the vehicle. The battery should be securely mounted to the vehicle. However, with increase in battery capacity, the battery size is also increasing. Therefore, there is a need for mounting the battery without compromising on compactness of the vehicle. Also, the battery should be rigidly mounted to the vehicle.
[00011] The present subject matter is aimed at addressing the aforementioned and other problems in the prior art.
[00012] Hence, it is an object of the present subject matter is to provide a two-wheeler. The two-wheeler is mounted with a storage compartment capable o supporting one or more electrical components including an auxiliary power source. According to one aspect, the auxiliary power source is rigidly mounted. According to another aspect, the auxiliary power source is disposed in proximity to the engine assembly. According to yet another aspect, the auxiliary power source enables in improving ridabilty.
[00013] In one embodiment, a storage compartment (205) capable of supporting one or more electrical components is disposed directly behind the pivot bracket of the frame assembly in a longitudinal direction. Also, the storage compartment is disposed between a first arm and a second arm of the swing arm in a lateral direction. The storage compartment is securely mounted to the pivot bracket.
[00014] In an embodiment, the auxiliary power source is a battery that is mounted to the frame assembly of the vehicle. The battery is mounted to a substantially lower portion of the frame assembly. This enables is improving ridabilty of the vehicle. Moreover, the battery is disposed in proximity to the power unit thereby wiring harness can be optimally disposed. In addition, the battery is rigidly mounted to the frame assembly isolating external parameters from affecting the functioning of the battery.
[00015] The battery is disposed substantially in line with the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. Moreover, the battery is mounted to a lower most portion of the frame assembly. Therefore, the stability of the vehicle is improved thereby improving the drivability.
[00016] The aforesaid and other advantages of the present subject matter would be described in greater detail in conjunction with the figures in the following description.
[00017] Fig. 1 (a) illustrates a left side view of an exemplary two-wheeled motor vehicle100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. Fig. 1 (b) illustrates a frame assembly of the vehicle in accordance with the embodiment of Fig. 1 (a). Arrows provided in the top right corner of each figure depicts direction with respect to the vehicle, wherein the arrow F denotes front direction, an arrow R indicated rear direction, an arrow Up denotes upward direction, and an arrow Dw denoted downward direction. Also, an arrow RH denotes right side and an arrow LH denotes left side with respect to the vehicle 100. The vehicle 100 includes a frame assembly that extends from a head tube (not shown), which is disposed in the front portion of the vehicle 100, towards a rear portion of the vehicle 100. The frame assembly 105 includes a mainframe comprising a main tube 105B extending rearward from a head tube 105A and a down tube (not shown) that extends rearwardly downward from the head tube. The frame assembly 105 may further comprise a sub-frame formed by a pair of rear tubes 105C that extend obliquely rearward from the main frame 105B. Also, a seat frame 105CA extends rearward from the main tube 105B for supporting a seat assembly 155.
[00018] The main frame of the frame assembly 105 supports an engine assembly 110. The engine assembly 110 acts as the power unit 110 of the vehicle 100, wherein the power unit may also include a traction/electrical motor (not shown). A front portion of a swing arm115 is swingably connected to the main frame of the frame assembly 105 and rear portion of the swing arm 115 rotatably supports a rear wheel 120. The rear wheel 120 is functionally coupled to the engine assembly 110 through a transmission system. A rear fender (not shown) disposed upwardly of the rear wheel 120 covers at least a portion of the rear wheel 120. Further, the swing arm 115is coupled to the frame assembly 105through one or more rear suspension(s). In the present embodiment, a single mono-shock rear suspension125 connects the swing arm 115 to the frame assembly. A pair of front forks 130 supports a front wheel 135 and is steerably supported by the head tube 105A. A handlebar assembly 140 is connected to an upper portion of the pair of front fork 130. Further, a front fender assembly 145 covers at least a portion of the front wheel 135 and the front fender assembly 145 is mounted to the front forks 130.
[00019] A fuel tank 150 is mounted to the main tube of the frame assembly 105and disposed rearwardly of the handlebar assembly 140. A seat assembly 155 is disposed rearwardly of the fuel tank assembly150 and supported by the pair of rear tubes. A pair of rider foot pegs 160 mounted to the frame assembly 105 of the vehicle enable in supporting the rider foot. Further, the vehicle 100 comprises a front cowl assembly 165 that is disposed forwardly of the head tube and extending sidewardly covering at least a portion of the fuel tank150 and at least a portion of the engine assembly 110. The front cowl assembly 165 is mounted with one or more headlamp(s) (not shown) that are disposed in a front portion of the front cowl assembly 165. Also, the vehicle 100 may include a bottom cowl assembly 170 that covers at least a portion of the engine assembly 110 whereby the engine assembly 110 is protected from dust, dirt, and water splashing. Furthermore, the vehicle 100includes one or more side panel(s) 175 disposed symmetrically or asymmetrically on either sides of the vehicle 100 and is mounted to the main frame covering various vehicle parts including at least a portion of the main frame, an air filter, and one or more electrical/electronic components that are mounted to the frame assembly 105. A tail cover assembly 180 that are disposed rearwardly of the side panel(s) 175 and extend along the pair of rear tubes thereby covering at least a portion of the pair of rear tubes. The tail cover assembly 180 extends towards a rear portion of the frame assembly 105 and the tail cover assembly 105 is adapted to accommodate a tail lamp (not shown).
[00020] Fig. 2 (a) depicts a right side perspective view of the frame assembly employed with a storage compartment 205, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The frame assembly 105 further comprises of a pivot bracket 105D that is secured to a bottom portion the main tube 105B. The pivot bracket 105D is the bottom most portion of the frame assembly 105. The swing arm 115 is swingably connected to the pivot bracket105Dthat is provided with aperture(s) through which the swing arm axis S-S’ passes. The term pivot bracket 105D is interchangeably used with aperture bracket 105D. Also, the pair of rear tubes 105C extend rearward from the pivot bracket 105D. The engine assembly 110 is disposed forwardly to the pivot bracket 105. A storage compartment 205 is disposed adjacently rearward to the pivot bracket and at least a portion of the storage compartment205 is supported by the pivot bracket 105D. The storage compartment 205 is capable of supporting one or more electrical components. Herein, the term ‘electrical components’ include both electrical and electronic components like auxiliary power source, a control unit, and relays. Further, the storage compartment 205 is disposed between the arms of the swing arm 115. The auxiliary power source includes battery, fuel cell, or the like. The swing arm 115 is provided with a suspension-mounting portion 115S for mounting a mono-shock suspension125 and the storage compartment 205 is disposed ahead of the suspension-mounting portion 115S.
[00021] Fig. 2 (b) depicts a top view of a portion of the frame assembly of the vehicle employed with a storage compartment205, in accordance with the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 2 (a). In the present embodiment, an auxiliary power source 205A like battery 205A is securely disposed in the storage compartment 205. The rear wheel 120 is disposed rearwardly of the battery and is rotatably supported by the swing arm 115. A fender member (not shown) mounted about the rear wheel 120 covering at least a portion of the rear wheel 120 prevents water and dirt from reaching the storage compartment 205. Moreover, the storage compartment 205 covers majority of portion of the battery 205A disposed therein. Further, the storage compartment 205 is secured to the pivot bracket 105D of the frame assembly 105 through one or more brackets 210. Through plurality of fasteners, the storage compartment is secured to the one or more brackets, which are affixed to the pivot bracket 105D. Furthermore, the pivot bracket 105D is reinforced to withhold weight. Further, an elastic belt 220 is provided to securely hold the storage compartment 205. A pair of electrical wires 215 extends upwardly from the storage compartment 205, which are functionally connected to various electrical/electronic loads, for example electrical starter means of the engine assembly, an electronic control unit.
[00022] Also, the battery 205A or the storage compartment 205 has a long axis L-L’ disposed transverse to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle F-R. This enables in retaining a wheelbase of the vehicle 100. Also, the electrical wires 215 are disposed on lateral sides of the pivot bracket 105D thereby providing optimum routing.
[00023] The battery 205A disposed in the storage compartment disposed directly behind said pivot bracket 105D in a longitudinal direction F-R of the two-wheeler 100. The storage compartment is disposed between the first arm 115A and the second arm 115B of the swing arm 115 in a lateral direction RH-LH of the two-wheeler (100).
[00024] Fig. 2 (c) depicts a left side view of a portion of the frame assembly employed with the storage compartment 205. The storage compartment205 is supported by a bottom bracket 225. The term bottom bracket 225 is interchangeably used with support bracketed 225. The support bracket 225 is detachably attached to the pivot bracket 105D. The storage compartment 205 can be removed by detaching the support bracket 225 and by removing the one or more fasteners holding the storage compartment 205 to the pivot bracket 105D thereof. This enables in removing the storage compartment 205 easily for servicing and for maintenance.
[00025] In the present embodiment, the support bracket 225 is provided on a rear-facing portion RF of the pivot bracket 105D. The support bracket 225 supports the storage compartment 205 from bottom. However, in another embodiment, the support bracket may include one or more bracket(s) disposed in one or more orientations.
[00026] In one another embodiment, the pivot bracket has a hollow portion with an opening provided on the rear portion. The hollow portion is capable of accommodating at least a portion of the storage compartment. Therefore, in a side view, the pivot bracket overlaps with at least a portion of the storage compartment.
[00027] It is to be understood that the aspects of the embodiments are not necessarily limited to the features described herein. Many modifications and variations of the present subject matter are possible in the light of above disclosure. Therefore, within the scope of claims of the present subject matter, the present disclosure may be practiced other than as specifically described.
,CLAIMS:I/We claim:
1. A two-wheeler (100) comprising:
a frame assembly (105) including a main tube (105B) capable of supporting a pivot bracket (105D);
a power unit (110) mounted to said frame assembly (105) and said power unit (110) disposed ahead of said pivot bracket (105D); and
a swing arm (115) swingably connected to said pivot bracket (105D), and said swing arm (115) includes a first arm (115A) and a second arm (115B) extending rearward away from the power unit (110) to rotatably support a rear wheel (120),
wherein
a storage compartment (205) capable of supporting one or more electrical components (205A) disposed directly behind said pivot bracket (105D) in a longitudinal direction (F-R) of said two-wheeler (100) and disposed between said first arm (115A) and said second arm (115B) of said swing arm (115) in a lateral direction (RH-LH) of said two-wheeler (100), and said storage compartment (205) is mounted to said pivot bracket (105D).
2. The two-wheeler (100) of claim 1, wherein said storage compartment (205) is mounted to a support bracket (225) disposed on a rear face portion (RF) of said pivot bracket (105D).
3. The two-wheeler (100) of claim 1, wherein said one or more electrical components (205A) supported by said storage compartment (205) includes an auxiliary power source (205A).
4. The two-wheeler (100) of claim 1, wherein said storage compartment (205) has a long axis (L-L’) transverse to a longitudinal axis (F-R) of said two-wheeler (100).
5. The two-wheeler (100) of claim 1, wherein said storage compartment(205) is surrounded by pivot bracket (105D) from front, a suspension-mounting portion (115S) of the swing arm (115) from behind, and said first arm (115A) and said second arm (115B) from lateral sides, when viewed from vehicle top.
6. The two-wheeler (100) of claim 1 or 2, wherein said support bracket (225) is affixed to said pivot bracket (115D) and at least a portion of said storage compartment (205) overlaps with said pivot bracket (105D) when viewed from a vehicle side.
7. The two-wheeler (100) of claim 1 or 3, wherein two-wheeler (100) includes a starter means mounted to said power unit (110) and said auxiliary power source (205A) mounted to said storage unit (205) is electrically connected to said starter means.
8. The two-wheeler (100) of claim 1, wherein said two-wheeler (100) includes a mudguard (185) covering at least a portion of the rear wheel (120) disposed between the storage compartment (205) and the rear wheel (185).
9. The two-wheeler (100) of claim 1, wherein said storage compartment (205) is capable of supporting one or more electrical components including an electronic control unit.
10. The two-wheeler (100) of claim 1 or 3, wherein said auxiliary power source (205A) includes electrical terminals connected to electrical wires (215), and said electrical wires (215) extend forward and laterally adjacent to the pivot bracket (105D).