Claims:WE CLAIM:
1. A vehicle (1), comprising:
a frame assembly (10);
a housing (100) mounted on the frame assembly (10) and configured to receive a power source, the housing (100) having: a top wall (110a) and a bottom wall, extending between a front side wall and a rear side wall (110b) in a vehicle front rear direction (F-R), and a pair of opposing side walls (110c, 110d); and
at least one electric component mounted on any of the side walls of the housing (100).

2. The vehicle (1) as claimed in claim 1, comprises a saddle type two wheeled motor vehicle, whereby the housing (100) is mounted on the frame assembly (10) of the saddle type two wheeled vehicle.

3. The vehicle (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least the top wall (110a) of the housing (100) comprises plurality of fins (110a’) for dissipation of heat.

4. The vehicle (1) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the frame assembly (10) comprises: a head tube (12) for receiving a steering shaft; a pair of main frame members (14) extending rearwardly and downwardly from the head tube (12) in a vehicle front rear direction (F-R); a pair of down tubes (16) attached to a front end (14a) of the pair of main frame members (14) in the vehicle front rear (F-R) direction and extending vertically downwards; whereby the housing (100) is disposed in a space (30) created by the main frame member (14) and the down tube (16).

5. The vehicle (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the power source is a battery pack comprising a plurality of battery cells arranged in rows and columns, the plurality of battery cells being connected serially and/ or parallelly.

6. The vehicle (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electric component is an electrically operated switch (200).

7. The vehicle (1) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the electrically operated switch (200) is mounted on the rear side wall (110b) of the housing (100).

8. The vehicle (1) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the electrically operated switch (200) comprises: a top face (210a); a bottom face; a front face (210b); a rear face; and two opposing side faces (210c, 210d), the rear face extending laterally on each side into a first mounting provision (220a) and a second mounting provision (220b).

9. The vehicle (1) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the first mounting provision (220a) comprises a first mounting hoop (220a’) and the second mounting provision (220b) comprises a second mounting hoop (220b’).

10. The vehicle (1) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the first mounting hoop (220a’) and the second mounting hoop (220b’) each receive one or more fixating means for mounting the electrically operated switch (200) to the rear side wall (110b) of the housing (100), the one or more fixating means are selected from a group consisting of screws, nuts, and bolts.

11. The vehicle (1) as claimed in claim 7 or 10, wherein a gap is formed between the electrically operated switch (200) and the rear side wall (110b) of the housing (100), the gap allowing circulation of air.

12. The vehicle (1) as claimed in claim 1, comprises a controller (300) connected to the electrically operated switch (200), the controller (300) being attached to the frame assembly (10) and disposed adjacent to the electric component.

13. The vehicle (1) as claimed in claim 12, wherein the controller (300) is selected from a group consisting of, an Electric Control Unit, a Vehicle Control Unit, and a Motor Control Unit.

14. The vehicle (1) as claimed in claim 12, wherein the controller (300) is mounted on a bracket (310) being detachably attached to the main frame member (14), such that the controller (300) is disposed above the at least one electric component and the housing (100).

15. The vehicle (1) as claimed in claim 15, wherein the bracket (310) is substantially L-shaped.

16. The vehicle (1) as claimed in claim 13, wherein at least a face of the controller (300) facing the down tube (16) comprises plurality of fins for dissipation of heat.

17. The vehicle (1) as claimed in claim 1, comprises a prime mover (400) disposed rearwardly from the housing (100) in the vehicle front rear direction (F-R).

18. The vehicle (1) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the electrically operated switch (200) being disposed between the prime mover (400) and the rear side wall (110b) of the housing (100).

19. The vehicle (1) as claimed in 17, wherein at least a surface of the prime mover (400) comprises plurality of fins (420) for dissipation of heat.

20. The vehicle (1) as claimed in claim 1, comprises at least a coupler (500) disposed on a front portion of the top wall (110a) of the housing (100).

21. A two-wheeled saddle type vehicle (1) comprising:
a frame assembly (10) having a head tube for receiving a steering shaft; a pair of main frame members (14) extending rearwardly and downwardly from the head tube in the vehicle front rear direction (F-R); a pair of down tubes (16) attached to a front end (14a) of the pair of main frame members (14) in the vehicle front rear direction (F-R) and extending vertically downwards;
a housing (100) is disposed in a space (30) created by the pair main frame members (14) and the pair of down tubes (16), the housing (100) configured to receive a battery pack and having: a top wall (110a) and a bottom wall, extending between a front side wall and a rear side wall (110b) in a vehicle front rear direction (F-R), and a pair of opposing side walls (110c, 110d);
an electrically operated switch (200) being mounted on the rear side wall (110b) of the housing (100) such that there is a gap between the rear side wall (110b) of the housing (100) and the switch (200);
a controller being mounted to the main frame member (14) by a bracket (310) such that the controller (300) is disposed above the electrically operated switch (200) and the housing (100); and
a prime mover (400) disposed rearwardly from the housing (100) in the vehicle front rear direction (F-R), such that the electrically operated switch (200) is disposed between the prime mover (400) and the rear side wall (110b) of the housing (100).
, Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present invention generally relates to a vehicle, more particularly it relates to an electric motor vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] Electric vehicles have seen a surge in demand due to technological developments; an increased focus on renewable energy; and a potential reduction of pollutants affecting climate change. The electric vehicles include road and rail vehicles, surface and underwater vessels, electric aircraft and electric spacecraft. Electric motorcycles and scooters are a type of road vehicles and are typically plug-in electric vehicles with two or three wheels. Electricity in these vehicles is stored on board in a rechargeable battery, which drives one or more electric motors.
[003] It is known that automobile industry is generally driven by a combination of customer needs, technological developments, and government regulations. With rapid increase in the technological developments, the customer needs have not only grown but also have become more sophisticated. To meet the needs of the customers, electric vehicle manufacturers equip the electric vehicles with significant number of advanced vehicle systems. Thus, the electric vehicles are regularly updated and upgraded with new systems.
[004] However, addition of new components and systems poses a unique set of challenges. With addition of every new component/ system, there is a multifold increase of wirings to and from the new component/ system. Further, this also requires updating and upgrading of systems and components already present on the electric vehicle. For example, a new component which improves lighting of the vehicle may be fitted on the vehicle. However, the component may have a higher consumption of electricity. Due to this, capacity of the battery may have to be increased. Installing the new component on the vehicle further requires a new set of wires connecting the new part to the battery. Similarly, in order for the new component to function satisfactorily, the vehicle controller may also have to be updated. Accordingly, more wires would be required for connecting the new component to the controller as well.
[005] Thus, an increase in the wires causes the vehicle being exposed to electric losses which reduce overall efficiency of the system. Further, since space in the motor vehicle is limited, the wires have to be bent and twisted at several places in order to connect to multiple components. The bending and twisting leads to cracks in the wires. The bends, the twists and the cracks further add to the electric losses which further reduce overall efficiency of the vehicle. Additionally, with an increase in the number of wires, weight of the vehicle also increases substantially due to weight of the wires. Furthermore, placing the electric components close to the battery pack hampers cooling of the battery packs as well.
[006] Thus, there is a need in the art for a vehicle, more particularly, an electric vehicle which addresses at least the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[007] The present invention in one aspect is directed to vehicle, having: a frame assembly. The vehicle further has a housing mounted on the frame assembly and configured to receive a power source, the housing having: a top wall and a bottom wall, extending between a front side wall and a rear side wall in a vehicle front rear direction, and a pair of opposing side walls. Further the vehicle has at least one electric component mounted on any of the side walls of the housing.
[008] In an embodiment of the invention, the vehicle is a saddle type two wheeled motor vehicle, whereby the housing is mounted on the frame assembly of the saddle type two wheeled vehicle.
[009] In another embodiment of the invention, at least the top wall of the housing has plurality of fins for dissipation of heat.
[010] In yet another embodiment the frame assembly has a head tube for receiving a steering shaft; a main frame member extending rearwardly and downwardly from the head tube in a vehicle front rear direction; a downtube attached to a front end of the main frame member in the vehicle front rear direction and extending vertically downwards; whereby the housing is disposed in a space created by the main frame member and the down tube.
[011] In an embodiment of the invention, the power source is a battery pack having a plurality of battery cells arranged in rows and columns, the plurality of battery cells being connected serially and/ or parallelly. In another embodiment of the invention, the electric component is an electrically operated switch. In an embodiment, the electrically operated switch is mounted on the rear side wall of the housing.
[012] In an embodiment of the invention, the electrically operated switch has a top face; a bottom face; a front face; a rear face; and two opposing faces, the rear face extending laterally on each side into a first mounting provision and a second mounting provision.
[013] In another embodiment of the invention, the first mounting provision has a first mounting hoop, and the second mounting provision has a second mounting hoop. In an embodiment, the first mounting hoop and the second mounting hoop each receive one or more fixating means for mounting the electrically operated switch to the rear side wall of the housing, the one or more fixating means are selected from a group consisting of screws, nuts, and bolts.
[014] In another embodiment, a gap is formed between the electrically operated switch and the rear side wall of the housing, the gap allows circulation of air.
[015] In yet another embodiment of the invention, the vehicle has a controller connected to the electrically operated switch, the controller being attached to the frame assembly and disposed adjacent to the electric component. In an embodiment, the controller is selected from a group consisting of, an Electric Control Unit, a Vehicle Control Unit, and a Motor Control Unit.
[016] In yet another embodiment of the invention, the controller is mounted on a bracket being detachably attached to the main frame member, such that the controller is disposed above the at least one electric component and the housing. In an embodiment, the bracket is substantially L-shaped.
[017] In an embodiment of the invention, at least a face of the controller facing the down tube has plurality of fins for dissipation of heat.
[018] In a further embodiment of the invention, the vehicle has a prime mover disposed rearwardly from the housing in the vehicle front rear direction.
[019] In an embodiment of the invention, the electrically operated switch being disposed between the prime mover and the rear side wall of the housing.
[020] In an embodiment, at least a surface of the prime mover has plurality of fins for dissipation of heat.
[021] In yet another embodiment, the vehicle has at least a coupler disposed on a front portion of the top wall of the housing.
[022] In another aspect, the present invention discloses a two-wheeled saddle type vehicle having a frame assembly having a head tube for receiving a steering shaft; a pair of main frame members extending rearwardly and downwardly from the head tube in the vehicle front rear direction; a pair of down tubes attached to a front end of the pair of main frame members in the vehicle front rear direction and extending vertically downwards. The two-wheeled saddle type vehicle further has a housing disposed in a space created by the pair of main frame members and the pair of down tubes, the housing configured to receive a battery pack and having: a top wall and a bottom wall, extending between a front side wall and a rear side wall in a vehicle front rear direction, and a pair of opposing side walls. Further, the two-wheeled saddle type vehicle has an electrically operated switch being mounted on the rear side wall of the housing such that there is a gap between the rear side wall of the housing and the switch. Furthermore, the two-wheeled saddle type vehicle has a controller being mounted to the main frame member by a bracket such that the controller is disposed above the electrically operated switch and the housing. Additionally, the two-wheeled saddle type vehicle has a prime mover disposed rearwardly from the housing in the vehicle front rear direction, such that the electrically operated switch is disposed between the prime mover and the rear side wall of the housing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[023] 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 shows a frame assembly of a saddle-type vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 2 shows a top view of an electric powertrain of the saddle-type vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 3 shows an exploded view of the electric components of the electric powertrain in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 4a shows a top perspective view of an electrically operated switch in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 4b shows a front view of the electrically operated switch in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 5 shows the rear side perspective view of the electric components of the powertrain connected in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 6 shows mounting of the electric components on the frame assembly of the saddle-type vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[024] The present invention relates to an electric motor vehicle.
[025] The present invention thus discloses a vehicle 1 having a frame assembly 10. In an embodiment of the invention, as shown in Figure 1, the vehicle 1 is a saddle-type two wheeled vehicle 1 having a frame assembly 10. In the referred embodiment, the frame assembly 10 has a head tube 12. The head tube 12 receives a steering shaft (not shown). Further, the frame assembly 10 has a main frame member. In the referred embodiment, the frame assembly 10 has a pair of main frame members 14 extending from a front end 14a to a rear end 14b in a vehicle front rear direction F-R. As seen in Figure 1, the front end 14a of the pair of main frame members 14 is attached to the head tube 12. The pair of main frame members 14 extend rearwardly in a vehicle front rear direction F-R and then extends downwardly terminating into the rear end 14b. In an embodiment, the vehicle 1 is made to stay in a riding ready position over a center stand 20 attached to the rear end 14b of the pair of main frame members 14.
[026] Further, the frame assembly 10 has a down tube 16. In the referred embodiment, the frame assembly 10 has a pair of down tubes 16 attached to the front end 14a of the pair of main frame member 14. In the present embodiment, the pair of down tubes 16 extend vertically downwards from the front end 14a of the pair of main frame members 14. Thus, there is a space 30 created by the pair of main frame members 14 and the pair of down tubes 16. In an embodiment, the frame assembly 10 has a pair of seat rails 18. As seen in Figure 1, the pair of seat rails 18 (only one shown) are attached to the pair of main frame members 14 and extend rearwardly and upwardly in the vehicle front rear direction F-R.
[027] The present invention further has a housing 100 mounted to the frame assembly 10 of the vehicle 1. In an embodiment and as shown in Figure 1, the housing 100 is mounted on the frame assembly 10 of the saddle-type two wheeled vehicle 1. As seen in Figures 2 and 3, the housing 100 has a top wall 110a and a bottom wall (not shown). The top wall 110a and the bottom wall (not shown) extend between a front side wall (not shown) and a rear side wall 110b in the vehicle front rear direction (F-R). Further, the housing 100 has a pair of opposing side walls, i.e. a first side wall 110c (as shown in Figure 3) and a second side wall 110d (as shown in Figure 5). The walls of the housing 100 thus forming a casing and the housing 100 is configured to receive a power source for supplying power to various components of the vehicle 1. In an embodiment of the invention, the housing 100 is disposed in the space 30 created by the pair of main frame members 14 and the pair of down tubes 16.
[028] In an embodiment of the invention, the power source is a battery pack (now shown) having a plurality of battery cells arranged in rows and columns, whereby the plurality of battery cells is connected serially and/ or parallelly. In another embodiment of the invention, and as shown in Figure 2, at least the top wall 110a of the housing 100 has plurality of fins of 110a’. During operation, several exothermic reactions take place inside the battery pack. These exothermic reactions lead to generation of heat inside the battery pack. Excess heat inside the battery pack causes damage to individual battery cells. Hence, it is important that the heat should be dissipated. Therefore, an increased surface area of the top wall 110a of the housing 100 due to the plurality of fins 110a’ assists in dissipation of the heat.
[029] According to the present invention, and as shown in Figure 5, the vehicle 1 has at least one electric component mounted on any of the side walls of the housing 100. In an embodiment of the invention, the electric component is an electrically operated switch 200, more particularly a protection switch. The protection switch is used to cut off the power source from a high-power load until pre charge of the power source is achieved. In an embodiment of the invention, and as seen in Figures 3 and 5, the electrically operated switch 200 is mounted on the rear side wall 110b of the housing 100.
[030] Referring now to the embodiment depicted in Figures 4a and 4b, the electrically operated switch 200 has a top face 210a, a bottom face (not shown), a front face 210b, a rear face (not shown), two opposing side faces i.e. a first side face 210c and a second side face 210d (seen in Figure 5). In an embodiment, the rear face (not shown) of the switch 200 extends laterally towards a first side forming a first mounting provision 220a and towards a second side forming a second mounting provision 220b. As seen in Figures 4a and 4b, the first mounting provision 220a has a first mounting hoop 220a’ and the second mounting provision 220b has a second mounting hoop 220b’. Thus, as shown in Figure 5, the electrically operated switch 200 is mounted to the rear wall 110b of the housing 100 by one or more fixating means received through each of the first mounting hoop 220a’ and the second mounting hoop 220b’. In an embodiment, the fixating means are screws, nuts, bolts, etc.
[031] It is pertinent to note that when the electrically operated switch 200 is mounted to the rear wall 110b of the housing 100, it is mounted such that there is a gap between the electrically operated switch 200 and the rear wall 110b of the housing 100. The gap is vital for the dissipation of the heat generated inside the housing 100 due to the battery pack. The gap thus allows circulation of air thereby further cooling the switch 200 and the housing 100.
[032] Referring now to Figures 3 and 5, in an embodiment, the vehicle has a controller 300. The controller 300 is connected to the electrically operated switch 200 and thereby controls the operations of the switch 200. Thus, as explained hereinabove, the controller 300 prompts the switch 200 to cut off the power source from the high-power load. As seen in Figure 6, the controller 300 is attached to the frame assembly 10 of the vehicle 1 and is disposed adjacent to the electrically operated switch 200. Referring yet to Figure 6, in an embodiment, the controller 300 is mounted on a bracket 310. The bracket 310 is detachably attached to the main frame member 14 such that the controller 300 is disposed above the electrically operated switch 200 and the housing 100. In an embodiment, the bracket is a substantially L-shaped bracket.
[033] In a further embodiment of the invention, the controller 300 is either an Electric Control Unit, or a Vehicle Control Unit, or a Motor Control Unit. During operation, many a times the controller 300 gets heated up. Therefore, in order to dissipate the heat, in yet another embodiment, at least a face of the controller 300 facing the down tube 16 has a plurality of fins.
[034] In an embodiment of the invention, and as seen in the Figures, the vehicle 1 has a prime mover 400. The prime mover 400 is disposed rearwardly from the housing 100 in the vehicle front rear direction F-R. Referring to the embodiment depicted in Figure 1, the prime mover 400 is disposed on rear side of the frame assembly 10 in the vehicle front rear direction F-R.
[035] In another embodiment, the prime mover 400 is an electric machine which propels the vehicle 1 forward and backward. Accordingly, as seen in Figure 5, the prime mover 400 has a final output shaft 410. In an embodiment, and as shown in Figure 5, the controller 300 is connected to the prime mover 400. Thus, based on signals generated by the controller 300, prime mover 400 causes rotation of the final output shaft 410. A rear wheel (not shown) of the vehicle 1 is mounted on the final output shaft 410 thereby rotating in accordance with the rotations of the final output shaft 410 caused by the prime mover 400.
[036] Thus, in the embodiment depicted in Figure 5, the electrically operated switch 200 is disposed between the prime mover 400 and the rear side wall 110b of the housing 100. Further, during operation, many a times the prime mover 400 also gets heated up. Therefore, in order to dissipate the heat, in yet another embodiment, at least a surface of the prime mover 400 has a plurality of fins 420. In yet another embodiment of the invention, as shown in Figure 5, the vehicle has a coupler 500 disposed on a front portion of the top wall 110b of the housing 100. As seen in the Figure, the coupler 500 is connected to the housing 100 and subsequently to the power source, by a pair of wires 510.
[037] Advantageously, due to the positioning of the electrically operated switch, the power source and the prime mover, length of connecting wires reduces substantially. Shorter wires thus do not have to be bent or twisted for connecting the electrical components. The short, bend-free wires thus obviate problems of electric losses thereby achieving maximum output of the electric components. Eliminating bends and twists further mitigates problems associated with cracks in the wires. Disposing the electrically operated switch at the rear wall of the housing and further having the gap between the electrically operated switch and the rear wall of housing accentuates cooling of the power source due to circulation of air within the gap. Further still, the gap along with the plurality of fins on the housing, promotes cooling without using any external cooling means. This therefore reduces the requirement of additional electric component for cooling the power source. Furthermore, better output of the electric components and efficient cooling of the battery ensures an improved riding range of the vehicle in a single charge. Additionally, overall weight of the vehicle is also reduced due to the positioning of the prime mover, the electrically operated switch, the controller and the housing since wires of a substantially lesser length would be required to connect the said components.
[038] 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.