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

TITLE OF INVENTION
A VEHICLE

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

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

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present invention relates to a vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to mounting of a control unit on the vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] In the existing saddle type or straddle type vehicles, placement of a control unit for controlling a plurality of electrical components of the vehicle is difficult. Prior arts indicate placement of the control unit under a seat assembly which is an enclosed space. Such placement of the control unit leads to overheating of the control unit due to entrapment of heat under the seat assembly of the vehicle. Also, wiring harness and wire routing required to connect the control unit disposed under the seat assembly with plurality of electrical components disposed on the vehicle also increases, which is undesirable.
[003] Prior arts also indicate placement of the control unit on a handlebar assembly of the vehicle. However, such a configuration increases overall weight of a front portion of the vehicle and the handlebar assembly, and thereby reduces vehicle handling capacity of a rider of the vehicle. Also, the wiring harness and wire routing required to connect the control unit disposed on the handlebar assembly with plurality of electrical components disposed on the vehicle also increases, which is undesirable.
[004] In view of the foregoing, it is desirable to overcome the disadvantages mentioned in the prior art with respect to mounting of the control unit on the vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[005] In one aspect of the invention, a vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle comprises a head pipe and a frame extending rearwardly from the head pipe. The frame comprises a downtube extending downwardly and rearwardly from the head pipe. The invention further comprises a control unit configured for controlling one or more electrical components disposed on the vehicle. The control unit is mounted on the downtube of the frame.
[006] In an embodiment, the frame is a mono-frame and comprises a first frame member and a second member. The down tube has a first end and a second end wherein the first end of the downtube is connected to the head pipe of the vehicle and the second end is connected to the first frame member. The first frame member extends rearwardly from the second end of the downtube and supports a floorboard of the vehicle. The second frame member extends rearwardly and upwardly from the first member and supports a seat assembly of the vehicle.
[007] In an embodiment, the control unit is mounted proximate to the first end of the downtube.
[008] In an embodiment, the control unit is mounted proximate to the second end of the downtube.
[009] In an embodiment, the control unit is mounted on the downtube via one or more mounting units. The one or more mounting units are integrally connected to the downtube. The control unit is removably mounted on the one or more mounting units.
[010] In an embodiment, the control unit is mounted on rear side of downtube. The rear side of the downtube is a side facing a rider or a seat assembly of the vehicle.
[011] In an embodiment, the control unit is mounted on a front side of the downtube. The front side of the downtube is a side facing a front fork assembly of the vehicle.
[012] In an embodiment, the control unit is connected to one or more electrical components by a first wiring harness. The first wiring harness is disposed in a handlebar assembly of the vehicle.
[013] In an embodiment the control unit is connected to a hub mounted motor by a second wiring harness. The second wiring harness is disposed below the floor board of the vehicle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[014] 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 left side view of a vehicle 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 illustrates a partial schematic left side view of the frame 104 of the vehicle 100 depicting arrangement of the control unit 108, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of the frame 104 of the vehicle 100 depicting one or more mounting units 118 for mounting the control unit 108, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of the vehicle 100 depicting arrangement of the control unit 108 enclosed in a cover 140, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 illustrates a schematic left side view of the vehicle 100 depicting arrangement of the control unit 108, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 6 is a partial perspective view of the vehicle 100 depicting arrangement of the control unit 108, in accordance with the another embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 7 illustrates a partial schematic left side view of the frame 104 of the vehicle 100 depicting arrangement of the control unit 108, in accordance with the another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[015] Various features and embodiments of the present invention here will be discernible from the following further description thereof, set out hereunder.
[016] Figure 1 illustrates a schematic left side view of a vehicle 100 depicting arrangement of a control unit 108, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[017] For the purposes of the present invention, the term “vehicle” refers to saddle type or straddle type vehicle including bicycle, scooter, motorcycle and mopeds. The saddle type vehicle or straddle type vehicle may be internal combustion engine vehicle, electric vehicle or hybrid vehicle.
[018] The vehicle 100 includes a frame 104 to support different parts of the vehicle 100. A head pipe 102 is provided at a front end of said frame 104. The head pipe 102 supports a steering shaft (not shown) rotatably in a certain range. In an upper portion of the head pipe 102, a handlebar assembly 124 is rotatably connected to the steering shaft. The handlebar assembly 124 is used to steer the vehicle 100 and is connected to a front wheel 126 through a front fork assembly 128. The front fork assembly 128 in turn is connected to the handlebar assembly 124 by means of a pair of upper and lower brackets (not shown). The front fork assembly 128 is further supported partially on a front fender 130 and is connected to the front wheel 126. An upper portion of the front wheel 126 is covered by the front fender 130 which prevents mud and water from getting deflected towards an upper portion of the front fork assembly 128.
[019] For safety of the rider and in conformance with the traffic rules, a headlamp unit 132 and turn signal lamp units 134 are provided in a front portion of the vehicle 100. The safety of the vehicle 100 is also improved by providing a braking system (not shown) which controls braking operation of a front brake device and a rear brake device of the front wheel 126 and a rear wheel 136 respectively.
[020] Further, suspension systems are provided for comfortable steering of said vehicle 100 on road. The front fork assembly 128, which forms the front suspension system, serves as rigidity component just like the frame 104. The front fork assembly 128 clamped to the head pipe 102 through an upper bracket (not shown) and a lower bracket (not shown) is capable of being moved in the left and right direction of the vehicle 100. Further, a rear suspension system 138, which may be a hydraulic damped arrangement, is connected to the frame 104 at a rear portion thereof. Particularly, at the rear portion of the frame 104, the rear wheel 136 is suspended by the rear suspension system 138.
[021] The vehicle 100 is also provided with a power generating unit (not shown) for generating power. Power from the power generating unit is transmitted to the rear wheel 136 of the vehicle 100 through a suitable transmission assembly (not shown) so as to drive and rotate the rear wheel 136. The power generating unit may be an internal combustion engine and/or an electric motor. In internal combustion engine vehicle and hybrid vehicle, a fuel tank and an exhaust system may be suitably provided in the vehicle 100.
[022] The frame 104 of the vehicle 100 comprises a downtube 106 which extends rearwardly and downwardly from the head pipe 102. A control unit 108 is mounted on the downtube 106. The control unit is configured for controlling one or more electrical components of the vehicle 100. The one or more electrical components comprises, not being limited to, head lamp, tail lamp, indicator lamps, motor, battery etc. In an embodiment, the control unit 108 is connected to the one or more electrical components by a first wiring harness (not shown), the first wiring harness being disposed in a handlebar assembly 124 of the vehicle 100. In an embodiment, the control unit 108 is connected to a hub mounted motor (not shown) by a second wiring harness (not shown), the second wiring harness being disposed below a floor board 114 of the vehicle 100
[023] It is to be understood that the control unit 108 can be mounted at any location on the downtube 106. Figure 1-4 and Figure 5-7 only illustrates a few embodiments of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting. The embodiment shown in Figure 1 illustrates the control unit 108 mounted on a front side 106c (shown in Figure 3) of the downtube 106. The front side 106c of the down tube 106 is a side facing the front fork assembly 128 of the vehicle 100.
[024] Figure 2 illustrates a partial schematic left side view of the frame 104 of the vehicle 100 depicting arrangement of the control unit 108, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.
[025] As shown in figure 3, the frame 104 comprise a first frame member 110 and a second frame member 112. The downtube 106 comprises a first end 106a (shown in Figure 3) and a second end 106b. The first end 106a of the downtube 106 is connected to the head pipe 102 and the second end 106b of the downtube 106 is connected to the first frame member 110. The first frame member 110 extends rearwardly from the second end 106b of the downtube 106 and supports the floor board 114 (shown in Figure 1) of the vehicle 100. The second frame member 112 extends rearwardly and upwardly from the first frame member 110 and supports a seat assembly 116 (shown in Figure 1). The control unit 108 is mounted on the front side 106c (shown in Figure 3) of the downtube 106. As already stated, the front side 106c of the downtube 106 is the side facing the front fork assembly 128 of the vehicle 100.
[026] In an embodiment, the frame 104 is a mono-frame and the downtube 106, first frame member 110 and the second frame member 112 are integrally connected with each other to form a continuous frame structure.
[027] In an embodiment, the control unit 108 is mounted proximate to the first end 106a of the downtube 106.
[028] In an embodiment, the control unit 108 is mounted proximate to the second end 106b of the downtube 106.
[029] Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of the frame 104 of the vehicle 100 depicting one or more mounting units 118 for mounting the control unit 108, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.
[030] As shown, the front side 106c of the down tube 106 comprises mounting units 118 for mounting the control unit 108. In an embodiment, the downtube 106 may comprise a single mounting unit 118 for mounting the control unit 108. In another embodiment, the downtube 106 may comprise a plurality of mounting units 118 for mounting the control unit 108. The number of mounting units 118 generally depends on dimensions and weight of the control unit 108. The one or more mounting units 118 may be permanently fastened to the downtube 106 by means of processes such as welding and the likes. The control unit 108 is removably fastened on the one or more mounting units 118 by means of one or more fasteners such as bolts and nuts, screws, washers and the likes.
[031] Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of the vehicle 100 depicting arrangement of the control unit 108 enclosed in a cover 140, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.
[032] As shown, the control unit 108 is enclosed in the cover 140 and removably mounted on the front side 106c of the downtube 106 to protect the control unit 108 from getting damaged by any foreign particle such as dust, water, any other vehicular components, and the like.
[033] Figure 5 illustrates a schematic left side view of the vehicle 100 depicting arrangement of the control unit 108, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 is a partial perspective view of the vehicle 100 depicting arrangement of the control unit 108, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
[034] The construction of the vehicle 100 in Figure 5 and Figure 6 is same as shown in Figure 1 except for the placement of the control unit 108 on the downtube 106. It has already been mentioned in Figure 1 that control unit 108 can be mounted at any location on the downtube 106. Figure 5 illustrate an embodiment where the control unit 108 is mounted on a rear side 106d of the downtube 106. The rear side of the downtube is a side facing the rider or seat assembly 116 of the vehicle 100.
[035] Figure 7 illustrates a partial schematic left side view of the frame 104 of the vehicle 100 depicting arrangement of the control unit 108, in accordance with the another embodiment of the present invention.
[036] The construction of the frame 104 is same as shown in Figure 2 except for the placement of the control unit 108 on the downtube 106. Figure 7 illustrates the control unit 108 being mounted on the rear side 106d of the downtube 106. As already stated, the rear side 106d of the downtube 106 is a side facing the rider or seat assembly 116 of the vehicle 100.
[037] In an embodiment, the control unit 108 is mounted proximate to the first end 106a of the downtube 106. In an embodiment, the control unit 108 is mounted proximate to the second end 106b of the downtube 106.
[038] In an embodiment, the rear side 106d of the down tube 106 comprises mounting units for mounting the control unit 108. In an embodiment, the downtube may comprise a single mounting unit for mounting the control unit 108. In another embodiment, the downtube 106 may comprise a plurality of mounting units for mounting the control unit 108. The number of mounting units generally depends on dimensions and weight of the control unit 108. The one or more mounting units may be permanently fastened to the down tube 106 by means of processes such as welding and the likes. The control unit 108 is removably fastened on the one or more mounting units by means of one or more fasteners such as bolts and nuts, screws, washers and the likes.
[039] The claimed features of the present invention as discussed above are not routine, conventional, or well understood in the art, as the claimed features enable the following solutions to the existing problems in conventional technologies. Specifically, the technical problem of overheating of the control unit 108 under a seat assembly 116 of the vehicle 100, increased weight of the handlebar assembly 124 of the vehicle 100, power loss due to increase in a routing distance between the control unit and one or more electrical components is solved by the present invention.
[040] In the present invention, the control unit 108 is mounted on a downtube 106 of the frame 104 which is well ventilated and, therefore, the problem of overheating of the control unit 108 is addressed by the present invention. This leads to better functioning and performance of the control unit 108. Moreover, additional cooling systems are not required for cooling the control unit 108. Further, in the present invention, the control unit 108 is mounted on downtube 106 of the vehicle 100 and not on handlebar assembly 124 of the vehicle. Accordingly, the vehicle steering capacity of the rider of the vehicle 100 is not impacted. Further, a routing distance between the control unit 108 mounted on the downtube 106 and the electrical components disposed in the handlebar assembly 124 of the vehicle 100 is reduced, which leads to reduction in length of wiring harness and thereby leads to reduction in power loss. Further, more utility space/leg space is available in the vehicle 100 when the control unit 108 is mounted on a front side 106c of the downtube 106 of the vehicle 100. Further, assembling and servicing time of the control unit 108 is considerably reduced when the control unit 108 is mounted on the downtube 106 of the vehicle 100. Further, center of gravity of the vehicle 100 is balanced when the control unit 108 is mounted on the downtube 106 of the vehicle 100. Further, more space is available in the vehicle 100 for mounting other electrical components when the control unit 108 is mounted on the downtube 106 of the vehicle 100.
[041] 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- Head pipe
104- frame
106- downtube
106a- first end of downtube
106b-second end of downtube
106c- front side of the downtube
106d-rear side of the downtube
108- control unit
110- first frame member
112- second frame member
114- floor board
116- seat assembly
118- mounting units
124- handlebar assembly
126,136- front wheel/ rear wheel
128- front fork assembly
130- front fender
132- head lamp unit
134- turn signal lamp units
136- rear wheel
138- rear suspension system
140-cover , Claims:WE CLAIM:
1. A vehicle (100) comprising:
a head pipe (102);
a frame (104), the frame (104) having a downtube (106) extending rearwardly and downwardly from the head pipe (102); and
a control unit (108) for controlling one or more electrical components of the vehicle (100);
wherein,
the control unit (108) being mounted on the downtube (106) of the frame (104).

2. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the downtube (106) comprises a first end (106a) and a second end (106b), the first end (106a) being connected to the head pipe (102) of the vehicle (100), and the second end (106b) being connected to a first frame member (110) of the vehicle (100).

3. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the frame (104) being a mono-frame having the first frame member (110) and a second frame member (112), the first frame member (110) extending rearwardly from the second end (106b) of the downtube (106) and supports a floor board (114) of the vehicle (100) and the second frame member (112) extending rearwardly and upwardly from the first member (110), supports a seat assembly (116) of the vehicle (100).

4. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the control unit (108) being mounted in proximity of the first end (106a) of the downtube (106).

5. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the control unit (108) being mounted in proximity of the second end (106b) of the downtube (106).

6. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit (108) being mounted on the downtube (106) by one or more mounting units (118), the one or more mounting units (118) being integrally connected to the downtube (106).

7. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the control unit (108) being removably fastened on the one or more mounting units (118).

8. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit (108) being mounted on a rear side (106d) of the downtube (106), the rear side (106d) of the downtube (106) facing a rider of the vehicle (110).

9. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit (108) being mounted on a front side (106c) of the downtube (106), the front side (106c) facing a front fork assembly (128) of the vehicle (100).

10. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit (108) being connected to one or more electrical components by a first wiring harness, the first wiring harness being disposed in vicinity of a handlebar assembly (124) of the vehicle (100) .

11. The vehicle as claimed in claim 3, wherein the control unit (108) being connected to a hub mounted motor by a second wiring harness, the second wiring harness being disposed below the floor board (114) of the vehicle (100).

Dated this 30th day of August 2022
TVS MOTOR COMPANY LIMITED
By their Agent & Attorney

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