DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present subject matter relates generally to a vehicle having an electric battery as a power source . More particularly but not exclusively, the present subject matter relates to layout of battery as per the present invention.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Nowadays, with increasing global warming, depletion of fossil fuels, there is advancement in the technology such as an electric or hybrid electric based systems. For example, an electric vehicle or hybrid vehicles which uses one or more battery modules that provides electrical power to run a motor which in turn rotates one or more wheels of the vehicle. The batteries are mounted in the vehicle by plurality of fixing or clamps. With increasing demand for ecofriendly vehicles, the demand of high-power batteries such as lithium-ion batteries have increased. The lithium io batteries are bulky and large. The power from the battery is sent to the motor and controller for operation of the vehicle. The batteries deliver a limited range of power to the motor, which limits the range or mileage of the vehicle to a large extent. For a vehicle to provide satisfactory operation range of speed and power is a crucial feature. As per existing state of art, if a vehicle with high range capacity is required, the vehicle must be equipped with high range battery modules However high range battery modules, at places referred as power module, are larger in dimension i.e., they are bulkier. In such vehicles it is a challenge to accommodate a large battery module, especially in a two wheeled vehicle which have a of limited space and packaging volume.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention is described with reference to power module for an exemplary embodiment along with the accompanying drawings. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to similar features and components.
[0003] Fig 1 exemplarily illustrates a side view of the vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0004] Fig 2 exemplarily illustrates a perspective view of the essential elements of the vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
[0005] Fig 3 exemplarily illustrates a top view of the essential elements of the vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0006] Interest in electrically-powered vehicles, including but not limited to electrically powered motorcycles and scooters, is increasing due to the rising costs, and environmental impacts of fossil fuel-powered vehicles. Nowadays, with increasing global warming, depletion of fossil fuels, there is advancement in the technology such as an electric or hybrid electric based systems. For example, an electric vehicle or hybrid vehicles uses one or more battery modules to provide electrical power to run a motor which in turn rotates one or more wheels of the vehicle. The batteries are mounted in the vehicle by plurality of fixings or clamps. With increasing demand for ecofriendly vehicles, the demand of high-power batteries such as lithium-ion batteries have increased. The lithium-ion batteries are bulky and large. The power from the battery is sent to the motor and controller for operation of the vehicle. The batteries deliver a limited range of power to the motor, which limits the range or mileage of the vehicle to a large extent. For a vehicle to provide satisfactory operation range of speed and power is a crucial feature. As per existing state of art, if the vehicle with high range capacity is required, the vehicle must be equipped with high range battery modules. However high range battery modules, at places referred as power module, are larger in dimension i.e., they are bulkier. Hence it is a challenge to accommodate a large battery module in existing vehicle layout, especially in a two wheeled vehicle which have a of limited space and packaging volume. Therefore, it is a difficult to accommodate a high-capacity battery in a vehicle without changing the existing layout of the vehicle.
[0007] The battery module is mounted below the seat, i.e., in between the seat rails of the frame assembly. If the capacity of the battery is increased, there will be increase in the size of the battery modules eventually increasing the length, width and height of the battery. However, to accommodate such a large battery module more packaging volume below the seat or in between the seat rails is required. Furthermore, nowadays a large under seat space i.e., utility box is desired by the rider for day to day keeping of objects. In such a vehicle, it is even more difficult to accommodate such bulky battery module without compromise on the space of the utility box. Additionally, it is not desirable to change the cross section of the frame assembly because if any alteration being made to frame assembly it will hamper and alter the existing layout of the other vehicular components. Even if it is possible to mount the large battery module in the limited available space, it becomes difficult to access the batteries thereby making it even more challenging to charge, and service the battery when needed.
[0008] It is difficult to route the wires from the connecter due to increased height of the battery and less clearance in between the battery and the seat rails. Further, a provision for additional battery being provided below the floor board between the down frames. At such a location it becomes more tedious to accommodate such a large capacity battery due to less space in the floor board, eventually making it difficult to provide access to the connector due to less space clearance between other vehicle parts and the battery. Also, it is desirable to employ same sized batteries at all the location of the vehicle, to have a consistency and avoid manufacturing error while mounting of battery modules in the vehicle.
[0009] Therefore, the primary objective of the present invention is to provide a vehicle having higher speed range, which can be achieved by high-capacity power modules.
[00010] It is the objective of the present invention is to provide a vehicle with a high-capacity power module which can be accommodated without alteration in existing vehicular components.
[00011] It is yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a vehicle with a high-capacity power module which can be easily accessible for servicing, thereby making the vehicle more durable.
[00012] It is yet another objective of the present invention to provide a vehicle with a high-capacity power module for which wire routing can be done without fouling with other vehicular components.
[00013] It is yet another objective of the present invention to provide a vehicle with high-capacity power module whose manufacturability can be improved.
[00014] As per an aspect of the invention, the vehicle comprising: a rear wheel; a first set power module; and a second set power module. The first set power module includes a first battery connector. The second set power module includes a second battery connector. The vehicle also has a rear wheel axis being a virtual axis passing through central axis of said rear wheel; a first battery axis, said first battery axis being a virtual axis passing through central vertical axis of said first set power module; a first battery connector axis, said first battery connector axis being a virtual axis passing through central vertical axis of a connector of said first set power module; a second battery axis, said second battery axis being a virtual axis passing through vertical central axis of said second set power module; and a virtual second battery connector axis, said virtual second battery connector axis passing through central vertical axis of a connector of said second set power module. A predetermined distance between said first battery connector axis and said virtual rear wheel axis being less than the distance between said first battery axis and said virtual rear wheel axis. A second predetermined distance between said virtual second battery connector axis and said virtual rear wheel axis being less than the distance between said second battery axis and said virtual rear wheel axis.
[00015] As per another aspect of the present invention, the first set of power module includes one or more power modules, said first set of power module being disposed below a storage box, said storage box being covered by said seat from top portion.
[00016] As per another aspect of the present invention said second set of power module includes a one or more power module, said second set of power module being disposed below a floor board.
[00017] As per another aspect of the present invention said first set power module and second set power module being connected by a wiring harness, said wiring harness being connected to an electronic control unit.
[00018] As per another aspect of the present invention said second battery connector being disposed adjacently to a floor board frame member towards vehicle outwards direction.
[00019] As per another aspect of the present invention said second battery connector and said first battery connector being connected to a fuse box and a relay.
[00020] As per another aspect of the present invention said first battery connector being accessible through an opening in said storage box.
[00021] As per another aspect of the present invention said first set power module includes one or more parallelly mounted power modules.
[00022] The present subject matter is further described with reference to the accompanying figures. It should be noted that the description and figures merely illustrate the principles of the present subject matter. Various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, encompass the principles of the present subject matter. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and examples of the present subject matter, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
[00023] The foregoing disclosure is not intended to limit the present disclosure to the precise forms or fields of use disclosed. As such, it is contemplated that various alternate embodiments and/or modifications to the present disclosure, whether explicitly described or implied herein, are possible considering the disclosure. Having thus described embodiments of the present disclosure, a person of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is limited only by the claims.
[00024] Accordingly, this description is to be considered as illustrative and is for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the manner of making and using various embodiments of the disclosure. It is to be understood that the forms of the disclosure herein shown and described are to be taken as representative embodiments. Equivalent elements, materials, processes, or steps may be substituted for those representatively illustrated and described herein. Moreover, certain features of the disclosure may be utilized independently of the use of other features, all as would be apparent to one skilled in the art after having the benefit of this description of the disclosure. Expressions such as “including”, “comprising”, “incorporating”, “consisting of”, “have”, “is” used to describe, and claim the present disclosure are intended to be construed in a non-exclusive manner, namely allowing for items, components or elements not explicitly described also to be present. Reference to the singular is also to be construed to relate to the plural.
[00025] Further, various embodiments disclosed herein are to be taken in the illustrative and explanatory sense and should in no way be construed as limiting of the present disclosure. All joinder references (e.g., attached, affixed, coupled, connected, etc.) are only used to aid the reader's understanding of the present disclosure, and may not create limitations, particularly as to the position, orientation, or use of the systems and/or methods disclosed herein. Therefore, joinder references, if any, are to be construed broadly. Moreover, such joinder references do not necessarily infer those two elements are directly connected to each other.
[00026] The embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[00027] Fig 1 exemplarily illustrates a side view of the vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle (100) includes a seat (102), a storage box (103), which is disposed below the seat (102). The vehicle also comprises a rear wheel (110); a first set power module (104); and a second set power module (106). The first set power module (104) and the second set power module (106) are high-capacity batteries which powers a motor (not shown) of the vehicle (100) in high range as desired. The first set power module (104) and the second set power module (106) include a one or more power module. The first set power module (104) includes a left power module (104a) and right power module (104b, shown in figure 2), which are placed parallel to each other. The left power module (104a) includes a first power connector (104aa). The second set power module (106) includes a second power connector (106a). The power connectors (104aa,106a) are configured to connect to the charger for charging purpose. The orientation of the power modules (104,106) is crucial factor as it is important to mount the high-capacity power modules (104,106) having bigger cross-sectional dimensions without alerting the existing layouts of the vehicle (100). The orientation of the power modules (104,106) has been further explained in reference with multiple axis for better clarification.
[00028] The vehicle (100) has a rear wheel axis (AA’), first battery axis (CC’), a first battery connector axis (BB’), a second battery axis (DD’), and a second battery connector axis (EE’). The rear wheel axis (AA’) passes through vertical central axis of the rear wheel (110). The first battery axis (CC’) is a virtual axis passing through central vertical axis of the first set power module (104). The first battery connector axis (BB’), is an axis passing through central vertical axis of the first power connector (104aa). The second battery axis (DD’) passes through vertical central axis of said second set power module (106). The second battery connector axis (EE’) passes through central vertical axis of the second power connector (106a).
[00029] The first battery connector axis (CC’) is at a first predetermined distance (112) from the rear wheel axis (AA’) and the first battery connector axis (BB’) is at a first distance (116) from said rear wheel axis (AA’). The orientation of the first set power module (104) is such that the first distance (116) between the first battery connector axis (BB’) is less that the first predetermined distance (112). As per an embodiment of the present invention, the first set power module (114) comprises of one or more power modules parallelly to each other under the storage box (103). The storage box (103) has an opening (not shown), which enables easy access to the first set power module (104).
[00030] As per another aspect of the present invention, the second set power module (106) which is mounted below the floor board (108) for powering the motor. Since, the space below the floor board (108) is limited, it is crucial to mount the power modules (106) such that high-capacity power modules can be accommodated without fouling and compromising capacity of the power modules. The power module (106) is orientated such that the second battery axis (DD’) is at a second predetermined distance (118) from the rear wheel axis (AA’), and the second battery connector axis (EE’) is at a second connector distance (114) from the rear wheel axis (AA’). To enable easy accommodation and access to the power module (106) the second connector distance (114) is less that the second predetermined distance (118).
[00031] The present invention overcomes the challenges of mechanical assembly and ease of handling, along with increasing the range of the vehicle (100) thereby improving the vehicle (100) performance and customer satisfaction. The additional prevention of one more power module (106) under floor board (108) is helpful in achieving more range.
[00032] Fig 2 exemplarily illustrates a perspective view of the essential elements of the vehicle (100) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The first set power module (104) includes a left power module (104a) and right power module (104b). The first set power module (104), and the second set power module (106) are connected to an electronic control unit (202), hereinafter called as controller, and a fuse box (204). The fuse box (204) prevents the motor from high voltages. The first set power module (104) and the second set power module (106) are of same dimension, which allows easy accessibility of the power modules without error. The orientation of the power modules (104,106) is important because for charging, the user need to unplug the connectors of the power module. In a vehicle (100) which accompanies a high range power module, it is difficult to unplug the connectors due to limited space around the power modules. Therefore, the present invention enables easy access to the connectors of the power modules which are even through are high in capacity without altering the existing layout of the vehicle (100).
[00033] Fig 3 exemplarily illustrates a top view of the essential elements of the vehicle (100) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. A first set power wire (304a,304b) are wire extensions connected to a left power module (104a) and right power module (104b). A second set power wire (302) is a wire extension from the second set power module (106). The first set power wire (304a,304b) is connected to the second set power wire (302) to make a junction (306). The junction (306) between the plurality of wires (302, 304a,304b) is an input to the controller (202), and an output from the controller (202) is sent to the motor. The orientation of the power modules (104,106) enables easy routing of the wires (302,304a,304b) to the controller (202).
[00034] 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 light of the above disclosure. Therefore, within the scope of claims of the present subject matter, the present disclosure may be practiced other than as specifically described.

List of Reference numerals
100: Vehicle
102: Seat
103: Storage box
104: First set power module
104a: Left power modules
104aa: First power connector
104b: Right power module
108: Floor board
110: Rear wheel
112: First predetermined distance
114: Second distance
116: First distance
118: Second predetermined distance
202: Electronic control unit
204: Fuse box
302, 304a,304b: wires
306: Junction
,CLAIMS:We claim:
1. A vehicle (100) comprising:
a rear wheel (110);
a first set power module (104); said first set power module (104) includes a first power connector (104aa);
a second set power module (106); said second set power module (106) includes a second power connector (106a);
a rear wheel axis (AA’), said rear wheel axis (AA’) being an axis passing through vertical central axis of said rear wheel (110);
a first power module axis (CC’), said first power module axis (CC’) being a virtual axis passing through central vertical axis of said first set power module (104);
a first power connector axis (BB’), said first power connector axis (BB’) being a virtual axis passing through central vertical axis of said first power connector (104aa) of said first set power module (104);
a second power axis (DD’), said second power axis (DD’) being a virtual axis passing through vertical central axis of said second set power module (106);
and a second power connector axis (EE’), said second power connector axis (EE’) passing through central vertical axis of a second power connector (106a) of said second set power module (106);
wherein a first distance (116) between said first power connector axis (BB’) and said rear wheel axis (AA’) being less than a first predetermined distance (112) between said first power axis (CC’) axis and said rear wheel axis (AA’); and
wherein a second distance (114) between said second power connector axis (EE’) and said rear wheel axis (AA’) being less than a second predetermined distance (118) between said second power axis (DD’) and said rear wheel axis (AA’).
2. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first set of power module (104) includes one or more power modules (104a,104b), said first set of power module (104) being disposed below a storage box (103), said storage box (103) being covered by a seat (102) from top portion.
3. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second set power module (106) includes a one or more power module (not shown), said second set power module (106) being disposed below a floor board (108).
4. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first set power module (104) and second set power module (106) being connected by a wiring harness (302,304a,304b) at a junction (306), said wiring junction (306) being connected to an electronic control unit (202).
5. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second power connector (106a) being disposed adjacently to a floor board (108) towards vehicle (100) outwards direction.
6. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second power connector (106a) and said first power connector (104a) being connected to a fuse box (204) and a relay.
7. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1 and 2, wherein said first power connector (104aa) being accessible through an opening (not shown) in said storage box (103).
8. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first set power module (104) includes a left power module (104a) and right power module (104b), said left power module (104a) and said right power module (104b) being parallel to each other.