Claims:We claim:
1. A vehicle (100) comprising:
a frame (101),
wherein, said frame (101) comprising a head tube (141);
said headtube (141) integrally connected to a longitudinal tube (101c);
wherein, said longitudinal tube (101c) extending in a downwardly rearward direction;
a rearwardly bending portion (101d) integrally connected to said headtube (141) and said longitudinal tube (101c) of said frame (101);
a receptacle (110) disposed below the seat assembly; and
one or more controllers being disposed inside said receptacle(101d) and located on one of a lateral sides of the vehicle (100).
2. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said receptacle (110) comprises of a supporting structure (205) to support a battery (201);
wherein, at least a portion of said battery (201) being disposed laterally offset from said rearwardly bending portion (101d) of frame of said vehicle (100);
said one or more controller units being disposed inside said receptacle (110) and on a right side of said battery (201);
wherein, said one or more controller units being located on a laterally opposite to a ISG machine (135).
3. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said receptacle (110) is divided substantially equally by a central longitudinal plane (AA’),
wherein, a battery (201) being disposed at least partially towards a left side of said receptacle (110) and at least a portion of said battery (201) being disposed towards a right side of said receptacle (110); and
said one or more controllers being disposed on said right side of said receptacle (110).
4. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said one or more controller units are an ISG controller (202) and an EFI ECU (203);
wherein, a first wire harness (501) connects said ISG controller (202) to said EFI ECU (203) through ISG connector (202);
a second wire harness connects (502) said ISG controller (202) to a ISG machine (125) through an EFI ECU connector (204);
wherein, said first wire harness (501) is a low voltage harness than said second wire harness (502) is a high voltage harness.
5. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein said ISG connector (202) being directed in an upward direction.
6. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein said EFI ECU connector (204) being oriented in a downward direction.
7. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said receptacle (110) comprises of an auxiliary support structure (205a) to accommodate an auxiliary battery.
8. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein said ISG controller (202) and said EFI ECU (203) being oriented in a perpendicular direction with respect to each other.
9. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein, a predetermined distance (D) being created between a battery (201) and said ISG controller (202).
10. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein, a predetermined controller distance (E) being created between said ISG controller (202) and said EFI ECU (203).
11. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said receptacle configured to receive an integrated controller functioning as said EFI ECU (203) and said ISG controller (202).
12. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first wiring harness (501) configured to be disposed under the EFI ECU (203) and said second wiring harness (502) configured to be disposed above said EFI ECU (203).
13. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein an EFI ECU connector (204) being oriented in a downward direction, towards a front side of said vehicle (100) and facing towards a ground.
14. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said ISG connector (206) being oriented in a rearwardly upwards direction, towards the rear side of said vehicle (100) and away from an EFI ECU connector (204). , Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present subject matter generally relates to a vehicle. The present subject matter specifically but not exclusively relates to location of one or more controllers in a step through vehicle.
BACKGROUND
[0002] A vehicle with an integrated starter-generator (ISG) system replaces separate use of a starter and an alternator and integrates both of them into a single electric device. The ISG system provides better fuel economy, electrical generation capacity and reduced emissions. ISG system also eliminates the requirement of a separate starter which remains in a passive state once an engine starts combustion and ISG system also provides fast control of a generator voltage during load dumps in order to improve the distribution power quality.
[0003] The ISG system comprises of an ISG controller connected to a rectifier which makes the ISG system bulky. In known art the ISG controller is located on an air cleaner of a two-wheeled vehicle like a motorcycle and scooter which results in a compromise in the total volume of the air cleaner if the ISG system needs to be accommodated by modifying the shape and size of the air cleaner especially in a compact vehicle layout. As the emissions from vehicle are tending towards zero levels, with the passage of time, new components are getting introduced in a vehicle. Components like ISG system and EFI (Electronic Fuel Injection) controller are expensive, so it becomes important to provide a secure and tamper proof packaging to eliminate the scope of theft. At the same time, it is important to ensure that any such addition of components should not affect the mass balance of the vehicle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] The detailed description is explained with reference to an embodiment of a scooter type saddle vehicle along with the accompanying figures. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like features and components.
[0005] Fig. 1 illustrates a left side view of an exemplary step through type vehicle, as per one embodiment of present subject matter.
[0006] Fig. 2 illustrates a side perspective view of the vehicle.
[0007] Fig. 3 illustrates an enlarged view of the receptacle with the battery and the controllers disposed inside the receptacle
[0008] Fig. 4 illustrates a side perspective view of the receptacle in the vehicle.
[0009] Fig. 5 illustrates a top view of the receptacle in the vehicle.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[00010] During the operation of the ISG Controller, the ISG controller may typically heat up to 70-80 degrees Celsius. Further, if the ISG Controller is disposed immediately behind an engine of the vehicle, the ISG controller heats up very quickly owing to excess heat transfer from the engine in form of convection as well as radiation and this adversely affects the functioning of the ISG controller. The heat radiated by the engine gets directed towards ISG controller thus making the cooling of ISG controller less effective. Due to accumulation of heat, there is a probability that some accident may occur due to overheating of the ISG controller.
[00011] Also, engine may be located below a seat assembly in a scooter type vehicle in which, providing ISG controller and EFI controller below the seat assembly demands additional space. A utility box is provided immediately below the seat assembly to store any article. This space gets compromised if both ISG controller and EFI controller are disposed below the utility box or one or more of a lateral width and length of the vehicle needs to be increased both of which are undesirable for a compact vehicle. Therefore, with above mentioned arrangements, the rider comfort may get affected due to exposure to hot air, seating difficulty due to wide cover frame, low utility box volume and other ancillary issues such as height of the seat may increase due to inclusion of the ISG controller and EFI controller or thickness of the foam is compromised in order to compensate the height of the seat.
[00012] But at the same time mounting of the ISG controller posses a new challenge as ISG controller requires more space and also need to be mounted closer to an ISG machine. Therefore, it is important to consider the location of the ISG controller with respect to the ISG machine, a layout configuration where the ISG controller is closer to the centre of gravity of the vehicle and at the same time receives ample of air to effectively dissipate the heat generated by the ISG controller.
[00013] Hence, the object of the present subject matter is to provide an improved layout configuration of a compact saddle type vehicle which overcomes all the problem cited above and other problems from known art. As per an aspect of the present invention, the location of one or more controller is configured in a receptacle of a step through vehicle to distribute the weight of the controllers such as an ISG controller, an EFI ECU (engine control unit) and an EFI controller closer to the centre of gravity of the vehicle and an ISG machine. The controllers are accommodated at one place without adversely affecting the centre of gravity of the vehicle. Also, the rider comfort does not get compromised on the grounds as mentioned in the problem statement, the controllers are provided in an enclosed receptacle located at least partially below the seat assembly of the vehicle in a step through vehicle. The receptacle is located immediately under the seat assembly of the vehicle and above a floor board. The receptacle may have one or more air vents, which allows the air flow from outside environment into the receptacle and cools off the components provided inside the receptacle including the ISG controller.
[00014] Another embodiment of the present invention provides a vehicle in which the controllers are disposed on the same side of the receptacle such that to balance with the weight of a power unit, such as battery is configured on the opposite side in the receptacle.
[00015] Yet another embodiment of the present invention provides a vehicle in which receptacle comprises a support structure to support a battery such that at least a portion of the battery is disposed at least partially offset from a rearwardly bending portion of a main frame of the vehicle.
[00016] Still another embodiment of the present invention provides a vehicle in which one or more controllers are located diagonally opposite to an ISG machine. If the ISG machine is located on a left-hand side of the vehicle then the controllers are located on the right hand side.
[00017] Another embodiment of the present invention provides a vehicle in which a first wire harness connects the ISG controller to the EFI ECU and a second wire harness connects the ISG controller to the ISG machine. The first wire harness which connects the ISG controller to the EFI ECU is a low voltage wire harness and the second wire harness connecting the ISG controller to the ISG machine is a high voltage wire harness.
[00018] Still another embodiment of the present invention provides the ISG controller and EFI ECU disposed on the same side, inside, of the receptacle which enables mass balancing and desired distribution of the weight around the centre of gravity of the vehicle. The weight of the battery disposed on one of a left and right lateral side of the vehicle gets balanced by the controller located together at other side of the receptacle. Further, the overall packaging is compact and does not require major modification from a conventional layout of the vehicle.
[00019] Yet another embodiment of the present invention provides an ISG connector which connects the ISG controller to the ISG machine. The ISG connector carries the second wire harness. The ISG connector is oriented in an upwards direction.
[00020] Another embodiment of the present invention provides an EFI ECU connector which connects the ISG controller to the EFI ECU. The EFI ECU connector carries the first wire harness. The EFI ECU connector is oriented in a downward direction, towards the ground.
[00021] Still another embodiment of the present invention provides the receptacle with an auxiliary support structure to accommodate an auxiliary battery. The auxiliary support structure provides the flexibility of adding another battery with an already existing battery mounted on the supporting structure.
[00022] Yet another embodiment of the present invention provides the EFI ECU oriented in a perpendicular direction with respect to the ISG controller such that a predetermined distance is created between the battery and the ISG controller and a predetermined controller distance is created between the ISG controller and the EFI ECU. This gap created between the controller and the batter helps in effectively isolating the heat generated by the ISG controller and at the same time not compromising the compact packaging of the controllers and the battery in the receptacle of the vehicle.
[00023] The embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to an embodiment in a saddle type two wheeled vehicle along with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the present embodiments. The present subject matter is further described with reference to accompanying figures. It should be noted that the description and figures merely illustrate 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.
[00024] Fig. 1 illustrates a left side view of an exemplary step through type vehicle, as per one embodiment of present subject matter. The vehicle (100) has a mono-tube type frame (101), which acts as a skeleton for bearing the loads and is also referred to as backbone frame as (shown in Fig 2). Instrument cluster (119) is mounted on handle bar assembly (126). The handle bar assembly (126) is pivotally disposed through the head tube where it includes brake levers (113). The handle bar assembly (126) is connected to a front wheel (129) by one or more front suspension(s) (130). A front fender (131) is disposed above the front wheel (129) for covering at least a portion of the front wheel (129). A leg shield (112) is provided on the vehicle (100). A fuel tank (103) having fuel cap (114) is mounted tothe mono-tube type frame (101) and it is disposed in front portion F of a step-through space of the mono-tube type frame (101). The frame (101) comprises a head tube (141) which is integrally connected to the main frame (101) and the longitudinal tube (101c). The longitudinal tube (101c) extends in a forward-rearward direction. A rearwardly bending portion integrally connected to the head tube (141) and the longitudinal tube (101c) of the frame (101). The vehicle (100) has lighting means which includes Head lamp (127), Tail lamp (106), Turning indicators includes front side indicators (111) and rear side indicator (102) respectively and daytime running lamp (104). An engine (125) is mounted to the lower portion of the mono-tube type frame (101).
[00025] In an embodiment, a cylinder axis (C-C’) is inclined to a front of the vehicle (100). A swing arm (134) is swingably connected to the mono-tube type frame (101). A rear wheel (133) is rotatably supported by the swing arm (134). One or more rear suspension(s) (135) connect the swing arm (134) at an angle, to sustain both the radial and axial forces occurring due to wheel reaction, to the mono-tube type frame (101). A license plate (105) and reflector (116) mounted on a rear fender (128) is disposed above the rear wheel (133), where the license plate and a license plate lamp are mounted by a single piece license plate bracket. A seat assembly (132a, 132b) is disposed at a rear portion (R) of the step-through space. In an embodiment, the seat assembly (132) includes a rider seat (132a), and a pillion seat (132b). The vehicle (100) is provided with the grab rail (109). Further, the seat assembly (132a, 132b) is positioned above the rear wheel (133). The vehicle is supported by a center stand (120) mounted to the frame assembly A cover member (118) is mounted on longitudinal tube (101c) (as shown in Fig. 2). The body side cover member (118) covers at least a portion of the engine (125), a co-axially disposed ISG machine (135) & longitudinal tube (101c).
[00026] The engine (125) comprises a cylinder head (123), a cylinder (124), a crankcase (not shown) and a chain cover (121) in order from the front to the rear direction of an engine assembly (122). The cylinder (124) protrudes in a forward direction from the front end portion of the crankcase.
[00027] Fig. 2 illustrates a side perspective view of the vehicle (100) with few parts omitted for clarity. A receptacle (110) is below the seat assembly and above the floor board level. As per an additional embodiment, the receptacle (110) is disposed on the rearwardly bending portion (101d) of the frame. The receptacle (110) is mounted with the help of fastening means such as screws and nuts. The receptacle (110) comprises of a supporting structure (205), which supports the battery (201). The battery (201) is disposed in such a manner that at least a portion of the battery (201) is disposed laterally offset from the rearwardly bending portion (101d) of the frame (101) of the vehicle (100).
[00028] Further, one or more controllers are disposed, together, on a same side of the receptacle (110). The controllers are an ISG controller (202) and an EFI ECU (203) which are disposed in the same side of the receptacle and enabling mass balancing and desired distribution of the weight of the battery (201) around the centre of gravity of the vehicle (100). The weight of the battery (201), located with at least a predetermined offset on one lateral side of the receptacle (110), is balanced by the weight of the controllers located, together, inside a laterally opposite side of the receptacle (110), with respect to the battery (201) in the receptacle (110). Further, the overall packaging is compact and does not require modifying the vehicle (100) to accommodate each of the controllers at different locations in the vehicle (100). As per an alternate embodiment, the receptacle is configured to receive a integrated controller which performs the function of the EFI control as well as ISG control.
[00029] Further, the EFI ECU (203) is mounted onto an EFI ECU connector (204). The EFI ECU (203) is connected to the ISG controller (202) through the EFI ECU connector (204), which carries a low voltage wire harness. An ISG connector (206) connects the ISG controller (202) to the ISG machine (135), which carries a high voltage wire harness.
[00030] Fig. 3 illustrates enlarged view of the receptacle (110) with the battery and the controllers disposed inside the receptacle (110) on the vehicle. The receptacle (110) is disposed on the floor board (117).
[00031] Fig. 4 illustrates a side perspective view of the receptacle (110). The receptacle (110) is divided into two equal parts by a longitudinal central plane (AA’). The battery (201) is disposed towards the left side of the receptacle (110) and at least a portion of the battery (201) is disposed towards the right side of the receptacle (110) (refer fig. 5 for clarity). The controllers are disposed towards the right side of the receptacle (110). The ISG controller (202) communicates to the EFI ECU (203) through a first wire harness (501) and the ISG controller communicates to the ISG machine (135) through a second wire harness (502). Since, the wire harness connecting the ISG controller (202) with the EFI ECU (203) is a low voltage wire, hence to eliminate the noise created by the wire harness, the first and second wire harness are disposed farther from each other and as per an embodiment, the first wiring harness is disposed under the EFI controller while the second wiring harness is disposed above the EFI controller.
[00032] The second wire harness (502) connecting the ISG controller (202) to the ISG machine (135) is a high voltage wire harness, therefore it becomes important that any low voltage wire harness present in the vicinity of the high voltage wire harness should be routed in such a manner that the low voltage wire harness does not get affected by the noise generated by the high voltage wire harness’ due to electromagnetic interference. Since, the ISG controller (202) and the EFI ECU (203) are disposed in proximity, the EFI ECU connector (204) is oriented in a downward direction towards the front side of the vehicle and facing towards the ground whereas the ISG connector (206) is oriented in a upwards direction towards the rear side of the vehicle and away from the EFI ECU connector (204).
[00033] By orienting the EFI ECU connector (204) in a downward direction and ISG connector (206) in an upward direction a safe harness layout is achieved wherein the first wire harness (501), which is a low voltage wire harness is away from the second wire harness (502), which is a high voltage wire harness. As per an additional embodiment, the battery (201) disposed on the supporting structure (205) is situated at a higher level compared to auxiliary supporting structure (205a). The battery (201) disposed on the supporting structure (205) is a bigger battery compared to an auxiliary battery (not shown) disposed on the auxiliary supporting structure (205a). Therefore, the auxiliary supporting structure (205a) provides an additional space for an additional battery.
[00034] Fig. 5 illustrates a top view of the receptacle (110) of the vehicle (100). The ISG controller (202) is generally bulky and radiates a lot of heat. By disposing the ISG controller (202) and the EFI ECU controller (203) together, it increases the probability of heat trapping. ISG controller (202) has a radiating region (S) which is a surface forming a part of the ISG controller (202) comprising one or more fins (510). The fins (510) allow faster elimination of heat, which is generated during the ISG controller (202) operation. Further, as per an embodiment, the EFI ECU controller (203) is aligned in a perpendicular direction with respect to the ISG controller (202). This alignment of the EFI ECU controller (203) and the ISG controller (202) creates a predetermined gap between the battery (201) and the ISG controller (202) with a predetermined distance (D). Similarly, a predetermined controller distance (E) is created between the ISG controller (202) and the EFI ECU (203).
[00035] This predetermined distance (D) and predetermined controller distance (E) creates ample of space, which allows efficient dissipation of the heat generated by the ISG controller (202).

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

vehicle (100)
frame (101)
Instrument cluster (119)
handle bar assembly (126)
brake levers (113)
handle bar assembly (126)
front wheel (129)
front suspension(s) (130)
front fender (131)
front wheel (129)
leg shield (112)
fuel tank (103)
fuel cap (114)
main frame (101b)
head tube (141)
longitudinal tube (101c)
Head lamp (127)
Tail lamp (106)
rear side indicator (102)
daytime running lamp (104)
ISG machine (135)
cylinder axis (C-C’)
swing arm (134)
floor board (117)
rear suspension(s) (135)
license plate (105)
reflector (116)
seat assembly (132)
rider seat (132a)
pillion seat (132b)
center stand (120)
cylinder head (123)
cylinder (124)
chain cover (121)
receptacle (110)
battery (201)
supporting structure (205)
ISG controller (202)
EFI ECU (203)
ISG connector (206)
EFI ECU connector (204)
first wire harness (501)
second wire harness (502)
central line (AA’)