Claims:WE CLAIM:
1. A vehicle (100), comprising:
a battery pack;
a charging port connected with the battery pack for charging the battery pack; and
one or more protection switches (200) disposed in vicinity of the charging port and connected between the charging port and the battery pack, the one or more protection switches (200) disconnect the battery pack from the charging port in case of a faulty power supply from the charging port.

2. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprises a saddle-type vehicle having: a head tube (12), a front member (10) extending downward from the head tube (12), a main tube (14) extending rearwardly in a vehicle front-rear direction (F-R) from a lower portion of the front member (10), and a pair of seat rails (16a, 16b) extending rearwardly from a rear end of the main tube (14); wherein the protection switch (200) is disposed on a rear portion of the pair of seat rails (16).

3. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 2, comprises a cross member (52) attached between the pair of seat rails (16a, 16b), whereby the protection switch (200) is detachably mounted on the cross member (52).

4. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 3, comprises a bracket (300) mounted on the cross member (52) and configured to receive the protection switch (200).

5. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the bracket (300) is substantially L-shaped, having a longitudinal plate (310) and a transverse plate (320) extending from the longitudinal plate (310) into a substantially perpendicular parapet.

6. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the L-shaped bracket (300) includes one or more side projections (310’) to prevent ingress of dust and water towards the protection switch (200).

7. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 4 or 5, comprising a holder (400) mounted on the cross member (52) and configured to receive the L-shaped bracket (300).

8. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the holder (400), the longitudinal plate (310) of the L-shaped bracket (300), and the protection switch (200), each having emulated through holes to receive one or more fastening means (500) for mounting the protection switch (200) on the cross member (52).
9. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 2, comprises a utility box disposed between the pair of seat rails (16a, 16b).

10. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claims 3 or 9, wherein the cross member (52) is disposed rearwardly from the utility box in the vehicle front-rear direction (F-R).

11. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 10, wherein rear wall of the utility box in the vehicle front-rear direction (F-R) faces the protection switch (200).

12. The vehicle (100) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, comprises a taillight assembly (30) disposed at a rear end of the vehicle in the vehicle front-rear direction (F-R) wherein the charging port is disposed adjacent to the taillight assembly (30).
, Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present invention relates to a motor vehicle and more particularly it relates to one or more protection switches in saddle-type motor vehicles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] Motor vehicles have a plurality of primary and ancillary electrical components. The primary electrical components include speedometer, fuel gauge, lights, sensors, etc. and the ancillary electrical components include couplers, protection switches, fuses etc. The primary electrical components are connected to a power source and may also be interconnected among each other through wires. These wires may be a single wire or a bunch of wires harnessed together. Further, the ancillary electrical components like the couplers, protection switches, fuses etc. are disposed between the wires of the interconnected primary electrical components.
[003] The power source of the motor vehicle generally is a rechargeable battery pack. In order for the battery pack to be recharged after a discharge, the battery pack needs to be connected to an external power source. For this, the battery pack has a charging port configured to receive power from an external power supply. The power is transferred to the battery pack whereby the battery pack is recharged and is ready for functioning. Generally, the charging port is disposed on an exterior portion of the motor vehicle which is directly accessibly by a user.
[004] Many-a-times, the power generated from the external power supply is not consistent; may be faulty; and may have fluctuations. If the charging port is directly connected to the battery pack, these power fluctuations adversely affect the battery pack and reduce productivity and overall life of the battery pack. Hence, to protect the battery pack from the external power fluctuations, the motor vehicles have a protection switch which is disposed between the charging port and the battery pack. The protection switch is in turn connected to a vehicle control unit. In case there is a faulty power supply, the vehicle control unit identifies the faulty power and disconnects the battery pack from the charging port through the protection switch.
[005] However, it must be noted that in order to keep the battery pack safe from the faulty power supplies, multiple electrical components come into play. Addition of isolation circuits, protection switches, etc. imply use of multiple sets of wires of various lengths. Thus, for keeping the battery pack safe, a plurality of wires is required for connecting the battery pack to the protection switch; for connecting the protection switch to the vehicle control unit; for connecting the protection switch further to the charging port, etc. This substantially increases the manufacturing cost and even a minimum utilizable space in the vehicle is undesirably occupied by wires. Also, routing of said plurality of wires in the vehicle results in a complex arrangement.
[006] Furthermore, in case there is fault in any component, entire circuit needs to be accessed in order to identify the faulty component. In the present layouts since the electrical components are spread all over the motor vehicle, all the components must be dis-assembled and re-assembled in order to identify and replace the single faulty component. This substantially increases service time, need to multiple tools and thus subsequently increases overall costs of repair and replacement.
[007] Thus, there is a need in the art for a vehicle having one or more protection switch which addresses at least the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[008] The present invention is directed to a vehicle having a battery pack, and a charging port connected with the battery pack for charging the battery pack. The vehicle further has one or more protection switches disposed in vicinity of the charging port and connected between the charging port and the battery pack, the one or more protection switches disconnect the battery pack from the charging port in case of a faulty power supply from the charging port.
[009] In an embodiment of the invention, the vehicle is a saddle-type vehicle having a head tube, a front member extending downward from the head tube, a main tube extending rearwardly in a vehicle front-rear direction from a lower portion of the front member, and a pair of seat rails extending rearwardly from a rear end of the main tube. Herein the protection switch is disposed on a rear portion of the pair of seat rails.
[010] In another embodiment of the invention, the vehicle has a cross member attached between the pair of seat rails, whereby the protection switch is detachably mounted on the cross member.
[011] In an embodiment of the invention, the vehicle has a bracket mounted on the cross member and configured to receive the protection switch. In another embodiment, the bracket is substantially L-shaped bracket having a longitudinal plate and a transverse plate extending from the longitudinal plate into a substantially perpendicular parapet.
[012] In another embodiment, the L-shaped bracket includes one or more side projections to prevent ingress of dust and water towards the protection switch.
[013] In yet another embodiment, the vehicle has a holder mounted on the cross member and configured to receive the L-shaped bracket.
[014] In a further embodiment, the holder, the longitudinal plate of the L-shaped bracket, and the protection switch, each have emulated through holes to receive one or more fastening means for mounting the protection switch on the cross member.
[015] In an embodiment of the invention, the vehicle has a utility box disposed between the pair of seat rails. In a further embodiment, the cross member is disposed rearwardly from the utility box in the vehicle front-rear direction.
[016] In yet another embodiment, rear wall of the utility box in the vehicle front-rear direction faces the at least one protection switch.
[017] In a further embodiment of the invention, the vehicle has a taillight assembly disposed at a rear end of the vehicle in the vehicle front-rear direction wherein the charging port is disposed adjacent to the taillight assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[018] 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 right-side view of a sadly-type vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 2a shows a main frame of the vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 2b shows a rear portion of the main frame of the vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 3 shows a protection switch in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 4 shows an exploded view of mounting the protection switch in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 5 shows mounted protection switch on the main frame of the vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[019] The present invention relates to protection switches in motor vehicles.
[020] Figure 1 illustrates a right-side view of an exemplary saddle-type motor vehicle 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The saddle-type vehicle 100 comprises a main frame 50 having a head tube 12. Shown in Figures 1 and 2, the main frame 50 has a front member 10 extending downward from the headtube 12. Further, the main frame 50 has a main tube 14 extending rearwardly and then upwardly in a rear direction from a lower portion of the front member 10 in a vehicle front-rear direction F-R. In the present embodiment, a pair of seat rails, i.e. a left seat rail 16a and a right seat rail 16b (shown in Figures 4 and 5) extend rearwardly from a rear end of the main tube 14 in the vehicle front-rear direction F-R. In an embodiment of the invention, a cross member 52 (shown in Figure 2a) is attached between the pair of seat rails 16a, 16b.
[021] Further, as seen in Figure 1, the motor vehicle 100 has a seat 32 disposed on the pair of seat rails 16a, 16b supported by the main frame 50. The seat 32 is hingedly openable to provide access to a utility box (not shown) disposed beneath the seat 32. In an embodiment, the utility box is disposed between the pair of seat rails 16a, 16b. In a further embodiment of the invention, the cross member 52 is disposed rearwardly from the utility box in the vehicle front-rear direction F-R.
[022] Towards front side, the motor vehicle 100 has one or more front suspensions 20 connected to a front wheel 46 which is further connected to a handlebar assembly 48, which forms a steering assembly 55 of the motor vehicle 100. The steering assembly 55 has a pair of rearview mirrors 36a, 36b. The steering assembly 55 is rotatably disposed about the head tube 12.
[023] Towards rear side, the motor vehicle 100 has a rear wheel 22 connected to one or more rear suspensions 24. In addition, the vehicle 100 has a rear fender 28 covering at least a portion of the rear wheel 22 and is positioned upwardly of the rear wheel 22.
[024] The motor vehicle 100 has a floorboard 34 wherein a rider can operate the vehicle 100 in a seated position by resting feet on the floorboard 34. Further, the floorboard 34 is capable of carrying loads. In an embodiment, the vehicle 100 has a power source (not shown) disposed below the floorboard 34. In another embodiment, the power source is a battery pack.
[025] The vehicle 100 comprises of plurality of electrical and electronic components including a headlight assembly 42, a taillight assembly 30, a transistor-controlled ignition (TCI) unit (not shown), an alternator (not shown), a starter motor (not shown). Further, the motor vehicle 100 is thus made to stay in a riding ready position over a center stand 40.
[026] According to the present invention, the vehicle 100 has a battery back (not shown). The battery pack is connected to a charging port (not shown) to connect to an external power supply for charging the battery pack. In an embodiment of the invention and as mentioned hereinbefore the vehicle 100 has the taillight assembly 30. As seen in Figure 1, the taillight assembly 30 is disposed at a rear end of the vehicle 100 in the vehicle front-rear F-R direction. In an embodiment of the invention, the charging port is disposed adjacent to the taillight assembly 30. In another embodiment of the invention, the charging port is disposed on rear side panels 44 (only one shown) of the vehicle 100.
[027] Referring now to Figures 2 to 5, the vehicle 100 has a protection switch 200. In an embodiment of the invention, the vehicle 100 has a plurality of protection switches. In the referred embodiment, the vehicle 100 has two protection switches 200. As seen in Figure 3, in an embodiment of the invention, the protection switch 200 is encased in a box-like compartment, wherein a vertical wall of the protection switch 200 extends laterally to form a fixating loop 210. According to the present invention, the protection switch 200 is disposed in vicinity of the charging port and is connected between the charging port and the battery pack. In an embodiment of the invention, the protection switch 200 is configured to disconnect the battery pack from the charging port in case of a faulty power supply from the charging port.
[028] Since, the charging port is disposed on the rear side of the vehicle 100 and adjacent to the taillight assembly 30, in an embodiment of the invention, the protection switch 200 is disposed on the rear side of the vehicle 100. In another embodiment, the protection switch is disposed on a rear portion of the pair of seat rails 16a, 16b in the vehicle front-rear direction F-R. In a further embodiment of the invention, the protection switch 200 is detachably mounted on the cross member 52 disposed between the left seat rail 16a and the right seat rail 16b.
[029] Referring now to Figures 4 and 5, in an embodiment of the invention, the vehicle 100 has a bracket 300. In order to mount the protection switch 200 to a rear portion of the vehicle 100, the bracket 300 is firstly mounted on the cross member 52. The bracket 300 is thus configured to further receive the protection switch 200. In an embodiment of the invention, and as seen in the Figures 2a and 2b, the bracket 300 is substantially L-shaped. Thus, the L-shaped bracket 300 has a longitudinal plate 310 and a transverse plate 320. In an embodiment, the transverse plate 320 extends from the longitudinal plate 310 into a substantially perpendicular parapet. In another embodiment of the invention, the transverse plate 320 is fixedly attached to the longitudinal plate 310 whereby the transverse plate 320 is disposed perpendicular to the longitudinal plate 310. In another embodiment, and as seen in Figure 5, the longitudinal plate 310 has a projection 310’ on each side. Thus, the transverse plate 320 along with the side projections 310’ prevent ingress of dust and water towards the protection switch 200. In an embodiment, the longitudinal wall laterally extends into a mounting hole 330. As seen in Figure 4, the longitudinal plate 310 has two mounting holes 330.
[030] In an embodiment of the invention, and as seen in Figures 4 and 5, the vehicle has a holder 400. In order to dampen effects of vibrations, the holder 400 is firstly mounted on the cross member 52. The holder then receives the L-shaped bracket 300. Subsequently, the protection switch 200 is then mounted on the L-shaped bracket 300. Thus, in an embodiment, for a detachable mounting on the cross member 52, the holder 400 has a through hole 410. In the present embodiment, the holder 400 has two through holes 410.
[031] The fixating loop 210 of the protection switch 200, the mounting hole 330 of the L-shaped bracket 300 and the through hole 410 of the holder 400 are emulated. Thus, as shown in the Figures, the emulated holes of the protection switch 200, the L-shaped bracket 300 and the holder 400 receive fastening means 500 for mounting the protection switch 200 on the cross member 52. In an embodiment, the fastening means 500 are screws, nuts, bolts, etc. As explained herein before, since cross member 52 is disposed rearwardly from the utility box in the vehicle front-rear direction F-R, a rear wall of the utility box in the vehicle front-rear direction F-R faces the protection switch 200.
[032] Advantageously, the disposition of the protection switch in the rear region of the vehicle and in vicinity of the charging port minimizes the requirement of long wires. This substantially reduces cost. Further, electric losses occurring due to the long wires are obviated. The transverse wall of the L-shaped bracket along with the side projections and presence of the rear wall of the utility box prevent the ingress of dust, water and other such extrinsic factors towards the protection switch. Additionally, the present disposition of the protection switch offers an ease of access to a technician and thus saves service and replacement time.
[033] 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.