Claims:1. A vehicle frame assembly (200) for a vehicle (100), said vehicle frame assembly (200) comprising:
a head tube (201);
a main tube (202) extending rearwardly from said head tube (201);
a pair of seat rails (204) extending obliquely rearwardly to said main tube (202);
one or more cross members (209) disposed between said pair of seat rails (204);
a seat latch assembly (303) disposed on said one or more cross members (209);
and
a support structure (302) attached to said one or more cross members (209), said support structure (302) is disposed in a space (abo) enclosed by a longitudinal axis portion (ab) of a vehicle longitudinal axis (XY), a first radial axis (oa), and a second radial axis (ob), said support portion (302b) is configured to support a sensor element (300).
2. The vehicle frame assembly (200) for a vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said support structure (302) includes a first structure portion (302a) disposed in a first region (?1) and a second structure portion (302b) disposed in a second region (?2), said first region (?1) is located between said first radial axis (oa) and a center vertical axis (LM) of a rear wheel (106) and said second region (?2) is located between said center vertical axis (LM) and said second radial axis (ob).
3. The vehicle frame assembly (200) for a vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said first support portion (302a) disposed in any one region of the first region (?1) and the second region (?2), and said second structure portion (302b) is disposed in other region of the first region (?1) and the second region (?2).
4. The vehicle frame assembly (200) for a vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said support structure (302) includes a body portion (502) sandwiched between said seat latch assembly (303) and said one or more cross members (209).
5. The vehicle frame assembly (200) for a vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said support structure (302) disposed at a center along said vehicle longitudinal axis (XY), said center vertical axis (LM) of said rear wheel (106) passes vertically orthogonal to said support structure (302).
6. The vehicle frame assembly (200) for a vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said first radial axis (oa) overlaps with a first radius (op) of the rear wheel (106), said second radial axis (0b) overlaps with a second radius (oq) of the rear wheel (106).
7. The vehicle frame assembly (200) for a vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1 or claim 4, wherein said first support portion (302a) is extending orthogonally outward from a body portion (502) of said support structure (302), said second support portion (302b) is extending inclinedly outward from said body portion (502), said first support portion (302a) and said second support portion (302b) are disposed at opposite ends of said body portion (502).
8. The vehicle frame assembly (200) for a vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said first support portion (302a) configured to support any one of the sensor element (300) and an electrical component, and said second support portion (302b) configured to support another of any one of said sensor element (300) and said electrical component (301).
9. The vehicle frame assembly (200) for a vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 2 or claim 8, wherein said first support portion (302a) includes one or more receiving portions (506) configured to receive any one of said sensor element (300) and said electrical component (301).
10. The vehicle frame assembly (200) for a vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein said second support portion (302b) includes a substantially horizontal surface (508), said horizontal surface (508) oriented towards vehicle rear from at least a portion of said second support portion (302b), said horizontal surface (508) configured to support at least one of said sensor element (300) and said electrical component (301).
11. A support structure (302) for sensor element (300), said support structure (302) comprising:
a body portion (502);
a first support portion (302a) and a second support portion (302b), each extending inclinedly outward from said body portion (502), said first support portion (302a) and said second support portion (302b) are disposed at opposite ends of said body portion (502).
12. The support structure (302) for a vehicle frame assembly (200) as claimed in claim 11, wherein said first support portion (302a) extending orthogonally outward from said body portion (502) of said support structure (302), said second support portion (302b) extending inclinedly outward from said body portion (502).
13. The support structure (302) for a vehicle frame assembly (200) as claimed in claim 11, wherein said first support portion (302a) configured to receive any one of said sensor element (300) and an electrical component (301) and said second support portion (302b) configured to support any other of said sensor element (300) and said electrical component (301).
14. The support structure (302) for a vehicle frame assembly (200) as claimed in claim 11, wherein said first support portion (302a) includes one or more receiving portions (506) configured to receive at least a portion of any one of said sensor element (300) and said electrical component (301) to enable stable mounting.
15. The support structure (302) for a vehicle frame assembly (200) as claimed in claim 11 or claim 14, wherein said first support portion (302a) includes one or more anti-rotation members (504), said one or more anti-rotation members (504) enable predetermined alignment of any one of said sensor element (300) and said electrical component (301) with said one or more receiving portions (506).
, Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present subject matter relates to a vehicle frame assembly of a vehicle, more particularly but not exclusively to mounting of a support structure on the vehicle frame assembly.
BACKGROUND
[0002] A tilt angle sensor is provided in a vehicle as a safety measure for the passengers of the vehicle. The tilt angle sensor is a device installed in the vehicle for measuring the angle of lean and preventing the operation of the engine if the angle exceeds a pre-set value. This is particularly helpful in safeguarding the passengers of the vehicle in the event of an accident.
[0003] The tilt angle senor functioning is determined by the angle of lean, for which the placement of the location, orientation and the position of the sensor becomes vital. Besides, the mounting scheme needs to withstand the vehicle vibration, should be anti-theft and also free from dust, water and entry of foreign particles during its service or operation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] The detailed description is described with reference to an embodiment of a two wheeled saddle type motorcycle along with the accompanying figures. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like features and components.
[0005] Figure 1 depicts a front view of a two wheeled vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0006] Figure 2 depicts a perspective view of a frame structure of the two wheeled vehicles, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0007] Figure 3 depicts the perspective view of a portion of the pair of seat rails with one or more cross members.
[0008] Figure 4 illustrates a sectional view taken along K-K` axis as shown in the Figure 3, of the support structure in mounted condition, when mounted on the vehicle frame assembly.
[0009] Figure 5 illustrates the detail view of the support structure for tilt angle sensor and the electrical component.
[00010] Figure 6 shows the exploded view of the support structure and the associated components.
[00011] Figure 7a shows a top view of a sensor element.
[00012] Figure 7b illustrates a front view of the sensor element.
[00013] Figure.7c illustrates the working range and cut off range of the sensor when it reaches a predetermined angle on either side.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[00014] However, with an increase in the number of electrical components being installed in vehicles it is imperative not to add any extra cost in mounting these electrical components in the vehicle. Moreover, finding redundant space for mounting these parts in a vehicle is a difficult task considering cost addition in disturbing existing layout of all other parts in the vehicle.
[00015] In a known art, a mounting scheme for a sensor, particularly a lean/tilt angle sensor is provided. The lean angle sensor is mounted on an extension of the seat latch bracket. The disadvantage in this type of mounting is that in the event seat latch plate is damaged, functioning of the tilt angle sensor might be affected because of the change in the orientation angle.
[00016] Moreover, if the seat latch has to be serviced separately, the tilt angle sensor has to be disassembled. This increases service time of the vehicle. In addition, the tilt angle sensor is positioned in a vertical direction which tends to increase the seat height of the vehicle considering extended depth of the assembly due to coupler and mating wires. Therefore, there is a need for an improved mounting of a tilt angle sensor/lean angle sensor for a saddle type vehicle which overcomes all of the above problems and other problems of known art.
[00017] Thus, the invention discusses in detail an effective method of configuring the tilt angle sensor in a compact layout of a saddle type vehicle and in addition to provide secure mounting of the tilt angle sensor to realise the maximum operating performance.
[00018] With the above objectives in view, the prevent invention discloses a two wheeled vehicle with an efficient mounting scheme for the tilt angle sensor to help perform the desired functions. More specifically, said present subject provides a two-wheeled vehicle body structure offering a secured mounting of the tilt angle sensor and an increased safety to the passengers.
[00019] It is an object of the present invention to provide the two-wheeled vehicle with a tilt angle sensor mounting bracket located below the seat and configured in a lateral direction sandwiched between a support structure and a seat latch assembly thereby enabling a secure mounting configured between the seat latch assembly and the support structure on the vehicle frame assembly. The support structure is provided in a manner to support the mountings of the sensor element and an electrical component on either side of the support structure and also provided with an anti-rotation for secured mounting position to attain desired mounting of the tilt angle sensor and the electrical component, for example, the junction box in this case.
[00020] It is another aspect of the invention to provide a separate mounting of the tilt angle sensor from the seat latch assembly to overcome the aforementioned problems during the service of components. This helps in servicing seat latch components separately without the need to disturb other components mounted on the support structure. This additionally decreases overall vehicle service time.
[00021] It is another aspect of invention to configured the mounting of the sensor in a location wherein the sensor element can be assembled separately. This decreases vehicle assembly time by providing a mounting scheme for two or more electrical components simultaneously and thereby assembling the support structure and the electrical parts on to the vehicle frame assembly as a subassembly.
[00022] It is also an objective of the invention to orient the tilt angle sensor in a horizontal manner when the vehicle is viewed in a vehicle longitudinal direction, so that seat height of the vehicle is not increased.
[00023] In yet another aspect of the invention, the combined mounting of the tilt angle sensor and the junction box on the front and rear side of the support structure respectively, which helps to reduce the overall number of components required to assemble the various electrical components.
[00024] In another aspect, it is also an objective of the invention to secure the positioning of the tilt angle sensor and junction box in such a way so that it is protected from dust, wind and water entry.
[00025] In addition, a diagnostics kit provided functions as a troubleshooting device which facilitates serviceability of a vehicle.
[00026] Summary provided above explains the basic features of the invention and does not limit the scope of the invention. The nature and further characteristic features of the present invention will be made clearer from the following descriptions made with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[00027] The present subject matter disclosed herein relates to an improved vehicle frame assembly for the vehicle for providing a secured mounting of the aforementioned tilt angle sensor and integrating junction box underneath the seat assembly.
[00028] The vehicle frame assembly for the vehicle includes a head tube, a main tube extending rearwardly from the head tube, a pair of seat rails extending obliquely rearwardly to said main tube. The pair of seat rails are configured to support one or more cross members disposed between said pair of seat rails. Further, a seat latch assembly is mounted on any one of the one or more cross members.
[00029] Further, a support structure is attached to the one or more cross members of the vehicle frame assembly, the support structure includes a first support portion and a second support portion. The support structure is disposed in a space enclosed by a portion of a vehicle longitudinal axis, a first radial axis, and a second radial axis.
[00030] The support structure includes a first structure portion disposed in a first region and a second structure portion disposed in a second region, said first region is located between said first radial axis and a center axis of a rear wheel and said second region is located between said center axis and said second radial axis.
[00031] The first support portion is disposed in any one region of the first region and the second region. The second structure portion is disposed in another region of the first region and the second region.
[00032] The support structure includes a body portion sandwiched between said seat latch assembly and said one or more cross members.
[00033] The support structure is disposed at a center along said vehicle longitudinal axis. The center axis of said rear wheel passes vertically orthogonal to said support structure.
[00034] The first radial axis overlaps with a first radius of the rear wheel, said second radial axis overlaps with a second radius of the rear wheel.
[00035] The first support portion is extending orthogonally downward from a body portion of said support structure. The second support portion is extending inclinedly rearward from said body portion. The first support portion and said second support portion are disposed at opposite ends of said body portion.
[00036] The first support portion is configured to support a sensor element and the second support portion is configured to support an electrical component.
[00037] The first support portion includes one or more receiving portions configured to receive at least a portion of any one of said sensor element and said electrical component.
[00038] The second support portion includes a substantially horizontal surface, the horizontal surface extending towards vehicle rear from at least a portion of said second support portion. The horizontal surface configured to support at least one of the sensor element and the electrical component.
[00039] The support structure for the vehicle frame assembly of the vehicle includes a body portion, a first support portion and a second support portion. The first support portion and the second support portion each extend inclinedly downward from said body portion. The first support portion and the second support portion are disposed at opposite ends of the body portion.
[00040] In particular, the first support portion is extending orthogonally downward from said body portion of the support structure, said second support portion is extending inclinedly rearward from the body portion of the support structure.
[00041] The first support portion is configured to receive any one of the sensor element and the electrical component and the second support portion is configured to support any other of the sensor element and the electrical component.
[00042] The first support portion includes one or more receiving portions configured to receive at least a portion of any one of said sensor element and said electrical component.
[00043] The first support portion includes one or more anti-rotation members, said one or more anti-rotation members enable alignment of at least a portion of any one of said sensor element and said electrical component with said one or more receiving portions. The one or more anti-rotation members also provided anti-rotation to the sensor element and the electrical component. Such that, the sensor element and the electrical component are aligned along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle
[00044] The above and other features, aspects and advantages of the subject matter will be better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims and accompanying drawings.
[00045] Figure 1 depicts a front view of a two wheeled vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The vehicle (100) comprises a vehicle frame assembly (200) supporting a front wheel (105) and a rear wheel (106). The front wheel (105) and the rear wheel (106) are rotatably supported by front suspension assembly (108) and the rear suspension assembly (109), respectively. In one embodiment, the rear wheel (106) may be additionally supported by a swing arm (107). Further, the front wheel (105) is steerable by a handle bar (114) assembly, which is functionally connected to the front wheel (105) for manoeuvring the vehicle.
[00046] In the present embodiment, an engine (110) which is basically a power unit of the vehicle is mounted to a front lower portion of the frame structure by means of two or more engine mounting brackets. The engine (110) is connected to a muffler (not shown in figure) being part of an exhaust system (111), which is capable of attenuating noise and treating harmful exhaust gases before emitting the exhaust gases to the atmosphere. The muffler assembly extends rearwards to the right side of the rear wheel (106). The engine is coupled to a transmission system for transferring power to the rear wheel (106). Further, the swing arm (107) extending rearwards is swingably connected to a lower rear portion of the frame structure. A chain case (112) is attached to the swing arm (107) assembly and helps in covering a chain during vehicle functioning.
[0001] In a front portion of the vehicle, a fuel tank assembly (102) is arranged immediately behind the handlebar and is disposed over an internal combustion engine. The handle bar (114) assembly supports an instrument cluster, vehicle controls including throttle, clutch, or electrical switches. An upper portion of the front wheel (108) and the rear wheel (106) are covered by a fender assembly in order to prevent mud and water getting deflected towards the vehicle and entering the steering shaft or engine and an exhaust system.
[0002] Further, a seat assembly (104) is mounted to the vehicle frame assembly (200) and disposed rearward of the fuel tank assembly (102). The rider can operate the vehicle (100) in a seated position on the seat assembly (104). Further, to improve the overall aesthetics of the vehicle with plurality of panel covers (113) are provided mounted to the frame member and covering the frame member and/or parts of the vehicle (100). Also, the vehicle (100) may be provided with plurality of mechanical, electronic, and electromechanical system (not shown in figure) and may include an anti-lock braking system, a vehicle safety system, or an electronic control system.
[00047] Figure 2 depicts a perspective view of a frame structure of the two wheeled vehicles, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. In the depicted embodiment, the vehicle frame assembly (200) comprises a head tube (201) and a main tube (202) that extends rearwardly downward from the head tube (201), the main tube (202) further extends with a pair of seat rails (204) that extend inclinedly rearward towards a rear portion of the vehicle. The vehicle frame assembly (200) consisting of the head tube (201) at the front is supporting a steering shaft assembly. A down tube member (203) is extending downwards and rearwards from the head tube (201) towards a first engine mounting bracket (not shown) secured to a lower end of the down tube (206). A main tube member (202) extending rearwards and partially downwards towards a second engine mounting bracket (207). A bridge tube member (208) is supported between at least a portion of said down tube member (203) and at least a portion of said main tube member (202) wherein the bridge tube member (208) is disposed above a cylinder head of an internal combustion engine supported by said first engine mounting bracket (not shown) and second engine mounting bracket (207). Further a pair of upper tube member (204) left and right extend rearward from the said main tube member (202) and form a major support to a pair of seat rest mounting (209) bearing the loads of rider and pillion respectively. A pair of seat rails left and right connects the pair of seat rails (204) and the said second engine mounting bracket (207). One or more cross members (209) connect the pair of seat rails (204) left and right in a vehicle width direction. The above explanations of the frame structure in principle and not completely form the basis of supporting different parts of the said vehicle.
[00048] In an embodiment a support structure (302) is disposed in a space (abo) enclosed by a longitudinal axis portion (ab) of a vehicle longitudinal axis (XY), a first radial axis (oa), and a second radial axis (ob). The support structure (302) includes a first structure portion (302a) disposed in a first region (?1) and a second structure portion (302b) disposed in a second region (?2), said first region (?1) is located between said first radial axis (oa) and a center vertical axis (LM) of a rear wheel (106) and said second region (?2) is located between said center vertical axis (LM) and said second radial axis (ob). The angle ?1 and ?2 are approximately 30 degrees each.
[00049] The first radial axis (oa) overlaps with a first radius (op) of the rear wheel (106), the second radial axis (0b) overlaps with a second radius (oq) of the rear wheel (106).
[00050] Figure 3 depicts the perspective view of a portion of the pair of seat rails with one or more cross members. The support structure (302) is located at the center of the vehicle along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. The support structure (302) is provided such that it is sandwiched between the one or more cross members (209) which are welded to the pair of seat rails (204) from the bottom direction and the seat latch assembly (303) from the top direction of the vehicle and is mounted through a common fastening by fasteners (304) of the seat latch assembly (303). The support structure (302) is disposed in a space (abo) on the pair of seat rails (204), and the space (abo) is enclosed by a longitudinal axis portion (ab) of the vehicle longitudinal axis (XY), a first radial axis (oa), and a second radial axis (ob) passing through the rear wheel axis as shown in Figure 2. Further, the support structure (302) is configured such that the support structure (302) includes a first structure portion (302a) and a second structure portion (302b). The first structure portion (302a) is disposed in a first region (?1) and the second structure portion (302b) is disposed in a second region (?2). The first region (?1) is located between the first radial axis (oa) and a center vertical axis (LM) of the rear wheel (106) and the second region (?2) is located between the center vertical axis (LM) and the second radial axis (ob).
[00051] Further, the support structure (302) can be separately first sub assembled with the tilt angle sensor (300) and the electrical component (301) accompanying electrical wiring and then assembled to the vehicle which helps reduce the overall assembly time. The most important aspect of the invention is the positioning and the location of the support structure (302) as it does not interfere or disturb the seat assembly (104) as the seat latch assembly (303) can be separately accessed as and when required during vehicle service conditions.
[00052] Figure 4 illustrates a sectional view taken along K-K` axis as shown in the Figure 3, of the support structure in mounted condition, when mounted on the vehicle frame assembly. The support structure (302) occupying the narrow vertical space (d) is sandwiched between the seat latch assembly (403) and the one or more cross members (209). The support structure (302) does not require exclusive fastening mechanism since the combined mounting with the seat latch assembly (403) is configured. The narrow vertical space (d) utilized therein also ensures that the vertical height of the vehicle is not increased thereby solving the problem of increase in seat height or impacting ground reach. The support structure includes the second support portion (302b). As per an additional embodiment, the second support portion (302b) includes a side flange member (302 bx) to provide structural strength to the portion locally.
[00053] Figure 5 illustrates the detailed perspective view of the support structure for tilt angle sensor and the electrical component. The support structure (302) includes a body portion (502), a first support portion (302a) and a second support portion (302b), each extending inclinedly orthogonally from said body portion (502), the first support portion (302a) and the second support portion (302b) are disposed at opposite ends of said body portion (502). The first support portion (302a) is configured to extend orthogonally from the body portion (502) of the support structure (302), the second support portion (302b) is configured to extend inclinedly outward from the body portion (502). The first support portion (302a) is configured to receive any one of the sensor elements (300) and an electrical component (301). The second support portion (302b) is configured to support any other of the sensor element (300) and the electrical component (301). The first support portion (302a) includes one or more mounting holes (506).
[00054] The first support portion (302a) includes one or more receiving portions (506) configured to receive at least a portion of any one of said sensor element (300) and said electrical component (301). The first support portion (302a) includes one or more anti-rotation members (504), said one or more anti-rotation members (504) enable alignment of at least a portion of any one of said sensor element (300) and said electrical component (301) with said one or more receiving portions (506).
[00055] One or more weld nuts (507) are provided at each mounting locations welded through projection welds or tack welds which adds to the weld strength and also reduces the time during assembly.
[00056] Figure 6 shows the exploded perspective view of the support structure and the associated components. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the second support portion (302b) includes a substantially horizontal surface (508), the horizontal surface (508) is extending outwards from the body portion (502) and when assembled in the vehicle, the horizontal surface (508) is oriented towards vehicle rear from at least a portion of said second support portion (302b), the horizontal surface (508) is configured to support at least one of the sensor element (300) and the electrical component (301).
[00057] Figure 7a shows an exemplary top view of a sensor element. In the present embodiment, the tilt angle sensor (300) is positioned in a vertical position when viewed along the vehicle width direction for effective functioning of the said unit.
[00058] Figure 7b illustrates an exemplary front view of the sensor element. The tilt angle sensor (300) comprises of two mounting faces (701) for securing mounting, a housing unit (702) that constitutes a connector assembly (704) with a PCB circuit (703).
[00059] Figure 7c illustrates the working range and cut off range of the sensor when it reaches a predetermined angle on either side. The sensor element remains inactive until a predetermined angle is attained. After, the predetermined angle is attained, the sensor element (300) is activated and accordingly signals are sent for further processing. For this purpose, it is imperative to locate the sensor in a vertical position and along the central plane of the vehicle to accurately determine the angle of lean in either direction of turn.
[00060] 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 the light of above disclosure.

List of reference numerals:

100 Vehicle
200 vehicle frame assembly
102 Fuel tank
103 Headlamp
104 Seat assembly
105 Front wheel
106 Rear wheel
107 Swing arm
108 Front suspension
109 Rear suspension
110 Engine
111 Exhaust system
112 Chain case
113 Panel covers
114 Handle bar
201 head tube
202 Main tube
203 Down tube member
204 pair of seat rails
205 Side tube member
206 First engine mounting bracket
207 Second engine mounting bracket
208 Bridge tube member
209 one or more cross members
300 sensor element
301 Electrical component
302 support structure
303 Seat latch assembly
403 Seat latch assembly
d Utility space
502 body portion
302a first support portion
302b second support portion
504 Anti-rotation member
302bx Side flange member
506 Mounting hole
507 Weld nuts

702 Housing
703 Connector
704 PCB assembly