DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present subject matter relates generally to two-wheeled vehicle and more particularly the two-wheeled vehicles with a low-slung power unit.

BACKGROUND
[0002] Generally, in a two-wheeled vehicle a frame assembly extends rearward from a head tube. The frame assembly acts as a skeleton and a structural member that supports the vehicle loads. Generally, the two-wheeled vehicles for commuter usage are broadly differentiated by the frame layout of the vehicles. Firstly, a vehicle with the frame assembly defining a step-through space is known. Such vehicles are generally referred to as scooter type vehicles. In scooter type vehicle, the power unit is swingably connected to the frame assembly. A storage box is disposed above the power unit. The storage box is accessible in an open condition of a seat. Secondly, a vehicle with a frame assembly having a layout capable of fixedly supporting the power unit provides a sleek design. Such vehicles are provided with a storage unit provided on lateral side of the vehicle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] The detailed description of the present subject matter is described with reference to the accompanying figures. Same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like features and components.
[0004] Fig. 1 (a) illustrates a left side view of an exemplary vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0005] Fig. 1 (b) depicts a left side view of the frame layout of the vehicle, in accordance with the embodiment of Fig. 1 (a).
[0006] Fig. 1 (c) depicts an isometric view of a portion of the vehicle comprising a storage unit, in accordance with the embodiment of Fig. 1 (a).
[0007] Fig. 1 (d) depicts a top view of the vehicle, in accordance with the embodiment as depicted in Fig. 1 (c).
[0008] Fig. 2 (a) depicts a left side view of a hybrid vehicle, in accordance with another embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0009] Fig. 2 (b) depicts a perspective left side view of the vehicle, in accordance with the embodiment of Fig. 2 (a).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[00010] Generally, in two-wheeled vehicles with step-through type frame assembly the power unit like internal combustion (IC) engine is swingably mounted to the frame assembly and the utility box is disposed above the power unit. Also, the utility box is disposed rearward to a step-through space and is enclosed by panels. The IC engine that generates power or torque through the combustion process & dissipates lot of heat. However, the IC engine requires proper cooling as at high temperatures the lubricating property of the lubricant or the parts is affected thereby resulting in higher friction. Also, operation of the IC engine at such high temperature would result in wear and tear of the parts. Adding to this, the IC engine being enclosed offers poor cooling thereby resulting in poor heat dissipation. Also, as the utility box is disposed above the power unit, the utility box gets heated up. The poor heat dissipation further results in heating of the components positioned in the utility box. Moreover, in case of a step-through type vehicle with a hybrid power unit, the presence of additional components like the electric motor further increases the load and inclusion of electrical motor and other interfacing components like additional transmission further increases the heating of the power unit. Therefore, the IC engine is subject to heating due to poor ventilation and requires forced air-cooling or liquid cooling for heat dissipation. However, inclusion of such additional cooling systems makes the engine bulkier at the same time increases number of parts of the vehicle. In addition, the vehicle also provides a bulky appearance, which is aesthetically not appealing.
[00011] Moreover, in vehicles with swinging type engine having a step-over type layout are also known. Such, vehicles requires the engine to be swingably connected and the engine is extends ding rearward towards a rear wheel of the vehicle. Such vehicles offer poor riding experience as the center of gravity of the vehicle towards rear putting higher load on the rear wheel. Therefore, the front wheel is experiencing less load compared to the rear wheel.
[00012] Besides, a naked step-through type vehicle, which is generally called as moped, provides a compact layout. The power unit, especially the engine, is mounted to the frame assembly and is positioned in a front portion of the vehicle. This provides cooling of the power unit as the engine is exposed to environment. However, the vehicle layout is such that there is no space for accommodation of a helmet. Moreover, in such a vehicle with a hybrid power unit, there is a limitation for storing batteries due to frame layout limitations. In such vehicles, a storage box mounted to lateral side of such vehicle is known. However, this affects the compact layout of the vehicle, as it increases the width of the vehicle causing inconvenience to a pillion rider. In such a vehicle, a secure utility space cannot be provided as that affects the layout of the vehicle. Moreover, mounting the batteries and routing of cables from the batteries to the power unit becomes complex.
[00013] Thus, there is a need for providing a vehicle with a frame layout that addresses the aforementioned and other problems in the prior art. The vehicle should be capable providing a storage space at the same time retaining compact layout.
[00014] Hence, the present subject matter provides a vehicle with a frame member. The frame member includes a primary tube extending rearwardly downward from the steering support tube and then inclinedly rearward towards a rear portion of the vehicle. The primary tube supports a low-slung power unit mounted to a lower most portion of the primary tube and said low-slung power unit is disposed below said primary tube. Further, a secondary tube extends substantially horizontally rearward from said steering support tube. The primary tube and said secondary tube define a storage space therebetween.
[00015] It is a feature that the vehicle provides a storage space defined between an auxiliary storage unit and the low-slung power unit therebetween, which are being supported by the frame member. It is a feature that a storage unit disposed at the storage space defined above a power unit experiences less heating as the low-slung power unit is substantially exposed to the atmosphere and the pass by wind directs the hot air rearwards of the low-slung power unit thereby cooling the power unit.
[00016] A low-slung power unit is slung to a lower most portion of the primary tube of the frame member and is disposed below the primary tube. A storage unit is secured to the frame member and when viewed from side, the storage unit is surrounded by the primary tube from the front, the low-slung power unit from the bottom, the primary tube from the rear, and the secondary tube from above.
[00017] Additional aspect being, the center of gravity (CG) of the vehicle, which is important to achieve good drivability and dynamics, is optimally maintained in the vehicle such that the power unit, the storage unit, and the auxiliary storage unit which can be a fuel tank are disposed substantially in a vertical line at the center of the vehicle. It is an advantage that the power train, which includes the power unit and/or transmission, which are disposed close to the CG of the vehicle. Further feature being, the power train is substantially exposed to flowing air thereby providing optimum performance.
[00018] It is a feature of the present subject matter that the frame member provides the storage defined by the primary tube and the secondary tube, therebetween.
[00019] It is a feature of the present subject matter that the storage space defined by the frame member is capable of accommodating a storage unit. It is an advantage that the storage unit is capable of accommodating a full-faced helmet.
[00020] It is an aspect of the present subject matter that a width of the storage unit is substantially lesser than or equal to the width of the vehicle. It is an advantage that the vehicle provides a compact layout.
[00021] It is a feature of the present subject matter that the low-slung power unit mounted to the primary tube is substantially exposed to atmosphere thereby providing natural cooling of the low-slung power unit. It is another advantage of the present subject matter that the need for external cooling can be eliminated.
[00022] It is another feature of the present subject matter that the storage unit provides a secure storage space and the storage unit is accessible from at least one lateral side of the vehicle.
[00023] It is yet another feature of the present subject matter that in case of a hybrid or electric low-slung power unit, the storage unit is capable of storing one or more auxiliary storage units/power sources. It is yet another advantage that the storage unit enables ease of access for replacement and also for charging.
[00024] It is another aspect of the present subject matter that the vehicle includes plurality of wheels with a diameter in the range of 380mm-500mm. Therefore, the vehicle is capable of providing ground clearance depending on type of application of the vehicle.
[00025] Moreover, the low-slung power unit is mounted to the primary tube and the storage unit is disposed above the primary tube and is supported by the primary tube thereby providing optimum routing and connection between the storage unit and the low-slung power unit. It is yet another advantage that the low-slung power unit and the storage unit are disposed at substantially lower portion of the vehicle, thereby maintaining center of gravity at a lower point, improving stability.
[00026] It is an additional aspect that the vehicle provides optimum cooling of the storage unit especially in case of batteries being mounted to the storage unit thereby improving performance of the vehicle.
[00027] It is an additional advantage that the frame layout provides the storage unit between the front wheel and the rear wheel thereby providing improved weight distribution.
[00028] In an embodiment, the storage unit has a lateral center that aligns with a lateral center of the vehicle thereby improving the balance especially in lateral direction.
[00029] In another embodiment, low-slung power unit includes at least one of an internal combustion engine or an electric motor.
[00030] In one another embodiment, the power train including the internal combustion engine having one or more axis viz. a crankshaft axis and a camshaft axis are disposed substantially close to an axle line joining the front wheel axle and rear wheel axle, when viewed from vehicle side. Similarly, the power unit including the electric motor, the electric motor includes one or more axis including a shaft axis of the motor and a transmission shaft axis. In both cases, at least one axis of the one or more axis is substantially in proximity to the axle line joining the front wheel axle and the rear wheel axle. Herein, the axle represents the center of the wheel. Thus, the at least one axis and corresponding component are substantially disposed at a height from the ground and the component along with the ancillary component is subject to cooling providing improved performance.
[00031] It is yet additional feature that the power unit is disposed ahead of a swing-arm axis and substantially below the storage unit. This ensures that the power unit is rigidly secured to the frame member and at the same time the CG of the system is in proximity to the center providing good drivability and vehicle dynamics /handling performance while still meeting high ground clearance requirements
[00032] These and other advantages of the present subject matter would be described in greater detail in conjunction with the figures in the following description.
[00033] In the following embodiment, the arrows provided in the top right corner of each figure depicts direction with respect to the vehicle, wherein a direction F denotes front direction, a direction R indicated rear direction, a direction UP denotes upward direction, a direction DW denotes downward direction, a direction RH denotes right side, and a direction LH denotes left side of the vehicle.
[00034] Fig. 1 (a) illustrates a left side view of an exemplary vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The vehicle 100 includes a frame member 200 that is a structural member and acts as a skeleton for the vehicle 100. A low-slung power unit 105 is mounted to the frame member 200. In the present embodiment, the low-slung power unit 105 includes an IC engine that is forwardly inclined. In another embodiment, the low-slung power unit 105 includes IC engine and an electric motor.
[00035] An auxiliary storage unit 110 is mounted to the frame member 200 and is disposed above the low-slung power unit 105. In the present embodiment, the auxiliary storage unit 110 is used as fuel tank 110. The fuel tank 110 is functionally connected to the engine assembly 105, for supplying fuel using conventional fuel hose. Hereinafter, the engine assembly and the low-slung power unit are interchangeably used. Further, a front wheel 115 is connected to a handle bar assembly 120 through one or more front suspension(s) 125 forming a steering assembly. The steering assembly is rotatably journaled through a steering support tube (shown in Fig. 1 (b)) of the frame member 200. Additionally, a front fender 130 covers at least a portion of the front wheel 115.
[00036] A rear wheel 135 is rotatably supported by a swing arm 132, which is swingably connected to the frame member 200. Power generated by the low-slung power unit 105 is transferred to the rear wheel 135 through a transmission system 140. In an embodiment, the transmission system 140 extends from the low-slung power unit 105 towards axle of the rear wheel 135. For example, the transmission system 140 includes a chain drive connected to an engine sprocket and a rear wheel sprocket, a continuously variable transmission, or an automatic transmission system, or the like. In the present embodiment, the swing arm 132 is hinged to the frame member 105 at a pivot point rearward of the low-slung power unit 105. A rear fender 150 covers at least a portion of the rear wheel 135. Further, one or more rear suspension(s) 150, which are connecting the swing arm 130 to the frame member 200, to sustain both the radial and axial forces occurring due to wheel reaction. A seat assembly 155 is disposed in an anterior portion of the auxiliary storage unit 110. The seat assembly 155 is mounted to the frame member 200. Further, the vehicle 100 includes a storage unit 300 mounted to the frame member 200 and is interposed disposed between the fuel tank 110 and the low-slung power unit 105.
[00037] Further, the engine assembly 105 includes an air intake system (not shown), an exhaust assembly (not shown), a starter system (not shown) etc. The starter system is powered by a small capacity battery (not shown), for cranking the engine 105. Further, the vehicle 100 includes various mechanical, electrical, and electronic components including a high capacity battery, a head lamp, a tail lamp, a vehicle control system, an anti-lock braking system, and a synchronous braking system (not shown) that provide improved and safe riding. The vehicle 100 also includes plurality of body panels 160 mounted to the frame member 200 covering at least a portion of the frame member 200 and other vehicular parts.
[00038] Fig. 1 (b) depicts a left side view of the vehicle 100 employed with the frame member 200, in accordance with the embodiment depicted in Fig. 1 (a). The frame member 200 comprises a steering support tube 205 disposed in anterior portion of the fuel tank 110. A secondary tube 210 extends rearward from a rear portion of the steering support tube 205. A bottom portion of the fuel tank 110 is provided with an inverted U-shaped profile, wherein the auxiliary storage unit 110 is abuttingly supported by the secondary tube 210. The secondary tube 210 extends towards a rear portion of the vehicle 100, supporting at least a portion of the seat assembly 155. The auxiliary storage unit 110 and the seat assembly 155 are adjacently disposed in the vehicle longitudinal direction F-R. Also, the frame member 200 includes a sub-frame 220 that includes one or more tubular members and the sub-frame member 220 extends rearward from a rear portion of the secondary tube 210 and/or the primary tube 215. In one embodiment, the sub-frame member 220 is integrated with the secondary tube 210. In another embodiment, the sub-frame 220 is integrated with the primary tube 215. The sub-frame member 220 is either welded or fastened to at least one of the secondary tube 210 and the primary tube 215.
[00039] The primary tube 215A, 215B of the frame member 200 is extending rearwardly downward from the steering support tube 205 and then extends inclinedly rearward. In one present embodiment, the primary tube 215 is a single tubular member. In another embodiment, more than one tubular member is provided. Furthermore, the frame member 200 includes plurality of cross members 225 that are distributively disposed in the longitudinal direction F-R of the vehicle, wherein the cross members 225 are extending in the lateral direction RH-LH of the vehicle 100. Further, the frame member 200 provides a storage space S, wherein the primary tube 215 and the secondary tube 210 of the frame member 200 define the storage space S therebetween. In one embodiment, the storage space S is capable of accommodating a storage unit 300 (as shown in Fig. 1 (c)) that is detachably attachable. Moreover, in one embodiment, the primary tube 215 includes a first portion 215A and a second portion 215B. The first portion 215A extends downward from the steering support tube 205 and the second portion 215B is substantially extending in a longitudinal direction R-R of the vehicle 100 and then extends inclinedly upwards. As depicted, the first portion is reinforced in order to support the weight of the low-slung power unit 105 and also the storage unit 300. The second portion is affixed to the first portion 215A by welding or by fastening. In another embodiment, the first portion 215A and the second portion 215B are integrally formed. Thus, the frame member 200 provides the advantage of improved utility space at the storage space S and with compact vehicle layout.
[00040] The primary tube 215 is provided with one or more mounting bracket(s) 230A, 230B that are disposed on a lower most portion of the primary tube 215 and the one or more bracket(s) 230A, 230B are extending downward Dw from the primary tube 215. The low-slung power unit 105 is mounted to the primary tube 215 and is disposed downward of the primary tube 215. In a preferred embodiment, the low-slung power unit 105 is mounted to the lower most portion of the primary tube 215. In another embodiment, the low-slung power unit 105 includes the IC engine, which is inclined type. Preferably, the IC engine 105 is forwardly inclined type, wherein the inclination is of the piston axis or the orientation of the cylinder portion (not shown). The IC engine 105 includes a crankcase that supports the cylinder portion, and the IC engine 105 is secured to the mounting brackets 230A, and 230B through the crankcase. Also, in one embodiment, the low-slung power unit 105 includes the IC engine and an electric motor that is mounted to the primary tube 215 and disposed adjacent to each other. For example, the electric motor is disposed rearward of the IC engine and is functionally couple to the IC engine and the rear wheel 135. Further, the low-slung power unit 105 is coupled to the rear wheel 135 (shown in Fig. 1 (b)) through the transmission system 140. The electric motor can be a traction motor which is brushless direct current motor (BLDC) or the like. In an embodiment, the frame member 200 is made of a rigid material and the rigid material includes any known metal or any fiber material that enables supporting the weight of the low-slung power unit 105, load disposed at the storage space S, and also vehicle component load.
[00041] Also, the frame member 200 is capable of accommodating the storage unit 300. The storage unit 300 disposed at the storage space S is secured to at least one of the secondary tube 210 and the primary tube 215. Additionally, the storage space S is surrounded by the primary tube 215 from the front, the low-slung power unit 205 from the bottom, the primary tube 215 from the rear, and the secondary tube 210 from the top, when viewed from vehicle side. Thus, the storage space S is secured by the frame member 200, which is rigid structural member. In one embodiment, the auxiliary storage unit 110 is disposed above the storage space S. Therefore, the storage space S is interposed between the auxiliary storage unit 110 and the low-slung power unit 105, in vertical direction Up-Dw. Also, the auxiliary storage unit 110 being used as a fuel tank storage can be optimally connected to the IC engine by routing the hoses securely through the frame member 200.
[00042] Fig. 1 (c) depicts a left side perspective view of the vehicle 100, in accordance with the embodiment of Fig. 1 (b). As the low-slung power unit 105 is mounted to the primary tube 215 through the mounting portions 230A, 230B (as shown in Fig. 1 (b)), the low-slung power unit 105 is positioned below the below the primary tube 215 and is exposed to the atmosphere whereby the low-slung power unit 105 is naturally cooled due to the wind passing by during operation of the vehicle. This reduces the temperature of the IC engine or the electric motor thereby enabling optimum performance. The need for forced cooling using air cooling system or liquid cooling system is eliminated making the vehicle layout optimum and the low-slung power unit compact. This brings down any additional weight that otherwise would be adding to the vehicle. Also, in an embodiment, the vehicle 100 is provided with wheel(s) having a diameter in the range of 380mm to 460mm thereby providing sufficient clearance between the low-slung power unit and the ground thereby securing the low-slung power unit from impacts from road conditions. Also, the clearance enables the low-slung power unit 105 to have sufficient air flow passing by.
[00043] The storage unit 300 disposed at the storage space S defines a storage volume capable of securely accommodating a full-face helmet. Correspondingly, the forward-rearward length, and the top-down length of the storage unit 300 is provided so as to accommodate a large size full-face helmet (not shown). Moreover, the storage unit 300 includes a lid 305 that is hinged to an edge portion of an opening (not shown) of the storage unit 300. A lock assembly 315 secures the lid 305 to the storage unit 300. Therefore, the lock assembly 315 provides only authorized access to articles disposed therein. Therefore, the present subject matter provides secure space for the user for carrying helmet or other belongings securely. At the same time, the vehicle layout provides effective low-slung power unit cooling and performance.
[00044] In an embodiment, the storage unit 300 is made of a rigid yet lightweight material. For example, the material includes any known polymer or fiber material. Therefore, the storage unit 300 is customizable depending on the user requirement. For example, the present subject matter provides the storage unit 300 that is utilized for storing a helmet. However, in another embodiment the shape of the storage unit is defined by the application therefor.
[00045] Fig. 1 (d) depicts a top view of the vehicle 100, in accordance with the embodiment as depicted in Fig. 1 (b). In the top view, the auxiliary storage unit 110 overlaps with at least a portion of the storage unit 300 and the low-slung power unit (not shown). Further, in the top view, an outer most peripheral surface portion of the storage unit OS in a lateral direction RH-LH is within an outer most peripheral portion of the vehicle OV. For example, in the present embodiment, the outer most peripheral surface of the storage unit OS is within the outer most peripheral surface of the fuel tank OV. In other words, the width of the storage unit W1 is less than the width of the vehicle W2, wherein the width W1 of the vehicle 100 in the present embodiment is considered to be the width W2 of the auxiliary storage unit 110. Also, the auxiliary storage unit 110 and the storage unit 300 overlap with at least a portion of the low-slung power unit 105, which is not depicted.
[00046] Therefore, the storage unit 300 is compactly disposed and does not affect the width of the vehicle 100. Additionally, the storage unit 300 and the low-slung power unit 105 are disposed between the front wheel 115 and the rear wheel 135, substantially at a longitudinal center of the vehicle 100 and in proximity to the center of gravity (CG) of the vehicle 100 providing optimum weight distribution between the wheels.
[00047] Fig. 2 (a) depicts a left side view of a hybrid vehicle, in accordance with another embodiment of the present subject matter. Fig. 2 (b) depicts a perspective left side view of the vehicle 101, in accordance with the embodiment of Fig. 2 (a). The vehicle 101 includes the frame member 200 (as shown in Fig. 1 (b)). A storage unit 301 is mounted to the frame member 200 of the vehicle. A low-slung power unit 105 is mounted to the lower most portion of the primary tube 215 (as shown in Fig. 1 (b)) of the frame member 200 and is disposed below the primary tube 215, wherein the low-slung power unit 105 includes an internal combustion that is forwardly inclined. Further, in the present embodiment, the vehicle 101 includes an electric motor 145 coupled to the rear wheel 135 and the electric motor 145 is part of the low-slung power unit 105 disposed below the storage unit 301. In a preferred implementation, the electric motor 145 is hub mounted to the rear wheel 135. The storage unit 301 is secured to the frame member 200. Moreover, in a side view, the storage unit 301 is securely surrounded by at least a portion of the frame member 200.
[00048] In the present embodiment, the storage unit 301 has a storage body 310 that defines a storage volume V (shown in Fig. 2 (b)). In other words, the storage unit 301 is disposed at the storage space S defined by the frame member 200 and the storage unit 301 is capable of providing a storage volume V. The storage unit 301 is provided with a lid 305 that is hinged to a peripheral edge of an opening through a hinge 305H provided on the storage body 310. The storage volume V is secured by a locking assembly (not shown) provided on the lid 305. In the present embodiment, the storage unit 301 is adapted to accommodate one or more electrical components like batteries/battery packs 165. Each battery pack includes plurality of cells that are electrically connected to each other providing a desired voltage. The batteries 165 act as high capacity power source of the vehicle 101 that drives the electric motor 145. The batteries 165 are functionally coupled to the electric motor 145. The term battery/batteries are exemplary, which also includes any auxiliary storage unit like fuel cell, hydrogen cell, or the like.
[00049] The lid 305 provided on the storage unit is openable through the hinge 305H provided in the front portion. Furthermore, the storage body 310 is provided with plurality of ridges 310R disposed along the surface of the storage body 310. In one embodiment, the ridges 310R extend in lateral direction RH-LH of the vehicle. The plurality of ridges 310R enables mounting batteries slidably into the storage unit 301. Therefore, the batteries 165 are lockingly mounted to the ridges 310R thereby securely mounting the batteries 165to the storage unit 301. The batteries 165 are electrically connected to the electronic motor 145, wherein electrical contacts are provided within the storage unit 301. In one another embodiment, a control unit (not shown) is provided to enable operation of the batteries 165 and the electric motor 145.
[00050] In yet another embodiment, any known locking mechanism can be used to securely mount the batteries to the storage unit.
[00051] In the depicted embodiment, as shown in Fig. 2 (a), the low-slung power unit 105 including the internal combustion engine is a crankshaft CS, which is extending in lateral direction RH-LH of the vehicle, and a camshaft (not shown). The crankshaft CS includes a crankshaft axis CS and the camshaft includes a camshaft axis (not shown) that extending along the respective shafts. At least one of the crankshaft axis and the camshaft axis are substantially close to an imaginary line IL passing through the front wheel-axle (not shown) and a rear wheel-axle (not shown), when viewed from side RH/LH of the vehicle 100. In a preferred embodiment, the aforementioned axis CS is within 50 millimeters range above or below the imaginary line IL thereby providing sufficient ground clearance. This enables the low-slung power unit 105 to be substantially exposed to flowing air AF during operation of the vehicle 100, wherein the flowing air AF passes by the mentioned axis thereby cooling the components disposed in the vicinity or close to the axis. This improves the performance of the vehicle 100. Herein, the crankshaft and the crankshaft axis are represented using same reference i.e. ‘CS’ as they are coinciding.
[00052] Moreover, as the storage unit 301 disposed rearward to the front wheel 115 and ahead of a swing arm axis 132A of the swing arm 132. During the vehicle running condition, the batteries mounted to the storage unit 301 are effectively cooled by the running air. Moreover, the storage unit 301 is provided with heat sinks and fins (not shown) to improve cooling of the batteries whereby the functioning of the batteries is improved. The heat sinks are provided on the outer surface of the storage unit 301and are thermally connected to batteries 165 and other electrical components disposed within the storage unit 301.
[00053] Also, according to the present embodiment the low-slung power unit 105 and the batteries 165, which are heavy systems of the vehicle 101, are positioned substantially at a mid-portion of the vehicle 101 to bring the center of gravity to the mid-portion and to a lower portion of the vehicle 101. This improves the vehicle 101 stability thereby improving drivability.
[00054] Additionally, the ease of mounting and removal of the batteries to the storage unit is improved. At the same time, the batteries are securely disposed.
[00055] In case of the vehicle 101 being hybrid, the auxiliary storage unit 110 supplies fuel to the IC engine and the batteries mounted to the storage unit 301 power the electric motor 145. Moreover, the vehicle 101 includes plurality of body panels 160 that are detachably disposed. Also, a charger (not shown) or a charging port 320 are accessible in detached condition or open condition of the body panel 160.
[00056] In the present embodiment, the body panel 160 is posterior to the storage unit 301 and below a front portion of the seat assembly 155. Therefore, the body panel 160 enclosing the charger port 320 is in proximity to the storage unit 301 that accommodates the batteries 165 thereby reducing length of wiring harness required for the electrical connection. This reduces the probability of short circuit and at the same time reduces cost. Thus, the charger port 320 is optimally disposed in proximity to the storage unit 301 with optimum wire routing. Further, user can access the charger port 320 without the need for opening seat of the vehicle.
[00057] 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. Therefore, within the scope of claims of the present subject matter, the present disclosure may be practiced other than as specifically described.
,CLAIMS:We claim:
1. A vehicle (100, 101) comprising:
a low-slung power unit (105) coupled to at least one wheel (115, 135) of said vehicle (100, 101); and
an auxiliary storage unit (110) functionally connected to the low-slung power unit (105), wherein
said auxiliary storage unit (110) fixedly mounted to a frame member (200) of said vehicle (100) is disposed vertically above said low-slug power unit (105) fixedly mounted to said frame member (200), and wherein a storage space (S) is defined between said auxiliary storage unit (110) said low-slung power unit (105).
2. The vehicle (100, 101) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said frame member (200) comprising a primary tube (215) and a secondary tube (210), said primary tube (215) extending rearwardly downward from a steering support tube (205) disposed in a front portion thereof and then inclinedly rearward towards a rear portion of the vehicle (100, 101), said primary tube (215) supports said low-slung power unit (105) mounted to a lower most portion of the primary tube (215) and disposed below said primary tube (215), and said secondary tube (210) extending substantially horizontally rearward from said steering support tube (205), and said primary tube (215) and said secondary tube (210) define said storage space (S) therebetween, and wherein said vehicle (100, 101) includes a storage unit (300, 301) disposed at said storage space (S) and is secured to at least one of said secondary tube (210) and said primary tube (215), and said storage unit (300, 301) when viewed from a side of said vehicle (100, 101) is surrounded by the primary tube (215) from the front, the low-slung power unit (105) from the bottom, the primary tube (215) from the rear, and the secondary tube (210) from above.
3. The vehicle (100, 101) as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said auxiliary storage unit (110) disposed above said storage space (S) is mounted to said secondary tube (210), said storage unit (300, 301) being sandwiched between said auxiliary storage unit (110) and said low-slung power unit (105), and wherein said storage unit (300, 301) overlaps with at least a portion of the low-slung power unit (105) and at least a portion of the auxiliary storage unit (110), when viewed from top of said vehicle (100, 101).
4. The vehicle (100, 101) as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said storage unit (300, 301) and said low-slung power unit (105) are disposed adjacently rearward to a front wheel of the vehicle (100, 101) and ahead of a swing arm axis (132A) of a swing arm (132) swingably connected to said frame member (200), and said storage unit (300, 301) and said low-slung power unit (105) are substantially exposed to atmosphere to enable cooling of said low-slung power unit (105) and cooling of one or more electrical components (165) disposed within said storage unit (300, 301).
5. The vehicle (100, 101) as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said storage unit (300, 301) disposed at storage space (S) is having a width (W2) substantially lesser than a width (W1) of the vehicle (100, 101), wherein an outer most peripheral portion (OS) of said storage unit (300, 301) in a lateral direction (RH-LH) is inward with respect to an outer most peripheral portion (OV) of the vehicle (100, 101).
6. The vehicle (100, 101) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said storage unit (300, 301) includes one or more lid(s) (305) being hinged thereof, and a storage volume (V) defined by said storage unit (300, 301) is accessible in at least one lateral side (RH, LH) of the storage unit (300, 301) by opening the lid(s) (305) either sideward, upward or downward direction, and wherein said storage volume (V) is defined to accommodate substantially a full-face helmet therein.
7. The vehicle (100, 101) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said low-slung power unit (105) includes an internal combustion engine that is forwardly inclined fixedly mounted to said primary tube (215) of said frame member (200), and wherein said vehicle (100, 101) includes plurality of wheels (115, 135) having a diameter in the range of 380 millimeters to 500 millimeters thereby providing sufficient ground clearance for the low-slung power unit (105), and wherein at least one of said low-slung power unit (105) and said electric motor (145) are having one or more axis (CS) extending in a lateral direction of the vehicle (100), and said one or more axis (CS) are disposed in proximity to an imaginary line (IL) passing a front-wheel axle of said front wheel (115) and a rear wheel-axle of said rear wheel (135).
8. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein said vehicle (100) includes an electric motor capable of driving said at least one wheel (115, 135) of said vehicle (100), wherein said electric motor is secured to said primary tube (215) and is disposed adjacent to said internal combustion engine forming part of said low-slung power unit (105) of said vehicle (100).
9. The vehicle (101) as claimed in claim 1 or claim 7, wherein said vehicle (101) includes an electric motor (145) hub mounted to at least one wheel (135) of said vehicle (100), wherein said internal combustion engine and said electric motor (145) are capable individually driving said at least one wheel (135).
10. The vehicle (100, 101) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said storage unit (300, 301) is capable of accommodating one or more battery pack(s) (165) detachably mountable or slidably mountable to said storage unit (300, 301), and wherein said vehicle (100, 101) includes a charger port (320) disposed in proximity to the storage unit (300, 301) thereby enabling optimum connection between the battery pack(s) (165) and said charger port (320), and wherein said charger port (320) is accessible in an open condition of at least a portion of a body panel (160) of said vehicle (100, 101).