DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present subject matter relates to a saddle type vehicle. More particularly, the present subject matter relates to a battery cooling structure for the saddle type vehicle.
BACKGROUND
[0002] In recent times there is an increased demand to control emissions from automobiles, in view of stringent emission norms. As a result, a number of hybrid and electric vehicles are seeing the light of the day in order to minimize the amount of emissions. Generally, existing hybrid vehicles configured to be powered either by an internal combustion engine or electric motor or both, are replacing normal engine powered vehicles. For example, driving on terrain or for long distances, an internal combustion engine can be used and for shorter distances electric propulsion system can be used. However, incorporation of both internal combustion engine and electric motor assembly in the hybrid two-wheeled vehicle makes the system bulky and more complex. Thus, electric vehicles have gained popularity in recent years as the potential replacement for internal combustion vehicles, since they promise zero emission from electric drive system, and a break away from oil dependency.
[0003] Typically, electric vehicles are powered using an electric drive system having the electric motor as a powering source, one or more batteries for powering the electric motor and a controller. Further, in order to increase the power performance and the traveling distance of the electric vehicle, one or more batteries are packaged within the internal space of the vehicle. However, the batteries generate heat when they are being operated, and thus they require system or device to control this generated heat to prevent overheating. Accordingly, some conventional vehicle-mounted batteries are provided with a cooling structure. For example, in an existing electric two-wheeled vehicle one or more batteries and a cooling fan are arranged in a limited space available on the vehicle. This causes a complicated arrangement of the cooling fan and said one or more batteries on the vehicle, thereby increasing the assembling time and hence number of the components on the vehicles. In typical saddle type vehicles, the cooling air is normally drawn from the wheel well area especially in motorcycle type vehicle & subsequently routed to required areas for cooling. In scooter type vehicles, it is drawn through venting mesh openings on the front bottom panel near the wheel well area. Such design need extra parts like mesh or mesh like structure which either increase the number of components of vehicle or make it difficult to manufacture. Also, the protection in form of suitable baffle or mesh in essential to avoid picking up direct mud, sand etc. which can severely damage the subsequent parts of the vehicle leading to failure & poor durability. Also, owing to such routed flow of wind, the effectiveness of cooling is compromised as the wind tends to lose its velocity at the wheel well region. Thus, there is a need to have an effective, simple to manufacture, foreign contamination protected air flow for cooling of critical components of a saddle type vehicle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like features and components.
[0005] Fig.1 is a side view of a saddle type two-wheeled vehicle, as per one embodiment of the present invention.
[0006] Fig.2 is a perspective view of the saddle type two-wheeled vehicle illustrating an air guide structure formed in a front portion thereof, as per one embodiment of the present invention.
[0007] Fig.3 & Fig.4 shows a perspective view of the front portion of the vehicle of Fig.1 illustrating one or more cooling structures formed on at least a portion of the vehicle, as per one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0008] The present invention provides an improved one or more cooling structures for one or more batteries on the vehicle. Particularly, as per one embodiment, the present invention discloses said one or more cooling structures formed in at least a portion of a vehicle body cover. In one embodiment, said one or more cooling structures are configured to guide surrounding air to said one or more batteries being disposed on the vehicle for cooling thereof.
[0009] The present invention relates, in general, to a battery cooling structure of a vehicle and, more particularly, to a technique of cooling said one or more batteries having a plurality of battery cells equipped in a vehicle, such as an electric vehicle. In one embodiment, said one or more cooling structures formed on at least a portion of the vehicle are capable of sufficiently cooling said one or more batteries and also of eliminating the possibility that the battery receives heat from its peripheral devices.
[00010] As per one embodiment, said saddle type two-wheeled vehicle comprises a frame structure including a head tube, an upper frame extending rearward from the head tube, a lower frame extending obliquely downwardly and comprises a floor frame adapted to support floorboard. In one embodiment, a vehicle body cover is configured for covering said frame structure. The vehicle body cover includes a front body cover covering a front portion of the vehicle and a rear body cover disposed behind the front body cover in the front portion of the vehicle. Referring to one embodiment, said front body cover includes a front covering member and a rear covering member. In one embodiment said front covering member is separated from the rear covering member through a gap portion. In one embodiment, said rear body cover includes a pair of left and right side covers and a top cover. In one embodiment, a pair of left and right lid members is formed in at least a portion of each of said pair of left and right side covers. In an embodiment, the pair of left and right cooling-medium channels are defined between rear covering member and said at least one of the pair of left and right side covers. In another embodiment, said pair of left and right lid members are pivotally attached to said at least a portion of said pair of left and right side covers. Further, as per one embodiment, said saddle type two-wheeled vehicle comprises said one or more batteries adapted for powering said electric motor for providing driving force to the vehicle. In one embodiment, said one or more batteries include at least one primary energy storage device packaged substantially below the floorboard and supported by the floor frame. Additionally, at least one secondary energy storage device arranged on said floorboard and supported by said pair of left and right lid members. In one embodiment, said one or more batteries are lithium ion batteries. Referring to one embodiment, said pair of left and right lid members is adapted for accessing said at least one secondary energy storage device of said one or more batteries disposed below said upper frame and arranged on said floor frame of the vehicle frame structure, during packaging and removal. The primary storage device can be a regular lead acid battery of the vehicle. In another embodiment, the battery disposed near to floor board can be the primary battery & the battery below the floor board can be the secondary battery. In addition, the battery or the primary battery or secondary batter used in the vehicle can be mounted at any other location that deem fit to the manufacturing and customer requirements.
[00011] Further, as per one embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle comprises said one or more cooling structures including an air guide structure formed in said front portion of the vehicle and a pair of left and right cooling-medium channels formed in said at least a portion of said rear covering member of said front body cover of the vehicle. Particularly, as per one embodiment, said air guide structure is formed in said front portion of said front covering member such that said front covering member is divided in an equal left and right front covering portions. In one embodiment, said air guide structure is configured for directing surrounding air towards said one or more batteries being disposed on said vehicle for providing cooling thereof. Further, in one embodiment, the pair of left and right cooling-medium channels are integrally formed on the lateral surface of each of said pair of left and right rear covering portions, respectively. In one embodiment, said pair of cooling medium channels are configured to direct cooling air being guided by said air guide structure to said one or more batteries being disposed on said floor board of the vehicle, thereby facilitating efficient cooling of said one or more batteries and thus enhanced battery performance. As per one embodiment, said pair of left and right lid members formed in at least a portion of each of said pair of left and right side covers for supporting at least one battery of said one or more batteries are configured to include a non-planar, contoured surface with one or more slits formed therein. As per one embodiment, said one or more slits are configured to direct said surrounding air travelling through each of said pair of left and right cooling-medium channels to said one or more batteries being packaged below said upper frame of said frame structure of the vehicle. In the present invention, the air guide structure defined by a front opening slit between the two lateral front panels is so disposed that it is in the direct frontal projected area of the aerodynamic path of the air flow thereby ensuring maximum velocity & highest volume of air flow for effective cooling. Additionally, the air can be routed to flow through the subsequent flow passages disposed downstream of the front panel members which enable effective separation of the mud, dust etc. contaminants without the use of dedicated mesh like structure or baffles & delivers the cooling air to critical components of the vehicle like energy storage device, electrical components and batteries. In one embodiment of the present invention, the air guide structure of cooling structure defined by the front opening slit, is disposed substantially upstream of the imaginary vertical line B-B’ passing through the front axis of the front wheel and located above the front wheel. Additionally, the cooling structure is disposed substantially in the vicinity of the mid plane of the vehicle in the longitudinal direction. In another embodiment, at least a part of the cooling structure opening is disposed upstream of the line B-B’.
[00012] Various other features and advantages of the invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers generally indicate identical, functionally similar, and/or structurally similar elements. The drawing in which an element first appears is indicated by the leftmost digit(s) in the corresponding reference number. With reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the same reference numerals will be used to identify the same or similar elements throughout the several views. It should be noted that the drawings should be viewed in the direction of orientation of the reference numerals.
[00013] It is to be noted that in the ensuing description, the present invention is usable in a saddle type vehicle exemplified in the form of a electric two-wheeled vehicle.
[00014] Further “front” and “rear”, and “left” and “right” referred to in the ensuing description of the illustrated embodiment refer to front and rear, and left and right directions as seen in a state of being seated on a seat of the two-wheeled vehicle. Furthermore, a longitudinal axis refers to a front to rear axis relative to the vehicle, while a lateral axis refers to a side to side, or left to right axis relative to the vehicle. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
[00015] With reference to Fig.1, a description is made of the electric two-wheeled vehicle (100) (hereinafter “vehicle”) in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, said vehicle (100) comprises the frame structure (116) extending from the front portion (F) to the rear portion (R) in a vehicle longitudinal direction (AA). In one embodiment, said frame structure (116) includes said head tube, said upper frame extending rearward from the head tube, said lower frame extending obliquely downwardly and comprises a floor frame adapted to support floorboard (117). In one embodiment, said vehicle body cover (101) is configured for covering said frame structure (116). The vehicle body cover (101) includes a front body cover (109) covering the front portion (F) of the vehicle (100) and the rear body cover (105) covering the rear portion of the front body cover (109) and is disposed behind the front body cover (109) in the front portion (F) of the vehicle (100). In the embodiments explained ahead, the left side of the vehicle and related embodiments are explained and shown, right side of the embodiments are symmetrical to the left side embodiments thus not described and shown.
[00016] Further in Fig.1, referring to one embodiment, said front body cover (109) includes the front covering member (102) and the rear covering member (110). In one embodiment, said rear body cover (105) includes said pair of left and right side covers (105L, not shown) (the right side cover is symmetrical to the left side cover and hence not shown) and the top cover (118). In one embodiment, said pair of left and right lid members (108L, not shown) is formed in at least a portion of each of said pair of left and right side covers (105L, not shown). In one embodiment, said pair of left and right lid members (108L, not shown) are pivotally attached to said at least a portion of said pair of left and right side covers (105L, not shown). Further, a seat assembly (113) is mounted to the upper frame in the rear portion (R) of the vehicle (100). The seat assembly (113) includes a rider seat (113a) and a pillion seat (113b). A utility box (not shown) is disposed below the seat assembly (113). A front fender (103) is disposed above a front wheel (104) and between left and right suspensions supporting the front wheel (104). A rear fender (114) is adapted for covering at least a portion of a rear wheel (115). One or more suspension(s)/shock absorbers (112) are provided in the rear portion of said vehicle (100) for comfortable ride. Further, said vehicle (100) comprises of plurality of electrical and electronic components including a headlight (107), a taillight, a transistor controlled ignition (TCI) unit (not shown), a starter motor (not shown) and the like. A touch screen LCD unit (not shown) is provided on a handle bar (106) to display various operating modes, power flow pattern and warning signals. Rear view mirrors are mounted on the right and left sides of the handle bar (106). In one embodiment, said vehicle (100) is also provided with hazard lamps (not shown). In one embodiment of the present invention, a front slit opening defining one of the one or more cooling structures (200, 300L) is disposed substantially upstream of the imaginary vertical line B-B’ passing through the front axis of the front wheel (104) and located above the front wheel (104). Additionally, the one or more cooling structures (200, 300L) are disposed substantially in the vicinity of the mid plane of the vehicle in the longitudinal direction. In another embodiment, at least a part of the one or more cooling structures (200, 300L) are disposed upstream of the line B-B’. Air flows through said cooling structures (200, 300L) and is guided towards the battery that results in significant temperature reduction of battery temperature, thereby improving the battery performance and life.
[00017] Fig.2 is a front view of the vehicle (100) illustrating the air guide structure (200) formed in at least a front portion (F) of the vehicle (100), as per one embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, the vehicle body cover (101) includes a front body cover (109) covering the front portion (F) of the vehicle (100). The front body cover (109) includes the front covering member (102). In one embodiment of the present invention, said air guide structure (200) is formed in said front portion (F) of said front covering member (102) such that said front covering member (102) is divided in an equal left and right front covering portions (102L, 102R). In one embodiment, said air guide structure (200) is configured for directing surrounding air to said one or more batteries being disposed on said vehicle (100) for providing cooling thereof.
[00018] Fig.3 & Fig.4 shows a perspective view of said front portion (F) of the vehicle (100) illustrating said one or more cooling structures (200, 300L) formed thereof, as per one embodiment. In one embodiment, said rear covering member (110) of said front body cover (102) of the vehicle (100) includes said pair of left and right rear covering portions (110L, not shown). As per one embodiment, the pair of left and right cooling-medium channels (300L, not shown) (right cooling-medium channel is symmetrical to left cooling medium channel and hence not shown) are integrally formed on the lateral surface of said pair of left and right rear covering portions (110L, not shown), respectively. In addition, the pair of left and right cooling-medium channels (300L, not shown) are defined between rear covering member (110) and at least one of the pair of left and right side covers (105L, not shown). More particularly, the left cooling-medium cannel (300L) is defined between the left side cover (105L) and left rear covering portions (110L) of rear covering member (110). Similarly, the right cooling-medium cannel (not shown) is defined between the right side cover (not shown) and right rear covering portions (not shown) of rear covering member (110).
[00019] In one embodiment, said pair of cooling medium channels (300L, not shown) are configured in shape to direct cooling air being guided by said air guide structure to said one or more batteries being disposed on said floor board (117) of the vehicle (100), thereby facilitating efficient cooling of said one or more batteries and thus enhanced battery performance. As per one embodiment, said pair of left and right members (108L, not shown) includes non-planar, contoured surface with one or more slits (119) formed therein. As per one embodiment, said one or more slits (119) are configured to direct said surrounding air travelling through each of said pair of left and right cooling-medium channels (300L, not shown) to said one or more batteries stored below said upper frame of said frame structure (116) of the vehicle (100). Said one or more slits (119) may include the slit (119) in the frame structure (116), one or more slits (119) in left or/and right lid members (108L, not shown), or one or more slits in any area surrounding the battery.
[00020] In one embodiment, said one or more cooling structures (200, 300L, not shown), includes the air guide structure (200) formed in said front portion (F) of said front covering member (102) such that said front covering member (102) is divided in an equal left and right front covering portions (102L, 102R) and said pair of left and right cooling -medium channels (300L, not shown) being integrally formed with said pair of left and right rear covering members (not shown, 105L) of said rear body cover (105) of the vehicle (105).
[00021] In one embodiment, the air guide structure (200) is disposed upstream of the imaginary line B-B’ passing vertically through the front axis of the front wheel (104). The air guide structure (200) defined by the front slit opening is located above the front wheel (104). In addition, the pair of left and right cooling -medium channels (300L, not shown) is disposed upstream of the imaginary line B-B’ above the front wheel (104).
[00022] In operation, during movement of the vehicle, air enters through one or more cooling structures (200, 300L) including the air guide structure (200) and the pair of left and right cooling-medium channels (300L, right not shown). Air entered through the air guide structure (200) circulates behind the front body cover (109) and then directed towards the rear body cover through the pair of left and right cooling-medium channels (300L, right not shown). The left and right cooling-medium channels (300L, right not shown) directs the air towards the one or more slits (119) provided on the pair of left and right side covers (105L, right not shown) of the rear body cover (105) to cool the battery provided within the vehicle.
[00023] Improvements and modifications may be incorporated herein without deviating from the scope of the invention.
,CLAIMS:We Claim:
1. A vehicle (100) comprising:
a front portion (F) and a rear portion (R);
a body cover (101) extending from the front portion (F) to the rear portion (R) along a vehicle longitudinal axis (AA), said body cover (101) comprising a front body cover (109) disposed in the front portion (F) of the vehicle (100) and a rear body cover (105) disposed behind the front body cover (109) in the front portion (F) of the vehicle (100), said front body cover (109) includes a front covering member (102) and a rear covering member (110); and
one or more cooling structures (200, 300L) formed in at least a portion of the vehicle body cover (101); said one or more cooling structures (200, 300L) are configured to direct air towards one or more batteries being packaged on at least a portion of the vehicle (100).
2. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said one or more cooling structures (200, 300L) includes an air guide structure (200) and a pair of left and right cooling-medium channels (300L, right not shown).

3. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said air guide structure (200) is formed in at least a portion of said front covering member (102) such that said front covering member (102) is divided in an equal left and right front covering portions (102L, 102R).

4. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pair of left and right cooling-medium channels (300L, right not shown) are integrally formed in at least a portion of said rear covering member (110) of said vehicle front body cover (101).

5. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said rear body cover (105) includes a pair of left and right side covers (105L, right not shown) comprising a pair of left and right lid members (108L, right not shown) being integrally formed with at least a portion thereof.

6. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 4 and claim 5, wherein the pair of left and right cooling-medium channels (300L, right not shown) are defined between rear covering member (110) and at least one of the pair of left and right side covers (105L, right not shown).

7. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein said pair of left and right members (108L, right not shown) includes non-planar, contoured surface with one or more slits (119).

8. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein said one or more slits (119) are configured to direct said surrounding air travelling through each of said pair of left and right cooling-medium channels (300L, right not shown) to said one or more batteries stored in the vehicle (100).

9. A vehicle (100) comprising:
a front portion (F) and a rear portion (R);
a body cover (101) extending from the front portion (F) to the rear portion (R) along a vehicle longitudinal axis (AA), said body cover (101) comprising a front body cover (109) disposed in the front portion (F) of the vehicle (100) and a rear body cover (105) disposed behind the front body cover (109) in the front portion (F) of the vehicle (100), said front body cover (109) includes a front covering member (102) and a rear covering member (110); and
one or more cooling structures (200, 300L) formed in at least a portion of the vehicle body cover (101); said one or more cooling structures (200, 300L) are configured to direct air towards one or more batteries being packaged on at least a portion of the vehicle (100), at least a part of the one or more cooling structures (200, 300L) is disposed upstream of an imaginary line B-B’ above the front wheel (104).
10. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the imaginary line B-B’ passes vertically through a front axis of a front wheel (104) of the vehicle (100).