Battery mounting structure

Field of invention

The subject matter described herein, relates to a "Battery mounting structure" and more particularly relates to battery mounting structure provided in a three-wheeler.

Background of the invention

Generally, three wheeler passenger carriers with relatively small wheel diameters are provided with a single wheel, in the front portion placed ahead of a metallic cowl. The cowl is further extended upwards and is provided with a large opening to fit a transparent glass for driver's visibility. A flat platform is provided just above the centre of the wheel, connecting the bottommost portion of the front cowl and the rear end of the said platform connecting the passenger seat support structure. The passenger seat mounting structure attaches with the extended body structure of the three-wheeler to cover the remaining two wheels on top and partially on sides and extends beyond the rear end of the wheel substantially. The extended body structure is almost a cube extended longitudinally with bottom portion completely open. The extended structure is a U shaped metallic sheet structure with open end of the U joined with a step like structure joining two sidewalls to form a longitudinally extended cube. The engine of the three-wheeler is mounted on the rear side of the vehicle body.

In order to mount the engine on the rear side of the vehicle frame, two transverse cross members are connected end to end, transversely to two main cross members laterally.

Two connecting cross members are placed so as to connect the said transverse cross members. The two connecting cross members are placed at equal distances from the main cross members. Four vertical members are attached to a rectangular tray like structure vertically downwards and are connected to the said two transverse cross members. The said tray like structure is used to hold the battery in position. A reversed hat section member is attached to the first transverse cross member. A bracket is attached to the said reverse hat section member provided with a opening to accommodate the front mounting portion of the engine. The aforementioned construction for mounting the battery involves welding several parts leading to an increase in the part count and loss of productivity. The above construction also leads to too many weld joints and subsequent distortions to frame. Further, the serviceability of engine becomes poor owing to increased number of parts and further mounting of battery.

Summary of the invention

In order to address the abovementioned problems associated with the present design the present invention relates to an improved frame structure for a three wheeled vehicle where the engine is mounted on the rear side of the said frame and in order to mount the engine, a L shaped tube is connected to a first transverse cross member at one end and to a second transverse cross tube on the other end. The said first and second transverse cross members are connected end to end, transversely to two main cross members.

Two inverted U shaped brackets are placed on the horizontal arm of the L shaped tube. The inverted U shaped brackets are placed apart to form a rectangle with longer side of rectangle lying transversely. The width of the inverted U shaped brackets spaced apart on the L shaped tube is more or less equal to the size of the battery.

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present subject matter will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 depicts a typical three-wheeler passenger vehicle.

Figure 2 depicts a three-wheeler frame embodying the present invention.

Figure 3 depicts a detailed view of the inventive arrangement for mounting battery and the front part of the engine in the three-wheeler frame illustrated in figure 2 when viewed from the top.

Figure 4 depicts the frame member as per an embodiment of the invention, for accommodating the battery and supporting the front part of the engine as viewed form the side.

Detailed description of the invention

To address the aforementioned needs, the present invention involves integration of the battery and the engine mounting structure.

As described herein, a three-wheeler referred by reference numeral 01 can be divided into two major portions, the front portion F and the rear portion R. The front portion F comprises of the steering 02, front wheel 03 with necessary brakes, front suspension, and the driver seat 04. The rear/tail portion R comprises of passengers seat 05, engine cabin compartment 06 and rear wheels 07 with suspensions 08.

The present invention involves a frame structure 09 for a three-wheeler 01 comprising a head pipe 10, a main frame member 11 extending firstly, obliquely downwards from the head pipe secondly rearwards parallel to the ground accompanied by a left 12 and a right side rail 13 on both sides of the main frame member 11 transversely spaced from main frame member 11 extending firstly, rearwards parallel to the main frame member defining the front structure F of the vehicle, secondly extends upwards and finally, rearwards parallel to the ground defining rear structure R of the vehicle. The side rails 12,13 are joined to the main frame member 11 through a plurality of cross members 14.

A support member 15 connected between, the first cross member 16 positioned at an intermediate location of the front structure F joining the left side rail 12, main frame member 11 and the right side rail 13 in the transverse direction, and a second cross member 17 positioned at an intermediate location of the rear horizontal structure R joining the left side rail 12 and the right side rail 13 in the transverse direction, is provided along the length of the vehicle 01 wherein, said support member 15 provides a means for supporting battery and a bracket for supporting the front part of the engine.

The said support member 15 firstly, rises obliquely upwards from the second cross member and subsequently extends horizontally and finally upwards to the third cross member forming a substantially L-shaped structure. The horizontal portion of the support member provides a means for supporting battery comprising two transverse inverted-U shaped brackets 18 and 19, spaced from each other having extended peripheral boundaries 20 at the corners so as to accommodate the battery. The said inverted-U shape bracket facing the rear side 19 of the vehicle 01 also provides a bracket 21 for supporting the front part of the engine.

In an embodiment of the present invention the first transverse cross member 16 is a tube that is used for mounting the swing arm pivot brackets. Thus, integration of the battery and engine mounting structure results in lowering of part count.

Although the subject matter has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, other embodiments are possible. As such, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred embodiment contained therein.

Claims

What is claimed is;

1. A frame for a three-wheeled vehicle defining a front structure of the vehicle
and a rear structure of the vehicle at higher elevation compared to the front
structure with respect to ground comprising.

a first cross member positioned at an intermediate location of the said front structure joining the transverse ends of the front structure of the frame,

a second cross member positioned at an intermediate location of the rear structure joining the transverse ends of the rear structure of the frame, a support member connected between the first cross member and the second cross member along the length of the vehicle wherein, said support member provides a means for supporting battery and a bracket for supporting the front part of the engine.

2. The frame for a three-wheeled vehicle as claimed in claim 1 wherein, the said support member is substantially L-shaped.

3. The frame for a three-wheeled vehicle as claimed in claim 1 wherein, the said means for supporting the battery comprises two transverse brackets spaced from each other having extended peripheral boundaries at the corners so as to accommodate the battery.