FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a motorcycle and more particularly to a battery mounting position and structure thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As is well known, the extremely compact nature of a two-wheeled vehicle gives rise to a number of design problems. Further, scooters and mopeds more particularly step through type, generally comprises a backbone type frame. The frame comprises a steering head pipe that supports a front fork. The frame also comprises a main frame member that extends rearward from the steering head pipe. Further, the main frame member is generally formed of a single tubular element.

In such vehicles, the main frame member typically forms the primary frame structure. Brackets can be provided along an intermediate portion of the main frame member and an engine can be suspended from those brackets. The main frame member further supports a fuel tank, a utility box, and a floorboard.

In this type of arrangement mounting of auxiliary components like battery, becomes difficult, owing to space limitations and further to the typical design of the frame. In a conventional motorcycle, the battery is disposed in an inverted triangular space between members of the body frame below the seat. However, this construction is not possible in the above-described frame formed of single tubular structure.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, this invention is adapted to be embodied in a step through type two wheeled vehicle having a mono-tube, backbone type frame assembly comprising a main frame member extending from the head pipe, firstly, obliquely downwards, secondly, rearwards parallel to the ground defining first horizontal structure, thirdly, obliquely upwards, and finally, rearwards parallel to the ground defining second horizontal structure. A carrier is further secured to the second horizontal structure. In an embodiment of the present invention, a battery case is provided below the carrier supported by the second horizontal structure and the carrier.

Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a left side view of a step-through motorcycle embodying the present invention.

Figure 1A is left side view of the frame used in motorcycle illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 2 is an enlarged detail view of the battery mounting position as per the present invention.

Figure 3 is a detail view of the carrier used in the vehicle of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a view depicting the space available for mounting the battery.

Figure 5 is a detailed view of battery case.

Figure 6 depicts the battery mounting arrangement on the frame.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now in detail to the drawings and initially to FIG. 1, a motorcycle constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is depicted and is identified generally by the reference numeral 01. The motorcycle, as noted, has a frame assembly 02 that is comprised of a head pipe 03 and a main frame member 04 that is affixed to the head pipe 03 and extends rearward in a manner which will be described. At the rear end, a rear wheel 05 is secured to the body frame 02 through a swing arm 06 and a suspension member 07.

The head pipe 03 journals a front fork assembly 08 for steering movement about a generally vertically extending steering axis. A front wheel 09 is secured rotatably at the lower end of the front fork assembly 08 and a handlebar assembly 10 is affixed to the upper end of the front fork assembly 08 for steering of the front wheel 09 in a known manner. The front fork assembly 08 further include a suspension arrangement 11 for suspension travel of the front wheel relative to the frame assembly 02.

The main frame member 04 extends rearwards from the steering head pipe 03 firstly, obliquely downwards 04A, secondly, rearwards parallel to the ground defining first horizontal structure 04B, thirdly, obliquely upwards 04C, and finally, rearwards parallel to the ground defining second horizontal structure 04D, further said main frame member 04 is formed of a single tubular structure. A fuel tank 12 is mounted on the circumferential upper portion of the obliquely downwards-extended section 04A of the main frame member 04 and an engine 13 is suspended at an intermediate location of the first horizontal structure 04B such that it is extended towards right side of the vehicle and hence centre of gravity of engine CE falls on right side of the vehicle. Above the engine 13 a floorboard 14 is secured. A utility box 16 is provided on the circumferential upper portion of the obliquely upwards-extended section 04C of the main frame member 04. Towards the rear side, on the second horizontal structure 04D of main frame member 04 a carrier 15 is secured having a substantially rectangular structure comprised of right longitudinal member 15A and a left longitudinal member 15B extending rearward parallel to the ground.

The rectangular structure is formed of a single member forming a loop wherein the rear transverse portion 15C of the loop is adapted to be used as a pillion support. The carrier 15 can be secured to the main frame member 04 in any suitable manner. In the illustrated configuration, the carrier is bolted to the second horizontal structure 04D of the main frame member 04. The longitudinal members 15A, 15B are preferably spaced from each other in the transverse (i.e., vehicle width) direction having plurality of cross members 17 secured between them. The cross members 17 are provided with grooves (one such groove indicated by reference numeral 18) for bolting the seat 19. Downward projecting side rails 20, 21 secured to the longitudinal members 15A, 15B forming a closed loop with the longitudinal members are provided on both the sides. The space S available between the second horizontal structure 04D and the side rails 20,21 are utilized for mounting a power unit (hereinafter battery) case 22. The battery case 22, for mounting battery, is comprised of case body, having an integrally moulded first mounting member 22A and second mounting member 22B respectively diagonally opposite to each other. Battery case 22 for supporting battery is detachably secured to body frame between the second horizontal structure 04D of the main frame member 04D and one of the said side rails 20, 21. In an embodiment the battery case 22 is secured on the left side of the vehicle by the first bracket 24 provided on the second horizontal structure 04D of the main frame member 04 and the second bracket 25 provided on the left side rail 20. The first 24 and second bracket 25 has grooves 26 for bolting. The battery case is secured by fastening first mounting member 22A to first bracket 24 and fastening second mounting member 22B to the second bracket 25. A case cover and be provided to close the battery case 22. As battery case 22 mounting is ensuring location of said battery on left side of the vehicle thus centre of gravity of the battery PC will fall on left side of vehicle and hence nullify centre of gravity of engine EC so that vehicle balance can be maintained.

Further, since battery is mounted inside battery case 22, it may easily be removed and replaced. It is protected against damage from rain and/or mud by being enclosed in case.

Battery 27 is installed by mounting it in battery case 22, pulling up battery case from below the carrier 15, fastening first mounting member 22A of case to the fitting of first bracket 24 and fastening second mounting member 22B of case to second bracket 25. Battery is removed by reversing these operations. In an embodiment the battery can simply be removed by removing the cover of battery case 22.

Further, the battery can also be placed on the right side of the vehicle 01 depending upon the design parameters of the vehicle, in the present embodiment the battery is placed on the left side of vehicle so as to offset the imbalance caused by the engine 13 that extends more on the right side of the vehicle 01.

However, it should be understood that the foregoing description is that of a preferred embodiment of the invention and that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1) A motorcycle comprising:

a) a steering head pipe;

b) a main frame member extending obliquely downwards followed by a parallel rearward extension defining first horizontal structure further extending in obliquely upwards direction followed by a parallel rearward extension defining second horizontal structure;

c) a support member secured on the second horizontal structure configured to hold a power storage unit case by means of a plurality of bracket;

wherein, the plurality of bracket comprising a first mounting bracket connected to the second horizontal member and a second mounting bracket connected to the support member such that the power storage unit is secured on the second horizontal structure by first mounting bracket and on the support structure by second mounting bracket; and

d) an engine secured below first horizontal member of the main frame member such that centre of gravity of the engine and centre of gravity of the power storage unit nullify each other.

2) The motorcycle, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the main frame is tubular in structure.

3) The motorcycle, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the power storage unit case is secured on rear left side of the vehicle such that centre of gravity of the power storage unit falls on rear left side of the vehicle.

4) The motorcycle, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the engine is secured below the horizontal member of the main frame and extended towards the front right side of the vehicle such that centre of gravity of the engine falls on front right side of the vehicle.