FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION (See section 10, rule 13)
1. Title of the invention: CHARGING PORTS FOR ELECTRIC TWO-WHEELED
VEHICLES
2. Applicant(s)
NAME NATIONALITY ADDRESS
ALPHAVECTOR INDIA PVT. LTD. Indian 3rd Floor, Swastik Super Market, Ashram Road, Ahmedabad, Gujarat-380009, India
3. Preamble to the description
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it
is to be performed.

TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present subject matter relates, in general, to charging ports, and,
particularly but not exclusively, to charging ports for electric two-wheeled vehicles, such as electric bicycles.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Charging ports are included in an electric two-wheeled vehicles in
order to enable charging of onboard batteries of the electric two-wheeled vehicles. Typically, a charging port is externally mounted on a two-wheeled vehicle, and a compatible connector of a charger is connected to a socket of the charging port whenever the battery is to be charged. Generally, a Direct Current (DC) 2.1 socket is used as a charging socket and a DC 2.1 connector is used as a charging connector.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0003] The features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter will be
better understood with regard to the following description and accompanying figures. The use of the same reference number in different figures indicates similar or identical features and components.
[0004] FIG. 1 illustrates a charging socket directly mounted on a frame of an
electric two-wheeled vehicle, as per existing art;
[0005] FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate different perspective views of a charging
port, in accordance with an implementation of the present subject matter;
[0006] FIG. 3 illustrates a front view and a side view of a charging socket for
charging of an electric two-wheeled vehicle, in accordance with an implementation of the present subject matter;

[0007] FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate different perspective views of a holding
member of a charging port, in accordance with an implementation of the present subject matter;
[0008] FIG. 5 illustrates a charging port in an assembled state of a charging
socket and a holding member, in accordance with an implementation of the present subject matter;
[0009] FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of a frame of an electric two wheeled
vehicle, in accordance with an implementation of the present subject matter; and
[0010] FIG. 7 illustrates an electric bicycle having a frame assembled with
the charging port of FIG. 5, in accordance with an implementation of the present subject matter.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0011] Generally, a charging socket is directly mounted on a frame of a two-
wheeled vehicle, such as an electric bicycle. The charging socket is received in a slot made in the frame of the electric bicycle. Upon receiving the charging socket in the slot, the charging socket is fastened to the frame. The charging socket may include a set of threads and a nut to fasten the charging socket onto the frame.
[0012] Usually, the frame includes tubes on which the slot is made to receive
the charging socket. The tubes may have a wall thickness of 1.5 to 2 millimeters (mm). When the charging socket is to be directly mounted on a tube of the frame, the wall thickness partially overlaps the set of threads reducing the number of threads on which the nut can be threaded. Such reduction in the number of threads to thread the nut onto the charging socket reduces the robustness of coupling between the charging socket and the frame.
[0013] The charging socket generally includes a flanged portion to abut the
charging socket against the frame. However, the flanged portion may further restrict movement of the charging socket in the slot. As the charging socket is directly mounted on the frame, the flanged portion may protrude out from the

frame. In absence of any additional protection, such protrusion may cause physical damaging of the charging socket by accidental engagement with a moving body, such as a body part of a user. Further, such protrusion may also make the charging socket susceptible to damages due to ingress of dust and water.
[0014] Generally, existing charging sockets are mounted on a lower portion
of the frame. For example, the charging socket is conventionally mounted near or onto a bottom bracket of the frame. FIG. 1 depicts a charging socket 100 directly mounted on a frame near a bottom bracket 102 of an electric two-wheeled vehicle (not shown), as per existing art. As the charging socket 100 is mounted near the bottom bracket 102, the charging socket 100 is susceptible to damage due to dust and water ingress, as the charging socket 100 is closer to ground.
[0015] In addition, as may be understood, such positioning of the charging
socket 100 may also cause hindrance accessing the charging socket 100 while trying to attach an external charging connector (not shown) to the charging socket 100 for charging the electric two-wheeled vehicle.
[0016] Thus, positioning of the charging socket at a lower portion of the
frame makes the charging socket susceptible to damage due to dust and water ingress. The dust and water ingress may be caused due to a gap in the coupling of the charging socket and the frame. The gap may be formed due to reasons, including but not limited to, manufacturing defects, accidental damages, unevenness in a tube of the frame on which the charging socket is mounted, and structural damages caused due to the protrusion of the charging socket as described above. Damaging due to water and dust ingress may include damage to electronic circuitry and components inside the charging socket as well as inside the charging connector when the charging connector is connected to the charging socket. Furthermore, in the conventional placement of the charging socket, the position of the charging socket cause hindrance in the accessibility to plug the charging connector to the charging socket.

[0017] Moreover, direct mounting of the charging socket onto the frame
requires cumbersome disengaging of the frame or the charging socket in case the charging socket need replacements.
[0018] The present subject matter describes a charging port to receive
charging connectors for charging batteries of an electric two-wheeled vehicle. A structure of the charging port facilitates placement of the charging port at a position which provide easy and unhindered access to the user for charging purposes. Further, such placement provides structural stability and robustness to the charging socket and to the coupling of the charging socket and the frame. In addition, such placement also prevents any damage to the charging socket, charging connector, and components of internal electronic circuitry by preventing water and dust ingress. Further, the present subject matter describes a charging port which allows easy replacement of the charging socket, in case required, without causing damage to the frame or other components of the internal electronic circuitry.
[0019] In an example implementation of the present subject matter, a
charging port is described. The charging port includes a charging socket and a holding member attachable to a frame of an electric two-wheeled vehicle. The holding member includes a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. In addition, the holding member includes a through-hole to receive the charging socket. In an example, a circumferential side of the charging socket passes via the through-hole to ensconce onto the first surface of the holding member. The charging port may be received by a complementary slot formed on one of a tube of the frame of the electric two-wheeled vehicle. For example, the charging port may be received on a portion of a tube which is closer to a handle of the electric two-wheeled vehicle.
[0020] In an example, the holding member includes a collar on the second
surface. The collar may be protruding outwards from a periphery of the through-hole. The collar may be received by the slot formed onto one of the tubes of the frame of the electric two-wheeled vehicle. The collar includes a mating surface

complementary to a surface of the slot, which provides a sealing arrangement between the charging port and the slot. Although, the collar as described here includes a mating surface complementary to the surface of the slot, it would be evident to a person skilled in the art that a collar having a different structure compatible to establish the sealing arrangement with the slot may be used for the purposes of the present subject matter.
[0021] The sealing arrangement of the collar and the slot prevent any
potential ingress of water or dust into the charging socket. Further, the structure of the charging port allows placement of the charging socket onto a tube in an upper portion of the frame, which further reduces susceptibility of ingress of water or dust, as the charging socket is placed at a substantial height from ground. Furthermore, placement of the charging port in an upper portion of the frame allows convenient and unhindered accessibility of the charging socket for charging the electric two-wheeled vehicle.
[0022] In addition, the mounting of the charging socket on the frame by
through the holding member and not directly onto the frame allows for easy and convenient replacement of the charging socket in case of damages due to wear and tear witnessed during the service life of the charging socket.
[0023] The description hereinafter describes the charging ports for electric
two-wheeled vehicles. The manner in which the charging ports for electric two-wheeled vehicles of the present subject matter shall be implemented has been explained in detail with respect to FIGS. 2A to 6. It should be noted that the description and figures merely illustrate the principles of the present subject matter.
[0024] FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate different perspective views of a charging
port 200, in accordance with an implementation of the present subject matter. As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the charging port 200 comprises a charging socket 202 and a holding member 204. The holding member 204 may be attachable to a frame of an electric two-wheeled vehicle (not shown). In an example, the charging socket 202 includes a body portion 206 having a first end 206-1 and a second end

206-2. Further, the holding member 204 includes a first surface 208 and a second surface (not shown). The holding member 204 also includes a through-hole 210 to receive the charging socket 202. For example, the holding member 204 is formed from materials including, but not limited to, plastic, a plastic composite, a polymer, a metal, and a metal alloy.
[0025] In an example, a circumferential side of the charging socket 202
passes via the through-hole 210 to ensconce onto the first surface 208 of the holding member 204. For example, the first end 206-1 of the charging socket 202 accommodates a charging outlet portion configured to receive an external charging connection (not shown) to charge a battery of the electric two-wheeled vehicle, connected to the charging socket 202. The external charging connection may be a 2.1 charging connector connected to a charger (not shown). Further, the second end 206-2 of the charging socket 202 accommodates a charging inlet portion configured to be connected, for example, via wires, to the battery. Thus, when the external charging connection is coupled with the charging socket 202, at the charging inlet portion, the battery may be charged.
[0026] FIG. 3 illustrates a front view and a side view of a charging socket
300 for charging of an electric two-wheeled vehicle (not shown). The charging socket 300 may be similar to the charging socket 200. In an example, the charging socket 300 may be a DC 2.1 socket. Although, DC 2.1 socket is shown here, any conventional socket may be used for the purposes of the present subject matter.
[0027] The charging socket 300 includes a body portion 302 having a first
end 302-1 and a second end 302-2 opposite to the first end 302-1. The charging socket 300 further includes a cavity 304 configured at the first end 302-1 to accommodate a charging outlet portion to engage with an external connector. For example, the cavity 304 may accommodate a pin 306 to engage with an external connector (not shown) for completing a charging circuit for charging of the electric two-wheeled vehicle.
[0028] In addition, the charging socket 300 further includes a flanged portion
308. The flanged portion 308 may extend outwards from the first end 302-1 to

abut the charging socket 300 with a first surface, such as the first surface 208 of a holding member, such as the holding member 204.
[0029] Further, the second end 302-2 of the body portion 302 includes a set
of threads 310 on which a coupling member 312 may be threaded to secure the charging socket 300 on a mounting surface, such as the frame of the electric two-wheeled vehicle. In an example, the coupling member 312 is a hexagonal nut.
[0030] FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate different perspective views of a holding
member 400 of a charging port, in accordance with an implementation of the present subject matter. In at least an embodiment, the holding member 400 may be similar to the holding member 204. The holding member 400 includes a first surface (not shown) and a second surface 402. The holding member 400 also includes a through-hole 404 to receive a charging socket, such as the charging socket 202 or 300.
[0031] In an example, the holding member 400 may include a collar 406 on
the second surface 402. The collar 406 may protrude outwards from a periphery of the through-hole 404. A slot (not shown) may be formed in a down tube of a frame of the electric two-wheeled vehicle and the collar 406 may be received in the down tube through the slot. In an example, the collar 406 includes a mating surface complementary to a surface of a slot provided in the frame such that the second surface 402 is flush mounted with the frame. In other words, the second surface 402 and a surface of the frame form a single smooth surface. In an example, a depth of the collar 406 is more than the depth of the slot provided on the frame, which ensures that the second surface 402 of the holding member 400 is flush with, and completely concealed within, the frame, specifically, with the down tube of the frame. Further, the slot is also configured to receive the charging socket 202 or 300.
[0032] In an example, the holding member 400 may include at least one
laterally extending flange, such as flanges 408 and 410. The at least one laterally extending flange 408, 410 may receive coupling mechanisms (not shown) to lock the holding member 400 to the frame. Examples of the coupling mechanisms may

include, but are not limited to, nuts, rivets, and screws. In addition, the laterally extending flanges 408, 410 may include slots to receive the coupling mechanisms so that the coupling mechanisms are completely flushed with the at least one laterally extending flange 408, 410 in an installed state.
[0033] FIG. 5 illustrates a charging port 500 in an assembled state of a
charging socket 502 and a holding member 504. The charging port 500 may be similar to the charging port 200. In an example, the charging socket 502 may include a cavity 506 at a first end 508. In an example embodiment, the charging socket 502 may include a sealing cap 510 to cover the cavity 506. The sealing cap 510 may seal off the charging socket 502 when not in use. Preferably, the sealing cap 510 may include a flat surface, to allow flushing of the sealing cap 510 with the frame when it is in a covered/locked position.
[0034] The charging port 500, with the holding member 504 including
laterally extending flanges and a through-hole, has a shape of a lightning bolt. The charging port 500 is given the shape of the lightning bolt to indicate battery charging terminal and create a visually aesthetic element in the cycle. A similar port can be designed for other electric vehicles depending on standard sockets and connectors being used for the respective electric vehicles. For example, for different charging socket 502, the structure of the holding member 504 of the charging port 500 may be designed or adapted such that the charging socket 502 may be flushed with the holding member 504.
[0035] FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of a frame 600 of an electric two-
wheeled vehicle. The electric two-wheeled vehicle may be an electric bicycle. The bicycle frame 600 includes a head tube 602, a top tube 604, a down tube 606, a seat tube 608, a bottom bracket 610, seat stays 612, chain stays 614, and drop-outs 616. The head tube 602 is generally provided to accommodate handle-bars (not shown) and a fork of the electric bicycle from a top end and for accommodating placement of a front wheel from a bottom end. The top tube 604 is coupled to the head tube 602 at one end and with the seat tube 608 and the seat stays 612 at another end. The seat tube 608 is coupled to the top tube 604 and the seat stays

612 at one end and with the down tube 606, and the chain stays 614 at another end by the bottom bracket 610. The chain stays 614 are connected with the down tube 606 and the seat tube 608 at one end by the bottom bracket 610. The drop-outs 616 are connected with the seat stays 612 at one end and with the chain stays 614 at another end.
[0036] FIG. 7 illustrates an electric bicycle 700 having a frame assembled
with the charging port 500 of FIG. 5, in accordance with an implementation of the present subject matter. The frame may be similar to the frame 600. The electric bicycle 700 includes a head tube 702, a top tube 704, a down tube 706 similar to the head tube 602, the top tube 604, and the down tube 606, as described with reference to FIG. 6. As depicted in FIG. 7, the charging port 500 is mounted on the down tube 706. However, it will be evident to a person skilled in the art, that the charging port 500 may be mounted on other suitable tubes, such as the head tube 702 and the top tube 704. In at least an embodiment, batteries (not shown) which power the electric bicycle 700 may be placed within one of the tubes of the frame. Wires (not shown) from the charging socket may run through the tubes of the frame to connect to the batteries which, in turn, power a motor connected to at least a wheel of the electric bicycle 700, as per requirement. Additionally, the battery may power lights (not shown), connections for which may be provided on a steering mechanism of the electric bicycle.
[0037] The arrangement for holding the charging socket provides protection
to the charging port against any physical damage, water ingress, and dust. The provision for mounting/fastening/coupling, on the flanges, allows a seamless assembly on to the frame. The position of mounting allows ease of access for operation and maintenance.
[0038] Therefore, the charging port of the present subject matter ensures a
robust, and stable mounting for a charging system, including the charging port, for electric two-wheeled vehicles. Further, the holding member ensures water-ingress-proof mounting for the charging system. Additionally, the charging port provides an ergonomic mounting for the charging system, in which the access to

the charging port is unhindered. More importantly, the charging port, as per the present subject matter, allows protection, to the charging socket and charging connector against any physical damage, water ingress, and dust. Further, positioning of the charging port as per the present subject matter puts the charging port near the head tube, of the frame, at an easily accessible height without any direct hindrance, which improves user convenience. Additionally, the charging port of the present subject matter, on account of its placement, design, and location, provides convenient replacement of the charging socket in case required. This aids in ease of removal, by the user, during troubleshooting.
[0039] While this detailed description has disclosed certain specific
embodiments for illustrative purposes, various modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art which do not constitute departures from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims, and it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the invention and not as a limitation.

We Claim:
1. A charging port (200, 500) for attaching to a frame (600) of an electric two-
wheeled vehicle (700), the charging port (200, 500) comprising:
a charging socket (202, 300, 502); and
a holding member (204, 400, 504) attachable to the frame (600), wherein the holding member (204, 400, 504) comprises:
a first surface (208) and a second surface (402) opposite to the first surface (208); and
a through-hole (210, 404) to receive the charging socket (202, 300, 502),
wherein a circumferential side of the charging socket (202, 300, 502) passes via the through-hole (210, 404) to ensconce onto the first surface (208) of the holding member (204, 400, 504).
2. The charging port (200, 500) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the charging socket
(202, 300, 502) comprises:
a body portion (206, 302) having a first end (206-1, 302-1) and a second end (206-2, 302-2) opposite to the first end (206-1, 302-1);
a cavity (304) configured at the first end (206-1, 302-1) to accommodate a charging outlet portion to engage with an external connector; and
a flanged portion (308) extending outwards from the first end (206-1, 302-1), the flanged portion (308) is to abut the charging socket (202, 300, 502) with the first surface (208) of the holding member (204, 400, 504).
3. The charging port (200, 500) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the second end
(206-2, 302-2) of the charging socket (202, 300, 502) comprises a set of threads
(310) to secure the charging socket (202, 300, 502) to the frame.

4. The charging port (200, 500) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the charging socket
(202, 300, 502) comprises a sealing cap (510) to cover the cavity (304) of the
charging socket (202, 300, 502).
5. The charging port (200, 500) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the holding member (204, 400, 504) comprises a collar (406) on the second surface (402), the collar (406) protrudes outward from a periphery of the through-hole (210, 404).
6. The charging port (200, 500) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the collar (406) includes a mating surface complementary to a surface of a slot provided in the frame such that the second surface (402) is flush mount with the frame.
7. The charging port (200, 500) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the holding member (204, 400, 504) comprises at least one laterally extending flange (408, 410) to lock the holding member (204, 400, 504) to the frame.
8. The charging port (200, 500) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the holding member (204, 400, 504) is formed of a plastic material, a plastic composite material, a polymer material, a metal, a metal alloy, or a combination thereof.
9. The charging port (200, 500) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the charging port (200, 500) has a shape of a lightning bolt.