DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present subject matter relates to a saddle type vehicle. More particularly, the present subject matter relates to a cooling structure for an electric motor of the saddle type vehicle.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Typically, two-wheeled and three wheeled saddle type vehicles are provided with an electric motor which supplies driving force to a rear wheel of the vehicle, and the same is detachably secured on a rear portion of the vehicle Typically, the electric motor comprises of one or more mounting portions formed integrally therein and is configured to be removably mounted on at least a portion of a swing arm of the vehicle through a mounting boss. The electric motor comprises a rotatable output shaft and a drive member at a distal end of the output shaft. Further, the drive member is operatively connected to a driven member which in turn is connected to a rear wheel of the vehicle. The drive assembly for the vehicle thus comprises transmission members for power transmission from the electric motor to said rear wheel. Typically, a lot of heat is generated during the operation of the electric motor, which may lead to overheating of parts around the electric motor. Therefore, there is a need for a system or device to control the generated heat and to prevent overheating.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] 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.
[0004] Fig.1 illustrates a side view of a saddle type two-wheeled vehicle in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
[0005] Fig.2 illustrates a perspective view of a rear portion of the vehicle depicting a cooling structure for an electric motor of said vehicle in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
[0006] Fig.3 illustrates a right side view of a rear portion of the vehicle depicting a cooling structure for an electric motor of said vehicle in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0007] A saddle type vehicle exemplified herein is a two-wheeled vehicle comprising a frame structure including a head tube, an upper frame extending rearwardly from the head tube, a lower frame extending obliquely downwardly and comprising 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 covering a rear 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 one embodiment, said pair of left and right lid members is 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 vehicle comprises one or more batteries adapted for powering an electric motor for providing driving force to the vehicle. In one embodiment, said electric motor disposed on a rear portion of the vehicle is configured for transferring drive force to said rear wheel through a transmission assembly. In one embodiment, said transmission assembly comprises a transmission cover and a drive member including a belt and chain. In one embodiment, one or more components of the transmission assembly is mounted on the transmission cover of the transmission assembly. As per another aspect of the present invention, the transmission cover itself forms a structural member so as to be able to be swingably connected to the vehicle frame structure & as well as mount the traction motor on the transmission cover. As per one embodiment of the present invention, a swing arm structure is pivotally mounted to at least a portion of the vehicle upper frame. As per one embodiment, an electric motor is detachably secured to said swing arm structure. The swing arm structure includes a left arm and a right arm interconnected by a cross member. In one embodiment, transmission cover of said transmission assembly is detachably attached to said left arm of said swing arm structure. In one embodiment, said electric motor is disposed on said swing arm structure such that a left portion of said motor is detachably secured to said transmission cover and a right portion thereof is detachably secured to said right arm of said swing arm through one or more mounting brackets. Particularly in one embodiment, said right portion of the electric motor is secured by a cover member. Further, in one embodiment, a crash guard structure is detachably secured below said electric motor to protect said motor from splash of water, mud and rain water.
[0008] Referring to one embodiment, said rear body cover covers the rear portion of the vehicle including a floor frame which constitutes the floorboard. As per one embodiment, said floorboard comprises of a pair of left and right floorboard portions. As per one embodiment, said vehicle comprises one or more cooling structures including at least one primary cooling structure and at least one secondary cooling structure. In one embodiment, said at least one primary cooling structure comprises a pair of left and right cooling-medium channels being integrally formed in at least a portion of the lateral surface of said pair of left and right side portions of floorboard respectively. As per one embodiment, said at least one secondary cooling structure of said one or more cooling structures includes one or more slits formed in the cover member of said electric motor. As per one embodiment, said pair of left and right cooling-medium channels are configured to direct surrounding cool air towards said electric motor being disposed on said rear portion of the vehicle for cooling thereof. Referring to one embodiment, the cover member of the electric motor which is disposed on a right side thereof comprises a non-planar contoured surface configured for including one or more slits. In one embodiment, said slits are configured for directing surrounding air guided by said pair of left and right cooling-medium channels towards said electric motor.
[0009] 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.
[00010] It is to be noted that in the ensuing description, the present invention is used in a saddle type vehicle exemplified in the form of a electric two-wheeled vehicle. However, the present application is also applicable to other saddle type two-wheeled and three-wheeled vehicles where an elctric motor is used.
[00011] 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 saddle type two-wheeled vehicle. Furthermore, a longitudinal axis refers to a front to rear axis relative to said vehicle, while a lateral axis refers to a side to side, or left to right axis relative to said 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.
[00012] With reference to Fig.1, an exemplary description is made for a saddle type vehicle (100) (hereinafter “vehicle”), specifically for an electric two-wheeled saddle type vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, said vehicle (100) comprises a frame structure (119) extending from a front portion (F) to rear portion (R) of the vehicle in a vehicle longitudinal direction (A-A). Said frame structure (119) includes a head tube (not shown), an upper frame (not shown) extending rearwardly from the head tube, a lower frame extending obliquely downwardly and comprising a floor frame adapted to support a floorboard (117). Further, said vehicle includes a vehicle body cover (101) which is adapted for covering said frame structure (119). The vehicle body cover (101) includes a front body cover (109) covering the front portion of frame structure and a rear body cover (105) covering at least a portion of the lower frame.
[00013] Particularly, as per an embodiment said front body cover (109) includes a front covering member (102) and a rear covering member (110). In one embodiment, said rear body cover (105) includes a pair of left and right side covers (105L), (105R) (the right side cover is symmetrical to the left side cover and hence not shown) and the top cover (118). Particularly, each side cover of said pair of left and right side covers (105L), (105R) is respectively provided with a lid member each (108L), (108R). In one embodiment, each lid member (108L), (108R) is pivotally attached to said at least a portion of said pair of left and right side covers (105L), (105R). 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). The rear wheel (115) is driven by an electric motor (not shown) which is connected to a transmission assembly having a transmission cover (112). In the present embodiment, the transmission cover (112) itself forms a structural member so as to be able to be swingably connected to the vehicle frame structure & as well as mount the traction motor (200) on the transmission cover (112).
[00014] Further, said vehicle (100) is provided with a rear suspension system (210) for comfortable ride. Said vehicle (100) also comprises of plurality of electrical and electronic components including a headlight (107), a taillight (not shown), 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).
[00015] As per one embodiment, said electric motor (200) (shown in Fig.2) is disposed in a rear portion of the vehicle (100) and is adapted to transfer drive force to the rear wheel (115) through a transmission assembly housed in a transmission cover (112). In the present embodiment, said transmission assembly comprises a drive member (not shown) including a belt or a chain. Further, other components of the transmission assembly are also housed within the transmission cover (112). Particularly, the transmission cover (112) is supported on at least a portion of a swing arm structure (116), especially on one side of said structure (116). As per an aspect of the present invention, said swing arm structure (116) is pivotally mounted to at least a portion of the lower frame.
[00016] Further, as per one embodiment, the electric motor (200) is detachably secured to a portion of said swing arm structure (116). As per an aspect of the present invention, said swing arm structure (116) includes a left arm (not shown) and a right arm (not shown) interconnected by a cross member (not shown). In one embodiment, said left arm of said swing arm is detachably attached to said transmission cover (112). In the present embodiment, while the electric motor (200) is detachably attached to a right side portion of said swing arm structure (116) using one or more mounting brackets, the transmission cover (112) is detachably attached to a left side portion of said swing arm structure (116).
[00017] Fig.2 & Fig.3 illustrate a rear portion of the vehicle (100) depicting the structure of said electric motor (200) for said vehicle (100). As may be seen, said electric motor (200) is disposed upstream of the rear wheel (115) & substantially below the rear suspension (210) of the vehicle. Further, as per an aspect of the present invention, the electric motor (200) which is a traction motor has cooling medium & flow channel conduits (not shown) formed in a region (500) of the electric motor (200) which is disposed substantially above the motor body and below the rear suspension (210) of the vehicle. As per an aspect of the present invention, a primary cooling structure (300) having at least one cooling channel including left and right cooling medium channels (300L, 300R) is oriented so as to direct the cooling air towards said cooling conduits in region (500) as shown by the arrows in Fig.3, to enable maximum effective cooling for the electric motor (200). Particularly, as per an aspect of the present invention, said at least one cooling medium channel (300R) of said primary cooling structure (300) is formed in the floorboard (117) and is disposed therein in a manner such that it is held to be at the same level as that of said cooling conduits formed in the region (500) of the electric motor when viewed from the side of said vehicle. The floorboard (117) as described herein is constituted by the floor frame and comprises of a pair of left and right floorboard portions (117L, 117R) disposed on either sides of a main frame portion of said vehicle, the floor frame extending below a rear body cover (105) of the vehicle (100). More particularly, while a right cooling medium channel (300R) of the left and right cooling medium channels (300R, 300L) is formed on a right floorboard portion (117R) of the pair of left and right floorboard portions (117L, 117R). The layout of the vehicle is such that the electric motor (200) is disposed substantially at the same height of a side cover (117s) of the floorboard or at least partially overlaps a top and bottom edge of the side cover (117s) of the floorboard when viewed from a side view of said vehicle. This ensures that the electric motor (200) is partially covered by the side cover (200), thereby preventing mud and water entry into the motor.
[00018] In order to enhance cooling of the electric motor (200) and as may be in Figs 2 & 3, said vehicle is provided with at least one secondary cooling structure (200a). As per an embodiment of the present invention, said secondary cooling structure (200a) is formed in a cover member (202) of the electric motor (200). Particularly, according to one embodiment, the cover member (202) which is disposed on a right side of the electric motor comprises a non-planar contoured surface configured for including one or more slits (200b). In one embodiment, said one or more slits (200b) allow cooling air directed by said cooling channels (300R), towards a central portion of said electric motor (200), and thereby contribute to enhanced cooling of the electric motor (200). In the present embodiment, the electric motor (200) is also provided with a crash guard structure (201) which is detachably secured to a lower portion of said electric motor (200).
[00019] Thus said one or more cooling structures (400) provided in said vehicle including said at least one primary cooling structure (300) and said at least one secondary cooling structure (200a) aid in reducing the amount of heat generated by the electric motor (200). While the primary cooling structure (300) including said pair of left and right cooling-medium channels (300L), (300R) formed in lateral surface of said pair of left and right floorboard portions (117R), (117L), respectively aid in directing cooling air towards a region (500) of the electric motor; the secondary cooling structure (200a) aids in allowing cooling air to pass through a central portion of the electric motor (200), thereby ensuring complete cooling of the area around the electric motor (200).
[00020] Improvements and modifications may be incorporated herein without deviating from the scope of the invention.
,CLAIMS:1. A cooling structure (400) for an electric motor (200) of a saddle type vehicle (100), said saddle type vehicle (100) comprising:
a frame structure (119) including a head tube, a lower frame extending obliquely downwardly and comprising a floor frame, and an upper frame extending rearwardly from the head tube;
a rear body cover (105) covering at least a portion of lower frame;
a floorboard (117) constituted by said floor frame and disposed below at least a portion of said rear body cover (105);
an electric motor (200) disposed in the proximity of the floorboard (117) and configured to power said vehicle (100);
said cooling structure (400) is comprised of at least one primary cooling structure (300) formed in a portion of the floorboard (117) and at least one secondary cooling structure (200a) formed in a cover member (202) of said electric motor (200); said primary (300) and said secondary (200a) cooling structures directing air towards the electric motor (200) and regions surrounding the electric motor (200).
2. The cooling structure (400) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said primary cooling structure (300) comprises a pair of left and right cooling-medium channels (300R, 300L).
3. The cooling structure (400) as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said pair of left and right cooling-medium channels (300R, 300L) are integrally formed in at least a portion of lateral surface of pair of left and right floorboard portions (117L, 117R) of the floorboard (117).
4. The cooling structure as claim in claim 1, wherein said primary cooling structure (300) is formed in the floorboard (117) and is disposed therein in a manner such that it is held to be at the same level as that of said cooling conduits formed in the region (500) of the electric motor (200) when viewed from the side of said vehicle (100).
5. The cooling structure (400) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said electric motor (200) has medium & flow channel conduits formed in a region (500) of said motor (200) which is disposed substantially above a motor body and below a rear suspension (210) of said vehicle.
6. The cooling structure (400) as claimed in claim 4, wherein said pair of left and right cooling-medium channels (300R, 300L) are formed to be in line with said medium & flow channel conduits formed in a region (500).
7. The cooling structure (400) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said secondary cooling structure (200a) is formed in a cover member (202) of said electric motor (200).
8. The cooling structure (400) as claimed in claim 4, wherein said secondary cooling structure (200a) comprises one or more slits (200b).
9. The cooling structure (400) as claimed in claim 5, wherein said one or more slits (200b) is formed in a non-planar contoured surface of a cover member (202) of said electric motor (200).
10. The cooling structure (400) as claimed in claim 2 or claim 5, wherein cooling air flows from said left and right cooling-medium channels (300R, 300L) to said medium & flow channel conduits formed in said region (500) of the electric motor (200).
11. The cooling structure (400) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said electric motor (200) is detachably attached to a swing arm structure (116) of said vehicle, said swing arm structure (116) supporting a transmission cover (112) on one side.
12. The cooling structure (400) as claimed in claim 10, wherein said electric motor (200) is detachably attached to a right arm of said swing arm structure (116).
13. The cooling structure (400) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said electric motor (200) is disposed at same height as that of a side cover (117s) of the floorboard (117).
14. The cooling structure (400) as claimed in claim 13, wherein said electric motor (200) at least partially overlaps a top and bottom edge of the side cover (117s) of the floorboard (117) when viewed from a side view of said vehicle.