DESC:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention is related to a chassis for a 2-wheeler, in particularly a modular light weight space frame chassis design and sheet metal body panel construction forming a monocoque chassis for an electric two-wheeler like a Moped.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Generally, the chassis frame structure of two wheelers especially Mopeds are constructed using tubular sections (pipes) with multiple bends welded in place by any of the preferred welding process. The tubular chassis frame defines the final vehicle shape and accommodates multiple functional parts like engine, drive assembly etc., and further provides provision for mounting different panel sections forming the external skin which covers the internal parts and improves the aesthetics of the vehicle.
[0003] However, the said tubular chassis design has several drawbacks when applied for an electric two-wheeler, especially an electric moped which has to offer better strength to weight ratio, better safety and ease of manufacturing. The design draw backs can range from lack of proper protection for the critical functional components like motors, electronic drive, batteries and other electronic control units from ingress, to mechanical abuse or damage and theft. In additions to this the tubular chassis will need multiple additional body panel parts either made out of sheet metal or plastic parts to cover the functional parts and provide aesthetics for the vehicles. The additional panel leads to increase manufacturing cost and assembly effort.
[0004] Further sheet metal monocoque chassis design has been in use predominantly in three wheelers & 4 wheelers. Hence there is a need to develop a light weight sheet space frame monocoque chassis for an electric moped, which can address some to the limitations in the existing two-wheeler chassis design.

OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The primary object of the present invention is to provide a light weight chassis design by combining space frame & monocoque chassis design elements which is light weight, structurally strong and efficient.
[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide a light weight chassis which functions both as structural and aesthetic part of the vehicle.
[0007] One another object of the present invention is to provide a light weight chassis design with multiple internal compartments to house the critical functional parts like battery, drive electronics and powertrain safely.
[0008] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a light weigh chassis with less parts and easy to manufacture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] Accordingly, in at least one embodiment, the present invention is related to a chassis of a two-wheeler, in particular a chassis of an electric moped comprising of a sheet mental space frame skeleton combined with sheet metal body panels, to form a monocoque chassis which can provide structural strength, internal space for mounting various critical components and add aesthetic definition to the vehicle.
[0010] In another embodiment, the said space frame skeleton encompasses a front fork mount joined with two longitudinal sheet metal elements and multiple sheet metal cross members to form a single structure which supports entire vehicle load and facilitate mounting of front fork assembly, Powertrain and rear shock absorbers. Accordingly, in another embodiment the space frame skeleton with battery compartments and sheet metal body panel are joined to the skeleton through any of the preferred joining process to form a single space frame monocoque chassis. Alternatively, in yet another embodiment the chassis is constructed from formed sheet metal parts or stamped Sheet metal elements or composite material or any such relevant material and manufacturing process, the chassis elements are bonded together by any of the welding or bolting or gluing or any suitable bonding process to form a light weight structurally strong.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The invention will now be described in relation to the accompanying drawings in which
[0012] Figure 1 illustrates - Isometric view of combined space frame skeleton & Body panels leading to formation of a space frame monocoque chassis;
[0013] Figure 2 illustrates - Isometric exploded view of chassis with space frame skeleton & body panels in accordance with one embodiment of present invention;
[0014] Figures 3 illustrates - Isometric view of space frame skeleton illustrating different construction elements; and
[0015] Figure 4 illustrates - Isometric view of an electric moped assembly with space frame monocoque chassis in accordance to another embodiment of present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0016] One embodiment of the present invention of an electric moped chassis [100] as shown in Figure 1 is comprised of a formed sheet metal skeleton [101] and body panels [102] [103] held in position through any of the preferred metal joining process to make a light weight space frame monocoque chassis [100].
[0017] The exploded view as shown in Figure 2 illustrates different components of the said chassis [100].
[0018] Figure 3 illustrates an embodiment of the moped chassis [100] comprising of the sheet metal skeleton [101] with a first longitudinal members [1] and second longitudinal member [2] joined by multiple cross members such as steering pivot support [3], midsection support [4], main battery mount plate [5], rear suspension mount support [6], powertrain pivot mount plate [11], first battery mounting box [12] and second battery mounting box [13] to form the basic skeleton structure. The steering pivot mount [10] is welded to the skeleton with pivot bottom support [7], pivot top support [9] and the gusset plate [8] to facilitate proper mounting of the steering fork. The seat hinge mount [16] is welded to the second battery box [13] and the seat lock [15] mounted to the rear end of the skeleton [101] facilitate the assembly and locking of the seat. The side metal bracket [17] welded to the sheet metal skeleton [10] for accommodating side mount.
[0019] In another embodiment of the present invention as shown in Figure 4 the space frame skeleton [101] is combined with the first body panel [102] and second body panel [103] to form a space frame monocoque chassis which not only acts as structural part to with various static and dynamic load of the vehicle, but also as a functional member with multiple internal compartments to house and protect functional components like batteries, drive electronics, electrical powertrain parts.
[0020] In one another embodiment of the present invention as shown in the Figure [5] the monocoque chassis forms both functional and an aesthetic part of the said electric moped [200].
[0021] Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments and examples thereof, other embodiments and equivalents are possible. Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with functional and procedural details, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in terms of the procedural steps within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms. Thus, various modifications are possible of the presently disclosed system and process without deviating from the intended scope and spirit of the present invention.
,CLAIMS:We Claim:

1. An electric moped chassis comprising of ;
A sheet metal skeleton frame with steering pivot mount and sheet metal body panels joined to form a space frame monocoque chassis to accommodate steering fork assembly, a first and second battery compartment to accommodate batteries and a side bracket for side mount assembly.

2. The sheet metal skeleton frame as claimed in claim 1, where in the pivot mount is held between the first longitudinal member and the second longitudinal member, with at least one cross member connecting all of them.
3. The body panels as claimed in claim 1, comprising of the first body panel and second body panel are non-detachable and forms integral part of the spaceframe monocoque chassis.
4. The skeleton frame as claimed in claim 2, where in the construction of the frame is through joining of formed sheet metal longitudinal and transfer members to form one structural member.
5. The skeleton frame as claimed in claim 2, has at least one cross member support to mount the seat assembly.
6. The skeleton frame as claimed in claim 2, has at least one cross member support to mount rear suspension system.
7. The skeleton frame as claimed in claim 2, has at least one cross members at the rear section to support the second battery box.
8. The skeleton frame as claimed in claim 2, has at least one cross member, one vertical member and two support member to connect the steering pivot to the skeleton frame.
9. The body panels as claimed in claim 3, where in the body panels are symmetric and has at least one cutout each at the bottom of the mid-section and top of the rear section to facilitate accommodation of battery, drive electronics and the powertrain.
10. The chassis as claimed in claim 1, where the unique construction of joining the skeleton frame and body panels offers better structural strength, ingress protection and aesthetics for the vehicle.