FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an electric vehicle and more particularly,
to a frame assembly of the electric vehicle.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Electric Vehicles such as electric motorcycles, electric scooters, and
electric trikes etc., comprise a power generating motor (electric motor) to drive a wheel of the vehicle, and a transmission to transmit the driving force generated by the power generating motor to drive the wheel. The power generating motor may be arranged in different configurations within the vehicle according to requirements and limitations. Electric vehicles also comprise a plurality of batteries to power the power generating motor. These batteries may be stored anywhere within the vehicle layout. In electric vehicles such as electric scooters or scooter-type electric motorcycles, the batteries are stored underneath the seat.
[0003] The batteries take up much of the space available within vehicle lay out
and not much space is available for a storage box for storing articles such as tools, articles etc. It may so happen that storage space within the storage box is insufficient to store a helmet therein within, which is very much a requirement in the modern scooter type vehicles. One solution for this is to widen the width of the vehicle so as to accommodate storage box of increased storage capacity. However, widening the width of the vehicle is not always desired for design reasons. Therefore, an objective of the invention is to provide electric vehicle having desired vehicle width and yet having sufficient storage space.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0004] In one aspect of the present invention a vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes a body frame; a front ground engaging member; a rear ground engaging member; an article storage unit; an energy storage system disposed on a base plate member, wherein each of the energy storage system and the article storage unit being supported on the body frame, a power generating motor adapted to provide driving force required to drive the rear ground engaging member; a swing arm pivotally coupled to the body frame, and adapted to hold the power generating motor. The swing arm and the body frame are coupled such that the energy storage system disposed between articulations points "A." The articulations points "A" are located at a height greater than a height of the base plate member from the ground (G).
[0005] This arrangement on the vehicle facilitates that the energy storage system is at a lower position as compared to conventional electric vehicles, thereby facilitating the mounting of the article storage unit having a higher storage capacity as compared to conventional vehicles, also this aid in better stability of the vehicle as the center of gravity is maintained lower.
[0006] In an embodiment, the energy storage system comprises a plurality of energy storage units (200a, 200b), and a casing unit (300) configured to receive, and store each of the plurality of energy storage units (200), the energy storage system (150) also comprises a battery holding portion (129).
[0007] In an embodiment, the battery holding portion includes a front portion and a floor portion.
[0008] In an embodiment, the front portion restricts the movement of the energy storage system towards the front portion of the vehicle, and the floor portion comprises at least one holding member and a base plate member.
[0009] In an embodiment, the base plate member of the battery holding portion is disposed below the articulation point "A" at which the swing arm pivotally couples to the body frame.
[00010] In an embodiment, the base plate member is a plate shaped member extending substantially in the longitudinal front-rear direction of the vehicle supporting the energy storage system.
[00011] In an embodiment, the front portion comprises a first member and a second member.
[00012] In an embodiment, the first member is a horizontal metallic member extending between the left seat rail and the right seat rail.
[00013] In an embodiment, the second member is a vertical metallic member extending between the first member and the first cross member.
[00014] In an embodiment, the body frame further comprises swing arm attachment brackets disposed on the left seat rail and the right seat rail.
[00015] In an embodiment, the body frame (106) comprises a head tube (122), a down frame (124), a first cross member (126), a second cross member (127), a third cross member (123), a left seat rail (128), a right seat rail (130), a battery holding portion (129), and at least one swing arm attachment bracket (172), the down frame (124) extends in a rearward and downward direction from the head tube (122), the down frame (124) extends between the head tube (122) and the first cross member (126), the steering mechanism (113) is pivotally supported on the body frame (106).
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[00016] The invention itself, together with further features and attended advantages, will become apparent from consideration of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. One or more embodiments of the present invention are now described, by way of example only wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:
[00017] Figure 1 illustrates a side view of an exemplary vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[00018] Figure 2 illustrates a top view of the vehicle having a body frame, a battery storage unit and a storage box, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[00019] Figure 3 illustrates a side view of the vehicle having the body frame and the battery storage unit, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[00020] Figures 4, 5 and 6 illustrates different views of the body frame of the vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[00021] The drawings referred to in this description are not to be understood as being drawn to scale except if specifically noted, and such drawings are only exemplary in nature.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[00022] While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, an embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described here below. It should be understood, however that it is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative falling within the spirit and the scope of the invention.
[00023] The term "comprises", comprising, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a setup, structure or method that comprises a list of components or steps does not include only those components or steps but may include other components or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or structure or method. In other words, one or more elements in a system or apparatus proceeded by "comprises... a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or apparatus.
[00024] For better understanding of this invention, reference would now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the accompanying Figures and description here below, further, in the following Figures, the same reference numerals are used to identify the same components in various views.

[00025] While the present invention is illustrated in the context of a vehicle, however, electric vehicle and aspects and features thereof can be used with other type of vehicles as well. The terms "vehicle", "two-wheeled vehicle", "electric vehicle", "EV" and "motorcycle" have been interchangeably used throughout the description. The term "vehicle" comprises vehicles such as motorcycles, scooters, bicycles, mopeds, trikes, and the like.
[00026] The terms "front / forward", "rear / rearward / back / backward", "up /
upper / top", "down / lower / lower ward / downward, bottom", "left / leftward", "right / rightward" used therein represents the directions as seen from a vehicle driver sitting astride and these directions are referred by arrows Fr, Rr, U, Lr, L, R in the drawing Figures.
[00027] Referring to Figure 1, a two wheeled vehicle (100) according to an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed. In the illustrated example, the two wheeled vehicle (100) embodies an electric scooter type vehicle. Alternatively, the two wheeled vehicle (100) may embody a scooter type electric motorcycle, without limiting the scope of the invention.
[00028] The two wheeled vehicle (100) [herein after interchangeably referred to as vehicle (100)] comprises a front end structure (102), a floor board (134), and a rear end structure (104). The front end structure (102) comprises a steering mechanism (113), a leg shield (108), a front ground engaging member (110), a dash assembly (116), a head lamp unit (118), and a plurality of winkers (not shown). The steering mechanism (113) comprises a handle bar (114). The handle bar (114) is configured to be rotated by the rider to steer the vehicle (100). The steering mechanism (113) comprises a plurality of front forks (136) disposed at the front portion of the vehicle (100). The steering mechanism (113) is operatively coupled to the front ground engaging member (110) via the plurality of front forks (136).
[00029] In the illustrated example, the dash assembly (116) is provided on the steering mechanism (113). The dash assembly (116) comprises a display unit (not

shown). The display unit displays information relating to the vehicle (100) to the rider. The dash assembly (116) may comprise additional components such as, LCD, GPS, graphical user interface (GUI) etc. without limiting the scope of the invention. In the illustrated example, the head lamp unit (118) is provided on the steering mechanism (113). Alternatively, the head lamp unit (118) may be provided on the leg shield (108), without limiting the scope of the invention.
[00030] The leg shield (108) is disposed on the front portion of the vehicle (100).
The leg shield (108) encloses the steering mechanism (113). The leg shield (108) comprises an inner leg shield (109) and an outer leg shield (111) (also referred to as a front panel). The leg shield (108) provides protection for the feet of the rider of the vehicle (100). In the illustrated example, the plurality of the winkers (not shown) may be provided on the steering mechanism (113) of the vehicle (100). In another example, the plurality of the winkers (not shown) are disposed on the leg shield (108), without any limitations. The floor board (134) is disposed behind the front end structure (102) and the rear end structure (104). The floor board (134) provides foot rest for a rider riding the vehicle (100).
[00031] Referring to Figure 1, the vehicle (100) comprises a passenger's seat (170) and a rider's seat (112). The rider's seat (112) and the passenger's seat (170) provides seating arrangement for rider and passenger of the vehicle (100). The rider's seat (112) and the passenger's seat (170) may be formed as a single unit or may be individual members, without any limitations.
[00032] The vehicle (100) comprises an electronic control unit (ECU) (not
shown). The ECU controls various operations of the vehicle (100). The vehicle (100) comprises a front side cover (not shown), a left side cover (not shown) and a right side cover (not shown). The front side cover is disposed adjacent to the floor board (134) and covers front area below the rider's seat (112). The left side cover and the right side cover are disposed on both sides of vehicle body and covers lower sides of the rider's seat (112) and the passenger's seat (170).

[00033] Referring to Figures 1, and 2, the vehicle (100) comprises the rear end structure (104). The rear end structure (104) is disposed at the rear portion of the vehicle (100). The rear end structure (104) comprises a swing arm (160), a tail lamp (182) and a rear side cover (not shown). The rear side cover is disposed on rear portion of the vehicle (100) and covers hind area below the passenger's seat (170). In the illustrated example, the tail lamp (182) is disposed on the rear side cover. A plurality of turn signal indicators (not shown) are disposed on either side of the tail lamp (182).
[00034] The rear end structure (104) comprises a rear ground engaging member
(184), a power generating motor (179), and at least one suspension device (188) (shown in Figure 3). In the illustrate example, the rear ground engaging member (184) is disposed below the rider's seat (112) and the passenger's seat (170). The swing arm (160) pivotally coupled to a body frame (106) supports the rear ground engaging member (184). In the illustrated example, each of the front ground engaging member (110) and the rear ground engaging member (184) embodies a wheel. Alternatively, each of the front ground engaging member (110) and the rear ground engaging member (184) may embody a track etc., without limiting the scope of the invention. At least one of the front ground engaging member (110) and the rear ground engaging member (184) is configured to contact a ground surface (G).
[00035] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the vehicle (100) comprises an energy storage system (150) and an article storage unit (152). In the illustrated example, the article storage unit (152) is disposed at rear portion of the vehicle (100) and is configured to store articles such as a helmet (153), or other articles such as tools (not shown) etc. The energy storage system (150) comprises a plurality of energy storage units (200a, 200b), and a casing unit (300). The casing unit (300) is configured to receive and store each of the plurality of energy storage units (200). In the illustrated example, the plurality of energy storage units (200) include a first energy storage unit (200a), and a second energy storage unit (200b). In other examples, the plurality of energy storage units (200) may include fewer or more number of energy storage units, such as the first energy storage unit (200a) or the second energy storage unit (200b),

without limiting the scope of the invention. The energy storage unit (200) may be embodied as battery cells. The first energy storage unit (200a) may be the first battery pack (200a) (herein after alternatively referred to as the first battery pack (200a)), and the second energy storage unit (200b) may be the second battery pack (200b) (herein after alternatively referred to as the second battery pack (200b)). In an example, the casing unit (300) may be composed of a durable, non-metallic material. In alternative embodiment, the casing unit (300) may be composed of any suitable material such as metal etc., without any limitations.
[00036] The first battery pack (200a) and the second battery pack (200b) of the energy storage system (150) stores the energy required to power the power generating motor (179). The first battery pack (200a) and the second battery pack (200b) are electrically coupled to the power generating motor (179) via a control unit (may be a power distribution unit (PDU)). In the illustrated example, the control unit and the ECU (may be a vehicle control unit (VCU)) are independent and are in electrical and electronic communication with one another. In another embodiment, the control unit and the ECU may be a single unit controlling various operations of the vehicle (100). Further, the power generating motor (179) comprises an output motor shaft (not shown). The output motor shaft is configured to transmit the output driving force generated by the power generating motor (179).
[00037] The control unit controls the supply of the electric power from the energy
storage system (150) to the power generating motor (179). In the illustrated example, the power generating motor (179) is provided with the swing arm (160). The power generating motor (179) provides the necessary driving force required to drive the rear ground engaging member (184). The power generating motor (179) is operatively coupled to the rear ground engaging member (184) via a transmission (not shown). More particularly, the output motor shaft of the power generating motor (179) is operatively coupled to a wheel axle (not shown) of the rear ground engaging member (184) via the transmission.

[00038] Further, the rear end structure (104) comprises the at least one suspension device (188). In the illustrated example, the rear end structure (104) comprises one suspension device which are operatively coupled between the body frame (106) and the swing arm (160). The suspension device (188) embodies a shock absorber. The rear end structure (104) may comprise additional components such as rear grip, rear fender, license plate etc. without limiting the scope of the invention.
[00039] Further, the vehicle (100) comprises electronic connections (not shown) and hydraulic connections (not shown). The electronic connections may embody a wire harness. The hydraulic connections may embody fluid hoses. Further, the vehicle (100) may further comprise additional components such as mirrors, front fenders etc. without limiting the scope of the invention.
[00040] Referring to Figures 3 onwards, the vehicle (100) comprises a body frame (106). The body frame (106) comprises a head tube (122), a down frame (124), a first cross member (126), a second cross member (127), a third cross member (123), a left seat rail (128), a right seat rail (130), a battery holding portion (129), and at least one swing arm attachment bracket (172). The down frame (124) extends in a rearward and downward direction from the head tube (122). The down frame (124) extends between the head tube (122) and the first cross member (126). The steering mechanism (113) is pivotally supported on the body frame (106). More particularly, the head tube (122) supports the steering mechanism (113). Further, at least portion of the head tube (122) and the down frame (124) is enclosed by at least portion of the leg shield (108). The left seat rail (128) and the right seat rail (130) extend rearward and upward from the first cross member (126).
[00041] The second cross member (127) and the third cross member (123)
extends between the left seat rail (128) and the right seat rail (130). The rider's seat (112) and the passenger's seat (170) are disposed on the left seat rail (128) and the right seat rail (130). A first latch (not shown) provided on the second cross member (127) and a second latch (not shown) provided on the third cross member (123) hingably couples the rider's seat (112) and the passenger's seat (170) respectively.

The rider's seat (112) is hingably coupled to access the energy storage system (150). The passenger's seat (170) is hingably coupled to access the article storage unit (152).
[00042] In the illustrated example, the energy storage system (150) is disposed in the battery holding portion (129) below the rider's seat (112). The battery holding portion (129) comprises a front portion (141) and a floor portion (142). The front portion (141) restricts the movement of the energy storage system (150) towards the front portion of the vehicle (100). In the illustrated example, the front portion (141) comprises a first member (180) and a second member (182). The first member (180) is a horizontal metallic member extending between the left seat rail (128) and the right seat rail (130). The second member (182) is a vertical metallic member extending between the first member (180) and the first cross member (126).
[00043] The floor portion (142) supports the energy storage system (150). In the
illustrated example, the floor portion (142) comprises at least one holding member (146) and a base plate member (145). The base plate member (145) is a plate shaped member extending substantially in the longitudinal front-rear direction of the vehicle (100) and supporting the energy storage system (150). The at least one holding member (146) supports the base plate member (145) with respect to the body frame (106). In the illustrated example, the floor portion (142) comprises two holding members (146). One the holding member (146) supports the base plate member (145) with respect to the left seat rail (128) of the body frame (106) and the other holding member (146) supports the base plate member (145) with respect to the right seat rail (130).
[00044] In the illustrated example, the body frame (106) comprises two swing arm attachment brackets (172) (shown in Figure 4 and 5). One of the at least one swing arm attachment bracket (172) disposed on the left seat rail (128) and the other is disposed on the right seat rail (130). Each of the at least one swing arm attachment bracket (172) may be formed integral with or may be welded to the left seat rail (128) and the right seat rail (130). Each of the at least one swing arm attachment bracket (172) comprises an aperture (171) (shown in Figure 4 and 5). The body frame (106)

may comprise additional components such as brackets, frame members etc., to support different components of the vehicle (100), without any limitations.
[00045] Referring further to Figures 3 onwards, in the illustrated example, the swing arm (160) is pivotally coupled to the body frame (106). In the illustrated example, the swing arm (160) comprises a plurality of frame attachment portions (190), a central portion (192), and an extension portion (196). The plurality of frame attachment portions (190) are disposed at front end of the swing arm (160) and are spaced apart from one another on opposite sides in width direction of the vehicle (100).
[00046] The plurality of frame attachment portions (190) are integrally formed
with the swing arm (160). The plurality of frame attachment portions (190) are integral formed with the central portion (192). In the illustrated example, the central portion (192) is a U-shaped portion. The extension portion (196) extends towards rear of the vehicle (100). The power generating motor (179) is provided with the extension portion (196).
[00047] The swing arm (160) comprises a hole (191) (shown in Figure 4). The
plurality of frame attachment portions (190) are configured to pivotally couple the swing arm (160) with the body frame (106). A plurality of fastening members (not shown) (such as nuts, bolts, rivets, screws etc.) extending from through the hole (191) and the apertures (171) pivotally couples the frame attachment portions (190) of the swing arm (160) to the swing arm attachment brackets (172) of the body frame (106) at a couple of points "A".
[00048] The swing arm (160) and the body frame (106) are coupled such that the
energy storage system (150) disposed in the battery holding portion (129) is located between the two points "A" (one formed on left side and other on the right side of the vehicle, more particularly, one formed on left swing arm and one on right swing arm). More particularly, the plurality of energy storage units (200a, 200b) contained within the casing unit (300) are placed between the points "A" and there is no continuous axis of rotation for the swing arm (160).

[00049] The below description is described with reference to a single point "A". However, the description is equally applicable to both the points "A", without any limitations.
[00050] In the illustrated example, the point "A" may be an articulation point "A". The point "A" is disposed at a height "H2" from the ground surface (G). In the illustrated example, the height "H2" of the point "A" from the ground surface (G) is greater than a height "HI" of a point "B" disposed anywhere on the base plate member (145) from the ground surface (G) . The base plate member (145) of the battery holding portion (129) is disposed below the point "A" at which the swing arm (160) pivotally couples to the body frame (106). This facilitates in assembling the energy storage system (150) at a lower position as compared to conventional electric vehicles, thereby facilitating the mounting of the article storage unit (152) having a higher storage capacity as compared to conventional vehicles.
[00051] The present invention relates to the vehicle (100) which is a electric
vehicle (100) having the battery holding portion (129). The battery holding portion (129) comprising the floor portion (142) supports the energy storage system (150) at a lower position as compared to conventional electric vehicles, thereby facilitating in mounting of the article storage unit (152) with higher storage capacity. This aids in ensuring better stability of the vehicle (100).
[00052] Further, the battery holding portion (129) comprises the front portion (141) which facilitates in restricting the movement of the energy storage system (150) in the front direction of the vehicle (100). Further, the at least one suspension device (188) and the design of the floor portion (142) are selected such that battery holding portion (129) doesn't interfere with the ground surface (G), even when the vehicle (100) is travelling on a rough terrain (bumpy conditions).
[00053] While few embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the above embodiments

and modifications may be appropriately made thereto within the spirit and scope of the invention.
[00054] While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the particular features of this invention, it will be appreciated that various modifications can be made, and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the invention. These and other modifications in the nature of the invention or the preferred embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby 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 vehicle (100) comprising:
a body frame (106);
a front ground engaging member (110);
a rear ground engaging member (184);
an article storage unit (152);
an energy storage system (150), on a base plate member (145); wherein each of the energy storage system (150) and the article storage unit (152) being supported on the body frame (106), ;
a power generating motor (179) adapted to provide driving force required to drive the rear ground engaging member (184);
a swing arm (160) pivotally coupled to the body frame (106), and adapted to hold the power generating motor (179);
wherein the swing arm (160) and the body frame (106) are coupled such that the energy storage system (150) disposed between articulations points "A," and
wherein the articulations points "A" are located at a height greater than a height of the base plate member (145).
2. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the energy storage system (150) a battery holding portion (129).
3. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the battery holding portion (129) comprises a front portion (141) and a floor portion (142), wherein the front portion (141) restricts the movement of the energy storage system (150) towards the front portion of the vehicle (100), and the floor portion (142) comprises at least one holding member (146) and a base plate member (145).

4. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein base plate member (145) of the battery holding portion (129) is disposed below the articulation point "A" at which the swing arm (160) pivotally couples to the body frame (106).
5. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the base plate member (145) is a plate shaped member extending substantially in the longitudinal front-rear direction of the vehicle (100) supporting the energy storage system (150).
6. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the front portion (141) comprises a first member (180) and a second member (182).
7. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the first member (180) is a horizontal metallic member extending between the left seat rail (128) and the right seat rail (130).
8. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the second member (182) is a vertical metallic member extending between the first member (180) and the first cross member (126).
9. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body frame (106) further comprises swing arm attachment brackets (172) disposed on the left seat rail (128) and the right seat rail (130).
10. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body frame (106) comprises a head tube (122), a down frame (124), a first cross member (126), a second cross member (127), a third cross member (123), a left seat rail (128), a right seat rail (130), a battery holding portion (129), and at least one swing arm attachment bracket (172), the down frame (124)

extends in a rearward and downward direction from the head tube (122), the down frame (124) extends between the head tube (122) and the first cross member (126), the steering mechanism (113) is pivotally supported on the body frame (106).