DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present subject matter relates generally to two-wheeled vehicles and more particularly to a frame assembly for the two-wheeled vehicles.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Generally, in a two-wheeled vehicle, a frame assembly extends rearward from a head tube that is disposed in a front portion of the vehicle. The frame assembly acts as a structural member of the vehicle that supports the vehicle loads. The frame assembly of the vehicle supports a front wheel and a rear wheel. Further, the front wheel is rotatably supported by the frame assembly through one or more front fork(s). A rear wheel is supported by the frame assembly through one or more rear suspension(s). A power unit is functionally connected to the rear wheel, which provides the forward motion to the vehicle. Typically, plurality of panels is mounted to the frame assembly of the vehicle that covers various vehicle components. The vehicle components comprise electrical and electronic components including an electric starter system. Also, some of the vehicles have an anti-lock braking system, a synchronous braking system, or a vehicle control unit. The electrical and electronic components are powered by an on-board auxiliary power source or a magneto setup coupled to the engine assembly.
[0003] Moreover, in the vehicle with a frame assembly defining a floor space, the frame layout is adapted to accommodate a floorboard at said floor space. The floor space provided is used for carrying loads in addition to enabling the rider to rest feet while driving in a seating position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] The detailed description of the present subject matter is described with reference to the accompanying figures. Same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like features and components.
[0005] Fig. 1 illustrates a left side view of an exemplary two-wheeled vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0006] Fig. 2 depicts another left side view of the vehicle employed, in accordance with another embodiment depicted in Fig. 1.
[0007] Fig. 3 depicts a left side view of the vehicle employed with an auxiliary storage unit, in accordance with the embodiment depicted in Fig. 2.
[0008] Fig. 4 depicts a top perspective view of the two-wheeled vehicle, in accordance with another embodiment of the present subject matter.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0009] Generally, the frame assembly of the vehicle has a main frame member formed of one or more tubular members. This main frame member is extending obliquely downward from the head tube. A bent portion is connecting the obliquely extending portion and a floor space-support member. This frame assembly acts as structural member and as a load bearing member of the vehicle.
[00010] The main frame member of the frame assembly defines a floor space that enables the user to step-through for getting on to the vehicle and to rest feet at the floor space while driving in a seated position. Further, the floor space acts as utility space that enables the user to carry various kinds of loads. However, the utility space defined by the frame assembly is substantially small. In addition, the utility space is not secure.
[00011] Moreover, it is desired that the rider and the pillion-rider wear helmets for safety reasons. Therefore, the vehicle should be capable of accommodating two helmets when they are not in use. Nonetheless, the frame assembly of the vehicle has a utility box that can store a single helmet. Therefore, the layout of the frame assembly has space constraints to accommodate and to securely store accessories like helmet. Hence, there is a need for providing a frame layout that is capable of accommodating personal belongings and/or loads including helmet without affecting the functional and utility aspects of the vehicle. In addition, the frame layout should be capable of accommodating an additional utility unit that can securely store the personal belongings or loads.
[00012] Moreover, there also a requirement for the vehicle to have an additional utility unit that is detachable and be carried along. For example, in a vehicle having an electric drive unit, the electric drive unit is powered by batteries. During regular use, the batteries need frequent charging. Moreover, the batteries should be easily accessible for charging. Therefore, the additional utility unit provided should be capable of accommodating the batteries and is to be easily accessible. Therefore, the frame layout should enable accommodation of additional utility unit and at the same time enable ease of access of the additional utility unit, wherein the user can detach the additional utility unit and carry along for charging the batteries or other purposes.
[00013] The aforementioned problems and limitations are to be addressed without affecting the riding comfort of the rider and the pillion rider. Furthermore, the aesthetics of the vehicle should be retained.
[00014] Hence, it is an object of the present subject matter to provide a two-wheeled vehicle. The two-wheeled vehicle is provided with a frame assembly. It is an aspect of the present subject matter that a main frame member of the frame assembly provides improved utility space. The main frame member includes a base portion that is substantially below an imaginary line that is passing through the front wheel axis and the rear wheel axis. It is another aspect of the present subject matter that the base portion is reinforced to receive forces from loads provide at the improved utility. It is yet another aspect of the invention that the frame assembly is capable of accommodating an auxiliary storage unit that is an additional storage space.
[00015] It is another aspect of the present subject matter the frame assembly provides sufficient ground clearance and also provides sufficient banking angle.
[00016] It is one feature of the present subject matter that the provision of auxiliary storage unit does not affect the available secure utility space on the vehicle. It is one more feature of the present subject matter that the auxiliary storage unit is detachable type. It is another feature of the present subject matter that the auxiliary storage unit provides a secure storage space.
[00017] It is yet an additional feature of the present subject matter that the frame assembly supports the auxiliary storage unit from at least two directions. It is one more feature of the present subject matter that auxiliary storage unit is surrounded by a rear leg shield from the front, a floorboard from the bottom, and a below seat panel from the rear, when viewed from vehicle side. It is another additional feature of the present subject matter that the auxiliary storage unit is supported by floorboard from bottom.
[00018] It is an additional aspect of the present subject matter that the auxiliary storage unit is capable of accommodating auxiliary power sources that are detachably disposed. It is another additional aspect that the auxiliary storage unit along with the belongings/loads is detachable. For example, in a vehicle with a power unit including an electric motor, the auxiliary storage unit is adapted to removably accommodate auxiliary power source(s). The rider can selectively detach the auxiliary power sources or the user can remove the auxiliary storage unit along with the auxiliary power sources, for charging or maintenance.
[00019] It is an additional feature of the present subject matter that the auxiliary storage unit is capable of accommodating components like helmet. The auxiliary storage unit securely holds the components thereby preventing unauthorized access or theft.
[00020] In one embodiment, the two-wheeled vehicle comprises at least one front wheel and at least one rear wheel. The frame assembly includes a head tube, a main tube, and one or more rear tubes. The main tube includes a base portion connected to the one or more rear tubes. At least a portion of said base portion is disposed substantially below an imaginary line passing through a front wheel axis and a rear wheel axis. The front wheel axis and the rear wheel axis is axis of the at least one front wheel and the at least one rear wheel, respectively.
[00021] The frame assembly defines a floor space, and the floor space is defined above at least a portion of the base portion.
[00022] The two-wheeled vehicle is capable of accommodating an auxiliary storage unit disposed at the floor space. The auxiliary storage unit is supported by at least a portion of the main tube including the base portion.
[00023] In an embodiment, the main tube is a single tubular structure and the base portion is integrally formed with the main tube.
[00024] In one embodiment, the base portion includes a thickness substantially greater than thickness of the rest of the main tube, excluding the base portion. In one implementation, the base portion includes gussets or reinforcements whereby the thickness is provided to improve the strength.
[00025] In one embodiment, the auxiliary storage unit is detachable type. The auxiliary storage unit is secured to the two-wheeled vehicle through a unit lock assembly and the unit lock assembly in a disengaged condition enables detachment of the auxiliary storage unit.
[00026] The two-wheeled vehicle further comprises a power unit including an electric motor, wherein the electric motor is powered by one or more auxiliary power sources mounted to the auxiliary storage unit.
[00027] The auxiliary storage unit is surrounded by a rear leg shield from the front, a floorboard from the bottom, and a below seat panel from the rear when viewed from side, whereby the auxiliary storage unit is secured rigidly to the vehicle in an assembled condition.
[00028] The auxiliary storage unit has a profile with receding height from a front portion toward a rear portion, whereby a seat is hingedly openable without interfering with the auxiliary storage unit.
[00029] These and other advantages of the present subject matter would be described in greater detail in conjunction with the figures in the following description.
[00030] The directions front, rear, left, and right are referred with respect to the vehicle direction. A longitudinal axis F-R of the vehicle 100 extends from front F to rear R and a lateral axis RH-LH of the vehicle100 is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis F-R of the vehicle100. The lateral axis RH-LH is perpendicular to longitudinal axis F-R of the vehicle 100 extending in width direction RH-LH from right side RH to left side LH.
[00031] Fig. 1 illustrates a left side view of an exemplary two-wheeled type vehicle 100, in accordance with an embodiment of present subject matter. The vehicle 100 has a frame assembly 200, which acts as structure member and load bearing member of the vehicle 100. The frame assembly extends 200 extends from a front F portion towards a rear R proton of the vehicle100, wherein the longitudinal axis of the vehicle 100 extends from a front F towards rear R of the vehicle 100.A front wheel 105 is connected to one end of a pair of front forks 110 and the other end of front forks 110 is connected to a steering shaft (not shown) that is rotatably supported by the frame assembly 200. The steering shaft is connected to the handle bar assembly 115, which enables steering of the vehicle 100 through the front wheel 105.
[00032] A power unit (not shown) is connected to the frame assembly 200 and is disposed below a seat assembly 120. The power unit includes a four-stroke internal combustion with one or more cylinders that drives a rear wheel 125. In another embodiment, the power unit includes an electric motor that is coupled to the rear wheel. In yet another embodiment, the electric motor is hub mounted to the rear wheel. In the present embodiment, the rear wheel 125 is rotatably supported by a swing arm 130, which is swingable connected to the frame assembly 200. One or more rear suspension(s) (not shown) connect the rear wheel 125 to the frame assembly 200to sustain both radial and axial forces acting on the rear wheel 125.
[00033] A front fender 135 is disposed above the front wheel 105for covering at least a portion of the front wheel 105. A rear fender 140 covers at least a portion of the rear wheel 125. A floorboard 145 is mounted to frame assembly 200 and is disposed at a floor space S defined by the frame assembly. The seat assembly 120 is disposed rearwardly of the floor space S. Further, the seat assembly 120 is mounted to a utility box (not shown) and is supported by the frame assembly200. In an embodiment, the power unit includes an engine assembly that is connected to an air intake system (not shown), an exhaust pipe assembly, and a starter system (not shown). The starter system includes an electric starter mechanism or a mechanical starter mechanism. In another embodiment, the power unit includes the electric motor that is powered by an auxiliary power source (not shown). The auxiliary power source is supported by the frame assembly. The auxiliary power source includes a battery, or a fuel cell. Also, a head lamp 150, a tail lamp 155 are part of the electrical loads of the vehicle 100.
[00034] Fig. 2 depicts another left side view of the two-wheeled vehicle 100, in accordance with the embodiment depicted in Fig. 1. The frame assembly 200 comprises a head tube 205 that is disposed rearwardly of the front leg shield 165. A main tube 210 extends obliquely rearward from the head tube 205. The main tube 210 has a bent portion that extends rearward, wherein the main tube 210 is single tubular member. One or more rear tubes 215 extend rearward from a rear portion of the main tube 210.
[00035] A rear leg shield 165 is disposed rearwardly of the head tube 205 and the rear leg shield enclosed at least a portion of the main tube 210. Further, the vehicle 100 comprises a below seat cover 170 that is disposed downwardly at a front portion of the seat 120. A pair of rear panels 175 are disposed on both sides of the vehicle 100 and the panels 175 extends downwardly of the seat 120 from the below seat cover 170 towards a tail lamp 155 of the vehicle 100.
[00036] Further, a base portion 210A of the frame assembly is substantially below the imaginary line, which is hereafter referred to as axle line X-X’, wherein the axle line X-X’ is an axis passing through a front wheel 105 axis of rotation and a rear wheel 125 axis of rotation. In other words, the front wheel axis of rotation is the front wheel axis F-F’ and the rear wheel axis of the rotation is rear wheel axis R-R’. The base portion 210A extends substantially parallel to the axle line X-X’ of the vehicle100. The base portion 210A is a reinforced member. In a preferred embodiment, the base portion 210A is having a thickness greater than the thickness of the other portion of the main tube 210. The base portion 210A is integrally formed with the main tube 210. The main tube 210 is provided with one or more bracket(s) (not shown) that are affixed to the main tube and the bracket(s) enable mounting of a floorboard 180 that is disposed at the floor space S. Further, the modified main tube 210 provides additional utility space that provides improved loading space and the base portion 210A of the main tube 210 is capable is receiving forces acting on the floorboard 180.
[00037] Fig. 3 depicts a left side view of a two-wheeled vehicle 100 employed with an auxiliary storage unit 300in accordance with the embodiment depicted in Fig. 2. The frame assembly 200 enables accommodation of the auxiliary storage unit 300. The auxiliary storage unit 300 is detachably mounted to the vehicle 100 at the floor space S. The auxiliary storage unit 300 is abuttingly disposed adjacent to the rear leg shield 165, which is disposed rearwardly of the head tube 205 and positioned in the front F. Further, the auxiliary storage unit 300 is abutted against the below seat cover 170, which is in the rear R to the auxiliary storage unit 300. Furthermore, the floorboard 180 is supporting the auxiliary storage unit from the bottom. In a side view, the auxiliary storage unit 300 is surrounded by the rear leg shield 165 from the front F, the floorboard 180 from the bottom, and the below seat cover 170 from the rear R. This provides additional support to the auxiliary storage unit 300thereby making the auxiliary storage unit stable and eliminating scope of any vibrations. The auxiliary storage unit 300 has a profile P that has receding height when extending from the rear leg shield 165 towards the below seat cover 170. This enables the seat 120, which is hinged at a front portion F of the seat, to be opened without interfering with the auxiliary storage unit 300. Further, the auxiliary storage unit 300 is provided with a handle 305 that enables carrying of the auxiliary storage unit 300 by detaching from the vehicle 100.
[00038] Fig. 4 depicts a top perspective view of a vehicle 100 employed with an auxiliary storage unit, in accordance with another embodiment of the present subject matter. The auxiliary storage unit 300 is disposed at the floor space S of the vehicle 100, wherein the storage unit 300 defines a storage volume. The auxiliary storage unit 300 is adapted to accommodate plurality of auxiliary power sources (not shown). The auxiliary power sources include batteries and fuel cells. The auxiliary power sources are removably disposed in the auxiliary storage unit 300. Therefore, the auxiliary power sources are removable from the vehicle 100 for charging or the user can detach the auxiliary storage unit 300 and carry the auxiliary storage unit300 along for charging. Also, the base portion 210A of the frame assembly 200 supports the auxiliary storage unit 300 in at least two directions. In addition, the force due to the loads/accessories disposed in the auxiliary storage unit 300 is received by the base portion 210A of the frame assembly 200.
[00039] The auxiliary storage unit 300 includes a lid 310 that is hingedly connected. In another embodiment, the lid 310 is detachable type. The auxiliary storage unit 300 further comprises of a lid lock assembly 315 that enables securing the storage volume. The lid 310 in an open condition provides access to the storage volume. Further, the vehicle 100 is provided with a unit lock assembly 320 that enables securing the auxiliary storage unit 300 to the vehicle 100. Therefore, by unlocking the unit lock assembly 320 the auxiliary storage unit is detachable. This provides a secure mounting of the auxiliary storage unit 300.
[00040] Further, the auxiliary storage unit 300 comprises of plurality of electrical contacts that are functionally connected to the auxiliary power sources. Further, the electrical contacts enable connection the auxiliary power sources to the electrical/electronic systems on the vehicle 100. Furthermore, the position of the auxiliary storage unit 300 is substantially at the longitudinal center of the vehicle 100thereby providing optimum wiring harness.
[00041] Further, the vehicle 100 comprises of a pair of rider footrests 185 that are disposed adjacently of the auxiliary storage unit 300 in width direction RH-LH. A rider footrest bracket (not shown) is mounted to the main tube 210 of the frame assembly 200 that provides support to the rider footrests 185. In a preferred embodiment, the rider footrests 185are integrally formed with the floorboard 180. In a top view, the rider footrests 185are disposed adjacently of the auxiliary storage unit 300 and are extending in the vehicle100 width direction RH-LH, away from the auxiliary storage unit 300. In addition, in the top view, at least a portion of the seat 120 overlaps with the auxiliary storage unit 300.
[00042] It is to be understood that the aspects of the embodiments are not necessarily limited to the features described herein. Many modifications and variations of the present subject matter are possible in the light of above disclosure. Therefore, within the scope of claims of the present subject matter, the present disclosure may be practiced other than as specifically described. ,CLAIMS:I/We claim:
1. A two-wheeled vehicle (100), said two-wheeled vehicle (100) comprising at least one front wheel (105) and at least one rear wheel (125), said two-wheeled vehicle (100) comprising:
a frame assembly (200) including a head tube (205), a main tube (210) extending rearwardly downward from the head tube (205), and one or more rear tube(s) (215),
wherein
said main tube (210) includes a base portion (210A) connected to said one or more rear tubes (215), and at least a portion of said base portion (210A) is disposed substantially below an imaginary line (X-X’) passing through a front wheel axis (F-F’) and a rear wheel axis (R-R’) of said at least one front wheel (105) and said at least one rear wheel (125) respectively.
2. The two-wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said frame assembly (200) defines a floor space (S), and said floor space (S) is defined above said at least a portion of said base portion (210A).
3. The two-wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said two-wheeled vehicle (100) is capable of accommodating an auxiliary storage unit (300) disposed at said floor space (S), said auxiliary storage unit (300) is supported by at least a portion of said main tube (210) including said base portion (210A).
4. The two-wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said main tube (210) is single tubular structure and said base portion (210A) is integrally formed with said main tube (210).
5. The two-wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said base portion (210A) includes a thickness substantially greater than thickness of said main tube (210) excluding said base portion (210A).
6. The two-wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1 or 3, wherein said auxiliary storage unit (300) comprises a lid (310) secured through a lid lock assembly (315), said lid (310) in an open condition provides access to a storage volume defined by said auxiliary storage unit (300).
7. The two-wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1 or 3, wherein said auxiliary storage unit (300) is secured to the two-wheeled vehicle (100) through a unit lock assembly (320) and said unit lock assembly (320) in a disengaged condition enables detachment of said auxiliary storage unit (300).
8. The two-wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said two-wheeled vehicle (100) further comprises a power unit including an electric motor, wherein said electric motor is powered by one or more auxiliary power sources mounted to said auxiliary storage unit (300) therein.
9. The two-wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein said auxiliary storage unit (300) is surrounded by a rear leg shield (165) from the front, a floorboard from the bottom (180), and a below seat panel (170) from the rear when viewed from side.
10. The two-wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said auxiliary storage unit (300) has a profile (P) with receding height from a front portion toward a rear portion, whereby a seat (120) is hingedly openable without interfering with said auxiliary storage unit (300).