Claims:We claim:
1. A frame structure for a two-wheeled step through vehicle (100) comprising:
a head tube (113);
a front member (114) extending downward from said head tube (113);
a center frame structure (115) extending rearward from a lower portion of said front member (114);
a rear frame structure (119) extending rearwards from the rear end of the center frame structure (115), the rear frame structure (119) includes an inclined portion (119 (a)) extending inclinedly upward from the center frame structure (115), and a horizontal portion (119 (b)) extending horizontally rearward from the inclined portion (119a); and
a sub frame assembly (111) attached to the rear frame structure 119 at a plurality of locations to define a housing space (112(a)) for one or more elements (112) of the vehicle (100).
2. The frame structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rear frame structure (119) is provided with a pair of first brackets (139) and a pair of second brackets (140), the pair of first brackets (139) is provided on at least one location on the inclined member (119 (a)) in proximity of the center frame structure (115), and the pair of second brackets (140) is provided on at least one location on the horizontal portion (119 (b)).
3. The frame structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sub frame assembly (111) is detachably attached to the rear frame structure (119) through the pair of first brackets (139) and the pair of second brackets (140), the subframe assembly detachably attached to the rear member defines the housing space (112 (a)) for a power unit (112).
4. The frame structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein said power unit (112) is disposed at the rear end of the two-wheeled vehicle (100).
5. A sub frame assembly (111) detachably attached to a frame structure of a two-wheeled step through vehicle (100), the sub frame assembly (111) comprising:
a left sub frame member (126);
a right sub frame member (127); and
at least one rear support structure (128) attached to at least one point of the left sub frame member (126) and the right sub frame member (127).
6. The sub frame assembly (111) claimed in claim 5, wherein the at least one rear support structure (128) which is a three-portion enclosing structure, having a first portion (129), a second portion (130), and a third portion (131).
7. The sub frame assembly (111) claimed in claim 6, wherein the first portion (129) is connected to the left sub frame member (126) at one end and the second portion (130) is connected to the right sub frame member (127) at other end, and said first portion (129) and second (130) portions are connected to a third portion (131) on their second end.
8. The sub frame assembly (111) claimed in claim 5, wherein a first bridge member (135) connects a lower end of said left sub frame member (126) to a lower end of said right sub frame member (127).
9. The sub frame assembly (111) claimed in claim 8, wherein a pair of connecting tubes (132) each, fixedly attached to a lower end of each of the left sub frame member (126) and the right sub frame member (127), the pair of connecting tubes (132) disposed below the first bridge member (135).
10. The sub frame assembly (111) claimed in claim 9, wherein each of said pair of connecting tubes (132) extends longitudinally, in front and rear direction of each of the right sub frame member (127) and the left sub frame member (126), to define a set of front bottom mounting (133) and a set of rear bottom mounting (134), said set of front bottom mounting (133) and the set of rear bottom mounting (134) are connected through a separate fixedly attached connecting member (143).
11. The sub frame assembly (111) claimed in claim 10, wherein the pair of front bottom mounting (133) is configured to be attached to a pair of first brackets (139) provided on a rear frame structure (119) of a vehicle (100).
12. The sub frame assembly (111) claimed in claim 10, wherein the set of rear bottom mounting (134) is pivotally connected to a swing arm assembly (109) of a vehicle (100).
13. The sub frame assembly (111) claimed in claim 5, wherein a topmost end of each of the left sub frame member (126) and the right sub frame member (127) include a rear top mounting (142) point.
14. The sub frame assembly (111) claimed in claim 13, wherein the rear top mounting (142) points of each of the the left sub frame member (126) and the right sub frame member (127) are attached to a pair of second brackets (140) provided on the rear frame structure (119) of the frame assembly. , Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present subject matter relates generally to a two-wheeled vehicle. More particularly but not exclusively the present subject matter relates to a modular frame structure of said two-wheeled vehicle.
BACKGROUND
Generally, a frame, also known as a chassis, is the main supporting structure of the vehicle to which all the parts are attached. With the advent in technology, new features have been introduced which in turn has resulted in increase of number of parts to be accommodated in the vehicle. Packaging of these additional components within the vehicle existing frame layout is a tricky task. Every time a new technology is introduced, the packaging requirements with respect to that part becomes a challenge as the vehicle needs to retain a compact layout. For this purpose, the vehicle frame layout is changed to accommodate every new part.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0002] The details are described with reference to an embodiment of a saddle type two wheeled vehicle along with the accompanying figures. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference similar features and components. Figure 1 exemplarily illustrates a two-wheeled vehicle with partial inner view.
[0003] Figure 2 exemplarily illustrates a perspective side view of a frame of the two-wheeled vehicle.
[0004] Figure 3 exemplarily illustrates the side view of the frame structure along with a sub frame assembly.
[0005] Figure 4 (a) exemplarily illustrates the side perspective view of the frame structure.
[0006] Figure 4 (b) exemplarily illustrates a power unit disposed below the load carrying platform of the vehicle.
[0007] Figure 5 exemplarily illustrates a magnified view of the sub frame assembly of the frame structure.
[0008] Figure 6 exemplarily illustrates an assembly perspective view and locally magnified perspective view of the mounting brackets of the sub frame assembly on the vehicle.
[0009] Figure7 exemplarily illustrates an exploded view of a plurality of mounting arrangements by a plurality of fasteners.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0001] Each time the layout of the frame is required to be changed, parameters like ease of assembly and ease of serviceability are to be taken care of, which leads to difficulty in packaging and layout design. In addition, with these modifications in the vehicle frame, new financial investment for assembly line changes comes into picture that adds up in the cost of the vehicle and is not feasible every time.
[0002] With a shift towards electric vehicle, new packaging challenge of accommodating battery, motor and other related electrical components is a major task. Particularly in two wheelers, where the space is limited and considerably packed up, these new elements demand change in frame structure, which is not a convenient option and often undesirable for a manufacturer. The packaging requirements are different for each vehicle segment, therefore different frames are needed for each vehicle segment, which is a huge cost for the frame assembly setup as common frames cannot be used across two segments specially for IC engines and electric vehicles. Therefore, there exists a need for a modular or flexible frame layout, which can be modified according to the packaging requirement, without changing the basic assembly details thereby retaining a platform architecture. Therefore, there exists a need for a layout architecture of a frame for a vehicle which is flexible to cater to the various requirements of platform of products while overcoming all above problems as well as other problems of known art.
[0003] An objective of the present subject matter is to provide a modular layout and structure of frame which is capable of accommodating different types of power source to drive a two-wheeled vehicle. The present subject matter is described using an exemplary two-wheeled vehicle, whereas the claimed subject matter is applicable to any saddle type two-wheeled vehicles, with required changes and without deviating from the scope of invention. In the present subject matter, a modular frame structure is provided which can be used for both IC engine as well as electric powered vehicle using a single frame. The single frame structure facilitates ease of assembly and serviceability of the two-wheeled vehicle.
[0004] As per an aspect of the present subject matter, a frame structure for a two-wheeled step through vehicle comprises of a head tube, is configured with a front frame member extending from said head tube, a center frame structure extending rearward from a lower most portion of said front frame member, and a rear frame structure extending rearwards from the rear end of the center frame structure. The rear upper member includes an inclined portion extending inclinedly upward from the center member, and a horizontal portion extending horizontally rearward from the inclined portion. A sub frame assembly is attached to the rear upper member at a plurality of locations to define a housing space for one or more elements of the vehicle.
[0005] As per an aspect of the present subject matter, the rear frame structure is provided with a pair of first brackets and a pair of second brackets. The pair of first brackets is provided on at least one location on the inclined member in proximity of the center member, and the pair of second brackets is provided on at least one location on the horizontal portion of the rear frame structure.
[0006] As per another aspect of the present subject matter, the sub frame assembly is detachably attached to the rear frame structure through the pair of first brackets and the pair of second brackets. The subframe assembly which is detachably attached to the rear frame structure defines the housing space for a power unit where the power unit can be an energy source like a battery, fuel cell, fuel etc.
[0007] As per another aspect of the present subject matter, the sub frame assembly, detachably attached to a frame structure of a two-wheeled step through vehicle, is configured to have a left sub frame member, a right sub frame member, at least one rear support member, attached to at least one point of the left sub frame member and the right sub frame member.
[0008] As per another aspect of the present subject matter, the sub frame assembly is configured to have at least one rear support member which is a three-side enclosing structure, having a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion. The first portion is connected to the left sub frame member at one end and the second portion is connected to the right sub frame member at other end, and said first portion and second portion are connected to a third portion on their second end.
[0009] As per another aspect of the present subject matter, a first bridge member connects a lower end of said left sub frame member to a lower end of said right sub frame member.
[00010] As per yet another aspect of the present subject matter, a pair of connecting tubes each is fixedly attached to a lowermost end of each of the left sub frame member and the right sub frame member. The pair of connecting tubes is disposed below the first bridge member. Each of said pair of connecting tubes extends longitudinally, in front and rear direction of each of the right sub frame member and the left sub frame member, to define a set of front bottom mounting and a set of rear bottom mounting.
[00011] As per yet another aspect of the present subject matter, each of the front bottom mounting of the set of front bottom mounting and each of the rear bottom mounting of the set of rear bottom mounting are connected through a separate fixedly attached connecting member. The pair of front bottom mounting is configured to be attached to a pair of first brackets provided on a rear frame structure. The set of rear bottom mounting is pivotally connected to a swing arm assembly.
[00012] As per yet another aspect of the present subject matter, a topmost end of each of the left sub frame member and the right sub frame member include a rear top mounting point. The rear top mounting points of each of the the left sub frame member and the right sub frame member are attached to a pair of second brackets provided on the rear frame structure. The embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to an embodiment in a scooter type two wheeled electric vehicle along with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the present embodiments. The present subject matter is further described with reference to accompanying figures. It should be noted that the description and figures merely illustrate principles of the present subject matter. Various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, encompass the principles of the present subject matter. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and examples of the present subject matter, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
[00013] Fig.1 exemplarily illustrates a two-wheeled vehicle 100 with partial inner view. The two-wheeled vehicle 100 comprises of a front frame 101, a rear frame 102, a floorboard region 103, a front fork assembly 104, a front wheel assembly 105, a steering column 106, a seat assembly 107, a rear shock absorber 108, a swingarm assembly (not shown), a sub frame assembly 111, and a power unit 112. The floorboard 103 region is disposed horizontally downward where the foot of the rider rests, between the front frame 101 and the rear frame 102 of the vehicle 100. The front fork assembly 104 is connected to the front wheel assembly 105 at one end and the other end of said fork assembly 104 is connected to the steering column 106 of the vehicle 100. The seat assembly 107 is disposed at the rear frame 102 of the vehicle 100. The rear shock absorber 108 is provided at a rear portion of the vehicle 100. One end of the rear shock absorber 108 is connected to the rear frame 102 and the other end of the rear shock absorber 108 is connected to the swingarm assembly (not shown) of the vehicle 100. The sub frame assembly 111 is provided to accommodate the power unit 112 casing which provides driving force to the vehicle 100.
[00014] Fig. 2 exemplarily illustrates a rear perspective side view of a frame of the two-wheeled vehicle 100 as per the present invention. A frame structure for the two-wheeled step through vehicle 100 having a head tube 113, a front frame member 114, a center frame structure 115, a rear frame structure 119, the sub frame assembly (shown in fig.1), and a housing space (shown in fig.1). The front member 114 extending downward from said head tube 113. The center frame structure 115 extending rearward from a lower most portion of said front member 114. The center frame structure 115 is configured to have a left center member 116 and a right center member 117. The left center member 116 and the right center member 117 are connected through a middle member 118 at a rear end of the center frame structure 115. The middle member 118 is a load bearing member capable of acting as a base support for the power unit (shown in fig.1). The rear frame structure 119 extends rearwards from the rear end of the center frame structure 115. The rear frame structure 119 having an inclined portion 119 (a) extending inclinedly upward from the center frame structure 115, and a horizontal portion 119 (b) extending substantially horizontally rearward from the inclined portion (119a). The sub frame assembly (shown in fig.1) is attached to the rear upper member at a plurality of locations to define the housing space (shown in fig.1) for one or more power source elements 112 of the vehicle 100. The rear frame structure 119 includes a left rear member 120 and a right rear member 121. The left rear member 120 is attached to the left center member 116 and the right rear member 121 is attached to the right center member 117. The left rear member 120 and the right rear member 121 are configured to be attached through a second bridge member 122 at the rear end of the vehicle 100 to support a seat assembly (not shown), utility box (not shown), and other electrical parts of the vehicle 100. A toggle link assembly 123 is connected with the center frame frame structure 115 through a middle member 118, on which the swingarm (not shown) is pivotally mounted for the pivotal motion of the swingarm (not shown).
[00015] Fig.3 exemplarily illustrates the side view of the frame structure along with the sub frame assembly 111. The sub frame assembly 111 is mounted in the rear portion of the two-wheeled saddle type vehicle 100. The sub frame assembly 111 is provided to accommodate the power unit (not shown) which provides the driving force to the wheels (not shown) of the vehicle 100. Said sub frame assembly 111 is mounted on the rear frame structure 119 at two points and is placed between the rear frame structure 119 and the rear shock absorber 108. The first mounting point 124 of the sub frame assembly 111 is provided at the lower end of the inclined portion 119 (a) extending inclinedly upward from the center frame structure 115 and the second mounting point 125 is provided at the substantially horizontal portion 119 (b) extending rearward from the inclined portion 119 (a) of the rear frame structure 119. The sub frame assembly 111 in the present embodiment is a convertible type detachable frame which can be removed to accommodate different type of power unit (not shown) other than the battery (not shown) with the same configuration of frame structure.
[00016] Fig. 4(a)exemplarily illustrates the side perspective view of the frame structure. The sub frame assembly 111 attached to the frame of the vehicle 100 includes a left sub frame member 126, a right sub frame member 127, and at least one rear support structure 128 connecting at least at one point with the left sub frame member 126 and the right sub frame member 127. The at least one rear support structure 128 is a three-portion enclosing structure, having a first portion 129, a second portion 130, and a third portion 131. The sub frame assembly 111 acts as an energy storage housing space 112 (a) to hold the power unit (not shown) casing in the vehicle 100. This configuration provides space to the customer in the front portion of the step through construction as the power unit (not shown) occupies the rear space available in vehicle 100, instead of occupying the step through space in the front portion of the vehicle 100. The first portion 129 is connected to the left sub frame member 126 at one end and the second portion 130 is connected to the right sub frame member 127 at the other end, and said first portion 129 and said second portion 130 are connected to a third portion 131 on their second end. This three-portion enclosing structure provides a secured location for the power unit (not shown) and allows the power unit (not shown) casing to rests on its surface by providing support. The middle member 118 connects the lower ends of said left rear member 120 and said right rear member 121 on which the front portion of the power unit (not shown) casing is disposed.
[00017] In another embodiment as shown in fig.4(b), exemplarily illustrates the power unit 112 disposed below the load carrying platform (not shown) of the vehicle 100 with a single backbone type frame assembly. Said power unit 112 is configured to be securely accommodated in a casing 144. The casing 144 is secured by providing a locking mechanism (not shown), so that the user of the vehicle 100 can only access the casing 144 by opening the locking mechanism (not shown). The vehicle 100 is provided with two sets of power unit 112 disposed on both left side and the right side of the backbone frame, thus maintaining the uniform distribution of weight of the power unit 112. The two set of power unit 112 is attached to the backbone frame of the vehicle 100 and to the casing 144 by an attachment means 145. The disposition of the power unit 112 along with the casing 144 at said location ensures ease of accessibility, ease of serviceability, and provides an anti-theft provision. The power unit 112 is also protected from external environment like mud, dust, and water.
[00018] Fig.5 exemplarily illustrates a magnified perspective view of the sub frame assembly 111 of the frame structure. A first bridge member 135 connects a lower end of the left sub frame member 126 to a lower end of the right sub frame member 127. A pair of connecting tubes 132 each disposed at left and right side of the frame is fixedly attached to the lowermost member of the left sub frame member 126 and the right sub frame member 127. The pair of connecting tubes 132 being disposed below the first bridge member 135. The pair of connecting tubes 132 extends longitudinally, in the front and the rear direction of each of the right sub frame member 127 and the left sub frame member 126. The pair of connecting tubes 132 is provided with a pair of mounting brackets in front and rear of the connecting tubes 132. The pair of mounting brackets define a set of front bottom mounting brackets 133 and a set of rear bottom mounting brackets 134. Each of the set of front bottom mounting brackets 133 and the set of rear bottom mounting brackets 134 are connected through a separate fixedly attached connecting member 143 connected to the lower portion of the sub frame assembly 111 disposed on the frame structure of the vehicle 100. As shown by the magnified view, a gusset 136 is provided at the side of the pair of front bottom mounting brackets 133 to strengthen the bracket such that the bracket is able to receive the load from the sub frame assembly 111 as well as from the power unit (not shown) in vehicle 100 running condition. Another gusset 136 is provided at the bottom side of each connecting end of the first portion 129 with the left sub frame member 126 and the second portion 130 with the right sub frame member 127 of the three-portion enclosing. The gusset 136 is provided at this location to avoid any local buckling or bending of the left sub frame member 126 and the right sub frame member 127, when the power unit (not shown) is placed on the sub frame assembly 111. The power unit (not shown) is enclosed in between the sub frame assembly 111 and is disposed in front direction on fixedly attached connecting member143 connected to the bottom portion of the left 126 and the right 127 sub frame member. Said power unit 112 extends in rear direction on a plurality of mounting means 137 of rear mounting member provided on the three-side enclosing on said sub frame assembly 111. The plurality of mounting means 137 is provided for mounting the power unit (not shown) at the rear portion of the sub frame assembly 111.
[00019] Fig. 6 exemplarily illustrates an assembly perspective view and locally magnified perspective view of the mounting brackets of the sub frame assembly 111 on the vehicle 100 and Fig.7 exemplarily illustrates an exploded rear perspective view of a plurality of mounting arrangements by a plurality of fasteners. The top part of the sub frame assembly 111 is mounted on the rear portion of the rear frame structure 119 by means of the plurality of second brackets 140. The second brackets 140 are provided on both the left rear member 120 and the right rear member 121 for attaching the sub frame assembly 111 on the rear frame structure 119 of the vehicle 100 to provide strength and support to said sub frame assembly 111. The front bottom mounting 133 are attached to a first bracket 139 provided on both the left and right side on the bottom portion of the rear frame structure 119. The front bottom mounting 133 is pivotally mounted on the rear frame structure 119 of the vehicle 100. The rear bottom mounting 134 are pivotally connected to the swing arm assembly (not shown), providing swinging feasibility to the swing arm (not shown) with the suspension (not shown) and the rear wheel (not shown). This mounting configuration allows the swingarm (not shown) to move during vehicle 100 operation. The front bottom mounting 133 is mounted on the rear frame structure 119 on the first brackets 139 disposed on the left rear member 120 and right rear member 121 by means of a fastener 138 as shown in fig.7. The second bracket 140 is disposed on the left rear member 120 and right rear member 121 of the rear frame structure 119 by means of a plurality of fastening means 141. Many other improvements and modifications may be incorporated herein without deviating from the scope of the invention.

List of Reference numerals
100: Two-wheeled vehicle
101: Front frame of 100
102: Rear frame of 100
103: Floorboard of 100
104: Front fork assembly of 100
105: Front wheel assembly of 100
106: Steering column of 100
107: Seat assembly of 100
108: Rear shock absorber of 100
110: Rear wheel assembly of 100
111: Sub frame assembly of 100
112: Power unit of 100
112 (a): Housing space of 112
113: Head tube of 101
114: Front frame member of 101
115: Center frame structure of 101
116: Left center member of 101
117: Right center member of 101
118: Middle member connecting 116 and 117 to 119
119: Rear frame structure of 102
120: Left rear member of 119
121: Right rear member of 119
122: Second bridge member of 119
123: Toggle link assembly disposed on 118
124: First mounting point of 111
125: Second mounting point of 111
126: Left sub frame member of 111
127: Right sub frame member of 111
128: Rear support member of 111
129: first portion of 128
130: Second portion of 128
131: Third portion of 128
132: Pair of connecting tubes of 111
133: Front bottom mounting of 132
134: Rear bottom mounting of 132
135: First bridge member of 111
136: Gusset placed between 126, 127 and 128
137: Mounting means of 112
138: Fasteners of 133
139: First brackets on 119
140: Second brackets on 119
141: Fastening means of 142
142: Rear top mounting
143: Connecting member to connect 133 and 134 separately
144: Casing of 112
145: Attachment means of 144