Description:FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
[39 of 1970]
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(Section 10; Rule 13)

MOTOR CASE FOR A SADDLE-RIDE TYPE VEHICLE

ULTRAVIOLETTE AUTOMOTIVE PRIVATE LIMITED
529-530, Intermediate Ring Road, Amarjyoti Layout, Domlur,
Bangalore – 560071, Karnataka, India
An Indian Company

The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.
 

4. DESCRIPTION
[0001] The embodiments of present disclosure relate to a saddle-ride type vehicle and more particularly to the motor case of a saddle-ride type vehicle.
BACKGROUND
[0002] A frame is one of the basic structural members of a vehicle. It supports the load of the various components of the vehicle and the passengers. In addition, it is often subjected to fatigue and impact loads during riding conditions. There are different kinds of frame depending on the type of vehicle. In cars, trucks and jeeps, the frame structure is considerably simpler in terms of shape and design criteria due to the inbuilt stability of such types of vehicles. However, in saddle-ride type vehicles, the design of the frame structure becomes more complicated due to the fact that the frame must be compact and bear the load of all essential as well as auxiliary components. Thus, in saddle-ride type vehicles, the design of the frame is critical due the intricate layout, various dynamic loads as mentioned above, the fatigue loads as well as the impact loads acting on it.
[0003] In a typical saddle-ride type vehicle, the frame is a single integrated structure comprising a front frame that supports a front portion of the vehicle; a down tube extending downwards and rearwards from the front frame portion that typically supports the power generation unit and other associated components; and a rear frame that support the rear portion of the vehicle. Further, the rear frame portion and the down tube are connected to each other by a bridge frame, typically provided behind the power generation unit. The bridge frame provides stiffness of the rear portion of the frame. In a typical saddle-ride type vehicle. The bridge frame does not only provide stiffness to the vehicle but also supports other components in the rear portion of the vehicle such as the pillion footrest, the swing arm, the shock absorber and so on. The components of the frame are formed from standardized tubes and are often welded together to form a single integrated structure. In addition, there are various mounting brackets to support other units of the vehicle such as headlamp, suspension, wheels and so on. These mounting brackets are typically welded onto the frame.
[0004] In a typical saddle-ride type vehicle, a power transmission unit transmits the power generated by a power generation unit, such as a battery, to the wheel of the vehicle for operating the vehicle. The power transmission unit typically comprises of an electric motor disposed within a motor case usually to protect the motor from external effect such as water or flying debris. It is to be noted that the size of the power transmission unit (and subsequently of the motor case) increases with increase in the power requirement of the vehicle. Due to this increase in size, the strength requirements to be met by the frame structure of the vehicle increases. This leads to the requirement for further strengthening of the bridge frame to increase the strength of the vehicle. Typically, such increase in strength is achieved by deploying tubes with more thickness to make the bridge frame stronger.
[0005] Although, the strength requirements can be met my increasing the strength of the bridge frame, the following problems arise.
[0006] Firstly, it leads not only to an increase in cost, but also the weight of the vehicle because the steel tubes have high density (mass per unit volume).
[0007] Secondly, with an increase in weight, more power is required to operate the vehicle and hence, the efficiency of the power generation unit decreases considerably.
[0008] Thirdly, in case of a saddle-ride type vehicle, the size of the vehicle is hugely constrained, and the layout of the vehicle is complicated due to the fact that all the essential as well as auxiliary components must be packed efficiently in this constrained space. An increase in size of the bridge frame further complicates such closely packed layout.
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION
[0009] Considering the above-mentioned failure modes, it is an objective of the current invention to develop a simple frame structure to meet the strength requirements.
[0010] It is yet another objective of the current invention to minimise the weight of the structural member to retain the efficiency of the power unit.
[0011] It is yet another objective of the current invention to meet the layout requirements of the vehicle effectively.
[0012] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The saddle-ride type vehicle, as per the current invention, comprises, inter alia, of a main frame, a cradle frame. a posterior frame, a power generation unit, and a power transmission unit. The main frame markedly extends in a vehicle longitudinal direction for supporting a front portion of the vehicle. The main frame comprises of a main frame front portion and a main frame rear portion. The cradle frame extends substantially downwards and then substantially rearwards to support a middle portion of the vehicle. The posterior frame extends rearwards from the main frame to support a rear portion of the vehicle. The posterior frame comprises of a posterior frame front portion and a posterior frame rear portion. The power generation unit generates the power to operate the vehicle and the power transmission unit transmits the power generated by the power generation unit to operate the vehicle. The power transmission unit further comprises of an electric motor that is partially or wholly disposed within a motor case in order to protect it from foreign particles such as flying debris or water. The main frame, the cradle frame, the posterior frame, and the motor case together form a primary structural member of the vehicle. The motor casing comprises of plurality of motor top support portions and plurality of motor bottom support portions. As per the current invention, the motor top support portion at least partially overlaps with the main frame rear portion in a vehicle side view.
[0014] As per an embodiment of the current invention, the main frame, the cradle frame, and the posterior frame is made up of steel tubular elements.
[0015] As per yet another embodiment of the current invention, the power generation unit is a battery system.
[0016] As per yet another embodiment of the current invention the motor case is made up of a lighter material such as aluminium and is manufacture using a die casting process such as an aluminium die casting process.
[0017] . As per yet another embodiment of the current invention, the motor top support portion and the motor bottom support portion is a through-hole to support to enable it to be mounted into the main frame rear portion.
[0018] As per yet another embodiment of the current invention, the motor bottom support portion is supported by the cradle frame.
[0019] In order to clarify the detailed features of the present invention, a detailed description of the invention will be provided. Reference of specific embodiments are illustrated with the help of appended figures. It is to be noted that these figures depict solely the typical embodiments of the invention. The figures are not to be considered as limiting in scope.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] Figure 1 represents a side view of a typical saddle-ride type vehicle.
[0021] Figure 2 represents a components of the the saddle-ride type vehicle according to an embodiment of the current invention.
[0022] Figure 3 is a side view of a motor casing and a motor as per an embodiment of the current invention.
[0023] It is to be noted that a person skilled in the art shall comprehend that the elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and may not have necessarily been drawn to scale. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the figures by conventional symbols, and the figures may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the figures with details that will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the description herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0024] For promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the figures and specific language will be used to describe them. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as would normally occur to those skilled in the art are to be construed as being within the scope of the present invention.
[0025] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory of the invention and are not intended to be restrictive thereof.
[0026] The terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process or method that comprises a list of steps does not include only those steps but may include other steps not expressly listed or inherent to such a process or method. Similarly, one or more devices or sub-systems or elements or structures or components preceded by "comprises... a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other devices, sub-systems, elements, structures, components, additional devices, additional sub-systems, additional elements, additional structures, or additional components. Appearances of the phrase "in an embodiment", "in another embodiment" and similar language throughout this specification may, but not necessarily do, all refer to the same embodiment.
[0027] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this invention belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are only illustrative and not intended to be limiting.
[0028] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying figures.
[0029] In the following specification and the claims, reference will be made to a number of terms, which shall be defined to have the following meanings. The singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0030] Figure 1 represents a side view of a typical saddle-ride type vehicle (100).
[0031] The front portion of the vehicle indicates the portion of the vehicle that lies ahead of the rider while the rider is seated on the vehicle. Thus, the direction that a rider faces while being seated on the vehicle is the vehicle front direction. The rear portion of the vehicle indicates the portion of the vehicle that lies behind the rider while the rider is seated on the vehicle. A longitudinal direction is the direction from the front of the vehicle to the rear of the vehicle. The middle portion of the vehicle lies between the front portion and the rear portion.
[0032] A typical saddle-ride type vehicle comprises, inter alia, of a power generation unit that generates the desired power move the vehicle forward, a power transmission unit that supplies the power generated by the power generation unit to a rear wheel of the vehicle, a front wheel that is steerable controlled by the rider to go in a desired direction using a handlebar unit , a rider seating unit for the rider to sit on and operate the vehicle, a passenger seating unit for a passenger to sit on, a braking system to decelerate or stop the vehicle or to station the vehicle on a slope, a front suspension unit to prevent the transmission of shocks from the front wheel to the other components and passenger of the vehicle, a rear suspension unit to prevent transmission of road shocks from the rear wheel to other components or passengers of the vehicle, a headlight unit for clear visibility to the rider, a taillight unit for alerting the passengers of other following vehicles during a full stop or rapid deceleration of the vehicle, other primary components, other auxiliary components and a frame structure that directly or indirectly supports the above mentioned components.
[0033] Figure. 1 represents the frame structure of the saddle-ride type vehicle (100) according to an embodiment of the current invention. For ease of understanding, a front portion of the vehicle can be considered to be comprising typically of the handlebar unit, the front wheel, the front suspension, the headlight, portion of other surrounding components, etc. Similarly, a middle portion of the vehicle can be considered to be comprising typically of the power generation unit, the rider seating unit, a portion of other surrounding components, etc. and the rear portion can be considered to be comprising typically of the passenger seat, the taillight, the rear wheel, a portion of power transmission unit, portion of other surrounding components, etc. The frame structure directly or indirectly supports the front portion, the rear portion, and the middle portion of the vehicle.
[0034] The saddle-ride type vehicle (100), as per the current invention, comprises, inter alia, of a main frame (10), a cradle frame (20), a posterior frame (30), a power generation unit (40), and a power transmission unit (50). The main frame (10) markedly extends in a vehicle longitudinal direction for supporting a front portion of the vehicle. The main frame comprises of a main frame front portion (101) and a main frame rear portion (102). The cradle frame (20) extends substantially downwards and then substantially rearwards to support a middle portion of the vehicle. The posterior frame (30) extends rearwards from the main frame (10) to support a rear portion of the vehicle. The posterior frame (30) comprises of a posterior frame front portion (301) and a posterior frame rear portion (302). The power generation unit (40) generates the power to operate the vehicle and the power transmission unit (50) transmits the power generated by the power generation unit to operate the vehicle. The power transmission unit further comprises of an electric motor (501) that is partially or wholly disposed within a motor case (502) in order to protect it from foreign particles such as flying debris or water. The main frame (10), the cradle frame (20), the posterior frame (30), and the motor case (502) together form a primary structural member of the vehicle. The motor case (502) comprises of a plurality of motor top support portion (511) and a plurality of motor bottom support portions (512). As per the current invention, the motor top support portion (511) at least partially overlaps with the main frame rear portion (102) in a vehicle side view.
[0035] As per an embodiment of the current invention, the main frame (10), the cradle frame (20), and the posterior frame (30) is made up of steel tubular elements.
[0036] As per yet another embodiment of the current invention, the power generation unit (40) is a battery system.
[0037] As per yet another embodiment of the current invention the motor case (502) is made up of a light-weight material such as aluminium and is manufactured using a die casting process such as an aluminium die casting process.
[0038] As per yet another embodiment of the current invention, the motor top support portion (511) and the motor bottom support portion (512) comprises a through-hole to support to enable it to be mounted into the main frame rear portion.
[0039] As per yet another embodiment of the current invention, the motor bottom support portion (512) is supported by the cradle frame (20).
[0040] As per yet another embodiment of the current invention, that the main frame rear potion (102), the posterior frame front portion (301) and the motor top support portion (511) are mounted together using a single fastener.
[0041] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory of the disclosure and are not intended to be restrictive thereof.
[0042] While specific language has been used to describe the invention, any limitations arising on account of the same are not intended. As would be apparent to a person skilled in the art, various working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive concept as taught herein.
[0043] The figures and the foregoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment. For example, order of processes described herein may be changed and are not limited to the manner described herein. Moreover, the actions of any flow diagram need not be implemented in the order shown; nor do all the acts need to be necessarily performed. Also, those acts that are not dependent on other acts may be performed in parallel with the other acts. The scope of embodiments is by no means limited by these specific examples.
[0044] Thus, since the motor casing, the main frame, the posterior frame, and the cradle frame act as a primary structural member of the vehicle, the current invention leads to a simple frame structure to meet the strength requirements.
[0045] The current invention optimises the frame structure design as the motor casing carries the load efficiently and eliminated the need to introduce additional elements to share the load of the components of the vehicle. This supports in the reduction of weight of the structural components while also meeting the strength requirements. This also reduces the number of components that are used to support the vehicle and thus allows for a better efficiency of packaging in the vehicle.

REFERENCES
Saddle-ride type vehicle – 100
Main frame - 10
Main frame front portion - 101
Main frame rear portion - 102
Cradle frame - 20
Posterior frame - 30
Posterior frame front portion - 301
Posterior frame rear portion - 302
Power generation unit – 40
Power transmission unit – 50
Electric motor – 501
Motor case – 502
Motor top support portion - 511
Motor bottom support portion - 512
, Claims:CLAIMS
We claim:
1. A saddle-ride type vehicle (100) comprising:
a main frame (10) markedly extending in a vehicle longitudinal direction for supporting at least a front portion of the vehicle, the said main frame (10) further comprising a main frame front portion (101) and a main frame rear portion (102);
a cradle frame (20) extending substantially downwards and then substantially rearwards from the main frame front portion (101), the cradle frame (20) supporting at least a middle portion of the vehicle;
a posterior frame (30) extending rearwards from the main frame rear portion (102) for supporting at least a rear portion of the vehicle, the posterior frame (30) further comprising of a posterior frame front portion (301) and a posterior frame rear portion (302);
a power generation unit (40) for generating the power to run the vehicle; and
a power transmission unit (50) to transmit the power generated by the power generation unit (40), the power transmission unit (50) further comprising an electric motor (501) and a motor case (502), the electric motor (501) partially or wholly enclosed by the motor case (502), the motor case (502) further comprising plurality of motor top support portions (511) and plurality of motor bottom support portions (512);
characterised in that:
at least one motor top support portion (511) at least partially overlaps with the main frame rear portion (102) in a vehicle side view.
2. A saddle-ride type vehicle as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that, the main frame (10) is made up of steel tubular elements.
3. A saddle-ride type vehicle as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that the cradle frame (20) is made up of steel tubular elements.
4. A saddle-ride type vehicle as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that the posterior frame (30) is made up of steel tubular elements.
5. A saddle-ride type vehicle (100) as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that the power generation unit (40) is a battery system.
6. A saddle-ride type vehicle (100) as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that the motor case (502) is made up of light-weight material such as aluminium and is manufactured using a casting process.
7. A saddle-ride type vehicle (100) as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that the motor top support portion (511) comprises a through-hole at a top portion of the motor case (502).
8. A saddle-ride type vehicle (100) as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that the motor bottom support portion (512) comprises a through-hole at a bottom portion of the motor case.
9. A saddle-ride type vehicle (100) as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that the main frame rear potion (102), the posterior frame front portion (301) and the motor top support portion (511) are mounted together using a single fastener.
10. A saddle-ride type vehicle (100) as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that the motor bottom support portion (512) is supported by the cradle frame (20).