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

VEHICLE CONTROL UNIT 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.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to a vehicle control unit for a saddle-ride type vehicle and particularly to the position of a vehicle control unit in a saddle-ride type vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In modern electric vehicles, a vehicle control unit is an integral part of the vehicle. The vehicle control unit performs several functions such as co-ordination and monitoring of several parameters in a vehicle. In modern vehicles such as cars and trucks, the available space and layout enables to conveniently locate the vehicle control unit. However, in two-wheelers such as saddle-ride type vehicles, the layout of the vehicle is in such a way that the various components of the vehicle needs to be placed in a compact manner. It becomes more crucial for the vehicle control unit to be placed in such a manner so as to be able to perform its function. In scooter-type two-wheelers, the vehicle control unit is typically placed at a front portion of the vehicle.
However, such a layout has certain disadvantages. Firstly, in case of an accident involving a frontal impact, the vehicle control unit may be damaged. This leads to an immediate disablement of the vehicle. Further, it also results in an expensive replacement cost. Secondly, in case the vehicle is driven under rainy conditions or if the vehicle is washed using high-pressure water washing as a part of its maintenance, the entry of water poses a threat to the functioning of the VCU.
Thirdly, since the vehicle control unit interacts not only via software or wireless mechanism, but also a minimal physical interaction that happens via the connected wires from VCU and other electrical components. When the VCU is placed at a front portion, the routing of these lengthy wires becomes cumbersome, especially if the wires are meant to be interacting with components placed on the rear portion, such as a motor controller unit or a vehicle charging unit.
Fourthly, when it comes to motorcycle-type of vehicle, the layout of the vehicle components is a more crucial design factor due to closely packed components. Especially other electrical or electrical components such as the motor controller unit or the vehicle charging unit causes electromagnetic induction forces that have the potential to hamper the effectiveness of a vehicle control unit if placed in the vicinity of such components.

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED BY INVENTION
Considering the aforementioned prior arts and its disadvantages, it is a primary objective of the current invention to conveniently place the VCU in a motorcycle so as to prevent any damage caused due to either a posterior impact or a frontal impact due to an accident of the vehicle.
It is yet another objective of the current invention to prevent the entry of water into the VCU and enable consistent smoother functioning of the VCU.
It is yet another objective of the current invention to minimize the wiring routing length to and from the VCU so as to conveniently pack the VCU and the wiring routing in the vehicle.
It is yet another objective of the current invention to protect the VCU from electromagnetic induction forces or other such disturbances caused by surrounding electrical or electronics components.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
As per the current invention, a saddle-ride type vehicle comprises of a handlebar unit, a main frame, a bridge bracket, a vehicle control unit, and a vehicle charging unit. The handlebar unit further comprises of a handlebar and a steering column; the steering column has an axis of symmetry A-A such that the handlebar and the steering column are together rotatable about an axis A-A. The main frame extends substantially in a vehicle longitudinal direction for supporting at least a front portion of the saddle-ride type vehicle. The main frame further comprises of a head tube, a left arm, and a right arm. Through the head tube, the aforementioned axis A-A of the steering column passes through. The left arm extends substantially rearwards and is positioned to the left side of the head tube. The right arm extends substantially rearwardly from the head tube and is positioned to the right side of the head tube. The bridge bracket extends from a rear portion of the left arm to a corresponding rear portion of the right arm. This bridge bracket has a substantially inverted U-shape when viewed from a front side of the saddle-ride type vehicle. The vehicle control unit is configured to be detachably attached to the bridge bracket. The vehicle charging unit is disposed in the vicinity of the handlebar unit. As per the current invention, the horizontal distance of the bridge bracket from the steering column is more than the horizontal distance of the vehicle charging unit from the steering column.
As per the first embodiment of the current invention, the vehicle control unit is located above a drive motor propelling a wheel.
As per the second embodiment of the current invention, the saddle-ride type vehicle comprises of a first electrical storage unit and a second electrical storage unit. The first electrical storage unit supplies power to the drive motor and the second electrical storage unit provides a voltage lower than a voltage supplied by the first electrical storage unit wherein the vehicle control unit is connected to the second electrical storage unit.
As per the third embodiment of the current invention, the vehicle control unit is connected to a motor control unit that operates the drive motor.
As per the fourth embodiment of the current invention, the vehicle control unit is located higher than the motor control unit.
As per the fifth embodiment of the current invention, the main frame is a hollow pipe structure made up of steel tubes or aluminum tubes.
As per the sixth embodiment of the current invention, the main frame is a flat surface metal structure.
As per the seventh embodiment of the current invention, the vehicle charging unit is connected to a first electrical storage unit for transmission of electrical power to a drive motor.
As per the eighth embodiment of the current invention, the vehicle charging unit comprises of a DC socket for connecting to a power source.
As per the ninth embodiment of the current invention, the steering column comprises a front suspension for keeping a rider isolated from road bumps, vibration, etc.
LIST OF FIGURES
The disclosure will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying figures in which:
FIGURE 1 is a top view of the saddle-ride type vehicle as per the current invention.
FIGURE 2 is a side-view of the saddle-ride type vehicle as per the current invention.
FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of the main frame as per the current invention.
Further, those skilled in the art will appreciate that 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
For the purpose of 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.
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.
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, members, 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.
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.
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying figures.
FIGURE 1 shows a top view of the saddle-ride type vehicle as per the current invention.
FIGURE 2 shows a side-view of the saddle-ride type vehicle as per the current invention.
FIGURE 3 shows a perspective view of the main frame as per the current invention.
As per the current invention, a saddle-ride type vehicle (10) comprises of a handlebar unit (101), a main frame (102), a bridge bracket (103), a vehicle control unit (104), and a vehicle charging unit (105). The handlebar unit (101) further comprises of a handlebar (1011) and a steering column (1012); the steering column (1012) has an axis of symmetry A-A such that the handlebar (1011) and the steering column (1012) are together rotatable about the axis A-A. The main frame (102) extends substantially in a vehicle longitudinal direction for supporting at least a front portion of the saddle-ride type vehicle. The main frame (102) further comprises of a head tube, a left arm (1022), and a right arm (1023). Through the head tube (1021), the aforementioned axis A-A of the steering column (1012) passes through. The left arm (1022) extends substantially rearwards and is positioned to the left side of the head tube (1021). The right arm extends substantially rearwardly from the head tube (1021) and is positioned to the right side of the head tube (1021). The bridge bracket (103) extends from a rear portion of the left arm (1022) to a corresponding rear portion of the right arm (1023). This bridge bracket (103) has a substantially inverted U-shape when viewed from a front side of the saddle-ride type vehicle (10). The vehicle control unit (104) is configured to be detachably attached to the bridge bracket (103). The vehicle charging unit (105) is disposed in the vicinity of the handlebar unit (101). As per the current invention, the horizontal distance of the bridge bracket (103) from the steering column (1012) is more than the horizontal distance of the vehicle charging unit (105) from the steering column (1012).
As per the first embodiment of the current invention, the vehicle control unit (104) is located above a drive motor (106) propelling a wheel (107).
As per the second embodiment of the current invention, the saddle-ride type vehicle (10) comprises of a first electrical storage unit (108) and a second electrical storage unit (109). The first electrical storage unit (108) supplies power to a drive motor (106) and the second electrical storage unit (109) provides a voltage lower than a voltage supplied by the first electrical storage unit (108) wherein the vehicle control unit (104) is connected to the second electrical storage unit (109).
As per the third embodiment of the current invention, the vehicle control unit (104) is connected to a motor control unit (110) that operates the drive motor (106).
As per the fourth embodiment of the current invention, the vehicle control unit (104) is located higher than the motor control unit (110).
As per the fifth embodiment of the current invention, the main frame (102) is a hollow pipe structure made up of steel tubes or aluminum tubes.
As per the sixth embodiment of the current invention, the main frame (102) is a flat surface metal structure.
As per the seventh embodiment of the current invention, the vehicle charging unit (105) is connected to a first electrical storage unit (108) for transmission of electrical power to a drive motor (106).
As per the eighth embodiment of the current invention, the vehicle charging unit (105) comprises of a DC socket (1051) for connecting to a power source.
As per the ninth embodiment of the current invention, the steering column (1012) comprises a front suspension (1012A) for keeping a rider isolated from road bumps, vibration, etc.
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.
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. 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.
FURTHER ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
As per the current invention, the vehicle control unit is protected from a frontal or rear impact if the vehicle meets with an accident. This prevents unwanted disablement of the vehicle as well as reduces the maintenance and repair costs as vehicle control units are expensive due to their sophisticated design to meet complex functionality requirements of the vehicle. Moreover, since the vehicle control unit is placed within the vicinity of other components around its periphery, the probability of water entry during water wash or rainy conditions is drastically reduced, thereby improving its reliability by eliminating failure in VCU due to water entry. Also, since the vehicle control unit is located within the optimal range of other electrical components, the wiring harness design is further reduced and simplified. This design also helps in maintaining a safe distance between the VCU and other electrical/electronics components and thus the VCU is protected against the generated electromagnetic induction.

REFERENCES

Saddle-ride type vehicle (10)
Handlebar unit - 101
Handlebar - 1011
Steering Column- 1012
Front Suspension – 1012A
Main Frame - 102
Head Tube- 1021
Left Arm - 1022
Right Arm - 1023
Bridge Bracket- 103
Vehicle Control Unit - 104
Vehicle Charging Unit- 105
DC Socket - 1051
Drive Motor – 106
Wheel - 107
First Electrical Storage Unit - 108
Second Electrical Storage Unit - 109
Motor Control Unit - 110 , Claims:CLAIMS
We claim:
1. A saddle-ride type vehicle (10) comprising of:
a handlebar unit (101), the handlebar unit (101) comprising of
a handlebar (1011), and
a steering column (1012), the steering column (1012) having an axis of symmetry A-A, the handlebar (1011), and the steering column (1012) together rotatable about an axis A-A,
a main frame (102), the main frame (102) markedly extending substantially in a vehicle longitudinal direction for supporting at least a front portion of the saddle-ride type vehicle (10), the main frame (102) comprising of
a head tube (1021), the axis A-A forming the symmetric axis of the head tube (1021) and the steering column (1012) passing through the head tube(1021),
a left arm (1022), the left arm (1022) extending substantially rearwardly from the head tube (1021) and is positioned to the left side of the head tube (1021),
a right arm (1023), the right arm (1023) extending substantially rearwardly from the head tube (1021) and is positioned to the right side of the head tube (1021),
a bridge bracket (103), the bridge bracket (103) extending from a rear portion of the left arm (1022) to a corresponding rear portion of the right arm (1023), the bridge bracket (103) having a substantially inverted U-shape when viewed from a front side of the saddle-ride type vehicle (10),
a vehicle control unit (104), the vehicle control unit (104) configured to be detachably attached to the bridge bracket (103), and
a vehicle charging unit (105), the vehicle charging unit (105) disposed in the vicinity of the handlebar unit (101)
wherein,
the horizontal distance of the bridge bracket (103) from the steering column (1012) is more than the horizontal distance of the vehicle charging unit (105) from the steering column (1012).
2. The saddle-ride type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vehicle control unit (104) is located above than a drive motor (106), the drive motor (106) enables propelling a wheel (107).
3. The saddle-ride type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 1 comprising of:
a first electrical storage unit (108) that supplies power to the drive motor (106); and
a second electrical storage unit (109) that provides a voltage lower than a voltage supplied by the first electrical storage unit (108) wherein
the vehicle control unit (104) is connected to the second electrical storage unit (109).
4. The saddle-ride type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vehicle control unit (104) is connected to a motor control unit (110) that operates the drive motor (106).
5. The saddle-ride type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vehicle control unit (104) is located higher than the motor control unit (110).
6. The saddle-ride type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the main frame (102) is a hollow pipe structure made up of steel tubes or aluminium tubes.
7. The saddle-ride type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the main frame (102) is a flat surface metal structure.
8. The saddle-ride type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vehicle charging unit (105) is connected to a first electrical storage unit (108) for transmission of electrical power to a drive motor (106).
9. The saddle-ride type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vehicle charging unit (105) comprises of a DC socket (1051) for connecting to a power source.
10. The saddle-ride type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the steering column (1012) comprises a front suspension (1012A) for keeping a rider isolated from road noise, bumps, vibrations, etc.