Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present invention relates to saddle type vehicles and more particularly to a floorboard structure and design for the saddle type vehicles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] In existing saddle-type two-wheeler vehicles such as electric two-wheeler vehicles, a motor is located and housed in a rear wheel hub of the vehicle. This type of layout helps in freeing up space under a utility box of the vehicle where the motor would have been kept otherwise, as was the case in traditional combustion engine two-wheeler vehicles. Unlike in combustion engine vehicles, carrying and placing a battery requires a large space in the electric vehicle.
[003] It is also known in the art to place the motor under the utility box. As a result, the previously available space for placing the battery under the utility box is no more available. It is also known in the art to provide a step through design for combustion engine two-wheeler with a large flat floorboard. The traction battery is housed in this area, that is above the floorboard. This space is called a central tunnel which is covered by four body panels, a cover bottom floor, Lid batter panel Left & Right (L&R) and a cover main pipe on the top. This makes the scooter a maxi type of scooter.
[004] The battery powers the motor and all other electrical components required for the functioning of the vehicle like a motor controller, battery controllers, lamps, an infotainment cluster, and the like. This puts an enormous amount of demand of electricity to be supplied by the battery and the battery gets heated up when such large amount of current is drawn. The battery also gets heated up during charging and the heating is very high during supercharging. This heat needs to be dissipated to the environment and it is important to provide sufficient cooling around the battery to maintain battery temperature for efficient performance and prolong battery life. If this fails to happen, then a situation called thermal runaway of the battery might occur. In such a case under extreme scenarios of operation the battery would spontaneously combust and catch fire. This may be fatal to the rider(s) as well as hazardous for the environment and surroundings.
[005] The inherent layout of the vehicle, where the battery is placed in the central tunnel cascades construction changes in some parts of the vehicles. These include the change in the layout and construction of floorboard, panel rear and lid battery panels. Since the battery occupies the space in the central tunnel, a continuous floorboard is not possible. It is desired for the floorboard of the vehicle to sustain a load of at least 170 kg on each side without getting permanently deformed. This requirement is also a standard homologation requirement for vehicle approval. In existing step-through vehicles, the floorboard is substantially flat and is mounted at the four corners directly onto a main frame of the vehicle. This gives the floorboard enough rigidity to pass and withstand the homologation requirement. However, a continuous, single piece floorboard does not allow a bigger size battery (longer in height) to be accommodated above the floorboard in the tunnel formed by the side panels. The floorboard cannot be further lowered, and the height of the battery cannot be increased in upward directions up to certain limit because of the ergonomic and vehicle handling constraints. Placing the battery inside the floorboard is also not feasible with bigger size batteries.
[006] Thus, there is a need in the art for a floorboard for a vehicle which can accommodate bigger batteries without compromising on the strength and rigidity, and which addresses at least the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[007] In one aspect, the present invention is directed at a saddle-type vehicle comprising a head pipe, a front frame and a centre tunnel for accommodating an electric equipment of the vehicle. The centre tunnel is an enclosure formed within the front frame. The front frame comprises a pair of front frame members and a bottom cradle. The pair of front frame members includes a left front frame member and a right front frame member extending horizontally rearwards on either sides from a vehicle front towards a vehicle centre. Subsequently, at about the vehicle centre, the pair of front frame members take a downward turn and extend downward to overlap sides of the centre tunnel. The bottom cradle has a centre cradle member for supporting the electrical equipment of the vehicle and a pair of a left cradle member, and a right cradle member. The centre cradle member is located between the pair of cradle members. The pair of left and right cradle members extend downwards from the head pipe at the vehicle front and thereafter bend rearward to extend substantially parallel to ground towards a vehicle rear to join the centre cradle member on wither sides of the vehicle.
[008] In an embodiment, the saddle-type vehicle comprises: a pair of floorboards including a left floorboard and a right floorboard, and a pair of floorboard brackets including a left floorboard bracket and a right floorboard bracket. Each of the floorboards is mounted on respective floorboard brackets. The pair of floorboard brackets is mounted on a bottom portion of the bottom cradle. Each of the floorboard brackets is rigidly fixed to the bottom portion of the bottom cradle and has a ribs structure on a bottom surface of the floorboard brackets. The ribs structure is in the form of a plurality of protrusions protruding perpendicularly from the bottom surface of the floorboard brackets. The ribs structure provides strength and rigidity to the floorboard brackets.
[009] In an embodiment, a portion of the head pipe is enclosed between a pair of a front panel and a rear panel of the vehicle. The rear panel has first cut-outs to allow the front frame to pass through the rear panel. The enclosure of the centre tunnel is formed between a plurality of enclosure members: the rear panel at the front, a rider seat of the vehicle at the back, the centre cradle member at the bottom, the pair of front frame members at the top, and a pair of a vertical panel members including a left vertical panel member and a right vertical panel member on the sides of the enclosure. The vehicle has second cut-outs provided at the side bottom of the pair of the vertical panel members.
[010] In an embodiment, the saddle-type vehicle comprises a pair of side trims including a left side trim and a right-side trim extending from an outer edge of the respective floorboard brackets towards the ground. The vehicle has a third cut-out at the vehicle front located on the pair of floorboards and formed at an interface between the pair of side trims and the pair of floorboards, the third cut-out.
[011] In an embodiment, the vehicle has means for cooling the battery. The air for cooling the battery enters through the first cut-out on the rear panel and travels through the enclosure where the battery is located. The air exits the enclosure through the second cut-outs.
[012] In various embodiments, the electrical equipment is a battery of the vehicle mounted within the enclosure and resting on the centre cradle member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[013] Reference will be made to embodiments of the invention, examples of which may be illustrated in accompanying figures. These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the invention is generally described in context of these embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these particular embodiments.
Figure 1 illustrates a schematic side view of a saddle type vehicle.
Figure 2 illustrates a side perspective view of a front frame of a saddle type vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 3L illustrates a left side portion of the front frame of the saddle type vehicle in a perspective exploded view along with a floorboard, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 3R illustrates a right side portion of the front frame of the saddle type vehicle in a perspective exploded view along with the floorboard, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 3A illustrates the left floorboard bracket in a bottom perspective view, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 3B illustrates the left floorboard bracket in top view, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 4 illustrates a rear panel of the saddle type vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 5 illustrates an assembled perspective view of the front frame, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 5A illustrates a left vertical panel member of the vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 6A illustrates an exploded perspective view of a portion of the front frame, and
Figure 6B illustrates an assembled perspective view of the portion of the front frame, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 7 and Figure 7A are perspective views of a front portion of the vehicle illustrating means for cooling a battery of the vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[014] The present invention relates to a saddle type vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to a floorboard structure for the saddle type vehicle.
[015] Figure 1 illustrates a schematic side view of a saddle type vehicle 100A. In various embodiments, the vehicle 100A is a two-wheeler vehicle, a three-wheeler vehicle, a four-wheeler vehicle, an electric bike, an electric vehicle, a unicycle and the like. For example, the vehicle 100A is a two-wheeler type vehicle, a step-through scooter type vehicle, a saddle type vehicle, a straddle type vehicle, and the like. The vehicle 100A has a transmission system including an electric traction motor (not shown) as a prime mover powered by a battery (not shown) of the vehicle 100A. The vehicle 100A has a head pipe 102, a front wheel 192 and a rear wheel 194. In an embodiment, a portion of the head pipe 102 is enclosed between a pair of a front panel 150f and a rear panel 150r of the vehicle 100A. The head pipe 102 supports a steering shaft (not shown) and a front suspension (not shown) attached to the steering shaft through a lower bracket (not shown). The front suspension supports the front wheel 192. The rear wheel 194 is arranged below a seat 100A-S and adapted to receive the motive force from a prime mover (not shown) of the vehicle 100A. A suitable transmission assembly (196) is provided for transferring the drive force from the prime mover onto the rear wheel 194 for driving the vehicle 100A.
[016] Figure 2 illustrates a front frame 120 of a vehicle 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The vehicle 100 comprises the head pipe 102, the front frame 120 and a centre tunnel 110 for accommodating an electric equipment of the vehicle 100. In various embodiments of the invention, the electric equipment is the battery of the vehicle 100A. The centre tunnel 110 is an enclosure formed within the front frame 120.
[017] The front frame 120 comprises a pair of front frame members 120p and a bottom cradle 130. The front frame 120p extends downwards to overlap the centre tunnel 110 on the two sides. The pair of front frame members 120p includes a left front frame member 120l and a right front frame member 120r extending horizontally rearwards on either-sides from a vehicle front 100F towards a vehicle centre 100C. Subsequently, the pair of front frame members 120p take a downward turn at about the vehicle centre 100C and extend downward to overlap sides of the centre tunnel 110.
[018] The bottom cradle 130 has a centre cradle member 130c for supporting the electrical equipment of the vehicle 100 and a pair of a left cradle member 130l, and a right cradle member 130r. The centre cradle member 130c is located between the pair of cradle members 130l,130r. The pair of left and right cradle members 130l,130r extend downwards from the head pipe 102 at the vehicle front 100F and thereafter bend rearward to extend substantially parallel to ground towards a vehicle rear 100R.
[019] In various embodiments, the battery of the vehicle 100 is mounted within the enclosure and rests on the centre cradle member 130c.
[020] Figure 3L illustrates a left side portion 120L of the front frame 120 in a perspective exploded view, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Figure 3R illustrates a right-side portion 120R of the front frame 120 in a perspective exploded view, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In an embodiment, the saddle-type vehicle 100 comprises a pair of floorboards 140 including a left floorboard 140l and a right floorboard 140r and a pair of floorboard brackets 142 including a left floorboard bracket 142l and a right floorboard bracket 142r.Each of the floorboards 140 is mounted on respective floorboard brackets (142l,142r). The pair of floorboard brackets 142 is mounted on a bottom portion of the bottom cradle 130.
[021] Figure 3A illustrates the left floorboard bracket 142l in a perspective view and Figure 3B illustrates the left floorboard bracket 142l in top view, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Each of the floorboard brackets 142 is rigidly fixed to the bottom portion of the bottom cradle 130 and has a ribs structure 142b on a bottom surface of the floorboard brackets 142. The ribs structure 142b is in the form of a plurality of protrusions protruding perpendicularly from the bottom surface of the floorboard brackets 142. The ribs structure 142b provides strength and rigidity to the floorboard brackets 142 and thus enable load taking capacity of the floor board 140 of the vehicle 100. As shown in Figure 4, the rear panel 150r has first cut-outs 150c to allow the front frame 120 to pass through the rear panel 150r.
[022] Figure 5 illustrates an assembled perspective view of the front frame 120 of the vehicle 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The enclosure of the centre tunnel 110 is formed between a plurality of enclosure members: the rear panel 150r at the front of the enclosure, the centre cradle member 130c at the bottom, the pair of front frame members (120l,r) at the top and at the back, and a pair of a vertical panel members 160 including a left vertical panel member 160l and a right vertical panel member 160r on the sides of the enclosure. The pair of vertical panel members 160 cover the electrical equipment (eg. battery) from the sides and protect the battery. The pair of vertical panel members 160 also add to the aesthetic of the vehicle 100 by hiding the battery from a direct view. The pair of a vertical panel members 160 may be made from a material different from that of the main frame of the vehicle 100, such as a lighter material, ABS, plastic, and the like.
[023] Figure 5A illustrates the left vertical panel member 160l, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The vehicle 100 has second cut-outs 160c provided at the side bottom of the pair of the vertical panel members 160. The left vertical panel member 160l has the second cut-outs 160c.
[024] Figure 6A illustrates an exploded perspective view of the left side portion 120L of the front frame 120 and Figure 6B illustrates an assembled perspective view of the left side portion 120L of the front frame 120, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In an embodiment, the saddle-type vehicle comprises a pair of side trims 170 including a left side trim 170l and a right side trim 170r extending from an outer edge of the respective floorboard brackets 142 towards the ground.
[025] Figure 7 and Figure 7A are perspective views of a front portion of the vehicle 100 illustrating means for cooling the battery of the vehicle 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. As shown in Figure 7A, the vehicle 100 has a third cut-out 140c at the vehicle front 100F located on the pair of floorboards 140 and formed at an interface between the pair of side trims 170 and the pair of floorboards 140. The third cut out 140c is provided on both sides of an interfacing region between the side trims 170 and the floorboards 140 in vehicular forward direction. The third cut-out is provided on the sides of the floorboards 140.
[026] In an embodiment, the vehicle 100 has means for cooling the battery. The means for cooling the battery include the first cut-out 150c (shown in Figure 4), the second cut-outs 160c, and the third cut-out 140c. The air for cooling the battery enters through the first cut-out 150c and the third cut-outs 140c and travels through the enclosure where the battery is located. The air from the atmosphere takes up the heat of the battery and exits the enclosure through the second cut-outs 160c.
[027] Advantageously, the floorboard structure of the vehicle provides bigger space for the battery without compromising on the strength of the floorboard load taking capacity. The ribs structure provided on the floorboard brackets adds to the strength and rigidity of the front frame structure including the floorboard, which is able to accommodate bigger heavier load of the bigger battery. The saddle type vehicle and the floorboard structure therefor, provided by the invention accommodates a bigger battery which is desirable as it increases the vehicle range.
[028] The front frame structure provided by the invention also enables cooling of the battery by providing cut-outs for continuous airflow, thus increasing battery efficiency and life. The invention also enables location of the battery much ahead towards the front of the vehicle and not under the utility box. This further helps in cooling of the battery as it increases the air flow through the cut-outs. Further, the cut-outs on the rear panel facilitate the passing through of the front frame members in an aesthetic manner. Also, the vertical battery panels covering the battery on the sides further add to the aesthetics of the vehicle.
[029] Further, the invention improves riding experience as the battery is now located lower towards the ground and centrally with respect to the vehicle. The location of the battery provided by the invention also requires shorter wiring harness from charger to the battery as the charging port is located closer to the battery.
[030] While the present invention has been described with respect to certain embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modification may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims. , Claims:WE CLAIM:
1. A saddle-type vehicle (100) comprising a head pipe (102), a front frame (120) and a centre tunnel (110) for accommodating an electric equipment of the vehicle (100), the centre tunnel (110) being an enclosure formed within the front frame (120), the front frame (120) comprising:
a pair of front frame members (120p) including a left front frame member (120l) and a right front frame member (120r), the pair of front frame members (120p) extending horizontally rearwards on either sides from a vehicle front (100F) towards a vehicle centre (100C), the pair of front frame members (120p) taking a downward turn at about the vehicle centre (100C) and extending downward to overlap sides of the centre tunnel (110); and
a bottom cradle (130), the bottom cradle (130) having a centre cradle member (130c) for supporting the electrical equipment of the vehicle (100), the bottom cradle (130) having a pair of a left cradle member (130l), and a right cradle member (130r), the centre cradle member (130c) being located between the pair of cradle members (130l,r), the pair of left and right cradle members (130l,r) extending downwards from the head pipe (120) at the vehicle front (100F) and thereafter bending rearward to extend substantially parallel to ground towards a vehicle rear (100R).

2. The saddle-type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1 comprises:
a pair of floorboards (140) including a left floorboard (140l) and a right floorboard (140r); and
a pair of floorboard brackets (142) including a left floorboard bracket (142l) and a right floorboard bracket (142r); each of the floorboards (140) being mounted on respective floorboard brackets (142l,142r); the pair of floorboard brackets (142) being mounted on a bottom portion of the bottom cradle (130).

3. The saddle-type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein each of the floorboard brackets (142) is rigidly fixed to the bottom portion of the bottom cradle (130), the floorboard brackets (142) having a ribs structure (142b) on a bottom surface of the floorboard brackets (142), the ribs structure (142b) being in the form of a plurality of protrusions protruding perpendicularly from the bottom surface of the floorboard brackets (142), the ribs structure (142b) providing strength and rigidity to the floorboard brackets (142).

4. The saddle-type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a portion of the head pipe (120) is enclosed between a pair of a front panel (150f) and a rear panel (150r) of the vehicle (100), the rear panel (150r) having first cut-outs (150c) to allow the front frame (120) to pass through the rear panel (150r).

5. The saddle-type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the enclosure of the centre tunnel (110) is formed between a plurality of enclosure members, the plurality of enclosure members including:
the rear panel (150r) at the front,
the centre cradle member (130c) at the bottom,
the pair of front frame members (120l,r) at the top and at the back, and
a pair of a vertical panel members (160) including a left vertical panel member (160l) and a right vertical panel member (160r) on the sides of the enclosure.

6. The saddle-type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 5 has second cut-outs (160c) provided at the side bottom of the pair of the vertical panel members (160).

7. The saddle-type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 6 comprises a pair of side trims (170) including a left side trim (170l) and a right side trim (170r), each of the side trims (170) extending from an outer edge of the respective floorboard brackets (142) towards the ground.

8. The saddle-type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 6 has a third cut-out (140c) at the vehicle front (100F), the third cut-out (140c) being formed at an interface between the pair of side trims (170) and the pair of floorboards (140), the third cut-out (140c) being located on the pair of floorboards (140).

9. The saddle-type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 8 has means for cooling the electrical equipment, the air for cooling the electrical equipment entering through the first cut-out (150c) and travelling through the enclosure where the electrical equipment is located, the air exiting the enclosure through the second cut-outs (160c).

10. The saddle-type vehicle (100) as claimed in 1, wherein the electrical equipment is a battery of the vehicle (100), the battery being mounted within the enclosure, the battery resting on the centre cradle member (130c).

Dated this 02nd day of August 2022
TVS MOTOR COMPANY LIMITED
By their Agent & Attorney

(Nikhil Ranjan)
of Khaitan & Co
Reg No IN/PA-1471