Straddle-type motor vehicle

Abstract

The present subject matter relates to a straddle vehicle. More particularly, but not exclusively, to a conduit of a straddle vehicle for encapsulating one or more electrical components in the vehicle. The conduit (203) is disposed below one or more connecting frames (107), the conduit (203) is configured with two or more intermediate central portions (203c) disposed parallel to each other along a central longitudinal axis (LM) of the vehicle, a cavity (207) is disposed between the two or more intermediate central portions (203c), wherein the two or more intermediate central portions (203c) are configured to support one or more electrical components (204, 205, 206).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present subject matter relates to a straddle type motor vehicle. More particularly, but not exclusively, to a straddle type motor vehicle for housing one or more electrical components in the vehicle. BACKGROUND

[0002] In a conventional vehicle, one or more electrical components are housed on a frame assembly of the vehicle. The housing of the one or more electrical components is achieved by mounting the one or more electrical components by means of a mounting bracket. The mounting bracket is welded on the frame assembly. The frame assembly consisting of the mounting bracket is often covered by a plurality of body panels made of plastic or metal and the body panels are fastened at all the predetermined joints. The plurality of body panels should be configured such that they are able to cover the frame as well as the mounting bracket adequately in the vehicle as required. One or more control units along with their mounting brackets are provided on the right side or the left side of the vehicle. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0003] The detailed description is described with reference to the embodiments of the saddle type two-wheeler and the accompanying drawings. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to like features and components.

[0004] Figure 1 A side view of an exemplary saddle type vehicle 100 is depicted, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

[0005] Figure 2 A side view of an exemplary saddle type vehicle 100 is depicted, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

[0006] Figure 3 A left side view of a conduit mounted in the saddle type vehicle is illustrated.

[0007] Figure 4 A left side view of the conduit along with one or more electrical components is illustrated.

[0008] Figure 5a A top perspective view of the conduit is illustrated.

[0009] Figure 5b A rear perspective view of the conduit is illustrated. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010] In a conventional vehicle, in the known art, the saddle type vehicle consists of a motor, a battery, a controller, and the like. All these components generate heat under the vehicle running conditions, which directly affects the efficiency of the vehicle. However, to address the problem of heating of the electrical components and the vehicle components, a cooling system is incorporated in the vehicle.

[0011] Conventional type vehicles with air cooling system consisting of air ducts occupy more space. Such bulky air cooling system often leads to complex vehicle layout, requiring more space in the vehicle along the width and length of the vehicle, which is often not feasible. Further, one or more electrical components are also packed in the vehicle apart from being able to accommodate larger air cooling system. One or more electrical components such as charger socket, relays, etc., and cabling of electrical cables. Therefore, designing compact saddle type vehicles with compact layout packing is complex, often compromising the ease of one or more functionalities and / or services. Bulk manufacturing of such complex layout vehicles is another challenge.

[0012] To overcome the above problems, if the size of the air ducts is affected due to packing of one or more electrical components in the vehicle, the amount of air passing through the ducts reduces, which affects the cooling efficiency and can cause overheating of critical electrical components such as motor and one or more controllers. Overheating of critical electrical components results in undesirable operation / use of one or more electrical components beyond the permissible operating range of one or more components. This is detrimental to the durability and life of one or more electrical components, which also greatly reduces the efficiency of the vehicle.

[0013] Therefore, the present subject matter proposes to address the above problems by enabling efficient cooling of one or more electrical components and other vehicle parts in the vehicle, while overcoming the above problems and other known technical problems.

[0014] To overcome the above cooling problems, an improved cooling system is disclosed. The cooling system is laid out with a duct such that a cavity is formed in the central region without compromising the inlet portion of the duct. The duct comprises one or more central portions extending parallel to each other and is divided into two paths by the cavity. The two paths are configured to converge into a single outlet portion.

[0015] The duct is configured to include a cavity in the central region to accommodate the charging wire, the cavity is configured to facilitate cabling of one or more electrical cables and to install and obtain one or more wire harnesses with simple cabling along the one or more central portions, while enabling efficient cooling functionality of one or more electrical components and one or more vehicle parts.

[0016] The duct is packed in the vehicle, particularly on the bottom portion of the front panel, wherein the duct inlet is located between the front wheel and the lower bracket of the front suspension. The duct extends along the step over portion of the vehicle. The duct is connected to a portion of the frame assembly and is located between two or more central frames. The duct is configured to extend rearward to deliver cool air towards one or more controllers and motor, which are critical electrical components in the vehicle.

[0017] The inlet portion of the conduit is encapsulated in a position wherein at least a portion of the inlet portion is disposed behind the front wheel so as to allow ingress of a substantial amount of atmospheric air into the inlet portion under vehicle running conditions.

[0018] The conduit is configured to include an inlet portion, two or more central portions in the conduit and an outlet portion, the outlet portion allowing air flow to the motor and one or more electrical components.

[0019] In an aspect of the subject matter, the two or more central portions include one or more openings disposed substantially in a longitudinal middle region of the middle central portion, the one or more openings being disposed so as to cool one or more electrical components supported by the conduit, particularly the electrical components within the cavity configured in the conduit.

[0020] The one or more controllers are encapsulated on the rear side of the conduit, in close proximity to the outlet portion of the conduit, such that one or more heat dissipating fins on the controllers face the one or more openings in the conduit.

[0021] The conduit is configured to include bends, recesses and variable cross sections to avoid interference with different portions of the frame and surrounding parts of the vehicle. However, the conduit is configured to effectively provide cooling as required.

[0022] The conduit is mounted in the front portion of the vehicle, in close proximity to the inlet of the sub-frame of the frame assembly. The conduit is configured to include one or more mounts mounted to the frame assembly, the one or more mounts being disposed at one or more connecting portions of the conduit.

[0023] In an embodiment of the subject matter, one or more critical electrical parts such as relays, fuses are encapsulated in the cavity on the conduit.

[0024] The cavity in the conduit not only allows wiring of the cables from the front side to the rear side, but the cables can also be mounted on the conduit.

[0025] The cavity in the conduit is configured such that wiring of one or more wire harnesses is simpler, the cable length is reduced, thereby reducing cost and also reducing energy loss, thereby improving efficiency. By configuring the conduit to be able to mount one or more wire harnesses and support the wire harnesses, simpler wiring of the wire harnesses is achieved. In this way, the wire harnesses are prevented from interfering with the surrounding parts and the already configured path in the form of the conduit facilitates wiring of the one or more wire harnesses. This eliminates additional paths that would otherwise have to be configured for wiring of the one or more wire harnesses.

[0026] The applicability of cooling electrical parts in the conduit is improved as the cables can be accessed quickly and conveniently through the cavity.

[0027] The conduit is configured to provide additional space for encapsulating small electrical parts such as starting relays, fuses, and the like.

[0028] Further explanation of the above mentioned advantages of the present subject matter is provided in the detailed description of the drawings below. The subject matter is further described with the help of drawings. It is to be noted that the description and drawings merely illustrate the principles of the subject matter. Various settings can be devised, although they are not explicitly described or illustrated in here, which incorporate the principles of the subject matter. Further, all statements regarding the principles, aspects and examples of the subject matter as set forth herein and therein apply mutatis mutandis to all structures described and / or illustrated in here.

[0029] Figure 1 A right side view of an exemplary saddle type vehicle is depicted. The vehicle includes a handlebar assembly 110 connected to front wheels 115 through one or more front suspensions 120. A steering shaft (not shown) connects the handlebar assembly 110 to the front suspensions 120 and the steering shaft is rotatably journaled about a front frame (not shown). A power source / energy source 125, such as an engine assembly, one or more batteries, is mounted to a frame assembly (now shown 105). The power source 125 can also include traction motors mounted on the wheel hubs or near the engine assembly. In the depicted embodiment, the power source / energy source 125 is disposed below at least a portion of a pair of rear frames (now shown 108). However, in alternate embodiments, the power unit can be fixedly disposed towards the front and below one or more connecting frames (now shown 107). The power source / energy source 125 is functionally connected to rear wheels 130 through a drive train (not shown). The vehicle 100 can include one or more rear wheels. Further, the vehicle 100 includes an exhaust system that facilitates dissipation of exhaust gases from the power source / energy source 125. The exhaust system includes a muffler mounted to the vehicle 100.

[0030] Further, the rear wheels 130 are connected to the frame assembly 105 through one or more rear suspensions. In the depicted embodiment, the power source 125 is swingably mounted to the frame assembly 105 through a wishbone or the like. A seat assembly 135 is supported by the frame assembly 105 and disposed rearward of the step over portion 109.

[0031] Further, the vehicle 100 includes a front fender 155 that covers at least a portion of the front wheels 115. In the present embodiment, a floorboard 145 is disposed at the step over portion 109 and is supported by the main frame 107 (as Figure 2The vehicle 100 is supported by a pair of floor frame portions (not shown). In one embodiment, a fuel tank (not shown) is located below the seat assembly 135 and behind the utility box. A rear fender 160 covers at least a portion of the rear wheel 130. The vehicle 100 includes a plurality of electrical / electronic components, including a headlight 165, a taillight (not shown), a battery (not shown), a transistor controlled ignition (TCI) unit (not shown), an AC generator (not shown), and a starter motor (not shown). Additionally, the vehicle 100 may include a synchronized braking system and an anti-lock braking system.

[0032] Vehicle 100 includes multiple panels, including a front panel 170 located in the front portion of the front frame 106 and leg guards 171 located in the rear portion of the front frame 106. Rear panel assembly 172 includes a right side panel and a left side panel, located below seat assembly 135 and extending rearward from the rear portion of floor 145 toward the rear portion of vehicle 100. Rear panel assembly 172 encloses a utility box (not shown) located below seat assembly 140. Similarly, rear panel assembly 172 partially encloses power source 125.

[0033] Figure 2 A side view of an exemplary saddle-type vehicle 100 according to an embodiment of this subject matter is depicted. The vehicle 100 has a frame assembly 105 including a front frame 106 and two or more center frames 107 extending rearwardly and downwardly from the front frame 106. The two or more center frames 107 may include one or more main frames, and the frame assembly 105 includes a pair of rear frames 108 and a pair of rear frames 108 extending rearwardly and downwardly from the rear portion of the main frames 107. In this embodiment, the vehicle 100 includes a strut portion 109 supported by sub-frame members 111 of the frame assembly 105. However, aspects of this subject matter are not limited to the illustrated layout of the vehicle 100.

[0034] Figure 3 A left perspective view of a conduit installed in a saddle-type vehicle is shown. The conduit 203 is installed at one or more portions of a frame assembly. The conduit 203 is installed on a subframe 111 at the front portion of the vehicle 100. The conduit 203 is installed to the subframe 111 such that an inlet portion 203i at the upstream end of the conduit 203 is positioned below an upper curved portion 111u of the subframe 111. The conduit 203 is divided into two or more intermediate center portions 203c disposed downstream of the inlet portion 203i, and the two or more intermediate center portions 203c are mounted to the two or more center frames via one or more mounting members 107m disposed on the conduit 203. Figure 2(As shown in 107). Downstream of one or more intermediate center portions 203c, the one or more center portions 203c merge to form a single downstream portion. The downstream outlet portion 203o of the conduit 203 is located behind the one or more intermediate connecting portions and above the motor 201. The one or more intermediate center portions are configured between the downstream of the inlet portion 203i and the upstream of the outlet portion 203o at the downstream end of the conduit 203. Atmospheric air flowing through the conduit is directed to the motor 201 for effective cooling of the motor 201. In addition, the conduit 203 includes a cavity 207 configured to separate two or more intermediate center portions 203c. The cavity is configured to support the charging station 204, one or more relays 205, and other electrical components.

[0035] The conduit 203 extends along the longitudinal axis LM of the vehicle center in the front-rear direction.

[0036] According to an embodiment of the invention, the conduit 203 includes a cavity 207. The cavity 207 is configured to occupy 3 / 4 of the central portion of the conduit 203. The cavity 207 extends along the longitudinal axis LM of the vehicle center.

[0037] Figure 4 The diagram illustrates a duct and a left-side view of one or more electrical components in the vehicle. The duct 203 is configured such that a large portion of the charging station 204 and one or more relays 205 are contained within a cavity. Figure 3 As shown in 207), the charging station 204's connecting cables / wires and the connecting cables / wires of two or more relays 205 are housed and protected within the cavity, and the wiring through the cavity is used to prevent any sharp bends that could affect cable performance. According to an embodiment of this subject matter, the inlet portion 203i of the conduit 203 is located above the outlet portion 203o of the conduit 203.

[0038] Figure 5a A top perspective view of the catheter is shown. The catheter 203 is an elongated structure with a cavity 207 in its central portion. Figure 3 As shown, duct 203 extends along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle center. Duct 203 is a hollow structure. Atmospheric air 208 passing through the duct is configured to take two paths around the cavity 207 inside the duct. Atmospheric air that has entered the inlet portion 203i is forced into two or more intermediate central portions 203c. Then, atmospheric air with high pressure is discharged towards the motor (not shown) to the outlet portion 203o. Furthermore, as... Figure 5bAs shown, the two or more intermediate center portions 203c include two or more holes 203h for atmospheric air outflow conduit 203. Atmospheric air is expelled from the one or more openings and disposed on a bottom side of the conduit 203, wherein the openings 203h are substantially closer to a rear merging area (not labeled) of the intermediate center portions 203c and proximate to the controller 202. Due to the suggested configuration of the conduit 203, the atmospheric air is directed to flow outward and downward from the openings 203h, thereby directing the air 203h such that the atmospheric air is directed towards the one or more controllers disposed below the conduit 203.

[0039] According to embodiments of the present subject matter, one or more electrical cables 206 (as shown) are routed along the conduit 203. The conduit is configured to include one or more cable retaining members 203m for retaining the one or more electrical cables in place. Figure 4

[0040] According to embodiments of the present subject matter, the two or more intermediate center portions 203c include a right arm 203cr and a left arm 203cl. One or more of these arms are configured to include one or more cable retaining members 203m.

[0041] In another embodiment, the right arm 203cr and the left arm 203cl are configured to include one or more cable retaining members 203m.

[0042] While the present subject matter has been described in detail with respect to certain embodiments thereof, other embodiments are possible. It is understood that aspects of the embodiments are not necessarily limited to the features described herein.

[0043] REFERENCE NUMERALS:

[0044] 100 vehicle

[0045] 110 handlebar assembly

[0046] 115 front wheel

[0047] 120 front suspension

[0048] 125 power source / energy source

[0049] 130 rear wheel

[0050] 105 frame assembly

[0051] 135 seat assembly

[0052] 109 step over portion

[0053] 155 front fender

[0054] 145 underpan

[0055] ​107 main frame

[0056] 140 seat assembly

[0057] 160 rear fender

[0058] 165 headlamp

[0059] 106 front frame

[0060] 171 leg shield

[0061] 172 rear panel assembly

[0062] 108 pair of rear frames

[0063] 111 sub-frame member

[0064] 203 conduit

[0065] 203c two or more intermediate center portions

[0066] 107m one or more frame mounting members

[0067] 203 exit portion

[0068] 204 charging station

[0069] 205 one or more relays

[0070] LM vehicle center longitudinal axis

[0071] 207 cavity

[0072] 203h one or more holes

[0073] 203m one or more cable retaining members

[0074] 203cr right arm

[0075] 203cl left arm

[0076] 404 one or more fins

[0077] 405 power source

[0078] 406 one or more harness retaining members

[0079] LM longitudinal axis

[0080] TR transverse axis.

Claims

1. A straddle-type motor vehicle (100), comprising: A frame assembly (105) having a front frame (106); One or more connecting frames (107) extending rearward from the front frame (106); Its features are, The conduit (203) is disposed below the one or more connecting frames (107). The catheter (203) is provided with two or more intermediate central portions (203c), wherein the two or more intermediate central portions (203c) are bifurcated portions of the intermediate central portion of the catheter. The two or more intermediate center portions (203c) are arranged substantially parallel to each other along the vehicle's central longitudinal axis (LM). The two or more intermediate central portions (203c) are bifurcated to define cavities (207) therebetween. One or more electrical components (204, 205, 206) are disposed in the cavity (207).

2. The straddle-type motor vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The two or more intermediate central portions (203c) are configured to support the one or more electrical components (204, 205, 206).

3. The straddle-type motor vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The conduit (203) is hollow.

4. The straddle-type motor vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The two or more intermediate center portions (203c) include a right arm (203cr) and a left arm (203cl), either of which is configured with one or more cable retaining members (203m) that allow one or more cables to be routed along either of the left arm (203cl) and the right arm (203cr).

5. The straddle-type motor vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The duct (203) is configured to facilitate the flow of atmospheric air.

6. The straddle-type motor vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The cavity (207) is located in the central middle region of the conduit (203) and is configured to extend along the vehicle's central longitudinal axis (LM).

7. The straddle-type motor vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein, The cavity (207) is configured to extend 3 / 4 of the central portion of the conduit (203).

8. The straddle-type motor vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The one or more electrical components (204, 205, 206) include a charging station (204), one or more relays (205), and one or more cables (206).

9. The straddle-type motor vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The frame assembly (105) includes one or more rear frames (108) configured to extend rearward from the connecting frame (107).

10. The straddle-type motor vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The catheter (203) includes an inlet portion (203i), two or more intermediate central portions (203c), and an outlet portion (203o), wherein the two or more intermediate central portions (203c) are configured to connect the inlet portion (203i) and the outlet portion (203o).

11. The straddle-type motor vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 10, wherein, The inlet portion (203i) is located at the front portion (F) of the vehicle (100), the inlet portion (203i) is exposed to atmospheric air, the two or more intermediate center portions (203c) are configured to extend along the one or more connecting frames (107), and the outlet portion (203o) is located above the motor (201).

12. The straddle-type motor vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 10, wherein, The outlet portion (203o) is disposed above and adjacent to at least one controller (202).

13. A straddle-type motor vehicle (100), comprising: Front frame (106); One or more connecting frames (107) extending rearward from the front frame (106); One or more rear frames (108) extending rearward from the connecting frame (107); The base plate (109) is disposed below the one or more connecting frames (107). A controller (202) disposed between the base plate (109) and the one or more connecting frames (107), and The motor (201) is located behind the controller (202). Its features are, The conduit (203) is disposed between the one or more connecting frames (107) and the controller (202). The catheter has an inlet portion (203i) and an outlet portion (203o). The catheter (203) is provided with two or more intermediate central portions (203c), wherein the two or more intermediate central portions (203c) are bifurcated portions of the intermediate central portion of the catheter. The two or more intermediate center portions (203c) are arranged parallel to each other along the vehicle's central longitudinal axis (LM), and Wherein, the two or more intermediate center portions (203c) are disposed between the downstream of the inlet portion (203i) and the upstream of the outlet portion (203o). The two or more intermediate central portions (203c) are bifurcated to define cavities (207) therebetween. One or more electrical components (204, 205, 206) are disposed in the cavity (207).

14. The straddle-type motor vehicle as claimed in claim 13, wherein, At least one of the two or more intermediate central portions (203c) includes one or more openings (203h) configured in the conduit (203) for being directly above and near the controller (202).

15. A conduit (203) for a straddle-type vehicle (100), said conduit (203) comprising: The inlet section (203i) located at the upstream end; The downstream outlet section (203o), and Two or more intermediate center portions (203c) are configured to combine the inlet portion (203i) and the outlet portion (203o). The two or more intermediate central portions (203c) are bifurcated portions of the intermediate central portion of the conduit. The two or more intermediate central portions (203c) are arranged substantially parallel and bifurcated to form a cavity (207) disposed therebetween, wherein one or more electrical components (204, 205, 206) are disposed in the cavity (207).

16. The conduit (203) for a straddle-type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 15, wherein, The inlet portion (203i) is located above the outlet portion (203o).

17. The conduit (203) for a straddle-type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 15, wherein, The two or more intermediate central portions (203c) include a right arm (203cr) and a left arm (203cl), the right arm (203cr) and the left arm (203cl) including one or more openings (203h).

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