TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present subject matter relates to a vehicle. More particularly, the present subject matter relates to configuration of electrical components on a frame assembly in a straddle type vehicle.

BACKGROUND

[0002] In automobiles, a chassis system of the vehicle primarily consists of a frame, a suspension, a pair of wheels and brakes. The chassis determines the main structure of the vehicle, its rigidity & also sets the overall looks of the type of vehicle. The frame must be torsion resistant so that the frame should not buckle on uneven road surfaces and any distortion should not be transmitted to the body parts and other aggregates.

[0003] . Typically, vehicles have major aggregates in form of powertrain, chassis systems, body and electrical components. While the chassis and powertrain form the primary elements, the body panels need to provide good aesthetics while also covering all interior parts of the vehicle. With increasing extent of electronics in vehicles, the number of electrical components has increased significantly in recent times. Various functions of the powertrain as well as functions of chassis systems which impact the vehicle dynamics performance of the vehicle are now being controlled with one or more on-board controllers along with a plurality of sensors.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like features and components.

[0005] Fig.l is a left side view of a saddle type vehicle as per one embodiment of the present invention.

[0006] Fig.2 is a perspective view of the frame assembly with electrical components as per one embodiment of the present invention. [0007] Fig. 2a is an exploded view of electrical component as per one embodiment of the present invention.

[0008] Fig.2b is an assembled view of electrical components with wiring harness as per one embodiment of the present invention.

[0009] Fig. 2c is a top view of the vehicle as per one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[00010] Typically, in straddle type vehicle, a frame assembly includes a front zone and a rear zone. The front zone supports a steering assembly along with a front telescopic suspension of the vehicle. The front zone includes a head tube, a main frame member that provides stiffness and strength for withstanding the forces acting thereon. The rear zone includes a rear wheel, and a rear suspension assembly connected. A power unit is mounted swingably in the rear zone of the straddle type vehicle. Therefore, the rear zone and front zone are subjected to various forces from the front and rear wheel through the suspension and from the power unit in addition to the payloads arising out of the occupants & goods. Moreover, the vehicle is provided with style parts or body panels that are mounted to the frame assembly for providing utility space and aesthetic appeal, while being able to withstand vibrations. The front zone and rear zone of the frame assembly also includes various electrical components as per the requirements in the vehicle.

[00011] Further, electrical system of the straddle type vehicle has evolved over the years and it assimilates automatic computer control of the automotive systems. Earlier the straddle type vehicles comprised of basic wiring technologies that were used for distributing power to the other parts of the straddle type vehicle and today’s electrical system comprises of the sensors, actuators, energy storage unit etc.

[00012] It is customary for the electrical components to be disposed in the vehicle by taking several factors into consideration like in a rigid fashion, unmovable except by removal or adjustment through use of tools, good handling performance of the vehicle which is achieved by even distribution of weight in the vehicle to maintain desired location of the centre of gravity (CG) of the vehicle. A rigid mounting is necessitated to prevent undesirable displacement or loosening of the electrical components like energy storage unit, an Integrated Starter Generator (ISG) machine, ISG controller, an EFI (Electronic Fuel Injection) controller or any other electrical equipment. Further, the rigid structure is necessitated to prevent one of the pluralities of equipment from interfering or damaging another of the plurality of components by change in position or angle of any of the plurality of equipment with respect to each other. Taking another factor into consideration, the disposition of electrical components together either in the rear zone of the frame assembly of the vehicle or in the front zone of the frame assembly of the vehicle leads to uneven distribution of weight in the vehicle. The uneven distribution of the weight results in the poor and / or undesirable disposition of the CG of the vehicle. The poor CG of the vehicle leads to poor handling performance of the vehicle, leading to customer dissatisfaction. So, while disposing the electrical components in the vehicle, one has to take cognizance of good handling performance of the vehicle to ensure the customer satisfaction. Typically, in a straddle type vehicle, the electrical components have to be disposed without any interference from the surrounding components and also should not compromise with the efficiency and functionality of the surrounding components. Also the electrical components like the ISG machine, ISG controller, the energy storage unit, the EFI controller etc., being considerably heavy & often bulky, have a challenge to dispose on the vehicle while maintaining a compact packaging, layout and desired handling of the vehicle. The challenge is further complex for a saddle type vehicle which has increasingly less space in the layout to configure additional parts.

[00013] There is always a contradicting challenge of providing a stable mounting structure for the electrical component unit like energy storage unit, the ISG machine, ISG controller, the EFI controller etc., and at same time enabling ease of assembly, access for manufacturing & service as well as access to cooling air. For example, disposing the ISG machine along with ISG controller away from the main structural members of the frame vehicle like as, energy storage unit etc. tend to decrease the efficiency of the ISG machine along with ISG controller because of the heating of the ISG machine along with ISG controller. Further, elongation of wire connection between the ISG controller and energy storage unit leads to voltage drop in the wires, which affects the efficiency of the ISG controller. Also, disposition of the ISG controller together with the ISG machine leads to adversely affect the efficiency of the ISG machine as because of the heat dissipation from the ISG controller. The disposition of the EFI controller away from the power unit and a throttle body adversely impacts the efficiency of the air fuel ratio, thus affecting the efficiency of the power unit. Additionally vibration in vehicle can cause wires to break especially where the wire feeds into a connector. Moreover, there is often need to package other electrical components in close vicinity to the energy storage unit and power unit. Multiple means are provided on the vehicle structure to mount the electrical component which makes the system design complex, costly, difficult to manufacture & undesirable. Typically, the electrical components are disposed on the vehicle structure with plurality of mounting means that eats into additional valuable layout space of the vehicle, adds to cost, increases number of parts & aggravates the ease of assembly as well as access to tools for mounting the battery unit to the vehicle.

[00014] In known art, electrical components are mounted in vicinity of utility box, which eats into space of utility box of the straddle type vehicle.

[00015] Further, in another known art, the electrical components are mounted in parallel to an air cleaner assembly which eats into the volume of the air cleaner assembly.

[00016] Furthermore, in another known art, electrical components are disposed between a frame head tube and a headlight of vehicle. In this configuration, owing to the frontal wind during riding, the heat generated by the headlight of the vehicle is channelized towards the electrical components which results in overheating of the electrical components. This adversely impacts the efficiency of the electrical components as disposed.

[00017] Thus, there is a need for improved layout and packaging of electrical components like energy storage unit, an ISG with ISG controller, an EFI controller for a compact straddle type vehicle, which is capable of compactly accommodating the electrical components while maintaining desired handling performance of the vehicle.

[00018] The present subject matter discloses a location for electrical components like energy storage unit, an ISG machine, ISG controller, an EFI controller to ensure the ease of accessibility without major changes in the existing layout of the vehicle.

[00019] As per one aspect of the present invention, a vehicle comprising a frame assembly, side panels, and a front panel is disclosed. The frame assembly includes a main frame member, a head tube and a pair of rear frame members which extends inclinedly rearward from a rear portion of the main frame member defining a step through portion. Further, as per one aspect of the present invention, the main frame member is mounted to the head tube of the frame assembly and extends downwardly where a floorboard member is connected to the main frame member of the vehicle. Further, as per one aspect of the present invention, a cross member floorboard is mounted in between the pair of floorboard members to provide strength to the mounting of floorboard member.

[00020] Further, as per one aspect of the present invention, an electrical equipment housing member (referred as “housing member”) is mounted on the head tube of the frame assembly. A headlight is disposed on a handlebar of the vehicle. An electrical component like energy storage unit is at least partially housed inside the housing member and cover by a cover member on top of the housing member. Further, an ISG controller is disposed on top of the cover member of housing member and is parallel to a ground plane with respect to the vehicle. The cover member is detachably attached with the housing member through various attachment means, for example, fasteners. The housing member along with electrical components is disposed at a lower level/below the headlight in the vehicle. This configuration ensures that heat dissipated by the headlight of the vehicle does not impinge on the controller and thus has no adverse impact on the efficiency of the electrical component as disposed on the head tube. Further, this also ensures the shortening of routing of wiring harness between the energy storage unit and ISG controller, thereby eliminating voltage drop in the wire.

[00021] Further, as per one aspect of the present invention, the electrical components as disposed on the head tube, are overlappingly covered by the front panel of the vehicle when seen in a front view of the vehicle. A slot on the front panel channelizes the atmospheric air inside the front panel. This atmospheric air cools down the electrical components as disposed on the head tube of the frame assembly. This configuration retains the conventional layout of the vehicle and also ensures desired efficiency of the electrical components in the vehicle. This configuration also ensures ease of assembly and serviceability of the electrical components of the vehicle as for example, while servicing of the energy storage unit, the user has to merely loosen the fasteners for accessing the energy storage unit to access the inside system. [00022] Further, as per one aspect of the present invention, the electrical components like energy storage unit, ISG controller are disposed on the head tube. The electrical components are disposed substantially along the longitudinal central plane with respect to a vehicle mid plane axis. This configuration ensures the even distribution of weight of the electrical components in the vehicle, thus achieving a desired position of the CG of the vehicle. This ensures the agile handling performance and desired maneuverability of the vehicle leading to customer satisfaction.

[00023] As per one aspect of the present invention, an ISG machine is disposed in right hand side of the vehicle and rearwards of the ISG controller. This configuration eliminates any adverse impact of heat dissipation from the ISG controller on the ISG machine, thereby maintaining the efficiency of the ISG machine.

[00024] As per one aspect of the present invention, an EFI controller is disposed in the vicinity of the power unit, near the throttle body. The EFI controller is disposed at one lateral side with respect to mid plane axis of the vehicle. As the EFI is disposed within the vicinity of the power unit and near to the throttle body, it achieves high efficiency of the power unit and also enables shortening of wiring harness.

[00025] The various other features of the invention are described in detail below with an embodiment of a two wheeled vehicle with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers generally indicate identical, functionally similar, and/or structurally similar elements. The drawing in which an element first appears is indicated by the leftmost digit(s) in the corresponding reference number. With reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the same reference numerals will be used to identify the same or similar elements throughout the several views.

[00026] 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. [00027] Further “front” and “rear”, and “left” and “right” referred to in the ensuring description of the illustrated embodiment refer to front and rear, and left and right directions as seen in a state of being seated on a seat of the vehicle. Furthermore, a longitudinal axis refers to a front to rear axis relative to the vehicle, while a lateral axis refers to a side to side, or left to right axis relative to the vehicle. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[00028] Fig. 1 a left side view of a straddle type vehicle (“the vehicle”) 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The vehicle (100) illustrated, has a frame assembly (105) (as shown in fig. 2). One or more suspensions (110) connect a front wheel (115) to a handlebar (120), which forms the steering assembly of the vehicle (100).

[00029] The vehicle (100) includes a power unit (125) comprising at least one of an internal combustion (IC) engine (125). In one embodiment, the power unit (125) is swingably connected to the frame assembly (105). In the present embodiment, the power unit (125) is mounted to the swing arm (140) and the swing arm (140) is swingably connected to the frame assembly (105). Further, the vehicle (100) includes a transmission means (not shown) coupling rear wheel (145) to the power unit. The transmission means includes a continuously variable transmission, an automatic transmission, or a fixed ratio transmission. A seat assembly (150) is disposed above the power unit and is supported by the frame assembly (105). In the present embodiment, the seat assembly (150) is hingedly openable. The frame assembly (105) defines a step-through portion ahead of the seat assembly (150). A floorboard (not shown) is disposed at the step-through portion, wherein a rider can operate the vehicle (100) in a seated position by resting feet on the floorboard. Further, the floorboard (not shown) is capable of carrying loads.

[00030] The frame assembly (105) is covered by plurality of body panels including a front panel (160A), an under-seat cover (160B), and a left and a right side panel (160C), mounted on the frame assembly (105) and covering the frame assembly (105) and parts mounted thereof.

[00031] In addition, a front fender (165) is covering at least a portion of the front wheel (115). A utility box (not shown) is disposed below the seat assembly (150) and is supported by the frame assembly (105). A fuel tank (not shown) is disposed adjacently to the utility box (not shown). A purge control valve (PCV) is mounted on left hand side of at least a rear frame of the frame assembly with a mounting bracket in a region 210c as shown in Fig 2 with one or more methods as illustrated by a local magnified view. The PCV is detachably attached with the mounting bracket through various attachment means like rubber boot, bolt. In another implementation, the fuel tank (219) (shown in magnified view in Fig 2a) is disposed below the floorboard in the vehicle. The floorboard mounted fuel tank includes a mounting holder (215) for mounting a fuel tank cap (214) and a connector (216) for connecting the mounting holder and the fuel tank. The connector portion includes plurality of connecting members. The plurality of connecting members of the connector connects directly with the mounting holder and a tube (218), where the tube is connected to the fuel tank. This connects the mounting holder with the fuel tank. The connecting member and the tube are detachably attached with each other through a stiffener member. The mounting holder is also provided with a drain pipe to drain away fuel spillage. The connector is constructed with a breather pipe, a guide portion, mounting portion at its circumference. Also, a guide member is provided on a fuel filler pipe, where the fuel filler pipe connects the fuel inlet with the fuel tank. The guide member as located channelizes other hoses like drain hose, breather hose etc. A rear fender (not shown) is covering at least a portion of the rear wheel (145) and is positioned below the fuel tank and upwardly of the rear wheel (145). One or more suspension(s) (not shown) having mono shock absorber or dual shock absorber, are provided in the rear portion of the vehicle (100) for connecting the swing arm (140) and the rear wheel (145) to the frame assembly (105) for damping the forces from the wheel (145) and the power unit from reaching the frame assembly (105).

[00032] Furthermore, the vehicle (100) comprises of plurality of electrical and electronic components including a headlight (185A), a tail light (185B), a transistor controlled ignition (TCI) unit (not shown). Further, the vehicle (100) includes an anti-lock braking system (ABS), a synchronous braking system (SBS), or a vehicle control system (VCS)

[00033] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the frame assembly in the vehicle as per one embodiment of the present invention with many parts omitted for clarity. As per one embodiment of the present invention, the frame assembly (105) includes a main frame member (105M), a head tube (105H). Further, as per one embodiment of the present invention, the frame assembly (105) includes a pair of rear frame members (105c, 105d) which extend inclinedly rearward from a rear portion of the main frame member (105M) defining a step through portion. As per one embodiment of present invention, one or more cross member termed as rear bridge structure (not shown) connects the pair of rear frames (105c, 105d). Further, as per one embodiment of the present invention, the main frame member (105M) is mounted to the head tube (105H) of the vehicle and extends downwardly where the floorboard member (206E, 206F) is attached to the main frame member (105M) of the vehicle. Further, as per one aspect of the present invention, a floorboard cross member (201) is attached in between the pair of floorboard member (206E, 206F) to provide the strength to the mounting of floorboard member (206E, 206F).

[00034] Further, as per an additional embodiment, the pair of rear frame members (105c, 105d) includes an upwardly extended portion which acts as a pillion grab handle. The pillion grab handle provides support for riding comfort to the pillion rider. Further, as per one aspect of the present invention, the pair of rear frame members (105c, 105d) includes a suspension mounting bracket (not shown) to mount one end of the rear suspension assembly (not shown) with at least one side of the pair of rear frames (105c, 105d).

[00035] As per one embodiment of the present invention, an electrical component housing member (205) (referred as “housing member”) is mounted on the head tube (105H) of the frame assembly (as shown in fig. 2a). The headlight (185A) is disposed on the handlebar (120) of the vehicle. An electrical component like energy storage unit (208) shown in Fig 2a is at least partially housed inside the housing member (205) and cover by a cover member (205b) on top of the housing member (205). Further, an ISG controller (209) is disposed on top of the cover member (205b) of housing member (205) and is parallel to a ground plane with respect to the vehicle. This ensures proper connection of the wiring harness with multiple couplers (209b) (as shown in fig. 2b) on the ISG controller. In another implementation, the ISG controller (209) is disposed at bottom of the housing member (205). For activating the ISG controller, user input such as electric start and clutch, gear signal etc. is required. In an EFI system, in addition to the mentioned input, master controller evaluates the operating condition and decides the starting of vehicle. In this system, the master controller considers the input for electric start, clutch and gear information based on internal logic of the controller. Further, based on the received input, the master controller provides an enable or disable signal of cranking to the ISG controller. This signal is transferred via CAN and hardwire redundancy is incorporated for enhanced reliability. Further, as per one embodiment of the present invention, the cover member (205b) is detachably attached with the housing member (205) through various attachment means, for example, fasteners (205ca, 205cb) (as shown in fig. 2a). Also, the housing member (205) along with the electrical components (208, 209) is disposed at a lower level/below the headlight (185A) in the vehicle. This configuration ensures that the heat dissipated by the headlight of the vehicle does not impact the efficiency of the electrical components as disposed on the head tube. Further, this also ensures the shortening of routing of wiring harness between the energy storage unit and ISG controller, eliminating the voltage drop in the wire.

[00036] Further, as per one embodiment of the present invention, the electrical components as disposed in close proximity of the head tube (105H), are overlappingly covered by the front panel (160A) of the vehicle (as shown in fig. 1 ). A slot (not shown) on the front panel (160A) channelizes the atmospheric air inside the front panel (160A). This atmospheric air cools down the electrical components as disposed on the head tube of the frame assembly. For example, the ISG controller (209) has multiple fins (209a) (as shown in fig. 2b), which channelise the atmospheric air and enable cooling of the electrical components. This configuration retains the conventional layout of the vehicle and also ensures improved efficiency of the electrical components by being disposed in close proximity of the head tube of the frame assembly in the vehicle. This configuration also ensures ease of assembly and serviceability of the electrical components of the vehicle. In another implementation, the front panel is mounted on the housing member with various mounting means like mounting bracket (160F) (as shown by local front magnified view in Fig 2a. The mounting bracket connects the front panel sub assembly to the housing member. The front panel sub assembly consists of panel left (160E) and panel right (160J), left (160C) and right (160H) turn signal lamps, cover top left (160B) and cover top right (160G) and cover left (160D) and cover right (1601). Further, as per one embodiment of the present invention, routing of wiring harness (212) (as shown in fig. 2b), from the electrical components as disposed in front zone of the frame assembly to the electrical components as disposed in rear zone of the frame assembly, is from one lateral side of the vehicle without interfering with the surrounding components, thereby eliminating tilting or pinching of the wiring harness. This improves the life expectancy of the wiring harness, thereby making it cost effective. Further, fuel hose in the vehicle is disposed on the lateral opposite side of the vehicle, thus this configuration also ensures the safety of the rider riding the vehicle from hazards like fire. A guide member (212g) as shown in magnified view in Fig 2b is located on a housing member fan of the vehicle, where the guide member protects the fuel hose from breakage, tilting etc. In another implementation, the guide member is located on crankcase of the power unit in the vehicle.

[00037] Further, as per one embodiment of the present invention, the electrical components like energy storage unit (208), ISG controller (209) are disposed substantially along the longitudinal mid plane axis (BB’) (as shown in fig. 2c). As per embodiment of the present invention, the power unit (125) is disposed centrally with respect to the vehicle mid plane axis and electrical component like ISG machine (211) (as shown in fig. 2) is disposed at the right side of the power unit and is integrally connected with the power unit (125) (as shown in fig. 2). Further, as per one embodiment of the present invention, an EFI controller (210) is disposed on either one of the rear frame members (as shown in fig. 2). In another implementation, the EFI controller is disposed on intake of air cleaner assembly. This configuration eliminates the impact of heat dissipation from the ISG controller on to the ISG machine, thereby maintaining the efficiency of the ISG machine. Further, this configuration also ensures the shortening of wiring harness between the components as disposed in the rear zone of the frame assembly. This configuration of the electrical components in the vehicle also maintains an even distribution of weight of the components in the vehicle, that is, front axle weight and rear axle weight of the vehicle is in optimum ratio substantially close to 40:60, thereby achieving desired CG location of the vehicle, leading to good handling performance of the vehicle. As per an alternate embodiment, the controller (209) is an EFI cum ISG controller. [00038] The embodiment explained in Fig. 2 of the present invention helps in disposing the multiple electrical components in conventional layout of the vehicle while ensuring ease of accessibility and serviceability as well as overcoming all the problems known in the art.

[00039] Advantageously, the embodiments of the present invention, describes the potential modifications in the location of the electrical components disposed in the vehicle.

[00040] Many other improvements and modifications may be incorporated herein without deviating from the scope of the invention.

List of reference symbol:

Fig. 1:

100: Straddle type Vehicle

110: One or more suspension

115: Front Wheel

120: Handle Bar

125: Power Unit

140: Swing Arm

145: Rear Wheel

150: Seat Assembly

160A: Front Panel

160B: Under Seat Cover

160C; Left and Right side panel

165: Front Fender

185A: A headlight

185B: A tail light

Fig. 2 105: Frame Assembly 105M: Main frame member 105H: Head Tube

105c, 105d: a pair of rear frame members 206E, 206F: Floorboard Member.

201: Cross Member Floorboard 211: ISG machine 210: an EFI controller 210c: mounting bracket in a region Fig. 2a

205: Housing member 208: Energy Storage Unit 209: ISG Controller 205b: Cover member 205ca, 205cb: Plurality of fasteners

160F: Mounting Bracket 160B, 160G: Cover top left and cover top right 160C, 160H: left and right turn signal lamp 160D, 1601: cover left and cover right 160E, 160J: panel left and panel right

214: fuel tank cap 215: mounting holder 216: connector

217: rear panel 218: tube

219: fuel tank

Fig. 2b

209b: multiple couplers 209a: Multiple Fins

212: Wiring Harness 212g: guide member

Fig. 2c:

BB : Vehicle mid plane axis