EP4642682A1

EP4642682A1 - A saddle type vehicle

Info

Publication number: EP4642682A1
Application number: EP23911170.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Sivaram Srinivasan; Anand Motilal Patil; Kandregula Srinivasa Rao
Original assignee: TVS Motor Co Ltd
Current assignee: TVS Motor Co Ltd
Priority date: 2022-12-28
Filing date: 2023-12-12
Publication date: 2025-11-05
Also published as: WO2024142085A1; CO2025008682A2

Abstract

The present invention relates to a saddle type vehicle (10). The saddle type vehicle (10) comprising of a head pipe (22) and a main frame (24). A traction motor (110) which provide traction force to the rear wheel (16). A traction motor mounting bracket (120) extending downwardly from the main frame (24). The traction motor mounting bracket (120) configured to support the traction motor (110). A pivot member (130) provided on the traction motor mounting bracket (120). The pivot member (130) extending in a vehicle width direction. A swing arm (140) configured to swingably support the rear wheel (16). The swing arm (140) being pivotally mounted on the pivot member (130) and a drive sprocket (150) configured for transmitting traction force from the traction motor (110) to the rear wheel (16). The drive sprocket (150) being rotatably supported on the pivot member (130).

Description

TITLE OF INVENTION

A Saddle Type Vehicle

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[001] The present invention relates to a Saddle Type Vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [002] In conventional electric vehicles, generally there are two types of electric drive systems: hub motors or mid-drive motors. Typically, hub motors generate low torque when compared to mid-drive motors. While, in mid-drive motors, torque generation can be increased by including a transmission.

[003] As the name suggests, the hub motor is provided on a rear wheel hub of the vehicle. When a hub motor is provided on the rear wheel, Rear Axle weight (RAW) increases which results in creating an imbalance in center of gravity (CG) of the vehicle. The higher the imbalance in CG of the vehicle is, the larger is the rotating inertia of the vehicle. Hence, it becomes more difficult to control the vehicle, as the vehicle feels heavier to the rider. Therefore, the imbalance in CG will affect the balance of the vehicle. [004] The mid-drive motor is conventionally installed in front of the rear wheel, and the power is transmitted through a chain or belt to the rear wheel. Hence, in the mid-drive motor, the balance of vehicle is better than the hub motor.

[005] However, the packaging of a mid-drive motor is difficult in the electric vehicle due to the presence of a plurality of electrical and electronic components such as battery charger, control units, DC-DC controller, battery etc. Also, the assembling and disassembling of the electric motor and the transmission is difficult. Especially, in the mid-drive motor electric vehicles, the packaging of electrical and electronic components is very difficult without modifying the vehicle layout.

[006] In conventional electric vehicle, there exists two separate pivot points for the electric motor and the transmission on the vehicle. One being pivot point of a swing arm for transmission and another of a motor shaft for the electric motor. The arrangement of the two pivot points occupies a larger space. Hence, there is a lack of space for packaging of other components in the vehicle layout.

[007] Thus, there is a need in the art for a saddle type vehicle which addresses at least the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[008] In one aspect, the present invention is directed towards a saddle type vehicle including a head pipe, a main frame which extended rearwardly from the head pipe in a vehicle frontrear direction. A traction motor operably connected to a rear wheel of the saddle type vehicle. The traction motor providing traction force to the rear wheel of the saddle type vehicle. A traction motor mounting bracket extends downwardly from the main frame. The traction motor mounting bracket configured to support the traction motor. A pivot member provided on the traction motor mounting bracket. The pivot member extends in a vehicle width direction. A swing arm configured to swingably support the rear wheel. The swing arm is being pivotally mounted on the pivot member. A drive sprocket is configured for transmitting traction force from the traction motor to the rear wheel of the saddle type vehicle. The drive sprocket is being rotatably supported on the pivot member. [009] In an embodiment of the invention, the main frame has a downwardly extending member extending rearwardly and downwardly from the head pipe. The main frame includes a horizontally extending member extending rearwardly from the downwardly extending member. The main frame further includes a rearwardly extending member extending rearwardly and upwardly from the horizontally extending member. The traction motor mounting bracket extends downwardly from the horizontally extending member of the main frame.

[010] In another embodiment of the invention, the traction motor is disposed forwardly of the pivot member in a vehicle front-rear direction.

[011] In a further embodiment of the invention, the traction motor is coupled with the drive sprocket through a set of transmission gears.

[012] In a further embodiment of the invention, a driven sprocket is provided on the rear wheel. The drive sprocket is being connected to the driven sprocket by a drive chain, thereby providing traction force to the rear wheel of the saddle type vehicle.

[013] In a further embodiment of the invention, the drive sprocket is disposed on a left side or right side of the vehicle centreline.

[014] In a further embodiment of the invention, the drive sprocket is disposed outwardly of the swing arm in the vehicle width direction.

[015] In a further embodiment of the invention, the drive sprocket is disposed inwardly from the swing arm in the vehicle width direction.

[016] In an embodiment of the invention, the saddle type vehicle has a battery pack for powering the traction motor. The battery pack is being provided below the main frame. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[017] 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 right-side view of an exemplary saddle type vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 illustrates a right perspective view saddle type vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of the traction motor of the saddle type vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 4 illustrates an exploded view of the saddle type vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 5 illustrates a front perspective view of the saddle type vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[018] The present invention relates to a saddle type vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to an electric saddle type vehicle.

[019] Figure 1 illustrates an exemplary saddle type vehicle 10, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Preferably, the saddle type vehicle 10 is an electric vehicle 10. The saddle type vehicle 10 comprises a traction motor 110 that is configured for providing traction to the vehicle 10. Preferably, the traction motor 110 is a mid-drive motor. The saddle type vehicle 10 comprises a front wheel 14, a rear wheel 16, a frame member, a seat assembly 18 and a battery pack (not shown). The frame member includes a head pipe 22, a main frame 24, a down tube (not shown), and seat rails (not shown). The head pipe 22 supports a steering shaft (not shown) and front suspensions 26 (only one shown) attached to the steering shaft through a lower bracket (not shown). The front suspensions 26 support the front wheel 14. The upper portion of the front wheel 14 is covered by a front fender 28 mounted to the lower portion of the front suspension 26 at the end of the steering shaft. A handlebar 30 is fixed to upper bracket (not shown) and can rotate to both sides. A head light 32, a visor guard (not shown) and instrument cluster (not shown) is arranged on an upper portion of the head pipe 22. The main frame 24 of the frame member is located above the traction motor 110 and extends rearward from head pipe 22. In an embodiment, the main frame 24 includes a downwardly extending member 24A which extends rearwardly and downwardly from the head pipe 22. The main frame 24 includes a horizontally extending member 24B which extends rearwardly from the downwardly extending member 24A. The main frame 24 further includes a rearwardly extending member 24C which extends rearwardly and upwardly from the horizontally extending member 24B.

[020] The battery pack is mounted below the horizontally extending member 24B of the main frame 24. Seat rails are joined to main tube 24 and extend rearward to support a seat assembly 18. A rear swing arm 140 is connected to the frame member to swing vertically, and the rear wheel 16 is connected to rear end of the rear swing arm 140. Generally, the rear swing arm 140 is supported by a mono rear suspension or through two suspensions 36 (only one shown) on either side of the saddle type vehicle 10. A taillight unit 33 is disposed at the end of the saddle type vehicle 10 and at the rear of the seat assembly 18. A grab rail 35 is also provided on the rear of the seat rails. The rear wheel 16 arranged below seat 18 rotates by the traction force of the traction motor 110 transmitted through a drive chain 156 (shown in figure 4). A rear fender 38 is disposed above the rear wheel 16.

[021] As illustrated in Figure 2, the main frame 24 extends rearwardly from the head pipe 22 in a vehicle front-rear direction. In an embodiment, as explained hereinbefore, the main frame 24 includes a downwardly extending member 24A which extends rearwardly and downwardly from the head pipe 22. The main frame 24 includes a horizontally extending member 24B which extends rearwardly from the downwardly extending member 24A. The main frame 24 further includes a rearwardly extending member 24C which extends rearwardly and upwardly from the horizontally extending member 24B. Further, the saddle type vehicle 10 includes the traction motor 110 which is operably connected to the rear wheel 16 of the saddle type vehicle 10. The traction motor 110 provides traction force to the rear wheel 16 of the saddle type vehicle 10. In an embodiment, as per present invention, the traction motor 110 used for providing traction force to the rear wheel 16 of the saddle type vehicle 10 is the mid-drive motor. The mid-drive motor along with a transmission is used for providing traction force to the rear wheel 16 of the saddle type vehicle 10. In another embodiment, the battery pack is provided for powering the traction motor 110. The battery pack is provided below the main frame 24.

[022] The saddle type vehicle 10 further includes a traction motor mounting bracket 120. The traction motor mounting bracket 120 extends downwardly from the main frame 24. The traction motor mounting bracket 120 is configured to support the traction motor 110. In an embodiment, the traction motor mounting bracket 120 extends downwardly from the horizontally extending member 24B of the main frame 24.

[023] The saddle type vehicle 10 further includes a pivot member 130 which is provided on the traction motor mounting bracket 120. The pivot member 130 extends in a vehicle width direction. Further, the swing arm 140 is configured to swingably support the rear wheel 16. The swing arm 140 is being pivotally mounted on the pivot member 130.

[024] In an embodiment, the traction motor 110 is disposed forwardly of the pivot member 130 in a vehicle front-rear direction.

[025] As illustrated in Figure 3, the saddle type vehicle 10 further includes a drive sprocket 150. The drive sprocket 150 is configured for transmitting traction force from the traction motor 110 to the rear wheel 16 of the saddle type vehicle 10. As shown in Figure 2, the drive sprocket 150 is rotatably supported on the pivot member 130. In the present invention, a single pivot member 130 is provided on the traction motor mounting bracket 120 for supporting the swing arm 140 as well as the drive sprocket 140 for transmission for traction force to the rear wheel 16. The single pivot member 130 ensures better packaging of the traction motor 110 and the drive sprocket 140. Thus, requirement of two separate pivot points or locations for the swing arm 140 and the transmission is eliminated. The same also ensures better space management for other electrical and electronic components of the saddle type vehicle 10.

[026] In an embodiment, the drive sprocket 150 is disposed on a left side or right side of the vehicle centreline C (as shown in Figure 5). In an embodiment, the drive sprocket 150 is disposed outwardly of the swing arm 140 in the vehicle width direction, thus ensuring no interference between the swing arm 140 and the drive sprocket 150. In an alternative embodiment, the drive sprocket 150 is disposed inwardly from the swing arm 140 in the vehicle width direction. Such a packaging of the traction motor 110 ensures that the traction motor 110 is packaged closer to the longitudinal centre of the vehicle 10. Since, the packaging of traction motor 110 and transmission is closer to the longitudinal centre of the vehicle 10, thus closer to the center of gravity of the vehicle, the imbalance in center of gravity (CG) is reduced. As a result, the overall balance of the vehicle 10 is better. Hence, the control of vehicle 10 by the rider is also improved.

[027] In further embodiment, the traction motor 110 is coupled with the drive sprocket 150 through a set of transmission gears 152 (shown in Figure 3). The traction force from the traction motor 110 is transmitted to drive sprocket 150 through the set of transmission gears 152. Further, in an embodiment, as shown in figure 4, from the drive sprocket 150, the traction force is further transmitted to a driven sprocket 154. The driven sprocket 154 is provided on the rear wheel 16. The drive sprocket 150 is connected to the driven sprocket 154 by the drive chain 156, thereby providing traction force to the rear wheel 16 of the saddle type vehicle 10.

[028] Advantageously, in the present invention, one pivot member/location is provided on the traction motor mounting bracket. The swing arm as well as the drive sprocket for transmission is pivotally mounted on the same pivot member. Hence, the present invention ensures better packaging of the traction motor and transmission. It also ensures better space management for other electrical and electronic components of the saddle type vehicle. Also, since the traction motor and the transmission have more space in vehicle width direction, cooling of the electrical and electronic components will be more effective. Further, as per the present invention, the serviceability of traction motor is easier as opposed to conventional hub motors. Also, the packaging of traction motor and transmission is closer to the center of the vehicle, and hence imbalance in the center of gravity (CG) is reduced. So, the balance of the vehicle is better. Hence, the control of vehicle by the rider is also improved. The assembling and disassembling of the traction motor and transmission is much easier due to the presence of only one pivot member. [029] Further, since the traction motor and transmission have a common pivot member, the power loss will be low. Therefore, the performance will be improved. Furthermore, in the present invention, as the drive chain start point is same as the swing arm pivot point, the chain slackness is reduced and thus the required chain length is also reduced. Hence, chain durability will improve.

[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

CLAIMS:

1 . A saddle type vehicle (10), comprising: a head pipe (22); a main frame (24) extending rearwardly from the head pipe (22) in a vehicle front-rear direction; a traction motor (110) operably connected to a rear wheel (16) of the saddle type vehicle (10), the traction motor (110) providing traction force to the rear wheel (16) of the saddle type vehicle (10); a traction motor mounting bracket (120) extending downwardly from the main frame (24), the traction motor mounting bracket (120) configured to support the traction motor (110); a pivot member (130) provided on the traction motor mounting bracket (120), the pivot member (130) extending in a vehicle width direction; a swing arm (140) configured to swingably support the rear wheel (16), the swing arm (140) being pivotally mounted on the pivot member (130); and a drive sprocket (150) configured for transmitting traction force from the traction motor (110) to the rear wheel (16) of the saddle type vehicle (10), the drive sprocket (150) being rotatably supported on the pivot member (130).

2. The saddle type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the main frame (24) comprises a downwardly extending member (24A) extending rearwardly and downwardly from the head pipe (22), a horizontally extending member (24B) extending rearwardly from the downwardly extending member (24A), and a rearwardly extending member (24C) extending rearwardly and upwardly from the horizontally extending member (24B), and the traction motor mounting bracket (120) extends downwardly from the horizontally extending member (24B) of the main frame (24).

3. The saddle type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the traction motor (110) is disposed forwardly of the pivot member (130) in a vehicle front-rear direction.

4. The saddle type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the traction motor (110) is coupled with the drive sprocket (150) through a set of transmission gears (152).

5. The saddle type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 1 , comprising a driven sprocket (154) provided on the rear wheel (16), and the drive sprocket (150) being connected to the driven sprocket (154) by a drive chain (156), thereby providing traction force to the rear wheel (16) of the saddle type vehicle (10).

6. The saddle type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the drive sprocket (150) is disposed on a left side or right side of the vehicle centreline (C).

7. The saddle type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the drive sprocket (150) is disposed outwardly of the swing arm (140) in the vehicle width direction.

8. The saddle type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the drive sprocket (150) is disposed inwardly from the swing arm (140) in the vehicle width direction.

9. The saddle type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 1 , comprising a battery pack (160) for powering the traction motor (110), the battery pack (160) being provided below the main frame (24).