ELECTRIC SADDLE RIDING VEHICLE

A key switch assembly for a saddle riding vehicle includes a cover structure adapted to cover a portion of a frame arranged between a handlebar and a seat in a lengthwise direction of the vehicle. A cap structure is removably engaged to the cover structure and includes a first structure disposed inside a cavity of the cover structure and defines an opening, and a second structure extending vertically from the first structure and adapted to be removably coupled to the frame. The second structure is adapted to be arranged underneath the cover structure. A key switch is coupled to the first structure and extends through the opening. The key switch is configured to electrically connect and disconnect the at least one electrical storage unit to the at least one traction motor.

BACKGROUND

The disclosed subject matter relates generally to vehicles. More particularly, the disclosed subject matter relates to an electric saddle riding vehicle.

Conventionally, key switches (operating on 12 volts) on internal-combustion vehicles are installed on handlebars. Electric vehicles require a high voltage, for example, greater than 60 volts, to run through the key switch to enable a starting of the vehicle. Accordingly, the high voltage electric wires, associated with the key switch that is disposed on the handlebars, are exposed to the user and prone to oscillation during handlebar sweeping, which leads to abrasion of electrical wires, which is undesirable.

SUMMARY

In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a key switch assembly for a saddle riding vehicle is disclosed. The saddle riding vehicle has a handlebar, a seat, at least one electrical energy storage unit and at least one traction motor to provide motive power to the saddle riding vehicle. The key switch assembly includes a cover structure adapted to cover a portion of the frame arranged between the handlebar and the seat in a lengthwise direction of the vehicle and defines a central cavity. The key switch assembly further includes a cap structure removably engaged to the cover structure and includes a first structure disposed inside the cavity and defines an opening, and a second structure extending vertically from the first structure and adapted to be removably coupled to the frame. The second structure is adapted to be arranged underneath the cover structure. Moreover, the key switch assembly includes a key switch coupled to the first structure and extending through the opening. The key switch is configured to electrically connect and disconnect the at least one electrical energy storage unit to the at least one traction motor.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, a saddle riding vehicle is disclosed. The saddle riding vehicle includes a frame having at least one side tube extending in a lengthwise direction, a handlebar rotatably coupled to the frame and configured to facilitate a steering of the saddle riding vehicle, and a seat mounted on the frame to facilitate a seating of a rider. The saddle riding vehicle also includes at least one electrical energy storage unit, and at least one traction motor operatively coupled to a rear wheel of the saddle riding vehicle and configured to rotate the rear wheel. The saddle riding vehicle further includes a cover structure covering a portion of the at least one side tube extending between the handlebar and the seat in the lengthwise direction of the vehicle. The cover structure defines a central cavity. Moreover, the saddle riding vehicle includes a cap structure removably engaged to the cover structure and including a first structure disposed inside the cavity and defines an opening, and a second structure extending vertically from the first structure and removably coupled to the frame. The second structure is arranged underneath the cover structure. Furthermore, the saddle riding vehicle includes a key switch coupled to the first structure and extending through the opening. The key switch is configured to electrically connect and disconnect the at least one electrical energy storage unit to the at least one traction motor.

In accordance with yet a further embodiment of the present disclosure, a saddle riding vehicle is disclosed. The saddle riding vehicle includes a frame having at least one side tube extending in a lengthwise direction and a bracket structure extending vertically from the at least one side tube. The saddle riding vehicle further includes a handlebar rotatably coupled to the frame and configured to facilitate a steering of the saddle riding vehicle, and a seat mounted on the frame to facilitate a seating of a rider. Furthermore, the saddle riding vehicle includes at least one electrical energy storage unit, and at least traction motor operatively coupled to a rear wheel of the saddle riding vehicle and configured to rotate the rear wheel. Moreover, the saddle riding vehicle includes a cover structure covering a portion of the at least one side tube extending between the handlebar and the seat in the lengthwise direction of the vehicle. The cover structure defines a central cavity, and the bracket structure is arranged underneath the cover structure. The saddle riding vehicle also includes a cap structure removably engaged to the cover structure and including a disc structure disposed inside the cavity and defining an opening, and a leg structure extending vertically from the disc structure and removably coupled to the bracket structure. The leg structure is arranged underneath the cover structure. Further, the saddle riding vehicle includes a key switch coupled to the disc structure and extending through the opening. The key switch is configured to electrically connect and disconnect the at least one electrical energy storage unit to the at least one traction motor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

A few inventive aspects of the disclosed embodiments are explained in detail below with reference to the various figures. Exemplary embodiments are described to illustrate the disclosed subject matter, not to limit its scope, which is defined by the claims. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize a number of equivalent variations of the various features provided in the description that follows. Embodiments are hereinafter described in detail in connection with the views and examples ofFIGS.1-3, wherein like numbers indicate the same or corresponding elements throughout the views.

FIG.1illustrates a perspective view of a vehicle, indicated generally at100, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, vehicle100is an electric saddle riding vehicle102, for example, a motorcycle104. Although the saddle riding vehicle102is contemplated as the motorcycle104, it may be envisioned that the saddle riding vehicle102may be a scooter, an all-terrain vehicle, or any other similar vehicle known in the art.

As depicted inFIG.1, the vehicle100includes a frame110, a plurality of wheels, for example, a front wheel112and a rear wheel114, coupled to the frame110and adapted to rotate to enable a movement of the vehicle100over a path, and a seat118supported on the frame110to facilitate a seating of at least one person on the vehicle100. Further, the vehicle100includes a handlebar assembly120having a handlebar122, a steering tube124, and a pair of suspension forks126,128extending downwardly from the steering tube124and coupled to the front wheel112. The steering tube124is rotatably coupled to the frame110and the handlebar122is attached to the steering tube124to enable a rotation of the steering tube124by a rider to facilitate the steering of the vehicle100.

Further, the vehicle100includes a power source130, for example, at least one electric traction motor132, operatively coupled to one of the wheels, for example, the rear wheel114, to rotate the rear wheel114and propel the vehicle100in a forward direction. Also, the vehicle100may include a transmission (not shown) coupling the power source130to the rear wheel114to transfer desired torque and speed to the rear wheel114from the power source130. The transmission may be an automatic transmission or a manual transmission. Moreover, the vehicle104includes at least one electrical energy storage unit134, for example, at least one battery136, to provide electrical power to the at least one electric traction motor132. Although the at least one electrical energy storage unit134is contemplated as a battery, it may be envisioned that the at least one electrical energy storage unit134may include one or more of ultracapacitor, supercapacitor, inductors, or a combination thereof. Also, the electrical energy storage unit134may be a rechargeable unit configured to be recharged by using a suitable external power source.

Further, referring toFIGS.2and3, the vehicle104includes a key switch assembly140having a cover structure142, a key switch144, at least one electric cable146, and a cap structure148. The cover structure142is arranged between the handlebar122and the seat118in a lengthwise direction, is and adapted to cover, from above, a portion of the frame110and components of the vehicle100that are disposed between the handlebar122and the seat118. It may be appreciated that the location of the cover structure142corresponds to a fuel tank for a conventional engine powered motorcycle.

The key switch144or starter switch144is configured to electrically connect and disconnect the electrical energy storage unit134with the at least one electric traction motor132and other electrical components, and is adapted to be displaced between an ON position (i.e., first position) and OFF position (i.e., second position). In the ON position, the at electric current from the electrical energy storage unit134flows to the at least one electric traction motor132and other electrical devices of the motorcycle104, while in the OFF position, the at least one electric traction motor132is electrically disconnected from the at least one electrical storage unit134. Accordingly, to operate/start the vehicle100, the key switch144is moved to the ON position. In some embodiment, the key switch144may include a keyhole150(best shown inFIG.3) to receive an authorization key that facilitates a user to move the key switch144between the ON position and the OFF position. Further, the electric cable146that includes electric wires extends outwardly from a lower portion of the key switch144and is configured to facilitate flow of electricity from the at least one electrical energy storage unit134to the at least one electric traction motor132. In some embodiments, the electric cable146is connected to a power controller (not shown) that controls the flow of electric current from the electrical storage unit134to the traction motor132. The power controller is configured to electrically connect the electrical storage unit134to the traction motor132when the key switch144is at the ON position, while electrically disconnects the traction motor132from the electrical storage unit134when the key switch144is at the OFF position. It may be appreciated that the electric cable146is a high voltage cable.

Further, the key switch144is supported by and engaged with the cap structure148that facilitates the engagement/coupling of the key switch144with the frame110and the cover structure142. As shown, the cap structure148includes a first structure152adapted to be at least partially visible when the cover structure142is attached to the frame110and a second structure154adapted to be disposed underneath the cover structure142and removably engaged with the frame110. In the illustrated embodiment, the first structure152includes a disc structure156having a central opening, while the second structure154includes a leg structure160(shown inFIG.3) extending downwardly from the disc structure156. In the illustrated embodiment, as shown inFIG.3, the leg structure160extends downwardly from a location proximate to an outer periphery of the disc structure156. The leg structure160is removably engaged with the frame110via a suitable fastener.

Further, in the assembly of the cap structure148with the cover structure142and the frame110, the cap structure148extends inside a circular cavity162of the cover structure142. To enable engagement and retention of the cap structure148with the cover structure142, the disc structure156includes an upper portion164(i.e., first portion164) having a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the central cavity162of the cover structure, and a lower portion166(i.e., second portion166) having a relatively larger diameter, thereby defining a step168(shown inFIG.3) therebetween. Accordingly, in the assembly, the cover structure142rests on the step168such that the upper portion164is arranged inside the central cavity162, while the lower portion166is arranged underneath the cover structure142. Further, an upper portion of the key switch144extends inside the central opening and extends downwardly from the upper portion164of the cap structure148such that the keyhole150of the key switch144can be accessed easily.

Further, referring toFIG.3, to enable an easy coupling of the cap structure148(i.e., leg structure160) with the frame110, the frame includes a bracket structure180attached to one or more side tubes182of the frame110and extending upwardly towards the cover structure142from the side tubes182. As shown, the side tubes182extend rearwardly and obliquely from a head end of the frame110to which the steering tube124is rotatably connected. As shown, bracket structure180is welded to one of the side tubes182, however, it may be appreciated that the bracket structure180may be connected to the one or more side tubes182by any suitable method or mechanism known in the art. In the illustrated embodiments, the bracket structure180includes at least one leg184extending vertically upwardly from at least one side tube182and includes a seat186to which the leg structure160of the cap structure148is removably engaged. In some embodiments, the leg structure160may include at least one retention structure190for holding or retaining the electric cable146. In the illustrated embodiment, the at least one retention structure190includes a groove in which a portion of a clip196attached to the electric cable146is inserted.

In this manner, the saddle riding vehicle100includes the key switch144that is located to a stationary part of the vehicle100and is secured and covered by the cap structure148and the cover structure142to protect users from high-voltage wires and connections. Further, the cap structure148allows the installation of the key switch144early in the assembly process so that the wires and wire connections are accessible. Further, the electric cable146and the lower part of the key switch144are no longer exposed to the user. Also, as the key switch144is mounted to a stationary part, the abrasion of the electric cable146and the electrical connections is reduced.

The foregoing description of embodiments and examples has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the forms described. Numerous modifications are possible in light of the above teachings. Some of those modifications have been discussed and others will be understood by those skilled in the art. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best illustrate certain principles and various embodiments as are suited to the particular use contemplated. The scope of the invention is, of course, not limited to the examples or embodiments set forth herein, but can be employed in any number of applications and equivalent devices by those of ordinary skill in the art. Rather it is hereby intended the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto.