Abstract:
A vehicle frame that includes first and second frame portions. The first frame portion has a plurality of struts associated with each other to form a first framework. The second frame portion is associable with the first frame portion in a stiffening association for significantly increasing the stiffness of the first frame portion. The associated first and second frame portions are configured to support a rider sitting on the vehicle frame. The associated frame portions also define an interior cavity dimension for housing a component of the propulsion system for propelling the vehicle. The associated frame portions also comprise attachments for supportedly connecting two wheels of the vehicle, a seat disposed on the frame, and other vehicle accessories and systems.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to a vehicle, and more particularly to an electric vehicle frame that has a plurality of subassemblies.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Known motor scooters generally include a tubular frame for supporting the components of the vehicle and a power unit. Electric scooters have been developed to reduce the environmental impact of private transportation, especially in crowded cities. Electric scooters are typically powered by a battery pack.  
         [0003]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,613,569 teaches a scooter with a tubular frame formed by welding steel pipe members into a unitary, skeletal structure. U.S. Pat. No. 4,334,589 discloses a frame for a motorcycle with a shell type frame, including an upper half shell and lower half shell detachably joined together at the peripheral edges. The upper half shell includes a steering tube for receiving a steering assembly. A conventional gasoline engine is used.  
         [0004]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,047,786 teaches an electric vehicle with a frame with an upper and a lower portion that each have integral walls. The two portions are attached to each other to provide a frame assembly that is substantially greater than that of each portion prior to being assembled.  
         [0005]     A vehicle frame is needed with decreased weight and ease of construction that can preferably provide easy access to an enclosed interior.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     The present invention relates to a vehicle frame, such as for a scooter, a motorcycle, a four-wheel ATV, and other vehicles, especially in which a rider sits on or straddles the frame. A preferred embodiment of the vehicle frame includes a first frame portion with a plurality of struts that are associated with each other to form a first framework. A second frame portion is associable with the first frame portion in a stiffening association for significantly increasing the stiffness of the first frame portion and for contributing significantly to the overall stiffness of the assembled frame. Preferably, the associated first and second frame portions are configured for supporting a rider sitting thereon, and the associated frame portions define an interior cavity dimensioned for housing, enclosing, and preferably substantially isolating components of the vehicle or portion thereof. The housed components can include, for example, a propulsion system for propelling a vehicle. Additionally, attachments are provided on the preferred frame for connecting two wheels that support the frame, and preferably to connect to a seat disposed on the frame, as well as to other accessories, such as suspension components.  
         [0007]     In this embodiment, the first frame portion comprises at least one skin member that is structurally associated with the struts of the framework for closing at least portions, and preferably substantially the entire openings defined between the struts, although openings may be provided for purposes such as ventilation. The skin member of the first frame portion can be configured and associated with the framework for significantly increasing the stiffness thereof and can include a plurality of skins coupled to the framework. Additionally, the first frame portion skin member can include a battery tray that fits inside the interior cavity and is configured for supporting a battery to power the propulsion system.  
         [0008]     The battery tray is preferably associated with the first framework for significantly adding to its stiffness. The first and second frame portions can be configured to permit the removal of the battery tray from the frame interior when the first and second frame portions are separated, such as by lifting the tray and possibly also unsnapping or detaching the tray from the framework first. In one embodiment, the struts comprise at least one concave bracket configured for engaging a bottom portion of the tray to support and stabilize the battery tray.  
         [0009]     In the preferred frame, a plurality of struts of one or both of the frame portions are connected together to form a rigid framework, and the struts can be welded to each other, cast as a single piece, or otherwise connected to form the rigid framework. In a preferred embodiment, a rear strut set is cast as a single open back wall, and other struts that form the remainder of the framework are welded thereto. The preferred second frame member comprises a skin member that is configured for significantly contributing to the stiffness of the frame. The second frame member can additionally comprise a plurality of struts associated with the skin member that significantly stiffen the skin member itself and also the frame when the second frame member is associated with the first frame portion. In a most preferred embodiment, the struts of the first frame portion can be made of aluminum or an alloy thereof, and the skin member of the second frame portion comprises a plurality of skins, which can be made of a composite, fiber-reinforced material.  
         [0010]     The first frame portion can be a lower frame portion disposed beneath the second frame portion which is an upper frame portion. Alternatively, the frame portions can have different dispositions with respect to each other, but can be opened to service or remove elements that are contained within the frame interior. This interior preferably has a volume that can contain operative portions of the vehicle preferably at least about 1,000 in 3 , more preferably at least about 2,500 in 3 , most preferably at least about 3,050 in 3 . Most preferably, the volume is at most about 6,000 in more preferably at most about 5,000 in 3 . A preferred embodiment has a width of about 6-10 inches, a length of about 25-40 inches, and a height of about 15-25 inches.  
         [0011]     Preferably, the lower frame portion includes a head tube that is configured to rotatably receive a steering tube mounted with a steerable wheel of the vehicle. For a vehicle frame intended for a scooter, for example, the frame and preferably the upper frame portion can define a stepthrough to allow the rider to pass a leg from one side of the frame to another when sitting thereon without lifting the leg high over the frame. Most preferably, the associated first and second frame portions have a longitudinal torsional stiffness that is increased compared to the longitudinal torsional stiffness of the first frame member by a factor between about 1.2 and 10.  
         [0012]     A preferred embodiment of a vehicle constructed according to the invention includes the preferred frame and also a seat supportedly mounted on at least one of the frame portions, a plurality of wheels supportively associated with the frame, an energy source that is housed within the interior cavity of the frame, and a motor connected to the energy source and to at least one of the wheels for propelling the vehicle. The preferred vehicle is a two- or three-wheeled vehicle and thus comprises up to three wheels that movably support the vehicle, although other embodiments have more wheels. A suspension system connecting the wheels to the vehicle frame is also preferably provided, and may include at least one swing arm to supportively associate the frame with at least one of the wheels. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]      FIG. 1  is a side view of a preferred embodiment of a frame constructed according to the present invention;  
         [0014]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view thereof;  
         [0015]      FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view thereof;  
         [0016]      FIGS. 4 and 5  are exploded perspective and a side view of the lower frame portion, respectively, of another frame embodiment;  
         [0017]      FIG. 6  is a rear perspective view of the lower frame portion thereof without the skin members;  
         [0018]      FIGS. 7 and 8  are a perspective and an exploded perspective view, respectively, of yet another embodiment of the invention;  
         [0019]      FIG. 9  is a side view of another embodiment of the frame supported by wheels and a suspension system;  
         [0020]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the frame embodiment of  FIG. 8  by itself;  
         [0021]      FIGS. 11 and 12  are exploded perspective and side views respectively thereof; and  
         [0022]      FIG. 13  is a side view showing an assembled scooter using an embodiment of the frame of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0023]     Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , the preferred embodiment of the invention is a scooter with a frame  10  that includes upper and lower frame portions  12 ,  14 . The lower frame portion  14  includes a plurality of struts  16  that are associated with each other to form a framework. The struts  16  are preferably welded to each other, but can alternatively be bolted, bonded, or otherwise coupled or attached to each other, preferably forming a rigid framework.  
         [0024]     The struts can be made of any suitable material, preferably aluminum or an alloy thereof, such as extruded 6061-T6 aluminum alloy. Extended aluminum struts are preferably box extensions, such as with a rectangular cross-section. Other struts can be cast, and several struts can be of unitary construction.  
         [0025]     The preferred framework includes side horizontal struts  18  extending longitudinally with respect to the scooter, and preferably near the bottom portion near the bottom of the frame. The side struts  18  are connected to front and rear lateral struts  20  and front and rear upright struts  22 ,  24 . The front upright struts  22  are connected at an upper end at a head tube  26 , which is configured for rotatably receiving a steering tube to connect to a steerable wheel. The rear lateral strut  20  is preferably wide and curved to protect the bottom rear edge of the frame interior. Preferably, the rear upright struts  24  are also connected by another horizontal rear strut  30  disposed preferably near the lower end of the rear upright struts  24 .  
         [0026]     The framework also includes upper side struts  32 , which are connected preferably with the upper ends of the rear upright struts  24 , and midway along the front upright struts  22 . The upper side struts  32  preferably include a bend generally midway along their length, rear, or at which they are connected to a vertical strut  34 , which is connected midway along the bottom side struts  18 . Additionally, the preferred embodiment has a plurality of bottom bracket struts  36 , preferably three, which extend laterally across the framework, connecting the lower side struts  18 . The bottom bracket struts  36  are configured to define a concave area facing upwards towards the interior of the framework to provide a bracket to support the contents of the frame.  
         [0027]     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the struts  16  can be manufactured as individual members that are welded to each other, or assemblies of several struts can be manufactured as unitary or integral parts and then attached to the remaining struts. For instance, in the embodiment of  FIG. 4 , rear struts  20 ,  24 ,  28 ,  30  are cast as a single rectangular piece  38 , which can also include attachments and pivots for other parts of the scooter, such as one or more swing arms. In addition, the embodiment of this figure has an additional strut, which is a laterally extending front cross-brace  40  that is welded midway vertically between the front upright struts  22 , preferably near a bend in the struts  22  where struts  22  bend towards each other in an upward direction towards the head tube  26 . The front lower strut  42  in this embodiment is also a cross brace or connecting strap welded to the front of the bottom side tubes  18 .  
         [0028]     As shown in  FIG. 5 , spar doublers  44 , such as webs, can be welded to strengthen joints between other pairs of struts, such as between side struts  32  and upright struts  22 . In this embodiment, a single bottom bracket  46  is employed, which runs longitudinally along most or all of the length of the bottom of the frame.  
         [0029]     Referring again to  FIGS. 1-3 , the lower frame portion also includes skin members  48 ,  50 . One or more of the skin members  48 ,  50  are structurally associated with the framework, and preferably directly to the strut  16 , to substantially and significantly increase the stiffness thereof, although in an alternative embodiment the skins of the lower frame portion are not structurally stiffening.  
         [0030]     The preferred skin members  48 ,  50  include flanges  52  extending preferable at an angle to the panels of the skin member, preferably at about a right angle. The flanges  52  are configured and positioned to abut and closely follow the shape of one or more struts  16  of the framework, such as the top sides of side struts  18 ,  32 . The skin members are preferably attached and coupled to the framework where they abut the framework, and most preferably along the flanges  52 . The flanges  52  can be bolted at a plurality of locations along the length to the framework or attached and preferably coupled by other suitable means, but are preferably detachable therefrom for servicing. Skin member  48  forms a battery box and includes front, rear, bottom, and side portions  54 - 57 . A structural connection between the skin member and the frame can also be provided by a snap-fit or a tight fit, such as between the battery tray  48  and the lower frame framework Preferably, extending along the side and bottom portions  56 ,  57  of the skin member  48  are grooves  58  that are configured to receive bottom brackets  36  to provide an association to support and further stabilize and connect the skin member  48  to the framework.  
         [0031]     The battery box or tray is configured for receiving and supporting a plurality of batteries stacked and arranged to preferably compactly fit within the frame. In the preferred frame, the interior space within the frame can be exposed to permit the entire battery box along with the batteries to be removed and replaced in the vehicle for servicing as needed.  
         [0032]     The framework defines opening  61  between the struts  16 , which are mostly or substantially entirely closed off by skin members. Preferably at least 75% of the openings are closed off, and more preferably at least about 90%. As shown in  FIG. 6 , the hollow interior  120  contains several sets of batteries  70  that are preferably encased in battery envelopes. Preferably, there are three layers of four battery envelopes apiece, although the entire set of batteries can be made as a monoblock in one embodiment. The batteries are connected to each other and to a controller  132 , which controls the current flow to the motor depending on operator inputs that are made on controls, such as the throttle of the vehicle. The preferred controller includes cooling fins  134  that are preferably aligned in an upright direction to promote upward airflow along the fins  134 , and the controller assembly can be used to close off the rear opening  61  between the rear frame members. Additionally, a set of capacitors  136  connected to the controller can also be positioned adjacent the cooling fins on the rear of the frame. An air circulation device, such as a fan assembly  138 , is preferably positioned in fluid communication within the frame interior  120 , such as below the seat supporting skin member of the upper frame portion and above the batteries  70  to circulate the air within the frame interior  120  as may be desired such as for cooling or venting. As shown, the batteries  70  are preferably aligned longitudinally, such that they present a narrow lateral profile. The batteries can be stacked vertically within the frame interior  120  as well. Thus, the batteries in the preferred frame do not protrude laterally beyond the foot rests  122 . Skin members  50  include side panels configured for closing off the sides of the interior cavity of the frame, just as the skin member  48  closes off the front, bottom, and lower portions of the side or rear to protect the batteries, which can be nickel metal hydride or other suitable and preferably rechargeable battery type. In another embodiment, a different energy source can be housed within the frame, such as a fuel cell, a fuel tank, or combinations of several energy sources, which can include batteries. The rear skin portion is preferably attached to the rear of the frame to close off the gap between rear struts  20 ,  24 ,  28 ,  30 . The assembled frame and portions attached thereto preferably isolate the batteries and sensitive electronics or other parts in the frame interior.  
         [0033]     An upper frame portion  12  comprises a structural skin  62  that includes unitary top and side panels  62 ,  64 , as well as a flange  52  for attachment to the lower frame portion. An access door can be provided in the upper skin member, or other skin members where needed. The upper frame portion  12  preferably is sufficiently stiff and strong to provide a seat support that is configured for attaching to a seat on which one or more riders are supported. In the forward section of the upper frame portion  12 , a concave step-through area  66  is defined to facilitate mounting and unmounting of the scooter by a rider and to allow a rider&#39;s leg to pass across the step-through  66 . The panel of the upper skin member  60  that defines the step-through  66  is thus concave on the outside of the frame, and preferably extends from the seat support upper panel  62  and head tube  26  when the frame is assembled.  
         [0034]     As shown in  FIG. 1 , one or more gaps can be maintained between the upper skin member  60  and the lower frame portion  14 , such as by providing a gap  68  at the top forward edge of the upper skin member  60 . These gaps can promote ventilation of the frame interior.  
         [0035]     Most preferably, the association of the upper frame portion  12  with the lower frame portion  14  is such that the upper frame portion  12  significantly increases the stiffness of the lower frame portion  14 . The skin members of the upper and lower frame portions  12  and  14  can be made of the same or different materials. The skin members are preferably made of a composite, fiber-reinforced material such as fiberglass, carbon fiber, or another load-bearing material. Alternatively, the skin members can be made of aluminum or another metal or other material capable of being stressed to carry a load, and preferably a torsional frame load.  
         [0036]     Referring to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , another embodiment of the frame includes an upper fame portion  72  that extends along more than two-thirds of the vertical height of the sides of the frame. Additionally, the lower frame portion  74  does not include any additional side struts above the bottom horizontal struts  18 . The embodiment of  FIGS. 9-12  also has an upper frame portion  76  that extends vertically along the greater part of the sides of the frame. Additionally, the upper frame portion  76  includes skin member  78 , which can include one or more separate portions and which is fixed to longitudinal and vertical side struts  80 ,  82 . The side struts  80 ,  82  stiffen the lateral sides of the upper frame portion and provide the attachment to the lower frame portion  84 . Lower frame portion  84  preferably includes tangs  86  configured for bolting directly to the ends of the side struts  80 ,  82  of the upper frame portion  76  to allow the upper and lower frame portions to contribute to the stiffness of each other.  
         [0037]      FIG. 9  shows the frame mounted to a suspension assembly  88 , connecting the frame to wheels  96 ,  116  that provide support to the frame. A steering tube  90  is rotatably received through the head tube  26  and is attached to handlebars  92  to allow the rider to steer the vehicle, the steering tube  90  is also connected to a fork  94 , which can include a shock absorber, the fork  94  is mounted to a wheel  96 , which has a tire  98 . A brake  100  can be provided, which can be controlled by brake lever  102 .  
         [0038]     Additional bolt holes  104  or other attachment members are provided on the frame to connect to fairings and other portions of the vehicle. Mounting brackets  106 ,  108  are provided on the rear of the frame, preferably on the rear upright struts  24 , to supportively attach to a suspension system, which preferably includes one or more swing arms  110  and shock absorbers  112 . A motor  114  is preferably mounted within one of the swing arms  110 , and is preferably coaxial with wheel  116 , which is driven by the motor  114  and which has a tire  118  mounted thereon. In the assembly shown, the frame encloses and protects the batteries and other components disposed in the frame interior  120 , which can additionally include electronics, such as the controller for the driving and braking of the vehicle. A brake can also be provided on the rear wheel  116 . The bottom of the frame, including skin member  48 , also protects against impact with road debris. Also, a pair of foot rests  122  is welded to the frame, such as to the lower longitudinal side struts  18 , to support a rider&#39;s feet.  
         [0039]     Referring to  FIG. 13 , a preferred embodiment of the frame  10  is shown attached to fairings, body panels, and accessories  124  of the vehicle. A seat  126  is directly supported by the upper portion of the frame. A throttle  128 , gauges, and controls  130  are provided for the rider to operate and control various functions of the vehicle and to monitor the status of the vehicle, such as the battery charge condition.  
         [0040]     The upper frame portion of the preferred embodiments preferably provides a significant contribution to the overall stiffness of the frame. A finite element model of the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-3  was used to determine the structural contribution of a composite upper skin member  60  to the frame, in which the struts are formed of an aluminum alloy. The model was constrained at the swing-arm pivots  106 , and force loads were applied at the upper and lower steering head bearings of the head tube  26 . A 100 pound-load to the right was applied to the lower bearing, and a leftward 100-pound load was applied to the upper bearing. These loads amounted to a 1,100 in.-lb. moment at the head tube. Analyses were first run for the aluminum lower framework only, then for the framework with the attached battery box  48 , and finally or the aluminum framework with the battery tray  48  and upper frame portion attached. In this embodiment, the battery tray  48  and upper skin member  60  are made of five layers of 0.010 inch fiberglass fabric/epoxy prepreg material, for a total thickness of 0.050 inches.  
         [0041]     In this analysis, 0.537 degrees of deflection was measured in the aluminum framework by itself. With the aluminum framework combined with the fiberglass battery tray, 0.265° of deflection was measured. Finally, with the aluminum framework, the coupled battery tray, and the coupled upper frame portion, a deflection of 0.0863° was measured. Additionally, it was determined that the upper frame member of this embodiment increased the torsional rigidity of the frame by a factor of about 3 compared to the torsional rigidity of only the lower frame portion by itself.  
         [0042]     In the preferred embodiments, the upper frame portion increases the stiffness of the frame when it is associated with the lower frame portion, and preferably the torsional stiffness, not preferably about a substantially longitudinal axis extending front to back. The torsional stiffness of the frame is preferably increased by a factor of at least about 1.2, more preferably at least about 1.5, more preferably at least about 2.0, more preferably at least about 2.5, compared to the torsional stiffness of the lower frame portion alone. Most preferably, the improvement in strut and stiffness provided by the upper frame member is less than a factor of about ten and more preferably less than a factor of about six.  
         [0043]     In certain embodiments, the bending stiffness of the frame can also be substantially improved by the coupled upper frame portion. In an alternative embodiment, the upper frame portion can include a rigid framework of struts, which is preferably torsionally stiffened by skim members.  
         [0044]     The general configuration of the preferred frame includes the genuinely horizontal and preferably flat upper surface of the upper frame member where the seat is attached and supported. The stepthrough and the frame is provided to enable the complete stepthrough including fairings and the assembled scooter to have a height of less than about 75% of the height of the seat above the foot rests. The preferred rear and front upright struts are inclined rearwards and forwards, respectively, in an upward direction, and the head tube is inclined forward a downward direction. Additionally, the rear of the upper side struts are inclined upwards towards the rear of the frame, while the forward portion thereof is generally horizontal. The preferred width of the frame interior or of the frame excluding the footrests is preferably at least about 4 inches, more preferably at least about 6 inches, preferably at most about 10 inches, more preferably at most about 9 inches at the stepthrough. With fairings, the preferred width is at least about 7 inches and at most about 12 inches at the stepthrough preferably where the rider sits or where his legs are placed. The front upright struts are also preferably configured to provide a narrower width at the top than at the bottom of the frame, as the preferred battery arrangement and the upper levels of the frame interior positions the batteries towards the rear of the frame.  
         [0045]     The embodiments described above are for a scooter. In other embodiments, the frame may be for a motorcycle, a three-wheel vehicle, or even a four-wheel vehicle, although vehicles with three or fewer wheels are preferred. Additionally, the frame embodiments preferably provide for seating the rider on top of the frame, straddling the sides thereof.  
         [0046]     While illustrative embodiments of the invention are disclosed herein, it will be appreciated that numerous modifications and other embodiments may be devised by those skilled in the art. Therefore, it will be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and embodiments that come within the spirit and scope of the present invention.