CN113948926B

CN113948926B - Interface box for vehicle

Info

Publication number: CN113948926B
Application number: CN202110716902.5A
Authority: CN
Inventors: C·苏尼尔; S·阿南德; M·A·库马尔; M·迪潘詹
Original assignee: TVS Motor Co Ltd
Current assignee: TVS Motor Co Ltd
Priority date: 2020-07-16
Filing date: 2021-06-28
Publication date: 2024-03-26
Anticipated expiration: 2041-06-28
Also published as: CN113948926A

Abstract

The present subject matter relates generally to an interface box 109, the interface box 109 being capable of securely housing an electronic module 116 and facilitating independent installation or placement of the interface box 109. The frame 001 of the vehicle 100 includes a front frame portion 121 and a rear frame portion 103, and the interface box 109 is supported on the rear portion (R) and is disposed offset from a longitudinal middle plane (A-A') of the vehicle 100. The interface box 109 provides a reliable and optimal mounting location for the interface box 109 housing the precharge capacitor to minimize hysteresis and loss in the precharge capacitor. The location of the interface box 109 provides ease of installation, serviceability, accessibility, and a suitable and reliable location for the interface box 109.

Description

Interface box for vehicle

Technical Field

The present subject matter relates generally to electric and hybrid electric vehicles. More particularly, but not exclusively, the present subject matter relates to the location of interface boxes in such electric and hybrid electric vehicles.

Background

Generally, an electric vehicle drives the vehicle using electric energy obtained from a power source such as a battery as its energy source, and a hybrid electric vehicle operates the vehicle using an internal combustion engine and the power source according to an operation mode of the hybrid vehicle. A motor control unit is used in the above-described vehicle to drive the electric traction motor. The motor control unit contains a large capacitor, called a "pre-charge capacitor", to provide a stable power for charging the control unit running the traction motor. Without the pre-charge capacitor, a large inrush current (inrush current) flows from the battery to the motor control unit, which may damage the motor control unit. In this case, the power transmission for the traction wheels will suddenly stop, which may cause serious accidents to the user of the vehicle.

Drawings

Details are described with reference to embodiments of a saddle-ride type two-wheeled scooter and the accompanying drawings. The same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to similar features and components.

Fig. 1 exemplarily shows a two-wheeled vehicle.

Fig. 2 schematically shows a front perspective view of a two-wheeled vehicle.

Fig. 3 schematically shows an enlarged perspective view of an interface box mounted on a vehicle frame.

Fig. 4 schematically shows a perspective view of the interface box.

Fig. 5 schematically shows an exploded view of the interface box.

Detailed Description

The location of the pre-charge capacitor is a major concern when packaging electric and hybrid electric vehicles. Typically, the pre-charge capacitor is either located with the control unit or within the battery. The proximity of the precharge capacitor to the battery and motor control unit plays an important role in determining the hysteresis and loss of the precharge capacitor and its associated unit. In case the pre-charge capacitor placed in the control unit is placed at a further location from the battery, this results in hysteresis and transmission loss. Similarly, if the pre-charge capacitor is placed within the battery, it again causes hysteresis and loss, at a greater distance from the control unit. Since the pre-charge capacitor is responsible for running the vehicle by providing the required power to the control unit, neither case is preferred for the traction efficiency of the vehicle. However, most known techniques tend to have compromised solutions due to the contradictory nature of the requirements. Accordingly, there is a need for an improved layout configuration for an interface box of a compact saddle-ride type vehicle that overcomes all of the problems described above and other problems of the known art.

It is an object of the present subject matter to provide an interface box that can safely house electronic modules and facilitate independent installation or placement of the interface box.

It is another object of the present subject matter to provide a reliable and robust location for an interface box housing a precharge capacitor to minimize hysteresis and loss of the precharge capacitor.

According to one aspect of the present subject matter, a vehicle having a frame and an interface box is configured in a compact layout. The frame includes a front frame portion and a rear frame portion, and the interface box is supported on the rear frame portion and disposed offset from a longitudinal axis of the vehicle.

According to another embodiment of the present subject matter, the interface box is disposed partially below a seat assembly supported on the rear frame portion. The interface box is covered by a plurality of side panels of the vehicle.

According to another embodiment of the present subject matter, the interface box is supported to the rear frame portion by at least one interface support mechanism. The support mechanism includes a plurality of mounting screws and brackets.

According to another embodiment of the present subject matter, the interface box is disposed generally adjacent to a battery and motor control unit that is supported with the rear frame portion. The interface box is arranged in close proximity to the battery unit and the motor control unit such that the interface box is arranged in a compact manner behind the battery and the motor control unit when seen from a side view of the vehicle.

According to another embodiment of the present subject matter, a vehicle includes a low pressure side and a high pressure side. The low-voltage side is a designated area in the vehicle where low-voltage consuming electronic components are mounted. The high-voltage side is a designated area in the vehicle where high-voltage consuming electronic components are mounted. The interface box is disposed on a low pressure side of the vehicle.

According to another embodiment of the present subject matter, the outlet box connector opening is oriented rearward such that it faces substantially upward and rearward. This orientation of the pin connector opening allows the connector to be easily accessed for making one or more connections for diagnostic, charging, pre-charge capacitor connection, CAN, and the like purposes. So as to achieve ease of maintainability and ease of assembly.

According to another embodiment of the invention, an interface box is provided with a housing, an electronic module, at least one cover and at least one sealing member. The electronic module is disposed in the housing. At least one cover is disposed on at least one open side of the housing. At least one sealing member is disposed between the at least one cover and the housing.

According to another embodiment of the present subject matter, the housing includes a plurality of walls and at least one open side to accommodate the electronic module. The housing is provided with a plurality of ribs on an outer surface of the housing. The housing includes one or more protrusions on one side of the housing. One or more of the protruding portions is provided with a plurality of mounting arrangements. A portion of the one or more protruding portions is provided with a plurality of fins on both sides of the one or more protruding portions.

According to another embodiment of the present subject matter, the housing has a plurality of slots disposed on an inner surface of the plurality of walls to support the electronic module. At least one of the covers includes an opening to receive a pin connector attached to the electronic module. A sealing member is disposed on the base of the at least one open side of the housing for sealing the interface box. Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to embodiments of a scooter type two-wheeled electric vehicle and accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the existing embodiments. The present subject matter is further described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the description and drawings merely illustrate the principles of the present subject matter. Although not explicitly described or illustrated herein, various arrangements may be devised which incorporate the principles of the present subject matter. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and examples of the subject matter, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.

Fig. 1 exemplarily shows a two-wheeled vehicle 100. The two-wheeled vehicle (hereinafter referred to as vehicle) 100 may be an electric vehicle or a hybrid electric vehicle. The vehicle 100 includes a frame 001, a handle assembly 106, a plurality of wheels (105, 108), a plurality of suspension units (104, 107), a seat assembly 129, a battery (not shown), a motor control unit (not shown), a motor (not shown), and an interface box 109.

The frame 001 extends rearward from a front portion (F) of the vehicle 100 toward a rear portion (R) of the vehicle 100. The frame (F) includes a head pipe 101, a lower pipe 102, a center frame member 130, and a rear frame portion 103. The head pipe 101, the down pipe 102, and the center frame member 130 are provided at a front portion (F) of the vehicle 100. The rear frame portion 103 is provided at a rear portion (R) of the vehicle 100. The rear frame portion 103 includes a right side rear frame (not shown) and a left side rear frame (not shown), which extend in the rearward direction of the vehicle 100, forming the rear frame portion 103. A handle bar assembly 106 is placed at the upper end of the head tube 101.

The plurality of wheels includes a front wheel 105 and a rear wheel 108. The front wheels 105 are disposed at a front portion (F) of the vehicle 100, and the rear wheels 108 are disposed at a rear portion (R) of the vehicle 100. The plurality of suspension units includes a front suspension unit 104 and a rear suspension unit 107. The front suspension unit 104 is connected to the head pipe 101 at one end, and is connected to the front wheel 104 at the other end. The rear suspension unit 107 is connected at one end to the rear frame portion 103, and the other end of the rear suspension unit 107 is connected to the axle of the rear wheel 108 through one of a rocker arm (not shown), a crankcase (not shown), and the like. The seat assembly 129 is disposed at a rear portion (R) of the vehicle 100 and is supported on the rear frame portion 103. As a preferred embodiment, the battery 110 is provided at the rear portion (R) of the vehicle 100, however, in one embodiment, the battery 110 may be supported on the center portion of the frame 001. The motor control unit 111 is provided at a rear portion (R) of the vehicle 100. In a preferred embodiment, a motor control unit 111 is provided adjacent to the battery 110 and the motor (not shown) to ensure a minimum wire length to reduce losses.

The interface box 109 is provided at a rear portion (R) of the vehicle 100, and is supported on a rear frame (not shown). The interface box 109 is thus provided in a safe and reliable position where it provides optimal performance. The position of the interface box 109 according to the present compact layout also ensures that the interface box 109 does not interfere with the working clearances of other components (e.g., battery 110, rear suspension unit 107, etc.).

Fig. 2 exemplarily shows a front perspective view of the two-wheeled vehicle 100 with the interface box 109 in an exploded state, which omits many parts for the sake of brevity. The rear portion (R) of the two-wheeled vehicle 100 includes a rear frame portion 103. The rear frame portion 103 includes a right side rear frame (103 (a)) and a left side rear frame (103 (b)), which are formed to support a rear portion (R) of the vehicle 100 as shown in the drawing. The interface box 109 is disposed laterally offset from a longitudinal mid-plane (A-A') of the vehicle 100. In the present embodiment, the interface box 109 is placed on the right-hand side of the vehicle 100 on the right-hand side rear frame 103 (a), and is adjacent to the battery 110 and the motor control unit 111. This arrangement helps to reduce the length of wire used to connect the motor control unit 111 and battery 110 to the interface box 109, such that the reduction in wire length minimizes hysteresis and losses in the interface box 109, thereby improving the efficiency of the interface box 109. The wires for connecting the interface box 109 with the battery 110 and the motor control unit 111 are made of copper material. As the length of copper wire decreases, resulting in a decrease in wire weight and a decrease in copper wire cost. The interface box 109 is partially placed under the seat assembly (as shown in fig. 1) and is located on one of the sides of a utility box (not shown) on the right rear frame 103 (a), resulting in convenience in accessibility of the interface box 109. The interface box 109 is covered by a plurality of side plates (not shown). During serviceability, access or removal of the interface box 109 is required, which can be easily accomplished by removing one or more side panels (not shown) on the right hand side of the vehicle 100. One or more of the side panels (not shown) have a convex surface that protects the interface box 109 in the event of any accident. During an accident, if the vehicle 100 falls on its right side, a side panel (not shown) is subjected to all impacts, protecting the interface box 109 from any damage. In addition, the position of the interface box 109 protects it from rain and inhibits water and any foreign matter from entering the interface box. In addition, the interface box 109 is mounted in a raised position on the frame, which prevents water from the potholes or roads from reaching the interface box 109 in rainy seasons.

The location of the interface box 109 as shown in fig. 2 also facilitates easy maintenance by the user. In the vehicle 100, according to further embodiments, all components with high voltage lines are placed on the left hand side of the vehicle 100 and all low voltage lines are placed on the right hand side of the vehicle 100. This is done to distinguish between low voltage lines and high voltage lines present in the vehicle 100. The interface box 109 is placed on the low pressure side, which according to the present embodiment is the right side of the vehicle 100. The person who maintains the vehicle 100 only needs to open one side of the vehicle 100 and perform his/her work without worrying about identifying the low-voltage line and the high-voltage line existing in the vehicle 100. In another embodiment of the present subject matter, the interface box 109 may be disposed on the right hand side or the left hand side of the frame 001 of the vehicle 100, depending on the configuration of the vehicle 100. In another embodiment, the interface box 109 is provided on a rear cross bar member 133 mounted on the rear frame portion 103 of the vehicle 100.

Fig. 3 schematically shows an enlarged perspective view of the interface box 109 placed on the vehicle frame. The interface box 109 is mounted on the right rear frame 103 (a) of the vehicle 100 so as to be easily accessible. The interface box 109 may be accessed by simply removing the seat assembly or by removing one or more side panels at the right side frame 103 (a) of the vehicle 100. The interface box 109 is mounted on the right rear frame 103 (a) by brackets 112 and a plurality of attachment means 113 (e.g., screws). This mounting provides rigidity and strength to the interface box 109 to withstand vibrations when the vehicle 100 is running or in the event of any accident. The mounting of the interface box 109 is very simple and does not require any additional brackets. Since the interface box 109 is typically made of a plastic material, the mounting of the bracket 112 cannot be achieved by welding or the like. Furthermore, the material of the interface box 109 cannot be metal, as it contains an electronic module (not shown in this fig. 3) that conducts in the presence of metal. If the interface box 109 is manufactured using metal instead of plastic material, a short circuit is caused, which damages the interface box 109, and it can be electrically conductive through the vehicle frame 001, which is very dangerous. The bracket 112 may also be attached to the vehicle frame 001 by suitable attachment means, for example using nuts (not shown) and bolts (not shown). Another alternative method of mounting the interface box 109 is by using a retainer plate (not shown) instead of the bracket 112 with a plurality of screws.

Fig. 4 exemplarily shows a perspective view of the interface box 109. The interface box 109 includes a housing 119, at least one cover 118, at least one open side 132 (shown in fig. 5) of the interface box housing 119, at least one sealing member 117 (shown in fig. 5), an electronic module 116 (shown in fig. 5), a plurality of ribs 115, one or more protrusions 123, a plurality of holes 124, and a plurality of fins 125. The housing 119 is securely adapted to the electronic module (not shown in this fig. 5) for operation of the interface box 109. At least one cover 118 is disposed on at least one open side of the housing 119 (as shown in fig. 5), and at least one sealing member (not shown in this fig. 5) is disposed below the at least one cover 118 to limit water from entering the interior of the outlet box 109. The housing 119 includes a plurality of walls (not shown in this fig. 5) and at least one open side (shown in fig. 5) of the housing 119 to enclose the electronic module (not shown in this fig. 5) within the housing 119. The housing 119 is provided with a plurality of ribs 115 on an outer surface of the housing 119. These ribs 115 are similar to structures that provide strength and rigidity to the housing 119 when the vehicle 100 is running. The housing 119 includes one or more protruding portions 123, the protruding portions 123 protruding outwardly from the housing 119 from a side of the housing 119 that serves as a mounting structure for mounting the interface box 109. The housing 119 is provided with a plurality of holes 124, the holes 124 being used to mount the outlet box 109 to the frame of the vehicle 100. A portion of the one or more protruding portions 123 of the interface box 109 is provided with a plurality of fins 125 on both sides of the one or more protruding portions 123. The fins 125 provide strength and rigidity to the mounting structure. When the vehicle is in a running state, vibrations are generated by a number of vehicle components, such as a motor (not shown), and the vibrations are transmitted to the frame of the vehicle 100. These vibrations are also transmitted to the interface box 109. These fins 125 allow vibrations generated during vehicle operation to be evenly distributed across the surface of the housing 119 rather than concentrated near the mounting structure. This reduces the risk of breakage or breakage of the mounting structure of the interface box 109. In addition, since the operation of the interface box 109 requires the flow of a very small amount of current, very little heat is dissipated in the interface box 109. The cooling of the interface box 109 is achieved by the natural air present in the atmosphere under vehicle operating conditions.

Fig. 5 schematically shows an exploded view of the interface box 109. As shown in fig. 5, the interface box 109 with the electronics module 116 performs various functions, for example, it is used to start the vehicle 100 through a pre-charge capacitor (not shown), for DC quick charging to provide diagnostic capability to the vehicle 100, to illuminate a beacon light to display battery charge status, to sense side stand status of the vehicle 100, and to provide reliable CAN system protection vehicle 100 related data. The electronic module 116, which performs all the above functions, is arranged inside the interface box 109 and is closed with a plurality of mounting screws 113 using a sealing member 117 and at least one cover 118 to seal the open side 132 of the interface box 109. A sealing member 117 is provided on the base 131 of the open side 132 of the housing 119 for sealing the interface box 109. The rubber seal 117 prevents water and other foreign matter from entering during rainy seasons or maintenance of the vehicle 100, thereby protecting the interface box 109. The housing 119 has a plurality of slots 126 disposed on an inner surface of the plurality of walls 122 to accommodate the electronic module 116. These slots 126 are vertically disposed relative to the interface box 109, and the electronics module 116 may be slidably mounted within the housing 119 within the interface box 109. According to one embodiment, the slot may be a dovetail mechanism. This is done to secure the electronic module 116 within the housing 119 in a reliable and rigid manner to avoid unnecessary movement of the electronic module 116 due to vibrations generated by the vehicle 100 during its operation. Furthermore, this configuration will reduce the clicking sound generated by movement of the electronic module 116 within the housing 119, thereby achieving a robust mounting configuration. The interface box 109 has a pin connector 114 coupled to the electronics module 116 by a plurality of securing members 127 to connect the pin connector 114 with other related components for operation of the interface box 109. The pin connector 114 is a lockable coupling that ensures that the pin connector 114 is assembled with other electronic components without errors and restricts rotation of the interface box 109, thereby reliably securing it in its position. The at least one cover 118 has an opening 128 to receive the pin connector 114 and covers the open side 132 of the interface box 109 via the plurality of fastening devices 120 to secure and package the entire interface box 109. Many other improvements and modifications may be incorporated herein without departing from the scope of the present invention.

List of reference numerals:

100: electric/hybrid electric vehicle

001:100 frame

101:001 head tube

102:001 down tube

103:001 rear frame portion

103 (a): 103, right side rear frame

103 (b): 103 left rear frame

104:100 front suspension unit

105:100 front wheel

106:100 handle bar assembly

107:100 rear suspension unit

108:100 rear wheel

109:100 interface box

F:100 front portion

R:100 rear portion

110:100 cell

111:100 motor control unit

112:109 support

113: multiple mounting screws for mounting 112

114:116 pin connector

115: multiple ribs

116: electronic module

117: sealing member

118:119 cover

119: interface box shell

120:118, and a fastening device for the same

121: front frame part

122:119, a plurality of walls

123:119, and a protruding portion thereof

124:123 a plurality of holes

125:119, a plurality of fins

126:119, a plurality of slots

127:118 of a plurality of securing members

128:118, opening in 118

129:100 seat assembly

130:100 center frame member

131:128 base

132:119 open side

133: 100.

Claims

1. A saddle-type two-or three-wheeled vehicle (100), the saddle-type two-or three-wheeled vehicle (100) comprising:

a frame comprising a front frame portion (121) and a rear frame portion (103);

an interface box (109), said interface box (109) being arranged laterally offset from a longitudinal median plane (A-A') of said saddle-ridden two-or three-wheeled vehicle (100),

wherein the interface box (109) is supported to a rear frame portion (103) of the saddle-type two-or three-wheeled vehicle (100) and is disposed below a seat assembly (129),

wherein the interface box (109) is arranged adjacent to a battery (110) and a motor control unit (111); and is also provided with

Wherein the battery (110) and the motor control unit (111) are supported on the rear frame portion (103);

wherein the interface box (109) is disposed in a compact manner behind the battery (110) and the motor control unit (111) when seen from a side view of the saddle-type two-wheeled or three-wheeled vehicle (100).

2. The saddle type two-or three-wheeled vehicle (100) according to claim 1, wherein the interface box (109) is at least partially disposed under the seat assembly (129), and the interface box (109) is covered by one or more side panels of the saddle type two-or three-wheeled vehicle (100).

3. The saddle-type two-or three-wheeled vehicle (100) according to claim 1, wherein the interface box (109) is supported to the rear frame portion (103) by at least one interface support means comprising a plurality of mounting screws (113) and brackets (112).

4. The saddle-type two-or three-wheeled vehicle (100) according to claim 1, wherein the saddle-type two-or three-wheeled vehicle (100) comprises a low-pressure side and a high-pressure side, wherein each of the low-pressure side and the high-pressure side corresponds to one of a left side and a right side of the saddle-type two-or three-wheeled vehicle (100) determined by the longitudinal middle plane (A-A'), and the interface box (109) is provided in the low-pressure side of the saddle-type two-or three-wheeled vehicle (100).

5. The saddle-type two-or three-wheeled vehicle (100) according to claim 1, wherein the interface box (109) has a rearwardly oriented pin connector (114) opening, and the pin connector (114) opening faces upwardly and rearwardly.

6. An interface box (109) for a saddle-type two-wheeled or three-wheeled vehicle (100), the interface box (109) comprising:

a housing (119);

an electronic module (116) disposed in the housing (119);

at least one cover (118) disposed on at least one open side (132) of the housing (119); and

at least one sealing member (117) arranged between the at least one cover (118) and the housing (119),

wherein the interface box (109) is arranged laterally offset from a longitudinal mid-plane (A-A') of the saddle-ridden two-or three-wheeled vehicle (100);

wherein the interface box (109) is supported to a rear frame portion (103) of the saddle-type two-or three-wheeled vehicle (100) and is disposed below a seat assembly (129);

wherein the housing (119) comprises a protruding portion (123), the protruding portion (123) protruding from one side of the housing (119) is provided with a plurality of mounting means (124).

7. The interface box (109) according to claim 6, wherein the housing (119) comprises a plurality of walls (122) and the at least one open side (132) to accommodate the electronic module (116).

8. The interface box (109) according to claim 6, wherein the housing (119) is provided with a plurality of ribs (115) on an outer surface of the housing (119).

9. The interface box (109) according to claim 6, wherein one or more areas of the protruding portion (123) are provided with a plurality of fins (125) on both sides of the protruding portion (123).

10. The interface box (109) of claim 7, wherein the housing (119) includes a plurality of slots (126), the plurality of slots (126) disposed on an inner surface of the plurality of walls (122) to support the electronic module (116).

11. The interface box (109) according to claim 6, wherein the sealing member (117) is provided on a base (131) of the at least one open side (132) of the housing (119) for sealing the interface box (109).

12. The interface box (109) according to claim 6, wherein the at least one cover (118) comprises an opening (128) to receive a pin connector (114) attached to the electronic module (116).