Electric vehicle and frame therefor
First Claim
1. An electric vehicle frame comprising:
- a lower portion comprising a base with integral upward extending walls forming an open cavity, said walls including a rear wall, a front wall and two spaced sidewalls, wherein said sidewalls and said front wall contact a steering tube forming a step through portion with the respect to the rear wall, said steering tube having a bore therethrough for receiving a steering subassembly; and
an upper portion detachably joined to the lower portion such that the upper portion covers the cavity and forms a frame assembly which defines an enclosed chamber therein;
in combination with a power unit subassembly that includes a plurality of batteries;
wherein the strength of the frame assembly is substantially greater than the strength of each of the portions prior to being joined, and the chamber encloses the power unit subassembly.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention discloses an electric vehicle frame having a lower portion and an upper portion. The lower portion includes a base and integral sidewalls. The sidewalls extend from the base to form an open cavity. The upper portion detachably joins to the lower portion such that the upper portion covers the cavity and forms a frame assembly which defines an enclosed chamber therein. The strength of the assembly is substantially greater than the strength of each of the portions prior to being joined. The lower and upper portions are formed of cast aluminum. The present invention further includes a method of assembling an electric vehicle, which includes using the frame and a plurality of subassemblies, and the electric vehicle formed therefrom, particularly in the form of a motor scooter.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. An electric vehicle frame comprising:
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a lower portion comprising a base with integral upward extending walls forming an open cavity, said walls including a rear wall, a front wall and two spaced sidewalls, wherein said sidewalls and said front wall contact a steering tube forming a step through portion with the respect to the rear wall, said steering tube having a bore therethrough for receiving a steering subassembly; and an upper portion detachably joined to the lower portion such that the upper portion covers the cavity and forms a frame assembly which defines an enclosed chamber therein; in combination with a power unit subassembly that includes a plurality of batteries; wherein the strength of the frame assembly is substantially greater than the strength of each of the portions prior to being joined, and the chamber encloses the power unit subassembly. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of assembling an electric vehicle, which comprises:
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providing an electric vehicle frame comprising; a lower portion comprising a base with integral upward extending walls forming an open cavity, said walls including a rear wall, a front wall and two spaced sidewalls, and an upper portion detachably joined to the lower portion such that the upper portion covers the cavity and forms a frame assembly which defines an enclosed chamber therein, wherein the strength of the frame assembly is substantially greater than the strength of each of the portions prior to being joined; providing a plurality of subassemblies including a steering subassembly comprising a steering tube having a bore, a drive subassembly including a motor, a motor controller subassembly for controlling the motor, and a power unit subassembly;
wherein said sidewalls and said front wall contact the steering tube forming a step through portion with the respect to the rear wall; andcoupling the subassemblies to the frame to form the electric vehicle such that the subassemblies are lockably attached to the vehicle frame assembly to prevent removal.
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11. A method of assembling an electric vehicle, which comprises:
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providing a plurality of subassemblies including a steering subassembly, a drive subassembly including a motor, a motor controller subassembly for controlling the motor, and a power unit subassembly that includes a plurality of batteries; providing an electric vehicle frame comprising; a lower portion comprising a base with integral upward extending walls forming an open cavity, said walls including a rear wall, a front wall and two spaced sidewalls, wherein said sidewalls and said front wall contact a steering tube forming a step through portion with the respect to the rear wall, said steering tube having a bore therethrough for receiving the steering subassembly; and an upper portion configured to be detachably joined to the lower portion such that, when joined, the upper portion covers the cavity and forms a frame assembly which defines an enclosed chamber therein, wherein the strength of the frame assembly is substantially greater than the strength of each of the portions prior to being joined; joining the upper and lower portions around the power unit subassembly to enclose the plurality of batteries therein; and coupling the remaining subassemblies to the frame assembly to form the electric vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An electric vehicle comprising:
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a plurality of subassemblies including a steering subassembly, a drive subassembly including a motor, a motor controller subassembly for controlling the motor, and a power unit subassembly that includes a plurality of batteries; an electric vehicle frame having a lower portion comprising a base with integral upward extending walls forming an open cavity, said walls including a rear wall, a front wall and two spaced sidewalls, with the lower portion including a steering tube having a bore therethrough for receiving the steering subassembly; and
an upper portion detachably joined to the lower portion such that the upper portion covers the cavity and forms a frame assembly which defines an enclosed chamber therein, wherein the strength of the frame assembly is substantially greater than the strength of each of the portions prior to being joined, and the chamber encloses the power unit subassembly wherein said sidewalls and said front wall contact the steering tube forming a step through portion with the respect to the rear wall; andthe remaining subassemblies are detachably coupled to the frame to form the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. An electric vehicle comprising:
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an electric vehicle frame having a lower portion comprising a base with integral upward extending walls forming an open cavity, said walls including a rear wall, a front wall and two spaced sidewalls; and
an upper portion detachably joined to the lower portion such that the upper portion covers the cavity and forms a frame assembly which defines an enclosed chamber therein, wherein the strength of the frame assembly is substantially greater than the strength of each of the portions prior to being joined;a plurality of subassemblies including a steering subassembly comprising a steering tube having a bore, a drive subassembly including a motor, a motor controller subassembly for controlling the motor, and a power unit subassembly, each being detachably coupled to the frame to form the vehicle;
wherein said sidewalls and said front wall contact the steering tube forming a step through portion with the respect to the rear wall; anda locking mechanism comprising a solenoid and a slidable plunger actuated by the solenoid, wherein at least one of the subassemblies are lockable to the frame by engagement of the plunger with the frame. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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Specification