Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present invention relates to a fog lamp. More particularly, the present invention relates to a fog lamp for a saddle-type vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] Saddle type vehicles have accessories like fog lights installed in front of the vehicle and rearwardly of the vehicle. The fog lights act as illumination systems. The fog lights are used to improve a rider’s peripheral field of vision during foggy and snowy weather conditions. In case of the front fog lights, the fog lights are white or auto-yellow lights. In case of the rear fog lights, the fog lights are generally red lights.
[003] Conventional fog light assemblies are large and bulky. The conventional fog light assemblies have larger packaging for higher light output. Generally, the fog light has an internal driver called controller area network module. The fog light includes two circuit boards. First one is a light emitting diode (LED) circuit board and the second one is a driver circuit board. The LED board and the driver board are placed parallel to each other within the fog light assembly. Each of the circuit boards has an individual heat sink attached to it in order to dissipate heat generated by the circuit board. As fog lights generate heat, the conventional disposition of the heat sink within the fog light assembly fails to provide sufficient heat dissipation.
[004] Such an arrangement requires a larger space, thereby making the fog light assembly bulky while also increasing lead time for assembly, which is undesirable. Further, it has also been observed that the conventional fog lights are mounted on crash guards and fully fared panels of the vehicle. The said positioning of the fog light in the existing vehicle design causes the fog light to be more prone to damage when the vehicle falls or bumps into an obstacle. Additionally, mud accumulates in the existing fog light assemblies during monsoons which restricts the peripheral vision. Therefore, it is necessary to have robust and better positioning of the fog light that can prevent damage to the fog light.
[005] Thus, there is a need for a fog light for a saddle-type vehicle which addresses at least one or more aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[006] In one aspect of the present invention, a fog lamp for a saddle-type vehicle is disclosed. The fog lamp includes a housing. The housing is configured to be movably mounted to a bracket disposed on the vehicle. The fog lamp includes an LED board. The LED board is disposed inside the housing and positioned in an up-down direction of the fog lamp. The LED board is configured to transmit fog light based on a first signal. The fog lamp includes a driver board. The driver board is disposed inside the housing and positioned perpendicularly to the LED board in a front-rear direction of the vehicle. The driver board is communicatively coupled to the LED board and configured to transmit the first signal to the LED board. The fog lamp includes a heat sink. The heat sink is disposed inside the housing and mounted between the LED board and the driver board.
[007] In one embodiment, the fog lamp includes a lens. The lens is configured to direct the fog light. The fog lamp includes a bezel. The bezel is mounted to the housing towards the lens. The bezel is configured to support the lens.
[008] In one embodiment, the heat sink is one of an L-shaped heat sink and a rectangular heat sink. The heat sink is configured to receive and dissipate heat from the LED board and the driver board.
[009] In one embodiment, the heat sink is mounted to the LED board and the driver board through one or more first fasteners.
[010] In one embodiment, the bracket is mounted to one of a front fork, a lower frame, and a rear fender of the vehicle. The fog lamp is mounted to the bracket at a left portion and a right portion of the bracket.
[011] In one embodiment, the bracket is mounted to a horn mounting bracket. The horn mounting bracket is adapted to mount on one of the front fork, the lower frame, and the rear fender of the vehicle.
[012] In one embodiment, the bracket includes a first slot and a second slot. The bracket is configured to receive the housing at the left portion through the first slot and the right portion through the second slot, thereby movably mounting the fog lamp to the bracket using one or more second fasteners.
[013] In one embodiment, the LED board is detachably attached to the driver board.
[014] In another aspect of the invention, a saddle-type vehicle is disclosed. The saddle-type vehicle includes a front fork. The saddle-type vehicle includes a lower frame extending rearwardly from the front fork in a vehicle front-rear direction. The saddle-type vehicle includes a rear fender disposed on the vehicle. The saddle-type vehicle includes a bracket mounted to at least one of the front fork, the lower frame, and the rear fender. The saddle-type vehicle includes a fog lamp. The fog lamp includes a housing. The housing is configured to be movably mounted to a bracket disposed on the vehicle. The fog lamp includes an LED board. The LED board is disposed inside the housing and positioned in an up-down direction of the fog lamp. The LED board is configured to transmit fog light based on a first signal. The fog lamp includes a driver board. The driver board is disposed inside the housing and positioned perpendicularly to the LED board in a front-rear direction of the vehicle. The driver board is communicatively coupled to the LED board and configured to transmit the first signal to the LED board. The fog lamp includes a heat sink. The heat sink is disposed inside the housing and mounted between the LED board and the driver board.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[015] 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 a saddle-type vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 illustrates a front view of the saddle-type vehicle, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 illustrates an exploded view of a fog lamp, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 illustrates a left-side view of the fog lamp, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 illustrates a sectional view of the fog lamp, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 6a illustrates a top view of the fog lamp mounted on a horn mounting bracket, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 6b illustrates a front view of the fog lamp mounted on a horn mounting bracket, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[016] Various features and embodiments of the present invention here will be discernible from the following further description thereof, set out hereunder.
[017] The present invention relates to a saddle-type vehicle having a fog lamp. For the purpose of the present invention, the term “vehicle” includes bicycles, scooters and motorcycles. The term “vehicle” also includes electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles and conventional internal combustion engine vehicles.
[018] Figure 1 illustrates a right-side view of a vehicle 10, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle 10 is a saddle type vehicle, and includes a frame structure (not shown) to support and mount different parts of the vehicle 10. A front fork 20 is provided at a front end of the frame structure. The front fork 20 is a pair of forks i.e., a right-side fork and a left-side fork. The pair of front forks 20 supports a steering that is rotatable along a left side direction and a right side direction of the vehicle 10. In an upper portion of the front fork 20, a handlebar assembly 22 is connected. The handlebar assembly 22 is used to steer the vehicle 10 and is connected to a front wheel 12 through the pair of front forks 20. The pair of front forks 20 is capable of being moved in the left and right direction of the vehicle 10.
[019] The frame structure comprises an upper frame (not shown) and a lower frame 24. The lower frame 24 extends rearwardly from the front fork 20 and below the upper frame in a vehicle front-rear direction. The vehicle 10 includes a fuel tank (not shown) mounted on the upper frame of the frame structure and a power generating unit 14 disposed below a portion of the fuel tank and mounted to the lower frame 24. The fuel tank is covered with one or more side cowls 26. The power generating unit 14 is provided with an exhaust system that includes an exhaust pipe (not shown) connected to the power generating unit 14 and a muffler (not shown) connected to the exhaust pipe. Power from the power generating unit 14 is transmitted to a rear wheel 16 through a transmission assembly (not shown), so as to drive and rotate the rear wheel 16 in order to move the vehicle 10. A radiator cover 30 is mounted forwardly of the power generating unit 14 for cooling the power generating unit 14. The radiator cover 30 may comprise a left radiator cover and a right radiator cover. A crash guard 32 is mounted forwardly of the power generating unit 14 for protection.
[020] A seat 28A, 28B is disposed rearwardly of the fuel tank and supported by rear portion of the frame structure i.e., seat rails (not shown). The seat 28A, 28B may include a front rider seat 28A and a rear pillion seat 28B. A rear fender 34 extends rearwardly from the rear pillion seat 28B.
[021] Figure 2 illustrates a front view of the saddle-type vehicle, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Figure 2 in conjunction with Figure 1, a fog lamp 100 is disposed in the vehicle 10. In an embodiment, one or more fog lamps 100 are disposed in the vehicle 10. The one or more fog lamps 100 are disposed in front and rear left-sides and right-sides of the vehicle 10 and mounted to at least one of the front fork 20, the lower frame 24, and the rear fender 34. In one embodiment, the one or more fog lamps 100 may be mounted elsewhere on the vehicle 10 in order to aid visibility to a rider of the vehicle 10. The one or more fog lamps 100 are capable of providing vision to the rider through mist, fog, rain and dust. Further, the one or more fog lamps 100 also provide safety to the rider during such conditions as all riders can notice each other while riding.
[022] Figure 3 illustrates an exploded view of the fog lamp 100, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention. The fog lamp 100 comprises a housing 106. The housing 106 is a box-shaped structure. In one non-limiting example, the housing 106 has a shape of trapezoidal prism.
[023] The fog lamp 100 includes a light emitting diode (LED) board 108. The LED board 108 is disposed inside the housing 106 and positioned in an up-down direction of the fog lamp 100. The LED board 108 comprises a fog LED (not shown) that is configured to generate fog light. The LED board 108 is configured to transmit the fog light based on a first signal. The fog lamp 100 includes a driver board 110. The driver board 110 is disposed inside the housing 106. In one embodiment, the LED board 108 and the driver board 110 form a controller area network (CAN) module (not shown) that is used to communicate with a control unit (not shown) of the vehicle 10. The CAN module is configured to operate the fog lamp 100 in the vehicle 10. A single CAN module is sufficient to operate the one or more fog lamps 100 in the vehicle 10, thereby reducing hardware components in the vehicle 10.
[024] The driver board 110 is positioned perpendicularly to the LED board 108 in the front-rear direction of the vehicle 10. The driver board 110 is communicatively coupled to the LED board 108 and configured to transmit the first signal to the LED board 108. The LED board 108 is detachably attached to the driver board 110. In one embodiment, the driver board 110 comprises one or more slots (not shown). The LED board 108 comprises one or more protrusions (not shown) that are adapted to fit with the one or more slots. In another embodiment, a front section of the driver board 110 is attached to an upward portion of the LED board 108 with respect to the front and upward directions of the fog lamp 100 (refer Figure 4). In yet another embodiment, the LED board 108 and the driver board 110 are integrally mounted to each other. The LED board 108 and the driver board 110 are configured to form an L-shaped orientation with respect to each other.
[025] Figure 5 illustrates a sectional view of the fog lamp 100, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention. The fog lamp 100 includes a heat sink 112. The heat sink 112 is disposed inside the housing 106 and mounted between the LED board 108 and the driver board 110. In one embodiment, the heat sink 112 is one of an L-shaped heat sink and a rectangular heat sink that fits between the L-shaped orientation of the LED board 108 and the driver board 110. The heat sink 112 is configured to receive and dissipate heat generated by at least one of the LED board 108 and the driver board 110. The heat sink 112 is mounted to and around the LED board 108 and the driver board 110 in order to dissipate the heat. The fog LED generates heat when transmitting fog light. The heat sink 112 is configured to dissipate the heat to the environment thereby cooling the fog lamp 100. The heat sink 112 is mounted to the LED board 108 and the driver board 110 through one or more first fasteners 118 like bolts and nuts. In one non-limiting example, the heat sink 112 may be mounted using conventional techniques such as glue, taping, and the like.
[026] The fog lamp 100 includes a lens 114. The lens 114 is configured to direct the fog light transmitted by the fog LED from the LED board 108. In one non-limiting example, the lens 114 is elliptical in shape. The fog lamp 100 includes a bezel 116. The bezel 116 is mounted to the housing 106 towards the lens 114. The bezel 116 comprises a slot at the center and is configured to receive and support the lens 114 at the center. In one embodiment, the bezel 116 is configured to receive the lens 114 at a periphery of the bezel 116.
[027] Figure 4 illustrates a left-side view of the fog lamp, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Figure 4 in conjunction with Figure 3, the fog lamp 100 comprising the housing 106 is configured to be movably mounted to a bracket 102 disposed on the vehicle 10. The fog lamp 100 is mounted to the bracket 102 using one or more second fasteners 120 like nuts and bolts. The bracket 102 extends in the left and right directions of the vehicle 10 (refer Figure 2). Further, the bracket 102 extends forwardly towards the lens 114 from the left and right sides of the bracket 102. The fog lamp 100 is mounted to the bracket 102 at a left portion 102L and a right portion 102R of the bracket 102. The left portion 102L and the right portion 102R are the forwardly extended portions of the bracket 102. The bracket 102 comprises a first slot 104A at the left portion 102L and a second slot 104B at the right portion 102R. The first slot 104A and the second slot 104B are elongated slots. The bracket 102 is configured to receive the housing 106 at the left portion 102L through the first slot 104A and the right portion 102R through the second slot 104B. The housing 106 comprises a left projection 122 and a right projection (not shown) that slide within the first slot 104A and the second slot 104B, respectively, thereby movably mounting the fog lamp 100 to the bracket 102. As a result, the rider of the vehicle 10 may move the direction of the fog light by moving the fog lamp 100 with respect to the bracket 102.
[028] The bracket 102 is mounted to at least one of the front fork 20, the lower frame 24, and the rear fender 34. In an embodiment, the bracket 102 is mounted to a horn mounting bracket 124. The horn mounting bracket 124 is adapted to mount on at least one of the front fork 20, the lower frame 24, and the rear fender 34 of the vehicle 10. Figure 6a illustrates a top view of the fog lamp 100 mounted on the horn mounting bracket 124, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6b illustrates a front view of the fog lamp 100 mounted on the horn mounting bracket 124, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention. The horn mounting bracket 124 is configured to provide a stable and secure platform to mount the fog lamp 100. In one embodiment, the horn mounting bracket 124 is made of aluminium alloy ADC12.
[029] Advantageously, the present invention provides a fog lamp for a saddle-type vehicle that is compact, requires lesser lead time for assembly and reduces the number of parts of the fog lamp. The present invention provides stability and protection to the fog lamp by mounting the fog lamp on a horn mounting bracket, thereby reducing the possibility of damage when the vehicle falls or bumps into an obstacle. The orientation of the LED board and the driver board of the fog lamp helps in making the fog lamp compact. At the same time, a common heat sink that is attached to the LED board and the driver board dissipates heat efficiently resulting in longer lifecycle of the fog lamp. The present invention is simple in construction and effective in operation. Further, the present invention also provides aiming capability of the fog light to the rider of the vehicle by moving the fog lamp along the slots of the bracket.
[001] 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.

 
List of Reference Numerals
10-saddle-type vehicle
12-front wheel
14-power generating unit
16-rear wheel
20-front fork
22-handlebar assembly
24-lower frame
26-side cowls 26
28A-front rider seat
28B-rear pillion seat
30-radiator cover
32-crash guard
34-rear fender
100-fog lamp
102-bracket
102L-left portion of bracket
102R-right portion of bracket
104A-first slot of bracket
104B-second slot of bracket
106-housing
108-LED board
110-driver board
112-heat sink
114-lens
116-bezel
118-first fasteners
120-second fasteners
122-left projection of housing
124-horn mounting bracket
 
, Claims:1. A fog lamp (100) for a saddle-type vehicle (10), the fog lamp (100) comprising:
a housing (106) configured to be movably mounted to a bracket (102) disposed on the vehicle (10);
an LED board (108) disposed inside the housing (106) and positioned in an up-down direction of the fog lamp (100), the LED board (108) being configured to transmit fog light based on a first signal;
a driver board (110) disposed inside the housing (106) and positioned perpendicularly to the LED board (108) in a front-rear direction of the vehicle (10), the driver board (110) being communicatively coupled to the LED board (108) and configured to transmit the first signal to the LED board (108); and
a heat sink (112) disposed inside the housing (106) and mounted between the LED board (108) and the driver board (110).

2. The fog lamp (100) as claimed in claim 1 comprising:
a lens (114) being configured to direct the fog light; and
a bezel (116) mounted to the housing (106) towards the lens (114), the bezel (116) being configured to support the lens (114).

3. The fog lamp (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heat sink (112) is one of an L-shaped heat sink and a rectangular heat sink, the heat sink (112) being configured to receive and dissipate heat from the LED board (108) and the driver board (110).

4. The fog lamp (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the heat sink (112) being mounted to the LED board (108) and the driver board (110) through one or more first fasteners (118).

5. The fog lamp (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bracket (102) being mounted to one of a front fork (20), a lower frame (24), and a rear fender (34) of the vehicle (10), and wherein the fog lamp (100) is mounted to the bracket (102) at a left portion (102L) and a right portion (102R) of the bracket (102).

6. The fog lamp (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the bracket (102) being mounted to a horn mounting bracket (124), and wherein the horn mounting bracket (124) being adapted to mount on one of the front fork (20), the lower frame (24), and the rear fender (34) of the vehicle (10).

7. The fog lamp (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the bracket (102) comprises a first slot (104A) and a second slot (104B), and wherein the bracket (102) being configured to receive the housing (106) at the left portion (102L) through the first slot (104A) and the right portion (102R) through the second slot (104B), thereby movably mounting the fog lamp (100) to the bracket (102) using one or more second fasteners (120).

8. The fog lamp (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the LED board (108) being detachably attached to the driver board (110).

9. A saddle-type vehicle (10), comprising:
a front fork (20);
a lower frame (24) extending rearwardly from the front fork (20) in a vehicle front-rear direction;
a rear fender (34) disposed on the vehicle (10);
a bracket (102) mounted to at least one of the front fork (20), the lower frame (24), and the rear fender (34); and
a fog lamp (100) comprising:
a housing (106) configured to be movably mounted to the bracket (102);
an LED board (108) disposed inside the housing (106) and positioned in an up-down direction of the fog lamp (100), the LED board (108) being configured to transmit fog light based on a first signal;
a driver board (110) disposed inside the housing (106) and positioned perpendicularly to the LED board (108) in a front-rear direction of the vehicle (10), the driver board (110) being communicatively coupled to the LED board (108) and configured to transmit the first signal to the LED board (108); and
a heat sink (112) disposed inside the housing (106) and mounted between the LED board (108) and the driver board (110).

10. The saddle-type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the fog lamp (100) comprising:
a lens (114) being configured to direct the fog light; and
a bezel (116) mounted to the housing (106) towards the lens (114), the bezel (116) being configured to support the lens (114).

11. The saddle-type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the heat sink (112) is one of an L-shaped heat sink and a rectangular heat sink, the heat sink (112) being configured to receive and dissipate heat of the LED board (108) and the driver board (110).

12. The saddle-type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 11, wherein the heat sink (112) is mounted to the LED board (108) and the driver board (110) through one or more first fasteners (118).

13. The saddle-type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the fog lamp (100) being mounted to the bracket (102) at a left portion (102L) and a right portion (102R) of the bracket (102).

14. The saddle-type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 13, wherein the bracket (102) comprises a first slot (104A) and a second slot (104B), and wherein the bracket (102) being configured to receive the housing (106) at the left portion (102L) through the first slot (104A) and the right portion (102R) through the second slot (104B), thereby movably mounting the fog lamp (100) to the bracket (102) using one or more second fasteners (120).

15. The saddle-type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the LED board (108) being detachably attached to the driver board (110).

16. The saddle-type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the bracket (102) being mounted to a horn mounting bracket (124), and wherein the horn mounting bracket (124) being adapted to mount on one of the front fork (20), the lower frame (24), and the rear fender (34) of the vehicle (10).