Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present invention generally relates to an internal combustion engine. More particularly, the present invention relates to an internal combustion engine for a motor vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] Generally, in conventional motor vehicles, especially in two wheeled motorcycle type vehicles, the internal combustion engine is covered by style panels attached to the body of the vehicle. The style panels are conventionally made out of a plastic fibre type material and cover the internal combustion engine from a left side and a right side of the vehicle. However, there is a segment of motorcycles, commonly referred to as modern classic segment of motorcycles, wherein the style panels do not cover the internal combustion engine, which may hamper the aesthetics of the vehicle. In such vehicles, conventionally, a single clutch cover is provided which covers the internal combustion engine. Since the clutch cover itself is a part of the internal combustion engine, provision of a large single clutch cover leads to the overall engine being bulky.
[003] Further, provision of a single clutch cover also affects the serviceability of the internal combustion engine since the bulky clutch cover needs to be removed from servicing the internal combustion engine. Further, existing engine configurations have an oil filter provided towards the rear of the engine wherein the oil filter projects outwards from the internal combustion engine in a vehicle width direction, which needs to be accommodated by the single clutch cover. Further, a coolant pump is provided on a front side of the internal combustion engine which also needs to be covered by this single clutch cover. Provision of the single clutch cover that can accommodate both the oil filter and cover the coolant pump leads the clutch cover being extremely complex to manufacture and adds further weight to the already bulky clutch cover. Further, manufacturability of a single clutch cover through a casting process is complex and time consuming, which increases overall complexity and assembly time of the engine.
[004] On the contrary, making a single clutch cover smaller would mean that either the oil filter portion is not adequately accommodated, thus restricting the access to the oil filter and reducing serviceability, or the coolant pump not being covered by the clutch cover, which would negatively affect the aesthetics of the vehicle.
[005] Thus, there is a need in the art for an internal combustion engine for a vehicle which addresses at least the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[006] In one aspect, the present invention is directed towards an internal combustion engine for a vehicle. The internal combustion engine has a crankcase and a cylinder block. The cylinder block extends upwardly from the crankcase. The internal combustion engine has a cover assembly configured to be attached to the crankcase. The cover assembly has a first cover, a second cover and a third cover. The first cover is attached to the crankcase and the first cover is configured to enclose at least a clutch assembly of the internal combustion engine. The second cover is attached to the crankcase. The second cover is provided adjoining the first cover and is disposed rearwardly of the first cover in a vehicle front-rear direction. The third cover is attached to the crankcase. The third cover is provided adjoining the first cover and is disposed forwardly of the first cover in the vehicle front-rear direction.
[007] In an embodiment of the invention, the crankcase has a left crankcase half and a right crankcase half in a vehicle rear view. The cover assembly is configured to be attached to the right crankcase half.
[008] In another embodiment of the invention, the first cover has a top end, a bottom end, a front end and a rear end. The top end, the bottom end, the front end and the rear end extend inwards in a vehicle width direction, thereby enclosing the clutch assembly of the internal combustion engine.
[009] In a further embodiment of the invention, the second cover has a top end, a bottom end and a rear end. The top end, the bottom end and the rear end extend inwards in the vehicle width direction, such that an outer surface of the second cover is provided flush with an outer surface of the first cover in the vehicle front-rear direction.
[010] In a further embodiment of the invention, the third cover has a top end, a bottom end and a front end. The top end, the bottom end and the front end extend inwards in the vehicle width direction, such that an outer surface of the third cover is provided flush with the outer surface of the first cover in the vehicle front-rear direction.
[011] In a further embodiment of the invention, at least a portion of the third cover overlaps with a portion of the first cover in a vehicle right side view.
[012] In a further embodiment of the invention, the third cover is configured to cover a coolant pump of a radiator assembly of the internal combustion engine in the vehicle right side view.
[013] In a further embodiment of the invention, the second cover is configured to cover at least a portion of a swing arm of the vehicle in the vehicle right side view.
[014] In a further embodiment of the invention, the first cover has a protrusion portion extending outwardly in the vehicle width direction and defining a space for accommodating an oil filter of the internal combustion engine. In this embodiment, the protrusion portion has a slot, and a cap member attached detachably on the first cover. The cap member is configured to cover the slot and the slot is provided for allowing access to the oil filter.
[015] In a further embodiment of the invention, the first cover, the second cover and the third cover are detachably attached to the crankcase.
[016] In a further embodiment of the invention, the internal combustion engine has one or more mounting brackets having a substantially linear shape. The one or more mounting brackets project rearwardly from the crankcase. The one or more mounting brackets are configured to receive the second cover for detachably mounting the second cover on the crankcase.
[017] In a further embodiment of the invention, the first cover has a substantially box-shaped profile in the vehicle right side view. The internal combustion engine has a first set of fasteners for attaching the first cover to the crankcase.
[018] In a further embodiment of the invention, the second cover has a substantially C-shaped profile in the vehicle right side view. The C-shaped profile has a main body, a top limb and a bottom limb extending forwardly from the main body in the vehicle front-rear direction, such that an outer surface of the second cover is provided flush with an outer surface of the first cover in the vehicle front-rear direction. The internal combustion engine has a second set of fasteners for attaching the second cover to the crankcase.
[019] In a further embodiment of the invention, the third cover has a substantially C-shaped profile in the vehicle right side view. The C-shaped profile has a main body, a top limb and a bottom limb extending rearwardly from the main body in the vehicle front-rear direction. The extension of the bottom limb is greater than the top limb such that the bottom limb of the third cover overlaps with a portion of the first cover in the vehicle right side view. The internal combustion engine has a third set of fasteners for attaching the third cover to the crankcase.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[020] 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 perspective view of an internal combustion engine for a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 illustrates a right side view of the internal combustion engine, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 illustrates an exploded view of the internal combustion engine, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4A and 4B illustrate perspective views of a first cover of the internal combustion engine, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5A and 5B illustrate perspective views of a second cover of the internal combustion engine, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 6A and 6B illustrate perspective views of a third cover of the internal combustion engine, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[021] The present invention relates to an internal combustion engine. More particularly, the present invention relates to an internal combustion engine for a vehicle. The internal combustion engine of the present invention is typically used in a vehicle such as a two wheeled vehicle. However, it should be understood that the internal combustion engine as illustrated may find its application in a three wheeled vehicle, or a four wheeled vehicle, or other multi-wheeled vehicles, or any non-automotive application using an internal combustion engine as required.
[022] Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of an internal combustion engine 100 for a vehicle. As illustrated in Figure 1, the internal combustion engine 100 comprises a crankcase 110 and a cylinder block 120. The cylinder block 120 extends upwardly from the crankcase 110. The crankcase 110 houses one or more components of the internal combustion engine 100 such as a crankshaft, a countershaft and plurality of transmission shafts. The cylinder block 120 defines one or more combustion chambers and houses pistons in the combustion chambers, which are connected to the crankshaft.
[023] As further illustrated in Figure 1, the internal combustion engine 100 comprises a cover assembly 130. Herein, the cover assembly 130 is configured to be attached to the crankcase 110. In an embodiment, the crankcase 110 comprises a right crankcase half 110A (shown in Figure 3) and a left crankcase half 110B (shown in Figure 3) in a vehicle rear view, and the cover assembly 130 is configured to be attached to the right crankcase half 110A. As illustrated in Figure 1 and Figure 2, the cover assembly 130 comprises a first cover 140, a second cover 150 and a third cover 160. In that, the first cover 140 is attached to the crankcase 110. The first cover 140 is configured to enclose at least a clutch assembly 20 (shown in Figure 3) of the internal combustion engine 100. Herein, the clutch assembly 20 is provided to engage and disengage the transmission in the internal combustion engine 100 as required and the first cover 140 is configured to act as functional clutch cover and enclose the clutch assembly 20.
[024] As shown in Figure 2 and further referenced in Figure 3, the second cover 150 is attached to the crankcase 110. The second cover 150 is provided adjoining the first cover 140 and is disposed rearwardly of the first cover 140 in a vehicle front-rear direction. Similarly, the third cover 160 is attached to the crankcase 110. The third cover 160 is provided adjoining the first cover 140 and is disposed forwardly of the first cover 140 in the vehicle front-rear direction. Thus, a split type construction of the cover assembly 130 is provided, wherein provision of the first cover 140, the second cover 150 and the third cover 160, when assembled, cover the crankcase 110. The cover assembly 130 provides a bulky aesthetic to the internal combustion engine 100 without actually being bulky. In an embodiment, the first cover 140, the second cover 150 and the third cover 160 are detachably attached to the crankcase 110, and thus are capable of being separately attached or detached as per requirement.
[025] Reference is made to the embodiment depicted in Figure 4A and Figure 4B, wherein as illustrated, the first cover 140 has a top end 140A, a bottom end 140A’, a front end 140B and a rear end 140B’. The top end 140A, the bottom end 140A’, the front end 140B and the rear end 140B’ extend inwards in a vehicle width direction, thereby enclosing the clutch assembly 20 of the internal combustion engine 100. Thus, an enclosed space is formed between the first cover 140 and the crankcase 110 which accommodates the clutch assembly 20 and is capable of accommodating other engine components as required. As illustrated, the first cover 140 has a substantially box-shaped profile in the vehicle right side view. To facilitate mounting of the first cover 140 on the crankcase 110, the internal combustion engine 100 has a first set of fasteners 172 (shown in Figure 3) for attaching the first cover 140 to the crankcase 110.
[026] As further illustrated, in an embodiment, the first cover 140 has a protrusion portion 144. The protrusion portion 144 extends outwardly in the vehicle width direction and defines a space for accommodating an oil filter of the internal combustion engine 100. In that, the protrusion portion 144 has a cylindrical profile that is conformed with a cylindrical profile of an oil filter. The protrusion portion 144 comprises a slot 146 and a cap member 148 (shown in Figure 2). The cap member 148 is attached detachably on the first cover 140 and is configured to cover the slot 146. The slot 146 is provided for allowing access to the oil filter. Thus, the protrusion portion 144 of the first cover 140 allows for accommodation of the oil filter, and the slot 146 and the cap member 148 allow access to the oil filter without the requirement of removing the entire first cover 140, thus improving serviceability.
[027] Reference is made to the embodiment depicted in Figure 5A and Figure 5B, wherein as illustrated, the second cover 150 has a top end 150A, a bottom end 150A’ and a rear end 150B’. In that, the top end 150A, the bottom end 150A’ and the rear end 150B’ extend inwards in the vehicle width direction, thereby defining a space between the second cover 150 and the crankcase 110 for accommodating engine parts as per requirement. Further, the top end 150A, the bottom end 150A’ and the rear end 150B’ extend inwards such that an outer surface 152 of the second cover 150 is provided flush with an outer surface 142 of the first cover 140 in a vehicle front-rear direction.
[028] The second cover 150 has a substantially C-shaped profile in the vehicle right side view. The C-shaped profile has a main body 156, a top limb 158A and a bottom limb 158B, wherein the top limb 158A and the bottom limb 158B extend forwardly from the main body 156 in the vehicle front-rear direction. The profile of the second cover 150 conforms with the profile of the first cover 140 such that the outer surface 152 of the second cover 150 is provided flush with the outer surface 142 of the first cover 140 in the vehicle front-rear direction. The shape, profile and structure of the second cover 150 allow the second cover 150 to be flush with the first cover 140 in a vehicle top view, a vehicle bottom view and the vehicle right side view. Thus, even when the first cover 140 and the second cover 150 are provided as separate covers, in assembly, the first cover 140 and the second cover 150 provide the aesthetic of a single clutch cover. In an embodiment, since the second cover 150 is disposed rearwardly of the first cover 140, the second cover 150 is configured to cover at least a portion of a swing arm of the vehicle in the vehicle right side view. The swing arm is disposed rearwardly of the crankcase 110, and is thus covered by the second cover 150 in the vehicle right side view, thus providing better aesthetics. A recess 153 is provided on the rear end 150B’ of the second cover 150 for allowing provision of the swing arm.
[029] To facilitate the detachable mounting of the second cover 150 on the crankcase 110, the internal combustion engine 100 comprises one or more mounting brackets 154 (shown in Figure 3). The mounting brackets 154 have a substantially linear shape and project rearwardly from the crankcase 110. The one or more mounting brackets 154 are configured to receive the second cover 150 for detachably mounting the second cover 150 on the crankcase 110. For detachably attaching the second cover 150 on the crankcase 110, the internal combustion engine 100 has a second set of fasteners 174 (shown in Figure 3) for attaching the second cover 150 to the crankcase 110. The second set of fasteners 174 are removed for detaching the second cover 150 and accessing engine components and the swing arm as per requirement.
[030] Reference is made to the embodiment depicted in Figure 6A and Figure 6B, wherein as illustrated, the third cover 160 has a top end 160A, a bottom end 160A’ and a front end 160B. In that, the top end 160A, the bottom end 160A’ and the front end 160B extend inwards in the vehicle width direction, thereby defining a space between the third cover 160 and the crankcase 110 for accommodating engine parts as per requirement. Further, the top end 160A, the bottom end 160A’ and the front end 160B extend inwards such that an outer surface 162 of the third cover 160 is provided flush with the outer surface 142 of the first cover 140 in the vehicle front-rear direction. In an embodiment, to provide flushing between first cover 140 and the third cover 160, at least a portion of the third cover 160 overlaps with a portion of the first cover 140 in a vehicle right side view.
[031] The third cover 160 has a substantially C-shaped profile in the vehicle right side view. The C-shaped profile has a main body 166, a top limb 168A and a bottom limb 168B, wherein the top limb 168A and the bottom limb 168B extending rearwardly from the main body 166 in the vehicle front-rear direction. More particularly, the rearward extension of the bottom limb 168B is greater than the top limb 168A such that the bottom limb 168B of the third cover 160 overlaps with a portion of the first cover 140 in the vehicle right side view. More particularly, the bottom limb 168B of the third cover 160 is disposed below the protrusion portion 144 of the first cover 140. The shape, profile and structure of the third cover 160 allow the third cover 160 to be flush with the first cover 140 in the vehicle top view, the vehicle bottom view and the vehicle right side view. Thus, even when the first cover 140, the second cover 150 and the third cover 160 are provided as separate covers, in assembly, the first cover 140, the second cover 150 and the third cover 160 provide the aesthetic of a single clutch cover. In an embodiment, since the third cover 160 is disposed forwardly of the first cover 140, the third cover 160 is configured to cover a coolant pump of a radiator assembly of the internal combustion engine 100 in the vehicle right side view. The coolant pump is disposed forwardly of the crankcase 110 and is thus, covered by the third cover 160 in the vehicle right side view, thus providing better aesthetics.
[032] To facilitate the detachable mounting of the third cover 160 on the crankcase 110, the internal combustion engine 100 has a third set of fasteners 176 (shown in Figure 3) for attaching the third cover 160 to the crankcase 110. The third set of fasteners 176 are removed for detaching the third cover 160 and accessing engine components including the coolant pump as per requirement.
[033] Advantageously, the present invention provides an internal combustion engine with a cover assembly with a split constructions having a first cover, a second cover and a third cover. The cover assembly covers the crankcase and provides the aesthetics of a bulky cover assembly and internal combustion engine, as required specifically in the motorcycles of the modern classic segment, without actually being bulky. The present invention provides for elimination of a single bulky clutch cover, thus reducing the overall weight of the vehicle. The reduction in overall bulk and weight of the clutch cover also results in enhanced vehicle performance.
[034] Elimination of a single bulky clutch cover also reduces the manufacturing complexity involved in accommodating the oil filter as well as covering the coolant pump since the first cover covers the oil filter and the separate third cover is provided for the cooling pump. The reduced manufacturing complexity also results in reduced manufacturing costs.
[035] Further, provision of separate covers also enhances serviceability since the first cover, the second cover and the third cover can be separately attached detached as per requirement to access different engine parts, as opposed to attaching and detaching a bulky single clutch cover in conventional configurations.
[036] 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
100: Internal Combustion Engine
110: Crankcase
110A: Right Crankcase Half
110B: Left Crankcase Half
120: Cylinder Block
130: Cover Assembly
140: First Cover
140A: Top end of the first cover
140A’: Bottom end of the first cover
140B: Front end of the first cover
140B’: Rear end of the first cover
142: Outer surface of the first cover
144: Protrusion Portion
146: Slot
148: Cap member
150: Second Cover
150A: Top end of the second cover
150A’: Bottom end of the second cover
150B’: Rear end of the second cover
152: Outer surface of the second cover
153: Recess
154: One or more mounting brackets
156: Main body of the second cover
158A: Top limb of the second cover
158B: Bottom limb of the second cover
160: Third Cover
160A: Top end of the third cover
160A’: Bottom end of the third cover
160B: Front end of the third cover
162: Outer surface of the third cover
166: Main body of the third cover
168A: Top limb of the third cover
168B: Bottom limb of the third cover
172: First set of fasteners
174: Second set of fasteners
176: Third set of fasteners
, Claims:1. An internal combustion engine (100) for a vehicle, the internal combustion engine (100) comprising:
a crankcase (110) and a cylinder block (120), the cylinder block (120) extending upwardly from the crankcase (110); and
a cover assembly (130), the cover assembly (130) configured to be attached to the crankcase (110), the cover assembly (130) comprising:
a first cover (140), the first cover (140) being attached to the crankcase (110), the first cover (140) configured to enclose at least a clutch assembly (20) of the internal combustion engine (100);
a second cover (150), the second cover (150) being attached to the crankcase (110), the second cover (150) being provided adjoining the first cover (140) and being disposed rearwardly of the first cover (140) in a vehicle front-rear direction; and
a third cover (160), the third cover (160) being attached to the crankcase (110), the third cover (160) being provided adjoining the first cover (140) and being disposed forwardly of the first cover (140) in the vehicle front-rear direction.

2. The internal combustion engine (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the crankcase (110) comprises a right crankcase half (110A) and a left crankcase half (110B) in a vehicle rear view, and the cover assembly (130) being configured to be attached to the right crankcase half (110A).

3. The internal combustion engine (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first cover (140) comprising a top end (140A), a bottom end (140A’), a front end (140B) and a rear end (140B’), and the top end (140A), the bottom end (140A’), the front end (140B) and the rear end (140B’) extend inwards in a vehicle width direction, thereby enclosing the clutch assembly (20) of the internal combustion engine (100).

4. The internal combustion engine (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second cover (150) comprising a top end (150A), a bottom end (150A’) and a rear end (150B’) , and the top end (150A), the bottom end (150A’) and the rear end (150B’) extend inwards in the vehicle width direction, such that an outer surface (152) of the second cover (150) is provided flush with an outer surface (142) of the first cover (140) in the vehicle front-rear direction.

5. The internal combustion engine (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said third cover (160) comprising a top end (160A), a bottom end (160A’) and a front end (160B), and the top end (160A), the bottom end (160A’) and the front end (160B) extend inwards in the vehicle width direction, such that an outer surface (162) of the third cover (160) is provided flush with the outer surface (142) of the first cover (140) in the vehicle front-rear direction.

6. The internal combustion engine (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein at least a portion of the third cover (160) overlaps with a portion of the first cover (140) in a vehicle right side view.

7. The internal combustion engine (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the third cover (160) is configured to cover a coolant pump of a radiator assembly of the internal combustion engine (100) in the vehicle right side view.

8. The internal combustion engine (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second cover (150) is configured to cover at least a portion of a swing arm of the vehicle in the vehicle right side view.

9. The internal combustion engine (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first cover (140) comprises a protrusion portion (144), the protrusion portion (144) extending outwardly in the vehicle width direction and defining a space for accommodating an oil filter of the internal combustion engine (100).

10. The internal combustion engine (100) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the protrusion portion (144) comprises a slot (146), and a cap member (148) attached detachably on the first cover (140) configured to cover the slot (146), the slot (146) being provided for allowing access to the oil filter.

11. The internal combustion engine (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first cover (140), the second cover (150) and the third cover (160) are detachably attached to the crankcase (110).

12. The internal combustion engine (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the internal combustion engine (100) comprises one or more mounting brackets (154) having a substantially linear shape and the one or more mounting brackets (154) projecting rearwardly from the crankcase (110), the one or more mounting brackets (154) being configured to receive the second cover (150) for detachably mounting the second cover (150) on the crankcase (110).

13. The internal combustion engine (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first cover (140) has a substantially box-shaped profile in the vehicle right side view, and the internal combustion engine (100) comprises a first set of fasteners (172) for attaching the first cover (140) to the crankcase (110).

14. The internal combustion engine (100) as claimed in claim 13, wherein the second cover (150) has a substantially C-shaped profile in the vehicle right side view, the C-shaped profile having a main body (156), a top limb (158A) and a bottom limb (158B) extending forwardly from the main body (156) in the vehicle front-rear direction, such that an outer surface (152) of the second cover (150) is provided flush with an outer surface (142) of the first cover (140) in the vehicle front-rear direction, and the internal combustion engine (100) comprises a second set of fasteners (174) for attaching the second cover (150) to the crankcase (110).

15. The internal combustion engine (100) as claimed in claim 13, wherein the third cover (160) has a substantially C-shaped profile in the vehicle right side view, the C-shaped profile having a main body (166), a top limb (168A) and a bottom limb (168B) extending rearwardly from the main body (166) in the vehicle front-rear direction, the extension of the bottom limb (168B) being greater than the top limb (168A) such that the bottom limb (168B) of the third cover (160) overlaps with a portion of the first cover (140) in the vehicle right side view, and the internal combustion engine (100) comprises a third set of fasteners (176) for attaching the third cover (160) to the crankcase (110).