Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present subject matter relates in general to a vehicle. More particularly but not exclusively the present subject matter relates to a cover assembly for a vehicle.
BACKGROUND 5
[0002] Vehicles are designed with the objective of mobility and comprises of essential components such as a prime mover configured to enable conversion of one form of energy to another, where the converted energy is transmitted onto one or more wheels through a transmission system to enable propulsion of the vehicle. The prime mover employed in vehicles can be an internal combustion engine, 10 electrical energy storage unit such as battery packs or a combination of internal combustion engine and electrical energy storage unit.
[0003] The conversion of one form of energy to another by the prime mover entails an exothermic reaction with an enormous amount of heat generated inside the prime mover. The by-product of energy conversion is the heat generated 15 which causes wear and tear to the internal components of the prime mover as well as adversely affecting the optimal operation of the prime mover and conversely the vehicle.
[0004] In vehicles, cover panels are provided to protect internal components of the vehicle which reduce the space available for incoming ram air into the vehicle, 20 thereby reducing the efficiency of air-cooling methods for prime movers in vehicles.
[0005] In other known arts, a radiator unit is deployed in the vehicle to effectuate prime mover cooling. However, incorporation of additional cooling methods such as radiator units in the vehicle envisage a higher production and manufacturing 25 cost as well as a proportionate increase in the overall weight and number of components of the vehicle.
[0006] Conventionally, the internal combustion engines in the vehicles are provided with a plurality of heat radiating units having extended surfaces for heat dissipation. These extended surfaces may be in the form of fins formed on an 30 outer surface of the internal combustion engine and are configured to dissipate the
heat from the internal combustion engine into the surrounding environment. The plurality of heat radiating units are typically provided along the surfaces of the cylinder block and the formation or integration of the plurality of heat radiating units on the cylinder block incurs a manufacturing and production cost. Further, owing to feasibility limitations the plurality of heat radiating units are typically 5 limited to the cylinder block surfaces. In the conventional internal combustion engine architecture, other parts of the internal combustion engine such as the magneto cover, the spark plug region, the clutch cover, and even the cylinder head cover do not have heat radiating units for heat dissipation leading to elevated heat zones persistent in the internal combustion engine. 10 [0007] In some exemplary designs of internal combustion engines, the cylinder head cover is provided with the plurality of heat radiating units which adversely increases manufacturing and production costs associated with the overall internal combustion engine.
[0008] In traditional vehicle layouts, to achieve effective internal combustion 15 engine cooling the internal combustion engine is integrated with a radiator unit. The drawbacks associated with the usage of an independent radiator unit include cost and interference with a compact vehicle layout.
[0009]
[00010] Thus, there is a requirement of a mechanism configured to 20 effectively cool the heated parts of the prime mover and other heated components of the vehicle, whilst simultaneously addressing the weight and cost concerns in vehicles.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[00011] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in 25 any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.
[00012] According to embodiments illustrated herein, the present invention provides a cover assembly for a vehicle. The cover assembly comprises one or 30
more cover members. The one or more cover members are disposed in a vehicle layout and are configured to protect an internal combustion engine in a vehicle left-right direction.
Each of the one or more cover members are connected at a cover mounting portion wherein the one or more cover members forms an air ingress passage in a front portion of the vehicle. In an aspect, one or more 5 deflector units are disposed in a pre-defined region of an internal surface of at least one of the one or more cover members. The one or more deflector units are configured to deflect incoming air entering the air ingress passage along a vehicle front-rear axis onto one or more parts of the internal combustion engine. [00013] In an embodiment, the one or more cover members includes: a left-
10 side cover member, the left-side cover member being disposed in the front portion of the vehicle and on a vehicle left side of the vehicle left-right direction; and a right-side cover member, the right-side cover member being disposed in the front portion of the vehicle on a vehicle right side of the vehicle left-right direction; wherein the right-side cover member being disposed opposite to the left-side 15 cover member in the vehicle left-right direction.
[00014] In an embodiment, each of the one or more deflector units includes an interfacing portion and one or more deflecting portion; wherein the interfacing portion being connected to the pre-defined region of the internal surface of at least one of the one or more cover members, and wherein the one or 20 more deflecting portion facing towards the one or more parts of the internal combustion engine; wherein the one or more deflecting portion (604) being integrated with the interfacing portion.
[00015] In an embodiment, the pre-defined region of disposition of each of the one or more deflector unit on the internal surface of the at least one of the one 25 or more cover members being such that an edge of the one or more deflecting portion facing the one or more components of the internal combustion engine, wherein the one or more deflecting portion comprising a pre-defined curved profile extending laterally from the interfacing portion and the edge of the one or more deflecting portion being configured to be disposed co-planar to a pre-30 defined hot-zone of the one or more parts of the internal combustion engine,
wherein the pre-defined hot-zone of the one or more parts of the internal combustion engine being a spark plug region. [00016] In an embodiment, a pre-defined air gap being maintained between the edge of the one or more deflecting portion and an external surface of the internal combustion engine to permit the incoming air through the air ingress
5 passage to be deflected onto a rear portion of the internal combustion engine and the vehicle, wherein the rear portion of internal combustion engine includes one or more parts being at least one of a cylinder head cover, a cylinder block, a magneto cover and a clutch cover.
[00017] According to another embodiment illustrated herein, the present 10 invention provides a deflector unit. The deflector unit is configured to deflect incoming air onto one or more parts. The deflector unit comprises an interfacing portion, one or more deflecting portions and one or more connecting portions. The interfacing portion is configured to mate with an internal surface of one or more cover members, wherein the one or more cover members is configured to cover 15 the one or more parts along a lateral axis . The one or more deflecting portions comprises a pre-defined curved profile extending from a mid-region of the interfacing portion and is configured to deflect incoming air onto the one or more parts. The one or more connecting portions is configured to connect one or more edges of the one or more deflecting portions to at least one edge of one or more 20 end-regions of the interfacing portion . The interfacing portion, the one or more deflecting portions and the one or more connecting portions is integrated to form the deflector unit.
[00018] In an embodiment, the pre-defined curved profile being formed between a transition edge and an external edge of the one or more deflecting 25 portion when viewed from a top view, wherein the transition edge being an edge on the interfacing portion, the deflecting portion extends laterally from the transition edge.
[00019] In an embodiment, the pre-defined curved profile of the one or more deflecting portions being configured to deflect air onto one or more parts at 30 an angular range of 75° to 95°, wherein the pre-defined curved profile being
disposed towards the one or more parts; and wherein the angular range being defined between an axis passing through a direction of incoming air and an axis passing through a direction of outgoing air, wherein the direction of outgoing air being post interaction with the pre-defined curved profile of the one or more deflecting portions.
5 [00020] In an embodiment, wherein the interfacing portion includes at least one end region and the mid-region; wherein the at least one end region comprising a top end region and a bottom end region; and wherein the top end region and the bottom end region being disposed on opposite edges of the mid-region.
10
[00021] In an embodiment, wherein the at least one end region comprising one or more mounting provisions, a first mounting provision being disposed in the top end region; and a second mounting provision being disposed in the bottom end region of the interfacing portion, wherein the first mounting provision being disposed diagonally opposite to the second mounting provision. 15
[00022] In an embodiment, one of the first mounting provision and the second mounting provision comprising a countersunk mounting provision, the countersunk mounting provision being configured to be inserted onto a designated slot on a surface of the one or more cover members.
[00023] In an embodiment, an external face of the deflecting unit 20 comprising the interfacing portion being configured to align with an internal surface of the one or more cover members.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[00024] The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings which 25 are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention, and therein.
[00025] The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures, which is related to a vehicle. However, the present subject matter is not
limited to the depicted embodiment(s). In the figures, the same or similar numbers are used throughout to reference features and components.
[00026]
Figure 1 exemplarily illustrates a side perspective view of a vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[00027] Figure 2 exemplarily illustrates a front view of the partially shown 5 vehicle depicting one or more components of the vehicle in accordance with other embodiments of the present disclosure.
[00028] Figure 3 illustrates a front view depicting one or more components of the vehicle including an internal combustion engine and one or more deflector units in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 10
[00029] Figure 4 illustrates a side perspective view of a cover assembly of the vehicle in accordance with some embodiment of the present disclosure.
[00030] Figure 5 illustrates a front view of the deflector unit in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[00031] Figure 6(a) illustrates a side perspective view of the deflector unit 15 depicting an external face of the deflector unit in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[00032] Figure 6(b) illustrates a side perspective view of the deflector unit depicting an internal face of the deflector unit in accordance with other embodiment of the present disclosure. 20
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[00033] The present disclosure may be best understood with reference to the detailed figures and description set forth herein. Various embodiments are discussed below with reference to the figures. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed descriptions given herein with respect to 25 the figures are simply for explanatory purposes as the embodiments may extend beyond the described embodiments. For example, the teachings presented, and the needs of a particular application may yield multiple alternative and suitable approaches to implement the functionality of any detail described herein.
Therefore, any approach may extend beyond the particular implementation choices in the following embodiments described and shown. [00034] References to “one embodiment,” “at least one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “one example,” “an example,” “for example,” and so on indicate that the embodiment(s) or example(s) may include a particular feature, structure, 5 characteristic, property, element, or limitation but that not every embodiment or example necessarily includes that particular feature, structure, characteristic, property, element, or limitation. Further, repeated use of the phrase “in an embodiment” does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment.
[00035] The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with 10 different embodiments. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather those embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. 15
[00036] The present subject matter is further described with reference to accompanying figures. It should be noted that the description and figures merely illustrate principles of the present subject matter. Various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, encompass the principles of the present subject matter. Moreover, all statements herein reciting 20 principles, aspects, and examples of the present subject matter, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
[00037] Various features and embodiments of the present subject matter here will be discernible from the following further description thereof, set out hereunder. It is contemplated that the concepts of the present subject matter may be applied to 25 any kind of vehicle within the spirit and scope of this subject matter. The detailed explanation of the constitution of parts other than the present subject matter which constitutes an essential part has been omitted at suitable places.
[00038] The present invention is illustrated with a cover assembly for a vehicle. However, a person skilled in the art would appreciate that the present invention is 30 not limited to a scooter type vehicle as illustrated in the figures and certain
features, aspects and advantages of embodiments of the present invention can be extended to various types of vehicles having an internal combustion engine and even hybrid vehicles. In an exemplary embodiment, certain features of the deflecting unit can be used in conjunction with an electric vehicle layout. [00039] It is an object of the present subject matter to effectively cool heated 5 components of the internal combustion engine.
[00040] In accordance with the present disclosure, the present subject matter provides a cover assembly comprising of one or more cover members integrated with one or more deflector units configured to direct the incoming air onto the one or more parts of the internal combustion engine leading to effective cooling of the 10 developed elevated one or more hot zones in the internal combustion engine.
[00041] To this end, one or more deflector units deflect incoming ram air during vehicle propulsion through an air ingress passage onto a spark plug region of the internal combustion engine. The spark plug region of the internal combustion engine is a particular hot zone owing to the high voltage supply of electricity to 15 induce combustion in the fuel.
[00042] Additionally, the one or more deflector units are disposed in a pre-defined region of an internal surface of at least one of the one or more cover members such that a pre-defined air gap is existent between the external surface of the internal combustion engine and an outmost edge of the one or more deflector 20 units. The pre-defined air gap permits that the incoming ram air is deflected only onto the spark plug region of the internal combustion engine, is also directed onto rear portions of the vehicle and the internal combustion engine. The directing of the incoming air onto the rear portion of the internal combustion engine achieves air cooling of other elevated heat zones of parts of the internal combustion engine 25 such as the magneto cover, the clutch cover, the cylinder block, and the like, thereby achieving effective cooling of all the parts of the internal combustion engine.
[00043] Further, one or more connecting portions are provided on the deflector units to prevent the straying of incoming air onto components of the vehicle 30 which upon thermal analysis are formed at a different region than the hot zones
region. More specifically, the one or more connecting portions prevents the straying of air to the top and bottom regions of the vehicle by directing onto the rear portion of the vehicle and the internal combustion engine. [00044] It is an object of the present subject matter to provide a cover member assembly integrated with embodiments configured to optimally direct incoming 5 air onto heated zones in the vehicles.
[00045] However, in accordance with the present disclosure the one or more deflector units being disposed on pre-defined regions of the internal surfaces of at least one of the one or more cover members negates the requirement of additional brackets for mounting deflectors or heat radiating units to be incorporated in 10 conjunction with the internal combustion engine. Thereby maintaining a compact vehicle layout in compliance with vehicle designing requirements without increasing the overall weight and the number of components in the vehicle. In an exemplary embodiment, the one or more deflector units are composed of a plastic material to further reduce weight dependency. 15
[00046] Additionally, as ram incoming air is manipulated in effectively cooling one or more components of the internal combustion engine, the overall maintenance and operational cost is further reduced.
[00047] It is an object of the present disclosure to implement a poka yoke method to ensure precise disposition of the deflector unit onto a pre-defined region on the 20 internal surface of the one or more cover members.
[00048] Owing to specific design requirements in accordance with the present disclosure in terms of the angle of deflection and the existence of the pre-defined air gap, the deflector unit incorporates a poka yoke method for disposition of the deflector unit onto the internal surface of the one or more cover members. To this 25 end, the deflector unit comprises at least one end region comprising one or more mounting provisions, where one of the first mounting provision and the second mounting provision comprises a countersunk mounting provision. The purveying of the countersunk mounting provision ensures disparity between the first mounting provision and the second provision and its consequent disposition on 30
the internal surface of the one or more cover members, thereby avoiding possibility of incorrect disposition or assembly in the vehicle. [00049] Additionally, to ensure secure disposition and anti-rotation of the deflector unit in the vehicle, the first mounting provision is disposed diagonally opposite to the second mounting provision to form a zig-zag pattern of mounting 5 of the deflector unit onto the internal surface of the one or more cover members. The zig-zag pattern of mounting addresses possible issues of anti-rotation in the deflector unit of the vehicle.
[00050] The present subject matter is further described with reference to accompanying figures. It should be noted that the description and figures merely 10 illustrate principles of the present subject matter. Various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, encompass the principles of the present subject matter. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and examples of the present subject matter, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof. 15
[00051] The present subject matter may be implemented in any form of vehicles. However, for the purpose of explanation and by no limitation, the present invention, and corresponding additional advantages and features are described through the following embodiments depicting a scooter type vehicle.
[00052] Figure 1 exemplarily illustrates a side perspective view of a vehicle in 20 accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[00053] With reference to Figure 1, 100 denotes a vehicle, 102 denotes a seat of the vehicle, 104 denotes a handlebar assembly, 106 denotes one or more rear wheels of the vehicle, 108 denotes one or more front wheels of the vehicle, 110 denotes a front fender assembly, 112 denotes a cover assembly for the vehicle, 25 114 denotes an air ingress passage and 116 denotes an internal combustion engine disposed in the vehicle, 120 denotes a front cowl of the vehicle 100.
[00054] In an aspect, the vehicle 100 as depicted in Figure 1 is not limited to a scooter type vehicle but is applicable to other two-wheeled vehicles such as step-thru vehicles, motorcycle vehicles, and other forms of mobility employing cover 30
assemblies. The vehicle 100 may be propelled by the internal combustion engine 116 or other forms of prime movers capable of energy conversions and transmissions for vehicle propulsion. The vehicle 100 is not limited to the internal combustion engine 116 vehicle but is deemed applicable to vehicles 102 employing battery packs as well as vehicles 100 employing a combination of the
5 internal combustion engine 116 and the battery packs. [00055] For illustration purposes, an axis XX’ passes through a mid-point of the vehicle in a vehicle vertical direction, where the axis XX’ being along a center line of the vehicle 100 in a vertical direction when the vehicle 100 be viewed from a side view. The axis XX’ divides the vehicle 100 along the vehicle length into a
10 front portion F of the vehicle 100 and a rear portion R of the vehicle. The front portion F of the vehicle constitutes one or more vehicle components disposed ahead of the axis XX’ of the vehicle 100. The rear portion R of the vehicle constitutes the one or more vehicle components disposed behind the axis XX’ of the vehicle 100. 15
[00056] For the purposes of designating a left side and a right side of the vehicle 100, the left side and right side of the vehicle 100 is designated as the left and the right of the vehicle 100 respectively when the vehicle is viewed from a front view of the vehicle 100.
[00057] In an aspect, the seat 102 is configured to facilitate seating of one or more 20 users of the vehicle 100 and extends along the vehicle length from the front portion F towards the rear portion R of the vehicle 100. The vehicle 100 comprises the handlebar assembly 104 disposed in the front portion F of the vehicle 100 where the handlebar assembly 104 serves as an input for the desired direction of propulsion of the vehicle 100. The handlebar assembly 104 comprises 25 an instrument cluster, grippers, braking levers, rear view mirrors disposed along a handlebar axis. As illustrated in Figure 1, the handlebar axis is partially covered by a headlamp stay (not shown) and the headlamp housing panel (not shown) for disposition of the headlamp (122).
[00058] In the present embodiment, the vehicle 100 comprises the internal combustion engine 116 configured to enable energy conversions to generate an energy output capable of propelling the vehicle 100. The energy output generated by the internal combustion engine 116 is transmitted onto at least one of the one or more front wheels 108 and the one or more rear wheels 106 through a
5 transmission assembly (not shown) to propel the vehicle in the desired direction.
[00059] A front fender assembly 110 is disposed over the one or more front wheels 108 to connect the forks and suspension system extending from the handlebar assembly 104 onto the one or more front wheels 108.
[00060] In most vehicles 100, to protect the internal components of the vehicle 10 100 a plurality of cover panels or style parts are disposed along the body of the vehicle 100. The cover assembly 112 serve the purpose of covering some parts of the vehicle 100.
[00061] In an aspect, the cover assembly 112 is disposed in the front portion F of the vehicle 100 and covers a portion of the internal combustion engine 116 from a 15 left side and a right side of the vehicle 100. The cover assembly 112 extends rearwardly and inclinedly from a front cowl 120 of the vehicle whilst covering the internal combustion engine 116 partially and leaving the clutch cover and the pedals and foot pegs open for accessibility.
[00062] Figure 2 exemplarily illustrates a front view of the partially shown 20 vehicle depicting the one or more components of the vehicle in accordance with other embodiment of the present disclosure.
[00063] With reference to Figure 2, 114 denotes an air ingress passage, 112L denotes a left side cover member, 112 R denotes a right side cover member, 118 denotes a cover mounting portion 200L denotes a left side deflector unit and 200R 25 denotes a right side deflector unit.
[00064] In an aspect, the cover assembly 112 comprises one or more cover members 112L, 112R being disposed in a vehicle layout and being configured to protect the internal combustion engine 116 in a vehicle left-right direction (L-R).
[00065] In an aspect, the cover assembly 112 comprises the one or more cover members 112L, 112R with one or more deflector units 200L, 200R being disposed in a pre-defined region onto the internal surface of at least one of the one or more cover members 112L, 112R. The one or more cover members 112L, 112R comprises the left side cover member 112L disposed on the left side of the vehicle
5 100 and the right side cover member 112R disposed onto the right side of the vehicle 100.
[00066] In another aspect, the one or more deflector units 200L, 200R are configured to deflect incoming air entering the air ingress passage 114 along a vehicle front-rear direction (F-R) onto one or more parts of the internal 10 combustion engine 116.
[00067] For the purposes of the present disclosure, the terms “parts” and “components” while referring to the internal combustion engine have been used interchangeably and are intended to refer to the same set of parts or components of the internal combustion engine elucidated in further paragraphs of the present 15 disclosure.
[00068] The left-side cover member 112L is disposed in the front portion (F) of the vehicle 100 and on the vehicle left side L of the vehicle left-right direction (L-R) while the right-side cover member 112R is disposed in the front portion of the vehicle 100 on the vehicle right side R of the vehicle left-right direction (L-R). In 20 another aspect, the right-side cover member 112R is disposed opposite to the left-side cover member 112L in the vehicle left-right direction (L-R).
[00069] In an aspect, each of the one or more cover members 112L, 112R is connected at a cover mounting portion 118 such that the one or more cover members 112L, 112R forms an air ingress passage 114 in a front portion F of the 25 vehicle 100.
[00070] In another aspect, in a bottom portion of the vehicle 100, the left side cover member 112L and the right side cover member 112R are configured to connect at a cover mounting portion 118. The cover mounting portion 118 acts as
a connection point for the left side cover member 112L and the right side cover member 112R using fastening means such as but not limited to screws, rivets, pins, bolts, and the like. [00071] In an aspect, the one or more cover members 112L, 112R encloses the horizontally mounted internal combustion engine 116 from a left side and a right
5 side along a vehicle left-right axis L-R.
[00072] For the purposes of the present disclosure, the internal combustion engine 116 elucidated in further paragraphs refer to a horizontally mounted engine. In a horizontally mounted engine layout, the cylinder head cover 302 is disposed towards the front portion F of the vehicle facing the air ingress passage 114. The 10 other components of the internal combustion engine 116 such as the clutch cover 304, the magneto cover 308 and the cylinder block 310 are disposed rearward to the cylinder head cover 302.
[00073] In conventional vehicle layouts comprising internal combustion engine 116, the internal combustion engine 115 is disposed in an axial disposition with 15 the cylinder head cover 302 placed towards a top-front portion of the vehicle, towards the handlebar assembly 104.
[00074] In application, an unobstructed perception of the front view of the vehicle 100 after removal of the one or more front wheels 108 depicts a clear contour of the air ingress passage 114 formed by the left side cover member 112L and the 20 right side cover member 112R upon connection through the cover mounting portion 118. The air ingress passage 114 when viewed from the vehicle front view only encompasses the horizontally mounted internal combustion engine 116.
[00075] The one or more deflector units 200L, 200R are disposed onto the pre-defined region on the internal surface of the left side cover member 112L and the 25 right side cover member 112R. In an aspect, the one or more deflector units 200L, 200R are detachably attached onto the pre-defined region on the internal surface of the one or more cover members 112L, 112R.
[00076] In the absence of the one or more deflector units 200L, 200R, the vehicle 100 during propulsion would ingress the incoming ram air onto the entire area of the air ingress passage 114 formed between the left side cover member 112L and the right side cover member 112R leading to non-homogenous cooling with hot-zones developed internal to the vehicle 100. Further, the incoming ram air onto
5 the entire area of the air ingress passage 114 will escape at a rear portion of the engine 116 without effectively cooling the hot-zones and the other one or more parts of the engine 116.
[00077] Upon disposition of the one or more deflector units 200L, 200R, the ram air being ingress onto the internal components of the vehicle 100 through the air 10 ingress passage 114 is deflected onto pre-set hot zones of the vehicle 100 such as the internal combustion engine 116 leading to a more effective and strategic cooling of the hot zones as well as other components of the vehicle 100.
[00078] Figure 3 illustrates a front view depicting one or more components of the vehicle including the internal combustion engine and one or more deflector units 15 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[00079] With reference to Figure 3, 302 denotes a cylinder head cover, 304 denotes a clutch cover, 306 denotes a spark plug region, 308 denotes a magneto cover, 310 denotes a cylinder block, and 502 denotes an edge of the one or more deflector units. 20
[00080] Figure 3 illustrates the disposition of the one or more components of the internal combustion engine 116 when the internal combustion engine 116 being horizontally mounted on the vehicle 100.
[00081] In an aspect, in a horizontally mounted internal combustion engine 116 the cylinder head cover 302 is the front-most portion of the internal combustion 25 engine 116, when seen from a front view of the vehicle 100 and serves as to the first surface on which incoming air interacts with when ingress through the air ingress passage 114.
[00082] With reference to the cylinder head cover 302, the cylinder block 310 is disposed rearward to the cylinder head cover 302, the clutch cover 304 is disposed on a left side of the cylinder head cover 302 and the vehicle 100 when viewed from the front view of the vehicle 100 and the magneto cover 308 is disposed on a right side of the cylinder head cover 302 and the vehicle 100 when viewed from
5 the front view of the vehicle 100. The sparkplug region 306 refers to a specific portion of the cylinder head cover 302 where the spark plug of the internal combustion engine 116 is disposed.
[00083] In an aspect, a pre-defined air gap “a” is maintained between an edge 502 of the one or more deflector units 200L, 200R and an external surface of the 10 internal combustion engine 116 when viewed from a front view. The external surface of the internal combustion engine 116 refers to the outer most surface of the internal combustion engine 116 along the vehicle left-right direction L-R.
[00084] In an aspect, the pre-defined air gap “a” being maintained between the edge 502 of the one or more deflecting units 200L, 200R and an external surface 15 of the internal combustion engine (116) is configured to permit the incoming air through the air ingress passage 114 to be deflected onto a rear portion of the internal combustion engine 116 and the vehicle 100, wherein the rear portion of internal combustion engine (116) includes one or more parts being at least one of a cylinder head cover (302), a cylinder block (310), a magneto cover (308), a 20 clutch cover (304), and the like.
[00085] In another aspect, the pre-defined air gap “a” is maintained between a range of 6mm to 12mm for ensuring ample volume of air is directed onto the rear portion of the internal combustion engine 116 and the vehicle 100 .
[00086] In an aspect, Figure 3 depicts the operative precincts of the air ingress 25 passage 114 in functional connection with the one or more deflector units 200L, 200R and the internal combustion engine 116.
[00087] In operation, the incoming ram air enters through the air ingress passage 114 and hits the front portion of the internal combustion engine 116 comprising
the cylinder head cover 302. However, in the absence of deflector units in the vehicle 100, the incoming air runs haywire depreciating the possibility of strategic cooling of the one or more components of the internal combustion engine 116, or the incoming air may escape through other slots or clearances provided in the one or more cover members 112L, 112R.
5 [00088] The configuration in accordance with the present subject matter ensures that all the components of the internal combustion engine 116 gets air cooled. The incoming air through the air ingress passage 114 from the front portion F of the vehicle 100 first interacts with the cylinder head cover 302. Some volume of the incoming air is then deflected through the one or more deflector units 200L, 200R
10 which directs them onto the spark plug region 306. The spark plug region 306 thermally is one of the elevated heat zones existent in the internal combustion engine 116 and thereby requires adequate and strategic cooling. The remaining volume of the incoming air is transmitted onto the rear portion R of the internal combustion engine 116 comprising the magneto cover 308, the cylinder block 15 310, and even the clutch cover 304 where the incoming air is directed onto the rear portion R through the pre-defined air gap “a” existent between the external surface of the internal combustion engine 116 and the edge 502 of the one or more deflector units 200L, 200R. Thereby, the present configuration of the cover assembly 112 provided with the one or more deflector units 200L, 200R ensure 20 strategic air cooling of the one or more components of the internal combustion engine.
[00089] Figure 4 illustrates a side perspective view of the cover assembly of the vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[00090] With reference to Figure 4, 112L denotes the left side cover member, 25 112R denotes the right side cover member, 402R denotes an internal surface of the right side cover member, 612 denotes an exterior edge of a deflecting portion of the one or more deflector units, 614 denotes a transition edge and ‘C’ denotes a pre-defined curved profile of the one or more deflector units 200L, 200R.
[00091] Figure 5 illustrates a front view of the deflector unit in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[00092] With reference to Figure 5, 502 denotes an edge of the one or more deflecting portion of the one or more deflecting units.
[00093] Figure 6(a) illustrates a side perspective view of the deflector unit 5 depicting an external face of the deflector unit in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[00094] Figure 6(b) illustrates a side perspective view of the deflector unit depicting an internal face of the deflector unit in accordance with other embodiment of the present disclosure. 10
[00095] With reference to Figure 6(a) and Figure 6(b), 600a denotes an external face of the deflector, 600b denotes an internal face of the deflector. 602 denotes an interfacing portion, 602a denotes a top end region of the interfacing portion, 602b denotes a mid-region of the interfacing portion, 602c denotes a bottom end region of the interfacing portion.604 denotes one or more deflecting portion of the 15 external face of the deflector, 606 denotes one or more connecting portion, 608a denotes a first mounting provision, 608b denotes a second mounting provision, 610 denotes an interior edge of the deflector unit, 612 denotes an exterior edge of the deflector unit and 614 denotes a transition edge of the one or more deflectors.
[00096] For the purposes of brevity figure 4, 5, and 6 will be explained in 20 conjunction. Hereinafter, parts and components of the internal combustion engine being interchangeably used.
[00097] In an aspect, each of the one or more deflector units 200L, 200R disposed on the one or more cover members 112L, 112R includes an interfacing portion 602 and one or more deflecting portion 604. The interfacing portion 602 being 25 connected to the pre-defined region of the internal surface 402L, 402R (shown in fig.4) of at least one of the one or more cover members 112L, 112R, and wherein the one or more deflecting portion 604 is facing towards the one or more parts 302, 304, 306, 308, 310 of the internal combustion engine 116. In another aspect,
the one or more deflecting portion 604 being integrated with the interfacing portion 602. [00098] In an aspect, the pre-defined region of disposition of each of the one or more deflector unit 200L, 200R on the internal surface 402L, 402R of the at least one of the one or more cover members 112L, 112R being such that an edge 502 of
5 the one or more deflecting portion 604 is facing the one or more parts or components of the internal combustion engine 116. The one or more deflecting portion 604 comprising a pre-defined curved profile ‘C’ extending laterally from the interfacing portion 602 and the edge 502 of the one or more deflecting portion 604 being configured to be disposed co-planar to a pre-defined hot-zones of the 10 one or more parts 302, 304, 306, 308, 310 of the internal combustion engine 116, wherein the pre-defined hot-zones of the one or more parts 302, 304, 306, 308, 310 of the internal combustion engine 106 being a spark plug region 306.
[00099] Hereinafter, the term one or more deflector units is interchangeably used with a deflector unit. 15
[000100] In an aspect, a deflector unit 200L, 200R is configured to deflect incoming air onto one or more parts 302, 304, 306, 308, 310. The deflector unit 200L, 200R comprises an interfacing portion 602, one or more deflecting portions 604 and one or more connecting portions 606. The interfacing portion 602 is configured to mate with the internal surface 402L, 402R of one or more cover 20 members 112L, 112R, wherein the one or more cover members 112L, 112R being configured to cover the one or more parts 302, 304, 306, 308, 310 along a lateral axis (L-R). The one or more deflecting portions 604 comprising a pre-defined curved profile C extending from a mid-region 602b of the interfacing portion 602 and is configured to deflect incoming air onto the one or more parts 302, 304, 306, 25 308, 310. The one or more connecting portions 606 is configured to connect one or more edges of the one or more deflecting portion 604 to at least one edge of one or more end-regions 602a, 602c of the interfacing portion 602.
[000101] In another aspect, the interfacing portion 602, the one or more deflecting portions 604 and the one or more connecting portions 606 is integrated to form the deflector unit 200L, 200R.
[000102] In an aspect, the one or more connecting portions 606 are provided on the deflector units 200L, 200R to prevent the straying or random deflection of 5 incoming air. The one or more connecting portions 606 prevents the straying of air to the top and bottom regions of the vehicle 100 by directing onto the spark plug region 306 of the internal combustion engine 116 of the vehicle 100.
[000103] In an aspect, the pre-defined curved profile ‘C’ is formed between a transition edge 614 and an external edge 612 of the one or more deflecting 10 portion 604 when viewed from a top view, wherein the transition edge 614 being an edge on the interfacing portion 602 where the deflecting portion 604 extends laterally from the transition edge 604.
[000104] In another aspect, the pre-defined curved profile ‘C’ of the one or more deflecting portions 604 being configured to deflect air onto one or more 15 parts 302, 304, 306, 308, 310 at an angular range of 75° to 95°, wherein the pre-defined curved profile C being disposed towards the one or more parts 302, 304, 306, 308, 310. The angular range being defined between an axis passing through a direction ‘IA’ of incoming air and an axis passing through a direction ‘OA’ of outgoing air as depicted in Figure 6. The direction ‘OA’ of outgoing air being post 20 interaction with the pre-defined curved profile ‘C’ of the one or more deflecting portions 604.
[000105] In an aspect, the interfacing portion 602 includes at least one end region 602a, 602c, and the mid-region 602b, wherein the at least one end region 602a, 602c comprising a top end region 602a and a bottom end region 602c. The 25 top end region 602a and the bottom end region 602c is disposed on opposite edges of the mid-region 602b.
[000106] In an aspect, the at least one end region 602a, 602c comprising one or more mounting provisions 608a, 608b, where a first mounting provision 608a
being disposed in the top end region 602a, and a second mounting provision 608b being disposed in the bottom end region 602c of the interfacing portion 602, wherein the first mounting provision 608a being disposed diagonally opposite to the second mounting provision
608b. [000107] The configuration of the first mounting provision 608a being
5 diagonally opposite to the second mounting provision 608b, wherein the first mounting provision 608a and the second mounting provision 608b being disposed diagonally at opposite corners of the deflector unit 200L, 200R. of mounting which prevents rotation of the deflector unit 200L, 200R when disposed on the one or more cover members 112L, 112R. 10
[000108] In another aspect, one of the first mounting provision 608a and the second mounting provision 608b comprising a countersunk mounting provision, the countersunk mounting provision being configured to be inserted onto a designated slot on a surface 402L, 402R of the one or more cover members 112L, 112R. 15
[000109] For illustrative purposes, the second mounting provision 608b is provided with the countersunk mounting provision as depicted in Figure 6(a) and Figure 6(b).
[000110] The provision of a countersunk mounting provision 608b on one of the first mounting provision 608a and the second mounting provision 608b is a 20 poka yoke implementation where possibility of misalignment of the deflecting unit 200L, 220R is eliminated.
[000111] In an aspect, an external face 600a of the deflecting unit 200L, 200R comprising the interfacing portion 602 being configured to align with an internal surface 402L, 402R of the one or more cover members 112L, 112R. 25
[000112] In an embodiment, the deflecting unit 200L, 200R is composed of one of an organic material and an inorganic material. In an exemplary embodiment, the deflecting unit 200L, 200R is composed of a plastic material.
[000113]
The terms “an embodiment”, “embodiment”, “embodiments”, “the embodiment”, “the embodiments”, “one or more embodiments”, “some embodiments”, and “one embodiment” mean “one or more (but not all) embodiments of the invention(s)” unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms “including”, “comprising”, “having” and variations thereof mean “including but 5 not limited to”, unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms “a”, “an” and “the” mean “one or more”, unless expressly specified otherwise.
[000114] The disclosed claimed limitations and the disclosure provided herein provides a cover assembly for a vehicle. The claimed invention in an aspect provides strategic cooling to heated zones in the vehicle thereby improving 10 durability and service life of the one or more components of the internal combustion engine, while ensuring sufficient cooling of the one or more parts of the engine, so that the engine can perform optimally.
[000115] A description of an embodiment with several components in communication with another does not imply that all such components are 15 required, On the contrary, a variety of optional components are described to illustrate the wide variety of possible embodiments of the invention,
[000116] Finally, the language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and it may not have been selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter and is therefore 20 intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by any claims that issue on an application based here on. Accordingly, the embodiments of the present invention are intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the invention, which is set forth in the following claims.
[000117] While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, 25 other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.
[000118] A person with ordinary skills in the art will appreciate that the systems, modules, and sub-modules have been illustrated and explained to serve as examples and should not be considered limiting in any manner. It will be further appreciated that the variants of the above disclosed system elements, modules, and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined to 5 create other different systems or applications.
[000119] While the present disclosure has been described with reference to certain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made 10 to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but that the present disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. 15
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS:
100 - Vehicle
102 - Seat
104 - Handle assembly
106 – one or more Rear wheel 5
108 – one or more Front wheel
110 - Front fender assembly
112 - cover assembly
112L – left side cover member
112R – Right side cover member 10
114 - air ingress passage
116 - Internal combustion engine
200L, 200R – Deflector unit
200L – Left deflector
200R – Right deflector 15
a – pre-defined air gap
C – pre-defined curved profile
302 – cylinder head cover
304 – Clutch cover
306 – Spark plug region 20
308 – Magneto-cover
402L, 402R - Internal surface of one or more cover members
600a – External face of deflector
600b – Internal face of deflector
602 – Interfacing portion
602a – top end-region of the interfacing portion
602b- mid-region of the interfacing portion 5
602c – bottom end region of the interfacing portion
604 – one or more deflecting portion
606 – one or more connecting portion
608 – one or more mounting provisions
608a – first mounting provisions 10
608b – second mounting provisions
610 – interior edge of the deflector unit
612 – exterior edge of the deflecting portion
614 – Transition edge , Claims:We claim,
1. A cover assembly (112) for a vehicle (100), the cover assembly (112) comprising:
one or more cover members (112L, 112R), the one or more cover members (112L, 112R) being disposed in a vehicle layout and being 5 configured to protect an internal combustion engine (116) in a vehicle left-right direction (L-R);
wherein each of the one or more cover members (112L, 112R) being connected at a cover mounting portion (118), the one or more cover members (112L, 112R) forms an air ingress passage 10 (114) in a front portion (F) of the vehicle (100);
wherein one or more deflector units (200L, 200R) being disposed in a pre-defined region of an internal surface (402L, 402R) of at least one of the one or more cover members (112L, 112R); and 15
wherein the one or more deflector units (200L, 200R) being configured to deflect incoming air entering the air ingress passage (114) along a vehicle front-rear axis (F-R) onto one or more parts (302, 304, 306, 308, 310) of the internal combustion engine (116).
2. The cover assembly (112) for the vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, 20 wherein the one or more cover members (112L, 112R) includes:
a left-side cover member (112L), the left-side cover member (112L) being disposed in the front portion (F) of the vehicle (100) and on a vehicle left side (L) of the vehicle left-right direction (L-R); and
a right-side cover member (112R), the right-side cover member 25 (112R) being disposed in the front portion of the vehicle (100) on a vehicle right side (R) of the vehicle left-right direction (L-R);
wherein the right-side cover member (112R) being disposed opposite to the left-side cover member (112L) in the vehicle left-right direction (L-R).
3. The cover assembly (112) for the vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, 5 wherein each of the one or more deflector units (200L, 200R) includes an interfacing portion (602) and one or more deflecting portion (604);
wherein the interfacing portion (602) being connected to the pre-defined region of the internal surface (402L, 402R) of at least one of the one or more cover members (112L, 112R), and 10
wherein the one or more deflecting portion (604) facing towards the one or more parts (302, 304, 306, 308, 310) of the internal combustion engine (116);
wherein the one or more deflecting portion (604) being integrated with the interfacing portion (602). 15
4. The cover assembly (112) for the vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the pre-defined region of disposition of each of the one or more deflector unit (200L, 200R) on the internal surface (402L, 402R) of the at least one of the one or more cover members (112L, 112R) being such that 20 an edge (502) of the one or more deflecting portion (604) facing the one or more components of the internal combustion engine (116),
wherein the one or more deflecting portion (604) comprising a pre-defined curved profile (C) extending laterally from the interfacing portion (602) and the edge (502) of the one or more deflecting portion (604) being 25 configured to be disposed co-planar to a pre-defined hot-zone of the one or more parts (302, 304, 306, 308, 310) of the internal combustion engine (116),
wherein the pre-defined hot-zone of the one or more parts (302, 304, 306, 308, 310) of the internal combustion engine (106) being a spark 30 plug region (306).
5. The cover assembly (112) for the vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein a pre-defined air gap (a) being maintained between the edge (502) of the one or more deflecting portion (604) and an external surface of the internal combustion engine (116) to permit the incoming air through the 5 air ingress passage (114) to be deflected onto a rear portion of the internal combustion engine (116) and the vehicle (100),
wherein the rear portion of internal combustion engine (116) includes one or more parts being at least one of a cylinder head cover (302), a cylinder block (310), a magneto cover (308) and a clutch cover 10 (304).
6. A deflector unit (200L, 200R), the deflector unit (200L, 200R) being configured to deflect incoming air onto one or more parts (302, 304, 306, 308, 310), wherein the deflector unit (200L, 200R) comprises: 15
an interfacing portion (602), the interfacing portion (602) being configured to mate with an internal surface (402L, 402R) of one or more cover members (112L, 112R),
wherein the one or more cover members (112L, 112R) being configured to cover the one or more parts (302, 304, 306, 20 308, 310) along a lateral axis (L-R);
one or more deflecting portions (604), the one or more deflecting portions (604) comprising a pre-defined curved profile (C) extending from a mid-region (602b) of the interfacing portion (602) configured to deflect incoming air onto the one or more parts (302, 304, 306, 308, 310); and 25
one or more connecting portions (606), the one or more connecting portions (606) configured to connect one or more edges of the one or more deflecting portion (604) to at least one edge of one or more end-regions (602a, 602c) of the interfacing portion (602),
wherein the interfacing portion (602), the one or more deflecting portions (604) and the one or more connecting portions (606) being integrated to form the deflector unit (200L, 200R).
7. The deflector unit (200L, 200R) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the pre-5 defined curved profile (C) being formed between a transition edge (614) and an external edge (612) of the one or more deflecting portion (604) when viewed from a top view,
wherein the transition edge (614) being an edge on the interfacing portion (602), the deflecting portion (604) extends laterally from the 10 transition edge (604).
8. The deflector unit (200L, 200R) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the pre-defined curved profile (C) of the one or more deflecting portions (604) being configured to deflect air onto one or more parts (302, 304, 306, 308, 15 310) at an angular range of 75° to 95°,
wherein the pre-defined curved profile (C) being disposed towards the one or more parts (302, 304, 306, 308, 310); and
wherein the angular range being defined between an axis passing through a direction (IA) of incoming air and an axis passing through a 20 direction (OA) of outgoing air,
wherein the direction (OA) of outgoing air being post interaction with the pre-defined curved profile (C) of the one or more deflecting portions (604).
25
9. The deflector unit (200L, 200R) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the interfacing portion (602) includes at least one end region (602a, 602c) and the mid-region (602b);
wherein the at least one end region (602a, 602c) comprising a top end region (602a) and a bottom end region (602c); and 30
wherein the top end region (602a) and the bottom end region (602c) being disposed on opposite edges of the mid-region (602b).
10. The deflector unit (200L, 200R) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the at least one end region (602a, 602c) comprising one or more mounting provisions 5 (608a, 608b),
a first mounting provision (608a) being disposed in the top end region (602a); and
a second mounting provision (608b) being disposed in the bottom end region (602c) of the interfacing portion (602), 10
wherein the first mounting provision (608a) being disposed diagonally opposite to the second mounting provision (608b).
11. The deflector unit (200L, 200R) as claimed in claim 10, wherein one of the first mounting provision (608a) and the second mounting provision 15 (608b) comprising a countersunk mounting provision, the countersunk mounting provision being configured to be inserted onto a designated slot on a surface (402L, 402R) of the one or more cover members (112L, 112R).
20
12. The deflector unit (200L, 200R) as claimed in claim 6, wherein an external face (600a) of the deflecting unit (200L, 200R) comprising the interfacing portion (602) being configured to align with an internal surface (402L, 402R) of the one or more cover members (112L, 112R).