Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a vehicle. More specifically, it pertains to a body panel for the vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 5
[0002] Over the past few years, the public transport means and/or cargo transport means have become predominant means which include light commercial multi wheeled multi-track vehicles. For public transport and/or cargo transport, such vehicles operate day and night on roads and number of the vehicles are increasing on road with time especially in developing countries as such vehicles are one of the 10 economical modes of transport. Generally, such vehicles comprise a chassis structure supporting a body that is divided into a driver compartment and/or a passenger compartment for accommodating passengers. Some vehicles constitute monocoque construction of body which itself acts like a load bearing chassis or frame structure. Examples include three-wheeler passenger vehicles, three-wheeler 15 passenger cargo vehicles, four-wheeled vehicles, and multi-axle vehicles.
[0003] Conventionally, the front of the three-wheeled vehicle includes an enclosed driver's cabin. The driver’s cabin provides a comfortable and safe space for the driver and houses essential components, such as a steering mechanism and an instrument console. The driver’s cabin further includes a driver's seat, which 20 provides an unobstructed view, facilitates precise control of the vehicle and ensuring the safety of both the driver and the cargo being transported. Furthermore, a front part of the driver cabin includes an upper front body portion with a windshield and a lower front body portion/cowl configured adjacent to the upper front body portion and have a slot at lower end to receive a front wheel of the 25 vehicle.
[0004] Moreover, the vehicle is provided with two headlamps configured with lower front body portion/cowl and a horn configured between the two headlamps on the lower front body portion/cowl. From sides, the headlamps are covered by bezels/style panels including a left-hand side (LHS) bezel/style panel and a right-30 hand side (RHS) bezels/style panel. A grill is configured between the bezel/style panels. Generally, these individual three parts including, the bezels/style panels and
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the grill, are assembled on the vehicle individually. This increases tact time of assembly and hence results in less vehicles produced per day as well as manufacturing cost. Also, due to manufacturing tolerance and/or with the vehicle's usage over time, gaps are created between the bezels/style panels and the respective head lamps, which are not aesthetically pleasant. Besides, parting lines between 5 these individual pats are also not aesthetically pleasant. [0005] Therefore, there is a need of a simple and cost-effective solution which can obviates the above-mentioned problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 10
[0006] The present disclosure discloses an improved and simple body panel for a vehicle, which can overcome the abovementioned drawbacks of the vehicle.
[0007] In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, the proposed body panel includes a central panel portion, and two side panel portions extended from the central panel portion. Each of the side panel portions includes at least one 15 opening to receive one or more devices. The body panel is mounted to a front portion of a vehicle body of the vehicle.
[0008] In an embodiment, at least one of the central panel portion and the two side panel portions comprises one or more mounting flanges. The mounting flanges are configured for mounting the body panel to the vehicle body. The mounting flanges 20 are protruded from at least from at least one side end of the body panel.
[0009] In an embodiment, at least one of the central panel portion and the two side panel portions further comprises on or more mounting projections. The mounting projections are configured for mounting the body panel to the vehicle body. The mounting projections can be projected from an inner surface of the body panel. 25
[0010] In an embodiment, each of the two side panel portions comprises at least one locating unit. the locating unit is configured to detachably engage with devices.
[0011] In an embodiment, the one or more devices can be light devices of the vehicle. A portion the light devices are received in the corresponding opening of the side panel portions. 30
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[0012] In an embodiment, the body panel can be mounted to an upper front body portion of the body. The body panel can be configured below a windshield that is configured with the upper front body portion.
[0013] In another embodiment, the body panel can be mounted to a lower front body portion of the vehicle body. 5
[0014] In accordance with another aspect, the present invention discloses a vehicle that comprises a body/vehicle body mounted above a frame/chassis of the vehicle and defines a front cabin. The vehicle body comprising an upper front body portion and a lower front body portion configured below the upper front body portion. The vehicle further comprises a front grill panel configured with a front portion of the 10 vehicle body, and a body panel. The body panel comprises a central panel portion, and two side panel portions extended from the central panel portion. Each of the side panel portions comprises at least one opening to receive one or more devices. The body panel is mounted to the front portion of the vehicle body.
[0015] In an embodiment, the body panel can be mounted to the upper front body 15 portion. The body panel is configured below a windshield configured with the upper front body portion.
[0016] In another embodiment, the body panel can be mounted to the lower front body portion. The body panel is configured below to the front grill panel which can be mounted to the upper front body portion and adjacent to the windshield of the 20 vehicle.
[0017] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in 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. 25
[0018] Further, it is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 30
[0019] The proposed invention is described with reference to an exemplary embodiment of a body panel for vehicle with the accompanying figures. Non-
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limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present embodiments are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified. [0020] Fig. 1 illustrates a side perspective view of a front portion of a body of a vehicle, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. 5
[0021] Fig. 2 illustrates an exploded view of the front portion of a body of a vehicle, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.
[0022] Fig. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a body panel for the vehicle, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.
[0023] Fig. 4 illustrates a rear side view of the body panel for the vehicle, in 10 accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.
[0024] Fig. 5 illustrates a rear side view of the body panel depicting mounting projections, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invent.
[0025] Fig. 6 illustrates a side view of the body panel depicting mounting flanges, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. 15
[0026] Fig. 7 illustrates a rear side view of a front grill panel of the vehicle, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth to 20 provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the techniques described herein can be practised without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring certain aspects. 25
[0028] Various features and embodiments of the present disclosure here will be discernible from the following further description thereof, set out hereunder. Further “front” and “rear”, and “left” and “right” referred to in the ensuing description of the illustrated embodiment refer to front and rear, and left and right directions as seen from a rear portion of the vehicle and looking forward. However, 30 it is contemplated that the disclosure in the present disclosure may be applied to any vehicle without defeating the spirit of the present subject matter. The detailed
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explanation of the constitution of parts other than the present disclosure which constitutes an essential part has been omitted at suitable places. [0029] The present subject matter is further described with reference to the accompanying figures. It should be noted that the description and figures merely illustrate the principles of the present subject matter. Various arrangements may be 5 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.
[0030] Further, various embodiments disclosed herein are to be taken in the 10 illustrative and explanatory sense, and would in no way be construed as limiting the present disclosure. All joinder references (e.g., attached, affixed, coupled, connected, etc.) are only used to aid the reader’s understanding of the present disclosure, and may not create limitations, particularly as to the position orientation, or use of the system and/or methods disclosed herein. Therefore, joinder references, 15 if any, are to be construed broadly. Moreover, such joinder references do not necessarily infer that two elements are directly connected to each other.
[0031] Additionally, all numerical terms, such as, but not limited to, “first”, “second”, “primary”, “secondary”, “main” or any other ordinary and/or numerical terms, should also be taken as identifiers, to assist the reader’s understanding of the 20 various elements, embodiments, variations and/or modifications of the present disclosure, and may not create any limitations, particularly as to the order, or preference, of any element, embodiment, variation, and/or modification relative to, or over, another element, embodiment, variation and/or modification.
[0032] It will also be appreciated that one or more of the elements depicted in the 25 drawings/ figures can also be implemented in a more separated or integrated manner, or even removed, or rendered as inoperable in certain cases, as is useful in accordance with a particular application. The embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the disclosed invention is not limited to the present embodiments. 30
[0033] Embodiments of the present disclosure explained herein relate to a simple and improved body panel for a vehicle, which can be easily implemented on a
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vehicle body of the vehicle. In another embodiment, the present disclosure also discloses a vehicle, such as but not limited to a three wheeled vehicle, including a front grill panel and a body panel. Both, the front grill panel and the body panel are mounted a front portion of a vehicle body of the vehicle. [0034] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a body panel which can be 5 easily assembled on the vehicle body, resulting in reduction of assembly time and hence results in more vehicles produced per day as well as reduction of the manufacturing cost.
[0035] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a single body panel which can be used instead of conventional multiple parts including front 10 bezels/style panels and front grill panel, thereby reducing number of parts.
[0036] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a body panel with locating feature for locating head lamps in corresponding openings of the body panels to eliminate gaps creation between the body panel and respective head lamps received in the body panel, thereby improving aesthetic appearance of the vehicle. 15
[0037] Fig. 1 illustrates a side perspective view of a front portion of a body of a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, for example, the vehicle (not shown) can be a three-wheeled passenger type vehicle, a three-wheeled cargo type vehicle, a four wheeled type vehicle, a multi axle type vehicle, or the like. In one of the embodiments of the present disclosure the vehicle may be 20 an Electric Vehicle (EV), a Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV), an Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) based vehicle and have components suitable for traction.
[0038] In an exemplary embodiment, the vehicle (not shown) can be a three-wheeled vehicle that generally includes a frame structure, a vehicle body 108 configured on the frame structure of the vehicle, a front wheel, a wheel cover , a 25 front suspension unit, a windscreen, headlamp units, a handle bar assembly, a floorboard, a driver seat, a driver backrest, at least one passenger seat, a rear body panel, a pair of rear wheels, a rear suspension, a soft-top, and a power-train assembly. The vehicle can be divided into two compartments including a front cabin defining the driver’s compartment and a rear cabin defining a passenger 30 compartment or a cargo compartment.
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[0039] The frame structure extends from a front side of the vehicle towards a rear side of the vehicle to support the mentioned elements of the vehicle. The front suspension unit supports the front wheel and connects the front wheel to the frame structure. A front portion of the vehicle body supports the windscreen 107 that provides a front view from inside of the vehicle. The headlamp units are disposed 5 on at least a portion of the vehicle body 108. The handlebar assembly is disposed in the front cabin. The floorboard extends from a bottom portion of the vehicle body 108 towards the rear side of the vehicle and supported by the frame structure. The floorboard extends from the driver compartment to the rear cabin to provide leg space to passenger as well as the driver. The driver seat and the driver backrest are 10 disposed in the driver compartment, whereas the at least one passenger seat is disposed in the rear cabin. Pair of rear wheels are supported on the frame structure through a rear axle and the rear suspension.
[0040] In an embodiment, referring to FIG. 1, the vehicle body (108) includes an upper front body portion 108a and a lower front body portion 108b configured 15 below the upper front body portion 108a. The upper front body portion 108a can be an upper front cowl and the lower front body portion 108b can a lower front cowl. The windshield 107 is configured with the upper front body portion 108a. The upper front body portion 108a, the windshield 107 and the lower front body portion 108b can define a front potion of the driver cabin of the vehicle. 20
[0041] In an embodiment, the vehicle body 108 further includes a body panel 102 and a front grill panel 115, both the body panel 102 and the front grill panel 115 are configured with a front portion of vehicle body 108.
[0042] In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the body panel 102 can be detachably mounted to the lower front body portion 108b, and the front grill panel 115 can be 25 detachably mounted to the upper front body portion 108a below the windshield 107, i.e., the body panel 102 is configured below to the front grill panel 115 and the windshield 107.
[0043] In another embodiment, wherein the body panel 102 can be detachably mounted to the upper front body portion 108a, and the front grill panel 115 can be 30 detachably mounted to the lower front body portion 108b, i.e., the body panel 102 can be configured between a windshield 107 and the front grill panel 115.
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[0044] In an embodiment, mounting of the body panel 102 either on the lower front body portion 108b or the upper front body portion 108a of the vehicle body/chassis avoid packaging problems of the vehicle.
[0045] In an embodiment, as sown in FIG. 2, the upper front body portion 108a can include one or more depressions 109b and 109c for accommodation one or more 5 electric and/or electric devices such as but not limited to one or more horn unit, light units and the like. The more electric and/or electric devices in the one or more depressions 109b and 109c can be configured behind the front grill panel 115.
[0046] Referring to FIG. 1 to FIG. 6, the body panel 102 includes a central panel portion 102a and two side panel portions 102b and 102c extended and/or protruded 10 from the central panel portion 102a in opposite directions. The two side panel portions 102b and 102c are two opposite side portions of the body panel 102. Each of the side panel portions 102b and 102c includes at least one opening, for instance the side panel portion 102b includes an opening 103a and the side panel portion 102c includes an opening 103b. The openings 103a and 103b in the side panel 15 portions 102b and 102c are aligned with corresponding openings 111a and 111b in the lower front body portion 108b.
[0047] In an embodiment, the openings 111a and 11b in the lower front body portion 108b can be configured to mount one or more devices. For instance, the one or more devices light devices such as but not limited to headlamp units. 20
[0048] In another embodiment, the openings 111a and 11b in the lower front body portion 108b can be configured to mount other electric and/or electronic devices.
[0049] The openings 103a and 103b in the side panel portions 102b and 102c are provided to receive a portion of the one or more devices, such as but not limited to the headlamp units. 25
[0050] In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, at least one of the central panel portion 102a and the two side panel portions 102b and 102c comprises one or more mounting flanges 110a, 110b, and 110c (hereinafter, collectively referred to as mounting flanges 110). The mounting flanges 110 are configured for mounting the body panel 102 to the vehicle body 108 through mounting units such as but not 30 limited to, screws, nut and bolts, pins, welding, and the like. The mounting flanges
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110 are protruded from at least from at least one side end, for instance an upper side end, of the body panel 102. [0051] In an embodiment, each of the mounting flanges 110 can be provided with mounting holes 110d for securing the body panel 102 to the lower front body portion 108b that is provided with mounting brackets 113 with holes (not shown) 5 through suitable threaded fasteners, such as but not limited to screws.
[0052] In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, at least one of the central panel portion 102a and the two side panel portions 102b and 102c of the body panel 102 comprises on or more mounting projections 112a and 112b (hereafter, collectively referred to as mounting projections 112). The mounting projections 112 10 are configured for mounting the body panel 102 to the vehicle body 108), for instance to the lower front body portion 108b. In an embodiment, the mounting projections 112 are projected from an inner surface 102e of the body panel 102. In an embodiment, the mounting projections 112 can be en-molded screws which can ease assembly of the body panel 102 to the vehicle body 108. 15
[0053] In an embodiment, each of the two side panel portions 102b and 102c can include at least one locating unit, such as locating units 114a and 114b. The locating units 114a and 114b can be configured to detachably engage with the devices/ headlamp units. The locating units 114a and 114b are provided on the inner surface 102e of the body panel 102 to detachably engage with the devices/ headlamp units. 20 In an embodiment, the locating units 114a and 114b can be projected members that can be received in slots or openings provided in the devices/ headlamp units. The locating units 114a and 114b can ease assembly of the body panel 102 to the vehicle body 108 and prevent gap creation between the two side panel portions 102b and 102c and respective devices/ headlamp units. The locating units 114a and 114b can 25 facilitate to maintain even gap around the devices/ headlamp units, i.e., between the between the two side panel portions 102b and 102c and respective devices/ headlamp units, and prevent further enlargement of the gap while use of the vehicle, which improves aesthetics of the vehicle.
[0054] In an embodiment, the body panel 102 can be made of any suitable metal, 30 metal alloys or polymeric material.
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[0055] In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 7, the front grill panel 115 includes a plurality of openings 115a which can allow flow inside the vehicle through orifices 109 provided in the vehicle body 108, for instance in the upper front body portion 108a. The front grill panel 115 further includes mounting holes 115b at least opposite side end portions of the to enable mounting of the front grill 5 panel 115 to the vehicle body 108, for instance to the upper front body portion 108a. Furthermore, the front grill panel 115 includes mounting projections 115c to enable mounting of the front grill panel 115 to the vehicle body 108, for instance to the upper front body portion 108a.
[0056] According to the above disclosure, the present disclosure provides various 10 advantages. The invention allows easier mounting of the body panel the vehicle body, resulting in reduction of assembly time and hence results in more vehicles produced per day as well as reduction of the manufacturing cost. The present disclosure provides advantage of reducing number of parts of the vehicle by providing a single body panel which can be used instead of conventional multiple 15 parts including front bezels/style panels and front grill panel, thereby eliminating three separate parts. Further, mounting of the body panel either on the lower front body portion or on the upper front body portion of the vehicle body/chassis prevents design from packaging problems of the vehicle and facilities better packaging of vehicle while export as the lower front body portion and the upper front body 20 portion can be packed separately, thereby facilitating reduction of packaging volume so more vehicles can be packed in same volume while export, thereby reducing cost of transport. The present disclosure improves aesthetics of the vehicle by eliminating number of parts, separation lines between the parts and gap creation around the number of parts and headlamp units. 25
[0057] In the foregoing specification, the disclosure has been described with reference to specific embodiments disclosed herein can be modified or otherwise implemented in various other ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, this description is to be considered illustrative and is for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the manner of making and using 30 various embodiments of the disclosure. It is to be understood that the forms of the disclosure herein shown and described are to be taken as representative
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embodiments. Equivalent elements, materials processed or steps may be substituted for those representatively illustrated and described herein. Moreover, certain features of the disclosure may be utilized independently of the use of other features, all as would be apparent to one skilled in the art after having the benefit of this description of the disclosure. Expressions such as “including”, “comprising”, 5 “incorporating”, “consisting of”, “have”, and “is”, used to describe and claim the present disclosure are intended to be construed in a non-exclusive manner, namely allowing for items, components, or elements not explicitly described also to be present. Reference to the singular is also to be construed to relate to the plural. [0058] This written description uses examples to provide details on the disclosure, 10 including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the disclosure is defined by the claims and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have 15 structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims. , Claims:We Claim:
1. A body panel (102) for a vehicle, the body panel (102) comprising:
a central panel portion (102a); and
two side panel portions (102b, 102c) extended from the central panel portion (102a), 5
wherein each of the side panel portions (102b, 102c) comprises at least one opening (103a, 103b) to receive one or more devices (104a, 102b), and
wherein the body panel (102) is mounted to a front portion of a vehicle body (108) of the vehicle. 10
2. The body panel (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the central panel portion (102a) and the two side panel portions (102b, 102c) comprises one or more mounting flanges (110), the mounting flanges (110) being configured for mounting the body panel (102) to the vehicle body 15 (108), and wherein the one or more mounting flanges (110) protruded from at least from at least one side end (102d) of the body panel (102).
3. The body panel (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the central panel portion (102a) and the two side panel portions (102b, 102c) 20 comprises on or more mounting projections (112), the mounting projections (112) are configured for mounting the body panel (102) to the vehicle body (108), and wherein the mounting projections (112) are projected from an inner surface (102e)of the body panel (102).
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4. The body panel (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the two side panel portions (102b, 102c) comprises at least one locating unit (114a, 114b), the at least one locating unit (114a, 114b) is configured to detachably engage with devices (104a, 102b).
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5. The body panel (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more devices (104a, 102b) are light devices of the vehicle, a portion the light devices (104a, 102b) are received in the corresponding opening (103a, 103b) of the side panel portions (102b, 102c).
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6. The body panel (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body panel (102) is mounted to an upper front body portion (108a) of the vehicle body (108), and wherein the body panel (102) is configured below a windshield (107) configured with the upper front body portion (108a).
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7. The body panel (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body panel (102) is mounted to a lower front body portion (108b) of the vehicle body (108).
8. A vehicle comprising:
a vehicle body (108) defines a front cabin, the body comprising an 15 upper front body portion (108a) and a lower front body portion (108b) configured below the upper front body portion (108a);
a front grill panel (115) configured with a front portion of vehicle body (108); and
a body panel (102), wherein the body panel (102) comprises: 20
a central panel portion (102a); and
two side panel portions (102b, 102c) extended from the central panel portion (102a), each of the side panel portions (102b, 102c) comprising at least one opening (103a, 103b) to receive one or more devices (104a, 102b), 25
wherein the body panel (102) is mounted to the front portion of the vehicle body (108).
9. The body panel (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body panel (102) is mounted to the upper front body portion (108a), and wherein the body panel (102) is configured below a windshield (107) configured with the 30 upper front body portion (108a).
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10.The body panel (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body panel (102)is mounted to the lower front body portion (108b), and wherein the bodypanel (102) is configured below to the front grill panel (115).