Claims:
We claim:
1. A saddle type vehicle (100) comprising:
a steering wheel assembly (109) for steering said vehicle (100), said steering wheel assembly (109) is disposed at a vehicle front (VF);
a cover (202) capable of covering one or more portions of the steering wheel assembly (109); and
a display device (203) disposed along a vehicle longitudinal direction (PQ) on said cover (202),

said display device (203) includes a display surface (203a) disposed in a display-plane (RS) along said vehicle longitudinal direction (PQ), a slanting surface (203b) extending angularly downwardly from said display surface (203a), and a rear-peripheral surface (203c) extending downwardly at an angle from said slanting surface (203b), wherein said rear-peripheral surface (203c) is configured with one or more control switches (501) disposed in an approximately inclined plane (LM) passing below said display-plane (RS), said approximately inclined plane (LM) is parallel to said display-plane (RS).

2. The saddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said one or more control switches (501) are approximately in-line with said rear-peripheral surface (203c).

3. The two-wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said display surface (203a) is disposed inclinedly along the display plane (RS) substantially in close proximity to the handlebar axis (CC).

4. The saddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said rear-peripheral surface (203c) includes one or more provisions (501a) capable of receiving said one or more control switches (501).
5. The saddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least a lower portion of said display device (203) is substantially concealed by a display device accommodating portion (503) of the handlebar cover (202).

6. The saddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said display device assembly (203) is attached to the handle bar cover (202) through one or more mountings (601) including one or more fasteners (601b) and one or more cushioning members (601a), said one or more cushioning members (601a) are sandwiched between the one or more fasteners (601b) and the handlebar cover (202).

7. The saddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said one or more control switches (501) are disposed on any of a right side of the display-plane (RS), left side of the display-plane (RS), and on either side of the display-plane (RS).

8. The saddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1 or claim 5, wherein said display device accommodating portion (503) includes one or more holes (502) enabling attachment of said display device assembly (203) on to the cover (202) configured to be mounted from the top side.

9. A display device (203) for a vehicle, said display device (203) including a display surface (203a) disposed in a display-plane (RS) along a vehicle longitudinal direction (PQ), a slanting surface (203b) extending angularly downwardly from said display surface (203a), and a rear-peripheral surface (203c) extending downwardly at an angle from said slanting surface (203b), said rear-peripheral surface (203c) is configured with one or more control switches (501) disposed in approximately inclined plane (LM) passing below said display-plane (RS), said approximately inclined plane (LM) is parallel to said display-plane (RS) for achieving substantial display area for said display surface (203a) without interfering line of vision of user of said vehicle.
10. The display device (203) as claimed in claim 9, wherein said slanting surface (203b) isolates at least a portion of said rear-peripheral surface (203c) from said display surface (203a).
, Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present subject matter relates generally to a saddle type vehicle. More particularly but not exclusively, the present invention relates to display device assembly for saddle type vehicle.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The saddle type vehicle in general has a display device to indicate and to communicate various parameters with respect to the one or more devices in the vehicle. In a conventional vehicle, the display device assembly may include a speedometer to indicate the current speed of the traversing vehicle to the user. The speedometer can be any one of an analog speedometer, a digital speedometer, and a semi-digital speedometer. The semi-digital speedometer includes one or more control switches on a top surface for use of the rider. The one or more control switches are suitably positioned on the surface of the handlebar cover for easy accessibility of the user. The one or more control switches are required for setting certain features like trip meter, different modes of the vehicle, speed indications, and the like. The display device assembly is generally mounted to the handlebar assembly cover.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like features and components.
[0004] Fig. 1 shows a left side perspective view of an exemplary two-wheeled type vehicle.
[0005] Fig. 2 illustrates a front view of the speedometer assembled in the handlebar cover.
[0006] Fig. 3a illustrates a sectional view taken along ZZ axis as shown in the Fig. 2.
[0007] Fig. 3b illustrates a detailed view of the sectional view as shown in Fig. 3a.
[0008] Fig. 4 illustrates a detailed view of a top view of the display device assembly.
[0009] Fig. 5 illustrates a left perspective view of the two-wheeled vehicle accommodating a user during vehicle riding condition.
[00010] Fig. 6 illustrates a top view of a handlebar cover configure to accommodate a display device assembly.
[00011] Fig. 7 illustrates a bottom view of an exploded view of the handlebar cover with the display device assembly and its respective one or more fasteners.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[00012] In general, a saddle type vehicle includes a speedometer disposed at a vehicle front and comprising one or more control switches disposed on a top surface of the handle bar or steering wheel or dashboard cover and also on left side direction and right side direction of the speedometer. The one or more control switches on the top surface of the handlebar cover interferes with other components disposed on the handlebar and the speedometer and also interferes with the vision of the speedometer. Further, the durability of the one or more control switches is reduced due to direct exposure to UV rays during day time, also leads to damage due to ingress and prolonged exposure to sunlight resulting in poor performance, prone to direct exposure to moisture and dust due to the location being the top surface of the handlebar cover.
[00013] The one or more control switches on the left side or right side directions makes the speedometer larger in the width direction. Hence, it is not desirable to have the one or more control switches in the width direction of the speedometer.
[00014] Furthermore, the one or more control switches are conventionally made of an elastic material like rubber. The material like rubber gets easily deformed upon usage and also leads to fading and cracking. The faded and cracked control switches provide poor aesthetic appeal. Furthermore, the one or more control switches made up of material like rubber tend to get stuck when pressed by the user, the so stuck one or more control switches provide continuous inputs even though not desired by the user and without the knowledge of the user. Upon prolonged usage of such stuck control switches, the control switches fail to function normally according to the inputs provided by the user and in many cases, may also damage the display device assembly, which is detrimental to the user, who may be able to read even the critical parameters regarding the vehicle, for example, about the shortage of fuel in the vehicle.
[00015] Conventionally, the speedometer mounted in the handlebar cover region is well guarded throughout the periphery inside the handlebar cover region and the speedometer is placed within the bounds of the rear side of the headlamp housing. However, the display surface comprising a brittle surface may be subject to damage due to handlebar cover warpage. Further, the vibrations & shock loads are directly transferred from the handlebar cover to the speedometer, and this affects the readability of the speedometer owing to intense vibrations. Due to intense vibrations, undesired and uneven gaps are created between the speedometer and the handlebar cover region. The uneven gaps allow the light from the headlamp to leak outside, which is undesirable by the user and also affects the aesthetic appeal of the vehicle. Further, the speedometer suffers from potentially poor fit and finish due to manufacturing variation of the handlebar cover.
[00016] Therefore, it is not desirable to the mounting of the speedometer to be in line with the handlebar cover due to above mentioned problems. Therefore, a compact speedometer that does not account to increased space in the vehicle with an improved mounting on the handlebar cover is desired.
[00017] Furthermore, conventionally, the handlebar cover includes a cutout to accommodate the display device assembly. During assembly, the display device is assembled from lower side and into the cutout in the handlebar cover. Due to manufacturing variations, there will always be uneven gaps likely between the assembled display device assembly and the handlebar cover. These uneven gaps allow the dust particles and moisture to enter into the region of the display device assembly. Therefore, it is not desirable to have a cutout for accommodating the display device assembly in the handlebar cover.
[00018] Furthermore, owing to manufacturing variations, there may be already gaps present in between the speedometer and the handlebar cover during assembly of the speedometer. The so present gaps tend to increase whenever the vehicle is parked in the sunlight, due to expose to intense sunrays during the day time, the handlebar cover generally made of resin tends to deform and attain a shape something other than the original shape and becomes a misfit for the speedometer. The so deformed handlebar cover tends to exert undesired force on the speedometer display, which may break due to constant force exerted by the deformed handlebar cover. Again, the so formed uneven gaps tend to allow the light from the headlamp to be seen outside from the user. Thus, there is a need to have an improved display device, which is interchangeably referred herein as an instrument cluster or a speedometer assembly, which is configured to overcome the problems in the known art.
[00019] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the above problem of leakage of the light from the headlamp is addressed by configuring it to completely conceal the region of the handlebar cover below the speedometer.
[00020] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the one or more control switches of the speedometer include a mode control switch and a set control switch to perform the most critical functionality of switching between various riding modes and resetting some of the settings like the time in the speedometer. Therefore, it is essential to effectively protect the one or more control switches from damage due to internal or external factors.
[00021] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the one or more control switches are disposed at a approximately inclined lower than that of a display surface of the speedometer configured to be operable in the longitudinal direction, this protects the one or more control switches from direct exposure to sunlight and also, the one or more control switches are provided on a portion of the speedometer that remains completely isolated from the handlebar cover region. This region on the speedometer is not affected by the irregularities including manufacturing variation and warpage in the handlebar cover. The breakage and fading of the one or more control switches is prevented by protecting them from direct exposure to sunlight. Likewise, the durability and reliability of the one or more control switches is also increased and a more reliable operation of the speedometer is achieved.
[00022] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the one or more control switches are made of a material including polymer. The polymer material is configured to remain unaffected due to direct exposure of sunlight, if any, thereby preventing cracking and fading. This provides good aesthetic appeal to the vehicle and the speedometer becomes more desirable by the user.
[00023] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the one or more control switches remain closer to the speedometer surface, to ensure that the one or more control switches are not protruding outwardly and further prevents deformation of the one or more control switches upon pressing and the one or more control switches closer to the speedometer surface are more reliable as they function as desired including functionality of providing required outputs immediately when pressed by user, due to absence of rubber material, which is more prone to deformation like in conventional switches.
[00024] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the speedometer is prevented from coming in direct contact with the handlebar cover region. The same is achieved by sandwiching one or more cushioning members therebetween. The one or more cushioning members absorb the internal vibrations transmitted by the handlebar cover region during vehicle running condition and prevent the same from being transmitted to the speedometer. Thereby achieving a more stable reading of the speedometer by the user. Further, due to damping of the vibrations, the speedometer mounting is kept undisturbed. Hence, more stable mountings for the speedometer can be achieved.
[00025] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the speedometer is completely secured to the handlebar cover with one or more mountings along with one or more cushioning members. The one or more cushioning members absorb the internal vibrations transmitted by the handlebar cover region during vehicle running condition.
[00026] Furthermore, due to the absence of direct contact, the interfacing portion of the handlebar cover due to warpage is also prevented from interfering with the speedometer.
[00027] Furthermore, since, the speedometer is not bound by the handlebar cover, the placement of the speedometer in the desired location is easier, and this also saves the assembly time during assembly in the vehicle. In particular, the speedometer is assembled from top side into the handlebar cover; the assembly of the speedometer from direction is easier as there will not be any interfering with the other neighboring parts.
[00028] Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the speedometer is substantially tilted forwardly towards the rider for easier readability and visibility of the speedometer to the user.
[00029] Fig. 1 shows a left side perspective view of an exemplary two-wheeled type vehicle. The vehicle has a body frame assembly made up of several tubes welded together which usually supports the body of the said vehicle. The vehicle has a steerable front wheel 101 and a driven rear wheel 102. The body frame assembly of the vehicle is an elongated structure, which typically extends from a forward end to a rearward end of the vehicle. The said frame assembly includes a head tube 104, a main frame 111 and also may have a sub-frame. The sub-frame is attached to the main frame using appropriate joining mechanism. The frame assembly is covered by a plurality of vehicle body covers including a front panel 103, a rear cover (not shown), a left front bottom panel 105, and a side panel 106.
[00030] A steering wheel assembly 109 and a seat assembly 110 are supported at opposing ends of the frame assembly and a generally open area is defined there between known as a floorboard 108 which functions as a step through space. The seat for a driver and a pillion is placed forward to a fuel tank and rear side of THE floorboard 108. A front fender 107 is provided above the front wheel 101 to avoid the vehicle 100 and its occupants from being splashed with mud. Likewise, a rear fender 112 is placed between fuel tank (not shown) and the rear wheel 102, and to the outer side in the radial direction of the rear wheel 102. The rear fender 112 inhibits rain water or the like from being thrown up by the rear wheel 102. A front cover assembly 115 is disposed rearwardly to the floorboard 108.
[00031] Suspensions are provided for comfortable steering of the vehicle on the road. A front suspension assembly is connected to a front-fork 118. The rear suspension assembly comprises of at least one rear suspension 117 preferably on the left side of the vehicle. However, a vehicle with two rear suspensions, namely on the left side and the right side is also possible. For the safety of the user and in conformance with the traffic rules, a headlamp assembly 116 in the front portion of the vehicle and a taillight 113 in the rear portion of the vehicle is also provided.
[00032] Fig. 2 illustrates a front view of the speedometer assembled in the handlebar cover. The steering wheel assembly 109 includes most portions covered by a handlebar cover 202. The handlebar cover 202 is configured to support a display device assembly 203. The display device assembly 203 is for example, a speedometer. Most portion of the display device assembly 203 includes a display surface 203a for display to the user. The display surface 203a is read by the user, wherein the user is communicated about the vehicular parameters including speed of the vehicle, fuel level indication, and the like. Since, most portion of the display device assembly 203 is covered the display surface 203a, the user is provided with a better readability and better visibility of the vehicular parameters displayed therein. A detail explanation of other portions of the display device assembly is provided in the following figures.
[00033] Fig. 3a illustrates a sectional view taken along ZZ axis as shown in the Fig. 2. The sectional view illustrates a display device assembly 203 supported by the handlebar cover 202. Fig. 3b illustrates a detailed view of the sectional view as shown in Fig. 3a. The display device assembly 203 includes the display surface 203a disposed in a display plane RS. Further, the display device assembly 203 includes one or more control switches disposed in an approximately inclined plane LM. The inclined plane LM is disposed substantially parallel and substantially below the display plane RS. Therefore, the one or more control switches 501 do not interfere with the visibility of the display surface 203a of the display device assembly 203. Furthermore, the one or more control switches are disposed along the approximately inclined plane LM passing below a slanting surface 203b being a portion of the display device assembly 203 itself. This portion below the slanting surface 203b does not occupy any space from the display surface 203a, therefore, an additional space to accommodate the one or more control switches 501 need not be created in the display surface or an additional space need not be created along any of the widthwise or lengthwise of the display device assembly. Therefore, the size of the display device assembly 203 is maintained to be sleek, compact without making it bulkier either lengthwise or widthwise.
[00034] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the display device assembly 203 includes one or more provisions 501a capable of accommodating the one or more control switches 501
[00035] Fig. 4 illustrates a detailed view of a top view of the display device assembly. The display surface 203a is disposed along the display plane RS being parallel to a vehicle longitudinal direction PQ. The display device assembly includes the slanting surface 203b extending angularly downwardly from the display surface 203a. Further, the display device assembly includes a rear-peripheral surface 203c extending downwardly at an angle from the slanting surface 203b. The rear-peripheral surface 203c is configured to accommodate the one or more control switches 501 in the approximately inclined plane LM passing below the display plane RS. The approximately inclined plane LM is parallel to the display plane RS, but however, the approximately inclined plane LM passes below the display plane RS, because of which enough display area is available for the display surface 203a without any interference with line of vision of the user, such that the readability of the display surface 203a is substantially enhanced. Further, the slanting surface 203b followed by the rear-peripheral surface 203c creates an exclusive space for accommodating the one or more control switches 501 without having to compromise on the surface area of the display surface 203a, furthermore, the slanting surface 203b also isolates the portion of the rear-peripheral surface 203c from the display surface 203a.
[00036] Further, the one or more control switches 501 present at their exclusive space created by the rear-peripheral surface 203c and in the approximately inclined plane LM is closer to the hands of the user rested on the handlebar assembly (not shown) and hence is easily accessible by the user.
[00037] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the one or more control switches 501 are made of polymer. The one or more control switches 501 are almost in-line with the rear-peripheral surface 203c. This prevents the breakage of the one or more control switches 501 that usually occurs with outwardly protruding control switches upon usage. Further, such in-line one or more control switches 501 made of polymer are able to easily be pressed by the user and do not get stuck and provide functionally as desired by the user.
[00038] Fig. 5 illustrates a left perspective view of the two-wheeled vehicle accommodating a user during vehicle riding condition. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the user is able to access the one or more controls switches 501 through his right-hand H while resting his hand on the handlebar assembly. While accessing the one or more control switches 501, the visibility Vs of the display surface 203a to the user is not interrupted either by his hand H or by the one or more control switches 501. Therefore, a quick glance at the display surface 203a is sufficient for the user to record the parameters of the vehicle displayed, because of which, the user can continue to concentrate on the road while riding the vehicle and also while accessing the one or more control switches 501. Therefore, a safe riding condition is provided to the user by the proposed invention.
[00039] Further, the rider, while accessing the one or more control switches 501 does not have to change his/her posture from the normal riding posture. Therefore, the one or more control switches 501 according to the present invention are disposed at a comfortable and accessible position to the user. Hence, the same is also ergonomically beneficial to the user.
[00040] Further, the one or more control switches 501 are disposed below the display surface 203a being inclinedly disposed along the display plane RS substantially in proximity to the lateral handlebar axis CC. This inclined surface prevents the sunrays from directly hitting the one or more control switches disposed below the inclined display surface 203a. Hence the one or more controls witches 501 are not directly exposed to the sunrays. This prevents the fading, cracking and preserves the durability of the one or more control switches 501.
[00041] Furthermore, the rear-peripheral surface 203c (now shown) is capable of easily draining the dust and moisture reaching the display device assembly 203 due to its inclined surface and also due to gravity. Therefore, deposition of the dust or moisture particles around the one or more control switches 501 is prevented to a greater extent. This further prevents malfunctioning of the one or more control switches 501 making them durable and reliable to the user.
[00042] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the user is seen accessing the one or more control switches 501 through his right-hand H, however, the user can similarly with ease and comfortably access the one or more control switches through his left hand as well.
[00043] Fig. 6 illustrates a top view of a handlebar cover configure to accommodate a display device assembly. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the handlebar cover 202 is configured to accommodate the display device assembly (not shown). A display device accommodation portion 503 on the handlebar cover 202 does not include a cutout and instead is completely covered by the handlebar cover 202. Further, the display device accommodating portion 503 includes one or more holes 502 to facilitate fastening of the display device assembly (not shown) to the handlebar cover 202. The display device accommodating portion 503 is a concave like portion configured to receive the display device assembly from top side. The assembling of the display device assembly from top side is easier as compared to assembling from the bottom side, as there are no other vehicular parts above the handlebar cover available to interfere with the display device assembly. Therefore, the assembly time during assembly of the vehicle is reduced.
[00044] Further, the display device is assembled into the display device accommodating portion 503 in the handlebar cover 202 such that the display device assembly is not allowed to completely penetrate into the display device accommodating portion 503. A substantial portion of the display device assembly including the slanting surface (not shown) and the rear-peripheral surface (not shown) is allowed to stay above the handlebar cover 202. Further, the display device accommodating portion 503 is equivalent to size, which can accommodate the portion of the display device assembly that is below the rear-peripheral surface (not shown). Hence, after assembly, there will not be any gap created therebetween. Therefore, the entry of dust, mud, water, and moisture particles is completely curtailed. Therefore, a more reliable, stable, and durable display device assembly is achieved.
[00045] Fig. 7 illustrates a bottom view of an exploded view of the handlebar cover with the display device assembly and its respective one or more mountings. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the display device assembly 203 is assembled from top side and fastened to the handlebar cover 202 through one or more mountings 601 including one or more fasteners 601b. The one or more fasteners 601b are received by the display device assembly 203 through the one or more holes 502. Further, in order to curb the vibrations transmitted from the handlebar cover 202 to the display device assembly 203 during vehicle running condition, one or more cushioning members 601a are disposed between the one or more fasteners 601b and the display device assembly 203. The one or more cushioning members 601a typically made of rubber material act as dampers that are capable of absorbing the vibrations generated and transmitted during vehicle riding conditions.
[00046] Although the subject matter has been described with reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternate embodiments of the subject matter, will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the subject matter. It is therefore contemplated that such modifications can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present subject matter as defined.