DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present subject matter relates generally to a two-wheeled motor vehicle, and more particularly to a fender structure for the two-wheeled motor vehicles.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Generally, in a two-wheeled saddle-ride type vehicle a frame assembly includes a head tube and extends rearward from the head tube. The frame assembly acts as a skeleton or a structural member for the vehicle that supports the vehicle loads. A front portion of the frame assembly connects to a front wheel through one or more front suspension(s). The frame assembly extends rearward of the vehicle, where a rear wheel is connected to a frame assembly through one or more rear suspension(s). An internal combustion (IC) engine is mounted to the frame assembly of the vehicle. The IC engine is functionally connected to the rear wheel, which provides the forward motion to the vehicle. Typically, plurality of panels are mounted to the frame assembly of the vehicle that cover various vehicle components.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] The detailed description of the present subject matter is described with reference to the accompanying figures. Same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like features and components.
[0004] Fig. 1 illustrates a right side view of an exemplary two-wheeled motor vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0005] Fig. 2 (a) illustrates a left side perspective view of a rear portion of a two-wheeled motor vehicle, in accordance with the embodiment depicted in Fig. 1.
[0006] Fig. 2 (b) depicts a top perspective view of a fender structure, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0007] Fig. 3 (a) illustrates a top view of a fender structure, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0008] Fig. 3 (b) depicts a cross-sectional view of the fender structure depicted in Fig. 3 (a).
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0009] Typically, in a two-wheeled saddle ride type motor vehicle a frame assembly is such that a main frame extends rearwards from a head tube. An engine assembly is mounted to the frame assembly in a front portion. A fuel tank is disposed above the engine assembly. A seat assembly is mounted to the frame assembly in a posterior portion of the fuel tank. Various electrical/electronic and mechanical components are mounted to the frame assembly. Plurality of panels are connected to the frame assembly that cover various parts of the vehicle. The panels enclose the various electrical/electronic and mechanical components that are essential for the vehicle.
[00010] The engine assembly mounted to the frame assembly is functionally connected to the rear wheel. The terms IC engine and engine assembly are interchangeably used. The IC engine drives the rear wheel, which results in forward motion to the vehicle. Rotation of wheels in damp or wet terrains results in splashing of dirt or water. Generally, fenders are provided on the vehicle to isolate the dirt or water or the like that are splashed due to rotation of the front wheel or the rear wheel. Therefore, water or dirt is restricted from entering or splashing on the various parts of the vehicle or on to passersby or the nearby vehicles.
[00011] However, during rainy season or during water service, water enters into the vehicle through the gap(s) available at the seat assembly and the panel(s), therebetween. The water that enters falls on to a fender part that is provided below the seat assembly. Further, the water may fall on the vehicle components, which may include electrical/electronic and mechanical components that are positioned below the seat assembly and in the proximity to the fender(s). Therefore, splashing of water on the components will affect the functioning of vehicle components. Further, in vehicles with higher engine capacity, the main frame extends rearward with a higher inclination. The water or dirt that enters tends to flow forward and fall on the vehicle components, which also includes mono-shock suspension provided in an anterior portion of the rear wheel. This would affect the functioning of the component, as there is probability of corrosion especially at the joints. Therefore, there is a need for addressing the aforementioned and other problems.
[00012] Hence, an objective of the present subject matter is to provide a fender structure for a two-wheeled motor vehicle.
[00013] According to one aspect of the present subject matter, the fender structure is disposed above the rear wheel and extends forwardly downward. A top surface of the fender body is provided with at least one guiding member that direct of water, dirt or the like that enters the vehicle through the panels.
[00014] According another aspect, the guiding members are disposed in a front portion with respect to a top portion of the of the fender body. This enables in guiding water or dirt from the top portion of the fender towards one side longitudinal side of the fender.
[00015] According to yet another aspect, the guiding members extend obliquely in a forward direction from a lateral end portion(s) of the fender body towards a longitudinal axis of the fender body. It is an advantage that the guiding members restrict flow of water whereby water or dirt is directed.
[00016] In an embodiment, the guiding members are disposed in an alternate pattern. It is another embodiment at least a portion of the guiding member extends beyond a longitudinal axis of the fender.
[00017] In an embodiment in accordance with the present subject matter, a fender structure is provided for a two-wheeled motor vehicle having an IC engine, a front wheel and a rear wheel suspended therefrom the frame assembly. The fender structure is disposed above the rear wheel. The fender structure extends forwardly downward from a rear portion of the vehicle. In an embodiment, the fender structure has a substantially straight cross-section. In another embodiment, the fender structure has a curved cross-section. In an embodiment, the fender is secured to the frame assembly of the vehicle. In another embodiment, at least a portion of the frame assembly is secured to the tail cover panel of the vehicle.
[00018] In an embodiment, the fender structure comprises a curved fender body and a tangential axis drawn at a tangent point located at a substantially top portion of the fender body that extends in a front portion and a rear portion of the fender structure. The at least one guiding member is provided in a front portion from the tangent point. In an embodiment, the tangential axis coincides with the longitudinal axis of the fender.
[00019] In an embodiment, plurality of guiding members are provided that are formed by projections extending in an upward direction. The guiding members enable restricting the flow of water. In addition, the guiding members channelize the water or dirt or the like towards a downward direction. Further, the guiding members reduce the splashing of water on to the vehicle components that are in proximity to the fender structure.
[00020] Further, the guiding members extend obliquely in a forward direction from a lateral end portion(s) of the vehicle. In one embodiment, the guiding members extend beyond the longitudinal axis of the fender structure. In an embodiment, the top surface of the fender structure is provided with plurality of guiding members that are perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the fender.
[00021] In an embodiment, the plurality of guiding members are distributed, on an top surface of the fender body and the plurality of guiding members are extending obliquely in a forward direction from lateral end portion(s) of the fender body, substantially towards a longitudinal axis of the fender structure. Further, the plurality of guiding members is at an acute angle with the longitudinal axis of the fender structure. This enables slowing down the flow of the water and thereby channelizes the water or dirt or the like towards a front portion of the fender structure. In an embodiment, the guiding extend obliquely forward towards an axis that is at an offset with the longitudinal axis from the lateral end portion of the fender structure.
[00022] In an embodiment, the plurality of guiding members includes at least one right guiding member(s) and at least one left guiding member(s). The at least one right guiding member(s) extends from a first lateral end portion of the fender structure and substantially towards the longitudinal axis of the fender structure and in an obliquely forwards direction. The at least one left guiding member(s) extends from a second lateral end portion of the fender structure and substantially towards the longitudinal axis of the fender structure and in an obliquely forwards direction. The at least one right guiding member(s) and the at least one left guiding member(s) are formed in an alternate pattern. In another embodiment, a set of right guiding member(s) and a set of left guiding member(s) are formed alternatively, wherein set includes more than one guiding member.
[00023] In an embodiment, the front portion of the fender structure is provided with an angular bend extending towards a substantially downward direction. The angular bend directs the water or dirt or the like, which is channelized by the plurality of guiding members, towards a downward direction of the vehicle. This eliminates the water or dirt or the like from splashing on to the electrical/electronic components of the vehicle that includes synchronous braking system, anti-lock braking system and mechanical components that includes mono-shock suspension. This prevents the components from being damaged or being rusted.
[00024] The aforesaid and other advantages of the present subject matter would be described in greater detail in conjunction with the figures in the following description.
[00025] Fig. 1 (a) illustrates a right side view of an exemplary two-wheeled saddle-ride type vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of present subject matter. The vehicle 100 has a frame assembly 105, which acts as the skeleton for bearing the loads. The frame assembly 105 includes a head tube 105A, a main tube, and a down tube (not shown). The down tube extends downwards from the head tube 105A that is in a front portion F of the vehicle, which is in the forward direction F. A first portion of the main tube extends obliquely downwards towards a pivotal point 110 and a second portion of the main tube comprises one or more rail(s) (not shown) running towards the rear portion R of the vehicle 100, which is in the rear direction R. A swing arm 115 is swingably connected to the pivotal point 110. A rear wheel 120 is rotatably supported by the swing arm 115. A rear fender 125 is positioned in a posterior portion of the rear wheel 120. A fender structure 200 is positioned above the rear wheel 120. One or more rear suspension(s) 130, which are connecting the swing arm at an angle, to sustain both the radial and axial forces occurring due to wheel reaction, to the frame assembly. A seat assembly 135 is mounted to the said rail(s). A fuel tank 140 is disposed at an anterior portion of the seat assembly 135.
[00026] An engine assembly 140 is disposed substantially below the fuel tank 145 and in a front portion F of the frame assembly. The engine assembly 140 includes an internal combustion (IC) engine, a starting mechanism, a transmission system for transferring the power to the rear wheel 120, and an air-fuel supply mechanism for the IC engine including a carburetor or the like and an exhaust mechanism. A steering assembly includes a handle bar assembly 150 connected to a front wheel 155 through one or more front suspension(s) 160. A front fender 165 covers at least a portion of the front wheel 155. The handle bar assembly 150 includes a handle bar, an instrument cluster, handle grips and one or more levers. The vehicle 100 has various electrical loads including a headlamp 170, a tail lamp 175, and a starter motor (not shown). Plurality of body panels including a side panel 180A and a tail cover panel 180B are mounted to the frame assembly 105.
[00027] Fig. 2 (a) illustrates a perspective view of a rear portion of a two-wheeled saddle ride-type vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. A tail cover panel 180B is mounted to the frame assembly 105 in a rear portion of the vehicle, positioned below the seat assembly 135. A fender structure 200 extends from a substantially rear portion R of the vehicle towards a front portion F till an anterior portion of the rear wheel 120. The fender structure 200 comprises a fender body 205 that extends forwardly downward from a rear portion R of the frame assembly 105. The fender structure 200 is disposed above a rear wheel and below a seat assembly 135 (shown in Fig. 1). The seat assembly 135 is disposed above the tail cover panel 180B (shown in Fig. 1) and the frame assembly 105 (shown in Fig. 1) supports the seat assembly 135. The fender structure 200 is positioned below a tail cover panel 180B. In an embodiment, the fender structure 200 is secured to the tail cover panel 180B. In another embodiment, fender structure 200 is secured to the frame assembly 105 through plurality of frame mounting point(s) 210 (shown in Fig. 2 (b)).
[00028] Fig. 2 (b) illustrates a top perspective view of a fender structure 200, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. Further, the fender structure 200 is connected to the tail cover panel 180B through cover mounting point(s) 215. In an embodiment, the fender body 205 comprises a curved cross-section. The fender structure 200 shields dirt and water from being splashed on to various components mounted below the seat assembly 135, therebetween. Further, water or dirt entering through the gap formed between the tail cover panel 180B and the seat assembly 135 reaches the fender structure 200. As, the fender structure 200 extends forwardly downward, the water or dirt or the like flows towards a front portion F of the fender.
[00029] In an embodiment, a top surface TS of the fender structure is provided with at least one guiding members 220A, 220B that is integrally formed with the fender body. The at least one guiding member 220A, 220B are formed by projections extending in an upward direction. The plurality of guiding members 220A, 220B extend from a lateral end portion(s) RHE, LHE of the fender body 205. In addition, the at least one guiding member 220A, 220B restrict the flow of water and channelize water towards a forward F and downward direction Dw. As the at least one guiding member 220A, 220B reduce the flow of water or dirt, the splashing of water on to the vehicle components that are in proximity to the fender structure 200, is reduced. This eliminates water reaching the rear wheel and any splashing of water on the pillion ride. Further, the fender body 205 is provided with wall portion(s) W1, W2 extending along a long axis X-X’ (as shown in Fig. 3 (a)), which is the longitudinal axis X-X’ of the fender body, and at a lateral peripheral end portion(s) RHE, LHE of the fender body 205. The wall portion(s) W1, W2 restrict flow of water or dirt from the lateral direction RH-LH.
[00030] In an embodiment, the fender structure 200 comprises a curved fender body 205 and a tangential axis Y-Y’ drawn at a tangent point T located at a substantially top portion of the fender body 205 of the fender body extends in a front portion F and a rear portion R. The at least one members 220A, 220B are provided in a front portion of the tangent point T. In other words, the at least one guiding members 220A, 220B are disposed in a front direction with respect to a tangent Y-Y’ drawn at the tangent point T. Furthermore, the tangent point T is a top portion of the fender body 205. The at least one guiding member 220A, 220B extend from a lateral end portion(s) RHE, LHE of the fender body 205 in a direction of the tangential axis Y-Y’ extending towards a front portion of the fender.
[00031] Fig. 3 (a) depicts a top view of a fender structure 300, in accordance with another embodiment of the present subject matter. In this embodiment, plurality of guiding members 320AA, 320AB, 320BA, 320BB are distributed on a top surface TS of the fender body 305, extending from lateral end portion(s) RHE, LHE of the fender body 305 substantially towards a longitudinal axis X-X’ of the fender structure 300. Further, the plurality of guiding members 320AA, 320AB, 320BA, 320BB are at an angle a with the longitudinal axis X-X’ of the fender structure 300, wherein the angle a is acute angle. Fig. 3 (a) depicts a guide line G-G’ passing along the guiding member 320BA and disposed at the angle a. This enables slowing down the flow of the water or dirt and channelizes the water or dirt or the like towards a front portion of the fender body 305.
[00032] The plurality of guiding members includes at least one right guiding member(s) 320BA, 320BB and at least one left guiding member 320AA, 320AB, 320BA, 320BB. The at least one right guiding member 320BA, 320BB extends from a first lateral end portion RHE of the fender body 305 substantially towards the longitudinal axis X-X’ of the fender structure 300. The at least one left guiding member(s) 320AA, 320AB extends from a second lateral end portion LHE of the fender body substantially towards the longitudinal axis X-X’ of the fender structure 300. The at least one right guiding member(s), 320BA, 320BB and the at least one left guiding member(s) 320AA, 320AB are disposed in an alternate pattern. In this particular embodiment, the first end portion RH is a substantially in a right side portion of the fender structure 300 and the second end portion LH is a substantially in a left side portion of the fender structure 300.
[00033] Fig. 3 (b) depicts a cross-sectional view of the fender structure 300 depicted in Fig. 3 (a). The cross-section is taken along the axis X-X’. Water, dirt, or the like entering through any gap between the tail cover panel 180B and the seat assembly 135 is collected on the top surface TS of the fender structure 300. The plurality of guiding members 320AA, 320AB, 320BA, 320BB restrict the flow of water or the like. In the present embodiment, a first right guiding member 320BA, a second right member 320BB, a first left guiding member 320AAand a second guiding member 320AB are provided, which are spaced apart. A gap is formed by a first right guiding member 320BA, a second right member 320BB, a first left guiding member 320AA, and a second guiding member 320AB, therebetween, which enables channelizing of water or the like. Further, the alternate pattern of the plurality of guiding members 320AA, 320AB, 320BA, 320BB restricts the flow of water or the like channelizes towards a forwardly downward portion of the fender structure 300.
[00034] In an embodiment, the front portion of the fender structure 300 is provided with an angular bend 325, which extends in a substantially downward direction. The angular bend 325 directs the water or dirt or the like, which is channelized by the plurality of guiding members 320AA, 320AB, 320BA, 320BB, towards a downward direction of the fender structure 300. Therefore, the electrical/electronic components in the proximity of the fender structure 300 and in the proximity of rear wheel 120 are least affected and are less prone to being damaged.
[00035] In addition, in case of a vehicle with a mono-shock suspension, the suspension is provided in an anterior portion of the rear wheel and it is connected to the swing arm. Therefore, the present subject matter prevents the water or dirt or the like from reaching the mono-shock suspension or components in proximity to the mono-shock.
[00036] It is to be understood that the aspects of the embodiments are not necessarily limited to the features described herein. Many modifications and variations of the present subject matter are possible in the light of above disclosure. Therefore, within the scope of claims of the present subject matter, the present disclosure may be practiced other than as specifically described.
,CLAIMS:I/We claim:
1. A fender structure (200, 300) for a two-wheeled saddle-ride type vehicle (100), said fender structure (200, 300) comprising:
a fender body (205, 305) disposed below a seat assembly (135) and above a rear wheel (120), said fender body (205, 305) extends forwardly downward from a rear portion (R) of the vehicle (100);
characterized in that,
a top surface (TS) of the fender body (205, 305) is provided with at least one guiding member (220A, 220B, 330AA, 330AB, 330BA, 330BB) disposed in a front portion of a tangent point (T) of the fender body (205, 305), said at least one guiding member (220A, 220B, 330AA, 330AB, 330BA, 330BB) extends obliquely in a forward direction (F) from a lateral end portion(s) (RHE, LHE) of the fender body (205, 305).
2. The fender structure (200) of claim 1, wherein the tangent point (T) is at a top portion of the fender body (205) and the at least one guiding members (220A, 220B) are disposed in a forward direction (F) of a tangent (Y-Y’) drawn at the tangent point (T).
3. The fender structure (305) of claim 1, wherein the at least one guiding member (330AA, 330AB, 330BA, 330BB) is extending in a forward direction (F) and at an angle (a) with respect to the longitudinal axis (X-X’) of the fender body (305).
4. The fender structure (200, 300) of claim 1, wherein the at least one guiding member (330AA, 330AB, 330BA, 330BB) includes one or more guiding members disposed perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis (X-X’) of the fender body (205, 305).
5. The fender structure (200, 300) of claim 1 or 3, wherein said angle (a) is an acute angle.
6. The fender structure (200, 300) of claim 1, wherein said at least one guiding member (330AA, 330AB, 330BA, 330BB) are disposed at an angle with respect to the top surface (TS) of the fender body (205, 305).
7. The fender structure (200) of claim 1, wherein a front portion (FP) of the fender body (205) extending downwards is substantially parallel to a vertical axis of the fender body (205, 305).
8. The fender structure (200) of claim 1, wherein the fender body (205) is provided with wall portion(s) (W1, W2) extending along a long axis (X-X’) of the fender body (205) and at a lateral peripheral portion(s) (RHE, LHE) of the fender body (205).
9. The fender structure (200, 300) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one guiding member (220A, 220B, 330AA, 330AB, 330BA, 330BB) is disposed in an alternate pattern.
10. The fender structure (200, 300) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one guiding member (220A, 220B, 330AA, 330AB, 330BA, 330BB) are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction (X-X’).