Claims:We claim:
1. A frame assembly (200, 300) for a vehicle (100), said frame assembly (200, 300) comprising:
a main frame (105) including one or more structural members (105A, 105B, 105BA, 105BB) capable of supporting one or more vehicular parts; and
a front frame member (205, 305) including a head portion (210, 310) and a body portion (215, 315), said head portion (210, 310) disposed at a front end thereof, said head portion (210, 310) capable of rotatably supporting a maneuvering assembly of said vehicle (100), and said body portion (215, 315) extends rearward from a rear end of the head portion (210, 310), and said body portion (215, 315) is capable of supporting said one or more structural members (105A, 105B) of said main frame (105).
2. The frame assembly (200, 300) for the vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said head portion (210, 310) is having an axis (A-A’) and at least a portion of said body portion (215, 315) is disposed substantially parallel to a plane passing through said axis (A-A’), wherein said body portion (215, 315) includes a base (225, 325) disposed coplanar to said plane passing through said axis (A-A’).
3. The frame assembly (200, 300) for the vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, said body portion (215, 315) includes one or more arm(s) (240, 245, 340, 345) connected to a connecting portion (105AC, 105BC) of said structural members (105A, 105B).
4. The frame assembly (200, 300) for the vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 3, said one or more arms (240, 245, 340, 345) includes at least one arm (240, 245, 340, 345) provided with an I-shaped cross-section (I2, I3).
5. The frame assembly (200, 300) for the vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said one or more structural members (105A, 105B) includes an axis (A1, A2) passing along said one or more structural member (105A, 105B), said axis (A1, A2) at said connecting portion (105AC, 105BC) is substantially parallel to a vector (V1, V2) extending orthogonally from said I-shaped cross-section (I2, I3) of said one or more arms (240, 245).
6. The frame assembly (200, 300) for the vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said head portion (210) and said body portion (215) are integrally formed, said front frame member (205) is a casted type integrated member.
7. The frame assembly (200, 300) for a vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein said body portion (215) is connected to the head portion (210) through a primary I-shaped cross-section (I1), whereby the axis (A-A’) of the head portion (210) is parallel to a vertical member of the primary I-shaped cross-section (I1), and wherein said body portion (215) includes a base (215) disposed substantially parallel to the axis (A-A’) and one or more peripheral flanges (230A, 230B, 230C), said peripheral flanges (230A, 230B, 230C) collectively run along at least a portion of the outer periphery of the base (225) and are disposed orthogonal to the base (225).
8. The frame assembly (200, 300) for a vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein said body portion (315) includes plurality of ribs (250), and said plurality of ribs (250) includes one or more diagonal ribs (255, 260) extending along a diagonal of said body portion (215), wherein said diagonal ribs (255, 260) are having a cross-section substantially greater than a cross-section of plurality of ribs (250) excluding said diagonal ribs (255, 260).
9. The frame assembly (200, 300) for the vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1 or 5, wherein said one or more arms (240, 245, 340, 345) of said front frame member (205, 305) includes a connecting face (240C, 245C, 340C, 345C), said connecting portion (105AC, 105BC) of the or more structural members (105A, 105B, 105BA, 105BB) abut the connecting face (240C, 245C, 340C, 345C), and wherein said connecting face (240C, 245C) is supported by said base (225) and at least one of said flanges (230A, 230B, 230C).
10. The frame assembly (200, 300) for a vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1 or 6, wherein said connecting face (240C, 245C, 340C, 345C) is adapted to have a cross-section complementing a cross-section of said one or more structural members (105A, 105B, 105BA, 105BB), and wherein the one or more structural members (105A, 105B, 105BA, 105BB) has a tubular cross-section and are welded to the connecting face (240C, 245C, 340C, 345C) through outer peripheral surface thereof.
11. The frame assembly (200, 300) for the vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1 or 6, wherein said connecting face (240C, 245C) is disposed at angle (a) with respect a vertical reference line (R) whereby the connecting face (240C, 245C) provides a greater contact area for sharing of loads.
12. The frame assembly (200, 300) for the vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1 or 5, wherein said body portion (215) includes one or more mounting portion(s) (235A, 235B) capable of supporting a fuel tank (150) or a crash guard or a sub-frame structure of said vehicle (100), wherein said mounting portion(s) (235A, 235B) are integrally formed, and wherein at least a portion of said plurality of ribs (250) diverge towards said one or more connecting portion(s) (235A, 235B).
13. The frame assembly (200, 300) for the vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein said connecting face (240C, 245C) includes a guide (240G) extending axially outward from said connecting face (240C, 245C), said guides (240G) enables guiding the structural members (105A, 105B), and wherein said guide (240G) includes an I-section with a web extending in vertical direction thereby enabling ease of manufacturing.
14. The frame assembly (200, 300) for the vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1 or claim 6, wherein said casted type front frame member (205) is formed by integrating an upper cup portion (211A) and a lower cup portion (211B) with the head portion (210).
, Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present subject matter relates generally to a saddle ride-type vehicle, and more particularly to a front frame member for the saddle ride-type vehicles.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Generally, in a saddle ride-type vehicle a frame assembly extends rearward from a head tube. The frame assembly acts as a skeleton 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). A power unit includes an internal combustion (IC) engine that 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 is mounted to the frame assembly of the vehicle that covers 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 left side view of an exemplary motor vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0005] Fig. 2 (a) depicts a left side perspective view of the frame assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0006] Fig. 2 (b) depicts a left side perspective view of the front frame member, in accordance with the embodiment as depicted in Fig. 2 (a).
[0007] Fig. 2 (c) depicts a cross-sectional view of the front frame member, in accordance with embodiment as depicted in Fig. 2 (b).
[0008] Fig. 2 (d) depicts another left side perspective view of a front frame member, in accordance with embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0009] Fig. 2 (e) depicts a left side view of a portion of the frame assembly, in accordance with the embodiment as depicted in Fig. 2 (a).
[00010] Fig. 3 depicts a left side perspective view of the frame assembly, in accordance with another embodiment of the present subject matter.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[00011] Typically, in the saddle-ride type vehicle, the frame assembly acts as the structural member of the vehicle. Also, the frame assembly is the load-bearing member of the vehicle. At least one front wheel and at least one rear wheel are connected to the frame assembly. Therefore, in addition to its own weight and the weight of the components mounted to the frame assembly, the frame assembly is subject to forces acting thereon.
[00012] Furthermore, the frame assembly in saddle-ride type vehicles that includes scooters, motorcycles, trikes or mopeds, the fame assembly has a front zone, a rear zone that are subjected to forces acting on the vehicle. The front zone supports maneuvering assembly and front suspensions connected to the front wheel. The front zone receives forces and shocks from the front wheel especially this is high due to uneven road conditions or due to off-road operational requirements. Generally, the front zone consists of a head pipe that is welded to a main tube and/or a down tube; the main tube and the down tube support the power unit of the vehicle. The main tube and/or the down tube are made of members that are welded to the head pipe. The down tube may include double tubes, wherein the double tubes are disposed laterally adjacent to each other to provide the double cradle main frame.
[00013] Generally, to strengthen the front zone for withstanding the loads, the cross sectional area of main tube or the down tube is increased. However, such higher cross section of the main tube affects the space on the vehicle for packaging other components and also increases the weight of the frame assembly. Also, higher cross-section increases cost due higher material requirements. Moreover, gussets are also used to reinforce the front zone. However, the provision of gussets increases the part count of the vehicle and welding of longer gussets or multiple gussets results in distortion of the structure affecting the assembly and fit of parts that are mounted to the frame assembly. For example, distortion due to welding affects the mounting of panels thereby altering the position/clearance of the various vehicle parts that are to be disposed in proximity. This affects the fit and finish of the vehicle as the parts tend to be overlapping or leaving undesired gaps therebetween. Moreover, overlapping of the parts may result in breakage of parts during assembly or during operation of the vehicle and any gaps between the parts would result in poor aesthetic appeal and would result in entry of foreign contaminants.
[00014] Thus, there is a need for a frame assembly for a saddle ride type vehicle having a stiff and rigid front zone and at the same time enables retaining compact size of vehicle and also without affecting the weight.
[00015] Hence, the present subject matter is aimed at addressing the aforementioned and other problems in the prior art. The present subject matter provides a frame assembly for a saddle ride-type vehicle with a front frame member.
[00016] It is an aspect of the present subject matter that the front frame member includes a head portion and a body portion. The head portion is disposed at a front portion thereof and the body portion extends rearward from a rear end of the head portion.
[00017] It is an aspect of the present subject matter that the head portion is having a cylindrical inner profile having an axis and the body portion is disposed parallel to the axis of the head portion and extends rearwards. A base of the body portion and the axis of the head portion are co-planar providing a compact layout. Also, the aforementioned co-planar layout enables use of a compact casting assembly. It is an advantage that the front frame member provides a compact structure as the structure is substantially extending in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The head portion is capable of rotatably supporting a steering shaft of a maneuvering assembly of the vehicle.
[00018] The front frame member is connected to a main frame of the frame assembly. The main frame includes a down tube that extends downward from the front frame member. In one embodiment, the main frame includes a main tube that extends rearward from the front frame member and then extends downward towards a pivot member of the main frame. The pivot member swingably supports a swing arm or a power unit. In a motorcycle type vehicle, the main frame includes both the main tube and the down tube. In a scooter type vehicle with a step-through space, the main frame includes the down tube.
[00019] The body portion of the front frame member is substantially having an I-shaped cross-section and the head portion is having a first connecting portion that enables connection between the head portion and the body portion, and the first connection portion has an I-shaped cross-section or I-shaped cross-section. The I-shaped cross-section connection of the body portion to the head portion provides a stiffer front frame member that is capable of withstanding and distributing forces acting thereof.
[00020] It is one aspect of the present subject matter that the body portion includes a base and one or more peripheral flanges that are disposed along the periphery of the base and are disposed orthogonal to the base. The base forms majority portion of the body portion and the base extends parallel to the axis of the head portion. Preferably the base is substantially vertical, which is disposed parallel to the axis of the head portion.
[00021] The body portion includes one or more peripheral flanges, wherein the peripheral flanges run along at least an outer periphery of the base. In one implementation, a first peripheral flange connects an upper peripheral portion of the base to the head portion. Similarly, a second peripheral flange is disposed at a lower peripheral portion of the base and is connected to the head portion. A third peripheral flange runs along the peripheral portion on a side disposed directly opposite to the head portion.
[00022] It is an aspect of the present subject matter that the front frame member includes one or more arms that are connected to the corresponding one or more structural members of the main frame of the frame assembly. For example, in one implementation the main frame includes a main tube and the down tube. Correspondingly, the front frame member includes two arms that are connected to a main tube and a down tube. A first arm of the front frame member is connected to the main tube and a second arm is connected to the down tube. Further, the first arm and the second arm are having a substantially I-shaped cross-section.
[00023] It is an aspect that the arms are provided with connecting portion that is disposed at the end portion of the arm and are referred to as second connecting portion. Preferably, the second connecting portion(s) are provided with a shape to complement the profile of one or more structural members of the main frame. For example, the second connecting portion is solid circular disc provided to accommodate/complement the structural members of the main frame, which are for example tubular in nature.
[00024] In one implementation, the first arm is having an I-shaped cross-section formed by the base, the first peripheral flange, and the third peripheral flange. Similarly, the second arm is also provided with an I-shaped cross-section formed by the base, the second peripheral flange, and the third peripheral flange. Therefore, the first frame member includes a primary I-shaped cross-section at the body portion and secondary I-shaped cross-sections at the arms of the body portion. The forces acting on the front frame member through the maneuvering assembly or the front suspension is transferred from the head portion and to the body portion that is having an I-shaped cross-section. The body portion receives loads from the head portion that get transferred to the tubes of the main frame. It is an advantage that the forces being distributed at the front frame member improves the load bearing characteristics thereof as the forces acting on the head portion are transferred to the main frame through I-shaped cross-section profiles that offers improved shear force resistance when riding at uneven terrains and at high speed implications involving bending. Also, the peripheral flanges provide structural rigidity against bending.
[00025] The front frame member being capable of distributing forces to the rest of the frame assembly enables the impact or stress at the front portion/zone to be less. Further feature being, the I-shaped cross-section provided at the first connecting portion and at the second connecting portion provides better torsional and shear resistance thereby improving the stiffness of the frame assembly.
[00026] It is an aspect of the present subject matter that the front frame member is provided with plurality of the ribs that are interconnecting the head portion, the peripheral flanges, and the base. Especially, the plurality of ribs provided on at least one side of the base of the body portion provides structural rigidity reinforcing the I-shaped cross-sections of the front frame member at portions like the neutral axis.
[00027] In one implementation the front frame member is integrally formed by any know casting process using any known metal. Thus, the casted front frame member provides a compact single structure that reduces the number of parts in the frame assembly thereby improving assembly time. However, the front frame member of the present subject matter can be manufactured by using a fiber reinforced polymer (FRP).
[00028] Further, it is a feature of the present subject matter that the one or more structural members, which are having tubular cross-section, are welded to the connecting portion(s) and the welding is done about the circumference of the member that is being secured to the connecting portion. The structural members are also interchangeably called as tubular member(s).
[00029] The front frame member includes arms with I-shaped cross-section and a vector extending orthogonal to the I-shaped cross-section at the arms that are extending substantially parallel to an axis of the tubular members, the axis at the portion of the tube being connected to the arm. It is a feature that the forces from the main frame or the maneuvering assembly are optimally transferred to the front frame member. In one implementation, the vectors pass along the axis of the tubular members thereby providing optimum transfer of forces front frame member to the main frame.
[00030] It is another aspect of the present subject matter that the plurality of the ribs includes at least one diagonal rib extending substantially along the diagonal of the body portion. Also, the diagonal ribs are having a cross-section greater than a cross-section of the secondary ribs, which are ribs other than the diagonal ribs. Therefore, the diagonal ribs provide structural rigidity/stiffness at the same time without increasing the weight of the part.
[00031] It is a feature of the present subject matter that the front frame member forms a rigid/stiff structural member that is capable of withstanding the forces/loads acting thereon. As the forces received from the tubular members are also distributed to the front frame member by transfer of the loads to the entire structure through the peripheral flanges and through the diagonal ribs.
[00032] 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.
[00033] In one embodiment, the head portion of the front frame member is provided with an integrally formed bracket that enables mounting of one or more electrical components thereat. Also, the bracket provided on the head portion enables securing of a body panel disposed in proximity of the bracket thereof.
[00034] Arrows provided in the top right corner of each figure depicts direction with respect to the vehicle, wherein an arrow F denotes front direction, an arrow R indicated rear direction, an arrow UP denotes upward direction, an arrow DW denoted downward direction, an arrow RH denotes right side, and an arrow LH denoted left side, as and where applicable.
[00035] Fig. 1 (a) illustrates a left side view of an exemplary saddle ride-type vehicle 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. In the present embodiment, the saddle-ride type vehicle is a two-wheeled vehicle. The two-wheeled vehicle can be a step-through type or a step-over type. The vehicle 100 includes a frame assembly 200 that extends from a front portion till a rear portion of the vehicle 100. The frame assembly 200 extends in a longitudinal direction F-R of the vehicle 100.
[00036] The vehicle 100 includes a front wheel 110 connected to the handle bar 115 through a front suspension assembly 120. The front suspension assembly 120 is formed by a pair of front forks that rotatably support the front wheel 120. Further, a maneuvering assembly, which is formed by the front wheel 110, the handle bar 115, and the front suspension assembly 120 are rotatably supported by the frame assembly 200. The maneuvering assembly enables maneuvering of the vehicle maneuvering of the vehicle 100 by the user. Further, the vehicle 100 includes a power unit 125 that includes at least one of an internal combustion engine and/or a traction motor. The power unit 125 in the present embodiment is mounted to the frame assembly 200.
[00037] The power unit 125 is functionally coupled to a rear wheel 130 through a transmission system 135. In a preferred embodiment, the transmission system 135 includes a chain drive or variable transmission that is manually operated. However, the transmission system 135 may include an automatic transmission. Further, the vehicle 100 includes a swing arm 140 coupled to the frame assembly 200, wherein the rear wheel 130 is swingably connected to the frame assembly 200 through the swing arm.
[00038] The vehicle 100 is provided with a rear suspension system 145, wherein the present implementation provides a dual-shock type rear suspension system that connects the rear wheel 130 to the frame assembly 200.
[00039] A fuel tank 150 is mounted to a main tube (shown in Fig. 2 (a)) of the frame assembly 200 and is disposed rearwardly of the handlebar assembly 115. A seat assembly 155 including a rider seat and a pillion seat is disposed rearwardly of the fuel tank assembly 150 and is supported by the frame assembly 200. Further, the power unit 125 is functionally coupled to an air-fuel supply system (not shown) that supplies air and fuel to the engine assembly of the power unit.
[00040] Furthermore, the vehicle 100 includes various electrical and electronic systems including a starter motor (not shown), a headlamp 160, a vehicle control unit, and a tail lamp 165. The vehicle 100 includes safety systems including a synchronous braking system (not shown), and an anti-lock braking system. The vehicle 100 includes one or more body panels 170 that cover at least a portion thereof.
[00041] Fig. 2 (a) depicts a left side perspective view of the frame assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. Fig. 2 (b) depicts a left side view of the front frame member of the frame assembly, in accordance with the embodiment depicted in Fig. 2 (a). The frame assembly 200 includes a main frame 105 and a sub-frame 106. A front portion of the main frame 105 is connected to a front frame member 205. In an alternate embodiment, the sub-frame 106 constitutes an integral structure, which is attached to the main frame 205 with suitable attaching means e.g. fastening or the like. The main frame 105 includes a main tube 105A that extends substantially horizontally from the front frame member 205 and then extends downward for towards a pivot member 105C of the frame assembly 200. The pivot member 105C supports the swing arm 140 that is pivoted thereof. The down tube 105B extends downward from the front frame member 205 and is connected to the power unit 125 (as shown in Fig. 1). In the present implementation, the down tube 105B extends till the pivot member 105C through additional tubes 105D. The main tube 105A and the down tube 105C surround at least a portion of the power unit 125 thereby supporting the power unit 125. Similarly, the fuel tank 150 is mounted to the main tube 105A. The main frame 105 supports the main stand, side stand, rider foot rest assembly (not shown), and other vehicle components of the vehicle 100. Thus, the main frame 105 of the frame assembly 200 includes plurality of tubes 105A, 105B, 105C that supports various vehicle components. The pivot member 105C may not be tubular member, but for brevity the pivot member 105C is also referred to as tubular member.
[00042] The sub-frame 106 is either bolted or is welded to the main frame 105. The sub-frame 106 includes a pair of rear tubes 106A, 106B that extends rearward from the main frame 105. The sub-frame 106 supports the seat assembly 155 and the rear wheel 130, wherein the rear wheel 130 is connected to the sub-frame 106 through the rear suspension 145. Further, the sub-frame 106 may include additional tubular members 106C that connects a lower portion of the main tube 105A to the pair of rear tubes 106A, 106B.
[00043] The front frame member 205, as depicted in Fig. 2 (b) of the present embodiment, is a single casted member. Fig. 2 (c) depicts a cross-sectional view of the front frame member taken along axis X-X’, in accordance with the embodiment as depicted in Fig. 2 (b). The front frame member 205 includes a head portion 210 and a body portion 215. The head portion 210 is disposed at a front portion thereof. The head portion 210 is a cylindrical portion with an axially hollow cylindrical portion provided about an axis A-A’ thereof. The outer profile of the head portion 210 can be provided to have any known regular geometrical shapes or irregular shapes depending on the structural requirements. The head portion 210 is capable of rotatably supporting a steering shaft (not shown) of a maneuvering assembly of the vehicle 100. The body portion 215 of the front frame member 205 extends rearward from a rear end of the head portion 210. The body portion 215 is disposed substantially parallel to a plane passing through the axis A-A’ of the head portion 210. The body portion 215 and the head portion 210 are having a first connecting portion 220, wherein the body portion 215 is connected to the head portion 210 through the first connecting portion 220 having an I-shaped cross-section I1. The present implementation includes an upper cup portion (211A) and a lower cup portion (211B) integrated with the head portion 210 and forming the casted front frame member 205 thereof. The body portion 215 includes a base 225 and one or more peripheral flanges 230A, 230B, 230C disposed orthogonal to the base 225. The base 225, which is substantially vertical, is parallel to the axis of the head portion A-A’, whereby the base 225 and the plane passing through the axis A-A’ of the head portion 205 are co-planar. Preferably, the base 225 extends rearward from the head portion 210 and is preferably in line with the longitudinal axis F-R of the vehicle 100 whereby the forces acting on the head portion 210 is transferred to the body portion 215 that is in turn connected to one or more structural members of the main frame 105 of the frame assembly 200. In an embodiment, the main frame 105 is a metallic tubular frame and the structural members are tubular members.
[00044] The body portion 215 includes the one or more peripheral flanges 230A, 230B, 230C, wherein the peripheral flanges 230A, 230B, 230C collectively run along at least a portion of the outer periphery of the base 225 and are disposed orthogonal to the base 225. In the present implementation, a first peripheral flange 230A connects an upper peripheral portion of the base 225 to the head portion 210. Similarly, a lower peripheral portion of the base 225 is connected to the head portion 210 through a second peripheral flange 230B. A third peripheral flange 230C runs along the peripheral portion on a side disposed directly opposite to a side of the base 225 that is directly connected to the head portion 225.
[00045] Further, the front frame member 205 includes one or more arms 240, 245 that are connected to the corresponding tubes of the frame assembly 200. In the present embodiment, the front frame member 205 includes two arms 240, 245. The present embodiment is for a motorcycle type frame assembly that includes a main tube 105A and a down tube 105B. The main tube 105A is connected to a first arm 240 of the front frame member 205 and the down tube is connected to a second arm 245 of the front frame member 205. The first arm 240 and the second arm 245 are provided with second connecting portion(s) 240C, 245C that are disposed at the portion of the arm(s) 240, 245. Preferably, the shape of the second connecting portion(s) 240C, 245C are provided to complement the profile of the tubular member 105A, 105B. In the present embodiment, the second connecting portion(s) 240C, 245C are solid circular discs provided at the end of the arm(s) 240, 245, wherein the tubular members 105A, 105B are connected to the connecting portion(s) 240C, 245C thereof.
[00046] Moreover, the arm(s) 240, 245 are having a substantially I-shaped cross-section I2, I3. The first arm 240 is having an I-shaped cross-section I2 formed by the base 225 and the first peripheral flange 230A and the third periphery flange 230C. Similarly, the second arm 245 is also provided with an I-shaped cross-section I3, wherein the I-shaped cross-section I3 is formed by the base 225, the second peripheral flange 230B and the third peripheral flange 230C. Therefore, the first frame member 205 is provided with I-shaped cross-section I1 at the points that are subjected to forces. The forces acting on the front frame member 205 through the maneuvering assembly or the front suspension 120 is transferred from the head portion 210 to the body portion 215 that is having an I-shaped cross-section I1 through the first connecting portion 220, wherein the body portion 215 takes loads from the head portion 210 and is transferred to the arms 240, 245C through the first peripheral flange 230A, the second peripheral flange 230B, and the base portion 225, which forms the body portion 215 acting as the I-shaped cross-section that forms a compact yet rigid structure. From the front frame member 205 the forces are distributed to the rest of the frame assembly 200 whereby the impact or stress at the front portion of the frame assembly 200 is reduced. Also, the I-shaped cross-section I1 is provided at the first connecting portion 220 and at the arms 240, 245 provides better torsional and shear resistance thereby improving the stiffness of the frame assembly 200.
[00047] Further, the front frame member 205 is provided with plurality of the ribs 250 that are interconnecting the head portion 210, the peripheral flanges 230A, 230B, 230C, and the base 225. The plurality of ribs 250 are provided on the lateral sides of the base 225 and are disposed orthogonal to the surface of the base 225. The ribs 250 extend between the various peripheral points of the front frame member 205. The plurality of ribs 250 is either symmetrically or asymmetrically disposed on either sides of the front frame member 205. Also, in the present implementation, the front frame member 205 is provided with fuel tank mounting portion 235A that is symmetrically disposed on either sides of the front frame member 205, wherein the fuel tank mounting portion 235A is having a cylindrical shape extending in the lateral direction of the front frame member 205. The fuel tank 150 is disposed on the frame assembly 200 and a front portion of the fuel tank 150 is supported by the front frame member 205. Also, in the present implementation, the front frame member 205 is provided with crash guard mounting provision 235B that is provided on either sides of the frame member 205 and the crash guard mounting provision 235B is having cylindrical shape that is extending in the lateral direction thereof. Further, the plurality of ribs 250 extending across the periphery of the front frame member 205 diverge towards the fuel tank mounting portion 235A and towards the crash guard mounting provision 235B from one side and diverge towards the other side.
[00048] Fig. 2 (d) depicts another left side perspective view of the front frame member, in accordance with another embodiment of the present subject matter. Fig. 2 (e) depicts another side view of the frame assembly, in accordance with the embodiment of the presents subject matter as depicted in Fig. 2 (a).The front frame member 205 includes the first arm 240 and the second arm 245 that are aligned to be connected to tubular members 105A, 105B of the frame assembly 200. The first arm 240 is provided with an I-shaped cross-section I2 and the second arm 345 is also provided with a complementing I-shaped cross-section I3. Connecting portion(s) 240C, 245C are provided with a substantially circular profile that is facing the tubular member(s) 105A, 105B. Further, the arm(s) 240, 245 includes guides 240G that extends axially outward from the face of the connecting portion(s) 240, wherein the guides 240G enable in guiding the tubular members 105A, 105B to the connecting portion 240C. 245C, whereat the tubular members 105A, 105B are welded to the connecting portion(s) 240C, 245C. Further, the guide 240G is also having an I-shaped cross-section with the flanges extending in lateral direction and the central web extending in vertical direction thereby enabling ease of manufacturing during casting. The tubular members 150A, 105B are welded to the connecting portion(s) 240C, 245C about the circumference of the tubular members 105A, 105B. For example, the tubular member has a circular circumference and the connecting portion is having a circular disc shape, wherein the tubular member is welded to the circular circumference of the disc.
[00049] The front frame member 205 includes arms 240, 245 and a vector V1, V2 extending orthogonal to the I-shaped cross-section I2, I3 at the arms 240, 245 and the vectors V1, V2 is substantially parallel to the axis A1, A2 of the tubular members 105A, 150B. In one implementation, the vector V1, V2 passes along the axis A1, A2 of the tubular members 105A, 150B, respectively, especially considering the connecting portion 105AC, 105BC of the tubular members 105A, 105B that is in proximity to the connecting portion 240C, 245C.
[00050] Further, As per an embodiment, the plurality of the ribs 250 includes at least one diagonal rib 255, 260, wherein the diagonal ribs 255, 260 extend substantially along the diagonal of the body portion 215. In the present implementation, the body portion 215 is having substantially a trapezoidal shape owing to the structure of the frame assembly 200. A first diagonal rib 260 extends from a top corner, which is the corner formed by the joint of the head portion 210 and the first peripheral flange 230A, towards a bottom rear corner, which at the second arm 245. Similarly, a second diagonal rib 355 extends from the corner opposite to the aforementioned corners, which is from a front bottom corner to a rear top corner. Also, the plurality of ribs 250 includes secondary ribs 250S that connect the peripheral flanges 230A, 230B, 230C to the head portion 210 of the front frame member 205. In preferred embodiment, the diagonal ribs 255, 260 are having a cross-section greater than the cross-section of the secondary ribs 250S. Therefore, the ribs 250 are optimally provided to provide structural rigidity/stiffness at the normal axis region of the body portion 215 and at the same time without increasing the weight of the part in terms of overall thickness.
[00051] The front frame member 205 forms a rigid/stiff structural member that is capable of withstanding the forces/loads acting thereon. As the forces received from the tubular members 105A, 105B are shared by the front frame member 205 by transferring the loads to the entire structure through the peripheral flanges 230A, 230B, 230C and through the diagonal ribs 255, 260 that connect the arm 240, 245 to the head portion 210, Vice-versa, the forces acting on the head portion 210 are shared by the frame assembly 200, as the head portion 210 is connected to the arms through the base 225, the peripheral flanges, 230A, 230B, and through diagonal ribs 255, 260. Therefore, the front frame member forms a rigid load bearing structure.
[00052] The front frame member 205 is connected to the mainframe 105 through the arms 240, 245. As per an embodiment, the connecting portions 240C, 245C are disposed at an angle a (as shown in Fig. 2 (e)). A vertical reference line R is drawn orthogonal to the axis of the tube 105A and an axis Y-Y’ passing through the connecting portion 240C is at the angle a with respect to the vertical reference line R. The angle a is an acute angle. In other words, the end portion of the main tube 105A is having an inclined shape whereby the circumference of the connecting portion 105AC abutting the first arm 240 is oval. This provides higher contact area and higher welding area for securing the main tube 105A to the first arm 240C. In the present embodiment, the connecting portion 240C is forwardly inclined. However, in another implementation the connecting portion 240C is rearwardly inclined providing the same improved contact area for welding. The angle a is the angle measured between the vertical reference line R and the axis Y-Y’ that is passing through either a forwardly inclined connecting face or a rearwardly inclined connecting face.
[00053] Fig. 3 depicts a front portion of a frame assembly, in accordance with another embodiment of the present subject matter. The frame assembly 300 is a double cradle type frame assembly 300. The frame assembly 300 includes a front frame member 305 with three arms 340, 345A, 345B. The arms 340, 345A, 345B are provided on the body portion 315 of the front frame member 305. The body portion 315 is connected to the head portion 310 thereof. The frame assembly 300 is a double cradle type structure that includes pair of down tubes 105BA, 105BB that extend downward form the front frame member 305. A first arm 340 is extending rearward and is having an I-shaped cross-section. Similarly, the second arm 345A and the third arm 345B are extending downward and are having a common I-shaped cross-section. The first arm 340 includes a connecting portion 340C that a circular disc shaped portion. The second arm 345A and the third arm 345B are having a common connecting portion 345C that is an elongated member with the elongation provided in the lateral direction to enable ease of manufacturability. The common connecting portion 345C is having a surface area that enables welding of the pair of down tubes 105BA, 105BB thereat.
[00054] The front frame member 305 includes the base 325 extending in the longitudinal direction/plane rearward to the head portion 310. The body portion 315 includes the base 325 and plurality of flanges 330A, 330B, 330C that are orthogonally disposed about a peripheral portion of the base 325, wherein the flanges 330A, 330B, 330C collectively extends along at least a periphery of the base 325. Further, the present implementation includes the peripheral flange 330C that is connecting the first arm 340C to the arms 345A, 345B is provides a higher width to provide bending resistance and at the same time improved transfer of loads/forces from the pair of down tubes 105BA, 105BB.
[00055] 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.