DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present subject matter described herein generally relates to a motor vehicle and more particularly but not exclusively relates to a front cowl assembly for a motor vehicle.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Generally, the motor vehicles like motorcycles have a compact and sleek layout. Therefore, visibility of such vehicles is less compared to the road presence of four wheelers like cars. Therefore, the motor vehicles like motorcycles or scooters are prone to accidents due to collision with another vehicle. Low visibility is probable condition especially in foggy conditions or scenarios where visibility is low. Therefore, for aforementioned and other reasons, conspicuity is a major requirement for motor vehicles. Therefore, there is need for providing a lamp that is always ON for conspicuity reasons. To this end, the headlamp of the vehicle can be used as the lamp that is always ON/ operational. However, the headlamp is high power consuming element of the motor vehicle that could drain the battery, affecting the functioning of other systems of the vehicle like starting system. Therefore, it is imperative that a separate lamp is provided that is operational irrespective of the operating condition of the headlamp.
[0003] Generally, the motor vehicles include a front cowl assembly. Generally, in certain motor vehicles, like motorcycles, the front cowl assembly is supported by a head tube of the frame or by the front suspension of the vehicle. The front cowl assembly is used for housing the headlamp unit. In case of the front cowl assembly mounting the headlamp unit, the headlamp unit is partially covered by at least a portion of the front cowl member and is covered on its rear side by the rear cowl member. Thus, the headlamp unit is encompassed between the front cowl member and the rear cowl member. Also, the front cowl assembly accommodates additional components like speedometer and other electrical components. To this end, provision of an additional lamp that is always operational is a challenge as the additional lamp is to be accommodated in the compact motor vehicle layout. Therefore, space constraint is one of the major concerns to accommodate the additional lamp, especially in the front portion of the vehicle. Moreover, if the additional lamp is accommodated within the headlamp unit, servicing of the additional lamp, which is always operational, or servicing of the headlamp, requires disassembly of the entire front cowl assembly. Therefore, ease of access for servicing and for other reasons is a constraint. In addition, the additional lamp should be retrofittable to avoid any major changes to the front cowl assembly that is available, as design change increases cost.
[0004] In addition, the front number plate of the vehicle of the vehicle should be mounted near headlamp unit with good visibility. However, mounting of headlamp unit, additional lamp, and front number plate increases number of components during assembly requiring different mounting points. Moreover, the provision of additional lamp and the provisions of number plate may be subject to vibration. Vibration of the aforementioned parts is also to be constrained as vibration affects the life of the parts and provides poor riding experience. Also, provision of the additional lamp away from the headlamp unit affects the aesthetics of the vehicle and also creates ambiguity with respect to estimation of approximate front portion of the vehicle. Therefore, the additional lamp should be accommodated so as to provide optimum conspicuity and at the same time aesthetics of the vehicle is to be retained, which is essential. Furthermore, it is also to be ensured that light emitted by the headlamp unit does not stray due to interference with a portion of the light from the additional lamp.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT SUBJECT MATTER
[0005] The present subject matter has been devised in view of the above circumstances. The present subject matter is aimed at addressing the aforementioned and other short comings of the prior art.
[0006] Hence, the present subject matter is aimed at providing a front cowl assembly.
[0007] The front cowl assembly of the present subject matter is for motor vehicle like a motorcycle and the front cowl assembly is including a secondary lamp housing.
[0008] It is a feature of the present subject matter that the secondary lamp housing visually appears as an integrated part/integrally composed of the front cowl assembly.
[0009] It is yet another feature that the secondary lamp housing is disposed below the front cowl member positioned substantially at a forward portion thereat. The secondary lamp housing is capable of being detachably-attached to cowl member(s) enabling ease of assembly and also features retro-fittabilty.
[00010] It is another feature of the present subject matter that secondary lamp housing is secured to at least one of a front cowl member and a rear cowl member of the front cowl assembly, whereby common mounting points are provided to secure the parts thereof. In one implementing, all the three parts viz. the front cowl member, the rear cowl member, and the secondary lamp housing are secured using common fasteners.
[00011] It is yet another feature that the front cowl assembly includes a support bracket secured to a rear cowl member and supporting the secondary lamp housing thereby providing rigid support and at the same time reducing/eliminating any vibrations. It is a feature that the secondary lamp housing is capable of supporting the additional lamp and is also capable of supporting a number plate.
[00012] It is an aspect that the secondary lamp housing supports the number plate at an angle, whereby a line orthogonal to long axis of the number plate passes through the headlamp unit enabling at least a portion of the light reaching the number plate, whereby implying optimum visibility of the number plate.
[00013] It is another aspect of the present subject matter to provide a front cowl assembly for a motorcycle, and the secondary lamp housing includes an additional lamp that is operational during ignition ON condition of the vehicle. The additional lamp is capable of functioning as a daylight-running lamp.
[00014] It is yet another aspect of the present subject matter to provide a front cowl assembly capable of receiving a daylight running lamp disposed below the headlamp unit, with at least a front portion of said daylight running lamp being contained in an imaginary first plane disposed substantially parallel to an imaginary second plane containing a front portion of the headlamp unit.
[00015] It is an aspect of the present subject matter that the secondary lamp housing is accommodated in the compact motor vehicle, for example the motorcycle having a compact width when compared to length.
[00016] It is another aspect of the present subject matter that the servicing of the additional lamp, which is always operational, can be done separately without disassembly of the entire front cowl assembly. It is a feature that the front cowl assembly of the present subject matter provides ease of access to the additional lamp. It is another advantage that the additional lamp and the headlamp mounted to a headlamp unit can be serviced independently.
[00017] It is a feature of the present subject matter that the secondary lamp housing includes a common fastening provisions used to secure a front cowl member and a rear cowl member, whereby number of mounting points and number fasteners are reduced. This reduces the assembly time of the assembly and is also cost effective due to optimum use of parts.
[00018] It is an additional feature of the present subject matter that the vehicle is provided with optimum conspicuity, as the additional lamp is disposed in proximity to headlamp that is substantially a front portion of the vehicle.
[00019] The secondary lamp housing is preferably disposed below the front cowl member and the rear cowl member. It is another aspect of the present subject matter that the secondary lamp housing includes a top surface having a profile complementing and conforming an outer peripheral profile of the front cowl member and the rear cowl member so as to match the profile thereby providing optimum interference between the parts thereof.
[00020] It is a feature that the secondary lamp housing is disposed abutting the front cowl member at a front bottom portion, wherein the secondary lamp housing visually appears integrated with said front cowl member. Also, the secondary lamp housing having a top surface substantially abutting the front cowl member provides optimum contact therebetween whereby rigid mounting is attained and at the same time vibration of the housing is avoided. This provides an aesthetically appealing front cowl assembly. It is a feature that the assembly requires optimum space and does not affect the available layout in width wise direction or length wise direction.
[00021] It is a feature that the secondary lamp housing includes lateral sides widening or with increasing width in a direction from bottom portion towards a top portion of the secondary lamp housing. These lateral sides rigidly and securely support the entire secondary lamp along with the number plate.
[00022] It is an additional feature that the lateral length of the secondary lamp housing is substantially equal to a lower lateral length of the front cowl member thereby providing the head lamp assembly with a continuous outer profile or continuous peripheral profile.
[00023] The above and other aspects and features are achieved by providing a front cowl assembly for a motorcycle as per embodiments detailed in the description provided. The front cowl assembly as per the present subject matter is disposed in a front portion of the motorcycle and is at least partially supported by a head tube of the motorcycle or by a front suspension of the motorcycle.
[00024] The term ‘motor vehicle’ or ‘motorcycle’ is not limited to a two-wheeled vehicle and includes a three-wheeled vehicle like an auto-rickshaw or a trike.
[00025] The front cowl assembly as per an embodiment of the present subject matter includes a front cowl member at least partially covering a headlamp unit, a rear cowl member detachably attached to the front cowl member and covering said headlamp unit from a rear side thereof. The front cowl assembly also includes a mounting stay for securing said front cowl member and said rear cowl member over a front fork assembly. Further, said front cowl assembly may include a visor member attached to said front cowl member and extending upwards and partially inclinedly from said front cowl member. The visor member as per an embodiment of the present subject matter aids in improving aerodynamics of the motorcycle.
[00026] Summary provided above explains the basic features of the present subject matter and does not limit the scope of the present subject matter. The nature and further characteristic features of the present subject matter will be made clearer from the following descriptions made with reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[00027] The above and other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter will be better understood with regard to the following description and accompanying drawings where:
[00028] FIG.1 illustrates a side view of a motorcycle comprising a front cowl assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[00029] FIG.2 illustrates a front view of the front cowl assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[00030] FIG.3 illustrates a side view of the front cowl assembly, in accordance with the embodiment of FIG. 3.
[00031] FIG. 4a depicts a bottom perspective view of the front cowl assembly, in accordance with the embodiment as depicted in FIG. 3.
[00032] FIG. 4b depicts an enlarged view of the bottom perspective view of the front cowl assembly depicted in FIG. 4a.
[00033] FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of the support bracket of the front cowl assembly, in accordance with the embodiment as depicted in FIG. 4a.
[00034] FIG. 6 depicts a selective exploded view of the support bracket of the front cowl assembly.
[00035] FIG. 7 depicts front perspective view of the secondary lamp housing, in accordance with the embodiment of FIG. 4b.
[00036] FIG.8 depicts an enlarged front view of a portion of the front cowl assembly, in accordance with the embodiment of FIG. 7.
[00037] FIG.9 depicts an exploded view of the secondary lamp housing, in accordance with the embodiment as depicted in FIG. 4a.
[00038] FIG. 10 depicts a selective exploded view of the front cowl assembly.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[00039] Exemplary embodiments detailing features of the front cowl assembly, in accordance with the present subject matter will be described hereunder with reference to the accompanying drawings. Various aspects of different embodiments of the present subject matter will become discernible from the following description set out hereunder. Rather, the following description provides a convenient illustration for implementing exemplary embodiments of the present subject matter. Further, it is to be noted that terms “upper”, “lower”, “right”, “left”, “front”, “forward”, “rearward”, “downward”, “upward”, “top”, “bottom” and like terms are used herein based on the illustrated state or in a standing state of the motor vehicle with a driver riding thereon. Furthermore, a motorcycle longitudinal axis refers to a front to rear axis relative to the motorcycle, while a motorcycle lateral axis refers to a side to side, or left to right axis relative to the motorcycle. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
[00040] 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 denotes downward direction, an arrow RH denotes right side, and an arrow LH denotes left side, as and where applicable.
[00041] FIG.1 illustrates a side view of an exemplary motor vehicle 100 in accordance with the present subject matter. The depicted motor vehicle 100 is referred to as motorcycle 100, the motorcycle 100 includes a body frame 105 to support different parts of said motorcycle 100. The body frame 105 includes a head tube 110 at its front end. The head tube 110 supports a steering shaft (not shown) rotatably in a certain range. In an upper portion of the head tube 110, a handlebar 115 is rotatably connected to the steering shaft. The handlebar 115 is used to steer the motorcycle 100 and is connected to a front wheel 120 through the steering shaft and a front fork assembly 125. An upper portion of the front wheel 120 is covered by a front fender 130, which prevents mud and water from getting deflected towards the steering shaft or rearward of the wheel 120. Further, the front fender 130 is supported on the front fork assembly 125 by means of a brace fender (not shown).
[00042] In a front portion of the body frame 105 a fuel tank 135 is arranged immediately behind the handlebar 115. In one embodiment, a power unit including an internal combustion engine 140. A seat 145 is placed behind the fuel tank 135. The seat 145 includes a front rider portion and rear pillion portion.
[00043] For the safety of the rider and to provide visibility, a headlamp unit 205 and a turn signal lamp unit 160 are provided in the front portion of the motorcycle 100. The headlamp unit 205 and the turn signal lamp unit 160 are supported by a front cowl assembly 200, which is mounted to the head tube 110 or to the front fork assembly 125. The head lamp unit 205 functioning as a primary light source of the vehicle 100 to provide visibility to the user of the vehicle 100.
[00044] Suspension systems are provided for comfortable steering of the motorcycle 100 on the road. The front fork assembly 125, which forms the front suspension system, serves as damping component. Similarly, a rear suspension system 165, which is a hydraulic damped arrangement, is connected to the body frame 105. The rear suspension system 165 comprises of at least one rear suspension preferably on either sides of the motorcycle 100. However, in an embodiment, the motorcycle may have one rear suspension, either on the left side, on the right side, at a lateral centre, or at an offset from the lateral centre of said motorcycle.
[00045] The IC engine 140 is mounted to a front lower portion of the body frame 105 by means of an engine mounting bracket (not shown). The engine 140 is equipped with an exhaust system that includes an exhaust pipe (not shown) connected to the IC engine 140 and a muffler (not shown) connected to the exhaust pipe. The muffler (not shown) extends rearwards along the right side of the rear wheel 115.
[00046] Further, a swing arm 170 extending rearwards is swingably connected to a lower rear portion of the body frame 105. The rear wheel 115 is rotatably supported at a rear end of the swing arm 170. Power from the IC engine 140 is transmitted to the rear wheel 115 through a power drive mechanism such as a drive chain, a belt drive, so as to drive and rotate the rear wheel 115.
[00047] A rear fender 175 for covering an upper side portion of the rear wheel 115 is mounted to a rear portion of body frame 105 to prevent mud and water splashed by the rotating rear wheel 115 from entering the muffler, the engine 140 and other parts disposed close by.
[00048] To enhance the overall aesthetics of the motorcycle 100 and to prevent undesired foreign particles from entering parts of the motorcycle, a plurality of rear covers 180A, 180B are attached to a rear portion of the body frame 105.
[00049] FIG.2 illustrates a front view of the front cowl assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The front cowl assembly 200 is held in a front portion of the motorcycle 100 in front of the head tube 110 (as shown in FIG.1). Particularly, the head tube 110 combinedly supports the front fork assembly along with the front cowl assembly 200 through a mounting stay 185 (shown in FIG. 3) that is connected to the front fork assembly 125. The front cowl assembly 200 thus supported, houses the headlamp unit 205. In one embodiment, the headlamp unit 205 includes one or more position lamps 225. Also, the front cowl member 210 has lateral sides with a tapering lateral sides FP in a direction upward to a downward direction, which is better viewed in FIG.3. The front cowl assembly 200, as per the present embodiment, also receives the turn signal lamp unit 230, and a speedometer (not shown). According to an embodiment of the present subject matter, the front cowl assembly 200 includes a front cowl member 210, a rear cowl member 215 (shown in FIG. 3), and a visor member 220. The mounting stay 185 enables detachable attachment of the rear cowl member 215 with the front cowl member 210. Particularly, while the headlamp unit 205 and the visor member 220 are secured to the front cowl member 210, the turn signal lamp unit 230 is secured to the rear cowl member 215. Further, as per an embodiment, the rear cowl member 215 is capable of supporting a light housing member (not shown). Further, the front cowl assembly 200 includes a secondary lamp housing 300.
[00050] In one embodiment, the secondary lamp housing 300 is disposed external to the headlamp unit 205 and is disposed abuttingly to the front cowl member 210, at a bottom portion 211, of the front cowl assembly 200, whereby the secondary lamp housing 300 and the headlamp unit 205 are independently accessible for servicing or maintenance.
[00051] FIG.3 illustrates a side view of the front cowl assembly 200. As may be seen in the present FIG.3, the rear cowl member 215 support the turn signal lamp unit 230 that are disposed on lateral sides of the vehicle 100. The entire front cowl assembly 200 is secured to the front fork assembly 125 through the mounting stay 185, wherein in the depicted embodiment the rear cowl member 215 is fastened to the mounting stay 185. The front cowl member 210 covers or envelopes at least a portion of the rear cowl member 215 and at least a portion of the headlamp unit 205. In one embodiment, the front cowl member 210 includes a cut-out that enables a translucent/transparent portion of the head lamp unit 205 to be at least partially visible.
[00052] The front cowl assembly 200 is pivotable about the mounting stay 185 whereby direction or orientation of light from the headlamp unit 205 is adjustable in a first direction, which is about a laterally extending pivot 185P. In one embodiment, the rear cowl member 215 is provided with at least two mounting points (not shown) integrally formed and a V-shaped bracket (not shown) is fastened to the at least two mounting points and the V-shaped bracket is pivoted to the pivot 185P provided on the mounting stay 185. Further, the secondary lamp housing 300 is disposed below the front cowl member 210 and the rear cowl member 215, and substantially at a front portion. The secondary lamp housing 300 is capable of receiving and accommodating an additional lamp 340 that can be run all the time, provided the ignition key is in ON condition, to provide conspicuity. The secondary lamp housing 300 is secured to at least one of the front cowl member 210 and the rear cowl member 215. The additional lamp 340 acting as a secondary light source of the vehicle with the primary aspect of offering conspicuity of the vehicle 100 to other riders and to passers-by.
[00053] In a side view the vehicle as shown in FIG. 3, the secondary lamp housing 300 is disposed substantially below the front cowl member 210 and is positioned substantially at a forward portion thereunder. The additional lamp 340 is disposed inward with respect to front most portion 205F of the headlamp unit 205 thereby eliminating any straying of light from the headlamp unit 205. In other words, an imaginary first plane (vertical) which is drawn at a front most portion of the at least one lamp casing is substantially inward or within an imaginary second plane, which is parallel to the first imaginary plane, containing a front portion 205F of the headlamp unit 205. Thus, the at least one lamp 340 is securely disposed inward with respect to the front portion 205F of the head lamp unit 205, in front-rear direction.
[00054] FIG. 4a depicts a bottom perspective view of the front cowl assembly, in accordance with the embodiment as depicted in FIG. 3. The rear cowl member 215 includes one or more mounting members 215A, 215B that extend downward from a bottom surface portion of the rear cowl member 215. In a preferred embodiment, the mounting member(s) 215A, 215B are integrally formed with the rear cowl member 215.
[00055] In the present embodiment, a first mounting member 215A and a second mounting member 215B are provided and each of the first mounting member 215A and the second mounting member 215B include a three-walled profile that provides substantial support for supporting the secondary lamp housing 300. Furthermore, a support bracket 400 is provided that is secured to the mounting members 215A, 215B at one end portion and the other end portion supports the secondary lamp housing 300. In a preferred embodiment, the support bracket 400 is a L-shaped bracket with one arm secured to the mounting member(s) 215A, 215B and the other arm extending in the forward direction F, whereby the other arm supports the secondary lamp housing 300. Thus, the secondary lamp housing 300 abutting the front cowl member 210 is secured to the rear cowl member 215.
[00056] FIG. 4b depicts an enlarged view of the bottom perspective view of the front cowl assembly, in accordance with the embodiment of depicted in FIG. 4a. The support bracket 400 includes the arm 405 secured to the mounting members 215A, 215B and the other arm 410 supporting the secondary lamp housing 300. Thus, the support bracket 400 has one end portion 405 secured to the rear cowl member 215 and the other end portion 410 secured to the secondary lamp housing 300. The support bracket 400 is made of a rigid material preferably of any known metal. In the present embodiment, the secondary lamp housing 300 includes a receiving portion 305 that is capable of receiving the other arm 410 of the support bracket 400. The receiving portion 305 includes a hollow portion extending substantially in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 100. The other arm 410 includes a triangular cross-section that is with base connected to the arm 405 and the vertex portion being received by the hollow portion defined by the receiving portion 305. The base portion being connected to arm 405 provides structural strength to support the secondary lamp housing 300. In addition, the secondary lamp housing 300 includes one or more legs 310A, 310B extending in a forward direction and are capable of a supporting a front number plate (not shown) of the vehicle 100. In one embodiment, the leg(s) 310A, 310B are extending substantially ahead of the front most portion 205F of the head lamp unit 205.
[00057] FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of the support bracket of the front cowl assembly, in accordance with the embodiment as depicted in FIG. 4a. The support bracket 400 includes one arm 405 and the other arm 410 disposed at a first angle with respect to each other. The one arm 405 extends substantially in a lateral direction of the vehicle 100 and the one arm 405 has two ends 407, 408 in the present embodiment, wherein the one arm 405 is provided with mounting apertures(s) 405M for securing the support bracket 400 to the rear cowl member 215 therethrough. Similarly, the other arm 410 is provided with a threaded nut 410N that enables in fastening the secondary lamp housing 300 using the fastener 330F1 (shown in FIG. 9). Thus, the support bracket 400 holds the secondary lamp housing 300 from the bottom portion thereof and it secures the secondary lamp housing 300 to the rear cowl member 215. In the present embodiment, the support bracket 400 includes one or more reinforcing notches 411 provided at the injunction of the one arm 405 and the other arm 410. Further, the one arm 405 is provided with a reinforcing rib 412 provided along at least an outer periphery thereof providing structural rigidity.
[00058] FIG. 6 depicts a selective exploded view of the support bracket of the front cowl assembly 200. The one arm 405 of the support bracket extends substantially in a lateral direction of the vehicle 100, wherein the one arm 405 is provided with mounting apertures(s) 405M for securing the support bracket 400 to the rear cowl member 215 therethrough. In a preferred embodiment, the support bracket 400 is secured to the mounting members 215A, 215B through the fasteners (not shown).
[00059] FIG. 7 depicts a front perspective view of the secondary lamp housing, in accordance with the embodiment of FIG.2. FIG. 8 depicts an enlarged front view of a portion of the front cowl assembly 200. The secondary lamp housing 300 includes the at least one lamp receiving portion 320 for receiving at least one lamp casing 340 (shown in FIG. 10). It includes one or more leg(s) 310A, 310B for securely supporting a number plate 500 of the motor vehicle 100 The secondary lamp housing 300 is capable of being detachably-attached to at least one of the front cowl member 210 and the rear cowl member 215 of the front cowl assembly 200.
[00060] In one embodiment, the one or more legs 310A, 310B extending in a forward direction. In a side view the legs 310A, 310B extend by a portion 310E forwardly ahead of the front portion of the additional lamp 340. The legs 310A, 310B are capable of supporting the front number plate 500 of the vehicle. This eliminates the need for providing an additional mounting structure for the number / license plate 500. Thus, the number plate 500 is fastened to the secondary lamp housing 300. In one embodiment, a pair of legs 310A, 310B includes threaded aperture portions to enable securing of the number plate 500.
[00061] Further, the secondary lamp housing 300 defines a lamp-receiving portion 320 that is capable of accommodating an additional lamp (not shown). The lamp is secured to the secondary lamp housing 300. Further, the secondary lamp housing 300 includes a top surface 300TS provided with one or more apertures 315A, 315B, wherein the apertures pass from the top surface 300TS to a bottom portion. The apertures 315A, 315B enables securing the secondary lamp housing to the front cowl member 210 and the rear cowl member 215. In one implementation, the apertures 315A, 315B are reinforced. In a preferred embodiment, the secondary lamp housing 300 is secured to the front cowl member 210 and the rear cowl member 215 through a common mounting. Furthermore, the top surface 300TS includes a profile P that is adapted to complement the bottom peripheral profile of the front cowl member 210. This enables the secondary lamp housing 300 of the front cowl assembly 200 to be accommodated with a design continuity following the profile of the headlamp unit 205 thereby providing aesthetically appealing front cowl assembly 200. This also enables the secondary lamp housing 300 to be appearing as an integral part of the front cowl assembly 200. In one embodiment, the top surface 300TS is concave to complement the outer peripheral surface 205LS (shown in FIG. 9) of the front cowl member 210 at a bottom portion 211, which is having a convex shape. Thus, the top surface 300TS of the secondary lamp housing 300 complements and conforms the bottom peripheral surface of the front cowl member 210.
[00062] Also, the top surface 300TS of the secondary lamp housing 300 includes a thickness 301, which in longitudinal direction, provided maximum at the lateral centre of the secondary lamp housing 300 and the thickness 301 of the top surface 300TS tapers in a direction away from the lateral centre. Also, the top surface 300TS with concave portion and tapering thickness 301 complements, in other words matches, the curved bottom peripheral profile of the front cowl member 210. Thus, the tapered front portion(s) 300TR, 300TL are composed at the front portion connecting a front face portion to the top surface 300TS. In other words, the tapering front portion(s) 300TR, 300TL (shown in FIG. 8) forms a transition between the top surface 300TS and the front surface. This enables in matching the profile of the headlamp unit 205 that is protruded at substantially lateral centre of the secondary lamp housing 300. In addition, the secondary lamp housing 300 includes a lateral side profile 300BS tapering in a downward direction towards the legs 310A, 310B. Thus, the side profile 300BS is widening when moving in the upward direction and is adapted to substantially match the bottom portion 211 of the front cowl member 210. In other words, the width/lateral length of the secondary lamp housing 300 is increasing in a direction from bottom to top, to substantially complement the lower surface portion of the front cowl member 210.
[00063] In a preferred embodiment, the lateral extension of the top surface 300TS is substantially equal to the bottom portion lateral extension of the front cowl member 210 and therefrom the width of the secondary lamp housing 300 reduces. Thus, as shown in FIG. 2, it provides the continuous profile to the front cowl assembly 200 that is aesthetic and also an aerodynamic structure.
[00064] The lamp-receiving portion 320 of the secondary lamp housing 300 has an opening in the front portion to receive the lamp. Also, at least one surface of the lamp-receiving portion 320 includes cable routing provision and securing provisions for routing the electrical cables connected to a power source of the vehicle 100 and for fastening the lamp, respectively. In one embodiment, the vehicle 100 includes a battery (not shown) and the lamp mounted to the secondary lamp housing 300 is connected to the battery. This enables the operation of said lamp at all the time, provided the ignition of the vehicle is ON, irrespective of the operating condition of the power unit like internal combustion engine.
[00065] In a side view (as shown in FIG. 3), the additional lamp 340 is disposed between the number plate 500 and the headlamp unit 205, wherein the essential elements are disposed in proximity providing optimum conspicuity.
[00066] Also, the number plate 500 is disposed at an angle as the legs 310A, 310B are provided with rear inclining surface 325 for mounting the number plate 500. This enables in directing light on the number plate thereby providing optimum visibility of the number plate 500 and the text thereon.
[00067] FIG. 9 depicts an exploded view of the secondary lamp housing, in accordance with the embodiment as depicted in FIG. 4a. The support bracket 400 is mounted to the mounting members 215A, 215B of the rear cowl member 215. The other arm 410 of the intermediate arm 400 supports the secondary lamp housing 300 through the receiving portion 305 provided at a bottom portion thereof. Fastener 330F1 enables fastening the secondary lamp housing 300 to the support bracket 400. Further, the secondary lamp housing 300 is secured to the front cowl member 210 and the rear cowl member 215 through the apertures 315A, 315B using fasteners 330F2. Thus, the secondary lamp housing 300 is secured to at least one of the front cowl member 210 and the rear cowl member 215 with preferably common fastening member 330F2. Further, the support bracket 400 supports the secondary lamp housing 300 from the bottom portion. This enables the secondary lamp housing 300 to be a detachable system, which can be adapted on the vehicle, as essential, providing ease of assembly as well as service.
[00068] FIG. 10 depicts a selective exploded view of the front cowl assembly. The secondary lamp housing 300 includes the lamp-receiving portion 320 that is adapted to receive the lamp casing 340. In one embodiment, the lamp casing 340 includes a lamp including a low power (consuming) and high intensity lamps like light emitting diode (LED). The lamp casing 340 is detachably mounted to the secondary lamp housing 300. Whereas, the head lamp unit 205 accommodates a high capacity/high power and high intensity lamp, when compared to the lamps disposed in the secondary lamp housing 300. Also, the lamp-receiving portion 320 includes plurality of cable routing and securing provisions 345 that includes cylindrical guiding provisions. The cylindrical guiding provisions are adapted to securely hold electrical cables connecting the lamp to the battery and/or other electrical system of the vehicle 100 including a regulator and rectifier unit connected to a magneto/an integrated starter generator.
[00069] 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:We claim:
1. A front cowl assembly (200) for a motor vehicle (100), said front cowl assembly (200) comprising:
a head lamp unit (205); and
a front cowl member (210) and a rear cowl member (215), said front cowl member (210) and said rear cowl member (215) at least partially enclosing said head lamp unit (205);
characterized in that,
said front cowl assembly (200) includes a secondary lamp housing (300) disposed below said front cowl member (210), and said secondary lamp housing (300) capable of accommodating at least one lamp casing (340).
2. The front cowl assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said secondary lamp housing (300) disposed below said front cowl member (210) is positioned substantially at a forward portion thereunder, said secondary lamp housing (300) is capable of being detachably-attached to at least one of said front cowl member (210) and said rear cowl member (215)..
3. The front cowl assembly as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said secondary lamp housing (300) is abutting an outer peripheral surface (205LS) of said front cowl member (210), and wherein said secondary lamp housing (300) includes a top surface (300TS) including a profile (P) complementing and conforming said outer peripheral surface (205LS) of a bottom portion (211) of said front cowl member (210), whereby the secondary lamp housing (300) abuts the front cowl member (210) appears integrally composed thereof.
4. The front cowl assembly (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said secondary lamp housing includes a top surface (300TS) with a longitudinal thickness (301) provided maximum at lateral centre thereof and said thickness (301) tapering in a lateral direction (RH, LH) away from the lateral center thereof.
5. The front cowl assembly (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said secondary lamp housing (300) includes a lateral side profile (300BS) having a width (302), said width (302) widening in a direction from bottom to top thereof.
6. The front cowl assembly (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said additional housing member (300) includes a tapered front portion(s) (300TR, 300TL) forming a transition between a front face portion to a top surface (300TS) thereof.
7. The front cowl assembly (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said secondary lamp housing (300) includes one or more apertures (315A, 315B) disposed on a top surface (300TS) thereof, wherein said secondary lamp housing (300) is secured to at least one of said front cowl member (210) and said rear cowl member (215) through said one or more apertures (315A, 315B).
8. The front cowl assembly (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said rear cowl member (215) includes one or more mounting members (215A, 215B) for supporting one end portion (405) of a support bracket (400), and said support bracket (400) includes other end portion (410) for securely supporting said secondary lamp housing (300), and wherein said secondary lamp housing (300) includes a receiving portion (305) capable of receiving said other end portion (410) of said support bracket (400), and said other end portion (410) is secured thereat.
9. The front cowl assembly (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said secondary lamp housing (300) includes one or more leg(s) (310A, 310B) extending in a forward direction (F) with respect to said motor vehicle (100), wherein said one or more leg(s) (310A, 310B) are adapted to support a front number plate (500) of said motor vehicle (100).
10. The front cowl assembly (300) as claimed in claim 9, wherein said one or more leg(s) (310A, 310B) are extending substantially ahead of a front most portion (205F) of said headlamp unit (205) and said at least one lamp casing (340) is disposed inward with respect to the front most portion (205F) of said headlamp unit (205).
11. The front cowl assembly (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one lamp casing (340) being contained in an imaginary first plane disposed substantially parallel to an imaginary second plane containing a front portion (205F) of the headlamp unit (205).
12. The front cowl assembly (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said secondary lamp housing (300) includes a lamp receiving portion (320) capable of receiving said at least one lamp casing (340), and said lamp receiving portion (320) includes plurality of cable routing and securing provisions (345) to enable electrical connection to said at least one lamp casing (340).
13. The front cowl assembly (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one lamp casing (340) includes at least one light source having a low power consuming and high intensity, wherein said at least one light source includes a light emitting diode (LED).
14. An secondary lamp housing (300) for a front cowl assembly (200) of a motor vehicle (100), said secondary lamp housing (300) comprising:
at least one lamp receiving portion (320) for receiving at least one lamp casing (340); and
one or more leg(s) (310A, 310B) for securely supporting a number plate (500) of said motor vehicle (500),
wherein
said secondary lamp housing (300) capable of being detachably-attached to at least one of a front cowl member (210) and a rear cowl member (215) of said front cowl assembly (200).