Claims:We Claim:
1. A front panel (104A) of a vehicle (100) comprising:
an upper part (202) and a lower part (203);
said upper part (202) and said lower part (203) comprising a left side panel (205) and a right side panel (204) symmetrically located on a left hand side and a right hand side of said front panel (104A),
a pair of turn signal lamp (206,207) mounted on said front panel (104A) from a rear side of said front panel (104A) through one or more top mountings (301a, 301b) and one or more bottom mountings (304a,304b);
a locking structure (306) comprising one or more projections,
said one or more projections locks a flange (405) provided in said one or more turn signal lamps (206,207) to said front panel (104A) through a socket rib (406) provided on said front panel (104A).
2. The front panel (104A) of a vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said one or more projections are a locating projection (506) and a locking projection (504).
3. The front panel (104A) of a vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said left side panel (205) and said right side panel (204) comprises an outer edge (209a, 209b) and an inner edge (210a, 210b);
4. The front panel (104A) of a vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pair of turn signal lamp (206,207) located at a junction of said outer edge (209a, 209b) and said inner edge (210a, 210b)
5. The front panel (104A) of a vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said flange (405) is provided with an opening (407) to lock a locking projection (504) with said front panel (104A).
6. The front panel (104A) of a vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said locating projection (506) is configured with a socket rib (406).
7. The front panel (104A) of a vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein a base (505) of said locating projection (506) is of rectangular profile.
8. The front panel (104A) of a vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said locating projection (506) comprises of a first edge (507) and a second edge (508) wherein said second edge (508) forms a locator top portion (502) having a curved profile.
9. The front panel (104A) of a vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said locking projection (504) is located on a slanted portion (503) of said locating projection (506).
10. The front panel (104A) of a vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said locking projection (504) and said locating projection (506) are of cuboidal profile.
11. A locking structure (306) comprising :
a locating projection (506) and a locking projection (504); and
said locking projection (504) fixedly attached to a slanted portion (503) of said locating projection (506).
, Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present subject matter relates generally to a vehicle. The present subject matter specifically but not exclusively related to a front panel with a locking structure for a turn signal lamp for a saddle type vehicle.
BACKGROUND
[0002] For a two-wheeled vehicle especially for a scooter type vehicle, the front covering structures play dual roles, firstly providing aesthetic look to the vehicle and secondly to reduce the aerodynamic drag on the vehicle and rider. To achieve such a dual purpose, the front panels of the scooter type vehicles are designed accordingly. Such a front covering panel also increases the fuel efficiency of the vehicle since it reduces the aerodynamic drag on the vehicle. The front covering structures provide aesthetic appearance to the vehicle; hence, the safety of the front covering structure becomes very important.
[0003] In the existing technology, front panel of the vehicle covers the mountings of the front embodiments of the vehicle such as steering tube, horn, head tube, front fork unit, battery and wiring harness etc. The front panel is generally provided in front upper, front lower, front side and front rear parts which form a housing space in above mentioned embodiments are mounted
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] The detailed description is described with reference to a two wheeled saddle type vehicle along with the accompanying figures. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like features and components.
[0005] Fig. 1 illustrates a left side view of an exemplary motor vehicle.
[0006] Fig. 2 illustrates a front view of the front panel mounted on the front portion of the vehicle.
[0007] Fig. 3 illustrates a rear view of the front panel.
[0008] Fig. 4 illustrates mounting of locking structure.
[0009] Fig. 5 illustrates a side view of the locking structure.
[00010] The embodiments disclosed below are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed in the following detailed description. Rather, the embodiments are chosen and described so that best enabling arrangements of the invention can be explained through all possible embodiments and examples of it. The present subject matter may have application to all type of saddle type vehicle.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[00011] Generally, in the saddle type vehicle the front panel is provided in multiple sub panel form but in order to reduce the raw material cost and manufacturing cost auto industries are manufacturing the front panel as a single unit on to which the turn signal lamps can be mounted.
[00012] With the change in the front panel structure as a single unit, it leads to more vibration and rattling during driving condition of the vehicle. The impact of the vibration affects the turn signal lamp (TSL) causing the lens of the turn signal lamp to crack, friction leading to debris formation or creating loosening of the assembled components such as the turn signal lamp mounting on the front panel. The rattling of the turn signal lamps also causes powder formation in the lamp due to constant friction between the material of the front panel and the turn signal lamp.
[00013] Hence, it is the object of the present subject matter to provide a locking structure for the turn signal lamp to be mounted on to the front panel which acts as dampener as well as reduces the friction between the front panel and turn signal lamps thereby reducing wear and tear of the turn signal lamp.
[00014] Another embodiment of the present subject matter provides a locking structure comprising a locating projection which gets mounted onto the socket rib. The locating projection is rectangular in profile or a circular profile at the base and curved from the top.
[00015] Yet another embodiment of the present subject matter provides a locking structure comprising a locking projection provided on the top portion of the locating projection of the locking device. The locking projection get locked into an opening provided in a flange of the turn signal lamps.
[00016] Another embodiment of the present subject matter provides a locking structure comprising a locating projection which is hollow and thereby allowing it to get mounted onto the socket rib provided on the front panel. Whereas the locking projection of the locking structure gets locked to the opening provided in the flange of the turn signal maps of the vehicle.
[00017] Yet another embodiment of the present subject matter provides a locking structure which is elastic material such as rubber and acts as a damping means to avoid the rattling and effects like friction due to unnecessary movement during driving condition of the vehicle.
[00018] Fig. 1 illustrates a left side view of an exemplary motor vehicle (100), in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The vehicle (100) illustrated, has a schematically shown frame member (105). In the present embodiment, the frame member (105) is step-through type including a head tube (105A), and a main frame (105B) that extend rearwardly downward from an anterior portion of the head tube (105A). The main frame (105B) extends inclinedly rearward to a rear portion of the vehicle (100).
[00019] The vehicle (100) includes one or more prime movers that are connected to the frame member (105). In the present implementation, one of the prime movers is an internal combustion (IC) engine (115) mounted to the frame member (105). In the depicted embodiment, the IC engine (115) is mounted to a structural member (135) that is pivoted to the frame member (105). In one embodiment, the structural member (135) is a rigid member made including metal. The vehicle (100) also includes another prime mover, which is an electric motor (120). In a preferred embodiment, the electric motor (120) is hub mounted to one wheel of the vehicle (100). In another embodiment, one or more than one electric motor is mounted to wheels or to the frame of the vehicle. In the depicted embodiment, the vehicle (100) includes at least two-wheels and the electric motor (120) is hub mounted to the rear wheel (125) of the vehicle. A front wheel (110) is rotatably supported by the frame member (105) and is connected to a handle bar assembly (130) that enables maneuvering of the vehicle (100).
[00020] Further, the vehicle (100) includes a high capacity on-board battery (not shown) that drives the electric motor (120). The high capacity battery may include one or more high capacity battery packs or one or more low capacity cells. The high capacity battery can be disposed at a front portion, a rear portion, or at the center of the vehicle (100). The high capacity battery is supported by the frame member (105) and the vehicle (100) includes plurality of body panels, mounted to the frame member (105) for covering various components of the vehicle (100). The plurality of panels includes a front panel (104A), a leg shield (140B), an under-seat cover (140C), and a left and a right-side panel (140D). A glove box may be mounted to a leg shield (140B).
[00021] A floorboard (145) is provided at the step-through portion defined by the main tube (105B). A seat assembly (150) is disposed rearward to the step-through portion and is mounted to the main frame (105B). The seat assembly (150) that is elongated in a longitudinal direction F-R of the vehicle (100) enables the user to operate the vehicle in a saddle ride-type posture. One or more suspension(s) connect the wheels (110), (125) to the vehicle (100) and provide a comfortable ride. The vehicle (100) comprises of plurality of electrical and electronic components including a headlight (155A), a taillight (155B), a starter motor (not shown), a horn etc. Also, the vehicle (100) includes a master control unit (not shown) that takes control of the overall operation of the vehicle (100) including the function of the IC engine (115), the electric motor (120), charging of the batteries from a magneto/integrated starter generator (ISG), driving of loads by the magneto/ISG, charging of the high capacity batteries by the electric motor operating in generator mode, and any other operations associated with the operation of the vehicle (100). The vehicle (100) shown in fig. 1 is an exemplary vehicle and the present subject matter can be used in a two-wheeled vehicle or a three-wheeled vehicle.
[00022] Fig. 2 illustrates the front panel (104A) mounted on the front portion of the vehicle (100). The front panel (104A) comprises an upper part (202), a lower part (203) forming a single unit for the front panel (104A). Vehicle components such as front suspension, steering assembly, headlamp etc. are housed in said front panel (104A). The front portion of the vehicle (100) has been constructed in such a manner that the structure of the front panel (104A) adheres to the requirement of aerodynamics.
[00023] The side portion of the front panel (104A) comprises of a left side panel (205) and right side panel (204) which are symmetrically located on both left and right hand side respectively of the front panel (104A). The left side panel (205) is identical to the right side panel (204) and narrows at the middle of the front panel (104A). Both the left side panel (205) and the right side panel (204) comprises an outer edge (209a, 209b) and an inner edge (210a, 210b). The inner edge (210a, 210b) of the front panel (104A) starts from the inner portion (201a, 201b) and gradually progresses towards the outer edge. The outer edge (209a, 209b) starts from the point where the inner edge (210a, 210b) terminates and the outer edge (209a, 209b) gradually inclines in direction of ground to allow air to cut through the front panel (104A) without causing any obstruction.
[00024] At the junction of outer edge (209a, 209b) and inner edge (210a, 210b) lies a pair of turn signal lamp (206,207) located each on both left hand side and right hand side of the front panel (104A). Further, the lower portion (203) of the front panel (104A) is provided with front panel mountings (208a, 208b) in order to mount the front panel (104A) on to the vehicle body to cover the front portion of the vehicle (100).
[00025] Fig. 3 illustrates the rear view of the front panel (104A). The upper portion of the front panel (104A) is provided with rear mounting points (302a, 302b) so that the front panel (104A) can be mounted on to a front panel rear cover (not show) to provide additional strength and stability to the front panel (104A). The rear portion of the front panel (104A) provides the space to accommodate the turn signal lamps (206,207) and the wire routing (not shown) of the turn signal lamps (206,207). The turn signal lamp (206,207) mainly of either an array of LEDs (Light emitting diodes) or an incandescent bulb of low power rating facing towards the front portion of the vehicle (100) and adaptively secured within a transparent turn signal lamp front cover (not shown). The rear portion of the turn signal lamp (206,207) is protected from the atmospheric interference by a turn signal lamp rear cover (303a,303b) located on both left side and right side of the front panel (104A).
[00026] Since the front panel (104A) comprises of a single unit which securely accommodates the turn signal lamp (206,207), the vibration caused during driving condition may lead to rattling of the turn signal lamps (206,207) causing friction and leads to wear and tear of the turn signal lamps (206,207) and the debris from the wear and tear gets collected inside the tail lamp signal (206,207). Hence, a locking structure (306) has been provided which functions as a lock, to lock the turn signal lamps (206,207) at one location thereby restricting the motion in any direction and also providing cushion/damping effect to reduce the noise due to rattling.
[00027] Additionally, the top mountings (301a, 301b) allow direct mounting of the turn signal lamps (206,207) on to the front panel (104A). Whereas the bottom mountings (304a,304b) are used to mount the lower portion of the turn signal lamp (206,207) on to the front panel (104A) through support structure (309) (refer fig. 4).
[00028] Fig. 4 illustrates the mounting of locking structure (306). The locking structure (306) is mounted on a socket rib (406) such that the socket rib (406) forms an integral part of the front panel (104A) of the vehicle (100). The locking structure (306) gets adaptively mounted onto a socket rib (406) such that the locking structure (306) is a hollow structure and can securely accommodate the socket rib (406) inside it. The locking structure (306) comprises a locking projection (504) (refer fig. 5) which gets locked inside an opening (407) provided in a flange (405) of the turn signal lamps (206,207). The support structure (309) fastened to the turn signal lamp (206,207) through bottom mountings (304a, 304b) is provided as an extended portion of the turn signal lamp rear cover (303a, 303b).
[00029] Fig. 5 illustrates the side view of the locking structure (306). The locking structure (306) comprises of locating projection (506) and a locking projection (504). The locating projection (506) is elongated cuboidal structure to be adaptively mounted onto the socket rib (406) provided on the front panel (104A). The base (505) of the locating projection (506) is of rectangular profile whereas the locator top portion (502) is of curved shaped profile where first edge portion (507) extends from the base (505) of the locating projection (506) in an outward direction in a straight line, perpendicular to the ground (bottom), whereas the second edge (508) of the locating projection (506) extends from the base (505) and before merging with the locator top portion (502), second edge (508) inclines at a predetermined angle and extends in the direction of first edge (507) thereby forming a slanted portion (503).
[00030] On to the slanted portion (503) of the locating projection (506), the locking projection (504) of the locking structure (306) is fixedly attached to the locating projection (506) such that the locking projection (504) and the locating projection (506) are moulded together to form a single part, that is, the locking structure (306). The locking projection (504) locks with the opening (407) provided in the flange (405) of the turn signal lamps (206,207). This locking of the flange (405) provided in the turn signal lamp (206,207) with the locking structure (306) discourages any unnecessary movement of the turn signal lamps (206,207) and provides damping effect as the material of the locking structure (306) is elastic in nature such as a rubber. Also, the locking structure (306) is a separate component because the material used for manufacturing the locking structure (306) is made up of a material which provides cushioning effect and the front panel (104A) is made up of plastic material. The locking projection (504) and the locating projection (506) is of cuboidal profile. The locking projection (504) faces away from the locating projection (506) of the locking structure (306).
[00031] 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.