Claims:I/We claim:
1. A vehicle (100) comprising:
a headlamp assembly (175) including a housing sub-assembly (202), said housing sub-assembly (202) configured to support one or more headlamp units (205) within a front headlamp housing (202t) and a rear headlamp housing (202r) of said housing sub-assembly (202);
an instrument cluster (201), said instrument cluster (201) being supported by said housing sub-assembly (202),
wherein, said rear headlamp housing (202r) includes a cluster housing portion (201h).
2. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cluster housing portion (201h) is configured to support a portion of said instrument cluster (201).
3. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said housing sub-assembly (202) includes a front cluster housing (202f) being attached to a portion of said rear headlamp housing (202r) and said cluster housing portion (201h).
4. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said front cluster housing (202f) is configured to cover a bottom portion of said instrument cluster (201) when viewed from a front direction of said vehicle (100).
5. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said front cluster housing (202f) includes plurality of protrusions (201p), and one or more locking members 201l.
6. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cluster housing portion (201h) includes shape in conformation with shape of a bottom portion of said instrument cluster (201), said bottom portion is completely accommodated within said cluster housing portion (201h).
7. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cluster housing portion (201h) includes one or more provisions (202p), said one or more provisions (202p) are adapted to enable connectivity of an instrument cluster (201) to one or more vehicular components.
8. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cluster housing portion (201h) is disposed above said one or more headlamp units (205), said cluster housing portion (201h) is configured to cover an upper surface of said one or more headlamp units (205) when viewed from a top view of the vehicle (100).
9. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said instrument cluster (201) is disposed at a predetermined angle to the rear housing (202r).
10. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said instrument cluster (201) is disposed along a X plane, said X plane is at a predetermined angle to a W plane passing along a rear wall of the rear housing (202r).
11. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein mounting of the top housing (202t) is achieved through a first mounting mechanism (202t1), a second mounting mechanism (202t2), and a third mounting mechanism (202t3).
12. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second mounting mechanism (202t2) being disposed along a longitudinal midplane B-B` of the vehicle (100), said first mounting mechanism (202t1) and said third mounting mechanism (202t3) being disposed offset to said longitudinal midplane B-B`, where in (202t1) is less offset compared to (202t3).
, Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to a headlamp assembly of a vehicle and more particularly, but not exclusively, to a headlamp assembly for a two-wheeled vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] A two-wheeled vehicle is provided with a headlamp assembly to enable the rider for better visibility during low light conditions. The headlamp assembly comprises of a front housing portion and a rear-housing portion. The front housing portion includes a light source and a reflector, the reflector reflects the light from the light source in a predetermined manner so that the luminous intensity of the headlamp assembly conforms to the statutory regulations. The headlamp for lighting a frontward area of the two-wheeled vehicle is disposed at a distinguishable location in a front portion of the vehicle body. The front housing portion comprises, among other parts, the headlamp, a license plate, and a visor all of which are secured together. The rear-housing portion is attached posterior to the headlamp front housing portion whereas the instrument cluster sub-assembly comprises primarily of a vehicle speed display device and a fuel indicator.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] The present invention will now be briefly described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The detailed description is described with reference to an embodiment of a two wheeled saddle type motorcycle along with the accompanying figures.
[0004] Figure 1 illustrates a left side view of an exemplary two-wheeled vehicle 200, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0005] Figure 2 illustrates a front perspective view of a headlamp assembly of an exemplary motorcycle.
[0006] Figure 3 illustrates a front view of a headlamp assembly with a top housing removed.
[0007] Figure 4 illustrates a front view of a rear surface of the top housing of the headlamp housing assembly.
[0008] Figure 5 illustrates an exploded view of the headlamp assembly.
[0009] Figure 6 illustrates a top view of a headlamp assembly.
[00010] Figure 8 illustrates a side view of an exemplary motorcycle with a rider seated on the vehicle.
[00011] Figure 7, Figure 9 and Figure 10 illustrates sectional views of the headlamp assembly taken along A-A`, B-B`, and C-C` axis.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[00012] Generally, in a two-wheeled vehicle configured for usage under high speeds, the headlamp assembly required is also of high configuration with greater luminosity and also with greater wide angle view. One such requirement of the headlamp assembly for vehicles operable at higher speeds can be achieved by introducing dual lights inside the headlamp assembly. However, such dual lights make the headlamp assembly heavy. The supporting of the heavier headlamp assembly with dual lights there within becomes a cumbersome exercise. In order to achieve the same, a number of parts including numerous brackets and other supporting structures have to be incorporated. Doing the same again increases the number of parts and also cost in achieving such a complex design. Further, the heavier headlamp assembly always tends to sag downwardly dislocating from its originally assembled position over prolonged usage. Such a sagged headlamp assembly may interfere with the surrounding parts that are disposed lower to the headlamp assembly. The sagged heavier structure of the headlamp assembly falling or rubbing against the other vehicular parts may cause undesired damage to the other vehicular parts. Furthermore, may also lead to damage to the parts, which again calls for frequent servicing and also may lead to replacement of the vehicular parts. Additionally a heavy headlamp increases the steering inertia of the vehicle which deteriorates the handling performance of the vehicle and thus is highly undesirable for a high speed performance vehicle.
[00013] Furthermore, a conventional headlamp assembly includes a cowl assembly configured to support the headlamp assembly completely. The cowl assembly is mostly an integral member. Mostly, such an integral cowl assembly includes one whole cowl for supporting a front portion of the headlamp and another whole cowl for supporting a rear portion of the headlamp assembly. The manufacturability of such huge cowl assembly becomes a complex procedure. Further, if any damage occurs to the cowl assembly due to external impacts, the entire cowl assembly has to be replaced. Furthermore, the serviceability of the headlamp underlying the cowl assembly and also serviceability of other parts disposed inside the cowl assembly is a tedious process, which includes removal of the entire cowl assembly to access the headlamp and other parts. Particularly, even to service a local region inside the headlamp assembly, the removal or disassembling of the entire cowl assembly becomes essential. This is a time-consuming process. Furthermore, the entire cowl assembly including a whole front cowl and a rear cowl has to be supported by one or more metal brackets. The usage of one or more metal brackets further adds to the weight of the headlamp assembly, which again causes forward sagging of the headlamp assembly.
[00014] Furthermore, the flexibility in styling and providing various colours for the cowl assembly is not possible with the cowl assembly including a whole front cowl and a whole rear cowl. This again adds to the dissatisfaction of the user and does not look appealing, which results in poor aesthetics of the vehicle.
[00015] Therefore, there is a need for a simpler and cost-effective headlamp assembly which overcomes all problems cited above and other problems of known art.
[00016] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the headlamp assembly is disclosed which includes a housing sub-assembly. The housing sub-assembly being configured to support one or more headlamp units within a front headlamp housing and a rear headlamp housing of the housing sub-assembly.
[00017] Further, the vehicle includes an instrument cluster. The instrument cluster being supported by the housing sub-assembly, wherein the rear headlamp housing includes a cluster housing portion. The cluster housing portion is configured to support a portion of the instrument cluster.
[00018] In an embodiment of the present subject matter, the housing sub-assembly includes a front cluster housing being attached to a portion of the rear headlamp housing and said cluster housing portion. The front cluster housing is configured to cover a bottom portion of said instrument cluster when viewed from a front direction of said vehicle. The front cluster housing includes one or more extrusions, one or more cylindrical extrusions, one or more flat extrusions, and one or more plug mount.
[00019] The cluster housing portion in the rear headlamp housing being configured to include one or more oblong holes, the one or more oblong holes being positioned at foremost edge of said cluster housing portion to receive one or more cylindrical extrusions provided on an instrument cluster.
[00020] According to an aspect of the present subject matter, the cluster housing portion includes shape in conformation with shape of a bottom portion of said instrument cluster, said bottom portion is completely accommodated within said cluster housing portion.
[00021] The cluster housing portion includes one or more provisions, the one or more provisions enable connectivity of the instrument cluster to one or more vehicular components. The connectivity is configured to enable establishment of communication with the instrument cluster to and from various other vehicular components. The connectivity is in particular, through one or more wiring harnesses that are routed out of the one or more provisions of the cluster housing portion. The above configuration of the one or more provisions
[00022] Further, the cluster housing portion is disposed above said one or more headlamp units, the cluster housing portion is configured to cover an upper surface of the one or more headlamp units when viewed from a top view of the vehicle.
[00023] In an embodiment, the motorcycle has number of user-operational switches (mechanical, electromechanical (low and high), magnetic, electronic) which are usually located on handlebar or instrument cluster area. The idea is to have a functional switch on the head tube of the motorcycle as the space on handlebar switch clusters is fully-occupied and additional feature switches cannot be located in the area. So, the unused space can be utilized by having a switch on head tube area.
[00024] The vehicle immobilization can be turned OFF temporarily using a pre-defined passcode input. For entering, the passcode additional control buttons are required. To eliminate the addition of buttons, the passcode entry can be done by the rider through input from existing instrument cluster or control switch buttons connected to instrument cluster. The buttons are pressed in a sequence to set individual digits of the passcode. PIN received by the rider on personal assistant device is entered in the vehicle using buttons on the instrument cluster. On verification of PIN only, the vehicle starts.
[00025] In a vehicle with Idle Start stop (ISS) function, it is proposed to use a switch which gives the flexibility to the customer to enable or disable the ISS function. The switch will be integrated into the RH switch assembly of the vehicle. In a vehicle with an integrated starter generator, the function on of Idle Start Stop (ISS) can be performed. When the vehicle is in idling then the engine can be switch off automatically, provided the preconditions are met. After the vehicle has turned off via ISS, it will exit the ISS provided the exit criteria are met. In such a vehicle it is proposed to use a switch on the handle bar which will enable the customer to enable or disable to the ISS function. The proposed switch will be integrated into the RH switch assembly.
[00026] These and other advantages of the present subject matter would be described in greater detail in conjunction with the figures in the following description. The present subject matter is further described with reference to accompanying figures. It should be noted that the description and figures merely illustrate principles of the present subject matter. Various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, encompass the principles of the present subject matter. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and examples of the present subject matter, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
[00027] Fig. 1 illustrates a left side view of an exemplary two-wheeled vehicle 200, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. 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 indicates rear direction, an arrow Up denotes upward direction, and an arrow Dw denotes downward direction. The vehicle 200 includes a frame assembly 201 that extends rearward from a head tube 201A. The frame assembly 201 extends along in a longitudinal direction F-R of the vehicle 200. The frame assembly 201 includes a mainframe comprising a main tube 201B extending rearward from a rear portion of the head tube 201A and a down tube 201C that extends rearwardly downward from the head tube 201A. The frame assembly 201 may further comprise a sub-frame formed by a pair of rear tubes that extend obliquely rearward from the main frame. An engine assembly 100 is mounted to the main frame of the frame assembly 201.
[00028] The engine assembly 100 acts as the power unit of the vehicle 200, wherein the power unit may also include a traction/electrical motor (not shown). The engine assembly 100 is coupled to an exhaust assembly 110 that scavenges exhaust gases there through. A front portion of a swing arm 115 is swingably connected to the frame assembly 201 and a rear portion of the swing arm 115 rotatably supports a rear wheel 120. The rear wheel 120 is functionally coupled to the engine assembly 100 through a transmission system/member 125. In a preferred embodiment, the transmission system 125 includes a chain drive coupled to an output of manual gear transmission. However, the transmission system 125 may include an automatic transmission or continuously variable transmission. Further, the swing arm 115 is coupled to the frame assembly 201 through one or more rear suspension(s) (not shown). In the present embodiment, a mono-shock rear suspension connects the swing arm 115 to the frame assembly 201. Similarly, a pair of front forks 130 supports a front wheel 135 and is steer ably supported by the head tube 201A. A handlebar assembly 140 is connected to an upper portion of the pair of front forks 130. Further, a front fender 145 covers at least a portion of the front wheel 135 and the front fender assembly 145 is mounted to the front forks 130.
[00029] A fuel tank 150 is mounted to the main tube 201B of the frame assembly 201 and disposed rearwardly of the handlebar assembly 140. A seat assembly including a rider seat 155 and a pillion seat 160 is disposed rearwardly of the fuel tank assembly 150 and is supported by the rear tubes. A pair of rider foot pegs 165 is disposed on either sides and is mounted to the frame assembly 201 of the vehicle that supports rider foot. A rear fender 170 is disposed upwardly of the rear wheel 120 covering at least a portion of the rear wheel 120.
[00030] Further, the engine assembly 100 is functionally coupled to an air-fuel supply system (not shown) that supplies air and fuel to the engine assembly 100. The torque/power output of the engine assembly 100 is transferred to a drive sprocket (not shown). A chain drive 125 is coupled to the drive sprocket. A sprocket cover encloses the drive sprocket and at least a portion of the chain drive 125.
[00031] Furthermore, the vehicle 200 includes various electrical and electronic systems including a starter motor (not shown), a headlamp assembly 175, a vehicle control unit, and a tail lamp 180. In addition, the vehicle includes safety systems including a synchronous braking system (not shown), and an anti-lock braking system.
[00032] Figure 2 illustrates a front perspective view of a headlamp assembly of an exemplary motorcycle as per the present invention. The headlamp assembly 175 includes a headlamp housing assembly 202. The headlamp housing assembly 202 is configured to partially enclose one or more headlamp units 205. In particular, the headlamp housing assembly 202 includes a front housing 202f configured to protect the headlamp assembly partially from front and from sides, including right side and left side. Further, the headlamp housing assembly 202 includes a top housing 202t, covering the one or more headlamp units 205 partially from a top direction. The top housing 202t includes a bottom housing 201b. The bottom housing 201b is configured to cover a bottom portion of the instrument cluster 201. The bottom housing 201b is configured to cover wiring harnesses and couplers that are connected to the bottom portion of the instrument cluster 201. The headlamp housing assembly 202 is configured to support one or more turn signal lamps 203. Further, the headlamp housing assembly 202 is adapted to mount one or more turn signal lamps 203. The turn signal lamps 203 are mounted to the headlamp housing assembly 202 such that the mounting portions and the connecting wires and wiring harnesses are enclosed within the headlamp housing assembly 202.
[00033] Figure 3 illustrates a front view of a headlamp assembly with a top housing removed. According to an embodiment of the present subject matter, the front housing 202f includes plurality of receiving portions 202fr provided on a top most portion of the front housing 202f. The plurality of receiving portions 202fr are configured to receive at least a portion of the front housing 202f (not shown). Further, a rear housing 202r being a part of the headlamp housing assembly 202, wherein the rear housing 202r is configured to protect the headlamp assembly 175 from rear direction. The rear housing 202r is configured to include second receiving portions 202ra. The second receiving portions 202ra enable detachable attachment of a portion of the top housing with the rear housing 202r.
[00034] In an embodiment of the present invention, wherein said cluster housing portion 201h includes one or more provisions 202p, said one or more provisions 202p enable connectivity of an instrument cluster 201 to one or more vehicular components.
[00035] Figure 4 illustrates a front view of a rear surface of the top housing 201t of the headlamp housing assembly. In an embodiment of the present subject matter, the top housing 201t includes plurality of protrusions 201p provided on a peripheral surface, the plurality of protrusions 201p are configured to be received by plurality of receiving portions 202fr of the front housing (202f not shown). Further, the peripheral surface also includes one or more locking members 201l configured to get locked with second receiving portions 202ra on the rear housing 202r.
[00036] The plurality of locking members as explained above provides enhanced attachment of the top housing 201t with the headlamp housing assembly. The attachment of the top housing 201t is carried out such that the exposure of one or more fasteners/mounting members is prevented, due to absence of any fasteners.
[00037] The configuration of the mountings in the rear housing 201r and the bottom housing 201b and the top housing 201t are carried out such that the mounting members are eliminated, as a result the number of parts being used in the assembling procedure is eliminated.
[00038] The rear housing 201r is configured to include the cluster housing 201h, as a result, additional mountings are eliminated, further, the size of the cluster housing 201h is reduced due to integration with the rear housing 201r. The rear housing 201r and the cluster housing 201h are configured such that the overall weight and size of the headlamp housing assembly is decreased, as a result of which a stable mounting of the headlamp assembly is achieved. The problems such as sagging of the headlamp assembly is prevented.
[00039] Figure 5 illustrates an exploded view of the headlamp assembly. The headlamp assembly 175 includes the headlamp housing assembly 202. The headlamp housing assembly 202 includes a cluster housing 201h being in integral part of the rear housing 202r. The cluster housing 201h is configured to receive a portion of an instrument cluster 201. In particular, a bottom portion of the instrument cluster 201 is received by the cluster housing 201h. The cluster housing 201h is an integral part of the rear housing 202r.
[00040] Figure 6 illustrates a top view of a headlamp assembly. Figure 7, Figure 9, and Figure 10 illustrates sectional views of the headlamp assembly taken along A-A`, B-B`, and C-C` wherein BB’ is substantially along the mid plane of the vehicle and AA’ and CC’ are disposed offset from the mid plane in a lateral direction. Referring to Figure 7, the mounting of the top housing 202t is achieved through a first mounting mechanism 202t1. Figure 8 illustrates mounting of the top housing 202t is achieved through a second mounting mechanism 202t2, mounting of the top housing 202t is achieved through a third mounting mechanism 202t3 as shown in Figure 10.
[00041] With reference to Figure 7, the instrument cluster 201 is disposed along a Y plane, the Y plane is at an angle to the W plane passing substantially along the rear wall of the rear housing 202r. The Y plane is disposed at an angle equal to or greater than 90 degrees with reference to W plane, the predetermined angle as mentioned above enables undisturbed visibility of the instrument cluster to the rider during vehicle driving condition (as shown in Figure 8), such that the rider is enabled to get required information from the instrument cluster at a glance, this enables rider to spend less time on the instrument cluster, which would otherwise be a distraction during the vehicle driving conditions.
[00042] Therefore, as illustrated in Figure 8, which is a side view of a motorcycle with rider seated on the vehicle, the instrument cluster 201 according to the present subject-matter, disposed at the predetermined angle along the Y plane, as compared to the horizontal Z plane, along which a conventional instrument cluster would be disposed provides improved visibility to the rider. The conventional instrument clusters would require the rider to lean forward to get a glance at the instrument cluster, which would be detrimental to the safety of the rider, as the rider may get distracted and lose balance while riding the vehicle.