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 disposed on a front panel of a vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Generally, in a saddle type of two or three-wheeler, a head lamp assembly is located and mounted on a front side of the handle bar / steering assembly and mounted to a rear cover attached to the handle bar assembly Further, due to ever increasing needs and demands of the users, addition of features in saddle type vehicles is also increasing, in order to fulfill the same, there is need to accommodate the head lamp assembly, one or more turn signal lamps, a position lamp and one or more day time running lamps within the available space. Also, it is necessary to have a desired light intensity for better visibility in night and promiscuity of the vehicle for the oncoming traffic to avoid potential accidents. Further, in a saddle type of vehicle, the front panel is subjected to air drag due to larger frontal area panel. In another requirement there is also a need to protect the head lamp unit from damage during frontal hit during parking in congested areas.
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 shows a left side perspective view of the scooter type vehicle.
[0005] Fig. 2 illustrates a front view of the front panel and the headlamp assembly in the assembled condition.
[0006] Fig. 3 illustrates a sectional view of the headlamp assembly assembled with the front panel taken along X-Y axis as shown in the Fig. 2,
[0007] Fig. 4 illustrates a front perspective view of a headlamp unit assembled with a day time running lamp.

[0008] Fig. 5 illustrates a rear view of an exploded view of the headlamp assembly and the front panel.
[0009] Fig. 6(a) illustrates a front view of a handlebar cover assembly,
[00010] Fig. 6 (b) illustrates a rear view of an exploded view of the handlebar cover assembly.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[00011] Generally, in a saddle type 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 a bigger headlamp assembly. The supporting of the heavier headlamp assembly with dual lights there within becomes a cumbersome exercise & adversely impacts the packaging, aesthetics as well as aerodynamics. 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. 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, it may also lead to damage to the parts, which again calls for frequent servicing and also may lead to replacement of the vehicular parts. [00012] 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 forwardly sagging of the headlamp assembly.
[00013] 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. [00014] One of the solutions in known art is to accommodate a bigger headlamp assembly in the scooter type vehicle by mounting the headlamp assembly on a wider space, for example, on a front panel of the scooter. However, the disadvantage of having the headlamp assembly in the front panel of the scooter is that, it is mostly undesirable due to external impacts that may occur on the headlamp assembly. For instance, whenever an accident or a collision with any other vehicle on road occurs, or when there is a collision with another vehicle in parking lot, or whenever there is vehicle capsize etc., there will be immediate breakage of the headlamp assembly. The headlamp assembly being an expensive component, may not be desired by the user to be replaced frequently. Thus, due care has to be taken to avoid replacement of components such as headlamp assembly of the vehicle. Furthermore, having a bigger headlamp will not leave any scope to accommodate additional components, for example, a day light running lamp (DRLs), one or more LEDs, one or more position lamps etc. For instance, if the DRL has to be accommodated, an additional space in the scooter front zone has to be created, which again makes the vehicle layout cumbersome and may lead to additional components. Moreover, the usage

of additional components also increases the cost of the vehicle and adds to the
overall weight of the vehicle, both of which are undesirable by the user.
[00015] Therefore, there is an impending need for a more simpler and cost effective
headlamp assembly overcoming all the above problems & other problems in known
art.
[00016] Thus, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a headlamp
assembly is disposed in the front panel of the scooter type vehicle. Further, the
headlamp assembly is protected by the front panel by partially enclosing at least
one of a right side and a left side of the headlamp assembly.
[00017] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the front panel includes a right front panel portion and a left front panel portion configured to hold the headlamp assembly. Further, at least a region of the right front panel portion and the left front panel portion disposed at a close proximity to peripheral edges of a right side and a left side of the headlamp assembly project forwardly beyond the headlamp assembly.
[00018] The at least a region of the right front panel portion and the left front panel portion disposed at a close proximity to peripheral edges of a right side and a left side of the headlamp assembly and projecting forwardly beyond the headlamp assembly protects the peripheral edges of the headlamp assembly from external impacts. For example, during collision with other vehicle on the road or during encountering any sharp objects that are being hit from the road, or during vehicle capsizing, are first encountered by the right front panel portion and the left front panel portion. Thus, any impact from reaching the headlamp assembly is prevented.
[00019] Further, the at least a region of the right front panel portion and the left front panel portion disposed at a close proximity to peripheral edges of a right side and a left side of the headlamp assembly includes an inwardly projecting wall extending beneath the headlamp assembly to attain good fit and finish between the front panel and the headlamp assembly. So that, any rain water, mud, dust and other foreign objects are not allowed to enter into the inside region of the headlamp assembly.

[00020] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the inwardly projecting wall is projecting inwardly at right angles to the right front panel portion and the left front panel portion. This bending of the inwardly projecting wall at an angle forms a substantial 'V shaped junction at a proximity to the peripheral edges of the headlamp assembly. The 'V shaped junction is less susceptible to any damages that may occur due to external impacts from the collision with another vehicle or any other objecting including road. Therefore, such a 'V shaped junction can take maximum external impacts and prevent the same from reaching the headlamp assembly. Therefore, the need for frequent servicing to replace the costlier headlamp assembly is not required. Furthermore, the user needs to have to install another headlamp guard member to protect the headlamp assembly. This again saves the cost to the user.
[00021] Further, as per an embodiment, the headlamp assembly includes a day time running lamp (DRL) as an integrated member. The day light running lamp includes one or more stepped portions, which are two ends configured to be narrower than a central portion disposed between the two ends. The narrower stepped portions provide enough space for the headlamp assembly. Thereby any compromise on the space of the headlamp assembly does not occur.
[00022] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the turn signal lamps including the right turn signal lamp and the left turn signal lamp are disposed on the handlebar assembly.
[00023] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the handlebar cover and the front panel are configured such that the atmospheric air is easily passed on upon the vehicle surface during higher vehicle running speed, thereby reducing the aerodynamic drag. Thereby, further increasing the fuel efficiency by reducing the aerodynamic drag.
[00024] Further, according to another embodiment of the present invention, the front panel includes an under plate disposed below the DRL. The under plate is configured to provide channelized flow the rain water and other dust and mud particles that run down on the front panel and are allowed to quickly and easily eject

outwardly without any scope for accumulation near the DRLs and the headlamp assembly.
[00025] These and other advantages of the present invention are described in the detailed description of the figures with an embodiment of a two wheeled scooter type motorcycle provided below.
[00026] Fig. 1 shows a left side perspective view of the scooter type vehicle. The vehicle has a body frame assembly made up of several tubes welded together which usually supports the body of the said vehicle. The vehicle has a steerable front wheel 101 and a driven rear wheel 102. The body frame assembly of the vehicle is an elongated structure, which typically extends from a forward end to a rearward end of the vehicle. It is generally convex in shape, as viewed from a side elevation view. The said frame assembly includes a head tube 104, a main frame 111 and also may have a sub-frame. The sub-frame is attached to the main frame using appropriate joining mechanism. The frame assembly is covered by a plurality of vehicle body covers including a front panel 103, a rear cover (not shown), a left front bottom panel 105, and a side panel 106.
[00027] A handlebar assembly 109 and a seat assembly (not shown) are supported at opposing ends of the frame assembly and a generally open area is defined there between known as floorboard 108 which functions as a step through space. The seat for a driver and a pillion is placed forward to a fuel tank and rear side of floorboard 108. A front fender 107 is provided above the front wheel 101 to avoid the vehiclelOO and its occupants from being splashed with mud. Likewise, a rear fender 112 is placed between fuel tank and rear wheel 102, and to the outer side in the radial direction of rear wheel 102, Rear fender 112 inhibits rain water or the like from being thrown up by rear wheel 102. A front cover assembly 115 is disposed rearwardly to the floorboard 108.
[00028] Suspensions are provided for comfortable steering of the vehicle on the road. A front suspension assembly (not shown) is connected to a front fork (not shown). The rear suspension assembly comprises of at least one rear suspension (not shown) preferably on the left side of the vehicle. However, a vehicle with two

rear suspensions, namely on the left side and die right side is also possible. For the safety of the user and in conformance with the traffic rules, a headlamp assembly 110 in the front portion of the vehicle and a taillight 114 in the rear portion of the vehicle is also provided. For the utility of the rider, a secondary storage assembly 113 is disposed in front of the front cover assembly 115.
[00029] Fig. 2 illustrates a front view of the front panel and the headlamp assembly in the assembled condition. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the headlamp assembly 110 is mounted to a rear surface (not shown) of the front panel 103. At least one day time running lamp 201 is disposed substantially at a lower portion of the headlamp assembly 110 such that the day time running lamp 201 does not interfere with the illumination of the headlamp assembly 110. Further, the front panel 103 includes a right front panel portion 103a and a left front panel portion 103b configured to direct the flow of atmospheric air without any hindrance. Thereby, any resistance caused by the atmospheric air during higher vehicle running condition is reduced.
[00030] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the headlamp assembly 110 is disposed at a lower portion of the front panel 103.
[00031] Fig. 3 illustrates a sectional view of the headlamp assembly assembled with the front panel taken along X-Y axis as shown in the Fig. 2. According to an embodiment of the present invention, at least one of the right front panel portion 103a and the left front panel portion 103b disposed at a proximity to the peripheral edges llOpe of the headlamp assembly 110 is projecting forwardly beyond the headlamp assembly 110. Further, the headlamp assembly 110 is completely juxtaposed by the right front panel portion 103a and the left front panel portion 103b. Such that, any impacts occurring from the sideways is not allowed to reach the headlamp assembly 110. Furthermore, according to another embodiment of the present invention, the at least one of the right front panel portion 103a and the left front panel portion 103b includes an inwardly projecting wall 103iw projecting substantially beneath the headlamp assembly 110.

[00032] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the inwardly projecting wall 103iw is projecting from the at least a regionll6 of the right front panel portion 103a and the left front panel portion 103b at an angle. For example, at an angle ranging from 60° to 100°, and most preferably at right angle in a preferred embodiment. Such an angular inward projection forms a substantial 'V shaped junction between the at least a region 116 of the right front panel portion 103a and the left front panel portion 103b and the inwardly projecting wall. The 'V shaped junction 103v so formed is not easily subject to breakage upon prolonged usage and also does not undergo breakage easily whenever it experiences an external impact. Furthermore, during handling the vehicle in a parking lot, to either remove or park the vehicle, there might be a possibility that the headlamp assembly may come in contact with the surrounding vehicles. This may cause scratches on the headlamp and under many circumstances the headlamp assembly may undergo breakage. Such harsh scratches are prevented from occurring by protecting the headlamp assembly 110 through the forwardly projecting right front panel portion 103a and the left front panel portion 103b. As per an aspect of the present subject matter, the frontal surface of the headlamp assembly 110 is configured to be disposed substantially rearward of the at least one of the left & right front panel portions (103a, 103b) thereby having an offset in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. As per an embodiment, an imaginary tangent plane P2 passing through the frontmost surface of the headlamp assembly lens is substantially in close vicinity or behind a tangent lateral plane PI passing through at least one frontmost vertex points of the substantial 'V shaped junction 103v.
[00033] Fig. 4 illustrates a front perspective view of a headlamp unit assembled with a day time running lamp. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the day time running lamp includes one or more stepped portions 201s disposed at end portions of the day time running lamp 201 and a middle portion 201m disposed between the one or more stepped portions 201s. The middle portion 201m is substantially broader compared to the one or more stepped portions 201s. It is desirable to have a bigger portion of the headlamp assembly in the middle to provide better illumination on the road while travelling. Likewise, even the day
- r- T /-■ i— r irrki Li » T "\ f\ . ."V "i . -"\. f\ 4. rv 1 A . (?i A

time running lamp is desired to be bigger at the middle portion. The same is achieved by providing the day time running lamp having the shape as explained above. In particular, the narrower stepped portions 201s of the day time running lamp provides enough space for the headlamp unit 110a at the centre. Thereby, any compromise in the size of the headlamp assembly does not take place.
[00034] Fig. 5 illustrates a rear view of an exploded view of the headlamp assembly and the front panel. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the headlamp assembly 110 is attached to a panel rear surface 103rs of the front panel 103. The panel rear surface 103rs includes one or more protrusions 401 capable of receiving at least an upper portion of the headlamp unit 110a, further the panel rear surface 103rs includes one or more holes 402 to receive at least a bottom portion of the headlamp unit 110a. This way, entire top portion and the bottom portion of the headlamp unit 110a is stably secured on to the front panel 103. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the upper portion of the headlamp unit 110a is attached to the one or more protrusions 401 through one or more clips. The one or more clips provide easier and quicker assembly of the headlamp unit 110a to at least a portion of the panel rear surface 103rs of the front panel 103. This saves the assembly time while assembling the headlamp unit 110a on to the front panel 103.
[00035] Furthermore, the one or more holes 402 are capable of receiving one or more fastening members 402m to mount the bottom portion of the headlamp unit 110a to the panel rear surface 103rs of the front panel 103. Furthermore, the one or more fastening members provide a rigid and stable attachment of the headlamp unit 110a to the panel rear surface 103rs. So that, even if the one or more clips slip out or displace out of their assembled positions, the one or more fastening member prevent the headlamp unit 110a from slipping out of the dedicated position and thereby any failure in functioning of the headlamp unit 110a is prevented.
[00036] Fig. 6(a) illustrates a front view of a handlebar cover assembly. The handlebar cover assembly includes a top cover 302a, a bottom cover 302b, and a rear cover (not shown). The top cover 302a is configured with a provision 301 capable of holding one or more turn signal lamps 301a in assembled condition. The

top cover 302a and the bottom cover 302b are designed to include smooth surfaces without any sharp curves to allow smooth flow of atmospheric air during higher vehicle speeds. This reduces the resistance caused for the running vehicle due to aerodynamic drag. Thereby, fuel efficiency of the vehicle is improved. The incoming air during vehicle higher operating speeds is prevented from hitting the users eyes and face by disposing a visor 305 on a substantial central portion of the top cover 302a. The top cover includes one or more protrusions (not shown) capable of receiving at least a portion of the visor 305.
[00037] Fig. 6 (b) illustrates a rear view of an exploded view of the handlebar cover assembly. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the one or more turn signal lamps 301a includes at least one extension hand 304a configured to be received by at least one receiving member 304b disposed on the bottom cover 302b. The at least one receiving member 304b is disposed on a rear surface 302brs of the bottom cover 302b.
[00038] Although the subject matter has been described with reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternate embodiments of the subject matter, will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the subject matter. It is therefore contemplated that such modifications can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present subject matter as defined.

We claim:
1. A saddle type vehicle (100) comprising:
a handlebar assembly (109);
a front panel (103) disposed below said handlebar assembly (109); and
a headlamp assembly (110) attached to said front panel (103),
said front panel (103) including a right front panel portion (103a) and a left front panel portion (103b) configured to receive said headlamp assembly (110), at least a region (116) of the right front panel portion and the left front panel portion is disposed at a close proximity to a right side and a left side of the headlamp assembly (110), said region (116) is configured to project beyond and forwardly to the headlamp assembly (110).
2. The saddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least a region (116) of the right front panel portion (103 a) and the left front panel portion (103b) is disposed at a close proximity to a right side and a left side of the headlamp assembly (110) includes an inwardly projecting wall (103iw) projecting substantially beneath said headlamp assembly (110).
3. The saddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said inwardly projecting wall (103iw) is at an angle ranging from 60° to 100° to said right front panel (103a) and said left front, panel (103b).
4. The saddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim I, wherein said right side and said left side of said headlamp assembly (110) is juxtaposed by the right front panel portion (103a) and the left front panel portion (103b) respectively when viewed from the side view.
5. The saddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein said inwardly projecting wall (103iw) forms a substantial 'V shaped junction (103v) between said at least a region (116) of the right front panel portion (103a) and said left front panel portion (103b) and said inwardly projecting wall (103iw).

6. The saddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 3 or claim 5, wherein the headlamp assembly (110) is configured to be disposed substantially rearward of said at least one of the left front panel portion (103b) and said right front panel portion (103a).
7. The saddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein said at least a region (116) is disposed at an offset of said at least one of the left front panel portion (103b) and said right front panel portion (103a) along a longitudinal direction of said vehicle (100).
8. The saddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein said at least a region (116) of said headlamp assembly (110) is disposed along a tangent plane (P2), which is substantially at a close vicinity or behind a tangent lateral plane (PI) containing at least one frontmost vertex point of said substantial 'V shaped junction (103v).
9. The saddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said headlamp assembly (110) comprises at least one day time running lamp (201) disposed substantially at a lower portion of said headlamp assembly (110).
10. The saddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 9, wherein said at least one day time running lamp (201) includes one or more stepped portions (201s) disposed at end portions of the at least one day time running lamp (201) and a middle portion (201m) disposed between the one or more stepped portions (201s), said middle portion (201m) is substantially broader than said one or more stepped portions (201s).