DESC: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 portion of such a vehicle consists of headlamp assembly along with an instrument cluster placed over it. 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.
[0004] Fig. 1 shows a side view of a two-wheeled vehicle exemplified in the form of a two wheeled scooter type motorcycle according to the present invention.
[0005] Fig. 2 illsutrates a front perspective view of the two-wheeled vehicle.
[0006] Fig. 3 illustrates a portion extracted from the front view of the vehicle illustrated in Fig.2.
[0007] Fig. 4 illustrates a detailed view of a portion of front view of the scooter type motorcycle.
[0008] Fig. 5 represents a sectional view of a rear side of the headlamp assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0009] It is to be noted that in the ensuing description, the present invention is usable in a step-through type vehicle exemplified in the form of a two wheeled scooter type motorcycle for illustration. Further “front” and “rear”, and “left” and “right” referred to in the ensuing description of the illustrated embodiment refer to front and rear, and left and right directions as seen in a state of being seated on a seat of the scooter type motorcycle. Furthermore, a longitudinal axis, except otherwise mentioned, refers to a front to rear axis relative to the said motorcycle, while a lateral axis, except otherwise mentioned, refers generally to a side to side, or left to right axis relative to the said motorcycle. Similarly, a vertical axis refers to a ground to sky axis relative to the motorcycle. Various other features and embodiments of the present subject matter here will be discernible from the following further description thereof, set out hereunder. The detailed explanation of the constitution of parts other than the subject matter, which constitutes an essential part, has been omitted at suitable places.
[00010] In recent days, to achieve highly efficient and cost effective headlamps in the two-wheeled vehicles, the conventional bulbs in the headlamp assemblys are being replaced by numerous light emitting diodes (LEDS). The LEDs are more efficient with respect to power consumption as compared to the filament bulbs used in the conventional headlamps. Under, low light driving conditions, when the headlamps are in ON condition for a long time, the LEDs emit enormous amount of heat. The heat emitted by the LEDs affect the surrounding parts reducing the durability of the surrounding parts. Further, in few saddle-type vehicles, a position lamp is placed close to the headlamp. The position lamp also emits enormous amount of heat that may affect the headlamp. Hence, there is a need to overcome this problem associated with this type of headlamp.
[00011] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the headlamp front housing portion comprises of two horizontal rows of LEDs for illuminating the low-lit area while riding under poorly lit conditions. A first row out of the two horizontal rows of LEDs is used for high beam purpose and a second row out of the two horizontal rows of LEDs is used for low beam purpose. Further, the headlamp housing comprises of one or more louver(s) to allow atmospheric air to enter into the area of headlamp assembly. Further, the position lamp holder itself acts as a cooling member. The louvers provided are functioning as the cooling members.
[00012] Further, the placement of the LEDs in the headlamp front housing portion is arranged to achieve maximum optimisation of the place available inside the headlamp front housing portion. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the LEDs are arranged preferably in two horizontal rows. The arrangement of LEDs as mentioned above provides space for the placement of other components like the circuit boards to hold and power the LEDs, for example, printed circuit boards (PCBs). According to an embodiment of the present invention, the surfaces in the headlamp front housing portion are configured to accommodate a number of PCBs.
[00013] Hence, an objective of the present invention is to let out the heat dissipated by the LEDs used in the headlamp and the position lamp. It is further an objective of the present invention to let out the heat produced by the headlamp and to facilitate natural cooling of the headlamp.
[00014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, one or more louvers are provided on either side of the position lamp at the vehicle front.
[00015] FIG. 1 shows a side elevation view of the scooter type motorcycle (hereinafter ‘motorcycle’). The motorcycle 1 includes a frame assembly made up of several tubes welded together supporting the body of said motorcycle. A lower half of the front portion of the motorcycle 1 has a steerable front wheel 101 and a driven rear wheel 102 driven by a driving force generated by a power assembly. The front wheel 101 of the motorcycle 1 is axially supported at a lower end of a front fork 113, and the front fork 113 is pivoted in a steerable manner in a head pipe (not shown) of the motorcycle frame. A rear suspension assembly including a rear shock absorber 105 is coupled to a variator cover 107. An air filter assembly 106 is disposed above the variator cover 107. Meanwhile, the motorcycle frame assembly is covered by a plurality of motorcycle body covers including a front panel 103, a rear cover 104, an under seat cover 116, a left side cover 117, a right side cover and a bottom cover 118. The right side cover is symmetrical to the left side cover and hence not shown.
[0001] The upper half of the front portion of the motorcycle 1 comprises of a handle bar assembly 108 attached to an upper end of the head pipe (not shown). The handle bar assembly 108 and a seat assembly 109 are supported at opposing ends of the frame assembly and a generally open area is defined there between known as floorboard 110, which functions as a step through space. The seat assembly 109 for a driver and a pillion is placed rearward to a fuel tank and rearwardly of the floorboard 110. A storage compartment (not shown) is provided below the seat assembly 109 for storing useful articles. A side trim member 118 laterally beneath the floorboard 110 is provided to cover the lower frame members from being visible. The side trim member 118 is laterally present on both sides of the motorcycle 1; however, only one is visible in the side view. A side stand fixed to the left side of the frame supports the motorcycle such that motorcycle can incline to the left side without falling. A rear fender 112 is accommodated at the rearmost end of the motorcycle to partially cover the rear wheel 102. Likewise, a front fender 111 covers the front wheel 101. For the safety of the user and in conformance with the traffic rules, a headlamp assembly 114 in the front portion of the vehicle and a tail light 115 in the rear portion of the vehicle is also provided.
[00016] Fig. 2 illustrates a front perspective view of a scooter type motorcycle. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a headlamp assembly 114 is present at a front end of the scooter type motorcycle 100. The headlamp assembly 114 is situated below the handlebar assembly 108 and above the front wheel 101.
[00017] Fig. 3 illustrates a detailed view of a portion of the front view of the vehicle illustrated in Fig.2. The Fig.3 depicts a front view of a headlamp assembly according to an embodiment. To achieve maximum utilization of space inside the headlamp assembly 114 in order to accommodate many other components, preferably, the LEDs are arranged in one or more rows 201, 202, preferably two horizontal rows. The first row 201 of the LEDs is arranged above the second row 202 of LEDs. The first row 201 and the second row 202 are disposed at a substantially upper portion Up of the headlamp assembly 114. The first row 201 and the second row 202 form an upper half portion of the headlamp assembly 114 according to an embodiment. Further, the first row 201 and the second row 202 of the two horizontal rows of LEDs can function either as a high beam light or as a low beam light.
[00018] The lower half, which is the lower portion Lw of the headlamp assembly 114 according to an embodiment comprises of a position lamp 204 functioning as a focus lamp. In order to overcome the major problem associated with the usage of LEDs, one or more louvers 203 are provided adjacently and on either side of one or more lateral sides 204a, 204b of the position lamp 204. The one or more louvers 203 function as cooling vents to direct air into the inside region of the headlamp assembly 114. According to an embodiment, the one or more louvers 203 on one adjacent side directs the air inside into the headlamp assembly 114 to cool the LEDs and the one or more louvers 203 on another adjacent side lets out the heated air from inside of the headlamp assembly 114.
[00019] Further, according to another embodiment, the one or more louvers are cut outs to facilitate the atmospheric air to hit the cutout surface and causes swirling of the atmospheric air, which meanwhile absorbs the heat being dissipated by the headlamp surface in proximity to the cutout. Hence, cooling of the LEDs is carried out.
[00020] Further, according to another embodiment, the holder of the position lamp 204 itself acts as a cooling vent to dissipate the heat generated by the position lamp 204. According to another embodiment, a uniform gap is maintained between the holder and the position lamp 204 to allow the natural air to enter the region around the position lamp 204.
[00021] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the position lamp 204 is disposed in at least one of a first position and a second position. The first position is a central portion of the lower portion Lw of the front face 114a of the headlamp assembly 114. The second position is away from the central portion of the lower portion Lw of the front face 114a.
[00022] Fig. 4 illustrates a detailed view of a portion of front view of the scooter type motorcycle. The one or more louvers 203 disposed adjacently to the one or more lateral sides 204a, 204b of the position lamp 204 are configured to receive atmospheric air. The one or more louvers 203 are configured to receive at least one grilled members 203a configured to receive atmospheric air. The atmospheric air is directed toward inside of the headlamp assembly 114.
[00023] Fig. 5 represents a sectional view of a rear side of the headlamp assembly. The rear face 114b of the headlamp assembly 114 includes a rear upper portion RUp and a rear lower portion RLw. For proper functioning of the LEDs present in the headlamp assembly 114, it is essential that the PCBs are placed on substantially flat surface(s) 205. According to an embodiment, the arrangement of two horizontal rows of LEDs provides enough space for the placement of PCBs. Hence, a number of substantially flat surfaces 205 are provided at an upper portion and lower portion of the headlamp assembly 114. The preferable locations at an upper portion of the headlamp assembly 114 for placement of PCBs accordingly are 205a and 205b. Further, at a lower portion of the headlamp assembly 114, the substantially flat surfaces 205c, 205d are formed symmetrically, and on either side at a lower portion of the headlamp assembly 114. In particular, the rear face 114b includes a rear upper portion Rup and a rear lower portion RLw. The rear upper portion Rup and the rear lower portion RLw each include the one or more substantially flat surfaces 205a, 205b, 205c, and 205d configured to receive at least one electronic device, for example at least one printed circuit boards (PCBs).
[00024] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the illuminating members 201a, 202a are LEDs.
[00025] Hence, according to the proposed invention, the cooling of the headlamp assembly 114 is achieved efficiently and stable working of the PCBs is facilitated by providing a number of flat surfaces for the placement of the PCBs inside the headlamp assembly 114.
[00026] From the foregoing description, it will be appreciated that the present invention offers many advantages including those described above. The present invention is thus briefly described. It will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the present invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.
[00027] Although the subject matter has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain embodiments thereof, other embodiments are possible. It is to be understood that the aspects of the embodiments are not necessarily limited to the features described herein.
,CLAIMS:I/We claim:
1. A two-wheeled vehicle (100) comprising:
a front portion (F) and a rear portion (R);
a handlebar assembly (108) disposed in said front portion (F) of said two-wheeled vehicle (100);
a front wheel (101) disposed in the front portion (F) and below said handlebar assembly (108) of said two-wheeled vehicle (100); and
a headlamp assembly (114) disposed in between said handle bar assembly (108) and said front wheel (101),
wherein,
said headlamp assembly (114) includes a front face (114a), said front face (114a) includes an upper portion (Up) comprising one or more rows (201,202) disposed horizontally and capable of accommodating plurality of illuminating members (201a, 202a) and a lower portion (Lw) comprising a position lamp (204) disposed in any of a first position and a second position.
2. The two-wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said lower portion (Lw) includes one or more louvers (203) disposed adjacently to one or more lateral sides (204a, 204b) of said position lamp (204).
3. The two-wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said headlamp assembly (114) includes a rear face (114b), said rear face (114b) includes a rear upper portion (RUp) and a rear lower portion (RLw), said rear upper portion (RUp) and said rear lower portion (RLw) each include one or more substantially flat surface(s) (205a, 205b, 205c, 205d) configured to receive at least one electronic device.
4. The two-wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first position is a central portion of said lower portion (Lw) of said front face (114a) and said second position is away from said central portion in said lower portion (Lw) of said front face (114a).
5. The two-wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1 or claim 4, wherein said position lamp (204) is disposed in at least one of said first position and said second position.
6. The two-wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plurality of illuminating members (201a, 202a) are light emitting diodes.
7. The two-wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein said at least one electronic device is one or more printed circuit boards.
8. The two-wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said one or more louvers (203) are configured to receive air.
9. The two-wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said one or more louvers (203) are configured to receive at least one grilled member (203a), said at least one grilled member (203) is configured to receive air.
10. The two-wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 9, wherein said at least one grilled member (203a) is made of polymer.