TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present subject matter relates generally to a rear structure for a
motor vehicle and more particularly to a tail lamp device for the motor vehicles.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Generally, in a two-wheeled or a three-wheeled vehicle a body frame
extends rearward from a head tube. The body frame acts as a skeleton for the vehicle that supports the vehicle loads. A front portion of the body frame supports one or more front wheel(s) through one or more front suspension(s). Further, the body frame extends rearward towards a rear portion of the vehicle. One or more rear wheel(s) is connected to a body frame through one or more rear suspension(s). A power unit is either fixedly mounted or swingably connected to the body frame of the vehicle. Further, the power unit is functionally connected to at least one wheel of the vehicle, which provides the forward/rearward motion to the vehicle. The forward or rearward motion of the vehicle is achieved by the rotation of the wheels. The vehicle is provided with a headlamp and a tail lamp that provide visibility to the rider and provides safe driving conditions for drivers behind, respectively.
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 illustrates a left side view of an exemplary motor vehicle, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0005] Fig. 2 illustrates a rear portion of the vehicle with selected parts
exploded, in accordance with the embodiment of Fig. 1.
[0006] Fig. 3 depicts a rear perspective view of the rear structure of the vehicle,
in accordance with the embodiment of Fig. 1.
[0007] Fig. 4 depicts an exploded view of the rear structure of the vehicle, in
accordance with the embodiment of Fig. 1.
[0008] Fig. 5 depicts an exploded view of the rear structure of the vehicle, in
accordance with a second embodiment of the present subject matter.

[0009] Fig. 6 shows a partial exploded view of the rear structure, in accordance
with a second embodiment of the present subject matter.
[00010] Fig. 7 depicts a side view of the rear structure/rear cover assembly, in
accordance with a second embodiment of the present subject matter.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[00011] Typically, the two-wheeled or three-wheeled vehicles, which are
colloquially referred to motorcycle, scooter, trike, auto-rickshaw etc., are provided with a headlamp that is used for providing visibility to the rider of the vehicle. This headlamp generally includes a low-beam and a high-beam that the rider can switch between depending on driving condition/surroundings. With time, the vehicles are additionally provided with a daytime running lamp or pilot lamps that offer better conspicuity of the vehicle during all the time. Further, the vehicle is provided with the tail lamp that is provided in the rear portion of the vehicle. Generally, the tail lamp accommodates a tail light and a brake light of vehicle. The tail lamp helps a person riding behind the vehicle to recognize that a vehicle is in the front and to help the person riding behind the vehicle to maintain safe distance. Similarly, the brake light helps the person riding behind the vehicle to understand that the vehicle running in the front is slowing down or is going to stop, as the brake lamp is operational when the rider of the vehicle applies brake. Thus, the tail lamp is an essential safety feature for the vehicle, especially in cases of night riding as it is difficult to estimate the speed of the vehicle during night.
[00012] Generally, the tail lamps are disposed substantially in a rear portion of
the vehicle to improve visibility. Thus, the tail lamp is one of the parts of the vehicle that is prone to damage due to the tail lamp being one of the parts of the vehicle that is substantially protruded outward. Moreover, the tail lamp is provided with a transparent or a translucent material often referred to as lens that enables the light to pass through. This makes the tail lamp fragile as the transparent or the translucent materials typically include glass or polymer that break during impact from rearward. Any damage to the tail lamp affects the functional properties of the lamp as during impact the lens of the tail lamp which is outermost portion of the tail lamp may get damaged whereby the red light may not be emitted creating

confusion for a rider behind the vehicle, especially in case of colored lens.
Moreover, the impact may damage the bulbs that may be either filament type of
light emitting diode (LED) type, which causes a safety concern as the light is not
operational.
[00013] Thus, there is a need addressing the aforementioned and other
problems in the prior art. The tail lamp should be functionally reliable and that is
capable of withstanding any impacts thereon.
[00014] Hence, the present subject matter provides a tail lamp device for a
motor vehicle.
[00015] It is an aspect that the tail lamp device includes a support member, an
envelope member, and a protector member. The support member supports the
envelope member and also acts as a bezel or reflector that is having reflective
surface facing the envelope member. It is a feature that the support member
eliminates need for any additional casing for the head lamp device.
[00016] In one embodiment, the envelope member includes a strip portion and
a protruded wall extending from the strip portion at an angle. Thus, the envelope
provides a compact reflective portion that is compact yet providing greater
reflective surface offered by the protruded wall and the strip portion.
[00017] It is a feature that the tail lamp device is having substantially a
butterfly profile, when seen from rear, with the lateral end portion(s) having width
substantially greater than the width at the lateral center. It is an advantage that the
tail lamp device follows the profile of the rear cover assembly that includes bulged
portions at the lateral ends thereby following a streamlined aesthetics.
[00018] It is an aspect that the wider lateral ends provide improved conspicuity
of the vehicle and the wider lateral ends can be accommodated at the bulged portion
of the rear cover assembly.
[00019] It is an aspect that the support member includes a first aperture and the
envelope member is provided with a second aperture, wherein the radiating region
is substantially around the apertures and the protector member is disposed at the
aperture.

[00020] It is a feature that the protector member abuts against the envelope
member and the envelope member abuts against the support member, whereby the
envelope member and the support member are held together by the protector
member that is secured to the body frame or the rear cover assembly.
[00021] It is an advantage that the protector member which is substantially the
outer most portion of the tail lamp device is made of a rigid material relative to the other elements of the tail lamp device thereby and using the same protector member enables mount and secure the assembly onto the vehicle, wherein the rigid material includes any metal, polymer, fiber reinforced plastic, or a combination of one or more. It is an advantage that the protector member is capable of withstanding any higher torques acting thereon during assembly of the part.
[00022] In one embodiment, the protector member is an elongated member that
is substantially elongated along the apertures of the envelope member and the support member.
[00023] It is feature that a light source is provided on the inward facing side of
the protector member when viewed from rear of the vehicle. It is an advantage that that the light source is mounted to a rigid structural member. Further, light from the light source is directed towards the support member, which is capable of reflecting the light towards the envelope member for irradiation. It is an advantage that the protector member is capable of accommodating both the tail light and also brake light.
[00024] It is a feature that the protector member is also provided with mounting
points on inward side adjacent to the light source for securing the protruded member to the body frame or the rear cover assembly. It is an advantage that the tail lamp device provides a compact structure with aesthetically appealing mounting, which is not visible from the vehicle rear.
[00025] In one embodiment, an elastic gasket is provided around the tail lamp
device to provide a tight seal from any water entry or dirt entry. Further, in one other embodiment, another elastic gasket member is provided between the protector member and the envelope member to reduce transfer of impacts from the protector member to the other parts of the tail lamp device.

[00026] It is an aspect of the present subject matter that the protector member
is substantially an outer most of the portion of the tail lamp device disposed at the rear portion of the vehicle. Therefore, during impact from rearward, on the tail lamp device, the protector member made of a relatively rigid material takes the impact. It is advantage that that the impacts acting on the protector member are directly transferred to the body frame or the rear covers assembly thereby protecting the tail lamp device.
[00027] In one implementation, the tail lamp device includes an additional lens
cover that is covering substantially the protector member and the envelope member thereof, wherein the lens cover is made of a transparent material.
[00028] It is a feature that the protector member disposed substantially at a rear
most portion of the tail lamp device is capable of functioning as a reflex reflector that improves the conspicuity of the vehicle.
[00029] 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.
[00030] 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 includes a body frame 105 that extends from a head tube 105A, which is disposed in the front portion of the vehicle 100, extending towards a rear portion of the vehicle 100. The body frame 105 extends in longitudinal direction F-R of the vehicle 100. The body frame 105 may further comprise a sub-frame formed by a pair of rear tubes (not shown) that extend obliquely rearward from the main frame. A power unit 110 is fixedly mounted to the body frame 105.
[00031] The power unit 110 includes at least one of an internal combustion
engine and a traction/electrical motor (not shown). A front portion of a swing arm 115 is swingably connected to the body frame 105 and a rear portion of the swing arm 115 rotatably supports a rear wheel 120. The rear wheel 120 is functionally coupled to the power unit 110 through a transmission system. The transmission system (not shown) includes a chain drive/belt drive, a variable gear ratio system,

or an automatic type transmission. A rear fender 125 disposed upwardly of the rear
wheel 120 covers at least a portion of the rear wheel 120. Further, the swing arm
115 is coupled to the body frame 105 through one or more rear suspension(s) (not
shown). In the present embodiment, a mono-shock type rear suspension connects
the swing arm 115 to the body frame 105. Similarly, a pair of front forks/ front
suspension 130 supports a front wheel 135 and is steerably supported by the head
tube 105A. A handlebar assembly 140 is connected to an upper portion of the pair
of front forks 130. The handlebar assembly 140 includes a handle bar (not shown)
that is having a tapering diameter when moving from lateral center towards lateral
sides of the vehicle 100. Further, a front fender 175 covers at least a portion of the
front wheel 135 and the front fender 175 is mounted to the front forks 130.
[00032] A fuel tank assembly 150 is mounted to the body frame 105 and is
disposed rearwardly of the handlebar assembly 140. A seat assembly 155 including a rider seat is disposed rearwardly of the fuel tank assembly 150 and is supported by the body frame 105. The seat assembly may include a pillion seat. Further, a pair of rider foot pegs 165 mounted to the body frame 105 of the vehicle 100 that enable in supporting rider foot.
[00033] Further, the power unit 110 includes an air-fuel supply system (not
shown) that supplies air and fuel thereto. An exhaust pipe (not shown) extends from the engine assembly 110 towards a muffler (not shown) that is disposed adjacently of the rear wheel 120.
[00034] Furthermore, the vehicle 100 includes various electrical and electronic
systems including a starter motor (not shown), a headlamp assembly 180, a vehicle control unit, and a tail lamp device 200. The vehicle 100 is provided with a rear cover assembly 170 that is extending downward from the seat assembly 155 and is substantially enclosing the tail lamp device 200. In addition, the vehicle includes safety systems including a synchronous braking system (not shown), and an anti-lock braking system.
[00035] Fig. 2 depicts a rear portion of the vehicle with selected parts, in
accordance with the embodiment of Fig. 1. The body frame 105 includes a sub-frame106 that is mounted to a main frame (not shown) of the vehicle 100. The

main frame is disposed in the front portion extending from the head tube 105A till a mid-portion of the vehicle 100. The sub-frame 106 extends rearward from the main tube towards a substantially rear portion of the vehicle thereof. The sub-frame 106 includes a pair of rails 107, 108 that are spaced apart in lateral direction RH-LH and extending towards a rear portion of the vehicle 100. The sub-frame 106 is also provided with one or more cross-members 109, 111 that connect the pair of rails 107, 108. In one implementation, the sub-frame 106 is an integrated casted part that is made of any known metal. In a second embodiment, the sub-frame 106 is forms by pair of railings that are tubular members and the cross-members being affixed to the pair of railings. In the present embodiment, a first cross member 109 is disposed substantially at a center portion of the sub-frame 106 and a second cross-member 111 is disposed substantially at rear portion of the sub-frame 106. The seat assembly 155 is supported by the sub-frame 106.
[00036] Further, the rear portion includes the rear cover assembly 170 that is
substantially covering the sub-frame 106 from the lateral sides and at rear portion. In other words, the rear cover assembly 170 extends downward from the downward portion of the seat assembly 155. The tail lamp device 200 is secured to the sub-frame 106. Specifically, the tail lamp device 200 is secured to the second-cross member 111 that is disposed substantially at a rear portion of the sub-frame 106. In one embodiment, the tail lamp device 200 is directly secured to the second cross-member 111. Whereas, in a second embodiment, an extension member (not shown) is used, mounted to the sub-frame 106, that extends rearward from the rear portion of the sub-frame 106. Further, the tail lamp device 200 is substantially enclosed by the rear cover assembly 170 and the rear cover assembly 170 includes a rearward opening for the tail lamp device 200.
[00037] In one embodiment, the rear cover assembly 170 includes one or more
parts viz. a first side member 171, a second side member 172 that split along lateral center of the vehicle 100 are connected together to form the rear cover assembly 170. In a second embodiment, the first side member 171 and the second side member 172 are integrally formed as a single piece.

[00038] Fig. 3 depicts a rear perspective view of the rear structure of the
vehicle, in accordance with the embodiment as depicted in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 depicts an exploded view of the rear structure, in accordance with the embodiment of Fig. 3. The rear cover assembly 170 is tapering towards rear portion of the vehicle 100 extending beyond a rear most portion of the seat assembly 155. The rear cover assembly 170 includes the first side member 171 and the second side member 172 that are substantially symmetrical with respect to the lateral center of the vehicle. The cover members 171, 172 are having bulged portions 173, 174, 177, and 178 at the lateral ends RH, LH that extends along at least a length of the rear cover assembly 170 in longitudinal direction F-R. One or more depressions 176, 179 are provided between the bulged portions 173, 174, 177, and 178 on top and bottom portions thereof. In other words, each of the depression 176, 179 is formed between laterally adjacently disposed bulged portion(s) 173, 174, 177, and 178. The rear cover assembly 170 with the bulged portions 173, 174, 177, 178 and the depressions 176, 179 forms a receiving portion at a rear end portion thereof forming a butterfly profile B2. Firstly, the butterfly profile B2 of the rear cover assembly 170 offers an aerodynamic profile for guiding and providing a streamlined flow of air, especially in motor vehicles like cruisers, thereby reducing drag. The bulges173, 174, 177, and 178 and depressions 176, 179 offer a streamlined path towards a rear portion of the vehicle causing air to flow in a guided manner.
[00039] Further, the butterfly profile B2 of the rear cover assembly 170, having
the receiving portion at a rear end portion, is adapted to receive the tail lamp device
200. The tail lamp device 200 includes at least one of the support member 205, and
the envelop member 220 having a width (taken in vertical direction) tapering when
moving in a laterally inward direction. The tapering of width at substantial mid-
portion is towards the protector member 230 at a substantial mid-portion thereof.
[00040] The tail lamp device is provided at the rear potion of the rear cover
assembly 170 with at least a portion of the tail lamp device 200 aligning with the rear edge of the rear cover assembly 170 when viewed from side. The tail lamp device 200 includes a support member 205, an envelope member 220, and a

protector member 230. The tail lamp device 200 is secured to a third cross member 113 that is part of an extension member 112 secured to the second cross member 111 of the sub-frame 106. The tail lamp device 200 is substantially having at least a quadrilateral profile with the protector member 230 disposed at the center thereof. In a second embodiment, the protector member 230 may be disposed with a lateral or vertical offset.
[00041] The support member 205 acts as a bezel or reflector that is having
reflective surface facing the envelope member 220. In the present embodiment, the
envelope member 220 includes a strip portion 209 and a protruded wall 210
extending from the strip portion 209 at an angle. The strip portion 209 and the
protruded wall 210 form the reflecting portion of the support member 205. Further,
in the present embodiment, the support member 205 is having substantially a
butterfly profile B1, when seen from rear, with the lateral end portion(s) having
width substantially greater than the width at the lateral center. Further, the support
member includes a first aperture 215, which is a hollow portion provided at the
center and elongated in lateral direction RH-LH. The support member 205 is made
of any known polymer and is provided with a reflective coat thereon.
[00042] Furthermore, the envelope member 220 is preferably a translucent
member or a transparent member depending on the color of the light source 235 (shown in Fig. 6). The envelope member 220 is also substantially having a butterfly profile B1 aligning with the profile of the strip portion 209 of the support member 205. The envelope member 220 abuts on the strip portion 209 of the support member 205. Further, the envelope member 220 acts as a light guide capable of guiding light in the desired direction. In the depicted embodiment, the envelope member 220 is having a second aperture 225 provided at the center thereof. The second aperture is a hollow portion elongated in the lateral direction RH-LH of the vehicle 100 and is provided to accommodate the protector member 230. The protector member 230 in the present embodiment is an elongated member that is substantially elongated along the second aperture 225 of the envelope member 220. In an assembled condition as shown in Fig. 3, the protector member 230 sits at the second aperture 225 of the envelope member 220. The protector member 230 is

made of rigid material when compared with the support member 205 and the envelope member 220. In one embodiment, the protector member 230 acts as a reflex-reflector. In another embodiment, the protector member 230 is provided with a reflective finish to act as a reflector. The light source 235 is provided on the inward facing side of the protector member when viewed from rear of the vehicle 100. Light from the light source 235 is directed towards the support member 205, which is capable of reflecting the light towards the envelope member 220 for irradiation. In the assembled condition, the light source 235 is capable of directing light towards at least one of the strip portion 209 and the protruded wall portion 210. The protector member 230 is also provided with mounting points on inward side adjacent to the light source 235 for securing the protruded member to the third cross member 113. Thus, the protector member 230 holds the envelope member 220 and the support member 205 in the desired position without the need for any additional fastening means.
[00043] Fig. 5 depicts a second embodiment of the present subject matter. In
the present embodiment, the tail lamp device 200 is secured to the rear cover assembly 170, wherein the rear cover assembly 170 comprising the cover member 171, 172 is provided with one or more brackets 185, 186 for mounting the tail lamp device 200. The brackets 185, 186 are integrally provided with the cover members 171, 172 in one embodiment. The protector member 230 is secured directly to the rear cover assembly 170.
[00044] Fig. 6 depicts an exploded view of the protector member 230, in
accordance with the embodiment of Fig. 4. The protector member 230 includes one or more mounting portion(s) that includes at least one of a fastener receiving member, a fastener, or a snap fit, wherein the fastener receiving member or the fastener can be a nut or a bolt or the like that are integrally formed. The protector member 230 is provided with the light source 235 provided on the inward face of the protector member 230. The light sources 235 can be a printed circuit board with light emitting diodes provided thereon. The protector member 230 integrated with the light source 235 are mounted to the rear cover assembly 170 by fastening means from the inside thereby providing aesthetically appealing assembly and at the same

time secure mounting as the fastening means is provided inward as it is accessible in an open condition of the seat assembly 155.
[00045] Fig. 7 depicts a side view of the rear cover assembly 170, in
accordance with the embodiment of Fig. 3. The tail lamp device 200 is securely accommodated in the tail cover assembly 170 and the tail lamp device 200 in the depicted embodiment is having the envelope member 220 at least partially protruded outward. The protector member 230 is substantially protruded outward with respect to envelope member 220. The protector member 230 is outer most of the portion of the tail lamp device 200. Therefore, during impact from rearward, on the tail lamp device 200, the protector member 230 that is made of a relatively rigid material takes the impact as the protector member 230 is the outer most portion of the tail lamp device 200. Moreover, the protector member 230 is mounted to either the body frame 105 or to the rear cover assembly 170 transfers the load on the protector member 230 during impact to be directly transferred to the body frame 105 or the rear cover assembly 170 due to fixed clearance between the bracket supporting the protector member 230 and the protector member 230. This reduces the impact on the parts of the tail lamp device 200 like the support member 205 or the envelope member 220 that are fragile parts compared to the rigid protector member 230.
[00046] 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.

List of reference signs:
100 vehicle 170 rear cover assembly
105 body frame 20 171/172 cover member
105A head tube 173/174/177/178 bulged portion
106 sub-frame 175 front fender
109/111/113 cross member 176/179 depression
110 power unit 180 headlamp assembly
112 extension member 25 185/186 brackets
115 swing arm 200 tail lamp device
120 rear wheel 205 support member
125 rear fender 209 strip portion
130 front suspension/ 210 protruded wall
suspension assembly 30 215 first aperture
135 front wheel 220 envelope member
140 handlebar assembly 225 second aperture
150 fuel tank assembly 230 protector member
155 seat assembly 235 light source
165 foot pegs 35 B1/B2 butterfly profile

We claim:
1. A rear structure for a motor vehicle (100), said rear structure comprising:
a rear cover assembly (170) disposed at a rear portion of the motor vehicle (100) and mounted to a body frame (105) of said motor vehicle (100); and
a tail lamp device (200) at least partially enclosed by said rear cover assembly (170), said tail lamp device (200) comprising a support member (205), an envelope member (220), and a protector member (230),
said support member (205), capable of reflecting light from a light source (235), supports said envelope member (220), said envelope member (220) capable guiding light therethrough, and said protector member (230) disposed securely at a rear portion holds said support member (205) and said envelope member (220) about said rear cover assembly (200).
2. The rear structure for the motor vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said support member (205) is provided with a first aperture (215) and the envelope member (220) is provided with a second aperture (225) aligning with the first aperture (215), and the protector member (230) is at least partially accommodated at the second aperture (225), and wherein said first aperture (215), said second aperture (225) are substantially elongated in lateral direction (RH-LH) of said motor vehicle (100) to accommodate said protector member (230) thereat.
3. The rear structure for the motor vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said protector member (230) is made of a rigid material relative to a material of said support member (205) and the envelope member (220), said rigid material includes at least one of metal, polymer, fiber reinforced plastic, or a combination of one or more, and said protector member (230) is provided with a reflective finish.
4. The rear structure for the motor vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said support member (230) comprises a strip portion (209) and a protruded wall (210), said protruded wall (210) disposed at angle with respect to the strip

portion (209), and protruded wall (209) and said strip portion (209) securely support the envelope member (220).
5. The rear structure for the motor vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said tail lamp device (200) includes at least one of said support emmer (205), and said envelop member (220) having a butterfly profile (B1) and aligning with a butterfly profile (B2) forming a receiving portion of the rear cover assembly (200), and wherein said butterfly profile is formed by tapering of the width of said at least one of said support member (205), and said envelop member (220) towards said protector member (230) at a substantial mid-portion thereof.
6. The rear structure for the motor vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein said rear cover assembly (170) includes a first side member (171), and a second side member (172) connected together to form said rear cover assembly (170), said side members (171, 172) are having a bulged portion (173, 174, 177, 178) provided at a lateral end(s) (RH, LH) at a top portion and a bottom portion, and a depression(s) (176, 179) provided between laterally adjacently disposed bulged portions (173, 174, 177, 178) forming said butterfly profile (B2).
7. The rear structure for the motor vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said protector member (230) is disposed substantially outward in a rearward direction with respect to rest of said tail lamp device (200) when viewed from vehicle side.
8. The rear structure for the motor vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said tail lamp device (200) is secured to an extension member (111) connected to said body frame (105) of the motor vehicle (100), and said protector member (230) is secured to said extension member (111) from an inward direction.
9. The rear structure for the motor vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said tail lamp device (200) is at least partially enclosed by said rear cover assembly (170), wherein the rear cover assembly (170) includes one or more bracket(s) (185, 186) that are integrally formed thereof, and said rear cover assembly (170) supported by said body frame (105).

0. A rear cover assembly (170) disposed at a rear portion of a motor vehicle (100) and mounted to a body frame (105) of said motor vehicle (100), said rear cover assembly (170) comprising:
a first side member (171), and a second side member (172) connected together to form said rear cover assembly (170),
said side members (171, 172) are having a bulged portion (173, 174, 177, 178) provided at a lateral outward end(s) (RH, LH) at a top portion and a bottom portion, and a depression(s) (176, 179) provided between laterally adjacently disposed bulged portions (173, 174, 177, 178) forming said butterfly profile (B2), and
said rear cover assembly (170) is capable of at least partially enclosing a tail lamp device (200) of said motor vehicle (100).