Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present invention generally relates to a saddle type vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to provision of an electronic component in a saddle type vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] Generally, in conventional saddle type vehicles, a regulator cum rectifier unit, also known as an RR unit is provided. A regulator cum rectifier unit is a device which converts Alternating Current (AC) power received from a magneto or an alternating current generator connected the internal combustion engine of the vehicle. The regulator cum rectifier unit converts the received Alternating Current power to Direct Current (DC). The Direct Current power is then used for charging the battery of the vehicle and to provide sufficient energy to other vehicle components requiring DC power. In addition to the rectification of the AC power to DC power, the RR unit also regulates the amount of DC power being supplied to the battery and the other vehicle components, thus maintaining fixed voltages for charging the battery and usage of vehicle components.
[003] Since, the RR unit is an electronic component which converts AC power to DC power, as well as performs regulation of voltage, the RR unit is subjected to high surface temperatures. In a directly proportional relationship, greater is the power delivery of the RR unit, proportionally greater is the surface temperature of RR unit. Thus, it is necessary to package the RR unit in a location which can provide for adequate cooling efficiency.
[004] However, in conventional saddle type vehicles, especially motorcycle type vehicles, the mounting of the RR unit is such that the air circulation around the RR unit is improper, thus leading to poor heat dissipation. The poor heat dissipation can lead to faults and failures in the RR unit, which then requires frequent servicing or replacement. Further, in a motorcycle type vehicle wherein the packaging space is limited, the constraints in packaging of the RR unit do not allow usage of unused dead space within the vehicle, leading to further packaging constraints. Also, generally in motorcycle type vehicles, packaging areas with adequate air circulation are not very easily accessible for assembling the RR unit.
[005] Thus, there is a need in the art for a saddle type vehicle, which addresses at least the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[006] In one aspect, the present invention is directed towards a saddle type vehicle. The saddle type vehicle has a head pipe and a pair of main tubes extending rearwardly from the head pipe. Further, the saddle type vehicle has at least one electronic component being mounted on one of the pair of main tubes. Herein, the electronic component on disposed on an inner side of the pair of main tubes in a vehicle width direction.
[007] In an embodiment of the invention, the pair of main tubes have a left main tube and a right main tube when seen in a vehicle rear view.
[008] In a further embodiment of the invention, the electronic component is mounted on the right main tube and the electronic component is mounted on the inner side of the right main tube in the vehicle width direction.
[009] In a further embodiment of the invention, the electronic component has a regulator-rectifier unit configured for converting AC current from a magneto into DC current for supplying electrical power to a battery and one or more vehicle components.
[010] In a further embodiment of the invention, the saddle type vehicle has an internal combustion engine. Herein, a cylinder head of the internal combustion engine is disposed between the pair of main tubes.
[011] In a further embodiment of the invention, the electronic component is disposed on a right hand side of the cylinder head in a vehicle rear view.
[012] In a further embodiment of the invention, the left main tube has an upper left tube and a lower left tube, and the right main tube has an upper right tube and a lower right tube.
[013] In a further embodiment of the invention, the saddle type vehicle has a mounting bracket extending inwardly from the lower right tube in a vehicle width direction, the mounting bracket being configured to support the electronic component.
[014] In a further embodiment of the invention, the saddle type vehicle has a fuel tank supported on the pair of main tubes, wherein the electronic component is disposed below the fuel tank.
[015] In a further embodiment of the invention, the electronic component has one or more fins. The electronic component is disposed such that the one or more fins extend horizontally in a vehicle front-rear direction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[016] Reference will be made to embodiments of the invention, examples of which may be illustrated in accompanying figures. These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the invention is generally described in context of these embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these particular embodiments.
Figure 1 illustrates a left side view of a saddle type vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 illustrates a right side view of the saddle type vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 illustrates a top view of the saddle type vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 illustrates a left top perspective view of the saddle type vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 illustrates a right perspective view of the saddle type vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[017] The present invention generally relates to a saddle type vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to disposition of an electronic component in the saddle type vehicle.
[018] Figure 1 illustrates an exemplary saddle type vehicle 10, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The saddle type vehicle 10 includes an internal combustion engine 12 that is vertically disposed. Preferably, the internal combustion engine 12 is a single-cylinder type internal combustion engine. The saddle type vehicle 10 further includes a front wheel 14, a rear wheel 16, a frame structure, a seat assembly 18 and a fuel tank 40. The frame structure includes a head pipe 22 (shown in Figure 2), a pair of main tubes 24A, 24B (shown in Figure 2), a down tube (not shown), and a pair of left and right seat rails (not shown). The head pipe 22 supports a steering shaft (not shown) and two telescopic front forks 26 (only one shown) attached to the steering shaft through a lower bracket (not shown). The two telescopic front forks 26 support the front wheel 14. The upper portion of the front wheel 14 is covered by a front fender 28 mounted to the lower portion of the telescopic front forks 26 at the end of the steering shaft. A head light 32, a visor guard (not shown) and instrument cluster 33 are arranged on an upper portion of the head pipe 22. The down tube may be located in front of the internal combustion engine 12 and extends slantly downward from the head pipe 22. The pair of main tubes 24A, 24B is located above the internal combustion engine 12 and extends rearward from the head pipe 22. The internal combustion engine 12 is mounted at the front to the down tube and a rear of the internal combustion engine 12 is mounted at a rear portion of the pair of main tubes 24A, 24B. In an embodiment, the internal combustion engine 12 is mounted vertically, with a cylinder block extending vertically above a crankcase. In an alternative embodiment, the internal combustion engine 12 is mounted horizontally (not shown) with the cylinder block extending horizontally forwardly from the crankcase. In an embodiment, the cylinder block is disposed rearwardly of the down tube.
[019] The fuel tank 40 of the saddle type vehicle 10 is mounted on the pair of main tubes 24A, 24B. The pair of left and right seat rails are joined to the pair of main tubes 24A, 24B and extend rearward to support the seat assembly 18. A rear swing arm 34 is connected to the frame structure to swing vertically, and the rear wheel 16 is connected to a rear end of the rear swing arm 34. Generally, the rear swing arm 34 is supported by a mono rear suspension (not shown) or through two suspensions (not shown) on either side of the saddle type vehicle 10. A taillight unit 37 is disposed at the end of the saddle type vehicle 10 and at the rear of the seat assembly 18. The rear wheel 16 arranged below the seat assembly 18 rotates by the driving force of the internal combustion engine 12 transmitted through a chain drive (not shown) from the internal combustion engine 12. A rear fender 38 is disposed above the rear wheel 16 and is configured to cover the rear wheel 16.
[020] Further, an exhaust pipe (not shown) of the saddle type vehicle 10 extends vertically downward from the internal combustion engine 12 up to a point and then extends below the internal combustion engine 12, longitudinally along the vehicle length before terminating in a muffler (not shown). The muffler is typically disposed adjoining the rear wheel 16.
[021] The saddle type vehicle 10 further includes a handlebar 50 connected to the head pipe 22 of the frame structure and extending in a vehicle width direction. The handlebar 50 can rotate to both sides of the vehicle 10 during vehicle turning movements.
[022] Furthermore, in an embodiment, the saddle type vehicle 10 comprises of a rotary electric machine (not shown). The rotary electric machine is connected to a crankshaft of the internal combustion engine 12. In an embodiment, the rotary electric machine is an ACG machine or magneto that is configured to rotate with the crankshaft and convert rotational energy into electric energy to provide electrical power to vehicle components and charge a battery of the vehicle 10.
[023] Figure 2 illustrates a right side view of the saddle type vehicle 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. As illustrated in Figure 2, the saddle type vehicle 10 further comprises at least one electronic component 100. The electronic component 100 is mounted on one of the pair of main tubes 24A, 24B. Herein, as referenced in Figure 3, the electronic component 100 is disposed on an inner side of the pair of main tubes 24A, 24B in a vehicle width direction. Such a disposition of the electronic component 100 allows for utilisation of dead space between the pair of main tubes 24A, 24B for packaging the electronic component 100 and allows for the electronic component 100 to be provided in a location wherein the air circulation is higher. Further, disposition of the electronic component 100 on the inner side of the pair of main tubes 24A, 24B ensures that the width of the vehicle need not be increased to accommodate the electronic component 100.
[024] In an embodiment, as referenced in Figure 3, the pair of main tubes 24A, 24B comprise of a left main tube 24A and a right main tube 24B when seen in a vehicle rear view. In the embodiment depicted in Figure 3, the electronic component 100 is mounted on the right main tube 24B. More specifically, the electronic component 100 is mounted on the inner side of the right main tube 24B in the vehicle width direction. In an alternative embodiment, the electronic component 100 is mounted on the inner side of the left main tube 24A in the vehicle width direction.
[025] In an embodiment, the electronic component 100 comprises a regulator-rectifier unit configured for converting AC current from a magneto into DC current for supplying electrical power to a battery and one or more vehicle components. In addition to the rectification of AC power to DC power, the regulator-rectifier unit also regulates the amount of DC power being supplied to the battery and the other vehicle components. Thus, in the present invention, the regulator-rectifier unit is disposed in the dead space between the pair of main tubes 24A, 24B. The disposition of the regulator-rectifier unit on the right main tube 24B towards a front of the vehicle 10 ensures that the air flow to the regulator-rectifier unit during movement of the vehicle 10 is high, which results in better cooling efficiency. As illustrated in Figure 2, since the fuel tank 40 is supported on the pair of main tubes 24A, 24B, the electronic component 100 is disposed below the fuel tank 40.
[026] As further referenced in Figure 3 and Figure 4, the saddle type vehicle 10 comprises the internal combustion engine 12. Herein, a cylinder head 12A of the internal combustion engine 12 is disposed between the pair of main tubes 24A, 24B. Conventionally, mostly in all motorcycle type vehicles, there remains available packaging space to the left or right side of the cylinder head 12A. Since this packaging space is close to cylinder head 12A, being close to high temperature cylinder head 12A results in this space being unsuitable, and hence unutilised for mounting of any vehicle components, except an ignition coil. In an embodiment of the present invention, the electronic component 100 is disposed on a right hand side of the cylinder head 12A in a vehicle rear view. In an alternative embodiment, the electronic component 100 is disposed on a left hand side of the cylinder head 12A in the vehicle rear view. Thus, conventionally unutilised space on the right side or left side of the cylinder head 12A is used for mounting of the electronic component 100, thus leading to utilisation of dead space and more efficient use of packaging space.
[027] It is necessary to ensure that the cooling efficiency of the electronic component 100 remains high even when the electronic component 100 is mounted in the vicinity of the cylinder head 12A. To facilitate this, as illustrated in the embodiment depicted in Figure 4 and Figure 5, the left main tube 24A comprises an upper left tube 24A’ and a lower left tube 24A’’, and the right main tube 24B comprises an upper right tube 24B’ and a lower right tube 24B’’.
[028] As specifically referenced in Figure 5, to provide for mounting of the electronic component 100, the saddle type vehicle 10 has a mounting bracket 120. The mounting bracket 120 extends inwardly from the lower right tube 24B’’ in a vehicle width direction. In an alternative embodiment, the mounting bracket 120 extends inwardly from the left lower tube 24A’’ in the vehicle width direction. The mounting bracket 120 is configured to support the electronic component 100 by means of one or more attachment provisions such as fasteners, thereby mounting the electronic component 100 on the inner side of the lower right tube 24B’’.
[029] As illustrated in Figure 5, the electronic component 100 comprises one or more fins 110. Herein, the electronic component 100 is disposed such that the one or more fins 110 extend horizontally in a vehicle front-rear direction. The horizontal extension of the one or more fins 110 in the vehicle front-rear direction allows for air to pass over a greater surface area of the fins 110, thereby facilitating higher heat transfer from the fins 110 to the atmospheric air, especially during vehicle movement. Such horizontal extension of the fins 110, and resultant improved heat transfer allow for the electronic component 100 be disposed on the right side of the high temperature cylinder head 12A without negatively affecting the cooling efficiency of the electronic component 100.
[030] Advantageously, the present invention provides for a saddle type vehicle in which an electronic component, for example the regulator-rectifier unit is located in the packaging space available between the pair of main tubes such that the location of the electronic component allows for better cooling of the electronic component while ensuring utilisation of available dead packaging space. The present invention allows for the utilisation of the dead space on the left hand or right hand side of the cylinder head, which was conventionally unused without affecting the cooling efficiency of the electronic component.
[031] The efficient cooling of the regulator-rectifier unit allows for better performance and durability of the regulator-rectifier unit, which lowers servicing and replacement costs of the regulator-rectifier unit. Further, since most vehicle components cannot be placed in the vicinity of the cylinder head, the packaging of the regulator-rectifier unit in the dead space on the left hand side or right hand side of the cylinder head also makes more packaging space available in other more suitable parts of the vehicle for mounting of other vehicle components. Further, the location of the electronic component in the present invention is easily accessible, thus making assembly easier and less sophisticated.
[032] While the present invention has been described with respect to certain embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modification may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

List of Reference Numerals
10: Saddle Type Vehicle
12: Internal Combustion Engine
12A: Cylinder Head
14: Front Wheel
16: Rear Wheel
18: Seat Assembly
22: Head Pipe
24A, 24B: Pair of Main Tubes
24A: Left Main tube
24A’: Upper Left tube
24A’’: Lower Left tube
24B: Right Main tube
24B’: Upper Right tube
24B’’: Lower Right tube
26: Front Forks
28: Front Fender
32: Head light
33: Instrument Cluster
34: Swing arm
37: Taillight unit
38: Rear Fender
40: Fuel Tank
50: Handlebar
100: Electronic Component
110: One or more fins
120: Mounting Bracket 
, Claims:1. A saddle type vehicle (10), comprising:
a head pipe (22);
a pair of main tubes (24A, 24B) extending rearwardly from the head pipe (22);
at least one electronic component (100) being mounted on one of the pair of main tubes (24A, 24B), wherein the electronic component (100) being disposed on an inner side of the pair of main tubes (24A, 24B) in a vehicle width direction.

2. The saddle type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pair of main tubes (24A, 24B) comprise of a left main tube (24A) and a right main tube (24B) when seen in a vehicle rear view.

3. The saddle type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the electronic component (100) being mounted on the right main tube (24B) and the electronic component (100) being mounted on the inner side of the right main tube (24B) in the vehicle width direction.

4. The saddle type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electronic component (100) comprises a regulator-rectifier unit configured for converting AC current from a magneto into DC current for supplying electrical power to a battery and one or more vehicle components.

5. The saddle type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 1, comprising an internal combustion engine (12), wherein a cylinder head (12A) of the internal combustion engine (12) is disposed between the pair of main tubes (24A, 24B).

6. The saddle type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the electronic component (100) is disposed on a right hand side of the cylinder head (12A) in a vehicle rear view.

7. The saddle type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the left main tube (24A) comprises an upper left tube (24A’) and a lower left tube (24A’’), and the right main tube (24B) comprises an upper right tube (24B’) and a lower right tube (24B’’).

8. The saddle type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 7, comprising a mounting bracket (120) extending inwardly from the lower right tube (24B’’) in a vehicle width direction, the mounting bracket (120) being configured to support the electronic component (100).

9. The saddle type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a fuel tank (40) supported on the pair of main tubes (24A, 24B), wherein the electronic component (100) is disposed below the fuel tank (40).

10. The saddle type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electronic component (100) comprises one or more fins (110), and the electronic component (100) is disposed such that the one or more fins (110) extend horizontally in a vehicle front-rear direction.