Claims:WE CLAIM:
1. A saddle type vehicle (200) comprising:
a utility box (10) disposed under a seat and formed by a bottom wall (12) and a plurality of side walls (16) extending from the bottom wall (12) in a vehicle upward direction, the plurality of side walls (16) enclosing an inner surface of the bottom wall (12);
a bracket (20) mounted on an outer surface of the bottom wall (12), said outer surface being opposite the inner surface; and
a mud flap (30) detachably attached to the bracket (20).

2. The saddle type vehicle (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mud flap (30) has a non-uniform profile.

3. The saddle type vehicle (200) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the mud flap (30) covers, at least partially, a drive unit (150) and an air cleaner case (130) including an intake port (135) of the air cleaner case (130).

4. The saddle type vehicle (200) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the mud flap (30) prevents at least partially, mud, water, sand, rock and debris thrown up by the rear wheel from impinging on the drive unit (150) and the air cleaner case (130).

5. The saddle type vehicle (200) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the mud flap (30) has a plurality of recesses (37) along a bottom edge (31) of the mud flap (30) to avoid contact with other parts of the vehicle (200).

6. The saddle type vehicle (200) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the mud flap (30) includes an opening (35) to channelize a hose (145) for secondary air injection.
, Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present invention generally relates to a saddle type vehicle, and more particularly to a mud flap assembly of the saddle type vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] In saddle type vehicles, especially scooter type vehicles, a rear wheel is disposed in close proximity to a drive unit and its components. Consequently, rotation of the rear wheel throws up mud, water, sand, rock and debris which is propelled onto the drive unit and its components. Mud, water, sand, rock and debris impinging on the drive unit and its components may adhere to their surfaces and accumulate thereon affecting thermal efficiency of the drive unit. Further, the impinging particles may result in corrosion of surfaces of the drive unit and its components over time. In vehicles where the drive unit is an Internal Combustion (IC) engine and the rear wheel is disposed near an air cleaner, the impinging particles may accumulate on surface of the air cleaner and also enter the air cleaner through its air inlet. Fine dust particles entering into combustion chamber of the IC engine through the air cleaner results in scoring and scuffing inside cylinder and on piston’s surface. This is detrimental to smooth operation of the engine and may cause leakage of combustion gasses, leakage of lubrication oil into combustion chamber and an increase harmful emission. Further, constant accumulation of dust, mud and debris on the drive unit and its components will affect the serviceability and increase the maintenance costs involved.
[003] Conventionally, a rear wheel hugger or a mudguard is used to cover front upper portion of the rear wheel of the saddle type vehicle. Primary purpose of the rear wheel hugger or the mudguard is to prevent sand, mud, rocks, liquids, and other road spray from being thrown onto the vehicle components in front of the rotating wheel. However, considering space limitation between the rear wheel and the drive unit components, the width of the drive unit assembly has to be increased in order to accommodate a rear wheel hugger or mudguard which can effectively prevent mud, water, sand, rock and debris from impinging on the drive unit and its components.
[004] Another existing solution is to use rubber flaps mounted directly onto a frame of the vehicle. However, such an arrangement would not be proximal to the rear wheel and hence would require the rubber flaps to be impractically long to achieve the effect of preventing mud, water, sand, rock and debris from impinging on the drive unit and its components. This in turn would require more space in a congested area of the vehicle and may interfere with placement of other vehicle components.
[005] Thus, there is a need in the art for a mud flap assembly in a saddle type vehicle which addresses at least the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[006] In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a saddle type vehicle including a utility box provided under a seat of the saddle type vehicle. The utility box is formed by a bottom wall and a plurality of side walls. The side walls extend in a vehicle upward direction from the bottom wall. The plurality of side walls encloses an inner surface of the bottom wall. An outer surface of the bottom wall is present opposite the inner surface, and not enclosed by the plurality of side walls. A bracket is mounted on said outer surface of the bottom wall. A mud flap is detachably attached to the bracket.
[007] In an embodiment, the mud flap has a non-uniform profile.
[008] In an embodiment, the mud flap covers a drive unit and an air cleaner case including an intake port of the air cleaner case, at least partially. The mud flap prevents mud, water, sand, rock and debris thrown up by the rear wheel from impinging on the drive unit and the air cleaner case, at least partially.
[009] In another embodiment, the mud flap includes a plurality of recesses along a bottom edge of the mud flap to avoid contact with other parts of the vehicle.
[010] In a further embodiment, the mud flap includes an opening to channelize a hose for secondary air injection.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[011] 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 elevation view of an exemplary saddle type vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 illustrates a top view of the rear side of the saddle type vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of the rear side of the saddle type vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 illustrates a right side elevation view of a rear side of the saddle type vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 illustrates a rear elevation view of the rear side of the saddle type vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 6 illustrates a perspective view of the rear side of the saddle type vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 7 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary bracket, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 8 illustrates perspective views of an exemplary mud flap, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[012] Various features and embodiments of the present invention here will be discernible from the following further description thereof, set out hereunder. In the ensuing exemplary embodiments, the vehicle is a saddle type vehicle. However, it is contemplated that the disclosure in the present invention may be applied to any automobile capable of accommodating the present subject matter without defeating the scope of the present invention.
[013] The present invention generally relates to a saddle type vehicle. Particularly, the present invention applies to a mud flap assembly of the saddle type vehicle.
[014] Figure 1 illustrates a left side elevation view of an exemplary saddle type vehicle 200, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The saddle type vehicle 200 is a scooter type vehicle, as illustrated. However, the vehicle 200 may also be any other kind of saddle type vehicle including a motorcycle and an ATV. Thus, it is to be understood that the illustrated saddle type vehicle should not be construed to be limiting the scope of the present invention. The terms “vehicle” and “saddle type vehicle” are interchangeably used in this disclosure. Both the terms “vehicle” and “saddle type vehicle” appertain to the same vehicle 200. The term “vehicle” has been used in place of “saddle type vehicle” for brevity.
[015] The vehicle 200 comprises a frame (not shown). The frame comprises a head tube, and a portion of a main tube extending rearwardly downward from the head tube to a floorboard 218. One or more front suspensions 244 connect a front wheel 214 to a handlebar 220, which forms a steering assembly of the vehicle 200. The steering assembly is rotatably disposed about the head tube. The main tube further includes a portion extending horizontally and rearwardly from the frame. Further, the frame includes one or more rear tubes extending inclinedly rearward from a rear portion of the main tube towards a rear portion of the vehicle 200.
[016] The vehicle 200 includes a drive unit 150 that provides motive force to a rear wheel 190. In an exemplary embodiment, the drive unit 150 may include an electric motor that drives the rear wheel 190 of the vehicle 200 by drawing power from a battery pack (not shown). In another exemplary embodiment, the drive unit 150 may include an internal combustion engine and a transmission mechanism to transmit motive force generated by the engine to the rear wheel 190. The engine may be swingably connected to the frame or may be mounted to the swing arm (not shown), the swing arm being swingably connected to the frame. The transmission mechanism may include a continuously variable transmission, an automatic transmission, or a fixed ratio transmission.
[017] A seat assembly 222 is disposed above the drive unit 150 and is supported by the rear tubes of the frame. The seat assembly 222 is hingedly openable. The frame defines a step-through portion ahead of the seat assembly 222. The floorboard 218 is disposed at the step-through portion, wherein a rider can operate the vehicle 200 in a seated position by resting feet on the floorboard 218. The floorboard 218 is also capable of carrying loads.
[018] Further, the frame is covered by plurality of body panels including a front panel 230 having a front face 230A and a rear face 230B, an under-seat cover 232, and a left and a right-side panel 233 disposed on the frame and covering the frame and parts mounted thereof.
[019] In addition, a front fender 224 is covering at least a portion of the front wheel 214. A rear fender 226 is covering at least a portion of the rear wheel 190 and is positioned upwardly of the rear wheel 190. One or more suspension(s) 246 are provided in the rear portion of the vehicle 200 for connecting the swing arm and the rear wheel 190 to the frame for damping the forces from the rear wheel 190 and the drive unit 150 from reaching the frame. Furthermore, the vehicle 200 comprises of plurality of electrical and electronic components including a headlight 236, a taillight 238, turn signal lamps 234, an alternator (not shown), and a starter motor (not shown).
[020] Figure 2 illustrates a top view of the rear side of the saddle type vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The vehicle 200 includes an exhaust pipe 160 for exhausting the combustion gasses from the engine and a muffler 170 for reducing a noise emitted by exhaust of the internal combustion engine. The vehicle 200 further includes an air cleaner case 130 for filtering and supplying air to the engine. The air cleaner case 130 takes in air from an outside environment through an intake port 135 of the air cleaner case 130. In an embodiment, the vehicle 200 includes a Secondary Air Injection (SAI) system to inject fresh air into the exhaust stream to allow for a fuller secondary combustion of exhaust gases, thus reducing emissions. The SAI system includes an SAI hose 145 for supplying air from the air cleaner 130 or any other secondary air cleaner to an exhaust port (not shown) of the internal combustion engine. The vehicle 200 includes a rear wheel hugger 195 that covers a front upper portion of the rear wheel 190 to prevent sand, mud, rocks, liquids, and other road spray from being thrown upwards by the rotating rear wheel 190.
[021] Referring to Figures 3 to 6, a utility box 10 is disposed below the seat assembly 222 (shown in Figure 1) and is supported by the frame. The utility box 10 is formed by a bottom wall 12 and a plurality of side walls 16. The bottom wall has an inner surface (not shown) disposed inside the utility box 10 and an outer surface (not shown) opposite to the inner surface and disposed outside the utility box 10. The plurality of side walls 16 extend in a vehicle upward direction from the bottom wall 12 thereby enclosing the inner surface of the bottom wall 12.
[022] Figure 7 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary bracket 20, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The bracket 20 as illustrated is of a truncated U shape when viewed from a top of the vehicle 200. The bracket 20 includes a top surface 21 and a plurality of through holes 24. As shown in Figure 3, the bracket 20 is mounted on the outer surface of the bottom wall 12 of the utility box 10. In an exemplary embodiment, the bracket 20 may be mounted on the outer surface of the bottom wall 12 by welding the top surface 21 of the bracket 20 to the outer surface of the bottom wall 12. In another exemplary embodiment, the top surface 21 of the bracket 20 may be fixed to the outer surface of the bottom wall 12 using adhesives. In yet another embodiment, the top surface 21 of the bracket 20 may be fixed to the outer surface of the bottom wall 12 with the aid of fasteners including bolts and rivets.
[023] Figure 8 illustrates perspective views of an exemplary mud flap 30, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The mud flap 30 as illustrated is of the same shape as the bracket 20 when viewed from a top of the vehicle 200. The mud flap 30 has a non-uniform profile when viewed from a rear of the vehicle 200. As shown in the exemplary embodiments illustrated in Figures 4 to 6, the mud flap 30 is detachably attached to the bracket 20.
[024] In an embodiment, the mud flap 30 has a plurality of recesses 37 along its bottom edge 31. The plurality of recesses 37 are provided to avoid contact between the mud flap 30 and other parts of the vehicle including components of the drive unit 150 and other style parts. The mud flap 30 includes an opening 35 to channelize the SAI hose 145. The mud flap 30 further includes a plurality of bullet pins 34. A bullet pin 34 is provided on the mud flap 30 corresponding to each through hole 24 on the bracket 20. Each of the plurality of bullet pins 34 is inserted into the corresponding through hole 24 to guide and detachably attach the mud flap 30 on the bracket 20. In another exemplary embodiment, a plurality of snap fit joints or fasteners may be used to detachably attach the mud flap 30 on the bracket 20.
[025] In an embodiment, the mud flap 30 covers the drive unit 150 and the air cleaner case 130 including the intake port 135 of the air cleaner case 130, at least partially. Further, the mud flap 30 prevents mud, water, sand, rock and debris thrown up by the rear wheel from impinging on the drive unit 150 and the air cleaner case 130, at least partially.
[026] Advantageously, the present invention provides a mud flap assembly for the saddle type vehicle. By preventing, at least partially, sand, mud, rocks, liquids, and other road spray from impinging on the drive unit and its components, the accumulation of dust mud and other debris on the surfaces of the drive unit and its components is restricted. This aids in efficient operation of the drive unit. The mud flap assembly also reduces accumulation of dust and sand particles inside the air cleaner and pursuantly prevents scoring of the inner surfaces of the engine. The mud flap assembly further provides a stable attachment of the mud flap with the utility box. Thus, the need to increase the width of the drive unit assembly to incorporate a rear wheel hugger or the need to use impractically long rubber flaps attached to the frame in order to prevent mud, water, sand, rock and debris from impinging on the drive unit and its components can be circumvented by the mud flap assembly disclosed hereinabove.
[027] 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 modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.