Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present invention relates to a saddle type vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to a floorboard assembly for a saddle type vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] In conventional saddle type vehicles, especially electric, hybrid or mild hybrid type vehicles, where a large sized battery is required for providing traction force to the vehicle, the large sized battery is generally placed on the floorboard. It remains extremely important to provide adequate cooling to the large sized battery and the associated parts, to keep the parts under operating temperature limits and keep the vehicle functioning properly. In such conventional saddle type vehicles, to provide cooling to the battery and the associated parts, cooling with natural air flow is more desirable since forced air cooling mechanisms are not only expensive, but also add to the weight of the vehicle, thereby affecting vehicle performance.
[003] In some conventional vehicles, to provide cooling only by means of atmospheric air, separate intake or ventilator provisions are provided that receive the atmospheric air that rams the vehicle, and guide it towards the battery and other vehicle components. However, addition of such intake or ventilator provisions leads to an increase in vehicle parts, but large openings or orifices are also detrimental to vehicle aesthetics.
[004] In addition to provision of cooling, battery and other associated parts that are housed around the floorboard, also need to be protected against impact loads under bumpy conditions, dust and water ingress. It is also a challenge from a vehicular aesthetic point of view to provide cover to the parts of the frame structure that extend or overhang to support the battery and the parts on the floorboard.
[005] Thus, there is a need in the art for a saddle type vehicle which addresses the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[006] In an aspect, the present invention is directed towards a saddle type vehicle. The saddle type vehicle has a frame structure with a main pipe extending rearwardly from a head pipe, and left and right frame members. A wheel well extends in a vehicle up down direction and is disposed behind a front wheel of the saddle type vehicle. A floorboard assembly is provided at bottom portion of the frame structure. The floorboard assembly has a pair of left and right top board members that are symmetrically provided on the left and right sides of the frame structure. The pair of left and right top board members are configured to support feet of a rider of the saddle type vehicle. The floorboard assembly further has a bottom cover member extending in a vehicle front rear direction between the wheel well and rear ends of the left and right frame members. The floorboard assembly further has a pair of left and right side trim members extending in the vehicle front rear direction abutting the left and right top board members and the bottom cover member. Herein, interface of the left and right top board members with the left and right side trim members has one or more notches defined thereon, for introducing atmospheric air to provide cooling to one or more vehicle components.
[007] In an embodiment of the invention, the saddle type vehicle has a pair of side skirt panels extending along the main pipe. The pair of side skirt panels define a space therebetween for housing the one or more vehicle components. The one or more notches are configured for introducing atmospheric air to provide cooling to the one or more vehicle components housed in the space defined between the pair of side skirt panels.
[008] In a further embodiment of the invention, the saddle type vehicle has a pair of left and right side cover members extending forwardly from the rear ends of the left and right frame members. The left and right side cover members abut the bottom cover member. Herein, the left and right side cover members overlap with the rear ends of the left and right frame members in a vehicle side view, thereby covering the rear ends of the left and right frame members.
[009] In a further embodiment of the invention, the bottom cover member has a substantially trapezoidal shape, and a bottom face of the bottom cover member has one or more longitudinal fins, thereby enhancing cooling of the vehicle components and reducing aerodynamic drag of the saddle type vehicle.
[010] In a further embodiment of the invention, the wheel well has one or more slits provided thereon. The one or more slits are provided for introducing atmospheric air into the space defined between the pair of side skirt panels.
[011] In a further embodiment of the invention, the one or more vehicle components include at least a battery configured to provide electric power for traction of the saddle type vehicle.
[012] In a further embodiment of the invention, the left and right side trim members interface with the left and right top board members along with the pair of side skirt panels at a top portion, interface with the bottom cover member at a bottom portion, and interface with the wheel well at a front portion.
[013] In a further embodiment of the invention, the left and right side cover members are mounted to the rear ends of the left and right frame members.
[014] In a further embodiment of the invention, the bottom cover member interfaces with the pair of left and right side trim members and the pair of side cover members, and interfaces with the wheel well at a front portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[015] 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 an exemplary saddle type vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of the saddle type vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 3 illustrates a rear perspective view of the saddle type vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 4 illustrates a front view of the saddle type vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 5 illustrates a left side view of the saddle type vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 6 illustrates a right perspective view of the saddle type vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 7 illustrates a bottom perspective view of a bottom cover member of the saddle type vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figures 8a and 8b illustrate a bottom perspective and a top perspective view of the bottom cover of the saddle type vehicle respectively, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 9 illustrates side trim members of the saddle type vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figures 10a and 10b illustrate side cover members of the saddle type vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[016] The present invention relates to a saddle type vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to a floorboard assembly for a saddle type vehicle.
[017] Figure 1 illustrates a left-side view of an exemplary saddle type vehicle 10, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The vehicle 10 comprises a frame structure. The frame structure comprises a head pipe (not shown), and a main pipe 24, which extends rearwardly and downwardly from the head pipe towards a floorboard assembly 100. The frame structure further has a pair of left and right frame members 60 that extend rearwardly and downwardly between the main pipe 24 and the floorboard assembly 100. One or more front suspensions 44 connect a front wheel 14 to a handlebar 20, which forms a steering assembly of the vehicle 10. The steering assembly is rotatably disposed about the head pipe. Further, the frame structure includes a pair of seat rails (not shown) that extend rearwardly from the main pipe 24. The pair of seat rails extend inclinedly rearward towards a rear portion of the vehicle 10.
[018] The floorboard assembly 100 is disposed at a step-over portion, wherein a rider can operate the vehicle 10 in a seated position by resting feet on the floorboard assembly 100. Further, the floorboard assembly 100 is capable of carrying loads.
[019] Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of a front portion of the saddle type vehicle 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. As illustrated in Figure 2, the saddle type vehicle 10 has a wheel well 110 that extends in a vehicle up down direction. The wheel well 110 is disposed behind the front wheel 14 of the saddle type vehicle 10. The wheel well 110 is provided to cover the area behind the front wheel 14. As mentioned earlier, the saddle type vehicle 10 comprises the floorboard assembly 100. The floorboard assembly 100 is provided at a bottom portion of the frame structure.
[020] As illustrated, the floorboard assembly 100 comprises a pair of left and right top board members 130. The left and right top board members 130 are symmetrically provided on the left and right sides of the main pipe 24. The left and right top board members 130 define the step-over portion and are configured to support feet of a rider of the saddle type vehicle 10, when the rider is sitting and riding the vehicle 10. As further illustrated in Figure 3, the floorboard assembly 100 has a bottom cover member 120. The bottom cover member 120 extends in a vehicle front rear direction. Further, the bottom cover member 120 extends between the wheel well 110 and rear ends 60A of the left and right frame members 60. The presence of wheel well 110 in front of the bottom cover member 130 ensures that there is no significant water entry or dust ingress from the splash created by the front wheel 14 towards the bottom cover member 120.
[021] The floorboard assembly 100 further has a pair of left and right side trim members 140 (also shown in Figure 9). The pair of left and right side trim members 140 extend in the vehicle front rear direction. The left and right side trim members 140 extend abutting the left and right top board members 130 and the bottom cover member 120. Herein, interface of the left and right top board members 130 and the left and right side trim members 140 has one or more notches 132 (shown in Figure 4) defined thereon. The one or more notches 132 are configured for introducing atmospheric air to provide cooling to one or more vehicle components that are housed in and around the floorboard assembly 100. The vehicle components are housed under the main pipe 24, and between the pair of left and right frame members 160 and above the bottom cover member 120. In other words, the left and right side trim members 140 and the left and right top board members 130 are configured in a way that when the left and right side trim members 140 and the left and right top board members 130 are assembled, the one or more notches 132 or gaps are defined at the interface of the left and right top board members 130 and the left and right side trim members 140. Atmospheric air that rams the saddle type vehicle 10 during movement, enters the space between the bottom cover member 120 and the left and right top board members 130 of the floorboard assembly 100 through the one or more notches 132, and the atmospheric air then passes over the vehicle components thereby providing cooling. This means that no additional vehicle components are required for providing the cooling by atmospheric air to the vehicle components. In an embodiment as illustrated in Figure 3 and reference in Figure 5, the floorboard assembly 100 of the saddle type vehicle 10 further has a pair of side skirt panels 170 that extend along the main pipe 24. The pair of side skirt panels 170 define a space therebetween for housing vehicle components. The side skirt panels 170, the bottom cover member 120, the left and right top board members 130, and the pair of left and right side trim members 140 thus form an enclosed space, wherein vehicle components are housed and covered from all sides. The one or more notches 132 are configured for introducing atmospheric air to provide cooling to the vehicle components housed in this space defined between the pair of side skirt panels 170. In an embodiment, the vehicle components are a battery configured to provide electric power for traction of the saddle type vehicle 10. The battery is thus housed below the main pipe 24, between the pair of side skirt panels 170 and above the bottom cover member 120, thus not only securely housing the battery, but also providing cooling to the battery.
[022] In an embodiment, the left and right side trim members 140, at a top portion, interface with the left and right top board members 130 along with the pair of side skirt panels 170. Further, the left and right side trim members 140, at a bottom portion, interface with the bottom cover member 120. Furthermore, the left and right side trim members 140, at a front portion, interface with the wheel well 110. To facilitate this, the left and right side trim members 140 are provided with a plurality of mounting provisions 142 (shown in Figure 9), thereby allowing interface of the left and right side trim members 140 as explained hereinabove.
[023] As further illustrated in Figure 3, Figure 5, and Figure 6, the floorboard assembly 100 of the saddle type vehicle 10 further comprises a pair of left and right side cover members 150 (also shown in Figures 10a and 10b) that extend forwardly from the rear ends 60A of the left and right frame members 60. The left and right side cover members 150 abut the bottom cover member 120. Further, the left and right side cover members 150 overlap with the rear ends 60A of the left and right frame members 60 in a vehicle side view, thereby covering the rear ends 60A of the left and right frame members 60. The left and right side cover members 150 thus ensure better aesthetics by covering the rear ends 60A of the left and right frame members 60. In addition, the left and right side cover members 150 further prevent entry of dust and water splash into the space housing the vehicle components. In an embodiment, the left and right side cover members 150 are mounted to the rear ends 60A of the left and right frame members 60 by means of one or more mounting arrangements 152 (shown in Figure 10a and 10b).
[024] As further illustrated in the embodiment depicted in Figure 7, the bottom cover member 120 has a substantially trapezoidal shape. Herein, in an embodiment, the shape of the bottom cover member 120 is trapezoidal to a large extent, and is capable of being multidimensional. As illustrated in Figures 8a and 8b, the bottom cover member 120 has a top face 120A and a bottom face 120B. The trapezoidal shape of the bottom cover member 120, in addition to ensuring that the vehicle components are protected from dust and water, also allows for better aerodynamic characteristics of the vehicle 10. To further reduce the aerodynamic drag of the saddle type vehicle 10, the bottom face 120B of the bottom cover member 120 has one or more longitudinal fins 122. The longitudinal fins 122 allow for air to smoothly pass under the bottom face 120B of the bottom cover member 120, thus reducing aerodynamic drag of the vehicle 10 and enhancing cooling of the vehicle components disposed in proximity to the top face 120A of the bottom cover member 120. The bottom cover member 120 is also capable of holding a branding badge. In an embodiment, the bottom cover member 120, interfaces with the pair of left and right side trim members 140 and the pair of side cover members 150. To facilitate this, in an embodiment, the bottom cover 120 has a plurality of mounting provisions 124 (shown in Figure 8a) that are configured to receive fasteners. The mounting provisions 124 are configured such that the fasteners are disposed towards the space housing the vehicle components. This ensures that these fasteners are not visible from the outside, ensuring enhanced vehicle aesthetics. In addition, the bottom cover member 120, at a front portion, interfaces with the wheel well 110, by means of a snap fit.
[025] To further enhance the cooling of the vehicle components housed between the side skirt panels 170, as referenced in Figure 4, the wheel well 110 comprises one or more slits 112 provided thereon. The one or more slits 112 are provided for introducing atmospheric air into the space defined between the pair of side skirt panels 170, and thus providing further air for cooling the vehicle components such as the battery housed between the side skirt panels 170.
[026] Advantageously, the present invention provides a saddle type vehicle in which cooling from the atmospheric air is provided to vehicle components such as the main battery and associated vehicle components without usage of any cooling fan or forced cooling mechanism. This ensures lower part count, lower vehicle weight and lower costs. Provision of adequate cooling to the battery and the vehicle components ensures that the vehicle performance remains optimum under all riding conditions.
[027] Further the provision of the notches on the interface of the top board members and the side trim members ensures that no additional vehicle component is required for introducing atmospheric air towards the battery and other vehicle components, thus reducing vehicle part count, and also ensuring better vehicle aesthetics. The provision of notches at the interface instead of on the parts themselves also ensures that the assembly has no additional perforations, which eliminates the requirement of complex tooling, thus improving ease of manufacturing and assembly.
[028] The trapezoidal profile of the bottom cover member and the longitudinal fins result in reduction of aerodynamic drag during vehicle movement, and thus improving vehicle aerodynamics and efficiency.
[029] 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: Power Unit
14: Front wheel
16: Rear wheel
24: main pipe
28: Front Fender
29: Seat Assembly
30: Front Panel Assembly
30A: Front style panel
30B: Rear Panel
33: Left and Right-side panel
36: Headlight
38: Taillight
44: Front Suspensions
46: Rear suspension
60: left and right frame members
60A: rear ends of the left and right frame members
100: Floorboard assembly
110: Wheel well
112: One or more Slits
120: Bottom cover member
120A: Top face of the Bottom Cover Member
120B: Bottom face of the Bottom Cover member
122: Longitudinal fins
124: Mounting provisions for the bottom cover member
130: Left and right top board members
132: One or more notches
140: Left and right side trim members
142: Mounting provisions for the left and right side trim members
150: Left and right side cover members
152: Mounting arrangements for the left and right side cover members
170: Pair of side skirt panels

, Claims:WE CLAIM:
1. A saddle type vehicle (10), comprising:
a frame structure having a main pipe (24) extending rearwardly from a head pipe; and left and right frame members (60),
a wheel well (110) extending in a vehicle up down direction, the wheel well (110) being disposed behind a front wheel (14) of the saddle type vehicle (10); and
a floorboard assembly (100) provided at bottom portion of the frame structure, the floorboard assembly (100) comprising:
a pair of left and right top board members (130), the left and right top board members (130) being symmetrically provided on the left and right sides of the frame structure and being configured to support feet of a rider of the saddle type vehicle (10);
a bottom cover member (120) extending in a vehicle front rear direction, the bottom cover member (120) extending between the wheel well (110) and rear ends (60A) of the left and right frame members (60); and
a pair of left and right side trim members (140) extending in the vehicle front rear direction, the left and right side trim members (140) extending abutting the left and right top board members (130) and the bottom cover member (120), wherein interface of the left and right top board members (130) with the left and right side trim members (140) has one or more notches (132) defined thereon, for introducing atmospheric air to provide cooling to one or more vehicle components.

2. The saddle type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a pair of side skirt panels (170) extending along the main pipe (24), the pair of side skirt panels (170) defining a space therebetween for housing the one or more vehicle components, and the one or more notches (132) being configured for introducing atmospheric air to provide cooling to the one or more vehicle components housed in the space defined between the pair of side skirt panels (170).

3. The saddle type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a pair of left and right side cover members (150) extending forwardly from the rear ends (60A) of the left and right frame members (60), the left and right side cover members (150) abutting the bottom cover member (120), wherein the left and right side cover members (150) overlap with the rear ends (60A) of the left and right frame members (60) in a vehicle side view, thereby covering the rear ends (60A) of the left and right frame members (60).

4. The saddle type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bottom cover member (120) has a substantially trapezoidal shape, and a bottom face (120B) of the bottom cover member (120) has one or more longitudinal fins (122), thereby enhancing cooling of the vehicle components and reducing aerodynamic drag of the saddle type vehicle (10).

5. The saddle type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the wheel well (110) comprises one or more slits (112) provided thereon, the one or more slits (112) provided for introducing atmospheric air into the space defined between the pair of side skirt panels (170).

6. The saddle type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more vehicle components comprise at least a battery configured to provide electric power for traction of the saddle type vehicle (10).

7. The saddle type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the left and right side trim members (140):
interface with the left and right top board members (130) along with the pair of side skirt panels (170) at a top portion,
interface with the bottom cover member (120) at a bottom portion, and
interface with the wheel well (110) at a front portion.

8. The saddle type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the left and right side cover members (160) being mounted to the rear ends (60A) of the left and right frame members (60).

9. The saddle type vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the bottom cover member (120):
interfaces with the pair of left and right side trim members (140) and the pair of side cover members (150), and
interfaces with the wheel well (110) at a front portion.