Claims:We Claim:
1. A saddle-type vehicle (100) comprising:
a body frame (101) including a steering tube (102);
a handlebar (104) steerably supported on said steering tube (102) through a lower bracket (102a), and connected to a front wheel (115) through a front suspension (116);
an instrument cluster panel (124) for displaying vehicle parameters, said instrument cluster panel (124) being operatively connected to the front wheel (115) through a first cable (120);
a front brake device (118) provided in the front wheel (115), said front brake device (118) operatively connected to a front brake lever (125) through a second cable (121);
a front brake panel (123) provided in a hub of said front wheel (115), said brake panel (123) accommodating said first cable (120), said second cable (121) and a third cable (122), said third cable (122) operatively connected to a rear brake pedal (107) for synchronously braking the front brake device (118) and a rear brake device;
a front fender (117) for at least partially covering the front wheel (115);
said vehicle (100) comprises a cable clamp member (130) for clamping and guiding said first cable (120), said second cable (121) and said third cable (122) towards said front brake panel (123), said cable clamp member (130) being disposed above the front fender (117) and below the lower bracket (102a), in a wheel well region (W) of said vehicle (100).
2. The saddle-type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said front fender (117) supports a routing structure (127) for routing at least a portion of said first cable (120), said second cable (121) and said third cable (122) towards the front brake panel (123), said cable clamp member (130) being disposed upstream of said routing structure (127).
3. The saddle-type vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein said lower bracket (123) supports a guide of one or more guides (126) for holding at least a portion of said first cable (120), said second cable (121) and said third cable (122) routed towards the front brake panel (123), said guide (126) being disposed upstream of said cable clamp member (130),
4. The saddle-type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, wherein said cable clamp member (130) is disposed over said first cable (120), said second cable (121) and said third cable (122) to clamp portion of said first cable (120), said second cable (121) and said third cable (122), and is held between said routing structure (127) and said guide (126) extending from said lower bracket (102a).
5. The saddle-type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein said cable clamp member (130) is press fitted onto said first cable (120), said second cable (121) and said third cable (122).
6. The saddle-type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cable clamp member (130) is enmoulded to have independent cable insertion slots (131).
7. The saddle-type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein said insertion slots (131) are conjugately formed one next to the other.
8. The saddle-type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein said insertion slots (131) having a regular geometric shape are juxtaposed in a substantially linear orientation, with centre axis of each of said insertion slots (131) passing through a linear locus.
9. A method for assembling a cable clamp member (130) for clamping and guiding cables including a first cable (120), a second cable (121) and a third cable (122) in a saddle-type vehicle (100), said method comprising the steps of:
connecting one end of said first cable (120), said second cable (121) and said third cable (122) to an instrument cluster panel (124), a front brake lever (125) and a rear brake pedal (107) of said vehicle (100) respectively;
routing said first cable (120) extending from the instrument cluster panel (124), said second cable (121) extending from the front brake lever (125) and said third cable (122) extending from said rear brake pedal (107) to be allowed to pass through one or more guides (126) extending from at least a portion of body frame (101) of said vehicle (100);
assembling said cable clamp member (130) over said first cable (120), said second cable (121) and said third cable (122) by press fitting over the same;
positioning said cable clamp member (130) above a front fender (117) of said vehicle (100) and below one of said guides (126) extending from a lower bracket (102a) of said body frame (101); and
connecting other ends of said first cable (120), said second cable (121) and said third cable (122) to a first abutment portion (123a), a second abutment portion (123b) and a third abutment portion (123c) respectively provided in a front brake panel (123) of said vehicle (100). , Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present subject matter described herein generally relates to a saddle-type vehicle, and particularly but not exclusively relates to a saddle-type vehicle including a synchronous braking system.

BACKGROUND
[0002] Contemporary saddle-type vehicles including motorcycles and scooters are provided with synchronous braking system for applying a braking force to a front wheel brake and a rear wheel brake by operating a single operating element. In such vehicles, since an additional combined brake cable or hose is provided in addition to a front brake cable/hose which is connected to the front wheel brake or in addition to both a front brake cable/hose connected to the front wheel brake and a brake rod connected to the rear wheel brake, the number of cables/hoses increases. Particularly, in a front portion of the saddle-type vehicle, the combined brake cable is introduced in addition to an instrument cluster cable and the front brake cable. While the three cables, which include the instrument cluster cable, the combined brake cable and the front brake cable at their one end are abutted at a front brake panel, their other ends are respectively routed to an instrument cluster panel, a rear brake lever or pedal and a front brake lever respectively. Thus, all three cables are routed around a steering tube/ steering tube portion of the saddle-type vehicle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF 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 a saddle-type vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0005] Fig.2a illustrates a left side view of a body frame of the saddle-type vehicle depicting guidance of cables in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0006] Fig.2b illustrates a right side view of said body frame depicting guidance of cables in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0007] Fig.3 illustrates a detailed top view of the body frame depicting guidance of cables in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0008] Fig.4 illustrates a perspective view of the body frame depicting mounting of a cable clamp holder in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0009] Fig.5 illustrates a top view of said cable clamp member in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0010] Exemplary embodiments detailing features of said saddle-type vehicle including a cable clamp member and its construction, in accordance with the present subject matter will be described hereunder with reference to the accompanying drawings. Various aspects of different embodiments of the present subject matter will become discernible from the following description set out hereunder. Rather, the following description provides a convenient illustration for implementing exemplary embodiments of the present subject matter. Further, it is to be noted that terms “upper”, “lower”, “right”, “left”, “front”, “forward”, “rearward”, “downward”, “upward”, “top”, “bottom” and like terms are used herein based on the illustrated state or in a standing state of the saddle-type vehicle with a driver sitting thereon unless otherwise elaborated. Furthermore, a longitudinal axis refers to a front to rear axis relative to the saddle-type vehicle, defining a vehicle longitudinal direction; while a lateral axis refers to a side to side, or left to right axis relative to said vehicle, defining a vehicle lateral direction. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. Although in the ensuing exemplary embodiments, application of the present invention has been demonstrated for a saddle-type vehicle with a step-up frame, the present invention is applicable for all kids of saddle-type vehicles.
[0011] Typically, in saddle type vehicles of the motorcycle type, the instrument cluster cable and the front brake cable have to be routed towards a front direction of the vehicle a steering of the steering tube, for a motorcycle type saddle type vehicle, the combined brake cable has to be routed towards a rear of the vehicle, away from the steering tube towards a brake pedal. Particularly, whereas in one embodiment, said instrument cluster cable is the speedometer cable, in another embodiment, said instrument cluster cable is the ABS sensor cable. In case of a saddle type vehicle with other configuration of powertrains e.g. swingable IC engine or a hub mounted electric or hybrid powertrain, all three cables i.e the instrument cluster cable, the front brake cable and the combined brake cable have to be routed towards the steering handle around the steering portion of the vehicle. Thereby, complexity of routing increases in a front portion of the saddle-type vehicle, especially around a steering tube/steering tube region.
[0012] Typically, saddle-type vehicles devoid of synchronous braking system make use of a wire guide disposed close to the steering tube and a rubber/resin guide attached to a front fender in order to aid in the routing of the instrument cluster cable and the front brake cable to the instrument cluster panel and the front brake lever respectively. However, the presence of only the wire guide and the rubber guide is often insufficient to prevent rubbing of the above mentioned cables which are in close proximity to each other. Rubbing due to swaying of cables especially occurs in full bump conditions. Rubbing affects the durability of all the above mentioned cables, affecting brake function and instrument panel function. Moreover, said cables also get entangled with one other during full bump conditions, further resulting in cable damage due to rubbing, thereby affecting durability of cables. Also, said cables tend to get entangled with one other during assembly, especially when an error occurs in the sequence of assembly of the front brake cable and the combined brake cable. Additionally, twisting of cables not only results in increased friction/rubbing between them but also results in a poor aesthetic appearance of the cables.
[0013] The routing of the plurality of cables around the vehicle systems is often time consuming and tends to hamper ease of manufacturing and assembly of the vehicle. Any wrong assembly can undesirably hamper the function or lead to delay and rework on the assembly line as well as in service which is unproductive. From service point of view there is also a challenge of making the routing and its holding means accessible since during periodic service the cables often need access for adjustment, repair, maintenance etc. of the cables as well as other vehicle systems. As per the dynamic movement of the vehicle during running and manoeuvring in rough road etc., the cables tend to experience an undesirable whipping effect leading to rubbing, noise and durability related failures. Excessive rigid clamping of the cables leads to poor flexibility and loss of operational movement of the cables rendering them with poor reliability and failure. To avoid such issues, it is desirable to have the guiding or holding means for the cables in an area which eliminates this problem. Also, it is critical that the disposition of the cables with reference to each other is also maintained as per design intent to perform required function without any drawbacks or side effects e.g. twisted routing. There also exists a problem of accommodating different variety of vehicles and models with different cable requirements e.g. 2 or 3 cables depending on the type of vehicle either simple conventional brake system of an SBS system etc. wherein each time changing to different attaching means increase variety, complexity as well as cost of the vehicle as a whole. Additionally, the cables itself tend to have dimensional variation from one piece to other and the vehicle to vehicle geometric and dimensional variations further complicate the precise and stable mounting and guiding of the plurality of cables for the operator / mechanic. For the brake system like SBS there is a typical need for the two cables to be disposed substantially running in parallel or close operational vicinity for good functioning and the additional cables e.g. speed cable being physically removed or away from the two brake cables in a non-parallel disposition along the curvilinear locus of the entire cables. Such requirement stems from the fact that the disposition of the brake actuator / levers is disposed at a distance from the speed measuring unit. Typical vehicles are enabled with a loop type guide on a lower portion in the fender assembly to guide cables and/or an additional loop guide on a portion above the front fender in a lower triple clamp assembly. However, this configuration still suffers from one or more of the drawbacks outlined above leading to poor durability and reliability failures
[0014] It is therefore desirable to address all the problems stated in the background and other associated problems.
[0015] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances.
[0016] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a saddle-type vehicle comprising a cable clamp member adapted to guide a plurality of cables without interference with each other, and thereby avoiding damage to wiring of said cables.
[0017] It is another object of the present invention to provide a saddle-type vehicle comprising a cable clamp member adapted to guide a plurality of cables by ensuring that said cables are not subjected to swaying under different riding conditions.
[0018] It is one more object of the present invention to provide a saddle-type vehicle comprising a cable clamp member which prevents entanglement of cables with one another during different vehicle riding conditions.
[0019] It is one more object of the present invention to provide a saddle-type vehicle comprising a cable clamp member whose construction enables ease of assembly of cables while also ensuring accuracy of assembly, and reducing complexity of routing.
[0020] It is still another object of the present invention to provide a saddle-type vehicle comprising a cable clamp member which is retrofittable in different models of saddle-type vehicles and has a low cost of manufacturing.
[0021] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a saddle-type vehicle comprising a cable clamp member which guides a plurality of cables and thereby enables in improving overall aesthetic appeal of said vehicle while ensuring dynamic flexibility of routing and eliminating whipping of cables.
[0022] It is another object of the present invention to provide a saddle-type vehicle comprising a cable clamp member designed to guide a plurality of cables without interference with surrounding vehicle parts, avoiding damage to said cables.
[0023] Accordingly, the above and other objects are achieved by providing a saddle-type vehicle comprising a front wheel brake, a rear wheel brake, a synchronous braking mechanism for synchronously braking the front brake and the rear brake, an instrument cluster panel supported on at least a portion of a body frame, and a cable clamp member for guiding respective cables operatively provided for the front wheel brake device, the rear wheel brake device, the synchronous braking system and the instrument cluster panel. In another embodiment, an ABS braking system may also be provided along with the synchronous braking system. The saddle-type vehicle comprises a body frame which enables in supporting different parts of the vehicle including cables which are connected to the front wheel brake device, the rear wheel brake device for either operating the front wheel brake and the rear wheel brake independently or both simultaneously. A front fender to cover a front wheel housing the front wheel brake device and an instrument cluster panel for displaying vehicle parameters is also supported by the body frame.
[0024] As per an aspect of the present invention, the cable clamp member is designed to be located over a first cable operatively connected to the instrument cluster panel, a second cable operatively connecting the front brake device to a front brake lever and a third cable operatively connected to a rear brake pedal for synchronously braking the front brake device and the rear brake device. Particularly, said cable clamp member is press fitted over a portion of said first cable, said second cable and said third cable routed between a front brake panel at one end and the instrument cluster panel and the rear brake pedal at other ends. More particularly, the cable clamp member is provided to guide said first cable, said second cable and said third cable emerging from the instrument cluster panel, the front brake lever and the rear brake pedal respectively towards a front brake panel accommodating said cables. Thus, as per an embodiment of the present invention, said cable clamp member aids in guiding a plurality of cables to be routed around a steering tube of the body frame of the vehicle.
[0025] As per another aspect of the present invention, said cable clamp member is disposed in a region located above the front fender and below a lower bracket holding a front suspension with the steering tube thereby enabling the entire routing system to be configured with optimal dynamic flexibility as well as adequate rigidity without being too stiff or compliant at the same time. Further, said cable clamp member is disposed between a routing structure for routing at least a portion of said first cable, said second cable and said third cable towards the front brake panel and one guide of one or more guides for holding at least a portion of said first cable, said second cable and said third cable routed towards the front brake panel. Thus, as the cable clamp member is disposed to clamp cables held between the routing structure and said guide, it is ensured that portion of said first cable, said second cable and said third cable disposed above the front fender is not subjected to undesirable swaying or whipping during vehicle full bump conditions or any other partial dynamic movement usage conditions, thereby ensuring that said cables do not get entangled with one another during such varied riding or usage conditions.
[0026] As per one more aspect of the present invention, said cable clamp member has three independent cable insertion slots, said slots being formed one next to the other. Thus, the construction of the cable clamp member ensures that said cables are held away from one another, thereby preventing rubbing of said cables with one another. Further, since there are independent insertion slots, it is ensured that said cables are held separately, one distinct from the other and in a manner such that each cable points towards respective abutment slots in the front brake panel. This helps in ensuring that no mistakes are made in connecting said cables to their respective abutment slots. Thus, the construction and location of the cable clamp member as per the aspects of the present invention eases overall assembly of the above mentioned cables.
[0027] Thus, construction of said cable clamp member as per the present invention not only aids in ensuring that damage to said cables either due to rubbing with each other or with other parts is prevented, but also aids in ensuring said cables can be easily routed/assembled. Other advantages such as retrofitability are also achieved.
[0028] Also, as per an aspect of the present invention, provision of said cable clamp member enables stable and stiff cum compliant routing for said cables.
[0029] Summary provided above explains the basic features of the invention and does not limit the scope of the invention. The nature and further characteristic features of the present invention will be made clearer from the following descriptions made with reference to the accompanying drawings provided with respect to an embodiment of a two wheeled saddle type motorcycle.
[0030] The present invention along with all the accompanying embodiments and their other advantages would be described in greater detail in conjunction with the figures in the following paragraphs
[0031] With reference to FIG.1, a description is made of an entire schematic structure of a saddle-type vehicle (100) having a body frame (101). Said saddle-type vehicle (100) includes said body frame (101) to support different parts of said vehicle (100). Particularly, said vehicle (100) has a body frame extending from a front portion of said vehicle to a rear portion of said vehicle. Said body frame (101) acts as a skeleton of said vehicle. A steering tube (102) is provided at a front end of said body frame (101). The steering tube (102) supports a steering shaft (not shown) rotatably in a certain range. A handlebar assembly including a handlebar (104) is rotatably integrally connected to the steering shaft. The handlebar (104) is used to steer said vehicle (100) and is connected to a front wheel (115) through a front suspension (116). The front suspension (116) in turn is connected to the handlebar (104) by means of an upper bracket (102b) and a lower bracket (102a). The front suspension (116) is further supported partially on a front fender (117) and is connected to the front wheel (115). An upper portion of the front wheel (115) is covered by the front fender (117) which prevents mud and water from getting deflected towards an upper portion of the front suspension (106).
[0032] In a front portion of the body frame (101) a fuel tank (108) is arranged immediately behind the handlebar (104) and is disposed over a main tube (103) of said body frame (101). Particularly, said fuel tank is mounted on a rearwardly extending portion of said main tube (103) (shown in Fig.2) and is covered at least partially by a fuel tank cover.
[0033] A power train e.g. an internal combustion engine (IC engine) (110) of said vehicle (100) is mounted below the main tube and extends vertically upwards. The IC engine (110) is equipped with an exhaust system that includes an exhaust pipe (not shown) connected to the IC engine (110) and a muffler (not shown) connected to the exhaust pipe. The muffler (not shown) extends rearwards along the right side of a rear wheel (150).
[0034] Power from the IC engine (110) is transmitted to the rear wheel (150) through a transmission assembly, so as to drive and rotate the rear wheel (150). The transmission assembly includes a gearbox containing gear train and a drive mechanism connecting the gearbox to the rear wheel (150). Thus, power from the IC engine (110) is transmitted to the rear wheel (150) rotatably supported at a rear end of a swing arm (not shown). A rear fender (113) for covering an upper side of the rear wheel (150) is mounted to a rear portion of the body frame (101) to prevent mud and water splashed by the rotating rear wheel (150) from entering the muffler, the IC engine (110) and other parts disposed close by.
[0035] A seat (114) is disposed at a rear side of said vehicle for seating a rider and a pillion. The seat (114) includes a front rider portion (114f) and rear pillion portion (114r). Whereas in one embodiment, said front rider portion (114f) and said rear pillion portion (114r) are provided as separate seat portions, in another embodiment, said front rider portion and said rear pillion portion are provided as a single seat portion.
[0036] For safety of the rider and in conformance with the traffic rules, a head lamp unit (140) and a turn signal lamp unit (141) are provided in a front portion of said vehicle (100). The head lamp unit (140) and the turn signal lamp unit (141) are housed in a head lamp housing assembly. Power for the head lamp unit (140) and the turn signal lamp unit (141) is supplied from an auxiliary power source such as a battery unit (not shown) disposed below a rider seat portion. Particularly, a wiring harness (not shown) is wired between said battery unit and electrical parts disposed in a front portion of said vehicle, including the head lamp unit (140) and the turn signal lamp unit (141). Said wiring harness also supplies power to a fuse and a horn (not shown). Said wiring harness emerging from the battery unit is guided along a front portion of the body frame (101) including at least a portion of the steering tube (102) and the main tube (103).
[0037] Safety of said saddle-type vehicle (100) is also improved by providing a braking system, for example a synchronous braking system which controls braking operation of both a front brake device (118) and a rear brake device (not shown) of a front wheel (115) and the rear wheel (150) respectively simultaneously. Said braking system includes a front brake lever (not shown) and a rear brake pedal (107) (shown in Fig.3) to be operated by the rider and connected to said front brake device (118) and said rear brake device respectively through one or more cables including a second cable (121) and a third cable (122) (shown in Fig.2). Whereas said second cable (121) operatively connects the front brake device (118) to the front brake lever, said third cable operatively connects the rear brake device and the front brake device to the rear brake pedal. Thus, while the second cable (121) serves as the front brake cable, said third brake cable (122) serves as the combined brake cable in the present embodiment.
[0038] For comfortable riding, suspension systems are provided for comfortable steering of said vehicle (100) on the road. The front suspension (116), which forms the front suspension system, serves as rigidity component just like the body frame (101). The front suspension (116) clamped to the steering tube (102) through an upper bracket (102b) and a lower bracket (102a) is capable of being moved/steered to the left and right. Further, a rear suspension system (119), which is a hydraulic damped arrangement, is connected to the body frame (101) at a rear portion thereof. Particularly, at the rear portion of the body frame (101), the rear wheel (111) is suspended by the rear suspension system (119).
[0039] To enhance the overall aesthetics of said vehicle (100) and to prevent undesired foreign particles from entering parts of said vehicle, a plurality of rear covers (160) is attached to a rear portion of the main tube (103) of the body frame (101).
[0040] Fig.2a and Fig.2b illustrates a side view of a body frame of the saddle-type vehicle. As may be seen in Fig.2a, the body frame (101) comprises a steering tube (102), a main tube (103) extending rearwardly from said steering tube (102), a down tube (105) extending rearwardly and downwardly from said steering tube (102) and a pair of rear tubes (106) extending rearwardly from a mid-portion of said main tube (103). A downward extending portion of said main tube (103) and the down tube (105) create a cradle-type space for accommodating the engine (110). Further, the downward extending portion of the main tube (103) also supports a rear brake pedal (107) on a right hand side thereof below a right side engine mounting bracket (108). Further, the swing arm (112) extends rearwardly from the engine mounting bracket (108) towards the rear wheel (150) and supports the rear wheel (150). As may be seen in Fig.2a and Fig.2b, three different cables including a first cable (120), a second cable (121) and a third cable (122) extend from a front bake panel (123) towards the steering tube (102). Particularly, in the present embodiment while the first cable (120) is routed from the front brake panel (123) to the instrument cluster panel (124), the second cable (121) is routed from the front brake panel (123) to the front brake lever (125), and the third cable (122) is routed from front brake panel (123) to the rear brake pedal (107). Thus, all three cables including said first cable (120), said second cable (121) and said third cable (122) are routed around the steering tube (102) to be connected to the instrument cluster panel (124), the front brake lever (125) and the rear brake pedal (107) respectively.
[0041] In order to support and guide said first cable (120), said second cable (121), and said third cable (122) said body frame (101) is provided with one or more guide members (126) for guiding and supporting said first, second and third cables (120, 121, 122) along a routing path extending from said front brake panel (123) and around the steering tube (102) towards a rear brake pedal (107). Particularly in the present embodiment, said one or more guide members (126) includes wire guide members extending from different parts of the body frame (101), for e.g. from a lower bracket (102a) disposed in a lower portion of the steering tube (102), from a portion of a reinforcement member (102r) disposed behind the steering tube (102) and between the main tube (102) and the down tube (105), and from the mid portion of the main tube (103). For example, in the present embodiment, while one of said guide members (126) extending from said lower bracket (102a) holds and supports all three cables including said first cable (120), said second cable (121) and said third cable (122) extending from said front brake panel (123); two of said guide members (126) extending from said reinforcement member (102r) and said main tube (103) aid in routing of said third cable (122) to said rear brake pedal (107). Further, in addition to above described guide members (126), the vehicle (100) is provided with a routing structure (127) extending from the front fender (117) of the vehicle (100). Thus, said first cable (120), said second cable (121) and said third cable (122) extending from said front brake panel (123) are first routed through said routing structure (127) before being guided through said one or more guide members (126) to their respective operational parts. While presence of said guide members (126) extending from the lower bracket (102a) and from the reinforcement member (102r) ensure that said first cable (120), said second cable (121), and said third cable (122) are guided towards an upper region of said vehicle close to the steering tube (102) without said first, second and third cables (120,121, 122) getting twisted or entangled with one another during assembly of said cables. However, the provision of said routing structure (127) and said guide (126) extending from said lower bracket (102a) does not render said cables (120,121,122) to be taut/stiff cum compliant in a region extending above the front fender (117) and below the lower bracket (102a). Slackness of said first, second and third cables (120,121,122) in the region above the front fender (117) and below the lower bracket (102a) results in said cables (120,121,122) getting entangled during different riding conditions. Slackness may also result in creation of whipping issues in the cables. Entanglement of cables with one another occurs especially in dynamic operating conditions resulting in rubbing of cables, further resulting in cable damage due to rubbing. Rubbing due to swaying of cables also occurs in dynamic operating conditions. Rubbing affects the durability of all the above mentioned cables (120,121,122), affecting brake function and speedometer function of the instrument cluster panel. Also, said cables tend to get entangled with one other during assembly, especially when a mistake is made in the sequence of assembly of the front brake cable and the combined brake cable. Twisting of cables not only results in increased friction/rubbing between them but also presents a poor aesthetic appearance of the cables.
[0042] In order to address the above problems and as may be seen in Figs.2a-3a, the present subject matter provides a cable clamp member (130) for clamping said first cable (120), said second cable (121) and said third cable (122) at a position substantially above the front fender (117) and subatnatially below the lower bracket (102a). In other words, the cable clamp member (130) is disposed in a region confined by the upper contour of the fender surface and the frame structure portion disposed downward of the steering head portion which is also referred to as the wheel well region which is an open space to enable the wheel to move in substantially upward downward and leftward and rightward direction for dynamic operating requirements of the vehicle. Particularly, said cable clamp member (130) is disposed between said routing structure (127) and one of said guides (126) extending from the lower bracket (102a). Disposing said cable clamp member (130) between said routing structure (127) and one of said guides (126) extending from the lower bracket (102a) aids in ensuring that a substantial length of said cables (120,121,122) extending above the front fender (117) and towards the steering tube (102) is tautly held and thereby ensures that said cables (120,121,122) do not sway during full bump conditions. As per an aspect of the present invention, the clamp member (130) is configured to be able to attach to the plurality of cables at any position in the wheel well region (W) (shown in Fig.2a) thereby adequately compensating any operational variance in the orientation and loci of the cables (120, 121, 122) as well as the dimensions of the vehicle systems as a whole. This provides immense flexibility to ensure that said cables are stable and optimally stiff cum complaint.
[0043] As per an embodiment of the present invention and as may be seen in Fig.4, said cable clamp member (130) is press fitted over said first cable (120), said second cable (121) and said third cable (122), said cables (120,121,122) being previously routed between the routing structure (127) and one of said guides (126) extending from or towards the front brake panel (123). The construction of said cable clamp member (130) as per the present invention and as may be seen in Fig.5, aids in ensuring that said first cable (120), said second cable (121) and said third cable (123) are held separated from one other. Particularly, said cable clamp member (130) is enmoulded from resin or the like and comprises of independent cable insertion slots (131), said slots (131) being conjugately formed to be disposed one next to the other. Particularly, as per one embodiment said slots (131) are juxtaposed in a substantially linear orientation adjacent to each other such that the centre axis of each of the insertion slots pass through a linear locus. As per another embodiment, the axis of the insertion slots may be disposed in a curvilinear orientation to form an arc of predetermined radius. As per another embodiment, the plurality of insertion slots may be juxtaposed in a substantially regular geometric shape e.g. a triangular orientation in case of 3 insertion slots, a quadrilateral disposition in case of four insertion slots and so on. More particularly, said insertion slots (131) are formed to have a main body (131a) and an insertion neck (131b) extending in front of said main body (131a). Said insertion neck (131b) is formed as a constricted portion as compared to the main body (131a) in order to ensure that said cables (120,121,122) are not pushed out due to vibrations during vehicle running conditions. For example, in one embodiment said insertion neck (131b) is provided with a V shaped entry chamfer, which enables to one to expand said clamp (130) during insertion of said cables (120,121,122), thereby providing mounting flexibility. Further, diameter of said main body (131a) is maintained slightly more than diameter of said cables (120,121.122) for allowing optimal movement of said cables (120,121,122) to ensure that there is no damage to said cables (120,121,122) due to undue restriction in movement of said cables during different vehicle operating conditions such as full bump conditions, left steering, right steering and braking conditions.
[0044] Thus, as the construction of the cable clamp member (130) enables in keeping said first cable (120), said second cable (121) and said third cable (122) separate from one another, it prevents contact of one cable with the other even when said cables (120,121,122) are in close proximity to each other and during dynamic operational usage/movement. Moreover, since use of said clamp member (130) ensures that said cables (120,121,122) are held tautly, swaying of said cables (120,121,122) is prevented even during full bump conditions, thereby preventing rubbing of cables/entanglement of cables with one another. Thus, damage of cables due to rubbing with one another is prevented. Moreover, since said cable clamp (130) is designed to allow optimal independent movement of said cables (120,121,122) it also enables in ensuring that there is no damage to said cables as result of undue restriction in movement.
[0045] As per an aspect of this invention and as per one embodiment, assembly sequence for assembling said cable clamp member (130) involves the below mentioned steps. A first step typically involves connecting one end of said first cable (120), said second cable (121) and said third cable (122) to the instrument cluster panel (124), the front brake lever (125) and the rear brake pedal (107) respectively, followed by routing said first cable (120) extending from the instrument cluster panel (124), said second cable (121) extending from the front brake lever (125) and said third cable (122) extending from said rear brake pedal (107) to be allowed to pass through said guides (126) and said routing structure (127). Further said cable clamp member (130) is assembled over said first cable (120), said second cable (121) and said third cable (122) extending between said routing structure (127) and said guide (126) extending from said lower bracket (102a) and disposed above the front fender (117) and below the lower bracket (102a) in the wheel well region (W). The cables (120,121,122) thus clamped by said clamp member (130) are also supported and guided by said one or more guides (126) lying upstream of said clamp member (130) and by said routing structure (127) disposed downstream of said clamp member (130). Provision of said clamp member (130) over said cables (120,121,122) ensures that said cables are distinctly held from one another thereby easing assembly of other end of said cables to respective abutment portions (123a,123b,123c) provided in the front brake panel (123). Thus, ease of assembly of cables is ensured and it is also ensured that no mistake occurs while connecting other ends of said cables in the abutment portions provided in the front brake panel (123). Further, said first cable (120), said second cable (121) and said third cable (122) routed through said guides (126) and said routing structure (127) are respectively connected to a first abutment portion (123a), a second abutment portion (123b) and a third abutment portion (123c) provided in said front brake panel (123) for establishing connection with the front brake panel (123). In another embodiment of the present invention, said cables (120,121,122) may be firstly assembled to the abutment portions followed by locating said cable clamp over said cables and ultimately connecting other ends of said cables to respective operative parts
[0046] The cable clamp member (130) as per the present subject matter thus aids in effectively preventing wear out/damage of cables including a combined brake cable, a front brake cable and instrument cluster cable, while also enabling proper routing of said cables to their respective connecting parts, thus easing assembly of said cables.