DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present subject matter relates to a vehicle. More particularly, to a split
type front fender assembly for a vehicle.
5 BACKGROUND
[0002] Over the last few years, with the induction of new powertrain technologies
concomitantly, substantial attention has been paid to the reduction of pollutants
emitted by vehicles. To this end, much attention has also been paid to the development
of hybrid electric vehicles (HEV’s)/ electric vehicles (EV’s) for their optimal
10 performance and durability. Importantly, the performance and durability are essential
vehicle attribute that attracts customers to purchase the vehicle.
[0003] The above information disclosed in this background section is only for
enhancement of understanding of the background of the disclosure and therefore it
may contain information that does not form the prior art that is already known in this
15 country to a person of ordinary skill in the art.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] The present invention is described with reference to an exemplary
embodiment of powertrain in a two or three wheeled electric vehicle. The split type
20 front fender assembly described here includes an electric motor. Such a powertrain can
be installed in a two or three or multi wheeled vehicle. The same numbers are used
throughout the drawings to reference like features and components. Further, the
inventive features of the invention are set forth in the appended claims.
[0005] Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the invention are
25 described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals
refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified. It should
be appreciated that the following figures may not be drawn to scale.
[0006] Descriptions of certain details and implementations follow, including a
description of the figures, which may depict some or all of the embodiments described
30 below, as well as a discussion of other potential embodiments or implementations of
the inventive concepts presented herein. An overview of embodiments of the invention
3
is provided below, followed by a more detailed description with reference to the
drawings.
[0007] Figure 1 illustrates a right-side view of a straddle vehicle (100) and a
localized view of a split type front fender (110), as per embodiment, in accordance
5 with one example of the present subject matter.
[0008] Figure 2a illustrates a perspective view of the split type front fender (110),
as per embodiment, in accordance with one example of the present subject matter.
[0009] Figure 2b illustrates an exploded view of the split type front fender (110),
as per embodiment, in accordance with one example of the present subject matter.
10 DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[00010] In the following description specific details are set forth to provide a
thorough understanding of the embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will
recognize, however, that the techniques described herein can be practiced without one
or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In
15 other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or
described in detail to avoid obscuring certain aspects.
[00011] Electric vehicles have the potential to substantially cut greenhouse gas
emissions from the transport sector. Typically, a drive system of the electric vehicle
includes a battery for powering an electric motor assembly and a transmission
20 assembly. The electric motor assembly includes a controller for controlling the speed
of the electric motor.
[00012] However, there are certain limitations associated with electric vehicles.
Most significantly, the torque, speed, and range of electric vehicles. Thus, to assure an
effective torque developed by the drive wheel and the force applied to the road surface
25 special attention has been given to the electric drive and power source i.e., batteries.
[00013] Generally, electric vehicles, particularly high-performance vehicles require
a plurality of batteries. The plurality of batteries are employed to achieve the
equivalent performance in terms of the range of an gasoline powered vehicle since
batteries generally have a lower energy density than gasoline. Further, it is
30 counterintutive in nature to meet the need to propel vehicles with optimum torque and
speed while enabling enough storage space inside the vehicles as a large proportion of
4
the weight and volume of the electric vehicle must be devoted to the batteries.
Therefore, it is challenging for the designer engineers for a two or three-wheeled
straddle type vehicle when compared with a four-wheeled vehicle owing to the lack of
space & compact layout as well as the economics.
5 [00014] As per known art, mounting the plurality of batteries in an electric vehicle
below a seat assembly and above a swing arm unit is disclosed. However, the increased
weight of the electric vehicle, more particularly high performance vehicle, is
detrimental to the speed and range of the motorcycle. Therefore, to achieve good
performance it is important to reduce the weight of the electric vehicle while retaining
10 the optimum strength of the electric vehicle to support the multiple components
including electric motor and plurality of batteries. Typically, vehicles with high
acceleration and / or high engine power (KW) are referred to as high performance
vehicles. Further, in high-performance electric vehicles, known batteries are prone to
failure due to reasons such as the continuous transmission of mechanical vibrations,
15 exposure to high impact forces and, thermal runaway. This phenomenon can lead to
an uncontrolled chain of exothermic reactions resulting in the release of toxic gas. This
can further lead to the development of high pressure in the battery packs leading to
premature failure, fire, and explosions. To address the said issue, batteries are typically
provided below the seat with active cooling means. However, this significantly
20 increases the size, weight, and cost of the electric vehicle. The increased weight and
non-uniform weight distribution undesirably affects the handling and maneuverability
of the electric vehicle. More specifically, the non-uniform weight distribution across
the electric vehicle leads to imbalances of the center of gravity of the vehicle.
Therefore, there is a need to provide a cost effective and compact means to guide the
25 ram air to effectively cool the vehicular parts. To this end, the present invention
provides split front fender assembly that will effectively direct the ram air towards an
air duct to cool the batteries and meet the common requirements of the vehicle
including low weight, low cost, high reliability, while overcoming all the above
problems & other problems of the known art. The split front fender assembly is
30 advantageously used striving to meet customer expectations by providing a low cost
and safe vehicle.
5
[00015] According to one embodiment, it is an object of the present invention to
provide a split type front fender which is cost-effective, compact, light in weight with
improved stiffness and provides optimum cooling to the vehicular parts.
[00016] According to the present subject matter to attain the above-mentioned
5 objectives, it is an aspect of the present invention to provide a split type front fender
for a vehicle. The split type front fender comprising a first member, and a second
member. The second member being detachably attached to a first end of said first
member. The first member being configured to have a first channel, and a second
channel. The second channel extending from a first end of said first channel to said
10 first end of said first member, said first channel extends from substantially a bulge
portion of said first member. A first end of said second channel faces an opening of an
air duct disposed between said split type fender and one or more vehicular component.
[00017] As per one embodiment of the present invention, a width of said first channel
being progressively increasing along a longitudinal direction of said first member.
15 [00018] As per one embodiment of the present invention, a width of said second
channel being progressively increasing along said longitudinal direction of said first
member.
[00019] As per one embodiment of the present invention, a depth of said first channel
being progressively increasing along said longitudinal direction of said first member.
20 [00020] As per one embodiment of the present invention, a depth of said second
channel being progressively increasing along said longitudinal direction of said first
member.
[00021] As per one embodiment of the present invention, said first channel and said
second channel centrally configured on a top surface of said first member.
25 [00022] As per one embodiment of the present invention, said first channel being an
open type channel.
[00023] As per one embodiment of the present invention, said second channel
(110AB) being a closed type channel.
[00024] As per one embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of mounting
30 legs being provided on said second member.
6
[00025] As per one embodiment of the present invention, said mounting legs being
configured to have one or more opening, said opening being configured to receive
attachment means to detachably attach said split type fender to a frame assembly of
said vehicle.
5 [00026] The present subject matter is further described with reference to
accompanying figures. It should be noted that the description and figures merely
illustrate principles of the present subject matter. Various arrangements may be
devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, encompass the
principles of the present subject matter. Moreover, all statements herein reciting
10 principles, aspects, and examples of the present subject matter, as well as specific
examples thereof, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
[00027] The foregoing disclosure is not intended to limit the present disclosure to
the precise forms or particular fields of use disclosed. As such, it is contemplated that
various alternate embodiments and/or modifications to the present disclosure, whether
15 explicitly described or implied herein, are possible in light of the disclosure. Having
thus described embodiments of the present disclosure, a person of ordinary skill in the
art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from
the scope of the present disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is limited only by the
claims.
20 [00028] In the foregoing specification, the disclosure has been described with
reference to specific embodiments. However, as one skilled in the art will appreciate,
various embodiments disclosed herein can be modified or otherwise implemented in
various other ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.
Accordingly, this description is to be considered as illustrative and is for the purpose
25 of teaching those skilled in the art the manner of making and using various
embodiments of the disclosure. It is to be understood that the forms of disclosure herein
shown and described are to be taken as representative embodiments. Equivalent
elements, materials, processes or steps may be substituted for those representatively
illustrated and described herein. Moreover, certain features of the disclosure may be
30 utilized independently of the use of other features, all as would be apparent to one
skilled in the art after having the benefit of this description of the disclosure.
7
Expressions such as “including”, “comprising”, “incorporating”, “consisting of”,
“have”, “is” used to describe and claim the present disclosure are intended to be
construed in a non-exclusive manner, namely allowing for items, components or
elements not explicitly described also to be present. Reference to the singular is also
5 to be construed to relate to the plural.
[00029] Further, various embodiments disclosed herein are to be taken in the
illustrative and explanatory sense, and should in no way be construed as limiting of
the present disclosure. All joinder references (e.g., attached, affixed, coupled,
connected, etc.) are only used to aid the reader's understanding of the present
10 disclosure, and may not create limitations, particularly as to the position, orientation,
or use of the systems and/or methods disclosed herein. Therefore, joinder references,
if any, are to be construed broadly. Moreover, such joinder references do not
necessarily infer that two elements are directly connected to each other.
[00030] Additionally, all numerical terms, such as, but not limited to, “first”,
15 “second”, “third”, “primary”, “secondary”, “main” or any other ordinary and/or
numerical terms, should also be taken only as identifiers, to assist the reader's
understanding of the various elements, embodiments, variations and/or modifications
of the present disclosure, and may not create any limitations, particularly as to the
order, or preference, of any element, embodiment, variation and/or modification
20 relative to, or over, another element, embodiment, variation and/or modification.
[00031] It will also be appreciated that one or more of the elements depicted in the
drawings/figures can also be implemented in a more separated or integrated manner,
or even removed or rendered as inoperable in certain cases, as is useful in accordance
with a particular application. Additionally, any signal hatches in the drawings/figures
25 should be considered only as exemplary, and not limiting, unless otherwise specifically
specified.
[00032] The embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail
with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[00033] Figure 1 illustrates a right-side view of a straddle vehicle (100) and a
30 localized view of a split type front fender assembly (110), as per embodiment, in
accordance with one example of the present subject matter. As per illustrated
8
embodiment, a straddle vehicle (100) (hereinafter “vehicle”) includes a frame
assembly (101) to support different parts of said vehicle (100). The vehicle (100)
according to an embodiment extends from the front portion (F) to the rear portion (R)
and is supported by a frame assembly (101). The vehicle (100) includes a front wheel
5 (103) steered by a handlebar (104) and a rear wheel (105) connected to a rear wheel
hub (102) supported by a swing arm (106). Steering assembly parts including a visor
assembly (107), a rider seat (108), and the front wheel (103) are supported for pivotal
steering operation at the front end of the vehicle frame assembly (101). A rider seat
(108) for a rider and a seat for a pillion rider (109) is placed rearward to a U-shaped
10 hump structure (116). The split type front fender assembly (110) is provided above the
front wheel (103) to direct the air towards an air duct (121). Additionally, the split type
front fender assembly (110) avoids the vehicle occupants from being splashed with
mud. Likewise, a rear fender (111) is placed above the rear wheel (105), and to the
outer side in the radial direction of the rear wheel (105). The rear fender (111) inhibits
15 rainwater or the like from being thrown up by the rear wheel (105). The swingarm
(106) along with a rear suspension assembly (112) is supported at a rear portion (R)
thereof for pivotal motion by the frame assembly (101) including a front suspension
assembly (113). In general terms, both the front suspension (113) and rear suspension
(112) act as shock absorbers and help cushion the vehicle on uneven roads. The vehicle
20 (100) further comprises a headlamp (114), a tail lamp assembly (115), a footrest (118),
a prime mover (119), connectors (117), a U-shaped hump structure (116) and a pair of
side panels (120a, 120b) and at least two turn signal lamps.
[00034] Figure 2a illustrates a perspective view of the split type front fender
assembly (110), as per embodiment, in accordance with one example of the present
25 subject matter. Figure 2b illustrates an exploded view of the split type front fender
assembly (110), as per embodiment, in accordance with one example of the present
subject matter. For sake of brevity, Figure 2a, and Figure 2b will be discussed
together. The split type front fender assembly (110) comprising a first member (110A),
and a second member (110B). The second member (110B) being detachably attached
30 to a first end (110AD) of said first member (110A). The first member (110A) being
configured to have a first channel (110AA), and a second channel (110AB). The
9
second channel (110AB) extending from a first end (110AAA) of said first channel
(110AA) to said first end (110AD) of the first member (110A). The first channel
(110AA) extends from substantially a bulge portion (110AS) and one or more
vehicular component like batteries, traction motor, and an IC engine. A width of said
5 first channel (110AA) being progressively increasing along a longitudinal direction
(Y-Y’) of said first member (110A). Further, a width of said second channel (110AB)
being progressively increasing along said longitudinal direction (Y-Y’) of said first
member (110A). A depth of said first channel (110AA) being progressively increasing
along the longitudinal direction (Y-Y’) of said first member (110A). Further, a depth
10 of said first channel (110AA) being progressively increasing along the longitudinal
direction (Y-Y’) of said first member (110A). The first channel (110AA) and said
second channel (110AB) centrally configured on a top surface (110AT) of said first
member (110A). The first channel (110AA) being an open type channel. The second
channel (110AB) being a closed type channel. A pair of mounting legs (110AC) being
15 provided on said second member (110B). The mounting legs (110AC) being
configured to have one or more opening (110ACA). The opening (110ACA) being
configured to receive attachment means (not shown) to detachably attach said split
type fender (110) to a frame assembly (101) of said vehicle (100).
[00035] According to the above architecture, one of the primary efficacies of the
20 present invention is the optimally rigid, vibration resistant structure of the split type
front fender assembly as the section modulus being improved. Further, the split type
front fender assembly being configured to provide a flow path to direct ram air
effectively towards the inlet opening of the air duct for cooling purposes.
[00036] The above-described embodiments, and particularly any “preferred”
25 embodiments, are possible examples of implementations and merely set forth for a
clear understanding of the principles of the invention. It will be apparent to those
skilled in the art that changes in form, connection, and detail may be made therein
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
30
10
List of Reference
F- Front direction
R – Rear direction
5 L-L’ – Lateral direction
100 - Vehicle
101 - Frame assembly
102- Wheel Hub
103 - Front wheel
10 104 -Handlebar
105 - Rear wheel
106 - Swing arm
107 - Visor assembly
108 - Rider Seat
15 109 - Pillion Rider seat
110 - Front fender
110A – First member
110AS – Bulge portion
110AA – First channel
20 110AT – Top surface of the primary
channel
,CLAIMS:We Claim:
1. A split type front fender assembly (110) for a vehicle (100) comprising
a first member (110A), and
a second member (110B),
5 wherein said second member (110B) being detachably attached
to a first end (110AD) of said first member (110A),
wherein said first end (110AD) being disposed to face
an opening of an air duct (121), said air duct (121)
disposed between said split type front fender assembly
10 (110) and one or more vehicular component for cooling air
intake.
2. A split type front fender assembly (110) for a vehicle (100) as claimed
in claim 1,
wherein said first member (110A) being configured to have
15 a first channel (110AA), and
a second channel (110AB),
wherein said second channel (110AB) extending from
a first end (110AAA) of said first channel (110AA) to said
first end (110AD) of said first member (110A), said first
20 channel (110AA) extends from substantially a bulge
portion (110AS) of said first member (110A),
3. The split type front fender assembly (110) for a vehicle (100) as claimed
in claim 2, wherein a width of said first channel (110AA) being progressively
increasing along a longitudinal direction (Y-Y’) of said first member (110A).
25 4. The split type front fender assembly (110) for a vehicle (100) as claimed
in claim 2, wherein a width of said second channel (110AB) being
progressively increasing along a longitudinal direction (Y-Y’) of said first
member (110A).
12
5. The split type front fender assembly (110) for a vehicle (100) as claimed
in claim 2, wherein a depth of said first channel (110AA) being progressively
increasing along a longitudinal direction (Y-Y’) of said first member (110A).
6. The split type front fender assembly (110) for a vehicle (100) as claimed
5 in claim 2, wherein a depth of said second channel (110AB) being
progressively increasing along a longitudinal direction (Y-Y’) of said first
member (110A).
7. The split type front fender assembly (110) for a vehicle (100) as claimed
in claim 2, wherein said first channel (110AA) and said second channel
10 (110AB) being centrally configured on a top surface (110AT) of said first
member (110A).
8. The split type front fender assembly (110) for a vehicle (100) as claimed
in claim 2, wherein said first channel (110AA) being an open type channel.
9. The split type front fender assembly (110) for a vehicle (100) as claimed
15 in claim 2, wherein said second channel (110AB) being a closed type channel.
10. The split type front fender assembly (110) for a vehicle (100) as claimed
in claim 1, wherein a pair of mounting legs (110AC) being provided on said
second member (110B).
11. The split type front fender assembly (110) for a vehicle (100) as claimed
20 in claim 10, wherein said mounting legs (110AC) being configured to have
one or more opening (110ACA), said opening (110ACA) being configured
to receive attachment means for detachably attaching said split type fender
(110) to a frame assembly (101) of said vehicle (100).
12. The split type front fender assembly (110) for a vehicle (100) as claimed
25 in claim 1, wherein said vehicular parts includes batteries, an internal
combustion engine, and a traction motor.