DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present subject matter, in general, relates to a rear cover assembly for a two-wheeled vehicle, and in particular, relates to a storage unit assembly disposed on the rear cover of the two-wheeled vehicle.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Typically, a vehicle layout design for a scooter features a step-through frame and a well-defined space to accommodate a flat surface called as a floorboard for the rider’s feet to rest. A rear panel is disposed just above the floorboard and a storage unit is integrated with the rear panel. The space provided in the storage unit is utilized for various purposes as per the user requirement. The storage unit is utilized for storing tiny articles such as user gloves or any other essential documents. Further, the scooter features bodywork, including a front leg shield and body that conceals all or most of the vehicular parts. Since, most of the parts in the scooter are concealed by the body, the body parts are to be designed such that optimum utilization of space in the scooter is achieved.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like features and components.
[0004] Fig. 1 shows a side view of a scooter type vehicle.
[0005] Fig. 2 illustrates a side view of the scooter type vehicle with lid member of the storage unit in an open condition.
[0006] Fig. 3 illustrates a storage unit assembly in a closed condition.
[0007] Fig. 4 illustrates a storage unit assembly in an open condition.
[0008] Fig. 5 illustrates an exploded view of the motion control sub-assembly.
[0009] Fig. 6(a) illustrates a hinge assembly of the storage unit assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[00010] Fig. 6(b) illustrates an exploded view of the hinge assembly of the storage unit assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[00011] Fig. 7(a) illustrates a left side perspective view of a holding structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[00012] Fig. 7(b) illustrates a left side perspective view of an exploded view of the holding structure and the drive member according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[00013] Fig. 8(a) depicts an extending arm of the hinge assembly according to an embodiment.
[00014] Fig. 8(b) illustrates a drive member according to an embodiment.
[00015] Fig. 9 illustrates a holding structure according to an embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[00016] The present invention discloses a storage unit assembly mounted and located on a rear cover and below a rear side of the headlamp housing. The storage unit forming an integrated part of the rear panel is easily accessible as per the user convenience. The storage unit comprises of a retractable lid member for opening and closing and, to provide access to the storage space inside the storage unit for the customer to store articles inside the storage unit. Generally, a hinge assembly is used to attach the lid member to the rear panel. The lid member of the storage unit is operable with the help of a locking sub-assembly. The locking sub-assembly enables unlocking of the lid member to provide access to the interior of the storage unit and upon unlocking the lid member the lid opens down by gravitational force. Under certain circumstances when the rider’s leg is still on the floorboard, the lid opened down by gravitational force may cause inconvenience to the rider by hitting the rider’s leg due to sudden fall of the lid member. Further, the sudden fall of the lid member provides unwanted jerks to the hinge assembly holding the lid member. The sudden fall of the lid member affects the durability of the hinge assembly and the durability of the lid member is decreased eventually. Furthermore, due to increased stress on the hinge assembly, the hinge assembly may break. Furthermore, the articles stored inside the storage unit might fall outside causing inconvenience to the rider.
[00017] Hence, an objective of the present invention is to provide a sub-assembly to prevent sudden fall of the lid member. It is further an objective of the invention to decrease stress on the hinge assembly due to the overhanging lid member.
[00018] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a motion control sub-assembly is provided in the rear panel to prevent sudden fall of the lid member. The motion control sub-assembly according to an embodiment comprises, a hinge assembly disposed about a hinge axis of the storage unit, and a drive member accommodated by a holding structure. The hinge assembly is engaged with at least a portion of the drive member to provide upward and downward stepped movement to the lid member. The problem of lid member falling freely upon unlocking is overcome in the proposed invention through the motion control sub-assembly.
[00019] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the lid member is allowed to restrictedly move by providing stepped movement from an open position to a closed position. The hinge assembly is capable of being engaged with the drive member. The hinge assembly is configured to include outward projecting teeth capable of being engaged with similar projecting teeth provided on an outer circumferential surface of the drive member. Upon unlocking the lid member from the rear panel, the hinge assembly moves around the drive member only until a second end of the hinge assembly reaches the drive member. Once, the second end of the hinge assembly reaches the drive member, the lid member is restricted from further opening down. Hence, the movement of the lid member is controlled from free fall. Further, the sudden fall of the lid member is restricted.
[00020] Further, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the drive member is held by a holding structure disposed on the rear panel. The holding structure is configured to accommodate the drive member at one end and the other end is fastened to the rear panel. The drive member is attached to the holding structure through attaching means, for example, the drive member according to the present embodiment is press fitted with the holding structure.
[00021] The motion control sub-assembly according to the present invention to prevent the sudden fall of the lid member can be understood in detail by the following description and the accompanying figures.
[00022] Fig. 1 shows a side view of the scooter type vehicle. The vehicle 1 has a body frame assembly made up of several tubes welded together, which usually supports the body of the said vehicle 1. The vehicle 1 has a steerable front wheel 101 and a driven rear wheel 102. The body frame assembly of the vehicle 1 is an elongated structure, which typically extends from a forward end to a rearward end of the vehicle 1. It is generally convex in shape, as viewed from a side elevation view. The said frame assembly includes a head tube (not shown), a main frame and may have a sub-frame. The sub-frame is attached to the main frame using appropriate joining sub-assembly. The frame assembly is covered by a plurality of vehicle body covers including a front panel 103, a rear panel 104, and a front panel located at the bottom 106, and a left side panel 107. A storage unit 109 is provided on the rear panel 104 for the user to store small articles.
[00023] A handlebar assembly 112 and a seat assembly 108 are supported at opposing ends of the frame assembly and a generally open area is defined there between known as a floorboard 105, which functions as a step through space. The seat for a driver and a pillion is placed forward to a fuel tank and rear side of floorboard 105. A front fender 110 is provided above the front wheel 101 to avoid the said vehicle 1 and its occupants from being splashed with mud. Likewise, a rear fender 113 is placed between a fuel tank and the rear wheel 102, and to the outer side in the radial direction of the rear wheel 102. The rear fender 113 inhibits rain water or the like from being thrown up by the rear wheel 102.
[00024] Suspensions are provided for comfortable steering of the vehicle 1 on the road. A front suspension assembly (not shown) is connected to a front fork 111. The rear suspension assembly comprises of at least one rear suspension (not shown) preferably on the left side of the vehicle 1. However, a vehicle with two rear suspensions, namely on the left side and the right side is also possible. For the safety of the user and in conformance with the traffic rules, a headlight in the front portion of the vehicle and a taillight 114 in the rear portion of the vehicle is also provided.
[00025] Fig. 2 illustrates a side view of the scooter type vehicle with lid member of the storage unit in an open position. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the rear panel 104 of the vehicle 100 comprises an integrated storage unit 109 including a lid member 109a. The lid member 109a is attached to the storage unit 109 by a motion control sub-assembly 201. The movement of the lid member 109a is controlled by the motion control sub-assembly 201. Further, the maximum gap d between the lid member 109a and the storage unit 109 is determined by the motion control sub-assembly 201. The sudden fall of the lid member 109a is prevented by the motion control sub-assembly 201. In other words, the motion control sub-assembly 201 includes a drive member (not seen) that slows down the free fall of the lid member 109a. Hence, when the lid member 109a is unlocked, the rider’s leg still resting on the floorboard 105 is not hurt. The problem of causing inconvenience to the rider due to free fall of the lid member is overcome according to the present invention.
[00026] Fig. 3 illustrates a storage unit assembly in a closed condition. The motion control sub-assembly 201 according to an embodiment comprises a drive member 301 supported by a holding structure 302 and a hinge assembly 303. The hinge assembly 303 attaches the lid member 109a to the rear panel 104. Under locked condition, the lid member 109a is pushed towards the rear panel 104, while pushing the lid member 109a towards the rear panel 104, the hinge assembly 303 attached to the lid member 109a is also pushed back accordingly. The hinge assembly 303 while moving back rides over the drive member 301 supported by the holding structure 302.
[00027] Fig. 4 illustrates a storage unit assembly in an open condition. Upon unlocking the lid member 109a, the lid member 109a gradually opens downwards from the rear panel 104 providing access to the storage unit 109. The maximum distance up to which the lid member 109a can open downwards from the rear panel 104 is determined by the motion control sub-assembly 201. Upon unlocking the lid member 109a, the hinge assembly 303 is engaged with the drive member 301 providing motion to the lid member 109a resulting in gradual opening of the lid member 109a.
[00028] Upon unlocking the lid member 109a, the lid member 109a gradually opens downwards due to gravity. Further, the drive member 301 begins to rotate; the rotational motion of the drive member 301 is transferred to hinge assembly 303, which eventually provides stepped angular motion about an hinge axis ab to the lid member 109a. The drive member 301 is configured to include plurality of teeth 301b on an outer circumferential surface, which provides restricted motion to the hinge assembly 303 engaged with the drive member 301. Hence, the restricted linear motion from the hinge assembly 303 is provided to the lid member 109a resulting in stepped angular motion of the lid member 109a.
[00029] Furthermore, according to an embodiment, the maximum gap d between the lid member 109a and the storage unit 109 is determined by an extending arm length (not seen) of the hinge assembly 303. The lid member 109a can open downwards only up to the maximum length of the extending arm of the hinge assembly 303.
[00030] Fig. 5 illustrates an exploded view of the motion control sub-assembly. The user is able to access the inside space of the storage unit 109 by unlocking the lid member 109a. The hinge assembly 303 acts as a bridge between the lid member 109a and the storage unit 109. The hinge assembly 303 is pivotable about a hinge axis ab. According to an embodiment of the present invention, one end of the hinge assembly 303 is attached to a rear surface 502 of the lid member 109a and the other end is connected to a provision 501 on the rear side of the rear panel 104. According to an embodiment, the hinge assembly 303 includes a support structure 303a coupled to an extending arm 303b. The support structure 303a provides strength to the extending arm 303b and the support structure 303a includes one or more provisions to accommodate one or more fasteners to connect the extending arm 303b.
[00031] Further, according to an embodiment the extending arm 303b is configured to include the outward projecting teeth 303d capable of being engaged with the plurality of teeth 301b on the outer circumferential surface of the drive member 301. The drive member 301 is supported by a holding structure 302. The holding structure 302 is adapted to be attached to the provision 501 provided on the rear side of the rear panel 104. According to the present embodiment, the drive member 301 is a geared spherical object. The holding structure 302 is configured to include a toothed spherical slot 302a to accommodate the drive member 301.
[00032] Furthermore, according to an embodiment the hinge assembly 303 is attached to the lid member 109a. The holding structure 302 including the drive member 301 is attached to the rear panel 104.
[00033] Fig. 6(a) illustrates a hinge assembly of the storage unit assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. The hinge assembly 303 includes an extending arm 303b coupled to a support structure 303a. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the support structure has one end 303aa attached to the lid member 109a and another end 303ab attached to the storage unit 109b. The extending arm 303b is coupled to the support structure 303a through one or more coupling members 304.
[00034] Fig. 6(b) illustrates an exploded view of the hinge assembly of the storage unit assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. The support structure 303a is configured to accommodate the one or more coupling members 304 enabling attachment of the extending arm 303b to the support structure 303a.
[00035] Fig. 7(a) illustrates a left side perspective view of a holding structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. The holding structure 302 is attached to the provision 501 provided on a rear side of the rear panel. The holding structure 302 is capable of holding the drive member 301.
[00036] Fig. 7(b) illustrates a left side perspective view of an exploded view of the holding structure and the drive member according to an embodiment of the present invention. In assembled condition, the drive member 301 and the holding structure 302 lie along xy axis.
[00037] Fig. 8(a) depicts an extending arm 303b of the hinge assembly 303 according to an embodiment. The extending arm 303b is configured to include a number of outward projecting teeth 303d. Further, the extending arm 303b includes one or more slot(s) 303g to accommodate one or more fasteners used to attach the extending arm 303b to the support structure (not shown). Further, the extending arm 303b comprises of a second slot 303c enabling the mounting of the extending arm about the hinge axis ab. Further, the outward projecting teeth 303d are adapted to being engaged with a drive member 301 as shown in the Fig. 8(b). According to an embodiment, an outer circumferential surface of the drive member 301 includes plurality of teeth 301b. Further, the drive member 301 according to an embodiment is supported by a base member 301a.
[00038] The drive member 301 as depicted in the Fig. 8(b) is capable of rotating about an axis of rotation called as a drive axis xy. It can be observed from the figure that both the drive member 301 and the extending arm 303b are geared. As and when the drive member 301 rotates about the axis of rotation xy, the rotational motion from the drive wheel 301 is gradually transferred to the extending arm 303b engaged with the outward projecting teeth of the drive member 301. The rotational motion of the drive member 301 is transferred to the extending arm 303b and is converted into a linear motion by the extending arm 303b. Finally, the linear motion of the extending arm 303b results in stepped rotational motion of the lid member 109a.
[00039] Fig. 9 illustrates a holding structure according to an embodiment. The holding structure 302 comprises of the toothed spherical slot 302a adapted to receive the drive wheel 301. According to an embodiment, the base member 301a of the drive wheel 301 is detachably attached to the holding structure 302. Further, the holding structure 302 includes one or more mounting provisions 302b enabling the holding structure 302 to be mounted on the storage unit. The holding structure 302 according to the present embodiment is an ‘L’ shaped bracket. The holding structure 302 along with the drive wheel 301 is assembled to the rear side of the rear panel 104 to form a secondary sub-assembly.
[00040] Hence, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the sudden fall of the lid member of the storage unit assembly is prevented. Instead, a sub-assembly for gradual opening down of the lid member is proposed. Accordingly, the problem of causing inconvenience to the rider is also resolved. Further, the articles stored inside the storage unit do not fall down as the lid member opens downwards gradually.
[00041] Although implementations for the present subject matter have been described in language specific to structural features and/or methods, it is to be understood that the present subject matter is not necessarily limited to the specific features or methods described. Rather, the specific features and methods are disclosed as exemplary implementations of the present invention.
,CLAIMS:I/We claim:
1. A storage unit assembly (109) for a two-wheeled vehicle (100), said storage unit assembly (109) comprising:
a storage unit (109b) defining a storage space with an opening; and
a lid member (109a) to access said storage unit (109b), said lid member (109a) is hingedly connected to said storage unit (109b) to allow said lid member (109a) to pivot between a closed position and an open position,
wherein,
said lid member is hingedly connected to said storage unit by at least one motion control sub-assembly (201) including a hinge assembly (303) comprising one end (303aa) attached to said storage unit (109b) and another end (303ab) attached to said lid member (109a), said hinge assembly (303) is configured to be engaged with at least a portion of said drive member (301) supported by said storage unit (109b) and wherein, said hinge assembly (303) engaged with said at least a portion of said drive member (301) provides stepped angular motion about a hinge axis (ab) to said lid member (109a) during opening of said lid member (109a).

2. The storage unit assembly (109) for a two-wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said hinge assembly (303) includes an extending arm (303b) coupled to a support structure (303a) comprising said one end (303aa) attached to said lid member (109a) and said another end (303ab) mounted to said storage unit (109b) about said hinge axis (ab).
3. The storage unit assembly (109) for a two-wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said drive member (301) is supported by a holding structure (302) mounted to said storage unit (109b) about said hinge axis (ab).

4. The storage unit assembly (109) for a two-wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1 or claim 3, wherein said drive member (301) is supported by a base member (301a) detachably attached to said holding structure (302).

5. The storage unit assembly (109) for a two-wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said lid member (109a) is at a close proximity to said storage unit (109) during said closed position and said lid member (109a) is away from said storage unit (109) during said open position.

6. The storage unit assembly (109) for a two-wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 2 or claim 4, wherein said holding structure (302) includes a toothed spherical slot (302a) configured to receive said base member (301a).

7. The storage unit assembly (109) for a two-wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said extending arm (303b) includes outward projecting teeth (303d) configured to be engaged with plurality of teeth (301b) on an outer circumferential surface of said drive member (301).

8. The storage unit assembly (109) for a two-wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said extending arm (303b) includes one or more slots (303g) enabling coupling of said extending arm (303b) with said support structure (303a) and a second slot (303c) enabling mounting of the extending arm (303b) to said second end (303ab) about the hinge axis (ab).
9. The storage unit assembly (109) for a two-wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein said holding structure (302) includes one or more mounting provisions (302b) enabling detachable attachment of said holding structure (302) to said storage unit (109b) about said hinge axis (ab).

10. A two-wheeled vehicle (100) comprising a storage unit assembly (109) as claimed in any of the preceding claims.