Claims:We Claim:
1. A support structure (306) for a turn signal lamps (206,207) provided on a front panel (104A) of a saddle type vehicle (100):
said front panel (104A) comprises an upper part (202) and a lower part (203) , said upper part (202) and a lower part (203) comprises a left side panel (205) and a right side panel (204) which are symmetrically located on both left and right hand side of said front panel (104A), said left side panel (205) and said right side panel (204) comprises an outer edge (209a, 209b) and an inner edge (210a, 210b); a pair of turn signal lamp (206,207) located at a junction of said outer edge (209a, 209b) and said inner edge (210a, 210b), said pair of turn signal lamp (206,207) mounted on said front panel (104A) from a rear side of said front panel (104A) through one or more top mountings (301a, 301b) and one or more bottom mountings (304a,304b);
a support structure (306) comprising a first over hang mounting (401) for mounting said turn signal lamp (206,207) and a second overhang mounting (404) for mounting said front panel (104A).
2. The support structure (306) for a turn signal lamps (206,207) provided on front panel (104A) of a saddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first overhang mounting (401) is provided in a first overhang (504) and said second overhang mounting (404) is provided in a second overhang (503).
3. The support structure (306) for a turn signal lamps (206,207) provided on front panel (104A) of a saddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first overhang (504) and said second overhang (503) are inclined at a predetermined angle. in the range 10 degrees to 60 degrees
4. The support structure (306) for a turn signal lamps (206,207) provided on front panel (104A) of a saddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, said second overhang (503) is provided with a slot (403) to mount on a projection (402) provided on said front panel (104A).
5. The support structure (306) for a turn signal lamps (206,207) provided on front panel (104A) of a saddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, said first overhang (504) is molded with said second overhang (503) at a bottom portion of said second overhang (503).
6. The support structure (306) for a turn signal lamps (206,207) provided on front panel (104A) of a saddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first overhang (504) is provided with one or more fin structures (502a, 502b, and 502c, 502d placed radially at an angle of separation of 45 degrees.
7. The support structure (306) for a turn signal lamps (206,207) provided on front panel (104A) of a saddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first overhang (504) and second overhang (503) are of cylindrical profile.
, Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present subject matter relates generally to a vehicle. The present subject matter specifically but not exclusively related to a support structure for a turn signal lamp for a saddle type vehicle.
BACKGROUND
[0002] For a two-wheeled vehicle especially for a scooter type vehicle, the front covering structures play dual roles, firstly providing aesthetic look to the vehicle and secondly to reduce the aerodynamic drag on the vehicle and rider. To achieve such a dual purpose, the front panels of the scooter type vehicles are designed accordingly. Such a front covering panel also increases the fuel efficiency of the vehicle since it reduces the aerodynamic drag on the vehicle. The front covering structures provide aesthetic appearance to the vehicle; hence, the safety of the front covering structure becomes very important.
[0003] In the existing technology, front panel of the vehicle covers the mountings of the front embodiments of the vehicle such as steering tube, horn, head tube, front fork unit, battery and wiring harness etc. The front panel is generally provided in front upper, front lower, front side and front rear parts which form a housing space in above mentioned embodiments are mounted
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] The detailed description is described with reference to a two wheeled saddle type vehicle along with the accompanying figures. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like features and components.
[0005] Fig. 1 illustrates a left side view of an exemplary motor vehicle.
[0006] Fig. 2 illustrates a front panel mounted on the front portion of the vehicle.
[0007] Fig. 3 illustrates a rear view of the front panel.
[0008] Fig. 4 illustrates a mounting of support structure to the front panel and the turn signal lamp.
[0009] Fig. 5 illustrates the side view of the support structure.
[00010] Fig.6 illustrates a cross section view of the support structure.
[00011] The embodiments disclosed below are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed in the following detailed description. Rather, the embodiments are chosen and described so that best enabling arrangements of the invention can be explained through all possible embodiments and examples of it. The present subject matter may have application two all type of saddle type vehicle.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[00012] Generally, in the saddle type vehicle the front panel is provided in multiple sub panels but in order to reduce the raw material cost and manufacturing cost auto industries are manufacturing the front panel as a single unit on to which the turn signal lamps can be mounted.
[00013] With the change in the front panel structure as a single unit, it leads to more vibration and rattling during driving condition of the vehicle. The impact of the vibration affects the turn signal lamp (TSL) causing the glass cover of the TSL to crack or creating instability in the assembled components such as the turn signal lamp mounting on the front panel.
[00014] Hence, it is the object of the present subject matter to provide a stable & sturdy support structure for the turn signal lamp to be mounted on to the front panel which provides additional support to the turn signal lamps when the front panel gets affected by the unnecessary motion or vibration & shock loads of the vehicle during the riding conditions.
[00015] Another embodiment of the present subject matter provides a support structure which provides a first over hang comprising a first overhang mounting to mount turn signal lamps and a second overhang comprising a second overhang mounting in order to mount the front panel.
[00016] Yet another embodiment of the present subject matter provides a first overhang and said second overhang are inclined at a predetermined angle to enable fastening of turn signal lamp and front panel to the support structure thereby providing required strength and prevent vibration and rattling of turn signal lamps due to vibration of front panel of the saddle type vehicle.
[00017] Another embodiment of the present subject matter provides a second overhang with a slot in order to ease mounting of support structure on to a protrusion provided on the front panel thereby providing ease in assembly of the support structure and prevent any damage due to expansion or contraction arising due to change in weather parameters such as temperature.
[00018] Still another embodiment of the present subject matter provides a first overhang molded to the second overhang at the bottom portion of the second overhang.
[00019] Another embodiment of the present subject matter comprises of the first overhang, on its outer surface, which is provided with fin structures located radially with a predetermined angle of separation e.g. 45 degrees. This angle of separation makes sure that the rattling effect from all directions gets nullified and gives strength to the first overhang.
[00020] Yet another embodiment of the present subject matter is to provide support structures in which the first overhang and second overhang are necessarily of cylindrical shape.
[00021] Fig. 1 illustrates a left side view of an exemplary motor vehicle (100), in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The vehicle (100) illustrated, has a schematically shown frame member (105). In the present embodiment, the frame member (105) is step-through type including a head tube (105A), and a main frame (105B) that extend rearwardly downward from an anterior portion of the head tube (105A). The main frame (105B) extends inclinedly rearward to a rear portion of the vehicle (100).
[00022] The vehicle (100) includes one or more prime movers that are connected to the frame member (105). In the present implementation, one of the prime movers is an internal combustion (IC) engine (115) mounted to the frame member (105). In the depicted embodiment, the IC engine (115) is mounted to a structural member (135) that is pivoted to the frame member (105). In one embodiment, the structural member (135) is a rigid member made including metal. The vehicle (100) also includes another prime mover, which is an electric motor (120). In a preferred embodiment, the electric motor (120) is hub mounted to one wheel of the vehicle (100). In another embodiment, one or more than one electric motor is mounted to wheels or to the frame of the vehicle. In the depicted embodiment, the vehicle (100) includes at least two-wheels and the electric motor (120) is hub mounted to the rear wheel (125) of the vehicle. A front wheel (110) is rotatably supported by the frame member (105) and is connected to a handle bar assembly (130) that enables maneuvering of the vehicle (100).
[00023] Further, the vehicle (100) includes a high capacity on-board battery (not shown) that drives the electric motor (120). The high capacity battery may include one or more high capacity battery packs or one or more low capacity cells. The high capacity battery can be disposed at a front portion, a rear portion, or at the center of the vehicle (100). The high capacity battery is supported by the frame member (105) and the vehicle (100) includes plurality of body panels, mounted to the frame member (105) for covering various components of the vehicle (100). The plurality of panels includes a front panel (140A), a leg shield (140B), an under-seat cover (140C), and a left and a right-side panel (140D). A glove box may be mounted to a leg shield (140B).
[00024] A floorboard (145) is provided at the step-through portion defined by the main tube (105B). A seat assembly (150) is disposed rearward to the step-through portion and is mounted to the main frame (105B). The seat assembly (150) that is elongated in a longitudinal direction F-R of the vehicle (100) enables the user to operate the vehicle in a saddle ride-type posture. One or more suspension(s) connect the wheels (110), (125) to the vehicle (100) and provide a comfortable ride. The vehicle (100) comprises of plurality of electrical and electronic components including a headlight (155A), a taillight (155B), a starter motor (not shown), a horn etc. Also, the vehicle (100) includes a master control unit (not shown) that takes control of the overall operation of the vehicle (100) including the function of the IC engine (115), the electric motor (120), charging of the batteries from a magneto/integrated starter generator (ISG), driving of loads by the magneto/ISG, charging of the high capacity batteries by the electric motor operating in generator mode, and any other operations associated with the operation of the vehicle (100). The vehicle (100) shown in fig. 1 is an exemplary vehicle and the present subject matter can be used in a two-wheeled vehicle, three-wheeled vehicle.
[00025] Fig. 2 illustrates the front panel (140A) mounted on the front portion of the vehicle (100). The front panel (140A) comprises an upper part (202), a lower part (203) forming a single unit for the front panel (140A). Vehicle components such as front suspension, steering assembly, headlamp etc. are housed in said front panel (140A). The front portion of the vehicle (100) has been constructed in such a manner that the structure of the front panel (140A) adheres to the requirement of aerodynamics.
[00026] The side portion of the front panel (104A) comprises of a left side panel (205) and right side panel (204) which are symmetrically located on both left and right hand side respectively of the front panel (104A). The left side panel (205) is identical to the right side panel (204) and narrowing at the middle of the front panel (104A). Both the left side panel (205) and the right side panel (204) comprises an outer edge (209a, 209b) and an inner edge (210a, 210b). The inner edge (210a, 210b) of the front panel (104A) starts from the inner portion (201a, 201b) and gradually progresses towards the outer edge. The outer edge (209a, 209b) starts from the point where the inner edge (210a, 210b) terminates and the outer edge (209a, 209b) gradually inclines in direction of ground to allow air to cut through the front panel (104A) without causing any obstruction.
[00027] At the junction of outer edge (209a, 209b) and inner edge (210a, 210b) lies a pair of turn signal lamp (206,207) located each on both left hand side and right hand side of the front panel (104A). Further, the lower portion (203) of the front panel (104A) is provided with front panel mountings (208a, 208b) in order to mount the front panel (104A) on to the vehicle body to cover the front portion of the vehicle (100).
[00028] Fig. 3 illustrates the rear view of the front panel (104A). The upper portion of the front panel (104A) is provided with rear mounting points (302a, 302b) so that the front panel (104A) can be mounted on to a front panel rear cover (not shown) to provide additional strength and stability to the front panel (104A). The rear portion of the front panel (104A) provides the space to accommodate the turn signal lamps (206,207) and the wire routing (not shown) of the turn signal lamps (206,207). The turn signal lamp (206,207) mainly of either an array of LED (Light emitting diodes) or an incandescent bulb of low power rating facing towards the front portion of the vehicle (100) and adaptively secured within a transparent turn signal lamp front cover (not shown). The rear portion of the turn signal lamp (206,207) is protected from the atmospheric interference by a turn signal lamp rear cover (303a,303b) located on both left side and right side of the front panel (104A).
[00029] Since the front panel (104A) comprises of a single unit which securely accommodates the turn signal lamp (206,207), the vibration caused during driving condition may lead to rattling of the turn signal lamp (206,207) causing friction and eventually damage to the turn signal lamp (206,207). Hence, as support structure (306) has been provided in addition to the top mountings (301a, 301b) which allow direct mounting of the turn signal lamps (206,207) on to the front panel (104A). Whereas the bottom mountings (304a,304b) are used to mount the lower portion of the turn signal lamp (206,207) on to the front panel (104A) through support structure (306).
[00030] Fig. 4 illustrates the mounting of support structure (306) fastened to the turn signal lamp (206,207) through bottom mountings (304a,304b) provided as an extended portion of the turn signal lamp rear cover (303a,303b). The support structure (306) is also provided with two mounting locations. The first over hang mounting (401) of the support structure (306) functions as a mounting means to mount the turn signal lamp (206,207) through bottom mountings (304a, 304b). The second over hang mounting (404) of the support structure (306) allows mounting of front panel (104A). The front panel (104A) is provided with a protrusion (not shown) to press fit the support structure (306) through second over hang mounting (404). The second overhang (503) (shown in Fig 5) is also provided with a slot (403) in order to mount on a rib or projection (402) provided on front panel (104A) and restricts the movement of the support structure (306) in circular direction.
[00031] Fig. 5 illustrates the side view of the support structure (306). The support structure (306) comprises of first over hang (504) with a first over hang mounting (401) for mounting the turn signal lamp (206,207). The support structure (306) further comprises of a second overhang (503) with a second overhang mounting (404) for mounting the front panel (104A). The second overhang (503) is a hollow structure to allow press fit of a protrusion provided on the front panel (104A). And after press fitting the protrusion provided on the front panel (104A) inside the second overhang (503) a fastener is fastened into the second overhand mounting (404). The second overhang (503) is also provided with a slot (403) which allows flexibility in the second overhang (503) when press fitted into the projection and providing ease in assembly. The first over hang (504) and the second overhang (503) are inclined at a predetermined angle and the predetermined angle is in the range 10 degrees to 60 degrees. The first over hang (504) and the second overhang (503) are webbed at a webbed region (501) which provides strength between the first overhang (504) and the second overhang (503).
[00032] Further, the first overhang (504), on its outer surface, is provided with fin structures (502a, 502b, and 502c, 502d). The fin structures (502a, 502b, and 502c, 502d) are placed radially with a predetermined angle of separation e.g. 45 degrees. This angle of separation makes sure that the rattling effect from all directions gets nullified and gives strength to the first overhang (504).
[00033] Fig.6 illustrates a cross section view of the support structure (306). The first over hang (504) is moulded with the second over hang (503) such that the first over hang (504) is located at the lower portion of the second over hang (503) and immediately next to the slot (403). The first over hang (504) envelopes approximately one fourth of the outer surface of the second over hang (503).
[00034] Many modifications and variations of the present subject matter are possible in the light of above disclosure. Therefore, within the scope of claims of the present subject matter, the present disclosure may be practiced other than as specifically described.