DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present subject matter relates generally to a two-wheeled vehicle, and more particularly to a body panel assembly for the two-wheeled motor vehicles.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Generally, in a two-wheeled vehicle a frame assembly extends rearward from a head tube. The frame assembly acts as a skeleton and a structural member for the vehicle that supports the vehicle loads. A front portion of the frame assembly connects a front wheel through one or more front suspension(s). The frame assembly extends towards a rear portion of the vehicle. A rear wheel is connected to a frame assembly through one or more rear suspension(s). An engine assembly is mounted to the frame assembly of the vehicle. The engine assembly is functionally connected to the rear wheel, which provides the forward motion to the vehicle. Typically, plurality of panels is mounted to the frame assembly of the vehicle that covers various vehicle parts mounted thereon.
[0003] Generally, in two-wheeled motorcycles, body panels are made to meet two objectives. First, the shape, texture, and color of the body panel of the motorcycle determine the appearance and look and feel of the motorcycle. Second, the shape, material, thickness and profile of the body panel also plays a major role in reducing the overall weight of the vehicle, thereby reducing the impact of air flowing against the motorcycle when riding. It also has a huge bearing in directing flow of incoming air towards various components, which utilizes the flow of air, which otherwise would have been diverted off.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] 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.
[0005] Fig. 1 illustrates a left side view of an exemplary two-wheeled motor vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0006] Fig. 2 illustrates a left perspective view from a vehicle rear side of the two-wheeled motor vehicle shown in Fig. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0007] Fig. 3 illustrates a rear view of the two-wheeled motor vehicle shown in Fig. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0008] Fig. 4 illustrates an enlarged right perspective view of the two-wheeled motor vehicle shown in Fig. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0009] Fig. 5 illustrates an enlarged right perspective view from a vehicle front side of the two-wheeled motor vehicle shown in Fig. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[00010] Fig. 6 illustrates a left perspective view of the two-wheeled motor vehicle shown in Fig. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[00011] Various features and embodiments of the present subject matter here will be discernible from the following further description thereof, set out hereunder. According to an embodiment, the vehicle described here is a straddle-ride type two wheeled vehicle. It is contemplated that the concepts of the present invention may be applied to other types of vehicles such as step-through scooter type vehicles within the spirit and scope of this invention. Further "front" and "rear", and "left" and "right" referred to in the ensuing description of the illustrated embodiment refer to front and rear, and left and right directions as seen from a rear portion of the vehicle and looking forward. The detailed explanation of the constitution of parts other than the present subject matter which constitutes an essential part has been omitted at suitable places.
[00012] Typically, body panel of known motorcycles were made to divert air away from an underlying component, or direct air towards the underlying component of the motorcycle. Generally, in order to divert or direct air flow, such body panel structures are provided with one or more guiding louvers, or through holes that are tapered towards the underlying component(s).
[00013] Conventionally, component such as an air filter are located inside an air cleaner housing assembly, which is disposed predominantly in the vicinity of an engine assembly. Such motorcycles that include the air cleaner housing assembly, are often provided with separate air intake duct(s), and/or air passage channels made on the surface of the body panel structures. However, providing such separate air filter assemblies is not always possible in every type of motorcycle application. For example, in case of motorcycles that are used for high speed applications, providing such a bulky air cleaner assembly could add up to the overall weight of the motorcycle, which may in turn affect the intended performance of the motorcycle.
[00014] Thus, there is a challenge to provide an optimal mounting location of the air filter that is well protected by the body panel, and at the same time ensuring optimal direction of incoming air flow towards the air filter.
[00015] Further, there is also a challenge to provide optimal location for electronic units in such motorcycles meant for high speed applications. For instance, consider a control unit, which also requires passage of air for effective cooling and to ensure proper functioning of the control unit; as such control units are often subjected to enormous heat. Thus, there is also a challenge to optimally locate such control unit on motorcycles meant for high speed applications and providing a body panel structure that ensures proper air flow along the surface of the control unit to effect proper cooling of the control unit.
[00016] The present subject matter is aimed at addressing the aforementioned and other problems in the prior art. Hence, it is an object of the present subject matter is to provide a mounting location for the air filter assembly and for the control unit. In an embodiment, the direct air filter of the present subject matter is exposed and is made visible when viewed from a vehicle side. In an embodiment, the air cleaner of the present subject matter is supported by a side panel structure of body panel assembly of the motorcycle. In an embodiment, the side panel structure of the present subject matter has a L-shaped profile that allows the air filter to be disposed substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle. In an embodiment, the L-shaped side panel structure directs air flow from the sides towards the air filter. In one embodiment, the L-shaped side panel structure has a grilled front-facing profile that allows passage of air and prevents entry of other debris such as mud particles, and water particles.
[00017] In an embodiment, the body panel assembly of the present subject matter includes a rear fender assembly that has a rear fender body front portion and a rear fender body rear portion. In an embodiment, the rear fender body front portion is disposed adjoining the side panel structure that encloses the air filter. Further, in one embodiment, the rear fender body rear portion extends rearwardly upward from the rear fender body front portion. In an embodiment, the rear fender body rear portion is capable of accommodating at least one control unit, for example, an electronic control unit (ECU). In an embodiment, the ECU is disposed substantially on a bottom surface of the rear fender body rear portion substantially facing the rear wheel of the motorcycle. In an embodiment, when the vehicle is in running condition, the air flowing along the surface of the rear fender body is allowed to cool the ECU. For instance, in an embodiment, the ECU is provided with a plurality of fins that are exposed to the air flowing through the surface of the rear fender body.
[00018] The aforesaid and other advantages of the present subject matter would be described in greater detail in conjunction with the figures in the following description.
[00019] Fig. 1 illustrates a left side view of an exemplary two-wheeled motor vehicle (100), in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. Arrows provided in the top right corner of each figure depicts direction with respect to the vehicle, wherein the arrow F denotes front direction, an arrow R indicated rear direction, an arrow Up denotes upward direction, and an arrow Down denoted downward direction. The vehicle (100) includes a frame assembly that extends from a head tube (not shown), which is disposed in the front portion of the vehicle (100), towards a rear portion of the vehicle (100). The frame assembly includes a mainframe (not shown) comprising a main tube extending rearward from a rear portion of the head tube and a down tube (not shown) that extends rearwardly downward from the head tube. The frame assembly may further comprise a sub-frame formed by a pair of rear tubes (not shown) that extend obliquely rearward from the main frame. An engine assembly (110) is supported by the main frame of the frame assembly. The engine assembly (110) acts as the power unit of the vehicle (100), wherein the power unit may also include a traction/electrical motor (not shown). A front portion of a swing arm assembly (115) is swingably connected to the main frame of the frame assembly and rear portion of the swing arm assembly (115) rotatably supports a rear wheel (120). The rear wheel (120) is functionally coupled to the engine assembly (110) through a transmission system. A rear fender (not shown) disposed upwardly of the rear wheel (120) covers at least a portion of the rear wheel (120). Further, the swing arm assembly (115) is coupled to the frame assembly through one or more rear suspension(s). In the present embodiment, a single mono-shock rear suspension (125) connects the swing arm assembly (115) to the frame assembly. A pair of front forks (130) supports a front wheel (135) and is steerably supported by the head pipe. A handlebar assembly (140) is connected to an upper portion of the pair of front fork (130). Further, a front fender assembly (145) covers at least a portion of the front wheel (135) and the front fender assembly (145) is mounted to the front forks (130).
[00020] A fuel tank (150) is mounted to the main tube of the frame assembly and disposed rearwardly of the handlebar assembly (140). A seat assembly (155) is disposed rearwardly of the fuel tank assembly (150) and supported by the pair of rear tubes. A foot rest sub-assembly (160) mounted to the frame assembly (105) of the vehicle enable in supporting the rider foot. Further, the vehicle (100) comprises a fairing assembly (165) that is disposed forwardly of the head tube and extending sidewardly covering at least a portion of the fuel tank (150) and at least a portion of the engine assembly (110). The fairing assembly (165) is mounted with one or more headlamp(s) (not shown) that are disposed in a front portion of the fairing assembly (165). Also, the vehicle (100) may include a bottom cowl assembly (170) that covers at least a portion of the engine assembly (110) whereby the engine assembly (110) is protected from dust, dirt, and water splashing. Furthermore, the vehicle (100) includes a side panel assembly (175) that may include one or more side cover member(s) disposed symmetrically or asymmetrically on either sides of the vehicle (100) and is mounted to the main frame covering various vehicle parts including at least a portion of the main frame, an air filter, and one or more electrical / electrical components that are mounted to the frame assembly. A tail cover assembly (180) that are disposed rearwardly of the side panel assembly (175) and extend along the pair of rear tubes thereby covering at least a portion of the pair of rear tubes. The tail cover assembly (180) extends towards a rear portion of the frame assembly and the tail cover assembly (105) is adapted to accommodate a tail lamp (not shown).
[00021] Fig. 2 illustrates a left perspective view from a vehicle rear side of the two-wheeled motor vehicle shown in Fig. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. In an embodiment, a control unit (202), for example, an ECU (202) is disposed substantially rearwardly on a rear fender body (208) facing the rear wheel (120). In an embodiment, the ECU (202) is disposed substantially above a wheel hugger (206) of the vehicle (100). For example, the wheel hugger (206) prevents water or mud from being splashed on to the ECU (202). In an embodiment, the air flowing along the sides of the motorcycle (100) are allowed to pass through the rear fender body (208), which is directed and made to flow (204) towards the ECU (202) for the purpose of cooling of the ECU (202).
[00022] Fig. 3 illustrates a rear view of the two-wheeled motor vehicle shown in Fig. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. In an embodiment, the ECU (202) is disposed substantially between sub-frame tubes (302) that are extending below the rear fender body (208). In an embodiment, the ECU (202) is provided with a plurality of air cooling fins (304) to allow and direct the air flowing along the surface of the rear fender body (208) towards the ECU (202) and thereby ensuring proper and effective cooling of the ECU (202). In an embodiment, the ECU (202) is disposed substantially above the rear suspension unit (185). In an embodiment, the rearwardly upward orientation of the ECU (202) ensures that air entry (204) directed along the surface of the rear fender body (208) is maximum, which ensures effective cooling of the ECU (202).
[00023] Fig. 4 illustrates an enlarged right perspective view of the two-wheeled motor vehicle shown in Fig. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. In one embodiment, the side panel assembly (175) of the motorcycle (100) includes a side cover member RH (404), which has a L-shaped profile. In an embodiment, the side cover member RH (404) encloses an air filter component RH (406). In an embodiment, one end of the air filter component RH (406) is partially exposed, while the other end of the air filter component RH (406) is supported by the side cover member RH (404). In an embodiment, the side cover member RH (404) separates an air filter assembly RH (402) from the engine assembly (110). In an embodiment, the rear suspension unit (185) is disposed substantially centrally and extending downwardly between the air filter assembly RH (402) and an air filter assembly LH (shown in Fig. 6).
[00024] Fig. 5 illustrates an enlarged right perspective view from a vehicle front side of the two-wheeled motor vehicle shown in Fig. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. In an embodiment, the air filter component RH (406) is disposed substantially behind the side cover member RH (404) in such a manner that the air flowing (504) through a grill structure (502) of the side cover member RH (404) is allowed to enter the air filter component RH (406). In an embodiment, the grill structure (502) of the side cover member RH (404) ensures that particulates above a predetermined size are not allowed to pass through and enter the air filter component RH (406). In an embodiment, the grill structure (502) is symmetrically provided on both LH and RH side cover members.
[00025] Fig. 6 illustrates a left perspective view of the two-wheeled motor vehicle shown in Fig. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. In an embodiment, similar to the side cover member RH (404), a side cover member LH (604) is symmetrically disposed along the LH side of the vehicle (100). In an embodiment, the rear suspension unit (185) is vertically disposed substantially between the sub-frame tubes (302) of both LH and RH sides. In one embodiment, the rear suspension unit (185) is substantially disposed rearwardly behind the air filter assemblies (402), (602). In another embodiment, the rear suspension unit (185) is substantially disposed forwardly in front of the control unit (202); such that the air flowing through along the side cover member LH & RH (404), (604) is allowed to pass through the air filter assemblies (402), (602), and the control unit (202). In an embodiment, the air passing through the grill structure of the side cover member LH and RH (404), (604) enters the air filter components of the LH & RH air filter assemblies (402), (604), which is then made to flow along the surface of the rear fender body (208), which is directed towards the control unit (202).
[00026] Many modifications and variations of the present subject matter are possible within the spirit and scope of the present subject matter, in the light of above disclosure.
,CLAIMS:We Claim:
1. A two-wheeled vehicle (100) comprising:
a frame assembly (105) extending rearward from a front portion (F) to a rear portion (R) along a longitudinal axis (F-R);
an engine assembly (110) disposed substantially on the front portion (F) of the two-wheeled vehicle (100) and attached to the frame assembly (105);
comprises a rear wheel (120) disposed on the rear portion (R) of the two-wheeled vehicle (100) and attached to the frame assembly (105) through a rear suspension unit (185); and
a side panel assembly (175) including a side cover member (404) disposed on either sides of the two-wheeled vehicle (100) and mounted to the frame assembly (105) to cover various two-wheeled vehicle parts including at least a portion of the frame assembly (105);
wherein, each of the side cover member (404) on either side of the two-wheeled vehicle (100) supports an air filter (402); and said side cover member (404) allows the passage of air to the air filter (402) from the front direction of the two-wheeled vehicle (100) during running condition of the two-wheeled vehicle (100).

2. The two-wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the air filter (402) on either side of the two-wheeled vehicle (100) is exposed and is made visible when viewed from a two-wheeled vehicle side.
3. The two-wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rear suspension unit (185) is a single monoshock suspension disposed rear of the engine assembly (110) when viewed from the front of the two-wheeled vehicle (100), and said air filter (402) is disposed adjacent to the rear suspension unit (185) on both sides of the rear suspension unit (185).
4. The two-wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the air filter (402) is disposed substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis (F-R) of the two-wheeled vehicle (100) to enable ease in directing air flow from the front of the two-wheeled vehicle towards the air filter (402).
5. The two-wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the side cover member (404) comprises a grill structure (502) which allows the passage of air from the front direction of the two-wheeled vehicle (100) enters the grill structure (502) to prevent the entry of particulates above a predetermined size.
6. The two-wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the side cover member (404) has a L-shaped profile, and said grill structure (502) is disposed on the front portion of the edge of the L-shaped profile of the side cover member (404) and the air filter (404) is located at the rear of the edge of the L-shaped profile.
7. The two-wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the two-wheeled vehicle (100) comprises a rear fender body (208) disposed above the rear wheel (120), said rear fender body (208) is capable of accommodating at least one control unit (202), whereby the air (204) flowing along the surface of the rear fender body (208) is allowed to flow on the control unit during running condition of the two-wheeled vehicle (100).
8. The two-wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the control unit (202) is provided with a plurality of fins (304) that are exposed to the air (204) flowing through the surface of the rear fender body (208).
9. The two-wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the control unit (202) is disposed substantially above said rear suspension unit (185).