DESC:Technical Field
[0001] The present subject matter described herein generally relates to a two-wheeled vehicle and particularly but not exclusively relates to a front panel assembly for said two-wheeled vehicle.
Background
[0002] Typically, two-wheeled vehicles such as scooters include a front cowl assembly supported by a head tube for housing a head lamp unit. Said front cowl assembly in conventional scooters not only houses said head lamp unit but also houses at least a portion of a handlebar member. Thus, the headlamp unit is disposed in a front portion of a two-wheeled vehicle such as a scooter. Since, two-wheeled vehicles are more prone to accidents due to collision with another vehicle, for want of conspicuity, especially in foggy conditions. Therefore, vehicles are required to be provided with a daylight running lamp in addition to a headlamp unit. However, if daylight running lamps are to be provided in combination with the headlamp unit, the entire headlamp unit has to be modified, and the front cowl assembly which encompasses the modified headlamp unit also has to be modified. Space constraint is one of the major concerns for combining the daylight running lamp with the headlamp unit. Retrofit-ability of the daylight running lamp cannot be achieved if the same is sought to be combined with different headlamp units. Moreover, doing away with the daylight running lamp in scooters where the daylight running lamp is not mandated would also become cumbersome if the same is combined with the headlamp unit. Additionally for service and replacement of the lamp, easy and convenient assembly and disassembly of the daylight running lamp in two-wheeled vehicles such as scooters is to be ensured. Further, convenient serviceability of the daylight running lamp is also to be ensured. Furthermore, it is also to be ensured that light emitted by the headlamp unit does not stray due to interference with a portion of the daylight running lamp.
Summary of the Invention
[0003] The present invention has been devised in view of the above circumstances.
[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide a front panel assembly for a two-wheeled vehicle, said front panel assembly adapted to accommodate a daylight running lamp independently of a headlamp unit.
[0005] It is another object of the present invention to provide a front panel assembly for a two-wheeled vehicle, said front panel assembly adapted to accommodate a daylight running lamp below said headlamp unit.
[0006] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a front panel assembly for a two-wheeled vehicle, said front panel assembly capable of accommodating a daylight running lamp below said headlamp unit, with at least a portion of said daylight running lamp being contained in a first plane substantially parallel to a second plane containing a front portion of said headlamp unit.
[0007] It is one more object of the present invention to provide a front panel assembly, the construction and arrangement of which facilitates convenient servicing of the daylight running lamp (hereinafter also termed DRL) while also enabling convenient servicing of the headlamp unit.
[0008] It is still another object of the present invention to provide a front panel assembly which enables convenient assembly and disassembly of the daylight running lamp owing to minimal number of mounting members used.
[0009] The above and other objects are achieved by providing a front panel assembly for a two-wheeled vehicle as per embodiments detailed in the description provided. The front panel assembly as per the present invention is disposed in a front portion of said two-wheeled vehicle facing a vehicle forward direction and is disposed below a front cowl assembly supported by a head tube of the two-wheeled vehicle. Further, the front cowl assembly houses a headlamp unit.
[0010] As per an aspect of the present invention, said front panel assembly comprises at least one panel member provided with an opening for accommodating a daylight running lamp. In one embodiment, said front panel assembly includes a first panel member and a second panel member detachably attached to one another. Particularly, while said first panel member is removably attached to a rear panel disposed below said front cowl assembly and facing towards a vehicle rear, said second panel member is directly detachably attached to said first panel member. In an implementation, said opening is formed in said second panel member for accommodating said daylight running lamp. Particularly, at least a portion of said daylight running lamp is accommodated in said opening by being detachably secured to said second panel member. More particularly, said daylight running lamp is secured from a rear side of said second panel member by mounting to a rear surface of said second panel member. Said second panel member is provided with at least two boss provisions for receiving corresponding at least two lug provisions extending from a housing member of said daylight running lamp. Thus, as per the present embodiment, said daylight running lamp being independent of said headlamp unit is conveniently secured to said front panel assembly. Disassembly of said daylight running lamp is also achieved by merely disassembling said second panel member, followed by disassembling said daylight running lamp from said second panel member. Since said daylight running lamp can be easily disassembled, serviceability of said daylight running lamp is conveniently facilitated. In another implementation, said daylight running lamp is secured to said first panel member. Thus, by ensuring that said daylight running lamp is independent of said headlamp unit, not only is the serviceability of said daylight running lamp facilitated, but also that of the headlamp unit is facilitated. Further, disposing the daylight running lamp away from the headlamp unit also aids in containing size of the headlamp unit. Additionally, the DRL is disposed substantially below the headlight to facilitate distinction from the headlight. The proximate disposition of the DRL also enables minimising of wiring harness of the two light sources, namely the DRL and the headlight within a predetermined distance from a wiring coupling point of the head lamp. The location & disposition of the DRL in a vertical and a longitudinal direction on the vehicle is also a challenge to enable ease of conspicuity from the front as well as adequate heat dissipation for cooling of the DRL. There also exists a contradiction of providing cooling mechanism or vents for the DRL as well as electrical systems like horn etc. More the number of openings or vents, higher is the likelihood of failure owing to entry of undesirable contaminants such as mud, water, dust etc.
[0011] As per another aspect of the present invention, said daylight running lamp is disposed in a manner so that at least a portion of said daylight running lamp is contained in a first plane substantially parallel and rearwards of a second plane containing at least a portion of said headlamp unit when viewed from a vehicle sideward direction. Disposing said daylight running lamp rearwardly of said headlamp unit ensures that light emitted by said headlamp unit does not stray due to interference with any portion of said daylight running lamp. Further, a lens portion of said daylight running lamp lies in the same line as that of a front surface of said second panel member when viewed from a vehicle front direction, aiding in enhancing overall aesthetic appeal of said front panel assembly of said two-wheeled vehicle.
[0012] Thus, the present invention not only aids in facilitating mounting of said daylight running lamp independent of said headlamp unit, thereby reducing complexity of the headlamp unit; but also facilitates ease of assembly and disassembly of said daylight running lamp, while allowing said daylight running lamp to be easily serviced.
[0013] 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.

Brief Description of Drawings
[0014] The above and other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter will be better understood with regard to the following description and accompanying drawings where:
[0015] FIG.1 illustrates a perspective view of a two-wheeled vehicle including a front panel assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0016] FIG.2 illustrates a side view of said two-wheeled vehicle depicting at least a portion of a frame assembly thereof in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0017] FIG.3 illustrates an exploded view depicting assembly of said front panel assembly to a rear panel in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0018] FIG.4 illustrates a perspective view of said front panel assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0019] FIG.5 illustrates an exploded rear view depicting assembly of a second panel member to a first panel member.
[0020] FIG.6 illustrates a daylight running lamp in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0021] FIG.7 illustrates an exploded view depicting assembly of a daylight running lamp to said second panel member in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0022] FIG.8 illustrates a front view of said second panel member in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0023] FIG.9 illustrates a front view of said two-wheeled vehicle depicting said headlamp unit and said daylight running lamp in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description
[0024] Exemplary embodiments detailing features of a front panel assembly of said two-wheeled vehicle, in accordance with the present invention will be described hereunder with reference to the accompanying drawings. Various aspects of different embodiments of the present invention will become discernible from the following description set out hereunder. Rather, the following description provides a convenient illustration for implementing exemplary embodiments of the invention. 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 said two-wheeled vehicle with a driver riding thereon. Furthermore, a vehicle longitudinal axis refers to a front to rear axis relative to said vehicle, while a vehicle lateral axis refers to a side to side, or left to right axis relative to the vehicle. 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.
[0025] Firstly a description is made of an entire schematic structure of a two-wheeled vehicle 10 such as a scooter-type vehicle with reference to FIG.1 in accordance with the present invention.
[0026] FIG.1 illustrates a perspective view of said two-wheeled vehicle 10. As shown in FIG.1, said vehicle 10 includes a body frame 11 (shown in FIG.2), for example an underbone body frame, made of a metal, alloy or a polymeric material and covered by various body covers. The body frame 11 supports a steering assembly including a steering shaft (not shown), and a handle bar 12 in a front portion thereof. A front fork 13 is pivotally supported to the steering shaft. The handlebar 12 provided above the front fork 13 allows steering of a front wheel 36. At least a portion of the handlebar 12 and a headlamp unit 15 is housed in a front cowl assembly 25 disposed in a front portion of said vehicle, and being supported by at least a portion of said body frame 11.
[0027] A front panel assembly 30 is disposed below said front cowl assembly 25 for covering a front portion of said body frame 11 extending below said front cowl assembly 25. A front fender 35 is disposed below said front panel assembly 30 and extending forwardly of said front panel assembly 30. The front fender 35 is provided to cover an upper portion of said front wheel 36 to prevent dust and debris splashed by the rotating front wheel 36 from striking parts lying behind the front wheel 36. A rear panel 40 is provided to cover a rearward facing side of the body frame assembly 11. The rear panel 40 acts as a leg shield and protects a rider’s legs from a running wind blowing in a direction opposite to that of motorcycle running direction. Further, a floorboard 41 is also provided for a rider to place his legs and is disposed below the rear panel 40.
[0028] Left and right side covers 50 are disposed to cover left and right side surfaces of a rear portion of the body frame 11. A seat 55 is disposed above the left and right side covers 50. A utility box (not shown) is disposed below the seat 55.
[0029] A fuel tank (not shown) is arranged in a rear portion of the body frame 11. The fuel tank forms a part of a fuel supply system which also includes a fuel pump (not shown), a canister (not shown), and a throttle body (not shown). The fuel tank supplies fuel for powering an engine 60. The engine 60 including a cylinder head (not shown) and a cylinder block (not shown) is powered by an air fuel mixture sent in by the throttle body to a combustion chamber of the engine 60.
[0030] Further, combustion gases generated by the engine 60 is let out as exhaust from a muffler extending along a right hand side of said vehicle 10.
[0031] A toggle link member (not shown) supports the engine 60 swingably on a lower side of the left and right side covers 50. A rear wheel 65 is connected to the toggle link member via the engine 60. Power from the engine 60 is transmitted to the rear wheel 65 for driving said vehicle 10 by means of a transmission assembly.
[0032] Suspensions are provided for comfortable steering of the vehicle on the road. A front suspension assembly (not shown) includes the front fork 13. Further, a rear suspension assembly is provided which is a hydraulic damped arrangement and is connected to the body frame 11. In the present embodiment, said rear suspension assembly includes two rear suspension members 16 (shown in FIG.2), connected to the rear portion of the body frame 11.
[0033] For the safety of the user and in conformance with the traffic, a taillight 70 is also provided in the rear portion of said two-wheeled vehicle 10.
[0034] FIG.2 illustrates a side view of said two-wheeled vehicle 10 depicting at least a portion of said body frame 11. As may be seen, said body frame 11 includes a head tube 11a, a main tube 11b extending downwardly and rearwardly from said head tube 11a and a pair of floorboard supporting tubes 11c supported to said main tube 11b. While the front cowl assembly 25 encompassing the headlamp unit 15 and at least a portion of the handlebar 12 is supported by the head tube 11a, the rear panel 40 is supported by the main tube 11b. Further, the floorboard 41 is supported over said pair of floorboard supporting tubes 11c.
[0035] As may be seen in FIG.3 said rear panel 40 is provided with a top circular opening 40a for allowing said head tube 11a to pass through. A lower portion of said rear panel 40 extending below said circular opening 40a is butted against said main tube 11b for support. Thus, the rear panel 40 is supported against a front portion of the body frame 11. As may be seen in FIG.3, said rear panel 40 detachably receives said front panel assembly 30. In the present embodiment, said front panel assembly 30 is provided with a plurality of mounting lugs 30m for attachment to said rear panel 40. Particularly, said plurality of mounting lugs 30m are adapted to butt against corresponding mounting bosses (not shown) provided in the rear panel 40. Further, fasteners passing through said plurality of mounting lugs 30m are used for attachment to the corresponding mounting bosses in the rear panel 40.
[0036] FIG.4 illustrates said front panel assembly 30 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As per an aspect of the present invention, said front panel assembly 30 comprises at least one panel member having an opening 30o (shown in FIG.7) for accommodating a daylight running lamp 31. In the present embodiment, said at least one panel member includes a first panel member 30a and a second panel member 30b. In an implementation, said second panel member 30b is provided with said opening 30o for accommodating said daylight running lamp 31. In the present embodiment, said second panel member 30b is disposed towards an upper end of said first panel member 30a
[0037] In the present embodiment, said second panel member 30b is detachably attached to said first panel member 30a as shown in FIG.5. At least three panel mounting bosses 30ba are provided in the second panel member 30b for mounting to said first panel member 30a. Corresponding panel mounting lugs 30aa are provided protruding from a front periphery 30ab of said first panel member 30a. In an implementation, said daylight running lamp 31 is firstly sub assembled to said second panel member 30b followed by sub assembly of said second panel member 30b including said daylight running lamp 31 to said first panel member 30a. Sub assembly of said daylight running lamp 31 to said second panel member 30b and sub assembly of said second panel member 30b to said first panel member 30a aids in convenient assembly and disassembly of said daylight running lamp 31. Particularly, for servicing said daylight running lamp 31, said second panel member 30b is detached from said first panel member 30a followed by detaching said daylight running lamp 31 from said second panel member 30b.
[0038] FIG.6 illustrates said daylight running lamp 31 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Said daylight running lamp 31 comprises a housing member 31a and a lens portion 31b accommodated along with a reflector member (not shown) in said housing member 31a. In the present embodiment, said housing member 31a is made of polymeric material such as plastic and includes at least two lug provisions 31aa for attachment to said second panel member 30b. As may be seen in FIG.7, said daylight running lamp 31 is assembled from a rear side of said second panel member 30b. A rear surface of said second panel member 30b includes at least two boss provisions 30bb for receiving said at least two lug provisions 31aa provided in said daylight running lamp 31. Thus, the daylight running lamp 31 is mounted to the second panel member 30b. At least an air vent 30bc provided in a lower portion of said second panel member 30b, below said opening 30o provided for said daylight running lamp 31 aids in circulating air to a rear side of said daylight running lamp 31. A breather member 31ab is provided in a rear portion of said housing member 31a for allowing air circulated by said air vent 30bc to pass through said breather member 31ab into said lens portion 31b for cooling LEDs disposed in proximity to said lens portion 31b. In a second embodiment and as may be seen in FIG.8, said second panel member 30b is provided with an air vent 30bc each on its side portions, disposed adjoining said opening 30o in a vehicle width wise direction for circulating air towards said rear side of the daylight running lamp 31. Ensuring sufficient cooling of said LEDs ensures longevity of said daylight running lamp 31. Said air vent 30bc also serves to direct air towards a horn (not shown) disposed between said rear panel 40 and said front panel assembly 30, which facilitates cooling of the horn (not shown) as well as improves audibility of the horn (not shown). In a second implementation, said daylight running lamp 31 is accommodated in an opening provided in said first panel member 30a.
[0039] FIG.9 illustrates a front view of said two-wheeled vehicle 10. As may be seen in FIG.9 said daylight running lamp 31 is disposed below said headlamp unit 15 and in a front portion of said vehicle 10, and the lens portion 31b of said lamp 31 is made to lie in same line as that of a surface of said second panel member 30b, thereby aiding in enhancing overall aesthetic appeal of said front panel assembly 30. Further, as may be seen in FIG.2, since said lens portion 31b of said daylight running lamp 31 is disposed rearwardly as compared to a lens member of said headlamp unit 15, when viewed from a vehicle sideward direction, it is ensured that light emitted by said headlamp unit 15 does not stray due to interference with any portion of said daylight running lamp. Particularly, as may be seen in FIG.2 while at least a portion of said daylight running lamp is contained in a first plane A, at least a portion of said headlamp unit is contained in a second plane B; said first plane lying substantially rearwardly of said second plane. Additionally, the daylight running lamp 31 is substantially disposed below and in proximity to the head lamp unit 15 thereby minimising the wiring harness length for the daylight running lamp 31 and the head lamp unit 15 as well as improving conspicuity. Also at least a portion of the daylight running lamp 31 overlaps with the front most edge of the lens portion 31b of the head lamp unit 15 when viewed in the side view of the vehicle 10. To enable maximising the visibility of the daylight running lamp 31, as seen in Fig 2, the daylight running lamp 31 is disposed substantially above the top surface of the seat 55 of the two wheeled vehicle 10.
[0040] As is apparent from the above teaching, the present invention enables independent positioning of a daylight running lamp from that of a headlamp unit without involving significant modifications in a front cowl assembly of an existing two-wheeled vehicle. Thereby, the present invention aids in facilitating ease of assembly and disassembly of the daylight running lamp.
,CLAIMS:We claim:
1. A two-wheeled vehicle (10) comprising:
a body frame (11) including a head tube (11a);
a front cowl assembly (25) supported by the head tube (11a);
a headlamp unit (15) housed in the front cowl assembly (25) and supported by the head tube (11a);
a front panel assembly (30) located below the front cowl assembly (25);
a daylight running lamp (31) mounted on the front panel assembly (30);
wherein, said front panel assembly (30) includes at least one panel member, said at least one panel member includes an opening (30o) to house the daylight running lamp (31), said daylight running lamp (31) being attached to said at least one panel member of the front panel assembly (30).

2. The two-wheeled vehicle (10) according to claim 1, wherein said at least one panel member of the front panel assembly (30) comprises a first panel member (30a) and a second panel member (30b), the second panel member (30b) being attached to the first panel member (30a) and the first panel member (30a) being attached to a rear panel (40) disposed a rear side of the front panel assembly (30).

3. The two-wheeled vehicle (10) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein one of the first panel member (30a) and the second panel member (30b) includes the opening (30o) to house the daylight running lamp (31).

4. The two-wheeled vehicle (10) according to claim 3, wherein the daylight running lamp (31) is mounted on a rear side of the second panel member (30b), and the opening (30o) is located on the second panel member (30b) housing the daylight running lamp (31).

5. The two-wheeled vehicle (10) according to claim 3, wherein the second panel member (30b) includes at least two boss provisions (30bb), the daylight running lamp (31) includes a housing member (31a) having at least two lug provisions (31aa) corresponding to said at least two boss provisions (30bb) of the second panel member (30b), and wherein the daylight running lamp (31) is secured to the second panel member (30b) through said at least two boss provisions (30bb) being received by the corresponding at least two lug provisions (31aa).

6. The two-wheeled vehicle (10) according to claim 3, wherein at least one air vent (30bc) is located in a lower portion of the second panel member (30b) below the opening (30o).

7. The two-wheeled vehicle (10) according to claim 3 or claim 6, wherein said at least one air vent (30bc) is located on at least one side portion of the second panel member (30b), said at least one air vent (30bc) being disposed adjoining said opening (30o) to circulate air to one or more of a rear side of the daylight running lamp (31) and horn disposed between the rear panel (40) and the front panel assembly (30)

8. The two-wheeled vehicle (10) according to claim 1 or claim 5, wherein a breather member (31ab) is located in a rear portion of the housing member (31a) of the daylight running lamp (31).

9. The two-wheeled vehicle (10) according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the daylight running lamp (31) lies in a first plane, at least a portion of the headlamp unit (15) lies in a second plane, said first plane being parallel to the second plane and said first plane being located rearwards of the second plane, said first plane and said second plane being viewed from a side of the two-wheeled vehicle (10).

10. The two-wheeled vehicle (10) according to claim 9, wherein said at least a portion of the daylight running lamp (31) includes a lens portion (31b), said at least a portion of the daylight running lamp (31) being adapted to overlap with a front edge of the headlamp unit (15), the daylight running lamp (31) being disposed substantially above an upper surface of a seat (55) of the two-wheeled vehicle (10).

11. A method of assembling a daylight running lamp (31) and a front panel assembly (30) to a two-wheeled vehicle (10), said front panel assembly (30) including a first panel member (30a) and a second panel member (30b), said method comprising the steps of:
securing the daylight running lamp (31) to the second panel member (30b);
attaching the second panel member (30b), along with the secured daylight running lamp (31), to the first panel member (30a) through at least three panel mounting bosses (30ba) provided on the second panel member (30b) and corresponding panel mounting lugs (30aa) protruding from a front periphery (30ab) of the first panel member (30a);
mounting the front panel assembly (30), along with the daylight running lamp (31) secured to the first panel member (30a), to a rear panel (40) through a plurality of mounting lugs (30m) of the front panel assembly (30) adapted to butt against corresponding mounting bosses of the rear panel (40).