Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present invention relates to a Vehicle. Particularly, the present invention relates to a front structure assembly for the vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] In existing vehicles, for example, but not limited to, a two-wheeled scooter type vehicle, a horn cut-out is distinct, wherein the horn cut-out and a number plate mounting is separately provided in a front structure assembly. The existing vehicles includes a Turn Signal Lamp (TSL) which may not provide customer attractiveness. Typically, in the existing models of vehicles, a cover frame head is mounted on a bracket cover frame head with a sheet metal bracket. In such existing vehicles, the arrangement includes a number plate bracket mounting, exclusive cut-outs for horn, and the TSLs, and these elements are visible on a front panel of the vehicle.
[003] In one kind of known design of a front structure assembly, a horn assembly is mounted below a battery box or holder of the vehicle. This design includes exclusive mountings for the battery box onto the frame, a bracket for the horn assembly and another bracket for mounting the TSL and makes the front structure assembly a complicated design. Further, in order to fulfil the requirement of providing a bigger battery, to prevent compromise on a utility space, the battery was moved to the front portion of the vehicle. In such designs, the battery is being mounted through a minimal bracket on the head tube. Therefore, there is no space at the front for accommodating any other part. Similarly, even the horn assembly of the vehicle cannot be mounted through an exclusive bracket and the number plate bracket also cannot be mounted using an exclusive bracket.
[004] Thus, there is a need in the art for providing a vehicle with a front structure assembly which addresses the aforementioned problems and limitations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[005] In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a vehicle. The vehicle comprises a frame member, and a front structure assembly connected to the frame member. The front structure assembly comprises a frame head cover having at least one partition rib disposed on an outer surface of the frame head cover and at a right hand side and a left hand side corresponding to turn signal lamps of the vehicle. The front structure assembly further comprises a recess configured for accommodating a number plate mounting assembly of the vehicle. The front structure assembly further comprises a battery holder configured to connect with a head pipe of the vehicle. The battery holder comprises one or more lugs which are configured to attach with the frame head cover of the vehicle.
[006] In an embodiment, the battery holder comprises a top cover, and the one or more lugs of the battery holder extends vertically upwards from the top cover for attaching with the frame head cover.
[007] In a further embodiment, the battery holder comprises a bottom cover having a plurality of walls. The wall of the plurality of walls facing the head pipe is provided with a first head pipe mounting provision.
[008] In a further embodiment, the vehicle comprises a battery mounting bracket member. The battery mounting bracket member is provided between the first head pipe mounting provision and the head pipe for connecting the battery holder with the head pipe.
[009] In a further embodiment, the vehicle comprises a horn mounting bracket. The horn mounting bracket comprises a first portion and a second portion extending and angled from the first portion.
[010] In a further embodiment, the top cover comprises a flange portion extending inclinedly and downwardly towards the first head pipe mounting provision.
[011] In a further embodiment, the battery mounting bracket member comprises a front portion. The front portion is disposed at the first head pipe mounting provision and the first portion of the horn mounting bracket is disposed at the flange portion and above the front portion of the battery mounting bracket member during assembling.
[012] In a further embodiment, the first portion of the horn mounting bracket is disposed inside the flange portion of the top cover, whereby the second portion of the horn mounting bracket is positioned vertically.
[013] In a further embodiment, the second portion of the horn mounting bracket comprises a groove for receiving a horn member, whereby the horn member is positioned corresponding to the recess of the frame head cover.
[014] In a further embodiment, the bottom cover of the battery holder comprises a base member. The base member is provided with a second head pipe mounting provision for supportively connecting the bottom cover of the battery holder with the head pipe of the vehicle.
[015] In a further embodiment, the number plate mounting assembly is connected to the battery holder.
[016] In a further embodiment, the one or more lugs and the first pair of through holes in the recess are co-axially aligned.
[017] In a further embodiment, the the recess is provided with a first pair of through holes for mounting a flange portion of the number plate mounting assembly.
[018] In a further embodiment, the the recess is provided with a second pair of through holes such that a front portion of the horn assembly faces the second pair of through holes from the inner surface of the frame head cover.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[019] Reference will be made to embodiments of the invention, examples of which may be illustrated in accompanying figures. These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the invention is generally described in context of these embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these particular embodiments.
Figure 1 shows a side view of a vehicle, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 shows a top view of the vehicle shown in Figure 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a front structure assembly of the vehicle shown in Figures 1 and 2, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 shows a front view of the front structure assembly shown in Figure 3, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 shows a rear perspective view of the front structure assembly shown in Figures 3 and 4, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 6 shows a perspective view of an assembly of a battery holder with a head pipe of the vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 7 shows a front perspective view of the front structure assembly of the vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[020] Various features and embodiments of the present invention here will be discernible from the following further description thereof, set out hereunder. In the ensuing exemplary embodiments, the vehicle is a two-wheeled scooter type vehicle. However, it is contemplated that the disclosure in the present invention may also be applied to other type of two-wheeled vehicles which may be driven by an Internal Combustion (IC) engine and/or electric batteries capable of accommodating the present subject matter without defeating the scope of the present invention.
[021] Present invention broadly relates to a vehicle. Particularly, the present invention relates to a front structure assembly for the vehicle.
[022] As illustrated in Figures 1 – 2, the vehicle 10 is a scooter type two-wheeled vehicle. It may be contemplated that the vehicle 10 can be any other kind of two-wheeled vehicle. Thus, the illustrated exemplary embodiments of the two-wheeled scooter vehicle should not be meant limiting the scope of the present invention. The terms “two-wheeled vehicle” and “vehicle” are interchangeably used in this disclosure. However, both the terms “two-wheeled vehicle” and “vehicle” are one and the same, and the term “vehicle” is used for brevity.
[023] As illustrated in Figure 1 and Figure 2, the two-wheeled vehicle 10 includes a frame member 20 (shown in Figure 1) extending in a vehicle front-rear direction “D1”. In an exemplary embodiment, the frame member 20 comprises a head pipe 16 (shown in Figure 1) at a front portion of the vehicle 10 for supporting one or more components at the front of the vehicle 10. That is to say, the frame member 20 provides a structural support to different vehicular components of the vehicle 10 and is adapted to mount one or more vehicular components of the vehicle 10. The one or more vehicular components may include, but not limited to, an instrument cluster 22 (shown in Figure 2), a handlebar 24, a front structure assembly 100, a battery holder 110 (shown in Figure 6) with a battery (not shown), and a seat assembly 30. The vehicle 10 further includes a front wheel 26 and a rear wheel 28, both driven by a power generated by an Internal Combustion (IC) engine (not shown) or a battery pack (not shown). In some embodiments, the IC engine generates the power by combustion of a fuel inside a combustion chamber (not shown) of the IC engine for movement of the vehicle 10. In some other embodiments, the battery pack of the vehicle 10 may supply electrical energy to a motor assembly (not shown) for driving the rear wheel 28 and the front wheel 26 of the vehicle 10.
[024] Referring to Figures 1 – 7, in an exemplary embodiment, the front structure assembly 100 is connected to the frame member 20 of the vehicle 10. In an exemplary embodiment, the front structure assembly 100 comprises one or more members, including, but not limited to, a frame head cover 102. In some embodiments of the present invention, the front head cover 102 may be formed using a multiple cover members. In some other embodiments, the front head cover 102 may be formed as a single member through a method / process known in the art. In an embodiment, the frame head cover 102 includes an outer surface 106 and an inner surface 106A. The inner surface 106A of the frame head cover 102 is facing the head pipe 16 of the vehicle 10. In the embodiment, the frame head cover 102 includes at least one partition rib 104 disposed on the outer surface 106 of the frame head cover 102 and at a right hand side and a left hand side corresponding to Turn Signal Lamps (TSL) 12 of the vehicle 10. In the illustrated embodiments shown in Figures 3, 4 and 7, the frame head cover 102 includes two partition ribs 104. The two partition ribs 104 in the frame head cover 102 forms the TSL 12 as a split-type TSL. The split-type TSL increases aesthetics of the front portion of the vehicle 10 and thus increases customer attractiveness. In some embodiments, the frame head cover 102 may be made of a plastic or a polymer material or any other suitable material or a combination of materials through a method, for example, moulding or any other method known in the art.
[025] Referring again to Figures 3, 4 and 7, the front structure assembly 100 comprises a recess 108. In one embodiment, the recess 108 is configured for accommodating a number plate mounting assembly 14 (shown in Figure 7) of the vehicle 10.
[026] Referring to Figure 4, the recess 108 is provided with a first pair of through holes 108A for mounting a flange portion 14A (shown in Figure 7) of the number plate mounting assembly 14. In the illustrated embodiments, the first pair of through holes 108A is in a circular shape or an oblong shaped (either vertically or horizontally) for allowing a fastener member (not shown) (for example: a threaded bolt) from the flange portion 14A of the number plate mounting assembly 14. In some embodiments, the oblong shaped pair of through holes 108A may allow adjustments of the number plate mounting assembly 14 in a vertical direction and/or in a horizontal direction during assembling of the number plate mounting assembly 14 with the front structure assembly 100. In some embodiments, the first pair of through holes 108A is provided towards lateral end portions of the recess 108 such that a space or a distance between the first pair of through holes 108A matches with a space between the two flange portions 14A of the number plate mounting assembly 14, thereby aligning the two flange portions 14A with the first pair of through holes 108A.
[027] In another embodiment, the recess 108 is further configured to act as a horn assembly cut-out. The recess 108 is provided with a second pair of through holes 108B. Thus, the second pair of through holes 108B in the recess 108 provides a passageway for sound generated by the horn assembly 18 of the vehicle 10 during operation of the horn assembly 18. In some embodiments, the recess 108 may be formed by a machining process or by a molding process or any other process known in the art. Thus, the process or method of providing the recess 108 in the frame head cover 102 is not meant to be limiting the scope of the present invention. Further, in the illustrated Figures 3, 4 and 7, the second pair of through holes 108B are provided in the recess 108 such that a front portion of the horn assembly 18 faces the second pair of through holes 108B from the inner surface 106A of the frame head cover 102. Thus, the sound generated by the horn assembly 18 is not hindered.
[028] In the embodiments shown in Figures 5 and 6, the front structure assembly 100 comprises a battery holder 110. The battery holder 110 is configured to connect with the head pipe 16 (shown in Figure 6) of the vehicle 10. In an exemplary embodiment, the battery holder 110 comprises a top cover 110B and a bottom cover 110C, thereby forming a housing or an enclosure for accommodating the battery (not shown) of the vehicle 10. In the illustrated embodiments shown in Figures 5 and 6, the top cover 110B is provided with one or more lugs 110A. In an embodiment, the one or more lugs 110A are configured to attach with the frame head cover 102 of the two-wheeled scooter type vehicle 10. As illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, the one or more lugs 110A extend vertically upwards from the top cover 110B for attaching with the frame head cover 102. In the illustrated embodiments, the top cover 110B of the battery holder 100 comprises two lugs 110A. The two lugs 110A comprises two through holes 110A’ (shown in Figure 5) at its free ends.
[029] In the illustrated embodiment shown in Figure 6, the bottom cover 110C of the battery holder 110 comprises a plurality of walls 110C1, 110C2, 110C3, 110C4 extending vertically upwards. In an embodiment, the wall 110C4 facing the head pipe 16 is provided with a first head pipe mounting provision 112. Referring further to Figure 6, the vehicle 10 comprises a battery mounting bracket member 114. In an embodiment, the battery mounting bracket member 114 is provided between the first head pipe mounting provision 112 and the head pipe 16 for connecting the battery holder 110 with the head pipe 16 of the frame member 20. In some embodiments, the battery mounting bracket member 114 may be made of a metalling material or a polymer material or any other material which is sufficient to take a load of an assembly including, but not limited to, the battery holder 110 along with the battery and the horn assembly 18.
[030] The vehicle 10 further comprises a horn mounting bracket 116, which is mounted onto the top cover 110B of the battery holder 110. In an embodiment as shown in Figure 6, the horn mounting bracket 116 comprises a first portion 116A and a second portion 116B. The second portion 116B of the horn mounting bracket 116 is extending and angled from the first portion 116A. In the illustrated embodiment, the first portion 116A and the second portion 116B are right angled to each other. However, the angle between the first portion 116A and the second portion 116B of the horn mounting bracket 116 may also be lesser or greater than the right angle (90 degrees) and may be configured based on the design and space feasibility in the front structure assembly 100.
[031] Referring again to Figure 6, the top cover 110B of the battery holder 110 comprises a flange portion 110B1 extending inclinedly and downwardly towards the first head pipe mounting provision 112.
[032] In an embodiment, the battery mounting bracket member 114 comprises a front portion 114A. The front portion 114A is disposed at the first head pipe mounting provision 112 and the first portion 116A of the horn mounting bracket 116 is disposed at the flange portion 110B1 and above the front portion 114A of the battery mounting bracket member 114 during assembling.
[033] As shown in Figure 6, the first portion 116A of the horn mounting bracket 116 is disposed inside the flange portion 110B1 of the top cover 110B, whereby the second portion 116B of the horn mounting bracket 116 is positioned vertically upwards facing the second pair of through holes 108B of the recess 108.
[034] In an embodiment, the second portion 116B of the horn mounting bracket 116 comprises a groove 116B1. The groove 116B1 is configured for receiving a horn member 18A of the horn assembly 18 of the vehicle 10, whereby the horn member 18A is positioned corresponding to the recess 108 of the frame head cover 102. In other words, the horn member 18A is positioned at the second pair of through holes 108B provided in the recess 108.
[035] Referring again to Figure 6, the bottom cover 110C of the battery holder 110 comprises a base member 110D. The base member 110D is provided with a second head pipe mounting provision 110D1 for supportively connecting the bottom cover 110C of the battery holder 110 with the head pipe 16 of the vehicle 10. The second head pipe mounting provision 110D1 may aid in providing additional support for the battery holder 110 with the head pipe 16.
[036] Referring to Figure 6 in conjunction with Figure 7, the number plate mounting assembly 14 is connected to the battery holder 110 through the pair of lugs 110A provided in the top cover 110B of the battery holder 110. In an exemplary embodiment, the one or more lugs 110A and the first pair of through holes 108A in the recess 108 are co-axially aligned. In other words, the one or more lugs 110A in the battery holder 110 are visible through the recess 108.
[037] Advantageously, the present invention provides an intrinsic and integrated front structure assembly for the frame head cover having two separate partition ribs for having a split design in the TSL. The partition ribs act as a three divider for showing the TSL in the split design. The front mounting assembly in the present invention provides better aesthetics to the customers due to the split-type TSL provided by the partition ribs.
[038] The front structure assembly having an integrated recess for the horn assembly and the license or number plate mounting assembly reduces number of components in the front structure assembly, and in turn reduces the overall cost. The integrated recess design for the horn meets the decibel (Db) level as per norms.
[039] The frame head cover is mounted in the battery holder by using the two mounting plastic lugs. The lugs provide strengthening which is equivalent to the strength provided by a metal bracket.
[040] The front structure assembly of the present invention with the frame head cover is mounted on the plastic battery holder without compromising strength. This leads to reduction of an extra bracket used during assembling of the frame head cover with the head pipe.
[041] The front structure assembly provides further technical advantages of ease of manufacturing, bracket elimination, cost reduction, process reduction, enhanced aesthetics, serviceability, ease of assembly and handling.
[042] While the present invention has been described with respect to certain embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modification may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

List of Reference Numerals and Characters:
10: Vehicle
12: Turn Signal Lamp
14: Number plate mounting assembly
14A: Flange portion of the number plate mounting assembly
16: Head pipe
18: Horn assembly
18A: Horn member
20: Frame member
22: Instrument cluster
24: Handlebar
26: Front wheel
28: Rear wheel
30: Seat assembly
100: Front structure assembly
102: Frame head cover
104: Partition rib
106: Outer surface of frame head cover
106A: Inner surface of frame head cover
108: Recess
108A: First pair of through holes
108B: Second pair of through holes
110: Battery holder
110A: One or more lugs
110A’: Through holes in the lugs
110B: Top cover
110B1: Flange portion of the top cover
110C: Bottom cover
110C1, 110C2, 110C3, 110C4: Plurality of walls
110D: Base member of the bottom cover
110D1: Second head pipe mounting provision
112: First head pipe mounting provision
114: Battery mounting bracket member
114A: Front portion of the battery mounting bracket member
116: Horn mounting bracket
116A: First portion of the horn mounting bracket
116B: Second portion of the horn mounting bracket
116B1: Groove in the second portion of the horn mounting bracket
D1: Vehicle front-rear direction , Claims:WE CLAIM:
1. A vehicle (10), comprising:
a frame member (20); and
a front structure assembly (100) connected to the frame member (20), the front structure assembly (100), comprising:
a frame head cover (102) having at least one partition rib (104) disposed on an outer surface (106) of the frame head cover (102) and at a right hand side and a left hand side corresponding to turn signal lamps (12) of the vehicle (10), and a recess (108) configured for accommodating a number plate mounting assembly (14) of the vehicle (10); and
a battery holder (110) configured to connect with a head pipe (16) of the vehicle (10), the battery holder (110) comprising one or more lugs (110A), the one or more lugs (110A) being configured to attach with the frame head cover (102) of the vehicle (10).

2. The vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein battery holder (110) comprises a top cover (110B), wherein the one or more lugs (110A) extend vertically upwards from the top cover (110B) for attaching with the frame head cover (102).

3. The vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the battery holder (110) comprises a bottom cover (110C) having a plurality of walls (110C1, 110C2, 110C3, 110C4), wherein the wall (110C4) facing the head pipe (16) is provided with a first head pipe mounting provision (112).

4. The vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 3 comprising a battery mounting bracket member (114), the battery mounting bracket member (114) being provided between the first head pipe mounting provision (112) and the head pipe (16) for connecting the battery holder (110) with the head pipe (16).

5. The vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 3 comprising a horn mounting bracket (116), the horn mounting bracket (116) comprises a first portion (116A) and a second portion (116B) extending and angled from the first portion (116A).

6. The vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the top cover (110B) comprises a flange portion (110B1) extending inclinedly and downwardly towards the first head pipe mounting provision (112).

7. The vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the battery mounting bracket member (114) comprises a front portion (114A), the front portion (114) being disposed at the first head pipe mounting provision (112) and the first portion (116A) of the horn mounting bracket (116) being disposed at the flange portion (110B1) and above the front portion (114A) of the battery mounting bracket member (114) during assembling.

8. The vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the first portion (116A) of the horn mounting bracket (116) being disposed inside the flange portion (110B1) of the top cover (110B), whereby the second portion (116B) of the horn mounting bracket (116) is positioned vertically.

9. The vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the second portion (116B) of the horn mounting bracket (116) comprises a groove (116B1) for receiving a horn member (18A), whereby the horn member (18A) is positioned corresponding to the recess (108) of the frame head cover (102).

10. The vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the bottom cover (110C) of the battery holder (110) comprises a base member (110D), the base member (110D) being provided with a second head pipe mounting provision (110D1) for supportively connecting the bottom cover (110D) of the battery holder (110) with the head pipe (16) of the vehicle (10).

11. The vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the number plate mounting assembly (14) is connected to the battery holder (110).

12. The vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more lugs (110A) and the first pair of through holes (108A) in the recess (108) are co-axially aligned.

13. The vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the the recess (108) is provided with a first pair of through holes (108A) for mounting a flange portion (14A) of the number plate mounting assembly (14).

14. The vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the the recess (108) is provided with a second pair of through holes (108B) such that a front portion of the horn assembly (18) faces the second pair of through holes (108B) from the inner surface (106A) of the frame head cover (102).

Dated this 04th day of January 2023
TVS MOTOR COMPANY LIMITED
By their Agent & Attorney

(Nikhil Ranjan)
of Khaitan & Co
Reg No IN/PA-1471