Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The present subject matter relates to a vehicle, more particularly, a front cover assembly of the vehicle.
BACKGROUND
[002] A vehicle is generally covered with one or more body covers to protect the vehicle from any external impact and also to enhance aesthetic effect of the vehicle. The one or more body covers are mounted conventionally using one or more fasteners which in turn increases the overall weight of the vehicle and makes the vehicle bulky. Hence, a design of one or more body covers of the vehicle is required which is when assembled on the vehicle does not increase the overall weight of the vehicle.
[003] Further, the one or more body covers are assembled on the vehicle to protect one or more electrical components disposed in the vehicle. However, the heat generated by the one or more electrical components is also trapped inside the one or more body covers during the operation of the one or more body covers which in turn damages the one or more electrical components. Hence a design of the one or more body covers is required which provides ample air circulation in the vehicle without damaging the one or more electrical components.
BRIEF DESCRIPT ION OF THE DRAWINGS
[004] The present invention is described with reference to figures. This invention is implementable in two-wheeled and three wheeled vehicles. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like features and components. Further, the inventive features of the invention are outlined in the appended claims.
[005] Figure 1a illustrates a front view of a front cover assembly for a saddle type vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[006] Figure 1b illustrates a left side view of front cover assembly having one or more sub assembly parts, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[007] Figure 2a illustrates a left perspective view of a front portion of the front cover assembly (100), in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[008] Figure 2b illustrates a rear perspective view of the front portion of the front cover assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[009] Figure 3 illustrates a front view and a rear view of a front middle portion of the front portion of the front cover assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[010] Figure 4a illustrates a left side perspective view of a front view of a central portion of the front cover assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[011] Figure 4b illustrates a right perspective view of a rear view of the central portion of the front cover assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[012] Figure 5a illustrates a right perspective view of a front view of a rear portion of the front cover assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[013] Figure 5b illustrates a right perspective view of a rear view of the rear portion of the front cover assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[014] Figure 6 illustrates an exploded view of the front cover assembly of the saddle type vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[015] In an existing saddle type vehicle, one or more body covers are used to protect the vehicle from any external impacts. The one or more body covers are also used to cover internal vehicular components such as electrical components, power units, transmission systems etc. The one or more body covers also enhance the aesthetic value of the vehicle.
[016] The one or more body covers include a front cover assembly, which cover one or more electrical components. The one or more electrical components is disposed in front portion of the vehicle in the proximity of a handlebar of the vehicle. The one or more electrical components also include a battery in some vehicles.
[017] In conventional vehicles, the front cover assembly is a single integral part which is fastened to the vehicle through one or more fasteners. Owing to being a single integral part, the front cover assembly is fastened onto a frame assembly of the vehicle by using a plurality of fasteners.
[018] Thus, the above configuration of the front cover assembly increases the overall weight of the vehicle and makes the vehicle unnecessarily bulky. Furthermore, a single integral front cover assembly is usually made using more quantity of material, which further increases the overall weight and cost of the vehicle.
[019] Furthermore, time required to fasten all the fasteners of the front cover assembly made of a single integral part, is usually high, which increases overall assembly time of the vehicle. Moreover, such single integral front cover assembly often leads to difficulty in serviceability of the one or more electrical components disposed behind the front cover assembly.
[020] Furthermore, the one or more electrical components disposed behind the front cover assembly generates large amount of heat during its operation due to increase in temperature of the one or more electrical components. In conventional front cover assembly, this heat gets trapped inside the front cover assembly and inadvertently damages the electrical components over a period of time.
[021] Additionally, during the normal wear and tear of the vehicle, upon seepage of any unwanted fluids such as mud or water into the vehicle, usually little or no escape route is provided in the front cover assembly for the escape of such unwanted fluids. Such entrapment of unwanted fluids over a long period of time damage the functioning of the one or more electrical components aiding in functionality of vehicular components such as a headlamp and a one or more turn signal lamps.
Such malfunctioning of the headlamp or the turn signal lamps of the vehicle, compromises with the safety of the vehicle and the rider. Hence, there is a need of a front cover assembly addressing above mentioned problems in the art.
[022] Hence, it is an object of the present invention to overcome all the above stated and other related problems existing in the prior arts, with respect to provide a front cover assembly which aids in uniform air circulation and prevents damage of one or more electrical components as well as other problems of known art.
[023] It is further an object of the present invention to reduce total number of fasteners required to mount the front cover assembly to a vehicle.
[024] It is further an object of the present invention to maximize ease of serviceability and accessibility of the electrical components of the vehicle, especially electrical components disposed behind the front cover assembly.
[025] It is further an object of the present invention to reduce overall weight of the vehicle.
[026] It is further an object of the present invention to improve drag effect and aerodynamic qualities of the vehicle during a riding condition of the vehicle.
[027] It is further an object of the present invention to protect the one or more electrical components from any damage due to ingress of fluids between the front cover assembly and frame assembly.
[028] The present subject matter provides a front cover assembly for a saddle type vehicle. The front cover assembly comprising a rear portion, a central portion and a middle portion being attached to each other through snug fit means for providing ease of assembly, accessibility, and serviceability of one or more electrical components being covered by the front cover assembly.
[029] As per an aspect of the present invention, a vehicle comprising a frame assembly and a front cover assembly. The front cover assembly comprising a rear portion, a central portion and a front portion. The front portion including a front right portion, a front middle portion, and a front left portion. The front portion, the central portion and the rear portion being detachably attached to each other. The front portion being configured to accommodate and cover one or more electrical components. The front portion is attached to the central portion through one or more snug fit attachments and through one or more snug fit appendages.
[030] As per an embodiment, the rear portion is fixedly attached to the frame assembly of the vehicle through plurality of fasteners. Further, the central portion has a right extended portion and a left extended portion. The right extended portion and the left extended portion being integrated with the central portion.
[031] As per another embodiment, the right extended portion and the left extended portion extending in width wise direction of the vehicle from a bottom region of the central portion for improving air draft of the vehicle by deflecting incoming air from the front portion towards a rear end of the vehicle.
[032] As per another embodiment, the central portion covers electrical connections of the one or more electrical components. The one or more electrical components being one of a headlamp, a left turn signal lamp, and a right turn signal lamp. Further, the bottom region of the central portion having a left cavity to accommodate the left turn signal lamp, and a right cavity to accommodate said right turn signal lamp.
[033] As per another embodiment, the front right portion and the front left portion is attached to the front middle portion through one or more fasteners. The front right portion and the front left portion have a bean shaped profile for covering a portion of the central portion.
[034] As per another embodiment, the front middle portion has a T-shaped profile for enabling ease of attachment of the front right portion and the front left portion to the central portion.
[035] As per an embodiment, one or more gaps are formed on the front right portion and the front left portion, when the front right portion and the front left portion are attached to the central portion. The one or more gaps acting as air passage paths. The one or more gaps conducts air through the aperture towards the central portion and diverts the air from the central portion towards a surrounding of the vehicle.
[036] As per another embodiment, the front portion having an interior portion to accommodate the front middle portion. The interior portion having one or more inner grooves and a peripheral extension. The one or more inner grooves and the peripheral extension extending along a periphery of the aperture for passage of fluids.
[037] As per another embodiment, each of the one or more snug fit appendages are configured to have a triangular insert for receiving the front portion, and the one or more snug fit appendages are disposed on a front surface of the central portion. Further, each of the one or more snug fit attachments are configured to have a tri pronged structure for aligning and snug fitting the front portion in the one or more snug fit appendages of the central portion.
[038] As per another embodiment, the central portion and the rear portion is configured to be attached through a snap fit mechanism using one or more protruded lugs and the one or more protruded lugs are disposed on a rear surface of the central portion.
[039] The present subject matter is further described with reference to accompanying figures. It should be noted that the description and figures merely illustrate the principles of the present subject matter. Various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, encompass the principles of the present subject matter. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and examples of the present subject matter, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
[040] The foregoing disclosure is not intended to limit the present disclosure to the precise forms or particular fields of use disclosed. As such, it is contemplated that various alternate embodiments and/or modifications to the present disclosure, whether explicitly described or implied herein, are possible in light of the disclosure. Having thus described embodiments of the present disclosure, a person of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is limited only by the claims.
[041] Additionally, all numerical terms, such as, but not limited to, “first”, “second”, “third”, “primary”, “secondary”, “main” or any other ordinary and/or numerical terms, should also be taken only as identifiers, to assist the reader's understanding of the various elements, embodiments, variations and/or modifications of the present disclosure, and may not create any limitations, particularly as to the order, or preference, of any element, embodiment, variation and/or modification relative to, or over, another element, embodiment, variation and/or modification.
[042] The embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[043] Figure 1a illustrates a front view of a front cover assembly (100) for a saddle type vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. Figure 1b illustrates a left side view of front cover assembly (100) having one or more sub assembly parts, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. For brevity figures 1a and 1b will be discussed together. A saddle type vehicle comprising a frame assembly acting as a skeletal support. For brevity, a saddle type vehicle will be addressed as a vehicle. The frame assembly supports and accommodates one or more electrical and electronic components, a power unit, a transmission system, a suspension system, and a pair of front and rear wheels of the vehicle. The frame assembly is covered with one or more body covers to cover and protect all the internal vehicular systems as stated above. The one or more body covers comprising a front cover assembly (100). The front cover assembly (100) being configured to be disposed in a front portion of the vehicle in proximity of a handlebar of the vehicle.
[044] The front cover assembly (100) is of split type configuration and covers the one or more electrical components (106, 108a, 108b). The one or more electrical components (106, 108a, 108b) is a headlamp (106), a left turn signal lamp (108b) and a right turn signal lamp (108a) in one embodiment. The front cover assembly (100) includes a rear portion (112), a central portion (104) and a front portion (102). The front portion (102) includes a front right portion (102a) and a front left portion (102b). The front portion (102) also includes a front middle portion (103). The front portion (102) is attached to the central portion (104) using one or more snug fit attachments (210a, 210b, 210c, 210d) (as shown in figure 2b). The one or more snug fit attachments (210a, 210b, 210c, 210d) being mounting lugs attached through snap fit mechanisms. The one or more snug fit attachments (210a, 210b, 210c, 210d) being configured to have a tri pronged structure with a protrusion for abutting in the one or more snap fit appendages (400a, 400b, 400c, 400d, 400e, 400f) of the central portion (104). The configuration of the one or more snug fit attachments (210a, 210b, 210c, 210d) enables the front portion (102) to be aligned with the central portion (104) without any gaps or spaces.
[045] The rear portion (112) is attached to the frame assembly (not shown) of the vehicle. The central portion (104) is sandwiched between the rear portion (112) and the front portion (102). The central portion (104) has a right extended portion (110a) and a left extended portion (110b). The right extended portion (110a) and the left extended portion (110b) are integrated with the central portion (104) in one embodiment. In another embodiment, the right extended portion (110a) and the left extended portion (110b) are attached to the central portion (104) through one or more fasteners. In one embodiment, the right and left extended portions (110a, 110b) being a leg shield. The central portion (104) has a right cavity (not shown) and a left cavity (114a) to accommodate the right turn signal lamp (108b) and the left turn signal lamp (108a) respectively. The right extended portion (110a) and the left extended portion (110b) extending in a width wise direction of the vehicle from a bottom region of the central portion (104) improves air draft of the vehicle by deflecting incoming air from the front portion (102) towards a rear end of the vehicle.
[046] Figure 2a illustrates a left perspective view of a front portion (102) of the front cover assembly (100), in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. Figure 2b illustrates a rear perspective view of the front portion (102) of the front cover assembly (100), in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. For brevity, figures 2a and 2b will be discussed together. The front portion (102) has a butterfly shaped configuration. The left front portion (102b) and the right front portion (102a) has a bean shaped profile for covering the one or more electrical components (106, 108a, 108b).
[047] The front portion (102) has an interior portion (200) for rigidly attaching the front middle portion (103) to the front portion (102) through one or more mounting points (208a, 208b, 208c, 208d). The interior portion (200) further comprising one or more inner grooves (204) and a peripheral extension (206) running along the periphery of the interior portion (200) for providing a pathway for passage of fluids. The one or more inner grooves (204) aids in removal of water, mud or dirt entering the headlamp (106). Further the interior portion (200) has an aperture (202) for accommodating the headlamp (106).
[048] The front portion (102) having a rear surface includes the one or more snug fit attachments (210a, 210b, 210c, 210d) for attaching the front portion to the central portion (104) through snap fit mechanism. Further, the front portion (102) while being attached to a portion of the central portion (104), leaves one or more gaps (116a) on both the left and right sides of the front portion (102). These one or more gaps (116a) forming an air passage path. The one or more gaps (116a) conducts air through the aperture (202) towards the central portion (104) and diverts the air away from the central portion (104) towards a surrounding of the vehicle as shown in dotted arrows which regulates the temperature of the plurality of electrical components and also enables air circulation inside the vehicle.
[049] Figure 3 illustrates a front view and a rear view of a front middle portion (103) of the front portion (102) of the front cover assembly (100), in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The front middle portion (103) of the front portion (102) includes a top portion (103a). The top portion (103a) having a T-shaped profile and conforming to the shape of the interior portion (200) of the front portion (102). The front middle portion (103) further includes a bottom portion (103b). The bottom portion (103b) is a cavity for accommodating the headlamp (106), and the bottom portion (103b) conforming to the shape and profile of the aperture (202). The front middle portion (103) is attached to the front left portion (102b) and the front right portion (102a) through one or more fasteners (300a, 300b, 302a, 302b, 302c) for rigid mounting and accommodation of the headlamp (106) by the front portion (102).
[050] Figure 4a illustrates a left side perspective view of a front view of a central portion (104) of the front cover assembly (100), in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. Figure 4b illustrates a right perspective view of a rear view of the central portion (104) of the front cover assembly (100), in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. For brevity figures 4a and 4b will be discussed together. The central portion (104) includes a front surface (104a) and a rear surface (104b). A portion of the front surface (104a) is configured to accommodate the front portion (102). Further, the bottom region (104c) of the central portion (104) is configured to rigidly attach the right extended portion (110a) and the left extended portion (110b).
[051] The central portion (104) further comprising a left cavity (402b) to accommodate the left turn signal lamp (108b), and a right cavity (402a) to accommodate the right turn signal lamp (108a). The front surface (104a) comprising one or more mounting snap fit appendages (400a, 400b, 400c, 400d, 400e, 400f) to fixedly accept the one or more snug fit attachments (210a, 210b, 210c, 210d) of the front portion (102) through snap fit mechanisms. The central portion (104) also has a portion (406) which conforms with the profile and shape of the aperture (202). In one embodiment, the aperture (202) is having a trapezoidal profile. The rear surface (104b) of the central portion (104) is configured to have one or more protruded lugs (404a, 404b, 404c) for attaching the central portion (104) to the rear portion (112) through a snap fit mechanism for aligning the central portion (104) and the rear portion (112) and also for preventing formation of gaps and spaces between the central portion (104) and the rear portion (112).
[052] The one or more snug fit appendages (400a, 400b, 400c, 400d, 400e, 400f) attaches the central portion (104) to the front portion (102) through snap fit mechanisms. The one or more snap fit appendages (400a, 400b, 400c, 400d, 400e, 400f) being configured to have a triangular insert for receiving the front portion (102). The triangular insert of the one or more snap fit appendages (400a, 400b, 400c, 400d, 400e, 400f) receives the front portion (102) and does not leave any gaps between the central portion (104) and the front portion (102). The central portion (104) having a left extended ear (403b) and a right extended ear (403a) disposed on a left side and a right side of a top region of the central portion (104) for providing a pathway for deflection of air towards a rear portion of the vehicle.

[053] Figure 5a illustrates a right perspective view of a front view of a rear portion (112) of the front cover assembly (100), in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. Figure 5b illustrates a right perspective view of a rear view of the rear portion (112) of the front cover assembly (100), in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. For brevity, Figures 5a and 5b will be discussed together. The rear portion (112) of the front panel assembly (100) having a profile to accommodate the handlebar (not shown) and a main tube (not shown) of the vehicle. The rear portion (112) is configured to have a profile to conform with the profile of the central portion (104).
[054] The rear portion (112) is configured to have a plurality of fastening arrangements (506) to mount the rear portion (112) to the frame assembly (not shown) of the vehicle. In one embodiment, the front panel assembly (100) is mounted to the frame assembly (not shown) as a sub-assembly. In another embodiment, the rear portion (112) is mounted to the frame assembly (not shown) and the central portion (104) and the front portion (102) is attached to the rear portion (112) through snap fit mechanisms.
[055] Figure 6 illustrates an exploded view of the front cover assembly (100) of the saddle type vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The front panel assembly (100) including the rear portion (112), the central portion (104) and the front portion (102). The rear portion (112) being configured to have a plurality of fins (502a, 502b). The plurality of fins (502a, 502b) being disposed on one of a left side and a right side at a bottom region of the rear portion (112). The rear portion (112) also includes an intermediary portion (600) for attaching the central portion (104) to the rear portion (112).
[056] In accordance with the present configuration, one of the advantages is that the use of one or more snug fit attachments and one or more snug fit appendages reduces the number of fasteners used and also provides ese of assembly of the front cover assembly.
[057] In accordance with the present configuration, one of the advantages is that the one or more gaps acting as air passage paths helps in dissipation of internal heat generated from the one or more electrical components.
[058] In accordance with the present configuration, one of the advantages is that the one or more inner grooves and peripheral extension aids in passage of fluids and prevents deposition of fluids in the electrical and electronic components.
[059] In accordance with the present configuration, one of the advantages is that the front portion, central portion and the rear portion provides a split type structure which reduces the overall weight and bulkiness of the vehicle.
[060] In accordance with the present configuration, one of the advantages is that the configuration and structure of the one or more snap fit attachments and one or more snap fit appendages rigidly keeps the central portion and the front portion in place without leaving any gaps for entry of fluids and also reduces the risk of loosening of the parts during operation of the vehicle.
[061] While the present invention has been shown and described with reference to the foregoing preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes in form, connection, and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

Reference Numerals:


100 front cover assembly
102 front portion
103 front middle portion
104 central portion
104a, 104b front surface and rear surface of central portion
106 headlamp
108a right turn signal lamp
108b left turn signal lamp
110a, 110b right and left extended portions
112 rear portion
114a left cavity
116a one or more gaps
200 interior portion
202 aperture
204 one or more inner grooves
206 peripheral extension
208a, 208b, 208c, 208d one or more mounting points
210a, 210b, 210c, 210d one or more snug fit attachments
300a, 300b one or more fasteners
302a, 302b, 302c one or more fasteners
400a, 400b, 400c, 400d, 400e, 400f one or more snug fit appendages
402a, 402b right and left cavity
404a, 404b, 404c one or more protruded lugs
406 portion
502a, 502b plurality of fins
506 plurality of fastening arrangements
600 intermediary portion

, Claims:We claim:
1. A vehicle comprising a frame assembly and a front cover assembly (100), said front cover assembly (100) comprising:
a rear portion (112);
a central portion (104); and
a front portion (102);
wherein said rear portion (112), said central portion (104), and
said front portion (102) being detachably attached with each other;
wherein said front portion (102) including a front right portion (102a), a front middle portion (103), and a front left portion (102b);
wherein said front portion (102) being configured to accommodate and cover one or more electrical components (106, 108a, 108b);
wherein said front portion (102) being attached to said central portion (104) through one or more snug fit attachments (210a, 210b, 210c, 210d) and through one or more snug fit appendages (400a, 400b, 400c, 400d, 400e, 400f).
2. The vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein said rear portion (112) being configured to be fixedly attached to said frame assembly of said vehicle through plurality of fasteners (506).
3. The vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said one or more snug fit appendages (400a, 400b, 400c, 400d, 400e, 400f) being configured to have a triangular insert for receiving said front portion (102), wherein said one or more snug fit appendages (400a, 400b, 400c, 400d, 400e, 400f) being disposed on a front surface (104a) of said central portion (104).
4. The vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein said one or more snug fit attachments (210a, 210b, 210c, 210d) being configured to have a tri pronged structure for aligning and snug fitting said front portion (102) in said one or more snug fit appendages (400a, 400b, 400c, 400d, 400e, 400f) of said central portion (104).
5. The vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein said central portion (104) and said rear portion (112) being configured to be attached through a snap fit mechanism using one or more protruded lugs (404a, 404b, 404c), wherein said one or more protruded lugs (404a, 404b, 404c) being disposed on a rear surface (104b) of said central portion (104).
6. The vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein said central portion (104) having a right extended portion (110a) and a left extended portion (110b), said right extended portion (110a) and said left extended portion (110b) being integrated with said central portion (104).
7. The vehicle as claimed in claim 3, wherein said right extended portion (110a) and said left extended portion (110b) extending in a width wise direction of said vehicle from a bottom region (104c) of said central portion (104) for improving air draft of said vehicle by deflecting incoming air from said front portion (102) towards a rear end of said vehicle.
8. The vehicle as claimed in claim 3, wherein said central portion (104) being configured to cover electrical connections of said one or more electrical components (106, 108a, 108b), wherein said one or more electrical components (106, 108a. 108b) being one of a headlamp (106), a left turn signal lamp (108b), and a right turn signal lamp (108a).
9. The vehicle as claimed in claim 4, wherein said bottom region (104c) of said central portion (104) having a left cavity (402b) to accommodate said left turn signal lamp (108b), and a right cavity (402a) to accommodate said right turn signal lamp (108a).
10. The vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein said front right portion (102a) and said front left portion (102b) being attached to said front middle portion (103) through one or more fasteners (300a, 300b, 302a, 302b, 302c).
11. The vehicle as claimed in claim 7, wherein said front right portion (102a) and said front left portion (102b) having a bean shaped profile, said bean shaped profile being configured to cover a portion of said central portion (104).
12. The vehicle as claimed in claim 9, wherein said front middle portion (103) having a T-shaped profile for enabling ease of attachment of said front right portion (102a) and said front left portion (102b) to said central portion (104).
13. The vehicle as claimed in claim 10, wherein one or more gaps (116a, 116b) being formed on said front right portion (102a) and said front left portion (102b), when said front right portion (102a) and said front left portion (102b) being attached to said central portion (104), wherein said one or more gaps (116a, 116b) being air passage paths, wherein said one or more gaps (116a, 116b) being configured to conduct air through said aperture (202) towards said central portion (104) and said one or more gaps (116a, 116b) being configured to divert said air from said central portion (104) towards a surrounding of said vehicle.
14. The vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein said front portion (102) having an interior portion (200) to accommodate said front middle portion (103), wherein said interior portion (200) being configured to have one or more inner grooves (204) and a peripheral extension (206), wherein said one or more inner grooves (204) and said peripheral extension (206) extending along a periphery of said aperture (202) for passage of fluids.