Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a step through type vehicle and more particularly, but not exclusively to a front panel assembly for the step through type vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Typically, vehicle layout design for a step-through type scooter type motorcycle features a step-through frame and a flat surface called as a floorboard used for disposing legs of a rider when the rider puts his/her feet on the floorboard. Further, the scooter features bodywork, including a front leg shield and body that conceals all or most of the mechanisms.
[0003] Generally, in a step-through type scooter type motorcycle, frame structure is such that one or more power sources are supported. The frame portion supporting one or more power sources may be covered by one or more body panels of the vehicle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0005] The above and other features, aspects and advantages of the subject matter will be better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims and accompanying drawings where:
[0006] Figure 1 shows a left side perspective view of the scooter type vehicle.
[0007] Figure 2a and Figure 2b illustrates a rear view and a front view of a front panel assembly respectively.
[0008] Figure 3 illustrates a left side view of a front panel assembly of the vehicle.
[0009] Figure 4 illustrates a top-left perspective view of the front panel assembly of the vehicle.
[00010] Figure 5 illustrates a front-left perspective of the rear cover sub-assembly being assembled along with a main frame of the frame assembly.
[00011] Figure 6 illustrates a perspective view of a second rear cover provided on a left side of the vehicle
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[00012] Generally, in a two-wheeled vehicle, all or most of the vehicular parts are concealed or covered by a number of body panels. The number of body panels includes a front panel, a rear cover, pair of side panels/tail covers.
[00013] Typically, a battery in a vehicle is disposed in the proximity of the feet of the rider. The battery is covered by a body panel. During long usage of the vehicle, the battery tends to get heat up due to which the air and the body panel around the battery side also heats up. A rider sitting on the seat of the vehicle while riding feels the heat of the hot body panel and the surrounding air. This causes discomfort to the rider. Further, it is important for the vehicle to have efficient aerodynamic performance by reducing the drag experienced by the vehicle. Thus, the present invention aims to improve the aerodynamic performance of the vehicle and to improve the comfort level of the rider. When the vehicle is being ridden at high speed, the air provides a drag to the vehicle traversing in the front direction typically at higher speeds. Thus, it is necessary to have proper aerodynamics of the vehicle. Further, to meet the torque requirements of the vehicle heavy batteries are used. Heavy batteries dissipate more heat due to which the second rear cover is susceptible to high heat causing discomfort to rider’s feet. The hot air around the battery moves upwards and escapes from an opening. Due to which the panel around the feet of the rider is heated up beyond optimal temperature. The profile of the second rear cover is made incline. This provides minimal resistance to the air coming out of the opening. Further, the air which is being guided by the dipped portion enables dissipation of the hot air through the opening. A rider of higher stature tends to require more knee space at the front portion. But it is difficult if a straight profile of the rear cover is provided.
[00014] Further, usually in electric vehicles, the rear cover may extend rearwardly towards a vehicle rear that covers one or more batteries, in case if the batteries are disposed at a front portion of the vehicle. To accommodate the batteries at the front portion of the vehicle, the floorboard space is compromised. However, care to be taken not to compromise on comfort of the rider for disposing of the feet of the rider.
[00015] The dipped portion at the front portion of the front panel enables to have efficient aerodynamic. The scoop which is diverged in Y shape provides efficient aerodynamic profile to the vehicle.
[00016] For a vehicle to operate at high torque heavy batteries are used. Due to operation of the battery, high heat is generated by the battery. It is desirable to maintain the optimum temperature of the panel which is beside rider’s legs.
[00017] The delved portion on the rear cover sub-assembly near the cut out on the main frame provides less resistance to hot air dissipated from one or more power sources, for example, one or more batteries. The hot air around the batteries moves upwards and escapes through the cut-out. Due to which the second rear cover at proximity the feet of the rider is prevented from heating up beyond optimal temperature. The profile of the second rear cover is made incline. This provides minimal resistance to the air coming out of the opening. Further, the air which is being guided by the delved portion enables escaping of the hot air near the opening.
[00018] The cavity at the bottom of the second rear cover provides more space for more comfort to the riders. The cavity enables trapping of the air momentarily that will provide more comfort to the rider’s feet.
[00019] As per another embodiment, a vertical bracket being provided between a rear end portion of the second rear cover and the main frame. The bracket can be mounted to any one of the second rear cover and the main frame.
[00020] Further, as per an embodiment of the present invention, the dipped portion in the front upper front panel provides efficient knee space, and better ergonomics to the rider.
[00021] As per an embodiment of the present invention, the upper front panel and the lower front can be integrated, or detachably attachable.
[00022] As per an aspect of the present invention, a vehicle comprising is provided. The vehicle comprising a front panel assembly. The front panel assembly comprising an upper front portion, and a lower front portion when viewed from a vehicle front direction.
[00023] The upper front portion, and the lower front portion being connected to each other by a dipped portion, wherein the dipped portion being a V shaped divergent junction extending towards a vehicle rear for providing a channelized path fir flow of atmospheric air towards a foot of a rider.
[00024] The front panel assembly comprising a rear cover sub-assembly. The rear cover sub assembly comprising a first rear cover and a second rear cover. The second rear cover being disposed below said first rear cover.
[00025] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the front-end portion of the second rear cover being configured to have a delved portion.
[00026] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first rear cover being configured with a depressed portion at the bottom end, wherein the depressed portion being provided a V shape, wherein the depressed portion and the delved portion under assembled condition form a continuous surface, the continuous surface being portion of said channelized path.
[00027] The first rear cover and said second rear cover being configured to be integrated.
[00028] The second rear cover being extending towards a vehicle rear, wherein a bottom end portion of the second rear cover being extending downwardly towards a floorboard of said vehicle, the bottom end portion being disposed in proximity to the feet of the rider, wherein the bottom end portion being configured with a cavity, the cavity extending longitudinally throughout said bottom end portion, the cavity being formed to facilitate freedom of movement of the feet of the rider, and for trapping of air.
[00029] The rear cover sub-assembly being disposed at a front end of a main frame of a frame assembly of the vehicle. The front end being towards vehicle front direction, wherein, a portion of the main frame being at a proximity to the rear cover assembly includes one or more cut-outs, the one or more cut-outs for emanating heated air from underneath area, said underneath area comprising a power source.
[00030] The heated air being carried away towards vehicle rear by atmospheric air traversing through the channelized path of said upper surface, through the continuous surface of said rear cover assembly, the carrying away of heated air enables effective heat dissipation from said power source.
[00031] The upper front portion and said lower front portion being mounted to a head tube of a frame assembly of the vehicle, the head tube being at a vehicle front direction of said vehicle.
[00032] The second rear cover being configured to cover one or more battery enclosing region below a main frame of said vehicle frame assembly.
[00033] Figure 1 shows a left side perspective view of the scooter type vehicle. The vehicle has a body frame assembly made up of several tubes welded together which usually supports the body of the said vehicle. The vehicle has a steerable front wheel 101 and a driven rear wheel 102. The body frame assembly of the vehicle is an elongated structure, which typically extends from a forward end to a rearward end of the vehicle. It is generally convex in shape, as viewed from a side elevation view. The said frame assembly includes a head tube 104, a main frame 111 and may have a sub-frame. The sub-frame is attached to the main frame using an appropriate joining mechanism. The frame assembly is covered by a plurality of vehicle body covers including a front panel assembly 103, a rear cover sub assembly 113, a left front bottom panel 105, and a side panel 106.
[00026] A handlebar assembly 109 and a seat assembly 116 are supported at opposing ends of the frame assembly and a generally open area is defined there between known as floorboard 108 which functions as a step through space. The seat for a driver and a pillion is placed forward to a fuel tank and rear side of floorboard 108. A front fender 107 is provided above the front wheel 101 to prevent vehicle 100 and its occupants from being splashed with mud. Likewise, a rear fender 112 is placed between fuel tank and rear wheel 102, and to the outer side in the radial direction of rear wheel 102. The rear fender 112 inhibits rainwater or the like from being thrown up by rear wheel 102. A front cover assembly 115 is disposed rearwardly to the floorboard 108.
[00027] Suspensions are provided for comfortable steering of the vehicle on the road. A front suspension assembly is connected to a front fork 118. The rear suspension assembly comprises of at least one rear suspension 117 preferably on the left side of the vehicle. However, a vehicle with two rear suspensions, namely on the left side and the right side is also possible. For the safety of the user and in conformance with the traffic rules, a headlamp assembly 110 in the front portion of the vehicle and a taillight 114 in the rear portion of the vehicle is also provided.
[00028] Figure 2a and Figure 2b illustrates a rear view and a front view of a front panel assembly respectively. The front panel assembly 103 comprising an upper front portion 103a, and a lower front portion 103b when viewed from a vehicle front direction. The upper front portion 103a, and the lower front portion 103a being connected to each other by a dipped portion 201, wherein the dipped portion 201 being a V shaped divergent junction extending towards a vehicle rear for providing a channelized path for flow of atmospheric air 202.
[00028] As per an embodiment of the present invention, the channelized flow of the atmospheric air 202 through the dipped portion 201 is illustrated in the figure.
[00029] The upper front portion 103a and the lower front portion being integrated as per an embodiment and being detachably attached as per another embodiment of the present invention.
[00030] The dipped portion 201 being a folded portion being formed in the front panel assembly itself. The dipped portion 201 being formed such that maximum amount of atmospheric air being channelized through the dipped portion 201, such that the resistance offered, or the drag experienced by the vehicle while traversing at higher speeds being minimized by channelizing and allowing flow of atmospheric air through the dipped portion 201.
[00031] Figure 3 illustrates a left side view of a front panel assembly of the vehicle. The front panel assembly 103 comprising a rear cover sub-assembly 113. As per an embodiment of the present invention, the rear cover sub-assembly 113 comprising a first rear cover 113a and a second rear cover 113b. The second rear cover 113b being disposed below said first rear cover 113a. A front-end portion of the second rear cover being configured to have a delved portion (seen in Figure 4).
[00032] Further, as per an aspect of the present invention, the atmospheric air passes through the dipped portion 201, traverses through the channelized path created through the upper front portion 103a, the first rear cover 113a, the second rear cover 113b and towards the floorboard 108 and towards vehicle rear direction.
[00033] Figure 4 illustrates a top-left perspective view of the front panel assembly of the vehicle. The front cover assembly provides a channelized path for traversing or flowing of the atmospheric air 202. The traversing path at the beginning has a funnel shape, wherein maximum amount of air is taken inside through the dipped portion 201, then again, an inverted funnel shape is created for scatter/channelized guidance of the atmospheric air. As per an embodiment of the present invention, the scattering of the atmospheric air 202 is done in such a manner that a divergent Y shaped path is provided for the flow of atmospheric air. The atmospheric air traverse towards delved portion 206 and towards a depressed portion 205.
[00034] As per an embodiment of the present invention, the delved portion 206 being provided at a bottom end portion of the first rear cover 113a. The depressed portion 205 being formed at a top end portion of the second rear cover 113b.
[00035] As per an embodiment of the present invention, the delved portion 206 and the depressed portion 205 in an assembled condition provides a continuous surface for smooth flow of the atmospheric air 202.
[00036] Figure 5 illustrates a front-left perspective of the rear cover sub-assembly being assembled along with a main frame of the frame assembly. A frame assembly of the vehicle includes a main frame 111. The main frame being configured to include one or more cut-outs 207. The one or more cut outs 207 provides a window for the heated air that is dissipated from the one or more power sources 204 being disposed underneath the main frame 111.
[00037] Further, as per an embodiment of the present invention, the channelized atmospheric air 202 carries away the heated air emitted out of the one or more cut-outs 207 towards the vehicle rear direction away from the legs of the rider and away from other body parts of the vehicle. Thereby ensuring effective heat dissipation.
[00038] Figure 6 illustrates a perspective view of a second rear cover provided on a left side of the vehicle. The second rear cover 113b being extending towards a vehicle rear, wherein a bottom end portion of said second rear cover 113b being extending downwardly towards a floorboard 108 of said vehicle, said bottom end portion being disposed in proximity to the feet of the rider, wherein said bottom end portion being configured with a cavity 202, said cavity 202 extending longitudinally throughout said bottom end portion, said cavity 202 being formed to facilitate freedom of movement of the feet of the rider, and for trapping of air. Further, the cavity provides additional clearance or space for freedom of movement of the feet of the rider while riding the vehicle.
[00039] Furthermore, the fit and finish between the vehicle body panels is better with the proposed front cover assembly. The better fit and finish enhances the aesthetic appeal of the vehicle and prevents entry of mud, water, and dust particles.
[00040] Many modifications and variations of the present subject matter are possible in the light of the above disclosure. Therefore, within the scope of claims of the present subject matter, the present disclosure may be practiced other than as specifically described.

List of reference numerals
vehicle (100)
front panel assembly (103)
upper front portion (103a)
lower front portion (103b)
floorboard (108)
main frame (111)
rear cover sub-assembly (113)
first rear cover (113a)
second rear cover (113b)
dipped portion (201)
atmospheric air (202)
cavity (203)
delved portion (205)
depressed portion (206)
one or more cut-outs (207)
one or more power sources (204)

, Claims:I/We claim:
1. A vehicle (100) comprising:
a front panel assembly (103), said front panel assembly (103) comprising an upper front portion (103a), and a lower front portion (103b) when viewed from a vehicle front direction,
wherein said upper front portion (103a) and said lower front portion (103b) being connected to each other by a dipped portion (201), wherein said dipped portion (201) extending towards a vehicle rear for providing a channelized path for flow of atmospheric air (202) towards a foot of a rider.
2. The vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein said dipped portion (201) being a V shaped divergent junction extending towards a vehicle rear for providing a channelized path for flow of atmospheric air.
3. The vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein said front panel assembly (103) comprising a rear cover sub-assembly (113), said rear cover sub assembly (113) comprising a first rear cover (113a) and a second rear cover (113b), wherein said second rear cover (113b) being disposed below said first rear cover (113a), wherein a front-end portion of the second rear cover (113a) being configured to have a delved portion (205).

4. The vehicle as claimed in claim 2, wherein said first rear cover (113a) being configured with a depressed portion (206) at the bottom end, wherein said depressed portion (206) being provided a V shape, wherein the depressed portion (206) and the delved portion (205) under assembled condition form a continuous surface, said continuous surface being portion of said channelized path.
5. The vehicle as claimed in claim 2, wherein said first rear cover (113a) and said second rear cover (113b) being configured to be integrated.
6. The vehicle as claimed in claim 2, wherein said second rear cover (113b) being extending towards a vehicle rear, wherein a bottom end portion of said second rear cover (113b) being extending downwardly towards a floorboard (108) of said vehicle (100), said bottom end portion being disposed in proximity to the feet of the rider, wherein said bottom end portion being configured with a cavity (2032), said cavity (203) extending longitudinally throughout said bottom end portion, said cavity (203) being formed to facilitate freedom of movement of the feet of the rider, and for trapping of air.

7. The vehicle as claimed in claim 2, wherein said rear cover sub-assembly (113) being disposed at a front end of a main frame (111) of a frame assembly of said vehicle (100), said front end being towards vehicle front direction, wherein, a portion of said main frame (111) being at a proximity to said rear cover sub- assembly (113) includes one or more cut-outs (207), said one or more cut-outs (207) for emanating heated air from underneath area, said underneath area comprising one or more power sources (204).
8. The vehicle as claimed in claim 6, wherein said heated air being carried away towards vehicle rear by atmospheric air (202) traversing through said channelized path of said upper surface, through said continuous surface of said rear cover sub-assembly (113), said carrying away of heated air enables effective heat dissipation from said one or more power sources (204).
9. The vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein said upper front portion (103a) and said lower front portion (103b) being mounted to a head tube (104) of a frame assembly of said vehicle (100), said head tube (104) being at a vehicle front direction of said vehicle (100).
10. The vehicle as claimed in claim 2, wherein said second rear cover (113b) being configured to cover one or more power sources enclosing region below a main frame (111) of said vehicle frame assembly.