TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present subject matter relates generally to an internal combustion engine for a saddle type vehicle, and more particularly to a cover assembly for the internal combustion engine.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Generally, in a two-wheeled vehicle a body frame extends rearward from a head tube. The body frame acts as a skeleton for the vehicle that supports the vehicle loads. A front portion of the body frame connects a front wheel through one or more front suspension(s). Further, the body frame extends towards a rear portion of the vehicle. A rear wheel is connected to a frame assembly through one or more rear suspension(s). An internal combustion engine is i mounted to the frame assembly of the vehicle. The engine assembly is functionally connected to the rear wheel, which provides the forward motion to the vehicle. Typically, plurality of panels is mounted to the frame assembly of the vehicle that covers various vehicle parts mounted thereon.
[0003] Typically, the internal combustion engine is provided with a cover assembly to cover and protect it from any kind of mud and water splashes. However, the substantial area to be covered by the engine cover assembly and its efficiency to prohibit mud and water from being splashed is a challenge. The efficiency and effectivity of the engine cover assembly to efficiently cover the internal combustion engine is low. Undesirable exposure of critical vehicle & i engine components to mud, foreign particle splash can result in early failure of parts like air filter etc. leading to poor durability of the engine. In furtherance to it, the existing engine cover assemblies due to its complex structure and assembly add to the complexity of space constraint which the vehicle faces. There also exists a problem of having adequate ground clearance at the lowest point of the vehicle between the two wheels to clear the humps on road which tends to contradict the need for lower height requirement of the vehicle as well as power train. Thus, there is a need for providing an effective cover which protects from hump impact, is easily replaceable sacrificially by protecting critical parts as well

as enabling adequate passage for flow of cooling air to required parts of the vehicle.
[0004] Hence, the present subject matter aims to provide an engine cover assembly which sufficiently prohibits the entry of mud and water to the internal combustion engine. In addition to it, the present subject matter also aims to provide an engine cover assembly with a much lighter and simpler structure which is not complex and is easy to assemble.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] The detailed description of the present subject matter is described with
reference to the accompanying figures. Same numbers are used throughout the
drawings to reference like features and components.
[0006] Fig. 1 illustrates a left side view of an exemplary two-wheeled saddle
ride-type vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject
matter.
[0007] Fig. 2 illustrates a partial front view of the exemplary two-wheeled
vehicle as shown in Fig. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present
subject matter.
[0008] Fig. 3 illustrates a partial side view of the exemplary two-wheeled
vehicle as shown in Fig. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present
subject matter.
[0009] Fig. 4 illustrates an exploded view of the engine cover assembly in
accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[00010] Fig. 5 illustrates a top view of the engine cover assembly in
accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[00011] Typically, a two-wheeled vehicle is provided with an internal combustion engine to provide the vehicle with the required power. The two-vehicle comprises of a frame assembly to provide a support to the vehicle and act as a skeleton. The vehicle body (external fiber/metallic body) and parts

are mounted onto the frame structure. Generally, the internal combustion engine is also mounted onto the frame structure.
[00012] Generally, the internal combustion engine is provided with an engine cover assembly. The engine cover assembly covers and protects the internal combustion engine from mud and water splashes. However, there are some criticalities and problems which the engine cover assembly faces. One of them being the area covered by the engine cover assembly. Generally, the engine cover assembly is not able to completely cover the internal combustion engine and is unable to completely eliminate the entry of mud and water splash. In case, if the i engine cover assembly is made to cover the entire region to completely prohibit the entry and mud and water, it becomes quite heavy and complex resulting in high manufacturing cost and increased difficulty to assemble. In addition to it, the vehicle always faces a space constrain problem, be it assembly of the cover assembly near the intake pipe or any other utility box associated with it. Due to the space constraint present it's very hard to access the cover assembly or any other part attached near it. Thus, it becomes difficult to access and clean the cover assembly or any other part attached near it.
[00013] Hence, the present subject matter is aimed at providing an engine cover assembly which efficiently protects the internal combustion engine from i mud and water splashed. In addition to it, the present subject matter provides an engine cover assembly which is simple, light, and easy to manufacture and assemble. Furthermore, the present engine cover assembly is easy to access, service, clean and provides good ground clearance.
[00014] In an embodiment, an engine cover assembly is provided to cover and protect an internal combustion engine mounted onto the vehicle. The engine cover assembly comprises of a front guard and elongated cover plate. The engine cover assembly is a two-part element, wherein the front guard and elongated cover plate are detachably attached to each other. In an embodiment, the front guard is disposed right in front of a sump region of the internal combustion i engine with grill with openings for air flow attached to it. In addition to it, the

elongated cover plate extends from the front guard, i.e. from the internal combustion engine to the rear wheel of the vehicle. The elongated cover plate extends in a rearward direction with a substantial downward extending base towards the ground. In addition to it, the elongated cover plate is a one-piece element. Such a configuration and construction for the engine cover assembly has been provided on purpose.
[00015] In an embodiment, the elongated cover plate is a one-part element, hence is easy to manufacture and assemble. Since, the elongated cover plate is a long extending piece, the chances of water and mud splash reaching the internal combustion engine is even less. Due to its downward extending profile, any mud or water splash entered would also flow back along it and come out. The shallow downward profile helps in maximizing ground clearance. Furthermore, with such a profile it becomes easy to clean or replace the engine cover assembly and access any space closely associated with it. Also, an ample of space is provided by the elongated cover plate which can be used for storage of any other part or tools. This would eliminate the extra storage space requirement of the vehicle. Further, passage of wind in very close proximity of the engine when the vehicle is moving forward is guided by the elongated cover plate of the engine cover assembly, hence it also facilitates better cooling of the engine. The elongated cover plate directs the ambient air coming through the grill of the front guard throughout the surface of the elongated cover plate.
[00016] In addition to the above function, another important function of the elongated cover plate is to protect the overall engine assembly and other components in the vicinity from the mud, dirt, rubbles, etc. which otherwise hampers the performance of these components. Also, the elongated cover plate is purposely designed to accommodate the exhaust pipe, thus prevents any accident when the riders foot may touch the exhaust pipe which generally has high temperature due to the passage of the exhaust gases passing through it. The grill in the front guard and the elongated cover plate acts as an envelope to protect the important components. The ambient air directed by the grill passes close to the

exhaust system as well and acts as an additional cooling mechanism for the same. The front guard also protects the engine from being hit by any stone or rubble which might bounce in the backward direction from the front wheel, thus, increases the life span of the engine and other components protected by the front guard. Thus, the present engine cover assembly with its described configuration and construction provides the above mentioned advantages.
[00017] Arrows provided in the top right corner of each figure depicts direction with respect to the vehicle, wherein an arrow F denotes front direction, an arrow R indicates rear direction, an arrow Up denotes upward direction, and an arrow Dw denotes downward direction.
[00018] Fig. 1 illustrates a left side view of an exemplary motor vehicle (100), in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The vehicle (100) includes a frame assembly (105) that extends from a head tube (105A), which is disposed in the front portion of the vehicle (100), towards a rear portion of the vehicle (100). Said frame assembly (105) extends in longitudinal direction F-R of said vehicle (100). Said frame assembly (105) may further comprise a sub-frame formed by a pair of rear tubes (not shown) that extend obliquely rearward from the main frame. An engine assembly (110) is fixedly mounted to said frame assembly (105).
[00019] Said engine assembly (110) includes at least one of an internal combustion engine and a traction/electrical motor (not shown). A front portion of a swing arm (115) is swingably connected to said frame assembly (105) and a rear portion of said swing arm (115) rotatably supports a rear wheel (120). Said rear wheel (120) is functionally coupled to said engine assembly (110) through a transmission system. The transmission system (not shown) includes a chain drive^elt drive, a variable gear ratio system, or an automatic type transmission. A rear fender (125) disposed upwardly of said rear wheel (120) covers at least a portion of said rear wheel (120). Further, said swing arm (115) is coupled to said frame assembly (105) through one or more rear suspension(s) (not shown). In the present embodiment, a mono-shock type rear suspension connects said swing arm

(115) to said frame assembly (105). Similarly, a pair of front forks (130) supports a front wheel (135) and is steerably supported by said head tube (105A). A handlebar assembly (140) is connected to an upper portion of the pair of front forks (130). Further, a front fender (145) covers at least a portion of said front wheel (135) and said front fender (145) is mounted to said front forks (130).
[00020] A fuel tank assembly (150) is mounted to said frame assembly (150) and is disposed rearwardly of said handlebar assembly (140). A seat assembly (155) including a rider seat is disposed rearwardly of said fuel tank assembly (150) and is supported by said frame assembly (105). Said seat assembly (155) may include a pillion seat. Further, a pair of rider foot pegs (165) mounted to the frame assembly (105) of said vehicle (100) that enable in supporting rider foot.
[00021] Further, said engine assembly (110) includes an air-fuel supply system (not shown) that supplies air and fuel to said engine assembly (110). An exhaust pipe (not shown) extends from said engine assembly (110) towards a muffler (not shown) that is disposed adjacently of said rear wheel (120). Plurality of panels (170) covers at least a portion of said frame assembly (105) and one or more vehicle parts.
[00022] Furthermore, said vehicle (100) includes various electrical and electronic systems including a starter system (not shown), a headlamp (175), a vehicle control unit, and a tail lamp (180). In addition, the vehicle includes safety systems including a synchronous braking system (not shown), and an anti-lock braking system.
[00023] Fig. 2 illustrates a partial front view of said vehicle (100) as shown in Fig. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. In an embodiment, said vehicle (100) comprises of an integrated cover assembly (205) provided for accommodation and protection of oil cooler/radiator. As per an embodiment of the present subject matter, the bottom side of the cover assembly (205) is configured to have a mesh (220) with opening for air flow to enable cooling of the cooler / radiator & other parts of the power train. In an embodiment, said vehicle (100) also comprises of an engine cover assembly

(210) disposed below said integrated cover assembly (205). Said engine cover assembly (210) is placed in front of said engine assembly (110), in front of the sump (shown in Fig. 3) of said engine assembly (110) to be precise. In an embodiment, said engine cover assembly (210) comprises of a grill (215) disposed in a front portion of said engine cover assembly (210). Said grill (215) is provided to allow an entry of atmospheric air for cooling of the sump region of said engine assembly (110), and also stop the entry of stones and pebbles or any other pollutant as such.
[00024] Fig. 3 illustrates a partial side view of said vehicle (100) as shown in Fig. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. In an embodiment, said engine cover assembly (210) comprises of a front guard (305) and an elongated cover plate (310), wherein both of them are detachably attached to each other through screws or any other means as such. Said front guard (305) is disposed in front of said sump (315) of said engine assembly (110), wherein said elongated cover plate (310) extends from said front guard (305) in a substantial straight and rearward direction. In an embodiment, said elongated cover plate (310) is a single one-piece element. In addition to it, said elongated cover plate (310) comprises of a base AA' which extends in a substantial straight and downward direction along a horizontal plane BB' extending in a downward descending slant towards the ground. Thus, said engine cover assembly (210) is a two-piece element which is easy to manufacture and assemble. Said elongated cover plate (310) because of its single long piece structure is easy to clean with a lot of space at the rear end to be used a storage or utility area for other parts. In fact, such a long profile also helps in storing the wiring harness such that they do not get entangled. In an embodiment, said base AA' of said elongated cover plate (310) extends substantially in close proximity to the said rear wheel (120). Said base AA' extends in a substantial downward direction towards the ground so that any mud or water does not travel towards said engine assembly (110) and flows out because of the slant base profile.

[00025] Fig. 4 illustrates an exploded view of said engine cover assembly (210) in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. In an embodiment, said engine cover assembly (210) comprising of said front guard (305) and said elongated cover plate (310) is a two-piece element, wherein said elongated cover plate (310) is a one-piece element extending till the rear wheel (120). In an embodiment, said engine cover assembly (210) comprises a slot (405) through which said foot peg (165) is inserted and attached to said vehicle frame structure (105). A supporting plate (410) is provided which rests on said engine cover assembly (210) and said foot peg (165) attached to said supporting plate (410) is inserted and attached to said frame structure (105). In addition to at least one-foot peg guard (415) is provided which stops the entry of mud in the space between said engine cover assembly (210) and said foot peg (165).
[00026] Fig. 5 illustrates a top view of said engine cover assembly (210) in
accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. In an embodiment, said engine cover assembly (210) comprises of said front guard (305) and said elongated cover plate (310) such that in one of the embodiment of the present subject matter said engine cover assembly (210) has a curved protruding portion (505) to accommodate the exhaust pipe of said vehicle (100). In another embodiment of the present subject matter said elongated cover plate (310) comprises of a plurality of fins (510) towards the rear end of said elongated cover plate (310) to enable effectively breaking the upward flow of a mud/water splash arising from the ground owing to passage of the front wheel thereby protecting vehicle parts from damage & poor aesthetics. As per an embodiment, there may be at least one fin in one or more of a longitudinal or lateral or inclined orientation.
[00027] Thus, the present subject matter presents an engine cover assembly (210) which is easy to manufacture, assemble, access and clean. Said engine cover assembly (210) provides ample space to act as a storage or utility unit for any other part or wiring harness. Furthermore, said engine cover assembly (210)

with its substantial slant and downward descending base AA' helps in flowing out of the mud and water entered.
[00028] It is to be understood that the aspects of the embodiments are not necessarily limited to the features described herein. Many modifications and variations of the present subject matter are possible in the light of above disclosure.

List of Reference Signs
100 Vehicle 305 Front guard
105 Frame assembly 310 Elongated cover plate
105 A Head tube 315 Sump
110 Engine assembly 405 Slot
115 Swing arm 410 Supporting plate
120 Rear wheel 415 Foot peg guard
125 Rear fender 505 Curved Protruding portion
130 Front forks 510 Fins
135 Front wheel AA' Downward descending base
140 Handlebar assembly BB' Horizontal plane
145 Front fender
150 Fuel tank assembly
155 Seat assembly
165 Rider foot pegs
175 Headlamp
180 Tail lamp
205 Integrated cover assembly
210 Engine cover assembly
215 Grill
220 Mesh

We claim:
1. A saddle type vehicle (100) comprising:
a front wheel (135) and a rear wheel (120) to provide motion to said saddle type vehicle (100);
an engine assembly (110) to supply required power and drive to said saddle type vehicle (100);
an integrated cover assembly (205) is configured to have a mesh (220) with opening; and
an engine cover assembly (210) disposed below said integrated cover assembly (205) is at least a two-piece structure comprising a front guard (305) disposed ahead of said engine assembly (110) and an elongated cover plate (310) detachably attached to said front guard (305) and extending in a rearward and downward direction towards said rear wheel (120).
2. The saddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said front guard (305) comprises of a grill (215) disposed towards the front end of said engine cover assembly (210).
3. The saddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said elongated cover plate (310) comprises of a base AA' which extends in a substantial straight and downward direction along a horizontal plane BB' extending in a downward descending slant towards the ground.
4. The saddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said base AA' of said elongated plate (310) extends substantially in close proximity to the rear wheel (120).
5. The saddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said base AA' having a slant base profile extends in a substantial downward direction towards the ground.
12

6. The saddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said elongated cover plate (310) comprises of a curved protruding portion (505) configured to accommodate the exhaust pipe of said saddle type vehicle (100).
7. The saddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said elongated cover plate (310) comprises of at least one or more fins (510) towards the rear end of said elongated cover plate (310).
8. The saddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said engine cover assembly (210) comprises of a slot or opening (405) through which a foot peg (165) is inserted and attached to a vehicle frame structure (105).
9. The saddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said slot or opening (405) is configured to be connected to a supporting plate (410) resting on said engine cover assembly (210).
10. The saddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one-foot peg guard (415) is provided between said engine cover assembly (210) and said foot peg (165).