Engine cover for a motorcycle

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to 'Engine cover for a motorcycle" and more particularly relates to an engine cover and rear wheel cover for a scooter type motor vehicle having a step thru' space.

Background of the invention

Currently in a scooter type motor vehicle, the power unit (engine) is placed near the rear end of the vehicle and is connected to the rear wheel hub and the frame. Such a vehicle is provided with a separate rear wheel cover (rear mudguard) to protect the engine and the rider from mud splash, water and various other contaminants and a rear fender at the back is also provided for the same. This type of construction demands the distinct rear body panels (side panels) at a lower level to cover the engine to take care of safety requirements. Hence, the rear body panels are extend downwards up to the floorboard and almost cover the engine on either sides thus protecting it from mud splash and water coming from the sides. Longer side panels entail more material leading to higher inventory, increased vehicle cost and low productivity.

In case of shorter side panels, the whole engine is exposed from sides in such a vehicle and becomes vulnerable to mud splash, water and the likes, leading to difficulty in vehicle styling. The above problems shrink the flexibility in styling of the vehicle. Thus there is a need to protect the engine mounted on such a vehicle from mud splash, water and the likes without affecting the overall appearance and styling of the vehicle.

Summary of the invention

The present invention is one having been made in view of the aforementioned problems and it is an object of the present invention to provide an engine cover to overcome the inconvenience associated with use of shorter side panels in scooter type motor vehicle and thereby augment the flexibility during styling in addition to decrease in cost. The engine cover according to the present invention comprises of a wheel covering section and an engine cowling section, both covered with side walls, and the engine cowling section further provided with a relief. Additionally, an inner separation wall is provided toprevent mud splash, water and the likes over the engine.

Another aspect of the present invention is to propose a structure to function as an engine cover thus allowing sleeker side panels and removing the need of the rear fender.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide an engine cover that can be assembled with ease in the assembly line with minimum inventory. The reduced part count will improve productivity at part level manufacturing and in the assembly line.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1: shows the side view of the scooter type motor vehicle with the engine cover according to the present invention.

Figure 2: shows the detailed rear perspective view of the engine cover with the power unit.

Detailed description of the invention

First the whole structure of the scooter type motor vehicle is roughly described. Figure 1 describes the general structure of a scooter type motor vehicle along with its various parts. In a scooter type motor vehicle having a swinging power unit (not shown), a front wheel (501) and a rear wheel (502) are supported by a frame assembly through front and rear suspensions. A handle bar assembly (503) is supported by the frame assembly in a position generally forwardly of a rider of the scooter. In the said scooter, a step thru' space exists between the handle bar assembly and a seat (505) which is fixed to rear body panel (side panel) (506) present on either side of the vehicle. The said scooter is provided with a front fender and floorboard (504) connected to the rear body panel. A front panel (507) is mounted on the front of the vehicle. The said rear body panel is fixed along with the seat, covering the parts as viewed from the sides and portion below the rider seat.

In the present invention, an engine cover of suitable form for a scooter type motor vehicle is proposed. The said engine cover comprises of at least two sections (parts): an engine cowling section (engine covering section) (201) at the front and a wheel covering section (101) at the back. Together they are intended to protect the engine and the rider / pillion rider from mud splash, water and the likes and remove the need of a rear fender. They are intended to fulfil the structural and safety requirements. The wheel covering section extends rearward and downward and is of generally semi circular shape extending further at the front to form the engine cowling section covering at least part of a side surface of the engine. The top portion of the engine cowling section is generally of rectangular shape. The wheel covering section may be located at an elevated level than the engine cowling section.

Figure 2 expounds the positioning of the engine cover on the scooter type motorcycle and describes in detail the engine cover proposed in the present invention. Both the sections described above are provided with a sidewall (202) on either side. The said sidewall over wheel covering section is extended to join the sidewall of the engine cowling section. A relief (opening) (102) is provided in the engine cowling section at the top to allow the engine mounting lugs (301) of the engine to project out of the said relief. Further this rectangular extension provided for covering the engine (401) is at a lower level compared to the top level of the circular portion of the said wheel covering section.

An inner separation wall (103) shaped like, but not limited to, an arc is provided in the inside portion of the wheel covering section which follows its semi-circular arc shape. It is provided to avoid mud splash, water and the likes, on the engine. It is fixed generally beneath the wheel covering section and extends towards the ground thereby substantially covering the front part of rear wheel. The tip of the separation wall projects beyond the centre plane of the rear wheel. The rear end of the wheel covering section of the said engine cover is provided with a flat land with a projection (104) to facilitate the mounting of at least one license plate (105) and at least one illumination lamp (106).

Further the proposed structure is made with a minimum of 2° draft angle to the vertical. It is supposed to be made of polymer resin or the likes. All undercuts and flanges against the moulding direction are avoided to enable easy moulding of the part.

The terms and expressions in this specification are of description and not of limitation and do not exclude any equivalents of the features illustrated and described, but it is understood that various other embodiments are also possible without departing from the scope and ambit of this Invention which will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

claim:

1. An engine cover for a riding type vehicle comprising:

at least one wheel covering section covering the rear wheel and at least one engine cowling section covering the engine, with both sections having a side wall on either side, the said side wall on wheel covering section extended to join the side wall of the engine cowling section on either side;

the said wheel covering section, extending rearwards and downwards of nearly, but not limited to, semi-circular shape extending further at the front to form the engine cowling section generally of rectangular shape, covering at least part of a side surface and top surface of the engine;

a relief in the said engine cover at the top surface of the engine cowling section generally of, but not limited to, rectangular shape;

an inner separation wall fixable inside, generally beneath the wheel covering section.

2. An engine cover for a riding type vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wheel covering section is located at an elevated level than the engine cowling section.

3. An engine cover for a riding type vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inner separation wall is shaped like, but not limited to, an arc originating from the wheel covering section and extending towards the ground substantially covering the front part of rear wheel.

4. An engine cover for a riding type vehicle as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at the rear end of the wheel covering section of the said engine cover, a flat land with a projection wherein at least one license plate and at least one illumination lamp are disposed above the said projection.

5. An engine cover for a riding type vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein such cover is made of any material including polymer resin.

6. An engine cover for a riding type vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein said riding type vehicle is a scooter type motor vehicle.

7. An engine cover for a riding type motor vehicle substantially as herein described and illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings.