DESC:FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle, and more particularly to a floorboard of the vehicle.
BACKGROUND
[0002] A vehicle, particularly vehicle configured to be ridden such as motorized scooter, motorcycle, three-wheeled vehicle, and four wheeled vehicles such as all-terrain vehicle, comprises a variety of internal and external components. The internal components include a power unit, such as an internal combustion engine, a transmission system etc., whereas the external components include an exhaust pipe, a side cover, a seat, a rear grip etc.
[0003] With emergence of green technology, there is a need of providing more green technology features in the vehicle. One such feature is to have an exhaust emission gas purifying device such as a catalyst which purifies exhaust gas discharged from an engine. The purified exhaust gas from the exhaust gas purifying device is then discharged into the atmosphere in a harmless state. In an example, a catalyst unit or catalyst device is used as the exhaust gas purifying device. The catalyst unit is disposed either inside the muffler or in the middle of an exhaust pipe having one end thereof connected to an engine and having the other end thereof connected to a muffler. Another such feature is to have one or more sensors to check exhaust gases in the exhaust system of the vehicle such that a controller of the vehicle takes corrective measures to prevent generation of harmful exhaust gases in the exhaust system of the vehicle.
[0004] Typically, the exhaust system includes an exhaust pipe, one or more catalyst mounted within the exhaust pipe and one or more sensors such as an oxygen sensor or an exhaust gas detector mounted to the exhaust pipe. While mounting the above-mentioned components such as the catalyst unit, the exhaust gas sensor in the vehicle, it is desirable that the components like the catalyst unit, the exhaust gas sensor remains least affected by scattering stones, user clothes and foreign materials without affecting aesthetics of the vehicle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] One or more shortcomings of the prior art are overcome by the system/assembly as claimed, and additional advantages are provided through the provision of the system/assembly/method as claimed in the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed disclosure.
[0006] In one aspect of the present invention, a vehicle is provided. The vehicle comprising a body frame, a power unit, an exhaust system and a floorboard. The body frame comprising a head tube and at-least one down tube. The at-least one down tube extends in a rearward and downward direction from the head tube. The at-least one down tube comprises a first down tube portion and a second down tube portion. The first down tube portion is extending in a downward and rearward direction from the head tube. The second down tube portion is extending rearwardly in longitudinal direction from the first down tube portion. The power unit is mounted to the body frame. The power unit comprises an internal combustion engine. The exhaust system is connected to the internal combustion engine, the exhaust system comprising an exhaust pipe, a catalyst unit, and an exhaust gas sensor. The floorboard is configured to place over the second down tube portion. The at-least portion of the floorboard is detachably affixed with the second down tube portion, and the floorboard comprising an upper member, and a lower member. The lower member is disposed below the upper member. The lower member comprises a protection cover is being configured to cover at-least portion of one of the exhaust gas sensor and the catalyst unit when seen from a side view of the vehicle.
[0007] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the protection cover extends rearwardly along vehicle longitudinal direction when seen from a side view of the vehicle.
[0008] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the exhaust gas sensor and the catalyst unit are disposed on same side of the vehicle.
[0009] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, top portion of the protection cover is having cut out a shape selected from a group of shape comprising of L-shaped, C- shaped.
[00010] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the protection cover is integrated with the lower member in rear portion of the lower member.
[00011] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the protection cover is connected to rear portion of the lower member by means of adhesive, fasteners, and a combination thereof.
[00012] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the lower member comprises a center member is extending along vehicle width direction, and at-least one vertical member is extending in vertical direction of the vehicle, and the protection cover is disposed on one of the at-least one vertical member.
[00013] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the at-least one vertical member comprises a right vertical member and a left vertical member. The protection cover is disposed on the right vertical member.
[00014] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the floorboard comprises at-least one side member is mounted between the upper member and the lower member. The at-least one side member comprising a right side member and a left side member.
[00015] Pursuant to the embodiments of the present disclosure, in yet another aspect, a floorboard comprising an upper member and a lower member. The upper member is extending parallel to ground. The lower member is mounted below the upper member. The lower member comprises a center member and at-least one vertical member. The center member is extending parallel to ground. The at-least one vertical member is extending in vertical direction. The lower member comprises a protection cover is being configured to extend rearwardly. The protection cover is disposed on the right vertical member.
[00016] The present invention is having the protection to cover components like the catalyst unit, the exhaust gas sensor remains least affected by scattering stones, user clothes and foreign materials without affecting aesthetics of the vehicle.
[00017] The present invention provides a protection provision to components like the catalyst unit, the exhaust gas sensor which is safe thereby avoiding mud, stone and pebble entry to the catalyst unit, the exhaust gas sensor.
[00018] The present invention provides the protection cover which is integrated at the optimal position in the vehicle for protecting the catalyst unit and the exhaust gas sensor thereby saving cost for adding an additional protection member for the catalyst unit and the exhaust gas sensor.
[00019] Further, the floorboard provides protection to components like the catalyst unit, the exhaust gas sensor of the exhaust system in such a way that there is no requirement of changing the layout of other members mounted to the exhaust system.
[00020] It is to be understood that the aspects and embodiments of the disclosure described above may be used in any combination with each other. Several of the aspects and embodiments may be combined together to form a further embodiment of the disclosure.
[00021] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[00022] The invention itself, together with further features and attended advantages, will become apparent from consideration of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. One or more embodiments of the present invention are now described, by way of example only wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:
[00023] Figure 1 illustrates a side view of an exemplary vehicle having a floorboard and an exhaust system, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[00024] Figure 1a illustrates a closer side view of the exemplary vehicle having a catalyst unit, an exhaust gas sensor, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[00025] Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of a body frame with an exploded view of the floorboard on the exemplary vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[00026] Figure 2a illustrates a closer side view of the exemplary vehicle having the catalyst unit, the exhaust gas sensor and the floorboard, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[00027] Figure 3 illustrates a bottom view of the exemplary vehicle having the catalyst unit, the exhaust gas sensor and a lower member of the floorboard, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[00028] Figure 4 illustrates a side view of the floorboard, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[00029] Figure 4a illustrates a rear perspective view of the floorboard, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[00030] Figure 5 illustrates a rear perspective view of the lower member of the floorboard, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
[00031] Figure 5a illustrates a side view of the lower member of the floorboard, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[00032] The drawings referred to in this description are not to be understood as being drawn to scale except if specifically noted, and such drawings are only exemplary in nature.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[00033] While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, an embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described here below. It should be understood, however that it is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative falling within the spirit and the scope of the invention.
[00034] The term “comprises”, comprising, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a setup, structure or method that comprises a list of components or steps does not include only those components or steps but may include other components or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or structure or method. In other words, one or more elements in a system or apparatus proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or apparatus.
[00035] For better understanding of this invention, reference would now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the accompanying Figures and description here below, further, in the following Figures, the same reference numerals are used to identify the same components in various views.
[00036] While the present invention is illustrated in the context of a vehicle, however, a floorboard of the vehicle and aspects and features thereof can be used with other type of vehicles as well. The terms “vehicle”, “two wheeled vehicle” and “motorcycle” have been interchangeably used throughout the description. The term “vehicle” comprises vehicles such as motorcycles, scooters, bicycles, mopeds, scooter type vehicle, all-terrain vehicles (ATV) and the like.
[00037] The terms “front / forward”, “rear / rearward / back / backward”, “up / upper / top”, “down / lower / lower ward / downward, bottom”, “left / leftward”, “right / rightward” used therein represents the directions as seen from a vehicle driver sitting astride and these directions are referred by arrows Fr, Rr, U, Lr, L, R in the drawing Figures.
[00038] Referring from Figure 1 to Figure 3, a vehicle (100) according to an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed. In the illustrated example, the vehicle (100) embodies a scooter vehicle. Alternatively, the vehicle (100) may embody a motorcycle vehicle, without limiting the scope of the invention.
[00039] The vehicle (100) (herein after interchangeably referred to as the two wheeled vehicle (100) comprises a body frame (102-shown in Figure 2), a seat (108), a rear ground engaging member (120), a power unit (123), a front ground engaging member (110), a handle bar (109), an exhaust system (305), and a floorboard (200). The body frame (102) forms the core structure of the vehicle (100). A side cover (130) provides covering to the middle components of the body frame (102) of the vehicle (100). A fuel tank provided in the rear end of the vehicle (100). Also, the vehicle (100) further comprises a swinging unit (not shown). The swinging unit is swingably coupled to the cross tube of the body frame (102).
[00040] The front ground engaging member (110) is operatively connected to the handle bar (109). The handle bar (109) is removably coupled to the body frame (102). The handle bar (109) is configured to be rotated by the rider to steer the vehicle (100). The vehicle (100) comprises a head lamp unit (136), a display member (not shown) and a pair of turn signal lamp units (not shown). The head lamp unit (136) is provided ahead of the handle bar (109) of a steering mechanism (not shown). The head lamp unit (136) is configured to move along with the steering mechanism. The display member is provided on top side of the handle bar (109). The turn signal lamp units indicate the rider’s intention to turn or change lanes. The head lamp unit (136) and the turn signal lamp units (not shown) are provided for safety of the rider and in conformance with the traffic regulations. Further, the vehicle (100) may further comprise additional components such as mirrors, a front fender, etc. without limiting the scope of the invention.
[00041] Referring to Figure 2, the body frame (102) comprising a head tube (161), at-least one down tube (162), a cross tube (165) and a pair of rear tubes (171, 172). The at-least one down tube (162) extends in a rearward and downward direction from the head tube (161). The at-least one down tube (162) comprises a first down tube portion (162a) and a second down tube portion (162b). The first down tube portion (162a) extending in a downward and rearward direction from the head tube (161). The second down tube portion (162b) is extending rearwardly in longitudinal direction from the first down tube portion (162a). The cross tube (165) is mounted in rear end portion of the second down tube portion (162b) along the width direction of the vehicle (100). The pair of rear tubes (171, 172) is extending upwardly and rearwardly from one of the cross tube (165) and the at-least one down tube (162). The pair of rear tubes (171, 172) supports the seat (108). Further, the vehicle (100) comprise a front suspension system (105) and a rear suspension system (115), both are connected to the body frame (102). Additionally, the vehicle (100) may comprise components such as a rear fender, a tail lights, a rear grip etc. without limiting the scope of the invention.
[00042] The seat (108) provides seating for a rider of the vehicle (100). The rear ground engaging member (120) underlies the seat (108) and is driven by the power unit (123). The power unit (123) is mounted to the body frame (102) of the vehicle (100). In present embodiment, the power unit (123) comprises an internal combustion engine (123a) and a transmission unit (not shown). The internal combustion engine (123a) is disposed in a space downside of the fuel tank and behind the front end of the vehicle (100). The transmission unit is arranged behind the internal combustion engine (123a) to transmit the power output from the internal combustion engine (123a) to the rear ground engaging member (120) via the transmission unit.
[00043] Further, the internal combustion engine (123a) is extending at an angle from the horizontal direction of the vehicle (100). However, in another embodiment, the internal combustion engine (123a) may be extending along the horizontal direction of the vehicle (100). Further, in another embodiment, the internal combustion engine (123a) may extend along the vertical direction of the vehicle (100).
[00044] Referring to Figure 1a and 2a, the exhaust system (305) is connected to the internal combustion engine (123). The exhaust system (305) comprising an exhaust pipe (150), a catalyst unit (250), and an exhaust gas sensor (260). Further, the exhaust pipe (150) comprises a muffler (152) connected to downstream end of the exhaust pipe (150). The exhaust pipe (150) is mounted to an exhaust port of the internal combustion engine (123a). In present embodiment, the exhaust pipe (150) initially extends in frontward direction, then extends sideward, finally downwardly and rearwardly. However, in another embodiment, the exhaust pipe (150) may have a different layout.
[00045] Further, the catalyst unit (250) is connected to the exhaust pipe (150). More particularly, the catalyst unit (250) is provided in initial portion of the exhaust pipe (150). The exhaust gas sensor (260) is mounted to the exhaust pipe (150). In present embodiment, the exhaust gas sensor (260) is mounted to the exhaust pipe (150) after the catalyst unit (250) towards the downstream end. However, in another embodiment, the exhaust gas sensor (260) may be mounted to the exhaust pipe (150) ahead of the catalyst unit (250). Also, in another embodiment, there may be more than one exhaust gas sensor (260) are mounted to the exhaust pipe (150).
[00046] More particularly, in present embodiment, the exhaust gas sensor (260) and the catalyst unit (250) are disposed on same side of the vehicle (100). To be specific, in present embodiment, the exhaust gas sensor (260) and the catalyst unit (250) are disposed in right side of the vehicle (100). However, in another embodiment, the exhaust gas sensor (260) and the catalyst unit (250) may be disposed on opposite side of the vehicle (100).
[00047] Referring to Figure 2, and Figure 4 to Figure 5a, the floorboard (200) is configured to place over the second down tube portion (162b). The at-least portion of the floorboard (200) is detachably affixed with the second down tube portion (162b). The floorboard (200), also referred to as bottom panel assembly, lies between the front end structure and the rear end structure. Further, the floorboard (200) is interchangeably termed as the footboard (200). The floorboard (200) comprising an upper member (210), and a lower member (300). The upper member (210) is visible to rider and add into the aesthetic appearance of the vehicle (100). The upper member (210) is the portion wherein the rider places his or her feet while riding the vehicle (100).
[00048] Further, the floorboard (200) comprises at-least one side member (280) mounted between the upper member (210) and the lower member (300). The at-least one side member (280) comprising a right side member (280Rh) and a left side member (280Lh). The right side member (280Rh) is provided on right side of the body frame (102). The left side member (280Lh) is provided on right side of the body frame (102). In present embodiment, the right side member (280Rh) and the left side member (280Lh) are made separately. However, in another embodiment, the right side member (280Rh) and the left side member (280Lh) may be integrated with one of the upper member (210), and the lower member (300).
[00049] More particularly, the lower member (300) is disposed below the upper member (210). The lower member (300) comprises a protection cover (310) being configured to cover at-least portion of one of the exhaust gas sensor (260) and the catalyst unit (250) when seen from a side view of the vehicle (100). The protection cover (310) extends rearwardly along vehicle longitudinal direction when seen from a side view of the vehicle (100). The top portion of the protection cover (310) is having cut out a shape selected from a group of shape comprising of L-shaped, C- shaped. More particularly, in present embodiment, the top portion of the protection cover (310) is having a L-shaped cut out. The L-shaped cut out of the protection cover (310) ensures maximum protection for the catalyst unit (250) and the exhaust gas sensor (260).
[00050] Referring to Figure 4, Figure 4a and Figure 5a, the protection cover (310) is integrated with the lower member (300) in rear portion of the lower member (300). However, in another embodiment, the protection cover (310) may be connected to rear portion of the lower member (300) by means of adhesive, fasteners, and a combination thereof.
[00051] The protection cover (310) is provided in rear side of the lower member (300). The protection cover (310) is giving protection to the catalyst unit (250) and the exhaust gas sensor (260) or the O2 sensor (260) from any kind of stones, clothes, foreign material coming from front direction during running of the vehicle (100). Also, the present invention brings improvement in the catalyst unit (250) and the exhaust gas sensor (260) or the O2 sensor (260) service life thereby giving higher customer satisfaction. The mounting of the protection cover (310) becomes very much important to provide protection to the catalyst unit (250) and the exhaust gas sensor (260) to avoid probable structural and functional failures. Also, the protection cover (310) is shaped in such a way that maximum protection for the catalyst unit (250) and the exhaust gas sensor (260) is ensured.
[00052] Referring to Figure 2, Figure 4a and Figure 5, the lower member (300) comprises a center member (301) extending along vehicle width direction, and at-least one vertical member (302a, 302b) extending in vertical direction of the vehicle (100). The protection cover (310) is disposed on one of the at-least one vertical member (302a, 302b). The at-least one vertical member (302a, 302b) comprises a right vertical member (302a) and a left vertical member (302b). In present embodiment, the protection cover (310) is disposed on the right vertical member (302a). However, in another embodiment, the protection cover (310) may be disposed on the left vertical member (302b) depending on the location of the exhaust gas sensor (260) and the catalyst unit (250).
[00053] Referring to Figure 5 and Figure 5a, the lower member (300) comprises an inner surface (304) and an outer surface (306). The inner surface (304) is having ribs etc. and not exposed to external environment. The outer surface (306) is for aesthetic purpose and exposed to external environment. In present embodiment, the protection cover (310) is integrally connected to the lower member (300). However, in another embodiment, the protection cover (310) may be connected to the lower member (300) through some fastener members such as bolts etc.
[00054] As the catalyst unit (250) and the exhaust gas sensor (260) are provided in right side of the vehicle (100), the protection cover (310) is provided in right side of the vehicle (100). Also, the protection cover (310) is provided in one side of the lower member (300). Thus, in present embodiment, the lower member (300) is not symmetrical. However, in another embodiment, the lower member (300) may be symmetrical.
[00055] The present invention provides efficient protection to the catalyst unit (250) and the exhaust gas sensor (260) without affecting the aesthetic of the vehicle (100).
[00056] The present invention provides the protection cover (310) which is integrated at the optimal position in the vehicle (100) for protecting the catalyst unit (250) and the exhaust gas sensor (260) thereby saving cost for adding an additional protection member for the catalyst unit (250) and the exhaust gas sensor (260).
[00057] The present invention is having the protection cover (310) to cover components like the catalyst unit (250), the exhaust gas sensor (260) remains least affected by scattering stones, user clothes and foreign materials without affecting aesthetics of the vehicle (100).
[00058] The present invention provides a protection cover (310) provision to components like the catalyst unit (250), the exhaust gas sensor (260) which is safe thereby avoiding mud, stone and pebble entry to the catalyst unit (250), the exhaust gas sensor (260).
[00059] Also, the present invention brings improvement in service life of the catalyst unit (250) and the exhaust gas sensor (260) thereby giving higher customer satisfaction.
[00060] Further, the floorboard (200) provides protection to components like the catalyst unit (250), the exhaust gas sensor (260) of the exhaust system (305) in such a way that there is no requirement of changing the layout of other members mounted to the exhaust system (305).
[00061] While few embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the above embodiments and modifications may be appropriately made thereto within the spirit and scope of the invention.
[00062] While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the particular features of this invention, it will be appreciated that various modifications can be made, and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the invention. These and other modifications in the nature of the invention or the preferred embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the invention and not as a limitation.
,CLAIMS:We Claim:

1. A vehicle (100) comprising:
a body frame (102) comprising:
a head tube (161);
at-least one down tube (162) extends in a rearward and downward direction from the head tube (161), wherein the at-least one down tube (162) comprises:
a first down tube portion (162a) extending in a downward and rearward direction from the head tube (161), and
a second down tube portion (162b) extending rearwardly in longitudinal direction from the first down tube portion (162a);
a power unit (123) mounted to the body frame (102), the power unit (123) comprises an internal combustion engine (123a);
an exhaust system (305) connected to the internal combustion engine (123), the exhaust system (305) comprising an exhaust pipe (150), a catalyst unit (250), and an exhaust gas sensor (260); and
a floorboard (200) configured to place over the second down tube portion (162b), wherein the at-least portion of the floorboard (200) detachably affixed with the second down tube portion (162b), and the floorboard (200) comprising an upper member (210), and a lower member (300) disposed below the upper member (210), wherein the lower member (300) comprises a protection cover (310) being configured to cover at-least portion of one of the exhaust gas sensor (260) and the catalyst unit (250) when seen from a side view of the vehicle (100).

2. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the protection cover (310) extends rearwardly along vehicle longitudinal direction when seen from a side view of the vehicle (100).

3. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the exhaust gas sensor (260) and the catalyst unit (250) disposed on same side of the vehicle (100).

4. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein top portion of the protection cover (310) having cut out a shape selected from a group of shape comprising of L-shaped, C- shaped.

5. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the protection cover (310) integrated with the lower member (300) in rear portion of the lower member (300),

6. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the protection cover (310) connected to rear portion of the lower member (300) by means of adhesive, fasteners, and a combination thereof.

7. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lower member (300) comprises a center member (301) extending along vehicle width direction, and at-least one vertical member (302a, 302b) extending in vertical direction of the vehicle (100), and the protection cover (310) disposed on one of the at-least one vertical member (302a, 302b).

8. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1 and claim 3, wherein the at-least one vertical member (302a, 302b) comprises a right vertical member (302a) and a left vertical member (302b), wherein the protection cover (310) disposed on the right vertical member (302a).

9. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the floorboard (200) comprises at-least one side member (280) mounted between the upper member (210) and the lower member (300), wherein the at-least one side member (280) comprising a right side member (280Rh) and a left side member (280Lh).

10. A floorboard (200) of a vehicle (100), the floorboard (200) comprising:
an upper member (210) extending parallel to ground; and
a lower member (300) mounted below the upper member (210), the lower member (300) comprises a center member (301) extending parallel to ground, and at-least one vertical member (302a, 302b) extending in vertical direction, wherein the lower member (300) comprises a protection cover (310) being configured to extend rearwardly and the protection cover (310) disposed on the right vertical member (302a).

Dated this 11th day of July, 2023
---Digitally Signed---
Sagar Sudhir Dhatrak
Section Head– COC
Hero MotoCorp Limited