DESC:Technical Field
[0001] The present subject matter described herein generally relates to a motorcycle and particularly but not exclusively relates to a front cowl assembly for a motorcycle.

Background
[0002] Typically, a front cowl assembly of a motorcycle supported by a head tube of the motorcycle is used for housing a headlamp unit. For example, a conventional front cowl assembly includes a front cowl member and a rear cowl member attached to one another, and a mounting stay for mounting said front cowl member and said rear cowl member to said head tube. Further, the front cowl assembly also includes a visor member detachably attached to a portion of said front cowl member and extending upwards from said front cowl member for improved aerodynamics of the motorcycle. The headlamp unit is partially covered by at least a portion of said front cowl member and is covered on its rear side by said rear cowl member. Thus, the headlamp unit is encompassed between said front cowl member and said rear cowl member. Besides supporting the headlamp unit, said rear cowl member also serves to support a pair of turn signal lamps and a speedometer.
[0003] Since motorcycles are more prone to accidents due to collision with another vehicle, for want of conspicuity, especially in foggy conditions. Therefore, a daylight running lamp (hereinafter, also termed DRL) in addition to a headlamp unit is required to be provided. However, if daylight running lamps are to be provided in combination with the headlamp unit, the entire headlamp unit has to be modified, and the front cowl assembly which encompasses the modified headlamp unit also has to be modified. Space constraint is one of the major concerns for combining the daylight running lamp with the headlamp unit. Moreover, if the daylight running lamp is combined with a particular headlamp unit having a particular specification, the daylight running lamp cannot be used across different motorcycles having different headlamp specifications. In other words, retrofit-ability of the daylight running lamp cannot be achieved if the same is combined with the headlamp unit. Moreover, doing away with the daylight running lamp in motorcycles where the daylight running lamp is not mandated would also become cumbersome if the same is combined with the headlamp unit. Therefore easy and convenient assembly and disassembly of the daylight running lamp in motorcycles is to be ensured. Further, convenient serviceability of the daylight running lamp is also to be ensured. Furthermore, it is also to be ensured that light emitted by the headlamp unit does not stray due to interference with a portion of the daylight running lamp. Additionally, the disposition of the DRL within the headlamp can lead to light interference, size increase of the headlamp, packaging challenge, poor aesthetics and inferior conspicuity. Repair and maintenance as well becomes a challenge in addition to packaging, manufacturing and cost. Thus, there is a need to have a solution to the above problems without adversely increasing the wiring harness length and cost of the DRL as well as minimise the fastening cum assembly requirements of the vehicle. The DRL system being a steered mass of the vehicle has an inertial impact on the vehicle dynamic performance and thus, there also exists a challenge of having the DRL being disposed as close as possible to the headlamp without conflicting with the above mentioned problems.

Summary of the Invention
[0004] The present invention has been devised in view of the above circumstances.
[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide a front cowl assembly for a motorcycle adapted to receive a daylight running lamp independently of a headlamp unit.
[0006] It is another object of the present invention to provide a front cowl assembly for a motorcycle, said front cowl assembly adapted to receive said daylight running lamp above said headlamp unit.
[0007] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a front cowl assembly capable of receiving a daylight running lamp above said headlamp unit, with at least a front portion of said daylight running lamp being contained in a first plane disposed substantially parallel to a second plane containing a front portion of the headlamp unit.
[0008] It is one more object of the present invention to provide a front cowl assembly, the construction and arrangement of which enables convenient servicing of the daylight running lamp while also enabling convenient servicing of the headlamp unit.
[0009] It is still another object of the present invention to provide a front cowl assembly that enables assembly of said daylight running lamp with reduced number of parts, ease of manufacturing, minimum wiring harness as well as distinct conspicuity.
[0010] The above and other objects are achieved by providing a front cowl assembly for a motorcycle as per embodiments detailed in the description provided. The front cowl assembly as per the present invention is disposed in a front portion of the motorcycle and is at least partially supported by a head tube of the motorcycle. The front cowl assembly as per an embodiment of the present invention includes a front cowl member at least partially covering a headlamp unit, a rear cowl member detachably attached to said front cowl member and covering said headlamp unit from a rear side thereof. The front cowl assembly also includes a mounting stay for securing said front cowl member and said rear cowl member over a front fork suspension assembly. Further, said front cowl assembly includes a visor member attached to said front cowl member and extending upwards and partially inclinedly from said front cowl member. Said visor member as per an embodiment of the present invention aids in improving aerodynamics of the motorcycle.
[0011] As per an aspect of the present invention, said visor member is adapted to accommodate at least a portion of a daylight running lamp. Particularly, said visor member includes an opening formed in a substantially central portion thereof for accommodating the daylight running lamp. More particularly, said daylight running lamp is disposed in a manner so that a lens portion of said daylight running lamp is held in line with a front surface of said central portion of said visor member, when viewed from a motorcycle front and sideward direction. Further, said daylight running lamp is disposed in a manner so that said lens portion of said daylight running lamp is contained in a first plane lying substantially parallel to a second plane containing a front lens portion of the headlamp unit. Additionally, the DRL is disposed within a sphere of predetermined distance from the harness connecting portion of the headlamp unit.
[0012] As per one aspect of the present invention, a rear surface of said visor member is provided with at least two mounting bosses for detachably receiving said daylight running lamp. Corresponding mounting lugs for mounting to said at least two mounting bosses are provided in a housing unit of said daylight running lamp. Thus, the housing unit enclosing said lens portion of the daylight running lamp is secured to said visor member through said corresponding mounting lugs. As per another aspect of the present invention, said headlamp unit is provided with a top mounting lug for detachable mounting of a top rear portion of the headlamp unit to one mounting boss of said at least two mounting bosses of said visor member, together with one corresponding mounting lug of said daylight running lamp. In other words, at least a portion of said daylight running lamp is sandwich mounted together with at least a portion of the headlamp unit to said visor member. Thus, use of multiple fastening members for detachable attachment of both the headlamp unit and the daylight running lamp is eliminated. Moreover, since the daylight running lamp is independently secured from the headlamp unit, it can be easily assembled and disassembled for servicing. Moreover, since the daylight running lamp is not combined with the headlamp unit, size of the headlamp unit is considerably reduced, and the same can be securely encompassed between the front cowl member and the rear cowl member. Further, the headlamp unit can also be conveniently serviced or replaced without interference with said daylight running lamp. As per an aspect of the present invention, a surface of the lens portion of the DRL conforms uniformly to a projected profile of the visor unit as seen in the side view of the vehicle so as to ensure no abrupt change occurs in wind flow pattern over the visor and thereby, minimise air drag. As per another aspect of the present invention, the profile of the DRL and the visor together conform to the profile of the lens portion of the headlamp forming a continuous surface as seen in the side view thereby enabling smooth flow of the wind.
[0013] Summary provided above explains the basic features of the invention and does not limit the scope of the invention. The nature and further characteristic features of the present invention will be made clearer from the following descriptions made with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of Drawings
[0014] The above and other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter will be better understood with regard to the following description and accompanying drawings where:
[0015] FIG.1 illustrates a side view of a motorcycle comprising a front cowl assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0016] FIG.2 illustrates a perspective view of said front cowl assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0017] FIG.3a illustrates a side view of said front cowl assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0018] FIG.3b illustrates a front view of said front cowl assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0019] FIG.4 illustrates a front perspective view of a daylight running lamp in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0020] FIG.5 illustrates an exploded view depicting mounting of said daylight running lamp and a headlamp unit in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description
[0021] Exemplary embodiments detailing features of the front cowl assembly, in accordance with the present invention will be described hereunder with reference to the accompanying drawings. Various aspects of different embodiments of the present invention will become discernible from the following description set out hereunder. Rather, the following description provides a convenient illustration for implementing exemplary embodiments of the invention. Further, it is to be noted that terms “upper”, “lower”, “right”, “left”, “front”, “forward”, “rearward”, “downward”, “upward”, “top”, “bottom” and like terms are used herein based on the illustrated state or in a standing state of the motorcycle with a driver riding thereon. Furthermore, a motorcycle longitudinal axis refers to a front to rear axis relative to the motorcycle, while a motorcycle lateral axis refers to a side to side, or left to right axis relative to the motorcycle. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
[0022] FIG.1 illustrates a side view of motorcycle 10 in accordance with the present invention. The motorcycle 10 includes a body frame 11 to support different parts of said motorcycle 10. The body frame 11 includes a head tube 12 at its front end. The head tube 12 supports a steering shaft (not shown) rotatably in a certain range. In an upper portion of the head tube 12, a handlebar 13 is rotatably integrally connected to the steering shaft. The handlebar 13 is used to steer the motorcycle 10 and is connected to a front wheel 14 through the steering shaft and a front fork assembly 16. An upper portion of the front wheel 14 is covered by a front fender 15 which prevents mud and water from getting deflected towards the steering shaft. Further, the front fork assembly 16 is supported on the front fender 15 by means of a brace fender (not shown).
[0023] In a front portion of the body frame 11 a fuel tank 18 is arranged immediately behind the handlebar 13 and is disposed over an engine 20. A seat 22 is placed behind the fuel tank 18. The seat 22 includes a front rider portion and rear pillion portion.
[0024] For the safety of the rider and in conformance with the traffic rules, a headlamp unit 25 and a turn signal lamp unit 26 are provided in the front portion of the motorcycle 10. The headlamp unit 25 and the turn signal lamp unit 26 are housed in a front cowl assembly 30, which includes a front cowl member 30a and a rear cowl member 30b coupled to each other through a housing stay as shown in FIG.2.
[0025] Suspension systems are provided for comfortable steering of the motorcycle 10 on the road. The front fork assembly 16, which forms the front suspension system, serves as rigidity component just like the body frame. The front fork assembly 16 clamped to the head tube 12 through an upper bracket 12a and a lower bracket 12b is capable of being moved to the left and right. Further, a rear suspension system, which is a hydraulic damped arrangement, is connected to the body frame 11. The rear suspension system comprises of at least one rear suspension 17 preferably on a left hand side of the motorcycle 10. However, in a motorcycle with two rear suspensions, the same may be disposed on the left side and the right side respectively of said motorcycle.
[0026] The engine 20 is mounted to a front lower portion of the body frame 11 by means of an engine mounting bracket 21. The engine 20 is equipped with an exhaust system that includes an exhaust pipe (not shown) connected to the engine 20 and a muffler (not shown) connected to the exhaust pipe. The muffler (not shown) extends rearwards along the right side of the rear wheel 40.
[0027] Further, a swing arm 35 extending rearwards is swingably connected to a lower rear portion of the body frame 11. The rear wheel 40 is rotatably supported at a rear end of the swing arm 35. Power from the engine 20 is transmitted to the rear wheel 40 through a power drive mechanism, such as a drive chain, so as to drive and rotate the rear wheel 40.
[0028] A rear fender 45 for covering an upper side of the rear wheel 40 is mounted to a rear portion of body frame 11 to prevent mud and water splashed by the rotating rear wheel 40 from entering the muffler, the engine 20 and other parts disposed close by.
[0029] To enhance the overall aesthetics of the motorcycle 10 and to prevent undesired foreign particles from entering parts of the motorcycle, a plurality of rear covers 50 is attached to a rear portion of the body frame 11.
[0030] FIG.2 illustrates a perspective view of said front cowl assembly 30 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The front cowl assembly 30 is held in a front portion of the motorcycle in front of the head tube 12 (shown in FIG.1). Particularly, the head tube 12 combinedly supports the front fork assembly 16 along with the front cowl assembly 30 through a mounting stay 31. The front cowl assembly 30 thus supported, houses said headlamp unit 25. The front cowl assembly 30 as per the present embodiment also receives the turn signal lamp unit 26, and a speedometer (not shown). According to an embodiment of the present invention, the front cowl assembly 30 includes a front cowl member 30a, a rear cowl member 30b and a visor member 30c. The mounting stay 31 enables detachable attachment of said rear cowl member 30b with said front cowl member 30a. Particularly, while the headlamp unit 25 and the visor member 30c are secured to the front cowl member 30a, the turn signal lamp unit 26 is secured to said rear cowl member 30b. Further, as per an embodiment said rear cowl member 30b is also adapted to receive a number plate (not shown) at a bottom portion thereof.
[0031] FIG.3a and FIG.3b illustrate a side view and a front view respectively of said front cowl assembly 30. As may be seen in FIG.3a and FIG.3b said front cowl assembly accommodates a daylight running lamp 32 besides accommodating said headlamp unit 25. As per an aspect of the present invention, said daylight running lamp 32 is disposed above said headlamp unit 25. Particularly, said daylight running lamp 32 is accommodated in said visor member of said front cowl assembly 30 and preferably conforming to a side view profile of the visor so as to form a smooth continuous surface. More particularly, said visor member 30c includes an opening 30co formed in a substantially central portion 30cc thereof for accommodating said daylight running lamp 32. As may be seen in FIG.3a, a lens portion 32a of said daylight running lamp 32 is contained at least partially in a first plane A lying substantially rearwardly and substantially parallel to a second plane B containing at least a portion of said headlamp unit 25 when viewed from a motorcycle sideward direction. Further, as may be seen in FIG.3b, said lens portion 32a of the daylight running lamp 32 is made to lie in same line as that of a front surface 30ccs of said central portion 30cc of said visor member 30c. By providing said lens portion 32a of said daylight running lamp 32 to lie rearwardly of said headlamp unit 25, it is ensured that light emitted by the headlamp unit 25 does not stray due to interference with any portion of any daylight running lamp which may be disposed below it. Thus, disposing said daylight running lamp 32 above said headlamp unit 25 allows light emitted therefrom to be focussed. The daylight running lamp 32 is disposed within a sphere of predetermined radius R from a centre C of the headlamp wiring harness coupling for the advantage of minimising wiring harness of the system. To overcome the conflicting challenges of disposition of the DRL 32, it is disposed partially within radial distance R of range 100 mm to 350 mm, thereby minimising inertial impact as well as harness length. Moreover, disposing said lens portion 32a of said daylight running lamp 32 in line with said surface 30ccs of said central portion 30cc of said daylight running lamp aids in enhancing overall aesthetic appeal of said visor member 30c. The smooth continuous profile of the lens portion 32a of the DRL 32 in conjunction with the visor profile as well as the profile of lens portion of the headlamp unit 25 enables smooth flow of the wind & air over the entire system resulting in minimum drag resistance.
[0032] FIG.4 illustrates a front perspective view of said daylight running lamp 32 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Said daylight running lamp 32 comprises said lens portion 32a accommodated along with a reflector member (not shown) in a housing unit 32b. In the present embodiment said housing unit 32b is made of resin material such as plastic and includes mounting provisions for detachable attachment to said visor member 30c. For example, in the present embodiment, said daylight running lamp 32 includes two or more mounting lugs 32l for attachment to said visor member 30c.
[0033] Particularly, as may be seen in FIG.5, said daylight running lamp 32 is secured from a rear side of said visor member 30c. In the present embodiment, a rear surface of said visor member 30c is provided with at least two mounting bosses 30cb for receiving corresponding two or more mounting lugs 32l of said daylight running lamp 32. For example, in an implementation, said visor member 30c is provided with three mounting bosses 30cb adjoining a periphery of said opening 30co for receiving corresponding mounting lugs 32l provided in said housing unit 32b. As may be seen while at least two mounting bosses 30cb are provided in a top portion on said rear surface of the visor member 30c for receiving corresponding mounting lugs 32l extending from a top portion of said housing unit 32b, a third mounting boss is provided in a bottom portion of said rear surface for receiving a corresponding bottom mounting lug 32l(b) extending from said housing unit 32b. In an implementation, said bottom mounting lug 32l(b) is sandwich mounted to said third mounting boss of said at least two mounting bosses 30cb together with a top mounting provision 25t of said headlamp unit 25. In an implementation, said top mounting provision 25t is butted against a protruding portion 30asp of a supporting member 30as of said front cowl member 30a. A fastener 27 is used to fasten said top mounting provision 25t of said headlamp unit 25 together with said bottom mounting lug 32l(b) of said daylight running lamp 32. Provision of said supporting member 30as provides additional support for mounting and ensures that the mounting is reliable. Further, a rear surface of said housing unit 32b includes a breather provision 32c for allowing circulation in and out of said housing unit for cooling LEDs provided therein. Ensuring sufficient cooling of said LEDs ensures longevity of said daylight running lamp.
[0034] As is apparent from the above teaching, the present invention enables independent positioning of a daylight running lamp from that of a headlamp unit without involving significant modifications in a front cowl assembly of an existing front cowl assembly. Thereby, the present invention aids in facilitating ease of assembly and disassembly of the daylight running lamp.
,CLAIMS:We claim:
1. A motorcycle (10) comprising:
a body frame (11) including a head tube (12);
a front fork assembly (16) supported by the head tube (12);
a front cowl assembly (30) including a front cowl member (30a), a rear cowl member (30b), and a visor member (30c), the front cowl assembly (30) being at least partially supported by the head tube (12);
characterized in that, said front cowl assembly (30) secures a headlamp unit (25), at least a turn signal lamp (26), and a daylight running lamp (32).

2. The motorcycle (10) according to claim 1, wherein the daylight running lamp (32) is located in a plane above the headlamp unit (25).

3. The motorcycle (10) according to claim 1, wherein the daylight running lamp (32) is attached to the visor member (30c) of the front cowl assembly (30).

4. The motorcycle (10) according to claim 1, wherein a lens portion (32a) of the daylight running lamp (32) is disposed to lie, at least partially, in a first plane (A), said first plane (A) being adapted to lie substantially rearwardly and substantially parallel to a second plane (B), said second plane (B) being adapted to contain at least a portion of the headlamp unit (25).

5. The motorcycle (10) according to claim 1, wherein the visor member (30c) includes an opening (30co) to house the daylight running lamp (32), said opening (30co) being located in a substantially central portion (30cc) of the visor member (30c).

6. The motorcycle (10) according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the lens portion (32a) is disposed to lie in line with a front surface (30ccs) of the central portion (30cc).

7. The motorcycle (10) according to claim 5, wherein at least two mounting bosses (30cb) are located adjoining a periphery of the opening (30co) of the visor member (30c), said at least two mounting bosses (30cb) being adapted to attach the daylight running lamp (32) to a rear surface the visor member (30c).

8. The motorcycle (10) according to claim 7, wherein the daylight running lamp (32) includes a housing unit (32b) having two or more mounting lugs (321) adapted to be received by corresponding said at least two mounting bosses (30cb) of the visor member (30c), a bottom mounting lug (321(b)) of said two or more mounting lugs (321) being mounted between a third mounting boss of said at least two mounting bosses (30cb) and a top mounting provision (25t) of the headlamp unit (25).

9. The motorcycle (10) according to claim 1 or claim 8, wherein the top mounting provision (25t) is butted against a protruding portion (30asp) of a supporting member (30as) of the front cowl member (30a), said supporting member (30as) providing additional support to the mounting of the daylight running lamp (32) to the visor member (30c) of the front cowl assembly (30).

10. The motorcycle (10) according to claim 8, wherein a rear surface of the housing unit (32b) includes a breather provision (32c) for air circulation in and out of the housing unit (32b).

11. The motorcycle (10) according to claim 1, wherein the daylight running lamp (32) is aligned with the visor member (30c) of the front cowl assembly (30) to form a continuous surface in a side profile.

12. The motorcycle (10) according to claim 1 or claim 11, wherein the daylight running lamp (32) is at least partially disposed in a sphere having a centre (C) at a wiring harness coupling portion, said sphere having a pre-determined radius (R) of a magnitude being one value in a range of 100 mm and 350 mm.