Claims:We claim:
1. A split fender assembly (107) for covering a wheel (106) of a vehicle (100), the split fender assembly (107) comprising:
a plurality of members including at least one bottom member (112), and at least one top member (113); and
the at least one top member (113) is disposed above the at least one bottom member (112).
2. The split fender assembly (107) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one bottom member (112) is attached to a steering column (110) of the vehicle (100) and the at least top member (113) is detachably attached to the at least one bottom member (112).
3. The split fender assembly as (107) claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one top member (113) and the at least one bottom member (112) are detachably attached in a plane (P) parallel to the ground (G).
4. The split fender assembly (107) as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one suspension unit (111) disposed below the split fender assembly (107) is accessible upon removal of the at least one top member (113).
5. The split fender assembly (107) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one bottom member (112) attached to the steering column (110) is capable of moving in a turning direction of the steering column (110).
6. The split fender assembly (107) as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one bottom member (112) of the split fender assembly (107) is provided with a flat base surface (122) with a plurality of cut outs (123).
7. The split fender assembly (107) as claimed in claim 6, wherein at least one bottom member (112) is provided with profiles including a depression (120) between a plurality of raised sides (121) at an inner circumference of the at least one bottom member (112), when seen from the top portion of the at least one bottom member (112).
8. The split fender assembly (107) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a periphery of the at least one top member (113) is fitted on the plurality of sides (121) and the depression (120) to be mounted on the at least one bottom member (112) forming a stable and durable coupling.
9. A vehicle (100), comprising:
a steering assembly having a steering column (110) attached to a head pipe (not shown) of said vehicle (100);
a front suspension unit (111) mounted on said steering column (110);
a front wheel (106) connected to said steering column (110) disposed in the front of the vehicle (100); and
a split fender assembly (107) mounted on said steering column (110);
wherein said split fender assembly (107) includes a plurality of members to cover the front wheel (106) and the front suspension unit (111) of the vehicle (100).
10. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 9, wherein said plurality of members includes at least one top member (113) and at least one bottom member (112) such that said at least one bottom member (112) is attached to said steering column (110) and said at least one top member (113) is detachably attached to said bottom member (112).
11. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 10, wherein the at least one top member (113) and the at least one bottom member (112) are detachably attached in a plane (P) parallel to the ground (G).
12. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 10, wherein the front suspension (111) is accessible upon removal of the at least one top member (113).
13. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 10, wherein the at least one bottom member (112) attached to the steering column (110) is capable of moving in turning direction of the steering column (110).
14. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 9, wherein at least one bottom member (112) of the split fender assembly (107) is provided with a flat base surface (122) with a plurality of cut outs (123).
15. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 9, wherein at least one bottom member (112) is provided with profiles including a depression (120) between a plurality of raised sides (121) at an inner circumference of the cut section, when seen from the top portion of the at least one bottom member (112).
16. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 9, wherein a periphery of the at least one top member (113) is fitted on the plurality of sides (121) and the depression (120) to be mounted on the at least one bottom member (112) forming a stable and durable coupling. , Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present subject matter relates generally to a two or a three-wheeled vehicle. More particularly but not exclusively the present subject matter relates to a front fender disposed on a steering column of said two or three-wheeled vehicle.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Generally, a front fender is disposed either on a steering column or on a front frame of a vehicle. The front fender provides sufficient cover to a wheel and to a suspension linkage. The front fender is sometimes also known as ‘mud guard’ which is used to keep off mud, pebbles and other foreign materials from entering inside the vehicle. The front fender is designed such that it helps in reducing the wind resistance and have sufficient strength to withstand loads and vibrations under all operating condition of said two or three-wheeled vehicle. Apart from this, the front fender is subjected to different handling condition during repair and maintenance.
[0003] In the two or three-wheeled vehicle, where the front fender is mounted on said steering column, the fender typically moves along with the steering column and the wheel on which the front fender is mounted. In some designs, the fender is stationary and does not rotate with the steering of the front wheel. A front suspension unit of the vehicle is mounted on the steering column and is partially covered with the help of said front fender. In this scenario, the gap between the front suspension unit and the front fender is very less, thus servicing of the front suspension unit becomes a challenging task. In the above-mentioned scenario, during the servicing of the front fender, user has to remove the entire steering column in order to reach to the suspension and do the required changes. In the process of accessing the front suspension unit, first the steering column has to be removed, only then the front suspension unit can be accessed. This whole configuration has to be re-assembled after the servicing is done, and then put back in same order in the vehicle. The time taken for servicing the front suspension unit is much less as compared to the time consumed in the process to disassemble and then re-assemble the entire steering column thereby making the service process undesirably labour intensive, costly with long down time for the vehicle i.e. poor maintainability.
[0004] In one scenario, to avoid above mentioned situation, the front fender is mounted on a front frame ahead of a cabin of the three-wheeled vehicle. The front fender is mounted such that a space is created between the front wheel and the front fender for accessing the front suspension unit. Although this mounting arrangement provides a space for servicing of the front suspension unit, but it makes the fender design bulkier. This bulkier design adds to the weight of the vehicle and affects the center of gravity of the three-wheeled vehicle. In this configuration, the front fender is moved rearward to balance the center of gravity, but that compromises on valuable space from driver cabin, which is not desirable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] The details are described with reference to an embodiment of a saddle type three wheeled autorickshaw along with the accompanying figures. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference similar features and components. Figure 1 exemplarily illustrates a three-wheeled vehicle.
[0006] Figure 2 (a) exemplarily illustrates a side view of a front fender disposed on a steering column.
[0007] Figure 2 (b) exemplarily illustrates the perspective view of the front fender disposed on the steering column.
[0008] Figure 3 exemplarily illustrates an exploded view of the front fender with its associated structures.
[0009] Figure 4 exemplarily illustrates the mounting arrangement of the bottom fender on the steering column.
[00010] Figure 5 (a) exemplarily illustrates a top view without the top member and Figure 5 (b) exemplarily illustrates a top view with the top member.
[00011] Figure 6 (a) exemplarily illustrates an isometric view of the front fender without its top member in assembled condition.
[00012] Figure 6 (b) exemplarily illustrates the access of the suspension mounting bolt during serviceability.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0001] The main objective of the present subject matter is to provide a mechanism which facilitates improved serviceability and maintainability of a front suspension unit of a vehicle. The present subject matter is described using an exemplary three-wheeled vehicle, whereas the claimed subject matter is applicable to two as well as three-wheeled vehicles, with required changes and without deviating from the scope of invention. In the present subject matter, a front fender is provided which facilitates the serviceability of the front suspension unit without removing a steering column of the three-wheeled vehicle. The front suspension unit is disposed on the steering column placed in a front cabin of the three-wheeled vehicle. A front wheel is connected to the steering column, on which the front fender is disposed and covers the front wheel of said vehicle. The front fender is made up of a plurality of individual members to cover the front wheel of the three-wheeled vehicle. The plurality of members includes at least one bottom member and at least one top member. The at least one top member is disposed above the at least one bottom member.
[0002] Another embodiment of the present subject matter, where the at least one bottom member is attached to the steering column of the vehicle and the at least one top member is detachably attached to the at least one bottom member. This configuration provides strength and rigidity to the structure during vehicle operating conditions. Also, this mounting configuration of the at least one bottom member to be mounted on the steering column reduces the risk of the parts of front fender getting damaged due to the vibrations or from other external forces.
[0003] In another embodiment of the present subject matter, the at least one top member and the at least one bottom member are detachably attached in a plane (P) parallel to the ground. This configuration of the front fender provides ease of accessibility to the front suspension unit covered by the plurality of front fender members. The front suspension unit can be one of the single fork and twin fork type suspension unit.
[0004] In another embodiment of the present subject matter, where the front fender includes at least one top member and at least one bottom member such that the at least one top member is disposed on the at least one bottom member. The front suspension unit is disposed below the front fender, and is accessible upon removal of the at least one top member. The structure of front fender covers a mounting bolt of the suspension unit and provides ease of serviceability of the suspension unit hassle-free and in less time compared to other known configurations implemented in vehicles.
[0005] In another embodiment of the present subject matter, the at least one bottom member which is attached to the steering column is capable of moving in a turning direction of the steering column. The front fender in this embodiment is a movable fender. The turning direction can be one of the left and right direction of the steering column.
[0006] According to another embodiment of the present subject matter, the at least one top member is disposed on the at least one bottom member of said front fender by means of a plurality of fasteners. Surface of the at least one top member and the at least one bottom member of the front fender are aligned such that no gaps at an interface of the two members are formed. This is ensured by joining the two members with the fasteners or any other detachable attachment means.
[0007] Fig.1 exemplarily illustrates a three-wheeled vehicle 100. The three-wheeled vehicle 100 comprises of a cabin 101 including a front cabin 102 (a) and a rear cabin 102(b) separated by a central member 103. The front cabin 102 (a) of the three-wheeled vehicle 100 includes a head pipe (not shown) capable of steering a front wheel 106 by means of a steering column 110 (Shown in Fig.2) attached to the head pipe (not shown). A fender assembly 107 is disposed above the front wheel 106 to provide a covering for the front wheel 106 of the vehicle 100. The front cabin 102(a) also includes a driver seat assembly having a driver seat 104 and a driver backrest 105 disposed on the central member 103 in forward direction in line with the vehicle 100 longitudinal direction. A passenger seat assembly 108 for carrying passengers is disposed in the rear cabin 102(b). The three-wheeled vehicle 100 also includes a pair of rear wheels 109 disposed at a rear side of the vehicle 100.
[0008] Fig. 2(a) exemplarily illustrates a side view of the fender assembly 107 disposed on the steering column 110. The front wheel 106 is attached to the steering column 110 and the fender assembly 107 is disposed on the steering column 110 placed ahead and outside of the front cabin 102(a) and above the front wheel 106. The fender assembly 107 is a movable fender, and is capable of moving in a turning direction of the steering column 110 and the front wheel 106, while in operation. The fender assembly 107 completely covers the front wheel 106 in a top view and at least partially in a side view. The fender assembly 107 also covers the steering column 110 and protects the wheel 106 and steering column 110 from mud, pebbles and other foreign materials from entering into the vehicle 100.
[0009] Fig.2 (b) exemplarily illustrates the perspective view of the fender assembly 107 disposed on the steering column 110. The steering column 110 is attached to the head pipe (not shown) of the three-wheeled vehicle 100. The front wheel 106 is connected to the steering column 110 for steering of the vehicle 100. An upper end of a front suspension unit 111 is connected to the steering column 110 and a lower end is connected to an axle (not marked) of the front wheel 106. The purpose of the suspension unit 111 is to reduce the sudden load impact when the three-wheeled vehicle 100 passes through a bump or through a pit. This impact is distributed to entire body of the vehicle 100 and to the road in order to reduce the impact on a rider or on passengers sitting in the vehicle 100. Additionally, the suspension system being a wear and tear system needs periodic service and repair for upkeep of its function of providing comfort. Therefore, to achieve this, service and tuning of suspension 111 from time to time is crucial for the smooth running of the vehicle 100 and thus serviceability is must for ensuring smooth operation of the three-wheeled vehicle 100. In order to achieve the ease of serviceability of the vehicle 100, a structure of the fender assembly 107 is provided which facilitates the process of servicing easily in less time.
[00010] Fig.3 exemplarily illustrates an exploded view of the fender assembly 107 with its associated structures. The steering column 110, the suspension unit 111, and the front wheel 106 of said three-wheeled vehicle 100 are covered by the fender assembly 107. The fender assembly 107 includes at least one bottom member 112 and at least one top member 113. The at least one bottom member 112 and at least one top member 113 are detachably attached in a plane (P) parallel to the ground (G) such that independent removal of the at least one fender top member 113 is feasible while servicing.
[00011] The at least one bottom member 112 of the fender assembly 107 is disposed and fixed on the steering column 110 by means of a plurality of attaching means e.g. bolts 114. The at least one top member 113 is disposed on said at least one bottom member 112. Surface of the at least one top member 113 is aligned to the surface of the at least one bottom member 112 such that no undesirable gap is formed between the two members and the at least one top member 113 appears to be a cut out section of the at least one bottom member 112 of said fender assembly 107 such that when the bottom and top member (112,113)are assembled together they appear to form a uniform fender assembly 107 functionally as well as in appearance. The at least one top member 113 covers a suspension mounting bolt 116 which needs to be accessed at the time of servicing. Instead of removing the whole steering column 110, in the present split structural design of the fender assembly 107, only the at least one top member 113 is required to be removed to access the suspension mounting bolt 116 for serviceability. The at least one bottom member 112 can only be disassembled when the whole steering column 110 along with the at least one bottom member 112 is taken out from the vehicle 100. However, the structure of the fender assembly 107 is made in such a way that removal of the at least one bottom member 112 is not needed during the servicing of the front suspension unit 111.
[00012] As per an embodiment, the front fender including the at least one top member 113 is made of a high-grade plastic material and the at least one bottom member 112 is made of a high-grade metal material to provide the fender assembly 107 required strength in vehicle operating condition and during repairability. The fender assembly 107 has to bear various load and stress during the servicing of the vehicle 100. So, the fender assembly 107 needs to have durability and impact strength for the operation and long life of the vehicle 100.
[00013] Fig. 4 exemplarily illustrates the mounting arrangement of the at least one bottom member 112 on the steering column 110. The at least one top member 113 and the at least one bottom member 112 are joined by means of a plurality of attachment means e.g. bolts 114 to ensure that there are no undesirable gaps between the two members (113,112). The two front bolts 118 are disposed in the front portion of the at least one bottom member 112 and a single rear bolt 119 is disposed on the rear side of the at least one bottom member 112 to join the top 113 and the bottom 112 member. In an embodiment, the bolts (118,119) are extended till the steering column 100 to attach the at least one bottom member 112 on the steering column 110.
[00014] In an embodiment, the at least one top member 113 is disposed on the at least one bottom member 112 of said fender assembly 107 by means of a plurality of snap fits (not shown). The at least one top member 113 is disposed on the at least one bottom member 112 by means of a snap fit, placed in the front portion of the at least one top member 113 and a plurality of bolts (not shown) are mounted at the rear portion of the at least one top member 113. This fastening configuration helps to avoid visible fasteners in the vehicle 100. The at least one top member 113 and the at least one bottom member 112 can also be attached by using other attachment means and is not limited to the present embodiment.
[00015] Fig.5 (a) exemplarily illustrates a top perspective view of the at least one bottom member 112 of the fender assembly 107 where the at least one top member 113 is removed. Fig.5 (b) exemplarily illustrates an exploded top perspective view of the fender assembly 107 with the at least one bottom member 112 and the at least one top member 113. The at least one bottom member 112 of the fender assembly 107 is provided with a flat base surface 122 having a plurality of cut outs 123 for accommodating and accessing the front suspension unit 111. These cut outs 123 additionally create a degree of freedom for the rotation of the fender assembly 107. The at least one bottom member 112 is provided with profiles having a depression or trough 120 between the two raised sides or crests 121 at the inner circumference of the cut section, when seen from the top portion of the bottom member 112. The periphery of the top member 113 is configured with a conjugate crest profile which is assembled on the two raised sides 121 and the depression 120 to enable the top member 113 to be mounted on the bottom member 112 and then both are fastened by above described means to secure the top member 113 with the bottom member 112 to form the fender assembly 107. The conjugatively complimentary profiles so formed enable achieving a durable and stable coupling which helps in withstanding road loads and shocks.
[00016] Fig. 6 (a) exemplarily illustrates an isometric view of the fender assembly 107 without its at least one top member (113) in assembled condition and Fig. 6 (b) illustrates the accessing of the suspension mounting bolt 116 during service. At the time of servicing, the top member 113 of the fender assembly 107 is removed by unfastening the fasteners 114. After removing the top member 113, the suspension mounting bolt 116 becomes accessible for servicing. The suspension mounting bolt 116 can be removed by means of a tool e.g. a spanner 117 or other dismantling means to access the suspension unit 111. This structure of the movable fender assembly 107 facilitates the servicing of the front suspension unit 111 in less time without requiring the removal of the steering column 110. Many other improvements and modifications may be incorporated herein without deviating from the scope of the invention. As per an embodiment, the invention can be applied to either the front or the rear fender or both to enable ease of service and maintainability of the parts thereat.

List of Reference numerals
100: Two or three-wheeled vehicle
101: Cabin
102 (a): Front cabin
102 (b): Rear cabin
103: Central member
104: Driver seat
105: Driver backrest
106: Front wheel
107: Fender assembly
108: Passenger seat assembly
109: Rear wheel
110: Steering column
111: Front suspension unit
112: At least one bottom member
113: At least one top member
114: Fasteners
116: Suspension mounting bolt
117: Spanner
P: Plane G: Ground
118: Two front bolts
119: One single bolt
120: Depression
121: Raised sides
122: Flat base surface
123: Plurality of cut outs