DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present subject matter, in general, relates to a straddle type vehicle, and, in particular relates, to a headlamp mounting structure provided on a front panel of the straddle type vehicle.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Conventional headlamps for saddle type vehicles often are big in size so as to maximize the illumination of the road surface through maximum throw of light ahead of the vehicle. Often this limits the size of the front panel surface areas & thus the visual appearance of the vehicle is often compromised. Reduced size of the headlamp mounting including its reflector leads to problem with overheating of the headlamp area. & thus poor durability. Also higher the size of the headlamp, higher the chance of breakage or damage in the event of an accident as well as road shocks. While larger headlamps meet the functional requirement, they lead to larger mounting structure on the vehicle which uses up considerable layout space in the front portion of the vehicle. Thus there is a need to provide a headlamp with a headlamp structure which is compact in packaging, provides effective illumination as well as has effective cooling to achieve high durability. Therefore, a system or structure is required that addresses one or more of above mentioned problems and many more other problems associated with the headlamp and headlamp assembly.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures.
[0004] Fig. 1 illustrates a straddle type vehicle, the headlamp mounting structure and related embodiments, in accordance with the embodiments of the invention.
[0005] Fig. 2-5 illustrates the essential embodiments of the headlamp mounting structure provided in the front panel assembly, in accordance with the embodiments of the invention.

DESCRIPTION
[0006] The following specification describes the invention. However, the following description does not limit the scope of the invention. The scope of the invention shall depend on the scope of the claims.
[0007] In summary present subject matter provides a straddle type vehicle with a headlamp mounting structure on a front panel of the straddle type vehicle. The headlamp mounting structure is disposed on the front panel such that the approaching air passes from the sides of the headlamp and facilitates cooling of electrical components disposed neighboring the headlamp mounting structure. The headlamp mounting structure provides a stable and strong housing for the headlamp to reduce the vibration in the headlamp and the front panel, and provides an enclosed packaging for the headlamp such that any damage for the headlamp can be avoided.
[0008] It is an objective of the present invention to provide astraddle type vehicle that includes a frame structure, a handle bar assembly, a headlamp disposed in a headlamp mounting structure provided in a front panel assembly. The frame structure extends in a vehicle longitudinal direction from a front portion to a rear portion of the straddle type vehicle. The handle bar assembly is disposed in the front portion of the straddle type vehicle. The headlamp disposed in the front portion of the straddle type vehicle in the headlamp mounting structure. The front panel assembly is disposed in the front portion of the straddle type vehicle below the handle bar assembly. The front panel assembly also includes the headlamp mounting structure to secure the headlamp. The front panel assembly further includes a first sub assembly, a second sub assembly, and a third sub assembly. The third assembly is disposed below the handle bar assembly. The second sub assembly is disposed on the third assembly. The first sub assembly is being adapted to cover the third sub assembly and the second sub assembly. The first sub assembly, the second sub assembly, and the third sub assembly collectively define the headlamp mounting structure.
[0009] It is an objective of the present invention to provide the first sub assembly includes a right member and a left member. The right member and the left member are disposed on the third member such that a vertical slit is defined between the right member and the left member in front of the second sub assembly. The vertical slit defines a headlamp slot at one or more locations of the front panel assembly. The one or more side profiles are defined between the first sub assembly and the third sub assembly. The one or more side profiles are provided on one or more sides of the front panel assembly.
[00010] It is an objective of the present invention to provide the second sub assembly disposed on a center portion of the third assembly. The second sub assembly includes a top portion, a bottom potion, and a center portion. The top portion and the bottom portion being attached with the third sub assembly, and the center portion defines a cutout. The cutout is aligned to the headlamp slot. A number of fins extends backward from the cutout towards the third sub assembly. The one or more cavities are defined between one or more of the number of fins and are cut-through passage on a base of the third sub assembly.
[00011] It is an objective of the present invention to provide the third sub assembly that includes a headlamp housing. The headlamp housing includes an inner edge and an outer edge. The inner edge is attached to the base of the third sub assembly, the outer edge being aligned to the cutout of second sub assembly and to the headlamp slot of the first sub assembly.
[00012] It is an objective of the present invention to provide one or more side bridges to support the headlamp housing such the one or more side bridges connects the inner edge to an outer edge. In an embodiment, the one or more side bridges may include the one or more fins. The headlamp is secured in the headlamp housing such that a predefined gap is defined between an outer surface of the headlamp and an inner surface of the headlamp housing.
[00013] It is an objective of the present invention to provide the headlamp mounting structure defined by the headlamp slot of the first sub assembly, the cutout of the second sub assembly, and the headlamp housing of the third sub assembly.
[00014] Referring to Fig. 1, different embodiments of the straddle type vehicle (hereinafter vehicle) (100) are shown. The vehicle (100) includes a front wheel (101), a front panel assembly (102, a headlamp (103), a front suspension (104) a handle bar assembly (105), a frame structure (not shown), a floorboard (107), a power unit (not shown), a seat assembly (108), a transmission system (109), a rear wheel (110, a rear suspension system (112), and a rear panel assembly (113). The front wheel (101), the front panel assembly (102), the headlamp (103), the front suspension system (104), the handle bar assembly (105), front portion of the frame structure (not shown), the floorboard (107), and the power unit (not shown) are disposed on a front portion F of the vehicle (100). The seat assembly (108), the transmission system (109), the rear wheel (110), the rear suspension system (111), and the rear panel assembly (112) are disposed on a rear portion (R) of the vehicle (100). The headlamp (103) is mounted in a headlamp mounting structure (103M) disposed in the front portion F of the vehicle (100).
[00015] As shown in Fig. 1 to Fig. 7, the front panel assembly (102) is mounted on a front portion (F) of the vehicle (100). The front panel assembly (102) facilitates the closed and partially closed housing for disposing a number of electrical, electronic, and mechanical components. In addition, the front panel assembly (102) includes the headlamp mounting structure (103M) to secure the headlamp (103).
[00016] The front panel assembly (102) includes a first sub assembly (113), a second sub assembly (114), and a third sub assembly (115). The third sub assembly (115) is disposed in below the handle bar assembly (105) and covers the number of electrical, electronic, and mechanical components. The second sub assembly (114) covers a center portion (115C) of the third sub assembly (115). The first sub assembly (113) is disposed in the front portion (F), covering the second sub assembly (114 and the third sub assembly (115). The first sub assembly (113), the second sub assembly (114), and the third sub assembly collectively define the headlamp mounting structure (103M).
[00017] The first sub assembly (113) includes a right member (113R) and a left member (113L). The right member (113R) and the left member (113L) are disposed on the third sub assembly (115) such that a vertical slit (116) is defined between the right member (113R) and the left member (113L). The vertical slit (116) is positioned above the second sub assembly (114). The vertical slit (116) defines a headlamp slot (117) in an approximate center portion of the front panel assembly (102). However, the headlamp slot (117) may be disposed at any position on the front panel assembly (102), along the defined vertical slit (116).
[00018] The vertical slit (116) facilitates the flow of approaching air inside the front panel assembly (102) to increase the cooling of the number of electrical, electronic, and mechanical components. In an embodiment, the first sub assembly (113) is disposed such that the air flowing inside the first sub assembly (113), escapes from one or more side profiles (118) formed between the first sub assembly (113) and the third sub assembly (115). The one or more side profiles (118) define a side gap (G) or space between the first sub assembly (113) and the third sub assembly (115). In an embodiment, this side gap (G) defined by one or more side profiles (118) may include a continuous gap (G), a regular interval gap (G), an irregular interval gap (G), or a gap (G) at only one position. The one or more side profiles (118) are formed on one or more side of the front panel assembly (102) such as on extreme left (102L) and extreme right side (102R) of the front panel assembly (102).
[00019] The second sub assembly (114) is attached with the third sub assembly (115) at a top portion (114T) and a bottom portion (114B). The center portion (114C) of the second sub assembly (114) includes a cutout (119) that is aligned with the headlamp slot (117) of the vertical slit (116) of the first sub assembly (113). In an embodiment, the second sub assembly (114) is also fixed with the third sub assembly (115) through a number of fins (120). The number of fins (120) extends backward from the second sub assembly (114) towards the third sub assembly (115). In a different perspective, each of the number of fins (120) defines a projection extending upwards from the third sub assembly (115). In one embodiment, one end of each of the number of fins (120) is fixed to one or more mounting means such as a bracket, which is attached with the third sub assembly (115). In another embodiment, one end of each of the number of fins (120) is integrated with the third sub assembly (115). Further, other end of each of the number of fins (120) is attached with the second sub assembly (114). For example, as shown in Fig. 2, each of the number of fins (120) is inserted in the second sub assembly (114). In another embodiment, each of the number of fins may be attached with the second sub assembly (114) through one or more mounting means, such as brackets. In another embodiments, the number of fins (120) may extend backward from cutout (119) of the second sub assembly (114) towards the third sub assembly (115).
[00020] In an embodiment, one or more cavities (120C) are defined between two or more fins of the number of fins (120). The cavities (120C) are formed as a cut-through passage on a base (115B) of the third sub assembly (115), such that the air entering through the vertical slit (116) of the first sub assembly (113) and the cutout (119) of the second sub assembly (114), passes through the cavities (120C) between the fins (120) and reaches to the number of electrical, electronic, and mechanical components disposed below the third sub assembly (115). The flow of air through the front panel assembly (102) improves the cooling of the number of electrical, electronic, and mechanical components disposed in the front portion (F) of the vehicle (100).
[00021] The third sub assembly (115) includes a headlamp housing (121). The headlamp housing (121) includes an inner edge (121I), and an outer edge (121O), The outer edge (121) is aligned to the cutout (119) of second sub assembly (114) and to the headlamp slot (117) of the first sub assembly (113). The inner edge (121I) is attached to the base (115B) of the third sub assembly (115) such that the headlamp housing (121) extends upwards from the third sub assembly (115).
[00022] In an embodiment, the headlamp housing (121) is supported through one or more side bridges (122). The one or more side bridges (122) supports the headlamp housing (121) where one or more side bridges (122) connects the inner edge (121I) to an outer edge (121O), such that each of the side bridges (122) defines a protrusion extending upwards from the third sub assembly (115). The one end of each of the side bridges (122) is attached to the base (115B) of the third sub assembly (115) and other end is attached to the headlamp housing (121). In another embodiment, the side bridges (122) may include said one or more fins (120) attached, such that one end of each of the number of fins (120) is fixed with the third sub assembly (115) through one or more mounting means such as a bracket, and other end of each of the number of fins (120) is attached to the headlamp housing (121). For any attachment or mounting in different embodiments, one or more means for attachment or mounting can be used.
[00023] The headlamp (103) is secured in the headlamp housing (121), such that a uniform gap (G) is maintained between and inner surface of the headlamp housing (121) and an outer surface of the headlamp. This uniform gap (G) facilitates flow of air around the headlamp (103) to increase the cooling of the headlamp (103).
[00024] The headlamp mounting structure (103M) is defined by the headlamp slot (116H) of the vertical slit (116) of first sub assembly (113), the cutout (119) of the second sub assembly (114), and the headlamp housing (121) of the third sub assembly (115), being disposed conjugately aligned to each other. The headlamp (103) is secured in the headlamp mounting structure (103M) such that the headlamp (103) housed in the headlamp housing (121) of the third sub assembly (115). The headlamp (103) housed in the headlamp housing (121) is secured under the second sub assembly (114) such that the cutout (119) of the second sub assembly (102) is aligned with the inner surface of the headlamp housing (121). The headlamp (103) is further secured between the right member (113R) and the left member (113L) of the first sub assembly (113) such that, the headlamp slot (117) is aligned to the cutout (119) of the second sub assembly (114) and the inner surface of the headlamp housing (121).
[00025] The above explained headlamp mounting structure facilitates a visible but unexposed headlamp mounting, in which any impact or force from the front portion of the vehicle will be distributed across the front panel, and will limit the damage to the headlamp. Additionally, a proper air circulation within the front panel will improve the life span of the number of electrical, electronic and mechanical components as the cooling of the mentioned components can be maintained naturally. It will also reduce the cost of the vehicle, as one or more components can be eliminated and part reduction can be achieved. For example, a separate mounting arrangement for the headlamp is not needed with the described configuration as well as any cooling provision for front portion of the vehicle will not be a necessity with the present configuration.
[00026] The description provided above is an exemplary explanation of the invention where 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. Therefore, within the scope of claims of the present subject matter, the present disclosure may be practiced other than as specifically described.

List of Reference Numerals
100 Straddle type Vehicle
F Front portion of 100
R Rear portion of 100
A-A’ Longitudinal plane of 100
101 Front wheel of 100
102 Front panel assembly of 100
102L One or more sides (left) of 102
102R One or more sides (right) of 102
103 Headlamp of 100
103M Headlamp mounting structure of 103
104 Front suspension system 100
105 Handle bar assembly 100
106 Front Fender of 100
107 Floorboard of 100
108 Seat assembly of 100
109 Transmission system
110 Rear wheel
111 Rear suspension system
112 Rear panel assembly
113 First sub assembly of 102
113R Right member of 113
113L Left member of 113
114 Second sub assembly of 102
114T Top portion of 114
114B Bottom portion of 114
114C Center portion of 114
115 Third sub assembly of 102
115B Base of 115
115C Center portion of 115
116 Vertical slit between 113R and 113L
116H Headlamp housing of 116
117 Headlamp slot provided in 116
118 Side profiles provided between 113 and 115
119 Cutout provided in 114C
120 Number of fins connecting 114 and 115
120C Cavities between two or more of 120
121 Headlamp housing in 115
121I Inner edge of 121
121O Outer edge of 121
122 Side bridges as attaching means of 121 to 115
G Gap between 103 and the 121
,CLAIMS:We Claim:
1) A straddle type vehicle (100) comprising:
a frame structure (not shown) extending in a vehicle longitudinal direction A-A’ from a front portion (F) to a rear portion (R) of the straddle type vehicle (100);
a handle bar assembly (105) disposed in the front portion (F) of the straddle type vehicle (100);
a headlamp (103) disposed in the front portion F of the straddle type vehicle (100) in a headlamp mounting structure (103M); and
a front panel assembly (102) disposed in the front portion (F) of the straddle type vehicle (100) below the handle bar assembly (105); the front panel assembly (102) includes the headlamp mounting structure (103M) to secure the headlamp mounting structure (103M); the front panel assembly (102) including a first sub assembly (113), a second sub assembly (114), and a third sub assembly (115);
wherein the third assembly (115) is disposed direct below the handle bar assembly (105), the second sub assembly (114) is disposed on the third assembly (115), and the first sub assembly (113) being adapted to cover the third sub assembly (115) and the second sub assembly (114), and wherein the first sub assembly (113), the second sub assembly (114), and the third sub assembly collectively define the headlamp mounting structure (103M).
2) The straddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first sub assembly includes a right member (113R) and a left member (113L).
3) The straddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the right member (113R) and the left member (113L) being disposed on the third member (115) such that a vertical slit (116) is defined between the right member (113R) and the left member (113L) in front of the second sub assembly (114).
4) The straddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the vertical slit (116) defines a headlamp slot (117) at one or more locations of the front panel assembly (102).
5) The straddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein one or more side profiles (118) are defined between the first sub assembly (113), and the third sub assembly (115), the one or more side profiles (118) are provided on one or more sides (102L, 102R) of the front panel assembly (102).
6) The straddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second sub assembly (114) is disposed on a center portion (115C) of the third assembly (115).
7) The straddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the second sub assembly (114) includes a top portion (114T), a bottom potion (114B), and a center portion (114C), the top portion (114T) and the bottom portion (114B) being attached with the third sub assembly (115), and the center portion (114C) defines a cutout 119.
8) The straddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the cutout (119) is aligned to the headlamp slot (116H).
9) The straddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein a number of fins (120) extends backward from the cutout (119) towards the third sub assembly (115).
10) The straddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 9, wherein one or more cavities (120C) are defined between one or more of the number of fins (120), the one or more cavities (120C) being cut-through passage on a base 115B of the third sub assembly (115).
11) The straddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the third sub assembly (115) includes a headlamp housing (121), the headlamp housing (121) includes an inner edge (121I), and an outer edge (121O), the inner edge (121I) being attached to the base (115B) of the third sub assembly (115), the outer edge (121) being aligned to the cutout (119) of second sub assembly (114) and to the headlamp slot (113H) of the first sub assembly (113).
12) The straddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 11, wherein one or more side bridges 122 supports the headlamp housing (121) such the one or more side bridges 122 connects the inner edge (121I) to an outer edge (121O).
13) The straddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 12, wherein the one or more side bridges 122 include the one or more fins (120).
14) The straddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 11, wherein the headlamp (103) is secured in the headlamp housing (121) such that a predefined gap is defined between an outer surface of the headlamp (103) and an inner surface of the headlamp housing (121).
15) The straddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in one or more of above claims, the headlamp mounting structure (103M) is defined by the headlamp slot (116H) of the vertical slit (116) of first sub assembly (113), the cutout (119) of the second sub assembly (114), and the headlamp housing (121) of the third sub assembly (115), the headlamp slot (116H), the vertical slit (116), and the headlamp housing (121) being disposed & conjugately aligned to each other.