DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present subject matter, in general, relates to a straddle type vehicle, and, in particular relates, to a puddle lamp mounting system in the straddle type vehicle.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Generally, a straddle type vehicle is supported on a side-stand or a center-stand in stand still condition. The center-stand and the side-stand is normally provided below a floor board in a scooter type vehicles and below a frame of a motor cycle type vehicle. In all types, the center-stand and the side-stand are disposed within the vehicle width such that these are not visible from sides for better vehicle aesthetics. Therefore, the vehicle user has to locate the center/side stand below to vehicle to support the vehicle. During nighttime and in dark places, it becomes difficult to locate the center/side stand below to vehicle and to find out a suitable place to park the vehicle specially to see the parking spot for any puddles, uneven surfaces, or other obstacles. Therefore, parking of the vehicle becomes difficult and inconvenient for the vehicle user.
[0003] Therefore, there is a need to provide a system such that the vehicle user can be facilitated to see the side stand, center stand as well the surface below the vehicle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying exemplary figures. The provided figures are provided for the exemplary description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the claims. The scope of the claims is entirely bases on the claims provided.
[0005] Fig. 1 illustrates a left side view of a straddle type vehicle depicting the mounting system of a first holder of a number of holders, on a left side trim of the straddle type vehicle, in accordance with the embodiments of the invention.
[0006] Fig. 2 illustrates a right side view of the straddle type vehicle depicting the mounting system of a second holder of the number of holders, on a right side trim cover of the straddle type vehicle of Fig. 1, in accordance with the embodiments of the invention.
[0007] Fig. 3 illustrates the right side view of the straddle type vehicle, depicting the construction and mounting details of the second holder of the number of holders on the right side trim cover of Fig. 2, in accordance with the embodiments of the invention. Fig. 3 also depicts an exemplary utility of mounting a puddle lamp in the number of holders.
[0008] Fig. 4 is an isometric view of the first holder or the second holder, depicting the outer constructional details of the number of holders, mounting of the puddle lamp in the number of holders, in accordance with the embodiments of the invention.
[0009] Fig. 5 is a bottom view of the first holder or the second holder of the number of holders, depicting the inner constructional details of the number of holders, mounting system of the puddle lamp in the number of holders, in accordance with the embodiments of the invention.
[00010] Fig. 6 illustrates a block diagram describing an embodiment of an exemplary activation circuit of the puddle lamp.
[00011] Fig. 7 illustrates a block diagram describing another embodiment of an exemplary activation circuit of the puddle lamp.
DESCRIPTION
[00012] The following specification describes the mounting system of a puddle lamp in a straddle type vehicle; however, the following description does not limit the scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is completely dependent on the scope of the claims.
[00013] The objective of the present subject matter is to provide a puddle lamp in a straddle type vehicle as the puddle lamp is required for the ease of use during nighttime and in dark places, especially to be able to see the road surface for any puddles; uneven surfaces etc. during parking with either center stand or side stand. It is desirable to adequately illuminate this safety critical area of the straddle type two wheeled vehicle when parking or taking vehicle off-stand. In and embodiment, the puddle lamp is mounted on a holder attached to a side trim of the straddle type vehicle. The holder is attached on a left side trim and a right side trim of the straddle type vehicle.
[00014] In detail, it is an objective of the present invention to provide a vehicle including a frame structure extending from a front portion to a rear portion of the vehicle, a panel assembly extending rearward from the front portion to the rear portion, along the frame structure, and puddle lamp mounting system disposed on at least a portion of the side panel assembly. The panel assembly includes a front panel assembly adapted to cover the front portion of the vehicle, a rear panel assembly adapted to cover the rear portion of the vehicle, and a side panel assembly adapted to cover a center portion of the vehicle. The puddle lamp mounting system is disposed on at least a portion of the side panel assembly. The puddle lamp mounting system includes one or more holders supported with at least a portion of the side panel assembly, and one or more lamps being secured with the one or more holders.
[00015] In is an objective of the present invention to provide the side panel assembly that includes one or more upper side covers and one or more side trim covers. At least a portion of the one or more side trim covers is configured to support the one or more holders of the puddle lamp mounting system.
[00016] It is another objective of the present invention to provide one or more holders that includes a top portion, a side portion, a front portion, and a rear portion. The side portion, the front portion, and the rear portion of the one or more holders extends downward from the top portion of the one or more holders to form a semi-closed casing. the one or more lamps being secured in the semi-closed casing of the one or more holders. In addition, an inner side of the top portion and the rear portion of the one or more holders is attached to the at least a portion of the one or more side trim covers.
[00017] It is another objective of the present invention to provide the puddle lamp mounting system with a manual interface switch, a wiring harness, and a power source, where the wiring harness is connecting the one or more lamps to the power source. The one or more lamps of the puddle lamp mounting system are configured to be activated using the manual interface switch.
[00018] It is another objective of the present invention to provide the one or more lamps being secured with the one or more holders, the wiring harness, a control unit, and the power source. The control unit is communicatively connected to a vehicle ignition system and is configured to activate the one or more lamps of the puddle lamp mounting system, for a predetermined time, in an event of deactivation of the vehicle ignition system.
[00019] Various other features and advantages of the invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers generally indicate identical, functionally similar, and/or structurally similar elements. With reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the same reference numerals will be used to identify the same or similar elements throughout the several views. It should be noted that the drawings should be viewed in the direction of orientation of the reference numerals.
[00020] Further “front” and “rear”, and “left” and “right” referred to in the ensuing description of the illustrated embodiment refer to front and rear, and left and right directions as seen in a state of being seated on a seat of the two-wheeled vehicle. Furthermore, a longitudinal axis refers to a front to rear axis relative to the vehicle, while a lateral axis refers to a side to side, or left to right axis relative to the vehicle. 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.
[00021] Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 shows a left side view and a right side view of the straddle type vehicle respectively. Referring to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, different embodiments of the straddle type vehicle (100) (hereinafter vehicle) are shown. The vehicle (100) includes a front wheel (101), a front panel assembly (102), a front suspension system (103), a handle bar assembly (104), a frame structure (105) extending from a front portion F to a rear portion R, a floorboard (106), a power unit (not shown), a seat assembly (107), a transmission system (108), a rear wheel (109), a rear suspension system (110), a rear panel assembly (111), a side panel assembly (112), and a center stand (106A) disposed below the floor board and below the side panel assembly (112). The front wheel (101), the front panel assembly (102), the front suspension system (103), the handle bar assembly (104), front portion of the frame structure (105), the floorboard (106), and the power unit (not shown) are disposed on the front portion (F) of the vehicle (100). The seat assembly (107), the transmission system (108), the rear wheel (109), the rear suspension system (110), and the rear panel assembly (111) are disposed on the rear portion (R) of the vehicle (100). The front panel assembly (102), the rear panel assembly (111), and the side panel assembly (112) defines a panel assembly of the vehicle that extends rearward from the front portion (F) to the rear portion (R), along the frame structure (105). The front panel assembly (102) adapted to cover the front portion (F) of the vehicle (100), the rear panel assembly (111) adapted to cover the rear portion (R) of the vehicle (100), and the side panel assembly (112) is adapted to cover a center portion (C) of the vehicle (100). The side panel assembly (112) is disposed on both sides of the vehicle (100) to cover sides of the center portion (C) of the vehicle (100).
[00022] The side panel assembly (112) includes one or more upper side covers (113) and one or more side trim cover (114). Said one or more upper side cover (113) includes a left upper side cover (113L) disposed on left side of the vehicle (100) and a right upper side cover (113R) disposed on right side of the vehicle (100). Said one or more side trim covers (114) includes a left side trim cover (114L) disposed on left side of the vehicle (100), a right side trim cover (114R) disposed on the right side of the vehicle (100). Said left side trim cover (114L) and the right side trim cover (114R) supports a puddle lamp mounting system, which will be described further.
[00023] The puddle lamp mounting system disposed on at least a portion of the side panel assembly (112). The puddle lamp mounting system includes said one or more side trim covers (114L, 114R), one or more holders (115), one or more puddle lamps (116), a wiring harness (116W) connecting said one or more puddle lamps (116) to a power source (117), and a manual interface unit (118) for the user of the straddle type vehicle (100). Said one or more holders (115) includes a first holder (115L) attached to the left side trim cover (114L) and a second holder (115R) attached to the right side trim cover (114R). Said one or more puddle lamps (116) includes a left side lamp (116L) secured with the first holder (115L) and a right side lamp (116R) secured with the second holder (115R). In one embodiment, the location of said one or more puddle lamps (116) is substantially near a horizontal line AA’ passing through the floor board (106) or a rider footrest of the vehicle (100). The puddle lamp mounting system is further explained in detail for the right side of the straddle type vehicle.
[00024] Referring to Fig. 3, the right side view of the straddle type vehicle (100) is shown. The construction and mounting details of the second holder (115R) on the right side trim cover (114R) are explained as follows, however, details of the first holder (115L) will be same as the second holder (115R).
[00025] Referring to Fig. 3, the right side trim cover (114R) includes a first side (119), a second side (120), a third side (121), and a fourth side (122). The first side (119) defines the upper side, and the second side (120) defines the lower side of the right side trim cover (114R). Similarly, the third side (121) defines the rear side, and the fourth side (122) defines the front side of the right side trim cover (114R). The first side (119), the second side (120), the third side (121), and the fourth side (122) together define a first surface (123) and a second surface (124) of the right side trim cover (114R). The first surface (123) corresponds to an outer surface, and the second surface (124) corresponds to the inner surface of the right side trim cover (114R).
[00026] The second holder (115R) is attached with the first surface (123) and the second side (120) of the right side trim cover (114R). As shown, in an embodiment, the second holder (115R) is mounted on one of the lowest sides of the straddle type vehicle (100), such that the right side lamp mounted inside the second holder illuminates the maximum area under the vehicle (100). The specific construction of the second holder (115R) helps to spread the illumination and secures the puddle lamp from any kind of damage, especially any side impacts such as during fall of side collisions etc.
[00027] Referring to Fig. 4, and Fig. 5, construction of the second holder (115R) is described as follows. The second holder (115R) includes a top portion (125), a side portion (126), a front portion (127), and a rear portion (128). The top portion (125) includes an upper surface and a bottom surface and each of the side portion (126), the front portion (127), and the rear portion (128) includes an inner surface and an outer surface. The upper surface of the top portion (125) and the outer surface of each of side portion (126), the front portion (127), and the rear portion (128) together define an outer side of the second holder (115R). The bottom surface of the top portion (125) and the inner surface of each side portion (126), the front portion (127), and the rear portion (128) define an inner side of the second holder (115R).
[00028] Referring to Fig. 3, in view of Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, an inner side of the top portion (125) is attached to the second side (120) of the right side trim cover (114R). The side portion (126) extends downwards from an outer side of the top portion (125) forming the outer wall type structure of the second holder (115R). The front portion (127) of the second holder (115R) extends downwards from a front side (F) of the top portion (125) such that each downward extending side of the front portion (127) are attached with the downward extending sides of the side portion (126) forming a semi closed casing attached to the right side trim member (114R). The rear portion (128) of the second holder (115R) extends downwards from the inner side of the top portion (125) such that each downward extending side of the rear portion (128) are attached with the downward extending sides of the side portion (126) forming a semi closed casing attached to the right side trim member (114R). In addition, the downward extending sides of the rear portion (128) are attached with the second side (120) of the right side trim cover (114R), in order to secure the second holder (115R) with the right side trim cover (114R).
[00029] The right side lamp (116R) is secured on the inner side of the second holder (115R) within the semi-closed cashing attached to the right side trim member (114R) in such a way that the downward extending sides of front portion (127) and side portion (126) of the second holder (115R) are protecting the right side lamp (116R) from any side pressure or force in order to prevent any kind of damage.
[00030] In an embodiment, a bottom cover (not shown) to protect one or more puddle lamps (116) is mounted in a bottom portion of the second holder (115R) and the first holder (115L) to protect the one or more puddle lamps (116) from any damage from bottom side. It is an objective of the invention, that said one or more puddle lamps (116) are disposed so as to provide maximum illumination with minimum utilization of power. This location of the one or more puddle lamps (116) puddle lamps will be useful for the user especially at dark or night conditions when the center stand (106A) of the vehicle is required.
[00031] Referring to Fig. 6, the one or more puddle lamps (116) are connected to the power source (128) (battery or alternator or any other power source) of the vehicle (100) through a manual interface switch 129. In operation, as per the requirement of the user the one or more puddle lamps (116) can be illuminated by activating the manual interface switch (129). The actuation of said one or more puddle lamp (116) is done either through a key or a remote key fob or any communication interface device being carried by the vehicle user or attached to the vehicle (100).
[00032] Referring to fig. 7, another exemplary embodiment of the puddle lamp mounting system is explained as follows. Said puddle lamp mounting system including the one or more lamps (116) being secured with the one or more holders (115), the wiring harness (116W), a control unit (130), and the power source (117). In operation, the control unit (130) is communicatively connected to a vehicle ignition system (131) and is configured to activate the one or more lamps (116) of the puddle lamp mounting system, for a predetermined time, in an event of deactivation of the vehicle ignition system (131). Therefore, the one or more puddle lamps (116) are activated when the vehicle (100) is switching off and puddle lamp is switched ON for a predetermined time ‘t’ before being switched OFF automatically in order to facilitate ease of parking of vehicle in a dark place.
[00033] The above description is provided for the right side mounting arrangement of the puddle lamp mounting system; however, the left side mounting arrangement of the puddle lamp mounting system shall include same embodiments as of the right side. The above description is an exemplary description of the intended invention and does not limit the scope. It is to be understood that 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 Vehicle
F Front portion of 100
R Rear portion of 100
101 Front wheel of 100
102 Front panel assembly 100
103 Front suspension system of100
104 Handle bar assembly of 100
105 Frame structure of 100
106 Floorboard of 100
106A Center stand of 100
107 Seat assembly of 100
108 Transmission system of 100
109 Rear wheel of 100
110 Rear suspension system of 100
111 Rear panel assembly of 100
112 Side panel assembly of 100
113 One or more upper side covers of 112
113L Left upper side cover of 113
113R Right upper side cover of 113
114 One or more side trim cover of 112
114L Left side trim cover of 114
114R Right side trim cover of 114
115 One or more holders
115L First holder of 115
115R Second holder of 115
116 One or more puddle lamps
116L Left side lamp of 116
116R Right side lamp of 116
116W Wiring harness
117 Power source (117)
118 Manual interface unit (118)
119 First side of 114L and 114R
120 Second side of 114L and 114R
121 Third side of 114L and 114R
122 Fourth side of 114R and 114L
123 First surface of 114R and 114L
124 Second surface of 114R and 114L
125 Top portion of 115L and 115R
126 Side portion of 115L and 115R
127 Front portion of 115L and 115R
128 Rear portion 115L and 115R
,CLAIMS:We claim:
1) A vehicle (100) comprising:
a frame structure 105 extending from a front portion F to a rear portion R of the vehicle 100;
a panel assembly extending rearward from the front portion F to the rear portion R, along the frame structure (105); the panel assembly includes a front panel assembly (102) adapted to cover the front portion F of the vehicle (100), a rear panel assembly (111) adapted to cover the rear portion R of the vehicle (100), and a side panel assembly (112) adapted to cover a center portion C of the vehicle (100); and
a puddle lamp mounting system disposed on at least a portion of the side panel assembly (112).
2) The vehicle (100), as claimed in claim 1, wherein the puddle lamp mounting system includes one or more holders (115) supported with at least a portion of the side panel assembly (112), and one or more lamps (116) being secured with the one or more holders (115).

3) The vehicle (100), as claimed in claim 1, wherein the side panel assembly (112) includes one or more side trim covers (114), that supports the one or more holders (115) of the puddle lamp mounting system.

4) The vehicle (100), as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more holders (115) includes a top portion (125), a side portion (126), a front portion (127), and a rear portion (128); the side portion (126), the front portion (127), and the rear portion (128) extends downward from the top portion to form a semi-closed casing.

5) The vehicle (100), as claimed in claim 1 and claim 4, wherein the one or more lamps (116) being secured in the semi-closed casing of the one or more holders (115).
6) The vehicle (100), as claimed in claim 3 and claim 4, wherein an inner side of the top portion (125) and the rear portion (128) of the one or more holders (115) is attached to the at least a portion of the one or more side trim covers (114).

7) The vehicle (100), as claimed in claim 1, wherein said one or more puddle lamps (116) are disposed substantially near a horizontal line AA’ passing through a floor board (106) of the vehicle (100).

8) The vehicle (100), as claimed in claim 1, wherein the puddle lamp mounting system includes a manual interface switch (129), a wiring harness (116W), and a power source (117) such as the wiring harness (116W) is connecting the one or more lamps (116) to the power source (115).

9) The vehicle (100), as claimed in claim 8, wherein the one or more lamps (116) of the puddle lamp mounting system are configured to be activated using the manual interface switch (129).

10) A vehicle (100) comprising:
a frame structure 105 extending from a front portion F to a rear portion R of the vehicle 100;
a panel assembly extending rearward from the front portion F to the rear portion R, along the frame structure (105); the panel assembly includes a front panel assembly (102) adapted to cover the front portion F of the vehicle (100), a rear panel assembly (111) adapted to cover the rear portion R of the vehicle (100), and a side panel assembly (112) adapted to cover a center portion C of the vehicle (100); and
a puddle lamp mounting system disposed on at least a portion of the side panel assembly (112); the puddle lamp mounting system including one or more holders (115) supported with at least a portion of the side panel assembly (112), one or more lamps (116) being secured with the one or more holders (115), a wiring harness (116W), a control unit (130), and a power source (117);
wherein the control unit (130) is communicatively connected to a vehicle ignition system (131), the control unit (130) being configured to activate the one or more lamps (116) of the puddle lamp mounting system, for a predetermined time, in an event of deactivation of the vehicle ignition system (not shown).