Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present invention relates to two-wheeled vehicles and more particularly to rear panel assembly for two-wheeled vehicles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] In two wheeled vehicles such as a scooter type vehicle, a console unit is mounted on a handlebar of the vehicle supported and housed within a cover of the handlebar. The console unit is a display member/instrument cluster which enables communication between the vehicle and an operator of the vehicle. A typical console unit is a digital or analogous device which communicates vehicle parameters such as speed, mileage, light status, fuel status and the like. Lately, advance digital console units also help with navigation, trip meter and connect with a mobile device of the operator of the vehicle to display messages and the like on the go.
[003] Conventionally, the handlebar cover is designed to accommodate the console unit through a window in the handlebar cover. The window is shaped and designed such that the handlebar cover will have space/configurations to accommodate and take mountings of the console unit. The console unit is directly mounted on the handlebar cover through the window.
[004] However, this configuration has disadvantages with regards to accommodating the console unit. Since the console unit is mounted directly on the handlebar cover, the precision required in manufacturing the handlebar cover is high and the allowed tolerances are very low. Besides, the low tolerances need to be maintained bilaterally especially with respect to alignment of the mounting means for the console unit. This is desirable to avoid any stress while mounting/fixing the console unit to the handlebar cover. The digital console unit is a sensitive and critical electronic instrument and any stress due to a misfit between the console unit and the mounting means on the handlebar cover is not desired. Requirement of high precision in manufacturing adds to the cost and difficulty in manufacturing.
[005] Besides, the handlebar cover when mounted and fixed on the handle of the vehicle may warp and the dimensions may slightly vary. This adds to the difficulty while mounting and assembling the console unit and adds to the stress on the digital device.
[006] Thus, there is a need in the art for a configuration of the handlebar cover for vehicles, which addresses at least the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[007] In one aspect, the present invention is directed at a rear panel assembly for a two-wheeled vehicle comprising a rear panel for housing and supporting components of the vehicle and a detachable console cover for mounting and supporting a console unit of the vehicle. The rear panel has a viewing window adapted to receive the console unit of the vehicle. The detachable console cover is adapted for mounting and supporting the console unit of the vehicle. The console cover is detachably mounted on the rear panel through the viewing window.
[008] In an embodiment, the console cover has a bottom portion b and a plurality of peripheral walls. The plurality of peripheral walls are joined to the bottom portion to form a container shape of the console cover. The peripheral walls have a plurality of ribs. The console unit is supported by the plurality of ribs. The ribs add strength to the peripheral walls of the console cover.
[009] In an embodiment, the bottom portion b has a plurality of windows. The console unit has a submerged portion. The submerged portion is surrounded by the console cover upon mounting of the console unit. The console unit is fastened to the console cover at the plurality of windows using console fastening means.
[010] In an embodiment, the plurality of windows includes a coupler window and a plurality of mounting windows. The coupler window is adapted for connection of couplers of the console unit to the components of the vehicle. The plurality of mounting windows is adapted for mounting the console cover onto the rear panel.
[011] In an embodiment, the console unit has a viewing portion for communication with an operator of the vehicle. The viewing portion projects out of the viewing window. The rear panel has a flange face at an inner boundary of the viewing window. The console cover has an overlap step on a top periphery of the peripheral walls. The flange face is adapted to flush fit with the overlap step upon mounting of the console cover on the rear panel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[012] Reference will be made to embodiments of the invention, examples of which may be illustrated in accompanying figures. These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the invention is generally described in context of these embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these particular embodiments.
Figure 1A illustrates a schematic view of a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 1B illustrates a part of the vehicle in a side view, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 2 illustrates a rear panel assembly in an exploded perspective view and a console unit, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 3 illustrates a console cover of the rear panel assembly in a perspective view, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 4 illustrates a rear panel of the rear panel assembly in a perspective view, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 5 illustrates the console unit in a side view, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 6 illustrates a sectional view of the rear panel along with the console cover, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[013] The present invention relates to a rear panel cover for a two wheeled vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to a rear panel assembly for two wheeled vehicles such as a scooter type vehicle.
[014] Figure 1A illustrates a schematic view of a vehicle 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As an example, the vehicle 100 is a scooter type vehicle. The vehicle 100 has a transmission system (not shown) including an internal combustion engine (not shown) as a prime mover, that is disposed behind a floorboard 114 and below a seat assembly 116 and/or a storage bin (not shown). In an embodiment, the transmission system includes an electric motor (not shown) or a combination of the electric motor and the internal combustion engine as the prime mover as per design feasibility and requirement. The vehicle 100 has a front wheel 118 and a rear wheel 120.
[015] A head pipe 104 supports a steering shaft (not shown) and a front suspension (not shown) attached to the steering shaft through a lower bracket (not shown). The front suspension supports the front wheel 118. The upper portion of the front wheel 118 is covered by a front fender 122 mounted to the front suspension. In an embodiment, the front fender 122 is movable along with the front wheel 118, during travel over undulations on a road surface. A handlebar 124 is fixed to upper bracket (not shown) and can rotate about the steering shaft for turning the vehicle 100. A headlight 128 and an instrument cluster 126 is arranged on an upper portion of the head pipe 104.
[016] The rear wheel 120 is arranged below the seat assembly 116 and adapted to receive the motive force from the prime mover. A suitable transmission assembly is provided for transferring the drive force from the prime mover onto the rear wheel 120 for driving the vehicle 100.
[017] Further, as shown in Figure 1B, the handlebar 124 supports a rear panel assembly 200 (as shown and explained in greater details with reference to Figures 2-6), in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
[018] Figure 2 illustrates the rear panel assembly 200 in an exploded perspective view and the console unit 126, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The rear panel assembly 200 comprises a rear panel 210 for housing and supporting components of the vehicle 100, and a detachable console cover 220 for mounting and supporting the console unit 126 of the vehicle 100.
[019] The components of the vehicle 100 housed and supported by the rear panel include electrical wiring connections for various components such as a horn, the headlight 128, part of the steering shaft/rod, the head pipe 104 and the like. The rear panel 210 has a viewing window 212 adapted to receive the console unit 126 of the vehicle 100. The viewing window 212 is a cut-out in the rear panel 210 and is carved out during the manufacturing process such as injection moulding and the like. The console cover 220 is detachably mounted on the rear panel 210 through the viewing window 212. The viewing window 212 is substantially rectangular in shape with corners chamfered symmetrically in a first direction and asymmetrically in a second direction. The first direction is perpendicular to the second direction.
[020] Figure 3 illustrates the console cover 220 in perspective view in greater details, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The console cover 220 has a bottom portion 220b and a plurality of peripheral walls 220w. The plurality of peripheral walls 220w is joined to the bottom portion 220b to form a container shape of the console cover 220. A profile of the the console cover 220 is adapted to substantially match an underside profile 126p of the console unit 126. The profile of the console cover runs substantially parallel to the underside profile 126p of the console unit. In another embodiment, the profile of the console cover 220 does not match with the underside profile of the console unit 126 and the console cover 220 is flexible to accommodate the underside profile 126p of the console unit 126.
[021] The console cover 220 is in the shape of a container or a tub. The plurality of peripheral walls 220w may run as a single smooth curved vertical wall and form the vertical portion of the console cover 220. The plurality of peripheral walls 220w is joined to the bottom portion 220b to form a container/tub shape. The console cover 220 is approximately container or tub-shaped when seen from the vehicle side view. The console cover 220 extends in vehicle frontward to rearward direction leaning towards a vehicle front and also extends away from a vehicle centre.
[022] In an embodiment, the peripheral walls 220w have a plurality of ribs 220r. The console unit 126 is supported by the plurality of ribs 220r on the peripheral walls 220w. The plurality of ribs 220r add strength to the peripheral walls 220w of the console cover 220. The ribs 220r protrude like projections perpendicular to a surface of the peripheral walls 220w and add strength to the peripheral walls 220w of the console cover 220.
[023] In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the bottom portion 220b has a plurality of windows 222. The plurality of windows includes a coupler window 222c and a plurality of mounting windows 222m. Rubber bushes may be inserted into the plurality of windows 222. The rubber bushes dampen the vibrations which may be passed on to the console unit 126 from the vehicle 100 through the console cover 220.
[024] Figure 5 illustrates the console unit 126 in a side view, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The console unit 126 has a submerged portion 126s. Upon mounting of the console unit 126 on the console cover 220, the console unit 126 is inserted into the console cover partially upto the submerged portion 126s. The submerged portion 126s is surrounded by the peripheral walls 220w from the sides and the bottom portion 220b from the bottom. A rest of the portion of the console unit 126 apart from the submerged portion 126s is not submerged into the console cover 220 and is not surrounded by the peripheral walls 220w. The console unit 126 is fastened to the console cover 220 at the plurality of windows 222 using console fastening means. The plurality of ribs 220r abut a bottom surface of the console unit 126 on its submerged portion 126s and ensures appropriate seating.
[025] The coupler window 222c is adapted for connection of couplers of the console unit 126 to the components of the vehicle 100. The plurality of mounting windows 222m is adapted for mounting the console cover 220 onto the rear panel 210.
[026] In accordance with an embodiment, the console unit 126 has a viewing portion 126v for communication with the operator of the vehicle 100. The viewing portion 126v projects out of the viewing window 212 and provides visual access to a display unit of the console unit 126 to the operator of the vehicle 100.
[027] Figure 6 illustrates a sectional view of the rear panel 210 along with the console cover 220, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The rear panel 210 has a flange face 210f at an inner boundary of the viewing window 212. The console cover 220 has an overlap step 220s on a top periphery of the peripheral walls 220w. The flange face 210f is adapted to flush fit with the overlap step 220s upon mounting of the console cover 220 on the rear panel 210. The console cover 220 is mounted on the rear panel 210 from inside with an overlap along a mating boundary and appears as a single component when viewed from outside. At the mating boundary, the peripheral walls 220w of the console cover 220 attain a shape of the overlap step 220s so as to overlap the flange face 210f of the rear panel 210 for a predefined width of the rear panel 210. The predefined width is chosen based upon design considerations, strength and aesthetics. In an embodiment, the overlap step 220s is provided on the complete top periphery of the peripheral walls 220w. In another embodiment, the overlap step 220s is provided only on a part of the top periphery of the peripheral walls 220w. The overlap between the console cover 220 and the rear panel 210 helps in achieving the flush fit.
[028] Advantageously, the rear panel assembly provided by the invention enables a modular construction for the handlebar cover of the vehicle. This enables accommodating of a modular instrument console unit and thus a common console unit can be accommodated for multiple/different vehicles. Also, the time required for designing a new handlebar cover is considerably reduced when accommodating a new design for a new console unit because only the console cover and not the whole rear panel/cover needs to be redesigned. Further, the split construction enabled by the invention reduces cost of manufacturing and adds to ease of manufacturing. Further, during replacement of the console unit including a new design console unit, only the console cover needs to be removed/replaced and the rear panel may remain same and fixed. This reduces the cost and time involved in replacement of the console unit, thus reducing the service cost and time.
[029] Further, since the invention makes the console unit mounting independent of the rear panel, the material of the rear panel and the console cover may be chosen independently of each other depending upon the strength and flexibility requirements. Besides, because of the flush fit between the flange face and the overlap step, the console cover and the rear panel appear to be a single component when viewed from outside maintaining the aesthetics of the vehicle.
[030] While the present invention has been described with respect to certain embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modification may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims. , Claims:WE CLAIM:
1. A rear panel assembly (200) for a two-wheeled vehicle (100), the rear panel assembly (200) comprising:
a rear panel (210) for housing and supporting components of the vehicle (100), the rear panel (210) having a viewing window (212) adapted to receive a console unit (126) of the vehicle (100); and
a detachable console cover (220) for mounting and supporting the console unit (126) of the vehicle (100), the console cover (220) being detachably mounted on the rear panel (210) through the viewing window (212).

2. The rear panel assembly as claimed in claim 1, where in the console cover (220) has a bottom portion (220b) and a plurality of peripheral walls (220w), the plurality of peripheral walls (220w) being joined to the bottom portion (220b) to form a container shape of the console cover (220).

3. The rear panel assembly (200) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the peripheral walls (220w) have a plurality of ribs (220r), the console unit (126) being supported by the plurality of ribs (220r), the plurality of ribs (220r) adding strength to the peripheral walls (220w) of the console cover (220).
4. The rear panel assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the bottom portion (220b) has a plurality of windows (222), the console unit (126) having a submerged portion (126s), the submerged portion (126s) being surrounded by the console cover (220) upon mounting of the console unit (126), the console unit (126) being fastened to the console cover (220) at the plurality of windows (222) using console fastening means.

5. The rear panel assembly (200) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the plurality of windows (222) includes a coupler window (222c) adapted for connection of couplers of the console unit (126) to the components of the vehicle.

6. The rear panel assembly (200) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the plurality of windows (222) includes a plurality of mounting windows (222m) adapted for mounting the console cover (220) onto the rear panel (210).

7. The rear panel assembly (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the console unit (126) has a viewing portion (126v) for communication with an operator of the vehicle, the viewing portion (126v) projecting out of the viewing window (212).

8. The rear panel assembly (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the rear panel (210) has a flange face (210f) at an inner boundary of the viewing window (212), and
the console cover (220) has an overlap step (220s) on a top periphery of the peripheral walls (220w);
the flange face (210f) being adapted to flush fit with the overlap step (220s) upon mounting of the console cover (220) on the rear panel (210).

Dated this 19th day of May 2022
TVS MOTOR COMPANY LIMITED
By their Agent & Attorney

(Nikhil Ranjan)
of Khaitan & Co
Reg No IN/PA-1471