TECHNICAL FIELD

The subject matter as described herein, in general, relates to illumination systems and, in particular, relates to an illumination system for illuminating interiors of a storage box in a two-wheeled vehicle.

BACKGROUND

A storage box or utility box is a common feature in conventional two-wheeled vehicles, such as scooters and motorcycles, to store various articles including documents, a helmet, and a tool kit. Typically, the storage box is disposed below a seat of the vehicle such that the seat acts as a lid for the storage box. Such a storage box is often provided with an illumination system having an illuminating element, such as a lamp, to illuminate interiors of the storage box.

A typical illumination system used in conventional two wheelers is based on the movement of a plunger operatively coupled to the illuminating element. In such a system, the plunger functions as a switch for activating or deactivating an associated electric circuit. The plunger is coupled to the seat such that the movement of the seat controls the movement of the plunger.

Generally, when the seat is lifted to open the storage box, the plunger movement activates the electric circuit, thereby energizing the illuminating element, which is in contact with a battery. Likewise, when the seat is lowered to close the storage box, the plunger movement deactivates the electric circuit, thereby de-energizing the illuminating element. However, misalignment and dimensional variations in the plunger with respect to the switch or the seat often result in erratic functioning of the plunger. Consequently, the electric circuit may not function properly. Due to this, the illuminating element may, at times, remain illuminated even when the storage box is closed, causing unnecessary draining of the battery; or the illuminating element may not illuminate at all when needed, thereby defeating the purpose of having such a system. Additionally, aggregation of dust and seepage of moisture around the plunger and other electrical components of the electric circuit may also cause the illumination system to malfunction.

SUMMARY

The subject matter described herein is directed to an illumination system for illuminating interiors of a storage box provided in a two-wheeled vehicle. A lid of the storage box facilitates opening and closing of the storage box, which is attached to a body frame of the two-wheeled vehicle. The illumination system includes a first magnet, which can be disposed either on the body frame or on the lid of the storage box, and a switch, which is operated by a magnetic field of the first magnet. An illuminating element is located inside the storage box and is operatively coupled to the switch. The illuminating element is activated or deactivated to illuminate or darken the interiors of the storage box.

The illumination system of the present subject matter is reliable and durable. Due to the employment of the magnetically operable switch, occurrences of switch failure, owing to reasons such as friction at contacts of the switch, are reduced. Further, the illumination system is compact, less complex, and cost effective.

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present subject matter will be better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The above and other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter will be better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:

Fig. la and Fig. lb illustrate schematic diagrams depicting various electrical components of an illumination system for a storage box, according to an embodiment of the present subject matter.

Fig. 2 illustrates an exemplary switch of the illumination system of Fig. la and Fig. lb, according to an embodiment of the present subject matter.

Fig. 3 illustrates an exemplary storage box of a two-wheeled vehicle having the illumination element of Fig. la and Fig. lb, according to an embodiment of the present subject matter.

Fig. 3a and Fig. 3b illustrate an exemplary positioning of an illuminating element of the illumination system as shown in Fig. la and Fig. lb, according to an embodiment of the present subject matter.

Fig. 3c illustrates a mounting arrangement for the illuminating element of Fig. 3a and

Fig. 3b, according to an embodiment of the present subject matter.

Fig. 4a, Fig. 4b, and Fig. 4c illustrate various electrical components of the illumination system as shown in Fig. la and Fig. lb, according to an embodiment of the present subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject matter described herein relates to an illumination system for illuminating interiors of a storage box of a two-wheeled vehicle. Conventional illumination systems in small vehicles, such as two-wheeled vehicles, include a plunger mechanism for activating or deactivating an associated circuit to energize or de-energize an illuminating element.

In such an illumination system, the plunger, which is operatively coupled to the illuminating element, functions as a switch. The plunger completes the circuit by directly engaging the electrical contacts of the circuit. Alternately, the electrical contacts can be bridged by a connecting means to complete the circuit.

In this type of illumination system, friction at the contacts of the circuit causes wear and tear at the contacts, thereby resulting in the malfunctioning of the illumination system. Additionally, since the plunger is not sealed, ingress of dust and moisture inside the illumination system may result in rusting and consequently, erratic and improper functioning of the plunger and other electro-mechanical components of the illumination system.

To this end, an illumination system having a non-contact switch, such as a reed switch, has been described. The illumination system, according to an implementation, includes a circuit having the non-contact switch, hereinafter referred to as switch, an illuminating element, and a power source, connected together in series. The circuit is activated or deactivated through the switch, and accordingly the illuminating element is energized or de-energized. According to an aspect of the present subject matter, the switch is operable by a first magnet.

In one embodiment, the first magnet is placed on a seat base of the vehicle. The switch may be disposed on a body frame of vehicle, for example, below a pillion handle of the body frame. In said embodiment, the seat base Sanctions as a lid of the storage box and the switch is operated in accordance with the movement of the seat base. Based on the movement of the seat base, the switch is activated when the first magnet is at a predefined distance from the switch.

In order to prevent the switch from being rusted due to moisture ingress, an housing for the switch may be provided. In addition to providing a cover for the switch and protecting the switch from constant wear and tear, the housing may also provide resistance against vibrations, thereby ensuring efficient functioning of the illumination system.

Fig. la and Fig. lb show a schematic diagram illustrating exemplary electrical components of an illumination system 100, according to an embodiment of the present subject matter. In one embodiment, the illumination system 100 includes a circuit having various electric components connected in series. The circuit may include a switch 105, an illuminating element 110, and a power source 115, such as a battery. The electric connections may be made by using insulated copper wires or electric leads.

In one implementation, the switch 105 is a non-contact switch such as a reed switch. The switch 105 may be operated by a magnetic field of a first magnet 120, such as a permanent magnet or an electromagnet. The switch 105 may be a normally open (NO) or normally closed (NC) reed switch. In one implementation, the switch 105 is the NC reed switch. In said implementation, in the absence of the magnetic field, a pair of contacts of the switch 105 is in a closed position, and the circuit is electrically activated. However, when the switch 105 is under the influence of the magnetic field, the contacts of the switch 105 are caused to open and the circuit is electrically deactivated.

Generally, the storage box is open or closed according to a movement of a lid of the storage box. In one embodiment, the first magnet 120 is placed on the lid of the storage box, and accordingly the switch 105 opens or closes with the movement of the lid. In operation, when the lid is an open position, i.e., the storage box is open, the first magnet 120 is positioned such that the first magnet 120 is at a distance greater than or equal to a predefined distance, say D, from the switch 105. The predetermined distance D may be based on the strength of the first magnet 120; the stronger the first magnet 120 the more the predefined distance D. In the open position of the lid, the magnetic field of the first magnet 120 has no effect on the switch 105. Consequently, the contacts of the switch 105 remain closed, which means the switch 105 is activated, and the illuminating element 110 is energized through the power source 115, hereinafter referred to as battery 115. On the other hand, when the lid is in a closed position, i.e., the storage box is closed, the first magnet 120 is at a distance less than the predefined distance D from the switch 105. Accordingly, the contacts of the switch 105 are caused to open and the switch 105 is deactivated, thereby de-activating the circuit. This prevents the flow of electric current from the battery 115 to the illuminating element 110, thereby de-energizing the illuminating element 110.

In another embodiment, the illumination system 100 may include a manual switch (not shown in the figures), which functions as a master switch to activate or de-activate the circuit. In said embodiment, the manual switch is in series with the switch 105. A user may de-activate the circuit, and therefore the illuminating element 110, by selecting an OFF state of the manual switch. On the other hand, the circuit is activated when the contacts of the switch 105 are in the closed position and the manual switch is in an ON state. In addition, the user may select a particular state of the manual switch based on the requirements. For example, the user may select the OFF state of the manual switch during day time.

In yet another embodiment, the illumination system 100 may include a light dependent resistor (LDR) or a photo sensor. The LDR is incorporated in the circuit such that when light is incident on the LDR, the circuit behaves as an open circuit, i.e., the circuit is de-activated. Consequently, the illuminating element 110 is not energized during optimum light conditions, thereby preventing unnecessary drainage of battery 115.

Fig. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the switch 105, according to an embodiment of the present subject matter. Typically, a pair of contacts 205-1 and 205-1, collectively referred to as contacts 205, of the switch 105 are sealed in an envelope 210, such as a sealed glass envelope. A first slot 215-1 is provided at the contact 205-1 and a second slot 215-2 is provided at the contact 205-2, to connect the contacts 205 to other electric components of the illumination system 100 through electric leads or copper wires. The envelope 210 may be filled with an inert gas to prevent the contacts 205 from oxidizing or rusting. In one embodiment, the switch 105 is placed inside a housing 220. The housing 220 is provided to protect the switch 105 and the connections between the contacts 205 and the electric leads from dust, water, and vibrations.

The illumination system 100 may also include a second magnet 225 enclosed in the housing 220. The second magnet 225 may be a permanent magnet having a magnetic field weaker than the magnetic field of the first magnet 120. The second magnet 225 may be stationary with respect to the switch 105, i.e., the second magnet 225 does not move with the movement of the lid of the storage box. In one implementation, the second magnet 225 is placed in proximity to the switch 105. The second magnet 225 provides a magnetic field that adds to the magnetic field of the first magnet 120 to ensure proper functioning of the illumination system 100. In case where the lid vibrates during riding, the second magnet 225 maintains the contacts 205 in place and prevents the illumination system 100 from activating the illuminating element 110.

Fig. 3 illustrates a storage box 305 of a two wheeled vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present subject matter. The storage box 305 is disposed underneath a seat base (shown in Fig. 4), which is hinge-fitted to a rear end of a body frame 307 of the two-wheeled vehicle, hereinafter, vehicle. The storage box 305 forms a storage portion with the seat base acting as the lid of the storage box 305. To locate articles kept inside the storage box 305 during low light conditions, the vehicle employs the illumination system 100. As illustrated in Fig, 3, the storage box 305 rests on the body frame 307 of the vehicle. To illuminate the interiors of the storage box 305, the battery 115 is used to energize the illuminating element 110. In one implementation, the battery 115 is a vehicle battery and may be disposed below the storage box 305. However, a separate battery can also be provided for the illumination system 100.

Although the present subject matter is described in detail with respect to a storage box disposed underneath a seat base of the vehicle, however many embodiments or variations of the present subject matter may be made. For example, the illumination system 100 may be provided on a storage box disposed on a lateral side of the vehicle. Additionally, the storage box may be provided with a detachable lid or a hinged lid.

Fig. 3a illustrates an exemplary position of the illuminating element 110 located in the storage box 305, and Fig, 3b illustrates an enlarged view of the illuminating element 100, according to an embodiment of the present subject matter.

As explained earlier, the illumination system 100 energizes and de-energizes the illuminating element 110 in accordance with the movement, for example, a pivotal movement, of the seat base. The illuminating element 110 may include, but is not limited to, bulbs, lamps, light emitting diodes (LEDs) or LED lamps. In one embodiment, the illuminating element 110 is secured to an interior of the storage box 305, near a point where the seat is pivoted to the body frame to ensure proper and uniform illumination inside the storage box 305. In an implementation of said embodiment, the illuminating element 110 is composed of a plurality of illuminating elements 110 disposed inside or in proximity of the storage box 305, for example, on an inner surface or base of the lid. The storage box 305 may include multiple illumination circuits or a single illumination circuit to illuminate the plurality of illuminating elements 110.

Fig. 3c illustrates a mounting arrangement for the illuminating element 110 of Fig. 3a and
Fig. 3b, according to an embodiment of the present subject matter. The illuminating element 110 may be fitted inside the storage box 305 by a snap fit arrangement 310, as illustrated in Fig. 3c. However, any other fitting arrangement known in the art may also be used. The employment of the snap fit arrangement 310 eliminates the use of fasteners, thereby facilitating easy assembling and disassembling of the illuminating element 110 lowering of the associated cost.

Fig. 4a, Fig. 4b, and Fig. 4c illustrate the various components of the illumination system 100, according to an embodiment of the present subject matter.

Fig. 4a illustrates an exemplary positioning of the switch 105, according to an embodiment of the present subject matter. The switch 105 serves the purpose of electrically activating or deactivating the circuit connecting the battery 115 and the illuminating element 110 to energize or de-energize the illuminating element 110. In one implementation, the switch 105 is disposed at a rear end of the body frame 307, for example, near a pillion handle 410. Such a location of the switch 105 prevents any damage to the switch 105 during loading or unloading of the storage box 305. The switch 105 may be affixed to the body frame 307 using any suitable means such as screws, Velcro or an adhesive tape.

Further, since the switch 105 is actuated by a magnetic field and not by an external mechanical force, such as the force exerted by a plunger, fictional losses at the contacts 205 of the switch 105 are reduced. Additionally, the switch 105 is placed such that the opening of the storage box 305 causes the switch 105 to close. In one embodiment, the first magnet 120 is disposed on a seat base 415 of the vehicle, as illustrated by Fig. 4b.

In an implementation, the first magnet 120 is disposed at a rear end of the seat base 415 before a foam assembly is fitted thereon. Since the first magnet 120 is on the seat base 415, the first magnet 120 moves in accordance with the movement of the seat base 415. Hence, as and when the seat base 415 is moved to close the storage box 305, the first magnet 120 moves to a position where the first magnet 120 comes in proximity to the switch 105, and the distance between the first magnet 120 and the switch 105 becomes less than the predefined distance D.

Consequently, the magnetic field of the first magnet 120 causes the contacts 205 of the switch 105 to open and deactivate the circuit.

On the other hand, when the seat base 415 is moved to open the storage box 305, the first magnet 120 moves away from the switch 105, and the distance between the first magnet 120 and the switch 105 tends to increase. When the distance between the two becomes equal to or greater than the predefined distance D, the magnetic field of the first magnet 120 has no effect on the switch 105, thereby letting the contacts 205 of the switch 105 close.

Fig. 4c illustrates a relative placement of the switch 105 and the first magnet 120 when the storage box 305 is closed, as described in the earlier figures. As illustrated, according to an embodiment, the switch 105 is disposed on a bottom face of the pillion handle 410, while the first magnet 120 is placed on the rear end of the seat base 415. The rear end of the seat base 415 is engaged with the body frame 307 such that the seat base 415 may pivot upward or downward to open or close the storage box 305. Accordingly, the first magnet 120 also moves, thereby activating or de-activating the illumination system 100.

It would be appreciated that the positioning of the various components of the illumination system 100 is for the purpose of illustrations only and not to limit the scope of the present subject matter* The positioning of the various components can be different in different implementations of the illumination system 100. For example, the first magnet 120 may be disposed on the body frame 307 and the switch 105 may be provided on the seat base 415.

The previously described versions of the subject matter and its equivalents thereof have many advantages, including those, which are described below. The subject matter described herein provides a compact, useful, and cost-effective illumination system. The illumination system 100 includes the switch 105, which is operated by a magnetic field and is resistive to wear and tear losses and friction. Further, the housing of the switch 105 restricts entry of moisture and dust particles inside the illumination system 100, thereby ensuring efficient functioning of the switch 105, electrical connections, and other electrical components of the illumination system 100 for a longer period of time.

Accordingly, the illumination system 100 is reliable and durable. The illumination system 100 also prevents unnecessary battery drainage.

Although the subject matter has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, other embodiments are possible. As such, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred embodiment contained therein.

I/We claim:

1. A two-wheeled vehicle comprising:

a body frame (307); and

a storage box (305) attached to the body frame (307), the storage box (305) comprising a lid to open and close the storage box (305); and

an illumination system (100) to illuminate interiors of the storage box (305);

characterized in that,

the illumination system (100) comprises,

a first magnet (120) disposed on one of the body frame (307) and the lid of the storage box (305);

a switch (105) operated by a magnetic field of the first magnet (120); and

at least one illuminating element (110) located in the storage box (305), to illuminate interiors of the storage box (305), wherein the illuminating element (110) is operatively coupled to the switch (105).

2. The two-wheeled vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the storage box (305) is disposed under a seat base (415) of the two-wheeled vehicle and wherein the lid is the seat base (415) of the two-wheeled vehicle.

3. The two-wheeled vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the switch (105) is a normally closed reed switch.

4. The two-wheeled vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the switch (105) is disposed on a pillion handle (410).

5. The two-wheeled vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the illumination system (100) further comprises a power source (115) coupled to the switch (105) and the illuminating element (110).

6. The two-wheeled vehicle as claimed in claim I, wherein the illumination system (100) further comprises a second magnet (225) placed in proximity to the switch (105), and wherein the second magnet (225) has a magnetic field weaker than the magnetic field of the first magnet (120).

7. The two-wheeled vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the switch (105) is placed in a housing (220).

8. The two-wheeled vehicle as claimed in claim 7, wherein the housing (220) includes a second magnet (225).

9. The two-wheeled vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the illumination system (100) further comprises a light dependent resistor (LDR).

10. The two-wheeled vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the illumination system (100) further comprises a manual switch connected in series with the switch (105).