SUPPORTING MEMBER FOR MOTORCYCLE ANTERIOR BODY STRUCTURE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present subject matter relates generally to an improvement in the body structure of a vehicle, and more particularly, to a supporting member for an anterior body structure for a straddle type vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Hitherto, the anterior body structure of a straddle type vehicle predominantly includes a headlamp assembly resting on the main frame of the vehicle through a main stay. The headlamp assembly is a major styling accessory to improve the aesthetic appearance of the vehicle and comprises of a headlamp, headlamp fairing, visor, headlamp front housing, headlamp rear housing, instrument cluster and blinkers. At least one blinker is provided on each lateral side of the vehicle so that an operator of the vehicle can signify his intention to turn or change direction while travelling on the road. Thus, blinkers are a functional as well as style component of the vehicle. A left blinker is present on the left side of the anterior body structure of the vehicle and a right blinker is present on the right side of anterior body structure of the vehicle.

[0003] Generally, a blinker is mounted on the headlamp front housing through a bent distal end portion of a side inclined portion of a blinker supporting stay on either side. The blinker supporting stay itself is disposed on a lower portion of a cowl supporting stay (or main stay).

[0004] However, the centre of gravity of anterior body structure of the vehicle has an offset with respect to mounting on the main frame due to the geometry and placement of components like headlamp, instrument cluster and blinkers. Moreover, vibrations produced by the engine are transmitted to these components through the main frame and the corresponding mounting points including the main stay. Due to the offset of centre of gravity and vibrations produced by the engine, the components of headlamp assembly are prone to fatigue failures. Additionally, frequent headlamp rattling and inadequate damping is also experienced leading to dissatisfaction of the vehicle operator. Specifically, when the blinker is directly connected to the headlamp front housing, the headlamp front housing is more prone to fatigue failure caused by the blinker mass and overhang, coupled with the vibration fatigue load generated by the engine.

[0005] Hence, the present subject matter is directed to overcome all or any of the problems as set forth above and obviate the lacunae in the prior art. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a supporting member for an anterior body structure of a straddle type vehicle to improve the durability of anterior body structure of the vehicle, preferably the headlamp front housing. It is another object of the present invention to disclose a supporting member for a headlamp front housing of a straddle type vehicle to mount a blinker on the headlamp assembly to improve its durability. It is yet another object of the present invention to propose a mounting mechanism for a blinker in the anterior body structure of a straddle type vehicle and enhancing the aesthetic appearance of the overall headlamp assembly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] To this end, the present invention discloses an anterior body structure for a straddle type vehicle comprising of a headlamp, a headlamp front housing for covering the said headlamp on the anterior portion of the vehicle, a headlamp rear housing present rearward to the headlamp, at least one blinker on a lateral portion of the headlamp, at least one supporting member toward the internal surface of the headlamp rear housing for strengthening the said headlamp front housing of the vehicle wherein a portion of the blinker is supported on the headlamp front housing through the supporting member in such a way that the blinker is present toward the outer surface of a lateral portion of the headlamp front housing and the supporting member, is present toward the internal surface of the lateral portion of the headlamp front housing.

[0007] According to an aspect of the present invention, the supporting member further comprises at least two plates angularly disposed to each other, at least two openings namely a small opening and a large opening for attachment to the blinker, and at least two overhangs, namely an upper overhang for arresting the vertical movement of the supporting member and a lower overhang for covering the inside of the supporting member in the assembled condition.

[0008] The foregoing objectives and summary provide only a brief introduction to the present subject matter. To fully appreciate these and other objects of the present subject matter as well as the subject matter itself, all of which will become apparent to those skilled in the art, the ensuing detailed description of the subject matter and the claims should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] 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. 1 shows a side view of a motorcycle according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of an anterior body structure of the motorcycle according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the anterior body structure of the motorcycle illustrating a state in which headlamp rear housing is removed from the anterior body structure of the motorcycle.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the anterior body structure of the motorcycle showing the assembly of a supporting member for the anterior body structure.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the supporting member assembled according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a detailed view of the supporting member of the anterior body structure of the motorcycle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[00010] In order that those skilled in the art can understand the present invention, the invention is further described below so that various features of the anterior body structure and its supporting member thereof proposed here are discernible from the description thereof set out hereunder. However these descriptions and the appended drawings are only used for those skilled in the art to understand the objects, features, and characteristics of the present invention and not to be used to confine the scope and spirit of the present invention. In the supporting FIGs, the same reference numerals are given to members and parts having the same functions. In the ensuing exemplary embodiments, the vehicle is a straddle ride type vehicle like a motorcycle. However, it is contemplated that the concepts of the present invention may be applied to other types of vehicles within the spirit and scope of this invention. For example, the vehicle may be any straddle ride type vehicle that may use a supporting member for an anterior body structure such as a scooter, moped or a motorcycle.

[00011] 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 vehicle. Furthermore, a longitudinal axis refers to a front to rear axis relative to the vehicle, while a lateral axis refers generally to a side to side, or left to right axis relative to the vehicle.

[00012] The present invention is now explained with the help of rendered FIGs 1 to 6. FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a typical motorcycle 1 which comprises a body frame assembly made up of a number of tubes welded together. The motorcycle 1 has a steerable front wheel 11 and a driven rear wheel 12. The body frame primarily includes a head pipe 101, a main tube approximately horizontal to the ground and enclosed by various motorcycle components and a down tube 102. The head pipe 101 is disposed at a front end of the body frame of the motorcycle and a front fork 103 rotatably carries the front wheel 11. The front fork 103 may be connected to the head pipe 101 by any known type of suspension system. The head pipe 101 supports a steering shaft (not shown) disposed inside the head pipe 101. The upper and lower ends of the steering shaft are fixed on an upper bracket and the under bracket. The front end of the main tube and an upper end of the down tube 102 are connected to the head pipe 101. The down tube 102 extends obliquely downward in front of an engine 200 from the head pipe 101 whereas the main tube extends rearward from the front end thereof.

[00013] The engine E is disposed below the .main tube, and the main tube supports it. The engine may be an engine of a water-cooled type or air-cooled type. Drive force output from the engine is transmitted to the rear wheel 12 via a chain. A front fender 104 is provided below the under bracket to avoid the motorcycle and its occupants from being splashed with mud.

[00014] A fuel tank 105 is disposed above the main tube, on the upper side of the engine E, for storing the fuel for propelling the motorcycle 1. A seat 106 for a driver and a pillion is further provided, with the said seat being placed behind the fuel tank 105 and rearwardly of the main tube.

[00015] The rear wheel 12 revolves about a central axle 13. The axle 13 is supported at each end by a swing arm 14, the swing arm in turn pivotally connected to the body frame of the motorcycle by a rear shock absorber 300. Generally a motorcycle may use any of the two arrangements for rear shock absorbers, namely dual shock and mono shock. However the present invention is exemplified through a dual shock absorber. The dual shock absorbers are fixed at their upper ends to the motorcycle frame. Their lower ends are fixed to the swing arm 14.

[00016] The anterior portion of the motorcycle placed forward to the fuel tank 105 comprises of a headlamp assembly, the headlamp assembly further comprising a headlamp 108 and a visor 107. A handle bar assembly is also provided to steer the motorcycle which comprises a handle bar 110 extending transversely to the vehicle. The handle bar 110 is fixed on an upper bracket 111 and rotatable along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. A handle bar grip 112 is provided at the lateral most end of the handle bar 110 for an operator of the motorcycle so that he can manoeuvre the vehicle by placing his hand on the handle bar grip 112 as shown in FIG. 2. A pair of rear view mirror 109 is mounted one each on either side of the handle bar by the use of brackets. A brake lever (not shown) is attached forwardly of the handle bar 110 generally at the right side of the handle bar 110.

[00017] A vehicle information unit 200 is located in close proximity to the handle bar assembly and forwardly of the operator of the motorcycle. More specifically, it is positioned rearwardly of the visor 107, forwardly to a handle bar assembly and above the headlamp assembly. The vehicle information unit 200 provides information to the vehicle operator regarding the motorcycle engine, motorcycle speed and gear status among other information.

[00018] The headlamp 108 of the motorcycle is surrounded by headlamp front housing 113 at its anterior portion. The posterior portion of the headlamp 108 is covered by a headlamp rear housing 203. The headlamp rear housing is attached to the headlamp 108 at attaching points 202 on either side of headlamp. FIG. 3 shows the anterior body structure of the motorcycle without headlamp rear housing 203.

[00019] Blinkers 204, one on each side of the longitudinal axis, are provided for encouraging safe riding habits and adherence to the vehicle rules of intended jurisdiction. They help the operator of the motorcycle during turning or cornering. They are mounted to the headlamp front housing 113 with the help of a supporting member 201 provided on the internal surface of the headlamp front housing 113.

[00020] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the anterior body structure of the motorcycle showing the assembly of the supporting member. The internal surface 115 of a lateral portion of the headlamp front housing 113 is provided with a plurality of openings 206, 207 for attaching the blinker 204 to the headlamp front housing 113 and a holding structure 208 therein.

[00021] As shown in FIG. 6, the supporting member 201 is preferably a triangular structure disposed towards the internal surface 115 of the lateral portion of the headlamp front housing 113. It is made of at least two plates where a first plate 211, preferably rectangular in shape, is angularly disposed to a second plate 214 which is bolted jointly to the blinker 204 and headlamp front housing 113. The supporting member 201 further comprises at least two openings according to an embodiment of the present invention. One of the openings namely a small opening, preferably smaller, acts as a pip 209 to arrest the rotation of the blinker attached to it. The corresponding portion in the blinker 204 mates with this pip 209. A large opening 210 is also provided to facilitate the attachment of the blinker 204 to the supporting member 201 with the help of a fastener 205.

[00022] The supporting member still further comprises at least two overhangs. One. of the overhangs, namely a lower overhang 213 along vith the first plate 211 and headlamp rear housing 203 covers the other portions of the supporting member 201 so as to improve the appearance of the anterior body structure of the motorcycle when viewed by an operator or onlooker from the rear. An upper overhang 212 fits into the holding structure 208 on the internal surface 115 of the headlamp front housing 113 and arrests the vertical movement of the supporting member 201. Thus the holding structure 208 locates and engulfs a portion of the supporting member 201.

[00023] According to a preferred embodiment, the supporting member 201 may be made of any material including sheet metal.

[00024] The mounting method for the blinker is now described. During assembly, the blinker 204 is first attached to the supporting member 201 towards the internal surface 115 of the lateral portion of the headlamp front housing 113. The attachment is accomplished with the help of a known joining mechanism, preferably the fastener 205. In the assembled condition, the blinker is present towards the outer surface 114 of the lateral portion of the headlamp front housing 113 and the supporting member 201 is present towards the internal surface 115 of the lateral portion of the headlamp front housing 113. The supporting member 201 is kept into its position by the upper overhang 212 which is held into the holding structure 208 of the headlamp front housing 113 and its rotation during motion is curbed by the pip 209. The exploded view of the assembled supporting member 201 along with the blinker is shown in FIG. 5.

[00025] The invention marks an improvement in the body structure of the vehicle, specifically the anterior body structure. The headlamp front housing is less prone to fatigue failure due to presence of supporting member. The supporting member is not connected to the cowl stay and therefore independently supports the blinker. The blinker is not in contact with the main stay in this construction. Further the supporting member acts as a stiffener for the headlamp front housing and reduces the blinker's modal displacement for vertical mode and stress response under the vibration fatigue loads, which leads to lesser stress and strain into headlamp front housing 113. The long life of the headlamp front housing therefore is translated into an increase in its durability. The present invention also removes the need to mount the blinkers on a blinker mounting stay.

[00026] The present subject matter is thus described. The embodiments described are chosen to provide an illustration of principles of the invention and its practical application to enable thereby one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Therefore the forgoing description is to be considered exemplary, rather than limiting, and the true scope of the invention is that described in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. An anterior body structure for a straddle type vehicle comprising of a headlamp, a headlamp front housing for covering the said headlamp on the anterior portion of the vehicle, a headlamp rear housing present rearward to the headlamp, at least one blinker on a lateral portion of the headlamp, at least one supporting member toward the internal surface of the headlamp rear housing for strengthening the said headlamp front housing of the vehicle.

2. The anterior body structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the supporting member further comprises at least two plates angularly disposed to each other, at least two openings namely a small opening and a large opening . for attachment to the blinker, and at least two overhangs, namely an upper overhang for arresting the vertical movement of the supporting member and a lower overhang for covering the inside of the supporting member in the assembled condition.

3. The anterior body structure as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the headlamp front housing further comprises a holding structure on the internal surface of the lateral portion of the headlamp front housing which locates the upper overhang of the supporting member.

4. The anterior body structure as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the supporting member is attached to the blinker through the large opening with the help of a fastener, the small opening functioning as a pip to arrest the rotation of the blinker.

5. The anterior body structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein the supporting member is made of any material including metal.

6. The anterior body structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein the straddle type vehicle is a motorcycle.

7. A mounting method comprising a headlamp assembly, the headlamp assembly further comprising a headlamp, a headlamp front housing for covering the headlamp on an anterior portion of the vehicle, a headlamp rear housing present rearward to the headlamp, at least one blinker on a lateral portion of the headlamp, at least one supporting member toward the internal surface of the headlamp rear housing for strengthening the headlamp front housing of the vehicle;

wherein a portion of the blinker is supported on the headlamp front housing through the supporting member in such a way that the blinker is present toward the outer surface of a lateral portion of the headlamp front housing and the supporting member is present toward the internal surface of the lateral portion of the headlamp front housing.

8. The anterior body structure substantially as herein described and illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings.