VEHICLE INFORMATION UNIT FOR A STRADDLE TYPE VEHICLE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present subject matter relates generally to an anterior portion of a straddle type vehicle, and more particularly, to a vehicle information unit displaying information related to the vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Generally, an anterior portion of a straddle type vehicle comprises of a vehicle information unit disposed rearwardly to a headlamp assembly with one of its surfaces facing towards the atmosphere. The vehicle information unit includes a plurality of consoles which provide information of varied types about the vehicle to the vehicle operator thereby giving him a sense of control and ensuing safety thereof. The information imparted may be analog or digital.

[0003] The vehicle information unit is generally inclined to provide a proper viewing angle to the operator. However if the viewing angle is not optimum, the operator encounters viewing difficulties while riding the vehicle. For example, when the vehicle is in running condition, particularly under the sunlight, it becomes difficult for the operator to view the information provided by the vehicle information unit which may prove to be troublesome for him or compromise his safety.

[0004] Additionally, the vehicle information unit is exposed to the environment which makes it susceptible to rain. In a typical construction, the walls surrounding any of the consoles of the vehicle information unit are uniform in height having equidistant wall depths. As a result, rain water is accumulated over the console surface owing to lack of a water passage. Thus, there are chances of water stagnation and condensation of water droplets over the consoles which may lead to improper display of the vehicle information to the operator.

[0005] Further, it is also observed that the rain water may seep inside the console (which may be of digital type) through the periphery and interfere with the functionality of the console and further affect the durability of the vehicle information unit.
[0006] 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 subject matter to provide a vehicle information unit with a plurality of consoles displaying the vehicle running information, while effectively augmenting the viewing experience of an operator of the vehicle, preferably in the event of a rainfall or sunlight. It is another object of the present subject matter to disclose a durable vehicle information unit for a straddle type vehicle for preventing water stagnation in the console of the said unit. A further object of the present subject matter is to provide a cost effective, easy to assemble, detachable vehicle information unit showing trouble free, easily graspable information for an operator of a vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] To this end, the present subject matter discloses a vehicle information unit removably attached to a straddle type vehicle, disposed anterior to the handle bar assembly and posterior to the headlamp assembly, and comprising of a plurality of consoles, namely the left, right and central console, constructed as a single unit wherein the vehicle information unit is mounted at the anterior portion of the vehicle at an angle of forty nine degrees to the ground plane.

[0008] According to an aspect of the present invention, the vehicle information unit has a water draining provision. The central console is substantially surrounded at its periphery by a wall in such a way that the wall provides longest wall depth with respect to the display region at the anterior portion of the central console and tapers towards the rear portion thus providing shorter wall depth. The tapering wall terminates at the rearmost portion of the central console to form an opening for rain water to flow out without being stagnated.

[0009] According to another aspect of the present subject matter, the vehicle information unit further includes a housing for covering the outer periphery of the left console and the right console.

[00010] According to a further aspect of the present subject matter, the central console is arranged at the centre of the lateral axis of the vehicle information unit and comprises of a display area showing vehicle speed, engine rpm, fuel status, service due status. In a preferred embodiment, the central console has a digital display.

[00011] 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

[00012] 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 straddle type vehicle fitted with the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a top view of an anterior portion of the vehicle including a vehicle information unit according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 depicts the top view of the vehicle information unit.

FIG. 4 illustrates a sectional view of the vehicle information unit according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 depicts the perspective view of the anterior portion of the vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[00013] The subject matter described herein relates to an anterior portion of a straddle type vehicle provided with a vehicle information unit. The novelty of the present subject matter, among other things, resides in the advantageous construction and mounting of the vehicle information unit to provide better viewing to an operator during improper environmental conditions and also prevent water stagnation during rainy conditions. It is to be noted that the present subject matter is equally workable with any straddle type vehicle capable of accommodating the said vehicle information unit, including a motorcycle or a scooter type motorcycle.

[00014] Further "anterior" and "posterior", and "left" and "right" wherever referred to in the ensuing description refer to 'front' and 'rear', and left and right directions as seen in a state of being seated on a seat of the saddle type vehicle. Furthermore, a longitudinal axis refers to an anterior to posterior 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. Various other features and embodiments of the anterior portion of the vehicle provided with the vehicle information unit according to the present subject matter here will be discernible from the following further description thereof, set out hereunder.

[00015] The anterior portion with vehicle information unit is now described in detail in connection with the rendered FIG. 1-5. FIG. 1 shows a side view of a typical two wheeled straddle type vehicle in the form of a motorcycle capable of accommodating the present subject matter. The vehicle 1 comprises a body frame assembly made up of a number of tubes welded together. The vehicle 1 has a steerable front wheel 11 and a driven rear wheel 12. The body frame primarily includes a head pipe 101 disposed at a front end of the body frame, a main tube running across the longitudinal axis of the vehicle 1 and enclosed by several vehicle components, and a down tube 102. A front fork 103 is connected to the head pipe 101 through any known type of suspension system for the front wheel and rotatably carries the front wheel 11. 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 an under bracket (both not shown). 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 E from the head pipe 101 whereas the main tube extends rearward from the front end thereof.

[00016] A front fender 104 is provided below the under bracket to avoid the vehicle and its occupants from being splashed with impurities including mud, water, wet soil and the like. Similarly, a rear fender is provided proximately to the rear wheel 12. A fuel tank 105 is disposed above the main tube for storing the fuel for propelling the vehicle 1. A seat 106 for a driver and a pillion is further provided, with the said seat 106 being placed behind the fuel tank 105 and rearwardly of the main tube.

[00017] The said vehicle 1 is powered by the internal combustion engine E disposed below the main tube and supported by the down tube 102. The engine may be liquid-cooled or air-cooled. Drive force output from the engine E is transmitted to the rear wheel 12 through a transmission system.

[00018] Further, the rear wheel 12 revolves about a sprocket splined shaft (or 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 vehicle 1 by a suspension 300. Generally a saddle type vehicle may use any of the two arrangements for rear suspensions, namely dual suspension and mono suspension. However the present vehicle is exemplified through a dual suspension system. Both suspensions in the suspension system are fixed at their upper ends to the vehicle frame and at their lower ends to the swing arm 14.

[00019] FIG. 2 shows an anterior portion of the said vehicle including a vehicle information unit according to the present invention. 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. The handle bar assembly further comprises of a handle bar 110 extending transversely to the vehicle. The handle bar 110 is rotatably fixed on an upper bracket 111 and is used to steer the vehicle. 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 112 is attached forwardly of the handle bar generally at the right side of the handle bar 110.

[00020] A vehicle information unit according to the present invention, referenced by the numeral 200, is now explained with the help of FIGS. 3-5. The said vehicle information unit is mounted in the space behind the visor 107 and rests on a headlamp supporting member (not shown) of the headlamp assembly. However, if the vehicle is devoid of any visor as in naked motorcycles, the vehicle information unit described here would still be usable. The vehicle information unit 200 is located in close proximity to the handle bar assembly and forwardly of an operator of the vehicle. More specifically, it is positioned rearwardly of the visor 107, forwardly to the handle bar assembly and above the headlamp assembly.

[00021] In a preferred embodiment, a peripheral cover 203 surrounds the vehicle information unit 200 along its outer peripheral surface and is in continuous contact with the visor surface 107. The vehicle information unit 200 is at a higher elevation to the peripheral cover 203. The peripheral cover 203 is laterally connected to the visor surface at least at two places. The peripheral cover is attached to the visor surface through a left supporting boss 201 on left side of the longitudinal axis. Likewise the peripheral cover 203 is also attached to the visor surface through a right supporting boss 202 on the right side of the longitudinal axis.

[00022] FIG. 3 shows the top view of the vehicle information unit without the surrounding peripheral cover 203. It comprises of a plurality of consoles, preferably three, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. For the purpose of explanation, the three consoles are named as a left console 209, a right console 208 and a central console 205 all constructed as a single unit, thus developing into the vehicle information unit 200 as a whole. The consoles are exposed to the environment. The three consoles are covered on their periphery by a housing 214 of the vehicle information unit 200.

[00023] Each console has a display region to provide vehicle running information to an operator of the vehicle. The display region flashes information either in analog mode or digital mode or just by use of indicators. In a preferred embodiment, the left console 209 comprises vehicle turn signal indicators, a neutral gear indicator, a headlamp focus indicator and the right console 208 displays the vehicle logo. Meanwhile, the central console 205 displays information about vehicle speed, engine rpm, fuel status as well as service due. The central console is made of LCD panel and flashes digital information for enhancing the viewing experience of the operator.

[00024] According to an aspect, the central console 205 is substantially surrounded at its periphery by a wall 204. The wall 204 is connected to the central console display region 210. The wall has a certain width and is constructed in such a way that the wall provides longest wall depth with respect to the display region 210 at the anterior portion of the central console 205. The wall 204 slowly tapers towards the rear portion thus providing shorter wall depth with respect to the display region 210 and terminates at the rearmost portion of the central console to form an opening 212 for rain water to flow out without being stagnated. Thus, the anterior most portion of the central console 205 is elevated and covered due to the wall 204 whereas the posterior most portion is of same height as that of a housing 214 (described later). The long wall depth at the anterior portion and zero wall depth at the posterior portion of the central console 205 help in improving the viewing of vehicle information during improper environmental conditions. For example, when the sunlight falls of the vehicle information unit, the reflections of consoles, specially central console, will decrease but due of tapered construction, the shadow effect will improve resulting in better viewing of vehicle information unit 200. During rainy conditions, the water will not stagnate as it will flow out through the opening 212.

[00025] FIG. 4 illustrates a sectional view of the vehicle information unit 200 according to the present invention. The said unit 200 is angularly disposed with respect to the ground plane. 'A' denotes the angle between the vehicle information unit 200 and the substantially horizontal ground plane. The vehicle information unit 200 is held over the headlamp assembly, mainly a stay, through the mounting points 206. The construction of the vehicle information is such that the optimum A is between forty five and fifty degrees to the ground plane. In a preferred embodiment, the vehicle information unit 200 is mounted behind the visor 107 at an angle of forty nine degrees with respect to the ground plane. This leads to optimum rain water drainage from the central console and also optimum sunlight viewing.

[00026] FIG. 5 depicts the perspective view of the anterior portion of the vehicle. The housing 214 further has an elevated sharp boundary 215. An inclined surface 216, 217 is present on either side of the said boundary 215 so that the top surfaces of the consoles remain at a lesser elevation than the boundary 215. Further, the posterior portion of the central console 205 has a projection 211 for attaching a trip/mode/reset switch so as to prevent the entry of rain water into the circuits thus increasing the durability of the vehicle information unit. The projection 211 is located over an extended portion of the housing 214 of the central console 205.

[00027] The embodied motorcycle is a regular motorcycle with a full-fledged visor. Therefore, the peripheral cover 203 and the vehicle information unit 200 are at a lower elevation to the visor 107. But in case of a naked motorcycle, the anterior portion of the motorcycle is smaller in dimension to augment the naked look and hence the visor, if present is usually very small. In that case, the vehicle information unit and the peripheral cover would be at a higher elevation than the visor. The peripheral cover would be only partially attached to the visor and would be supported on the headlamp stay. The forty nine degree mounting would optimize the operator's view during sunlight conditions.

[00028] According to a further aspect, the vehicle information unit is easily detachable from the anterior portion of the motorcycle and may be made of any material including plastic resin.

[00029] The present subject matter and its equivalent thereof offer many advantages, including those which have been described henceforth. The vehicle information unit facilitates better viewing of the vehicle related information to the operator as it is preferably positioned at forty nine degrees to the ground plane unlike the usual vehicle information units and has a tapered construction at the centre. The unit 200 has maximum wall depth at the anterior most portion of the central console and no wall depth at the posterior most portion as the wall of the central console terminates there. The tapered construction prevents the shadow effect during sunlight reflection thereby enhancing operator's viewing experience.

[00030] Additionally the overall construction of the vehicle information unit 200 does not permit stagnation of the rain water. The tapered wall of the central console towards the posterior and the opening let the rain water flow out without getting accumulated. More so, the angular disposition with respect to the ground plane also helps flushing out the water. Since the rain water does not stagnates, so the condensation is minimum. This improves the visibility of the vehicle information unit to the operator thereby ensuring better safety and control over the vehicle. The projection in the central console further prevents the rain water from going into the electrical circuits and avoids water entry inside the digital display thereby ensuring its durability. The vehicle information unit as a whole improves the aesthetics of the anterior portion of the vehicle.

[00031] 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. A vehicle information unit removably attached to a straddle type vehicle, the said vehicle information unit comprising a plurality of consoles constructed as a single unit, the consoles including a left console, a right console and a central console,

wherein the vehicle information unit is mounted at the anterior portion of the vehicle at an angle falling in the range between forty five degrees and fifty degrees with respect to the ground plane;

and wherein the central console is substantially surrounded at its periphery by a wall in such a way that the wall provides longest wall depth with respect to a display region at the anterior portion of the central console, tapers towards the rear portion thus providing shorter wall depth and terminates at the rearmost portion of the central console to form an opening for rain water to flow out without being stagnated.

2. The vehicle information unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vehicle information unit further comprises a housing for covering the outer periphery of the left console and the right console.

3. The vehicle information unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vehicle information unit is surrounded by a peripheral cover which connects it to the headlamp assembly.

4. The vehicle information unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said central console is arranged at the centre of the lateral axis of the vehicle information unit.

5. The vehicle information unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said display region of the central console shows information including vehicle speed, engine rpm, fuel status and service due status to the vehicle operator.

6. The vehicle information unit as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the central console has a digital display.

7. The vehicle information unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vehicle information unit is disposed anterior to the handle bar assembly and posterior to the headlamp assembly.

8. The vehicle information unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vehicle information unit is made of any material including plastic resin.

9. The vehicle information unit substantially as herein described and illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings.