EP3642101A1

EP3642101A1 - A rear fender structure for a two wheeled vehicle

Info

Publication number: EP3642101A1
Application number: EP18821466.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Dighole Meghashyam Laxman; Palanisamy NANDAKUMAR; Shailesh Kumar; Veeranna Mahadevappa NAVALLI; Rajput Bharat ARVIND; Venkata Mangaraju KARNAM
Original assignee: TVS Motor Co Ltd
Current assignee: TVS Motor Co Ltd
Priority date: 2017-06-20
Filing date: 2018-06-13
Publication date: 2020-04-29
Also published as: WO2018234935A1; EP3642101A4

Abstract

The present subject matter discloses a two wheeled vehicle (100) comprising a swing arm swingably pivoted to a frame assembly (102) and having a rear wheel axle (301) at one end supporting a rear wheel (105). The rear wheel axle (301) along with the rear wheel (105) is configured to be moved horizontally forward and backward on the swing arm (204) to eliminate the chain drive slackness. A rear fender structure (200) is disposed on the swing arm (204), enclosing at least a portion of the rear wheel circumferential surface (105a), and said rear fender structure (200) fixed to the rear wheel axle (301). This arrangement ensures during adjustment of chain slackness, the rear fender structure (200) moves along with rear wheel and ensures the gap between the rear wheel (105) and the rear fender structure (200) is constant.

Description

A REAR FENDER STRUCTURE FOR A TWO WHEELED VEHICLE

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present subject matter relates generally to a two wheeled vehicle. More particularly, the present subject matter relates to a rear wheel fender employed to prevent the entry of mud thrown by a rear wheel of the two wheeled vehicle.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Generally, in a straddle type two-wheeled vehicle a frame assembly extends rearward from a head tube. The frame assembly is a structural member that acts as a skeleton for the vehicle which supports the vehicle loads. A front portion of the frame assembly connects a front wheel through one or more front suspension(s). The frame assembly extends towards a rear portion of the vehicle. A rear wheel is swingably connected to a frame assembly through a swing arm and secured through one or more rear suspension(s). An engine assembly is mounted to the frame assembly of the vehicle. The engine assembly is functionally connected to the rear wheel, which provides the forward motion to the vehicle. Typically, two wheeled vehicles employ fenders over the wheels to prevent mud, dirt, water and other debris from being thrown into the air when the two wheeled vehicle travels over the road. In straddle type two wheeled vehicles such as motorcycles the rear fender is secured to a frame assembly of the two wheeled vehicle over the rear wheel or to the swing arm to cover a portion over the rear wheel. When the rear fender is mounted over the rear wheel, it is mounted in such a way that it will function effectively at an optimum distance between the rear fender and the rear wheel. But, due to adjustment of chain slackness by moving the rear wheel and axle assembly the gap between the rear fender and rear wheel will vary. This variation affects the function of the rear fender. In order to alleviate one or more drawbacks, a new rear fender structure and its mounting arrangement is proposed in the present subject matter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0003] The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like features and components.

[0004] Fig. 1. illustrates the side view of a two wheeled vehicle employing an embodiment of the present subject matter.

[0005] Fig. 2a. illustrates the side view of the rear wheel and swing arm assembly along with the rear fender structure according to the embodiment of present subject matter.

[0006] Fig. 2b. illustrates the isometric view of the rear wheel and swing arm assembly along with the rear fender structure according to the embodiment of present subject matter.

[0007] Fig. 3. illustrates the isometric view of the rear fender structure and the saree guard structure mounted on the rear fender structure according to the embodiment of the present subject matter.

[0008] Fig. 4. illustrates the exploded view of the rear fender structure and the saree guard structure mounted on the rear wheel assembly according to the embodiment of the present subject matter.

[0009] Fig. 5a. illustrates the side view of a chain adjusting bracket according to the embodiment of the present subject matter.

[00010] Fig. 5b., Fig. 5c, and Fig. 5d. illustrates the various views of the chain adjusting bracket according to the embodiment of the present subject matter.

[00011] Fig. 6a, Fig. 6b. and Fig. 6c. illustrates right side view, rear view and the left side view of another second embodiment of the present invention using a single arm.

[00012] Fig. 7a. and Fig. 7b. illustrates the exploded view of the second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[00013] Various features and embodiments of the present subject matter here will be discernible from the following further description thereof, set out hereunder. According to an embodiment, the two wheeled vehicle described here relates to a straddle type two wheeled vehicle colloquially called a motorcycle wherein a rider has to straddle and sit. The rear fender structure is mounted on the chain adjustor and the axle of the rear wheel. It is contemplated that the concepts of the present subject matter may be applied to other types of vehicles such as a two wheeled scooter type vehicles within the spirit and scope of this invention. 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 from a rear portion of the two wheeled vehicle and looking forward. Furthermore, a longitudinal axis unless otherwise mentioned, refers to a front to rear axis relative to the engine, while a lateral axis unless otherwise mentioned, refers generally to a side to side, or left to right axis relative to the vehicle. The detailed explanation of the constitution of parts other than the present subject matter which constitutes an essential part has been omitted at suitable places.

[00014] In some two wheeled vehicles, such as a straddle-type vehicle (also called motorcycle) the IC engine is mounted forwardly below a frame assembly. Since the IC engine in the motorcycle is mounted forwardly, it typically has some end- transmission means such as a chain and sprocket to transfer the driving force of the IC engine to the rear wheel of the two wheeled vehicle. The rear wheel is swingably attached to the frame assembly through one or more rear suspension system. Typically, a swing arm is used for this purpose. One end of the swing arm is swingably connected to the frame assembly of the vehicle and other of the swing arm rotatably supports the rear wheel. Generally, in such vehicles the rear fender structure disposed above the rear wheel is either attached to the frame assembly or attached to the swing arm. The rear fender structure is installed such a way that it will function at its best by having an optimum clearances with rear wheel. When the rear fender structure is mounted on swing arm or on the frame assembly, it maintains a fixed position irrespective of rear wheel position being adjusted on swing arm. Generally, a slot is provided on either side of the swing arm to adjust the chain slackness by moving the rear wheel back and front. During execution of the above mentioned exercise, the gap between rear fender structure and the rear wheel keeps varying. When the rear wheel is adjusted and brought front, there is more gap is observed between the rear wheel and rear fender structure. When the rear wheel is adjusted and taken back, less gap is available. This variation in the gap is having impact on the overall function of the rear fender structure. The variation in gap impairs the functionality of preventing mud, dust, water and debris from splashing upwards.

[00015] Further, in two wheeled vehicles, pillion passengers especially female passengers largely wish to sit side straddle. Hence, a specially structure known as saree guard is usually mounted which helps prevent sarees, dupattas and long skirts from getting tangled in the rear wheel. The saree guard also usually mounted on the frame assembly or the swing arm. On adjustment of rear wheel on the slot of the swing arm, the saree guard coverage area is misaligned. This causes a potential safety risk of the pillion rider and hence must be avoided. The saree guard is usually disposed only on one side of the two wheeled vehicle.

[00016] It is an object of an embodiment of the present invention to provide mounting of wheel hugger complete on chain adjuster to maintain uniform clearance with rear wheel.

[00017] Hence, it is an object of the present subject matter is to provide a two- wheeled vehicle employed with a rear fender structure. According to one aspect, the rear fender structure is disposed to enclose at least a portion of the rear wheel circumferential surface, and said rear fender structure fixed to the rear wheel axle. Hence, during adjustment of chain slackness the rear fender structure moves along with rear wheel and ensures the gap between the rear wheel and the rear fender structure is constant. This is achieved by providing a chain adjuster bracket on one side or both sides of the rear wheel axle and secured to the swing arm. The rear fender structure comprises a central member, and two arms namely a first arm and a second arm on either side of the two wheeled vehicle supporting the central member. Each of the said first arm and a second arm is connected to the chain adjustor bracket. The rear fender structure can be made of multi piece or one piece part.

[00018] According to another aspect, a saree guard is disposed on one of said first arm or second arms such that, it covers a substantially upper portion and rear portion of the rear wheel. This ensures that on adjustment of rear wheel due to movement on the swing arm, the saree guard coverage area is not misaligned.

[00019] With the above design changes, the rear fender structure prevents throwing up of debris to the upper regions, and further this function is not impeded when the rear wheel alignment is shifted due to chain slackness adjustment. Further, the rear fender structure permits the mounting of a saree guard. The rear fender structure enables ease of assembly; the number of parts is reduced and is simple in construction.

[00020] The present subject matter along with all the accompanying embodiments and their other advantages would be described in greater detail in conjunction with the figures in the following paragraphs.

[00021] Fig. 1 illustrates a side view of a two wheeled straddle type vehicle, for example, a motorcycle according to an embodiment. The two wheeled vehicle (100) according to an embodiment extends from the front portion (F) to the rear portion (R) and is supported by a frame assembly (102). In the present embodiment, the frame assembly is a trellis type frame, and is made of light weight metal alloy tubes joined together in a triangular form to reinforce and support the vehicular components. The two wheeled vehicle (100) includes a front wheel (104) steered by a handlebar (108) and a rear wheel (105) supported by a swing arm (113). Steering assembly parts including the visor assembly (131), the handlebar (108) and the front wheel (104) are supported for pivotal steering operation on a head tube (not shown) of the frame assembly (102) at the front end of the frame assembly (102). A rider seat (109) for a rider and a seat for a pillion rider (110) is placed rearward to a fuel tank (114). The IC engine (101) is disposed below the fuel tank (114) on the front portion of the two wheeled vehicle. The two wheeled vehicle comprises two large side panels (120) (only one shown) disposed on either side enclosing the sides of the front portion (F) of the two wheeled vehicle (100). The side panel (120) extends from the visor assembly (131) on the upper region till the IC engine (101) on the lower region almost enclosing the all components supported by the main frame portion (103) of the two wheeled vehicle (101). A chain drive is coupled to a drive member of the IC engine on one side and to a driven member of the rear wheel (105). The chain drive extends substantially in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle (100) and disposed adjacently on one side of the rear wheel (105). The two wheeled vehicle (100) further comprises of a headlamp (111), a tail lamp assembly (112) and at least two turn signal lamps.

[00022] A front fender (115) is provided above the front wheel (104) to avoid the vehicle occupants from being splashed with mud. Likewise, a rear fender structure (200) is placed above the rear wheel (105), and to the outer side in the radial direction of rear wheel (105). The rear fender structure (200) inhibits debris, mud, rainwater or the like from being thrown up by rear wheel (105). The rear fender structure (200) is disposed upwardly of the rear wheel (105) covers at least a portion of the rear wheel (105) in the top rearward portion. The swing arm (113) along with a rear suspension assembly (107) is supported at a rear portion (R) thereof for pivotal motion by the frame assembly (102). A front suspension assembly (106) includes a pair of front forks (106a and 106b) for providing better ride comfort to the rider (601). In general terms, both the front suspension (106) and rear suspension (107) act as shock absorbers and help cushion the vehicle on uneven roads. The rear wheel (105) is provided with a rear brake disc (121) that is concentrically disposed about the rear wheel (105) and the rear caliper is mounted to the swing arm (204) of the vehicle (100) in proximity to a rear wheel axle (301). The rear brake disc is actuated by a rear caliper (122) and a rear brake pedal (123), which is an actuating member, is coupled to the rear caliper (122) through a brake hose assembly (not shown) that is disposed adjacently of the rear wheel (105) on another side. It is to be noted that the features of the present subject matter are equally applicable in a vehicle having drum brake mechanism.

[00023] Fig. 2a. illustrates the side view of the rear wheel and swing arm assembly along with the rear fender structure and Fig. 2b. illustrates the isometric view of the rear wheel and swing arm assembly along with the rear fender structure according to the embodiment of present subject matter. The rear fender structure comprises a central member (202) that is disposed below the rear seat and covering at least a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the rear wheel (105). Further, the rear fender structure includes a first arm (203a) and a second arm (203b) disposed on either side of the rear wheel and is connected to a chain adjustor bracket (302) connected to the rear wheel axle (301). A first arm (203a) and a second arm (203b) support the central member (202) over the rear wheel (105) and hence form a rear wheel hugger. The rear fender structure (200) is disposed substantially away from the rear suspension (107) and in a zone perpendicularly upper position of a rear wheel (105). This way, mud and water splash will not be thrown upwards to the discomfort of the pillion rider and the clothing of the pillion rider. Further, a saree guard (205) is mounted on the rear fender structure (200).

[00024] Fig. 3. illustrates the perspective view of the rear fender structure (200) and the saree guard (205) according to the embodiment of the present invention. The saree guard (205) is mounted on the first arm (203a) and adapted to cover the rotating rear wheel (105) in at least right quadrant of the rear wheel (105) as viewed from the vehicle side. It can further cover the top half and right half of the rear wheel (105) beyond the swing arm (204) as viewed from the vehicle side. The saree guard (205) comprises a top portion (205a) and a rear portion (205b) that are integrally formed as one piece and affixed to the first arm (203a) using fasteners (see Fig. 4). The saree guard (205) can be made of multiple portions within the scope of the present subject matter. The rear fender structure including the central member (202), the first arm (203a), and the second arm (203b) can be separately assembled and a single piece or can be integrally formed. The rear fender structure (200) is made up of a rigid material for example resin structure, steel alloy or the like.

[00025] Fig. 4a. illustrates the exploded view of the rear fender structure (200) and the saree guard (205) mounted on the rear wheel assembly according to the embodiment of the present subject matter. The rear fender structure (200) is secured to the rear wheel axle (301). Hence, on chain adjustment wherein a chain adjustment fastener (411) is loosened and the entire rear wheel axle (301) along with the rear wheel (105) is shifted forward or backward on the swing arm (204), the rear fender structure (200) moves along with the rear wheel axle (301) to maintain a constant gap between the rear wheel circumferential surface (105a) and the rear fender structure (200).

[00026] As illustrated in Fig. 5a, a chain adjustor bracket (302) is mounted on both ends of the rear wheel axle (301) and facilitates the adjustment of the rear wheel axle (301) to the swing arm (204). Two fasteners on either side secures the rear wheel axle (301) on the swing arm through the chain adjustor bracket (302). Hence, during chain slackness adjustment, the fasteners (411) or either side as loosened and the rear wheel axle (301) is adjusted by moving it in front direction or rear direction. The chain adjustor bracket (302) is made to project in a horizontal rearward direction and comprising a receiving portion (302a) with plurality of holes (302b) at its end. The receiving portion (302a) is configured to receive and facilitates the mounting of the first arm (203a) and second arm (203b) of the rear fender structure (200) on the chain adjustor bracket (302) on either side of the swing arm (204). The plurality of holes (302b) match with corresponding holes on the end of the first arm (203a) and second arm (203b) through which fasteners can be inserted and secured. Hence, on chain adjustment by movement of rear wheel axle (301) on the swing arm (204), the rear fender structure (200) moves along with the rear wheel axle (301) to maintain a constant gap between the rear wheel (105) and the rear fender structure (200).

[00027] The chain adjustor bracket (302) is designed advantageously on either side of the two wheeled vehicle width direction to support the two arms (first arm 203a and second arm 203b) of the rear fender structure (200). The chain adjustor bracket (302) can be further manufactured by any one of the manufacturing process such as casting, forging, sheet metal work to impart strength and have improved properties. Further, the chain adjustor can be made of superior resin material using metal inserts to impart necessary strength. Furthermore, in some jurisdictions the legal requirements of saree guard (205) is not required. Then, the saree guard (205) can be detachably attached or even not attached to the arm (203a) of the rear fender structure (200).

[00028] It is evident for a person skilled in the art that the rear fender structure (200) can be formed only by having one arm supporting the central member (202) on any of the sides of the two wheeled vehicle. This embodiment is now described with reference to Figures 6a, 6b, 6c and Figures 7a and 7b. Same reference numerals have been used to describe similar elements in this embodiment as used in the previous first embodiment. In the following figures, the central member (202) is supported by only one arm, namely a first arm (203a) on the right-hand direction of the two wheeled vehicle. In this embodiment, the first arm (203a) is connecting the central member (202) to the chain adjustor bracket (302) is covered by the central member (202) having an extended portion (202a) covering the first arm (203a). The same is illustrated in Fig. 7a and 7b. The mounting scheme of the rear fender structure (200) in this embodiment is as follows: the central member (202) and the saree guard (205) is mounted to the first arm (203a). The first arm (203a) is mounted to the chain adjustor bracket (302), and the chain adjustor bracket (302) is mounted to the rear wheel axle (401) which in turn is connected on both sides by the swing arm (204).

[00029] The chain adjustor bracket (205) can be suitably modified to be elongated to support a single arm rear fender structure (200), and hence it is not necessary to adopt the same shape as described. [00030] 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.

Claims

We claim:

1. A two wheeled vehicle (100) comprising: a frame assembly (102), extending from a front portion (F) to a rear portion (R) along a longitudinal axis (F-R);

a front wheel disposed to the front portion (F) of the frame assembly

(102); and a rear wheel (105) swingably connected to the frame assembly (102) through a swing arm (204);

an internal combustion (IC) engine (101) mounted to the front portion (F) of the frame assembly (102), said IC engine (101) connected to the rear wheel (105) through a chain drive;

said swing arm (204) swingably pivoted to the frame assembly (102), said swing arm (204) comprising a rear wheel axle (301) disposed at its rear end, said rear wheel axle (301) supporting the rear wheel (105), and said rear wheel axle (301) along with the rear wheel (105) configured to be moved horizontally forward and backward on the swing arm (204) to eliminate the chain drive slackness; wherein, a rear fender structure (200) is disposed on the swing arm (204), said rear fender structure (200) enclosing at least a portion of the rear wheel circumferential surface (105a), and said rear fender structure (200) fixed to the rear wheel axle (301).

2. The two wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said rear fender structure (200) comprising: a central member (202) disposed above the rear wheel (105) to enclose at least a portion of the rear wheel circumferential surface (105a); and at least one arm (203a, 203b) disposed on either side of the two wheeled vehicle (100) supporting the central member (202).

3. The two wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said rear wheel axle (301) comprises at least one chain adjustor bracket (302) disposed on either one of the ends of the rear wheel axle (301). The two wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein said chain adjustor bracket (302) is configured to project in a horizontal rearward direction, said ends of the chain adjustor bracket (302) secured to a first arm (203a) and a second arm (203b) on either side of the two wheeled vehicle (100).

The two wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein said chain adjustor bracket (302) configured to project in a horizontal rearward direction, said ends of the chain adjustor bracket (302) secured to one arm (203a).

The two wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein said chain adjustor bracket (302) is made of plastic material with metal inserts.

The two wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the central member (202) is disposed rear of the rear wheel axle (301) in a zone perpendicularly upper position of a rear wheel (105).

The two wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a saree guard (205) is detachably attached on one arm (203a) of the rear fender structure (200), said saree guard (205) configured to cover the zone of upper and rearward region of the rear wheel (105).