EP4126644A1

EP4126644A1 - Cowl assembly of a saddle type vehicle

Info

Publication number: EP4126644A1
Application number: EP21781191.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ravi Kumar Balu Goka; Ravisankar Rajamani; Shanmukha Pradeep Kurmam; P Ganesan; Manivannan Thirumal; George Jithu; Sahanashree HEGGADAHALLY MANJUNATHA
Original assignee: TVS Motor Co Ltd
Current assignee: TVS Motor Co Ltd
Priority date: 2020-03-31
Filing date: 2021-03-18
Publication date: 2023-02-08
Also published as: WO2021199067A1; CO2022013868A2; CN115335278A

Abstract

The present subject matter discloses about a cowl assembly (200) for a saddle type vehicle (100) comprising a first cowl member (204), a second cowl member (205), a light source unit (114) housed in the first cowl member (204), one or more position lamp unit (401) housed in the first cowl member (204), and a cluster (117) housed above the first cowl member (204), where the first cowl member (204) comprises one or more position lamp housing (202, 203) covered with one or more translucent cover (202a, 203a) which is independently detachably attached to the first cowl member (204).

Description

COWL ASSEMBLY OF A SADDLE TYPE VEHICLE

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present subject matter described herein relates to a saddle type vehicle, and particularly but not exclusively relates to a cowl assembly of a saddle type vehicle.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Conventionally, a saddle type vehicle, such as a motorcycle, includes a frame assembly comprising one or more frame members including a main frame, a head tube, a rear sub frame and a swing arm. The head tube is disposed towards the front end of the saddle type vehicle. The main frame extends from the head tube and the rear sub frame and the swing arm are secured pivotally to the other end of the main frame.

[0003] The head tube is configured to support a cowl assembly that is used for housing a head lamp unit. Conventionally, the cowl assembly not only houses the head lamp unit but also houses at least a portion of a handlebar member. Thus, the head lamp unit is disposed in a front portion of the vehicle. In addition to the head lamp, the cowl assembly is also provided with one or more front positioning lamp(s), which are designed to use minimum possible electric energy, so that they can be left “ON” when parked, especially during night time, for enhancing standing-vehicle conspicuity. When viewed from front, these position lamps are low-intensity lamps that are designed to indicate to road users the presence and widthwise dimensions of the vehicle during parked condition.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] The detailed description is described with reference to a saddle type two wheeled motorcycle along with the accompanying figures. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like features and components.

[0005] Fig.l illustrates a side view of a two wheeler comprising a cowl assembly in accordance with an aspect of the present subject matter

[0006] Fig.2 illustrates a perspective view of the cowl assembly in accordance with an aspect of the present subject matter.

[0007] Fig. 3 illustrates a front view of the cowl assembly in accordance with an aspect of the present subject matter. [0008] Fig. 4 illustrates exploded view of the cowl assembly when viewed from front side of a vehicle in accordance with an aspect of the present subject matter.

[0009] Fig.5 illustrates exploded view of the cowl assembly when viewed from back side of the cowl assembly in accordance with an aspect of the present subject matter.

[00010] Fig.6 illustrates exploded view depicting mounting of the front position lamp unit and head lamp unit with help of fasteners in accordance with an aspect of the present subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[00011] Conventionally, when viewed from front of a vehicle, a saddle type vehicle has two light source units disposed on the front portion and the rear portion of the saddle type vehicle. Usually, in a saddle type vehicle a cowl assembly is disposed on the body frame of the vehicle, that houses the light source unit and a one or more position lamp unit. The cowl assembly is composed of a first cowl member and a second cowl member fastened together by using fastening means.

[00012] When viewed from front of a vehicle, the cowl assembly disposed on the head tube of a saddle type vehicle houses a head lamp positioned in the front, a handle bar positioned upwardly of the cowl assembly and two front positioning lamps positioned in between the head lamp and the handle bar disposed on each side of the cowl assembly. Generally, the two front positioning lamps are integrated with the head lamp, making the entire combination as one unit, herein referred as a “lamp unit”. Therefore, in cases of any malfunctioning of either of the headlamp or any one of the front position lamps, the entire cowl assembly comprising the lamp unit requires replacement, which becomes a major concern for the rider.

[00013] Along with it, since the two front positioning lamps are integrated with the head lamp, as a single lamp unit, the servicing of any one of the lamp separately without disturbing the other lamp is not feasible, making it highly unserviceable and inconvenient for the maintenance of any or both front position lamps or the head lamp and thus mandating the servicing and maintenance of the complete lamp unit. Therefore, there is a need to provide a cowl assembly of a saddle type vehicle, which provides convenient serviceability and replacement of any one of the lamps without mandating unnecessary replacement and serviceability of the other nearby or peripheral lamps. [00014] Additionally, easy and convenient assembly and disassembly of any or both front position lamps or the head lamp in saddle type vehicles, such as motorcycles, also needs to be ensured. Therefore, there is a need to provide an improved cowl assembly for a saddle type vehicle, which provides an option of convenient assembly and disassembly of any one of the desired lamps.

[00015] Along with it, retrofit-ability of the front position lamps also becomes a challenge when sought to be combined with different head lamp variants. As in conventional forms, when the front position lamps are integrated with the head lamp as a single lamp unit, it is difficult and inconvenient for a manufacturer or a dealer or in some cases a rider to add any new technology or feature to the older lamp unit, making any desired modification in the lamp unit restricted. Therefore, there is additionally a need to provide an improved cowl assembly for a saddle type vehicle, which provides an easy option of retrofit-ability according to desired modifications in the lamp unit.

[00016] Apart from the above mentioned problems, another difficulty arises with the consideration of the aesthetic appeal of the lamp unit as a whole. The improved cowl assembly should be such that the front positioning lamp should be separate and at the same time easily detachable from the head lamp positioned in the cowl assembly, without compromising with the aesthetic appeal in form of undesirable gaps, mis-alignment of the lamp unit and the cowl assembly. Therefore, there exists a need to provide a cowl assembly for a saddle type vehicle, which provides convenient serviceability and replacement of any one of the lamps with ease and convenient assembly and disassembly while allowing for convenient retrofit-ability of the front position lamps additionally without compromising with the aesthetic appeal of the lamp unit and the cowl assembly.

[00017] The present subject matter has been devised in view of the above circumstances as well as solving other problems of known art.

[00018] In an embodiment of the present subject matter, the light source unit disposed on the front portion of the vehicle is a head lamp.

[00019] In another embodiment of the present subject matter the first cowl member is a front cowl member, the second cowl member is the rear cowl member and the position lamp unit is a front position lamp unit. [00020] In an implementation of the present subject matter, the cowl assembly is adapted to accommodate one or more front position lamps (hereinafter also termed as front position lamp unit) independent of a head lamp.

[00021] Further, in an implementation of the present subject matter, the cowl assembly is capable of accommodating one or more front position lamps contained in one or more separate housing provided by the cowl assembly.

[00022] Further, in an implementation, the present subject matter describes the cowl assembly for a saddle type vehicle, where the front cowl member of the cowl assembly is capable of accommodating one or more front position lamp(s) contained in one or more separate housing and one or more front position lamp housing is covered with a translucent resin material. For example, front position lamp unit is covered with translucent plastic cover.

[00023] Still further, in an implementation, the present subject matter describes a cowl assembly for a saddle type vehicle, where the front cowl member is configured to accommodate a front position lamp unit. The front position lamp unit is contained in one or more separate arrow shaped housing, which is covered with translucent plastic cover, and placed perpendicular to the headlamp. The one or more arrow shaped housing are placed on the same axis.

[00024] In an implementation, the present subject matter provides a cowl assembly for a saddle type vehicle, which is capable of accommodating one or more front position lamp(s) contained in one or more separate housing above the headlamp.

[00025] In an implementation, the present subject matter provides a front cowl member, which is capable of accommodating the front position lamp(s) contained in one or more separate housing below a cluster.

[00026] In another implementation, the present subject matter provides a cowl assembly for a saddle type vehicle, which includes one or more front position lamp housing which is independently and detachably attached to the front cowl member.

[00027] Furthermore, in an implementation, the present subject matter provides the construction and arrangement of the cowl assembly which facilitates convenient and independent servicing of one or more front position lamp(s) while also enabling convenient and independent servicing of the head lamp. [00028] Still further, in an implementation, the present subject matter provides a cowl assembly, in which a cover of one or more front position lamp housing is translucent in nature, thus protecting the rider from getting exposed to direct glare produced by one or more front position lamp(s) placed above the head lamp disposed on the cowl assembly.

[00029] In an implementation, the cowl assembly of the present subject matter enables convenient assembly and disassembly of one or more front position lamp(s) owing to minimal number of attaching means used.

[00030] In an implementation, the cowl assembly of the present subject matter is configured to provide distinct conspicuity with respect to one or more housing of the front position lamp(s).

[00031] The present subject matter overcomes all the problems stated above by providing a cowl assembly for a saddle type vehicle as per aspects detailed in the description provided herewith. Cowl assembly supported by a head tube for housing a head lamp unit is disclosed. The front cowl member of the cowl assembly in conventional two wheelers not only houses the head lamp but also houses at least a portion of a handlebar member.

[00032] The cowl assembly as per an aspect of the present subject matter includes a front cowl member at least partially covering a head lamp unit, a rear cowl member detachably attached to the front cowl member and covering the head lamp unit from a rear side thereof. The front cowl assembly also includes a mounting stay for securing the front cowl member and the rear cowl member over a front fork suspension assembly. Further, the front cowl assembly includes one or more front position lamp housing present above the head lamp and below the cluster.

[00033] In another aspect of the present subject matter, the front cowl assembly is adapted to accommodate one or more front position lamp(s) independent of a headlamp. Additionally, the one or more front position lamp housing is disposed above the headlamp unit and below the cluster, to facilitate distinction from the head lamp. Thus in case of any malfunctioning of either of the lamp, that is, head lamp or any of the front position lamp(s), both units can be separately accessed and replaced, unlike the conventional practice of replacing the entire lamp unit. Thus making the replacement easy as well as quick in addition to being more economical by avoiding the unnecessary need of replacing the entire lamp unit. [00034] In another aspect of the present subject matter, the front cowl assembly is capable of accommodating the one or more front position lamp(s) contained in one or more separate arrow shaped housing covered by translucent material, which is placed perpendicularly with parallel reference to the headlamp. The arrow shaped translucent material cover of the one or more front position lamp housing increases the aesthetic appeal of the two wheeler vehicle. Additionally, translucent covering of the FPL housing protects the rider from getting exposed to direct glare produced by the one or more front position lamp(s) placed above the head lamp.

[00035] In another aspect of the present subject matter, the one or more front position lamp housing is formed for accommodating the one or more front position lamp. The one or more front position lamp housing is secured to the front cowl member by mounting on its front surface.

[00036] In another aspect of the present subject matter, at least a portion of the one or more front position lamp housing is independently detachably attached to the front cowl member. Thus, as per an aspect of the present subject matter, disassembly of the front position lamp is achieved by merely disassembling the one or more front position lamp(s). Since the one or more front position lamp(s) can be easily disassembled, serviceability of the one or more front position lamp(s) is conveniently facilitated.

[00037] In another aspect of the present subject matter, the front cowl member enables convenient assembly and disassembly of one or more front position lamp(s) owing to minimal number of attaching means are used, for example, fasteners.

[00038] In another aspect of the present subject matter, the location & disposition of the one or more front position lamp(s)on the front cowl member with respect to head lamp helps in providing distinct conspicuity.

[00039] In another aspect of the present subject matter, the one or more cover of the one or more front position lamp housing is arrow shaped and translucent in nature. Thus aiding in enhancing overall aesthetic appeal of the front cowl member of the saddle type vehicle.

[00040] In another aspect of the present subject matter, disposing the one or more front position lamp(s) upwardly of the headlamp ensures light emitted by the head lamp does not stray due to interference with any portion of the front position lamp. [00041] Thus, the present subject matter not only aids in facilitating mounting of the one or more front position lamp independent of the headlamp, thereby reducing complexity of the headlamp; but also facilitates ease of assembly and disassembly of the one or more front position lamp(s), while allowing any of the front position lamps to be easily serviced.

[00042] Exemplary embodiments detailing features of the front cowl assembly, in accordance with the present subject matter will be described hereunder with reference to the accompanying drawings. Various aspects of different embodiments of the present subject matter will become discernible from the following description set out hereunder. Rather, the following description provides a convenient illustration for implementing exemplary embodiments of the invention. Further, it is to be noted that terms “upper”, “lower”, “right”, “left”, “front”, “forward”, “rearward”, “downward”, “upward”, “top”, “bottom” and like terms are used herein based on the illustrated state or in a standing state of the motorcycle with a driver riding thereon. Furthermore, a saddle type vehicle longitudinal axis refers to a front to rear axis relative to the vehicle, while a two wheeler’s lateral axis refers to a side to side, or left to right axis relative to the vehicle. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[00043] The nature and further characteristic features of the present subject matter will be made clearer from the following descriptions made with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[00044] FIG.l illustrates a side view of a two wheeler 100 comprising a cowl assembly 200in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. A saddle type vehicle 100 comprises of a body frame 118 to support different parts of the vehicle 100. The body frame 118 includes a head tube 107 at its front end. The head tube 107 supports a steering shaft (not shown) rotatably in a certain range. In an upper portion of the head tube 107, a handlebar 102 is rotatably integrally connected to the steering shaft. The handlebar 102 is used to steer the vehicle 100, and is connected to a front wheel 101 through the steering shaft and a front fork assembly 119. An upper portion of the front wheel 101 is covered by a front fender 110 which prevents mud and water from getting deflected towards the steering shaft. Further, the front fork assembly 119 is supported on the front fender 110 by means of a brace fender (not shown).

[00045] In a front portion of the body frame 118 a fuel tank 108 is arranged immediately behind the handlebar 102 and is disposed over an engine 109. A seat 105 is placed behind the fuel tank 108. The seat 105 includes a front rider portion and rear pillion portionl06. The pillion seat 106 is placed on the rear portion of the body frame 118, where the rear portion of body frame 118 is by the tail cover assembly 116.

[00046] For the safety of the rider and in conformance with the traffic rules, a head lampll4 and two turn signal lamps namely indicator right hand side 201a and indicator left hand side 201b (as shown in FIG. 2) are provided in the front portion of the two wheeler 100. The cowl assembly 200, which includes a front cowl member 204 and a rear cowl member 205 coupled to each other through a housing stay as shown in FIG.2. Above the cowl assembly 200 a cluster 117 is present which acts as an indicative unit with respect to features like fuel and speed of the vehicle. A tail lamp 115 is provided on the rear portion of the tail cover assembly 116 located on the rear portion of the vehicle 100.

[00047] Suspension systems are provided for comfortable steering of the vehicle 100 on the road. The front fork assembly 119, which forms the front suspension systemll2, serves as rigidity component just like the body frame 118. The front fork assembly 119 clamped to the head tube 107 through an upper bracket (not shown) and a lower bracket (not shown) is capable of being moved to the left and right. Further, a rear suspension systemll3, which is a hydraulic damped arrangement, is connected to the body frame 118. The rear suspension systemll3 comprises of at least one rear suspension (not shown) preferably on a left hand side of the vehicle 100. However, in a vehicle 100 with two rear suspensions, the same may be disposed on the left side and the right side respectively of the vehicle 100.

[00048] The engine 109 is mounted to a front lower portion of the body frame 118 by means of an engine mounting bracket (not shown). The engine 109 is equipped with an exhaust system that includes an exhaust pipe (not shown) connected to the engine 109 and a muffler (not shown) connected to the exhaust pipe. The muffler (not shown) extends rearwards along the right side of the rear wheel 103. [00049] Further, a swing arm 104 extending rearwards is swingably connected to a lower rear portion of the body frame 118. The rear wheel 103 is rotatably supported at a rear end of the swing arm 104. Power from the engine 109 is transmitted to the rear wheel 103 through a power drive mechanism, such as a drive chain, so as to drive and rotate the rear wheel 103.

[00050] A rear fender 111 for covering an upper side of the rear wheel 103 is mounted to a rear portion of body frame 118 to prevent mud and water splashed by the rotating rear wheel 103 from entering the muffler, the engine 109 and other parts disposed close by.

[00051] To enhance the overall aesthetic appeal of the vehiclelOO and to prevent undesired foreign particles from entering parts of the vehicle, a plurality of rear covers is attached to a rear portion of the body frame 118.

[00052] Fig. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the cowl assembly 200 in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The cowl assembly 200includes a front cowl member 204 and a rear cowl member 205housed together as a single part when viewed. The head lamp unit 402(as shown in FIG.4.), the front position lamps 401(as shown in FIG.4.) and two turn signal lamps namely indicator right hand side201aand indicator left hand side 201bare housed in the cowl assembly 200. The front cowl member 204 includes head lamp housing 206 and one or more separate front position lamp housing namely housing for front position lamp right hand side 202 and housing for front position lamp left hand side 203. The one or more front position lamp housing namely housing for front position lamp right hand side 202 and housing for front position lamp left hand side 203 are present above the head lamp housing 206, below the cluster 117 and in between the left and right front turn signal lamps 201a, 201b. The one or more separate front position lamp housing 202, 203 are arrow shaped, where the arrow is substantially in upward direction perpendicular to the headlamp housing 206. The one or more front position lamp housing 202, 203 are covered with one or more translucent cover 202a, 203a. The head lamp housing 206 is covered with a transparent cover 206a. In the present embodiment the housing units 206, 202 and 203 is made of resin material, for example, plastic and includes mounting provisions for detachable attachment to the front cowl member 204. [00053] Fig. 3 illustrates a front view of the cowl assembly 200 in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The front cowl member 204 houses the head lamp unit 402 (as shown in FIG.4), one or more front position lamp unit 401(as shown in FIG.4) and the turn signal lamps 201a, 201b. The front cowl member 204 includes head lamp housing 206 and one or more separate front position lamp housing 202, 203. The one or more FPL housing 202, 203 is present above the head lamp housing 206, below the cluster 117 and in between the left and right front turn signal lamps 201a, 201b. The head lamp unit 402 (as shown in FIG. 1), comprises of a low beam compartment 300 and a high beam compartment 301. Both the low beam compartment 300 and a high beam compartment 301 are housed in the head lamp unit housing 206.

[00054] Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 illustrate an exploded perspective view of the cowl assembly 200 when viewed from front side of the cowl assembly 200 of the vehicle 100 and from backside of the cowl assembly 200 of the vehicle 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter 400, 500. When disassembled the cowl assembly comprises of the head lamp housing 206, a head lamp unit 402 and a front position lamp unit 401attached together by a plurality of attachment means 600.

[00055] Fig. 6 illustrates exploded view of the cowl assembly 200 of the vehicle 100 depicting mounting of front position lamp unit 401 and the head lamp unit 114 with help of fasteners 600a, 600b, 600c, 600d, 600e and 600fin accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. Plurality of fasteners 600c, 600d, 600e, 600f help in mounting of the front position lamp unit on to the head lamp unit 114, thus making a head lamp and front position lamp sub assembly. Plurality of fasteners 600a, 600b secure the head lamp and front position lamp sub assembly to the cowl assembly 200. The plurality of fasteners 600 deployed for securing the concerned units together (for example 114, 200, 401) in the present subject matter further aids in easy assembly and disassembly of the concerned housing units whenever required.

[00056] It is to be understood that the aspects of the embodiments are not necessarily limited to the features described herein. 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. LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS:

100: Two wheeler vehicle

101: Front wheel

102: Handlebar

103 : Rear wheel

104: Swing arm

105: Driver seat

106: Pillion seat

107: Head tube

108: Fuel tank

109: Engine

110: Front fender

111: Rear fender

112: Front suspension

113: Rear suspension

114: Head lamp

115: Tail lamp

116: Tail cover assembly

117: Cluster

118: Body frame

119: Front fork 200: Cowl assembly

201a: Indicator right hand side 201b: Indicator left hand side 202: Housing for front position lamp right hand side 202a: Front position cover right side 203: Housing for front position lamp left hand side

203a: Front position cover left side 204: Front cowl member 205 : Rear cowl member 206: Housing for head lamp unit 206a: Head lamp cover

300: Low beam compartment 301 : High beam compartment

400: Exploded view when seen from front of the vehicle 401 : Front position lamp unit 402: Head lamp unit

500: Exploded view

600 (a-f): Fasteners

Claims

CLAIMS: We Claim:

1. A cowl assembly (200) for a saddle type vehicle (100) comprising: a first cowl member (204); a second cowl member (205); a light source unit (402) housed in said first cowl member (204); a position lamp unit (401); wherein one or more position lamp housing (202, 203) is configured for housing said position lamp unit (401), said one or more position lamp housing (202, 203) is independently and detachably attached to said first cowl member (204).

2. The cowl assembly (200) for a saddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cowl assembly (200) is adapted to accommodate the position lamp unit (401) independent of the light source unit (402) and disposed in one or more separate position lamp housing (202, 203).

3 The cowl assembly (200) for a saddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first cowl member (204) is configured to accommodate the position lamp unit (401) disposed in one or more separate arrow shaped housing (202, 203)

4. The cowl assembly (200) for a saddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first cowl member (204) is configured to accommodate the position lamp unit (401) disposed in one or more separate housing (202, 203) covered with translucent cover(s)

(202a, 203a).

5. The cowl assembly (200) for a saddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the position lamp unit (401) is placed perpendicular to the light source unit(402).

6. The cowl assembly (200) for a saddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first cowl member (204) is capable of accommodating the one or more position lamp unit (401) contained in one or more separate housing (202, 203) below the cluster (117) and above the lamp unit (402).

7. The cowl assembly (200) for a saddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first cowl member (204) is capable of accommodating the one or more position lamp unit (401) contained in the one or more separate housing (202, 203) between one or more front indicating lights (201a, 201b).

8. The cowl assembly (200) for a saddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein individual components of said cowl assembly (200) are attached to the light source unit (402) by using one or more fastening means (600a-f).

9. The cowl assembly (200) for a saddle type vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cover (202a, 203a)of the housing (202, 203) of the one or more position lamp unit (401) is composed of resin material.