Air deflector for air cooling assembly and air cooling assembly

Abstract

Present invention relates to an air deflector (100) for a vehicle The air deflector (100) comprises a deflector body (102) mounted onto a front fender (104) of the vehicle. The deflector body (102) is

Description

[0001] TITLE OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Air Deflector for Air Cooling Assembly and Air Cooling Assembly

[0003] Thereof

[0004] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0005]

[0001] Present invention relates to an air cooling assembly for a vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to the air cooling assembly comprising one or more air deflectors adapted to guide ambient air to one or more components of the vehicle for cooling.

[0006] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0007]

[0002] Conventionally, a vehicle is provided with a cooling assembly. The cooling assembly is provided to maintain an optimum operating temperature of one or more components in the vehicle. The cooling system can be an air-cooling assembly or a liquid cooling assembly.

[0008]

[0003] In the air cooling assembly of the vehicle, air is directed to a radiator of the vehicle through plurality of fans to cool powertrain components such as an Internal Combustion (IC) engine or a battery pack in case of an electric vehicle. As such, the air-cooling assembly increases part count in the vehicle, which renders packaging and space constraints in the vehicle. The issues pertaining to packaging and space constraints are more pronounced in vehicles such as two-wheeled vehicle. Additionally, in the air cooling assembly, an outer surface of the component to be cooled will be typically associated with a plurality of fins. The plurality of fins though enhances heat dissipation characteristics of the component, makes construction and manufacturing of the component complex and expensive, which is undesirable.

[0009]

[0004] Further, in the liquid cooling assembly, the one or more components such as the IC engine or the battery pack is cooled using forced air cooling through a fan or a blaster. As such, even in the liquid cooling assembly, multiple components are required to be installed in the vehicle. Through the liquid cooling assembly enhances heat dissipation in the components of the vehicle, the issues pertaining to packaging and space constraints in the vehicle persists.

[0010]

[0005] In view of the above, there is a need for an air deflector for an air cooling assembly of a vehicle and an air cooling assembly thereof, that addresses at least some of the limitations mentioned above.

[0011] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012]

[0006] In one aspect, an air deflector for an air cooling system of a vehicle is disclosed. The air deflector comprises a deflector body mounted onto a front fender of the vehicle and positioned adjacently to a side portion of the front fender. The deflector body forms an air passage between the side portion of the front fender and the deflector body. The deflector body is adapted to guide ambient air entering the air passage towards one or more components of the vehicle.

[0007] In an embodiment, a top mounting member extends laterally from a top end of the deflector body and along a left-right direction of the vehicle. The top mounting member is adapted to engage with at least one of the side portion of the front fender and a portion of a fork member of the vehicle.

[0013]

[0008] In an embodiment, a bottom mounting member extends laterally from a bottom end of the deflector body and along a left-right direction of the vehicle. The bottom mounting member is adapted to engage with a fork member of the vehicle.

[0014]

[0009] In an embodiment, the deflector body is positioned adjacently to a side flange of the front fender. The side flange extends from the side portion of the front fender, wherein the air passage is formed between the side flange and the deflector body.

[0015]

[0010] In an embodiment, the deflector body comprises a divergent portion oriented away from the side portion of the front fender in the left-right direction of the vehicle and a convergent portion. The convergent portion is oriented towards the side portion of the front fender in the left-right direction of the vehicle.

[0016]

[0011] In an embodiment, the deflector body is integrally mounted onto the front fender.

[0017]

[0012] In an embodiment, the deflector body is fastened to the front fender.

[0013] In another aspect, an air cooling assembly for a vehicle is disclosed. The air cooling assembly comprises one or more air deflectors mounted to at least one of the left-side portion and the right-side portion of the front fender. Each of the one or more air deflectors is adapted to guide ambient air towards one or more components of the vehicle.

[0018]

[0014] In an embodiment, each of the one or more air deflectors comprises a left-side air deflector and a right-side air deflector. The left-side air deflector comprises a left-side deflector body positioned adjacently to the left-side portion of the front fender. The left-side deflector body is positioned at a distance from the left-side portion to form a left-side air passage between the left-side portion of the front fender and the left-side deflector body, wherein, the left-side deflector body being adapted to guide ambient air entering the left-side air passage towards the one or more components of the vehicle. Further, the right-side air deflector comprises a right-side deflector body positioned adjacently to the right-side portion of the front fender. The right-side deflector body is positioned at a distance from the right-side portion to form a right-side air passage between the right-side portion of the front fender and the right-side deflector body, wherein, the right-side deflector body is adapted to guide ambient air entering the right- side air passage towards the one or more components of the vehicle.

[0019]

[0015] In an embodiment, a left-side top mounting member extends laterally from a top end of the left-side deflector body and along the left-right direction of the vehicle. The left-side top mounting member is adapted to engage with at least one of the left-side portion of the front fender and a portion of a left fork member of the vehicle. A right-side top mounting member extends laterally from a top end of the right-side deflector body and along the left- right direction of the vehicle. The right-side top mounting member is adapted to engage with at least one of the right-side portion of the front fender and a portion of a right fork member of the vehicle.

[0020]

[0016] In an embodiment, a left-side bottom mounting member extends laterally from a bottom end of the left-side deflector body and along the leftright direction of the vehicle. The left-side bottom mounting member is adapted to engage with a left fork member of the vehicle. A right-side bottom mounting member extends laterally from a bottom end of the right-side deflector body and along the left-right direction of the vehicle. The right-side bottom mounting member is adapted to engage with the right fork member of the vehicle.

[0021]

[0017] In an embodiment, the left-side deflector body is positioned adjacently to a left-side flange of the front fender. The left-side flange extends from the left-side portion of the front fender, wherein the left-side air passage is formed between the left-side flange and the left-side deflector body. Further, the right-side deflector body is positioned adjacently to a right-side flange of the front fender. The right-side flange extends from the right-side portion of the front fender, wherein the right-side air passage is formed between the right-side flange and the right-side deflector body.

[0022] BREIF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMAPNYING DRAWINGS

[0023]

[0018] Reference will be made to embodiments of the invention, examples of which may be illustrated in accompanying figures. These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the invention is generally described in context of these embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these particular embodiments.

[0024] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an air deflector for an air cooling assembly of a vehicle, being mounted on a front fender, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 2 is a front view of the air deflector being mounted on the front fender, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 3 is a right perspective view of the air-cooling assembly for the vehicle, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 4 is a left perspective view of the air-cooling assembly, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 5 is a top view of the air-cooling assembly, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 6 is a front view of the air-cooling assembly, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 7 is a sectional view of the air-cooling assembly about an axis A-A of Figure 6, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 is a bottom view of the air-cooling assembly, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 9 is a right-side view of the air-cooling assembly, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 10 is a left-side view of the air-cooling assembly, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 11 is a schematic view of the vehicle depicting air-flow due to the air-cooling assembly, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0035]

[0019] The present invention relates to an air cooling assembly for a vehicle. The air cooling assembly comprises one or more air deflectors adapted to guide ambient air to one or more components of the vehicle for cooling. Each of the one or more air deflectors comprises a deflector body mounted onto a front fender and positioned adjacently to a side portion of the front fender to form an air passage. The deflector body guides the ambient air entering the air passage towards the one or more components of the vehicle for cooling.

[0036]

[0020] In the present disclosure, arrow indications provided in Figures pertain to directional indications of the vehicle. As such, the terms “top side”, “bottom side”, “left side” and “right side” respectively correspond to top, bottom, left and right sides of the vehicle, until and unless specified otherwise.

[0037]

[0021] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an air deflector 100 for an air cooling assembly 126 of a vehicle, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The air deflector 100 is mounted onto a front fender 104 of the vehicle (not shown) such as a two-wheeled vehicle or a threewheeled vehicle or a trike. The front fender 104 covers a top portion (not shown) of a front wheel 128 for preventing splashing of dirt and / or mud onto a rider during vehicle movement.

[0038]

[0022] The front wheel 128 is connected to a fork member 114. The fork member 114 is a front fork assembly having one end (not shown) connected to a frame assembly (not shown) or a chassis (not shown) of the vehicle, while an other end of the fork member 114 is connected to a wheel hub (not shown) of the front wheel 128. The fork member 114 may be connected to the frame assembly through a triple clamp unit 130. The fork member 114 comprises an inner tube (not shown) mounted telescopically to an outer tube (not shown). The outer tube comprises a damping assembly (not shown) adapted to dampen vibrations received by the front wheel 128 during vehicle movement. The damper assembly provided in the fork member 114 can be a conventional damping assembly known in the art such as a spring-damper assembly, a hydraulic damper assembly, and the like. In an embodiment, the front fender 104 is mounted onto an axle bracket (not shown) of the front wheel 128.

[0023] In an embodiment, the fork member 114 is a single fork assembly (not shown in drawings). In such a construction, the fork member 114 comprises one outer tube and one inner tube, that connects to the front wheel 128 and the frame member. In an embodiment, the single fork assembly construction of the fork member 114 is provided on a left-side or a right-side of the front wheel 128.

[0039]

[0024] In an embodiment, the fork member 114 is a dual fork assembly (as shown in Figures 1 and 2) comprising a left fork member 114a and a right fork member 114b. The left fork member 114a is mounted onto a left-side of the front wheel 128, while the right fork member 114b is mounted onto a right-side of the front wheel 128.

[0040]

[0025] In an embodiment, the fork member 114 is a standard fork assembly, wherein the outer tube is connected to the wheel hub, while the inner tube is mounted to the triple clamp unit 130. In an embodiment, the fork member 114 is an upside-down fork assembly, wherein the outer tube is mounted to the triple clamp unit 130, while the inner tube is mounted to the wheel hub.

[0026] Referring to Figure 2 in conjunction with Figure 1 , the air deflector 100 comprises a deflector body 102 mounted to the front fender 104. The deflector body 102 is a panel member that is oriented vertically to the front fender 104 or along a top-down direction of the vehicle. The deflector body 102 is also positioned adjacently to a side portion 106 of the front fender 104. The ‘side portion’ corresponds to side rim portions that are oriented laterally to the front fender 104 i.e. in the top-down direction of the vehicle. As such, the deflector body 102 can be positioned on at least one of a leftside portion 106a and a right-side portion 106b of the front fender 104.

[0041]

[0027] The deflector 100 comprises a top mounting member 110 extending laterally (or along the left-right direction of the vehicle) from a top end 112 of the deflector body 102. The top mounting member 110 is adapted to engage with the front fender 104 and / or with a portion of the fork member 114, thereby mounting deflector body 102 onto the front fender 104. The top mounting member 110 is adapted to engage with the front fender 104 and / or the fork member 114 through conventional engagement techniques known in the art. In an embodiment, the top mounting member 110 is a bracket that is fastened onto the front fender 104 and / or the fork member 114. In an embodiment, the top mounting member 110 engages with the side portion 106 of the front fender 104 and / or onto the outer tube of the fork member 114 through conventional engagement techniques. In an embodiment, shape and dimensions of the top mounting member 110 can be selected as per positional requirements of the air deflector 100 from the front fender 104. In the present embodiment, the top mounting member 110 is a planar bracket that can be fastened to the front fender 104 and / or a mounting tab (not shown) provided on the outer tube of the fork member 114. In an embodiment, the top mounting member 110 is mounted onto the deflector body 102 or is integrally provided to the deflector body 102 (as shown in Figures 8-10).

[0028] The air deflector 100 also comprises a bottom mounting member 116 extending laterally (or along the left-right direction of the vehicle) from a bottom end 118 of the deflector body 102. The bottom mounting member 116 is adapted to engage with the fork member 114. The bottom mounting member 116 provides a stable mounting to the deflector body 102 onto the front fender 104. The bottom mounting member 116 is adapted to engage with the fork member 114 through conventional engagement techniques known in the art. In an embodiment, the bottom mounting member 116 is a bracket that is fastened onto the fork member 114. In an embodiment, the bottom mounting member 116 engages with the outer tube of the fork member 114 through conventional engagement techniques. In an embodiment, shape and dimensions of the bottom mounting member 116 can be selected as per positional requirements of the air deflector 100 from the front fender 104. In the present embodiment, the bottom mounting member 116 is a planar bracket that can be fastened to the outer tube of the fork member 114. In an embodiment, the bottom mounting member 116 is mounted onto the deflector body 102 or is integrally provided to the deflector body 102 (as shown in Figures 8-10).

[0042]

[0029] The deflector body 102 is mounted to the front fender 104 to be positioned adjacently to the side portion 106 of the front fender 104. Such a disposition of the deflector body 102, forms an air passage 108 between the side portion 106 and the deflector body 102. The air passage 108 is provided with an inlet portion (not shown) towards a front end (not shown) of the deflector body 102, and an outlet portion (not shown) towards the rear end of the deflector body 102 along a front-rear direction of the vehicle. The deflector body 102 is also oriented such that, the outlet portion of the air passage 108 is directed towards one or more components 134 of the vehicle. As such, the ambient air entering the air passage 108 can be routed to the one or more components 134 of the vehicle through the outlet portion. Such a construction enhances the amount of air routed to one or more components 134, thereby ensuring cooling.

[0043]

[0030] In an embodiment, the side portion 106 of the front fender 104 may comprise a side flange 120. The side flange 120 extends vertically in front of the fork member 114, to cover and protect the fork member 114. As such, the side flange 120 extends from the front fender 104 and is in positioned in front of the fork member 114. In this construction, the deflector body 102 may be mounted onto the side flange 120 of the front fender 104 by conventional mounting techniques known in the art.

[0044]

[0031] In an embodiment, the deflector body 102 is positioned adjacently and oriented with respect to the side portion 106 or the side flange 120 based on size and shape requirement of the air passage 108. In the present embodiment, the deflector body 102 is positioned adjacently and oriented parallelly to the side portion 106 or the side flange 120 to obtain a rectangular air passage 108.

[0045]

[0032] In an embodiment, the deflector body 102 is the panel member provided with an aerofoil cross-section, in order to ease of flow of air to the one or more components 134 of the vehicle. In an embodiment, the deflector body 102 though vertically parallel to the side portion 106, is inclined longitudinally (about a front-rear direction of the vehicle).

[0046]

[0033] In an embodiment, the deflector body 102 comprises a divergent portion 122 (as shown in Figure 11 ) oriented away the side flange 120 in the left-right direction or away from the axis B-B’ (shown in Figure 7). the side portion 106 in the left-right direction. The divergent portion 122 is provided at the front portion of the deflector body 102. The deflector body 102 also comprises a convergent portion 124 (as shown in Figure 11 ) oriented towards the side portion 106 in the left-right direction. The convergent portion 124 is provided at a termination portion (not shown) of the divergent portion 122. Such a construction of the divergent portion 122 and the convergent portion 124 ensures that exit speed or velocity of the ambient air at the outlet portion is higher than that at the inlet portion. Consequently, the ambient air passes through the air passage 108 swiftly, thereby reducing the air resistance to movement of the vehicle and thus, enhancing aerodynamic characteristics of the vehicle. Additionally, the ambient air exiting the outlet portion is guided to the one or more components 134 of the vehicle for cooling.

[0047]

[0034] In an embodiment, the span of the convergent portion 124 and the divergent portion 122 is selected based on flow requirement of the ambient air in the air passage 108. In an embodiment, the inclination of the convergent portion 124 is 30 degrees to 45 degrees with respect to a vertical axis (not shown) of the vehicle.

[0048]

[0035] In an embodiment, the deflector body 102 may be provided with a front tip portion 132 which protrudes towards in a front direction of the vehicle and beyond the side flange 120. The front tip portion 132 may be inclined with respect to the left-right direction of the vehicle. As such, the front tip portion 132 makes the inlet portion of the air passage 108 narrower or convergent, facilitating ease of routing of the ambient air into the air passage 108. In an embodiment, the inclination of the front tip portion 132 is selected as per flow requirements in the air passage 108.

[0049]

[0036] In an embodiment, the air deflector 100 or the deflector body 102 is integrated with the front fender 104. In other words, the air deflector 100 and the deflector body 102 form a unibody construction with the front fender 104. Such a construction of the air deflector 100 makes the air cooling assembly 126 simple in construction and reduces part count.

[0050]

[0037] In an embodiment, as shown in Figure 5, a central axis (not shown) of the air passage 108 at the outlet portion is inclined with respect to the central axis C-C’, for ease of guiding of the air towards the one or more components 134 of the vehicle.

[0051]

[0038] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the air cooling assembly 126 for the vehicle, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the air cooling assembly 126 is mounted to the front fender 104 that is positioned between the dual fork assembly construction of the fork member 114. That is, the air cooling assembly 126 is mounted to the front fender 104 that is positioned between the left fork member 114a and the right fork member 114b.

[0052]

[0039] In the present embodiment, the air cooling assembly 126 comprises one or more air deflectors 100a, 100b that is mounted on at least one of the left-side portion 106a and the right-side portion 106b of the front fender 104. The one or more air deflectors 100a, 100b comprises a left-side air deflector 100a mounted to the left side portion 106a and a right-side air deflector 100b mounted to the right side portion 106b of the front fender 104. Each of the one or more air deflectors 100a, 100b are adapted to guide ambient air towards the one or more components 134 of the vehicle for cooling. It is to be noted that the construction of each of the left-side air deflector 100a and the right-side air deflector 100b conform to the construction of the air deflector 100, until and unless specified.

[0053]

[0040] Referring to Figures 4-6, the left-side air deflector 100a comprises a left-side deflector body 102a mounted to the front fender 104. The left-side deflector body 102a is a panel member that is oriented vertically to the front fender 104 or along a top-down direction of the vehicle. The left-side deflector body 102a is also positioned adjacently to the left side portion 106a of the front fender 104.

[0054]

[0041] A left-side top mounting member 110a extends laterally (or along the left-right direction of the vehicle) from a top end 112a of the left-side deflector body 102a. The left-side top mounting member 110a is adapted to engage with the front fender 104 and / or with a portion of the left fork member 114a, thereby mounting left-side deflector body 102a onto the front fender 104. In an embodiment, the left-side top mounting member 110a is a bracket that is fastened onto the front fender 104 and / or the left fork member 114a. In an embodiment, the left-side top mounting member 110a engages with the left-side portion 106a of the front fender 104 and / or onto the outer tube of the left fork member 114a through conventional engagement techniques. In the present embodiment, the left-side top mounting member 110a is a planar bracket that can be fastened to the front fender 104 and / or a mounting tab (not shown) provided on the outer tube of the left fork member 114a. In an embodiment, the left-side top mounting member 110a is mounted onto the left-side deflector body 102a or is integrally provided to the left-side deflector body 102a.

[0055]

[0042] The left-side air deflector 100a also comprises a left-side bottom mounting member 116a extending laterally (or along the left-right direction of the vehicle) from a bottom end 118a of the left-side deflector body 102a. The left-side bottom mounting member 116a is adapted to engage with the left fork member 114a. In an embodiment, the outer tube of the left fork member 114a is provided with a mounting unit (not shown) for engagement with the left-side bottom mounting member 116a. The left-side bottom mounting member 116a provides a stable mounting to the left-side deflector body 102a onto the front fender 104. In an embodiment, the left-side bottom mounting member 116a is a bracket that is fastened onto the left fork member 114a. In an embodiment, the left-side bottom mounting member 116a is mounted onto the left-side deflector body 102a or is integrally provided to the left-side deflector body 102a.

[0056]

[0043] The left-side deflector body 102a is mounted to the front fender 104 to be positioned adjacently to the left side portion 106a of the front fender 104. Such a disposition of the left-side deflector body 102a, forms a left air passage 108a between the left side portion 106a and the left-side deflector body 102a. The left air passage 108a is provided with an inlet portion (not shown) towards a front end (not shown) of the left-side deflector body 102a, and an outlet portion (not shown) towards the rear end of the left-side deflector body 102a along a front-rear direction of the vehicle. The left-side deflector body 102a is also oriented such that, the outlet portion of the left air passage 108a is directed towards the one or more components 134 of the vehicle such as an engine or a battery pack or any other powertrain component of the vehicle. As such, the ambient air entering the left air passage 108a is routed to the one or more components 134 of the vehicle through the outlet portion (as shown in Figure 11 ). Such a construction enhances the amount of air routed to one or more components 134, thereby ensuring cooling.

[0057]

[0044] In an embodiment, the left side portion 106a of the front fender 104 may comprise a left side flange 120a. The left side flange 120a extends vertically infront of the left fork member 114a, to cover and protect the left fork member 114a. As such, the left side flange 120a extends from the front fender 104 and is in positioned in front of the left fork member 114a. In this construction, the left-side deflector body 102a may be mounted onto the left side flange 120a by conventional mounting techniques known in the art.

[0058]

[0045] In an embodiment, the left-side deflector body 102a comprises a divergent portion 122a (as shown in Figure 7) oriented away from the left side flange 120a in the left-right direction or away from the axis B-B’ (shown in Figure 7). The divergent portion 122a is provided at the front portion of the left-side deflector body 102a. The left-side deflector body 102a also comprises a convergent portion 124a (as shown in Figure 7) oriented towards the left side flange 120a in the left-right direction. The convergent portion 124a is provided at a termination portion (not shown) of the divergent portion 122a. Such a construction of the divergent portion 122a and the convergent portion 124a ensures that exit speed or velocity of the ambient air at the outlet portion is higher than that at the inlet portion. Consequently, the ambient air passes through the left air passage 108a swiftly, thereby reducing the air resistance to movement of the vehicle and thus, enhancing aerodynamic characteristics of the vehicle. Additionally, the ambient air exiting the outlet portion is guided to the one or more components 134 of the vehicle for cooling.

[0059]

[0046] In an embodiment, the span of the convergent portion 124a and the divergent portion 122a is selected based on flow requirement of the ambient air in the left air passage 108a. In an embodiment, the inclination of the convergent portion 124a is 30 degrees to 45 degrees with respect to the axis B-B’ of the vehicle.

[0060]

[0047] In an embodiment, the left-side air deflector 100a or the left-side deflector body 102a is integrated with the front fender 104 (as shown in Figures 9 and 10). In other words, the left-side deflector body 102a and the front fender 104 form a unibody construction. Such a construction of the leftside air deflector 100a makes the air cooling assembly 126 simple in construction and reduces part count.

[0061]

[0048] In an embodiment, as shown in Figure 5, a central axis CA1 of the left air passage 108a at the outlet portion is inclined with respect to the central axis C-C’, for ease of guiding of the air towards the one or more components 134 of the vehicle. The central axis CA1 is depicted as a straight line for ease of understanding and may vary based on contour of the left side flange 120a and the left-side deflector body 102a. In an embodiment, the inclination of the central axis CA1 of the left air passage 108a at the outlet portion with respect to the central axis C-C’ is 30 degrees to 45 degrees.

[0062]

[0049] Further, the right-side air deflector 100b comprises right-side top mounting member 110b that extends laterally (or along the left-right direction of the vehicle) from a top end 112b of the right-side deflector body 102b. The right-side top mounting member 110b is adapted to engage with the front fender 104 and / or with a portion of the right fork member 114b, thereby mounting the right-side deflector body 102b onto the front fender 104. In an embodiment, the right-side top mounting member 110b is a bracket that is fastened onto the front fender 104 and / or the right fork member 114b. In an embodiment, the right-side top mounting member 110b engages with the right-side portion 106b of the front fender 104 and / or onto the outer tube of the right fork member 114b through conventional engagement techniques. In the present embodiment, the right-side top mounting member 110b is a planar bracket that can be fastened to the front fender 104 and / or a mounting tab (not shown) provided on the outer tube of the right fork member 114b. In an embodiment, the left-side top mounting member 110a is mounted onto the right-side deflector body 102b or is integrally provided to the right-side deflector body 102b.

[0063]

[0050] The right-side air deflector 100b also comprises a right-side bottom mounting member 116b extending laterally (or along the left-right direction of the vehicle) from a bottom end 118b of the right-side deflector body 102a. The right-side bottom mounting member 116b is adapted to engage with the right fork member 114b. In an embodiment, the outer tube of the right fork member 114b is provided with a mounting unit (not shown) for engagement with the right-side bottom mounting member 116b. The right-side bottom mounting member 116b provides a stable mounting to the right-side deflector body 102b onto the front fender 104. In an embodiment, the right- side bottom mounting member 116b is a bracket that is fastened onto the right fork member 114b. In an embodiment, the right-side bottom mounting member 116b is mounted onto the right-side deflector body 102b or is integrally provided to the right-side deflector body 102b.

[0064]

[0051] The right-side deflector body 102b is mounted to the front fender 104 to be positioned adjacently to the right side portion 106b. Such a disposition of the right-side deflector body 102b, forms a right air passage 108b between the right side portion 106b and the right-side deflector body 102b. The right air passage 108b is provided with an inlet portion (not shown) towards a front end (not shown) of the right-side deflector body 102b, and an outlet portion (not shown) towards the rear end of the right-side deflector body 102b along a front-rear direction of the vehicle. The right-side deflector body 102b is also oriented such that, the outlet portion of the right air passage 108b is directed towards the one or more components 134 of the vehicle such as an engine or a battery pack or any other powertrain component of the vehicle. As such, the ambient air entering the right air passage 108b is routed to the one or more components 134 of the vehicle through the outlet portion (as shown in Figure 11 ). Such a construction enhances the amount of air routed to one or more components 134, thereby ensuring cooling.

[0065]

[0052] In an embodiment, the right side portion 106b of the front fender 104 may comprise a right side flange 120b. The right side flange 120b extends vertically infront of the right fork member 114b, to cover and protect the right fork member 114b. As such, the right side flange 120b extends from the front fender and is in positioned in front of the right fork member 114b. In this construction, the right-side deflector body 102b may be mounted onto the right side flange 120b by conventional mounting techniques known in the art.

[0066]

[0053] In an embodiment, the right-side deflector body 102b comprises a divergent portion 122b (as shown in Figure 7) oriented away from the right side flange 120b in the left-right direction or away from the axis B-B’ (shown in Figure 7). The divergent portion 122b is provided at the front portion of the right-side deflector body 102b. The right-side deflector body 102b also comprises a convergent portion 124b (as shown in Figure 7) oriented towards the right side flange 120b in the left-right direction. The convergent portion 124b is provided at a termination portion (not shown) of the divergent portion 122b. Such a construction of the divergent portion 122b and the convergent portion 124b ensures that exit speed or velocity of the ambient air at the outlet portion is higher than that at the inlet portion. Consequently, the ambient air passes through the right air passage 108b swiftly, thereby reducing the air resistance to movement of the vehicle and thus, enhancing aerodynamic characteristics of the vehicle. Additionally, the ambient air exiting the outlet portion is guided to the one or more components 134 of the vehicle for cooling.

[0067]

[0054] In an embodiment, the span of the convergent portion 124b and the divergent portion 122b is selected based on flow requirement of the ambient air in the right air passage 108b. In an embodiment, the inclination of the convergent portion 124b is 30 degrees to 45 degrees with respect to the axis B-B’ of the vehicle.

[0068]

[0055] In an embodiment, as shown in Figure 5, a central axis CA2 of the right air passage 108b at the outlet portion is inclined with respect to the central axis C-C’, for ease of guiding of the air towards the one or more components 134 of the vehicle. The central axis CA2 is depicted as a straight line for ease of understanding and may vary based on contour of the right side flange 120b and the right-side deflector body 102. In an embodiment, the inclination of the central axis CA2 of the right air passage 108b at the outlet portion with respect to the central axis C-C’ is 30 degrees to 45 degrees.

[0069]

[0056] In an embodiment, the right-side air deflector 100b or the right-side deflector body 102b is integrated with the front fender 104. In other words, the right-side deflector body 102b and the front fender 104 form a unibody construction. Such a construction of the right-side air deflector 100b makes the air cooling assembly 126 simple in construction and reduces part count.

[0057] The claimed invention as disclosed above is not routine, conventional, or well understood in the art, as the claimed aspects enable the following solutions to the existing problems in conventional technologies. Specifically, the claimed aspect of providing the air deflector that is parallel to the side portion of the front fender provides the air passage for guiding air towards one or more components of the vehicle for cooling. Also, flow of air into the air passage reduces aerodynamic drag onto the vehicle, thereby enhancing aerodynamic characteristics of the vehicle. Additionally, the air deflector can be fastened or integrally mounted onto the front fender, making the air cooling assembly simple in construction, consequently reducing number of parts and design complexity in the vehicle.

[0070]

[0058] While the present invention has been described with respect to certain embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modification may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

[0071] Reference Numerals and Characters

[0072] 100 - Air deflector

[0073] 100a - Left-side air deflector

[0074] 100b - Right-side air deflector

[0075] 102 - Deflector body

[0076] 102a - Left-side deflector body

[0077] 102b - Right-side deflector body

[0078] 104 - Front fender

[0079] 106 - Side portion of the front fender

[0080] 106a - Left-side portion

[0081] 106b - Right-side portion

[0082] 108 - Air passage

[0083] 108a - Left-side air passage

[0084] 108b - Right-side air passage

[0085] 110 - Top mounting member

[0086] 112 - Top end of the deflector body

[0087] 114 - Fork member

[0088] 114a - Left fork member 114b - Right fork member

[0089] 116 - Bottom mounting member

[0090] 116a - Left-side bottom mounting member

[0091] 116b - Right-side bottom mounting member 118 - Bottom end

[0092] 120 - Side flange

[0093] 120a- Left-side flange

[0094] 120b - Right-side flange

[0095] 122 - Divergent portion 124 - Convergent portion

[0096] 126 - Air cooling assembly

[0097] 128 - Front wheel

[0098] 130 - T riple clamp unit

[0099] 132 - Front tip portion 134 - One or more components of vehicle

Claims

WE CLAIM:1 . An air deflector (100) for a vehicle, the air deflector (100) comprising: a deflector body (102) mounted onto a front fender (104) of the vehicle, the deflector body (102) being positioned adjacently to a side portion (106) of the front fender (104), wherein the deflector body (102) forms an air passage (108) between the side portion (106) of the front fender (104) and the deflector body (104), the deflector body (102) being adapted to guide ambient air entering the air passage (108) towards one or more components (134) of the vehicle.

2. The air deflector (100) as claimed in claim 1 comprising a top mounting member (110) extending laterally from a top end (112) of the deflector body (102) and along a left-right direction of the vehicle, the top mounting member (110) being adapted to engage with at least one of the side portion (106) of the front fender (104) and a portion of a fork member (114) of the vehicle.

3. The air deflector (100) as claimed in claim 1 comprising a bottom mounting member (116) extending laterally from a bottom end (118) of the deflector body (102) and along a left-right direction of the vehicle, the bottom mounting member (116) being adapted to engage with a fork member (114) of the vehicle.

4. The air deflector (100) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the deflector body (102) being positioned adjacently to a side flange (120) of the front fender (104), the side flange (120) extending from the side portion (106) of the front fender (104), wherein the air passage (108) being formed between the side flange (120) and the deflector body (102).

5. The air deflector (100) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the deflector body (102) comprising: a divergent portion (122) oriented away from the side portion (106) of the front fender (104) in a left-right direction of the vehicle; and a convergent portion (124) oriented towards the side portion (106) of the front fender (104) in the left-right direction of the vehicle.

6. The air deflector (100) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the deflector body (102) is integrally mounted onto the front fender (104).

7. The air deflector (100) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the deflector body (102) is fastened to the front fender (104).

8. An air cooling assembly (126) for a vehicle, the air cooling assembly (126) comprising:one or more air deflectors (100a, 100b) mounted to at least one of a left-side portion (106a) and a right-side portion (106b) of a front fender (104), each of the one or more air deflectors (100a, 100b) being adapted to guide ambient air towards one or more components (134) of the vehicle.

9. The air cooling assembly (126) as claimed in claim 8, wherein each of the one or more air deflectors (100a, 100b) comprises: a left-side air deflector (100a) comprising: a left-side deflector body (102a) positioned adjacently to the left-side portion (106a) of the front fender (104), the left-side deflector body (102a) being positioned at a distance from the left-side portion (106a) to form a left-side air passage (108a) between the left-side portion (106a) of the front fender (104) and the left-side deflector body (102a), wherein, the left-side deflector body (102a) being adapted to guide ambient air entering the left-side air passage (108a) towards the prime mover of the vehicle; and a right-side air deflector (100b) comprising: a right-side deflector body (102b) positioned adjacently to the right- side portion (106b) of the front fender (104), the right-side deflector body (102b) being positioned at a distance from the right-side portion (106b) to form a right-side air passage (108b) between the right-side portion (106a) of the front fender (104) and the right-side deflector body (102a),wherein, the right-side deflector body (102b) being adapted to guide ambient air entering the right-side air passage (108b) towards the prime mover of the vehicle.

10. The air cooling assembly (126) as claimed in claim 9 comprising: a left-side top mounting member (110a) extending laterally from a top end (112a) of the left-side deflector body (102a) and along a left-right direction of the vehicle, the left-side top mounting member (110a) being adapted to engage with at least one of the left-side portion (106a) of the front fender (104) and a portion of a left fork member (114a) of the vehicle; and a right-side top mounting member (110b) extending laterally from a top end (112b) of the right-side deflector body (102b) and along the leftright direction of the vehicle, the right-side top mounting member (110b) being adapted to engage with at least one of the right-side portion (106b) of the front fender (104) and a portion of a right fork member (114b) of the vehicle.11 . The air cooling assembly (126) as claimed in claim 9 comprising: a left-side bottom mounting member (116a) extending laterally from a bottom end (118a) of the left-side deflector body (102a) and along a left-right direction of the vehicle, the left-side bottom mounting member (116a) being adapted to engage with a left fork member (114a) of the vehicle; anda right-side bottom mounting member (116b) extending laterally from a bottom end (118b) of the right-side deflector body (102b) and along the left-right direction of the vehicle, the right-side bottom mounting member (116b) being adapted to engage with a right fork member (114b) of the vehicle.

12. The air cooling assembly (126) as claimed in claim 9, wherein: the left-side deflector body (102a) being positioned adjacently to a left-side flange (120a) of the front fender (104), the left-side flange (120a) extending from the left-side portion (106a) of the front fender(104), wherein the left-side air passage (108a) being formed between the left-side flange (120a) and the left-side deflector body (102a); and the right-side deflector body (102b) being positioned adjacently to a right-side flange (120b) of the front fender (104), the right-side flange (120b) extending from the right-side portion (106b) of the front fender(104), wherein the right-side air passage (108b) being formed between the right-side flange (120b) and the right-side deflector body (102b).

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