[0001] The present subject matter relates generally to a two wheeled vehicle. More particularly, the present subject matter relates to a switch holder for a micro switch for the two wheeled vehicle.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Typically in two wheeled vehicles, micro switch is installed for safety of the rider. Such micro switches are used as for example rear brake switches which actuate on application of the rear brake by a rider. This actuates some output devices used as safety features such as position lamps in the two wheeled vehicle. Use of micro switch as micro switch has become need of the hour where packaging of the parts in limited space is of prime importance. Generally, in a straddle type two-wheeled vehicle the rear brake pedal is disposed towards the bottom right of the two wheeled vehicle close to the rider footrest. A frame body is attached to a frame assembly of the two wheeled vehicle on which the rider footrest is pivoted. Hence, the micro switch is positioned close to the rider footrest. This exposes the micro switch to harsh environmental factors such as mud splash, water splash, dust and impact loads.

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. 2. illustrates the side view of a frame structure of the vehicle depicting the location of a switch holder assembly according to the embodiment of the present subject matter.

[0006] Fig. 3. illustrates the isometric view of the frame structure of the vehicle depicting the mounting of the switch holder assembly according to the embodiment of the present subject matter.

[0007] Fig. 4. illustrates an exploded view of the switch holder assembly enclosing a micro switch according to the embodiment of the present subject matter.

[0008] Fig. 5a. and Fig. 5b. illustrates a rear view and the front view of a switch holder according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[00010] In order to alleviate the drawbacks in the prior art, a switch holder for the micro switch is proposed in the present subject matter.

[00011] 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 switch holder is mounted on a frame body to which a brake pedal is attached. However, it is contemplated that the concepts of the present subject matter may be applied to micro switches disposed in other locations and in other 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.

[00012] In two wheeled vehicles installing micro switch for safety of rider is of paramount importance. For example, a rear brake micro switch actuated when the rear foot brake pedal is pressed by the rider and actuates certain output devices for micro switch, such as a position lamp located on the front and rear of the two wheeled vehicle. Use of micro switch as indication switch has become need of the hour where packaging of the parts in limited space is of prime importance. The rear brake pedal is disposed towards the bottom right end of the two wheeled vehicle, close to the rider footrest. Since, the micro switch is actuated on operation of the brake pedal; the micro switch is constrained to be located close to the rear brake pedal. Hence, in conventional state of the art, this micro switch is disposed outside exposing it to harsh environmental factors such as mud splash, water splash, dust and impact loads. This can damage the circuitry of the micro switch and cause dust particles to settle within the micro switch damaging it and/or affecting its life. Subsequently, frequent replacing of the micro switch is undesirable. There is a need to attach the micro switch to the frame body in such a way to prevent exposure to environmental factors. Further, the fixation of such micro switch has become expensive due to the need of small size metric screws to install the micro switch directly on two wheeler parts. This is profound during the fixation of rear brake switch on rider footrest body. Typically threading of small size metric threads (example M2 sized threads) in the rider footrest frame body is difficult to manufacture and there are qualities concerns and can also cause rejection of the parts.

[00013] Hence, it is an object of an embodiment of the present invention to provide a switch holder enclosing the micro switch and protecting it from harsh environmental factors. [00014] It is an object of the present subject matter is to provide a two-wheeled vehicle wherein the switch holder is fixed with footrest frame body and utilizes bigger size metric threads.

[00015] In order to alleviate the above mentioned drawbacks, one aspect of the present invention is to provide a switch holder for a micro switch comprising a frame body to support the micro switch. The frame body comprises at least two extended boss portion to enclose the micro switch. The switch holder comprises a base portion, having an exposed surface and an underside surface, at least one through hole disposed on the base portion to secure said switch holder on the frame body by insertion of at least one securing member. The at least one vertical projection projecting from the underside surface is provided. The at least one vertical projection is configured to be inserted to at least an opening on the micro switch such that, when said switch holder is secured by the securing member, the micro switch is completely enclosed and held in position by said at least one vertical projection.

[00016] With the above design changes, the switch holder protects the micro switch from harsh environmental factors such as mud splash, water splash, dust and impact loads. Further, manufacturing of bigger size metric threads in rider footrest body to secure the switch holder is more advantageous than tapping small size metric threads, as rejection of the part is reduced. The switch holder enables ease of assembly; the number of parts is reduced and is simple in construction.

[00017] 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.

[00018] 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 and at least two turn signal lamps.

[00019] 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 (112) is placed above the rear wheel (105), and to the outer side in the radial direction of rear wheel (105). The rear fender (112) inhibits debris, mud, rainwater or the like from being thrown up by rear wheel (105). 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.

[00020] Fig. 2. and Fig. 3. illustrates the side view and the isometric view of the switch holder (602) on a rider footrest frame body (600) according to the embodiment of the present subject matter. The frame body (600) is configured to support the rear brake pedal (123) which on actuation engages the rear brake on the rear wheel (105). The frame body (600) is attached to the frame assembly (102), the brake pedal (123) pivoted to the frame bracket (123a), and a hydraulic cylinder actuator (603) actuating the rear brake (122) corresponding to the operation of the brake pedal (123). The frame body (600) comprising an micro switch (601) actuable on operation of the brake pedal (123). The micro switch (601) is disposed within a switch holder (602), said switch holder (601) secured to the frame body (600) with bigger sized fasteners (605). The micro switch (601) within the switch holder (602) is disposed in close proximity to the brake pedal (123). The micro switch (601) comprises a surface contact portion which is in contact to a corresponding contact portion (123b) on the brake pedal (123). When the brake pedal (123) is actuated, the brake pedal contact portion (123b) is separated from the surface contact portion and the micro switch (601) is actuated. This actuates certain output devices for micro such as a position lamp located on the front and rear of the two wheeled vehicle (tail lamp 112) for the safety of the rider.

[00021] Fig. 4. illustrates an exploded view of the rider footrest showing the switch holder (602) enclosing the micro switch (601) according to the embodiment of the present subject matter. The frame body (600) comprises two extended boss portions (600a) for receiving securing members (605), and the micro switch is placed to be snugly fit between the two extended boss portion that matches with the dimensions of the micro switch (601). The switch holder (602) enclosing the micro switch (601) is disposed in close proximity to the brake pedal (123). Securing member (605) such as fasteners having larger diameter is used to secure the switch holder (602) on the frame body (600). Since, the micro switch (601) is secured to the switch holder (602) and the switch holder (602) is secured to the frame body (600), larger diameter fasteners can be used (of M6 grade) eliminates complex drilling operations on the frame body (600) to make small diameter holes for attaching micro switch (601) directly. Further, the tapping tools used for make smaller drills can be eliminated from use thus leading to lesser rejections due to manufacturing defects.

[00022] Fig. 5a. illustrates the top view of the switch holder (602) showing the exposed surface (602d) and Fig. 5b. illustrates the rear perspective view of the switch holder (602) according to embodiment of the present subject matter. The switch holder (602) has vertical projections (602c) projecting axially from the underside surface (602e) of the switch holder (602). The micro switch (601) comprises two holes which can receive the vertical projections (602c). These projections aids in securing the micro switch (601) to the switch holder (602), which is then further secured to the frame body (600). Hence, when the micro switch (601) is securely lodged between the two extended bosses (600a), and the switch holder (602) and further held by the vertical projections (602b), the micro- switch is thoroughly protected from harsh environmental factors and secured thoroughly. Furthermore, two rear protection pads (602c) are projecting from the underside surface (602e) rear of the micro switch (601). This adds further protection and provides a secure and tight fit to the micro switch (601) within the switch holder (602).

[00023] 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.