VEHICLE WITH WINDSHIELD AND DUCT ASSEMBLY

A vehicle including a frame and a panel coupled to the frame. The panel includes an open-ended aperture extending therethrough. The vehicle further includes a duct including a bore that is aligned with a portion of the aperture, a windshield fixedly coupled to the duct, and a fastener that clamps the duct to the panel. The fastener extends through the aperture in the panel and into the bore in the duct. Under a predetermined deceleration of the vehicle, the fastener moves through the aperture such that the duct and the windshield release from the panel.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a vehicle with a windshield and duct assembly. The present invention further relates to a vehicle with a windshield and duct assembly that is removable from the vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A motorcycle rider encounters traveling wind when riding a motorcycle. Motorcycles therefore often have a windshield, a duct, or both to prevent and/or redirect air from reaching the rider.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the invention provides a vehicle including a frame and a panel coupled to the frame. The panel includes an open-ended aperture extending therethrough. The vehicle further includes a duct including a bore that is aligned with a portion of the aperture, a windshield fixedly coupled to the duct, and a fastener that clamps the duct to the panel. The fastener extends through the aperture in the panel and into the bore in the duct. Under a predetermined deceleration of the vehicle, the fastener moves through the aperture such that the duct and the windshield release from the panel.

In another aspect, the invention provides a windshield and duct assembly removably coupled to a panel of the vehicle. The windshield and duct assembly includes a duct including a bore, a windshield coupled to the duct, a plurality of fasteners that fixedly couple the windshield to the duct, a plurality of fasteners that are configured to clamp the duct to the panel such that the duct, the windshield, and the plurality of fasteners that are selectively removable from the panel in a forward direction without the fasteners breaking or otherwise deforming.

In yet another aspect, the invention provides a method of assembling a vehicle including providing a panel with an open-ended aperture and providing a windshield and duct assembly. The windshield and duct assembly includes a duct including a bore, a windshield coupled to the duct, and a fastener. The method further includes clamping, via the fastener, the duct to the panel such that under a predetermined deceleration of the vehicle, the windshield and duct assembly is restrained relative to the panel only by friction in the forward direction.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS.1-8and9-14illustrate an outer fairing10(e.g., an outer panel) configured to be coupled a frame14of a vehicle18(e.g., a motorcycle,FIG.15) and a windshield and duct assembly22that is removably coupled to the outer fairing10. The windshield and duct assembly22includes a duct26, a duct cover30, and a windshield34that are fixedly coupled to one another via a first plurality of fasteners38. The individual components can have a variety of different shapes—the illustrated embodiments ofFIGS.1-8and9-14being just two representative examples. In particular, the windshield34can have a variety of different shapes and particularly different heights that project up above the outer fairing10. The windshield and duct assembly22further includes a second plurality of fasteners42that removably clamp the windshield and duct assembly22to the outer fairing10. As will be discussed in greater detail below, the fasteners42clamp the duct26to the outer fairing10such that during normal use, the windshield and duct assembly22is coupled to the outer fairing10, but in response to the vehicle experiencing deceleration that is equal to or greater than a predetermined deceleration (e.g., such as brought about by a collision), the windshield and duct assembly22can release from (e.g., move or slide off) the outer fairing10. The predetermined deceleration is greater than deceleration attributed to normal operating conditions of the vehicle, such as when being driven, when undergoing maximum breaking, being towed by trailer, when experiencing inclement (e.g., windy) weather conditions, or any combination of these. That is, the windshield and duct assembly22can release from the outer fairing10via inertia. Because the windshield and duct assembly22is configured to release from the outer fairing10it can move out from in front of the rider with or without contact of the rider. In other words, the windshield and duct assembly22functions as a break-away component that can move out from in front of the rider with or without contact of the rider.

The outer fairing10and the windshield and duct assembly22of each ofFIGS.1-8and9-14are similar with respect to their connection structures and therefore like structure will be identified by like reference numerals.

As shown inFIGS.3,7,10, and13, the outer fairing10includes a body that has an outer surface, an inner surface opposite the outer surface, a first side, a second side, a front end, and a rear end. A first projection50extends from the outer surface and a second projection54extends from the outer surface. The second projection50is spaced apart from the first projection54by a gap58. A plurality of open-ended apertures62extend through the body from the outer surface to the inner surface. In the illustrated embodiment there are four open-ended apertures62. Two of the open-ended apertures62are positioned between the first side and the first projection50, and two of the open-ended apertures62are positioned between the second side and the second projection54. Accordingly, the open-ended apertures62are outside of the gap58between the first projection50and the second projection54.

Further with respect toFIGS.6,7,13, and14, the open-ended apertures62each include a closed end66and an open end70opposite the closed end66. Moreover, an axis A is defined between the closed end66and the open end70. The closed end66is positioned closer to the rear end of the outer fairing10and the open end70is positioned closer to the front end of the outer fairing10. A first portion74extends from the closed end66towards the open end70and a second portion78extends from the first portion to the open end70. In the illustrated embodiments, the first portion74has a width that is less than a width of the second portion78.

The duct26is removably coupled to the outer fairing10. The duct26includes a body that has an outer surface, an inner surface, a first side, a second side, a rear end, and a front end. A front lip or edge100extends from the outer surface along the front end. The body includes a first side portion, a second side portion, and a central portion. The first side portion extends from the first side to the central portion and the second side portion extends from the second side to the central portion. Each of the first side portion and the second side portion includes a first set of bores104that face in a first direction (e.g., generally downwardly) and a second set of bores108that face in a second direction (e.g., generally upwardly). Each of the first set of bores104defines an axis B. Each of the bores104is configured to align with the first portion74of one of the open-ended apertures62of the outer fairing10. As shown, the axis B of each of the bores104is transverse to the axis A of the respective open-ended aperture62.

The fasteners42removably couple or clamp the duct26(and therefore duct vane assembly130, the duct cover30, and the windshield34) to the outer fairing10such that the duct26is restrained relative to the panel only by friction in the forward direction. In particular, each of the fasteners42includes a head112and a threaded portion116. The head112abuts the inner surface of the outer fairing10while the threaded portion116extends through the respective open-ended aperture62of the outer fairing10and the respective bore104of the duct26. That is, the threaded portion116of each fastener42is generally aligned with the axis B of the respective bore104. Moreover, to ensure that the windshield and duct assembly22is retained during normal use but may be released when the vehicle18experiences the predetermined deceleration (discussed in greater detail below), in some embodiments, each fastener42applies a clamp load between the outer fairing10and the duct26of greater than 328 pound-force. In some embodiments, each fastener42applies a clamp load between the outer fairing10and the duct26of approximately 438 pound-force to approximately 952 pound-force. The term approximately as used herein means plus or minus 25% of the stated value. The fasteners42can be self-tapping screws, which help to ensure the appropriate clamp loads. Additionally, each one of the fasteners42is coupled to the respective bore104with 23 inch-pound to 30 inch-pound of torque.

The duct26further includes a duct vane assembly130that is removably coupled to the body. As shown, inFIGS.3,5,10, and12, the duct vane assembly130includes a body or bezel134that has an outer surface and an inner surface opposite the inner surface, a first side, and a second side opposite the first side. The outer surface defines a recess138. A first projection142is positioned on the first side and extends from the inner surface and a second projection146is positioned on the second side extends from the inner surface. The bezel134movably supports (via an actuator150) a vane154that extends across the recess138in the outer surface. Each of the first and second projections142,146includes a clip158,162that is removably coupled (e.g., by a snap fit or a friction fit) thereto. Each of the projections142,146, with the clip158,162, is received within a respective aperture166,170in the rear end of the body of duct26. The clips158,162removably couple the bezel134(and the bezel vane assembly130) to the duct26.

When assembled, the first side portion of the duct26is positioned generally between the first side of the outer fairing10and the first projection50, the second side portion of the duct26is positioned generally between the second side of the outer fairing10and the second projection54, and the central portion overlies the gap58between the first projection50and the second projection54. A channel is defined between an inner surface of the central portion of the duct26and the outer surface of the outer fairing10in the area created by the gap58. The bezel134is coupled to the rear end of the duct26. Specifically, the projections142,146and clips158,162are received by the respective apertures166,170of the duct26. The recess138of the bezel134is aligned with and at least partially defines the channel. The vane154of the duct vane assembly130is positioned to extend across the channel and is movable relative to the channel via the actuator130. Also, a portion of the bezel134defines a rear lip or edge184that, when assembled, is adjacent to a rear end of the duct26. A recess188is defined between the rear lip184created by the bezel134and the front lip100of the duct26.

The duct cover30is fixedly coupled to the body of the duct26. The duct cover30includes a body that has an outer surface, an inner surface, a first side, a second side, a rear end, and a front end. The body includes a first side portion, a second side portion, and a central portion. The first side portion extends from the first side to the central portion and the second side portion extends from the second side to the central portion. The duct cover30includes a first coupler210extends from the outer surface of the first side portion and a second coupler214that extends from the outer surface of the second side portion. The duct cover30further includes a first bracket218and a second bracket222that extend from the outer surface and that are positioned adjacent to the front end thereof. Each of the brackets218,222includes a recess226,230. The body of the duct cover30is coupled to the duct26and is generally positioned within the recess188. As shown, the outer surface of the duct cover30is flush with the outer surface of the rear lip184defined by the bezel134and the outer surface of the front lip100of the duct26. Some of the fasteners38(only one of which is shown) extend through a first set of apertures234in each of the couplers210,214and into a respective bore108of the second set of bores108to fixedly couple the duct cover30to the duct26. Accordingly, the first side portion of the duct cover30is adjacent to the first side portion of the duct26, the second side portion of the duct cover30is adjacent to the first side portion of the duct26, and the central portion of the duct cover30is adjacent to the central portion of the duct26. Although the duct26and duct cover30are separate components that are coupled to one another in the illustrated embodiments, in other embodiments, the duct and duct cover may be formed as a single integrally formed piece.

The windshield34is constructed from a tinted or opaque material (e.g., plastic) and is fixedly coupled to the duct cover30. The windshield34includes a body that has an outer surface, an inner surface, a first side, a second side, a rear end, and a front end. The front end of the body is received in recesses of the brackets218,222. In the illustrated embodiment, the windshield34engages the surfaces of the brackets218,222via a press-fit or an interference fit, although other suitable engagement configurations are possible. The windshield34further includes a plurality of apertures250, each of which aligns with an aperture254of a second set of apertures254of the each of the couplers210,214. Accordingly, some of the fasteners38extend through each of the apertures250in the windshield34and the respective aperture254in the couplers210,214to fixedly couple the windshield34to the duct cover30, and therefore the duct26. Together the couplers210,214and the brackets218,222, which all project from the outer surface of the duct cover30, offset the windshield34relative to the outer surface of the duct cover30.

As shown inFIG.6, a gap270is created between the outer surface of the duct cover30and an inner surface of the windshield34. During normal operation, wind, often at high velocities, moves through the gap270, which can cause aerostructural resonance between the windshield34and the duct cover30. The brackets218,222that receive the front end of the windshield34anchor or otherwise constrain the windshield34relative to the duct cover30, and therefore the outer fairing10. The brackets218,222therefore reduce the amount of resonance therebetween, which in turn reduces oscillation therebetween, as well as the possibility of fracture of the windshield34. In other words, the brackets218,222are shock absorbers that reduce and dampen the movement between the windshield34and the duct cover30during normal operation.

As shown inFIGS.18-20, the shock absorber may have other configurations than the brackets218,222shown inFIGS.1-15. It should be understood that the shock absorbers18-20are suitable for either of the vehicles shown inFIGS.1-8orFIGS.9-15. For example, in the embodiment ofFIG.18the brackets218,222are replaced with an elongate gasket300. As shown, the elongate gasket300is positioned between the front end of the windshield34and the duct cover30. The elongate gasket300is positioned between the inner surface of the windshield34and the duct cover30. In the illustrated embodiment, the elongated gasket300is long enough to cover substantially the entire gap270. That is, the elongate gasket310extends generally the entire width of the front end of the windshield34. In other embodiments, the elongate gasket300may be shorter or any suitable length.

Another example is shown inFIGS.19-20, which show another elongate gasket310. In the illustrated embodiment, the elongated gasket310is molded as a single piece with the windshield34. The elongate gasket310includes a body with a lip314and one or more supports318extending therefrom. Each of the supports318includes an inner surface that is configured to be positioned adjacent to the outer surface of the duct cover30. In some embodiments, the inner surfaces of the supports318are configured to contact the outer surface of the duct cover30. In some embodiments, the inner surfaces of the supports318are configured to be adhered (e.g., via adhesive or other suitable means) to the outer surface of the duct cover30. In other embodiments, the elongated gasket310may be a separate piece coupled to the windshield34. In such case, an outer surface of the body is adhered (e.g., via adhesive or other suitable means) to the inner surface of the windshield34. The elongate gasket310extends generally the entire width of the front end of the windshield34. In other embodiments, the elongate gasket310may be shorter or have another suitable length. As shown, the supports318take up space between the inner surface of the windshield34and the outer surface of the duct cover30. Also, the lip314reduces the size of the gap270. The gasket310is therefore configured to reduce the amount of airflow velocity and thus movement between the windshield34and the duct cover30.

The elongate gaskets300,310may be formed from any suitable material, such as, but not limited to, plastic, metal, felt foam, rubber, nylon, vinyl, silicone, and/or a combination of one or more of these and/or other materials. Finally, either of the gaskets300,310may be used in combination with the brackets218,222.

When the predetermined deceleration is experienced by the vehicle18, the windshield and duct assembly22may release because, collectively, the fasteners42move (e.g., slide along the axis A) through the respective open-ended aperture62from the closed end66through the open end70. Accordingly, rather than the fasteners42breaking or otherwise deforming, the duct26(and therefore the windshield and duct assembly22) moves with the fasteners to which they it coupled. Because the duct26is fixedly coupled to the duct cover30and the windshield34, the duct cover30and the windshield34move with the duct26. As noted above, the duct vane assembly130is removably coupled to the duct26. Therefore, the duct vane assembly130may release with the duct26initially, but it may separate from the duct26thereafter. Alternatively, the duct vane assembly130may release separate from the duct26initially. In either case, the windshield and duct assembly22(and each component thereof, e.g., the duct26, the duct vane assembly130, the duct cover30, and the windshield34) are removed from in front of the rider.

Other ways of routing wind through the fairing and/or the windshield and duct assembly22are discussed below relative toFIGS.16-17and21.

Beyond the use of shock absorbers, another method of reducing resonance, and therefore, movement between the windshield34and the duct cover30is shown inFIG.21. There, the duct cover30has a plurality of projections330(e.g., polygonal projections) extending from the outer surface adjacent to the front end. In the illustrated embodiment, the projections330are each triangular, although other shapes are possible. Each of the polygonal projections330has an inclined surface334. A height defined between the inclined surface334and the outer surface of the duct cover30decreases in a direction from the rear end to the front end. When assembled, at least a portion of each of the inclined surfaces334is configured to be positioned adjacent to the inner surface of the windshield34. The polygonal projections330break up the wind, and therefore the resonance, moving through the gap270.

It is also noted that wind can be routed through the outer fairing10in some cases. As shown inFIGS.16-17, the outer fairing10may include additional ducts350that extend from a front end of the fairing rearwardly to an area where the passenger is seated. In the illustrated embodiment, the ducts350are positioned on opposite sides of a headlight unit354. The headlight unit354and the ducts350are incorporated within a combination light assembly that includes high and low beams, position light(s)358, and turn signals360. The ducts350route cooling airflow through the front lighting aperture of the outer fairing10to the passenger.