Description:AN ASSISTIVE BELLOW STRUCTURE

TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present subject matter described herein relates to a bellow structure provided in a vehicle. The present invention is particularly related to a bellow structure used over a translating member/linkages such as used in either cylinder assembly brake master to protect an operating rod, or, used in a steering gearbox to protect an inner ball joint/rack-bar, or, any other translating applications of similar nature. The present invention aims at providing force from the bellow structure to assist in the translation of the linkages.

BACKGROUND
[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present subject matter.
[0003] Bellows are used over and around a linkage to separate the inner environment around the linkage and prevent the linkage from being exposed to the outside environment, which could contaminate or impair the working of the linkage due to dust, moisture, etc.
[0004] Further, in a traditional bellow design, the bellow is compressed throughout its entire operating range because of translation of the linkage and the crosectional nature of the bellow covering those linkages. Also, the compression of the bellow increases with the increase in translation of the linkage. The compressive forces produced by the compression of the bellow provide resistance to the linkage from operating normally.
[0005] However, these compressive forces can become significant and particularly influence force-sensitive applications because additional external force will be needed to overcome such resistive forces in order to operate the linkage. This also depends on the bellow cross-sectional wall thickness, material qualities, etc. This may lead to increased efforts to operate the linkages and it may also affect the overall performance of the linkages.
[0006] Referring to FIG. 1a and FIG. 1b. In an existing design, the bellow (100) has a series of crests (101) and troughs (102) that are placed alternative to each other on a single axis. The crest (101) is made up of two ridges (a, b) having similar lengths. As the linkage starts to operate, the bellow (100) starts to compress as a whole.
[0007] The bellow (100) is compressed from point A to point B due to force applied on the linkage and the ridges (a, b) become closer to each other. Therefore when the stroke is applied, the ridges (a, b) become closer to each other due to which the top portion of the bellow (100) moves slightly outwards from the radial axis and the shape of the bellow (100) changes. Since the shape of the bellow (100) after compression is not natural, a resistive force is generated as the ridge (b) tries to come back to its original portion.
[0008] It is therefore desirable to provide an ergonomic design that effectively reduces the resistance force in a more effective manner.

OBJECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0009] It forms an object of the present disclosure to overcome the aforementioned and other drawbacks/limitations in the existing solutions available in the form of related prior arts.
[0010] It is primary object of the present disclosure is to provide a bellow that provides assistive force while operating the linkage.
[0011] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a force from the bellow that is in the same direction as the external force of translation of the linkages.
[0012] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a cost-effective solution to achieve the above objectives.
[0013] These and other objects and advantages of the present subject matter will be apparent to a person skilled in the art after consideration of the following detailed description taken into consideration with accompanying drawings in which preferred embodiments of the present subject matter are illustrated.

SUMMARY
[0014] A solution to one or more drawbacks of existing technology and additional advantages are provided through the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized through the technicalities of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed disclosure.
[0015] The present disclosure provides a solution in the form of a bellow structure. The bellow structure is mounted axially between a first member and a second member. The bellow structure comprises of an alternating series of circumferentially extending crests and troughs. Each of the crests define a first ridge member and a second ridge member, wherein the first ridge member has a longer length than the second ridge member, wherein the second ridge member is adapted to be translated axially and folded toward the first ridge member in a direction of compression.
[0016] In an aspect, the crests define identical inside diameter to each other.
[0017] In an aspect, the troughs define identical inside diameter to each other.
[0018] In an aspect, the first ridge member and the second ridge member define the same thickness.
[0019] In an aspect, the first ridge member and the second ridge member define different thickness with each other.
[0020] In an aspect, the first ridge member is rear ridge member which starts from previous trough and ends at subsequent next crest.
[0021] In an aspect, the second ridge member is front ridge member which starts from previous crest and ends at subsequent next trough.
[0022] In an aspect, the first member is a linkage and a second member is a housing.
[0023] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
[0024] It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of the present subject matter and are therefore not to be considered for limiting of its scope, for the present disclosure may admit to other equally effective embodiments. The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the figures to reference like features and components. Some embodiments of system or methods or structure in accordance with embodiments of the present subject matter are now described, by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:
[0025] Fig. 1a illustrates a cross-sectional view of a bellow according to the prior art;
[0026] Fig. 1b illustrates a cross-sectional view of working of the bellow according to the prior art;
[0027] Fig. 2a illustrates a cross-sectional view of a bellow structure according to the present disclosure;
[0028] Fig. 2b illustrates a cross-sectional view of working of the bellow structure according to the present disclosure.
[0029] The figures depict embodiments of the present subject matter for illustration only. A person skilled in the art will easily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
[0030] The detailed description of various exemplary embodiments of the disclosure is described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments are described herein in such details as to communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of details provided herein is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0031] It is also to be understood that various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the present disclosure, as well as specific examples, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
[0032] It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions/acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two figures shown in succession may be executed concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved.
[0033] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. It will be further understood that terms, e.g., those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
[0034] In the following detailed description of the embodiments of the disclosure, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration of specific embodiments in which the disclosure may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The following description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.
[0035] Hereinafter, a description of an embodiment with several components in communication with each other does not imply that all such components are required. On the contrary, a variety of optional components are described to illustrate the wide variety of possible embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0036] The present invention discloses a bellow structure that is used over a linkage to reduce the effort to operate the linkage and also improve the overall performance of the linkage.
[0037] Referring to FIG. 1a and FIG. 2a, shows a bellow structure (200). The bellow structure (200) is mounted axially between a first member (103) and a second member (104). The first member (103) is a linkage and the second member (104) is a housing. The bellow structure (200) comprises an alternating series of circumferentially extending crests (201a, 201b, 201c, 201d) and troughs (202a, 202b, 202c).
[0038] Referring to FIG. 2a, the crests (201a, 201b, 201c, 201d) have identical inside diameter to each other and the troughs (202a, 202b, 202c) also define identical inside diameter to each other. The crests (201a, 201b, 201c, 201d) is joined adjacent to one another. Therefore, a trough (202a, 202b, 202c) is formed between the crests (201a, 201b, 201c, 201d). The crests (201a, 201b, 201c, 201d) and troughs (202a, 202b, 202c) are provided on the same axial line (x) as the bellow axis.
[0039] Further, each of the crests (201a, 201b, 201c, 201d) describe a first ridge member (203a) and a second ridge member (203b). The first ridge member (203a) has a longer length than the second ridge member (203b). Also, the first ridge member (203a) and the second ridge member (203b) are joined to each other at the top from one side.
[0040] Furthermore, the thickness of the first ridge member (203a) and the second ridge member (203b) is same. In another embodiment, thickness of the first ridge member (203a) and the second ridge member (203b) may be different from each other. Also, the first ridge member (203a) is the rear ridge member which starts from previous trough and ends at subsequent next crest. The second ridge member (203b) is a front ridge member which starts from previous crest and ends at subsequent next trough.
Working of the invention
[0041] Referring to FIG. 2a and FIG. 2b. In an embodiment, during the resting phase of the linkage, the second ridge member (203b) of the crest (201a, 201b, 201c, 201d) of the bellow (200) remain placed at an intial point ‘a’. Therefore, the bellow (200) remains the same and there are no structural changes.
[0042] In a compression phase, as the linkage starts to operate, the bellow structure (200) also gets in motion and compresses as a whole. As provided above, the bellow structure (200) comprises of an alternating series of circumferentially extending crests (201a, 201b, 201c, 201d) and troughs (202a, 202b, 202c).
[0043] Each crest (201a, 201b, 201c, 201d) has a first ridge member (203a) and a second ridge member (203b). The first ridge member (203a) has a longer length than the second ridge member (203b). Further, one side of the first ridge member (203a) and the second ridge member (203b) are connected at a top portion forming a peak.
[0044] Therefore during compression of the linkage along with the bellow structure (200), one crest (201a, 201b, 201c, 201d) is adapted to be folded relative to the other crest (201a, 201b, 201c, 201d) and the first ridge member (203a). Also, the top portion of the first ridge member (203a) and the second ridge member (203b) are forced radially outwards from an initial point ‘a’ during a first stage of translation and the angle of the first ridge member (203a) and the second ridge member (203b) with the axis of the bellow structure (x) starts becoming more upright.
[0045] As the linkage compresses/translates more, a condition is reached when the second ridge member (203b) become perpendicular to the bellow axis. The angle of the second ridge member (203b) forms approx. 90 degrees at a middle point ‘b’ with respect to the initial point ‘a’ along the axis of the bellow structure (200) during the initial stroke.
[0046] After this condition, the second ridge member (203b) inherently wants to come back radially inwards due to the natural shape of the bellow structure (200). This further generates a resistive force opposing the translation of the linkages (as provided in prior art).
[0047] Therefore after the additional translation or after final portion of the stroke, the second ridge member (203b) is pushed and folded inside the first ridge member (203a) due to difference in the length of the the first ridge member (203a) and the second ridge member (203b). The forces (due to inherent nature of the bellow to come radially inwards) from the bellow structure are now are in the same direction as the external force of translation of the linkage.
[0048] Thereafter, the force on the bellow structure (200) which was resistive earlier becomes assistive to the operation of the linkage.
TECHNICAL ADVANTAGES
[0049] With the help of the solution as proposed herein in the context of the present disclosure, the bellow assists the linkage to effectively compress during the operation of the linkage.
[0050] The alternating lengths of the first ridge member and the second ridge member helps in providing assistance during translation of the linkage.
[0051] The present invention reduces external effort that were previously applied during translating of the linkage (in prior art to overcome resistive forces generated due to compression of the bellow).
[0052] The present invention is cost effective.
[0053] It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation, no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to disclosures containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. Also, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general, such construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances, where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general, such construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”
[0054] It will be further appreciated that functions or structures of a plurality of components or steps may be combined into a single component or step, or the functions or structures of one-step or component may be split among plural steps or components. The present disclosure contemplates all of these combinations. Unless stated otherwise, dimensions and geometries of the various structures depicted herein are not intended to be restrictive of the disclosure, and other dimensions or geometries are possible. Also, while a feature of the present disclosure may have been described in the context of only one of the illustrated embodiments, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of other embodiments, for any given application. It will also be appreciated from the above that the fabrication of the unique structures herein and the operation thereof also constitute methods in accordance with the present disclosure. The present disclosure also encompasses intermediate and end products resulting from the practice of the methods herein. The use of “comprising” or “including” also contemplates embodiments that “consist essentially of” or “consist of” the recited feature. , Claims:We claim:
1. A bellow structure (200) comprising:
the bellow structure (200) mounted axially between a first member (103) and a second member (104) , the bellow structure (100) comprises an alternating series of circumferentially extending crests (201a, 201b, 201c, 201d) and troughs (202a, 202b, 202c),
each of the crests (201a, 201b, 201c, 201d) define a first ridge member (203a) and a second ridge member (203b), wherein the first ridge member (203a) has a longer length than the second ridge member (203b),
wherein the second ridge member (203b) is adapted to be translated axially and folded toward the first ridge member (203a) in a direction of compression.
2. The bellow structure (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the crests (201a, 201b, 201c, 201d) define identical inside diameter to each other.
3. The bellow structure (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the troughs (202a, 202b, 202c) define identical inside diameter to each other.
4. The bellow structure (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first ridge member (203a) and the second ridge member (203b) define the same thickness.
5. The bellow structure (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first ridge member (203a) and the second ridge member (203b) define different thickness with each other.
6. The bellow structure (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first ridge member (203a) is rear ridge member which starts from previous trough and ends at subsequent next crest.
7. The bellow structure (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second ridge member (203b) is front ridge member which starts from previous crest and ends at subsequent next trough.
8. The bellow structure (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first member (103) is a linkage and a second member (104) is a housing.