Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[1] The present disclosure generally relates to a saddle-type vehicle. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a swing arm assembly of a saddle-type vehicle.

BACKGROUND

[2] Typically, in a saddle-type vehicle, a rider sits on a saddle type seat with legs on either side of the vehicle's central structure. Examples of a saddle-type vehicle include but is not limited to an Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) scooter, an electric scooter, an ICE motorbike, and an electric motorbike. The saddle-style seat gives the rider comfort and support. Additionally, the saddle makes it easier for the rider to steer and operate the vehicle.

[3] In a saddle-type vehicle, for example, a scooter, the swing arm is a crucial part of the rear suspension system. The swing arm connects the rear wheel of the scooter to the frame and allows the wheel to move up and down, absorbing shocks and bumps from the road. The swing arm acts as a load transfer linkage between the rear wheel and the frame through a rear shock absorber.

[4] In an existing swing arm assembly, the swing arm is manufactured with welded tubes and sheet metals. In an existing swing arm assembly, the swing arm has two C section parts, an upper C section and a lower C section welded together. Conventional welding of the two C section parts at the center line can cause larger root gap at the welding junction. A root gap is a small gap between pieces to be joined to allow molten metal to penetrate and fuse properly during welding. Further, in existing swing arm assemblies, it is difficult to integrate the swing arm with frame, shock absorber and rear wheel with desired component durability.

SUMMARY

[5] This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts, in a simplified format, that is further described in the detailed description of the invention. This summary is neither intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the invention and nor is it intended for determining the scope of the invention.

[6] The present disclosure aims to provide a steel swing arm assembly of a saddle-type vehicle.

[7] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a swing arm assembly of a saddle-type vehicle is disclosed. The swing arm assembly includes a first tubular arm. The first tubular arm includes a first front end and a first rear end. The swing arm assembly includes a second tubular arm. The second tubular arm includes a second front end and a second rear end. The swing arm assembly includes a connecting member coupled to the first tubular arm and the second tubular arm. The connecting member includes an upper L-shaped cross section member having width (W) tapering from the first tubular arm and the second tubular arm towards a center (C) of the upper L-shaped cross section member. The connecting member includes a lower L-shaped cross section member coupled to the upper L-shaped cross section member and having width (W’) tapering from the first tubular arm and the second tubular arm towards a center (C’) of the lower L-shaped cross section member. The depth (C-C’) of the lower L-shaped cross section member has a substantially elongated parabolic profile.

[8] To further clarify the advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[9] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

[10] Figure 1 illustrates a side view of a two-wheeler vehicle having a seat mounted on modular storage frame, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[11] Figure 2A illustrates a perspective view of a swing arm assembly of a saddle-type vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[12] Figure 2B illustrates a perspective view of a connecting member in the swing arm assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[13] Figure 2C illustrates a front view of the connecting member in a swing arm assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[14] Figure 2D and Figure 2E illustrates a perspective view of an upper L-shaped cross section member and a lower L-shaped cross section member of the connecting member, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[15] Figure 2F illustrates a perspective view of a top view of the swing arm assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[16] Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of the swing arm assembly with mounting brackets, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[17] Figure 4A and Figure 4B illustrates a scooter with the swing arm assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[18] Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and may not have necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the flow charts illustrate the method in terms of the most prominent steps involved to help to improve understanding of aspects of the present invention. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the swing arm assembly, one or more components of the swing arm assembly may have been represented in the drawings by conventional symbols, and the drawings may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the drawings with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[19] For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the present disclosure, reference will now be made to the various embodiments and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the present disclosure is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the present disclosure as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the present disclosure relates.

[20] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are explanatory of the present disclosure and are not intended to be restrictive thereof.

[21] Whether or not a certain feature or element was limited to being used only once, it may still be referred to as “one or more features” or “one or more elements” or “at least one feature” or “at least one element.” Furthermore, the use of the terms “one or more” or “at least one” feature or element do not preclude there being none of that feature or element, unless otherwise specified by limiting language including, but not limited to, “there needs to be one or more…” or “one or more elements is required.”

[22] Reference is made herein to some “embodiments.” It should be understood that an embodiment is an example of a possible implementation of any features and/or elements of the present disclosure. Some embodiments have been described for the purpose of explaining one or more of the potential ways in which the specific features and/or elements of the proposed disclosure fulfil the requirements of uniqueness, utility, and non-obviousness.

[23] Use of the phrases and/or terms including, but not limited to, “a first embodiment,” “a further embodiment,” “an alternate embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “multiple embodiments,” “some embodiments,” “other embodiments,” “further embodiment”, “furthermore embodiment”, “additional embodiment” or other variants thereof do not necessarily refer to the same embodiments. Unless otherwise specified, one or more particular features and/or elements described in connection with one or more embodiments may be found in one embodiment, or may be found in more than one embodiment, or may be found in all embodiments, or may be found in no embodiments. Although one or more features and/or elements may be described herein in the context of only a single embodiment, or in the context of more than one embodiment, or in the context of all embodiments, the features and/or elements may instead be provided separately or in any appropriate combination or not at all. Conversely, any features and/or elements described in the context of separate embodiments may alternatively be realized as existing together in the context of a single embodiment.

[24] Any particular and all details set forth herein are used in the context of some embodiments and therefore should not necessarily be taken as limiting factors to the proposed disclosure.

[25] The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process or method that comprises a list of steps does not include only those steps but may include other steps not expressly listed or inherent to such process or method. Similarly, one or more devices or sub-systems or elements or structures or components proceeded by “comprises... a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other devices or other sub-systems or other elements or other structures or other components or additional devices or additional sub-systems or additional elements or additional structures or additional components.

[26] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[27] For the sake of clarity, the first digit of a reference numeral of each component of the present disclosure is indicative of the Figure number, in which the corresponding component is shown. For example, reference numerals starting with digit “1” are shown at least in Figure 1. Similarly, reference numerals starting with digit “2” are shown at least in Figure 2.

[28] An Electric Vehicle (EV) or a battery powered vehicle including, and not limited to two-wheelers such as scooters, mopeds, motorbikes/motorcycles; three-wheelers such as auto-rickshaws, four-wheelers such as cars and other Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs) and Heavy Commercial Vehicles (HCVs) primarily work on the principle of driving an electric motor using the power from the batteries provided in the EV. Furthermore, the electric vehicle may have at least one wheel which is electrically powered to traverse such a vehicle. The term ‘wheel’ may be referred to any ground-engaging member which allows traversal of the electric vehicle over a path. The types of EVs include Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV), Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) and Range Extended Electric Vehicle. However, the subsequent paragraphs pertain to the different elements of a Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV).

[29] In construction, as illustrated in Figure 1, an EV (10) typically comprises a battery or battery pack (12) enclosed within a battery casing and includes a Battery Management System (BMS), an on-board charger (14), a Motor Controller Unit (MCU), an electric motor (16) and an electric transmission system (18). The primary function of the above-mentioned elements is detailed in the subsequent paragraphs: The battery of an EV (10) (also known as Electric Vehicle Battery (EVB) or traction battery) is re-chargeable in nature and is the primary source of energy required for the operation of the EV, wherein the battery (12) is typically charged using the electric current taken from the grid through a charging infrastructure (20). The battery may be charged using Alternating Current (AC) or Direct Current (DC), wherein in case of AC input, the on-board charger (14) converts the AC signal to DC signal after which the DC signal is transmitted to the battery via the BMS. However, in case of DC charging, the on-board charger (14) is bypassed, and the current is transmitted directly to the battery via the BMS.

[30] The battery (12) is made up of a plurality of cells which are grouped into a plurality of modules in a manner in which the temperature difference between the cells does not exceed 5 degrees Celsius. The terms “battery”, “cell”, and “battery cell” may be used interchangeably and may refer to any of a variety of different rechargeable cell compositions and configurations including, but not limited to, lithium-ion (e.g., lithium iron phosphate, lithium cobalt oxide, other lithium metal oxides, etc.), lithium-ion polymer, nickel metal hydride, nickel cadmium, nickel hydrogen, nickel-zinc, silver zinc, or other battery type/configuration. The term “battery pack” as used herein may be referred to multiple individual batteries enclosed within a single structure or multi-piece structure. The individual batteries may be electrically interconnected to achieve a desired voltage and capacity for a desired application. The Battery Management System (BMS) is an electronic system whose primary function is to ensure that the battery (12) is operating safely and efficiently. The BMS continuously monitors different parameters of the battery such as temperature, voltage, current and so on, and communicates these parameters to the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) and the Motor Controller Unit (MCU) in the EV using a plurality of protocols including and not limited to Controller Area Network (CAN) bus protocol which facilitates the communication between the ECU/MCU and other peripheral elements of the EV (10) without the requirement of a host computer.

[31] The MCU primarily controls/regulates the operation of the electric motor based on the signal transmitted from the vehicle battery, wherein the primary functions of the MCU include starting of the electric motor (16), stopping the electric motor (16), controlling the speed of the electric motor (16), enabling the vehicle to move in the reverse direction and protect the electric motor (16) from premature wear and tear. The primary function of the electric motor (16) is to convert electrical energy into mechanical energy, wherein the converted mechanical energy is subsequently transferred to the transmission system of the EV to facilitate movement of the EV. Additionally, the electric motor (16) also acts as a generator during regenerative braking (i.e., kinetic energy generated during vehicle braking/deceleration is converted into potential energy and stored in the battery of the EV). The types of motors generally employed in EVs include, but are not limited to DC series motor, Brushless DC motor (also known as BLDC motors), Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM), Three Phase AC Induction Motors and Switched Reluctance Motors (SRM).

[32] The transmission system (18) of the EV (10) facilitates the transfer of the generated mechanical energy by the electric motor (16) to the wheels (22a,22b) of the EV. Generally, the transmission systems (18) used in EVs include single speed transmission system and multi-speed (i.e., two-speed) transmission system, wherein the single speed transmission system comprises a single gear pair whereby the EV is maintained at a constant speed. However, the multi-speed/two-speed transmission system comprises a compound planetary gear system with a double pinion planetary gear set and a single pinion planetary gear set thereby resulting in two different gear ratios which facilitates higher torque and vehicle speed.

[33] In one embodiment, all data pertaining to the EV (10) and/or charging infrastructure (20) are collected and processed using a remote server (known as cloud) (24), wherein the processed data is indicated to the rider/driver of the EV (10) through a display unit present in the dashboard (26) of the EV (10). In an embodiment, the display unit may be an interactive display unit. In another embodiment, the display unit may be a non-interactive display unit.

[34] An EV (10) can alternatively be referred as a saddle-type vehicle. The EV (10) includes a swing arm assembly. The main function of the swing arm is to connect the rear wheel to the frame of the EV (10) and support the rear wheel. Another function of the swing arm is to enhance the efficiency of the rear suspension system. Various forces such as vertical force, lateral force, and torsional force act on the swing arm assembly. A swing arm assembly providing complex integration with frame, shock absorber and rear wheel along with component durability is discussed in the present disclosure.

[35] Figure 2A illustrates a perspective view of a swing arm assembly (200) of a saddle-type vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The swing arm assembly (200) includes a first tubular arm (205) and a second tubular arm (220).The first tubular arm (205) and the second tubular arm (220) are pivoted to the frame of the vehicle at one end to have a swinging movement and coupled to the rear wheel axle at the opposite end.

[36] The swing arm assembly (200) includes a connecting member (225) coupled to the first tubular arm (205) and the second tubular arm (220). The connecting member (225) also referred to as the mid-shock, is formed by welding two L-shaped parts having varied cross section laterally. Accordingly, in one embodiment, the connecting member (225) includes an upper L-shaped cross section member (225b) and a lower L-shaped cross section member (225a). The upper L-shaped cross section member (225b) and the lower L-shaped cross section member (225a) is further illustrated in Figure 2D and Figure 2E.

[37] Referring to Figure 2E, Figure 2E depicts the L-shape (or inverted L-shape) of the upper L-shaped cross section member (225b) and the L-shape of the lower L-shaped cross section member (225a). Figure 2D depicts the upper L-shaped cross section member (225b) and the lower L-shaped cross section member (225a) welded together.

[38] The lower L-shaped cross section member (225a) includes a lower vertical (LV) portion or front face and a lower horizontal (LH) portion or bottom face as depicted in Figure 2D and Figure 2E. The upper L-shaped cross section (225b) includes an upper horizontal (UH) portion or top face and an upper vertical (UV) portion or rear face as depicted in Figure 2D and Figure 2E.

[39] The upper L-shaped cross section member (225b) and the lower L-shaped cross section member (225a) are welded together along the length laterally at the following two locations:

[40] 1. At top-front junction of trimline of lower part and form of upper part.

[41] 2. At bottom-rear junction of trimline of lower part and form of upper part.

[42] As the welding is happening along the trimline of one part to the form of another part, it would be a fillet weld. In one embodiment, a trim section (T) of the lower L-shaped (LV-LH) cross section member (225a) is fillet welded to a form section (F) of the upper L-shaped (UH-UV) cross section member (225b). It is to be noted that with better control on trimline and form profile tolerances, the root gap would be less during welding.

[43] The connecting member (225) is further illustrated in Figure 2B and Figure 2C. The connecting member (225) or the mid-shock is manufactured by welding two L-shaped members, i.e., the upper L-shaped cross section member (225b) and the lower L-shaped cross section member (225a). The mid-shock has a shape designed to withstand high loads. The upper L-shaped cross section member (225b) has a width (W) tapering from the first tubular arm (205) and the second tubular arm (220) towards the center (C) of the upper L-shaped cross section member (225b). The lower L-shaped cross section member (225a) coupled to the upper L-shaped cross section member (225b) has a width (W’) tapering from the first tubular arm (205) and the second tubular arm (220) towards a center (C’) of the lower L-shaped cross section member (225a). The depth (C-C’) of the lower L-shaped cross section member (225a) has a substantially elongated parabolic profile as illustrated in Figure 2C. Figure 2C illustrates a perspective front view of the connecting member (225).

[44] Referring to Figure 2A, the first tubular arm (205) includes a first front end (205a) and a first rear end (205b). The second tubular arm (220) includes a second front end (220a) and a second rear end (220b). The swing arm assembly (200) includes a first cover (230a) coupled to the first front end (205a). Further, the swing arm assembly (200) includes a second cover (230b) coupled to the second front end (220a).

[45] The swing arm assembly (200) includes a first pivot sleeve (210a) coupled to the first front end (205a) and a first spacer (215a) coupled to the first rear end (205b). Further, the swing arm assembly (200) includes a second pivot sleeve (210b) coupled to the second front end (220a) and a second spacer (215b) coupled to the second rear end (220b). The first spacer (215a) and the second spacer (215b) are shown in Figure 2F. The first pivot sleeve (210a) and the second pivot sleeve (210b) are fitted laterally into the first front end (205a) of the first tubular arm (205) and the second front end (220a) of the second tubular arm (220) respectively. The first pivot sleeve (210a) and the second pivot sleeve (210b) are used to couple the swing arm to the chassis. The first spacer (215a) and the second spacer (215b) are used to couple to the rear wheel. The swing arm assembly (200) includes a bracket (235) on the connecting member (225) to attach a shock absorber as shown in Figure 2F.

[46] Figure 3 illustrates a swing arm assembly (200) with mounting brackets (310), according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The swing arm assembly (200) includes multiple mounting brackets (310) coupled to the first tubular arm (205) and the second tubular arm (220). The multiple mounting brackets (310) are configured to mount body parts of the saddle-type vehicle. The swing arm assembly (200) includes a bracket (235) on the connecting member (225) to attach a shock absorber as shown in Figure 3. The swing arm assembly (200) includes a brake mount (320) for anti-rotation. Further, the swing arm assembly (200) includes a paddock mount (315) as shown in Figure 3.

[47] Figure 4B illustrates a scooter with the swing arm assembly (200) and having a shock absorber (405) bolted to the bracket (235) welded on the connecting member (225) or the mid-shock. Figure 4A illustrates a scooter with the swing arm assembly (200), according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[48] In one embodiment, the first tubular arm (205), the second tubular arm (220), and the connecting member (225) or mid-shock are made of steel. By providing better control on trimline and form profile tolerances and reducing the root gap during welding, the mid-shock enhances the efficiency of the rear suspension system. Further, the swing arm assembly (200) provides complex integration with frame, shock absorber and rear wheel along with component durability.

[49] In an embodiment, a top portion of the shock absorber (405) is attached to the frame and its mounting position is fixed. A bottom portion of the shock absorber (405) is attached to the bracket (235) provided on the connecting member (225) of the swing arm assembly (200). To accommodate a predefined length of the shock absorber (405), attachment point (AP) of the shock absorber (405) to the bracket (235) is at a position lower than a topmost face (300) of the first tubular arm (205) and the second tubular arm (220) when viewed from a side of the swing arm assembly (200). The elongated parabolic profile of the depth (C-C’) of the lower L-shaped cross section member (225a) helps in providing greater section modulus, thereby absorbing vertical loads experienced by the swing arm assembly (200). Wider width of the upper L-shaped cross section member (225b) and the lower L-shaped cross section member (225a) near the first tubular arm (205) and the second tubular arm (220) than at their respective centers (C, C’) helps in absorbing and distributing lateral loads experienced by the swing arm assembly (200).

[50] Furthermore, embodiments of the disclosed devices and systems may be readily implemented, fully or partially, in software using, for example, object or object-oriented software development environments that provide portable source code that can be used on a variety of computer platforms. Alternatively, embodiments of the disclosed methods, processes, modules, devices, systems, and computer program product can be implemented partially or fully in hardware using, for example, standard logic circuits or a very-large-scale integration (VLSI) design. Other hardware or software can be used to implement embodiments depending on the speed and/or efficiency requirements of the systems, the particular function, and/or particular software or hardware system, microprocessor, or microcomputer being utilized.

[51] In this application, unless specifically stated otherwise, the use of the singular includes the plural and the use of “or” means “and/or.” Furthermore, use of the terms “including” or “having” is not limiting. Any range described herein will be understood to include the endpoints and all values between the endpoints. Features of the disclosed embodiments may be combined, rearranged, omitted, etc., within the scope of the invention to produce additional embodiments. Furthermore, certain features may sometimes be used to advantage without a corresponding use of other features.

[52] List of reference numerals:
Components Reference numerals
Swing arm assembly 200
First tubular arm 205
Second tubular arm 220
Connecting member 225
Upper L-shaped cross section member 225b
Lower L-shaped cross section member 225a
First cover 230a
Second cover 230b
First pivot sleeve 210a
Second pivot sleeve 210b
First spacer 215a
Second spacer 215b
Bracket 235
Brackets 310
Paddock mount 315
Brake mount 320
Shock absorber 405
, Claims:1. A swing arm assembly (200) of a saddle-type vehicle, the swing arm assembly (200) comprising:
a first tubular arm (205) comprising a first front end (205a) and a first rear end (205b);
a second tubular arm (220) comprising a second front end (220a) and a second rear end (220b); and
a connecting member (225) coupled to the first tubular arm (205) and the second tubular arm (220), the connecting member (225) comprising:
an upper L-shaped cross section member (225b) having width (W) tapering from the first tubular arm (205) and the second tubular arm (220) towards a center (C) of the upper L-shaped cross section member (225b); and
a lower L-shaped cross section member (225a) coupled to the upper L-shaped cross section member (225b) and having width (W’) tapering from the first tubular arm (205) and the second tubular arm (220) towards a center (C’) of the lower L-shaped cross section member (225a), and wherein depth (C-C’) of the lower L-shaped cross section member (225a) has a substantially elongated parabolic profile.

2. The swing arm assembly (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lower L-shaped cross section member (225a) comprises a lower vertical (LV) portion and a lower horizontal (LH) portion and the upper L-shaped cross section (225b) comprises an upper horizontal (UH) portion and an upper vertical (UV) portion, wherein a trim section (T) of the lower L-shaped (LV-LH) cross section member (225a) is fillet welded to a form section (F) of the upper L-shaped (UH-UV) cross section member (225b).

3. The swing arm assembly (200) as claimed in claim 1, comprising:
a first cover (230a) coupled to the first front end (205a), and
a second cover (230b) coupled to the second front end (220a).

4. The swing arm assembly (200) as claimed in claim 1, comprising:
a first pivot sleeve (210a) coupled to the first front end (205a) and a first spacer (215a) coupled to the first rear end (205b); and
a second pivot sleeve (210b) coupled to the second front end (220a) and a second spacer (215b) coupled to the second rear end (220b).

5. The swing arm assembly (200) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the first pivot sleeve (210a) and the second pivot sleeve (210b) are fitted laterally into the first front end (205a) of the first tubular arm (205) and the second front end (220a) of the second tubular arm (220) respectively.

6. The swing arm assembly (200) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the first pivot sleeve (210a) and the second pivot sleeve (210b) are connected to chassis.

7. The swing arm assembly (200) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the first spacer (215a) and the second spacer (215b) are connected to a rear wheel.

8. The swing arm assembly (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first tubular arm (205), the second tubular arm (220), and the connecting member (225) are made of steel.

9. The swing arm assembly (200) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a plurality of brackets (310) coupled to the first tubular arm (205) and the second tubular arm (220), wherein the plurality of brackets (310) are configured to mount body parts of the saddle-type vehicle.

10. The swing arm assembly (200) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a bracket (235) on the connecting member (225) to attach a shock absorber (405).