DESC:CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to the Indian provisional patent application No. 202441060465 filed on August 09, 2024, the complete disclosures of which, in their entirety, are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND
Technical Field
[0002] The embodiments herein generally relate to a vehicle, and more particularly, to a swing fork of the vehicle.

Description of related art
[0003] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure, not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[0004] A swing fork is a mechanical device that connects a vehicle's rear wheel to a frame. A conventional vehicle includes a driven system on the wheel, and a conventional swing fork 102 is connected to an electric motor via a belt/chain/shaft drive. In one embodiment, the vehicle may include, but not limited to, a two-wheeled electric vehicle (E.g., an Electric Scooter or an Electric Bike). The vehicle includes a belt/chain/shaft drive to transmit motion, torque, and power from a driver shaft to a driven shaft.
[0005] The conventional vehicles have a complex design due to several factors. The factors are: (i) the conventional swing fork 102 is directly connected to the electric motor, (ii) the belt/chain/shaft drive routes around the swing fork, and (iii) the conventional swing fork’s 102 connection points are concealed by side body panels and belt/chain covers in the conventional vehicle. During servicing, the aforementioned design complexities necessitate the disassembly of the conventional swing fork 102 to access and maintain the drive system, adversely impacting the vehicle's overall serviceability.
[0006] FIG. 1 illustrates the conventional swing fork 102 assembled with one or more components of a vehicle 100, according to an embodiment herein. The one or more components include, but not limited to, a motor mounting bracket 104, a powertrain 106, and a rear wheel 108. A left and right front member of the conventional swing fork 102 is connected to the motor mounting bracket 104 and the powertrain 106 of the vehicle 100. A left and right rear member of the conventional swing fork 102 is connected to the rear wheel 108 of the vehicle 100. In the conventional approach, an axis of a driver pulley and a driven pulley is aligned with an axis of a bridging member of the conventional swing fork 102. The mentioned configuration causes the belt/chain/shaft drive 110 to route around the conventional swing fork 102, requiring the disassembly of the conventional swing fork 102 to access a drive system. Disassembly of the conventional swing fork 102 negatively impacts the vehicle's overall serviceability. Consequently, the conventional approach is ineffective in addressing above-mentioned challenges.
[0007] Hence, there remains a need for an improved approach to provide a better swing fork for the vehicle to address the aforementioned issues.

SUMMARY
[0008] In view of the foregoing, an embodiment herein provides a swing fork of a vehicle. The swing fork includes at least one left-side swing fork member, at least one right-side swing fork member, a bridging member, at least one left bridge mounting bracket, and at least one right bridge mounting bracket. The at least one left-side swing fork member includes at least one left front end and at least one left back end. The at least one right-side swing fork member includes at least one right front end and at least one right back end. The bridging member is oriented substantially perpendicularly to the at least one left-side swing fork member and the at least one right-side swing fork member. The at least one left bridge mounting bracket extends downward from the at least one left-side swing fork member for a first predetermined vertical distance to connect with the bridging member. The at least one right bridge mounting bracket extends downward from the at least one right-side swing fork member for a second predetermined vertical distance to connect with the bridging member. The bridging member is vertically offset by the first predetermined vertical distance and the second predetermined vertical distance (Z). The bottom offset is configured to maintain the first predetermined vertical distance and the second predetermined vertical distance (Z) between an axis (X-X) of a driver pulley and a driven pulley, and an axis (Y-Y) of the bridging member, thereby enabling routing of a drive element without passing around the bridging member to improve accessibility and serviceability of a vehicle.
[0009] In some embodiments, the swing fork further includes a suspension mounting bracket that is positioned on the bridging member. The suspension mounting bracket includes a mounting point to mount a shock absorber to the swing fork.
[0010] In some embodiments, the suspension mounting bracket is positioned on the at least one left-side swing fork member or the at least one right-side swing fork member.
[0011] In some embodiments, the suspension mounting bracket is positioned on the bridging member through a suspension mounting member.
[0012] In some embodiments, the at least one left bridge mounting bracket and at least one the right bridge mounting bracket are positioned at a first predetermined location of the at least one left-side swing fork member, and a second predetermined location of the at least one right-side swing fork member, respectively.
[0013] In some embodiments, the at least one left back end of the at least one left-side swing fork member, and the at least one right back end of the at least one right-side swing fork member are mechanically connected to a rear wheel.
[0014] In some embodiments, the at least one left front end of the at least one left-side swing fork member, and the at least one right front end of the at least one right-side swing fork member are mechanically connected to one or more components of the vehicle. The one or more components of the vehicle include a motor mounting bracket or a powertrain.
[0015] These and other aspects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating preferred embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following detailed description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional swing fork assembled with one or more components of a vehicle, according to an embodiment herein;
[0018] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a swing fork according to an embodiment herein; and
[0019] FIG. 3 illustrates the swing fork connected to a powertrain, a motor mounting bracket, and a rear wheel according to an embodiment herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0020] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0021] Various embodiments disclosed herein eliminate the need to disassemble a swing fork of the vehicle to access and service the drive system by vertical offsetting a bridging member of the swing fork from a belt/chain/shaft of the vehicle.
[0022] As mentioned, there remains a need for an improved approach to provide a better swing fork for a vehicle to address the aforementioned issues. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown preferred embodiments.
[0023] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a swing fork 200 according to an embodiment herein. As used herein, the swing fork 200 is defined as a double-sided mechanical device that attaches the vehicle's rear wheel to a body of the vehicle, allowing the rear wheel to pivot vertically. The swing fork 200 includes at least one left-side swing fork member 202, at least one right-side swing fork member 204, a bridging member 206, at least one left bridge mounting bracket 212, and at least one right bridge mounting bracket 214. The at least one left-side swing fork member 202 includes at least one left front end 216 and at least one left back end 218. The at least one right-side swing fork member 204 includes at least one right front end 220 and at least one right back end 222.
[0024] The swing fork 200 may be a casted part, a fabricated part, or an assembled part. The bridging member 206 is oriented substantially perpendicularly to the at least one left-side swing fork member 202 and the at least one right-side swing fork member 204. The bridging member 206 acts as a bridge to connect the at least one left-side swing fork member 202 and the at least one right-side swing fork member 204.
[0025] The at least one left bridge mounting bracket 212 extends downward from the at least one left-side swing fork member 202 for a first predetermined vertical distance to connect with the bridging member 206. The at least one right bridge mounting bracket 214 extends downward from the at least one right-side swing fork member 204 for a second predetermined vertical distance to connect with the bridging member 206.
[0026] The at least one left bridge mounting bracket 212 and the at least one right bridge mounting bracket 214 are positioned at a first predetermined location of the at least one left-side swing fork member 202, and a second predetermined location of the at least one right-side swing fork member 204, respectively. In one embodiment, the first predetermined location of the at least one left-side swing fork member 202, and the second predetermined location of the at least one right-side swing fork member 204 may vary based on length of the at least one left-side swing fork member 202 and the at least one right-side swing fork member 204.
[0027] The at least one left bridge mounting bracket 212 is positioned at a first predetermined angle to the bridging member 206. The at least one right bridge mounting bracket 214 is positioned at a second predetermined angle to the bridging member 206. In one embodiment, the first predetermined angle may be equal to or may not be equal to the second predetermined angle.
[0028] Furthermore, the swing fork 200 includes a suspension mounting bracket 210 that is positioned on the bridging member 206. In one embodiment, the suspension mounting bracket 210 is positioned on the at least one left-side swing fork member 202. In another embodiment, the suspension mounting bracket 210 is positioned on the at least one right-side swing fork member 204. In yet another embodiment, the suspension mounting bracket 210 is positioned on the bridging member 206 through a suspension mounting member 208. In one embodiment, the suspension mounting member 208 and the suspension mounting bracket 210 include, but not limited to, a gusset or a bracket.
[0029] A shock absorber is mechanically connected to the swing fork 200 via the suspension mounting bracket 210. In one embodiment, the shock absorber may include a mono-shock absorber or a dual shock absorber. As used herein, the shock absorber is defined as a mechanical or hydraulic device designed to absorb and damp shock impulses by converting the kinetic energy of the shock into another form of energy. The suspension mounting bracket 210 includes a mounting point 224 to mount the shock absorber in a predetermined position. The mounting point 224 connects the swing fork 200 of the vehicle to the shock absorber by the connecting means. In another embodiment, the connecting means may include, but not limited to, clips, rivets, and/or nuts & bolts.
[0030] Furthermore, in one aspect, the swing fork 200 includes a first supporting member and a second supporting member (not shown in the figure) to provide support to the swing fork 200. The first supporting member is positioned on the at least one left-side swing fork member 202, and the second supporting member is positioned on the at least one right-side swing fork member 204. In one embodiment, the suspension mounting bracket 210 is positioned on the first supporting member. In another embodiment, the suspension mounting bracket 210 is positioned on the second supporting member. In yet another embodiment, the suspension mounting bracket 210 is positioned on any of the structural parts of a transmission system.
[0031] In addition to that, the swing fork 200 includes one or more connecting points to connect the swing fork 200 to other parts of the vehicle. Ideally the one or more connecting points are concealed by one or more side panels of the vehicle and belt/chain cover, making maintenance difficult. The proposed swing fork 200 featuring the vertically offset the bridging member 206 enables belt/chain/shaft removal during servicing without disassembling side panels or the swing fork 200, which significantly improves accessibility to the vehicle's drive system.
[0032] FIG. 3 illustrates the swing fork 200 connected to a powertrain 302, a motor mounting bracket 304, and a rear wheel 306 according to an embodiment herein. The at least one left front end 216 of the at least one left-side swing fork member 202 and the at least one right front end 220 of the at least one right-side swing fork member 204 are mechanically connected to one or more components of the vehicle. In one embodiment, the one or more components of the vehicle may include, but not limited to, the motor mounting bracket 304 or the powertrain 302. In another embodiment, the one or more components of the vehicle may be a frame.
[0033] In one embodiment, the at least one left front end 216 of the at least one left-side swing fork member 202 and the at least one right front end 220 of the at least one right-side swing fork member 204 are mechanically connected to the one or more components of the vehicle using one or more connecting means. In yet another embodiment, the one or more connecting means may include, but not limited to, clips, rivets, and/or nuts & bolts.
[0034] The at least one left back end 218 of the at least one left-side swing fork member 202, and the at least one right back end 222 of the at least one right-side swing fork member 204 are mechanically connected to the rear wheel 306 of the vehicle. In one embodiment, the at least one left back end 218 of the at least one left-side swing fork member 202, and the at least one right back end 222 of the at least one right-side swing fork member 204 are mechanically connected to the rear wheel 306 of the vehicle using one or more connecting means. In yet another embodiment, the one or more connecting means may include, but not limited to, clips, rivets, and/or nuts & bolts.
[0035] Furthermore, the vehicle includes a drive element 312 to transmit motion, torque, and power from a driver pulley 308 (E.g., a motor) to a driven pulley 310. In one embodiment, the drive element 312 may include, but is not limited to, a belt, chain, or shaft drive. Figure 3 further discloses the routing of the drive element 312 (the belt/chain/shaft drive) configuration that bypasses the swing fork 200 using a vertical offsetting of the bridging member 206 (from the belt/chain/shaft) to provide high serviceability. The vertical offset is obtained by extending both the at least one left bridge mounting bracket 212 and the at least one right bridge mounting bracket 214 downward for the first predetermined vertical distance and the second predetermined vertical distance (Z) to connect with the bridging member 206.
[0036] The vertical offset is configured to maintain the first predetermined vertical distance and the second predetermined vertical distance (Z) between an axis (X-X) of the driver pulley 308 and the driven pulley 310, and an axis (Y-Y) of the bridging member 206, thereby enabling routing of a drive element 312 without passing around the bridging member 206 to improve accessibility and serviceability of a vehicle. Due to the vertical offset of the bridging member 206 the vehicle manufacturers avoid routing the belt/chain/shaft around the bridging member 206 of the swing fork 200, which improves the accessibility and the serviceability of the vehicle.
[0037] In one aspect of the invention, the vertical offset is obtained by extending both the at least one left bridge mounting bracket 212 and the at least one right bridge mounting bracket 214 upward for the first predetermined vertical distance and the second predetermined vertical distance (Z) to connect with the bridging member 206.
[0038] The vertical offset is configured to maintain the first predetermined vertical distance and the second predetermined vertical distance (Z) between an axis (X-X) of the driver pulley 308 and the driven pulley 310, and an axis (Y-Y) of the bridging member 206, thereby enabling routing of a drive element 312 without passing around the bridging member 206 to improve accessibility and serviceability of a vehicle. Due to the vertical offset of the bridging member 206 the vehicle manufacturers avoid routing the belt/chain/shaft around the bridging member 206 of the swing fork 200, which improves the accessibility and the serviceability of the vehicle. further, upward extension of the both the at least one left bridge mounting bracket 212 and the at least one right bridge mounting bracket 214 provides better ground clearance and cushioning to the vehicle.
[0039] The proposed swing fork 200 with the vertical offset the bridging member 206 helps to improve the serviceability of the vehicle. In one embodiment, the axis of the driver and the driven shaft may not be merged with the axis of the bridging member 206 of the swing fork 200.
[0040] A present disclosure avoids the necessity of disassembly of the swing fork 200 of the vehicle to access and service the drive system by bottom offsetting the bridging member 206 of the swing fork 200 from the belt/chain/shaft of the vehicle. The vehicle manufacturers transmit motion, torque, and power from a driver shaft (E.g., a motor, an engine) to a driven shaft without routing the belt/chain/shaft drive around the bridging member 206 of the swing fork 200 using the proposed swing fork 200 which provides easy access to the drive system of the vehicle and increases the serviceability.
[0041] Improvements and modifications may be incorporated herein without deviating from the scope of the invention. The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

Reference numerals related to Fig. 1 (prior art):
Vehicle 100.
Conventional swing fork 102.
Motor mounting bracket 104.
Powertrain 106.
Rear wheel 108.

Reference numerals related to the figures of the present disclosure (FIG. 2 and FIG. 3):
Swing fork 200.
At least one left-side swing fork member 202.
At least one right-side swing fork member 204.
Bridging member 206.
Suspension mounting member 208.
Suspension mounting bracket 210.
At least one left bridge mounting bracket 212.
At least one right bridge mounting bracket 214.
At least one left front end 216.
At least one left back end 218.
At least one right front end 220.
At least one right back end 222.
Mounting point 224.
Powertrain 302.
Motor mounting bracket 304.
Rear wheel 306.
Driver pulley 308.
Driven pulley 310.
Drive element 312.

,CLAIMS:CLAIMS

I/We claim:

1. A swing fork (200) comprising:
at least one left-side swing fork member (202) comprises at least one left front end (216) and at least one left back end (218);
at least one right-side swing fork member (204) comprises at least one right front end (220) and at least one right back end (222);
a bridging member (206) is oriented substantially perpendicularly to the at least one left-side swing fork member (202) and the at least one right-side swing fork member (204);
at least one left bridge mounting bracket (212) extends downward from the at least one left-side swing fork member (202) for a first predetermined vertical distance to connect with the bridging member (206); and
at least one right bridge mounting bracket (214) extends downward from the at least one right-side swing fork member (204) for a second predetermined vertical distance to connect with the bridging member (206), wherein the bridging member (206) is vertical-offset by the first predetermined vertical distance and the second predetermined vertical distance (Z), wherein the vertical offset is configured to maintain the first predetermined vertical distance and the second predetermined vertical distance (Z) between an axis (X-X) of a driver pulley (308) and a driven pulley (310), and an axis (Y-Y) of the bridging member (206), thereby enabling routing of a drive element (312) without passing around the bridging member (206) to improve accessibility and serviceability of a vehicle.

2. The swing fork (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the swing fork (200) further comprises a suspension mounting bracket (210) that is positioned on the bridging member (206), wherein the suspension mounting bracket (210) comprises a mounting point (224) to mount a shock absorber to the swing fork (200).

3. The swing fork (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the suspension mounting bracket (210) is positioned on the at least one left-side swing fork member (202) or the at least one right-side swing fork member (204).

4. The swing fork (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the suspension mounting bracket (210) is positioned on the bridging member (206) through a suspension mounting member (208).

5. The swing fork (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one left bridge mounting bracket (212) and the at least one right bridge mounting bracket (214) are positioned at a first predetermined location of the at least one left-side swing fork member (202), and a second predetermined location of the at least one right-side swing fork member (204), respectively.

6. The swing fork (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one left back end (218) of the at least one left-side swing fork member (202), and the at least one right back end (222) of the at least one right-side swing fork member (204) are mechanically connected to a rear wheel (306).

7. The swing fork (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one left front end (216) of the at least one left-side swing fork member (202), and the at least one right front end (220) of the at least one right-side swing fork member (204) are mechanically connected to one or more components of the vehicle, wherein the one or more components of the vehicle comprise a motor mounting bracket (304) or a powertrain (302).