DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present subject matter generally relates to a frame assembly for a vehicle, and more particularly, but not exclusively, to a support member for the frame assembly for a two-wheeled or a three-wheeled vehicle.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Generally, in a two-wheeled or three-wheeled vehicle with a frame assembly, the frame assembly extends in longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The frame assembly acts as a structural member and load-bearing member of the vehicle. Also, the drive wheel and the driven wheel are supported by the frame assembly. In a saddle-ride type vehicle, the power unit either is mounted or is low-slung to the frame assembly. Generally, the wheels are connected to the frame through damping members. Moreover, in a vehicle with a step-through type portion, the power unit is swingably mounted to the frame assembly through the damping members, which are typically suspensions. Therefore, the forces acting on the frame assembly is high due to added weight of the power unit on the rear portion. The suspension plays an essential role in damping the forces acting on the wheels and forces from the power unit from reaching the frame assembly.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] The detailed description of the present subject matter is described with reference to the accompanying figures. Same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like features and components.
[0004] Fig. 1 illustrates a left side view of an exemplary vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0005] Fig. 2 (a) illustrates a front perspective view of the frame assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the subject matter.
[0006] Fig 2 (b) illustrates a cross-sectional view of the frame assembly taken along axis A-A’, in accordance with the embodiment as depicted in Fig. 2 (a)
[0007] Fig. 2 (c) depicts an enlarged perspective view of the support member, in accordance with the embodiment of Fig. 2 (b).
[0008] Fig. 2 (d) depicts another enlarged perspective view of the support member, in accordance with the embodiment as depicted in Fig. 2 (c).
[0009] Fig. 3 (a) depicts a left side perspective view of the frame assembly, in accordance with another embodiment of the present subject matter.
[00010] Fig. 3 (b) depicts an exploded view of selected parts mounted to the fame assembly, in accordance with the embodiment depicted in Fig. 3 (a).
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[00011] Typically, in vehicles with a step-through type portion the frame assembly includes a front zone and a rear zone. The front zone supports the steering assembly along with the front suspension of the vehicle. The front zone includes a main tube that provides stiffness and strength for withstanding the forces acting thereon. The rear zone includes a sub-frame that supports the vehicle parts including power unit along with the power train, the rear wheel, and the rear suspension connected thereof. Therefore, the rear zone is subject to various forces from the rear wheel through the suspension and from the power unit. For example, impacts from the road like bumps and vibration from the power unit are also acting on the frame assembly. Also, the vehicle is provided with utility and style parts that are mounted to the frame assembly for providing utility space and aesthetic appeal, which are to be mounted with minimal variations.
[00012] To this end, the various vehicle parts like rear suspension, utility box being mounted to the rear zone of the frame assembly requires multiple brackets that are welded to the frame assembly. Moreover, provision of multiple brackets requires multiple welding, which increases stress concentration and also reducing the strength at that particular point at that local region. Also, multiple welding in close vicinity results in dimensional variations of the frame assembly affecting the assembly/mounting of components thereat. For example, any dimensional variation of the frame assembly affects the mounting position of the suspension or utility box. As the parts like utility box or suspension are rigid parts having fixed mounting points, the aforementioned variations will lead to interference or gaps between the parts. As such, the hard points are subject to various forces and any dimensional variations at the hard points, which are the essential load bearing points, will further affect the strength at the particular point. Also, riding characters of the vehicle area is compromised as the variation may affect the orientation of mounting of the vehicle parts. For example, the dimensional variation may affect the mounting of the rear suspension, which is mounted to the hard point of the vehicle. This affects the riding characteristics of the vehicle as functional characteristics of the suspension are changed due to improper orientation or alignment. Moreover, the suspension is mounted to a single member of the frame assembly. Therefore, such variations affect the life of the frame assembly as the hard points are subject to forces resulting in failure due to the forces acting on the single member.
[00013] In addition, any dimensional variations in the frame assembly will affect the layout thereby disturbing the mounting of the utility and style parts of the vehicle. For example, any dimensional variation in the frame assembly affects the mounting position of the utility box. Therefore, the mounting of the adjoining parts like seat assembly and the style panels are affected resulting in poor fit and finish of the vehicle resulting in poor aesthetics. In addition, improper alignment of parts like utility box may damage the utility box as the seat assembly is disposed above utility box and the seat assembly is load-bearing member that may be interfering with the utility box due to mounting variations. Also, the style panels mounted to the points of the frame assembly which are subject to dimensional variation, damages the peripheral parts due to improper alignment. This further affects the aesthetics of the vehicle.
[00014] Thus, the challenge is to provide a frame assembly with minimum variations for mounting of vehicle parts and the style panels, at the same time the frame assembly should be capable of providing structural strength.
[00015] Hence, the present subject matter is aimed at addressing the aforementioned and other problems in the prior art. The present subject matter provides a frame assembly for a vehicle. The frame assembly includes a main tube supporting a head tube and one or more rear tubes extending rearward from the main tube. One or more cross members connected to the rear tube(s). The frame assembly includes one or more support member(s). The support member capable of supporting one or more parts of the vehicle.
[00016] In one implementation, the frame assembly includes a pair of rear tubes extending inclinedly rearward from a rear portion of the main tube defining a step-through portion. The cross members are connecting the pair of rear tubes. The support member includes a first mounting portion and at least one second mounting portion.
[00017] The first mounting portion is connected to at least one face of the cross member and extends substantially downward to support the rear suspension. The first mounting portion includes plurality of mounting arms that are disposed at an angle with each other to provide a rigid structural member to support at least one suspension. The second mounting portion of the support member, which is integrally composed with the first mounting portion, is connecting the cross member to the rear tube.
[00018] It is an aspect of the present subject matter that the second mounting portion is extending substantially in a vertical plane and is affixed to at least one face of the cross-member and to the rear tube. It is a feature that the second mounting portion of the support member provides structural strength at the hard point(s) for mounting the rear suspension. It is another feature that the support member enables sharing of load between the cross member and the rear tubes thereby reducing load concentration on a single part.
[00019] The first mounting portion is affixed to at least one face of the second cross-member. In a preferred implementation, the first mounting portion is affixed to the lower face and at least one of the front or rear facing side of the cross member. The one or more arms of the first mounting portion include a securing means for securing one end of the rear suspension.
[00020] Similarly, the second mounting portion includes another securing means for securing the utility box to the support member.
[00021] It is an aspect of the present subject matter that the support member is either selectively welded or continuous welding with the cross member and the rear tube of the frame assembly. It is a feature that the need for multiple welding for multiple brackets is reduced whereby deformation of the frame assembly is also reduced. It is an additional feature that the required distance between various hard points of the frame assembly are retained. It is an additional feature that the ride characteristics are improved.
[00022] It is an additional aspect that the support member includes a cut portion that enables abutting of the support member to the cross member. For example, an L-shaped cut is included in the support member that enables positioning of the support member to the cross member at desired location. It is a feature that the vertical position of the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion is provides with minimum variations. Therefore, it is a feature that the parts like utility box are mountable with reduced gaps. It is an additional feature that the assembly of peripheral parts like body panels is achieved with reduced gaps therebetween. It is another additional feature that the hinged seat disposed above the utility box, in a closed condition, retains desired clearance therebetween.
[00023] It an aspect of the present subject matter that the first mounting portion is disposed at angular corner of joining of the cross-member to the rear tube. It is another feature that the lateral position of the support member is also maintained whereby the mounting of the rear suspension is at desired location whereby the clearance between suspension and peripheral parts is maintained.
[00024] It is an aspect that the two-wheeled or three-wheeled vehicles with step-through type frame assembly having the power unit being swingably supported by the rear tubes at one hard point, wherein the support member enables strengthening of another hard point(s) of the frame for mounting the rear suspension by retaining the gap between the hard points as desired.
[00025] The aforesaid and other features of the present subject matter would be described in greater detail in conjunction with the figures in the following description.
[00026] Fig. 1 illustrates a left side view of an exemplary vehicle 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The vehicle 100 illustrated, has a frame assembly 105. The frame assembly 105 includes a head tube 105A, a main frame assembly 105B. One or more suspensions 110 connect a front wheel 115 to a handlebar assembly 120, which forms the steering assembly of the vehicle 100. The steering assembly is rotatably disposed through the head tube 105A. The main frame assembly 105B extends rearwardly downward from the head tube 105A and includes a bent portion thereafter extending substantially in a longitudinal direction. Further, the frame assembly 105 includes one or more rear tubes 105C extending inclinedly rearward from a rear portion of the main frame assembly 105B towards a rear portion of the vehicle 100. Hereinafter, the reference ‘105C’ represents one or more rear tubes unless specified.
[00027] The vehicle 100 includes a power unit 125 comprising at least one of an internal combustion (IC) engine 125 and a traction motor 135. For example, the traction motor 135 is a brush less direct current (BLDC) motor. The power unit is coupled to the rear wheel 145. In one embodiment, the IC engine 125 is swingably connected to the frame assembly 105. In the present embodiment, the IC engine 125 is mounted to the swing arm 140 and the swing arm 140 is swingably connected to the frame assembly 105. The traction motor 135, in one embodiment, is disposed adjacent to the IC engine 125. In the present embodiment, the traction motor 135 is hub mounted to the rear wheel 145. Further, the vehicle 100 includes a transmission means 130 coupling the rear wheel 145 to the power unit. The transmission means 130 includes a continuously variable transmission, an automatic transmission, or a fixed ratio transmission. A seat assembly 150 is disposed above the power unit and is supported by the rear tubes 105C of the frame assembly 105. In the present embodiment, the seat assembly 150 is hingedly openable. The frame assembly 105 defines a step-through portion ST ahead of the seat assembly 150. A floorboard 155 is disposed at the step-through portion ST, wherein a rider can operate the vehicle 100 in a seated position by resting feet on the floorboard 155. Further, the floorboard 155 is capable of carrying loads.
[00028] The vehicle includes an on-board battery (not shown) that drives the traction motor 135. Further, the frame assembly 105 is covered by plurality of body panels including a front panel 160A, a leg shield 160B, an under-seat cover 160C, and a left and a right side panel 160D, mounted on the frame assembly 105 and covering the frame assembly 105 and parts mounted thereof.
[00029] In addition, a front fender 165 is covering at least a portion of the front wheel 115. In the present embodiment, the front fender 165 is integrated with the front panel 160A. A utility box 170 (shown in Fig. 2 (a)) is disposed below the seat assembly 150 and is supported by the frame assembly 105. A fuel tank (not shown) is disposed adjacently to the utility box 170. A rear fender 175 is covering at least a portion of the rear wheel 145 and is positioned below the fuel tank and upwardly of the rear wheel 145. One or more suspension(s) 180 are provided in the rear portion of the vehicle 100 for connecting the swing arm 140 and the rear wheel 145 to the frame assembly 105 for damping the forces from the wheel 145 and the power unit from reaching the frame assembly 105.
[00030] Furthermore, the vehicle 100 comprises of plurality of electrical and electronic components including a headlight 185A, a tail light 185B, a transistor controlled ignition (TCI) unit (not shown), an alternator (not shown), a starter motor (not shown). Further, the vehicle 100 includes an anti-lock braking system (ABS), a synchronous braking system (SBS), or a vehicle control system (VCS).
[00031] Fig. 2 (a) illustrates a front perspective view of the frame assembly 105, in accordance with an embodiment of the subject matter. The rear tubes 105C extends from the step-through portion ST in an inclined manner towards a rear portion of the vehicle 100. The IC engine 125 is forwardly inclined, which is the piston axis of the engine 125. The engine 125 is mounted to the swing arm 140 having a first arm and a second arm with the rear wheel 145 being disposed therebetween. A rear axle (not shown) is connected to the swing arm 140 that rotatably supports the rear wheel 145.
[00032] The rear suspension(s) 180, which is a part of the vehicle supported by the support member 200, is disposed on at least one side of the rear wheel 145. In the present embodiment, the rear suspension 180 is disposed on one side of the rear wheel 145 with the rear wheel 145 disposed adjacent to the suspension 180. One end 180A of the rear suspension 180 is connected to the swing arm 140 and the other end 180B of the rear suspension 180 is connected to a support member 200 of the frame assembly 105. The utility box 170 is disposed above the IC engine 125 and is supported by the frame assembly 105, wherein the utility box 170 is a storage unit at least partially supported by the support member 200. The storage unit is one of the parts of the vehicle that is supported by the support member 200. The utility box 170 defines a utility volume with an opening in a top portion, wherein the utility volume is accessible in an open condition of the seat assembly 150. The utility box 170 is mounted to the support member 200.
[00033] Fig. 2 (b) depicts a cross-sectional view of the frame assembly along axis A-A’, in accordance with the embodiment as depicted in Fig. 2 (a). The utility box 170 has a front portion 170F that is mounted to a second cross-member 105D of the frame assembly 105, wherein the second cross member 105D is connecting the pair of rear tubes 105C. Further, a rear portion 170R of the utility box 170 is mounted to the support member 200.
[00034] The support member 200 includes a first mounting portion 205 with one or more mounting arms 205A, 205B, 205C, and at least one second mounting portion 210 (shown in Fig. 2 (c)).
[00035] Fig. 2 (c) depicts an enlarged rear perspective view of the support member 200, in accordance with the embodiment of Fig. 2 (b). The first mounting portion 205 extends substantially downward to support the rear suspension 180 (shown in Fig. 2 (a)). The support member 200 is affixed to the first cross-member 105E and to the rear tube 105C. In the present embodiment, the mounting arms 205A, 205B, 205C of the support member 205 includes a first arm 205A, a second arm 205B, and a third arm 205 that are disposed substantially orthogonal to an arm disposed adjacent thereof. For example, the first arm 205A and the third arm 205C are disposed orthogonal to the second arm 205B. In a preferred embodiment, the arms 205A, 205B, 205C are integrally composed forming the first mounting portion 205. Further, the second mounting portion 210 of the support member 200 is integrally composed with the first mounting portion 205.
[00036] Fig. 2 (d) depicts a top perspective view of the support member 200, in accordance with the embodiment as depicted in Fig. 2 (c). From Fig. 2 (c) and Fig. 2 (d), the second mounting portion 210 is extending substantially in an imaginary horizontal plane and second mounting portion 210 is affixed to one of the faces SF3 of the first cross-member 105E and to the rear tube 105C. In a preferred embodiment, the second mounting portion 210 is welded to the front facing side SF3 of the first cross member 105E and to an inward facing portion of the rear tube 105C. Further, the first mounting portion 205 extends downward from the second mounting portion 210.
[00037] The first mounting portion 205 is affixed to at least one face SF2, SF3 of one or more faces SF1, SF2, SF2, SF4 of the first cross-member 105E. In the present implementation, the second mounting portion 210 is affixed to the front face/side SF3 and the bottom face/side SF2 of the first cross member 105E.
[00038] In the depicted embodiment, the first arm 205A and the third arm 205C are substantially parallel and are disposed in a plane parallel to longitudinal plane of the vehicle 100. The first arm 205A and 205C are provided with securing means including threaded nuts or the like to secure an end of the suspension 180 to the support member 200 using fasteners. The second arm 205B is disposed substantially orthogonal to the first arm 205A and the third arm 205C and is acting as a connecting member thereof. Thus, the first arm 205A and the third arm 205C enables secure mounting of the suspension 180 thereat and the second arm 205B enables load distribution between the arms and also retains the first arm 205A and the third 205C at defined clearance reducing an deviation.
[00039] The rear suspensions 180 (as shown in Fig. 2 (a)) is secured to the first mounting portion 205, wherein one end of the suspension 180 is connected to the swing arm 140 or the IC engine 125 and the other end is connected to the first mounting portion 205. Forces from the rear wheel 145 or the power unit are transferred to the support member 200, which is further connected to the first cross member 105E and the rear tube 105C. From the support member 200 the forces are transferred to the first cross member 105E and the rear tube 105C thereby enabling sharing of loads by the frame assembly 105 and reducing load/ stress concentration at a single portion or on a single member of the frame assembly 105.
[00040] Further, the support member 200 includes a securing means 210S (depicted in Fig. 2 (d)) that enables securing the utility box 170 to the frame assembly 105. The securing means 210S is a threaded cylindrical portion disposed on the second mounting portion 210 with axis of the threaded cylindrical portion being vertically disposed. In one embodiment, the axis of the threaded cylindrical portion is aligned with the axis of a mounting portion provided on the utility box 170 to enable ease of assembly.
[00041] Further, in one implementation, the support member 200 secured by continuous welding with the first cross member 105E and the rear tube 105C of the frame assembly105. However, in another embodiment, the support member 200 is separately welded with the first cross member 105E and with the rear tube 105C depending on requirement. The welding method aforementioned is not limiting and may include any known methods of securing the support member 200 to the frame assembly 105. The need for welding of multiple brackets to support various parts is reduced whereby deformation of the frame assembly due to multiple welding is also reduced. Also, tolerances are maintained within a desired level whereby any interference or gaps between the parts is eliminated or at least reduced.
[00042] As depicted in the embodiment of Fig. 2 (d), the support member 200 includes an L-shaped cut LC, which enables securing of the support member 200 to the front facing side SF3 and the down facing side SF2 of the first cross member 105E. This L-shaped cut LC included in the support member 200 enables in positioning the support member 200 to the frame assembly 105 at desired location/position. For example, the L-shaped cut LC abutting with the first cross member 105E enables the support member 200 to be a pre-determined height for mounting of the suspension 180 and the utility box 170. Thus, the ease of assembly of the parts to the support member 200 is improved as the parts either hanging from or sitting on the support member 200 are at a desired location. Thus, during assembly or during servicing no additional adjustments are required. For example, this enables the utility box 170 to be mounted to the frame assembly 105 with minimum variations. Any gaps or a variation in assembly that may arise is reduced as the improper positioning of the support element 200 is eliminated or at least reduced.
[00043] In another embodiment, the cut shape is provided to match the outer periphery of the cross-member, whereby the cut shape enables the support member 200 to complement and conform to the outer peripheral profile of the cross-member.
[00044] Fig. 3 (a) depicts a left side perspective view of the frame assembly 106, in accordance with another embodiment of the present subject matter. In vehicles provided with the traction motor 135 or an automatic manual transmission (AMT) system, dual shock absorbers may be required, which are herein referred to as rear suspension 180. In one embodiment, the IC 125 engine is mounted to a swing arm 140 disposed on a single side of the engine connecting the rear wheel 145 to the engine crankcase. The rear tubes 105CA, 105CB are extending rearward in an inclined manner. The support member(s) 300A, 300B are disposed on either side, adjacent to the first cross member 105E. A first support member 300A is disposed on a first side, which is right side RH, connecting the first cross member 105E and a first rear tube 105CA. Similarly, the second support member 300B is disposed on second side, which is left side LH, connecting the first cross member 105E and a second rear tube 105CB. The second cross-member 105D supports the front portion 170F of the utility box 170 and the support member(s) 300A, 330B disposed on either sides of the frame assembly 106 support rear portion of the utility box 170.
[00045] The support member(s) 300A, 300B includes a first mounting portion (not shown) abutting and being affixed to at least side of the first cross member 105E and a second mounting portion extending in the lateral direction RH-LH of the vehicle, connecting the first cross member 105E to the rear tubes 105CA, 105CB respectively. This enables in strengthening of the hard points of the frame assembly 106, especially at suspension 180 first mounting portion, which is in the rear zone of the frame assembly 105.
[00046] It the present implementation, the support member(s) 300A, 300B are disposed at an angular corner AC of joining of the first cross-member 105E to the rear tube 105CA, 105CB. The lateral position of the support member 330A, 300B is maintained, whereby the mounting of the rear suspension 180A, 180B is at desired location. The clearance between the peripheral parts of the suspension like the rear wheel hugger (not shown) or the body panels 160D is retained.
[00047] In one embodiment, the frame assembly 106 includes a sub-frame assembly 105F for mounting a fuel tank (not shown) disposed rearward to the utility box 170.
[00048] Fig. 3 (b) depicts a perspective of the frame assembly 106 with selected parts exploded, in accordance with the embodiment of Fig. 3 (a). The frame assembly 106 is provided with the support member(s) 300A, 300B to mount the rear suspensions 180A, 180B, which are further connected to the swing arm 140 or to a crankcase of the IC engine 125. The support member(s) 300A, 300B enable mounting of the utility box at the desired height with minimum tolerance. Further, the seat assembly 150 is hingedly connected to the frame assembly 106 or the utility box 170, abutting the utility box 170 providing minimum gaps, which is desired. This improves assembly of periphery parts like body panels with minimum gaps thereby improving the aesthetics of the appeal.
[00049] It is to be understood that the aspects of the embodiments are not necessarily limited to the features described herein. Many modifications and variations of the present subject matter are possible in the light of above disclosure. Therefore, within the scope of claims of the present subject matter, the present disclosure may be practiced other than as specifically described. ,CLAIMS:We claim:
1. A frame assembly (105, 106) for a vehicle (100), said frame assembly (105, 106) comprising:
a main tube (105B) supporting a head tube (105A) of the frame assembly (105, 106);
one or more rear tubes (105C, 105CA, 105CB) extending rearward from a rear portion of the main tube (105B); and
one or more cross-members (105D, 105E) connected to said one or more rear tubes (105D, 105E),
wherein
said frame assembly (105, 106) includes a support bracket (200, 300A, 300B) secured to at least one cross-member (105E) of said one or more cross-member (105D, 105E) and to at least one rear tube (105C, 105CA, 105CB) of said one or more rear tubes (105C, 105CA, 105CB), and said support bracket (200, 300A, 300B) is capable of supporting one or more parts (170, 180) of said vehicle (100).
2. The frame assembly (105, 106) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said support member (200, 300A, 300B) includes a first mounting portion (205) and a second mounting portion (210), said second mounting portion (210) integrally composed with said first mounting portion (205), and said second mounting portion (210) secured to at least one rear tube (105C, 10fCA, 105CB) of said one or more rear tubes (105C, 105CA, 105CB).
3. The frame assembly (105, 106) as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said first mounting portion (205) is secured to at least one face (SF2, SF3) of one or more face(s) (SF1, SF2, SF3, SF4) of a first cross-member (105E) of said one or more cross member (105D, 105E), and said first mounting portion (205) is extending away from said second mounting portion (210), and said first mounting portion (205) is capable of supporting one end of a rear shock absorber (180, 180A, 180B) of said vehicle (100).
4. The frame assembly (105, 106) as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said second mounting portion (210) extending substantially in a horizontal plane is disposed at an angular corner (AC) formed between said first cross-member (105E) and said at least one rear tube (105C, 105CA, 105CB).
5. The frame assembly (105, 106) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said second mounting portion (210) is capable of supporting at least a portion of a storage unit (170) of said vehicle (100) being included in said one or more parts (170, 180), said storage unit (170) disposed below a seat assembly (150) of said vehicle (100), wherein said storage unit (170) is abutting at least a portion of said second mounting portion (210).
6. The frame assembly (105, 106) as claimed in claim 5, wherein said second mounting portion (210) includes a securing means (210S) for securing the utility box to the support member (200, 300A, 300B), and said securing means (210S) includes a cylindrical portion aligned with an axis of a mounting portion provided on the utility box (170) to enable ease of assembly.
7. The frame assembly (105, 106) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said support bracket (200, 300A, 300B) is secured to said at least one rear tube (105, 105CA, 105CB) and to said at least one face (SF2, SF3) of said first cross-member (105E) by at least one of selective welding, continuous welding, or fastening.
8. The frame assembly (105, 106) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said support member (200, 300A, 300B) includes a cut-portion (LC) at least complementing and conforming an outer circumference of said first cross-member (105E), wherein said support member (200, 300A, 300B) is secured to said first mounting portion (205) through said cut-portion (LC).
9. The frame assembly (105, 106) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said first mounting portion (205) includes one or more arm(s) (205A, 205B, 205C) extending substantially in a vertical direction, wherein a first arm (205A) and a third (205C) of said one or more arm(s) (205A, 205B) are spaced apart for securing a rear suspension (180, 180A, 180B) being included in said one or more parts (170, 180), and a third arm (205C) disposed substantially orthogonal to said first arm (205A) and said third arm (205C) and connecting thereof.
10. The frame assembly (105, 106) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said frame assembly (105, 106) swingably supports a forwardly inclined power unit (125), wherein said power unit (130) includes one end connected to a rear wheel (145) of said vehicle (100) and other end swingably connected to said frame assembly (105, 106) by at least one of a toggle link or a swing arm (140) supporting said power unit (125).