DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present subject matter relates generally to a two-wheeled vehicle. More particularly but not exclusively, the present invention relates to a front suspension assembly for the two-wheeled vehicle.
BACKGROUND
[0001] Generally, in a two-wheeled saddle-ride type vehicle, a frame assembly extends rearward from a head tube. Moreover, in the two-wheeled vehicle with a step-through type frame assembly, a step-through space is provided. The frame assembly acts as a skeleton for the vehicle that supports the vehicle loads. A front portion of the frame assembly is connected to a front wheel through one or more front suspension(s). The frame assembly extends rearwardly of the vehicle, where a rear wheel is connected to the frame assembly through one or more rear suspension(s). An internal combustion (IC) engine is mounted to the frame assembly of the vehicle. The IC engine is functionally connected to the rear wheel, which provides the forward motion to the vehicle. Typically, plurality of panels is mounted to the frame assembly of the vehicle that covers various vehicle components.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0002] 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.
[0003] Fig. 1 illustrates a left side view of an exemplary two-wheeled step-through type vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of present subject matter.
[0004] Fig. 2 illustrates a front view of a front suspension assembly of the two-wheeled vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0005] Fig. 3 illustrates a top perspective view of the lower bracket of the two-wheeled vehicle.
[0006] Fig. 4 illustrates a top perspective view of a suspension assembly along with a detached fork removing member.
[0007] Fig. 5 illustrates a right perspective view of the suspension assembly with the fork removing member inserted.
[0008] Fig. 6 illustrates a left perspective view of a suspension assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0009] Fig. 7 illustrates a left side view of a suspension assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[00010] Fig. 8 illustrates a fork removing member according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[00011] Fig. 9 illustrates an exploded view of the fork removing member.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[00012] Typically, the pair of front forks are dismantled or disassembled from the front suspension assembly in cases where servicing is required. For this purpose, conventionally, the front forks are removed manually by using certain tools, which are generally available. The manual removing of the front fork demands a lot of work from the person performing the servicing, for example, the person performing the servicing is expected to insert a simple wedge shaped tool and hit the head of the tool with a hammer or the like to push the wedge shaped tool downwards in a slot provided on a lower bracket which holds the front forks. Such operation is carried out to enable enlarging the clamping area of the lower clamp thereby enabling the sliding or removal of the fork tubes. Such process is typically applicable to all types of lower bracket and upper bracket designs but more specifically to designs made from sheet metal or fabrication components wherein the slit in the bracket is not open to the external surface of the bracket and is disposed or stopped within the external periphery of the part. In the process of hitting on the head of the wedge shaped tool, the lower bracket, the pair of front forks and the associated parts may get damaged.
[00013] After performing the servicing, at a later time, the lower bracket or the pair of front forks may not function stably due to the impact occurred during servicing of the front forks.
[00014] Hence, a simpler, efficient and user friendly removing of the front forks is required.
[00015] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the fork removing member comprises of the first member including a varying cross-section. The first member is any of a wedge and a member with a varying cross-section. The first member is configured to be received by a slot disposed on the top member. The fork removing member further includes a second member, which is a cylindrical member capable of being received by at least one first provision disposed on the top member. The fork removing member further includes a third member, which is a bolt coupled to a nut. The third member is received by the at least one second provision disposed in between the slot and the at least one first provision. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the slot, the at least one first provision, and the at least one second provision are at an offset. However, according to another embodiment, the slot, the at least one first provision, and the at least one second provision are in line.
[00016] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the fork removing member is inserted into the one or more provisions on the lower bracket. The fork removing member includes a first member, a second member, and a third member. The first member is for example, a member like a wedge with a varying cross-section and has a tapered end. The third member is a bolt capable of receiving a nut and the second member is a cylindrical object. The first member is capable of being received by the at least one third provision the second member is capable of being received at least one second provision and the third member is capable of being received by the at least one first provision.
[00017] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the at least one third provision and the at least one first provision are an elongated slot attached with a circular relief. However, the at least one third provision and the at least one first provision are any of the geometrical shapes that are capable of receiving the fork removing member.
[00018] The third member is configured to receive a securing member. An outer surface of the third member is threaded that is capable of holding the securing member. Upon fastening the securing member to the third member, the fork removing member will be pulled downwards and simultaneously, the first member is also pushed downwards. The downward movement of the first member makes the width of the at least one third provision bigger. The first member has a bigger cross section at an upper end when compared to the other free end. As and when the first member is pushed downwards, the bigger cross-section of the first member passes through the at least one third provision and makes it bigger. The user or the person willing to service the pair of front forks, can depending upon the requirement of the width of the slot, fasten the securing member and can easily remove the front forks from the lower bracket.
[00019] These and other advantages of the present subject matter would be described in greater detail in conjunction with the figures in the following description.
[00020] Fig. 1 illustrates a left side view of an exemplary two-wheeled type-through type vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of present subject matter. The vehicle 100 has a frame assembly 105, which acts as the skeleton for bearing the loads. A handle bar assembly 115 is pivotally disposed through a head tube 105A. The handle bar assembly 115 is connected to a front wheel 110 by one or more front suspension(s) 120. A front fender 125 is disposed above the front wheel 110 for covering at least a portion of the front wheel 110. A fuel tank 130 is mounted to the main tube 105A of the frame assembly 105 and it is disposed in the front portion F of a step-through space of the frame assembly 105. The power unit 135 is mounted to the down tube 105C. In the present embodiment, the power unit 135 is an IC engine. Hereinafter, the terms IC engine and the power unit are interchangeably used. The power unit 135 includes an electric motor that acts as a traction motor. The fuel tank 130 is functionally connected to the power unit 135. In an embodiment, a piston axis of the engine is horizontal i.e. parallel to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle 100. A swing arm 140 is swingably connected to the frame assembly 105. A rear wheel 145 is rotatably supported by the swing arm 140. One or more rear suspension(s) 150, which are connecting the swing arm 140 at an angle, to sustain both the radial and axial forces occurring due to wheel reaction, to the frame assembly 105. A rear fender 155 is disposed above the rear wheel 145. A seat assembly 160A, 160B is disposed at a rear portion R of the step-through space. In an embodiment, the seat assembly 160 includes a rider seat 160A, and a pillion seat 160B. Further, the seat assembly 160A, 160B is positioned above the rear wheel 145.The vehicle is supported by a centre stand mounted to the frame assembly 105. A floorboard 165 is mounted above the down tube 105C. The floorboard 165 covers at least a portion of the power unit 135.
[00021] The internal combustion (IC) engine of the power unit 135 includes an, an air intake system (not shown), an exhaust system (not shown), and a starter system (not shown). The starter system includes an electric starter mechanism or a mechanical starter mechanism. The electrical starter system is powered by an auxiliary power source, for cranking the IC engine. Power generated by IC engine is transferred to the rear wheel 145 through a transmission system (not shown).
[00022] Fig. 2 illustrates a front view of a front suspension assembly of the two-wheeled vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the suspension assembly is provided in a two-wheeled vehicle to absorb and dissipate road shocks experienced by the vehicle while operating on the roads. The suspension assembly provided in the two-wheeled vehicle prevents the shocks and vibrations from reaching the rider or pillion, thereby providing ride comfort to the rider as well as to the pillion. The front suspension assembly 120 comprises a pair of front forks 201 disposed on either side of a steering shaft 203. The pair of front forks 201 and the steering shaft 203 is received by a lower bracket 202. The lower bracket 202 comprises of one or more receiving provisions to receive the pair of front forks 201 and the steering shaft 203. The pair of front forks include an inner tube 201a slidably connected to an outer tube 201b. Further, a dust bellow 204 is disposed on each of the inner tube 201a to protect the joining portions between the inner tube 201a and the outer tube 201b.
[00023] Fig. 3 illustrates a top perspective view of the lower bracket of the two-wheeled vehicle. According to an embodiment of the present subject matter, the lower bracket 202 is symmetric about a plane ab. The various features present on the lower bracket 202 are symmetric about the plane ab. The lower bracket 202 comprises at least one fork receiving portion 301a, 301b and at least one steering shaft receiving portion 305. Further, the lower bracket 202 also comprises of one or more provisions to enable accessibility to the pair of front forks during servicing. The one or more provisions that enable accessibility to the pair of front forks includes at least one first provision 302a, 302b, at least one second provision 303a, 303b, and at least one third provision 304a, 304b. The pair of front forks attached to the lower bracket 202 can be accessed by using a tool, for example, a fork removing member. The fork removing member is inserted into the one or more provisions 304a, 304b to remove the pair of front forks.
[00024] Fig. 4 illustrates a top perspective view of a suspension assembly along with a detached fork removing member. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the fork removing member 401 is inserted into the one or more provisions on the lower bracket 202. The fork removing member 401 includes a first member 401a, a second member 401b, and a third member 401c. The first member 401a is for example, a member like a wedge with a varying cross-section and has a tapered end. The third member 401c is a bolt capable of receiving a nut and the second member 401b is a cylindrical object. The first member 401a is capable of being received by the at least one third provision 304a, 304b, the second member 401b is capable of being received at least one second provision 303a, 303b and the third member 401c is capable of being received by the at least one first provision 302a, 302b.
[00025] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the at least one third provision 304a, 304b and the at least one first provision 302a, 302b are an elongated slot attached with a circular relief.
[00026] The third member 401c is configured to receive a securing member 401ca. An outer surface of the third member 401c is threaded that is capable of holding the securing member 401ca. In one embodiment, the securing member 401ca is rotated in a predetermined direction so as to be fastened to the third member 401c. Upon fastening the securing member 401ca to the third member 401c, the fork removing member 401 will be pushed downwards and simultaneously, the first member 401a is pulled downwards. The downward movement of the first member 401a makes the width of the at least one third provision 304a, 304b bigger. The first member 401a has a bigger cross section at an upper end when compared to the other free end. As and when the first member 401a is pushed downwards, the bigger cross-section of the first member 401a passes through the at least one third provision 304a, 304b and makes it bigger. The user or the person willing to service the pair of front forks 201, can depending upon the requirement, fasten the securing member 401ca as required, depending upon the width required.
[00027] Further, after the desired width is obtained, the pair of front fork 201 can be easily removed without much manual effort.
[00028] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the third member 401c is received by the at least one first provision 302a, 302b from top side and the securing member 401ca is secured from the bottom side.
[00029] However, according to another embodiment of the present invention, the third member 401c is received by the at least one first provision 302a, 302b from the bottom side and the securing member 401ca is secured from the top side.
[00030] Fig. 5 illustrates a right perspective view of the suspension assembly with the fork removing member inserted. According to an embodiment of the present subject matter, the fork removing member 401 is inserted into the lower bracket 202 from topside. The securing member 401ca is fastened from the bottom side. The securing member 401ca can be easily fastened from the bottom side, since there is enough space to access the third member 401c.
[00031] However, according to another embodiment of the present invention, the fork removing member 401 is inserted into the lower bracket 202 from the bottom side and the lower bracket 202 is accordingly configured to receive the fork removing member 401 from the bottom side.
[00032] Fig. 6 illustrates a left perspective view of a suspension assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. The fork removing member 401 is inserted on the left side of the suspension assembly. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the fork removing member 401 is inserted from the bottom side. However, the third member 401c is inserted from the topside, to have the advantage of fastening the securing member 401ca from the bottom side.
[00033] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the third member 401c is inserted into the lower bracket 202 from the bottom side and the securing member 401ca is secured from the top side.
[00034] Fig. 7 illustrates a left side view of a suspension assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the fork removing member 401 is completely inserted into the one or more provisions on the lower bracket 202. The base member 401d (not shown) of the fork removing member 401 remains below the lower bracket 202. The first member 401a and the second member 401b are fully inserted into the one or more provisions of the lower bracket 202. The securing member 401ca is completely fastened to the third member 401c. Under this condition, the at least one third provision 304a, 304b (not shown) is expanded to the required extent and the pair of front forks 201 can be removed easily.
[00035] By employing the present invention, the lower bracket 202 and the pair of front forks 201 are prevented from getting damaged. Further, the stable working of the front suspension assembly is not affected and a reliable front suspension assembly 120 is obtained.
[00036] Fig. 8 illustrates a fork removal member according to an embodiment of the present invention. The fork removal member 401 comprises a base member 401d capable of receiving the first member 401a, the third member 401c, and the second member 401b.
[00037] The first member 401a, the third member 401c, and the second member 401b are fixedly attached, for example, are welded to a base member 401d according to an embodiment of the present invention. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the first member 401a, the third member 401c, and the second member 401b are detachably attached to the base member 401d.
[00038] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the fork removing member 401 is made of any of the known metals, for example, cast iron.
[00039] Fig. 9 illustrates an exploded view of the fork removing member. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the fork removing member comprises of the first member 401a including a varying cross-section. The first member 401a is any of a wedge and a member with a varying cross-section. The first member 401a is configured to be received by a slot 401db disposed on the base member 401d. The fork removing member 401 further includes a second member 401b, which is a cylindrical member capable of being received by a first provision 401dc disposed on the base member 401d. The fork removing member 401 further includes a third member 401c, which is a bolt coupled to a nut. The third member 401c is received by the second provision 401da disposed in between the slot 401db and the first provision 401dc. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the slot 401db, the first provision 401dc, and the second provision 401da are not in line.
[00040] Although the subject matter has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain embodiments thereof, other embodiments are possible. It is to be understood that the aspects of the embodiments are not necessarily limited to the features described herein.
,CLAIMS:We claim:
1. A front suspension assembly (120) for a two-wheeled vehicle (100), said front suspension assembly (120) comprising:
a pair of front fork (201); and
a lower bracket (202) capable of receiving said pair of front forks (201),
wherein,
said lower bracket (202) includes at least one first provision (302a, 302b), at least one second provision (303a, 303b), and at least one third provision (304a, 304b), said lower bracket (202) is capable of receiving a fork removing member (401) and wherein, said fork removing member (401) includes a first member (401a) capable of being received by said at least one third provision (304a, 304b), a second member (401b) capable of being received by said at least one second provision (303a, 303b) and a third member capable of being received by said at least one first provision (302a, 302b).
2. A fork removing member (401) for a front suspension assembly (120), said fork removing member (401) comprising:
a first member (401a);
a second member (401b);
a third member (401c); and
a base member (401d) including a first provision (401dc), a second provision (401da), and a slot (401db),
said first member (401a) is capable of being received by said slot (401db), said second member (401b) is capable of being received by said first provision (401dc), and said third member (401c) is capable of being received by said second provision (401da).
3. A method for disassembling a pair of front fork (201) from a suspension assembly (120) by using a fork removing member (401), said method for disassembling comprising the steps of:
inserting said fork removing member (401) into at least one first provision (302a, 302b), at least one second provision (303a, 303b), and at least one third provision (304a, 304b) of a lower bracket (202);
enabling rotation of a securing member (401ca) in a predetermined first direction;
enabling extending of said at least one third provision (304a, 304b) corresponding to said enabling of said securing member (401ca) in a predetermined first direction; and
disassembling of said pair of front fork (201) from said extended at least one third provision (304a, 304b).
4. The front suspension assembly (120) for a two-wheeled vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one third provision (304a, 304b) and the at least one first provision (302a, 302b) are an elongated slot attached with a circular relief respectively.
5. The fork removing member (401) for a front suspension assembly (120) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said first member (401a) includes a varying cross section and a tapering towards any one of the ends, said second member (401b) is cylindrical in shape, and said third member (401c) is a bolt capable of receiving at least one said securing member (401ca).
6. The method for disassembling a pair of front fork (201) as claimed in claim 3, wherein said fork removing member includes a first member (401a), a second member (401b), and a third member (401c) capable of being received by a slot (401db), a first provision (401dc), and a second provision (401da) respectively.
7. The method for disassembling a pair of front fork (201) as claimed in claim 3 or claim 6, wherein said fork removing member (401) including said third member (401c) is inserted into said lower bracket (202) from top direction and said securing member (401ca) is inserted into the third member (401c) from the bottom direction.
8. The method for disassembling a pair of front fork (201) as claimed in claim 3 or claim 6, wherein said fork removing member (401) is inserted into said lower bracket (202) from bottom direction, said third member (401c) is inserted from top direction and said securing member (401ca) is inserted into the third member (401c) from the bottom direction.
9. The fork removing member (401) for a front suspension assembly (120) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said first member (401a), said second member (401b), and said third member (401c) are fixedly attached to said base member (401d).
10. The fork removing member (401) for a front suspension assembly (120) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said first member (401a), said second member (401b), and said third member (401c) are detachably attached to said base member (401d).