Claims:1. A link member (100) for an air suspension system (200) of a vehicle, the link member (100) comprising:
a body (101), defining a central portion (102); and
a pair first arms (103) and a pair of second arms (104), each extending from either sides of the central portion (102), wherein, the pair of first arms (103) are connectable to an axle (201) of the vehicle, and the pair second arms (104) are connectable to a frame (202) of a vehicle, to link the axle (201) and the frame (202) of the vehicle;
wherein, the link member (100) is configured to attenuate twisting, lateral and longitudinal loads, and stabilize the axle (201) in a longitudinal and lateral directions.
2. The link member (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pair of first arms (103) and the pair of second arms (104) are configured to attenuate twisting loads, and the central portion (102) is configured to undergo twisting to stabilize body (101) roll during movement of the vehicle.

3. The link member (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pair of first arms (103) extend from the central portion (102) in a direction substantially opposite to the direction of extension of the pair of second arms (104) from the central portion (102) of the body (101).

4. The link member (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each arm of the pair of first of arms and the pair of second arms extend substantially parallel to one another.

5. The link member (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pair of first arms (103) and the pair of second arms (104) are configured with eye ends (106), to receive dampers (105).

6. The link member (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the dampers (105) facilitate in coupling the pair of first arms (103) to the axle (201) and the pair of second arms (104) to the frame (202) of the vehicle.

7. The link member (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the link member (100) is an unitary structure.

8. The link member (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein link member (100) forms a substantially X shaped structure.
9. An air suspension system (200) of a vehicle comprising a link member (100) as claimed in claim 1.

10. A vehicle comprising an air suspension system (200) as claimed in claim 9.
, Description:TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to the field of automobiles. Particularly, but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to an air suspension system of a vehicle. Further embodiments of the present disclosure discloses a link member for the air suspension system of the vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Vehicle movement over any surface, may be subjected to variety of forces. These forces may directly impact on the wheels of the vehicle and the forces may be transferred from the wheels to chassis/frame of the vehicle and its related components. During movement, the vehicle may be subjected to vertical impact loads and vibrations, which are frequently encountered when the vehicle manoeuvres over undulations on the road or terrain. These loads may also occur when the vehicle is manoeuvring along an inclined trajectory or when the vehicle is banking over on a curve. In addition, longitudinal and lateral forces may act upon the wheels against the direction of travel while the vehicle is operating. Apart from these forces, the vehicle may also be subjected to centrifugal forces while traversing a curved trajectory.

Generally, vehicles are employed with suspension systems in order to absorb the forces that are being generated, and also to allow relative motion between the wheels and the vehicle frame. The suspension systems are mainly configured to dampen vibrations generated during operation of the vehicle, and also to provide adequate control while steering the vehicle. Overall, the suspension system is designed to withstand all the forces acting on the vehicle and provide plush ride to the occupants as well as designed to provide effective manoeuvring of the vehicle. With the advancement, air suspension systems are extensively adapted in vehicles. More specifically, these air suspension systems are widely used in commercial or load carrying vehicles such as pick-up trucks, semi-trucks and the like which haul heavy loads.

Generally, the air suspension system of the vehicle broadly includes air springs, which are provided at predetermined locations of each of the wheels. Additionally, torque rods, V-rods and Anti-roll bar are also installed in the air suspension system. The air suspension system may be normally subjected to vertical, axial and lateral forces, during movement of the vehicle. In addition, the air suspension system may be subjected to twisting moments. Each of the components in the air suspension systems are adapted to attenuate or dampen certain forces acting on the air suspension system. The air springs in the air suspension system are adapted to raise and lower the body of the vehicle under loading and unloading conditions. The anti-roll bar may be adapted to dampen lateral forces, in order to control body roll of the vehicle during cornering and turning. Further, the V-rods may be adapted to stabilize the axle in the lateral and longitudinal directions, and the torque rods may be adapted to attenuate axial loads, imposed during braking and acceleration of the vehicle.

Conventional air suspension systems consists of more number of components, which makes the air suspension complex and bulky. Further, adapting number of components in the air suspension system increases assembly time, thus leading to overall increase in cost of manufacturing the air suspension system.

The present disclosure is directed to overcome the one or more problems stated above or any other limitations associated with the conventional arts.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

One or more shortcomings of conventional assemblies are overcome and additional advantages are provided through the assembly as claimed in the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the invention are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed disclosure.

In one non limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, a link member for an air suspension system of a vehicle is disclosed. The link member comprises a body, defined with a central portion. Further, the link member comprises a pair first arms and a pair of second arms, each extending from either sides of the central portion. The pair of first arms are connectable to an axle of the vehicle, and the pair second arms are connectable to a frame of a vehicle, to link the axle and the frame of the vehicle. The link member is configured to attenuate twisting, lateral and longitudinal loads, and stabilize the axle in a longitudinal and lateral directions.

In an embodiment, the pair of first arms and the pair of second arms are configured to attenuate twisting loads, and the central portion is configured to undergo twisting to stabilize body roll during movement of the vehicle.
In an embodiment, the pair of first arms extend from the central portion in a direction substantially opposite to the direction of extension of the pair of second arms from the central portion of the body.
In an embodiment, each of the pair of first arms and the pair of second arms extend substantially parallel to one another.
In an embodiment, the pair of first arms and the pair of second arms are configured with eye ends, to receive dampers, and the dampers facilitate in coupling the pair of first arms to the axle and the pair of second arms to the frame of the vehicle.
In an embodiment, the link member is an unitary structure, and forms a substantially X shaped structure.
It is to be understood that the aspects and embodiments of the disclosure described above may be used in any combination with each other. Several of the aspects and embodiments may be combined together to form a further embodiment of the disclosure.

The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

The novel features and characteristic of the disclosure are set forth in the appended claims. The disclosure itself, however, and further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:

Figure. 1 illustrates a front view of a link member for an air suspension system, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure. 2 illustrates a schematic view of the air suspension system employed with the link member of Figure. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the embodiments in the disclosure are subject to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the figures and will be described below. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative falling within the scope of the disclosure.

It is to be noted that a person skilled in the art would be motivated from the present disclosure and would modify various constructions of the link member for the air suspension system, may vary from one vehicle to vehicle, based on the configuration of the vehicle. However, such modifications should be considered to be within the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, the drawings show only those specific details that are pertinent to understand the embodiments of the present disclosure, so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the description herein.

The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof used in the disclosure, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a device, system, assembly that comprises a list of components does not include only those components but may include other components not expressly listed or inherent to such system, or assembly, or device. In other words, one or more elements in a system or device proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or device.

Embodiments of the present disclosure discloses a link member for an air suspension system of a vehicle. Generally, air suspension systems include components such as air springs, torque rods, V-rods, an anti-roll bar and the like for attenuating or dampening various forces acting on the air suspension system, during movement of the vehicle. Adapting more number of components in the air suspension system makes the suspension system complex and bulky. Also, more number of components in the air suspension system may results in increase in assembly time, and thus increases overall cost of the air suspension system.
Accordingly, the present disclosure discloses a link member for an air suspension system of a vehicle. The configuration of the link member eliminates multiple components of the air suspension system, and thereby making the air suspension system less complex and less bulky. The link member according to various embodiments of the disclosure includes a body, defining a central portion. Further, the link member may include a pair of first arms and a pair of second arms, extending from either sides of the central portion. In an embodiment, each of the pair of first arms and the second arms may be defined with eye ends, for receiving and accommodating the dampers, which facilitate in connecting the link member with parts of the vehicle. The pair of first arms of the link member may be connectable to an axle of the vehicle, and the pair of second arms may be connectable to a frame of the vehicle. Thus, the pair of first arms and the second arms facilitate in linking the axle and the frame of the vehicle.

In an embodiment, the link member may facilitate in attenuating twisting loads, lateral loads and braking loads (i.e. the loads acting in x, y, and z directions), acting on the air suspension system, during movement of the vehicle. Each of the pair of first arms and the pair of second arms of the link member along with the dampers, may facilitate in attenuating twisting loads and braking loads. Further, the pair of first arms and second arms facilitate in stabilizing the axle of the vehicle in lateral and longitudinal directions. Further, the central portion of the link member may reduce body roll during cornering of the vehicle, by attenuating the lateral loads. Thus, the link member of the present disclosure may facilitate in attenuate twisting, lateral and braking loads and in addition maintains stability of the axle in lateral and longitudinal directions, which is performed by anti-roll bar and V-rods respectively, in the conventional air suspension system. Hence, the link member of the present disclosure eliminates the use of number of components in the air suspension system, which reduces overall weight and complexity of the air suspension system, without compromising the intended functions.

The following paragraphs describe the present disclosure with reference to Figures. 1 to 2. In the figures, the same element or elements which have similar functions are indicated by the same reference signs. In the figures, the vehicle and the suspension system are not illustrated for the purpose of simplicity.

Figure. 1 illustrates a front view of a link member (100) for an air suspension system (200) of a vehicle. The link member (100) may facilitate in linking the axle (201) and chassis (202) of the vehicle. The link member (100) may attenuate twisting, lateral and braking loads acting on the air suspension system (200), during movement of the vehicle, and also stabilize the axle (201) in longitudinal and lateral direction.

The link member (100) as shown in Figure.1 may generally comprises of a body (101). The body (101) may define a central portion (102). The link member (100) may further comprise a pair of first arms (103) and a pair of second arms (104) extending from the central portion (102). The pair of first arms (103) and the pair of second arms (104) extend from either sides of the central portion (102). Further, each of the pair of first arms (103) may extend in a direction substantially, opposite to a direction of the extension of the pair of second arms (104). Also, each arm of the pair of first arms (103) and the pair of second arms (104) may extend substantially parallel to one another. In an embodiment, each of the pair of first arms (103) and the second arms (104) may be integral to the central portion (102), and the link member (100) may form an unitary structure i.e. a single structure without any joints. In an exemplary embodiment, the link member (100) may resemble substantially a X-shape. Further, the link member (100) may be formed by a manufacturing process, not limiting to casting and forging process. The body (101) of the link member (100) (thus, the link member (100)), may be manufactured of metallic material including but limiting to steel, aluminium and alloys of aluminium.

In an embodiment, each of the pair of first arms (103) and the second arms (104) may be configured with eye ends (106). The eye ends (106) of each of the pair of first arms (103) and the second arms (104) may be configured to receive dampers (105). The dampers (105), may be generally referred as bushes which may facilitate in connecting the link member (100) to various parts of the vehicle.

Now referring to Figure. 2, which illustrates a schematic view of the air suspension system (200), employed with the link member (100). As apparent from Figure. 2, the pair of first arms (103) of the link member (100) may be connectable to an axle (201) of the vehicle, and the pair of second arms (104) of the link member (100) may be connectable to a chassis (202) of the vehicle. This facilitates in connecting the axle (201) and the chassis (202) of the vehicle. In an embodiment, the pair of first arms (103) may be connectable to the axle (201) via bracket (203), which is integrated on the axle (201), and the pair of second arms (104) are connectable to the chassis (202) of the vehicle via pins (204) configured in the chassis (202). As an example, the dampers (105) may be configured to receive fasteners such as screws and bolts. The fasteners may facilitate in coupling the link member (100) with the axle (201) and the frame (202) of the vehicle.

In an embodiment, the pair of first arms (103) are connectable to the axle (201) and the pair of second arms (104) are connectable to the chassis (202) of the vehicle, and this may not be considered as limitation, as the pair of first arms (103) may be connectable to the chassis (202) and the pair of second arms (104) may be connectable to the axle (201), without deviating from scope of the present disclosure.

In an embodiment, the link member (100) may facilitate in attenuating twisting loads, lateral loads and braking loads acting on the air suspension system (200), during movement of the vehicle. Each of the pair of first arms (103) and the pair of second arms (104) of the link member (100), along with the dampers (105) that are positioned within the eye end (106) of each of the pair of first arms (103) and the second arms (104), may facilitate in attenuating twisting/torsional, lateral and braking loads, and stabilizing the axle (201) of the vehicle in lateral and longitudinal directions. The pair of first and second arms (104) of the link member (100) along with the dampers (105), may undergo out of phase movement i.e. deformation or twisting, in order to attenuate/dampen the torsional or twisting loads acting on the air suspension system (200), during movement of the vehicle. Further, the central portion (102) of the link member (100) may reduce body (101) roll of the vehicle, by attenuating the lateral loads i.e. the central portion (102) of the link member (100) which may undergo deformation to attenuate the lateral loads and thus reduce the body (101) roll of the vehicle.

Thus, the link member (100) facilitates in attenuating twisting, lateral and braking loads (i.e. the loads acting in x, y and z directions), and in addition maintains stability of the axle (201) in lateral and longitudinal directions, which is performed individually by an anti-roll bar and a V-rod respectively, in the conventional air suspension system (200). Hence, the link member (100) of the present disclosure eliminates the use of number of components in the air suspension system (200), which reduces overall weight and complexity of the air suspension system (200).

It is to be understood that a person of ordinary skill in the art may develop a link member of similar configuration without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure. Such modifications and variations may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure covers such modifications and variations provided they come within the ambit of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Equivalents:

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances, where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.” While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

Referral numerals Particulars
100 Link member
101 Body
102 Central portion
103 First arms
104 Second arms
105 Dampers
106 Eye ends
200 Air suspension system
201 Axle
202 Frame
203 Bracket
204 Pin