Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention is generally related to the field of tri-wheel automobiles and more particularly to a tilting system to support front and rear frame of a tri wheel automobile.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Tri-wheel automobiles offer several advantages over conventional four-wheel s, such as improved fuel efficiency and reduced road footprint. A tri-wheel is different from four or two wheel automobiles. Especially while negotiating a curve; tri-wheel s are prone to turning over. This is because, while negotiating a curve the centre of gravity is fixed and due to the centripetal force, the inner rear wheel generally lifts up. In such a condition, if the speed of the is not controlled or reduced, the tri-wheel are prone to turn over. This is very much improved with the tilting mechanism in the tri-wheel . But maintaining stability during cornering and tilting manoeuvres still remains a challenge as existing tilting systems often lack precise control over tilting angles and may compromise safety.
[0003] A patent application US2013193656A1 titled “ body tilting apparatus” describes a body tilting device to realize the miniaturization of the tilt actuator. The lever is maintained by the body as relative rotation in the centre of the length direction, and the left wheel and right wheel are maintained in a telescopic state at both ends. An inclination actuator is provided between the lever and the body. The housing of the tilt actuator is held in the body, and the output shaft is fixed to the lever. When the output shaft rotates, the lever turns and the body tilts. The force acting on the lever is distributed to the left wheel and the right wheel by using the lever, so that the output of the tilt actuator can be reduced, and miniaturization can be realized accordingly.
[0004] Another patent application JP4845585B2 titled “Tilt control system and including tilt control system” provided a mechanism for automatically returning to centre discloses an auxiliary inclination control system for controlling an inclination angle of at least a part of the . The auxiliary inclination control system has an energy storage device for storing the energy for operating the inclination control system; a stabilization mechanism bonded to the energy storage device and at least a part of the and feeding the energy received from the energy storage device to at least a part of the to adjust the inclination angle; and a linkage bonded to the energy storage device and the stabilization mechanism and transferring the energy from the energy storage device to the stabilization mechanism. The auxiliary inclination control system controls the inclination angle when the inclination angle is not controlled by a main inclination control system.
[0005] Yet another application JP6842539B2 titled “Swinging ” discloses A front body 10 that suspends the front wheels 2 so that it can be steered, a rear body 11 that suspends the left and right drive wheels 3L and 3R, and a swing mechanism 12 that allows the front body 10 and the rear body 11 to shake relatively. It is performed using oscillation information and speed information.
[0006] Therefore, there is a need of a more efficient mechanism to address the existing problems of the known tilting systems in order to increase safety of the driver and passengers or goods being carried in the tri-wheel . The present invention addresses these issues by introducing a novel tilting system with movable and immovable end stoppers.
OBJECTIVES OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0007] A primary objective of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior-arts.
[0008] Another objective of the present disclosure is to provide a tilting system for a tri-wheel automobile.
[0009] Yet another objective of the present disclosure is to provide movable and immovable end stoppers to initiate ed or uned positions in the tilting system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The following is a summary description of illustrative embodiments of the invention. It is provided as a preface to assist those skilled in the art to more rapidly assimilate the detailed design discussion which ensues and is not intended in any way to limit the scope of the claims which are appended hereto in order to particularly point out the invention.
[0011] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a tri-wheel automobile including a multi-part chassis. The multi-part chassis includes an independent front part configured to support a front tire and an independent rear part configured to support at least two rear tires. The tri-wheel automobile further includes a tilting system configured to connect the independent front part and the independent rear part. The tilting system includes a swing and unit mechanically configured to secure the movement of the independent front and the independent rear part via a swing shaft. In addition, the tilting system includes an uning actuator configured to move forward and backwards. Further, the tilting system includes a first non-movable end stopper and a second non-movable end stopper mechanically coupled at both sides of the swing and unit to maintain swing and unit to define a maximum tilting range for the tri-wheel . Furthermore, the tilting system includes a first movable end stopper and a second movable end stopper, each of the two movable end stoppers positioned on each of the first and second non-movable end stoppers. The first movable end stopper and the second movable end stopper are operatively connected to the uning actuator and moves in one or more directions on the first non-movable end stopper and the second non-movable end stopper to initiate a ed or an uned state of the tilting system.
[0012] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the titling system further includes the swing shaft connecting the independent front part of the chassis to the independent rear part.
[0013] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the first movable end stopper and the second movable end stopper are the spring-loaded movable stoppers.
[0014] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the independent front part is configured to tilt when the tilting system is at the uned state.
[0015] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the independent front part is configured to not tilt when the tilting system is at the ed state.
[0016] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, during the uned state the one or more directions movement of first and second movable end stoppers include a left-right direction and an inward -outward direction.
[0017] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, during the uned state the independent front part of the tri-wheel automobile is able to tilt from side to side while negotiating a curve on a road segment.
[0018] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the first movable end stopper and the second movable end stopper on the first non-movable end stopper and the second non-movable end stopper move in the left-right direction or the outward-inward direction until each of the two movable end stoppers attain a centre position for the ing state of the tri-wheel automobile.
[0019] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the swing and unit stops moving after each of the two movable end stoppers attain the centre position.
[0020] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the first movable end stopper and the second movable end stopper slide as per a plurality of tilting instructions for the uning state.
[0021] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the uning actuator is operatively connected to a motor configured to function based on a user input.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] To describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure or in the prior art more clearly, the following briefly describes the accompanying drawings required for describing the embodiments or the prior art. Apparently, the accompanying drawings in the following description merely show some embodiments of the present disclosure, and a person of ordinary skill in the art can derive other implementations from these accompanying drawings without creative efforts. All of the embodiments or the implementations shall fall within the protection scope of the present disclosure. Having thus described the disclosure in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying figures.
[0023] Fig. 1 illustrates a line diagram of a tilting system 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0024] Fig. 2a illustrates a view 200a of a ed state of the tilting system in the tri-wheel automobile, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0025] Fig. 2b illustrates a view 200b of an uned state of the tilting system in the tri-wheel automobile, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0026] Fig. 3a illustrates exemplary view 300a of the positioning of first movable end stopper and second movable end stopper when the tri-wheel automobile tilts in a left direction, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0027] Fig. 3b illustrates an exemplary view 300b of the positioning of first movable end stopper and second movable end stopper when the tri-wheel automobile tilts in a right direction, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0028] Fig. 4 illustrates the placement of the tilting apparatus 100 on a 400, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0029] It should be noted that the accompanying figure is intended to present illustrations of a few examples of the present disclosure. The figure is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. It should also be noted that the accompanying figure is not necessarily drawn to scale.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0030] In the following detailed description of the invention, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that the invention may be practiced with or without these specific details. In other instances, well known methods, procedures and components have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the invention.
[0031] The accompanying drawing is used to help easily understand various technical features and it should be understood that the alternatives presented herein are not limited by the accompanying drawing. As such, the present disclosure should be construed to extend to any alterations, equivalents and substitutes in addition to those which are particularly set out in the accompanying drawing. Although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements or values, these elements or values should not be limited by these terms. These terms are generally only used to distinguish one element or values from another.
[0032] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that other alternatives of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention. While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific aspect, method, and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above described alternative, method, and examples, but by all aspects and methods within the scope of the invention. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary, with the true scope of the invention being indicated by the claims.
[0033] Conditional language used herein, such as, among others, "can," "may," "might," "may," “e.g.,” and the like, unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain alternatives include, while other alternatives do not include, certain features, elements and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and/or steps are in any way required for one or more alternatives or that one or more alternatives necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without other input or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular alternative. The terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” and the like are synonymous and are used inclusively, in an open-ended fashion, and do not exclude additional elements, features, acts, operations, and so forth. Also, the term “or” is used in its inclusive sense (and not in its exclusive sense) so that when used, for example, to connect a list of elements, the term “or” means one, some, or all of the elements in the list.
[0034] Fig. 1 illustrates a line diagram of a tilting system 100 in a tri-wheel automobile. The tri-wheel automobile includes an independent front part and an independent rear part. In an embodiment, the tilting system 100 essentially includes an upper casing 104 and a lower casing 106 to cover the tilting system 100. Further, the tilting system 100 includes a swing shaft 138 and a swing and unit 108. The swing shaft 138 is mechanically configured to secure the movement of the independent front part and the independent rear part in the tri-wheel automobile. In addition, the swing shaft 138 and the swing and unit 108 are configured to swing, within permissible limits, from one extreme to another when uned (to be explained later).
[0035] The tilting system 100 further includes a magnet guide housing that helps inward and outward movement of a magnetic b, that is further managed using a pull wire. The magnetic b reaches and nestles within the magnet window. The pull wire may be controlled using a mechanical wire or a motor and an uning actuator (not shown in the figure) that may be controlled using a control unit (also not shown in the figure). The motor is an motor, and the control unit is a control unit (VCU). In an embodiment, the control unit communicably connected to the motor which is configured to send a signal wirelessly or through wired connection to the motor for the movement of uning actuators. In an embodiment of the present invention, the uning actuator is configured to rotate and move forward and backwards. In addition, the uning actuator is operatively connected to a motor configured to function based on a user input.
[0036] The tilting system 100 may further contain supporting elements like bearings 134 & spacers 136 & 132. In an embodiment of the present invention, the swing shaft 138 is connected through a swing shaft guide 130 with 4 rubber cushions at its outer area and attached directly to the swing unit on one side and to the rear chassis part of a tri-wheel automobile on the other (to be described later). As described above, the swing shaft 138 and the swing and unit 108 are capable of swinging from one side to other along an axis 140 as shown in the figure, during the uned state. In an embodiment of the present invention, the swing shaft 138 connects the independent front part of the chassis to the independent rear part of the tri-wheel automobile. Further, the independent front part is configured to support a front tire and the independent rear part is configured to support at least two rear tires.
[0037] In an embodiment of the present invention, the tilting system 100 includes a first non-movable end stopper 110a and a second non-movable end stopper 110b. The first non-movable end stopper 110a and the second non-movable end stopper 110b are mechanically coupled at both sides of the swing and unit 108 to define a maximum tilting range for the tri-wheel automobile. Further, the first non-movable end stopper 110a and the second non-movable end stopper 110b are restricting the angle of swing of the swing and unit 108 to an accepted range for safety reasons.
[0038] In addition, the tilting system 100 includes a first movable end stopper 112a and a second movable end stopper 112b. In an embodiment of the present invention, each of the two movable end stoppers 112a, 112b are positioned on each of the first and second non-movable end stoppers 110a and 110b. The first movable end stopper 112a and the second movable end stopper 112b are the spring-loaded movable stoppers. Further, the first movable end stopper 112a and the second movable end stopper 112b are operatively connected to the uning actuator and moves in one or more directions on the first non-movable end stopper 110a and the second non-movable end stopper 110b to initiate a ed or an uned state of the tilting system. In an embodiment, the one or more directions or movement of the first movable end stopper 112a and the second movable end stopper 112b include a left-right direction and an inward -outward direction during the uned state.
[0039] Fig. 2a illustrates a view 200a of a ed state of the tilting system 100 in the tri-wheel automobile, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0040] In an embodiment of the present invention, the independent front part is configured to not tilt when the tilting system is at the ed state (reference have been made to Fig. 1). In an embodiment, the first movable end stopper 112a and the second movable end stopper 112b on the first non-movable end stopper 110a and the second non-movable end stopper 110b move in the left-right direction or the outward-inward direction until each of the two movable end stoppers 112a, 112b attain a centre position for the ing state of the tri-wheel automobile. In addition, the swing and unit 108 stops moving after each of the two movable end stoppers 112a, 112b attain the centre position.
[0041] Fig. 2b illustrates a view 200b of an uned state of the tilting system 100 in the tri-wheel automobile, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0042] In an embodiment of the present invention, the independent front part is configured to tilt when the tilting system 100 is at the uned state (references have been made to Fig. 1). In an embodiment, the independent front part of the tri-wheel automobile is able to tilt from side to side while negotiating a curve on a road segment during the uned state. In addition, the first movable end stopper 112a and the second movable end stopper 112b slide as per a plurality of tilting instructions in the uning state. This causes the movement of the first movable end stopper 112a and the second movable end stopper 112b to un the swing and unit 108 so that the swing and unit 108 is free for swinging movement along a horizontal axis. The plurality of tilting instructions may be instructed from the steering, or the user can give tilting instructions using a button. The button maybe a push button or a side-by-side button.
[0043] In an embodiment of the present invention, the ing and uning mechanism of the tilting system 100 is attain through the forward and backword movement of uning actuators.
[0044] The control unit communicably connected to the motor is configured to send a signal wirelessly or through wired connection to the motor. For ing the swing and unit 108, the motor receives a signal from the control unit. The motor moves the actuator to move forward within the actuator housing (not shown in the figure). This movement of the actuator trigger the movement of the spring loaded first movable end stopper 112a and the second movable end stopper 112b on the first non-movable end stopper 110a and the second non-movable end stopper 110b in either left-right direction or outward-inward direction until each of the two movable end stoppers 112a, 112b attain the centre position for the ing state of the tri-wheel automobile. This causes the first movable end stopper 112a and the second movable end stopper 112b to the swing and unit 108 in its place after which the swing and unit cannot move by a considerable degree.
[0045] During the actuators’ forward movement, one of the holding springs (proximal to the moving spring the first movable end stopper 112a and the second movable end stopper 112b), expands to move the spring loaded first movable end stopper 112a and second movable end stopper 112b forward.
[0046] The user may signal through a physical button or a touch screen gesture to the control unit that the tilting system 100 needs to be uned. The controller sends the signal wirelessly or through wired connection to the motor. The motor moves the actuator to retract backwards within the actuator housing. This movement of the actuator trigger the movement of the spring loaded first movable end stopper 112a and the second movable end stopper 112b on the first non-movable end stopper 110a and the second non-movable end stopper 110b in either left-right direction or outward-inward direction. This causes the first movable end stopper 112a and the second movable end stopper 112b to un the swing and unit 108 so that the swing and unit 108 is free for swinging movement along a horizontal axis.
[0047] During the actuators’ backward movement, one of the holding springs (distal to the moving spring loaded first movable end stopper 112a and the second movable end stopper 112b), expands to move the first movable end stopper 112a and the second movable end stopper 112b forward.
[0048] Fig. 3a illustrates exemplary view 300a of the positioning of the first movable end stopper 112a and the second movable end stopper 112b when the tri-wheel automobile tilts in a left direction, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0049] Fig. 3b illustrates an exemplary view 300b of the positioning of the first movable end stopper 112a and the second movable end stopper 112b when the tri-wheel automobile tilts in a right direction, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The independent front part of the tri-wheel automobile is able to tilt from side to side while negotiating the curve on the road segment during the uned state.
[0050] Fig. 4 illustrates the placing of the tilting system 100 in the tilting apparatus on a 400 that is the tri-wheel automobile. The 400 is a multipart chassis . The 400 includes a front chassis part 402 and a rear chassis part 404. The rear part 404 of the 400 is connected to the front part 402 through the swing shaft 138 (reference have been made to Fig. 1).
[0051] When the swing and unit 108 of the tilting system 100, is in a ed state, the front part 402 and the rear part 404 are in a joined state and the front part 402 is not free to move or swing. However, when the swing and unit 108 is in an uned state, the front part 402, of the 400, is free along the plane perpendicular to the axis 140 shown in Fig.1 and therefore is capable of swing movement from left to right and vice versa. Therefore, the swinging movement of the front part 402 helps in better negotiation of curves during riding. The centre of gravity is dynamically shifted and hence the curves can be better negotiated without lifting up of the while facing such curves and bends on travel path.
[0052] It is to be appreciated that only the essential components of the system have been described above. The ing arrangement may further include various other parts like housing and support mechanisms various parts as described above. As also disclosed, the ing arrangement may be placed within a single housing or may be provided as an open arrangement in a waterproof arrangement.
[0053] Moreover, although the present invention and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the invention as defined by the appended claims. Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. As one will readily appreciate from the disclosure, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developed that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be utilized. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within their scope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps.
, Claims:We Claim:
1. A tri-wheel automobile comprising:
a multi part chassis that includes:
an independent front part, configured to support a front tire;
an independent rear part, configured to support at least two rear tires;
a tilting system 100 configured to connect the independent front part and the independent rear part, wherein the tilting system 100 includes:
a swing and unit 108 mechanically configured to secure the movement of independent front part and the independent rear part via a swing shaft 138;
an uning actuator, wherein the uning actuator is configured to move forward and backward;
a first non-movable end stopper 110a and a second non-movable end stopper 110b, are mechanically coupled at both sides of the swing and unit 108 to define a maximum tilting range for the tri-wheel automobile; and
a first movable end stopper 112a and a second movable end stopper 112b, each of the two movable end stoppers positioned on each of the first and second non-movable end stoppers, wherein the first movable end stopper 112a and the second movable end stopper 112b are operatively connected to the uning actuator and moves in one or more directions on the first non-movable end stopper 110 a and the second non-movable end stopper 110b to initiate a ed or an uned state of the tilting system 100.
2. The tri-wheel automobile of claim 1, wherein the titling system further comprising the swing shaft 138 connecting the independent front part to the independent rear part of the chassis.
3. The tri-wheel automobile of claim 1, wherein the first movable end stopper 112a and the second movable end stopper 112b are the spring-loaded movable stoppers.
4. The tri-wheel automobile of claim 1, wherein the independent front part is configured to tilt when the tilting system 100 is at the uned state.
5. The tri-wheel automobile of claim 1, wherein the independent front part is configured to not tilt when the tilting system 100 is at the ed state.
6. The tri-wheel automobile of claim 1, wherein during the uned state the one or more directions movement of first and second movable end stoppers 112a, 112b include a left-right direction and an inward-outward direction.
7. The tri-wheel automobile of claim 1 and 6, wherein during the uned state the independent front part of the tri-wheel automobile is able to tilt from side to side while negotiating a curve on a road segment.
8. The tri-wheel automobile of claim 1 and 6, wherein the first movable end stopper 112a and the second movable end stopper 112b on the first non-movable end stopper 110a and the second non-movable end stopper 110b move in the left-right direction or the outward-inward direction until each of the two movable end stoppers 112a, 112b attain a centre position for the ing state of the tri-wheel automobile.
9. The tri-wheel automobile of claim 1 and 8, wherein the swing and unit 108 stops moving after each of the two movable end stoppers 112a, 112b attain the centre position.
10. The tri-wheel automobile of claim 1, wherein the first movable end stopper 112a and the second movable end stopper 112b slide as per a plurality of tilting instructions for the uning state.
11. The tri-wheel automobile of claim 1, wherein the uning actuator is operatively connected to a motor configured to function based on a user input.