Claims:We claim:
1. A vehicle (100) comprising:
a frame assembly (110);
one or more suspension assembly (111) supported by the frame assembly (110) at one side and by one or more rear wheel (109) on the other side; and
a trailing arm assembly (112) having a trailing arm (112a);
wherein the suspension assembly (111) includes one or more rubber spring (113) and one or more damper (114);
wherein a first end of the one or more damper (114) being connected to the frame assembly (110) and a second end of the one or more damper (114) being connected to the trailing arm assembly (112).
2. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the trailing arm (112a) being configured to have a front end F’ and a rear end R’, the rear end R’ being connected to the one or more rear wheel (109) and the front end F’ of the trailing arm (112a) being connected to the frame assembly (110).
3. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more rubber spring (113) being coaxial to the one or more damper (114).
4. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the one or more damper (114) being at least partially housed inside the rubber spring (113).
5. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second end of the one or more damper (114) being attached to the trailing arm (112a) through one or more lower bracket (115), the lower bracket (115) being attached to a portion of the trailing arm (112a).
6. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein one or more plate (117) being sandwiched between the lower bracket (115) and the trailing arm assembly (112).
7. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lower bracket (115) being attached to the one or more plate (117), the lower bracket (115) being configured to have one or more opening (118) adapted to receive one or more attachment means (119) to detachably attach the suspension assembly (111) to the trailing arm (112a).
8. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the lower bracket (115) being configured to have a predetermined U-shaped cross section and an extension arm (115a) to couple with a parking brake cable (not shown).
9. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first end of the damper (114) being attached to the frame assembly (110) through one or more upper bracket (116).
10. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper bracket (116) being attached to a portion of the frame assembly (110), said upper bracket (116) being configured to have one or more opening (118) adapted to receive the attachment means (119) to detachably attach the suspension assembly (111) to the frame assembly (110).
11. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper bracket (116) being configured to have a predetermined U-shaped cross section.
12. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vehicle (100) being one of a three wheeled vehicle and a four wheeled vehicle.
, Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present subject matter relates generally to a vehicle. More particularly but not exclusively the present subject matter relates to a vehicle having a suspension assembly.

BACKGROUND
[0002] Conventionally, a vehicle has at least one shock absorber to absorb all the shocks from the road and to provide comfort to the rider. There are mainly three-types of shock absorber: a) Pneumatic shock absorber, b) Hydraulic shock absorber, and c) Electromagnetic type shock absorber. The shock absorber mainly contains a spring-loaded check valves and a plurality of orifices to control the flow of oil (in case of hydraulic type), and air (in case of pneumatic type) through a piston. The kinetic energy received due to the shock from a bump or a pit on the road via a plurality of wheels of the vehicle is converted into another form and is dissipated. In case of electromagnetic type shock absorber, the dissipated energy is stored and converted in other forms which can be used later. The shock absorber reduces the effect of passing through the bump and the pit, leading to improve ride quality and vehicle handling. For proper dissipation of the energy to dampen the shock, positioning of the shock absorber is very critical and plays an important role in providing comfortable journey to a rider of the vehicle. The shock absorber is employed in two-wheeled, three-wheeled, four-wheeled, as well as multi-wheeled vehicle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0003] The details are described with reference to an embodiment of a three-wheeled vehicle along with the accompanying figures. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference similar features and components.
[0004] Figure 1 exemplarily illustrates a side view of a three-wheeled vehicle.
[0005] Figure 2(a) exemplarily illustrates a side perspective view of a rear portion of the three-wheeled vehicle.
[0006] Figure 2(b) exemplarily illustrates a rear perspective view of the three-wheeled vehicle with one of the rear wheels shown.
[0007] Figure 3(a) exemplarily illustrates an exploded view of the rear shock along with its associated parts.
[0008] Figure 3(b) exemplarily illustrates a cross-sectional view of a rear shock assembly along with its associated parts.
[0009] Figure 3(c) exemplarily illustrates a partially exploded view of the trailing arm assembly and one or more mounting brackets to mount the one or more rear suspension assembly.
[00010] Figure 4(a) exemplarily illustrates a top view of the lower bracket.
[00011] Figure 4(b) exemplarily illustrates a side perspective view of the lower bracket.
[00012] Figure 4(c) exemplarily illustrates a top view of an upper bracket.
[00013] Figure 5(a) exemplarily illustrates a top view of the lower bracket.
[00014] Figure 5(b) exemplarily illustrates a side perspective view of the upper bracket.
[00015] Figure 5(c) exemplarily illustrates a side view of the upper bracket.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0001] Generally, a shock absorber is positioned with a front wheel as well as with one or more rear wheel of a vehicle. Mainly a front shock absorber is connected to the front wheel at one side and to a steering assembly on the other side. A one or more rear shock absorber may be connected to a frame of the vehicle at one side and can be connected to some other component/parts of the vehicle like a transmission casing, and the like, at the other side. Said shock absorber is kept at a particular angle to get effective shock absorption and improved comfort, to achieve adequate wheel travel, and the like. A three-wheeled vehicle is specifically designed to carry passengers and goods. The one or more rear shock absorber in these types of vehicles has a conventional shock absorber with a coil spring type.
[0002] With more number of passengers and higher loads, the coil springs made of metal sag more i.e. the spring length is reduced and deflection of the spring increases arising out of loss of stiffness or permanent set of the spring, which is not a desirable characteristics for the shock absorber. Since the coil springs is made up of metals, it further adds to the weight of the shock absorber, making it bulky. In order to avoid this, some vehicles use a rubber spring and a damper, mounted separately. Use of the rubber spring can reduce the weight of the shock absorber and can also be used to achieve variable stiffness for higher loads since its non-linear characteristics increases the stress bearing capacity of the shock absorber. This allows more number of passengers or payload to be accommodated in the three-wheeled vehicle while ensuring smooth ride and less stress on the shock absorber. However, to accommodate the rubber spring and the damper separately within an existing rear shock absorber, major modification of a trailing arm and additional brackets on the frame are required which is often undesirable owing to packaging challenges and complexity of parts. This increases weight and cost of the vehicle. Thus, there is a need to design an improved packaging layout of the rear portion of the vehicle which can adopt the rubber spring with high stiffness, which do not add more weight and cost to the vehicle. Also, the rear shock absorber should not require major modification from existing design and be mounted such that one or more of above-mentioned problems can be addressed as well as other problems of known art.
[0003] An objective of the present subject matter is to mount rubber spring and a damper of the suspension assembly in a compact layout of a three wheeled vehicle with minimum modification from a typical trailing arm, without increasing the weight and cost of the vehicle. The present subject matter is described using an exemplary three-wheeled vehicle, whereas the claimed subject matter is applicable to any type of two-wheeled, three-wheeled, four-wheeled and multi-wheeled vehicle, with required changes and without deviating from the scope of invention.
[0004] As per an aspect of the present subject matter, a vehicle is disclosed which comprises of a frame assembly, one or more suspension assembly, and a trailing arm. The one or more suspension assembly being supported by the frame assembly at one side and by one or more rear wheel on the other side. The trailing arm assembly includes a trailing arm. The suspension assembly includes one or more rubber spring and one or more damper. A first end of the one or more damper is connected to the frame assembly and a second end of the one or more damper is connected to the trailing arm assembly.
[0005] As per an aspect of the present subject matter, the trailing arm is configured to have a front end and a rear end, the rear end is connected to the one or more rear wheel and the front end of the trailing arm is connected to the frame assembly.
[0006] As per an aspect of the present subject matter, the one or more rubber spring is coaxial to the one or more damper.
[0007] As per an aspect of the present subject matter, the one or more damper being at least partially housed inside the rubber spring.
[0008] As per an aspect of the present subject matter, the second end of the one or more damper is attached to the trailing arm through one or more lower bracket, the lower bracket being attached to a portion of the trailing arm.
[0009] As per an aspect of the present subject matter, one or more plate is sandwiched between the lower bracket and the trailing arm.
[00010] As per an aspect of the present subject matter, the lower bracket is attached to the one or more plate, the lower bracket being configured to have one or more opening adapted to receive one or more attachment means to detachably attach the suspension assembly to the trailing arm.
[00011] As per an aspect of the present subject matter, the lower bracket is configured to have a predetermined U-shaped cross section and an extension arm to couple with a parking brake cable.
[00012] As per an aspect of the present subject matter, the first end of the damper is attached to the frame assembly through one or more upper bracket.
[00013] As per an aspect of the present subject matter, the upper bracket is attached to a portion of the frame assembly, the upper bracket being configured to have one or more opening adapted to receive the attachment means to detachably attach the suspension assembly to the frame assembly.
[00014] As per an aspect of the present subject matter, the bracket being configured to have a predetermined U-shaped cross section.
[00015] As per an aspect of the present subject matter, the vehicle includes a three wheeled vehicle.
[00016] As per an aspect of the present subject matter, the vehicle includes a four wheeled vehicle. The embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to an embodiment in a three-wheeled vehicle along with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the present embodiments. The present subject matter is further described with reference to accompanying figures. It should be noted that the description and figures merely illustrate principles of the present subject matter. Various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, encompass the principles of the present subject matter. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and examples of the present subject matter, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
[00017] Fig.1 exemplarily illustrates a side view of a three-wheeled vehicle 100. The three-wheeled vehicle 100 comprises of a cabin 101 including a front cabin 102 (a) and a rear cabin 102(b) separated by a central member 103. The front cabin 102 (a) of the three-wheeled vehicle 100 includes a head pipe (not shown) capable of steering a front wheel 106 by means of a steering column (not shown) attached to the head pipe (not shown). A fender assembly 107 is disposed above the front wheel 106 to provide a covering for the front wheel 106 of the vehicle 100. The front cabin 102(a) also includes a driver seat assembly having a driver seat 104 and a driver backrest 105 disposed on the central member 103 in forward direction in line with the vehicle 100 longitudinal direction. A passenger seat assembly 108 for carrying passengers is disposed in the rear cabin 102(b). The three-wheeled vehicle 100 also includes a pair of rear wheels 109 (one wheel shown) disposed at a rear side of the vehicle 100. In an embodiment, a brake drum (not shown) is integrated with a rim of one or more wheels (106, 109) of the three-wheeled vehicle 100. This integration improves the performance, the brake life span and is easy to assemble.
[00018] Fig.2(a) exemplarily illustrates a side perspective view of a rear portion of the three-wheeled vehicle 100. Fig.2(b) exemplarily illustrates a rear portion perspective view of the three-wheeled vehicle 100 with one of the rear wheels 109 shown. One or more rear suspension assembly 111 is mounted in the rear portion of the three-wheeled vehicle 100. The one or more rear suspension assembly 111 is designed to absorb or damp the shocks received by the vehicle 100 from the road, pits, pot holes or bumps. The shocks absorbers in the suspension assembly 111 reduce the shocks and improves the ride quality and vehicle handling. The one or more rear suspension assembly 111 having a damper 114 is mounted on the frame assembly 110 at its first end and is supported by a trailing arm assembly 112 at its second end. A front end of the trailing arm assembly 112 is connected to an axle of the rear wheel 109 and a rear end of the trailing arm assembly 112 is connected to the frame assembly 110 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 100.
[00019] Fig.3(a) exemplarily illustrates an exploded view of the rear suspension assembly 111 along with its associated parts. Fig.3(b) exemplarily illustrates a cross-sectional view of the rear suspension assembly 111 along with its associated parts. The frame assembly 110, the one or more trailing arm assembly 112, the one or more rear wheels 109, the one or more damper 114, and the rubber spring 113 are configured to be mounted pivotally. The trailing arm assembly 112 includes the supporting trailing arm (112a) and the rear wheel 109 attached to each other with a rotatable joint (not labelled). The one or more rear suspension assembly 111 can be a pneumatic, a hydraulic, or an electromagnetic suspension assembly. The one or more rear suspension assembly 111 includes a damper 114 and a rubber spring 113. The hydraulic type of damper 114 having a cylinder 120 includes a piston rod 121, an orifice (not shown), and a valve (not shown). The cylinder 120 contains oil, the oil flows through the orifice (not shown) and the valve (not shown). When the piston rod 121 moves inside the cylinder 120 due to force exerted from the road, oil flows with resistance from below the piston rod 120 through the orifices (not shown) and the valve (not shown). The resistance on the oil passing through the valve (not shown), generates the bump damping. In the present embodiment, the damper 114 in the one or more suspension assembly 111 is provided with a rubber spring 113. The rubber spring 113 is coaxial to the one or more damper 114. The one or more damper 114 is housed inside the rubber spring 113. The rubber spring 113 is designed with required stiffness to achieve optimal ride comfort, load carrying capacity and layout packaging restrictions. The one or more damper 114 is designed with required damping properties for optimal ride comfort and also supports the rubber spring 113 mounting through one or more mounting brackets (115,116). The one or more mounting brackets (115,116) are configured such that the rubber spring 113 is mounted coaxially with the damper 114 and along with the mounting brackets (115,116). The suspension assembly 111 is configured with spring seat 122 on the top and bottom sides of the damper 114. The diameter of one or more spring seat 122 is configured for mounting the one or more rear suspension assembly 111 with the one or more mounting brackets (115,116). The use of rubber spring 113 helps in weight and cost reduction.
[00020] In addition to this, the rubber spring 113 acts as a dust cover (not shown) which restrict the entry of mud and dust into the damper 114. There is no need of additional cover to be mounted for covering the damper 114 as the rubber spring 113 itself acts as a protective cover. The rubber spring 113 also avoids oil leakage issues because it restricts the entry of mud and dust particles in the suspension assembly 111. This also reduces the part count in the vehicle 100. The above-mentioned mechanism of coaxially disposing the rubber spring 113 with the damper 114 provides a retrofittable unit making the layout compact and easily adoptable in the three-wheeled vehicle 100.
[00021] Fig.3(c) exemplarily illustrates a partially exploded view of the trailing arm assembly 112 and one or more mounting brackets (one shown) 115 to mount the one or more rear suspension assembly 111 (shown in fig.3(a)). The trailing arm assembly 112 having a trailing arm (112a). The trailing arm (112a) is configured to have the front end F’ and the rear end R’, the rear end R’ is connected to the rear wheel 109 (shown in fig.3(a)) and the front end F’ of the trailing arm (112a) is connected to the frame assembly 110 (shown in fig.3(a)). The second end of the damper 114 (shown in fig.3(a)) is attached to the trailing arm (112a) through one or more lower bracket (one shown) 115, the one or more lower bracket 115 being attached to a portion of the trailing arm (112a). One or more plate 117 is sandwiched between the lower bracket 115 and the trailing arm (112a). The lower bracket 115 is attached to the plate 117 and then to the trailing arm assembly 112 to support the one or more suspension assembly 111. The plate 117 provides reinforcement and strength to the lower bracket 115. The trailing arm (112a) includes a plurality of fastening means 123 configured to attach the trailing arm (112a) with the axle of the one or more rear wheels 109 (shown in fig.3(a)).
[00022] Fig.4(a) exemplarily illustrates a top view of the lower bracket 115. Fig.4(b) exemplarily illustrates a side perspective view of the lower bracket 115. Fig.4(c) exemplarily illustrates a side view of the lower bracket 115. The one or more lower bracket 115 is configured to support the suspension assembly 111 (shown in fig.3(a)) from the second end of the one or more damper 114 (shown in fig.3(a)). The lower bracket 115 is attached to a portion of the trailing arm assembly 112 (shown in fig.3(a)) to mount the rear suspension assembly 111 (shown in fig.3(a)). The one or more plate 117 (shown in fig.3(c)) is sandwiched between the lower bracket 115 and the trailing arm (112a) (shown in fig.3(a)) to support the lower bracket 115. The lower bracket 115 is configured to have a predetermined U-shaped cross section to accommodate the lower end of the damper 114 (shown in fig.3(a)). The arms of U-shaped bracket are provided with one or more openings 118 so as to fasten the lower end of the damper 114 (shown in fig.3(a)) with the lower bracket 115 with one or more attachment means 119 to detachably attach the suspension assembly 111 to the trailing arm (112a). The attachment means 119 (shown in fig.3(c)) can be a screw, bolt, and the like. The lower bracket 115 is configured to have an extension arm (115a), supporting the U-shaped cross section. The extension arm (115a) provided in the lower bracket 115 is configured to have an opening 118 with a recess slot 118’ to receive a parking cable (not shown). The parking cable (not shown) is abutted to the lower bracket 115.
[00023] Fig.5(a) exemplarily illustrates a top view of an upper bracket 116. Fig.5(b) exemplarily illustrates a side perspective view of the upper bracket 116. Fig.5(c) exemplarily illustrates a side view of the upper bracket 116. The first end of the damper 114 (shown in fig.3(c)) is attached to the frame assembly 110 (shown in fig.3(c)) through the upper bracket 116. The upper bracket 116 is attached to a portion of the frame assembly 110 (shown in fig.3(c)). The upper bracket 116 has a U-shaped cross section and is provided with one or more arms 124. The one or more arms 124 of the upper bracket 116 is configured to have one or more openings 118 adapted to receive the attachment means (not shown) to detachably attach the suspension assembly 111 (shown in fig.3(c)) to the frame assembly 110 (shown in fig.3(c)). Many other improvements and modifications may be incorporated herein without deviating from the scope of the invention.

List of Reference numerals
100: Three-wheeled vehicle
F: Front portion of 100
R: Rear portion of 100
101: Cabin of 100
102(a): Front cabin of 100
102(b): Rear cabin of 100
103: Central member of 100
104: Driver seat of 100
105: A driver backrest of 100
106: Front wheel of 100
107: Fender assembly of 100
108: Passenger seat assembly of 100
109: Rear wheel of 100
110: Frame assembly of 100
111: Suspension assembly of 100
112: Trailing arm assembly of 100
112(a): Trailing arm of 112
F’: Front end of 112
R’: Rear end of 112
113: Rubber spring of 111
114: Damper of 111
115: Lower bracket of 111
115(a): Extension arm of 115
116: Upper bracket of 111
117: Plate of 115
118: One or more openings of 115 and 116
118’: Recess slot
119: Attachment means of 115 and 116
120: Cylinder of 114
121: Piston rod
122: Spring seat
123: Plurality of fastening means of 112
124: one or more arms of 116