Claims:A transmission casing (110) for a vehicle (100) comprising:
a transmission casing (110) disposed below arear frame structure (106); and
a suspension member (109) removably attached to a front frame 5 structure (102) and the transmission casing (110);
wherein the transmission casing (110) includes a recess or depression (111) on a surface (110c) of the transmission casing (110) for packaging at least a portion (109b) of the suspension member (109).
2. The transmission casing (110) for the vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, 10 wherein the suspension member (109) being removably attached to the transmission casing (110) and the front frame structure (102) through a bush member (113) and a U-bracket (114).
3. The transmission casing (110) for the vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the bush member (113) being integrated with the suspension 15 member (109).
4. The transmission casing (110) for the vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the bush member (113) being a separate part attached with the U-bracket (114).
5. The transmission casing (110) for the vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, 20 wherein a first imaginary line (FI) passing along the suspension member (109) joins a second imaginary line (SI) parallel to the ground to form an angle A in the range of 35-45 degrees.
6. The transmission casing (110) for the vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transmission casing (110) includes one or more casing (110a, 25 110b), and the depression (111) being provided on a top surface of the one or more casing (110a, 110b) for accommodating a bottom portion (109b) of the suspension member (109).
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7.The transmission casing (110) for the vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1,wherein the recess (111) so formed on the transmission casing (110) beingahead and proximal of the rear suspension bottom (109b) pivot axis (Rb).
8.The transmission casing (110) for the vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1,wherein the transmission casing (110) being designed with the recess (111)5 disposed on its top surface so as to form a local concave contour when seenin a side view of the transmission casing (110). , 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 suspension member of said vehicle.
BACKGROUND 5
[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 10 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. In two-wheeled vehicle, the shock 15 absorber can be a dual shock absorber or can be a mono shock absorber. 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 said energy to dampen the shock, positioning of said shock absorber is very critical and plays an important role in providing comfortable journey to a pillion and a rider of the 20 vehicle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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[0003] The details are described with reference to an embodiment of a two 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 perspective view of a two-wheeled vehicle. 30
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[0005] Figure 2 exemplarily illustrates a rear side perspective view of the transmission casing with the rear suspension member.
[0006] Figure 3 exemplarily illustrates a top perspective left-side partially exploded view of the two-wheeled vehicle.
[0007] Figure 4(a) exemplarily illustrates a partial left side rear view of the two-5 wheeled vehicle.
[0008] Figure 4(b) exemplarily illustrates the transmission casing along with the rear suspension member shown from the right side of the transmission casing.
[0009] Figure 4(c) exemplarily illustrates an exploded view of the transmission casing along with the rear suspension member. 10
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0001] Generally, a shock absorber is positioned with a front wheel as well as with a rear wheel of a vehicle. Mainly a front shock absorber is connected to the front 15 wheel at one side and to a steering assembly through a head pipe on the other side. A 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, a swingarm, a motor casing, and the like. Said shock absorber is kept at a particular angle to get effective shock absorption and improved comfort, to achieve 20 adequate wheel travel, and the like. The rear shock absorber may interfere with its surrounding parts when it is kept at an angle. The rear shock absorber is interfering and thus has less clearances with surrounding parts, resulting in wear and tear of the rubbing parts when coming in contact with other parts, leading to reduced durability of said parts. 25
[0002] A transmission is an important aspect to transfer the power from an engine/motor to a wheel axle. In most the vehicles, the transmission casing is used to protect the transmission from external impacts. Vehicles, with the shock absorber mounted to transmission casing at one end, have low clearance between the shock absorber and the transmission casing. Due to the low clearances/interference, 30 accommodation of the shock absorber in said transmission casing becomes difficult.
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To avoid this interference, the shock absorber can be moved in upward direction, but this results in reduction in a layout space on the upward region which is typically configured with other aggregate system like a control unit, battery, utility box, etc and upward disposition of the shock absorber reduces the layout volume, which is not desirable. Moving the shock absorber in upward direction, also increases the 5 height of the vehicle, adversely affecting the ergonomics of the vehicle. Also, due to the interference, the functioning of the shock absorber is affected. Thus, there is a need to design a compactly packaged layout of the rear portion of the vehicle such that one or more of above-mentioned problems can be addressed. [0003] An objective of the present subject matter is to position the rear shock 10 absorber in such a way that the shock absorber is optimal for packaging, performance, durability, ease of serviceability, ease of assembly, while maintaining aesthetics of the vehicle. The present subject matter is described using an exemplary two-wheeled vehicle, whereas the claimed subject matter is applicable to any type of two-wheeled vehicles, with required changes and without deviating from the 15 scope of invention.
[0004] As per an aspect of the present subject matter, a vehicle is disclosed comprising a transmission casing, and a suspension member. The transmission casing is disposed below a rear frame structure. The suspension member removably attached to a front frame structure and the transmission casing. The transmission 20 casing includes a depression on a surface of said transmission casing for packaging at least a portion of the suspension member.
[0005] As per an aspect of the present subject matter, the suspension member being removably attached to the transmission casing and the front frame structure through a bush member and a U-bracket. The bush member is integrated with the suspension 25 member.
[0006] As per an aspect of the present subject matter, the bush member being a separate part attached with the U-bracket.
[0007] As per an aspect of the present subject matter, a first imaginary line passing along the suspension member joins a second imaginary line parallel to the ground 30 to form an angle A in the range of 35-45 degrees.
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[0008] As per an aspect of the present subject matter, the transmission casing assembly includes one or more casing member. The depression being provided on a top surface of said one or more casing member for accommodating a bottom portion of the suspension member.
[0009] As per an aspect of the present subject matter, the recess so formed on the 5 transmission casing is ahead and proximal of the rear suspension bottom pivot axis.
[00010] As per an aspect of the present subject matter, the transmission casing is designed with the recess disposed on its top surface so as to form a local concave contour when seen in a side view of the transmission casing. The embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to an 10 embodiment in a two 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 15 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.
[00011] Fig.1 exemplarily illustrates a side perspective view of a two-wheeled 20 vehicle 100. The two-wheeled vehicle 100 has a front portion F and a rear portion R. The front portion F of the vehicle 100 includes a head pipe 101, a front frame structure 102, a front suspension member 104, a steering assembly 105, and a front wheel 107. The rear portion R of the vehicle 100 includes a rear frame structure 106, a rear wheel 108, a rear suspension member 109, and a transmission casing 25 110. The front frame structure 102 of the vehicle 100 along with the front suspension member 104 is connected to the front wheel 107. The rear portion R includes the rear suspension member 109 connected to the rear frame structure of the vehicle 100. The transmission casing 110 is connected to the frame of the vehicle 100 at one end in longitudinal direction of the vehicle 100 and the other end 30 is connected to an axle (not shown) of the rear wheel 108. The rear suspension
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member 109 is removably attached to the front frame structure 102 and the transmission casing 110. The transmission casing 110 includes a depression 111 (shown in fig.2) on a surface 110c (shown in fig.2) of said transmission casing 110 for packaging a bottom portion 109b (shown in fig.2) of the rear suspension member 109 thereby achieving working clearance. 5
[00012] Fig.2 exemplarily illustrates a rear side perspective view of the transmission casing 110 with the rear suspension member 109. In the present embodiment, the rear suspension member 109 is single member and is mounted on the left side of the vehicle 100. However, the rear suspension member 109 can be in pair and can be mounted on either side of the vehicle 100. The transmission 10 casing 110 having a transmission unit (not shown) transmits the power from a power unit (not shown) to the rear wheel 108 (shown in fig.1) to drive the vehicle 100. Said transmission casing 110 is mounted on the front frame structure 102 (shown in fig.1) at one end and is mounted with the axle of the rear wheel 108 (shown in fig.1) at the other end as shown in figure 1. In the present embodiment, 15 a top portion 109a of the rear suspension member 109 is mounted on the front frame structure 102 (shown in fig.1) and a bottom portion 109b of the rear suspension member 109 is mounted on the transmission casing 110. However, the bottom portion 109b of the rear suspension member 109 can be mounted on any other components/parts, like a motor casing, a swingarm, and the like. Said rear 20 suspension member 109 is mounted on the transmission casing 110 by means of a mounting bracket 112 attached to the transmission casing 110. In the present embodiment, the transmission casing 110 includes a transmission inner casing 110a and a transmission outer casing 110b and the mounting bracket 112 is disposed on the transmission inner casing 110a. The transmission outer casing 110b is mounted 25 on the transmission inner casing 110a by means of a plurality of fastening means 116 (shown in fig.4c). The mounting of rear suspension member 109 on the transmission inner casing 110a facilitates ease of access, ease of assembly, and ease of serviceability of said rear suspension member 109.
[00013] Fig.3 exemplarily illustrates a top perspective left-side partially exploded 30 view of the two-wheeled vehicle 100. The rear suspension member 109 being
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removably attached to the transmission casing 110 and the front frame structure 102 through a bush member 113 and a U-bracket 114. The bush member 113 is disposed at the front frame structure 102 and mounts the top portion 109a of the rear suspension member 109. The bush member 113 is also provided at the mounting bracket 112 of the transmission inner casing 110a to mount the bottom portion 109b 5 of the rear suspension member 109. The bush member 113 is integrated with the rear suspension member 109. In an alternate embodiment, the bush member 113 can be a separate part attached with the U-bracket 114. The bush member 113 is press-fitted against the U-bracket 114 to mount the rear suspension member 109 from the top portion 109a and the bottom portion 109b of the rear suspension 10 member 109 onto the front frame structure 102 and the transmission casing 110. The bush member 113 ensures that the rear suspension member 109 is tightly held and is supported and is yet able to move to achieve its functioning. In the present embodiment, the rear suspension member 109 is positioned in an angular orientation to improve the performance, functioning, and the durability of said rear 15 suspension member 109. In the present embodiment, a first imaginary line (FI) (shown in Fig. 4a) passing along the suspension member 109 joins a second imaginary line (SI) parallel to the ground to form an angle ‘A’ in the range of 35-45 degrees. The rear suspension member 109 is oriented in line with the front frame structure 102. 20
[00014] Fig.4(a) exemplarily illustrates a partial left side rear view of the two-wheeled vehicle 100. Fig.4(b) exemplarily illustrates the transmission casing 110 along with the rear suspension member 109 shown from the right side of the transmission casing 110. Fig.4(c) exemplarily illustrates an exploded view of the transmission casing 110 along with the rear suspension member 109. When the rear 25 suspension member 109 is oriented at specified angle to improve the performance of the suspension member 109, an interference happens between the rear suspension member 109 and the transmission casing 110 or with any other parts by which the rear suspension member 109 is being supported. The recess or the depression 111 is created in the transmission casing 110 to enable working clearance and compact 30 layout of the rear suspension member 109. Said depression 111 in the transmission
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casing 110 avoids the interference between the rear suspension member 109 and the transmission casing 110 when the rear suspension member 109 is orientated at specified angle. The oscillatory movement of a spring 115 of the rear suspension member 109 when the rear suspension 109 oscillates about bottom mounting axis Rb, is also not disturbed as the spring 115 is given more space to carry on its 5 movement. This improves the performance of the rear suspension member 109. This eliminates the possibility of wear and tear by contact of any parts nearby the suspension member 109 and hence increases the durability of said suspension member 109 without disposing the rear suspension upwards which is undesirable for compact layout and short seating height. In the present embodiment, said 10 depression 111 is formed in the transmission inner casing 110a (shown in fig.3). This facilitates ease in assembly and serviceability of said rear suspension member 109. The serviceability of the transmission casing 110 can be done without removing the rear suspension member 109 by only removing the transmission outer casing 110b (shown in fig.3). In addition to this, the depression 111 formed in the 15 transmission inner casing 110a (shown in fig.3) does not affect the transmission outer casing 110b (shown in fig.3) style, maintaining the aesthetic of the vehicle 100. Also, creating the depression 111 in the transmission inner casing 110a dispense off the need to move the rear suspension member 109 in the upward direction which reduces a volume of the utility box 117 (shown in fig.1). However, 20 the depression 111 can be provided on one of the transmission inner casing 110a and the transmission outer casing 110b. So, the depression 111 allows to maintain the volume of the utility box 117 (shown in fig.1) and simultaneously facilitates the functioning of the rear suspension member 109. In the present embodiment, the depression 111 is substantially rectangular in shape to accommodate the springs 25 115 and the bottom portion 109b of the rear suspension member 109. However, the dimension or shape of the depression 111 can be of any type suited to the design of the parts being configured in the depression 111. In the present embodiment, the depression 111 protrudes in downward direction inside the transmission casing 110 so as the strength of the transmission casing 110 is not affected by the depression 30 111 so formed, and that the density of the material remains the same. As per the
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present invention, the recess or depression 111 so formed on the transmission casing 110 is ahead and proximal of the rear suspension bottom (109b) pivot axis Rb. As per an aspect of the present invention, the transmission casing 110 is design with a relief or recess 111 disposed on its top surface so as to form a local concave contour when seen in a side view of the transmission casing. Many other improvements and 5 modifications may be incorporated herein without deviating from the scope of the invention.
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List of Reference numerals
100: Vehicle
F: Front portion of 100
R: Rear portion of 100
101: Head pipe of 100 5
102: Front frame structure of 100
104: Front suspension member of 100
105: Steering assembly of 100
106: Rear frame structure of 100
107: Front wheel of 100 10
108: Rear wheel of 100
109: Rear suspension member of 100
109(a): Top portion of 109
109(b): Bottom portion of 109
110: Transmission casing of 100 15
110(a): Transmission inner casing of 110
110(b): Transmission outer casing of 110
110(c): Surface of 110
111: Depression in 110
112: Mounting bracket of 109 20
113: Bush member of 109
114: U-bracket of 109
115: Spring of 109
116: Fastening means of 110
FI: First imaginary line 25
SI: Second imaginary line
117: Utility box