INDEPENDENT WHEEL SUSPENSION ASSEMBLY FOR OFF-ROAD VEHICLES
FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to wheel suspension in vehicles, more particularly, to an independent wheel suspension assembly for off-road vehicles, for example, vehicles that are required to travel on non-uniform terrains.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the modern scenario, it is necessary for people to use vehicles to travel for the purpose of business, education, recreation and the like. Other purposes in which vehicles can also be deployed may include, specialized applications such as defence, in which the vehicles may be deployed for warfare.

Conventionally, the travel may be via modes in rail, road, sea or air. Using the abovementioned modes, the people may travel globally or locally. While travelling has become necessary, it is also desirable, that the time consumed in travel is reduced.

Since global and local travel has become a necessity, in order to increase convenience and reduce time consumed in travel, automotives are deployed. Although, they reduce time consumed and increase convenience, the automotives can provide the best possible service only if the automotive itself is durable. The

durability of the automotive in turn depends on the internal construction and quality of its constituting components, and also on the terrain on which the travel takes place.

For instance, if the automotive is required for a defence application, it becomes all the more important to ensure that the vehicle is able to operate on all types of terrains. If the terrain on which the vehicle travels is uneven, then, the durability of the automotive is naturally reduced. The component of the vehicle, which is in maximum contact with the terrain, are the wheels. As a result, in order to increase durability of the automotive, the durability of the components in constant contact with the terrain has to be increased.

One such component whose functioning affects the operation of the vehicle is the wheel suspension. The wheel suspension system conventionally pertains to the springs and related parts intermediate between the wheels and the frame, sub-frame, or side rails of a unitized body. The suspension supports the weight of the upper part of a vehicle on its axles and wheels, allows the vehicle to travel over irregular surfaces with a minimum of up-and-down body movement, and allows the vehicle to corner with minimum roll or loss of traction between the tires and the road.

As a result, a wheel suspension system, which is robust enough to handle the weight and balance of occupants as well as able to easily absorb the shocks

caused by uneven and rough terrain and small objects or bumps always present on the road or tracks is desired. In this regard, in day-to-day life, in the field of automobiles we can find many types of shock absorbers along with the arms and knuckles, which is used for many purposes. A conventional arm for vehicles and generally includes a bearing is used in most of the vehicles. Other combination of the shock absorbers have been structured for different purposes. But, the unique feature of the present invention is a new technology, which is introduced in this modern developed world. There are different sets of wheel suspension of the vehicles.

Besides, some brands of vehicles are front wheel suspensions with different features and some are rear wheel suspension, which may vary according to the vehicles. A few proposals in the art disclose wheel suspension. For instance, a proposal in the art namely, Publication number GB1362081 explains an independent wheel suspension, which provides for adjustment of the track width of a vehicle, such as a mobile crane or crane truck.

In this disclosure, a wheel is pivotally connected to a transverse lever having an hydraulic track adjusting cylinder operating thereon. A longitudinal link is connected between the vehicle chassis and a point on the wheel diametrically opposite the point of connection of the lever. A camber maintaining and adjusting cylinder is connected between the wheel and the transverse lever. A tubular member carrying the lever is mounted in bearings on the chassis and has a first

radial arm connected to the cylinder and a second radial arm connected to a camber control cylinder. The camber control cylinder communicates through lines with the cylinder so that the camber remains constant regardless of track width adjustment. Ball joints or knuckle joints connecting the lever link and cylinder to the wheel are disposed on an axis about which the wheel is steerable by means of a second longitudinal link connected to an arm.

The camber-maintaining cylinder may be connected to a resilient chamber for the hydraulic fluid or to a hydraulic control unit, which permits the wheel to be adjusted to any desired camber or to the horizontal position to form support feet for the chassis.

Yet another disclosure namely, United States Patent: 6,116,626 explains a steerable independent front suspension having upper and lower wishbone control arms, each control arm pivotally mounted to a suspension frame which in turn is adapted to be mounted to a vehicle frame. The other end of the control arms are
pivotally mounted to an upper and lower end of a knuckle post, which has an opening extending there through. A steering knuckle is pivotally mounted to the knuckle post and mounts an S-cam brake assembly having a brake actuator
extending there from. The knuckle post opening is positioned and sized to receive the brake actuator when the steering knuckle is pivoted to a maximum position to increase the steering angle of the vehicle.

Yet another United States Patent: 6,719,311 explains a steering assembly provided for steering a pair of vehicle wheels. The assembly includes a tie rod assembly having first and second tie rods. Each of the tie rods has an inboard end and an outboard end. The inboard ends may be coupled to the output member of a steering gear or they may be supported on a movable support member. The outboard ends are coupled to the vehicle wheels and, in particular, to tie rod arms extending from steering knuckles. The inboard ends of the tie rods are positioned forward of the outboard ends of the tie rods relative to the forward direction of vehicle travel when the vehicle wheels are facing forward.

As a result, the effective length of the tie rod assembly increases as the turn angle of the vehicle wheels increases thereby reducing toe out of the vehicle wheels and tire wear and allowing sufficient clearance with wheel and brake components including brake drums found in conventional drum brake systems.

All the references enclosed herein, describe a wheel suspension. However, the above-mentioned references do not reveal a wheel suspension
whose manner of construction is simple.

Further, the above-mentioned references do not reveal a wheel suspension with inbuilt high precision flow rate valves of shock absorbers, which yield desired dampening effect and comfortable ride on all terrains.

Still further, the above mentioned references do not reveal a wheel suspension with very high gradient travel on the wheel upto 320mm and a longer box type lower control arms with longer drive shafts to achieve higher wheel travel and high clearance upto 350mm.

Furthermore, the above-mentioned references do not reveal a uniball joint attached to the knuckle and to control arm, in a unique manner to extract a lot of rigidity in the structure.
Furthermore, the above-mentioned references do not reveal shock absorbers, which are controlled by precision flow values and dual coil springs provide superior riding comfort on all sorts of terrain starting from highway to extreme road condition.

Still furthermore, the above-mentioned references do not reveal inbuilt provision to mount another set of Air Shockers on the Upper Control Arm at front suspension and on the Lower Control Arm at Rear suspension system in case of higher gross vehicle weight application like armoured version of vehicle.

Still furthermore, the above-mentioned references do not reveal a provision to mount suspension check strap on Upper Control Arms at Front and Rear Suspension system to the tubular frame of chassis which is very strong member of chassis and can take dynamic load of full Suspension System in case of rebound of vehicle and it also protect the Shockers to have internal damages due to continuous bumps and rebound in case of off-road driving.

Still furthermore, the above-mentioned references do not reveal a wheel suspension assembly in which reaction loads generated from the roads are transmitted from wheel to knuckle and further through upper and lower arms connected to knuckle through Uniball joint.
Still furthermore, the above-mentioned references do not reveal a wheel suspension assembly in which, upper and lower control arms are manufactured from high strength material and are extremely robust and designed to sustain all sorts of shock conditions. In addition, the above-mentioned references do not reveal shock absorbers, which are equipped with two coils over shock namely upper and lower coil over shocks.

In addition, the above-mentioned references do not reveal a set of Air Shocker on all 4 wheels in case of higher gross vehicle weight application like armoured version of vehicle.

In addition, the above-mentioned references do not reveal a mount suspension check strap on all four wheel to take dynamic load of Suspension System in case of bumps and rebound while off-road driving.

There is therefore, a need for an independent wheel suspension with inbuilt high precision flow rate valves of shock absorbers, which yield desired dampening effect and comfortable ride on all terrains. There is therefore, a need for an

independent wheel suspension for off-road vehicles, which incorporates all the abovementioned-desired features.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention provides an independent wheel suspension to the vehicle, more particularly to the off-road vehicle.

An embodiment of the present invention provides a combination of nitrogen gas pressure, and oil medium in shock absorber which are controlled by precision flow values and dual coil springs provide superior riding comfort on all sorts of terrain starting from highway to extreme road condition.

Still another embodiment of the present invention is to provide the shock absorbers have inbuilt high precision flow rate, valves which give desired dampening effect and comfortable ride on all sort of terrain.

Still another embodiment of the present invention is to provide a very high gradient traveling capacity on the wheel upto 320mm.

Further embodiments of the present invention provide a longer box type lower control arms with longer drive shafts to achieve higher wheel travel and high clearance upto 350mm

Yet another embodiment of the present invention is to provide a uniball joint attached to the Knuckle and to Control Arm in a unique manner to provide a lot of rigidity in the structure.

Still another embodiment of the present invention is, to provide a rear wheel suspension comprising a shock absorber with coil springs (1) disposed between lower control 'A' arm (3), upper control arm and the chassis of the vehicle wherein the said lower control 'A' arm is mounted onto the self lubricating lower uniball joint (5) and the upper control is mounted onto the self lubricating upper uniball joint of the Knuckle (4), upper and lower uniball joints (5).

Yet another embodiment

of the present invention is to provide front wheel suspension comprising shock absorber with coil springs (1) disposed between Lower control 'A' arm (3), upper control arm and the chassis of the vehicle wherein the said lower control 'A' arm is mounted onto the self lubricating lower uniball joint (5) and the upper control is mounted onto the self lubricating upper uniball joint of the Knuckle (4), upper and lower uniball joints (5), the shock absorber with coil over shocks enables travel over a longer distance and also enables travel over a longer duration on a terrain which is not especially conducive namely on a terrain which is non-uniform.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in, and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention, and together with the general description given above, and the detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

It would be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the drawings and the detailed description as enclosed in the disclosure are for the purpose of enabling a better understanding of the present specification.

It would also be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the embodiments as described in the disclosure herein, are for the purpose of illustration only and any combinations and variations thereof, are also to be considered within the scope and ambit of the present disclosure.

Figure 1 is the schematic diagram, which describes the arrangement of the front wheel suspension.

Figure 2 is the schematic diagram, which describes the arrangement of the rear wheel suspension.

Figure 3 is the perspective view, to show the front wheel suspension (8) and the rear wheel suspension (9) and also the high ground clearance (10).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT:

Since global and local travels have become a necessity, in order to increase convenience and reduce time consumed in travel, automotives are deployed.

Although, automotives reduce time consumed and increase convenience, they can provide the best possible service only if the automotive itself is durable. The durability of the automotive in turn depends on the internal construction and quality of its constituting components, and also on the terrain on which the travel takes place.

The component whose functioning affects the operation of the vehicle is the wheel suspension. The wheel suspension system conventionally pertains to the springs and related parts intermediate between the wheels and the frame, sub- frame, or side rails of a unitized body.

The suspension supports the weight of the upper part of a vehicle on its axles and wheels, allows the vehicle to travel over irregular surfaces with a minimum of up-and-down body movement, and allows the vehicle to corner with minimum roll or loss of traction between the tires and the road.

As a result, a wheel suspension system, which is robust enough to handle the weight and balance of occupants as well as able to easily absorb the shocks

caused by uneven and rough terrain and small objects or bumps always present on the road or tracks is desired.

In this context, the following detailed description sets forth numerous specific details to provide a thorough understanding of the invention pertaining to such said wheel suspension. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention may be practiced without these specific details.

The present invention describes the rear wheel suspension, comprising shock absorber with coil springs (1) disposed between Lower control 'A' arm (3), upper control arm and the chassis of the vehicle. The said lower control 'A' arm is mounted onto the self-lubricating lower uniball joint (5) and the upper control is mounted onto the self-lubricating upper uniball joint of the Knuckle (4), upper and lower uniball joints (5). The rear control steering arm is connected through knuckle with ball joints and chassis with bushes.

Another embodiment of the present invention is to provide front wheel suspension comprising shock absorber with coil springs (1) disposed between Lower control 'A' arm (3), upper control arm and the chassis of the vehicle wherein, the said lower control 'A' arm is mounted onto the self lubricating lower uniball joint (5) and the upper control is mounted onto the self lubricating upper uniball joint of the Knuckle (4), upper and lower uniball joints (5).

Front and rear wheel suspension comprises a shock absorber with coil springs (1), upper control arm (2), lower control arm (3) and rear steering control arm (7) with ball joint (5) and a knuckle (4). The end of shock absorber is connected to a high-pressure nitrogen bottle.

The combination of Nitrogen gas pressure, and oil medium is the shock absorbers, which are controlled by precision, flow values and dual coil springs provide superior riding comfort on all sorts of terrain starting from highway to extreme road condition.

Reaction Loads generated from the roads are transmitted from wheel to knuckle and further through upper (2) and lower (3) arms connected to knuckle (4) through uniball joint (5). The upper and lower control arms are manufactured from high strength material and are extremely robust and designed to sustain all sorts of shock conditions. The rear control steering arm is connected through knuckle with ball joints and chassis with bushes.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the Front Wheel Suspension and the Rear Wheel suspension, which comprises shock absorber with, coil for absorbing shocks (1), upper (2) and lower control arm (3), upper and lower uniball joints (5), Knuckle (4). In addition, the shock absorbers are equipped with two coils namely upper and lower coil. The ends of coils are connected to a high-pressure nitrogen bottle. This combination of Nitrogen gas pressure, and oil medium is the shock absorber which is controlled by precision flow valves and dual coil springs provide superior

riding comfort on all sorts of terrain starting from highway to extreme road condition. Reaction Loads generated from the roads are transmitted from wheel (6) to knuckle (4) and further through upper and lower arms (2) (3) connected to knuckle (4) through Uniball joint (5). The upper and lower control arms (2) (3) are manufactured from high strength material and are extremely robust and designed to sustain all sorts of shock conditions. The Uniball joints (5) are maintenance free and provide for high degree of smooth functioning of the system.

Referring Fig 3, describes the whole structure of the vehicle, which clearly shows
the view of the front wheel suspension (8), rear wheel suspension (9) and the high ground clearance (10) upto 350mm. By using longer 'A' arms in combination with longer shock absorbers, can be able to get high ground clearance (10) upto 350mm.

Using small 'A' Arms it is possible to get the ground clearance upto 220mm.

It is shown and described the embodiment in accordance with the present invention, it should be clear to those skilled in the art that further embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION:

This invention gives a wide range of advantage, which is mentioned below: 1)Very high travel on the wheel upto 320mm.

2) Longer box type 'A' Arms with longer drive shafts of own design to achieve higher wheel travel.

3) Longer 'A' Arms in combination with longer shock absorbers, we are able to get high clearance upto 350mm.

4) The uniball joint is attached to the Knuckle and to Control Arm, in a unique manner to extract a lot of rigidity in the structure.

INDEX OF PARTS
1. SHOCK ABSORBER WITH COIL SPRINGS
2. UPPER CONTROL ARM
3. LOWER CONTROL'A'ARM
4. KNUCKLE
5. UNIBALL JOINT FOR UPPER AND LOWER ARMS
6. WHEEL
7. REAR STEARING CONTROL ARM
8. FRONT WHEEL SUSPENSION-FIG 1
9. REAR WHEEL SUSPENSION-FIG 2
10. HIGH GROUND CLEARANCE (UPTO 350mm).

We claim:

1. An independent wheel suspension assembly for off-road vehicles comprising: shock absorber with coil springs (1) is disposed between lower control 'A' arm (3), upper control arm (2) and the chassis of the vehicle wherein the said lower control 'A' arm is mounted onto the self lubricating lower uniball joint (5) and the upper control is mounted onto the self lubricating upper uniball joint of the Knuckle (4) and chassis with bushes; the reaction loads generated from the terrain on which vehicle travels, are transmitted from the wheels of the vehicle to knuckle and through upper (2) and lower (3) arms connected to knuckle (4) through uniball joint (5).

2. An independent wheel suspension assembly for off-road vehicles as claimed in claim 1, wherein the suspension assembly is the rear wheel suspension assembly.

3. An independent wheel suspension assembly for off-road vehicles as claimed in claim 1, the shock absorbers are equipped with upper and lower coil wherein the ends of coils are connected to a high-pressure nitrogen bottle;

4. An independent wheel suspension assembly for off-road vehicles as claimed in claim1, wherein the suspension assembly is the front wheel suspension assembly.

5. An independent wheel suspension assembly for off-road vehicles as claimed in claim1, wherein the shock absorber has upper and lower coils, which are controlled by precision control valves.

6. An independent wheel suspension assembly for off-road vehicles as claimed in claim1, wherein the upper and lower control arms are manufactured from high strength material.

7. An independent wheel suspension assembly for off-road vehicles as claimed in claim1, wherein the wheel suspension enables ground clearance upto 350 mm.

8. An independent wheel suspension assembly for off-road vehicles as claimed in claim1, wherein suspension check strap is provided on upper control arms.