FORM 2
THE PATENT ACT 1970 (as amended)
[39 OF 1970]
&
The Patents Rules, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[See Section 10 and Rule 13]
TITLE: “LIFT AXLE ASSEMBLY WITH LIFT BELLOW SELF ALIGNMENT MECHANISM”
Name and address of the Applicant:
TATA MOTORS LIMITED, an Indian company having its registered office at
Bombay House, 24 Homi Mody Street, Hutatma Chowk, Mumbai 400 001, Maharashtra,
INDIA.
Nationality: Indian
The following specification particularly describes the nature of the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

TECHINCAL FIELD
Embodiments of the present disclosure relates to a lift axle system of a vehicle, more particularly embodiments relate to a structure for mounting a lift bellow of the lift axle system.
BACKGROUND OF DISCLOSURE
The vehicles are provided with additional axles to increase the load carrying capacity. It was realized that as the number of load bearing axles are increased on a given vehicle, more number of difficulties arose. The difficulties such as tire scuffing, loss in fuel economy and the inability to safely corner, are associated with add-on type axles. Mitigation of these problems was of primary concern to the vehicle manufactures. The development of the lift axle systems results into elimination of such problems. Since, a lift axle systems could be selectively raised from the road surface or lowered into engagement with the road surface when needed, thereby mitigating the aforementioned problems. The lift axle system comprises a lift bellow which raises the lift axle upon expansion and lowers the lift axle upon compression.
In conventional lift axle assemblies, the lift bellow positioned at the under lift link arm assembly mounting hanger/brackets, or situated just in front of lift link arm assembly mounting hanger or have one end mounted with one of the extended lift link arms and another with the stationary bracket assembly fabricated with hanger assembly or cross member assembly. In all the above mentioned positions the lift bellows always remains exposed and near to the ground i.e. road surface, which in future are prone to failure due to exposure of lift axle assembly to foreign elements like sharp concrete, stones etc hitting them when the vehicle is in running condition.
Further, in the conventional lift axle assemblies the top and bottom lift bellow plates offsets and/or misaligns from their centre axis due to road undulations, unavoidable axle movement, road conditions. This would result in scuffing which would further result in leakage of lift bellow, since the bellow rubber bump stopper hits the inner crimped rubber of upper bellow plate.

In addition, the top and bottom lift bellow plates of the lift axle system should be parallel when the lift bellow is inflated completely. In the conventional lift axle assemblies the top lift bellow plate is fixed to the chassis and the bottom lift bellow plate is pivotally attached to the lift members, hence holding the top and bottom lift bellow plates parallel to each other when the lift bellow is inflated completely.
In light of forgoing discussion, it is necessary to develop a lift axle system which support and hold the lift bellow mounting plates parallel to each other when the lift bellow is inflated completely. And to mount the lift bellows at centre of the chassis to overcome the limitations stated above.
STATEMENT OF THE DISCLOSURE
Accordingly, the present disclosure provides a lift axle system of a vehicle comprising, a first bracket mounted / bolted on a vehicle chassis, a lift axle assembly mounted on the first bracket, said lift axle assembly comprises, a pair of lift bellow assembly, main bellow assembly and lift link arm connecting said lift bellow and main bellow; wherein said lift bellow assembly comprising, a front lift bellow mounting plate pivotally attached to an extended arm connected to said lift link arm; a rear lift bellow mounting plate pivotally attached to the vehicle chassis; and a lift bellow mounted to inboard side of the front and rear lift bellow mounting plates.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
The shortcomings of the prior art are overcome and additional advantages are provided through the provision of a system and method 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 disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed disclosure.
One embodiment of the present disclosure provides a lift axle system of a vehicle. The system comprises a first bracket mounted / bolted on a vehicle chassis, a lift axle

assembly mounted on the first bracket. The lift axle assembly comprises, a pair of lift bellow assembly, main bellow assembly and lift link arm connecting said lift bellow and main bellow. The lift bellow assembly comprising a front lift bellow mounting plate pivotally attached to an extended arm connected to said lift link arm. A rear lift bellow mounting plate pivotally attached to the vehicle chassis. And a lift bellow mounted to inboard side of the front and rear lift bellow mounting plates.
In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a second bracket is mounted on vehicle chassis at predetermined distance from the first bracket for mounting the rear lift bellow mounting plate.
In one embodiment of the present disclosure, plurality of stoppers positioned at predetermined locations to support and hold the front and rear lift bellow mounting plates parallel to each other when the lift bellow is inflated completely.
In one embodiment of the present disclosure, at least one stopper is mounted on a movable member and positioned at a predetermined location to support and hold the front or rear lift bellow mounting plates parallel to each other when the lift bellow is inflated completely.
In one embodiment of the present disclosure, at least a stopper is mounted on each first bracket / chassis and the second bracket and plurality of rubber bump stoppers are mounted at extended lift link arm to support & hold the front lift bellow mounting plate & also at rear end of the lift link arm to support and hold the rear lift bellow mounting plate parallel to each other when the lift bellow is inflated completely.
In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a damper plate is provided in between front and rear lift bellow mounting plates to prevent hitting of said plates when the lift bellow compresses / depletes.
In one embodiment of the present disclosure, front lift bellow mounting plate and a rear lift bellow mounting plate are mounted inboard side of the chassis.

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.
OBJECTIVES OF THE DISCLOSURE
One object of the present disclosure is to provide a lift axle system which has a self alignment mechanism which makes front and rear lift bellow mounting plates parallel when the lift bellow inflates completely.
One object of the present disclosure is to provide a lift axle system in which the lift bellow is mounted in centre of the chassis which in-turn increase the lift bellow mounting clearance from the ground.
One object of the present disclosure is to provide lift axle system which avoid exposure of the lift bellows towards silencer and other foreign elements which can cause harm to them.
One object of the present disclosure is to provide lift axle system which increase the packaging area for the exhaust and other peripherals.
One object of the present disclosure is to provide lift axle system which is made compact by shifting the lift bellows to the centre or the chassis or inboard side of the chassis.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING FIGURES
The novel features and characteristic of the disclosure are set forth in the appended claims. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, 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 figures. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of lift axle system according to the present disclosure.
FIG. 2 illustrates an overall view of lift axle system with lift bellow situated at centre of chassis.
FIG. 3 illustrates a cross sectional view of lift axle system of the present disclosure when the lift bellow is in compressed condition.
FIG. 4 illustrates a cross sectional view of lift axle system of the present disclosure when the lift bellow is in inflated condition.
FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of front lift bellow mounting plate of the present disclosure.
FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of rear lift bellow mounting plate of the present disclosure.
FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of lift link arm of the present disclosure.
FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of second bracket of a lift axle system 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
The foregoing has broadly outlined the features and technical advantages of the present disclosure in order that the detailed description of the disclosure that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the disclosure. It should be

appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the disclosure, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present disclosure.
To overcome the drawbacks mentioned in the background, a system and method for a lift axle system is discussed in the present disclosure. The lift axle system of the present disclosure has a self alignment mechanism which makes front and rear lift bellow mounting plates parallel when the lift bellow inflates completely.
As an exemplary embodiment FIG.1 illustrates a perspective view of one half of lift axle system (100). The lift axle system (100) comprises a first bracket (101) mounted on longitudinal members (102) of a vehicle chassis (102). The said first bracket (101) suspend from the longitudinal members (102). A lift axle assembly (103) is mounted to inboard side (101a) of the first bracket (101). The lift axle assembly (103) consists of a lift bellow assembly, main bellow assembly and a lift link arm (104) interconnecting the lift bellow and main bellow. A front lift bellow mounting plate (105) of predetermined shape is pivotally attached to an extended arm (112) connected to the lift link arm (104).
The lift axle system (100) further comprises a second bracket (106) mounted on longitudinal member of vehicle chassis (102) at predetermined distance from the first bracket (101). A rear lift bellow mounting plate (107) of predetermined shape is pivotally attached to the second bracket (106). And a lift bellow (108) mounted to inboard side of the front and rear lift bellow mounting plates (105 and 107). Further, a damper plate (110) is provided in between the front and rear lift bellow mounting plates (105 and 107)

to prevent hitting of said plates (105 and 107) when the lift bellow (108) is compressed. In one aspect of the present disclosure, the shape of the front and rear bellow mounting plates (105 and 107) is selected from group comprising but not limited to rectangular, square and any other shape which serve the purpose.
The first bracket (101) and the second bracket (106) are mounted to the longitudinal member of the chassis (102) by the process selected from group comprising but not limited to welding, brazing and fastening. In one aspect of the present disclosure, the brackets (101 and 106) are joined by fastening using a fastener selected from group comprising but not limited to nuts and bolts, screws, hex lobular screw or any other fastener which serve the purpose.
The lift link arm (104), front lift bellow mounting plate (105) and second lift bellow mounting plate (107) are pivotally attached to the lift axle assembly (103), second bracket (106) using member selected from group comprising but not limited to nut and bolt, pins, rivets or any other member which serve the purpose. In one aspect of the present disclosure the members are pivotally attached through hardware’s like metal bushes, Ultra high molecular (UHMW) weight plastic material washers, nuts, bolts etc.
The lift axle system (100) also comprises, plurality of stoppers (109) mounted in predetermined locations of at least one of fixed and movable members to support and hold the front and rear lift bellow mounting plates (105 and 107) parallel to each other when the lift bellow (108) is inflated completely. Alternatively, the system (100) keeps the front and rear lift bellow mounting plates (105 and 107) parallel to each other by providing plurality of stoppers (109) only at fixed members such as first bracket (101) & or (102) and second bracket (106).
In one aspect of the present disclosure, at least one stopper (109) is mounted on each first bracket (101) & or (102) , second bracket (106) and at least two stoppers (109) lift link arm (104) i.e. one on the extended link (112) and other in second end of the lift link arm (104), in such a way that the stoppers (109) support and hold the front and rear lift bellow mounting plates (105 and 107) parallel to each other. The stopper (109) mounted on first

bracket (101) & or (102) and the stopper (109) mounted on extended link (112) of the lift link arm (104) supports and holds the front lift bellow mounting plate (105). And the stopper (109) mounted on second bracket (106) and the stopper (109) mounted on other end of the lift link arm (104) supports and holds the rear lift bellow mounting plate (107). The stoppers (109) further avoids the hitting of front and rear bellow mounting plates (105 and 107) to metal parts surrounding them when the lift bellow (108) inflates. The stoppers (109) also avoid misalignment of the front and rear lift bellow mounting plates (105 and 107) when bellow (108) inflates (expands) during bump condition.
FIG. 2 is an exemplary embodiment which illustrates an over view of lift axle system (100) with lift bellow (108) situated at centre of chassis (102). As shown in the figure. 2 the lift axle assemblies (103) and the rear lift bellow mounting plates (107) are mounted to the inboard of the first bracket (101) and the second bracket (106). The mounting of the lift axle assemblies (103) and the rear lift bellow mounting plates (107) to the inboard of the first bracket (101) and the second bracket (106) positions the lift bellows (108) at the centre of the chassis (102). The centre of the chassis (102) is a safe position as compared to the conventional positions such as under lift link arm assembly mounting hanger/brackets, or situated just in front of lift link arm assembly mounting hanger or have one end mounted with one of the extended lift link arms and another with the stationary bracket assembly fabricated with hanger assembly or cross member assembly. Because the lift bellows (108) will be away from the ground and are safely secured between the left hand and right hand chassis long members where possibility of foreign elements interference is very less.
FIG. 3 is an exemplary embodiment which illustrates a cross sectional view of lift axle system (100) when the lift bellow (108) is in compressed condition. When the lift bellow (108) compresses the lift bellow (108) will pull the extended arm (112) of the lift link arm (104) which is pivotally attached to the front lift bellow mounting plate (105). Since, the lift link arm (104) is pivotally attached to the lift axle (111) through its second bottom end (104c), the lift link arm (104) lowers the lift axle (111) to engage the wheel of the lift axle (111) to the road. During compression of the lift bellows (108) the damper plates

(110) provided between the front and rear lift bellow mounting plates (105 and 107) prevents the hitting of said plates (105 and 107).
FIG. 4 is an exemplary embodiment which illustrates a cross sectional view of lift axle system (100) when the lift bellow (108) is in inflated condition. When the lift bellow (108) inflates/expands the lift bellow (108) will push the extended arm (112) of the lift link arm (104) which is pivotally attached to the front lift bellow mounting plate (105). Since, the lift link arm (104) is pivotally attached to the lift axle (111) through its second bottom end (104c), the lift link arm (104) raises the lift axle (111) to disengage the wheel of the lift axle (111) from the road.
Ideally, the front and rear lift bellow mounting plates (105 and 107) should be supported and held parallel when the lift bellow (108) inflates completely. In the present lift axle system (100) when the lift bellow (108) inflates the front and rear lift bellow mounting plates (105 and 107) self aligns because said plates (105 and 107) are pivotally attached to the extended arm (112) of lift link arm (104) and the second bracket (106) respectively. The stoppers (109) mounted in predetermined locations of first bracket (101), second bracket (106) and lift link arm (104) to orient upwards to support and hold the front and rear lift bellow mounting plates (105 and 107) parallel to each other.
FIG. 5 is an exemplary embodiment which illustrates a perspective view of front lift bellow mounting plate (105). The front lift bellows mounting plates (105) comprises a pair of protrusions (105a) on its rear face for pivotally attaching the said front lift bellow mounting plates (105) to the extended arm (112) of the lift link arm (104). And the front lift bellow mounting plate (105) comprises a plurality of mounting holes (105b) in front face for mounting one side of lift bellow (108). Further, the front lift bellows mounting plates (105) comprises protrusions on top and bottom end to make contact with the stoppers (109).
FIG. 6 is an exemplary embodiment which illustrates a perspective view of rear lift bellow mounting plate (107). The rear lift bellows mounting plates (107) comprises a pair of protrusions (107a) on its rear face for pivotally attaching the said rear lift bellow

mounting plates (107) to second bracket (106). And the rear lift bellow mounting plate (107) comprises a plurality of mounting holes (107b) on front face for mounting other side of lift bellow (108). Further, the rear lift bellows mounting plates (107) comprises protrusions on its top and bottom end to make contact with the stoppers (109). The rear lift bellow mounting plate (107) is further provided with a damper plate (110) on its front side to prevent hitting of front and rear lift bellow mounting plates (105 and 107) when the lift bellow (108) compresses.
FIG. 7 is an exemplary embodiment which illustrates a perspective view of lift link arm (104) according to present disclosure. The lift link arm (104) comprises three pivotably connecting ends (104a and 104b & 104c) and an extended arm (112) connected to the lift link arm (104) for interconnecting the lift bellow assembly and the main bellow assembly. First bottom end (104a) of the lift link arm (104) is pivotally attached to the lift axle assembly (103) which is mounted on the first bracket of the chassis (102). The extended arm (112) of the lift link arm (104) is pivotally attached to front lift bellow mounting bracket (105) to mount the lift bellow (108). The second bottom end (104c) of the lift link arm (104) is pivotally attached to the lift axle (111) for selectively raising and lowering the wheels connected to the lift axle (111).
The lift link arm (104) selectively raises or lowers the wheels connected to lift axle (111) to engage and disengage the wheels from the road based on the load of the vehicle. The lift bellow (108) pushes the extended arm (112) of the lift link arm (104) which is pivotally attached to the front lift bellow mounting plate (105) to raise the lift axle (111) to disengage the wheels from road when the lift bellow (108) expands. And the lift bellow (108) pulls the extended link (112) of the lift link arm (104) which is pivotally attached to the front lift bellow mounting plate (105) to lower the lift axle (111) to engage the wheels to the road when the lift bellow (108) compresses.
FIG. 8 is an exemplary embodiment which illustrates a perspective view of second bracket (106) of a lift axle system (100). The second bracket (106) is mounted on to the longitudinal member of the vehicle chassis (102) at predetermined distance from the first bracket (101) for mounting the rear lift bellow mounting plate (107) and at least one

stopper (109). The second bracket (106) comprises plurality of protruded plates (106a) for pivoting the rear lift bellow mounting plates (107). The second bracket (106) further comprises a protrusion plate (106b) on its front face for mounting at least one stopper (109).
The lift axle system of the present disclosure has following advantages:
The present disclosure provides a lift axle system which has a self alignment mechanism which makes front and rear lift bellow mounting plates parallel when the lift bellow inflates completely.
The present disclosure provides a lift axle system which is compact and simple in construction and easy to assemble.
The present disclosure provides more area for packaging for exhaust & other peripherals.
The present disclosure provides a lift axle system which avoids offset/misalignment lift bellow mounting plates responsible, which in-turn increases the life of the bellow.
The present disclosure provides a lift axle system in which the lift bellow is mounted at centre of the chassis which improves the life of the lift bellow since the entry of foreign particles are minimal at the centre of chassis, this also increases the ground clearance.
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:

Reference number Description
100 Lift axle system
101 First bracket
102 Vehicle chassis
103 Lift axle assembly
104 Lift link arm
104a, 104b and 104 c First and second bottom ends of the lift link arm, top end
105 Front lift bellow mounting plate
106 Second bracket
107 Rear lift bellow mounting plate
108 Lift bellow
109 Stopper
110 Damper plate
111 Lift axle
112 Extended arm connected to the lift link arm

We claim:
1. A lift axle system (100) of a vehicle comprising:
a first bracket (101) suspending from a vehicle chassis (102);
a lift axle assembly (103) mounted on the first bracket (101), said lift axle assembly comprises, a pair of lift bellow assembly, main bellow assembly and lift link arm (104) connecting said lift bellow and main bellow; wherein said lift bellow assembly comprising,
a front lift bellow mounting plate (105) pivotally attached to an extended arm (112) connected to said lift link arm (104);
a rear lift bellow mounting plate (107) pivotally attached to the vehicle chassis (102); and
a lift bellow (108) mounted to inboard side of the front and rear lift bellow mounting plates (105 and 107).
2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1 further comprises a second bracket (106) mounted on vehicle chassis (102) at predetermined distance from the first bracket (101) for mounting the rear lift bellow mounting plate (107).
3. The lift axle system as claimed in claim 1, wherein plurality of stoppers (109) positioned at predetermined locations to support and hold the front and rear lift bellow mounting plates (105 and 107) parallel to each other when the lift bellow (108) is inflated completely.
4. The lift axle system as claimed in claim 3, wherein at least one stopper (109) is mounted on a movable member (104) and positioned at a predetermined location to support and hold the front or rear lift bellow mounting plates (105 and 107) parallel to each other when the lift bellow (108) is inflated completely.
5. The system (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein at least stoppers (109) is mounted each first bracket (101) & or (102) and the second bracket (106) and plurality of rubber bump stoppers (109) are mounted at either ends of the lift link

arm (104) to support and hold the front and rear lift bellow mounting plates (105 and 107) parallel to each other when the lift bellow (108) is inflated completely.
6. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a damper plate (110) is provided in between front and rear lift bellow mounting plates (105 and 107) to prevent hitting of said plates (105 and 107) when the lift bellow (108) compresses.
7. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lift axle assembly (103) and a rear lift bellow mounting plate (107) are mounted inboard side of the chassis (102).
8. A vehicle comprising a lift axle system as claimed in claim 1.
9. A lift axle system of a vehicle is substantially as herein described in accompanying drawings.