DESC:SERIES SPRING GUIDE FOR SHOCK ABSORBER

Field of invention:

The present invention relates to a rear suspension system of two wheelers and more particularly, to a series spring guide for motorcycle shock absorbers.

Background of the invention:

Few shock absorbers are built with series spring to get the benefit of multiple spring rating advantage compared to single spring design, since multiple ratings cannot be obtained in single spring due to manufacturing constraint. There are two springs in series spring design, the top spring with higher rating and bottom spring with lower rating, a guide is required to align and arrest the movement of both spring axes. Normally, spring guide design is of single piece plastic moulded part as shown, in Figure 1 and two piece sheet metal part welded to each other to have guide as shown in Figure 2. The spring guides made of plastic carrying lower spring loads, cannot take higher loads of springs during full compression and results in breakage. The sheet metal design with conventional usage requires a welding to hold the cups and guide assembly, which is costly and has difficulty in manufacturing and surface treatment.

Accordingly, there is a need of alternate design which can be easily manufactured and also with higher strength characteristics that overcome the above mentioned drawbacks of the prior art.

Object of the invention:

An object of the present invention is to provide a safer design compared to plastic moulded part with elimination of hazardous welding operation.

Another object of the present invention is to avoid corrosion of welded part for use in rear suspension system of two wheelers.

Further, object of the present invention is to provide a series spring guide assembly with easy installation and carry higher spring compression load.

Yet, another object of the present invention is to provide a spring guide design which generates a locking effect of itself and restrictions for the movement of the spring.

Summary of the invention:

Accordingly, the present invention provides a series spring guide to guide a spring in rear suspension systems of two wheelers like monocycles. The series spring guide comprises two O-rings of similar shape. Each O-ring has an upper edge, a lower edge, a longitudinal extended portion configured between the upper edge and the lower edge and a semi-circular flange configured on the lower edge. The semi-circular flange is directed internally towards a centre of the O ring.

The two O-rings are assembled oppositely with each other by press-fitting, thereby forming a central, circular bore for guiding the spring. Each semi-circular flange provides a proper guide to lock each other, thereby restricting movement of the spring.

Brief description of the drawings:

The objectives and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description read in accordance with the accompanying drawings wherein,

Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a conventional series spring guide design of single piece plastic moulded part, in accordance with a prior art;

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a conventional series spring guide design where two piece sheet metal parts welded to each other to have guide, in accordance with the prior art;

Figure 3 a top down isometric view of a part of a spring guide design for a shock absorber, in accordance with the present invention; and

Figure 4 shows an isometric view of an assembled series spring guide for shock absorber, in accordance with the present invention.

Detailed description of the invention:

The foregoing objects of the present invention are accomplished and the problems and shortcomings associated with the prior art, techniques and approaches are overcome by the present invention as described below in the preferred embodiment.

The present invention provides a spring guide of safer design compared to plastic moulded part which is easily breakable under stressed conditions and spring guide made with sheet metals are free of corrosion, with elimination of hazardous welding operation and ease the manufacturing process for use in shock absorbers of vehicles.

This present invention is illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings, throughout which reference numbers indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. The components of the invention and the reference numbers are also listed in the table below:

Part No Part Name
100 Series spring guide
11 O ring
12 Upper portion
13 Lower portion
14 Longitudinally extended portion
15 Semi-circular flange
21 Bore
22 Lock

Referring to figures 3 and 4, a series spring guide (100) (hereinafter referred to as “the spring guide (100)”) for a shock absorber, in accordance with the present invention is shown. The spring guide (100) is used to guide a spring (not shown) in rear suspension systems of two wheelers like monocycles.

The spring guide (100) comprises two O-rings (11) of similar shape. Figure 3 illustrates a top down isometric view of the O-ring (11). Each O-ring has an upper edge (12), a lower edge (13), a longitudinal extended portion (14) and a semi-circular flange (15). The longitudinal extended portion (14) is configured between the upper edge (12) and the lower edge (13). The semi-circular flange (15) is configured on the lower edge (13). The semi-circular flange (15) is directed internally towards a centre of the O ring (11). In an embodiment, the semi-circular flange (15) is a single sheet metal part. The each O-ring is a segment press part of the spring guide (100).

The two O-rings (11) are assembled oppositely with each other by press-fitting, thereby forming a central, circular bore (21) for guiding the spring in the rear suspension system of the two wheelers. When two O-rings (11) are assembled together, each semi-circular flange (15) provides a proper guide to lock (22) each other, thereby restricting movement of the spring in the rear suspension system of the two wheelers.
The design of joining the cups for the spring guide (100) is derived to have both strength and ease of manufacturing. This series spring guide (100) design can carry higher spring compression load by eliminating the welding process and lower the cost of manufacturing.

Advantages of the invention:

1. The series spring guide (100) eliminates the welding process and lowers the cost of manufacturing.
2. The present series spring guide (100) provides a safer and more robust design compared to plastic moulded part, which cannot take higher loads of springs during full compression and results in breakage.
3. The present series spring guide (100) is free from corrosion due to gap between parts after welding.

The foregoing objects of the invention are accomplished and the problems and shortcomings associated with prior art techniques and approaches are overcome by the present invention described in the present embodiment. Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein; however, it is to be understood that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure, or matter. The embodiments of the invention as described above and the methods disclosed herein will suggest further modification and alterations to those skilled in the art. Such further modifications and alterations may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. ,CLAIMS:We claim:

1. A series spring guide (100) for a shock absorber comprises of two O-rings (11) of similar shape, each O-ring (11) having,
an upper edge (12);
a lower edge (13);
a longitudinal extended portion (14) configured between the upper edge (12) and the lower edge (13); and
a semi-circular flange (15) configured on the lower edge (13);
wherein, the two O-rings (11) are assembled oppositely with each other by press-fitting, thereby forming a central, circular bore (21) for guiding a spring in a rear suspension system of two wheelers and each semi-circular flange (15) provides a proper guide to lock (22) each other, thereby restricting movement of the spring.

2. The series spring guide (100) for the shock absorber as claimed in claim 1, wherein the each O-ring is a segment press part.

3. The series spring guide (100) for the shock absorber as claimed in claim 1, wherein the semi-circular flange (15) is directed internally towards a centre of the O ring (11).

4. The series spring guide (100) for the shock absorber as claimed in claim 1, wherein the semi-circular flange (15) is a single sheet metal part.

5. The series spring guide (100) for the shock absorber as claimed in claim 1, wherein the central circular bore (21) has relatively small radius groove.

Dated this 22nd day of January 2019
Madhavi Vajirakar
Agent for applicant) IN/PA-2337