DESC:FIELD OF INVENTION
[001] The present invention relates to suspension system and more specifically relates to adjusting damping of suspension in vehicle.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[002] This invention takes priority from an earlier filed Indian patent application no. 202021026830 filed on June 24, 2020; which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[003] Suspension is one of the prime component of any vehicle. It provides required comfort to the rider as well as passenger of vehicle by absorbing unnecessary external forces acting on the vehicle. Such external forces may be shocks and vibrations produced mainly because of uneven road conditions. Therefore, to absorb such shocks and vibrations and to give maximum comfort to the user of vehicle is a prime objective of the suspension system.

[004] Suspension of vehicle, for example of a two wheeled vehicle comprises a shock absorber with coil springs and dampening element wherein; the dampening element comprises a cylinder filled with hydraulic fluid like oil which may be pressurized with gas and a piston moving inside said cylinder. As any external shock is acted on suspension, piston moves inside cylinder whose movement is restricted by Oil or gaseous fluid present in cylinder. This helps is absorbing shock without transferring it to the vehicle body. Damping characteristics of the suspension system may be broadly classified as hard suspension and soft suspension, based on the amount of resistance produced or shock absorbed by the shock absorbers. Hard suspension restricts the movement or bounce in shock absorber to minimum. This provides better handling of vehicle. Hard suspension is also provided in case heavy load is acting on vehicle. On the other hand, soft suspension results in more movement & smoother ride. However, using excessive soft suspension with less load or on rough road condition may be risky as it can produce higher bounce due to external shocks. The feeling of hard or soft suspension could be subjective. Generally, at higher speed in highway condition & for better handling performance hard suspension is useful whereas, during city drive or for better comfort soft suspension may be useful. Similarly, spring & damping characteristics may change after prolong use. Due to this, there may be a change in performance of suspension system. Therefore, periodic maintenance of suspension becomes important; also it may require complete change of suspension or change in its part, this increases the maintenance cost of the vehicle.

[005] Therefore, from above description it is clear that softness or hardness of suspension depends on various factors such as road condition, amount of load acting on vehicle, driving conditions, type of Vehicle, spring characteristics etc. However, practically it is impossible to change the suspension system based on user requirement each time.

[006] Therefore, there is a need to have an adjustable suspension system, which may be applicable to any driving conditions or whose damping characteristics may be adjusted based on specific need of user. For example, user may adjust the damping to make suspension soft or hard based on external factors such as road condition, performance requirement, spring characteristics, load acting on vehicle etc.

[007] According to the prior arts, there are systems available to adjust the damping of suspension. However; majorly these system are electronic system using advance sensors, control unit and servo motor to adjust the suspension. This comes at higher cost. The other mechanical system available is using an adjustment screw provided on a damper. Screw is operated for adjusting the damping. This requires user to always carry a separate tool like screw driver. In addition, in mono-shock suspension system wherein; shock absorber is not placed at easily accessible location, it becomes difficult to access such screw. Other prior arts are provided with a knob for adjusting the suspension instead of screw however; such knobs are placed directly on the shock absorber, which makes it difficult to access. It is difficult to provide adjustment means away from shock absorber since; it is difficult to make a mechanical connection between a fix parts to a moving part like shock absorber. Therefore, the easy accessibility problem is faced with these prior arts. Further, the prior art system requires user to get off the vehicle for adjusting suspension. This activity is tedious and time consuming.

[008] In view of above-mentioned problems of prior art systems, there is a need to provide adjustment means for adjusting the damping of suspension, which is less costly, easily accessible to user, simple, less time consuming. Yet another need is to provide adjustment means for suspension, which do not require any external tools for adjustment. Still another need is to have adjustment means without requiring user to get off the vehicle for adjustment purpose.

[009] Therefore, it is an object of invention to provide a system for adjusting the suspension, which is less costly.

[010] Another objective of present invention is to provide an adjustment means for suspension, which is easily accessible to user and does not require any external tools for adjustments.

[011] Yet another objective of present invention is to provide a system for adjustment of suspension without requiring user to get off the vehicle, simple and less time consuming.

[012] Still another objective of present invention is to overcome all the challenges of existing prior art system.

[013] It is an object of the presently disclosed subject matter to overcome prior art sufferings and provides a new system for adjusting damping of suspension system.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[014] The present invention provide a system for adjusting damping of suspension system comprising:
a shock absorber having at least a damping member;
an actuator configured to actuate said damping member;
wherein; the actuator is located away from damping member and connected to the damping member through at least a joining means to adjust the damping characteristics of shock absorber.

[015] The actuator includes any suitable actuating means for example, a switch, a push button and preferably a knob.

[016] According to one of the embodiment of present invention said joining means comprises a flexible shaft configured to transfer the movement of the actuator to the damping member.

[017] First end of the flexible shaft is fixed inside a slot provided on the actuator (for ex knob or push button etc.) and second end of the flexible shaft is fixed in a socket, wherein said socket is further connected to the damping member of the shock absorber and configured to adjust the damping characteristics of the shock absorber upon rotation of said knob.

[018] According to another of the embodiment of present invention, the joining means comprises two connecting members wherein; the first connecting member is connected to the actuator and second connecting member is connected to damping member. The first and second connecting members are joined to each other through a coupling means, such that as the actuator is rotated, the first connecting member is rotated along with the actuator, which further rotates the second connecting member through said coupling means to actuate the damping member, which leads to change in damping characteristics of the shock absorber.

[019] The coupling means is a universal joint configured to rotate along vertical, horizontal and lateral direction.

[020] According to one of the embodiment universal joint comprises a fork unit and two centre blocks mounted within said fork wherein; first centre block is connected to first connecting member and the second centre block is connected to second connecting member such that any movement of first connecting member is transferred to the second connecting member through said fork unit.

[021] According to another embodiment of present invention said coupling means is a flexible coupling, used to connect first and second connecting members to each other while allowing movement between them.

[022] Any other possible joining or coupling means which is capable of translating the motion of the actuator to the shock absorber may be used, this may include linkages, gears etc.

[023] The present system for adjusting damping of the suspension system is provided on a vehicle. The actuator is mounted on any vehicle body part away from shock absorber such that it is easily accessible to the rider for example, on side panel or cover of a motorcycle.

[024] According to one of the embodiment of present invention, the damping member is a damper filled with hydraulic fluid or gas configured to provide required damping to the suspension system of vehicle. The damping member comprises a mechanism to change the damping characteristics by changing rate of fluid flow inside damping member wherein; the mechanism is actuated by said actuator/ knob through said joining means.

[025] The mechanism comprises a needle configured to move inside damping member wherein; the needle has one end with a tapered portion and other end is connected to said actuator/ knob through said joining means. As the actuator/ knob is rotated, the tapered portion of said needle moves inside the damping member to open or close an alternate flow path for the damping fluid thereby causing change in the flow rate of the overall fluid inside damper leading to change in damping characteristics of shock absorber. The needle remains in adjusted position due to opposite pressure created by gas present in the damping member. There may be different types of mechanisms used to change the damping characteristics inside damper.

[026] The knob may be rotated in clockwise or anti-clock wise direction in a continuous manner or in plurality of steps to adjust the damping characteristics of shock absorber. Additionally, actuator/ knob may be provided with plurality of operating modes based on plurality of driving conditions. User may select mode of suspension based on current driving conditions or requirements. For example, the pluralities of driving modes are sports mode, highway mode, Off Road mode, performance mode etc.

[027] The present invention is applicable to any type of suspension system comprising a mono shock absorber or plurality of shock absorbers. According to one of the embodiment, the present invention is applied to the mono-shock suspension system of a two-wheeled vehicle; comprising only one shock absorber centrally mounted in vehicle width direction and connects a rear wheel to the frame of the vehicle.

[028] The knob and the joining means are made of nylon or plastic, which is lightweight and a low cost material.

[029] According to another embodiment of present invention, as a further embodiment, the knob/actuator may be operated without manual intervention using electrical means. For example, the knob/actuator may be operated through a motorised mechanism. For example, said knob may be operated using electric actuator including servomotor or solenoid, wherein said electric actuator is operated by rider of vehicle through a switch provided on a console or at any suitable accessible location of the vehicle.

[030] According to one of the embodiment of present invention, the actuator may be provided in the form of a push button or a switch connected to the shock absorber through a joining means wherein; said joining means is provided in the form of linkages. As the push button/ switch is operated, the shock absorber is actuated through linkages to change its damping characteristics.

[031] The system for adjusting suspension is used in any vehicle including two-wheeled, three wheeled or four-wheeled vehicle and more preferably used in a motorcycle.

[032] The 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.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[033] The invention will now be described in more detail by way of example with reference to the embodiments shown in the figures mentioned below:

[034] FIG. 1 illustrates a system for adjusting suspension damping according to one of the prior art.

[035] FIG. 2a illustrate details of a system for adjusting suspension damping using flexible shaft according to an embodiment of present invention.

[036] FIG. 2b illustrate details of a system for adjusting suspension damping according to Fig. 2a.

[037] FIG. 2c illustrate details of flexible shaft used in a system for adjusting suspension damping according to Fig. 2a.

[038] FIG. 2d illustrate details of a system for adjusting suspension damping according to an embodiment of present invention.

[039] FIG. 3 illustrates location of knob on vehicle of system according to one of the embodiment of present invention.

[040] FIG. 4 illustrates joining means as universal joint used in the system of one of the embodiment of present invention.

[041] FIG. 5 illustrates a joining means as a comprising flexible coupling used in the system of one of the embodiment of present invention.

[042] FIG. 6a illustrates a mechanism used in the system for adjusting suspension damping according to one of the embodiment of present invention.

[043] FIG. 6b illustrates details of mechanism of Figure 6a according to one of the embodiment of present invention.

[044] FIG. 7 illustrates a block diagram showing components used for controlling damping of suspension system without manual intervention according to one of the embodiment of present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[045] Embodiments of present invention will now be explained with the help of figures herein below. All the aspects described herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating preferred embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope herein without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, and the present invention herein includes all such modifications.

[046] Fig.1 illustrates system for adjusting damping of shock absorber 100 according to one of the prior art. A shock absorber 100 comprises a damper 115 in the form of damping member filled with hydraulic fluid example Oil. The damper 115 is surrounded by coil spring 105. One end of shock absorber 100a is connected to the frame of vehicle and other end 100b is connected to the wheel (not shown) of the vehicle. Any shocks/ vibrations produced by the wheel are absorbed by the shock absorber 100, thereby preventing it from getting transferred to the vehicle frame. In order to adjust damping performance of shock absorber 100, a screw 110 is provided at one end of the shock absorber. The screw 110 is rotated using external tool like a screw driver. Upon rotation of screw 110, the oil flow inside shock absorber 100 changes which lead to change in damping characteristics of shock absorber 115. As explained in the background section, there are various disadvantages associated with these types of system mainly related to easy accessibility.

[047] In order to overcome various disadvantages of prior art system, present invention is developed which is explained herein below with the help of Fig. 2 to Fig 7.
[048] Fig. 2a -2c represents the suspension damping adjustment system according to one of the embodiment of present invention. The system comprises a shock absorber 100 comprising a spring 105. The damping of shock absorber 100 is adjusted using an actuator 201 mounted away from said shock absorber 100. The actuator 201 is connected to the shock absorber 100 using a joining means in the form of flexible shaft 22. Any rotational movement of the knob 201 is transferred to the shock absorber 100 through said flexible shaft 22, thereby further adjusting the damping characteristics of shock absorber 100.

[049] The actuator 201 is provided with a slot to receive and fix first end 28 of the flexible shaft 22. Second end of the flexible shaft is mounted and fixed in a socket 21, which is provided with a mounting provision 25 for rotatably mounting and fixing the damping adjustment stud 27 of shock absorber 100 into the said socket 21. The actuator 201 is provided on body panel 350 of vehicle at easily accessible position. The flexible shaft 22 comprises inner rope 22a formed by wounded wires, which is covered by an outer protective sleeve 22b as shown in Fig. 2c.

[050] Fig. 2d represents details of system 200, according to another embodiment of present invention. The knob 201 is connected to one of the end of the shock absorber 100 through a joining means comprising two connecting members (205, 215). First connecting member 205 is connected to a second connecting member 215 through a coupling means 220.

[051] When the knob 201 is rotated, first connecting member 205 gets rotated. The rotational motion of first connecting member 205 is translated to the second connecting member 215 through said coupling means 220. One end 225 of second connecting member 215 is connected to the shock absorber 100 which rotates a mechanism (described below) provided inside the shock absorber 100 such that oil flow rate is changed inside shock absorber. This helps in adjusting damping characteristics of shock absorber 100.

[052] The knob 201 is mounted away from shock absorber 100 such that it is easily accessible to the user of vehicle. The knob 201 may be provided at any suitable location. According to one of the embodiment of present invention, the system is provided in a motorcycle 350 with mono shock suspension system comprising only one shock absorber 100 as illustrated in Fig. 3. The rear wheel 300 is connected to the frame of the vehicle using a swing arm 330. The shock absorber 100 connects the swing arm 330 to the frame of vehicle. The knob 201 for adjusting damping of suspension is provided on side body panel of motorcycle 350. Therefore, user is not required to get off the vehicle for adjusting the suspension and can rotate the knob 201 to adjust the damping according to his requirements.

[053] The coupling means 220 may be any suitable joint, which is able to translate motion of first connecting member 205 to the second connecting member 215. As an example, such coupling means 220 is provided in a form of a universal joint 420 as illustrated in Fig.4. It has a fork unit 410 housing the centre block 401connected to first connecting member 205 & centre block 405 connected to second connecting member 215 such that the centre blocks 401 & 405 may rotate w.r.t. the fork unit 410 along Y-axis and rotate w.r.t connecting members 205 and 215 along X-axis. Both the centre blocks 401 & 405 along with connecting members 205 & 215 can together rotate about Z-axis. Due to this type of construction, universal joint 420 may have required motion along three different directions i.e. horizontal, vertical and lateral direction shown by X, Y and Z-axis. First connecting member 205 is connected to the centre block 401 and second connecting member 215 is connected to centre block 405 or vice versa. Therefore, both the connecting members (205, 215) may have a motion w.r.t. each other along different axis. The shock absorber 100 is a moving member while the knob 201 is a fix member mounted on a fix part of vehicle body. The connection between moving member and a fix member is possible due to use of the universal joint 420.

[054] According to another embodiment of present invention, the universal joint 420 is replaced by a flexible coupling 520 which functionally solves the same purpose as universal joint 420. Example of flexible coupling 520 is illustrated in Fig. 5. The first connecting member 205 is connected to the second connecting member 215 through the flexible coupling 520.

[055] The shock absorber 100 comprises a mechanism to change rate of fluid flow inside damper 115 of shock absorber 100. Any movement caused by the rotation of knob 201 is translated to said mechanism which causes rate of change of fluid flow inside damper 115. This results in change in damping characteristics of shock absorber 100. One such mechanism is illustrated in Fig. 6a & 6b comprising a shock absorber 100. One end 100a is connected to the frame of vehicle while other end 100b is connected to the rear wheel of the vehicle. The shock absorber 100 is provided with a damper 115 surrounded by a coil spring 105. The damper 115 is filled with hydraulic fluid or gas. A needle 701 is inserted inside said damper 115 and through a piston 705. One end 701a of needle 701 has a tapered portion. The system for adjusting damping as explained herein above is connected to an other end 701b of stud 27 of needle 701 such that when the system is actuated the needle 701 moves inside damper 115. The fluid inside damper 115 moves through an opening created between the tapered portion 701a of the needle 701. The resistance offered by fluid to the movement provides necessary damping. As the knob 201 is rotated, its motion is transferred to the needle 701 which moves inside the damper 115 filled with oil. As the needle 701 moves, the rate of the overall fluid flow inside damper leading to change in damping characteristics of shock absorber. The needle remains in adjusted position due to opposite pressure created by gas present in the damping member. This result in change in the oil flow inside damper 115, which increases or decreases the resistance to the movement offered by oil. This causes change in damping characteristics of shock absorber 100. There may be different types of mechanism used to change the damping characteristics inside damper 115.

[056] The knob 201 may be rotated in clockwise or anti-clock wise direction to adjust the damping characteristics of shock absorber 100. For example, knob 201 may be rotated in clockwise direction to get softer damping characteristics and in anti-clockwise direction to get harder damping characteristics. Additionally, knob 201 may be provided with plurality of operating modes based plurality of driving conditions. User may select mode of suspension based on current driving conditions or requirements. For example, the pluralities of driving modes are sports mode, highway mode, Off Road mode, performance mode etc. The rotation of knob is possible in continuous manner or in plurality of discrete steps.

[057] According to another embodiment of present invention, the knob 201 may be rotated by electric means including servomotor or solenoid (not shown). A switch 801 may be provided to actuate the electric means on a console of the vehicle or at any other suitable location, which is easily accessible to the user. Fig. 7 shows, a block diagram illustrating the components used and process flow for same. The switch/ adjustment console (801) is actuated by the user for instructing the control unit (805) for adjusting the damping characteristics of shock absorber (100). Based on the inputted amount of damping required by the user the control unit (805) operates a servomotor (810) which is further connected to said knob (201). The servomotor (810) actuates the knob (201) by required amount to achieve the desired damping characteristics.

[058] The present invention is applicable to any type of suspension system comprising shock absorber. According to one of the embodiment, the present invention is applied to the mono-shock suspension system of a two-wheeled vehicle; comprising only one shock absorber centrally mounted in vehicle width direction and connects rear wheel to the frame of the vehicle.

[059] The actuator, which preferably is a knob, may also be provided in the form of a switch or a push button or any other suitable actuating member. In addition, the joining means may be a gear or linkages used to connect the actuator with the shock absorber.

[060] The system for adjusting damping of suspension is used in any vehicle including two-wheeled, three wheeled or four-wheeled vehicle and more preferably used in a motorcycle.

[061] Although the invention has been described with regard to its embodiments, specific embodiments, and various examples, which constitute the best mode presently known to the inventors, it should be understood that various changes and modifications as would be obvious to one having the ordinary skill in this art may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The scope of the claims should not be limited by the preferred embodiments set forth in the examples, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole. All changes that come with meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.
,CLAIMS:1. A system for adjusting damping of suspension system comprising:
a shock absorber having at least one damping member;
an actuator configured to actuate said at least one damping member;
wherein the actuator is located away from the damping member and connected to the damping member through at least a joining means for adjusting damping characteristics of the shock absorber.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the joining means comprises a flexible shaft configured to transfer movement of the actuator to the damping member.

3. The system as claimed in claim 2,wherein first end of the flexible shaft is fixed inside a slot provided on the actuator and second end of the flexible shaft is fixed in a socket, wherein the socket is connected to the damping member of the shock absorber and configured to actuate the damping member to adjust the damping characteristics of the shock absorber upon actuation of the actuator.

4. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the joining means comprises a first connecting member connected to the actuator and a second connecting member connected to the damping member and the first and second connecting members are joined to each other through a coupling means.

5. The system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the coupling means includes a universal joint or a flexible coupling and is configured to transfer motion along vertical, horizontal and lateral directions.

6. The system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the universal joint comprises a fork unit and two centre blocks mounted within the fork unit wherein; first centre block is connected to first connecting member and the second centre block is connected to second connecting member to transfer the movement of first connecting member to the second connecting member.

7. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the joining means are made of nylon or plastic material.

8. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the damping member comprises a mechanism to change the damping characteristics by changing rate of fluid flow inside the damping member and the mechanism is actuated by the actuator through the joining means.

9. The system for adjusting damping of suspension system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the mechanism comprises a needle configured to move inside damping member upon actuating the actuator to open or close an alternate flow path for the damping fluid to change in the flow rate of overall fluid inside damping member to change in damping characteristics of the shock absorber.

10. The system for adjusting damping of suspension system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the joining means is a linkage mechanism or gears.

11. The system for adjusting damping of suspension system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the actuator is a knob or a push button.

12. The system for adjusting damping of suspension system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the knob is rotated in clockwise or anti-clock wise direction to adjust the damping characteristics of shock absorber in a continuous manner or in plurality of discrete steps.

13. The system for adjusting damping of suspension system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the actuator is provided with plurality of operating modes based on plurality of driving conditions including sports mode, highway mode, Off Road mode, performance mode wherein; each mode is provided with different damping characteristics.

14. The system for adjusting damping of suspension system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the shock absorber is mounted on a vehicle as a part of vehicle suspension system and the actuator is mounted on a vehicle body part away from the shock absorber at an easily accessible position to the rider.

15. The system for adjusting damping of suspension system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the actuator is operated through an electrical means having a servomotor or a solenoid, and the electrical means is operated by a user through a switch.

16. The system for adjusting damping of suspension system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the suspension is mounted in a two-wheeled, three-wheeled, or four-wheeled vehicle having a mono-shock suspension or a dual shock-absorber suspension system.