GB2564831A - Suspension pivot - Google Patents
Suspension pivot Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2564831A GB2564831A GB1701955.5A GB201701955A GB2564831A GB 2564831 A GB2564831 A GB 2564831A GB 201701955 A GB201701955 A GB 201701955A GB 2564831 A GB2564831 A GB 2564831A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- pivot
- elastomeric elements
- suspension
- bonded
- moving
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62K—CYCLES; CYCLE FRAMES; CYCLE STEERING DEVICES; RIDER-OPERATED TERMINAL CONTROLS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR CYCLES; CYCLE AXLE SUSPENSIONS; CYCLE SIDE-CARS, FORECARS, OR THE LIKE
- B62K19/00—Cycle frames
- B62K19/18—Joints between frame members
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62K—CYCLES; CYCLE FRAMES; CYCLE STEERING DEVICES; RIDER-OPERATED TERMINAL CONTROLS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR CYCLES; CYCLE AXLE SUSPENSIONS; CYCLE SIDE-CARS, FORECARS, OR THE LIKE
- B62K25/00—Axle suspensions
- B62K25/04—Axle suspensions for mounting axles resiliently on cycle frame or fork
- B62K25/28—Axle suspensions for mounting axles resiliently on cycle frame or fork with pivoted chain-stay
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
- B60G7/00—Pivoted suspension arms; Accessories thereof
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62K—CYCLES; CYCLE FRAMES; CYCLE STEERING DEVICES; RIDER-OPERATED TERMINAL CONTROLS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR CYCLES; CYCLE AXLE SUSPENSIONS; CYCLE SIDE-CARS, FORECARS, OR THE LIKE
- B62K25/00—Axle suspensions
- B62K25/04—Axle suspensions for mounting axles resiliently on cycle frame or fork
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
- B60G2202/00—Indexing codes relating to the type of spring, damper or actuator
- B60G2202/10—Type of spring
- B60G2202/14—Plastic spring, e.g. rubber
- B60G2202/144—Plastic spring, e.g. rubber of rotary type
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
- B60G2204/00—Indexing codes related to suspensions per se or to auxiliary parts
- B60G2204/10—Mounting of suspension elements
- B60G2204/14—Mounting of suspension arms
- B60G2204/143—Mounting of suspension arms on the vehicle body or chassis
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
- B60G2204/00—Indexing codes related to suspensions per se or to auxiliary parts
- B60G2204/40—Auxiliary suspension parts; Adjustment of suspensions
- B60G2204/418—Bearings, e.g. ball or roller bearings
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
- B60G2300/00—Indexing codes relating to the type of vehicle
- B60G2300/12—Cycles; Motorcycles
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Pivots And Pivotal Connections (AREA)
Abstract
A composite suspension pivot where plain bushes or bearings 4 fitted into moving spool 3 and bearing on pivot journal 1 are supplemented by elastomeric elements (for example O-rings) 5 that provide a damping force to the pivot by means of torsional shear or friction. The elastomeric elements also eliminate bearing play and seal the pivot by closing the gap between fixed pivot ears 2 and moving spool 3, this prevents the ingress of water or dirt. The elastomeric elements may be bonded to the pivot. The elastomeric elements may provide a hermetic seal.
Description
Suspension Pivot
This invention relates to a pivot between structures, such as on a suspension mechanism on a bicycle. A suspension mechanism typically requires a pivot allowing movement in one plane, ensuring the horizontal alignment of the bicycle whilst allowing vertical compliance. Often, the pivot is located behind the bottom bracket of the bicycle, as shown in Figure 1.
Typically, one half of suspension pivot comprises a pivot journal clamped between two plates. The other half comprises an assembly with a tubular bore, containing bearing bushes (usually plastic or metal). These bushes fit over the pivot journal and, when the assembly is clamped (typically by a bolt through the end plates and journal) one half of the pivot assembly is free to rotate in relation to the other half, with one degree of freedom. This is shown in Figure 2.
There are several drawbacks to this arrangement, including wear or damage to the inner surfaces of the end plates caused by the pivoting assembly, the requirement for a small amount of 'end float' to ensure that the pivoting assembly is not clamped between the plates, and vulnerability to the ingress of dirt and other contaminents.
The present invention provides a simple solution to these three problems, and also provides and advantageous damping force to the pivot.
According to the invention, with reference to Fig. 3 (section view) and Fig. 4 (exploded view), there is provided a pivot journal (1) of length between 40-100mm and diameter in the range of 10 to 50mm clamped between two end plates (2) (between 2 and 10mm thick) in the conventional manner. Spool (3) is able to pivot around journal (1), with tubular bearings (metallic or plastic) (4) providing a smooth bearing surface. '0' - rings (5), typically of a rubber compound material and of diameter between 10mm and 50mm and round section between 2 and 10mm, are fitted into the recess formed by the pivot journal, bearings and spool. When the assembly is clamped together by means of a central bolt or otherwise, the 'o'-rings are compressed by a set amount (typically 1030%) and deform against the end plates and into the recess.
The 'o'-rings therefore become both an axial spring (eliminating end float) and a contact seal to prevent contamination of the bearing surfaces and avoiding any hard contact between pivoting surfaces.
Damping of the pivot assembly is provided in two separate ways. For large articulation angles (rarely found on bicycles), the 'o'-rings form a simple friction damper as the 'o'-ring rubs against the outer plate during pivot rotation. For small articulation angles as often found on bicycle suspension (2-5 degrees) the damping is provided by rotational shear of the 'o'-ring itself. This is advantageous as there is no friction between the 'o'-ring and the end plates or pivot spool, so there is no wear on these parts and there is no 'breakaway' torque required to articulate the pivot other than that caused by the tubular bearings.
In addition, with careful design in regarding to sizing of the 'o'-rings and the recess into which they fit, the 'o'-rings are able to act as a return spring acting of the pivot. In such applications, using an 'o'-ring of modified section (typically square section) may be desirable, as may bonding the 'o'-ring or other similar element to one or both of the pivoting assemblies. If bonded to both pivoting assemblies, the articulation angles must be restricted.
Explanatory note to Fig. 2
The Pivot Journal is clamped between pivot ears using either through bolt or two bolts - one from each side.
Pivot spool and bushes rotate around pivot journal.
For bearing to work effectively, some axial play ('end float') is required between pivot bush flanges and pivot ears.
Any lateral force results in pivot bush flanges bearing on pivot ears.
10 18
Claims (7)
1 A composite suspension pivot where plain bushes or bearings are supplemented by compressible elastomeric elements at each end of the pivot to act as axial springs to eliminate end-float and to seal the bearing mechanism against ingress of water, dirt and other foreign matter.
2 A suspension pivot according to claim 1, where the elastomeric elements provide a damping force to the suspension movement by virtue of torsional shear over small angular movements.
3 A suspension pivot according to claim 1, where the elastomeric elements provide a damping force by virtue of friction between the elastomeric elements and the pivoting surfaces.
4 A suspension pivot according to preceding claims 1, 2 and 3, where the elastomeric elements are bonded to either the 'fixed' or the 'moving' part of the pivot, to reduce the number of loose parts on disassembly.
5 A suspension pivot according to preceding claim 2, where the elastomeric elements are bonded to both the 'fixed' and 'moving' parts of the pivot to provide an hermetic seal.
6 A suspension pivot according to preceding claims 1, 2 and 3, where the elastomeric elements are bonded to either the 'fixed' or the 'moving' part of the pivot, and arranged so as to provide a spring force (self-centring) to the pivot by virtue of torsional elasticity in the elastomeric elements.
7 A suspension pivot according to the preceding claim 2, where the elastomeric elements are bonded to both the 'fixed' and 'moving' parts of the pivot and arranged so as to provide a spring force (self-centring) to the pivot by virtue of torsional elasticity in the elastomeric elements.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB1701955.5A GB2564831B (en) | 2017-02-06 | 2017-02-06 | Suspension pivot |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB1701955.5A GB2564831B (en) | 2017-02-06 | 2017-02-06 | Suspension pivot |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
GB201701955D0 GB201701955D0 (en) | 2017-03-22 |
GB2564831A true GB2564831A (en) | 2019-01-30 |
GB2564831B GB2564831B (en) | 2022-05-18 |
Family
ID=58462440
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
GB1701955.5A Active GB2564831B (en) | 2017-02-06 | 2017-02-06 | Suspension pivot |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
GB (1) | GB2564831B (en) |
Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB919790A (en) * | 1960-11-21 | 1963-02-27 | Ford Motor Co | Improved independent suspension system |
US4762310A (en) * | 1987-08-31 | 1988-08-09 | General Motors Corporation | Pivot bushing assembly application |
EP0506053A1 (en) * | 1991-03-29 | 1992-09-30 | Kinugawa Rubber Ind. Co., Ltd. | Structure for bushing |
EP0890039B1 (en) * | 1996-03-25 | 1999-11-17 | F.I.B.E.T. S.p.A. | Mechanical coupling for elastic axial and radial constraint with torsional freedom, especially for elastic pivots and suspensions and the like |
-
2017
- 2017-02-06 GB GB1701955.5A patent/GB2564831B/en active Active
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB919790A (en) * | 1960-11-21 | 1963-02-27 | Ford Motor Co | Improved independent suspension system |
US4762310A (en) * | 1987-08-31 | 1988-08-09 | General Motors Corporation | Pivot bushing assembly application |
EP0506053A1 (en) * | 1991-03-29 | 1992-09-30 | Kinugawa Rubber Ind. Co., Ltd. | Structure for bushing |
EP0890039B1 (en) * | 1996-03-25 | 1999-11-17 | F.I.B.E.T. S.p.A. | Mechanical coupling for elastic axial and radial constraint with torsional freedom, especially for elastic pivots and suspensions and the like |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
GB2564831B (en) | 2022-05-18 |
GB201701955D0 (en) | 2017-03-22 |
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