WO2010044998A1

WO2010044998A1 - Suspension for personal mobility vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2010044998A1
Application number: PCT/US2009/058282
Authority: WO
Inventors: Charles J. Martis; James M. Kosco
Original assignee: Pride Mobility Products Corporation
Priority date: 2008-10-14
Filing date: 2009-09-25
Publication date: 2010-04-22

Abstract

An improved suspension system for a personal mobility vehicle is provided. According to one embodiment, such a suspension system may include a left suspension arm and a right suspension arm. The left suspension arm is coupled to a first wheel and is vertically pivotable about a first horizontal pivot. Similarly, the right suspension arm is coupled to a second wheel and is vertically pivotable about a second horizontal pivot. A longitudinal center line of the personal mobility vehicle may be located between the first wheel and the second wheel, wherein the first wheel is on the left side of the center line, the second wheel is on the right side of the center line, the first horizontal pivot is on the right side of the center line and the second horizontal pivot is on the left side of the center line.

Description

SUSPENSION FOR PERSONAL MOBILITY VEHICLE

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] Generally the invention relates to personal mobility vehicles. More specifically, the invention relates to suspension systems for personal mobility vehicles.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Personal mobility vehicles are increasingly used by aged or infirm individuals who need assistance in moving about. Such vehicles are limited in speed and other aspects for reasons commensurate with the reduced physical ability of the rider. For example, numerous scooters are commercially available in the U.S. and Europe.

[0003] Certain personal mobility vehicles (such as rugged scooters suitable for driving outdoors, including 140 cm and 130 cm scooters which are popular in Europe) typically include a frame, a set of wheels coupled near the rear of the frame, a set of wheels coupled near the front of the frame, and a tiller for steering the front wheels. Because these vehicles may operate over a variety of terrains, suspension systems are often used to enable the vehicle to remain stable when one wheel of a set of wheels is vertically higher than the other wheel. Often, the suspension systems used for rugged, outdoor scooters include a left suspension connected to a left wheel and a right suspension connected to a right wheel. For example, in a double wishbone suspension system, a four bar linkage for each wheel enables the wheel to move relative to a rigid frame.

[0004] There is a need, however, for low cost scooters having improved stability.

SUMMARY

[0005] An improved suspension system for a personal mobility vehicle is provided. According to one embodiment, such a suspension system may include a left suspension arm and a right suspension arm. The left suspension arm is coupled to a first wheel and is vertically pivotable about a first horizontal pivot. Similarly, the right suspension arm is coupled to a second wheel and is vertically pivotable about a second horizontal pivot. A longitudinal center line of the personal mobility vehicle may be located between the first wheel and the second wheel, wherein the first wheel is on the left side of the center line, the second wheel is on the right side of the center line, the first horizontal pivot is on the right side of the center line and the second horizontal pivot is on the left side of the center line. [0006] Preferably the suspension system is for the front, non-driven wheels of a personal mobility vehicle.

[0007] Thus, one embodiment of a personal mobility vehicle that utilizes the improved suspension system may include a frame, a first set of wheels coupled near the rear of the frame, a second set of wheels attached near the front of the frame, a motor for driving the first set of wheels, a steering column coupled to the front of the frame, and a suspension system for the second set of wheels. The suspension system includes a first pivot member, a second pivot member, a left suspension arm and a right suspension arm. The first pivot member is coupled to the front of the frame right of the steering column. The second pivot member is also coupled to the front of the frame, but left of the steering column. The left suspension arm is coupled to the first pivot member and to a left wheel of the second set of wheels. The right suspension arm is coupled to the second pivot member and to a right wheel of the second set of wheels. The left wheel is vertically pivotable about the first pivot member and the right wheel is vertically pivotable about the second pivot member. Preferably the first and second pivot members are located above an axial line defined by the left and right wheels.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment the first wheel and the second wheel may each travel along a respective arc such that each of the first and second wheels is capable of being at least 1 inch higher from a supporting surface with respect to the other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view depicting one embodiment of a personal mobility vehicle.

[0010] FIG. 2A is an exploded view of the personal mobility vehicle shown in FIG. 1 with certain components removed for clarity.

[0011] FIG. 2B is an enhanced view of section B-B shown in FIG. 2A, depicting an example embodiment of a suspension system.

[0012] FIG. 3 A is a front view of the suspension system shown in FIG. 2B.

[0013] FIG. 3B is a front view of the suspension system shown in FIG. 3A with one wheel vertically raised from a supporting surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

[0014] A preferred structure for a suspension system is described herein. An embodiment of a personal mobility vehicle that employs this technology is also described. The present invention is not limited to the disclosed configuration of the personal mobility vehicle, but rather encompasses use of the technology disclosed in any personal mobility vehicle according to the language of the claims. Further, some regulatory bodies differentiate between scooters used as personal mobility vehicles and faster or larger personal mobility vehicles, no such differentiation is intended in this description. Nor is the invention limited to personal mobility vehicles for the aged and infirm, unless specifically recited in the claim. The term "personal mobility vehicle" as used in this disclosure, means vehicle suitable for carrying one person. The present invention is not limited to suspensions for single-person vehicles unless the claim expressly recites a personal mobility vehicle.

[0015] Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals identify like elements, FIG. 1 depicts a personal mobility vehicle 10 from which various body covering panels have been removed to expose the frame and features of the invention. As shown, personal mobility vehicle 10 includes a frame assembly 14, a first set of wheels 18, a second set of wheels 22, and a suspension system 26.

[0016] The frame assembly 14 may be formed of hollow tubular metal members welded together to form a rigid structure. As shown in FIG. 1, frame assembly 14 is configured to support wheels 18 and wheels 22. In particular, wheels 18 are each rotatably coupled to frame assembly 14 near the rear of the frame, and wheels 22 are each rotatably coupled to the suspension system 26 which is supported by the frame assembly 14 near the front of the frame. Frame assembly 14 is also configured to support a motor 30 and batteries 32, which are configured to drive wheels 18. That is, batteries 32 supply power to motor 30, which in turn, drives wheels 18 to thereby accelerate vehicle 10.

[0017] Frame assembly 14 also includes a seat support structure 34 and a steering mechanism 38. As shown in FIG. 2B, seat support structure 34 and steering mechanism 38 preferably lie on a longitudinal center line CL of vehicle 10. Referring back to FIG. 1, seat support structure 34 is provided to support a seat 42 in an elevated position above the vehicle base. Though not shown, seat 42 may be detachable from seat support structure 34. As shown, steering mechanism 38 includes a steering column 46 and a tiller 50. Steering column 46 is coupled to frame 14 and extends up at an angle toward support seat 42. Tiller 50 is coupled to steering column 46 and also extends up at an angle toward seat 42. Steering mechanism also includes tie rods 52, which are coupled to steering column 46 and to wheels 22. In operation, a user sits in seat 42 and comfortably steers vehicle 10 by turning tiller 50 in a desired direction. When tiller 50 is turned, the tie rods 52 pull the wheels 22 the desired direction.

[0018] Referring now to FIGs. 2A and 2B, wheels 22 are coupled to suspension system 26. Suspension system 26 is configured to allow vehicle 10 to maintain stability as it drives over uneven terrain. Suspension system 26 provides benefits over the systems employed by current personal mobility vehicles. As shown, suspension system 26 includes a left suspension arm 54, a right suspension arm 58, a first pivot member 62, and a second pivot member 66.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 2B, left suspension arm 54 preferably is an A-shaped arm or link having a first leg 70, a second leg 74, and a cross beam 78 that are welded or otherwise fastened together. Cross beam 78 is for providing support to first leg 70 and second leg 74.

[0020] A left wheel assembly 82 of the second set of wheels 22 is rotatably coupled to left suspension arm 54 by a third pivot member 86. As shown, third pivot member 86 includes a bracket, a joint 88 that is rotatably coupled to the bracket, and a vertical pivot that allows left wheel 82 to rotate either left or right. Joint 88 is rigidly coupled to an outboard end of suspension arm 54. While third pivot member 86 is shown as being substantially perpendicular to the supporting surface, it may be positioned at any other angle that allows left wheel 82 to rotate either left or right. .

[0021] As shown in FIG. 2B, legs 70 and 74 of left suspension arm 54 extend up from third pivot member 86, above and around second pivot member 66, and then extend down to terminate at first pivot member 62, which is located right of the longitudinal centerline CL of vehicle 10. Because left wheel 82 and left suspension arm 54 are coupled to a horizontal pivot (i.e. pivot member 62) that is located right of the longitudinal centerline CL of the vehicle 10, the left wheel 82 is capable of traveling through a greater arc and can therefore rise a greater distance above a supporting surface compared to conventional systems. Preferably, left wheel 82 can rise at least 1 inch higher than the other wheel of the set of wheels 22. Even more preferable, left wheel 82 can rise at least 3 inches higher than the other wheel of the set of wheels 22. Most preferable, left wheel 82 can rise at least 4 inches higher than the other wheel of the set of wheels 22. The magnitude of this rise is an advantage over conventional scooters having shorter arms, many of which had the effective capability of rising only about 1 inch. It should be understood that while first pivot member 62 is shown as being substantially parallel to the supporting surface, it may be positioned at any other angle that allows left wheel 82 to lift up when vehicle 10 is on uneven terrain.

[0022] Referring again to FIG. 2B, the right side of suspension system 26 preferably is similar to the left side of the suspension system 26 described above. Right suspension arm 58 may also be an A-arm link having a first leg 90, a second leg 94, and a cross beam 96 that are welded or otherwise fastened together. Cross beam 96 is for providing support to first leg 90 and second leg 94.

[0023] A right wheel 98 of the second set of wheels 22 is rotatably coupled to right suspension arm 58 by a fourth pivot member 102. As shown, fourth pivot member 102 includes a bracket, a joint 104 that is rotatably coupled to the bracket, and a vertical pivot that allows right wheel to rotate either left or right. Joint 104 is rigidly coupled to an outboard end of suspension arm 58. While fourth pivot member 102 is shown as being substantially perpendicular to the supporting surface, it may be positioned at any other angle that allows right wheel 98 to rotate either left or right.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 2B, legs 90 and 94 of right suspension arm 58 extend up from fourth pivot member 102, above and around first pivot member 62, and then extend down to terminate at second pivot member 66, which is located left of the longitudinal centerline CL of vehicle 10. Because right wheel 98 and right suspension arm 58 are coupled to a horizontal pivot (i.e. pivot member 66) that is located left of the longitudinal centerline CL of the vehicle 10, the right wheel 98 is capable of traveling through a greater arc and can therefore rise a greater distance above a supporting surface compared to conventional systems. Preferably, right wheel 98 can rise at least 1 inch higher than the other wheel of the set of wheels 22. Even more preferable, right wheel 98 can rise at least 3 inches higher than the other wheel of the set of wheels 22. Most preferable, right wheel 98 can rise at least 4 inches higher than the other wheel of the set of wheels 22. The magnitude of this rise is an advantage over conventional scooters having shorter arms, many of which had the effective capability of rising only about 1 inch. It should be understood that while second pivot member 66 is shown as being substantially parallel to the supporting surface, it may be positioned at any other angle that allows right wheel 98 to lift up when vehicle 10 is on uneven terrain.

[0025] Referring to FIGs. 2B, 3 A, and 3B pivot members 62 and 66 are mounted to frame assembly 14 using a pivot capture plate 108. As shown, pivot members 62 and 66 are preferably mounted above an Axial Line AL defined between left and right wheels 82 and 98. Because pivot members 62 and 66 are located above Axial Line AL, the wheel contact with the ground becomes wider causing a stable driving condition as the suspension moves upward. Furthermore, because the pivots are located further away from the left and right wheels 82 and 98, the negative camber on each wheel 82 and 98 is reduced when either the left or right wheel 82 or 98 is fully pivoted about its respective pivot point. That is, the inward tilt of the top portion of each wheel is minimized when one of the wheels is raised higher than the other.

[0026] As shown in FIGs. 3 A and 3B, suspension system 26 also includes shocks 110. As shown, shocks 110 are coupled to an upper shock mount 114 at one end and to a respective lower shock mount 118 at the other end. Upper shock mount 114 is coupled to frame assembly 14 and each lower shock mount 118 is coupled to a respective suspension arm 54 and 58.

[0027] FIG. 3B depicts the right wheel 98 traveling through an arc about pivot member 66. As shown, because of the greater arc, right wheel 98 is capable of rising at least 1 inch higher than the left wheel 82. Additionally, because of the configuration of suspension system 26, right wheel 98 is oriented such that stability is maximized.

[0028] Preferably, the suspension system described herein is employed on the non-driven wheels of a personal mobility vehicle (that is, a single person vehicle) that is configured to only achieve speeds that are consistent with transporting an aged or infirm driver. Suspension system 26 also preferably is employed on wheels that are linked to a steering mechanism (that is, are steered wheels). The inventors contemplate, however, that the suspension system described herein may be employed in other vehicles or for drive wheels.

[0029] The description of personal mobility vehicle 10 and its respective subsystems is for illustration purposes, and the present invention is not intended to the particular descriptions provided herein, nor is the designation of parts into particular subsystems intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way. For example, the description of the frame assembly does not limit the scope of the invention to devices having a rigid frame, but rather the invention encompasses all frame structures, including those having flexible or movable structure; describing the hinge assembly as a portion of the chair assembly should not be construed to limit the invention to such structure; and describing components of the wheelchair as part of the pivot assembly is not intending to be limiting. Further, the hinge assembly structure and slide assembly structure for moving the seat, the frame structures, the chair assembly structure, the drive assembly structures, the pivot assembly structures, and rear beam structure are described herein for illustration purposes, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention except for the particular structure that is explicitly recited in the claim.

Claims

What is Claimed:

1. A suspension system for a personal mobility vehicle, the suspension system comprising: a left suspension arm coupled to a first wheel and vertically pivotable about a first horizontal pivot; a right suspension arm coupled to a second wheel and vertically pivotable about a second horizontal pivot; a longitudinal center line of the personal mobility vehicle located between the first wheel and the second wheel, wherein (i) the first wheel is on the left side of the center line, (ii) the second wheel is on the right side of the center line, (iii) the first horizontal pivot is on the right side of the center line, and (iv) the second horizontal pivot is on the left side of the center line.

2. The suspension system of claim 1, wherein the first wheel and the second wheel are non-driven wheels.

3. The suspension system of claim 1, wherein the suspension system is a front suspension system.

4. The suspension system of claim 1, wherein (i) an axial line is defined by the first and second wheels, and (ii) the first horizontal pivot and the second horizontal pivot are located above the axial line.

5. The suspension system of claim 1, wherein the first horizontal pivot comprises a first pivot member and the second horizontal pivot comprises a second pivot member.

6. The suspension system of claim 1, wherein (i) the left suspension arm extends up and above the second horizontal pivot and then terminates at the first horizontal pivot, and (ii) the right suspension arm extends up and above the first horizontal pivot and then terminates at the second horizontal pivot.

7. The suspension system of claim 1, wherein (i) the first wheel is horizontally pivotable about a first vertical pivot, and the second wheel is horizontally pivotable about a second vertical pivot.

8. The suspension system of claim 1, wherein the left suspension arm and the right suspension arm are each wishbone links.

9. The suspension system of claim 1, wherein the first wheel and the second wheel each travel along a respective arc such that each of the first and second wheels is capable of being at least 1 inch higher from a supporting surface with respect to the other.

10. A personal mobility vehicle comprising: a frame having a front and a rear; a first set of wheels coupled to the frame near the rear of the frame; a motor for driving the first set of wheels; a second set of wheels near the front of the frame; a steering column coupled to the front of the frame; and a suspension system for the second set of wheels, the suspension system comprising: a first pivot member coupled to the front of the frame, right of the steering column; a second pivot member coupled to the front of the frame, left of the steering column; a left suspension arm coupled to the first pivot member and to a left wheel of the second set of wheels, the left wheel being located left of the steering column; and a right suspension arm coupled to the second pivot member and to a right wheel of the second set of wheels, the right wheel being located right of the steering column, wherein the left wheel is vertically pivotable about the first pivot member and the right wheel is vertically pivotable about the second pivot member.

11. The personal mobility vehicle of claim 10, wherein (i) an axial line is defined by the left wheel and the right wheel of the second set of wheels, and (ii) the first pivot member and the second pivot member are located above the axial line.

12. The personal mobility vehicle of claim 10, wherein (i) the left suspension arm extends up and above the second pivot member and then terminates at the first pivot member, and (ii) the right suspension arm extends up and above the first pivot member and then terminates at the second pivot member.

13. The personal mobility vehicle of claim 10, wherein (i) the left wheel is horizontally pivotable about a first vertical pivot, and the right wheel is horizontally pivotable about a second vertical pivot.

14. The personal mobility vehicle of claim 10, wherein the left suspension arm and the right suspension arm are each wishbone links.

15. The personal mobility vehicle of claim 10, wherein the personal mobility vehicle is a scooter.

16. The suspension system of claim 10, wherein the first wheel and the second wheel each travel along a respective arc such that each of the first and second wheels is capable of being at least 1 inch higher from a supporting surface with respect to the other.

17. A personal mobility vehicle comprising: a frame having a front and a rear; a first set of wheels coupled to the frame near the rear of the frame; a motor for driving the first set of wheels; a second set of wheels near the front of the frame; and a suspension system for the second set of wheels, the suspension system comprising: a single left suspension arm coupled to a left wheel of the second set of wheels, the left suspension arm being vertically pivotable about a first horizontal pivot; and a single right suspension arm coupled to a right wheel of the second set of wheels, the right suspension arm being vertically pivotable about a second horizontal pivot, wherein the left wheel and the right wheel each travel along a respective arc such that each of the left and right wheels is capable of being at least 1 inch higher from a supporting surface with respect to the other.

18. The personal mobility vehicle of claim 17, further comprising a steering column coupled to the frame near the front of the frame, wherein (i) the first horizontal pivot is located right of the steering column, (ii) the second horizontal pivot is located left of the steering column, (iii) the left wheel is located left of the steering column, and (iv) the right wheel is located right of the steering column.

19. The personal mobility vehicle of claim 18, wherein (i) an axial line is defined by the left wheel and the right wheel of the second set of wheels, and (ii) the first horizontal pivot and the second horizontal pivot are located above the axial line.

20. The personal mobility vehicle of claim 18, wherein (i) the left wheel is horizontally pivotable about a first vertical pivot, and the right wheel is horizontally pivotable about a second vertical pivot.