WO2016042581A1

WO2016042581A1 - Support for an engine housing

Info

Publication number: WO2016042581A1
Application number: PCT/IT2014/000248
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ugo Malossi
Original assignee: Malossi S.P.A.
Priority date: 2014-09-17
Filing date: 2014-09-17
Publication date: 2016-03-24

Abstract

A support (1) for a housing of an engine for a scooter, which comprises a main body (2) provided with parallel and mutually opposite brackets (3) at its ends (4) and with tongues (5) which are associated with its outer surface and are aligned with and parallel to the brackets (3) wherein each bracket (3) is separated by a contiguous tongue (5) by a preset distance that substantially corresponds to the thickness of tabs for fixing the housing.

Description

SUPPORT FOR AN ENGINE HOUSING

The present invention relates to a support for housings for engines for scooters.

Scooters are motorcycles designed for personal transport, which have a protective front body (also known as a shield), a central footboard for the rider's feet and a seat at the rear.

In modern scooters the engine is arranged at the rear of the vehicle (substantially below the saddle): the engine is accommodated in a respective dedicated housing, which is coupled at a first end thereof to the chassis by means of an element known as a wishbone arm for the purpose of damping the vibrations created by said engine, and at a second end thereof to the rear wheel. The couplings of the housing that accommodates the engine have a degree of freedom of rotation in order to allow the rear wheel to oscillate during the travel of the vehicle, according to a stroke and with a rule of motion that are defined by at least one respective shock absorber.

The housing that contains the engine assembly has front tabs for fixing to the chassis of the vehicle: such fixing is, according to the known art, achieved by way of a bracket provided with two arms that have a distance between centers that is slightly less than the distance between the two tabs for fixing the housing. The two arms are interconnected by means of a tubular portion that is integral therewith.

By means of a pin of adequate length, fitted in the holes of the tabs of the housing and in the channel defined by the openings of the two arms and by the internal cavity of the tubular portion, it is possible to hinge the housing to the bracket.

The bracket, in turn, can be coupled, with a surface thereof which is opposite to the surface that is connected to the housing, to the chassis of the vehicle.

This embodiment entails a first problem which is extremely important; in fact the exhaust pipe is proximate to the front portion of the housing that contains the engine assembly.

In order to optimize the efficiency of expulsion of the exhaust gases and prevent the formation of losses of charge and/or choke points, the exhaust pipe must have radii of curvature that are ample and regular.

The end of the exhaust pipe (which is generally provided with a muffler) must be directed rearward (i.e. thus expelling the exhaust gases rearward with respect to the vehicle): it is thus evident that the exhaust pipe undergoes a complete inversion of direction from its inlet to its end.

Such change of direction generally takes place in the first portion, proximate to its inlet.

The adoption of a conventional bracket, such as the one described above, implies the need to adopt a rather strong curvature of the exhaust pipe, in order to prevent the pipe from interfering with the tubular portion of the bracket.

This problem becomes particularly important when it is desired to replace the original exhaust pipe with one of a different make: it may in fact be impossible to accommodate an exhaust pipe of different shape and dimensions.

For scooters that are used for competition sports (track races and other motor sport events) this problem is even more widely felt, i.e. with regard to the impossibility of using an original exhaust pipe on such vehicles in view of the need to obtain high performance levels (in terms of speed and acceleration).

Furthermore, conventional brackets are designed for low-powered scooters: any modifications geared to increase the power of the vehicle could result in stresses that cannot be withstood by such traditional brackets.

Traditional brackets, furthermore, do not make it possible to modify their position of installation on the chassis, because they define fixed distances between centers, which is inimical to the need for customization that is typical of vehicles intended for competitive use. The main aim of the present invention is to solve the above- mentioned drawbacks, by providing a support for housings for engines for scooters which does not impose any restriction on the radius of curvature of the exhaust pipe.

Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a support for housings for engines for scooters which is particularly strong.

Another object of the present invention is to define a support for housings for engines for scooters which cannot be deformed, can withstand the stresses that are generated in competitive use, where the power ratings of the engines and the speeds are, in comparison to those of the original vehicles, at least quadrupled; thus in essence the invention relates to a support that does not bend and does not undergo torsion, thus ensuring that the optimal stability of the scooter is maintained.

Another object of the invention is to provide a support for housings for engines for scooters which is versatile and adaptable to the requirements of the rider and of the type of modification that is made to the vehicle.

Another object of the invention is to provide a support for housings for engines for scooters which is simple to mount.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a support for housings for engines for scooters that is low-cost, relatively easily and practically implemented, and safe to use.

This aim and these and other objects which will become more apparent hereinafter are all achieved by a support for housings of engines for scooters, characterized in that it comprises a main body provided with parallel and mutually opposite brackets at its ends and with tongues, which are associated with its outer surface and are aligned with and parallel to said brackets, each bracket being separated by a contiguous tongue by a preset distance that substantially corresponds to the thickness of the tabs for fixing said housing.

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of the support for housings for engines for scooters, according to the invention, which is illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a support for housings for engines for scooters according to the invention in the assembled configuration;

Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of a support for housings for engines for scooters according to the invention;

Figure 3 is an exploded front view of a support for housings for engines for scooters according to the invention;

Figure 4 is an exploded rear view of a support for housings for engines for scooters according to the invention;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a bracket of a support for housings for engines for scooters according to the invention;

Figure 6 is a front view of the bracket in Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a further possible embodiment of a bracket of a support for housings for engines for scooters according to the invention;

Figure 8 is a front view of the bracket in Figure 7.

With particular reference to the figures, the reference numeral 1 generally designates a support for housings A for engines for scooters.

The support 1 comprises a main body 2 provided with parallel and mutually opposite brackets 3 at its ends 4 and with tongues 5, which are associated with its outer surface and are aligned with and parallel to the brackets 3.

Each bracket 3 is separated by a tongue 5 that is contiguous thereto by a preset distance that substantially corresponds to the thickness of the tabs B for fixing the housing A.

It should be noted that the main body 2 preferably has a shape structure selected from tubular, prismatic and box-like. The accompanying figures show a tubular main body 2 that ensures an optimal mechanical rigidity of the components associated with it and thus it makes it possible for the support 1 to conveniently achieve the function for which it is designed. The thickness of the tubular main body 2 is preferably not less than 8/10 of a millimeter (0.8 mm) and preferably does not exceed 4 mm, although the possibility is not excluded of adopting embodiments in which different thicknesses are specified owing to specific applications.

The main body 2 is generally made of metallic material, in particular a metallic alloy (such as steel and/or alloys of aluminum); the possibility is not ruled out however of using composite materials (for example based on carbon fiber, fiberglass and the like) in order to provide main bodies with specific technical requirements.

According to a particular embodiment of undoubted practical and applicative interest, each bracket 3 is substantially teardrop-shaped; i.e. it has a maximum width at the region that is coupled to the end 4 of the main body 2 and it tapers evenly in the direction of its opposite end.

Each bracket 3 is provided with a hole 6 in the portion thereof that is arranged opposite the portion for fixing to the main body 2.

The hole 6 is designed to accommodate a threaded element for coupling the housing A to the support 1.

If the main body 2 is tubular, the portion for fixing to the main body 2 of each bracket 3 will comprise a circular through opening 7 with a diameter that is proximate to the diameter of the main body 2: the opening 7 makes it possible to accommodate the end 4 of the main body 2; the mutual fixing of the bracket 3 to the main body 2 will occur, in such case, preferably by welding.

With particular reference to an embodiment that is simple to implement and safe to use, the tongues 5 are constituted by the ends of a substantially U-shaped folded plate 8.

The piece 9 of the plate 8 that is interposed between the tongues 5, and thus constitutes the central portion of the "U", is rigidly coupled to the main body 2. Such coupling (if the above-mentioned components are made of metallic material) is obtained by way of mutual welding.

It should furthermore be noted that, according to a variation of embodiment that can be installed in a particularly simple manner, the support 1 can comprise inserts 10 that can be introduced into the ends 4 of the main body 2.

Each insert 10 is provided with at least one hole 11 for the passage and accommodation of at least one bar for fixing to the chassis of the scooter.

With particular reference to an embodiment that increases the versatility of the support 1 by adapting it to the numerous requirements of the mechanics and users of scooters (requirements that are very heterogeneous in the use of the scooter fitted with the support 1 in competition sports), the holes of each insert 10 are at least two in number; at least one of such holes 12 will be eccentric with respect to the axis of the corresponding insert 10.

The insert 10 can thus be inserted into the corresponding end 4 of the main body 2 according to a plurality of different configurations that are mutually rotated so as to define different positions of the eccentric hole 12 that will be used to accommodate the bar for fixing to the chassis. In this manner it is possible to identify a series of different fixing arrangements of the support 1 to the chassis of the scooter. Preferably both of the holes 11 and 12 can be eccentric, thus defining two distinct positions for accommodating the bar for fixing to the chassis of the scooter in a first standard arrangement. With respect to such standard arrangement of the insert 10 in the end 4 of the main body 2, it will be possible, simply by rotating it by 180°, to define two other distinct positions for accommodating the bar for fixing to the chassis of the scooter. Thus it has been shown that, by adopting a simple contrivance in the arrangement of the holes 11 and 12 in the insert 10, it is possible to identify different mounting arrangements that make it possible to vary (by moving it forward or rearward) the arrangement of the housing A of the engine with respect to the chassis in the installation scooter (in conformance with the requirements of the rider or of the type of vehicle that is being worked on).

In order to ensure an optimal structural rigidity necessary in vehicles intended for use in competition sports, the support 1 can comprise a reinforcement plate 13 that is rigidly coupled to at least two components that are selected from the main body 2, at least one bracket 3, and at least one tongue 5.

Generally it is preferable that the reinforcement plate 13 is welded to all the components of the list given above (i.e. the main body 2, the brackets 3, and the tongues 5) and furthermore the welding also includes the piece 9 of the plate 8 in order to ensure the necessary rigidity of the entire support 1.

From an implementation point of view, the support 1 comprises preferably two reinforcement plates 13 and 14; a first plate 13 is rigidly coupled to the upper part of at least two components that are selected from the main body 2, at least one bracket 3, and at least one tongue 5, and a second plate 14 is rigidly coupled to the lower part of at least two components that are selected from the main body 2, at least one bracket 3, and at least one tongue 5 and a second plate 14.

The support 1 according to the invention further comprises a crossmember 15, which is coupled to the main body 2 substantially in the direction opposite to the brackets 3 and to the tongues 4.

The crossmember 15 is provided with holes 16 for the accommodation of elements for fixing to the chassis of the scooter.

The fixing of the crossmember 15 to the main body 2 (if such components are made of metallic material) will be by welding; there are stiffening flaps 17 in order to increase the rigidity and the mechanical resistance of the fixing crossmember 15. It should be noted that the support 1 can also comprise at least one spacer 18 that is arranged, in the configuration for use of the scooter, resting on a surface of a respective tongue 5, in abutment on a component that is selected from a threaded element C for coupling the housing to the support (or the nut that is complementary and coupled to the threaded element C) and a respective fixing tab B of the housing itself. The adoption of spacers 18 makes it possible to use the support 1 with any type of fixing tabs B of any housing A simply by varying the thickness (or the number) of said spacers 18.

Lastly, it should be noted that the at least one substantially teardrop- shaped bracket 3 and the at least one tongue 5 can comprise a projecting end protuberance 19 that is provided with a hole 6 for the threaded element C for coupling the housing A to the support 1.

The support according to the invention, in this particular configuration, has been conceived so as to lengthen the wheel base to the maximum, a solution that is particularly suitable for use in drag races.

The protrusion of the protuberances 19 in fact makes it possible to increase the distance between the support 1 and the housing A.

Thus it has been shown that, advantageously, the present invention solves the above-mentioned drawbacks, by providing a support 1 for housings A for engines for scooters which does not impose any restriction on the radius of curvature of the exhaust pipe.

Conveniently, the support 1 for housings A for engines for scooters is particularly strong in relation to its structure, which is constituted by a plurality of components that are mutually coupled (preferably by way of welding). Furthermore the presence of brackets 3 that externally couple the tabs B of the housing A also makes it possible to operate with a more favorable lever arm in order to ensure a higher rigidity of the coupling.

Effectively, the support 1 is versatile and adaptable to the requirements of the driver and of the type of modification that is made to the vehicle, insofar as it has the ability to arrange the inserts 10 in different positions in the ends 4 of the body 2 (which correspond to different configurations of fixing the support to the chassis of the scooter). Furthermore the versatility is also evident in consideration of the ability to provide brackets 3 and tongues 5 that are provided with the protuberance 19, which makes it possible to modify the extent of the free space present between the support 1 and the housing B when these are mutually coupled in the configuration for use.

Positively, the support 1 is simple to mount.

Profitably, the support 1 is low-cost, relatively easily and practically implemented, and safe to use.

The invention, thus conceived, is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, all the details may be substituted by other, technically equivalent elements.

In the embodiments illustrated, individual characteristics shown in relation to specific examples may in reality be interchanged with other, different characteristics, existing in other embodiments.

In practice, the materials employed, as well as the dimensions, may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.

Where the technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference numerals and/or signs, those reference numerals and/or signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, such reference numerals and/or signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference numerals and/or signs.

Claims

1. A support for housings (A) of engines for scooters, characterized in that it comprises a main body (2) provided with parallel and mutually opposite brackets (3) at its ends (4) and with tongues (5), which are associated with its outer surface and are aligned with and parallel to said brackets (3), each bracket (3) being separated by a contiguous tongue (5) by a preset distance that substantially corresponds to the thickness of the tabs

(B) for fixing said housing (A).

2. The support according to claim 1, characterized in that said main body (2) has a shape structure preferably selected from tubular, prismatic and box-like.

3. The support according to claim 1, characterized in that said substantially teardrop-shaped bracket (3) is provided with a hole (6) in the portion thereof that is arranged opposite the portion for fixing to said main body (2), said hole (6) being designed to accommodate a threaded element

(C) for coupling the housing (A) to the support (1).

4. The support according to claim 1, characterized in that said tongues (5) are constituted by the ends of a substantially U-shaped folded plate (8), the piece (9) of said plate (8) that is interposed between said tongues (5), which constitutes the central portion of said "U", being rigidly coupled to said main body (2).

5. The support according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises inserts (10) that can be inserted into the ends of said main body (2), each insert (10) being provided with at least one hole (11) for the passage and accommodation of at least one bar for fixing to the chassis of said scooter.

6. The support according to claim 5, characterized in that said holes (11, 12) of each insert (10) are at least two in number, at least one (12) of said holes being eccentric with respect to the axis of the corresponding insert (10), said insert (10) being able to be inserted into the corresponding end (4) of said main body (2) according to a plurality of different configurations that are mutually rotated so as to define different positions of the eccentric hole (12) that accommodates said bar for fixing to the chassis, thus identifying a series of different fixing arrangements of the support (1) to the chassis of said scooter.

7. The support according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a reinforcement plate (13, 14) that is rigidly coupled to at least two components that are selected from the main body (2), at least one bracket (3), and at least one tongue (5).

8. The support according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises two reinforcement plates (13, 14), a first plate (13) being rigidly coupled to the upper part of at least two components that are selected from the main body (2), at least one bracket (3), and at least one tongue (5), and a second plate (14) being rigidly coupled to the lower part of at least two components that are selected from the main body (2), at least one bracket (3), and at least one tongue (5).

9. The support according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a crossmember (15), which is coupled to said main body (2) substantially in the direction opposite to said brackets (3) and said tongues (5), and is provided with holes (16) for the accommodation of elements for fixing to the chassis of said scooter.

10. The support according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one spacer (18) that is arranged, in the configuration for use of said scooter, resting on a surface of a respective tongue (5), in abutment on a component that is selected from a threaded element (C) for coupling the housing (A) to the support (1) and a respective tab (B) for fixing said housing (A).

11. The support according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one substantially teardrop-shaped bracket (3) and said at least one tongue (5) comprise a projecting end protuberance (19) that is provided with a hole (6) for a threaded element (C) for coupling the housing (A) to the support (1).