WO2022195385A1

WO2022195385A1 - A split swing arm assembly for a two-wheeled vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2022195385A1
Application number: PCT/IB2022/051766
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sachin Anant Jadhav
Original assignee: Sachin Anant Jadhav
Priority date: 2021-03-19
Filing date: 2022-03-01
Publication date: 2022-09-22

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to swing arm assemblies. The disclosed split swing arm assembly (15) comprises a first tine (4A) and a second tine (4B). The first tine (4A) is defined by a hollow body, a ring (3) secured to an operative front end of the body, a bearing (9) provided in the ring (3), a slot (22) configured on an operative rear end of the body and a bracket (7). The bearing (9) is configured to be press-fitted on a bottom bracket (10) in the swing arm ring (3). The bearing (9) is configured to facilitate pivoting of the body about the bottom bracket (10). The slot (22) is configured to slidingly receive an operative end of a rear wheel axle (16) therein. The bracket (7) is secured to an operative inner surface of an operative front half of the body. The second tine (4B) is a mirror-image of the first tine (4A).

Description

A SPLIT SWING ARM ASSEMBLY FOR A TWO- WHEELED VEHICLE

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the field of swing arm assemblies.

DEFINITION As used in the present disclosure, the following terms are generally intended to have the meaning as set forth below, except to the extent that the context in which they are used indicate otherwise.

Tine: The term ‘tine’ herein the disclosure refers to an extended and elongate element of a unit comprising another element of the same configuration, and spaced apart from the former unit.

Bottom Bracket: The term ‘bottom bracket’ refers to a tubular part of the frame body of a two-wheeled vehicle which connects the seat to the down tube, and allows the pedal shaft to be fitted therein.

Chain Adjuster: The term ‘chain adjuster’ refers to a unit of a two-wheeled vehicle, connected to a rear axle of the vehicle for keeping the chain aligned and tight.

BACKGROUND

The background information herein below relates to the present disclosure but is not necessarily prior art.

Typically, a two-wheeled vehicle including cycles and motorcycles have a swing arm, attached to the vehicle frame, for supporting the rear wheel assembly and its related components such as the hub motor and stator shaft. Conventionally, the swing arm comprises a pair of tines formed as a monolithic structure. The rear wheel shaft is inserted between the tines to lock the rear wheel therebetween, while allowing the rear wheel to pivot as required.

The conventional swing arm has a complex configuration as it is formed as a monolithic structure consuming a large amount of inventory space. Further, manufacturing the monolithic swing arm requires a mould having a larger footprint. As a result, the inventory space for the tool increases. However, if there are any changes in the configuration of even the smallest component of the swing arm, the entire mould needs to be discarded. Further, assembling the conventional monolithic swing arm is a difficult and time-consuming process.

Therefore, there is felt a need of a swing arm that alleviates the aforementioned drawbacks.

OBJECTS

Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows:

It is an object of the present disclosure to ameliorate one or more problems of the prior art or to at least provide a useful alternative.

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a swing arm assembly.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure is to provide a swing arm assembly which is relatively lighter in weight.

Yet another embodiment of the present disclosure is to provide a swing arm assembly which has relatively higher stiffness.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a swing arm assembly that has an easy- to-assemble configuration.

Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a split swing arm assembly that has a relatively reduced footprint.

Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a swing arm assembly that reduces the manufacturing and inventory costs.

Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures, which are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides a split swing arm assembly for a two-wheeled vehicle. The assembly is configured to be connected between a bottom bracket of the vehicle frame and the rear wheel axle of the vehicle.

The assembly comprises a first tine and a second tine. The first tine is defined by a hollow body, a ring secured to an operative front end of the body, a bearing provided in the ring, a slot configured on an operative rear end of the body and a bracket. The bearing is configured to be press-fitted on the bottom bracket in the swing arm ring. The bearing is configured to facilitate pivoting of the body about the bottom bracket. The slot is configured to slidingly receive an operative end of the rear wheel axle therein. The bracket is secured to an operative inner surface of an operative front half of the body.

The second tine is a mirror-image of the first tine.

In an embodiment, the hollow body is defined by an inner member attached to an outer member.

In an embodiment, the bracket of the first tine is configured to be secured to the bracket of the second tine to facilitate attachment of the first tine with the second tine in a spaced apart configuration.

In an embodiment, he split swing arm assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hollow body has an arcuate opening configured on an operative front end thereof for receiving the ring therein.

In an embodiment, a through hole is configured on an operative rear end of the hollow body.

In another embodiment, the assembly includes a kingpin configured to be received in the through hole for arresting the displacement of the rear wheel axle in the horizontal direction.

The present also describes a method for assembling a split swing arm assembly for a two wheeled vehicle. The method comprises the following steps:

• forming a first tine defined by: o a hollow body, o a ring secured to an operative front end of the body, o a bearing provided in the ring, the bearing configured to facilitate pivoting of the body about the bottom bracket, o a slot configured on an operative rear end of the body for slidingly receiving an operative end of the rear wheel axle therein, and o a bracket secured to an operative inner surface of an operative front half of the body; and

• forming a second tine as a mirror-image of the first tine.

In an embodiment, the method includes a step of securing the bracket of the first tine to the bracket of the second tine.

In another embodiment, the method includes a step of configuring holes on operative rear ends of the tines for receiving a kingpin therein for arresting the movement of the stator shaft along the slots.

The present disclosure also envisages a two-wheeled vehicle having a split swing arm assembly of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING

A split swing arm assembly, of the present disclosure, for a two-wheeler vehicle will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates an isometric view of split swing arm assembly of the present disclosure; Figure 2 illustrates an exploded isometric view of the split swing arm assembly of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 illustrates a first tine with a first bracket of Figure 2;

Figure 4 illustrates a second tine with a second bracket of Figure 2;

Figure 5 illustrates an isometric view of the tine of Figure 3;

Figure 6 illustrates an exploded isometric view of a tine of Figure 5; Figure 7 illustrates an isometric view, of the assembly of Figure 1, mounted on a bottom bracket of a vehicle frame;

Figure 8 illustrates an isometric view of the assembly, of Figure 7, with a rear axle;

Figures 9 and 10 illustrates an exploded view of the assembly of Figures 10 and 11 ; and

Figure 11 illustrates an isometric view of the split swing arm assembly, of Figures 9 and 10, assembled with the bottom bracket and the rear axle. LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

1 - Swing arm outer component

2 - Swing arm inner component

3 - Ring 4 - Swing arm half assembly

5 - Swing arm mounting bolt 5’ - Opening

6 - Swing arm mounting nut

7 - First bracket 8 - Second bracket

9 - Bearing

10 - Bottom bracket

11 - Chain adjuster assembly

12 - Kingpin 13 -Washer

14 - Nut

15 - Split swing arm assembly

16 - Rear wheel axle

17 - Swing arm bush 18 - Chain adjustment nut

19, 20 - Chain adjustment bolt 21 - Hub motor stator axle nut

22 - Slot

24 , 25 - Embossing 26 - Seat tube 27 - Down tube

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments, of the present disclosure, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

Embodiments are provided so as to thoroughly and fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to the person skilled in the art. Numerous details are set forth relating to specific components, and methods, to provide a complete understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that the details provided in the embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, well-known processes, well-known apparatus structures, and well-known techniques are not described in detail.

The terminology used, in the present disclosure, is only for the purpose of explaining a particular embodiment and such terminology shall not be considered to limit the scope of the present disclosure. As used in the present disclosure, the forms "a,” "an," and "the" may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly suggests otherwise. The terms "comprises," "comprising," “including,” and “having,” are open ended transitional phrases and therefore specify the presence of stated features, operations, elements, modules, units and/or components, but do not forbid the presence or addition of one or more other features, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

When an element is referred to as being "connected to," or "coupled to" another element, it may be connected or coupled to the other element.

The terms first, second, third, etc., should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure as the aforementioned terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another component, region, layer or section. Terms such as first, second, third etc., when used herein do not imply a specific sequence or order unless clearly suggested by the present disclosure.

A split swing arm assembly (15), of the present disclosure, for a two-wheeled vehicle will now be described in detail with reference to Figure 1 through Figure 11. The split swing arm assembly (15) is configured to be connected between a bottom bracket (10) of the vehicle frame and the rear wheel axle (16) of the vehicle. The assembly (15) comprises a first tine (4 A) and a second tine (4B). In an embodiment, the operative ends of the rear axle (16) are configured to be inserted in a chain adjuster (11) with the help of nuts (14) and washers (13). The first tine (4A) is defined by a hollow body, a ring (3), a bearing (9), a slot and a bracket (7). The ring (3) is secured to an operative front end of the body. The bearing (9) is provided in the ring (3). The bearing (9) is configured to be press-fitted on the bottom bracket (10). The bearing (9) is configured to facilitate pivoting of the body about the bottom bracket (10). The slot (22) is configured on an operative rear end of the body for slidingly receiving an operative end of the rear wheel axle (16) therein. The bracket (7) is secured to an operative inner surface of an operative front half of the body.

The second tine (4B) is configured as a mirror-image of the first tine (4A). More specifically, the second tine (4B) is configured with the same configuration as the first tine (4A), and is thereafter angularly displaced by 180° of the first tine (4 A). As a result, there is a need for a single die to produce both the tines, thereby saving both manufacturing (3) and tool inventory costs in addition to the simplification in the manufacturing (3) and assembling process.

In an embodiment, the hollow body, of each tine, is defined by an inner member (2) attached to an inner member (1) typically, by welding. This configuration helps in reduce the overall weight of the swing arm while increasing the stiffness thereof. In another embodiment, at least one embossing can be provided on each of the inner members (2) and the outer members (1) to enhance the stiffness thereof.

Conversely, a conventional swing arm is a solid monolithic component consisting of both the tines affixed with each other during (3) the moulding process. Flowever, the monolithic configuration calls for a relatively larger footprint of the moulding die. Further, the stiffness of the conventional swing arm can only be increased by thickness and weight of the tines, thereby adding to the overall weight of the vehicle.

In an embodiment, the ring (3) is welded to the operative front end of the body.

In an embodiment, the bracket (7) of the first tine (4A) is configured to be secured to the bracket (8) of the second tine (4B) to facilitate attachment of the first tine (4A) with the second tine (4B) in a spaced apart configuration. In another embodiment, the bracket (7) is secured to the bracket (8) with the help of fasteners (5).

In one embodiment, the hollow body has an arcuate opening (5’) configured on an operative front end thereof for receiving the ring (3) therein.

In one embodiment, the slot (22) has a rounded rectangular configuration complementary to the configuration of an end of the rear wheel axle (16).

In an embodiment, a through hole (12A) is configured on an operative rear end of the hollow body, in the proximity of the slot (22).

In another embodiment, the assembly (15) includes a kingpin (12) configured to be received in the through hole (12A). The kingpin (12) is configured to arrest the displacement of the rear wheel axle (16) in the slot (22) in the horizontal direction, once the rear wheel axle (16) is received in the slot (22).

In an embodiment, the width of the slot (22) varies from 10mm to 15mm.

In an embodiment, the overall length of the assembly (15) ranges between 660mm and 680mm. In another embodiment, the overall width of the assembly (15) ranges between 260mm and 280mm.

Any component of the split swing arm assembly (15) can be easily replaced in case of damage since all the components are attached only during (3) the vehicle assembly (15). The ease in the replacement of the tines is facilitated due to their complementary configurations. Additionally, even in case of a minuscule change in the configuration of the tines, there is no need for manufacturing (3) dies separately for the first tine (4A) and the second tine (4B). On the other hand, large dies with separate moulds for either tines are required to manufacture (3) the conventional monolithic swing arm assembly (15). As a result, the conventional swing arm moulds consume a larger footprint. Moreover, even in the possibility of a slight change in the configuration of the conventional swing arm assembly (15), the entire dies need to be replaced entirely, thereby directly impacting the inventory tools and cost.

The present disclosure further describes a method for assembling a split swing arm assembly (15) for a two-wheeled vehicle. The method comprises the following steps:

Step 101: forming a first tine (4A) defined by: Step 101a: a hollow body,

Step 101b: a ring (3) secured to an operative front end of the body,

Step 101c: a bearing (9) provided in the ring (3), the bearing (9) configured to facilitate pivoting of the tine about the bottom bracket (10),

Step lOld: a slot (22) configured on an operative rear end of the body for slidingly receiving an operative end of the rear wheel axle (16) therein, and

Step lOle: a bracket secured to an operative inner surface of an operative front half of the body; and

Step 102: forming a second tine (4B) as a mirror-image of the first tine (4A).

In an embodiment, the method includes a step of securing (3) the bracket of the first tine (4A) to the bracket of the second tine (4B).

In another embodiment, the method includes a step of configuring (3) holes on operative rear ends of the tines for receiving a kingpin (12) therein. The kingpin (12) is configured to arrest the movement of the stator shaft along the length of the slots (22).

The present disclosure also envisages a two-wheeled vehicle having a split swing arm assembly (15) as described in the present disclosure. In an embodiment, the two-wheeled vehicle is a pedal-assisted on-road legal electric two-wheeled vehicle. The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Individual components of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, are interchangeable. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the present disclosure, and all such modifications are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.

TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENTS

The present disclosure described herein above has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the realization of a split swing arm assembly for a two-wheeled vehicle, that:

• is relatively lighter in weight;

• has relatively higher stiffness;

• has an easy-to-assemble configuration;

• has a relatively reduced footprint; and

• reduces the manufacturing and inventory costs.

The embodiments herein, the various features, and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.

The disclosure has been described with reference to the accompanying embodiments which do not limit the scope and ambit of the disclosure. The description provided is purely by way of example and illustration.

The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein. The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully reveals the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein. While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A split swing arm assembly (15) for a two-wheeled vehicle, said assembly (15) configured to be connected between a bottom bracket (10) of the vehicle frame and the rear wheel axle (16) of the vehicle, said assembly (15) comprising:

• a first tine (4 A) defined by: o a hollow body, o a ring (3) secured to an operative front end of said body, o a bearing (9) provided in said ring (3), said bearing (9) configured to be press- fitted on the bottom bracket (10) in the swing arm ring (3), said bearing (9) configured to facilitate pivoting of said body about the bottom bracket (10), o a slot (22) configured on an operative rear end of said body for slidingly receiving an operative end of the rear wheel axle (16) therein, and o a bracket (7) secured to an operative inner surface of an operative front half of said body; and

• a second tine (4B) being a mirror-image of said first tine (4A).

2. The split swing arm assembly (15) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said hollow body is defined by an inner member (2) attached to an inner member (1).

3. The split swing arm assembly (15) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said bracket (7) of said first tine (4A) is configured to be secured to the bracket (8) of said second tine (4B) to facilitate attachment of said first tine (4A) with said second tine (4B) in a spaced apart configuration.

4. The split swing arm assembly (15) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said hollow body has an arcuate opening (5’) configured on an operative front end thereof for receiving said ring (3) therein.

5. The split swing arm assembly (15) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a through hole (12A) is configured on an operative rear end of said hollow body.

6. The split swing arm as claimed in claim 4, which includes a kingpin (12) configured to be received in said through hole (12A) for arresting the displacement of the rear wheel axle (16) in the horizontal direction.

7. A method for assembling a split swing arm assembly (15) for a two-wheeled vehicle, said method comprising the steps:

• forming a first tine (4A) defined by: o a hollow body, o a ring (3) secured to an operative front end of said body, o a bearing (9) provided in said ring (3), said bearing (9) configured to facilitate pivoting of said body about the bottom bracket (10), o a slot (22) configured on an operative rear end of said body for slidingly receiving an operative end of the rear wheel axle (16) therein, and o a bracket (7) secured to an operative inner surface of an operative front half of said body; and

• forming a second tine (4B) as a mirror-image of said first tine (4A).

8. The method as claimed in claim 7, which includes a step of securing (3) the bracket (7) of said first tine (4A) to the bracket (8) of the second tine (4B).

9. The method as claimed in claim 7, which includes a step of configuring (3) holes on operative rear ends of said tines for receiving a kingpin (12) therein for arresting the movement of the stator shaft along the slots (22).

10. A two- wheeled vehicle having a split swing arm assembly (15) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.