Tilting vehicles

Abstract

The present invention relates to a tiltable vehicle (2) comprising: a vehicle assembly (4) having a receiving section (8); a lighting unit (10) having a top section (12) having an indicator (14) disposed in or on the top section, the lighting unit including a foot section (16) and an engagement section (18) disposed on the foot section, the engagement section extending parallel to the receiving section and securing the lighting unit to the receiving section by the engagement section, the lighting unit being fixable to the receiving section along an engagement direction (20) and having its longest extension dimension in a direction parallel to the engagement direction; and at least one reinforcing device (22) secured to the receiving section of the vehicle assembly, the reinforcing device being at least partially in planar contact with the engagement direction on the coupling surface (24) of the foot section, and the reinforcing device at least partially surrounding the foot section on a circumferential side.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a tiltable vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] In tiltable vehicles, especially motorcycles, it is known that integrated turn signals are fixed to the rear area of ​​the frame in a manner that is fixed to the frame.

[0003] The vehicle frame may include a rocker arm in this area, which is spring-cushioned and damped relative to the rest of the vehicle frame. This achieves the effect of damping and spring-cushioning road excitation, thus reducing the risk of damage or reduced lifespan to the integrated turn signals. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The objective of embodiments of the present invention is to suggest a tiltable vehicle in which the lifespan of a functionally integrated turn signal indicator is improved, particularly when the turn signal indicator is mounted on a vehicle assembly that is not spring-loaded and not damped.

[0005] The task is solved by a tiltable vehicle comprising: at least one vehicle component, such as a rocker arm or handle, the vehicle component having a receiving section; at least one lighting unit having a top section, wherein at least one indicator is disposed in or on the top section, the lighting unit including a foot section and an engagement section disposed on the foot section, the engagement section extending parallel to and securing the lighting unit to the receiving section of the vehicle component via the engagement section, the lighting unit being fixable to the receiving section along an engagement direction extending laterally to or obliquely relative to the longitudinal axis of the tiltable vehicle, and the lighting unit having its longest extension dimension in a direction parallel to the engagement direction; and at least one reinforcing device fixed to the receiving section of the vehicle component, the reinforcing device abutting the coupling surface of the foot section of the lighting unit laterally to the engagement direction in at least partial planar contact, and the reinforcing device at least partially surrounding the foot section on a circumferential side.

[0006] Because the tiltable vehicle has a reinforcing device fixed to the receiving section of the vehicle assembly and at least partially abutting the coupling surface of the foot section of the lighting unit in a planar contact with the engagement direction, and at least partially surrounding the foot section on the circumferential side, the lighting unit—especially in the foot section area—is protected and reinforced by the reinforcing device. This reduces the risk of breakage of the lighting unit—especially in the foot section area—and increases its lifespan.

[0007] The vehicle component can be a vehicle rocker arm. This rocker arm can be configured to be damped and spring-loaded, or undamped and unspring-loaded. In particular, the rocker arm can be located in the area at the rear of the vehicle.

[0008] The lighting unit can be any functional unit that uses indicating devices to provide information to other road users, especially those following behind the tiltable vehicle. Indicating devices may include: lights, especially headlights, or repeating directional indicators; or screens or displays.

[0009] In one embodiment of the tiltable vehicle, the lighting unit includes a functionally integrated repeating directional indicator light in the tiltable vehicle, which is fixed to a vehicle assembly without spring buffering and without damping buffering, the vehicle assembly being configured as a rocker arm fixed to a frame.

[0010] A tiltable vehicle is understood to be a bicycle, motorcycle, or motor vehicle similar to a motorcycle, such as a moped, especially a two-wheeled, three-wheeled, or four-wheeled moped, a scooter, a tiltable tricycle, a four-wheeled vehicle, or the like.

[0011] It is possible that the reinforcing device is simply attached to the base section of the lighting unit, especially in a planar manner. The reinforcement of the lighting unit by the reinforcing device can be improved if the reinforcing device is fixed to the base section of the lighting unit, especially by form-locking, material-locking and / or force-locking methods.

[0012] If the reinforcing material is locked onto the base section of the lighting unit, the reinforcing material can be welded, brazed, bonded, etc., onto the lighting unit.

[0013] If the reinforcing device is fixed to the lighting unit in a form-locking manner, it can form a hintergriff with respect to the respective direction of movement at least in the following directions (in which the range of movement of the lighting unit can be expected when the tiltable vehicle is running).

[0014] If the reinforcing device is force-locked and fixed to the lighting unit, then the reinforcement is achieved based on the frictional energy between the reinforcing device and the lighting unit.

[0015] In an extension of the several embodiments just mentioned, it has proven advantageous that the reinforcing device includes at least one resiliently bendable fixing element that can be compressed into a coupling arrangement transverse to the coupling direction as the reinforcing device is transferred along the coupling direction, and can automatically move from the coupled arrangement to an uncompressed arrangement, wherein the fixing element in the coupled arrangement refers to the indentation on the base section of the lighting unit in the coupling direction.

[0016] If the reinforcing device includes at least one resiliently flexible fixing element, then the reinforcing device can be easily fixed to the base section of the lighting unit. Here, the resiliently flexible fixing element is laterally compressed along the coupling direction as the reinforcing device moves along the coupling direction, and automatically snaps back into the uncompressed arrangement when the coupled arrangement is achieved, wrapping around the base section at the retraction. Therefore, the reinforcing device and the lighting unit can be easily coupled together in a form-locking and / or force-locking manner.

[0017] To further improve the fixation of the reinforcing device on the lighting unit, in one embodiment of a tiltable vehicle, the reinforcing device includes at least two fixing elements, and the foot section of the lighting unit includes at least two recesses. In a coupled arrangement, the foot section is disposed between the two fixing elements, and the two fixing elements have a U-shaped or bracket-shaped cross-section. And / or the at least two fixing elements include hook-shaped sections at their respective free ends, the hook-shaped sections extending toward the free ends of the opposing fixing elements, and in the coupled arrangement, the hook-shaped sections abut against the respective recesses of the foot section.

[0018] The at least one fixing element may include its longest extension dimension in a direction parallel to the direction of travel of the tiltable vehicle. Alternatively, the fixing element may include its longest extension dimension in a direction parallel to the vertical or horizontal axis or in a direction inclined relative to the vertical or horizontal axis.

[0019] Furthermore, a form-locking and / or force-locking connection in a direction transverse to the coupling direction can be easily guaranteed in the following situations: the at least one fixing element of the reinforcing device includes at least one protrusion extending toward the coupling surface of the foot section on the side facing the coupling surface of the foot section, and / or the at least one foot section includes at least one recess in the coupling surface on the side facing the fixing element of the reinforcing device, the recess being correspondingly and particularly complementary to the protrusion of the fixing element, and the protrusion being configured to be embedded in the recess in the engaged arrangement.

[0020] Because of the recess in the coupling surface of the base section of the lighting unit, the fixing element with at least one protrusion can be guided during transfer along the coupling direction. Furthermore, the at least one fixing element is secured by the at least one protrusion positioned within the recess to prevent movement in a direction transverse to the coupling direction.

[0021] Furthermore, in another embodiment of the tiltable vehicle, the at least one fixing element includes—in particular, a plurality of protrusions arranged in parallel to each other, and the foot section includes—in particular, a plurality of recesses arranged in parallel to each other, wherein in the engaged arrangement each protrusion is disposed in a corresponding recess in such a way that it is embedded in the recess.

[0022] To facilitate easy attachment of the reinforcing device to the vehicle assembly, it has proven advantageous to include a coupling section extending parallel to a receiving section of the vehicle assembly, the coupling section including at least one opening through which the reinforcing device can be detachably attached to the receiving section of the vehicle assembly by means of a fastening device.

[0023] The at least one fastening device may include, for example, a screw or bolt that can be inserted through an opening in the coupling section of the reinforcing device and can be secured by a nut on the receiving section of the vehicle assembly away from the reinforcing device.

[0024] Additionally, the lighting unit can be easily fixed to the vehicle assembly in the following situations: the engagement section of the lighting unit includes at least one gap, the lighting unit can be detachably fixed to the receiving section of the vehicle assembly through the gap by an additional fixing device, and / or the engagement section of the lighting unit extends beyond the coupling surface of the foot section in the direction of the reinforcing device in the engaged arrangement.

[0025] Here, the fixing device may also include screws or bolts, and the base section of the lighting unit can be secured with a nut on the side of the receiving section of the vehicle assembly away from the lighting unit by the screws or bolts. Since the joining section of the lighting unit extends beyond the coupling surface of the base section in the direction of the reinforcing device in the joined arrangement, the base section can be sized independently of the joining section.

[0026] In principle, it is advisable to first secure the lighting unit to the receiving section when joining the lighting unit and the reinforcing device to the receiving section of the vehicle assembly, and then secure the reinforcing device in a subsequent step. In such a case, the reinforcing device may coincide with or at least partially overlap the base section of the lighting unit in the joined arrangement—viewed laterally with respect to the joining direction.

[0027] In order to enable the lighting unit to be arranged independently of the arrangement of the reinforcing device on the receiving section of the vehicle assembly, the extension scheme of the tiltable vehicle specifies that the reinforcing device includes a continuous free space between two fixed elements, which overlaps with the foot section of the lighting unit and the engagement section of the lighting unit can be accessed from the outside at least partially through this free space—especially in the area of ​​the gap.

[0028] This is achieved through free space, by inserting the fixing device through the gap in the engagement section of the lighting unit and tightening it. Furthermore, this allows the reinforcing device and the lighting unit to be engaged with each other before being fixed to the receiving section of the vehicle assembly. Therefore, the lighting unit and the reinforcing device are pre-assembleable and can be fixed to the receiving section of the vehicle assembly individually or jointly in a pre-assembled arrangement.

[0029] To improve stress distribution through reinforcement devices, or to buffer with springs or damping, one embodiment of a tiltable vehicle includes a reinforcement device comprising at least one rib-shaped support element extending from the at least one fixed element to the coupling section, and the support element comprising a wedge-shaped cross-section in a plane extending parallel to the engagement direction.

[0030] Tilting vehicles can be compactly constructed if reinforcing elements, in particular the at least one fixing element, the at least one coupling section and / or the at least one support element constitute a common single-piece component, in particular an injection-molded component.

[0031] Other features, details and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the illustrations and the subsequent description of preferred embodiments of the tiltable vehicle. Attached Figure Description

[0032] The attached image is as follows:

[0033] Figure 1 A perspective rear view showing a portion of an embodiment of a tiltable vehicle;

[0034] Figure 2 Display by Figure 1 A perspective front view of an embodiment;

[0035] Figure 3 Display by Figure 1 The embodiment is a rear view with perspective without reinforcement. Detailed Implementation

[0036] The accompanying drawings show a portion of a tiltable vehicle generally designated by reference numeral 2 (the tiltable vehicle is only partially depicted in the drawings). The tiltable vehicle 2 includes at least one vehicle assembly 4, which, in the embodiment shown in the drawings, includes a rocker arm 6. Vehicle assembly 4 includes a receiving section 8.

[0037] Furthermore, the tiltable vehicle 2 includes a lighting unit 10, which includes a top section 12, in which at least one indicator 14 is disposed. Additionally, the lighting unit 10 includes a foot section 16 and a connecting section 18 disposed on the foot section 16, the lighting unit 10 being fixed to the receiving section 8 of the vehicle assembly 4 via the connecting section.

[0038] The lighting unit 10 can be fixed to the receiving section 8 along the engagement direction 20, which extends laterally to or obliquely relative to the longitudinal axis of the tiltable vehicle 2. Furthermore, the lighting unit 10 includes its longest extension dimension in a direction parallel to the engagement direction 20.

[0039] Additionally, the tiltable vehicle 2 includes a reinforcing device 22 fixed to the receiving section 8 of the vehicle assembly 4. Here, the reinforcing device 22 is partially abutted against the coupling surface 24 of the foot section 16 of the lighting unit 10 in a planar contact manner with the engagement direction 20, and at least partially surrounds the foot section 16 on the circumferential side.

[0040] In the embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, the reinforcing device 22 includes two elastically bendable fixing elements 26, which form an encirclement in a coupled arrangement on the recess 28 of the base section 16 of the lighting unit 10 with reference to the coupling direction 30. Hook-shaped sections 32 are formed on the fixing elements 26, which abut against the corresponding recess 28 of the respective base section 16 in the engaged arrangement.

[0041] Furthermore, in the embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, the reinforcing device 22 includes a plurality of protrusions 34 that extend parallel to the coupling direction 30 and are embedded in recesses 36 correspondingly, and particularly complementaryly, in the coupling surface 24 of the base section 16 of the lighting unit 10.

[0042] Furthermore, the reinforcing device 22 includes a continuous free space 38 between the two fixing elements 26, through which the joining section 18 of the lighting unit 10 can be accessed from the outside. (As in...) Figure 3 As can be seen, the fixing device 40 can also be set on the joint section 18 of the lighting unit 10 in this case, if the reinforcing device 22 is already coupled to the lighting unit 10.

[0043] In order to secure the reinforcing device 22 to the receiving section 8 of the vehicle assembly 4, the reinforcing device 22 includes a coupling section 42, which includes at least one opening 44 through which the fixing device 44 can be inserted, and the fixing is achieved on the receiving section 8 of the vehicle assembly 4.

[0044] To improve the load-bearing capacity of the assembly consisting of the lighting unit 10 and the reinforcing device 22, the reinforcing device 22 includes at least one rib-shaped support element 46 extending from the at least one fixing element 26 to the coupling section 42.

[0045] The following is a brief description of the operation of the tiltable vehicle according to the present invention.

[0046] Before the lighting unit 10 is arranged on the vehicle assembly 4, the reinforcing device 22 is placed on the lighting unit 10. By pressing the reinforcing device 22 along the coupling direction 30, the two fixing elements 26 of the reinforcing device 22 are elastically compressed laterally with respect to the coupling direction 30, and lock with the lighting unit 10 when they reach the recess 28 on the foot section 16. Thus, not only the lighting unit 10 but also the reinforcing device 22 is engaged via the fixing device 40 through the threaded connection of the engagement section 18 of the lighting unit 10 and the engagement of the coupling section 42 of the reinforcing device 22 with the receiving section 8 of the vehicle assembly 4.

[0047] The features of the invention disclosed in the above description and in the accompanying drawings are substantial not only individually but also in every arbitrary combination in implementing the invention in different embodiments.

[0048] List of reference numerals

[0049] 2 tiltable vehicles

[0050] 4 vehicle components

[0051] 6 rocker arms

[0052] 8 Acceptance Sections

[0053] 10 lighting units

[0054] 12 top sections

[0055] 14 Indicating Devices

[0056] 16 base section

[0057] 18 joint sections

[0058] 22 Enhanced Devices

[0059] 24 Coupled Surfaces

[0060] 26 Fixing Components

[0061] 28 Indentation

[0062] 30 coupling directions

[0063] 32 hook-shaped segments

[0064] 34 protrusions

[0065] 36 recesses

[0066] 38 Free Space

[0067] 40 Fixtures

[0068] 42 Coupled Sections

[0069] 44 openings

[0070] 46 support elements

Claims

1. A tiltable vehicle (2), comprising: At least one vehicle component (4) having a receiving section (8); and at least one lighting unit (10) having a top section (12) in which or on which at least one indicator (14) is disposed, the lighting unit including a foot section (16) and a connecting section (18) disposed on the foot section (16), the connecting section extending parallel to and securing the lighting unit (10) to the receiving section (8) of the vehicle assembly (4) via the connecting section, the lighting unit (10) extending laterally to or relative to the longitudinal axis of the tiltable vehicle (2). The engagement direction (20) extending obliquely along the longitudinal axis can be fixed on the receiving section (8); characterized in that at least one reinforcing device (22) is fixed on the receiving section (8) of the vehicle assembly (4), the reinforcing device being at least partially in planar contact with the engagement direction (20) and being at least partially surrounding the foot section (16) of the lighting unit (10) on the circumferential side, and the lighting unit (10) having its longest extension dimension in a direction parallel to the engagement direction (20).

2. The tiltable vehicle (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The reinforcing device (22) is fixed on the base section (16) of the lighting unit (10).

3. The tiltable vehicle (2) according to claim 2, characterized in that, The reinforcing device (22) is fixed to the base section (16) of the lighting unit (10) by means of form locking, material locking and / or force locking.

4. The tiltable vehicle (2) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The reinforcing device (22) includes at least one elastically bendable fixing element (26) that can be squeezed into a transversely coupled arrangement as the reinforcing device (22) moves along the coupling direction (30), and can automatically move from the coupled arrangement to an uncompressed arrangement, and the fixing element in the coupled arrangement surrounds the recess (28) on the foot section (16) of the lighting unit (10) with reference to the coupling direction (30).

5. The tiltable vehicle (2) according to claim 4, characterized in that, The reinforcing device (22) includes at least two fixing elements (26), and the foot section (16) of the lighting unit (10) includes at least two recesses (28). In a coupled arrangement, the foot section (16) is disposed between the two fixing elements (26) and the two fixing elements (26) have a U-shaped or bracket-shaped cross-section, and / or the at least two fixing elements (26) include hook-shaped sections (32) at their respective free ends, the hook-shaped sections extending toward the free ends of the opposing fixing elements (26), and the hook-shaped sections abut against the respective recesses (28) of the foot section (16) in a coupled arrangement.

6. The tiltable vehicle (2) according to claim 4, characterized in that, The at least one fixing element (26) of the reinforcing device (22) includes at least one protrusion (34) extending toward the coupling surface (24) of the foot section (16) on one side, and / or the at least one foot section (16) includes at least one recess (36) in the coupling surface (24) on one side of the fixing element (26) of the reinforcing device (22), the recess being configured corresponding to the protrusion (34) of the fixing element (26), and the protrusion (34) being configured to be embedded in the recess in the engaged arrangement.

7. The tiltable vehicle (2) according to claim 6, characterized in that, The recess and the protrusion (34) of the fixing element (26) are complementary.

8. The tiltable vehicle (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The reinforcing device (22) includes a coupling section (42) extending parallel to the receiving section (8) of the vehicle assembly (4), the coupling section including at least one opening (44), the reinforcing device (22) being detachably secured to the receiving section (8) of the vehicle assembly (4) through the opening by a fixing device (40).

9. The tiltable vehicle (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The engagement section (18) of the lighting unit (10) includes at least one gap through which the lighting unit (10) can be detachably fixed to the receiving section (8) of the vehicle assembly (4) by means of an additional fixing device (40), and / or the engagement section (18) of the lighting unit (10) extends beyond the coupling surface (24) of the foot section (16) in the direction of the reinforcing device (22) in the engaged arrangement.

10. The tiltable vehicle (2) according to claim 5, characterized in that, The reinforcing device (22) includes a continuous free space (38) between the two fixing elements (26), which overlaps with the base section (16) of the lighting unit (10), and the engagement section (18) of the lighting unit (10) is at least partially accessible from the outside through this free space.

11. The tiltable vehicle (2) according to claim 5, characterized in that, The engagement section (18) of the lighting unit (10) includes at least one gap through which the lighting unit (10) can be detachably secured to the receiving section (8) of the vehicle assembly (4) by means of an additional fastening device (40); and The reinforcing device (22) includes a continuous free space (38) between the two fixing elements (26), which overlaps with the base section (16) of the lighting unit (10), and the engagement section (18) of the lighting unit (10) is accessible from the outside through the free space at least partially in the region of the gap.

12. The tiltable vehicle (2) according to claim 4, characterized in that, The reinforcing device (22) includes a coupling section (42) extending parallel to the receiving section (8) of the vehicle assembly (4), the coupling section including at least one opening (44), the reinforcing device (22) being detachably secured to the receiving section (8) of the vehicle assembly (4) through the opening by a fixing device (40); and The reinforcing device (22) includes at least one ribbed support element (46) extending from the at least one fixing element (26) to the coupling section (42), and the support element includes a wedge-shaped cross section in a plane extending parallel to the engagement direction (20).

13. The tiltable vehicle (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The reinforcing device (22) constitutes a common single-piece component.

14. The tiltable vehicle (2) according to claim 12, characterized in that, The at least one fixing element (26), the at least one coupling section (42), and / or the at least one support element (46) constitute a common single-piece component.

15. The tiltable vehicle (2) according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that, The common single-piece component is the injection-molded component.

16. The tiltable vehicle (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The vehicle component is a rocker arm (6) or a handle.

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