Vehicle suspension balancing assembly

Abstract

A vehicle suspension assembly that includes a central mount, an elastic restoring element placed on the central mount, two side wheel hub assemblies, two push rods, two horizontal upper connecting rodsa horizontal shock absorber, two upper control arm units, each connected to an upper portion of a corresponding side wheel hub assembly of the two side wheel hub assemblies, two bottom control arm units, each connected to a lower portion of a corresponding side wheel hub assembly of the two side wheel hub assemblies, and two vertical rotatable triple linking units each connected to a corresponding side of the horizontal shock absorber, a horizontal upper connecting rod of the two horizontal upper connecting rods, a first end of a corresponding push rod of the two push rods.

Description

VEHICLE SUSPENSION BALANCING ASSEMBLYFIELD OF THE INVENTION:

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of vehicle suspension assemblies. More particularly, the present invention relates to a vehicle suspension balancing assembly.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:

[0002] The suspension system in a vehicle comprises tires, tire air, springs, shock absorbers, and linkages connecting the vehicle body to its wheels, allowing for relative motion between the two. The purpose of a suspension system is to support the vehicle's weight and control its ride quality, handling abilities, and overall dynamics while in motion, contributing to the vehicle overall stability and drivability.

[0003] Suspension systems enable steering a vehicle while also stabilizing the vehicle, enabing the chassis and the wheels to move in unison while the vehicle is in motion. Shock absorbers are an important factor in suspension systems that contribute to keeping the wheels in contact with the road surface (especially when treading over bumps and potholes on the road) to obtain a smooth / dampened ride of the vehicle .

[0004] Shock absorbers are especially efficient when the vehicle wheels are adjacent to the ground, thereby pushing the wheels back to contact the ground tomaintain stability. However, in certain suspension systems with vehicles having four wheels, when the vehicle is in the air (e.g. a 4-wheeled scooter over a ramp) the front and rear suspension assemblies are unstable and the pair of front wheels and / or pair of rear wheels may tilt sideways as they are not in contact with the leveraging ground. This can lead to instability in the air and when the vehicle lands on the ground, and requires a driver to be skilled (e.g. necessitating a contrast tilt by the driver, or other physical efforts not to fall) in order to balance himself to stay on the vehicle in the air and especially during landing. In cases with non-skilled drivers (and in some cases even with skilled drivers) the instability when the vehicle lands on the ground may cause the driver to lose balance and fall off the vehicle .

[0005] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method and means for stabilizing a vehicle suspension assembly.

[0006] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method and means for balancing and keeping s suspension system substantially horizontal and stable when the vehicle is in the air.

[0007] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the description of the invention herein.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:

[0008] The present invention relates to a vehicle suspension assembly which assists a rider to maintain his balance while riding the vehicle incorporating the vehicle suspension assemblies of this invention, such as, for example, scooters, motorcycles, motorized bicycles or scooters and similar modes of transportation .

[0009] The present invention relates to a vehicle suspension assembly comprising: a central mount; an elastic restoring element placed on said central mount ; two side wheel hub assemblies; two push rods; two horizontal upper connecting rods; a horizontal shock absorber; two upper control arm units, each connected to an upper portion of a corresponding side wheel hub assembly of said two side wheel hub assemblies; two bottom control arm units, each connected to a lower portion of a corresponding side wheel hub assembly of said two side wheel hub assemblies; two vertical rotatable triple linking units each connected to: a. a corresponding side of said horizontal shock absorber; b. a horizontal upper connecting rod of said two horizontal upper connecting rods; c. a first end of a corresponding push rod of said two push rods;wherein the second ends of said two push rods are each connected to a bottom portion of a corresponding side wheel hub assembly of said two side wheel hub assemblies ; wherein each horizontal upper connecting rod passes through a corresponding upper control arm unit of said two upper control arm units; wherein each of said vertical triple linking units comprises a horizontal tiltable arm extending inwards; and wherein the edges of said horizontal tiltable arms are placed above and are engageable with said elastic restoring element.

[0010] In some embodiments, the central mount comprises two diagonal upper arms and two diagonal lower arms, that extend outwardly; wherein the elastic restoring element is placed on the central mount between said two diagonal upper arms.

[0011] In some embodiments, each upper control arm unit comprises a front upper control arm and a rear upper control arm, both of which are connected to the upper portion of the corresponding side wheel hub assembly of the two side wheel hub assemblies, by means of a hinge joint connection; and wherein each bottom control arm unit comprises a front bottom control arm and a rear bottom control arm, both of which are connected to the lower portion of the corresponding side wheel hub assembly of the two side wheel hub assemblies, by means of a hinge joint connection .

[0012] In some embodiments, each upper horizontal connecting rod passes within: a corresponding front upper control arm; a corresponding rear upper control arm; an aperture within a corresponding triple linking unit; and a corresponding diagonal upper arm of the two diagonal upper arms .

[0013] In some embodiments, the suspension assembly comprises two bottom horizontal connecting rods, each of which passes within: a corresponding front bottom control arm; a corresponding rear bottom control arm; and a corresponding diagonal lower arm of the two diagonal lower arms .

[0014] In some embodiments, each vertical rotatable triple linking unit is: connected to a respective side of the horizontal shock absorber at an upper part of said vertical rotatable triple linking unit; connected to a respective horizontal upper connecting rod at an inner part of said vertical rotatable triple linking unit; and connected to a respective push rod at an outer part of said vertical rotatable triple linking unit.

[0015] In some embodiments, the connection of the two vertical rotatable triple linking units are each connected to the corresponding side of the horizontal shock absorber by means of a hinge joint connection; andwherein the connection of the two vertical rotatable triple linking units are each connected to the corresponding push rod by means of a hinge joint connection .

[0016] In some embodiments, each horizontal tiltable arm comprises a thickened edge portion at its inner edge.

[0017] In some embodiments, the thickened edge portion comprises a PU coating.

[0018] In some embodiments, the thickened edge portions are in the form of a ball.

[0019] In some embodiments, the edges of said horizontal tiltable arms are configured to engage the elastic restoring element when the vertical rotatable triple linking units are rotated in a corresponding direction .

[0020] In some embodiments, the suspension assembly (as explained hereinabove and in its corresponding detail hereinbelow) further comprises: i. a steering unit comprising a steering shaft; ii. a standing platform; iii. a tilting mechanism (as explained herein) ; wherein the tilting mechanism is constructed such that a rotation of the steering shaft causes the tilting of said standing platform.

[0021] The present invention relates to a vehicle suspension assembly comprising: i. a steering unit comprising a steering shaft;ii. a standing platform; iii. a tilting mechanism; wherein the tilting mechanism is constructed such that a rotation of the steering shaft causes the tilting of said standing platform.

[0022] In some embodiments, the steering unit comprises a steering handlebar fixedly connected to the steering shaft .

[0023] In some embodiments, the rotation of the handlebar is linearly proportional to the tilting of the standing platform.

[0024] In some embodiments, the suspension assembly comprises : i. two side wheel hub assemblies rotatable around a vertical axis; ii. two side steering rods; b. wherein one end of each steering rod is operatively connected to the steering shaft; c. wherein the other end of each steering rod is connected to a respective side wheel hub assembly of the two side wheel hub assemblies; i. two tilting rods; d. wherein one end of each tilting rod is connected to a respective side wheel hub assembly of the two side wheel hub assemblies; e. wherein the other end of each tilting rod is connected to the tilting mechanism.

[0025] In some embodiments, each side wheel hub assembly comprises a rear flange extending in the rear direction; and wherein the two side steering rods and the two tilting rods are connected to the side wheel hub assemblies at said rear flange.

[0026] In some embodiments, the vehicle suspension assembly comprises a steering surface connected to the steering shaft; wherein each steering rod is connected to said steering surface.

[0027] In some embodiments, the connections of the two side steering rods to the steering surface and to the side wheel hub assemblies, and the connections of the two tilting rods to the tilting mechanism and to the side wheel hub assemblies , are by means of a hinge joint, or a U-joint, or a ball joint .

[0028] In some embodiments, the tilting mechanism comprises : i. a central mount fixedly connected to a rear support portion; ii. a platform support bar engaging and connected to the rear support portion and extending to the rear direction therefrom; wherein the standing platform surface is connected to and rests on said platform support bar.

[0029] In some embodiments, the tilting mechanism comprises : i. a central mount fixedly connected to a rear support portion; ii. a platform support bar engaging the rear support portion and extending to the rear direction therefrom; iii. a bottom support bar connected to the rear end of the rear support portion; wherein the platform support bar forward edge rests on, the bottom support bar; and wherein the standing platform surface is connected to and rests on said platform support bar.

[0030] In some embodiments, the bottom support bar comprises two pin elements extending downwards therefrom; wherein each tilting rod is connected to the tilting mechanism at a respective pin element of said two pin elements, thereby forming a hinge joint such that each tilting rod is rotatable around the respective pin element .

[0031] The present invention relates to a vehicle comprising a suspension assembly according to any one of suspension assemblies explained herein.

[0032] In some embodiments, the vehicle is a scooter.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:

[0033] The present invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which similarreferences consistently indicate similar elements and in which:

[0034] Fig. 1 illustrates a front view of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Fig. 2 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Fig. 3 illustrates the vertical triple linking units according to an embodiment of the present invention .

[0037] Fig. 4A shows a perspective view of the assembly for the rear set of wheels according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Fig. 4B shows a front view of the assembly of Fig. 4A.

[0039] Fig. 5 shows a front exploded view of some of the parts of the suspension assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] Fig. 6 shows a perspective exploded view of some of the parts of the suspension assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] Fig. 7 shows a top exploded view of some of the parts of the suspension assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] Fig. 8 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the suspension assembly according to an aspect of the present invention.

[0043] Fig. 9 shows an embodiment of the present invention .

[0044] Fig. 10 shows a bottom view of the suspension assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention .

[0045] Fig. 11 shows the standing platform surface according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] Fig. 12 shows the standing platform surface from beneath according to an embodiment of the present invention .

[0047] Figs. 13 and 14 show a rear end view of the tilting mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] Figs. 15 and 16 show an example of the platform surface tilting at different degrees.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION:

[0049] The present invention relates to a suspension assembly for a vehicle, comprising a substantially horizontal shock absorber (a single shock absorber) that is used to absorb shocks from two side wheels. The suspension assembly comprises an alignment retaining mechanism configured to retain the side wheels substantially aligned one to another, and configured to retain the assembly in an un-tilted state .

[0050] The present invention suspension assembly is particularly useful for a four-wheeled scooter, wherein a first suspension assembly of the present invention is combined with the scooter two front wheels and wherein a second suspension assembly of the present invention is combined with the scooter two back wheels. The present invention also relates to a four wheeled scooter comprising these suspension assemblies .

[0051] It will be appreciated that any number of vehicles can benefit from the assemblies and systems of this invention, including two- and four-wheeledvehicles, including smaller personalized vehicles such as "mini-cars", and contemplating any appropriate scooter, including handicap accessible small vehicles, and others, as will be known to the skilled artisan.

[0052] In some aspects, this invention specifically relates to a vehicle suspension assembly comprising:• a central mount;• an elastic restoring element placed on said central mount ;• two side wheel hub assemblies; two push rods;• two horizontal upper connecting rodsa horizontal shock absorber;• two upper control arm units, each connected to an upper portion of a corresponding side wheel hub assembly of said two side wheel hub assemblies;• two bottom control arm units, each connected to a lower portion of a corresponding side wheel hub assembly of said two side wheel hub assemblies;• two vertical rotatable triple linking units each connected to: a. a corresponding side of said horizontal shock absorber; b. a horizontal upper connecting rod of said two horizontal upper connecting rods; c. a first end of a corresponding push rod of said two push rods; wherein the second ends of said two push rods are each connected to a bottom portion of a corresponding side wheel hub assembly of said two side wheel hub assemblies;wherein each horizontal upper connecting rod passes through a corresponding upper control arm unit of said two upper control arm units; wherein each of said vertical triple linking units comprises a horizontal tiltable arm extending inwards; and wherein the edges of said horizontal tiltable arms are placed above and are engageable with said elastic restoring element.

[0053] Non-limiting examples of each of the elements of the vehicle suspension assemblies of this invention are further described herein, and the skilled artisan will appreciate, based on the description and drawings provided as to the metes and bounds of each element.

[0054] In some aspects, certain terms are further described hereinunder, wherein the terms are not to be construed as limiting the invention.

[0055] Fig. 1 shows the front of a suspension assembly 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The suspension assembly 10 comprises two side wheel hub assemblies. The wheel hub assemblies, in some aspects, refer to a structural element, promoting attachment of the wheels to the vehicle. Fig. 1 shows an example of wheel hub assemblies 12 (the wheels are not shown) . Control arm units comprise connecting elements, e.g. rods, bars, for connecting different members of a suspension assembly. The wheel hub assemblies 12 are each connected at an upper portion to an upper control arm unit 20 and at a lower portion to a bottom control arm unit 21. Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the suspension assembly 10.

[0056] Each upper control arm unit 20, in some embodiments, comprises a front upper control arm 20f and a rear upper control arm 20r, and each bottom control arm unit 21, in some embodiments, comprises a front bottom control arm 21f and a rear bottom control arm 21r.

[0057] The suspension assemblies of this invention comprise a central mount, with the term "central mount" referring to, inter alia, a structural body to which other elements of the assembly may connect.

[0058] The suspension assembly 10 comprises a central mount that comprises surfaces that connect to various members of the suspension assembly. Fig. 1 shows a mount 30 which is connected to the vehicle frame or chassis (or is part of the vehicle frame or chassis) . According to one embodiment of this invention, the central mount 30 is in the form of an "X" shape, with four diagonal arms - two diagonal upper arms 31 and two diagonal lower arms 32. The diagonal arms extend outwardly. It should be understood herein that in general, the outer / outward direction refers to the direction away from the center of the central mount 30 and the inner / inward direction refers to the direction towards the central mount 30 center. Thus, the two diagonal upper arms 31 extend outwardly towards the upper outer sides of assembly 10 and two diagonal lower arms 32 extend outwardly towards the lower outer sides of assembly 10 (diagonally meaning between the assembly 10 vertical and horizontal axes) .

[0059] The connection between the control arms and the wheel hub assemblies and the connection between the control arms and the central mount may, in some aspects, make use of various joint connections (e.g. hinge joints, U-joints, spherical joints) . In some embodiments, each front upper control arm 20f is connected at one end to an upper portion of a corresponding wheel hub assembly 12 by means of a hinge joint connection, and at the other end to a respective upper connecting rod 31r forming a hinge joint connection, where the front upper control arm 20f can rotate around the upper connecting rod 31r central axis. The upper connecting rod 31r is placed substantially horizontally and substantially in the fore-aft direction (front-rear direction, used herein interchangeably) and connects by passing within the respective front upper control arm 20f (near the arm 20f inner side edge) forming the hinge joint.

[0060] Each rear upper control arm 20r is connected at one end to an upper portion of a corresponding wheel hub assembly 12 by means of a hinge joint connection, and at the other end to a respective upper connecting rod 31r forming a hinge joint connection, where the rear upper control arm 20r can rotate around the upper connecting rod 31r central axis. The upper connecting rod 31r is placed substantially horizontally and substantially in the fore-aft direction and connects by passing within the respective rear upper control arm 20r (near the arm 20r inner side edge) forming the hinge joint .

[0061] Each upper connecting rod 31r passes through an aperture within the corresponding diagonal upper arm 31 (placed near its edge) such that the front upper control arm 20f and rear upper control arm 20r are anchored to the diagonal upper arm 31.

[0062] Each front bottom control arm 21f is connected at one end to a lower / bottom portion of a corresponding wheel hub assembly 12 by means of a hinge joint connection, and at the other end to a respective lower connecting rod 32r forming a hinge joint connection, where the front bottom control arm 21f can rotate around the lower connecting rod 32r central axis. The lower connecting rod 32r is placed substantially horizontally and substantially in the fore-aft direction and connects by passing within the respective front bottom control arm 21f (near the arm 21f inner side edge) forming the hinge joint.

[0063] Each rear bottom control arm 21r is connected at one end to a lower / bottom portion of a corresponding wheel hub assembly 12 by means of a hinge joint connection, and at the other end to a respective lower connecting rod 32r forming a hinge joint connection, where the rear bottom control arm 21r can rotate around the lower connecting rod 32r central axis. The lower connecting rod 32r is placed substantially horizontally and substantially in the fore-aft direction and connects by passing within the respective rear bottom control arm 21r (near the arm 21r inner side edge) forming the hinge joint.

[0064] Each lower connecting rod 32r passes through an aperture within the corresponding diagonal lower arm 32 (placed near its edge) such that the front bottom control arm 21f and rear bottom control arm 21r are anchored to the diagonal lower arm 32.

[0065] The suspension assembly 10 comprises two vertical rotatable triple linking units. Each vertical rotatable triple linking unit is a connecting element, which comprises a surface or other adaptation to promote the linkage / connect ion, for example, by including anchoring locations thereon or therein. Figs. 1-2 show the suspension assembly 10 comprising two vertical rotatable triple linking units 50. Each vertical triple linking unit 50 comprises three locations thereon that connect to three separate elements. Fig. 3 shows both triple linking units 50. Each triple linking unit 50 comprises three apertures - 50a, 50b and 50c for the connections.

[0066] At a first location, each triple linking unit 50 is connected to the assembly single substantially horizontal shock absorber 60. The shock absorber 60 is actually connected at one end to the first assembly triple linking unit 50 and at the other end to the second assembly triple linking unit 50. The connections of the shock absorber 60 to each corresponding triple linking unit 50, is in some embodiments, at an upper portion of the triple linking units 50 by a hinge joint connection at aperture 50a. According to another embodiment, the connection between shock absorber 60 and the apertures 50a is a fixed connection and not necessarily a hinge joint) .The shock absorber 60, may be, for example, the model- "Fox DHX2 Factory Shock".

[0067] The present invention comprises push rods in the form of rods, bars, or any appropriate structure containing e.g. an appropriate long axis, etc. , such that a member connected to one end of the push rod can push / pull a member connected to the other end of the push rod. At a second location, each triple linking unit 50 is connected to a corresponding push rod 40. The push rod 40 is actually connected at one end to the first assembly triple linking unit 50 and at the other end to a lower portion of a corresponding wheel hub assembly 12 by means of a hinge joint connection. The connections of the push rods 40 to each corresponding triple linking unit 50, is in some embodiments, at an outer side thereof by a hinge joint connection at aperture 50b. According to another embodiment, the connection between the push rods 40 and the apertures 50b is a fixed connection and not necessarily a hinge joint) .

[0068] At a third location, each triple linking unit 50 is connected to a corresponding upper connecting rod 31r. This connection is at aperture 50c such that connecting rod 31r passes through aperture 50c forming a hinge joint connection. The aperture 50c, is in some embodiments, placed at an inner lower location of triple linking unit 50. Connecting rod 31r is thereby connected to: the rear upper control arm 20r at its rear end; the front upper control arm 20f at its front end; andaperture 50c of a triple linking unit 50 (passing therethrough) placed between the connecting points to rear upper control arm 20r and front upper control arm20f .

[0069] Each triple linking unit 50 is thereby rotatable around the central axis of its corresponding connecting rod 31r.

[0070] The present invention suspension assembly 10 further comprises an alignment retaining mechanism. This alignment retaining mechanism maintains the assembly 10 side wheels (not shown) in an aligned manner. The wheels are mounted on the two side wheel hub assemblies 12 and thereby the alignment retaining mechanism maintains the assembly 10 two side wheel hub assemblies 12 in a substantially aligned manner.

[0071] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the alignment retaining mechanism comprises an elastic restoring element which comprises accumulated elastic material. Figs. 1-2 show an elastic restoring element 70. The elastic restoring element 70 is placed on the central mount 30, between the two diagonal upper arms 31. In some embodiments, the elastic restoring element 70 comprises rubber. The elastic restoring element 70 comprises a thick elastic body portion such that when a rigid element forcefully impacts on it, it causes the rigid element to bounce back .

[0072] The alignment retaining mechanism further comprises two horizontal tiltable( rest oring / rest or able ) arms 55. Each tiltable arm 55(in an initial position) extends horizontally inwards from the inner end of its corresponding triple linking unit 50 (from the side near the center of the assembly) . In some embodiments, each tiltable arm 55 extends from an area near the inward side of the apertures 50c (towards the central vertical axis of the assembly 10) ) . It should be noted that the horizontal position of each tiltable arm 55 is in the initial / normal state when the two wheel hub assemblies 12 are aligned. It should also be noted that the rotating of the rotatable triple linking units 50 causes the tilt of the tiltable arms 55 (which is a rotation around the central axis of its corresponding connecting rod 31r) as each tiltable arm 55 is a unif ied / integral part of its corresponding rotatable triple linking units 50.

[0073] The tiltable arms 55 each comprise a thickened edge portion 55e at its inner edge. The thickened edge portions 55e each In some embodiments comprise a PU coating. According to one embodiment, the thickened edge portions 55e are in the form of a ball. The top of elastic restoring element 70, is in some embodiments, substantially flat. The thickened edge portions 55e are both placed right above elastic restoring element 70 and are configured to engage it when rotated. When each triple linking units 50 rotates, the corresponding tiltable arm 55 rotates accordingly. When rotated upon the elastic restoring element 70 and thereby thickened edge portions 55e engage it, the elasticity of elastic restoring element 70 causes thickened edge portions 55e to bounce back to the tiltable arms 55 horizontal position. Thus, thetiltable arms 55 remain substantially horizontal all the time, and thereby maintain the two wheel hub assemblies 12 aligned all the time.

[0074] Accordingly, if the suspension assembly 10 is tilted (e.g. due to a single wheel going over a rock) the shock absorber 60 is activated and contributes to a smoother manoeuvring. One wheel (attached to the hub assembly 12) is elevated and the other is maintained on the ground providing contrasting force to the shock absorber 60 which assists in returning the elevating wheel to the ground.

[0075] However, when the wheels are not in immediate contact with a surface, such as the road, for example, as a vehicle is suspended when traversing a ramp or object in the road causing the wheels to at least in part be slightly airborne (or completely airborne) , the assembly 10 may tilt in the air without one wheel providing contrast force to the other (on the other side of the shock absorber) . In this case the following actions may occur: One wheel hub assembly 12 is elevated;The corresponding push rod 40 is elevated by the elevation of the wheel hub assembly 12;The corresponding triple linking unit 50 is rotated due to the elevation of the push rod 40;The corresponding tiltable arm 55 (part of the triple linking unit 50) rotates;The corresponding thickened edge portion 55e of the tiltable arm 55 engages (typically forcibly) the elastic restoring element 70;The elastic restoring element 70 pushes the thickened edge portion 55e back to a substantially horizontal configuration of the tiltable arm 55;Thereby, the triple linking unit 50 is rotated back (by the restoring arm 55 attached thereto, rotating back) ;The push rod 40 is thereby lowered (by the triple linking unit 50 being rotated back) ;The wheel hub assembly 12 (connected to push rod 40) is thereby lowered by the lowering push rod 40;Thus, the wheel hub assembly 12 is returned to be aligned to the other wheel hub assembly 12 and the balance of the rider remains steady. With this system, the wheel hub assemblies 12 are maintained aligned one to another and the balance of the rider remains steady .

[0076] According to another embodiment of the present invention, an elastic elongated element (e.g. spring element) may connect between a wheel hub assembly 12 and an apertures 50b instead of push rod 40.

[0077] Steering rods 45 can be seen in Fig. 1, as the suspension assembly shown there is a front suspension assembly. However, the suspension assembly of the rear wheels is also according to the present invention assembly as explained herein (without the steering rods 45, mutatis mutandis) . Fig. 4A shows another perspective view of the assembly 10, e.g. for the rear set of wheels. Fig. 4B shows a front view of the assembly 10 of Fig. 4A.

[0078] A plurality of spacers, e.g. cylindric spacers 35, may be placed: between the diagonal upper arms 31 and the front upper control arms 20f; between the diagonal upper arms 31 and the rear upper control arms 20r; between the diagonal lower arms 32 and the front bottom control arms 21f; between the diagonal lower arms 32 and the rear bottom control arms 21r; The respective control arms and the respective central mount 30 diagonal arms, in some embodiments, comprise recesses complementary to the respective cylindric spacers 35 for receiving them, thereby contributing to a firm structure.

[0079] Fig. 5 shows a front exploded view of some of the parts of suspension assembly 10 for a better understanding. Fig. 6 shows a perspective exploded view of some of the parts of suspension assembly 10 for a better understanding. Fig. 7 shows a top exploded view of some of the parts of suspension assembly 10 for a better understanding. suspension assembly 10.

[0080] According to another embodiment of the present invention (not shown) , another bouncing / returning member may be used instead of elastic restoring element 70 and thickened edge portions 55e. According to this embodiment a piston is connected at one end to the edge of horizontal tiltable arm 55 (instead of the thickened edge portions 55e) and at its other end to the upper portion of central mount 30 (instead ofwhere the elastic restoring element 70 is placed) . The piston, as known in the art, may provide the same effect and return the horizontal tiltable arms 55 to their horizontal configuration, thereby maintaining the necessary balancing and stability as in the embodiment of the thickened edge portions 55e and elastic restoring element 70.

[0081] According to yet another embodiment of the present invention (not shown) , another bouncing / returning member may be used instead of elastic restoring element 70 and thickened edge portions 55e. According to this embodiment an elastic element (e.g. spring) is connected at one end to the edge of horizontal tiltable arm 55 (instead of the thickened edge portions 55e) and at its other end to the upper portion of central mount 30 (instead of where the elastic restoring element 70 is placed) . The elastic element, as known in the art, may provide the same effect and return the horizontal tiltable arms 55 to their horizontal configuration, thereby maintaining the necessary balancing and stability as in the embodiment of the thickened edge portions 55e and elastic restoring element 70.

[0082] According to another aspect of the present invention, the suspension assembly is configured to tilt a standing platform on which a rider stands and rides on the vehicle (or in some embodiments, a platform on which a rider sits) of a scooter (or other like vehicle) in a manner such that the rider remains more stable and more balanced. The standing platform is typically aligned substantially horizontally.Typically, when a rider makes a turn, a centrifugal force is applied to the rider, such that the rider in response, applies a counter force, e.g. leaning over to the other side, in order to keep his balance and not fall off the vehicle. The present invention suspension assembly is configured to tilt the standing platform in the direction opposite to the centrifugal force (in the direction of the turn) providing more stability to the rider, enabling the rider to balance himself more easily, and to reduce the counter force effort usually applied by the rider during the turn.

[0083] According to an embodiment of this aspect, the suspension assembly comprises a tilting mechanism for rotationally displacing the standing platform. According to one embodiment, the tilting mechanism is such that a steering handlebar is operatively connected to the tilting platform. In some embodiments, the steering of the steering handlebar is linearly proportional to the tilting of the standing platform, as will be explained herein.

[0084] It should be understood that this balancing aspect of the present invention can be in conjunction with the suspension assembly 10 (according to all of its embodiments) as explained herein. For the sake of brevity and conciseness, this aspect of the present invention will be described without the details of suspension assembly 10 that have been described hereinabove, but it should be understood that the conjunct embodiment indeed forms part of the present invention .

[0085] It should also be understood that according to another embodiment of the balancing aspect of the present invention, it can stand alone and does not necessarily need to be applied with the specific details of suspension assembly 10.

[0086] While the suspension assembly 10 relates to either the front or rear suspension assemblies of a vehicle, the present balancing aspect suspension assembly relates to the front suspension assembly of a vehicle (e.g. scooter) , i.e., the suspension assembly which is connected to the steering unit (e.g. handlebar assembly) .

[0087] Fig. 8 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the suspension assembly 110 according to the balancing aspect of the present invention. The present invention comprises a steering shaft rotationally displaceable by a rider and causes the wheels to turn accordingly. Fig. 8 shows a steering shaft 115 extending upwards from the top of suspension assembly 110 (typically aligned substantially vertically) . The upper portion of steering shaft 115 is connected to a steering handlebar (not shown) such that when steering / turning the handlebar, the steering shaft turns accordingly.

[0088] The steering shaft 115 is operatively connected to two side steering rods 116. Each side steering rod 116 is connected at its outer edge to a respective side wheel hub assembly 12. In this particular embodiment the steering rods 116 are each connected to a respective rear flange 12f of the side wheel hubassembly 12. Each rear flange 12f extends in the rear direction from its respective side wheel hub assembly 12. In this manner, when the steering shaft 115 is turned (by the steering handlebar) it pushes one respective steering rod 116 (and pulls the other respective steering rod 116) and the direction of each side wheel hub assembly 12 turns accordingly (causing the vehicle to turn) .

[0089] The steering rods 116 are each connected to the respective rear flange 12f, e.g. by means of a hinge joint, or a U-joint, or a ball joint / spherical joint (e.g. with a respective ball element extending upwards from the respective rear flange 12f and each steering rod 116 comprises, at its edge, a casing element(casing the respective ball) ) .

[0090] Fig. 9 shows an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 10 shows a bottom view of the suspension assembly 110. Fig. 10 shows a(substantially horizontal) steering surface 114 connected to the side steering rods 116 (at their inner edges) and to the steering shaft 115 (not shown) . The steering surface 114 is connected to the side steering rods 116 from its bottom side and fixedly connected to the steering shaft 115 at its top side (such that when the steering shaft 115 rotates, the steering surface 114 rotates accordingly) . The steering rods 116 are each connected to the steering surface 114, e.g. by means of a hinge joint, or a U- joint, or ball joint / spherical joint (e.g. with two ball elements extending downwards from the steering surface 114 and each rod 116 comprises, at its edge, acasing element (casing a respective ball element of the two) . When the steering shaft 115 rotates, it causes the steering surface 114 to rotate, which causes the steering rods 116 (attached thereto) to be pushed / pulled, which cause the rear flanges 12f to rotate around a vertical axis (e.g. hinge joint of side wheel hub assembly 12 explained hereinbelow) , thereby causing the side wheel hub assemblies 12 to turn in the same direction accordingly. Each side wheel hub assembly 12 forms the joint of a hinge joint mechanism where the formed joint rotates around a vertical axis, or the like that enable it to turn / rotate .

[0091] The suspension assembly 110 further comprises two side tilting rods 120. The tilting rods 120 are each connected at their outer edges to a respective rear flange 12f. According to one embodiment, the tilting rods 120 are connected to a respective rear flange 12f from its bottom side (and the steering rods 116 are connected to the respective rear flanges 12f at their top sides) .

[0092] The tilting rods 120 are each connected to the respective rear flange 12f, e.g. by means of a hinge joint, or a U-joint, or a ball joint / spherical joint (e.g. with a respective ball element extending downwards from the respective rear flange 12f and each tilting rod 120 comprises, at its edge, a casing element (casing the respective ball) ) .

[0093] When the steering shaft 115 rotates, it causes the steering surface 114 to rotate, which causes thesteering rods 116 (attached thereto) to be pushed / pulled, which cause the rear flanges 12f to rotate around an axis (e.g. vertical axis of hinge joint mechanism associated with side wheel hub assembly 12) , thereby causing the tilting rods 120 (also connected to flanges 12f) to be pushed / pulled.

[0094] The tilting rods 120 are each connected at their other (inner) edges to a tilting mechanism 130. The tilting mechanism 130 comprises a central mount (e.g. as described hereinabove with relation to central mount 30) . The central mount is fixedly connected to the rider' s standing platform surface 150, shown in Fig. 11 and Fig. 12. According to one embodiment, the central mount is fixedly connected to a rear support portion 131. A platform support bar 135 (typically in the form of an elongated cuboid) extends to the rear direction from the rear support portion 131 (to which it is fixedly attached to or is part of the rear support portion 131) . The standing platform surface 150 is fixedly connected to, and rests on, the platform support bar 135. The platform support bar 135 forward edge is fixedly connected to, and rests on, a bottom support bar 136 (typically in the form of a smaller cuboid) which is fixedly attached to the rear side of the rear support portion 131. The rear edge of the platform support bar 135 is attached to a rear portion of the vehicle (not shown) which allows it to tilt. The tilting rods 120 are each connected at their inner edges to the bottom support bar 136 of the tilting mechanism 130.

[0095] The connection of the tilting rods 120 to the bottom support bar 136 may be by means of a hinge joint, or a U-joint, or a ball joint / spherical joint (e.g. with a respective ball element extending downwards from the bottom support bar 136 and each tilting rod 120 comprises, at its respective inner edge, a casing element (casing the respective ball) ) . Fig. 12 shows two respective pin elements 136p that extend downwards from the bottom support bar 136. In this particular embodiment, the tilting rods 120 each connect at their inner edges to a respective pin element 136p forming a hinge joint that rotates around the respective pin element 136p (the pin element 136p being the hinge joint axis) .

[0096] The suspension assembly 110 tilting mechanism 130 is constructed such that when a rider turns the steering handlebar, the steering shaft 115 rotates accordingly, which causes the steering surface 114 to rotate accordingly, which causes the steering rods 116 to be pushed / pulled, which cause the rear flanges 12f to rotate which cause the tilting rods 120 to be pushed / pulled, which cause the pin elements 136p to deviate sideways (sideways along an imaginary circular curve) , which cause the following tilting mechanism 130 interconnected elements, to tilt:

[0097] the bottom support bar 136 (which the pin elements 136p extend downwards from and are pushed / pulled by the tilting rods 120) ;

[0098] the rear support portion 131 connected to the bottom support bar 136;

[0099] the central mount (e.g. , central mount 30 as explained hereinabove) connected to the rear support portion 131;[000100] the platform support bar 135 engaging the rear support portion 131; and[000101] the standing platform surface 150 connected to and resting on the platform support bar 135.[000102] Figs. 13 and 14 show a rear end view of the tilting mechanism. In Fig. 13, the rider maintains the steering handlebar in a forward position (not turning) . The vehicle thus travels forward, when in driving mode. In Fig. 14, the rider makes a left turn by turning the handlebar leftwards. Thus, the steering shaft 115 rotates counterclockwise (from a top view position) accordingly, which causes the steering surface 114 to rotate accordingly, which causes the steering rods 116 to be pushed / pulled, which cause the rear flanges 12f to rotate the wheels leftwards, which cause the tilting rods 120 to be pushed / pulled, which cause the pin elements 136p to deviate sideways - rightwards, along an imaginary circular curve, which cause the aforementioned interconnected elements associated with the tilting mechanism 130, to tilt counterclockwise (from a rear view, e.g. 15 degrees in this example) . Particularly, the standing platform surface 150 (which rests on and is fixedly connected to the support bar 135) tilts counterclockwise (from the rear view) which provides a counterforce to the centrifugal force and thus provides assistance to the rider balancing himself. A right hand turn of the vehicle would cause the opposite tilt, mutatis mutandis .[000103] Fig. 15 shows an example of the platform surface 150 tilting at 10 degrees leftwards / counterclockwise due to a rider's left turn. Fig. 16 shows an example of the platform surface 150 tilting at 15 degrees rightwards / clockwise due to a rider's right turn.[000104] It should be noted that according to one embodiment, the steering shaft 115 passes through the rear support portion 131 (e.g. via an inner bore that does not disturb the tilting of the tilting mechanism130.[000105] The sizes of the elements which the assemblies 10, 110 comprise, may be similar (or larger or smaller) than the sizes of similar vehicle assemblies. The present invention element sizes may be suitable for scooters, small vehicles (e.g. small cars) or even large vehicles.[000106] The assemblies 10, 110 elements may comprise any metal (e.g. steel, stainless steel, aluminum) . The elements may comprise carbon, CNC, other polymers, etc .[000107] While some of the embodiments of the invention have been described by way of illustration, it will be apparent that the invention can be carried into practice with many modifications, variations and adaptations, and with the use of numerous equivalents or alternative solutions that are within the scope of a person skilled in the art, without departing fromthe spirit of the invention, or the scope of the claims .

Claims

[000108] CLAIMS :

1. A vehicle suspension assembly comprising:- a central mount;- an elastic restoring element placed on said central mount ;- two side wheel hub assemblies;- two push rods;- two horizontal upper connecting rodsa horizontal shock absorber;- two upper control arm units, each connected to an upper portion of a corresponding side wheel hub assembly of said two side wheel hub assemblies;- two bottom control arm units, each connected to a lower portion of a corresponding side wheel hub assembly of said two side wheel hub assemblies;- two vertical rotatable triple linking units each connected to: a. a corresponding side of said horizontal shock absorber; b. a horizontal upper connecting rod of said two horizontal upper connecting rods; c. a first end of a corresponding push rod of said two push rods; wherein the second ends of said two push rods are each connected to a bottom portion of a corresponding side wheel hub assembly of said two side wheel hub assemblies; wherein each horizontal upper connecting rod passes through a corresponding upper control arm unit of said two upper control arm units; wherein each of said vertical triple linking units comprises a horizontal tiltable arm extending inwards; and wherein the edges of said horizontal tiltable arms areplaced above and are engageable with said elastic restoring element .

2. The vehicle suspension assembly according to claim 1, wherein the central mount comprises two diagonal upper arms and two diagonal lower arms, that extend outwardly; wherein the elastic restoring element is placed on the central mount between said two diagonal upper arms.

3. The vehicle suspension assembly according to claim 2, wherein each upper control arm unit comprises a front upper control arm and a rear upper control arm, both of which are connected to the upper portion of the corresponding side wheel hub assembly of the two side wheel hub assemblies, by means of a hinge joint connection; and wherein each bottom control arm unit comprises a front bottom control arm and a rear bottom control arm, both of which are connected to the lower portion of the corresponding side wheel hub assembly of the two side wheel hub assemblies, by means of a hinge joint connection.

4. The vehicle suspension assembly according to claim 3, wherein each upper horizontal connecting rod passes within:- a corresponding front upper control arm;- a corresponding rear upper control arm;- an aperture within a corresponding triple linking unit; and- a corresponding diagonal upper arm of the two diagonal upper arms .

5. The vehicle suspension assembly according to claim 3, comprising two bottom horizontal connecting rods, each of which passes within:- a corresponding front bottom control arm;- a corresponding rear bottom control arm; and- a corresponding diagonal lower arm of the two diagonal lower arms .

6. The vehicle suspension assembly according to claim 4, wherein each vertical rotatable triple linking unit is:- connected to a respective side of the horizontal shock absorber at an upper part of said vertical rotatable triple linking unit;- connected to a respective horizontal upper connecting rod at an inner part of said vertical rotatable triple linking unit; and- connected to a respective push rod at an outer part of said vertical rotatable triple linking unit .

7. The vehicle suspension assembly according to claim 6, wherein the connection of the two vertical rotatable triple linking units are each connected to the corresponding side of the horizontal shock absorber by means of a hinge joint connection; and wherein the connection of the two vertical rotatable triple linking units are each connected to the corresponding push rod by means of a hinge joint connection.

8. The vehicle suspension assembly according to claim 1, wherein each horizontal tiltable arm comprises a thickened edge portion at its inner edge.

9. The vehicle suspension assembly according to claim 8, wherein the thickened edge portion comprises a PU coating.

10. The vehicle suspension assembly according to claim 8, wherein the thickened edge portions are in the form of a ball .

11. The vehicle suspension assembly according to claim 1, wherein the edges of said horizontal tiltable arms are configured to engage the elastic restoring element when the vertical rotatable triple linking units are rotated in a corresponding direction.

12. The vehicle suspension assembly according to claim 1, further comprising:- a steering unit comprising a steering shaft;- a standing platform;- a tilting mechanism; wherein the tilting mechanism is constructed such that a rotation of the steering shaft causes the tilting of said standing platform.

13. A vehicle suspension assembly comprising:- a steering unit comprising a steering shaft;- a standing platform;- a tilting mechanism; wherein the tilting mechanism is constructed such that a rotation of the steering shaft causes the tilting of said standing platform.

14. The vehicle suspension assembly according to claim 13, wherein the steering unit comprises a steering handlebar fixedly connected to the steering shaft.

15. The vehicle suspension assembly according to claim 14, wherein the rotation of the handlebar is linearly proportional to the tilting of the standing platform.

16. The vehicle suspension assembly according to claim 13, comprising :- two side wheel hub assemblies rotatable around a vertical axis ;- two side steering rods; wherein one end of each steering rod is operatively connected to the steering shaft; wherein the other end of each steering rod is connected to a respective side wheel hub assembly of the two side wheel hub assemblies;- two tilting rods; wherein one end of each tilting rod is connected to a respective side wheel hub assembly of the two side wheel hub assemblies; wherein the other end of each tilting rod is connected to the tilting mechanism.

17. The vehicle suspension assembly according to claim 16, wherein each side wheel hub assembly comprises a rear flange extending in the rear direction; and wherein the two side steering rods and the two tilting rods are connected to the side wheel hub assemblies at said rear flange .

18. The vehicle suspension assembly according to claim 16, comprising a steering surface connected to the steering shaft ; wherein each steering rod is connected to said steering surface .

19. The vehicle suspension assembly according to claim 18, wherein the connections of the two side steering rods to the steering surface and to the side wheel hub assemblies, and the connections of the two tilting rods to the tilting mechanism and to the side wheel hub assemblies, are by means of a hinge joint, or a U-joint, or a ball joint .

20. The vehicle suspension assembly according to claim 16, wherein the tilting mechanism comprises:- a central mount fixedly connected to a rear support portion;- a platform support bar engaging and connected to the rear support portion and extending to the rear direction therefrom; wherein the standing platform surface is connected to and rests on said platform support bar.

21. The vehicle suspension assembly according to claim 16, wherein the tilting mechanism comprises:- a central mount fixedly connected to a rear support portion;- a platform support bar engaging the rear support portion and extending to the rear direction therefrom;- a bottom support bar connected to the rear end of the rear support portion; wherein the platform support bar forward edge rests on, the bottom support bar; and wherein the standing platform surface is connected to and rests on said platform support bar.

22. The vehicle suspension assembly according to claim 21, wherein the bottom support bar comprises two pin elements extending downwards therefrom; wherein each tilting rod is connected to the tilting mechanism at a respective pin element of said two pin elements, thereby forming a hinge joint such that each tilting rod is rotatable around the respective pin element.

23. A vehicle comprising a suspension assembly according to any one of the preceding claims.

24. A vehicle according to claim 23 wherein the vehicle is a scooter.

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