Returning suspension system for a four-wheel electric scooter

Abstract

A returning suspension system for a four-wheel electric scooter that includes a suspension, a right and left control arm, and a right and left returning rubber. The first end of the right arm is axially connected to the suspension and its second end is axially connected to the right wheel. The first end of the left arm is axially connected to the suspension and its second end is axially connected to the left wheel. The returning rubbers are connected to the chassis and when the scooter turns to the left or to the right, the relevant arm pressed against the corresponding returning rubber. The returning rubbers are made of elastic material and designed to be compressed when pressed by the control arms, thereby returning the control arms to bring the scooter to a straight horizontal position.

Description

[0001] Returning suspension system for a four-wheel electric scooter Description

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present invention refers to a returning suspension system for a four-wheel electric scooter and to lock control pins for the suspension system.

[0004] BACKGROUND ART

[0005] The suspension mechanism (10) on the wheels (103) of the four-wheel scooters (100) serves several key functions: (a) Shock Absorption: It helps absorb shocks and vibrations from uneven surfaces or obstacles, providing a smoother ride for the user. This is especially important on a scooter, where the small wheels can make for a bumpy ride on rough terrain, (b) Stability and Control: The suspension mechanism, that may be horizontal, enhances stability and control, especially when navigating turns or going over bumps. It helps maintain contact between the wheels and the ground, reducing the chances of losing control, (c) Comfort: By reducing the impact felt by the rider, the suspension mechanism increases overall riding comfort. This can make longer rides more enjoyable and less fatiguing, (d) Durability: The suspension mechanism helps protect the scooter's frame and components from excessive wear and tear caused by constant impact and vibration. In summary, the suspension mechanism on the front of the four wheels scooters improves ride quality, stability, and comfort while extending the lifespan of the scooter's components.

[0006] The suspension mechanism (10) in the four-wheel scooters (100) typically connects the chassis (102) to the wheels (103) using several key components and mechanisms. It is better to say wheels’ systems rather than wheels, but in this disclosure and in the claims the term “wheels” refers also to the “wheels system” that includes the wheels themselves and the standard components that connects the wheels to the control arms.

[0007] While the exact design may vary, here’s a general idea of how these components work together: A. Components: the suspension mechanism (10); that may comprises a shock absorber (11) or a suspension spring (12), or both for creating an additional damping. B. control arms (20) that connect the wheels (103) to the chassis (102) and allow for movement. First Pivot Points (91): Where the control arms attach to the chassis and allow for rotation. Second Pivot Points (92): Where the control arms attach to the wheels and allow for rotation. Mounting Brackets: Secure the spring and control arms to the chassis.

[0008] B. Connection Mechanism: Spring Mounting: The suspension mechanism is typically mounted horizontally between the front wheels and the chassis. It may be housed in a protective casing or bracket that secures it to the chassis. The Control Arms: Each front wheel is connected to the chassis through a control arm. These arms pivot at points attached to the chassis, allowing the wheels to move up and down in response to terrain. Spring Connection: The control arms are often connected to the suspension mechanism through a linkage mechanism. This linkage transfers the vertical movement of the wheels into compressive or tensile forces on the spring, causing it to compress or expand and absorb the shock. Pivot Points: At the points where the control arms attach to the chassis, there are usually pivot joints that allow for the necessary rotational movement. These pivots are crucial for the up-and-down movement of the wheels while maintaining a stable connection to the chassis. Mounting Brackets: These brackets secure the suspension spring to the chassis and ensure it stays in place during operation. The brackets must be robust enough to handle the forces exerted by the spring and the movement of the control arms.

[0009] When the scooter goes straight and then turns to the right, for example, the scooter leans / tilts to the right (ie the chassis leans / tilts to the right), the right control arm (20R) goes up (relative to the chassis), while the left control arm (20L) goes down. Then, at the end of the turn, the user straightens the scooter and drives straight. The problem is that the chassis needs to be returned from the right tilt position to a straight horizontal position, and usually the user who is standing on the central board (104) which is act as the base of the chassis, has to apply force with his legs to balance the chassis / scooter to the straight horizontal position. Something that complicates the driving of the scooter, harms the enjoyment of driving, and can even cause it to overturn. The present invention comes to provide good solution to this problem.

[0010] DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The intention of the drawings attached to the application is not to limit the scope of the invention and its application. The drawings are intended only to illustrate the invention and they constitute only one of its many possible implementations. FIG. 1 depicts the four-wheel electric scooters (100).

[0012] FIGS 2 and 3 depict the suspension mechanism (10), the control arms (20) and the returning rubbers (30).

[0013] FIG. 4 depicts the suspension mechanism, the control arms and the returning rubbers from a top perspective view.

[0014] FIGS 5 and 6 depict the suspension mechanism, the control arms and the returning rubbers.

[0015] FIG. 7 illustrates the slops of the collision contact area between the returning rubbers and the collision bumps.

[0016] FIG. 8 depicts the returning suspension system (1).

[0017] FIGS 9 and 10 depict the lock-control pins (50) assembled on the scooter.

[0018] THE INVENTION

[0019] The main object of the present invention is to provide a four-wheel electric scooter (100) with a returning suspension system (1) that includes a suspension mechanism (10) that comprises a shock absorber (11) or a spring suspension (12), or both, a right control arm (20R), a left control arm (20L), a right returning rubber (30R), and a left returning rubber (30L). The four-wheel electric scooter may include two returning suspension systems, one for the front wheels and the second to the rear wheels. The four-wheel electric scooter (100) may be equipped with a lock control pin for the suspension system of the scooter, without or with a returning suspension system (1).

[0020] Figure 1 depicts the four-wheel electric scooters (100). Figures 2 and 3 depict the suspension mechanism (10), the control arms (20) and the returning rubbers (30), Figure 4 depicts the suspension mechanism, the control arms and the returning rubbers from a top perspective view, and Figures 5 and 6 depict the suspension mechanism, the control arms and the returning rubbers.

[0021] The suspension mechanism (10) is connected to the chassis. A first end (21R) of the right control arm (20R) is axially connected to the suspension mechanism, directly or through a linkage transfer arm (93) and a second end (22R) is axially connected to the right wheel (103R), directly or through transfer arms. A first end (21L) of the left control arm (20L) is axially connected to the suspension mechanism, directly or through a linkage transfer arm (93) and a second end (22L) is axially connected to the left wheel (103L), directly or through transfer arms. The right returning rubber (30R) is connected to the chassis, at such a right point (31R) that when the right control arm moves towards the right returning rubber (when turning to the left) the right control arm is pressed against the right returning rubber, directly or by means of an intermediate right collision bump (32R). The left returning rubber (30L) is connected to the chassis, at such a left point (3 IL) that when the left control arm moves towards the left returning rubber (when turning to the right) the left control arm is pressed against the left returning rubber, directly or by means of an intermediate left collision bump (32L).

[0022] The returning rubbers are made of elastic rubber or any equivalent material that can compress when pressed and return to its place (returning) when the pressed body stops exerting force. Therefore, when the control arm moves towards the returning rubber (when turning) then the control arm (through the collision bumps) is pressed against the returning rubber, and when the scooter finishes the turn and there is no longer any force to tilt the chassis sideways, the returning rubber pushed the control arm into a position where the chassis is balanced in a straight horizontal position.

[0023] It is possible and desirable that the collision walls (33) of the returning rubbers (30) be inclined when it is connected to the chassis in a resting state, and accordingly, the collision walls (321) of the collision bumps (32) be inclined when they are connected to the control arms in a resting state, with a slope corresponding to the slope of the returning rubbers, and this in order to create a sufficient collision contact area between the returning rubbers and the collision bumps to create a sufficient restoring force, as illustrated in Figure 7.

[0024] The returning rubbers, the material from which they are made, the location of their connection on the chassis, the correspondence of their inclination to the inclination of the collision bumps, and the inclination angle (a) of their collision wall, which corresponds to the inclination of a standard rotation of a scooter in reasonable and acceptable driving, at an inclination ranging from 30 to 60 degrees, giving the ability to control and drive the scooter safely. Figure 8 depicts the returning suspension system (1). In another embodiment of the present invention, the four-wheel electric scooter (100) include lock-control pins (50) that are designed to control the degree of inclination of the chassis to the sides or to prevent the chassis from tilting to the sides. The lockcontrol pins (50) can be assembled into the control arms, and they can move down towards the chassis (102), possible by means of screws (51), and a rotary-control buttons (53), so that when the user turns the rotary-control buttons (53), the lockcontrol pins move downward and pressed against the chassis, in a way that prevents the control arms from moving in relation to the chassis when the scooter turns. It is possible, for example, for the user to turn the rotary-control buttons to such a degree as to leave a small space between the heads (52) of the lock-control pins and the chassis, to allow a slight tilting of the chassis relative to the control arms. It is possible that the lock-control pins (50) will be positioned in the collision bumps (32) and their heads (52) will be pressed against the returning rubbers (30) in order to create the lock.

[0025] It is possible and preferable to have a right lock-control pin (50R) and a left lockcontrol pin (50L) that will be attached to the chassis or to the controls arms and the user will have the option to open them so that they will prevent the relative movement of the control arms in relation to the chassis, and by that to keep the chassis horizontally balanced. Figure 9 depicts the lock-control pins (50R) (50L) illustrated with broken lines to show how they are positioned inside the control arms and the collision bumps when they are retracted, and Figure 10 depicts the lock-control pins when they are in the lock position.

[0026] In other words, the present invention may also discloses the four-wheel electric scooter (100) that includes the chassis (102), the front right wheel (FR103), the front left wheel (FL 103), the rear right wheel (RR103) and the rear left wheel (RL103). The scooter further includes the front right arm (FR20), the front left arm (FL20), the rear right arm (RR20) and the rear left arm (RL20), each having a first end (21) pivotally connected to the chassis and a second end (22) pivotally connected to a respective wheel. These connections allowing the chassis to tilt relative to the arms up to a maximum permissible angle (a). The scooter further includes the front right adjustment rod (FR50), the front left adjustment rod (FL50), the rear right adjustment rod (RR50) and the rear left adjustment rod (RL50), each mounted on a respective arm and configured to move progressively downward toward the chassis by operation of the screw (51) and the rotary control button (53) of each rod. The adjustment rods (50) are named in this disclosure as lock-control pins. The adjustment rods are configured to selectively adjust and reduce the maximum permissible angle of tilt of the chassis relative to the arms, by progressively adjusting positions of the adjustment rods in relation to the chassis, and, when the adjustment rods are pressed against the chassis, tilting of the chassis relative to the arms is entirely prevented.

Claims

ClaimsWhat is claimed is:

1. A returning suspension system for a four-wheel electric scooter, comprising:(a) a suspension mechanism,(b) a right control arm,(c) a left control arm,(d) a right returning rubber, and (e) a left returning rubber; wherein the suspension mechanism is connected to a chassis of the scooter; wherein a first end of the right control arm is axially connected to the suspension mechanism, and a second end of the right control arm is axially connected to a right wheel of the scooter; wherein a first end of the left control arm is axially connected to the suspension mechanism, and a second end of the left control arm is axially connected to a left wheel of the scooter; wherein the right returning rubber is connected to the chassis at a right point such that when the scooter turns to the left, the right control arm moves towards the right returning rubber and is pressed against the right returning rubber; wherein the left returning rubber is connected to the chassis at a left point such that when the scooter turns to the right, the left control arm moves towards the left returning rubber and is pressed against the left returning rubber; and wherein the right and left returning rubbers are made of elastic material and designed to be compressed when pressed by the control arms, thereby returning the control arms to bring the scooter to a straight horizontal position.

2. The returning suspension system of claim 1, further comprising: a right collision bump assembled on said right control arm, and a left collision bump assembled on said left control arm;wherein the right control arm is pressed against said right returning rubber by the right collision bump, and the left control arm is pressed against said left returning rubber by the left collision bump.

3. The returning suspension system of claim 2, wherein collision walls of said returning rubbers and collision walls of said collision bumps are inclined with corresponding slops.

4. The returning suspension system of claim 3, wherein an angle of said slopes is between thirty to sixty degrees.

5. A four-wheel electric scooter (100), comprising:(a) a chassis (102);(b) a front right wheel (FR103), a front left wheel (FL103), a rear right wheel (RR103), and a rear left wheel (RL103); (c) a front right arm (FR20), a front left arm (FL20), a rear right arm (RR20), and a rear left arm (RL20), each having a first end (21) pivotally connected to the chassis and a second end (22) pivotally connected to a respective wheel, the connections allowing the chassis to tilt relative to the arms up to a maximum permissible angle (a);(d) a front right adjustment rod (FR50), a front left adjustment rod (FL50), a rear right adjustment rod (RR50), a rear left adjustment rod (RL50), each mounted on a respective arm and configured to move progressively downward toward the chassis by operation of a screw (51) and a rotary control button (53); wherein the adjustment rods are configured to selectively adjust and reduce the maximum permissible angle of tilt of the chassis relative to the arms by progressively changing a position of the adjustment rods in relation to the chassis; and wherein, when the adjustment rods are pressed against the chassis, tilting of the chassis relative to the arms is entirely prevented.

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