WO1998043872A1

WO1998043872A1 - Three wheeled vehicle with tilting system

Info

Publication number: WO1998043872A1
Application number: PCT/IT1997/000235
Authority: WO
Inventors: Maurizio Tomaselli; Sergio Dalbon
Original assignee: Protos S.R.L.
Priority date: 1997-04-02
Filing date: 1997-09-30
Publication date: 1998-10-08
Also published as: ITMI970762A1; IT1290518B1; AU4637297A

Abstract

The present invention relates to a small size high mobility three wheel vehicle for light duty transportation, the main feature of which is that it comprises a frame (2) coupled to a chassis (3) and supporting a central front wheel (10) and two side rear wheels (15). A suspension assembly (20) for the rear wheels (15) is moreover provided, said suspension assembly (20) including swinging forks (21) for supporting the rear wheels (15) interconnected by an equalizer element (30) causing the forks (21) to swing in an opposite direction for allowing the vehicle to be slanted on a bend.

Description

DESCRIPTION

THREE WHEELED VEHICLE WITH TILTING SYSTE_M

The present invention relates to a covered small size high mobility three wheel vehicle for light duty transportation.

As is known, conventional motorcycles and scooters can not be used for the overall year, because they depend on the atmospheric agents.

These vehicles, on the other hand, have the great advantage that they are provided with a high mobility, mainly in city traffic, but, in addition to the above mentioned drawback, they can not carry bags and articles in general.

Moreover, it has been found that, in the commercial field, no small size transport vehicle e∑its specifically designed for performing small urban delivery operations.

In the commercial field, on the other hand, a three-wheel motor vehicle is already known which has a comparatively high loading capability and driver protective features, but which has a size substantially like to that of a conventional car with the consequent limitations related to the city traffic.

Another drawback of such a vehicle is a poor stability thereof on bends since said vehicle is provided with three conventional wheels.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the aim of the present invention is to overcome the above mentioned drawbacks, by providing a covered small size three-wheels vehicles, having high mobility and transportation capability features, which allows to properly protect the driver thereof from the atmospheric agents, without hindering its "agility" in the city traffic.

Within the scope of the above mentioned aim, a main object of the present invention is to provide such a three-wheel vehicles allowing to easily load thereon small articles susceptible to be easily arranged in suitably provided spaces.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such a three-wheel vehicle which has a very high driving stability and facility, together with very good aesthetic and operating properties.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such a three-wheel vehicle which has comparatively low making and maintenance costs.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the above mentioned aim and objects, as well as yet other objects, which will become more apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a small size high mobility three-wheel vehicle for light duty transportation, characterized in that said vehicle comprises a vehicle frame, coupled to a chassis, and supporting a central front wheel and two side rear wheel, a suspension assembly being moreover provided for suspending said rear wheels thereon, said suspension assembly including swinging forks supporting said rear wheels, and being interconnected by an equalizer element causing said forks to swing in an opposite direction for allowing said vehicles to be slanted in a bend.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become more apparent hereinafter from the following detailed disclosure of a preferred, through not exclusive, embodiment of a small size high mobility three- weel vehicle for light duty transportation, which is illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings, where :

Figure 1 is a side elevation view illustrating the vehicle according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is a top plan view illustrating the vehicle according to the invention;

Figure 3 is a top plan view illustrating the rear wheel suspension assembly of said vehicle;

Figure 4 is an elevation view illustrating the rear wheel suspension assembly; and

Figure 5 is a further elevation view illustrating said rear wheel suspension assembly.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to the number references of the above mentioned figures, the covered small size high mobility three-wheel vehicle for light duty transportation according to the present invention, which has been generally indicated by the reference number 1, comprises a main vehicle frame 2 which, advantageously is made of a steel material. Said vehicle frame is coupled, by resilient supporting elements, to the vehicle chassis 3, which is provided with a protective cap or cover 4 for protecting from atmospheric agents and operating both as a windshield and as a covering element for covering the regions of the seat 5 where the driver will be arranged. A vehicle sub-frame is moreover provided, supporting the vehicle engine and mechanical parts, and being pivoted to the main frame so as to allow the chassis to be fully tilted and so as to facilitate the assembling and disassembling of the vehicle.

The vehicle is provided with a front central wheel, indicated by the reference number 10, which is advantageously supported by a cushioned front fork 11 which is coupled to a handlebar 12.

On the rear of the vehicle wheel 15 are provided, which are supported by a rear wheel suspending or suspension assembly, generally indicated by the reference number 20.

The rear suspension assembly 20 has the main feature that it is specifically designed to cause said wheels 15 to be so driven that, as a whell is caused to lower, the other wheel will be raised, so as to allow the vehicle to bend on a curve as if it would be provided with a single rear wheel.

The suspension assembly, to that end, is provided with forks 21 which, at their free end portions, support the rear wheel hub 22 and, at the other end portions thereof, being swingably mounted with respect to a pair of ears 23 coupled to a cross bar 24 fixed on the vehicle frame.

The swinging movement of the forks 21 is controlled by bottom tie-rods 25 which are articulated, at respective end portions thereof, to a respective pivot pin 26 rigid with said forks and, at their other respective end portions, to an end portion of an equalizer element 30.

Said equalizer element connects to one another said forks and, at a middle portion thereof, is articulated to a lever 31 which is in turn pivoted, at a middle portion thereof, to a fixed bar 29 which extends vertically.

At the other end portion of the lever 31 a cushioning element 40 is connected, which substantially vertically extends and is articulated to a connecting rod 21 mounted on the vehicle frame.

With the disclosed arrangement, as the forks 21 swing about the pivot axis of said ears 23, then the wheel supporting fork will be subjected to an opposite displacement, owing to the interconnection provided by said equalizer element 30.

This interconnection is very important since it will allow the vehicle to be bent on a road bending, as if it would be provided with a single wheel, thereby providing an enhanced stability.

The rear wheels, in particular, are provided with a great swinging range capability, in order to provide a great stability even at comparatively high running speeds.

Notwithstanding the great displacement of the rear wheels, the vehicle has been specifically designed so as to fit the movable portion size thereof to the loading requirements, with the possibility of providing receiving spaces for batteries, in an electric_^ type of the vehicle.

From performed experimental tests, it has been found that the subject vehicle can be driven in a very easy manner, even by an unskilled driver and, moreover, the vehicle has a high stability bend performance, even at a comparatively high running speed, the driving thereof being particularly amusing.

From the above disclosure it should be apparent that the invention fully achieves the intended aim and objects.

In particular, a free wheel vehicle has been provided, which, owing to its specifically designed rear suspension assembly, is provided with novel features allowing the vehicle to be easily tilted on a road bending..

The invention, as disclosed, is susceptible to several modifications and variations, all of which will come within the scope of the invention.

Moreover, all of the details can be replaced by other technically equivalent elements.

In practicing the invention, the used materials, as well as the contingent size and shapes, can be any, depending on requirements.

Claims

1. A small size high mobility three-wheel vehicle for light duty transportation, characterized in that said vehicle comprises a vehicle frame, coupled to a chassis, and supporting a central front wheel and two side rear wheel, a suspension assembly being moreover provided for suspending said rear wheels thereon, said suspension assembly including swinging forks supporting said rear wheels, and being interconnected by an equalizer element causing said forks to swing in an opposite direction for allowing said vehicles to be slanted in a bend.

2. A free wheel vehicle, according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said suspension assembly is provided with supporting forks supporting, at a rear end portion thereof, the rear wheel supporting hub and, at their front end portions, a pivoting arrangement for pivoting a pair of ears rigid with said vehicle frame.

3. A free wheel vehicle, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said ears are coupled to a cross bar fixed to said vehicle frame.

4. A free wheel vehicle, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said vehicle comprises moreover tie-rods operating between respective pivot pins coupled to said forks and an end portion of an equalizer element, swingably mounted on said vehicle frame.

5. A free wheel vehicle, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said equalizer element is pivoted, at a middle portion thereof, to an end portion of a lever in turn pivoted, at a middle portion thereof, to said vehicle frame and having the other end portion thereof coupled to a cushioning element.

6. A free wheel vehicle, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said lever is articulated to a substantially vertically extending fixed bar of said vehicle frame.

7. A free wheel vehicle, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said cushioning element operates between said lever and a connecting rod articulated to said vehicle frame.

8. A free wheel vehicle, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said cushioning element is substantially vertically arranged.

9. A free wheel vehicle, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said vehicle comprises moreover a vehicle chassis coupled to said vehicle frame and including an atmospheric agent protective cover.

10. A free wheel vehicle, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said front wheel is supported by a cushioned fork and being of a directional type for coupling with a handlebar.

11. A free wheel vehicle, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said vehicle comprises moreover a sub-frame bearing the vehicle engine and gears, and being coupled to said vehicle frame.

12. A covered small size high mobility free wheel vehicle for light duty transportation, characterized in that said vehicle is provided with the constructional features as broadly disclosed and illustrated and for the intended aim and obiects.