MODIFIED SHOCK ABSORBER FOR TILTABLE VEHICLES

Abstract

A modified shock absorber for tiltable vehicles, with means to maintain the vertical of the vehicle without offering resistance to the extension movements during tilting maneuvers.

Claims

1. A modified shock absorber (A) for tiltable vehicles comprising a central cylinder (1) with internal means to generate resistance to the extension and compression movements and; an extension rod (2) coupled to said resistance generation means, with a terminal end (3), with means suitable to be hingedly fixed to the chassis upper part of a tiltable vehicle, characterized in that it also comprises a telescopic extension (4) with an internal diameter substantially equal to the external diameter of the central cylinder (1) that allows it to receive inside said central cylinder (1), the telescopic extension (4) having a closed terminal end (5) in which a terminal rod (6) is arranged with means for its hinged connection with the lower part of the vehicle tilting mechanism.

2. The shock absorber according to claim 1, characterized in that the internal means to generate resistance to the extension and compression movements are selected from a shock absorber system based on a fluid, a friction system or a mechanical compression system.

3. The shock absorber according to claim 1, characterized in that the telescopic extension (4) has a pair of internal guides that correspond to a series of extensions formed on the surface of the central cylinder (1).

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES OF THE INVENTION

[0015] FIG. 1 shows a side cut view of the modified shock absorber (A) of the present invention in its minimum extension position.

[0016] FIG. 2 shows a side cut view of the modified shock absorber (A) of the present invention in its neutral position.

[0017] FIG. 3 shows a side cut view of the modified shock absorber (A) of the present invention in its maximum extension position.

[0018] FIG. 4 shows an inverted tricycle type tiltable vehicle with modified shock absorbers (A) of the present invention in rest position.

[0019] FIG. 5 shows an inverted tricycle type tiltable vehicle with modified shock absorbers (A) of the present invention in the inclined position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] The present invention provides a modified shock absorber for tiltable vehicles, which offers resistance when the vehicle tilting mechanism is in the rest position; while when the chassis is tilted to one side, said actuator only offers resistance to the compression movement having a free travel in its extension movement.

[0021] To achieve the above mentioned, the novel shock absorber (A) of the present invention is formed by a central cylinder (1) with internal means to generate resistance to the extension and compression movements, such as a fluid-based shock absorber system, a friction system or a mechanical compression system; an extension rod (2) coupled to said internal resistance generation means, with a terminal end (3) with means suitable for articulately fixing to the chassis upper part of a tiltable vehicle and; a telescopic extension (4) with an internal diameter substantially equal to the external diameter of the central cylinder (1) that allows it to receive inside said central cylinder (1), the telescopic extension (4) having a closed terminal end (5) wherein a terminal rod (6) is arranged with means for its hinged connection with the lower part of the vehicle tilting mechanism. The shock absorber (A) described above, in its rest position, is completely retracted within the telescopic extension (4), so that the lower part of the central cylinder (1) knocks into directly to the closed terminal end (5). In this position, the internal means to generate resistance actively react to the compression efforts, so they dampen any type of vibration caused by the movement of the vehicle. When the vehicle is tilted, the central cylinder (1) of the shock absorber (A), located on the side of the vehicle that is lifted, moves freely along the length of the telescopic extension (4) without generating any resistance to the extension; while the central cylinder (1) of the shock absorber (A) located on the side of the vehicle that descends, remains in constant contact with the terminal end (5) of the telescopic extension, so that it offers compression resistance, which allows the vehicle to return to its resting point.

[0022] In one of the embodiments of the present invention, the telescopic extension (4) has at its open end a retainer which prevents the central cylinder (1) from completely exiting the telescopic extension (4).

[0023] In a further embodiment of the present invention, the telescopic extension (4) has a pair of internal guides that correspond to a series of extensions formed on the surface of the central cylinder (1), which prevent the walls of the latter from being misaligned with respect to the internal walls of the telescopic extension.

[0024] The present invention has been described according to a preferred embodiment; however, it will be apparent to a technician with average knowledge in the art that modifications to the invention may be made, without departing from its spirit and scope.