Abstract
The present disclosure relates to a suspension arrangement for a vehicle, the vehicle comprising a wheel arranged on a swing arm adapted to be pivotable relative a vehicle part about a swing arm pivot point, the suspension arrangement comprising: a shock absorber adapted to be arranged relative the vehicle part and the swing arm so that a first mounting member provides a first pivot point and a second mounting member provides a second pivot point, a pivot point adjustment device adapted for enabling position adjustment of the first pivot point and/or the second pivot point relative the swing arm to change a steady-state position of the shock absorber relative the swing arm in response to a load change. A vehicle and method of adjustment is also disclosed.
Claims
1. A suspension arrangement for a vehicle, said vehicle comprising a wheel arranged on a swing arm adapted to be pivotable relative a vehicle part about a swing arm pivot point, the suspension arrangement comprising: a shock absorber providing a first mounting member and a second mounting member mutually displaceable by expansion and compression of the shock absorber, whereby the shock absorber is adapted to be arranged relative the vehicle part and the swing arm so that the first mounting member provides a first pivot point and the second mounting member provides a second pivot point, a pivot point adjustment device adapted for enabling position adjustment of the first pivot point and/or the second pivot point relative the swing arm to change a steady-state position of the shock absorber relative the swing arm in response to a load change.
2. The suspension arrangement according to claim 1, comprising a sensor for measuring a suspension parameter which is variable in response to the load change.
3. The suspension arrangement according to claim 2, wherein the sensor is a position sensor, and the suspension parameter is a position deviation of the swing arm from a reference position relative the vehicle part.
4. The suspension arrangement according to claim 2, comprising means for enabling automatic position adjustment of the first pivot point and/or the second pivot point to change the steady-state position of the shock absorber relative the swing arm based on sensor measurements provided by said sensor.
5. The suspension arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the position adjustment of at least one pivot point of the first pivot point and the second pivot point of the shock absorber is enabled by a linear or rotary actuator defining a pivot point movement path along which said one pivot point is moveable.
6. The suspension arrangement according to claim 5, wherein the actuator enables stepless position adjustment of said one pivot point along the pivot point movement path.
7. The suspension arrangement according to claim 5, wherein the actuator is adapted to be attached to the swing arm and adapted for adjusting the position of said one pivot point of the shock absorber relative the swing arm.
8. The suspension arrangement according to claim 7, wherein the pivot point movement path and a longitudinal axis of the swing arm are nonparallel.
9. The suspension arrangement according to claim 5, wherein the actuator is adapted to be attached to the vehicle part and adapted for adjusting the position of said one pivot point of the shock absorber relative the swing arm.
10. The suspension arrangement according to claim 5, wherein the actuator is translationally moveable relative the swing arm by means of a linkage arrangement providing a third pivot point by which the linkage arrangement is connected to the vehicle part or the swing arm, wherein a distance between said one pivot point and the third pivot point is adjustable by means of the actuator.
11. The suspension arrangement according to claim 1, adapted so that the shock absorber is adjustable from a first steady-state position associated with a stiff motion-ratio-to-wheel-travel curve, to a second steady-state position associated with a soft motion-ratio-to-wheel-travel curve, wherein the soft motion-ratio-to-wheel-travel curve is offset relative the stiff motion-ratio-to-wheel-travel curve at their closest vertical distance by an offset increase of at least +10%, +20%, +30%, +40%, or +50% of the stiff motion-ratio-to-wheel-travel curve.
12. A vehicle comprising: a vehicle part; a swing arm adapted to be pivotable relative the vehicle part about a swing arm pivot point; a wheel arranged to the swing arm, and a suspension arrangement according to claim 1.
13. The vehicle according to claim 12, wherein the vehicle is a bicycle.
14. The vehicle according to claim 13, wherein the bicycle is a two-wheeled or three-wheeled bicycle.
15. A method of adjusting suspension of a vehicle, the method comprising a step of providing a vehicle comprising a vehicle part; a swing arm adapted to be pivotable relative the vehicle part about a swing arm pivot point; a wheel arranged to the swing arm, and a suspension arrangement comprising: a shock absorber providing a first mounting member and a second mounting member mutually displaceable by expansion and compression of the shock absorber, whereby the shock absorber is arranged between the vehicle part and the swing arm so that the first mounting member provides a first pivot point, and the second mounting member provides a second pivot point, the method comprising a step of determining a load change of the vehicle, and a step of adjusting a position of the first pivot point and/or the second pivot point of the shock absorber relative the swing arm to change a steady-state position of the shock absorber relative the swing arm in response to the determined load change.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0057] The disclosure will in the following be described in more detail with reference to the enclosed drawings, wherein:
[0058] FIG. 1 shows a side view of a suspension arrangement according to one embodiment of the disclosure when arranged to a bike;
[0059] FIG. 2a shows a side view of a suspension arrangement according to one embodiment of the disclosure when arranged to a bike, wherein the suspension arrangement is arranged in a first position;
[0060] FIG. 2b shows a side view of a suspension arrangement according to one embodiment of the disclosure when arranged to a bike, wherein the suspension arrangement is arranged in a second position;
[0061] FIG. 3 shows a side view of a suspension arrangement according to one embodiment of the disclosure when arranged to a bike;
[0062] FIG. 4 shows a side view of a suspension arrangement according to one embodiment of the disclosure when arranged to a bike;
[0063] FIG. 5a-c show perspective views of a suspension arrangement according to one embodiment of the disclosure in terms of some of its elements;
[0064] FIG. 6a-c show side views of a suspension arrangement according to one embodiment of the disclosure when arranged to a generic vehicle;
[0065] FIG. 7a-c show side views of a suspension arrangement according to one embodiment of the disclosure when arranged to a generic vehicle;
[0066] FIG. 8 shows a side view of a suspension arrangement according to one embodiment of the disclosure when arranged to a generic vehicle;
[0067] FIG. 8a shows a schematic view of at least some components of automatic means of the suspension arrangement according to one embodiment of the disclosure;
[0068] FIG. 8b-c show a suspension arrangement according to two respective embodiments of the disclosure;
[0069] FIG. 9a-b show side views of a suspension arrangement according to one embodiment of the disclosure when arranged to a generic vehicle;
[0070] FIG. 9c-d show perspective views of a vehicle comprising a suspension arrangement according to one embodiment of the disclosure;
[0071] FIG. 10 shows a diagram of suspension characteristics of a suspension arrangement according to one embodiment of the disclosure;
[0072] FIG. 11 shows a diagram of suspension characteristics of a suspension arrangement according to one embodiment of the disclosure,
[0073] FIG. 12 shows a flowchart of a method for adjusting a suspension arrangement according to one embodiment of the disclosure.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0074] The present disclosure will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the disclosure are shown. This disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, like numbers refer to like elements.
[0075] In the figures, a suspension arrangement 1 for a vehicle 100 is depicted in various embodiments and configurations. Generally, the suspension arrangement 1 is adapted to be arranged to a vehicle 100 comprising a wheel 130 arranged on a swing arm 120 adapted to be pivotable relative a vehicle part 110 about a swing arm pivot point P0, as shown e.g., in FIG. 1 wherein the suspension arrangement 1 is depicted arranged to a bike 100. The suspension arrangement 1 may be adapted for arrangement to a wide range of vehicles. While some figures depict the suspension arrangement 1 when arranged to a mountain bike 100, the suspension arrangement 1 is not limited to such application only. The suspension arrangement 1 may preferably be adapted for the category of vehicles known as micromobility vehicles.
[0076] Further, in reference to FIGS. 1-4, and FIGS. 8a, 8b, the suspension arrangement 1 according to respective embodiments of the disclosure is described when arranged to pedal bicycles (which may be provided with or without motor drive assist). However, the suspension arrangement 1 may likewise be adapted for other types of vehicles.
[0077] According to one embodiment, the suspension arrangement 1 comprises a shock absorber 2 providing a first mounting member 21 and a second mounting member 22 mutually displaceable by expansion and compression of the shock absorber 2. The suspension arrangement 1 is adapted to be arranged relative the vehicle part 110 and/or the swing arm 120, so that the first mounting member 21 provides a first pivot point P1 and the second mounting member 22 provides a second pivot point P2. The suspension arrangement 1 further comprises a pivot point adjustment device 3 adapted for enabling position adjustment of the first pivot point P1 and/or the second pivot point P2 relative the swing arm 120 to change a steady-state position of the shock absorber 2 relative the swing arm 120 in response to a load change. In FIG. 1, the shock absorber 2 is arranged relative the vehicle part 110 and the swing arm 120 so that the first mounting member 21 is pivotably connected to the vehicle part 110 and the second mounting member 22 is pivotably connected to the pivot point adjustment device 3. The pivot point adjustment device 3 comprises a mounting member 31 adapted to move along an axle 32 coupled to the actuator 33. The mounting member 31 and the axle 32 may for example engage via a threaded engagement. The actuator 33 operates such that the axle rotates and thereby displaces the mounting member 31 relative the axle. The pivot point adjustment device 3 may be controllable by automatic means (not shown). Connection means 34 may connect the pivot point adjustment device 3 to the automatic means.
[0078] The pivot point adjustment device 3 is adapted for one of the two pivot points provided by the first and second mounting member 21, 22. For instance, as shown in FIGS. 2a, 2b, the pivot point adjustment device 3 is configured for moving the second pivot point P2 between a first position which is illustrated in FIG. 2a and a second position which is illustrated in FIG. 2b. According to one embodiment, the pivot point adjustment device 3 is provided as or comprising a linear or rotary actuator 3 defining a pivot point movement path along which a pivot point is moveable. Specifically, in FIGS. 2a, 2b, the second pivot point P2 is moveable along a linear path defined by the pivot point adjustment device 3. By changing the position of the second pivot point P2, the shock absorber 2 is moveable between different steady-state positions. The different steady-state positions may be associated with different loads, and/or other travel conditions such as road condition, velocity, etc. A change in load may include a change in load weight (including an operator of the vehicle). A change in load may also include a change in mass centrum of the vehicle/load configuration when the load weight remains the same. A change in load may include both a change in load weight and mass centrum.
[0079] The suspension arrangement 1 enables adjustment in vehicle suspension for improved comfort and damping. Moreover, it further allows adjusting of a vehicle operating height. The suspension arrangement 1 enables adjustment of damping characteristics and vehicle operating height by one adjustment only.
[0080] In reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 8a, the suspension arrangement 1 may further comprise automatic means 5 for enabling automatic position adjustment of the first pivot point P1 and/or the second pivot point P2. The automatic means 5 may be an ECU or comprise an ECU provided with a processing unit 51. The automatic means 5 may comprise a processing unit 51. The processing unit 51 may be adapted to receive one or more input signals. The processing unit 51 may be adapted to process said received one or more input signals. The processing unit 51 may provide instructions for controlling the pivot point adjustment device 3, for instance to a control means 52. The automatic means 5 may comprise one or more sensors 53 adapted for measuring a respective one or more suspension parameter. The automatic means 5 may comprise one or more memory modules for storing e.g., sensory data, driving data, etc. The automatic means 5 may comprise connecting means for connecting the processing unit 51 to said one or more sensors 53 and connecting the processing unit 51 to said control means 52. The shock absorber may comprise control means for enabling adjustment of damping characteristic. Said automatic means 5 may comprise connecting means for connecting the processing unit 51 to control means for controlling the shock absorber.
[0081] Although the suspension arrangement is illustrated to be arranged on a rear swing arm of a bike, the suspension arrangement is not limited to arrangement on a rear swing arm of a bike when arranged to a bike, it may be arranged to a front fork of the bike.
[0082] According to one embodiment, the suspension arrangement 1 comprises a linkage arrangement. Such an embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 3 wherein the suspension arrangement 1 is arranged in a coupling manner between the vehicle part 110 and the swing arm 120. In this embodiment, the shock absorber 2 is pivotably coupled to the vehicle part 110 via the second mounting member 22 to pivot about the second pivot point P2, whereas the first mounting member 21 is pivotably coupled to a first link member 32 of the linkage arrangement to pivot about a first pivot point P1. The first link member 32 is pivotably coupled to a second linkage member 35 to pivot about a fourth pivot point P4. The second link member 35 is pivotably coupled to the swing arm 120. The pivot point adjustment device 3 comprises a mounting part 31 which is coupled to the first link member 32 and is pivotably coupled to the vehicle part 110 to pivot about a third pivot point P3. The pivot point adjustment device 3 is adapted to actuate movement of the mounting member 31 relative the first link member 32 to adjust the position of the first pivot point P1 relative the swing arm. Moreover, the pivot point adjustment device 3 is adapted to actuate movement of the first link member 32 to adjust the relative position of the second pivot point P1 relative the third pivot point P3. By this embodiment, a greater range of motion range is enabled.
[0083] FIG. 4 shows a further embodiment wherein the second mounting member 22 is pivotably connected to the swing arm 120 rather than the vehicle part 110 as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3. The embodiment of FIG. 4 thus shows an alternative arrangement of the shock absorber and further shows that the suspension arrangement can be arranged relative the vehicle part 110 and the swing arm 120 in a variety of ways while still providing the same overarching functionality.
[0084] FIGS. 5a-c show the suspension arrangement 1 in terms of some of its elements, depending on embodiment. FIG. 5a show one embodiment of the pivot point adjustment device 3. The pivot point adjustment device 3 depicted in FIG. 5a comprises a mounting member 31, an axle 32 wherein a respective mounting member 36, 37 is attached at a longitudinal end of the axle 32. The pivot point adjustment device 3 depicted in FIG. 5a further comprises through-holes in each of the mounting members 31, 36, 37 for receiving a pin, axle, or the like for pivotably connecting. The mounting member 31 houses an actuator adapted for displacing the axle relative the mounting member 31. The actuator is connected to connecting means 34 for remote controlling.
[0085] FIG. 5b shows a shock absorber 2. The shock absorber comprises a first mounting member 21 and a second mounting member 22 adapted to mutually move relative each other. The first mounting member 21 is connected to the main body 25 of the shock absorber 2 housing a damping fluid reservoir. The second mounting member 22 is connected to a piston rod adapted to engage with the damping fluid reservoir. The shock absorber 2 comprises a spring 23 arranged for moving apart the piston rod 24 and the main body 25 of the shock absorber to a steady-state position.
[0086] FIG. 5c shows a pivot point adjustment device 3 according to one embodiment of the disclosure. The pivot point adjustment device 3 comprises a mounting member 31 arranged to be axially moveable relative an axle 32. The pivot point adjustment device 3 comprises an actuator 33 arranged for moving the mounting member 31 relative the axle 32. The pivot point adjustment device 3 is adapted to be operable from a distance via control means which connect to the actuator 33 via connecting means 34.
[0087] FIG. 6a-c show one embodiment of the suspension arrangement 1 arranged to a vehicle part 110 of a vehicle 100. The portion of the vehicle 100 depicted is illustrated in dashed lines, which implies that the vehicle is not limited to any type or category in particular. The suspension arrangement 1 is arranged so that the shock absorber 2 is pivotably arranged via a mounting member to pivot relative the vehicle part 110 about a first pivot point P1 and arranged so that another mounting member of the shock absorber is pivotably arranged to the pivot point adjustment device 3 to pivot about a second pivot point P2. The pivot point adjustment device 3 is adapted to move the second pivot point P2 along a pivot point movement path which is inclined relative a longitudinal axis of the swing arm by an angle ?. FIG. 6a show the suspension arrangement 1 when the shock absorber 2 is in a first steady-state position, whereas FIG. 6b show the suspension arrangement 1 when the shock absorber 2 is in a second steady-state position. FIG. 6c show an exploded view of the suspension arrangement 1.
[0088] FIG. 7a-c show one embodiment of the suspension arrangement 1 arranged to a vehicle part 110 of a vehicle 100. The portion of the vehicle 100 depicted is illustrated in dashed lines, which implies that the vehicle is not limited to any type or category in particular. The suspension arrangement 1 is arranged so that the shock absorber 2 is pivotably arranged via a mounting member to a linkage arrangement to pivot about a first pivot point P1. The pivot point adjustment device 3 is arranged to the linkage arrangement. The pivot point adjustment device 3 is pivotably arranged to the vehicle part 110 to pivot about a third pivot point P3. The linkage arrangement further defines a fourth pivot point P4 and a fifth pivot point P5. FIG. 7a show the suspension arrangement 1 when the shock absorber 2 is in a first steady-state position, whereas FIG. 7b show the suspension arrangement 1 when the shock absorber 2 is in a second steady-state position. FIG. 7c show an exploded view of the suspension arrangement 1.
[0089] FIG. 8 show a suspension arrangement 1 according to one embodiment of the disclosure. In this embodiment, the shock absorber 2 is pivotably arranged to the swing arm via one mounting member to pivot about a second pivot point P2. One other mounting member of the shock absorber 2 is pivotably arranged to the pivot point movement device 3 to pivot about a first pivot point P1. The pivot point movement device 3 comprises a mounting member pivotably arranged to a vehicle part 110. The mounting member houses an actuator arranged to actuate movement of an axle or link member 32 connecting to the shock absorber. The axle or link member 32 is further arranged to pivotably connect to a second link member 35 pivotably arranged to the vehicle part 110 to pivot about a fifth pivot point P5. The when the swing arm 120 pivots relative the vehicle part 110 about pivot point P0, the suspension arrangement 1 may damp the movement in a preferred manner depending on which steady-state position the shock absorber is set to.
[0090] FIG. 8b shows a suspension arrangement 1 according to one embodiment of the disclosure. In this embodiment, the shock absorber 2 is pivotably arranged to a link arrangement comprising two link members 35a, 35b pivotably connected to one another to pivot about pivot point P4. One of the link members 35b is further pivotably arranged to the swing arm 120 to pivot about pivot point P5 while the other of the link members 35a is pivotably arranged to a mounting member 31 of the pivot point adjustment device 3 to pivot about pivot point P3, which mounting member 31 is moveable along an axle or link member 32 by means of actuator 33. One mounting member of the shock absorber 2 is pivotably arranged to the first link member 35a to pivot about the second pivot point P2. One mounting member of the shock absorber 2 is pivotably arranged to the vehicle part 110 to pivot about the first pivot point P1. Thus, by means of the pivot point adjustment device 3, the second pivot point P2 may be adjusted in terms of position relative the vehicle part 110 by moving the mounting member 31 relative the axle or link member 32 which results in a changed state of the link arrangement and an adjusted position of the second pivot point P2.
[0091] FIG. 8c shows a suspension arrangement 1 according to one embodiment of the disclosure. In this embodiment, the shock absorber 2 is pivotably arranged to pivot about the second pivot point P2, which second pivot point P2 is adjustable in terms of position by means of a rotary actuator. The rotary actuator comprises a rotatable disc member 36 adapted for rotatable motion about the pivot point P5. One mounting member of the shock absorber 2 is pivotably arranged to said rotatable disc member 36 so that the pivot point movement path is an arc. The rotatable motion of the rotatable disc member 36 is controlled by means of a link member 35a pivotably arranged to the rotary disc member 36 to pivot about pivot point P4, said link member 35a also being pivotably arranged to a mounting member 31 adapted to be moveable along axle or link member 32 by means of actuator 33. Thus, be means of the pivot point adjustment device 3, the second pivot point P2 may be adjusted in terms of position relative the vehicle part 110 by moving the mounting member 31 relative the axle or link member 32 which results in a rotation of the rotary disc member 36 and an adjusted position of the second pivot point P2.
[0092] FIGS. 9a-b show a further embodiment of the suspension arrangement 1. It is in principle the same arrangement as shown in FIG. 1 but the swing arm is designed as a parallel-link swing arm 120. Each of the two parallel links are pivotable relative the vehicle part about a respective pivot point P0. A wheel 130 is arranged to the swing arm. FIG. 9a shows a first steady-state position of the shock absorber 2, whereas FIG. 9b shows a second steady-state position of the shock absorber 2.
[0093] FIG. 9c, 9d show perspective views of a vehicle 100 comprising a suspension arrangement 1 according to one embodiment of the disclosure. Specifically, FIG. 9c, 9d show an example where the suspension arrangement 1 is arranged for managing a rear suspension of the vehicle 100. Moreover, the vehicle 100 comprise a swing arm 120 to which a wheel axle is arranged, and two wheels 130 is arranged along said wheel axle. The suspension arrangement 1 may however be adapted and arranged for other types of vehicles, such as various forms of micromobility vehicles. The suspension arrangement 1 may be adapted for bicycles, such as two-wheeled or three-wheeled bicycles.
[0094] FIG. 10 shows a diagram comprising an upper graph and a lower graph. The upper graph shows two damper-compression-to-wheel-travel curves 200A, 200B corresponding to different steady-state positions of the shock absorber 2 of the embodiment depicted in e.g., FIG. 1. Likewise, the lower graph shows two motion-ratio-to-wheel-travel curves 201A, 201B corresponding to different steady-state positions of the shock absorber of the embodiment depicted in e.g., FIG. 1. The suspension arrangement 1 enables pivot point adjustment within the area spanned by the respective curves in the upper and lower graphs. Thus, it can be seen that the suspension arrangement 1 provides flexible adjustment in response to load change.
[0095] Like FIG. 10, FIG. 11 also shows a diagram comprising an upper graph and a lower graph. The upper graph shows two damper-compression-to-wheel-travel curves 300A, 300B corresponding to different steady-state positions of the shock absorber 2 of the embodiment depicted in e.g., FIG. 3. Likewise, the lower graph shows two motion-ratio-to-wheel-travel curves 301A, 301B corresponding to different steady-state positions of the shock absorber of the embodiment depicted in e.g., FIG. 3. The suspension arrangement 1 enables pivot point adjustment within the area spanned by the respective curves in the upper and lower graphs. Thus, it can be seen that the suspension arrangement 1 provides flexible adjustment in response to load change. As a comparison, the embodiment shown in e.g., FIG. 3 provides a greater range of motion range than the embodiment shown in e.g., FIG. 1, while also providing a more progressive damping behaviour.
[0096] FIG. 12 show a flow chart of a method for adjusting a suspension arrangement 1 according to one embodiment of the disclosure. The method comprises a step S1 of providing a vehicle 100 comprising [0097] a vehicle part 110; [0098] a swing arm 120 adapted to be pivotable relative the vehicle part about a swing arm pivot point P0; [0099] a wheel 130 arranged to the swing arm 120, and [0100] a suspension arrangement 1 comprising: [0101] a shock absorber 2 providing a first mounting member 21 and a second mounting member 22 mutually displaceable by expansion and compression of the shock absorber 2, whereby the shock absorber 2 is arranged between the vehicle part 110 and the swing arm 120 so that the first mounting member 21 provides a first pivot point P1, and the second mounting member 22 provides a second pivot point P2, [0102] the method comprising the steps of [0103] determining S2 a load change of the vehicle 100, and [0104] adjusting S3 a position of the first pivot point P1 and/or the second pivot point P2 of the shock absorber 2 relative the swing arm 120 to change a steady-state position of the shock absorber 2 relative the swing arm 120 in response to the determined load change.
[0105] According to one embodiment, the method further comprises a step S4 of measuring a suspension parameter which is variable in response to the load change. The suspension parameter may be a position deviation of the swing arm 120 form a reference position relative the vehicle part 110. The step of measuring the suspension parameter may be done by means of a sensor. According to one embodiment, the method comprises a step (S5) of automatic position adjustment of the first pivot point P1 and/or the second pivot point P2 based on the sensor measurements provided by said sensor. Steps S4 and S5 are indicated by dashed lines in FIG. 12, to indicate them as optional.
[0106] In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed preferred embodiments and examples of the disclosure and, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for the purpose of limitation, the scope of the disclosure being set forth in the following claims.
