Stroke stop device of the suspensions of a vehicle

DESCRIPTION

Suspension device for suspension of a vehicle The present invention relates to a suspension device for suspension of a vehicle and, in particular, a suspension device for suspension of two, three and three vehicle vehicles. or four wheels. It is well known that today, in the field of vehicles, a substantial diversity of models has been gradually proposed. In particular, there is a growing interest in hybrid vehicles. which combine the characteristics of motorcycles in terms of driving with the stability of four-wheeled vehicles.

These models are represented by. for example, three-wheeled vehicles equipped with two front steering wheels and four-wheeled vehicles known as QUAD.

These vehicles may be provided, for example, with two front steering wheels each equipped with an independent suspension.

Each suspension is also equipped with shock absorbers that are also independent.

During some maneuvers, for example during temporary parking stops or at traffic lights, it is important that the suspension stops its course in order to avoid excessive swinging that could cause the driver to fall.

Such a stroke stop device according to the preamble of claim 1 'is known from WO 02/068228 A, which is the closest prior art.

In the light of the foregoing, there is clearly a need for a stroke stop device such as the present invention to provide a vehicle which is stable and reliable in any driving or resting condition.

Thus, the object of the present invention is to solve the problems of the prior art by providing a suspension stopping device which is reliable and safe and which ensures the stability of the vehicle in any travel condition.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a travel stopping device for the suspension of a vehicle that has a simple production and an ideal cost.

These and other objects are achieved by the travel stopping device for suspending a vehicle according to the present invention which has the following. characteristics of the attached claim 1.

Additional features of the invention will be highlighted in the subsequent claims.

Substantially, a travel stopping device for the suspension of a vehicle according to the present invention is of the type equipped with at least one shock absorber, provided with a first and second sliding portions relative to one another, and is characterized by comprising a pin member integral with the first damper portion, and capable of sliding relative to a slide member integral with the second damper portion, and the slide member may be actuated to lock the sliding of the pin member and to stop the stroke of the damper.

Further features and advantages of the present invention will be made clear from the present description given for illustrative and non-limiting purposes with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is an axonometric view of a stroke stop device for suspending a vehicle in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a partially sectional side view of the stroke stop device of the present invention in the stroke stop position;

Figure 3 is a partially sectional side view of the stroke stop device of the present invention in the free stroke position;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a three-wheeled vehicle equipped with two stroke stop devices in accordance with the present invention.

Referring to Figures 1, 2 and 3, there is illustrated a stroke stop device 1 for suspending a vehicle.

The suspension of a vehicle has, in a known manner, at least one shock absorber 2 equipped with first 3 and second 4 portions that can slide relative to each other.

0 Stroke stop device 1 according to the present invention comprises a pin element 44 integral with. the first portion 3 of the damper 2 and a slide member 45 integral with the second portion 4 of the damper 2.

pin element 44 can slide axially with respect to slide element 45 in a sleeve 48 provided above slide element 45. The latter can be actuated at closing to lock the slide of pin element 44 and thereby shock absorber stroke 2.

pin element 4 is made integral with the first portion 3 of damper 2 via a bracket 43, while slide member 45 is made integral with the second portion of damper 2, the upper one in figure 1, through bracket 46

slide element 45, as more clearly illustrated in figure 2, comprises two brake pads 47 which can be closed on pin 44 by actuation of a hydraulic system.

In detail, the hydraulic system (not shown) comprises a hydraulic circuit and a pump actuated by control means. The actuation of the pump by the control means results in the closing of the brake pads 47.

The means of control are of the manual type, ie controlled by the driver of the vehicle., Or of the automatic type, that is controlled by. some operating parameters of the vehicle.

The above mentioned hydraulic system will not be described in more detail as it is known and in any case within the reach of anyone experienced in the art. technique.

Operation of the device according to the present invention is intuitive, as stated above and, e.g. In detail, it consists of the following.

When the slide. is open as shown in Figure 3. for example while the vehicle is in motion, the pin element 44 may freely slide axially relative to the slide element 45 to allow the suspension to operate properly, allowing the damper 2 to contract or expand.

The actuation towards the closing of the slide 45 and,. in particular, the brake pads 47, due to the hydraulic system, cause the release of the pin 44 and, consequently, the inability of the damper 2 to contract or expand.

In other words, as shown in Figure 2, the suspension stroke is locked.

In the following, the description is intended for use on a three-wheel drive vehicle with two front steering wheels and one rear wheel, but of course it should not be considered limited to this particular use.

The vehicle concerned, the structure of which is generally identified by reference numeral 100, has two front steering wheels (see Figure 4) and a fixed rear wheel (not shown).

Each of the two front wheels is fitted with an independent suspension 34 which is provided with. an independent shock absorber 32.

The vehicle also provides a stroke stop device 1 according to the. present invention for each of the front suspensions 34, and an actuation group (not shown) guided by suitable control means for controlling the stop devices. course 1.

The actuation groups act simultaneously on the travel stop devices 1 of the front suspensions 34..

By means of the brackets 43, the pins 44 are held together with the front suspension damper. At the opposite end of the shock absorbers, the brake slides 45, complete with brackets 46, are also held together with the shock absorber. Pins 44 slide into bushings 48 between brake pads 47 of slide members 45. By actuation of the control means by means of the pump and the hydraulic circuit, the brake pads 47 lock the pins 44 and thereby stop the travel of the suspensions.