A Vehicle

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[001] The present invention generally relates to a vehicle. More particularly relates to a guard member for protecting a bellow from impact of foreign objects.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[002] Typically, vehicles include a drive shaft system connected between engine output and rear wheels of the vehicle for driving the vehicle. The drive shaft system is a critical subsystem for driving the vehicle. A good drive shaft system will improve mileage and acceleration characteristics of a vehicle. In order to maximise the efficiency of a drive shaft, it is required to minimise the friction between parts in the drive shaft. The minimal friction between the parts will also lead to improvement in durability of the parts. To achieve minimal friction and optimum contacts, clearances between the parts are provided and appropriate greases are selected and packed. In order to eliminate the grease contaminations and to retain the grease in a closed environment bellows are provided. Thus, in a drive shaft system, bellows play a vital role for improving performance of the drive shaft system.

[003] Since the drive shaft system is placed near to the ground, the bellows placed at the drive shaft system are also placed near to the ground. Thus, the bellows may possibly be damaged due to impact of external objects. Thus, the operation of the drive shaft system may get affected if there is a failure of bellows covering the greased and joinery area in the drive shaft. [004] One kind of existing bellows used for a transmission shaft having articulated joint consists of conical bellows. The conical bellows include a small diameter end which is expandable and has a sawtooth section extended axially by folds so as to be able to extend radially without effort to allow the positioning of the bellows over the bowl of the articulated joint without tools. The central part includes one or more internal helical ribs driving the grease contained in the device towards the joint during rotation. The bellow is intended to be placed around lubricated joints of a cardan type or constant velocity used to transmit rotational movement to moving parts, in particular in the field of road motor vehicles and concerns above all the industrial sector of the manufacture of spare parts for repair and maintenance workshops for cars or heavy goods vehicles. The bellow of this kind is prone to damage due to impact of foreign objects like sharp stone.

[005] Another kind of bellows in existence include flexible bellows for enclosing a universal joint of a vehicle transmission. In this kind, alternate folds are of different shape from the intervening ones. This reduces wear between the peaks of adjacent folds when the bellows is compressed. The troughs are formed with loops to reduce wear when the bellows is stretched. The bellow of this kind also is prone to damage due to impact of foreign objects like sharp stone.

[006] Yet another kind of existing bellow includes a small fold intended to provide a complement of the volume of the bellows at the large angular clearances of the drive shaft, to one of which the bellows is connected by a sleeve with a small diameter. The small fold works with an intermediate fold and a large fold by the interposition of a first cylindrical zone that flares out toward the intermediate fold along a radius of curvature. The large fold is fastened on the second element of the drive of greater diameter via a second cylindrical zone. The bellow of this kind also is prone to damage due to impact of foreign objects like sharp stone.

[007] Thus, there is a need in the art for a vehicle having a guard member which could address at least the aforementioned problems and limitations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[008] In one aspect, the present invention is directed to an exemplary vehicle. The vehicle includes a frame extending in a vehicle front-rear direction. The vehicle further includes one or more drive shaft extending in a vehicle width direction and operatively connected to an output of an engine and a pair of rear wheels of the vehicle. Each connecting end of the one or more drive shaft includes a bellow configured to enclose the connecting end. The vehicle further includes a guard member configured to enclose the bellow of the drive shaft for protecting the bellow from an impact of one or more foreign objects.

[009] In an embodiment, the guard member includes a bottom wall adapted to surround the bellow from a bottom portion, a first side wall and a second side wall extending from the bottom wall to surround sides of the bellow.

[010] In a further embodiment, the first side wall of the guard member includes an angled portion for fastening with a rear suspension and the second side wall of the guard member includes one or more through holes for fastening with a trailing arm.

[011] In a further embodiment, the vehicle includes a first bracket having a first mounting portion and a second mounting portion angled from the first mounting portion. The first mounting portion is configured to connect with the angled portion of the guard member and the second mounting portion is configured to connect with the rear suspension of the vehicle. [012] In a further embodiment, the first mounting portion of the first bracket is removably connected to the angled portion of the first side wall of the guard member and the rear suspension through one or more fasteners.

[013] In a further embodiment, the vehicle includes a second bracket having a third mounting portion and a fourth mounting portion bent from the third mounting portion. The third mounting portion is configured to connect with the second side wall of the guard member and the fourth mounting portion is configured to connect with the trailing arm of the vehicle.

[014] In a further embodiment, the third mounting portion of the second bracket is removably connected to the second side wall of the guard member and the fourth mounting portion of the second bracket is welded to the trailing arm.

[015] In a further embodiment, the bottom wall of the guard member is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the trailing arm.

[016] In a further embodiment, the bottom wall, the first side wall and the second side wall are welded together or integrally formed through molding to form the guard member.

[017] In a further embodiment, the bottom wall of the guard member includes an upper lip portion and a lower lip portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[018] Reference will be made to embodiments of the invention, examples of which may be illustrated in accompanying figures. These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the invention is generally described in context of these embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these particular embodiments.

Figure 1 illustrates a rear perspective view of a portion of a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 illustrates a magnified view of a portion “A” shown in Figure 1 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 illustrates a side view of a rear portion of the vehicle shown in Figure 2, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Figures 4 and 5 illustrates a front view and a rear view of the portion of the vehicle shown in Figure 3, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Figures 6 and 7 illustrate perspective views of an assembly of mounting of guard member with trailing arm and rear suspension, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Figures 8 - 10 illustrate various view of drive shaft with bellow, in according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 11 illustrates a perspective view of assembly of the guard member at the trailing arm and the rear suspension, in according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 12 illustrates an exploded view of the assembly shown in Figure 11 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Figures 13A and 13B illustrate various views of the guard member according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 14A and 14B illustrate a perspective view and a front view of a first bracket, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 15A and 15B illustrate a perspective view and a front view of a second bracket, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[019] Various features and embodiments of the present invention here will be discernible from the following further description thereof, set out hereunder. In the ensuing exemplary embodiments, the vehicle is a three- wheeled vehicle. However, it is contemplated that the disclosure in the present invention may be applied to any automobile capable of accommodating the present subject matter without defeating the scope of the present invention.

[020] The present invention generally relates to a vehicle. Particularly, it relates to a guard member in the vehicle to protect bellows at a drive shaft from an impact of foreign objects.

[021] Figure 1 illustrates a rear perspective view of a portion of a vehicle 10, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the vehicle 10 is a three-wheeled vehicle having a pair of rear wheels 16 and a front wheel (not shown) connected to a head pipe 24 of the vehicle 10. It may also be contemplated that the vehicle 10 may include two front wheels, and the present invention may also be applied onto such vehicles. Hence, the illustrated embodiment of three-wheeled vehicle should not be construed limiting the scope of the present invention. The pair of wheels 16 are driven by a driving source including, but not limited to, an internal combustion engine (not shown) or an electric motor (not shown) through a plurality of drive shafts 120 connected between the driving source and the pair of rear wheels 16. [022] The vehicle 10 further includes a frame having a pair of long members 102 extending in a vehicle front-rear direction “D1”. The vehicle 10 further includes one or more cross members 104 disposed between the pair of long members 102. The one or more cross members 104 extend transversely and in a vehicle width direction “W”. The frame of the vehicle further includes a trailing arm 22 connected between the long member 102 and the rear wheel 16.

[023] In the illustrated embodiment of Figure 1 , the vehicle 10 includes the plurality of drive shafts 120 extending in the vehicle width direction “W”. The drive shafts 120 are operatively connected to an output of the internal combustion engine (not shown) and the pair of rear wheels 16 of the vehicle 10. In the embodiment shown in Figures 8 - 10, each connecting end 18 of the drive shafts 120 is provided with a bellow 122. The bellow 122 is configured to enclose the connecting end 18 of the drive shafts 120. The bellow 122 is typically a conical shaped tubular member which is made of a soft elastomer. The bellow 122 includes a central part which allow to bend and stretch axially, and two ends provided with cylindrical fastening portions.

[024] Since the bellow 122 is a conical and symmetrical member, a portion of the bellow 122 which lies towards a ground surface (not shown) is a bottom portion 122A. Similarly, portions of the bellow 122 which are adjacent to the bottom portion 122A and lies sidewards are side portions 122B (shown in Figure 10) of the bellow 122. In the illustrated embodiments in Figures 8 - 10, the bellow 122 disposed onto the drive shaft 120 includes two bellows, where one bellow 122 is disposed on the joinery area at the rear suspension 20 and the transmission arm 22, and another bellow 122’ is disposed at an opposite end of the drive shaft 120 which is connected to the engine output of the vehicle 10. Typically, the vehicle 10 includes two drive shafts 120 connecting to each of the rear wheels 16 as shown in Figure 1 , and thus each of the bellow 122 provided at the joinery area at the rear suspension 20 and the transmission arm 22 is required to be protected from impact of foreign objects. In the illustrated Figures 2 - 7 and 11 - 12, the rear portion of the vehicle at the left side of the vehicle 10 is considered for explaining the present invention. However, the same explanation may also be applied onto the rear portion of the vehicle at the right side of the vehicle 10.

[025] The vehicle 10 further includes a guard member 130 configured to enclose the bellow 122 of the drive shaft 120 for protecting the bellow 122 from an impact of one or more foreign objects. The term “foreign objects” as used herein may include, but not limited to, sharp, semi-sharp, and/or hard objects like stones or soil particles or mud present on a road surface (not shown).

[026] Referring to Figures 13A and 13B, the guard member 130 includes a bottom wall 132 adapted to surround the bellow 122 from the bottom portion 122A, a first side wall 134 and a second side wall 136 extending from the bottom wall 132 to surround side portions 122B of the bellow 122.

[027] In one embodiment, the bottom wall 132 of the guard member 130 is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the trailing arm 22, thereby facilitating falling of the foreign objects and avoiding accumulation of the foreign objects on the bottom wall 132 of the guard member 130. In an exemplary embodiment, the predetermined angle with which the guard member 130 is inclined with respect to the trailing arm 22 can be in a range of 1 degree to 30 degrees.

[028] In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the bottom wall 132 of the guard member 130 includes an upper lip portion 132A towards the trailing arm 22 and the rear suspension 20. The upper lip portion 132A is adapted to prevent movement of the foreign objects towards the trailing arm 22 and the rear suspension 20. In yet another exemplary embodiment, the bottom wall 132 of the guard member 130 includes a lower lip portion 132B for allowing movement of the foreign objects to fall off from the guard member 130. The lower lip portion 132B is disposed opposite to the upper lip portion 132A and is located towards an open portion of the guard member 130. Thus, the lower lip portion 132B facilitates falling of the foreign objects from the guard member 130 and does not allow accumulation of the foreign objects onto the bottom wall 132.

[029] In the illustrated embodiment, the guard member 130 is in a U shaped configuration. In another exemplary embodiment, the guard member 130 can also be in a semi-circular shape or a C shape or the like. However, it is contemplated that the guard member 130 can be of any geometric or non-geometric shape which can allow covering the bellow 122 from the bottom portion and side portions of the bellow 122 and thus protecting impact from the foreign objects onto the bellow 122 covering the joinery areas between the drive shaft 120 and the rear suspension 20 and/or the trailing arm 22.

[030] Referring further to Figures 11 , 13A and 13B, the first side wall 134 of the guard member 130 includes an angled portion 134A for fastening with the rear suspension 20. In an exemplary embodiment, the angled portion 134A can make about 90 degrees with respect to the first side wall 134. The guard member 130 is connected to the rear suspension 20 through a first bracket 140.

[031 ] As illustrated in Figures 14A and 14B, the first bracket 140 has a first mounting portion 142 and a second mounting portion 144 angled from the first mounting portion 142. The first mounting portion 142 is configured to connect with the angled portion 134A of the guard member 130 and the second mounting portion 144 is configured to connect with the rear suspension 20 of the vehicle 10. In an exemplary embodiment, the first mounting portion 142 of the first bracket 140 is removably connected to the angled portion 134A of the first side wall 134 of the guard member 130 and the rear suspension 20 through one or more fasteners (not shown).

[032] The second side wall 136 of the guard member 130 includes one or more through holes 136A for fastening with the trailing arm 22 of the vehicle 10. In an exemplary embodiment, the guard member 130 is connected to the trailing arm 22 through a second bracket 150.

[033] Referring to Figures 15A and 15B, the second bracket 150 includes a third mounting portion 152 and a fourth mounting portion 154. The fourth mounting portion is bent from the third mounting portion 152. In an embodiment, the third mounting portion 152 is configured to connect with the second side wall 136 of the guard member 130 and the fourth mounting portion 154 is configured to connect with the trailing arm 22 of the vehicle 10. In an exemplary embodiment, the third mounting portion 152 of the second bracket 150 is removably connected to the second side wall 136 of the guard member 130 using one or more fasteners and the fourth mounting portion 154 of the second bracket 150 is welded to the trailing arm 22.

[034] In an embodiment, the bottom wall 132, the first side wall 134 and the second side wall 136 of the guard member 130 are welded together. In another embodiment, the bottom wall 132, the first side wall 134 and the second side wall 136 of the guard member 130 are integrally formed through molding to form the guard member 130. In some embodiments, the guard member 130 may be formed through a metallic material or a non-metallic material which is harder than the rubber bellows 122.

[035] In an exemplary embodiment, the guard member 130 may also be provided to protect the bellow provided at other parts of the vehicle 10, by providing suitable mounting structure for the guard member 130. Thus, the illustrated examples of providing the guard member 130 at the joinery areas at the rear wheels 16 should not meant to be limiting the scope of the present invention.

[036] Advantageously, the present invention provides protection to the bellow and thus overcomes the bellow being cut or damaged due to contact / hitting with sharp foreign objects like stones or soil particles. The guard member in the present invention protects bellow and thereby improves durable life of drive train and improves serviceability.

[037] The guard member in the present invention provides a fire wall I protection shield to prevent bellow failure. The welded bracket (second bracket) provided to the trailing arm holds the guard member firmly. Thus, the second bracket primarily connected with trailing arm provides rigid support to the guard member. The guard member having a predetermined angle with respect to the trailing arm facilitates the foreign objects to fall down and/or avoids mud accumulations.

[038] While the present invention has been described with respect to certain embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modification may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.