阅读说明：本技术 车辆摇臂 (Vehicle rocker arm ) 是由 钱德兰 D·B A·库玛 于 2019-12-26 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种车辆(100)具有主体框架(102)、可枢转地联接于主体框架(102)的片材金属摇臂(120)、以及可旋转地联接于片材金属摇臂(120)的后地面接合构件(111)。片材金属摇臂(120)包括枢转区段(138)。枢转区段(138)将片材金属摇臂(120)可摇动地支承至主体框架(102)。片材金属摇臂(120)还包括从枢转区段(138)向后延伸的右臂(121)、从枢转区段(138)向后延伸的左臂(122)、以及在右臂(121)与左臂(122)之间沿车辆宽度方向延伸并附连于右臂(121)和左臂(122)的桥接构件(140),其中至少一个加强构件(R1)连结于右臂(121),并且至少一个加强构件(R2)连结于左臂(122)。(A vehicle (100) has a main body frame (102), a sheet metal swing arm (120) pivotally coupled to the main body frame (102), and a rear ground engaging member (111) rotatably coupled to the sheet metal swing arm (120). The sheet metal rocker arm (120) includes a pivot section (138). The pivot section (138) rockably supports the sheet metal rocker (120) to the body frame (102). The sheet metal rocker arm (120) further comprises a right arm (121) extending rearwardly from the pivot section (138), a left arm (122) extending rearwardly from the pivot section (138), and a bridge member (140) extending in the vehicle width direction between the right arm (121) and the left arm (122) and attached to the right arm (121) and the left arm (122), wherein at least one reinforcement member (R1) is joined to the right arm (121) and at least one reinforcement member (R2) is joined to the left arm (122).)

1. A vehicle (100) comprising:

a main body frame (102);

a sheet metal rocker arm (120) pivotably coupled to the body frame (102); and

a rear ground engaging member (111) rotatably coupled to the sheet metal rocker arm (120), the sheet metal rocker arm (120) comprising:

a pivot section (138) including a right end portion (138a) and a left end portion (138b), the pivot section (138) rockably supporting the sheet metal rocker (120) to the main body frame (102);

a right arm (121) extending rearwardly from the right end portion (138a) of the pivot section (138);

a left arm (122) extending rearwardly from the left end portion (138b) of the pivot section (138); and

a bridge member (140) that extends in a vehicle width direction between the right arm (121) and the left arm (122) and is attached to the right arm (121) and the left arm (122);

wherein at least one reinforcement member (R1) is joined to the right arm (121) and at least one reinforcement member (R2) is joined to the left arm (122).

2. The vehicle (100) of claim 1, characterized in that the at least one reinforcement member (R1) is joined at a portion of the right arm (121) to which the bridge member (140) of the right arm (121) is attached, and the at least one reinforcement member (R2) is joined at a portion of the left arm (122) to which the bridge member (140) of the left arm (122) is attached.

3. The vehicle (100) of claim 1, characterized in that the bridge member (140) is seam welded to the right arm (121) forming a seam weld line (S1) on the right arm (121), wherein at least a portion of the at least one reinforcement member (R1) overlaps the seam weld line (S1), and the bridge member (140) is seam welded to the left arm (122) forming a seam weld line (S2) on the left arm (122), at least a portion of the at least one reinforcement member (R2) overlapping the seam weld line (S2).

4. The vehicle (100) of claim 1 and claim 3, characterized in that the at least one reinforcement member (R1) has an outer edge (E1) and an inner edge (E2), the outer edge (E1) and the inner edge (E2) being located on opposite sides of the stitch line (S1), and the at least one reinforcement member (R2) has an outer edge (E3) and an inner edge (E4), the outer edge (E3) and the inner edge (E4) being located on opposite sides of the stitch line (S2).

5. The vehicle (100) of claim 1, characterized in that the at least one reinforcement member (R1) is spot welded to the right arm (121) and the at least one reinforcement member (R2) is spot welded to the left arm (122).

6. The vehicle (100) of claim 1, characterized in that the right arm (121) and the left arm (122) each comprise at least one outer member (142) and at least one inner member (144) made of sheet metal.

7. The vehicle (100) of claim 6, characterized in that one of the at least one outer member (142) and the at least one inner member (144) is a "C" shaped member.

8. The vehicle (100) of claim 6, characterized in that one of the at least one outer member (142) and the at least one inner member (144) is a flat plate-like member.

9. The vehicle (100) of claim 1, characterized in that the bridge member (140) is made of at least two sheet metal pieces joined together.

10. The vehicle (100) of claims 1 and 6, characterized in that the bridge member (140) is attached to the at least one inner member (144) of the right arm (121), and the at least one reinforcement member (R1) is joined to the at least one inner member (144) and to the at least one inner member (144) of the right arm (121) at opposite sides of the bridge member (140).

11. The vehicle (100) of claims 1 and 6, characterized in that the bridge member (140) is attached to the at least one interior member (144) of the left arm (122), and the at least one reinforcement member (R2) is joined to the at least one interior member (144) and to the at least one interior member (144) of the left arm (122) at opposite sides of the bridge member (140).

12. The vehicle (100) of claim 1 and claim 7, characterized in that the at least one reinforcement member (R1) is joined to an outer member top (156) and an outer member bottom (160) of the "C" shaped member of the right arm (121).

13. The vehicle (100) of claims 1 and 7, characterized in that the at least one reinforcement member (R2) is joined to an outer member top (156) and an outer member bottom (160) of the "C" shaped member of the left arm (122).

14. A sheet metal rocker arm (120), comprising:

a pivot section (138) including a right end portion (138a) and a left end portion (138b), the pivot section (138) rockably supporting the sheet metal rocker (120) to a main body frame (102) of the vehicle (100);

a right arm (121) extending rearwardly from the right end portion (138a) of the pivot section (138);

a left arm (122) extending rearwardly from the left end portion (138b) of the pivot section (138); and

a bridge member (140) that extends in a vehicle width direction between the right arm (121) and the left arm (122) and is attached to the right arm (121) and the left arm (122);

wherein at least one reinforcement member (R1) is joined to the right arm (121) and at least one reinforcement member (R2) is joined to the left arm (122).

15. A vehicle (100) comprising:

a main body frame (102) including a head pipe (124), a lower frame member (125) extending downward and rearward in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle (100) from the head pipe (124), an upper frame member (126) extending downward and rearward in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle (100) from the head pipe (124), a pivot plate (129) provided at a rear portion of the upper frame member (126), a pair of seat rail members (123 and 127) extending rearward from the upper frame member (126), a pair of sub frame members (131 and 133) extending upward and rearward from the pivot plate (129) and supporting the pair of seat rail members (123 and 127);

a sheet metal rocker arm (120) pivotably coupled to the body frame (102); and

a rear ground engaging member (111) rotatably coupled to the sheet metal rocker arm (120), the sheet metal rocker arm (120) comprising:

a pivot section (138) including a right end portion (138a) and a left end portion (138b), the pivot section (138) rockably supporting the sheet metal rocker (120) to the main body frame (102);

a right arm (121) extending rearwardly from the right end portion (138a) of the pivot section (138);

a left arm (122) extending rearwardly from the left end portion (138b) of the pivot section (138); and

a bridge member (140) that extends in a vehicle width direction between the right arm (121) and the left arm (122) and is attached to the right arm (121) and the left arm (122);

wherein at least one reinforcement member (R1) is joined to the right arm (121) and at least one reinforcement member (R2) is joined to the left arm (122).

Background

Vehicles such as motorcycles, scooters, and the like are generally provided with a swing arm that rotatably supports a rear wheel. Further, the rocker arm acts as a support member for one or more rear suspensions and other vehicle components. The swing arm is generally formed of left and right arms to which the wheel axle of the rear wheel is attached, and the front side of the swing arm is hingedly supported to the vehicle body frame. The cross member is coupled to the left and right arms of the rocker arm. The cross member is provided with a bracket member extending upward from the cross member, the bracket member supporting a lower portion of a rear suspension of the vehicle.

It is always desirable to make rocker arms lightweight and also capable of withstanding different loads. In order to make the rocker arm light, it is made of sheet material. Conventional rocker arms made from sheet material typically involve multiple joints. The load bearing portions of the rocker arms, such as the cross members, the joints of the left and right arms, are subject to maximum load conditions and are subject to failure due to the loads acting on them. These load bearing sections are designed with higher sheet metal thickness to avoid rocker failure. However, in order to achieve a higher sheet metal thickness at the load-bearing portion, the sheet metal thickness of the entire arm (left or right or both) of the rocker arm needs to remain the same as the thickness of the load-bearing portion for ease of manufacture, which results in a heavier structure for the rocker arm.

One such rocker arm, entitled "Tapered rocker arm for a motorcycle", is disclosed in patent document JP 3125259B 2 (hereinafter referred to as the' 259 patent). This patent discloses forming a motorcycle tapered rocker arm from sheet material so that the length of the weld does not need to be very long. This patent discloses forming the arm portion of the rocker arm from a sheet of material. The rear tapered portion is formed into an angular tube shape by bending, and the plate ends are connected by one longitudinal weld. The front tapered portion is vertically provided with an inward flange, and both ends of the cross member are overlapped and welded at a welding portion. However, the method of forming the rocker arm disclosed by the' 259 patent increases the overall manufacturing cost of the rocker arm, which is undesirable.

Summary of The Invention

In one aspect of the present invention, a vehicle is provided. The vehicle has a body frame, a sheet metal swing arm pivotally coupled to the body frame, and a rear ground engaging member rotatably coupled to the sheet metal swing arm. The sheet metal swing arm has a pivot section including a right end portion and a left end portion, the pivot section rockably supporting the swing arm to the main body frame. The sheet metal rocker arm has a right arm extending rearwardly from a right end portion of the pivot section. The sheet metal rocker arm has a left arm extending rearwardly from a left end portion of the pivot section. The sheet metal rocker arm also has a bridge member that extends in the vehicle width direction between and is attached to the right and left arms. The rocker arm has at least one reinforcement member coupled to the right arm and at least one reinforcement member coupled to the left arm.

In one aspect of the invention, at least one reinforcement member is joined at a portion of the right arm where the bridge member of the right arm is attached, and at least one reinforcement member is joined at a portion of the left arm where the bridge member of the left arm is attached to the left arm (122).

In one aspect of the invention, the bridge member is seam welded to the right arm to form a seam line on the right arm, at least a portion of the at least one reinforcement member overlapping the seam line, and the bridge member is seam welded to the left arm to form a seam line on the left arm, at least a portion of the at least one reinforcement member overlapping the seam line.

In one aspect of the invention, the at least one reinforcement member has an outer edge and an inner edge, the outer edge and the inner edge being located on opposite sides of the stitch line, and the at least one reinforcement member has an outer edge and an inner edge, the outer edge and the inner edge being located on opposite sides of the stitch line.

In an aspect of the invention, the at least one reinforcement member is spot welded to the right arm and the at least one reinforcement member is spot welded to the left arm.

In one aspect of the invention, the right and left arms each have at least one outer member and at least one inner member made of sheet metal.

In one aspect of the invention, one of the at least one outer member and the at least one inner member is a "C" shaped member.

In one aspect of the invention, one of the at least one outer member (142) and the at least one inner member (144) is a plate-like member

In one aspect of the invention, the bridging member is comprised of at least two pieces of sheet metal joined together.

In one aspect of the invention, the bridge member is attached to the at least one inner member of the right arm, and the at least one reinforcement member is joined to the at least one inner member at opposite sides of the bridge member and attached to the inner member of the right arm.

In one aspect of the invention, the bridge member is attached to the at least one inner member of the left arm, and the at least one reinforcement member is joined to the at least one inner member at opposite sides of the bridge member and attached to the at least one inner member of the left arm.

In one aspect of the invention, at least one reinforcing member is attached to the top and bottom of the "C" shaped member of the right arm.

In one aspect of the invention, at least one reinforcing member is attached to the top and bottom of the "C" shaped member of the left arm.

In one aspect of the invention, the sheet metal rocker arm has a pivot section including a right end portion and a left end portion, the pivot section rockably supporting the sheet metal rocker arm to a main body frame of the vehicle. The sheet metal rocker arm has a right arm extending rearwardly from a right end portion of the pivot section. The sheet metal rocker arm has a left arm extending rearwardly from a left end portion of the pivot section. The sheet metal rocker arm also has a bridge member that extends in the vehicle width direction between and is attached to the right and left arms. The sheet metal rocker arm has at least one reinforcing member joined to the right arm and at least one reinforcing member joined to the left arm.

In one aspect of the present invention, a vehicle has: the seat frame includes a main body frame including a head pipe, a lower frame member extending downward and rearward from the head pipe in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, an upper frame member extending downward and rearward from the head pipe in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, a pivot plate provided at a rear portion of the upper frame member, a pair of seat rail members extending rearward from the upper frame member, and a pair of sub frame members extending upward and rearward from the pivot plate and supporting the pair of seat rail members. The vehicle also has a sheet metal swing arm pivotally coupled to the body frame and a rear ground engaging member rotatably coupled to the sheet metal swing arm. The sheet metal swing arm has a pivot section including a right end portion and a left end portion, the pivot section rockably supporting the swing arm to the main body frame. The sheet metal rocker arm has a right arm extending rearwardly from a right end portion of the pivot section. The sheet metal rocker arm has a left arm extending rearwardly from a left end portion of the pivot section. The sheet metal rocker arm also has a bridge member that extends in the vehicle width direction between and is attached to the right and left arms. The rocker arm has at least one reinforcement member coupled to the right arm and at least one reinforcement member coupled to the left arm.

In the foregoing aspects, at least one reinforcing member is joined to at least one of the right and left arms to provide the necessary stiffness and thickness required at one or more load-bearing portions, such as at the junction of the bridge member and the left arm, which may be made of sheet metal having a reduced thickness, thereby reducing the overall weight of the rocker arm. The disclosed rocker arm made of stamped sheet material is lightweight as compared to conventional rocker arms. The lighter weight of the rocker arm reduces the unsprung mass, thereby providing a comfortable ride for the vehicle. The plurality of reinforcing members eliminates/reduces failure occurring at the load-bearing portion.