Electric motor having suspension mechanism

An electric motor includes a chassis having a front tube to rotatably support a handle, two arms each having one end pivotally attached to the chassis to support two front wheels on the outer ends. A cushioning device may be used to cushion the front wheels and the arms relative to the chassis. A carrier is pivotally attached to the rear portion of the chassis, and includes a spindle to support two rear wheels. An electric motor device is attached to the carrier to drive the rear wheels. Another cushioning device may be used to cushion the rear wheels and the carrier relative to the chassis.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an electric motor, and more particularly to an electric motor having a suspension mechanism for resiliently suspending or cushioning the electric motor.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Various kinds of typical electric motors have been developed and comprise four wheels directly attached to a vehicle frame body without any suspension mechanisms, such that the electric motor may not be suitably or resiliently suspended or cushioned relative to the wheels, and such that the users may not comfortably drive or ride the typical electric motors.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary objective of the present invention is to provide an electric motor including a suspension mechanism for resiliently suspending or cushioning the electric motor, and for allowing the users to comfortably drive or ride the electric motors.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided an electric motor comprising a chassis including a front portion and a rear portion, a front tube secured to the front portion of the chassis, to rotatably support a handle thereon, two arms each including a first end pivotally attached to the front portion of the chassis, and each including a second end, two front wheels attached to the second ends of the arms respectively, a first cushioning means for cushioning the front wheels and the arms relative to the chassis, a carrier pivotally attached to the rear portion of the chassis, and including a spindle attached thereto, two rear wheels attached to the spindle, an electric motor device attached to the carrier to drive the rear wheels, and a second cushioning means for cushioning the rear wheels and the carrier relative to the chassis.

The chassis includes a base attached thereon to support the front tube. The first cushioning means includes two cushioning devices secured between the arms and the front tube respectively, to cushion the arms relative to the chassis. The chassis includes a frame attached to the front tube, the cushioning devices secured to the frame respectively.

Each of the arms includes a bracket attached to the second end thereof and having a wheel axle extended therefrom to support the front wheels thereon respectively. One or more links may couple the brackets of the arms to the handle, for allowing the handle to rotate the brackets of the arms relative to the chassis with the handle by the users.

The chassis includes at least one stay provided on the rear portion thereof, the carrier includes a front portion pivotally attached to the stay of the chassis with a pivot shaft. The chassis includes a conduit secured to the stay, and a seat attached to the conduit. The second cushioning means includes a cushioning device secured between the conduit and the carrier, to suspend and cushion the carrier relative to the chassis.

An electromagnetic brake device may further be provided and attached to the electric motor device, and includes a bar coupled to the electromagnetic brake device, and a brake lever coupled to the bar, for operating the electromagnetic brake device.

The chassis includes a cover attached to the rear portion thereof, the brake lever includes a lower portion coupled to the bar, and includes a knob attached thereon and extended outwardly through the cover, for being operated by users.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the drawings, and initially toFIGS. 1 and 2, an electric motor20in accordance with the present invention comprises a chassis21including a base22and a bracket23attached or provided on the front portion thereof. A front tube24is secured to the base22with such as fasteners25, for rotatably supporting a steering wheel or a handle26thereon with a handlebar stem27, for steering purposes. The chassis21includes another bracket or a frame28attached thereto, such as attached to the front tube24.

Two arms30each includes one end31rotatably or pivotally secured to the bracket23with such as a fastener32, and a bracket33rotatably or pivotally secured to the other end thereof with a pivot pin34. Each of the brackets33includes a wheel axle35extended therefrom for supporting a front wheel36thereon. One or more, such as two cushioning devices37are secured between the arms30and the frame28of the front tube24respectively, for suspending or cushioning the arms30relative to the chassis21.

One or more, such as two links38are coupled between the arms30or the brackets33and an extension29of the handlebar stem27respectively (FIGS. 2,4), for allowing the brackets33and thus the front wheels36to be rotated relative to the arms30by the handlebar stem27and the handle26, in order to control or maneuver the electric motor20. A cap39may be attached to the front portion of the chassis21, in order to cover or shield the cushioning devices37and the other elements or members.

As shown inFIGS. 5 and 6, the front portion of the chassis21of the electric motor20may thus be resiliently suspended or cushioned relative to the front wheels26with the cushioning devices37, and the users may thus comfortably drive or ride the electric motor20. The cushioning devices37may be selected from spring members, actuators, such as pneumatic or hydraulic cylinders, etc.

Referring next toFIGS. 7–9, the chassis21includes a conduit40attached to the rear portion thereof with one or more, such as three stays41–43, for supporting a seat45thereon. A beam44is secured to the conduit40or extended rearwardly from the conduit40. The chassis21further includes one or more, such as two brackets46attached thereto, such as attached to the stays42,43respectively, and another bracket47attached to such as the conduit40.

A carrier50includes a front portion51rotatably or pivotally secured to the chassis21, such as secured between the stays42,43or the brackets46with a pivot shaft49(FIG. 8), for allowing the carrier50to be rotated or pivoted relative to the chassis21. The carrier50includes a further bracket52attached thereto. One or more cushioning devices53are secured between the chassis21and the carrier50, for suspending or cushioning the carrier50relative to the chassis21(FIG. 9).

The carrier50includes a spindle54attached thereto for rotatably supporting one or more, such as two rear wheels55thereto. The rear wheels55may thus be suspended or cushioned relative to the chassis21with the carrier50and the cushioning devices53. The cushioning devices53may also be selected from spring members, actuators, such as pneumatic or hydraulic cylinders, etc. A cover57may be attached to the rear portion of the chassis21, or attached to the carrier50in order to cover or shield the cushioning devices53and the other elements or members.

An electric motor device60is attached to the carrier50, for providing driving power to drive the rear wheels55of the electric motor20, and includes an electromagnetic brake device61attached thereto. A bar62is coupled to the electromagnetic brake device61, for actuating or operating the electromagnetic brake device61. A brake lever63includes a lower portion64attached or coupled to the bar62, and includes a knob65attached to the upper portion thereof and extended upwardly or outwardly through the cover57, for being actuated or operated by the users or drivers, to brake the electric motor20.

Accordingly, the electric motor in accordance with the present invention includes a suspension mechanism for resiliently suspending or cushioning the electric motor, and for allowing the users to comfortably drive or ride the electric motors.