Patent Description:
A swingarm for connecting a wheel to a body of a vehicle such as a bicycle or motorcycle is provided in the vehicle as in the following patent document, and a fixed shaft, which is the center of rotation of the wheel, is fixed to and supported by the swingarm.

As illustrated in <FIG>, as for the conventional swingarm, a separate fixing device <NUM> fixes the swingarm A to the rear wheel of the vehicle and, more precisely, fixes the swingarm A to the fixed shaft S of the rear wheel.

In this case, as for the conventional fixing device <NUM>, after a support steel plate <NUM> is inserted to the swingarm A to be in close contact therewith, the fixed shaft S passes through the support steel plate <NUM>, and the support steel plate <NUM> is fastened by a fastening nut <NUM> fitted over the fixed shaft S such that the support steel plate <NUM> can be in close contact with the swingarm A to be coupled thereto. A washer <NUM> having the shape of a sawtooth is inserted between the support steel plate <NUM> and the fixed shaft S to increase the coupling force of the support steel plate to the swingarm.

However, as for the conventional fixing device <NUM>, when a vehicle brakes or a lot of force is applied to the rear wheel of the vehicle, a large load is generated on the fixed shaft S of the rear wheel, and the coupling force of the fixing device <NUM> that fixes the fixed shaft S is decreased, which causes the fixed shaft S to shake. As illustrated in <FIG>, the swingarm A is gradually opened to have a gap formed therein, so noise may be generated or the fixed shaft S may break.

Furthermore, since the swingarm A is generally manufactured at low cost by forming a steel plate, there is a problem that such an accident occurs easily.

In addition, in recent years, the use of an electric motorcycle or bicycle powered by electricity is increasing. In particular, the adoption of an in-wheel method in which a drive motor is provided within a wheel is increasing, and a regenerative braking system that generates electricity by operating the drive motor as a generator is applied to such an electric vehicle.

In this case, in the process of braking by using the drive motor as a generator, a substantial load is generated on the wheel in which the drive motor is provided. The load is <NUM> to <NUM> times higher than a load generated when driving a normal motor.

Accordingly, in the electric vehicle of the in-wheel method that performs regenerative braking, the coupling force of the conventional fixing device <NUM> is more easily decreased, which causes the gap, and as a result, there is a problem that noise or accidents occur more frequently.

<CIT>) "TWO-WHEELED MOBILE BODY AND MOTORCYCLE HAVING SAME".

In the state of the art is known the document <CIT>, which discloses the preamble of claim <NUM>.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and the present invention is intended to propose a swingarm fixing hanger in which a fixed shaft of a wheel is pressed and fastened from opposite sides thereof by a fixing bracket fixed to a swingarm and a support cover coupled detachably to the fixing bracket such that the fixed shaft can be securely fixed and easily mounted to the swingarm without the shaking of the fixed shaft despite a load applied to the fixed shaft of the wheel.

The present invention is intended to propose a swingarm fixing hanger in which fastening screws are fastened to the fixing bracket in directions opposing to each other to press the fixed shaft, and an insertion groove into which the fixed shaft is inserted in a direction perpendicular to the fastening screws and the support cover coupled to the fixing bracket press the fixed shaft such that the fixed shaft is pressed in four directions perpendicular to each other to be more securely fixed.

The present invention is intended to propose a swingarm fixing hanger in which when a fastening screw is provided in a vertical direction or a left-to-right direction, the fastening screw is provided at a side surface or lower side of the fixing bracket such that the coupling direction of the support cover is perpendicular to the fastening screw so as to respond to various shapes of the swingarm.

The present invention is intended to propose a swingarm fixing hanger in which a tightening screw is inserted into the support cover to fix the support cover to the fixing bracket, and the fixed shaft is pressed by a protruding press end of the support cover such that the coupling of the support cover is easily performed and the fixed shaft is stably supported.

The present invention is intended to propose a swingarm fixing hanger in which the three peripheral surfaces of the fixing bracket are fixed to the swingarm by welding such that the shaking of the fixing bracket is more effectively prevented.

In order to accomplish the above objectives, the swingarm fixing hanger of the present disclosure having the following configurations is embodied according to embodiments.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the swingarm fixing hanger according to the present invention includes: a fixing bracket being in close contact with the swingarm to be coupled thereto, with a fixed shaft of a rear wheel of the electric vehicle being inserted into the fixing bracket to be fastened thereto, and a support cover coupled detachably to a side of the fixing bracket so as to press the fixed shaft, wherein the fixing bracket and the support cover press and fasten the fixed shaft in directions opposing to each other.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, in the swingarm fixing hanger according to the present invention, the fixing bracket may include: fastening screws inserted into the fixing bracket in directions opposing to each other to press the fixed shaft in the opposing directions, which is inserted into the fixing bracket, and through holes formed through the fixing bracket in the opposing directions, the fastening screws being inserted into the through holes, wherein a direction in which each of the fastening screws presses the fixed shaft may be orthogonal to a direction in which each of an insertion groove and the support cover presses the fixed shaft such that the fixing bracket and the support cover press the fixed shaft in four directions perpendicular to each other.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, in the swingarm fixing hanger according to the present invention, the fixing bracket may include: an insertion groove recessed to be open at a side thereof, the fixed shaft being inserted into the insertion groove, and a fastening nut coupled to the fixed shaft inserted into the insertion groove and configured to fasten the fixed shaft to the fixing bracket, wherein the support cover may be coupled to the open side of the insertion groove so as to press the fixed shaft.

According to still another embodiment of the present invention, in the swingarm fixing hanger according to the present invention, an inner side of the insertion groove may be configured to be round so as to be in close contact with the fixed shaft.

According to still another embodiment of the present invention, in the swingarm fixing hanger according to the present disclosure, the support cover may include: a protruding press end protruding therefrom toward a direction in which the support cover is coupled to the fixing bracket so as to press the fixed shaft, and a tightening screw protruding from the support cover toward the fixing bracket so as to be inserted into and fastened to the fixing bracket.

According to still another embodiment of the present invention, in the swingarm fixing hanger according to the present invention, the protruding press end may include a concave surface formed by being recessed to be round therefrom by a predetermined depth such that the concave surface is in close contact with an outer surface of the fixed shaft.

According to still another embodiment of the present invention, in the swingarm fixing hanger according to the present invention, the fastening screw may press the fixed shaft from each of upper and lower sides of the fixed shaft, or from each of opposite sides of the fixed shaft.

According to still another embodiment of the present invention, the swingarm fixing hanger according to the present invention may include an adhesion fixing part allowing the fixing bracket to be fixed to the swingarm by welding along three peripheral surfaces of the fixing bracket.

The swingarm fixing hanger of the present invention can obtain the flowing effects by components to be described below, a combination thereof, and a use relationship therebetween according to the embodiments described above.

According to the present invention, the fixing bracket fixed to the swingarm and the support cover coupled detachably to the fixing bracket press and fasten the fixed shaft of a wheel from the opposite sides thereof, thereby securely fixing and easily mounting the fixed shaft to the swingarm without the shaking of the fixed shaft despite a load applied to the fixed shaft of the wheel.

According to the present invention, fastening screws are fastened to the fixing bracket in directions opposing to each other so as to press the fixed shaft, and the insertion groove into which the fixed shaft is inserted and the support cover coupled to the fixing bracket press the fixed shaft in directions perpendicular to the pressing directions of the fastening screws such that the fixed shaft is pressed in the four directions perpendicular to each other, thereby fixing the fixed shaft more securely.

According to the present invention, in a case in which a fastening screw is provided in a vertical direction or a left-to-direction, the fastening screw is provided at a side surface or lower side of the fixing bracket such that the coupling direction of the support cover is perpendicular to the fastening screw, thereby responding to various shapes of the swingarm.

According to the present invention, a tightening screw is inserted into the support cover such that the support cover is coupled to the fixing bracket, and the protruding press end of the support cover presses the fixed shaft, thereby facilitating the coupling of the support cover and supporting the fixed shaft stably.

According to the present invention, the three peripheral surfaces of the fixing bracket are fixed to the swingarm by welding, thereby more effectively preventing the shaking of the fixing bracket.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of a swingarm fixing hanger according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description of the present invention, when it is determined that a detailed description of a well-known function or configuration unnecessarily obscures the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Throughout this specification, when a part "includes" a certain element, it means that other elements may be further included, rather than excluding other elements.

The swingarm fixing hanger according to first and second embodiments of the present invention is described with reference to <FIG> and <FIG> and includes: a fixing bracket <NUM> being in close contact with a swingarm A to be coupled thereto, a fixed shaft S of a wheel being inserted into fixing bracket <NUM> to be fastened thereto, a support cover <NUM> coupled to a side of the fixing bracket <NUM> so as to press the fixed shaft S, and an adhesion fixing part <NUM> fixing the fixing bracket <NUM> to the swingarm A by welding along three peripheral surfaces of the fixing bracket <NUM>.

In an electric vehicle such as an electric motorcycle and an electric bicycle, the swingarm fixing hanger according to the present invention is an apparatus by which the swingarm
A connecting a body with a wheel is fixed to the fixed shaft S which is the center of the rotation of the wheel. Particularly, the swingarm fixing hanger may be provided on the swingarm A which connects a wheel having a drive motor as an in-wheel type provided therein with the body, and may be provided on the swingarm A by which the wheel and body of each of various electric vehicles, such as two-wheeled, three-wheeled, and four-wheeled electric vehicles, are connected to each other irrespective of the number and positions of wheels.

As described in the background art, when a regenerative braking system is applied to a wheel in which a drive motor as an in-wheel type is provided, a load <NUM> to <NUM> times higher than a load of a normal wheel is applied to the wheel in which the drive motor is provided. Accordingly, the swingarm fixing hanger increases the fastening force of the fixed shaft S of the wheel to the swingarm A such that the shaking of the fixed shaft S is prevented despite a load applied to the fixed shaft S, the swingarm A is prevented from having a gap caused by the shaking of the fixed shaft S, and noise generation and damage to the fixed shaft S due to the gap are prevented. However, the swingarm fixing hanger is not limited thereto and may be used as an apparatus fixing a fixed shaft to each of various swingarms which connects a wheel with a vehicle body regardless of whether a drive motor is provided in the wheel.

In a state in which the fixing bracket <NUM> is fixed to the swingarm A, the fixing bracket <NUM> is configured such that the fixed shaft S of a rear wheel of a two-wheeled vehicle is inserted into and fastened to the fixing bracket <NUM> such that the state of the fixed shaft S fixed to the swingarm A can be maintained. As illustrated in <FIG>, the fixing bracket <NUM> may be fitted over the fixed shaft S of each of the opposite sides of the rear wheel. The fixing bracket <NUM> may be formed to have a cuboid shape having a predetermined volume, and the fixed shaft S is inserted into a side of the fixing bracket <NUM> such that the fixed shaft can be supported by the fixing bracket <NUM>. Furthermore, the fixed shaft S inserted into the fixing bracket <NUM> is pressed and supported by the support cover <NUM> coupled to the fixing bracket <NUM>, whereby the fixed shaft S can be pressed and be securely fastened by the fixing bracket <NUM> and the support cover <NUM> respectively at the opposite sides of the fixed shaft.

In addition, as illustrated in <FIG>, the fixing bracket <NUM> is configured to press the fixed shaft S even from the upper and lower sides thereof. Accordingly, the fixed shaft S may be pressed in four directions perpendicular to each other such that the fixed shaft S is more securely fixed.

The fixing bracket <NUM> may include an insertion groove <NUM>, a fastening screw <NUM>, a through hole <NUM>, a fastening hole <NUM>, and a fastening nut <NUM>.

The insertion groove <NUM> is formed at a side of the fixing bracket <NUM> such that the insertion groove <NUM> is recessed by a predetermined depth and is configured such that the insertion of the fixed shaft S can be performed through the side of the fixing bracket. As illustrated in <FIG>, the insertion groove <NUM> is preferably formed at a first side surface of the fixing bracket <NUM>. The insertion groove <NUM> is open at a side thereof such that the insertion of the fixed shaft S can be performed through the first side surface of the fixing bracket <NUM>, whereby in the state in which the fixing bracket <NUM> is fixed to the swingarm A, the fixed shaft S can be easily inserted into the fixing bracket <NUM>. In other words, the fixing bracket <NUM> is fixed to the swingarm A by the adhesion fixing part <NUM>, and the fixed shaft S formed on the wheel may be inserted into and fastened to the fixing bracket <NUM>. In this case, the insertion of the fixed shaft S may be performed through the insertion groove <NUM> formed to be open on the first side surface of the fixing bracket <NUM> such that the insertion of the fixed shaft S can be easily performed without opening the swingarm A.

In addition, the recessed inner surface of the insertion groove <NUM> may be configured to be round to be in close contact with the fixed shaft S, whereby as illustrated in <FIG>, in a state in which the fixed shaft S is inserted into the insertion groove <NUM>, the insertion groove <NUM> may press and fasten the fixed shaft S stably. In this case, while coupling the support cover <NUM> to the fixing bracket <NUM>, a protruding press end <NUM> of the support cover <NUM> to be described later is inserted into the insertion groove <NUM> such that the fixed shaft S is pressed by the protruding press end <NUM>. Accordingly, the fixed shaft S inserted into the insertion groove <NUM> is pressed by the inner surface of the insertion groove <NUM> and the protruding press end <NUM> in opposing directions to each other such that the fixed shaft S can be securely fastened.

Furthermore, as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, in a case in which the fastening screw <NUM> presses the fixed shaft S from each of the upper and lower sides of the fixed shaft S, the through hole <NUM> is formed in each of the upper and lower sides of the insertion groove <NUM> such that the fastening screw <NUM> can be inserted into the insertion groove <NUM>.

The fastening screws <NUM> are configured to press the fixed shaft S by being inserted into the fixing bracket <NUM> in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the fixed shaft S is pressed by the insertion groove <NUM> and the protruding press end <NUM> of the support cover <NUM>. In a case in which the insertion groove <NUM> and the support cover <NUM> are provided at the opposite sides of the fixed shaft S, the fastening screws <NUM> may press the fixed shaft S in a vertical opposing directions. The fastening screw <NUM> is threaded along a circumference thereof such that the fastening screw <NUM> can be inserted into and fastened to the through hole <NUM> formed in the fixing bracket <NUM>. The through hole <NUM> is formed in each of the upper and lower sides of the fixing bracket <NUM> such that the fastening screw <NUM> is inserted into the through hole <NUM> until the fastening screw <NUM> is in close contact with the fixed shaft S.

The through hole <NUM> is formed through the fixing bracket <NUM> and is configured such that the fastening screw <NUM> is inserted into the through hole <NUM>. The through hole <NUM> is threaded along an inner surface thereof, and is formed in each of the upper and lower sides of the insertion groove <NUM>. Accordingly, the fastening screw <NUM> is inserted into the through hole <NUM> formed in each of the upper and lower sides of the insertion groove <NUM> and protrudes into the insertion groove <NUM> such that the protruding fastening screw <NUM> can press the fixed shaft S from each of upper and lower sides thereof.

The fastening hole <NUM> is formed on the first side surface of the fixing bracket <NUM> by being recessed therefrom by a predetermined depth such that a tightening screw <NUM> of the support cover <NUM> to be described later is inserted into the fastening hole <NUM>. The fastening hole <NUM> may include a pair of fastening holes formed respectively at the upper and lower sides of the insertion groove <NUM>. A thread may be formed in the fastening hole <NUM> such that the tightening screw <NUM> is inserted into and fastened to the fastening hole, whereby the support cover <NUM> can be in close contact with the first side surface of the fixing bracket <NUM>. Accordingly, due to the close contact of the support cover <NUM> with the fixing bracket <NUM>, the protruding press end <NUM> formed on the support cover <NUM> can forcibly press and support the fixed shaft S.

The fastening nut <NUM> is configured to be fitted over and fastened to the fixed shaft S. As illustrated in <FIG>, after the fixed shaft S is inserted into the fixing bracket <NUM>, the fastening nut <NUM> is fitted over and fastened to the fixed shaft S such that the state of the fixed shaft S fixed to the fixing bracket <NUM> can be maintained. In this case, the fixed shaft S is pressed in two directions or four directions perpendicular to each other as described above such that the fixed shaft S is securely fixed to the swingarm A not to be shaken. Accordingly, the deformation of the swingarm A, noise generation, and damage to the fixed shaft S are prevented.

The support cover <NUM> is configured to be coupled to the first side surface of the fixing bracket <NUM> and to press the fixed shaft S inserted into the fixing bracket <NUM> from a side thereof. As illustrated in <FIG>, in a state in which the fixed shaft S is inserted into the insertion groove <NUM> of the fixing bracket <NUM>, the support cover <NUM> is coupled to the fixing bracket <NUM> and is in close contact with the fixing bracket <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>. To this end, the support cover <NUM> may include the protruding press end <NUM>, the tightening screw <NUM>, and a screw insertion hole <NUM>.

The protruding press end <NUM> is configured to protrude from the center of the support cover <NUM> toward a direction in which the support cover <NUM> is coupled to the fixing bracket <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the protruding press end <NUM> presses and fastens the fixed shaft S while the support cover <NUM> is coupled to the fixing bracket <NUM>.

In addition, as illustrated in <FIG>, the protruding press end <NUM> may include a concave surface <NUM> recessed by a predetermined depth. The concave surface <NUM> may be formed by being recessed to be round such that the protruding press end <NUM> can be in closer contact with the fixed shaft S, whereby the support cover <NUM> can provide a stronger fastening force to the fixed shaft S.

The tightening screw <NUM> is configured to couple the support cover <NUM> to the fixing bracket <NUM> and to pass through the screw insertion hole <NUM>, and is inserted into the fastening hole <NUM> of the fixing bracket <NUM> to be coupled thereto. The tightening screw <NUM> may be provided at each of the upper and lower sides of the protruding press end <NUM>.

The screw insertion hole <NUM> is configured to allow the tightening screw <NUM> to be inserted thereinto, and is formed through the support cover <NUM>, and may include a pair of screw insertion holes respectively at the upper and lower sides of the protruding press end <NUM>. Accordingly, the tightening screw <NUM> passing though the screw insertion hole <NUM> is inserted into the fastening hole <NUM> to be fastened thereto such that the support cover <NUM> is in close contact with the fixing bracket <NUM> to be coupled thereto, whereby the protruding press end <NUM> can forcibly press and fasten the fixed shaft S.

The adhesion fixing part <NUM> is configured such that the fixing bracket <NUM> is fixed to the swingarm A by welding along the three peripheral surfaces of the fixing bracket <NUM>, and is preferably bonded to the swingarm A by argon welding. The adhesion fixing part <NUM> allows the upper and lower sides and second side surface of the fixing bracket <NUM> except for the coupling side of the support cover <NUM> to be bonded and fixed to the swingarm A. Furthermore, the adhesion fixing part <NUM> may be formed prior to the insertion of the fixed shaft S into the fixing bracket <NUM>, and in the state in which the fixing bracket <NUM> is fixed to the swingarm A by the adhesion fixing part <NUM>, the insertion of the fixed shaft S may be performed through the insertion groove <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>.

Claim 1:
A swingarm fixing hanger connecting a swingarm of an electric vehicle with a fixed shaft (S) of a wheel thereof to be fixed to each other, the fixing hanger comprising:
a fixing bracket (<NUM>), (<NUM>') being in close contact with the swingarm to be coupled thereto, with a fixed shaft (S)of a rear wheel of the electric vehicle being inserted into the fixing bracket to be fastened thereto, and
a support cover (<NUM>, <NUM>') coupled detachably to a side of the fixing bracket so as to press the fixed shaft (S),
wherein the fixing bracket (<NUM>), (<NUM>') and the support cover (<NUM>) (<NUM>') press and fasten the fixed shaft (S) in directions opposing to each other,
characterized in that it additionally comprises:
fastening screws (<NUM>) (<NUM>') inserted into the fixing bracket (<NUM>), (<NUM>') in directions opposing to each other to press the fixed shaft (S) in the opposing directions, which is inserted into the fixing bracket (<NUM>), (<NUM>'), and
through holes formed through the fixing bracket (<NUM>), (<NUM>') in the opposing directions, the fastening screws (<NUM>), (<NUM>') being inserted into the through holes,
wherein a direction in which each of the fastening screws (<NUM>) (<NUM>') presses the fixed shaft (S) is orthogonal to a direction in which each of an insertion groove (<NUM>) and the support cover (<NUM>, <NUM>') presses the fixed shaft (S) such that the fixing bracket (<NUM>), (<NUM>') and the support cover (<NUM>, <NUM>') press the fixed shaft (S) in four directions perpendicular to each other.