Patent Description:
An all-terrain vehicle is also referred to as an off-road vehicle, and the all-terrain vehicle has a quite complex traveling environment. For example, when a road surface is rugged, a wheel ascends or descends along with the road surface, and this state is maintained continuously. When the road surface is quite rugged, the wheel may have a relatively large ascending height, and then a relatively large descending distance. If a user just rotates a steering wheel by a maximum angle when the wheel ascends to a maximum height or descends to a lowest position, a ball-pin joint tends to be damaged, or an intermediate shaft of a drive half shaft falls off from inner and outer constant velocity joints, thus resulting in a driving hazard.

<CIT> discloses that a wheel is carried by a pivot connected to the vehicle bodywork by a horizontal arm through a ball joint. There is a stop comprising a finger and an inclined stop face respectively fixed to the pivot and the arm. The stop finger is fixed to the pivot near to the ball socket and mates with the inclined face near its mean axis passing through the ball joint and perpendicular to its pivoting axle. The arm is transverse to the vehicle and the stop face is near to a transverse plane of the vehicle and passes through the pivoting axis. It is inclined relative to this plane so that its low part is more horizontally spaced from the finger than its upper part.

<CIT> discloses an all-terrain vehicle and a steering system of the all-terrain vehicle. The upper rocker arm is rotatably arranged on the steering knuckle; the lower end of the front suspension is arranged on the upper rocker arm; the lower rocker arm is rotatably arranged on the steering knuckle; and the limiting piece is arranged on the steering knuckle or the lower rocker arm so that the lower rocker arm can limit rotation of the steering knuckle when the front suspension moves downwards and the steering knuckle rotates by a preset angle. Therefore, by arranging the limiting piece, the rotation of the steering knuckle can be effectively limited, and the comfort requirement of a vehicle can be met while the trafficability of the vehicle is guaranteed.

<CIT> relates to a wheel guidance for heavy, off-road motor vehicles. In the motor vehicles, it is known to assign stops to individually sprung and steerable wheels to limit the permissible vertical wheel movement and further stops to limit the permissible steering angle. Care is taken to ensure that the steering angle is the same regardless of the vertical wheel travel. This solution is useful as long as the vehicles are intended for use on less uneven road surfaces and their suspension travel is relatively small with regard to this intended use.

Embodiments of the present invention are desired to provide a suspension device and an all-terrain vehicle.

The present invention is defined in the independent claims, and the preferable features according to the present invention are defined in the dependent claims. Any embodiment in the present invention that does not fall within the scope of the present invention should be regarded as an example for understanding the present invention.

In the suspension device according to the embodiments of the present invention, when the steering knuckle is moved to the first extreme height position and the vehicle has the first maximum steering angle, the third position limiting portion abuts against the first position limiting portion, and through the contact between the third position limiting portion and the first position limiting portion, the steering knuckle may stop rotating when rotating by the first maximum steering angle, so as to prevent the steering knuckle from continuously rotating beyond a safe range, thus improving safety of the suspension device; when the steering knuckle is moved to the second extreme height position and the vehicle has the second maximum steering angle, the fourth position limiting portion abuts against the second position limiting portion, and through the fourth position limiting portion abutting against the second position limiting portion, the steering knuckle may stop rotating when rotating by the second maximum steering angle, so as to further prevent the steering knuckle from continuously rotating beyond the safe range, thus further improving the safety of the suspension device.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are illustrative and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the present invention, as claimed.

The present invention will be described in further detail with reference to the following drawings and specific embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely for explaining the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention.

In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted that unless stated or limited otherwise, the term "connection" should be interpreted broadly, and may be, for example, electrical connections; may also be communication of two elements; may be direct connections or indirect connections via intervening structures. To those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above term may be understood in the specific circumstances.

It should be noted that the terms "first\second\third" involved in the embodiments of the present invention are only intended to distinguish between similar objects but do not indicate a specific order of the objects. It may be understood that the order or sequence of "first\second\third" may be interchanged under permitted circumstances. It should be understood that the objects distinguished by "first\second\third" are interchangeable in proper circumstances, such that the embodiments of the present invention described herein can be implemented in orders except the order illustrated or described herein.

It should be noted that the embodiments and features of the embodiments in the present invention may be combined with each other without conflict. A suspension device according to embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to <FIG>.

The suspension device includes: a first rocker arm <NUM> having a first end provided with a first position limiting portion <NUM>; a second rocker arm <NUM> spaced apart from the first rocker arm <NUM>; and a steering knuckle <NUM> arranged between the first end of the first rocker arm <NUM> and the second rocker arm <NUM>. The steering knuckle <NUM> is connected with the first end of the first rocker arm <NUM> and a first end of the second rocker arm <NUM>, and the steering knuckle <NUM> has a third position limiting portion <NUM> configured to be fitted with the first position limiting portion <NUM>. When the steering knuckle <NUM> is moved to a first extreme height position and a vehicle has a first maximum steering angle (i.e., a steering wheel or a handle of the vehicle is rotated by the first maximum steering angle), the third position limiting portion <NUM> abuts against the first position limiting portion <NUM>. With the third position limiting portion <NUM> abutting against the first position limiting portion <NUM>, the steering knuckle <NUM> may stop rotating when rotating by the first maximum steering angle, so as to prevent the steering knuckle <NUM> from continuously rotating beyond a safe range, thus improving safety of the suspension device.

In the embodiments of the present invention, the first extreme height position may be a highest or lowest bounce position of a wheel. Further, the wheel is arranged to the steering knuckle <NUM>. When the first rocker arm <NUM> serves as an upper rocker arm, that is, the first position limiting portion <NUM> is arranged at the upper rocker arm, the first extreme height position is the lowest bounce position, i.e. when the wheel is moved to the lowest bounce position, the steering knuckle <NUM> is moved to the first extreme height position, and conversely, when the first rocker arm <NUM> serves as a lower rocker arm, that is, the first position limiting portion <NUM> is arranged at the lower rocker arm, the first extreme height position is the highest bounce position i.e. when the wheel is moved to the highest bounce position, the steering knuckle <NUM> is moved to the first extreme height position.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the first maximum steering angle is a maximum steering angle by which the steering wheel or the handle can be rotated when the steering knuckle is moved to the first extreme height position, because the first position limiting portion <NUM> will abut against the third position limiting portion <NUM> such that the steering wheel or the handle cannot continue to be rotated, when the steering knuckle is moved to the first extreme height position and the steering wheel or the handle is rotated by this steering angle. That is, the first maximum steering angle is a steering angle of the steering wheel or the handle at which the first position limiting portion <NUM> can abut against the third position limiting portion <NUM> when the steering knuckle is moved to the first extreme height position. When the steering knuckle <NUM> is not moved to the first extreme height position, the steering angle of the steering knuckle <NUM> may exceed the first maximum steering angle, and the third position limiting portion <NUM> does not abut against the first position limiting portion <NUM>.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the structure of the first rocker arm <NUM> is not limited. For example, as illustrated in <FIG>, the first rocker arm <NUM> may be formed by connecting a plurality of tubular structures.

In the embodiments of the present invention, the first end of the first rocker arm <NUM> has the first position limiting portion <NUM>, while a structure of the first position limiting portion <NUM> is not limited. For example, the first position limiting portion <NUM> may be configured as a first protrusion structure.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the structure of the second rocker arm <NUM> is not limited. For example, as illustrated in <FIG>, the second rocker arm <NUM> may be formed by connecting a plurality of tubular structures.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the structure of the steering knuckle <NUM> is not limited as long as the steering knuckle <NUM> has the third position limiting portion <NUM>.

In the embodiments of the present invention, the structure of the third position limiting portion <NUM> is not limited. For example, the third position limiting portion <NUM> may be configured as a third protrusion structure.

In the embodiments of the present invention, the steering knuckle <NUM> may form a ball joint with the first end of the first rocker arm <NUM>. For example, a first mounting base <NUM> is arranged at the first end of the first rocker arm <NUM>, and connected with the steering knuckle <NUM> by a first ball-pin joint <NUM>. In the embodiments of the present invention, the first position limiting portion <NUM> may be arranged at the first mounting base <NUM>.

In the embodiments of the present invention, the steering knuckle <NUM> may be configured as a left or right steering knuckle of the vehicle, as illustrated in <FIG>. It should be noted that the left and right are described herein with reference to a vehicle traveling direction.

In some embodiments of the present invention, as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the first end of the second rocker arm <NUM> has a second position limiting portion <NUM>, and the steering knuckle <NUM> has a fourth position limiting portion <NUM> configured to be fitted with the second position limiting portion <NUM>. When the steering knuckle <NUM> is moved to a second extreme height position and the vehicle has a second maximum steering angle (i.e., the steering wheel or the handle of the vehicle is rotated by the second maximum steering angle), the fourth position limiting portion <NUM> abuts against the second position limiting portion <NUM>. With the fourth position limiting portion <NUM> abutting against the second position limiting portion <NUM>, the steering knuckle <NUM> may stop rotating when rotating by the second maximum steering angle, so as to prevent the steering knuckle <NUM> from continuously rotating beyond a safe range, thus improving the safety of the suspension device.

In the embodiments of the present invention, the second maximum steering angle is a maximum steering angle by which the steering wheel or the handle can be rotated when the steering knuckle is moved to the second extreme height position, because the second position limiting portion <NUM> will abut against the fourth position limiting portion <NUM> such that the steering wheel or the handle cannot continue to be rotated, when the steering knuckle is moved to the second extreme height position and the steering wheel or the handle is rotated by this steering angle. That is, the second maximum steering angle is a steering angle of the steering wheel or the handle at which the second position limiting portion <NUM> can abut against the fourth position limiting portion <NUM> when the steering knuckle <NUM> is moved to the second extreme height position. When not moved to the second extreme height position, the steering knuckle <NUM> may be rotated by an angle exceeding the second maximum steering angle, and the fourth position limiting portion <NUM> does not abut against the second position limiting portion <NUM>.

In the embodiments of the present invention, the second extreme height position may be a highest or lowest position. Further, the wheel is arranged to the steering knuckle <NUM>. When the second rocker arm <NUM> serves as the upper rocker arm, that is, the second position limiting portion <NUM> is arranged at the upper rocker arm, the second extreme height position is the lowest bounce position, i.e. when the wheel is moved to the lowest bounce position, the steering knuckle <NUM> is moved to the second extreme height position, and conversely, when the second rocker arm <NUM> serves as the lower rocker arm, that is, the second position limiting portion <NUM> is arranged at the lower rocker arm, the second extreme height position is the highest bounce position i.e. when the wheel is moved to the highest bounce position, the steering knuckle <NUM> is moved to the second extreme height position.

In the embodiments of the present invention, the first rocker arm <NUM> serves as the upper rocker arm, and the second rocker arm <NUM> serves as the lower rocker arm; the steering knuckle <NUM> has an upper end connected with the first end of the first rocker arm <NUM>, and a lower end connected with the first end of the second rocker arm <NUM>; and the first extreme height position is the lowest bounce position of the wheel, and the second extreme height position is the highest bounce position of the wheel, that is, the first extreme height position is lower than the second extreme height position.

When the suspension device serves as a left suspension device, the wheel of the vehicle bounces on a rugged road surface in the traveling process. When the wheel of the vehicle bounces to the highest position (i.e., the second extreme height position), and the steering wheel is turned to the right or the handle is turned to rotate the steering knuckle <NUM> by the second maximum steering angle, the second position limiting portion <NUM> abuts against the fourth position limiting portion <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>, and the steering knuckle <NUM> is unable to continue rotating at this point, thus protecting each ball-pin joint. When the vehicle bounces to the lowest position (i.e., the first extreme height position), and the steering wheel is turned to the right or the handle is turned to rotate the steering knuckle <NUM> by the first maximum steering angle, the first position limiting portion <NUM> abuts against the third position limiting portion <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>, and the steering knuckle <NUM> is unable to continue rotating at this point, thus protecting each ball-pin joint.

When the suspension device serves as a right suspension device, the wheel of the vehicle bounces on the rugged road surface in the traveling process. When the wheel of the vehicle bounces to the highest position (i.e., the second extreme height position), and the steering wheel is turned to the left or the handle is turned to rotate the steering knuckle <NUM> by the second maximum steering angle, the second position limiting portion <NUM> abuts against the fourth position limiting portion <NUM>, and the steering knuckle <NUM> is unable to continue rotating at this point, thus protecting each ball-pin joint; and when the vehicle bounces to the lowest position (i.e., the first extreme height position), and the steering wheel is turned to the left or the handle is turned to rotate the steering knuckle <NUM> by the first maximum steering angle, the first position limiting portion <NUM> abuts against the third position limiting portion <NUM>, and the steering knuckle <NUM> is unable to continue rotating at this point, thus protecting each ball-pin joint.

Certainly, the left and right suspension devices may both adopt the suspension device according to the embodiments of the present invention, that is, the position limitation may be performed for left and right turns, thus protecting each ball-pin joint of the left and right suspension devices.

In the embodiments of the present invention, the first and second maximum steering angles may have the same or different values.

In the embodiments of the present invention, the structure of the second position limiting portion <NUM> is not limited. For example, the second position limiting portion <NUM> may be configured as a second protrusion structure. The structure of the fourth position limiting portion <NUM> is not limited. For example, the fourth position limiting portion <NUM> may be configured as a fourth protrusion structure.

In the embodiments of the present invention, the third position limiting portion <NUM> may be arranged at the upper end of the steering knuckle <NUM>, and the fourth position limiting portion <NUM> may be arranged at the lower end of the steering knuckle <NUM>.

In the embodiments of the present invention, as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the first position limiting portion <NUM> may be configured as a first boss which has a first inclined surface <NUM>, the third position limiting portion <NUM> may be configured as a third boss extending upwards from the upper end of the steering knuckle <NUM>, the third boss may have a third inclined surface <NUM>, and when the steering knuckle <NUM> is moved to the first extreme height position, the first inclined surface <NUM> abuts against the third inclined surface <NUM>. Certainly, the first boss may also come into a point or line contact with the third boss.

In the embodiments of the present invention, as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the second position limiting portion <NUM> may be configured as a second boss which has a second inclined surface <NUM>, the fourth position limiting portion <NUM> may be configured as a fourth boss extending downwards from the lower end of the steering knuckle <NUM>, the fourth boss may have a fourth inclined surface <NUM>, and when the steering knuckle <NUM> is moved to the second extreme height position, the second inclined surface <NUM> abuts against the fourth inclined surface <NUM>. Certainly, the second boss may also come into a point or line contact with the fourth boss.

It should be noted that the upper and lower are described herein with reference to the ground.

In the embodiments of the present invention, the first and second inclined surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> may both extend from front to rear, and the third and fourth inclined surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> may both extend in a left-right direction. It should be noted that the front and rear as well as the left and right are described herein with reference to the vehicle traveling direction.

In the embodiments of the present invention, the steering knuckle <NUM> may form a ball joint with the first end of the first rocker arm <NUM>. For example, a second mounting base <NUM> is arranged at the first end of the second rocker arm <NUM>, and connected with the steering knuckle <NUM> by a second ball-pin joint <NUM>. In the embodiments of the present invention, the second position limiting portion <NUM> may be arranged at the second mounting base <NUM>.

In the embodiments of the present invention, the first and second position limiting portions <NUM>, <NUM> may both pass through a first plane, and the first plane is perpendicular to the vehicle traveling direction, and passes through a connecting line A formed by centers of the first and second mounting bases <NUM>, <NUM>. Certainly, the first and second position limiting portions <NUM>, <NUM> may also be arranged at other positions.

In the embodiments of the present invention, the third and fourth position limiting portions <NUM>, <NUM> may both pass through the first plane when the vehicle does not turn.

In the embodiments of the present invention, the third and fourth position limiting portions <NUM>, <NUM> have equal distances from a center of the steering knuckle <NUM>. Certainly, the third and fourth position limiting portions <NUM>, <NUM> may also have unequal distances from the center of the steering knuckle <NUM>.

The embodiments of the present invention further provide an all-terrain vehicle, including the suspension device according to the embodiment of the present invention and a frame. The second ends of the first and second rocker arms <NUM>, <NUM> are both connected with the frame.

In some embodiments of the embodiment of the present invention, the all-terrain vehicle may further include: a wheel arranged at the steering knuckle and a constant-velocity drive half shaft <NUM> forming ball joints with the frame and the steering knuckle <NUM> respectively.

Claim 1:
A suspension device for an all-terrain vehicle, comprising:
a first rocker arm (<NUM>) having a first end provided with a first position limiting portion (<NUM>);
a second rocker arm (<NUM>) spaced apart from the first rocker arm (<NUM>); and
a steering knuckle (<NUM>) arranged between the first end of the first rocker arm (<NUM>) and the second rocker arm (<NUM>), the steering knuckle (<NUM>) being connected with the first end of the first rocker arm (<NUM>) and a first end of the second rocker arm (<NUM>), and the steering knuckle (<NUM>) comprises a third position limiting portion (<NUM>) configured to be fitted with the first position limiting portion (<NUM>),
wherein the third position limiting portion (<NUM>) is configured to abut against the first position limiting portion (<NUM>) when the steering knuckle (<NUM>) is moved to a first extreme height position and the all-terrain vehicle has a first maximum steering angle,
characterized in that, the first end of the second rocker arm (<NUM>) is provided with a second position limiting portion (<NUM>);
the steering knuckle (<NUM>) comprises a fourth position limiting portion (<NUM>) configured to be fitted with the second position limiting portion (<NUM>); and
the fourth position limiting portion (<NUM>) is configured to abut against the second position limiting portion (<NUM>) when the steering knuckle (<NUM>) is moved to a second extreme height position and the all-terrain vehicle has a second maximum steering angle.