Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02863072 2014-07-09
,
1
DUAL INLINE HYDRAULIC DEVICE
Field of the invention:
The present invention relates to an inline hydraulic device (hereinafter
referred to also in some cases as a "dual" inline hydraulic device, because in
some
applications, it is advantageous to have a "pair" of inline hydraulic
devices). More
particularly, in its preferred intended use, the present invention relates to
an inline
hydraulic device for mechanical assemblies (ex. suspensions, etc.), such as
the
ones used for shock absorbers on snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles (ATV) and
the
like, and also relates to a vehicle including such an inline hydraulic device,
and to a
method of operating associated thereto.
Background of the invention:
Shock absorbers are well known in the art.
Indeed, conventional shock absorbers generally comprise a hydraulic circuit
or path containing fluid (typically oil) for carrying out a damping of shocks
that a
vehicle may be subjected to when travelling over a given terrain. Essentially,
the
damping of shocks is done via a restriction of the fluid contained in the
hydraulic
path of the shock absorber.
Also known in the art are conventional shock absorbers that rely on a
compressing of an elastic objet (e.g. spring) for carrying out a corresponding
damping of shocks.
Also known in the art are conventional shock absorbers that rely on a
combined effect of both a compression of fluid and a compression of a spring.
CA 02863072 2014-07-09
=
2
It is also known in the art that in certain conventional shock absorbers, when
the shock compresses, the movement of a corresponding shaft will displace a
certain amount of hydraulic fluid (e.g. oil). This displaced oil will pass
through
adjustments (ex. "shims"). The range of these adjustments can vary the opening
of
the flow channels for the oil to pass therethrough. If the passage is smaller
or
reduced, then the oil will encounter more resistance to flow therethrough. If
the
passage is larger or increased, then the oil will encounter less resistance to
flow
therethrough. This resistance will permit the shock to absorb a certain amount
of
energy, depending on the particular static and/or dynamic loads to which the
vehicle,
including such a conventional shock absorber, is subjected to.
Also known in the art are the following US patents which describe various
devices (dampers, stabilizers, shock absorbers, etc.) for use with motorbikes,
ATVs
and the like: 1,628,811; 1,957,997; 2,009,678; 4,773,514; 5,516,133; and
6,401,884
B2.
Also known to the Applicant is US Patent No. 5,044,614 granted on
September 3rd 1991, to John A. Rau, which relates to a shock absorber spring
adjuster device. There is described a shock absorber assembly which includes a
piston/tube shock mechanism provided with adjustment devices permitting
variation
of the effective length and thus operating parameters, of a coil spring
surrounding
the shock mechanism. Adjustment is obtained by the vertical displacement of a
member surrounding a body sleeve disposed exteriorly of the shock mechanism
and
wherein this vertical displacement alters the elevation of one end of the coil
spring. A
lock nut secures the obtained adjustment and both the member and nut may be
manipulated with a simple tool cooperating with a specific configuration on
the
periphery of the member and nut.
The majority of shock absorbers available on the market now, make it
possible to increase or decrease the force applied on the shock absorber
spring via
CA 02863072 2014-07-09
3
a nut located on the absorber body. Typically, these nuts are adjustable using
a tool
that is provided with the suspension. Also known in the art are the
substantial
drawbacks associated with these types of conventional adjustment systems in
that
the adjustment of the nut could become fairly difficult considering the
restricted room
.. available around the suspension, such as on an ATV, for example. Also, each
shock
absorber spring has to be adjusted independently, increasing error in trying
to have
two or more equal spring preloads. Moreover, another substantial drawback
associated with conventional adjustment systems of shock absorbers is that
typically, the vehicle has to be stationary and the rider has to disembark
from the
vehicle, this task being also tedious and time consuming, even with the proper
specialty tooling.
It is also known in the art that there are various preload systems for
mechanical springs that are currently available on the market. These preload
systems are typically used for motorcycles. Generally, an adjusting knob is
used to
manually move a piston which will displace a fluid into a chamber, said
chamber can
expand or retract to compensate for displacement changes of the fluid. The
preload
piston can be placed remotely from the chamber to ease the accessibility of
the
knob. Fluid from the piston to the chamber will be connected typically with a
hose.
Another substantial drawback associated with this conventional type of
preload system resides in that, before finding the correct suspension
adjustments on
an ATV for example, one needs to complete several tests and one cannot
interact
with the adjustments while riding to face different types of riding conditions
or weight
distributions on the bike.
Track systems are also well known in the art.
For example, belonging to the Applicant is US Patent No. 7,556,130 B2
.. granted on July 7th, 2009, to Lamoureux et al. There is described a track
system for
CA 02863072 2014-07-09
4
providing complementary shock absorbing capability to a primary shock
absorbing
assembly having a hydraulic path containing fluid. The track system includes a
chamber, a damping assembly and an adjusting assembly. The chamber has
opposite first and second ends, the first end of the chamber being provided
with a
port operatively connectable to the hydraulic path of the primary shock
absorbing
assembly, the port being configured for allowing fluid from the hydraulic path
of the
primary shock absorbing assembly to enter and exit the chamber of the track
system
through the port thereof. The damping assembly is configured for damping a
flow of
fluid entering the chamber via the port thereof. The adjusting assembly is
configured
for adjusting a damping mode of the damping assembly.
However, the above-mentioned conventional assemblies are not configured,
designed or even meant for varying an eyelet-to-eyelet distance in response to
a
given input of a driver of the vehicle.
Indeed, taking the example of a conventional snowmobile, as illustrated in
Figures 1 and 2, when a snowmobile undertakes a left or a right turn, in some
applications, such as "back country", typically, because the suspension
assemblies
are independent from one and other, the innermost suspension assembly will
stay
against the given snow on which the snowmobile travels, but the outermost
suspension assembly will not always rest against the snow, thereby depriving
the
snowmobile from a desired traction which is useful for better steering and
control of
the snowmobile. Therefore, it would be beneficial to provide a system where
the
eyelet-to-eyelet distance can be varied in response to a steering direction of
the
vehicle, so that, in the case of a snowmobile for example, the outermost ski
may
contact the snow when the snowmobile is being turned, for better grip and
control,
etc.
CA 02863072 2014-07-09
Hence, in light of the aforementioned, there is a need for an improved device
or system which would be able to overcome and/or remedy some of the
aforementioned prior art drawbacks.
5 Summary of the invention:
An object of the present invention is to provide an inline hydraulic device
which, by virtue of its design and components, satisfies some of the above-
mentioned needs and which is thus an improvement over other related devices
and/or methods known in the prior art.
As will be explained in greater detail hereinbelow, a main advantage of the
inline hydraulic device (or "system") according to the present invention is
that it is
particularly advantageous for mechanical assemblies (ex. suspensions, shock
absorbers, etc.) used for snowmobiles, ATVs, cars, trucks, and the like, and
consists
in the addition of a simple device that can adjust the distance between top
and
bottom eyelets of a suspension, for example.
Indeed, the present system is meant to provide a system with at least one
telescopic component, provided about either one of the top or bottom mounting
components, which defines the eyelet-to-eyelet distance, so that by varying a
displacement of said telescopic component, whether it be operatively connected
to a
suspension assembly or not, one can vary the eyelet-to-eyelet distance of the
corresponding section of the vehicle, depending on the particular applications
for
which it is intended for and the desired end results.
Moreover, it is worth mentioning that the adjustment of the telescopic
component, and thus, the corresponding variation of the eyelet-to-eyelet
distance, is
meant to be done in response to a given input of the driver of the vehicle,
and such
an input can be either a "direct" input (such as, for example, a switching of
a button,
CA 02863072 2014-07-09
6
a pushing of a button, etc.), and/or in an "indirect" input (for example, a
steering of
the vehicle, an acceleration of the vehicle, a deceleration of the vehicle,
etc.). Thus,
an important advantage of the present invention is that the system allows an
adjustment and/or a variation of the eyelet-to-eyelet distance during
operation (use,
driving, etc.) of the vehicle itself, by means of such a corresponding input
of the
driver of the vehicle.
As will be explained in greater detail hereinbelow, the given input may be a
mechanical input, such as by means of linkages and other types of connectors,
a
pneumatic input, a fluid input, an electric input, an electronic input, an
electro-
mechanical input, a wireless input, and/or any combination thereof, etc. In
the
context of the present description, and according to a given possible
embodiment of
the system, an incompressible fluid, such as a hydraulic fluid, for example
will be
used as the driving component and/or adjustment component, acting on the
telescopic component of the present system.
In accordance with the present invention, the above object is achieved, as
will
be easily understood from the present description, with an inline hydraulic
device (or
"dual" inline hydraulic device), hereinafter referred to also as "system",
such as the
one briefly described herein and such as the one exemplified in the
accompanying
drawings.
More particularly, and according to one aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a system for varying an eyelet-to-eyelet distance of a vehicle,
the system
.. comprising:
top and bottom mounting components defining the eyelet-to-eyelet distance,
the top mounting component being operatively connected to a frame of the
vehicle,
and the bottom mounting component being operatively connected to a supporting
component of the vehicle; and
7
a telescopic component disposed about a housing of at least one of the top
and bottom components, the telescopic component being displaceable with
respect
to said housing in response to a given input of a driver of the vehicle, for
varying a
distance between the top and mounting components, and thus varying the eyelet-
to-
eyelet distance of the vehicle.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is also provided a
system for varying an eyelet-to-eyelet distance of a suspension assembly of a
vehicle, the system comprising:
a top mounting component operatively connected to a frame of the vehicle;
a bottom mounting component operatively connected to a supporting
component of the vehicle, the suspension assembly being operatively disposed
between the top and bottom mounting components; and
a telescopic component disposed about a housing of at least one of the top
and bottom components, the telescopic component being displaceable with
respect
to said housing in response to a given input of a driver of the vehicle, for
varying a
distance between the top and mounting components, and thus varying the eyelet-
to-
eyelet distance of the suspension assembly of the vehicle.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is also provided a
system for varying an eyelet-to-eyelet distance of a vehicle, the system
comprising:
top and bottom mounting components defining the eyelet-to-eyelet distance,
the top mounting component being operatively connected to a frame of the
vehicle,
and the bottom mounting component being operatively connected to a supporting
component of the vehicle; and
a telescopic component disposed about a housing of at least one of the top
and bottom components, the telescopic component being displaceable with
respect
to said housing in response to a given input of a driver of the vehicle, for
varying a
distance between the top and mounting components, and thus varying the eyelet-
to-
eyelet distance of the vehicle;
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-02-04
7a
wherein the system is operable between compressed and extended states,
and wherein the system is configured so that a fluid gap is defined between
the
telescopic component and an inner opposing surface of the housing when the
system is operated in a compressed state.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is also provided a vehicle
provided with the above-mentioned inline hydraulic device (or "system").
Preferably,
the vehicle is a vehicle such as a motorbike, an ATV, a snowmobile, and the
like, but
it is worth mentioning that various other types of vehicles (cars, trucks,
etc.) could
benefit from the present dual inline hydraulic device.
According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is also provided a
method of operating the above-mentioned inline hydraulic device and/or
vehicle.
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-02-04
CA 02863072 2014-07-09
8
According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is also provided a
method of installing/mounting/securing the above-mentioned inline hydraulic
device
onto a vehicle.
According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is also provided a kit
with components for assembling the above-mentioned inline hydraulic device
and/or
vehicle.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is also
provided a set of components for interchanging with components of the above-
mentioned kit.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is also
provided a method of assembling components of the above-mentioned kit.
According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, there is also
provided a method of doing business with the above-mentioned inline hydraulic
device, vehicle, kit, set and/or methods.
The objects, advantages, and other features of the present invention will
become more apparent upon reading of the following non-restrictive description
of
possible embodiments thereof, given for the purpose of exemplification only,
with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
Brief description of the drawings:
Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a snowmobile provided with a pair of
skis and corresponding independent suspension assemblies according to the
prior
art.
CA 02863072 2014-07-09
9
Figure 2 is another schematic representation of what is shown in Figure 1, the
snowmobile being shown inclined to a side in order to take a turn, thereby
resulting
in one of the suspension assemblies being raised with respect to the
travelling
surface (ex. ground, snow, etc.).
Figure 3 is a partial schematic representation of a vehicle with a suspension
assembly provided with an inline hydraulic device according to a possible
embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 is a schematic representation of an inline hydraulic device to be
used
as a movement-restricting device according to a possible embodiment of the
present
invention, the device being shown in an extended state.
Figure 5 is another schematic representation of what is shown in Figure 4, the
device being now shown in a compressed state.
Figure 6 is a schematic representation of a "dual" inline hydraulic device to
be
used as a movement-inducing device according to a possible embodiment of the
present invention.
Figure 7 is a perspective view of some of the component shown in Figure 6.
Figure 8 is a schematic representation of a suspension assembly provided
with a telescopic component to be used with an inline hydraulic device
according to
another possible embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 9 is a schematic representation of a snowmobile provided with a pair of
skis and corresponding suspension assemblies according to a possible
embodiment
of the present invention.
CA 02863072 2014-07-09
=
Figure 10 is another schematic representation of what is shown in Figure 9,
the snowmobile being shown inclined to a side in order to take a turn, with
one of the
suspension assemblies being extended in order to remain in contact with
respect to
the travelling surface (ex. ground, snow, etc.).
5
Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention:
In the following description, the same numerical references refer to similar
elements. The embodiments, geometrical configurations, materials mentioned and
10 dimensions shown in the figures are preferred, for exemplification
purposes only.
Moreover, although the present invention was primarily designed for use on
snowmobiles, ATVs and the like, it may be used with other types of vehicles
(cars,
trucks, etc.) and/or objects, as apparent to a person skilled in the art. For
this
reason, expressions such as "snowmobile", "ATV', "vehicle", etc., used herein
should not be taken so as to limit the scope of the present invention and
include all
other kinds of objects, vehicles and/or applications with which the present
invention
could be used and may be useful, as also apparent to a person skilled in the
art.
Moreover, in the context of the present invention, the expressions "inline
hydraulic device", "system", "absorber", "device", "unit", "assembly", as well
as any
other equivalent expressions and/or compound words thereof, may be used
interchangeably. The same applies for any other mutually equivalent
expressions,
such as "snowmobile", "ATV" and "vehicle" for example, as well as "oil",
"hydraulic"
and "fluid", and "compressing", "extending", "adjusting", "preloading" and
"levelling",
as also apparent to a person skilled in the art.
In addition, although the preferred embodiments of the present invention as
illustrated in the accompanying drawings comprise various components, and
although the preferred embodiments of the inline hydraulic device (or "dual"
inline
CA 02863072 2014-07-09
11
hydraulic device) and corresponding parts as shown consist of certain
geometrical
configurations, as explained and illustrated herein, not all of these
components and
geometries are essential to the invention and thus should not be taken in
their
restrictive sense, i.e. should not be taken so as to limit the scope of the
present
invention. It is to be understood, as also apparent to a person skilled in the
art, that
other suitable components and cooperations thereinbetween, as well as other
suitable geometrical configurations may be used for the inline hydraulic
device (or
"dual" inline hydraulic device) and corresponding parts according to the
present
invention, as will be briefly explained herein and as can be easily inferred
herefrom,
as apparent to a person skilled in the art, without departing from the scope
of the
present invention.
List of numerical references of some corresponding possible components
illustrated
in the accompanying drawings:
1. system (or "device")
3. eyelet-to-eyelet distance
5. suspension assembly
7. body (of suspension assembly)
9. shaft (of suspension assembly)
11. spring (of suspension assembly)
13. preload ring (of suspension assembly)
15. bumper (of suspension assembly)
17. seal head (of suspension assembly)
19. vehicle
21. top mounting component (or top "eyelet", or even top "head")
23. bottom mounting component (or bottom "eyelet")
25. telescopic component (or telescopic "eyelet")
27. frame
29. supporting component
31. housing
CA 02863072 2014-07-09
12
33. telescopic eyelet (or telescopic "piston")
35. fluid
37. fluid circuit
39. first fluid circuit (or first closed fluid circuit)
41. second fluid circuit (or second closed fluid circuit)
43. cavity (of housing)
45. primary reservoir of fluid (in telescopic component)
47. port (of telescopic component)
49. hose (or conduit)
51. hose fitting
53. piston chamber
55. mobile main piston (of piston chamber)
57. stroke (or "travel") of mobile main piston (of piston chamber)
59. first subsection (or first sub-chamber, of piston chamber)
61. second subsection (or second sub-chamber, of piston chamber)
63. port (of piston chamber)
65. reservoir cap (of piston chamber)
67. complementary fluid (ex. air, nitrogen, etc.)
69. connecting rod (or transfer rod)
71. first extremity (of connecting rod)
73. second extremity (of connecting rod)
75. outer component
77. steering stem
79. steering clamp (mountable about the steering clamp)
81. joint
83. first component (of joint)
85. second component (of joint)
87. lever arm (of steering clamp)
89. nut
91. seal head (of piston chamber)
CA 02863072 2014-07-09
13
93. bushing (of seal head)
95. inner recess (of telescopic component, for receiving fluid therein)
97. gap for fluid (between telescopic component and inner opposing surface)
99. inner opposing surface (of housing)
101.tapered passage (of inner recess)
Broadly described, the "inline hydraulic device" 1 (and/or "dual" inline
hydraulic device 1, hereinafter referred to also simply as "device" 1 or
"system" 1)
according to the present invention, is an hydraulic device 1 with a moving
part that
has a certain range of motion (stroke and/or travel) which is connected to the
chassis and/or a suspension component on a vehicle 19 to either restrict
and/or
induce its movement. The device 1 can be used in conjunction with a shock
absorber, or by itself (i.e. with no shock absorber).
There are several intended uses for the device 1, depending if it is used as a
"movement-restricting" device 1 and/or as a "movement-inducing" device 1, for
example. Indeed, and as will also be easily understood by a person skilled in
the art
in light of the present description, the present system 1 could also be used
as an
"inclination-inducing" device 1 for adjusting the inclination and/or tilt of a
given
vehicle 19 (such as a car, a motorbike, etc.) by adjusting the eyelet-to-
eyelet
distance 3 of one or several of the corresponding section(s) of the vehicle
19. Thus,
the present system 1 could also be used as an "inclination-inducing" device 1.
As exemplified in Figures 4 and 5, when used as a movement-restricting
device 1, the inline hydraulic device 1 can control, absorb and progressively
stop the
movement of the chassis and/or suspension component on a vehicle 19 either on
its
own and/or to alter the behavior of a shock absorber onto which it would be
attached
either directly or via a linkage mechanism. In such applications, the device 1
would
use hydraulic oil displacement and restriction in a closed system pressurized
with a
charge of neutral gas, such as nitrogen, for instance. An example of a
movement-
CA 02863072 2014-07-09
14
restricting application could be using the device 1 as a secondary shock
absorber
acting as a progressive stopper at the final stage of the compression cycle.
As exemplified in Figures 6 and 7, when used as a movement-inducing device
1, movement induced to one end of the "dual inline hydraulic device" 1 can
either
extend and/or compress the moving component at the other end. The input
movement can be manually induced through a mechanism or automatically induced
by weight transfers or in reaction to movement of the wheel(s) via other
moving
components of the chassis and/or suspension. In such applications, the device
1
would use hydraulic oil displacement to transfer the movement from one end of
the
device 1 to the other end in a closed system, with or without the use of a
neutral gas
charge such as nitrogen to pressurize the system. An example of a movement-
inducing application could be using the device 1 to transform rider-induced
movement such as steering to control vehicle behavior by moving other chassis
and/or suspension components via a coupling linkage mechanism.
The different components and features of the present system 1 according to
examples of different possible embodiments will be described in greater detail
in
reference to the accompanying drawings.
For instance, according to one of the possible embodiments exemplified,
there can be provided a system 1 for varying an eyelet-to-eyelet distance 3 of
a
suspension assembly 5 of a vehicle 19, the system 1 comprising: a) a top
mounting
component 21 operatively connected to a frame 27 of the vehicle 19; b) a
bottom
mounting component 23 operatively connected to a supporting component 29 of
the
vehicle 19, the suspension assembly 5 being operatively disposed between the
top
and bottom mounting components 21,23; and c) a telescopic component 25
disposed about a housing 31 of at least one of the top and bottom components
21,23, the telescopic component 25 being displaceable with respect to said
housing
31 in response to a given input of a driver of the vehicle 19, for varying a
distance
CA 02863072 2014-07-09
between the top and mounting components 21,23, and thus varying the eyelet-to-
eyelet distance 3 of the suspension assembly 5 of the vehicle 19.
As mentioned earlier, the present inline hydraulic system 1 may be used with
5 and/or without a corresponding suspension assembly 5, and in its minimal
configuration, it is meant to adjustably vary the eyelet-to-eyelet distance 3
of a
corresponding section of a vehicle 19, in response to a given input of a
driver of said
vehicle 19, either before and/or during the use of the vehicle 19 itself. As
it will also
be easily understood by a person skilled in the art in light of the present
description,
10 the telescopic feature of the selected mounting component(s) of the
present system
1 may come in different various different shapes and forms, and only a few
examples are given herein.
For example, as better illustrated in Figures 4-6, the telescopic component 25
15 may be displaceable with respect to a housing 31 of at least one of the top
and
bottom components 21,23 in response to a steering direction of the vehicle 19.
As
mentioned earlier, steering of the vehicle 19 is merely but one example of a
possible
"input" that could be used for activating a displacement of the telescopic
component
of the present inline hydraulic system 1, and various other types of inputs
could
20 be used to either affect "directly" or "indirectly" an adjustment of the
telescopic
component 25, and thus a variable adjustment eyelet-to-eyelet distance 3 of a
corresponding section of the vehicle 19.
As exemplified in the accompanying drawings, the housing 31 can be part of
25 the bottom mounting component 23. It is worth mentioning also that the
telescopic
feature of the present system 1 could also be provided on the top mounting
component 21, as a result, the present system 1 also contemplates the
provision of
telescopic components 25 on one and/or both of the top and bottom mounting
components 21,23.
CA 02863072 2014-07-09
16
The telescopic component 25 may include a telescopic eyelet 33 displaceable
with respect to the housing 31, and according to the embodiments illustrated
in the
accompanying drawings, the telescopic component 25 can be displaceable by
means of a fluid 35, preferably provided from a closed fluid circuit 37.
The housing 31 can also include a cavity 43 for receiving a primary reservoir
of fluid 45, and the housing 31 may also include a port 47 fluidly connected
to the
cavity 43 for receiving a primary reservoir of fluid 45. The port 47 can be
removably
connectable to a hose 49 along which fluid 35 is displaceable, and the port 47
could
be removably connectable to the hose 49 by means of a hose fitting 51, for
example.
The hose 49 may be removably connectable to a piston chamber 53 into
which fluid 35 is allowed to exit and enter, so as to vary an amount of fluid
35
entering and exiting the housing 31, thereby allowing an adjustment of a
displacement of the telescopic component 25 with respect to the housing 31,
and in
turn allowing a corresponding adjustment of the eyelet-to-eyelet distance 3 of
the
suspension assembly 5 of the vehicle 19.
The piston chamber 53 can include a mobile main piston 55 defining first and
second subsections 59,61 of the piston chamber 53, the mobile main piston 55
being
displaceable along the piston chamber 53 for pushing against fluid 35 in the
first
subsection 59 of the piston chamber 53, out of said piston chamber 53, and
into the
housing 31 of the telescopic component 25, via a corresponding conduit (ex.
hose).
The piston chamber 53 may include a port 63 fluidly connected to the first
subsection 59 for receiving fluid 35 from the corresponding conduit. The port
63 can
be removably connectable to a hose 49 along which fluid 35 is displaceable.
The
port 63 can be removably connectable to the hose 49 by means of a hose fitting
51,
for example. The port 63 could be provided about a reservoir cap 65 of the
piston
chamber 53.
CA 02863072 2014-07-09
17
The second subsection 61 of the piston chamber 53 can be filled with a
complementary fluid 67.
The complementary fluid 67 can be selected from the group consisting of air
and nitrogen, for example. Indeed, the second subsection 61 of the piston
chamber
53 is preferably filled with a gas, such as air, or nitrogen, the latter being
an example
of a gas whose properties are not substantially affected when subject to high
temperatures. Of course, and as can be easily understood by a person skilled
in the
art, various other types of different gas can be used in the corresponding
second
subsection 61 of the piston chamber 53, and ultimately, this second subsection
61 of
the piston chamber 53 could be provided with a substantially compressible
fluid.
As previously explained, an important aspect of the present system 1 is that
one of the top or bottom mounting components 21,23, or both for that matter,
can be
provided with a telescopic component 25 that is adjustable in length, so as to
in turn
adjustably vary the corresponding eyelet-to-eyelet distance 3 of the
corresponding
section of the vehicle 19 with which the present system 1 is being used. In
the
context of the present description, it has been exemplified how a "fluid"
circuit could
be used as a simple, effective and reliable way of adjusting positioning of
the
telescopic component 25 with respect to its corresponding mounting component
21,23. However, it is worth mentioning again there are various other types of
different means that could be used for adjustably varying the displacement of
the
telescopic component 25 so as to in turn vary the corresponding eyelet-to-
eyelet
distance 3 of the corresponding section of the vehicle 19, and other means,
such as
mechanical means, electrical means, electronic means, pneumatic means, electro-
mechanical means (ex. pumps, controllers, etc.) and the like, could be used to
act
"directly" or "indirectly" onto the telescopic component 25, and in the
present case, in
the mobile portion of the eyelet 33 which moves "up and down" (or "back and
forth",
"side to side", etc., depending on the orientation/disposition of the system
(1), etc.
CA 02863072 2014-07-09
. .
18
In the examples given in the accompanying drawings, a closed fluid circuit 37
has been used, and the mobile piston pump of the piston chamber 53 is
preferably
displaced via a mechanical component which is either directly or indirectly
connected
to the given input to be used by the driver of the vehicle 19 in order to act
onto the
telescopic component 25, and according to a given embodiment of the present
system, which consists of having the "steering" of the vehicle 19 as the
"input" being
used for driving and/or adjusting the telescopic component 25, it will be
explained
how a simple connecting rod 69 which is operatively connected to steering
column of
the vehicle 19 can be used in order to activate and/or "drive" the present
system 1.
Indeed, the mobile main piston 55 of the piston chamber 53 can be displaceable
via
a corresponding connecting rod 69.
As shown in the Figures, the connecting rod 69 may have a first extremity 71
removably connectable to a rear portion of the mobile main piston 55 of the
piston
chamber 53 and a second extremity 73 removably connectable to an outer
component 75 displaceable in response to the given input of the driver of the
vehicle
19. As mentioned, the second extremity 73 of the connecting rod 69 can be
displaceable in response to a steering direction of the vehicle 19, for
example. The
second extremity 73 of the connecting rod 69 may thus be operatively
connectable
to a steering stem 77 of the vehicle 19. More particularly, and as exemplified
in the
figures, the second extremity 73 of the connecting rod 69 can be operatively
connectable to a steering clamp 79 removably mountable about the steering stem
77. The second extremity 73 of the connecting rod 69 can be operatively
connectable to the steering clamp 79 by means of a joint 81. The joint 81 may
include a first component 83 mountable onto the steering clamp 79 and a second
component 85 removably connectable to the second extremity 73 of the
connecting
rod 69. The first component 83 of the joint 81 can be mountable onto a
corresponding lever arm 87 of the steering clamp 79.
CA 02863072 2014-07-09
. .
19
As may be easily appreciated, having different clamps 79 with different
lengths of lever arms 87 may be used to in turn vary the rate at which the
connecting
rods 69 and corresponding mobile main pistons 55 of the piston chambers 53 are
displaced at, so as to provide the present system 1 with varying rates of
adjustments
for the eyelet-to-eyelet distance 3.
Positioning of the second extremity 73 of the connecting rod 69 with respect
to the joint 81 may also be adjustable.
It is worth mentioning that various possible means may be used for enabling
an adjustment of the connecting rod 69 with respect to the corresponding joint
81.
For example, the second component 85 of the joint 81 can be threadedly
engageable into the second extremity 73 of the connecting rod 69. Delimitation
of
the positioning of the second extremity 73 of the connecting rod 69 with
respect to
the joint 81 can be securable by means of a nut 89, for example.
In a case where the connecting rod 69 is used to transmit the given input to
the system 1 by means of a corresponding piston chamber 53, as exemplified in
the
accompanying drawings, the connecting rod 69 is preferably configured for
passing
through a seal head 91 of the piston chamber 53. The seal head 91 can be
provided
with a corresponding bushing 93 for receiving the connecting rod 69. The
bushing 93
is configured for ensuring a substantially straight axial displacement of the
connecting rod 69 along the piston chamber 53.
As can be easily understood when referring to Figure 6, the present system 1
is designed so that when the telescopic component 25 is in a "compressed"
state,
there is still preferably a little gap 97 between the telescopic component 25
and the
inner opposing surface 99 of the housing 31, so that a certain amount of fluid
35 may
be present therein, so as to facilitate displacement back into an extended
state when
fluid 35 is pushed back into the housing 31 via an activation of the mobile
main
CA 02863072 2014-07-09
piston 55 of the piston chamber 53. Indeed, it is known that displacing the
telescopic
component 25 would be much easier by the presence of such a fluid gap 97, than
attempting to push or introduce fluid 35 between two metallic components that
would
be flush against one another. Preferably also, and as illustrated in Figures 4-
6, the
5 telescopic component 25 may include an inner recess 95 in order to
accommodate
fluid therein, said inner recess 95 may be provided with a tapered passage
101, so
as to further facilitate the introduction of fluid 35 into the recess 95 and
thereby
facilitate pushing of the fluid 35 from the hose 49 against the telescopic
component
25. In addition to facilitating or pushing of the fluid 35 against the
telescopic
10 component 25, the presence of such an inner recess 95 for the telescopic
component 25 also makes it for a lighter component, given than the density of
fluid is
generally smaller than the density of the metallic materials that are
typically used for
machining or manufacturing the corresponding eyelet 33 and mounting components
21,23, and in some applications (ex. competitive racing, etc.), any reduction
of
15 .. weight is greatly beneficial.
As previously explained, and according to another aspect of the present
invention, there is also provided a kit with corresponding components for
assembling
an inline hydraulic system 1 such as the one briefly described and such as the
one
20 .. exemplified in the accompanying drawings.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is also provided
with a vehicle 19 which may or may not include a corresponding suspension
assembly 5, provided with at least one of an inline hydraulic system 1, such
as the
one briefly described herein and such as the one exemplified in the
accompanying
drawings.
The system 1 could be operatively provided about a front or a rear supporting
component(s) 29 of the vehicle 19, or on both, depending if we are dealing
with a
.. snowmobile, an ATV, a motorbike, a car, a truck, or any other type of
vehicle with
t. CA 02863072 2014-07-09
,
,
21
which the present system 1 could be used for movement-inducing, movement-
restriction, and/or inclination-inducing, as aforementioned. Preferably, the
vehicle 19
is provided with a pair of systems 1, including first and second systems 1,
which may
be provided respectively on the front and/or rear portions of the vehicle 19,
or on the
section where a corresponding component of the vehicle 19 would benefit from
the
presence of such a system 1.
For example, the first system 1 can be operatively provided about a front
supporting component 29 of the vehicle 19 and the second system can be
operatively provided about a rear supporting component 29 of the vehicle 19.
Alternatively, the first system 1 could be operatively provided about a front
left
supporting component 29 of the vehicle 19 and the second system 1 could be
operatively provided about a front right supporting component 29 of the
vehicle 19.
Alternatively, the first system 1 could be operatively provided about a rear
left
supporting component 29 of the vehicle and the second system 1 could be
operatively provided about a rear right supporting component 29 of the vehicle
19.
On a vehicle 19 having four wheels for example, the vehicle 19 could be
provided with four separate inline hydraulic devices 1 according to the
present
system, one for each wheel assembly, and if need may be, for each
corresponding
suspension assembly 5.
As a result, a vehicle 19 may be provided with a corresponding inline
hydraulic device 1 for each supporting component 29 that it may contain.
It is worth mentioning also that in the context of the present description,
"supporting component" 29 may come in various different shapes and forms,
depending on the type of vehicles being used, and/or for which the present
system 1
is being intended. For example, in the case of a snowmobile, the supporting
CA 02863072 2014-07-09
=
22
component 29 may be a corresponding "ski" or "skid", whereas in the case of a
motorbike, a car or a truck, the corresponding supporting component 29 may be
a
corresponding "wheel", or a "plurality of wheels" of the vehicle 19. Thus, it
is worth
mentioning that the supporting component 29 in the context of the present
description is not meant to be used in a restrictive sense, and that the
present
system 1 could be used in any type of vehicle or device where an eyelet-to-
eyelet
distance 3 may need to be adjusted via a given input of the driver of the
vehicle 19,
whether it be before and/or during the use of the vehicle itself, etc.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is also provided a
kit for corresponding components for assembling a vehicle 19 such as the one
briefly
described herein, and the one exemplified in the accompanying drawings.
According to another aspect of the present system, there is also provided a
method of varying an eyelet-to-eyelet distance 3 of at least one section of a
vehicle
19, the method comprising the steps of: a) providing top and bottom mounting
components 21,23 defining the eyelet-to-eyelet distance 3 of the at least one
section
of the vehicle 19; b) providing a telescopic component 25 disposed about a
housing
31 of at least one of the top and bottom components 21,23, the telescopic
component 25 being displaceable with respect to said housing 31 in response to
a
given input of a driver of the vehicle 19; and c) displacing the telescopic
component
with respect to the housing 31 via the given input, so as to vary the eyelet-
to-
eyelet distance 3 of the at least one section of the vehicle 19 accordingly.
25 Step
a) may include the step of providing top and bottom mounting
components 21,23 defining a respective eyelet-to-eyelet distance 3 for a
plurality of
different sections of the vehicle 19.
CA 02863072 2014-07-09
,
,
,
23
Step b) may include the step of providing the telescopic component 25 about
a housing 31 of the bottom mounting component 23 of each section of the
vehicle
19.
Step c) includes the step of using an input selected from the group consisting
of a fluid input, a pneumatic input, a mechanical input, an electric input, an
electro-
mechanical, an electronic input and a wireless input.
As can be easily understood when referring to the accompanying figures, the
working principle behind the "dual inline hydraulic device" 1 is analogous to
a
DeCarbon-type shock absorber with a main oil reservoir, main activating piston
(either full or with shim stack damping), restricted or unrestricted oil
passage leading
to a secondary reservoir in which a floating piston separates the oil from
either a
pressurized gas charge, oil reservoir of a shock absorber attached to it or
oil
chamber of another "dual inline hydraulic device" attached to it. Any movement
at
one end is reciprocated at the other of the system, either directly or with
controlled
restriction of the oil flow (adjustable or non-adjustable restriction).
As may now be better appreciated, the "dual inline hydraulic device" 1 is
fairly
easy to use and install in that it uses widely known mechanisms and principles
but
its innovative design and way of operating is intended to allow the device 1
to be
used in symbiotic conjunction with other mechanisms and devices to open a new
world of possible ways to alter the suspension, steering, handling and other
behaviors of various types of vehicles. To the Applicant's knowledge, no other
existing device (similar or not) can either reduce and/or induce movement with
a
single device 1 that can be connected to other chassis or suspension
components.
As can be easily understood by a person skilled in the art in view of the
present description, and in regards to the control system or given input from
the
driver of the vehicle 19 (or simply, the user of the present system 1), this
control
CA 02863072 2014-07-09
24
system can be manually operated by means of a knob, mechanically,
hydraulically,
pneumatically or electrically operated, or any combination of the
aforementioned
description.
The present system 1 can also permit an a restriction and/or a positioning of
one of the eyelet with respect to the other, as can be easily understood by a
person
skilled in the art, by varying the telescopic component by specific
increment(s)
and/or position(s), as directed by the given input of the system 1 (ex. a
steering
action of the vehicle, etc.).
In ending, the scope of the claims should not be limited by the possible
embodiments set forth in the examples, but should be given the broadest
interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.
