Suspension Geometry (e.g., Camber, Caster, Toe-in/toe-out, Wheel Track, Road Contact) Patents (Class 280/5.52)
  • Patent number: 11840293
    Abstract: In a turning system for a vehicle, a toe angle change is acquired based on an estimated stroke which is a stroke of a suspension which is estimated based on a moving state of a vehicle and an actual stroke which is an actual stroke of the suspension detected by a stroke sensor, and control of a turning angle of a vehicle wheel is performed based on the acquired toe angle change. Accordingly, it is possible to appropriately perform control of a turning angle even in travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kazuki Takasuga
  • Patent number: 11794811
    Abstract: Techniques for using ball joint sensor data to determine conditions relevant to a vehicle are described in this disclosure. For example, in one example, the ball joint sensor data may be used to determine estimated steering data. The estimated steering data may be directly used to navigate through an environment, such as by the vehicle relying on the estimated steering data when planning, tracking, or executing a driving maneuver. Also, the estimated steering data may be used to verify the reliability of other steering sensor data used to navigate through the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Zoox, Inc.
    Inventors: Ahditya Melkote, Vishveshwar Ramanathan Subramanian
  • Patent number: 11548344
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to improve accuracy in estimation of a state of a vehicle in order to achieve excellent ride comfort. An ECU (600) includes a reference vehicle model computation section (1100), which is configured to calculate a reference output by carrying out computation with respect to at least one of a plurality of state amounts in a planar direction and at least one of a plurality of state amounts in an up-down direction in an inseparable manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: HITACHI ASTEMO, LTD.
    Inventors: Yuichiro Minakuchi, Masaki Izawa
  • Patent number: 11167610
    Abstract: A wheel suspension (1) for a motor vehicle that has a wheel carrier (2) for holding a wheel (3), a wheel-guiding control arm (4) for the articulated connection of the wheel carrier (2) to a body (6), and steering member (8) for steering the wheel (3). The wheel carrier (2) and the wheel-guiding control arm (4) are directly connected, in a first connection area (20), and indirectly connected, in a second connection area (21), by an integral link (5) so that, relative to the wheel-guiding control arm (4), the wheel carrier (2) can pivot about a steering axis. The wheel suspension is characterized by a chassis element (12) that is articulated on a body side and is directly connected to the wheel carrier (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Klaus Wallgren, Knut Heidsieck
  • Patent number: 11091000
    Abstract: An actuator system for a vehicle suspension system includes: an actuator having a piston and a first fluid chamber separated from a second fluid chamber by the piston; a hydraulic pump having a first port connected by a first hydraulic circuit to the first chamber via a first valve, the first valve being a damper valve operable to variably restrict flow of hydraulic fluid out of the first chamber; a first hydraulic accumulator connected to the first hydraulic circuit between the first port and the first valve; and a second hydraulic accumulator connected to the first port by a second valve, the second valve being a variable pressure relief valve operable to variably restrict flow of hydraulic fluid from the first port to the second hydraulic accumulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: JAGUAR LAND ROVER LIMITED
    Inventors: Luke Birch, Robert Neilson, James Robertson, Sam Brown
  • Patent number: 11052945
    Abstract: A toe angle control system for a vehicle, includes: an actuator having an output part configured to receive a driving force of an electric motor via a gear transmission mechanism and to be displaced by the driving force such that a displacement of the output part varies a toe angle of a wheel; and a controller controlling the electric motor, wherein the controller is configured to calculate an operation quantity of the electric motor, and, when the controller determines that a current displacement direction of the output part and a displacement direction of the output part corresponding to the operation quantity are opposite to each other, the controller corrects the operation quantity to reduce the operation quantity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yosuke Ojima, Kenichi Takishita
  • Patent number: 10994789
    Abstract: The rear cross member structure includes a cam bolt seating unit formed in a rear cross member and having a cam bolt which fixes a lower arm and is seated in the cam bolt seating unit, a cam bolt insertion hole unit formed in the cam bolt seating unit and having the cam bolt inserted into the cam bolt insertion hole unit, and a cam bolt guide unit protruding from the cam bolt seating unit and configured to guide a rotation of the cam bolt by being brought into contact with sides of the cam bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hong Rae Chung
  • Patent number: 10864790
    Abstract: A method for producing a mounting arrangement for a link of a motor vehicle suspension that is or can be pivotably mounted on a subframe of the motor vehicle, having the following steps: providing the subframe, which has a first and a second mounting flange for mounting the link; providing at least one intermediate product of a bracket; integrally joining the intermediate product to a mounting flange of the subframe by welding; forming an elongated hole in the intermediate product by punching of the same; and forming at least one stop on the intermediate product for an adjusting eccentric for chassis adjustment by stamping the intermediate product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Michael Behn
  • Patent number: 10639953
    Abstract: An automatic tilting vehicle is provided that includes left and right front wheels supported by knuckles, a steerable rear wheel, a vehicle tilting device, and a control unit. The vehicle tilting device includes a swing member, a tilt actuator for swing the swing member, and a pair of tie rods pivotally attached to the swing member and the knuckles. The control unit calculates a target lateral acceleration of the vehicle, estimates a lateral acceleration of the vehicle caused by the gyro moments of the wheels and calculates a target tilt angle of the vehicle based on a sum of the target lateral acceleration and the lateral acceleration caused by the gyro moments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yukihide Kimura, Toshihide Yano, Junrou Yamamoto, Taku Nagasawa
  • Patent number: 9930821
    Abstract: An Agricultural vehicle has a frame supported by a front pair of wheels and a back pair of wheels, wherein the back pair of wheels are steerable and wherein each wheel of the back pair of wheels is connected to the frame via a respective intermediate support element that is pivotable with respect to the frame in such a manner that the back pair of wheels are movable between a first position wherein the back pair of wheels defines a first track width and are positioned at a first distance from the front pair of wheels, and a second position wherein the back pair of wheels defines a second track width and are positioned at a second distance from the front pair of wheels, wherein the first track width is larger than the second track width and wherein the first distance is smaller than the second distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Jimmie D. Clifford, Frank R. G. Duquesne, Herbert M. Farley
  • Patent number: 9796417
    Abstract: A rolling type vehicle includes a pair of left and right front wheels and has a vehicle body capable of rolling. The rolling type vehicle includes a pair of left and right arm members supported in a swingable manner by the vehicle body on inner sides in the transverse direction for supporting the left and right front wheels in a steerable manner on outer sides in the transverse direction. A pair of left and right knuckle members are supported by transversely outer end portions of the left and right arm members in a swingable manner and which are steered together with the left and right front wheels, respectively. A regulating member for regulating the turning angle of each front wheel is provided between the transversely outer end portion of at least one of the left and right arm members and the knuckle member supported by the transversely outer end portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yotaro Mori, Hisakazu Yasui
  • Patent number: 8943916
    Abstract: A chassis actuator adjusting a movably mounted component of a chassis, which has a first actuator component connected to the movably mounted component and a second actuator component connected to a fixed chassis component. The actuator components are adjustable axially by a ball screw that has a threaded spindle and a nut which runs on spindle. The nut is driveable by a drive motor that has a rotor coupled to the nut and a fixed stator arranged axially symmetrically with respect to the nut. The rotor is coupled to the nut by a wrap spring which radially surrounds the nut and via which the nut is rotated during rotation of the rotor and which forms a brake device. The brake device can be actuated by an external chassis force which acts on and rotates the nut and builds up a friction moment that counteracts the rotation of the nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Juergen Osterlaenger, Mark Lauger, Thomas Mehlis
  • Patent number: 8944439
    Abstract: A upper arm 4b of a suspension for a vehicle is constructed by: a casing 12 that is supported by the vehicle so as to be able to pivot in the up-down direction; a pair of screw shafts 20 that are supported by the casing 12 so as to be able to move only in the axial direction; a pair of screw nuts 21 that engage around the pair of screw shafts 20, and are supported by the casing so as only to be able to rotate; a worm reduction gear 14 that rotates the screw nuts 21; and a pair of link arms 29, where the base end sections respectively connect to the tip end sections of the pair of screw shafts 20 and the tip end sections respectively connect to knuckle 3 so as to be able to rotate around a shaft in the up-down direction of the vehicle. The screw shafts 20 are moved out in opposite directions from each other in the axial direction, which causes the opening angle of the pair of link arms 29a to change, and thus changes the overall length of the upper arm 4b in the width direction of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Matsuda, Daisuke Gunji
  • Patent number: 8910952
    Abstract: An active geometry control suspension system may include a toe control mechanism having an assist link disposed between the wheel carrier and the sub-frame, a housing unit integrally formed with the sub-frame and having hinge brackets integrally formed at both sides of a wheel side one surface, a guide unit configured to guide a vehicle body side connection portion of the assist link along a predetermined trajectory through a cam guider which slides upward and downward along guide, a drive unit configured to transmit rotating driving torque, and a power transmission unit configured to transmit the linear motion to the vehicle body side connection portion of the assist link so that the vehicle body side connection portion of the assist link is raised and lowered along a predetermined trajectory of the guide unit by the rotating driving torque of the screw shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Sang Hoon Yoo, In Seok Seo, Sung Bae Jang, Byung Gu Kang, Un Koo Lee
  • Patent number: 8894077
    Abstract: A device for adjusting the camber and/or the toe of a vehicle wheel of a motor vehicle includes a wheel carrier, which has a wheel-side carrier part and an axle-side guide part, between which rotary parts that can be rotated relative to each other are arranged, wherein at least one of the rotary parts can be adjusted in both rotational directions by means of a drive and a gear stage in order to adjust the toe and/or the camber. The gear stage for the rotary part is configured as harmonic drive gear train having a driving, elliptical drive disk, and a stationary, internally toothed ring gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventors: Wilfried Michel, Karl-Heinz Meitinger, Christoph Kossira, Hugo Müller, Wolfgang Schmid
  • Patent number: 8777623
    Abstract: An apparatus for teaching defensive driving includes a hub unit removably attachable to an axle of a wheel of a vehicle, and a housing unit. The housing unit includes a swing arm member pivotally affixed therewithin, a wheel-height adjusting mechanism, and at least one wheel assembly swiveling along a vertical axis and affixed at a bottom end of the housing unit. The swing arm member includes a unit for fittingly engaging a portion of the hub unit and a height adjustable member. The height adjusting mechanism is operatingly coupled to the height adjustable member to adjust a height of the wheel relative to a surface of a road, thereby adjusting a friction level between the wheel and the road surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Inventors: Thomas Byrne, David Meehan
  • Patent number: 8755971
    Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a variance determination module and a fault detection module. The variance determination module determines a variance of samples generated from a ride height signal. The ride height signal is output by a ride height sensor that detects a ride height of a vehicle. The fault detection module detects a fault in the ride height sensor based on the variance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Inventors: Brian A. MacFarlane, John F. Larsen, Steven A. Opiteck
  • Publication number: 20140156143
    Abstract: A variable-geometry suspension apparatus for a vehicle is disclosed. The apparatus having a resiliently compressible member, such as a coil-over damper, an actuator and support structure, such as a chassis of a vehicle. The resiliently compressible member is mounted to the support structure for compression under the weight of a mass suspendable by the apparatus. The compressible member is mounted with at least one end of the compressible member displaceable in a displacement direction having a component perpendicular to the direction of compression, so that such displacement varies the geometry of the suspension apparatus and thereby varies the compression of the compressible member. The actuator is arranged for displacing the end of the compressible member in the displacement direction to vary the geometry and thereby vary the compression. Applications include motor vehicles such as cars and motorcycles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: IMPERIAL INNOVATIONS LIMITED
    Inventors: Simos Evangelou, Caspar Kneip, Daniele Dini, Olivier De Meerschman, Charalambos Palas, Alexandre Tocatlian
  • Patent number: 8708353
    Abstract: A toe/camber adjustment mechanism comprising: a first ear section having an aperture; a second ear section having an aperture; at least one cam plate positioned on at least one aperture in the ear sections, the cam plate comprising: a rod aperture offset from a center of the cam plate; a plurality of positioning apertures; and a torque application point; at least one locking insert member aligning and fixing at least one of the positioning apertures in the cam plate with at least one aperture in the ear sections; and a pivot rod extending through the apertures in the ear sections and the rod aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Inventor: Jeffrey L. Vey
  • Patent number: 8657313
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a rear wheel steering system for vehicles and vehicle comprising said system which allows rotating the rear wheels by means of a single actuator without increasing the suspended masses, comprising an independent suspension assembly for each rear wheel, wherein each independent suspension assembly comprises a suspension arm having a first end operatively connected to an axle of a wheel, each suspension arm having two second ends which are articulated to a fixed part of the vehicle, each suspension arm being able to rotate with respect to a rotation shaft where the two second ends of each suspension arm are articulated; the system comprising a synchronization device comprising at least one synchronization rod the ends of which are connected by means of sliding carriages to the rotation shafts, each sliding carriage being operatively connected to the axle of each wheel by means of a transmission rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignees: Edai Technical Unit A.I.E., Paq Electronics, S.L., Gat Staff S.L., Fundacion Tecnalia Research & Innovation
    Inventors: Alberto Peña Rodríguez, Iñaki Iglesias Aguinaga, Rafael Teijeiro Castro, Ivan Seras Escolano, Imanol Fernández Fontecha, Guillermo Cadiñanos Bañales, Javier Lezama Ortiz De Urbina, Gorka Agos Esparza
  • Patent number: 8596647
    Abstract: An active roll control device utilizes a driving torque to move a suspension arm side connection point of a stabilizer link that connects both sides of a stabilizer bar with a suspension arm along a sliding unit such that roll of a vehicle is actively controlled. The sliding unit includes a linear shaft that extends in a vehicle width direction in a housing on the suspension arm, a linear bushing into which the linear shaft is inserted to be slidably moved along the linear shaft in the housing, and a bushing housing that is fixed on an external circumference of the linear bushing, a double ball joint is fixed on an inner side thereof to connect the bushing housing, and the double ball joint is connected to a drive shaft of the drive source through one end of a push rod and a lower end of the stabilizer link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Un Koo Lee, Sung Bae Jang, Pil Young Jeong
  • Patent number: 8571756
    Abstract: Wheel suspension for vehicle, with support, steering knuckle connected in articulated manner with the support via interconnected joints, a vehicle wheel rotatably supported on the steering knuckle, a connecting element extending between a first joint and a second joint which is connected in an articulated manner via the first joint to the steering knuckle and via the second joint to the support, an angle detection device , for measuring the rotation angle of one of the joints and for generating an angle signal characterizing the rotation angle, an evaluation device, for evaluating the angle signal, and which is coupled with the angle detection device. The connecting element is a chassis actuator with an adjusting means, with which the length of the chassis actuator and thereby the position of the vehicle wheel is varied. The length of the chassis actuator is determined with the evaluation device by evaluating the at least one angle signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Metin Ersoy, Marc Wiesenthal
  • Patent number: 8556009
    Abstract: A “super fuel efficient”, safe, low-cost and yet high performance 4-wheeled vehicle is configured with motorcycle wheels and tires having continuous radius tires and of outside diameter (20-26 inches). A special configuration of the invention permits a 4-wheeled vehicle to naturally camber while engaging a corner, or while maneuvering on a slope. Integration of a “short-cycling”, low storage mass hybrid drivetrain into the vehicle, and further, an exhaust heat energy recovery system, secures the efficiency opportunity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Inventor: Bradley Wayne Bartilson
  • Publication number: 20130241161
    Abstract: A pivoting axle system for an aerial lift vehicle includes a plurality of axles pivotally secured to the vehicle chassis at respective pivot points between a stowed position and a working position. Each axle is coupleable with a wheel assembly at distal ends thereof. Actuators are connected between the chassis and each of the plurality of axles, respectively, where the actuators are connected to the chassis at positions spaced from the pivot points, respectively. Additionally, each of the plurality of axles is independently controllable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: JLG INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventor: Dave Berry
  • Patent number: 8516914
    Abstract: A suspension actuator (1) for positioning a movably mounted component of a motor vehicle suspension, including a first actuator component (4), which is to be connected to the movably mounted component, and a second actuator component (3), which is to be connected to a fixed suspension component, wherein both actuator components can be axially adjusted relative to one another via a ball-type linear drive (5), which includes a threaded spindle (6) and a nut (7) running thereon. Either the nut can be driven via a drive motor (10) for the axial adjustment of the threaded spindle or the spindle can be driven via a drive motor for axial adjustment of the nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jürgen Osterlänger, Ralf Mayer, Manfred Kraus, Thomas Mehlis, Stefanie Bärthlein, Meinhard Schmidt, Thomas Dirnberger, Tobias Noss, Falk Heinrich
  • Patent number: 8515620
    Abstract: A motor vehicle, with a drive train comprising a drive assembly, a transmission and wheels (2). The drive train further including actuators (3, 4) for adjusting at least one of the tracking and/or the camber. Sensors (5), for determining the tracking and/or camber, are integrated in the motor vehicle, and a control unit (6) only operates the actuators (3, 4), to adjust the tracking and/or the camber, when the drive train is in a defined actual static condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Karl-Hermann Ketteler, Thomas Winstel, Guenther Horsak, Marc Wiesenthal
  • Patent number: 8500133
    Abstract: The invention relates to a wheel suspension for a motor vehicle, comprising a wheel-side carrier part (12) holding a vehicle wheel (1) in a rotatable manner, and an axle-side guiding part (14) between which mutually rotating rotary parts (16, 18) are arranged. The guiding part (14), the rotary parts (16, 18) and/or the carrier part (12) interact with first and second effective areas (18a, 36a; 18b, 16b; 16a, 54a) facing each other. According to the invention, the first effective area radially defines a conical or spherical hollow profile into which the corresponding second effective area protrudes in an essentially form-fitting manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventors: Wilfried Michel, Karl-Heinz Meitinger, Christoph Kossira, Hugo Müller, Wolfgang Schmid
  • Patent number: 8485536
    Abstract: The automated actuating shock mount for improved vehicle cornering preferably includes at least one linear actuation device and a control system. The linear actuation device includes a drive lug and a linear actuation device. The drive lug is modified to form an upper shock mount for the upper end of the vehicle shock. The linear actuation device is attached to the vehicle in the same place as the upper shock mount. The control system controls the actuation of the at least one linear actuation device. The control system may receive a steering input to raise the linear actuation device or input through at least one actuation switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Inventor: Philip S. Pierce
  • Patent number: 8469371
    Abstract: An active geometric control suspension system may include an upper arm connected to a side above and between a rear wheel-sided knuckle and a subframe, and an assist link connected to the other side above and between the knuckle and the subframe, together with a node-changeable unit, wherein the node-changeable unit includes a housing formed at a portion of the subframe, a track-variable kit detachably coupled to brackets of the housing, cam-operating rails fixed to a side of the track-variable kit, a cam disposed on the cam-operating rails of the track-variable kit to be slidable up/down along the cam-operating rails, and a cam bolt connecting the cam with a vehicle body-sided connecting portion of the assist link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Un Koo Lee, Sung Bae Jang, Byung Gu Kang, Sang Hoon Yoo
  • Publication number: 20130147134
    Abstract: An active geometric control suspension system may include an upper arm connected to a side above and between a rear wheel-sided knuckle and a subframe, and an assist link connected to the other side above and between the knuckle and the subframe, together with a node-changeable unit, wherein the node-changeable unit includes a housing formed at a portion of the subframe, a track-variable kit detachably coupled to brackets of the housing, cam-operating rails fixed to a side of the track-variable kit, a cam disposed on the cam-operating rails of the track-variable kit to be slidable up/down along the cam-operating rails, and a cam bolt connecting the cam with a vehicle body-sided connecting portion of the assist link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Un Koo Lee, Sung Bae Jang, Byung Gu Kang, Sang Hoon Yoo
  • Patent number: 8459661
    Abstract: The invention relates to a wheel suspension for motor vehicles, with at least one wheel-side support member which pivotally supports one vehicle wheel and at least one axle-side support member, between which at least one intermediate element is connected, in particular an actuator for setting the track angle and/or the camber angle (?, ?) of the vehicle wheel. According to the invention the wheel-side support member and the axle-side support member are pressed into contact with one another by a pretensioning means with a pretensioning force (FV).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Schmid, Karl-Heinz Meitinger, Wilfried Michel, Christoph Kossira, Hugo Mueller
  • Patent number: 8437905
    Abstract: A method of calculating deflection of a rotating tire, through high speed data processing, based on measurement time series data of acceleration on a tire tread portion has the following steps. A step of acquiring measurement time series data of acceleration on a tire circumference in a radial direction of a rotating tire; a step of extracting acceleration data in a vicinity of a contact region from the acquired measurement data and subjecting the extracted acceleration data to least-square regression using a second-order differential function expression of a deflection function expression that represents a peak shape having a peak value and a curve gradually approaching to zero on both sides thereof, whereby a deflection function parameter values are determined; and a step of calculating a contact deflection from the deflection function expression determined by the deflection function parameter values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Noritaka Koguchi, Naoshi Miyashita, Jun Matsuda, Tsuyoshi Kitazaki
  • Patent number: 8419022
    Abstract: A motor vehicle wheel set-up via a wheel holder is provided, which wheel holder is associated with the vehicle via at least one pivot in such a way that the plane of the wheel can exhibit first and second angular running positions. The set-up further has a binary actuator that has a fixed component and a moving component capable of translational movement with respect to the fixed component, moving component being secured to the wheel holder and the actuator comprising a device for the binary control of the moving member placing it in one of two stable states each allowing the wheel holder to be moved into an angular position corresponding to one angular position of the wheel plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignees: Societe de Technologie Michelin, Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.
    Inventors: Michel Blondelet, Serge Nicolas
  • Patent number: 8408559
    Abstract: An active geometry control suspension system may include an active roll control unit having a guide rail formed along a predetermined distance in a front-rear direction from a rail seat inserted down from above a lower arm, sliders slidably fitting in the guide rail, a stabilizer link with one end pivotally coupled to the sliders, a pushrod with one end pivotally connected to the sliders, and an actuator having an operation bar, one end of which may be pivotally connected to the other end of the pushrod, the operating bar operating forward or backward, wherein the one end of the stabilizer link and the one end of the pushrod may be connected to the sliders through a double ball joint, and the other end of the pushrod and the one end of the operation bar may be connected through a ball joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Un Koo Lee, Sung Bae Jang, Pil Young Jeong
  • Patent number: 8398092
    Abstract: A roll control system improves stability in turning by actively controlling roll stiffness in accordance with traveling conditions of a vehicle. The active roll control system for a vehicle suspension includes a stabilizer bar of which the middle straight portion is fixed to a sub-frame by a mount bush and both ends are connected with a lower control arm by a stabilizer link to suppress roll of the vehicle body, in which a roll control mechanism is disposed between a lower end connecting portion of the stabilizer link and the lower control arm to increase roll stiffness by increasing a lever ratio of the stabilizer bar, if needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Un Koo Lee, Sung Bae Jang
  • Patent number: 8346434
    Abstract: When a vehicle is turning, it is determined whether an inside turning wheel has sufficient grip force. If the inside wheel has sufficient grip force, left and right forces orthogonally input to the vehicle body are calculated based on longitudinal and lateral tire forces, and are checked if there is a difference in the left and right forces. If there is such a left-right force difference and the vehicle is not undergoing a braking operation, the turning angle of the inside wheel is corrected using a left-right independent steering device that independently controls the turning angles of left and right wheels, so that the difference becomes zero. Thus, the difference in left and right forces laterally input to the vehicle body is reduced to minimize a jack-up force. This improves the driving stability and achieves a good roll feel by means of a jack-down force, thereby achieving improved driving feel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuichiro Tsukasaki, Masaru Kogure
  • Patent number: 8322729
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for adjusting the camber and/or toe of the wheels (20) of wheel suspensions (10), especially for motor vehicles, including a wheel carrier (12) on which the respective wheel (20) is rotatably mounted and which is subdivided into a carrier part (24) receiving the wheel, a guide part (22) connected to the wheel suspension (10), and two rotary parts, especially control cylinders (26, 28), arranged between the carrier part and the guide part and rotatable in relation to each other, to the carrier part (24) and to the guide part (22) about a common rotation axis (32). Each of the rotary parts can be moved by a drive (40) and a servo drive (42) in both directions of rotation. According to the invention, the servo drive (42) is designed for at least one of the rotary parts (26, 28) as a planetary gear train (42), and the planetary gear train (42) is especially radially externally arranged around the rotary part (26, 28).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventors: Wilfried Michel, Hugo Müller, Karl-Heinz Meitinger, Christoph Kossira, Wolfgang Schmid
  • Patent number: 8302973
    Abstract: An active geometry control suspension, may include an assist link of which a wheel is connected to one end portion thereof to guide a movement of the wheel, a moving member, one portion of which is pivotally fixed to the other end portion of the assist link, a guide formed in the moving member and including a slot to slidably receive the moving member therein so as to guide a movement of the moving member, a body that is fixed to a vehicle body to connect the guide thereto, and a driving portion coupled to the other portion of the moving member and moving the moving member along the slot to vary a position of the assist link and thus to vary an alignment angle of the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Un Koo Lee, Sang Ho Lee, Hae Ryong Choi, Sung Bae Jang, Byung Gu Kang
  • Patent number: 8285447
    Abstract: An active suspension system senses roadway defects and adjusts an active and controllable suspension system of the vehicle before tires come in contact with the defect. The active suspension system identifies a type of defect or debris, e.g., pothole, bump, object, etc., along with the size, width, depth, and/or height information of the defect to more accurately control operation of the suspension system to prepare for, or avoid contact with the roadway defects and obstacles. Imaging techniques are employed to identify the defect or debris. Operation of a serviced cruise control system is controlled to enhance passenger safety and comfort.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Enpulz, L.L.C.
    Inventor: James D. Bennett
  • Patent number: 8249774
    Abstract: A toe angle changing control ECU for controlling a toe angle of wheels of a vehicle. The toe angle changing control ECU includes: a straight traveling state judging section for judging whether or not the vehicle is in a; a memory for storing the toe angle of the wheels while the vehicle is in the straight traveling state; and a toe angle setting section for setting the wheels to the toe angle stored in the memory when the straight traveling state judging section judges that the vehicle is in the straight traveling state. While in the straight traveling state, the wheels are set to a toe angle at which the wheels are substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, reducing the rolling resistance of the wheels, and improving fuel consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koichi Suyama, Akiyoshi Kobayashi, Yutaka Horiuchi, Kenji Hattori
  • Patent number: 8226090
    Abstract: A device for active wheel alignment of wheels arranged on a wheel axle of a motor vehicle includes two hydraulic body dampers arranged between a vehicle body and the wheel axle. Each body damper is configured as a differential cylinder having a cylinder and a dividing piston which is guided in the cylinder. A throttle is arranged outside the cylinder of the body damper. Operably connected with the body dampers via hydraulic lines is a hydraulic servo unit, wherein hydraulic fluid is transferable via the throttle from one side of the dividing piston to the servo unit and from the servo unit via a returning one of the hydraulic lines back to another side of the dividing piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Ullrich Hammelmaier, Felix Wulf, Christian Voy, Rodscha Drabon, David Wagner
  • Patent number: 8226091
    Abstract: An actuating device for an active control suspension system which is provided at both ends of a sub-frame of a vehicle body and connected to one end of an assist link having the other end mounted at a knuckle and which changes a position of a mounting point of the assist link at the vehicle body, may include a member bracket fixedly mounted at each end of the sub-frame, provided with openings formed at both sides and an upper surface thereof, and formed of a pair of slide grooves having arc shape at the both ends thereof to slidably receive a pair of slide plates therein; an actuator connected to both slide plates through a pin-bolt unit; and a cam-bolt unit assembling a bush of the assist link with both slide plates and setting an initial position of the mounting point of the assist link at the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Un Koo Lee
  • Patent number: 8215653
    Abstract: A steering knuckle for a wheel of a vehicle is provided, particularly a motor vehicle, with a wheel bearing mounting section that serves for mounting the wheel bearing and with a control arm mounting section that serves for mounting control arms. The wheel bearing mounting section can be elastically pivoted relative to the control arm mounting section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Jürgen Siebeneick
  • Patent number: 8205892
    Abstract: A method for changing the track of a vehicle (100) having first and second wheels (108, 110) disposed on opposing sides of the vehicle (100) along a line generally perpendicular to the direction of travel of the vehicle, the first and second wheels (108, 110 are supported on first and second wheel supports (114, 116, 204) to permit the track of the first and second wheels (108, 110) to be adjusted, at least one actuator (218, 220) is coupled to at least one wheel of the first and second wheels (108, 110) and is configured to change the toe angle of said first and second wheels (108, 110), and an electronic control unit (402) is coupled to the actuator (218, 220) that is configured to command the actuator (218, 220) to change the toe angle, the method comprising the steps of changing the toe angle of the first and second wheels (108, 110); rolling the vehicle (100) on the first and second wheels (108, 110) over the ground to generate opposing lateral forces on the first and second wheels (108, 110); and applyi
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Ryan P. Mackin, Daniel J Burke, Bruce A. Coers, Glenn E Pope, James K Adamson
  • Publication number: 20120126498
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for adjusting the camber and/or toe of the wheels (20) of wheel suspensions (10), especially for motor vehicles, including a wheel carrier (12) on which the respective wheel (20) is rotatably mounted and which is subdivided into a carrier part (24) receiving the wheel, a guide part (22) connected to the wheel suspension (10), and two rotary parts, especially control cylinders (26, 28), arranged between the carrier part and the guide part and rotatable in relation to each other, to the carrier part (24) and to the guide part (22) about a common rotation axis (32). Each of the rotary parts can be moved by a drive (40) and a servo drive (42) in both directions of rotation. According to the invention, the servo drive (42) is designed for at least one of the rotary parts (26, 28) as a planetary gear train (42), and the planetary gear train (42) is especially radially externally arranged around the rotary part (26, 28).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Wilfried Michel, Hugo Müller, Karl-Heinz Meitinger, Christoph Kossira, Wolfgang Schmid
  • Patent number: 8160775
    Abstract: A wheel attitude control method of the invention comprises the steps of: chronologically obtaining acceleration data in a radial direction of a tire at a center position of a tire tread and at an off-center position spaced apart from the center position toward a shoulder; obtaining respective contact lengths at the center position and the off-center position from the acceleration data; and controlling a wheel attitude, which varies in accordance with changes in a load applied to the wheel when the braking force is imparted to the wheel, based on the obtained contact length at the center position and the obtained contact length at the off-center position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Kitazaki, Jun Matsuda, Naoshi Miyashita
  • Publication number: 20120049469
    Abstract: The invention relates to a wheel suspension for a motor vehicle, comprising a wheel-side carrier part (12) holding a vehicle wheel (1) in a rotatable manner, and an axle-side guiding part (14) between which mutually rotating rotary parts (16, 18) are arranged. The guiding part (14), the rotary parts (16, 18) and/or the carrier part (12) interact with first and second effective areas (18a, 36a; 18b, 16b; 16a, 54a) facing each other. According to the invention, the first effective area radially defines a conical or spherical hollow profile into which the corresponding second effective area protrudes in an essentially form-fitting manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: Audi AG
    Inventors: Wilfried Michel, Karl-Heinz Meitinger, Christoph Kossira, Hugo Muller, Wolfgang Schmid
  • Patent number: 8116941
    Abstract: A method is provided for operating an active chassis system, in which wheels of at least one axle are arranged with a toe-in angle, and actuating elements which interact with supporting assemblies which are arranged between the wheels and a vehicle body. Wheel contact forces of the wheels assume different values as a result of the actuating elements being actuated. A side force is generated at the wheels which have a toe-in angle, and a resulting yaw moment is produced. A desired yaw rate is determined based upon information from a device which is arranged in the vehicle in order to determine the profile of the roadway in a control unit, and the wheel contact forces are set as a function of the desired yaw rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Dieter Ammon, Carsten Knoeppel, Magnus Rau, Avshalom Suissa
  • Patent number: 8051942
    Abstract: The present invention improves response characteristics in turning traveling of a vehicle while traveling stability at the time of turning is kept. The present invention provides a system in which toe angles of left and right rear wheels are controlled based on a steering angular velocity, not a steering angle of a steering. In a steering system in which toe angles of left and right rear wheels are controlled independently, a steering angular velocity is calculated from a steering angle, and toe angle changers are controlled to tilt the toe angle of the right rear wheel to the left when the steering angular velocity is on the left side, and is controlled to tilt the toe angle of the left rear wheel to the left when the steering angular velocity is on the right side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Sasaki, Yutaka Horiuchi, Takashi Yanagi
  • Patent number: 8050819
    Abstract: A toe angle changing control ECU for controlling a toe angle of wheels of a vehicle. The toe angle changing control ECU includes: a straight traveling state judging section for judging whether or not the vehicle is in a; a memory for storing the toe angle of the wheels while the vehicle is in the straight traveling state; and a toe angle setting section for setting the wheels to the toe angle stored in the memory (44) when the straight traveling state judging section judges that the vehicle is in the straight traveling state. While in the straight traveling state, the wheels are set to a toe angle at which the wheels are substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, reducing the rolling resistance of the wheels, and improving fuel consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koichi Suyama, Akiyoshi Kobayashi, Yutaka Horiuchi, Kenji Hattori