Suspension Geometry (e.g., Camber, Caster, Toe-in/toe-out, Wheel Track, Road Contact) Patents (Class 280/5.52)
  • Patent number: 6267196
    Abstract: A vehicle, for driving over a ground surface, has a body with a left side, a right side, a front and a back. The vehicle includes left and right drive mechanisms. Each mechanism includes first and second traction elements for engaging the ground surface and transmitting a driving force between the vehicle and ground surface. Each mechanism includes first and second arms coupled to the first and second traction elements for relative rotation about first and second axis respectively. Each mechanism includes a rotor having a third axis, the rotor coupled to the body for rotation about the third axis and coupled to the first and second arms for relative rotation about the third axis. The mechanism includes first and second drive motors for driving the first and second traction elements and first and second transmissions, driven by the first and second motors and engaging the rotor. Driving the first and second traction elements simultaneously rotates the rotor relative to the first and second arms, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Brian H. Wilcox, Annette K. Nasif
  • Patent number: 6267387
    Abstract: An independent suspension system for vehicles including wheel uprights which move in different directions relative to the chassis when negotiating curves. The system automatically adjusts the wheel camber based on the forces effective on the vehicle when negotiating curves. The relative movement with respect to the chassis of the parts of the wheel suspension having mutually different movements when negotiating curves is registered, and the wheel camber angle and/or the steering angle of the wheels is controlled with the aid of actuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Inventor: Wolfgang Weiss
  • Patent number: 6241262
    Abstract: An independent wheel suspension in a semi-trailing or compound arm construction having a wheel suspending semi-trailing or compound arm which is disposed at at least two points on the vehicle body and which has a wheel carrier which can be swivelled approximately about a vertical axis. The swivelling axis of the wheel carrier is situated behind the wheel axle with respect to the driving direction, whereas the wheel carrier in front of the wheel axle is elastically supported in the transverse direction of the vehicle on the semi-trailing or compound arm. Between the wheel carrier and the semi-trailing arm or a compound arm, a swing arm with approximately vertical swivelling axes is arranged in the area behind the wheel axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventor: Johann Suess