Abstract: A drive device for a transport means changing system, comprising: a drive train configured for use on the road; an interface configured for coupling to a passenger cabin and/or cargo cabin; comprising a work device which performs work activities, in particular maintenance, clearing, servicing and/or monitoring activities which are independent of transportation, wherein the drive device has a first operating mode in which it is coupled to at least one passenger cabin and/or cargo cabin and is configured to carry out autonomous transportation of passengers and/or cargo, and wherein the drive device has a second operating mode in which it is decoupled from a passenger cabin and/or cargo cabin and is configured for autonomous mobile performance of the work activities by the work device or by a coupled tool module. The present invention further relates to a corresponding use of a drive device and a corresponding transport means changing system.

Abstract: A crane for lifting and transporting loads includes a base frame for transferring the loads of the crane onto a support surface by a plurality of wheels. The wheels are capable of rotating relative to the base frame so as to change the camber angle of the wheels.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a trailer assembly supported by a rear chassis system. The rear chassis system includes a chassis frame having at least two longitudinal chassis members. The rear chassis system includes a rear suspension frame coupled to a back rear axle. The rear suspension frame includes a bearing head with a bearing aperture. Equalizing beams extend between the front rear axle and the back rear axle, with each equalizing beam including a bushing aperture. The rear chassis system also includes a plurality of suspension mounts. To minimize relative translations experienced by the suspension mounts during operation of the vehicle, opposing end sections of a spindle cross member, along with the bearing aperture and the bushing aperture are coaxially aligned. Likewise, the opposing spindle end sections, the bearing aperture, the bushing aperture, and a top plate of each suspension mount are coplanar.

Abstract: A gear arm assembly for a vehicle includes gear arm housing having a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion, the gear arm housing from the intermediate portion to the first end defining a first arm segment, and the gear arm housing from the intermediate portion to the second end defining a second arm segment. The assembly further includes a plurality of gears meshed together in series and housed within the gear arm housing, the plurality of gears including an intermediate gear within the intermediate portion of the gear arm housing. The assembly further includes a first wheel hub connected to a first gear of the plurality of gears at the first end of the gear arm housing, and a second wheel hub connected to a second gear of the plurality of gears at the second end of the gear arm housing.

Abstract: A floor tool for a cleaning appliance including a cleaner head rotatably attached to a conduit carried by a pair of wheels that converge beneath the conduit.

Abstract: A hub arrangement has hub parts which are rotatable relative to one another. Each hub is assigned a braking device, which is actuatable jointly with the braking device of the respective other hub.

Abstract: Provided is an arm-wheel type vehicle including: a main body; an arm that is rotatably installed to the main body; a wheel connected to the arm; a first buffer device that is installed on the main body; and a second buffer device that is installed on the arm.

Abstract: An automatic steering device for self-propelled straddle carriers for lifting and transporting manufactures, includes a spatial portal structure (1) resting on the ground on a plurality of steering wheel units (4) connected by a fifth wheel (14) to the structure above, where each wheel unit (4) includes two tyred wheels (8, 8?) each of which is associated with its own electric motor unit (10, 10?) independently with respect to the other; each electric motor is supplied by its own vector frequency converter controlled by a control unit provided with a control microprocessor; angular rotation of each wheel unit (4) is measured by an incremental encoder integral with the upper structure and with the fifth wheel (14) and connected to the microprocessor.

Abstract: A dual wheelend for an axle assembly having a rotatable axle shaft. The wheelend comprises a spindle defining a first axis. An intermediate hub is supported on the spindle for rotation about the first axis during rotation of the axle shaft. An inner wheel hub and an outer wheel hub are adjacent one another and are each supported on the intermediate hub for rotation about the first axis. A differential mechanism interconnects the inner and outer wheel hubs. A pin is disposed through a pinion along a second axis and couples the differential mechanism to the intermediate hub for driving the wheel hubs during rotation of the intermediate hub and permitting relative rotation between the wheel hubs relative to the intermediate hub. The pin includes proximal end with a head disposed on the proximal end for engaging the pinion and sandwiching the pinion between the head and the intermediate hub.

Abstract: A drive system is presented for controlling rotation of a sphere. The system facilitates holonomic motion of a drive with respect to a sphere such that a holonomic drive or drives may be maintained at a relative position with respect to a sphere. The motion of a sphere may be controlled by controlling the position of a drive with respect to the sphere. The drive may be controlled by way of a controller. A holonomic drive may be urged against a sphere by way magnetic interaction of the holonomic drive and a second structure. Also, a support structure is facilitated that allows a sphere to pass through a support column without breaks or interruptions in the sphere.

Abstract: An axle assembly for a vehicle comprising a stationary spindle and a rotatable axle shaft. An intermediate hub is supported on the spindle. Adjacent inner and outer wheel hubs are supported on the intermediate hub. A differential mechanism interconnects the inner and outer wheel hubs for driving both of the wheel hubs and for permitting relative rotation between the wheel hubs. At least one differential bushing is disposed between the differential mechanism and the intermediate hub. A gear reduction system interconnects the intermediate hub and the axle shaft for providing torque multiplication. A wet disc brake device is coupled between the spindle and the intermediate hub.

Abstract: Presented is a heavy vehicle, such as a transport vehicle or civil engineering vehicle, of a mass greater than 500 metric tons and operable to generate a motive power. The vehicle includes tires of radial structure having a diameter greater than 3.5 meters, a front axle coupled to at least two tires, and at least one rear axle coupled to at least two tires and by which is transmitted at least part of the motive power. At least one of the axles includes at least four tires associated in pairs symmetrically on either side of the axle, and two associated tires have different axial widths.

Abstract: An axle assembly for a vehicle comprising a stationary spindle and a rotatable axle shaft. An intermediate hub is supported on the spindle. Adjacent inner and outer wheel hubs are supported on the intermediate hub. A differential mechanism interconnects the inner and outer wheel hubs for driving both of the wheel hubs and for permitting relative rotation between the wheel hubs. At least one differential bushing is disposed between the differential mechanism and the intermediate hub. A gear reduction system interconnects the intermediate hub and the axle shaft for providing torque multiplication. A wet disc brake device is coupled between the spindle and the intermediate hub.

Abstract: A heavy vehicle of a mass greater than 500 metric tons, such as a transport vehicle or a “civil engineering” vehicle, fitted with tires of radial structure of a diameter greater than three meters fifty having an axial width greater than 37 inches, and comprising a front axle provided with at least two tires and a rear axle comprising at least four tires and by which is transmitted at least part of the motive power. At least two tires on the front axle transmit part of the motive power at least when the vehicle is following a trajectory which is not rectilinear and, at least when the vehicle is following a trajectory which is not rectilinear, the tires of an axle transmitting at least part of the motive power have different speeds of rotation.

Abstract: A heavy vehicle of a mass greater than 40 metric tons and operable to generate a motive power is disclosed. The vehicle includes a first axle, at least two first tires mounted on the first axle, a second axle for transmitting at least part of the motive power, and four second tires mounted on the second axle. At most two of the second tires are driving or motive power transmitting tires. Each of the second tires is associated with a respective braking device.

Abstract: Presented is a heavy vehicle, such as a transport vehicle or a civil engineering vehicle, of a mass greater than 500 metric tons. The vehicle is fitted with tires of radial structure having a diameter greater than 3.5 meters and an axial width greater than 37 inches. The vehicle has a front steering axle provided with at least two tires and at least one rear axle provided with at least four tires for transmitting at least part of motive power. The rear axle has at least two trailing arms each associated with two tires.

Abstract: A wheel end assembly having a dual wheel configuration includes independently rotating wheel hubs to reduce tire wear. The wheel end includes a first planetary gear assembly with a sun gear driven by a differential side gear and a ring gear for driving one wheel hub. A second planetary gear assembly with a sun gear driven by a differential side gear and a ring gear drives another wheel hub. A differential assembly is coupled to the first and second sun gears to allow the first and second wheel hubs to rotate relative to one another as the vehicle executes turning maneuvers.

Abstract: An electrical wheelchair includes a chassis to which a frame is pivotally mounted. Two casters are rotatably mounted to the frame. At least a resilient member is arranged between the frame and the chassis for supporting the relative position of the frame with respect to the chassis. The resilient member can be deformed to change the relative position of the frame with respect to the chassis to allow the wheelchair to climb over raised surfaces of different heights. The deformation of the resilient member also stores energy therein which may be released when the wheelchair is about to reach the raised surface for enhancing the wheelchair to move over the raised surface. Further, the resilient member also functions to absorb shock caused by the wheelchair moving down a step-like raised surface.

Abstract: A variable engagement mechanism for a dual wheel assembly is provided. The mechanism includes a spindle having a drive axle defining a rotational axis. A first wheel hub is supported on the spindle and coupled to the drive axle for being rotatably driven about the rotational axis. A second wheel hub is arranged adjacent to the first wheel hub and is rotatable relative to the first wheel hub about the rotational axis. Friction members are provided between the first and second wheel hub. An actuator forces the friction members into engagement with one another to permit transfer of torque between the wheel hubs. The actuator may be operator controlled or integrated with a braking or other vehicle control system. In this manner, the first and second wheel hub may be selectively locked together for increased traction and/or braking. A differential assembly may be used between the first and second wheel hubs so that both wheels may be driven at all times while being permitted to rotate relative to one another.

Abstract: A wheel suspension system for a vehicle such as a truck trailer. Wheels of the suspension system are attached to stub axles supported by pivoting trailing arm wheel supports. The wheel supports are arranged on a sub-frame which can be slidingly coupled to the underneath of the trailer. Each wheel support is urged apart from the sub-frame by a spring such as an air spring. In one embodiment the air springs are pressurized under the control of an electronic controller. The rotational axes of the wheels are staggered or spaced apart, such that the rotational axes of the wheels on one side of the sub-frame are not coincident with the rotational axes of the wheels on the other side of the sub-frame.

Abstract: A drive assembly for independently driving wheels of a vehicle is disclosed. The drive assembly includes a wheel set positioned at a left or right side of the vehicle. The wheel set includes inner and outer wheels and tires associated with the inner and outer wheels. A drive mechanism, such as an electric motor, rotatably drives the inner and outer wheels. The drive assembly further includes a differential disposed between the inner and outer wheels and responds to the drive mechanism to permit one of the inner and outer wheels to rotate independent of the other of the inner and outer wheels. That is, upon a turn of the vehicle, the differential permits the inner and outer wheels to realize different rotational speeds as the inner and outer wheels are being rotatably driven by the drive mechanism. As such, scrubbing or dragging of the tires associated with the wheels is eliminated.

Abstract: A cargo transfer carrier for use in the unloading of break bulk goods. The cargo carrier has a plurality of longitudinal frame members connected by a plurality of cross members with decking affixed thereto to form a horizontal carrier bed. The bed is of sufficient size to accommodate the placement of at least ten, but preferably 14 sling loads of break bulk goods thereon with the allowance for a perimeter work area. A gooseneck portion with a tractor attachment is supported by a first end of the bed and a plurality of wheel assemblies having solid tires are mounted at the opposite end of the bed.