Body Banking On Turning Patents (Class 280/124.103)
  • Patent number: 7467802
    Abstract: A structure for enabling independently suspended wheels to lean with vehicle hull, which comprises a linkage mechanism and two suspending mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Yu-Yin Peng, Wen-Shu Jiaung, Cheng-Ho Li
  • Publication number: 20080258415
    Abstract: A frame and suspension for a vehicle provides automatic lean and alignment. The lean is determined by force sensors, the speed and/or the angle of turn and is provided by actuators in the suspension in accordance with a predetermined protocol in an electronic control unit (ECU). The protocol also provides shock absorption by rapidly tracking a contour of a surface on which the vehicle rides. The suspension is provided by a plurality of arm assemblies each including a lower arm, an upper control arm, and an actuator motively connected to the lower arm and to the upper control arm. The arm assemblies are pivotally connected to the frame on a common axis. The arm assemblies generally form parallelograms and are actuated in concert to remain generally parallel to each other through a range of angles to adjust the lean of the vehicle. The arm assemblies are also actuated independently of each other to accommodate variations in the contour.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2004
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Inventor: Thomas W. Melcher
  • Publication number: 20080258416
    Abstract: A suspension system for a vehicle is provided that allows for the vehicle body to be tilted wherein the tilt is controlled by the operator's legs in a manner that greatly enhances the stability of the vehicle while producing a fun vehicle to operate. Further, the bottom member of the suspension system is structured in a manner that provides storage capacity for installation of heavy items such as battery banks in order to preserve a lowered center of gravity for the vehicle. The tilting suspension may be used in the context of three-wheeled vehicle having a single rear drive tire and two forward wheels, but apply equally to a four wheeled vehicle as well as to water craft operating on pontoons or snow vehicles operating on skis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Inventor: Joseph Wilcox
  • Publication number: 20080223637
    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: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Inventor: Bradley Wayne Bartilson
  • Publication number: 20080224436
    Abstract: Enhanced vehicle handling is achieved by the improved suspension systems constructed in accordance with aspects of the present invention, in which not only do the roll couple and jacking couple oppose each other, thereby causing the body roll to counteract the jacking effect, but also the pitch couple and the pitching couple oppose each other, thereby causing the body pitch to counteract the pitching effect. This results in the improvement of the cornering traction of the vehicle, the braking traction of the vehicle, the acceleration traction of the vehicle (especially in a front-wheel-drive vehicle), the simultaneous cornering and braking traction of the vehicle, and the simultaneous cornering and acceleration traction of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Inventor: William L. MacIsaac
  • Publication number: 20080197597
    Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle (1) of the type with four wheels (10), which consists of: a driver's cab which is only large enough to accommodate one person widthways and which is solidly connected to a chassis comprising a driver protection structure (4); and means for balancing the vehicle when negotiating bends and/or on surfaces that are inclined in relation to the horizontal, by inclining the chassis and the two front wheels simultaneously. The vehicle also comprises inclination-locking means which are actuated automatically when the vehicle is stopped or travelling at a reduced speed. The inventive vehicle further comprises means for limiting the angle of inclination to a maximum value such that, when stopped, the vehicle does not tilt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2005
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Inventors: David Moulene, Thierry Moulene
  • Patent number: 7390000
    Abstract: The present invention provides a lateral link for suspension systems wherein the distance between opposite ends of the lateral link increases in a tight or sudden turn, so as to enhance controllability, stability, and riding comfort of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Cheol-Woo Lee
  • Publication number: 20080115994
    Abstract: A rolling vehicle (10) with two front steering wheels (16, 18) comprising a frame (14), handlebars (20), at least a rear driving wheel (12) connected to a motor (22), and a steering kinematism of the two front wheels (16, 18), wherein the steering kinematism is longitudinal and comprises two parallel longitudinal arms (36, 38) fixedly connected at one end of a steering control lever (26), connected to the handlebars (20) through a cylindrical hinge (24), and at the other end, through two spherical hinges (32, 34), to two articulated quadrilaterals, also longitudinal with respect to the vehicle (10), which rotatably connect the two front wheels (16, 18) to the frame (14), so as to achieve steering, performed by a user through a rotation of the handlebars (20), of the two front wheels (16, 18) with respect to the frame (14).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Inventors: Federico Martini, Mario Donato Santucci, Walter Rosellini, Onorino Di Tanna, Valentino Mariotti, Stefano Bartolozzi
  • Publication number: 20080100018
    Abstract: The invention is a suspension system for a three (3) or more wheeled vehicle, which vehicle tilts from the vertical plane during operation in a manner like that of a motorcycle. The suspension system divides the vehicle into two parts. The first part consists of the front, possibly the rear wheel(s), passenger compartment, and possibly a cargo compartment connected in such a way that they lean or tilt together. The second part, the rest of the vehicle, does not lean or tilt. The non-tilting components are connected to a rigid structure that extends from the front to the rear suspension where it is connected to each wheel's spring and shock absorber. The non-tilting portion of the vehicle provides resistance for each wheel's shock absorber and spring to act against, leaving the tilting portion free to lean like a motorcycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2006
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Inventor: David Dieziger
  • Patent number: 7314221
    Abstract: A driver controlled wedge and track bar adjustor for a race car. A controller located inside the driver's compartment of the race car is coupled to a drive which is operatively coupled to adjusting rods. The controller may be configured to initiate a predetermined amount of rod adjustment. Wherein the operative coupling may consist of a system of pulleys and belts and the like which transfer the motion of the drive to the adjusting rods. The adjusting rods are already present in many race cars and are used to adjust the wedge or track bar of the vehicle during pit stops. A visual display may also be attached which shows the state of the wedge or track bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Inventor: Clifford Everlith
  • Patent number: 7303199
    Abstract: A swinging device for a wheel set includes a center tube, an axle pipe and a restrictor. The center tube has round plates at the rear section. The round plates comprise lugs thereon. The axle pipe has a curved receiving base with a pair of fins extending from respective sides of the receiving base. The fins comprise through holes for insertion of bolts. The restrictor is pivotally connected to the rear section of the center tube and comprises ditches corresponding in position to the round plates of the center tube, so that the lugs of the round plates may be placed therein and slide along the ditches. The restrictor further comprises through holes corresponding in position to the through holes of the receiving base and the bolts. An elastic piece made of plastic material is placed between the rear section of the center tube and the axle pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: Far Great Plastics Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ting-Hsing Chen
  • Publication number: 20070262548
    Abstract: This invention relates to wheeled vehicles and particularly to motorised road vehicles. The wheeled vehicle (10) includes two frames (12) for carrying road wheals (18, 20), the frames (12) being laterally spaced apart. A pair of road wheels (18, 20) are mounted on each frame (12) for supporting that frame (12) on the ground, the wheels (18, 20) of each pair being mounted for rotation about operatively more or less horizontal rotational axes which are spaced apart along the associated frame (12). A motor (36) is connected by a drive train (48, 28, 30, 32) to a rear wheel (20) on each of the wheeled frames (12). The wheeled frames (12) are connected together for synchronous tilting relative to the vertical, so that the camber angles of all the wheels (18, 20) change in response to lateral tilting of the frames (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2004
    Publication date: November 15, 2007
    Inventor: Rodney Rawlinson
  • Publication number: 20070262549
    Abstract: A hydraulic system incorporated into a vehicle is provided. The system includes a plurality of actuators for providing a desired configuration of a vehicle. A valve system is operatively coupled to the plurality of actuators for controlling a flow of pressurized fluid to the plurality of actuators to energize the actuators to produce, responsive to the desired configuration of the vehicle, a first configuration of a plurality of first configurations of the vehicle corresponding to the desired configuration of the vehicle, or a second configuration of a plurality of second configurations of the vehicle corresponding to the desired configuration of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2006
    Publication date: November 15, 2007
    Inventors: Timothy Haerr, Gary Fulks, Michael Pfeil
  • Publication number: 20070246903
    Abstract: A vehicle with lean control has a frame with a steering assembly. An arm assembly is connected to the frame. A pair of first and second shock absorbers is mounted between the frame and the arm assembly on opposite sides of the frame. Each shock absorber has a fluid-filled chamber and floating piston. A load sensor is mounted to the steering assembly for detecting changes of pressure on the steering assembly. The load sensor has a housing, a pressure sensing area disposed in the housing, and provides an electrical signal in response to the pressure sensing area. The load sensor detects pressure applied to the top plate of the housing. An electronic control unit is coupled to the electrical contact of the load sensor. A motor and pump assembly is responsive to the electronic control unit for transferring fluid between the chambers of the first and second shock absorbers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2007
    Publication date: October 25, 2007
    Inventor: Thomas W. Melcher
  • Publication number: 20070241522
    Abstract: An active automobile turn gravity change control apparatus installs an elevating mechanism between each of four wheels and an automobile body of an automobile, and the elevating mechanism is driven by a motive power supply element and controlled by a controller to adjust the relative distance between each of the four wheels and the automobile body, so that when the automobile makes a turn, the controller detects the turning direction and speed of the automobile to actively adjust the elevating mechanism to change the inclining direction and extent of the automobile body and shift the center of gravity of the automobile towards the internal side of the curve of turning, so as to resist the inertia force produced by a turn of the automobile, achieve a safe and quick turn, and prevent a car overturn accident.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2006
    Publication date: October 18, 2007
    Inventor: Tsang-Chao Tsai
  • Patent number: 7264251
    Abstract: Anti-rolling device (1) for vehicles of the type equipped with a front steer system with articulated quadrilateral structure (41, 42, 37, 36) and with two independent front suspensions (34, 35). The device has at least one stop element (2), integral with an element of the quadrilateral structure in its rolling movements, at least one locking element (3), to lock the position of the stop element (2), preventing the rolling movements of the quadrilateral structure (41, 42, 37, 36), and a parking group (4), guided by command means (20), to command the opening or closing of the locking element (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Piaggio & C. S.p.A.
    Inventor: Maurizio Marcacci
  • Publication number: 20070193803
    Abstract: A curve-tilting vehicle, e.g, a three-wheeled vehicle (30), including a laterally tilting device (4) at least one section (5) of the vehicle by a tilting axis (6) that runs substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis (3) of the vehicle such that the center of gravity of the vehicle can be displaced perpendicular to the direction of travel when driving, especially in curves or on a sloped or uneven ground. The vehicle includes at least one vehicle seat (8a) that is disposed in the tilting section (5) of the vehicle and is allocated to the driver who steers the vehicle. The vehicle further includes a detector (9a) for detecting a lateral force of the seat, which the body of the driver applies at least to one zone of the vehicle seat (8a) in a lateral direction (10a) extending perpendicular to the direction of travel. The lateral force of the seat may be detected using a pivotal spring-centered vehicle seat (8a).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2005
    Publication date: August 23, 2007
    Inventor: Friedrich Geiser
  • Publication number: 20070176384
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a three-wheeled vehicle comprising a frame with engane, drive gear and at least one driven wheel at the rear, and two front wheels which are used in part to steer the vehicle. The vehicle can also be steered in that the frame with engine, drive gear and the driven rear wheel can be banked over to the side like a motorcycle. The present invention relates in particular to a design which helps to move the centre of gravity when such a vehicle is tilted to the side so that, inter alia, it is easier to right the vehicle. Furthermore, the present invention makes it possible to affect and determine the driving characteristics of the vehicle by varying different design parameters within the scope of the present invention. The invention also relates to a special design for the mounting of footboards on which the driver of the vehicle can place his/her feet when driving the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2004
    Publication date: August 2, 2007
    Inventor: Geir Brudeli
  • Publication number: 20070151780
    Abstract: A tilting suspension system is provided for two wheels of a vehicle disposed on a common axle with a module comprising a rigid frame adapted to be firmly fixed to the chassis of the vehicle so as to be tilted together with the whole vehicle. The tilting of the rigid frame is obtained as a result of the counter torque arising when activating actuating means firmly fixed to the rigid frame, with the tilting means being pivotable connected to shock absorbers. The tilting module further comprises suspension arms usually connected to the rigid frame, with said suspension arms supporting, in cooperation with supporting uprights, the two wheels thus allowing both tilting and steering of the two wheels. Moreover, electric motors may be received in the hubs of the wheels, thus allowing the realization of driving, steering and tilting module adapted to be used either in hybrid vehicles or electrically driven vehicles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Publication date: July 5, 2007
    Inventors: Andrea Tonoli, Andrea Festini, Fabio Cavalli, Stefano Carabelli
  • Publication number: 20070126199
    Abstract: A structure for enabling independently suspended wheels to lean with vehicle hull, which comprises a linkage mechanism and two suspending mechanisms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2006
    Publication date: June 7, 2007
    Inventors: Yu-Yin Peng, Wen-Shu Jiaung, Cheng-Ho Li
  • Publication number: 20070075517
    Abstract: A vehicle including a frame, left and right wheels, and a leaning suspension system. The frame defines a longitudinal vehicle axis. The leaning suspension system includes a transverse beam, left and right damping members, left and right control arms, and at least one lean actuator. The transverse beam is coupled to the frame and pivotable about the vehicle axis. The left and right damping members are pivotally coupled to the left and right sides of the transverse beam. The left control arm is pivotally coupled to the left wheel and to the frame, and the right control arm is pivotally coupled to the right wheel and to the frame. The lean actuator is pivotally connected between the frame and the transverse beam. The lean actuator is configured to extend and retract to tilt the left and right wheels and to lean the vehicle while cornering.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Publication date: April 5, 2007
    Applicants: HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTOR COMPANY GROUP, INC., DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Ryan Suhre, Andrew Massignan, Andrew Roth
  • Publication number: 20070075514
    Abstract: A vehicle comprising a frame, at least one wheel operable to contact a substantially horizontal support surface, a prime mover supported by the frame and in driving engagement with the at least one wheel, a suspension system operable to maintain the frame in an upright position while driving along a straight path and to permit the frame to lean relative to the support surface while cornering, and at least two headlights coupled to the suspension system and arranged in a substantially horizontal configuration, wherein the headlights remain in the substantially horizontal configuration when the frame is in the upright position and when the frame is leaning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Publication date: April 5, 2007
    Applicant: HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTOR COMPANY GROUP, INC.
    Inventor: Scott Saiki
  • Publication number: 20060255550
    Abstract: An auxiliary lean control system is provided for controlling a lean angle of at least a portion of a vehicle. The auxiliary lean control system includes an energy storage device for storing energy to actuate the lean control system, a stabilizing mechanism coupled to the energy storage device and to the at least a portion of the vehicle for applying energy received from the energy storage device to the at least a portion of the vehicle to adjust the lean angle of the at least a portion of a vehicle, and a linkage coupled to the energy storage device and to the stabilizing mechanism for transferring energy from the energy storage device to the stabilizing mechanism. The auxiliary lean control system controls the lean angle of the portion of the vehicle in an absence of control of the lean angle by a primary lean control system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2006
    Publication date: November 16, 2006
    Inventors: Michael Pfeil, Gary Fulks, Timothy Haerr, Scott Saiki, Andrew Roth
  • Patent number: 7097187
    Abstract: An independent suspension system is provided for coupling a set of wheels to a vehicle body structure. The system includes independently pivotable swing arms, a shock absorber assembly, a joining arm and tie rods. The swing arms are attached to the vehicle body structure and to a respective wheel and the shock absorber assembly is mounted to the vehicle structure. The shock absorber assembly includes a biasing element and a linkage coupled to the joining arm and the biasing element. The suspension system further includes a tie rod connecting each swing arm to the joining arm. The joining arm is arranged to move in a lengthwise vehicle direction under control of the biasing element in response to road input to both wheels, and rotate about an attachment point without lengthwise movement to allow the tie rods to translate in opposite lengthwise direction in response to leaning of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Walters, Stephen T Lim, Kirt M Bennett
  • Patent number: 7090234
    Abstract: In a three-wheel vehicle, right and left suspension arms are independently attached to a front swinging shaft and a rear swinging shaft so that the suspension arms can swing vertically, and the front swinging shaft and the rear swinging shaft function as a swinging shaft for swinging the body frame. A swinging mechanism is provided to restrict lateral rotation of the body frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinji Takayanagi, Yohei Makuta, Hiroyoshi Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20060097471
    Abstract: A vehicle provided with at least three wheels, with a first frame part having at least two footboards, and a second frame part. The second frame part is connected to the first frame part in such a way that it can tilt about a tilting axis running in the longitudinal direction. The second frame part includes a control element and a driver's seat. A tilting member is connected to a first and second frame part, in order to exert a tilting force upon the second frame part on the basis of a control signal, a sensor being connected to the first frame part for measuring a force or moment exerted by a driver upon the first frame part and/or to determine a position of the rider relative to the footboard. The sensor is connected to the tilting member and feeds the control signal to the tilting member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Publication date: May 11, 2006
    Inventors: Christopher Van Den Brink, Hendrik Kroonen
  • Publication number: 20060086555
    Abstract: A three wheeled vehicle (1) has a front section (10) having a front frame (105), a directionally controllable front wheel (101) and a steering column (104) with a handlebar (1040). A rear section (11) has a rear frame (107) and two rear wheels (102,103). The front section (10) of the vehicle is pivotable about a pivot axis (111) located intermediate the two rear wheels (102,103). The pivot axis (111) includes a pivot bar (401) and a pivot bar housing (402) in communication with a transmission mechanism having a first and second gear pairs (2) (3). The transmission mechanism is releasably connected to the steering column (104) and is capable of pivoting the first section (10) about the pivot axis (111) towards the center-of-curvature of a turn in accordance with the angle of the front wheel (101), thus providing greater stability for the vehicle (1) during a turn.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2005
    Publication date: April 27, 2006
    Inventor: James Dower
  • Patent number: 7029014
    Abstract: A vehicle stability control system is provided, which includes a movable tongue member and a ratchet mechanism. The movable tongue member is adapted to move between a first tongue position and a second tongue position. The ratchet mechanism is adapted to be mechanically coupled to a movable unsprung mass portion and to a sprung mass portion of a vehicle when the vehicle stability control system is operably installed on the vehicle. The ratchet mechanism comprising a ratchet tooth, such that the ratchet mechanism is adapted to restrict a movement of the unsprung mass portion away from the sprung mass portion when the tongue member is moved toward the second tongue position and into the ratchet tooth, and wherein the tongue member does not restrict the movement of the unsprung mass portion relative to the sprung mass portion when the tongue member is in the first tongue position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Inventor: Alton B. Hamm
  • Publication number: 20050275181
    Abstract: A suspension system for a vehicle (50c) having a body (52c) and a plurality of wheel support assemblies (56c, 58c) includes a tie structure (60c) interposed between the body and the wheel support assemblies. A first interconnection system (68c) interconnects the tie structure to the wheel support assemblies, and the second interconnection system (302) interconnects the tie structure and the body. The second interconnection system includes a plurality of link structures (304, 320) pivotally connected at one end to the tie structure, and pivotally connected at the opposite end to the body. Such link structures are oriented relative to the tie structure to extend towards a common point along a longitudinal axis (33B) of the tie structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2003
    Publication date: December 15, 2005
    Inventor: William MacIsaac
  • Publication number: 20050206101
    Abstract: In this vehicular chassis system, the vehicle's passenger compartment and wheels incline toward the turning center side in such a manner, that the wheels can be tilted independently from steering. This vehicle has a steering apparatus controlling the steering, and a separate apparatus controlling the lateral leaning. The lean is controlled mechanically using a pendulum, and forced lateral leaned using a control unit, or manually with the transfer of body weight using several pinions with a set ratio to control the passenger compartment lateral lean in conjunction with the wheel lateral lean. An electric DC servo gear motor can be used to control the lateral lean, that intern moves a pinion, which moves a rack and lateral movable cross member, while controlling the lateral leaning wheels and pulling the tilt support bar pivotally attached to a passenger compartment in the same leaning direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2005
    Publication date: September 22, 2005
    Inventor: Todd Bouton
  • Patent number: 6863288
    Abstract: A tilting vehicle with a front frame section has a longitudinal axis, a driver's seat and one or more wheels that are able to turn about a front wheel steering axis located transversely to the longitudinal axis. The vehicle has a rear frame section with two wheels that is connected to the front frame section such that it can tilt. The vehicle can have a tilting device operated by the driver, for relative tilting of the front and rear frame sections. A sensor measures a force or movement on the front wheel for controlling the tilting device. The rear wheels can be turned about a rear wheel steering axis located transversely to the longitudinal axis or can be tilted about a rear wheel tilt axis located essentially in the direction of the longitudinal axis in order to prevent oscillations of the vehicle at relatively high speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Brinks Westmaas B.V.
    Inventors: Christopher Ralph Van Den Brink, Hendrik Marinus Kroonen
  • Publication number: 20050012291
    Abstract: A three-wheel rolling vehicle with front two-wheel steering comprising a frame (13), a handlebar (16), a rear wheel (12) rotating with respect to the frame (13) and a steering group which operates two front wheels (14, 15), in which two horizontal crossbars (21, 22) are foreseen, connected through hinges (40-43) of the side tubes (36, 37) and through additional hinges (23, 24) to the frame (13), the tubes (36, 37) rotatably supporting steering tubes (31, 32).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2004
    Publication date: January 20, 2005
    Inventor: Alessandro Bagnoli
  • Publication number: 20040144591
    Abstract: In a three-wheeled vehicle provided with a power transmission mechanism for transmitting the output of an engine to left and right rear wheels via a continuously variable transmission, a gear box and inner shafts of drive shafts as left and right output shafts, the inner shafts which are output shafts of the gear box are provided apart in a longitudinal direction of the body. The overall length of the drive shafts can be increased. When the rear wheel is vertically moved, an angle of the bend of the drive shaft can be minimized. Further, the tread of the wheels can be reduced. Therefore, the width of the body can be reduced and the mobility of the vehicle can be enhanced. In addition, the gear case can be separate from the crankcase and attached to the crankcase with the differential mechanism being housed in the separate gear case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2003
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Inventors: Masahiro Kuroki, Shinji Takayanagi
  • Patent number: 6766876
    Abstract: A rear wheel suspension system for a four-wheeled vehicle suitable for attaining vehicle weight reduction, setting weight distribution of the vehicle, improving vehicle design freedom, and decreasing the number of components as compared to conventional rear wheel suspension systems. The system includes a joint member mounted in a rear portion of a vehicle body with a pair of left and right front wheels secured thereto, the joint member including a roll shaft extending substantially in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body, and connecting to a vertical swing shaft extending in the transverse direction of the vehicle body. In addition, a power unit for supporting the two rear wheels is connected to a rear portion of the joint member by means of the vertical swing shaft, thereby allowing the power unit to be secured to the vehicle body rollably and swingably.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Ozeki, Shinji Takayanagi, Hiroyoshi Kobayashi, Shinji Furuta, Takuya Tagami, Hirosi Takamoto
  • Publication number: 20040100059
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tilting vehicle (1) with a front frame section (2) having a longitudinal axis (8), a driver's seat (7) and one or more wheels (4) that are able to turn about a front wheel steering axis (5) located transversely to the longitudinal axis (8). The vehicle has a rear frame section (3) with two wheels (14, 15) that is connected to the front frame section (2) such that it can tilt. The vehicle can also be provided with a tilting device (9), that can be operated by the driver, for relative tilting of the front and rear frame sections (2, 3). A sensor (12) measures, for example, a force or a movement on the front wheel (4) for controlling the tilting device (9).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Inventors: Christopher Ralph Van Den Brink, Hendrik Marinus Kroonen
  • Patent number: 6719313
    Abstract: An anti-roll suspension system for a vehicle, including a steer able axle assembly mounting a pair of laterally spaced wheels on a vehicle chassis, a spring assembly supporting the chassis on each of the axle assemblies, a lever attaching each spring assembly to the vehicle chassis, and a roll compensating linkage connected to the lever of each spring assembly and being responsive to a steering movement to the chassis to translate the steering movement to a vertical movement on the suspension of the chassis to simultaneously lift the outside turn side of the vehicle and lower the inside turn side of the vehicle thereby counteracting roll of the chassis when in a turn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Inventor: Adam Zadok
  • Publication number: 20040051269
    Abstract: In this vehicular chassis system, the vehicles passenger compartment and wheels incline toward the turning center side. In such a manner, that the wheels can be tilted independently from steering the vehicle, while maintaining the body of the vehicle level to the ground. With a steering apparatus controlling the steering, and a separate apparatus controlling the tilting, tied in with a rack and pinion and moving left and right with a transversely moveable cross member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2002
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventor: Todd Richard Bouton
  • Publication number: 20030102176
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention a vehicle comprises a tilting section and a hanging section both connected to each other. When the vehicle is stationary or traveling straight, gravity will pull the hanging section downwards which will stabilize and keep the tilting section upright. When the vehicle is turning, centrifugal force will swing the hanging section outward and tilt the tilting section inside the turn.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2001
    Publication date: June 5, 2003
    Inventor: Eric Saqueton Bautista
  • Patent number: 6547260
    Abstract: The vehicle includes a suspended running chassis (1) making it possible to define a longitudinal and vertical plane forming a reference on the chassis (1), the preferred running direction being parallel to the longitudinal plane, and at least two wheel connecting systems, the wheels (2) of which are not aligned relative to the longitudinal plane, the wheel connecting systems being mounted on the chassis (1) on either side of the latter in the transverse direction, each of the wheel connecting systems including a wheel (2) mounted on a support (5) by means of a suspension device allowing vertical deflection of the wheel (2) relative to the support (5), the suspensions being independent of one another. Each support (5) is mounted on the chassis (1) by means of a camber mechanism which includes a camber lever (4) and an actuating lever (40) making it possible to vary the camber angle of the corresponding wheel (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Conception et Developpement Michelin S.A.
    Inventors: Daniel Laurent, Marc Sebe
  • Patent number: 6511078
    Abstract: A ground contact system for a vehicle having a wheel mounted on a wheel carrier, the wheel carrier being mounted on a support by a vertical suspension device, the support being mounted on a chassis by a load transfer arm on one side of which the support is articulated along an essentially horizontal geometrical camber axis, the load transfer arm being connected at its other side to the chassis along an essentially vertical geometrical axis, a camber control rod being pivotally mounted to the support some distance from the geometrical camber axis, the camber control rod being able to move transversely relative to the chassis, a triangulation-forming element connecting the load transfer arm to the chassis around the essentially vertical geometrical axis, such that it controls the moment about the essentially vertical geometrical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: Conception et Developpement Michelin S.A.
    Inventor: Marc Sebe
  • Patent number: 6499754
    Abstract: A suspension system for a vehicle includes two laterally spaced front and rear wheel assemblies, each assembly including a wheel and a wheel mounting, permitting movement of the wheel in a generally vertical direction, bounce support devices supporting the vehicle body, and roll control devices controlling roll attitude. The roll control devices include respective second coupling devices interconnecting the longitudinally adjacent wheel assemblies, and further include transfer devices interconnecting the second coupling devices of each pair of longitudinally adjacent wheel assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Kinetic Limited
    Inventors: Christopher Brian Heyring, Alexander John Robertson
  • Patent number: 6435522
    Abstract: A vehicle (1) provided with a frame having two frame sections (3,4) which are able to tilt with respect to one another. An opposite steer power transmitter (50) is connected to a steerable front wheel (13). The opposite steer power transmitter (50) is controlled as a function of the tilting moment on the frame sections (3,4). By this means, application of opposite steer is achieved, as a result of which the tilting section of the vehicle “drops into the bend” more rapidly and as a result of which increased maneuvrability is obtained. The opposite steer power transmitter (50) can be used on vehicles having an active tilting system with, for example, hydraulic tilting cylinders (9,9′), which are controlled by a sensor depending on the radius of the bend (24). The tilting moment generated by the tilting cylinders (9,9′) can optionally serve as a control signal for the opposite steer power transmitter (50).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Brinks Westmaas B.V.
    Inventors: Christopher Ralph Van Den Brink, Hendrik Marinus Kroonen
  • Patent number: 6406036
    Abstract: The vehicle includes a suspended running chassis (1) making it possible to define a longitudinal and vertical plane forming a reference on the chassis (1), the preferred running direction being parallel to the longitudinal plane, and at least two wheel connecting systems, the wheels (2) of which are not aligned relative to the longitudinal plane, the wheel connecting systems being mounted on the chassis (1) on either side of the latter in the transverse direction, each of the wheel connecting systems including a wheel (2) mounted on a support (5) by means of a suspension device allowing vertical deflection of the wheel (2) relative to the support (5), the suspensions being independent of one another. Each support (5) is mounted on the chassis (1) by means of a camber mechanism which includes a camber lever (4) and an activating lever (40) making it possible to vary the camber angle of the corresponding wheel (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Conception et Developpement - Michelin S.A.
    Inventors: Daniel Laurent, Marc Sebe
  • Patent number: 6367824
    Abstract: A tricycle includes left and right front wheel support members which rotatably support left and right front wheels, respectively, and which are disposed on laterally opposite sides of a handle post and pivotally supported on left and right leg members which are supported by the handle post, a steering shaft which is connected to the front wheel support members to steer the front wheels in response to the turning operation of the steering shaft, and a driven wheel supported at a rear portion of a vehicle body frame structure. In this tricycle, a banking travel is possible, leading to an enhanced steering travelability. The handle post 21 and the left leg member 29L are connected to each other through a pair of left upper and lower links 38L, 39L to form a left parallel link arrangement 37L, while the handle post 21 and the right leg member 29R are connected to each other through a pair of right upper and lower links 38R, 39R to form a right parallel link arrangement 37R, 94R.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignees: Avantec Corporation, K Design Co., Ltd., Dox Corporation
    Inventor: Masayasu Hayashi
  • Patent number: 6328125
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle (1) provided with a frame (2) having a front frame part (3) and a rear frame part (4) which can tilt with respect to one another. The vehicle (1) comprises three or more wheels (7, 7′, 13), it being possible to rotate the front wheel (13) with respect to the steering column (18). In this case, a sensor (24) determines the angle of rotation between the front wheel (13) and the steering column (18) and, as a function of this angle of rotation, actuates the tilting means (9, 9′) of the vehicle. As a result of the consequent tilting of the front frame part (3) and as a consequence of the speed at which the vehicle (1) is travelling, the front wheel (13) and the tilting angle will automatically adopt the correct level for allowing the vehicle (1) to travel through the bend in a stable manner at the given speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Brinks Westmaas B.V.
    Inventors: Christopher Ralph Van Den Brink, Hendrik Marinus Kroonen
  • Patent number: 6267388
    Abstract: A modified racing vehicle having dimensions such that it can run on a track suitable for a conventional go-kart and which has substantially the characteristics of a single seater formula racing car. The vehicle has no differential on its rear axle (2) and no suspension on its rear and front axles (5) but is provided with weight transfer structure to compensate therefor. The steering geometry of the vehicle is arranged such that, for the radially outer steerable wheel with reference to a turning centre, a castor angle of the kingpin axis increases and the kingpin axis is inclined into the turn as the steering member (6) pivots and the outer steerable wheel is lifted upwards forcing the chassis (1) down whereby a downward force is exerted through the chassis (1) to a non-steerable wheel (4) that is the radially outer with reference to the turning center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Assignee: Formula GP Limited
    Inventor: Christopher Stephen Atkinson
  • Patent number: 6244190
    Abstract: The invention refers to a tilting mechanism for creating track curve-dependent tilt of the superstructure of rail vehicles (1), consisting of a coupling (15) with which the superstructure (2) is movably connected to a bogie (3) in such a way that the superstructure can be transferred from an upright initial position into a tilted position relative to the bogie and having a drive (31) and an transfer mechanism including a transfer mechanism by which means the superstructure can be movably transferred from its initial position into its tilted position relative to the bogie. To be able to manufacture such tilting mechanism in a more inexpensive way, the invention aims at equipping the transfer mechanism with a mechanism with a variable transmission, the transmission of the mechanism increasing with increasing inclination angle of the superstructure relative to the bogie during transfer of the superstructure from its initial position into its tilted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Moog GmbH
    Inventors: Roger Sembtner, Bernd Stehlin