Mechanical Controlled Lateral Leaning Suspension:
These embodiments referring now to the accompanying drawings.
A tilt shaft 4 with a fixed mount to a passenger compartment 2, each end of the respective tilt shaft having a pivot mount to a front and back tilt shaft pinion 6,
Please note: A front and back tilt shaft pinion 6, 8 having a pivot mount to each end of a tilt shaft 4 on a mechanical lateral leaning suspension for a mechanism controlled lateral lean.
A tilt shaft pinion 6 rotatively mounted on a suspension frame 10 for rotation about a transverse axis from a tilt shaft 4.
A front and back motor pinion 12, 14 rotatively mounted on a front and back suspension frame 10, 16 in a generally ten o'clock position transversely from each end of a tilt shaft 4 in a gear mesh relationship with the respective front and back tilt shaft pinion 6, 8, controlling a front lateral movable cross member 18, please note: in conjunction with a back lateral movable cross member 20, using a forced mechanism for lateral lean control.
Below is an independently controlled front and back lateral leaning suspension:
A front and back pendulum 26, 28 hanging from a front and back mechanical control box 30, 32 mounted directly to the back of a front and back electric DC servo gear motor 22, 24 controlling a front lateral movable cross member 18 independently from a back lateral movable cross member 20.
A front and back pendulum 26, 28 having a front and back mechanical control box 30, 32, each having a rubber mount around the respective front and back pendulum shaft 26, 28 giving enough tension to maintain a comfortable independent lateral lean for a front and back suspension frame 10, 16 while transversing on a hill side, reducing the hard, or fast lateral lean of a passenger compartment.
A roller bearing guide 36 having a fixed mount to the top of a suspension frame 10 with a roller bearing relationship to the top of the respective lateral movable cross member 18 for locating and aligning on the top of the respective tilt shaft pinion 6.
An upper control arm 38 having a upper attachment point 44, in an articulated fashion to the outer end of a right and left lateral movable cross member 18, maintaining a fixed distance between the respective right and left upper control arm 38.
An upper tubular joint 42, having a upper attachment point 40 in an articulated fashion to the outer end of a right and left upper control arm 38, maintaining a generally fixed distance between the respective right and left upper tubular joint 42.
A king pin 46 having a fixed mount on a upper tubular joint 42 transversely from a lateral movable cross member 18 with the outer end of the respective king pin 46 pointing to the back of the vehicle.
An upper tubular joint 42 having a king pin 46 for a steering support bar 48, pivotally mounted to maintain a steering rod 50 alignment, FIGS. 8 AND 13 allowing full lateral lean of a right and left wheel 52 and passenger compartment 2.
A tilt support bar 54 pivotally mounted on the respective king pin 46 having the inner end of the respective tilt support bar 54 pivotally mounted to a passenger compartment king pin 56 for lateral lean control of a passenger compartment 2.
A lower tubular joint 66 having a lower attachment point 64 in an articulated fashion to the outer end of a lower control arm 62, maintaining a generally fixed distance between the respective right and left lower tubular joint 66.
An upper and lower tubular joint 42, 66, each having a vertical pivot mount for a spindle 70, allowing independent steering from the tilt with a steering knuckle 72 fixed mounted to the top of the respective spindle 70.
A steering knuckle 72 having a fixed mount on the top of a spindle 70 in a generally transverse axis from a lateral movable cross member 18 with the outer end of the respective steering knuckle 72 pointing to the back of the vehicle allowing independent steering from the lateral lean.
A ball joint 74 fixed mounted to a pitman arm having a transverse axis from a lateral movable cross member 18, with the outer end of the respective ball joint 74 pointing to the front of the vehicle.
A CV slide shaft 80, universally mounted to a axle 76 with a rotatable mount therethrough the center of a spindle 70, in a generally transverse axis from
A middle differential 138 having a fixed mount to the bottom of a tilt shaft 4, generally centered from the front and back of the vehicle in a transverse axis from a front and back differential 88.
A lower differential sprocket 152 having a fixed mount to the center drive joint of the respective middle differential 138, with a roller chain relationship to a roller drive chain 156.
A front and back drive dog bone shaft 146 having a universal attachment point to a front and back of a middle differential 138, with a generally same axis as the tilt shaft 4.
A CV drive slide shaft 142, having a passage on the inner end for receiving a telescopically mounted outer end of a drive dog bone shaft 146, with a generally same axis as the tilt shaft 4.
A front and back differential 88 having a universal drive mount to the outer end of the respective CV drive slide shaft 142.
A electro magnetic switch 98 in position to mechanically engage a ratchet pawl 96, into a segment of the respective tilt shaft pinion 6 cogs, to lock the tilted vehicle in a lateral lean position maintaining complete control of the vehicle in a turn with independent steering,
A right strut assembly 112 operatively attached on a right lower control arm 62 with a right lower strut attachment point 114, and at the top of a suspension frame 10 having a right upper strut attachment point 116 just right of center of a cross member positioning means 110.
A left lower counter strut king pin 120 fixed mounted on the bottom of a suspension frame 10.
A right strut 122 pivotally mounted from the respective right upper counter strut king pin 118 to the respective left lower counter strut king pin 120.
A right lower counter strut king pin 126 fixed mounted on the bottom of a suspension frame 10.
A left strut 128 pivotally mounted from the respective left upper counter strut king pin 124 to the respective right lower counter strut king pin 126.
Manual Lateral Leaning Suspension
A tilt shaft 4 with a fixed mount to a passenger compartment 2, each end of the respective tilt shaft having a fixed mount to a front and back tilt shaft pinion 6, 8.
Please note: A front and back tilt shaft pinion 6, 8 having a fixed mount to each end of a tilt shaft 4 on a manual lateral leaning suspension for human powered controlled lateral lean.
A tilt shaft pinion 6 rotatively mounted on a suspension frame 10 for rotation about a transverse axis from a tilt shaft 4.
A passenger compartment 2 fixed mounted to a tilt shaft 4, having a front and back tilt shaft pinion 6, 8 fixed mounted to each end of the respective tilt shaft 4, allowing a passenger to shift their body weight similar to a motor cycle or bicycle in a lateral leaning motion for manual lateral lean control of a right and left wheel 52, and a passenger compartment 2.
An optional front and back motor pinion 12, 14 rotatively mounted on a front and back suspension frame 10, 16 in a generally ten o'clock position transversely from each end of a tilt shaft 4 in a gear mesh relationship with the respective front and back tilt shaft pinion 6, 8, controlling a front lateral movable cross member 18, please note: in conjunction with a back lateral movable cross member 20, using an optional forced mechanism for lateral lean control.
A front and back top pinion 134, 136 rotatively mounted on a front and back suspension frame 10, 16 in a gear mesh relationship on the top of the respective front and back middle pinion 130, 132, for rotation about a transverse axis from a tilt shaft 4.
A lateral movable cross member and rack combined 18, 34 in a gear mesh relationship on the top of a top pinion 134.
A roller bearing guide 36 having a fixed mount to the top of a suspension frame 10 with a roller bearing relationship to the top of the respective lateral movable cross member 18 for locating and aligning on the top of the respective top pinion 134.
An upper tubular joint 42, having an upper attachment point 40 in an articulated fashion to the outer end of a right and left upper control arm 38, maintaining a generally fixed distance between the respective right and left upper tubular joint 42.
A king pin 46 having a fixed mount on a upper tubular joint 42 transversely from a lateral movable cross member 18, with the outer end of the respective king pin 46 pointing to the back of the vehicle.
An upper tubular joint 42 having a king pin 46 for a steering support bar 48, pivotally mounted to maintain a steering rod 50 alignment, FIGS. 8 AND 13 allowing full lateral lean of a right and left wheel 52 and passenger compartment 2.
An optional tilt support bar 54 pivotally mounted on the respective king pin 46 having the inner end of the respective tilt support bar 54 pivotally mounted to a passenger compartment king pin 56 for back up support of a passenger compartment 2.
A lower tubular joint 66 having a lower attachment point 64 in an articulated fashion to the outer end of a lower control arm 62, maintaining a generally fixed distance between the respective right and left lower tubular joint 66.
An upper and lower tubular joint 42, 66, each having a vertical pivot mount for a spindle 70, allowing independent steering from the lean with a steering knuckle 72 fixed mounted to the top of the respective spindle 70.
A steering knuckle 72 having a fixed mount on the top of a spindle 70 in a generally transverse axis from a lateral movable cross member 18, with the outer end of the respective steering knuckle 72 pointing to the back of the vehicle, allowing independent steering from the lateral lean.
A ball joint 74 fixed mounted to a pitman arm having a transverse axis from a lateral movable cross member 18 with the outer end of the respective ball joint 74 pointing to the front of the vehicle.
A middle differential 138 having a fixed mount to the bottom of a tilt shaft 4, generally centered from the front and back of the vehicle in a transverse axis from a front and back differential 88.
A lower differential sprocket 152 having a fixed mount to the center drive joint of the respective middle differential 138, with a roller chain relationship to a roller drive chain 156.
A front and back drive dog bone shaft 146 having a universal attachment point to a front and back of a middle differential 138, with a generally same axis as the tilt shaft 4.
A CV drive slide shaft 142, having a passage on the inner end for receiving a telescopically mounted outer end of a drive dog bone shaft 146, with a generally same axis as the tilt shaft 4.
A front and back differential 88 having a universal drive mount to the outer end of the respective CV drive slide shaft 142.
A electro magnetic switch 98 in position to mechanically engage a ratchet pawl 96, into a segment of the respective tilt shaft pinion 6 cogs, to lock the tilted vehicle in a lateral lean position maintaining complete control of the vehicle in a turn with independent steering,
A right strut assembly 112 operatively attached on a right lower control arm 62 with a right lower strut attachment point 114, and at the top of a suspension frame 10 having a right upper strut attachment point 116 just right of center of a cross member positioning means 110.
A left lower counter strut king pin 120 fixed mounted on the bottom of a suspension frame 10.
A right strut 122 pivotally mounted from the respective right upper counter strut king pin 118 to the respective left lower counter strut king pin 120.
A right lower counter strut king pin 126 fixed mounted on the bottom of a suspension frame 10.
A left strut 128 pivotally mounted from the respective left upper counter strut king pin 124 to the respective right lower counter strut king pin 126.
A series of sprockets and chains could be configured to a tilt shaft with pinions, for controlling a lateral movable cross member, could even have the sprocket diameters calculated to time out lateral tilt, controlled manually or mechanically.
A series of pulleys, belts, or cables could be configured to a tilt shaft with pinions for controlling a lateral movable cross member, could even have the pulley diameters calculated to time out lateral tilt, controlled manually or mechanically.
Although the upper and lower control arms are shown as simple beams, for the purpose of illustration, they could also be configured as A-frames having dual upper and lower attachment points to provide additional fore and aft stability to the suspension assemblies, this could include dual front suspension frames with dual front pinions and dual front lateral movable cross members.
The chassis and suspension system may also include other struts, stabilizer bars, and drive or steering components, of a type commonly known in the art, and the same could be said for the rear chassis system and all it's components.
Four wheel drive, four wheel steering, and four wheel, and passenger compartment lateral lean is easily accomplished on this; a manual, a mechanical, and a forced mechanical lateral leaning vehicle.
Although particular embodiments of the present invention have been described in the foregoing detailed description, it will be understood that the invention is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications, and substitutions of parts without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims below.
The present invention relates generally to systems for driving, steering, and leaning a three or four wheel vehicle. Prior art shows that inventions that lean all four wheels have a direct connection to the steering wheel and/or leaning apparatus.
My invention is equipped with an independent steering apparatus, steering wheel or handlebar.
My invention is equipped with an independent lateral leaning apparatus with weight transfer on a passenger compartment or a mechanically assisted lateral lean, in the turn or on a hill.
My invention shows the ability to drive all four wheels in the most extreme leaning situations including sharp turns, or steep hillsides, whereas other inventions show a limited leaning capability with no obvious telescopic drive shaft to drive any of the four wheels mounted on the tilting suspension.
Driving a leaning vehicle with three wheels would be easily accomplished with a single wheel in the back or front, like a motor cycle.
My invention however, shows all four wheels being driven with a telescopic CV slide shaft combined with a dog bone for clearance with little or no limitations to it's max lateral leaning ability.
Some inventions have tilting bodies which give the passengers the feel of a motor cycle in a turn, this puts the passenger in a deceiving situation due to the stationary upright tires being in an unnatural position in a turn instead of sliding these vehicles would have a tendency to flip.
All leaning vehicles in a fast turn can experience what's known in the motor cycle racing world as a high side, whereas the leaning vehicle starts to slide in the turn and abruptly stops sliding, which whips the person in the opposite direction of the turn.
On my invention if there were tires sliding in the leaned turn, a driver could push a button mounted on the steering wheel or handle bar that would engage a pinion locking device, similar to a ratchet pawl mounted on the frame to lock the lateral leaning vehicle in place, while maintaining complete control of the vehicle in the turn with a steering wheel or a handle bar.
My invention has a frame on the suspension that maintains level to the ground independent from the passenger compartment and wheel lateral lean, this would maintain the suspension frame, central chassis, and the body level to the ground.
This also would in turn, would eliminate the opposing tilt associated with any extreme lateral leaning vehicles.
The body could then be constructed with a lower profile, meaning a safer turn and a lot less top heavy for high speed turns or transversing a hillside.
The invention seeks to realize among other things the following:
The object of the invention is to provide a novel driving mechanism that combines driving capabilities with lateral leaning capabilities in a turn, or transversing hill.
A principle object of the present invention is to have several designs to limit its lateral lean for safety purpose or increase the lateral lean for maximum capability. A change of component and assembly part sizes, and its capable of a driving lean angle of 50+ degrees from the central plane.
A further important object of the present invention is to provide a steering mechanism that is independent of the lateral leaning mechanism.
Another major object of the invention is to provide a lateral leaning mechanism that is controlled manually by the transfer of weight about various points on a pivot shaft, a passenger compartment laterally leaning in response to the transfer of human weight, may be balanced to level with springs, struts, or leaf springs.
Another principle object is to provide a tilting mechanism that leans the passenger compartment with a machine, known in the art as hydraulics, DC servo gear motor, or a simple power steering pump.
Yet another principle object is to provide a lateral leaning mechanism that leans the front and back suspensions independently of one another with a front and back pendulum hanging from a front and back control box, allowing each suspensions to control it's own lateral lean.
A front and back pendulum having a front and back mechanical control box each having a rubber mount around the respective front and back pendulum shaft giving enough tension to maintain a comfortable independent lateral lean for a front and back suspension frame while transversing on a hill side, reducing the hard, or fast lateral lean of a passenger compartment.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a high performance vehicle that allows safer turns at higher speeds due to an increased turning capability there of the tilting passenger compartment and wheels.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a body and frame that stays level with the central plane while the passenger compartment and wheels lean into a turn or tilt on a hill.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a tilt wheel and passenger compartment capability for off road vehicles, construction equipment, moon rover vehicles, or mowing machines.
These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become more fully apparent from the description of the views and the detailed embodiments that follow, or may be learned by the practice of the invention.
Continuation in part application referring back to application Ser. No. 10/244,834
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 10244834 | Sep 2002 | US |
Child | 11070884 | Mar 2005 | US |