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US 11,440,370 B2Granted
Cross-linked vehicle suspension
AssigneeKolltek, LLC
InventorAlex Kollitz
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Cross-linked vehicle suspension systems. A first wheel is mechanically linked to a second wheel by a cross tie, so that motion from an impact with an obstacle by the first wheel is transmitted to the second wheel. A shock absorber may be coupled to each wheel, the cross tie, or both, to distribute absorption of the impact. In some embodiments, a second pair of wheels may be coupled by a second cross tie and configured diagonally to the first pair of wheels. A shock absorber may be coupled to both cross ties to link all wheels together, for full distribution of all loads across all wheels.
Claims15
A vehicle suspension system, comprising:
- a first articulated arm pivotably coupled to a frame of a vehicle;
- a second articulated arm pivotably coupled to the vehicle frame;
- a cross tie with a first end mechanically linked to the first articulated arm and a second end, distal from the first end, mechanically linked to the second articulated arm;
- and
- a shock absorber mechanically linked to the first articulated arm, the second articulated arm, and the cross tie;
- wherein the cross tie is mechanically linked to the first and second articulated arms such that a movement of either the first or second articulated arm is at least partially transmitted to the shock absorber and at least partially transmitted to the other articulated arm;
- wherein the shock absorber is a first shock absorber, and the first shock absorber mechanically links the first articulated arm to the first end;
- further comprising a second shock absorber that mechanically links the second articulated arm to the second end;
- and
- further comprising a third shock absorber coupled to the cross tie.
7 more elements
A vehicle, comprising:
- a plurality of wheels, each wheel mechanically linked to a respective articulated arm;
- a beam cross tie that mechanically links the articulated arm of a first wheel of the plurality of wheels with the articulated arm of a second wheel of the plurality of wheels;
- and
- a shock damping assembly mechanically linked to the cross tie and articulated arms of the first and second wheels,
- wherein the articulated arm of the first wheel is pivotably coupled to a first mount point of a frame of a vehicle,
- wherein the articulated arm of the second wheel is pivotably coupled to a second mount point of the frame of the vehicle,
- wherein a movement of the articulated arm of either the first or second wheel is at least partially transmitted to the shock damping assembly and at least partially transmitted to the other articulated arm,
- wherein the plurality of wheels comprises a first wheel, a second wheel, a third wheel, and a fourth wheel, wherein the first and second wheels are positioned diagonally from each other on the vehicle, with the first wheel positioned proximate to a front of the vehicle, and the second wheel positioned proximate to a rear of the vehicle,
- wherein:
- the third wheel is positioned proximate to the front of the vehicle;
- the fourth wheel is positioned proximate to the rear of the vehicle;
- each of the third and fourth wheels is mechanically linked to a respective articulated arm;
- the shock damping assembly is a first damping assembly;
- the vehicle further comprises:
- a second beam cross tie that mechanically links the articulated arm of the third wheel with the articulated arm of the fourth wheel;
- and
- a second shock damping assembly mechanically linked to the second cross tie and articulated arms of the third and fourth wheels;
- a first end of the first wheel shock damping assembly is coupled to the articulated arm of the first wheel;
- a second end, distal from the first end, of the first wheel shock damping assembly is coupled to the articulated arm of the second wheel;
- the articulated arm of the third wheel is coupled to a third mount point of the frame of the vehicle;
- the articulated arm of the fourth wheel is coupled to a fourth mount point of the frame of the vehicle;
- a first end of the second wheel shock damping assembly is coupled to the articulated arm of the third wheel;
- and
- a second end, distal from the first end, of the second wheel shock damping assembly is coupled to the articulated arm of the fourth wheel.
21 more elements
A vehicle suspension system, comprising:
- a first articulated arm pivotably coupled to a frame of a vehicle;
- a second articulated arm pivotably coupled to the vehicle frame;
- a cross tie with a first end mechanically linked to the first articulated arm and a second end, distal from the first end, mechanically linked to the second articulated arm;
- and
- a shock absorber mechanically linked to the first articulated arm, the second articulated arm, and the cross tie;
- wherein the cross tie is mechanically linked to the first and second articulated arms such that a movement of either the first or second articulated arm is at least partially transmitted to the shock absorber and at least partially transmitted to the other articulated arm, wherein:
- the first articulated arm is directly coupled to a first mount point of the frame of the vehicle;
- the second articulated arm is directly coupled to a second mount point of the frame of the vehicle;
- the first end of the cross tie is directly coupled to a first end of a linking arm;
- the linking arm is directly coupled to a third mount point of the frame of the vehicle;
- the shock absorber is directly coupled to a second end, distal from the first end, of the linking arm;
- and
- the shock absorber is directly coupled to the first articulated arm.
10 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.