US 12,269,539 B2Granted

Mechanical joint with five degrees of freedom

AssigneeVolvo Truck Corporation

InventorCarl Bjoerk

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Abstract

Aspects of the disclosure relate to a mechanical joint with five degrees of freedom. In certain embodiments, the mechanical joint includes first and second triangular linkages. The first triangular linkage includes a base end configured to hingedly couple to a first body to pivot relative to the first body and a vertex end that includes a first rotational member. The second triangular linkage includes a base end configured to hingedly couple to a second body to pivot relative to the second body and a vertex end that includes a second rotational member. The first rotational member and the second rotational member are rotationally coupled to form a all joint. With this joint, the second body is moveable in two translational degrees of freedom and restricted in one translational degree of freedom relative to the first body. Such a configuration allows vertical movement and/or reduces stress on the joint.

Claims13

Dependent claims

A mechanical system, comprising:

a first body;
a second body comprising a front end and an opposing rear end, and a longitudinal axis extending between the front and rear ends;
and
at least two mechanical joints coupling the first body to the second body, each of the at least two mechanical joints comprising:
a first triangular linkage comprising a base end configured to hingedly couple to the first body to pivot relative to the first body about a first base axis and a vertex end comprising a first rotational member;
and
a second triangular linkage comprising a base end configured to hingedly couple to the second body to pivot relative to the second body about a second base axis and a vertex end comprising a second rotational member;
wherein the first rotational member and the second rotational member are rotationally coupled to form a ball joint;
wherein a first mechanical joint of the at least two mechanical joints is longitudinally spaced apart from a second mechanical joint of the at least two mechanical joints;
and
wherein the second body is moveable in two translational degrees of freedom and restricted in one translational degree of freedom relative to the first body.

8 more elements

A vehicle, comprising:

a chassis comprising frame rails and a plurality of axles;
a cab body comprising a front end and an opposing rear end, and a longitudinal axis extending between the front and rear ends;
and
at least two mechanical joints coupling the chassis to the cab body, each of the at least two mechanical joints comprising:
a first triangular linkage comprising a base end configured to hingedly couple to the chassis to pivot relative to the chassis and a vertex end comprising a first rotational member;
and
a second triangular linkage comprising a base end configured to hingedly couple to the cab body to pivot relative to the cab body and a vertex end comprising a second rotational member;
wherein the first rotational member and the second rotational member are rotationally coupled to form a ball joint;
wherein a first mechanical joint of the at least two mechanical joints is longitudinally spaced apart from a second mechanical joint of the at least two mechanical joints;
and
wherein the cab body is moveable in two translational degrees of freedom relative to the chassis and is restricted in one translational degree of freedom relative to the chassis.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 17/919,337Filed 1 Jun 2020
Published: US 2023/0158849 A125 May 2023
Granted: 8 Apr 2025
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification26 codes

B62D 33/067
Movable from one position into at least one other position, e.g. tiltable, pivotable about a vertical axis, displaceable from one side of the…:…
B60G 7/001
Pivoted suspension arms; Accessories thereof: suspension arms, e.g. constructional features
B60G 7/005
Pivoted suspension arms; Accessories thereof: ball joints
B60G 7/02
Pivoted suspension arms; Accessories thereof: attaching arms to sprung part of vehicle