US 12,397,871 B2 · Three-wheel motor vehicle and control system

Abstract

A three-wheeled vehicle having a front wheel assembly attached to a chassis. The chassis includes a rotational control shaft having a rotational axis that is generally directed in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The rotational control shaft is integrated with or secured to the chassis in a non-rotational manner and passes through the front wheel assembly in a rotationally-free manner, such that the rotational control shaft can rotate about its rotational axis. The front wheel assembly includes one or more lean control motors, which are operably configured to rotate the rotational control shaft about its rotational axis thereby causing the chassis to lean from side to side to improve the handling ability of the vehicle. Some embodiments include a lean control system configured to automatically control the degree of rotation of the chassis.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An assembly to neutralize bump steer for a wheel assembly on a motor vehicle, comprising:

a tie rod system;
a guide tube system;
the tie rod system comprising:
a tie rod extending between a pair of wheels in the wheel assembly having a first end and second end opposing each other, wherein the opposing ends of the tie rod are operably coupled to a guide tube system of each wheel;
a tie rod shelf, the tie rod shelf operably coupled to a beam disposed between the pair of wheels wherein at least one portion of the tie rod is configured to translate about a surface of the rod shelf;
a cap configured to operably secure the tie rod in operable communication with the tie rod shelf wherein the cap is intended to prevent independent vertical translation of the tie rod;
the guide tube system of each wheel, the guide tube system comprising:
a guide structure;
a translation member, configured to translate relative to the guide structure;
and
wherein the first end and second end of the tie rod are operably coupled to the translation member, whereby the tie rod system can translate a vertical length along the guide structure.

8 more elements

A front wheel assembly for a motor vehicle, comprising:

a pair of wheels;
a support structure extending between the pair of wheels;
assembly to neutralize bump steer extending between the pair of wheels, the assembly to neutralize bump steer comprising:
a tie rod system extending between the pair of wheels configured to translate between a fore and aft location of the front wheel assembly;
and
a guide tube system coupled to each wheel of the pair of wheels configured to translate in a generally vertical orientation;
wherein the tie rod system is operably coupled to the guide tube system of each wheel;
and
a first lean control motor operably coupled to the rotational control shaft of the chassis, such that actuation of the first lean control motor causes rotation of the chassis about the rotational axis of the rotational control shaft.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Three-wheel motor vehicle and control system

Life of this patent

Three-wheel motor vehicle and control system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20