US 12,472,770 B2 · Coupling between a steerable wheel and a housing in a vehicle wheel unit

Abstract

A wheel unit for a vehicle includes a main housing configured to be coupled to a chassis of the vehicle, the main housing including first and second control arms. A transmission housing includes a body having first and second protrusions extending from the body, the first protrusion partially defining a first cavity that receives a portion of the first control arm, and the second protrusion partially defining a second cavity that receives a portion of the second control arm. A first pin is coupled between the first protrusion of the transmission housing and the first control arm of the main housing. A second pin is coupled between the second protrusion of the transmission housing and the second control arm of the main housing, the first and second pins defining a steering axis. The transmission housing is pivotably coupled to the main housing about the steering axis.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A wheel unit for a vehicle, the wheel unit comprising:

a main housing configured to be coupled to a chassis of the vehicle, the main housing including first and second control arms;
a transmission housing including a body having first and second protrusions extending from the body, the first protrusion partially defining a first cavity that receives a portion of the first control arm, the second protrusion partially defining a second cavity that receives a portion of the second control arm;
a first pin coupled between the first protrusion of the transmission housing and the first control arm of the main housing;
a second pin coupled between the second protrusion of the transmission housing and the second control arm of the main housing, the first and second pins defining a steering axis, the transmission housing pivotably coupled to the main housing about the steering axis;
a transmission at least partially received within the transmission housing;
and
a wheel rim rotatably coupled relative to the transmission housing about a rotational axis, the wheel rim drivable about the rotational axis by the transmission.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Coupling between a steerable wheel and a housing in a vehicle wheel unit

Life of this patent

Coupling between a steerable wheel and a housing in a vehicle wheel unit

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19