Methods and systems for modifying vertical positions of powertrains or components thereof
AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC
InventorsMichael Andrew Gutierrez, Nathaniel Gerald Chaisson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods, systems, and vehicles including such system are provided. The systems include a vertical position movement mechanism configured to raise and lower a powertrain or a component thereof of the vehicle relative to a chassis of the vehicle, and a controller configured to, by one or more processors, modify a vertical position of the powertrain or the component thereof between a top and a bottom of the chassis with the vertical position movement mechanism to controllably adjust a first angle of a first joint at a first end of a drive shaft of the vehicle. The drive shaft functionally couples the powertrain and wheels of the vehicle to transfer rotational power from the powertrain to the wheels.
Claims20
A method, comprising:
- modifying, with a vertical position movement mechanism of a vehicle, a vertical position of a powertrain or component thereof of the vehicle between a top and a bottom of the vehicle to adjust a first angle of a first joint at a first end of a drive shaft of the vehicle, wherein the drive shaft functionally couples the powertrain and wheels of the vehicle to transfer rotational power from the powertrain to the wheels, wherein modifying the vertical position of the powertrain or the component thereof includes:
- producing torque with the powertrain to raise or lower at least a portion of the powertrain or the component thereof;
- and
- maintaining the vertical position of at least the portion of the powertrain or the component thereof with a hydraulic system of the vehicle.
A system for a vehicle, comprising:
- a vertical position movement mechanism configured to selectively maintain a vertical position of a powertrain or a component thereof of the vehicle relative to a chassis of the vehicle, wherein the vertical position movement mechanism includes a hydraulic system;
- and
- a controller configured to, by one or more processors, modify the vertical position of the powertrain or the component thereof between a top and a bottom of the chassis with the vertical position movement mechanism to controllably adjust a first angle of a first joint at a first end of a drive shaft of the vehicle, wherein the drive shaft functionally couples the powertrain and wheels of the vehicle to transfer rotational power from the powertrain to the wheels,
- wherein the controller is configured to, by the one or more processors, produce torque with the powertrain to raise or lower the powertrain or the component thereof and maintain the vertical position of the powertrain or the component thereof with the hydraulic system.
A vehicle, comprising:
- a chassis;
- wheels;
- a suspension system coupling the wheels to the chassis and configured to provide for relative movement between the wheels and the chassis;
- a powertrain secured to the chassis and configured to generate rotational power;
- a drive shaft functionally coupling the powertrain and the wheels and configured to transmit the rotational power from the powertrain to the wheels to rotate the wheels and thereby propel the vehicle, wherein the drive shaft is functionally coupled to the powertrain with a first joint and to the wheels with a second joint, wherein the first joint and the second joint are configured to accommodate for changes in angle and alignment between the powertrain and the wheels or intermediate components therebetween to provide for continuous transfer of the rotational power from the powertrain to the wheels despite variations in vertical positions of the wheels relative to the powertrain;
- a vertical position movement mechanism configured to selectively maintain a vertical position of the powertrain or a component thereof relative to the chassis, wherein the vertical position movement mechanism includes a hydraulic system;
- and
- a controller configured to, by one or more processors, modify the vertical position of the powertrain or the component thereof between a top and a bottom of the chassis with the vertical position movement mechanism to controllably adjust a first angle of the first joint of the drive shaft, wherein the controller is configured to, by the one or more processors, produce torque with the powertrain to raise or lower the powertrain or the component thereof and maintaining the vertical position of the powertrain or the component thereof with the hydraulic system.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.