US 2017/0008335 A1 · Universal Multi-Terrain Brake System (UBS) with Adjustable Wheel Traction (AWT)

Abstract

This invention relates to a universal brake system (UBS) that combines features from an adjustable wheel traction system (WTS) and an improved anti-lock brake (ABS) system. The WTS provides a plurality of extendable and retractable spikes contained in a wheel assembly or wheel adapter to increase traction (friction) between a vehicle's wheel and its supporting surface. To further improve wheel traction each wheel spike has different types of changeable heads for different types of terrain and road surfaces. When operating in dry road mode, the UBS operates as an anti-lock braking system except the spikes can operate during emergency braking to provide additional traction between the tire and wheel support surface. When operating in slippery road mode, the UBS activates the WTS for increase traction control and utilize an improved computer controlled anti-lock braking system to alternate between wheel lock and anti-lock brake with skid control to provide the ultimate solution to decreasing a vehicle's stopping distance and controlling a vehicle's skid on slippery and dry road surfaces.

I. An adjustable wheel traction system configured as either a standalone wheel adapter FIG. 1 or integrated into a vehicle's wheel assembly FIG. 5 comprising:

An adapter housing 24 containing a plurality of spikes 14 with teeth for latching to latching solenoid 25 and mounted internally to housing in a circular pattern and capable of automatically extending under the power of a stepper motor 21 and retracting under the power of spring 17, means for spike 14 to absorb shock via spring 14A, said spike 14 has a special changeable terrain adapter 27 and 27A used to improve friction between a tire and its supporting surface, said spike has sleeves 15 to protect spike 14 from water and debris, outer rim of housing 24 is a shock absorbing material 10A capable of supporting a vehicle if main tire 10 becomes flat, said housing contain plurality of elongated water tight cavities 42B running parallel to each spike 14 containing a non freezing fluid (e.g. antifreeze) and joining a together in a circular ring and containing an electric heating element 42A for heating said fluid, each said spike 14 contains a gear 16 that mesh with a mating gear 19 mounted near outer edge of main gear disc 23, said gears on disc 23 are mounted in spring loaded elongated slots 19A to allow gears on disc to move under a spike gear 16 if spike 14 becomes stuck, said spikes 14 extend outward past a wheel's supporting surface a predetermined distance in order to cause friction (traction) with a tire's supporting surface, said spike is extended a predetermined distance based on the friction coefficient of a tire's supporting road surfaces such as dry, wet, icy or snow covered roads made of rigid or non rigid material such as sand or loose gravel, said spike extend and retract proportionate to the amount of brake pedal 67 pressure and with brake pedal pressure being measured by brake pedal pressure sensor 68, said spikes contain means for locking extended spikes with latching solenoid 25, said spike is mechanically in contact with normally closed micro switch 42 that opens when a spike has extended outward from its housing, a means for self powering itself using a fly wheel generator 32 centrally mounted, said fly wheel 30 of generator builds up angular momentum as a vehicle's wheel rotates, said fly wheel begin spinning during braking to cause generator shaft to turn generator and produce electricity to power unit, said fly wheel generator 32 also provides power to charge battery 35 via a charge controller 36 that is centrally mounted, a solar panel is mounted on the outside wall of adapter cover housing 29 and provides electricity when there is radiation form the sun to charge battery 35 via the charge controller 36, all electrical component are controlled by a centrally mounted wireless remote terminal unit (RTU) controller 33 that is capable of wireless communication with the brake system computer 52 and engine control unit (ECU) 54 that operates per computer algorithm in FIG. 11, the wheel adapter configuration can be utilize as a standalone wheel traction system with communications with a second wireless RTU 50 mounted inside of vehicle near operator controls with inputs from a rotary switch 49 for operator to select a predetermined amount of spike penetration distance based on a wheel or tire's supporting surface e.g. wet road, ice covered road, or snow covered road, said second RTU 50 also has input from rotary switch 48 used by operator to select manual traction or automatic traction, slippery mode, or dry mode, in manual mode spikes stay extended a fix predetermined distance based on selected road condition and stay extended until the unit enters automated mode or unit is switch to any other mode, said RTU 50 has a display 46 to display the status of system components, wheel traction system configured as part of a vehicle's wheel assembly FIG. 5 has all the above mentioned features as the wheel adapter unit in FIG. 1 in addition both units can be controlled via wireless communication or hard wired to braking system computer per computer algorithm FIG. 11 and FIG. 7.

Universal Multi-Terrain Brake System (UBS) with Adjustable Wheel Traction (AWT)

Life of this patent

Universal Multi-Terrain Brake System (UBS) with Adjustable Wheel Traction (AWT)

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims3