Tilting Vehicle and a Method of Tilting a Vehicle with Rear Wheel Supports Having Hydraulic Cylinders Communicating Through a Pump

• US 20130068550A1
• Filed: 01/07/2011
• Published: 03/21/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/08/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: David Andrew Gale
• Original Assignee: David Andrew Gale
• Inventors: Gale, David Andrew
• Granted Patent: US 9,381,785 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 180/216
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/005 Suspension locking arrangements for retractable wheels B62D61/12
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/015 the regulating means comprising electric or electronic elements B60G17/002, B60G17/005 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/0152 characterised by the action on a particular type of suspension unit B60G17/01941 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/0162 mainly during a motion involving steering operation, e.g. cornering, overtaking B60G17/0164 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 21/007 means for adjusting the wheel inclination
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 21/073 between wheels on the same axle but on different sides of the vehicle, i.e. the left and right wheel suspensions being interconnected
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2200/132 with a single trailing arm
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2200/1324 with a resilient trailing arm
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2200/144 with two lateral arms forming a parallelogram
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2200/445 Self-steered wheels
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2200/46 camber angle
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2200/462 Toe-in/out
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2202/32 The spring being in series with the damper and/or actuator
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2202/322 the damper being controllable
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2202/413 Hydraulic actuator
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2202/414 using electrohydraulic valves
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2202/416 using a pump, e.g. in the line connecting the lower chamber to the upper chamber of the actuator
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/12 Mounting of springs or dampers
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/13 with the spring, i.e. coil spring, or damper horizontally mounted
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/14 Mounting of suspension arms
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/4605 : hydraulically, e.g. interrupting communication between the chambers of a hydraulic cylinder
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/62 : Adjustable continuously, e.g. during driving
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/82 : left and right unit on same axle
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/8304 : using a fluid
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2206/10 : Constructional features of arms
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2300/122 : Trikes
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2300/13 : Small sized city motor vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2300/37 : Vehicles having steerable wheels mounted on a vertically moving column
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2300/45 : Rolling frame vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/052 : Angular rate
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/10 : Acceleration; Deceleration
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/204 : Vehicle speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/30 : Propulsion unit conditions
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2500/02 : Supply or exhaust flow rates; Pump operation
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2500/40 : Steering
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/012 : Rolling condition
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/24 : Steering, cornering
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 3/14 : the arm being rigid
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 3/145 : the arm forming the axle housing
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 7/006 : Attaching arms to sprung or unsprung part of vehicle, characterised by comprising attachment means controlled by an external actuator, e.g. a fluid or electrical motor B62D7/146 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 7/008 : Attaching arms to unsprung part of vehicle B60G7/005, B60G7/006 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 5/12 : Piston and cylinder
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 9/02 : combined with means for inwardly inclining vehicle body on bends
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 25/18 : the arm being pivoted intermediate its ends
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 5/027 : Motorcycles with three wheels specially adapted for disabled riders B62K5/023
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 5/10 : with means for inwardly inclining the vehicle body on bends
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 9/22 : with one or more cylinders each having a single working space closed by a piston or plunger

Abstract

There is disclosed herein a vehicle configuration comprising a chassis, at least one front wheel, two rear wheels, and a propulsion unit driving the rear wheels. The rear wheels are connected to the chassis by a wheel support assembly configured for allowing movement of each rear wheel relative to the chassis, a hydraulic cylinder connected to the chassis and the rear wheel supports, and a piston connected the rear wheel supports and the chassis. The piston dividing the hydraulic cylinder into fluidly connected first and second chambers such that movement of hydraulic fluid from the first or second chamber of a hydraulic cylinder to the respective first or second chamber of another hydraulic cylinder displaces the pistons of the hydraulic cylinders in opposing directions relative to the respective housings and causes the chassis to articulate with respect to the surface.

Claims

1. A vehicle comprising:

a chassis, at least one front wheel, two surface-engaging rear wheels and a propulsion unit for driving the rear wheels, each rear wheel being connected to the chassis by a wheel support assembly comprising;

a rear wheel support for allowing movement of the respective rear wheel relative to the chassis; and

a hydraulic cylinder, the hydraulic cylinder comprising;

a housing connected to one of the chassis and the rear wheel support; and

a piston connected to the other of the rear wheel support and the chassis, the piston being moveable within the housing and arranged to divide the hydraulic cylinder into first and second chambers each having respective ports arranged to allow hydraulic fluid to enter and exit the respective chamber,

the ports of the first chambers of each hydraulic cylinder being in fluid communication and the ports of the second chambers of each hydraulic cylinder being in fluid communication such that movement of hydraulic fluid from the first or second chamber of one hydraulic cylinder to the respective first or second chamber of the other hydraulic cylinder displaces the pistons of the hydraulic cylinders in opposing directions relative to the respective housings and causes the chassis to articulate with respect to the ground surface, wherein the vehicle further comprises a pump arrangement, the movement of hydraulic fluid being selectively controlled by the pump arrangement.

2. A vehicle according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of said propulsion unit is located substantially between the wheel support assemblies or between the rear wheels.

3. A vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising a power source.

4. A vehicle according to claim 3, wherein at least a part of the power source is located between the wheel support assemblies or between the rear wheels.

5. A vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the propulsion unit comprises an internal combustion engine and the power source comprises a fuel tank.

6. A vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the propulsion unit comprises an electric motor and the power source comprises at least one battery and/or a fuel cell.

7. A vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the wheel support assemblies and chassis are arranged to enable the chassis to tilt up to an angle of substantially 30 degrees in either direction with respect to a vertical, upright position of the chassis.

8. A vehicle according to claim 7, wherein the propulsion unit, power source and chassis are arranged such that the centre of gravity of the vehicle remains substantially between the rear wheels irrespective of the angle of tilt of the chassis.

9. A vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the pump arrangement is electrically operated.

10. A vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the pump arrangement comprises a bidirectional pump.

11. A vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising a control arrangement, the control arrangement comprising a control device to enable the user to steer the vehicle.

12. A vehicle according to claim 11, wherein said control arrangement is arranged such that, in a first mode of operation, the at least one front wheel is steerable by operation of said control device.

13. A vehicle according to claim 12, wherein, in said first mode of operation, movement of hydraulic fluid from one hydraulic cylinder to another can be accomplished by application of a force to one side such that the chassis is caused to tilt downwards on the side to which the force is applied.

14. A vehicle according to claim 13, further comprising a bypass valve arranged in parallel with the pump arrangement, said control arrangement being arranged, in said first mode of operation, to open said bypass valve to bypass said pump arrangement and to allow the chassis to tilt by said application of force.

15. A vehicle according to claim 14, comprising a second mode of operation, wherein the control arrangement is arranged to control said pump arrangement such that the vehicle is tiltable in response to operation of said control device.

16. A vehicle according to claim 15, wherein, in said second mode of operation, the at least one front wheel is free to castor.

17. A vehicle according to claim 15, wherein the control arrangement is operable to select automatically one of the first and second modes of operation based upon at least one vehicle parameter selected from the group of:

vehicle speed, vehicle acceleration, vehicle rate of turn and vehicle direction.

18. A vehicle according to claim 17, wherein the control arrangement is operable to select the first mode when the speed of the vehicle is below a pre-defined value and to select the second mode when the speed of the vehicle is equal to or exceeds said pre-defined value.

20. A vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising stop means selectively operable to prevent fluid flow between at least one of the first chambers and the second chambers, thereby selectively to inhibit tilting of the vehicle.

21. A vehicle according to claim 20, wherein said stop means is controlled automatically by an electronic controller in response to pre-defined vehicle parameters.

22. A vehicle according to claim 21, wherein said electronic controller comprises accelerometers and said electronic controller is operable to control said stop means based on information from said accelerometers.

23. A vehicle according to claim 1, wherein each rear wheel support is arranged to provide vertical pivotal movement of the respective rear wheel relative to the chassis.

24. A vehicle according to claim 23, wherein the rear wheel support for each rear wheel comprises a trailing swing arm pivotally mounted at a first end to the chassis and carrying a rear wheel at a second end.

25. A vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the connection of at least one of the cylinder housings to the rear wheel support or the chassis is via a shock absorber.

26. A vehicle according to claim 25, wherein the shock absorber is integral with or rigidly connected to said at least one housing.

27. A vehicle according to claim 25, wherein at least one of the pistons is provided by a shock absorber.

28. A vehicle according to claim 27, wherein each trailing swing arm comprises a primary swing arm pivotally connected to the chassis and a secondary swing arm pivotally connected at a first end to the primary swing arm and carrying a rear wheel at the other end.

29. A vehicle according to claim 28, wherein the hydraulic cylinder for each trailing swing arm is connected between the chassis and the primary swing arm, and comprising a shock absorber connected between the primary swing arm and the secondary swing arm.

30. A vehicle according to claim 1, wherein each rear wheel support assembly further comprises biasing means arranged to apply a restoring force between the chassis and the respective rear wheel to oppose the articulation of the chassis.

31. A vehicle according to claim 30, wherein the or each front wheel and said rear wheels are arranged to tilt with said chassis in use.

32. A vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle comprises a single front wheel connected, in use, to the chassis by means of a yoke, at least one damping means being connected between the yoke and the chassis.

33. A vehicle according to claim 32, wherein the damping means comprises a hydraulic cylinder, said hydraulic cylinder being operable to move the yoke relative to the chassis in use.

34. A vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle comprises two front wheels, each front wheel being connected to the chassis by means of a steering arrangement, wherein the steering arrangement comprises a pair of front hydraulic cylinders, each front hydraulic cylinder comprising:

a housing connected to one of the chassis and the steering arrangement; and

a piston connected to the other of the steering arrangement and the chassis, the piston being moveable within the housing and arranged to divide the front hydraulic cylinder into first and second chambers each having respective ports arranged to allow hydraulic fluid to enter and exit the respective chamber,

the ports of the first chambers of each front hydraulic cylinder being in fluid communication and the ports of the second chambers of each front hydraulic cylinder being in fluid communication such that movement of hydraulic fluid from the first or second chamber of one front hydraulic cylinder to the respective first or second chamber of the other front hydraulic cylinder displaces the pistons of the front hydraulic cylinders.

35. A vehicle according claim 34, wherein the front hydraulic cylinders are in fluid communication with the hydraulic cylinders attached to the rear wheel supports.

36. A vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising a body connected to said chassis and defining an interior space of the vehicle arranged to accommodate a driver.

37. A vehicle according to claim 36, wherein said interior space is fully enclosed.

38. A vehicle according to claim 36, wherein an openable door is formed in said body.

19. A vehicle according to claim 19, wherein said pre-defined value is in the range of 5-30 km/h.

39. A method of tilting a vehicle comprising a chassis, at least one front wheel, two surface-engaging rear wheels and a propulsion unit for driving the rear wheels, each rear wheel being connected to the chassis by a wheel support assembly comprising:

a rear wheel support for allowing movement of the respective rear wheel relative to the chassis; and

a hydraulic cylinder, the hydraulic cylinder comprising;

a housing connected to one of the chassis and the rear wheel support; and

a piston connected to the other of the rear wheel support and the chassis, the piston being moveable within the housing and arranged to divide the hydraulic cylinder into first and second chambers each having respective ports arranged to allow hydraulic fluid to enter and exit the respective chamber, the ports of the first chambers of each hydraulic cylinder being in fluid communication and the ports of the second chambers of each hydraulic cylinder being in fluid communication;

wherein the method comprises;

selectively controlling a pump arrangement to move hydraulic fluid from the first or second chamber of one hydraulic cylinder to the respective first or second chamber of the other hydraulic cylinder in order to displace the pistons of the hydraulic cylinders in opposing directions relative to the respective housings and to cause the chassis to articulate with respect to the surface.

40. A vehicle comprising a chassis arranged to tilt, at least one front wheel, two surface-engaging rear wheels, a propulsion unit for driving the rear wheels and a control arrangement comprising a control device for steering the vehicle, the control arrangement being operable:

to determine a vehicle parameter; and

to select, based upon said vehicle parameter, one of a first and a second mode of operation, wherein

in said first mode of operation, the at least one front wheel is arranged to be steerable by said control device and said chassis is arranged to be tiltable by movement of a user of the vehicle; and

in said second mode of operation, the at least one front wheel is arranged to be free to castor and the control arrangement is arranged to tilt the chassis in response to operation of said control device in order to steer the vehicle.

41. A vehicle according to claim 40, wherein the control arrangement is operable to select automatically one of the first and second modes of operation based upon at least one vehicle parameter selected from the group of:

vehicle speed, vehicle acceleration, vehicle rate of turn, vehicle direction.

42. A vehicle according to claim 41, wherein the control arrangement is operable to select the first mode when the speed of the vehicle is below a pre-defined value and to select the second mode when the speed of the vehicle is equal to or exceeds said pre-defined value.

43. A vehicle according to claim 42, wherein said pre-defined value is in the range of 5-30 km/h.

44. A vehicle according to claim 40, wherein the control arrangement is operable to engage a mechanical or hydraulic connection between the control device and the at least one front wheel when in the first mode of operation, and to disengage said mechanical or hydraulic connection when in the second mode of operation.

45. A vehicle according to claim 40, comprising a single front wheel connected by a yoke to the chassis, wherein in the first mode the front wheel is steerable by hydraulic means.

46. A vehicle according to claim 45, wherein the hydraulic means comprise at least one hydraulic cylinder connected between the yoke and the chassis.

47. A vehicle according to claim 46, wherein the hydraulic cylinder is operable by means of a pump, said pump being controlled by said control device.

48. A vehicle according claim 40, comprising two front wheels.

49. A vehicle according to claim 48, wherein each front wheel is connected to the chassis by two pairs of support arms.

50. A vehicle according to claim 49, wherein a damper is provided between at least one pair of support arms and the vehicle chassis on each side of the vehicle.

51. A vehicle according to claim 50, wherein each damper comprises a hydraulic cylinder.

52. A vehicle according to claim 51, wherein said hydraulic cylinder is operable by means of said control arrangement when in said second mode.

53. A vehicle according to claim 51, wherein the dampers are connected by a bridging linkage which extends between both dampers.

54. A method of steering a vehicle comprising a chassis arranged to tilt, at least one front wheel, two surface-engaging rear wheels, a propulsion unit for driving the rear wheels and a control arrangement comprising a control device for steering the vehicle, the method comprising:

determining a vehicle parameter;

based upon said vehicle parameter, selecting one of a first and a second mode of operation, wherein in said first mode of operation, the at least one front wheel is steerable by said control device and said chassis is tiltable by movement of a user of the vehicle; and

in said second mode of operation, the at least one front wheel is free to castor and the control arrangement tilts the chassis in response to operation of said control device in order to steer the vehicle.

55. A method according to claim 54, wherein each rear wheel of the vehicle is connected to the chassis by a hydraulic cylinder comprising:

a housing and a piston, the piston being moveable within the housing and arranged to divide the hydraulic cylinder into first and second chambers each having respective ports arranged to allow hydraulic fluid to enter and exit the respective chamber, the ports of the first chambers of each hydraulic cylinder being in fluid communication and the ports of the second chambers of each hydraulic cylinder being in fluid communication;

wherein the tilting of said vehicle by said user in said first mode of operation comprises moving hydraulic fluid from one hydraulic cylinder to another by application of a force to one side such that the chassis is caused to tilt downwards on the side to which the force is applied.

56. A method according to claim 54 wherein, in said, in a second mode of operation, the tilting is accomplished by pumping hydraulic fluid from one cylinder another.

57. A method according to claim 54, wherein said vehicle parameter is at least one selected from the group of:

vehicle speed, vehicle acceleration, vehicle rate of turn, vehicle direction, and combinations thereof.

58. A method according to claim 57, wherein said first mode is selected when the speed of the vehicle is below a pre-defined value and said second mode is selected when the speed of the vehicle is equal to or exceeds said pre-defined value.

59. A method according to claim 58, wherein said pre-defined value is in the range of 5-30 km/h.

60. A steering arrangement for a vehicle, the vehicle comprising a chassis, two surface-engaging front wheels, two surface-engaging rear wheels and a propulsion unit for driving either the front or the rear wheels, the steering arrangement comprising:

a central member movable with the vehicle chassis;

a pair of wheel hubs for connection to respective front wheels;

two pairs of upper support arms, each pair of upper support arms being independently pivotably connected to the central member and to a respective wheel hub;

two pairs of lower support arms, each pair of lower support arms being independently pivotably connected to the central member and to a respective wheel hub;

two damper assemblies, each damper assembly extending between the central member and at least one of a respective lower support arm;

a control device for controlling steering of the front wheels, wherein the steering arrangement is operable to enable steering of the front wheels with said control device and to enable tilting of said front wheels with respect to the surface.

61. A steering arrangement according to claim 60, further comprising a cross member connected between each damper assembly.

62. A steering arrangement according to claim 61, wherein said central member comprises a shaped member comprising at least two segments joined by at least one pivotable connection.

63. A steering arrangement according to claim 62, wherein said central member comprises at least one linkage wire and pulley arrangement.

64. A steering arrangement according to claim 60, wherein each pair of support arms is connected together at an end adjacent a respective wheel hub.

65. A steering arrangement according to claim 64, wherein each pair of support arms is connected together at an end adjacent the central member by a support member to form a triangular or ‘

A’

shape.

66. A steering arrangement according to claim 60, wherein the control device is connected to the wheel hubs by means of one or more pairs of linkage arms or hydraulic connection.

67. A steering arrangement according to claim 66, wherein the control device is connected to a steering column, the steering column being connected to the linkage arms by means of a gear linkage.

68. A steering arrangement according to claim 67, wherein the gear linkage comprises a pair of bevel gears.

69. A steering arrangement according to claim 60, wherein the control device is selectively disengageable such that the front wheels are free to castor.

70. A steering arrangement according to claim 60, wherein each damper assembly is located at an acute angle to, or parallel to, the ground surface when the vehicle is in the upright position.

71. A steering arrangement according to claim 60, wherein each damper assembly comprises a hydraulic cylinder.

72. A four-wheeled vehicle comprising the steering arrangement claim 60.