Motorized three-wheeled vehicle active suspension
First Claim
1. A three wheeled vehicle active supension system for improving steering and handing for a three wheeled vehicle in turns by stiffening the rear suspension on the inboard side of the turn in coordination with the front wheel turning to prevent the three wheeled vehicle from leaning in the turn, which will, keep all three wheels firmly planted on the road and the center of gravity over the rear end, comprising:
- means for sensing angular rotation of any left or right turning movement of the front wheel by the operator;
means for connecting the front wheel position sensor to the suspension control computer, electrically connected to said means for sensing angular rotation of any left or right turning movement of the front wheel by the operator;
means for measuring the vehicle'"'"'s road speed;
means for connecting vehicle speed sensor to suspension control computer, electrically connected to said means for measuring the vehicle'"'"'s road speed;
means for controlling or rear suspension which determines the deflect and stiffness of the rear shock absorbers, electrically connected to said means for connecting vehicle speed sensor to suspension control computer, and electrically connected to said means for connecting the front wheel position sensor to the suspension control computer;
means for providing shock absorbing to rear end of three wheeled vehicle;
means for connecting the steering control computer to left the rear shock absorbing unit, electrically connected to said means for providing shock absorbing to rear end of three wheeled vehicle, and electrically connected to said means for controlling or rear suspension which determines the deflect and stiffness of the rear shock absorbers;
means for providing shock absorbing for the rear end of the three wheeled vehicle;
means for connecting the suspension computer to the right rear shock absorbing unit, electrically connected to said means for providing shock absorbing for the rear end of the three wheeled vehicle, and electrically connected to said means for controlling or rear suspension which determines the deflect and stiffness of the rear shock absorbers;
means for allowing the operator to turn the active suspension system on and off and control the function of the system; and
means for connecting the system control switch to the suspension control computer, electrically connected to said means for allowing the operator to turn the active suspension system on and off and control the function of the system, and electrically connected to said means for controlling or rear suspension which determines the deflect and stiffness of the rear shock absorbers.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system that stiffens the rear suspension of the three-wheeled vehicle in coordination with the operator turning the front wheel to prevent leaning in turns and thus improve handling, performance and safety. The suspension system is controlled by the suspension control computer that receives input from a variety of sensors including a sensor in the steering neck that measures the angular rotation as the handlebars are turned by the operator. Based on these inputs, using proprietary programming, the suspension control computer calculates the timing, degree and appropriate side rear shock absorbing unit to stiffen. Active suspension offers significant advantages over non-active independent rear suspension in that it minimizes adverse handling characteristics caused by suspension leaning in turns while still allowing the comfort and handling of an independent rear suspension, as opposed to a non-independent rear suspension which provides a poor quality ride.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A three wheeled vehicle active supension system for improving steering and handing for a three wheeled vehicle in turns by stiffening the rear suspension on the inboard side of the turn in coordination with the front wheel turning to prevent the three wheeled vehicle from leaning in the turn, which will, keep all three wheels firmly planted on the road and the center of gravity over the rear end, comprising:
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means for sensing angular rotation of any left or right turning movement of the front wheel by the operator; means for connecting the front wheel position sensor to the suspension control computer, electrically connected to said means for sensing angular rotation of any left or right turning movement of the front wheel by the operator; means for measuring the vehicle'"'"'s road speed; means for connecting vehicle speed sensor to suspension control computer, electrically connected to said means for measuring the vehicle'"'"'s road speed; means for controlling or rear suspension which determines the deflect and stiffness of the rear shock absorbers, electrically connected to said means for connecting vehicle speed sensor to suspension control computer, and electrically connected to said means for connecting the front wheel position sensor to the suspension control computer; means for providing shock absorbing to rear end of three wheeled vehicle; means for connecting the steering control computer to left the rear shock absorbing unit, electrically connected to said means for providing shock absorbing to rear end of three wheeled vehicle, and electrically connected to said means for controlling or rear suspension which determines the deflect and stiffness of the rear shock absorbers; means for providing shock absorbing for the rear end of the three wheeled vehicle; means for connecting the suspension computer to the right rear shock absorbing unit, electrically connected to said means for providing shock absorbing for the rear end of the three wheeled vehicle, and electrically connected to said means for controlling or rear suspension which determines the deflect and stiffness of the rear shock absorbers; means for allowing the operator to turn the active suspension system on and off and control the function of the system; and means for connecting the system control switch to the suspension control computer, electrically connected to said means for allowing the operator to turn the active suspension system on and off and control the function of the system, and electrically connected to said means for controlling or rear suspension which determines the deflect and stiffness of the rear shock absorbers. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A three wheeled vehicle active supension system for improving steering and handling for a three wheeled vehicle in turns by stiffening the rear suspension on the inboard side of the turn in coordination with the front wheel turning to prevent the three wheeled vehicle from leaning in the turn, which will keep all three wheels firmly planted on the road and the center of gravity over the rear end, comprising:
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a front wheel position sensor, for sensing angular rotation of any left or right turning movement of the front wheel by the operator; a front wheel position sensor connector, for connecting the front wheel position sensor to the suspension control computer, electrically connected to said front wheel position sensor; a vehicle speed sensor, for measuring the vehicle'"'"'s road speed; a vehicle speed sensor connector, for connecting vehicle speed sensor to suspension control computer, electrically connected to said vehicle speed sensor; a suspension control computer, for controlling or rear suspension which determines the deflect and stiffness of the rear shock absorbers, electrically connected to said vehicle speed sensor connector, and electrically connected to said front wheel position sensor connector; an air, hydraulic or electric actuated left rear shock absorbing unit, for providing shock absorbing to rear end of three wheeled vehicle; a wire to left rear shock absorbing unit, for connecting the steering control computer to left the rear shock absorbing unit, electrically connected to said left rear shock absorbing unit, and electrically connected to said suspension control computer; an air, hydraulic or electric actuated right rear shock absorbing unit, for providing shock absorbing for the rear end of the three wheeled vehicle; a wire to right rear shock absorbing unit, for connecting the suspension computer to the right rear shock absorbing unit, electrically connected to said right rear shock absorbing unit, and electrically connected to said suspension control computer; an on position, off position, one or more preset system positions system control switch, for allowing the operator to turn the active suspension system on and off and control the function of the system; and a wire to system control switch, for connecting the system control switch to the suspension control computer, electrically connected to said system control switch, and electrically connected to said suspension control computer.
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14. A three wheeled vehicle active supension system for improving steering and handling for a three wheeled vehicle in turns by stiffening the rear suspension on the inboard side of the turn in coordination with the front wheel turning to prevent the three wheeled vehicle from leaning in the turn, which will keep all three wheels firmly planted on the road and the center of gravity over the rear end, comprising:
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a front wheel position sensor, for sensing angular rotation of any left or right turning movement of the front wheel by the operator; a front wheel position sensor connector, for connecting the front wheel position sensor to the suspension control computer, electrically connected to said front wheel position sensor; a vehicle speed sensor, for measuring the vehicle'"'"'s road speed; a vehicle speed sensor connector, for connecting vehicle speed sensor to suspension control computer, electrically connected to said vehicle speed sensor; a suspension control computer, for controlling or rear suspension which determines the deflect and stiffness of the rear shock absorbers, electrically connected to said vehicle speed sensor connector, and electrically connected to said front wheel position sensor connector; an air, hydraulic or electric actuated left rear shock absorbing unit, for providing shock absorbing to rear end of three wheeled vehicle; a wire to left rear shock absorbing unit, for connecting the steering control computer to left the rear shock absorbing unit, electrically connected to said left rear shock absorbing unit, and electrically connected to said suspension control computer; an air, hydraulic or electric actuated fight rear shock absorbing unit, for providing shock absorbing for the rear end of the three wheeled vehicle; a wire to right rear shock absorbing unit, for connecting the suspension computer to the right rear shock absorbing unit, electrically connected to said right rear shock absorbing unit, and electrically connected to said suspension control computer; an on position, off position, one or more preset system positions system control switch, for allowing the operator to turn the active suspension system on and off and control the function of the system; and a wire to system control switch, for connecting the system control switch to the suspension control computer, electrically connected to said system control switch, and electrically connected to said suspension control computer.
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Specification