TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM FOR TANDEM TYPE VEHICLE WHEELS

• US 3,603,423 A
• Filed: 03/28/1969
• Issued: 09/07/1971
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/1969
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Richard H.A. Schoonover
• Original Assignee: Richard H.A. Schoonover
• Inventors: Schoonover, Richard H. A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Levy, A. Harry
• Application Number:
  US04/811,512
• Time in Patent Office: 893 Days
• Field of Search: 180/22,22A,22B,22C,22H,74
• US Class Current: 180/24.11
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 21/00 Interconnection systems for two or more resiliently-suspended wheels, e.g. for stabilising a vehicle body with respect to acceleration, deceleration or centrifugal forces B60G17/033 takes precedence ; levelling or stabilising systems for tippers B60P1/045; steering deflectable wheels combined with means for inwardly inclining the vehicle body on bends B62D9/02
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2200/466 Damping acceleration or deceleration torque on wheel axle
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 5/04 with two or more pivoted arms, the movements of which are resiliently interrelated , e.g. the arms being rigid
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 49/0621 comprising traction increasing arrangements, e.g. all-wheel traction devices, multiple-axle traction arrangements, auxiliary traction increasing devices anti-skid or anti-slip devices fitted onto the wheels B60B15/02, B60B39/12; arrangements of transmission for driving both front and rear wheels or tandem wheels of vehicles B60K17/34, B60K17/36
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 55/08 Endless track units; Parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 55/12 Arrangement, location, or adaptation of driving sprockets
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 61/00 Motor vehicles or trailers, characterised by the arrangement or number of wheels, not otherwise provided for, e.g. four wheels in diamond pattern

Abstract

The tandem wheels of a vehicle are interconnected through their axles or drive differential mechanism in such manner that the driving or braking force tending to elevate one of the wheels off the road is opposed by a force derived from the resultant driving or braking torque of the axles or differential mechanism.

Claims

1. A traction control system for tandem type vehicle wheels, comprising a. a pair of support members mounTed intermediate their ends adjacent opposite lateral sides of the vehicle for pivotal movement on an axis extending transversely of the vehicle, each support member supporting front and rear wheels at its corresponding opposite ends, b. a driven shaft extending transversely of the vehicle on an axis disposed between said front and rear wheels, the driven shaft being operatively coupled to said front and rear wheels, c. a differential housing mounted on the vehicle for pivotal movement on an axis extending transversely of the vehicle, the differential housing supporting the driven shaft and forming torque producing means, and d. a transverse resilient connector member secured intermediate its ends to the differential housing and at its opposite ends to the pair of support members at points on the latter spaced longitudinally from their pivot mounting on the vehicle, e. the connector member thereby functioning to move the front wheels downward away from the vehicle and the rear wheels upward toward the vehicle when a vehicle driving force is applied to the torque producing means, and to move the front wheels upward toward the vehicle and the rear wheels downward away from the vehicle when a vehicle braking force is applied to the torque-producing means.

2. The traction control system of claim 1, wherein the driven shaft mounts a pair of driven wheels, one positioned between each pair of front and rear wheels in operative driving engagement therewith.

3. The traction control system of claim 2 wherein the front and rear wheels and the driven wheels include pneumatic tires.

4. The traction control system of claim 2 wherein each pair of front and rear wheels supports an endless track, and each driven wheel comprises a sprocket in driving engagement with the associated endless track.