Vehicle stabilization system and method
First Claim
1. A method for shifting the center of gravity, during changes in the direction of movement, of a wheeled vehicle having a frame, a plurality of tires and wheels attached to and supporting said frame that are vertically shiftable relative to the frame and that are tiltable about a generally horizontal axis to adjust tire and wheel camber comprising the steps of:
- advancing the wheeled vehicle along a surface;
shifting at least one of said tires and wheels on a first side of said vehicle vertically relative to the frame to tilt said frame and shift the center of gravity in the direction a vehicle is turned; and
pivoting at least another one of said tires and wheels on a second side of said vehicle relative to said frame to adjust the camber of said another one of said tires and wheels that is pivoted relative to said frame to correct changes in camber that result from vertical shifting of said at least one of said tires and wheels on a first side of said vehicle.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The vehicle stabilization system includes a frame (13) supported by wheel support assemblies (10). Each wheel support assembly includes a guide beam assembly (38), a transfer box (70) and a tire and wheel (104) attached to the transfer box by a lower yoke (80), an upper yoke (80) and a suspension spring. A cylinder (162) moves the transfer box (70) relative to the guidebeam assembly (38) to raise and lower the frame (12). A cylinder (168) pivots the guide beam assembly (38) about the axis of a king pin (40) to adjust the camber of a wheel and tire. When the vehicle travels around a curve, cylinders (162) tilt the frame (12) to shift the vehicle center of gravity and the cylinders (168) adjust wheel camber as required.
69 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method for shifting the center of gravity, during changes in the direction of movement, of a wheeled vehicle having a frame, a plurality of tires and wheels attached to and supporting said frame that are vertically shiftable relative to the frame and that are tiltable about a generally horizontal axis to adjust tire and wheel camber comprising the steps of:
- advancing the wheeled vehicle along a surface;
shifting at least one of said tires and wheels on a first side of said vehicle vertically relative to the frame to tilt said frame and shift the center of gravity in the direction a vehicle is turned; and
pivoting at least another one of said tires and wheels on a second side of said vehicle relative to said frame to adjust the camber of said another one of said tires and wheels that is pivoted relative to said frame to correct changes in camber that result from vertical shifting of said at least one of said tires and wheels on a first side of said vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
- advancing the wheeled vehicle along a surface;
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5. A method for shifting the center of gravity, during changes in the direction of movement, of a wheeled vehicle having a frame, a plurality of transfer boxes attached to the frame and moveable relative to the frame and a wheel and tire attached to and supporting each transfer box comprising the steps of:
- moving at least one of said transfer boxes on a first side of said vehicle vertically relative to said frame to cause the frame to tilt and move the center of gravity; and
pivoting at least one of said transfer boxes on a second side of said vehicle relative to said frame to adjust the camber of the tire and wheel attached to the at least one of said transfer boxes on the second side of said vehicle that is pivoted relative to said frame. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
- moving at least one of said transfer boxes on a first side of said vehicle vertically relative to said frame to cause the frame to tilt and move the center of gravity; and
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13. A wheeled vehicle including a frame with a frame axis that is generally parallel to the straight line direction of travel of the vehicle;
- a first generally vertical guide beam pivotally attached to said frame for movement about an axis that is generally parallel to the frame axis;
a first transfer box secured to the first guide beam for limited movement along a portion of the length of the beam;
an actuator connected to the first transfer box;
a first rotatable tire and wheel connected to the first transfer box by a suspension system; and
wherein the actuator connected to the first transfer box is operable to move the first transfer box along the portion of the length of the generally vertical guide beam to raise and lower a portion of said frame; and
a pivot actuator connected to the first guide beam and to the frame; and
wherein the pivot actuator connected to said frame and to the first guide beam is operable to pivot the guide beam relative to said frame and adjust the camber of the tire and wheel connected to said transfer box on said generally vertical guide beam. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
- a first generally vertical guide beam pivotally attached to said frame for movement about an axis that is generally parallel to the frame axis;
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19. A wheeled vehicle including a frame with a frame axis that is generally parallel to the straight line direction of travel of the vehicle;
- a first generally vertical guide beam attached to said frame;
a first transfer box secured to the first guide beam for limited movement along a portion of the length of the beam;
an actuator connected to the first transfer box;
a first rotatable tire and wheel connected to the first transfer box by a suspension system;
the actuator connected to the first transfer box is operable to move the first transfer box along the portion of the length of the generally vertical guide beam to raise and lower a portion of said frame; and
wherein the first generally vertical guide beam includes an arcuate portion that is an arc about point on the opposite side of the frame and the first transfer box is movable along the arcuate portion.
- a first generally vertical guide beam attached to said frame;
Specification