Model car with tilt and lift suspension

• US 6,620,023 B2
• Filed: 07/27/2001
• Issued: 09/16/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: RadioShack Legacy Corporation
• Original Assignee: RadioShack Legacy Corporation
• Inventors: Yeung, Bill
• Primary Examiner(s): Banks, Derris H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cegielnik, Urszula M
• Application Number:
  US09/916,907
• Publication Number:
  US 20030022589A1
• Time in Patent Office: 781 Days
• Field of Search: 446/465, 446/466, 446/469, 446/437, 446/456, 446/454
• US Class Current: 446/466
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 17/262 Chassis; Wheel mountings; Wheels; Axles; Suspensions; Fitting body portions to chassis

Abstract

A model vehicle that operates to emulate “hydraulics” in a full size vehicle is taught. A suspension lift function and a suspension tilt function are produced though implementation of suspension apparatus. A wheel carriage is coupled to a chassis and the movement therebetween is controlled by one or more actuators. Either lift or tilt, or both, movement may be employed. In an illustrative embodiment, rotational movement is employed to effect lift and tilt, along perpendicular axis defined by a sub-chassis. A first actuator works between the chassis and sub-chassis, and a second actuator works between the sub-chassis and a wheel carriage. Control may be remote, utilizing wired, radio, sonic, or infrared remote control schemes.

Claims

1. A model vehicle having a suspension operable to vary the tilt of the vehicle, comprising:

a chassis;

a tilt carriage rotatably coupled to said chassis about a longitudinally aligned tilt axis by a combination tilt bearing and tilt shaft;

a wheel axle rotatably supported said tilt carriage and oriented substantially perpendicular with respect to said tilt axis; and

a tilt actuator coupled to said chassis and said tilt carriage, wherein actuation thereof varies the angle of rotation of said tilt carriage, said tilt actuator having a rotary output driver coupled to said tilt shaft for imparting rotation thereof.

2. The apparatus in claim 1 wherein said tilt carriage is a servo operable to impart rotation about said tilt axis.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising a remote control receiver coupled to control said servo upon receipt of a tilt commands.

4. The apparatus in claim 3 further comprising a remote control unit having a first tilt input actuator coupled to a remote control transmitter, and wherein actuation of said first tilt input actuator causes said transmitter to transmit a first tilt command.

5. The apparatus in claim 4 and wherein said remote control transmitter transmits said first tilt command by radio signal.

6. The apparatus of claim 4 and wherein said first tilt command causes said servo to rotate in a first direction, and wherein said remote control transmitter further comprises a second input tilt actuator coupled to said remote control transmitter, and wherein actuation of said second tilt input actuator causes said transmitter to transmit a second tilt command, and wherein said second tilt command causes said servo to rotate in a second direction.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, and wherein said chassis has at least a first guide slot arcuately formed therein about a constant radius from said tilt axis, and said tilt carriage has at least a first guide boss extending therefrom that rotatably engages said at least a first guide slot.

8. A model vehicle having a suspension operable to vary the tilt and the lift of the model vehicle, comprising:

a chassis, defining a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction;

a sub-chassis defining a longitudinally aligned first axis aligned substantially perpendicular to a laterally aligned second axis;

a rotatable coupling between said chassis and said sub-chassis aligned with said first axis;

a first actuator coupled to said chassis and said sub-chassis, wherein actuation thereof varies the angle of rotation of said sub-chassis about said first axis, thereby varying the tilt of the vehicle;

a wheel carriage rotatably coupled to said sub-chassis about said second axis;

a second actuator coupled to said sub-chassis and said wheel carriage, wherein actuation thereof varies the angle of rotation of said wheel carriage about said second axis, thereby varying the lift of the vehicle, and

a wheel axle supported by said wheel carriage and aligned substantially parallel with said second axis.

9. The apparatus in claim 8 and wherein:

said second actuator further comprises a cam follower, and a motor driven cam aligned to rotatably engage said cam follower thereby producing an oscillating rotation about said second axis when said motor driven cam operates, and

said first actuator comprises a servo coupled to said chassis and said sub-chassis to impart rotation therebetween about said first axis.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 and wherein said motor driven cam is eccentric.

11. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a spring disposed between said sub-chassis and said wheel carriage and arranged to urge rotation about said second axis in opposition to rotation by said second actuator.

12. The apparatus in claim 8 and wherein said sub-chassis is rotatably coupled to said chassis about said first axis by a combination bearing and shaft.

13. The apparatus of claim 8, and wherein said chassis has at least a first guide slot arcuately formed therein about a constant radius from said first axis, and said sub-chassis has at least a first guide boss extending therefrom that rotatably engages said at least a first guide slot.

14. The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising:

a remote control receiver coupled to energize said motor driven cam upon receipt of a lift command, and coupled to control said servo upon receipt of one or more tilt commands.

15. The apparatus in claim 14 further comprising:

a remote control transmitter;

a lift input actuator coupled to said remote control transmitter, and wherein actuation of said lift input actuator causes said transmitter to transmit a lift command; and

a first tilt input actuator coupled to said remote control transmitter, and wherein actuation of said first tilt input actuator causes said transmitter to transmit a first tilt command.

16. The apparatus in claim 15 and wherein said remote control transmitter transmits said lift command and said first tilt command by radio signal.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 and wherein said first tilt command causes said tilt servo to rotate in a first direction, and wherein said remote control transmitter further comprises a second input tilt actuator coupled to said remote control transmitter, and wherein actuation of said second tilt input actuator causes said remote control transmitter to transmit a second tilt command, and wherein said second tilt command causes said servo to rotate in a second direction.

18. A model vehicle having a suspension operable to vary the lift of the vehicle, comprising:

a chassis;

a lift carriage rotatably coupled to said chassis about a laterally aligned lift axis;

a wheel axle rotatably supported by said lift carriage and oriented substantially parallel to said lift axis; and

a lift actuator coupled to said chassis and said lift carriage, said lift actuator further comprising a cam follower and a motor driven eccentric cam aligned to rotatably engage said cam follower, wherein actuation of said lift actuator causes said motor driven cam to rotate and vary the angle of rotation of said lift carriage, thereby producing an oscillating rotation about said lift axis;

a spring disposed between said chassis and said lift carriage and arranged to urge rotation about said lift axis to engage said cam follower and said motor driven eccentric cam;

a remote control radio receiver coupled to energize said motor driven eccentric cam upon receipt of a lift command, and

a remote control unit having a lift input actuator coupled to a remote control radio transmitter, and wherein actuation of said lift input actuator causes said transmitter to transmit a lift command to said remote control receiver by radio waves.