Leaning suspension mechanics
First Claim
1. A vehicle comprising:
- a frame defining a longitudinal vehicle axis;
a left wheel disposed on the left side of the vehicle axis;
a right wheel disposed on the right side of the vehicle axis;
a leaning suspension system includinga transverse beam coupled to the frame and pivotable about the vehicle axis,a left damping member pivotally coupled to a left side of the transverse beam,a right damping member pivotally coupled to a right side of the transverse beam,a left upper control arm having a first end pivotally coupled to the left wheel and an opposite end coupled to the frame,a right upper control arm having a first end pivotally coupled to the right wheel and an opposite end coupled to the frame,a left lower control arm having a first end pivotally coupled to the left wheel and an opposite end pivotally coupled to the frame,a right lower control arm having a first end pivotally coupled to the right wheel and an opposite end pivotally coupled to the frame, andat least one lean actuator pivotally connected between the frame and the transverse beam, the lean actuator configured to extend and retract to tilt the left and right wheels and to lean the vehicle while cornering, such that the left and right wheels tilt substantially the same amount as a lean angle of the vehicle.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A vehicle including a frame, left and right wheels, and a leaning suspension system. The frame defines a longitudinal vehicle axis. The leaning suspension system includes a transverse beam, left and right damping members, left and right control arms, and at least one lean actuator. The transverse beam is coupled to the frame and pivotable about the vehicle axis. The left and right damping members are pivotally coupled to the left and right sides of the transverse beam. The left control arm is pivotally coupled to the left wheel and to the frame, and the right control arm is pivotally coupled to the right wheel and to the frame. The lean actuator is pivotally connected between the frame and the transverse beam. The lean actuator is configured to extend and retract to tilt the left and right wheels and to lean the vehicle while cornering.
382 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A vehicle comprising:
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a frame defining a longitudinal vehicle axis; a left wheel disposed on the left side of the vehicle axis; a right wheel disposed on the right side of the vehicle axis; a leaning suspension system including a transverse beam coupled to the frame and pivotable about the vehicle axis, a left damping member pivotally coupled to a left side of the transverse beam, a right damping member pivotally coupled to a right side of the transverse beam, a left upper control arm having a first end pivotally coupled to the left wheel and an opposite end coupled to the frame, a right upper control arm having a first end pivotally coupled to the right wheel and an opposite end coupled to the frame, a left lower control arm having a first end pivotally coupled to the left wheel and an opposite end pivotally coupled to the frame, a right lower control arm having a first end pivotally coupled to the right wheel and an opposite end pivotally coupled to the frame, and at least one lean actuator pivotally connected between the frame and the transverse beam, the lean actuator configured to extend and retract to tilt the left and right wheels and to lean the vehicle while cornering, such that the left and right wheels tilt substantially the same amount as a lean angle of the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A vehicle comprising:
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a frame defining a longitudinal vehicle axis; a left wheel disposed on the left side of the vehicle axis; a right wheel disposed on the right side of the vehicle axis; a leaning suspension system including a transverse beam coupled to the frame and pivotable about the vehicle axis, a left upper control arm having an end pivotally coupled to the left wheel and an opposite end coupled to the frame, a right upper control arm having an end pivotally coupled to the right wheel and an opposite end coupled to the frame, wherein the opposite ends of the right and left upper control arms are forked, and wherein at least a portion of the transverse beam is disposed between the forked ends of the right and left upper control arms, a left lower control arm having an end pivotally coupled to the left wheel and an opposite end coupled to the frame, a right lower control arm having an end pivotally coupled to the right wheel and an opposite end coupled to the frame, and at least one lean actuator pivotally connected between the frame and the transverse beam, the lean actuator configured to extend and retract to tilt the left and right wheels and to lean the vehicle while cornering, such that the left and right wheels tilt substantially the same amount as a lean angle of the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification