Motor vehicle with leaning system controlled by load sensor and method therefor

• US 7,802,800 B2
• Filed: 04/20/2007
• Issued: 09/28/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Thomas W. Melcher
• Original Assignee: Thomas W. Melcher
• Inventors: Melcher, Thomas W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ilan; Ruth
• Assistant Examiner(s): Freedman; Laura
• Application Number:
  US11/738,249
• Publication Number:
  US 20070246903A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,257 Days
• Field of Search: 180/312, 180/908, 180/41, 180/210, 180/282, 280/5.507, 280/5.509, 280/5.51, 280/5.513, 280/93.5, 280/124.103, 280/124.104, 280/124.105, 280/124.135, 280/124.136, 280/124.145, 280/124.157, 280/124.16, 280/124.161
• US Class Current: 280/5.509
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/0162 mainly during a motion involving steering operation, e.g. cornering, overtaking B60G17/0164 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/421 Pivoted lever mechanisms for mounting suspension elements, e.g. Watt linkage
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2300/45 Rolling frame vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 9/02 combined with means for inwardly inclining vehicle body on bends
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 2005/001 Suspension details for cycles with three or more main road wheels
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 5/01 Motorcycles with four or more wheels specially adapted for disabled riders B62K5/003
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 5/10 with means for inwardly inclining the vehicle body on bends
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 180/908 Motor vehicles with short wheelbase

Abstract

A vehicle with lean control has a frame with a steering assembly. An arm assembly is connected to the frame. A pair of first and second shock absorbers is mounted between the frame and the arm assembly on opposite sides of the frame. Each shock absorber has a fluid-filled chamber and floating piston. A load sensor is mounted to the steering assembly for detecting changes of pressure on the steering assembly. The load sensor has a housing, a pressure sensing area disposed in the housing, and provides an electrical signal in response to the pressure sensing area. The load sensor detects pressure applied to the top plate of the housing. An electronic control unit is coupled to the electrical contact of the load sensor. A motor and pump assembly is responsive to the electronic control unit for transferring fluid between the chambers of the first and second shock absorbers.

Claims

1. A vehicle with a lean control, comprising:

a frame;

a steering assembly mounted to the frame;

an arm assembly mounted to the frame, the arm assembly including an upper control arm, a lower control arm, and an actuator, the upper and lower control arms being connected to the frame, the actuator mounted to the lower arm and pivotally connected to the upper control arm;

first and second shock absorbers mounted between the frame and the actuator on opposite sides of the frame, each shock absorber including a fluid-filled chamber and floating piston;

a load sensor mounted to the steering assembly for detecting changes of pressure on the steering assembly, the load sensor having a housing, a pressure sensing area disposed in the housing to sense the pressure through the steering assembly, and an electrical contact providing an electrical signal in response to the pressure sensing area;

an electronic control unit coupled to the electrical contact of the load sensor; and

a motor and pump assembly responsive to the electronic control unit for transferring fluid between the chambers of the first and second shock absorbers.

2. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the load sensor includes:

a body having a gap;

a first plate mounted to a top portion of the body over the gap;

a second plate mounted to a bottom portion of the body; and

a plunger disposed within a cavity in the body, wherein the pressure sensing area of the load sensor is vertically aligned with the plunger.

3. The vehicle of claim 2, wherein the plunger includes:

a shaft;

a pivoting head connected to an upper portion of the shaft;

a spring disposed below the shaft;

a bearing disposed below the spring; and

a nut for securing the plunger within the cavity of the body of the load sensor.

4. The vehicle of claim 2, wherein the load sensor detects pressure applied to the first plate.

5. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the shock absorbers are mounted to the front and rear of the vehicle on opposite sides of the frame.

6. The vehicle of claim 1, further including:

a valve connected between the shock absorbers mounted to the front of the vehicle and the shock absorbers mounted to the rear of the vehicle for transferring fluid; and

a reservoir connected to the valve for storing the fluid.

7. The vehicle of claim 1, further including:

a drive shaft;

a hub connected to an outboard end of the drive shaft;

a rotating inner boot connected to the drive shaft on an inboard side of the hub; and

a static outer boot on an outboard side of the hub which remains stationary with respect to the frame.