System and method for enhancing vehicle handling and traction
First Claim
1. A motor vehicle comprising:
- a vehicle body;
a plurality of wheels;
a vehicle suspension system operatively connecting the body to the plurality of wheels for maintaining contact between the wheels and a road surface, and for maintaining handling of the vehicle;
a vehicle steering system operatively connected to at least one of the plurality of wheels for steering the vehicle;
a vehicle braking system operatively connected to at least one of the plurality of wheels for decelerating the vehicle;
a plurality of thrusters mounted on the vehicle, wherein each of the plurality of thrusters is arranged proximate to each respective wheel and each of the plurality of thrusters is configured to generate a force that is substantially parallel to the road surface; and
a controller configured for regulating the force generated by each of the plurality of thrusters to assist the suspension system with maintaining contact between the wheels and the road surface and maintaining handling, and assist the steering system with steering the vehicle.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A vehicle includes a suspension system operatively connecting a vehicle body to a plurality of wheels for maintaining contact between the wheels and a road surface, and for maintaining handling of the vehicle. A system for steering the vehicle and a braking system for decelerating the vehicle are also included. The vehicle additionally includes a plurality of thrusters, wherein at least one of the thrusters is arranged relative to each wheel and each of the plurality of thrusters is configured to generate a force. Furthermore, the vehicle additionally includes a controller configured for regulating the force generated by each of the thrusters to assist the suspension system with maintaining contact between the wheels and the road surface and maintaining handling, assist the steering system with steering, and assist the braking system with decelerating the vehicle. A method of assisting the vehicle suspension, steering, and braking systems is also disclosed.
27 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A motor vehicle comprising:
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a vehicle body; a plurality of wheels; a vehicle suspension system operatively connecting the body to the plurality of wheels for maintaining contact between the wheels and a road surface, and for maintaining handling of the vehicle; a vehicle steering system operatively connected to at least one of the plurality of wheels for steering the vehicle; a vehicle braking system operatively connected to at least one of the plurality of wheels for decelerating the vehicle; a plurality of thrusters mounted on the vehicle, wherein each of the plurality of thrusters is arranged proximate to each respective wheel and each of the plurality of thrusters is configured to generate a force that is substantially parallel to the road surface; and a controller configured for regulating the force generated by each of the plurality of thrusters to assist the suspension system with maintaining contact between the wheels and the road surface and maintaining handling, and assist the steering system with steering the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of assisting a vehicle suspension system with maintaining contact between vehicle wheels and a road surface and maintaining vehicle handling, and assisting a vehicle steering system with steering the vehicle, the method comprising:
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sensing a g-force acting on the vehicle via at least one sensor operatively connected to the vehicle; communicating the sensed g-force to a controller; regulating a magnitude of a force generated by each of a plurality of thrusters that is substantially parallel to the road surface via a controller in response to the sensed g-force, wherein each of the plurality of thrusters is arranged proximate to each respective wheel, such that the force assists the suspension system with maintaining contact between the wheels and a road surface and maintaining handling, and assists the steering system with steering the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification