Abstract:
A vehicle includes a steering system, suspension system, braking system, and energy conversion system, wherein at least one of these systems is reprogrammable such that the vehicle's ride, response, or handling is selectively variable. The systems may be programmed automatically when a body is mated to a chassis to provide the desired performance characteristics. The invention enables increased vehicle functionality for vehicle users, retailers and manufacturers.
Abstract:
An accelerated vehicle development process includes establishing a common, standardized interface system whereby different types of vehicle bodies may be attached to a single chassis design. Chassis and bodies are designed, manufactured and validated independently of each other in accordance with the standardized interface system, thereby accelerating the development process. As new bodies are designed to mate with the previously manufactured and validated chassis, the newly designed bodies may be developed more quickly in response to market demand and attached to the previously validated chassis.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a front engine/rear drive vehicle, such as a medium-sized bus, having a power transfer device and a sloped lower load floor. The power transfer means enables advantageous packaging of a drive shaft for driving a rear-positioned drive. The sloped lower load floor provides a continuously flat load floor without requiring a step over a differential area. Further the sloped lower load floor enables lower ground clearance at a front portion for implementation of a manageable wheelchair access ramp, as opposed to an expensive elevator system. Additionally, the sloped lower load floor provides sufficient rear ground clearance for managing inclines and is kneelable enabling easier load/unload access to the rear of the vehicle.
Abstract:
The vehicle includes a suspended running chassis (1) making it possible to define a longitudinal and vertical plane forming a reference linked to the chassis (1), the preferred running direction being parallel to said longitudinal plane, and at least two wheel connecting systems, the wheels (2) of which are not aligned relative to said longitudinal plane, said wheel connecting systems being mounted on said chassis (1) on either side of the latter in the transverse direction, each of the wheel connecting systems comprising a wheel (2) mounted on a support (5) by means of a suspension device allowing vertical deflection of the wheel (2) relative to the support (5), said suspensions being independent of one another. Each support (5) is mounted on said chassis (1) by means of a camber mechanism which includes a camber lever (4) and a countergear (40) making it possible to vary the camber angle of the corresponding wheel (2). The camber mechanism comprises an arm (70) mounted on the support (5) an axis of support oriented substantially parallel to said longitudinal plane, and mounted on the chassis (1) without any possibility of tilting about a longitudinal axis relative to said chassis (1), so as to transmit the weight carried by the chassis to the support (5).
Abstract:
A method of increasing lateral stiffness in fiberglass composite leaf springs used in suspension systems. The increase in lateral stiffness is accomplished by introducing two carbon fiber inserts to the longitudinal side regions of a fiberglass composite spring. The amount of volume of carbon fiber inserts is preferably between 10-20% by volume of the total volume of the spring and is a function of the strain characteristics required within the suspension system. The composite leaf spring secures the weight advantages of fiberglass springs as compared with traditional steel leaf springs and improves lateral stiffness that promotes improved handling as well as increased efficiency in the packaging of suspension and fuel storage systems. These new composite springs can be molded from layering preprag tape containing fiberglass, carbon fiber and resin, or from a 3D weaving process.
Abstract:
The vehicle includes a suspended running chassis (1) making it possible to define a longitudinal and vertical plane forming a reference on the chassis (1), the preferred running direction being parallel to the longitudinal plane, and at least two wheel connecting systems, the wheels (2) of which are not aligned relative to the longitudinal plane, the wheel connecting systems being mounted on the chassis (1) on either side of the latter in the transverse direction, each of the wheel connecting systems including a wheel (2) mounted on a support (5) by means of a suspension device allowing vertical deflection of the wheel (2) relative to the support (5), the suspensions being independent of one another. Each support (5) is mounted on the chassis (1) by means of a camber mechanism which includes a camber lever (4) and an actuating lever (40) making it possible to vary the camber angle of the corresponding wheel (2). The camber mechanism includes an arm (70) mounted on the support (5) an axis of support oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal plane, and mounted on the chassis (1) without any possibility of tilting about a longitudinal axis relative to the chassis (1), so as to transmit the weight carried by the chassis to the support (5).
Abstract:
A transport vehicle for large, heavy loads includes a number of modules coupled one behind the other, each with a loading platform which can be moved by sets of wheels and a drive for conveying the transport vehicle. The width of the modules corresponds to half the width of an ISO container (approx. 1215 mm) and the modules can also be coupled next to one another. This has the considerable advantage that the maximum track width is no longer limited by the width of the modules. As a result, the transport vehicle for large, heavy loads can be given any desired width without the modules becoming too large to handle.
Abstract:
The automotive rocking beam suspension comprises a rocking beam assembly pivotably mounted to the chassis structure of a vehicle, a torsion spring connecting the rocking beam assembly to the vehicle chassis structure. A pair of wheel mounting assemblies are mounted to the rocking beam assembly for carrying a wheel, each wheel mounting assembly permitting independent vertical movement of the wheel carried by that wheel mounting assembly. A road spring is associated with each wheel mounting assembly for supporting the chassis structure.
Abstract:
A method for allowing enhanced driver selection of suspension damping and steering efforts for a motor vehicle includes the steps of presenting to a driver of the motor vehicle a plurality of suspension damping modes and steering efforts modes for the motor vehicle, allowing the driver to select only predetermined combinations of the suspension damping modes and steering efforts modes, and adjusting the suspension damping and steering efforts of the motor vehicle based on the predetermined combination selected by the driver, and automatically adjusting the modes based on predetermined conditions.
Abstract:
A subframe supporting a fuel tank in an internal space therein includes a pair of front and rear cross-members extending in a lateral direction of a vehicle body, a pair of left and right upper side-members and a pair of left and right lower side-members which extend in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle body to interconnect left and right opposite ends of the cross-members, respectively. Longitudinally intermediate portions of the adjacent upper and lower side-members are integrally coupled to each other by a vertically extending bracket. An upper arm is pivotally supported at an upper end of the bracket, and a lower arm is pivotally supported at a lower end of the bracket. The above construction makes it possible to increase the rigidity of the subframe, while providing an effective utilization of the internal space in the subframe.