WO2008155587A2 - Variable-gauge road vehicle with more than three wheels - Google Patents

Variable-gauge road vehicle with more than three wheels Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2008155587A2
WO2008155587A2 PCT/HU2008/000066 HU2008000066W WO2008155587A2 WO 2008155587 A2 WO2008155587 A2 WO 2008155587A2 HU 2008000066 W HU2008000066 W HU 2008000066W WO 2008155587 A2 WO2008155587 A2 WO 2008155587A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
wheel suspension
rocker arms
suspension mechanism
frame
gauge
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/HU2008/000066
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2008155587A3 (en
Inventor
Zsolt Beck
Original Assignee
Fairfield Worldwide Ltd.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Fairfield Worldwide Ltd. filed Critical Fairfield Worldwide Ltd.
Publication of WO2008155587A2 publication Critical patent/WO2008155587A2/en
Publication of WO2008155587A3 publication Critical patent/WO2008155587A3/en

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
    • B60G7/00—Pivoted suspension arms; Accessories thereof
    • B60G7/001—Suspension arms, e.g. constructional features
    • B60G7/003—Suspension arms, e.g. constructional features of adjustable length
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60B—VEHICLE WHEELS; CASTORS; AXLES FOR WHEELS OR CASTORS; INCREASING WHEEL ADHESION
    • B60B35/00—Axle units; Parts thereof ; Arrangements for lubrication of axles
    • B60B35/02—Dead axles, i.e. not transmitting torque
    • B60B35/10—Dead axles, i.e. not transmitting torque adjustable for varying track
    • B60B35/1036—Dead axles, i.e. not transmitting torque adjustable for varying track operated with power assistance
    • B60B35/1054—Dead axles, i.e. not transmitting torque adjustable for varying track operated with power assistance hydraulically
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60B—VEHICLE WHEELS; CASTORS; AXLES FOR WHEELS OR CASTORS; INCREASING WHEEL ADHESION
    • B60B35/00—Axle units; Parts thereof ; Arrangements for lubrication of axles
    • B60B35/02—Dead axles, i.e. not transmitting torque
    • B60B35/10—Dead axles, i.e. not transmitting torque adjustable for varying track
    • B60B35/1072—Dead axles, i.e. not transmitting torque adjustable for varying track by transversally movable elements
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60B—VEHICLE WHEELS; CASTORS; AXLES FOR WHEELS OR CASTORS; INCREASING WHEEL ADHESION
    • B60B35/00—Axle units; Parts thereof ; Arrangements for lubrication of axles
    • B60B35/12—Torque-transmitting axles
    • B60B35/14—Torque-transmitting axles composite or split, e.g. half- axles; Couplings between axle parts or sections
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
    • B60G2206/00—Indexing codes related to the manufacturing of suspensions: constructional features, the materials used, procedures or tools
    • B60G2206/01—Constructional features of suspension elements, e.g. arms, dampers, springs
    • B60G2206/10—Constructional features of arms
    • B60G2206/11—Constructional features of arms the arm being a radius or track or torque or steering rod or stabiliser end link
    • B60G2206/111—Constructional features of arms the arm being a radius or track or torque or steering rod or stabiliser end link of adjustable length
    • B60G2206/1116—Actively adjustable during driving
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
    • B60G2206/00—Indexing codes related to the manufacturing of suspensions: constructional features, the materials used, procedures or tools
    • B60G2206/01—Constructional features of suspension elements, e.g. arms, dampers, springs
    • B60G2206/10—Constructional features of arms
    • B60G2206/124—Constructional features of arms the arm having triangular or Y-shape, e.g. wishbone
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
    • B60G2300/00—Indexing codes relating to the type of vehicle
    • B60G2300/40—Variable track or wheelbase vehicles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Y—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO ASPECTS CROSS-CUTTING VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY
    • B60Y2200/00—Type of vehicle
    • B60Y2200/10—Road Vehicles
    • B60Y2200/11—Passenger cars; Automobiles

Definitions

  • Variable-gauge road vehicle with more than three wheels
  • the subject of the invention is a variable-gauge road motor vehicle with more than three wheels which is equipped, on either side and at both the front and rear, with two independent wheel suspension mechanisms.
  • the vehicle subject to the invention is quite suitable for use in urban and highway traffic, and parking is also easier.
  • Variable-gauge vehicles have been known for a long time, particularly with regard to railway vehicles.
  • a need arose well in advance for the manufacture of vehicles suitable for use on railway networks of various gauges.
  • More primitive technical alternatives usually implemented this by swapping pairs of rail wheels mounted on axles of various preset gauges.
  • There are, of course, other well-known alternatives as well such as the one featured in Russian invention description No. RU 2130387.
  • the French FR 2688184, British GB 624980 and Japanese JP 8258521 patent descriptions describe alternatives for adjusting wheel gauge not only for use in railway applications. The mechanisms they describe, however, are not suitable for altering the wheel gauge continuously while moving.
  • JP 11124031 describes an alternative where a pair of rail wheels of fixed gauge, the axles of rail wheel pairs turn relative to one another whenever the railway track bends, making it easier for the flanged rail wheels mounted on the axles to run in sharp bends.
  • continuous wheel gauge adjustment is not possible in the known alternatives while moving.
  • Utopian films one could see various rolling or flying vehicles, or even ones that would reconfigure while in motion, but the technical solutions of these contraptions are not yet known or only figments of the imagination.
  • the purpose of the invention is to create a wheel suspension mechanism, also with spring action, whereby it is possible to alter the wheel gauges of road vehicles, primarily automobiles, while in motion.
  • An additional objective of the invention is to create a motor vehicle that occupies little space on the road, has an elongated, narrow shape and is stable even at high speed, and last but not least, tc of inner city roads as an indirect consequence.
  • the invention is based on the recognition that, if the motor vehicle's wheel suspension mechanism was modified so that it is suitable for constantly varying the distance between the wheels while in motion without losing the known advantages of independent sprung suspensions, the task is solved.
  • the subject of the invention is, therefore, a variable-gauge road motor vehicle with more than three wheels which is equipped at the front and rear on either side with two independent wheel suspension mechanisms.
  • the essence of the invention is that the wheel suspension mechanism on either side of the motor vehicle possesses rocker arms mounted on joints, namely on swivel joints or cardan joints, furthermore, the outer ends of the rocker arms facing the hub mount are fitted with actuators that can be adjusted even while in motion and a gauge adjustment mechanism suitable for controlling the rocker arms for altering the wheel gauge while in motion.
  • the wheel suspension mechanism features rocker arms - located at the motor vehicle's front and rear, on either side at the bottom and top - which are composed of a track rod and a track rod sheath and can be varied in length, the rocker arms make up pairs, furthermore, in each pair of rocker arms, the end of each rocker arm whose opposite end possesses a hub mount, is - partly directly and partly with the insertion of a cardan joint - fastened to the motor vehicle's frame using a swivel joint, and in each pair of rocker arms, the rocker arms are connected each other via cardan joints to the gauge adjustment mechanism in a manner allowing them to open.
  • the configuration of the rocker arms and gauge adjustment mechanism forms a capital letter A when viewed from overhead.
  • the rocker arm pairs mounted on the front and rear of the frame are connected on either side by a common gauge adjustment mechanism.
  • the configuration of the rocker arms and the part thereof between the cardan joints on the hub mount and chassis frame forms a parallelogram when viewed from overhead.
  • the wheel suspension mechanism featuring parallel rocker arms subject to the invention
  • the engine is connected to a drive shaft running parallel with the rocker arms via the engine main shaft, differential and inner drive joint, and furthermore the drive shaft is connected to the wheel mounted on the hub via an outer drive joint.
  • the wheel suspension mechanism possesses at least two track mechanisms, which are composed of a track rod and a track rod sheath, configured at least nearly perpendicularly to the motor vehicle's direction of movement.
  • the track mechanism is mounted on the frame.
  • the two ends of the track mechanism are connected to the gauge adjustment mechanism, and there are rocker arms of fixed length mounted on both ends with the aid of swivel joints.
  • a hub mount is fastened to the ends of the rocker arms.
  • the longitudinal axes of the track mechanism and gauge adjustment mechanism run parallel to each other.
  • the gauge adjustment mechanism is flanked by at least one track mechanism on each side.
  • the gauge adjustment mechanism is fashioned from a pair of pneumatically or hydraulically actuated power cylinders.
  • the wheel suspension mechanisms are mounted on an integral body and frame suitable for carrying two people, with one being seated behind the other one, with the rear seat preferably mounted higher than the front one and, furthermore, with the power supplies and batteries installed under the seats.
  • Figure 1 shows a perspective drawing of the integral body and frame of the four- wheeled road vehicle subject to the invention with the wheel suspension mechanism
  • Figure 2 shows a magnified detail of the capital A-shaped wheel suspension mechanism in Figure 1 when viewed from overhead
  • Figure 3 shows another embodiment of the wheel suspension mechanism subject to the invention, mounted at the front and rear and on either side of a common frame, in overhead view
  • Figure 4 shows a magnified detail of the end of the wheel s Figure 3 that is near the engine
  • Figure 5 shows a further embodiment of the wheel suspension mechanism subject to the invention, when viewed from above.
  • Figure 1 clearly shows a schematic drawing of the variable-gauge road motor vehicle subject to the invention, mounted on an integral body and frame 2.
  • Figure 1 shows only the wheel suspension mechanisms 1 constituting the essence of the invention, with known parts having been omitted.
  • Figure 1 shows that the four-wheeled road motor vehicle is equipped, on either side at both the front and the rear, with two separate, independently sprung wheel suspension mechanisms 1, one implementation form of which is described in detail in Figure 2 and another in Figure 4.
  • the gauge is altered using rocker arm pairs 9 that consist of rocker arms 4 of variable length.
  • the hub mount 3 has rocker arms 4 of variable length which are joined by inserting a track rod 7 into a track rod sheath 8.
  • the rocker arms 4 form rocker arm pairs 9.
  • the ends of each rocker arm 4 opposite the hub mount 3 are fixed to the vehicle's frame 2, partly directly and partly with the insertion of a cardan joint 10, using swivel joints 11.
  • the rocker arms 4 in each rocker arm pair 9 are connected to the gauge adjustment mechanism 5 via cardan joints 10.
  • the wheel gauge is altered so that while the angle of one rocker arm 4 directly fastened to the swivel joint 11 remains unaltered in relation to the frame 2, the other rocker arm 4 fastened via a cardan joint 10 is able to swivel around its own cardan joint 10 due to the effect of the gauge adjustment mechanism 5, however, while opening, both rocker arms 4 extend the track rods 7 pulling them out of the track rod sheaths 8, thus elongating the rocker arms 4.
  • a dashed line shows the new position thus evolved in Figure 2. It is evident also in Figure 2 that, when viewed from above, the configuration of the rocker arms 4 and gauge adjustment mechanism 5 forms a shape similar to a capital letter A in this alternative when viewed from above.
  • the dilation and contraction of the rocker arms 4 can be fine-tuned in advance by moving the cardan joint 12 back and forth then fixing it at the approj arm 4.
  • FIG. 3 and Figure 4 shows another embodiment of the wheel suspension mechanism subject to the invention.
  • Figure 3 clearly shows that the motor vehicle has a frame 2 extending from its front to its rear, which can of course be an integral body and frame 2.
  • the rocker arms 4 moving in unison form rocker arm pairs 9.
  • the rocker arm pairs 9 mounted on the front and rear of the frame 2 are connected on either side by a common gauge adjustment mechanism 5.
  • Figure 4 shows an overhead, magnified view of the end of the wheel suspension mechanism 1, implemented with parallel rocker arms 4 that pivot parallel, that faces the engine 13.
  • An engine 13 is mounted on the frame 2.
  • the engine 13 is connected, via the engine main shaft 16, differential 17 and inner drive joint 18, to a drive shaft 14 that is parallel to and in the midline of the rocker arms 4.
  • the drive shaft 14 is connected, via an outer drive cardan joint, to the vehicle's wheel mounted on the hub 15.
  • Figure 5 shows another embodiment form of the wheel suspension mechanism subject to the invention.
  • the wheel suspension mechanism 1 possesses at least two track mechanisms 20, which are composed of a track rod 7 and a track rod sheath 8, configured at least nearly perpendicularly to the motor vehicle's direction of movement H.
  • the track mechanism 20 is mounted on the frame 2.
  • the manner of attachment onto the frame 2 is not indicated separately in the the track mechanism 20 are connected to the gauge adjustment mechanism 5 with the aid of connecting beams 21, and there are rocker arms 4 of fixed length mounted on both ends of the track mechanism 20 at the connecting beam 21 with the aid of swivel joints 11.
  • a hub mount 3 is fastened to the outer ends of the rocker arms 4.
  • the longitudinal axes f of the track mechanism 20 and the longitudinal axes g of the gauge adjustment mechanism 5 are parallel. It is clearly visible in Figure 5 that the gauge adjustment mechanism 5 is flanked on each side by at least one track mechanism 20.
  • the gauge adjustment mechanism 5 on all five Figures, i.e., Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 is fashioned from a pair of pneumatically or hydraulically actuated power cylinders, but it can be of a purely mechanical design such as a threaded body that turns inside a rotating hollow threaded rod.
  • the vehicle's spring action is provided by the known combination of coil springs and shock absorbers 6.
  • the engine 13 is primarily an in-hub 15 electromotor, with the batteries that provide power installed underneath the seats.
  • the motor vehicle has a narrow gauge, with the passengers comfortably seated behind one another in a single row.
  • the greatest advantage is that, in urban traffic, two of the motor vehicles subject to the invention can fit alongside one another in each lane, thus the capacity of narrow urban public roads is increased twofold.
  • the vehicle's gauge can be increased at higher speed to that of an automobile, thus enhancing its stability.
  • the vehicle's parking space requirement is low, and it is environmentally friendly owing to its electric, pneumatic or hydraulic propulsion.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Vehicle Body Suspensions (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to a variable-gauge road vehicle with more than three wheels, which is equipped at the front and rear on either side with two independent wheel suspension mechanisms. The invention is characterized in that the wheel suspension mechanism (1) on either side of the motor vehicle possesses rocker arms (4) mounted on joints, namely on swivel joints (11) or cardan joints (10), furthermore, the outer ends of the rocker arms (4) facing the hub mount (3) are fitted with an actuator that can be adjusted even while in motion and a gauge adjustment mechanism (5) suitable for controlling the rocker arms (4) for altering the wheel gauge while in motion.

Description

Variable-gauge road vehicle with more than three wheels
The subject of the invention is a variable-gauge road motor vehicle with more than three wheels which is equipped, on either side and at both the front and rear, with two independent wheel suspension mechanisms. On account of its small space requirement, the vehicle subject to the invention is quite suitable for use in urban and highway traffic, and parking is also easier.
Variable-gauge vehicles have been known for a long time, particularly with regard to railway vehicles. A need arose well in advance for the manufacture of vehicles suitable for use on railway networks of various gauges. More primitive technical alternatives usually implemented this by swapping pairs of rail wheels mounted on axles of various preset gauges. There are, of course, other well-known alternatives as well such as the one featured in Russian invention description No. RU 2130387. The French FR 2688184, British GB 624980 and Japanese JP 8258521 patent descriptions describe alternatives for adjusting wheel gauge not only for use in railway applications. The mechanisms they describe, however, are not suitable for altering the wheel gauge continuously while moving. The Japanese patent description No. JP 11124031, on the other hand, describes an alternative where a pair of rail wheels of fixed gauge, the axles of rail wheel pairs turn relative to one another whenever the railway track bends, making it easier for the flanged rail wheels mounted on the axles to run in sharp bends. In summing up, it can be said that continuous wheel gauge adjustment is not possible in the known alternatives while moving. In some Utopian films one could see various rolling or flying vehicles, or even ones that would reconfigure while in motion, but the technical solutions of these contraptions are not yet known or only figments of the imagination.
The purpose of the invention is to create a wheel suspension mechanism, also with spring action, whereby it is possible to alter the wheel gauges of road vehicles, primarily automobiles, while in motion. An additional objective of the invention is to create a motor vehicle that occupies little space on the road, has an elongated, narrow shape and is stable even at high speed, and last but not least, tc of inner city roads as an indirect consequence.
The invention is based on the recognition that, if the motor vehicle's wheel suspension mechanism was modified so that it is suitable for constantly varying the distance between the wheels while in motion without losing the known advantages of independent sprung suspensions, the task is solved.
The subject of the invention is, therefore, a variable-gauge road motor vehicle with more than three wheels which is equipped at the front and rear on either side with two independent wheel suspension mechanisms. The essence of the invention is that the wheel suspension mechanism on either side of the motor vehicle possesses rocker arms mounted on joints, namely on swivel joints or cardan joints, furthermore, the outer ends of the rocker arms facing the hub mount are fitted with actuators that can be adjusted even while in motion and a gauge adjustment mechanism suitable for controlling the rocker arms for altering the wheel gauge while in motion.
In an important embodiment subject to the invention, the wheel suspension mechanism features rocker arms - located at the motor vehicle's front and rear, on either side at the bottom and top - which are composed of a track rod and a track rod sheath and can be varied in length, the rocker arms make up pairs, furthermore, in each pair of rocker arms, the end of each rocker arm whose opposite end possesses a hub mount, is - partly directly and partly with the insertion of a cardan joint - fastened to the motor vehicle's frame using a swivel joint, and in each pair of rocker arms, the rocker arms are connected each other via cardan joints to the gauge adjustment mechanism in a manner allowing them to open.
In an embodiment of the alternative subject to the invention featuring rocker arms of variable length, the configuration of the rocker arms and gauge adjustment mechanism forms a capital letter A when viewed from overhead. In another embodiment of the invention, the wheel suspensioi frame connecting the motor vehicle's front and rear, there are rocker arms mounted on the frame, at the front and rear on either side, parallel to one another using cardan joints, there is a hub mount mounted on the ends of the rocker arms with the insertion of cardan joints so that the distance of L between the cardan joints mounted on the frame and hub mount is preferably equal, furthermore, rocker arms that move in unison form rocker arm pairs, and there is a gauge adjustment mechanism attached to at least one of the rocker arms in each rocker arm pair at the front and rear.
In another advantageous embodiment of the wheel suspension mechanism subject to the invention, the rocker arm pairs mounted on the front and rear of the frame are connected on either side by a common gauge adjustment mechanism.
In an embodiment of the alternative subject to the invention featuring parallel rocker arms, the configuration of the rocker arms and the part thereof between the cardan joints on the hub mount and chassis frame forms a parallelogram when viewed from overhead.
In another embodiment of the wheel suspension mechanism featuring parallel rocker arms subject to the invention, there is an engine mounted on the frame, the engine is connected to a drive shaft running parallel with the rocker arms via the engine main shaft, differential and inner drive joint, and furthermore the drive shaft is connected to the wheel mounted on the hub via an outer drive joint.
In another embodiment subject to the invention, the wheel suspension mechanism possesses at least two track mechanisms, which are composed of a track rod and a track rod sheath, configured at least nearly perpendicularly to the motor vehicle's direction of movement. The track mechanism is mounted on the frame. The two ends of the track mechanism are connected to the gauge adjustment mechanism, and there are rocker arms of fixed length mounted on both ends with the aid of swivel joints. A hub mount is fastened to the ends of the rocker arms. In an advantageous embodiment of the wheel suspension m invention featuring rocker arms of fixed length, the longitudinal axes of the track mechanism and gauge adjustment mechanism run parallel to each other.
In another advantageous embodiment of the wheel suspension mechanism subject to the invention featuring rocker arms of fixed length, the gauge adjustment mechanism is flanked by at least one track mechanism on each side.
It is furthermore advantageous in terms of the invention if the gauge adjustment mechanism is fashioned from a pair of pneumatically or hydraulically actuated power cylinders.
In an advantageous embodiment of the road motor vehicle subject to the invention, the wheel suspension mechanisms are mounted on an integral body and frame suitable for carrying two people, with one being seated behind the other one, with the rear seat preferably mounted higher than the front one and, furthermore, with the power supplies and batteries installed under the seats.
The motor vehicle subject to the invention, which is equipped with independent wheel suspension mechanisms at the front and rear on either side, is described in greater detail in figures where
Figure 1 shows a perspective drawing of the integral body and frame of the four- wheeled road vehicle subject to the invention with the wheel suspension mechanism,
Figure 2 shows a magnified detail of the capital A-shaped wheel suspension mechanism in Figure 1 when viewed from overhead,
Figure 3 shows another embodiment of the wheel suspension mechanism subject to the invention, mounted at the front and rear and on either side of a common frame, in overhead view, Figure 4 shows a magnified detail of the end of the wheel s Figure 3 that is near the engine,
Figure 5 shows a further embodiment of the wheel suspension mechanism subject to the invention, when viewed from above.
Figure 1 clearly shows a schematic drawing of the variable-gauge road motor vehicle subject to the invention, mounted on an integral body and frame 2. In addition, Figure 1 shows only the wheel suspension mechanisms 1 constituting the essence of the invention, with known parts having been omitted. Incidentally, Figure 1 shows that the four-wheeled road motor vehicle is equipped, on either side at both the front and the rear, with two separate, independently sprung wheel suspension mechanisms 1, one implementation form of which is described in detail in Figure 2 and another in Figure 4.
In the embodiment described in Figure 2, the gauge is altered using rocker arm pairs 9 that consist of rocker arms 4 of variable length. The hub mount 3 has rocker arms 4 of variable length which are joined by inserting a track rod 7 into a track rod sheath 8. The rocker arms 4 form rocker arm pairs 9. In each rocker arm pair 9, the ends of each rocker arm 4 opposite the hub mount 3 are fixed to the vehicle's frame 2, partly directly and partly with the insertion of a cardan joint 10, using swivel joints 11. Furthermore, the rocker arms 4 in each rocker arm pair 9 are connected to the gauge adjustment mechanism 5 via cardan joints 10. The wheel gauge is altered so that while the angle of one rocker arm 4 directly fastened to the swivel joint 11 remains unaltered in relation to the frame 2, the other rocker arm 4 fastened via a cardan joint 10 is able to swivel around its own cardan joint 10 due to the effect of the gauge adjustment mechanism 5, however, while opening, both rocker arms 4 extend the track rods 7 pulling them out of the track rod sheaths 8, thus elongating the rocker arms 4. A dashed line shows the new position thus evolved in Figure 2. It is evident also in Figure 2 that, when viewed from above, the configuration of the rocker arms 4 and gauge adjustment mechanism 5 forms a shape similar to a capital letter A in this alternative when viewed from above. The dilation and contraction of the rocker arms 4 can be fine-tuned in advance by moving the cardan joint 12 back and forth then fixing it at the approj arm 4.
Figure 3 and Figure 4 shows another embodiment of the wheel suspension mechanism subject to the invention.
Figure 3 clearly shows that the motor vehicle has a frame 2 extending from its front to its rear, which can of course be an integral body and frame 2. There are parallel rocker arms 4 mounted on the frame 2, at the front and rear on either side, with the aid of cardan joints 10. There is a hub mount 3 fitted to the ends of the rocker arms 4 via cardan joints 10 so that the distance of L between the cardan joints 10 mounted on the frame 2 and on the hub mount 3 is preferably equal. The rocker arms 4 moving in unison form rocker arm pairs 9. The rocker arm pairs 9 mounted on the front and rear of the frame 2 are connected on either side by a common gauge adjustment mechanism 5. Figure 4 shows an overhead, magnified view of the end of the wheel suspension mechanism 1, implemented with parallel rocker arms 4 that pivot parallel, that faces the engine 13. The figure clearly shows that the parts between the cardan joints on the hub mount 3 and frame 2 and the rocker arms 4 at a distance of L form a parallelogram when viewed from above. The embodiment of the rocker arms 4 described in Figures 3 and 4 is of fixed length and is not identical to that of the rocker arms 4 of variable length described in Figure 1 and 2.
An engine 13 is mounted on the frame 2. The engine 13 is connected, via the engine main shaft 16, differential 17 and inner drive joint 18, to a drive shaft 14 that is parallel to and in the midline of the rocker arms 4. The drive shaft 14 is connected, via an outer drive cardan joint, to the vehicle's wheel mounted on the hub 15.
Figure 5 shows another embodiment form of the wheel suspension mechanism subject to the invention. In this embodiment, the wheel suspension mechanism 1 possesses at least two track mechanisms 20, which are composed of a track rod 7 and a track rod sheath 8, configured at least nearly perpendicularly to the motor vehicle's direction of movement H. The track mechanism 20 is mounted on the frame 2. The manner of attachment onto the frame 2 is not indicated separately in the the track mechanism 20 are connected to the gauge adjustment mechanism 5 with the aid of connecting beams 21, and there are rocker arms 4 of fixed length mounted on both ends of the track mechanism 20 at the connecting beam 21 with the aid of swivel joints 11. A hub mount 3 is fastened to the outer ends of the rocker arms 4. The longitudinal axes f of the track mechanism 20 and the longitudinal axes g of the gauge adjustment mechanism 5 are parallel. It is clearly visible in Figure 5 that the gauge adjustment mechanism 5 is flanked on each side by at least one track mechanism 20.
The gauge adjustment mechanism 5 on all five Figures, i.e., Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 is fashioned from a pair of pneumatically or hydraulically actuated power cylinders, but it can be of a purely mechanical design such as a threaded body that turns inside a rotating hollow threaded rod. The vehicle's spring action is provided by the known combination of coil springs and shock absorbers 6. In the design shown in Figures 1, 2 and 5, the engine 13 is primarily an in-hub 15 electromotor, with the batteries that provide power installed underneath the seats.
The alternative described in the invention has the following advantages:
By default, the motor vehicle has a narrow gauge, with the passengers comfortably seated behind one another in a single row. The greatest advantage is that, in urban traffic, two of the motor vehicles subject to the invention can fit alongside one another in each lane, thus the capacity of narrow urban public roads is increased twofold. In the case of traffic outside residential areas, the vehicle's gauge can be increased at higher speed to that of an automobile, thus enhancing its stability. The vehicle's parking space requirement is low, and it is environmentally friendly owing to its electric, pneumatic or hydraulic propulsion.

Claims

1. A variable-gauge road vehicle with more than three wheels, which is equipped at the front and rear on either side with two independent wheel suspension mechanisms, characterized in that the wheel suspension mechanism (1) on either side of the motor vehicle possesses rocker arms (4) mounted on joints, namely on swivel joints (11) or cardan joints (10), furthermore, the outer ends of the rocker arms (4) facing the hub mount (3) are fitted with an actuator that can be adjusted even while in motion and a gauge adjustment mechanism (5) suitable for controlling the rocker arms (4) for altering the wheel gauge while in motion.
2. The wheel suspension mechanism according to Claim 1 characterized in that the wheel suspension mechanism (1) at the front and rear on either side, bottom and top of the motor vehicle features rocker arms (4) that serve as hub mounts (3), which are composed of a track rod (7) and a track rod sheath (8), which can be varied in length, the rocker arms (4) make up rocker arm pairs (9), furthermore, in each rocker arm pair (9), the end of each rocker arm (4) whose opposite end possesses a hub mount (3), is - partly directly and partly with the insertion of a cardan joint (10) - fastened to the motor vehicle's frame (2) with the aid of swivel joints (11), and in each rocker arm pair (9), the rocker arms (4) are connected each other via cardan joints (10) to the gauge adjustment mechanism (5) in a manner allowing them to open.
3. The wheel suspension mechanism according to Claim 2 characterized in that the configuration of the rocker arms (4) and gauge adjustment mechanism (5) forms a capital letter A when viewed from overhead.
4. The wheel suspension mechanism according to Claim 1 characterized in that the wheel suspension mechanism possesses a frame (2) connecting the motor vehicle's front and rear, there are rocker arms (4) mounted on the frame (2), at the front and rear on either side, parallel to one another using cardan joints (10), there is a hub mount (3) mounted on the ends of the rocker arms (4) with the insertion of cardan joints so that the distance (L) between the cardan joints n and hub mount (3) is preferably equal, furthermore, rocker arms (4) that move in unison form rocker arm pairs (9), and there is a gauge adjustment mechanism (5) attached to at least one of the rocker arms (4) in each rocker arm pair (9) at the front and rear.
5. The wheel suspension mechanism Claim 4 characterized in that the rocker arm pairs (9) mounted on the front and rear of the frame (2) are connected on either side by a common gauge adjustment mechanism (5).
6. The wheel suspension mechanism according to any of Claims 4 - 5 characterized in that the configuration of the rocker arms (4) and the part thereof between the cardan joints (10) on the hub mount (3) and frame (2) forms a parallelogram when viewed from overhead.
7. The wheel suspension mechanism according to any of Claims 4 - 6 characterized in that there is an engine (13) mounted on the frame (2), the engine (13) is connected to a drive shaft (14) running parallel with the rocker arms (4) via an engine main shaft (16), differential (17) and inner drive joint (18), and furthermore the drive shaft (14) is connected to the wheel mounted on the hub (15) via an outer drive joint (19).
8. The wheel suspension mechanism according to Claim 1 characterized in that the wheel suspension mechanism (1) possesses at least two track mechanisms (20), which are composed of a track rod (7) and a track rod sheath (8), configured at least nearly perpendicularly to the motor vehicle's direction of movement, the track mechanism (20) is mounted on the frame (2), the two ends of the track mechanism (20) are connected to the gauge adjustment mechanism (5), and there are rocker arms (4) of fixed length mounted on both ends of the track mechanism (20) with the aid of swivel joints (1 1), while there is a hub mount (3) fastened to the ends of the rocker arms (4).
9. The wheel suspension mechanism according to Claim 8 c longitudinal axes (f and g) of the track mechanism (20) and gauge adjustment mechanism (5) are parallel.
10. The wheel suspension mechanism according to according to 8 - 9 characterized in that the gauge adjustment mechanism (5) is flanked on each side by at least one track mechanism (20).
11. The wheel suspension mechanism according to any of Claims 1 - 10 characterized in that the gauge adjustment mechanism (5) is fashioned from a pair of pneumatically or hydraulically actuated power cylinders.
12. The wheel suspension mechanism according to any of Claims 1 - 11 characterized in that the wheel suspension mechanism (1) is mounted on an integral body and frame (2) suitable for carrying two people, with one being seated behind the other one, with the rear seat preferably mounted higher than the front one, and furthermore with the power supplies and batteries installed under the seats.
PCT/HU2008/000066 2007-06-19 2008-06-10 Variable-gauge road vehicle with more than three wheels WO2008155587A2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
HU0700422A HUP0700422A2 (en) 2007-06-19 2007-06-19 Vehicle with more than three wheels with changeable track
HUP0700422 2007-06-19

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WO2008155587A2 true WO2008155587A2 (en) 2008-12-24
WO2008155587A3 WO2008155587A3 (en) 2009-03-19

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WO2016058060A1 (en) * 2014-10-14 2016-04-21 Reybrouck Consulting & Innovation Bvba Wheel suspension
EP3392068A1 (en) * 2017-04-18 2018-10-24 AeroMobil R&D, s. r. o. Suspension system
CN111017031A (en) * 2019-11-25 2020-04-17 江苏林海动力机械集团有限公司 All-terrain vehicle frame

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CN102896973A (en) * 2012-10-30 2013-01-30 路文强 Deformable automobile

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FR2700915A1 (en) * 1993-02-02 1994-08-05 Jacquet Sa Straddle tractor with underslung implement
WO1999042311A2 (en) * 1998-02-23 1999-08-26 General Dynamics Land Systems, Inc. Adjustable vehicle suspension
FR2844245A1 (en) * 2002-09-10 2004-03-12 Jean Marie Obry Universal transport vehicle with adjustable wheelbase and wheel track, includes four independent wheels, each mounted on suspension arms articulating on chassis and simultaneously adjusted by threaded rod and collars
WO2005056308A1 (en) * 2003-12-11 2005-06-23 Singapore Technologies Kinetics Ltd Wheel track adjustment system

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FR2700915A1 (en) * 1993-02-02 1994-08-05 Jacquet Sa Straddle tractor with underslung implement
WO1999042311A2 (en) * 1998-02-23 1999-08-26 General Dynamics Land Systems, Inc. Adjustable vehicle suspension
FR2844245A1 (en) * 2002-09-10 2004-03-12 Jean Marie Obry Universal transport vehicle with adjustable wheelbase and wheel track, includes four independent wheels, each mounted on suspension arms articulating on chassis and simultaneously adjusted by threaded rod and collars
WO2005056308A1 (en) * 2003-12-11 2005-06-23 Singapore Technologies Kinetics Ltd Wheel track adjustment system

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2016058060A1 (en) * 2014-10-14 2016-04-21 Reybrouck Consulting & Innovation Bvba Wheel suspension
BE1022561B1 (en) * 2014-10-14 2016-06-02 Reybrouck Consulting & Innovation Bvba Wheel suspension
US10518600B2 (en) 2014-10-14 2019-12-31 Reybrouck Consulting & Innovation Bvba Wheel suspension
EP3392068A1 (en) * 2017-04-18 2018-10-24 AeroMobil R&D, s. r. o. Suspension system
WO2018192868A1 (en) * 2017-04-18 2018-10-25 Aeromobil R&D, S. R. O. Suspension system
CN111017031A (en) * 2019-11-25 2020-04-17 江苏林海动力机械集团有限公司 All-terrain vehicle frame

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HU0700422D0 (en) 2007-08-28
WO2008155587A3 (en) 2009-03-19

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