WO2009007667A1

WO2009007667A1 - 'sidewinder' auxiliary vehicle manoeuvring device

Info

Publication number: WO2009007667A1
Application number: PCT/GB2008/001170
Authority: WO
Inventors: Peter Stanley Thomas Ackroyd
Original assignee: Peter Stanley Thomas Ackroyd
Priority date: 2007-07-11
Filing date: 2008-04-04
Publication date: 2009-01-15
Also published as: GB0713425D0; EP2193057A1; GB2450900A; GB2463598A; GB0922691D0; GB2450900B

Abstract

An auxilliary driving device, attached usually but not necessarily to the undersides of the vehicle suspension or body/chassis but independent of the main vehicle drives, to give a vehicle additional manoeuvrability and/or traction. The device enables precise low speed lateral/longitudinal vehicle movement, and axial vehicle rotation to facilitate parking, manoeuvring in confined spaces, traction assistance on slippery, uneven or fragmented surfaces, anti theft protection, vehicle jacking and wireless remote control for vehicle direction and speed.

Description

"Sidewinder" Auxiliary Vehicle Manoeuvring Device

Description of In ven ϋon

[0001] An auxiliary driving device, attached usually but not necessarily to the undersides of the vehicle suspension or body/chassis but independent of the main vehicle drives, to give a vehicle additional manoeuvrability and/or traction. The device enables precise low speed lateral/ϊongϋudirtal vehicle movement, and axial vehicle rotation to facilitate:

[0002] A] Parking - sideways manoeuvring.

[0003] B] Manoeuvring in confined spaces - rotation around a forward, central or rear axis.

[0004] C] Traction assistance on slippery, uneven or fragmented surfaces, both directly when in alignment parallel to normal drive direction [See Figure 1b] and by means of sideways vehicle realignment when the device drive units are aligned at 90 degrees to the vehicle's normal drive direction [See Figure 1a].

Additional Possible Functions

[0005] D] Anti theft - while activated the vehicle cannot be driven forward or backwards without the deactivation control; which can be removed from the vehicle.

[0006] E] Vehicle jacking, facilitating wheel changing and underbody inspection/maintenance.

[0007] F] Wireless remote control for vehicle direction and speed. The vehicle can be manoeuvred remotely. i-

Nlajor Benefits of This Manoeuvring Device [0008]

1. Driver skill, stress and time needed for parking are all much reduced.

2. Environmental Impact - Fuel usage in confined space manoeuvring is almost eliminated.

3. Environmental Impact - Vehicle Space is becoming increasingly limited - this device, if universally adopted, would enable parking spaces to be at least a metre shorter. Sliore vehicles can be parked in any given space.

4. Increased vehicle manoeuvrability in confined spaces. Vehicles can be stored and have access to areas that would otherwise not be usable.

5. Much reduced steering component and tyre wear.

6. Increased off road vehicle traction with some applications of this device - a possible alternative to ail wheel drive.

7. Theft Prevention when the units are locked in their extended positions

8. Remote vehicle operation.

Problems This Device Overcomes

This device aims to overcome the following disadvantages of auxiliary manoeuvring devices:

[0009] A] Slowness of activation and de-activation

[0010] B] Unacceptable reduction of vehicle underbody ground clearance, [0011 ] C] Unacceptable additional weight, [0011] C] Unacceptable additional weight,

[0012] D] Small wheels' inability to cope with uneven or fragmented ground surfaces,

[0013] E] Larger wheels' and tyres bulk and weight, [0014] F] The unacceptable expense, weight, additional complexity and unintuitive operation of mechanical steering mechanisms, [0015] G] Accommodation of vehicle steering and independent suspension mechanisms. Conventional Mode for Fitting the Invention [0016] Independent Suspension Bolting the manoeuvring units to the undersides of the suspension lower pivot link with location for upward bracing struts onto the undersides of the wheel hubs or, where strength allows, lower suspension arms - at the pivot points for the wheel hubs. Alternative Application Mode(s) for this Invention [0017] A] Live/Beam Axle - bolting to the undersides of the axles. [0018] B] Limitation of downward wheel movement by

Cables/Electronics/Hydraulics instead of struts during the downward actuation of the drive struts. [0019] C] Parallel instead of 90 degree alignment as auxiliary off-road vehicle traction improver.

[0020] D] Special track designs for different terrains [0021] E] Extended single lateral/longitudinal track design for improved off-road grip. [0022] F] Power units can be positioned in different locations, [See example in Figure 2e] not necessarily on the drive struts as in

Figures 2a,b,&c ] to accommodate vehicle design characteristics, and linked to the drives by chains, belts, shafts or other power transmission devices. Practical Application

[0023] A] Parking - sideways manoeuvring; access to confined areas. [0024] B] Manoeuvring in confined spaces - rotation around a forward, central or rear axis. [0025] C] Traction assistance in difficult terrain - when auxiliary units are aligned parallel to vehicle direction - and sideways vehicle realignment to regain grip, with applications where the drives are positioned at 90 degrees to normal vehicle direction. [0026] D] Anti theft - while activated the vehicle cannot be driven forward or backwards without the deactivation control; which could be removed from the vehicle. [0027] E] Vehicle jacking, facilitating wheel changing and underbody inspection/maintenance.

Safety - Prevention of Accidental Extension

[0028] A] For safety, a leaf or coil spring tensioner to keep the strut in its elevated position would be incorporated. This would make upward retraction almost totally spring activated and act as a fail safe device against the device being extended through activation caused by breakage or malfunction.

[0029] B] Manoeuvring speeds of up to 8kph should be achievable using one of the above power sources with the engine running in PARK or NEUTRAL. A safety circuit would only allow operation of the device when the vehicle gear selector is in one of these positions.

Cl Prevention of Vehicle Damage caused by Inexperienced

Operation -

The device could be used in conjunction with suitably a reprogrammed electronic proximity sensor guided parking assistance.

Brief Descriptions of Figures

Figure 1a Auxiliary Lateral Parking/Manoeuvring Layout [Overhead View]

Figure 1b Auxiliary Longitudinal Off-road Traction Layout [Overhead View]

Figure 2a Retracted Position Coil Spring Layout

Figure 2b Extended Position Coil Spring Layout

Figure 2c Strut - Retracted

Figure 2d Strut - Extended

Figure 2d Drive unit pivoted under independent suspension with cable link to suspension downward travel Hmiter. Strut Length can be varied with screw pillar adjustment

Figure 2e Alternative Drive and Belt Layout with Drive Motor & Strut Pivot Located Away from the Vehicle Suspension Strut

Figure 2f Alternative Drive and Belt Layout with Drive Motor & Strut Pivot Located Away from the Vehicle Suspension Strut

Figure 3a Side View of Lateral Belt - Beam Axle / Live Axle Design in extended and retracted modes.

Figure 3b Self Powered Version. The units are manoeuvred under a vehicle; the cushioned pads are pushed horizontally^ then upwards against the vehicle lower suspension areas by the pistons [8] and struts [11]; the vehicle is then lifted by the telescopic struts and repositioned by the belt drives.

Figure 3c Heavy Duty Live Axle Lateral Drive Layout - Extended and Retracted

Positions

Figure 3c Beam Axle / Live Axle, Heavy Duty Lateral Belt Drive Design - Extended and

Retracted. Belts could be studded and of varying width according to terrain demands.

Figure 3d Alternative Longitudinally Retracted Layout - Heavy Duty Lateral Drive

Figure 3e Beam Axle / Live Axle, Light Duty Longitudinal Belt Drive Designs in Extended and Retracted Positions. Rear or Front Only Installations are possible. Belts could be studded and of varying width according to terrain demands.

Figure 3f Beam Axle / Live Axle, Heavy Duty Longitudinal Belt Drive Designs in extended and retracted positions. Belts could be studded and of varying width according to terrain demands.

Figure 4a Example of Traction Belt Features for on-road use to allow lateral slip when turning and longitudinal straight line traction. Other specialised designs for off-road uses [ice/sand/mud etc.] include spiked, studded and patterned belts.

Figure 4b Three Quarter View of an example of one possible design for a toothed cog with belt guiding flanges. Diagram Label Key

1. Strut Pivot Bearing sharing the same bolt as 11 - Existing Lower Suspension Pivot Bearing.

2. Drive Strut.

3. Traction Belt.

4. Toothed Cog.

5. Cushioned Roller.

6. Cog Axle Locating and Traction Belt Tensioning Frame - horizontally stiff for accurate drive tracking but with a degree of vertical compliance/spring tension to cope with surface irregularities while maintaining drive belt tension.

7. Spring Tensioner.

8. Motor Drive Toothed Wheel - hydraulic, electric, air pressure motor or driven mechanically from the vehicle engine.

9. Vehicle Lower Suspension Arm.

10. Vehicle Suspension Strut

11. Vehicle Lower Suspension Pivot - Independent Suspension.

12. Cable Anchor Point.

13. Vehicle wheels or tracks.

14. Possible Drive Directions - Drives can be positioned at right angles or parallel to the drive direction of the main wheels or tracks.

15. Sliding Collar - presses up against shock absorber base when the drive strut is extended.

16. Vehicle Shock Absorber and Coil Spring Unit.

17. Vehicle Stub Axle.

18. Guiding Flanges.

19. Screw Pillar Adjustment.

20. Cylinder with Double Acting Hydraulic or Air Driven Pistons.

21. Strut - Telescopic.

22. Suspension Brace Extension to 6 - Cog Axle Locating Frame.

23. Vehicle Differential - not always present.

24. Vehicle Live / Beam Axle.

25. Auxiliary Drive Strut Unit - Powered cr Trailing - Only one of each series need be powered on light duty applications.

26. Vehicle Leaf Spring.

27. Load Bearing Surface.

28. Independent Power Source.

29. Rounded Outer Shoulders Allow Lateral Slippage.

30. Inner Teeth - mesh with drive and guiding cogs.

31. Outer Lateral Grooves provide rotation grip with low resistance to lateral slippage.

32. Swivelling Directions of Caged Soft Rollers.

33. Vehicle Suspension - Safe Load Bearing Area.

34. Soft Roller.

35. Axle Bearing.

36. Axle

37. Axle Bearing Cage

S Ground - Load Bearing Surface.

Claims

1. A vehicle manoeuvring device, with extendable endless belt driven drive units acting independently from the vehicle's main wheels or tracks, that raise a vehicle clear of the ground extremely quickly by using various mechanical, electronic, hydraulic, or a combinations of these means, to press upward, or prevent the downward movement of, the vehicle's suspension, wheels or tracks while the vehicle is elevated, then moves, steers or rotates the vehicle by varying the speed and rotation direction of these drive units relative to each other using the principles of endless track steering and manoeuvring.

2. A vehicle manoeuvring device according to claim 1 using drive units driving at right angles tp the direction of a vehicle's wheels or tracks.

3. A vehicle manoeuvring device according to claim 1 using drive units driving in parallel to the direction of the vehicle's wheels or tracks.

4. A vehicle manoeuvring device according to claims 1, 2 or 3 using electronically activated means to raise the vehicle's wheels or tracks, or limit their downward movement during device activation.

5. A vehicle manoeuvring device according to claims 1, 2 or 3 using mechanical means to raise the vehicle's wheels or tracks, or limit their downward movement during device activation.

6. A vehicle manoeuvring device according to claims 1, 2 &3 using hydraulic devices to raise the vehicle's wheels or tracks, or limit their downward movement during device activation.

7. A vehicle manoeuvring device according to claim 1, 2 or3 using air pressure to raise the vehicle's wheels or tracks, or limit their downward movement during device activation.

8. A vehicle manoeuvring device according to claims 1, 2 or 3 using cable/pulley systems to raise the vehicle's wheels or limit their downward movement during device activation.

9. A vehicle manoeuvring device according to claim 1 using any combination of methods itemised in claims 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 to raise the vehicle's wheels or tracks or limit their downward movement during device activation.

10. A vehicle manoeuvring device according to claim 1, using belts, tensioners and cogs for device activation.

11. A vehicle manoeuvring device according to claim 1, using belts, tensioners and cogs for vehicle propulsion.

12. A vehicle manoeuvring device according to claim 1, using belts, tensioners and cogs for vehicle steering.

13. A vehicle manoeuvring device, according to claim 1, activated using cables & pulleys to elevate the vehicle for supplementary vehicle directional or traction control.

14. A vehicle manoeuvring device according to claim 1 activated using hydraulic power take offs, for vehicle elevation and supplementary directional or traction control.

15. A vehicle manoeuvring device according to claim 1 activated using electrical power, for vehicle elevation and supplementary directional or traction control.

16. A vehicle manoeuvring device according to claim 1 activated using air pressure, for vehicle elevation and supplementary directional or traction control.

17. A vehicle manoeuvring device according to claim 1 activated using mechanical power take offs, for vehicle elevation and supplementary directional or traction control.

18. A vehicle manoeuvring device according to any, and any combination, of claims 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16, and 17, controlled by wireless remote and electronic mechanisms for device activation and deactivation and control of individual drive unit direction and speed.

19. A vehicle manoeuvring device according to any, and any combination, of claims 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16, 17, and 18, controlled by an electronic guidance system or systems.

20. A vehicle manoeuvring device according to any, and any combination, of claims 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16, 17, 18 and 19, with struts tensioned upwards.

21. A vehicle manoeuvring device according to any, and any combination, of claims 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16, 17, 18, 19 and 20, with mechanical or electronic devices to prevent accidental device activation.

22. A vehicle manoeuvring device according to any, and any combination, of claims 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16, 17, 18, 19, 20, and 21, with drive belts with surface treads designed for specific purposes.

23. A vehicle manoeuvring device according to any, and any combination, of claims 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, and 22, with drive belts with pneumatic compartments.

24. A vehicle manoeuvring device according to any, and any combination, of claims 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, and 23, that can be temporarily attached to, and manoeuvre, a variety of vehicles.