JP2001070357A - Wheel suspension system for automobile - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the movement characteristics of a vehicle by mounting turnably wheels assigned to a wheel suspension system on a wheel carrier by at least one arm and mounting this wheel carrier on a mounting frame. SOLUTION: A plurality of guide rods 23 connecting longitudinally adjustably a front wheel assembly to an extended housing are arranged in a wheel module 21. A mounting frame 22 is mounted slidably on a vehicle by the guide rods 23, and the horizontal position in relation to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle is made adjustable by a spin rod 24. This spin rod 24 is bisected to half portions 25 and 25', and one is assigned to the left wheel module 21 and the other is assigned to the right wheel module 21'. Both half portions 25 and 25' are made relatively rotatable by connecting by a coupling 26. This wheel module 21 is provided with a spindle rod driving portion 27. This configuration helps improve the movement characteristics of a vehicle.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a wheel suspension system for a motor vehicle having a tracking adjustment device capable of changing the tracking of a vehicle.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art German Patent 197 33 033 A1
No. is one riding seat placed on the chassis,
A single-seat motor vehicle having a controller and a plurality of wheels that are adjustably or pivotably disposed on a chassis, at least two of the wheels having a drive capable of at least two different speeds of movement. Is disclosed. The chassis of the vehicle comprises a carrier element for the ride seat and a mounting arm for the wheels, said arm being mounted horizontally and / or vertically pivotably and / or slidably on said ride seat. Different vehicle specifications suitable for different uses include wheelbase,
And / or tracking and / or automatic or manual adjustment of the seat height. In a particularly advantageous embodiment of this vehicle, the mounting arm and the carrier element can be set in at least three positions. That is,
a) a maximum wheelbase, a first position (high speed travel mode) where at least maximum tracking at the rear wheels and a minimum seat height are set, and b) a shorter wheelbase than in a). Narrow tracking and
A second position where the maximum seat height is set (slow travel mode); c) a third position where the minimum wheelbase, minimum tracking and minimum seat height are set (transport mode). It is.

[0003] US Patent No. 4,613,151 discloses a wheelchair in which the front wheels are adjustable to change tracking. For this purpose, each of the front wheels has a shaft which is telescopically adjustable in length transversely to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and each wheel is mounted on the vehicle by said shaft. Tracking adjustments implemented in this way are advantageous for wheelchairs traveling at relatively low speeds, but are not suitable for vehicles traveling at relatively high speeds, especially single seat motor vehicles of the type described above. that is,
For example, the spring support (spru) of the wheels on the vehicle chassis
ng support) is problematic.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a wheel suspension system which can improve the moving dynamics of a vehicle of the type described above.

[0005]

This problem is solved by a wheel suspension system having the features of claim 1.
The invention is solved according to the invention by an axle assembly having the features of claim 13 and by a vehicle having the features of claim 15.

The invention is based on the concept of mounting wheels on a wheel carrier such that the wheels assigned to the wheel suspension system are pivotable by at least one arm and mounting the wheel carriers on a mounting frame. Based. As a result, a modular wheel suspension system can be manufactured that can be designed as a single assembly that can be mounted in a complete form, is mounted on the vehicle, and can be adjusted laterally in its entirety with respect to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. Since all the components of the wheel module are fixed or fixed with respect to each other during the adjustment of the tracking, the operating performance of the individual components of the wheel module is always ensured.

The wheel module thus formed, in which the change in tracking is fully adjustable, has, for example, spring / damper means for supporting the wheel carrier directly or indirectly on the mounting frame. Therefore, since the wheels are supported in the wheel module,
Changes in tracking do not affect the support function of the spring / damper means.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the wheel carrier can be arranged to be pivotable on the mounting frame by means of a double transverse steering arm arrangement, in which the upper transverse steering arm is connected to the wheel carrier and the mounting frame. And the lower transverse steering arm engages in the lower section of the wheel carrier and the mounting frame. Such a dual transverse steering arm arrangement provides a defined movement to the wheels during spring contraction and extension.

Further, for example, a kingpin angle setting means which can be engaged with one of the radius arms on the one hand and the mounting frame on the other hand may be provided.

A wheel drive unit formed on or in the wheel carrier such that a driving moment acting on the wheel is supported on the wheel carrier;
For example, it may have an electric motor. Alternatively or additionally, the wheel module may have a wheel brake, for example a disc brake, formed on or in the wheel carrier such that the braking torque acting on the wheel is supported on the wheel carrier. In addition, the wheel module may include a steering drive, such as a gearbox support motor, formed on or within the mounting frame and engaging the wheel carrier via a steering link mechanism for steering the wheel carrier. Even if a wheel module has a complex structure that allows many functions such as driving, braking, steering, etc. to be integrated into the wheel module, the operational reliability of these assemblies, according to the invention, Since the complete wheel module is arranged on the vehicle so as to be adjustable transversely to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, it is guaranteed for any tracking setting.

Further important features and advantages of the present invention are:
It will be apparent from the dependent claims, the drawings and the following description with reference to the drawings.

Of course, the features mentioned above and to be explained hereinafter can be used not only in the respective specified combinations, but also in other combinations or alone without departing from the scope of the invention.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in the drawings, and a detailed description will be given below based on them.

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, such embodiments do not limit the technical scope of the present invention.
In the drawings, the same or similar components are denoted by the same reference numerals or reference symbols.

1 to 3, a single-seat motor vehicle 1 has a chassis 2 on which a ride seat 3 is arranged.
Having. The riding seat 3 comprises at least one armrest 4 provided on the left or right side of the riding seat 3 with respect to the direction of movement indicated by the arrow 5. Figures 1-3
In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the motor vehicle 1 has two such armrests 4. An operating element 6 for controlling the motor vehicle 1 and various display instruments 7 are arranged at the end of an armrest 4 projecting from the ride seat 3. This actuating element 6 is here referred to as a so-called “side sti”.
ck) ".

A front wheel axle assembly 9, shown in wavy brackets on the figure, is located on the chassis 2 by a front wheel axle extension 8. The front wheel axle extension 8 comprises an extension housing 12 connected to a front wheel axle assembly 9;
An extension rod 13 can be extended from the housing 12 in the axial direction.
Attached to the chassis 2 at their ends facing away from the extension housing 12. Thus, the distance between the front wheel axle 14 and the chassis 2 can be changed to adjust its wheelbase.

Similarly, a rear wheel axle group 1 indicated by waveform brackets
0 is connected to the chassis 2 by the locker 11.
The rocker 11 includes, on the one hand, drive means (not shown) which enable a turning adjustment of the rear wheel axle assembly 10 with respect to the rocker 11, during which the rear wheel axle 15
Is rotationally adjusted about a rear wheel axle turning shaft 16 which is parallel to the rear wheel axle axis 15. On the other hand, this locker 11
Is mounted on the chassis 2 so as to be pivotable about a rocker pivot axis 17 and, together with the rear wheel axle assembly 10 mounted thereon, is pivoted about a rocker pivot axis 17 parallel to the rear wheel axis 15. Is adjusted.

In FIGS. 1A and 1B, the motor vehicle 1 is set to the high-speed movement mode, and
Has a relatively large, in particular the largest, wheelbase, ie the axles 14 and 15 are at a relatively large distance from each other. Further, since the boarding seat 3 is disposed at a relatively low position in this high-speed movement mode, the center of gravity of the entire vehicle is at a particularly low position. further,
The motor vehicle 1 shown here has a relatively wide, in particular the largest, tracking in both its front axle assembly 9 and the rear wheel axle assembly 10, ie the motor vehicle 1 shown here respectively Front wheels 18 and 1 assigned to axle assemblies 9 and 10 of
8 'and between the rear wheels 19 and 19' respectively.

In order to change the motor vehicle 1 to the low-speed movement mode shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the rocker 11 turns clockwise around the rocker turning shaft 17, and as a result, As a result, the distance between the ride seat 3 and the ground 20 on which the motor vehicle 1 is mounted increases. At the same time, its wheelbase is slightly reduced. Further, the rear wheel axle assembly 10 pivots clockwise about the rear wheel pivot 16 and additionally reduces its wheelbase. Finally, for the low-speed travel mode, the tracking of the front wheel axle assembly 9 and the tracking of the rear wheel axle assembly 10 can be arbitrarily reduced, and for this purpose at least to the front wheel axle assembly 9 based on FIG. A tracking adjustment means as described in detail is provided. During this adjustment process, measures not described in detail ensure that the relative alignment of the ride seat 3 with respect to the ground 20 is maintained.

In order to change the motor vehicle 1 to the transport mode shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the rocker 11 is turned counterclockwise about the rocker turning shaft 17, and the rider is again boarded. The height of the seat 3 is reduced. In addition, the rear wheel axle assembly 10 is pivoted clockwise about the rear wheel axle pivot 16 to a maximum extent to minimize the distance between the rear wheel axle 15 and the chassis 2. Further, since the extension rod 13 is retracted to the maximum extent in the extension housing 12, the front wheel axle 14 is also
And the wheelbase of the motor vehicle 1 is minimized as a whole.

As shown in FIG. 4, the front wheel axle assembly 9
Consists essentially of two wheel modules 21 and 21 'shown in FIG. Each wheel module 21, 21 'forms a respective wheel suspension system of the respectively assigned wheel 18 or 18'. Each of this modular wheel suspension system 21 or 21 'is hereinafter referred to as both the wheel suspension system and the wheel module.

FIG. 4 shows the longitudinal direction 5 of the vehicle when viewed from the rear to the front.

These wheel modules 21 and 21 '
Are designed to be mirror-symmetrical to one another with respect to the longitudinal vertical plane of the vehicle, and this mirror symmetry is also repeated in the individual components of the wheel module. For this reason, the wheel suspension system or wheel modules 21, 21 'and their components have the same reference signs, the reference signs on the right in the direction of movement are always marked with an additional stroke ('). For simplicity, double numbering is generally omitted, so that only one reference number is given to components located on both the left and right sides.

The wheel module 21 has a plurality of guide rods 23 running parallel to one another and transverse to the longitudinal direction 5 of the vehicle, in this case a mounting frame 22 mounted on the vehicle by four guide rods. These guide rods 23 support the entire front wheel axle assembly 9
To change the wheelbase,
Is coupled to the extension housing 12 so as to be adjustable.

Since the mounting frame 22 is slidably mounted on these guide rods 23, the mounting frame 22 can be adjusted in the lateral direction with respect to the longitudinal direction 5 of the vehicle. Two spindle rods 24 extending parallel to each other and transverse to the longitudinal direction 5 of the vehicle,
It serves as a drive for making this lateral adjustment. These spindle rods 24 are here divided into two, two spindle rod halves 25 and 25 ′, one assigned to the left wheel module 21 and the other to the right wheel module 21 ′.
The two spindle rod halves 25 and 25 ′ of the spindle rod 24 are connected to each other by a coupling 26 located close to the longitudinal center plane of the vehicle,
This coupling 26 allows any relative rotation between the two spindle rod halves 25 and 25 '.

As shown in FIG. 4, one spindle rod 24 and two guide rods 23 corresponding to the spindle rod 24 located above and below the spindle rod 24 may be disposed on substantially the same plane. it can.

The wheel suspension system 21 includes:
Motor 2 connected to input end of corner gear mechanism 31 or 32 via flexible drive shafts 29 and 30
8 (not shown here in detail). Each spindle rod half 25 is connected to the output end of this corner gear mechanism 31 or 32. These spindle rods 24
The internal thread (not shown here) passes through the mounting frame 22 through an opening 33 or 34 formed therein, for example in the form of a nut. Thus, rotational adjustment of the spindle rod 24 or of the corresponding spindle rod half 25 results in an axial adjustment of the mounting frame 22 along the spindle rod 24.

The wheel carrier 37 is mounted on the mounting frame 22 so as to be turn-adjustable by a double transverse steering arm arrangement formed by a lower transverse steering arm 35 and an upper transverse steering arm 36. The radius arms 35 and 36 on the mounting frame 22 are each pivotally adjustable here about a pivot axis running parallel to the longitudinal direction 5 of the vehicle, but furthermore have ball bearing mounts 38 formed on a wheel carrier 37. Allows rotational adjustment of the wheel carrier 37 about a vertical axis running via upper and lower bearings.

A spring / damper assembly 39 supporting the lower transverse steering arm 35, and therefore the wheel carrier 37 mounted thereon, engages the lower transverse steering arm 35 on the mounting frame 22. Instead of or in addition to the spring / damper assembly 39, the wheel carrier 3
There may be provided a kingpin angle adjustment device that can be used to change the kingpin angle of wheels 18 mounted on 7. In order to mount the wheels 18, the wheel carriers 37
Are equipped with wheel bearings (not shown here).

The wheel carrier 37 has, on the side facing away from the wheel 18, a motor 40 forming a drive, near the wheel, for each wheel 18 assigned to it. Preferably, the wheel carrier 37 forms one unit with the electric motor 40 formed thereon for an integrated design. In this case, it is clear that a gearbox can be located between the output shaft of the motor 40 (not shown) and the drive shaft of the wheels 18 (not shown) to connect them. If there is a brake disc (not shown) on the drive shaft of the wheels 18 inside the wheel carrier 37 that interacts with a brake caliper arrangement housed in and supported on the wheel carrier 37, the drive moment and Both the braking moment and the wheel carrier 3
Acts directly on 7.

The mounting frame 22 is housed inside the mounting frame 22, and in particular, the motor 4 supported by a gearbox.
2 also comprises a steering drive 41 comprising
Is represented here by a dashed line. According to FIG. 4, the drive shaft 43 of the steering drive unit 41 projects upward from the mounting frame 22 and drives a steering lever 44 attached thereto. This steering lever 44 is connected via a steering rod 45 to a wheel carrier 37 having for this purpose a steering arm 46 with which a steering rod 45 is engaged.
The drive shaft 43 of the electric motor 42 is
The first gear wheel 47 that drives the gear wheel 49 is fixedly coupled with respect to the rotation of the first gear wheel 47. Here, the second gear wheel 49 is attached to the mounting frame 22 and forms a component of the vibration damping coupling 50 that attenuates the adjusting movement of the steering drive unit 41.

The drive shaft 43 of the steering drive unit 41 also projects downward from the mounting frame 22 opposite to the steering lever 44 according to FIG. 4, and for example, a steering angle actual value that can be formed by a potentiometer. It is coupled to the transmitter 51 at the mounting frame 22. In this way, the actual steering angle at a predetermined time can be sensed.

As is evident from FIG. 4, the wheel module or wheel suspension system 2
All of the components are mounted or mounted on the associated mounting frame 22, so that adjustment of the mounting frame 22 along the spindle rod 24 results in adjustment of the entire wheel module 21. The relationship between the individual elements
Since they do not change during this adjustment, the functions assigned to these elements are retained without restriction, ensuring that reliable driving, reliable braking and reliable steering are performed for any tracking setting. Since a separate tracking adjustment drive 27 is provided for each wheel module 21 and 21 ′, the adjustment of these modules 21 and 21 ′ in the transverse direction with respect to the longitudinal direction 5 of the vehicle may be independent of each other. It is also possible to synchronize with each other.

The front wheels 18 are completely electronically steered, and the associated steering control during cornering can also easily produce different steering lock angles for the left front wheel 18 and the right front wheel 18 '. If not, it must be achieved mechanically by complex steering kinematics. Particular advantages for individual wheel steering systems are also
The incorrect steering lock angle of one of the wheels 18 and 18 'can be compensated by over-steering the other respective wheel, thereby increasing vehicle safety.

The scope of protection of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, but extends to the inventions described in the claims and their equivalents.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view (a) and a front view (b) of a single-seat motor vehicle in a high-speed movement mode.

FIG. 2 is a side view (a) and a front view (b) of the vehicle shown in FIG. 1 in a low-speed traveling mode.

FIG. 3 (a) is a side view of the vehicle shown in FIG. 1 in a transportation mode.
It is and front view (b).

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the front wheel axle assembly of the vehicle shown in FIG. 1 with two wheel suspension systems embodied in accordance with the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1. Vehicle / Single seat motor vehicle 2. Chassis 3. Armrest 4. Ride seat 5. 5. Longitudinal direction of vehicle Actuating element Display device 8. 8. Front wheel axle extension Front wheel axle assembly 10. 10. Rear wheel axle assembly Locker 12. Extension housing 13. Extension rod 14. Front wheel axle line 15. Rear wheel axle line 16. Rear wheel axle turning axis 17. Rocker swivel axis 18. Front wheel 19. Rear wheel 20. Ground / roadway 21. Wheel suspension system / wheel module 22. Mounting frame 23. Guide rod 24. Spindle rod 25. Spindle rod half split 26. Coupling 27. Spindle rod drive unit 28. Drive motor 29. Flexible drive shaft 30. Flexible drive shaft 31. Corner gear mechanism 32. Corner gear mechanism 33. Opening for 24 in 22. 34. Opening for 24 in 22. 35. Lower crossing steering arm 36. Upper crossing steering arm 37. Wheel carrier 38. Ball bearing 39. Spring / damper assembly 40. Electric motor 41. Steering drive unit 42. Electric motor 43. Drive shaft 44. Steering lever 45. Steering rod 46. Steering arm 47. First gear wheel 48. Chain 49. Second gear wheel 50. Vibration suppression coupling 51. Potentiometer / steering angle actual value transmitter

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) B60K 7/00 B60K 7/00 B62D 5/04 B62D 5/04 (72) Inventor Ralph Hetif Germany 71394 Kernen-Aberto Moselstrasse 32 (72) Inventor Guenter Hierchel, Germany 73269 Hofdord Imstock 5

Claims (15)

[Claims] At least one rider seat (3) arranged on a chassis (2) and wheels (18, 1) adjustably or pivotably arranged on said chassis (2).
9), wherein at least two of the wheels are provided with a drive (40) for enabling at least two movement speeds, the wheel suspension system being assigned to the wheel suspension system (21). A tracking adjustment device (27, 28, 31, 32, 23, 24, which allows the wheels (18) to be adjusted laterally to the longitudinal direction (5) of the vehicle.
25. A wheel suspension system for a motor vehicle comprising a wheel carrier mounted on a mounting frame (22) so as to be pivotable by at least one radius arm (35, 36) and mounting the wheels (18). (37), wherein the mounting frame (22) is arranged on the vehicle (1) such that the mounting frame (22) can be adjusted in a lateral direction with respect to a longitudinal direction (5) of the vehicle by the tracking adjustment device. A wheel suspension system for an automobile. 2. The motor vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising spring / damper means (39) for directly or indirectly supporting the wheel carrier (37) on the mounting frame (22). Wheel suspension system. 3. The wheel carrier (37) is coupled to the wheel carrier (37) and the mounting frame (22).
Upper transverse steering arm (3
6) and a dual transverse steering arm arrangement (35, 36) comprising the wheel carrier (37) and a lower transverse steering arm (35) engaging in a lower section of the mounting frame (22). Mounting frame (22)
The wheel suspension system according to claim 1, wherein the wheel suspension system is mounted so as to be able to turn upward. 4. The spring / damper means (39) is connected to one of the transverse steering arms (35) and the mounting frame (2).
4. The method of claim 2, wherein
A wheel suspension system for a motor vehicle according to claim 1. 5. The wheel suspension system for a motor vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising a kingpin angle setting unit. 6. A wheel drive (40), such as an electric motor, on the wheel carrier (37) or so that a driving moment acting on the wheel (18) is supported on the wheel carrier (37). The wheel suspension system for a motor vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the wheel suspension system is formed inside. 7. A wheel brake such as a disc brake is formed on or in the wheel carrier (37) such that a braking torque acting on the wheel (18) is supported on the wheel carrier (37). The wheel suspension system for a motor vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein 8. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the wheel carrier (37) is pivotable about a substantially vertical axis to perform a steering movement of the wheel (18).
Wheel suspension system for a motor vehicle according to any of the preceding claims, mounted on two radius arms (35, 36). 9. A steering drive unit (41) such as an electric motor (42).
Is formed on or in the mounting frame (22), and is provided to the wheel carrier (37) via a steering link mechanism (44, 45, 46) in order to perform steering of the wheel carrier (37). The wheel suspension system for a motor vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the wheel suspension system engages. 10. The mounting frame (22) mounted on at least one guide rod (23) extending transversely to the longitudinal direction (5) of the vehicle. Item 10. A wheel suspension system for a motor vehicle according to any one of Items 1 to 9. 11. A spindle drive with at least one spindle rod (24), said spindle rod (24) extending transversely to the longitudinal direction (5) of the vehicle; 2. A lateral adjustment of said mounting frame (22) by rotation.
11. The wheel suspension system for an automotive vehicle according to any one of claims 10 to 10. 12. Two guide rods (23) are provided for each said spindle rod (24), said spindle rod (24) and said associated guide rod (23).
The wheel suspension system according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the wheel suspension system is disposed so as to be substantially on the same plane. 13. A riding seat (3) arranged for a vehicle, in particular a chassis (2), and wheels (18, 19) arranged adjustable or pivotable on said chassis (2).
Two wheels (18, 18) for a single seat motor vehicle (1), wherein at least two of said wheels are provided with a drive (40) enabling at least two speeds of movement.
18 '), in particular a front wheel axle assembly, wherein the wheel suspension system (21, 2) for a motor vehicle according to any of the preceding claims.
1 ') is provided for each wheel (18), said two wheel suspension systems (21, 21') being substantially mirror symmetric with respect to a longitudinal vertical center plane of said vehicle (1). Axle assembly. 14. The two wheel suspension systems (21, 21 ′) are mounted on a same guide rod or a plurality of guide rods, and the same one spindle rod or the same plurality of spindle rods (2, 21 ′).
14. The axle assembly according to claim 13, which interacts with 4). 15. A wheel seat (3) arranged on a chassis (2), and wheels (18, 19) arranged adjustably or pivotably on said chassis (2), said wheels being provided. A single-seat motor vehicle having at least two of the following: a drive (40) allowing at least two travel speeds, wherein the wheels (18) lying on at least one axle (14) are: A single-seat motor vehicle mounted on the vehicle (1) together with the axle assembly (9) according to any one of items 13 and 14.