An articulation system (1) for interconnecting first and second vehicle units of an articulated road vehicle comprises a central element (2) including a vertical cylinder with left and right arcuate walls (4) extending between two facing openings. First and second interconnecting structures (5) are joined to the central element (2) and are adapted to be respectively attached to the first and second vehicle units on opposed sides of the central element (2). Each interconnecting structure has a pitch joint member (5a) and a yaw joint member (5b). The pitch joint member (5a) has a frame (7) perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of a corresponding one of the first and second vehicle units and a pitch hinge mechanism (6) at a floor level to interconnect with the corresponding one of the first and second vehicle units. The yaw joint member (5b) has a frame (8) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the corresponding one of the first and second vehicle units and left and right arcuate walls juxtaposed to the left and right arcuate walls (4) of the vertical cylinder and rotatable therearound. The frame (7) of the pitch joint member (5a) and the frame (8) of the yaw joint member (5b) are juxtaposed and mechanically linked to jointly form a planar roll joint mechanism.
A semi-independent suspension system adapted for a rear or front drive and optionally steerable axle system of a low-floor heavy vehicle, comprising a twist beam axle assembly (1), a Panhard rod (8), and a pair of spring and shock absorber systems (9). The twist beam axle assembly (1) comprises a pair of rigid longitudinal trailing arms (3), a pair of wheel mounting members to lower the cross-beam relative to the wheel axis (2) and a straight cross-beam (7). The cross-beam is set in the right and left trailing arms and the wheel mounting members by an interference fit technique. The cross-beam (7) has an open-section and is rigid in bending but flexible in torsion. The shape of the cross-section is specifically tailored to increase and control each of the vertical and horizontal bending stiffness (7). The cross-section is characterized by having horizontal and vertical lines of symmetry, but with asymmetric horizontal and vertical geometries. The combination of features of the twist beam axle assembly (1) provides for a full flat floor without slope or extra height over the axle.
B60G 21/05 - Interconnection systems for two or more resiliently-suspended wheels, e.g. for stabilising a vehicle body with respect to acceleration, deceleration or centrifugal forces permanently interconnected mechanically between wheels on the same axle but on different sides of the vehicle, i.e. the left and right wheel suspensions being interconnected
B60G 3/14 - Resilient suspensions for a single wheel with a single pivoted arm the arm being essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle the arm being rigid
4.
Planar space frame for vehicle structure and housing of components
A planar space frame for a unibody panel of a vehicle comprises a core mounted onto the bottom side of a load bearing panel. The core is a 3-D truss including a series of triangular prisms. The triangular prisms have a specific pattern of alternating triangular openings on each of their three lateral faces. For each triangular prism, triangular openings located on the lateral face which is part of a planar layer are alternating right triangles placed two by two to form rectangular units. The right triangles are arranged to have the edges on each side of the right angles aligned with the edges of the planar layer. The triangular openings located on the two inclined lateral faces of each triangular prism, are alternating isosceles triangles placed two by two to form rhomboid units. This combination of triangles provides structural strength and housing functionality.
E04C 2/08 - Building elements of relatively thin form for the construction of parts of buildings, e.g. sheet materials, slabs, or panels characterised by specified materials of metal, e.g. sheet metal
E04C 2/34 - Building elements of relatively thin form for the construction of parts of buildings, e.g. sheet materials, slabs, or panels characterised by the shape or structure composed of two or more spaced sheet-like parts
B32B 15/04 - Layered products essentially comprising metal comprising metal as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific substance
B32B 3/10 - Layered products comprising a layer with external or internal discontinuities or unevennesses, or a layer of non-planar shapeLayered products comprising a layer having particular features of form characterised by a discontinuous layer, i.e. apertured or formed of separate pieces of material
B21D 53/88 - Making other particular articles other parts for vehicles, e.g. cowlings, mudguards
B60K 1/04 - Arrangement or mounting of electrical propulsion units of the electric storage means for propulsion
The invention relates to a system for driving the drive wheels (1) of a vehicle, comprising two sets of electric motors (2) and casings (3) (left and right). Each of the casings (3) comprises an input pinion (8) which rotates interdependently with the rotor of one of the electric motors (2) as well as with a set of gears (12) driving the ring gear (7) of a planetary gear set (4). The two planetary gear sets (4) are connected to one another by a connecting means (9) that rotates interdependently with each of the two sun gears (5) (inner planetaries). The planet carrier (6) of each of the planetary gear sets (4) rotates interdependently with a connecting means (11) of one of the drive wheels (1). The two planetary gear sets (4) perform a double differential function. The invention also relates to a method for controlling the electric motors (2) that allows the drive system to be used as a torque converter. The drive system can be fixed to the chassis frame of the vehicle. In addition, the two casings (3) can be located in the wheel cages (13). The connecting means (9) that rotates interdependently with the two sun gears (5) can be located inside the casing of the floor pan (14) of the vehicle. The two electric motors (2) can be located just behind the driven wheels (1).
B60K 1/02 - Arrangement or mounting of electrical propulsion units comprising more than one electric motor
B60K 17/14 - Arrangement or mounting of transmissions in vehicles characterised by arrangement, location or kind of gearing the motor of fluid or electric gearing being disposed in, or adjacent to, traction wheel
B60K 17/30 - Arrangement or mounting of transmissions in vehicles the ultimate propulsive elements, e.g. ground wheels, being steerable
B60K 1/04 - Arrangement or mounting of electrical propulsion units of the electric storage means for propulsion
6.
SEMI-INDEPENDENT SUSPENSION SYSTEM FOR A LOW FLOOR VEHICLE
A semi-independent suspension system adapted for a rear or front drive and optionally steerable axle system of a low-floor heavy vehicle, comprising a twist beam axle assembly (1), a Panhard rod (8), and a pair of spring and shock absorber systems (9). The twist beam axle assembly (1) comprises a pair of rigid longitudinal trailing arms (3), a pair of wheel mounting members to lower the cross-beam relative to the wheel axis (2) and a straight cross-beam (7). The cross-beam is set in the right and left trailing arms and the wheel mounting members by an interference fit technique. The cross-beam (7) has an open-section and is rigid in bending but flexible in torsion. The shape of the cross-section is specifically tailored to increase and control each of the vertical and horizontal bending stiffness (7). The cross-section is characterized by having horizontal and vertical lines of symmetry, but with asymmetric horizontal and vertical geometries. The combination of features of the twist beam axle assembly (1) provides for a full flat floor without slope or extra height over the axle.
B60G 11/20 - Resilient suspensions characterised by arrangement, location, or kind of springs having torsion-bar springs only characterised by means specially adapted for attaching the spring to axle or sprung part of the vehicle
B60G 11/18 - Resilient suspensions characterised by arrangement, location, or kind of springs having torsion-bar springs only
B60G 11/32 - Resilient suspensions characterised by arrangement, location, or kind of springs having springs of different kinds
7.
PLANAR SPACE FRAME FOR VEHICLE STRUCTURE AND HOUSING OF COMPONENTS
A load bearing planar space frame structure assembly (1) for a unibody panel structure of a vehicle comprises a planar space frame core (2) mounted onto the bottom side of a load bearing face panel (3). The space frame core (2) is a three-dimensional truss-like structure made of sheet metal or linear extrusions, and may be viewed as a series of adjacent triangular prisms that extend traverse to the plane of the face panel (3), wherein the triangular prisms have a specific pattern of alternating triangular openings on each of their three lateral faces. For each triangular prism, triangular openings located on the lateral face which is part of a planar layer (8) are alternating right triangles (4a) placed two by two to form rectangular units. The right triangles (4a) thereof are also arranged to have the edges on each side of the right angles aligned with the edges of the planar layer (8). The triangular openings located on the two inclined lateral faces of each triangular prism, are alternating isosceles triangles (4b) placed two by two to form rhomboid units. The combination of features of the planar space frame-like structure provides the functionalities of a structural member of a vehicle chassis or unibody construction with the functionalities of a structural and functional housing for vehicle components.
The invention relates to a system for driving the drive wheels (1) of a vehicle, comprising two sets of electric motors (2) and casings (3) (left and right). Each of the casings (3) comprises an input pinion (8) which rotates interdependently with the rotor of one of the electric motors (2) as well as with a set of gears (12) driving the ring gear (7) of a planetary gear set (4). The two planetary gear sets (4) are connected to one another by a connecting means (9) that rotates interdependently with each of the two sun gears (5) (inner planetaries). The planet carrier (6) of each of the planetary gear sets (4) rotates interdependently with a connecting means (11) of one of the drive wheels (1). The two planetary gear sets (4) perform a double differential function. The invention also relates to a method for controlling the electric motors (2) that allows the drive system to be used as a torque converter. The drive system can be fixed to the chassis frame of the vehicle. In addition, the two casings (3) can be located in the wheel cages (13). The connecting means (9) that rotates interdependently with the two sun gears (5) can be located inside the casing of the floor pan (14) of the vehicle. The two electric motors (2) can be located just behind the driven wheels (1).
B60K 1/02 - Arrangement or mounting of electrical propulsion units comprising more than one electric motor
B60K 15/00 - Arrangement in connection with fuel supply of combustion enginesMounting or construction of fuel tanks
B60K 17/14 - Arrangement or mounting of transmissions in vehicles characterised by arrangement, location or kind of gearing the motor of fluid or electric gearing being disposed in, or adjacent to, traction wheel
B60K 17/22 - Arrangement or mounting of transmissions in vehicles characterised by arrangement, location, or type of main drive shafting, e.g. cardan shaft
B60K 7/00 - Disposition of motor in, or adjacent to, traction wheel
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