ES2944602B2 - Tilting system for vehicles - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION

Tilting system for vehicles

TECHNICAL SECTOR

The present invention relates to a vehicle tilting system.

The object of the invention is to provide lateral inclination to vehicles with at least three wheels, of which two of them are arranged in parallel on the same axis, giving them greater stability and safety when driving.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

47% of accidents with fatalities are linked to vehicle stability. This figure rises to 49% on interurban roads. In light of these figures, manufacturers of 2-wheeled vehicles have paid special attention to this type of problem by incorporating systems that allow for greater stability in all circumstances. These systems integrate additional wheels, resulting in three- or four-wheeled vehicles with dynamics similar to those of motorcycles.

Users understand that the safety offered by three or four wheels with the classic dynamics of motorcycles improves the stability of the vehicles and they look for the safest and most efficient way to move around.

The first mass-produced vehicle to incorporate this type of solution with more than 2 wheels was the Piaggio MP3 scooter in 2006, so it is a relatively young market more due to evolution than time, since for many years it was the only model with this type of solution. The market has grown and there are currently more factories involved in similar solutions such as Gilera, Yamaha, Peugeot, Kimco, Sym, Quadro, with many engine configurations in 3 and 4 wheels, with the manufacturer Quadro being the one that offers these products.

The background to the present invention, the tilting system for vehicles, with the users seated one behind the other, the following vehicles exist, Toyota I-road, Icona E3wm, Peugeot EU-live, in these cases the mass of the vehicle and occupants is centered so that it does not become unbalanced when driving, like a two-wheeled vehicle in parallel, motorcycle, scooter or similar.

There are currently several vehicle tilting systems known. The problem with these mechanisms is the complexity of the system and its use, which means that their adaptability to any type of vehicle is limited. The current invention provides a simple system that can be adapted to different vehicles with three or more wheels.

This development incorporates the tilting system in an electrically propelled vehicle in which the arrangement of the masses or seats for the users does not have to be centered, in line or tandem, but can be parallel, or asymmetrical loads without the vehicle becoming unbalanced when driving thanks to the tilting system, taking advantage of the weight shift, it displaces the center of gravity of the vehicle towards the inside of the curve, allowing the running gear to be balanced with the rest of the vehicle and to be integrated with the main dynamics systems, steering, suspension, braking, traction and other electronic systems. The tilting system modifies the position of the center of gravity, improving grip.

The main advantage compared to cars and motorcycles is the active safety of passengers, as it improves the guidance of both running gears. In accordance with motorcycles and scooters, 3-4 wheel models, the tilting system configuration prevents falling or tipping over, offering greater safety for passengers.

EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION

The tilting system fully satisfactorily resolves the problem described above, providing an effective solution.

The tilting system for vehicles, object of the invention, comprises two sets of articulated bar mechanisms, one for each wheel, comprising two mechanisms with four articulated bars and a crank-sliding rod system. All the fixed points of the mechanisms are connected to the chassis, which acts as the frame for the mechanism.

This system, with the longitudinal movement of the slide, makes the bar mechanisms move inversely to each other, and it is this movement that creates a difference in height in the wheels that is transformed into the inclination of the vehicle.

The movement is initiated by the steering wheel, which, connected by the tilt column, allows the longitudinal movement of the slide, so that, together with the crank-rod-slide system, it makes the wheels, at the same time as the vehicle tilts, turn in the desired direction, in both directions, right and left.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To complement the description being made and in order to help better understand the characteristics of the invention, a set of drawings is included as an integral part of said description, in which the following has been represented for illustrative and non-limiting purposes:

Figure 1.- Shows a rear elevation view of the tilt system when in the neutral position.

Figure 2.- Shows a plan view of the tilt system when it is in the neutral position.

Figure 3.- Shows an isometric view of the tilt system when in the neutral position.

Figure 4.- Shows a rear elevation view of the system when tilted to the left.

Figure 5.- Shows a plan view of the system when tilted to the left. Figure 6.- Shows a rear elevation view of the system when tilted to the right.

Figure 7.- Shows a plan view of the system when tilted to the right. Figure 8.- Shows the bar diagram of the tilt system in neutral position.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

The following is a description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, provided for illustrative purposes, but not limiting thereof.

In Figure 1, 2 and 3, the tilting system can be observed in neutral position. The movement of the system starts with a turn of the steering wheel (1), which, connected through the tilt column (2), allows a circular movement to be transformed into a linear one by means of the pinion (3) and rack (4) system, connected to the slide (5), which moves along a guide (14) connected to the chassis (15). The linear movement of the slide (5) pushes and/or stretches the shock absorbers (6), which with a high damping constant allow them not to be compressed, so that the movement is transmitted to the rocker (7), which, connected to the push bar (8), causes the lower arm (9) to rotate with respect to the point of connection with the chassis (15) and this movement causes the steering knuckle (10) and wheel (11) to rise vertically.

Because the geometry formed by the upper arms (13), lower arms (9), steering knuckle (10) and the chassis (15) form a parallelogram, this movement between the steering knuckle (10) and the chassis (15) will always be parallel to the vertical median plane of the mechanism.

The rotation movement of the wheels (11) with respect to the vertical axis, which causes the vehicle to turn, is due to the fact that the horizontal distance of the wheels (11) with respect to the vertical median plane of the mechanism increases if it is on the inside of the curve and decreases if it is on the outside. By joining the chassis (15) with a mobile part that allows the movement of the wheel (11) on the vertical axis of the steering knuckle (10) through a rigid bar (12) with joints at the ends, it means that, as this distance cannot be varied, the wheels (11) turn.

In Figure 4 and 5, you can see how turning the steering wheel (1) to the left moves the slide (5) to the right and how the inner wheel goes up and turns to the left and the outer wheel goes down and turns to the left as well.

In Figure 6 and 7, you can see how turning the steering wheel (1) to the right moves the slide (5) to the left and how the inner wheel goes up and turns to the right and the outer wheel goes down and turns to the right as well.

Figure 8 shows the bar diagram of the tilt system. This diagram allows the basic mechanism and its connections to be observed.

Claims (6)

1. Lateral tilting system for a vehicle with three or more wheels, two of them in parallel on the same axis, comprising a steering wheel (1) which, by means of the rotation movement connected through the tilt column (2), transforms a circular movement into a linear one by means of the pinion (3) and rack (4) system, connected to the slide (5), which moves along a guide (14) connected to the chassis (15). This linear movement of the slide (5) displaces the shock absorbers (6), so that the movement is transmitted to the rocker arm (7), which, connected to the push rod (8), causes the lower arm (9) to rotate with respect to the point of connection with the chassis (15) and this movement causes the steering knuckle (10) and wheel (11) to rise vertically, which by geometry will always be parallel to the vertical median plane of the mechanism. The rotation movement of the wheels (11) with respect to the vertical axis causes the vehicle to turn, which by joining the chassis (15) with the steering knuckle (10) through a rigid bar (12) causes the wheels (11) to turn and the entire system to tilt with respect to the vertical axis. 2. The system according to claim 1, which comprises the zipper system (4). 3. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein it comprises electric and/or thermal propulsion. 4. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein it comprises a vehicle with a steering wheel (1). 5. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein it comprises the tilting system by mechanical and/or electrical drive on the linear movement of the slide (5). 6. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the steering wheel (1) and tilt column (2) arrangement is off-center.