Patent classifications
B62D37/00
Anti-tip device for ATV
An anti-tip device for an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) having a T-shaped first support member formed by a first section and a second section with opposing left and right ends. A trailing end of the first section mounts between the ends of the second section. A leading end of the first section removably connects to the rear end of the ATV. A ground contact member is located on the T-shaped first support member and includes a bottom that is spaced away from the ground surface when front and rear wheels of the ATV are in contact with the ground surface. The ground contact member contacts the ground surface when the front wheel rotates about the rear wheel and away from the ground surface in order to prevent rotation that would cause the front wheel of the ATV to tip backwards over the rear wheel.
Modifying aerodynamic performance of a vehicle
Embodiments of the present invention provide airflow apparatus for a vehicle comprising: an airflow duct extending rearwardly from a front region of said vehicle, the airflow duct having an airflow inlet and an airflow outlet; a cooling duct, separate from the airflow duct, the cooling duct having a cooling inlet and a cooling outlet, wherein the airflow outlet is in proximity to the cooling outlet such that, in use, airflow through said airflow outlet influences airflow through said cooling outlet, the cooling outlet and/or the airflow outlet is in a bonnet of the vehicle and, in use, airflow exits the airflow outlet substantially parallel said bonnet.
Friction drive system and methods for use
An example implementation includes a robotic system including a first wheel and a second wheel configured to rotate about a first axis. Each wheel of the first wheel and the second wheel includes a contact surface and a motor coupled to a rotatable component. Each motor is configured to rotate the rotatable component about a respective second axis. The rotatable component is frictionally engaged with the contact surface such that a rotation of the rotatable component about the respective second axis is translated to a rotation of the wheel about the first axis. The robotic system further includes a controller configured to operate the motor of the first wheel and the motor of the second wheel in order to cause the robotic system to maintain its balance and navigate within an environment based on data received from one or more sensors.
Friction drive system and methods for use
An example implementation includes a robotic system including a first wheel and a second wheel configured to rotate about a first axis. Each wheel of the first wheel and the second wheel includes a contact surface and a motor coupled to a rotatable component. Each motor is configured to rotate the rotatable component about a respective second axis. The rotatable component is frictionally engaged with the contact surface such that a rotation of the rotatable component about the respective second axis is translated to a rotation of the wheel about the first axis. The robotic system further includes a controller configured to operate the motor of the first wheel and the motor of the second wheel in order to cause the robotic system to maintain its balance and navigate within an environment based on data received from one or more sensors.
VEHICLE TRACTION ENHANCEMENT SYSTEM
A vehicle with vehicle traction enhancement system providing increased tractive force is disclosed. The traction enhancement system includes a thruster. The thruster includes a prime mover and an air pressure generator. The traction enhancement system further includes an energy storage to provide energy for the prime mover. The thruster is mounted on vehicle chassis structure, el body, and/or suspension, substantially vertical to the vehicle to provide an upward thrust to the vehicle to increase the reactive downward normal force to provide the enhanced tractive force.
VEHICLE TRACTION ENHANCEMENT SYSTEM
A vehicle with vehicle traction enhancement system providing increased tractive force is disclosed. The traction enhancement system includes a thruster. The thruster includes a prime mover and an air pressure generator. The traction enhancement system further includes an energy storage to provide energy for the prime mover. The thruster is mounted on vehicle chassis structure, el body, and/or suspension, substantially vertical to the vehicle to provide an upward thrust to the vehicle to increase the reactive downward normal force to provide the enhanced tractive force.
CONTROL OF A PERSONAL TRANSPORTER BASED ON USER POSITION
An apparatus controller for prompting a rider to be positioned on a vehicle in such a manner as to reduce lateral instability due to lateral acceleration of the vehicle. The apparatus has an input for receiving specification from the rider of a desired direction of travel, and indicating means for reflecting to the rider a propitious instantaneous body orientation to enhance stability in the face of lateral acceleration. The indicating may include a handlebar that is pivotable with respect to the vehicle and that is driven in response to vehicle turning.
CONTROL OF A PERSONAL TRANSPORTER BASED ON USER POSITION
An apparatus controller for prompting a rider to be positioned on a vehicle in such a manner as to reduce lateral instability due to lateral acceleration of the vehicle. The apparatus has an input for receiving specification from the rider of a desired direction of travel, and indicating means for reflecting to the rider a propitious instantaneous body orientation to enhance stability in the face of lateral acceleration. The indicating may include a handlebar that is pivotable with respect to the vehicle and that is driven in response to vehicle turning.
Integrated chassis control
A control system for a vehicle includes a plurality of vehicle actuators that are operable to affect actual chassis-level accelerations, a vehicle intelligence unit that determines a motion plan, a vehicle motion control unit that determines a chassis-level motion request based on the motion plan, and a chassis control unit that determines actuator commands for the plurality of vehicle actuators based on the chassis-level motion request.
Integrated chassis control
A control system for a vehicle includes a plurality of vehicle actuators that are operable to affect actual chassis-level accelerations, a vehicle intelligence unit that determines a motion plan, a vehicle motion control unit that determines a chassis-level motion request based on the motion plan, and a chassis control unit that determines actuator commands for the plurality of vehicle actuators based on the chassis-level motion request.