An over actuated system capable of controlling wheel parameters, such as speed (e.g., by torque and braking), steering angles, caster angles, camber angles, and toe angles, of wheels in an associated vehicle. The system may determine the associated vehicle is in a rollover state and adjust wheel parameters to prevent vehicle rollover. Additionally, the system may determine a driving state and dynamically adjust wheel parameters to optimize driving, including, for example, cornering and parking. Such a system may also dynamically detect wheel misalignment and provide alignment and/or corrective driving solutions. Further, by utilizing degenerate solutions for driving, the system may also estimate tire-surface parameterization data for various road surfaces and make such estimates available for other vehicles via a network.

An over actuated system capable of controlling wheel parameters, such as speed (e.g., by torque and braking), steering angles, caster angles, camber angles, and toe angles, of wheels in an associated vehicle. The system may determine the associated vehicle is in a rollover state and adjust wheel parameters to prevent vehicle rollover. Additionally, the system may determine a driving state and dynamically adjust wheel parameters to optimize driving, including, for example, cornering and parking. Such a system may also dynamically detect wheel misalignment and provide alignment and/or corrective driving solutions. Further, by utilizing degenerate solutions for driving, the system may also estimate tire-surface parameterization data for various road surfaces and make such estimates available for other vehicles via a network.

A steering assembly for a motor vehicle has a wheel carrier to which a wheel can be secured, a strut via which the wheel carrier is mounted on a vehicle body in an articulated manner, a first transverse link mounted on the wheel carrier in an articulated manner, and a second transverse link mounted on the wheel carrier in an articulated manner. The first transverse link and the second transverse link are coupled to one another on their side facing away from the wheel carrier by a connection member. The connection member is rotatably mounted on the vehicle body.

Machine for cutting to size rolls with a defined length from logs having a greater length using a conveyor belts to drive the log to a cutting blade. Photocells are used to determine the length of the longs and to assist with the overall workings of the machine.

The invention relates to a wheel drive module (1) for driving and steering a wheel (30), comprising the wheel (30), a first drive motor (11), a second drive motor (21), and a transmission, wherein the wheel (30) can be driven and steered simultaneously by the first drive motor (11) and the second drive motor (21) via the transmission, wherein a first motor shaft (12) for driving the transmission extends from the first drive motor (11) in a first motor shaft direction (12′), a second motor shaft (22) for driving the transmission extends from the second drive motor (21) in a second motor shaft direction (22′), the first motor shaft direction (12′) and the second motor shaft direction (22′) are opposite each other, and the first drive motor (11) and the second drive motor (21) extend parallel to the first and second motor shaft directions (12′, 22′) over a common overlap section (Ü).

Some embodiments may provide a suspension unit that may include a rail having a longitudinal axis, a sliding member slidably connected to the rail, and shock absorption and springing means adapted to damp motions and support forces along the longitudinal axis of the rail, wherein, the rail and the sliding member are shaped to have transverse cross-sectional profiles that prevent a rotational movement of the sliding member with respect to the rail about the longitudinal axis of the rail. In some embodiments, the suspension unit may be part of an in-wheel system further including at least a steering unit.

For a vehicle having left and right powered front wheels and a rear axle having left and right casters, with at least one of the casters being steerable, the steering angle of the steerable caster is controlled when the vehicle is stationary and executing a direction orientation maneuver prior to transitioning to a turn. The rotations of the steerable caster and at least one of the left and right wheels may be autonomously adjusted using a controller. The controller rotates the steerable caster about a caster axis in a direction consistent with the direction of the turn through a steering angle proportion to the magnitude of the turn, and rotates at least one of the left and right wheels to turn the vehicle in a direction consistent with the direction of the turn and in proportion to the magnitude of the turn.

A support system for a vehicle includes a base and at least a first and a second support arm. Each of the first and the second support arms include a base end pivotally coupled to the base through a respective hinge assembly. Each of the first and the second support arms further include a distal end opposite the base end. The support system also includes a respective wheel assembly coupled to each distal end. Each wheel assembly includes an independently powered and steerable wheel configured to engage a travel surface, a propelling motor configured to drive a respective first support arm between a stowed condition and a deployed condition unaided while the vehicle remains stationary, and a steer actuator configured to change an angle of the wheel with respect to a respective support arm.

A support system for a vehicle includes a base and at least a first and a second support arm. Each of the first and the second support arms include a base end pivotally coupled to the base through a respective hinge assembly. Each of the first and the second support arms further include a distal end opposite the base end. The support system also includes a respective wheel assembly coupled to each distal end. Each wheel assembly includes an independently powered and steerable wheel configured to engage a travel surface, a propelling motor configured to drive a respective first support arm between a stowed condition and a deployed condition unaided while the vehicle remains stationary, and a steer actuator configured to change an angle of the wheel with respect to a respective support arm.

Some embodiments may provide a suspension unit that may include a rail having a longitudinal axis, a sliding member slidably connected to the rail, and shock absorption and springing means adapted to damp motions and support forces along the longitudinal axis of the rail, wherein, the rail and the sliding member are shaped to have transverse cross-sectional profiles that prevent a rotational movement of the sliding member with respect to the rail about the longitudinal axis of the rail. In some embodiments, the suspension unit may be part of an in-wheel system further including at least a steering unit.