B62D9/002

Deployable quad vehicle
11305816 · 2022-04-19 · ·

The disclosure provides an electric quad vehicle, a control system, and method of operation. The electric quad vehicle may include a central hub and four legs, each pivotably mounted to the central hub, each leg including an electric motor rotatably coupled to a wheel. Each leg may include a joint allowing the leg to bend to a retracted state with the wheel adjacent the central hub. The electric quad vehicle may include handle bars extending from the central hub including rider controls of acceleration and steering. The electric quad vehicle may include a control system configured to translate rider input to the rider controls into control signals for each of the electric motors.

Automation methods for UAV perching on pipes

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) autonomously perching on a curved surface from a starting position is provided. The UAV includes: a 3D depth camera configured to capture and output 3D point clouds of scenes from the UAV including the curved surface; a 2D LIDAR system configured to capture and output 2D slices of the scenes; and a control circuit. The control circuit is configured to: control the depth camera and the LIDAR system to capture the 3D point clouds and the 2D slices, respectively, of the scenes; input the captured 3D point clouds from the depth camera and the captured 2D slices from the LIDAR system; autonomously detect and localize the curved surface using the captured 3D point clouds and 2D slices; and autonomously direct the UAV from the starting position to a landing position on the curved surface based on the autonomous detection and localization of the curved surface.

Vehicle and method for steering the vehicle

A vehicle comprising a steering axle, a steering device configured to steer the steering axle, wherein a steering wheel angle can be input via the steering device, wherein the steering wheel angle leadings to a steering angle of wheels of the steering axle, and a quotient of the steering wheel angle to the steering angle defines a steering ratio, a first drive, wherein the first drive allows a wheel-selective distribution of a first torque to the wheels of the steering axle, a second drive, wherein the second drive allows a wheel-selective distribution of a second torque to the wheels of a drive axle, and a controller configured to receive input variables defining driving dynamic variables of the vehicle, wherein the drive dynamic variables allow a change in the steering ratio to ascertained, and the controller outputs control information for distributing the drive torque.

Steering Assistance
20210229740 · 2021-07-29 ·

A vehicle comprising: a body; a pair of wheels each rotatable about a respective rolling axis and each wheel having a centre of mass; and a pair of suspension mechanisms, each wheel being attached to the body of the vehicle by a respective suspension mechanism, the suspension mechanism providing the respective wheel with freedom to move relative to the body of the vehicle in steer about a respective steer axis, the steer axis being offset from the centre of mass of the wheel so that when a different amount of torque is applied to each wheel about the rolling axis the difference in torque causes a steering torque on each wheel about the steer axis of the wheel.

Articulated magnet-bearing legs for UAV landing on curved surfaces

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for landing and perching on a curved ferromagnetic surface is provided. The UAV includes a plurality of articulated legs. Each articulated leg includes: a magnet configured to magnetically attach to the curved ferromagnetic surface; and a magnetic foot for housing the magnet and configured to magnetically articulate towards and attach to the curved ferromagnetic surface using the magnet in a perpendicular orientation with respect to the curved ferromagnetic surface, in response to the UAV approaching the curved ferromagnetic surface, in order to land the UAV on the curved ferromagnetic surface and for the UAV to perch on the curved ferromagnetic surface after the landing. The magnetic foot is configured to remain magnetically attached to the curved ferromagnetic surface while the UAV is perched on the curved ferromagnetic surface.

VEHICLE DIG LOCK SYSTEM
20210253162 · 2021-08-19 ·

A vehicle includes a propulsion system configured to selectively drive at least one wheel of a plurality of wheels, a brake system configured to selectively brake at least one wheel of the plurality of wheels, and a dig lock controller in signal communication with the propulsion system and the brake system. The dig lock controller is configured to, based on a driver request, selectively perform a vehicle rotating dig lock operation by braking one wheel of the plurality of wheels while driving at least one other wheel of the plurality of wheels to move the vehicle laterally about a pivot point at least partially defined by the braked wheel.

UTILITY VEHICLE
20210188353 · 2021-06-24 ·

A utility vehicle includes a frame, a power source, and a plurality of steerable structures. Ground engaging members are connected to the steerable structures. An operator seating area includes a steering control and a speed control. Controllers receive input from the steering control and the speed control. Motors drive the ground engaging members at different speeds and in different directions. A controller integrates a steering input with a speed input to effect rotation of the steerable structures and effect rotation of the ground engaging members. The steering control, speed control, controllers, steerable structures, and motors are configured to work together to control the rotational speed of all of the ground engaging members based upon a steering angle input and the lateral side the ground engaging member is connected to. Other examples include braking mechanisms, adjustable track width, and a sealed tubular frame.

DIFFERENTIAL COOPERATIVE ACTIVE STEERING FOR A FRONT-AXLE INDEPENDENT-DRIVE VEHICLE WITH ELECTRIC WHEELS AND CONTROL METHOD THEREFOR
20210171093 · 2021-06-10 ·

A differential cooperative active steering system for a front-axle independent-drive vehicle with electric wheels includes a steering rack which is arranged between a first steering wheel and a second steering wheel, and is able to generate lateral displacement and pull the first and second steering wheels to steer; a planetary gear mechanism, including a first input end, a second input end and an output end; a steering angle coupling motor, connected to the first input end; and an input shaft of the steering wheel, connected to the second input end. The planetary gear mechanism can realize the coupling between an input steering angle of an input shaft of the steering wheel and an input steering angle of the steering angle coupling motor. In addition, a method for controlling the differential cooperative active steering system is provided.

Automatic tilting vehicle
11124178 · 2021-09-21 · ·

An automatic tilting vehicle includes a pair of wheels that are non-steering driving wheels, a braking/driving device, a vehicle tilting device, and a control device, and the control unit calculates a target tilt angle of the vehicle for tilting the vehicle turning inward and controls the vehicle tilting device so that a tilt angle of the vehicle becomes the target tilt angle. The control unit calculates target braking/driving forces of the pair of wheels based on a braking/driving operation of a driver, corrects the target braking/driving forces so that a difference between vertical forces acting on the wheels caused by the braking/driving forces of the pair of wheels is reduced, and controls the braking/driving device such that braking/driving forces of the pair of wheels becomes the corrected target braking/driving forces.

CONTROL METHOD OF REDUCING A STEERING LOAD OF AN IN-WHEEL MOTOR VEHICLE
20210155287 · 2021-05-27 · ·

A control method of an in-wheel motor vehicle includes: determining, by a controller, a state of a steering load that is a load of a steering system; maintaining, by the controller, a front wheel brake in a released state, when the state of the steering load is in a high load state of a predetermined level or more; determining, by the controller, a tire angle of a front wheel according to a driver steering input based on driver steering input information in the released state of the front wheel brake; determining, by the controller, a required tire rotational angle of the front wheel by using the determined tire angle of the front wheel; and reducing, by the controller, the steering load by driving an in-wheel motor of the front wheel for a compensation by the determined required tire rotational angle of the front wheel.