A vehicle including a controlled vertical position chassis, in order to be able to be moved into a low position supported on the ground, and, associated with each wheel, a suspension arm, an arm actuator, and a safety device capable of limiting the accidental lowering of the chassis, the device being able to adopt an active state wherein the rotation of the suspension arm can be limited, the device including an actuator, a cylinder of which is mounted on the chassis and a piston of which is mounted on the suspension arm, or vice versa, the actuator defining a first chamber connected to a first and a second fluid passage through the cylinder, the second passage being connected to a first fluid pipe fitted with a safety valve.

A system and a method for securing an attachment to a work vehicle with a chassis and a suspension are described. A mounting frame with a frame attachment point disposed on a support can be attached to a work vehicle. The suspension can be caused to lower the mounting frame relative to ground by lowering the chassis of the work vehicle. The work vehicle can be maneuvered to align the frame attachment point with a corresponding attachment point on the attachment. The suspension can then be caused to raise the mounting frame relative to ground by raising the chassis of the work vehicle. The frame attachment point can thereby engage the corresponding attachment point on the attachment, as the mounting frame is raised, in order to lift the attachment, with the attachment being thereby supported by the work vehicle solely via the mounting frame.

An autonomous tilting three-wheeled vehicle comprises a pair of front wheels coupled to a tiltable chassis by a mechanical linkage, such that the pair of wheels and the chassis are configured to tilt in unison with respect to a roll axis of the chassis. An electronic controller of the autonomous vehicle controls a tilt actuator to selectively tilt the chassis. Optionally, a steering actuator is coupled to the front wheels and controlled by the electronic controller to selectively steer the wheels. A sensor configured to measure orientation-dependent information may be coupled to the chassis by a gimbal configured to compensate for vehicle tilt. In some examples, the autonomous vehicle comprises an autonomous delivery robot.

An emergency egress system for a multi-passenger vehicle such as a school bus (10) includes a housing (30) that operatively supports a ramp (34) in movable connection therewith. Opening an emergency exit door (18) of the bus causes a housing door (24) to open and the ramp to move outwardly from a retracted position toward an extended position. Opening the emergency exit door also causes the suspension of the bus to be automatically lowered to place the emergency exit opening (16) closer to the ground (166).

A load carrying vehicle including: a chassis; a load carrying container connected to the chassis; a plurality of wheels; a suspension arrangement coupling the wheels to the chassis; wherein the suspension arrangement is configured to controllably lower the container such that the container makes contact with at least two wheels.

Improved passenger access and suspension systems for passenger buses, and controllers configured for use therewith; and passenger buses incorporating such systems and controllers. Integration of access ramp, door, suspension, charge interface, and other systems provides improvements in fully- or semi-automatic deployment of features such as passenger doors and ramps, and charge interface components, as well as navigation to passenger access points.

A method for lowering a vehicle chassis to a required vertical position, the vehicle including only two sets of running gear, namely a front set of running gear and a rear set of running gear, each wheel of the sets of running gear being associated with a parking brake, the method including the following successive steps: when the chassis is in its high running position, actuating the parking brake only for all of the wheels of one of the two sets of running gear; lowering the chassis to its low position resting on the ground; and actuating the parking brake for all of the wheels of the other of the two sets of running gear.

A towable vehicle including a chassis, at least two wheels and a suspension assembly supporting each wheel. The suspension assembly includes a swing arm pivotally mounted to the chassis, an axle mounted proximate an end of the swing arm, the wheel being mounted on the axle, at least one shock absorber extending from the chassis to the swing arm, an airbag swing arm mounting pivotally coupled to the swing arm, an airbag chassis mounting coupled to the chassis, an airbag coupled to the airbag swing arm and airbag chassis mountings so that inflation of the airbag allows a suspension height to be adjusted over an operating range and a pivot arm pivotally mounted to the chassis and the airbag swing arm mounting to maintain an orientation of the airbag swing arm mounting over the operating range.

An autonomous tilting three-wheeled vehicle comprises a pair of front wheels coupled to a tiltable chassis by a mechanical linkage, such that the pair of wheels and the chassis are configured to tilt in unison with respect to a roll axis of the chassis. An electronic controller of the autonomous vehicle controls a tilt actuator to selectively tilt the chassis. Optionally, a steering actuator is coupled to the front wheels and controlled by the electronic controller to selectively steer the wheels. A sensor configured to measure orientation-dependent information may be coupled to the chassis by a gimbal configured to compensate for vehicle tilt. In some examples, the autonomous vehicle comprises an autonomous delivery robot.

A vehicle lowering system having a cargo surface with an adjacent pivoting arm is connected to a vehicle at a pivot point. The pivoting arm moves between a raised and a lowered position by an actuator that is affixed to a frame and the pivoting arm. The frame has an upper portion and a lower portion that provides structure for the portion of the frame that is beyond the pivot point and actuator. The pivot arm has a spindle that holds and allows a wheel to rotate. The spindle has an axis that is always located above the cargo surface. The actuator is movable between an extended position and a retracted position. When the actuator moves between the extended and retracted position, the pivoting arm moves the vehicle between a raised and a lowered position.