VEHICLE WITH TILT FRAME AND SPRING DAMPER SYSTEM

Abstract

A vehicle with a base frame to which at least two sprung suspensions, in particular sprung wheel suspensions, for driven, non-driven, steerable or non-steerable contact elements, for example wheels, are attached which can be steered by means of a steering knuckle and are located on both sides of the longitudinal direction of travel, in each case transversely to the direction of travel, a tilt frame, tiltable in a tilt axis with respect to the base frame. A steering tube is rotatably attached to the tilt frame in the steering axis and automatically tilts with the tilt frame, at least one track rod connected to the track rod actuating element, and a linear or rotary track rod actuating element rotatable over a guide element. The track rod actuating element is displaced by tilting the tilt frame about the tilt axis and independently thereof by rotating the steering tube about the steering axis in such a way that the steerable contact element is given a steering movement by the track rod actuating element by means of the at least one track rod and no substantial change in the camber of the contact elements takes place during cornering, wherein the vehicle comprises at least one spring damper system which is suitable and provided for reducing a pendulum tilt of a tilt frame about the vertical zero position.

Claims

1. Vehicle with a base frame (1) on which by means of an Ackerman steering steerable, sprung suspensions (48, 49), in particular sprung wheel suspensions, for driven, non-driven, steerable or non-steerable contact contact elements (3a, 3b), for example wheels, a tilt frame (2), in a tilt axis (26) opposite the base frame tiltable tilt frame (2) a steering tube (6), which is rotatably attached to the tilt frame (2) in the steering axis (43) and is connected to the tilt frame (2) and automatically tilts with the tilt frame (2) at least one track rod (7) connected to a linear track rod actuating element (29a) or a rotary track rod actuating element (29b), wherein the linear track rod actuating element (29a) is linearly movably mounted in a guide element (30), the rotary track rod actuating element (29b) is rotatably rotatable in a guide element (30) a lower universal joint (100) and upper universal joint (100) wherein the linear or rotary track rod actuating element (29a, b) is displaced or rotated by tilting the tilt frame (2) about the tilt axis (26) and, independently thereof, by rotating the steering tube (6) about the steering axis (43), in such a way that the steerable contact element (3a, 3b) undergoes a steering movement by the linear or rotary track rod element (29a, 29b) by means of a track rod (7) and a slight change in the camber (54) of all the contact elements (3a, 3b) present takes place during cornering, characterised in that the tilt frame (2) is connected to the base frame (1) via a spring damper system (75), the lower universal joint (100) is firmly connected to the base frame (1) via the steering column shaft (98) and the guide element (30), and the upper universal joint (100) is tiltably connected to the tilt frame (2) via the steering tube (6).

2. The vehicle according to claim 1 with a base frame (1), wherein the lower universal joint (100) is arranged at a distance c (104) from the tilt axis (26).

3. The vehicle according to claim 1 with a base frame (1), wherein the upper universal joint (100) is connected to the tilt frame (2) via the steering column (102) and is arranged at an angle steering column y (103) to the vertical zero position Z (52).

4. The vehicle according to claim 1 with a base frame (1), wherein the spring damper system (75) comprises at least two, preferably symmetrically vertical, spring damper units (70) arranged at a horizontal distance (d 111) from one another.

5. The vehicle according to claim 1 with a base frame (1), wherein the spring damper system (75) is connected to the base frame (1) and the tilt frame (2) via the lower (91a) and upper (91b) mounting points and acts on both sides and simultaneously.

6. The vehicle according to claim 1 with a base frame (1), wherein the spring damper system (75) is arranged between a base frame (1) and a tilt frame (2) and a spring damper unit (70) acts on one side on the tilt frame (2) and the opposite spring damper unit (70) does not act on the tilt frame (2) through an idle stroke (77).

7. The vehicle according to claim 1 with a base frame (1), wherein in the spring damper units (70) the rebound damper (67), the compression damper (68), the adjustment, the preload, the compression spring (68) are adjusted manually and/or electrically and/or hydraulically (66) in conjunction with a control unit (96) and the sensors (94).

8. The vehicle according to claim 1 with a base frame (1), wherein the tilt angle β (28) of the tilt frame (2) changes by the spring damper system (75), consisting of spring cylinders (110) arranged in parallel, which is controlled or regulated via a control unit (96), consisting of a pressure generation unit (93), a valve unit (97), the sensors (94) and actuators (95).

9. The vehicle according to claim 1 with a base frame (1), wherein the spring damper system (75), consisting of symmetrically arranged spring cylinders (110), is connected via a hydraulic connection (113) to a valve unit (97) which has a manual and/or electrical and/or hydraulic adjustment (66).

Description

[0098] In the following, the invention described above is explained in more detail with reference to examples of embodiments and associated figures.

[0099] Showing:

[0100] FIG. 1 shows a front perspective view of a vehicle according to the invention;

[0101] FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of a steering gear with a linearly moved track rod actuating element;

[0102] FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of a steering gear with a rotationally moved track rod actuating element;

[0103] FIG. 4 shows a first embodiment of a spring damper system according to the invention;

[0104] FIG. 5 shows a sectional view of the spring damper system according to the invention shown in FIG. 4;

[0105] FIG. 6 shows a further embodiment of a spring damper system according to the invention;

[0106] FIG. 7 shows a further embodiment of a spring damper system according to the invention;

[0107] FIG. 8 shows a further embodiment of a spring damper system according to the invention;

[0108] FIG. 9 shows a further embodiment of a spring damper system according to the invention; and

[0109] FIG. 10 shows a supplementary embodiment as a snowmobile.

[0110] FIG. 1 shows a front perspective view of a vehicle according to the invention described here. A vehicle according to the invention with a base frame 1 and with a tilt frame 2, which is mounted tiltably in the tilt axis 26 in the base frame 1 and can be tilted by the driver shifting his weight when cornering. The respective wheels or skids are provided as contact elements 3a,3b on the lower wheel suspension 49 and the upper wheel suspension 48 of the base frame 1, wherein the front wheels 3a,3b are arranged rotatably relative to the base frame 1 on a respective steering knuckle 4 on the upper wheel suspension 48 and the lower wheel suspension 49 and serve to change the direction of travel of the vehicle.

[0111] The front wheels 3a are mounted with the steering knuckles 4 so that they can be steered about the swivel axis 16, whereby a camber angle or camber 54 remains almost unchanged when cornering.

[0112] It can also be seen that the vehicle has a base frame 1 and a tilt frame 2 is arranged thereon, which is suitable and intended to be tilted relative to the base frame 1. According to the figure shown, this is possible, for example, by means of the tilt axle 26. Furthermore, the vehicle has a handlebar 5 and a steering tube 6 connected to it. The front axle is designed as a steering axle and has an upper wheel suspension 48 and a lower wheel suspension 49. These wheel suspensions 48, 49 carry a wheel support 33 on both sides via a swivel axle 16, which can receive the contact elements 3a, 3b, whereby here the contact elements are designed as wheels. The front wheels 3a, 3b are fixed to the base frame 1, for example, via an independent wheel suspension, which can comprise spring damper elements 51 and one or more transverse links of different designs.

[0113] In order to achieve better stability also during driving, the steering device also has a stabiliser 12, which extends here, for example, between the upper and lower wheel suspension 48, 49 from one contact element 3a to the other contact element 3b.

[0114] According to this figure, a tilt frame spring damper system 75, which here consists of two spring damper units 70, is arranged approximately in the centre of the vehicle. This tilt frame spring damper unit 70 connects the base frame 1 with the tilt frame 2 and ensures that this tilt frame 2 can be tilted in a damped manner relative to the base frame 1. This spring damper unit also provides the restoring force that is required to “push” the tilt frame back into its original position. The reduction of the pendulum's inclination around the vertical zero position is of primary importance.

[0115] An energy storage unit 21, a drive unit 14 and a swivel gear 19 may be provided in the tilt frame 2. The drive unit 14 is, for example, an internal combustion engine and the energy storage 21 is, for example, a fuel tank that supplies the internal combustion engine with the necessary fuel.

[0116] Furthermore, the drive unit 14 has a swivel gear drive pinion 47 and swivel gear pinion 23 arranged thereon. A power transmission means 22, for example in the form of a toothed belt, is arranged on these pinions 47, 23. According to the figure, the rotation of the pinions can drive a swivel gear 19, which has a ball drive joint 20.

[0117] The use of the swivel gear 19 with the integrated ball drive joints 20 allow power transmission of the drive unit 14 via the power transmission means 22, the swivel wheel 23 from the tilt frame 2 to the base frame 1 via the Swing gear—drive pinion 47, the power transmission means 22 to the contact element 3a, 3b to be driven.

[0118] Here, the rear axle 45 is connected to the vehicle via a rocker arm 18. Furthermore, here the rear axle 45 is designed as a drive axle 58 and therefore has a drive shaft 59 and a differential gear 57.

[0119] Since the vehicle shown here is, for example, a type of quad, the vehicle has, for example, a footrest 109 on both sides, which is connected to the tilt frame, which a driver can place his feet on while driving.

[0120] A coupling rod 53 mechanically couples the stabilisation element to the lower wheel suspension 49.

[0121] FIG. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of a steering gear with a linearly moving track rod actuating element 29a. The steering arm 5 can be seen here, which is connected to a tilt frame 2 via a steering tube 6 and a linearly acting pivot bearing 106. The handlebar 5 can be turned about a steering axis 43 into positive turning 35 and negative turning 36. The steering tube 6 is connected to a steering column 102 via an upper universal joint 100. The steering column 102 has an angular steering column 103 by which the steering column 102 is inclined relative to a vertical zero position 52. At its lower end, the steering column 103 terminates in a lower universal joint 100, which is arranged at a distance c 104 from the tilt axis 26. The lower universal joint 100 connected to the steering column shaft 98, rotates about a vertical axis, is mounted in a guide element 30 and is connected to the steering column 102 by an angle steering column 103. On the steering column shaft 98 itself, the rotary gear segment 108 is connected to the track rod actuating element 29a, which is linearly displaceable transversely to the direction of travel and has an integrated toothed rack. The guide element 30 is firmly connected to the base frame.

[0122] The tilt frame can be tilted along a tilt axis 26 relative to the base frame 1 into a positive tilt 37 and a negative tilt 38.

[0123] The steering movement of the driver in the pivot steering angle 27 can also be assisted by an electric or electrohydraulic servomotor 107.

[0124] The steering system has a linearly moving track rod actuating element 29a, which is rotatably mounted in a guide element 30 via a steering column shaft 98 with the rotatable gear segment 108. Ball heads 42 are arranged on both sides of the linearly moving track rod actuating element 29a, on which track rods 7 are arranged. The track rod 7 opens into a further ball head 42, whereby this is connected to a steering knuckle 4 via a steering lever 31. This steering knuckle 4 can be rotated about a swivel axis 16 in positive rotation 55 and negative rotation 56. A positive rotation 55 corresponds to steering to the right in the direction of travel of the vehicle and a negative rotation 56 corresponds to steering to the left in the direction of travel of the vehicle. Due to the respective steering, a positive displacement 39 or a negative displacement 40 of the track rod can occur. This changes the steering angle 10 of the contact elements.

[0125] By variably dimensioning the distance c 104 in conjunction with the angle of the steering column 103 in conjunction with the universal joints 100, the positive displacement 39 and negative displacement 40 of the track rod drive element 29a,b can be influenced by the tilting of the tilt frame 2.

[0126] FIG. 3 shows a schematic perspective view of a steering gear with a rotationally moved track rod actuating element. This embodiment differs from the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 in that the track rods 7 are connected to a rotationally actuated track rod actuating element 29b. In this case, the tie rods 7 again have ball heads 42 with which they are arranged on a rotationally moved tie rod actuating element 29b, in that the rotationally moved tie rod actuating element 29b is rotatably mounted in the guide element 30 via a steering column shaft 98.

[0127] The other reference signs correspond to the features in FIG. 2; to avoid redundancy, these are not mentioned again here.

[0128] FIG. 4 shows a first embodiment of a spring damper system 75 according to the invention. The spring damper system 75 has at least two spring damper units 70, each of which has a linear-acting spring 63 or linear-acting compression spring 89. The spring damper unit 70 is arranged directly on the tilt frame 2 via an upper mounting point 91b and directly on the base frame via the lower mounting point 91a.

[0129] The spring damper units 70 are connected to the tilt frame 2 and the base frame 1 via the mounting points at the bottom 91a and the distance d 111 or the mounting points at the top 91b and the distance f 115. In this embodiment, the spring damper units 70 are connected in a direct connection, such as bolts, to the tilt frame via the mounting points at the top 91b and to the base frame 1 via the mounting points at the bottom 91a.

[0130] FIG. 4 shows in particular a tilt of the tilt frame 2 to the left, whereby the tilt frame 2 tilts by the tilt angle 28 from the zero position 52, which the spring damper system 75 has when the vehicle is cornering or when the tilt frame swings to the left. Here, the reference sign 119 denotes a vertical distance g between the tilt axis 26 and the mounting points 91a.

[0131] It can be seen that when tilting to the left, the effective distance xL 60b at the left spring damper unit 70 increases and the distance eL 114 of the mounting points 91a,b decreases and correspondingly at the right spring damper unit 70, the effective distance xR 60a decreases and the distance eR 114 of the mounting points 91a,b increases.

[0132] As a result, when the tilt frame 2 swings to the left, there is a moment acting to the right towards the vertical zero position 52.

[0133] The linear-acting dampers 61 or linear-acting springs 63 are arranged in a parallel circuit 65 in this embodiment. The springs 63 are preferably linear-action tension springs or linear-action compression springs. Each spring damper unit 70 also preferably has a pressure compensation element 118 to prevent foaming of the hydraulic medium.

[0134] The reference sign 26 indicates the tilt axis 26 of the tilt frame 2, which here runs through the base frame 1. The reference sign 66 further indicates a manual and/or electrical and/or hydraulic adjustment of the springs 63, whereby here in particular the pre-tensioning force of the compression springs is adjustable.

[0135] FIG. 5 shows a sectional view of the spring damping system 75 shown in FIG. 4. The reference signs 67 and 68 refer to the above-mentioned damping of the rebound or compression stage, which can be adjusted via the adjustment 66. In this embodiment, a linear acting damper 61 is shown.

[0136] The reference sign 101 further denotes a separating piston which, in this embodiment, is displaced downwards in the left spring damper unit 70 when tilted to the left and upwards in the right spring damper unit 70, whereby the hydraulic fluid 112 is either displaced upwards (left spring damper unit) or downwards (right spring damper unit) as a result.

[0137] Furthermore, the positive restoring force 116 or the negative restoring force 117 of the spring damper units 70 as well as the positive inclination 37 or the negative inclination 38 of the tilt frame 2 are shown in this illustration.

[0138] The element 76 designates an adjustment element for setting a preload of the compression spring.

[0139] FIG. 6 shows a spring damper system 75 with hydraulic connection 113 and a valve unit 97. In this embodiment, the spring damper system 75 has two spring cylinder units 110, which are connected in a corresponding manner to the base frame 1 and the tilt frame 2 and each have a linearly acting spring 63. In contrast to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, however, the spring cylinder units 110 are here arranged in a series connection 64. The arrangement of the spring cylinder units 110 on the tilt frame 2 or the base frame 1 is again effected by a direct connection via the mounting points 91a and 91b.

[0140] The valve unit 97 controls the flow, the flow rate and the flow direction of the hydraulic fluid 112 between the spring cylinder units 110. The valve units 97 are connected to the spring cylinder units 110 via a hydraulic line 113. The functions of the valve unit 97 can be adjusted via a manual and/or electrical and/or hydraulic adjustment.

[0141] FIG. 7 shows a further illustration of the spring damper system 75 with two spring cylinder units 110. In this illustration, the spring damper system 75 has the above-mentioned pressure generation unit 93, which controls or regulates the inclination of the tilt frame 2 as a function of a curve radius and/or a curve speed via the valve unit 97 in conjunction with an actuator 95, a sensor 94 and an electrical control unit 96, if the driver desires active assistance. The reference sign 113 further indicates the hydraulic line and the reference sign 99 the electrical connection.

[0142] FIG. 8 shows a further embodiment of a spring damper system 75 according to the invention, whereby in this embodiment it has a rotationally acting damper 62. In this illustration, the spring damper system 75 has two linearly acting compression springs 89. The rotationally acting damper 62 is preferably arranged in the tilt axis 26.

[0143] FIG. 9 shows another embodiment of a spring-damper system 75 according to the invention. In this arrangement, the spring-damper units are directly connected to the base frame 1 at the lower mounting point 91a and indirectly connected to the tilt frame 2 via an elongated hole at the upper mounting point 92b. In this embodiment, however, the linearly acting damper 61 has been assigned an idle stroke h3, 77, the inner compression spring 89 an idle stroke h1, 77 and the outer compression spring 89 an idle stroke h2, 77.

[0144] FIG. 10 shows a supplementary embodiment of a vehicle as a snowmobile. Here, too, the base frame 1 and the tilt frame 2 that can be tilted relative to it can be seen. This tilt frame is also damped here by means of the tilt frame spring damper units 70 with respect to the tilt of the base frame 1. The steering device, which also has an upper and lower wheel suspension 48, 49, can also be seen here, whereby this steering device is again actuated by means of the handlebar 5 or by tilting the tilt frame. Instead of the wheels shown in the figure as contact elements, the snowmobile here has at least one snow skid 24, although there may well be two snow skids at the front. The runner(s) 24 is/are again held by steering knuckles 4.

[0145] An energy storage unit 21, a drive unit 14 and a drive pinion 41 may be provided in the tilt frame 2. The drive unit 14 is, for example, an internal combustion engine and the energy storage 21 is, for example, a fuel tank that supplies the internal combustion engine with the necessary fuel. The drive sprocket can drive a power transmission element, for example a drive chain 46, which transmits the power to a snow drive caterpillar 25. The snow drive caterpillar 25 is arranged on the snowmobile via a swing arm 18, whereby this swing arm 18 is also damped via a spring damper element 51.

[0146] Here, too, the driver can place his feet on a footrest 109 while driving. In the embodiment shown, however, the footrest 109 has been firmly connected to the base frame 1.

[0147] The invention is not limited by the description and the embodiments. Rather, the invention encompasses any new feature as well as any combination of features, which also includes in particular any combination of the patent claims, even if this feature or combination of features is not itself explicitly indicated in the patent claims or the embodiment examples.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0148] 1 Base frame [0149] 2 Tilt frame [0150] 3a, 3b Contact element (wheel, skid, caterpillar,) [0151] 4 Steering knuckle [0152] 5 Handlebar [0153] 6 Steering tube [0154] 7 Track rod [0155] 10 Turn-in angle λ [0156] 12 Stabilising element [0157] 14 Drive unit (Pedal drive, combustion engine, electric motor) [0158] 16 Swivel axle [0159] 18 Swing arm [0160] 19 Swing gear [0161] 20 Ball drive joint [0162] 21 Energy storage unit [0163] 22 Power transmission means [0164] 23 Pivot wheel or pinion/swivel gear pinion [0165] 24 Snow skid [0166] 25 Snow drive caterpillar [0167] 26 Tilt axis [0168] 27 Pivot steering angle α [0169] 28 Tilt angle tilt frame β [0170] 29a linear track rod actuating element [0171] 29b rotary track rod actuating element [0172] 30 Guide element [0173] 31 Steering lever [0174] 33 Wheel carrier [0175] 35 positive rotation steering [0176] 36 negative rotation steering [0177] 37 Positive inclination of tilt frame 2 [0178] 38 negative inclination of tilt frame 2 [0179] 39 positive displacement track rod [0180] 40 negative displacement track rod [0181] 41 Drive pinion [0182] 42 Ball joint [0183] 43 Steering axis [0184] 44 Front axle [0185] 45 Rear axle [0186] 46 Power transmission [0187] 47 Swing gear—drive pinion [0188] 48 Upper wheel suspension [0189] 49 Lower wheel suspension [0190] 51 Chassis spring damper element [0191] 52 Vertical zero position Z [0192] 53 Coupling rod [0193] 54 Camber [0194] 55 Positive rotation of steering knuckle—direction of travel to the right [0195] 56 negative rotation of steering knuckle—direction of travel to the left [0196] 57 Compensating element, differential gear, differential gear [0197] 58 Drive axle [0198] 59 Drive shaft [0199] 60a,xR Effective distance right [0200] 60b,xL Effective distance left [0201] 61 Linear damper [0202] 62 Rotary damper [0203] 63 Linear-acting spring [0204] 64 Series connection [0205] 65 parallel connection [0206] 66 manual and/or electric and/or hydraulic adjustment [0207] 67 Rebound damper [0208] 68 compression damper [0209] 70 Spring damper unit [0210] 75 Spring damper system [0211] 76 Adjustment preload compression spring [0212] 77,h1, h2, h3 Idle stroke, free travel [0213] 89 Linear acting compression spring [0214] 91a Pick-up point bottom direct—bolt connection [0215] 91b Pick-up point—top direct—pin connection [0216] 92b Pick-up point—top indirect—slotted hole connection [0217] 93 Pressure generation unit [0218] 94 Sensor [0219] 95 actuator [0220] 96 Electrical control unit [0221] 97 valve unit [0222] 98 steering column shaft [0223] 99 electrical connection [0224] 100 Universal joint [0225] 101 Separating piston [0226] 102 Steering column [0227] 103 Angle steering column y [0228] 104 Distance c (tilt axis—centre of universal joint) [0229] 106 Linear-acting pivot bearing steering column [0230] 107 Servo motor (Electric and/or Hydraulic) Steering [0231] 108 Gear segment [0232] 109 Footrest [0233] 110 Spring cylinder unit [0234] 111 Distance d of mounting points 91a on base frame 1 [0235] 112 Hydraulic fluid [0236] 113 Hydraulic line [0237] 114 Distance eL, eR of one mounting point 91a on base frame 1 and one mounting point 91b on tilt frame 2 each [0238] 115 Distance f (of the mounting points 91b, 92b on the tilt frame 2) [0239] 116 positive restoring force/damping [0240] 117 negative restoring force/damping [0241] 118 pressure compensation element [0242] 119 vertical distance g between tilt axis 26 and mounting points 91a