VEHICLE

Abstract

A vehicle, in particular a single-track vehicle, has a small track width in relation to the vehicle height, and three or four wheels. In order to provide a vehicle which allows for a high traffic flow speed at a high traffic density, the vehicle has automatically controlled tilt kinematics, in which the vehicle body and the wheels tilt about a longitudinal axis of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A single-track vehicle comprising: a vehicle body; three or four wheels providing a small track width in relation to a vehicle height; and automatically controlled tilt kinematics, in which the vehicle body and the wheels tilt about a longitudinal axis of the vehicle ti-j.

2. A single-track vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the track width is less than 1.2 m and/or the vehicle height of at least 1.30 m, so as to allow for people to comfortably get into the vehicle and/or to allow for a comfortable sitting position for people.

3. A single-track vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the tilt kinematics is configured as vehicle stabilization, which automatically prevents tipping of the vehicle in the case of bends, in cross-wind, when people get in, and/or in the case of inclinations of the carriageway.

4. A single-track vehicle according to claim 1, the wheels and the vehicle body tilt by a same tilt angle, upon tilting, such that wheel planes and the vehicle body are oriented so as to be mutually parallel, irrespective of the tilt angle.

5. A single-track vehicle according to claim 1, wherein target value regulation which determines a magnitude and a direction of the tilt from input parameters, wherein the input parameters comprise an upcoming bend radius, an upcoming gradient and an upcoming carriageway inclination, a vehicle speed and a vehicle mass distribution, a transverse acceleration, a possible asymmetric entry load, and a decentral load distribution inside the vehicle, a cross-wind, and/or lateral impacts, wherein the tilt of the vehicle is automatically controlled, in each position, such that a resultant of all the acting forces, including gravitational force and the centrifugal force, is oriented so as to be substantially in parallel with a direction of a vertical axis of the vehicle body and of a passenger compartment within the vehicle body.

6. (canceled)

7. A single-track vehicle according to claim 1, wherein a breakdown torque is generated by means of steering in an opposite direction from an upcoming trajectory, in the case of cornering, such that bends to the left are introduced by means of counter steering to the right, and vice versa.

8. A single-track vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the automatically controlled tilt kinematics comprises steering angle actuators and tilt actuators, which are designed such that the virtual tilting axis of the vehicle is at a height of from 1.5 m to 1.8 m above contact planes.

9-10. (canceled)

11. A single-track vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the automatically controlled tilt kinematics comprises a wheel suspension and/or an actuator system on double crossmembers, comprising linear guides having ball bearing circulation, a spindle drive, or electromagnetic coils, comprising torsion bars, or comprising trailing arms having a rotary bearing, by means of which wheel suspension and/or an actuator system the tilt of the vehicle body and the wheels about the longitudinal axis of the vehicle is made possible, wherein the vehicle the actuator system sets a tilt and the actuator system comprises the spindle drive, hydraulics, pneumatics, and/or electromagnetic coils.

12. (canceled)

13. A single-track vehicle according to claim 1, the automatically controlled tilt kinematics comprises a 4-wheel suspension and/or a 4-wheel hub drive, such that travel of the vehicle (II in both directions is possible, without restriction.

14. A single-track vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle is configured as a fully self-driving vehicle.

15. A single-track vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the automatically controlled tilt kinematics comprises characterized a tilt actuator system configured as electric spindle actuators or having an electric geared motor.

16-18. (canceled)

19. A single-track vehicle according to claim 1, wherein an overall length of the vehicle is less than 2.8 m, such that the vehicle is parkable transversely in a parking space, and is transportable transversely on other vehicles.

20. A single-track vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising a speed limiter controlled by means of GPS signals or signals from other external transmitters wherein the speed limiter prevents critical apex speeds from being exceeded.

21. (canceled)

22. A single-track vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising a pilot control, wherein the automatically controlled tilt kinematics comprises actuators and is configured to locate a virtual axis of rotation in and on a center of the carriageway, or above tire contact planes; and the pilot control performs leading closed-loop control of the automatically controlled tilt kinematics, such that the actuators do not work against built up transverse acceleration forces.

23. (canceled)

24. A single-track vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the automatically controlled tilt kinematics comprises individual actuators of a chassis support and/or suspension arm; and each suspension arm/chassis support is separate actuated individually, by a separate actuator in each case, wherein a longitudinal tilt of the vehicle is also controlled by the individual actuation of the chassis support and/or suspension arm.

25-27. (canceled)

28. A single-track vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising a manual controller wherein the vehicle optionally is manually controlled, or is connected to a central controller of an autonomous region, such that the vehicle is controlled autonomously and by the central controller, in the autonomous region.

29-31. (canceled)

32. A single-track vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising a manual controller and systems for autonomous driving in an autonomous region, wherein the vehicle is part of a vehicle fleet, wherein the vehicles can be driven both autonomously and manually, and can be rented individually by users, wherein the systems for autonomous driving in the autonomous region is used outside the autonomous region as driver assistance systems.

33. (canceled)

34. A single-track vehicle according to claim 32, wherein the vehicles allow for journeys between two different autonomous regions, wherein the vehicle is controlled manually between two autonomous regions, and a login to the central controller takes place upon reaching the further autonomous region, for which purpose suitable software is provided, if required.

35. (canceled)

36. A single-track vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising a front seat, wherein the front seat is mounted so as to be rotatable about 180, such that a face-to-face position of seats can be set.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0059] In the drawings:

[0060] FIG. 1a is a perspective view showing a vehicle for transporting people, without a vehicle body;

[0061] FIG. 1b is a perspective view showing the vehicle for transporting people, without a vehicle body;

[0062] FIG. 2a is a perspective view showing the vehicle for transporting people, comprising a vehicle body;

[0063] FIG. 2b is a perspective view showing the vehicle for transporting people, comprising a vehicle body; and

[0064] FIG. 2c is a perspective view showing the vehicle for transporting people, comprising a vehicle body.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0065] Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1a, b and 2a-c show a specific embodiment of a vehicle 1 according to the invention which is designed for transporting people. For this purpose, the vehicle 1 comprises a chassis 2 having a planar base 3 on which two mutually opposing seats 4, 4 are arranged, and a frame structure 5 which, for safety reasons and as a precaution, can be designed as a roll-over bar. The vehicles 1 shown comprise four wheels 6a-6d which are arranged underneath and laterally offset from the seats 4, 4. While the space 7 between the seats is designed as a luggage storage surface, electrical units (not shown) are arranged beneath the seats 4, 4, which units are used for controlling the vehicle. Electrical wheel hub motors are not shown either, which motors are designed such that the vehicle can travel both forwards and backwards, in the direction of the arrows 8, 8.

[0066] FIG. 1b shows the same vehicle 1 having a person 9 sitting on a seat.

[0067] FIG. 2a-c show the vehicle 1 comprising a vehicle body 20 which consists of two vehicle body halves 22, 22 which can be displaced relative to one another in the direction of the arrows 21, 21. In order for people to get in and out, the vehicle body halves 22, 22 are pushed outwards, and thus open the passenger compartment. Alternatively, a conventional hinged or sliding door can also be provided, via which the passengers can emerge from the vehicle body, and thus the vehicle 1. The planar base 3 of the vehicle as the preferred overall height of the vehicle of approximately 1.8 m makes it possible to get in and out comfortably.

[0068] The vehicle 1 is designed having a track width of less than 1.2 m, and is therefore what is known as a single-track vehicle. In order to still allow for safe cornering even at comparatively high speeds in the city-center region (maximum 70 to 80 km/h), despite the preferred height of 1.8 m, an automatic tilt kinematics is provided, which tilts the vehicle 1 towards the inside of the bend, about the tilt axis K, in accordance with the current speed, the loading state, and the upcoming and predetermined trajectory, said axis preferably being arranged at the height of the heads of the person/people sitting in the vehicle. FIG. 2c therefore shows the vehicle 1 at a tilt of approximately 75 relative to a horizontal H. For the sake of clarity, the actuators, by means of which a corresponding tilt of the vehicle 1 can be set, are not shown. In contrast, it is clearly visible in FIG. 2c that the planes of the wheels and the vertical axis of the vehicle are oriented so as to be mutually parallel in each position of the vehicle 1, which increases the driving stability of the vehicle. A virtual pivot axis is also shown, which is preferably at a height of between 1.5 and 1.8 m from the contact planes, and therefore at the height of the head of a person sitting in the vehicle, with the result that any transverse forces do not have any noticeable effect on the person to be transported. This prevents, for example, transported people from suffering from motion sickness.

[0069] While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.