THREE-WHEELED VEHICLE

Abstract

A three-wheeled vehicle having a frame with articulated four-link straight line linkage mechanism mounted thereon, said mechanism including lateral arms arranged symmetrically about the axis of symmetry of the vehicle, and also one conditionally front wheel, and two conditionally rear wheels, each having an axis. The articulated four-link straight line linkage mechanism also includes a linear steering mechanism, a T-shaped arm, a short central arm, an O-shaped bracket, a rubber-strand torsion member of the conditionally front wheel, and one rubber-strand torsion member and L-shaped wheel arm per each conditionally rear wheel, which form a rear axle connected to the linear steering mechanism via the T-shaped linkage arm. The result is increased stability when cornering at a speed, and more accurate steering.

Claims

1. A three-wheeled vehicle comprising a frame with articulated four-link straight line linkage mechanism mounted thereon, said mechanism comprising lateral arms arranged symmetrically about the axis of symmetry of the vehicle, and also one conditionally front wheel, and two conditionally rear wheels, each having an axis, wherein the articulated four-link straight line linkage mechanism also comprises a linear steering mechanism, a T-shaped arm, a short central arm, an O-shaped bracket, a rubber-strand torsion member of the conditionally front wheel, and one rubber-strand torsion member and L-shaped wheel arm per each of conditionally rear wheels, which form a rear axle connected to the linear steering mechanism via the T-shaped linkage arm, and each rubber-strand torsion member is made in the form of a tubular housing with a movable insert located in the housing, two conditionally rear wheels form an axle comprising two identical rubber-strand torsion membersone torsion member per each of conditionally rear wheels mounted on the corresponding L-shaped wheel arm pivotally attached to the frame, the axle torsion member housings are kinematically connected to the corresponding ends of the T-arm, the rubber-strand torsion member housing of the conventional front wheel is rigidly attached to the frame and is located perpendicular to the symmetry axis of the vehicle, hinges are attached to the ends of the movable rubber-torsion member insert, said hinges being mounted on the corresponding ends of the lateral arms in such a manner to enable their synchronous rotation in horizontal and vertical planes, short arm is divided into two parts, each of said parts is being fixed on the corresponding side of the O-shaped bracket having, on its side surface, a slot enabling free rotation of the conventionally front steerable wheel with the possibility of placing its axis in a position lower than the short arm axis, and the O-shaped bracket is provided with a hitch bracket on one its side and with a steering arm on its another side.

2. The three-wheeled vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the rubber-strand torsion members of the axle and the L-shaped wheel arms oriented in one direction form an articulated axle.

3. The three-wheeled vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the rubber-strand torsion members of the axle and the L-shaped wheel arms oriented in different directions form a solid axle.

4. The three-wheeled vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the O-shaped bracket, the hitch bracket and the steering arm are all-in-one-piece.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The essence of the proposed invention is further explained using schematic drawings, where:

[0018] FIG. 1 is a kinematic diagram of a TWV with an articulated axle.

[0019] FIGS. 2, 3 show a general view of the TWV with an articulated axle.

[0020] FIGS. 4, 5 show the TWV view with a turned wheel and an articulated axle.

[0021] FIGS. 6, 7 show a general view of the TWV with a solid axle.

[0022] FIGS. 8, 9 show the TWV view with a turned wheel and a solid axle.

[0023] FIG. 10 illustrates a vehicle body tilt during a cornering.

[0024] FIG. 11 shows a towed trailer.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT(S)

[0025] In describing the embodiment of the present invention, reference will be made herein to FIGS. 1-11 of the drawings in which like numerals refer to like features of the invention.

[0026] The proposed three-wheeled vehicle consists of a suspension and a body (not shown). The suspension (FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 6) consists of a frame 1 with a rubber-strand torsion member 2 fixed thereon, two lateral arms 3, a short arm 4, a conditionally front steerable wheel 5 with an axis 6, shock absorbers 7, a linear steering mechanism 8, T-shaped arm 9, rods 10, an articulated axle formed by rubber-strand torsion members with L-shaped wheel arms 11 and 12 (shown in the assembly), two conditionally rear wheels 13. A wheel 5 with an axis 6 is mounted on a short arm 4 in such a manner that the roadway surface contact point 14 of the wheel 5 has an offset 15 (see FIG. 2) relative to the axis of the short arm 4. The short arm 4 has a hitch bracket 16. Suring wheel 5 turning, the contact point 14 gains the offset 17 relative to the axis of symmetry of the vehicle. The use of the solid axle 18 with torsion members and L-shaped wheel arms oriented in different directions (see FIG. 6) simplifies the structure. The location of the wheel 13 with an offset 19 relative to the axis of the torsion member makes it possible to use the L-shaped arm 20 with one rod 10 instead of the T-shaped arm 9 and two rods 10. Tow bar 21 attachment to the hitch bracket 16 allows to tow the TWV on a rigid hitch.

[0027] The proposed TWV operates as follows: moving a controlling component of the linear steering mechanism 8 causes a change in the position of the short arm 4 and, consequently, the synchronous change of positions of the two lateral arms 3. Meanwhile, the conditionally front steerable wheel 5 mounted on the axis 6 occupies the position in which the contact point 14 gains the offset 17 relative to the axial line of the frame 1 (see FIGS. 4, 8) Such offset of the contact point 14 of the wheel 5 from the axis of symmetry of the vehicle to the side opposite to the side of the turn improves stability during cornering, also at a relatively high speed. Along with the change of the short arm 4 position (FIG. 4), the positions of the T-shaped arm 9, rods 10, an articulated axle formed by rubber-strand torsion members with L-shaped wheel arms 11 and 12 (shown in the assembly), two wheels 13 change as well. Here, due to the reciprocal synchronous movement of the wheels 13, a lateral tilt of the vehicle body occurs (FIGS. 5, 10) The use of a solid axle 18 with rubber-strand torsion members and L-shaped wheel arms oriented in different directions (see FIGS. 8, 9, 10) allows to use the L-shaped arm 20 and one rod 10. Attached to the hitch bracket 16, the tow bar 21 allows to tow the TWV on a rigid hitch in order to use the TWV as a trailer.

[0028] Offset 19 (see FIG. 6) provides more comfort in overcoming obstacles located perpendicular to the direction of the vehicle movement. Rubber-strand torsion members 2, 11, 12, 18 provide smooth running for all possible TWV embodiments.

[0029] Using the described structure of the short arm 4 with the hitch device and the steering arm, as well as the linear steering mechanism 8 provides higher accuracy in controlling the angular position of the steerable wheel 5. This allows to create a TWV with front or rear steering wheel and also with various drive arrangements: one wheel (i.e. steerable wheel) drive; two wheels drive; three wheels drive using either electric motor wheels or a traditional drive from an internal combustion engine.

[0030] Based on the proposed TWV the following structures can be created:

[0031] Two to four seats city electric car, One or two seats commercial vehicle for loads transportation, Towed trailer, etc.

LIST OF ITEMS IN THE DRAWINGS

[0032] 1frame [0033] 2rubber-strand torsion member [0034] 3lateral arms [0035] 4short arm [0036] 5conditionally front steerable wheel [0037] 6wheel 5 axis [0038] 7shock absorber [0039] 8linear steering mechanism [0040] 9L-shaped arm [0041] 10rod [0042] 11, 12L-shaped wheel arms [0043] 13conditionally rear wheels [0044] 14point of the wheel 5 contact with the surface of the roadway [0045] 15offset relative to the axis of the short arm 4 [0046] 16hitch bracket [0047] 17contact point 14 offset relative to the axial line of the frame 1 [0048] 18solid axle with torsion members and L-shaped wheel arms oriented in different directions [0049] 19wheels 13 offset relative to the torsion member axis [0050] 20L-shaped arm [0051] 21tow bar

[0052] While the present invention has been particularly described, in conjunction with one or more specific embodiments, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. It is therefore contemplated that the appended claims will embrace any such alternatives, modifications and variations as falling within the true scope and spirit of the present invention.