Suspension system for electrically powered vehicle

Claim 2

An improved electric car of the type having electric motor means for driving traction wheels of the car, the motor means operating in a continuously alternating motor mode and generator mode for conserving energy, the car comprising a horizontal main frame having forward and aft ends, at least two traction wheels mounted directly to the main frame adjacent its aft end; means rigidly mounting the motor means to the main frame; electric storage batteries operatively coupled to The motor means and rigidly mounted to the main frame; means pivotally securing a passenger compartment to the main frame adjacent the forward end thereof, the pivot means permitting relative pivotal movements of the compartment at least about a horizontal axis which is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the car; spring means resiliently supporting a portion of the compartment on the frame and disposed adjacent the aft end of the main frame; and steering wheels for the car mounted adjacent the forward end of the main frame; the combined weight of the main frame and of components rigidly mounted thereto substantially exceeding the weight of the compartment and components spring mounted to the main frame to minimize the surging of spring mounted car weight during driving maneuvers of the car and to facilitate the instantaneous deceleration of unspring weight in phase with the operation of the motor means in their generator mode to thereby maximize the recovery of electric energy from kinetic energy of the car when the car decelerates.

Claim 3

A car according to claim 1 wherein the pivot means is in substantial alignment with an axis of the steering wheels.

Claim 4

A self-propelled vehicle comprising at least two spaced apart axles for mounting running wheels, a body frame resiliently secured to one of the axles, means demountably and resiliently connecting the body frame with another one of the axles, a motor frame substantially rigidly connected to the other axle for mounting components of a vehicle drive system, electric motor means fixed directly to the other frame at the other axle, means mounting the battery above the other axle, means semi-rigidly mounting the battery to the motor frame, positioning the battery above the axle and permitting only minor relative movements between the battery and the motor frame in a vertical direction only, and means mounting the rigid frame adjacent the one axle, the body frame and the rigid frame being constructed so that upon release of the connection means between the body frame and the other axle and of the mounting means between the body frame and the rigid frame the rigid frame having the electric motor means and battery means thereon can be rolled on the wheels of the other axle away from the body frame to facilitate access to the driving system for repair and maintenance.

Claim 5

A self-propelled vehicle comprising at least two spaced apart axles for mounting running wheels, a body frame resiliently secured to one of the axles, means demountably and resiliently connecting the body frame with another one of the axles, a motor frame substantially rigidly connected to the other axle for mounting components of a vehicle drive system, electric motor means fixed directly to the other frame at the other axle, means mounting the battery above the other axle, means semi-rigidly mounting the battery to the motor frame, positioning the battery above the axle and permitting only minor relative movements between the battery and the motor frame in a vertical direction only, and means mounting the rigid frame adjacent the one axle, the body frame and the rigid frame being constructed so that upon release of the connection means between the body frame and the other axle and of the mounting means between the body frame and the rigid frame the rigid frame having the electric motor means and battery means thereon can be rolled on the wheels of the other axle away from the body frame to facilitate access to the driving system for repair and maintenance.

Claim 6

A suspension for a self-propelled vehicle for providing relatively high traction forces between a driven vehicle wheel and a supporting surface, preventing excessive vehicle sway from relatively large shifting loads during the operation of the vehicle, and for providing a relatively shock and vibration free ride for vehicle passengers, the suspension system comprising: first and second axle assemblies including running wheels mounted thereto, a first frame disposed between the axles and mounting a vehicle body defining a passenger compartment, means resiliently mounting the first frame to the axles for substantially reducing wheel shock and vibrations in the passenger compartment, a second frame rigidly mounted to the first axle and having a portion extending towards the second axle, means pivotally movably connecting an end of the second frame portion to the first frame for permitting relative movements between the first and second frames adjacent the second axle, means for mounting at least part of relatively heavy electric motor components of a drive system for the wheels of the first axle substantially rigidly to the second frame for subjecting the first axle to a major portion of the weight of the drive system components and preventing relatively large load shifting between wheels from lateral movements and tilting of the drive system components during operating maneuvers of the vehicle to thereby substantially enhance the operating characteristics and stability of the vehicle; electric battery mounting means disposed above the first axle and second frame; means pivotally connected to the second frame and the baTtery mounting means and permitting relative movements between the second frame and the battery mounting means in a vertical direction only, and means limiting the magnitude of the vertical movements between the second frame and the battery mounting means to relatively minor movements.

Claim 7

A suspension for a self-propelled vehicle for providing relatively high traction forces between a driven vehicle wheel and a supporting surface, preventing excessive vehicle sway from relatively large shifting loads during the operation of the vehicle, and for providing a relatively shock and vibration free ride for vehicle passengers, the suspension system comprising: first and second axle assemblies including running wheels mounted thereto, a first frame disposed between the axles and mounting a vehicle body defining a passenger compartment, means resiliently mounting the first frame to the axles for substantially reducing wheel shock and vibrations in the passenger compartment, a second frame rigidly mounted to the first axle and having a portion extending towards the second axle, means pivotally movably connecting an end of the second frame portion to the first frame for permitting relative movements between the first and second frames adjacent the second axle, means for mounting at least part of relatively heavy electric motor components of a drive system for the wheels of the first axle substantially rigidly to the second frame for subjecting the first axle to a major portion of the weight of the drive system components and preventing relatively large load shifting between wheels from lateral movements and tilting of the drive system components during operating maneuvers of the vehicle to thereby substantially enhance the operating characteristics and stability of the vehicle; electric battery mounting means disposed above the first axle and second frame; means pivotally connected to the second frame and the baTtery mounting means and permitting relative movements between the second frame and the battery mounting means in a vertical direction only, and means limiting the magnitude of the vertical movements between the second frame and the battery mounting means to relatively minor movements.

Claim 8

A vehicle suspension according to claim 4 including shock absorption means between the battery mounting means and the second frame for dampening relative vertical movements of the battery mounting means.

Claim 9

A vehicle suspension according to claim 4 wherein the resilient first frame mounting means comprises relatively soft spring means permitting relative vertical motions and sideway tilting between the first frame and the axles.

Claim 10

A road vehicle comprising a motor rigidly attached to a vehicle drive axle housing a component mounting frame semi-rigidly attached to the axle housing, said component mounting frame having relatively fragile propulsion system components attached thereto, means confining the component mounting frame to substantially vertical motion with respect to the axle housing, a motor frame rigidly attached to the motor, extending away therefrom and terminating in a free end, body mounting means resiliently connecting a vehicle body to the vehicle drive axle housing, the body mounting means further pivotally connecting the vehicle body to the motor frame permitting relative pivotal movements between them about a horizontal axis disposed adjacent a second axle spaced from said axle housing, whereby the motor is rigidly attached to the vehicle drive axle housing to increase traction of the drive wheels and prevent swaying of said motor during operation of the road vehicle, the relatively fragile propulsion system components being semi-rigidly attached to the vehicle drive axle housing to inhibit damage to said components but to prevent substantial swaying of said components during operation of said vehicle, and the body being resiliently mounted to the vehicle drive axle housing to provide a smooth ride for the vehicle occupants.

Claim 11

A road vehicle comprising a motor rigidly attached to a vehicle drive axle housing a component mounting frame semi-rigidly attached to the axle housing, said component mounting frame having relatively fragile propulsion system components attached thereto, means confining the component mounting frame to substantially vertical motion with respect to the axle housing, a motor frame rigidly attached to the motor, extending away therefrom and terminating in a free end, body mounting means resiliently connecting a vehicle body to the vehicle drive axle housing, the body mounting means further pivotally connecting the vehicle body to the motor frame permitting relative pivotal movements between them about a horizontal axis disposed adjacent a second axle spaced from said axle housing, whereby the motor is rigidly attached to the vehicle drive axle housing to increase traction of the drive wheels and prevent swaying of said motor during operation of the road vehicle, the relatively fragile propulsion system components being semi-rigidly attached to the vehicle drive axle housing to inhibit damage to said components but to prevent substantial swaying of said components during operation of said vehicle, and the body being resiliently mounted to the vehicle drive axle housing to provide a smooth ride for the vehicle occupants.

Claim 12

An improved electric car of the type having electric motor means for driving traction wheels of the car, the motor means operating in a continuously alternating motor mode and generator mode for conserving energy, comprising a horizontal main frame having forward and aft ends, at least two traction wheels mounted directly to the main frame adjacent its aft end; means rigidly mounting the motor means to the main frame; electric storage batteries operatively coupled to the motor means and rigidly mounted to the main frame, at least a portion of the storage batteries being positioned beneath an axle of said traction wheels; means pivotally securing a passenger compartment to the main frame adjacent the forward end thereof, the pivot means permitting relative pivotal movements of the compartment at least about a horizontal axis which is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the car; spring means resiliently supporting a portion of the compartment on the frame and disposed adjacent the aft end of the main frame; and steering wheels for the car mounted adjacent the forward end of the main frame; the combined weight of the main frame and of components rigidly mounted thereto substantially exceeding the weight of the compartment and components spring mounted to the main frame to minimize the surging of spring mounted car weight during driving maneuvers of the car and to facilitate the instantaneous deceleration of unsprung weight in phase with the operation of the motor means in their generator mode to thereby maximize the recovery of electric energy from kinetic energy of the car when the car decelerates.

Claim 13

An improved electric car of the type having electric motor means for driving traction wheels of the car, the motor means operating in a continuously alternating motor mode and generator mode for conserving energy, comprising a horizontal main frame having forward and aft ends, at least two traction wheels mounted directly to the main frame adjacent its aft end; means rigidly mounting the motor means to the main frame; electric storage batteries operatively coupled to the motor means and rigidly mounted to the main frame, at least a portion of the storage batteries being positioned beneath an axle of said traction wheels; means pivotally securing a passenger compartment to the main frame adjacent the forward end thereof, the pivot means permitting relative pivotal movements of the compartment at least about a horizontal axis which is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the car; spring means resiliently supporting a portion of the compartment on the frame and disposed adjacent the aft end of the main frame; and steering wheels for the car mounted adjacent the forward end of the main frame; the combined weight of the main frame and of components rigidly mounted thereto substantially exceeding the weight of the compartment and components spring mounted to the main frame to minimize the surging of spring mounted car weight during driving maneuvers of the car and to facilitate the instantaneous deceleration of unsprung weight in phase with the operation of the motor means in their generator mode to thereby maximize the recovery of electric energy from kinetic energy of the car when the car decelerates.