US5079708A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Road vehicle cornering assistance mechanism
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1990-11-16
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Granted: 1992-01-07
•
Expires: 2010-11-16
Abstract
Abstract A mechanism for improving the cornering capability of a road vehicle apportions torques applied to wheels differentially between the right and left wheels as a function of the vehicle speed, steering angle and lateral acceleration. Instantaneous differential torques are computed using these and other variable parameters which are continuously monitored, as well as some constant parameters including the characteristics of the vehicle and its tires. The differential torques may be applied by modulating brake force separately for each wheel or through differential clutch arrangements. Applications to rear-driven wheels only, all four wheels, and even single-side wheels are disclosed. The latter is designed to achieve the stagger effect on circular race tracks.
Inventors
- 👤 Jack L. Brown
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 23:08
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60T; B60T8/00; B60T8/24; B60T8/246; B60K; B60K23/00; B60K23/04; B60T8/17; B60T8/175; B60T8/176; B60T8/1761; B60T8/17616; B60T2201/00; B60T2201/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
189 words
In combination with a steerable land vehicle having at least one right wheel and one left wheel, an apparatus for improving the cornering movement of the vehicle at a driver-imposed steer angle and under a plurality of constant and variable parameters, which comprises: means for determining a total available torque applicable to said wheels; means for applying a variable torque to the right wheel; wheels for applying a variable torque for the left wheel; means, responsive to said means for determining, for calculating a difference between the torques separately applicable to the right and left wheels; and means for selectively distributing said available torque according to said difference through said means for applying; wherein the means for calculating comprise: means for sensing the variable parameters; means for detecting the desired angle; and means for correlating the constant parameters, said sensed variable parameters, and said detected desired turning angle to the optimum torques; and wherein the means for sensing the variable parameters comprise: means indicative of the vehicle speed; means indicative of the intensity of an applied braking action; and at least one accelerometers indicative of the vehicle lateral acceleration.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
189 words
In combination with a steerable land vehicle having at least one right wheel and one left wheel, an apparatus for improving the cornering movement of the vehicle at a driver-imposed steer angle and under a plurality of constant and variable parameters, which comprises: means for determining a total available torque applicable to said wheels; means for applying a variable torque to the right wheel; wheels for applying a variable torque for the left wheel; means, responsive to said means for determining, for calculating a difference between the torques separately applicable to the right and left wheels; and means for selectively distributing said available torque according to said difference through said means for applying; wherein the means for calculating comprise: means for sensing the variable parameters; means for detecting the desired angle; and means for correlating the constant parameters, said sensed variable parameters, and said detected desired turning angle to the optimum torques; and wherein the means for sensing the variable parameters comprise: means indicative of the vehicle speed; means indicative of the intensity of an applied braking action; and at least one accelerometers indicative of the vehicle lateral acceleration.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The combination of claim 1, wherein the means for detecting a driver-imposed steer angle comprise a steering wheel turn indicator.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The combination of claim 1, wherein the means for detecting a driver imposed steer angle comprise a front wheel steer angle indicator.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
The combination of claim 1, wherein the means for correlating comprise means for calculating said difference between said torques as a function of the square of the vehicle linear speed, the steering angle, and lateral acceleration.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The combination of claim 1, wherein the means for distributing said available torque comprise means for modulating braking forces applied to said wheels.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
69 words
The combination of claim 5, wherein the means for modulating comprise a line carrying pressurized fluid to a hydraulic brake mechanism; solenoid activated valve for selectively bleeding amounts of said pressurized fluid off said line; means responsive to said means for correlating, for generating a pulse train having a duty cycle corresponding to one of said torques; and means for applying said pulse train to said solenoid activated valve.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
The combination of claim 1, wherein the means for distributing said variable torques comprise separate clutch means for each of the right and left wheels, said clutch means having adjustable torque transfer functions; and means for adjusting said torque transfer functions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination of claim 7, wherein the means for adjusting is responsive to the means for correlating.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
The combination of claim 1, wherein the means for distributing comprise: separate clutch means for each of the right and left wheels, said clutch means having adjustable torque transfer functions; and means for adjusting said torque transfer functions.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The combination of claim 9, wherein the means for adjusting is driver operated.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
The combination of claim 4, wherein the means for calculating comprise: means for storing a look-up table containing sets of data reflecting said constant parameters; and means for fetching said sets of data as a function of said variable parameters.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The combination of claim 11, wherein said constant parameters comprise vehicle characteristics and tire characteristics.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The combination of claim 3, wherein said vehicle comprises a trailer having a steerable front pair of wheels.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
65 words
The combination of claim 5, wherein said means for modulating comprise: means for differentially coupling a right wheel and a left wheel to a drive shaft, said means for differentially coupling comprising: a pair of back-to-back mounted wet clutch mechanisms each activated by a pressurized fluid line; and means responsive to said means for correlating, for selectively bleeding amounts of pressurized fluid from said lines.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
66 words
The combination of claim 10, wherein said means for selectively distributing said available torque comprise: means for directly coupling one of said wheels to a drive shaft; a clutch mechanism coupling said shaft to the other wheel; a line providing pressurized controlling fluid to said clutch mechanism; and means responsive to said means for calculating torque, for selectively bleeding amounts of pressurized fluid from said line.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-01-06 | 1995-07-08 | 1996-01-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-01-06 | 1999-07-08 | 2000-01-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-01-06 | 2003-07-08 | 2004-01-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |