384results about "Multiple wheel assembly" patented technology

A power distribution and control system for a military vehicle comprises a power source, a power transmission link, a plurality of input and output devices, a plurality of microprocessor-based interface modules, and a communication network that interconnects the interface modules. The interface modules are also each coupled to respective local subsets of the input and output devices so as to permit distributed data collection from the input devices and distributed power distribution to the output devices. Each of the interface modules collects input status information from the respective local subset of the input devices and broadcasts the input status information over the communication network to each of the remaining ones of the interface modules. Each of the remaining ones of the interface modules receive the input status information and locally store the input status information.

A wheel assembly for a small-scale machine includes a pair of opposing, individually-driven wheels, associated motors and possibly one or more gear assemblies. The motors receive separate drive signals from a control electronics subsystem of the wheel assembly. The motors can be connected to the wheels via the gear assemblies. Because the wheels are separately driven, driving the two wheel assemblies at similar or different speeds drives the wheel assembly over straight or curved paths. An orientation assembly allows the orientation of the wheels to the machine to be controllably altered. A height adjusting assembly allows the distance between the wheels and a point on the machine where the wheel assembly is attached to be adjusted. The rotational axis that the wheel assembly rotates about when re-oriented need not pass through either wheel of the wheel assembly. The wheels can be driven by control signals generated by on-board control electronics.

A multi-functional active container (e.g., luggage or suitcase) with a plurality of sensors and actuators is described. The container may include a body defining an enclosure and having at least one opening. The container may include a processor, a wireless receiver, and an electronically controllable lock. The processor can selectively lock or unlock the electronically controllable lock based on signals received via a wireless receiver (e.g., via Wi-Fi or BLUETOOTH connections). In some examples, a distance between the active container and a remote device (e.g., a smart phone) can be determined (e.g., based on relative GPS signals or connection strength) and if the distance exceeds a threshold, the electronically controllable lock can be activated to secure the container. Further, the container may include a rechargeable power source for powering external devices and an integrated weight sensor for detecting the weight of the container.

A rollover stability control system for a vehicle may include an object information device. An active suspension or an active steering system may be coupled to a wheel of the vehicle. The rollover system may include a lateral support system. A controller determines that an obstacle is an imminent tripping obstacle and raises or steers the wheel, to prevent the wheel from colliding with the obstacle, or deploys the lateral support system in response to a rollover notification signal and the determination. A rollover stability control system for a vehicle may include a chassis and a driving surface wheel. A wheel assembly is coupled to the chassis inward from the driving surface wheel relative to a longitudinal centerline of the vehicle. The wheel assembly contacts the driving surface when a roll angle of the vehicle is greater than a predetermined level.

A suspension system for the main frame of a large dump truck having laterally spaced frame members (10) each associated with a wheel mounting hub (12) the system comprising, for each hub (12), a hollow forward attachment arm (20) supported by a bearing block (21) having a longitudinal journal (23) and a transverse journal (22), the longitudinal journal (23) receiving the attachment arm (20) and the transverse journal (22) receiving the ends of a shaft rigidly secured to the frame members (10) and extending therebetween to define a cross member and a vertically compliant suspension strut comprising a cylinder (41) rigidly attached to a support (28) secured to the frame member (10) and receiving a piston (40) attached to a rear extension (42) from the hub (12) via a bearing which allows each hub (12) to rotate about longitudinal and transverse axes relative to the respective frame member (10). Also disclosed is dump truck body (B) having side walls (61), a floor (62) and an end wall (63), the floor (62) being reinforced by longitudinal reinforcing beams and by only one transverse beam (72). The side walls (61) slope inwardly, the floor (62) slopes downwardly and forwardly and the width of the floor (62) increases towards the rear of the body (B).

A wheel assembly includes a carrier and a wheel mounted adjacent to the carrier for rotation relative to the carrier. A first array of magnets is carried by one of the first side of the wheel and the carrier, and a first array of coils is carried by the other of the wheel and the carrier corresponding to the first array of magnets. A spinner is mounted adjacent to the wheel for rotation relative to the wheel. A second array of magnets is carried by one of the wheel and the carrier, and a second array of coils is carried by the other of the wheel and the spinner corresponding to the second array of magnets.

When the drive of a lubricant pump (46) is stopped to prevent the lubricant pump (46) from assuming an idling state, a determination is made as to whether or not a temperature difference (ΔT) between the temperature (T) of a lubricant oil detected earlier by a temperature sensor (51) and a warning temperature (Toh) is equal to or lower than a predetermined threshold value (α). When the temperature difference (ΔT) is within the threshold value (α), an “overheat” warning is issued to an operator of a dump truck (1). In consequence, even in a case where a temperature sensor (51) is provided on the output side of the lubricant pump (46) by being located on an outer side of a wheel mounting case (19), planetary gear reduction mechanisms (23), (31) inside the wheel mounting case (19) can be prevented from overheating by warning the operator of the vehicle.

In case a temperature (T) of a lubricant oil (G) cannot be detected by an oil temperature sensor (51) provided on an output side of a lubricant pump (46), the temperature (Tm) of a wheel drive motor (17) is detected by using a motor temperature sensor (53) provided on the wheel drive motor (17). By estimating the temperature (T) of the lubricant oil (G) from the temperature (Tm) of the wheel drive motor (17), monitoring is carried out as to whether or not the temperature (Tm) has risen to a predetermined temperature (Tms) at which the cooling of the lubricant oil (G) by forced circulation is deemed necessary. The drive of a lubricant pump (46) by a pump drive motor (47) is stopped until the motor temperature (Tm) rises to a level exceeding the predetermined temperature (Tms).

A lubricant circulation pump (46) which is driven by an electric motor (47) is provided in the course of a circulation path (41A, 41B) for circulating lubricant oil to a wheel mounting case (19) which is rotated together with a rear wheel (7). Turning on and off the lubricant circulation pump is controlled according to rotational speed of the rear wheel. When lubricant oil in the wheel mounting case sticks on inner peripheral surfaces thereof under the influence of centrifugal force as a result of the increased vehicle speed, the electric motor is turned off to suspend operation of the lubricant circulation pump. Consequently, the lubricant circulation pump does not suck lubricant oil in the wheel mounting case through an inlet opening (42A) of an intake pipe (42), thereby preventing the lubricant circulation pump from being put in a dry idling operation.

A hub for mounting a plurality of wheels of a vehicle, the hub including: an annular cylinder including at least two tire mounts disposed about a circumference of an outer surface of the cylinder, each of the mounts including at least one set of mounting features for receiving mounting hardware and retaining the tire. A dual wheel assembly and a vehicle are also disclosed.

A centrifugal wheel apparatus for a vehicle having a plurality of pivoting elements attachable to an interior of a vehicle wheel that, when subjected to centripetal force, pivot away from the vehicle wheel and toward a pneumatic tire attached to the vehicle wheel to reshape the pneumatic tire into a dome thereby decreasing surface contact between the vehicle and a surface so that the vehicle may travel with less resistance and increased economy.

A Mecanum wheel having a first wheel rim (2) which bears a multiplicity of rollers (4) which are arranged adjacent to one another in a circumferential direction and which are in each case mounted so as to be rotatable about a roller axis of rotation (38) arranged at an angle with respect to a first wheel rim axis of rotation (24), wherein said Mecanum wheel is characterized by a second wheel rim (3) which can be driven together with the first wheel rim (2) by means of a common drive shaft (33) and which bears a multiplicity of rollers (4) which are arranged adjacent to one another in a circumferential direction and which are in each case mounted so as to be rotatable about a roller axis of rotation (38) arranged at an angle with respect to a second wheel rim axis of rotation (25), which second wheel rim is connected to the first wheel rim (2) via damping means (7) formed so as to permit a limited relative movement of the first and the second rim (3) relative to one another. It is provided according to the invention that the damping means (7) are formed so as to permit a damped, limited relative movement between the first and the second wheel rim (2, 3) in the circumferential direction and / or perpendicular to a Mecanum wheel axis of rotation (9) and / or perpendicular to the first and / or to the second wheel rim axis of rotation (25) and / or at a tilt angle relative to one another.

Towing apparatus for connecting a trailer with a towing vehicle. The towing apparatus is adapted to bear part of the weight of the trailer, thus lessening the load on the towing vehicle. This is accomplished by providing a wheel assembly on the towing apparatus which is operatively connected to an adjustable main spring which supports most of the weight of the trailer which would normally bear on the hitch of the towing vehicle. Unlike conventional towing systems, wherein the trailer tongue is rigidly attached to the trailer, the towing apparatus of the present invention employs a pivotally-mounted trailer tongue which is maintained in a horizontal position by an adjustable secondary spring or springs. The use of main and secondary springs presents a relatively constant load to the trailer hitch, even when the trailer is being towed across rough or uneven surfaces.

A freestanding self-propelled device for moving objects. The device includes a chassis having lower frame portions and upright frame portions. A single motor-driven drive wheel is centrally located between the lateral ends of the chassis and coupled to the chassis so as to be pivotable about a substantially vertical axis. The drive wheel is located between sets of support wheels coupled to the lower frame portion of the chassis. In combination, the drive wheel and the support wheels result in the device being freestanding. The drive wheel projects below the sets of support wheels so that the device is supported by the drive wheel and by only one of each set of support wheels at any given time, thereby establishing a three-point contact with the surface supporting the device. A tiller equipped with controls is pivotably coupled to the drive wheel for pivoting the drive wheel about its vertical axis.

An axle assembly for a vehicle comprising a stationary spindle and a rotatable axle shaft. An intermediate hub is supported on the spindle. Adjacent inner and outer wheel hubs are supported on the intermediate hub. A differential mechanism interconnects the inner and outer wheel hubs for driving both of the wheel hubs and for permitting relative rotation between the wheel hubs. At least one differential bushing is disposed between the differential mechanism and the intermediate hub. A gear reduction system interconnects the intermediate hub and the axle shaft for providing torque multiplication. A wet disc brake device is coupled between the spindle and the intermediate hub.