System and method for vehicle chassis control

摘要

There is provided a vehicle comprising a chassis, two surface-engaging front wheels, at least one surface-engaging rear wheel and a propulsion unit for driving either the front wheels or the rear wheel or wheels. Each front wheel being connected to the chassis by means of a front wheel support assembly, wherein the front wheel support assembly comprises a hydraulic cylinder associated with each front wheel. Each hydraulic cylinder comprises a housing connected to one of the chassis and the front wheel support assembly, and a piston connected to the other of the front wheel support assembly and the chassis. The piston is moveable within the housing and arranged to divide the hydraulic cylinder into first and second chambers each having respective ports arranged to allow hydraulic fluid to enter and exit the respective chamber, the ports of the first chambers of each hydraulic cylinder being in fluid communication and the ports of the second chambers of each hydraulic cylinder being in fluid communication such that movement of hydraulic fluid from the first or second chamber of one hydraulic cylinder to the respective first or second chamber of the other hydraulic cylinder displaces the pistons of the hydraulic cylinders in opposing directions relative to the respective housings to enable the vehicle to tilt.

主权项

1. A vehicle comprising a chassis, two surface-engaging front wheels, at least one surface-engaging rear wheel and a propulsion unit for driving either the front wheels or the rear wheel or wheels, each front wheel being connected to the chassis by means of a front wheel support assembly, wherein the front wheel support assembly comprises a hydraulic cylinder associated with each front wheel, each hydraulic cylinder comprising:
a housing connected to one of the chassis and the front wheel support assembly; and a piston connected to the other of the front wheel support assembly and the chassis, the piston being moveable within the housing and arranged to divide the hydraulic cylinder into first and second chambers each having respective ports arranged to allow hydraulic fluid to enter and exit the respective chamber, the ports of the first chambers of each hydraulic cylinder being in fluid communication and the ports of the second chambers of each hydraulic cylinder being in fluid communication such that movement of hydraulic fluid from the first or second chamber of one hydraulic cylinder to the respective first or second chamber of the other hydraulic cylinder displaces the pistons of the hydraulic cylinders in opposing directions relative to the respective housings to enable the vehicle to tilt; wherein the chassis further comprises a central member movable therewith; and wherein the front wheel assembly further comprises:
an upper support member independently pivotably connected to the central member and to a respective wheel hub; anda lower support member independently pivotably connected to the central member and to a respective wheel hub, wherein at least one of the support members comprises a single member extending between wheel hubs, wherein the front wheel support assembly comprises a pump arrangement configured to pump hydraulic fluid between hydraulic cylinders.