Autonomous modular vehicle wheel assembly

摘要

An autonomous modular wheel assembly includes at least one connector for connecting the wheel control assembly to a vehicle axle, one or more suspension arms that support the assembly with respect to the axle, an electric drive motor connected to a the vehicle wheel, a steering bearing, and a steering actuator. The electric drive motor and steering bearing control the operation of the vehicle wheel in response to commands received via the actuator. The connector has one or more electrical connection points for providing power and information to the wheel assembly. The robot wheel increases the vehicle steering range to up to 150 degrees and enables new vehicle drive modes. The traditional +/−30 degrees of front wheel steering are enabled, as well as at least three new drive modes: four wheel parallel and converse steering, spin on spot steering, and 90 degree sideways motion.

主权项

1. An autonomous modular wheel control assembly, comprising:
at least one connector for connecting the wheel control assembly to a vehicle axle, the connector comprising one or more electrical connection points for providing power and information to the wheel control assembly; one or more suspension arms for supporting the wheel control assembly with respect to the vehicle axle, the suspension arms being connectable to the axle by means of the connector; an electric drive motor connected to a motor mount and connectable to a vehicle wheel, the electric drive motor adapted for controlling the operation of the vehicle wheel and for acting on commands received from a controller configured to control the electric drive motor; a steering bearing connected to the electric drive motor mount; and a steering actuator connected between the suspension arms and the steering bearing, the steering actuator being adapted to act on steering and drive commands received from a controller configured to control the steering actuator.