Tilt vehicles with three or more wheels having a hydraulic tilt system and a tilt prevention system

Abstract

The swing system includes a pair of hydraulic cylinders (10a, 10b), a connecting conduit (12) connecting the working chambers of the hydraulic cylinders (10a, 10b) to each other, and a locking valve (14) arranged along the connecting conduit (12) and switchable between an open position and a closed position, wherein in the open position, the locking valve (14) allows working fluid to flow between the hydraulic cylinders (10a, 10b) through the connecting conduit (12), thereby allowing the vehicle to tilt; in the closed position, the locking valve (14) blocks the working fluid from flowing between the hydraulic cylinders (10a, 10b), thereby preventing the vehicle from swinging. The swing system also includes a motorized actuator having an electric motor (16) operably connected to the locking valve (14) to command it to switch between the open position and the closed position, an electronic control unit (ECU) adapted to drive the electric motor (16) according to a predetermined control logic, and a control signal operable by a driver to provide the electronic control unit (ECU) with an indication of the driver's intention to block or release the blocking of the vehicle swing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention generally relates to a leaning vehicle having three or more wheels, i.e. a vehicle comprising a pair of wheels arranged side by side at the front and possibly a further pair of wheels arranged side by side at the rear, and to a leaning system designed to allow the vehicle to lean in a manner similar to a conventional motorcycle, particularly when turning.

[0002] More specifically, the invention relates to a three-wheeled or more tilting vehicle with a hydraulic tilting system; more precisely, to a tilting system comprising, for each pair of oscillating wheels, a pair of hydraulic cylinders, wherein each hydraulic cylinder is associated with a respective wheel, the respective working chambers of each pair of hydraulic cylinders being connected by respective connecting ducts to allow the passage of a working fluid (usually oil) from one working chamber to the other. For a three-wheeled tilting vehicle (two front wheels and one rear wheel), only one pair of hydraulic cylinders associated with the two front wheels will be provided, the pair of hydraulic cylinders being connected to each other by connecting ducts, whereas for a four-wheeled tilting vehicle (two front wheels and two rear wheels), two pairs of hydraulic cylinders will be provided, one pair being located at the front of the vehicle and the other pair being located at the rear of the vehicle, and the hydraulic cylinders in each pair will be connected to each other by respective connecting ducts.

[0003] Vehicles of this type are for example the four-wheeled vehicle Qooder and the three-wheeled vehicle QV3 sold by the applicant. Background Art

[0004] In tilting vehicles with three or more wheels equipped with a hydraulic tilting system or the above-mentioned specific type, it is known to use a locking system that can be activated by the driver to prevent the vehicle from tilting when parking, thus allowing the vehicle to remain in a stable parking position without the need for a classic stand like a motorcycle.

[0005] This known locking system includes a locking valve, which is arranged along a connecting conduit connecting the hydraulic cylinders to each other and can be switched between an open position and a closed position, wherein in the open position, it allows the working fluid to flow between one hydraulic cylinder and another hydraulic cylinder through the connecting conduit; in the closed position, it prevents the working fluid from flowing through the connecting conduit; the locking system also includes a control component, by which the driver can manually move the locking valve from the open position to the closed position, or from the closed position to the open position.

[0006] In the attached figure Figure 1 and Figure 2An example of such a locking system is shown, which shows a free tilt state and a locked tilt state, respectively. In these two figures, 10a and 10b represent two hydraulic cylinders of a hydraulic tilt system of a tilting vehicle, which are located on the right and left sides, respectively; 12 represents a connecting conduit that makes the working chambers (in this example, the upper working chambers) of the two hydraulic cylinders 10a and 10b fluidically connected to each other; 14 represents a blocking valve arranged along the connecting conduit 12 to allow or prevent the working fluid from flowing along the conduit.

[0007] In this example, the control member denoted by 16 is formed by a lever which controls the movement of the locking valve 14 between the aforementioned open position and the closed position via a pair of control cables 18. In particular, when the lever 16 is in the raised position (eg Figure 1 As shown), the locking valve 14 is in an open position, in which it allows the working fluid to flow along the connecting conduit 12, thereby allowing the vehicle to tilt; and when the joystick 16 is in a lowered position (as shown Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 1 , the locking valve 14 is in a closed position, in which it blocks the working fluid from flowing along the connecting conduit 12, thereby preventing the vehicle from tilting. When the driver wants to park the vehicle, all he / she has to do is move the operating lever 16 to a lowered position to prevent the vehicle from swinging, thereby firmly holding the vehicle in the parking position.

[0008] However, the disadvantage of this known locking system is that it can only be used for long-term parking and is not suitable for short-term parking, for example, when waiting for traffic lights, the driver must put his feet on the ground to keep the vehicle stable.

[0009] Another example of a vehicle tilt control system is known from EP 3 434 570 A1. This system also comprises a pair of hydraulic cylinders connected by a conduit, and a locking valve is arranged on the conduit, and the locking valve can be switched between an open position and a closed position. In the open position, the fluid is allowed to flow between the two hydraulic cylinders (to allow the vehicle to tilt); in the closed position, the fluid is blocked from flowing between the two hydraulic cylinders (to prevent the vehicle from tilting).

[0010] However, in this structure, the tilt locking system exists independently of the vehicle pitching system, and thus a separate system is also required. Summary of the invention

[0011] The object of the present invention is to provide a locking system for locking the tilting movement of a three-wheel or four-wheel tilting vehicle equipped with a hydraulic tilting system. The locking system is simple, safe and economical and can be easily and quickly activated by the driver, whereby the tilting of the vehicle can be locked even in the case of short stops (for example at traffic lights).

[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide an efficient system for controlling the tilt and pitch motion of a vehicle.

[0013] These and other objects of the present invention are fully achieved by means of a hydraulic tilting system as defined in the attached independent claim 1.

[0014] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are described in the dependent claims, whose content is to be understood as an integral part of the following.

[0015] In summary, the concept of the invention is based on the use of a three-way locking valve designed to transfer the fluid flow from a hydraulic cylinder to a second hydraulic cylinder (to adjust the tilting motion of the vehicle) and / or to an auxiliary reservoir (to adjust the suspension motion of the vehicle) and a motorized actuation device comprising:

[0016] an electric motor operatively connected to the locking valve to control switching thereof between an open position and a closed position;

[0017] an electronic control unit adapted to drive the electric motor according to a predetermined control logic; and

[0018] A control member operable by the driver to provide a control signal to the electronic control unit indicating the driver's intention to prevent the vehicle from tilting or to release the intention to prevent the vehicle from tilting.

[0019] The electronic control unit is advantageously arranged to, upon receiving a command signal provided by the driver via the control member, check predetermined operating parameters of the vehicle (e.g. vehicle speed, accelerator opening, etc.) to determine whether conditions exist for safely locking or unlocking the vehicle tilt, and, if so, to drive the engine to command the locking valve to switch from an open position to a closed position, or vice versa. The electronic control unit is also advantageously arranged to command the locking valve to switch in such a way that the working fluid flows (partially or completely) from the hydraulic cylinder to an auxiliary tank hydraulically connected to the connecting conduit.

[0020] By means of this actuation device, the driver can command locking and unlocking of the vehicle tilting in a very simple and rapid manner, whereby the vehicle can be prevented from tilting even in the event of short stops, for example at traffic lights.

[0021] Furthermore, this actuation device allows the release of the tilt, i.e. the movement of the locking valve from the closed position to the open position, to be automatically controlled at each vehicle restart based on information, for example, relating to the throttle opening, without the driver having to send a command signal via a control member (e.g. by pressing a specific button). BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, which is given by way of non-limiting example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0023] Figure 1 and Figure 2 are perspective views of a hydraulic tilting system of a three-wheel or more-wheel tilting vehicle in the prior art in a free tilting state and a locked tilting state, respectively;

[0024] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a hydraulic swing system for a three-wheeled or more wheeled tilting vehicle in one embodiment of the present invention; and

[0025] Figure 4 1 is a perspective view of a hydraulic swing system for a three-wheeled or more-wheeled tilting vehicle according to another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] First refer to Figure 3 , wherein the same reference numerals are used to denote Figure 1 and Figure 2 The hydraulic tilting system for a three-wheeled or more wheeled tilting or rolling vehicle comprises, in a manner known per se, a pair of hydraulic cylinders 10a and 10b (on the right and left sides respectively), each hydraulic cylinder being interposed between a respective front wheel of the vehicle and the body of the vehicle, or preferably between a suspension arm of a respective front wheel of the vehicle and the body of the vehicle.

[0027] Figure 3 Neither the body of the vehicle nor the front wheels with the associated mechanical suspension components are shown, since these components of the vehicle are known per se.

[0028] In addition, although Figure 3 Only the hydraulic cylinders associated with the two front wheels of the vehicle are shown, however, it should be understood that in the case of a four-wheeled vehicle, the hydraulic tilting system includes a further pair of hydraulic cylinders associated with the rear wheels of the vehicle, and all that is described and illustrated herein with reference to the hydraulic cylinders associated with the front wheels of the vehicle applies equally to the hydraulic cylinders associated with the rear wheels of the vehicle.

[0029] Refer again Figure 3, the working chambers (in this case, the upper working chambers) of the two hydraulic cylinders 10a and 10b are connected to each other by a connecting conduit 12, through which the working fluid (e.g., oil) contained in these working chambers can flow from one working chamber to the other working chamber to enable the vehicle to swing. A locking valve 14 (which is configured as a three-way ball valve) is arranged along the connecting conduit 12, and the locking valve 14 can be switched between an open position and a closed position, wherein in the open position, the locking valve 14 allows the working fluid to flow through the connecting conduit 12; in the closed position, the locking valve 14 prevents the working fluid from flowing through the connecting conduit 12. The locking valve 14 is also configured to divert all or part of the working fluid flow from one of the hydraulic cylinders 10a and 10b to the auxiliary box 15 instead of the other of the hydraulic cylinders 10a and 10b. In this way, the roll and pitch motions of the vehicle can be adjusted with a single valve. In addition, according to one embodiment, the auxiliary box 15 can be pressurized.

[0030] The switching of the locking valve 14 between the open position and the closed position is controlled by a motorized actuation device, which according to this embodiment comprises an electric motor 16 (or preferably an electric motor and a reduction unit) and a pair of control cables 18, wherein the electric motor 16 acts on the locking valve 14 via these control cables 18. By controlling the electric motor 16 in one direction or the other, via the control cables 18, the locking valve 14 can be switched from the open position to the closed position or, conversely, from the closed position to the open position.

[0031] The electric motor 16 is driven by an electronic control unit ECU which receives at its input signals from a control member 20 (at Figure 3 The electronic control unit ECU also receives information about certain operating parameters of the vehicle (e.g., vehicle speed v, throttle opening α, etc.) at its input and determines based on this information whether these conditions are in place to safely lock or unlock the vehicle's sway.

[0032] Therefore, if the electronic control unit ECU determines that the vehicle swing can be safely locked or unlocked after receiving the command signal from the control member 20, the electronic control unit ECU drives the motor 16 to switch the lock valve 14 from the open position to the closed position or from the closed position to the open position.

[0033] The electronic control unit ECU may also advantageously be arranged to command the locking valve 14 to be switched in such a way that the working fluid flows (partially or completely) from the hydraulic cylinders 10a, 10b to the auxiliary tank 15 which is hydraulically connected to the connecting conduit 12.

[0034] For example, the control member 20 can be a button located on the handlebar or another position on the vehicle that is easily accessible to the driver. In this case, the system is configured such that: when the locking valve 14 is in the closed position (i.e., when the vehicle roll is prevented), pressing the button will command the locking valve 14 to move to the open position, thereby unlocking the vehicle roll; and when the locking valve 14 is in the open position (i.e., when the vehicle roll is allowed), pressing the button will command the locking valve 14 to move to the closed position, thereby locking the vehicle roll.

[0035] Alternatively, the control member 20 may be a switch switchable between two operating positions corresponding to a locked state in which the vehicle is tilted and an unlocked state in which the vehicle is tilted, respectively.

[0036] In any case, the actuation of the control member 20 does not automatically determine the switching of the locking valve 14, but the electronic control unit ECU determines whether the locking valve 14 can be switched, and if so, appropriately drives the electric motor 16. For example, if the driver operates the control member 20 to prevent the vehicle from rolling when the vehicle is traveling at a speed higher than a given first threshold, the electronic control unit ECU does not allow the locking valve 14 to switch to the closed position. In addition, when the parking brake of the vehicle is in an activated state, the electronic control unit ECU prohibits the locking valve 14 from switching from the closed position to the open position to prevent the unlocked vehicle from rolling.

[0037] Furthermore, the electronic control unit ECU is preferably configured to automatically unlock the vehicle roll at each vehicle restart, independently of the driver's actuation of the control member 20. Thus, if the vehicle restarts, for example, from a traffic light stop state, once the vehicle speed exceeds a given second threshold value (which may be equal to or different from the aforementioned first threshold value), the electronic control unit ECU commands the locking valve 14 to switch to the open position to allow the vehicle to swing.

[0038] Of course, other and / or different operating logics may be implemented in the electronic control unit ECU.

[0039] Preferably, a sensor device suitable for detecting the open or closed position of the valve and for sending a corresponding signal to the electronic control unit ECU is associated with the locking valve 14. For example, such a sensor device may include a pair of micro switches 22, which can be operated by a cam 24, and the cam 24 is connected to the rotating opening and closing member (ball) of the locking valve 14 so that when the locking valve 14 is in the closed position, the cam 24 switches the micro switch 22 associated with this position, so that the corresponding valve closing signal is sent to the electronic control unit ECU; and when the locking valve 14 is in the open position, the cam 24 switches the micro switch 22 associated with this position, so that the corresponding valve opening signal is sent to the electronic control unit ECU.

[0040] exist Figure 4 In, with Figure 3 The same or corresponding parts and elements are denoted by the same reference numerals. Figure 4 The oscillating system of the present invention is shown in another embodiment.

[0041] This other embodiment is similar to the above reference Figure 3 The embodiment described differs in that the electric motor 16 acts directly on the locking valve 14, rather than via a control cable 18, because the shaft of the electric motor is connected to the shutter of the locking valve by means of a joint. Preferably, in this case, the cam 24 is integrated in the connection joint.

[0042] For the rest, the above reference applies Figure 3 The contents described in the illustrated embodiment.

[0043] Naturally, while the principle of the invention remains unchanged, the embodiments and construction details may vary significantly with respect to what has been described and illustrated purely by way of non-limiting example, without thereby departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A hydraulic tilting system for a tilting vehicle having three or more wheels, comprising: A pair of hydraulic cylinders (10a, 10b); A connecting conduit (12) connecting the working chambers of the pair of hydraulic cylinders (10a, 10b) to each other; and a three-way locking valve (14) arranged along the connecting conduit (12) and switchable between an open position and a closed position, wherein in the open position, it allows the working fluid to flow between the working chambers of the hydraulic cylinders (10a, 10b) through the connecting conduit (12), thereby allowing the vehicle to tilt; in the closed position, it blocks the working fluid from flowing between the working chambers of the hydraulic cylinders (10a, 10b), thereby preventing the vehicle from tilting; the locking valve (14) is also configured to direct all or part of the working fluid from one of the steering assist boxes (15) of the hydraulic cylinders (10a, 10b) to the other of the hydraulic cylinders (10a, 10b); The hydraulic tilting system further comprises a motorized actuating device for controlling the locking valve (14) to switch between the open position and the closed position, the motorized actuating device comprising: an electric motor (16) operatively connected to the locking valve (14) to control the locking valve (14) to switch between the open position and the closed position; an electronic control unit configured to drive the electric motor (16) according to a predetermined control logic; and a control member (20) operable by the driver to send a control signal to the electronic control unit indicating the driver's intention to allow or prevent the vehicle from tilting; The invention is characterized in that the motorized actuating device further comprises a sensor device, which is configured to detect whether the locking valve (14) is in the open position or the closed position and send a corresponding signal to the electronic control unit; the sensor device comprises a cam (24) and a pair of micro switches (22), wherein each micro switch (22) is associated with a corresponding one of the open position and the closed position of the locking valve (14); the cam (24) is connected to the closure of the locking valve (14) and cooperates with the micro switch (22) to switch the corresponding micro switch (22) each time the locking valve (14) is in the open position or the closed position, thereby sending a corresponding signal to the electronic control unit.

2. The hydraulic tilting system according to claim 1, wherein: The electronic control unit is further configured to: upon receiving a control signal provided by the driver via the control member (20), check a predetermined operating parameter of the vehicle; and based on the check, drive the electric motor (16) to move the locking valve (14) from the open position to the closed position, or from the closed position to the open position.

3. The hydraulic tilting system according to claim 2, wherein: The electronic control unit is configured to prevent the locking valve (14) from moving from the open position to the closed position when the speed of the vehicle is greater than a given first threshold value while the vehicle is traveling.

4. The hydraulic tilting system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein: The electronic control unit is configured to move the locking valve (14) from the closed position to the open position once the speed of the vehicle is higher than a given second threshold when the vehicle starts to move from an initial stationary state.

5. The hydraulic tilting system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein: The electronic control unit is configured to move the locking valve (14) from the closed position to the open position once a given accelerator opening is overcome when the vehicle starts to move from an initial stationary state.

6. The hydraulic tilting system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein: The electronic control unit is arranged to prevent the locking valve (14) from moving from the closed position to the open position when the parking brake of the vehicle is activated.

7. The hydraulic tilting system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The electronic control unit is configured to command the lock valve (14) to be switched in such a way that the working fluid partially or completely flows from the hydraulic cylinder (10a, 10b) to the auxiliary tank (15).

8. The hydraulic tilting system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The motorized actuating device further comprises a pair of control cables (18), through which the electric motor (16) acts on the closing member of the locking valve (14) so ​​as to switch the locking valve (14) between the open position and the closed position.

9. The hydraulic tilting system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The electric motor (16) is directly coupled to a closure member of the locking valve (14) to switch the locking valve (14) between the open position and the closed position, wherein no control cable is interposed between the electric motor (16) and the closure member.

10. A tilting vehicle having three or more wheels comprising a hydraulic tilting system according to any preceding claim.

Images