Wheel module

Abstract

The present invention provides a wheel module for connecting to a vehicle frame. The wheel module comprises: a steering arm (10) connected to the vehicle frame so as to be relatively rotatable so as to change the driving direction of the vehicle, wherein the angle of relative rotation is greater than or equal to 90°; a wheel (W) mounted on the steering arm (10); and a lower arm (30) mounted on the lower portion of the steering arm (10) so as to be relatively rotatable with the steering arm (10) so as to connect the vehicle frame and the steering arm (10). The wheel module according to the present invention has a simple and stable structure and high reliability.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of vehicles, and in particular to a wheel module of a motor vehicle. Background Art

[0002] To enable vehicles to navigate tight curves or park in confined parking spaces, for example, the prior art provides wheel modules with large wheel steering angles (e.g., up to 90°), also known as smart steering modules. These wheel modules integrate the wheel's drive, steering, and suspension into a compact assembly unit.

[0003] For example, Chinese patent publication CN111526999A discloses a wheel module for a motor vehicle, wherein the wheel of the wheel module can rotate relative to the vehicle body (or frame) around a vertical steering axis at a large angle.

[0004] In the aforementioned wheel module, to achieve a large steering angle, the number of connections between the wheel and the vehicle body is minimized. For example, the wheel is connected to the vehicle body only via a steering arm, leaving the kingpin to bear the load in all directions. The kingpin is particularly susceptible to significant loads and impacts during braking, acceleration, or roll. This can negatively impact the life of the bearing supporting the kingpin, making it difficult to achieve lightweight kingpins, and consequently, compromise vehicle stability and safety. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of the present invention is to overcome or at least alleviate the deficiencies of the above-mentioned prior art and to provide a wheel module with a stable structure.

[0006] The present invention provides a wheel module for connecting to a frame of a motor vehicle, wherein the wheel module comprises:

[0007] a steering arm connected to the vehicle frame so as to be relatively rotatable to change the direction of travel of the motor vehicle, wherein the angle of relative rotation is greater than or equal to 90°;

[0008] a wheel mounted on the steering arm; and

[0009] The lower arm is mounted on the lower portion of the steering arm so as to be rotatable relative to the steering arm to connect the vehicle frame and the steering arm.

[0010] In at least one embodiment, the rotation axis of the lower arm relative to the pitman arm is colinear with the rotation axis of the pitman arm relative to the vehicle frame.

[0011] In at least one embodiment, the lower arm is rotatably connected to the vehicle frame, so that the relative height of the lower arm and the vehicle frame can be adjusted.

[0012] In at least one embodiment, the lower arm is connected to the vehicle frame at two first connection points, and the lower arm is connected to the steering arm at a second connection point, and the two first connection points and the one second connection point are connected to form a triangle.

[0013] In at least one embodiment, the lower arm includes two forks, each of which is connected to the second connection portion at one end, and each of which forms the first connection portion at the other end.

[0014] In at least one embodiment, an angle obtained by sequentially connecting one first connection portion, the second connection portion, and another first connection portion is an acute angle.

[0015] In at least one embodiment, a rotational connection is provided between the lower arm and the steering arm.

[0016] In at least one embodiment, the rotating connection is a spherical roller bearing.

[0017] In at least one embodiment, the lower portion of the steering arm is partially recessed upward to form a mounting groove, and the spherical roller bearing is embedded in the mounting groove.

[0018] In at least one embodiment, a buffer is provided between the lower arm and the vehicle frame.

[0019] The wheel module according to the present invention has a simple and stable structure and high reliability. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a wheel module according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 main view.

[0022] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 Top view of .

[0023] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 Left view of .

[0024] Figure 5 yes Figure 2 Enlarged view of the dotted box part.

[0025] Description of reference numerals:

[0026] 10 steering arm; 11 first part of steering arm; 12 second part of steering arm; 120 mounting groove; 20 shock absorber;

[0027] 30 lower arm; 31 fork; 30a boss;

[0028] 40 flexible sleeve; 50 rotating connecting piece; W wheel;

[0029] p1 is the first connection site; p2 is the second connection site. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] The following describes exemplary embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that these specific descriptions are only used to teach those skilled in the art how to implement the present invention, and are not intended to exhaust all possible embodiments of the present invention, nor to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0031] Unless otherwise specified, the present invention Figure 2 and Figure 3 It should be understood that the positional relationships defined by the x, y, and z axes in the present invention are relative, and the coordinate axes may be rotated in space according to the actual application of the device.

[0032] Reference Figures 1 to 5 The wheel module according to the present invention is designed to be connected to a vehicle frame (not shown) to enable the wheel W in the wheel module to rotate relative to the frame within a wide angular range (e.g., 90°). The wheel module includes a wheel drive device (e.g., a hub motor), a steering device (for wheel steering), a suspension, and the wheel W.

[0033] The suspension includes a steering arm 10 , a shock absorber 20 and a lower arm 30 .

[0034] The steering arm 10 includes a first portion 11 and a second portion 12, which are pivotally connected to each other. The first portion 11 and the second portion 12 are also pivotally connected to opposite ends of a shock absorber 20, forming a triangular support structure within a substantially vertical plane. During relative rotation between the first portion 11 and the second portion 12, the shock absorber 20 provides damping, thereby reducing vibration. The axis of the shock absorber 20 is collinear with the steering axis L of the wheel module, or in other words, with the kingpin of the wheel module.

[0035] The first portion 11 of the steering arm is arranged at a small inclination angle to the z-direction (or vertical direction) and is rotatably connected to the vehicle frame to achieve steering of the wheel module. The second portion 12 of the steering arm is arranged approximately horizontally and the wheel W is mounted on the second portion 12 of the steering arm.

[0036] The lower arm 30 is rotatably connected to the steering arm 10 at a lower portion of the second portion 12 of the steering arm facing away from the shock absorber 20. The lower arm 30 is rotatable relative to the steering arm 10 about the steering axis L. The lower arm 30 is also connected to the vehicle frame, thereby sharing the force between the steering arm 10 and the vehicle frame (or the force between the kingpin and the vehicle frame).

[0037] Specifically, the lower arm 30 includes two forks 31 and is substantially V-shaped. The ends of the two forks 31 that are separated from each other form a first connection point p1 for connecting to the vehicle frame, and the portion of the two forks 31 that is connected to each other forms a second connection point p2 connected to the second portion 12 of the steering arm.

[0038] Preferably, in order to ensure that the lower arm 30 can effectively and stably share the force between the steering arm 10 and the vehicle frame at all steering angles of the vehicle, the angle formed by the two forks 31 is an acute angle, or in other words, the angle obtained by sequentially connecting a first connection part p1, a second connection part p2 and another first connection part p1 is an acute angle.

[0039] Preferably, both forks 31 are rotatably connected to the vehicle frame to allow the lower arm 30 to swing slightly in the vertical direction relative to the vehicle frame, or to slightly adjust the relative height of the lower arm 30 and the vehicle frame to adapt to various driving conditions of the vehicle.

[0040] More preferably, the connection between the fork 31 and the frame has a certain degree of flexibility to absorb vibrations caused by slight changes in the relative position of the lower arm 30 and the frame. Specifically, in this embodiment, the fork 31 forms an axial hole at the first connection point p1. A cylindrical flexible sleeve 40, serving as a buffer, is disposed within the axial hole. For example, a bolt can be passed through the flexible sleeve 40 to connect the lower arm 30 to the frame. The flexible sleeve 40 is made of rubber, for example.

[0041] It should be understood that when the vehicle is running smoothly on a horizontal road, the lower arm 30 is substantially in a horizontal state, that is, the triangle formed by connecting the two first connection parts p1 and the second connection part p2 is located in the xoy plane.

[0042] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 5 The lower arm 30 is connected to the second portion 12 of the steering arm at the second connection point p2 via a rotating connection 50. The rotating connection 50 is preferably a spherical roller bearing, which generates less friction than other rotating connections such as ball joints. At the same time, the spherical roller bearing can also adapt to the forces in the z direction caused by, for example, wheel bumps.

[0043] Preferably, the lower portion of the second portion 12 of the steering arm is partially recessed upward to form a concave mounting groove 120, and the spherical roller bearing is embedded in the mounting groove 120. The lower arm 30 forms a boss 30a at the second connection portion p2, and the boss 30a is embedded in the spherical roller bearing.

[0044] During vehicle steering, the steering arm 10, shock absorber 20, and wheel W all steer relative to the vehicle frame, while the lower arm 30 only swings slightly relative to the frame (primarily in the z-direction). This not only connects the steering arm 10 to the vehicle frame in the x- and y-directions but also reduces wheel deflection relative to the steering axis L.

[0045] The present invention has at least one of the following advantages:

[0046] (i) The lower arm 30 of the wheel module according to the present invention can transmit forces between the wheel W and the vehicle frame in the x and y directions, thereby enhancing the structural strength of the wheel module in the x and y directions and improving the vehicle's maneuverability.

[0047] (ii) At a steering angle of, for example, a maximum of 90°, the wheel module can still remain stable, and the bearing between the steering arm 10 and the vehicle frame will not fail due to a large impact, thereby improving the stability and safety of the vehicle.

[0048] (iii) Since the lower arm 30 shares the force of the steering arm 10 , the steering arm 10 can have a lightweight structure.

[0049] Of course, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Those skilled in the art can make various modifications to the above embodiments under the guidance of the present invention without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example:

[0050] The lower arm 30 according to the present invention may not be V-shaped, but may be, for example, a triangular frame structure or a triangular plate. In addition, the lower arm 30 may also be in other shapes, such as a U-shape or an elongated strip, provided that the lower arm 30 does not interfere with the wheel W during steering.

Claims

1. A wheel module for connection to a frame of a motor vehicle, characterized in that The wheel module comprises: A steering arm (10) is connected to the vehicle frame so as to be relatively rotatable so as to change the driving direction of the motor vehicle, wherein the angle of relative rotation is greater than or equal to 90°, the steering arm comprises a first steering arm portion and a second steering arm portion which are rotatably connected to each other, the first steering arm portion (11) and the second steering arm portion are also rotatably connected to two ends of a shock absorber, so that the first steering arm portion, the second steering arm portion and the shock absorber form a triangular support structure, and the axis of the shock absorber is collinear with the steering axis (L) of the wheel module; A wheel (W) mounted on the steering arm (10); and A lower arm (30) is rotatably connected to the vehicle frame and is mounted on the lower portion of the second portion of the steering arm so as to be rotatable relative to the steering arm (10) to connect the vehicle frame and the steering arm (10), so that the relative height of the lower arm (30) and the vehicle frame can be adjusted.

2. The wheel module according to claim 1, characterized in that The rotation axis of the lower arm (30) relative to the steering arm (10) is colinear with the rotation axis of the steering arm (10) relative to the vehicle frame.

3. The wheel module according to claim 1, characterized in that The lower arm (30) is connected to the vehicle frame at two first connection points (p1), and the lower arm (30) is connected to the steering arm (10) at a second connection point (p2), and the two first connection points (p1) and the second connection point (p2) are connected to form a triangle.

4. The wheel module according to claim 3, characterized in that The lower arm (30) comprises two forks (31), wherein one end of each of the two forks (31) is connected to the second connection portion (p2), and the other end of each of the two forks (31) forms the first connection portion (p1).

5. The wheel module according to claim 3, characterized in that An angle obtained by sequentially connecting one of the first connection parts (p1), the second connection part (p2), and another of the first connection parts (p1) is an acute angle.

6. The wheel module according to claim 2, characterized in that A rotating connection member (50) is provided between the lower arm (30) and the steering arm (10).

7. The wheel module according to claim 6, characterized in that The rotating connecting member (50) is a spherical roller bearing.

8. The wheel module according to claim 7, characterized in that The lower portion of the steering arm (10) is partially recessed upward to form a mounting groove (120), and the spherical roller bearing is embedded in the mounting groove (120).

9. The wheel module according to claim 1, characterized in that A buffer is provided between the lower arm (30) and the vehicle frame.

Images