Wheel module and vehicle

Abstract

A wheel module for connection to a vehicle frame of a motor vehicle, the wheel module comprising a steering assembly, a joint member (30) and a rocker arm (50), the steering assembly and the joint member (30) being connected into a rigid member, the joint member (30) being for mounting a wheel, the rocker arm (50) connecting the joint member (30) and the vehicle frame, the rigid member being drivable to rotate relative to the vehicle frame about a virtual axis of rotation (a) so as to change the orientation of the wheel, the virtual axis of rotation (a) passing through the steering assembly and the joint member (30). A vehicle is also disclosed.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] In order to enable a motor vehicle to travel on a narrow curve or park in a narrow parking space, for example, the industry has proposed a wheel module with a large wheel steering angle (e.g., up to 90°), which is also called an intelligent steering angle module. The wheel module mounts the driving device, steering device, and suspension of the wheel in a compact assembly unit.

[0003] How to make such a wheel module have both a simple structure and good working performance is an urgent problem to be solved in this field. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of the present application is to overcome or at least mitigate the deficiencies of the above-mentioned prior art, and to provide a wheel module and a vehicle.

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wheel module for connecting to a vehicle frame of a motor vehicle. The wheel module includes a steering assembly, a joint member, and a rocker arm.

[0006] The steering assembly and the joint member are connected into a rigid member.

[0007] The joint member is used for mounting a wheel, and the rocker arm connects the joint member and the vehicle frame.

[0008] The rigid member can be driven to rotate relative to the vehicle frame about a virtual rotation axis to change the orientation of the wheel. The virtual rotation axis passes through the steering assembly and the joint member.

[0009] In at least one embodiment, the wheel module further includes a driving member bracket for supporting a driving member and the steering assembly. The driving member bracket is fixed to the rocker arm.

[0010] The steering assembly and the driving member bracket are rotatably connected to each other through a first rotation connection assembly. The joint member and the rocker arm are rotatably connected to each other through a second rotation connection assembly. The connection line of the first rotation connection assembly and the second rotation connection assembly defines the virtual rotation axis.

[0011] In at least one embodiment, the joint member is fixed to a side of the steering assembly close to the wheel, and the steering assembly has a portion deviating from the virtual rotation axis to yield space for the wheel.

[0012] In at least one embodiment, the driving member bracket is formed with a first limiting protrusion and a second limiting protrusion for limiting the rotation angle of the steering assembly.

[0013] In at least one embodiment, the steering assembly includes a rigidly connected steering arm and a steering wheel, wherein the steering wheel includes lugs for interacting with the first limiting protrusion and the second limiting protrusion to achieve rotational angle limitation.

[0014] In at least one embodiment, the first rotational connection assembly includes a bearing and a mounting ring.

[0015] The steering wheel includes a coaxially arranged disk body and a disk central axis, and the outer diameter of the disk body is greater than the outer diameter of the disk central axis.

[0016] The inner ring of the bearing is non-rotatably connected to the disk central axis.

[0017] The mounting ring is sleeved outside the bearing, and the mounting ring is non-rotatably connected to the outer ring of the bearing.

[0018] The mounting ring is fixed to the driving member bracket.

[0019] In at least one embodiment, the mounting ring is formed with a plurality of ring fixing holes, and the disk body is formed with at least one disk through hole.

[0020] The disk through hole can be rotated to a position aligned with the ring fixing hole to allow a first fastener to pass through the disk through hole and extend into the ring fixing hole, and fix the mounting ring to the driving member bracket.

[0021] In at least one embodiment, the steering arm and the disk body are connected by a second connecting member, and the second connecting member extends into the disk through hole.

[0022] In at least one embodiment, the driving member bracket is formed with a receiving hole, and the driving member bracket includes a first bracket and a second bracket that can be separated in the radial direction of the receiving hole, and the receiving hole at least partially houses the steering wheel.

[0023] In at least one embodiment, the second rotational connection assembly includes a ball pin assembly and a ball pin bracket, and the ball pin bracket is fixed to the rocker arm.

[0024] The ball pin assembly includes a ball pin and a ball seat, the ball seat is fixed to the joint member, and the neck of the ball pin is fixed to the ball pin bracket.

[0025] The mounting position of the ball pin bracket on the rocker arm can be adjusted.

[0026] In at least one embodiment, the wheel module further includes a shock absorber, the first end of the shock absorber is rotatably connected to the rocker arm, and the second end of the shock absorber is used for connecting to the vehicle frame.

[0027] In at least one embodiment, the center of the wheel is closer to the first end of the shock absorber than the area of the frame connected to the rocker arm.

[0028] In at least one embodiment, the rocker arm is rotatably connected to the frame at two spaced-apart connection portions, and the ratio of the distance from the first end to the line connecting the two connection portions to the distance from the center of the wheel to the line connecting the two connection portions is 0.8 to 0.9.

[0029] In at least one embodiment, the rocker arm is for rotatably connecting to the frame, and a buffer bushing is provided between the rocker arm and the frame.

[0030] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle, which includes a frame and a wheel module according to the present invention.

[0031] The wheel module according to the present application has a simple and compact structure and can provide a large steering angle for the wheel. The vehicle according to the present application has the same advantages. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a partial structure of a wheel module according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0033] Figure 2 is an exploded schematic diagram of a partial structure of a wheel module according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0034] Figure 3 is Figure 2 an exploded schematic diagram of the steering drive assembly in

[0035] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a partial structure of a wheel module at the steering wheel according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0036] Figures 5 to 7 is Figure 4 a schematic diagram of the steering device in three different rotational positions in

[0037] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of a ball pin assembly of a wheel module according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0038] Figure 9 is Figure 8 a cross-sectional view of

[0039] Description of the reference numerals:

[0040] 10 Steering arm; 11 Body; 12 First connection portion; 12a Concave cavity; 12h First connection portion connection hole; 13 Second connection portion;

[0041] 20 Driving member; B bearing; R mounting ring; R0 ring fixing hole; D steering wheel; D1 disc body; D10 lug; D2 disc central axis; D21 shaft area; D22 spline area; D1h disc through hole; Dt boss; bt first fastener

[0042] 30 Joint member; 31 first end of joint; 32 second end of joint

[0043] 40 Ball pin assembly; 41 ball pin; 411 ball head; 412 neck; 42 ball seat; 40d dust cover

[0044] 50 Rocker arm; 51 connecting portion

[0045] 60 Driving member bracket; 61 first bracket; 62 second bracket; 63 support arm; 60h receiving hole; 70 ball pin bracket; 80 shock absorber; C snap ring; F buffer bushing; a virtual rotation axis Detailed implementation manners

[0046] The exemplary implementation manners of the present invention will be described below 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, rather than to exhaust all feasible manners of the present invention, nor to limit the scope of the present invention

[0047] Unless otherwise specified, the up-down relationship shown in the figures is used to illustrate the positional relationship of each component. It should be understood that this up-down relationship is not absolute, and with the different application scenarios and working postures of the product, the corresponding spatial orientation of the components can change accordingly

[0048] Refer to Figures 1 to 9 , according to the present application, the wheel module is used to be connected to the vehicle frame (or the vehicle body, not shown in the figure) of a motor vehicle, so as to realize the steering (also called changing the orientation of the wheel) of the wheel (not shown in the figure) in the wheel module relative to the vehicle frame within a large angle range (for example, greater than or equal to 90°).

[0049] The wheel module includes a driving device of the wheel, a steering device (for realizing the steering of the wheel), a suspension and a wheel

[0050] Figure 1 The structure of the main components of the wheel module is shown

[0051] Refer to Figure 1 , according to the present application, the steering device of the wheel module includes a steering assembly (including a steering arm 10 and a steering wheel D), a driving member 20, a joint member 30, a rocker arm 50, a driving member bracket 60, a first rotational connection assembly (including a bearing B and a mounting ring R), a second rotational connection assembly (including a ball pin assembly 40 and a ball pin bracket 70) and a shock absorber 80

[0052] The joint member 30 is used for installing a wheel. The steering assembly is torsionally connected (non-rotatable relative to each other) to the joint member 30 to form a rigid member, and this rigid member can be steered relative to the vehicle frame under the drive of the drive member 20. The rocker arm 50 connects the vehicle frame and the joint member, and the rocker arm 50 provides an installation base for the drive member bracket 60.

[0053] The steering assembly and the drive member bracket 60 are rotatably connected through a first rotational connection assembly, and the joint member 30 and the rocker arm 50 are rotatably connected through a second rotational connection assembly.

[0054] The drive member 20 is, for example, an electric motor, which can drive the rigid body formed by the steering assembly and the joint member 30 to rotate relative to the vehicle frame about a virtual rotation axis a. The virtual rotation axis a is defined by the connection line of the first rotational connection assembly and the second rotational connection assembly. More specifically, one end of the virtual rotation axis a passes through the rotation center of the following bearing B, and the other end passes through the rotation connection point between the joint member 30 and the ball pin bracket 70.

[0055] Since the main body 11 of the steering arm 10 deviates from the virtual rotation axis a (the virtual rotation axis a is located between the main body 11 and the wheel), the virtual rotation axis a is called virtual, and the virtual rotation axis a is the central axis around which the wheel rotates during steering. Moreover, the steering assembly has a part that deviates from the virtual rotation axis a to make room for the wheel.

[0056] Specifically, the main body 11 of the steering arm 10 is substantially elongated, and a first connection portion 12 and a second connection portion 13 are respectively connected to both ends in the extending direction of the main body 11. The first connection portion 12 is connected to the steering wheel D, and the second connection portion 13 is connected to the joint member 30. The first connection portion 12 is bent relative to the main body 11 toward the direction where the wheel is located, and the bending angle is approximately 90°.

[0057] The joint member 30 is substantially cylindrical, and the two end portions in its axial direction are respectively a joint first end 31 and a joint second end 32. The joint second end 32 is used for installing the wheel, and the joint first end 31 is fixedly connected to the second connection portion 13.

[0058] Both the joint member 30 and the first connection portion 12 are located on the side of the main body 11 close to the wheel. Since there are many components to be installed near the wheel (such as including hub bearings, wheels, and braking devices, etc.), the main body 11 deviates from the virtual rotation axis a of the joint member 30, which provides an installation space for the wheel and the braking device, etc., and at the same time provides better conditions for the compact layout of the wheel module.

[0059] The housing of the drive member 20 is fixedly installed on the drive member bracket 60. The drive member bracket 60 is fixedly connected to the rocker arm 50.

[0060] Refer to simultaneously Figure 2 and Figure 3, introduce the installation relationship between the driving member 20, the driving member bracket 60 and the steering assembly.

[0061] The driving member 20 is connected to the steering arm 10 through the steering wheel D.

[0062] The steering wheel D includes a disk body D1 and a disk central axis D2 that are torsionally connected to each other. Optionally, the steering wheel D is integrally formed, that is, the disk body D1 and the disk central axis D2 are formed as one body. The disk central axis D2 is connected to an axial end of the disk body D1, and the outer diameter of the disk body D1 is greater than the outer diameter of the disk central axis D2. The disk central axis D2 includes a shaft region D21 and a spline region D22 at different positions in the axial direction, and the spline region D22 and the disk body D1 are respectively located on the axial two sides of the shaft region D21.

[0063] A spline is formed on the outer peripheral portion of the spline region D22 for receiving the torque of the driving component, thereby realizing the rotation of the steering wheel D. For example, the gear train in the driving member 20 is drivingly connected to the spline of the spline region D22.

[0064] The shaft region D21 is used to mount the bearing B. After the bearing B passes through the spline region D22, the inner ring of the bearing B is connected to the shaft region D21 by interference fit.

[0065] Optionally, a boss Dt is formed between the shaft region D21 and the disk body D1, and the outer diameter of the boss Dt is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the shaft region D21. One end of the bearing B abuts against the boss Dt to obtain axial limit, and the other end of the bearing B is limited by an elastic retaining ring C (the elastic retaining ring C is fixed to the shaft region D21). It should be understood that Figure 3 the elastic retaining ring C and the shaft region D21 are not disassembled in the figure, and in the actual installation process, the bearing B is installed first and then the elastic retaining ring C is installed.

[0066] The outer ring of the bearing B is fixed to the driving member bracket 60 through the mounting ring R. Specifically, the outer ring and the mounting ring R are interference-fitted and embedded in the central hole of the mounting ring R. The mounting ring R has a plurality of (four in this embodiment) ring fixing holes R0 distributed in the circumferential direction, and the first fastener bt (such as a screw) can pass through the ring fixing holes R0 to fix the mounting ring R to the driving member bracket 60.

[0067] Optionally, the bearing B is a radial bearing capable of bearing radial loads. It should be understood that in other possible embodiments, the bearing B can also be other types of bearings.

[0068] Since the mounting ring R is very close to the disk body D1 in the axial direction, in order to facilitate the first fastener bt to pass through the mounting ring R from the side close to the disk body D1 and be screwed into the driving member bracket 60, a disk through-hole D1h aligned with the ring fixing hole R0 is formed on the disk body D1. The inner diameter of the disk through-hole D1h is larger than the outer diameter of the first fastener bt, so that the first fastener bt can pass through the disk through-hole D1h and extend into the ring fixing hole R0.

[0069] Optionally, the distance from the ring fixing hole R0 to the virtual rotation axis a is equal to the distance from the disk through-hole D1h to the virtual rotation axis a (simply referred to as the ring fixing hole R0 and the disk through-hole D1h being located on the same pitch circle).

[0070] It should be understood that when the inner diameter of the disk through-hole D1h is large enough to allow the first fastener bt to pass through, the distance from the ring fixing hole R0 to the virtual rotation axis a may not be equal to the distance from the disk through-hole D1h to the virtual rotation axis a (the pitch circle where the disk through-hole D1h is located may also be different from the pitch circle where the ring fixing hole R0 is located).

[0071] It should be understood that since the disk body D1 can rotate relative to the mounting ring R, the number of disk through-holes D1h can be less than the number of ring fixing holes R0. For example, the number of disk through-holes D1h can be only one, while the number of ring fixing holes R0 is four. In this case, by rotating the disk body D1, the disk through-hole D1h can be aligned with one ring fixing hole R0 each time to install the first fastener bt extending into the ring fixing hole R0. After installing each first fastener bt, rotate the disk body D1 to align the disk through-hole D1h with the next ring fixing hole R0.

[0072] It should be understood that regardless of whether the disk through-holes D1h and the ring fixing holes R0 correspond one by one, during the rotation of the steering wheel D relative to the driving member bracket 60, the disk through-holes D1h and the ring fixing holes R0 are not aligned in many states, so that in these position states, it is inconvenient to disassemble the first fastener bt from the mounting ring R. In particular, for ordinary users, the wheel module according to the present application has an anti-disassembly function.

[0073] It should be understood that in order to allow the first fastener bt to be installed on the mounting ring R without interfering with the disk body D1, the disk through-hole D1h may not be formed as a complete hole shape, but may be formed as a notch in the outer peripheral area of the disk body D1, that is, the outer peripheral part of the disk body D1 partially recesses radially inward. For example, the disk body D1 is formed in a plum blossom shape. The disk through-hole D1h referred to in the present application includes such a notch or recess.

[0074] The driving member bracket 60 includes a first bracket 61, a second bracket 62, and a support arm 63.

[0075] The first bracket 61 and the second bracket 62 are connected together and disposed above the steering arm 10 and below the driving member 20. The supporting arm 63 is generally tubular (or rod-shaped) and connects the first bracket 61 and the rocker arm 50.

[0076] The first bracket 61 and the second bracket 62 respectively surround the bearing B on the radial two sides of the bearing B, and the first bracket 61 and the second bracket 62 can be separated and assembled in the radial direction of the bearing B. Opposite parts of the first bracket 61 and the second bracket 62 are each formed with a semi-circular notch. After the first bracket 61 and the second bracket 62 are installed together, the two semi-circular notches are combined into a circular receiving hole 60h, and the bearing B is received in the receiving hole 60h.

[0077] The above structures of the first bracket 61 and the second bracket 62 can facilitate the assembly of the steering wheel D and its connecting member with the driving member bracket 60. Optionally, for example, the steering wheel D installed with the bearing B can be assembled with the first bracket 61, and the mounting ring R is fixed to the first bracket 61 with two first fasteners bt. Then, for example, the first bracket 61 and the second bracket 62 are connected together in a closed manner with bolts. After that, the other half area of the mounting ring R is fixed to the second bracket 62 with another two first fasteners bt, so that the first bracket 61, the second bracket 62 and the mounting ring R are firmly connected together.

[0078] It should be understood that the present application does not limit the number of the first fasteners bt, but preferably, at least one first fastener bt connects the mounting ring R with the first bracket 61, and at least one first fastener bt also connects the mounting ring R with the second bracket 62.

[0079] The first connecting portion 12 of the steering wheel D and the steering arm 10 are connected in a non-rotatable manner. Optionally, the first connecting portion 12 and the disk body D1 are connected together with a second fastener (not shown in the figure, such as a screw or a bolt). The first connecting portion 12 is formed with a plurality of first connecting portion connection holes 12h. Optionally, the second fastener sequentially passes through the first connecting portion connection holes 12h and the disk through hole D1h to connect the first connecting portion 12 and the disk body D1.

[0080] It should be understood that here the disk through hole D1h also serves to cooperate with the second fastener. Preferably, the disk through hole D1h is a threaded hole. In the case where the second fastener extends into the disk through hole D1h, once the wheel module is installed, it will be more difficult to disassemble the steering wheel D from the driving member bracket 60 (because it is difficult to remove the first fastener bt at this time), and the anti-disassembly performance of the wheel module is better.

[0081] It should be understood that other holes different from the disk through hole D1h can also be used to cooperate with the second fastener.

[0082] Optionally, the surface of the first connecting portion 12 facing the disk body D1 is partially recessed away from the disk body D1 to form a cavity 12a. The disk body D1 can be partially received in the cavity 12a, and the contour of the disk body D1 is adapted to that of the cavity 12a. Thus, during the installation process, the cavity 12a plays a role in assisting the positioning of the disk body D1, facilitating the centering positioning of the disk body D1 and the first connecting portion 12.

[0083] At the same time, referring to Figures 4 to 7 , the second bracket 62 also plays a role in restricting the rotation angle of the steering wheel D.

[0084] On the end surface of the second bracket 62 facing the disk body D1, a first limiting protrusion 62a and a second limiting protrusion 62b are formed. In this embodiment, the first limiting protrusion 62a and the second limiting protrusion 62b are each the head of a screw, and these two screws can simultaneously play the role of fixing the housing of the driving member 20 to the second bracket 62. It should be understood that other screws that only act as fasteners can also be connected to the second bracket 62, and these screws will not interfere with the steering wheel D during the rotation of the steering wheel D.

[0085] On the outer peripheral portion of the disk body D1, a lug D10 protruding radially outward is formed. The first limiting protrusion 62a and the second limiting protrusion 62b are respectively located on the circumferential two sides of the lug D10. During the rotation of the disk body D1 relative to the driving member bracket 60, the lug D10 will abut against the first limiting protrusion 62a or the second limiting protrusion 62b at the specified rotation limit position and be restricted from further rotation. Thus, these two limiting protrusions play a role in limiting the rotation angle of the steering wheel D, preventing the steering wheel D from rotating excessively due to uncontrollable reasons.

[0086] Figure 5 shows the situation where the lug D10 moves between the first limiting protrusion 62a and the second limiting protrusion 62b. It should be understood that the screw coinciding with the lug D10 in the figure actually has a height difference from the lug D10 and will not interfere with the lug D10.

[0087] Figure 6 shows the situation where the lug D10 is blocked by the first limiting protrusion 62a and cannot continue to rotate in the clockwise direction in the figure.

[0088] Figure 7 shows the situation where the lug D10 is blocked by the second limiting protrusion 62b and cannot continue to rotate in the counterclockwise direction in the figure.

[0089] Assume that when the vehicle is in a straight - running state, the rotation angle of the lug D10 is 0°. Optionally, the limit rotation angles of the lug D10 defined by the first limit protrusion 62a and the second limit protrusion 62b are - 45° and 90° respectively. When the rotation angle of the lug D10 is 90°, the vehicle can drive sideways.

[0090] It should be understood that the first limit protrusion 62a and the second limit protrusion 62b may not be screws, but protrusions integrally formed with the second bracket 62.

[0091] Next, with reference to Figure 1 、 Figure 8 and Figure 9 , the rotational connection structure of the virtual rotation axis a at the ball pin assembly 40 and the ball pin bracket 70 will be introduced.

[0092] The ball pin assembly 40 includes a ball pin 41, a ball seat 42, and a dust cover 40d. The ball pin 41 includes a ball head 411 and a neck 412. The ball head 411 is limited within the ball socket formed by the ball seat 42, such that the ball pin 41 can rotate in all directions relative to the ball seat 42.

[0093] The ball seat 42 is fixed to the lower part of the joint member 30, and the neck 412 is fixedly connected to the ball pin bracket 70.

[0094] The main body of the ball pin bracket 70 is in a sleeve shape. The neck 412 passes through this sleeve - shaped structure, and the outer wall of the neck 412 is matched with the inner wall of the sleeve (both are conical surfaces). A nut is used to lock the neck 412 and the sleeve, thereby fixing the ball pin 41 and the ball pin bracket 70 together.

[0095] Preferably, the ball pin bracket 70 is fixed to the rocker arm 50 through a threaded connection structure. For example, one of the ball pin bracket 70 and the rocker arm 50 is formed with a threaded hole, and the other is formed with a stud, and the stud meshes with the threaded hole. By adjusting the distance that the stud extends into the threaded hole, the distance between the sleeve - shaped structure of the ball pin bracket 70 and the rocker arm 50 can be adjusted, thereby adjusting the distance between the ball pin 41 and the rocker arm 50. It should be understood that in order to prevent the connection between the ball pin bracket 70 and the rocker arm 50 from loosening, other fasteners may also be provided between the ball pin bracket 70 and the rocker arm 50; or, the connection position between the ball pin bracket 70 and the rocker arm 50 (mainly referring to the variable distance between the sleeve structure of the ball pin bracket 70 and the rocker arm 50) is not limited to a threaded connection. Due to the above - mentioned adjustment structure, the wheel module according to the present application has low precision requirements for each component, and the errors generated in the component fit can be compensated by adjustment during assembly.

[0096] The ball pin assembly 40 serves as the lower end of the virtual rotating shaft a and plays a role in supporting the weight of the vehicle body. Due to the good characteristics of the ball pin in bearing loads in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction (also known as the vertical and radial directions), the high reliability of this connection structure is ensured.

[0097] Return to Figure 1 , and introduce the connection structure between the rocker arm 50 and the vehicle frame.

[0098] The rocker arm 50 is rotatably connected to the vehicle frame at two connecting parts 51. The line connecting the positions of the two connecting parts 51 and the position of the ball pin assembly 40 forms a triangular structure. The rocker arm 50 can transmit the force between the steering arm 10 and the vehicle frame in all directions, playing a role in sharing the force between the steering arm 10 and the vehicle frame, and can reduce the phenomenon of the wheel deflecting relative to the virtual rotating shaft a.

[0099] The connecting part 51 is formed in a sleeve shape, and a cylindrical buffer bushing F is arranged inside the sleeve. For example, the rocker arm 50 can be connected to the vehicle frame by passing a bolt through the buffer bushing F. The manufacturing material of the buffer bushing F includes, for example, rubber.

[0100] The above-mentioned rotational connection structure enables the rocker arm 50 to swing slightly in the vertical direction relative to the vehicle frame, or in other words, enables the relative height between the rocker arm 50 and the vehicle frame to be slightly adjusted, so as to adapt to various driving states of the vehicle. And the buffer bushing F enables the vibration caused by the slight change in the relative position between the rocker arm 50 and the vehicle frame to be absorbed.

[0101] A shock absorber 80 is also provided between the rocker arm 50 and the vehicle frame. The first end (lower end) of the shock absorber 80 is rotatably connected to the rocker arm 50, and the second end (upper end) of the shock absorber 80 is used to be rotatably connected to the vehicle frame. The shock absorber 80 can provide damping between the vehicle frame and the rocker arm 50 to play a role in shock absorption.

[0102] Especially when the wheel is in a bumpy state, or in other words, when the wheel bounces, the vibration can be absorbed by the buffer bushing F and the shock absorber 80.

[0103] Optionally, the connection point of the shock absorber 80 and the rocker arm 50 (or in other words, the first end of the shock absorber 80) is arranged close to the ball pin assembly 40. In other words, the distance between the connection point of the shock absorber 80 and the rocker arm 50 and the ball pin assembly 40 is less than the distance between the connection point of the shock absorber 80 and the rocker arm 50 and the line connecting the two connecting parts 51. This makes the distance from the above-mentioned first end to the wheel center relatively close and the distance from the above-mentioned first end to the line connecting the two connecting parts 51 (hereinafter referred to as the first distance) relatively far. If the distance from the wheel center to the line connecting the two connecting parts 51 is called the second distance, then optionally, the ratio of the first distance to the second distance is 0.8 to 0.9. This makes the shock absorption stroke of the shock absorber 80 larger and the shock absorption effect better.

[0104] It should be understood that the present application also provides a vehicle including the above-mentioned wheel module, and the vehicle includes, for example, 4 of the above-mentioned wheel modules.

[0105] The following briefly describes some beneficial effects of the above-mentioned embodiments of the present application.

[0106] (i) The wheel module according to the present application is structurally compact and can achieve steering of the wheel within a large range.

[0107] (ii) The connection structure between the driving member 20 and the steering assembly and the driving member bracket 60 are each assembled from a plurality of components, which makes the entire wheel module convenient to disassemble, assemble and maintain, and the components are easy to manufacture and have low costs.

[0108] (iii) The joint member 30 and the rocker arm 50 are connected through the ball pin assembly 40 and the ball pin bracket 70. By adjusting the installation position of the ball pins 70 relative to the rocker arm 50, the connection parameters between the joint member 30 and the rocker arm 50 can be adjusted, and the processing accuracy requirements for the ball pin assembly 40 and the ball pin bracket 70 themselves are not high, and the manufacturing costs of the components are low.

[0109] (iv) The installation positions of the shock absorber 80, the rocker arm 50 and the ball pin assembly 40 are reasonable, the shock absorber has a large range of movement and good shock absorption effect.

[0110] It should be understood that the above-mentioned embodiments are merely exemplary and are not used to limit the present invention. Those skilled in the art can make various modifications and changes to the above-mentioned embodiments under the teaching of the present invention without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A wheel module for connecting to a vehicle frame of a motor vehicle, the wheel module comprising a steering assembly, a joint member (30) and a rocker arm (50), The steering assembly is connected to the joint member (30) to form a rigid member, The joint member (30) is for mounting a wheel, and the rocker arm (50) connects the joint member (30) and the vehicle frame, The rigid member can be driven to rotate relative to the vehicle frame about a virtual rotation axis (a) so as to change the orientation of the wheel, and the virtual rotation axis (a) passes through the steering assembly and the joint member (30), The wheel module further comprises a drive member bracket (60) for supporting a drive member and the steering assembly, and the drive member bracket (60) is fixed to the rocker arm (50), The steering assembly and the drive member bracket (60) are connected in a relatively rotatable manner through a first rotational connection assembly, and the joint member (30) and the rocker arm (50) are connected in a relatively rotatable manner through a second rotational connection assembly, and a connection line of the first rotational connection assembly and the second rotational connection assembly defines the virtual rotation axis (a).

2. The wheel module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The joint member (30) is fixed to a side of the steering assembly close to the wheel, and the steering assembly has a portion deviating from the virtual rotation axis (a) to yield space for the wheel.

3. The wheel module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The drive member bracket (60) is formed with a first limiting projection (62a) and a second limiting projection (62b) for limiting the rotation angle of the steering assembly.

4. The wheel module according to claim 3, characterized in that, The steering assembly comprises a rigidly connected steering arm (10) and a steering wheel (D), wherein the steering wheel (D) comprises lugs (D10) to interact with the first limiting projection (62a) and the second limiting projection (62b) to achieve rotation angle limitation.

5. The wheel module according to claim 4, characterized in that, The first rotational connection assembly comprises a bearing (B) and a mounting ring (R), The steering wheel (D) comprises a coaxially arranged disk body (D1) and a disk central axis (D2), and an outer diameter of the disk body (D1) is larger than an outer diameter of the disk central axis (D2), An inner ring of the bearing (B) is non-rotatably connected to the disk central axis (D2), The mounting ring (R) is sleeved outside the bearing (B), and the mounting ring (R) is non-rotatably connected to an outer ring of the bearing (B), The mounting ring (R) is fixed to the drive member bracket (60).

6. The wheel module according to claim 5, characterized in that The mounting ring (R) is formed with a plurality of ring fixing holes (R0), and the disk body (D1) is formed with at least one disk through hole (D1h), The disk through hole (D1h) can be rotated to a position aligned with the ring fixing hole (R0) to allow a first fastener (bt) to pass through the disk through hole (D1h) and then extend into the ring fixing hole (R0) and fix the mounting ring (R) to the drive member bracket (60).

7. The wheel module according to claim 6, characterized in that, The steering arm (10) and the disk body (D1) are connected by a second connecting member, and the second connecting member extends into the disk through hole (D1h).

8. The wheel module according to claim 4, characterized in that, The driving member bracket (60) is formed with a receiving hole (60h), and the driving member bracket (60) includes a first bracket (61) and a second bracket (62) that can be separated in the radial direction of the receiving hole (60h), and the receiving hole (60h) at least partially houses the steering wheel (D).

9. The wheel module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second rotational connection assembly includes a ball pin assembly (40) and a ball pin bracket (70), and the ball pin bracket (70) is fixed to the rocker arm (50). The ball pin assembly (40) includes a ball pin (41) and a ball seat (42), the ball seat (42) is fixed to the joint member (30), and the neck (412) of the ball pin (41) is fixed to the ball pin bracket (70). The installation position of the ball pin bracket (70) on the rocker arm (50) can be adjusted.

10. The wheel module according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, The wheel module further includes a shock absorber (80), a first end of the shock absorber (80) is rotatably connected to the rocker arm (50), and a second end of the shock absorber (80) is used for connecting to the vehicle frame.

11. The wheel module according to claim 10, characterized in that, The center of the wheel is closer to the first end of the shock absorber (80) than the area of the vehicle frame connected to the rocker arm (50).

12. The wheel module according to claim 11, characterized in that, The rocker arm (50) is rotatably connected to the vehicle frame at two spaced-apart connection portions (51), and the ratio of the distance from the first end to the line connecting the two connection portions (51) to the distance from the center of the wheel to the line connecting the two connection portions (51) is 0.8 to 0.

9.

13. The wheel module according to claim 1, characterized in that The rocker arm (50) is used for rotatably connecting to the vehicle frame, and a buffer bushing (F) is provided between the rocker arm (50) and the vehicle frame.

14. A vehicle, which includes a vehicle frame and the wheel module according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

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