ADJUSTABLE WHEELBASE SYSTEM

Abstract

An adjustable wheelbase system comprising: guide rails configured to be mounted on a vehicle; a front support assembly configured to be attached to and move along the guide rails; a front motor system mounted on the front support assembly and configured to rotate the vehicle's front wheels; a rear support assembly configured to be attached to and move along the guide rails; a rear motor system mounted on the rear support assembly and configured to rotate the vehicle's rear wheels; a battery system configured to power the front and rear motor systems; and a controller.

Description

INTRODUCTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a system for adjustable wheelbase.

[0002] Wheelbase is generally the horizontal distance between the centers of the front and rear wheels of vehicles such as road vehicles, rail vehicles, etc. Road vehicles with wheelbases include trailers configured to be towed by a passenger car or truck. Some trailers have a tandem axle with a relatively short wheelbase, while others have a relatively longer wheelbase with the front and rear wheels generally located at the four corners of the trailer.

[0003] The ES 2 186 502 A2 shows a system for positioning a container on a trailer in which the axle unit is arranged to be longitudinally adjustable.

[0004] US 2020 / 0 398 628 A1 shows a weight distribution system for a trailer in which an axle unit is adjustable relative to a loading platform.

[0005] US 4 955 629 A shows a chassis for a semi-trailer in which the rear axle can be extended to the rear via telescopic longitudinal beams.

[0006] DE 10 2013 208 043 A1 shows a vehicle chassis in which a frame section is arranged in a second frame section and can be extended from the second frame section to change the wheelbase.

[0007] The invention is based on the objective of providing a system for adjustable wheelbase in which the front wheels and the rear wheels can be adjusted independently of each other to change the wheelbase. SUMMARY

[0008] According to the invention, this problem is solved by a system for adjustable wheelbase, characterized by the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0009] The system includes: guide rails configured to be mounted on a vehicle; a front support assembly configured to be attached to and move along the guide rails; a front motor system mounted on the front support assembly and configured to rotate the vehicle's front wheels; a rear support assembly configured to be attached to and move along the guide rails; a rear motor system mounted on the rear support assembly and configured to rotate the vehicle's rear wheels; a battery system configured to power the front and rear motor systems; and a controller.The controller is configured to: control the front motor system to rotate the front wheels in order to move the front support assembly and the front wheels, working together with it, along the guide rails between a front outer position and a front inner position; and control the rear motor system to rotate the rear wheels in order to move the rear support assembly and the rear wheels, working together with it, along the guide rails between a rear outer position and a rear inner position.

[0010] According to further features, the guide rails include a pair of front guide rails and a pair of rear guide rails, with the front support assembly being mounted on the pair of front guide rails and the rear support assembly being mounted on the pair of rear guide rails.

[0011] According to further features, the front motor system includes a first front motor configured to turn a first front wheel, and a second front motor configured to turn a second front wheel.

[0012] According to further features, the rear motor system includes a first rear motor configured to turn a first rear wheel, and a second rear motor configured to turn a second rear wheel.

[0013] According to further features, the battery system includes a front battery configured to power the front motor system and a rear battery configured to power the rear motor system, with the front battery mounted on the front support assembly and the rear battery mounted on the rear support assembly.

[0014] According to further specifications, the controller is configured to be mounted on the vehicle.

[0015] According to further features, the controller contains a transmitter and is configured for use separately from the vehicle.

[0016] According to further features, the front support arrangement includes front bearing blocks that are inserted into the guide rails, and the rear support arrangement includes rear bearing blocks that are inserted into the guide rails.

[0017] According to further features, the front engine system interacts with the front wheels in the form of front wishbones that contain front transfer cases, and the rear engine system interacts with the rear wheels in the form of rear wishbones that contain rear transfer cases.

[0018] According to further features, the controller is also configured to operate the front motor system, rotating the front wheels in a first direction, and to operate the rear motor system, rotating the rear wheels in a second direction opposite to the first direction, in order to move the front wheels between the front outer position and the front inner position, and to move the rear wheels between the rear outer position and the rear inner position.

[0019] According to further features, the vehicle is configured as a trailer and the controller is configured to control the front motor system and the rear motor system, to turn the front and rear wheels in order to maneuver the trailer independently of a towing vehicle.

[0020] According to further features, the controller is also configured to: move the front wheels between the front outer position and the front inner position by operating the front motor system to rotate the front wheels and simultaneously operating the rear motor system to brake the rear wheels; and move the rear wheels between the rear outer position and the rear inner position by operating the rear motor system to rotate the rear wheels and simultaneously operating the front motor system to brake the front wheels.

[0021] Another adjustable wheelbase system may include: guide rails mounted on a vehicle; a front support assembly attached to the guide rails and configured to move along the guide rails; a first front motor mounted on the front support assembly and interacting with a first front wheel to rotate the first front wheel; a second front motor mounted on the front support assembly and interacting with a second front wheel to rotate the second front wheel; a front battery mounted on the front support assembly and configured to power the first and second front motors; a rear support assembly attached to the guide rails and configured to move along the guide rails;a first rear motor mounted on the rear support assembly and interacting with a first rear wheel to rotate the first rear wheel; a second rear motor mounted on the rear support assembly and interacting with a second rear wheel to rotate the second rear wheel; a rear battery mounted on the rear support assembly and configured to power the first rear motor and the second rear motor; and a controller. The controller is configured to: control the first front motor to rotate the first front wheel, and control the second front motor to rotate the second front wheel, in order to move the front support assembly and both the first front wheel and the second front wheel interacting with it along the guide rails between a front outer position and a front inner position;and controlling the first rear motor to turn the first rear wheel, and controlling the second front motor to turn the second rear wheel, in order to move the rear support assembly and both the first rear wheel and the second rear wheel cooperating with it along the guide rails between a rear outer position and a rear inner position.

[0022] According to further features, the controller is mounted on the vehicle, and the adjustable wheelbase system also includes a remote control unit separate from the vehicle, which is configured to operate the controller.

[0023] According to further features, the controller is configured to control the first front motor, the second front motor, the first rear motor and the second rear motor, to operate each of the first front wheel, the second front wheel, the first rear wheel and the second rear wheel to move the vehicle forward or backward.

[0024] According to further characteristics, the vehicle is a trailer configured to be towed by a towing vehicle.

[0025] According to further features, the controller is configured to: move the first front wheel and the second front wheel between the front outer position and the front inner position by operating the first front motor and the second front motor to rotate the first front wheel and the second front wheel, and simultaneously operating the first rear motor and the second rear motor to brake the first rear wheel and the second rear wheel; and move the first rear wheel and the second rear wheel between the front outer position and the front inner position by operating the first rear motor and the second rear motor to rotate the first rear wheel and the second rear wheel, and simultaneously operating the first front motor and the second front motor to brake the first front wheel and the second front wheel.

[0026] Furthermore, a system for adjustable wheelbase of a trailer is described.The system includes the following: guide rails mounted on the trailer; a front support assembly attached to the guide rails and configured to move along them; a front motor system mounted on the front support assembly and interacting with the trailer's front wheels to rotate the front wheels; a front battery mounted on the front support assembly and configured to power the front motor system; a rear support assembly attached to the guide rails and configured to move along them; a rear motor system mounted on the rear support assembly and interacting with the trailer's rear wheels to rotate the rear wheels; a rear battery mounted on the rear support assembly and configured to power the rear motor system; and a controller.The controller is configured to: control the front motor system to rotate the front wheels in order to move the front support assembly and the front wheels, working together with it, along the guide rails between a front outer position and a front inner position; and control the rear motor system to rotate the rear wheels in order to move the rear support assembly and the rear wheels, working together with it, along the guide rails between a rear outer position and a rear inner position.

[0027] According to further features, the controller is also configured to operate the front motor system, rotating the front wheels in a first direction, and to operate the rear motor system, rotating the rear wheels in a second direction opposite to the first direction, in order to move the front wheels between the front outer position and the front inner position, and to move the rear wheels between the rear outer position and the rear inner position.

[0028] According to further features, the controller is configured to control the front motor system and the rear motor system to operate each of the front and rear wheels, to drive the trailer forwards or backwards; and the controller is mounted on the trailer, the system for adjustable wheelbase further comprising a remote control unit separate from the trailer, configured to operate the controller.

[0029] Further applications of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description, the claims, and the drawings. The detailed description and the specific examples serve only for illustration. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] The present invention will be more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings; these show: Fig. 1 a perspective view of a vehicle incorporating an adjustable wheelbase system according to the present invention with the wheels in an external configuration; Fig. 2 a perspective view of the vehicle incorporating the adjustable wheelbase system of the present invention with the wheels in an inboard configuration; Fig. 3 a top view of the adjustable wheelbase system of the present invention with the wheels in the outer configuration and Fig. 4 a top view of the adjustable wheelbase system of the present invention with the wheels in the inboard configuration.

[0031] Reference symbols can be used multiple times in the drawings to identify similar and / or identical elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] The present invention comprises a system for adjustable wheelbase. The system is configured for use with any suitable vehicle, such as any suitable road vehicle. Suitable road vehicles include trailers configured to be towed by a towing vehicle. The system for adjustable wheelbase can also be configured for non-vehicle use.

[0033] The adjustable wheelbase system is generally configured with the front and rear wheels positioned between an outermost configuration ( Fig. 1 and Fig. 3) and an internal configuration ( Fig. 2 and Fig. 4) to move. In the outer configuration, the front and rear wheels are generally located at four corners of the vehicle. In the inner configuration, the front and rear wheels are positioned inwards towards a central area of ​​the vehicle.

[0034] The inboard configuration is particularly suitable for driving the vehicle at relatively high speeds when towed by a vehicle such as a car or truck, for example, to increase maneuverability, combat swaying, and provide a suitable weight distribution between the load and the drawbar. In the outboard configuration, the front and rear wheels make the vehicle relatively more stable and maneuverable, especially in off-road terrain.

[0035] The vehicle can be configured as an electric vehicle capable of autonomous driving, independent of a towing vehicle. With its wheels in the external configuration, the vehicle can traverse various terrains under its own power. The vehicle can be operated by a driver on board, by a remote operator using a remote control unit communicating with an on-board controller, or by any suitable autonomous driving system.

[0036] Fig. 1- Fig. Figure 4 illustrates an exemplary system 10 for an adjustable wheelbase according to the present invention. The system 10 is configured for use with any suitable vehicle, such as any suitable trailer, configured to be towed by a passenger car, a truck, or another towing vehicle. Fig. 1- Fig. Figure 4 illustrates the vehicle configured as a trailer 20. System 10 can also be configured for any suitable non-vehicle use.

[0037] In the illustrated examples, the trailer 20 contains four wheels: a first front wheel 30A, a second front wheel 32A, a first rear wheel 30B, and a second rear wheel 32B. While four wheels are illustrated, the trailer 20 can be configured to contain any other suitable number of wheels. For example, the trailer 20 can contain more than two front wheels and / or more than two rear wheels. Additional front wheels can be configured to move inwards and outwards with the front wheels 30A, 32A, and additional rear wheels can be configured to move inwards and outwards with the rear wheels 30B, 32B. The trailer 20 can contain fewer than two front wheels 30A, 32A and / or fewer than two rear wheels 30B, 32B.

[0038] The first front wheel 30A is mounted on a first front hub 34A. The second front wheel 32A is mounted on a second front hub 36A. The first rear wheel 30B is mounted on a first rear hub 34B. And the second rear wheel 32B is mounted on a second rear hub 36B. The trailer 20 further includes a coupling device 40, which is configured to be coupled to any suitable towing vehicle.

[0039] The trailer 20 further comprises a front wheel assembly 50A and a rear wheel assembly 50B, each mounted on a guide rail system of the trailer 20. The front wheel assembly 50A and the rear wheel assembly 50B are movably positioned with their wheels along the guide rail system between the outer configuration of Fig. 1 and Fig. 3 and the internal configuration of Fig. 2 and Fig. 4. The guide rail system is located on opposite sides of the trailer 20. In the illustrated example, the guide rail system includes a first front guide rail 52A, a second front guide rail 54A, a first rear guide rail 52B, and a second rear guide rail 54B.

[0040] Specifically referring to Fig. 3. The first front guide rail 52A and the second front guide rail 54A each contain an outer end 56A and an inner end 58A. The first rear guide rail 52B and the second rear guide rail 54B each contain an outer end 56B and an inner end 58A. In some applications, the first front guide rail 52A and the first rear guide rail 52B may form a single guide rail running along the length of the trailer 20. Similarly, the second front guide rail 54A and the second rear guide rail 54B may form a single guide rail running along the length of the trailer.

[0041] The front wheel arrangement 50A will now be described in more detail. The front wheel arrangement 50A is the same as, or substantially similar to, the rear wheel arrangement 50B. Therefore, features of the front wheel arrangement 50A and the rear wheel arrangement 50B that are the same or similar are identified in the drawings using the same reference numerals; however, reference numerals for the front wheel arrangement 50A contain the letter "A", and reference numerals for the rear wheel arrangement 50B contain the letter "B". The description of the front wheel arrangement 50A also applies to describing the rear wheel arrangement 50B (and vice versa).

[0042] The front wheel assembly 50A includes a front support assembly 60A, which generally comprises a cross member with a first front bearing block 62A and a second front bearing block 64A on opposite sides of the front support assembly 60A. The first front bearing block 62A interacts with the first front guide rail 52A, and the second front bearing block 64A interacts with the second front guide rail 54A to enable the front wheel assembly 50A to slide along the first front guide rail 52A and the second front guide rail 54A. Similarly, the rear wheel assembly 50B includes a rear support assembly 60B with a first rear bearing block 62B interacting with the first rear guide rail 52B and a second rear bearing block 64B interacting with the second rear guide rail 54B.

[0043] The front wheel assembly 50A further includes a front battery 70A, configured to power a first front motor 72A and a second front motor 74A. The first motor 72A and the second motor 74A are mounted on the front support assembly 60A. The front battery 70A is also illustrated mounted on the front support assembly 60A; however, the front battery 70A can alternatively be mounted separately from the front support assembly 60A on another section of the trailer 20.

[0044] The first front motor 72A works in conjunction with the first front wheel 30A (and the first front hub 34A) and is configured to rotate and brake the first front wheel 30A. The second front motor 74A works in conjunction with the second front wheel 32A (and the second front hub 36A) and is configured to rotate and brake the second front wheel 30A. Similar to the front carrier assembly 60A, the rear carrier assembly 60B includes a rear battery 70B, a first rear motor 72B, and a second rear motor 74B for rotating and braking the first rear wheel 30B and the second rear wheel 32B. Although each wheel is illustrated as being driven and braked by a separate electric motor, the front wheel assembly 50A can be configured to include a single motor for driving and braking both the first front wheel 30A and the second front wheel 32B.And the 50B rear wheel arrangement can be configured to include a single motor to drive and brake both the first 30B rear wheel and the second 32B rear wheel.

[0045] The first front motor 72A is connected to the first front hub 34A via a first front wishbone 80A, and the second front motor 74A is connected to the second front hub 36A via a second front wishbone 82A. Similarly, the first rear motor 72B is connected to the first rear hub 34B via a first rear wishbone 80B, and the second rear motor 74B is connected to the second rear hub 36B via a second rear wishbone 82B. Each of the wishbones 80A, 82A, 80B, and 82B contains a power distribution unit for managing the transmission of power from each motor to each wheel.

[0046] The adjustable wheelbase system further includes a controller 110, which is configured to be mounted on the trailer 20. The controller 110 interacts with and is configured to control each of the first front motor 72A, the second front motor 74A, the first rear motor 72B, and the second rear motor 74B. The controller 110 may include any suitable user interface for accepting inputs to control the motors, as described herein. The controller 110 may also interact with any suitable transmitter / receiver 120, which is configured to communicate with a remote controller 150 ( Fig. 1) The remote controller 150 includes a transmitter / receiver 152 and any suitable user interface 154. The remote controller 150 is configured to control the first front motor 72A, the second front motor 74A, the first rear motor 72B, and the second rear motor 74B to move the front wheel assembly 50A and the rear wheel assembly 50B between the outer configuration and the inner configuration, and generally to drive the trailer 20.

[0047] To change the front wheel arrangement 50A from the outer configuration of Fig. 1 and Fig. 3 for the internal configuration of Fig. 2 and Fig. To move 4, the controller 110 is configured to operate the first and second front motors 72A, 74A, rotating the first and second front wheels 30A, 32A clockwise, causing the front wheel assembly 50A to slide inwards towards a general center of the trailer 20. To move the rear wheel assembly 50B from the outward position of Fig. 1 and Fig. 3 to the inner position of Fig. 2 and Fig. To move 4, the controller 110 is configured to operate the first and second rear motors 72B, 74B, rotating the first and second rear wheels 30B, 32B counterclockwise, causing the rear wheel assembly 50B to slide inwards towards the general center of the trailer 20. The controller 110 is configured to move the front wheel assembly 50A and the rear wheel assembly 50B from the inner configuration to the outer configuration by reversing this operation.

[0048] The Controller 110 can be configured to move the front wheel assembly 50A and the rear wheel assembly 50B simultaneously. Alternatively, the Controller 110 can operate the first and second front motors 72A, 74A, rotating the first and second front wheels 30A, 32A, while simultaneously braking the first and second rear motors 72B, 74B and the first and second rear wheels 30B, 32B. Similarly, the Controller 110 can operate the first and second rear motors 72B, 74B, rotating the first and second rear wheels 30B, 32B, while simultaneously braking the first and second front motors 72A, 74A and the first and second front wheels 30A, 32A.

[0049] The operation of the controller 110 to move the front wheel assembly 50A and the rear wheel assembly 50B between the inboard and outboard configurations can be controlled via a user interface inside the trailer 20. Alternatively, a user can input instructions into the controller 110 via the remote controller 150 to move the front wheel assembly 50A and the rear wheel assembly 50B between the inboard and outboard configurations. Furthermore, the controller 110 can be configured to automatically configure the trailer 20 in the inboard or outboard configuration based on the vehicle's speed. For example, if the trailer 20 exceeds a predetermined speed (such as 10 mph), the controller 110 can be configured to automatically move the front wheel assembly 50A and the rear wheel assembly 50B to the inboard configuration. Fig. 2 and Fig. 4 to arrange to improve the stability of trailer 20. If trailer 20 travels below the specified speed, controller 110 can be configured to automatically position the front wheel arrangement 50A and the rear wheel arrangement 50B in the outer configuration of Fig. 1 and Fig. 3 to arrange in order to improve the maneuverability of the trailer 20 and the stability over uneven terrain.

[0050] The trailer 20 can be driven independently (e.g., in a self-driving mode) from any towing vehicle. For example, the controller 110 can be configured to operate all motors 72A, 74A, 72B, and 74B, and to rotate all wheels 30A, 32A, 30B, and 32B in the same direction, such as forward to move the trailer 20 forward, or backward to move the trailer 20 backward. The front wheels 30A, 32A and / or the rear wheels 30B, 30B are configured to rotate in any suitable way to steer the trailer 20 when operated in this self-driving mode. The trailer 20 can be driven manually by a driver inside the trailer 20 using a user interface of the controller 110, driven remotely in the form of the remote controller 150, or driven using any suitable autonomous driving system.In self-driving mode, the front wheel arrangement 50A and the rear wheel arrangement 50B are typically in the outermost configuration of . Fig. 1 and Fig. 3 oriented to improve stability and maneuverability.

Claims

[1] System (10) for adjustable wheelbase, comprising: Guide rails (52A, 54A, 52B, 54B) configured to be mounted on a vehicle; a front support assembly (60A) configured to be attached to the guide rails (52A, 54A, 52B, 54B) and to move along them; a front motor system (72A, 74A) mounted on the front support assembly (60A) and configured to rotate the vehicle's front wheels (30A, 32A); a rear support assembly (60B) configured to be attached to the guide rails (52A, 54A, 52B, 54B) and to move along them; a rear motor system (72B, 74B) mounted on the rear support assembly (60B) and configured to rotate the vehicle's rear wheels (30B, 32B); a battery system configured to power the front motor system (72A, 74A) and the rear motor system (72B, 74B); and a controller (110) that is configured to: Controlling the front motor system (72A, 74A) to rotate the front wheels (30A, 32A) in order to move the front support assembly (60A) and the front wheels (30A, 32A) together with it along the guide rails (52A, 54A, 52B, 54B) between a front outer position and a front inner position; and Controlling the rear motor system (72B, 74B) to rotate the rear wheels (30B, 32B) in order to move the rear support assembly (60B) and the rear wheels (30B, 32B) together with it along the guide rails (52A, 54A, 52B, 54B) between a rear outer position and a rear inner position. [2] System (10) for adjustable wheelbase according to claim 1, characterized by, that the guide rails (52A, 54A, 52B, 54B) include a pair of front guide rails (52A, 54A) and a pair of rear guide rails (52B, 54B), the front support assembly (60A) is mounted on the pair of front guide rails (52A, 54A) and the rear support assembly (60B) is mounted on the pair of rear guide rails (52B, 54B). [3] System (10) for adjustable wheelbase according to claim 1, characterized by , that the front motor system (72A, 74A) includes a first front motor (72A) configured to rotate a first front wheel (30A) and a second front motor (74A) configured to rotate a second front wheel (32A). [4] System (10) for adjustable wheelbase according to claim 1, characterized by , that the rear motor system includes a first rear motor (72B) configured to turn a first rear wheel (30B) and a second rear motor (74B) configured to turn a second rear wheel (32B). [5] System (10) for adjustable wheelbase according to claim 1, characterized by , that the battery system includes a front battery (70A) configured to power the front motor system (72A, 74A) and a rear battery (70B) configured to power the rear motor system (72B, 74B), the front battery (70A) being mounted on the front support assembly (60A) and the rear battery (70B) being mounted on the rear support assembly (60B). [6] System (10) for adjustable wheelbase according to claim 1, characterized by , that the controller (110) is configured to be mounted on the vehicle. [7] System (10) for adjustable wheelbase according to claim 1, characterized by , that the controller (110) contains a transmitter (120) and is configured for use separate from the vehicle. [8] System (10) for adjustable wheelbase according to claim 1, characterized by, that the front support assembly (60A) contains front bearing blocks inserted into the guide rails (52A, 54A, 52B, 54B) and the rear support assembly (60B) contains rear bearing blocks inserted into the guide rails (52A, 54A, 52B, 54B). [9] System (10) for adjustable wheelbase according to claim 1, characterized by , that the front motor system (72A, 74A) interacts with the front wheels (30A, 32A) in the form of front wishbones (80A, 82A) which contain front transfer cases, and the rear motor system (72B, 74B) interacts with the rear wheels (30B, 32B) in the form of rear wishbones (80B, 82B) which contain rear transfer cases. [10] System (10) for adjustable wheelbase according to claim 1, characterized by, that the controller (110) is further configured to operate the front motor system (72A, 74A) to rotate the front wheels (30A, 32A) in a first direction, and to operate the rear motor system (72B, 74B) to rotate the rear wheels (30B, 32B) in a second direction opposite to the first direction, in order to move the front wheels (30A, 32A) between the front outer position and the front inner position, and to move the rear wheels (30B, 32B) between the rear outer position and the rear inner position.

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