Steering system for 3-wheeled vehicles combined with a chassis tilting system to improve vehicle stability as well as the comfort of the driver and passengers when cornering.

Abstract

Steering system for 3-wheeled vehicles combined with a chassis tilting system to improve vehicle stability and the comfort of the driver and passengers when cornering. The vehicle consists of 3 main parts: A front axle (2) comprising two steering wheels (5); A chassis (1) including, among other things, the rear wheel (6) and seats, and articulated to the front axle by means of a pivot joint (13); A system of connecting rods (3)(4) that link the various elements of the vehicle (steering wheel (10), chassis (1), front axle (2), steering wheel pivots (9), etc.). The tilt of the chassis (1) and the steering angle of the front wheels (5) are controlled by the driver's action on the steering wheel (10), even when the vehicle is stationary. The system according to the invention is particularly intended for 3-wheeled vehicles (velomobiles, tricycles, etc.). Figures for the abstract: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Steering system for 3-wheel vehicles combined with a chassis tilting system to improve vehicle stability and the comfort of the driver and passengers when cornering.

[0001] The present invention relates to a steering system for a 3-wheel vehicle (2 front wheels and one rear wheel) which allows the chassis to be tilted towards the inside of turns in order to improve the stability of the vehicle as well as the comfort of the driver and his passengers when cornering. In this invention, the inclination of the chassis as well as the steering angle of the wheels are controlled by the driver.

[0002] 3-wheel vehicles are often designed to limit vehicle weight and for simplicity of design, but are unstable and tip over quite easily when cornering.

[0003] Some 3-wheel scooters have a system that allows the scooter to lean towards the inside of the turn. This system is unstable when stationary and the rider must either dismount or activate a locking system or requires an active control system.

[0004] The device according to the proposed invention makes it possible to overcome these drawbacks and greatly improve the stability of the vehicle by translating the center of gravity of the latter towards the inside of the bend to counteract the effect of the centrifugal force responsible for tipping. This translation of the center of gravity is obtained by the inclination of the chassis towards the inside of the bend. This also has the effect of improving the comfort of the driver and his passengers when cornering. One of the important criteria of this invention is that the stability of the vehicle when stationary is always controlled by the driver's hands on the steering wheel (or levers). By keeping the steering wheel (or levers) in a given position, the vehicle maintains the desired inclination.

[0005] The vehicle is composed of 3 main parts: • A front axle comprising the two front steering wheels • A chassis comprising, among other things, the rear wheel and the driver and passenger seat and articulated on the front axle using a pivot link whose axis of rotation is perpendicular to the front axle and inclined so that it passes through the point of contact of the rear wheel with the ground. • A system of connecting rods which connect the different elements of the vehicle (steering wheel / levers, chassis, front axle, pivots of the front steering wheels, etc.)

[0006] According to particular embodiments, a steering wheel or levers associated with a system of connecting rods allow the driver to simultaneously steer the front wheels and to tilt the chassis towards the inside of the bend.

[0007] The attached drawings illustrate the invention:

[0008] [Fig.l] represents an example of the invention where the inclination of the chassis (1) and the steering of the front wheels (5) is obtained by the steering wheel (10)

[0009] [Fig.2] represents an example of the invention where the steering of the front wheels (5) and the inclination of the chassis (1) is obtained by levers (101 / 102)

[0010] With reference to these drawings, the chassis (1) is fixed to the front axle (2) by means of a pivot connection (13). This pivot connection (13) makes it possible to keep the longitudinal axis of the chassis (1) perpendicular to the front axle (2).

[0011] The axis of the pivot connection (13) is inclined so that it passes through the point of contact of the rear wheel with the ground point (C).

[0012] This pivot connection thus allows the chassis (1) to be tilted to the right or left of the pilot.

[0013] By tilting the chassis around this axis (13) towards the driver's right, a connecting rod mechanism (3) turns the front axle wheels (set 9-5) so that the vehicle turns to the right.

[0014] Similarly, by tilting the chassis to the left of the driver, this same link mechanism (3) turns the front axle wheels (set 9-5) so that the vehicle turns to the left.

[0015] The steering angle of the wheels (set 9-5) is therefore directly linked to the inclination of the chassis (1).

[0016] Using a steering wheel (10) or levers (101 / 102) associated with a system of connecting rods, the driver can tilt the chassis to the right or left, which, according to the mechanism described above, allows the front wheels (5) to be turned to the right or left.

[0017] Alternatively, still using the same steering wheel (10) or the same levers (101 / 102) associated with another system of connecting rods, the driver can turn the front wheels (5) to the right or left, which, according to the mechanism described above, allows the chassis to be tilted to the right or left.

[0018] In the embodiment according to [Fig.l], by turning the steering wheel (10) to the left, the pilot therefore turns the steering bar (11). The bar (12) secured to the bar (11) pushes the connecting rod (4) against the front axle (2). The latter can only maintain the horizontal position (since the two front wheels (5) are in contact with the ground), this action tilts the chassis (1) to the left of the pilot around the axis of the pivot (13). The inclination of the chassis (1) in turn actuates the connecting rods (3) which pivot the pivots (9) which turn the front wheels (5) to the left. Similarly, by turning the steering wheel (10) to the right, these same mechanisms allow the chassis (1) to be tilted to the right of the pilot and the front wheels to be turned to the RIGHT.

[0019] In the embodiment according to [Fig.2], by pushing the lever (101) forward and the lever (102) backward, the pilot pivots the pivots (9) to the left which turn the front wheels (5) to the left. The pivoting of the pivots (9) pulls / push the connecting rods (3) which tilt the chassis (1) to the left. Similarly, pushing the lever (101) backward and the lever (102) forward, these same mechanisms allow the front wheels (5) to be turned to the right and the chassis (1) to be tilted to the pilot's right.

[0020] In one embodiment, the system could allow adjustment of the steering angle relative to the inclination angle by varying, for example, the lengths of the elements 12 and 9A in the case of [Fig. 1] or the lengths of the elements 9A and 9B in the case of [Fig. 2].

[0021] If the weight of the vehicle requires it or in order to improve the comfort of the driver, an assistance system not shown here (such as for example a pump + hydraulic cylinder, electric motor, pinion / rack system or any other assistance system) could be added in order to reduce the effort that the driver must exert on the steering wheel (10) or the levers (101 / 102) to make turns or maintain the inclination of the chassis when stationary.

[0022] This system can also be combined or not with a suspension system (not shown in the figures).

[0023] It is also understood that the System can be adapted to any type of motorization or propulsion.

[0024] In one embodiment, the rider and passengers may be seated in seats or on a saddle as on a motorcycle.

[0025] The device according to the invention is particularly intended for 3-wheeled vehicles with one or more passengers, such as velomobiles or motorized vehicles such as, for example, 3-wheeled motorcycles, trikes, etc.

[0026] The attached drawings illustrate the invention:

[0027] [Fig.l] represents an example of action by steering wheel and connecting rod system

[0028] [Fig.2] represents an example of action by levers and connecting rod system

Claims

Claims

1. Steering system for 3-wheel vehicles combined with a chassis tilting system to improve the stability of the vehicle as well as the comfort of the driver and his passengers when cornering, characterized in that it comprises a front axle (2) comprising the two front steered wheels (5), a chassis (1) comprising the rear wheel and the seat of the driver and his passengers, a system of connecting rods (3, 4, 103, 104) which connect the different elements of the vehicle, (steering wheel / levers, chassis, front axle, pivots of the front steered wheels, etc.), a steering wheel (10) or levers (101 / 102) which allow the wheels to be steered simultaneously and the chassis to be tilted towards the inside of the corner when they are actuated by the driver.

2. System according to claim 1 characterized in that the chassis (1) is articulated on the front axle (2) using a pivot connection (13) whose axis is perpendicular to the front axle (2) and which is inclined in such a way that it passes through the point of contact of the rear wheel with the ground (C)

3. System according to claim 1 characterized in that the inclination of the chassis (1) is directly linked to the action of the driver on the steering wheel (10) or the levers (101 / 102) thus controlling the stability of the chassis when the vehicle is stationary.

4. System according to claim 1 characterized in that the system described could be supplemented by an assistance system such as for example a pump + hydraulic cylinder, electric motor, rack and pinion or any other system in order to reduce the effort that the driver must exert on the steering wheel (10) or the levers (101 / 102) to make turns or maintain the inclination of the chassis when stationary.

5. System according to claim 1 characterized in that the system could also be combined or not with a suspension system.

6. System according to claim 1 characterized in that the system could be adapted to any type of motorization or propulsion

7. System according to claim 1 characterized in that the pilot and passengers can be seated in seats or on a saddle as on a motorcycle.

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