Road vehicle cornering assistance mechanism
US5079708A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 16, 1990 |
| Grant date | Jan 7, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 16, 2010 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60T2201/16
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A mechanism for improving the cornering capability of a road vehicle apportions torques applied to wheels differentially between the right and left wheels as a function of the vehicle speed, steering angle and lateral acceleration. Instantaneous differential torques are computed using these and other variable parameters which are continuously monitored, as well as some constant parameters including the characteristics of the vehicle and its tires. The differential torques may be applied by modulating brake force separately for each wheel or through differential clutch arrangements. Applications to rear-driven wheels only, all four wheels, and even single-side wheels are disclosed. The latter is designed to achieve the stagger effect on circular race tracks.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.