Patent · US Active

Self-centering return mechanism

US7568541B2 · kind B2 · utility

58Cited by
17References
7Claims
0Family size

Assignees

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 12, 2006
Grant dateAug 4, 2009
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 25, 2027

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB60G2300/45
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

An auxiliary lean control system is provided for controlling a lean angle of at least a portion of a vehicle. The auxiliary lean control system includes an energy storage device for storing energy to actuate the lean control system, a stabilizing mechanism coupled to the energy storage device and to the at least a portion of the vehicle for applying energy received from the energy storage device to the at least a portion of the vehicle to adjust the lean angle of the at least a portion of a vehicle, and a linkage coupled to the energy storage device and to the stabilizing mechanism for transferring energy from the energy storage device to the stabilizing mechanism. The auxiliary lean control system controls the lean angle of the portion of the vehicle in an absence of control of the lean angle by a primary lean control system. In another aspect, the present invention provides a vehicle including a vehicle suspension apparatus and a vehicle lean control system coupled to the vehicle suspension apparatus for controlling a lean of at least a portion of the vehicle, the suspension apparatus being operable independent of the vehicle lean control system.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.