Apparatus and method for reducing torque steering
US7658260B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 17, 2005 |
| Grant date | Feb 9, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 29, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60K17/30
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus is provided for suppressing torque steering in a vehicle in which left/right drive shafts are coupled via outer joints to left/right front wheels. The drive shafts are connected via inner joints to an engine and transmission. The height of the inner joints is set 5-20 mm lower than the height of the outer joints, thus forming tilt angles between the left/right drive shafts and the center axis through the left/right wheels and the outer joint. As acceleration of the vehicle increases, the engine moves upward, thus causing the inner joints to move as well. This upward movement of the inner joints causes the tilt angle formed by the drive shafts to decrease. The specific placement of the inner joints is selected so that the left/right tilt angles reach zero at a predetermined rate of acceleration, which may be the vehicle's maximum rate of acceleration.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.