Patent · US Active

Vehicle

US8374774B2 · kind B2 · utility

3Cited by
7References
5Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateDec 9, 2008
Grant dateFeb 12, 2013
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 6, 2029

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02T10/72
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

When a vehicle climbs up/down a step, driving torque suitable for the step climbing operation is applied to a driving wheel, and the center of gravity of a vehicle body is moved in an upward direction of the step. Thus, a stable traveling state and stable posture of the vehicle body can be maintained both when climbing up a step and when climbing down a step, whereby an occupant can operate the vehicle safely and comfortably even on a place having steps. In view of this, the vehicle includes: a vehicle body; a driving wheel rotatably attached to the vehicle body; and a vehicle control apparatus for controlling driving torque that is applied to the driving wheel and controlling posture of the vehicle body. When climbing up/down a step on a road, the vehicle control apparatus controls a position of center of gravity of the vehicle body in accordance with the step.

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