Drive wheel suspension
A drive wheel and suspension for a vehicle for mounting on a steering post to provide both a steering capability and propulsion to the vehicle. The drive wheel and suspension provides a spring suspension for that wheel of the vehicle, as well as what is effectively vehicle body mounting of the propulsion system so as to minimize un-sprung weight and to provide a compact assembly to support a suitable aesthetic and protective fender over the drive wheel and suspension.
1. A drive wheel and suspension for a vehicle comprising:
a cross member;
a support fastened to the cross member;
a motor mounted on the support for driving a motor shaft about a first axis;
a pair of spaced apart, downward and backward projecting parallel struts fastened to the cross member, backward being opposite the forward direction of motion of the vehicle;
a pair of swing arms, each swing arm being supported about a second axis parallel to the first axis and adjacent a lower end of a respective one of the struts and projecting forward;
a wheel mounted on an axle extending between a forward part of the swing arms to support a wheel between the swing arms for rotation about a third axis parallel to the first and second axes;
a pair of coil spring, shock absorber units, each coupled between the cross member and a respective forward end of a respective swing arm;
a first pulley on the motor shaft;
a second pulley aligned with the first pulley and disposed for rotation about the second axis;
a third pulley mechanically coupled to the second pulley so as to driven in rotation by the second pulley;
a fourth pulley aligned with the third pulley and mechanically coupled to the wheel to drive the wheel in rotation about the third axis;
a first belt coupling the first and second pulleys; and
a second belt coupling the third and fourth pulleys.
2. The drive wheel and suspension of claim 1 wherein the pulleys and the belts are toothed pulleys and belts.
3. The drive wheel and suspension of claim 1 wherein the cross member includes a socket for fastening to a steering post.
4. The drive wheel and suspension of claim 3 further comprising a pair of fender supports, each coupled to a side of the struts.
5. The drive wheel and suspension of claim 1 wherein the cross member includes a socket for fastening to a steering post of a three wheeled vehicle.
6. The drive wheel and suspension of claim 1 wherein when the drive wheel and suspension are mounted on a vehicle, the swing arms are substantially horizontal.
7. The drive wheel and suspension of claim 1 wherein the swing arms are rigidly coupled together to rotate in unison about the second axis.
8. The drive wheel and suspension of claim 1 wherein the swing arms are not rigidly coupled together to rotate in unison about the second axis.