Granted Patent B2

US 12,649,342 · App. 18/849,244 · Granted Jun 9, 2026

Inventors: David Bees (Warwickshire, GB); James Hopton (Warwickshire, GB)

Assignee: BAE SYSTEMS PLC

B60G3/20B60G17/08B60G2200/144B60G2200/18B60G2202/24B60G2202/41B60G2300/40B60Y2400/86

Abstract

Claims (33)

1 . A suspension system for supporting a chassis of a vehicle, the suspension system comprising a suspension unit, the suspension unit comprising:

a wheel arm assembly comprising a first wheel arm having a chassis mount end and a wheel mount end;

the chassis mount end of the first wheel arm being pivotably attached to a chassis mounting member via a chassis end trunnion, the chassis mount end of the first wheel arm and the chassis mounting member being pivotable relative to one another around a chassis mount pivoting axis, and the chassis mounting member configured to support the chassis mount end of the first wheel arm so that the first wheel arm and the chassis mounting member are operable to pivot at least 180 degrees relative to one another about the chassis mount pivoting axis; and

the wheel mount end of the first wheel arm being pivotably attached to a wheel mounting member via a wheel end trunnion, the wheel mount end of the first wheel arm and the wheel mounting member being pivotable relative to one another around a wheel mount pivoting axis, and the wheel mounting member is configured to couple with the wheel mount end of the first wheel arm so that the first wheel arm and the wheel mounting member are operable to pivot at least 180 degrees relative to one another about the wheel mount pivoting axis.

2 . The suspension system of claim 1 , wherein the chassis end trunnion is provided at the chassis mount end of the first wheel arm, the chassis end trunnion being pivotably attached to the chassis mounting member, the chassis end trunnion and the chassis mounting member being pivotable relative to one another around the chassis mount pivoting axis, and the chassis mounting member configured to support the chassis mount end of the first wheel arm via the chassis end trunnion such that a clearance is maintained around the chassis mount end of the first wheel arm to provide a space for the chassis mount end of the first wheel arm end to move through.

3 . The suspension system of claim 2 , wherein the wheel arm assembly comprises a second wheel arm, the second wheel arm having a chassis mount end and a wheel mount end; the chassis mount end of the second wheel arm and the chassis mounting member being pivotable relative to one another around the chassis mount pivoting axis, and the chassis mounting member configured to support the chassis mount end of the second wheel arm so that the second wheel arm and the chassis mounting member are operable to pivot at least 180 degrees relative to one another about the chassis mount pivoting axis; the wheel mount end of the second wheel arm and the wheel mounting member being pivotable relative to one another around the wheel mount pivoting axis, and the wheel mounting member is configured to couple with the wheel mount end of the second wheel arm so that the second wheel arm and the wheel mounting member are operable to pivot at least 180 degrees relative to one another about the wheel mount pivoting axis.

4 . The suspension system of claim 3 , wherein the chassis end trunnion is coupled to the chassis mount end of the second wheel arm, and the chassis mounting member is configured to support the chassis mount end of the second wheel arm via the chassis end trunnion such that a clearance is maintained around the chassis mount end of the second wheel arm to provide a space for the chassis mount end of the second wheel arm end to move through.

5 . The suspension system of claim 1 , wherein the wheel end trunnion is provided at the wheel mount end of the first wheel arm, the wheel end trunnion being pivotably attached to the wheel mounting member, the wheel end trunnion and the wheel mounting member being pivotable relative to one another around the wheel mount pivoting axis, and the wheel mounting member is configured to support the wheel mount end of the first wheel arm via the wheel end trunnion such that a clearance is maintained around the wheel mount end of the first wheel arm to provide a space for the wheel mount end of the first wheel arm to move through.

6 . The suspension system of claim 5 , wherein the wheel arm assembly comprises a second wheel arm, the second wheel arm having a chassis mount end and a wheel mount end; the chassis mount end of the second wheel arm and the chassis mounting member being pivotable relative to one another around the chassis mount pivoting axis, and the chassis mounting member configured to support the chassis mount end of the second wheel arm so that the second wheel arm and the chassis mounting member are operable to pivot at least 180 degrees relative to one another about the chassis mount pivoting axis; the wheel mount end of the second wheel arm and the wheel mounting member being pivotable relative to one another around the wheel mount pivoting axis, and the wheel mounting member is configured to couple with the wheel mount end of the second wheel arm so that the second wheel arm and the wheel mounting member are operable to pivot at least 180 degrees relative to one another about the wheel mount pivoting axis.

7 . The suspension system of claim 6 , wherein the wheel end trunnion is coupled to the wheel mount end of the second wheel arm, and the wheel mounting member is configured to support the wheel mount end of the second wheel arm via the wheel end trunnion such that a clearance is maintained around the wheel mount end of the second wheel arm to provide a space for the chassis mount end of the second wheel arm end to move through.

8 . The suspension system of claim 1 , wherein the chassis mount pivoting axis is parallel to the wheel mount pivoting axis.

9 . The suspension system of claim 1 , wherein the wheel arm assembly comprises a second wheel arm, the second wheel arm having a chassis mount end and a wheel mount end; the chassis mount end of the second wheel arm and the chassis mounting member being pivotable relative to one another around the chassis mount pivoting axis, and the chassis mounting member configured to support the chassis mount end of the second wheel arm so that the second wheel arm and the chassis mounting member are operable to pivot at least 180 degrees relative to one another about the chassis mount pivoting axis; the wheel mount end of the second wheel arm and the wheel mounting member being pivotable relative to one another around the wheel mount pivoting axis, and the wheel mounting member is configured to couple with the wheel mount end of the second wheel arm so that the second wheel arm and the wheel mounting member are operable to pivot at least 180 degrees relative to one another about the wheel mount pivoting axis.

10 . The suspension system of claim 1 , wherein a wheel for supporting the chassis is rotatably coupled to the wheel mounting member.

11 . The suspension system of claim 1 , wherein:

a first actuator is coupled to the first wheel arm and/or the chassis mounting member and operable to cause the first wheel arm and the chassis mounting member to pivot relative to one another; and

a second actuator is coupled to the first wheel arm and/or the wheel mounting member and operable to cause the first wheel arm and the wheel mounting member to pivot relative to one another.

12 . The suspension system of claim 11 , further comprising a third actuator, wherein one end of the third actuator is coupled to the first wheel arm and the other end of the third actuator is coupled to the chassis mounting member, the third actuator operable to move the first wheel arm from a first position relative to the chassis to a second position relative to the chassis to thereby alter the height of the chassis from a support surface on which it stands.

13 . The suspension system of claim 1 , further comprising an actuator, wherein one end of the actuator is coupled to the first wheel arm and the other end of the actuator is coupled to the chassis mounting member, the actuator operable to move the first wheel arm from a first position relative to the chassis to a second position relative to the chassis to thereby alter the height of the chassis from a support surface on which it stands.

14 . A vehicle comprising a chassis and the suspension system of claim 1 .

15 . The vehicle of claim 14 , wherein the chassis defines a plurality of mounting positions for the chassis mounting member, the mounting positions spaced around the periphery of the chassis, and the chassis defines a substantially four sided polygonal periphery, and defines mounting positions for chassis mounting members on the sides of the chassis, the mounting positions being provided proximate to, or at, each corner of the chassis.

16 . The vehicle of claim 15 , further comprising a plurality of the suspension units, wherein the mounting positions for the chassis mounting members are spaced apart, and components of the suspension units are configured such that throughout range of motion of any one of a plurality of wheel arms, any one of the suspension units remains spaced apart from wheel arms of another one of the suspension units.

17 . A method of control of operating a suspension system for a vehicle, the suspension system including a wheel arm assembly comprising a first wheel arm having a chassis mount end and a wheel mount end; the chassis mount end of the first wheel arm being provided with a chassis mounting member, the chassis mount end of the first wheel arm and the chassis mounting member being pivotable relative to one another around a chassis mount pivoting axis, and the chassis mounting member configured to support the chassis mount end of the first wheel arm so that the first wheel arm and the chassis mounting member are operable to pivot at least 180 degrees relative to one another about the chassis mount pivoting axis; the wheel mount end of the first wheel arm being provided with a wheel mounting member, the wheel mount end of the first wheel arm and the wheel mounting member being pivotable relative to one another around a wheel mount pivoting axis, and the wheel mounting member is configured to couple with the wheel mount end of the first wheel arm so that the first wheel arm and the wheel mounting member are operable to pivot at least 180 degrees relative to one another about the wheel mount pivoting axis; a first actuator is coupled to the first wheel arm and/or the chassis mounting member and operable to cause the first wheel arm and the chassis mounting member to pivot relative to one another; and a second actuator is coupled to the first wheel arm and/or the wheel mounting member and operable to cause the first wheel arm and the wheel mounting member to pivot relative to one another, wherein a chassis end trunnion is provided at the chassis mount end of the first wheel arm, the chassis end trunnion being pivotably attached to the chassis mounting member, the chassis end trunnion and the chassis mounting member being pivotable relative to one another around the chassis mount pivoting axis, and the chassis mounting member configured to support the chassis mount end of the first wheel arm via the chassis end trunnion; and wherein a wheel end trunnion is provided at the wheel mount end of the first wheel arm, the wheel end trunnion being pivotably attached to the wheel mounting member, the wheel end trunnion and the wheel mounting member being pivotable relative to one another around the wheel mount pivoting axis, and the wheel mounting member is configured to support the wheel mount end of the first wheel arm via the wheel end trunnion; wherein the method comprises:

operating the first actuator to move the first wheel arm and the chassis mounting member relative to one another about the chassis mount pivoting axis; and

operating the second actuator to move the first wheel arm and the wheel mounting member relative to one another about the wheel mount pivoting axis;

wherein the first actuator and second actuator are operable independently of one another.

18 . The method of control of claim 17 , wherein the suspension system further comprises a third actuator, wherein one end of the third actuator is coupled to the first wheel arm and the other end of the third actuator is coupled to the chassis mounting member, the third actuator operable to move the first wheel arm from a first position relative to the chassis to a second position relative to the chassis; wherein the method comprises:

operating the third actuator to move the first wheel arm from a first position relative to the chassis to a second position relative to the chassis to thereby alter the height of the chassis from a support surface on which it stands; and

wherein the third actuator is operable independently of the first actuator and the second actuator.

19 . A suspension system for supporting a chassis of a vehicle, the suspension system comprising a suspension unit, the suspension unit comprising:

a wheel arm assembly comprising a first wheel arm having a chassis mount end and a wheel mount end, the chassis mount end of the first wheel arm being provided with a chassis mounting member, the chassis mount end of the first wheel arm and the chassis mounting member being pivotable relative to one another around a chassis mount pivoting axis, and the chassis mounting member is configured to support the chassis mount end of the first wheel arm so that the first wheel arm and the chassis mounting member are operable to pivot at least 180 degrees relative to one another about the chassis mount pivoting axis, the wheel mount end of the first wheel arm being provided with a wheel mounting member, the wheel mount end of the first wheel arm and the wheel mounting member being pivotable relative to one another around a wheel mount pivoting axis, and the wheel mounting member is configured to couple with the wheel mount end of the first wheel arm so that the first wheel arm and the wheel mounting member are operable to pivot at least 180 degrees relative to one another about the wheel mount pivoting axis; and

a chassis end trunnion is provided at the chassis mount end of the first wheel arm, the chassis end trunnion being pivotably attached to the chassis mounting member, the chassis end trunnion and the chassis mounting member being pivotable relative to one another around the chassis mount pivoting axis, and the chassis mounting member is configured to support the chassis mount end of the first wheel arm via the chassis end trunnion; and

a wheel end trunnion is provided at the wheel mount end of the first wheel arm, the wheel end trunnion being pivotably attached to the wheel mounting member, the wheel end trunnion and the wheel mounting member being pivotable relative to one another around the wheel mount pivoting axis, and the wheel mounting member is configured to support the wheel mount end of the first wheel arm via the wheel end trunnion.

20 . The suspension system of claim 19 , wherein the wheel arm assembly comprises a second wheel arm.

Assignments (1)

Priority Claims (2)

Continuity (1)

References Cited (63)