Vehicle having variable track
A vehicle comprising a front axle with a pair of front wheels ( 111, 112 ) having a track width adjustable between a wide track and a narrow track, a drive rear axle with a rear wheel ( 121 ), steering means configured to control the turn of the rear wheel ( 121 ) when the front wheels ( 111, 112 ) are set to the narrow track and track width control means configured to change the track width of the front wheels ( 111, 112 ) and to change the wheel base between the front axle and the rear axle such that for the wide track of the front wheels ( 111, 112 ) the wheel base is longer than for the narrow track of the front wheels ( 111, 112 ).
1. A vehicle comprising:
a front axle with a pair of front wheels ( 111 , 112 ) having a track width adjustable between a wide track and a narrow track,
a drive rear axle with a rear wheel ( 121 ),
track width control means configured to change the track width of the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ) and to change the wheel base between the front axle and the rear axle such that for the wide track of the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ) the wheel base is longer than for the narrow track of the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ),
characterized in that it further comprises:
steering means configured to control the turn of the rear wheel ( 121 ) when the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ) are set to the narrow track, wherein the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ) are non-turnable when the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ) are set to the narrow track.
2. The vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the steering means are further configured to control the turn of the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ) around a substantially vertical axis and of the rear wheel ( 121 ) around a substantially vertical axis depending on the track width of the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ).
3. The vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the steering means are further configured to control the turn of the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ) when the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ) are set to the wide track.
4. The vehicle according to claim 3 , wherein the rear wheel ( 121 ) is non-turnable when the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ) are set to the wide track.
5. A vehicle comprising:
a front axle with a pair of front wheels ( 111 , 112 ) having a track width adjustable between a wide track and a narrow track,
a drive rear axle with a rear wheel ( 121 ),
track width control means configured to change the track width of the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ) and to change the wheel base between the front axle and the rear axle such that for the wide track of the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ) the wheel base is longer than for the narrow track of the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ),
characterized in that it further comprises:
steering means configured to control the turn of the rear wheel ( 121 ) when the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ) are set to the narrow track, wherein the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ) are non-turnable when the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ) are set to the narrow track; and
the track width control means comprise pairs of wishbones ( 113 , 114 ) connected to each of the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ), each pair of wishbones ( 113 , 114 ) connected pivotally at one point to a central frame ( 117 ) and at another point to one end of a push-pull rod ( 115 , 116 ), the other end of which is pivotally connected with a piston ( 118 ) of a central linear actuator ( 119 ), such that the movement of the piston ( 118 ) causes change of the wheel base and the track width of the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ).
6. The vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the track width control means are further configured to turn the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ) towards the central axis of the vehicle when changing the track width of the vehicle from the wide track to the narrow track and to turn the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ) away from the central axis of the vehicle when changing the track width of the vehicle from the narrow track to the wide track.
7. A vehicle comprising:
a front axle with a pair of front wheels ( 111 , 112 ) having a track width adjustable between a wide track and a narrow track,
a drive rear axle with a rear wheel ( 121 ),
track width control means configured to change the track width of the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ) and to change the wheel base between the front axle and the rear axle such that for the wide track of the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ) the wheel base is longer than for the narrow track of the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ),
characterized in that it further comprises:
steering means configured to control the turn of the rear wheel ( 121 ) when the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ) are set to the narrow track, wherein the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ) are non-turnable when the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ) are set to the narrow track;
the track width control means are further configured to turn the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ) towards the central axis of the vehicle when changing the track width of the vehicle from the wide track to the narrow track and to turn the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ) away from the central axis of the vehicle when changing the track width of the vehicle from the narrow track to the wide track; and
the track width control means comprise variable-length steering rods ( 141 , 142 ) connected to the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ).
8. A vehicle comprising:
a front axle with a pair of front wheels ( 111 , 112 ) having a track width adjustable between a wide track and a narrow track,
a drive rear axle with a rear wheel ( 121 ),
track width control means configured to change the track width of the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ) and to change the wheel base between the front axle and the rear axle such that for the wide track of the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ) the wheel base is longer than for the narrow track of the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ),
characterized in that it further comprises:
steering means configured to control the turn of the rear wheel ( 121 ) when the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ) are set to the narrow track, wherein the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ) are non-turnable when the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ) are set to the narrow track; and
the track width control means comprise pairs of wishbones ( 113 , 114 ) connected to each of the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ), each pair of wishbones ( 113 , 114 ) connected to a retracting arm ( 143 , 144 ) mounted pivotally at one point to a central frame ( 117 ) and at another point to one end of a push-pull rod ( 115 , 116 ), the other end of which is pivotally connected with a piston ( 118 ) of a central linear actuator ( 119 ), such that the movement of the piston ( 118 ) causes change of the wheel base and the track width of the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ).
9. A vehicle comprising:
a front axle with a pair of front wheels ( 111 , 112 ) having a track width adjustable between a wide track and a narrow track,
a drive rear axle with a rear wheel ( 121 ),
track width control means configured to change the track width of the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ) and to change the wheel base between the front axle and the rear axle such that for the wide track of the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ) the wheel base is longer than for the narrow track of the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ),
characterized in that it further comprises:
steering means configured to control the turn of the rear wheel ( 121 ) when the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ) are set to the narrow track, wherein the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ) are non-turnable when the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ) are set to the narrow track; and
the track width control means comprise steering rods ( 145 , 146 ) connected at one end to steering actuators ( 147 , 148 ) and at another end to steering knuckle bearings ( 131 , 132 ) of the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ) to steer the turn of the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ) around their individual vertical axes, wherein the steering actuators ( 147 , 148 ) are connected to a central frame ( 117 ) and have a changeable length.
10. A vehicle comprising:
a front axle with a pair of front wheels ( 111 , 112 ) having a track width adjustable between a wide track and a narrow track,
a drive rear axle with a rear wheel ( 121 ),
track width control means configured to change the track width of the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ) and to change the wheel base between the front axle and the rear axle such that for the wide track of the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ) the wheel base is longer than for the narrow track of the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ),
characterized in that it further comprises:
steering means configured to control the turn of the rear wheel ( 121 ) when the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ) are set to the narrow track, wherein the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ) are non-turnable when the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ) are set to the narrow track; and
the track width control means comprise pairs of upper and lower front suspension arms ( 171 , 173 ) connected pivotally at one end to a driving arm ( 175 ) and at another end pivotally to a pair of upper and lower rear suspension arms ( 172 , 174 ) connected pivotally at one end to a central frame ( 117 ) and at another end to a steering knuckle bearing of the front wheel ( 111 , 112 ), the driving arm ( 175 ) being pivotally mounted to the central frame ( 117 ) and turnable around a substantially vertical axis at the point of connection to the central frame ( 117 ) in order to control the track width of the front wheels and the wheel base of the vehicle.
11. The vehicle according to claim 10 , further comprising a toe control mechanism comprising positioning arms ( 193 ), to which steering rods ( 191 ) are mounted for controlling the toe of the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ).
12. The vehicle according to claim 11 , wherein the toe control mechanism is mounted on a base ( 190 ) pivotally connected to a vehicle frame via a bearing ( 196 ) to allow steering the turn of the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ) via the steering rods ( 191 ) by turning the base ( 190 ).
13. The vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ) are turnable around individual axes ( 131 , 132 ).
14. The vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ) are turnable around a common axis ( 151 ).
15. A vehicle comprising:
a front axle with a pair of front wheels ( 111 , 112 ) having a track width adjustable between a wide track and a narrow track,
a drive rear axle with a rear wheel ( 121 ),
track width control means configured to change the track width of the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ) and to change the wheel base between the front axle and the rear axle such that for the wide track of the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ) the wheel base is longer than for the narrow track of the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ),
characterized in that it further comprises:
steering means configured to control the turn of the rear wheel ( 121 ) when the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ) are set to the narrow track, wherein the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ) are non-turnable when the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ) are set to the narrow track;
the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ) are turnable around a common axis ( 151 ); and
the front axle is turnable by a linear actuator ( 152 ).
16. A vehicle comprising:
a front axle with a pair of front wheels ( 111 , 112 ) having a track width adjustable between a wide track and a narrow track,
a drive rear axle with a rear wheel ( 121 ),
track width control means configured to change the track width of the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ) and to change the wheel base between the front axle and the rear axle such that for the wide track of the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ) the wheel base is longer than for the narrow track of the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ),
characterized in that it further comprises:
steering means configured to control the turn of the rear wheel ( 121 ) when the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ) are set to the narrow track, wherein the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ) are non-turnable when the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ) are set to the narrow track; and
the rear wheel ( 121 ) is turnable around an axis ( 123 ) offset from the center of the rear wheel ( 121 ) by a distance larger than the radius of the rear wheel ( 121 ).
17. A vehicle comprising:
a front axle with a pair of front wheels ( 111 , 112 ) having a track width adjustable between a wide track and a narrow track,
a drive rear axle with a rear wheel ( 121 ),
track width control means configured to change the track width of the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ) and to change the wheel base between the front axle and the rear axle such that for the wide track of the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ) the wheel base is longer than for the narrow track of the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ),
characterized in that it further comprises:
steering means configured to control the turn of the rear wheel ( 121 ) when the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ) are set to the narrow track, wherein the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ) are non-turnable when the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ) are set to the narrow track; and
the rear axle is turnable by a linear actuator ( 124 ).
18. A vehicle comprising:
a front axle with a pair of front wheels ( 111 , 112 ) having a track width adjustable between a wide track and a narrow track,
a drive rear axle with a rear wheel ( 121 ),
track width control means configured to change the track width of the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ) and to change the wheel base between the front axle and the rear axle such that for the wide track of the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ) the wheel base is longer than for the narrow track of the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ),
characterized in that it further comprises:
steering means configured to control the turn of the rear wheel ( 121 ) when the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ) are set to the narrow track, wherein the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ) are non-turnable when the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ) are set to the narrow track; and
a selector configured to control the operation of both the track width control means and the steering means.
19. The vehicle according to claim 18 , wherein the selector is coupled with a gear lever.
20. A vehicle comprising:
a front axle with a pair of front wheels ( 111 , 112 ) having a track width adjustable between a wide track and a narrow track,
a drive rear axle with a rear wheel ( 121 ),
track width control means configured to change the track width of the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ) and to change the wheel base between the front axle and the rear axle such that for the wide track of the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ) the wheel base is longer than for the narrow track of the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ),
characterized in that it further comprises:
steering means configured to control the turn of the rear wheel ( 121 ) when the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ) are set to the narrow track, wherein the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ) are non-turnable when the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ) are set to the narrow track;
a frame comprising:
a tiltable portion ( 163 ) tiltable about a tilt axis ( 164 ) and coupled with a drive rear axle with a rear wheel ( 121 ),
a non-tiltable portion ( 162 ) coupled with a front axle with a pair of front wheels ( 111 , 112 );
a main body portion ( 165 ) coupled with the tiltable frame portion ( 163 ); and
tilting means ( 166 ) for tilting the tiltable frame portion ( 163 ) when the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ) are set to the wide track.
21. The vehicle according to claim 20 , wherein the tilt axis ( 164 ) lies within the longitudinal vertical plane of symmetry of the vehicle.
22. The vehicle according to claim 20 , wherein the tilting means ( 166 ) are configured to tilt the tiltable frame portion ( 163 ) when the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ) are in the narrow track to a smaller extent than when the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ) are in the wide track.
23. The vehicle according to claim 20 , wherein the tilting means ( 166 ) are configured to block the tilt of the tiltable frame portion ( 163 ) when the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ) are in the narrow track.
24. The vehicle according claim 20 , wherein the tilting means ( 166 ) comprise a tilt actuator ( 166 ).
25. The vehicle according to claim 20 , wherein the tilting means ( 166 ) comprise a self-tilting mechanism actuated by turn of the rear wheel ( 121 ).
26. The vehicle according to claim 20 , wherein the longitudinal tilt axis ( 164 ) is inclined with respect to a road surface.
27. A vehicle comprising:
a front axle with a pair of front wheels ( 111 , 112 ) having a track width adjustable between a wide track and a narrow track,
a drive rear axle with a rear wheel ( 121 ),
track width control means configured to change the track width of the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ) and to change the wheel base between the front axle and the rear axle such that for the wide track of the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ) the wheel base is longer than for the narrow track of the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ),
characterized in that it further comprises:
steering means configured to control the turn of the rear wheel ( 121 ) when the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ) are set to the narrow track, wherein the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ) are non-turnable when the front wheels ( 111 , 112 ) are set to the narrow track; and
an elastic outer shell ( 302 ) forming a cabin of the vehicle and having a width controlled by a linear actuator ( 304 ) coupled with linkages ( 303 ) such that the width of the cabin is higher for the wide track of the front wheels than for the narrow track of the front wheels.