阅读说明：本技术 车辆滑柱安装座 (Vehicle sliding column mounting seat ) 是由 尼古拉斯·安东尼·夸特拉诺 于 2019-08-19 设计创作，主要内容包括：本公开提供了“车辆滑柱安装座”。一种总成,包括导螺杆、滑柱和马达。所述滑柱在所述导螺杆旋转时可沿着所述导螺杆移动。车轮的外倾角可根据所述滑柱沿着所述导螺杆的移动改变。所述马达可驱动地连接到旋转轴,所述旋转轴安装到所述导螺杆。(The present disclosure provides a "vehicle strut mount". An assembly includes a lead screw, a traveler, and a motor. The traveler is movable along the lead screw as the lead screw rotates. The camber angle of the wheel may be varied in response to movement of the traveler along the lead screw. The motor is drivably connected to a rotating shaft that is mounted to the lead screw.)

1. An assembly, comprising:

a lead screw;

a traveler movable along the lead screw upon rotation of the lead screw, a camber angle of a wheel being changeable according to movement of the traveler along the lead screw; and

a motor drivably connected to a rotating shaft, the rotating shaft mounted to the lead screw.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the traveler comprises a housing and a rod supported by the housing, and the housing is supported by the lead screw.

3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the housing includes threads that engage the lead screw.

4. The assembly of claim 3, wherein the threads are arranged to move the housing along the lead screw.

5. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the housing includes a bearing and the rod is supported by the bearing.

6. The assembly of any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a first end carrier and a second end carrier, wherein the lead screw extends between the first end carrier and the second end carrier.

7. The assembly of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the rotation shaft is arranged to rotate the lead screw.

8. The assembly of any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a shock absorber disposed between the wheel and the strut.

9. The assembly of claim 8, further comprising a knuckle coupled to the shock absorber and to the wheel.

10. A method of providing camber using the assembly of claim 1, the method comprising:

receiving a user input specifying an operating mode of the vehicle, the operating mode being associated with a specified camber angle of the wheel; and

moving the traveler along the lead screw to provide the specified camber angle.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising rotating the lead screw to a specified angle to move the traveler to a specified position on the lead screw corresponding to the specified camber angle.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising actuating the motor to move the traveler along the lead screw to provide the specified camber angle.

13. A computer programmed to perform the method of any of claims 10 to 12.

14. A vehicle comprising the computer of claim 13.

15. A computer program product comprising a computer readable medium storing instructions executable by a computer processor to perform the method of any one of claims 10 to 12.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to vehicle wheels, and more particularly to vehicle strut mounts (strut mounts).

Background

The vehicle includes components that are typically positioned for routine driving along the roadway. For example, the tire may be aligned with a road such that the surface of the tire substantially uniformly contacts the road. In order to adjust components to operate the vehicle in different ways, such as adjusting tires to increase handling during cornering, it may be difficult, for example, to remove one or more vehicle components may be required.

Disclosure of Invention

An assembly comprising: a lead screw; a traveler movable along the lead screw when the lead screw rotates, a camber angle of the wheel being changeable according to the movement of the traveler along the lead screw; and a motor drivably connected to a rotating shaft, the rotating shaft being mounted to the lead screw.

The traveler can include a housing and a rod supported by the housing, and the housing can be supported by the lead screw.

The housing may include threads that engage the lead screw.

The threads may be arranged to move the housing along a lead screw.

The housing may include a bearing, and the rod may be supported by the bearing.

The assembly may also include a first end carrier and a second end carrier. The lead screw may extend between the first end carrier and the second end carrier.

The rotation shaft may be arranged to rotate the lead screw.

The assembly may further include a shock absorber disposed between the wheel and the strut.

The assembly may further include a steering knuckle connected to the shock absorber and to the wheel.

A system comprising a computer including a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to: receiving a user input specifying an operating mode of the vehicle, the operating mode being associated with a specified camber angle of a wheel; and moving the traveler along the lead screw to provide the specified camber angle.

The operating mode may also include settings for the shock absorber.

The instructions may also include instructions to rotate the lead screw to a specified angle to move the traveler to a specified position on the lead screw corresponding to a specified camber angle.

The traveler can include a housing and a rod supported by the housing, and the housing can be supported by the lead screw.

The instructions may also include instructions to actuate a motor to move a traveler along a lead screw to provide a specified camber angle.

The instructions may also include instructions to identify an angle of rotation to move the traveler along the lead screw to provide a specified camber angle and actuate the motor to rotate to the angle of rotation upon receiving a specified mode of operation.

A system comprising: means for receiving a user input specifying an operating mode of the vehicle, the operating mode being associated with a specified camber angle of the wheel; and means for moving the traveler along the lead screw to provide a specified camber angle.

The operating mode may also include settings for the shock absorber.

The system may also include means for rotating the lead screw to a specified angle to move the traveler to a specified position on the lead screw corresponding to a specified camber angle.

The traveler can include a housing and a rod supported by the housing, and the housing can be supported by the lead screw.

The housing may include means for moving the housing along the lead screw.

A method of providing camber of a wheel using an assembly, the assembly comprising: a lead screw; a traveler movable along the lead screw when the lead screw rotates, a camber angle of the wheel being changeable according to the movement of the traveler along the lead screw; and a motor drivably connected to a rotating shaft, the rotating shaft mounted to a lead screw, the method comprising: receiving a user input specifying an operating mode of the vehicle, the operating mode being associated with a specified camber angle of a wheel; and moving the traveler along the lead screw to provide the designated camber angle.

The method may also include rotating the lead screw to a specified angle to move the traveler to a specified position on the lead screw corresponding to a specified camber angle.

The method may further include actuating a motor to move the traveler along the lead screw to provide the specified camber angle.

A computing device programmed to perform any of the above method steps is also disclosed. Still further disclosed is a vehicle including the computing device. Also disclosed is a computer program product comprising a computer readable medium storing instructions executable by a computer processor to perform any of the above method steps.

An assembly includes a lead screw, a traveler, and a motor. The traveler is movable along the lead screw as the lead screw rotates. The camber angle of the wheel may be varied in response to movement of the traveler along the lead screw. The motor is drivably connected to the rotating shaft. The rotation shaft is mounted to the lead screw.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary system for adjusting camber angle of a wheel.

FIG. 2 is a side view of an exemplary suspension.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the exemplary suspension of FIG. 2 adjusting the camber angle of an exemplary wheel.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an exemplary strut mount.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the example strut mount of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the example strut mount of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the example strut mount of FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the example strut mount of FIG. 4.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an exemplary process for adjusting camber angle.

Detailed Description

Changing the camber angle of the wheel adjusts the contact of the tire with the road, which may improve handling of the vehicle while turning, while increasing the wear of the tire due to uneven distribution of the tire surface on the road. Determining the camber angle of a wheel may require selecting from competing design choices, weighing to improve handling at the expense of increased tire wear. Manually changing the camber angle can be time consuming and difficult, requiring disassembly of the strut and installation of additional components (e.g., camber plates) for each camber adjustment. Camber plates can be expensive and difficult to install.

The user may provide input to a computer that actuates the strut mounts to change the camber angle without disassembling the vehicle, thereby simplifying the adjustment of the camber angle. Adjusting the camber angle with the computer reduces the overall wear of the tire by returning the camber angle when improved steering is no longer needed to evenly distribute the tire surface over the road. The computer may actuate the motor to rotate the lead screw. Rotating the lead screw moves the traveler, thereby changing the camber angle. The user may adjust the camber angle of the wheel by providing input to the computer, rather than manually adjusting the camber angle through, for example, a manually adjustable mount. The strut mount, which moves the strut to provide the camber angle, allows the user to adjust the camber angle based on a preferred mode of operation, e.g., an operating mode corresponding to vehicle operation on a runway (track), an operating mode corresponding to conventional vehicle operation on a road, etc.

The user may provide input to the computer regarding the operating mode of the vehicle. The operating modes may include settings for vehicle components such as traction control, stability control, throttle response, shock absorber damping, and the like. Each mode of operation adjusts the components for a particular type of driving, such as conventional road driving, racing driving, fuel saving driving, and the like. The computer may associate a camber angle with each mode of operation based on a driving style associated with the mode of operation. Upon receiving an input for an operating mode, the computer may actuate the strut mount to move the wheel to a camber angle associated with the operating mode.

Fig. 1 illustrates an exemplary system 100 for adjusting the camber angle of a wheel in a vehicle 101. The computer 105 in the vehicle 101 is programmed to receive the collected data 115 from the one or more sensors 110. For example, the data 115 of the vehicle 101 may include a location of the vehicle 101, data about an environment surrounding the vehicle, data about an object external to the vehicle (such as another vehicle), and so forth. The location of the vehicle 101 is typically provided in a conventional form, such as geographic coordinates (such as latitude and longitude coordinates) obtained via a navigation system using the Global Positioning System (GPS), for example. Further examples of data 115 may include measurements of systems and components of vehicle 101, such as vehicle 101 speed, vehicle 101 trajectory, and the like.

The computer 105 is typically programmed to communicate over a vehicle 101 network, including, for example, the communication bus of a conventional vehicle 101. Via a network, bus, and/or other wired or wireless mechanism (e.g., a wired or wireless local area network in vehicle 101), computer 105 may transmit and/or receive messages to and/or from various devices in vehicle 101, such as controllers, actuators, sensors, etc., including sensors 110. Alternatively or additionally, in cases where computer 105 actually includes multiple devices, a vehicle network may be used in the present disclosureIs denoted as communication between devices of computer 105. In addition, the computer 105 may be programmed to communicate with a network 125, which, as described below, may include various wired and/or wireless networking technologies, such as cellular, broadband, or the like,

Low power consumption

(BLE), wired and/or wireless packet networks, etc.

The data store 106 may be of any type, such as a hard disk drive, a solid state drive, a server, or any volatile or non-volatile media. The data repository 106 may store collected data 115 sent from the sensors 110.

The sensor 110 may include a variety of devices. For example, various controllers in the vehicle 101 may operate as sensors 110 to provide data 115, such as data 115 related to vehicle speed, acceleration, position, subsystem and/or component status, etc., via a network or bus of the vehicle 101. In addition, other sensors 110 may include cameras, motion detectors, etc. (i.e., sensors 110) to provide data 115 to evaluate part position, evaluate road slope. The sensors 110 may also include, but are not limited to, short range radar, long range radar, laser radar (LIDAR), and/or ultrasonic sensors.

The collected data 115 may include a variety of data collected in the vehicle 101. Examples of collected data 115 are provided above, and further, data 115 is typically collected using one or more sensors 110, and may additionally include data calculated from the collected data in computer 105 and/or at server 130. In general, the collected data 115 may include any data that may be collected by the sensors 110 and/or calculated from such data.

Vehicle 101 may include a plurality of vehicle components 120. In this context, each vehicle component 120 includes one or more hardware components adapted to perform a mechanical function or operation (such as moving vehicle 101, decelerating or stopping vehicle 101, steering vehicle 101, etc.). Non-limiting examples of components 120 include propulsion components (including, for example, an internal combustion engine and/or an electric motor, etc.), transmission components, steering components (e.g., which may include one or more of a steering wheel, a steering rack, etc.), braking components (as described below), park assist components, adaptive cruise control components, adaptive steering components, movable seats, etc.

When the computer 105 operates the vehicle 101, the vehicle 101 is an "autonomous" vehicle 101. For the purposes of this disclosure, the term "autonomous vehicle" is used to refer to vehicle 101 operating in a fully autonomous mode. A fully autonomous mode is defined as a mode in which each of propulsion (typically via a powertrain including an electric motor and/or an internal combustion engine), braking, and steering of the vehicle 101 is controlled by the computer 105. A semi-autonomous mode is a mode in which at least one of propulsion (typically via a powertrain including an electric motor and/or an internal combustion engine), braking, and steering of the vehicle 101 is controlled at least in part by the computer 105 rather than the driver. In the non-autonomous mode (i.e., manual mode), propulsion, braking, and steering of the vehicle 101 are controlled by the driver.

The system 100 may also include a network 125 connected to the server 130 and the data store 135. Computer 105 may also be programmed to communicate via network 125 with one or more remote sites, such as server 130, which may include data repository 135. Network 125 represents one or more mechanisms by which vehicle computer 105 may communicate with remote server 130. Thus, the network 125 may be one or more of a variety of wired or wireless communication mechanisms, including any desired combination of wired (e.g., cable and fiber) and/or wireless (e.g., cellular, wireless, satellite, microwave, and radio frequency) communication mechanisms, as well as any desired network topology (or topologies when multiple communication mechanisms are utilized). Exemplary communication networks include wireless communication networks providing data communication services (e.g., usingLow power consumption

(BLE), IEEE802.11, vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) (such as Dedicated Short Range Communication (DSRC), etc.), Local Area Networks (LAN), and/or Wide Area Networks (WAN), including the internet.

Fig. 2-3 illustrate an exemplary suspension 200. Suspension 200 includes a strut 205 and a strut mount 210. The suspension 200 may include a tower cap 215 and a knuckle 220. The suspension 200 is attached to a wheel 225. Strut 205 connects strut mount 210 to knuckle 220. The strut 205 is connected to the wheel 225 via a knuckle 220.

Suspension 200 includes a strut 205. The spool 205 includes a spool body 230 and a damper 235. Strut body 230 connects shock absorber 235 to knuckle 220. The strut body 230 supports a damper 235.

The spool 205 may include a shock absorber 235. The shock absorber 235 may be, for example: a passive damper that absorbs vibration without requiring additional input to the passive damper; a semi-active shock absorber that includes additional components (e.g., fluid valves, controllers, etc.) that actively control at least a portion of the semi-active shock absorber without adding additional energy to absorb vibration; active shock absorbers, which include additional components that introduce energy absorbing media to reduce vibration, and the like. For example, shock absorber 235 may be a dual tube shock absorber with magnetorheological fluid. Shock absorber 235 may include an electromagnet (not shown). The computer 105 may actuate the electromagnet to increase the viscosity of the magnetorheological fluid to adjust the damping capacity of the damper 235. The computer 105 may actuate the electromagnet to a specified setting to adjust the shock absorber 235 to a particular viscosity.

The suspension 200 may include a tower cap 215. The tower cap 215 connects the strut mount 210 to the body of the vehicle 101. The tower cap 215 may secure the strut mount 210 to the body of the vehicle 101.

Suspension 200 may include a knuckle 220. Knuckle 220 connects shock absorber 235 to wheel 225. The knuckle 220 may be connected to a steering rack (not shown). The knuckle 220 may transmit the movement of the steering rack to the wheels 225, thereby turning the wheels 225 to steer the vehicle 101.

The vehicle 101 includes at least one wheel 225. The wheel 225 includes a hub 226 and a tire 227. The hub 226 connects the knuckle 220 to the tire 227. The knuckle 220 may transmit the movement of the steering rack to the hub 226, thereby turning the wheel 225 to steer the vehicle 101. The tire 227 contacts the road, moving the vehicle 101 along the road. The wheels 225 define a camber angle θ with respect to the vertical axis Z. Fig. 2 shows an exemplary camber angle θ of substantially-1 °, which may correspond to a "normal operating mode" as described below. Fig. 3 illustrates an exemplary camber angle θ of substantially-2.5 °, which may correspond to a "runway" mode of operation, as described below. When the camber angle θ directs the wheel 225 toward the strut 205 (i.e., in an inboard direction of the vehicle 101), the camber angle θ is negative as shown in fig. 3. The camber angle θ is positive when the camber angle θ directs the wheel 225 away from the strut 205 (i.e., in an outboard direction of the vehicle 101). When the camber angle θ approaches zero (e.g., -1 °), as shown in fig. 2, the outer surface of the tire 227 contacts the road almost entirely, with evenly distributed contact along the outer surface. When the camber angle θ is greater than zero, as shown in fig. 3, a portion of the tire 227 may be in more contact with the road than other portions, which may improve the operation of the vehicle 101 while turning. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, when the camber angle θ is substantially-2.5, the outward portion 227a of the tire 227 may reduce contact with the road and the inward portion 227b of the tire 227 may increase contact with the road, thereby improving steering of the vehicle 101.

Fig. 4-8 illustrate an example strut 205 and an example strut mount 210. The strut mount 210 supports the strut 205. The strut mount 210 moves the strut 205 to adjust the camber angle θ of the wheel 225. For example, the strut mount 210 may enable the strut 205 to move from the first position X₁(as shown in FIG. 7) to a second position X₂(as shown in fig. 8). Strut mount 210 is attached to the body (not shown) of vehicle 101.

The spool 205 includes a housing 240. Housing 240 is supported by strut mount 210. The housing 240 is movable along the strut mount 210. The position X of the housing 240 along the strut mount 210 corresponds to a particular camber angle θ of the wheel 225, as described below.

The spool 205 includes a rod 245. The rod 245 is supported by the housing 240. The rod 245 is connected to the wheel 225 via the shock absorber 235, the strut body 230, and the knuckle 220. As the housing 240 moves along the strut mount 210, the rod 245 moves the wheel 225 to a specified camber angle θ.

The housing 240 includes a bearing 250 and a bearing contact 255. Bearing 250 includes an adapter 260 and a roller 265. The adapter 260 supports the rod 245. Adapter 260 is connected to roller 265. Roller 265 contacts bearing contact 255. The roller 265 rotates relative to the bearing contact 255. The bearing 250 may be, for example, a spherical bearing, a bushing, or the like. When bearing 250 is a spherical bearing, roller 265 is substantially spherical. Alternatively, the roller 265 may be a different shape that rotates relative to the bearing contact 255. When bearing 250 is a bushing, bearing 250 may be, for example, rubber, polyurethane, rubber, or a combination thereof,

Nylon, and the like. The adapter 260 rotates the roller 265 relative to the bearing contact 255, allowing the lever 245 to pivot relative to the housing 240. As the housing 240 moves, the housing 240 pushes the roller 265, thereby moving the adapter 260 to allow the lever 245 to pivot. Alternatively, the housing 240 may be devoid of the bearing contact 255, for example, when the bearing 250 is a bushing.

The housing 240 may include a ring 270. Ring 270 connects bearing 250 to housing 240. Alternatively, the bearing 250 may be directly connected to the housing 240. A ring 270 may extend around the bearing 250 to couple the bearing 250 to the housing 240. The ring 270 may connect the bearing 250 to the housing 240 by a snap fit or other suitable securing mechanism.

The bearing 250 may transfer the load from the rod 245 to the housing 240. Bearing 250 allows rod 245 to pivot relative to housing 240. As the housing 240 moves along the strut mount 210, the rod 245 pivots relative to the housing 240 such that the wheel 225 pivots to the camber angle θ.

The spool 205 includes a spring seat 275. The spring seat 275 is connected to a spring (not shown). The spool 205 may include a spool bearing 280. A spool bearing 280 is disposed between the spring seat 275 and the spool mount 210. The spool bearing 280 allows the spring seat 275 to move relative to the spool mount 210.

The strut mount 210 includes a lead screw 290. The lead screw 290 may be, for example, a threaded rod. The housing 240 includes threads 295 that engage the lead screw 290. For example, as shown in fig. 6, the housing 240 may include a threaded nut 300, the threaded nut 300 including threads 295. The threads 295 mate with corresponding threads of the lead screw 290. The threads 295 are arranged to move the housing 240 along the lead screw 290. As the lead screw 290 rotates, the lead screw 290 pushes on the threads 295, thereby causing the threaded nut 300 to move axially along the lead screw 290. The threaded nut 300 moves the housing along the lead screw 290 and the housing 240 moves the rod 245, the rod 245 moving the wheel 225 to a specified camber angle θ. Thus, rotation of the lead screw 290 corresponds to movement of the wheel 225 to a specified camber angle θ.

The strut mount 210 includes a motor 305 and a rotating shaft 310. The motor 305 is drivably connected to the rotating shaft 310, i.e., the motor 305 is connected to the rotating shaft 310 to drive the rotation of the rotating shaft 310. The rotation shaft 310 is arranged to rotate the lead screw 290. Computer 105 actuates motor 305 to rotate lead screw 290. The motor 305 may be, for example, a brushless DC electric motor, an AC motor, or the like.

The strut mount 210 includes a first end carrier 315, a second end carrier 320, and a link 325 extending from the first end carrier 315 to the second end carrier 320. The lead screw 290 extends between a first end carrier 315 and a second end carrier 320. The first end carrier 315 and the second end carrier 320 support the lead screw 290. The connecting rod 325 supports the housing 240. The housing 240 moves along the linkage 325 between the first end carrier 315 and the second end carrier 320.

The spool mount 210 may include a lead screw bearing 330, as shown in fig. 6. The lead screw bearing 330 is supported by the first end carrier 315 and the second end carrier 320. The lead screw bearing 330 allows the lead screw 290 to rotate relative to the first end carrier 315 and relative to the second end carrier 320. The lead screw bearing 330 may be, for example, a roller bearing, a ball bearing, a bushing, or the like.

The strut mount 210 includes a plurality of mounting studs 335. Mounting stud 335 connects strut mount 210 to the body of vehicle 101. For example, the mounting studs 335 may connect the strut mount 210 to the tower cap 215. The mounting studs 335 may be, for example, threaded rods, bolts, pins, or the like. Mounting stud 335 may prevent strut mount 210 from moving relative to the body of vehicle 101.

The strut mount 210 includes a plurality of mounting stud slots 340 (best shown in fig. 7-8). The mounting studs 335 are each disposed in a respective mounting stud slot 340. Mounting stud slots 340 may be provided in the first end carrier 315 and the second end carrier 320. The mounting stud slot 335 may be threaded to mate with the mounting stud 340.

Fig. 7-8 illustrate an exemplary traveler 205 moving along a lead screw 290. FIG. 7 shows a first position X on the lead screw₁The housing 240. FIG. 8 shows a second position X on the lead screw₂The housing 240. When the housing 240 is at the first position X₁The camber angle theta of the wheel 225 is different than when the housing 240 is in the second position X₂The camber angle theta of the wheel 225. Upon receiving a user input, motor 305 may rotate lead screw 290 to cause housing 240 to move from first position X₁Moved to a second position X₂. The first position X is described below₁And a second position X₂Each corresponding to the camber angle theta of the wheel 225.

Computer 105 may include operating modes stored in data store 106. The "operation mode" is a predetermined setting list for the vehicle component 120 associated with a specific type of operation of the vehicle 101. For example, the computer 105 may include a "normal" operating mode in which settings for the vehicle components 120 are determined for normal operation of the vehicle 101 on the road. In another example, the computer 105 may include a "racetrack" mode of operation in which settings for the vehicle components 120 are determined for use on a racetrack. In another example, computer 105 may include a "tow" mode of operation, where settings for vehicle components are determined for use in towing cargo. In another example, computer 105 may include an "energy saving (eco)" mode of operation in which settings for vehicle components are determined to reduce fuel consumption.

Computer 105 receives user input specifying a mode of operation. A user may provide input to a human-machine interface (HMI) (not shown), such as a touch screen, buttons, joystick, rotary dial, and the like. Upon receiving the user input, computer 105 may actuate component 120 to a setting associated with the operating mode, such as camber angle θ, shock absorber stiffness, steering assist stiffness, and the like.

The operating mode may be associated with a specified camber angle θ. As described above, the camber angle θ may adjust the contact of the tire 227 with the road, thereby affecting the turn of the vehicle 101. In a "runway" mode of operation, the computer 105 may adjust the camber angle θ to a particular value to improve handling of the vehicle 101 for turning around corners, such as-1.75 °, -2.5 °, -3.1 °, and so forth. In the "normal" mode of operation, computer 105 may adjust camber angle θ to a lower value, e.g., 0 °, -1 °, etc., than camber angle θ associated with the "runway" mode of operation to reduce wear of tires 227.

The mode of operation may be associated with a specified shock absorber setting. As described above, computer 105 may actuate component 120 to adjust the damping characteristics of dampers 235. For example, the computer 105 may actuate an electromagnet to increase the viscosity of the magnetorheological fluid in the damper 235, thereby increasing the absorption of vibration by the damper 235. In another example, the computer 105 may actuate a solenoid fluid valve to move hydraulic fluid between the tubes of a dual tube shock absorber.

When a user provides input for a particular mode of operation, computer 105 may move wheel 225 to a camber angle θ associated with the mode of operation computer 105 may actuate motor 305 to rotate lead screw 290 to a specified rotation angle α, thereby moving housing 240 along lead screw 290. the specified rotation angle α corresponds to a position X of housing 240 along lead screw 290, as described below. position X of housing 240 moves rod 245, rod 245 moves knuckle 220 and wheel 225 to the specified camber angle θ. thus, computer 105 moves traveler 205 along lead screw 290 to provide camber angle θ associated with the mode of operation.

Motor 305 rotates lead screw 290 toA designated angle of rotation α. "angle of rotation" α is the angle of rotation at which motor 305 rotates rotating shaft 310. Motor 305 may include rotation sensor 110, rotation sensor 110 collects data 115 for angle of rotation α because rotating shaft 310 is mounted to lead screw 290, lead screw 290 rotates to angle of rotation α as described above, rotation of lead screw 290 moves housing 240 along lead screw 290 to a particular position X, i.e., angle of rotation α corresponds to a particular position X of housing 240 along lead screw 290. for example, angle of rotation α₁(as shown in fig. 7) corresponds to a position X of the housing 240 along the lead screw 290₁And is rotated by an angle α₂(as shown in fig. 8) corresponds to a position X of the housing 240 along the lead screw 290₂. Position X₁And X₂The distance between along lead screw 290 may be, for example, 15 mm. The position X of the housing 240 along the lead screw 290 corresponds to a particular camber angle theta. For example, position X₁May correspond to a-1 deg. camber angle theta. In another example, position X₂May correspond to a camber angle theta of-2.5 deg..

Computer 105 may actuate motor 305 to rotate rotational shaft 310 to a specified rotational angle α to provide a camber angle θ associated with the selected operating mode, for example, computer 105 may actuate motor 305 to rotate rotational shaft 310 to a rotational angle α as shown in FIG. 7₁To provide a-1 camber angle θ associated with a "normal" mode of operation, in another example, computer 105 may actuate motor 305 to rotate rotational shaft 310 to rotational angle α₂For example, the lead screw 290 may have a predetermined spacing between threads, i.e., pitch, and rotating the lead screw 290 one revolution (i.e., 360) moves the housing 240 along the lead screw 290 the predetermined spacing the lead screw 290 may be, for example, 1mm, 1.5mm, 2mm, etc. thus, when the motor 305 rotates the rotational shaft 310 360, the housing 240 moves the pitch along the lead screw 290. for example, if the lead screw 290 is 1.5mm and the lead screw 290 is 1.5mm in pitch, the angle of rotation α corresponding to the camber angle θ may be determined based on, for example, empirical testing, suspension modeling, etc., and may be stored in the data store 106 and/or the server 130And a first position X₁And a second position X₂Is 15mm, computer 105 may instruct motor 305 to rotate lead screw 290 ten turns (i.e., 3600 °) to move housing 240 15mm along lead screw 290 to a second position X₂I.e., the second angle of rotation α₂Can rotate at an angle α greater than the first angle₁3600 deg. empirical testing may correlate the position X along the lead screw 290 to the camber angle theta and, based on the pitch, the computer 105 may determine the rotation angle α to move the housing 240 to the position X corresponding to the camber angle theta.

Alternatively or additionally, the housing 240 and/or the lead screw 290 may include a limit switch and/or linear motion sensor 110 programmed to detect the position X of the housing 240 along the lead screw 290. The computer 105 may actuate the motor 305 to rotate the rotational axis 310 until data 115 is received from the limit switches and/or linear motion sensor 110, the data 115 indicating that the housing 240 is within a distance threshold corresponding to the position X of the specified camber angle θ. The distance threshold may be determined based on a tolerance threshold for the camber angle θ. The specified camber angle θ may have a tolerance threshold (e.g., 0.05 °) based on, for example, empirical testing of contact of tire 227, and the tolerance threshold may correspond to a distance threshold (e.g., 0.5mm) for position X, i.e., moving housing 240 0.5mm may result in a change in camber angle θ of 0.05 °, and when computer 105 determines that current position X of housing 240 is within the distance threshold for specified position X, computer 105 may determine that the current camber angle θ is within the tolerance threshold for the specified camber angle θ.

For example, for a lead screw 290 pitch of 1.5mm, computer 105 may refer to Table 1 to determine the angle of rotation α required to specify the camber angle θ.

Rotation angle α (degree)	Camber angle theta (degree)
		0	-1.00
1200	-1.50
		1800	-1.75
3600	-2.50

TABLE 1

Fig. 9 is a block diagram of an exemplary process 900 for moving a wheel 225 to a specified camber angle θ. Process 900 begins in block 905, where computer 105 receives input from a user specifying an operating mode for vehicle 101. As described above, the user may provide input to the HMI, such as a touch screen, buttons, joysticks, and the like. The input specifies one of a plurality of operating modes, such as a "normal" operating mode, a "runway" operating mode, a "tow" operating mode, and the like.

Next, in block 910, computer 105 identifies a camber angle θ associated with the operating mode. As described above, the camber angle θ may affect the steering of the vehicle 101, and the operating mode may be associated with the specified camber angle θ to provide the steering associated with the operating mode. The associated camber angle θ may be stored in the data store 106 and/or the server 130, e.g., in a look-up table or the like, as described above.

Next, in block 915, the computer 105 determines the rotation angle α of the lead screw 290 to provide the camber angle θ. As described above, the rotation angle α of the lead screw 290 corresponds to a position X of the traveler 205 along the lead screw 290 that corresponds to the camber angle θ. for example, the computer 105 may store a look-up table in the data store 106 that includes rotation angles corresponding to the camber angle θ associated with each mode of operation.

Next, in block 920, computer 105 actuates motor 305 to rotate lead screw 290 to a rotational angle α computer 105 may actuate motor 305, motor 305 rotating rotational shaft 310 mounted to lead screw 290, lead screw 290 moves traveler 205 along lead screw 290 as motor 305 rotates lead screw 290, thereby moving wheel 225 to camber angle θ.

Next, in block 925, computer 105 determines whether to continue process 900. For example, the computer 105 may determine not to continue the process 900 when the vehicle 101 is stopped and powered off. If computer 105 determines to continue, process 900 returns to block 905 to receive additional user input. Otherwise, process 900 ends.

As used herein, the adverb "substantially" modifying the adjective means that shapes, structures, measurements, values, calculations, etc., may deviate from the precisely described geometries, distances, measurements, values, calculations, etc., due to imperfections in materials, processing, manufacturing, data collector measurements, calculations, processing time, communication time, etc.

The computing devices discussed herein, including computer 105 and server 130, include a processor and memory, each of which typically includes instructions executable by one or more computing devices, such as those described above, for performing the blocks or steps of the processes described above. The computer-executable instructions may be compiled or interpreted by a computer program created using a variety of programming languages and/or techniques, including but not limited to the following, either singly or in combination: java (Java)^TMC, C + +, Visual Basic, Java Script, Perl, HTML, and the like. In general, a processor (e.g., a microprocessor) receives instructions, e.g., from a memory, a computer-readable medium, etc., and executes those instructions, thereby performing one or more processes, including one or more of the processes described herein. Such instructions and other data may be stored and transmitted using a variety of computer-readable media. Files in computer 105 are typically stored on a computer readable medium (such as storage media, random access memory)Etc.).

Computer-readable media includes any medium that participates in providing data (e.g., instructions) that may be read by a computer. Such a medium may take many forms, including but not limited to, non-volatile media, and the like. Non-volatile media includes, for example, optical or magnetic disks and other persistent memory. Non-volatile media include Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), which typically constitutes a main memory. Common forms of computer-readable media include, for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium, a CD ROM, DVD, any other optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, any other physical medium with patterns of holes, a RAM, a PROM, an EPROM, a flash EEPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, or any other medium from which a computer can read.

With respect to the media, processes, systems, methods, etc., described herein, it should be understood that although the steps of such processes, etc., have been described as occurring according to a particular order, such processes may be practiced with the steps being performed in an order other than the order described herein. It is also understood that certain steps may be performed simultaneously, that other steps may be added, or that certain steps described herein may be omitted. For example, in process 900, one or more steps may be omitted, or steps may be performed in a different order than shown in fig. 9. In other words, the description of systems and/or processes herein is provided to illustrate certain embodiments and should in no way be construed as limiting the disclosed subject matter.

Accordingly, it is to be understood that the disclosure, including the above description and drawings and the following claims, is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many embodiments and applications other than the examples provided would be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading the above description. The scope of the invention should be determined, not with reference to the above description, but should instead be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled, as appended to and/or included in non-provisional patent applications based on this invention. It is anticipated and intended that the fields discussed herein will not evolve in the future and that the disclosed systems and methods will be incorporated into such future embodiments. In sum, it should be understood that the disclosed subject matter is capable of modification and variation.

The article "a" or "an" modifying a noun should be understood to mean one or more unless specified otherwise or the context requires otherwise. The phrase "based on" encompasses being based in part or in whole.

According to the present invention, there is provided an assembly having: a lead screw; a traveler movable along the lead screw when the lead screw rotates, a camber angle of the wheel being changeable according to the movement of the traveler along the lead screw; and a motor drivably connected to a rotating shaft, the rotating shaft being mounted to the lead screw.

According to one embodiment, the traveler includes a housing and a rod supported by the housing, and the housing is supported by the lead screw.

According to one embodiment, the housing includes threads that engage the lead screw.

According to one embodiment, the thread is arranged to move the housing along the lead screw.

According to one embodiment, the housing comprises a bearing and the rod is supported by the bearing.

According to one embodiment, the above-described invention is further characterized by a first end carrier and a second end carrier, wherein the lead screw extends between the first end carrier and the second end carrier.

According to one embodiment, the rotation shaft is arranged to rotate the lead screw.

According to one embodiment, the above invention also features a shock absorber disposed between the wheel and the strut.

According to one embodiment, the above invention also features a steering knuckle connected to a shock absorber and connected to a wheel.

According to the present invention, there is provided a system having a computer including a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to: receiving a user input specifying an operating mode of the vehicle, the operating mode being associated with a specified camber angle of a wheel; and moving the traveler along the lead screw to provide the specified camber angle.

According to one embodiment, the operation mode further comprises settings for a shock absorber.

According to one embodiment, the instructions may further include instructions to rotate the lead screw to a specified angle to move the traveler to a specified position on the lead screw corresponding to a specified camber angle.

According to one embodiment, the traveler includes a housing and a rod supported by the housing, and the housing is supported by the lead screw.

According to one embodiment, the instructions further include instructions to actuate a motor to move the traveler along the lead screw to provide the specified camber angle.

According to one embodiment, the instructions further include instructions to identify an angle of rotation to move the traveler along the lead screw to provide a specified camber angle and actuate the motor to rotate to the angle of rotation upon receiving a specified mode of operation.

According to the present invention, there is provided a system having: means for receiving a user input specifying an operating mode of the vehicle, the operating mode being associated with a specified camber angle of the wheel; and means for moving the traveler along the lead screw to provide a specified camber angle.

According to one embodiment, the operation mode further comprises settings for a shock absorber.

According to one embodiment, the invention also features means for rotating the lead screw to a specified angle to move the traveler to a specified position on the lead screw corresponding to a specified camber angle.

According to one embodiment, the traveler includes a housing and a rod supported by the housing, and the housing is supported by the lead screw.

According to one embodiment, the housing includes means for moving the housing along the lead screw.