초록 ▼

Methods for improving vehicle steering performance and robustness through control of non-uniformities in the vehicle's tires, wheels and tire/wheel assemblies. While minimizing lateral force variations (e.g., couple imbalance), a controlled amount of radial and/or tangential force variation is induc

Methods for improving vehicle steering performance and robustness through control of non-uniformities in the vehicle's tires, wheels and tire/wheel assemblies. While minimizing lateral force variations (e.g., couple imbalance), a controlled amount of radial and/or tangential force variation is induced in one or more tire/wheel assemblies by imparting mass non-uniformnity, dimensional non-uniformity, and/or stiffness non-uniformity. The tire non-uniformities are preferably distributed meridionally symmetrically about the equatorial plane of the tire, so as to induce tangential and/or radial force variations but not lateral force variations. Beneficial tangential and/or radial force variations will result from the operation of such a tire, even if the tire/wheel assembly is balanced by weights added to the wheel. The stiffness non-uniformity is preferably imparted in the tire by one or more heavy splices, and/or extra pieces of fabric applied to the carcass or tread, and/or sectors of tire components having different stiffness.

대표청구항 ▼

Methods for improving vehicle steering performance and robustness through control of non-uniformities in the vehicle's tires, wheels and tire/wheel assemblies. While minimizing lateral force variations (e.g., couple imbalance), a controlled amount of radial and/or tangential force variation is induc

Methods for improving vehicle steering performance and robustness through control of non-uniformities in the vehicle's tires, wheels and tire/wheel assemblies. While minimizing lateral force variations (e.g., couple imbalance), a controlled amount of radial and/or tangential force variation is induced in one or more tire/wheel assemblies by imparting mass non-uniformnity, dimensional non-uniformity, and/or stiffness non-uniformity. The tire non-uniformities are preferably distributed meridionally symmetrically about the equatorial plane of the tire, so as to induce tangential and/or radial force variations but not lateral force variations. Beneficial tangential and/or radial force variations will result from the operation of such a tire, even if the tire/wheel assembly is balanced by weights added to the wheel. The stiffness non-uniformity is preferably imparted in the tire by one or more heavy splices, and/or extra pieces of fabric applied to the carcass or tread, and/or sectors of tire components having different stiffness. rame cover includes a surface for supporting a lens. 8. A frame as in claim 1 further comprising a fourth wall having a lip defining a groove. 9. A frame as in claim 8 further comprising a frame cover having an edge extending into the groove. 10. A frame as in claim 8 further comprising first and second frame elements each having a lip and a bridge element extending from the lip of the first frame element to the lip of the second frame element. 11. A frame as in claim 10 wherein each of the lips in the first and second frame elements define respective grooves and the bridge element is an angle plate having a first leg extending into the groove of the first frame element and a second leg extending into the groove of the second frame element. 12. A frame as in claim 11 further comprising a corner connecting element extending into the groove for allowing a corner of one frame element to be joined to a corner of an adjacent frame element. 13. A frame as in claim 1 where the first, second and third walls form a substantially rectangular recess. 14. A frame as in claim 13 wherein the first and third walls define an opening to the recess and wherein the contact plate is a door contact plate extending across the opening. 15. A frame as in claim 13 further including a removable cover for extending from the first wall to the third wall for substantially covering the recess. 16. A frame as in claim 15 wherein the cover includes a surface for accepting the contact plate. 17. A frame as in claim 1 further including a hinge support element wherein the hinge support element is surface mounted to the frame. 18. A frame as in claim 1 further including a hinge support element wherein the hinge support element includes at least one projection extending into an opening in the frame. 19. A frame as in claim 18 wherein the at least one projection is a registration pin engaging a complimentary opening in the frame. 20. A mullion for combining with a perimeter frame for an opening in a refrigerated display case for receiving and supporting one or more doors for allowing access into the case, the mullion comprising: at least first and second walls to define a recess between the first and second walls and formed from rolled steel and wherein at least one of the first and second walls includes at least one bend in the wall; and a contact plate extending between the first and second walls closing the recess. 21. A mullion as in claim 20 further comprising a mullion cover and insulation between the mullion cover and at least one of the first and second walls. 22. A mullion as in claim 21 wherein the mullion cover is positioned on an interior surface of the mullion between an inside of the display case and an outside surface of the mullion. 23. A mullion as in claim 21 where the mullion cover includes a plurality of standoffs. 24. A mullion as in claim 23 where the first and second walls include a plurality of grooves and wherein at least one of the standoffs extends into one of the grooves. 25. A mullion as in claim 21 wherein the mullion cover includes a surface for supporting a light source. 26. A mullion as in claim 21 wherein the mullion cover includes a surface for supporting a lens. 27. A mullion as in claim 20 where the first and second walls and a third wall form a substantially rectangular recess. 28. A mullion as in claim 20 wherein the first and third walls define an opening to the recess and wherein the mullion further comprises a door contact plate extending across the opening. 29. A mullion as in claim 20 further including a removable cover for extending from the first wall to the third wall for substantially covering the recess. 30. A mullion as in claim 29 wherein the cover includes a surface for accepting a door contact plate. 31. A door for a refrigerated display case, the door comprising: a glass unit including a forward glass pane and a rearward glass pane for allowing viewing of product within the display case; a door frame