초록 ▼

An automated vehicle suspension system includes an elongated and linear drive axle having opposed end portions pivotally connected to a selected portion of a vehicle and laterally extending outwardly therefrom respectively. The system further includes a mechanism for detecting uneven road surfaces.

An automated vehicle suspension system includes an elongated and linear drive axle having opposed end portions pivotally connected to a selected portion of a vehicle and laterally extending outwardly therefrom respectively. The system further includes a mechanism for detecting uneven road surfaces. The detecting mechanism is coupled to the drive axle and housed proximate to a vehicle's wheel. The system further includes a mechanism for automatically articulating the wheel about the drive axle such that the wheel can be selectively raised and lowered from equilibrium to offset an impact force associated with the uneven road surfaces when the vehicle travels thereover during driving conditions. A wheel hub interface is laterally secured to the detecting mechanism such that the drive axle can be maintained at a substantially stable position. A wheel mount is threadably coupled to one end portion of the drive axle and outwardly spaced from the wheel hub interface.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed as new and what is desired to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is: 1. A vehicle suspension system for detecting uneven road surfaces in an approaching vehicle's path of travel, said system comprising: a drive axle having opposed end portions operably connected to a sele

What is claimed as new and what is desired to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is: 1. A vehicle suspension system for detecting uneven road surfaces in an approaching vehicle's path of travel, said system comprising: a drive axle having opposed end portions operably connected to a selected portion of a vehicle and laterally extending outwardly therefrom respectively; means for detecting the uneven road surfaces while the vehicle is in transit, said detecting means being coupled to said drive axle and housed proximate to a vehicle's wheel such that said detecting means can effectively detect an uneven road surface in an approaching vehicle's path of travel; means for articulating the wheel about said drive axle such that the wheel can be selectively raised and lowered from equilibrium to offset an impact force associated with the uneven road surfaces when the vehicle travels thereover during driving conditions; a wheel hub interface laterally secured to said detecting means such that said drive axle can be maintained at a substantially stable position; and a wheel mount threadably coupled to one said end portion of said drive axle and outwardly spaced from said wheel hub interface such that said wheel mount can be removably attached to a wheel rim and cooperate with said articulating means during driving conditions. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein said detecting means comprises: a protective casing provided with a transparent window sized and shaped along an outer wall of said casing; a sensor housed within said protective casing and being positioned adjacent said transparent window such that said sensor can effectively maintain a continuous line of sight along the travel path, said sensor generating input signals corresponding to the dimensional characteristics of the road surface; and a preprogrammed processor electrically coupled to said sensor for receiving the input signals and mapping the road surface during transit, said processor instructing said articulating means to oscillate said drive axle from equilibrium as the vehicle approaches uneven terrain. 3. The system of claim 2, wherein said articulating means comprises: a spherical shell mated with said casing such that said shell can be maintained at a static position during transit, said shell being provided with a slot for laterally guiding said drive axle therethrough and defining a maximum arcuate path along which said drive axle can be articulated; and a plurality of actuators having opposed end portions secured to an inner wall of said casing and a selected portion of said drive axle respectively, said actuators being electrically coupled to said processor and controlled thereby such that one of said actuators can be adapted between extended and retracted positions while another one of said actuators is adapted between retracted and extended positions respectively, said actuators cooperating with said drive axle wherein said drive axle can be articulated about a pivot point disposed within said casing. 4. The system of claim 1, wherein said wheel hub interface comprises: an annular central portion provided with a plurality of apertures formed therein, said casing being provided with a plurality of integrally protruding fasteners threadably insertable through the central portion apertures, said central portion further having a pair of integrally connected and spaced flange portions extending outwardly from a perimeter of said central portion and offset from a vertical axis such that said flange portions terminate outwardly and away from the perimeter, each of said flange portions being provided with an opening for receiving a fastening member therethrough and being secured to a selected portion of the vehicle. 5. The system of claim 1, wherein said one end portion of said drive axle is threaded, said wheel mount being provided with a centrally oriented aperture aligned with the a horizontal axis for securely receiving said threaded drive axle end portion therethrough, said wheel mount including a plurality of integrally mated finger portions extending laterally from an outer surface of said wheel mount such that said wheel hub interface can be readily coupled to a variety of wheels as desired by a user. 6. The system of claim 2, wherein said sensor comprises: one of an optical sensor, an infrared sensor, and a Doppler sensor. 7. A vehicle suspension system for detecting uneven road surfaces in an approaching vehicle's path of travel, said system comprising: an elongated and linear drive axle having opposed end portions operably connected to a selected portion of a vehicle and laterally extending outwardly therefrom respectively; means for detecting the uneven road surfaces while the vehicle is in transit, said detecting means being coupled to said drive axle and housed proximate to a vehicle's wheel such that said detecting means can effectively detect an uneven road surface in an approaching vehicle's path of travel; means for articulating the wheel about said drive axle such that the wheel can be selectively raised and lowered from equilibrium to offset an impact force associated with the uneven road surfaces when the vehicle travels thereover during driving conditions; a wheel hub interface laterally secured to said detecting means such that said drive axle can be maintained at a substantially stable position; and a wheel mount threadably coupled to one said end portion of said drive axle and outwardly spaced from said wheel hub interface such that said wheel mount can be removably attached to a wheel rim and cooperate with said articulating means during driving conditions. 8. The system of claim 7, wherein said detecting means comprises: a protective casing provided with a transparent window sized and shaped along an outer wall of said casing; a sensor housed within said protective casing and being positioned adjacent said transparent window such that said sensor can effectively maintain a continuous line of sight along the travel path, said sensor generating input signals corresponding to the dimensional characteristics of the road surface; and a preprogrammed processor electrically coupled to said sensor for receiving the input signals and mapping the road surface during transit, said processor instructing said articulating means to oscillate said drive axle from equilibrium as the vehicle approaches uneven terrain. 9. The system of claim 8, wherein said articulating means comprises: a spherical shell mated with said casing such that said shell can be maintained at a static position during transit, said shell being provided with a slot for laterally guiding said drive axle therethrough and defining a maximum arcuate path along which said drive axle can be articulated; and a plurality of actuators having opposed end portions secured to an inner wall of said casing and a selected portion of said drive axle respectively, said actuators being electrically coupled to said processor and controlled thereby such that one of said actuators can be adapted between extended and retracted positions while another one of said actuators is adapted between retracted and extended positions respectively, said actuators cooperating with said drive axle wherein said drive axle can be articulated about a pivot point disposed within said casing. 10. The system of claim 7, wherein said wheel hub interface comprises: an annular central portion provided with a plurality of apertures formed therein, said casing being provided with a plurality of integrally protruding fasteners threadably insertable through the central portion apertures, said central portion further having a pair of integrally connected and spaced flange portions extending outwardly from a perimeter of said central portion and offset from a vertical axis such that said flange portions terminate outwardly and away from the perimeter, each of said flange portions being provided with an opening for receiving a fastening member therethrough and being secured to a selected portion of the vehicle. 11. The system of claim 7, wherein said one end portion of said drive axle is threaded, said wheel mount being provided with a centrally oriented aperture aligned with the a horizontal axis for securely receiving said threaded drive axle end portion therethrough, said wheel mount including a plurality of integrally mated finger portions extending laterally from an outer surface of said wheel mount such that said wheel hub interface can be readily coupled to a variety of wheels as desired by a user. 12. The system of claim 8, wherein said sensor comprises: one of an optical sensor, an infrared sensor, and a Doppler sensor. 13. A vehicle suspension system for detecting uneven road surfaces in an approaching vehicle's path of travel, said system comprising: an elongated and linear drive axle having opposed end portions pivotally connected to a selected portion of a vehicle and laterally extending outwardly therefrom respectively; means for detecting the uneven road surfaces while the vehicle is in transit, said detecting means being coupled to said drive axle and housed proximate to a vehicle's wheel such that said detecting means can effectively detect an uneven road surface in an approaching vehicle's path of travel; means for automatically articulating the wheel about said drive axle such that the wheel can be selectively raised and lowered from equilibrium to offset an impact force associated with the uneven road surfaces when the vehicle travels thereover during driving conditions; a wheel hub interface laterally secured to said detecting means such that said drive axle can be maintained at a substantially stable position; and a wheel mount threadably coupled to one said end portion of said drive axle and outwardly spaced from said wheel hub interface such that said wheel mount can be removably attached to a wheel rim and cooperate with said articulating means during driving conditions. 14. The system of claim 13, wherein said detecting means comprises: a protective casing provided with a transparent window sized and shaped along an outer wall of said casing; a sensor housed within said protective casing and being positioned adjacent said transparent window such that said sensor can effectively maintain a continuous line of sight along the travel path, said sensor generating input signals corresponding to the dimensional characteristics of the road surface; and a preprogrammed processor electrically coupled to said sensor for receiving the input signals and mapping the road surface during transit, said processor instructing said articulating means to oscillate said drive axle from equilibrium as the vehicle approaches uneven terrain. 15. The system of claim 14, wherein said articulating means comprises: a spherical shell mated with said casing such that said shell can be maintained at a static position during transit, said shell being provided with a slot for laterally guiding said drive axle therethrough and defining a maximum arcuate path along which said drive axle can be articulated; and a plurality of actuators having opposed end portions secured to an inner wall of said casing and a selected portion of said drive axle respectively, said actuators being electrically coupled to said processor and controlled thereby such that one of said actuators can be adapted between extended and retracted positions while another one of said actuators is adapted between retracted and extended positions respectively, said actuators cooperating with said drive axle wherein said drive axle can be articulated about a pivot point disposed within said casing. 16. The system of claim 13, wherein said wheel hub interface comprises: an annular central portion provided with a plurality of apertures formed therein, said casing being provided with a plurality of integrally protruding fasteners threadably insertable through the central portion apertures, said central portion further having a pair of integrally connected and spaced flange portions extending outwardly from a perimeter of said central portion and offset from a vertical axis such that said flange portions terminate outwardly and away from the perimeter, each of said flange portions being provided with an opening for receiving a fastening member therethrough and being secured to a selected portion of the vehicle. 17. The system of claim 13, wherein said one end portion of said drive axle is threaded, said wheel mount being provided with a centrally oriented aperture aligned with the a horizontal axis for securely receiving said threaded drive axle end portion therethrough, said wheel mount including a plurality of integrally mated finger portions extending laterally from an outer surface of said wheel mount such that said wheel hub interface can be readily coupled to a variety of wheels as desired by a user. 18. The system of claim 14, wherein said sensor comprises: one of an optical sensor, an infrared sensor, and a Doppler sensor.