초록 ▼

A method for changing the track of a vehicle (100) having first and second wheels (108, 110) disposed on opposing sides of the vehicle (100) along a line generally perpendicular to the direction of travel of the vehicle, the first and second wheels (108, 110 are supported on first and second wheel s

A method for changing the track of a vehicle (100) having first and second wheels (108, 110) disposed on opposing sides of the vehicle (100) along a line generally perpendicular to the direction of travel of the vehicle, the first and second wheels (108, 110 are supported on first and second wheel supports (114, 116, 204) to permit the track of the first and second wheels (108, 110) to be adjusted, at least one actuator (218, 220) is coupled to at least one wheel of the first and second wheels (108, 110) and is configured to change the toe angle of said first and second wheels (108, 110), and an electronic control unit (402) is coupled to the actuator (218, 220) that is configured to command the actuator (218, 220) to change the toe angle, the method comprising the steps of changing the toe angle of the first and second wheels (108, 110); rolling the vehicle (100) on the first and second wheels (108, 110) over the ground to generate opposing lateral forces on the first and second wheels (108, 110); and applying the opposing lateral forces to the first and second wheel supports (114, 116, 204) to change the track of the first and second wheels (108, 110).

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method for changing the track of a vehicle (100) having first and second wheels (108, 110) disposed on opposing sides of the vehicle (100) along a line generally perpendicular to the direction of travel of the vehicle, the first and second wheels (108, 110 are supported on first and second whee

1. A method for changing the track of a vehicle (100) having first and second wheels (108, 110) disposed on opposing sides of the vehicle (100) along a line generally perpendicular to the direction of travel of the vehicle, the first and second wheels (108, 110 are supported on first and second wheel supports (114, 116, 204) to permit the track of the first and second wheels (108, 110) to be adjusted, at least one actuator (218, 220) is coupled to at least one wheel of the first and second wheels (108, 110) and is configured to change the toe angle of said first and second wheels (108, 110), and an electronic control unit (402) is coupled to the actuator (218, 220) that is configured to command the actuator (218, 220) to change the toe angle, the method comprising the steps of: changing the toe angle of the first and second wheels (108, 110);rolling the vehicle (100) on the first and second wheels (108, 110) over the ground to generate opposing lateral forces on the first and second wheels (108, 110);applying the opposing lateral forces to the first and second wheel supports (114, 116, 204) to change the track of the first and second wheels (108, 110). 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of changing the toe angle further comprises the steps of: transmitting an operator input signal from an operator input device (406) to the electronic control unit (402);calculating a toe angle drive signal based at least upon the operator input by the electronic control unit (402); andapplying the toe angle drive signal at least to the at least one actuator (218, 220). 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of applying the opposing lateral forces to the wheel supports (114, 116, 204) to change the track of the vehicle further comprises the steps of: releasing the first wheel support (114) to permit the first wheel (108) to move laterally with respect to the vehicle (100);then moving the first wheel (108) laterally with respect to the vehicle to change the track of the first and second wheels (108, 110);then locking the first wheel support (114) to prevent lateral movement of the first wheel (108) with respect to the vehicle (100);releasing the second wheel support (116) to permit the second wheel (110) to move laterally with respect to the vehicle (100);then moving the second wheel (110) laterally with respect to the vehicle (100) to change the track of the first and second wheels (108, 110);then locking the second wheel support (116) to prevent lateral movement of the second wheel (110) with respect to the vehicle (100). 4. The method of claim 3, further comprising at least a second actuator (206), and further wherein the electronic control unit (402) is coupled to the at least the second actuator (206) to drive the second actuator (206), and further wherein the at least the second actuator (206) is configured to assist the first actuator (218) in changing the track of the first and second wheels. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the first and second actuators (218, 206) are coupled to the first wheel (108) and cooperate to move the first wheel (108) laterally with respect to the vehicle. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the vehicle further comprises a third actuator (220) and a fourth actuator (208), and further wherein the electronic control unit (402) is coupled to the third and fourth actuators (220, 208) to drive the actuators (220, 208), and further wherein the third and fourth actuators (220, 208) are configured to change the toe angle of the second wheel (110) and to move the second wheel (110) laterally with respect to the vehicle (100). 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of: repeatedly calculating by the electronic control unit (402) the track of the first and second wheels (108, 110) while the track of the wheels (108, 110) is changing until the track reaches a predetermined value. 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of reducing the toe angle after the track has achieved the predetermined value.