Massachusetts Institute of Technology

William J Mitchell

Peter Alfons Schmitt

Enrique J Garcia

Brian Chan

Ryan C Chin

Raul-David V Poblano

Patrik A Kunzler

Axel Kilian

Philip A Liang

Franco H Vairani

Patrik Alwin Künzler

An autonomous modular wheel assembly includes at least one connector for connecting the wheel control assembly to a vehicle axle, one or more suspension arms that support the assembly with respect to the axle, an electric drive motor connected to a the vehicle wheel, a steering bearing, and a steering actuator. The electric drive motor and steering bearing control the operation of the vehicle wheel in response to commands received via the actuator. The connector has one or more electrical connection points for providing power and information to the wheel assembly. The robot wheel increases the vehicle steering range to up to 150 degrees and enables new vehicle drive modes. The traditional +/&#x2212;30 degrees of front wheel steering are enabled, as well as at least three new drive modes: four wheel parallel and converse steering, spin on spot steering, and 90 degree sideways motion.

Autonomous modular vehicle wheel assembly

There is disclosed a seating system which may included a left seat and a right seat independently supported by left and right suspensions systems, respectively. The left and right suspension systems may provide independent vertical, lateral, azimuthal, and longitudinal roll motion of the left and right seats.

Seat with 3D motion interface

An in-the-wheel suspension system including a drive mechanism for coupling the rotational motion of a wheel rim to the drive shaft of an electric motor and for supporting the wheel rim with respect to the vehicle chassis using one or more springs and dampers. In a hubless version, a spring member supports extend between a frame member attached to the chassis and a bearing member that engages with the rim. In a version used with a wheel hub, the hub is supported by an axle and the spring member supports the axle in movable relation to the frame member. A pivoting support arm that is attached to the axel and pivots about a pivot point attached to the frame member at a location spaced from the wheel axis may be used to support the hub. A Peaucellier linkage may be used to support the axle for movement along a straight line vertical path, the linkage being attached to the frame member at two fixed pivot points. The wheel suspension units perform all the traditional drivetrain functions independently and can be attached to the chassis in a manner that allows for easy removal.

Wheel-embedded suspension

Growing community of inventors

Cambridge, MA, United States of America

William J Mitchell