The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 10, 2011
Filed:
Jun. 15, 2005
Patrik Alwin Künzler, Cambridge, MA (US);
Peter Schmitt, Loef-Katttenes, DE;
Raul-david V. Poblano, Somerville, MA (US);
Brian Chan, Cambridge, MA (US);
Philip A. Liang, Cambridge, MA (US);
Franco H. Vairani, Cambridge, MA (US);
Axel Kilian, Cambridge, MA (US);
Ryan C Chin, Boston, MA (US);
William J. Mitchell, Cambridge, MA (US);
Patrik Alwin Künzler, Cambridge, MA (US);
Peter Schmitt, Loef-Katttenes, DE;
Raul-David V. Poblano, Somerville, MA (US);
Brian Chan, Cambridge, MA (US);
Philip A. Liang, Cambridge, MA (US);
Franco H. Vairani, Cambridge, MA (US);
Axel Kilian, Cambridge, MA (US);
Ryan C Chin, Boston, MA (US);
William J. Mitchell, Cambridge, MA (US);
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA (US);
Abstract
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.