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:
Jun. 24, 2014
Filed:
Jun. 25, 2009
Peter Alfons Schmitt, Loef-Kattenes, DE;
William J. Mitchell, Cambridge, MA (US);
Peter Alfons Schmitt, Loef-Kattenes, DE;
William J. Mitchell, Cambridge, MA (US);
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA (US);
Abstract
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 +/−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.