Description:Complete Specification:

The following specification describes and ascertains the nature of this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.
Field of the invention
[0001] This invention is related to an independent drive module in a vehicle. More particularly, the invention is related to a steering system in a vehicle.

Background of the invention

[0002] The future of mobility envisages vehicle maneuvers that pushes beyond the boundaries of a conventional wheel. One such technology is the wheel corner technology that enables all four wheels to turn 90 degrees. This allows the car to perform unconventional maneuvers like parallel parking, pivot turn, crab walk etc. This is implemented in the steering system via four independently operating corner modules, each consisting of a wheel with a spring-damper system, an electric motor and a brake and steer-by-wire system.

[0003] A patent US2022153348 discloses an independently driving wheel module and mounting method thereof” discloses a base frame including an upper end fixed to a coupling surface of a vehicle body, and a rotation part coupled to the upper end of the base frame such that the rotation part is rotatable with respect to the upper end of the base frame; a connection link including a first end integrally coupled to the rotation part, and a second end having a shape extending downward from the first end of the connection link; a driving wheel disposed at a side of the second end of the connection link and coupled to the second end of the connection link; and a rotation plate including an upper and lower surfaces extending obliquely in misaligned directions, the rotation plate being interposed between the base frame and the vehicle body so as to be rotatable with respect to the base frame or the vehicle body.

Brief description of the accompanying drawings
[0004] Figure 1 illustrates an independent drive module in a vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and

Detailed description of the embodiments
[0006] Figure 1 illustrates an independent drive module in a vehicle according to one embodiment of the invention. The vehicle 12 comprises a steering unit 14 connected to at least one wheel 16 of the vehicle 12 via a connecting means 18. The drive module 10 comprises a rotatable gear unit 20 , a connecting lever arm 22 and a lower connecting arm 24. The rotatable gear unit 20 positioned on a top portion of the at least one wheel 16 of the vehicle 12. The rotatable gear unit 20 is connected to the at least one wheel 16 via the connecting lever arm 22 and the lower connecting arm 24.

[0007]Further the construction of the independent drive module 10 and other components associated with the drive module 10 in the vehicle 12 is explained in detail. The vehicle 12 comprises four wheels 16 and each of the wheel 16 is referred to as a wheel drive unit. The wheel drive unit 16 comprises a wheel, a wheel hub , a suspension unit 26 and the independent drive module 10 connecting the wheel hub 16 to a lower control arm 45 of the chassis components. Each of the wheel drive unit 16 comprises a corresponding independent drive module 10. The suspension unit 26 connects the rotatable gear unit 20 and the wheel 16.

[0008] The suspension unit 26 comprises a shaft 28 and a spring 30 enclosing the shaft 28. one end of the shaft 28 and the spring 30 is fixed to the gear unit 20 and other end is fitted on a portion of the wheel 16 for moving the wheel 16 in line with a movement of the steering unit 14. The drive module 10 comprises a knuckle 32 mounted on the at least one wheel 16 of the vehicle 12. The knuckle 32 is adapted to support said suspension unit 26. The knuckle 32 is mechanical component mounted on the wheel hub of the wheel 16. The knuckle 32 has a lower control arm 45 extending from its circumference. The knuckle 32 is further adapted to support the comprising a Macpherson strut or a Double wishbone.

[0009] The gear unit 20 further comprises an electric motor 34 with an in-built control unit 36. The control unit 36 is connected to the motor 34 of the gear unit 20 for transferring the signals from the steering unit 14. According to one embodiment of the invention, the control unit 36 is integrated into the gear unit 20 and is connected to the motor 34. According to another embodiment of the invention, the control unit 36 is a vehicle control unit , which is centralized and is adapted to control all the wheels 16 of the vehicle 12.

[0010]The electric motor 34 receives signals from a steering wheel 14. The electric motor 34 is in communication with the control unit 36 .The control unit 36 is logic circuitry and software programs implemented as one or more microprocessors, microcomputers, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, central processing units, state machines, logic circuitries, and/or any component that operates on signals based on operational instructions. Modern day vehicles may contain a plurality of control unit s like the Airbag control unit, Transmission control unit, Glow time control unit, Heating control unit, Vehicle charge communication unit, Engine control unit, Vehicle control unit, Steering control unit and the like. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the control unit could be a steering control unit.

[0011] The rotatable gear unit 20 is fitted to a chassis of the vehicle 12 in proximity to the at least one wheel 16. It is fitted using any one of the fitting techniques like a screw fit, a fastener, a snap fit, and the like. With this kind of arrangement, the gear unit 20 is made static i.e., the induvial components of the gear unit 20 won’t move, but the gear unit 20 as a whole move based on the steering movement of the vehicle 12. The connecting lever arm 22 and the lower connecting arm 24 are connected via multiple swivels mounting points 38. A pivot point 40 is formed at a L-bend area of the connecting lever arm 22 for providing a pivot motion when the lower connecting arm 24 is connected to the knuckle 32 of the at least one wheel 16.

[0012] A method of working of the independent drive module 10 is explained in detail. The steering unit 14 of the vehicle 10 is connected via the connecting means 18 to the drive module 10 and further to the wheel hub of the vehicle 12. The connecting means 18 according to one embodiment of the invention is a wire. The movement of the steering unit 18 is transferred to the gear unit 20 of the drive module 10 via this wire. The motor 34 present in the gear unit 20 produces the torque based on the steering of the vehicle 10. This arrangement works on the principle of the counter torque mechanism.

[0013] In this mechanism to steer the individual wheel, the gear unit 20 is mounted on the wheel 14 and is connected to the knuckle 32 of the wheel hub 16 and rotates along the road wheel 16 during steering for compact design. Based on the torque input signal from the steering unit 14 and other input signals from the vehicle’s CAN, the control unit 36 will calculate and gives the signals to the motor to produce the required assist torque. The idea behind this design is that the electric motor 34 coupled with gear unit multiplies the torque and produces the counter torque. So, the whole drive module 10 moves along with wheel hub due to counter torque mechanism.

[0014] The developed torque in the motor 34 is directed to the wheel hub of the vehicle 16 via the connecting lever arm 22 and the lower connecting arm 24. The torque will also be directed to the wheel hub of the vehicle 10 via the suspension unit 26. The counter torque mechanism achieved through arresting the final output gear which transfer the torque to connecting lever arm 22 through gear unit 20, so that total unit (gear unit 20 and the wheel hub 16) will start to rotate about suspension axis.

[0015] The above disclosed independent drive module 10 has a compact design and better package. Above all the proposed design can be incorporated in the existing vehicles suspension and can be adoptable to all type of suspension design. Further the proposed design of the independent drive module 10 is more agile through individual applicable driving dynamics. It also enhances safety through the interaction of braking, sensing and steering system. By having independent steering assist on each road, wheels helps to achieve different steering angles and easy maneuvering in complex parking situations (example Parallel parking etc.).

[0016] It should be understood that embodiments explained in the description above are only illustrative and do not limit the scope of this invention. Many such embodiments and other modifications and changes in the embodiment explained in the description are envisaged. The scope of the invention is only limited by the scope of the claims.
, Claims:We Claim:

1. An independent drive module (10) in a vehicle (12), said vehicle (12) comprising a steering unit (14) connected to at least one wheel (16) of the vehicle (12) via a connecting means (18),
said drive module (10) comprising :
- a rotatable gear unit (20) ; a connecting lever arm (22) ; a lower connecting arm (24);
said rotatable gear unit (20) positioned on a top portion of said at least one wheel (16) of said vehicle (12), said rotatable gear unit (20) is connected to said at least one wheel (16) via said connecting lever arm (22) and said lower connecting arm (24).

2. The drive module (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a suspension unit (26) connecting said rotatable gear unit (20) and said wheel (16), said suspension unit (26) comprises a shaft (28) and a spring (30) enclosing said shaft (28).

3. The drive module (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein comprises a knuckle (32) mounted on said at least one wheel (16) of said vehicle (10), said knuckle (32) is adapted to support said suspension unit (26).
4. The drive module (10) as claimed in claim 2, wherein one end of said shaft (28) and said spring (30) is fixed to said gear unit (20) and other end is fitted on a portion of said wheel (16) for moving said wheel (16) in line with a movement of said gear unit (20).

5. The drive module (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said rotatable gear unit (20) comprises an electric motor (34) with an in-built control unit (36), said control unit (36) connected to said motor (34) of said gear unit (20).

6. The drive module (10) as claimed in claim 5, wherein said rotatable gear unit (20) is fitted to a chassis of said vehicle (12) in proximity to said at least one wheel (16).

7. The drive module (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said connecting lever arm (22) and said lower connecting arm (24) are connected via multiple swivels mounting points (38).

8. The drive module (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a pivot point (40) is formed at a L-bend area of said connecting lever arm (22) for providing a pivot motion when said lower connecting arm (24) is connected to said knuckle (32) of said at least one wheel (16).

9. The drive module (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a torque generated by said motor (34) of in said gear unit (20) is directed to said at least one wheel (16) of said vehicle (12) via said connecting lever arm (22) and said lower connecting arm (24).

10. The drive module (10) as claimed in claim 8, wherein said generated torque is directed to said at least one wheel (16) of said vehicle (12) via said suspension unit (26) .