The present disclosure is generally related to a tri-wheel automobile and
more particularly to a steering lock system of a tri wheel automobile.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
5 [0002] A tri-wheel vehicle is different from four or two wheel automobiles. Especially
while negotiation a curve, tri-wheel vehicles are prone to turning over. This is
because, while negotiating a curve the centre of gravity is fixed and due to the
centripetal force, the inner rear wheel generally lifts up. In such a condition if the
speed of the vehicle is not controlled to reduced, the tri-wheel vehicle is prone to
10 turn over.
[0003] Therefore, there is a need of a more efficient mechanism to address this
problem in order to increase safety of the driver and passengers or goods being
carried in the tri-wheel vehicle.
15 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention discloses a tilting system for a tri-wheel automobile.
The tilting system includes a locking unit which furthermore includes a motor, a
swing ad lock unit, wherein the swing and lock unit includes a plurality of lock holes,
an actuator; operably connected to the motor, a locking pin, wherein the locking pin
20 is operatively connected to the actuator and configured to move in or out of any one
of the plurality of lock holes to initiate a locked or an unlocked stated of the swing
and lock unit, a first set of sensors configured to gather internal data about the triwheel automobile, a second set of sensors configured to gather environment
3
information, and a control unit communicatively coupled to the locking unit, the first
set of sensors, and the second set of sensors, configured to initiate the locked or
the unlocked state based on the data gathered by the first set of sensors and the
environment information gathered by the second set of sensors.
5 [0005] According to another embodiment of the invention a method for controlling
tilting of a tri-wheel automobile is disclosed. The method includes the steps of
determining, by at least one of a plurality of sensor, a potential upcoming curve to
be negotiated by tri-wheel automobile, calculating, by a control unit, a cutting radius
based on angle of the upcoming curve, a speed value of the tri-wheel automobile
10 and a total weight value of the tri-wheel automobile in real time, and engaging, by
the control unit, an unlocked state based on the cutting radius when the cutting
radius is above a threshold value. The locking unit includes a motor, a swing ad lock
unit, wherein the swing and lock unit includes a plurality of lock holes, an actuator;
operably connected to the motor, a locking pin, wherein the locking pin is operatively
15 connected to the actuator and configured to move in or out of any one of the plurality
of lock holes to initiate a locked or an unlocked stated of the swing and lock unit.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] The accompanying drawings illustrate various embodiments of systems,
20 methods, and embodiments of various other aspects of the disclosure. Any person
with ordinary skills in the art will appreciate that the illustrated element boundaries
(e.g. boxes, groups of boxes, or other shapes) in the figures represent one example
of the boundaries. It may be that in some examples one element may be designed
4
as multiple elements or that multiple elements may be designed as one element. In
some examples, an element shown as an internal component of one element may
be implemented as an external component in another, and vice versa. Furthermore,
elements may not be drawn to scale. Non-limiting and non-exhaustive descriptions
5 are described with reference to the following drawings. The components in the
figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating
principles.
[0007] Fig. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a tilting system 100, according to an
embodiment;
10 [0008] Fig. 2 illustrates a three wheeled automobile using the tilting system 100,
according to an embodiment;
[0009] Fig. 3 illustrates a locking unit 150 according to an embodiment of the
invention;
[0010] Fig. 4 illustrates a flow diagram of a tilting control method 400 according to
15 an embodiment of the invention;
[0011] Fig. 5A and 5B illustrate locking and unlocking of the locking unit 150
according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0012] Fig. 5A and 5B illustrate swing movement of a swing lock unit according to
an embodiment of the invention; and
20 [0013] Fig. 7 illustrates a cutting radius determination by an ECU according to an
embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
5
[0014] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described more fully
hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like numerals
represent like elements throughout the several figures, and in which example
embodiments are shown. Embodiments of the claims may, however, be embodied
5 in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments
set forth herein. The examples set forth herein are non-limiting examples and are
merely examples among other possible examples.
[0015] Some embodiments of this invention, illustrating all its features, will now be
discussed in detail. The words “comprising,” “having,” “containing,” and “including,”
10 and other forms thereof, are intended to be equivalent in meaning and be open
ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be
an exhaustive listing of such item or items, or meant to be limited to only the listed
item or items.
[0016] It must also be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the
15 singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly
dictates otherwise. Although any systems and methods similar or equivalent to
those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of the
present invention, the preferred, systems and methods are now described.
[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates a line diagram of a tilting system 100. The tilting system
20 includes a first set of sensors 102A-102C (cumulatively referred to as first set of
sensors 102), a second set of sensors 104A-104C (cumulatively referred to as
second set of sensors 104), an electronic control unit (ECU) 106, a motor 108 and
a locking unit 150.
6
[0018] The first set of sensors 102A are connected communicatively to the ECU 106.
According to an embodiment of the invention the first set of sensors may include
anyone or a combination of a GPS sensor, a weight sensor, an RPM sensor, a
vehicle body angle sensor, a steering column angle sensor, or a gyroscope. The
5 first set of sensors are configured to collect various data 102 internal to a tri-wheel
automobile like route of travel, overall weight of the tri-wheel automobile, speed of
the tri-wheel automobile etc.
[0019] The second set of sensors 104 are also communicatively connected to the
electronic control unit 106. The second set of sensors may be anyone or a
10 combination of a camera module, a radar sensor and an infra-red module. The
second set of sensors are configured to environment information like an upcoming
curve on travel of path and its curve radius.
[0020] The motor 108 is an electric motor and is communicatively coupled to the
electronic control unit 106. The motor 108 is configured to be connected
15 communicatively to the locking unit 150 details of which will be discussed further in
the description.
[0021] The ECU 106 gathers information from data collected by the first set of
sensors 102 and the second set of sensors 104 and determines for any upcoming
curve ahead in the path of the tri-wheel automobile. Based on the data collected the
20 ECU 106 determines whether the locking unit 150 needs to be in locked or unlocked
state (explained later in the description).
[0022] Fig. 2, illustrates a tri wheel automobile 200 (referred as vehicle 200 from
hereinafter). The vehicle 200 may include a multi part chassis with an independent
7
front chassis part 200A and an independent rear chassis part 200B. as shown, the
front chassis part 200A and the rear chassis part 200B are connected using a
locking unit 150 and other ancillary mechanical joints.
[0023] Furthermore, the vehicle 200 may include a camera module 202 and a radar
5 module 204, according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0024] Fig. 3 illustrates exploded view of the locking unit 150. The locking unit 150
includes a swing and lock unit 1502 and has multiple lock holes 1504. The swing
lock unit 1502 further include a couple of swing end stoppers 1506 to restrict the
angle of swing of the swing and lock unit 1502 to an accepted range for safety
10 reasons. The tilting system 150 further includes a locking pin 1510 connected to a
lock pin runner 1512 through a lock pin bolt 1514. The lock pin runner 1512 is bolted
on an angular block 1520 through a fixation hole 1518 with the help of a runner bolt
1516. The runner bolt 1516 when fixed to the fixation hole 1518 grants angular
movement to the lock pin runner 1512. The lock pin runner 1512 moves angularly
15 about the bolt 1516 with the help of an actuator (not shown in the figure) placed
within an actuator housing 1528. The actuator housing includes an opening 1532
through which an actuator guide rod 1534 passes in order to provide linear
movement to the lock pin runner 1512 that is operably connected to the actuator.
[0025] The lock pin runner 1512 is operably connected to a plurality of holding blocks
20 1522, through its rear end 1512A from both side ends. The rear end 1512A includes
at least 2 rectangular slits 15122, one on each side. The holding blocks 1522 include
a holding spring 1524 mounted on a cylindrical rod with a diameter lesser than that
of each of the holding block 1522 having a spring loaded block 1526 at each of the
8
holding blocks 1526. The lock pin runner rear end 1512A is configured to enter the
actuator housing 1528 through a lock slit 1538. The lock pin runner 1512 is held in
its position by the spring loaded blocks 1526 pressing against the rectangular slits
15122 from both sides under pressure from the holding spring 1524 from each side.
5 [0026] The actuator is connected to an electric motor (not shown in the figure)
through a wire 1536, that enables the movement of the actuator sideways within the
actuator housing 1528.
[0027] A fixed locking block placed adjacent to the angular bock 1520 to act as a
supporting fixed block for the locking pin 1510.
10 [0028] Fig. 4 illustrates a flow chart of a method 400 to control the locking
arrangement in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
[0029] At 402, the control unit, through GPS sensor connected with a routing system
within the vehicle may determine a potential curve coming up in the vehicle’s route.
[0030] At 404, the camera module placed on a front part facing forward of the vehicle
15 may determine and confirm the upcoming curve that is to be negotiated. At 406, a
radar module, again facing forward is utilized to determine curve details like
embankment angle of road, curve details etc.
[0031] At 408, the RPM and weight sensor calculate the speed of the vehicle and
the weight of the vehicle at current time. At step 410, a cutting radius for negotiating
20 the curve is determined based on the determined curve values, speed of the vehicle
and the total weight of the vehicle. Further, at 412, the ECU 106 determines whether
the unlocking is required or not. In case the unlocking is required, then at step 414
the unlocking of the pin 1510 is performed that has been described as above with
9
description of Fig. 3. For. e.g. if the speed of the vehicle is less than 2kmph the
unlocking need not be performed as at this speed there will not much threat of
turning over of the tri-wheel vehicle. However, if the speed is 40kmph and there is
50kgs of weight and the curve angle is sharp then the unlocking needs to be
5 performed to stabilize the vehicle while negotiating the curve. After the curve has
been negotiated, the pin may be again pushed to the locked state at step 416.
[0032] Fig. 5A illustrates locking mechanism of the locking unit 150.
[0033] The ECU 106 communicably connected to the electric motor 108 is
configured to send a signal wirelessly or through wired connection to the electric
10 motor 108. For locking the locking pin 1510, the electric motor 108 receives a signal
from the ECU 106. The electric motor 106 moves the actuator to move forward within
the actuator housing 1528. This movement of the actuator pushes one of the spring
loaded block 1526 to press one of the rectangular slits 15122, to which it is
connected. The push of the spring loaded block 1526 presses the rectangular slit
15 15122 and the lock pin runner 1512 rotates through an angular movement via the
runner bolt 1516 (not shown in this figure, however shown and described above).
This angular movement of the lock pin runner 1512 moves the locking pin 1510 that
is connected to the lock pin runner 1512, forward onto one of the plurality of locking
holes 1504. This causes the locking pin 1510 to lock the swing and lock unit 1502
20 in its place after which the swing and lock unit cannot move by a considerable
degree. There may be very slight movement due to an inherent play provided
between the locking pin 1510 and the locking holes 1504.
10
[0034] During the actuators’ forward movement, one of the holding spring (proximal
to the moving spring loaded block 1526, expands to move the spring loaded block
1526 forward.
[0035] Fig. 5B illustrates unlocking mechanism of the locking unit 150. The user may
5 signal through a physical button or a touch screen gesture to the controller that the
locking unit 150 needs to be unlocked. The controller 106 sends a signal wirelessly
or through wired connection to the electric motor 108. The electric motor 108 moves
the actuator to retract backwards within the actuator housing 1528. This movement
of the actuator pulls one of the spring loaded block 1526 to press one of the
10 rectangular slits 15122, to which it is connected. The push of the spring loaded block
1526 presses the rectangular slit 15122 and the lock pin runner 1512 rotates back
through the angular movement via the runner bolt 1516 (not shown in this figure,
however shown and described above). This angular movement of the lock pin
runner 1512 moves the locking pin 1510, that is connected to the lock pin runner
15 1512, backward and out from one of the plurality of locking holes 1504. This causes
the locking pin 1510 to unlock the swing and lock unit 1502 so that the swing and
lock unit 1502 is free for swinging movement along a horizontal axis.
[0036] During the actuators’ backward movement, one of the holding spring (distal
to the moving spring loaded block 1526, expands to move the spring loaded block
20 1526 forward.
[0037] FIG. 6A-6B illustrates a swinging movement of the locking unit 150 after
unlocking. The swing and lock unit 1502, after the locking pin 1510 has been
removed, is free to move along a horizontal axis as shown in the figure.
11
[0038] Fig. 7 illustrates a cutting radius determination by the ECU 106 according to
an embodiment of the invention. The camera module 202 and radar 204 may be
utilized to check for a curve radius of an upcoming curve 702 in travel path. The
camera module may generate an image and calculate angle 706 of the upcoming
5 curve supplemented with information captured by radar module 204. In case the
angle of the curve 706 is more than a predetermined threshold then speed of the
vehicle 200 is calculated along with the total weight. Then using these values cutting
radius value is determined and checked if in case the cutting radius value is more
than a threshold value. In case it is then the ECU 106 unlocks the pin 1510 inn order
10 to negotiate the upcoming curve 702.
[0039] Moreover, although the present invention and its advantages have been
described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and
alterations can be made herein without departing from the invention as defined by
the appended claims. Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended
15 to be limited to the particular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture,
composition of matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. As
one will readily appreciate from the disclosure, processes, machines, manufacture,
compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be
developed that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the
20 same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be utilized.
Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within their scope such
processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or
steps.

Claims
We claim:
5 1. A tilting system for a tri-wheel automobile comprising:
A locking unit comprising;
A motor;
A swing ad lock unit, wherein the swing and lock unit includes a
plurality of lock holes;
10 An actuator; operably connected to the motor
A locking pin, wherein the locking pin is operatively connected to the
actuator and configured to move in or out of any one of the plurality of
lock holes to initiate a locked or an unlocked stated of the swing and
lock unit;
15 A first set of sensors configured to gather internal data about the tri-wheel
automobile;
A second set of sensors configured to gather environment information; and
A control unit communicatively coupled to the locking unit, the first set of
sensors, and the second set of sensors, configured to initiate the locked or the
20 unlocked state based on the data gathered by the first set of sensors and the
environment information gathered by the second set of sensors.
2. The tilting system of claim 1, wherein the first set of sensors includes anyone
or a combination of a GPS sensor, a weight sensor, an RPM sensor, a vehicle
body angle sensor, a steering column angle sensor, and a gyroscope.
13
3. The tilting system of claim 2, wherein the second set of sensors includes
anyone or a combination of a camera module, a radar sensor, and an infrared module.
4. The tilting system of claim 3, wherein the control unit engages the unlocked
5 state when internal data and environment data is above a threshold limit.
5. The tilting system of claim 4, wherein the internal data is utilized to calculate a
cutting radius.
6. The tilting system of claim 5, wherein the internal data includes an upcoming
curve in travel of path total weight of vehicle above a threshold value, and
10 current speed of the vehicle.
7. The tilting system of claim 1, further comprising a swing shaft connecting an
independent front part of a chassis of the tri-wheel automobile to an
independent rear part, wherein the independent front part is configured to
swing from one side to another during the unlocked state.
15 8. A method for controlling tilting of a tri-wheel automobile comprising:
Determining, by at least one of a plurality of sensor, a potential upcoming
curve to be negotiated by tri-wheel automobile;
Calculating, by a control unit, a cutting radius based on angle of the upcoming
curve, a speed value of the tri-wheel automobile and a total weight value of
20 the tri-wheel automobile in real time; and
Engaging, by the control unit, an unlocked state of a locking unit, based on
the cutting radius when the cutting radius is above a threshold value.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein the locking unit comprises;
14
A motor;
A swing ad lock unit, wherein the swing and lock unit includes a
plurality of lock holes;
An actuator, operably connected to the motor; and
5 A locking pin, wherein the locking pin is operatively connected to the
actuator and configured to move in or out of any one of the plurality of lock
holes to initiate a locked or the unlocked stated of the swing and lock unit.
10.The method of claim 9, wherein the plurality of sensors includes anyone or a
combination of a GPS sensor, a camera module, a radar sensor, a weight
10 sensor, an RPM sensor, a vehicle body angle sensor, a steering column angle
sensor, or a gyroscope.
11.The method of claim 8, further comprises a step of locking the tilting
mechanism after negotiating the potential upcoming curve.