Patent ID: 7568541
Filing Date: 2009-08-04
Classification: B60G,B62D,B62K

Abstract:
1. A lean control system for controlling a lean angle of at least a portion of a vehicle, the lean control system comprising: an energy storage device for storing energy to actuate the lean control system; a stabilizing mechanism coupled to the energy storage device and to the at least a portion of the vehicle for applying energy received from the energy storage device to the at least a portion of the vehicle to adjust the lean angle of the at least a portion of a vehicle; and a linkage coupled to the energy storage device and to the stabilizing mechanism for transferring energy from the energy storage device to the stabilizing mechanism; wherein the linkage comprises a shaft translatably coupled to the at least a portion of the vehicle so as to provide rotation of the shaft in correspondence with rotation of the at least a portion of the vehicle, the shaft having a first portion coupled to the energy storage device and a second portion coupled to the stabilizing mechanism, and wherein the stabilizing mechanism comprises a cam secured to the vehicle so as to substantially prevent rotation of the cam with respect to the vehicle and a roller rotatably coupled to the second portion of the shaft for rollingly engaging a surface of the cam during translation of the shaft, whereby rolling engagement between the roller and the surface of the cam produces rotation of the shaft, thereby producing a corresponding rotation of the at least a portion of the vehicle.