Patent ID: 9073423
Filing Date: 2015-07-07
Classification: B60K

Abstract:
1. A drive and steering unit comprising: a) a wheel housing having a first axis that is aligned with a drive shaft of a wheel housed therein, and a second axis that is normal to the first axis along a center of the wheel; b) a steering assembly for steering the wheel and having a steering gear and a steering power system coupled to the steering gear for controlling and driving the steering gear; c) the steering gear being attached to the wheel housing, having a central axis aligned with the second axis, and being rotatable with the wheel housing about the second axis; and d) a drive assembly coupled to the wheel housing for driving the wheel, and a drive power system coupled to the drive assembly and movable with the wheel housing; wherein the steering gear is a steering pulley attached to the wheel housing; and wherein the steering power system is spaced from the wheel housing and coupled to the steering pulley by a steering belt; wherein the wheel housing is fixed to a support at a point of fixation which defines a support plane and wherein the entire wheel housing and the entire steering power system are mounted above the support plane.