Patent Publication Number: US-2023143749-A1

Title: Independently driving wheel module and mounting method thereof

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 17/519,856 filed on Nov. 5, 2021, which claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a) of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2020-0153702 filed on Nov. 17, 2020 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Field 
     The present invention relates to an independently driving wheel module and a mounting method thereof and, more particularly, to a driving wheel module configured such that each driving wheel is provided with driving, brake, steering, and suspension devices. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     A new concept in which a driving wheel of a vehicle is modularized and separately mounted is being developed for purpose of improving the freedom of motion of the vehicle and securing battery space in an electric vehicle (EV), or achieving common use of a vehicle platform. 
     The new concept independently driving wheel module is assembled to the vehicle body while being provided with driving, brake, steering, and suspension devices and being modularized. 
     According to the independently driving wheel module separately assembled, various vehicle motions (for example, zero turning, crab steering, vertical-horizontal traveling, etc.) are possible during driving of a vehicle. A platform can be used in common use and simplified during vehicle development and production. 
     However, the independently driving wheel module according to the related art has a problem in that it is difficult to adjust deviation for dynamic geometry during assembly of the driving wheel module to a vehicle body. 
     The foregoing is intended merely to aid in the understanding of the background of the present invention, and is not intended to mean that the present invention falls within the purview of the related art that is already known to those skilled in the art. 
     SUMMARY 
     This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     In one general aspect, an independently driving wheel module includes: 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 surface and a lower surface 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. 
     The rotation plate may be securely coupled to the base frame or the vehicle body such that the rotation plate is rotatable with respect to the base frame or the vehicle body. 
     The rotation plate may further include an elongated hole extending along a path in which the rotation plate is rotatable with respect to the base frame. The rotation plate may be coupled to the base frame or the vehicle body via the elongated hole. 
     The base frame may further include a coupling groove that is depressed downward or inward in the base frame. The rotation plate may be fixed by being locked and coupled to the coupling groove while being rotatably coupled to the base frame. 
     The upper surface of the rotation plate may extend parallel to the coupling surface of the vehicle body and the lower surface of the rotation plate may extend parallel to an upper surface of the base frame. The coupling surface of the vehicle body and the upper surface of the base frame may be inclined obliquely to each other. 
     A camber angle or a caster angle of the driving wheel may vary when the rotation plate is rotated with respect to the base frame or the vehicle body. 
     The driving wheel may include a knuckle coupled to the second end of the connection link and a hub rotatably coupled to the knuckle. The independently driving wheel module may further include a driving device fixed to the knuckle and operable to rotate the hub on the knuckle. 
     The driving wheel may include a knuckle coupled to the second end of the connection link and a hub rotatably coupled to the knuckle. The knuckle may be coupled to the second end of the connection link so as to allow relative movement of the knuckle in a vertical direction with respect to the connection link. 
     The independently driving wheel module may further include coupling links disposed to be vertically spaced apart from each other, the coupling links including respective first ends rotatably coupled to the second end of the connection link, and respective second ends rotatably coupled to the knuckle. 
     The independently driving wheel module may further include a suspension device including a first end coupled to the connection link and a second end connected to the driving wheel, the suspension device being configured to absorb vertical vibration of the driving wheel. 
     The independently driving wheel module may further include: a steering device including a first end securely coupled to the upper end of the base frame, the steering device being configured to rotate the rotation part or the connection link on the first end of the steering device as a center of rotation. 
     In another general aspect, a method of mounting an independently driving wheel module includes: interposing a rotation plate between a base frame and a vehicle body and fixing an upper end of the base frame to a coupling surface of the vehicle body, such that the rotation plate is rotatable with respect to the base frame or the vehicle body; rotating the rotation plate with respect to the base frame or the vehicle body; and securely coupling the rotation plate to the base frame or the vehicle body. The base frame includes 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. The rotation plate includes an upper surface and a lower surface extending obliquely in misaligned directions. The independently driving wheel module comprises: the rotation plate; 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; and 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. 
     The method may further include: after the interposing the rotation plate, primarily coupling the base frame to the vehicle body so as to prevent rotation of the base frame with respect to the vehicle body. 
     In the rotating of the rotation plate, the rotation plate may be rotated with respect to the base frame or the vehicle body so as to change a camber angle or a caster angle of the driving wheel. 
     The securely coupling of the rotation plate may include securely coupling the rotation plate to the base frame or the vehicle body by plastically deforming the rotation plate. 
     Other features and aspects will be apparent from the following detailed description, the drawings, and the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and other objectives, features, and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view showing an independently driving wheel module according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  2    is a front view showing the independently driving wheel module according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  3    is an enlarged view showing the independently driving wheel module according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  4    is an enlarged view showing a rotation plate according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  5    is an enlarged view showing the rotation plate and a base frame in a coupled state according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS.  6  to  7    are views respectively showing a camber angle and a caster angle of the driving wheel according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  8    is a flowchart showing a mounting method of the independently driving wheel module according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following description, the structural or functional description specified to exemplary embodiments according to the concept of the present invention is intended to describe the exemplary embodiments, so it should be understood that the present invention may be variously embodied, without being limited to the exemplary embodiments. 
     Embodiments described herein may be changed in various ways and various shapes, so specific embodiments are shown in the drawings and will be described in detail in this specification. 
     However, it should be understood that the exemplary embodiments according to the concept of the present invention are not limited to the embodiments which will be described hereinbelow with reference to the accompanying drawings, but all of modifications, equivalents, and substitutions are included in the scope and spirit of the invention. 
     It will be understood that, although the terms first and/or second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, from another element. For instance, a first element discussed below could be termed a second element without departing from the teachings of the present invention. Similarly, the second element could also be termed the first element. 
     It is to be understood that when one element is referred to as being “connected to” or “coupled to” another element, it may be connected directly to or coupled directly to another element or be connected to or coupled to another element, having the other element intervening therebetween. On the other hand, it is to be understood that when one element is referred to as being “connected directly to” or “coupled directly to” another element, it may be connected to or coupled to another element without the other element intervening therebetween. Further, the terms used herein to describe a relationship between elements, that is, “between”, “directly between”, “adjacent” or “directly adjacent” should be construed in the same manner. 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the present invention. Singular forms are intended to include plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” or “have” used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, components, parts, or a combination thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numerals, steps, operations, components, parts, or a combination thereof. 
     Unless otherwise defined, all terms including technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs. It must be understood that the terms defined by the dictionary are identical with the meanings within the context of the related art, and they should not be ideally or excessively formally defined unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. 
     Hereinbelow, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to accompanying drawings. Like reference numerals given in the drawings indicate like components. 
       FIG.  1    is a perspective view showing an independently driving wheel module according to an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG.  2    is a front view showing the independently driving wheel module according to the embodiment of the present invention.  FIG.  3    is an enlarged view showing the independently driving wheel module according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  1  to  3   , the independently driving wheel module according to the embodiment of the present invention includes: a base frame  100  having an upper end fixed to a coupling surface of a vehicle body F, and having a rotation part  110  coupled to the upper end to be relatively rotatable with respect to the upper end; a connection link  200  of which a first end is integrally coupled to the rotation part  110  of the base frame  100 , and a second end has a shape extending downward from the first end thereof; a driving wheel  300  located at a side of the second end of the connection link  200  and coupled to the second end of the connection link  200 ; and a rotation plate  800  of which an upper surface and a lower surface extend obliquely in misaligned directions, the rotation plate  800  being interposed between the base frame  100  and the vehicle body F so as to be relatively rotatable with respect to the base frame  100  or the vehicle body F. 
     The vehicle body F may be a main body frame of a vehicle. As another embodiment, the vehicle body F may include all equipment that may be equipped with the driving wheel  300 , such as robots, transport devices, etc. 
     The coupling surface of the vehicle body F may be located at a plurality of locations provided on the vehicle body F. Specifically, the coupling surfaces may be four coupling surfaces located on the front left and right of the vehicle body F and on the rear left and right of the vehicle body F. According to the embodiment of the present invention, the independently driving wheel module may be separately mounted each corner of the vehicle. 
     The base frame  100  is located below the coupling surface of the vehicle body F. The upper end of the base frame  100  may be securely fixed to the coupling surface of the vehicle body F. As an embodiment, the upper end of the base frame  100  may be bolted to the coupling surface of the vehicle body F. 
     The base frame  100  may include the rotation part  110  that is coupled to the upper end in a relatively rotatable manner. As the embodiment, the rotation part  110  may be rotatable on a shaft that extends in a vertical direction or a direction perpendicular to the coupling surface of the vehicle body F. 
     The rotation part  110  of the base frame  100  is relatively rotated on the upper end of the base frame  100  coupled to the coupling surface of the vehicle body F. Accordingly, the driving wheel  300  may be steered while being rotated on the vehicle body F. 
     The connection link  200  may connect the driving wheel  300  to the base frame  100 . The first end of the connection link  200  is integrally coupled to the rotation part  110  of the base frame  100 . As the rotation part  110  is rotated, the first end of the connection link  200  may also be rotated with the rotation part  110 . The second end of the connection link  200  may extend downward so as to be located at a side of the driving wheel  300 . 
     The driving wheel  300  is located at the side of the second end of the connection link  200  and may be coupled to the second end of the connection link  200 . As described below, the driving wheel  300  includes a separate driving device  700 . The driving device  700  may rotate the driving wheel  300  on the second end of the connection link  200 . 
     The rotation plate  800  may include the upper and lower surfaces that extend obliquely in the misaligned directions. The upper surface of the rotation plate  800  may be in planar-contact with the coupling surface of the vehicle body F and the lower surface thereof may be in planar-contact with the upper surface of the base frame  100 . 
     The rotation plate  800  may be interposed between the base frame  100  and the vehicle body F and may be coupled to the base frame  100  or the vehicle body F in the relatively rotatable manner. Therefore, as the rotation plate  800  having the upper and lower surfaces that are obliquely biased from each other is relatively rotated on the base frame  100  or the vehicle body F, an angle at which the base frame  100  is coupled to the vehicle body F may vary. 
     With the structure of the rotation plate  800 , while the independently driving wheel module is primarily assembled to the vehicle body F, a camber angle and a caster angle may be adjusted. 
     Therefore, an angle at which the base frame  100  is coupled to the vehicle body F may be adjusted by rotating the rotation plate  800  that has the upper and lower surfaces extending obliquely between the base frame  100  and the vehicle body F. 
     The rotation plate  800  is located between the base frame  100  and the vehicle body F and is coupled to the base frame  100  or the vehicle body F in the relatively rotatable manner. While the rotation plate  800  is coupled to the base frame  100  or the vehicle body F in the relatively rotatable manner, the rotation plate  800  may be securely coupled to the base frame  100  to the vehicle body F. 
     In detail, the rotation plate  800  is interposed between the base frame  100  and the vehicle body F, and is primarily coupled to the base frame  100  or the vehicle body F in the relatively rotatable manner. After angle adjustment is completed by rotation of the rotation plate  800 , the rotation plate  800  may be securely coupled to the base frame  100  or the vehicle body F while being in coupled state in the relatively rotatable manner. 
       FIG.  4    is an enlarged view showing the rotation plate  800  according to the embodiment of the present invention.  FIG.  5    is an enlarged view showing the rotation plate  800  and the base frame  100  in a coupled state according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  4  and  5   , the rotation plate  800  has a long hole  810  extending along a path that is relatively rotated with respect to the base frame  100 . The rotation plate  800  may be coupled to the base frame  100  or the vehicle body F in the relatively rotatable manner via the long hole  810 . 
     As the embodiment, the base frame  100  is bolted to the vehicle body F by a bolt extending in a longitudinal direction thereof, and the bolt may extend to penetrate the rotation plate  800  interposed between the base frame  100  and the vehicle body F. Specifically, the bolt may be coupled to the base frame  100  and the vehicle body F while passing through the long hole  810  of the rotation plate  800 . The rotation plate  800  may be relatively rotatable with respect to the base frame  100  or the vehicle body F along the long hole  810 . 
     In addition, the base frame  100  has a coupling groove  120  that is depressed downward or inward. The rotation plate  800  may be fixed by being locked and coupled to the coupling groove  120  while being rotatably coupled to the base frame  100 . 
     The base frame  100  has the coupling groove  120  that penetrates the based frame or is depressed thereon. The rotation plate  800  may be fixed while being locked and coupled to the coupling groove  120 . 
     As an embodiment, the base frame  100  has the coupling groove  120  that is depressed inward of the base frame or depressed downward from the upper surface thereof in contact with the rotation plate  800 . As the rotation plate  800  is projected inward of the coupling groove  120  by plastic deformation (caulking, etc.), the rotation plate  800  may be locked and coupled to the coupling groove  120 . 
     While the rotation plate  800  is primarily coupled to the base frame  100  or the vehicle body F to be rotatable, the rotation plate  800  may be finally coupled to the base frame  100  or the vehicle body F so as to prevent relative rotation as the rotation plate  800  is plastically deformed to be projected toward the coupling groove  120  of the base frame  100 . 
     As an embodiment, the rotation plate  800  may be formed of a metal material such as aluminum, and the upper and lower surfaces of the rotation plate  800  may be processed in a knurling manner. Accordingly, when the rotation plate  800  is finally coupled to the base frame  100  and the vehicle body F, relative rotation therebetween can be prevented. 
     The upper surface of the rotation plate  800  extends parallel to the coupling surface of the vehicle body F and the lower surface thereof extends parallel to the upper surface of the base frame  100 . The coupling surface of the vehicle body F and the upper surface of the base frame  100  may be inclined obliquely. 
     Specifically, the upper surface and the lower surface of the rotation plate  800  may extend in diagonal directions from each other instead of being parallel to each other. The upper surface of the rotation plate  800  may extend parallel to the coupling surface of the vehicle body F to be in planar-contact therewith. The lower surface of the rotation plate  800  may extend parallel to the upper surface of the base frame  100  to be in planar contact therewith. 
     Accordingly, the upper surface of the base frame  100  diagonally extends in a non-parallel direction to the coupling surface of the vehicle body F, whereby the camber angle or the caster angle of the driving wheel  300  may be generated. 
       FIGS.  6  to  7    are views respectively showing the camber angle and the caster angle of the driving wheel  300  according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  6  and  7   , the rotation plate  800  may change the camber angle or the caster angle of the driving wheel  300  by being relatively rotated with respect to the base frame  100  or the vehicle body F. 
     As an embodiment, as the rotation plate  800  with the upper and lower surfaces that extend in the diagonal directions from each other is relatively rotated with respect to the base frame  100  or the vehicle body F, the angle at which the base frame  100  is coupled to the coupling surface of the vehicle body F may be adjusted. Therefore, the camber angle and the caster angle of the driving wheel  300  coupled to the base frame  100  may vary at the same time. 
     The driving wheel  300  may include a knuckle  310  coupled to the second end of the connection link  200  and a hub rotatably coupled to the knuckle  310 . The independently driving wheel module may include: the driving device  700  fixed to the knuckle  310  and rotating the hub on the knuckle  310  when the driving device is operated. 
     The knuckle  310  is coupled to the second end of the connection link  200 , and as described below, the knuckle  310  may be rotatably coupled to the second end of the connection link  200 . The hub may be rotatably coupled to the knuckle  310 , and the hub may be rotated in a grounded state with the ground through a tire or the like. 
     The driving device  700  may be an in-wheel motor, and may be securely coupled to the knuckle  310  to apply a rotation force to the hub when the driving device is operated. 
     The driving wheel  300  includes the knuckle  310  coupled to the second end of the connection link  200  and the hub rotatably coupled to the knuckle  310 . The knuckle  310  may be coupled to the second end of the connection link  200  so as to allow relative movement in a vertical direction with respect to the second end of the connection link  200 . 
     The knuckle  310  may be rotatably coupled to the second end of the connection link  200 . As the knuckle  310  is rotatably coupled to the second end of the connection link  200 , the knuckle  310  may be relatively moved upward and downward with respect to the second end of the connection link  200 . 
     More specifically, the independently driving wheel module may include: a plurality of coupling links  400  that are disposed to be vertically spaced apart from each other, of which each first end is rotatably coupled to the second end of the connection link  200 , and of which each second end is rotatably coupled to the knuckle  310 . 
     The plurality of coupling links  400  extends in a longitudinal direction according to a forward direction in which the driving wheel  300  travels by rotation thereof, and may be disposed to be spaced apart from each other in a vertical direction. Furthermore, the plurality of coupling links  400  is rotatably coupled to, at a first end thereof, to the second end of the connection link  200  while being spaced apart from each other, and the second end of the plurality of the coupling links may be rotatably coupled to the knuckle  310 . 
     The connection link  200  and the knuckle  310  may provide a 4-bar linkage structure due to the plurality of coupling links  400 , whereby the knuckle  310  may be moved upward and downward with respect to the second end of the connection link  200 . 
     The independently driving wheel module may include: a suspension device  500  of which a first end is coupled to the connection link  200  and a second end is connected to the driving wheel  300 , the suspension device  500  absorbing vertical vibration of the driving wheel  300 . 
     The suspension device  500  may be a shock absorber. The first end of the suspension device  500  may be securely coupled to the connection link  200  and the second end thereof may be rotatably coupled to the knuckle  310  or the plurality of coupling links  400 . 
     As an embodiment, the second end of the suspension device  500  may penetrate an upper coupling link  400  of the plurality of coupling links  400  and be rotatably coupled to a lower coupling link  400  thereof. 
     The independently driving wheel module may include: a steering device  600  of which a first end is securely coupled to the upper end of the base frame  100 , the steering device  600  configured to rotate the rotation part  110  or the connection link  200  with respect to the first end thereof. 
     The steering device  600  may be a separate motor as the driving device  700 . The steering device  600  may rotate the rotation part  110  or the connection link  200  with respect to the upper end of the base frame  100  securely coupled to the vehicle body F. The steering device  600  is integrally coupled to the rotation part  110  or the connection link  200 . The steering device  600  may be rotated on the first end thereof fixed to the vehicle body F. 
     Specifically, the first end of the steering device  600  is connected to the upper end of the base frame  100  with a gear, thereby increasing steering torque. 
       FIG.  8    is a flowchart showing a mounting method of the independently driving wheel module according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIG.  8   , as a method of mounting the independently driving wheel module, the mounting method of the independently driving wheel module according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: interposing the rotation plate  800  between the base frame  100  and the vehicle body F in the relative rotatable manner with respect to the base frame  100  or the vehicle body F at S 100 ; relatively rotating the rotation plate  800  with respect to the base frame  100  or the vehicle body F at S 300 ; and securely coupling the rotation plate  800  to the base frame  100  or the vehicle body F at S 400 . 
     After the interposing the rotation plate  800  at S 100 , the mounting method may include: primarily coupling the base frame  100  to the vehicle body F at S 200  so as to prevent relative rotation. 
     In the relatively rotating the rotation plate  800  at S 300 , the rotation plate  800  obliquely inclined may be relatively rotated with respect to the base frame  100  or the vehicle body F so as to change the camber angle or the caster angle of the driving wheel  300 . 
     In the securely coupling the rotation plate  800  at S 400 , the rotation plate  800  may be securely coupled to the base frame  100  or the vehicle body F by being plastically deformed. 
     Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.