文献翻译-水陆两栖快艇

1US 2006/0148340 Amphibious VehicleBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION0001 The present invention relates to an amphibious vehicle.0002 Amphibious vehicles capable of powered travel on both land and water are known. In order to improve the performance of amphibious vehicles on water, various systems have been developed to allow the wheels to be retracted above the water line when the vehicle is water-borne. Such a system is known, for example, from the applicants International patent application WO95/23074, which describes an apparatus that enables an axle-driven wheel to move between a protracted position, in which it has a substantially horizontal axis of rotation for support of the vehicle on land, and a retracted position, in which the axis of rotation of the wheel is at an angle greater than 45 degrees to the horizontal.0003 In a typical known retractable wheel arrangement, the wheel is mounted to the body of the vehicle by means of one or more suspension linkages which are configured to allow the wheel to move between the protracted and retracted positions. Normally an actuator, such a hydraulic strut or ram, Will be operatively connected to one of the suspension linkages to move the wheel between the protracted and retracted positions. Also connected to one of the suspension linkages is a suspension means comprising springing and damping means for absorbing road shocks when the vehicle is used on land. Various types of suspension means have been proposed for use with the known retractable wheel apparatus, such as: coil spring and hydraulic damper struts, torsion bar and damper systems, and hydropneumatic suspension units.0004 A drawback with known retracting wheel arrangements is that the design of the suspension means may have to be compromised in order to allow the wheel to be retracted. For example, it may be necessary to design the suspension means so that it can be fully compressed when the wheel retracts or it may be necessary to alter the sizes and shapes of components to enable full retraction of the wheel to take place. As a result, it may be difficult and time consuming to tune the suspension characteristics of thevehicle for land use. For example, users of the vehicle will expect ride comfort characteristics on land which are com parable to those of a conventional land based motor vehicle.0005 A further drawback of some known wheel retraction arrangements is the 2amount of space required to accommodate movement of the suspension means as the wheel moves between its protracted and retracted positions. U.S. Pat. No. 4,958,584, for example, describes an amphibious vehicle having a wheel retraction arrangement in which the wheel is attached to the vehicle body using a wishbone type suspension. A suspension means in the form of a strut having a coil spring located about a telescopic hydraulic damper is connected between an upper Wishbone and part of the wheel retraction system. To move the Wheel to the retracted position, the upper end of the strut is drawn inwardly. This arrangement takes up a considerable amount of space in a central area of the vehicle making it unsuitable for use with a compact amphibious vehicle. The problem is most acute where the engine and transmission are mounted between a pair of retractable road wheels, as there is little space available into which the struts for those wheels can be drawn.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION0006 It is an object of the invention to provide an amphibious vehicle having a retractable Wheel arrangement in Which the characteristics of the suspension means can be more easily optimised for road use.0007 It is a further object of the invention to provide an amphibious vehicle having a retractable wheel arrangement in which less space is required to allow movement of the wheel between its protracted and retracted positions.0008 It is yet a further object of the invention to provide an amphibious vehicle having a retractable wheel arrangement where the suspension spring does not have to be compressed in order to retract the suspension.0009 In accordance with the invention, there is provided an amphibious vehicle having a wheel mounted to a body of the vehicle so as to be movable from a protracted position, for use of the vehicle on land, to a retracted position, in which the wheel is stowed for use of the vehicle on water,the vehicle further comprising a suspension means to absorb shocks from the wheel during land use and a retraction means for moving the Wheel between the protracted and retracted positions, characterised in that the suspension means can be operatively disconnected from the wheel whenthe wheel is to be retracted.0010 Because the suspension means can be operatively disconnected from the wheel, the suspension means can be tuned to provide optimum road or land use characteristics without having to compromise the design to enable the wheel to be retracted. Furthermore, because the suspensionmeans is disconnected from the wheel, it can remain in its land use position when 3the wheel is retracted, eliminating the need to allow space to accommodate movement of the suspension means as the wheel is retracted.0011 Preferably, the retraction means can be operatively disconnected from the wheel when the wheel is in the protracted position.0012 In a particularly preferred embodiment, the wheel is mounted to the body of the vehicle by means of one or more suspension linkages and the vehicle further comprises suspension disconnect apparatus for operatively connecting the suspension means to, or operatively disconnecting the suspension means from, one of the suspension linkages.0013 Preferably, the suspension means is operatively connected to one end of a suspension lever arm, the other end of the suspension lever arm being operatively connect able to said one of the suspension linkages by the suspension disconnect apparatus.0014 Preferably, the said one of the suspension linkages and the retraction lever arm are mounted to the vehicle body for pivotal movement relative to the body about an axis and the suspension disconnect apparatus comprises means movable between a first position, in which the said one of the suspension linkages and the suspension lever arm are locked so as to pivot together about the axis, and a second position, in which the said one of the suspension linkages and the suspension lever arm are free to pivot about the axis relative to one another.0015 In one preferred embodiment, the suspension dis connect apparatus comprises a bore in the said one of the suspension linkages or in the suspension lever arm, the bore having a number of ball receiving tracks formed over a part of its length, a shaft slidably mounted to the other of the said one of the suspension linkages or the suspension lever arm,the shaft projecting into the bore and having a knuckle about which are mounted a plurality of balls, the shaft being movable from a first position in which the balls are engaged in the tracks to lock the said one of the suspension linkages and the suspension lever arm together for pivotal movement about the axis and a second position in which the balls arenot engaged in the tracks and the said one of the suspension linkages and the other end of the suspension lever arm are free to pivot about the axis relative to one another.0016 Preferably, the suspension disconnect apparatus comprises an actuator, which may be an hydraulic actuator,to move the shaft between the first and second positions.0017 In an alternative embodiment, the said one of the suspension linkages and the suspension lever arm have adjacent drive portions and the suspension 4disconnect apparatus further comprises a sleeve having drive means for cooperation With corresponding drive means on the driveportions, the sleeve being movable from a first position in which it is in driving cooperation with both of the drive portions to lock the said one of the suspension linkages and the suspension lever arm together for pivotal movement about the axis, and a second position in which it is in driving cooperation with only one of the drive portions such that thelinkage and the arm are free to pivot about the axis relative to one another.0018 Preferably, the sleeve is internally splined for engagement with corresponding splines formed on the drive portions. Alternatively, a bore of the sleeve may have a non-circular cross section for driving engagement with correspondingly shaped profiles on the drive portions.0019 Preferably, the suspension disconnect apparatus comprises an actuator, which may be an hydraulic actuator, to move the sleeve between the first and second positions.0020 In a yet further preferred embodiment, the said one of the suspension linkages and the suspension lever arm have corresponding drive teeth and the suspension lever arm is movable between a first position in which the drive teeth are engaged so as to lock the said one of the suspension linkages and the suspension lever arm together for pivotalmovement about the axis, and a second position in which the drive teeth are disengaged such that the said one of the suspension linkages and the suspension lever arm are free to pivot about the axis relative to one another.0021 Preferably, the suspension disconnect apparatus comprises an actuator, Which may be a hydraulic actuator, to move the suspension lever arm between the first and second positions.0022 Preferably, the vehicle further comprises a retraction disconnect apparatus for operatively connecting the retraction means to, or operatively disconnecting the retraction means from, one of the suspension linkages.0023 Preferably, the retraction means comprises a retraction actuator operatively connected to one end of a retraction lever arm, the other end of the retraction lever arm being connectable to said one of the suspension linkages through the retraction disconnect apparatus.0024 Preferably, the said one of the suspension linkages and the retraction lever arm are mounted to the vehicle body for pivotal movement relative to the vehicle body about an axis, the retraction disconnect apparatus comprising means for locking the said one of the suspension linkages and the retraction lever arm together for pivotal movement about the axis.50025 Advantageously, the retraction disconnect apparatus comprises a pneumatic clutch.0026 In one preferred embodiment, the clutch connects the said one of the suspension linkages and the retraction lever arm such that when the clutch is engaged the said one of the suspension linkages and the retraction lever arm are locked together for pivotal movement about the axis and that when the clutch is disengaged, the said one of the suspensionlinkages and the retraction lever arm are free to rotate about the axis relative to one another.0027 In an alternative embodiment, the said one of the suspension linkages is rotationally fast With a shaft, the pneumatic clutch having a first component Which is also rotationally fast with the shaft and a second component attached so as to be rotationally fast With the retraction lever arm, the clutch being adapted such that when it is engagedthe first and second components are rotationally fast so as to lock the said one of the suspension linkages and the retraction lever arm together for pivotal movement about the axis.0028 Preferably, the wheel is connected to the vehicle body by an upper suspension linkage and a lower suspension linkage.0029 Preferably, the suspension means is connectable to the upper suspension linkage. Alternatively, the suspension means is connectable to the lower suspension linkage.0030 Preferably, the retraction means is connectable to the lower suspension linkage.0031 Preferably, the suspension means comprises a strut having a coil spring mounted about a telescopic hydraulic damper.0032 Preferably, the retraction means comprises a double acting fluid ram. Alternatively, the retraction means may be in the from of a electrically driven ram.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS0033 Several embodiments of an amphibious vehicle in accordance With the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings in which:0034 FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C are respectively a side elevation, a plan view, and a rear elevation of an amphibious vehicle in accordance With the invention:0035 FIG. 2 is a perspective, somewhat schematic view of a Wheel suspension and retraction apparatus of the amphibious vehicle of FIGS. 1A to 1C;0036 FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on line A-A of FIG. 2, showing a 6first embodiment of a suspension disconnect apparatus of the apparatus of FIG. 2;0037 FIG. 4 is a view similar to that of FIG. 3 but showing a second embodiment of a suspension disconnect apparatus of the apparatus of FIG. 2;0038 FIG. 4A is an inset view showing in cross section a splined collar forming part of the second embodiment of the suspension disconnect apparatus;0039 FIG. 5 is a view similar to that of FIG. 3 but showing a third embodiment of a suspension disconnect apparatus of the apparatus of FIG. 2;0040 FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken on line B-B of FIG. 2, showing a retraction disconnect apparatus of the wheel suspension and retraction apparatus of FIG. 2;0041 FIG. 7 is a perspective, somewhat schematic view of a further embodiment of a suspension and retraction apparatus of the amphibious vehicle of FIGS. 1A to 1C;0042 FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken on line C-C of FIG. 7, showing co-axial suspension and retraction disconnect apparatus of the suspension and retraction apparatus of FIG. 7.7US 2006/0148340水陆两栖快艇本发明的背景【0001】本发明涉及一种水陆两用车。【0002】两栖车辆能够动力在陆地和水上旅游是众所周知的。为了提高水的两栖车辆的性能，不同的系统已经发展到允许车轮收起流水线上的车辆时，水性。这样的系统是已知的，例如，从申请的国际专利申请 wo95 / 23074，它描述了一个装置，使轴驱动轮的一场旷日持久的位置之间移动，在它的土地上的车辆转动支座水平轴线，和缩回位置，其中的车轮旋转轴的角度大于45度的水平。【0003】在一个典型的已知的可伸缩的轮装置，车轮是由一个或多个悬挂键被配置为允许车轮旷日持久的位置和缩回位置之间移动装置安装在车体上的。通常的致动器，这种液压支柱，可操作地连接到其中一个悬挂键移动持久和缩回位置之间的轮。同时连接到一个悬挂键是一个悬挂装置包括弹簧和阻尼装置吸收路面冲击时的车辆上使用的土地。各种类型的悬挂装置已被建议用于与已知的伸缩轮的设备，如：螺旋弹簧和液压减振器支柱，扭杆和阻尼器系统，和液压悬挂装置。【0004】与已知的收线轮安排的缺点是，悬挂装置的设计必须妥协，为了让车轮被收回。例如，可能需要设计的悬挂装置，它可以完全压缩时的轮缩回或可能需要改变使车轮全收缩发生的大小和形状的部件。作为一个结果，它可能是困难的，以调整该悬架特性时间土地使用的车辆。例如，车辆的用户期望是那些基于传统的土地车辆乘坐舒适性。【0005】一些已知的轮回缩安排进一步的缺点是需要的悬架运动意味着作为车轮其持久和缩回位置之间移动的空间量。美国专利。例如，4958584号，描述了两栖车辆车轮收放装置具有在该轮是连接到使用一个横臂式悬架的车身。悬挂装置在具有螺旋弹簧位于伸缩液压阻尼器支撑形式连接上横臂与车轮的回缩系统之间的部分。移动轮缩回位置，支柱的上端向内。这种安排占用大量空间的车辆，使它不适合使用一个紧凑的两栖车辆的中心地区。最严重的问题是在发动机和变速箱上安装一对可伸缩的车轮之间，当有可用的空间小，对那些轮子结构可以得出。【0006】本发明的目的是提供一种两栖车辆的悬架装置具有的特点，可以更容易地优化道路使用一个可伸缩的轮装置。8【0007】这是一个进一步的目的，本发明提供一种有一个可伸缩的轮两栖车辆的安排中，需要较小的空间允许其长期的位置和缩回位置之间的车轮运动。【0008】这又是本发明的另一个目的是提供一种两栖车辆安排，有一个可伸缩的车轮悬架弹簧没有被压缩以收回的悬架。【0009】按照本发明，提供一种两栖车辆具有车轮安装在车体上，可从一个长期的位置，使用的土地上的车辆，到收缩位置，在该轮装水上汽车的使用，车辆还包括悬挂装置吸收冲击轮土地使用的长期和缩回位置之间移动和回缩装置在轮，其特征在于悬挂装置可操作地从车轮断开时车轮收起。【0010】因为悬挂方式能有效地从车轮悬架装置断开，可以调整，以提供最佳的道路或土地没有妥协的设计使车轮被收回的特征。此外，由于悬架指的是从车轮断开，它能保持在其土地利用的位置时，车轮收起，不需要让空间容纳的悬架运动作为车轮收起。【0011】优选地，回缩装置可操作地从车轮在车轮在长期的位置断开。【0012】在特别优选的实施方案中，该轮是由一个或多个悬挂键和车辆悬架装置进一步包括断开连接的悬挂装置装置安装到车身，或手术切断悬挂装置，悬挂机构之一。【0013】优选地，该悬挂装置可操作地连接到悬架臂的一端，另一端的悬臂被可操作地连接可以说一个由悬挂悬挂键断开装置。【0014】优选地，一个说的悬架机构和收缩杠杆臂安装到车身旋转运动相对于身体的轴与悬挂的断开装置包括一第一位置之间移动，所述的悬浮机构和悬架臂以枢轴锁在一起关于轴，和一第二位置，所述的悬架机构和悬架臂自由绕轴相对于另一个。【0015】在一个优选实施例中，该悬浮 DIS 连接装置包括钻孔中说的悬浮联系或在悬浮液中的杠杆臂，该孔具有