Summary

• Ford’s distinctive patent reveals a visionary pure lively suspension system and centerless wheel design for future autos.
• The design’s versatility makes it a possible game-changer in private and public transportation, opening doorways to progressive car varieties.
• Practical challenges could delay large-scale manufacturing, however Ford’s dedication to exploring cutting-edge expertise stays evident.

The editorial team at our sister site, Carbuzz, have stumbled upon a recently filled patent by Ford that tells of a novel, and futuristic, pure lively suspension system and centerless wheel design. The patent not solely particulars the way in which through which this design’s superior elements work in live performance, however how precisely they could possibly be utilized within the fashionable world. Though possibly years away from precise consideration, the patent reveals Ford’s dedication to exploring numerous avenues on the trail to automotive development.

An attention-grabbing space of the patent description mentions that conventional coil spring suspension and leaf spring could possibly be a viable inclusion within the design that might make the lively suspension with a centerless wheel extra versatile. This is large when it comes to future transportation, as this explicit design may doubtlessly change the face of non-public and public transit, with the varied embodiments of the unique design opening doorways to varied car varieties using the system.

Ford has given no particular timeline concerning the manufacturing of this futuristic thought, and should not for some time, as a few of the applied sciences employed within the design aren’t sensible when it comes to large-scale manufacturing. However, with the longer term coming quick, an increasing number of applied sciences make their method into mainstream purposes day by day. This offers many lovers hope that the centerless wheel, in addition to different sci-fi-esque automotive concepts, could quickly be actuality.

Ford Isn’t The First To Consider Centerless Wheels, But The Recent Patent Could Make Them The First Mass-Producer

The picture of a centerless wheel is straight out of a sci-fi movie, however the thought has been round for some time. While not typically discovered on automobiles or passenger autos, the centerless wheel can be observed on custom motorcycles and scooters all over the world. Though it needs to be talked about that these designs normally make use of a chain-and -sprocket or gear setup. This is the place the Ford patent begins to boost eyebrows.

The patent Ford Global Technologies LLC filed described a pure lively suspension meeting that employs an electrical motor and housing related to the within rim of the centerless wheel.

This electrical motor acts independently, making torque changes on the fly with a purpose to react to varied street situations, together with bumps and depressions (potholes). Located on all 4 wheels, every motor connects to a suspension arm by way of a motor shaft, which then connects to the chassis.

The suspension articulation is a key issue within the viability of this design, because the unbiased lively suspension is already a working idea. This patent hopes to advance present expertise by permitting an elevated vary of movement, extra reactive changes, and general higher efficiency and traction. An ingenious system of reactive torque exudes a way of Yin and Yang, because the give and take of the lively suspension in opposition to the torque changes ought to, theoretically, present seamless trip high quality.

The Complicated Inner Workings

We’ll attempt to hold this clarification as comprehensible as doable, however please be warned, it will get technical. The hubless wheel is definitely a centerless wheel. The hub is current, it is simply not situated on the heart of the wheel meeting as with conventional wheels, and it is not a conventional hub. This new electrical motor hub homes the wheel rim engagement elements which apply toque to the rim, which then rotates the wheels and strikes the car.

This motor hub is then related to a suspension setup by way of a motor shaft. As talked about earlier than, the suspension elements are up for debate, as coil spring, leaf spring, and helical spring are all viable choices relying on the autos objective and atmosphere. The instance that was expanded upon within the patent description was a cantilever-style suspension. In this mannequin, the electrical motor hub’s shaft connects to the “fixed” finish of the cantilever beam, whereas the other finish connects to the chassis of the car. Regardless of the suspension fashion employed, every naturally lively setup will function unbiased of the car physique.

The Cantilever Suspension Theory

While this will not appear to be probably the most comfy setup when in comparison with the coil spring and helical spring, the patent describes the method through which the cantilever suspension begins to make sense. It begins by describing “reactive torque”, which refers back to the particular person motors’ utilized power to the wheels when encountering uneven street situations, in addition to the suspension’s utilized torque to the cantilever’s assist place situated on the chassis. This system is designed to keep up a set distance between the bottom and the car chassis, which can also be known as the nominal assist place, or equilibrium.

Simply put, the suspension pushes again whereas the motor applies extra torque to whichever wheel encounters a street obstruction.

This setup incorporates a reactive system the place, if the wheel experiences any vertical displacement relative to the nominal assist place, the suspension will react by making use of torque to the motor’s shaft, which is able to return the car to its equilibrium. This motion will finally change the place of the wheel motor hub relative to the equilibrium, which is able to then power that particular person motor to use torque to the wheel rim engagement elements. Simply put, these two methods work to counteract one another’s displacement and hold the car leveled, offering easy trip high quality.

Could We See This Concept Employed On A Wider Scale?

The intricacies and pure math concerned in making this method profitable depends on managed testing. Real world implementation may end in difficult malfunctions and much more difficult options. So, as for seeing this new suspension and wheel setup on the following Mustang, do not wager on it. Though it is not out of the realm of creativeness to take a position {that a} completely different expertise or development may come from the pure lively suspension and centerless wheel design, because the suspension and electrical wheel motor setup could also be helpful exterior the patent parameters.

For instance, the patent states that the lively suspension design could possibly be employed in fashionable combustion autos in addition to hybrid and battery-electric autos.

These suspension setups, which may embrace a coil spring, leaf spring, or helical spring, may omit the centerless wheel idea in favor of a extra sensible use of the pure lively suspension. This would doubtlessly relocate the motor and wheel rim engagement elements, and remove the futuristic aesthetic. However, the suspension alone may show to be an development ready to come back to fruition.

Another software that involves thoughts is Ford’s track racing vehicles. As the principle fear behind the pure lively suspension design is the unpredictability of real-world street situations, a managed atmosphere can be the perfect playground to make use of this new superior system. Plus, components automobiles and high-performance motorsport autos would profit most from the added traction and efficiency offered by the suspension, presumably increasing the game and elevating security concurrently.

Concept Background

The patent begins by expressing the necessity for up to date suspension methods. It reminds readers that the unbiased suspension methods present in most fashionable automobiles have remained unchanged in general software since first employed. While unbiased suspension has undergone quite a few developments, the inventor of the pure lively suspension meeting patent, Larry Dean Elie, believes an entire overhaul is required to really usher within the subsequent evolution of automotive design, or not less than suspension design. Larry is assured that, if utilized successfully, this method will extract higher efficiency out of the car.

Ford’s Future Plans

While as regards to the Blue Oval’s current patent fillings, they recently filled the patent for their 1980s rally racer, the RS200. Insiders have thrown out hypothesis as to what this explicit patent filling may imply, with most arrows pointing to Ford simply defending a previous icon’s identify. However, some hypothesis posits that Ford could possibly be planning a revival or reintroduction indirectly form or kind.

A well-liked concept revolves across the RS200 identify being reintroduced as a trim degree on a present Ford mannequin, extra particularly, the Mustang Mach-E crossover. This concept gained traction on account of Ford design heads mentioning that Ford wished to deliver again names of the long-lasting previous names with new fashions. Another path some hypothesis has taken posits a brand new limited-production supercar based mostly across the previous RS200’s insane efficiency.

While it might be reaching, these two patent fillings may make for a significantly intriguing mannequin, because the previous RS200 boasted excellent management and efficiency skill. The pure lively suspension and centerless wheel patent expresses the efficiency enhancements it may present. Would or not it’s inconceivable to take a position that Ford makes use of the pure lively suspension on a model new RS200? More than probably, sure.

In concept, the pure lively suspension design is a leap in the appropriate route. And it might be. However, the present automotive panorama is not ready for a leap of this distance on a big scale. As said earlier than, the intricate design and elements may make for a furry state of affairs if failure happens. This idea could also be just a few a long time forward of its time, although we’ll hold our eyes open for centerless wheels on new mannequin Fords.