US 7,591,337 B2
Leaning suspension mechanics
Ryan J. Suhre, Linden, Mich. (US); Andrew D. Massignan, Waukesha, Wis. (US); Andrew H. Roth, West Bend, Wis. (US); Mark Hutchison, New Berlin, Wis. (US); and Scott J. Saiki, Dousman, Wis. (US)
Assigned to Harley-Davidson Motor Company Group, LLC, Milwaukee, Wis. (US); and Delphi Technologies, Inc., Troy, Mich. (US)
Filed on Sep. 27, 2006, as Appl. No. 11/535,545.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/722114, filed on Sep. 30, 2005.
Prior Publication US 2007/0075517 A1, Apr. 05, 2007
Int. Cl. B62D 61/06 (2006.01); B60G 21/00 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 180—210  [180/41; 280/5.509; 280/6.155; 280/6.15; 280/124.103; 280/124.135] 21 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A vehicle comprising:
a frame defining a longitudinal vehicle axis;
a left wheel disposed on the left side of the vehicle axis;
a right wheel disposed on the right side of the vehicle axis;
a leaning suspension system including
a transverse beam coupled to the frame and pivotable about the vehicle axis,
a left damping member pivotally coupled to a left side of the transverse beam,
a right damping member pivotally coupled to a right side of the transverse beam,
a left upper control arm having a first end pivotally coupled to the left wheel and an opposite end coupled to the frame,
a right upper control arm having a first end pivotally coupled to the right wheel and an opposite end coupled to the frame,
a left lower control arm having a first end pivotally coupled to the left wheel and an opposite end pivotally coupled to the frame,
a right lower control arm having a first end pivotally coupled to the right wheel and an opposite end pivotally coupled to the frame, and
at least one lean actuator pivotally connected between the frame and the transverse beam, the lean actuator configured to extend and retract to tilt the left and right wheels and to lean the vehicle while cornering, such that the left and right wheels tilt substantially the same amount as a lean angle of the vehicle.