ARTICULATING SUSPENSION EXPLORATION PLATFORM
A.S.E.P.
CLIMBING
AS THE VEHICLE APPROACHES OBSTACLES LIKE A FLAT FACED ROCK OR LEDGE, THE FIRST FRONT WHEEL IN CONTACT CAN MAINTAIN TRACTION THOUGH THE FULL PHASE OF ARTICULATION . A.S.E.P. FOUR BAR LINKAGE ACCOMPLISHES THIS BY MATCHING THE TRAJECTORY OF THE WHEEL TO THE APPROXIMATE PROFILE OF THESE TYPES OF HAZARDS.
THE CHASSIS CAN MAINTAIN STABILITY OVER OBSTACLES MORE THAN 2X THE WHEEL DIAMETER.
HUB MOTORS OFFER FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT AND FLEXIBILITY IN SELECTING STEERING METHODS. ASEP USES A SKID STEER SCHEME WITH STATIC COUPLINGS AT THE WHEELS. THE PATENT PENDING, MIRRORED AND CHAINED™ LINKAGES ARE DAMPENED WITH A FLOATING SHOCK BETWEEN EACH FOUR-BAR SET.
DYNAMIC LOADS
AT LOW SPEEDS, THE DAMPENERS ACT MORE LIKE A SOLID BEAM AND THE CHASSIS PASSIVELY ARTICULATES OVER OBSTACLES MORE THAN 2X THE DIAMETER OF THE WHEEL.
AT HIGHER SPEEDS, THE DAMPENERS SOAK UP THE INDIVIDUAL IMPACTS AT ALL FOUR WHEELS AND REDISTRIBUTE THE LOAD AROUND EACH BAR IN THE CHAIN.
ALTERNATE CONFIGURATIONS INCLUDE LINEAR ACTUATORS IN PLACE OF SHOCKS. THIS ALLOWS THE MACHINE TO KNEEL OR ACTIVELY LEVEL THE BODY ON AN INCLINE.
APPLICATIONS FOR THE DESIGN RANGE FROM LUNAR EXPLORERS TO TERRESTRIAL EXCAVATORS AND ATVs.
MECHANICAL DESIGN: HERBERT BAUMGARTNER , MMET '09
CONTROLS FOR ASEP DEVELOPED AT THE TEXAS A&M, Mobile Integrated Solutions Laboratory (M.I.S.L.)
HERBERT BAUMGARTNER