- Future Stellantis EVs may function the flexibility to execute a tank flip
- Rivian ended up passing on tank turns
- The electrical Mercedes-Benz G-Class could make a tank flip
Following the lead of a handful of different automakers, Stellantis is trying to patent an EV tank-steer system for off-road use, permitting automobiles to spin round on the spot with out shifting ahead.
A patent software for this function was revealed by the United States Patent and Trademark Workplace (USPTO) on July 25, after being filed by Stellantis in early 2023. It discusses utilizing a mechanical differential to spin the wheels on every axle in reverse instructions as a way to accomplish the tank flip, which might allow the perform to work with EVs solely with a single motor per axle.
Stellantis tank flip patent picture
The place precise tanks flip by braking the tracks on one aspect of the car, Stellantis discusses utilizing a gearbox to rotate the axle half shafts in reverse instructions. The gearbox could be coupled to an electrical motor, with one in all these assemblies on every axle permitting for energy to be despatched to all 4 wheels.
Tank turns could possibly be initiated through a touchscreen or by steering-wheel paddles or buttons, Stellantis suggests within the doc. The automaker additionally lays out a process for controlling tank steering through which the steering wheel is turned to decide on the route and the accelerator and brake pedals are used to begin and cease, respectively.
Stellantis tank flip patent picture
It is unclear if Stellantis will really carry this function to manufacturing. If it did, Stellantis would be a part of Mercedes-Benz, which provides the related G-Flip function on the electrical model of its G-Class. Rivian cancelled its personal Tank Flip function attributable to environmental considerations, because the vehicular pirouettes tear up the bottom on free surfaces. Strive one thing this on pavement and also you’re prone to do the identical to your tires.
BMW is growing a quad-motor EV powertrain that might make tank turns straightforward, however the automaker plans to concentrate on efficiency fairly than trick options like that, or the CrabWalk function that enables for diagonal driving within the GMC Hummer EV and Sierra EV. A 2022 patent submitting indicated Ford was working by itself loopy EV steering function, however we have not heard the rest about it since then.