Ferrari has used rear-wheel steering on a few of its current fashions to enhance dealing with, however a current patent submitting signifies a extra superior system could also be within the works.
In a patent utility filed with the US Patent and Trademark Workplace (USPTO) on Feb. 11, 2021, and printed April 18, 2023, Ferrari discusses linking rear-wheel steering with chassis stiffness, adjusting each “in a simultaneous and coordinated method” whereas cornering.
Ferrari rear-wheel steering system patent picture
Present rear-wheel steering techniques, just like the Digital Brief Wheelbase system launched on the Ferrari F12 tdf in 2015, the rear wheels are often steered in the identical course because the entrance wheels throughout high-speed cornering. This counteracts the centrifugal drive pushing the automotive to the surface of the nook, prevents the rear wheels from skidding, and helps the driving force preserve the correct line, Ferrari notes within the utility.
Ferrari proposes utilizing a management unit and digital actuators in any respect 4 wheels to regulate the spring and damper firmness (for vehicles with passive or magnetic dampers), and one other digital or hydraulic actuator to regulate rear steering angle, primarily based on real-time sensor readings to maintain the automotive on the best line. Ferrari describes the system for front-engine vehicles, such because the 812 vary, Portofino, Roma, and the brand new Purosangue SUV.
The quantity of tweaks to every may differ, Ferrari famous. For instance, in medium-speed corners with low lateral acceleration, the rear-wheel steering might do a lot of the work, with the dampers solely getting adjusted as a secondary means.
Ferrari rear-wheel steering system patent picture
Close to the restrict of stability at excessive speeds, a larger impact could be achieved by decreasing the middle of gravity of the automotive by altering the stiffness of the connection all 4 wheels to the body. The quantity rear-wheel steering angle can change between these two extremes.
Patents are not any assure of manufacturing intent, however a system like this might give Ferrari engineers a solution to additional sharpen the dealing with of Maranello’s sports activities vehicles. It additionally appears a bit extra believable than the gas-thruster system Ferrari additionally just lately tried to patent. This might use jet-like thrusters to help acceleration, or probably even stabilize a car in in any other case uncontrollable slides or spins, however the necessity to retailer high-pressure compressed air onboard to energy the thrusters may very well be a difficulty.