Fortis Saxonia is
supported by:
Rear Wheel Steering
Sax 1.1 is a three wheeler. Both front wheels are rigidly coupled with the chassis. The rear wheel is the steered wheel. In fact one steered wheel is technically simpler than two. Two steered wheels always slip a little while rolling turns. This problem simply does not exist if there is only one steered wheel. Furthermore it needs a smaller amount of space.
Sax 1.1 uses a mechanism which pivots the wheel around a virtual pivotal point. The pivotal point is placed close to the middle of the rear wheel. The steering mechanism only transfers tension and compression loads. Thus it is very compact and lightweighted. The placement of the virtual pivotal point prevents the driver from feeling any loads caused by the rear brake system.
Fortis Saxonia obtained a special prize for the rear wheel steering mechanism and the electronic accelerator by the jurors of the Shell Eco-marathon 2006.
