Apple’s multi-section, articulated steering patent

Documents have now surfaced showing that Apple has a patent for an articulated vehicles steering system, for use in a multi-section, tracked design.

The technology giant filed for the patent in July 2015, and the United States Patent and Trademark Office published it on August 9. This appears to be a design for something much further away in the future, rather than for application in the Project Titan car.

Apple’s patent makes several changes to existing articulated chassis designs with the aim of making it more reliable and to better protect the articulation hardware. An air intake, radiator and heater sends cool or warm air around the steering housing as required, which is meant to keep components cool in the summer heat, as well as to prevent snow buildup in winter.

Current designs often expose the steering components to the elements, leading to accelerated wear and tear, and damage, while a protective housing adds weight and inhibits access to parts for servicing and repairs.

With Apple’s patent, at the bottom of the design are “two mutually movable protective elements” which overlap to shield components when the vehicle is traveling in a straight line. When the vehicles turns, sections of the shielding would pivot enough to create an opening for water, gravel or other accumulated debris to fall out.

While Apple holds the patent for this technology, the system’s developer is actually military contractor BAE Systems Hägglunds Aktiebolag, which according to the firm’s website, creates “world-leading combat vehicles, armoured engineering vehicles and armoured personnel carriers.”

A military contractor’s involvement would give Apple the confidence that battlefield know-how should translate into reliability on the public road.

Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.