Apple granted patent for motion control systems for an Apple Car

Let the Apple Car rumors roll on. Apple has been granted a patent (US 11731476 B1) for “motion control systems” for a vehicle.

About the patent

Basically, it involves a suspension system. Apple’s idea is for a vehicle that includes a vehicle structure, a wheel assembly, a control arm that is connected to the wheel assembly and to the vehicle structure by pivot joints, and an active suspension actuator that is connected to the control arm and to the vehicle structure to apply forces between the control arm and the vehicle structure. 

The vehicle also includes an air reservoir that includes a first port and an air spring that supports the vehicle structure with respect to the control arm and is able to compress and expand. The air spring includes an internal working volume, the air spring includes a second port that is in fluid communication with the internal working volume, and the second port is connected to the first port to allow exchange of air between the internal working volume of the air spring and the air reservoir in response to compression and expansion of the air spring.

Summary of the patent

Here’s Apple’s abstract of the patent: A motion control system includes a spring that supports a body structure with respect to a rotating assembly, the spring including an internal working volume, a structure that is connected between the spring and the rotating assembly, and a reservoir that is located in the structure. The reservoir is in fluid communication with the internal working volume of the spring to allow exchange of air between the internal working volume of the spring and the reservoir.”

When might we see an Apple Car?

On. Nov. 18, 2021, Bloomberg reported that Apple is accelerating development on its “Apple Car.” The article says the electric vehicle will be self-driving and could roll out in 2025. 

What’s more, in a note to clients — as noted by AppleInsider — investment bank Wedbush says Apple is likely to announce a strategic electric vehicle partnership in 2022 to lay the groundwork for an “Apple Car” release in 2025.