Sterantis Develops Tank-Turn Steering System for EVs

Sterantis is following in the footsteps of other automakers in seeking a patent for an EV tank steer system for off-road use.

The patent application for this feature was published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on July 25 after Sterantis filed its application in early 2023. The patent discusses the use of a mechanical differential that turns the wheels of each axle in opposite directions to achieve a tank turn, which would allow this feature to be used only on EVs with one motor per axle.

Whereas actual tanks turn by braking the track on one side of the vehicle, Sterantis discusses using a gearbox to turn the axle half-shafts in opposite directions. The gearbox is connected to an electric motor, one on each axle, which sends power to all four wheels.

Tank turns can be initiated via a touch screen or by steering wheel paddles or buttons, Sterantis suggests in the document. Sterantis also shows the control procedure for tank steering, in which the direction is selected by turning the steering wheel and the gas pedal and brake pedals are used to start and stop the vehicle, respectively. [...] [...] [...] [...] [...] [...] [...] [...]