VEHICLE STEERING SYSTEM

• US 20100289238A1
• Filed: 10/03/2008
• Published: 11/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Oshkosh Corporation
• Original Assignee: Oshkosh Corporation
• Inventors: Archer, David W., Zepnick, Nicholas J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,201,656 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/93.514
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 3/12 of rack-and-pinion type
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 9/00 Steering deflectable wheels not otherwise provided for steering positon indicators B62D15/02
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/1967 Rack and pinion

Abstract

A vehicle steering system includes a gear rack supported in a fixed position, a pinion gear in meshing engagement with the gear rack, a steering subsystem supporting the pinion gear and moveable in a translational manner relative to the gear rack and at least one steering arm coupled to steering subsystem and configured to steer a motive member in response to movement of the steering subsystem. The vehicle steering system is configured to remain substantially within a framework of the vehicle while steering one or more motive members of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A vehicle steering system comprising:

a gear rack supported in a fixed position;

a pinion gear in meshing engagement with the gear rack;

a steering subsystem supporting the pinion gear and moveable in a translational manner relative to the gear rack; and

at least one steering arm coupled to steering subsystem and configured to steer a motive member in response to movement of the steering subsystem.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the steering system is a front steering system configured to be coupled to front motive members to steer the front motive members based upon actuation of a steering input device.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a steering assist device extending in a direction that is substantially parallel with the gear rack.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the steering assist device is supported substantially beneath the gear rack.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein the steering assist device is supported by the steering subsystem.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the steering assist device is a double-ended hydraulic assist cylinder.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the steering subsystem includes a housing and a steering arm base.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the housing includes a first aperture configured to receive the pinion gear.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the housing including a second aperture configured to receive the gear rack, the second aperture being substantially perpendicular to the first aperture.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the housing further includes a third aperture allowing communication between the first aperture and the second aperture so that the pinion gear can engage the gear rack.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the housing includes a friction reducing device configured to directly engage the gear rack.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the friction reducing device includes at least one bearing pressed into the second aperture.

13. The system of claim 7, wherein the steering arm base is fixedly coupled to the housing and includes a mounting structure for receiving an end of the at least one steering arm.

14. A vehicle comprising:

a chassis including at least one motive member and a hull, the hull including a first side wall and a second side wall;

a vehicle steering system for steering the motive member comprising;

a steering subsystem including a housing;

a member received by the housing and supporting a gear rack having a plurality of teeth, the member being secured in a fixed position relative to the chassis between the first and second side walls; and

a pinion supported by the housing and having a gear portion in meshing engagement with the teeth of the gear rack;

wherein the steering subsystem moves in a translatable manner relative to the member upon the rotation of the pinion.

15. The vehicle of claim 14, wherein the steering subsystem further comprising a steering link base coupled to the housing, and the vehicle steering system further comprises at least one steering arm coupled to steering subsystem, the steering arm transfers a steering input to the motive member.

16. The vehicle of claim 15, wherein the vehicle steering system further comprises a steering assist device supported by the steering subsystem so that the steering assist device is aligned substantially parallel with the member.

17. The vehicle of claim 16, further comprising a mounting device for securing ends of the member and of the steering assist device to the hull.

18. The vehicle of claim 14, wherein the vehicle steering system remains substantially within first and second side walls while steering the motive member.

19. The vehicle of claim 14, wherein the first and second side walls are aligned to define a substantially V-shaped hull.

20. A method of steering a motive member within a vehicle, the method comprising:

providing a vehicle with a framework defined laterally by a first wall and a second wall;

fixing a gear rack to the framework between the first wall and the second wall;

supporting a pinion gear on a housing that is configured to move in a translatable manner relative to the gear rack; and

coupling a least one steering arm between the housing and the motive member so that the motive is steered with the housing moves relative to the gear rack.