Jackknifing-angle limiting device for articulated motor vehicle

• US 4,366,966 A
• Filed: 12/24/1980
• Issued: 01/04/1983
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/1979
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Autoipari Kukato Intezet
• Original Assignee: Autoipari Kutato Intezet
• Inventors: Madi, Jeno, Ivony, Jozsef, Ratsko, Istvan, Karaszy, Gyorgy
• Primary Examiner(s): Peters, Jr., Joseph F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): McGiehan, Donn
• Application Number:
  US06/219,958
• Time in Patent Office: 741 Days
• Field of Search: 280/432, 280/446 B, 280/426, 280/400, 180/135, 180/139
• US Class Current: 280/432
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 47/025 articulated buses with interconnecting passageway, e.g. bellows coupling aspects B60D5/00
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 53/0871 with stabilising means, e.g. to prevent jack-knifing, pitching, rolling, buck jumping stabilising in general B62D37/00; tractors B62D49/08

Abstract

A jackknifing limiting device for articulated motor vehicles in which the vehicle has a front section and a rear section which are connected by a hinge therebetween, the device acting to limit the angle between the front and rear sections when the vehicle is turning, the device comprising a pair of hydraulic cylinders flanking the hinge and connected between the front and rear sections and a reservoir containing hydraulic fluid for the cylinders. Respective pressure regulating valves are connected between the reservoir and the cylinders and open unidirectionally toward the reservoir, with respective solenoid stop valves connected between the regulating valves and the reservoir, the stop valves being normally open. Respective check valves are provided in respective bypass lines connected between the reservoir and the cylinders, the check valves opening unidirectionally toward the cylinders.

Respective switches are connected to the solenoid valves and are selectively operable upon the turning of the vehicle in a particular direction, the switches acting to selectively energize and close the respective solenoid valve associated with the cylinder on the side of the hinge opposite from the direction of turning, the closing of the respective solenoid valve acting to prevent the opening of the respective regulating valve associated therewith.

Claims

1. A jackknifing limiting device for articulated motor vehicles wherein said vehicle has a front section and a rear section which are connected by a hinge therebetween, said device acting to limit the angle between said front and rear section when said vehicle is turning, said device comprising:

a pair of hydraulic cylinders flanking said hinge and connected between said front and rear sections;

a reservoir containing hydraulic fluid for said cylinders;

respective pressure regulating valves connected between said reservoir and said cylinders and opening unidirectionally toward said reservoir;

respective solenoid stop valves connected between said pressure regulating valves and said reservoir, said solenoid stop valves being normally open;

respective check valves provided in respective bypass lines connected between said reservoir and said cylinders, said check valves opening unidirectionally toward said cylinders; and

respective switches connected to said solenoid valves and being selectively operable upon the turning of said vehicle in a particular direction, said switches acting to selectively energize and close the respective solenoid valve associated with the cylinder on the side of said hinge opposite from the direction of turning, the closing of said respective solenoid valve acting to prevent the opening of the respective pressure regulating valve associated therewith.

2. The device defined in claim 1, further comprising a steering wheel provided on said front section for directing said vehicle, said switches being operatively connected to said steering wheel, and said pressure regulating valves are spring biased.

3. The device defined in claim 2 wherein said switches are connected to said steering wheel in a lost-motion manner whereby said steering wheel is free to deviate slightly from dead center without activating said switches.

4. The device defined in claim 2 or claim 3 wherein said pressure regulating valves are spring biased into a closed position.

5. The device defined in claim 2 or claim 3 wherein said pressure regulating valves are selectively spring biased into a closed position with a variable force responsive to the pivoting angle between said front and rear sections of said vehicle.