Control for follow-up steering axles

• US 4,449,726 A
• Filed: 05/04/1983
• Issued: 05/22/1984
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/1979
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Daimler-Benz AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Original Assignee: Daimler-Benz AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Inventors: Maurath, Rudolf, Strifler, Paul, Steinecke, Rudolf, Geissler, Heinrich, Ludtke, Dieter
• Primary Examiner(s): Peters, Jr., Joseph F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Weaver, Ross
• Application Number:
  US06/491,451
• Time in Patent Office: 384 Days
• Field of Search: 180/141, 180/143, 280/81 A, 280/94, 280/426, 280/443, 280/460 R, 280/432, 280/446 R
• US Class Current: 280/443
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 13/00 Steering specially adapted for trailers combined traction and steering hitches B60D
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 7/144 for vehicles with more than two axles

Abstract

A control arrangement for a follow-up steering axle in single- or multiple-unit vehicles with at least three axles. The follow-up steering axle may be stabilized in dependence upon a load of the vehicle in a direction toward a straight-ahead driving position and may be blocked in the straight-ahead driving position. A speed-dependent stabilization is provided for the follow-up steering axle in a direction toward its straight-ahead driving position.

Claims

1. A control arrangement for a follow-up steering axle of a motor vehicle, wherein means are provided for stabilizing the follow-up steering axle in a direction of a straight-ahead driving position in dependence upon a speed and a load of the motor vehicle,

the motor vehicle is at least a single-unit motor vehicle including at least three axles, and characterized in that

said means are capable of locking the follow-up steering axle in the straight-ahead driving position.

2. A control arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the motor vehicle is a multiple-unit vehicle including at least three axles.

3. A control arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the speed-dependent stabilization of the follow-up steering axle may be additionally applied in at least one stage.

4. A control arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the follow-up steering axle is automatically locked in a straight-ahead driving position upon the vehicle exceeding a predetermined speed limit.

5. A control arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the follow-up steering axle may be locked merely in the straight-ahead driving position in dependence upon the speed of the vehicle.

6. A control arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the follow-up steering axle includes means for mounting at least one wheel on a respective side of the axle, and means for connecting the mounting means of the respective wheels to one another so as to be pivotable in unison about a vertically extending axis, and in that the means for stabilizing the follow-up steering axle in dependence upon the speed of the motor vehicle includes a pneumatic cylinder means adapted to act upon the connecting means for providing a supporting action on the connecting means.

7. A control arrangement according to claim 6, characterized in that the mounting means includes a steering knuckle arranged at respective sides of the follow-up steering axle, the connecting means includes a bell crank means pivotally mounted to the follow-up steering axle, and tie rod means for connecting the respective steering knuckles to the bell crank means, and in that the means for stabilizing the follow-up axle in dependence upon the speed of the motor vehicle further includes a means for increasing a pressure supplied to the pneumatic cylinder means in dependence upon a speed of the motor vehicle.

8. A control arrangement according to claim 7, characterized in that the pneumatic cylinder means further includes a guide track having a curve which is opposed to a pivoting path of the bell crank, and in that a sliding roller means is provided on the axle body, said sliding roller being adapted to cooperate with the guide track.

9. A control arrangement according to claim 8, characterized in that the means for increasing a pressure supplied to the pneumatic cylinder means includes a pressure-modulating device interposed between the pneumatic cylinder means and a pressure supply means.