Land Vehicle Steering System Including Selective Inboard and Outboard Wheels Adjustment

• US 20150137471A1
• Filed: 11/18/2013
• Published: 05/21/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/18/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Terra Drive Systems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Terra Drive Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Smith, James A., Jackson, James L., Pitstick, Daniel
• Granted Patent: US 9,387,881 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/93.502
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 11/28 characterised by means specially adapted for attaching the spring to axle or sprung part of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/00 Resilient suspensions having means for adjusting the spring or vibration-damper characteristics, for regulating the distance between a supporting surface and a sprung part of vehicle or for locking suspension during use to meet varying vehicular or surface conditions, e.g. due to speed or load levelling or stabilising systems for tippers B60P1/045
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2200/132 with a single trailing arm
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2200/44 steerable
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2202/152 Pneumatic spring
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2202/413 Hydraulic actuator
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/126 Mounting of pneumatic springs
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2206/91 Assembly procedures
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 7/001 Suspension arms, e.g. constructional features B60G7/006 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 7/16 Arrangement of linkage connections pivots per se F16C
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 9/00 Steering deflectable wheels not otherwise provided for steering positon indicators B62D15/02

Abstract

A land vehicle steering system capable of selectively moving the left and right steerable wheels inboard and outboard of the vehicle, and selectively adjusting the distance between the left and right steerable wheels. The steering system includes left and right steering assemblies. Each assembly includes: a pivot arm pivotally secured to the vehicle about a first pivot axis; a first hydraulic cylinder secured between the pivot arm and the vehicle; a wheel end pivotally secured to the pivot arm about a steering axis; and, a second hydraulic cylinder secured between the wheel end and the pivot arm. Actuation of the first hydraulic cylinders rotates the pivot arms about their first pivot axes and moves the wheel ends inboard and outboard of the vehicle. Actuation of the second hydraulic cylinders rotates the wheel ends and steerable wheels thereon relative to their pivot arm for steering the vehicle.

Claims

1. A steering system including left and right steering assemblies for a land vehicle, wherein each steering assembly comprises:

a pivot arm pivotally secured to the vehicle about a first pivot axis;

a first selectively extendable and retractable mechanism secured between said pivot arm and the vehicle;

a wheel end pivotally secured to said pivot arm about a steering axis whereupon a steerable wheel is mountable; and

,

a second selectively extendable and retractable mechanism secured between said wheel end and said pivot arm, whereby actuation of said first mechanism rotates said pivot arm about said first pivot axis and moves said wheel end inboard and outboard of the vehicle and actuation of said second mechanism rotates said wheel end relative to said pivot arm for steering the vehicle.

2. The steering system of claim 1 wherein said steering assembly selectively extendable and retractable mechanisms are hydraulic cylinders.

3. The steering system of claim 1 wherein said steering assembly wheel end is a hydraulically driven wheel motor.

4. The steering system of claim 1 wherein said steering assembly wheel end is a non-driven stub axle.

5. The steering system of claim 1 wherein said steering assembly pivot arm comprises suspension means for insulating the vehicle from impacts experienced by said wheel end.

6. The steering system of claim 1 wherein each said steering assembly pivot arm comprises:

a first control arm pivotally secured about said first pivot axis;

a second control arm pivotally secured to said upper control arm about a suspension axis;

a spring between said first control arm and said second control arm;

wherein said wheel end is pivotally secured to said second control arm; and

,

wherein said second mechanism is secured between said wheel end and said second control arm.

7. The steering system of claim 6 wherein said steering assembly first mechanism is secured between said second control arm and the vehicle.

8. The steering system of claim 6 wherein said steering assembly selectively extendable and retractable mechanisms are hydraulic cylinders.

9. The steering system of claim 6 wherein said steering assembly wheel end is a hydraulically driven wheel motor.

10. The steering system of claim 6 wherein said steering assembly wheel end is a non-driven stub axle.

11. The steering system of claim 6 wherein said spring is an air spring.

12. The steering system of claim 6 wherein said suspension axis is generally perpendicular to said first pivot axis.

13. A steering system including left and right steering assemblies for a land vehicle, wherein each steering assembly comprises:

a pivot arm pivotally secured to the vehicle about a first pivot axis whereby said pivot arm is moveable between inboard and outboard positions;

a wheel end pivotally secured to said pivot arm about a steering axis whereupon a steerable wheel is mountable; and

,

a selectively extendable and retractable steering mechanism secured between said wheel end and said pivot arm, whereby rotation of said pivot arm about said first pivot axis moves said wheel end inboard and outboard of the vehicle and actuation of said steering mechanism rotates said wheel end relative to said pivot arm for steering the vehicle.

14. The steering system of claim 13 wherein said steering assembly steering mechanism is a hydraulic cylinder.

15. The steering system of claim 13 wherein said steering assembly wheel end is a hydraulically driven wheel motor.

16. The steering system of claim 13 wherein said steering assembly wheel end is a non-driven stub axle.

17. The steering system of claim 13 wherein said steering assembly pivot arm comprises suspension means for insulating the vehicle from impacts experienced by said wheel end.

18. The steering system of claim 13 wherein each said steering assembly pivot arm comprises:

a first control arm pivotally secured about said first pivot axis;

a second control arm pivotally secured to said upper control arm about a suspension axis;

a spring between said first control arm and said second control arm;

wherein said wheel end is pivotally secured to said second control arm; and

,

wherein said steering mechanism is secured between said wheel end and said second control arm.

19. The steering system of claim 18 wherein said steering assembly further comprises a selectively extendable and retractable mechanism secured between said second control arm and the vehicle for rotating said pivot arm about said first pivot axis.

20. The steering system of claim 19 wherein said steering assembly selectively extendable and retractable mechanisms are hydraulic cylinders.

21. The steering system of claim 18 wherein said steering assembly wheel end is a hydraulically driven wheel motor.

22. The steering system of claim 18 wherein said steering assembly wheel end is a non-driven stub axle.

23. The steering system of claim 18 wherein said spring is an air spring.

24. The steering system of claim 18 wherein said suspension axis is generally perpendicular to said first pivot axis.