Abstract: A steering axle drive assembly includes a steering axle having opposite ends, a wheel pivotally connected with each steering axle end, and a control mechanism. The wheels are operated by the control mechanism for rotation about a vertical axis and a horizontal axis. When the axle is connected with a vehicle, the control mechanism controls the steering axle wheels independent of other wheels of the vehicle, such as the main drive wheels, to steer and drive the vehicle from an origin in any direction without passing through the origin. Preferably, a motor or linear actuator controls the rotation of the steering axle wheels. The steering axle drive assembly can be further improved by including an angled axle.

Abstract: A coupling structure of a suspension, may include a lower arm having one end portion engaged with a vehicle body, an assist knuckle in which a strut is located, a RevoKnuckle engaged with the assist knuckle, rotated independently from the assist knuckle, and configured to perform steering of a vehicle wheel, a steering input portion fixed to the vehicle body and configured to apply a steering force to the RevoKnuckle during steering, and a rotation transmission unit which is engaged with the RevoKnuckle and the steering input portion and has a length which is varied in a response to a wheel rebound of a vehicle.

Abstract: Aircraft landing gear (100) provided with a bottom portion (110) that is steerable by means of a steering actuator (1) comprising a toothed wheel (70) that is secured to the steerable bottom portion (110) and that co-operates with a rack (20) that is movable in translation along an axial travel axis (X) and that has ends (21a, 21b) connected to pistons (30a, 30b) mounted to slide in respective cylinders (10a, 10b). Each connection between one of the pistons (30a, 30b) and the associated end of the rack (20) presents play (J) at least axially, and possibly also angular play (E), and at least one sealing gasket, referred to as an internal gasket (25), between the rack (20) and a piston (30a, 30b), the gasket being arranged to oppose movements of the rack (20) relative to the pistons (30a, 30b).

Abstract: A grounds maintenance vehicle such as a stand-on spreader/sprayer and a steering system for use with the same. In one embodiment, the steering system includes a laterally swinging control handle accessible by an operator standing on a platform of the vehicle. The handle controls movement of one or more steerable wheels such that lateral swinging of the control handle toward a left side results in a corresponding left turn, while lateral swinging of the control handle toward a right side results in a corresponding right turn.

Abstract: A steering system includes a wheel rotatable between on-center and off-center positions, and a shaft having teeth. The shaft defines a cavity and is rotatable about an axis that is perpendicular to the teeth. The system includes a nut having cogs defining grooves therebetween, wherein each tooth is matable with a groove. The system includes a lash adjuster translatable within the cavity, and a retainer contacting the adjuster and shaft, and configured for positioning the shaft along the axis as the wheel rotates. A center one of the gear teeth meshes with one of the grooves to define a first gap having a first thickness therebetween when the wheel is in the on-center position. An outer one of the gear teeth meshes with an outer groove to define a second gap having a second thickness that is greater than the first thickness when the wheel is in the off-center position.

Abstract: A steering apparatus for providing a variable speed output from a mechanical power source and a hydraulic power source is disclosed. The steering apparatus includes a rotatable housing, a hydraulic motor mounted within the rotatable housing. The hydraulic motor includes a rotor and a casing. The steering apparatus further includes a first output shaft connected to the rotor and a second output shaft connected to the casing. The first output shaft is configured to be selectively engaged and disengaged with the rotatable housing. The second output shaft is configured to be selectively engaged and disengaged with the rotatable housing.

Abstract: An oscillating gear device includes an axially fixed gear piece rotatable around a first axis and an axially oscillating gear piece that oscillates while being inclined with respect to the first axis. A plurality of pins held by one of the gear pieces engage with a plurality of tooth grooves of the other gear piece in engagement regions at a predetermined length in longitudinal directions of the pins. A formula rC0/rF0=ZC/ZF is satisfied, where rC0 is a distance between an arbitrary point on the central axis of the pin in a corresponding section corresponding to the engagement regions of the pin as viewed in the radial direction of the pin and the first axis, rF0 is a distance between the arbitrary point and the second axis, ZC is the number of pins of the one gear piece, and ZF is the number of tooth grooves of the other gear piece.

Abstract: A vehicle comprises a steering operation device, a pair of running-driving wheels, which differentially drive when the steering operation device is manipulated, a pair of steerable running wheels interlocking with the steering operation device, and a steering mechanism interposed between the steering operation device and the pair of running-driving wheels. The steering mechanism includes a pair of drive gears interlocking with the steering operation device and a pair of follower gears interlocking with the respective steerable running wheels. The drive gears mesh with the respective follower gears so as to control lateral turning of the respective steerable running wheels. A gear radius of the drive gear may be greater than that of the follower gear meshing with it. A gear ratio between the mutually meshing drive and follower gears may be variable.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pressure force device for a gear train (2) in a steering system, with a housing (3), wherein a first gear member (4) is disposed engaged with a second gear member (5) at the housing (3), and with a thrust transmitting member (6), wherein the thrust transmitting member (6) is slidably supported in a guide (8) at the housing (3) along an axis (7), wherein spring element (9) acts onto the thrust transmitting member (6) for pressing the first gear member (4) and the second gear member (5) against each other, wherein the thrust transmitting member (6) is furnished with a circumferential sealing element (10) against an exiting of lubricant from the housing (3).

Abstract: A rack and pinion steering apparatus which does not need quenching of the rack shaft after gear cutting of the rack shaft in manufacturing processes is provided. The rack and pinion steering apparatus comprises a pinion shaft and a rack shaft meshing with the pinion shaft. The rack shaft is formed to have a substantially uniform hardness.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for use in turning steerable vehicle wheels (12,14) includes a connector member (28) which connects a first end portion (70) of the rack (66) with a first steerable vehicle wheel (14). A second end portion (72) of the rack (66) is spaced from the second steerable vehicle wheel (12) and is free of a connection with a member which extends between the second end portion of the rack and the second steerable vehicle wheel. A force transmitting member (32) extends between the steerable vehicle wheels (12,14) and extends through a hydraulic motor (42). Upon rotation of a steering wheel, a valve connected with a pinion gear (62) effects operation of the motor (42) to turn the steerable vehicle wheels (12,14).

Abstract: A control apparatus comprises a target steering angle operation unit for operating target steering angles of front wheels and rear wheels, a steering increase/steering return determination unit for determining as to whether steering wheel manipulation is in an increasing state or in a return state, a target rotation center azimuth operation unit for operating a target rotation center azimuth so that a rotation center azimuth &thgr; is decreased in a case of steering increase and a rotation center azimuth &thgr; is increased in a case of steering return, a vehicle behavior estimation unit for estimating a vehicle behavior based on the target rotation center azimuth, a corrected target rotation center azimuth operation unit for operating a corrected target rotation center azimuth so that the vehicle behavior does not exceed a specified value, and a corrected target steering angle operation unit for operating a corrected target steering angle realizing the corrected target rotation center azimuth.

Abstract: A steering system for a vehicle is provided that includes a steering knuckle which is rotatable about an axis. The steering knuckle includes an upper attachment point and a lower attachment point. The attachment points define the steer axis. A rotational drive unit is connected to the steering knuckle for rotating the steering knuckle about the steer axis. A control module receives a steering input corresponding to the desired Ackerman angle and commands the rotational drive unit to rotate the steering knuckle about the axis to the desired Ackerman angle. Rotational drive units for each side of the vehicle ensure that the wheels are turned to the appropriate Ackerman angle for each wheel. The rotational drive unit may include an electric motor, or a pneumatic or hydraulic pump. In one preferred embodiment, the rotational drive unit includes a fluid housing and the shaft connected to the steering knuckle. The shaft includes a vane extending therefrom and into the housing.

Abstract: A fluid power assist rack and pinion steering system (12) for a vehicle having steerable wheels comprises a rack (66) connected with steering linkage of the vehicle for, upon movement of the rack, moving the steering linkage to effect turning of the steerable wheels. A rotatable pinion (64) is in meshing engagement with the rack (66). The steering system (12) also includes a control valve (22) comprising a valve core (40) rotatable relative to a valve sleeve (42). A first part (56) connects the valve sleeve (42) for rotation with the pinion (64). A mechanism (38) resists relative rotation between the valve core (40) and the valve sleeve (42) as vehicle speed increases by placing axial force on the valve sleeve. A second part (170) on the valve sleeve (42) resists axial movement of the valve sleeve relative to the valve core (40).

Abstract: In a wire-type steering device in which a steering wheel and a gear box are connected to each other by wires, one end of each inner cable of two Bowden wires are wound around a driving pulley which is mounted on a rotary shaft of a steering wheel. The inner cables are inserted through the inside of outer tubes fixed at their corresponding ends to a driving pulley housing. The direction of drawing of the Bowden wires from the driving pulley housing is offset at an angle .alpha. in a forward direction of a vehicle body relative to a plane perpendicular to the rotary shaft 12, thereby preventing the Bowden wires from being exposed inside of a vehicle compartment, and/or from interfering with an instrument panel and the like.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in turning steerable vehicle wheels (14, 16) includes first and second pistons (42, 44) which cooperate with a housing (46) to define first and second chambers (38, 40). A rotatable screw member (84) extends from one of the chambers (38) into one of the pistons (84). A valve (22) is connected with the screw member (84) and is operable between an unactuated condition and either one of two actuated conditions directing fluid pressure to the chambers. A steering linkage (18) is connected with the pistons (42, 44) at a location between the pistons. Upon operation of the valve (22) from the unactuated condition to the actuated condition, the pistons (42, 44) move in the chambers (38, 40) and turn the steerable vehicle wheels (14, 16). As the pistons (42, 44) move, a ball nut (86) connected with one of the pistons (42) effects rotation of the screw member (84) to operate the valve (22) toward the unactuated condition.

Abstract: A power assist steering system is provided for use on a vehicle that has a steering implement and a steering mechanism operatively connected to a first wheel. The power assist steering system includes first and second vacuum actuators, a vacuum for providing a vacuum to the first and second vacuum actuators, an actuator for selectively activating the first and second vacuum actuators and a power assist for assisting the steering mechanism in turning the first wheel in first and second directions.

Abstract: In a utility vehicle, a muffler accommodating chamber is defined in front of and below an engine mounted at a front portion of a vehicle frame. A rear wall of the muffler accommodating chamber is formed by a front axle frame which is mounted to extend between both of vertical frame portions of the vehicle frame and supports a front axle beam for rotatably supporting front wheels at its opposite ends. The front axle frame has a function to support the front axle beam, a function as a strength member in the form of a cross member, and a function as a member defining the muffler accommodating chamber. A driving gear is mounted to a steering shaft and thrust-supported by a lower surface of a support portion of a support frame which is fixedly mounted on the vehicle frame. A driven gear meshed with the driving gear and a pitman arm are connected to a rotary shaft whose axially upward movement is limited by the support portion and whose axially downward movement is limited by a bracket mounted to the vehicle frame.