Abstract: An air reservoir for a steering axle is mounted on a trailer, the steering axle comprising a pair of rotation pivoting wheel assemblies. Each wheel assembly has a rotation plate and a steering arm connected thereto. A rod pivotally connects the steering arms, each wheel assembly being rotatably connected to either end of the axle. An air stabilizer assembly is mounted on the axle and is connected to the rod, the air stabilizer assembly having an inflatable damper assembly thereon. An air supply is fluidly connected to an air inlet on the axle, the air inlet being fluidly connected to the damper assembly. The air stabilizer assembly dampens pivotal movement of the wheel assemblies when compressed air from the air reservoir fills the damper assembly. The air stabilizer assembly allows the wheel assemblies to rotate more freely when pressure of the compressed air within the damper assembly is reduced.

Abstract: A pneumatic steering system includes a cylinder movable in relation to a through rod, steering tie rods coupled to the cylinder, a control valve that controls motion of the cylinder in relation to the through rod, a spring-biased pivoting actuator operably coupled to a steering linkage and to a control input of the control valve. The actuator is pivotally mounted to a structure attached to the cylinder. The control valve is attached to that structure. The steering linkage is an articulated assembly that transforms rotation of the steering column into pivoting movement of the actuator.

Abstract: Vehicle suspension systems are described herein. An example wheel steering apparatus includes a steering actuator to couple to a rear axle, a tie rod, and a transfer link to couple the steering actuator and the tie rod. The steering actuator is positioned on a first side of a first longitudinal axis of the rear axle and the tie rod positioned on a second side of the first longitudinal axis of the rear axle opposite the first side.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new hydraulic stabilizing unit that can be mounted onto any self-steering axle assembly that utilises a pneumatic stabilizing system. The hydraulic stabilizer works in conjunction with the pneumatic stabilizer to eliminate a “dead zone” of the pneumatic system to avoid wheel shimmy and hop conditions associated with out of specification caster angles on the axle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a steering apparatus for turning front wheels of a tractor. More particularly, the present invention provides a steering apparatus for tractors which includes a steering cylinder provided with left and right cylinder rods which are extended and retracted to the left and the right by steering force transmitted by hydraulic pressure when the driver manipulates the steering wheel, wherein swing links are respectively hinged to ends of the left and right cylinder rods, thus forming a first four-bar link structure, and second four-bar link structures are respectively formed on left and right ends of the first four-bar link structure so that the front wheels can be turned, whereby an angle range within which the front wheels can be turned can be increased.

Abstract: An axle beam for an industrial vehicle has a beam and a boss. The beam is supported on a vehicle body. The boss is provided at opposite ends of the beam for supporting a kingpin. The beam includes at a longitudinally middle thereof a portion having a closed cross-section perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the beam and is shaped at the portion to form a space which is surrounded by a front and rear and a top and bottom of the beam. The portion is formed by welding two members or by one tube member.

Abstract: The invention relates to a steer-by-wire steering system comprising a hydraulic control unit that acts on the steerable wheels (1, 20), the control unit having at least one cradle (4, 23), which is displaceably mounted on at least one guide rod (5, 24) that passes through the respective cradle (4, 23). The respective cradle (4, 23) and the corresponding guide rod(s) (5, 24) form working chambers (A11, A12, A21, A22) of a piston-cylinder system, whereby each respective guide rod (5, 24) has at least one channel (KA11, KA12, KA21, KA22), each terminating in the vicinity of a working chamber (A11, A12, A21, A22). The cradle or cradles (4, 23) adjust the steerable wheels (1, 20) directly or by means of steering tie rods (2, 21).

Abstract: The hydraulic steering mechanism according to the present invention includes an axle case, a first steering case, a second steering case, a first arm, a second arms, a third arm, a hydraulic actuator, and a tie rod. The first, second and third arms are provided to the first steering case, the second steering case and the axle case, respectively. The hydraulic actuator includes a cylinder and a piston for moving with respect to each other by an action of hydraulic pressure. The first and second arms have tie rod mounting portions to which the tie rod is mounted. At least one of the first and second arms has a first hydraulic actuator mounting portion to which one of the cylinder and the piston in the hydraulic actuator is mounted. The third arm has a second hydraulic actuator mounting portion to which the other of the cylinder and the piston in the hydraulic actuator is mounted.

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: Method and arrangement for operating self-steering wheels on a non-driving axle (3) in a vehicle, which wheels (1, 2) are each mounted on their own stub axle (4, 5) and connected to a tie rod (8). The axle (3) and one (4) of the stub axles are connected by a cylinder (12) with two separate chambers (16, 17), each chamber having an individually adjustable piston (22, 23), the cylinder (12) having a first, freely movable state, in which its length is variable, and a second, pressurized state, in which its length (S3) is fixed, and in that each chamber (16, 17) has at least one connection (18, 19, 20, 21) for pressure medium for acting on the respective piston (22, 23) in the cylinder (12).

Abstract: A steering system for rear wheels of a trailer for more easily and precisely steering a back end of the trailer when the trailer is moving in a reverse direction. The steering system for rear wheels of a trailer includes a steering assembly mountable on the trailer for pivotally moving the rear wheels of the trailer. A joining member is provided for joining the steering assembly to the cab of the semi-truck. A first end of the joining member is operationally coupled to the steering assembly and second end of the joining member is operationally coupled to an actuator assembly for actuating the joining member.

Abstract: A rear wheel steering apparatus for steering the rear wheels of a vehicle supported on a multi-link suspension includes a live axle and a track bar pivotally connecting the axle to a vehicle frame. Steering knuckles at opposite ends of the axle support road wheels for rotation and for steering. Steering arms extend from the steering knuckles and a drag link extends between and interconnects the steering arms. An actuator is connected between the frame and the drag link and steers the rear road wheels by alternately pushing and pulling on the drag link.

Abstract: A steering device comprises a rigid steering axle (12) pivotable about a substantially horizontal axis, the wheels (5) of which are driven by a cardan shaft (4) arranged between the steering axle and the transmission (2) the transmission being spaced apart from the steering axle, comprising a power steering gear (22) actuatable by a steering wheel (14) and a steering shaft (23), the power steering gear having a pinion (30), which is connected with the steering linkage of the steering axle, and comprising a steering cylinder being an integral part of the steering linkage, the steering cylinder being actuatable by fluid under pressure supplied by the power steering gear, characterized in that a steering cylinder (21) is positioned coaxially with respect to the cardan shaft (4), the steering cylinder being connected with the steering axle (12) and comprising a hollow piston rod (28) to receive the cardan shaft (4), and that a first toothed rack (29) of the piston rod of the steering cylinder is in driving connec

Abstract: A device for reducing the steering angle of a rack and pinion steering system for motor vehicles, having a rack which is located between the tie-rods of the wheels to be steered, is connected to these tie-rods, is mounted displaceably in a housing and has radially thickened connecting regions between the ends of the rack and the respectively adjacent tie-rod in which the thickened regions limit the steering angle by striking against the rack housing, is intended to be of simple construction and to be easily retrofitted. In particular, retrofitting is not intended to require any readjustment and measurement of the track of the steered wheels. To this end, this device includes at least two approximately U-shaped spacer clips and retaining regions on the rack adjacent the radially thickened connecting regions. The retaining regions accommodate attachment of the spacer clips with direct contact between one of the clips and a respective radial thickened region.

Abstract: A steering system (10) for a four wheel drive, live axle vehicle (12) includes a rack and pinion steering gear assembly (80) including an elongate rack (100) having a longitudinal axis (102) and extending axially through a rack housing (82). The rack (100) is movable axially in the rack housing (82) in response to rotation of the vehicle steering wheel (104). A first end portion (108) of the rack (100) projects axially from the rack housing (82). A drag link (60) is connected between the first end portion of the rack and one of the first and second steering arms (40, 44) for transmitting steering force to the one (40) of the first and second steering arms. The drag link (60) is pivotally connected with the rack (100) at a location (130) on the rack axis (102). The drag link (60) has a kinematic axis (68) which extends generally parallel to the rack axis (102).

Abstract: A controllable slide car for controllably simulating oversteer and understeer conditions in a moving automobile. The controllable slide car comprises a rear steering linkage assembly that attaches to the rear wheel mounting assemblies of an automobile and a controller for controllably steering the rear steering linkage assembly. The controller is powered by the battery of the automobile and manually controlled by a control unit to steer the rear wheel mounting assemblies.