Abstract: A vehicle and a suspension system for the vehicle are disclosed. The suspension system includes a first suspension corner assembly adapted to support a structure of the vehicle and a second suspension corner assembly adapted to support the structure. The first suspension corner assembly includes a first bell crank and the second suspension corner assembly includes a second bell crank. The suspension system also includes an actuator device attached to the first and second bell cranks to selectively change at least one of a first spring rate and a preload.

Abstract: A steering system for a vehicle includes a sector shaft defining a bore therein and rotatable about a central longitudinal axis. The steering system also includes a lash adjuster translatable within the bore along the central longitudinal axis. In addition, the steering system includes an end cap cover abutting the lash adjuster and spaced apart from the sector shaft to define a first cavity between the end cap cover and the sector shaft, and a housing abutting the end cap cover and spaced apart from the sector shaft to define a second cavity between the housing and the sector shaft. The steering system also includes a seal surrounding and abutting the sector shaft, wherein the seal separates the first cavity from the second cavity.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to a steering device for tractor and, more particularly, to a steering device for a tractor for enabling front wheels of the tractor to be turned to an angle over or approximate to a right angle with respect to the longitudinal direction of the tractor by means of a driver manipulating a steering handle, thus making it possible to increase the steering angle of the front wheels and making the turning of the front wheels smoother, whereby the tractor can turn around in place and easily perform different kinds of tasks, for example, a task required in a limited space, a task where there is a need for turning the tractor around in place, etc.

Abstract: An adapter for interconnecting two bicycles in a side-by-side configuration, wherein the adapter comprises a plurality of articulating joints to permit the joined bicycles to articulate or tilt in coordination while being ridden. The present invention further includes various tilting mechanisms and braking systems to achieve and maintain desired tilted positions of the joined or interconnected bicycles.

Abstract: A steering device for a motor vehicle has a steering wheel which is connected in a rotationally fixed fashion to a steering shaft which is continuously hollow and through which at least an electrical conductor is led in order to make electrical connection with steering-wheel-side equipment. The conductor, in particular flexible conductor tracks, highly flexible cables, and/or flat conductor ribbons, is guided in an axial direction through the entire steering shaft, and emerges therefrom at the two ends of the steering shaft, and is surrounded essentially by a protective device. The protective device has two protective tubes which can be changed in length in the axial direction, in particular by moving them in and out in a telescopic fashion.

Abstract: Steering control apparatuses and methods for a vehicle are provided. A steering control apparatus can include a steering shaft drivingly linked to a pair of front wheels of a vehicle. A movable steering handle can also be provided and disposed about the steering shaft, with the steering handle being capable of selectively turning the pair of front wheels to direct the movement of the vehicle. A first and second brake clutch mechanism for engaging and disengaging first and second drive wheels, respectively, can be provided. First and second brake clutch control levers can selectively control the first and second brake clutch mechanism, respectively, to engage and disengage the first and second drive wheels. The steering handle can include a coupling base.

Abstract: A vehicle steering apparatus (10) includes a steering gear assembly (20) which is connected with a steerable vehicle wheel (12). A first sensor (26) has an output signal which is a function of steering wheel position. A second sensor (28) has an output signal which is a function of steerable wheel position. A controller (30) is operable to provide an output signal when the steerable vehicle wheel position does not correspond to the steering wheel position. A motor (34) is connected with a differential gear mechanism (36). The motor (34) is operable in response to the output signal from the controller (30) to effect operation of the differential gear mechanism (36) to actuate the steering gear assembly (20) and change the position of the steerable vehicle wheel (12).

Abstract: A cable-type steering device in which the steering gear ratio can be varied in accordance with the position of a steering wheel comprises operating cables wound around an outer peripheral surface of a driving pulley rotatably connected to a steering wheel and an outer peripheral surface of a follower pulley rotatably connected to a steering gear box for steering wheels so that a steering torque input to the steering wheel is transmitted through the operating cables to the steering gear box. The driving pulley is of a barrel-shape with the diameter being larger at an axially central portion and smaller at axially opposite ends. The follower pulley is of a bobbin-shape or sand-clock-shape with the diameter being smaller at an axially central portion and larger at axially opposite ends. Thus, the steering gear ratio (a ratio of the steering angle of the steering wheel/a transmitted steering angle for the wheels) can be varied in accordance with the position of the steering wheel.

Abstract: A steering system for motor vehicles, in which a steering member or steering wheel and the steered vehicle wheels are hydraulically positively coupled for the steering actuation of the wheels. An additional servo system is provided which is responsive to torque transmitted between the steering wheel and master unit of the hydraulic system.

Abstract: An arrangement controls the steering angle of a motor vehicle and the like which contains a user-controllable operating element and a vehicle longitudinal speed sensor system. A steering angle adjusting device is coupled with the longitudinal speed sensor system and the operating element such that the desired steering angle value is indicated as a function of the control force exercised on the operating element and the sensed longitudinal speed of the vehicle. Control element deflection devices deflect the operating element corresponding to the respective existing actual steering angle value.

Abstract: A steerable drive axle for improved steering is provided. The steerable drive axle includes a drive shaft housing and at least one axle shaft. A portion of the axle shaft is rotatably supported by a bearing in the drive shaft housing. The drive shaft housing has an actuator recess disposed therein. The steerable drive axle further includes a wheel drive shaft supported by a wheel bearing assembly in a wheel bearing support. An angle drive assembly connects the axle shaft to the wheel drive shaft, and a pivot assembly pivotally attaches the drive shaft housing to the wheel bearing support. In addition, the steerable drive axle includes an actuator coupled between the drive shaft housing and the pivot assembly. A portion of the actuator is located within the actuator recess of the drive shaft housing when the pivot assembly is pivoted relative to the housing.

Abstract: A cleaning vehicle including an all-wheel steering mechanism. First, second and third wheels are mounted to the vehicle for rotation about respective first, second and third rotational axes and for pivotal movement about respective first, second and third pivot axes. The first and second wheels are located transversely across from one another and are both driven by a drive mechanism. The steering mechanism includes a pivot arm pivotally attached to the vehicle. A first steering linkage operatively connects the pivot arm to the first wheel, a second steering linkage operatively connects the pivot arm to the second wheel, and a third steering linkage operatively connects the pivot arm to the third wheel. Pivotal movement of the pivot arm causes conjoint pivotal movement of the first and second wheels in a first pivotal direction and pivotal movement of the third wheel in a second opposite pivotal direction.

Abstract: There is disclosed a steering system for a wheeled vehicle, particularly one with independent suspension of the steerable wheels, which is characterized by the lack of any necessity for a direct physical linkage between steering control arms of the left and right wheels and by the use of separate, independent fluid pressure cylinder pairs connected by fluid pressure conduit for imparting motion to the respective steerable wheels. Coordination between the angular motion of the left and right steerable wheels is attained by a direct mechanical linkage between actuator members of the hydraulic cylinders remote from the wheel suspension which linkage can be arranged for non-linear relative motion which will result in desired coordinated but unequal motion of left and right steerable wheels. Such linkage between actuator members is operated directly or indirectly by the steering wheel, steering levers, or other device.

Abstract: An automobile suspension includes a suspension member coupled to a vehicle body, a disc-shaped actuator mechanism detachably supported on the suspension member, and a knuckle having a swingable support shaft swingably supported for swinging movement about a central pivot through which the axis of the disc-shaped actuator mechanism passes, the knuckle being adapted to support a wheel rotatably. The disc-shaped actuator mechanism includes a pair of actuators disposed thereon at respective positions spaced substantially equally from the central pivot and located on at least one straight line passing through the central pivot, the actuators pivotally supporting the knuckle, respectively, for causing the knuckle to be angularly moved about the central pivot.