Differential Steering Patents (Class 280/93.506)
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Patent number: 8944448Abstract: A trochoid drive system includes: a supporting part to support one wheel having a wheel axle perpendicular to a steering axle that is spaced from an output axle and turns about the output axle; and a steering part that turns in synchronization with the steering axle, the steering part being configured so that a position thereof relative to the output axle is displaceable on a turning plane. The steering part includes: a first link system configured to adjust a steering angle q of the wheel by rotating the wheel axle about the steering axle in association with the displacement; and a second link system jointed to the first link system to adjust a camber angle of the wheel by tilting the wheel axle by an angle corresponding to the steering angle on a plane perpendicular to a plane parallel to the steering angle.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2012Date of Patent: February 3, 2015Assignee: Osaka UniversityInventor: Taro Maeda
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Publication number: 20140110915Abstract: A trochoid drive system includes: a supporting part to support one wheel having a wheel axle perpendicular to a steering axle that is spaced from an output axle and turns about the output axle; and a steering part that turns in synchronization with the steering axle, the steering part being configured so that a position thereof relative to the output axle is displaceable on a turning plane. The steering part includes: a first link system configured to adjust a steering angle q of the wheel by rotating the wheel axle about the steering axle in association with the displacement; and a second link system jointed to the first link system to adjust a camber angle of the wheel by tilting the wheel axle by an angle corresponding to the steering angle on a plane perpendicular to a plane parallel to the steering angle.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2012Publication date: April 24, 2014Inventor: Taro Maeda
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Patent number: 8328218Abstract: Disclosed commuter vehicles include a chassis that includes a frame, opposed first and second steerable front wheels, a trailing rear wheel, and a linear-input steering mechanism for controlling an orientation of the first and second steerable front wheels. The commuter vehicles also include a drive-train for transmitting rotational motion and torque from a power-input source to rotational motion of the trailing rear wheel, and a body defining a cockpit and being supported by the chassis. An outer-most lateral dimension of the body corresponds to a maximum outer-most lateral dimension of the commuter vehicle. Embodiments of linear-input steering mechanisms compatible with commuter vehicles being so dimensioned as to fit through an open door are described.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2009Date of Patent: December 11, 2012Assignee: Columbia Cycle Works, LLCInventor: Philip A. Rush
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Publication number: 20120235373Abstract: A method and apparatus for steering wheels of at least one vehicle axle with a double-pivot steering system having a load adjusting device associated with the wheels and using the load adjusting device to modify a contact force of a wheel on the vehicle axle, during cornering, to adopt an angle of steering lock for a wheel on an outside bend that is larger than an angle of steering lock for a wheel on an inside bend.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2012Publication date: September 20, 2012Inventors: Ralf Hintzen, Thomas Gerhards, Friedrich Peter Wolf-Monheim, Paul Zandbergen
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Patent number: 8262109Abstract: A steering apparatus for a zero-turn radius vehicle using a steering mechanism coupled to a first set of wheel assemblies by a plurality of cables. User input to the steering mechanism causes the cables to turn the first set of wheel assemblies about a vertical axis. Specifically, the cables link the steering mechanism to cam mechanisms that are attached to each wheel assembly. The design of the cam mechanism, which preferably includes two cams of varying radii, enables the two wheel assemblies to rotate about their vertical axes at varied degrees of rotation and greater than ninety degrees from the forward facing position, thereby resulting in zero-turn radius capability.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2012Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited PartnershipInventors: Douglas W. Bell, Bryce E. Steenburg
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Patent number: 8056911Abstract: In summary, there is provided a front axle mounting assembly (100) which is suitable for a tractor or a construction vehicle for example. The assembly comprises a steerable front axle (130), which is typically the front axle on a tractor, and a pair of support arms (120) which extend forwardly from the main body of the vehicle. The arms are pivotally mounted to the body of the vehicle, for example, at the front of the chassis, at transversely spaced mounting points (121). The other ends of the arms (120) are pivotally attached to, and maintained at a fixed spacing, by a crosslink member (124). The axle (130) is mounted to the crosslink member (124) so as to be parallel thereto when viewed from above. By mounting the axle (130) on two support arms (120) instead of one, the effective radius of pivot of the axle is significantly increased, thereby allowing the axle to move sideways to a greater extent for a given angular displacement.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2008Date of Patent: November 15, 2011Assignee: AGCO SAInventor: Geoffroy Husson
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Patent number: 7922184Abstract: Steering mechanism for orienting the steered wheels (1a-d) of a short vehicle with respect to the chassis, comprising one first vertical axis (2) per steered wheel, allowing each steered wheel (1a-d) to pivot with respect to said chassis and a first link (5a-d) allowing a torque to be applied to each steered wheel to make it pivot around said first vertical axis. The inner end of the link is able to slide along a straight rail (11a-d) which in turn is rotatably mounted with respect to the chassis 60. A second link (6a-d) not parallel to the wheels forces the first link (5a-d) to slide in a defined manner along a rail (11a-d). This makes possible the differentiated orientation of the left and right wheels. Advantage: very small turning radius. Particularly applicable to electric chairs for the disabled.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2009Date of Patent: April 12, 2011Assignee: 4Power4 SPRLInventor: Francois Porcheron
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Publication number: 20110018230Abstract: The center-pivot vehicle has forward and rearward sections with traversing means for traversing terrain. A rotary actuator connects the forward and rearward sections. Rotation of the rotary actuator articulates the forward and rearward sections relative to each other for steering the vehicle. The present invention also includes a method for controlling articulation of a center-pivot vehicle which includes connecting first and second sections of the center-pivot vehicle together with a rotary actuator, powering the rotary actuator with an engine and providing a steering input by an operator for operating the rotary actuator for rotating the rotary actuator and articulating the first and second sections of the vehicle relative to each other for turning the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2009Publication date: January 27, 2011Applicant: ROOSE MFG. COMPANYInventor: GERALD L. ROOSE
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Patent number: 7857079Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2009Date of Patent: December 28, 2010Assignee: Kanzaki Kokyukoki Mfg. Co., Ltd.:Inventor: Koji Irikura
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Publication number: 20100109273Abstract: An intermediate shaft is provided which connects a steering shaft and a steering gear mechanism together via a universal joint, a shoulder bolt is provided which fastens one of yokes of the universal joint and a shaft portion of the intermediate shaft and on which a small diameter portion and a large diameter portion which are adapted to be brought into engagement with an outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion are formed sequentially from a distal end portion side, and the intermediate shaft has a bolt engagement recess portion which is formed on an outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion in such a manner as to extend in a direction which intersects an axial direction and which is adapted to be brought into engagement with the large diameter portion of the shoulder bolt and a dislocation preventive projecting portion which is formed on an outer circumferential surface of an end portion thereof, whereby a temporary fastening is implemented by bringing the small diameter portion of the shType: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2008Publication date: May 6, 2010Applicant: NSK LTD.Inventors: Seiichi Moriyama, Hiromichi Komori, Tsuyoshi Itou, Masaharu Igarashi, Yoshiro Udo
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Patent number: 7644940Abstract: The invention relates to a transmission mechanism (20) of a progressive gear (1), especially a steering gear for a vehicle, comprising a seating for each of an input shaft (10) and an output shaft (30). The transmission mechanism (20) according to the invention consists of a movable coupler (21) which is in articulated connection with the input shaft (10) and the output shaft (30) so that transmission from the input shaft (10) to the output shaft (30) with a progressive characteristic is achieved in the range ?180° to +180°. The advantage of such a gear (1) lies in the simple and therefore economical production of the apparatus and in its low space requirement. The absence of play in the mechanism and the direct transmission of forces by virtue of the individual components having suitable angles with respect to one another are further advantages.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2004Date of Patent: January 12, 2010Inventors: Werner M. Bless, Erwin Rott
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Patent number: 7493975Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2007Date of Patent: February 24, 2009Assignee: Kanzaki Kokyukoki Mfg. Co., Ltd.Inventor: Koji Irikura
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Patent number: 7458431Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2006Date of Patent: December 2, 2008Assignee: Kanzaki Kokyukoki Mfg. Co., Ltd.Inventor: Koji Irikura
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Patent number: 7441627Abstract: The control system of a vehicle controls the transmission ratio of the steering angle of a steering wheel relative to a turning angle of front wheels based on a drive force distribution ratio. Thus, the performance of the tires on the front wheels can be used to almost maximum potential, providing effective prevention of understeering.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2005Date of Patent: October 28, 2008Assignee: Jtekt CorporationInventors: Takayuki Ohta, Shinji Takeuchi, Minekazu Momiyama, Hiroaki Kato, Tsuyoshi Murakami
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Patent number: 7258364Abstract: The invention relates to a translation mechanism (20) on a progressive gear (1), preferably a steering gear on a vehicle, with an input shaft (10) and an output shaft (30). Said translation mechanism (20) comprises three moving parts (21, 23), which are jointed together and fixed to levers (11, 31) on the input shaft (10) and the output shaft (30), such that a translation with a linear progression in the range ?180° to +180° is achieved from the input shaft (11) to the output shaft (30). The advantage of a said translation mechanism (20) lies in the lack of play in the mechanism and the direct force transfer due to the suitable relative angles of the individual components and the economical production thereof.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2003Date of Patent: August 21, 2007Inventors: Werner Bless, Erwin Rott
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Patent number: 7134981Abstract: A steering quickener including at least a housing and a cap, an immobile stationary gear, an input shaft, two or more planetary gears, a drive pin, an output gear, thrust washer, an output shaft, at least one roller bearing and at least one O-ring is provided.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2004Date of Patent: November 14, 2006Assignee: New Concept Products, Inc.Inventor: Kelly J. Molenaar
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Patent number: 7044244Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2005Date of Patent: May 16, 2006Inventor: Koji Irikura
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Patent number: 6951259Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2002Date of Patent: October 4, 2005Inventor: Koji Irikura
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Patent number: 6709013Abstract: There is disclosed lever steering apparatus for a land vehicle with steerable and independently suspended front wheels having left and right steering levers at the driver position. The left and right steering levers are coupled by lever mechanisms and an elongated rod to move in opposite directions. Left and right fore and aft links extend from the left and right steering levers to the left and right front wheels to transmit steering motion displacement to the steerable front wheels causing rotation of the axles of the wheels about a vertical axis. A controller arm connected to each wheel stub axles is connected to the forward end of a fore and aft link for steering motion of a front wheel. The control arm fore and aft link combination causes each wheel steering motion to have a predetermined relation to motion of the corresponding link.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2002Date of Patent: March 23, 2004Assignee: University of ArkansasInventors: David A. Renfroe, Joe Partain