Abstract: In one aspect of the present disclosure, a combined suspension and steering module is disclosed that is positionable between an in-hub motor and a body of a vehicle. The module includes a housing, an actuator connected to the housing and including first and second components, and a steering system that is in mechanical cooperation with the actuator to rotate at least one of the first and second components in relation to the housing. The second component is axially movable in relation to the first component and is configured for connection to the in-hub motor to transmit rotational force from the actuator to the in-hub motor to cause angular displacement of the in-hub motor to thereby steer the vehicle.

Abstract: A steering gear of a motor vehicle is fastened to a chassis via several bearing points, each of which includes, but is not limited to bolt penetrating eyes of the chassis and the steering gear and an elastic sleeve. The elastic sleeve of at least a first of the bearing points is accommodated in the eye of the chassis.

Abstract: In a broad respect, vehicles that are capable of making a low- to zero-radius turn using the independent rotation of drive wheels and by turning the non-driving steerable structure or structures (such as wheels) with a steering input device (in some embodiments, the driving wheels also may be capable of being turned). This may be accomplished using a steering system, a speed control system and an integration device (together, a control system) that are configured to work together to provide correct steering in forward and reverse, and, in some embodiments, to reduce the speed of the outboard drive wheel of the vehicle when it enters an extreme turn under constant speed input. Different systems configured for use in such vehicles are included.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling the speed and direction of vehicles such as tractors.

Abstract: A steering gear of a motor vehicle is fastened to a chassis via several bearing points, each of which includes, but is not limited to bolt penetrating eyes of the chassis and the steering gear and an elastic sleeve. The elastic sleeve of at least a first of the bearing points is accommodated in the eye of the chassis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the optional guiding of at least one self-steering wheel of a trolley. According to the invention, the wheel is of the type that is mounted on a support that pivots around a vertical axis. The device comprises: a push bar which forms a dual-articulated steering member that can be accessed by the user; means for rotating a first clutch part about the vertical axis in response to steering member movements; and means which can be used at will to couple and uncouple the first clutch part in relation to a second clutch part which is solidly connected to the aforementioned support of the wheel, in response to other steering member movements. In addition, a coin-operated locking device for preventing the movement of the trolley is built into a casing which houses a transmission element of the guiding device and which is fixed to the push bar of the trolley.

Abstract: Disclosed is a rack-assist type electric power steering apparatus, in which when a ball nut slides a rack bar while rotating, a vibration and a noise in the axis direction and the radial direction, generated from the rack bar and a rack housing, are absorbed. This facilitates the operation of the ball nut and the rack bar, and reduces the vibration and the noise, thereby resulting in an effect for providing a comfortable steering feeling to a driver.

Abstract: A steering mechanism that operates by shifting weight in the desired direction. One embodiment includes an arm perpendicularly hinged to the underside of a platform. Connected to the bottom of the arm is a pivoting axle, which is in turn linked to a series of gears that lead back to the platform to form concurrent motion between the platform and axle. Supporting the platform in place is a pair of springs fastened to the arm on hinged mounts secured in place by a pair of stationary mounts fixed to the platform.

Abstract: The golf cart has a main frame supported by driven rear wheels. A front axle with steered front wheels is pivotally attached to the main frame. A rear seat is pivotally attached to the main frame. The rear seat is pivotable to positions in which a physically challenged golfer can swing a club while supported by the rear seat and hit a ball on the left side, the right side or to the rear of the cart. A front seat is on a front seat post clamped to the frame. A tiller is pivotally attached to the front post. A drive sprocket is fixed to the tiller. A driven sprocket is journaled on the post. A roller chain is trained around the drive sprocket and the driven sprocket. A tie rod control arm is fixed to the driven sprocket and connected to the steered front wheels by tie rods.

Abstract: A device for reversing a steering movement of a steering wheel shaft of a vehicle includes a switching element movable between two switching positions to activate or deactivate the reversal of the steering movement. A mechanical actuating device includes a shaft which is rotatable in different rotational directions, and a slide for actuating the switching element. The slide can be moved along the axial direction of the shaft as a function of the rotational direction of the shaft in order to transfer the switching element between the switching positions.

Abstract: A variable rack stroke system includes a rack housing in which a rack bar is slidably disposed, a casing attached to the rack housing, an annular rotary member, an annular stationary member, and a switch. The annular rotary member includes grooves on an inner periphery thereof that face each other, and first protrusions protruding from the rotary member in an axial direction that have different thicknesses. The rotational phase of the rotary member is adjusted by the motor. The annular stationary member includes protruding parts on an outer periphery thereof that face each other, configured to be inserted into the grooves, and second protrusions protruding from the stationary member in the axial direction, that have different thicknesses and face the first protrusions. The stationary member is coupled with a ball joint to be coupled with the rack bar. The switch adjusts the rotational phase of the motor.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A structure for attaching an electrically-operated power steering apparatus for a vehicle. The structure includes a body frame, more specifically, sub slant frames having respective motor brackets for supporting an actuator unit. The motor brackets have bolts that fasten the actuator unit, and the bolts extend perpendicularly to a steering shaft. With this configuration, the structure is not affected by a manufacturing error of a body frame and other parts of the vehicle. Further, the structure takes account of a direction in which fastening means is tightened.

Abstract: A steering apparatus for an automotive vehicle is provided with an electric drive unit that varies a steering ratio between a road wheel angle and a steering wheel angle of the vehicle, a temperature sensor that detects a temperature of the electric drive unit, and a control unit including a steering ratio characteristic setting block that sets a characteristic of the steering ratio including a steering gain and a steering response rate in accordance with an operating state of the vehicle and, when the temperature of the electric drive unit exceeds a first temperature threshold, adjusts the steering response rate in such a manner that the steering response rate comes closer to a base steering response rate level as the temperature of the electric drive unit becomes increased and a drive block that drives the electric drive unit to vary the steering ratio according to the steering ratio characteristic.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrical steering device having a ring gear arrangement made of one ring gear (31), at least one flange (32), and at least one damper that couples the ring gear (31) and flange (32), wherein either the damper has a single damper element that is made of metal or that has metal components, or is made of at least a first damper element (34) and at least a second damper element (35; 35°; 35*), the two damper elements (34, 35; 34, 35°; 34, 35*) having different elasticities. The first damper element (34) has a non-linear spring characteristic line (h(34)) and the second damper element (35; 35°; 35*) has a linear or almost linear spring characteristic line (h(35)).

Abstract: A vehicular steering apparatus has a steering column connected to a steering wheel of a vehicle, a reduction gear mechanism and a pivot element. The reduction gear mechanism has a reduction gear assembly with a gear reduction for speed-power conversion, an input shaft connected between the reduction gear assembly and the steering column and an output shaft connected to the reduction gear assembly. The pivot element has a proximal end connected to the output shaft and a distal end connected to two tie rods of the vehicle. When the steering wheel is turned, the pivot element is pivoted with the transmission of the reduction gear mechanism to drive the tie rods to turn front wheels. The gear reduction provided by the reduction assembly converts a high rotational speed to a high torque such that the user can easily steer the steering column.

Abstract: A variable steering gear mechanism (9) is constructed of an external gear (15) connected to an input shaft (11), an internal gear (16) fixed to housing (10) and meshing with the external gear (15), an intermediate member (19) receiving a rotary force transmitted from the external gear (15), change means (18a, 31, 33a) capable of changing a rotation ratio of the output shaft (33) to a rotation of a guide member (18), and an Oldham coupling (17) connecting the intermediate member (19) to the guide member (18). When a speed reduction ratio thereof is set to, e.g., 6:1, it follows that the input member (18) of the change means makes a ¼ rotation (rotates through 90 degrees) during one-sided 1.5 rotations (540 degrees) of the input shaft (11), whereby a characteristic of the change means can be effectively utilized.

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: An electric power steering apparatus (10) includes a steering wheel (21), a steering shaft (22), a rack-and-pinion mechanism (25), and a rack shaft (26) connected to the steering wheel through the steering shaft and the rack-and-pinion mechanism. The rack shaft is connected to vehicle wheels (29, 29). The electric power steering apparatus further includes a first electric motor (41) for producing a motive power to be applied to the steering shaft, and a second electric motor (51) for producing a motive power to be applied to the rack shaft.

Abstract: The present invention provides a variable steering gear ratio apparatus adapted to adjust the steering gear ratio based on the vehicle speed and steering angle, thereby facilitating steering manipulation by applying a small steering gear ratio when the vehicle comes to a parked state, the vehicle speed is low, or the steering angle is large. By applying a large steering gear ratio when the vehicle speed is high or the steering angle is small, the steering stability of the vehicle improves.

Abstract: A vehicle steering system is configured to avoid contact between wheels and wheel housings when the wheels are steered and to enlarge the maximum steering angle. The vehicle steering system has a steering knuckle that supports a wheel for rotation about a wheel axis and a pivotal movement about a steering axis. The steering knuckle is coupled to a first end part of an extension link. A second end part of the extension link is connected to an arm through a control rod. The extension link is pivotally sustained around a steering axis. The arm is connected to a front end of a knuckle arm through a tie rod. When the arm turns, the second end part of the extension link is pulled inside through the control rod, and the steering knuckle situated on rear end of the control rod is pushed outwardly. At the same time, the arm steers the steering knuckle through the tie rod.

Abstract: A worm 1 is composed of an annular tooth body 11 having a tooth 10 on the outer surface thereof, a core body 12 inserted inside the annular tooth body 11; and an elastic coupler 13, which can be transformed in the radial direction, for coupling the core body 12 with the annular tooth body 11. The worm 1 is engaged with the worm wheel with the elastic coupler 13 being transformed in the radial direction in such a manner that a negative amount of backlash is generated at the engagement portion. This can be also employed for the worm wheel. With a reduction gear combination having this structure, the backlash amount at the engagement portion can be adjusted to a proper amount without selecting elements such as the worm and the worm wheel to be assembled.

Abstract: An arrangement is provided for folding and stowing of a steering assembly in combination with virtually any nature of wheeled devices which include at least one “steerable” wheel, so that a more thin, stowed profile is achieved. All components of the steering assembly/dashboard are integrated into a generally parallel plane and profile without use of a separate “steering column,” so that the assembly, when folded, is conveniently stowed within the side elevational profile of the wheeled device. The folding steering assembly embodiments may be adapted to any steerable wheeled devices, with fixed or stowable wheels, whether user occupied, or remote controlled, and including wheeled devices specially equipped with implements (e.g., material handling, imaging, scientific or measurement, agricultural, landscaping, lawn-mowing as but a few examples).

Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle steering apparatus including a variable gear ratio mechanism which is provided in a steering force transmitting system, and a lock mechanism which restricts relative rotation of an input shaft and an output shaft of the transmitting ratio changing mechanism. The lock mechanism is engaged by inserting a lock arm in a indented portion of a lock holder of the lock mechanism. A play angle when the lock mechanism is engaged by inserting the lock arm in the indented portion is set to be smaller than a rotational angle of a motor which is required for outputting six different signals.

Abstract: A steering apparatus for a four-wheeled vehicle transmits a steering force through a steering shaft, a reduction gear mechanism, a steering lever and right and left tie rods to right and left knuckles. The reduction gear mechanism includes a pinion gear turned by the steering shaft, and steering gear engaged with the pinion gear mounted on a lever shaft. The pinion gear and the steering gear are cut in a taper and both of the gears are press-engaged together in an axial direction by a spring so that no backlash is formed between the pinion gear and the steering gear.

Abstract: A gear assembly comprising a linear differential disposed at the gear assembly wherein the linear differential has a predetermined ratio from an input shaft to an output shaft, the ratio being adjustable by axially rotating the linear differential. A method of adjusting steering output as compared to steering input, which comprises powering a motor in operable communication with a worm and worm gear mechanism and rotating the worm and the worm gear mechanism fixed to a differential carrier. The method also comprises rotating the differential carrier, which comprises an input sun gear meshed with input differential planet gear, an input differential planet gear meshed with an output differential planet gear, and an output sun gear meshed with the output differential planet gear. The method further comprises rotating the output sun gear fixed to a differential output shaft.

Abstract: A steering apparatus for a four-wheeled vehicle transmits a steering force through a steering shaft, a spur gear type reduction gear mechanism, a steering lever and right and left tie rods to right and left knuckles. The reduction gear mechanism includes a pinion gear formed integrally with a pinion shaft, a steering gear mounted on a lever shaft which is combined with the steering lever, and a gear case housing the pinion gear and the steering gear. The steering gear has internal teeth which are engaged with the pinion gear. The lever shaft has a first end portion supported in a bearing held on the gear case. The bearing permits the lever shaft to be turned therein. The lever shaft also has a second end portion supported in a bearing hole. The bearing hole is elongated along the back-and-forth direction so that the second end portion of the lever shaft is able to be shifted along the back-and-forth direction.

Abstract: A base transmission ratio Gbase is determined according to the vehicle speed and a compensation amount &agr; is determined for each of feed steering case and return steering case during acceleration/deceleration. Based on this, the transmission ratio G of a transmission ratio varying mechanism is set as G=Gbase+&agr;.

Abstract: A steering apparatus (10) for use in a vehicle (12) having a steerable road wheel (14) includes a steering member (30) supporting the road wheel for rotation relative to the steering member. A vehicle suspension part (22) supports the steering member (30) for pivotal movement about a steering axis (42). The vehicle suspension part (22) has a housing portion (26) defining a chamber (50). A piston (52) is located in the chamber (50) and divides the chamber into first and second chamber portions (56, 58). The piston (52) is movable in response to changes in fluid pressure in the chamber portions (56, 58). An output shaft (90) is rotatable in opposite directions in response to movement of the piston (52) in opposite directions. The output shaft (90) is connected to the steering member (30) to pivot the steering member about the steering axis (42) upon rotation of the output shaft.