A leading-edge steering system is provided for a front suspension of an off-road vehicle. The leading-edge steering system is comprised of a spindle assembly that supports a drive axle assembly to conduct torque from a transaxle to a front wheel. A first rod-end joint pivotally couples an upper suspension arm and the spindle assembly, and a second rod-end joint pivotally couples a lower suspension arm and the spindle assembly. A steering rod-end joint pivotally couples a first end of a steering rod with a leading-edge portion of the spindle assembly. A steering gear is coupled with a second end of the steering rod and configured to move the steering rod, such that the spindle assembly rotates with respect to the upper and lower suspension arms. The leading-edge portion is configured to exert primarily tensile forces on the steering rod during travel over rough terrain.

A leading-edge steering system is provided for a front suspension of an off-road vehicle. The leading-edge steering system is comprised of a spindle assembly that supports a drive axle assembly to conduct torque from a transaxle to a front wheel. A first rod-end joint pivotally couples an upper suspension arm and the spindle assembly, and a second rod-end joint pivotally couples a lower suspension arm and the spindle assembly. A steering rod-end joint pivotally couples a first end of a steering rod with a leading-edge portion of the spindle assembly. A steering gear is coupled with a second end of the steering rod and configured to move the steering rod, such that the spindle assembly rotates with respect to the upper and lower suspension arms. The leading-edge portion is configured to exert primarily tensile forces on the steering rod during travel over rough terrain.

A ball screw device is provided, including a retainer that can properly retain balls. The difference between a diameter being the pitch circle diameter of the ball screw device and the outside diameter of the rack shaft is set to be equal to or larger than the difference between the bore diameter of a ball screw nut and the diameter. The thickness center diameter of the retainer is set to be smaller than the diameter. Even when the inclination angle is reduced, the clearance between the inclined surfaces of each retainer groove on the radial inside can be easily set to be smaller than the diameter of the balls because the bore diameter of the retainer is set to be smaller. Thus, even when the inclination angle of the inclined surfaces is set to be smaller, the balls can be properly retained.

A steering axle (20) for a steerable vehicle includes an axle housing (1), a first steering knuckle (4), a second steering knuckle (5), a steering motor (6), and a steering gear (16). The first steering knuckle (4) and the second steering knuckle (5) are mounted so as to be steerable in the axle housing (1). The steering axle (20) has a first flexible drive (21) that connects a first output (12) of the steering gear (16) to the first steering knuckle (4) in terms of drive, and a second flexible drive (22) that connects a second output (13) of the steering gear (16) to the second steering knuckle (5) in terms of drive, so that a rotational speed of the steering motor (6) results in a steering movement of the first steering knuckle (4) and of the second steering knuckle (5). Also disclosed is a corresponding industrial truck.

An hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) drives front wheels by a motor-generator via drive shafts by use of electricity generated by an internal combustion engine (ICE). A lower portion of the internal combustion engine is locate on a front side of a lower portion of the motor-generator in the vehicle body with being distanced therefrom. A steering gearbox is placed between the internal combustion engine and the motor-generator and located on a front side of the drive shafts. According to this configuration, driving stability, steering feeling, and noise and vibration can be balanced at a high level.

An hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) drives front wheels by a motor-generator via drive shafts by use of electricity generated by an internal combustion engine (ICE). A lower portion of the internal combustion engine is locate on a front side of a lower portion of the motor-generator in the vehicle body with being distanced therefrom. A steering gearbox is placed between the internal combustion engine and the motor-generator and located on a front side of the drive shafts. According to this configuration, driving stability, steering feeling, and noise and vibration can be balanced at a high level.

A rack and pinion steering system includes a housing, a rack, a pinion gear, and a radially preloaded rack bearing. The rack is supported by the housing, and the pinion gear is meshed to the rack. The radially preloaded rack bearing is supported and preloaded to the housing and is preloaded to the rack.

A directional control system for a hybrid transportation vehicle for ground and air transportation. The vehicle has at least one steerable wheel for use in ground operation, the wheel being connected to a steering mechanism, wings having moveable control surfaces, and a tail having a moveable control surface. The system has a first shaft having a first control input at one end, wherein the first shaft is linked to the steering mechanism and a second shaft that extends through the first shaft and is independently rotatable and slidable with respect to the first shaft. The second shaft has a second control input at one end, a first linkage configured to transmit a rotational movement of the second shaft to control the moveable control surfaces on the wings, and a second linkage configured to transmit an axial movement of the second shaft to control the moveable control surface on the tail.

A directional control system for a hybrid transportation vehicle for ground and air transportation. The vehicle has at least one steerable wheel for use in ground operation, the wheel being connected to a steering mechanism, wings having moveable control surfaces, and a tail having a moveable control surface. The system has a first shaft having a first control input at one end, wherein the first shaft is linked to the steering mechanism and a second shaft that extends through the first shaft and is independently rotatable and slidable with respect to the first shaft. The second shaft has a second control input at one end, a first linkage configured to transmit a rotational movement of the second shaft to control the moveable control surfaces on the wings, and a second linkage configured to transmit an axial movement of the second shaft to control the moveable control surface on the tail.

A steering assembly for a lawn maintenance vehicle having a control assembly that receives a user rotational input, a transfer assembly for transferring the rotational input from the user to a pair of wheel assemblies. Each wheel assembly includes a knuckle connected to a pivot bar by way of a kingpin, wherein the kingpin is positioned within the rim of the tire operatively connected to the knuckle. The transfer assembly includes a sector gear having a leading edge that forms a rack that is meshingly engaged to a pinion gear of the transfer assembly.