One example steering mechanism includes a first steering gear, where the first steering gear is configured to convert obtained driving force to transmit driving force to an outer-side wheel during steering, to control steering force applied to the outer-side wheel. The example steering mechanism includes a second steering gear, where the second steering gear is configured to convert obtained driving force to transmit driving force to an inner-side wheel during steering, to control steering force applied to the inner-side wheel. The first steering gear and the second steering gear are connected by using a first clutch. If the first clutch is in a disengaged state, driving force is not transmitted between the first steering gear and the second steering gear. If the first clutch is in an engaged state, driving force is transmitted between the first steering gear and the second steering gear.

An embodiment driving module includes a drive unit including a wheel and a drive motor configured to operate the wheel, a suspension unit having a first side coupled to the drive unit, and a steering unit configured to steer the wheel and having a side coupled to a second side of the suspension unit.

The universal wheel includes a base member, a connection member, a wheel member, a first driving element, and a second driving element. The connection member has a first end fixed to a top side of the base member. The wheel member is rotatably joined to the base member. The first driving element is configured on the base member for rotating the base member laterally within 360 degrees. The second driving element is for rotating the wheel member. The universal wheel can be turned 360 degrees when standing in place, and can be moved forward, laterally, slantwise, rotationally, or in a combination of these operations.

A movable object includes: a steering part including a wheel provided to rotate along a ground, a wheel rod connected to the wheel and extending in a direction away from the wheel, and a steering motor connected to the wheel rod to rotate the wheel rod and steer the wheel; and a cover part disposed on top of the steering part, and including a receiving member in which a portion of the steering part is received. When the steering motor rotates the wheel rod in one direction, the steering part is engaged with the receiving member so that the steering part and the cover part may be joined, and when the steering motor rotates the wheel rod in an opposite direction, the steering part is separated from the receiving member so that the steering part and the cover part may be disengaged.

A system and method for differential traction drive and steering axis coordination for an autonomous mower or other turf device includes initiating a steering motion based on determining a target forward speed and a steering rotational speed, calculating a left wheel speed and a right wheel speed, and applying the left and right wheel speeds, wherein the steering rotational speed is driven by a steering motor and the traction wheels associated with the autonomous mower, and the left and right wheel speeds are based on the target forward speed, a distance from a steering axle to the center of the respective wheel, and the steering rotational speed.

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.

A steering system for a wheel of a vehicle comprises a pivot member having multiple pivot-node locations, and connectable at a first pivot-node location to a sub-frame of the wheel, a steering rod actuatable to rotate the wheel about a steering axis and mechanically coupled with the pivot member to be co-pivotable with the pivot member, and a suspension-connector rod having a first end that is connected to the pivot member at a second pivot-node location, and having at a second end that is connectable to a suspension arm linking the wheel of the vehicle to the sub-frame. When the steering system is installed in the vehicle, a lateral force acting upon the wheel is transmitted via the steering rod to the pivot member so as to rotate the pivot member, and the rotation is effective to transmit a substantially-vertical force vector to the sub-frame.

A device for controlling a steering wheel and a method for controlling a steering wheel using the same that includes: a detecting bar which is rotated in conjunction with a steering shaft of an industrial vehicle's steering wheel; a sensor at one side of the detecting bar so as to detect a steering angle of the steering wheel by means of the detecting bar; and a controller which controls the steering wheel based on a sensing signal of the sensor so as to position the steering wheel in a neutral position during a time when electric power is applied to the industrial vehicle and the industrial vehicle is initialized. When an operator turns on a power source of the electric forklift, the steering wheel is positioned in the neutral position to enable an operator to immediately drive the electric forklift without confirming a position of the steering wheel.

Provided is a steering apparatus 1 including: a wheel 2; and a steering unit 5 configured to steer the wheel 2, the steering apparatus 1 being fixable to a vehicle body, wherein the steering unit 5 includes: a steering drive source (an electric motor incorporated in an electric motor unit 61) configured to steer the wheel 2 with a steering rotation axis 63a as an axis, the steering rotation axis 63a being a rotation axis when the wheel 2 is steered; and a manual toe angle adjustment mechanism 7 different from the steering drive source, the manual toe angle adjustment mechanism 7 enabling a toe angle of the wheel 2 to be manually adjusted around the steering rotation axis 63a.

Steering boxes currently available on the market in order to convert the rotation of the steering wheel into the angular rotation of the wheels are not suitable to be partially built into the rim of the wheels of an electric car. In addition, existing boxes do not allow the independent rotation of the wheels or wide turning radii. These limitations are overcome using a system comprising: a body into which at least one motor is built using corresponding supports, which motor(s) actuate(s) the steering rotation axle of each steered wheel in the upper part of the body, and, in the lower part, a transmission gearbox and a stationary circular crown gear with which driving pinions mesh, said pinions rotating about the crown gear, thereby rotating the entire body and the rotation axle of the wheel built into the body together with suitable means.