An air reservoir for a steering axle is mounted on a trailer, the steering axle comprising a pair of rotation pivoting wheel assemblies. Each wheel assembly has a rotation plate and a steering arm connected thereto. A rod pivotally connects the steering arms, each wheel assembly being rotatably connected to either end of the axle. An air stabilizer assembly is mounted on the axle and is connected to the rod, the air stabilizer assembly having an inflatable damper assembly thereon. An air supply is fluidly connected to an air inlet on the axle, the air inlet being fluidly connected to the damper assembly. The air stabilizer assembly dampens pivotal movement of the wheel assemblies when compressed air from the air reservoir fills the damper assembly. The air stabilizer assembly allows the wheel assemblies to rotate more freely when pressure of the compressed air within the damper assembly is reduced.

Steered caster wheel systems that include a disengagement system to enable a caster wheel steering mode and non-caster wheel steering mode are disclosed. In some embodiments, the caster wheels are mounted to a subframe that may be independently suspended from the chassis of a vehicle such as a self-propelled vehicle.

Steered caster wheel systems that include a disengagement system to enable a caster wheel steering mode and non-caster wheel steering mode are disclosed. In some embodiments, the caster wheels are mounted to a subframe that may be independently suspended from the chassis of a vehicle such as a self-propelled vehicle.

A vehicle steering system has a pitman arm being pivotable about a pitman arm pivot axis in response to pivoting of a steering column, a link pivotally connected to the pitman arm, an idler arm pivotally connected to the link and being pivotable about an idler arm pivot axis, the link extending between the pitman arm and the idler arm, a first tie rod pivotally connected to the pitman arm and extending from the pitman arm in a first direction, and a second tie rod pivotally connected to the idler arm and extending from the idler arm in a second direction, the second direction being opposite the first direction. A vehicle having the vehicle steering system is also described.

A vehicle, vehicle frame, and steering system usable with the vehicle and vehicle frame. The steering system including a first and second knuckle mounted to a vehicle frame and configured to rotate with respect to the vehicle frame to turn the wheels, and a pitman arm link rotatable relative to the vehicle frame. The steering system further includes a first tie rod operably connected to the first knuckle to the pitman arm link bracket via a pitman arm and pitman connector, and a second tie rod connecting the second knuckle to the pitman arm link. A pitman connector is rotatably operatively connected to the pitman arm link, wherein the pitman arm thereby transfers pivoting or rotational motion applied via a steering input from the pitman arm to the pitman arm link, to respective knuckles via the first and second tie rods.

The invention relates to an electrically operated steering system (1) for a vehicle (2) with a rack (3) for attaching the steering system (1) to a vehicle frame of the vehicle (2), two steerable wheels (4) that are pivotably attached to the rack (3), a rod element (5) arranged on the rack (3), which is slidable in its longitudinal direction in relation to the rack (3), a kinematic unit (13) which is coupled to the rod element (5) and which transforms a movement of the rod element (5) into a steering rotation of the wheels (4), an electric machine (6), which is mechanically connected to the rod element (5) for effecting the movement of the rod element (5), and a lateral force absorbing mechanism (7) which is configured for absorbing a lateral force produced by the kinematic unit (13) in relation to the rod element (5). The invention further relates to a vehicle (2) comprising such a steering system (1).

The invention relates to an electrically operated steering system (1) for a vehicle (2) with a rack (3) for attaching the steering system (1) to a vehicle frame of the vehicle (2), two steerable wheels (4) that are pivotably attached to the rack (3), a rod element (5) arranged on the rack (3), which is slidable in its longitudinal direction in relation to the rack (3), a kinematic unit (13) which is coupled to the rod element (5) and which transforms a movement of the rod element (5) into a steering rotation of the wheels (4), an electric machine (6), which is mechanically connected to the rod element (5) for effecting the movement of the rod element (5), and a lateral force absorbing mechanism (7) which is configured for absorbing a lateral force produced by the kinematic unit (13) in relation to the rod element (5). The invention further relates to a vehicle (2) comprising such a steering system (1).

A vehicle includes a chassis and a front axle assembly coupled to a front end of the chassis. The chassis includes a first frame rail and a second frame rail. The first frame rail defines a first vertical plane. The second frame rail is spaced from the first frame rail and defines a second vertical plane. The front axle assembly includes a solid axle and a steering assembly. The steering assembly includes a pair of wheel hubs, a steering gear mechanism, and a linkage assembly. The pair of wheel hubs are coupled to opposing ends of the solid axle. The pair of wheel hubs are configured to facilitate coupling wheels to the front axle assembly. The steering gear mechanism is positioned between the first vertical plane and the second vertical plane. The linkage assembly couples the steering gear mechanism to the pair of wheel hubs.

A vehicle includes a chassis and a front axle assembly coupled to a front end of the chassis. The chassis includes a first frame rail and a second frame rail. The first frame rail defines a first vertical plane. The second frame rail is spaced from the first frame rail and defines a second vertical plane. The front axle assembly includes a solid axle and a steering assembly. The steering assembly includes a pair of wheel hubs, a steering gear mechanism, and a linkage assembly. The pair of wheel hubs are coupled to opposing ends of the solid axle. The pair of wheel hubs are configured to facilitate coupling wheels to the front axle assembly. The steering gear mechanism is positioned between the first vertical plane and the second vertical plane. The linkage assembly couples the steering gear mechanism to the pair of wheel hubs.

A hub unit with a steering function includes: a hub bearing that rotatably supports a wheel; a cylindrical turning shaft section extending from an outer ring thereabove and thereunder with the outer ring being located at an outer peripheral surface of an outer race of the hub bearing; a steering actuator that causes the hub bearing to rotate about an axis of the turning shaft section; a unit support member that rotatably supports the hub bearing about the axis on a vehicle body; and an arm section projecting from the outer ring rearward of a vehicle, with the actuator being coupled to the arm section. The actuator includes: an extensible and retractable assembly capable of providing extension or retraction in a direction perpendicular to the axis; and the extensible and retractable assembly is coupled to the arm section through a joint assembly providing two or more directions of freedom.