Patent classifications
B62D7/228
POWER TRANSMISSION DEVICE OF STEERING SYSTEM
A power transmission device of a steering system. A first connector includes a cylindrical first support coupled to one of coaxial first and second shafts and first coupling portions extending axially from inner circumferential portions of the first support. A second connector includes a second support coupled to the other of the first and second shafts and fitted into the first support and second coupling portions extending axially from outer circumferential portions of the second support. A damper includes outer support recesses provided in outer circumferential portions thereof, with the first coupling portions being fitted into the outer support recesses, and inner support recesses provided in inner circumferential portions thereof, with the second coupling portions being fitted into the inner support recesses, wherein the damper is coupled between the first connector and the second connector.
DAMPING BEARING WITH AXIAL PRELOAD
A method of manufacturing a damping device, notably for a steering tie rod, the said device comprising a rod which extends along a main axis and which is intended to be connected to a first mechanical component, a securing portion which surrounds the said rod and which is intended to be connected to a second mechanical component, and a sleeve made of elastomeric material which is arranged between the rod and the fixing bushing so as, through elastic deformation thereof, to allow at least axial movement of the fixing bushing with respect to the rod, in which method the fixing bushing is offset axially with respect to the rod to force the elastic deformation of the sleeve and the introduction of a corresponding preload, then the sleeve is locked so as to keep it, when the device is at rest, in a state of permanent axial elastic deformation and preload.
IN-WHEEL MOTOR DRIVE DEVICE
An in-wheel motor drive device includes: a wheel hub bearing portion having an inner ring integrally rotating with a wheel, an outer ring facing the inner ring via a radial gap, and a hub attachment arranged on a more outer diameter side than the outer ring and mounted and fixed to the outer ring; a motor portion driving the inner ring; a casing housing a rotation transmission path from a motor rotation shaft of the motor portion to the inner ring; a suspending bracket having an upper joining seat portion joinable with an upper side suspension member of a suspension device, a lower joining seat portion joinable with a lower side suspension member of the suspension device, and an intermediate portion connecting the upper joining seat portion and the lower joining seat portion; and fixing means for mounting and fixing the suspending bracket to the hub attachment.
AIR RESERVOIR FOR A STEERING AXLE AND METHOD OF CONSTRUCTION
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.
Multi-Axis Damper for Steering Rack Bar
A multi-strata radial damper configured to dampen forces exerted in a radial direction between a rack bar of an automobile and a bushing sleeve protecting the rack bar. The radial damper may include a stratum made of a polymer material. The radial damper may additionally dampen forces exerted in an axial direction between the tie rod and the bushing sleeve.
REAR STEERING ASSEMBLY FOR A VEHICLE
A four-wheeled vehicle includes: a frame; two front suspension assemblies and two rear suspension assemblies connected to the frame; two front wheels operatively connected to corresponding ones of the two front suspension assemblies; two rear wheels operatively connected to corresponding ones of the two rear suspension assemblies; a motor connected to the frame; a front differential and a rear differential operatively connecting the motor to the two front wheels and the two rear wheels respectively; and a steering system. The steering system includes a front steering assembly for steering the front wheels and a rear steering assembly for steering the rear wheels. The front steering assembly includes a user-operated steering input device. The rear steering assembly includes an actuator operatively connected to the rear wheels and operable to modify a steering angle thereof. The actuator is mounted to the frame and is disposed completely rearward of the rear differential.
INTEGRATED PROPULSION & STEERING For Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV), Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV), Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEV), AV (Autonomous Vehicles); Electric Trucks, Buses and Semi-Trailers
A vehicle, integrated all-wheel propulsion and steering system with plurality of propulsion and steering power sources, designed with enumerate specifications are coupled to, and de-coupled from a final drive of the vehicle propulsion system. A controller receives input-signals from the driver steering-wheel sensor; computes a set of reactions to the plurality of steering-actuators, wherein feedback-mechanism with each wheel-position sensor, the controller secures each wheel in its computed angle. In different speed and load conditions, the controller is programmed to compute a desired power demand then couple to the final drive[s] the propulsion power source[s] that is designed to do-the-job with the least energy consumption. When the vehicle changes speed and load, the controller couples a different power source[s], and de-couples the previous power source[s] to meet the power demand. In turning-modes, whilst positioning every wheel in its computed position, the controller computes the different distances the left and the right wheels of the vehicle have to travel, wherein the controller moves-up the propulsion power sources velocity to the wheels opposite to the turn to make a perfect turn without EPS assistance.
Steering centering/damping mechanism for a steerable heavy-duty vehicle axle/suspension system
A steering centering/damping mechanism for a steerable heavy-duty vehicle axle/suspension system which includes a mechanically operated structure that provides a positive steering centering force to the axle/suspension system at a zero steer angle. The mechanically operated structure of the steering centering/damping mechanism also provides a positive steering centering force that increases in intensity as the steer angle of the axle/suspension system increases. In an embodiment of the steering centering/damping mechanism, the mechanically operated structure is a flat spring integrated into one or more steering assemblies of the axle/suspension system. The flat spring is in a pre-loaded condition at a zero steer angle to provide the positive steering centering force to the axle/suspension system at the zero steer angle, and is increasingly elastically deformed with increasing steer angles to provide the positive steering centering force which increases in intensity as the steer angle of the axle/suspension system increases.
WHEEL SUSPENSION
A wheel suspension (1), for a motor vehicle, having a hub carrier (2) for holding a wheel (3), a wheel-guiding link (4) for an articulated connection of the hub carrier (2) to a body (6), and a steering rod (8) for steering the wheel (3). The hub carrier (2) and the wheel-guiding link (4), for steering the wheel (3), are pivotally connected to each other such that the hub carrier (2) can be swiveled about a steering axis relative to the wheel-guiding link (4). The hub carrier (2) is directly connected to the wheel-guiding link (4), in a first connection area (20), and the hub carrier (2) is indirectly coupled to the wheel-guiding link (4), in a second connecting area (21), via an integral link (5) connected to a chassis element (12).
STEERING SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE
A steering system for a vehicle includes a drive motor having a motor shaft. The steering system also includes a first gear reduction stage for receiving a first rotational input from the motor shaft and providing a first rotational output. The steering system further includes a second gear reduction stage for receiving the first rotational output from the first gear reduction stage and providing a second rotational output. The second gear reduction stage may include at least one of a strain wave gearing, a worm drive, and a planetary gearing. The steering system includes an output shaft for receiving the second rotational output from the second gear reduction stage.