A method for steering a gantry crane having wheel assemblies includes the steps of: initiating movement of the gantry crane; and rotating the wheel assemblies wherein the front wheel assemblies rotate in a first rotational direction and the rear wheel assemblies rotate in a second rotational direction. The first rotational direction is opposite to the second rotational direction. First side wheel assemblies rotate at a first rotational speed and second side wheel assemblies rotate at a second rotational speed, such that the gantry crane moves from a linear path to an arcuate path with a turning radius decreasing to substantially zero for rotation about a central axis.

An axle assembly is provided for a working machine. The axle assembly includes an axle having first and second ends, the first end having a first wheel mount for pivotably mounting a first wheel to the axle and the second end having a second wheel mount for pivotably mounting a second wheel to the axle. The assembly has a steering arrangement for pivoting the first and second wheel mounts relative to the axle, the steering arrangement having a linkage connected to the first and second wheel mounts and configured to pivot the first and second wheel mounts relative to the axle. The steering arrangement also includes an actuator configured to actuate the steering linkage in order to effect pivoting of the first and second wheel mounts, and the actuator is directly connected to the steering linkage.

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.

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.

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).

An identical steer control mechanism of a radial bar-link trapezoidal swing arm, a method and a multi-wheel vehicle thereof are disclosed. The radial bar-link trapezoidal swing arm is in a right triangle shape, and in combination with a two-dimensional composite control transmission arm of a cross-shaped groove formed by a transverse groove and a vertical groove, an elliptical gauge is shaped; the longitudinal cosine displacement is controlled by the sliders in the transverse groove, and the transverse sine displacement can be controlled by connecting the sliders in the vertical groove after the right-angle end bearing is hinged to connecting rods, the end bearing on the two-dimensional composite control transmission arm, namely the key control point bearing, draws a deflection elliptical trajectory, and the hinged slider to the key control point bearing is connected with a vector control swing arm sliding slot to generate a steering angle i.

Provided is a steering system capable of enhancing traveling stability when a vehicle drives straight and improving small-turn performance. The steering system includes: a first steering device; a second steering device including a mechanical section configured to individually steer each of left and right wheels by driving a steering actuator and a control section configured to control the steering actuator; and a vehicle information detection section configured to detect a velocity of the vehicle and a steering angle. The control section includes a turning angle control module configured to control the steering actuator pursuant to a predetermined rule in accordance with the velocity of the vehicle and the steering angle so as to control turning angles of the left and right wheels.

A dual-mode active rear-wheel steering device, including: a steering motor, a main shaft, an intermediate gear, a transmission gear, a planetary gear coupling mechanism and a mode switching assembly. An output end of the steering motor is provided with a first input gear. An end of the main shaft drives a first rear wheel to rotate by a two-stage gear transmission system and a first rear-wheel motion conversion mechanism, and the other end of the main shaft drives a second rear wheel to rotate by the planetary gear coupling mechanism and a second rear-wheel motion conversion mechanism. The intermediate gear, the transmission gear and a sun gear of the planetary gear coupling mechanism are provided on the main shaft. The intermediate gear meshes with the first input gear.

Systems for controlling the speed and direction of vehicles such as tractors, including vehicles that have low to zero turning radius capability. Systems include steering and speed coordination systems that control the direction and speed of rotation of vehicle drive units.

Systems for controlling the speed and direction of vehicles such as tractors, including vehicles that have low to zero turning radius capability. Systems include steering and speed coordination systems that control the direction and speed of rotation of vehicle drive units.