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.

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.

A hydraulic control system for steering rear caster wheels of a work machine. The control system has a steering mode that proportionally controls the steering of rear caster wheels while compensating the circuit to keep steering performance independent from the load generated by the rear caster wheels, a no steering mode that maintains the position of the rear caster wheels in the absence of a steering command, and a freewheeling mode that permits the rear caster wheels to rotate freely 360°.

A hydraulic control system for steering rear caster wheels of a work machine. The control system has a steering mode that proportionally controls the steering of rear caster wheels while compensating the circuit to keep steering performance independent from the load generated by the rear caster wheels, a no steering mode that maintains the position of the rear caster wheels in the absence of a steering command, and a freewheeling mode that permits the rear caster wheels to rotate freely 360°.

A multi-axle transport trailer having a plurality of axles includes a suspension comprising air bags associated with each axle, the air bags in communication with an air source, wherein air bags associated with different axles are capable of having different air pressures therein. The trailer further optionally includes a steering system associated with at least one axle, the axle including a tie rod connected between wheels on both ends of the axle, the steering system comprising cylinders configured to articulate the wheels, and a sensing device configured to monitor movement of the tie rod and facilitate actuating the cylinders to turn the wheels.

A multi-axle transport trailer having a plurality of axles includes a suspension comprising air bags associated with each axle, the air bags in communication with an air source, wherein air bags associated with different axles are capable of having different air pressures therein. The trailer further optionally includes a steering system associated with at least one axle, the axle including a tie rod connected between wheels on both ends of the axle, the steering system comprising cylinders configured to articulate the wheels, and a sensing device configured to monitor movement of the tie rod and facilitate actuating the cylinders to turn the wheels.

A steering system (10) for a vehicle wheel (12) has a wheel carrier (14) for mounting a steered wheel (12), the wheel carrier (14) being rotatably mounted with respect to the vehicle about a steering axis to allow the wheel (12) to be steered. A hydraulic cylinder (20) has a piston therein and a rigid connecting rod assembly (22) extending from the piston out of the cylinder (20). The rigid connecting rod assembly (22) comprises a first section (22) adapted to reciprocate into and out of the cylinder (20) and a second section (26) rigidly extending from the first section (22) to a pivot point connection (50) where it is pivotally connected to the wheel carrier (14) at an offset from the steering axis. The hydraulic cylinder (20) is pivotally mounted on the vehicle such that it is prevented from translational movement relative to the vehicle but capable of changing its orientation with respect to the vehicle. Due to the rigid connecting rod assembly (22) and the pivot connection to the wheel carrier (14), as well as the pivotal mounting of the cylinder (20) on the vehicle, lateral strains on the seals of the hydraulic cylinder (20) are avoided.

A steering system (10) for a vehicle wheel (12) has a wheel carrier (14) for mounting a steered wheel (12), the wheel carrier (14) being rotatably mounted with respect to the vehicle about a steering axis to allow the wheel (12) to be steered. A hydraulic cylinder (20) has a piston therein and a rigid connecting rod assembly (22) extending from the piston out of the cylinder (20). The rigid connecting rod assembly (22) comprises a first section (22) adapted to reciprocate into and out of the cylinder (20) and a second section (26) rigidly extending from the first section (22) to a pivot point connection (50) where it is pivotally connected to the wheel carrier (14) at an offset from the steering axis. The hydraulic cylinder (20) is pivotally mounted on the vehicle such that it is prevented from translational movement relative to the vehicle but capable of changing its orientation with respect to the vehicle. Due to the rigid connecting rod assembly (22) and the pivot connection to the wheel carrier (14), as well as the pivotal mounting of the cylinder (20) on the vehicle, lateral strains on the seals of the hydraulic cylinder (20) are avoided.

A hydraulic rear axle steering for multi-axle vehicles, including a steering cylinder with a piston and two working chambers. The steering cylinder has a mechanical blocking device, which blocks the piston when it reaches a central position within the steering cylinder. The blocking device has a blocking member, which is retained in an engaged position by a locking element in the blocked state. The locking element is movable by a separate, hydraulically actuated actuator between a blocking position and a first unblocking position in which the locking element releases the blocking element. An admission-pressure-controlled load safety valve is provided for each working chamber, and control connections of the valves are connected to a pressure line leading to the respective other working chamber. The actuator is adjusted such that, when a lower, first pressure value is applied, the locking element moves into the unblocking position, and the valves are adjusted such that, when a higher, second pressure value is applied, the valves open towards the tank.

A hydraulic rear axle steering for multi-axle vehicles, including a steering cylinder with a piston and two working chambers. The steering cylinder has a mechanical blocking device, which blocks the piston when it reaches a central position within the steering cylinder. The blocking device has a blocking member, which is retained in an engaged position by a locking element in the blocked state. The locking element is movable by a separate, hydraulically actuated actuator between a blocking position and a first unblocking position in which the locking element releases the blocking element. An admission-pressure-controlled load safety valve is provided for each working chamber, and control connections of the valves are connected to a pressure line leading to the respective other working chamber. The actuator is adjusted such that, when a lower, first pressure value is applied, the locking element moves into the unblocking position, and the valves are adjusted such that, when a higher, second pressure value is applied, the valves open towards the tank.