Land vehicle steering system including selective inboard and outboard wheels adjustment
View Patent ↗A land vehicle steering system capable of selectively moving the left and right steerable wheels inboard and outboard of the vehicle, and selectively adjusting the distance between the left and right steerable wheels. The steering system includes left and right steering assemblies. Each assembly includes: a pivot arm pivotally secured to the vehicle about a first pivot axis; a first hydraulic cylinder secured between the pivot arm and the vehicle; a wheel end pivotally secured to the pivot arm about a steering axis; and, a second hydraulic cylinder secured between the wheel end and the pivot arm. Actuation of the first hydraulic cylinders rotates the pivot arms about their first pivot axes and moves the wheel ends inboard and outboard of the vehicle. Actuation of the second hydraulic cylinders rotates the wheel ends and steerable wheels thereon relative to their pivot arm for steering the vehicle.
1. A steering system including left and right steering assemblies for a land vehicle, wherein each of said left and right steering assemblies comprises:
a pivot arm pivotally secured to the vehicle about a first pivot axis;
a first selectively extendable and retractable mechanism secured between said pivot arm and the vehicle;
a wheel end pivotally secured to said pivot arm about a steering axis whereupon a steerable wheel is mountable; and,
a second selectively extendable and retractable mechanism secured between said wheel end and said pivot arm, whereby actuation of said first mechanism rotates said pivot arm about said first pivot axis and moves said wheel end inboard and outboard of the vehicle and actuation of said second mechanism rotates said wheel end relative to said pivot arm for steering the vehicle; and,
wherein each said pivot arm comprises:
a first control arm pivotally secured about said first pivot axis;
a second control arm pivotally secured to said first control arm about a suspension axis;
a spring between said first control arm and said second control arm;
wherein said wheel end is pivotally secured to said second control arm; and,
wherein said second mechanism is secured between said wheel end and said second control arm.
2. The steering system of claim 1 wherein said first mechanism is secured between said second control arm and the vehicle.
3. The steering system claim 1 wherein said selectively extendable and retractable mechanisms are hydraulic cylinders.
4. The steering system of claim 1 wherein said wheel end is a hydraulically driven wheel motor.
5. The steering system of claim 1 wherein said wheel end is a non-driven stub axle.
6. The steering system of claim 1 wherein said spring is an air spring.
7. The steering system of claim 1 wherein said suspension axis is generally perpendicular to said first pivot axis.
8. A steering system including left and right steering assemblies for a land vehicle, wherein each of said left and right steering assemblies comprises:
a pivot arm pivotally secured to the vehicle about a first pivot axis whereby said pivot arm is moveable between inboard and outboard positions;
a wheel end pivotally secured to said pivot arm about a steering axis whereupon a steerable wheel is mountable; and,
a selectively extendable and retractable steering mechanism secured between said wheel end and said pivot arm, whereby rotation of said pivot arm about said first pivot axis moves said wheel end inboard and outboard of the vehicle and actuation of said steering mechanism rotates said wheel end relative to said pivot arm for steering the vehicle; and,
wherein each said pivot arm comprises:
a first control arm pivotally secured about said first pivot axis;
a second control arm pivotally secured to said first control arm about a suspension axis;
a spring between said first co arm and said second control arm;
wherein said wheel end is pivotally secured to said second control arm; and,
wherein said steering mechanism is secured between said wheel end and said second control arm.
9. The steering system of claim 8 wherein said wheel end is a hydraulically driven wheel motor.
10. The steering system of claim 8 wherein said wheel end is a non-driven stub axle.
11. The steering system of claim 8 wherein said spring is an air spring.
12. The steering system of claim 8 wherein said suspension axis is generally perpendicular to said first pivot axis.
13. The steering system of claim 8 further comprising a selectively extendable and retractable mechanism secured between said second control arm and the vehicle for rotating said pivot arm about said first pivot axis.
14. The steering system of claim 13 wherein said selectively extendable and retractable mechanisms are hydraulic cylinders.