Steering centering/damping mechanism for heavy-duty vehicles
A steering centering/damping mechanism for a steerable axle/suspension system of a heavy-duty vehicle, the steering centering/damping mechanism comprising a mechanically-operated structure including a torsion spring. The mechanically-operated structure interconnects a tie rod and a steering knuckle of the steerable axle/suspension system and provides increasing positive steering centering force with increasing steer angle of the steerable axle/suspension system.
1 . A steering centering/damping mechanism for a steerable axle/suspension system of a heavy-duty vehicle, said steering centering/damping mechanism comprising:
a mechanically-operated structure including a torsion spring, said torsion spring having a vertically-extending gap, said mechanically operated structure being interconnected with a tie rod and a steering knuckle of said steerable axle/suspension system, said tie rod having a first end portion formed with a first projection extending upwardly and engaging said gap to elastically deform the torsion spring and provide increasing positive steering centering force with increasing steer angle of the steerable axle/suspension system.
2 . The steering centering/damping mechanism according to claim 1 , said tie rod further comprising a second end portion; and
said first end portion being formed with an eyelet having a planar upper surface.
3 . The steering centering/damping mechanism according to claim 2 , said torsion spring being formed as a semi-annular band disposed against said upper surface of said eyelet.
4 . The steering centering/damping mechanism according to claim 3 , said first projection extending upwardly from said upper surface of said eyelet.
5 . The steering centering/damping mechanism according to claim 4 , said mechanically operated structure further comprising a bushing having a radially-outward extending flange, said busing being at least partially received within said eyelet, said flange being in contact with said torsion spring.
6 . The steering centering/damping mechanism according to claim 5 , said bushing further comprising a second projection extending radially outward from said busing and downward from said flange.
7 . The steering centering/damping mechanism according to claim 6 , said gap of said torsion spring engaging said second projection of said bushing;
wherein said first and the second projections cooperate to apply a force to the torsion spring, elastically deforming the torsion spring during turning events of said steerable axle/suspension system.
8 . The steering centering/damping mechanism according to claim 7 , said mechanically operated structure further comprising a fastener disposed through said eyelet, said torsion spring, and said bushing.
9 . The steering centering/damping mechanism according to claim 8 , said fastener also being disposed through an arm of said knuckle of said steerable axle/suspension system.