Bump steer adjustment mechanism for a model vehicle
A steering mechanism for a model vehicle is provided, having one or more steering actuators, a steering control arm pivotally mounted for rotation relative to a model vehicle chassis, the steering control arm being coupled directly to at least two tie rods, each tie rod controlling the steering of at least one wheel of a vehicle, and each of the one or more steering actuators coupled to the steering control arm to rotate the control arm relative to the vehicle chassis.
1. An apparatus for adjusting a bump steer of a toy model vehicle comprising:
a tie rod coupled at a first end to a steering control mechanism and at a second end to a pivotable wheel support for steering the toy model vehicle;
a ball joint coupling the second end of the tie rod to the pivotable wheel support at a first location; and
wherein a position of a ball of the ball joint is adjustable in a substantially vertical direction to couple the tie rod to the pivotable wheel support at a second location displaced from the first location relative to the pivotable wheel support.
2. An apparatus for adjusting a bump steer for a toy model vehicle, comprising:
a model vehicle chassis;
one or more suspension members secured to the chassis at an inboard end for movement relative to the model vehicle chassis;
a wheel support member pivotally secured to an outboard end of the one or more suspension members for pivotal movement relative to the suspension members;
one or more members forming a steering arm for pivoting the wheel support member to steer a wheel held by the wheel support member;
a tie rod coupled between the steering arm and the wheel support member for pivoting the wheel support member relative to the one or more suspension members to steer a wheel held by the wheel support member;
the one or more suspension members being adjustable between a plurality of mounting positions on the model vehicle chassis, each mounting position adjusting one or both of the wheel support caster angle and the roll center position of the one or more suspension members; and
one or more members forming a link for adjusting a position of the tie rod relative to the wheel support member between a plurality of substantially discrete positions, each substantially discrete position corresponding to one or more of the predetermined mounting positions of the one or more suspension members, to maintain a substantially constant bump steer of the wheel held by the wheel support member.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the link comprises a plurality of interchangeable spacers adjust the position of a ball of a ball joint coupling the tie rod to the wheel support member at a different location relative to the wheel support member.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the link farther comprises:
a fastener secured to the wheel support member, having first and second arms extending from the wheel support member and forming a spacing between the first and second arms, and wherein ball of the ball joint is adjustably positioned within the spacing; and
wherein the plurality of interchangeable spacers engage the fastener, each of the plurality of interchangeable spacers configured to maintain the ball of the ball joint in a different position within the spacing between the first and second arms of the fastener, wherein the spacers change the position of the ball relative to the wheel support member to couple the tie rod to the wheel support member at a different location.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein at least one of the plurality of interchangeable spacers is adapted for positioning by the fastener at two locations, each of the locations being on opposite sides of the ball of the ball joint.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the substantially discrete positions of the link for adjusting the position of the tie rod range approximately 3 mm in substantially opposite directions from a substantially central position of the ball of the ball joint, wherein the central position comprises a position of the ball substantially centered in the spacing between the first and second arms of the fastener.
7. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the substantially discrete positions of the link for adjusting the position of the tie rod relative to the wheel support member are at 2 and 5 mm from a central position in which no adjustment is made to the caster angle or roll center position of the wheel supported on the wheel support member, and wherein the central position comprises a position of the ball of the ball joint substantially between the first and second arms of the fastener.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the central position is within a range of caster angle between about zero degrees and about ten degrees.
9. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the central position is approximately ten degrees of caster angle, plus or minus approximately two degrees.
10. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the central position is approximately ten degrees of caster angle.
11. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the link is adjustable to substantially minimize bump steer of the wheel held by the wheel support member when the one or more suspension members are in a predetermined mounting position corresponding to a caster angle adjustment within a predetermined range.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the predetermined mounting positions comprise at least a position corresponding to a caster angle adjustment within a predetermined range.
13. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the link is adjustable to substantially minimize bump steer of the wheel held by the wheel support member when the one or more suspension members are in a predetermined mounting position corresponding to a roll center position adjustment within a predetermined range.
14. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the predetermined mounting positions comprise at least a position corresponding to a roll center position adjustment within a predetermined range.
15. An apparatus for adjusting a bump steer for a toy model vehicle, comprising:
a model vehicle chassis;
one or more suspension members secured to the chassis at an inboard end for movement relative to the model vehicle chassis;
a wheel support member pivotally secured to an outboard end of the one or more suspension members for pivotal movement relative to the suspension members;
one or more members forming a steering arm for pivoting the wheel support member to steer a wheel held by the wheel support member;
a tie rod coupled between the steering arm and the wheel support member for pivoting the wheel support member relative to the one or more suspension members to steer a wheel held by the wheel support member;
the one or more suspension members being adjustable between a plurality of mounting positions on the model vehicle chassis, each mounting position adjusting one or both of the wheel support caster angle and the roll center position of the one or more suspension members; and
one or more members forming a link, wherein the link comprises an interchangeable ball pivot link having collars positioned on opposing sides of a ball portion for adjusting a position of the tie rod relative to the wheel support member between a plurality of substantially discrete positions, each substantially discrete position corresponding to one or more of the predetermined mounting positions of the one or more suspension members, to maintain a substantially constant bump steer of the wheel held by the wheel support member.