Rear wheel steering apparatus for vehicles
US5099938A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 25, 1990 |
| Grant date | Mar 31, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 25, 2010 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB62D7/1572
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The invention is directed to an apparatus for steering rear wheels of a vehicle. A vehicle speed sensor detects a speed of the vehicle, and a steering angle sensor detects a steering angle of front wheels of the vehicle and provides a first steering signal. A control device is provided for receiving the first steering signal and providing a second steering signal representing a desired steering angle of rear wheels of the vehicle which is determined in response to the first steering signal. A drive device is arranged to receive the second steering signal and steer the rear wheels to reach the desired steering angle. Then, a limit mechanism is provided for reducing the range of variation of steering angle of the rear wheels steered by the drive device to a predetermined range when the vehicle speed exceeds a predetermined speed, or the steering angle of the front wheels is less than a predetermined angle. Accordingly, when the vehicle is traveling at high speed, or when the vehicle turns with a large turning radius, the steering angle of the rear wheels is prevented from being unnecessarily varied.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.