Vehicle steering system
US5492348A · kind A · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 28, 1994 |
| Grant date | Feb 20, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 28, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB62D7/1509
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A vehicle steering system provides four distinct steering modes, including a first steering mode for steerage of front wheels with rear wheels neutral, a second steering mode for steerage of rear wheels with front wheels neutral, a third steering mode for coincidence-phase steerage of front wheels and rear wheels, and a fourth steering mode for reverse-phase steerage of front wheels and rear wheels. In the first embodiment, a specially elongated pinion shaft includes two groups of pinion gears. One of the first group pinion gears meshes with a gear on a steering rack for front wheels; and, simultaneously, one of the second group pinion gears meshes with a gear on a steering rack for the rear wheels. A vehicle user can shift the steering shaft to one of four operating positions, each operating position providing a distinct steering mode. In a modified design, a pinion steering shaft includes a group of pinion gears to engage a steering rack for the front wheels; while the rear wheels are steered by an electric motor controlled by electronic devices. In the second embodiment, both the front wheels and rear wheels are steered by electric motors controlled by electronic devices to prov…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.