GB607898A - Improvements relating to the steering mechanism of vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

607,898. Steering motor vehicles. WILLIAMS, P., and HOUGHTON, H. M. Feb. 12, 1946, No. 4372. [Classes 79 (iv) and 79 (v)] [Also in Group XXXII] In a vehicle having front steering wheels and four rear driving wheels with means actuated by the steering gear for swivelling the rear axles about their mid-points so that the centre line of all the wheels intersect at a point, the rear axles are swivelled hydraulically, under the control of the steering mechanism. The ends of the rear axles may be interconnected by linkages adapted to be expanded or contracted hydraulically. Each rear axle casing j, Fig. 3, is supported near its ends in blocks k mounted in frames n with the interposition of roller bearings m. The frames n are carried by springs o secured to members p pivoted to the vehicle frame at q. Fig. 4 shows in plan the two rear axle casings j with differential housings f, each of which can turn about a vertical axis, being held between an upper ball joint g<SP>2</SP> carried by two arms h<SP>1</SP> articulated to an upper frame cross-member i<SP>1</SP>, and a lower ball joint carried by a single arm h pivoted by ball joint g<SP>1</SP> to a lower frame cross-member. Swinging movement of the axles about their mid-points is effected by hydraulic cylinders t, t<SP>1</SP> which simultaneously expand one and contract the other of the linkages s; such differential action may be secured by connecting the tubes w, w<SP>1</SP> to the opposite ends of a cylinder in which moves a piston in accordance with movements of the steering wheel.