Motor vehicles – Special wheel base – Five or more wheels
Patent
1996-10-21
1998-11-24
Hurley, Kevin
Motor vehicles
Special wheel base
Five or more wheels
91399, B62D 700
Patent
active
058395270
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a multi-axle steering system for vehicles. The steering system includes a steering gear for a first steering axle and hydrostatic steering for a second steering axle, wherein a master cylinder is disposed on the first steering axle and a slave cylinder is disposed on the the second steering axle, whose work chambers are connected with each other by means of pressure lines and which together constitute the hydrostatic steering, and wherein the second steering axle has a centering device to return of the steered wheels of the second steering axle into their straight-ahead running position.
2. Description of the Prior Art
This type of multi-axle steering system is known from European Patent Publication EP 0 150 520 B1. This multi-axle steering system is intended for a vehicle with three axles. The front axle and the second rear axle of these three axles are designed to be steerable. The known multi-axle steering system has an automatic stabilizer for the straight-ahead running position of the rear steering axle. To stabilize the straight-ahead running position of the rear steering axle, a fluid connection with a reservoir is made at or near the center position of the front steering axle, by means of which pressure relief of a hydraulic cylinder disposed on the front axle is achieved when it is in the center position. It is disadvantageous in connection with this multi-axle steering system that after each passage through the center position it is necessary to build up the pressure from zero in the hydraulic cylinder acting as the master cylinder for the hydrostatic steering.
It is the object of the invention to improve a multi-axle steering system for vehicles of the known type in such a way that the mentioned disadvantages are avoided, in particular in that pressure losses and therefore energy losses are prevented as much as possible and satisfactory synchronization of the two steering axles is assured.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This object is attained by the multi-axle steering system The attainment is achieved in that a device for the automatic synchronization of the movements of the master cylinder and the slave cylinder is provided on the master cylinder, by means of which a connection between only the two work chambers of the master cylinder can be made in the straight-ahead running position and in a small area adjoining it.
Practical and advantageous embodiments of the invention are described in the detailed description herein. However, the invention is not limited to the combination of the specific characteristics of the preferred embodiments. Further useful combination options of the preferred embodiments and individual preferred embodiments result from the object of the invention for one skilled in the art.
The device for synchronizing is formed in a particularly advantageous and simple manner in a guide insert of the piston rod of the master cylinder by means of an elastic seal ring, which is maintained in an annular groove of the guide insert, which is radially open to the outside. The seal ring acts together with a ring-shaped contraction of the piston rod in such a way that in the straight-ahead running position and in an area adjoining it between the seal ring and the constriction, there is a connection between the work chambers of the master cylinder, and that outside of this area the seal ring rests sealingly against the cylindrical portion of the piston rod so that the two work chambers are separated from each other in this way.
In this embodiment a direct connection between the two work chambers of the master cylinder and a reservoir is not possible in the straight-ahead running position. There is only a connection between the two work chambers of the master cylinder, so that there can be no pressure build-up in the work chambers of the slave cylinder and the second steering axle remains centered in its straight-ahead running position. In this way the synchronization of the slave cylinder with the master cylind
REFERENCES:
patent: 2735502 (1956-02-01), Muller
patent: 4591177 (1986-05-01), Perlini
patent: 4887632 (1989-12-01), Tanaka et al.
patent: 5092419 (1992-03-01), Leiber et al.
Elser Dieter
Rief Klaus
Hurley Kevin
ZF Friedrichshafen AG.
LandOfFree
Multi-axle steering system for vehicles does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Multi-axle steering system for vehicles, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Multi-axle steering system for vehicles will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-1694410