Wheel steering apparatus to generate positive ackermann

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10994777-B2
Application number	US-201816031476-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 10, 2018
Priority date	Jul 10, 2018
Publication date	May 4, 2021
Grant date	May 4, 2021

Abstract

Vehicle suspension systems are described herein. An example apparatus includes a cam pivotably coupled to a rear axle. The example apparatus also includes a first tie rod having a first end pivotably coupled to the cam and a second end pivotably coupled to a steering knuckle. The example apparatus also includes a second tie rod having a first end pivotably coupled to the cam outboard relative to the first end of the first tie rod and a second end coupled to a steering actuator.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus, comprising:
a cam pivotably coupled to a rear axle, the cam including a first arm pivotably coupled to the rear axle, a second arm pivotably coupled to a first end of a first tie rod, and a third arm opposite the second arm, the third arm pivotably coupled to a first end of a second tie rod;
the first tie rod having the first end pivotably coupled to the cam and a second end pivotably coupled to a steering knuckle, a portion of the first tie rod extending across a length of the cam; and
the second tie rod having the first end pivotably coupled to the cam adjacent to the second end of the first tie rod and a second end coupled to a steering actuator.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the cam is pivotably coupled to the rear axle via an idler joint.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the cam is pivotably coupled to a rearward facing side of the rear axle.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the cam is shaped to cause the tie rods to move different lateral distances when the cam pivots relative to the rear axle.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the different lateral distances increases Ackermann at wheels coupled to the rear axle.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first ends of the tie rods are vertically spaced relative to each other.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the cam is shaped to vertically space the first ends of the tie rods.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the cam is plate shaped.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a second cam pivotably coupled to the rear axle to cause third and fourth tie rods to move different lateral distances when the second cam pivots relative to the rear axle.

10. An apparatus, comprising:
a cam pivotably coupled to a rear axle housing, the cam including a first arm pivotably coupled to the rear axle housing, a second arm pivotably coupled to an inner tie rod, and a third arm pivotably coupled to an outer tie rod; and
the inner and outer tie rods pivotably coupled to the cam in a cross-tie arrangement to cause the tie rods to move different lateral distances when the cam pivots relative to the rear axle housing, the cross-tie arrangement extending portions of the inner and outer tie rods across a length of the cam.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the cross-tie arrangement vertically spaces the tie rods.

12. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the different lateral distances increases Ackermann at wheels coupled to the rear axle.

13. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the cam is pivotably coupled to the rear axle via an idler joint.

14. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the inner tie rod includes a first end pivotably coupled to the cam and a second end coupled to a steering actuator;
the outer tie rod includes a first end pivotably coupled to the cam and a second end coupled to a steering knuckle; and
the cross-tie arrangement positioning the first end of the inner tie rod adjacent to the second end of the outer tie rod.

15. An apparatus, comprising:
means for increasing Ackermann, the means for increasing Ackermann including a first arm pivotably coupled to a rear axle, a second arm pivotably coupled to an inner tie rod, and a third arm pivotably coupled to an outer tie rod;
the inner and outer tie rods pivotably coupled to the means for increasing Ackermann in a cross-tie arrangement to cause the tie rods to move different lateral distances, the cross-tie arrangement extending portions of the inner and outer tie rods across a length of the means for increasing Ackermann.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the means for increasing Ackermann is shaped to vertically space the inner and outer tie rods.

17. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the means for increasing Ackermann is pivotably coupled to a rear axle housing.

18. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the means for increasing Ackermann is plate shaped.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Buchwitz Joe L
• Gordon Geoffrey Lawrence
• Stanley John Wesley
• Drozdowski James Adam

Classifications

• B62D7/16

  Arrangement of linkage connections (pivots per se F16C) · CPC title

• B60G3/202

  having one longitudinal arm and two parallel transversal arms, e.g. dual-link type strut suspension · CPC title

• B62D7/146 Primary

  characterised by comprising means for steering by acting on the suspension system, e.g. on the mountings of the suspension arms · CPC title

• B62D7/20

  Links, e.g. track rods (means for adjusting camber, castor, or toe-in B62D17/00) · CPC title

• B60G2200/44

  steerable · CPC title