초록

A steering system for a vehicle having a pair of levers pivotably affixed to the chassis connecting the output of the steering gear mechanism, to tie rods which connect to the wheel assembly steering input. The steering system minimizes the space required for steering linkage.

대표청구항 ▼

In a vehicle having a steering gear mechanism with an occupant controlled output, and a pair of steerable wheel assemblies each rotatable about a steering axis and each having a steering input point radially spaced from said steering axis, the wheel assemblies being suspended from the vehicle chassi

In a vehicle having a steering gear mechanism with an occupant controlled output, and a pair of steerable wheel assemblies each rotatable about a steering axis and each having a steering input point radially spaced from said steering axis, the wheel assemblies being suspended from the vehicle chassis by control arm means allowing movement in jounce and rebound relative to the vehicle chassis causing the steering input point to move along a generally arcuate path defining a center of curvature and a bounce radius; a steering linkage comprising, in combination: a pair of levers each having a fulcrum axis extending therethrough and a first and second pivot point spaced radially therefrom on generally opposite sides of the fulcrum axis from one another; means pivotally connecting the levers at their fulcrum axes to the chassis adjacent each wheel assembly so as to allow the wheel to move and jounce in rebound without moving the fulcrum axis location; link means connecting the output of the steering gear mechanism to the first pivot point of each lever, said link means comprising at least one link pivotably connected to the output of the steering gear mechanism at one end and extending generally transversely therefrom to pivotably connect with said lever first pivot point, said link and said lever arranged in a generally perpendicular manner so that link motion will be confined within a small tubular-shaped envelope; and a pair of tie rods each pivotably connecting the steering input point of a respective wheel assembly to a corresponding lever second pivot point, said second pivot point being located in the proximity of the center of curvature of the arcuate path of the wheel assembly steering input point and said tie rod being substantially the length of the bounce radius so as to minimize bump steer.