초록 ▼

A rear wheel suspension and steering system utilizing a rectilinear shape dead axle of the type wherein a differential mechanism is mounted directly to a vehicle body so as to descend within the dead axle in such a way that the differential can move vertically relative to the dead axle. More specifi

A rear wheel suspension and steering system utilizing a rectilinear shape dead axle of the type wherein a differential mechanism is mounted directly to a vehicle body so as to descend within the dead axle in such a way that the differential can move vertically relative to the dead axle. More specifically, the invention relates to a system whereby the rear wheels are mounted upon the dead axle so as to be steerable relative thereto.

대표청구항 ▼

A rear wheel support and driving system of the type comprising a rack-type dead axle (22) adapted to support a vehicle body thereupon through suitable spring means, a air of wheels (30) rotatably supported upon said dead axle, a differential drive mechanism (24) adapted to be supported upon the vehi

A rear wheel support and driving system of the type comprising a rack-type dead axle (22) adapted to support a vehicle body thereupon through suitable spring means, a air of wheels (30) rotatably supported upon said dead axle, a differential drive mechanism (24) adapted to be supported upon the vehicle body and movable with said body relative to the dead axle, the differential mechanism including a power input shaft (26) and power output shafts (28 and 30), a pair of live axles (56 and 58) drivingly connecting the output shafts with said wheels, the dead axle being generally rectilinear in shape and having a first pair of longitudinal beams (34 and 36) respectively transversely spaced outboard of said differential mechanism, a second pair of cross beams (38 and 40) respectively spaced fore and aft of said differential mechanism and secured to the first pair of beams, the improvement comprising: A. said longitudinal beams (34 and 36) including transversely aligned openings (52 and 54); B. hollow sleeves (72 and 74) secured within the beam openings (52 and 54) and projecting transversely outboard of beams (34 and 36), said live axles (56 and 58) extending through said sleeves; C. means (76 and 78) for steerably supporting the wheels upon the sleeves; said supporting means including a steering arm (92-94) fixed thereto and operatively connected to the power steering device (96); D. a power steering device (96) mounted on the dead axle and operatively connected to the steerable wheel supporting means (76 and 78) for imparting steering movement to the wheels, the power steering device (96) includes a pair of operating arms (100 and 102) extending generally parallel to the cross beam (40), rod members (104 and 106) articulated at their ends between said operating arms and the steering arms (92 and 94), each longitudinal beam (34-36) includes a second opening (108-110) intermediate the first opening (52-54) and the dead axle cross beam (40), the rod members (104 and 106) respectively extending through the second openings whereby the outer end of each rod member is disposed outboard of the associated longitudinal beam (34 and 36).