Document Type

Patent

Publication Date

8-5-1997

Abstract

Describes a steering system in an all-terrain four-wheeled vehicle with independent suspension where the necessary forces for wheels to respond to steering control is supplied by fluid pressure or electrical actuators mounted parallel to the suspension arm between vehicle frame and wheel control arm. Steering control by the driver is by manipulation of right and/or left steering levers eliminating the need of steering wheel and steering column in front of the driver. The steering actuators are independent and there is no tracking rod or other linkage for coordinating their turning angles. Close coordination of the wheel turning angles for achieving the Ackerman angle relation or other non-linear turning angle relation between the wheels is by a now-linear linkage between left and right steering levers or elsewhere or by a computer control for electric actuators. Optionally, a computer control in an electrical system has inputs for acceleration and velocity for detecting hazards associated with steering and inputs to provide artificial feel signals to the hand levers.

Department

Mechanical Engineering

Patent Number

US5653304

Application Filed

6-6-1995

Assignee

University of Arkansas (Little Rock, AR)

Comments

David A. Renfroe, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR

Download

Share

COinS