Steering mechanism for tractors

Abstract: A steering mechanism for improving the turning radius of a tractor or other vehicle is disclosed wherein the wheels (19) are turned relative to the steering axle (18) on pivotal movement of the steering axle relative to the chassis (10) of the tractor. A connecting link (50) interconnects the pivot mechanism (31) pivotally supporting the steering axle (18) relative to the chassis (10) with the steering mechanism such that a manipulation of the steering mechanism to affect a turning of the wheels affects a pivotal movement of the steering axle in the same direction the wheels (19) are being turned. The pivot mechanism (31) allows for pivotal movement of the steering axle (18) about longitudinally extending horizontal axis (23) in addition to the pivotal movement of the steering axle about a generally vertical axis relative to the chassis. A lost motion linkage (45) interconnecting the pivot mechanism and the steering axle accommodates differences in arcuate movements due to the pivot mechanism and the steering axle pivotally moving about longitudinally spaced pivot centers (36,38). The pivot mechanism (31) effects a lateral shifting of the steering axle during rotation thereof about the pivot axis (38).

Description: This invention relates generally to off-road motor vehicles, such as tractors, and more particularly, to a steering mechanism permitting a decreased turning radius for the tractor. Tractors, whether used in an agricultural setting or in an industrial setting, typically include a fixed axle through which primary driving power is transferred through fixed wheels rotatably mounted on opposing ends of the fixed axle, and a steering axle having pivotally mounted steerable ground engaging wheels rotatably mounted on the opposing ends thereof to support the chassis of the tractor above the ground. Although supplemental driving power is often provided to the steerable ground engaging wheels, a steering mechanism remotely controllable by the operator from the operator's compartment selectively controls the pivotal movement of the steerable wheels relative to the steering axle. One such steering mechanism incorporates a transversely disposed, horizontally extending hydraulic cylinder supported by the steering axle and connected to the opposing steerable wheels. This hydraulic cylinder effects pivotal movement of the steerable wheels about their respective pivotal connections to the steering axle by manipulating the pressures in the hydraulic cylinder to effect a transverse extension of cylinder rod, causing a turning of the wheels. Due to physical limitations relating to the range of movement of the steering mechanism and to the eventual interference between the steerable wheels and the steering axle, the amount of pivotal movement of the steerable wheels relative to the steering axle is limited to a given turning angle. This maximum turning angle defines the minimum turning radius of the tractor for a given wheel base length and tread spacing. The selection of the length of the wheel base, i.e. the distance between the fixed axle and the steering axle, is a compromise between the need to minimize the turning radius and, therefore, minimize the wheel base length, and to maximize ride considerations which require longer wheel base lengths. These conflicting wheel base requirements can be better resolved by a steering mechanism that will decrease the turning radius for any given wheel base length, permitting the wheel base length to increase while maintaining established turning radius specifications. One such steering mechanism is disclosed in DE-U-8.111.165 and DE-A-1.630.721, which both show a so-called compound steering mechanism in which a steering axle carries a pair of pivotable steerable wheels and in addition is pivotable about a fixed pivot, whereby the tractor chassis can be shifted relative to the steering axle during a steering operation to decrease the turning circle of the tractor. In WO-A-89/07545 a further compound steering mechanism is disclosed comprising a pivotable member operably connecting the steering axle with the tractor chassis for controlling the steering action. To support the steering axle on the chassis, a pair of damper elements are provided which suffer from the disadvantage that they can give rise to instability of the tractor chassis. It also will be appreciated that an arrangement in which the steering control, on the one hand, and the support of the steering mechanism on the chassis, on the other hand, are taken care of by distinct structures, increases the number of required components which adds to the complexity and the costs of the arrangement. It is an object of the invention to provide a compound steering mechanism which does not suffer from the above disadvantages. According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a vehicle comprising : a chassis including a longitudinally-extending centerline; a pair of transversely extending axles arranged to support the chassis above the ground; each of said axles having a pair of ground wheels rotatably mounted thereon for mobilely supporting said chassis above the ground and one of said axles constituting a steering axle on which the ground wheels are steerable by being pivotally supported by pivotal mounts located on opposite sides of said steering axle to permit a turning of said vehicle; steering means operably connected with the ground wheels on the steering axle for selectively controlling the pivotal movement of the ground wheels relative to the steering axle; and pivot means operably connecting said steering axle to said chassis for permitting pivotal movement of said steering axle relative to said chassis; said pivot means being operatively associated with said steering means such that a pivotal movement of said steerable wheels effects a corresponding pivotal movement of said steering axle whereby one of said pivotal mounts is positioned closer to said chassis centerline than the other said pivotal mount when said steering axle is pivoted to effect a turning of said vehicle; characterized in that said pivot means pivotally supports the steering axle relative to the chassis and includes a bellcrank pivotally supported intermediate its ends from a first pivot supported from the chassis; said pivot means further includes a second pivot supported from the chassis; said steering axle is pivotally connected to a first end of said bellcrank and is movable about said second pivot; and said pivot means further includes linkage means interconnecting a remote second end of said bellcrank and said steering means to effect a pivotal movement of the bellcrank about said first pivot when said steering means is manipulated to effect a pivotal movement of the steerable wheels. A connecting link may interconnect the pivot means pivotally supporting the steering axle relative to the chassis with the steering mechanism such that a manipulation of the steering mechanism to effect a turning of the wheels effects a pivotal movement of the steering axle in the same direction the wheels are being turned. The pivot means may allow for pivotal movement of the steering axle about a longitudinally-extending horizontal axis in addition to the pivotal movement of the steering axle about a generally vertical axis relative to the chassis. A lost motion mechanism may interconnect the pivot means and the steering axle to accommodate differences in arcuate movements due to the pivot means and the steering axle pivotally moving about longitudinally-spaced pivot centers. The steering axle may be pivoted in the same direction as the steerable ground wheels are turned and the steering mechanism may effect a simultaneous pivoting of the ground-engaging wheels relative to the steering axle and pivotal movement of the steering axle relative to the chassis. The pivot center for the pivotal movement of the steering axle may be positioned at a location that will maintain the spacing between the inside ground engaging wheel and the chassis during maximum turning efforts. According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of steering a vehicle comprising: a chassis including a longitudinally extending centerline; a pair of transversely extending axles arranged to support the chassis above the ground; each of said axles having a pair of ground wheels rotatably mounted thereon for mobilely supporting said chassis above the ground and one of said axles constituting a steering axle on which the ground wheels are steerable by being pivotally supported by pivotal mounts located on opposite sides of said steering axle to permit a turning of said vehicle; steering means operably connected with the ground wheels on the steering axle for selectively controlling the pivotal movement of the ground wheels relative to the steering axle; and pivot means operably connecting said steering axle to said chassis for permitting pivotal movement of said steering axle relative to said chassis; said pivot means being operatively associated with said steering means such that a pivotal movement of said steerable wheels effects a corresponding pivotal movement of said steering axle whereby one of said pivotal mounts is positioned closer to said chassis centerline than the other said pivotal mount when said steering axle is pivotally moved to effect a turning of said vehicle; characterized in that the method comprises the steps of: pivotally supporting the steering axle relative to the chassis by means of the pivot means including a bellcrank pivotally supported intermediate its ends from a first pivot supported from the chassis; connecting said steering axle to a first end of said bellcrank; operably associating a connecting link with the steerable wheels and said bellcrank; selectively manipulating the pivotal movement of said steerable wheels relative to said steering axle; and rotating the bellcrank through the intermediary of said connecting link about said first pivot to pivot the steering axle and simultaneously pivotally moving the steering axle in the same direction as the pivotal movement of the steerable wheels about a second pivot supported from the chassis. It is a feature of this invention that the wheel base of an off-the-road vehicle can be increased to provide more desirable ride characteristics for the vehicle without changing the turning radius specification of the vehicle. The pivot mechanism pivotally may support the steering axle relative to the chassis of the vehicle to enable a pivotal movement of the steering axle about a generally vertical axis, as well as a transverse oscillation of the steering axle about a longitudinally extending, horizontal axis relative to the chassis. The invention also provides a method of steering an off-the-road vehicle by turning the pivotally mounted steerable ground wheels and the steering axle on which the steerable ground wheels are mounted. The pivot centers for movement of the pivot mechanism and the pivotal movement of the steering axle may be longitudinally spaced in alignment with a longitundinally extending, generally horizontal axis about which the steering axle is mounted for transverse oscillation. The steering mechanism of the present invention is durable in construction, inexpensive of manufacture, carefree of maintenance, facile in assemblage, and simple and effective in use. It is an advantage of this invention that the wheel base length can be increased without increasing the previously established turning radius specifications. It is still another advantage of the invention that the steering mechanism can be utilized on various mobile equipment, such as combines, forage harvesters, tractors, and industrial equipment, such as loaders and backhoes. The advantages of this invention will be apparent upon consideration of the following detailed disclosure of the invention, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein: Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a steering axle located at the front portion of a tractor, this top plan view being taken as a cross section below the tractor main frame as indicated by line 1-1 of Fig. 2, Fig. 1 exhibiting a prior art steering mechanism of a tractor in which the steering axle is mounted for transverse oscillation relative to the chassis, but is otherwise fixed relative thereto; Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view taken along line 2-2 of Fig. 1 to provide a side elevational view of the prior art steering mechanism; Fig. 3 is a top plan view of a prior art steering mechanism similar to Fig. 1, with the steering mechanism being manipulated to effect a turning of the pivotally-mounted, steerable ground wheels to cause a right-hand turn of the tractor; Fig. 4 is a top plan view of a steering mechanism incorporating the principles of the present invention, Fig. 4 being a view similar to that of Fig. 1, but taken along line 4-4 of Fig. 5; Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of Fig. 4 to depict a side elevational view of the steering mechanism incorporating the principles of the present invention; Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the steering axle similar to that of Fig. 4 with the steerable ground wheels being pivoted along with the steering axle into a maximum right turn position; Fig. 7 is a schematic top plan view of the forward portion of a tractor to demonstrate the increased wheel turn accomplished by the steering mechanism incorporating the principles of the present invention, the phantom lines depicting the steering axle and associated ground wheels oriented in a straight forward position, the dotted lines indicating the maximum turn of the steerable ground wheels permitted with prior art steering mechanism exemplified in Figs. 1-3, and the solid lines indicating the maximum turn for the steerable ground engaging wheels as accomplished by the presemt invention; and Fig. 8 is a schematic side elevational view of a tractor depicting a general relationship between the chassis, the rear fixed axle and the forward steering axle. Referring now to the drawings and particularly to Figs. 1-3 and 8, a representative view of a prior art tractor steering mechanism can best be seen. The chassis 10 houses an engine 12 serving to provide operational power for the tractor T, and an operator's cab 14 positioned in an elevated location. The operator's cab 14 includes a steering control 15 conventionally operable to manipulate the steering mechanism 20, 30 described in greater detail below. The chassis 10 is supported above the ground G by a rearward fixed axle 16 having a pair of opposing fixed drive wheels 17 rotatably mounted in a customary transversely spaced orientation. The chassis 10 is also supported above the ground G by a steering axle 18 positioned forwardly of the rearward fixed axle 16. The steering axle 18 is provided with a pair of rotatably mounted steerable wheels 19 pivotally connected to the steering axle 18 to permit a rotational movement relative thereto, as will be described in greater detail below. Referring to Figs. 1-3, the prior art steering mechanism 20 can best be seen. Some tractors T are provided with an optional drive mechanism 21 providing rotational power to the steerable wheels 19 in addition to the customary operative driving power applied to the fixed wheels 17. The drive mechanism 21 typically includes a gear housing 22 connected to and supported from the steering axle 18. Both the gear housing 22 and the steering axle 18 are pivotally mounted relative to the chassis 10 for transverse oscillation about a longitudinally-extending, generally horizontal pivot axis 23, which permits the steering axle 18 to follow varying ground undulations without disrupting the orientation of the chassis 10. The steerable wheels 19 are pivotally connected to the transversely opposed ends of the steering axle 18 by a pivot axis commonly referred to as a king pin 24. Each steerable wheel 19 is provided with a fixed steering arm 27 extending outwardly therefrom and pivotable therewith. The steering mechanism 20 further includes a hydraulic cylinder 25 mounted to either the gear housing 22 or the steering axle 18, and oriented in a transverse, horizontal position, generally parallel to the steering axle 18. The hydraulic cylinder 25 is provided with a cylinder rod 26 extending transversely from the body of the cylinder 25 in opposing transverse directions. A steering link 28 interconnects each respective end of the cylinder rod 26 with a corresponding steering arms 27, such that an extension of the cylinder rod 26 in either transverse direction will effect a pivoting of the steerable wheels 19 via a connection of the cylinder rod 26 to the steering arms 27 through the steering links 28, as is best shown in Fig. 3. Referring specifically to Fig. 3, the interference between respective components of the steering axle 18 and the steerable wheels 19 such as, for example, an interference between the steering arms 27 and the axle 18, as well as the interference between the chassis 10 and the pivotally turned steerable wheels 19, limits the amount of pivotal movement of the steerable wheels 19 relative to the steering axle 18. The maximum turning angle exemplified in Fig. 3 defines the minimum turning radius for the tractor T for the given wheel base length between the fixed axle 16 and the steering axle 18. Moving the prior art steering axle 18 forwardly away from the fixed axle 16 to improve ride characteristics of the tractor T will result in an increase of the turning radius for the tractor T because of the length of the increased wheel base and the limitations imposed by the maximum steering angle of the steerable wheels 19. Referring now to Figs. 4-6, the principles of the present invention to provide a decreased turning radius for a given wheel base can best be seen. The steering mechanism 30 utilizes as many of the components of the prior art steering mechanism 20 as possible to minimize complication. The steering axle 18 is pivotally mounted relative to the chassis 10 for pivotal movement about a generally vertical axis 38. To permit the steering axle 18 to transversely oscillate to follow changing ground undulations, the longitudinal pivot axis 23 is defined by a longitudinally extending support shaft 32 extending from and rotatably supported by the chassis 10 and terminating at its forward end 33 in a fixed pivot support 34 adapted to receive a first vertical pivot 36. A support arm 37 is fixed to the support shaft 32 for pivotal movement therewith about the longitudinal pivot axis 23. The support arm 37 carries a second vertical pivot 38 about which the steering axle 18 is pivotally movable. Accordingly, the entire pivot mechanism 31 pivotally supporting the steering axle 18 relative to the chassis 10 is pivotable about the longitudinal pivot axis 23 with the support shaft 32, thereby permitting transverse oscillations for the steering axle 18. One skilled in the art will readily realize that other arrangements of pivotable components could be devised to permit the steering axle 18 to be capable of transverse oscillations; however, fixing the support arm 37 and the pivot support 34 to the support shaft 32 maintains the pivot axes 36,38 in parallel orientation during transverse oscillatory motions about the longitudinal axis 23. The pivot mechanism 31 also includes a bellcrank 40 affixed to the first vertical pivot 36 to be rotatable about the axis defined by the pivot 36. The bellcrank 40 terminates in a first, forward end 41 carrying a third vertical pivot 42 for connection to a lost motion linkage 45 and a second, rearward end 43 pivotally connected to a connecting link 50 to effect rotation of the bellcrank 40, as will be described in greater detail below. The lost motion linkage 45 is pivotally connected to the bellcrank 40 at the third vertical pivot 42 and includes transversely extending opposing arms 46 pivotally connected to transversely spaced brackets 47 affixed to the steering axle 18. The pivotal connection between the transverse arms 46 and the brackets 47 defines a transverse horizontal axis 49 about which the lost motion linkage 45 is pivotable for reasons that will be described in greater detail below. A connecting link 50 is pivotally attached to the rearward end 43 of the bellcrank 40 and extends transversely therefrom to a bracket 52 which is affixed to the right steerable wheel 19 to be pivotably movable therewith. One skilled in the art will readily realize that the connecting link 50 could be connected to other components of the steering mechanism 30 so that a pivotal movement of the bellcrank 40 can be effected whenever the steerable wheels 19 are moved relative to the steering axle 18. The purpose of the connecting link 50 being to effect pivotal movement of the bellcrank 40 about the first vertical pivot 36 in response to the pivotal movement of the steerable wheels 19 about the king pins 24. In operation, the conventional operation of the steering control 15 causes a manipulation of the pressures within the hydraulic cylinder 25 to effect an extension of the cylinder rod 26 to the left as depicted in Fig. 6 causes a pivotal movement of the steerable wheels 19 about the respective king pins 24 in a manner substantially identical to that described above with respect to the prior art steering mechanism 20 depicted in Figs. 1-3. Since the bracket 52 pivotally moves with the right steerable wheel 19 the pivoted motion of the bracket 52 causes a movement of the bellcrank 40 due to the connection therebetween by the connecting link 50. The rotation of the bellcrank 40 about the first pivot axis 36, as depicted in Fig. 6, causes the forward end 41 of the bellcrank 40 to move to the right of the longitudinal axis 23. Because of the connection between the bellcrank 40 and the steering axle 18 by the lost motion linkage 45, the steering axle 18 is urged to the right with the forward end 41 of the bellcrank 40. Since the gear housing 22 attached to the steering axle 18 is pivoted about the second, vertical pivot 38, the steering axle 18 pivots about the second vertical pivot 38 in a clockwise direction, as shown in Fig. 6, which is the same direction of rotation of the steerable wheels 19. One skilled in the art will readily realize that operation of the steering mechanism 30 to cause a left turn will result in a movement of the components described above in the opposite direction, in substantially a mirror image to the exemplary depiction of Fig. 6. Since the bellcrank 40 is pivotal about the first vertical pivot 36 while the steering axle 18 is pivotal about the second vertical pivot 38 which is spaced longitudinally rearwardly of the first vertical pivot 36, the forward end 41 of the bellcrank 40 travels about a different arcuate path than the corresponding portion of the steerable axle 18. The lost motion linkage 45 accommodates this difference in arcuate movement by the pivotal connection with the forward end 41 of the bellcrank 40 at the third vertical pivot 42, permitting relative motion between the bellcrank 40 and the lost motion linkage 45. Likewise, the pivotal connection between the transverse arms 46 and the brackets 47 attached to the steering axle 18 permit the lost motion linkage 45 to be rotated rearwardly about the transverse horizontal axis 49 while the bellcrank 40 and the steering axle 18 are pivoted about their respective pivot connections 36, 38. Accordingly, the lost motion linkage 45 permits the bellcrank 40 which is rotating about an arc having the first vertical pivot 36 as its center to effect pivotal movement of the steering axle 18 about a different arc having the center of rotation defined by the second vertical pivot 38. One skilled in the art will readily realize this arrangement of components will permit only a limited amount of movement for the steering axle 18. The positioning of the first vertical pivot 36 intermediate the two ends 41,43 of the bellcrank 40, but closer to the forward end 41, while rotating the steering axle 18 about a pivot arm considerably longer than the pivot arm of the bellcrank 40, permits a ratio of movement of the pivoted steerable wheels 19 to be in the range of 5-10 times greater than the angular movement of the steering axle 18 about the second pivot 38. For example, a pivoting of the right steerable wheel 19 in a right turn for the tractor T through an angular movement of approximately 50 degrees may only result in approximately 6-8 degrees of angular movement of the steering axle 18 about the second vertical pivot 38. By moving the steering axle 18 forwardly from the position shown in Figs. 1-3, the additional rotative movement of the steering axle 18 positions the inboard end of the left hand tire forwardly of the chassis 10 to eliminate interference therewith during a right hand turn. The placement of the second pivot 38 along the longitudinal axis 23 substantially perpendicular to the inboard end of the right hand tire when turning the tractor T in a right turn, maintains the inboard end of the right hand steerable wheel 19 at substantially the same distance from chassis 10, as this portion of the right steerable wheel 19 moves substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinally axis 23 when the steering axle 18 is pivoted about the second pivot 38. The same relationship is true with the opposing wheels 19 during a left hand turn for the tractor T. Since the steering axle 18 is supported from the support shaft 32 through the pivot support 34 and the support arm 37, enabling the steering axle 18 to rotate with the support shaft 32 relative to the chassis 10, changes in ground undulations will still cause the steering axle 18 to transversely oscillate about the longitudinal axis 23 irrespective of the orientation of the steering axle 18 relative to the chassis 10. Both the first and second vertical pivots 36,38 remain fixed relative to the chassis 10 and in alignment with the longitudinal pivot axis 23 throughout the pivotal movement of the steering axle 18. Referring now to the schematic view of Fig. 7, the advantages of the present invention can be seen pictorially. Using the steerable wheels 19 mounted on the steering axle 18 in the straight forward position as shown in phantom lines Fig. 7 as the base reference point, the dotted outline of the steerable wheels 19 reflect the maximum turning ability, i.e. the minimum turning radius, for the tractor T with the prior art steering mechanism described in Figs. 1-3. Utilizing the principles of the present invention simultaneously to turn the steering axle 18 about the second pivot 38, as described above, positions the steerable wheels 19 in the position shown in solid lines in Fig. 7. One skilled in the art will readily realize that a smaller turning radius for a giving wheel base length can be attained through utilization of the present invention. Placement of the steering axle 18 forwardly relative to the chassis 10 permits the tractor T to have a more comfortable ride characteristic and also positions the inboard end of the outside steerable wheel 19 forwardly of the chassis 10 to prevent interference between. As also demonstrated in Fig. 7, the inboard end of the inside wheel 19 in a respective turn for the tractor T substantially maintain the proximity thereof relative to the chassis 10 due to the location of the second vertical pivot 38. One skilled in the art will also readily realize that a maintenance of the turning radius specification will permit the utilization of a longer wheel base, i.e. a movement of the steering axle 18 forwardly from the fixed axle 16 to provide better ride characteristics for tractor T. One skilled in the art will further readily realize that the steering actions of the steerable wheels 19 and the steering axle 18 could be accomplished sequentially rather than simultaneously. Although the preferred embodiment, as described above, utilizes simultaneous steering of the wheels 19 and axle 18 through a mechanical linkage, other hydraulic or electronic embodiments could be utilized to provide a sequential pivoting of the steering axle 18 after a given amount of pivotal movement of the steerable wheels 19. The preferred embodiment described above utilizes most of the existing prior art steering and axle components and requires only the addition of modest mechanical and minimum hydraulic complications to provide the improved steering mechanism. The chassis 10 is defined by transversely-spaced sides positioned on opposite sides of the chassis center line. It will be seen from Figure 7 that the outboard wheel, on a given turn, is positionable forwardly of the chassis 10 with at least a portion thereof being positionable between the chassis center line and a generally vertical plane defined by one of the chassis sides. It will also be seen from Figure 7 that the axis of the steering axle 18 is moved to a position which is non-perpendicular to the chassis center line, during turning of the vehicle, the steering axle being located proximate the forward end of the chassis 10 such that the outboard wheel is positionable forwardly of the chassis forward end as already mentioned. It will be seen that the steering axle 18 is mounted for steering movement relative to the chassis 10 such that a steering movement of the steering axle effects turning of the vehicle independently of the pivotal movement of the steerable ground wheels 19 relative to the steering axle. It will be understood that changes in the details, materials, steps and arrangements of parts which have been described and illustrated to explain the nature of the invention will occur to and may be made by those skilled in the art upon reading of this disclosure within the principles and scope of the invention. The foregoing description illustrates the preferred embodiment of the invention; however, concepts, as based upon the description may be employed by other embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following claims are intended to protect the invention broadly as well as in the specific form shown.

Claims: A vehicle comprising: a chassis (10) including a longitudinally extending centerline (23); a pair of transversely extending axles (16, 18) arranged to support the chassis (10) above the ground; each of said axles (16, 18) having a pair of ground wheels (17, 19) rotatably mounted thereon for mobilely supporting said chassis (10) above the ground and one of said axles (16, 18) constituting a steering axle (18) on which the ground wheels (19) are steerable by being pivotally supported by pivotal mounts (24) located on opposite sides of said steering axle (18) to permit a turning of said vehicle; steering means (15, 20, 30) operably connected with the ground wheels (19) on the steering axle (18) for selectively controlling the pivotal movement of the ground wheels (19) relative to the steering axle (18); and pivot means (31) operably connecting said steering axle (18) to said chassis (10) for permitting pivotal movement of said steering axle (18) relative to said chassis (10); said pivot means (31) being operatively associated with said steering means (15, 20, 30) such that a pivotal movement of said steerable wheels (19) effects a corresponding pivotal movement of said steering axle (18) whereby one of said pivotal mounts (24) is positioned closer to said chassis centerline (23) than the other said pivotal mount (24) when said steering axle (18) is pivoted to effect a turning of said vehicle; characterised in that said pivot means (31) pivotally supports the steering axle (18) relative to the chassis (10) and includes a bellcrank (40) pivotally supported intermediate its ends from a first pivot (36) supported from the chassis (10); said pivot means further includes a second pivot (38) supported from the chassis (10); said steering axle (18) is pivotally connected to a first end of said bellcrank (40) and is movable about said second pivot (38); and said pivot means (31) further includes linkage means (50) interconnecting a remote second end of said bellcrank (40) and said steering means (15, 20, 30) to effect a pivotal movement of the bellcrank (40) about said first pivot (36) when said steering means (15, 20, 30) is manipulated to effect a pivotal movement of the steerable wheels (19). A vehicle according to claim 1 characterized in that the pivotal movement of the steering axle (18) is in the same direction as the pivotal movement of the steerable wheels (19) and is effected simultaneously therewith by said pivot means (31). A vehicle according to claim 1, characterised in that the pivotal movement of the steering axle (18) and the pivotal movement of the steerable wheels (19) are effected sequentially. A vehicle according to any of the preceding claims characterized in that the pivot means (31) further includes a lost motion linkage (45) to accommodate the difference in arcuate movements of the first end of the bellcrank (40) and the steering axle (18). A vehicle according to claim 4, characterized in that the lost motion linkage (45) includes a linkage member (46) pivotally connected to the steering axle (18) for pivotal movement about a generally horizontally extending, transversely oriented axis (49) and to the first end of the bellcrank (40) for pivotal movement relative to the bellcrank about a generally vertical axis (42). A vehicle according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the steering axle (18) is pivotally connected to the chassis (10) for pivotal movement about a longitudinally-extending, generally horizontal axis (23) defined by a fore-and-aft extending member (32). A vehicle according to claim 6, characterized in that both said first and second pivots (36, 38) are supported by said fore-and-aft extending member (32) in alignment with, and for pivotal movement about the longitudinally-extending, generally horizontal axis (23). A vehicle according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that both said first and second pivots (36, 38) are generally vertically oriented resulting in a substantially parallel movement of the steering axle (18) relative to the chassis (10) when said steering axle (18) is pivotally moved to effect a turning of said vehicle. A vehicle according to any of the preceding claims characterized in that said first pivot (36) is arranged substantially vertically above the steering axle (18) and spaced longitudinally from said second pivot (38). A vehicle according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first pivot (36) is positioned closer to the first end of the bellcrank (40) than to the second end so that the angular rotation of pivotal movement of the steering axle (18) is less than the angular rotation of pivotal movement of the steerable ground wheels (19). A vehicle according to claim 10, characterized in that the pivot arm of the steering axle (18) relative to the second pivot (38) is considerably longer than the pivot arm of the steering axle (18) relative to the first pivot (36), permitting a ratio of pivotal movement of the steerable wheels (19) to be in the range of 5 to 10 times greater than the angular movement of the steering axle (18) about said second pivot (38). A method of steering a vehicle comprising : a chassis (10) including a longitudinally extending centerline (23); a pair of transversely extending axles (16, 18) arranged to support the chassis (10) above the ground; each of said axles (16, 18) having a pair of ground wheels (17, 19) rotatable mounted thereon for mobilely supporting said chassis (10) above the ground and one of said axles (16, 18) constituting a steering axle (18) on which the ground wheels (19) are steerable by being pivotally supported by pivotal mounts (24) located on opposite sides of said steering axle (18) to permit a turning of said vehicle; steering means (15, 20, 30) operably connected with the ground wheels (19) on the steering axle (18) for selectively controlling the pivotal movement of the ground wheels (19) relative to the steering axle (18); and pivot means (31) operably connecting said steering axle (18) to said chassis (10) for permitting pivotal movement of said steering axle (18) relative to said chassis (10); said pivot means (31) being operatively associated with said steering means (15, 20, 30) such that a pivotal movement of said steerable wheels (19) effects a corresponding pivotal movement of said steering axle (18) whereby one of said pivotal mounts (24) is positioned closer to said chassis centerline (23) than the other said pivotal mount (24) when said steering axle (18) is pivotally moved to effect a turning of said vehicle; characterized in that the method comprises the steps of: pivotally supporting the steering axle (18) relative to the chassis (10) by means of the pivot means (31) including a bellcrank (40) pivotally supported intermediate its ends from a first pivot (36) supported from the chassis (10); connecting said steering axle (18) to a first end of said bellcrank (40); operably associating a connecting link (50) with the steerable wheels (19) and said bellcrank (40); selectively manipulating the pivotal movement of said steerable wheels (19) relative to said steering axle (18); and rotating the bellcrank (40) through the intermediary of said connecting link (50) about said first pivot (36) to pivot the steering axle (18) and simultaneously pivotally moving the steering axle (18) in the same direction as the pivotal movement of the steerable wheels (19) about a second pivot (38) supported from the chassis (10). A method according to claim 12, characterized in that it further comprises the step of accommodating the differences in arcuate motion of said bellcrank (40) and of said steering axle (18) by a lost motion linkage (45) interconnecting said bellcrank (40) and said steering axle (18). A method according to claim 13, characterized in that the lost motion linkage (45) includes a linkage member (46) pivotally connected to the steering axle (18) for pivotal movement about a generally horizontally extending, transversely oriented axis (49) and to the first end of the bellcrank (40) for pivotal movement relative to the bellcrank about a generally vertical axis (42). A method according to any of the claims 13 to 14, characterized in that it further comprises the step of pivotally connecting the steering axle (18) to the chassis (10) for pivotal movement about a longitudinally extending, generally horizontal axis (23) defined by a fore-and-aft extending member (32). A method according to claim 15, characterized in that both said first and second pivots (36, 38) are supported by said fore-and-aft extending member (32) in alignment with the longitudinally extending, generally horizontal axis (23). A method according to any of the claims 13 to 16, characterized in that it further comprises the step of arranging both said first and second pivots (36, 38) in a generally vertical orientation resulting in a substantially parallel movement of the steering axle (18) relative to the chassis (10) when said steering axle (18) is pivotally moved to effect a turning of said vehicle. A method according to any of the claims 13 to 17, characterized in that said first pivot (36) is arranged substantially vertically above the steering axle (18) and spaced longitudinally from said second pivot (38). A method according to any of the claims 12 to 18, characterized in that said first pivot (36) is positioned closer to the first end of the bellcrank (40) than to the second end so that the angular rotation of pivotal movement of the steering axle (18) is less than the angular rotation of pivotal movement of the steerable ground wheels (19). A method according to claim 19, characterized in that it further comprises the step of dimensioning the pivot arm of the steering axle (18) relative to the second pivot (38) considerably longer than the pivot arm of the steering axle (18) relative to the first pivot (36), permitting a ratio of pivotal movement of the steerable wheels (19) to be in the range of 5 to 10 times greater than the angular movement of the steering axle (18) about said second pivot (38). A method according to claim 12, characterised in that the manipulating step and the rotating step are effected sequentially.

Inventors: HURLBURT JOSEPH C, HURLBURT, JOSEPH C
Applicants: FORD NEW HOLLAND LTD, NEW HOLLAND FORD LIMITED
Application year: 1991
Main classification: B62D9
IPC codes: B60K17, B62K5, B62D7, B62D9, B62D49, B60G9