Abstract:
Volumetric efficiency and steering accuracy are increased and manufacturing tolerance is reduced in a multi-link suspension of a vehicle having a wheel carrier for rotatably supporting a wheel and a plurality of control arms for connecting a vehicle body and one of upper and lower portions of the wheel carrier, by connecting the wheel carrier and the plurality of control arms by a unified ball joint unit interposed therebetween.
Abstract:
The vehicle steering linkage connects a rack of a steering system to a knuckle. The steering linkage includes a tie rod, an inner ball joint and an outer connector assembly for transmitting steering forces between a rack and a knuckle. The outer connector assembly includes a primary connector and a secondary connector. The primary connector includes a socket in a socket member, a ball retained in the socket and a shank that is integral with the ball and secured to an arm of the knuckle. The secondary connector includes a slot in the socket member and a bolt. A bolt shank passes through the slot and screws into the arm. Upon failure of the primary connector, the secondary connector transmits steering forces to the arm.
Abstract:
A mounting system for coupling attaching mounting a steering gear housing member to a vehicle frame, comprises at least one single-piece steering gear brackets secured to a cross member of the vehicle frame, and at least one corresponding single-piece steering gear joint member integral with the steering gear housing member and secured to the steering gear bracket.
Abstract:
A sealing boot for a rack and pinion steering system includes a tubular body structure of flexible seal material formed with a plurality of convolutes and terminating at each open end in a neck. An inner sealing surface of at lease one of the necks is formed with a plurality of annular, alternating grooves and ribs, which reduces the contact area of the sealing surface and provides annular pockets for retaining lubricant at the sealing surface to provide low frictional resistance to the rotation of the component about which the neck is sealed relative to the boot.
Abstract:
A vehicle steering assembly comprising a vehicle steering system, a wheel assembly including a pivotal wheel hub for supporting a wheel, a knuckle mounted to the hub, and a pivot arm extending outward from the knuckle. The vehicle steering assembly further including a connector rod interconnecting the vehicle steering system and the pivot arm for transmitting linear motion from the vehicle steering system through the connector rod to rotate the wheel assembly. The connector rod including a first end connected to the vehicle steering system, a second end pivotally connected to the pivot arm, and a shaft portion interconnecting the first and second ends. The connector rod further including a first mechanism to allow the connector rod to pivot in a first plane in relation to the vehicle, and a second mechanism to allow the connector rod to pivot in a second plane, approximately orthogonal to the first plane.
Abstract:
A steering linkage assembly for a motor vehicle has a tie rod and a drag link connected to a steering knuckle in an over/under arrangement, with first and second ball joints for the drag link and the tie rod respectively on opposite sides of the steering knuckle and having a common axis that is located within an interior volume of a wheel supported by the steering knuckle. The coaxial, over/under configuration results in a ball joint assembly having a minimum axial dimension so that both ball joints can be located inside the inner rim of the wheel and as far outboard and as far forward as possible. The extreme outboard placement of the drag link ball joint maximizes the length of the drag link to reduce bump and roll steer sensitivity, and the forward placement maximizes the effective steering arm radius to reduce steering linkage loads while also improving packaging.
Abstract:
A method and structure for installing an automotive suspension member is herein disclosed. A fastener used to couple a link member includes a head, a shaft extending from the head and a self-holding mechanism that prevents rotation of the fastener when it is engaged with an aperture formed through a mating member. The self-holding mechanism obviates the need for more than one tool for installing the link member.
Abstract:
A steering post for use with a recreational vehicle, particularly a snowmobile or ATV, is described. The steering post includes a steering shaft having upper and lower ends; at least two steering arms, the two steering arms being positioned at an angle to a longitudinal axis of the steering shaft; a ball joint assembly positioned at the lower end of the steering shaft; and a stop. An upper bearing for supporting a steering post on a recreational vehicle may have a radiused inner surface that can accept some misalignment of the shaft. A steering system also can include a double ball joint linkage that permits an easier and simpler adjustment of the steering system. A recreational vehicle such as snowmobile or ATV making use of these features also is described.
Abstract:
A two-joint arrangement is presented for the articulated connection of guide elements, preferably of a motor vehicle linkage with a common articulated part. Each of the two joints has a joint housing that is connected to a guide element each and a bearing shell that is accommodated within the joint housing, in which a pivot part which is rigidly connected to the common articulated part is accommodated in a rotatable and pivotable manner. In a first embodiment variant, a pivot part (26) of a joint (4) has an opening (24) running in the pivot part longitudinal axis, which the pivot part (17) of the other joint (5) having a screw bolt area (23) located thereon penetrates whereby a clamping nut is arranged on the free end of the screw bolt area (23) facing away from the pivot part (17) of the other joint (5). Another solution variant provides that both pivot parts (26) of each joint (4, 5) have each an opening (24) running in the pivot part longitudinal axis, which a screw bolt (31) provided with a widened head area penetrates jointly, which, on its free end facing away from the head area (32), has a detachable clamping nut (29) connected thereto. The solution variants disclosed offer the advantage that the individual joints of the two-joint arrangement can be mounted in a simple manner and can be separately replaced.
Abstract:
A tie rod for motor vehicles comprises a rod constructed of polymeric materials or composites, formed through irreversible chemical reactions whereby the connection is crossed between molecular chains of the base polymer constituent of this composite, reinforced with charges in the form of fibers such as fiber glass, carbon fiber, aramide fiber, among others. These rods are coupled to metallic terminals positioned in their extremities, and this coupling can be made through chemical bonding, such as gluing, for example, and/or mechanical bonding, such as pressing or clipping. Threads may be used for the union of the pieces to obtain adjustability of the length of the tie bar according to its application.