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WO1995015271A1 - Systeme de suspension pour un vehicule, s'orientant automatiquement - Google Patents

Systeme de suspension pour un vehicule, s'orientant automatiquement Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1995015271A1
WO1995015271A1 PCT/AU1994/000743 AU9400743W WO9515271A1 WO 1995015271 A1 WO1995015271 A1 WO 1995015271A1 AU 9400743 W AU9400743 W AU 9400743W WO 9515271 A1 WO9515271 A1 WO 9515271A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
pivot
vehicle
sub
assembly according
axle assembly
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/AU1994/000743
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Donald Barry Sibbald
Original Assignee
Donald Barry Sibbald
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Donald Barry Sibbald filed Critical Donald Barry Sibbald
Priority to AU11037/95A priority Critical patent/AU1103795A/en
Publication of WO1995015271A1 publication Critical patent/WO1995015271A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
    • B62D13/00—Steering specially adapted for trailers
    • B62D13/06—Steering specially adapted for trailers for backing a normally drawn trailer

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to heavy transportation vehicles and more particularly to a steering and suspension system for such vehicles.
  • the invention has been developed primarily for use in relation to heavy road transport vehicles such as trucks and semi-trailers and will be described hereinafter with reference to this application. It will be appreciated, however, that the invention is not limited to this particular field of use.
  • Heavy road transport vehicles such as trucks and semi-trailers typically incorporate two or more spaced apart axles, often grouped together in sets of two or three to increase load bearing capacity.
  • Each axle supports corresponding pairs of road wheels and the axles of each group or set are usually spaced apart by a distance marginally greater than the wheel diameter.
  • the axles are normally mounted to the vehicle chassis by suspension assemblies which prevent relative movement in horizontal planes, but allow a limited degree of controlled movement in vertical planes to accommodate variations in the road surface. Throughout this suspension movement, however, the axles when viewed from above remain substantially parallel and steering is normally only effected by the front wheels of the prime mover.
  • This scrubbing effect is a major cause of tyre wear, which is a substantial component of heavy vehicle running costs.
  • the scrubbing phenomenon also decreases rolling efficiency thereby increasing fuel costs, impedes manoeuvrability particularly at low speeds, and makes the vehicle generally more difficult to drive.
  • the resultant loadings in the vehicle suspension and chassis have been known to crack axles, break centre bolts and permanently bend suspension and chassis components.
  • the tyre scrubbing causes premature wear and damage to the road over which the vehicle passes.
  • each axle or axle group is supported on a sub-frame which is pivoted about a vertical axis in concert with the main steering wheels by a linked steering mechanism.
  • Such mechanisms have, however, proven to be excessively complex, expensive, and unacceptably prone to failure.
  • a sub-frame associated with each axle is supported for rotation about a vertical axis disposed forwardly of the central axle, such that the sub-frame operates as a castor mechanism tending to align the associated trailing axle with the centre of the vehicle's turning circle.
  • These axles are sometimes referred to as "self-steering" axles.
  • the major problem with such axles is that the system of forces tending to steer each trailing axle with the vehicle travelling in the forward direction becomes unstable when the vehicle is reversed, tending to rotate the entire sub-frame and axle assembly through an angle of 180°. In order to control this, it is necessary to lock the sub-frame to the vehicle chassis in a centred orientation and thereby deactivate the inherent self-steering mechanism whenever the vehicle is reversed.
  • the invention as presently contemplated consists in a self-steering axle assembly for a vehicle, said assembly comprising: a sub-frame supporting an axle; first pivot means engageable selectively to permit relative rotation between the sub-frame and the vehicle body about a first substantially vertical pivot axis disposed forwardly of said axle; second pivot means engageable selectively to permit relative rotation between the sub-frame and the vehicle body about a second substantially vertical pivot axis disposed rearwardly of said axle; and selector means operable to engage the first pivot means and to disengage the second pivot means during forward movement of the vehicle, and operable to engage the second pivot means and to disengage the first pivot means during reverse movement of the vehicle; such that resultant castoring forces tend to align the axle with the centre of the vehicle's turning circle during both forward and reverse movement of the vehicle.
  • a turntable is disposed intermediate the sub-frame and the vehicle chassis and said first and second pivot means define respective pivot axes of the turntable.
  • the turntable preferably comprises a pair of substantially flat plates disposed in overlapping relationship for sliding contact during relative rotation about the respective pivot axes.
  • the plates are preferably formed from a tough relatively rigid plastics material such as polyester or polycarbonate. A particularly preferred material is marketed in Australia under the trade mark "RALLOY".
  • the turntable incorporates abutment means disposed to limit the maximum rotational displacement of the sub-frame with respect to the vehicle chassis.
  • abutment means comprises a locating pin extending from one plate of the turntable into a corresponding oversized aperture or slot formed in the other.
  • the upper plate of the turntable is preferably attached to the vehicle chassis and the lower plate attached to the sub-frame, both by counter-sunk screws or other suitable means such that the overlapping surfaces of the plates are substantially smooth and unobstructed.
  • the sub-frame is preferably fabricated from steel or aluminium and supports the axle by means of an hydraulic suspension system comprising a series of double acting hydraulic rams and associated accumulators or reservoirs.
  • the sub-frame may support a group of two or more axles, and two or more such sub-frames may be provided if desired.
  • Each pivot assembly preferably comprises a first vertically extending bush disposed on a bridge member supported below the vehicle chassis.
  • a second support bush coaxial with the first is disposed on an upper frame assembly above the turntable plates.
  • Each pivot assembly further comprises a retractable pivot pin adapted in the operative position to extend through the top and bottom bushes and through corresponding aligned holes formed in the intermediate turntable plates to define the respective first and second pivot axes.
  • the selector preferably comprises a rocker beam or other linkage mechanism whereby the respective pivot pins are alternately raised and lowered in concert, such that when one pin is raised the other is lowered and vice versa.
  • a pair of independently actuable selectors may be provided whereby both pivot pins can may be engaged simultaneously to lock the turntable in a central position.
  • Figure 1 is a diagrammatic plan view showing a triaxle suspension assembly for a semi-trailer embodying the self-steering mechanism of the present invention
  • Figure 2 is a diagrammatic side elevation showing the suspension assembly of Figure 1;
  • FIG. 3 is an enlarged side elevation showing one of the axle assemblies of Figures 1 and 2 in more detail;
  • Figure 4 is a front elevation of the suspension assembly
  • Figure 5 is a diagrammatic side elevation showing an alternative selector mechanism. PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
  • the invention provides a self-steering axle assembly 1 adapted for mounting to the chassis 2 of a vehicle.
  • axle assembly 1 adapted for mounting to the chassis 2 of a vehicle.
  • three such axle assemblies are shown in a triaxle configuration of the type used in many trucks and semi-trailers.
  • Each assembly 1 comprises an independent sub-frame 5 supporting an axle 6.
  • Each axle in turn supports a set of road wheels 7.
  • each sub-frame 5 comprises a pair of vertically extending support arms 8 and a corresponding pair of triangulated tie rods 9.
  • the tie rods are connected centrally to the axle by means of an axle mounting bracket 10.
  • the axle is further located by drag links 11 which run parallel to the chassis rails and an hydraulic suspension units 12.
  • Each suspension unit consists of double-acting hydraulic ram interconnected with one or more associated accumulators or reservoirs. Separate reservoirs can be provided for both compression and rebound damping and in the preferred embodiment, these accumulators or reservoirs are built into the hydraulic rams.
  • Each ram is connected to the axle by means of a spherical bearing, "rose joint” or other suitable form of rod end. In the preferred embodiment, rose joints manufactured substantially from “RALLOY" are used.
  • Each sub-frame 5 is connected to the vehicle chassis 2 by means of an intermediate turntable 15.
  • the turntable comprises an upper turntable plate 16 mounted to the vehicle chassis rails by a support frame and a corresponding lower turntable plate 17 mounted to the sub-frame.
  • the turntable plates are disposed in overlapping relationship for sliding contact during relative rotation of the sub-frame with respect to the vehicle chassis, as described in more detail below.
  • the plates may be formed from any suitable material but are preferably formed from a tough relatively rigid plastics material such as polyester or polycarbonate. The particularly preferred material is marketed in Australia under the trade mark "RALLOY" . All mounting screws and other fittings are countersunk or recessed as appropriate into the respective turntable plates such that the mating surfaces are smooth and unobstructed.
  • the turntable incorporates respective first and second pivot assemblies 20 and 21.
  • Each pivot assembly comprises a lower vertically extending bush 22 supported by an underslung bridge rail 23 fixedly mounted to the chassis rails 2.
  • An upper support bush 24 coaxial with its lower counterpart is disposed on a fixed upper frame assembly 25 associated with the vehicle chassis.
  • the upper and lower turntable plates 16 and 17 incorporate corresponding holes alignable with the top and bottom bushes 22 and 23.
  • the first and second pivot assemblies further comprise respective pivot pins 28 and 29.
  • Each pivot pin is adapted in its operative position to extend through the corresponding top and bottom support bushes 22 and 24 and through the aligned holes formed in the intermediate turntable plates 16 and 17.
  • the first pivot 20 when engaged defines a first substantially vertical pivot axis 30 about which the turntable 15 and hence the lower sub-frame assembly 5 can rotate.
  • the second pivot 21 when engaged defines a second substantially vertical pivot axis 31 for the turntable.
  • the assembly further comprises selector means 35.
  • the selector means comprises a pair of independently operable pneumatically assisted hydraulic brake units or "maxi-brakes" 36 operable via intermediate bellcrank linkages 37 to withdraw the respective pivot pins 28 and 29.
  • the associated bellcrank rotates anti-clockwise (when viewing the drawing) to extract the pivot pin 29 associated with the second pivot assembly 21.
  • the first pivot assembly 20 With reference to the first pivot assembly 20, retraction of the actuating arm of the associated maxi-brake engages the pivot pin 28 whereby the first pivot axis 30 becomes the operative rotational axis of the turntable.
  • the turntable rotates about the second rotational axis 31.
  • Figure 5 shows an alternative form of selector mechanism, whereby the pivot pins 28 and 29 of the respective first and second pivot assemblies 20 and 21 are engaged and retracted by a single intermediate rocker arm 38.
  • This is a simpler mechanical arrangement operable by a single actuator and can replace the dual maxi-brake and bellcrank assemblies of the previously described embodiment.
  • any other suitable mechanism including cams, pneumatic or hydraulic cylinders, motors, rockers, or other linkages may also be used.
  • the first pivot 20 is engaged whilst the second pivot 21 is retracted.
  • the upper and lower turntable plates permit relative rotation between the sub-frame 5 and the vehicle chassis about the corresponding first pivot axis 30.
  • this axis is disposed forwardly of the axle 6 such that as the vehicle begins to turn in direction T, a castoring force indicated as F in Figure 1 causes the sub-frame 5 to rotate, tending to align the axle with the centre of the vehicle's turning circle.
  • the extent of rotation will depend upon the relative position of the axle on the vehicle, and on the radius of the turning circle. In all cases, however, the castoring action operates to align each trailing axle with the centre of the turning circle.
  • the first pivot assembly 20 When the vehicle is to be reversed, the first pivot assembly 20 is retracted and the second pivot 21 engaged, whereby the axis of rotation 31 of the turntable is effectively displaced to a corresponding position behind the axle.
  • the axle similarly trails the effective pivot axis of the sub-frame to produce an analogous system of castoring forces.
  • the selector mechanisms actuating the first and second pivots may be linked to the vehicle's gear selection mechanism such that the first pivot is automatically operative whenever a forward gear is selected and the second pivot operative as appropriate upon selection of any reverse gear.
  • the selection mechanism may be manually operable, controlled in response to the direction of wheel rotation, or be controlled by any other suitable means.
  • Figures 1 to 4 permits both pivot assemblies to be engaged simultaneously, thereby locking the turntable and the sub-frame 5 in a central position if desired.
  • the invention virtually eliminates tyre scrubbing and the associated problems of excessive tyre wear, excessive road wear, increased fuel costs, damage to suspension components, reduced manoeuvrability, and the like. Moreover, the invention provides a simple, efficient and effective mechanism whereby these advantages are achieved throughout all forward and reverse movements of the vehicle. Thus, the invention represents a commercially significant improvement over the prior art.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Vehicle Body Suspensions (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un agencement d'essieux (1) pour un véhicule, s'orientant automatiquement. L'agencement (1) comprend un sous-châssis (5) supportant un essieu (6). De premiers moyens de pivotement (20) peuvent s'engager sélectivement pour permettre une rotation relative du sous-châssis (5) et du corps du véhicule par rapport à un premier axe de pivotement sensiblement vertical (30) situé à l'avant dudit essieu (6). De seconds moyens de pivotement (21) peuvent s'engager d'une manière sélective pour permettre une rotation relative du sous-châssis (5) et du corps du véhicule par rapport à un second axe de pivotement sensiblement vertical (31) situé à l'arrière dudit essieu (6). Des moyens de sélection (35) sont prévus pour engager les premiers moyens de pivotement (20) et pour désengager les seconds moyens de pivotement (21) durant le déplacement vers l'avant du véhicule et pour engager les seconds moyens de pivotement (21) et désengager les premiers moyens de pivotement (20) durant la marche arrière du véhicule. Les forces de chasse résultantes tendent ainsi à aligner automatiquement l'essieu (6) avec le centre du cercle de rotation du véhicule durant aussi bien la marche avant que la marche arrière du véhicule.
PCT/AU1994/000743 1993-12-01 1994-12-01 Systeme de suspension pour un vehicule, s'orientant automatiquement WO1995015271A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU11037/95A AU1103795A (en) 1993-12-01 1994-12-01 Self-steering suspension system for vehicles

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AUPM272293 1993-12-01
AUPM2722 1993-12-01

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1995015271A1 true WO1995015271A1 (fr) 1995-06-08

Family

ID=3777390

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/AU1994/000743 WO1995015271A1 (fr) 1993-12-01 1994-12-01 Systeme de suspension pour un vehicule, s'orientant automatiquement

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO1995015271A1 (fr)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2000021821A1 (fr) * 1998-10-13 2000-04-20 Raleigh Corporation Pty. Ltd. Mecanisme auto-suiveur pour ensemble essieu
AU752615B2 (en) * 1998-10-13 2002-09-26 Raleigh Corporation Pty. Ltd. Self tracking mechanism for axle assemblies
US6531302B1 (en) 1999-04-12 2003-03-11 Nanogen/Becton Dickinson Partnership Anchored strand displacement amplification on an electronically addressable microchip
US7219913B2 (en) 2000-12-01 2007-05-22 Trackaxle Pty Ltd. Articulated vehicle wheel tracking mechanism
ITTO20090894A1 (it) * 2009-11-20 2011-05-21 Cometto Ind Carrello per rimorchi

Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CH446920A (fr) * 1965-11-03 1967-11-15 Rochat Edouard Remorque pour véhicule automobile
GB1208697A (en) * 1968-03-29 1970-10-14 Ustav Pro Vyzkum Motorovych Vo Trailer vehicles
US3561790A (en) * 1968-10-11 1971-02-09 Herman E Jurgens Self-steering and backable trailer
US3700255A (en) * 1971-06-18 1972-10-24 Daniel H Herbert Pivotable axle
US3880440A (en) * 1974-08-12 1975-04-29 Hubert Tidewell Steerable truck with reversible castering wheel structure for trailers
US4195863A (en) * 1977-01-06 1980-04-01 Single Track Steer Pty. Limited Vehicle suspension system
AU7365987A (en) * 1986-05-28 1987-12-03 Road Transport Industries Australia Pty. Ltd. Multi-axled vehicle steering system
GB2245235A (en) * 1990-06-21 1992-01-02 Thomas Walter Hill A trailer having a steerable wheel with adjustable castor angle to aid reversing
AU4627193A (en) * 1992-06-29 1994-01-06 Queensland Transport Industries Pty. Ltd. Vehicle steering apparatus

Patent Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CH446920A (fr) * 1965-11-03 1967-11-15 Rochat Edouard Remorque pour véhicule automobile
GB1208697A (en) * 1968-03-29 1970-10-14 Ustav Pro Vyzkum Motorovych Vo Trailer vehicles
US3561790A (en) * 1968-10-11 1971-02-09 Herman E Jurgens Self-steering and backable trailer
US3700255A (en) * 1971-06-18 1972-10-24 Daniel H Herbert Pivotable axle
US3880440A (en) * 1974-08-12 1975-04-29 Hubert Tidewell Steerable truck with reversible castering wheel structure for trailers
US4195863A (en) * 1977-01-06 1980-04-01 Single Track Steer Pty. Limited Vehicle suspension system
AU7365987A (en) * 1986-05-28 1987-12-03 Road Transport Industries Australia Pty. Ltd. Multi-axled vehicle steering system
GB2245235A (en) * 1990-06-21 1992-01-02 Thomas Walter Hill A trailer having a steerable wheel with adjustable castor angle to aid reversing
AU4627193A (en) * 1992-06-29 1994-01-06 Queensland Transport Industries Pty. Ltd. Vehicle steering apparatus

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2000021821A1 (fr) * 1998-10-13 2000-04-20 Raleigh Corporation Pty. Ltd. Mecanisme auto-suiveur pour ensemble essieu
AU752615B2 (en) * 1998-10-13 2002-09-26 Raleigh Corporation Pty. Ltd. Self tracking mechanism for axle assemblies
US6531302B1 (en) 1999-04-12 2003-03-11 Nanogen/Becton Dickinson Partnership Anchored strand displacement amplification on an electronically addressable microchip
US7219913B2 (en) 2000-12-01 2007-05-22 Trackaxle Pty Ltd. Articulated vehicle wheel tracking mechanism
ITTO20090894A1 (it) * 2009-11-20 2011-05-21 Cometto Ind Carrello per rimorchi
EP2325030A3 (fr) * 2009-11-20 2012-05-23 Industrie Cometto S.p.A. Ensemble roue pour remorque

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