# US 12,179,864 B2 · Steering assembly for a vehicle > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,179,864 B2 - Document ID: US12179864B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/843,168 - Filed: 2022-06-17 - Published: 2022-12-22 - Granted: 2024-12-31 - Earliest claimed: 2021-06-18 - Assignees: Volvo Truck Corporation - Applicants: Volvo Truck Corporation - Inventors: Stefan Preijert; Anders Olsson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12179864B2 ## CPC - B62D 7/142: {specially adapted for particular vehicles, e.g. tractors, carts, earth-moving vehicles, trucks} - B62D 7/159: {characterised by computing methods or stabilisation processes or systems, e.g. responding to yaw rate, lateral wind, load, road condition} - B62D 7/1509: {with different steering modes, e.g. crab-steering, or steering specially adapted for reversing of the vehicle} - B62D 7/1518: {comprising a mechanical interconnecting system between the steering control means of the different axles} - B62D 7/144: {for vehicles with more than two axles} - B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M) ## Abstract A steering assembly for a vehicle comprising a first, a second, a third, and a fourth wheel, a first steering actuator comprising a first actuating member, and a second steering actuator comprising a second actuating member. The first actuating member is connected to each of the first wheel and the second wheel. The second actuating member is connected to each of the third wheel and the fourth wheel. The steering assembly comprises a connection arrangement. The first and second steering actuators are connected to each other via the connection arrangement such that the first actuating member and the second actuating member move independently of each other when a relative movement parameter is within a predetermined relative movement range and the connection arrangement transfers movement between the first actuating member and the second actuating member when the relative movement parameter is outside the predetermined relative movement range. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A steering assembly for a vehicle comprising: a first steering actuator comprising a first actuating member, a second steering actuator comprising a second actuating member, the first actuating member being connected to and adapted to control the steering angle of each of a first wheel and a second wheel of the vehicle, the second actuating member being connected to and adapted to control the steering angle of each of a third wheel and a fourth wheel of the vehicle, and a connection arrangement, wherein the first and the second steering actuators are connected to each other via the connection arrangement such that: the connection arrangement allows the first actuating member and the second actuating member to move independently of each other when a relative movement parameter is within a predetermined relative movement range, the relative movement parameter being indicative of an amount of relative movement between the first actuating member and the second actuating member, and the connection arrangement transfers movement between the first actuating member and the second actuating member when the relative movement parameter is outside the predetermined relative movement range. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The steering assembly of claim 1, wherein the predetermined relative movement range includes zero relative movement between the first actuating member and the second actuating member. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The steering assembly of claim 1, wherein the predetermined relative movement range corresponds to a predetermined steering angle difference range ([Δφlower, Δφupper]) for a steering angle difference (Δφ) between a first steering angle (φ1) of the first wheel and a third steering angle (φ3) of the third wheel, the predetermined steering angle difference range ([Δφlower, Δφupper]) being defined by a predetermined upper endpoint value (Δφupper) and a predetermined lower endpoint value (Δφlower). ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The steering assembly of claim 3, wherein the predetermined upper endpoint value (Δφupper) is in the range of 0.5° to 5°, preferably in the range of 1° to 3°. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The steering assembly of claim 3, wherein the predetermined lower endpoint value (Δφlower) is in the range of −5° to −0.5°. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The steering assembly of claim 1, wherein: the first steering actuator comprises a first pivotable shaft connected to the first actuating member, the second steering actuator comprises a second pivotable shaft connected to the second actuating member, and the connection arrangement comprises a first connection portion pivotally connected to the first pivotable shaft and a second connection portion pivotally connected to the second pivotable shaft. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The steering assembly of claim 6, wherein the connection arrangement comprises a gear arrangement adapted to change a pivot direction of the first connection portion relative to the first pivotable shaft or a pivot direction of the second connection portion relative to the second pivotable shaft. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The steering assembly of claim 6, wherein the connection arrangement comprises a pivot joint connecting the first connection portion and the second connection portion, the pivot joint allowing a relative pivot movement between the first connection portion and the second connection portion when a relative pivot therebetween is within a predetermined relative pivot range, and the pivot joint transferring a pivot movement between the first connection portion and the second connection portion when the relative pivot therebetween is outside the predetermined relative pivot range. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The steering assembly of claim 8, wherein the predetermined relative pivot range includes zero relative pivot between the first connection portion and the second connection portion. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The steering assembly of claim 1, wherein the first actuating member is a first pitman arm and the second actuating member is a second pitman arm. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The steering assembly of claim 1, wherein: the first actuating member is connected to the first wheel via a first link rod and to the second wheel via a second link rod, the second actuating member is connected to the third wheel via a third link rod and to the fourth wheel via a fourth link rod, and the first link rod is connected to a first steering arm of the first wheel, the second link rod is connected to a second steering arm of the second wheel, the third link rod is connected to a third steering arm of the third wheel, and the fourth link rod is connected to a fourth steering arm of the fourth wheel. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The steering assembly of claim 11, wherein: the steering assembly is adapted to determine a load in each one of the first link rod, the second link rod, the third link rod, and the fourth link rod and to determine a predetermined steering angle difference such that a combination of the loads is equal to or below a predetermined load threshold value, and the predetermined load threshold value is determined on the basis of one or more of: an intended direction of travel of the vehicle, an intended speed of the vehicle, and any combination thereof. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The steering assembly of claim 1, wherein: the steering assembly is adapted to control a first steering angle of the first wheel and a third steering angle of the third wheel such that a predetermined steering angle difference is obtained between the first steering angle and the third steering angle, and the steering assembly is adapted to determine information indicative of a current driving condition of the vehicle and to determine the predetermined steering angle difference on the basis of the information indicative of the current driving condition. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The steering assembly of claim 1, wherein: the steering assembly comprises a steering control assembly, and the steering control assembly comprises a steering wheel. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The steering assembly of claim 14, wherein the steering control assembly is adapted to issue a first steering request signal to the first steering actuator, the first steering actuator being adapted to issue a second steering request signal to the second steering actuator. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The steering assembly of claim 14, wherein the steering control assembly is adapted to issue a first steering request signal to the first steering actuator and a second steering request signal to the second steering actuator. ### Claim 17 A vehicle comprising a first wheel, a second wheel, a third wheel, and a fourth wheel; and a steering assembly comprising: a first steering actuator comprising a first actuating member, a second steering actuator comprising a second actuating member, the first actuating member being connected to and adapted to control the steering angle of each of the first wheel and the second wheel, the second actuating member being connected to and adapted to control the steering angle of each of the third wheel and the fourth wheel, and a connection arrangement, wherein the first and the second steering actuators are connected to each other via the connection arrangement such that: the connection arrangement allows the first actuating member and the second actuating member to move independently of each other when a relative movement parameter is within a predetermined relative movement range, the relative movement parameter being indicative of an amount of relative movement between the first actuating member and the second actuating member, and the connection arrangement transfers movement between the first actuating member and the second actuating member when the relative movement parameter is outside the predetermined relative movement range. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The vehicle of claim 17, wherein the vehicle has a longitudinal extension in a longitudinal direction parallel to an intended direction of travel of the vehicle, the vehicle further having a transversal extension in a transversal direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and wherein the vehicle has a longitudinal centre line extending in the longitudinal direction and located in the transversal centre of the vehicle, each one of the first and the second wheels being located on one side of the longitudinal centre line, and each one of the third and the fourth wheels being located on an opposite side of the longitudinal centre line. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The vehicle of claim 17, wherein the vehicle has a longitudinal extension in a longitudinal direction parallel to an intended direction of travel of the vehicle, the vehicle further having a transversal extension in a transversal direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, wherein the vehicle has a transversal centre line extending in the transversal direction and located in the longitudinal centre of the vehicle, each one of the first and the second wheels being located on one side of the transversal centre line, and each one of the third and the fourth wheels being located on an opposite side of the transversal centre line.