Steering centering/damping mechanism for heavy-duty vehicles
AssigneeHendrickson USA, L.L.C.
InventorsAndrew L. Bradley, Scott Kohler, Ken Mutzner, Michael Andrew Power, Michael Sheridan, John Slonaker, Andrew J. Westnedge
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Abstract
A steering centering/damping mechanism for a steerable axle/suspension system of a heavy-duty vehicle, the steering centering/damping mechanism comprising a mechanically-operated structure including a torsion spring. The mechanically-operated structure interconnects a tie rod and a steering knuckle of the steerable axle/suspension system and provides increasing positive steering centering force with increasing steer angle of the steerable axle/suspension system.
Claims9
A steering centering/damping mechanism for a steerable axle/suspension system of a heavy-duty vehicle, said steering centering/damping mechanism comprising:
- a mechanically-operated structure including a torsion spring, said torsion spring having a vertically-extending gap, said mechanically operated structure being interconnected with a tie rod and a steering knuckle of said steerable axle/suspension system, said tie rod having a first end portion formed with a first projection extending upwardly and engaging said gap to elastically deform the torsion spring and provide increasing positive steering centering force with increasing steer angle of the steerable axle/suspension system.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.