US 8,128,107 B2 · Passively steerable module axle

Abstract

In conventional vehicle cranes it is usually necessary in consideration of current safety regulations to provide at least two separate steering circuits for all steered axles so that, in the event of a failure of one circuit, the vehicle crane can continue to be steered by way of the other. In order to avoid that in accordance with the invention at least one steered rear axle of a vehicle crane (1) is provided with a caster (a) so that at least one axle (11-16), in the event of a steering failure, remains steerable passively by utilizing the caster friction. That principle is applied in a similar manner to a module axle (2) which can be mounted to the vehicle crane (1) and which can be required for transporting additional equipment or an additional counterweight which is possibly required.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A vehicle crane comprising:

a first chassis having a first end and a second end, said first chassis having a first suspension system, at least one actively steerable axle and a first steering system operably coupled to said at least one actively steerable axle;
a second chassis releasably coupled to said second end;
a module axle coupled to said second chassis by a fork, said fork being rotatable about an axis of rotation wherein the axis of rotation is offset from the module axle, said module axle includes a second steering system operably coupled to a wheel, said wheel having a preset caster angle, wherein said second steering system is operably coupled to said first steering system to actively steer said module axle during a first mode of operation and passively steer said module axle during a second mode of operation.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Passively steerable module axle

Life of this patent

Passively steerable module axle

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20