# US 9,038,761 B2 · Dual steering system for a vehicle

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- Number: US 9,038,761 B2
- Document ID: US9038761B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/368,129
- Filed: 2011-12-21
- Published: 2015-01-15
- Granted: 2015-05-26
- Earliest claimed: 2011-12-21
- Assignees: Volvo Group North America, LLC
- Applicants: Eisenbarth Mark Alton
- Inventors: Eisenbarth Mark Alton
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9038761B2

## CPC

- B62D 1/22: Alternative steering-control elements, e.g. for teaching purposes
- B62D 5/00: Power-assisted or power-driven steering (for non-deflectable wheels B62D11/00; fluid-pressure servomotors in general F15B)
- B62D 5/04: electrical, e.g. using an electric servo-motor connected to, or forming part of, the steering gear
- 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

The present invention discloses a dual steering system including a first front wheel and a second front wheel, a lateral steering linkage connecting the first and second front wheels, a first steering system with a first steering wheel and a power steering module that assists steering inputs applied to the first steering wheel, and a second steering system with a second steering wheel and a torque sensor in communication with the power steering module of the first steering system and monitoring steering inputs applied to the second steering wheel, whereby the power steering module may provide power assist to the steering inputs applied to the second steering wheel.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A dual steering system for a vehicle, comprising:
a first front wheel and a second front wheel;
a lateral steering linkage that connects the first and second front wheels;
a first steering system provided with a first steering wheel and a power steering module that provides power assist to steering inputs applied to the first steering wheel;
a second steering system provided with a second steering wheel and a torque sensor that monitors steering inputs applied to the second steering wheel and communicates via a data communication pathway with the power steering module of the first steering system, whereby the power steering module may provide power assist to the steering inputs applied to the second steering wheel;
the first steering system connected to the lateral steering linkage whereby the first steering wheel steers the front wheels independently of the second steering system; and
the second steering system connected to the lateral steering linkage whereby the second steering wheel may steer the front wheels of the vehicle independently of the first steering system in the event of failure of the power assist provided by the power steering module.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The dual steering system for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the first and second steering systems are connected to the lateral steering linkage via first and second pitman arms, respectively.

### Claim 3

A dual steering system for a vehicle, comprising:
a first front wheel and a second front wheel;
a lateral steering linkage that connects the first and second front wheels;
a first steering system provided with a first steering wheel and a first power steering module that provides power assist to steering inputs applied to the first steering wheel;
a second steering system provided with a second steering wheel and a second power steering module that provides power assist to steering inputs applied to the second steering wheel;
the first power steering module provided with a torque sensor that monitors steering inputs applied to the first steering wheel and communicates via a data communication pathway with the second power steering module of the second steering system, whereby the second power steering module may provide power assist to the steering inputs applied to the first steering wheel;
the second power steering module provided with a torque sensor that monitors steering inputs applied to the second steering wheel and communicates via the data communication pathway with the first power steering module of the first steering system, whereby the first power steering module may provide power assist to the steering inputs applied to the second steering wheel;
the first steering system connected to the lateral steering linkage whereby the first steering wheel may steer the front wheels of the vehicle independently of the second steering system in the event of failure of the power assist provided by the second power steering module; and
the second steering system connected to the lateral steering linkage whereby the second steering wheel may steer the front wheels of the vehicle independently of the first steering system in the event of failure of the power assist provided by the first power steering module.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The dual steering system for a vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the first and second steering systems are connected to the lateral steering linkage via first and second pitman arms, respectively.