GB254719A - Improvements in steering mechanisms for motor vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

254,719. Thouvenot, P., (Assignee of Dienne, J.). July 1, 1925, [Convention date]. Non-reactive steering-mechanism; deflectable axle-ends.-Comprises steering-gear in which the stub-axles or any part of the mechanism are normally held in any adjusted position by a braking device, and the operating member first separates the braking surfaces and then rotates the steerable member. The invention is shown applied to a stub-axle 5 having fixed thereto a sleeve 12 with a conical part 12<a> which can rotate in a corresponding part of the axle 1 and forms the steering pivot. The steering-arm 24 is rigid with a pin 14 passing through the sleeve 12 and coupled therewith by a pin 15 allowing some lost motion by means of slots 17. A collar 16 is fixed by the pin 15 to the pin 14 and another collar 13 is fixed to the sleeve 12 and therefore to' the stub-axle. Balls 28 are interposed between the rings 16, 13 and rest in recesses 27 therein, shaped as shown in Fig. 4. Normally the weight of the vehicle acting on the axle 1 causes the conical part of the sleeve 12 to jam in the axle and thereby lock or brake the stub-axle against movement due to road shocks. When the steering-arm 24 is operated the pin 14 and ring 13 are first rotated slightly in the sleeve 12 and ring 16 due to the lost motion, and this movement between the rings 16. 13 causes the balls to move in their recesses and move the rings further apart, thus raising the axle 1 and relieving the braking action between the sleeve 12 and the axle 1. The continued movement of the steering-arm then rotates the stub-axles freely to the desired position, after which the balls 28 return to the normal position and lock the stub-axles again. A thrustbearing 29 is provided between the ring 16 and a ring 19 abutting against the axle 1. The invention may be applied to steering-wheels having a castor action, i.e. a tendency to return to the straight-ahead position, the stub-axles being locked against road shocks in this position only. In a modification the invention is shown applied to the steering-shaft which controls the worm of the steering-gear, the force which normally brings the conical braking surfaces together being supplied by a spring. Instead of the balls 28 other means. such as inclines, screws or wedges may be used to separate the conical braking surfaces.